Regulation & Policy


  • An aerial view of a nuclear power plant's cooling towers on an island in the middle of a river.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Constellation’s Three Mile Island nuclear restart gets boost with FERC waiver

    Constellation Energy will be able to transfer capacity interconnection rights, enabling the nuclear unit to potentially deliver all its power when it restarts, possibly before the end of 2027.

    By June 3, 2026
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    SEC proposes rule rescinding Biden-era climate risk disclosures

    The agency’s proposal calls the 2024 climate disclosure rules “a dramatic overreach of the Commission’s statutory authority and, independently, unsound as a matter of policy.”

    By Lamar Johnson • June 2, 2026
  • Electrical transmission towers Explore the Trendline
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Cybersecurity of the Grid

    In addition to presenting opportunities for growth, AI is exacerbating cyber threats with more sophisticated malware that is easier than ever to build and deploy. The rise of distributed energy resources also creates more opportunities for attack. 

    By Utility Dive staff
  • A nuclear power plant sits across a snowy field.
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    The image by AsNuke is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Opinion

    What does it take to restore a nuclear power plant?

    Restarting previously closed nuclear plants could be one of the most cost-effective ways to supply large amounts of firm, clean electricity, writes Patrick White at Clean Air Task Force.

    By Patrick White • June 2, 2026
  • Electric transmission lines run through the woods.
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    Getty Images
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    Eversource project ‘epitomizes’ flawed transmission reviews: New England states

    New England “severely lacks” oversight of asset condition projects like Eversource Energy’s X-178 transmission project, the New England States Committee on Electricity told FERC.

    By June 2, 2026
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    Chun han via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Black & Veatch

    How the U.S. solar industry can solve its 53K-worker challenge

    The solar workforce challenge is significant but solvable. Here’s how to close the gap.

    June 2, 2026
  • Person using tablet with smart home control functions.
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    Opinion

    Access to real-time electricity data should be a basic consumer right

    The technology exists and the infrastructure is there. What is missing is a requirement that customers have access to data on their electricity use, writes Joel Hicks at the University of Oregon.

    By Joel Hicks • June 1, 2026
  • Heavy equipment sits near power line towers.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Once you secure SPARK funds for transmission development, what comes next?

    The success of DOE’s SPARK initiative will depend on how prepared organizations are to execute once the funding arrives, writes Al Eliasen, Spatial Business Systems CEO.

    By Al Eliasen • May 29, 2026
  • Solar panels sit on a roof.
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    New Mexico has the nation’s best DER interconnection policy: report

    The state received high marks for its robust energy storage interconnection framework, frequent public reports on its interconnection queue and incorporating IEEE’s technical standard for DER interconnections.

    By Brian Martucci • May 28, 2026
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Hyperscalers didn’t set out to be power companies. The grid left them no choice.

    The power gap left hyperscalers with no alternative but to take on utility-scale obligations and lock up gigawatts of generation, writes Peak Nano CMO Shaun Walsh.

    By Shaun Walsh • May 28, 2026
  • Plumes of steam rise from data center buildings.
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    Courtesy of Google
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    Oregon PUC approves PGE’s large-load tariff framework for data centers

    The order shifts more infrastructure costs and interconnection obligations to hyperscale customers while positioning Oregon’s 2025 POWER Act as an early test of how states manage AI-driven load growth.

    By Marlene Wilden • May 28, 2026
  • Transmission lines run through a field.
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    MISO pushes back on utility complaint over competitive transmission bidding

    The grid operator stopped short of taking a position on the complaint itself. States and consumer advocates oppose it, while at least one major data center company supports it.

    By May 28, 2026
  • Wind turbines stand near a farm.
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    Opinion

    How Illinois’ energy policy blueprint can address affordability, reliability

    By betting on efficiency, storage, long-term energy planning and grid flexibility, the Illinois’ Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act offers a blueprint for the state’s energy future, Vote Solar’s John Delurey writes.

    By John Delurey • May 26, 2026
  • Electric transmission lines cross a field.
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    Courtesy of NextEra Energy
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    Competitive transmission projects come online faster than incumbent projects in 4 regions: R Street

    Completed competitive transmission projects are also about 30% less expensive than comparable incumbent utility projects, according to a report from the think tank. 

    By May 26, 2026
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    milorad kravic via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by West Monroe

    Building an affordable energy future

    Customer affordability is becoming a defining priority for utilities as investment costs and energy demands continue to rise.

    May 26, 2026
  • US summer generating capacity increases by 75 GW since 2025: FERC

    Capacity additions include about 26 GW in Texas, 13 GW in the Western Electric Coordinating Council region and 11 GW in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator market, FERC said.

    By May 22, 2026
  • Puerto Ricans protest the island's power outages.
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    Angel Valentin/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Puerto Rico’s power grid is ‘suspended between two realities,’ top utility regulator says

    Affordability, reliability and the need to restore public confidence almost a decade after Hurricane Maria are top concerns, writes PREB Chairman Edison Avilés.

    By Edison Avilés • May 22, 2026
  • A rendering of the GE Hitachi BWRX300 small modular reactor.
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    Retrieved from GE Hitachi.
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    AEP, other Ohio utilities could own nuclear power plants under state bill

    The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association opposes the bill, saying it would give utilities a path back into the generation business with customers bearing the financial risks.

    By May 22, 2026
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    Cindy Ord via Getty Images
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    New Mexico regulators scrutinize Blackstone-TXNM stock trade in merger review

    Consumer and renewable energy advocates say the stock transaction gave Blackstone an early stake in TXNM Energy before regulators could negotiate acquisition-related conditions or customer protections. The companies deny wrongdoing.

    By Marlene Wilden • May 21, 2026
  • Concrete cooling towers are part of a nuclear power plant.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Nuclear fuel is the weak link in US energy security: Centrus CMO

    America must rebuild its nuclear fuel supply chain to reduce geopolitical risk, writes Centrus Energy CMO John Donelson. “No one company can do it alone.”

    By John Donelson • May 21, 2026
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    Permission granted by WIRES
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    FERC Commissioner Chang is ‘not thinking about’ breaking up PJM

    “I'm interested in the successful continued operation of PJM, but definitely I want to help them get through this period,” FERC Commissioner Judy Chang told Utility Dive. She called the proposed NextEra-Dominion merger “interesting.”

    By May 21, 2026
  • Fervo Energy's Project Red enhanced geothermal facility near Winnemucca, Nevada.
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    Permission granted by Fervo Energy
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    Opinion

    Common‑sense state action can unlock a geothermal revolution in Utah and beyond

    Pairing geothermal with accelerated transmission development and stronger regional coordination can help the West access its gigawatt-scale geothermal potential, write Clean Air Task Force colleagues.

    By Ann Garth and Dan West • May 20, 2026
  • The Digital Realty ACC10 data center next to the Nimbus substation in Ashburn, Virginia.
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    Diana DiGangi/Utility Dive
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    PJM accelerates backstop auction amid uncertainty over data center cost allocation

    The grid operator urged states to develop rules to shield other ratepayers from data center-driven costs, but analysts said it remains unclear how a reliability auction’s costs could be allocated only to hyperscalers.

    By May 20, 2026
  • Electrification, Elephant Energy, D.R. Richardson
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    Opinion

    High winter heating bills aren’t going away unless state policymakers act

    States can help consumers switch to high-efficiency electric appliances by lowering the up-front costs and minimizing ongoing operational costs, writes Kate Shonk, policy principal at Advanced Energy United.

    By Kate Shonk • May 19, 2026
  • An electric substation.
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    The image by FirstEnergy is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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    FirstEnergy utilities seek West Virginia rate increase

    Mon Power and Potomac Edison proposed two rate hike pathways, including one that would increase its revenue in a two-part process that aims to ease its impact on customers.

    By May 19, 2026
  • Electrical transmission towers and their power lines loom over trees at dusk
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    New cybersecurity industry coalition aims to lead US critical infrastructure protection

    The new Alliance for Critical Infrastructure wants to change how the nation plans for a major cybersecurity crisis. Founding members include Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Consolidated Edison, Southern Co. and Xcel Energy.

    By Eric Geller • May 19, 2026