On July 2, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) denied a waiver request filed by Chestnut Run Energy LLC (Chestnut Run) seeking a one-time limited waiver of certain requirements under PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.’s (PJM) Open Access Transmission Tariff (Tariff) to allow Chestnut Run to implement an equipment change to its proposed combined cycle gas turbine electric generating facility’s (Facility) configuration. Chestnut Run sought waiver because of availability issues with certain equipment outlined in its interconnection application. In denying the request, FERC found Chestnut Run did not demonstrate that the requested waiver would not result in undesirable consequences and noted that the requested waiver would undermine the expeditious nature of PJM’s Reliability Resource Initiative (RRI) process.
FERC Approves SPP “System Support Resource” Program to Manage Generator Retirements
On March 19, 2026, FERC approved Southwest Power Pool, Inc.’s (SPP) System Support Resource (SSR) program to allow SPP, under specified conditions, to keep certain generating units that plan to retire temporarily online when they are needed to maintain reliability of the bulk electric system in the SPP region. In doing so, FERC found that SPP’s proposal appropriately balanced the need to maintain reliability with generator owners’ ability to implement their business plans.
Senate Proposes Bill to Exempt Isolated Large Loads from Federal Regulation
On January 7, 2026, Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the Decentralized Access to Technology Alternatives Act (DATA Act) (S.3585), that if adopted, would exempt isolated large loads from regulation under the Federal Power Act (FPA) and the implementing regulations of FERC and the Department of Energy (DOE). Specifically, the DATA ACT would amend the FPA to create the consumer-regulated electric utilities (CREU) category and then broadly remove qualifying CREUs from federal energy regulation.
FERC Approves SPP Tariff Revisions Allowing Real-Time Dispatchable Interchange Transactions
On December 10, 2025, FERC accepted Southwest Power Pool, Inc.’s (SPP) proposed tariff revision to extend its existing day-ahead market dispatchable transaction model into the real-time balancing market (RTBM). The Commission found the proposal to be just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential, rejecting protests that raised concerns
FERC Staff Audit Report Identifies CIP Standard Compliance Risks in FY2025
On October 20, 2025, FERC Staff issued a report outlining areas of risk to the reliability of the electric grid based on non-public Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Audits of U.S. based North American Electric Reliability (NERC) registered entities’ (Registered Entities) compliance with CIP Reliability Standards during Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025).