U.S. Grid Held During 2026 Arctic Cold, but Reliability Work Remains
A FERC-NERC review says the U.S. bulk grid avoided major disruptions during early-2026 cold, while gas supply, forecasting and coordination risks remain.
Energy Policy
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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.
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Federal Judge Dismisses Challenge to Reopening Offshore Acreage
An Alaska judge dismissed a challenge to reopening more than 600 million offshore acres to possible oil leasing, but the ruling did not authorize drilling.
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Federal Court Lets California Pipeline Operate Under DPA Order
A federal judge let Sable keep operating the Santa Ynez Pipeline, shifted consent-decree oversight to PHMSA and ordered a $1.449 million penalty.
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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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Army selects five bases for nuclear microreactor program
The Army selected five companies for planned microreactors at five bases, with up to $2.2 billion in milestone funding and a Sept. 30, 2028 target.
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Trump Extends Jones Act Waiver for Energy and Farm Cargo
A 90-day waiver begins August 17, allowing case-by-case exemptions for foreign vessels carrying energy and selected farm cargo between U.S. ports.
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DOE orders Michigan coal plant to remain available through November
A new DOE emergency order keeps Michigan’s 1,420-megawatt Campbell coal plant available through Nov. 14 amid MISO reliability concerns.
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DOE Opens 60-Day Comment Period on Draft National Transmission Study
The Energy Department’s draft 2026 study examines how the U.S. grid can accommodate AI data centers, manufacturing, new generation and electrification.
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San José Moves Toward Environmental Rules for Future Data Centers
A San José committee recommended uniform standards for future data centers, covering energy, water, generators, emissions, noise and public notice.
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Interior Says Federal Lands Hold 356 Billion Tons of Potential Coal Resources
A new Interior Department and USGS assessment estimates 356 billion short tons of available coal resources in the lower 48 states, plus at least 140 billion in Alaska.
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Montana energy rulemaking enters final public-comment window
Montana DEQ is accepting public comments on proposed energy-related administrative rules through August 7, 2026. The rules have not been adopted.
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Interior releases USGS estimate of 356 billion tons of coal resources beneath federal lands
A new U.S. Geological Survey assessment estimates 4.2 billion short tons of reported coal reserves beneath federal lands and 356 billion short tons of additional available resources in the lower 48 states.
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Federal snapshot shows 266,164 public EV charging ports
A new federal snapshot lists 266,164 public EV charging ports, but the mix, location and reliability of chargers still vary widely for U.S. drivers.
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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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FERC Gives PJM Until Sept. 30 to Agree on Grid Reforms
FERC is pressing PJM stakeholders to agree on governance reforms by Sept. 30 as a capacity-auction shortfall and rising demand test the grid operator.
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EPA Coal-Ash Permit Review Enters Agency’s Next Phase
EPA’s reopened coal-ash permitting comment period closed July 29. No nationwide permit change took effect, and the agency is reviewing next steps.
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Oklahoma named a potential host for federal nuclear campus, but no project is awarded
Oklahoma is one of five states continuing to explore a federal nuclear campus that could include reactors, fuel-cycle work and radioactive-waste activities. No site, award or construction commitment exists.
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Montana Energy Task Force sets Aug. 25 Helena meeting as draft recommendations are posted
Montana’s Energy Task Force will meet Aug. 25 at the State Capitol in Helena. Draft recommendations and a draft report from its July meeting are available, but the agenda and materials for the next meeting remain to be determined.
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D.C. Attorney General Urges Regulators to Reject Washington Gas Pipeline Plan
The D.C. Public Service Commission is weighing whether to retain, modify or reject Washington Gas’s pipeline-replacement plan after a July 27-28 evidentiary hearing. The dispute could affect future gas bills, neighborhood construction and the District’s long-term gas planning.
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New Jersey creates pathway to seek new nuclear power under ratepayer safeguards
The Power NJ Act directs the BPU and NJEDA to seek at least 1,100 megawatts of new nuclear generation, but no plant, site or developer has been approved and future customer costs remain unknown.
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Senate Advances Russia Sanctions Bill After Zelenskyy Visits Capitol
The Senate advanced a proposed Russia sanctions package in an 86-12 procedural vote as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy watched from the gallery.