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: 2026-04-19 to 2026-04-25

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

Presidential Determination Invokes Defense Production Act on Grid Infrastructure and Supply Chain

On April 20, 2026, President Trump issued a determination under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act, declaring grid infrastructure—including transformers, transmission lines, and substations—essential to national defense. Following an earlier national energy emergency order from January 2025, the President cited risks arising from aging infrastructure, foreign reliance, and inadequate domestic production. The Secretary of Energy has been directed to expedite expansion of domestic capabilities, including through purchases, financial support, and waivers required to accelerate investment and production. The determination was published in the Federal Register and assigned for implementation by the Department of Energy.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

White House Authorizes Defense Production Act to Expand Domestic Natural Gas and LNG Capacity

The President on April 20, 2026, declared U.S. natural gas and LNG infrastructure—encompassing pipelines, processing, storage, liquefaction, and export capacity—critical to national defense. The determination cites the weaponization of energy dependence by foreign actors and threats to the U.S. and allies due to infrastructure bottlenecks and financing constraints. Under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act, the President authorized purchases, financial arrangements, and regulatory waivers to expedite domestic capacity. The Department of Energy has been tasked to implement the measure and to publish it for the Federal Register.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

Presidential Determination on Development, Manufacturing, and Deployment of Large-Scale Energy Infrastructure

A memorandum issued April 20, 2026, designates large-scale energy and related infrastructure crucial for national defense under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act. The determination notes that financing risks, regulatory delays, and market barriers impede timely industry response. Executive authority was used to waive certain statutory requirements and enable purchases, commitments, and risk-mitigation financing to expand domestic development, manufacturing, and deployment capabilities. Implementation falls under the Department of Energy.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

Presidential Determination on Coal Supply Chains and Baseload Power Generation

On April 20, 2026, President Trump issued a determination naming coal mining, logistics, and baseload coal-fired power as critical to national defense, referencing needs for reliable electricity to support defense installations and AI-related technologies. The finding authorizes actions under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act to expand supply chain capacity and waives specific requirements to accelerate project development. The Secretary of Energy is directed to implement these actions, including financial and operational measures, as published in the Federal Register.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

EPA Proposes Amendments to Oil and Gas Sector NESHAP Under Technology Review

On April 22, 2026, the EPA proposed rulemaking amending the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for crude oil and natural gas production, and for natural gas transmission and storage facilities (NESHAP Subparts HH and HHH). The notice presents two approaches: one proposing no expansion to previously unregulated emission points under the technology review, and a second, alternative proposal for new standards affecting equipment such as acid gas removal units, storage vessels, and transport vessel loading. Major source definition for production equipment may be revised. Additionally, the proposal covers specific amendments around regulating methanol emissions, revising compliance equations for small glycol dehydrators, and adding electronic reporting requirements. Stakeholders are invited to provide comment on elements including surrogate pollutant selection, technical compliance approaches, and the cost of additional control requirements by specified deadlines.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act (H.R. 4690)

The House passed a motion agreeing to the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, which concerns federal building energy efficiency performance standards, concluding with a motion to reconsider laid on the table without objection.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Energy Affordability and Reliability Act of 2026 (H.R. 8448)

This bill was introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. It addresses matters related to energy affordability and reliability across the United States.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Geothermal Demonstration Projects Bill (H.R. 8437)

A bill to advance next-generation geothermal electricity generation projects in new regions was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Sources: www.congress.gov

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify certain investment credit rules with respect to nuclear facilities

Introduced in the House, this bill proposes changes to the investment credit rules for nuclear facilities and has been referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resiliency Act (H.R. 5929)

The House ordered the Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resiliency Act to be reported in the nature of a substitute by voice vote. It addresses issues pertinent to domestic supply chains of strategic minerals.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

California Joins International Union for Conservation of Nature

Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed California's membership in the IUCN, making it the largest U.S. subnational government in the network and advancing international environmental collaboration.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

Groundbreaking for $278 Million Affordable Development in Queens Emphasizing Resiliency

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the start of construction on the latest phase of Arverne East, a large housing development in Far Rockaway, designed with all-electric and resilient features.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

Niagara Bottling Selects New York State for $160 Million Facility

Niagara Bottling will build a new manufacturing and warehousing plant in Fulton County, creating up to 70 jobs and utilizing state incentives for economic development.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

EXPRESS NY Portal Garners Over 3,700 Regulatory Reform Suggestions

Governor Hochul's Express NY initiative received more than 3,700 submissions from the public seeking to improve government efficiency and reduce regulatory hurdles affecting businesses and services.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Welcome to the age of energy shocks: Reuters examines global volatility in energy supply and pricing as persistent shocks disrupt markets.
• There are fixes for AI’s toll on the power grid. Here’s why they’re not happening: CNN reports on grid strain from AI-driven compute and obstacles to deploying known technical solutions in U.S. electricity systems.
• US targets 5 GW more nuclear power through low-cost finance: The U.S. is planning to add 5 GW of new nuclear capacity, aiming to achieve this with competitive financing mechanisms.
• Judge Halts Trump Actions Aimed at Throttling Renewable Energy: A federal judge overturned recent executive measures that sought to restrict deployment of wind and solar energy.
• Renewable energies overtook global electricity demand last year, led by solar growth in China, India: AP highlights that renewables outpaced global electricity demand, with solar growth especially significant in China and India.
• UK pushes long-term renewables deals to shield against gas price shocks: The UK government adopted long-term clean energy contracts to mitigate exposure to global gas price fluctuations.
• Governments worldwide shield households from rising energy costs: Policy responses to rising household energy costs are covered, with measures enacted worldwide.
• Opinion | Clearing the way for plug-in solar: The Washington Post examines regulatory barriers impeding wider adoption of plug-in solar in the U.S.
• Iran war revives European rooftop solar demand to cut energy bills: Reuters details increased European household demand for rooftop solar following geopolitical events in the Middle East.
• EU considers helping with Mideast energy infrastructure to bypass conflict zones: AP reports that the EU is weighing support for Middle East energy corridor projects to avoid regional conflict zones.

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