Utilities

Utilities

Xcel Energy says data centers won’t delay Minnesota clean energy target

At a regulatory workshop, a utility exec said Xcel can serve data centers and meet its 2040 clean energy mandate, but it might need to extend the life of gas plants.

By Frank Jossi . 5 December 2024
Clean energy

Voters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, create a local clean energy utility

The municipal effort aims to supplement utility DTE's grid with local, reliable, clean energy at below-market rates.

By Julian Spector . 20 November 2024
Transmission

This DOE-backed software is helping to unclog the grid

GridUnity’s software can shave 12 months from the sluggish interconnection process that’s stalling clean power. A $50M DOE grant is helping it expand.

By Jeff St. John . 12 November 2024
Politics

Republicans sweep key utility regulator races in Arizona and Louisiana

Public utility commissions hold significant sway over state energy systems. Clean energy advocates failed to break through in elections this year.

By Julian Spector . 7 November 2024
Utilities

Regulators OK Duke Energy's gas-plant buildout despite N.C. climate law

The utility is supposed to cut greenhouse gas emissions 70% by 2030, but North Carolina's utility commission has approved its plan to build new fossil-gas power plants.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 6 November 2024
Politics

Clean energy is on the ballot in these utility regulator races

Ten states elect their public utility commissions, which make big decisions about energy. This November, the stakes are high, especially in Arizona and Louisiana.

By Julian Spector . 25 October 2024
Distributed energy resources

Hurricane Helene underscores need for more solar-battery microgrids

Distributed solar and batteries are helping North Carolina communities that were cut off from grid power by flooding. Should utilities build them into resilience plans?

By Jeff St. John . 18 October 2024
Utilities

Hurricane Helene could force local utilities to rethink grid resilience

As recovery efforts continue, utilities in Appalachia need to consider their approach to providing electricity in the face of climate change.

By Gautama Mehta . 10 October 2024
Fossil fuels

Booming power demand is slowing climate progress for US utilities

Sierra Club analysis finds that U.S. utilities are planning a huge expansion of fossil-gas plants — a shift that’s incompatible with climate goals.

By Jeff St. John . 9 October 2024
Heat pumps

Mass. regulator orders National Grid to set lower winter rate for heat pumps

The decision instructs the state’s second-largest utility to develop a more affordable wintertime electricity rate for customers who have a heat pump.

By Sarah Shemkus . 4 October 2024