Nevada court overturns fixed charges, lower net metering rates for existing solar customers

The court upheld the new rates and charges for future solar customers, however, accepting NV Energy's assertion of a solar cost shift.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 15, 2016

NV Energy strikes solar grandfathering deal with SolarCity, regulatory staff

NV Energy has filed a proposal with state regulators that would allow customers who installed rooftop solar on or before Dec. 31, 2015 to access retail rate net metering.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 14, 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

Nevada energy company submits $38M bid for TVA's unfinished Bellefonte nuke

Phoenix Energy of Nevada wants to use the site to develop its magnetic induction generation technology, which it claims has zero emissions. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 14, 2016

Greening demand response: California mulls big changes for DR to meet climate goals

A new proposal at the CPUC would limit fossil fuel resources in demand response, but big questions remain about the utility's role in administering DR programs. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 14, 2016

Retooling regulation: Clean air and clean energy demand an integrated oversight regime

As regulated utilities confront the need for new business models, RAP analysts say it's time for energy and environmental regulators to do the same. 

By Ken Colburn and Chris James • Sept. 13, 2016

Growing pains: Hawaii solar sector howls as grid-supply incentives hit caps

Hawaii's grid-supply tariff has already hit its caps, and the self-supply option is cost-prohibitive for most residents. The resulting installation slowdown could set up a new fight at the PUC.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 13, 2016

DOE, DOI: New US offshore wind strategy could create 86 GW market by 2050

The Departments of Energy and the Interior chose the completion of the first U.S. offshore wind facility to release a new governmental strategy document for the industry.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 13, 2016

APS sues Arizona regulator for financial subpoena

Arizona Public Service Co. is suing a state regulator for subpoenaing documents related to the 2014 election cycle.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2016

Time running out for major Congressional energy bill passage as presidential election looms

Last week, lawmakers in the House and Senate convened the first meeting of a joint committee to iron out differences in the two chambers' energy bills.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 12, 2016

Nuclear backers: California legislature, not PUC, should review Diablo Canyon closure

The pro-nuclear group Environmental Progress says the state regulatory body is in a "crisis of legitimacy" and wants lawmakers to decide the fate of the massive nuclear plant instead. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 12, 2016

Newly-released text messages draw scrutiny to APS relationship with AZ consumer advocate

Text messages show a consultant for the Residential Utility Consumer Office collaborating with a utility executive to shape the state's Value of Solar docket, but they say it's all part of the job. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 9, 2016

EPA finalizes cross-state pollution rule for ozone-causing nitrogen oxides

The final rules for 22 states are less stringent than environmentalists hoped. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 8, 2016

As solar price drops, utility interest spurs growth in non-traditional markets

Solar markets outside the U.S. Southwest are picking up steam thanks to steady price declines across all segments, new reports from LBNL found. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 8, 2016

Electricity choice on the chopping block in Michigan as state debates reliability, renewables

Clean energy and efficiency could be the key to unlocking a bitter dispute over reliability and choice in the Great Lakes State. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 8, 2016

FERC oversight role at stake in DC Circuit hearing over ISO-NE power auction

Public Citizen sued the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, arguing rates set in a 2014 New England capacity auction should not have been allowed to take effect.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2016

After tariff changes, storage to play larger role in CAISO demand management

FERC's approval for storage and demand response tariffs highlights California's efforts to integrate more DERs. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 6, 2016

Confidence in collaboration: Rhode Island targets a common perspective on DER values

Facing an impasse over DER rate design, Rhode Island regulators have initiated a new proceeding to find common ground on measures and expectations for distributed energy programs.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 6, 2016

Portland General Electric pushes to add 860 MW gas, 50 MW solar capacity to Carty plant

PGE and Oregon's other investor-owned utilities must hit 50% renewable energy and stop using coal-fired electricity by 2040. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 6, 2016

Texas low-income ratepayer assist program ends after funds run out

Three years ago, lawmakers rescinded a surcharge that funded a program aimed at helping 700,000 low-income ratepayers pay their electrical bill. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2016

US, China ratify Paris climate deal

Republicans criticized the President's ratification through executive action, saying it was a move to avoid input from lawmakers.  

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2016

Facing stricter climate goals, California passes 4 bills to boost energy storage

The bills require the state to consider pumped hydro storage, add 500 MW to the state's storage mandate and double California's self-generation program.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 2, 2016

California targets clean transport, urban greening for $900M in cap-and-trade funds

After some lawmakers pushed back on an extension of greenhouse gas goals last month, Gov. Jerry Brown struck a last-minute deal to dole out funds from the state's carbon auctions. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 2, 2016

DOE: Converting Colstrip coal plant to carbon capture would cost $1.2B

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock requested the analysis in hopes of saving the 2,094 MW plant, which is slated for retirement.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 2, 2016

Virginia hearing examiner confirms legality of 3rd party solar PPAs

Appalachian Power had argued that solar power purchase agreements from third parties for the residential sector were not allowed in the state. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 2, 2016

CPUC reform bill stalls in California legislature

The bill would have required the California Public Utilities Commission to hire an independent ethics ombudsman, and was one of a group of bills aimed at reforming the CPUC. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 2, 2016