Utilities focus on plausibility, prevention in preparing for worst-case scenarios

From natural disasters to cyberattacks, utilities face many threats — the key, according to one Southern California Edison official, is to focus on the most likely events.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 31, 2017

FBI to probe Whitefish-Puerto Rico contract, WSJ reports

The Montana-based electric company has also hired a lobbyist to make the company's case on Capitol Hill that the contract was awarded fairly.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 31, 2017

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

PREPA to cancel Whitefish power restoration contract after widespread criticism

Controversy over the public utility's contracting process comes as critics in Puerto Rico and Washington push for far-reaching reforms, including potential privatization. 

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 30, 2017

Technology, markets and contracts — oh my! The keys to profiting from California's duck curve

California policymakers look to address renewables over-generation through smart investments in supply- and demand-side resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 30, 2017

FEMA will probe Whitefish-PREPA contract, citing 'significant concerns'

FEMA issued a statement Friday saying it was not involved in selecting Whitefish, but will work with PREPA's legal team to review the contracting process. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 27, 2017

'Darknet' and quantum communications could enhance grid cybersecurity, scientists tell Senate

The Department of Energy's national labs are working to develop a private grid communication system called "darknet" they say could automatically detect, isolate and defend against cyber intrusions.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 27, 2017

Texas regulator has tough questions for Sempra over Oncor purchase

Commissioner Kenneth Anderson Jr. outlined his concerns over the proposed deal in a memo, including the potential impact of decisions in California, where Sempra is based, on the Texas utility. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 27, 2017

Whitefish-PREPA contract aimed to avoid government oversight

"In no event," the leaked contract reads, will government agencies "have the right to audit or review the cost and profit elements" of Whitefish's work. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 27, 2017

Uptown Funk: Where will NYC get its peak demand capacity?

Few new peak providers have come online for the city because short-term market rules don’t offer investors the certainty they need.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 26, 2017

Exelon taps GE software to improve reliability at its 6 utilities

General Electric’s Predix software is designed to predict and manage outages, and improve the overall performance of utility distribution systems.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 26, 2017

As California battles wildfires, 10 year-old case comes to the forefront

Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison are now supporting San Diego Gas & Electric's bid to charge ratepayers for a 2007 fire.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 26, 2017

Small Montana company aiding Puerto Rico power restoration under increasing scrutiny

Separately, PREPA announced it would name Noel Zamot, a member of its board, as chief transformation officer to oversee power restoration efforts.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 26, 2017

Report: California utilities delaying efforts to map power lines seen as potential wildfire cause

The Bay Area News Group conducted a review of the decade-long project, finding the companies have repeatedly asked to slow down the efforts.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 25, 2017

Exelon's Pepco nets partial rate increase from Maryland regulators

The utility wanted to raise electric distribution rates by almost $69 million for reliability upgrades, but the Maryland Public Service Commission allowed a revenue increase of only $34 million.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2017

Illinois regulators tighten rules for retail electricity marketers

The Illinois Commerce Commission aims to strengthen consumer protection requirements governing the sale and marketing of alternative retail electricity.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 23, 2017

Winter reliability strong, RTOs tell FERC, undermining DOE NOPR justification

Secretary of Energy Rick Perry has repeatedly said the threat of outages justifies his agency's controversial cost recovery proposal, but market leaders told regulators they have the risks under control.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 20, 2017

PJM approves $1B in transmission upgrades

One $200 million project aims to reinforce 69-kV transmission lines to maintain reliable supplies for more than 15,000 customers in Union County, N.J.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2017

Western EIM accrues $40M in benefits for members in Q3, says California grid operator

Total benefits produced by the voluntary regional market pencils out to $254.98 million since it was launched in 2014. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2017

Chatterjee sets pipelines, grid resilience as priorities for FERC chairmanship

The acting chairman laid out his plans for the federal regulatory body in a speech at the Energy Bar Association on Tuesday.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 18, 2017

Connecticut regulators open investigation on Eversource, Avangrid pipeline practices

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) also sent a letter to FERC asking it to open a formal investigation into allegations that the two utilities artificially constrained pipeline capacity.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 17, 2017

Massachusetts AG reviewing report on Eversource, Avangrid constraining pipelines

While not a formal investigation, a spokesperson said Attorney General Maura Healey considers the report "concerning" and that it demands "careful assessment and analysis."    

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 17, 2017

California solar pilot shows how renewables can provide grid services

A utility-scale solar pilot project demonstrated how solar can compete with natural gas over grid services and cost. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 16, 2017

Responsible gas utility planning meets irresponsible market analysis

Thomas Kiley, CEO of the Northeast Gas Association, writes Eversource and Avangrid did nothing wrong on the Algonquin pipeline, where a new report accuses them of artificially withholding capacity.

By Thomas Kiley • Oct. 16, 2017

California officials begin probing PG&E's role in massive wildfires

State regulators have directed Pacific Gas & Electric to preserve all evidence possibly related to a wind storm and subsequent fire.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 16, 2017

FERC approves Atlantic Coast, Mountain Valley, rejecting broader pipeline review

The orders filed late Friday argue FERC should act only on individual applications, stressing that regulators are "not engaged in regional planning."

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 16, 2017