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: 2026-02-15 to 2026-02-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power: Hearing on Hydropower, Water Supply, and Related Bills: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power will convene February 24, 2026, in Dirksen 366 to examine an array of water and power bills—including reauthorization of hydropower relicensing, water recycling, and micro hydrokinetic projects.
• House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight: Powering America's AI Future: The House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee will hold a hearing February 24, 2026 in Rayburn 2318 on policy options to expand data center infrastructure and power supply for artificial intelligence.
• House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources: Legislative Hearing on Resource Supply Bills: A hearing is scheduled for February 24, 2026 in Longworth 1334 to consider several mineral and resource supply chain bills, including the Protecting Domestic Mining Act and Critical Minerals Supply Chain Resiliency Act.
• House Rules Committee: Homeowner Energy Freedom Act and Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act: The House Rules Committee meets February 23, 2026 in Capitol H-313 to address proceedings for H.R. 4758 and H.R. 4626 concerning energy and appliance policy.

Federal Government News

DOE Proposed Rulemaking on Pricing and Charging for Materials and Services

The Department of Energy issued a proposed rule to update its pricing regulation (10 CFR part 1009), outlining how prices and charges are determined for materials and services sold to entities outside the Federal Government. The changes incorporate updated statutory definitions, clarify exclusions and exemptions governed by more specific statutes, and codify the Federal Administrative Charge, scheduled to decrease from 3 percent to 1 percent for non-Federal reimbursable work after October 1, 2025. The rule details special pricing arrangements for user facilities, nuclear material disposal, royalty rates for intellectual property, and other exemptions. Comments on the proposed rule are due by April 20, 2026. The regulation is intended to improve transparency and consistency across DOE activities.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FERC-725B Information Collection Extension for Critical Infrastructure Protection

FERC released a notice seeking public comment on its three-year extension of the FERC-725B information collection, covering mandatory reliability standards and critical infrastructure protection (CIP) requirements for users, owners, and operators of the Bulk-Power System. The extension continues reporting duties related to cybersecurity and physical security of BES Cyber Systems, including asset categorization, security management controls, incident reporting, supply chain risk management, and recovery plans. Estimated annual industry burden is 833,369 hours and $64.4 million. Comments are invited on the reporting requirements and cost estimates, with a deadline set for April 20, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FERC-730 Transmission Investment Activity Collection Extension

FERC issued a notice requesting comment on the extension of the FERC-730 information collection, which supports federal implementation of incentive-based rates for transmission infrastructure investment under Section 219 of the Federal Power Act. Respondents must file annual reports detailing actual and projected transmission investments, with financial and completion status data provided for project costs exceeding $20 million. The estimated annual industry burden is 1,920 hours and $195,840. Comments are invited regarding utility, accuracy, and burden minimization, due April 20, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Executive Order 14386: Prioritization of Coal-Fired Power for National Defense

The Executive Office of the President issued Executive Order 14386, instructing the Department of War and Department of Energy to procure coal-based power generation for military and defense installations. The mandate supports grid reliability, fuel security, and mission assurance in the face of energy shortfalls or intermittent generation. Long-term procurement agreements will be used under applicable laws, building on prior executive actions declaring a national energy emergency. The order is designed for defense and intelligence capabilities, without creating enforceable rights or obligations.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

IRS Notice: Information Collection for Advanced Nuclear Production Credit (Section 45J)

The Internal Revenue Service issued a notice seeking public comments on its information collection process required for taxpayers to claim the Section 45J Credit for Production of Electricity from Advanced Nuclear Power Facilities. The collection covers the allocation and transfer of the national megawatt capacity limitation, impacting corporations, partnerships, and government entities eligible under the program. Annual burden estimates total 406 hours across 80 respondents, with no changes proposed to existing forms. Written comments should be submitted by April 20, 2026 to the IRS.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

H.R. 1501 – Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025

H.R. 1501, titled the Protecting Domestic Mining Act, was referred to the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. The bill addresses domestic mining policy with implications for energy supply chains and resource development. Its latest legislative action occurred during the week, moving further consideration to the relevant House subcommittee.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• E&E News: US grid reliability watchdog to recommend data center rules: NERC is expected to issue recommendations on data center integration and reliability standards.
• Data Centers and Your Power Bill: Analysis examines how increased demand from data centers may affect electricity bills nationwide.
• E&E News: Dems look to scrap renewable energy tax guidance: Congressional Democrats seek to repeal Treasury renewable energy tax policy interpretations.
• Global Energy Alliance seeking to raise $100 million by 2028 to digitise India's electric grids, CEO says: Global Energy Alliance targets fundraising to modernize India's electric grid with digital solutions.
• Wind, solar power face a common foe — creative local governments: Coverage explores how restrictive local policies are complicating wind and solar project development.
• India's Maharashtra powers farms off main grid to jump transmission hurdles, exec says: Maharashtra implements off-grid solutions to overcome transmission constraints for agricultural power.
• E&E News: US threatens to quit International Energy Agency if it doesn’t drop green transition: US administration warns of withdrawal from IEA unless green transition initiatives are abandoned.
• Big windmills mean big money for a small town: Article reports economic gains for Indiana communities hosting wind and solar projects.
• France's EDF aims to spur electricity demand as low prices hit profit: EDF plans to boost electricity demand after reporting lower profits from reduced market prices.
• Clean energy bans skyrocket under Trump, USA TODAY analysis finds: USA TODAY analysis finds sharp rise in local bans targeting clean energy projects during Trump administration.

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