Duke, solar developers strike interconnection deal in North Carolina

The utility has reached an agreement with solar developers that will allow their projects to move forward, but gives Duke Energy authorization to disconnect systems if issues arise.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 1, 2016

Report: US, China to ratify historic Paris climate deal

The announcement could come tomorrow, days ahead of the Group of 20 meeting in China this weekend.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 1, 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

Mutual needs, mutual challenges: How corporate PPAs are remaking the renewables sector

Large companies want renewables and developers are eager to sell. The consequences for utilities could be immense.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 1, 2016

Maryland fines NRG Energy $1M for nitrogen pollution from coal plants

NRG will also pay $1 million to support environmental restoration projects $10 million to upgrade the wastewater filtration systems at the two plants. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 31, 2016

Location matters: Utilities focus on charger placement to drive electric vehicle adoption

EV pilot programs from Avista and Kansas City Power & Light demonstrate that just building charging stations isn't enough.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2016

Trump or Clinton: What the power sector's future could look like under the next president

While the president has limited direct influence over the trajectory of the utility industry, there are important policy levers for either candidate’s aims.  

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 31, 2016

Solar groups pour money into Arizona utility regulatory election

Solar power funds are pouring into the five-way race for three seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission, with SolarCity leading the pack.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 30, 2016

Decommissioning costs: A blind spot in the nuclear power debate

In nuclear policy debates, too little thought is given to the costs of storing radioactive waste on site, argues the University of Pennsylvania's Christina Simeone. 

By Christina Simeone • Aug. 30, 2016

Public purpose microgrids: Mixed-ownership models spur utility investment in growing sector

Thinking of microgrids as public infrastructure — and financing them like it — could point the industry to new growth.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 30, 2016

Ohio regulators strike down Dayton Power & Light rate stability fees

It is the second time this year the court ruled against customer charges designed to stabilize utility revenues during a transition period.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2016

Hawaii Court upholds appointment of PUC regulator Thomas Gorak

Thomas Gorak will remain on the Public Utilities Commission until the Senate confirms his appointment next May. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2016

Maryland co-op challenges state's new community solar program

The Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative has petitioned FERC to over Maryland's community solar program, saying regulators violated federal law by making them purchase excess energy at a retail rate. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 29, 2016

Indiana regulators approve settlement for Duke's Edwardsport coal plant

Under the agreement, Duke Indiana ratepayers will bear a 2% rate increase, instead of a proposed 3.6% increase to cover the costs of the coal gasification plant. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 29, 2016

California PUC reform bill awaits Gov. Brown's signature after senate passage

The bill would require regulators to disclose any ex parte communication and increase penalties to $50,000 per violation. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 29, 2016

California solar project shot down after clearing federal environmental permits

A 287-MW solar project on the edge of the Mojave Desert won all federal permits, but was voted down by county supervisors over concerns about the impact to the bighorn sheep habitat. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 26, 2016

Headwinds ahead: Solar companies trim deployment expectations ahead of possible slowdown

A glut of modules and the ITC extension could temper the solar sector's rapid growth. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 26, 2016

DOE's SunShot program faces scrutiny for anti-lobbying violations

A House oversight committee wants to know if the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and Clean Energy States Alliance used federal funds to lobby for state solar subsidies.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2016

Arizona regulator subpoenas APS in political influence probe

Regulatory hearings over solar issues are being overshadowed by allegations of improper influence at the Arizona Corporation Commission.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 26, 2016

Walking a tightrope: ACC Chair Doug Little looks for balance in Arizona's solar debate

Arizona's head utility regulator says the state's ongoing value of solar docket will be key in informing future rate design.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 25, 2016

Rising natural gas costs boosted MISO power prices from June to July

Gas and wind continue to push coal generation down the dispatch stack, with coal plants on the margin more than 80% of the time.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 25, 2016

California lawmakers vote to extend greenhouse gas goals

California's Legislature passed two bills extending the climate change goals and legislative oversight of the California Air Resources Board yesterday. Both now await the governor's signature. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2016

Report: Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper mulls 35% cut in carbon emissions by 2030

A draft executive order, obtained by Denver Business Journal, would require Colorado to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 35% by 2030, relative to 2012 levels.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2016

EIA: North Carolina top state for PURPA-qualified solar projects

North Carolina has the second most independent power producer (IPP) solar plants and the most PURPA solar plants, according to the EIA.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 24, 2016

FERC approves CAISO tariff changes for demand response, distributed storage

Federal regulators approved California Independent System Operator tariff changes that tweak how non-generator resources bid into markets.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2016

Electricity customer choice out-performs traditional monopoly

Wayne Kuipers from Energy Choice Now and former Chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission, Laura Chappelle, argue how 

By Wayne Kuipers and Laura Chappelle • Aug. 23, 2016