Fixed charge battle looms in Texas as regulators tackle rate design reform

A legislative effort to chart new ratemaking mechanisms in the Lone Star State has the utility sector drawing familiar battle lines.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 23, 2016

Industrial customers could depart Wisconsin over high electrical rates

The state's Strategic Energy Assessment 2022 finds rates are rising for all customer classes, though generation is expected to be adequate.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 23, 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

Rocky Mountain compromise: Inside Xcel's landmark Colorado solar settlement

In a summer of solar contention, Colorado stakeholders chose a path of less-resistance. Their deal could be a model for more than just rate design.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 22, 2016

Landowner groups seek to block DOE approval of Clean Line transmission project

The Department of Energy signed on to the 700-mile, 4,000 MW Plains & Eastern Clean Line Project in March, but landowners are questioning the agency's decision-making process.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2016

Arizona utility regulator mulls inquiry into political influence allegations

Commissioner Andy Tobin voted earlier this month to block an investigation into outside influences on the utility ratemaking process, but may favor an outside consultant handling the inquiry.  

By Robert Walton • Aug. 22, 2016

El Paso Electric drops demand charge push as regulators approve solar settlement

El Paso Electric reached a settlement with stakeholders last month to drop a demand charge targeted at rooftop solar users.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 19, 2016

So close, so far: Can Maine put its near-agreement on solar net metering back together again?

Supporters of a compromise incentive failed to override Gov. LePage's veto, plunging the state back into a net metering debate and grinding the state's solar sector to a halt. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 19, 2016

California lawmakers propose spending plan for $1.2B in cap-and-trade funds

The plan would spend $500 million on lower-carbon transportation solutions, and almost $400 million on environmental justice and urban pollution.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 19, 2016

NV Energy stays neutral on energy choice ballot measure

Voters in Nevada will decide this November whether to open the state's energy marketplace to competition. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 19, 2016

Nevada report: Rooftop solar customers shift $36M in annual costs to other ratepayers

The report is an update from a 2014 paper that found $36M in annual benefits from rooftop solar on the system. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 18, 2016

New York's Clean Energy Standard is a key step toward pricing carbon pollution fairly

Editor's note: The following is a guest post from Denise Grab a senior attorney and Dr. Burcin Unel, a senior economist at the Institute for Policy Integrity at New York University School of Law, which filed party comments in the New York Public Service Commission’s Clean Energy ...

By Denise Grab and Burcin Unel • Aug. 18, 2016

As states debate solar, contentious rate cases give way to broader valuation proceedings

Fixed charges and net metering dominated solar debates in the second quarter, but those conversations are increasingly leading to more comprehensive valuation attempts. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2016

Kansas regulators tackle distributed generation cost-benefit analysis

Westar Energy, the largest utility in the state, had hoped to confine the investigation to the costs of serving customers with distributed generation.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 18, 2016

Sun burn: Solar tax credits scorch state budgets

States are pulling back on swelling solar tax credit programs, but sector players say well-designed incentives can deliver additional economic benefits. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 17, 2016

MISO will start charging transmission fees on power exports to PJM

In July, federal regulators lifted restrictions on Multi-Value Project cost allocations, saying they were persuaded by the buildout of regional wind projects.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 17, 2016

Mexico to launch cap-and-trade pilot to help meet climate goals

The year-long emissions reduction pilot will launch in November, with an eye toward full operation in 2018.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 17, 2016

DC government, activists join appeal of Exelon-Pepco merger

The Washington city government, Public Citizen and Solar United Neighborhoods are among those who want the courts to block the merger, which regulators approved in March.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 17, 2016

Colorado solar compromise avoids new grid fees, pushes TOU rate pilots

Xcel Energy had sought to increase grid access charges and decrease payments to rooftop solar owners in its general rate case. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 16, 2016

Arizona regulator, attorney battle over alleged ties with solar industry

Dueling letters from Arizona Corporation Commission Chairman Doug Little and attorney Scott Hempling highlight the level of suspicion in the regulatory body.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 16, 2016

Report: California lawmaker wants 15% of cars to be emission-free in a decade

Automaker advocates, however, worry such legislation could rig the system in favor of EV automakers such as Tesla Motors. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 16, 2016

DC consumer advocate files to appeal Exelon-Pepco merger

The Office of People's Counsel in Washington claims regulators did not follow the appropriate process in approving Exelon's takeover of Pepco this June. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 15, 2016

Heating up again: Arizona turns to solar valuation after demand charge decision delayed

Regulators want to wait for the conclusion of a value of solar docket to reform incentive policies, but politics remains a constant distraction.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 15, 2016

Arizona regulators block political influence investigation, delay solar rate changes

Regulators are saving decisions on solar credits and demand charges until after the conclusion of a cost-benefit analysis of rooftop systems. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 12, 2016

Smart sharing: Sun-saturated Hawaii debates first TOU community solar proposal

Crediting community solar users depending on time of day could open new markets for storage and help optimize the grid, regulatory staff argue in a recent proposal. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 11, 2016

Blackouts looming, California speeds battery deployment after Aliso Canyon gas leak

A new SDG&E storage proposal shows how the natural gas shortage may accelerate the integration of batteries into the bulk power system. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 11, 2016