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…...
The Trump administration on Dec. 3 announced a proposal to reset the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s corporate average fuel economy, or CAFE, standards for model years 2022–2031. The proposal would require automakers to reach an average fuel economy of approximately 34.5 miles per gallon by model year 2031, far below the Biden-era target of…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Dec. 2 announced the selection of the Tennessee Valley Authority and Holtec Government Services for federal funding to accelerate early deployments of advanced light-water small modular reactors, or SMRs. The agency will provide up to $800 million through cost-shared awards to support projects in Tennessee and Michigan. The initiative is…...
Midcontinent Independent System Operator on Dec. 1 announced the second cycle of proposals to be examined under its Expedited Resource Addition Study, or ERAS, process, adding 15 proposed generation projects totaling about 6,100 megawatts across its North, Central and South regions. The projects include solar, wind, natural gas and battery storage resources, with proposed in-service…...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Nov. 26 finalized its action on the July 2025 interim rule extending multiple compliance deadlines under the 2024 methane standards for new and modified oil and natural gas facilities. The measure provides additional time for operators to meet technical and reporting obligations under the Clean Air Act and is…...
New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Nov. 26 announced the launch of the Promote Opportunity with Electric Readiness for Underdeveloped Properties program, a $300 million initiative designed to accelerate industrial development by preparing sites with modern electrical and transmission infrastructure. The program aims to strengthen New York’s position in advanced manufacturing by creating an inventory…...
President Donald Trump on Nov. 24 issued an executive order to establish the Genesis Mission, a national effort led by the U.S. Department of Energy to accelerate artificial intelligence across U.S. science and energy innovation. The action advances the administration’s push to strengthen domestic innovation and reduce dependence on foreign competitors. The mission will mobilize…...
The U.S. Interior Department on Nov. 20 issued a directive titled Unleashing American Offshore Energy to replace the Biden administration’s 2024–2029 offshore leasing program with a more expansive plan set for completion by October 2026. The action begins development of the 2026–2031 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program and reflects the administration’s…...
Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Nov. 20 announced a new Texas Energy Fund loan agreement for a 455-megawatt natural gas project that NRG Energy will develop in the Houston area. The agreement supports the construction of a new unit at the Greens Bayou Generating Station in Harris County, placing the facility within the state’s effort…...
The U.S. Department of Energy on Nov. 19 issued an emergency order directing the Midcontinent Independent System Operator to ensure continued availability of the J.H. Campbell coal plant in West Olive, Michigan through Feb. 17, 2026. The department determined that grid conditions in the Midwest remain strained heading into the winter season, with the region…...
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation on Nov. 18 released its 2025–2026 Winter Reliability Assessment, finding that much of North America faces higher reliability risks if severe cold develops this winter. Resources appear adequate for typical seasonal conditions, but prolonged and wide-area cold snaps could strain supply. Electricity demand has grown by 20-gigawatts since last…...
The U.S. Department of Energy on Nov. 18 approved a $1 billion loan for Constellation Energy Generation to restart the Crane Clean Energy Center in Londonderry Township, Pennsylvania. The project involves bringing an 835-megawatt reactor back online to lower electricity costs and provide a reliable source of power for the PJM Interconnection region. The action…...