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

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

Salt River Project launches first standalone storage project

SRP is buying power from a new 10 MW battery system by an AES/Siemens venture, as it works to increase the reliability of its system and offset renewable energy installations.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 30, 2018

FERC, DOJ support Illinois nuclear subsidies in court filing

The controversial nuclear payments do not interfere with FERC's jurisdiction over wholesale power markets, the agencies argued.

By Gavin Bade • May 30, 2018

Vermont law 'ups the ante' on energy efficiency

To make up for federal inaction, Vermont has enacted energy efficiency standards for appliances, similar to the unpublished DOE standards released at the end of the Obama administration.

By Peter Maloney • May 30, 2018

Xcel to add 1.2 GW of wind to Texas, New Mexico mix, as PUC gives formal OK

The utility's plan nearly doubles the amount of wind capacity in that service area through two wind farms and a power purchase agreement from wind farms developed by NextEra.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 30, 2018

Puerto Rico's utility signed a $900M contract last week. Who will pay is a mystery.

PREPA is mired in bankruptcy and can't pay for a deal it just signed. Federal agencies, meanwhile, refuse to say if they will pick up the tab.

By Gavin Bade • May 29, 2018

EPA proposes to maintain Obama-era standards for sulfur oxides

The agency is also seeking comment on whether there are "appropriate alternative approaches" for half of the measures used in determining air quality.

By Robert Walton • May 29, 2018

N.J. sets 'aggressive' 2 GW storage target by 2030

Part of a broader recently-enacted law, the policy makes New Jersey the fifth state to set an energy storage goal.

By Peter Maloney • May 29, 2018

Cal Fire: PG&E violated state law, causing 3 wildfires last year

State officials released their first investigations into the 2017 California wildfire season last week, which could pose up to a $12 billion liability for PG&E.

By Gavin Bade • May 29, 2018

State regulators approve Westar, Great Plains Energy $15B merger

Kansas and Missouri regulators approved the deal after the companies removed a $4.9 billion acquisition premium that Great Plains proposed to pay for Westar.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 29, 2018

South Carolina regulators reject rehearing for controversial SCE&G solar rates

The utility's most recent avoided cost calculations lower the rates paid to PURPA projects to $0/kW-year.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 29, 2018

Trump abandons plan to sell off BPA power assets

The White House plan to sell off four federal power authorities, floated in its last two budget proposals, was opposed by electric co-op and municipal utility groups.

By Gavin Bade • May 29, 2018

Congress, DOE continue carbon capture push, but utilities wary

Despite Trump administration support for coal and a newly extended tax incentive for carbon capture, the technology to reduce carbon emissions is too expensive for most utilities.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 25, 2018

Minnesota overhauls interconnection standards to streamline clean energy

The standards are the great equalizer in clean energy markets, and remain a key building block to support a strong foundation for continued clean energy growth, writes IREC Counsel Sky Stanfield.

By Sky Stanfield • May 25, 2018

New Hampshire denies rehearing on Northern Pass line rejection

A state siting board refused to revisit its rejection of the high-profile transmission project. Massachusettes will likely look to other projects to meet its clean energy goals.

By Gavin Bade • May 24, 2018

Does 112% growth in 2017 mean community solar has finally solved its complexity problem?

Growth doubled from 2016 to 2017 and is accelerating this year, with successful policies and best practices emerging.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 24, 2018

Generators slam ISO-NE cost recovery proposal for Exelon gas plant

The grid operator's plan to support a gas generator for its fuel security attributes would reach beyond its typical authority, generators and environmental groups warned FERC.

By Gavin Bade • May 24, 2018

New Jersey Gov. Murphy signs bills creating zero emission credits for nuclear

The plan is to move the state toward 100% clean energy with nuclear power as an essential part of the mix.

By Peter Maloney • May 24, 2018

PJM loses a quarter of its nuke capacity in latest power auction

Cleared nuclear capacity fell by more than 7 GW from PJM's last base residual auction, while demand response, renewables, gas and coal all saw their shares expand. 

By Gavin Bade • May 23, 2018

New Jersey regulators approve PSE&G's $1.9B gas system modernization plan

Urgency played a role in the decision to replace about 900 miles of pipelines, which were prone to leaks.

By Robert Walton • May 23, 2018

80% of transit buses expected to go electric by 2040, report forecasts

California regulators expect to vote in September on a proposal to transition all transit systems in the state to 100% zero emissions by 2040.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 23, 2018

Utility trade groups press EPA to embrace EVs in fuel standard rewrite

Major utility trade groups EEI, NRECA and APPA joined with automakers to press the agency to include electric vehicles as a compliance option in any revision to fuel economy standards.

By Gavin Bade • May 23, 2018

No changes to Xcel nuclear cost recovery after bill dies in Minnesota House

The bill would have altered how Xcel Energy recovers investments in its nuclear fleet, but drew concern from customer advocates, large industrial customers and Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton.

By Robert Walton • May 23, 2018

13 projects from the leading edge of the utility transformation

One nonprofit's invite-only policy forums provide utility stakeholders a "safe space" to work out contentious proceedings and advance ambitious projects.

By Gavin Bade • May 23, 2018