Will Tri-State's exit fee dispute at FERC shake up the cooperative utility model?

Even with United Power announcing plans to leave, Tri-State continues its pivot toward renewables and contract flexibility.

By Ethan Howland • Dec. 15, 2021

Nevada moves to bring rooftop solar benefits to underserved customers in a step toward equity, advocates say

The potential use of community-based solar projects on commercial warehouses or parking structures will allow Nevada to generate power within urban areas, advocates say.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 13, 2021

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

DOD, GSA start process in federal shift to all carbon-free power by 2030

The federal government aims to begin buying emissions-free power in competitive markets next year in response to an executive order.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Feb. 4, 2022

New Mexico regulators unanimously reject Avangrid-PNM merger, but observers see a second chance in 2023

Observers say it is possible the deal can be salvaged, but for now concerns over reliability and the development of renewable resources have scuttled the proposed $8 billion merger.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2021

New York’s landmark Reforming the Energy Vision framework remains both vital and unfinished, analysts say

New York's REV initiatives have given full value to distributed energy resources, but the utility business model transformation must be finished, regulators and other stakeholders agreed.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 9, 2021

Fuel neutrality, pipeline environmental reviews and a return to common sense at FERC

In curtailing the Minimum Offer Price Rule and undertaking environmental reviews of pipelines, federal regulators are fulfilling their responsibilities while respecting state authority, writes former FERC commissioner John Norris.

By John Norris • Dec. 7, 2021

Texas power plants 'ready for winter' following weatherization assessment, ERCOT says

On-site inspections of more than 300 generating units mean consumers "can be confident" the power system will remain stable this winter, according to the grid operator.

By Robert Walton • Updated Jan. 5, 2022

Improving outcomes for everyone: Enthusiasm builds for broader Western electricity market

At issue is how we go about making our electricity cleaner, more reliable and more affordable, according to the CEOs of Southern California Edison and Pacific Power.

By Steven Powell & Stefan Bird • Dec. 6, 2021

Despite authority to require RTOs, Glick says FERC will encourage bottom-up approach to creating power markets

The top federal energy regulator supports RTO participation and said he is focused on orders that will not create disincentives for states or utilities to join the broader transmission planning groups.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 3, 2021

Irreconcilable conflict? Lessons from the Central Maine Power transmission corridor debacle

The Central Maine Power corridor debate shows public support must be built for much-needed infrastructure through strategic, long-term transmission and distribution planning, the author writes.

By Rebecca Schultz • Nov. 30, 2021

‘A long way to go’: How ConEd, Xcel and 4 other utilities are helping cities meet big EV goals

From New York City to Los Angeles, cities and utilities face cost, land and grid challenges in their efforts to electrify transportation systems. 

By Robert Walton , Emma Penrod , Jason Plautz , Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 30, 2021

8 states, DC urge FERC to reject EEI, Eversource call to drop competition for transmission projects

Utility regulators and attorneys general also want the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to require independent monitors to help oversee powerline planning.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 29, 2021

At the forefront: The biggest state clean energy legislative trends of 2021

States continue to act as laboratories of innovation, taking unique policy approaches and testing their own solutions to various clean energy policy issues, the author writes.

By Autumn Proudlove • Nov. 24, 2021

Pricing carbon is vital to US climate goals and politically unlikely, but there is another way, analysts say

There are two basic approaches to pricing carbon emissions, and either can work, most economists agree. Though neither is politically viable, there is a way toward them, many analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 24, 2021

Can the DOE's community solar target to power 5M homes be met? Not without state-level support

Without putting forth the resources and rewarding effective blueprints to pull off a monumental scaling effort of community solar, the DOE's new targets will not be met, the author writes.

By Mike Gordon • Nov. 24, 2021

Illinois' new clean energy law could be a regulatory playbook for other states

While the law's decarbonization targets and workforce development components grabbed headlines, less has been written about the utility regulatory requirements and challenges associated with enacting it, the authors write.

By Carrie Zalewski, Jordan Graham and Tanya Rabczak • Nov. 23, 2021

FERC balks at PJM utilities' proposal to profit on network upgrades

The plan by PPL Corp., Exelon and other utilities is part of a broader utility effort to be allowed to invest in more types of transmission projects.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 22, 2021

Energy-efficient infrastructure projects hold a key opportunity for contractors

For builders that incorporate sustainable systems into their projects, the $1.80-per-square-foot 179D tax deduction can quickly climb to millions of dollars.

By Dean Zerbe • Nov. 22, 2021

FERC investigates possible market manipulation during Winter Storm Uri

Pointing to a jump in enforcement activity, Chairman Richard Glick said "the cop is back on the street."

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 19, 2021

FERC issues temporary permit for Spire's St. Louis-area gas pipeline as company seeks Supreme Court review

Spire argued it is improper for a court to vacate a permit for critical infrastructure when the flaws in FERC's decision can be fixed on remand.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Dec. 6, 2021

Direct Energy launches fresh attack against Dominion's 100% renewable energy tariff in Virginia

The competitive power provider is taking aim at Dominion Energy's all-renewable power offering, saying it has failed to attract anywhere near the number of customers it should.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 18, 2021

Advocates vow to fight 'outrageous' decision rejecting New Hampshire efficiency program

"This should provoke outrage and concern everywhere in the country," said New Hampshire Consumer Advocate Don Kreis about a decision to reverse rate increases to fund efficiency upgrades. 

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 18, 2021

Democrats stress need to beef up clean energy supply chains as Republicans knock rising gas prices

The energy transition is ramping up around the world and driving a need for additional metals and critical minerals, experts testified at a House hearing. But Republicans said the focus of the hearing was misplaced.

By Emma Penrod • Nov. 18, 2021

NY regulator's shortsighted decision on NRG and Danskammer gas plants may cause future power shortages

The only viable answer at this time to fill the electric reliability hole that policymakers are digging is the conversion of existing and new state-of-the-art natural gas-fired generation plants to use "green hydrogen," the author writes.

By Arnold R. Wallenstein • Nov. 18, 2021

How the Build Back Better bill could boost clean energy for low-income homeowners

Advocates say the Democrats' budget bill corrects incentives that have "always been biased towards people who have wealth."

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 16, 2021