California Gov. Brown proposes extension of cap-and-trade program to 2050

The extension aims to help the state cut carbon emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2031. 

By Peter Maloney • July 14, 2016

Obama threatens veto $32.1B Department of Interior, EPA spending bill

The U.S. House is considering appropriations for the Department of Interior and Environmental Protection Agency that are $1 billion less than requested by the Obama administration with policy riders designed to block rules on power plant emissions. 

By Robert Walton • July 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

Dominion coal ash suit could have nationwide disposal consequences

A case brought by the Sierra Club against the Virginia utility could end up at the Supreme Court.

By Robert Walton • July 14, 2016

Data storage provider sues NV Energy, Nevada PUC to exit Nevada Power service

The lawsuit alleges utility regulators were improperly influenced by General Counsel Carolyn Tanner, who resigned in the wake of the revelation she inappropriately commented on pending matters on Twitter while using a pseudonym. 

By Robert Walton • July 14, 2016

Hawaii PUC investigates anonymous 'smear' complaint against new commissioner

A 10-page unsigned document questioned how Gov. David Ige appointed Thomas Gorak to replace former Commissioner Michael Champley last month. 

By Robert Walton • July 14, 2016

How to keep the lights on in organized markets

States must seek ways to inject new generation or preserve existing generation through ‘around market’ solutions, former Colorado reuglatory chair Ray Gifford argues.

By Ray Gifford • July 13, 2016

Utility clean energy rankings reveal 'unprecedented shift' in power sector paradigms

Even among renewable energy laggards, there's a growing consensus that wind and solar are at the center of the 21st century electricity system.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 13, 2016

Duke will boost North Carolina EV charging stations 30% as part of EPA settlement

The investment stems from a legal deal with the EPA concerning alleged violations of the Clean Air Act in the 1990s.

By Peter Maloney • July 13, 2016

Senate votes to convene first energy bill conference committee since 2007

Lawmakers only have until the end of the week before their August recess, but the break could give staff time to work on critical issues.

By Robert Walton • July 13, 2016

Clinton will not pursue carbon price despite policy's inclusion in Democratic platform

Putting a price on carbon was a priority of Clinton's primary challenger Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who endorsed her this week. 

By Robert Walton • July 13, 2016

Electric market deregulation has failed to deliver on the promise of lower rates

States that kept the vertically-integrated utility model have benefitted from lower prices for consumers, Gerry Anderson, CEO of DTE Energy, writes in a guest post.

By Gerry Anderson • July 12, 2016

MIT researchers see a 'window of opportunity' for non-battery storage

Pumped hydro and compressed air storage can add value to renewable energy projects today, researchers found, but that could change as wind and solar drop further in price.

By Peter Maloney • July 12, 2016

'Universal access': How PSEG CEO Ralph Izzo aims to make efficiency, DERs available to all consumers

Izzo wants utilities to supply DER solutions to consumers not served in the current marketplace.

By Gavin Bade • July 12, 2016

Senate set to vote to convene conference committee on energy bill

House Republicans have reportedly agreed not to push for controversial provisions that could trigger a veto from President Obama.

By Gavin Bade, Robert Walton • July 12, 2016

Report: NextEra-HEI decision delayed by regulatory infighting

A majority opinion on the acquisition was reached last month, a Hawaii news station reports, but regulators could not agree on the wording of the order before Gov. Ige appointed a new commissioner, throwing the process into flux.

By Gavin Bade • July 11, 2016

California PUC directs SDG&E to buy more renewables despite RPS compliance

The utility is compliant with current targets under the state's clean energy standard, but did not buy enough capacity in a recent renewable energy auction, regulators said. 

By Peter Maloney • July 11, 2016

Solar spokesperson Bryan Miller no longer at Sunrun, TASC

Miller's advocacy style gained him a high profile in the power sector.

By Krysti Shallenberger • July 8, 2016

FBI questions Arizona utility officials, watchdog group in 2014 election investigation

The Federal Bureau of Investigation interviewed the head of the Checks and Balances Project, a clean energy watchdog group, after similar conversations with regulatory officials and utility executives over the 2014 election cycle.

By Robert Walton • July 8, 2016

Sonnen cuts battery system cost 40% to serve self-consumption market

Seeing an opportunity in changes to net metering policies, Sonnen has introduced a cheaper battery without backup power features.

By Peter Maloney • July 8, 2016

Solar developer FLS Energy wants rehearing on Montana PURPA rate suspension

FLS Energy said the decision, if standing as issued, would prevent their projects from going foward. 

By Peter Maloney • July 8, 2016

Minnesota Power refiles plan to lower industrial customer rates

Rejected earlier this year, the amended filing reduces the rate impact on residential customers and places limits on the number of industrial facilities which can take advantage of the lower power prices.

By Robert Walton • July 8, 2016

Come together? DER aggregation sparks more confusion than consensus in power sector

Utilities and DER providers have divergent opinions on how the aggregation of distributed resources will develop, according to a recent GTM survey.  

By Herman K. Trabish • July 7, 2016

PacifiCorp entry to Western EIM could boost carbon emissions, critics say

The Sierra Club said a preliminary study by California ISO modeling scenarios to include PacifiCorp in the Western Energy Imbalance Market failed to detail long-term impacts from the utility's coal fleet. 

By Peter Maloney • July 7, 2016

NYISO: Despite efficiency, DER gains, new transmission needed for low-carbon grid

Efficiency and DERs are pushing down load, the grid operator said in a new report, but system upgrades will be needed to meet state clean energy goals. 

By Gavin Bade • July 7, 2016

Anatomy of a nuke closure: How PG&E decided to shutter Diablo Canyon

In a policy environment that prizes renewables, PG&E saw no cost-effective route to keeping the giant nuclear plant open.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 7, 2016