May 28, 2026

Regulatory Update for May 28, 2026

(Covering May 20, 2026 - May 27, 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)

Federal Regulatory Agencies

• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

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

• California Independent System Operator (CAISO)
• ISO New England (ISO-NE)

Click here to download this update as a PDF

State Regulatory Agencies

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

Proposed Decisions and Resolutions

Resolution E-5464

This resolution approves CalChoice’s request for electing to administer its member CCAs’ energy efficiency funding according to the criteria set forth in Public Utilities Code Sections 381.1(e) and (f)(1)–(6) and Commission direction in Decision (D.)14-01-033 and (D.)24-04-007 on enabling CCAs to administer cost-effective energy efficiency (EE) programs. The budget that CalChoice requested to receive to fund its EE Plan is $2,703,000. Southern California Edison (SCE) is ordered to transfer $2,703,000 to CalChoice for its three-year EE Plan.

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

This 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. In its Application, PG&E requests permission to deviate from its authorized capital rate structure, governed by Affiliate Transaction Rule IX B. Specifically, PG&E sought to exclude $2.6 billion in expenses related to the Dixie Fire ($277 million at the time of filing), Kincade Fire (approximately $1.2 billion at time of filing), and the Department of Water Resources loan (approximately $1.4 billion) when calculating its debt-to-equity ratio.

Voting Meeting

The CPUC will hold a voting meeting in Sacramento, California, on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 11 a.m. PT. The Voting Meeting Agenda will be published on June 1, 2026. The item below was held until June 11 during the May 14 Voting Meeting.

Item 8. Application 22-05-022 (Application of Pacific Gas and Electric Company for Review of the Disadvantaged Communities — Green Tariff, Community Solar Green Tariff and Green Tariff Shared Renewables Programs). This decision adopts a process to implement the customer community renewable energy tariff adopted by Decision (D.) 24-05-065

Following the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s August 2025 termination of California’s Solar for All award and the resulting current lack of available external funding, this decision supersedes D.24-05-065 regarding a nonparticipating customer-funded adder. The decision also addresses Green Tariff program oversight and cost recovery, Disadvantaged Communities-Green Tariff funding and program evaluation, and program reporting for California Shared Renewables Portfolio programs.

Upcoming Events

Rule 17 Backbilling Workshop.

The Energy Division will host a virtual workshop on May 27, 2026, at 10 a.m. to facilitate the development of an Investor-Owned Utilities and Community Choice Aggregators consensus-based proposal on how to address uncollected revenue from the application of Rule 17 backbilling limitations for both bundled and unbundled customers. An agenda and any meeting materials have been distributed to the service list for A. 23-05-010, A.22-05-016 and A.21-06-021.

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 will run from May through December 2026, as follows:

May 20, 2026: Staff Workshop on Forms & Instructions, 2 p.m.–4 p.m. PT. Written comments are due to the Docket Unit by 5 p.m. PT on June 3, 2026, and should reference Docket No. 26-IEPR-02.

June 19, 2026: Commissioner Workshop on Geothermal Energy (Part 1), 10 a.m.–5 p.m. PT.

June 30, 2026: Commissioner Workshop on Energy Equity & Environmental Justice, 1 p.m.–5 p.m. PT.

July 9, 2026: Commissioner Workshop on Geothermal Energy (Part 2), 10 a.m.–5 p.m. PT.

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.–4:30 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.

Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC)

On April 2, 2026, the CEC circulated a “Save the Date” for the CEC’s annual EPIC Symposium indicating that the event is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the California Natural Resources Agency building (715 P Street) in Sacramento, California. More details will be provided when made available by the CEC.

CEC Business Meetings

The CEC held a business meeting on May 26, 2026, and the meeting agenda and related materials are available here.  The next CEC business meeting is scheduled for June 22, 2026, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. PT. An agenda and supporting materials will be available here closer to date and at least 10 days before the scheduled meeting. 

CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD (CARB)

Concepts for Potential Carbon Regulations

CARB posted a preliminary compilation of potential and partial regulation concepts to establish the new Carbon Capture, Removals, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Program through a document titled Concepts for Potential Regulations for Establishing the Carbon Capture, Removals, Utilization, and Storage Program. Under Senate Bill 905, CARB seeks public input as part of its pre-rulemaking activity for the development of the CCUS Program through an upcoming rulemaking. CARB released draft rulemaking concepts that identify potential definitions for CCUS and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), as well as initial regulatory concepts for reporting, monitoring, financial responsibility, and protocols that further support CCUS and CDR inclusion in California’s climate policies. CARB will accept written comments through June 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST.

MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (MPUC)

At its May 28, 2026, weekly agenda meeting, the MPUC will consider: (1) certification of the Mobile Battery Storage system proposed by Xcel Energy in its 2025 Integrated Distribution Plan (Docket No. E002/M-25-142), (2) requiring an addendum to the environmental assessment for Xcel Energy’s route permit application for the Northwest Maple Grove 115 kV Transmission Project and issuance of an associated draft route permit (Docket No. E002/TL-24-427), (3) acceptance of the 2024 Biennial Transmission Projects Report (Docket No. E999/M-25-99), and (4) acceptance of the Minnesota Transmission Owners’ 2025 Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) Report, including approval of the associated implementation plan (Docket No. E999-M-25-99).

PACIFIC NORTHWEST (OPUC, WUTC, BPA)

Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC)

At its May 26, 2026 public meeting, the OPUC held a public hearing and commissioner work session to consider: (1) Pacific Power’s application for approval of interim rates (Docket No. UE 470), and (2) Portland General Electric Company’s (PGE) 2025 All-Source Request for Proposals Final Shortlist and directing PGE to initiate additional resource procurement prior to the next IRP acknowledgment to meet needs (Docket No. UM 2371). The full agenda is available here.

Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC)

On May 28, 2026, the WUTC will hold an open meeting to consider: (1) Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) proposed tariff revisions related to documentation of the decision-making process to increase its 2026 Insurance Coverage Expense (Docket No. UE-250931), (2) PSE’s petition for an order to approve its 2027–2030 Demand and Resource Supply Forecast (Docket No. UE-260196), and (3) Cascade Natural Gas Corporation’s proposed revisions to Tariff WN U-3, Schedule 700, Temporary Climate Commitment Act Rate Adjustment (Docket No. UG-260212).  The full agenda is available here.

Federal Agencies

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION (FERC)

May Commission Meeting

FERC held its May 2026 Commission Meeting on April 16. FERC issued the following orders and actions:

• FERC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to revise its blanket certificate regulations to expand the scope and scale of projects that interstate natural gas pipelines may construct without a case-specific authorization order. Comments are due 60 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register. The NOPR also proposes to increase the cost limits for such projects.
• FERC denied a complaint against PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (PJM) that alleged PJM’s tariff was unjust and unreasonable for not allowing developers to withdraw their projects without penalty from a transition cycle after restudies that result in large increases in allocated Network Upgrade costs.
• FERC issued an order sustaining its December 30, 2025 order accepting proposed tariff revisions from Southwest Power Pool that allocate a portion of future Base Plan Upgrades between 100 kV and 300 kV on subregions rather than transmission pricing zones.

Summer 2026 Summer Energy Market and Electric Reliability Assessment

FERC published its 2026 Summer Energy Market and Electric Reliability Assessment, which found that high temperatures and extreme weather events are expected to challenge the electric grid. The report also noted that FERC expects natural gas demand and production to increase, with possible reliability challenges in Northeast Power Coordinating Council—New England, Western Electric Reliability Council of Texas, and Western Energy Coordinating Council—Northwest under extreme operating conditions.

PJM Governance and Stakeholder Reforms Technical Conference

FERC announced a technical conference for July 23, 2026, to examine PJM’s governance and stakeholder processes, with a focus on identifying actionable reforms to improve the Regional Transmission Organization’s (RTO’s) ability to address system needs efficiently and in a timely manner. The conference will be open to the public and will not address specific proceedings but rather focus on identifying reforms to improve PJM’s ability to address system needs in a timely and efficient manner. The technical conference will be in person at FERC and will be webcast. Advanced registration is not required.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

DOE 202(c) Order

In response to a request for an emergency order from PJM, DOE issued an order determining that a statutory emergency exists for PJM due to an increase in demand, a shortage of electric energy, a shortage of facilities for the generation of electric energy, and other causes. DOE directed PJM and backup generation resources to be made available to run from May 18 to May 20, 2026.

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

CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR (CAISO)

Stakeholder Initiatives: Upcoming Meetings and Deadlines

2026 CAISO Stakeholder Symposium: Registration Now Open.

Assembly Bill 825—California Job Study

CAISO will hold the first virtual public stakeholder workshop, on June 9, 2026, to discuss the California job study required by Assembly Bill (AB) 825 and related reporting. The study will assess the impacts of the transfer of governance over regional energy markets from CAISO to a new independent regional organization. The workshop will focus on the following topics: (1) overview of AB 825 requirements for the job study and objectives; (2) review of the study’s scope and methodology; (3) discussion on preliminary assumptions, inputs, and analytical approach; and stakeholder feedback and discussion. More meeting details can be found here.

Resource Performance Expectation Refresher

CAISO will offer a refresher training for resource owners and operators on Resource Performance Expectations on June 3, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. PT. Stakeholders can register here. 2025–2026 CAISO Transmission Plan Approved. The CAISO’s Board of Governors approved the 2025–2026 Transmission Plan on May 19, 2026. The Transmission Plan includes 38 projects to meet growing demand. The Transmission Plan can be found here.

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.

Save the Date: Resource Interconnection Standards Fair

CAISO will host the annual Resource Interconnection Standards Fair on Tuesday August 11, 2026. The fair will take place to provide stakeholders with the opportunity to learn more about CAISO’s interconnection process and recent changes affecting Cluster 16, in preparation of the Cluster 16 window opening on October 1, 2026. Meeting registration details can be found here.

Extended Day-Ahead Market Congestion Revenue Allocation Phase 2

CAISO revised the schedule for the upcoming working group meetings for Phase 2 of the Extended Day-Ahead Market Congestion Revenue Allocation initiative. The working group meetings will take place May 11, June 2, and June 24, 2026. More details about the meetings can be found here. 

ISO NEW ENGLAND (ISO-NE)

Summer Forecast

ISO-NE projects that consumer demand will peak at 25,228 MW under normal weather conditions this summer, with hot and humid weather driving demand to 26,473 MW. ISO-NE expects 28,717 MW to be available this summer.

Transmission Ratings Webinar

ISO-NE will host a webinar on June 30, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET related to FERC Order Nos. 881 and 881-A on managing transmission line ratings. The webinar will cover changes to NX-9 form fields, including the removal of traditional seasonal ratings, and the addition of Limit Exchange Portal information. Instructions and the timeline for migrating all existing NX-9 data to the post-881 format will also be provided. Participants may register here.

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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.