The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority seeks applications from qualified contractors to assist its staff in conducting objective economic, technical, policy analysis, and analytical modeling to inform the state’s transition to a clean energy system. The initiative will advance the goals and priorities established in the 2025 New York State Energy Plan, including the delivery of affordable, reliable, abundant, and clean energy, while also fostering economic development, equity, and a healthy environment. Establishing the contractor pool will enhance NYSERDA staff’s capacity to carry out specialized, technical, and time-sensitive projects as needed. New York has a goal of sourcing 70 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 and becoming carbon-free by 2040. RFQL 6145

The Puerto Rico Energy Bureau will hold a virtual stakeholder workshop to discuss revisions to Puerto Rico’s interconnection regulations for distributed generation and microgrids. Recent legislation removed certain supplemental study and grid improvement charges for systems up to 25 kilowatts and directed the bureau to finalize updated regulations by Jan. 7, 2027. The workshop will review stakeholder comments from LUMA, the Independent Consumer Protection Office, and the Solar and Energy Storage Association of Puerto Rico, addressing multiple topics including interconnection timelines, fees, queue transparency, hosting capacity, and compensation for energy export curtailments. CEPR-MI-2018-0008

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority will hold a technical meeting to discuss flexible interconnection programs proposed by Eversource Energy and The United Illuminating Company (UI). Eversource submitted two options: a systemwide deployment using advanced grid management systems and a scheduled flexible interconnection model that builds on the first option using existing infrastructure to allow near-term access while full system capabilities are developed. UI proposed a two-phased approach beginning with a pilot program at selected substations before expanding statewide where all distribution circuits with available hosting capacity would become eligible for flexible interconnection after completing any necessary upgrades. The authority seeks stakeholder input including recommendations on which approach should be adopted and whether it should be uniformly applied across both the utilities.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities seeks written comments to conduct a review of how electric utilities operate and recover revenue, initiating one of the most sweeping regulatory reviews undertaken in decades amid rising electricity costs. In April, the board approved an independent consultant to lead a study on modernizing the state’s electric distribution company business model following an executive order issued in January. The study will examine potential reforms to utility regulation and ratemaking, including performance-based regulation, multi-year rate plans, and alternative earnings models aimed at improving affordability, reliability, and long-term customer value. READ MORE

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission seeks comments on a draft environmental impact statement for Red Oak Ridge Energy Center LLC’s proposed natural gas-fired electric generating facility with a total capacity of approximately 1,210 megawatts in Kenosha County. The proposed Red Oak Energy Center project would consist of five gas turbines and generators, each with an individual capacity of 242 megawatts, with a generation tie-line to connect the facility to the grid. The company expects the facility to provide power for over 192,000 homes and generate approximately $2.4 million in additional local revenue each year. 9837-CE-100

The California Energy Commission will consider Renew Development HoldCo LLC’s proposed 400-megawatt Potentia-Viridi battery storage project in eastern Alameda County. The Obra Maestra Renewable LLC subsidiary proposes to construct and operate the project on about 107 acres. The project would include up to 3,200-megawatt-hours of battery energy storage, a gen-tie line, and interconnection facilities within the Tesla Substation owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. 24-OPT-04

The California Air Resources Board and Quebec’s Ministry of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change will release the results of their 47th joint quarterly carbon auction, which offered allowances for current and future years. The current auction offered 2024 and 2026 vintage allowances totaling about 49.6 million, and the advance auction offered 2029 future allowances totaling about 6.5 million. The February auction sold all of the nearly 55 million allowances offered in the current auction at the floor price set at $27.94 per allowance, about 1.3 percent lower than the previous auction. California’s cap-and-invest program places an economy-wide cap on major emitting sources.

The California Air Resources Board will hold a public hearing to discuss proposed amendments to its cap-and-invest program, 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.