Utilities

Policy & regulation

The top 6 ambitious state climate laws passed in 2021

Progress may be stalled in D.C., but there's real momentum on the state level, from blue states like Oregon to red states like North Carolina.

By Jeff St. John . 28 December 2021
Policy & regulation

The avoided-cost calculator: The controversial metric at the center of California’s solar net-metering fight

Tying rooftop solar payments to climate and grid benefits makes sense in theory. But in the real world, it could get very messy.

By Jeff St. John . 16 December 2021
Policy & regulation

California net-metering proposal would decimate rooftop solar market, industry says

The solar industry is “shocked” by plan to impose new fees for rooftop systems and slash payments for solar fed to the grid. Will the CPUC change course?

By Jeff St. John . 14 December 2021
Solar

The controversies at the heart of California’s solar net-metering fight

The future of rooftop solar in the country’s biggest solar market is up for grabs. Here’s what’s on the table.

By Jeff St. John . 10 December 2021
Transmission

Grid operator MISO's transmission plan would split its region in two

Divvying up costs between MISO's north and south regions could solve a long-running fight over who pays for new transmission lines. But will the plan pass muster with federal regulators?

By Andy Kowalczyk . 7 December 2021
Batteries

What's better than a big battery? How about a big battery you can move around

Power Edison is putting megawatt-scale batteries on truck trailers and barges to bring more flexibility to a costly yet valuable energy-storage resource.

By Jeff St. John . 6 December 2021
Utilities

Solar and green groups buy into Duke's net-metering plan in North Carolina

The state's dominant utility has proposed time-varying solar rates and smart-thermostat incentives, and solar advocates are on board.

By Jeff St. John . 2 December 2021
Electric vehicles

Want a new EV delivered to your house overnight?

New startup Motor handles all the logistics for getting an electric car on a monthly subscription basis.

By Julian Spector . 23 November 2021
Energy efficiency

California has a plan to pay efficiency providers to help prevent blackouts

Proposed $150 million program could boost batteries, EV chargers, smart thermostats and building retrofits, all to help ease summer grid stress.

By Jeff St. John . 19 November 2021
Policy & regulation

Senate confirms Willie Phillips to FERC, giving Democrats a majority

The federal agency can now tackle its backlog of decisions to make on natural gas, transmission, interstate energy markets and more.

By Jeff St. John . 17 November 2021