Utilities

Maine utilities eye move to time-varying electric rates to boost electrification

“Time-of-use” rates that encourage customers to cut energy use at times of peak demand could help the state meet its electrification goals without straining the grid.

By Annie Ropeik . 14 November 2023

Pedestrians walk on a residential street that gently slopes uphill as the sun sets — Pleasant St. in Portland, Maine (Gabe Souza/Portland Press Herald/Getty Images)

Solar

Utilities in New Hampshire unexpectedly back solar net metering

In a sharp turnaround from their previous stance, Eversource, Unitil and Liberty Utilities testified in support of keeping the state's net-metering incentive intact.

By Sarah Shemkus . 14 September 2023
Solar

The fight over California community solar: 'It's everyone vs. utilities'

Α broad and unlikely coalition has united behind a proposal that would finally let community solar flourish in California. Utilities are trying to stop it.

By Jeff St. John . 5 September 2023
Clean energy

Hawaii quit coal one year ago. Here's how it's been going

The lights stayed on, but the state's experience offers some lessons on what can go wrong in the transition to clean energy.

By Julian Spector . 31 August 2023
Utilities

Who pays when utilities get sued over wildfires?

With fire risk on the rise and neglected utility equipment sparking more deadly conflagrations, all electricity customers may be left holding the bag.

By Jake Bittle . 28 August 2023
Batteries

Vermont’s biggest utility dramatically expands home battery subsidies

Since 2015, Vermont's Green Mountain Power has helped a limited number of customers install home batteries each year. Now the program cap is gone.

By Julian Spector . 24 August 2023
Energy efficiency

Why efficient buildings are key to decarbonizing the power grid

New data shows that efficient, grid-responsive buildings would make a zero-carbon grid $100B cheaper per year — if utilities and policymakers can act in time.

By Jeff St. John . 22 August 2023
EV charging

The grid isn't ready for the EV boom. Can better data fix that?

Utilities lack the necessary data to plan ahead for the coming influx of EV charging. A new data-sharing consortium could help them overcome that obstacle.

By Jeff St. John . 7 August 2023
Clean energy

Is the biggest US public utility finally catching up on clean energy?

Tennessee Valley Authority is buying massive amounts of renewables. But critics say it's still relying too much on fossil fuels to serve its 10 million customers.

By Julian Spector . 26 July 2023
Utilities

Another major utility is accelerating its transition to renewables

Michigan's DTE Energy has announced a plan to spend $11 billion on clean energy construction and close its remaining coal plants sooner.

By Julian Spector . 17 July 2023
Utilities

The boards that regulate utilities are overwhelmingly white and male

Public utility commissions wield enormous power over state-level clean energy progress. But they lack diversity and tend to have political, utility or fossil connections.

By Lisa Prevost . 13 July 2023