June 07, 2026 to June 13, 2026

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.

Want to track other GR news in adjacent industries? Don't miss this week's updates in Oil & Gas and Construction. Also consider subscribing to our Utilities & Power - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

NRC Issues Regulatory Guide on Technology-Inclusive Risk-Informed Change Evaluation

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced the issuance of Regulatory Guide 1.261, which outlines an acceptable approach for technology-inclusive risk-informed change evaluation processes for facility modifications. This guide specifically endorses methodology described in NEI 22-05, Revision 0, and provides an alternative route for licensees whose licensing basis is derived from probabilistic risk assessments rather than traditional frameworks under 10 CFR parts 50 and 52. The guide is available under ADAMS Accession No. ML26051A063 and may be used in conjunction with approaches outlined in NEI 18-04 and NEI 21-07. Suggestions for improvements are invited at any time, and RG 1.261 is not classified as a major rule under the Congressional Review Act.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FERC-725B Information Collection Extension Requests for Critical Infrastructure Protection Reliability Standards

FERC is soliciting public comment on its extension of information collection (FERC-725B) covering Mandatory Reliability Standards for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), including CIP-002-8. Entities subject to the updated standards will see increased paperwork burdens: 1,573 entities are expected to incur a two-hour increase in annual burden, while 100 entities are estimated to incur a four-hour increase. These changes include updated thresholds for transmission owner categorization of cyber systems and adjustments to the definition of 'control center.' The total estimated annual burden for renewal is 683,088 hours at a cost exceeding $52 million. Comments are due by July 13, 2026, with specifics available at the federalregister.gov link or FERC eLibrary.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Combined Notice of Filings—Natural Gas Pipeline Rate and Refund Reports

FERC issued a notice outlining recent filings for natural gas pipeline rates and refund reports, including petitions, compliance filings, and tariff waivers from NextEra Energy Marketing, LLC, ETC Tiger Pipeline, LLC, Double E Pipeline, Northern Natural Gas Company, and National Grid LNG, LLC. The filings involve updates to rates, negotiated agreements, and compliance settlements, with comment deadlines ranging from June 15 to June 24, 2026. Electronic access to filings is available through FERC’s eLibrary system, and public participation guidance is offered for filing interventions or protests.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FERC Announces Technical Conference on Market and Planning Efficiency

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) set a supplemental technical conference for July 7–8, 2026, to discuss grid-enhancing technologies, improved load forecasting, and market and planning efficiency gains from software advancements. The agenda consists of panels on technology integration and individual presentations on research topics, with both in-person and virtual attendance options. Slides for presentations are due by June 30, 2026, and the technical conference will be open to all participants, including international registrants. Accessibility accommodations are available upon request.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Combined Notice of Filings—Electric Rate Filings and Compliance

Recent FERC filings include corporate applications for authorization under Section 203, refund reports from Panther Creek Power Operating, LLC and Scrubgrass Reclamation Company, initial rate filings from Lantar Energy LLC, and multiple tariff amendments by Alabama Power Company, Georgia Power Company, and Mississippi Power Company. The filings pertain to authorizations, terminations, and amended agreements with comment deadlines primarily due June 24–25, 2026. Interested parties can access documents via FERC’s eLibrary for review and intervention.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Critical Minerals Security Act of 2025

Bill S.789 advances through Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably; bill addresses policies for critical minerals security.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act

Bill S.3500 was reported favorably by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources without amendment. The act is intended to address hydropower licensing transparency and procedures.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act (House Companion)

Bill H.R.3657 was reported favorably by the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, mirroring Senate action on hydropower licensing transparency.

Sources: www.congress.gov

FLOWS Act

Bill S.3518 concerning energy policy and flow optimization was ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resiliency Act of 2026

Bill H.R.5929 was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 602. The bill focuses on improving supply chain resiliency for critical minerals, which are integral to energy production and manufacturing.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Alberta pitches cheap natural gas for data center boom, at odds with Canada's clean power aims: Alberta’s promotion of natural gas for data centers diverges from Canadian clean power objectives.
• New York state's electricity reserves are shrinking, grid operator says: New York state’s grid operator reports declining electricity reserves amid rising demand concerns.
• Britain offers 700 projects grid connections in major energy investment push: UK's grid operator offers connections to over 700 energy projects as part of expanded investment.
• G.M. Plans to Develop Energy Storage Batteries as E.V. Sales Flag: General Motors targets energy storage battery development to adapt to fluctuating electric vehicle sales.
• French utility EDF, Centrica eye UK government deal on Sizewell B nuclear plant extension: EDF and Centrica approach a deal with the UK government to extend Sizewell B nuclear plant operations.
• Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant reconnected to grid after IAEA-brokered ceasefire: Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine resumes grid connection following a ceasefire agreement.
• South Africa's Eskom launches renewable energy unit: Eskom inaugurates a dedicated renewable energy division amid broader sector reforms.

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