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

Geothermal

Utilities may use their pipes for geothermal heat instead of gas

Several utilities in the Northeast already have pilots underway to explore a switch to networked geothermal. Will it help them ride out the energy transition?

By Lisa Prevost . 13 February 2023
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