IRS Will Issue Further PTC Start of Construction Guidance

The global energy sector enters 2026 amid major policy shifts, geopolitical tension and evolving market dynamics. The Trump administration’s reversal of Biden-era climate initiatives and renewed emphasis on domestic production have reshaped the policy landscape, offering a more favorable regulatory environment even as conflicts abroad, oil price volatility and shifting trade policies tempered deal activity through 2025.

On January 16, 2026, the National Energy Dominance Council (NDEC) and governors from each of the 13 states in PJM issued a Statement of Principles urging PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (PJM) to hold an emergency backstop auction and take other measures to support the entry of new capacity to preserve the reliability of the PJM region. The Statement of Principles calls on PJM to expeditiously file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or the Commission) tariff revisions that would overhaul aspects of PJM’s market rules to address rising electricity prices and growing reliability risks in the PJM region. The Statement of Principles comes at a time of growing concern that PJM will not have sufficient capacity in the coming years to meet demand due to the retirement of existing generation resources, the glacial pace of new entry and projected increased demand associated with data center development.

On December 19, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or the Commission) issued its much-anticipated order on show cause proceeding concerning the co-location of generation and load within the PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (PJM) market.^[1] In the order, the Commission finds that PJM’s tariff is unjust and unreasonable because it does not provide sufficient clarity on the rates, terms, and conditions of service applicable to generators serving Co-Located Load and does not include transmission services appropriate for customers that are willing and able to limit their use of the transmission system in certain conditions. 

We are pleased to share the program materials and a recording of Akin’s recently presented webinar, “Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Corporate PPAs.”