IOUs hit record $17.5B in transmission spending in 2013

Companies have $60.6 billion in projects on drawing boards.

By Kathy Larsen • March 30, 2014

NRG CEO: Who's going to empower the American energy consumer?

David Crane wants NRG Energy to become the Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google of the power sector.

By Davide Savenije • March 27, 2014

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

The U.S. energy transition is facing challenges around grid interconnections, project permitting and power system reliability, but state, federal and other solutions are emerging.

By Utility Dive staff

Winter sparks urgent calls for Canadian hydro, wind in New England

New England governors are planning big transmission capacity solicitations soon, as the region feels the shock of natural gas-fueled power price spikes.

By Kathy Larsen • March 26, 2014

FirstEnergy to pass polar vortex costs on to customers

FirstEnergy Solutions to impose one-time surcharge to cover high wholesale power costs

By Kathy Larsen • March 25, 2014

Could terrorists really black out the power grid?

If nine substations are knocked out, the U.S. could suffer a crippling nationwide blackout for 18 months.

By Davide Savenije , Ethan Howland • March 24, 2014

ITC Holdings eyes Texas for power line growth

ITC Holdings wants to build power lines in Texas, despite its bid to buy Entergy's transmission system collapsing last year.

By Ethan Howland • March 20, 2014

Massachusetts plans efficiency, microgrid RFPs

Massachusetts plans efficiency, microgrid solicitations to push state policy.

By Ethan Howland • March 20, 2014

Kansas farmers oppose interstate power line project

The major power line project is designed to deliver wind power to Indiana.

By Ethan Howland • March 18, 2014

Report: PJM market flaws could lead to plant shutdowns

The PJM Interconnection needs to change its market rules to avoid early plant retirements, according to the grid operator's market monitor.

By Ethan Howland • March 14, 2014

FERC: Nationwide blackout could happen if 9 key substations are knocked out

There could be coast-to-coast blackouts for weeks if nine key substations were knocked out, according to a FERC study controversially leaked by the Wall Street Journal.

By Ethan Howland • March 13, 2014

Where are utilities betting their billions?

Utility Dive looks at the three major trends that emerged from utilities' end-of-year earnings calls.

By Ethan Howland • March 12, 2014

U.S. Representative: Bury 500-kV SunZia power line or get out of the way

The developers of the 500-kV SunZia power line project between New Mexico and Arizona should bury part of the line or move it out of the way of a military range, according to a U.S. representative.

By Ethan Howland • March 12, 2014

Utilities aim to protect birds from power lines

Utilities are trying to prevent birds from being electrocuted on power lines.

By Ethan Howland • March 11, 2014

FERC orders new standards to protect grid from terrorism

FERC Friday directed the North American Electric Reliability Corporation to develop reliability standards requiring bulk-power system owners and operators to address terrorism risks for certain facilities.

By Ethan Howland • March 10, 2014

PSE&G plans $6.8B in transmission spending

Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G) plans to spend $6.8 billion over five years on transmission projects, reflecting a trend.

By Ethan Howland • March 10, 2014

Energy Future Holdings may sell T&D utility Oncor

Dallas-based Energy Future Holdings may sell Oncor, its distribution and transmission business, as part of a bankruptcy plan.

By Ethan Howland • March 4, 2014

PJM study: 30% renewables? No problem

PJM can reliably integrate up to 30% of wind and solar energy, a move that will lower costs but hurt fossil-fueled generators, a PJM study said.

By Ethan Howland • March 4, 2014

Great Plains, AEP seek power line projects across U.S.

Great Plains Energy and American Electric Power are looking to bid on power line projects through their Transource joint venture.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 28, 2014

ITC Holdings sees more utility competition in power line business

Transmission company ITC Holdings is preparing for increased competition from regulated utilities, company officials said.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 28, 2014

NextEra plans undersea power line from N.H. to Massachusetts

NextEra Energy Resources plans to build an $800 million undersea transmission line from Seabrook, New Hampshire, to near Boston.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 27, 2014

What keeps utility execs up at night? Hint: It's not cyberattacks

Utility Dive's first annual State of the Electric Utility report, released today, provides a detailed look at how more than 500 utility professionals view the major issues facing their utilities. Some of the findings may surprise you.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 26, 2014

FirstEnergy to invest $4.2B in transmission

FirstEnergy plans to spend $4.2 billion on transmission in the next four years as part of the company's shift to focus on its regulated operations.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 26, 2014

SDG&E's approach to rooftop solar, electric vehicles and the smart home

SDG&E's director of customer programs and projects spoke to Utility Dive about its business models.

By Davide Savenije • Feb. 25, 2014

Supreme Court won't review MISO's regional cost-allocation policy

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a challenge to the Midcontinent Independent Transmission System Operator's cost allocation scheme for regional power line projects.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 25, 2014

Minneapolis urged to stay with Xcel under new deal

Instead of forming a municipal utility, Minneapolis should seek ways to work with the utility to cut greenhouse gas emissions, according to a city-hired consultant.

By Ethan Howland • Feb. 25, 2014