EUCI Blog

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) received the greenlight for a $6.7 billion plan to build 38 transmission projects over the next 10 years mainly to meet growing demands for electricity. The CAISO Board of Governors approved the plan May 19. CAISO operates a wholesale electric market over 26,000…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer Clean energy and transportation investments in the United States totaled $61 billion in the first quarter of 2026, a 9% year-over-year quarterly decline and a 3% drop from the last quarter of 2025, according to Rhodium Group. The decline in the fourth quarter of 2025 and the 2026 first…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer First quarter 2026 U.S. upstream oil and gas sector mergers and acquisitions (M&A) hit a quarterly two-year high – $36 billion – before activity cooled in the face of market and geopolitical uncertainties, according to Enverus Intelligence Research. “The slowdown in volume reflects less active deal flow in March…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer The global energy crisis and a pending increase in export costs spurred a month-over-month doubling in March of Chinese photovoltaic (PV) solar exports to a record 68 gigawatts (GW), according to Ember, a clean energy think tank. “The latest data shows that the regions most affected by the unfolding…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer Following a five-year trend spurred by investments, rising natural gas prices, and growing demand, the year-over-year national average electric revenue rose 9% to 14.6 cents a kilowatt-hour (kWh) in February 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Forty-three states and the District of Columbia saw increased revenue…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) expects its peak load will grow about 35% in the next 10 years to 163 gigawatts (GW), spurred primarily by data center development, the grid operator said in a draft long-term forecast. The forecast for data center load is now double the level…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer U.S. natural gas net exports are set to rise nearly 30% to 20.5 billion cubic feet a day by 2027, spurred by five new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities, according to the federal Energy Information Administration (EIA). Already the world’s largest LNG exporter, the EIA is projecting LNG…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer Iranian hackers have increased their targeting of water and electric utilities since the U.S. and Isreal launched their war against Iran, according to an advisory by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). “Iranian government-affiliated actors routinely target poorly secured U.S. networks and internet-connected devices,” the agency said.…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer Data center capital investment jumped nearly 30% year-over-year in 2025 to $770 billion, more than was invested for the year in the oil and gas sector, according to an analysis by industry consultant Rystad Energy. Investment in data centers surpassed solar photovoltaic (PV) spending – which has been the…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer The war in Iran, while upending world energy markets, may have some winners in U.S. liquefied gas (LNG) exports and renewable energy, according to an analysis by industry risk consultant DNV. Still, the war is exacting a heavy and lasting toll. “Without knowing the duration and possible escalation of…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a $1.9 billion program to spur electricity infrastructure investments aimed at upgrading the existing grid to meet growing electricity demand and resource adequacy requirements. The program – Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades or…

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer Facing electricity demand hitting all-time highs, the U.S. utility industry is giving a boost to natural gas-fired generation and a reprieve for coal-fired power plants, according to an analysis by the federal Energy Information Administration (EIA). After a long period of slow growth – with an average annual increase…