ITC mulling sale with Iberdrola, National Grid touted as possible bidders

The biggest transmission provider in the United States is likely on the auction block, and National Grid PLC and Iberdrola are potential bidders.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 2, 2015

Consumers advocates protest Indiana utilities pushing fixed charge increases

The Northern Indiana Public Service Company wants a nearly 100% increase in monthly fixed charges for residential customers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 1, 2015

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

City of Las Vegas strikes deal for 100% renewables as casinos look to defect

While the city has struck a deal that puts in on a path towards all carbon-free energy, a handful of casinos are opting out of NV Energy's service in search of cheaper options.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 1, 2015

Tesla competitor Sonnenbatterie unveils community solar-storage system

The German company says its new solar-storage-control system will make conventional utilities obsolete.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 30, 2015

CA regulators cut anti-terror funding for utilities in dispute with legislature over legal fees

"Democracy is pretty messy," is how the executive director of the California Public Utilities Commission explains it.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 25, 2015

Portland General Electric joins CAISO energy imbalance market

The regional balancing authority headed by California’s grid operator will now span eight states.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 24, 2015

Kinder Morgan files $5B Northeast pipeline plan despite critical Mass. AG study

The Northeast Energy Direct project is a "transformative" plan to exand the Tennessee Gas Pipeline system in  Pennsylvania, New York and New England.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 24, 2015

Montana utility withdraws bid for residential demand charge for DER customers

Montana Dakota Utilities withdrew its residential demand charge request, but still wants higher fixed charges and a boost in volumetric rates. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 23, 2015

Illinois to probe whether Wisconsin Energy, Integrys hid pipeline costs in merger proceeding

The Illinois Commerce Commission launched an investigation to see if executives knew costs associated with a Peoples Gas pipeline replacement project had almost doubled.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 23, 2015

War games: 350 utilities join feds in simulation of large-scale grid attack

Last week the North American Electric Reliability Corporation led a simulated attack on the United States' utility grid. Had it been real, some cities would have been left uninhabitable.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 23, 2015

Ohio regulators to probe submetering companies reselling energy in apartments, condos

Allowing a third-party to resell energy in apartments and condominiums would likely be illegal in most states, and advocates are calling for greater scrutiny into the practice in Ohio. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2015

Wisconsin utility rolls out plan for 30% renewables by 2030

The Wisconsin-based Madison Gas and Electric Co. plans to supply 30% of its retail power sales with renewable energy by 2030. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2015

NextEra makes new bid for Oncor, complicating EFH bankruptcy saga

NextEra says its plan to buy Oncor has a better chance of passing muster with regulators than the one proposed by Hunt Consolidated.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 19, 2015

Maps: 5 US regions where the grid is under threat from climate change

Climate change — if left unchecked — could put the electricity system at risk, especially in coastal areas.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 17, 2015

In a bid to reimagine power delivery, TFC Utilities buys GridPoint

Formed earlier this year, Twenty First Century Utilities LLC wants to transform regulated utilities through the mass adoption of clean, low cost energy technologies. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 17, 2015

Minnesota Power proposal raises residential rates 14.5% to finance lower prices for industry

A new monthly charge will appear on Minnesota Power's residential energy bills in order to lower rates for major industrial customers by about 5%.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 17, 2015

Smart EV charger tested by Michigan researchers can be mini-microgrid in outages

University researchers in Michigan are working on technology to transform an electric vehicle charging stations into an extension of the grid.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 16, 2015

Xcel Energy proposes 100% renewable power option for consumers

The program is designed to meet the needs of businesses expanding in Minnesota, and the utility believes it can be a  tool to grow economic development.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 16, 2015

Hawaii distributed energy and smart grid companies form new trade group

“It is not just about solar anymore,” says the a founding member of the Distributed Energy Resources Council of Hawaii.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Beyond fixed charges: 'Disruptive Challenges' author charts new utility path

If Peter Kind's 2013 paper put the utility sector on notice, this one could give it whiplash.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 12, 2015

Marijuana grow houses may cause 3% demand spike for Seattle utility

The city of Seattle has more than 100 applications pending for new marijuana grow operations in its municpal utility's territory, and some are worried about the increased strain on the distribution system.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2015

AEP's $13B investment plan focuses on wires business

American Electric Power has announced a $13 billion capital program, with the bulk aimed at rebuilding and enhancing aging infrastructure

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2015

Boulder may build distribution assets to push through municipalization

After Colorado regulators tossed out a part of Boulder's plan to take over Xcel Energy's distribution system, the city is mulling options and potentially facing higher costs in its bid to form a municipal utility.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 11, 2015

DOE approves $1.2B transmission line for Canadian wind and hydro

The transmission line expected to import 1,000 MW of Canadian wind and hydro power to New England nears regulatory completion. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 10, 2015

NYISO: Closing NRG Huntly and Dunkirk coal plants won't threaten reliability

Lawmakers have already put a $19 million relief package together for communities, and both plants are scheduled to come offline in early 2016. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 6, 2015