Governor Pritzker signed the Illinois Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act into law on January 8, 2026 (Public Act 104-0458). The act has far reaching energy supply, grid regulation and infrastructure development provisions, which will accelerate the state’s clean energy transition, improve grid stability and help manage rising electricity demands.Continue Reading What Illinois’ Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act Means for Project Developers
On December 18, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) took a significant step to break up the log jam that is precluding large load and data centers to receive power in the PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (PJM) region of the United States.[1] FERC issued an Order finding that PJM’s existing rules that pertain to generation that interconnects with load behind the point of interconnection (BTMG) are unjust and unreasonable and must be revised. FERC’s directives to PJM likely signal what FERC may require in some form throughout the nation.Continue Reading FERC Directs Revisions To Enable Co-Located Load (Data Centers) And Generation
On November 20, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a Notice of Inquiry (Docket No. RM26-2-000) asking whether operators of liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants should be allowed to perform certain maintenance, repair and upgrade activities without filing a new application under the Natural Gas Act, as is currently the case. The proposal parallels a hydroelectric inquiry released the same day and draws from the Commission’s long-standing 18 C.F.R Part 157 “blanket certificate” framework for pipelines.Continue Reading Streamlining LNG Oversight: FERC’s Next Evolution in Part 157 Approach
California is positioning itself to help run a unified, independently governed electricity market across the West. With AB 825 signed on September 19, 2025, the California Legislature authorized the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to transfer certain market functions to a new Independent Regional Organization (IRO). The IRO will oversee CAISO’s Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) and upcoming Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM), while CAISO will retain grid-balancing operations, resource adequacy and reliability, transmission planning, and policy implementation.Continue Reading California’s Bold Move Toward a Unified Western Grid
In the wake of a catastrophic battery storage facility fire in Moss Landing in January that burned over half the batteries in a 300-megawatt (MW) installation in Monterey County, 2025 has been a rollercoaster year for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) regulations.Continue Reading California Battery Energy Storage Systems Legislation Update: Safety Requirements and AB 205 “Opt-In” Procedures Amended
On May 29, 2025, the United States Supreme Court issued an 8-0 opinion in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, et al. v. Eagle County, Colorado, et al. that affirmed agency deference in review of environmental documents prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).[1] This important decision will bring much-needed certainty for project developers and financing agencies that should reduce permitting obstacles resulting in greater time and cost savings to developers.Continue Reading Supreme Court Restores Agency Deference In NEPA Reviews
Our previous post[1] covered the introduction of A.B. 303 (Addis), the “Battery Energy Safety and Accountability Act”, following a catastrophic fire at one of the world’s largest battery energy storage facilities located in Moss Landing, California, starting on January 16, 2025. As we explained, that bill, proposed as an urgency statute, would significantly curtail the authority of both local agencies and the California Energy Commission (CEC) to site new energy storage facilities and would likely result in significant adverse consequences for meeting California’s clean energy goals.Continue Reading California Leaders Move to Support Energy Storage
On February 1, 2025, President Trump issued three executive orders imposing tariffs on nearly all imports from Canada[1], Mexico,[2] and China.[3] However, on February 3, the President said on social media that the tariffs on Canada and Mexico will be suspended for one month while the countries discuss potential agreements to reduce or rescind the tariff imposition.[4] A subsequent federal register notice provides details of the China tariffs.[5]Continue Reading The First Wave: U.S. Imposes Tariffs on Canada (or not?), Mexico (or not?), and China (well, yeah, probably so)
A week after a large-scale fire at the Moss Landing Power Plant in Monterey County,[1] California Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 303. If passed, AB 303 – also referred to as the Battery Energy Safety & Accountability Act – will impact the development of large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in California. Intended to “improve safety standards and restore local oversight for BESS facilities in California,”[2] AB 303 will, among other things, limit approval authority to local governmental agencies, require local engagement in the permitting process, and establish mandatory buffer zones between BESS projects and “sensitive receptors.”Continue Reading Understanding AB 303: Potential Impacts for California BESS Project Development
With President Donald Trump commencing his second term, significant changes are anticipated across global industries. His series of sweeping executive actions have already sparked pushback and legal challenges.Continue Reading Tracking the New Administration’s Executive Actions Changes
Tariffs remain the focus of the incoming Trump Administration. Over the past several months, the announcements from president-elect Trump and his transition team have been dynamic. We expect the Trump trade policy team to use creative methods to deliver aggressive new tariff policies this year.Continue Reading Trump Tariffs Survival Guide: 10 Strategies for U.S. Importers