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week of Aug. 27, 2026

The EnerKnol Week Ahead is back to give you the key energy policy events happening next week, all powered by the EnerKnol Platform. Coming up, Hawaii regulators explore a virtual power plant grid-services program to better integrate customer-sited resources and support grid operations; the South Carolina Public Service Commission examines the regulatory challenges and opportunities associated with the electrification of the transportation sector; and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposes to approve Alabama’s coal combustion residuals permit program.

Featured Entities


California EC

DOI

EPA

FERC

Hawaii PUC

New York PSC

Ohio PUCO

South Carolina PSC

Federal Agencies

Monday,
August 31
FERC NKY Gate Enhancement Project

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission seeks comments on its environmental assessment of Columbia Gas Transmission LLC’s proposed NKY Gate Enhancement Project. The project would enhance the safety, integrity, and reliability of the company’s existing natural gas transmission system by replacing vintage pipeline infrastructure originally installed in the 1950s with new, modern pipeline facilities. The company proposes to construct about 30.2 miles of new natural gas pipeline and abandon 48.5 miles of existing pipeline in Kentucky and Ohio.

Monday,
August 31
DOI Federal Oil, Gas, and Coal Valuation Rules

The U.S. Department of the Interior seeks public comments on proposed revisions to federal royalty valuation regulations for oil, natural gas, and coal produced on public lands to simplify valuation methodologies and reduce administrative requirements for producers. The proposal would streamline how the government determines the value of these resources for royalty purposes, eliminate reporting requirements deemed unnecessary, and provide clearer guidance intended to improve consistency and accuracy in industry-reported valuation data. READ MORE

Thursday,
September 3
EPA Alabama Coal Combustion Residuals Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a virtual hearing on its proposed approval of Alabama’s coal combustion residuals, or CCR, permit program. CCR consists of byproducts resulting from the combustion of coal in coal-fired power plants. The proposal would allow Alabama, rather than the federal government, to manage CCR disposal in surface impoundments and landfills. If finalized, Alabama would be the seventh state to receive CCR program approval under the Trump administration. In 2024, the agency denied Alabama’s 2021 request to run its own CCR permit program, finding that the state’s coal ash permits were less protective than federal law.

Friday,
September 4
FERC Green Chile Project

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is scheduled to issue its environmental assessment for Transwestern Pipeline Company LLC’s proposed Green Chile Project in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. The natural gas pipeline project would be capable of delivering up to 400,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas from a point of receipt on the El Paso Natural Gas Company LLC pipeline system to a point of delivery with Green Chile Ventures LLC. The project is designed to meet natural gas demand for power generation at a new artificial intelligence/data center campus. Transwestern proposes to construct about 17.8 miles of new natural gas pipeline and associated facilities. CP26-80-000

Eastern Region

Monday,
August 31
OH PUCO Enbridge Gas Ohio Rate Case

The Ohio Public Utilities Commission will hold a public hearing on Enbridge Gas Ohio’s application to increase natural gas distribution rates and for approval of an alternative rate plan. Enbridge seeks a rate increase of approximately $163.1 million, or 17.28 percent, which would raise a residential customer’s monthly bill by $9.49. Commission staff recommended an increase in the range of $112.6 million to $129.4 million, or 11.86 to 13.63 percent. Under the staff recommendation, a typical residential monthly bill would increase by about $5.90.

Tuesday,
September 1
SC PSC Transportation Electrification Regulatory Issues

The South Carolina Public Service Commission will hold a hearing to examine regulatory challenges and opportunities associated with the electrification of the transportation sector. The proceeding is part of a recurring review required under a 2021 law, which directed the commission to study issues across several topics, including grid integration and resource planning, charging infrastructure development, rate design and load management strategies, grid investments, data management, and reliability and affordability issues. The law requires the commission to report its findings to the Joint Committee on the Electrification of Transportation and open a new docket at least every three years to study these regulatory issues and submit a report. The commission submitted its initial report in 2024, following a review conducted in Docket No. 2023-121-E. 2026-77-E

Friday,
September 4
NY PSC PSEG Utility 2.0 Plan

The New York Department of Public Service seeks reply comments on PSEG Long Island’s 2026 Utility 2.0 Long Range Plan annual update, which includes its 2027 Building Efficiency & Electrification Plan. PSEG Long Island has proposed a 2027 budget of approximately $102.4 million for the two programs combined. Filed in accordance with the Long Island Power Authority Reform Act, the purpose of the plan is to implement energy efficiency measures, distributed generation, or advanced grid technology programs, which provide customers with tools to better manage their energy usage and utility bills, while improving system reliability and power quality. The department will review the filings and issue formal recommendations to the Long Island Power Authority.

Western Region

Monday,
August 31
CA EC 2026 Integrated Energy Policy Report Update

The California Energy Commission will hold a workshop to discuss the electricity rate forecast as well as inputs and assumptions for various load modifiers for the 2026 Integrated Energy Policy Report, or IEPR, update. The electricity rate forecast is a 15-year forecast of electricity rates across multiple sectors and investor-owned utilities. A load modifier is a category of electric power demand with a load pattern that differs from the existing system load. Load modifiers that will be addressed in the workshop include behind-the-meter PV and storage, as well as additional achievable energy efficiency, fuel substitution, and transportation electrification. The commission prepares an IEPR report every two years that includes assessments and forecasts of all aspects of energy industry supply, production, transportation, delivery and distribution, demand, and prices. 26-IEPR-03

Wednesday,
September 2
HI PUC VPP Grid Services Program

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission will hold a technical conference to discuss the design and implementation of a virtual power plant grid-services program across Hawaiian Electric’s service territories. The commission opened a proceeding in April to develop such a program, exploring how customer-sited energy resources, including rooftop solar and battery storage, can be more effectively coordinated and incentivized to support grid operations. 2026-0084