The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities will hold a virtual public hearing on petitions filed by Eversource Energy, National Grid, and Unitil seeking approval of long-term power purchase agreements for battery storage projects totaling 1,068 megawatts pursuant to Section 83E of the Green Communities Act. The agreements are with Jupiter Power and Flatiron Energy for projects in Everett, Chelsea, and Somerset. The agreements are the result of a competitive solicitation conducted by the Department of Energy Resources and joint negotiations of the final contracts by the utilities to purchase their pro rata share of the environmental attributes produced by the combined projects. Under Section 83E, the distribution companies are required to enter into cost-effective long-term contracts for approximately 5,000 megawatts of energy storage by July 31, 2030. READ MORE

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority seeks applications for a $25 million funding program to support clean, high-performance building projects that would modernize buildings and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The Building Cleaner Communities Competition will provide incentives for new construction and existing building renovation projects designed to achieve carbon neutral or net zero energy performance. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate resiliency strategies such as areas of refuge within buildings for emergencies, thermal energy network connections, and backup power, with special focus on projects that reduce peak energy usage and lower refrigerant use. The program prioritizes incentives for regionally significant, mixed-use facilities and projects located in low- to moderate-income communities or disadvantaged communities, as identified by the state’s Climate Justice Working Group.

The California Independent System Operator Corporation will host the annual Resource Interconnection Standards Fair, an education forum intended to provide stakeholders the opportunity to learn more about its generator interconnection process and prepare for the Cluster 16 interconnection request window scheduled to open on Oct. 1, 2026. The forum will feature presentations and discussions detailing requirements for connecting new resources to the ISO grid. Sessions will cover the full interconnection process, from submitting an application to declaration of commercial operation. READ MORE

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will hold a workshop to inform the development of a policy statement addressing large load interconnections for regulated electric utilities. While these utilities have not seen the large load growth experienced by other areas of the state and country, the commission is taking proactive steps to help balance economic development opportunities with customer protections. Large load customers pose unique risks and opportunities for traditional business models, especially in the constrained power system of the Pacific Northwest. The commission will focus on developing principles and policies related to large loads seeking service from and interconnection with investor-owned utilities. READ MORE