Department of Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is further extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Construction Requirements Related to Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities," published on May 16, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is further extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Regulations Related to Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities (General Provisions)," published on May 16, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is further extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Regulations Related to Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance," published on May 16, 2025.

The Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is publishing this document to finalize the proposed rule and respond to comments received on the notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) entitled, "Application for Authorization to Transmit Electric Energy to a Foreign Country," published on May 16, 2025. This final rule will simplify the application process for authorizations to transmit electric energy to a foreign country, as required by the Federal Power Act (FPA).

On April 13, 2026, the Secretary of Energy ("Secretary") issued a Determination generally authorizing the destination of Thailand for exports of controlled nuclear technology and assistance under DOE's regulation on Assistance to Foreign Atomic Energy Activities. Accordingly, DOE is issuing this final rule to add Thailand to the generally authorized destinations list in appendix A.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is further extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Regulations for Loans for Minority Business Enterprises Seeking DOE Contracts and Assistance," published on May 16, 2025.

This direct final rule inserts sunset provisions into certain regulations, consistent with Executive order (E.O.), Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy (April 9, 2025), and agency policy. Each sunset provision will establish a conditional sunset date for covered regulations, as defined by E.O 14270. If DOE does not extend a particular regulation before its conditional sunset date, that regulation will expire, cease to be enforceable and will be removed from the Code of Federal Regulations. The conditional sunset date may be extended by DOE as many times as appropriate, but never to a date more than five years in the future.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission amends its regulations to incorporate by reference, as mandatory enforceable requirements, revisions to three of the Version 4.0 Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines adopted by the Wholesale Gas Quadrant (WGQ) of the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB). These revisions are designed to streamline the process for accessing publicly available gas-electric coordination data during extreme cold weather or emergency events.

In 1992, Congress directed to be established a program to encourage production of electric energy from facilities owned by a State, a political subdivision of a State, or a non-profit electric cooperative using certain renewable energy resources. In response, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) implemented the Renewable Energy Production Incentive (REPI) program following the statute's requirements through a final rule in 1995. Incentive payments to eligible recipients were subject to the availability of appropriated funds; funds were last appropriated for this program in Fiscal Year 2009. This final rule is necessary to align the regulations with the underlying statute, which includes a payment sunset date at the end of Fiscal Year 2026. Specifically, the statute provides that no payment (incentive) may be made after September 30, 2026.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) issues this Final Order concluding its five-year review of the index level used to determine annual changes to oil pipeline rate ceilings. The Commission establishes an index level of Producer Price Index for Finished Goods minus 0.55% (PPI-FG-0.55%) for the five-year period beginning July 1, 2026.

The Department of Energy ("DOE" or "the Department") is revising its existing regulations to remove certain reporting requirements imposed on exempt consumer external power supplies ("EPSs") adopted under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended.

In accordance with the Commission's regulations, the Commission, by its designee, the Executive Director, issues this annual update to the fee schedule in the appendix to the part, which lists per-acre rental fees by county (or other geographic area) for use of government lands by hydropower licensees.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is reviewing its recent guidance related to the implementation of newly adopted provisions regarding Clean Energy for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations of Federal Buildings (CER). While DOE reviews the CER implementation guidance, DOE is staying the compliance date for the newly adopted provisions in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

The Department of Energy (DOE) publishes a final rule to eliminate the subject regulations due to their non-applicability to operating DOE programs. In 1996, DOE consolidated legacy programs into the State Energy Program and determined all programming would be regulated through a different regulatory framework, leaving the regulations at this part without utility. Now, these regulations are a legacy of an ancestral program and remain in place despite decades without Congress funding the underlying statutory program. This final rule has no impact on stakeholders and further streamlines the State Energy Program by eliminating extraneous and derelict regulations, and does not directly reduce availability of financial assistance.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) approves 11 modified Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standards. The Commission also approves four new definitions and 18 modified definitions in the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Glossary of Terms Used in Reliability Standards. To address concerns regarding a proposed self-implementing exception phrase ("per system capability") that appears in multiple provisions of the modified CIP Reliability Standards, the Commission directs NERC to develop a clear set of criteria that satisfies the fundamental needs for oversight, consistency, and alternative mitigation when a responsible entity invokes the per system capability exception. NERC, the Commission-certified Electric Reliability Organization (ERO), submitted the proposed modifications to update the CIP Reliability Standards to enable the application of virtualization and other new technologies in a secure manner.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) approves the proposed Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standard CIP-003-11 (Cyber Security--Security Management Controls). The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the Commission- certified Electric Reliability Organization (ERO), submitted the proposed Reliability Standard to mitigate risks posed by a coordinated cyberattack on low-impact facilities, the aggregate impact of which could be much greater.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission adopts eXtensible Business Reporting Language-Comma-Separated Values as the standard for filing the Electric Quarterly Report (EQR). In addition, the Commission amends its regulations to require Regional Transmission Organizations and Independent System Operators to produce reports containing market participant transaction data. The Commission also modifies and clarifies EQR reporting requirements. These changes are designed to update the data collection, improve data quality, increase market transparency, decrease the costs, over time, of preparing the necessary data for submission, and streamline compliance with any future changes to the filing requirements.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is further extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Construction Requirements Related to Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities," published on May 16, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is further extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Regulations for Loans for Minority Business Enterprises Seeking DOE Contracts and Assistance," published on May 16, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is further extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Regulations Related to Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance," published on May 16, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is further extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Regulations Related to Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities (General Provisions)," published on May 16, 2025.

On October 10, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) published in the Federal Register a final rule removing regulations. This action addresses arguments raised on rehearing and confirms the effective date of that final rule.

The Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (formerly the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy) of the Department of Energy (DOE) has reviewed the petroleum-equivalency factor (PEF) for electric vehicles (EVs) used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in calculating light-duty vehicle manufacturers' compliance with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. DOE has determined that revisions to the PEF are necessary. DOE is first publishing a final rule that removes the fuel content factor (FCF) from the calculation of the PEF. Removal of the FCF is consistent with a United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit decision that held, among other things, that the inclusion of the FCF in the PEF calculation exceeded DOE's authority under the substantive statute. DOE will propose additional revisions to the PEF in a forthcoming notice of proposed rulemaking.

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended ("EPCA"), prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including small electric motors ("SEMs"). EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") to periodically determine whether more-stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant conservation of energy. In this final determination, DOE has determined that more-stringent energy conservation standards for SEMs would not be cost-effective and, therefore, DOE has determined that energy conservation standards for SEMs should not be amended.

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended ("EPCA"), prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including metal halide lamp fixtures ("MHLFs"). EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") to periodically review its existing standards to determine whether more-stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified and would result in significant energy savings. In this final determination, DOE has determined that more-stringent energy conservation standards for MHLFs would not be cost effective and, therefore, DOE does not need to amend its energy conservation standards for MHLFs.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) published a direct final rule in the Federal Register of October 21, 2025, revising its regulations to insert a conditional sunset date into certain regulations in response to Executive Order 14270, "Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy." The document contained an error. This document corrects the regulations.

The Commission is issuing this final rule to revise its delegations of authority to align with an internal Commission reorganization, which reassigned certain responsibilities from the former Office of Energy Policy and Innovation (OEPI), which has been disbanded, to the new Office of Technical Reporting and Economics (OTRE) and to the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). This final rule transfers delegated authority from the Director of OEPI to the Director of OTRE and to the General Counsel, to allow their respective offices to process routine, non-controversial matters efficiently.

In accordance with the Commission's regulations, this Final rule provides the yearly update using data in the Commission's Financial System to calculate new filing fees. The purpose of this Final Rule is to adjust the fees on the basis of the Commission's costs for Fiscal Year 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is amending its regulations in compliance with a United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit court decision vacating the March 29, 2024 rule revising procedures for calculating a value for the petroleum-equivalent fuel economy of electric vehicles (EVs) used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in calculating light-duty vehicle manufacturers' compliance with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.

The Commission is partially rescinding a direct final rule that inserted a conditional sunset date into certain regulations. The Commission is rescinding the sunset provision from one regulation because it received a significant adverse comment in response to an identical proposed rule which was published concurrently with the direct final rule.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is further extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Construction Requirements Related to Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities," published on May 16, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is further extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Regulations for Loans for Minority Business Enterprises Seeking DOE Contracts and Assistance," published on May 16, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is further extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Regulations Related to Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance," published on May 16, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is further extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Regulations Related to Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities (General Provisions)," published on May 16, 2025.

On September 4, 2025, the Secretary of Energy ("Secretary") issued a Determination generally authorizing the destinations of the Philippines and Singapore for exports of controlled nuclear technology and assistance under DOE's regulation on Assistance to Foreign Atomic Energy Activities. Accordingly, DOE is issuing this final rule to add the Philippines and Singapore to the generally authorized destinations list in appendix A.

This interim final rule amends the Department of Energy's loan guarantee regulations to implement the Energy Dominance Financing provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This interim final rule expands the definition, criteria, and requirements of certain eligible projects under the loan guarantee program, and makes revisions for clarity, organization, and conformance with the recent enactment.

The Commission is revising its regulations to insert a conditional sunset date into certain regulations in response to Executive Order (E.O.) 14270, "Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy."

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) removes from its regulations a rule that precludes the issuance of authorizations to proceed with construction activities with respect to natural gas facilities approved pursuant to section 3 or section 7 of the Natural Gas Act for a limited time while certain requests for rehearing are pending before the Commission.

The Commission is issuing this final rule to transfer certain delegated authority from the Director of the Commission's Office of Energy Market Regulation to the Director of the Commission's Office of Electric Reliability, with respect to uncontested Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) or Regional Entity filings pertaining to ERO delegation agreements and ERO or Regional Entity rules or rule changes.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) directs the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the Commission-certified Electric Reliability Organization, to develop new or modified Reliability Standards that address the sufficiency of responsible entities' supply chain risk management plans related to the identification of and response to supply chain risks. Further, the Commission directs NERC to develop modifications related to supply chain protections for protected cyber assets. This final action also terminates a related notice of inquiry.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Construction Requirements Related to Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities," published on May 16, 2025.

The Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is publishing this document to respond to comments received on the DFR titled, "Application for Presidential Permit Authorizing the Construction, Connection, Operation and Maintenance of Facilities for Transmission of Electric Energy at International Boundaries," published on May 16, 2025, and effective September 12, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Regulations for Loans for Minority Business Enterprises Seeking DOE Contracts and Assistance," published on May 16, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Regulations Related to Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance," published on May 16, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Regulations Related to Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities (General Provisions)," published on May 16, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE" or "the Department") is withdrawing the May 16, 2025, direct final rule ("DFR") published at 90 FR 20786. DOE is exercising its discretion to withdraw and terminate this rulemaking. This withdrawal action does not preclude DOE from proposing regulatory changes in the future, including proposing a rule(s) that may be substantially identical or similar to those previously proposed.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is publishing this final rule to rescind and amend the certification provisions, labeling requirements, and enforcement provisions for specific types of consumer products and commercial and industrial equipment addressed in its final rule published in the Federal Register on October 9, 2024. DOE is undertaking this action because the October 9, 2024 final rule was the subject of a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate and subsequently signed by the President on May 9, 2025, after which it became law. Because the October 9, 2024 final rule has no force or effect, DOE has a nondiscretionary duty to remove the associated provisions from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and through this final rule, DOE is taking the necessary action to effect such rescission.

The U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") is finalizing a one- year delay of certain product-specific enforcement provisions related to the controls verification procedure established in a recently published final rule amending the test procedures for central air conditioners and heat pumps.

This interim final rule codifies standards and procedures the Department of Energy will follow when developing and carrying out voluntary agreements and plans of action under the Defense Production Act. The Defense Production Act provides a defense from antitrust laws with respect to any action taken to develop or carry out any voluntary agreement or plan of action when certain criteria are met. The rule will apply the Defense Production Act's long-standing provisions and will be set out in a new and dedicated part in the Code of Federal Regulations.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) approves proposed Reliability Standard PRC-024-4 (Frequency and Voltage Protection Settings for Synchronous Generators, Type 1 and Type 2 Wind Resources, and Synchronous Condensers), Reliability Standard PRC-029-1 (Frequency and Voltage Ride-through Requirements for Inverter-Based Resources), and a definition of "Ride-through," which the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) submitted in response to a Commission directive. In addition, the Commission directs NERC to clarify documentation requirements for legacy equipment needed to support an exemption request pursuant to Reliability Standard PRC-029- 1; to consider whether, and if so how, to address a total of two exception- and exemption-related issues raised by commenters; and to submit an informational filing that assesses the reliability impact of the exemptions to Reliability Standard PRC-029-1.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is publishing this document to respond to comments received on the May 16, 2025, direct final rule. As a result, DOE delays the effective date of the direct final rule on the administrative procedures regarding the Office of Fossil Energy's (FE) filing requirements for the import and export of natural gas.

Due to the receipt of significant adverse comments, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Regulations Related to Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities (General Provisions)," published on May 16, 2025.

Due to the receipt of significant adverse comments, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Application for Presidential Permit Authorizing the Construction, Connection, Operation and Maintenance of Facilities for Transmission of Electric Energy at International Boundaries," published on May 16, 2025.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is publishing this document to respond to comments received on the direct final rule "Collection of Information Under the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974," published on May 16, 2025. As a result, DOE delays the effective date of the direct final rule.

The Department of Energy ("DOE") is publishing this document to respond to comments received on the direct final rule rescinding regulations outlining the 1977 transfer of proceedings to DOE from its predecessor agencies that published on May 16, 2025. As a result, DOE delays the effective date of the direct final rule.

The Department of Energy ("DOE") is publishing this document to respond to comments received on the direct final rule to rescind an unnecessary regulation encouraging alternative dispute resolution to resolve complaints under the DOE Contractor Employee Protection Program that published on May 16, 2025. As a result, DOE delays the effective date of the direct final rule, and is responding to the comment it received on the direct final rule.

Due to the receipt of significant adverse comments, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Regulations Related to Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance," published on May 16, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") is publishing this document to respond to comments received on the direct final rule "Revisions to the Office of Hearings and Appeals Procedural Regulations," published on May 16, 2025. As a result, DOE delays the effective date of the direct final rule.

The Department of Energy ("DOE") is publishing this document to respond to comments received on the May 16, 2025, direct final rule. As a result, DOE delays the effective date of the direct final rule on the procedures for acquisition of petroleum for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to require index-priced contracts.

The Department of Energy ("DOE") is publishing this document to respond to comments received on the direct final rule on the recission of the Department's outdated Financial Assistance Rules that published on May 16, 2025. As a result, DOE delays the effective date of the direct final rule, and is responding to the comment it received on the direct final rule.

Due to the receipt of significant adverse comments, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Sports Programs Arising Out of Federal Financial Assistance," published on May 16, 2025.

Due to the receipt of significant adverse comments, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding New Construction Requirements Related to Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities," published on May 16, 2025.

Due to the receipt of significant adverse comments, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is extending the effective date of the direct final rule "Rescinding Regulations for Loans for Minority Business Enterprises Seeking DOE Contracts and Assistance," published on May 16, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is publishing this technical amendment to reinstate text that was deleted from the Department of Energy Acquisition Regulation (DEAR) in error when the DEAR was revised through a final rule in November 2024, and effective December 13, 2024. The deleted text was adopted through previous rulemakings, and because the text is still applicable to the DEAR, this technical amendment is necessary to ensure the regulation in its entirety is reported in the Code of Federal Regulations. By reinstating this text, the regulation on access to and ownership of records will clearly state which records are considered contractor-owned records.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is issuing this final rule to revise its regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and its Rules of Practice and Procedure to remove reference to the Council on Environmental Quality's rescinded regulations.

This interim final rule substantially revises Department of Energy's (DOE) regulations containing its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing procedures, which were promulgated to supplement now-rescinded Council on Environmental Quality regulations. Mindful that the Supreme Court recently clarified NEPA is a "purely procedural statute," DOE will henceforth maintain the remainder of its procedures in a procedural guidance document separate from the Code of Federal Regulations (DOE NEPA implementing procedures). Thus, DOE is revising 10 CFR part 1021 to contain only administrative and routine actions excepted from NEPA review in appendix A, its existing categorical exclusions in appendix B, related requirements, and a provision for emergency circumstances. DOE is revising appendix A in 10 CFR part 1021 to align with DOE's new NEPA implementing procedures that it is publishing separate from the Code of Federal Regulations. Appendix A in 10 CFR part 1021 (formerly categorical exclusions) are now administrative and routine actions that do not require NEPA review. DOE is also revising 10 CFR part 205, subpart W, to remove the NEPA procedures from its Presidential permit regulations.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is publishing this rule to amend the compliance date for its manufactured housing energy conservation standards. Previously, manufacturers had to comply with these standards on and after July 1, 2025, for Tier 2 homes and 60 days after the issuance of enforcement procedures for Tier 1 homes. DOE is delaying the Tier 2 compliance date to allow DOE more time to consider the proposed enforcement procedures and comments submitted, and to evaluate appropriate next steps that provide clarity for manufacturers and other stakeholders.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) approves proposed Reliability Standard CIP-015-1 (Cyber Security--Internal Network Security Monitoring), which the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), submitted in response to a Commission directive. In addition, the Commission directs NERC to develop certain modifications to proposed Reliability Standard CIP-015-1 to extend internal network security monitoring to include electronic access control or monitoring systems and physical access control systems outside of the electronic security perimeter. The Commission also provides greater clarity about the term CIP-networked environment as it is used in proposed Reliability Standard CIP-015-1.

On May 5, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) stayed the compliance date for recently adopted energy performance standards for certain new Federal buildings and Federal buildings undergoing major renovations. This document corrects the uniform resource locator (URL) provided to the implementation guidance that DOE is reviewing. DOE updated the implementation guidance available on its website to indicate that it is currently being reviewed, this required posting the updated document using a new URL. This update does not affect the substance of the rulemaking or the stay of the compliance date.

This document further delays the effective date of a recently published final rule amending the test procedures for central air conditioners and heat pumps.

Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, this document withdraws a disapproved final rule that was published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2025. The final rule would have established amended energy conservation standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) invites comments on its proposal to amend certain annual and quarterly financial forms, which the Commission requires jurisdictional public utilities, licensees, centralized service companies, and natural gas and oil pipeline companies to file. Additionally, the Commission proposes to amend its current regulations governing certain FERC financial forms. The Commission proposes to update FERC Annual Report Form Nos. 1, 1-F, 2, 2-A, 6, and 60 and FERC Quarterly Report Form Nos. 3-Q and 6-Q. Specifically, the Commission proposes to update the general filing instructions and certain schedule instructions to reflect current reporting requirements and correct discrepancies. Additionally, the Commission proposes to eliminate certain schedules from FERC Form Nos. 3-Q and 6-Q. The Commission also proposes to revise the regulation for FERC Form No. 6-Q to clarify that oil pipelines with annual jurisdictional operating revenues below $500,000 are exempt from filing the quarterly form. These changes to the quarterly forms would reduce the reporting burden for jurisdictional entities.

A Presidential determination issued on April 20, 2026, found that grid infrastructure supply chains, including distribution transformers and electrical core steel, are essential to national defense, and that U.S. industry faces critical constraints from limited domestic product capacity, extended procurement timelines, and foreign supply dependence. The U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") is initiating an information and data gathering effort to understand how the energy conservation standards for distribution transformers adopted in an April 2024 final rule, with compliance required in 2029, interact with these national security considerations, including impacts on domestic manufacturing capacity, supply chain resilience, and the availability and cost of key materials. DOE is also seeking information on whether the revised energy conservation standards result in special hardship, inequity, or unfair distribution of burdens, including investment needs and market conditions associated with redesigning equipment to comply by the 2029 compliance date.

This proposed rule would insert sunset provisions into certain regulations, consistent with the Executive Order (E.O.), Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy (April 9, 2025), and agency policy. Each sunset provision would establish a conditional sunset date for covered regulations, as defined by the E.O. In this notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes regulatory revisions identical to those set forth in a direct final rule published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. If DOE receives significant adverse comments, DOE will publish a notice of withdrawal for the direct final rule and will proceed with this proposed rule.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) proposes to revise its blanket certificate regulations to expand the scope and scale of projects that interstate natural gas pipelines may construct without a case-specific authorization order and to increase the cost limits for such projects, among other changes.

On February 19, 2026, the Department of Energy (DOE) received a petition from the American Gas Association (AGA), the American Public Gas Association (APGA), and the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) asking DOE to amend the compliance dates for two energy conservation standards final rules for commercial water heating equipment and consumer furnaces. Through this notification, DOE is seeking comment on whether it should grant the petition and undertake a rulemaking to consider the proposal contained in the petition, as well as any data or information that may be relevant to DOE's consideration of the petition.

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended ("EPCA"), prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including fluorescent lamp ballasts ("FLBs"). EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") to periodically review its existing standards to determine whether more-stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings. In this notification of proposed determination ("NOPD"), DOE has initially determined that amended energy conservation standards for fluorescent lamp ballasts would not be cost- effective, and therefore, DOE has tentatively determined that energy conservation standards for FLBs should not be amended. DOE requests comment on this proposed determination and the associated analyses and results.

This document announces receipt of a petition for rulemaking received by the Department of Energy (DOE) on January 7, 2026, from the America First Legal Foundation (AFL) requesting that DOE update its regulations concerning procedures requiring that management and operating contractors (M&Os) who enter into agreements with DOE submit and implement a written Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Plan. This document summarizes the substantive aspects of this petition and requests public comments on the merits of the petition.

On January 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") published a notice of proposed rulemaking ("NOPR") seeking to amend certain regulations for worker safety and health to expedite the review, approval, and deployment of advanced reactors under DOE's jurisdiction, including qualified test reactors in DOE's reactor pilot program consistent with a recent Executive order. The NOPR provided an opportunity for submitting written comments, data, and information by February 20, 2026. By letter dated February 4, 2026, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations ("AFL- CIO") requested a 45-day extension to the comment period. DOE has reviewed this request and is re-opening the public comment period until March 23, 2026.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) proposes to amend section 380.4 of its regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to expand an existing Categorical Exclusion (CE). A CE describes a category of actions that a Federal agency has determined normally does not significantly affect the quality of the human environment, absent extraordinary circumstances, and so does not trigger NEPA's requirement to prepare an environmental document. The proposed revision would add a category of actions to an existing CE to include terminations or revocations of water power licenses and exemptions that will result in minor or no ground disturbing activity and minor or no changes in reservoir conditions and downstream flows.

The Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is proposing to update the Department's general pricing regulation to establish prices and charges for materials and services sold to organizations and people outside of the Federal Government. DOE's general pricing regulation does not apply to the prices and charges provided for by statute, Executive order, or regulation. This notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) proposes to update definitions, exclusions, exemptions, and special pricing activities affecting the general pricing regulation.

The Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) proposes to amend its regulations for worker safety and health to expedite the review, approval, and deployment of advanced reactors under DOE's jurisdiction including qualified test reactors in DOE's reactor pilot program, consistent with a recent Executive order. The revisions would ensure that DOE's worker safety and health program continues to protect workers, while incorporating lessons learned from decades of operating experience and fostering nuclear innovation and technologies to the benefit of the United States. Additionally, the proposed rule would make minor updates to these regulations to improve clarity.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission published a document in the Federal Register of November 24, 2025, concerning a notice of proposed rulemaking seeking comment on the Commission's proposed index level used to determine annual changes to oil pipeline rate ceilings. The document contained an error.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking, which proposed adding a new section to 18 CFR part 1 to require that any entity communicating with the Commission or other specified organizations related to a matter subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission submit accurate and factual information and not submit false or misleading information or omit material information. The Commission is also terminating this rulemaking proceeding.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is withdrawing the supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (Supplemental NOPR) that proposed to amend the index level used to determine annual changes to oil pipeline rate ceilings for the remainder of the five-year period that began July 1, 2021, and concludes June 30, 2026.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) seeks information and stakeholder perspectives to help the Commission explore whether, and if so how, to revise our Part 153, 157, and 380 regulations to establish procedures for authorizing activities at liquefied natural gas plants without case-specific authorization orders under sections 3 and 7 of the Natural Gas Act.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking, which proposed to amend its regulations to codify the Safe Harbor Policy established in the Commission's Policy Statement on Natural Gas and Electric Price Indices. The Commission is also terminating this rulemaking proceeding.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) invites comments on its proposed index level used to determine annual changes to oil pipeline rate ceilings. The Commission proposes to use the Producer Price Index for Finished Goods (PPI-FG)-1.42% as the index level for the five-year period commencing July 1, 2026. The Commission invites interested persons to submit comments regarding this proposal and any alternative methodologies for calculating the index.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) proposes to amend its regulations to incorporate by reference certain modifications to the latest version (Version 4.0) of Standards for Business Practices of Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines adopted by the Wholesale Gas Quadrant (WGQ) of the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB). NAESB's revisions in Version 4.0 of the standards streamline the process for accessing publicly available gas-electric coordination data during extreme cold weather or emergency events.

On October 23, 2025, the Department of Energy held a public meeting to discuss the development of voluntary agreements and plans of action under the Defense Production Act. As part of that meeting, a draft voluntary agreement was released to the accompanying docket. This notice reproduces the draft agreement in full and solicits comment on that agreement.

The Commission is proposing to amend its regulations to insert a conditional sunset date into certain regulations in response to Executive Order (E.O.) 14270, "Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy."

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) announces a public meeting to discuss the development of voluntary agreements and plans of action under the Defense Production Act. The Defense Production Act requires that the announcement of such meetings occur through the Federal Register at least seven days prior to the meeting. This notice is intended to satisfy this requirement.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) proposes to approve Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standard: CIP-003-11 (Cyber Security--Security Management Controls). The North American Electric Reliability Corporation, the Commission- certified electric reliability organization, submitted the proposed Reliability Standard modifications to mitigate risks posed by a coordinated cyberattack on low impact facilities; the aggregate impact of which could be much greater.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) proposes to approve four new definitions and 18 modified definitions in the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Glossary of Terms Used in Reliability Standards. The Commission also proposes to approve eleven modified Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standards. NERC, the Commission-certified electric reliability organization, submitted the proposed modifications to update the CIP Reliability Standards to enable the application of virtualization and other new technologies in a secure manner.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is issuing a request for information ("RFI") to solicit public input regarding certain aspects of its energy conservation standards for manufactured housing. The public input received is anticipated to help guide DOE's further refinement of certain aspects of its standards for manufactured housing, as well as the supporting technical analysis, including anticipated costs and benefits. It may also serve as the basis for restructuring the approach and framework for standards that would apply to manufactured housing. DOE also seeks any additional information from the industry and public which may further inform the agency's views and regulatory program.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) seeks information and stakeholder perspectives to help the Commission explore whether, and if so how, to revise its Part 157, Subpart F blanket certificate regulations to adjust the cost limitations for projects that interstate natural gas pipelines may construct without a case- specific authorization order.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) proposes to remove from its regulations a rule that precludes the issuance of authorizations to proceed with construction activities with respect to natural gas facilities approved pursuant to section 3 or section 7 of the Natural Gas Act for a limited time while certain requests for rehearing are pending before the Commission.

OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA (collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, or FAR Council) are withdrawing the proposed rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) titled: Protests of Orders Under Certain Multiple-Award Contracts.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to delay the applicability of certain product-specific enforcement provisions related to the controls verification procedure established in a recently published final rule amending the test procedures for central air conditioners and heat pumps. DOE is seeking comment from interested parties on the proposal.