The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection seeks proposals for zero carbon power from nuclear, hydropower, solar, onshore wind, and related transmission or storage projects. The department issued an RFP in January to procure carbon-free resources that diversify the state’s energy mix, reduce costs for ratepayers, and improve grid reliability. The initiative also allows Connecticut to coordinate with Maine and other states on an RFP issued by the Maine Public Utilities Commission for onshore wind in Northern Maine and related transmission. The department accepted bids through Feb. 27 for projects also bidding into the Maine RFP. A 2018 RFP resulted in contracts with the Millstone and Seabrook nuclear plants during a period of historically low power prices and several nuclear plant retirements across the nation. While the risk of nuclear retirements has diminished, the new RFP aims to identify contracts that can operate as a financial hedge against rising power generation costs in the future, especially as the New England grid operator plans significant changes to the capacity market in 2028 that could increase costs.

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation will hold a listening session in Elmira to support and enhance meaningful engagement with communities that have environmental justice concerns. The event is the seventh in a series of listening sessions aimed at supporting ongoing efforts to enhance existing environmental justice programs to better serve communities, build relationships between the agency and community members, and help prioritize future outreach efforts for public participation. The Office of Environmental Justice works to address concerns that primarily affect low-income and minority communities through grant opportunities, implementation of environmental laws and regulations, consultation, guidance, and enhanced public participation.

The Oregon Public Utilities Commission seeks stakeholder comments to establish a multi-year plan ratemaking framework following House Bill 3179 and Senate Bill 688 enacted in 2025. HB 3179 requires the commission to adopt rules establishing multi-year rate plans for jurisdictional electric and gas utilities. SB 688 permits the commission to investigate, develop, and adopt a performance-based framework for jurisdictional electric utilities. As part of the process, the commission recently held a workshop reviewing current ratemaking frameworks and opportunities for enhancements. Presentations from commission staff and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory examined the current regulatory landscape and existing utility rates and related mechanisms. AR 676

The California Energy Commission will host a remote workshop to discuss the Proposition 4 Offshore Wind Port Development program and preliminary considerations for developing a future grant solicitation. Proposition 4 requires the commission to support investments for offshore wind generation activities. The program currently has $225.719 million appropriated for program implementation. The commission has already awarded five grants totaling $42.75 million for the Offshore Wind Waterfront Facility Improvement program using an appropriation from 2025 legislation. Unawarded funds will be allocated through a competitive grant solicitation process. The workshop will include an overview of the program and staff’s proposed implementation scope and strategy for developing the future grant solicitation. 26-POPD-01

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will hold a public hearing on Northern States Power Company’s application to construct the Sherco South & West Battery Energy Storage Project in Becker, Minnesota. The Xcel Energy subsidiary is proposing to construct and operate a battery energy storage system with a nominal power rating of up to 600 megawatts alternating current and approximately 2,400 megawatt-hours of energy capacity. The preliminary design of the energy storage system units is largely based on lithium iron phosphate battery technology. The project would interconnect via a gen-tie line from a substation to the adjacent existing Sherburne County Station. An online hearing will be held on March 19. ESS-25-319

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission seeks written comments on Rocky Mountain Power’s application for a waiver of solicitation review requirements in order to proceed with a proposed power purchase agreement with US SFR, a subsidiary of TerraPower. The company seeks to buy power from a nuclear steam electric generating plant that US SFR is developing. Under the requirements, a utility must obtain pre-approval before seeking large generation resources and may request a waiver in certain circumstances. The utility said that it meets the criteria for a waiver given the time-sensitive nature of the plant and that the PPA represents a unique commercial opportunity and lacks viable alternatives. PAC-E-25-20