The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Oct. 15 proposed two measures to streamline oversight of natural gas infrastructure, including changes to environmental reviews and a new authorization framework for liquefied natural gas facilities. The proposals aim to reduce regulatory duplication, simplify approvals, and provide greater certainty for project developers while retaining environmental safeguards. In a…...
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on Sept. 25 launched a statewide investigation into the affordability of electric and natural gas service, opening a broad review of how regulatory decisions, state and federal requirements, and other cost drivers affect customer bills. The effort will examine whether the commission’s existing oversight tools are sufficient to address affordability…...
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Sep. 21 signed a package of seven bills that strengthen oversight of data center development by requiring greater transparency on electricity, water, and land-use impacts while preventing developers from shifting infrastructure costs onto ratepayers. The legislation gives local governments more information to evaluate proposed projects as California seeks to accommodate…...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Sep. 14 finalized a repeal of most of the Biden administration’s 2024 greenhouse gas standards for power plants and proposed eliminating the remaining federal climate rules for the sector, marking one of the Trump administration’s most significant efforts to reshape U.S. electricity policy. The agency estimates the final action…...
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a modified Integrated Resource Plan for Minnesota Power, authorizing a package of near-term investments through 2039 while rejecting the utility’s proposal to build a large new natural gas plant, according to a Sept. 14 press release. The regulator determined that Minnesota Power had not established a clear need for…...
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on Sep. 8 vacated New Jersey’s water quality certification for the $1 billion Northeast Supply Enhancement natural gas pipeline, ruling that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection failed to adequately demonstrate the project would comply with state water quality standards before issuing the permit. The…...
