Utility outages cost the U.S.

In populated areas, underground utilities are the lifeblood of the community. These utilities require periodic maintenance, expansions and replacement. Therefore, underground utility construction is c...

Winter patterns this year are going to keep everyone guessing. For utilities, this kind of volatility poses a far greater challenge than cold alone.

(Reuters) -Utility company Black Hills (NYSE:BKH) said on Tuesday it would buy peer NorthWestern Energy Group for $3.6 billion. The all-stock deal, which has an enterprise value of $15.4 billion, would create a regional regulated natural gas utility company with a pro forma market capitalization of roughly $7.8 billion. NorthWestern shareholders will receive 0.98 shares of Black Hills for each held. Black Hills stockholders would own roughly 56% of the company after the deal closes, which is expected in 12 to 15 months.

The Utility Industry's Blunder: Ignoring Consumer Protection Amidst Rate Hikes U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd) has been vocal about the BPU board members' failure to address the looming rate hikes in New Jersey. The congressman claims that instead of focusing on consumer protection, the utility industry wasted time pushing their Green New Deal agenda. The green energy push may have seemed appealing at first, but it appears to be a distraction from more pressing issues like affordability and reliability. Van Drew emphasizes that real solutions like nuclear, solar, and natural gas were ignored while projects that could have helped consumers were shut down. Jersey Central Power & Light maintains that the utility and other major power companies in New Jersey do not profit from increased rates; rather, they reflect a higher price charged by PJM, the grid operator for New Jersey and 12 other states. However, this explanation falls short of addressing the concerns about rising energy costs. The PJM grid has faced criticism for its slow integration of new sources of energy, with Brian Lipman, director of the state Division of Rate Counsel, pointing out problems with the rules and the limited amount of generation available. The regulatory hurdles and capacity constraints are preventing more energy from being brought online. A recent decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has paved the way for faster connection requests at PJM, aiming to expand the grid's energy capacity and alleviate some of the pressure on consumers.