June 21, 2026 to June 27, 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

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Science, Space, and Technology Committee: Weathering the Solar Storm—Advancing America’s Space Weather Capabilities: The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee will hold a hearing titled 'Weathering the Solar Storm: Advancing America’s Space Weather Capabilities' on July 1, 2026, in the Rayburn House Office Building (Room 2318) at 2:00 p.m. ET. The hearing will review federal activities on grid and infrastructure resilience to space weather.

Federal Government News

FERC Institutes Section 206 Proceedings Across Regional Transmission Organizations

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has initiated Section 206 investigations into the Open Access Transmission Tariffs and market tariffs of all major U.S. grid operators, including PJM, Southwest Power Pool, ISO New England, Midcontinent ISO, New York ISO, and California ISO. These proceedings examine whether the tariffs administered by these RTOs and transmission owners are unjust, unreasonable, unduly discriminatory, or unlawful. Orders issued on June 18, 2026, establish the refund effective date as the notice’s Federal Register publication date, and interested parties must file notices of intervention or comments within 21 days of the order. The investigations encompass tariff provisions critical to grid operation, cost allocation, and access practices, and impact a broad range of transmission owners and market participants named in each notice. Stakeholders can access full notices and file submissions via FERC's eLibrary or eFile systems.

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

EPA Proposes Comprehensive Updates to NEPA Implementation Procedures

The Environmental Protection Agency has issued proposed amendments updating its procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act, incorporating statutory changes from the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, and recent Supreme Court holdings. The rule seeks to harmonize EPA NEPA processes with other federal agencies, set page limits on Environmental Assessments (75 pages) and Impact Statements (150 pages, or 300 for complex actions), codify categorical exclusion adoption, and clarify scope of required analysis. Formal consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality was undertaken. Comments on the proposal must be received by July 27, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FERC Proposes Consolidation and Renewal of Electric Tariff Information Collections

FERC is seeking comments on an extension and consolidation of information collection activities related to Electric Rate Schedules and Tariffs (FERC-516). The move will merge separate reporting requirements for small generator agreements, NAESB standards, Open Access Transmission Tariffs, and market-based rates under the main FERC-516 collection. The proposed update aims to more accurately reflect administrative burdens on utilities and aligns expiration dates for various temporary and ongoing information collections. Estimated combined annual reporting costs across utilities exceed $99 million. Comments are due by August 24, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Presidential Executive Order: Transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography for Federal and Critical Infrastructure

On June 22, 2026, Executive Order 14409 was issued to accelerate the migration of all federal information systems—especially those supporting critical infrastructure—toward post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The order assigns the Office of Management and Budget and National Cyber Director to coordinate migration strategy, with technical input from NIST, CISA, and NSA. Agencies are to designate PQC migration leads, review inventories, and complete transition of high-value assets to NIST-approved PQC standards by set deadlines, with a pilot completed by December 2027. The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council will enforce cybersecurity standards for contractors. The order also instructs international technical collaboration and public-private engagement.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

FERC Requests Comment on Reliability Standards for Critical Infrastructure Protection

FERC issued an errata and comment request on the information collection FERC-725B, relating to the Mandatory Reliability Standards for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP). The notice corrects previous paperwork estimates and details updates to standards governing BES Cyber System categorization and terminology for 'control center.' The paperwork burden for revised CIP-002-8 is projected at 3,546 one-time hours and $343,962 in associated costs, with ongoing annual response and cost data provided for 2026–2029. Comments are due by July 27, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

H.R. 9022 – Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027

This appropriations bill covers federal funding for energy and water development programs for fiscal year 2027. The rule provides for structured debate and a motion to recommit. The bill has advanced with a reported resolution from the Rules Committee.

Sources: www.congress.gov

H.R. 9454 / S. 4935 – Zero-Emission Vessel Infrastructure Program

Bicameral legislation directs the Secretary of Transportation to launch a program supporting research, development, and deployment of zero-emission vessels and associated charging or fueling infrastructure. House and Senate versions were referred to relevant committees upon introduction.

Sources: www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov

H.R. 9419 – Data Centers and Infrastructure Cost Protection Act

This bill aims to facilitate responsible data center development, shield existing ratepayers from certain infrastructure cost shifts, and promote investment in water reuse. It has been referred to the Committees on Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

H.R. 9442 – Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act

This measure, referred to both the Energy and Commerce and Foreign Affairs Committees, proposes a moratorium on certain types of AI data center construction and associated requirements.

Sources: www.congress.gov

S. 4944 – Bill to Streamline Permitting for Energy and Infrastructure

A Senate bill seeks to amend several environmental statutes to expedite permitting for projects under the Natural Gas Act, Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and NEPA. It was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Energy & Utilities Roundup: Market Talk: Industry analysts discuss recent utility market movements and trading activity.
• US announces $17.5 billion in loans for nuclear power supply chain: The Department of Energy unveils a $17.5 billion conditional loan program to bolster the U.S. nuclear supply chain.
• US cost-sharing thrusts next-gen nuclear into construction phase: Public-private funding mechanisms are helping launch construction of U.S. advanced nuclear projects.
• Rapid US grid growth could rival nation’s largest system, report says: New analysis indicates U.S. grid expansion could create a system as large as the existing top operator.
• US initiative opens up sites for advanced reactor roll-out: Site selection initiatives broaden potential locations for deployment of advanced nuclear reactors.
• Trump clean energy tax credit cutoff drives project rush as prices set to soar: Pending clean energy tax credit deadline is spurring a surge in project starts amid pricing pressures.
• UK's Ofgem advances 16 long-duration energy storage projects: The UK regulator gives approval to a batch of new long-duration grid storage developments.
• UK climate watchdog says faster electrification needed to cut household bills: UK officials recommend quicker transition to electrification as a way to alleviate consumer costs.
• Crimea's Sevastopol imposes temporary power curbs to households: Regional authorities implement temporary power restrictions due to supply challenges.
• Breakingviews - UK’s back-to-front net zero plan requires a revamp: Analysis questions design and sequencing of the UK’s net zero policies.

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