States Move to Shield Ratepayers from Data Center Expansion Impacts
Recent legislative and regulatory actions reflect a growing push for stricter oversight of large load customers, as states seek to prevent the…Read the full report…...
Visual Primer: States Move to Shield Ratepayers from Data Center Expansion Impacts
Recent legislative and regulatory actions reflect a growing push for stricter oversight of large load customers, as states seek to prevent the costs of grid upgrades and reliability investments from being shifted onto residential and small-business ratepayers.
RGGI Carbon Allowance Price Climbs 40 Percent in Latest Auction
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative participating states on June 5 announced results from the program’s 72nd carbon allowance auction, which cleared at $35 per allowance, generating approximately $642 million for reinvestment in energy efficiency, renewable energy, electrification, greenhouse gas reduction, and customer assistance programs across the region. A total of 18.3 million allowances were sold…...
U.S. Energy Department Awards $500 Million for Coal Plants and Export Infrastructure
The U.S. Department of Energy on June 4 announced up to $500 million in Defense Production Act funding for coal-fired power plants and export infrastructure, advancing the Trump administration’s broader strategy to preserve coal generation as a source of reliable baseload power and a pillar of U.S. energy security. The funding package includes up to…...
U.S., Japan Launch $1 Billion AI Research Partnership Under Genesis Mission
The U.S. Department of Energy and Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on June 4 announced a $1 billion strategic research partnership that makes Japan the first international participant in the Genesis Mission, a national initiative focused on accelerating scientific discovery through artificial intelligence (AI)…...
New England Wholesale Electricity Costs Rose Nearly 50 Percent in 2025: ISO-NE
ISO New England on June 3 reported that wholesale electricity costs in the six-state region increased sharply in 2025 as higher natural gas prices, carbon pricing programs, and tighter supply conditions pushed electricity market prices higher. The grid operator’s latest Annual Markets Report concluded that wholesale electricity markets remained competitive despite rising costs. Total wholesale…...
Minnesota Commission Approves Transmission Upgrades to Reduce Grid Congestion
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on May 29 approved a portfolio of transmission upgrades designed to ease grid congestion, lower electricity costs, and improve the delivery of renewable energy across the state. The decision follows the commission’s review of the 2025 Grid Enhancing Technologies Report, submitted by Minnesota’s major transmission owners under a 2024 state…...
California Approves Cap-and-Invest Program Overhaul to Advance 2045 Climate Goals
The California Air Resources Board on May 29 adopted revisions to the state’s Cap-and-Invest Program, strengthening emissions limits through 2045 while expanding consumer protections and support for energy-intensive industries. The updates are intended to keep California on track to meet its climate goals, provide long-term market certainty, and address affordability concerns amid economic uncertainty and…...
Regulators Weigh New Approaches to Utility Gas System Planning
Interest in modernizing gas utility planning continues to grow as regulators, utilities, and other stakeholders assess the implications of decarbonization goals for existing distribution systems. Recent developments reflect efforts to…Read the full report …...
Visual Primer: Regulators Weigh New Approaches to Utility Gas System Planning
Interest in modernizing gas utility planning continues to grow as regulators, utilities, and other stakeholders assess the implications of decarbonization goals for existing distribution systems. Recent developments reflect efforts to address gas infrastructure planning, customer impacts, and deployment of lower-emission alternatives.
U.S. EPA Restores Affirmative Defense Protections Under Federal Air Permits
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on May 28 restored affirmative defense protections under federal air permitting regulations following a federal court ruling that overturned a 2023 Biden administration rule. The move relieves manufacturers, power producers, and other industrial facilities from potential liability for excess emissions caused by unavoidable events such as equipment malfunctions, emergencies, or…...