California PUC fines PG&E record $1.6B for 2010 San Bruno pipeline blast

Commissioners will now investigate the utility’s safety culture.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 13, 2015

FERC cuts ITC Midwest's requested tariff adder in half

The commission split by “disincentive” for new transmission in decision

By Herman K. Trabish • April 13, 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

Entergy Arkansas plans $62 million transmission project

The 24-mile line will help move more power, more reliably and efficiently, into the region and is designed to help attract economic investment.

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2015

FERC denies incentives for SDG&E transmission project

San Diego Gas & Electric had requested a greater return on equity, citing risks inherent in the project's accelerated schedule.

By Robert Walton • April 10, 2015

How Wellinghoff, Rabago, and other grid reformers would design their own electricity markets

SEPA asks stakeholders to design the "51st State." Here's a rundown of the contributions from industry analysts and academics.

By Gavin Bade • April 9, 2015

Washington, DC power outage spikes PJM prices

A power outage in the Washington, D.C., region pushed real-time power prices higher in the PJM Interconnection market.

By Robert Walton • April 9, 2015

Northern long-eared bat designated as threatened, requiring power sector mitigations

Ruling protects transmission reliability maintenance and mitigated wind production

By Herman K. Trabish • April 8, 2015

Grid 'stable' after outages hit Washington, DC and Maryland

Conflicting reports emerged over the source of the outage, which caused 200-500 MW of outages and about 2000 MW of generation to go offline, according to PJM.

By Gavin Bade and Davide Savenije • April 7, 2015

Inside the utility industry's 2015 playbook

As utilities push for favorable federal and state policies, critics say the industry is shifting risk to consumers and limiting their options.

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2015

Midwest regulators to FERC: Clean Power Plan is too much, too soon

Regional grid operators MISO and PJM say collaboration is the key to cost-effective compliance.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2015

DOE: Wind could provide 35% U.S. electricity by midcentury

That much wind growth could decrease power prices in the long term.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 2, 2015

What's next in the energy storage boom, and what utilities need to know

Storage is growing fast, but where and how depends on the right mix of regulations and utility involvement.

By Gavin Bade • April 2, 2015

Three trends that get the grid to 70% renewables by mid-century

System operators and renewables builders have new metrics, new rules, and a new vision of the electricity delivery system.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 1, 2015

FAA authorizes SDG&E to use drones to inspect power lines

The utility had been operating a pilot program but is now authorized to use drones in regular field operations.

By Robert Walton • April 1, 2015

Wisconsin regulators approve Xcel-ATC line to deliver wind to MISO

The $580MIL, 180 mile Badger-Coulee line is scheduled to be in service by 2020.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 30, 2015

California ISO approves 2015 grid reliability plan

The grid operator will spend almost $360 million on reliability projects this year.

By Robert Walton • March 30, 2015

CPUC Head: PG&E used pipeline safety money for exec raises before San Bruno explosion

$10 million collected from ratepayers to fix the San Bruno pipeline went PG&E top brass in the months before the explosion.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 27, 2015

New Hampshire bill would remove barriers for utility-owned rooftop solar

What was first a bill to boost net metering has been transformed after utility input, critics say.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 26, 2015

ComEd anticipates 200,000 MWh savings annually with Opower partnership

The program will be rolled out to 1.5 million customers.

By Robert Walton • March 26, 2015

Energy sector survey: Grid can be 70% renewables by 2030

More than 80% of respondents to a DNV GL new survey believe 70% renewable energy is achievable in relatively short order.

By Robert Walton • March 24, 2015

CAISO, FERC working together on imbalance market volatility

Last week FERC rejected the grid oeprator's bid for a waiver of some market rules.

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2015

FERC: Nation's electricity grid performed well this winter

Regulators said the grid was stable and effective this past winter, as opposed to a year ago when price spikes were the norm.

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2015

SCE wants to upgrade substation to offset SONGS closure

New transmission capabilities will let the utility offset the generation loss without building new plants.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 20, 2015

ComEd backs sweeping Illinois clean energy bill

The utility is supporting a measure that would call for development of six microgrids and broad support for clean energy.

By Robert Walton • March 20, 2015

Senate hearing confronts the costs and benefits of distributed generation

Witnesses highlight the challenges and rewards of renewables and grid integration.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 19, 2015