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: 2026-03-29 to 2026-04-04

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Issues Final Part 53 Rule: Risk-Informed, Technology-Inclusive Regulatory Framework for Advanced Reactors

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has published its final rule for 10 CFR Part 53, establishing a risk-informed, technology-inclusive and performance-based regulatory framework for licensing commercial advanced nuclear reactors. The rule introduces a new, optional pathway for licensing under an alternative approach to the traditional Part 50/52, supporting applications for construction, operation, standard design approvals, design certifications, manufacturing, and early site permits. Part 53 covers provisions for siting, seismic design, operator licensing, construction, security and cybersecurity, fitness-for-duty, and decommissioning, referencing broad site and technology parameters and providing for the use of new methodologies, including probabilistic risk assessment. The package also addresses coordination with other NRC rulemakings, financial requirements, information collection, and guidance development. The final rule is scheduled to become effective April 29, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Presidential Proclamation on U.S. Metals Tariffs: Aluminum, Steel, and Copper

On April 2, 2026, President Trump issued a proclamation modifying tariffs on aluminum, steel, and copper imports under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The action sets tariffs at 50% for most aluminum and steel articles, and 25% for certain copper articles, based on full customs value regardless of metal content, with reduced rates for certain U.K. or U.S.-origin products. Procedures for inclusion of derivative articles are revised and some country-specific exclusions apply. The measures aim to strengthen domestic metal industries and address national security concerns, with new authorities given to the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to identify additional covered products.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

FERC-725Z Information Collection Extension—Mandatory Reliability Standards: IRO Reliability Standards

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is soliciting public comments regarding extension of the currently approved information collection FERC-725Z, which covers data requirements for Reliability Coordinators and associated entities under the NERC IRO Reliability Standards. The standards in scope include IRO-001-4, IRO-002-7, IRO-009-2, IRO-010-5, IRO-014-3, IRO-017-1, and IRO-018-1(i), governing monitoring, data specification, outage coordination, real-time reliability monitoring, and coordination among balancing, planning, and transmission entities. The annual burden estimate is 55,218 hours and $3,538,599, with a wide range of respondent entity types. Comments are due April 30, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FERC-1005 Information Collection Extension—Credit-Related Information Sharing Between RTOs/ISOs

FERC is requesting public comment on extension of the FERC-1005 information collection, which covers credit-related information sharing among Regional Transmission Organizations and Independent System Operators. The reporting aims to reduce liquidity risks in utility markets and comprises 48 hours of annual burden, with six respondents and an estimated annual cost of $4,896. The Commission also removed a one-time information collection associated with tariff provision updates. Deadline for comments is June 1, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EIA Information Collection Extension: Petroleum Supply Reporting System

The Energy Information Administration has submitted for extension its Petroleum Supply Reporting System (OMB No. 1905-0165), which collects weekly, monthly, and annual data from petroleum and biofuel operators on input, production, imports, inventory, and storage capacity. The PSRS modifications include updated country-of-origin lists, instruction clarifications, redesign of annual storage capacity reports, and proposed form EIA-830 for emergency data collection. Comments are open through May 4, 2026. The reporting supports the Weekly Petroleum Status Report, Petroleum Supply Monthly, and data for the International Energy Agency.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

State Government News

Texas Launches Advanced Nuclear Project Applications

Governor Abbott and the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office have opened applications for advanced nuclear construction and supply chain development, supported by the $350 million Texas Advanced Nuclear Development Fund.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

Diablo Canyon Receives NRC License Renewal, Extending California Nuclear Operations

California officials confirmed the NRC's renewal of Diablo Canyon’s licenses, enabling the plant to operate through 2030 under state law following CPUC and SB 846 approvals; Diablo Canyon supplies roughly 10% of California’s electricity.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

New York Announces $50 Million for Clean Energy Workforce Programs

Governor Hochul detailed $50 million in new funding for clean energy workforce training, forming part of New York's $320 million commitment to career pathways and technical skill upskilling aligned with efficiency and renewables industry growth.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

Illinois Urges Federal Action on Year-Round E15 and Tariffs

Illinois Governor Pritzker has sent a letter to Congress requesting permanent legislative approval for year-round E15 gasoline sales, citing ethanol market certainty amid tariff and global instability pressures on Illinois farmers.

Sources: gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Electrovaya Collaborates on U.S. Department of Energy-Funded Project to Advance Energy Storage for Critical Infrastructure: Electrovaya partners on an energy storage project supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.
• G7 is ready to take all measures for energy market stability: G7 countries affirm commitment to market stability amid global energy uncertainty.
• France launches 12 GW of renewable tenders, champions 'Made in Europe' initiative: France initiates 12 gigawatts of renewable energy tenders under its European manufacturing policy.
• Batteries on wheels: How your EV could also power your home: The concept of using electric vehicle batteries for home energy backup is gaining attention.
• EU to Relax Emissions Trading System as Impact of War Threatens Industry: The EU plans to increase carbon allowances in response to energy market disruptions.
• ‘Like relying on a drug dealer:’ the world’s dependence on oil and gas has exposed a dangerous vulnerability: Analysis of global energy security risks due to reliance on fossil fuel supply through narrow transit points.
• Will the Iran Crisis Push the World to Rethink Oil and Gas?: A look at debate among governments and markets on reorienting away from fossil fuel dependency.
• From Belt and Road to belt tightening: China's neighbours get cold shoulder on energy: Policy shifts impact energy financing and regional infrastructure across Asia.
• 🔮 Exponential View #567: The rewiring of work; Development 2.0; Texas storage, AI microdrama, Hollywood++: Analysis touches on Texas grid-scale storage trends and technology strategy.

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