The U.S. Energy Department on Jan. 22 announced a major restructuring of its federal energy lending operations, stating that the Office of Energy Dominance Financing will restructure, revise, or eliminate more than $83 billion in loans and conditional commitments tied to the Biden administration’s portfolio. The move is framed as a portfolio reset intended to…...
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill on Jan. 20 signed two executive orders aimed at immediate utility bill relief and accelerated in-state power development, positioning the action as an emergency response to escalating electricity costs and affordability pressure. The first order directs near-term ratepayer protections ahead of electricity bill increases expected in June and ties the…...
EnerKnol at The 2026 NYC Energy Storage Financing Summit The event is presented by Kirkland & Ellis and Mustang Prairie Energy, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, Sandia National Laboratories, and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The event gathers top industry leaders to discuss financing trends, challenges, and opportunities in energy storage…....
PJM Interconnection Board of Managers on Jan. 16 outlined a comprehensive set of actions it plans to advance in 2026 to address surging electricity demand from data centers and other large new customers, while protecting reliability and affordability across its service territory. The initiative follows a Critical Issue Fast Path process in 2025 that generated…...
Energy storage is gaining strategic importance as electricity demand surges and grid modernization accelerates across the…Read the full report …...
Energy storage is gaining strategic importance as electricity demand surges and grid modernization accelerates across the U.S. Recent legislative and policy actions signal a growing shift toward scaling and integrating battery storage into grid operations.
Federal energy officials and Mid-Atlantic governors on Jan. 16 urged PJM Interconnection to temporarily revise market rules to address escalating electricity prices and rising reliability risks across the region. The initiative calls for an emergency procurement auction intended to accelerate the development of more than $15 billion of new firm baseload generation, positioning the action…...
New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Jan. 13 unveiled a broad energy affordability and reliability agenda as part of her 2026 State of the State, advancing a utility accountability package designed to limit bill increases while ensuring the electric grid remains strong as demand grows. The plan combines consumer protection reforms, expanded customer assistance, and…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Jan. 13 announced a memorandum of understanding with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on the development of nuclear reactors for use on the Moon and in orbit, including a lunar surface reactor targeted for 2030. The memorandum solidifies their collaboration and advances President Trump’s recent executive order “Ensuring American…...
NARUC Winter Policy Summit 2026 Mark your calendars for the NARUC Winter Policy Summit 2026! From February 8–11 in Washington, D.C., we’re joining industry leaders and policymakers to address the most pressing issues in energy, telecom, and water regulation. Ready to transform how you track energy policy? Stop by our booth to meet the EnerKnol…...
Amid mounting electricity demand driven by data centers, the U.S. nuclear power industry is entering an era of growth, supported by strategic federal actions, such as strengthening the…Read the full report…...
Amid mounting electricity demand driven by data centers, the U.S. nuclear power industry is entering an era of growth, supported by strategic federal actions, such as strengthening the fuel supply chain, alongside state efforts to preserve the existing fleet and prepare for next generation reactors. These measures complement recent approvals of 20-year license extensions for 13 reactors across the U.S.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on Jan. 8 signed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, creating a new package of affordability and resource measures aimed at lowering electricity bills for working families while strengthening the state’s long-term energy supply. The legislation builds on the Future Energy Jobs Act and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act…...
The Bureau of Land Management on Jan. 6 completed a quarterly oil and gas lease sale covering 31 parcels across New Mexico and Oklahoma, generating $326.8 million in total receipts and leasing more than 20,000 acres of federal land. The agency noted that this sale includes the highest single acre bid of any BLM oil…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Jan. 5 announced a $2.7 billion investment to strengthen domestic uranium enrichment services over the next decade. The initiative supports the administration’s broader effort to expand nuclear power, maintain reliable reactor operations, and rebuild critical fuel supply chains within the country. The funding will be delivered through task order awards…...
The rapid growth of data centers, electrification, and manufacturing is driving a step change in electricity demand, compelling regulators and grid operators to revisit.…. Read the full report…...
The U.S. Interior Department on Dec. 22 ordered an immediate pause on leases for all large-scale offshore wind projects currently under construction in U.S. waters. The decision followed classified national security reviews conducted in coordination with federal defense agencies, prompting regulators to assess whether the risks can be mitigated through technical or operational changes. The…...
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,…...
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 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…...
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…...
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…...
U.S. carbon markets are closing out the year with record prices and strong auction demand, reflecting the growing maturity of…Read the full report …...
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.
NARUC Webinar: Task Force on Natural Gas Resource Planning Roadmaps Release NARUC will hold a webinar on December 18, 2025, the National Council on Electricity Policy’s load growth webinar series to help its member state agencies work together to identify the benefits and costs of these expected loads, share examples of tools and strategies for…...
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…...
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…...
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…...
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…...
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…...
NARUC Presents: State Agency Collaboration Webinar On December 15, 2025, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET, NCEP will host a webinar on how state agencies are working together to manage rising electricity demand and plan for future load growth. To learn more and register, visit the official NARUC website. About the National Association of Regulatory…...
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…...
As federal incentives recede and national fuel economy standards face rollback, momentum for transportation electrification is shifting to states, where regulators are…Read the full report …...
As federal incentives recede and national fuel economy standards face rollback, momentum for transportation electrification is shifting to states, where regulators are expanding planning efforts, grid upgrades, and charging programs to support continued electrification.
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…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Dec. 2 announced the selection of the Tennessee Valley Authority and Holtec Government Services for federal funding to accelerate early deployments of advanced light-water small modular reactors, or SMRs. The agency will provide up to $800 million through cost-shared awards to support projects in Tennessee and Michigan. The initiative is…...
Midcontinent Independent System Operator on Dec. 1 announced the second cycle of proposals to be examined under its Expedited Resource Addition Study, or ERAS, process, adding 15 proposed generation projects totaling about 6,100 megawatts across its North, Central and South regions. The projects include solar, wind, natural gas and battery storage resources, with proposed in-service…...
Federal agencies have taken multiple steps in recent months to accelerate fossil fuel development, including new leasing opportunities, investments to expand the…Read the full report …...
Federal agencies have taken multiple steps in recent months to accelerate fossil fuel development, including new leasing opportunities, investments to expand the U.S. coal industry, and revisions to regulatory requirements for oil and gas producers.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Nov. 26 finalized its action on the July 2025 interim rule extending multiple compliance deadlines under the 2024 methane standards for new and modified oil and natural gas facilities. The measure provides additional time for operators to meet technical and reporting obligations under the Clean Air Act and is…...
NARUC-NASEO Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative Webinar NARUC-NASEO Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative Webinar: Artificial Intelligence to Accelerate Advanced Nuclear Energy will take place on December 10, 2025, and will explain in simple terms how AI can help improve planning, permitting, building, and operating advanced nuclear energy projects while highlighting current work by National Labs, utilities, and…...
New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Nov. 26 announced the launch of the Promote Opportunity with Electric Readiness for Underdeveloped Properties program, a $300 million initiative designed to accelerate industrial development by preparing sites with modern electrical and transmission infrastructure. The program aims to strengthen New York’s position in advanced manufacturing by creating an inventory…...
President Donald Trump on Nov. 24 issued an executive order to establish the Genesis Mission, a national effort led by the U.S. Department of Energy to accelerate artificial intelligence across U.S. science and energy innovation. The action advances the administration’s push to strengthen domestic innovation and reduce dependence on foreign competitors. The mission will mobilize…...
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…Read the full report …...
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.
NARUC Presents: DOE National Labs Resource Adequacy and Load Growth Series Webinar #7: The Evolution of Resource Accreditation The DOE National Labs Resource Adequacy and Load Growth Series Webinar #7 on December 2, 2025 (3:00–4:00 p.m. ET) is a public event that will explain the basics of resource accreditation, how it has changed over time,…...
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.
EnerKnol Wraps Up Another Successful Year at NARUC Annual Meeting and Education Conference 2025 EnerKnol is excited to share that we had another successful year at the NARUC Annual Meeting and Education Conference! This year’s event took place from November 9th to 12th, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. We want to send a huge thanks to…...
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…...
Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Nov. 12 announced the designation of a new NRG Energy natural gas facility in Chambers County as a qualified development under the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation program. The designation places the project within a priority track aimed at supporting new firm generation across the state to reinforce grid…...
The Public Utility Commission of Texas on Nov. 10 approved the first award under the Texas Energy Fund Completion Bonus Grant Program, signing an agreement with the Lower Colorado River Authority for the 188-megawatt Timmerman Power Plant Unit 1 in Caldwell County. The natural gas-fired facility, which joined the Electric Reliability Council of Texas grid…...
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on Nov. 7 approved required environmental permits, including a Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification, for the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement natural gas pipeline. The decision, issued to Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company LLC, follows a comprehensive review evaluating compliance with state and federal environmental…...
Long-term resource plans of electric utilities across the U.S. reflect the growing role of energy storage in integrated resource planning, with multi-gigawatt portfolios designed to support…Read the full report …...
Long-term resource plans of electric utilities across the U.S. reflect the growing role of energy storage in integrated resource planning, with multi-gigawatt portfolios designed to support grid reliability, manage rapid load growth, and complement solar and wind resources.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on Nov. 6 announced the release of a comprehensive roadmap outlining strategies to decarbonize the state’s building sector, which represents the second-largest source of emissions. The plan, developed under Executive Order 316 signed in 2023, provides a policy and regulatory framework to electrify 400,000 residential and 20,000 commercial units by…...
Stop by the EnerKnol Booth at the 2025 NARUC Annual Meeting and Education Conference The 2025 NARUC Annual Meeting and Education Conference themed “Let There Be Light,” is happening now at the Sheraton Grand Seattle Hotel in Seattle, WA. The event brings together energy regulators, utilities, and industry leaders from across the U.S. to discuss…...
Southwest Power Pool Board of Directors on Nov. 5 approved the grid operator’s 2025 Integrated Transmission Plan, authorizing $8.6 billion in transmission upgrades and new high-voltage lines across its 14-state region. The plan represents one of the most ambitious investments in SPP’s history and is designed to ensure a reliable, affordable, and resilient grid as…...
New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Nov. 4 announced that state electricity consumers will receive $151 million in energy bill savings in 2026 through benefits generated under the Zero-Emissions Credits program. The savings stem from federal nuclear production tax credits now being claimed by Constellation Energy for its upstate nuclear plants. Under the New York…...
A growing number of states are establishing distinct rate classes and tariffs for large energy users, such as data centers, to ensure these customers bear the full costs and risks of their significant grid impacts and protect…Read the full report…...
A growing number of states are establishing distinct rate classes and tariffs for large energy users, such as data centers, to ensure these customers bear the full costs and risks of their significant grid impacts and protect other ratepayers from undue cost-shifting. These state actions come amid a broad federal push to support data center growth through streamlined regulation and infrastructure development.
EnerKnol Joins Industry Leaders at the 2025 NARUC Annual Meeting and Education Conference In just a few days, the 2025 NARUC Annual Meeting and Education Conference will kick off on November 9–12 in Seattle, WA! Don’t miss out on this year’s event, themed “Let There Be Light,” which brings together energy regulators, utilities, and industry…...
The U.S. Department of Energy on Oct. 31 issued a notice of funding opportunity for up to $100 million to refurbish and modernize the nation’s coal-fired power plants, aiming to enhance operational efficiency, reliability, and longevity. The initiative builds on the department’s earlier plan to invest $625 million to expand and revitalize the coal sector,…...
Meet the EnerKnol Team at the 2025 NARUC Annual Meeting EnerKnol will be joining once again on this year’s NARUC Annual Meeting and Education Conference, themed “Let There Be Light,” which brings together energy regulators, utilities, and industry leaders to explore innovation, policy, and resilience in the evolving energy landscape on November 9–12, 2025, in…...
Regulators across the U.S. are advancing new policies to update electric system planning frameworks, strengthen grid reliability and resilience, and…Read the full report…...
Regulators across the U.S. are advancing new policies to update electric system planning frameworks, strengthen grid reliability and resilience, and better integrate clean energy and emerging technologies.
The U.S. Energy Department on Oct. 16 released its Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap, outlining a national strategy to speed up the transition of fusion energy from research to commercial deployment within the next decade. The plan defines DOE’s Build–Innovate–Grow framework to align public funding with private sector innovation to deliver fusion-generated electricity to the…...
States across the U.S. are advancing efforts to strengthen and clarify regulatory frameworks for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), even as federal priorities shift. Carbon sequestration is the…Read the full report …...
States across the U.S. are advancing efforts to strengthen and clarify regulatory frameworks for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), even as federal priorities shift. Carbon sequestration is the process of injecting carbon dioxide (CO2) deep underground, preventing it from entering the atmosphere.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office on Oct. 16 finalized a $1.6 billion loan guarantee to a subsidiary of American Electric Power, one of the nation’s largest utility companies. The financing aims to strengthen grid reliability and lower electricity costs by reconductoring and rebuilding about 5,000 miles of transmission lines in Indiana, Michigan,…...
Bloom Energy and Brookfield Asset Management on Oct. 13 unveiled a $5 billion partnership to accelerate the development of next-generation artificial intelligence infrastructure through clean, reliable, and rapidly deployable power solutions. The collaboration represents the first phase of a global strategy to create “AI factories” that tightly integrate compute, power, and data center architecture to…...
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Oct. 10 signed legislation to advance the state’s growing carbon capture, removal, and storage market, marking another milestone in its climate leadership. The measure, Senate Bill 614, authorizes the development of dedicated pipelines to safely transport carbon dioxide captured from industrial facilities or directly from the atmosphere to underground sites…...
Federal and state actions reflect a concerted effort to maintain the existing nuclear fleet while advancing new reactor and fusion technologies, shaping the…Read the full report…...
Federal and state actions reflect a concerted effort to maintain the existing nuclear fleet while advancing new reactor and fusion technologies, shaping the pace of nuclear energy deployment.
States across the U.S. are updating solar programs to better integrate them into the electricity grid. Lawmakers and regulators are refining incentives, rate designs, and interconnection rules to ensure…Read the full report …...
States across the U.S. are updating solar programs to better integrate them into the electricity grid. Lawmakers and regulators are refining incentives, rate designs, and interconnection rules to ensure distributed energy resources enhance grid performance while balancing fairness and affordability for all customers.
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on Oct. 3 approved the acquisition of ALLETE Inc., parent company of Minnesota Power, by Global Infrastructure Partners and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, subject to extensive conditions designed to protect customers and support the state’s clean energy transition. The agreement ensures continued state oversight while delivering over $200…...
