New York Green Bank aims to grow portfolio by two-thirds next year

The bank aims to spur innovative reneweable energy projects that would otherwise have trouble attracting investment. 

By Peter Maloney • July 7, 2016

New Mexico senator to roll out tax credit for energy storage

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) plans to introduce legislation next week that would create a tax credit for energy storage, modelled after similar credits for wind and solar. 

By Peter Maloney • July 6, 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

California dreaming: Utilities uneasy with regulator's vision to remake their business model

Commissioner Florio wants a fundamental rethinking of utility revenues and distributed resources, but his proposal has critics on all sides.

By Peter Maloney • July 6, 2016

Inside the first municipal solar-plus-storage project in the US

The Village of Minster tackled a solar-plus-storage project to diversify its portfolio and now looks to build a microgrid to protect its key C&I customers from power outages. 

By Herman K. Trabish • July 5, 2016

Five years in, Boulder's municipalization fight could be drawing to a close

Boulder is in negotiations with Xcel Energy on clean energy options that could end its bid to create a municipal utility. But the city hasn't given up yet.

By Robert Walton • July 5, 2016

After avoiding default, Puerto Rico utility secures 26% rate hike to help cover restructuring

The higher rates are expected to help the utility survive as regulators consider longer-term reforms. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • July 5, 2016

EPA cites 4 counties for SO2 pollution under round 2 of sulphur designations

Burning coal has contributed to unsafe levels of sulphur dioxide pollution in four more U.S. counties, the EPA announced last week.

By Gavin Bade • July 5, 2016

NextEra decision looming, Hawaii lawmakers consider suing Gov. Ige over PUC appointment

The governor appointed a commission lawyer to the regulatory post without legislative approval ahead of a decision on the largest business deal in Hawaii history. 

By Peter Maloney • July 5, 2016

California power regulation market doubled to 800 MW a day in first quarter

Total payments for power regulation services quadrupled to $400,000 per day in the first three months of 2016.

By Peter Maloney • July 1, 2016

Vermont regulators implement rules for 75% renewables target

Vermont's Public Service Board has implemented rules for 75% by 2032 renewables target, stipulating at least 1% needs to come from distributed resources. 

By Peter Maloney • July 1, 2016

North Carolina Gov. McCrory set to sign revised coal ash bill

The compromise legislation would hand control of coal ash management back to McCrory's DEQ.   

By Shalina Chatlani • July 1, 2016

California agency rolls out first CPUC audit in 20 years

Two days after a new legislative deal to reform the commission, an audit sheds light on improper contracts with private law firms and failure to maintain paperwork. 

By Robert Walton • July 1, 2016

SDG&E becomes first California utility to hit net metering cap

After San Diego Gas & Electric hit its net metering cap late yesterday afternoon, new applications will be shifted to new rates and fees outlined earlier this year. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • June 30, 2016

A FERC challenge: Opening up electricity markets to advanced energy technologies

Grid operators should allow distributed resources and demand response to be priced for their unique attributes in organized markets, Arvin Ganesan and Suedeen Kelly argue in this guest post.

By Arvin Ganesan and Suedeen Kelly • June 30, 2016

New commissioner in tow, Hawaii PUC set to decide NextEra-HEI merger next week

Gov. David Ige intended to wait until a merger decision had been issued, but said he couldn't delay any longer in announcing Thomas Gorak to replace Commissioner Michael Champley on the Hawaii PUC.

By Krysti Shallenberger • June 30, 2016

Virginia Gov. McAuliffe issues executive order to cut GHG emissions

The governor directed state agencies to find a way to cut emissions from the power sector that does not need approval from the Republican-controlled General Assembly.

By Peter Maloney • June 30, 2016

After Diablo Canyon: PG&E CEO Tony Earley on renewables, DERs and California's energy future

The same resources pushing the giant nuclear plant offline will be key to the utility's future in a low carbon economy. 

By Gavin Bade • June 30, 2016

'Something's got to give': Why Wall St is uneasy with the renewable energy boom

Tax credit extensions are fueling huge renewables growth, but financiers are uneasy with how the buildout is manifesting itself.

By Peter Maloney • June 29, 2016

Seeking more renewables, Kit Carson Co-op exits relationship with Tri-State G&T

Kit Carson Electric Cooperative has exited its relationship with Tri-State Generation & Transmission and will buy renewable power from a private company instead.

By Peter Maloney • June 29, 2016

District of Columbia Council unanimously approves bill for 50% renewable energy mandate

The bill would also provide for 1,500 MW of new local wind and solar power, advocates said. 

By Peter Maloney • June 29, 2016

Gov. Brown, lawmakers strike deal for sweeping reforms at California PUC

In the wake of scandals over regulators' secret meetings with utility officials, California Gov. Jerry Brown is taking steps to expand public access to meetings and records, strengthen ex parte rules and create oversight positions.

By Robert Walton • June 29, 2016

US, Mexico, Canada pledge 50% renewables and nuclear by 2025 in new climate pact

The agreement, set to be be announced at a summit Wednesday, would set a 50% goal for power from wind, solar, nuclear and hydro facilities. 

By Gavin Bade • June 28, 2016

Dialogue before dispute: Clean energy groups call on regulators for uniform rate design approach

As distributed resources transform the electric grid, regulators in every state are struggling to design fair rates that encourage innovation. More than 30 stakeholder groups have now come together to recommend a unified set of principles to guide those deliberations.

By Robert Walton • June 28, 2016

Real estate values increase near wind farm, Colorado assessor finds

The county assessor in El Paso, Colorado, has found that real estate sales near a wind farm have been above assessed values.

By Peter Maloney • June 27, 2016

The new EV playbook: How utilities can gain from the coming boom in electric vehicles

Electric vehicles can offer power services at bargain prices if charging is done when and where utilities need it, a new RMI report notes. But getting the grid to that point is easier said than done.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 27, 2016