July 8, 2025

Regulatory Update for July 8, 2025

(Covering Week of June 30, 2025)

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:

• California Public Utilities Commission
• California Independent System Operator
• California Energy Commission
• California Air Resources Board
• Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Click here to download this update as a PDF

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

Proposed Decisions and Resolutions

Application (A.)24-06-013 (Application of Pacific Gas and Electric Company for Authority to Issue Wildfire Rate Relief Bonds).  This decision denies the June 20, 2024 Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) Application for Authority to Issue Wildfire Rate Relief Bonds for Wildfire Costs and Expenses Pursuant to Article 5.8 of The California Public Utilities Code. This decision finds that the request by PG&E to issue bonds and securitize up to $2.356 billion fails to meet the public interest standard required by Pub. Util. Code § 850.1(a)(1)(A).

Voting Meeting

The CPUC will hold a voting meeting in San Francisco, CA on July 24, 2025 at 11:00 am PT.  The agenda will be published on July 14, 2025.  

Meetings and Webinars

2024 RPS Compliance Reporting Templates Webinar.  On July 15, 2025, from 1:30 to 2:30 pm, the Energy Division will host a webinar to cover the changes to the RPS compliance reporting templates and submission process, and provide an opportunity for questions. The link to the webinar is available here.

CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR (CAISO)

Stakeholder Initiatives: Upcoming Meetings and Deadlines

2026 Import Capability Assignment

CAISO has posted the CAISO Maximum Resource Adequacy Import Capability for Year 2026 document, as a first step to the 2026 import capability assignment process. Further information is available here.

2025 Intra-Cluster Reliability Network Upgrade Prioritization

CAISO has posted its 2025 Intra-Cluster Reliability Network Upgrade Prioritization Study Plan and Methodology document, and a list of Interconnection Customer projects with qualifying Reliability Network Upgrades where available capacity to interconnect earlier may exist. Eligible interconnection customers will receive an email with application instructions. Further information is available here.

Governance Changes from Pathways Step 1

CAISO has posted revised governance documents that implement the Step 1 recommendation of the West-Wide Governance Pathways Committee. These changes, which were approved November 7, 2024, became effective after Public Service Company of New Mexico executed an EDAM implementation agreement. Further information is available here.

2025 FERC Billing Rate Adjustment and 2024 FERC Fees Supplemental Billing

CAISO will adjust the 2025 FERC billing rate to $0.117240 and will issue the 2024 FERC fee supplemental billing at the rate of $0.013376. Further information is available here.

2024-2025 Transmission Planning Process

CAISO has posted the key selection factors for the two regional transmission solutions that are eligible for competitive solicitation to its website.  Further information is available here.

Annual Policy Initiatives

CAISO has published the 2025 Policy Catalog that describes 2025 stakeholder policy initiative proposals and reflects stakeholder support for these proposals.  Further information is available here.

Cluster 15 Queue

CAISO announced that the Cluster Study for Cluster 15 has begun, and the Queue Report has been posted.  Further information is available here.

Annual Policy Initiatives Roadmap

CAISO has published the Revised 2025 Policy Roadmap, which includes new initiatives and updated timelines for several existing initiatives through the end of 2025.  CAISO incorporated stakeholder feedback from a prioritization survey and a Regional Issues Forum report to identify elements of current policy initiatives.  Further information is available here.

2025-2026 Transmission Planning Process

CAISO has published the 2025-2026 Transmission Planning Process final study plan to its website, available here.

2024-2025 Transmission Planning Process

CAISO has posted the 2024-2025 Board approved Transmission Plan to its webpage.  Further information is available here.

Transmission Development Forum

CAISO, in conjunction with the CPUC and participating transmission owners, will hold its biannual stakeholder call on July 30, 2025, to provide status updates on the transmission planning process and network upgrades identified in the generation interconnection process. Written comments on the stakeholder call discussion are due August 13, 2025.  Further information is available here.

CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION (CEC)

2025 Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR)

The CEC has released the 2025 IEPR workshop schedule and opened a new proceeding number (25-IEPR-01) for the 2025 IEPR.  Workshop topics and dates included in the notice are below (note: the workshop schedule is subject to change and the current schedule was released on July 2, 2025).  Upcoming workshops and recent changes to the workshop schedule are reflected below:

• July 14, 2025: IEPR Commissioner Workshop on Interconnection (remote access only) POSTPONED TO August 11, 2025
• July 29, 2025: IEPR Commissioner Workshop on Firm Zero-Carbon Resources and Hydrogen (remote and in-person at the California Natural Resources Agency Headquarters, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814) – note new time 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
• August 6, 2025: IEPR Commissioner Workshop on Energy Demand Forecast Inputs & Assumptions (remote access only)
• August 11, 2025: IEPR Commissioner Workshop on Accelerating Interconnection and Energization (remote access only) – rescheduled from July 14, 2025; note new time 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
• August 26, 2025: IEPR Commissioner Workshop on Energy Demand Forecast Load Modifier Scenario Design (remote access only)
• November 13, 2025: IEPR Commissioner Workshop on Load Modifier Results (remote access only)
• December 11, 2025: IEPR Commissioner Workshop on Forecast (remote access only) – rescheduled from December 2, 2025

Comments related to the June 25, 2025 IEPR Commissioner Workshop on California’s Progress Toward the Load-Shift Goal are due to the Docket Unit (Docket No. 25-IEPR-05) by 5:00 pm PT on July 9, 2025.  Additional instructions for submitting written comments are available in the workshop notice.

AB 3 California Offshore Wind Advancement Act

On June 18, 2025, CEC staff hosted a remote access workshop to present CEC staff’s proposed scope and strategy for developing the reports required by AB 3, and to receive public comment on staff’s proposals.  Staff’s Scoping Document and Literature Assessment, as well as all related workshop items, can be accessed here.  Under AB 3, the CEC is required to prepare and submit reports to the Governor and Legislature after consulting with various state agencies as follows:

• Report 1 is a second-phase plan for seaport readiness due by December 31, 2026 (Public Resources Code (PRC) section 25991.8).
• Report 2 is a feasibility study of achieving 50% and 65% in-state assembly and manufacturing of offshore wind energy projects due by December 31, 2027 (PRC section 25991.9).

The CEC issued a 30-day extension to the original July 18, 2025 comment deadline.  Written comments on the Scoping Document and the general workshop topics are now due to Docket No. 25-AB-03 by 5:00 pm PT on August 18, 2025.  Instructions for submitting written comments are also available here.

Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC)

On May 7, 2025, the CEC circulated a “Save the Date” for the 2025 EPIC Symposium.  The symposium will be held on October 7, 2025, at the California Natural Resources Agency in Sacramento.  Registration and event details are forthcoming.

Demand Analysis Working Group (DAWG) on Data Center Planning

The CEC will host a meeting on July 16, 2025, from 1 pm to 5 pm to discuss its Demand Forecast updates for economic and demographic inputs and methodology for forecasting data centers.  This meeting will be hybrid with options to attend either in-person or by webinar.  Key topics of discussion during the meeting will include (1) updated economic and demographic projections, (2) forecasting data centers, (3) a recap of 2024 IEPR data center forecasts and challenges, (4) CAISO overview of integrating data center forecasts into transmission planning, and (5) presentations from several utilities regarding queues and timelines, mid- and long-term methodology scenarios, and planning approaches at the transmission, distribution, and system levels, in addition to an opportunity for stakeholder comments and feedback.

An agenda and meeting materials will be posted here in advance of the meeting.

Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure

On July 1, 2025, the CEC issued a “Notice of Pause” regarding its grant funding program for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Port Infrastructure, a solicitation that had opened in March 2025.  The notice states that the CEC has paused the solicitation and will not accept applications until the CEC completes updates and refinements to the requirements for the solicitation.  Additional information is available here.

On June 30, the CEC released the Joint Agency Staff Report on Assembly Bill 126: 2024 Annual Assessment of the Hydrogen Refueling Network in California pursuant to AB 126 (Reyes, Chapter 319, Statutes of 2023), which required the CEC and California Air Resources Board to jointly review and report on progress toward establishing hydrogen fueling infrastructure throughout the state.  The report discusses existing station capacity, including closed and/or offline stations.

As of November 4, 2024, 42 hydrogen fueling stations were open to the public, and 20 additional stations had been offline for more than 30 days, many for more than a year, for various reasons. These 20 offline stations are expected to reopen in the future, and three new stations have opened since the last AB 126 report. The CEC’s Clean Transportation Program has allocated nearly $234 million to public hydrogen infrastructure, primarily for light-duty vehicles, though this allocation reflects Shell’s cancelled agreement for 50 stations and one declined award from Phillips 66. Through CEC’s funding and private investments, California is expected to have 129 hydrogen refueling stations by 2030, with at least 8 stations capable of fueling medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. As of November 4, 2024, grant recipients have contributed nearly $100 million in match funding and will contribute another $59 million by the end term (in 2026) of the CEC grant agreements funded under GFO-19-602. These contributions will bring the total public and private investment in hydrogen refueling stations under the Clean Transportation Program to nearly $420 million.

The report is available here.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Reliability

On June 27, 2025, the CEC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to establish regulations for EV charger recordkeeping and reporting, reliability, and data sharing.  These regulations would apply to EV charging ports installed in California, for purposes of tracking the reliability of publicly or ratepayer funded fast-charging ports and to set a 97% uptime standard.  The proposed express terms are available here and a CEC staff report on the proposed regulations is available here.

The CEC will host a public hearing on the proposed regulations on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 10 am.  The public hearing can be attended both in-person (715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814) or remotely via Zoom. Additional information and attendance instructions are available here.

CEC Business Meetings

The next CEC Business Meeting is scheduled for July 10, 2025.  The meeting agenda and backup materials are available here.

CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD (CARB)

Meetings and Workshops

On July 11, 2025, CARB will hold a public workshop to hear the summary of the Final Report for the Soil Nitrogenous Emissions “Subject Matter Expert Review Panel (SMERP)” Contract (23RD017) and identify communication channels for next steps.  The SMERP involved a comprehensive review of scientific literature, pertinent databases, and emission estimation methodologies that pertain to nitrogenous emissions from soils. Slides will be posted on the Area Source Inventory & SMERP website before the workshop.

On July 17, 2025, CARB is hosting a public meeting for the Assembly Bill 32 Environmental Justice Advisory Committee (“EJAC”). EJAC was created under AB 32 (AB 32; Stats. 2006, chapter 488), the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, to help advise CARB in developing the Climate Change Scoping Plan and on pertinent issues related to AB 32. The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 calls for CARB to convene the EJAC, to advise CARB in developing the Scoping Plan, and any other pertinent matter in implementing AB 32.

On July 18, 2025, CARB will hold a community meeting to discuss ongoing concerns related to landfill odors and air emissions, and discuss potential changes to the California Landfill Methane Regulation. CARB staff will provide an overview of the current Landfill Methane Regulation, share information about potential updates under consideration, and listen to community feedback to inform future regulatory and program development. Further information is available here.

MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTLILITIES COMMISSION (MPUC)

At its July 10, 2025, agenda meeting, the MPUC will consider: (1) adoption of the Administrative Law Judge’s findings related to Birch Coulee Solar LLC’s application for a site permit for its 125 MW Birch Coulee Solar Project (Docket No. IP7119/GS-23-477), and (2) approval of Plum Creek Wind Farm, LLC’s request to amend its Certificate of Need for the Plum Creek Project, and amend its related site and route permits, and adoption of any conditions the Commission should impose if the amendments are authorized (Docket Nos. IP6997/CN-18-699; IP6997/WS-18-700; IP6997/TL-18-701).

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION (FERC)

FERC will hold its July Open Meeting on July 24, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:00 am ET. The agenda and webcast link will be available the week of Commission Meeting.

On June 30, in 191 FERC ¶ 61,237, FERC issued a Final Rule to remove references to the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) rescinded regulations from FERC’s part 380 Regulations Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act  (NEPA) and part 385 Rules of Practice and Procedure.  FERC states that this effort was directed by President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy, Executive Order (E.O.) 14154 issued on January 20, 2025, which calls for unleashing American energy dominance through efficient permitting. In response to President Trump’s E.O. 14154, the CEQ rescinded its NEPA implementing regulations. FERC’s revisions remove all references to the now inoperative CEQ regulations.  The Final Rule finds that under 5 U.S.C. § 553(b)(B), notice-and-comment rulemaking procedures are not required because it merely clarifies and corrects FERC’s NEPA procedures by removing references to CEQ’s rescinded regulations. The Final Rule becomes effective 45 days after publication in the Federal Register.

In connection with the Final Rule, FERC also released a Staff Guidance Manual on Implementation of The National Environmental Policy Act.  The FERC staff manual provides details on how staff will: assess what actions are subject to NEPA’s procedural requirements and the requisite level of NEPA review; ensure that relevant environmental information is identified and considered early in the process to support informed decision making; conduct coordinated, consistent, predictable, and timely environmental reviews, and reduce unnecessary burdens and delays; and implement NEPA’s mandates regarding lead and cooperating agency roles, time limits, and applicant preparations of environmental documents. 

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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.