Energy

Middle East Conflict Impact on Energy Costs and Bills

Ofgem has issued a notice regarding the impact of the Middle East conflict on UK energy costs. The notice clarifies that while global markets are affected, consumers on standard variable tariffs are protected by the energy price cap until the end of June 2026.

Energy Price Cap to Fall 7% from April 2026

UK energy regulator Ofgem announced that the energy price cap will decrease by 7% from April 1 to June 30, 2026. This reduction, amounting to approximately £117 annually for average households, is primarily driven by recent government budget interventions on policy costs.

Ofgem CEO Jonathan Brearley to Step Down

Ofgem announced that Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Brearley will step down at the end of March 2026. Tim Jarvis will serve as Acting CEO during the transition period while a search for a permanent successor is initiated.

Ofgem secures £20 million redress from National Grid for licence failures

Ofgem has secured £20 million in redress payments from National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) following licence failures at the Harker 132kV substation. NGET accepted failures in monitoring, maintaining, and repairing civil assets, leading to delays in connecting embedded generation.

AEP Ohio Transmission Line Rebuild Hearing

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has scheduled an adjudicatory hearing for AEP Ohio Transmission Company, Inc.'s Elliott-Lee 138 kV Transmission Line Rebuild Project. The hearing will take place on March 16, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio, to allow parties to present evidence regarding the application.

PUCT Assesses $578,916 in Penalties for Electric Rule Violations

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) assessed $578,916 in penalties against 11 entities for violations of electric rules. Violations included failure to submit emergency operations plans and issues with service reliability and billing. Penalties ranged from $10,000 to $142,800.

California's Transition to a Carbon-Free Electric Grid

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a notice detailing its role in the state's transition to a carbon-free electric grid by 2045. The CPUC oversees the Renewables Portfolio Standard and Integrated Resource Planning to ensure clean energy procurement and grid modernization while managing costs for consumers.

CPUC Consumer Services Supervisor Profile: Heather Dunham

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) published a profile of Heather Dunham, Consumer Services Supervisor in Los Angeles. The article highlights her role in managing consumer complaints regarding utility services and her efforts in staff training and de-escalation.

CPUC Permitting Speeds Substation Construction

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced that its efficient permitting process allowed LS Power Grid California to begin construction of the Manning Substation in Fresno County ahead of schedule. The CPUC approved the project's permit in September 2025, facilitating the delivery of renewable energy and strengthening grid reliability.

Bernal Moving LLC Household Goods Permit Application

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) has received a new household goods permit application from Bernal Moving & Delivery Service LLC. The application is currently pending review.