August 16, 2026 to August 22, 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

FERC Solicits Comment on Mandatory Reliability Standards for Bulk Power System

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) published a notice requesting public comment on its information collection FERC-725U related to Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk Power System and CIP Reliability Standards. This includes requirements for physical security measures (CIP-014-3) applicable to 341 transmission owners and 170 transmission operators, aimed at protecting stations, substations, and control centers against physical attacks potentially causing widespread instability or cascading events. Respondents are expected to retain compliance documentation for three years, with a combined annual reporting and recordkeeping burden estimated at 16,352 hours and $1,038,679. No changes to reporting requirements are proposed. The comment period for this extension notice closes September 18, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice: FERC Information Collection for Pipeline and Transmission Operators Communication

FERC announced a request for comments on the extension of information collection (FERC-923) regarding voluntary sharing of operational data between interstate natural gas pipelines and public utility transmission operators. Established in 2013, this regulation aids reliability by clarifying legal authority for non-public information sharing. The annual reporting burden involves 345 respondents, with an estimated cost per respondent of $612 and total annual cost of $211,140. The Commission does not mandate sharing frequency, content, or format. The deadline to submit comments is September 18, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Draft Regulatory Guide Released for Risk Metrics at Commercial Nuclear Plants

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published Draft Regulatory Guide (DG-1443) for public review, outlining approaches for comprehensive risk metrics (CRMs) and risk performance objectives (RPOs) for commercial nuclear plants under 10 CFR part 53. The new draft supports risk-informed, technology-inclusive and performance-based design and operation methods. It is open for comment until September 21, 2026. The NRC states that if finalized, the guide will not constitute backfitting under 10 CFR 50.109 and will not impose mandatory requirements, but provides recommended methodologies for license applicants.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FERC Correction: Transfer of Hydropower License Comment Window Change

FERC issued a correction to its earlier notice on FERC-511 (Transfer of Hydropower License, OMB No 1902-0069), revising the comment window from 60 days to the accurate 30-day period. The new deadline for comments is September 14, 2026. The correction applies to notices published for hydropower license transfers and affects licensees and stakeholders involved in project land and water use.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Rio Grande LNG Capacity Amendment Environmental Assessment Timeline Announced

FERC provided a schedule for the environmental assessment (EA) regarding Rio Grande LNG, LLC’s application to amend its LNG terminal authorizations in Cameron County, Texas. The amendment aligns the previously authorized liquefaction train capacity from 5.4 million to 6.03 million tonnes per annum per train, moving total nominal production from 27.0 to 30.15 MTPA. No new construction or operational changes are proposed. The EA will be issued August 25, 2026, and the 90-day federal authorization decision deadline is set for November 23, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act of 2026

Bill 10115, titled the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act of 2026, was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary and additionally to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The referral directs these committees to review relevant provisions, establishing their jurisdiction over aspects of compensatory policy for radiation exposure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2026

Bill 3276, the Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2026, was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 659. The policy area is Environmental Protection. This placement signals the bill is ready for floor consideration, and addresses stewardship and conservation measures impacting environmental regulation.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Join Bimergen Energy's Live Investor Webinar: Building a Leading Battery Energy Storage Platform to Power the Future Grid: Bimergen Energy hosts a webinar focused on its battery energy storage expansion for grid applications.
• India weighs low-cost loans for renewable projects hit by power curbs, sources say: Indian renewables developers may access new financing options following recent power restrictions.
• India's power system just passed a historic tipping point: India's electricity sector witnesses major shift affecting grid and power generation dynamics.
• China sets new 2030 targets for energy infrastructure development: China formalized new 2030 infrastructure targets to support domestic energy expansion.
• China leads wave of clean power wastage as grids globally hit limits: Power grid constraints cause increased clean energy curtailment in China and worldwide.
• How a failed project could help solve the world’s biggest energy need: Analysis of how artificial intelligence is reviving prior nuclear project for global power demand.
• Kenya triples its power target, aiming to expand use of nuclear and geothermal energy: Kenya plans substantial increases in power generation via nuclear and geothermal sources.
• The little reactors that could? How SMRs became nuclear's best bet: Small Modular Reactors gain prominence in nuclear development discussions.
• Liquefied natural gas: Overview of trends and policy issues in the liquefied natural gas sector.

.