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: 2026-04-05 to 2026-04-11

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy: Hearings on Grid, Interconnection, and Bulk Power: On April 15, the Senate Energy Subcommittee will examine bills related to FERC grid interconnection queue reforms, shared savings for grid technology, and review of reliability regulations, among others, in Dirksen Senate Office Building 366.
• House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee: FY2027 Department of Energy Budget Hearing: On April 16, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy will hold a hearing on the Department of Energy's FY2027 budget, with Secretary Chris Wright as the witness, at Rayburn House Office Building 2123.
• House Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee: DOE Budget Hearing: The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water will convene a budget hearing for the Department of Energy on April 15 at 2:00 PM (Rayburn 2359), with Secretary Chris Wright scheduled to testify.

Federal Government News

EPA Finalizes Amendments to Oil and Gas Sector Emissions Standards and Monitoring Provisions

The Environmental Protection Agency on April 9 released a final rule modifying the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and Emission Guidelines (EG) for crude oil and natural gas sources under 40 CFR Part 60, focusing on technical aspects of temporary flaring and net heating value (NHV) monitoring. Temporary flaring provisions are extended from 24 to 72 hours in response to malfunction or maintenance, with longer periods allowed under documented exigent circumstances. The amendments revise NHV monitoring and sampling requirements for flares and enclosed combustion devices, expanding exemptions where NHV is consistently high except when inerts are added or other scenarios reduce NHV. The rule also entertains flexibility for periodic sampling and aligns reporting units to Btu/scf. The EPA estimates these changes will reduce compliance burden with cost savings up to $2.48 billion (PV, 3% discount), and notes the amendments will become effective June 8, 2026. The action also finalizes corrections and reporting text inadvertently deleted in a prior rule. Implementation dates and reporting protocols are updated correspondingly.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

CEQ Issues Guidance on Use of Categorical Exclusions under NEPA

The Council on Environmental Quality published new guidance for federal agencies on April 9 regarding the establishment and application of categorical exclusions (CEs) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The guidance reflects amendments from the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and supersedes prior NEPA regulations, reaffirming CEs as a central mechanism to expedite project permitting. The document clarifies procedures for adopting, revising, and documenting CEs, and introduces technology tools such as the Categorical Exclusion Explorer database and CE Works platform to digitize and simplify exclusion applications. CEQ Chairman Katherine Scarlett stated that the measures are expected to enhance permitting efficiency for infrastructure initiatives.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Advancing U.S.-Hungary Bilateral Energy and Nuclear Cooperation

During a visit to Budapest, U.S. Vice President JD Vance announced several new U.S.-Hungarian agreements in energy and nuclear technology on April 9. MOL Group committed to purchase $500 million in U.S. crude oil, and a study—supported by the U.S.—will evaluate deployment of up to 10 Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Hungary, valued at $20 billion. Westinghouse and Hungary’s MVM signed MOUs on extending Paks 1’s nuclear plant lifespan and SMR collaboration. Additional technology partnerships involve GE Healthcare, Semmelweis University, and Microsoft. Defense procurement and communications agreements are included, but most directly relevant to utilities is the expanded U.S.-Hungary nuclear engagement.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

FERC Issues Schedule and Notices for Multiple Pipeline, Rate, and Environmental Dockets

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission published multiple notices and schedules in the period ending April 11. FERC opened comment periods and issued environmental assessment schedules for several major projects, including the Line 31 Expansion Project by Texas Eastern Transmission, and commenced an environmental scoping period for the Constitution Pipeline and Wright Interconnect Projects. Additional notices addressed information collection extensions for FERC-538 and rate or tariff filings for a range of entities. Administrative notices confirm opportunities for intervention, protest, and comment across a range of pipeline and power coordination proceedings.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Missouri SIP Revision Approved for Sulfur Emissions From Stationary Boilers

On April 9, the EPA proposed and directly finalized State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions for Missouri affecting 10 CSR 10-5.570. The revision addresses administrative changes impacting sulfur dioxide emissions controls from stationary boilers in the St. Louis region. Updates remove references to a revoked state rule, clarify abbreviations, and refine documentation requirements, with public comments due by May 11. The EPA considers the revision noncontroversial under Clean Air Act Section 110, effective June 8, 2026, absent adverse comment.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

H.R. 8241: Data Center Load Queue and Rate Class Legislation Introduced

On April 9, H.R. 8241 was introduced in the House to support the creation of dedicated load queues and rate classes for data centers. The bill directs utilities and regulators to address grid impacts linked to high-demand data center loads and was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

H.R. 6387: FIRE Act Advances on House Calendar

The FIRE Act (H.R. 6387), focusing on environmental protection matters, was placed on the Union Calendar as Calendar No. 515. The bill is positioned for further House consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

H.R. 8238: Federal Collaboration on Economic Revitalization of Contaminated Sites

H.R. 8238 directs the Secretary of Commerce and EPA Administrator to promote federal, state, and local collaboration on the economic redevelopment of environmentally contaminated sites. The measure was referred to several committees, including Transportation and Infrastructure, Financial Services, and Energy and Commerce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

H.R. 6398: RED Tape Act—Environmental Regulation Review

The RED Tape Act (H.R. 6398), intended to address federal regulations affecting environmental protection, was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 516.

Sources: www.congress.gov

H.R. 8219: Ending Hungary’s Reliance on Russian Energy

H.R. 8219 aims to encourage Hungary to reduce its dependence on Russian energy sources and prevent it from blocking aid to Ukraine. The bill was referred to the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Judiciary.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• The utility race turbocharged by Turning Point: Utility strategies are shifting as Turning Point accelerates competition and market participation.
• US utility stocks are off to their best start since 2019. Can they keep it up?: US utility stocks see strong 2026 gains but investors debate prospects for sustainable performance.
• Opinion | The hazard of D.C.’s utility shutoff moratorium: A Washington Post op-ed examines controversies around the D.C. utility shutoff moratorium and payment policies.
• Delayed transmission projects blocking speedy Three Mile Island restart, Constellation says: Constellation reports that transmission project delays are affecting restart plans for the Three Mile Island nuclear facility.
• Big Tech puts financial heft behind next-gen nuclear power as AI demand surges: Tech companies are investing in next-generation nuclear to address increasing electricity demands for artificial intelligence.
• Trump promised to cut electric costs in half. Bills in energy-rich West Virginia now top mortgages: Utility bills in West Virginia remain high despite previous political pledges for relief.
• Column | The heat pump water heater payoff: Here’s how to crunch the numbers: A Washington Post column breaks down the economics of upgrading to heat pump water heaters.
• Iran war ceasefire pushes energy markets into twilight zone: Reuters reports on global energy market uncertainties amid developments in the Iran conflict.

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