Utilities

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

Batteries

This utility keeps customers cool during heat waves while saving them money

Vermont’s Green Mountain Power helped thousands of customers get home batteries. Now it taps them at peak times to prevent high costs and grid outages.

By Julian Spector . 11 August 2022
Transmission

How to move more power with the transmission lines we already have

Grid-enhancing technologies enable us to get more out of existing power lines. Here’s an in-depth look at one such technology: dynamic line rating.

By Jeff St. John . 29 July 2022
Utilities

Utilities are planning to shift to clean energy — just not too quickly

CEO of electricity research group EPRI says U.S. utilities are poised to go big on solar, wind and batteries — but they aren't ready to give up their gas and coal plants just yet.

By Julian Spector . 22 July 2022
Grid edge

Smart electric panels in homes could prevent overtaxing the grid

As more homes are electrified, utility circuits could face major upgrade costs. Or smart panels and controls could help save the day, a new study says.

By Jeff St. John . 18 July 2022
Fossil fuels

Puerto Rico is pushing LNG when it says it's shifting to renewables

The U.S. territory has pledged to transition to clean energy, but it backed a controversial liquefied natural gas terminal and may increase LNG imports.

By Maria Gallucci . 5 July 2022
Climate crisis

Chart: Most voters support EPA limiting CO2 pollution from power plants

A hefty majority of likely voters dissent from the Supreme Court’s latest ruling on climate action.

By Maria Virginia Olano . 1 July 2022
Utilities

Supreme Court hamstrings federal efforts to clean up US power sector

The same six justices who overturned Roe v. Wade undercut Biden's climate agenda by restricting EPA's authority to rein in emissions from electricity production.

By Jeff St. John . 30 June 2022
Transmission

FERC has a new plan to connect clean energy to the grid more quickly

Federal regulators have proposed major reforms to clear huge backlogs of solar, wind and storage projects waiting to interconnect to U.S. power grids.

By Jeff St. John . 20 June 2022
Solar

Puerto Ricans are powering their own rooftop solar boom

Residents and shop owners are installing solar-plus-battery systems in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Will the government get on board?

By Maria Gallucci . 8 June 2022
Guides and how-tos

The power grid explained — plus demand response, virtual power plants and more

Canary Media defines the concepts that are key to a clean, distributed electricity system, from "behind the meter" to "balancing the grid."

By Alison F. Takemura . 2 June 2022