Wind PPA prices rising faster than solar under Trump administration

New tariffs could add another 10% to 15% to power purchase agreement prices in the months to come, a Trio analyst said.

Surging load growth requires flexibility, new approaches: FERC’s See

“There's a pretty broad range, in my view, of what ‘just and reasonable’ can be, especially when we have new situations and urgency,” FERC Commissioner Lindsay See said.

What utilities need to get right to scale generative AI

To use artificial intelligence safely and at scale, utilities need to start with the right architecture, define a data strategy and build the right compliance foundations, write Vijay Narayan and Syama Sundar Peesapati of Cognizant.

In ‘unusual’ move, DOE proposes rule to expand FERC’s authority over large loads

Reactions were mixed. Analysts said they expected investor-owned utilities and possibly some states to object, while a former FERC chair questioned the impact on grid reliability and costs for other customers. 

The week in 5 numbers: The electricity price report everyone is talking about

Plus utility identity fraud, turbine backlogs and more.

Trump taps Swett to lead FERC

Under Republican Laura Swett’s leadership, FERC can “strengthen market design and unlock billions in private investment to meet record demand,” said EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler.

FirstEnergy expects peak load to grow 45% by 2035 on data centers

In the first nine months this year, electric sales grew 1% from the same period in 2024 but were essentially flat on a weather-adjusted basis. The company anticipates “more meaningful” increases starting in the fourth quarter.

Renewing the case for energy efficiency: a grid resource, customer trust tool and economic engine

Efficiency and broader demand-side management strategies are powerful tools for grid planning that offer flexibility, speed and cost control, writes ICF’s Justin Mackovyak.

Houston peak load to grow nearly 50% in 6 years: CenterPoint

Industrial growth and the rise of data centers are fueling CenterPoint Energy's outlook and a $65 billion spending plan.

$1.6B in clean energy investments were rolled back in September: E2

More than $24 billion in clean energy investment has been withdrawn so far this year, according to E2. The group said $11 billion in new projects were announced over the same period.

GE Vernova bullish on electrical infrastructure as turbine backlog grows

GE Vernova is investing strategically in electrification, its fastest growing segment, despite “intense investor focus” on its gas turbine order ramp, said a Jefferies analyst. 

PJM poised to add more storage following surplus interconnection reform

The grid operator’s new fast-track interconnection review is dominated by gas but also includes about 2.3 GW of storage projects that could be online much sooner.

Gas reliance will worsen the energy affordability crisis

Utilities and regulators should consider other options before investing in gas plants and making customers pay the inflated price, writes Cassady Craighill, technical education director at GridLab.

Convenience store executives say EV charging investments not paying off

Leaders from Parker’s, Sheetz and Nouria said demand for charging has weakened and installation is more expensive as industry and government support disappears.

NERC president warns of ‘five-alarm fire’ for grid reliability

“The reliability of the power grid remains extremely high, but, paradoxically, the risks to reliability continue to mount,” the North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s Jim Robb told federal regulators.

Maryland’s EmPOWER efficiency program not meeting low-income goals: OPC

Most utilities in the state are on track to meet emissions goals associated with the efficiency program. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development is not.

US energy storage market looks resilient amid global growth: BNEF

Despite new foreign sourcing restrictions, reduced policy and trade uncertainty has brightened the outlook for U.S. storage players, the energy research firm said Monday.

States should think twice before taking steps to exit PJM

If officials believe the PJM Interconnection capacity market is not ensuring resource adequacy, or is doing so at excessive prices, they should turn their efforts to market reforms, writes former FERC Chair Joseph Kelliher.

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s industry partnerships slashed

The latest round of sweeping layoffs could significantly impede CISA’s relationships with critical infrastructure organizations in healthcare, energy, water, finance and other sectors.

FERC rejects NV Energy plan to allow free exit from interconnection study

Geothermal projects have surged to 3.3 GW in NV Energy’s interconnection queue, which grew 30% in the last three months.

DOE cancels $700 million in battery and manufacturing project grants

A DOE spokesperson said the projects had missed milestones and would not provide a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars.

NorthWestern plans ‘large load’ tariff for Montana data centers

Advocates say the utility plans to serve at least three data centers that could scale up to a load of 2,250 MW — nearly twice its current peak. NorthWestern said it is in talks with potential data center customers but has no agreements.

ISO New England launches cluster study of 26 battery, wind and solar projects

The projects have a combined summer rated capacity of about 8 GW. The transitional cluster study is the first under a new review framework and is expected to be completed in August 2026.

Utility identity fraud is a bigger problem than people think

Stolen and synthetic identities are flowing through utility systems not just for free electricity or gas, but to fuel broader schemes that ripple across the financial sector, writes David Maimon, head of fraud insights at SentiLink.

Residential electricity prices surge ahead of C&I rates: Berkeley Lab

State behind-the-meter policies and renewable portfolio standards appear to increase electricity prices, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers said.