August 09, 2026 to August 15, 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

Defense Production Act Nuclear Fuel Cycle Consortium — Material Sufficiency, Human Mobilization, Market-Integrated Fuel Utilization Committee Plans of Action Released

The Department of Energy published final plans of action for three committees under the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Consortium pursuant to the Defense Production Act. The Material Sufficiency Committee outlines actions for expanding domestic uranium production by removing regulatory obstacles through a defense priority permitting lane, completing a gap assessment for uranium conversion and enrichment, and aggregating survey data from industry to inform national demand projections. The Human Mobilization Committee details workforce development strategies, including identifying workforce gaps and issuing a preliminary demand outlook, as well as a supply chain vulnerability assessment across the fuel cycle. The Market-Integrated Fuel Utilization Committee focuses on nuclear fuel fabrication, recycling, and reactor deployment, with near-term milestones to establish frameworks for a circular nuclear fuel economy and demand aggregation mechanisms for reactor components. All three plans involve strict record-keeping, coordination with other agencies, and formal antitrust defenses for participants acting in accordance with DOE guidance.

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

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Issues Environmental Assessments and Licensing Notices

FERC released multiple environmental assessments and licensing notices this week. The Commission made available the environmental assessment for Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Helms Pumped Storage Project in California, concluding that with recommended protective measures, licensing would not significantly affect the environment. Wiscons8, LLC's proposed surrender and decommissioning plan for Project No. 9784-004 in Wisconsin received an EA stating no major environmental impact. Columbia Gulf Transmission's Maysville Project EA, covering a new 42-mile pipeline and related infrastructure in Kentucky, is available for comment; staff concluded the proposal would not significantly affect environmental quality. Notice of separate settlement agreement filings for the Victory Mills Hydroelectric Project (New York, Project No. 7153-018) requests incorporation of protection, mitigation, and enhancement measures into a new 45-year license. FERC provided extended access and comment periods for these projects via eLibrary.

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

FERC Combined Notices of Electric Rate Filings and Tariff Amendments

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued several notices related to electric rate filings, tariff amendments, and self-certification of exempt wholesale generator status. Canal Generating LLC submitted its Notice of Self-Certification as an exempt wholesale generator. Utility applicants across several dockets, including Rosewater Wind Farm LLC, Meadow Lake Solar Park LLC, and other solar and wind entities, filed notices of material and non-material status changes. Tariff amendments and rate filings were received from Alabama Power Company (Goley Energy Center LGIA), NSTAR Electric (HQUS Transfer Agreement), and Southwest Power Pool for updates to offer caps and tariff multipliers. Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association submitted compliance filings related to settlements and revised schedules. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments or interventions by the specified deadlines.

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

DOE Releases 2026 Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions

The Department of Energy published its portion of the government-wide 2026 Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda, detailing ongoing and upcoming regulatory actions under Executive Orders 12866 and 14192. The summary includes regulatory activity relevant to DOE offices, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act requirements, recently completed actions, and programmatic needs. The complete inventory is accessible on www.reginfo.gov. DOE noted that only entries requiring regulatory flexibility analysis, or review under Section 610, are published in the Federal Register. Jonathan Brightbill, General Counsel, authorized this notice.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Announces Energy Investment Partnership in Ohio

President Trump visited Ohio during the Patriot Games finals, marking 250 years of American independence. Announced energy investments included a partnership between SoftBank Group and SB Energy to build 10 gigawatts of power in southern Ohio, with $40 million in local community benefits. The administration highlighted recent private investment aggregates and job protection metrics and emphasized rural health initiatives and reductions in statewide violent crime rates. Major investments were detailed by companies such as Electra, Weidmann, Stellantis, Pratt Industries, and DAMAC. No new federal energy policy was specified but the energy partnerships and economic figures were presented alongside tax cut impacts.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

Energy Utility Lobbying Ban Act

Bill 10080, titled 'Energy Utility Lobbying Ban Act,' was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The measure seeks to prohibit certain lobbying practices by energy utility companies. The latest action is committee referral, with no scheduled hearings yet.

Sources: www.congress.gov

No Utility Junk Fees Act

Bill 10081, designated 'No Utility Junk Fees Act,' was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill aims to address and restrict undisclosed or excessive fees imposed by utility providers. Further committee review is pending.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Water Technology and Resilience Reauthorization Act

Bill 10083, 'Water Technology and Resilience Reauthorization Act,' was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The legislation targets federal reauthorization of programs supporting water technology innovation and grid resilience. The bill is at initial committee review stage.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Data Center Community Reinvestment Act of 2026

Bill 10102, 'Data Center Community Reinvestment Act of 2026,' has been referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, with additional referral to committees on Energy and Commerce and Science, Space, and Technology. The measure addresses community reinvestment obligations for data centers and relevant energy infrastructure provisions.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Affordable Power for the Northern Marianas Act

Bill 10074, 'Affordable Power for the Northern Marianas Act,' was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. The act proposes measures to improve affordable power access for the Northern Mariana Islands, with committee determination for next steps.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Solar industry grapples with cutting its growing waste stream: Reuters reports on the solar sector's challenges managing expanding waste from retired panels.
• Europe's power grids braced for eclipse with extensive backup plans: European utilities prepare coordinated backup strategies for a predicted solar eclipse.
• How utility and tech firms ‘educate’ regulators with big donations, secret retreats: The Washington Post profiles corporate influence tactics used with regulators.
• The solar super PAC’s next target: Politico outlines the evolving focus of a major solar-related political action committee.
• How $600B of Biden’s clean energy funding escaped Trump’s cuts: Politico tracks federal clean energy investment funds that remained intact.
• EU curbs on Chinese solar inverters to bolster European suppliers, SMA Solar says: Reuters covers European solar inverter trade restrictions and impacts.
• Nigeria's EV ambitions run into reality of weak electricity supply: Nigeria’s electric vehicle plans face obstacles due to persistent grid weaknesses.
• Trump-approved energy projects at risk of sudden death by next hostile president: Fox News examines the durability of recently approved energy projects under future administrations.
• Bank of America pledges $250 billion for US infrastructure financing: Bank of America announces $250 billion in financing for U.S. tech and energy infrastructure.

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