The Climate Policy, Renewable Energy, & Sustainability Blog
Background
On August 13, 2026, Commissioner Darcie L. Houck issued a proposed decision (“PD”) in Rulemaking 22-02-002 that would revise two policies central to how the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC” or “Commission”) engages with California Native American Tribes (“Tribes”): the Tribal Consultation Policy, first adopted in 2018, and the Tribal Land Transfer Policy (“TLTP”), adopted…
The FCC has added foreign-produced power inverters to its Covered List, immediately restricting new covered models from receiving the equipment authorization generally required for import, marketing, and sale in the United States.
The July 28, 2026, action is narrower and, in some respects, more consequential than early reports suggest. Previously authorized models may remain on…
The Federal Communications Commission is reportedly drafting restrictions on foreign-made inverters used in solar and battery energy storage projects, citing concerns that the equipment could be exploited to disrupt U.S. power supplies. No proposed rule has been released, and the effort could still be modified or withdrawn. Recent FCC actions involving foreign-produced drones and consumer…
On April 9, 2026, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) hosted a meeting on Tribal engagement in long-term transmission planning. The purpose of the meeting was to share information about transmission planning and development in California, engage Tribal community members and leaders in dialogue on the development of CAISO’s Tribal Engagement Policy, receive input from Tribal…
April 20, 2026 Update: On April 20, 2026, the Qualifying Facility owners from Branch Street filed a petition in the D.C. Circuit asking the court to review FERC’s February 19, 2026 order.
On February 19, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order in Branch Street Solar Partners, LLC, addressing a rehearing…
On October 13, 2025, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) released its Draft Final Proposal for Interconnection Process Enhancements (IPE) 5.0—continuing its multi-year effort to modernize and streamline the interconnection process for new energy resources. The proposed reforms build on lessons learned from Cluster 15, previous IPE tracks, and stakeholder feedback.
Highlights of CAISO’s…
Update: Governor Newsom signed the Pathways Bill into law on September 19, 2025.
On September 13, 2025, Assembly Bill (AB) 825, titled the Independent System Operator: Independent Regional Organization Act, passed the California state Senate on a 34-0 vote, and a 74-1 approval in the Assembly.[1] The bill now heads to the Governor’s…
December 9, 2025 Update: Following the D.C. Circuit’s September ruling, parties opted not to seek panel rehearing or en banc review. The deadline to petition the U.S. Supreme Court for certiorari expired on December 8, 2025, without any petitions for cert filed, thereby ending the potential for appeals of the decision.
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On September 9…
Klickitat County, Washington has proposed a new land use ordinance that, if passed, would impose sweeping restrictions on nearly all solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) development in the county. The ordinance, currently under review by the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners, would apply to all utility-scale solar and BESS projects, including both…
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC or Commission) has launched a new rulemaking to update Electric Tariff Rule 21 (Rule 21). This proceeding was initiated through an Order Instituting Rulemaking (OIR) adopted at the August 14, 2025 CPUC voting meeting, and seeks to modernize interconnection procedures in response to the rapid evolution of Distributed Energy…
