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FERC Proposes NEPA Revisions to Streamline Air Quality Analyses and Accelerate Natural Gas Projects

LCG, October 16, 2026--The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced on Thursday its new proposal to revise and accelerate its review of air quality effects for proposed natural gas projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The draft policy statement highlights revisions designed to (i) avoid unnecessary delays and duplicative analysis and (ii) deliver greater regulatory certainty and a streamlined path forward for project applicants.

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AEP Announces 702-MW Bloom Fuel Cell Project to Serve Google in Wyoming

LCG, October 14, 2026--American Electric Power (AEP) today announced plans for a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Google, under which AEP will invest approximately $4 billion to advance a new 702-MW fuel cell generation project located near Cheyenne, Wyoming. Google will acquire power from Cheyenne Fuel Cell, LLC, which is approximately 92 percent owned and controlled by AEP and 8 percent owned by funds advised by Basalt Infrastructure Partners, LLP. AEP and its partners plan to start construction this year and to be fully operational by the end of 2028.

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Industry News

FERC’s 12 Percent Reserve Riles Some Californians

LCG, November 20, 2002In an effort to prevent future energy crises, FERC plans to instate a 12 percent reserve requirement, but some utilities say such a move will cost too much.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is considering setting the state energy reserve level at 12 percent as part of a larger effort to prevent events like the California energy crisis of 2000/2001, which landed Northern California utility PG&E in bankruptcy court.

However, some Californian officials object to the proposed measure, saying that forcing utilities to buy extra electricity will result in higher costs, the opposite of the intended effect of preventing high costs.

The California Consumer Power and Conservation Financing Authority asserts that FERC has gone beyond its authority in considering such measures, while representatives from Southern California Edison find minimum reserves necessary but object to FERCs proposal.

Some officials feel that the Independent System Operator should take responsibility for keeping the lights on.

Naturally, utilities will object to any new rules limiting their flexibility; FERC will have to determine whether or not the reserve requirement will be worth its cost to the utilities.

FERC will consider and solidify the reserve issue, as well as other facets of market design, next year.

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