Clean energy investment is surging, but success is far from guaranteed

The newfound ambition to build a clean energy economy by mid-century has exposed foundational flaws in approving and connecting energy projects that, if not addressed soon, will make this goal impossible.

By Jason Grumet • Aug. 31, 2023

1 year later, EV and battery projects dominate Inflation Reduction Act-driven investment

The solar and wind industries have also seen significant investment spurred by the IRA, while interest in biofuels and energy efficiency has lagged.

By Kate Magill , Julia Himmel • Aug. 30, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

New policy and business actions are giving a significant boost to renewable energy in the U.S., but opposition is growing and grid interconnection, permitting, labor and other challenges remain.

By Utility Dive staff

Kentucky PSC rejects AEP utility’s 250-MW cryptomining power supply contract

Kentucky Power’s proposed power supply contract could have increased electricity bills for all the utility’s customers, the state commission said.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 30, 2023

Amid record heat, CAISO’s day-ahead market is proving the value of a regional grid

Establishing the Extended Day-Ahead Market is a significant milestone, but we need to get to a true regional grid, a Western Regional Transmission Organization, to achieve maximum benefits. 

By Mona Tierney-Lloyd and Jack Wadleigh • Aug. 30, 2023

Vermont PUC lifts caps on Green Mountain Power battery storage programs with Tesla, others

Demand for GMP’s Tesla-based and “bring your own device” energy storage programs has outstripped annual caps in the wake of winter storms and summer floods.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 29, 2023

On clean energy tax credits, mayors want clearer federal guidance

New incentives could turbocharge local climate action, but resource-limited cities need clarity on how to use them, over 50 mayors said in a letter to the Treasury Department.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 29, 2023

NRC lacks authority to license private, away-from-reactor nuclear waste facility: 5th Circuit

Congress and the Biden administration should see this decision as a wake-up call to enact practical policy solutions for the disposal and storage of spent nuclear fuel, the American Nuclear Society said.

By Larry Pearl • Aug. 29, 2023

Every load an island: Requiring hourly matching of clean electricity purchases would raise emissions

Mandating it widely would stifle the development of the clean hydrogen industry, smother the voluntary market for clean electricity purchases and needlessly increase costs in compliance markets.

By Arne Olson, Nick Schlag, Greg Gangelhoff, and Anthony Fratto • Aug. 29, 2023

Big River Steel to pay $22M for receiving MISO demand response payments without cutting load

Entergy Arkansas agreed to return $8.2 million to its customers via bill credits, according to a FERC-approved agreement.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 28, 2023

4 fixes utilities can make to boost energy equity

If only throwing money at the problem of energy affordability and equity could solve it, we’d be in much better shape today than we are. Money is important, and required, but insufficient on its own.

By Ben Nathan • Aug. 28, 2023

American Clean Power asks FERC to hold conference on capacity accreditation

Improving the patchwork approach to measuring the reliability value of power plants, energy storage and other resources would bolster the grid, according to the trade group.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 25, 2023

CAISO seeks FERC approval for Western day-ahead market, with 2025 start date

The grid operator’s proposal is a key step in developing electricity markets in the West but faces competition from the Southwest Power Pool.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 24, 2023

The American power system is changing. How can electricity rates keep up?

As the industry prepares for the electrification of different sectors of the economy, experts are looking at new ways to make electricity rates more equitable. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 24, 2023

NERC assessment identifies new risk to grid reliability: energy policy

Grid transformation, extreme weather events, security and critical infrastructure interdependencies are also areas of risk, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 23, 2023

DOJ raises market power concerns for PJM in Vistra-Energy Harbor deal

Vistra could withhold power from a gas-fired power plant in Ohio to increase prices for nuclear plants that would be bought in the roughly $6.3 billion deal, the DOJ’s Antitrust Division said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 23, 2023

Only 6% of gas capacity needs major changes to meet EPA’s proposed GHG rules: RMI report

Power plant owners most affected by the EPA proposal are Florida Power & Light, Georgia Power, Entergy Louisiana, Southern Power and Duke Energy Florida, according to RMI’s analysis.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Aug. 25, 2023

Environmental groups sue to block Virginia’s RGGI exit

The groups say the executive branch’s withdrawal from a legislatively established commitment is unlawful.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 22, 2023

The Airbnb of power: Why the electricity sector is ripe for platformization

With the rise of rooftop solar, electric vehicles and home storage, more and more consumers now own their own generation assets — a resource potential that platform business models can tap into.

By By Tobias Menzel, Timm Teubner, Eric Gervet and Hanjo Arms • Aug. 22, 2023

In hit to Ameren, Illinois governor vetoes right of first refusal for MISO transmission

The veto comes amid a fight over whether major transmission projects should be put out to bid or built by incumbent utilities.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 18, 2023

DC Circuit rejects Vistra, generator arguments in PJM capacity market dispute

The Electric Power Supply Association said the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. District decision was “another blow to the health of PJM’s competitive markets.”

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 16, 2023

IRA drives $12.4B into US storage as investments ‘juice’ an already strong market: Freyr exec

Since the Inflation Reduction Act passed, 210 major new clean energy projects have been announced, which have the potential to drive up to $86.3 billion in private investment, says E2. 

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 15, 2023

NRC approves emergency preparedness rule for small modular reactors

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s “reckless” decision on Monday fails to require SMRs and other new nuclear technology to have offsite emergency plans, the Union of Concerned Scientists said.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 15, 2023

California’s facing climate and electric rates crises. Here’s how to solve them.

To be successful, in addition to better communications, the transition to clean energy in California will need solutions that are less familiar to customers and policymakers.

By Matt Baker • Aug. 15, 2023

With a unique alignment of interests, now is the time to address methane emissions

Given the public focus on sustainability as well as corporate commitments, it is in electric utilities’ best interest to ensure that their primary fuel source is as low emission and cost effective as possible.

By Jeffrey Kupfer • Aug. 14, 2023

Essential next steps for IIJA federal funding hopefuls

Four primary pre-award activities that are crucial for utility project success.

By Calvin Tong, West Monroe • Aug. 14, 2023