The Maine Public Utilities Commission seeks input on the role of natural gas in Maine’s energy future, specifically as it relates to the state’s emissions reduction goals and the commission’s decision-making on gas utility infrastructure and operations. The commission has listed several topics for comment, including new information or analyses that may inform its ongoing decisions, existing frameworks in other states, and potential approaches to natural gas utility expansion. The commission also seeks comments on how gas utilities should prepare for potential reductions in the number of customers and overall usage due to climate-related policies, as well as potential changes to their business models. READ MORE

The New York Department of Public Service staff will hold a technical conference on best practices for residential weatherization programs. In May, the Public Service Commission issued an order authorizing energy efficiency and building electrification portfolios for non-low- to moderate-income households for the 2026–2030 period. The order directed staff to convene one or more technical conferences to help inform utilities’ joint proposals for a regional residential weatherization program. These conferences must examine the experiences and relative strengths and weaknesses of program models that are currently operating, or have previously operated, in the state. In addition, best practices from other jurisdictions should be considered to support program administrators in developing a coordinated, large-scale residential weatherization initiative that meets the state’s needs. The upcoming conference will focus on the Upstate region, with a second conference focused on the Downstate region scheduled for June 26. 18-M-0084

The California Energy Commission is due to receive written comments on Hydrostor Inc.’s proposal to construct a 500-megawatt/4,000-megawatt-hour advanced compressed air energy storage project in Kern County. The project – Willow Rock Energy Storage Center – is expected to deliver more than eight hours of energy on a full charge and is designed to operate continuously, year-round, with an estimated 50-year lifespan. The commission recently held a workshop to discuss a preliminary assessment of the project, identify and resolve areas of disagreement, and modify or refine mitigation measures. The project is expected to generate over $500 million in direct and indirect benefits to the local economy. 21-AFC-02

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission seeks reply comments on a petition requesting a rulemaking to determine mass-based greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for gas utilities’ clean heat plans for the year 2035. The petition, filed by the Colorado Energy Office and the Air Pollution Control Division of the Department of Public Health and Environment, proposes a 2035 target reduction of 41 percent, from a 2015 baseline, which translates to a mass-based emission target of 5.270 million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent across the state’s three regulated gas utilities. The utilities filed clean heat plans in 2023, following a 2021 law that directed the commission to adopt rules requiring utilities to reduce emissions from the distribution of gas to customers. Each plan was required to demonstrate how the utility would reduce emissions by 4 percent by 2025 and 22 percent by 2030, relative to a 2015 baseline. 25M-0234G

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management seeks comments on its proposed 2026 Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan, which outlines updates and changes to the state’s air quality monitoring efforts. Air monitoring data are required by regulation and are used to determine compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards, or NAAQS. A network assessment is required every five years, and network revisions are informed by current NAAQS, data trends, site redundancy, siting issues, site access concerns, and other identified monitoring issues.

The California Energy Commission seeks comments on projections for fossil gas end-use rates in the state for 2025-2050 as part of its 2025 Integrated Energy Policy Report, which is prepared every two years to provide assessments and forecasts of energy industry supply, production, transportation, delivery and distribution, demand, and prices. At a recent workshop, the commission presented an overview of national and international fossil gas market trends, demand forecast for California, and resulting preliminary end-use rate projections. The workshop also provided an opportunity for commission staff to vet assumptions, discuss price results, and seek feedback from participants. 25-IEPR-03