Democrats deal Dominion a blow in debate over Virginia utility reform

The 96-1 vote in favor of additional limits on Dominion was actually closer than it seems.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2018

California regulators first to allow multiple revenue streams for energy storage

The state has approved rules that increase the ways for energy storage systems to make money, for example, through frequency regulation, capacity or spinning reserve services.        

Feb. 13, 2018

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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

Is the third pillar of electricity delivery preventing the building of the first two?

Utilities and distributed energy resource advocates agree the grid needs new technologies to serve 21st century demand, but they differ over what upgrades should come first and what they should cost.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 13, 2018

Trump seeks 2-year deadline for infrastructure reviews in new plan

A new legislative outline would roll back EPA authority over environmental impact statements and set a new, shorter statute of limitations on permitting decisions. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 13, 2018

HECO's $205M grid modernization plan nabs regulatory approval

The utility's six-year plan focuses on near-term improvements that help prepare the distribution grid for Hawaii's 100% renewables mandate. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 12, 2018

Missouri Senate passes bill revamping utility rate increases after filibuster

This is the second iteration of an earlier bill that attempts to streamline utility rate increases, but critics say it will still hurt consumers. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 12, 2018

Rate design for a DER future: Designing rates to better integrate and value distributed energy resources

This is the third in an occasional series from Advanced Energy Economy that addresses how the power sector can successfully transition to a 21st Century Electricity System.

By Coley Girouard • Feb. 12, 2018

Connecticut wants to boost renewables goal to 40% by 2030

The state's finalized Comprehensive Energy Strategy addresses grid modernization, distributed generation and ensuring energy efficiency is given the opportunity to compete and grow. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 9, 2018

California PUC establishes new utility planning process to reach carbon goals

For the two-year process, regulators will evaluate the appropriate greenhouse gas emission planning targets for the electric sector the first year and consider proposals to meet those targets the following year. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 9, 2018

SCE&G, Dominion lobby regulators to approve merger amid push to halt Summer cost recovery

If lawmakers halt SCE&G from billing customers for the failed VC Summer nuclear development, it could scuttle the merger with Dominion. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 9, 2018

Malware found in Entergy's corporate network raises MISO alert

The utility said the malware has been removed and was never a threat to the company's energy operations.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 8, 2018

Report: Massachusetts could re-open RFP for clean energy after Northern Pass rejection

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources is trying to determine if Northern Pass is still feasible following a rejection of the project in New Hampshire. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 8, 2018

Court filings stave off Sabal Trail pipeline shutdown, for now

The D.C. Circuit was set to put the pipeline on hold this week, but last-minute filings from FERC and pipeline owners appear to have bought the project some time. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 8, 2018

FERC asks DC Circuit to delay issuing order to halt Sabal Trail pipeline

FERC wants 45 more days to finalize orders that would reinstate construction certificates for the pipeline after a court ruling threw out the agency's climate accounting for the project. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 6, 2018

FERC issues final Sabal Trail EIS, potentially avoiding hold on project

The commission could allow construction to restart with a separate order, but has yet to issue it. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 6, 2018

How leading utilities are planning for distributed energy resources

DER growth can be a blessing or a curse. New software platforms can help with preparation. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 6, 2018

Eversource vows to appeal NH Northern Pass rejection

Massachusetts chose the Northern Pass transmission project to help meet the state's renewable energy goals, but New Hampshire's rejection has thrown the project into doubt.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 5, 2018

DC Circuit rejects bid to block Mountain Valley pipeline construction

An environmental group argued FERC uses tolling orders to avoid judicial oversight of its pipeline siting decisions. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 5, 2018

Embattled PREPA announces new grid modernization plan amid privatization push

The governing board of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority has formally adopted a plan to transform how the utility operates that would boost resilience. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2018

New Hampshire rejects Northern Pass transmission, throwing project into doubt

The decision is sparking concern in Massachusetts, which just last week selected the project to help meet state clean energy goals. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2018

DC Circuit ruling could halt Sabal Trail pipeline construction

In a rebuke to FERC's pipeline approval process, judges declined to review an August ruling that the agency did not properly assess carbon impacts of the pipeline. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 1, 2018

For utilities, the new corporate tax cuts are a double-edged sword

Reports from Brattle and Moody's say tax cuts will squeeze utility cash flows, potentially hurting credit quality. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 1, 2018

PREPA requests $1.3B loan to cover revenue shortfall post-Maria

Officials fear a revenue shortfall of up to $1.2 billion in the next six months. Nearly half of the Island's residents are still without power, four months after Hurricane Maria hit the island. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 30, 2018

The best laid plans of state regulators are now aimed at building a better distribution system

Regulators are pushing utilities to plan for the rising penetrations of distributed energy resources, but they're doing it in many ways.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 30, 2018

Massachusetts AG to review Northern Pass project selection process

The project was one of the more expensive options for an RFP that sought projects to supply the state with 9,450,000 MWh of renewable energy annually. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2018