National Grid settlement curbs rate increase, ups grid mod in Rhode Island

The agreement is part of Rhode Island's power sector transformation and calls for investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, energy storage and advanced metering.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2018

Navajo coal plant nears 2019 closure with Arizona water agency decision

The agency found cheaper sources of energy and did not renew its power purchase agreement, raising the bar for a potential buyer to rescue the Navajo Generation Station.

By Peter Maloney • June 8, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

Gas pipeline group slams DOE memo to save coal, nuclear plants

The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America called DOE's depiction of energy security threats "fundamentally flawed, particularly as it relates to natural gas pipelines." 

By Gavin Bade • June 8, 2018

New solar industry initiatives could open business-utility collaborations

A 2017 spike in commercial and industrial solar growth will not last, but industry efforts to educate property owners and offer better financing could be good for businesses and utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 7, 2018

NRC Chair: Nuclear safety regulatory process not to blame for plant retirements

The process has constantly adapted for efficiencies, although it has not significantly impacted the economic basis of early plant retirement, said Kristine Svinicki at a joint FERC-NRC hearing.  

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 7, 2018

New Missouri law authorizes Ameren to invest $1B, cuts rates

Missouri Senate approval of the bill last month prompted Morningstar analysts to raise Ameren's share-price valuation.

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2018

Exelon CEO endorses nuke bailout, punts on leaked DOE memo

Chris Crane said there is "not enough information to pass judgment" on the DOE plan — a day after he told Utility Dive that grid conditions do not justify it. 

By Gavin Bade • June 6, 2018

PJM region and California dominate US storage via different paths

While the two jurisdictions are dominating, other areas are rising as New York and Massachusetts implement energy storage targets.

By Peter Maloney • June 6, 2018

California shift from annual to hourly GHG emissions tracking to focus reductions

Environmental groups cheered the updated methodology, but one NGO fears demand response programs will not be properly credited.

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2018

Hawaii first state to enact 100% carbon neutral goal

Hawaii Gov. David Ige on Monday signed a trio of bills that aim for carbon neutrality at the same time the state hits 100% renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2018

Exelon CEO: No grid emergency to justify DOE coal, nuke bailout

The head of the nation's largest nuclear generator says he would rather work with FERC and the nation's grid operators to devise long-term solutions to grid resilience.

By Gavin Bade • June 5, 2018

McIntyre says FERC could be kept out of DOE effort to save at-risk generators

FERC Chairman Kevin McIntyre said he trusts Energy Secretary Rick Perry to decide whether or not to invoke emergency powers to save coal and nuclear plants from retirement.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 5, 2018

FERC splits again on affiliates, climate in Florida pipeline approval

Both the owner and offtaker of the Florida Lateral Project are owned by NextEra Energy, raising questions from one regulator about whether the pipeline is needed. 

By Gavin Bade • June 5, 2018

Grid mod policy actions jump 75%, with storage playing a central role

While the number of actions rose significantly from Q1 2017 to Q1 2018, they remained within the same set of 37 states, according to the latest edition of 50 States of Grid Modernization.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 5, 2018

Colorado integrates storage into utility planning process

Gov. Hickenlooper signed a bill Friday directing the state's Public Utilities Commission to develop procurement rules to enable investor-owned utilities to acquire energy storage systems.

By Robert Walton • June 5, 2018

How Trump's 'Soviet-style' coal directive would upend power markets

A federal order to keep coal and nuclear plants from retiring could reshape the government's relationship with the power sector, regulators and analysts say.

By Gavin Bade • June 4, 2018

Will FERC uphold state support for clean energy?

Some are celebrating FERC's apparent defense of state environmental policies, but that reaction is premature, write Danny Cullenward and Shelley Welton.

By Danny Cullenward and Shelley Welton • June 4, 2018

California regulators get another year to consider demand response issues

The California Public Utilities Commission is reviewing an evaluation of the demand response auction mechanism pilot, but says the issues are "too complex to be addressed in the informal resolution process."

By Robert Walton • June 4, 2018

Trump orders Perry to stop coal, nuclear retirements

The president’s directive to the Department of Energy comes the same day as the release of a memo advocating DOE use its emergency powers and a Cold War-era law to bail out at-risk plants.

By Gavin Bade • June 1, 2018

Trump administration preparing 2-year coal, nuke bailout

The federal government would purchase power from at-risk plants using its emergency authority and a Cold War-era nationalization law, according to a memo released Friday.

By Gavin Bade • June 1, 2018

California, New York, New Jersey see nearly $1.3B in new EV funding

The California PUC's approval of $738 million in utility electrification proposals represents the largest investment in charging infrastructure by a state to date, analysts said.

By Robert Walton • June 1, 2018

Trump's steel, aluminum tariffs expected to raise costs for energy projects

The power industry, like many sectors, is dependent on an affordable and reliable supply of materials like steel and aluminum for virtually all of its major projects, an attorney noted.

By Peter Maloney • June 1, 2018

New wind project would move MidAmerican within reach of 100% renewables goal

The utility wants to generate enough electricity from wind to equal its customer demand for a year, though other assets will likely remain on the system. 

By Gavin Bade • May 31, 2018

DOE IG report faults FERC pipeline reviews for lack of transparency

FERC should improve information sharing on pipeline applications, including upgrading its online "eLibrary" portal and better track comments throughout the process, the DOE Inspector General said. 

By Gavin Bade • May 31, 2018

Why natural gas' reign may come to a quick end

Turbulent markets and disruptive technology will require every fuel source — even those that are currently winning on low costs — to become even more efficient, writes Uptake's Michael Donohue.

By Michael Donohue • May 31, 2018