Every two weeks: the regulatory and grid-connection changes shaping hyperscale capacity in North America and Europe — sourced directly from FERC, BNetzA, CRU, ENTSO-E and the law-firm alerts your in-house counsel relies on. 15 minutes per issue. Free.
Each edition is independently researched, fact-checked against primary sources, and published every two weeks.
FERC, state PUCs, ISOs/RTOs, Canadian provincial regulators
European Commission, Ofgem, BNetzA, CRU, EirGrid, ENTSO-E
Texas Senate Bill 6, signed by Governor Abbott on June 20, 2025, imposes the most comprehensive state-level regulatory framework yet for data center grid connections. Effective immediately for loads of 75 MW or more in ERCOT, with the threshold adjustable downward by the PUCT, the bill is a direct response to post-Winter Storm Uri reliability concerns and the rapid influx of data center load. Industry has termed one of its provisions the "Kill Switch" rule — requiring remote-disconnect hardware on all new large loads from December 31, 2025.
The bill goes well beyond technical interconnection standards. It imposes mandatory load curtailment authority on ERCOT, creates new disclosure obligations for on-site backup generation, and requires PUCT approval for new co-location net-metering arrangements between existing grid-facing generators and large loads. The PUCT is concurrently running three significant rulemakings — Project 58317 (cost contribution), Project 58482 (voluntary demand reduction), and Project 58484 (4CP review) — each of which will materially affect data center economics in ERCOT.
Crucially, SB 6 is being closely watched outside Texas. More than 300 data center bills were introduced in 30+ states in the first six weeks of 2026 alone, with a decisive shift from incentive-based policies toward regulatory oversight and cost recovery. Oregon's POWER Act (August 2025), Arizona HB 2756, Maryland SB 596, and similar legislation in 18+ other states all draw structural elements from the Texas model. The PJM-state proposal — backed by 50+ legislators including Maryland's Senator Fry Hester — would require PJM to provide only interruptible service to new data centers until they self-procure capacity, citing the same reliability principles that animated SB 6.
Any data center interconnecting after December 31, 2025 in ERCOT must install remote-disconnect hardware before energization and contractually accommodate curtailment. The architectural design implication is significant: power systems must be engineered for graceful degradation — not full shutdown — during curtailment events. Battery storage behind the meter can satisfy curtailment obligations while maintaining critical IT load. The co-location net-metering approval process (ERCOT 120-day study + PUCT approval) adds 6 to 9 months to project timelines for any BTM arrangement pairing an existing generator with a new load.
This is the publicly available article from Issue #1. The full briefing covers FERC's April 16 ANOPR action and June 2026 ruling timeline, PJM co-location compliance proceedings, the comparative tariff terms tracker, BTM technology selection matrix, regulatory calendar for the next 60 days, and three strategic takeaways for leadership. Download the full PDF →
Independent regulatory and grid intelligence delivered to your inbox every two weeks. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
USA & Canada
North America + Europe
EU-27, UK, Norway, CH, Türkiye
Independent. Subscriber-funded. No advertising or sponsored content.
For team distribution or custom delivery, contact us.
Drop your email to download. The most recent issues are reserved for paid subscribers; the archive is open.
New issues are added to the archive 90 days after publication. Subscribe for early access.
PowerAether Intelligence is independent. Every issue is sourced primarily from regulatory dockets, official orders, and law firm alerts — not LinkedIn aggregators or trade-press summaries.
FERC, BNetzA, CRU, EU Commission, AESO, IESO, ERCOT, PUCT — direct citations from official filings, not paraphrases.
Day Pitney, Baker Botts, Bracewell, Pinsent Masons, Mayer Brown, Osler, McCarthy Tétrault — energy-sector counsel alerts, never just press releases.
Each issue is reviewed by independent industry counsel before publication. We publish errata when we get something wrong.
Subscriber-funded only. We never accept payment for editorial inclusion.