September 20, 2026 to September 26, 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
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act Signed into Law

On September 25, 2026, the President signed H.R. 3657, the Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act, requiring the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to produce annual reports detailing all hydropower licensing applications. This measure aims to document application status and enhance accessibility of project information for industry stakeholders. It sets a uniform reporting standard for hydropower licensing activity and is expected to increase transparency around pending and completed license applications.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

EPA Repeals Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Rule at G20 Ministerial

The G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial, held September 16-18, 2026 in Houston, concluded with four consensus outcomes: expanded energy access, regulatory permitting changes, water resilience initiatives, and supply chain security for critical minerals. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the repeal of Biden-era greenhouse gas requirements for power plants, citing cost savings of $310 billion. The event included investments such as Hitachi Energy’s $528 million facility in Mississippi and Caturus’ LNG expansion in Louisiana. Industry leaders and officials from 20 countries participated.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Draft Environmental Impact Statement Issued for Corpus Christi LNG Expansion

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage 4 and CCPL Expansion Project in Texas. The project encompasses expansion of the existing LNG terminal, the addition of a 25.8-mile pipeline, a new compressor station, and meter stations. The draft EIS reviewed environmental impacts and determined most can be mitigated to less-than-significant levels; however, long-term visual impacts from flaring are noted. Public comments are due November 9, 2026, and a public session will be held October 6 in Portland, Texas. Cooperating agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, contributed to the assessment.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Stillwater Hydroelectric Project Relicensing Scoping Period Open

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a notice commencing the scoping period for relicensing the Stillwater Hydroelectric Project on the Hudson River, New York. Commission staff will prepare an environmental document examining issues including water resources, aquatic life, recreation, and land use. GR Catalyst One, LLC proposes to continue run-of-river operation with minimum flows of 500 cfs and fish bypass flow of 104 cfs. Written comments must be received by October 21, 2026. The Commission will use input to focus environmental analysis for potential renewal of the project's 3.5 MW capacity license.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

CCEC Nuclear Power Facility Granted License Amendments

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Christopher M. Crane Clean Energy Center in Pennsylvania. Constellation Energy Generation, LLC requested exemption and three license amendments to resume power operations through April 19, 2034; DOE is considering a loan guarantee for refueling and restart costs. The EA determined that impacts on land, air, water, ecological resources, health, and climate are not significant. No Environmental Impact Statement is required. The facility, formerly Three Mile Island Unit 1, may resume operations, based on NRC determination.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• COMMENTARY: The global energy transition shifts from generation to integration: The article examines the evolving focus from energy generation to integration across global markets.
• California needs its neighbors’ renewable energy: California considers interstate cooperation to meet renewable energy targets amid regional supply fluctuations.
• Climate Week talks balance hope for clean energy against uncertainty over artificial intelligence: Industry leaders weigh clean energy prospects alongside AI concerns during global Climate Week discussions.
• The quiet engine of smart mobility powers more than just vehicles: Smart mobility infrastructure drives efficiencies beyond transportation, supporting power and grid technologies.
• Victoria proposes mandating new data centres source their own green power: Victoria’s government considers requiring data centers to procure renewable energy directly.
• EU warns of energy price crisis, asks countries to consider curbing demand, letter shows: European Union officials call on Member States to review energy consumption in response to potential price spikes.
• Exclusive | Behind the Oil-and-Gas Industry’s Blitz to Try to Defeat a Diesel Export Ban: The oil and gas sector organizes lobbying efforts to counter a proposed diesel export ban.
• Power outages happen—save up to 57% on EcoFlow power stations: Emergency power solutions are promoted as outages prompt consumer interest in backup systems.
• Global renewable deployment must double to hit 2030 climate target, report says: Global renewables capacity needs to accelerate to reach 2030 climate benchmarks, according to a recent report.

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