Utility Dive•26 days ago
FERC in 2026: Rising costs cloud regulators’ options on data centers, transmission and more
Key Takeaway
FERC's 2026 agenda, driven by rising costs, will prioritize transmission reforms and data center integration, directly impacting project viability for developers and operational costs for large power consumers.
AI Summary
- •FERC's 2026 agenda will be primarily shaped by DOE's colocation proposal and ongoing transmission planning reforms.
- •A central theme for regulators is the rising cost of energy and overall affordability, creating a challenging backdrop for policy decisions.
- •These regulatory actions and cost pressures will directly impact the development and integration of data centers and the expansion of transmission infrastructure, critical for both large power consumers and new generation projects.
Topics
capacity-marketdatacenterfercfinancingpolicytransmission
Article Content
DOE’s colocation proposal and transmission planning reforms will set FERC’s agenda this year against a backdrop of rising concern over affordability, former commission chairmen and experts say in our 2026 outlook.