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FERC Accepts First Phase of New England Grid Operator’s Capacity Market Reforms

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on March 31 accepted the first phase of capacity market reforms proposed by ISO New England, advancing efforts to align the region’s power market design with a rapidly changing resource mix. The decision marks a key milestone in a multi-year stakeholder process aimed at improving reliability outcomes and ensuring consumers…...

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Michigan Regulator Approves $276.6 Million Consumers Energy Rate Increase to Boost Grid Reliability

The Michigan Public Service Commission on March 27 approved a rate increase for Consumers Energy to support continued investments in electric grid reliability and reduce outage frequency and duration. The decision authorizes a $276.6 million increase in base rates, including $21.7 million in deferred operations and maintenance expenses and $14.6 million tied to cloud computing…...

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PJM Moves to Fast-Track Data Center Connections as Power Demand Surges

PJM Interconnection and its stakeholders on March 26 advanced a set of proposals aimed at accelerating the connection of large-load customers, including data centers, while addressing mounting reliability and affordability concerns. The grid operator’s Markets and Reliability Committee approved two issue charges to examine a “connect-and-manage” approach, establishing a dedicated senior task force set to…...

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U.S. Energy Department Announces $50 Million for Tribal Energy Projects Across Indian Country

The U.S. Energy Department on March 25 announced a $50 million funding opportunity to support tribal-led energy development, with a focus on expanding access to affordable, reliable, and secure power across Indian Country. The funding will be directed toward both community-scale projects and early-stage planning for larger developments that can drive long-term economic growth. The…...

Court Reinstates Obama’s Arctic Drilling Ban, Draws Criticism from Alaska Governor

U.S. Interior, TotalEnergies Reach Deal to Exit Offshore Wind, Redirect $1 Billion to Oil and Gas

The U.S Interior Department on March 23 announced an agreement with TotalEnergies to terminate two offshore wind leases and redirect roughly $1 billion toward domestic oil, natural gas, and liquefied natural gas development, marking a shift in federal energy priorities toward conventional resources. Under the agreement, TotalEnergies will invest about $928 million in 2026 across…...

data center

U.S. Energy Department Partners with SoftBank, AEP on $33.3 Billion Ohio Power and Data Center Project

The U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Commerce on March 20 announced a public-private partnership with SoftBank and AEP Ohio to redevelop federal land, expand energy infrastructure, and support advanced computing development in southern Ohio. The initiative centers on the Portsmouth site in Pike County, where SB Energy, part of SoftBank Group, plans to…...

gas

New York Regulator Adopts Gas Moratorium Framework, Expands Consumer Protections

The New York Public Service Commission on March 19 adopted a natural gas customer bill of rights, establishing conditions utilities must meet before imposing a moratorium on new gas service. The action creates a uniform framework to manage supply constraints while strengthening protections for both existing and prospective customers. The regulator requires gas utilities to…...

Transmission requirements

New York Regulator Clears Utility Emergency Plans, Tightens Coordination for Major Outages

The New York Public Service Commission on March 19 approved updated Electric Emergency Response Plans, or ERPs, for major investor-owned utilities, advancing statewide standards for outage preparedness and interagency coordination. The action applies to Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation, New York State Electric and Gas Corporation, National Grid,…...

California Regulator Clears 175 Megawatts of Energy Storage Contracts for Resource Adequacy, Distribution Deferral

U.S. Energy Department Launches $293 Million AI Funding Program to Accelerate Energy Innovation

The U.S. Energy Department on March 17 announced a $293 million funding opportunity aimed at advancing the Genesis Mission, a major initiative focused on applying artificial intelligence to complex national challenges across science and energy systems. The effort seeks to mobilize interdisciplinary teams to develop next-generation AI tools capable of addressing more than 20 priority…...

California Battery Storage Fire Threat Districts

U.S. Energy Department Announces $500 Million to Expand Critical Minerals Processing and Battery Recycling

The U.S. Energy Department on March 13 announced up to $500 million in funding to expand domestic processing of critical minerals and strengthen the nation’s battery materials supply chain. The funding opportunity through the department’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation would support demonstration and commercial-scale facilities that process, recycle, or manufacture battery materials…...

FERC’s Five-Year Plan Emphasizes Measures to Improve Electricity Market Design, Infrastructure Siting Reviews

U.S. Energy Department Announces $1.9 Billion for Grid Upgrades

The U.S. Energy Department on March 12 announced a $1.9 billion funding opportunity aimed at accelerating upgrades to the nation’s electric transmission system as electricity demand rises across the country. The initiative focuses on rapidly increasing the capacity of existing power lines while strengthening grid reliability and lowering electricity costs for households and businesses. The…...

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New Jersey Board Approves Clean Energy Initiatives, Including 3-Gigawatt Community Solar Expansion

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities on March 4 approved a series of actions to expand clean energy generation, improve grid reliability, and help control electricity costs for households and businesses across the state. The measures include incentives for large-scale battery storage, new solar awards under the Competitive Solar Incentive Program, or CSIP, and…...