Getting politics out of utility bills

Public utility commissions should explicitly bar utilities from spending customers' money on politics, using clear and common-sense definitions of political activity. 

By David Pomerantz • Feb. 1, 2023

‘No regrets’ approach to big batteries, green hydrogen and grid reliability urgently needed, analysts say

Advanced batteries and green hydrogen promise long-duration energy storage solutions for “net zero” system reliability, but only regulatory policy and market support can fulfill that promise, industry stakeholders say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 31, 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

An open letter to the Department of Energy: Enough with the technical assistance

Well-meaning as they may be, EPA and DOE, which are tasked with distributing the funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and bipartisan infrastructure law, can be painfully oblivious to the needs of recipients.

By Alicia Brown • Jan. 30, 2023

A dirty little secret in our clean energy evolution … it’s really hard to bill customers on the modern rates we need to decarbonize

There have been changes in how we manage the grid, consume energy and engage customers. But what about changes in how utilities bill their customers? This area demands attention.

Jan. 30, 2023

ISO-NE to begin dispatching growing fleet of ‘front-of-meter’ solar resources in boost to reliability

The change, set to take effect in December, could also lower power prices in some areas, sending more accurate investment signals, according to the grid operator.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 27, 2023

6 reasons why grid access charges should not be part of utility rates

Although GACs are extremely effective in recovering utility fixed and demand costs and reducing cross-subsidies, they do so regressively, posing a serious risk to the sustainable diffusion of rooftop solar technology.

By Ahmed S. Alahmed • Jan. 26, 2023

EPA proposes rejecting DTE, SRP and other generator requests to keep using coal ash basins

Any final deadlines to stop putting coal ash in unlined basins could be delayed if they would cause power plants to shut and threaten grid reliability, according to the EPA.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 26, 2023

2023 US Power Sector Outlook

2023 promises to be another busy year for the U.S. energy transition as stakeholders move to implement new clean energy measures while tackling growing security, reliability, equity and affordability challenges.

By The Utility Dive Team • Jan. 25, 2023

NuScale Power’s small modular reactor design is first in US to get NRC approval

With the NRC’s certification of the NuScale design, “SMRs are no longer an abstract concept,” an assistant secretary of energy said.

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 24, 2023

FERC enters 2023 with a new leader, a vacant seat and an agenda topped by transmission and grid reliability

“The commission will not sit on our hands on any important matters that need to move forward,” acting Chairman Willie Phillips said last week.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 24, 2023

Constellation, NRG and other generators urge FERC to reject PJM’s mid-capacity auction rule change

The PJM Interconnection’s proposal to change its market rules could set a precedent for all wholesale markets, companies and trade groups told the federal agency Friday.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 23, 2023

3 big advances coming as distributed energy resources take newer, bigger roles in 2023

Analysts foresee DER growth in 2023 at the wholesale market and retail distribution system levels as communities and local leaders demand more reliability and resilience.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2023

FERC acting Chairman Phillips says priorities are reliability, transmission and environmental justice

“It is important that we consider the voices of historically disadvantaged communities in our decisions," Phillips said during his first open meeting leading the agency.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 20, 2023

Nuclear power gets another look in ‘all-of-the-above’ energy approach as climate worries mount

Federal money and state legislation are combining to boost nuclear power as policymakers race to achieve reduced greenhouse gas emissions goals. 

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 20, 2023

SEC aims to set climate risk, cybersecurity rules before May

Lawmakers, state attorneys general and other critics have said that by publishing a final climate risk rule, the agency would shoulder companies with excessive compliance costs and overstep its authority.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 19, 2023

CAISO board approves Western day-ahead market, with expected economic, reliability benefits

“The [extended day-ahead market] will help the region address climate change by making it easier and less expensive to bring clean energy resources onto the grid in a reliable manner,” Western Resource Advocate’s Vijay Satyal said.

By Kavya Balaraman • Updated Feb. 3, 2023

California PUC’s delay of microgrids program harms disadvantaged communities

This delay in community microgrid development means more vulnerability to heat waves, wildfires, power shutoffs and pollution, especially in frontline communities.

By Stephanie Doyle and Shina Robinson • Jan. 18, 2023

Georgia Power delays Vogtle 3 start after discovering vibrations in plant’s cooling system

Georgia Power now expects Unit 3 will be placed in service in April.

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 13, 2023

2023 Outlook: US power sector trends to watch

Federal, state and corporate actions are boosting clean energy in the U.S., but supply chain and economic challenges persist while grid reliability and security concerns are growing.

By The Utility Dive Team • Jan. 13, 2023

FERC approves Transco gas pipeline expansion despite New Jersey BPU study finding no need

A stay the agency put on its decision could delay the project that is expected to supply parts of the East Coast.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 13, 2023

New York Gov. Hochul outlines climate, energy priorities with cap-and-invest program

The governor’s program is expected to help New York reach the requirements of a 2019 state law, cutting greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030 and at least 85% by 2050, both below 1990 levels.

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 12, 2023

FERC approves Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric membership in Southeast Energy Exchange Market

Opponents of SEEM continue to argue that the market violates federal regulations, but a FERC majority said that question was not at issue in this membership approval.

By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 10, 2023

President Biden, creating a resilience corps will maximize our investments in climate and clean energy

We must leverage effective strategies to engage the next, more diverse, generation and put them on pathways to good-paying jobs in our rapidly growing clean energy and resilience sectors.

By Emily Andrews, Kristen Bennett, Kevin J. Coyle, Trevor Dolan, Kaira Esgate, Karishma Merchant and Mary Ellen Sprenkel • Jan. 10, 2023

Holtec International seeks $7.4 billion federal loan for small modular reactor build-out

Holtec sees a “renaissance of nuclear power in the U.S.” and a rise in small modular reactors, but critics are skeptical about costs and construction schedules. 

By Stephen Singer • Jan. 10, 2023

White House guidance on GHG analysis will ease renewable energy permitting, trade groups say

The interim guidance comes as the infrastructure law and Inflation Reduction Act are expected to spur clean energy development, which can be slowed by permitting requirements.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 9, 2023