Minnesota regulators to review solar charges by rural co-ops

Solar advocates say the grid connection fees for rooftop solar arrays in Minnesota are too high. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • June 15, 2016

CPUC approves extra demand response in wake of Aliso Canyon gas leak

The CPUC last week approved the 2017 demand response budgets for California's IOUs, along with special funding to address potential natural gas shortages in the SCE service area this summer. 

By Gavin Bade • June 15, 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

FERC revokes market-based rate authority for Berkshire Hathaway companies

Twenty Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidaries in four balancing authority areas out West failed to rebut presumptions of horizontal market power. 

By Peter Maloney • June 14, 2016

Oregon DEQ to study cap and trade program

Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality is studying creation of a cap and trade program that would link with other programs in the West and Canada.

By Peter Maloney • June 14, 2016

Con Ed rolls out $15M virtual power plant project for REV

At least 300 homes will be equipped with leased solar panels and lithium-ion battery storage in the Queens and Brooklyn areas of New York City. 

By Peter Maloney • June 14, 2016

With CPP on ice, utilities seek organized market reforms to save baseload plants

Utilities in the Midwest are concerned retiring coal and nuclear plants too early leaves the grid vulnerable to price spikes and reliability problems.

By Gavin Bade • June 14, 2016

Georgia Power to accelerate coal ash pond closures

All 29 of the utility's ponds will stop recieving coal ash waste within three years. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • June 14, 2016

Carolinas industry group seeks to change up the utility business model

A trade group rolled out a white paper outlining ways to change the way utilities operate in North Carolina. 

By Peter Maloney • June 13, 2016

Apple files with FERC to sell energy in wholesale markets

Apple could be looking to leverage its renewables portfolio by filing as an energy provider.

By Peter Maloney • June 13, 2016

Supreme Court voids Puerto Rico's debt restructuring law, keeping PREPA deal in place

The decision means the island's financially embattled electrical utility PREPA will likely keep its current restructuring deal in place. 

By Krysti Shallenberger, Davide Savenije • June 13, 2016

Greater than the sum: How aggregation is making storage into a software business

Grouping customer-sited batteries can deliver the same benefits as grid-scale storage, DNV-GL says.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 13, 2016

Net metering talks break down in Arizona

A mediated negotiation over net metering rates between the Arizona Public Service Co. and SolarCity has ended after one day.

By Robert Walton • June 13, 2016

The Rural Utilities Service: How the USDA is building a clean energy future for rural America

The USDA's RUS has backed rural communities since the 1930s and now has billions to dole out for renewables and efficiency projects for underserved populations.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 10, 2016

Dominion reveals coal ash stored at Chesapeake is 3 times previous estimate

A new document filed in an ongoing lawsuit between Sierra Club and Dominion Virginia Power revealed more than 3 million tons of coal ash are stored at three Virginia locations, well above the Sierra Club's previous estimate of 1 million tons. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • June 10, 2016

Maine PUC staff: Electric ratepayers should not pay for natural gas pipeline expansion

The report comes in the wake of a 2013 law that allowed regulators to authorize electric utilities to rate base investments in gas transport. 

By Gavin Bade • June 10, 2016

City of Madison, Wisconsin plans to cut carbon 80% by 2050

The ambitious plan follows on the heels of other cities, such as Denver, Colorado, adopting similar plans. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • June 10, 2016

Massachusetts House passes mandates for 1.2 GW each of offshore wind, hydropower

The measure would establish carve-outs in the RPS for 1,200 MW of hydro and 1,200 MW of offshore wind.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 10, 2016

Energy Department awards $40M to Lake Erie offshore wind Icebreaker project

Innovative offshore wind projects off New Jersey and Maine also get $40 million awards

By Herman K. Trabish • June 10, 2016

Little less talk: With new revenue models, New York starts to put REV into action

The reforms to utility revenues in the Empire State could set the course for a new model of 21st century power providers.

By Gavin Bade • June 9, 2016

Hawaiian Electric files with state regulators to begin new pursuit of utility-scale renewables

Hawaii’s dominant electricity provider sets out on its quest for 100% renewables by 2045.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 9, 2016

Xcel Colorado rate plan draws ire of solar interests for higher fixed charges

The plan would lower volumetric rates and increase fixed charges, following a utility strategy that's played out across the nation.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 9, 2016

Missouri regulatory staff wants oversight of Great Plains-Westar merger

Missouri regulatory staff claim the state should have authority over Great Plains Energy's proposed acquisition Westar Energy, the largest electricity provider in Kansas.

By Robert Walton • June 8, 2016

MISO: FERC approves first storage interconnection agreement

The agreement is for Indianapolis Power & Light’s (IPL) Harding Street Station Battery Energy Storage System. 

By Peter Maloney • June 8, 2016

Vermont Gov. Shumlin vetoes controversial renewable energy siting bill

The bill was meant to give municipalities more say in siting energy projects, but last-minute restrictions on noise from wind installations triggered the veto. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 8, 2016

As funding for California's SGIP process grows, regulators look to bolster energy storage

But proposed modifications could change how fuel cell and energy storage technologies compete in the process. 

By Peter Maloney • June 7, 2016