Power Generation

US NRC Final Rule Adds Conditional Sunset for Aircraft Impact Assessment (10 CFR 50.150)

In April 2026 the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission finalised a rule inserting a conditional sunset clause into 10 CFR 50.150, under which its aircraft impact assessment requirements will automatically lapse on 8 April 2027 unless the agency extends them following a new cost–benefit review. For nuclear new‑build projects this signals a potential relaxation of a non‑essential design‑stage safety enhancement, while core licensing, beyond‑design‑basis mitigation and siting requirements for aircraft hazards remain in force through other NRC regulations.

10 Apr 2026, 13:07federalregister.govUnited States

US Executive Order 14386 Directs Coal Power Procurement for National Defense

Executive Order 14386 (February 2026) directs the Department of War to secure long‑term coal‑fired power for defence and other mission‑critical US facilities under the declared national energy emergency. This entrenches federal policy support for coal‑based baseload in critical infrastructure, reshaping expectations for the US power mix, emissions trajectories, and ESG risk planning for utilities and large energy users tied to these loads.

10 Apr 2026, 10:56govinfo.govUnited States

UK DESNZ Publishes Latest Clarification Questions for CCUS East Coast Cluster Teesside Selection Process

The UK government has published final clarifications for the CCUS East Coast Cluster Teesside selection process ahead of the April 10, 2026, application deadline. These updates refine requirements for business model transitions, transport-and-storage fee support, and monitoring protocols, requiring applicants to ensure immediate alignment of their financial and technical submissions.

6 Apr 2026, 19:30gov.ukUnited Kingdom

US Senate Bill S.4175 Proposes Extending Clean Energy Tax Credits and Removing Leasing Restrictions

US Senate Bill S. 4175 proposes linking the duration of clean energy tax credits to national electricity price and demand metrics rather than fixed expiration dates. If enacted, this shift would provide long-term financial certainty for renewable energy investments and broaden project eligibility by removing current leasing restrictions.

6 Apr 2026, 19:00govinfo.govUnited States

Greece Opens Consultation On Draft Law To Modernise Renewable Energy And Energy Market Rules

Greece has opened a consultation on a draft law to transpose EU renewable energy and hydrogen market directives, running until April 14, 2026. This modernization will reshape market participation for energy storage and EVs while streamlining permitting for offshore wind and renewable infrastructure.

6 Apr 2026, 16:14ypen.gov.grGreece

Virginia DEQ Seeks Comment on Draft State Operating Permit for Clover Power Station (Reg. 30867)

Virginia DEQ is transitioning federal Consent Decree emission limits for SO2 and NOx into a permanent State Operating Permit for the Clover Power Station, with comments due by May 1, 2026. This move ensures long-term federal enforceability of existing air quality controls and fleet-wide emission caps as the facility transitions out of judicial oversight.

4 Apr 2026, 10:30deq.virginia.govUnited States

Oregon Enacts HB 4031 Exempting Certain Renewable Energy Facilities From EFSC Siting Certificates

Oregon has enacted HB 4031, establishing a time-limited exemption from state-level energy facility siting requirements for renewable projects through 2028. Developers can now utilize streamlined local permitting to accelerate project timelines and secure federal tax credits, bypassing the more rigorous EFSC certification process.

3 Apr 2026, 17:57olis.oregonlegislature.govUnited States

Alabama ADEM Proposes PSD Air Permit for Packaging Corporation of America Jackson Mill

Alabama regulators proposed a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) air permit for a major industrial facility, with a public comment deadline of April 24, 2026. The proposal underscores the critical role of Best Available Control Technology (BACT) in managing particulate matter emissions for large-scale industrial infrastructure projects.

3 Apr 2026, 09:54adem.alabama.govUnited States

EU Commission Opens In-Depth State Aid Investigation Into French Support for Six New Nuclear Reactors

The European Commission has launched an in-depth investigation into France's €72.8 billion support package for six new nuclear reactors to ensure compliance with EU electricity market design rules. This probe will set a critical precedent for how Member States finance large-scale low-carbon energy projects and could lead to modifications in risk-sharing and revenue-guarantee mechanisms.

2 Apr 2026, 10:15ec.europa.euEuropean UnionFrance

UK Regulators Complete GDA Step 2 Fundamental Assessment for Holtec SMR-300 Reactor Design

UK regulators completed the Step 2 Fundamental Assessment for Holtec’s SMR-300 reactor design in March 2026, finding no fundamental environmental or safety shortfalls. This milestone reduces regulatory uncertainty for SMR deployment, signaling a clear path toward detailed design assessment and future site-specific permitting.

2 Apr 2026, 09:35gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Environment Agency and ONR Publish GDA Step 2 Fundamental Assessment for Holtec SMR-300 Reactor

UK regulators completed the Step 2 fundamental assessment of the Holtec SMR-300 reactor design in March 2026. This milestone reduces regulatory risk for prospective operators and signals progress toward the commercial deployment of small modular reactors in England and Wales.

2 Apr 2026, 09:35gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Japan METI Receives Chubu Electric Response To Electricity Business Act Report Order On Hamaoka Nuclear Works

METI received Chubu Electric's formal response on March 31, 2026, addressing governance failures and procurement irregularities at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station. This signals intensified regulatory scrutiny of utility governance and procurement integrity, necessitating robust internal controls and cross-divisional oversight for infrastructure safety projects.

2 Apr 2026, 09:33meti.go.jpJapan

Japan METI Approves Reiwa 7 Nuclear Damage Compensation Contributions and Decommissioning Reserve Amounts

Japan’s METI has finalized the Reiwa 7 nuclear damage compensation contributions and decommissioning reserve amounts for domestic nuclear operators. These approvals establish the specific financial obligations for utilities to fund long-term decommissioning and liability frameworks without altering existing legal requirements.

2 Apr 2026, 09:32meti.go.jpJapan

Japan METI Requests Additional Reporting From Chubu Electric on Hamaoka Nuclear Plant Seismic Evaluation

METI has intensified enforcement against Chubu Electric, demanding a comprehensive root-cause analysis of seismic safety evaluation failures at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant. This signals heightened regulatory scrutiny of nuclear infrastructure resilience, likely delaying reactor restarts and increasing compliance oversight for the Japanese energy sector.

2 Apr 2026, 09:32meti.go.jpJapan

US House Proposes Linemen Legacy Act To Classify Utility Line Technicians as Emergency Response Providers

The Linemen Legacy Act (H.R. 7996) proposes to formally classify utility line technicians as emergency response providers under the Homeland Security Act. This designation would integrate utility workers into federal disaster response frameworks, potentially streamlining coordination and resource access during large-scale infrastructure recovery efforts.

2 Apr 2026, 09:28govinfo.govUnited States

Northern Ireland Switches Renewables Obligation Buy-Out Price Index To CPI From April 2026

Northern Ireland has transitioned the renewables obligation buy-out price indexation from RPI to CPI, effective for obligation periods starting April 2026. This shift aligns energy market mechanisms with broader UK statistical standards and may result in lower real-term cost increases for suppliers compared to previous RPI-linked adjustments.

2 Apr 2026, 08:57legislation.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Delaware DNREC Schedules Public Workshop On CO2 Budget Trading Program Amendments

Delaware is proposing significant updates to its CO2 Budget Trading Program to align with regional RGGI revisions, with changes expected to take effect in late 2026. Regulated power generators face tighter emission caps through 2037 and the removal of carbon offsets as a compliance option starting in 2027.

1 Apr 2026, 14:21documents.dnrec.delaware.govUnited States

England And Wales Update Medium Combustion Plant Permit Guidance For Hydrogen And Gas Oil Substitutes

UK regulators have updated environmental permitting guidance for medium combustion plants (MCPs) to include specific screening rules for hydrogen and gas oil substitutes. Operators of new hydrogen-fired plants may benefit from simplified air impact assessments, while existing hydrogen facilities face more rigorous stage 2 screening requirements.

31 Mar 2026, 21:27gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Wisconsin Legislature Fails To Pass AB1203 On Net Zero 2050 And Carbon-Free Electricity Standards

Wisconsin Assembly Bill 1203, which proposed a 100% clean electricity mandate and economy-wide net-zero target by 2050, failed to pass the legislature in March 2026. While current obligations remain unchanged, the proposal signals a legislative push for aggressive decarbonization roadmaps and stringent labor requirements for utility-scale energy projects.

31 Mar 2026, 19:21docs.legis.wisconsin.govUnited States

US Senate Introduces Bill To Codify Nuclear Energy Executive Orders (S.4267)

US Senate bill S.4267, introduced in March 2026, seeks to codify existing executive orders into federal law to stabilize national nuclear energy policy. If passed, this would provide long-term regulatory certainty for the nuclear sector, shielding key energy initiatives from shifting executive priorities.

29 Mar 2026, 17:58congress.govUnited States