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…...

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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…...

EnerKnol Research PU Policy Primer Carbon Markets 2025 12 16 Blog preview

Policy Primer: Carbon Pricing December 2025 Update

U.S. carbon markets are closing out the year with record prices and strong auction demand, reflecting the growing maturity of emissions trading as state participation evolves. Market performance remains strong across the Northeast and West, even as Pennsylvania withdraws from regional participation.

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…...