Renewable portfolio standards are propelling the US to a clean-energy future. But data practices are lagging

Because RPS policies are such powerful tools for expanding renewable energy adoption, those in decision-making positions need to be able to easily understand these policies’ effects, the authors write.

By Ingrid Behrsin, Francesca Disano, and Hannah Safford • Dec. 10, 2020

To meet Biden 2035 emissions target, utilities will need to pick up the pace, report finds

While many U.S. utilities have set corporate emissions goals, most self-imposed deadlines are far beyond the Biden administration's goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2035, according to the Energy and Policy Institute.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 10, 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

Senate works to pass comprehensive energy bill in 2020 as renewables sector vies for more aid

If approved, the bill would likely be a slimmed down version of what Democrats and the clean energy industry want to see in comprehensive energy legislation, according to Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 9, 2020

The Utility Dive Awards for 2020

The winners exemplified leadership in a time of crisis by working toward economic means of transitioning the power sector.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Regulator of the Year: Neil Chatterjee, FERC

It's hard to imagine an agency that has had more effect on the power sector this year than the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and it's impossible to divorce that impact from its now-former chairman: Neil Chatterjee.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Utility of the Year: NextEra Energy

NextEra Energy is investing in green hydrogen, solar energy and grid resilience, even as the company's effort to expand via M&A have come up dry.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

Executive of the Year: Ben Fowke, Xcel Energy

Fowke, who also chairs utility trade group Edison Electric Institute, has kept Xcel committed to a pathway for eliminating carbon emissions, stakeholders say.

By Utility Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

'Very small silver lining' of COVID-19? An extra 2.5 years to reduce power sector emissions: report

BloombergNEF's New Energy Outlook shows the gas sector will never fully recover from the economic downturn in 2020.  

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 8, 2020

California's pathway to 100% clean electricity begins to take shape, but reliability concerns persist

Achieving a 100% clean electricity goal by 2045 is technically achievable, a draft report from the state's energy agencies concludes.

By Kavya Balaraman • Dec. 7, 2020

Illinois rejects Ameren move to abandon full retail net metering for new home solar arrays

The Illinois Commerce Commission is giving Ameren 21 days to restore its net metering tariff and give rebates to customers who have installed solar since Oct. 2. 

By John Funk • Dec. 7, 2020

Google calls for more RTOs, designs 'intelligent platform' to meet 24/7 clean energy goal

The development of new software and access to more RTOs are key to achieving Google's goal of eliminating its remaining reliance on coal and gas, the company's global energy markets and policy chief tells NARUC.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 4, 2020

Vineyard says change to larger GE wind turbines doesn't require permit change

Vineyard Wind finished a technical review at the end of January, prompting the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to restart the permitting for its 800 MW project.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Updated Jan. 28, 2021

Mississippi Power plans 'smart neighborhood' with Tesla batteries, Solar Roofs

The community of up to 150 homes will also feature automation along with energy-efficient equipment and appliances like smart thermostats and refrigerators.

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 1, 2020

Solar-plus-storage poised to become more financially attractive, but seasonal solutions remain key

Following a shift to renewables and natural gas, U.S. utilities could soon begin wider adoption of battery storage, according to BloombergNEF.

By Emma Penrod • Dec. 1, 2020

S&P: Hydrogen offers opportunity for energy transition, but economics remain difficult before 2030

Hydrogen could become cost competitive if solar or wind production costs fall below $30/MWh, and if the capital cost of electrolyzers also declines by 30-50%, according to the analysis.

By Emma Penrod • Nov. 30, 2020

4 strategies to rapidly scale clean energy in the next decade

To fully realize our shared climate goals and rebuild our economy, we must prioritize and enact policies to accelerate the national transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, the author writes.

By Cameron Bard • Nov. 30, 2020

Taking Charge: Rep. Sean Casten on being the energy 'nerd' in Congress and prioritizing science over politics

"We have a PhD-level problem. And Congress is at a 6th grade reading level," Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., said of working on clean energy policy on Capitol Hill.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 30, 2020

​From Maryland to California and beyond, rate design innovations are boosting the energy transition

Success with time-of-use rates can allow utilities to start integrating more variable and distributed generation, leading to more sophisticated time-varying rates that allow for the further expansion of such generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 25, 2020

Climate progress in power, 5 other sectors too slow to limit global warming: report

The World Resources Institute and ClimateWorks said efforts to bolster electrification and renewable energy must accelerate, while deforestation and agricultural production raised red flags.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 23, 2020

Why capital markets are continuing to finance utilities facing rising flood and other climate change impacts

In a sample of 18 utility disclosures on climate risks analyzed by Utility Dive, 13 stated flooding and heavy storms were a short-to-mid term threat.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 20, 2020

NYISO, others blast gas generators' proposed fix to alleged price distortions in capacity market

Two gas generators are asking FERC to raise the floor price for state-subsidized resources in New York's capacity market, similar to the commission's ruling in the PJM Interconnection.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 20, 2020

FERC proposes transmission rating reform, upholds PURPA, ISO-NE orders

Line ratings are considered a "tool stuck in limbo" by transmission experts that could help renewables waiting in long interconnection queues connect to the grid, while improving the overall efficiency of transmission lines.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 20, 2020

New Jersey regulators partner with PJM in offshore wind transmission planning

The grid operator will initiate a new type of solicitation to attract developers to address New Jersey's need to add 7.5 GW of offshore wind by 2035.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Nov. 19, 2020

States urge FERC to avoid further intrusions on authority in any future carbon pricing policy

Competitive power suppliers and natural gas interests, meanwhile, argued carbon pricing is the best mechanism for reducing emissions economically.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 19, 2020

DOE R&D plan targets 'immediate risk' hackers present to renewable energy technologies

DOE has developed a long-term approach to improve the security of renewable energy facilities, manufacturing, buildings, and transportation, which it says are "increasingly interconnected and vulnerable to cyber-attack."

By Robert Walton • Nov. 19, 2020