August 23, 2026 to August 29, 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
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Science Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Advanced Nuclear Reactor Leadership: The House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Energy will convene on September 2, 2026, to examine the topic 'Powering the Nuclear Renaissance: Accelerating U.S. Leadership in Advanced Nuclear Reactors' in Room 2318 of the Rayburn Building.
• House Small Business Subcommittee Explores Resource Needs and Small Business Opportunity in Energy: The House Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Supply Chains meets September 2, 2026, in Room 2360, Rayburn House Office Building, for a hearing titled 'Fueling the Golden Age: Future Resource Needs and Small Business Opportunity.'
• Oversight Hearing to Examine Impact of Natural Gas Bans on Costs: On September 2, 2026, the House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs will hold a hearing titled 'No Flame, More Pain: How State and Local Bans on Natural Gas Increase Costs,' scheduled in Rayburn 2154.

Federal Government News

White House Declares National Emergency on Bulk-Power System Security

President Trump issued Executive Order 14420 on August 26, 2026, declaring a national emergency to address threats to the U.S. bulk-power system. The order restricts transactions involving foreign-produced bulk-power electric equipment where such components are determined to pose a national security or critical infrastructure risk. The Secretary of Energy is granted authority to impose conditions on existing equipment, mandate mitigation measures, and establish criteria for vendor prequalification. The order further directs a comprehensive review of high-risk equipment, requires updates to federal procurement policies prioritizing domestic manufacturing, and calls for reporting to Congress on implementation steps. Key definitions for 'bulk-power system' and 'Covered Foreign Entity' are set, with prioritization on securing U.S.-manufactured energy infrastructure.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

FERC Seeks Comments on Major Electric Rates and Tariffs Information Collection Consolidation

On August 28, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission invited public comments on its proposal to consolidate several information collections—including FERC-516A, 516E, 516H, 516J, 717, 917, and 919—into a revised, unified FERC-516 collection for electric rates and tariffs. This consolidation, under OMB No. 1902-0096, intends to reduce administrative burden and update public reporting requirements. Activities covered include tariff filings and compliance obligations under Sections 205 and 206 of the Federal Power Act. The annual burden is estimated at 972,623 hours, with a total cost of $99.2 million. Outdated requirements, including certain interconnection reforms, are slated for removal. Comments are due by September 28, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FERC Advances Reliability Standards for Emergency Preparedness—Inverter-Based Resources Reporting

FERC issued a notice on August 25, 2026, soliciting public comment on revisions to reliability reporting under FERC-725S (EOP Reliability Standards, OMB Control No. 1902-0270). Draft Reliability Standard EOP-004-5 introduces expanded requirements for timely reporting by industry to NERC, particularly for events involving Inverter Based-Resources (IBRs). Key changes cover the classification of generator owner and operator categories applicable to reporting and adjustments to Attachment 1 for fast generation loss scenarios. FERC estimates an annual respondent burden spread over 308 entities, with total reporting costs calculated at $189,128. Comments are due by October 26, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NRC Reviews License Transfers for Dominion, NextEra Nuclear Plants

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) acknowledged receipt of an application, filed July 15, 2026, for indirect transfer of operating and materials licenses for several nuclear facilities, including Surry, North Anna, V.C. Summer, and Millstone Power Stations. The proposed transfer arises from the merger between NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy entities. The NRC’s review will consider whether the transfer affects license qualifications and complies with regulatory requirements; public comments are accepted until September 28, 2026, with requests for hearings due by September 16, 2026. No operational or physical changes are detailed in the application.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FERC Publishes Environmental Assessments and Filings on Gas Pipelines, Hydropower, and Rate Tariffs

Multiple Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) notices were published this week. Environmental assessments will be prepared for the Rocky Mountain Pumped Storage relicensing (904 MW, Georgia), Glen Hydroelectric Project relicensing (New Hampshire), and Lowell Hydroelectric Project relicensing (Massachusetts/New Hampshire). Recent filings cover electric corporate and electric rate proceedings—including applications by NYISO, Sempra Gas & Power, and others, as well as qualifying facility submissions from entities such as Bolt Project SPV 1 LLC. FERC also released a notice of availability for the Constitution Pipeline and Wright Interconnect Projects' environmental assessment. A batch of additional compliance, amendment, and tariff filings was acknowledged, with deadlines for interventions and comments noted throughout September.

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

What We're Reading This Week

• US roadmap targets fusion deployment by mid 2030s: Federal agencies outline a plan for pilot deployment of fusion energy systems with a mid-2030s target.
• Trump Shuns E.V.s and Wind Power, But He’s Pouring Billions Into Batteries: Despite resistance to EVs and wind, the Administration increases federal investment in battery manufacturing and grid storage.
• California Lawmakers Pass Plug-In Solar Bill: California Assembly passes legislation to authorize plug-in solar panels for residential use.
• COMMENTARY: Seven charts point to tighter energy markets through 2027: Analysis of market data indicates continued tight global energy markets over the next year.
• US-Iran war spurs Europe, Asia to boost renewables: International conflict prompts European and Asian nations to accelerate renewable energy investments.
• Ontario spearheads Canada’s nuclear renaissance: Ontario's nuclear expansion projects position Canada at the forefront of advanced reactor deployment.
• Focus: South African miners accelerate shift to renewable power to cut Eskom reliance: Mining companies in South Africa invest heavily in renewable energy projects to secure supply.
• States can build America’s affordable energy future: Commentary examines how state-level initiatives are reshaping the U.S. energy mix toward affordability.
• Indonesia's Prabowo launches 14 solar power projects: Indonesia initiates a series of new utility-scale solar installations under national development plans.
• Siemens Energy to divest industrial unit in bid to focus on gas turbines, grids: Siemens Energy moves to exit industrial businesses and prioritize its core focus on turbines and grid systems.

.