The Latest
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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.
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Sponsored by OpenTextGet AI ready: A practical path for electric and water utilities
Why AI readiness is critical for utilities—and how to build data trust to get there
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Deep DiveCan power demand boost renewables above policy obstacles in 2026?
The industry is navigating new FEOC rules and steeling itself for the end of some IRA credits. But load growth and rising electricity bills present opportunity, according to experts in our renewable energy outlook.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Managed EV charging can save utilities and ratepayers money: report
By optimizing electric vehicle charging around peak times, utilities can delay costly distribution grid upgrades while cutting per-vehicle charging costs by 25% or more, Brattle Group said this month.
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Heather Diehl via Getty Images
Acting CISA chief defends workforce cuts, declares agency ‘back on mission’
Madhu Gottumukkala said the Trump administration supports a long-term renewal of the 2015 Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Act. The agency is also working on finalizing regulation under the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act.
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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.
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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.”
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Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo via Getty Images
Utilities under pressure: 6 power sector trends to watch in 2026
Facing rising demand and aggressive load growth projections, utilities are rolling out massive spending plans. Now they'll have to walk a fine line with regulators and ratepayers.
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George Frey via Getty Images
Labor, tariffs collide with data center boom
Contractors report booming demand for certain types of builds, particularly data centers and power projects to support them. But outside those sectors, workforce shortages and tariffs weigh on construction.
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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.
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Courtesy of Energy Dome
Google sees CO2 batteries as large-scale way to store renewable energy
The tech giant is working with a Milan-based company called Energy Dome, which has built a model facility in Ottana, Sardinia, Italy. As part of the partnership, Google has made an equity investment in the company.
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Permission granted by PJM Interconnection
PJM board calls for backstop auction in data center interconnection plan
The PJM Interconnection’s board also called on stakeholders to consider extending a price collar on capacity auctions to limit their effect on ratepayers.
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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.
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Permission granted by Minnesota Power
Xcel-led coalition proposes Minnesota-North Dakota transmission expansion
All new infrastructure for the line would be within the right-of-way of an existing 345-kV line that faces thermal and voltage issues, the five utilities said.
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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.”
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Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
The week in 5 numbers: DJT v. PJM, offshore wind prevails in court
In another legal setback, a judge said the government violated the Constitution by canceling clean energy grants.
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US and allies collaborate on operational technology security guidance
A new report for critical infrastructure operators stresses the importance of logging, network segmentation and strong authentication, among other practices.
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Talen in deal to buy 2.6 GW of gas plants in PJM for $3.5B
The announcement comes amid a surge in power sector consolidation, as generators jockey to meet growing demand from data centers and electrification efforts.
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Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
PJM trims near-term load forecast on stricter data center vetting, economic outlook
However, the PJM Interconnection expects long-term load growth to surge past its estimates released a year ago.
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John Moore via Getty Images
Global wind power additions to decline 6% in 2026: WoodMac
A development slowdown in China will drive the decline, but policy challenges in the United States will also “curb wind’s buildout,” according to analysis from Wood Mackenzie.
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Alexi J. Rosenfeld via Getty Images
OpinionThe data center dependency crisis: When our grid can’t function without big tech
We're sleepwalking into a future where our electric grid depends on the voluntary cooperation of private technology companies because the short-term benefits are too attractive to resist, writes Mothusi Pahl of Hartwell and Loche.
