Regulation & Policy: Page 3


  • An aerial view of eight large battery storage containers in a fenced-in lot.
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    Courtesy of Lightshift Energy
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    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.

    By Oct. 23, 2025
  • North American Electric Reliability Corp. President and CEO Jim Robb speaks to federal regulators
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    Retrieved from FERC.
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    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.

    By Oct. 22, 2025
  • High voltage power lines seen from below Explore the Trendline
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 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
  • An American flag and a flag bearing the seal of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (which features an eagle holding a shield with elements of a skyline on it) flank a large upright square panel bearing the same CISA seal. On the wall to the right of the panel and the flags, a row of digital clocks shows the time in the four major U.S. time zones.
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    Eric Geller/Utility Dive
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    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.

    By Eric Geller • Oct. 22, 2025
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    Courtesy of Pennsylvania governor's office
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    Opinion

    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.

    By Joseph Kelliher • Oct. 22, 2025
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    Mark Wilson via Getty Images
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    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.

    By Oct. 22, 2025
  • Aerial view of the Silver Peak Lithium Mine, showcasing a vast desert landscape with a network of rectangular evaporation ponds in varying shades of blue and green. These geometric pools are interlaced with earthen pathways and surrounded by arid terrain, illustrating the industrial scale of lithium extraction in a remote environment.
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    Alamy
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    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.

    By Oct. 21, 2025
  • Fervo Energy's Project Red enhanced geothermal facility near Winnemucca, Nevada.
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    Permission granted by Fervo Energy
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    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.

    By Oct. 21, 2025
  • Two men walk in front of electrical equipment.
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    Getty Images
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    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.

    By Oct. 21, 2025
  • Nissan and Volkswagen electric cars sit parked at a Charge Point EV charging station.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    To keep power affordable, regulators must rethink who pays — and when

    A growing body of evidence shows that widespread residential electrification can actually reduce average rates, but only under the right conditions, write Becky Li and Joe Daniel of RMI. 

    By Becky Li and Joe Daniel • Oct. 20, 2025
  • Solar panels are seen on top of homes
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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.

    By Oct. 20, 2025
  • cybersecurity hackers cyberattacks IT
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    Getty Images
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    As cyber threats grow, utilities say lapsed information-sharing law stymies security

    The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 has expired, and utilities say the U.S. faces a “more complex and dangerous security environment” as a result.

    By Oct. 20, 2025
  • Aerial view showing solar panels on the roof of an apartment building.
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    by Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    States sue EPA over canceled Solar for All grants

    In the third lawsuit filed about the grants this month, 22 states and the District of Columbia contend the agency illegally revoked $7 billion in clean energy funds awarded to local governments.

    By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 17, 2025
  • FERC headquarters
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    Permission granted by Esme Howland
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    FERC orders MISO to clarify how merchant projects will be included in transmission planning

    Also, the agency aims to issue a colocation decision this year while its staffing has plunged 11%, FERC Chairman David Rosner said Thursday at an open meeting.

    By Oct. 17, 2025
  • A natural gas plant is seen lit up and emitting steam at sunset.
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    Diana DiGangi/Utility Dive
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    Opinion

    PJM customers will benefit from cooperation, not conflict, within the electric industry

    Distribution utilities and generators in the PJM region have come to blows over a potential generation shortage, writes Terry Fitzpatrick, a former chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

    By Terry Fitzpatrick • Oct. 16, 2025
  • A man speaks with a woman with the U.S. Capitol building in the background.
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    21 Democratic House members press PJM for interconnection reforms

    The lawmakers called on the PJM Interconnection to bolster rules for energy storage and grid-enhancing technologies while considering options such as “connect and manage.”

    By Oct. 16, 2025
  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    California delays rulemaking timeline for climate disclosure laws to 2026

    The state said the delay was due to the “large volume of public comments” it received. Many utilities were included on a “preliminary” list of covered entities published last month.

    By Zoya Mirza • Updated Oct. 15, 2025
  • An electric power line crosses a field.
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    Getty Images
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    DOE closes $1.6B loan commitment for AEP transmission rebuild

    The loan guarantee will help an American Electric Power subsidiary rebuild around 5,000 miles of transmission lines across Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma and West Virginia.

    By Oct. 16, 2025
  • An aerial view of residential homes, many with solar panels.
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    VPP Convergence Project aims to educate states on virtual power plants

    Tesla, Sunrun, Leap, Voltus and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners are involved in the effort.

    By Oct. 15, 2025
  • Two people on the roof of a house holding a solar panel. One uses a drill to attach the panel to the roof. Behind the roof are trees and other homes.
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    How community benefits agreements can reduce project delivery risk

    Working with communities to develop energy or other projects can help developers deliver on-time and on-budget, and with a strong foundation of local support.

    By Sameera Fazili, Pronita Gupta and Doug Bloch • Oct. 15, 2025
  • AI Artificial Intelligence technology for data analysis
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    Getty Images
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    Public disclosures of AI risk surge among S&P 500 companies

    A report by The Conference Board shows companies are flagging concerns about cyber and reputational risk as they increase deployment.

    By David Jones • Oct. 15, 2025
  • A cluster of homes next to warehouses.
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    Nathan Howard via Getty Images
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    PJM’s market monitor urges FERC to review Amazon data center’s effect on costs, reliability

    The issue centers on an unprecedented agreement between PECO Energy and Amazon Data Services that aims to protect utility customers from costs related to a planned data center complex in Pennsylvania.

    By Oct. 15, 2025
  • Rare earth ore held in partially closed hand
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Losing power, losing billions: How offshoring grid materials weakens America

    Critical materials are the United States’ Achilles’ heel in the race to expand, modernize and intelligently manage the electric grid, writes Peak Nano CEO Jim Welsh.

    By Jim Welsh • Oct. 14, 2025
  • Homes in foreground, clouds clearing over skyline in the background.
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    Art Wager via Getty Images
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    Harris County, Texas, sues EPA over canceled Solar For All funds

    County officials say the loss of $54 million in clean energy grants jeopardizes staffing, planning and partnerships built around the program, forcing major adjustments to local operations and budgets.

    By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 14, 2025
  • A man carries a box in a warehouse.
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    Getty Images
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    FERC approves SPP ‘provisional load’ interconnection review process

    With 26.4 GW in large load study requests since 2020, the Southwest Power Pool is developing options for data centers, manufacturing plants and other loads to connect to the grid.

    By Oct. 14, 2025
  • A ship is seen on a sparkling ocean with offshore wind turbines in the background.
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    Permission granted by Bob Brewer/Unsplash
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    California to invest $226M in offshore wind ports amid federal cuts

    State and industry leaders argued that the funds are needed to establish California as a hub for floating offshore wind.

    By Emma Penrod • Oct. 14, 2025