FERC expands criteria for reviewing gas infrastructure proposals, outlines GHG framework

The commission said the change provides more legal certainty, but critics called the decision "reckless" and "legally dubious," arguing it will hurt pipeline development.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 18, 2022

Revisiting California's natural gas hookup subsidies

California is one of the biggest consumers of natural gas in the U.S., and has been adding new gas customers faster than any other state. These trends are in direct conflict with its ambitious climate goals, the authors write.

By Clifford Rechtschaffen and Simi Rose George • Feb. 18, 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

FERC, state task force eye benefits of considering transmission project portfolios, ending 'silos'

The FERC-NARUC task force aims to break down barriers to transmission development.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 17, 2022

Without mapping tools, environmental justice investments could be just a shot in the dark

With the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, continued discussions around the Build Back Better Act, and state-level net-zero targets, trillions of dollars and a just transition are on the line, the author writes.

By Michelle Solomon • Feb. 16, 2022

Biden administration launches industrial decarbonization initiative, targets $9.5B for clean hydrogen

The White House also issued interim guidance to federal agencies on Tuesday to make sure carbon capture, utilization and sequestration technologies advance in a "responsible manner."

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 16, 2022

Dozens of lawmakers press Biden to prioritize appliance efficiency standard updates

There were 28 standards in need of review when President Joe Biden took office, and more deadlines are approaching. "The scale of the rulemaking task ahead is challenging," warned more than 50 lawmakers.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2022

PJM rejects generator trade group request to bar some renewables from capacity auction

The grid operator is preparing to re-evaluate how it accredits capacity for fossil-fueled plants to account for their outage risks.

By Ethan Howland • Updated March 7, 2022

Louisville eyes forming public electric utility to meet climate goals

Its goal of achieving 100% clean energy communitywide by 2040 does not match the decarbonization plans of its current energy provider, leading the city to look for alternatives.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 14, 2022

PJM stakeholders advance interconnection reform plan to speed process, clear clean energy backlog

The widely endorsed plan includes a two-year pause on new interconnection applications to give PJM time to clear out a backlog of interconnection requests — mostly renewable and energy storage proposals.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 11, 2022

Utility capital spending remains strong, but inflation, federal policy uncertainty complicate outlook: EEI

Investor-owned electric utilities will make capital investments of about $140 billion annually from 2021-2023, officials from the Edison Electric Institute told Wall Street analysts.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2022

The number of natural gas customers will continue to rise, even as US decarbonizes: AGA report

Efficient gas appliances are one key to ensuring an equitable transition to a net-zero carbon economy, according to the American Gas Association.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 9, 2022

ISO-NE plan to extend MOPR through 2024 faces uncertain fate at FERC, experts say

The delay in eliminating the minimum offer price rule could slow renewable development in New England, according to clean energy advocates. However, a power market consultant disagrees.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 9, 2022

California's omission of community solar from distributed energy policies is shortsighted

Community solar can make moot the controversies surrounding behind-the-meter solar and enable new approaches that can maximize societal value for all Californians, the authors write.

By Anna Brockway and Duncan Callaway • Feb. 8, 2022

Biden extends solar tariff 4 years, eases Trump-era requirements

The extension doubles the quota of solar cells and upholds the exclusion of bifacial modules, moves the solar industry welcomed.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 7, 2022

2022 electric market resolution: Changing how we approach the RTO/ISO debate

There is another way to approach the market debate, and we should pursue it to achieve an objective we can all agree on: reliable decarbonization, the authors write.

By Ray Gifford and Matt Larson • Feb. 7, 2022

NYC mayor reshapes climate approach to put environmental justice at the fore

Eric Adams announced the launch of a Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice. "We intend on holding the mayor's office accountable to that title," said the head of one key EJ advocacy organization.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 4, 2022

Massachusetts approves $4B efficiency plan. Is it 'transformational' or a 'missed opportunity' on equity?

The Mass Save budget recognizes efficiency as a key to meeting the state's carbon reduction goals, but regulators declined to approve some provisions focused on energy equity.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 4, 2022

Breakthroughs in generation and system integration are driving the utility of the future, analysts say

The new technologies will reverse the supply-demand equation and bring competitive procurement and a transaction platform to merge the bulk power and distribution systems.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 31, 2022

Con Edison, KeySpan urge FERC to ignore EPA call to pause natural gas project reviews

The utilities say they support cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but downstate New York needs more gas on cold winter days.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 31, 2022

FERC should loosen incumbent transmission owners' grip on planning, R Street panelists say

"Control over transmission is in a lot of ways control over the industry," Ari Peskoe, director of Harvard Law School’s Electricity Law Initiative, said Thursday.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 28, 2022

FERC approves NYISO plan to end 'buyer-side mitigation' for clean energy resources

The agency also OK'd the grid operator’s proposal to create a marginal capacity accreditation framework opposed by renewable energy advocates.

By Ethan Howland • Updated May 11, 2022

Arizona regulators reject 100% clean energy rules package, energy efficiency standard extension

Commissioners expressed support for moving forward on efficiency components and integrated resource planning through separate rulemakings during Wednesday's open meeting.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 27, 2022

California regulators delay vote on NEM proposal 'until further notice'

Regulators plan to hold oral arguments on the controversial proposed decision before moving forward.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 27, 2022

DOE leverages new and existing authorities to spur transmission development key to energy transition

The transmission deployment program melds existing authority with the infrastructure bill to bolster project planning, permitting and financing, according to experts.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 27, 2022

Sen. Smith to push ahead on passage of clean energy tax credits

While optimistic about the passage of the Build Back Better bill, Democrats are considering separating climate-related aspects of the legislation that could earn support from a majority of the Senate.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 26, 2022