The New York Public Service Commission on Sep. 17 opened a statewide review of how electric, gas, and water utilities are using artificial intelligence across their operations, marking one of the state’s first broad examinations of AI governance in the utility sector. The initiative will assess how companies deploy the technology, whether existing oversight is…...
The New York Public Service Commission on Sep. 17 launched a statewide environmental review that could reshape how data centers and other large electricity users connect to the electric grid. The regulator issued a positive declaration under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, allowing work to begin on a draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement while…...
The U.S. House of Representatives on Sep. 16 approved the Ratepayer Protection Act, sending legislation to the Senate that would require large electricity customers to bear the full cost of grid upgrades built specifically to serve their facilities. The measure passed with broad bipartisan support, reflecting growing concern that the rapid expansion of data centers…...
Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Sep. 14 directed the Texas Water Development Board to enforce mandatory water reporting requirements for major water users, including data centers, after determining some facilities may have violated state law by failing to disclose water consumption. The action strengthens oversight of one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity demand by…...
New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Sep. 15 announced the nation’s first statewide Host Community Investment Framework, giving local governments a template to negotiate stronger community benefits from future data center projects while broader regulatory standards are developed. The framework recommends a benchmark of $1 million for every megawatt of utility demand, helping communities secure…...
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 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative on Sep. 11 announced that its latest carbon allowance auction generated $1 billion, highlighting continued strength in the Northeast’s cap-and-trade market as Virginia resumed participation after rejoining the program in July. The program’s 73rd carbon allowance auction cleared at $37.65 per allowance, with nearly 29 million allowances sold, including additional…
The Michigan Public Service Commission on Sep. 10 approved a sharply reduced rate increase for DTE Gas Company, authorizing a net increase of $74.5 million instead of the utility’s requested $162.7 million. The decision supports continued investment in pipeline modernization and system maintenance while imposing stricter scrutiny on capital spending and expanding protections for lower-income…...
PJM Interconnection on Sep. 10 proposed new reliability requirements for large electricity users, including data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities, following a major grid disturbance that exposed risks from sudden load disconnections. The proposal would require large computational loads to remain connected during normally cleared transmission system disturbances, helping prevent abrupt power losses that can…...
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill on Sep. 9 signed legislation that expands the state’s renewable energy incentive programs, eases solar development restrictions, and requires electric public utilities to move qualifying interconnection applications forward more quickly. The measure is intended to accelerate project development by opening more previously developed land for clean energy investment while strengthening…...
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…...
