2019 was another busy year for the U.S. power sector and the ongoing energy transition. Capturing the extent of what transpired over the past 12 months in 10 stories is nearly impossible, but the list below provides a flavor of some of the most significant state, federal and business developments. While you're catching up on the top news of the year, consider filling out our State of the Electric Utility survey and providing your input on the present and future of the sector. And look out for our 2020 outlook pieces on energy storage, renewables, energy efficiency and other issues, coming in January. Happy New Year! Larry Pearl Senior Editor, Utility Dive Twitter | E-mail The order will raise the floor price for new generation bidding into PJM Interconnection that receives any form of state subsidy. | The plan "doubles down" on wind resources and "identifies battery storage as part of a least-cost portfolio for the first time." | The Oklahoma facility is also the first of its kind in the Southwest Power Pool, developers say. | Installation of more than 2,200 MWh of storage will be the first time a utility directly replaces multiple major fossil fuel generators with batteries. | Diverse stakeholders said the commission's proposal would leave small facilities in unregulated markets at a disadvantage, while several major utilities backed their trade group in supporting the changes. | UPDATED The Senate passed the spending bills on Thursday, which included a one-year tax credit extension for onshore wind, and incentives for geothermal, biodiesel and Native American-owned coal plants. | The settlements resolve two crucial components of PG&E's bankruptcy — its liabilities to committees representing wildfire victims and insurance companies. | New details of a denial-of-service attack earlier this year show an energy sector with uneven security. | The bill requires the state to phase out all natural gas and coal-fired plants by 2045, signifying a major shift in energy priorities since a new governor and a new crop of legislators took office in January. | UPDATED Federal regulators extended the approved lifespan of two of the Florida facility's units until 2052 and 2053. | |
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