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.

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Dates: 2026-02-08 to 2026-02-14

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

Executive Order: Coal-Fired Power Generation Prioritized for National Defense

President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of War (DOW) to prioritize coal-fired power generation for military installations, command centers, and defense-industrial bases, with the goal of ensuring on-demand, resilient baseload power. The policy aligns with prior executive actions on grid reliability and designates coal-fueled generation as essential to the national and economic security framework. The order directs the Secretary of War, together with the Secretary of Energy, to secure long-term power purchase agreements from coal-fired facilities, prioritizing projects that deliver fuel security and mission assurance. Action must comply with existing statutory constraints and budget requirements. The document was signed February 11, 2026.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

DOE Final Determination: Energy Conservation Standards for Small Electric Motors

The Department of Energy, Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, issued a final determination stating that current energy conservation standards for small electric motors will remain unchanged following its review. DOE concluded that stricter standards are technologically feasible but not cost-effective, with no significant energy savings expected for the considered efficiency levels. Stakeholder and trade association comments concurred with maintaining existing standards. DOE reviewed market, energy price, and discount rate inputs, finding no material changes since the last determination. The notice, effective March 16, 2026, details Federal preemption, regulatory review, and the rationale supporting the determination.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FERC Combined Notices: Rate Filings, Compliance, and Market Status Updates

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released a summary of electric corporate and rate filings, including applications under Section 203 of the Federal Power Act for asset transfers and ownership changes among entities such as BIV Generation Company, Morgantown Power, Darby Power, and multiple wind and solar facilities. Notices of non-material and material changes in status, tariff amendments, and rate filings by New Mexico PPA Corporation, Public Service Company of New Mexico, Southwest Power Pool Inc., PJM Interconnection, and others were also included. Stakeholders may file interventions or protests by stated comment deadlines, and all filings are accessible through FERC’s eLibrary system.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NRC Opportunity for Comment: LaSalle County Station, Units 1 and 2 License Amendment Request

Constellation Energy Generation, LLC has submitted a license amendment request for LaSalle County Station Units 1 and 2. The proposed amendment seeks a temporary change to Technical Specification LCO 3.3.7.1 on the Control Room Area Filtration System Instrumentation, allowing one trip subsystem to be inoperable for up to 21 days, with manual actuation available during non-compliance periods. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is soliciting public comments by March 16, 2026, and hearing requests by April 14, 2026. The amendment is expected not to increase accident probability or impact safety margins as analyzed in the referenced application.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Proposed Information Collection: LIHEAP Residential Energy Consumption Survey Data Match

The Administration for Children and Families is requesting public comment on a revised information collection for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) Data Match. The proposal seeks reduced administrative burden on state recipients, with updated fields and reporting aligned with annual program requirements. Data will be used for impact analysis and annual reporting to Congress. The deadline for comment submission is April 14, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025

Bill 755, Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025, was ordered to be reported in the nature of a substitute (amended) by unanimous consent in the House. The legislation focuses on energy sector mineral supply consistency.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025

Bill 261, Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025, passed the House and was received in the Senate, where it was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The measure addresses protection for critical undersea cable infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act

Bill 1043, La Paz County Solar Energy and Job Creation Act, saw a written report filed by Senator Lee from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Report number is 119-109, and the bill pertains to public lands and employment in solar energy.

Sources: www.congress.gov

EARA

Bill 677, titled EARA, was discussed at a hearing held by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. The subject relates to government operations with energy and land implications.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Trump directs Energy Department to issue funds to keep coal plants online: Reuters reports President Trump’s directive for DOE to finance coal plants' continued operation.
• US utilities spend big on rising data center demand, but affordability concerns loom: Utilities increase spending for expanding data center capacity while affordability issues persist.
• White House eyes data center agreements amid energy price spikes: Politico covers White House considerations for supporting data center electricity agreements.
• The Russia‑Ukraine energy shock: Why geopolitics demands a clean energy shift: Reuters explores geopolitical factors driving clean energy transition after Russia-Ukraine developments.
• TotalEnergies seeks clarity on EU ban on Russian LNG, says CEO: Reuters notes TotalEnergies’ request for clarification on EU measures regarding Russian LNG imports.
• China is the clean energy superpower, but there’s another snapping at its heels — and it’s moving even faster: CNN examines competition in global clean energy between China and India.
• Britain to invest up to $1.4 billion in community energy projects: Reuters details UK’s allocation for local energy initiatives.
• IMF discussing electricity tariffs revisions with Pakistan: Reuters reports on IMF’s talks with Pakistan over potential electricity tariff changes.
• Germany wants renewables firms to shoulder cost of grid connections, draft law shows: Reuters outlines proposed German legislation shifting grid connection expenses to renewables companies.
• What is the Real Cost of Wind Energy? Energy News Beat Stand-Up: Energy News Beat discusses wind power costs in New York.

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