With looming EV load spikes, PG&E, Duke, other utilities adopt new rate design and cost recovery strategies

New dynamic time-varying rates and demand charge adjustments from California to the Carolinas could align customer usage with utility costs to make EVs a system benefit, rate design experts said

By Herman K. Trabish • April 18, 2023

Utilities, independent power producers clash over best path to New York’s 6 GW of storage by 2030 goal

An industry group warned that customers will pay for cost overruns on storage projects if utility-owned storage “is given free range.”

By Stephen Singer • April 18, 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

Cooperative utility leaders urge Congress, federal agencies to bolster grid reliability

“Demand is going up and supply is going down, and that's not a good trend if you want to maintain system reliability,” Jim Matheson, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO, said.

By Ethan Howland • April 18, 2023

FERC rejects Southwest Power Pool plan for utility self-funding of network upgrades

The self-funding proposal would create uncertainty for interconnection customers, possibly leading to canceled generating projects, the federal agency said Friday.

By Ethan Howland • April 17, 2023

NRC to regulate fusion energy systems as commercial interest grows despite ‘uncertain’ future

The private sector is developing pilot-scale commercial fusion designs even as the technology’s “precise future in the United States is uncertain,” NRC Chair Christopher Hanson said.

By Stephen Singer • April 17, 2023

PJM asks FERC to help resolve LS Power, 7 other complaints about $1.8B in Winter Storm Elliott penalties

“There is value to a prompt resolution of these heavily contested non-performance charges … in a manner that does not lead to market disruption, defaults, bankruptcies and the physical loss of assets,” PJM said Friday.

By Ethan Howland • April 17, 2023

Chinese supply chains for critical infrastructure threaten the US power grid

State and federal policymakers, utilities and other stakeholders must develop and implement effective strategies to secure supply chains while minimizing the financial impact on ratepayers.

By Brien J. Sheahan • April 14, 2023

Soaring electricity prices outrun inflation but have likely peaked as natural gas prices plunge: EIA, BLS

“The situation is getting worse as utility bills remain high and families are getting hit [by] rising prices for food and shelter,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association.

By Stephen Singer • April 13, 2023

Grid connections will remain a huge challenge for clean energy if FERC fails to meet this moment

To promote competition, interconnection reforms need standard processes and rules that leave little room for interpretation or discretion.

By Sean Gallagher • April 13, 2023

White House bolsters review process for power sector, other rules with expanded cost-benefit analysis

“This guidance will enable government agencies to more evenhandedly assess the benefits and costs of proposed regulations,” said Max Sarinsky, senior attorney at the Institute for Policy Integrity at NYU School of Law.

By Ethan Howland • April 12, 2023

NARUC, National Association of State Energy Officials launch advanced nuclear power collaboration

Greg White, NARUC’s executive director, said the initiative is important because many states are working on transitions to meet new clean energy requirements.

By Stephen Singer • April 11, 2023

7 Northeast states submit $1.25B proposal for federal hydrogen hub

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, D, said the hub provides an opportunity to “leverage substantial federal funding to begin building a market for clean hydrogen that will address some of our most difficult to decarbonize sectors.” 

By Stephen Singer • April 10, 2023

FERC gives PJM flexibility for handling member defaults as Winter Storm Elliott complaints pile up

At least six complaints are pending at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from generators that are seeking to avoid penalties for failing to run during the late-December freeze.

By Ethan Howland • April 10, 2023

Beyond thermostats: Why behavioral load management will be essential for successful energy decarbonization

As the energy transition drives a need for greater load flexibility, behavioral strategies can be among the most scalable and equitable approaches to demand management.

By Essie Snell • April 10, 2023

How utilities can take the next step in being digital

Leverage approaches from mature digital utilities and other sectors to unlock significant value.  

By Eric Chung, Partner, Energy & Utilities, West Monroe • April 10, 2023

EPA proposes strengthening mercury and air toxics standards for coal-fired power plants

To meet the proposed standards, about 4,800 MW of coal-fired capacity would need to install pollution-control equipment and 500 MW would retire in 2028, EPA said.

By Ethan Howland • April 6, 2023

RGGI speeds declines in power plant emissions and spurs economic growth: Acadia report

Critics say RGGI’s model has led to higher costs, with Gov. Glenn Youngkin, R, seeking to pull Virginia out of the program and opponents in Pennsylvania mounting legal challenges.

By Stephen Singer • April 5, 2023

LS Power, other Illinois power plant owners ask FERC to nix $275M in PJM Winter Storm Elliott penalties

The federal agency should suspend the collection of up to $2 billion in penalties, set to begin April 14, while it reviews claims against the PJM Interconnection, the companies said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • April 5, 2023

Clean energy groups see ‘unprecedented’ victory in Dominion’s legislative losses in Virginia

The legislature gave significant power back to Virginia’s utility regulator, the State Corporation Commission, but it remains unable to agree on appointments to the body.

By Diana DiGangi • April 4, 2023

Arizona Public Service proposed interconnection process for replacing power plants stifles competition: SEIA

The solar energy trade group urged federal regulators to launch a broad investigation into interconnection rules for replacing retiring power plants.

By Ethan Howland • April 4, 2023

Bipartisan group of US senators proposes legislation to advance nuclear power

The industry and policymakers are working on several fronts to build out nuclear energy — particularly advanced reactors and small modular reactors, SMRs — to meet increasingly stringent zero-carbon goals.

By Stephen Singer • April 3, 2023

NY moves toward public ownership, operation of renewable power in budget negotiated by state leaders

Supporters say it’s the biggest climate bill in the U.S. that will lead to the construction of publicly owned, 100% renewable energy. Opponents say it would undermine a successful model that relies on renewable energy and energy storage companies to develop projects in New York.

By Stephen Singer • April 3, 2023

Lincoln Power files for bankruptcy after $38.9M PJM charge for failing to run during Winter Storm Elliott

Nautilus Power, another generator Cogentrix Energy manages, on Friday sought Federal Energy Regulatory Commission protection from nonperformance penalties.

By Ethan Howland • April 3, 2023

DOE study highlights America’s transmission needs, but how do we accelerate buildout?

By providing FERC the authority to allocate costs to states according to benefits, Congress can help transmission lines avoid one of the most significant sources of delay.

By Michelle Solomon • March 31, 2023

In the heated debate over clean hydrogen rules, additionality doesn’t add up

A handful of observers are trying to undermine congressional intent by asking the administration to prohibit American manufacturers from having equal access to clean hydrogen production.

By Joe Dominguez • March 31, 2023