Maine eyes lower ratepayer costs from increased electric integration with Canada

Central Maine Power was recently selected by Massachusetts to build a transmission line to deliver hydroelectric power from Quebec through Maine into the New England grid.

By Robert Walton • May 22, 2018

US nuke rules soured acquisition interest from European utilities, former regulator says

Former NRC Commissioner Jeffrey Merrifield made the comment while testifying at a House hearing on four nuclear bills, including one that would push DOE to focus on more highly enriched fuels.

By Gavin Bade • May 22, 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

Getting paid to charge a battery is an attractive but limited opportunity, analysts say

While Tesla's Australian energy storage facility apparently made a windfall from negative prices, analysts say such prices are too rare to be reliable. 

By Peter Maloney • May 22, 2018

San Francisco to fully electrify bus fleet by 2035

Mayor Mark Farrell announced last month a goal to zero out the city’s net emissions by 2050. Transportation reportedly makes up 46%.

By Jason Plautz • May 22, 2018

Last year's weather, wildfires heighten utilities' storm hardening efforts

Utilities are taking measures to address those physical threats, but the number of outages has been slowly creeping up, as has the number of people affected. 

By Peter Maloney • May 21, 2018

Wind power poised for record year, despite initial tax law concerns

Clarity on tax policy and countdown to expiration of the production tax credit are combining to drive a significant increase in the U.S. wind power project pipeline.

By Peter Maloney • May 21, 2018

NextEra to buy Gulf Power, gas assets from Southern for $6.5B

NextEra has long wanted more regulated utility assets but failed to close two high-profile acquisitions in recent years. 

By Gavin Bade • May 21, 2018

Federal government halts linework on Puerto Rico's grid

FEMA has ended the restoration portion of its mission to repair Puerto Rico's grid two weeks ahead of the official start of hurricane season.

By Robert Walton • May 21, 2018

Divided FERC restricts climate impacts in pipeline reviews

FERC will now only consider emissions associated with a specific proposed pipeline, rather than a broader approach to factor in a project's impact on production and consumption of natural gas.

By Gavin Bade • May 18, 2018

California regulators see signs of a new energy crisis — can they prevent it?

As the state's customer choice movement expands, energy sector stakeholders continue to struggle with what CPUC President Michael Picker calls "scar tissue" from the 2000-2001 energy crisis.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 18, 2018

Public power utilities face growing risk from renewables shift, says Moody's

Credit risks for utilities with a higher share of coal power in their generating mix, such as municipal utilities, center on the potential for stranded assets.

By Peter Maloney • May 18, 2018

Utilities join with Tesla to sue EPA over fuel standard rollback

The D.C. Circuit case filed earlier this month is another indication that utilities are beginning to lean into the fight over electric vehicles. 

By Gavin Bade • May 18, 2018

Illinois can do without Vistra coal plants, greens claim

Shutting eight plants in Southern Illinois and replacing them with other options could save up to $14 billion, says a new report by Vibrant Clean Energy for NRDC and Sierra Club.

By Robert Walton • May 18, 2018

FERC chair restarts PURPA review, pledging 'open mind'

Federal energy regulators also approved a new pipeline proposal and reviewed summer reliability conditions at their May open meeting.

By Gavin Bade • May 17, 2018

EPA air chief praises House efforts to alter New Source Review

The agency is working on its own rulemaking process to change the power plant permitting program.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 17, 2018

APS: Controversial RFP does not violate Arizona gas moratorium

Reliability concerns about energy storage prompted Arizona Public Service to limit its role in a pending contract request, executives said. 

By Gavin Bade • May 17, 2018

New York proposes strict carbon emission limits for existing power plants

The rule is expected to allow New York to achieve one of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's signature energy pledges — to phase out coal entirely by 2020 while still maintaining reliable and affordable power.

By Robert Walton • May 16, 2018

Georgia Power backs incumbent in PSC election, AJC reports

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Tricia Pridemore has received tens of thousands of dollars in support of her campaign to remain on the Public Service Commission.

By Robert Walton • May 15, 2018

High values are blowing in offshore winds; policymakers may need more

In some locations, energy, capacity and REC prices could give offshore wind the edge over onshore wind, but policymakers need to see economic benefits.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 15, 2018

DOE unveils 'integrated strategy' to reduce utility cyberthreats

While major attacks have so far been thwarted, officials say hackers are getting better, faster.

By Robert Walton • May 15, 2018

Nevada regulators allow utilities to own EV charging stations

The Public Utilities Commission also approved funding for storage and a low income solar program.

By Robert Walton • May 15, 2018

Competitive solar-plus-storage moves closer to reality

Incentives and economics result in more pairings of solar power and energy storage.

By Peter Maloney • May 14, 2018

'Stunning' APS RFP could violate Arizona gas moratorium, critics say

The request for 800 MW of peaking capacity limits renewables and energy storage to 100 MW, which clean energy advocates say could run afoul of a regulatory pause on gas investments.

By Gavin Bade • May 14, 2018

Entergy says it had no knowledge of paid support for New Orleans gas plant

The utility's internal investigation pins the blame on The Hawthorn Group, a public relations firm with a history of reportedly questionable involvement in comment processes.

By Gavin Bade • May 11, 2018

Pruitt NAAQS memo part of broad strategy to weaken air regs, lawyers say

Pruitt's "four-pronged" strategy includes changes to science advisory boards and framing major regulatory shifts, like Thursday's memo, as discretionary policy decisions, a UCLA professor said. 

By Gavin Bade • May 11, 2018