February 11, 2026

Regulatory Update for February 11, 2026

(Covering February 4, 2026 - February 10, 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)
• California Air Resources Board (CARB)
• Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC)
• Pacific Northwest (BPA, WUTC)

Federal Regulatory Agencies

• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

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

• California Independent System Operator (CAISO)
• New York Independent System Operator (NYISO)

Click here to download this update as a PDF

State Regulatory Agencies

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

Proposed Decisions and Resolutions

Rulemaking 25-07-013 (Order Instituting Rulemaking to Improve the California Climate Credit

This decision orders the large electric investor-owned utilities to pause the distribution of the 2026 electric residential Climate Credit so that a forthcoming decision can direct when these credits should be distributed this year. The residential electric Climate Credit is provided on customer bills in April and October, which according to the Commission are relatively low-billed months. The current phase of this proceeding is considering moving the 2026 residential electric Climate Credit to high-billed summer months to maximize its affordability impact. A proposed decision addressing that matter is anticipated in March 2026. The PD reasons that pausing the spring Climate Credit will allow the Commission to include it in these considerations.

Voting Meeting

The CPUC held a voting meeting in Sacramento, California, on February 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. PT.  The energy-related results are below:  

Item 2. Application (A.) 23-07-008 (In the Matter of the Application of California Resources Production Corporation (CRPC) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to Operate as a Gas Corporation in the State of California)

This decision dismisses without prejudice A.23-07-008, requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience  and Necessity to operate as a public utility gas corporation.  The decision finds that the application is not ripe due to pending parallel judicial and local administrative proceedings. Signed, Decision (D.) 26-02-003.

Item 6. Rulemaking (R.) 21-11-014 (Order Instituting Rulemaking to Implement Senate Bill (SB) 1014 - the California Clean Miles Standard Program)

This decision addresses and implements three modifications to the Clean Miles Standard Program, established by D.24-03-001.  These three modifications will ensure the continually smooth operation of the Clean Miles Standard Program.  The decision modifies Advice Letter (AL) requirements, deadlines for staff reports, extension request specifications, and the timing for regulatory fee reports. Signed, D.26-02-005.

Item 7. Application (A.) 25-08-008 (Application of Southern California Gas Company to Recover Costs Recorded in the Distribution Integrity Management Program Balancing Account from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2023)

This decision grants, in part, the request of Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) for interim rate recovery, pending a final decision on whether a permanent cost increase is reasonable based on the evidence.  SoCalGas is authorized an interim revenue requirement of $35.5 million (60 percent of SoCalGas’ total request of $59.1 million), according to the process set forth in the decision.  Interim rate authority is granted for 12 months.  SoCalGas is required to refund, with interest, any excess amount it collects in comparison to the Commission’s final determination on the amount reasonably incurred. Signed, D.26-02-006.

Item 9. Resolution O-0098

This Resolution approves AL 27-0, in which San Pablo Bay Pipeline Company, LLC and Crimson California Pipeline L.P. (collectively Crimson”) request emergency rate relief on an interim basis and subject to refund.  The Commission reasons that Crimson has made a sufficient showing that interim rate relief is needed to avoid suspension of pipeline operations, which would have negative consequences. Approved.

Item 12. Resolution O-0099

This Resolution approves Phillips 66 Pipeline LLC’s request for authorization to withdraw service on Lines 100, 200, 300, and 400. Approved.

Item 16. Resolution E-5445

This Resolution approves 10 contracts across four projects, two of which are co-located battery energy storage system and solar photovoltaic (PV) projects, while the remaining two projects are solar PV.  All 10 of these contracts were entered into as a result of Southern California Edison Company’s (SCE) 2024 Clean Energy Request for Offers.  SCE contracted these 10 different resources to help meet its Integrated Resource Plan capacity and Renewable Portfolio Standard requirements. Approved.

Upcoming Workshops and Events.

SB 1221 Neighborhood Decarbonization Pilots Webinar

The CPUC’s Energy Division Staff is hosting an SB 1221 webinar for local government and community partners on Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. The webinar aims to give local governments, and community partners a better understanding of the SB 1221 implementation process and opportunities for community engagement. The registration link can be found here.

Workshop on High Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Planning (R.21-06-017)

The CPUC will host an in-person workshop on February 20, 2026, as part of ongoing workshops in Track 3 of the High DER proceeding.  This proceeding considers DER planning, siting, and interconnection, among other elements, needed to determine the timing and scope of system investments that facilitate the integration of DERs into the grid.  The workshop discussion will focus on the use of Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) and Advanced Distributed Management Systems (ADMS), dynamic rate alignment, and other issues related to grid operations and improvements on the distribution level.  The workshop will be held at the CPUC’s headquarters located at 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. PT. A link for remote viewing will be made available, but in-person attendance is encouraged.

CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION (CEC)

Staff Workshop on the Draft 2025 Building Energy Action Plan

On January 29, 2026, CEC staff held a workshop to review the contents of the draft 2025 California Building Energy Action Plan to solicit feedback and stakeholder recommendations.  Additional information is available here.

Joint Agency Workshop on 2025 SB 100 Results

The CEC, CPUC, and California Air Resources Board (CARB) will host a joint two-part workshop to present and discuss the draft electricity resource modeling results and implementation challenges for the SB 100 Joint Agency Report. The public can participate in the workshop, which will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Attendance is available in person or remotely, and additional details are available on the event page, here.

Staff Workshop on Draft Guidelines for the Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) Program

CEC staff will host a remote-only workshop on Thursday, February 19, 2026 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to discuss proposed changes that have been incorporated into the draft DSGS Program Guidelines, Fifth Edition. A copy of the draft guidelines along with the meeting notice and agenda are available on the Docket No. 22-RENEW-01, here.

Pre-Application Workshop Announced for NEVI – 5^th Solicitation

The CEC announced that it will host a pre-application workshop on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. regarding California’s solicitation 5 (South) for funding under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. Participation in the workshop is “optional but encouraged” and registration details are available here.

CEC Business Meetings

The next CEC Business Meeting is scheduled for February 11, 2026.  The agenda and supporting materials are available here.

CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD (CARB)

Amendments to Cap-and-Invest and Mandatory Reporting Regulations

On January 13, 2026, CARB posted preliminary regulatory proposal documents for the Regulation for the California Cap on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Market-Based Compliance Mechanisms (Cap-and-Invest Regulation, formerly Cap-and-Trade Regulation) and Mandatory Reporting Regulation for public review ahead of a formal comment period.  CARB staff posted these materials to the Cap-and-Invest Regulation webpage and Mandatory GHG Reporting Regulation webpage.  CARB will be submitting these rulemaking materials to the California Office of Administrative Law (OAL).

On May 28, 2026, CARB has stated it will conduct a public hearing to consider proposed amendments to the Regulation for the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions.  CARB has stated these amendments are needed to support the Cap-and-Invest Regulation, to ensure that reported GHG emissions and product data are accurate and complete to support California’s GHG reduction programs, and to further clarify the regulation and reporting requirements.

Climate Risk Disclosure Laws Update

On February 26, 2026, CARB will conduct a public hearing to consider approving for adoption the proposed California Corporate GHG Reporting and Climate-Related Financial Risk Disclosure Initial Regulation.  The related Notice of Public Hearing (Notice), Staff Report, and proposed regulatory text were sent to the OAL on December 9, 2025.  These materials are currently available on CARB’s webpage.  OAL published the Notice on December 26, 2025, commencing a 45-day public comment period that ended on February 9, 2026.  Given the holiday season and the strong interest in this program, staff provided extra time for public review of materials prior to the start of the 45-day formal comment period.

MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (MPUC)

At its February 12, 2026 weekly agenda meeting, the MPUC will consider: (1) reopening, reconsideration, or clarification of its November 26, 2025 order regarding Greater Minnesota Gas, Inc.’s application for rate increase (Docket No. G022/GR-24-350), (2) approval of Xcel Energy’s 2025 Annual Administrative Service Agreement Petition (Docket No. E002/M-25-245), and (3) approval of Big Bend Wind LLC’s petition to amend the site permit for its Big Bend Wind Project (Docket No. IP7013/WS-19-619).

PACIFIC NORTHWEST (OPUC, WUTC, BPA)

PACIFIC NORTHWEST (BPA, WUTC)

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)

From February 9 through 12, 2026, BPA will hold a series of Cluster Study Report meetings, including high-level overview of the Phase One Cluster Study Reports and information on the next steps in the Transition Cluster Study process. More information on the meetings is available here.  Additionally, on February 10, 2026, BPA will hold a Transmission Operations Workshop to provide updates on its AGC Upgrade project and reliability coordinator services. Additional information is available here. BPA administrator John Hairston announced his retirement from BPA on February 6, a role in which he has served since 2021. The next BPA administrator has not yet been announced.

Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC)

The Washington legislature is continuing to consider a pair of bills, SB 6171 and HB 2515, that would require Emerging Large Energy Use Facilities (ELEUFs) to purchase their energy and pay for needed infrastructure through new tariffs or contracts developed by the state’s utilities.  Under the bills, starting in 2031, ELEUFs commencing operation after July 1, 2026, must certify to the state that 80% of their energy used to serve their load came from renewable or non-emitting resources, and that they purchased the electricity and renewable energy certificates to substantiate that certification in a “single transaction.”  The laws require ELEUFs to serve their load using 100% renewable or non-emitting resources beginning in 2036.  In the Washington Senate, SB 6171 was referred to the Ways & Means committee, following substitutions made during the February 3 executive session.  The substitute bill is here.  The companion bill in the House, HB 2515, was discussed in public hearing on February 7, and on February 9, executive action was taking in the House Committee on Appropriations to pass the second substitute bill. The substitute bill is available here.

Federal Agencies

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION (FERC)

House Subcommittee FERC Hearing

On February 3, 2026, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Energy & Commerce held a meeting titled Oversight of FERC: Advancing Affordable and Reliable Energy for All Americans.  Each of the Commissioners gave opening testimony, which may be found here, and answered questions from the subcommittee.  A recording of that meeting may be found here.

Federal and State Current Issues Collaborative Meeting

FERC noticed its fourth Federal and State Current Issues Collaborative Meeting.  The meeting will be held on February 11, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET, at the Westin Downtown Washington hotel in Washington, D.C.  The meeting will be open to the public for listening and observing and will be on the record.  The public may also attend via Webcast.

FERC published its agenda for the meeting, noting that the meeting’s purpose is to discuss how state and regional levels are addressing affordability considerations as load growth and transmission expansion accelerate from Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other demand growth.  FERC stated that its commissioners do not intend to discuss any specific proceeding before FERC at the meeting.

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

CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR (CAISO)

Stakeholder Initiatives: Upcoming Meetings and Deadlines

Western Energy Markets Regional Issues Forum

The Western Energy Markets Regional Issues Forum’s hybrid in-person/virtual meeting will take place at the CAISO in Folsom, California, on March 16, 2026. The discussion is focused on the CAISO’s 2026 Market Policy Initiative Catalog and Roadmap Process. Registration details can be found here.

Resource Adequacy (RA) Modeling and Program Design: Tracks 1 and 3A Updated Tariff Language

The CAISO posted updated tariff language for RA modeling and Program Design Tracks 1 and 3A, incorporating stakeholder feedback received during the January 26, 2026 stakeholder meeting. The updates include defining the reserve margin for each month. Further, the modifications include adding sections for reports on capacity status, general qualifying capacity methodologies, effective load carrying capability, unforced capacity, average generation, performance to dispatch, reduction in demand per dispatch, and default criteria for specific resource classes. The modifications can be found here.

CAISO Assembly Bill 825 Report to Legislature

On February 1, 2026, CAISO submitted the 2026 Assembly Bill 825 Report to the Governor and the legislature, the first report of its kind.  Assembly Bill 825 (Petrie-Norris, Chapter 116, Statutes of 2025) was passed last year by the California Legislature and signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom to further the expansion and use of voluntary wholesale energy markets throughout the Western United States.  Specifically, the legislation enables the CAISO to partner with an independent regional organization to govern and operate these markets for the benefit of ratepayers.  The legislation establishes specific requirements that this regional organization must meet—including respect for state authority, transparent processes, and protection of consumer interests—before the CAISO and California’s Investor-Owned Utilities within its market footprint may transition to an arrangement where the voluntary wholesale energy markets are governed by an independent regional organization.  The report can be found here.

NEW YORK INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR (NYISO)

Proposed Legislative Bill on Data Center Permitting Moratorium

The New York State Senate proposed a bill that would impose a moratorium on data center permits to be issued in the state for a minimum of three years and 90 days. If passed, the New York Public Service Commission would be required to issue a report on the rate impact of data centers, and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation would issue a generic environmental impact statement on data centers.

New York Public Service Commission Issues Interconnection Rules for Distributed Energy Resources

The New York Public Service Commission issued interconnection rules that establish procedures to schedule construction of projects, which are qualified to claim federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, before the availability of those tax credits expire for projects that have not started construction by July 5, 2026. The Public Service Commission divided future projects into two groups based on the need for projects to require utility system upgrades, and the Public Service Commission set deadlines to ensure projects meet the deadline from the Internal Revenue Service.

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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.