The New York Public Service Commission invites stakeholder comments on final engineering design and customer protection plans for utility thermal energy network pilot projects filed by New York State Electric & Gas Corporation and Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. The 2022 Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act allows for the creation of utility-scale thermal energy plants that would connect several buildings in a shared network. Such networks offer clean energy alternatives to natural gas, allowing utilities to offer customers a renewable energy source to meet their energy needs for heating and cooling. READ MORE

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation will hold a listening session in Plattsburgh to support meaningful engagement with communities that have environmental justice concerns. The event is the sixth in a series of listening sessions aimed at supporting ongoing efforts to enhance existing environmental justice programs to better serve communities, build relationships between the agency and community members, and help prioritize future outreach efforts for public participation. The Office of Environmental Justice works to address concerns that primarily affect low-income and minority communities through grant opportunities, implementation of environmental laws and regulations, consultation, guidance, and enhanced public participation.

The District of Columbia Public Service Commission will hold a technical conference to discuss Washington Gas Light Company’s system leak reduction and management practices. The conference will address leak reporting, examine the use of its Geographic Information System tool for mapping leaks, and evaluate the need for public access to recorded and/or repaired leaks. FC1178

The California Energy Commission will hold a workshop to discuss the fifth edition of the guidelines for its 2026 Demand Side Grid Support, or DSGS, program. Commission staff has issued a revised draft of the program guidelines, which seeks to refine and clarify program requirements for the 2026 season while aligning the program with the estimated funding level projected to be available after the 2025 compensation payout. The program offers incentives to electric customers who provide load reduction and backup generation to support the grid during extreme events with payments for committed capacity and for per-unit reductions in net load. The fourth edition of the program guidelines, adopted in April 2025, includes a newly added incentive option offering capacity-based compensation for load reduction capacity committed by dispatchable virtual power plants. 22-RENEW-01

The California Air Resources Board seeks written comments on proposed amendments to its cap-and-invest program, formerly known as cap-and-trade, a cornerstone of the state’s climate strategy. The action follows 2025 legislation extending the program, which sets a limit on major sources of greenhouse gas emissions and creates an economic incentive for polluters to invest in cleaner, more efficient energy technologies. The proposed amendments are designed to align the program with the state’s 2030 and 2045 climate targets while maintaining affordability, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory and market certainty for participants. The board will hold a public hearing on May 28.

The Oregon Public Utilities Commission seeks comments on Cascade Natural Gas Corporation’s application for adjustments to retail rates and charges applicable to its gas service. The company is seeking an increase of approximately $16.4 million, or 15.82 percent, with a return on equity of 10.4 percent. This represents an increase of $11.07, or 17.4 percent, for the typical residential customer using 59 therms per month. UG 525

The Washington Department of Ecology will issue a summary report of its 13th quarterly carbon auction, which offered current vintage allowances. The current auction offered 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 vintage allowances totaling about 5.3 million. The previous quarterly auction held in December sold out, with current allowances clearing at $70.86 per allowance and future allowances clearing at $29.40 per allowance. READ MORE