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)

Politics

Minnesota's new climate bill is ambitious: 100% clean energy by 2040

The legislation, which is about to be signed into law, will move the state to all carbon-free electricity, streamline permitting and set pay standards for energy workers.

By Zoya Teirstein . 6 February 2023
Fossil fuels

Clean energy is cheaper than coal across the whole US, study finds

Almost every coal-fired power plant in the country could be cost-effectively replaced by local solar or wind and batteries, according to a groundbreaking new analysis.

By Jeff St. John . 31 January 2023
Hydrogen

This utility is blending hydrogen into fossil gas. Can it scale?

Some households in Minnesota have been using a gas blend with 5% hydrogen to cook and heat their homes. Results have been positive so far.

By Frank Jossi . 31 January 2023
Long-duration energy storage

Xcel to install Form’s long-duration batteries at retiring coal plants

The utility is testing Form’s 100-hour storage tech to achieve its lofty carbon-reduction goals — and at a scale bigger than nearly any battery plant on earth.

By Julian Spector . 27 January 2023
Fossil fuels

Can clean-energy advocates stop new gas plants in North Carolina?

Duke Energy wants new gas plants and limits on new solar. Regulators are going along for now. But opponents say federal incentives make clean energy the best choice.

By Jeff St. John . 12 January 2023
Politics

This newly elected firebrand wants to bring renewables to Louisiana

A political rookie who describes himself as "Entergy's worst nightmare" ousted a long-time incumbent by promising to advance clean energy and hold a reviled utility to account.

By Emily Pontecorvo, Lylla Younes . 19 December 2022
Fossil fuels

How states are trying to fit gas utilities into a low-carbon future

California and Colorado are the latest states to boost oversight of how gas utilities spend their customers’ money. The goal: avoiding "stranded assets."

By Jeff St. John . 7 December 2022
Energy equity

Low-income families don't get a fair share of energy-efficiency funds

Utility programs that help residents cut energy costs are leaving out low-income households. What are the fixes?

By Alison F. Takemura . 2 December 2022
Transmission

NY project will use high-tech sensors to get more clean energy onto grid

National Grid and LineVision are expanding the capacity of New York’s grid to carry greater amounts of wind power. Why aren’t more U.S. utilities doing the same?

By Jeff St. John . 29 November 2022
Utilities

Hawaii moves to time-varying 'smart' rates for most utility customers

The first-in-the-nation statewide plan will nudge residents to shift their energy use to times that best align with Hawaii's increasingly solar-powered grid.

By Julian Spector . 8 November 2022