Duke Energy has filed a plan with North Carolina environmental agencies to remove millions of tons of coal ash from four of its sites in the state, the beginning of a massive coal ash remediation effort the company estimates will cost $3.4 billion.

Con Ed of New York filed a complaint with FERC stating its opposition to a cost allocation formula that PJM has devised for two transmission upgrades.

FERC yesterday approved the $6.8 billion merger of Exelon and Pepco Holdings Inc., dismissing concerns from PJM stakeholders.

Chastened by January’s price spikes, New York electric utilities are hedging 70% of their natural gas purchases this winter, up from 55% last year.

The New York Public Service Commission Thursday reiterated its approval of NRG Energy’s request to convert the Dunkirk coal-fired generator to natural gas.

Wisconsin utilities are joining those in sunnier climes in treating distributed solar as an existential threat.

Wisconsin Energy’s proposed $9.1 billion acquisition of Integrys Energy Group has generated some notable opposition — including Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.

FERC approved IPL’s request for a limited waiver from MISO’s must-offer requirement, relieving the company of having to purchase replacement capacity after its coal-fired Eagle Valley units retire in 2016.

FERC affirmed its June order reducing the return on equity for the NETOs, ordering the companies to provide refunds from Oct. 1, 2011.

NIPSCO has reached an agreement with environmentalists and consumer advocates on a new renewables tariff that will boost payments to small wind farms.