Week Ahead: Federal-State Current Issues Collaborative, CT Expands Clean Energy, CA’s Climate Laws
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Michigan PSC Sets New Rules to Expand Public Engagement in High-Voltage Transmission Siting
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…...
NERC Warns of Escalating Grid Reliability Risks as U.S. Power Demand Surges Over the Next Decade
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…...
U.S. Energy Department Announces $155 Million for 16 National Lab Projects to Boost Industrial Innovation
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…...
New York Unveils Utility Accountability Plan to Protect Ratepayers and Ensure a Reliable Grid
New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Jan. 13 unveiled a broad energy affordability and reliability agenda as part of her 2026 State of the State, advancing a utility accountability package designed to limit bill increases while ensuring the electric grid remains strong as demand grows. The plan combines consumer protection reforms, expanded customer assistance, and…...
Year Ahead: Five Must-Watch Power Sector Trends for 2026
The rapid growth of data centers, electrification, and manufacturing is driving a step change in electricity demand, compelling regulators and grid operators to revisit.…. Read the full report…...
Georgia Commission Approves 9.9 Gigawatts of New Generation for Data Centers With Ratepayer Protections
The Georgia Public Service Commission on Dec. 19 voted to approve an agreement allowing Georgia Power to move forward with 9,885 megawatts of new electricity generation, primarily intended to serve large new customers such as data centers, while shielding existing residential and business customers from higher rates. The approved capacity includes new natural gas generation,…...
FERC Orders PJM Rule Changes to Manage Data Center Power Demand, Protect Reliability
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Dec. 18 directed PJM Interconnection to revise its market rules to establish clear and transparent requirements for serving artificial intelligence driven data centers and other large electricity users co-located with generating facilities. The federal regulator determined that existing tariff provisions governing these arrangements are unjust and unreasonable, creating uncertainty…...
Michigan Regulator Takes Action to Strengthen Grid Resilience for Critical Community Facilities
The Michigan Public Service Commission on Dec. 5 approved a set of measures to improve electric service resilience for critical and priority facilities including hospitals, schools, long-term care centers, police and fire stations, and 911 call centers. The action adopts 13 recommendations from commission staff, intended to reinforce reliability expectations for sites central to public…...
State Actions Advance EV Charging Networks and Grid Preparedness
As federal incentives recede and national fuel economy standards face rollback, momentum for transportation electrification is shifting to states, where regulators are…Read the full report …...