As the federal government rolls back vehicle emission standards and electric vehicle (EV) incentives, several states are advancing their own measures to sustain zero-emission transportation goals.
The U.S. offshore wind sector is navigating a shifting policy environment amid recent federal actions, which have slowed momentum and increased market uncertainty. These actions have led developers to reassess their timelines and commitments, rendering state efforts and long-term planning increasingly critical.
Several U.S. states have enacted or are considering legislation to manage the electricity costs and infrastructure impacts of large-load customers, particularly data centers. These energy-intensive facilities are expected to consume up to 12 percent of total U.S. electricity by 2028, up from 4.4 percent in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Department.
Across the U.S., state regulators are overhauling natural gas utility rules, ending subsidies for new connections and exploring pilot programs that transition neighborhoods to zero-emission energy, as they race to meet aggressive climate targets.
Across the U.S., states are accelerating efforts to deploy large-scale energy storage through streamlined permitting, competitive solicitations, and new incentive programs. Energy storage can serve multiple functions in managing energy supply and demand, including balancing the variability of intermittent renewables and improving grid-operating capabilities.
Transmission planning efforts across the U.S. increasingly reflect a focus on regional coordination and proactive infrastructure buildout, driven by rising energy demand and electrification. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) latest update to its landmark transmission planning rule affirms the role of states in transmission planning, while several states are also advancing measures to streamline permitting and accelerate project development.
PJM Interconnection LLC's capacity market auction for the 2026/2027 delivery year cleared at $329.17 per megawatt-day (MW-day), nearly 22 percent higher than the clearing price in the previous auction. The clearing price hit the cap recently approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to bring stability to the market after last year’s unprecedented ninefold price surge.
U.S. President Donald Trump on July 4 signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping reconciliation measure that fundamentally reshapes federal energy policy. The law dramatically shrinks the window for wind and solar projects to qualify for federal tax credits, and expands fossil fuel development on federal lands, reshaping the outlook for energy transition investments across the U.S.
State regulators are modernizing long-term resource planning frameworks for electric utilities to ensure greater flexibility, transparency, and alignment with evolving technologies, climate goals, and policy priorities. Integrated resource plans (IRPs) provide a structured approach to identify the optimal mix of generation, storage, and demand-side resources needed to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to customers over a long-term planning horizon.
Across the country, new measures are reshaping the retail energy landscape, focusing on stronger consumer protections and stricter market rules. Recent laws and regulations address concerns related to contract renewals, supplier exits, and accountability in competitive electricity markets.
The U.S. is undergoing a broad nuclear energy revival as federal and state actions set the stage for expanding new generation to meet surging electricity demand driven by AI, electrification, and industrial growth. Nuclear power is rapidly gaining prominence as a reliable, dispatchable, zero-emission energy source critical to strengthen grid stability.
Across the U.S., accelerating electrification and large-load growth driven by data center expansion are contributing to higher demand projections, while generator retirements are outpacing the addition of new supply. These converging trends are tightening reliability margins and increasing the risk of resource adequacy shortfalls.