Want to know if California can make zero emissions by 2045? Here's what to watch

To reach a zero emissions economy, California needs to eliminate natural gas by regionalizing the Western grid and coordinating local and state system planning.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 21, 2019

NRG Energy advances retail expansion with $300M Stream Energy acquisition

The all-cash deal will add more than 600,000 residential customers to NRG's service and help the company grow market share in Texas, Pennsylvania and other areas.

By Robert Walton • May 21, 2019

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

Facebook to pay half of $85 million New Mexico transmission line under new order

State regulators rejected a request from Public Service of New Mexico to reconsider a decision denying ratemaking treatment for a transmission upgrade, which they say would only serve one customer.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2019

BVLOS drones improve power line inspections amid increasing fire and storm risks for utilities

We saw the devastating effect of vegetation encroachment in the recent California fires, which in part have been blamed on failure to maintain properly cleared transmission lines.

By Geoff Zeiss • May 17, 2019

New York updates price signals to recognize full value, spur distributed energy resources

The Public Service Commission approved adjustments to standby and buyback service rates aimed at reducing peak demand and operating the electric grid more efficiently.

By Robert Walton • May 17, 2019

California concludes PG&E responsible for state's deadliest wildfire

Eighty-five people died in the 2018 Camp Fire, which the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection now says was sparked by Pacific Gas & Electric's transmission lines.

By Robert Walton • May 16, 2019

Solar, wind industries urge feds to smooth deployment kinks

Transmission, soft cost reductions and greater resource efficiency require federal investment to maximize technology growth, industry leaders told the House Subcommittee on Energy Wednesday.

By Catherine Morehouse • May 16, 2019

San Francisco eyes purchase of PG&E grid assets to increase power independence

A report from the city's Public Utilities Commission concludes public ownership of the city's electric grid "has the potential for significant long-term benefits relative to investment costs and risks."

By Robert Walton • May 14, 2019

Smooth operator: PJM credits low Q1 congestion costs to mild weather, cheap fuel

Energy prices were "significantly lower" in the first quarter of 2019 than a year ago, according to analysis by the PJM Interconnection market monitor, making it more difficult for generators to recoup costs.

By Robert Walton • May 13, 2019

How to protect California ratepayers, expand clean local energy and avoid bailing out PG&E

Divesting the utilities of their transmission assets to make them Distribution System Operators will benefit ratepayers and utilities.

By Craig Lewis • May 13, 2019

California electric customers could see rising bills due to wildfires, declining sales: CPUC

California electric rates are rising, in part because low usage is no longer offsetting rate impacts, according to a new report by the state's regulators.

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2019

NERC to analyze first potential cyberattack on US grid

The nonprofit has no information suggesting malicious intent behind the loss of visibility to a utility control system that occurred in early March and impacted electrical system operations in California, Utah and Wyoming.

By HJ Mai • May 10, 2019

California regulators dig into safety qualifications of new PG&E board

Amidst ongoing investigation into PG&E safety culture, regulators called on the embattled utility to provide detail into the safety experience of its new board members, including a new CEO and 10 new directors.

By Robert Walton • May 9, 2019

South Carolina regulators slash Duke Energy Progress rate hikes, cut $333M coal ash recovery

The Public Service Commission adopted a similar motion reducing another Duke subsidiary's proposed rate hike by 54%, signaling the impact of stakeholders that rallied to oppose the increases.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 9, 2019

Texas grid operator braces for tight supply-demand balance this summer

ERCOT says it continues to see "above-normal growth" in electric demand on its system, largely due to new industrial load on the coast and the oil and gas industry in the west.

By Robert Walton • May 9, 2019

Time to open 'time-sensitive' transmission projects to Order 1000 competition

While competition is intended to encourage transmission developers to drive down consumer costs, shift risks to private investors and achieve greater efficiencies, New England consumers are not realizing those benefits.

By Jason Marshall • May 9, 2019

EPA questions federal permit application of 1.2 GW hydro transmission line

Central Maine's environmental permit application for a proposed 145-mile project from Quebec to Massachusetts prevents stakeholders from having a full understanding of the project due to allegedly incomplete information, EPA wrote.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 8, 2019

ConEd eases customer DER adoption while gaining data to improve grid planning

Customers installing solar panels or an electric vehicle charger can get a free device that avoids the cost of upgrading the home's circuit panel and provides the utility with valuable energy usage data.

By Robert Walton • May 8, 2019

Michigan regulators approve DTE $273M rate increase, EV pilot, net metering replacement

DTE Energy, which had requested a larger rate increase, will spend $13 million on a three-year electric vehicle and school bus charging pilot program that could support thousands of charging stations.

By Robert Walton • May 3, 2019

PG&E faces SEC investigation into public disclosures of wildfire losses

In its quarterly filing, the company revealed the investigation and recorded more than $400 million in costs related to wildfire cleanup and recovery.

By Robert Walton • May 3, 2019

NYISO: Decarbonization efforts could be slowed without new transmission

A report from the grid operator concludes the state's electric grid is "at the cusp of the next evolution," but decarbonization efforts could be stymied without new transfer capabilities between upstate renewables and downstate consumers.

By Robert Walton • May 3, 2019

EPRI: Threat of EMP attacks on US transmission has been overstated

While regional service interruption is possible as a result of electromagnetic pulses from solar flares or other sources, the three-year study finds national grid failure is unlikely.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 1, 2019

CPUC directs PG&E to reduce risk of power shut-offs as it mostly OKs utility fire plans

The Public Utility Commission found the state's major utilities mostly compliant with state wildfire laws, but flagged seven areas for improvement for PG&E and three for SCE.

By Robert Walton • May 1, 2019

Retail energy suppliers, others reject New York utilities' proposed cybersecurity protocols

Cyberthreats are on the rise and while energy stakeholders in New York agree on the importance of enhanced security measures, they disagree over who should pay for it. 

By HJ Mai • May 1, 2019

Avista signs on to Western Energy Imbalance Market, projecting more renewables integration

The real-time wholesale energy market automatically provides the lowest-cost energy available to meet utility customer needs, and savings are growing along with the roster of market participants.

By Robert Walton • April 30, 2019