Speaking Energy
As the energy industry continues to grow and change with new technologies, markets and resources, the Speaking Energy blog provides readers with key updates and insights.
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Speaking Energy
Akin is proud to serve as a Gold Sponsor of Infocast PowerUp Data Centers – Infrastructure, taking place on July 14 - 16 in Austin, Texas.
Speaking Energy
On April 15, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or the Commission) issued one of the largest enforcement penalty orders in its history, finding that American Efficient, LLC (American Efficient) and its affiliates engaged in a decade‑long fraudulent scheme involving offering energy efficiency resources (EERs) over which they had no contractual authority into the PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (PJM) and Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) capacity markets.1
Speaking Energy
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.
Speaking Energy
We are pleased to share the program materials and a recording of Akin’s recently presented webinar, “Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Corporate PPAs.”
Speaking Energy
On November 7, 2025, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) reversed their prior positions and approved Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 Water Quality Certifications and other environmental permits for the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company’s (Transco) Northeast Supply Enhancement Project (NESE). NESE is a 25-mile natural gas pipeline expansion project certificated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that is intended to deliver 400,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas produced in Pennsylvania to local distribution company customers in New York City through new facilities in Middlesex County, New Jersey and an underwater segment traversing the Raritan and Lower New York Bays.
Speaking Energy
The market for the direct procurement of energy by commercial and industrial buyers has been active in the U.S. for a decade. In years past, buyers often engaged in such purchases on a voluntary basis to achieve their goals to use renewable energy. These days, C&I buyers are turning to direct procurement or self-supply to obtain a reliable source of energy. Sufficient and accessible energy from a local utility may not be available or may be materially delayed or trigger significant capital costs. This is a material change driven in part by increased demand for electricity, including demand from data centers, EV infrastructure and industrial development.
Speaking Energy
On October 1, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or the Commission) issued Order No. 914 amending certain Commission regulations to incorporate a conditional sunset date in compliance with the Trump administration’s April 2025 Executive Order, “Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy” (the EO).
Speaking Energy
Akin is pleased to serve as a gold sponsor for Infocast’s Energy Independence Summit in Houston, October 21-23. Energy partner Charlie Ofner will moderate the Macroeconomics of Domestic Energy Independence panel, projects & energy transition partner Shariff Barakat will lead Opportunities in US Manufacturing: How Big, How Fast, How FEOC?, and counsel Taha Qureshi will guide the discussion on Cornerstones for Energy Independence: Investing in Grid Security & Cybersecurity.
Speaking Energy
On September 4, 2025, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee convened a hearing to consider the nominations of Laura Swett and David LaCerte to serve as commissioners at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission). Swett is a former FERC Staff that served as legal and policy advisor to former FERC Chairman Kevin McIntyre and Commission Bernard McNamee. LaCerte is an attorney in private practice that previously held positions at the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
