U.S. grid operators and utilities are intensifying winter preparedness efforts to ensure reliable electricity supplies, even as rising demand and supply constraints heighten the risk of energy shortfalls during extreme cold events.
The U.S. Interior Department on Nov. 20 issued a directive titled Unleashing American Offshore Energy to replace the Biden administration’s 2024–2029 offshore leasing program with a more expansive plan set for completion by October 2026. The action begins development of the 2026–2031 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program and reflects the administration’s…...
Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Nov. 20 announced a new Texas Energy Fund loan agreement for a 455-megawatt natural gas project that NRG Energy will develop in the Houston area. The agreement supports the construction of a new unit at the Greens Bayou Generating Station in Harris County, placing the facility within the state’s effort…...
The U.S. Department of Energy on Nov. 19 issued an emergency order directing the Midcontinent Independent System Operator to ensure continued availability of the J.H. Campbell coal plant in West Olive, Michigan through Feb. 17, 2026. The department determined that grid conditions in the Midwest remain strained heading into the winter season, with the region…...
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation on Nov. 18 released its 2025–2026 Winter Reliability Assessment, finding that much of North America faces higher reliability risks if severe cold develops this winter. Resources appear adequate for typical seasonal conditions, but prolonged and wide-area cold snaps could strain supply. Electricity demand has grown by 20-gigawatts since last…...
The U.S. Department of Energy on Nov. 18 approved a $1 billion loan for Constellation Energy Generation to restart the Crane Clean Energy Center in Londonderry Township, Pennsylvania. The project involves bringing an 835-megawatt reactor back online to lower electricity costs and provide a reliable source of power for the PJM Interconnection region. The action…...
States and regulators across the U.S. are expanding clean heat programs to lower building-sector emissions while… Read the full report …...
States and regulators across the U.S. are expanding clean heat programs to lower building-sector emissions while reducing long-term energy costs.
The U.S. Department of Energy on Nov. 14 launched two funding opportunities totaling $355 million to expand domestic production of critical materials and support the development of advanced mining systems. The DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy issued the actions as part of a broader federal strategy to strengthen supply chains that support energy production, manufacturing,…...
The New York State Public Service Commission on Nov. 13 approved a new set of updates to the Coordinated Grid Planning Process to improve the efficiency, transparency and accuracy of long-term transmission planning. The action enhances stakeholder engagement efforts and streamlines both modeling work and proposal development. The planning process continues to evolve and remains…...