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Faster-than-Expected Data Center Load Growth May Cause Increased Regional Short-term Fossil Fuel Generation and Wholesale Electricity Prices

LCG, March 18, 2026--The EIA released a new "In-depth Analysis" of the potential impact of faster-than-expected near-term growth in data center power demand on power generation and wholesale prices on March 12. The analysis models the lower 48 states through 2027 and compares results to its base case scenario. Key takeaway from this sensitivity analysis is the potential increase in fossil fuels in some regions and potentially a significant increase in wholesale prices in ERCOT.

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Oklo Announces DOE Approval for Nuclear Safety Design Agreement of Aurora Powerhouse at Idaho National Lab

LCG, March 17, 2026--Oklo Inc. (Oklo) today announced that it has signed a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to support the design, construction, and operation of Oklo’s first reactor, the Aurora powerhouse at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) under DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program (RPP). The DOE Idaho Operations Office subsequently approved the Nuclear Safety Design Agreement (NSDA) for the fast-fission power plant, and Oklo immediately requested DOE commence review of its Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis (PDSA).

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Industry News

Utilities Act to Face Scrutiny in US Senate

LCG, July 30, 2003The 1935 Public Utility Holding Company Act, which limits investment of utility profits, will face possible repeal this week as part of a larger energy bill.

The PUHCA bill prevents companies that own utilities from using regulated utility profits to fund other, unregulated businesses. The bill was passed by Congress to fend off pyramid-type business practices common during the 1920s and 30s. At that time, huge utility holding companies manipulated electric rates and were not liable for the debts of their utilities. Some scholars believe this practice had a significant hand in the stock market plunge before the Great Depression.

Many industry experts see PUHCA as an outdated bill, essentially limiting utilities and preventing foreign and non-utility companies from entering the market. Others see the bill as essential for preventing utility holding companies from moving outside of regulators control.

Large utilities are clearly very interested in the repeal, and the Bush administration finds PUHCA a relic of the past. Several organizations, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, strongly oppose the repeal.

While the House already chose to repeal the act in April, the Senate will consider the bill sometime in the next few days. Republican Senators have insisted that an energy bill will be passed by the end of the week, even if discussion must go into the weekend.

The energy bill in question also includes, among other matters, natural gas drilling, energy market issues, ethanol use, and SUV fuel efficiency.

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