DOE orders Washington coal unit to stay available through December
DOE ordered Centralia Unit 2 to remain available through Dec. 11 as a court ruling raises new questions about federal emergency power authority.
Electric grid
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Trump’s Grid Emergency Order Gives Energy Department Broad New Power
Trump’s grid emergency gives the Energy Department broad authority over foreign-produced bulk-power equipment, but key rules and vendor lists remain pending.
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AI Data Centers Become a National Fight Over Power and Local Control
A federal grid-security order, FERC proceedings and Texas oversight are colliding with local concerns about AI data centers, power costs, water and land.
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Trump Declares Emergency Over Foreign Risks to U.S. Power Grid
President Trump’s August 26 order gives Energy officials new authority over some foreign-linked bulk-power equipment, but rules and lists are still pending.
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DOE announces $1.9 billion opportunity for U.S. grid upgrades, with selections expected in August 2026
The Energy Department announced approximately $1.9 billion in potential funding for grid-infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving reliability, resilience and efficiency as electricity demand grows nationwide.
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FERC Orders Six Grid Operators to Reconsider Rules for Data Centers and Other Large Power Users
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ordered six regional grid operators to explain or revise how they connect data centers, factories and other major electricity users as demand rises.
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DOE Draft Says U.S. Grid Needs Major Transmission Expansion as Data-Center Demand Grows
A new Department of Energy draft study identifies rising electricity demand from data centers, manufacturing and large industrial loads as a pressing reason to expand the nation’s transmission system.
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North Tonawanda extends moratorium on cryptocurrency-mining and data-processing centers
North Tonawanda extended its temporary moratorium on permits for new cryptocurrency-mining and data-processing centers for 12 months while the city develops zoning amendments and a regulatory framework.
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Texas orders new protections for residential ratepayers as data-center demand strains the grid
Gov. Greg Abbott directed Texas regulators to make data centers pay for the electric infrastructure they need and to identify additional protections for residential and small-business customers.
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Energy Department says emergency measures protected power grid across 17 states during hot weather
The Department of Energy said an emergency order secured grid operations across 17 states from July 26 through Aug. 3 as hot weather raised reliability concerns.
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New Mexico opens grid-modernization grant applications ahead of Aug. 15 deadline
New Mexico government entities can seek funding for electric-grid upgrades by Aug. 15, while state workforce materials report a 10,600-job increase over the year ending in June.
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Illinois Sets Aug. 26 Deadline for First Statewide Utility-Scale Battery-Storage Procurement
The Illinois Power Agency will seek bids for 1,038 megawatts of standalone energy storage in the first competitive procurement under the state’s new grid and affordability law.
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City Utilities receives $3 million grant to strengthen Springfield electric grid
City Utilities will use a $3 million Missouri grant and local matching funds to replace aging poles and transformers across Springfield starting in 2027.
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FERC orders Western grid operators to report on seams by Sept. 30
FERC ordered CAISO and SPP to explain how they manage Western grid seams by Sept. 30, as new markets and power flows expand across the region.
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Columbus lists July 2026 target for Circuit 7221 grid-conversion work
Columbus’ Power CIPs program says it expected a July 2026 notice to proceed for Phase 1 of the Circuit 7221 voltage-conversion project, with construction anticipated to take about 15 months.
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DOE opens comment period on draft 2026 Transmission Needs Study—key deadlines
DOE has opened a 60-day comment period on its draft 2026 National Transmission Needs Study; Federal Register deadline: midnight Sept. 8 (EST).
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DOE opens 60-day comment window on draft 2026 National Transmission Needs Study
United States Infrastructure and Power Grid – DOE released a draft 2026 transmission needs study for 60 days of public input; comments close Sept. 7.
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FERC orders grid operators to revisit large-load rules as data-center demand grows
United States Infrastructure and Power Grid – FERC gave six grid operators 60 days to justify or change large-load rules as data-center demand keeps rising.
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DOE reopens comment window on distribution-transformer efficiency standards
DOE opened a June 15, 2026 RFI on distribution-transformer efficiency standards; comments are due July 15, 2026, as utilities weigh supply-chain risk.