Regulators reject part of Boulder muni bid, but case moves forward

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission determined some portion of the city of Boulder's plan to form a municipal utility ran afoul of the doctine of regulated monopolies, but the city will have a chance to amend its application.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2015

Puerto Rico Gov. Padilla floats bill to restructure debt-strapped PREPA

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority needs to restructure more than $8 billion in debt while modernizing its generation fleet and grid.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 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

Marijuana grow houses trigger 7 summer outages for Pacific Power

Marijuana became legal for recreational use in Oregon this summer, and since then Pacific Power has faced seven blackouts it attributes to indoor grow operations.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 6, 2015

Wind's huge October: Generation records set in 4 of 7 organized markets

Better turbines and new installed capacity from the recent ‘wind rush’ make the resource a significant part of the energy supply on grids across the nation. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 5, 2015

After public rebuke, Duke axes Carolina power line, downsizes gas plant proposal

The utility will construct two smaller gas-fired plants instead of one, and scrapped plans for a new line and substation, opting to lean on efficiency and demand management instead. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2015

Duke's Piedmont deal forces restructuring ownership of Atlantic Coast Pipeline

Dominion Resources will remain the lead owner of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, but how the shares will be restructered remains to be seen.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2015

Michigan utilities face growing lineman shortage

A rise in retirements and sluggish hiring has left Michigan struggling to find enough workers to maintain its electric power distribution grid.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 2, 2015

Jury finds New Mexico utilities responsible for fire caused by downed power line

About 156,000 acres were consumed by the 2011 fire when an aspen tree downed a Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative power line. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 30, 2015

Runaway blimp knocks out power to thousands in Pennsylvania

A 242-foot U.S. military blimp escaped its shackles and floated over Maryland and Pennsylvania yesterday, causing power outages to thousands in Pennsylvania and spawning a social media sensation. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 29, 2015

NV Energy remains on track to join Western energy imbalance market

FERC approved a California ISO tariff change aimed at allowing the utility to participate in the Energy Imbalance Market, but a few other details will need to be worked out first.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 29, 2015

How utilities are getting in on the transmission building boom

New renewables generation under the Clean Power Plan will require thousands of miles of new transmission, and increasingly utilities are getting in on the race to build it.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 29, 2015

Duke CEO: Piedmont deal heralds new focus on natural gas industry

In the future, gas infrastructure investments will be a growing focus for Duke Energy, according to CEO Lynn Good.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2015

Study: 3 years after Sandy, East Coast and Gulf power grids still vulnerable to storms

A new report shows millions of consumers, hundreds of substations and dozens of power plants are susceptible to a strong hurricane battering the United States' Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 28, 2015

From theory to practice: The challenges in moving to 'Utility 2.0'

Executives from four major utilities spoke at ESNA 2015 about the trials and tribulations of putting more new technology on their grids. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 27, 2015

Comments on NY REV's Track 2 are in — and the utility sector has mixed feelings

As New York revamps the state's utility industry, there lies a simple question at the heart of the process: How will utilities make money in the future?

By Robert Walton and Gavin Bade • Oct. 27, 2015

Are utility investments in natural gas a good bet?

Storage, solar and nuclear have all been talked about as potentially leapfrogging natural gas, long known as the “bridge fuel.” So why are utilities doubling down?

By Robert Walton • Oct. 27, 2015

Florida Power & Light tapped as nation's most reliable utility

PA Consulting Group called the Florida utility "an incredibly focused organization that is embracing technology and innovation."

By Robert Walton • Oct. 27, 2015

Duke Energy to buy Piedmont Natural Gas for $4.9B

Duke will pay a 42% premium on Piedmont's stock price for a deal that would add about 1 million new gas customers for the utility giant.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 26, 2015

Pennsylvania PUC approves PECO's $274M reliability, microgrid program

The Philadelphia-based utility's proposal includes up to $100 million for a microgrid pilot to enhance grid resiliency. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 26, 2015

After fending off cyber attack, FirstEnergy says government coordination lacking

The government's response – or lack thereof – following an attempted denial of service attack on FirstEnergy this week highlights a lack of coordination between industry and federal officials. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2015

ISIS joins the list of US power grid threats, lawmakers call for stronger cyber defenses

Reports indicate the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria have unsuccessfully attempted to hack the United States power grid, sparking calls from lawmakers and enforcement officials for stronger cyber defenses for utilities.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 21, 2015

PG&E signs Obama's climate pledge, commits $3B annually in grid modernization

Pacific Gas & Electric yesterday joined other corporate leaders at a roundtable with President Obama, where the utility signed on to the American Business Act on Climate Pledge to commit to reach 60% carbon free energy. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 20, 2015

Boulder defends push to form municipal utility ahead of PUC hearing

Boulder defended its bid to form a municipal utility to Colorado regulators last week as Xcel Energy argued sharing city-owned lines to service customers outside of the city's boundaries violates its right to serve. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2015

After PSC ruling, large Wisc. customers may buy power at wholesale prices

Large utility customers who are expanding their operations can now apply to purchase power at wholesale rates in Wisconsin.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2015

FERC: Grid operators, fuel supplies prepared for a mild winter

With natural gas prices low and moderate temperatures expected this winter, FERC's 2015-2016 Winter Energy Market Assessment predicts grid operators will have little trouble meeting demand, but the Northeast will still see higher fuel prices. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2015