Bloomberg: Electric customers could pay $2.5B for unbuilt nuclear plants

Some utilities are getting regulatory clearance to maintain nuclear licenses or pursue nuclear plants that are years away from construction.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 10, 2016

Massachusetts Gov. Baker signs wind, hydro bill into law

The law calls for long-term contracts for 1,600 MW of wind power and 1,200 MW of hydropower or other renewables.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 10, 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

NRG bids to acquire 2.1 of GW of renewable projects from bankrupt SunEdison

The carve-up of what was once the world's largest renewable energy developer has begun.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 10, 2016

SolarCity backs Arizona utility regulator Robert Burns for upcoming election

The move could mark a return to public political battles over solar policy, most of which had been confined to back rooms this year.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 10, 2016

If you build it, will they charge? Utilities cautious in plans to spur electric vehicle adoption

Utilities are well positioned to expand EV infrastructure, but many are waiting for an uptick in adoption or a push from regulators. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 10, 2016

Bay State storage: New law could give Massachusetts 3rd US energy storage mandate

Massachusetts was already a top state for energy storage. A new law could bolster that position with a mandate and utility ownership.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 9, 2016

Software-Driven Community Solar

Continued innovation and expanded partnerships are helping the industry bridge the gap to the multi-gigawatt scaling of community solar as projected by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Aug. 9, 2016

A lot of dam potential: Renewables growth could drive massive hydro buildout

With pumped storage, hydropower can grow 50% by 2050 — if developers can get over the hurdles.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 9, 2016

FERC greenlights Apple's petition to sell electric power

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has granted Apple market based rate authority, saying the tech company didn't raise the risk of unfairly hiking rates. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 8, 2016

Pacific Power: Oregon 50% RPS will barely raise customer rates thru 2028

Five months ago, the utility told regulators the 50% renewable energy mandate would raise retail rates 0.8% — annually — through 2030. Now it says the number is a cumulative 0.1% over nearly the same timeframe. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 8, 2016

Arizona regulator hires outside attorney to investigate ratemaking process

ACC regulator Bob Burns cited concerns over improper influences in the past as the basis for his inquiry. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 8, 2016

Upper Peninsula utility first in Michigan to hit solar net metering cap

Upper Peninsula Power Co. has hit its cap for net metered solar systems, which Michigan limits at 1% of a utility's peak demand. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 8, 2016

PJM suspends Artificial Island transmission project

The PJM Board directed the grid operator to do a comprehensive analysis of the project, which had come under scrutiny due to escalating costs.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 8, 2016

Nuclear plants safe, New York ISO CEO Brad Jones readies for a low-carbon grid

New transmission and grid practices will be needed for a deeply decarbonized grid, Jones told Utility Dive. 

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 8, 2016

California files 1st state Clean Power Plan compliance draft despite SCOTUS stay

The plan is to continue down the green energy path California has been on for years, including using the cap-and-trade program. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 5, 2016

Nevada Supreme Court rejects net metering ballot proposal

The state's high court upheld an earlier ruling that found the proposal's wording was misleading.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Aug. 5, 2016

Water near Duke Energy coal ash pits unsafe for drinking, expert says

The official North Carolina state toxicologist said in a deposition that the state's public health director misled residents by telling them the water near Duke Energy's coal ash pits was safe to drink. 

By Shalina Chatlani • Aug. 4, 2016

NARUC rate design manual reignites debate over cost shift, value of solar

A new guidebook for state regulators runs into familiar contentions among utilities and the solar sector.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 4, 2016

Texas regulators to explore alternative utility ratemaking mechanisms

The Public Utility Commission of Texas will address a report on revisions to traditional cost-of-service ratemaking in their Aug. 10 meeting. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 4, 2016

CAISO: EIM showed $23.6M in benefits for Q2

The California ISO said its energy imbalance market displaced nearly 68,000 metric tons of CO2 in the second quarter.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 3, 2016

A 'transformational' mandate: Greens hail Massachusetts offshore wind, renewables bill

The U.S. trails in offshore wind, but backers say this measure could "start a new industry," though questions about the role of natural gas remain. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 3, 2016

Finding the flow: Harvard researchers tweak vitamin B2 to boost flow batteries

Building on their previous work, researchers at Harvard University are using organic chemicals to bring down energy storage costs.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 2, 2016

PG&E: California policies will boost its capital expenditures

The utility expects to spend $5.6 billion this year, including $2 billion on distribution, $1.2 billion on transmission and $700 million on generation,

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 2, 2016

Massachusetts passes mandates for storage and 2.8 GW of offshore wind, hydro

The measure calls on utilities to to procure 1,600 MW of offshore wind and 1,200 MW of hydro, but did not include a boost to the renewable portfolio standards.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 2, 2016

Updated: New York PSC approves 50% clean energy standard, nuclear subsidies

The decision will direct $965 million in additional revenue to three upstate nuclear plants in the first two years of the program.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 1, 2016