North Carolina Gov. McCrory vetoes coal ash bill

Lawmakers are widely expected to override the veto of a bill the governor called an overreach of legislative authority. 

By Shalina Chatlani • June 7, 2016

APS rate case sparks concern beyond mandatory demand charge proposal

Along with a rate structure overhaul, the Arizona utility also wants to cut net metering credits to its avoided cost rate.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 7, 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

ERCOT: Coal to drop below 10% of Texas fuel mix by 2030s as solar booms

Solar is expected to grow to about 17% of the capacity mix as EPA rules and market conditions force coal plants offline.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 7, 2016

Interior announces offshore wind lease auction for ocean tract off Long Island

The site, 11 miles south of Long Island, is one of 12 Atlantic tracts deemed suitable for wind development by the federal government. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 6, 2016

Missouri munis contract for 200 MW of space on proposed Grain Belt Express line

The new off-takers may strengthen the merchant transmission developer’s appeal to state regulators, who denied it the power of eminent domain last year. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 6, 2016

As nuclear plants shutter, state efforts to save them are coming too late

Exelon's planned closure of two Illinois plants is the latest consequence of low prices in organized electricity markets.

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2016

California lawmakers propose constitutional amendment to reform PUC

The California Public Utilities Commission is in "dire need of modernization," according to Assemblyman Scott Wilk (R). The proposed reform comes after the disastrous Aliso Canyon gas leak last year. 

By Robert Walton • June 6, 2016

New York Assembly approves climate bill to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions

The bill, which would require elimination of greenhouse gas pollution by 2050, now heads to the state Senate, where it faces longer odds and a tight timeframe.

By Gavin Bade • June 3, 2016

Riverstone to buy generator Talen Energy, take it private for $1.8B

Created after PPL spun off its generation business, Talen has been squeezed by low power market prices in the year since it went public. 

By Gavin Bade • June 3, 2016

Hawaiian Electric: 'Walk away' deadline won't kill NextEra merger deal

The companies face a June 3 deadline to walk away from the deal without a termination fee, but Hawaiian Electric said talks can continue. The Hawaii PUC hopes to have a decision by the end of June. 

By Gavin Bade, Herman Trabish • June 3, 2016

The corporate green team: Utilities partner to meet renewables demand from large US firms

The Edison Electric Institute has joined green groups in a partnership to market wind and solar to climate-savvy companies.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 2, 2016

Rate design roundup: demand charges vs. time-based rates

A new RMI report compares the two strategies transforming utility rate designs across the country.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 2, 2016

Exelon to shut Clinton, Quad Cities nuclear plants after Illinois bill stalls

The plants are struggling to compete in interstate electricity markets and have lost a combined $800 million in the last seven years. 

By Gavin Bade • June 2, 2016

Michigan clean energy bills cost ratepayers $4B, critics claim

The incoming president and CEO of Consumers Energy supports both bills, saying they are necessary to ensure electric reliability and continue Michigan's economic recovery.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2016

Texas regulators delay El Paso Electric request for rate increase, solar surcharge

Texas regulators told El Paso Electric to re-issue their rate increase request, delaying a final decision on their rate case. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 2, 2016

NC lawmakers pass coal ash bill despite veto threat

A North Carolina senate bill seeking to reestablish the NC Coal Ash Commission will move on to Gov. Pat McCory (R), who said that he would veto the legislation on grounds of the commission being unconstitutional. 

By Shalina Chatlani • June 1, 2016

The head of California's ISO is on a mission to regionalize and decarbonize

CAISO CEO Steve Berberich wants help from utilities in bridging California’s borders and moving beyond 50% renewables.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2016

Arizona Public Service pushes residential demand charges in new rate case

The $3.6 billion rate case includes a proposal for three different residential demand charge options, which the utility says will incentivize customers to manage peak usage. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2016

California regulators approve 262 MW Puente natural gas peaker plant for SCE

Despite recent struggles with natural gas in southern California, regulators still see a significant role for the resource.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2016

NH regulators delay Eversource proposed Northern Pass transmission line

The delay could have consequences for Massachusetts' clean energy goals and efforts to replace retired nuclear and fossil fuel generation. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 1, 2016

Energy storage's role in decarbonization will depend on duration, cost cuts

For a clean grid, "storage is not a requisite if a diverse mix of flexible, low-carbon power sources is employed," according to a new study by Argonne Laboratory and MIT.

By Peter Maloney • May 31, 2016

California PUC approves expedited storage buy to guard against gas shortages

Without mitigation measures, regulators warn that residents could face up to 14 days of blackouts due to the Aliso Canyon gas leak.

By Peter Maloney • May 31, 2016

Great Plains Energy to buy rival Kansas utility Westar for $8.6B

The deal would give Great Plains, which owns Kansas City Power & Light, more than 1.5 million customers in Kansas and Missouri and over 13 GW of total generation.

By Gavin Bade • May 31, 2016

DOE pulls $40M in funding for Dominion's offshore wind pilot

The decision came after the utility was unable to guarantee the project would be online by 2020, with Dominion saying there are "too many uncertainties to meet DOE's request."

By Davide Savenije • May 31, 2016

Bill to reestablish North Carolina coal ash commission heads for conference committee

The coal ash commission was disbanded earlier this year after the state Supreme Court ruled its members were too open to legislative influence. 

By Herman K. Trabish • May 31, 2016