Maine governor vetoes solar bill that would end retail rate net metering

Prospects for overriding the veto look slim in the House, where the measure passed without the two-thirds majority needed for a veto. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 28, 2016

Despite stay, EPA moves ahead with state renewable energy incentives for Clean Power Plan

The Clean Power Plan is tied up in court, but federal officials are pressing ahead with the clean energy incentives envisioned to exist alongside the new rules.

By Robert Walton • April 28, 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

Top 10 solar utilities see growth through declining prices, favorable policies

SCE, PG&E and Duke took home top honors from SEPA for the most solar capacity deployed by utilities in 2015.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 28, 2016

Ohio PUC Chair Andre Porter to step down, sources say

Though no formal announcement has been made, it appears Porter will step down after just more than a year heading the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

By Robert Walton • April 28, 2016

How rate reform can help turn energy efficiency into a 'profit center' for utilities

Traditional ratemaking makes energy efficiency a burden to utilities, but smart regulation can create opportunities for both revenue growth and power conservation.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 27, 2016

For grid flexibility, utilities pushed to think beyond gas plants and storage

There are more cost-effective methods to enhance the power system's responsiveness, a new paper reports.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 27, 2016

FERC to consider waivers for electric utilities purchasing gas pipeline capacity

Federal regulators will consider easing capacity release requirements to allow power generators greater access to gas supplies in the secondary market.

By Robert Walton • April 27, 2016

New York City launches Solarize program targeting 350 MW of new distributed solar by 2025

Solarize campaigns, started in Portland in 2009, help communities leverage group buying power to go solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 27, 2016

Energy appropriations bill 'underfunds' clean energy research, White House says

The energy appropriations bill faces little resistance in the Senate, but the White House has threatened to veto it over concerns about clean energy research.

By Robert Walton • April 27, 2016

Renewables in China & India: How two Asian giants struggle with inflexible power system operations

The "merit order" that ranks available generation resources according to marginal cost is largely absent in both countries, RAP analysts write, leading to higher emissions and lower renewable energy utilization.

By Max Dupuy and Ranjit Bharvirkar • April 26, 2016

Sierra Club files to stop retrofit of Arizona Public Service gas plant

The environmental group says the way the utility plans to use the new generators would produce about as much carbon dioxide pollution as a coal plant. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 26, 2016

What the Hughes v. Talen Supreme Court decision means for state power incentives

A narrow ruling means big questions still remain for renewable energy and recent power subsidies approved in Ohio.

By Robert Walton • April 25, 2016

Biomass amendments in energy legislation spark debate over 'carbon-neutrality'

Dozens of environmental groups say they cannot support the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 because of how it treats carbon emissions from biomass generation.

By Robert Walton • April 25, 2016

Arizona utilities back initiative to counter SolarCity-supported ballot proposal

Days after solar advocates announced a ballot proposal to protect net metering in Arizona, a state lawmaker has a competing proposal she says has the support of the state's regulated utilities. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2016

ComEd touts new solar incentives in Illinois legislative push

The utility has a slate of proposals in front of state lawmakers and on Friday, announced new rebates for solar customers to accompany proposed rate changes.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2016

As utilities build toward RPS standards, costs, carve-outs raise concerns

An LBNL report shows utilities are largely meeting their renewable energy targets, but new challenges are emerging.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 25, 2016

Report: Big US utilities shelled out $400M in political spending

Litigation and political donations highlight how utilities are "digging in their heels" when it comes to the changing business landscape, according to Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute Executive Director Jon Lukomnik.

By Robert Walton • April 25, 2016

Updated: DC ratepayer advocate, Attorney General file for reconsideration of Exelon-Pepco deal

OPC, Grid 2.0 Working Group and other merger intervenors say the procedure for merger approval was legally flawed.

By Gavin Bade • April 22, 2016

On Earth Day, natural gas is the power sector's biggest environmental problem

Gas played a big role in stabilizing U.S. emissions, but the world will need to look beyond the fuel if it wants to hit the goals laid out in the Paris Climate Accord.

By Gavin Bade • April 22, 2016

Weaker winds slowed wind energy output growth in 2015

The 5.1% increase in wind energy output last year was the smallest since 1999, EIA reports, thanks to slow wind speeds in the West.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 22, 2016

Feds move offshore wind lease areas from North to South Carolina

The shift came after North Carolina officials raised concerns about wind projects' effects on ocean views and whale habitat. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 22, 2016

Declining prices, stable outlook drive utilities, large companies to wind power

Natural gas is the new power sector leader, but utilities are increasingly looking to renewables, especially wind, as a hedge against long-term gas price volatility and future environmental regulations.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 21, 2016

SolarCity ends support for watchdog group investigating Arizona regulators

The watchdog group Checks and Balances project had sought to expose communications between Arizona regulators, utility executives, and members of an outside political group. 

By Herman Trabish, Gavin Bade • April 21, 2016

Indiana Supreme Court rules to keep lawmaker-utility emails private

But it was a partial victory for open records advocates, with the court finding the legislature is subject freedom of information laws.

By Robert Walton • April 21, 2016

Updated: Senate passes first broad energy legislation since 2007

The bill from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) would boost efficiency programs and ease project siting, but it must be reconciled with a House bill that earned a veto threat from President Obama.

By Gavin Bade • April 20, 2016