PG&E tried to dispose of safety records on San Bruno explosion, federal attorneys say

A former employee hired to improve record keeping reportedly found key safety records in a dumpster outside a company natural gas facility.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 15, 2016

Ukraine cyberattacks, blackouts heighten fears of US grid vulnerabilities

Recent cyberattacks which caused blackounts in Ukraine have raised fears that the United States' electric grid would be unprepared to respond to a similar scenario.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 14, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Grid Resiliency

Utilities and grid operators are facing increasing threats from climate change as well as cyber and physical attacks, and are deploying a variety of responses to meet the rising challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

Iowa regulators deny Clean Line's third request to change transmission approval process

The developer wants the leverage of a permitted line before it seeks the right of eminent domain. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 14, 2016

Dominion Virginia Power commits $700M to solar in long-term resource plan

Virginia regulators use regulatory process to push the utility toward a bigger resource mix. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 13, 2016

Renewed fight over bid Oregon town's bid for public power brewing

A group seeking to create a public utility district has submitted a ballot initiative to the Klamath County Commission in Oregon, but PacifiCorp subsidiary Pacific Power says it will oppose any efforts to take over its infrastructure.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 12, 2016

Austin Energy poised to launch new distributed energy management system

Austin Energy is preparing to introduce a new distributed energy management system  "Austin Shines," with a formal launch in February.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 11, 2016

Vermont regulators approve new line to bring Canadian renewables to New England

The New England Clean Power Link will carry 1,000 MW of capacity under Lake Champlain.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 11, 2016

Illinois landowners push regulators to rethink $2B Grain Belt Express transmission line

The permit allows Grain Belt Express line connecting Kansas wind to the East to use eminent domain. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 5, 2016

Report: Extreme weather power outages rising in US

The frequency of power outages caused by extreme weather is on the rise, according to new analysis from the Associated Press.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 5, 2016

Colorado regulators affirm decision rejecting part of Boulder's muni plan

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is allowing the city and Xcel Energy to develop solutions to allow Boulder's planned municipal power agency to move forward.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 4, 2016

FERC proposed decision would cut MISO transmission returns about 2%

A proposed decision would cut the rate of return for transmission-owning utilties in the Midwest from more than 12% to 10.3%, possibly resulting in refunds.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 4, 2016

Alaska Railbelt utilities progress on forming single transmission operator

A half dozen utilities serving the bulk of Alaska's population are working to develop a single entity responsible for the railbelt region's transmission system.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 4, 2016

New York regulators vote to upgrade 'antiquated' transmission system

The proposed upgrades will provide $1.20 in benefits for every $1 spent, regulators say.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 23, 2015

PJM approves $490M transmission investment

The regional grid operator is now closing in on $30 billion in transmission investment in the last 15 years.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 23, 2015

Germany's Sonnen takes on Tesla Powerwall in the U.S.

Germany's Sonnen said last week that it is shipping its first storage units to the U.S. market. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 21, 2015

Midcontinent ISO proposes 2-season capacity auctions

Current resource adequacy requirements are focused on the summer months, and officials fear that the most extreme cases could leave the Midcontinent grid short of power in the winter.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2015

ComEd lobbies Illinois lawmakers to develop 6 microgrids

Commonwealth Edison wants to develop a half dozen microgrids in the state, but will need lawmakers to approve its Future Energy Plan, legislation that would fund the northern Illinois projects.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2015

Missouri utility Empire Electric District mulls sale, sending shares higher

The Missouri utility has confirmed it hired an advisor to consider "strategic alternatves," but said it will have no additional comment.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2015

FERC: Atlantic Coast Pipeline must consider alternate routes

Federal regulators want backers of the 564-mile pipeline project to consider routes that would have less of a impact on national forests.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 14, 2015

Duke Energy files revised $1.8B grid modernization plan in Indiana after initial rejection

Duke Energy spent seven months honing its seven-year proposal to boost system reliability after state regulators rejected it in May, but opponents say the plan hasn't changed and are pushing for a full review. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 10, 2015

President Obama signs transportation bill with grid emergency provisions

The U.S. will begin developing a strategic reserve of transformers and mobile substations to respond to critical outages.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 9, 2015

PG&E is the only one of the 20 largest US electric utilities to back Obama's corporate climate pledge

More than 150 companies have signed the American Business Act on Climate Pledge, but only one of them is a major U.S. electric utility.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 7, 2015

House passes major energy bill as Murkowski tees up Senate version for early 2016

New bipartisanship on energy policy in the senate might increase the chances of an ITC extension, the head of a critical committee said on Thursday.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 4, 2015

Smart city, smart utility: A formidable union for urban sustainability

In this guest post, officials from Black & Veatch highlight new opportunities for power sector players in building sustainable cities. 

By Jennifer James and Mike Bossom • Dec. 2, 2015

5 drivers making 100% renewables possible

A new paper offers companies and governments a toolkit to implement five transformative opportunities and reach big renewables targets.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 2, 2015