The Maryland Public Service Commission will hold a hearing on proposals filed by investor-owned electric utilities pursuant to the Distributed Renewable Integration and Vehicle Electrification Act, or DRIVE Act, enacted in 2024. The law requires utilities to establish pilot programs or temporary tariffs to compensate owners and aggregators of distributed energy resources for electric distribution system support services. In July, utilities filed proposals in accordance with a 2024 commission order that directed each utility to submit a pilot program or temporary tariff for such services from vehicle-to-grid and virtual power plant programs that provide reasonable compensation on a pay-for-performance basis.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is due to receive initial eligibility applications for its solicitation to procure 1-gigawatt of bulk energy storage capacity. This marks “Step One,” an initial qualifying step for proposers to demonstrate program eligibility. Once proposals are deemed eligible, proposers will be invited to submit a “Step Two” bid proposal for project evaluation. This marks the first of three competitive solicitations under NYSERDA’s Bulk Energy Storage Program, collectively intended to procure 3 gigawatts of storage. Selected projects will benefit from long-term contracts utilizing a market-based Index Storage Credit incentive. READ MORE

The New York Department of Public Service is due to receive reply comments on PSEG Long Island’s Utility 2.0 Long Range Plan annual update, which includes its building efficiency and electrification plan. Filed in accordance with the Long Island Power Authority Reform Act, the purpose of the plan is to implement energy efficiency measures, distributed generation, or advanced grid technology programs, which provide customers with tools to better manage their energy usage and utility bills, while improving system reliability and power quality. The department will review the filings and issue formal recommendations to the Long Island Power Authority.

The District of Columbia Public Service Commission seeks comments on Washington Gas Light Company’s 15-year plan, demonstrating how it will help advance the district’s climate policy commitments while continuing to provide reliable service at reasonable rates for customers. The climate plan, which stems from orders issued in 2024, represents the company’s anticipated customer counts, demand, and greenhouse gas emissions over the next 15 years based on information currently available. The Climate Commitment Amendment Act of 2022 requires the district to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 60 percent below 2006 levels by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Reply comments are due by Oct. 6. READ MORE

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission will hold a remote evidentiary hearing en banc on Xcel Energy’s Aggregated Virtual Power Plant program and tariff, as well as the associated program budget and cost recovery methodology. The company’s application includes a tariff for performance-based compensation for a qualified virtual power plant, or VPP. Last May, the state enacted legislation requiring qualifying retail electric utilities to develop VPP programs and seek regulatory approval to implement them. Among other requirements, the company must consider the role VPPs can play in modeling and meeting system needs in the resource planning process, as well as eligibility requirements for distributed energy resource aggregators and technologies. READ MORE

The California Energy Commission is due to receive comments on Soda Mountain Solar LLC’s proposed renewable energy facility, which would generate up to 300 megawatts of renewable energy and include up to 300 megawatts/1,200 megawatts-hour of battery storage. Last August, the company filed an application for the project under the state’s opt-in certification program, which provides a consolidated state permitting option for eligible clean energy projects. The program designates CA EC as lead agency to accept applications and provides a streamlined process for review and decision. 24-OPT-03

The California Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety seeks comments on the 2026-2028 Base Wildfire Mitigation Plans filed by Horizon West Transmission, Trans Bay Cable, and LS Power Grid California. A recent workshop examined the plans proposed by these three utilities along with those of Liberty Utilities and PacifiCorp. During the workshop, each utility presented responses to questions on a range of topics, including inspection technologies, equipment maintenance, and vegetation management. 2026-2028-Base-WMPs