In October 2026, FERC’s Office of Electric Reliability, Division of Cyber Security released its annual Lessons Learned from Commission-Led CIP Reliability Audits summarizing findings from audits conducted during fiscal year 2026. Registered entities should assess their internal compliance programs in
Power & Pipes
Power & Pipes, published by Morgan Lewis, focuses on regulatory and enforcement developments in the energy sector, particularly relating to electric, natural gas, and oil pipeline industries. The blog covers Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) actions including enforcement reports, tariff waiver policies, rulemakings, and regulatory reforms. It also addresses challenges posed by emerging energy demands such as large load interconnections and the impact of new technologies on grid capacity and reliability. The content highlights shifts in regulatory frameworks, policy withdrawals, and the implications of federal executive orders on energy regulations.
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Linking Carbon Markets: California, Washington, and Québec Pursue a Larger Trading Pool
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Carbon markets are often discussed without regard to geographic or jurisdictional compliance boundaries, implying that emissions in one location can universally be offset through a credit or allowance issued in another location. While that may be the case in the…
Bulk-Power System Executive Order Adds a New Grid Supply Chain Compliance Layer
By Publisher
On August 26, US President Trump issued an executive order declaring a national emergency regarding risks associated with foreign-produced equipment used in the US bulk-power system. The order cites potential cyber, remote access, sabotage, and supply disruption risks, noting that…
Building a Global Carbon Market Is Largely a Legal Challenge: Lessons from Kenya
By Publisher
Efforts to develop a global carbon market are often discussed in terms of climate science, project methodologies, and carbon pricing. However, the creation of a functioning international market is, to a significant extent, a legal undertaking. Kenya’s recently released carbon-market…
Sustainable Aviation Fuel at a Crossroads: Why Energy Security and Decarbonization Have Become the Same Conversation
By Publisher
Recent geopolitical tensions involving Iran have once again exposed one of the aviation industry’s most enduring vulnerabilities: its dependence on conventional jet fuel. Although airlines have long operated in an environment characterized by fluctuating oil prices, the latest instability in…
FERC Presses Grid Operators on Data Center, Large Load Interconnections
By Publisher
On June 18, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) directed each of the six regional grid operators it regulates (the Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs)) and their member transmission owners to justify or reform the…
What NERC’s Emerging Large Load Guidance Means for Electric Utilities
By Publisher
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC’s) new Reliability Guideline, Risk Mitigation for Emerging Large Loads, provides a detailed framework for addressing reliability risks associated with rapidly growing large loads, including data centers, cryptocurrency mining facilities, hydrogen production facilities, manufacturing…
NERC Alert Moves Data Centers From Emerging Risks to Planning Obligations
By Publisher
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has issued a Level 3 Alert, the highest possible severity level and one that is rarely used by NERC, requiring the immediate attention of many NERC registered entities. While the Alert is not…
Out of Charge: Key Issues to Successfully Monetize Public EV Charging in 2026
By Publisher
In the last 10 years, annual electric vehicle (EV) sales in the US have increased by nearly 1,100%. While approximately 115,000 new EVs were sold in US markets in 2015, calendar year 2025 sales were substantially larger—nearly 1.3 million new…
FERC Releases Enforcement Report for Fiscal Year 2025
By Publisher
FERC’s Office of Enforcement and Regulatory Accounting (Enforcement) has released its annual report on enforcement actions during fiscal year 2025, which ran from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025. The report provides a comprehensive overview of Enforcement’s activities across…