FERC takes steps to modernize PURPA, but will it do more harm than good?

Proposed changes to the funding mechanics for Qualified Facilities under the law could negate or reverse the cost reductions the renewable energy sector has benefited from in the past few years.

By Tanya M. Larrabee • Feb. 25, 2020

New York governor proposes renewable energy permitting office to speed projects

If adopted, the 30-day budget amendment would "dramatically" speed up the permitting and construction of renewable energy projects, according to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 24, 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

California OKs first community solar program under new building standard, troubling rooftop advocates

SMUD's program allows builders to pick community solar regardless of whether a home is suited for a solar PV system, Dave Rosenfeld, executive director of the Solar Rights Alliance, told Utility Dive.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 24, 2020

For gas utilities, voluntary RNG programs can play an important role on the path to decarbonization

As gas utilities work to decarbonize, how do voluntary RNG programs fit in?

By Amanda Mortlock, VP, Utility Partnerships • Feb. 21, 2020

Entergy sees fast growth for electrification, renewable projects

Entergy plans to shore up customer projects in its regulated utility business while completing an exit from its merchant business, officials said during the company's fourth quarter earnings call on Feb. 19.

By Matthew Bandyk • Feb. 20, 2020

Breaking rooftop solar's distortions: SMUD readies community program for California building mandate

"Contrary to assertions by the rooftop solar industry that we do not support solar, all Neighborhood SolarShares does is offer a choice to home builders," writes Sacramento Municipal Utility District CEO Arlen Orchard.

By Arlen Orchard • Feb. 19, 2020

Jeff Bezos commits $10B to climate. How should he spend it?

The funding announcement "dwarfs other philanthropy in this realm," and could go toward anything from an amplified Beyond Carbon campaign to a mass electric vehicle rollout, stakeholders said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 19, 2020

'This is going to be a very big deal' — coronavirus poised to disrupt storage, solar sectors

China's battery storage production could drop by 10%, or 26 GWh, from 2020 forecasts due to measures aimed at controlling the outbreak, according to Wood Mackenzie.

By Kavya Balaraman • Feb. 18, 2020

US doubled renewables capacity since 2010: factbook

Cities have played a key role in the rise of renewable energy, especially solar and wind, due to building energy codes and benchmarking policies.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 14, 2020

APS partners with clean energy business group to reach 100% carbon-free target

The utility will work with Advanced Energy Economy and 13 companies to develop clean energy solutions that include electrifying transportation, grid flexibility and expanding low-carbon generation capacity.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2020

Virginia approves 100% clean energy legislation, pushing state toward 2.4 GW storage, RGGI

Following a Senate push to get the Virginia Clean Economy Act to conference committee, the energy package is headed to the Governor's desk.

By Matthew Bandyk • Updated March 6, 2020

Why DTE Energy gets failing grades on its 15-year energy plan

Advocacy groups gave the utility an "F" for ensuring equitable access to clean energy benefits, according to Vote Solar's Midwest director.

By John Delurey • Feb. 13, 2020

Glick joins grid operators' call for storage hybrid market construct

The FERC commissioner wants to see action on the measure and suggested a technical conference on how to treat storage collocated with energy generation in energy markets.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 13, 2020

Vineyard Wind faces unexpected permitting delays, pushing 2022 start date for 800 MW offshore project

The project received an updated permitting timeline from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, which would issue necessary federal permits more than a year behind schedule.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 12, 2020

Sustainability tops utility concerns, as SEU survey sees discrepancies on cybersecurity, stranded assets

Some 50% of utility respondents to Utility Dive's State of the Electric Utility Survey expect their organization to significantly increase the amount of grid-scale solar by 2030, a stronger forecast than for any other resource.

By Larry Pearl • Feb. 12, 2020

US trade commissioners find mixed results from solar tariffs expected for 2 more years

The analysis provided mixed results, as stakeholders prepare official comments for the tariff exemption on bifacial panels.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 11, 2020

To tackle climate change, it's all hands on deck in Virginia

In the absence of leadership from the White House, communities, businesses, advocacy organizations and elected officials at every level need to commit to ambitious action right now, three Democrat politicians in Virginia write. 

By Donald McEachin, Jennifer McClellan and Levar Stoney • Feb. 6, 2020

WoodMac sees challenges for onshore wind: 'Low hanging fruit has already been picked'

Solar may have fewer constraints than wind as a source of clean energy going forward, according to Wood Mackenzie. 

By Matthew Bandyk • Feb. 6, 2020

Who's afraid of 100%?

A lower-cost outcome is more likely if we commit to a 100% rather than just 80% carbon-free electricity sector as that will provide additional certainty for innovations and cost reductions, the Brattle Group's Jurgen Weiss writes.

By Jurgen Weiss • Feb. 6, 2020

New York aims to kick off solicitation for up to 2.5 GW of offshore wind in 2020

The proceeding would be the state's second large scale solicitation of the resource, and could lead to state procurements of up to 4.3 GW of offshore wind.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Feb. 5, 2020

Q&A: GE CTO on adapting to the clean energy transition

Utility Dive caught up with GE Grid Solutions' Chief Technology Officer Vera Silva to discuss the shifting technology space in the utility industry, as well as short and long-term solutions for decarbonizing the power grid.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 3, 2020

Xcel 'sees opportunities across our system' to change coal operations: CEO Fowke

The utility is "definitely looking at" dispatching its coal more intermittently across the Southwest, CEO Ben Fowke said during the company's Q4 earnings call.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 3, 2020

ACEEE: Honolulu, NYC lead clean energy resilience plans

A study found few cities include comprehensive initiatives for energy efficiency or renewable power in their resilience strategies.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 3, 2020

Utilities sign 5.3 GW wind PPAs in 2019, hitting new record: AWEA

Utility and corporate deals drove 8.7 GW of wind installations in 2019, according to the trade group.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 31, 2020

At a crossroads: The connected future of EVs, solar, energy storage and software

The need for partnership across industries is increasing as the EV market continues to expand and challenge a static electric grid, driving industry forward to a clean, connected future, the authors write.

By Wes Doane and Lior Handelsman • Jan. 31, 2020