State lawmakers and utility commissions across the U.S. are moving swiftly to address surging energy demand from data centers, driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence applications. As these facilities proliferate, regulators are taking proactive steps to ensure utilities can accommodate massive new loads without straining the grid or increasing costs for existing customers.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Feb. 7 issued its final environmental review for Units 1, 2, and 3 of the Oconee Nuclear Power Station in South Carolina. The environmental assessment will enable Duke Energy to obtain a second license renewal for the power plant, extending the station’s operations for another 20 years. The commission found…...
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright signed an order, directing the U.S. Department of Energy to take actions to advance President Trump’s energy agenda. The department outlined a number of actions to implement President Trump’s executive orders including expanding energy production, advancing energy innovation, enabling next generation nuclear power technology, and strengthening grid reliability. As part…...
Oil and coal were utilized in the electricity generation mix in New England, due to curtailed generation from natural gas fired power plants from January 18 to January 22, 2025 according to a Feb. 5 report published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Below seasonal normal temperatures in the eastern U.S. during the week of…...
The U.K. government on Feb. 6 announced plans to revise existing nuclear planning regulations to reduce red tape and accelerate the approval and construction of nuclear reactors. The changes will support the development of smaller nuclear reactors and allow more flexible siting for projects. A more efficient, timely approval process will allow nuclear developers in…...
The Florida Public Service Commission on Feb. 4 approved the demand-side management plan of Peoples Gas System to incentivize residential and commercial customers to reduce gas consumption and utilize energy-efficient technology. The plan is designed to meet the utility’s cumulative savings goal of 8.0 million therms for the 2025-2034 period and is estimated to cost…...
Gross U.S. coal exports during June 2024 totaled 10 million short tons (MMst), the highest monthly value since October 2018, according to a Feb. 4 report published the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Yearly average U.S. coal exports were 9 MMst during 2024 and have increased yearly since 2020, when they averaged 5.8 MMst, amid the…...
U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Bergum on Feb. 3 signed orders to implement President Donald Trump’s executive orders including declaring a national energy emergency, revoking offshore oil and gas drilling bans, and advancing a deregulatory agenda to reduce red tape. Order 3417, “Addressing the National Energy Emergency,” directs the department to undertake two actions to address…...
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), and NERC’s Regional Entities have initiated a joint performance review of the bulk power system during the cold weather events during January, which included a multi-day polar vortex that impacted majority of the U.S. with colder weather from January 19-24. During the…...
The California Public Utilities Commission on Jan. 30 updated its electric transmission siting rules to streamline planning and permitting processes and expedite transmission infrastructure projects. The changes to the process are part of proceedings initiated in May 2023 and modifications to General Order 131-D to accelerate new transmission upgrade projects as California’s electric demand increases…....
As electricity demand soars, nuclear power is emerging as a key solution to ensure grid stability and achieve net-zero emissions goals. More recently, increasing…Read the full report…...
