Business & Corporate | NEW YORK, Jun 18, 2013 -- BUSINESS WIRE

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the existing Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) and instrument ratings of Duke Energy Corp. (DUK) and its subsidiaries. Fitch has also withdrawn the commercial paper ratings of Duke Energy Progress, LLC (DEP) and Duke Energy Florida, LLC (DEF).

Hydro | DULUTH, Minn., Jun 18, 2013 -- BUSINESS WIRE

Minnesota Power, a division of ALLETE Inc. (NYSE: ALE), said today it expects to have its largest hydro station, which has been out of commission due to flooding one year ago, partially back in operation by the end of this year and fully restored in 2014.

Business & Corporate | PLAINFIELD, Ind., June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire

Duke Energy has selected five Indiana properties for participation in its 2013 Site Readiness Program to prepare the properties for potential industrial development.

Grid Operations | GREENSBURG, Pa., June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire

West Penn Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), continues to conduct vegetation management work across its 24-county service area in Pennsylvania as part of its ongoing efforts to help enhance system reliability.

International | DUBAI, Jun 18, 2013 -- Xinhua

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority DEWA said on Tuesday that it has paid off worth 3.2 billion Dirham (about 872 million U.S. dollars) worth of Islamic bonds.

Business & Corporate | SAN DIEGO, June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire

The board of directors of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) today declared a quarterly dividend of $0.63 per share of common stock. The current dividend is payable July 15, 2013, to shareholders of record on June 28, 2013.

Policy, Regulatory & Legal | WASHINGTON, Jun 18, 2013 -- BUSINESS WIRE

The Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC) today thanked Reps. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), William Enyart (D-Ill.), Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), David Loebsack (D-Iowa), Scott Peters (D-Calif.) and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) for an amendment to the House Farm Bill that would provide more than $1 billion in mandatory funding over the next five years for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs and extend eligibility to renewable chemicals in Energy Title programs.

Energy Storage | Jun 18 - Dayton Daily News (OH)

A subsidiary to the parent company of DPL Inc. is making an approximately $20 million investment in the Dayton area, building a battery array at a local generating station to stabilize power service to the region and beyond.

Policy, Regulatory & Legal | Jun 18 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Candy Woodall The York Dispatch, Pa.

An energy-saving program that often drew heated complaints from electric customers has been suspended, according to the Pennsylvania Utility Commission.

Grid Operations | CHICAGO, June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire

ComEd today announced it will host three open houses in July to seek input from the public regarding the utility's proposed Grand Prairie Gateway Project, a new 345,000 volt (345kV) electric transmission line to be constructed between ComEd's existing substations near the communities of Byron and Wayne.

Business & Corporate | TEMPE, Ariz., Jun 18, 2013 -- BUSINESS WIRE

First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) ("First Solar") today announced the closing of an underwritten public offering of 9,747,000 shares of its common stock, including 1,247,000 shares issued and sold as a result of the exercise of substantially all of the underwriters' over-allotment option on June 17, 2013, at a public offering price of $46.00 per share.

Wind | Jun 18 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Kevin Bonham Grand Forks Herald

Lake Region State College will dedicate a 1.6-megawatt wind turbine Wednesday.

Business & Corporate | DALLAS, Jun 18, 2013 -- BUSINESS WIRE

Entrepreneurs and small business operators often approach electricity contracting for their businesses the way they do for their homes. That can be a costly mistake, particularly in competitive areas of the state.

Policy, Regulatory & Legal | WASHINGTON, Jun 18, 2013 -- UPI

The Obama administration is considering a plan that would address climate change and limit carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, sources said.

Policy, Regulatory & Legal | Jun 18 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Elizabeth Skrapits The Citizens' Voice, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is calling out officials at the PPL Susquehanna Steam nuclear power plant in Salem Township for not reporting that employees in highly skilled positions have medical conditions that could potentially impact their jobs.