The New York Public Service Commission seeks comments on a petition related to the interconnection of energy storage facilities in Consolidated Edison Company of New York Inc.’s service territory. The petition, filed by the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST), asserts that Con Edison has adopted a change in its methodology for evaluating new energy storage interconnections that has improperly limited such interconnections. NY-BEST requested the commission to direct Con Edison to revert to its previous evaluation methodology for energy storage interconnections and initiate a stakeholder process designed to reform and improve the company’s interconnection and market rules. 24-E-0621

The New York Public Service Commission will hold a virtual public statement hearing to discuss North Seneca Solar Project LLC’s proposed 90-megawatt solar electric generating facility in Seneca County. The facility will interconnect to the New York power grid via a switching station, connecting to the existing National Grid Farmington – Hamilton 115-kilovolt transmission line. The company plans to build the project on approximately 827 acres, with an expected 35-year operational life. Comments are due by May 12. 25-E-0616

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation will hold an informational webinar to discuss two grant programs aimed at advancing infrastructure resilience across the state. The Green Resiliency Grant program will make $60 million available for projects that improve water quality and mitigate the effects of extreme weather, prioritizing community resilience. The program may fund up to 90 percent of eligible project costs with grants ranging from $1 million to $10 million per project. The Green Innovation Grant program will allocate $15 million for projects that implement green practices, including green stormwater infrastructure, energy efficiency, and water efficiency. This program may fund 50 to 90 percent of eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $3 million per project.

The California Energy Commission will host a workshop to provide an outlook for the 2026 summer energy reliability for electricity and fossil gas. The workshop will include discussions on anticipated summer weather and fire conditions, and a summary of new clean energy resources coming online. From 2020 to 2025, the state’s electric grid faced increasingly unpredictable weather patterns that continue to test system reliability. While 2024 saw record-breaking electricity demand across the western U.S., a significantly cooler summer in 2025 lowered California’s energy needs and reduced grid stress. Global supply chain disruptions compounded the challenges. 21-ESR-01

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will hold public hearings to discuss Xcel Energy’s application for adjustments to retail rates and charges applicable to its natural gas service. The company is seeking an annual increase of $63.40 million, or 8.2 percent, effective Jan. 1, 2026, based on a rate of return on common equity capital of 10.65 percent. The commission has approved a $51.47 million interim rate, or 6.8 percent. As part of a rate-case review, utilities are entitled to recover a portion of their proposed costs through interim rates while a comprehensive evaluation of the full rate request is underway. GR-25-356

The California Energy Commission will host a meeting of the Advisory Committee for the Clean Transportation Program Investment Plan to discuss a draft report of the 2026-2027 Investment Plan Update. The program has an annual budget of about $100 million to support projects including electric vehicle charging, hydrogen refueling infrastructure, and workforce training programs. A 2007 law established the program and authorized the commission to develop and deploy zero-emission and other advanced fuels and transportation technologies to help attain the state’s climate policies. The program was reauthorized until July 1, 2035, following 2023 legislation with some additions and revisions. 26-ALT-01