U.S. Energy Department to Invest $120 Million in Research Center to Advance Next Generation Battery Technology

Georgia Commission Approves 9.9 Gigawatts of New Generation for Data Centers With Ratepayer Protections

The Georgia Public Service Commission on Dec. 19 voted to approve an agreement allowing Georgia Power to move forward with 9,885 megawatts of new electricity generation, primarily intended to serve large new customers such as data centers, while shielding existing residential and business customers from higher rates. The approved capacity includes new natural gas generation,…...

U.S. Energy Department to Invest $120 Million in Research Center to Advance Next Generation Battery Technology

FERC Orders PJM Rule Changes to Manage Data Center Power Demand, Protect Reliability

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Dec. 18 directed PJM Interconnection to revise its market rules to establish clear and transparent requirements for serving artificial intelligence driven data centers and other large electricity users co-located with generating facilities. The federal regulator determined that existing tariff provisions governing these arrangements are unjust and unreasonable, creating uncertainty…...

pjm auction

PJM Capacity Auction Clears at Record High Prices as Data Center Load Intensifies Supply Concerns

PJM Interconnection on Dec. 17 announced the results of its 2027/2028 capacity auction, which cleared at a record high price and highlighted growing concerns that electricity demand is rising faster than new generation is being added across the region. The grid operator procured 134,479 megawatts of accredited generation and demand response capacity through the centralized…...

wind turbine facility clean electricity solar hydrogen energy storage gas tank 41470 5053

New York Approves State Energy Plan Through 2040 Amid Cost and Reliability Concerns

The New York State Energy Planning Board on Dec. 16 voted unanimously to approve a new State Energy Plan, establishing a long-term framework to guide energy-related decision making through 2040 while balancing affordability, reliability, economic growth, and emissions reduction. The plan is grounded in more than a year of analysis examining New York’s current energy…...

U.S. EPA Announces Initiatives to Advance Building Performance Policies

New York Awards $23 Million to Advance Clean Building Technologies and Cut Energy Costs

New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Dec. 15 announced the award of more than $23 million to 24 projects through the NextGen Buildings Innovation Challenges program, a state initiative designed to advance high impact building technologies and address persistent barriers to building decarbonization. The funding supports solutions that improve energy efficiency, reduce energy demand, and…...

EPA Releases Strategic Plan in Conjunction with President's Proposed $11.8 Billion Budget to Address Climate Change, Environmental Justice

New York Proposes Regulations to Tighten Emissions Cap Under Regional Carbon Program

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority on Dec. 10 released a proposal to update the state’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, regulations, aiming to secure deeper and more affordable cuts in power sector emissions. The measure underscores New York’s direction at a…...

wa carbon auction

Washington Carbon Auction Raises $394 Million as Prices Surge

The Washington Department of Ecology on Dec. 10 completed the fourth quarterly sale of greenhouse gas allowances this year under the state’s Cap-and-Invest program, producing strong demand that is projected to raise $394 million for community investments and climate resilience initiatives. The result marks the twelfth consecutive sold out auction and reinforces the program’s trajectory…...

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

U.S. Interior’s First Lease Sale Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Generates $279 Million

The U.S. Interior Department on Dec. 10 announced that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management completed Lease Sale Big Beautiful Gulf 1, launching a new phase of offshore oil and gas development under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The auction generated $279 million in high bids for 181 blocks across federal waters in the…...

Ohio Lawmakers Pass Bill to Revoke $1.1 Billion Nuclear Subsidy

New York Power Authority to Invest $40 Million in Advanced Nuclear Workforce

The New York Power Authority Board on Dec. 9 approved $40 million in annual workforce development funding over the next four years to expand the talent pipeline needed for advanced nuclear energy in Upstate New York. The initiative supports Governor Kathy Hochul’s directive from June for the authority to plan at least 1-gigawatt of advanced…...

High Costs, Infrastructure Challenges Hinder Electric Vehicle Penetration

California Approves $1.1 Billion to Expand Zero-Emission Transit and Modernize Aging Infrastructure

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Dec. 8 announced that the California Transportation Commission approved $1.1 billion to accelerate deployment of zero-emission buses, expand charging infrastructure, and upgrade essential transportation systems across the state. The investment advances the Governor’s Build More, Faster – For All infrastructure agenda aimed at strengthening climate resilience and improving community mobility…...

FERC Proposes Broad Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation Reforms

Michigan Regulator Takes Action to Strengthen Grid Resilience for Critical Community Facilities

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…...

Vermont Legislation Creates Initiatives to Cut emissions From Thermal Energy, Transportation Sectors

Trump Administration Proposes to Roll Back Fuel Economy Standards

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…...