Utilities

Utilities

Rural electricity is getting its biggest boost since FDR — here's how

The Inflation Reduction Act earmarked $10.7B to make rural energy cleaner and more affordable. Now we have the details on how exactly the program will work.

By Jeff St. John . 24 May 2023
Electric vehicles

Crunching data to keep EVs from overloading California's grid

Startup Kevala forecasts California will need $50 billion in grid upgrades to meet electric-vehicle goals — and it can tell utilities where to start investing.

By Jeff St. John . 19 May 2023
Utilities

Colorado to bar utilities from charging customers for lobbying

A bill expected to be signed by the Colorado governor will be the most sweeping yet to prevent ratepayers from having to fund utilities’ political activities.

By Akielly Hu . 15 May 2023
Utilities

The EPA has a controversial new plan to clean up power plants

Utilities and fossil fuel companies have touted carbon capture for years, but now they're unhappy that the EPA is telling them it's viable and ready for use.

By Joseph Winters . 12 May 2023
Utilities

New York state just approved publicly owned renewables

The state has set ambitious climate targets. Now it can build the clean energy it needs to meet them.

By Akielly Hu . 11 May 2023
Utilities

Octopus Energy is bringing clean, distributed energy to the masses

The clean-energy retailer is both serving and disrupting the utility sector — selling software, renewable power, smart home energy devices and more.

By Julian Spector . 10 May 2023
Energy equity

Income-based electric bills: The newest utility fight in California

A state law calling for utility bills to be based on household income could drive adoption of EVs and heat pumps — or punish rooftop solar and efficiency.

By Jeff St. John . 9 May 2023
Carbon capture

EPA rules may push power plants to capture carbon. Is the tech ready?

The Biden administration is poised to propose new regulations for coal- and gas-burning power plants, which could breathe new life into a long-beleaguered technology.

By Maria Gallucci . 28 April 2023
Clean fleets

EV trucks and buses need costly grid updates. Should utilities pay?

A new study says ratepayers will come out ahead if utilities take on the upfront costs to build much-needed charging infrastructure for electric fleets.

By Jeff St. John . 20 April 2023
Solar

Pioneering project helps renters cash in on solar savings

By cleverly stacking an array of incentives and credits, two nonprofits are helping Minneapolis apartment dwellers slash their power bills by up to one-third.

By Frank Jossi . 14 April 2023