Accelerate the US high-capacity transmission build-out with voluntary, strategic co-location

Designing a transmission route based on unmet needs for rural broadband connectivity will create incentives for landowners to welcome high-capacity transmission lines.

By Robin Allen • June 13, 2023

Puerto Rico utility debt plan could saddle residents with unaffordable power bills for decades, groups warn

The bankrupt Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority has more than $9 billion in legacy debt obligations, and experts fear a proposed repayment plan will drive customers off the grid and away from the island.

By Robert Walton • June 12, 2023

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

As states differ on the benefits of Bitcoin, is there a solution to its climate and power-system impacts?

Bitcoin miners’ 24/7 electricity need and financial focus raise red flags for climate activists about increased fossil fuel use, but some miners are starting to see a new solution in clean energy.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 8, 2023

FERC’s backstop siting authority: Why considering emissions, EJ will get transmission built

Powerful actors have attacked the agency’s authority to consider air pollution and environmental justice when siting transmission lines. These skeptics are wrong on the law, the author writes.

By Matt Lifson • June 8, 2023

Industrial groups urge FERC to reject incentives for $280M in NIPSCO transmission projects

A request by an LS Power subsidiary for more limited incentives shows NIPSCO’s proposal is unjust, the groups told FERC Wednesday.

By Ethan Howland • June 8, 2023

Why HVDC cables are poised to provide valuable alternatives

HVDC technology could be a valuable tool in the U.S. energy transition, but it will need to overcome some constraints.

By Bob Hobson, Associate Technical Consultant, Burns & McDonnell • June 5, 2023

How to communicate rising energy costs to utility customers

Advice for how to use the right message to share rising energy prices, improving customer satisfaction.

June 5, 2023

Sen. Heinrich proposes 30% investment tax credit for ‘regionally significant’ transmission projects

The Grid Resiliency Tax Credit Act would provide incentives for transmission projects, critical subcomponents and grid-enhancing technologies.

By Robert Walton • June 2, 2023

Biden set to sign debt limit bill with permitting reform as lawmakers eye more energy infrastructure legislation

“The siting and permitting elements of the package make important improvements that will help to expedite the process for building new — and updating existing — energy infrastructure,” EEI’s Brian Wolff said.

By Ethan Howland • Updated June 2, 2023

California energy players fear isolation, reliability impacts as SPP eyes Western market expansion

Experts in California worry that as the Southwest Power Pool's energy market proposals move forward, California could lose access to renewable energy resources that are critical to the state’s grid.  

By Kavya Balaraman • May 30, 2023

Interior Department advances permitting for NV Energy Greenlink transmission projects

Greenlink West and Greenlink North would connect a total of up to 8 GW of renewable energy to the Western grid, the Bureau of Land Management said.

By Diana DiGangi • May 26, 2023

US electrical steel shortage threatens energy transition, recovery from power outages, groups warn Biden

Electric utilities and other stakeholders have asked President Joe Biden to convene an “Electrical Steel Summit” with manufacturers to address the “supply chain crisis.”

By Robert Walton • May 24, 2023

California’s ‘zonal’ approach could revamp clean energy planning, shrink interconnection queue: experts

The strategy is part of the California Independent System Operator’s latest transmission plan, which calls for 45 projects estimated to cost $7.3 billion.

By Kavya Balaraman • May 23, 2023

The grid orchestration opportunity for America’s G&T cooperatives

Post-IRA, G&T co-ops have a historic opportunity to transform their relationship with member co-ops and lead the rural energy transition.

May 22, 2023

As Sen. Carper releases permitting reform proposal, White House vows to update NEPA rules

Carper’s proposal joins a crowded field of legislative approaches to streamlining energy permitting reform.

By Robert Walton • May 18, 2023

Most of US faces elevated risk of blackouts in extreme heat this summer, NERC warns

All areas are expected to have adequate resources for normal summer peak load, but extreme weather could create widespread challenges, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. said May 17.

By Robert Walton • May 17, 2023

The TransWest Express transmission line is a win for rural communities. Why did approval take 15 years?

The massive delay in approving the TransWest Express project was the result of an overly complex and too easily derailed federal permitting process for major infrastructure projects.

By Greg Brophy • May 16, 2023

NERC recommends including cyberattack scenarios now absent in most transmission planning assessments

The potential for a coordinated cyberattack to impact the bulk power system “is not currently or generally studied as part of standard industry practices,” according to a white paper NERC published this month.

By Robert Walton • May 15, 2023

Biden ‘doesn’t love everything in the bill,’ but calls for Congress to pass Manchin’s energy permitting reforms

The White House on Wednesday laid out its priorities for permitting reform, including faster deployment of critical electric transmission, and acknowledged the need for compromise.

By Robert Walton • May 11, 2023

DOE proposes framework for national transmission corridors to spur new lines, ease grid congestion

The proposal would allow transmission developers to apply for project-specific corridors, unlocking potential federal funding, the department said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • May 10, 2023

Hawai’i leads the way on advanced rate design with default time-of-use rates, fixed charge innovations

Hawai’i’s planned granular cost study still must prove to other states that the new TOU rates, fixed charge framework and new way of defining costs will allocate costs accurately, analysts said.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 9, 2023

PNM proposes non-wires battery pilot to address overloaded feeders at solar facilities

The pair of 6 MW battery resources “matches the lowest cost option for solving the overloaded feeders,” PNM Resources President and Chief Operating Officer Don Tarry said.

By Robert Walton • May 8, 2023

Why contracts among cooperative G&T owners ensure equity and fairness

Central to the success of the cooperative G&T model are the promises each member makes to work together with their fellow members to secure a reliable, affordable and responsible power supply for the communities they together serve.

By Dave Frick, General Manager, Morgan County Rural Electric Association • May 8, 2023

10 reasons why investing in a battery monitoring pilot program is essential

Discover why investing in a pilot BMS program is not only a good idea; it is imperative.

By Eagle Eye Power Solutions • May 8, 2023

Minnesota highway initiative goes national to advance co-located energy, communications buildout

The NextGen Highways initiative in January secured funding from the Bill Gates-founded Breakthrough Energy to expand its advocacy for building transmission along public rights-of-way.

By Robert Walton • May 5, 2023