AVANGRID, PNM Resources announce $8.3B merger to create 'one of biggest clean energy companies' in US

The combined entity would own 10 regulated utilities in six states, and would have renewable energy operations in 24 states.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2020

2019 US wholesale solar prices more than double wind, gas as renewables use reaches record levels: EIA

High prices in California, where roughly one-third of U.S. solar capacity is located, drove up the average wholesale price for solar energy to $83/MWh.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 20, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

New policy and business actions are giving a significant boost to renewable energy in the U.S., but opposition is growing and grid interconnection, permitting, labor and other challenges remain.

By Utility Dive staff

PNM and Albuquerque, NM, break ground on 50 MW solar field on tribal lands

The array, through a partnership with utility PNM and the Jicarilla Apache Nation, will help the city get 88% of its electricity from renewable energy by the end of 2021.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 16, 2020

New York expands state clean energy standard, moves to boost renewables use in the Big Apple

Regulators created a new program within the Clean Energy Standard to value the environmental attributes that renewable resources give to the city, while advancing an upstate transmission project.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2020

FERC PJM order muddies state subsidy definition under MOPR, potentially hinders renewables, Glick says

Commissioner Richard Glick said the order is further evidence that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is overreaching when it comes to state clean energy policies.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 16, 2020

FERC confirms carbon pricing jurisdiction in wholesale markets, Chatterjee 'encourages' proposals

"This commission encourages efforts to develop wholesale market rules that incorporate a state-determined carbon price in [wholesale] markets," Chairman Neil Chatterjee said. Commissioner James Danly called it "unnecessary."

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 16, 2020

Gas generators ask FERC to apply PJM MOPR logic to NYISO

Two gas generators claim current market rules do not address price suppression caused by state subsidies, and therefore disadvantage resources not receiving those payments.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 16, 2020

BOEM needs staffing help with offshore wind permitting regardless of election results, experts say

If regulators stagger construction permits for the bottlenecked offshore wind projects, stakeholders worry it will hurt developers and communities that have been waiting for the influx of activity.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 15, 2020

Exelon, DTE deny reports of non-utility asset sales, but such deals may be increasingly likely

Utilities may not be selling off generation assets just yet, but one analyst said the rise of cost-competitive renewable energy could prompt renewed interest in generation divestiture.

By Emma Penrod • Oct. 14, 2020

How voluntary renewable energy can help utilities reach 100% clean targets faster

As more utilities set ambitious clean energy targets, the voluntary renewable energy market is poised to contribute.

By Amanda Mortlock, VP of Utility Partnerships, 3Degrees • Oct. 13, 2020

Investor-owned utilities lack executive compensation incentives aimed at emissions reductions, report says

Inclusion of emission-related incentives in executive compensation packages shows a company's dedication to climate targets, advocates say, but designing effective incentives can prove challenging.

By Emma Penrod • Oct. 12, 2020

Duke vows to triple renewables capacity, reach net-zero methane emissions by 2030

Environmentalists say Duke's plan signals the company will continue to rely on gas infrastructure for decades to come.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 12, 2020

Illinois Commerce Commission launches new probe to resolve questions about Ameren's net metering claims

Ameren announced its intention to switch from full retail net metering for future residential solar customers due to market saturation, and solar installers claim the plan is worse for business than the pandemic shutdown.

By John Funk • Oct. 9, 2020

California has a renewables curtailment problem. Can your Google and Facebook activity help?

A new study proposes data center processing loads be shifted to match wind and solar supply, but the issue will require a mix of solutions, including advances in energy storage, analysts said.

By Lynn Freehill-Maye • Oct. 8, 2020

Solar groups challenge FERC Broadview order reversing 40 years of PURPA precedent

Just six weeks before the order, FERC issued a final PURPA rule that doesn't address the decades-long precedent on qualifying facilities, making the commission guilty of an "abuse of discretion," solar advocates said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 8, 2020

Taking Charge: How Austin Energy simultaneously managed COVID-19 and a new carbon price adder

Austin Energy General Manager Jackie Sargent discusses "crazy times," and how the utility is protecting employees while cutting emissions on the road to carbon-free status.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 8, 2020

Apple, Amazon top rankings as SEIA sees second-largest year for commercial solar installations

Walmart jumped to third place in 2019 after deploying the largest amount of new solar of any U.S. company last year, the Solar Energy Industries Association said in a report released Wednesday.

By Emma Penrod • Oct. 8, 2020

NYC 'leapfrogs' to top of ACEEE clean energy scorecard

While many leading U.S. cities are boosting their efforts to achieve a clean energy future, more action will be needed from "lower-ranking" cities to move the needle nationally.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 6, 2020

Ameren rejects Illinois regulators' request, ends retail net metering for new residential solar customers

Ameren said the Illinois Commerce Commission's Oct. 1 "request" that it continue full net metering would lead the utility to violate its approved tariff.

By John Funk • Oct. 6, 2020

The value of solar in Texas has surged even more than its growth

Contrary to conventional wisdom, solar’s value factor is very high in Texas. ERCOT power futures have started to indicate that they might stay relatively high for quite some time. With five key differences contributing to Texas’ solar value factor, as compared to the rest of the US market, there is plenty of opportunity to sell solar power in ERCOT at attractive pricing for the foreseeable future.

Oct. 6, 2020

FERC carbon pricing conference shatters attendance records, but where were the state voices?

No state within a regulated market was represented. "I truly believe that the leadership at FERC has been dysfunctional for 3.5 years," said New Jersey's head regulator, adding it's "not friendly" to states.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 5, 2020

Biden could pursue 'easy' climate solutions, elements of the Green New Deal if elected: experts

Renewable energy, storage and transmission projects will continue to face challenges even in "blue" states supportive of such development, according to speakers at the Society of Environmental Journalists' annual conference.

By Gloria Gonzalez • Oct. 2, 2020

Google's solar mapping, emissions analysis tool helps cities realize carbon-reduction potential

The urgency of climate action begs local-level officials to use available data tools and bypass traditional planning constraints, leaders said on a webinar.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 1, 2020

Virginia regulatory staff project $800 annual customer bill increase for Dominion to meet clean energy law

Plans proposed by the utility, ranging from around $44 billion to $84.3 billion, did not include a least-cost compliance option, according to staffers.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 1, 2020

FERC has legal authority to implement a carbon price, experts tell commissioners

Panelists did not reach consensus on whether a price could be unilaterally implemented during FERC's first-ever carbon pricing technical conference.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 1, 2020