Massachusetts medical facilities net $14M in microgrid resiliency grants

First developed in 2014, the $40 million pool of money is set aside to develop community clean energy resiliency projects in the state. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2016

FERC to explore role of energy storage in wholesale markets

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has scheduled a Nov. 9 meeting to examine technical issues related to energy storage in RTOs/ISOs. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2016

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

How market forces are pushing utilities to operate nuclear plants more flexibly

Nuclear plants in Europe follow load; can U.S. plants follow suit?

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2016

The flaws in the utilities' push for residential demand charges

Time-based rates offer far better incentives, argue James Tong and Jon Wellinghoff in this guest post.

By James Tong, Jon Wellinghoff • Oct. 3, 2016

Power sector politics: 5 state energy races to watch this November

Solar incentives and consumer choice dominate down-ballot energy races this cycle. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 3, 2016

Nevada task force recommends restoring net metering as PUC welcomes 2 new regulators

Part of a raft of reforms pushed by Gov. Sandoval's New Energy Task Force, the recommendation came just days before two new gubernatorial appointees started work at the state regulatory commission.

By Peter Maloney, Gavin Bade • Oct. 3, 2016

EU to ratify Paris climate accord

Once Canada signs on this week, the treaty will have enough commitments to enter into legal force. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 3, 2016

PNM vows Supreme Court appeal after regulators slash proposed rate hike in half

Public Service of New Mexico wanted a $121 million rate increase, but regulators granted it $61 million.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 30, 2016

Civil Rights Commission: EPA failing in environmental justice obligations on coal ash

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights 2016 report takes aim at federal regulators, finding the EPA "does not take action when faced with environmental justice concerns until forced to do so."

By Shalina Chatlani • Sept. 30, 2016

FERC approves CAISO ramping product, rejecting calls to make it biddable

The product is designed to help CAISO with more renewable resources and the uncertainty they cause in electricity markets. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 30, 2016

Duke-Piedmont deal clears final regulatory hurdle

The North Carolina Utilities Commission approval was the last hurdle left to move the deal forward. It is expected to close on Monday.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2016

The solar toolbox: How utilities can find the best planning approach for distributed solar

Studying locational benefits of distributed solar is one way to plan, a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study says. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 29, 2016

To speak softly: Why Sunrun's new policy head could signal a shift in solar advocacy

Former Maryland Commissioner Anne Hoskins outlines her approach to utility-solar regulation.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 29, 2016

California PUC rejects rehearing on revised net metering policy

California regulators cited insufficient evidence of cross-shifting costs as a big factor in their decision to deny a rehearing. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 29, 2016

Inside the DC Circuit: What happened at the Clean Power Plan's court hearing

How judges view the EPA’s authority could prove critical as they weigh more than seven hours of arguments.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 28, 2016

Massachusetts floats new solar tariff structure in incentive program redesign

The new program would replace current incentives with tariffs designed to reduce risk and provide more predictable revenue streams for developers.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 28, 2016

California Gov. Brown signs bill to strengthen PACE protections

The law requires a new disclosure form ensuring customers can understand all of the terms associated with Property Assessed Clean Energy financing loans.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2016

In strong Q2 showing, non-traditional storage markets edge out California, PJM

After a White House initiative gave the sector a boost, GTM Research forecasts a record year for storage deployment.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 27, 2016

DC Circuit judges grill EPA, industry lawyers in first round of Clean Power Plan hearings

It was difficult to say which side got the better of the first three-and-a-half hours of Clean Power Plan testimony at the D.C. Circuit Tuesday morning. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 27, 2016

'Eyes wide open': Despite climate risks, utilities bet big on natural gas

Scientists say the United States can't build much more fossil fuel infrastructure if it wants to meet the Paris climate goals. So why are utilities going all-in on gas?

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 27, 2016

India to ratify Paris climate deal

If the European Union signs on, the deal could start implementation in a few weeks. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 26, 2016

NYC targets 100 MWh energy storage by 2020

The new energy storage target will help New York City reach its goal to cut emissions 80% by 2050.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 26, 2016

Study: Transportation CO2 emissions outpace power sector

As the power sector shifts from coal to gas to cut emissions, transportation takes the No.1 spot as biggest CO2 emitter. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 26, 2016

Demand charges vs. TOU rates: The great Arizona rate design experiment

APS wants to be the first utility with mandatory demand charges for residential customers, but critics say time-of-use pricing provides similar benefits and is easier for consumers to adopt. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 26, 2016

California auditor: CPUC open to improper influence, needs reforms

A series of controversies has led some stakeholders to question the impartiality and legitimacy of CPUC governance. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 26, 2016