Nebraska senators propose state wind tax credit to replace federal PTC

New EPA pollution rules will drive wind demand and grow Nebraska’s economy, backers say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2015

Bipartisan coalition pushes to expand net metering in Montana

Solar advocates want energy independence, but opponents call solar a “melanoma” and say it has created too many problems elsewhere.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2015

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

Where the electric vehicle boom is happening and how utilities can take advantage

In the chicken-egg equation of what will drive the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles, states are offering increasing incentives for the constructive of charging stations.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 21, 2015

Obama highlights climate change, renewables, nat gas in State of the Union

A confident President Obama reiterated his commitment to EPA regulations aimed at fighting global warming.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 21, 2015

FERC OKs raising PJM offer cap to $1,800/MWh for short-term winter pricing

Raising the cap will help ensure high winter costs do not force generation offline.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 21, 2015

New proposed net metering reforms could boost Missouri's solar industry

An expanded eligible system size and shift from monthly to annual true-up would increase solar’s value.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 20, 2015

Solar advocates set to challenge Wisc. regulators on net metering math

The switch granted to We Energies for monthly true-ups diminish solar's value proposition in the state, advocates say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 20, 2015

The Exelon-Pepco merger: Inside the debate over what may soon be America's biggest utility

Critics say the merger would hamper distributed generation and give Exelon outsized influence in power markets and policy decisions. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 20, 2015

Obama admin. appeals to Supreme Court on FERC Order 745

FERC has the authority to regulate demand response in retail energy markets, the Justice Department says.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 16, 2015

Renewables enjoy new bipartisan consensus, but efficiency standards remain under attack

Even conservatives are coming around on green energy, observers say, but efficiency benchmarks remain controversial in state capitals around the country.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 16, 2015

CPUC plan for community solar stirs controversy with renewables advocates

Solar advocates take exception with fees for community solar the CPUC would let utilities impose on users.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 15, 2015

Boulder municipal utility plans hit another setback

The city will have to present condemnation plans to state regulators before it can pursue Xcel Energy's local distribution system.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2015

Groups ask Hawaii PSC to focus on HECO reforms before acquisition

Clean energy advocates are worried regulators will let NextEra take over before completing reforms to modernize HECO's grid and boost distributed generation.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2015

How new turbine technology will open up the Southeast to wind development

"The message is that wind energy could be a more significant generation opportunity in this region than you thought." 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 15, 2015

Pew: Ohio freeze on renewables, efficiency mandates is driving away business

Lawmakers' decision to freeze renewable standards in Ohio has injected uncertainty into the state's clean energy industry.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2015

Tennessee clears transmission line to deliver Oklahoma wind to Southeast

The Plains & Eastern HVDC transmission line adds local clearance to DOE’s draft EIS approval.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 14, 2015

FERC approves Great Northern transmission line to link Manitoba hydro and Minnesota wind

The line will be built by Canadian and U.S. utilities and will connect to MISO.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 14, 2015

FERC: ISO-NE may integrate demand response into wholesale markets

In spite of regulatory uncertainty over demand response and FERC Order 745, regulators allows ISO New England to fully integrate demand response resources into its wholesale energy markets.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 14, 2015

PJM: Renewables, efficiency can keep coal plants operating under EPA rules

Regional emissions cutting plans will be more effective and cheaper, PJM also found in its study of EPA carbon regulations.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 14, 2015

New NRC chair to focus on safety, commission structure

Stephen Burns became NRC chairman on Jan. 1.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 2015

Xcel solar project meets resistance in Minnesota

Locals fear the NextEra Energy’s 62 MW installation will hurt land values.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 13, 2015

CPUC email scandal widens to involve SCE, SONGS closure

Inappropriate behavior at the CPUC appears to go beyond its relationships with PG&E.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 13, 2015

Utility compromise paves way for Georgia solar incentive bill

Residents currently have to pay for rooftop solar panels upfront, but that could change if a bill allowing third party ownership passes.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 13, 2015

IPL asks Indiana regulators to raise fixed charges

IPL becomes the latest example in a nationwide trend to reshape rate structures.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 2015

BLM releases draft plan for Boardman-to-Hemingway transmission project

Federal and state agencies must still complete reviews, grant rights of way and permits, but the BLM plan is a milestone for the project.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 12, 2015