Utilities

Fossil fuels

New Yorkers to stop paying for other people’s gas hookups under new bill

For decades, utility customers in the state paid the costs of connecting new buildings to nearby gas lines. Legislators just passed a bill to end the practice.

By Alison F. Takemura . 25 June 2025
Utilities

What's at stake as Ohio regulators finally turn to HB 6 charges?

As the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio takes up three cases related to the HB 6 corruption scandal, FirstEnergy has asked regulators to limit evidence.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 16 June 2025
Utilities

N.C. bill gives big energy users a break — at the expense of households

The proposal is part of a swift-moving package that would also unravel the state’s climate targets. Duke Energy and industrial customers have voiced support.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 11 June 2025
Solar

Massachusetts grid breakthrough could benefit customers while boosting solar

The state's regulators and utilities are working out a mutually beneficial way to share the costs of the grid upgrades required to build more community solar.

By Jeff St. John . 4 June 2025
Utilities

Why an Ohio ban on settlements to close 'base load' power plants matters for clean energy

House Bill 15 forbids settlements to close or curtail "base load" power plants, which exclude renewables. The law may pave the way for future fossil-fuel subsidies.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 3 June 2025
Transmission

North Carolina eyes grid-enhancing tech to improve aging power lines

Regulators are prodding utility Duke Energy to deploy cutting-edge tools like dynamic line rating and carbon composite conductors to improve transmission.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 15 May 2025
Solar

New California bill would undo some 20-year rooftop solar contracts

The bill would deal another blow to California’s ailing rooftop solar sector — and hardly move the needle on its stated purpose of reducing utility costs.

By Jeff St. John . 8 May 2025
Clean energy

Colorado’s rural electric co-ops are determined to build clean energy

The federal government promised to pay for upgrades to keep utility rates down. As Trump casts uncertainty over funding, what happens now?

By Keaton Peters . 8 May 2025
Transmission

A shortcut to making the grid safer and more reliable: Beams of light

Prisma Photonics uses preexisting fiber-optic cables to detect disruptions across thousands of miles of high-voltage transmission lines.

By Jeff St. John . 7 May 2025
Utilities

Neighboring states’ nuclear debacles loom over North Carolina bill

Legislation is advancing that would let Duke Energy collect money from customers for power plants not yet completed. Conservative groups say that’s a bad idea.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 6 May 2025