The California Public Utilities Commission on April 30 approved a change in how the state’s Climate Credit is delivered, moving the bill relief to months when household energy costs are typically highest. The adjustment is intended to improve affordability by aligning financial support with periods of peak electricity and heating demand, without requiring any action…...
PJM Interconnection on April 29 reported that 811 generation projects totaling about 220 gigawatts have applied to connect to its system under the first cycle of a redesigned interconnection process, marking a shift toward faster and more predictable project reviews as electricity demand accelerates. The application window closed April 27, and the grid operator has…...
The Bureau of Land Management on April 28 completed an oil and gas lease sale covering 23 parcels across North Dakota and South Dakota, generating a record high of nearly $44.4 million in total receipts and leasing almost 9,000 acres. The lease sale was conducted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which resets the…...
Policy actions are delaying planned U.S. coal plant retirements, keeping plants operating beyond scheduled closures to…Read the full report …...
Policy actions are delaying planned U.S. coal plant retirements, keeping plants operating beyond scheduled closures to support grid reliability amid rising electricity demand. In 2025, 8 gigawatts (GW) of coal capacity was expected to be retired, but only 2.6 GW were shut down, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
New York Independent System Operator on April 24 released its annual Summer Reliability Assessment, identifying a tightening supply cushion ahead of peak demand season. The grid operator projects a baseline reliability margin of 417 megawatts (MW), marking the lowest level in recent history and signaling growing pressure on the state’s power system. The assessment indicates…...
EnerKnol Team On-Site at the CBA Environmental Energy and Resources Law Summit 2026 EnerKnol is attending the CBA Environmental Energy and Resources Law Summit, taking place April 27–28, 2026, at the Halifax Convention Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The summit will bring together legal professionals, regulators, and industry leaders to discuss key developments shaping energy…...
The New York State Department of Public Service on April 22 announced that the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission issued final siting permits to AES Clean Power for three renewable energy projects totaling 343 megawatts across Clinton, Jefferson, and Lewis counties. The approvals mark a continued push to expand…...
President Donald Trump on April 20 issued a series of presidential determinations under the Defense Production Act directing the U.S. Department of Energy to accelerate domestic energy production, infrastructure, and supply chains, citing urgent national security risks tied to inadequate capacity and foreign dependence. The action follows Executive Order 14156, which declared a national energy…...
Recent legislative and regulatory actions signal a broader shift toward streamlining permitting and modernizing environmental reviews, supporting increased…Read the full report …...
Recent legislative and regulatory actions signal a broader shift toward streamlining permitting and modernizing environmental reviews, supporting increased oil and gas production and accelerating infrastructure development.
PJM Interconnection on April 17 released its 2025 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan report, outlining a significant pipeline of transmission investments and planning reforms aimed at maintaining grid reliability across its multi-state footprint. The grid operator identified 122 new baseline transmission projects with an estimated cost of $11.8 billion to address shifting power flows and system…...
The Public Utility Commission of Texas on April 17 introduced a standardized blueprint and guidelines for electric utilities to develop wildfire mitigation plans, aiming to strengthen grid reliability and reduce wildfire risk across the state. The action follows a rule adopted in November 2025 requiring utilities to prepare plans addressing wildfire threats to electric infrastructure…...
EnerKnol to Join Western Energy Leaders at the WCPSC 2026 Annual Meeting As the energy landscape across the western United States undergoes rapid transformation, staying ahead of regulatory shifts is more critical than ever. To engage with these pressing industry changes, EnerKnol will be attending the Western Conference of Public Service Commissioners (WCPSC) 2026 Annual…...
The New York Public Service Commission on April 16 adopted comprehensive cybersecurity regulations for electric, gas, steam, and water utilities, establishing one of the most stringent frameworks in the U.S. to safeguard critical infrastructure and customer data. The action advances statutory requirements under state law directing utilities to strengthen privacy protections while addressing growing cyber…...
Williams Companies on April 14 broke ground on the Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline designed to transport natural gas from Pennsylvania into New York City and Long Island. Federal officials participated in the groundbreaking ceremony, underscoring renewed momentum for a long-delayed natural gas expansion. The project, an expansion of the existing Transco natural gas pipeline system,…...
New York Governor Kathy Hochul on April 13 announced up to $150 million in supplemental funding to accelerate the deployment of energy-efficient heat pump systems across small residential buildings statewide, advancing the state’s broader push toward building electrification and emissions reduction. The funding will be administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal through…...
Meet the EnerKnol Team at the 2026 EBA Annual Meeting and Conference With the regulatory landscape continuously evolving, the Energy Bar Association will host its 2026 Annual Meeting and Conference on April 14–15, 2026, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The event will bring together attorneys, regulators and energy professionals to discuss key developments shaping energy…...
The regulatory landscape for distributed energy is evolving to…Read the full report …...
The regulatory landscape for distributed energy is evolving to address changing grid needs and expand access to solar power.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on April 6 finalized revisions to its 2024 Clean Air Act standards for oil and natural gas operations, commonly referred to as OOOOb/c, easing certain requirements to reduce compliance costs and operational constraints for industry participants. The action modifies provisions in the Biden administration’s regulations governing emissions from new and…...
As hyperscale data centers reshape electricity load profiles, nuclear power is emerging as a scalable, zero-carbon source of reliable, dispatchable power source critical to strengthening grid stability. The current momentum behind…Read the full report…...
As hyperscale data centers reshape electricity load profiles, nuclear power is emerging as a scalable, zero-carbon source of reliable, dispatchable power source critical to strengthening grid stability. The current momentum behind nuclear power reflects a convergence of AI-driven data center growth, mounting reliability constraints in existing power systems, and technology companies turning to firm energy sources.
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on April 3 approved Xcel Energy’s phase 2 of its Capacity Connect initiative, advancing a plan to build a distributed network of battery storage systems designed to support grid reliability and clean energy integration. The program establishes a utility-owned virtual power plant, or VPP, by linking multiple smaller battery units…...
EnerKnol is heading to Washington, D.C. for the 2026 EBA Annual Meeting and Conference! As the energy sector faces a tidal wave of regulatory reform, staying ahead of the curve requires more than just news, it requires actionable intelligence. We are thrilled to join the nation’s leading legal and energy minds at the Omni Shoreham…...
Southwest Power Pool on April 2 announced the launch of expanded grid operations that extend its service territory into the Western Interconnection, making it the first U.S. grid operator to span two major power systems. The organization’s expanded operations officially began at midnight central time on April 1, following months of coordinated testing, simulation, and…...
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on March 31 accepted the first phase of capacity market reforms proposed by ISO New England, advancing efforts to align the region’s power market design with a rapidly changing resource mix. The decision marks a key milestone in a multi-year stakeholder process aimed at improving reliability outcomes and ensuring consumers…...
EnerKnol Team to attend the 2026 EBA Annual Meeting and Conference EnerKnol will attend the 2026 EBA Annual Meeting and Conference, taking place April 14 to 15, 2026, at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C. The event convenes attorneys, regulators, and energy professionals from across the country to discuss key developments shaping energy law and…...
Efforts to accelerate grid-scale battery storage are expanding as the technology is increasingly deployed as an effective tool for…Read the full report …...
Efforts to accelerate grid-scale battery storage are expanding as the technology is increasingly deployed as an effective tool for peak demand management, lowering system costs and improving resilience.
The Michigan Public Service Commission on March 27 approved a rate increase for Consumers Energy to support continued investments in electric grid reliability and reduce outage frequency and duration. The decision authorizes a $276.6 million increase in base rates, including $21.7 million in deferred operations and maintenance expenses and $14.6 million tied to cloud computing…...
PJM Interconnection and its stakeholders on March 26 advanced a set of proposals aimed at accelerating the connection of large-load customers, including data centers, while addressing mounting reliability and affordability concerns. The grid operator’s Markets and Reliability Committee approved two issue charges to examine a “connect-and-manage” approach, establishing a dedicated senior task force set to…...
The U.S. Energy Department on March 25 announced a $50 million funding opportunity to support tribal-led energy development, with a focus on expanding access to affordable, reliable, and secure power across Indian Country. The funding will be directed toward both community-scale projects and early-stage planning for larger developments that can drive long-term economic growth. The…...
The U.S Interior Department on March 23 announced an agreement with TotalEnergies to terminate two offshore wind leases and redirect roughly $1 billion toward domestic oil, natural gas, and liquefied natural gas development, marking a shift in federal energy priorities toward conventional resources. Under the agreement, TotalEnergies will invest about $928 million in 2026 across…...
Recent developments across U.S. carbon markets reflect growing momentum, as states expand…Read the full report …...
Recent developments across U.S. carbon markets reflect growing momentum, as states expand participation and reinforce long-term policy frameworks amid mixed auction outcomes.
The U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Commerce on March 20 announced a public-private partnership with SoftBank and AEP Ohio to redevelop federal land, expand energy infrastructure, and support advanced computing development in southern Ohio. The initiative centers on the Portsmouth site in Pike County, where SB Energy, part of SoftBank Group, plans to…...
The New York Public Service Commission on March 19 adopted a natural gas customer bill of rights, establishing conditions utilities must meet before imposing a moratorium on new gas service. The action creates a uniform framework to manage supply constraints while strengthening protections for both existing and prospective customers. The regulator requires gas utilities to…...
The New York Public Service Commission on March 19 approved updated Electric Emergency Response Plans, or ERPs, for major investor-owned utilities, advancing statewide standards for outage preparedness and interagency coordination. The action applies to Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation, New York State Electric and Gas Corporation, National Grid,…...
The U.S. Energy Department on March 17 announced a $293 million funding opportunity aimed at advancing the Genesis Mission, a major initiative focused on applying artificial intelligence to complex national challenges across science and energy systems. The effort seeks to mobilize interdisciplinary teams to develop next-generation AI tools capable of addressing more than 20 priority…...
As the energy sector grapples with unprecedented load growth, aging infrastructure, and necessary grid modernization, state utility regulators are increasingly… Read the full report …...
As the energy sector grapples with unprecedented load growth, aging infrastructure, and necessary grid modernization, state utility regulators are increasingly facing complex decisions about balancing these system needs with customer affordability.
The U.S. Energy Department on March 13 announced up to $500 million in funding to expand domestic processing of critical minerals and strengthen the nation’s battery materials supply chain. The funding opportunity through the department’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation would support demonstration and commercial-scale facilities that process, recycle, or manufacture battery materials…...
NARUC Innovation Webinar: Free Datasets and Tools to Benchmark Rates and Analyze Affordability The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) will host an Innovation Webinar on March 26, 2026, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET. This webinar explores two tools that can help regulators navigate these challenges through open-source, transparent databases and models: the…...
The U.S. Energy Department on March 12 announced a $1.9 billion funding opportunity aimed at accelerating upgrades to the nation’s electric transmission system as electricity demand rises across the country. The initiative focuses on rapidly increasing the capacity of existing power lines while strengthening grid reliability and lowering electricity costs for households and businesses. The…...
NARUC Virtual Roundtable Series: Load Growth and Large Loads, Session 3 The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) will hold Session 3 of its Virtual Roundtable Series for Regulators on January 20, February 19, and March 9, 2026, bringing state utility commissioners together to discuss load growth, large electricity users, and practical strategies for…...
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities on March 4 approved a series of actions to expand clean energy generation, improve grid reliability, and help control electricity costs for households and businesses across the state. The measures include incentives for large-scale battery storage, new solar awards under the Competitive Solar Incentive Program, or CSIP, and…...
Regulators and grid operators across the U.S. are actively reforming interconnection processes to support the growth of new power generation resources amid surging electricity demand from AI data centers, manufacturing, and electrification. These actions also aim to…Read the full report …...
Regulators and grid operators across the U.S. are actively reforming interconnection processes to support the growth of new power generation resources amid surging electricity demand from AI data centers, manufacturing, and electrification. These actions also aim to address emerging challenges arising from the rapid growth of new large loads, which can introduce planning uncertainty and require substantial investments in transmission and other grid infrastructure.
PJM Interconnection on March 2 reported that it has advanced two board-directed reforms aimed at addressing a widening electricity supply-demand imbalance driven largely by rapid data center growth across its footprint. The grid operator on Feb. 27 filed proposals with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend its existing capacity auction price collar and to…...
2026 NARUC DER Interconnection Initiative Kickoff Webinar The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) will host a kickoff webinar on March 5, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET to launch a 9-month initiative helping state commissions improve utility interconnection processes and make connections to distribution systems faster and more affordable. To learn more…...
State efforts to modernize gas utility planning are reconfiguring regulatory frameworks to align with climate policies and energy transition goals. These actions prioritize…Read the full report …...
State efforts to modernize gas utility planning are reconfiguring regulatory frameworks to align with climate policies and energy transition goals. These actions prioritize system reliability while responding to evolving market and technology conditions.
The California Air Resources Board on Feb. 26 approved the adoption of a regulation establishing a fee assessment structure to implement the state’s 2023 climate disclosure laws, which require large U.S.-based companies doing business in California to report greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risk. The regulation sets a first-year reporting deadline and enables the…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Feb. 25 announced a $171.5 million funding opportunity to support next-generation geothermal field-scale testing and exploration drilling aimed at expanding reliable domestic power supply. The initiative focuses on enhanced geothermal systems and advanced drilling to improve resource characterization and confirm promising geothermal prospects across the country. The opportunity is designed…...
The U.S. Energy Department’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing on Feb. 25 announced a $26.5 billion financing package to support major electricity infrastructure investments by Southern Company subsidiaries serving Georgia and Alabama. The initiative is designed to lower electricity costs, strengthen grid reliability, and expand firm generation resources across the Southeast. The loans will fund…...
The U.S. Energy Information Administration on Feb. 23 reported that power plant owners and operators planned to retire nearly 11 gigawatts of utility-scale generating capacity in 2026, but recent federal reliability actions have already delayed several closures and could continue to reshape the timeline. Coal-fired plants and older natural gas units account for almost all…...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Feb. 20 finalized a rule repealing the 2024 amendments to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, or MATS, for coal- and oil-fired power plants, restoring the original 2012 requirements. The action returns compliance obligations to the earlier framework, which regulators determined continues to protect public health while reducing compliance…...
Emerging regulatory initiatives are placing greater scrutiny on competitive retail electricity markets to…Read the full report…...
Emerging regulatory initiatives are placing greater scrutiny on competitive retail electricity markets to enhance transparency, accountability, and consumer protection.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on Feb. 19 launched the Community Charging phase of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, or NEVI, program, directing $100 million in federal funding toward public electric vehicle charging stations in local communities. The initiative expands deployment beyond interstate corridors and is intended to improve everyday charging access while supporting the…...
Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Action: EnerKnol at #NARUCWinter26 EnerKnol has officially wrapped up a high-impact week at the NARUC 2026 Winter Policy Summit in Washington, D.C. As a proud sponsor and long-standing partner, we were honored to stand alongside the regulators and industry leaders who are actively shaping the North American energy landscape…....
The California Independent System Operator on Feb. 13 reported that the Western Energy Imbalance Market delivered $1.62 billion in economic benefits to participating utilities in 2025, raising total cumulative savings to $8.24 billion since the market launched in 2014. The real-time market enables balancing authorities across the Western U.S. to buy and sell electricity every…...
Federal rollbacks and state initiatives are reshaping the policy landscape for transportation decarbonization in the U.S. With federal vehicle emission standards repealed and…Read the full report …...
Federal rollbacks and state initiatives are reshaping the policy landscape for transportation decarbonization in the U.S. With federal vehicle emission standards repealed and fuel economy targets facing a rollback, states continue to advance efforts to support the transition to low- and zero-emission transportation.
PJM Board of Managers on Feb. 12 approved a portfolio of transmission projects designed to strengthen electric grid reliability across its multi-state service territory, as part of the 2025 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan Window 1. The plan targets’ reliability needs in eastern, southern, and western portions of the footprint and reflects rapid shifts in electricity…...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Feb. 12 announced a final rule rescinding the 2009 endangerment finding and eliminating federal greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles and engines beginning with model year 2012 and extending beyond model year 2027. The final rule is expected to save more than $1.3 trillion by eliminating regulatory requirements…...
The New York State Public Service Commission on Feb. 12 approved regulations to accelerate grid modernization by streamlining the environmental review, permitting, and siting of major renewable energy and electric transmission facilities. The rules implement the Renewable Action Project Interconnection and Deployment Act, or RAPID Act, and will be administered by the Office of Renewable…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Feb. 11 awarded $175 million to six projects aimed at modernizing and extending the life of coal-fired power plants serving rural and remote communities, advancing a broader $525 million initiative to strengthen existing generation assets and bolster grid reliability. The funding targets upgrades designed to improve plant efficiency, increase dependable…...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Feb. 6 finalized a rule extending key compliance deadlines for coal combustion residual management unit, or CCRMU, and groundwater monitoring requirements, providing regulated utilities with additional time to meet federal coal ash standards while maintaining protections for public health and the environment. The action aligns with broader federal efforts…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Feb. 9 launched the Genesis Mission Consortium, a new public-private partnership aimed at accelerating the use of artificial intelligence to advance scientific discovery, strengthen national security, and reinforce U.S. leadership in energy and emerging technologies. The initiative supports the department’s broader Genesis Mission and aligns with recent executive actions by…...
The Trump administration is continuing sweeping environmental rollbacks, from revising nitrogen oxide standards for stationary combustion turbines to proposing a reset of…Read the full report …...
The Trump administration is continuing sweeping environmental rollbacks, from revising nitrogen oxide standards for stationary combustion turbines to proposing a reset of federal fuel economy standards. These actions are unfolding alongside an intensified push to expand fossil fuels, including opening more than 13 million acres to coal leasing and advancing a more expansive offshore oil and gas leasing program.
Bridging Data and Policy: EnerKnol at the NARUC Winter Policy Summit The NARUC 2026 Winter Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., remains the premier gathering for regulators and industry leaders defining the North American energy landscape. As a proud sponsor and long-standing partner, EnerKnol is thrilled to be on the ground, facilitating the transition from complex…...
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Feb. 2 accepted a proposal from PJM Interconnection to create a new process for transferring Capacity Interconnection Rights from a retiring power plant to a replacement resource at the same site, separate from the traditional interconnection review. The decision is intended to accelerate replacement generation and support reliability as…...
Electricity demand is rising faster and more unevenly than anticipated, drawing increased attention to long-term resource planning and…Read the full report…...
Electricity demand is rising faster and more unevenly than anticipated, drawing increased attention to long-term resource planning and rate design approaches.
Powering Policy: EnerKnol Joins the NARUC 2026 Winter Summit Just 6 days to go! EnerKnol is excited to return to Washington, D.C., for the NARUC Winter Policy Summit, taking place February 8–11, 2026. For more than a decade, EnerKnol has been a proud partner and exhibitor at NARUC events, engaging with regulators, utility executives, and…...
The Michigan Public Service Commission on Jan. 29 approved new voluntary filing guidelines aimed at improving public engagement and increasing routing flexibility for proposed high-voltage electric transmission lines, a move designed to address landowner concerns and strengthen confidence in the state’s transmission siting process. The action establishes clearer expectations for transmission developers seeking certificates of…...
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation on Jan. 29 released its 2025 Long-Term Reliability Assessment, finding that resource adequacy risks across the North American bulk power system are intensifying over the next 10 years as electricity demand accelerates faster than new generation and infrastructure additions. The assessment identifies rapid growth in large loads, particularly data…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Jan. 28 launched a new initiative to strengthen domestic nuclear energy capabilities by issuing a request for information inviting states to express interest in hosting Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses. The action represents an early step toward potential voluntary federal and state partnerships designed to modernize the nation’s nuclear fuel cycle…...
Meet EnerKnol at NARUC Winter Policy Summit 2026 For more than a decade, EnerKnol has been a proud partner and exhibitor at NARUC Winter Policy Summit. We are excited to return to Washington, D.C., from February 8–11, 2026, alongside regulators, utility executives, and policy leaders addressing today’s most critical issues in energy, telecommunications, and water…...
While the federal landscape for solar energy has shifted toward more restrictive policies and spending cuts, state efforts to expand…Read the full report …...
While the federal landscape for solar energy has shifted toward more restrictive policies and spending cuts, state efforts to expand deployment are increasingly shaping the pace and direction of growth.
The U.S. Energy Department’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation on Jan. 22 selected 16 projects totaling $155 million to expand capabilities at the U.S. National Laboratories to develop and scale technologies that improve industrial efficiency and competitiveness. The awards are designed to drive process innovation, lower production costs, and strengthen long-term economic value…...
