The U.S Interior Department on March 23 announced an agreement with TotalEnergies to terminate two offshore wind leases and redirect roughly $1 billion toward domestic oil, natural gas, and liquefied natural gas development, marking a shift in federal energy priorities toward conventional resources. Under the agreement, TotalEnergies will invest about $928 million in 2026 across…...
Recent developments across U.S. carbon markets reflect growing momentum, as states expand…Read the full report …...
Recent developments across U.S. carbon markets reflect growing momentum, as states expand participation and reinforce long-term policy frameworks amid mixed auction outcomes.
The U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Commerce on March 20 announced a public-private partnership with SoftBank and AEP Ohio to redevelop federal land, expand energy infrastructure, and support advanced computing development in southern Ohio. The initiative centers on the Portsmouth site in Pike County, where SB Energy, part of SoftBank Group, plans to…...
The New York Public Service Commission on March 19 adopted a natural gas customer bill of rights, establishing conditions utilities must meet before imposing a moratorium on new gas service. The action creates a uniform framework to manage supply constraints while strengthening protections for both existing and prospective customers. The regulator requires gas utilities to…...
The New York Public Service Commission on March 19 approved updated Electric Emergency Response Plans, or ERPs, for major investor-owned utilities, advancing statewide standards for outage preparedness and interagency coordination. The action applies to Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation, New York State Electric and Gas Corporation, National Grid,…...
The U.S. Energy Department on March 17 announced a $293 million funding opportunity aimed at advancing the Genesis Mission, a major initiative focused on applying artificial intelligence to complex national challenges across science and energy systems. The effort seeks to mobilize interdisciplinary teams to develop next-generation AI tools capable of addressing more than 20 priority…...
As the energy sector grapples with unprecedented load growth, aging infrastructure, and necessary grid modernization, state utility regulators are increasingly… Read the full report …...
As the energy sector grapples with unprecedented load growth, aging infrastructure, and necessary grid modernization, state utility regulators are increasingly facing complex decisions about balancing these system needs with customer affordability.
The U.S. Energy Department on March 13 announced up to $500 million in funding to expand domestic processing of critical minerals and strengthen the nation’s battery materials supply chain. The funding opportunity through the department’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation would support demonstration and commercial-scale facilities that process, recycle, or manufacture battery materials…...
NARUC Innovation Webinar: Free Datasets and Tools to Benchmark Rates and Analyze Affordability The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) will host an Innovation Webinar on March 26, 2026, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET. This webinar explores two tools that can help regulators navigate these challenges through open-source, transparent databases and models: the…...
The U.S. Energy Department on March 12 announced a $1.9 billion funding opportunity aimed at accelerating upgrades to the nation’s electric transmission system as electricity demand rises across the country. The initiative focuses on rapidly increasing the capacity of existing power lines while strengthening grid reliability and lowering electricity costs for households and businesses. The…...
NARUC Virtual Roundtable Series: Load Growth and Large Loads, Session 3 The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) will hold Session 3 of its Virtual Roundtable Series for Regulators on January 20, February 19, and March 9, 2026, bringing state utility commissioners together to discuss load growth, large electricity users, and practical strategies for…...
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities on March 4 approved a series of actions to expand clean energy generation, improve grid reliability, and help control electricity costs for households and businesses across the state. The measures include incentives for large-scale battery storage, new solar awards under the Competitive Solar Incentive Program, or CSIP, and…...
Regulators and grid operators across the U.S. are actively reforming interconnection processes to support the growth of new power generation resources amid surging electricity demand from AI data centers, manufacturing, and electrification. These actions also aim to…Read the full report …...
Regulators and grid operators across the U.S. are actively reforming interconnection processes to support the growth of new power generation resources amid surging electricity demand from AI data centers, manufacturing, and electrification. These actions also aim to address emerging challenges arising from the rapid growth of new large loads, which can introduce planning uncertainty and require substantial investments in transmission and other grid infrastructure.
PJM Interconnection on March 2 reported that it has advanced two board-directed reforms aimed at addressing a widening electricity supply-demand imbalance driven largely by rapid data center growth across its footprint. The grid operator on Feb. 27 filed proposals with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend its existing capacity auction price collar and to…...
2026 NARUC DER Interconnection Initiative Kickoff Webinar The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) will host a kickoff webinar on March 5, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET to launch a 9-month initiative helping state commissions improve utility interconnection processes and make connections to distribution systems faster and more affordable. To learn more…...
State efforts to modernize gas utility planning are reconfiguring regulatory frameworks to align with climate policies and energy transition goals. These actions prioritize…Read the full report …...
State efforts to modernize gas utility planning are reconfiguring regulatory frameworks to align with climate policies and energy transition goals. These actions prioritize system reliability while responding to evolving market and technology conditions.
The California Air Resources Board on Feb. 26 approved the adoption of a regulation establishing a fee assessment structure to implement the state’s 2023 climate disclosure laws, which require large U.S.-based companies doing business in California to report greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risk. The regulation sets a first-year reporting deadline and enables the…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Feb. 25 announced a $171.5 million funding opportunity to support next-generation geothermal field-scale testing and exploration drilling aimed at expanding reliable domestic power supply. The initiative focuses on enhanced geothermal systems and advanced drilling to improve resource characterization and confirm promising geothermal prospects across the country. The opportunity is designed…...
The U.S. Energy Department’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing on Feb. 25 announced a $26.5 billion financing package to support major electricity infrastructure investments by Southern Company subsidiaries serving Georgia and Alabama. The initiative is designed to lower electricity costs, strengthen grid reliability, and expand firm generation resources across the Southeast. The loans will fund…...
The U.S. Energy Information Administration on Feb. 23 reported that power plant owners and operators planned to retire nearly 11 gigawatts of utility-scale generating capacity in 2026, but recent federal reliability actions have already delayed several closures and could continue to reshape the timeline. Coal-fired plants and older natural gas units account for almost all…...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Feb. 20 finalized a rule repealing the 2024 amendments to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, or MATS, for coal- and oil-fired power plants, restoring the original 2012 requirements. The action returns compliance obligations to the earlier framework, which regulators determined continues to protect public health while reducing compliance…...
Emerging regulatory initiatives are placing greater scrutiny on competitive retail electricity markets to…Read the full report…...
Emerging regulatory initiatives are placing greater scrutiny on competitive retail electricity markets to enhance transparency, accountability, and consumer protection.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on Feb. 19 launched the Community Charging phase of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, or NEVI, program, directing $100 million in federal funding toward public electric vehicle charging stations in local communities. The initiative expands deployment beyond interstate corridors and is intended to improve everyday charging access while supporting the…...
Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Action: EnerKnol at #NARUCWinter26 EnerKnol has officially wrapped up a high-impact week at the NARUC 2026 Winter Policy Summit in Washington, D.C. As a proud sponsor and long-standing partner, we were honored to stand alongside the regulators and industry leaders who are actively shaping the North American energy landscape…....
The California Independent System Operator on Feb. 13 reported that the Western Energy Imbalance Market delivered $1.62 billion in economic benefits to participating utilities in 2025, raising total cumulative savings to $8.24 billion since the market launched in 2014. The real-time market enables balancing authorities across the Western U.S. to buy and sell electricity every…...
Federal rollbacks and state initiatives are reshaping the policy landscape for transportation decarbonization in the U.S. With federal vehicle emission standards repealed and…Read the full report …...
Federal rollbacks and state initiatives are reshaping the policy landscape for transportation decarbonization in the U.S. With federal vehicle emission standards repealed and fuel economy targets facing a rollback, states continue to advance efforts to support the transition to low- and zero-emission transportation.
PJM Board of Managers on Feb. 12 approved a portfolio of transmission projects designed to strengthen electric grid reliability across its multi-state service territory, as part of the 2025 Regional Transmission Expansion Plan Window 1. The plan targets’ reliability needs in eastern, southern, and western portions of the footprint and reflects rapid shifts in electricity…...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Feb. 12 announced a final rule rescinding the 2009 endangerment finding and eliminating federal greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles and engines beginning with model year 2012 and extending beyond model year 2027. The final rule is expected to save more than $1.3 trillion by eliminating regulatory requirements…...
The New York State Public Service Commission on Feb. 12 approved regulations to accelerate grid modernization by streamlining the environmental review, permitting, and siting of major renewable energy and electric transmission facilities. The rules implement the Renewable Action Project Interconnection and Deployment Act, or RAPID Act, and will be administered by the Office of Renewable…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Feb. 11 awarded $175 million to six projects aimed at modernizing and extending the life of coal-fired power plants serving rural and remote communities, advancing a broader $525 million initiative to strengthen existing generation assets and bolster grid reliability. The funding targets upgrades designed to improve plant efficiency, increase dependable…...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Feb. 6 finalized a rule extending key compliance deadlines for coal combustion residual management unit, or CCRMU, and groundwater monitoring requirements, providing regulated utilities with additional time to meet federal coal ash standards while maintaining protections for public health and the environment. The action aligns with broader federal efforts…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Feb. 9 launched the Genesis Mission Consortium, a new public-private partnership aimed at accelerating the use of artificial intelligence to advance scientific discovery, strengthen national security, and reinforce U.S. leadership in energy and emerging technologies. The initiative supports the department’s broader Genesis Mission and aligns with recent executive actions by…...
The Trump administration is continuing sweeping environmental rollbacks, from revising nitrogen oxide standards for stationary combustion turbines to proposing a reset of…Read the full report …...
The Trump administration is continuing sweeping environmental rollbacks, from revising nitrogen oxide standards for stationary combustion turbines to proposing a reset of federal fuel economy standards. These actions are unfolding alongside an intensified push to expand fossil fuels, including opening more than 13 million acres to coal leasing and advancing a more expansive offshore oil and gas leasing program.
Bridging Data and Policy: EnerKnol at the NARUC Winter Policy Summit The NARUC 2026 Winter Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., remains the premier gathering for regulators and industry leaders defining the North American energy landscape. As a proud sponsor and long-standing partner, EnerKnol is thrilled to be on the ground, facilitating the transition from complex…...
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Feb. 2 accepted a proposal from PJM Interconnection to create a new process for transferring Capacity Interconnection Rights from a retiring power plant to a replacement resource at the same site, separate from the traditional interconnection review. The decision is intended to accelerate replacement generation and support reliability as…...
Electricity demand is rising faster and more unevenly than anticipated, drawing increased attention to long-term resource planning and…Read the full report…...
Electricity demand is rising faster and more unevenly than anticipated, drawing increased attention to long-term resource planning and rate design approaches.
Powering Policy: EnerKnol Joins the NARUC 2026 Winter Summit Just 6 days to go! EnerKnol is excited to return to Washington, D.C., for the NARUC Winter Policy Summit, taking place February 8–11, 2026. For more than a decade, EnerKnol has been a proud partner and exhibitor at NARUC events, engaging with regulators, utility executives, and…...
The Michigan Public Service Commission on Jan. 29 approved new voluntary filing guidelines aimed at improving public engagement and increasing routing flexibility for proposed high-voltage electric transmission lines, a move designed to address landowner concerns and strengthen confidence in the state’s transmission siting process. The action establishes clearer expectations for transmission developers seeking certificates of…...
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation on Jan. 29 released its 2025 Long-Term Reliability Assessment, finding that resource adequacy risks across the North American bulk power system are intensifying over the next 10 years as electricity demand accelerates faster than new generation and infrastructure additions. The assessment identifies rapid growth in large loads, particularly data…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Jan. 28 launched a new initiative to strengthen domestic nuclear energy capabilities by issuing a request for information inviting states to express interest in hosting Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses. The action represents an early step toward potential voluntary federal and state partnerships designed to modernize the nation’s nuclear fuel cycle…...
Meet EnerKnol at NARUC Winter Policy Summit 2026 For more than a decade, EnerKnol has been a proud partner and exhibitor at NARUC Winter Policy Summit. We are excited to return to Washington, D.C., from February 8–11, 2026, alongside regulators, utility executives, and policy leaders addressing today’s most critical issues in energy, telecommunications, and water…...
While the federal landscape for solar energy has shifted toward more restrictive policies and spending cuts, state efforts to expand…Read the full report …...
While the federal landscape for solar energy has shifted toward more restrictive policies and spending cuts, state efforts to expand deployment are increasingly shaping the pace and direction of growth.
The U.S. Energy Department’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation on Jan. 22 selected 16 projects totaling $155 million to expand capabilities at the U.S. National Laboratories to develop and scale technologies that improve industrial efficiency and competitiveness. The awards are designed to drive process innovation, lower production costs, and strengthen long-term economic value…...
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.
