August 12, 2026

Regulatory Update for August 12, 2026

(Covering August 5, 2026 - August 11, 2026)

Our energy regulatory team has compiled a list of state and federal energy regulatory developments to keep you up to speed on key energy regulatory matters from across the United States. Stoel’s energy regulatory team is always available to answer questions about any of these developments. Click here to meet the energy regulatory team.

Jump to the following jurisdictions:

State Regulatory Agencies

• California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
• California Energy Commission (CEC)
• Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC)
• Pacific Northwest (OPUC, WUTC, BPA)

Federal Regulatory Agencies

• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

Independent System Operators (ISO) and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTO)

• California Independent System Operator (CAISO)
• Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)

Click here to download this update as a PDF

State Regulatory Agencies

CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (CPUC or COMMISSION)[1]

Proposed Decisions and Resolutions

None to report.

Voting Meeting

The CPUC will hold a voting meeting on August 13 in San Francisco, California, at 11 a.m. PT. The energy-related items on the agenda are below:

Item 3. Application (A.)24-08-004 (Application of Pacific Gas and Electric Company for a Limited Capital Structure Adjustment)

In this application, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) requests permission to deviate from its authorized capital rate structure, governed by Affiliate Transaction Rule IX B. Specifically, PG&E seeks to exclude $2.6 billion in expenses related to the Dixie Fire ($277 million at the time of filing), the Kincade Fire (approximately $1.2 billion at time of filing), and the Department of Water Resources (DWR) loan (approximately $1.4 billion) when calculating its debt-to-equity ratio. The decision denies PG&E’s requested relief and finds that (1) the request does not qualify for an Affiliate Transaction Rule waiver, and (2) it would not be in the public interest to grant a deviation from PG&E’s recently adopted capital rate structure.

Item 3A. President Reynolds issued an Alternate Proposed Decision (APD) in A.24-08-004 (above), which would require PG&E to provide additional information in its next cost of capital application regarding its capital structure true-up analysis and the status of the DWR loan.

Item 4. Resolution E-5455

This resolution approves, with modifications, PG&E’s Advice Letter (AL) 7785-E, filed on December 18, 2025, requesting Commission approval of an exceptional case agreement between PG&E and Google LLC to support the energization of a new 250 megawatt (MW) transmission-level retail electric load at 230 kilovolts (kV) in San Jose, California.

Item 5. A.25-10-004 (Application of Pacific Gas and Electric Company to Increase Its Authority to Finance Short-Term Borrowing Needs by $2.0 Billion to an Aggregate Amount Not to Exceed $10.5 Billion)

This decision grants, in part, PG&E’s request to increase its authorized amount of financing for its short-term borrowing needs. Specifically, this decision authorizes PG&E to increase its authorized amount of financing for its short-term borrowing needs by $1.0 billion, or half of PG&E’s total requested increase, up to an aggregate amount not to exceed $9.5 billion, subject to the conditions specified in the proposed decision. This decision does not address the associated costs, expenditures, or capital projects that may be financed through the short-term debt authorized by the proposed decision, which will be subject to consideration in future reasonableness review applications.

Item 6. A.24-09-001 (Application of Southwest Gas Corporation for Authority to Increase Rates and Charges for Gas Service in California, Effective January 1, 2026)

This decision resolves remaining contested issues in this proceeding. It establishes the gas utility’s capital structure, return in common equity, the operating revenues, and a rate increase of 5.17% for the Northern California/South Lake Tahoe territory, and a rate increase of 22.36% for southern California.

Item 10. Resolution E-5463

This Resolution approves, with modifications, San Diego Gas & Electric Company’s (SDG&E) 4655-E, PG&E’s 7591-E, and Southern California Edison Company’s (SCE) 5544-E proposal to establish an annual cadence for submitting Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) program proposals to CPUC and aligning the CPUC’s LCFS directives with the most recent California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulation amendments and subsequent guidance documents.

Item 12. Resolution G-3620

Pursuant to Decision (D.)09-11-006, Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) submitted AL 6558-G, containing its 2025 Annual Compliance Report (ACR) on the Utility System Operator’s Southern System Reliability Purchases and Sales for the period October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. This resolution finds all the transactions executed by SoCalGas to maintain Southern System Minimum to be reasonable and approves all transactions based on their verifiability. This resolution also authorizes SoCalGas’s requested revisions to Section 19 of Gas Rule No. 41 as proposed. Moreover, this resolution authorizes SoCalGas’s requested revisions to Section 15 of Gas Rule No. 41, subject to conditions.

Item 14. A.25-04-004 (Application of Pacific Gas and Electric Company for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity Authorizing the Construction of the S-238 Hinkley Compressor Station Electrical Upgrades Project)

This decision grants PG&E’s motion to withdraw this instant application, with instructions for PG&E’s future cost recovery proceedings, including the next general rate case cycle.

Item 27. A.26-06-017 (Joint Application of CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust, Inc. and CMH Acquisition Company, LLC, Pursuant to Section 854 of the Public Utilities Code, for Authority to Transfer Control of San Pablo Bay Pipeline Company, LLC (PLC 29) and Crimson California Pipeline, L.P.)

This decision grants the unopposed joint application of CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust, Inc. and CMH Acquisition Company, LLC pursuant to Section 854 of the Public Utilities Code, for authority to transfer control of San Pablo Bay Pipeline Company, LLC and Crimson California Pipeline, L.P.

Item 28. A.25-03-001 (Application of Southern California Edison for Approval Under Public Utilities Code Section 851 to Sell the Lower Tule Hydroelectric Power Plant to Lower Tule Hydro LLC)

This decision grants SCE’s application for authority to sell its Lower Tule Hydroelectric Plant and its associated electric facilities to Lower Tule Hydro, LLC pursuant to Section 851 of the California Public Utilities Code and approves, in part, the proposed ratemaking, cost recovery, and revenue allocation treatment of the sale.

Events

California Climate Credit Workshop

On August 11, 2026, the Commission held a workshop to discuss the Assigned Commissioner’s proposal concepts, address data questions, provide a forum for parties to vet proposal ideas, discuss proposal requirements, and gather public input. The agenda for the workshop is available on the climate credit service list. The workshop was held in the Courtyard room at the Commission’s headquarters at 505 Van Ness, San Francisco. The Commission encouraged in-person participation, but staff provided Webex functionality for remote participation. A link to the proposed agenda and additional workshop information is available here.

Interagency Public Briefing on Safety Culture and Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)

The Commission, in collaboration with the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services will host the Interagency Public Briefing on Safety Culture and PSPS on August 20, 2026. The public briefing will take place at the Commission’s auditorium, located at 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. Access for remote attendance can be found here. The agenda and presentation decks can be found here.

Interconnection Discussion Forum (IDF)

The CPUC’s Energy Division will host the next IDF stakeholder meeting on Tuesday, September 22 from 1.p.m.–4 p.m. PT. The IDF provides an informal venue for utilities, developers, and other stakeholders to explore a wide variety of issues related to interconnection practices and policies. It is generally scheduled quarterly. This is the designated Q3 meeting for 2026. There was no Q2 2026 meeting due to work on the new interconnection proceeding R.25-08-004. Additional information, including how to contact the IDF hosts, is available on the CPUC Rule 21 webpage, available here.

CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION (CEC)

2026 Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) Update

The CEC has set the following preliminary schedule for the 2026 IEPR.  The schedule is available on the 2026 IEPR Update page.

Task/Event	Date
• Final 2026 IEPR Update Scoping Order released	April 2026
• Adopt order instituting informational proceeding	May 2026
• Public workshops on specific topics	May–December 2026
• Release draft 2026 IEPR Update	October 2026
• Release proposed 2026 IEPR Update	January 2027
• Adopt 2026 IEPR Forecast	January 2027
• Adopt 2026 IEPR Update	February 2027

The CEC’s 2026 IEPR Update workshop schedule (which remains subject to change) is set forth below. According to the workshop schedule, all workshops will be held via Zoom and the remaining workshops through December 2026 will run as follows:

August 20, 2026: Commissioner Workshop on Forecast Inputs and Assumptions, 1 p.m.–5 p.m. PT.

August 31, 2026: Commissioner Workshop on Load Modifier Inputs and Assumptions, 9 a.m.–12:00 p.m. PT.

November 12, 2026: Commissioner Workshop on Load Modifier Draft Results, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. PT.

December 14, 2026: Commissioner Workshop on Overall Forecast Results, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. PT.

Written comments regarding the August 20, 2026 workshop are due to the Docket Unit by 5:00 p.m. PT on September 15, 2026.

Demand Access Working Group Workshops

Data Center Load

The CEC announced an upcoming Demand Analysis Working Group (DAWG) meeting that will be held on Wednesday, August 12, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. PT. This meeting will focus on data center impacts and forecast updates. The CEC and load-serving entities will discuss several topics including:

• Data center pipelines
• Data collection efforts
• Any updates in forecast methodology
• Additional data that could be shared to enhance CEC’s forecasting efforts
• Bring-your-own generation/hybrid supply models

A workshop agenda and materials will be posted in advance of the webinar to the DAWG webpage. 

IEPR Forecast Inputs & Assumptions

The CEC will host a DAWG meeting on Friday, August 14, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. PT to discuss inputs and assumptions for these 2026 IEPR forecast components. The meeting will cover topics such as economic and demographic projections, updated behind the meter and storage adoption trends, and transportation electrification scenarios. The workshop will be held remotely, and access details are available on the DAWG webpage.

Notice to Amend Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Reliability Standards

On August 11, 2026, the CEC announced its proposed rulemaking to amend the EV charger data and reliability standards (set forth in Title 20, California Code of Regulations, Division 2, Chapter 12, Article 2) to exempt MW Charging System EV chargers from certain requirements and to provide other “minor refinements” within the regulations. The CEC will hold a public meeting to consider the proposed regulations on Thursday, September 24, 2026 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. PT via Zoom. Access details and other event information are available here. Additional information regarding the EV charger reliability standards is available on the EV Charger Data and Reliability Standards webpage.

Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC)

The CEC will host its annual EPIC Symposium on September 29, 2026, both in person at the California Natural Resources Agency building at 715 P Street in Sacramento, California and via remote access. EPIC discussion topics include (1) Optimizing Electric Vehicles as Grid Assets and (2) Closing the Battery Lifecycle Loop. Registration is now live and the Symposium agenda is available here.

CEC Business Meetings

The next regular CEC business meeting is scheduled for August 17, 2026. The meeting agenda and supporting materials are available here. The CEC will also hold a special closed session business meeting on August 21, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. PT. The agenda for the August 21 meeting is available here.

MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (MPUC)

At its August 13, 2026 agenda meeting, the MPUC will consider: (1) Xcel Energy’s compliance with the MPUC’s February 23, 2026 Order related to its Petition for Approval of a Residential Time of Use Rate Design and enrollment in the electric space heating rate, as well as any proposed modifications to the tariff language (Docket No. E002/M-23-524); (2) approval of Xcel Energy’s acquisition of the Box Car and Little Rock projects, including approval of the related Purchase and Sale Agreements, as well as consideration of Renewable Energy Standard (RES) Rider recovery and other associated approvals (Docket No. E002/M-23-342); and (3) action related to the Heartland Corn Products’ Natural Gas Pipeline Construction Completion Certification (Docket No. PL7108/GP-23-43).

PACIFIC NORTHWEST (OPUC, WUTC, BPA)

Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC)

On August 5, 2026, the OPUC held a workshop regarding its rulemaking to amend OAR 860-095 related to resource adequacy, discussing (1) whether load-serving entities leaving the Western Resource Adequacy Program are required to participate in the State Program for the next compliance process, and (2) potential non-compliance penalties for the state program (Docket No. AR 682). The presentation materials are accessible here.

Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC)

On August 13, 2026, the WUTC will hold an open meeting to consider Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) filing to implement an annual adjustment to its electric Schedule 141WFP Wildfire Prevention Tracker to recover costs associated with PSE's Wildfire Mitigation and Response Plan and Wildfire Mitigation Plan implementation, effective January 1, 2026 (Docket No. UE-250931). The full agenda is accessible here.

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)

On August 13, 2026, BPA will host its quarterly business review for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026, as well as an associated technical workshop to share BPA’s financial results and provide updates on major spending areas such as proposed capital projects. The materials for both workshops are accessible here.

Federal Agencies

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION (FERC)

FERC Seeks Public Comment on PJM Governance Reforms

Following FERC’s technical conference on PJM governance, FERC seeks comments on potential reforms on PJM’s ability to respond to load growth and reliability challenges. Comments are due August 21, 2026 in Docket No. AD26-7-000. FERC also stated it will establish a dispute resolution service forum beginning September 1, 2026 to develop proposals and assist with PJM governance improvements.

Independent System Operators (ISO) and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTO)

CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR (CAISO)

Stakeholder Initiatives: Upcoming Meetings and Deadlines

2025–2026 Transmission Planning Process Errata

The CAISO has issued an errata to the board-approved 2025–2026 Transmission Plan to correct and clarify the table of deliverability reservations association with geothermal resources.

2026 CAISO Stakeholder Symposium

The 2026 CAISO Stakeholder Symposium will take place on October 6, 2026 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento, California. Registration is now open, and details can be found here. The Welcome Reception is scheduled for October 5, 2025. The agenda for the Symposium is now available here.

New Resource Implementation Forum

The CAISO will host a hybrid New Resource Implementation Forum on October 7, 2026. The forum is intended to promote collaboration with stakeholders and provide greater clarity on expectations for bringing new resources online. Meeting registration details can be found here.

ELECTRIC RELIABILITY COUNCIL OF TEXAS (ERCOT) 

Data Center Moratorium

Texas Governor Greg Abbott directed ERCOT and the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT) to verify and audit all data centers advancing through ERCOT’s interconnection process. Governor Abbott’s office states that ERCOT and the PUCT must complete this audit before any data center project moves forward and that any project that fails to comply with the requirements set forth by the PUCT and ERCOT will be denied connection to the Texas grid.

Abbott directed the PUCT and ERCOT to obtain information from each data center information on which data centers are paying their own way or depending on Texas for financial assistance and the extent data centers are providing their own power or bringing their own water.

Transmission Lines and Data Centers Open Meeting

The PUCT scheduled an open meeting with PUCT Commissioners and ERCOT to discuss policy issues related to the development of and implementation of the Permian Basin Reliability Plan, including the three 765-kV import paths required under that plan. The notice also notes the PUCT would like to hear from ERCOT on their plan to audit data centers advancing through ERCOT’s interconnection process and plans for collecting additional information as instructed in Governor Abbott’s letter.

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[1] Per the CPUC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure Rule 14.3, comments on proposed decisions are due 20 days after issuance of the proposed decision, and reply comments are due five days thereafter.  Comments on draft resolutions are due 20 days after the draft resolution appears in the CPUC’s daily calendar, per Rule 14.5.