The U.S. Energy Department on Jan. 28 launched a new initiative to strengthen domestic nuclear energy capabilities by issuing a request for information inviting states to express interest in hosting Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses. The action represents an early step toward potential voluntary federal and state partnerships designed to modernize the nation’s nuclear fuel cycle…...
The U.S. Energy Department’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation on Jan. 22 selected 16 projects totaling $155 million to expand capabilities at the U.S. National Laboratories to develop and scale technologies that improve industrial efficiency and competitiveness. The awards are designed to drive process innovation, lower production costs, and strengthen long-term economic value…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Jan. 22 announced a major restructuring of its federal energy lending operations, stating that the Office of Energy Dominance Financing will restructure, revise, or eliminate more than $83 billion in loans and conditional commitments tied to the Biden administration’s portfolio. The move is framed as a portfolio reset intended to…...
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill on Jan. 20 signed two executive orders aimed at immediate utility bill relief and accelerated in-state power development, positioning the action as an emergency response to escalating electricity costs and affordability pressure. The first order directs near-term ratepayer protections ahead of electricity bill increases expected in June and ties the…...
PJM Interconnection Board of Managers on Jan. 16 outlined a comprehensive set of actions it plans to advance in 2026 to address surging electricity demand from data centers and other large new customers, while protecting reliability and affordability across its service territory. The initiative follows a Critical Issue Fast Path process in 2025 that generated…...
Federal energy officials and Mid-Atlantic governors on Jan. 16 urged PJM Interconnection to temporarily revise market rules to address escalating electricity prices and rising reliability risks across the region. The initiative calls for an emergency procurement auction intended to accelerate the development of more than $15 billion of new firm baseload generation, positioning the action…...
New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Jan. 13 unveiled a broad energy affordability and reliability agenda as part of her 2026 State of the State, advancing a utility accountability package designed to limit bill increases while ensuring the electric grid remains strong as demand grows. The plan combines consumer protection reforms, expanded customer assistance, and…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Jan. 13 announced a memorandum of understanding with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on the development of nuclear reactors for use on the Moon and in orbit, including a lunar surface reactor targeted for 2030. The memorandum solidifies their collaboration and advances President Trump’s recent executive order “Ensuring American…...
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on Jan. 8 signed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, creating a new package of affordability and resource measures aimed at lowering electricity bills for working families while strengthening the state’s long-term energy supply. The legislation builds on the Future Energy Jobs Act and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act…...
The Bureau of Land Management on Jan. 6 completed a quarterly oil and gas lease sale covering 31 parcels across New Mexico and Oklahoma, generating $326.8 million in total receipts and leasing more than 20,000 acres of federal land. The agency noted that this sale includes the highest single acre bid of any BLM oil…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Jan. 5 announced a $2.7 billion investment to strengthen domestic uranium enrichment services over the next decade. The initiative supports the administration’s broader effort to expand nuclear power, maintain reliable reactor operations, and rebuild critical fuel supply chains within the country. The funding will be delivered through task order awards…...
The U.S. Interior Department on Dec. 22 ordered an immediate pause on leases for all large-scale offshore wind projects currently under construction in U.S. waters. The decision followed classified national security reviews conducted in coordination with federal defense agencies, prompting regulators to assess whether the risks can be mitigated through technical or operational changes. The…...
