Texas PUC website 'defaced' in low-level attack as state inks new cybersecurity contract

While the hacker claimed to be Iranian, state officials say they have no evidence of a link to the Middle Eastern nation.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 31, 2020

SPP approves $545M in transmission upgrades, eyes storage to help reduce costs

Southwest Power Pool is considering how energy storage could diminish transmission costs, although the pumped storage and batteries on its system are considered only as generation.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2020

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

Judge approves PG&E Tubbs Fire settlements, while Newsom mulls state takeover

The utility is engaged in conversations with California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office and believes it can resolve his concerns, a PG&E attorney said on Wednesday.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 30, 2020

Oncor, other Texas utilities aim to avoid enforcement power for proposed cybersecurity monitor

Oncor said regulators should delete from the proposed rule all provisions that would give the monitor authority to "require utilities to submit to assessments or respond to information requests."

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2020

PG&E CEO: System hardening will be completed 'long after I retire'

Work has been completed on nearly 3% the power lines identified for system hardening, CEO Bill Johnson told members of Congress.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 29, 2020

PG&E is betting heavily on microgrids. But can it move away from fossil fuels?

The utility is proposing to deploy 300 MW of temporary generation in areas that are vulnerable to public safety power shut-offs. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 28, 2020

DC grid mod order 'falls short' on 100% clean energy goals, commissioner says

The order accelerates the process for getting non-wires alternatives online, but does not specify studies needed for distributed and integrated resource planning, Commissioner Richard Beverly wrote in separate comments.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 28, 2020

New York ISO carbon pricing proposal 'in a holding pattern,' says grid chief

NYISO CEO Rich Dewey says a carbon price is the most effective way to help the state meet its environmental goals, but it is unclear how a decision will be made to move forward.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 23, 2020

2020 Utility Dive Outlooks: What's in store for coal, gas, renewables, DER and beyond

2020 promises to be another busy year across the U.S. power sector as the energy transition gathers more steam.

By Larry Pearl • Jan. 23, 2020

Ameren, Xcel, Dominion, Duke among most at-risk from changing climate: Moody's

Extreme heat and flooding, along with water scarcity and more severe hurricanes related to climate change, present long-term risks to utility assets, the credit rating agency found.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 22, 2020

2020 Outlook: US renewable resources on steady course for increased deployment

"In 2020, there’s sort of a 'come on in, the water's warm' element of excitement and momentum" around renewable energy procurement, one analyst said.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 16, 2020

2020 outlook: Natural gas faces regulatory, environmental scrutiny but still wants role in carbon-free grid

Aggressive natural gas investments in recent years may bring the sector to its tipping point. But some stakeholders say the fuel still has an important role to play in a decarbonized future.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020

'Most dangerous and capable' hacking group now targeting electric sector, Dragos report finds

There is an increasing threat of supply chain and third-party attacks, according to the cybersecurity firm. Experts say patching vulnerabilities will not be easy.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2020

Trump infrastructure proposal impacts 'virtually every' federal decision on environment: DOI Secretary

Coal, gas and wind groups praised the changes to a key project permitting policy, saying environmental reviews badly need streamlining, but NGOs fear the proposal omits critical considerations and creates ambiguity.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 10, 2020

Entergy, Duke, ConEd adding millions of smart meters, but overall deployment slowing

While some utilities are seeing significant deployments, fewer customers need the equipment as adoption rates increase and some state regulators have shown a reticence to authorize additional costs.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 8, 2020

4th Circuit nixes key permit for Dominion's Atlantic Coast Pipeline, citing environmental justice concerns

A three-judge panel vacated a necessary air quality permit for a new compressor station, concluding the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board failed to adequately consider impacts on nearby communities.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 8, 2020

More than 2 years after Hurricane Maria, earthquake shows Puerto Rico electric grid remains 'fragile'

Recent seismic activity led to widespread power outages and caused damage to a publicly-owned 990 MW diesel-burning power plant in the south of the island.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 8, 2020

Bipartisan bill aims to end Dominion's monopoly in Virginia

Dominion and other utilities oppose efforts to deregulate retail markets, saying it can increase costs, but similar bills are expected this year in Florida, Colorado and other states.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 8, 2020

PJM: Electric vehicles could boost load 1.5 GW by 2035

One industry group says the forecast is likely too modest, as the addition of a plug-in vehicle can nearly double a household's electric consumption and adoption is expected to rise rapidly.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 7, 2020

Utilities 'caught in the crosshairs' as US-Iran tensions rise; experts say domestic cyberattack likely

Iran wants to avoid a shooting war following the United States' assassination of a top military leader, making domestic cyberattacks "almost a foregone conclusion," according to one expert.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 7, 2020

DC regulators OK 2nd phase of PEPCO's grid mod, but NGOs doubt value for 100% renewables goal

Consumer advocates question whether investments like a new $143 million substation will help the city reach its renewables target and expressed concerns about a new alternative ratemaking framework.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 6, 2020

FERC's ROE conundrum: Finding the right number is harder than it looks

FERC's shift in return on equity methodology for transmission projects is counterintuitive — greater need, but lower authorized returns. This seems like a significant policy misalignment, writes former Commissioner Tony Clark.

By Tony Clark • Jan. 6, 2020

Making the case for billion-dollar investments in grid modernization by answering 3 key questions

Boston Consulting Group’s framework prioritizes the business case for grid mod investments to win stakeholder and regulator backing for billion-dollar spending.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 6, 2020

Tri-State members develop alternative generation plans in their bid to exit the utility's service

United Power and La Plata Electric Association say they are "weighing all options" to change their energy procurement contracts with Tri-State in order to cut costs and provide customers with more clean energy.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 3, 2020

PG&E rate case compromise cuts $1.1B proposal to $575M for wildfire mitigation

The utility was able to reach a deal with ratepayer and safety advocates, ending with a proposal that shaves almost half a billion dollars off its original application.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 2, 2020