FERC expands states’ role in regional transmission planning, cost allocation

“It is a … ‘Kumbaya’ moment, where there's actually remarkable agreement between what the states wanted and what a bipartisan FERC provided,” Grid Strategies’ Rob Gramlich said.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 22, 2024

As the 45V hydrogen tax credit rolls out, we have a major problem to address

Despite hydrogen’s promise, one critical challenge persists: ensuring that emissions from its production are accurately measured and held to a clear, consistent standard.

By Zane McDonald • Nov. 21, 2024

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

DOE awards up to $2.2B to Gulf Coast, Midwest hydrogen hubs

Five of seven planned hubs have received final DOE approval, but industry leaders say the unfinished 45V tax credit guidance could have a significant impact on whether the hubs reach their goals.

By Emma Penrod • Nov. 21, 2024

IRS finalizes direct pay rules, increasing access to IRA’s clean energy tax credits

Direct-pay-eligible entities like local governments, public school districts, churches and hospitals will more easily be able to jointly invest in clean energy projects under rules released Nov. 19.

By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 20, 2024

Local transmission spending soars nationwide amid ‘serious absence of cost containment’

In New England, Eversource and National Grid are advancing two local projects totaling $724 million as state utility regulators push for more oversight.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 20, 2024

Ratepayer advocates press FERC for PJM capacity market changes, citing ‘crushing’ prices

A complaint filed on Monday comes as the PJM Interconnection is preparing to propose capacity market reforms, such as reflecting reliability must-run units in its next two auctions.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 19, 2024

Not just a ‘boondoggle’: State regulators, industrial companies push for cost effective transmission

Proactive planning, incentives and competitive solicitations can help control transmission costs, the Brattle Group’s Johannes Pfeifenberger said.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 19, 2024

Trump picks oil services CEO Chris Wright to lead Energy Department, alarming climate groups

Wright, the CEO of Liberty Energy and a donor to Trump’s campaign, said in 2023 that there is no climate crisis or ongoing energy transition.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 18, 2024

FERC urged to shield AES Ohio customers from expected grid costs due to 1.5-GW Amazon data center

Language in a proposed agreement between AES Ohio and Amazon is “ambiguous,” leaving residential ratepayers without adequate protections, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel said.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 18, 2024

Trump taps North Dakota Gov. Burgum to run Interior, new national energy council

President-elect Donald Trump said his administration will “dramatically” increase baseload power generation, which “will reduce the cost of electrical bills that continue to skyrocket for citizens and small businesses.”

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 18, 2024

COP29 negotiators approve Article 6.4, establish standards for global carbon market

The approval of the standards was called a “critical step” toward future climate negotiations at COP29 by the summit’s lead negotiator, Yalchin Rafiyev.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 15, 2024

FERC approves MISO, SPP transmission plan expected to spur 29 GW of renewables

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission agreed the Joint Targeted Interconnection Queue transmission projects should be built by incumbent utilities without cost caps.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 15, 2024

State utility regulators urge Congress to fund advanced transmission technologies

“Five years ago, people thought grid-enhancing technologies were unproven and risky,” DOE’s Jigar Shah said. “Today, I think people believe that they're mainstream enough to deploy at scale.”

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 14, 2024

ExxonMobil urges Trump not to withdraw from Paris Agreement again

“A second U.S. exit from the Paris Climate Agreement will have profound implications for the United States’ efforts to reduce its own emissions,” an Exxon spokesperson said.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 14, 2024

ESG, climate rules at stake under a second Trump term

Several climate and ESG-related regulations at the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Labor are likely headed for the chopping block come January.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 14, 2024

What COP29 entails for the global energy transition, business priorities

COP29 will be a “critical moment” in the global climate transition, further shaping the ESG landscape and motivating companies to ramp up sustainability initiatives, says Workiva’s chief sustainability officer.

By Mandi McReynolds • Nov. 14, 2024

California’s climate disclosure laws survive first legal challenge

A federal judge denied a motion for summary judgment from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that alleged the state’s climate bills — SB 253 and SB 261 — violated the First Amendment.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 13, 2024

PJM sees ‘easy button’ to meet power needs, but Appalachians see higher bills and more pollution

Mandates and market manipulations are keeping expensive coal online, and consumers are paying the price.

By Marcia Dinkins • Nov. 13, 2024

Trump taps former Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead EPA

The Trump administration will likely roll back EPA regulations affecting fossil-fuel power plants, including a carbon emissions rule, according to Michelle Bloodworth, president and CEO of America’s Power.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 12, 2024

PNM plans to join California ISO’s day-ahead market beginning in 2027

Participating in CAISO’s planned market “is the next step in realizing the value of New Mexico’s renewable energy potential for our customers,” PNM President and CEO Don Tarry said.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 12, 2024

Rising data center loads pose grid reliability, residential cost risks: APS executive

New data center interconnection rules are being considered in Arizona and Virginia, officials said Sunday at a NARUC conference.

By Ethan Howland • Nov. 11, 2024

Nuclear sector’s views on second Trump administration mixed as Rogan interview raises questions

President-elect Donald Trump enacted pro-nuclear policies during his first term and supported an “all-of-the-above” energy policy during the campaign, but some advocates fear a “divide between words and actions.”

By Brian Martucci • Nov. 8, 2024

FERC approves PJM plan to omit energy efficiency resources from capacity auctions

PJM Interconnection’s current load forecasting methodology “reasonably accounts for energy efficiency measures on the demand side,” the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said Tuesday.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 8, 2024

Clean energy, sustainable investors brace for second Trump presidency

Experts expect private sector work on ESG issues and the clean energy transition to continue, albeit at a slower pace, under a reelected Donald Trump.

By Lamar Johnson • Nov. 7, 2024

How good data can fuel carbon capture and storage adoption for power plants

CCS is vital to complying with recent EPA emissions mandates, but slow permitting and inadequate data are delaying deployment.

By John Tombari • Nov. 7, 2024