Regulation & Policy
-
Retrieved from Tennessee Valley Authority/Wikimedia Commons.
Lawsuits target EPA rollback of coal plant water pollution standards
The plants need flexibility to meet rising electricity demand, the EPA says. Environmental groups argue that undermines Clean Water Act protections for rivers and drinking water sources.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Jan. 23, 2026 -
Alex Wong via Getty Images
The week in 5 numbers: DOE axes or alters $83B in loans, NJ governor comes out swinging
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey used their respective bully pulpits to push their energy priorities. Plus, transmission and, of course, PJM news.
By Meris Lutz • Jan. 23, 2026 -
Permission granted by Esme Howland
FERC upholds MISO, SPP fast-track generator reviews
The agency also approved a 1.2-GW pumped storage project planned by Rye Development in Washington.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 23, 2026 -
Retrieved from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
FERC commissioners see progress in PJM data center, power supply plans
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Laura Swett said she is “encouraged that PJM and its stakeholders are working cooperatively now, much more so than they have in the recent past.”
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 23, 2026 -
Getty Images
OpinionMassachusetts can make ‘bottom-up’ distribution reforms for a better grid
Adopting a distribution system operator, or DSO, structure would make the grid cleaner, more flexible and more affordable, writes Corrin Moss.
By Corrin Moss • Jan. 22, 2026 -
Getty Images
Gas sector takes furnace efficiency fight to Supreme Court
Advocates say stricter efficiency rules can be met with proven, energy-saving technologies. The gas industry says the rules ban non-condensing furnaces and other products.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2026 -
Getty Images
PJM cost concerns bleed into transmission planning
A proposed $1.7-billion, 765-kV power line across central Pennsylvania by NextEra Energy and Exelon could become the “poster child” for overbuilding new transmission infrastructure, according to that state’s ratepayer advocate.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 22, 2026 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
OpinionProject finance is the missing link for the nuclear buildout we need
This model fuels nearly every major energy infrastructure investment and should be applied to nuclear, too, writes Ruhani Arya of Bank of America.
By Ruhani Arya • Jan. 21, 2026 -
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images via Getty Images
New Jersey governor orders state to accelerate solar, storage and virtual power plants
Gov. Mikie Sherrill, who was sworn in Tuesday, also ordered regulators to study how to “modernize” the traditional electric utility business model, including by making utility profits “less dependent on capital spending.”
By Robert Walton • Jan. 21, 2026 -
OpinionA PJM backstop auction could fill the large load supply gap: Talen CEO
Reliability backstop auctions should not be a permanent, ongoing market feature, but they are the answer to today’s problem, writes Talen CEO Mac McFarland.
By Mac McFarland • Jan. 20, 2026 -
Scott Olson via Getty Images
Trump administration pushes PJM to hold ‘emergency’ auction to supply data centers
Capstone analysts said the proposal lacks binding authority, “reinforcing that this is policy signaling, not an imminent market reform.”
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 16, 2026 -
Getty Images
Tariffs push construction input prices higher
The latest PPI report presents “plenty of cause for concern,” according to Associated Builders and Contractors. Switchgear, switchboard and industrial controls equipment was up 11.1% from last year; copper wire and cable were up 11.7% and unprocessed energy materials were down 4.9%.
By Sebastian Obando • Jan. 15, 2026 -
Courtesy of Public Service Electric and Gas
Public Citizen challenges cost recovery for $546M PSE&G transmission project
A $6.6 million settlement between Public Service Electric and Gas and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission indicates costs from the project were imprudent, Public Citizen said.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 15, 2026 -
Michael Loccisano via Getty Images
NJ governor seeks changes to ‘weaken’ large load tariff bill, lawmaker says
“We are not willing to bend to any changes to this bill,” Assemblyman David Bailey Jr. told Utility Dive. “If he does nothing, in essence, he pocket vetoes it ... That’s on him.”
By Meris Lutz • Jan. 15, 2026 -
Getty Images
Appeals court vacates FERC decision on PJM capacity results for Delmarva zone
The court ordered the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to revisit a complaint over $183 million in “anomalous” capacity costs for parts of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 14, 2026 -
Getty Images
Illinois AG files objections to ComEd data center agreements at FERC
The agreements are based on payment models in which the offtaker promises to pay a minimum and post security if its usage does not match its commitment. The state argues this does not guarantee enough revenue to cover the transmission costs.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 14, 2026 -
Alex Wong via Getty Images
Trump administration clarifies scope of tariff refunds ahead of Supreme Court ruling
Government lawyers said in a separate case that if the Supreme Court determines IEEPA tariffs to be illegal and orders refunds, the administration would make reimbursements for all levies instituted under the statute.
By Phil Neuffer • Jan. 13, 2026 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
OpinionAmerica’s energy innovation crossroads: Why federal investment matters now
Meeting the United States’ energy challenges will require a federal investment of $25 billion for Department of Energy R&D by 2030, writes Clean Tomorrow Senior Director of Policy Evan Chapman.
By Evan Chapman • Jan. 13, 2026 -
Courtesy of Mott MacDonald
Judge grants (another) injunction to offshore developer amid Trump’s war on wind
Some analysts predicted a similar outcome on Jan. 16 in a separate case that would allow Dominion to continue construction on its 2.6-GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project.
By Meris Lutz • Jan. 13, 2026 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
EPA final rule on NOx limits emphasizes cost savings to turbine owners
The agency did not assess the economic impacts of better health from reducing nitrogen oxide in setting the new standard, which is nearly 90% less stringent than the Biden-era proposal.
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 13, 2026 -
Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
Trump administration unlawfully cut clean energy grants, court rules
The decision is a victory for St. Paul, Minnesota, and a coalition of energy and environmental groups that sued the U.S. Department of Energy after it canceled $7.5 billion in financial awards.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 2026 -
Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
Trump pulls US from key climate treaty, 65 other global organizations
The U.S. will exit the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and several other global bodies focused on climate, energy and sustainable development.
By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 12, 2026 -
George Frey via Getty Images
Senate bill exempts fully isolated large loads from FERC, DOE regulation
The bill affecting data centers and other energy-intensive sectors may face opposition from utilities who see it as a threat to their revenue, according to one industry expert who called it “good for the public” and “extremely confident developers.”
By Ethan Howland • Jan. 12, 2026 -
Getty Images
Sponsored by Tempo CommunicationsWhat lies below? Beneath our streets lies treasure — and trouble.
Mark it. Map it. Dig with confidence. One marker now can prevent disaster later.
Jan. 12, 2026 -
Courtesy of GE Vernova
OpinionHow VPPs can help data centers connect to the grid faster
Virtual power plants can be developed quickly to satisfy data center demand, but reaching the scale required to meet soaring load growth will require new commercial models, according to RMI.
By Jesse Cohen, Mark Dyson and Lauren Shwisberg • Jan. 8, 2026
