As of January 29, 2026, the owners of a Colorado power unit say the Department of Energy (DOE) violated their constitutional rights by ordering them to continue running a coal-fired generator they had been planning to retire for years. [1] In a request for clarification and rehearing, the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and the Platte River Power Authority stated that the order constitutes both a “physical taking and a regulatory taking” of property by the government without compensation or due process, by mandating the generator’s availability to operate. They also asserted that keeping the unit available to operate “will not best meet DOE’s goal of securing dispatchable electricity resources in the northwestern United States.” Energy Secretary Chris Wright employed his emergency powers to issue the order on December 30, 2025, the day before the 427-MW coal-fired unit of the Craig Generating Station was due for retirement. His justification was the power supply shortfall in the Midwest. Tri-State and Platte River, the unit’s owners, contend that DOE failed to demonstrate the existence of a pressing emergency that would require the plant’s continued operation.
[USA] House holds subcommittee hearing on oversight of FERC
On February 3, 2026, House representatives questioned members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) about electric affordability, grid reliability, and the agency’s reviews of natural pipelines and liquefied natural gas projects. [1] This year, FERC will begin reviewing plans explaining how transmission providers intend to comply with FERC Order 1920, which was issued in 2024. The order requires grid planners to develop transmission plans that look 20 years ahead and gives states a greater role in cost allocation. Commissioner Judy Chang stated that if the transmission system is not ready, it becomes the bottleneck; it is time for the industry to ensure that the system is ready to connect both large loads and the generators. Commissioner David Rosner highlighted the problem by citing the example of a gas-fired power project in PJM’s fast-track interconnection process for bringing power plants online to meet its resource adequacy needs that require $1 billion in grid upgrade costs. Rosner suggested that this cost was driven more by the lack of transmission, since the project requires 100 miles of 345-kV transmission lines to come online. FERC Chairman Laura Swett called for an end to the “flip-flopping of FERC’s regulatory paradigm and the uncertainty that is created by increasing regulation” that exceeds what FERC’s mission is under the law.
[USA] Senators at permitting reform hearing call for more certainty
As of January 28, 2026, Senators at a permitting reform hearing expressed the desire to advance permitting reforms, but Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse D-R.I. stated that progress hinges on the Trump administration ending its moves to halt renewable energy development. [1] Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., stated that she called the hearing with Whitehouse to get back on the path towards “fruitful compromise.” On December 18, 2025, the House had passed the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, called the SPEED Act, which revised the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). However, Sen. Whitehouse and Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., ended permitting reform discussions on December 22 after the Trump administration ordered work to halt on all offshore wind farms under construction.
[USA] 4 of 5 offshore wind projects win court injunction from Trump freeze
As of January 29, 2026, the 800-MW Vineyard Wind project offshore Massachusetts was allowed to resume construction by a federal judge’s ruling. [1] Vineyard Wind became the fourth offshore wind project to receive an injunction against the stop work orders issued by the Trump administration, which cited national security concerns as the reason for the pause. The project developer said that after the order was issued, it reached out to confer with government agencies to “forge a path forward without litigation,” but that those agencies would refuse to discuss the new information about supposed national security impacts. The injunction followed similar rulings in cases brought by other offshore wind developers like Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, Revolution Wind, and Empire Wind. In a January 27 release following the ruling, Vineyard Wind expressed the intention to continue to work with the administration to understand the matters raised in the order.
[1] https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26471416/revolution-wind-injunction-order.pdf
[Japan] Japan’s first commercial floating offshore wind farm commences operation
As of January 5, 2026, Kansai Electric Power Co., announced that the 16.8 MW Goto Offshore Wind Farm began commercial operation as Japan’s first commercial floating offshore wind farm. [1] The wind farm is the first facility of its kind in Japan to be certified by Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism under the Act on Promoting the Utilization of Sea Areas for the Development of Marine Renewable Energy Power Generation Facilities. The wind farm uses a hybrid spar-type floater with a steel upper section and concrete lower section. The electricity generated will be supplied preferentially to local retail electricity providers.
[1] https://www.kepco.co.jp/english/corporate/pr/2026/pdf/jan5_1.pdf
[USA] Court rules that Trump administration illegally cut clean energy grants
As of January 12, 2026, the US District Court for the District of Columbia found that the Trump administration violated the Fifth Amendment when it canceled clean energy grants in 2025 based on whether the projects were located in states that voted for the president in 2024. [1] According to the court, “there is no rational relationship” between the location-based grant terminations and the government’s stated interest of aligning grant funding with agency priorities. The decision covers seven grants worth $27.6 million. The US Department of Energy’s terminations included more than $7.5 billion in financial awards. The lawsuit was filed in November 2025 by St. Paul, Minnesota, and a coalition of energy and community advocates, including the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). While the court decision impacts a limited number of grants, EDF officials stated that the court’s reasoning and legal holding would apply to “all who were subject to this unconstitutional action.”
[1] https://library.edf.org/AssetLink/qj678808620ih52ism862br428xshpaw.pdf
[USA] OpenAI pledges to pay its own way to power Stargate data centers
As of January 20, 2026, OpenAI announced a plan to commit to paying their own way on energy for its Stargate data center projects. [1] The company noted that the plan would be tailored to each community and region of operation, due to unique conditions in each location. The proposed initiatives range from bringing new dedicated power and storage that the project fully funds, to adding and paying for new energy generation and transmission resources. This includes: funding incremental generation and grid upgrades for their load; planning together with local utilities, transmission providers, and state utility regulators, and regional grid operators; and developing strategies for operating AI campuses as flexible loads so as to contribute to demand response programs. The company highlighted several examples where it has already begun implementing this. For example, in Wisconsin, Oracle and Vantage are working with WEC Energy Group to develop new generation and capacity, including solar and battery. The development partners have committed to underwrite 100 percent of the power infrastructure needed for the project through a dedicated electricity rate from WEC.
[USA] Trump administration pushes PJM to hold ‘emergency’ auction
As of January 16, 2026, the Trump administration and a bipartisan group of governors asked PJM Interconnection, the country’s largest wholesale electricity market, to hold a one-time emergency auction to provide data centers with new sources of power. [1] They urged PJM to do so, so that data center owners could bid on 15-year power purchase agreements, in an abrupt departure from how the grid operator normally functions. [2] The data centers would be required to pay for the new generation built for them, regardless of whether they use the power or not, according to a US Department of Energy fact sheet on the agreement. The auction could support up to $15 billion in new power plants. PJM said it will work with its stakeholders to see how the proposal aligns with a plan for handling data center interconnections that PJM’s board is set to release. The proposal cites several supporting reasons, including providing revenue certainty to new generation, protecting residential customers from capacity price increases, allocating costs to data centers, and improving load forecasting, among others.
[1] https://www.energy.gov/documents/statement-principles-regarding-pjm
[USA] US federal court reverses Trump order halting Revolution Wind construction
As of January 12, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted the preliminary injunction sought by Revolution Wind regarding the December 2025 suspension order issued by the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). [1] The injunction allows construction to resume at Revolution Wind, marking the second time such a suspension order was overturned. In September 2025, Judge Royce Lamberth rejected the Interior’s claim that the project constituted a threat to national security, referring to it as the height of “arbitrary and capricious action.” The Interior issued a second stop-work order to Revolution Wind in December, citing a new classified report by the Department of Defense that asserted turbines could disrupt military radar. In his ruling, Lamberth stated that the government had failed to explain why this new information warranted a halt to construction, calling it an “unreasonable and seemingly unjustified” change in position. He explained that “the balance of equity is clearly cut in favor of Revolution Wind continuing work while the government considers ways to mitigate any new national security concerns that the project may implicate.” Revolution Wind is slated to begin commercial operations next year.
[USA] ERCOT large load queue spiked to 300%
As of December 9, 2025, a report by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) found that data centers are driving a rapid increase in the number and capacity of large load interconnection requests in the ERCOT region. [1] Grid planners in Texas are assessing more than 233 GW of large load interconnection requests, with over 70% originating from data centers. [2] The total capacity exploring grid interconnection near the end of 2025 increased almost 300% over the 2024 year-end total. [3] The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), which regulates ERCOT, is implementing a new state law, known as SB 6, that requires standardized interconnection rules and improvements to load forecasting. The PUCT published an implementation road map for SB 6 that sets requirements around data center load curtailment alongside standardizing load forecasting.
[2] https://interchange.puc.texas.gov/Documents/58317_5_1526835.PDF
[USA] MISO selects AEP-Berkshire JV to build transmission project
As of January 6, 2026, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator selected a joint venture of American Electric Power and Berkshire Hathaway Energy subsidiaries to build a $1.2 billion 765-kV transmission project in Wisconsin. [1] The project is slated to run 190 miles and must be operating by June 1, 2034. MISO’s report on the selection process states that the Transource and BHE Transmission project demonstrated the most 765 kV capabilities of all developers. MISO also chose Chicago-based Viridon Midcontinent to build a $350 million, 345-kV project in southeast Wisconsin, set to run 105 miles and required to come online by June 1, 2033. Both projects require regulatory and other permitting approvals. They compose part of MISO’s $22 billion Long-Range Transmission Plan Tranche 2.1 portfolio that had been approved by the grid operator’s board in December 2024.
[USA] Senate Democrats end permitting reform discussions
As of December 22, 2025, Senate Democrats ended permitting reform discussions after the Trump administration ordered work on all offshore wind farms under construction to halt, totaling 7 GW of power. [1] In a statement, Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., asserted that “attacks on fully permitting renewable energy projects must be reversed if there is to be any chance that permitting talks resume.” [2] The move comes after the US House of Representatives passed a permitting reform bill last week. The Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, known as the SPEED Act, includes certainty provisions intended to prevent agencies from revisiting permits after they are issued. Regardless, the outlook for permitting reform was dim due to the Trump administration's efforts to stall renewable energy. Five projects are paused, including Vineyard Wind 1, Revolution Wind, CVOW, Sunrise Wind, and Empire Wind 1.
[USA] DOE orders Indiana coal-fired units to run past retirement
As of December 23, 2025, the US Department of Energy (DOE) ordered Northern Indiana Public Service Co. and CenterPoint Energy to continue three coal-fired units in Indiana, amounting to 950 MW, beyond their retirement at the end of the month. [1] DOE suggests that parts of the Midcontinent Independent System Operators face an emergency situation, according to studies by the grid operator. Additionally, recent capacity auction results indicate tightening supply conditions. [2] In its 90-day emergency orders, DOE stated that the emergency conditions resulting from increasing demand and a shortage caused by the accelerated retirement of generation facilities will likely continue in the near term and in subsequent years. A string of last-minute emergency orders under the Federal Power Act was issued to keep power plants in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Washington from retiring.
[1] https://www.energy.gov/documents/order-number-202-25-12-schahfer
[2] https://www.energy.gov/documents/order-number-202-25-13-culley
[USA] FERC concerned about PJM failure to meet reliability target
As of December 18, 2025, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) members raised concerns about PJM Interconnection’s failure to buy enough capacity to meet its reliability target in its recent auction. [1] In a media briefing, FERC Chairman Laura Swett stated that these market results suggest that, “we have to act to ensure that new supply is available to interconnect to PJM quickly enough to meet historically surging demand.” [2] On December 17th, 2025, PJM announced that it procured 145,777 MW in its latest capacity auction, falling 6,625 MW below the 20% installed reserve margin target. [3] The grid-operator failed to meet its reserve margin while also setting record-high prices for the third consecutive auction. According to PJM, several factors could close that shortfall by the time the auction’s capacity year starts in June 2027, but FERC Commissioner David Rosner found the failure to acquire enough capacity “unacceptable.” In a decision issued on December 18, 2025, FERC gave PJM until January 19 to file a report on the status of the proposals that were considered in the Critical Issue Fast Path stakeholder process on integrating large loads.
[2] https://www.ferc.gov/media/e-1-el25-49-000-0
[3] https://www.ferc.gov/media/press-conference-december-2025
[USA] House passes anti-offshore wind amendment to SPEED Act
As of December 18, 2025, the US House of Representatives passed permitting reform legislation, adding an amendment to the SPEED act that exempts offshore wind projects from being subject to parts of the bill. [1] The SPEED Act would amend the National Environmental Policy Act to ease and speed up the permitting process for energy projects. By introducing new deadlines for opposition to the projects, it requires opponents to make their claims no later than 150 days after the final agency action is made public. The offshore wind exception applies to issuance, modification, approval, or administration of any lease, easement, right-of-way, site assessment plan, construction and operations plan, or any other such authorization. The amendment was introduced by New Jersey representatives Reps. Chris Smith, R-N.J., and Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., as well as Maryland’s Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md.
[1] https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4776/text
[USA] EIA lowers power generation forecast for 2026
As of December 9, 2025, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) cut its 2026 electricity generation growth forecast by 1.3% from last month due to “how much large load electricity demand has come online so far this year,” especially in Texas, according to the Short-Term Energy Outlook report. EIA projects generation to grow by 2.4% this year and 1.7% next year, with US generation reaching 4,327 billion kWh in 2026, down from the 4,382 billion kWh estimate from November. [1] Last month, the EIA expected US electricity generation to grow by 3% in 2026. Much of the projected growth originates from grids managed by the PJM Interconnection and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), with total downward revision being driven by changes in ERCOT’s projected demand growth. The EIA revised its forecast of ERCOT growth rates since November, shrinking its projections from 6% to 5% in 2025 and from 15.7% to 9.6% in 2026.
[USA] Creekstone Energy to Evaluate nuclear power Options for world’s largest data center campus in Utah
As of December 11, 2025, Creekstone Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with Utah-based EnergySolutions to evaluate potential nuclear power options to support long-term clean energy needs at the Utah Creekstone Gigasite’s planned data center campus and other potential locations. [1] The 20-million-square-foot campus, known as “Gigasite,” could become the world’s largest data center campus. Creekstone plans to manage 10 gigawatts of capacity at the site from three primary sources, including the Intermountain Power Project, solar capacity, and natural gas. Future additions for consideration may include geothermal, wind, and nuclear. The agreement outlines a structured process to study the feasibility of integrating at least two gigawatts of next-generation nuclear capacity. Multiple nuclear technologies will be evaluated, including large-scale and small modular reactors (SMRs), of different designs. If the partners decide to pursue nuclear development, initial operation would likely land between 2030 and 2035.
[1] https://www.creekstone.energy/news/press-releases/2025-12-11-energysolutions-nuclear-partnership
[USA] Hurricanes in 2024 were the leading cause of lengthy power outages in the US
As of December 1, 2025, an Energy Information Administration (EIA) report found that Americans lost more power last year than any year in the previous decade. [1] US electricity customers experienced an average of 11 hours of power outages in 2024, which is almost twice as many as the annual average across the previous decade. [2] The leading cause for 80% of those hours were hurricanes, with major ones like Beryl, Helene, and Milton causing most of last year’s outages. The report builds on a growing body of evidence that extreme weather is taking a heavier toll on the electric power system in certain parts of the country. An October report by JD Power found that the average length of the longest outages has increased. Hurricane Helene especially caused severe damage to utility systems in the US Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida faced strong winds and flooding from the hurricane that affected transmission and distribution power lines, as well as substations, leading to prolonged power outages. In contrast, customers in Arizona, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Massachusetts experienced less than two hours of service interruptions on average in 2024.
[USA] North Carolina leaders examine data center boom and Duke Energy rate hike
As of December 2, 2025, North Carolina’s state Energy Policy Task Force met to examine how rapid load growth from data centers and new industries could strain the grid, as rising power bills have become a cause for concern. [1] Governor Josh Stein, who formed the task force, opposed Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike of 15% over the next two years. [2] The task force meeting focused on how other states are responding to the data center boom now affecting North Carolina. [3] Luke Wilson, executive director of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, stated that his state expects peak demand to rise by 60% by the 2030s, mainly driven by data centers. Indiana’s new rules require large load users to cover most of the cost of the new generation built to serve them. Virginia State Corporation Commission member Kelsey Baggett stated that Virginia has seen hundreds of data center projects queue up for grid access, prompting regulators to create a separate electric rate class so big-tech users pay their share. Under North Carolina’s current structure, residential customers shoulder a greater share of the cost while large commercial customers pay less. The task force is expected to deliver recommendations in February on this issue.
[2] https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/dec-nc-rate-case
[3] https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/Senate/PDF/S266v0.pdf
[USA] FERC approves Amazon data center transmission agreement
As of November 21, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved a transmission service agreement between the Exelon utility PECO Energy and Amazon Data Services. The agreement outlined how Amazon will pay for grid upgrades necessary to supply power to a planned data center in Pennsylvania. [1] FERC rejected a call by the PJM Interconnection’s market monitor Monitoring Analytics to assess how the data center’s could affect capacity and energy costs for ratepayers and grid reliability, suggesting that it was outside the scope of the proceeding. [2] In its decision, FERC said that the agreement met the Mobile-Sierra presumption, under which FERC must presume that freely negotiated contracts between independent parties are just and reasonable unless the rates seriously harm the public.