NRC lacks authority to license private, away-from-reactor nuclear waste facility: 5th Circuit

Congress and the Biden administration should see this decision as a wake-up call to enact practical policy solutions for the disposal and storage of spent nuclear fuel, the American Nuclear Society said.

By Larry Pearl • Aug. 29, 2023

Every load an island: Requiring hourly matching of clean electricity purchases would raise emissions

Mandating it widely would stifle the development of the clean hydrogen industry, smother the voluntary market for clean electricity purchases and needlessly increase costs in compliance markets.

By Arne Olson, Nick Schlag, Greg Gangelhoff, and Anthony Fratto • Aug. 29, 2023

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

Big River Steel to pay $22M for receiving MISO demand response payments without cutting load

Entergy Arkansas agreed to return $8.2 million to its customers via bill credits, according to a FERC-approved agreement.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 28, 2023

4 fixes utilities can make to boost energy equity

If only throwing money at the problem of energy affordability and equity could solve it, we’d be in much better shape today than we are. Money is important, and required, but insufficient on its own.

By Ben Nathan • Aug. 28, 2023

American Clean Power asks FERC to hold conference on capacity accreditation

Improving the patchwork approach to measuring the reliability value of power plants, energy storage and other resources would bolster the grid, according to the trade group.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 25, 2023

CAISO seeks FERC approval for Western day-ahead market, with 2025 start date

The grid operator’s proposal is a key step in developing electricity markets in the West but faces competition from the Southwest Power Pool.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 24, 2023

The American power system is changing. How can electricity rates keep up?

As the industry prepares for the electrification of different sectors of the economy, experts are looking at new ways to make electricity rates more equitable. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 24, 2023

NERC assessment identifies new risk to grid reliability: energy policy

Grid transformation, extreme weather events, security and critical infrastructure interdependencies are also areas of risk, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 23, 2023

DOJ raises market power concerns for PJM in Vistra-Energy Harbor deal

Vistra could withhold power from a gas-fired power plant in Ohio to increase prices for nuclear plants that would be bought in the roughly $6.3 billion deal, the DOJ’s Antitrust Division said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 23, 2023

Only 6% of gas capacity needs major changes to meet EPA’s proposed GHG rules: RMI report

Power plant owners most affected by the EPA proposal are Florida Power & Light, Georgia Power, Entergy Louisiana, Southern Power and Duke Energy Florida, according to RMI’s analysis.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Aug. 25, 2023

Environmental groups sue to block Virginia’s RGGI exit

The groups say the executive branch’s withdrawal from a legislatively established commitment is unlawful.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 22, 2023

The Airbnb of power: Why the electricity sector is ripe for platformization

With the rise of rooftop solar, electric vehicles and home storage, more and more consumers now own their own generation assets — a resource potential that platform business models can tap into.

By By Tobias Menzel, Timm Teubner, Eric Gervet and Hanjo Arms • Aug. 22, 2023

In hit to Ameren, Illinois governor vetoes right of first refusal for MISO transmission

The veto comes amid a fight over whether major transmission projects should be put out to bid or built by incumbent utilities.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 18, 2023

DC Circuit rejects Vistra, generator arguments in PJM capacity market dispute

The Electric Power Supply Association said the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. District decision was “another blow to the health of PJM’s competitive markets.”

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 16, 2023

IRA drives $12.4B into US storage as investments ‘juice’ an already strong market: Freyr exec

Since the Inflation Reduction Act passed, 210 major new clean energy projects have been announced, which have the potential to drive up to $86.3 billion in private investment, says E2. 

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 15, 2023

NRC approves emergency preparedness rule for small modular reactors

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s “reckless” decision on Monday fails to require SMRs and other new nuclear technology to have offsite emergency plans, the Union of Concerned Scientists said.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 15, 2023

California’s facing climate and electric rates crises. Here’s how to solve them.

To be successful, in addition to better communications, the transition to clean energy in California will need solutions that are less familiar to customers and policymakers.

By Matt Baker • Aug. 15, 2023

With a unique alignment of interests, now is the time to address methane emissions

Given the public focus on sustainability as well as corporate commitments, it is in electric utilities’ best interest to ensure that their primary fuel source is as low emission and cost effective as possible.

By Jeffrey Kupfer • Aug. 14, 2023

Essential next steps for IIJA federal funding hopefuls

Four primary pre-award activities that are crucial for utility project success.

By Calvin Tong, West Monroe • Aug. 14, 2023

Shades of green: to get ahead of energy transition regulations, EU companies should narrow their focus

Green finance is a broad, loosely defined capital markets term encompassing funding for a range of projects labeled sustainable. This category of work includes clean energy companies utilizing already commercial technology, new demonstration-stage technology with broad promise, and even companies...

By Simar Grewal and Shawn Winkler • Aug. 14, 2023

EPA power plant carbon plan relies on unavailable tech, violates law: EEI, trade groups

The EPA based proposed emissions standards on hydrogen blending and carbon capture technology that isn’t widely available, violating the Clean Air Act, utility and power sector trade groups said.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 11, 2023

DOE proposes 2-year reviews for transmission projects on federal land

“Implementing a one-stop-shop for agency reviews and setting strict deadlines for this process will represent a fundamental leap forward,” ACEG’s Christina Hayes said.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 11, 2023

A community solar boom will test Xcel, other utility plans against developer, customer needs: analysts

New state and federal funding and initiatives for community solar can bring equity and system reliability to the emerging energy transition, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 10, 2023

PJM, MISO, others warn of ‘significant power shortages’ from EPA’s power plant carbon rule

The agency’s proposed limits on power plant carbon emissions rely on “green” hydrogen and carbon capture, technologies that may not be widely available, four grid operators told the agency.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 10, 2023

Newsom orders clean hydrogen market strategy as California competes in $8B federal program

The state will look at new financing models, permitting process changes and procurement initiatives to deploy more hydrogen projects. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Aug. 10, 2023