Regulation & Policy
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DOE proposes slashing non-defense spending on energy
The proposal would shrink DOE’s non-defense spending by “slashing Green New Scam initiatives,” including more than $15 billion in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding, the White House said.
By Meris Lutz • April 10, 2026 -
Courtesy of Terra-Gen
Terra-Gen to pay $5.6M to settle CAISO market manipulation charges
The renewable energy company failed to follow orders to store electricity in a battery system when power prices were high, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
By Ethan Howland • April 10, 2026 -
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TrendlineTop 5 Stories from Utility Dive
Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources.
By Utility Dive staff -
Retrieved from Tennessee Valley Authority/Wikimedia Commons.
EPA proposes weakening power plant coal ash protections
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin framed the proposal as “commonsense changes,” but environmental advocates say it could permit coal plant owners to minimize, delay or avoid cleanup.
By Robert Walton • April 10, 2026 -
Retrieved from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
OpinionStates are already working on solutions to large-load challenges
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has never regulated retail load interconnections before and should leave it to the states, who have done it for decades, writes former FERC Chairman Mark Christie.
By Mark Christie • April 9, 2026 -
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Entergy, Xcel, others seek to upend competitive transmission bidding in MISO, SPP
Ending competition for regional transmission would be “counterproductive and not in the interest of consumers,” former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Neil Chatterjee told Utility Dive.
By Ethan Howland • April 9, 2026 -
Diana DiGangi/Utility Dive
Virginia grid utilization bill set to become law
A growing body of research suggests increased grid utilization has broad benefits for utilities and customers, but experts say advanced metering technology is needed to unlock its full potential.
By Brian Martucci • April 8, 2026 -
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OpinionRecalibrating the social license for AI infrastructure in the United States
To counter a public backlash, data center developers must embrace economic reciprocity while utilities and regulators must design rates that penalize grid stress and reward flexibility, write Fred Bailey of Gideon Arktos and Frank Willey at the Atlantic Council.
By Fred Bailey and Frank Willey • April 8, 2026 -
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Pennsylvania DEP seeks potential fast-track storage, generation projects
The request is in response to the PJM Interconnection’s proposed Expedited Interconnection Track, which faces opposition at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from independent power producer Vistra and environmental groups.
By Ethan Howland • April 7, 2026 -
The image by The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
Commercial nuclear fuel recycling key to a sustainable supply: report
A robust recycling program could greatly reduce the volume and radiotoxicity of waste and reduce the need for additional uranium mining, according to the Energy Innovation Reform Project.
By Brian Martucci • April 7, 2026 -
Courtesy of Swift Current Energy
Federal permitting is ‘outsized’ factor in clean energy delays, cancellations: Crux
“More than 80% of respondents reported intentionally siting projects to avoid triggering federal permitting requirements,” fintech company Crux said about its survey of clean energy developers.
By Diana DiGangi • April 7, 2026 -
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Eversource, Avangrid ask FERC to stay $1.5B refund decision
The utility companies asked the agency to put a hold on a recent return on equity decision, saying consumers could be hurt by “rate whiplash” if the refunds are overturned in court.
By Ethan Howland • April 7, 2026 -
The image by Reliathon is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Nevada PUC approves NV Energy plan to join day-ahead market
The decision comes as markets are expanding in the West, with utilities opting between ones run by the California Independent System Operator and the Southwest Power Pool.
By Ethan Howland • April 6, 2026 -
Nathan Howard via Getty Images
Trump adjusts metal tariffs, sets 15% rate for some electrical grid equipment
Under the new rules, which go into effect April 6, goods made almost entirely of aluminum, steel or copper will still face a 50% tariff. Derivative products will be subject to 25%.
By Phil Neuffer • April 3, 2026 -
Win McNamee via Getty Images
OpinionState utility laws are the primary barrier to Trump’s AI ratepayer protection pledge
The best way to leverage the pledge’s supply commitment is to accelerate the nationwide momentum to give business customers retail choice, write Devin Hartman and Kent Chandler of the R Street Institute.
By Devin Hartman and Kent Chandler • April 3, 2026 -
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FERC urged to reject TeraWulf’s power plant purchase due to undisclosed Google ownership stake
The purchase is part of TeraWulf’s plan to develop a major data center at a power plant site in Maryland.
By Ethan Howland • April 3, 2026 -
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OpinionCalifornia approved a gas pipeline solution. Now comes the hard part.
SB 1221 offers a rare opportunity to align climate action with lower bills and prudent spending of ratepayer dollars, writes Jalal Awan at The Utility Reform Network.
By Jalal Awan • April 2, 2026 -
Reject Talen-Energy Capital power plant deal, PJM market monitor tells FERC
Power plant owners are consolidating generation in the PJM Interconnection, which could drive up electricity and capacity prices, Monitoring Analytics told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
By Ethan Howland • April 2, 2026 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Texas opens $350M advanced nuclear grant program
"Texas is streamlining the nuclear regulatory environment and making investments to spur a flourishing nuclear energy ecosystem,” said Gov. Greg Abbott.
By Robert Walton • April 2, 2026 -
Joe Raedle/Getty Images via Getty Images
Expect retail electricity prices to rise further: LBNL/Brattle
Record investor-owned utility rate increase requests and approvals last year “suggest additional near-term price increases absent policy/market actions,” according to an analysis.
By Robert Walton • April 1, 2026 -
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PECO seeks $429M rate hike, partly to reduce power outages
PECO’s capital expenditure to net plant ratio is higher than that of 16 peer utilities, indicating a higher risk level, said a Brattle Group representative who testified in support of the rate request.
By Ethan Howland • April 1, 2026 -
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Large load tariffs proliferate as states take more active role in data center regulation
In 2025, state regulators approved 29 large load tariffs, and more are on the way. Experts say it’s too soon to know if the tariffs are working as intended, but utilities should prepare for tougher scrutiny amid affordability concerns.
By Meris Lutz • March 31, 2026 -
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OpinionBefore we build more gas pipelines, we need better data
Building energy infrastructure takes years, billions of dollars and massive political capital. Better data costs a fraction of that, write researchers at three universities.
By Burçin Ãœnel, Anamika Dubey and Chiara Lo Prete • March 30, 2026 -
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AMP, ratepayer advocates oppose ROE, rates proposed for $1.1B AEP-FirstEnergy transmission project
The proposed rates fail to protect ratepayers from data center-driven transmission costs, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
By Ethan Howland • March 30, 2026 -
Diana DiGangi/Utility Dive
PJM data center colocation plan takes fire from Vistra, data center group, others
“Even a customer that brings sufficient co-located generation to meet its load cannot avoid curtailment risk,” the Data Center Coalition told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. “It is unclear why a customer would pursue this pathway at all.”
By Ethan Howland • March 27, 2026 -
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OpinionSoutheast, lower-cost PJM states offer model for affordable grid expansion
The vertically integrated utility model shows it is possible to build new generation and protect customers from steep rate increases, writes former FERC Commissioner Bernard McNamee.
By Bernard L. McNamee • March 26, 2026
