AEP, Sunflower execs urge FERC to require grid planners to identify renewable energy zones

Proactively planning transmission to serve areas that are designated for deploying clean energy could save money, experts told federal regulators.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 16, 2021

Utility of the future? We also need fundamental changes at state regulatory commissions

​​Regulatory commissions are hampered by outdated statutes, lack of staff diversity, and misaligned legislative bodies that govern and fund them, the authors write. 

By Stephanie Eyocko, Alicia Brown and Dugan Marieb • Nov. 15, 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

Changing climate and electricity mix renew region-wide power market ambitions for the 'Wild West'

Replacing today's "inflexible" dispatch in 11 Western states with an RTO's optimized operations and avoided capacity costs could deliver up to $1.3 billion in annual benefits, according to a DOE-funded study.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 15, 2021

What the extension of cybersecurity standards beyond NERC CIP means to utilities

There's a growing realization in the utility industry that NERC CIP may no longer be enough to protect utilities against sophisticated cyberattacks.

Nov. 15, 2021

Time for FERC to return to being fuel neutral

FERC in recent months has departed from its role as a fuel-neutral regulator of power markets by demonstrating a troubling pattern of favoritism for renewables and discrimination against fossil fuels, the author writes.

By Guy Caruso • Nov. 12, 2021

FERC kicks off 3-year task force examining transmission issues, state-federal divide

States want to work collaboratively to develop new transmission, but some commissioners fear that a federal requirement to consider energy goals "will impair the ability to get transmission built."

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2021

FERC approves transmission rules for SEEM market, dismissing open access concerns

The decision could broadly affect rules giving non-utilities access to the transmission system, warned Jeff Dennis, the head of Advanced Energy Economy.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 10, 2021

When it comes to transmission, and greater FERC authority in general, be careful what you wish for

It is difficult to imagine that FERC will be excited about the opportunity to mix it up with the congressional delegation of a state it is trying to steamroller, the author writes.

By Michael McKenna • Nov. 10, 2021

Expand competitive power markets, not regulations and subsidies, to address global climate change

Instead of government-driven mandates, a more fruitful approach would be empowering competitive electricity markets to usher in market sustainable low-emission technologies, the author writes.

By Wayne Winegarden • Nov. 9, 2021

California should revisit shutting down Diablo Canyon nuclear plant, Stanford, MIT analysis finds

Keeping the 2,240 MW nuclear plant running past its planned 2025 retirement would reduce power sector carbon emissions, save money and improve grid reliability, according to the report.

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 8, 2021

FERC orders GreenHat, traders to pay $243M for alleged PJM market manipulation

GreenHat's market schemes led to the largest default in PJM's financial transmission rights market, leaving its members to absorb the losses, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 8, 2021

Duke Energy eyes offshore wind, advanced nuclear, to meet NC decarbonization goals

Duke Energy CEO Lynn Good told analysts Thursday the company is exploring an array of options to meet North Carolina's new decarbonization goals.

By Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 8, 2021

The future of energy is virtual, integrated and not so disruptive after all

All eyes are on the United Nations Climate Change Conference and there's been no shortage of new climate commitments presented. One thing is clear– decarbonization goals are here to stay and only becoming more aggressive.

By Andrew Tang • Nov. 8, 2021

Global rule maker created for ESG disclosure standards

CFOs aiming to adopt sustainability disclosure standards must currently choose from more than a dozen inconsistent, competing frameworks. 

By Jim Tyson • Nov. 4, 2021

FERC's Christie calls for fixing interconnection 'chaos' as first step in transmission reform

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could tackle sweeping transmission changes in pieces, according to an agency official.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 4, 2021

Build Back Better, FERC actions on infrastructure could trigger 'monumental' renewable energy deployments

Panelists at the American Council on Renewable Energy's forum said policies currently under review by Congress and FERC could lead to meaningful transmission reform.

By Emma Penrod • Nov. 4, 2021

Stopping the utility profit grab and saving rooftop solar in California

We can dispense with the utility campaign's "cost shift" myth. It's based on bad math that does not account for the grid-stabilizing investment solar consumers make in their own systems and other factors, the author writes.

By Dave Rosenfeld • Nov. 4, 2021

The need to expand organized power markets in the West

The extension of the SPP RTO to the West and development of Western RTOs in general will provide better coordination and efficiencies to help meet our current and future clean energy goals, Tri-State CEO Duane Highley writes.

By Duane Highley • Nov. 3, 2021

Unlocking the Transition: As Tesla, Ford and others invest billions in EVs, will the power system be ready?

The new White House zero emission vehicle target of 50% of new car sales by 2030 has a long way to go, a short time to get there, and big challenges along the way.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 3, 2021

Does your state's electricity system get an "F" in competitiveness?

While many states have made significant moves towards greater choice and competition, others have chosen to bolster an antiquated monopoly system and are as opaque in their decision-making as ever, the author writes.

By Landon Stevens • Nov. 2, 2021

EPA ability to regulate power sector GHG emissions at risk as Supreme Court takes case, analysts say

The court decided Friday to review a lower court rejection of a Trump era rule in a move that analysts say does not bode well for EPA's authority over the power sector.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 2, 2021

COP26: Biden apologizes for US climate inaction, issues long-term plan for reaching net zero emissions

The plan asks the electric sector to eliminate emissions by 2035 through transmission upgrades, energy efficiency, storage and non-emitting generation, along with several other strategies.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2021

'A big win for customers': Stakeholders praise South Carolina Supreme Court ruling on Duke coal ash costs

Duke had sought to raise rates in South Carolina to pay for coal ash remediation required by North Carolina. 

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 1, 2021

Vistra sues FERC over decision setting offer caps for PJM capacity market

With PJM's next capacity auction set for January, Vistra intends to ask the appeals court to review the case on a fast-track process.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Nov. 5, 2021

House passes Build Back Better, tees up Senate vote on funding for climate, clean energy and electric vehicles

The bill's passage comes days after President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan infrastructure bill that also boosts spending on shifting the U.S. away from fossil fuels.

By Ethan Howland • Updated Nov. 19, 2021