Inflation Reduction Act would spur 42% US carbon emissions cut by 2030: Princeton-led study

The Senate bill cuts U.S. carbon emissions mainly by speeding up the deployment of clean electricity and electric vehicles, according to the analysis released Thursday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 4, 2022

Why electricity is more expensive and less reliable

After a quarter century, the evidence is accumulating that our experiment with electricity restructuring is failing, former chairman and CEO of the Illinois Commerce Commission Brien Sheahan writes.

By Brien J. Sheahan • Aug. 3, 2022

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

Global renewable investment sets new record at $226B in H1 despite supply chain constraints: BNEF

Bucking the “headwinds” of inflation and other challenges, BloombergNEF data shows an 11% rise in global renewable energy financing in the first half of 2022.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 3, 2022

NextEra’s ‘game-changing’ Real Zero emissions goal spurs questions about hydrogen, demand-side management

NextEra, the world’s biggest IOU by market cap, wants a “real” reduction of all carbon emissions by FPL, its regulated subsidiary, with solar, batteries and green hydrogen, but it will go without much help from the demand side.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 3, 2022

FERC, NERC urge North American Energy Standards Board to help boost gas-electric coordination

NAESB announced plans last year to support improved coordination between the natural gas and electricity markets, but that initiative has made little progress.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 2, 2022

NRC to certify NuScale small modular reactor design for use in the US

The first small modular nuclear reactor design to be approved in the U.S. is expected to go online at an Energy Department laboratory in Idaho in 2029.

By Larry Pearl • Aug. 1, 2022

Massachusetts climate bill heads to Gov. Baker’s desk after last-minute Senate, House approval

The measure includes support for electric vehicles and building electrification and calls for a study on energy storage systems.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 1, 2022

FERC proposes expanded ‘duty of candor’ obligation to increase market integrity, but pushback expected

The proposal could bolster Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decision-making, according to Public Citizen’s Tyson Slocum.

By Ethan Howland • July 29, 2022

New York announces 2-GW offshore wind solicitation with a focus on supply chain infrastructure

The state, which already has the largest offshore wind portfolio in the nation, published a third solicitation that includes the first phase of its $500 million investment in wind ports and manufacturing.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 28, 2022

Manchin, in reversal, backs bill with $369B in climate spending

After scuttling climate legislation two weeks ago, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on Wednesday said he backs a budget reconciliation bill that invests in hydrogen, nuclear and renewable energy as well as fossil fuel and energy storage technologies.

By Ethan Howland • July 27, 2022

FERC must regulate small-scale LNG export projects to ensure safety, methane oversight, green groups say

With U.S. liquefied natural gas exports ramping up, small-scale LNG projects need a lead federal agency to review them, environmental groups said in a petition Friday.

By Ethan Howland • July 25, 2022

Ameren Illinois ordered to explore possible benefits of shifting from MISO to PJM

“The Illinois Commerce Commission feels it is appropriate to explore whether membership in MISO continues to provide net benefits to Ameren Illinois’ electricity customers,” ICC Chairman Carrie Zalewski said Friday.

By Ethan Howland • July 25, 2022

Biden executive order on power system cybersecurity leaves critical operations vulnerable, experts say

From mysterious electronics in Chinese transformers to sensors without password protections, analysts see growing vulnerabilities in U.S. power system operations.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 25, 2022

Massachusetts passes 'landmark' climate bill to decarbonize multiple sectors, add 5.6 GW offshore wind

The wide-ranging bill supports the decarbonization of the state’s building and transportation sectors, scrapping language that would have blocked residential retail energy choice.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 22, 2022

State regulators approve Georgia Power's plans to retire all coal plants by 2028 except for Plant Bowen

The state’s Public Service Commission voted to decide the retirement of the remaining two units at Plant Bowen, totaling nearly 1,600 MW, in the utility’s 2025 IRP proceeding.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 22, 2022

ENGIE, clean energy groups press FERC to approve ISO-NE plan for state review of DER interconnections

The proposal would remove major barriers to distributed energy market participation in New England, the supporters said.

By Ethan Howland • July 22, 2022

Biden boosts offshore wind, resilience program, but balks at climate emergency declaration

With a dim congressional outlook for climate action, President Joe Biden said Wednesday he planned to do more soon through proclamations, executive orders and regulatory actions.

By Ethan Howland • July 21, 2022

Senate committee probes FERC regulation of hydrogen, but industry says tax credits are the priority

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission may already have the authority to regulate hydrogen pipelines, an energy attorney testified, but he said more clarity could solidify interest in hydrogen projects.

By Emma Penrod • July 20, 2022

Sen. Warren leads lawmakers calling for DOE, EPA to track 'disturbing' Bitcoin, Ethereum energy use

The U.S. share of Bitcoin mining increased from 4% in August 2019 to nearly 38% in January, according to a group of lawmakers who want more reporting on its energy use and associated emissions.

By Robert Walton • July 19, 2022

FERC rejects National Grid's proposal for cost recovery, extra ROE for $1.2B New York power line

In another decision Friday, FERC Commissioner Mark Christie outlined his opposition to certain incentives the agency gives transmission developers, saying they shift risks onto ratepayers.

By Ethan Howland • July 18, 2022

As Mass. lawmakers consider energy bills, power suppliers press to continue residential retail choice

A petition this week from over 1,000 Massachusetts residents asks legislators to remove language supported by the Attorney General’s office intended for consumer protection.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 15, 2022

Manchin refuses to support new climate spending, likely tanking clean energy package

Clean energy advocates took the news hard. Manchin will go down as “the one man who single-handedly doomed humanity,” said John Podesta, founder of the Center for American Progress.

By Robert Walton • July 15, 2022

6 offshore wind lease areas in the New York Bight get first Interior Department regional analysis

In developing all environmental impact statements at the same time, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s process will allow more developers to advance their projects in a timely manner.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 14, 2022

Bay staters are choosing clean energy. Why are lawmakers favoring utility monopolies?

Now is the time to expand choice, not to shut down a market that is saving ratepayers money while enabling a transition to a clean energy future, the author writes.

By Christopher Ercoli • July 14, 2022

House Republicans press EPA chief about alleged grid reliability threats from power plant regulations

House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans on Tuesday asked EPA Administrator Michael Regan to describe the steps the agency could take to address any grid emergencies this summer.

By Ethan Howland • July 13, 2022