This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements, and other government-related news concerning power generation and transmission, wind and solar, utilities, midstream companies, batteries and energy storage, LNG, biofuels, as well as nuclear. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-03-22 to 2026-03-28

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

FERC Approves CIP-003-11 Cyber Security Management Controls for Bulk Electric System

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued Order No. 918, formally approving the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) Critical Infrastructure Protection Reliability Standard CIP-003-11. The new standard strengthens baseline cybersecurity for low-impact bulk electric system (BES) cyber systems, introducing controls for authenticating remote users, protecting authentication information in transit, and detecting malicious communications. The modification targets coordinated attacks on distributed low-impact infrastructure and aims to mitigate lateral movement threats. FERC also retires CIP-003-10 in favor of CIP-003-11, which incorporates virtualization-related provisions. The rule carries new compliance documentation burdens for 1,673 U.S. entities and minimal direct reporting requirements for registered utilities.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FERC Approves Virtualization Reliability Standards Package

FERC issued Order No. 919, approving 11 modified CIP Reliability Standards covering virtualization, security management, personnel, perimeter controls, incident response, recovery plans, information protection, and supply chain risk. The action includes four new and 18 revised glossary definitions. These changes allow for secure adoption of virtualization technologies, broadening perimeter and change management approaches. FERC directs NERC to establish criteria and reporting requirements for entities invoking 'per system capability' exceptions. An annual anonymized report will provide aggregated exception data. The implementation plan allows early adoption in six, 12, or 18 months post-effective date. Documentation burdens affect approximately 400 entities for this package.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FERC Approves CIP-002-8: Revised BES Cyber System Categorization

FERC approved NERC’s CIP-002-8 standard, replacing CIP-002-7. The revision clarifies the definition of 'control center' and establishes new impact rating criteria, assigning weighted values to transmission lines monitored and controlled by control centers. This approach refines differentiation between medium and low impact BES cyber systems. The implementation aligns with CIP-002-7’s effective date or three months after FERC approval. Information collection requirements increase slightly for affected entities.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

DOE Information Collection Extension: Electric Power Surveys

The U.S. Energy Information Administration requested a three-year extension for its Electric Power Surveys (EPS), incorporating ten forms covering generation, transmission, delivery, sales, and reliability. Changes include discontinuation of Form EIA-63B (Photovoltaic Module Shipments Report), additional questions about spinning reserves, and clarification of SAIDI/SAIFI calculation instructions. Annual estimates call for 29,989 respondents, totaling 101,177 responses and 251,176 burden hours, with associated costs just under $24 million.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

DOE Issues 2025 Representative Residential Energy Cost Guidance

The Department of Energy released updated guidance on residential energy costs for 2025, effective April 27, 2026. The published figures include electricity at $0.1722/kWh, natural gas at $1.43/therm, No. 2 heating oil at $3.56/gallon, propane at $2.35/gallon, and kerosene at $3.39/gallon. These values are used for appliance labeling compliance and cost calculations under federal law.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Strengthening State Energy Security Plans for Distribution Systems

Bill S.4166 amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require states to include provisions for physical security, cybersecurity, and resilience of local electric distribution systems within their energy security plans. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Co-Location Energy Act Advances

Bill S.5639, the Co-Location Energy Act, addresses co-location practices in the energy sector. Recent updates indicate that subcommittee hearings have been held.

Sources: www.congress.gov

DOE Grid Reliability and Wildfire Risk Grant Program

Bill S.4193 directs the Secretary of Energy to create a grant program aimed at improving grid reliability and reducing wildfire risks associated with power lines. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Clean Electricity Production and Investment Credit Extension Bill Filed

Bill S.4175 proposes amendments to the Internal Revenue Code to extend clean electricity production credits and investment credits, factoring in increases in electricity price and demand. It was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Data Center Energy Use Reporting Proposal

Bill S.4213 requires data center operators to report energy and water use to state authorities, EPA, and the Departments of Energy and Agriculture. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Can a new generation of hydropower dams save the energy transition?: Analysis of new hydropower projects and their role in energy transitions.
• Governments worldwide shield households from rising energy costs: Global governments respond to rising energy costs impacting households.
• Clean Energy Companies Are Trying to Survive the Trump Era: U.S. renewable energy companies adapt to a shifting policy environment.
• Utility Entergy says revised Meta data-center deal to deliver higher customer savings: Entergy announces a new agreement with Meta yielding improved customer savings.
• TotalEnergies to reassess 2050 net zero plans due to slow energy transition: TotalEnergies will revisit its 2050 net zero roadmap given slower-than-expected energy transition progress.
• Column | How to get Big Tech to pay your energy bills: Discussion of proposals for requiring Big Tech to cover electricity costs.
• Sustainable Switch Climate Focus: Europe's renewable energy paradox: Report investigates the paradox in Europe's renewable expansion and carbon emissions.
• ‘Renewable’ Energy Gives Us a Crisis: Opinion piece questions the consequences of renewable energy on system stability.
• UK considers expanding regulatory powers to tackle energy price gouging, profiteering: UK's government debates increasing authority to counteract energy price manipulation.

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