FERC's clean energy boycott distorts PJM prices and discards history

The new rules approved for PJM's capacity auction will force the grid operator to buy more capacity than it needs to keep the lights on, according to Harvard energy lawyer Ari Peskoe.

By Ari Peskoe • Jan. 7, 2020

FERC's ROE conundrum: Finding the right number is harder than it looks

FERC's shift in return on equity methodology for transmission projects is counterintuitive — greater need, but lower authorized returns. This seems like a significant policy misalignment, writes former Commissioner Tony Clark.

By Tony Clark • Jan. 6, 2020

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

Making the case for billion-dollar investments in grid modernization by answering 3 key questions

Boston Consulting Group’s framework prioritizes the business case for grid mod investments to win stakeholder and regulator backing for billion-dollar spending.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 6, 2020

Blackboard economics and a carbon tax

Adaptation is more effective, less costly and a more practical solution than trying to achieve a targeted temperature change for which we will almost surely fall short, the author writes.

By Kenneth W. Costello • Jan. 3, 2020

PG&E rate case compromise cuts $1.1B proposal to $575M for wildfire mitigation

The utility was able to reach a deal with ratepayer and safety advocates, ending with a proposal that shaves almost half a billion dollars off its original application.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 2, 2020

EPA makes Georgia 2nd state to operate coal ash program, proposes 'efficient' rule for other 48

Both moves are part of EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler's broader goal to give states more "flexibility" in their management of coal ash disposal.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 23, 2019

2020 Vision: A trio of trends that will drive the utility business in the year ahead — and beyond

Decarbonization, battery storage and appealing to a younger workforce will all be major themes in 2020, SAP predicts.

By James Eardley • Dec. 23, 2019

DOE finalizes rejection of Obama lightbulb efficiency standards, but excludes LEDs from analysis

Environmental groups say the Trump administration is imposing billions of dollars in costs on consumers in the form of higher electricity bills.

By Matthew Bandyk • Dec. 23, 2019

FERC move to raise PJM capacity market bids shows 'clear bias' against new, clean generation: Glick

The order will raise the floor price for new generation bidding into PJM Interconnection that receives any form of state subsidy.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 20, 2019

Virginia, Maryland unveil 100% clean energy plans, but NGOs not satisfied

The separate legislative efforts announced this week face criticisms from clean energy groups of being insufficient to facilitate a clean energy transition.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 20, 2019

PG&E CEO promises 'shorter, fewer' shut-offs continuing for the next 5 years

The utility's bankruptcy will not jeopardize California's clean energy goals or increase costs for customers, PG&E President and CEO Bill Johnson told lawmakers.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 20, 2019

Tax credit, net metering declines strike distributed solar, but falling costs, storage offer new hope

With tax credits and net metering threatened, previous withdrawals of financial support mechanisms show what the distributed solar industry may soon face.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 19, 2019

Goldman Sachs bolsters climate policy with $750B goal, fossil-fuel restrictions

The company pledged to stop financing new coal-fired power plants in developing nations, unless they have carbon capture and storage or another form of technology to reduce emissions.

By Dan Ennis • Dec. 18, 2019

Transportation Climate Initiative releases controversial draft plan to cut emissions

Eleven Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia, which comprise the initiative, outlined a proposed framework to cut transport pollution, responsible for 40% of the region's greenhouse gas emissions.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 18, 2019

Colorado sets initial timelines for performance-based regulation review as it looks to other states

The state's Public Utilities Commission launched the proceeding earlier this month, with comments on what lessons can be learned from similar reviews in other states, along with other input, due Jan. 10.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 18, 2019

For a smart transition to 100% clean energy: Renewables, storage and, in some cases, new gas

Just because we can't achieve a perfectly zero-carbon grid with renewables and short-duration storage doesn't mean we shouldn't aim to achieve a nearly zero-carbon grid.

By Arne Olson and Dan Mullen • Dec. 18, 2019

Judge approves PG&E wildfire settlements, bringing utility closer to exiting bankruptcy

The settlements resolve two crucial components of PG&E's bankruptcy — its liabilities to committees representing wildfire victims and insurance companies.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 18, 2019

Investigations of ComEd, Exelon lobbying threaten Illinois energy transition

Lawmakers and clean energy advocates vow to continue fighting for the state's landmark clean energy bill despite a "black cloud of corruption."

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2019

California approves new energy efficiency frameworks expected to boost emerging technologies

The decision will help early-stage efficiency solutions gain traction in a state that has been a leader on clean energy for years.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2019

California moves to boost storage to combat safety-driven power shutoffs

A proposed decision by the Public Utilities Commission would expand the state's Self-Generation Incentive Program to benefit customers in high fire-threat areas.

By Kavya Balaraman • Updated Jan. 16, 2020

Happy birthday and thank you, O2K (Order 2000)!

As FERC's Order 2000 turns 20, it’s remarkable a rulemaking that "encouraged" (but did not compel) formation of RTOs would prove so transformative for most large power markets across the country, writes former commissioner James Hoecker.

By James J. Hoecker • Dec. 17, 2019

Newsom's rejection throws wrench in PG&E bankruptcy process

California Governor Gavin Newsom's letter to PG&E Corp. CEO Bill Johnson and responses from state lawmakers indicate the potential for political micromanagement of PG&E's reorganization.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 17, 2019

House green bank bill aims to leverage $35B in government funding into $1T in private investment

The effort had bipartisan, bicameral support in 2018, and the reintroduction is meant to prepare the bill for passage in early 2021.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 16, 2019

Massachusetts AG Healey stokes grassroots effort for clean energy market rules in ISO-NE

The office, which also acts as the state's ratepayer advocate, endeavors to grow public awareness of the grid operator amid growing tensions between Massachusetts' clean energy goals and market policies.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Dec. 13, 2019

Arizona rejects APS push for 2-year PURPA contracts, approving 18-year terms

Regulators ruled the long-term contracts would provide renewables facilities with the opportunity to build more capital, despite opposition from the Arizona Public Service.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 13, 2019