RTO Insider Daily Headlines

About RTO Insider Daily Headlines

Daily audio briefing on the North American power sector from RTO Insider, NetZero Insider and ERO Insider — PJM, MISO, ERCOT, SPP, CAISO, NYISO, ISO-NE, AESO and IESO, plus FERC, NERC and the policy shaping the grid. Weekday mornings, in under five minutes.

Publisher

RTO Insider

Category

news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Sept 2026

Latest episode

6 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

41 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Nov 2026

   RTO Insider Daily Headlines: November 6, 2026

   RTO Insider Daily Headlines for November 6, 2026. In this episode: • Even if Additional Capacity Resources Aren’t Needed, New Data Loads Are Likely to Increase Market Prices (RTO Insider commentary) New research suggests that even when data centers avoid increasing peak demand, they can still drive up wholesale electricity prices by pushing demand toward more expensive generation resources. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150839-even-if-additional-capacity-resources-arent-needed-data-loads-likely-increase-market-prices/ • Entergy Examining Non-traditional Funding Options for Data Center Groundswell (RTO Insider) Entergy leadership said the utility will likely pursue alternative funding avenues to secure capital to finance investments for data centers. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150832-entergy-examining-non-traditional-funding-options-data-centers/ • DTE Selling Vantage to Focus on Electricity, Data Centers (RTO Insider) DTE Energy is selling its energy solutions business to sharpen its focus instead on regulated utility operations as it courts large load customers. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150828-dte-selling-vantage-focus-on-electricity-data-centers/ • Is There a Gold Standard for Hedging New Capacity in Power Markets? (RTO Insider commentary) As power markets transition from managing surplus supply to navigating scarcity conditions with tight reserve margins, the risks associated with resource adequacy and capital investment have changed. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150677-is-there-a-gold-standard-for-hedging-new-capacity-in-power-markets/ • Dems Flip New Hampshire Legislature, Pick up Seats Across New England (RTO Insider) While no governorships in New England changed party control during the midterms, Democrats picked up seats in state legislatures throughout the region and flipped control of both the New Hampshire House and Senate. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150826-dems-flip-new-hampshire-legislature-pick-up-seats-new-england/ • FERC Chairs: No Impact from SCOTUS’ Slaughter Decision, Yet (RTO Insider) FERC has not seen much of an impact so far from the Supreme Court's Trump v. Slaughter decision, but the long-term effects remain to be seen. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150843-four-ferc-chairs-discuss-scotus-slaughter-decision-wires/ • CAISO Reports $33M in EDAM Benefits Since Launch (RTO Insider) CAISO’s third-quarter joint energy markets report shows EDAM recording almost $33 million in benefits since launching in spring 2026. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150830-caiso-edam-weim-benefits-report/ • Ohio Advocates Press FERC to Protect Ratepayers in Data Center Study Agreement (RTO Insider) Ohio’s ratepayer advocate is urging FERC to erect strong customer safeguards before allowing PJM to proceed with a largely untested approach to assess the expected transmission needs of a mammoth data center complex in the south of the state. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150680-ohio-advocates-press-ferc-protect-ratepayers-data-center-study/ • IESO Recommends New Transformer Capacity for GTA East Growth (RTO Insider) IESO recommends adding transformer capacity in eastern Greater Toronto, where summer peak demand is forecast to double by 2044. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150569-ieso-recommends-new-transformer-capacity-gta-east-growth/ Chapters: 00:07 Introduction 00:14 Commentary: Even if Additional Capacity Resources Aren’t Needed, New Data Loads Are Likely to Increase Market Prices 00:31 Entergy Examining Non-traditional Funding Options for Data Center Groundswell 00:45 DTE Selling Vantage to Focus on Electricity, Data Centers 00:58 Commentary: Is There a Gold Standard for Hedging New Capacity in Power Markets? 01:16 Dems Flip New Hampshire Legislature, Pick up Seats Across New England 01:32 FERC Chairs: No Impact from SCOTUS’ Slaughter Decision, Yet 01:45 CAISO Reports $33M in EDAM Benefits Since Launch 01:58 Ohio Advocates Press FERC to Protect Ratepayers in Data Center Study Agreement 02:19 IESO Recommends New Transformer Capacity for GTA East Growth 02:32 Subscribe Read these stories and more at W-W-W dot R-T-O Insider dot com. Music provided by BreakzStudios.

2. 

   5 Nov 2026

   RTO Insider Daily Headlines: November 5, 2026

   RTO Insider Daily Headlines for November 5, 2026. In this episode: • Democrats Sweep into Power Across the U.S.; What Next for Energy Policy? (RTO Insider commentary) The dramatic results of the midterm election will have far-reaching effects on state and federal energy policy. RTO Insider reporters and columnists will talk with industry sources in the coming weeks and months to explore what might happen next. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150658-democrats-sweep-into-power-across-the-u-s-what-next-for-energy-policy/ • Mich. Voters Ban Political Spending by Utilities, Others; Conservative Group Sues (RTO Insider) Michigan voters in the 2026 midterms overwhelmingly approved an initiative to restrict political spending by regulated utilities and government contractors. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150675-michigan-passes-political-spending-ban-utilities-others/ • Stakeholders Weigh in as CPUC Set to Kick off AB 825 Rulemaking (RTO Insider) Stakeholders are asking the California PUC to develop a “phased approach” to implementing the law that allows the state’s investor-owned utilities to join the new Regional Organization for Western Energy and include a basic utility withdrawal process. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150458-stakeholders-weigh-in-cpuc-ab-825-rulemaking/ • Generational Change in Texas Politics Could Affect 765-kV Lines, Data Centers (RTO Insider) Election night's blue wave has swept Republicans from power in Texas, giving the Democrats their first opportunity to govern in more than a generation. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150672-blue-wave-swamps-gop-in-texas/ • Making Energy Data Count: From Industry Investment to Customer Action (RTO Insider commentary) Smart meters, increasingly detailed electricity use data, sophisticated forecasting models and advanced grid management systems have transformed what utilities know about their networks and customers. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150397-making-energy-data-count-from-industry-investment-to-customer-action/ • Exelon Asks FERC for Prompt Capacity Auction in PJM (RTO Insider) Exelon has filed a complaint with FERC arguing that PJM’s three-year forward Base Residual Auction no longer is just and reasonable and is requesting that it order the RTO to hold a prompt auction just two months before the delivery year. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150688-exelon-ask-ferc-prompt-capacity-auction-pjm/ • What Democrats’ Blue Wave Means for Permitting and Energy Policy (RTO Insider) Democrats’ blowout performance in midterm elections increases the likelihood that Senate permitting legislation under consideration will not make it into law. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150687-what-democrats-blue-wave-means-for-permitting-and-energy-policy/ • Election Breaks GOP Hold on Georgia PSC (RTO Insider) Democrats have gained majority control of the Georgia Public Service Commission for the first time in decades, a landmark win that could lead to heightened regulatory scrutiny of Georgia Power and its corporate parent, Southern Co. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150663-democrats-will-control-georgia-psc-for-the-first-time-since-the-1990s/ • Data Centers Lose Big in Local Referenda (RTO Insider) Of the 47 data center ballot measures in cities, towns and counties, 38 were approved by voters, according to a tracker. Votes are still being counted on six, while one was rejected by voters in the city of Harwood, N.D. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150698-2026-midterms-data-centers-lose-big-in-local-elections/ • Midterms Signal Looming Data Center Bans in Western States (RTO Insider) The data center industry can expect to see the pace of development slow dramatically, as several Western states are expected to consider statewide moratoriums after the midterm elections that saw Democrats win numerous governor’s races. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150665-big-electoral-wins-for-governors-pushing-data-center-bans/ • BPA, Earthjustice Reach Settlement to Reduce $250M Rate Hike (RTO Insider) Bonneville Power Administration has reached a settlement with conservation and clean energy groups that would decrease a $250 million rate hike the agency proposed after being ordered to increase water spills over dams to protect migrating salmon. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150709-bpa-earthjustice-reach-settlement-reduce-rate-hike/ • Global Cyber Threats Growing, Security Consultant Warns SERC (ERO Insider) A speaker at SERC's Fall Reliability and Security Seminar highlighted the biggest cyber threats from nation-state actors. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150684-global-cyber-threats-growing-serc-speaker-warns/ • Republicans’ Red Wall Holds Up in Regulatory Elections (RTO Insider) The Democrats’ blue wave affected some of the elections for state regulatory commissions, but not all. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150693-republicans-red-wall-holds-up-in-regulatory-elections/ • Stakeholders Advance ISO-NE Capacity Accreditation, Seasonal Market Revisions (RTO Insider) The NEPOOL Markets Committee has approved a suite of ISO-NE tariff changes intended to overhaul capacity accreditation and divide annual capacity commitment periods into winter and summer periods with separate auctions. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150671-stakeholders-advance-iso-ne-capacity-accred/ • FERC Rejects PacifiCorp’s Financing Bid for B2H Line (RTO Insider) In two orders, FERC rejected PacifiCorp’s proposed financing arrangement for the 290-mile Boardman-to-Hemingway line, saying the company failed to show the proposals would not lead to increased rates and did not include enough details. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150572-ferc-rejects-pacificorps-financing-bid-for-b2h-line/ • Pew-Brattle Report Urges Wider Use, Easier Path for DERs (RTO Insider) An analysis presents distributed energy resources as a value proposition that can save time and money in building up the U.S. grid while benefiting the environment. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150667-pew-brattle-report-presses-wider-use-easier-path-ders/ Chapters: 00:07 Introduction 00:14 Commentary: Democrats Sweep into Power Across the U.S.; What Next for Energy Policy? 00:34 Mich. Voters Ban Political Spending by Utilities, Others; Conservative Group Sues 00:50 Stakeholders Weigh in as CPUC Set to Kick off AB 825 Rulemaking 01:09 Generational Change in Texas Politics Could Affect 765-kV Lines, Data Centers 01:26 Commentary: Making Energy Data Count: From Industry Investment to Customer Action 01:43 Exelon Asks FERC for Prompt Capacity Auction in PJM 02:02 What Democrats’ Blue Wave Means for Permitting and Energy Policy 02:15 Election Breaks GOP Hold on Georgia PSC 02:32 Data Centers Lose Big in Local Referenda 02:49 Midterms Signal Looming Data Center Bans in Western States 03:06 BPA, Earthjustice Reach Settlement to Reduce $250M Rate Hike 03:27 Global Cyber Threats Growing, Security Consultant Warns SERC 03:39 Republicans’ Red Wall Holds Up in Regulatory Elections 03:48 Stakeholders Advance ISO-NE Capacity Accreditation, Seasonal Market Revisions 04:07 FERC Rejects PacifiCorp’s Financing Bid for B2H Line 04:24 Pew-Brattle Report Urges Wider Use, Easier Path for DERs 04:39 Subscribe Read these stories and more at W-W-W dot R-T-O Insider dot com. Music provided by BreakzStudios.

3. 

   4 Nov 2026

   RTO Insider Daily Headlines: November 4, 2026

   RTO Insider Daily Headlines for November 4, 2026. In this episode: • CAISO Battery Capacity Increased 42% in 2025, Report Finds (RTO Insider) Batteries are supplying more energy than ever to CAISO’s grid — almost twice as much in 2025 compared with the year before. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150407-caiso-battery-capacity-increased-2025-dmm-report/ • Grid Operators Need an AI Incident Protocol Before Agents Touch the Energy Market (RTO Insider commentary) For the operators of regional electricity markets, if an autonomous agent changes a consequential record or submits an unauthorized instruction, who can reconstruct and stop the transaction before it spreads? https://www.rtoinsider.com/150255-grid-operators-need-ai-incident-protocol-before-agents-touch-energy-market/ • MISO Foresees Low-risk Winter 2026/27 (RTO Insider) MISO said it should have almost 25 GW of spare capacity even on the most challenging day of winter 2026/27, with an El Niño weather pattern giving rise to a relatively warm season. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150544-miso-foresees-low-risk-26-27-winter/ • Shoulder Season Scarcity a Deeper Issue than Typical Outage Season Dynamics (RTO Insider commentary) Abnormally hot fall weather hit the Midwest and East Coast this October, sending energy prices above $1,000/MWh in PJM and MISO. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150301-high-shoulder-season-pricing-pjm-miso-result-of-deeper-issue/ • NEPOOL Technical Committees Approve ISO-NE Large Load Proposal (RTO Insider) NEPOOL technical committees supported ISO-NE’s proposed treatment of large loads Nov. 3 despite opposition from the generation sector. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150555-nepool-technical-committees-approve-iso-ne-large-load-proposal/ • NextEra, Dominion Agree to More Conditions in Va. Merger Case (RTO Insider) Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy agreed to more conditions in an effort to win approval for their merger in Virginia, but pushed back on some requests that they said would place too many limits on accessing NextEra's capital or were just outside the scope of the merger review. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150556-nextera-dominion-agree-more-conditions-rebuttal-testimony-scc/ • Data Center Devs Struggle with Conflicting Desires: Speed to Power and ‘Five 9s’ (RTO Insider) Data center developers and financiers express the desire for near constant availability from their facilities using terms that may not be as well known to the electricity industry: “three” or “five 9s.” https://www.rtoinsider.com/150291-with-rapid-advances-in-ai-future-data-center-load-profile-uncertain/ • Florida Regulators Deal Setback to Duke Energy on Large Load Tariff (RTO Insider) The Florida Public Service Commission has unanimously denied Duke Energy Florida’s proposed large load tariff in a first test of a state law intended to shield state residents from the cost of meeting hypescale data centers’ electricity demands. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150581-florida-regulators-deal-setback-duke-energy-large-load-tariff/ • AESO/AUC Briefs: Nov. 3, 2026 (RTO Insider) AESO issued a formal rebuttal to Alberta’s Market Surveillance Administrator over its findings that the ISO inadequately monitored generator primary frequency response compliance and failed to refer suspected violations. https://www.rtoinsider.com/150402-aeso-auc-briefs-110326/ Chapters: 00:07 Introduction 00:14 CAISO Battery Capacity Increased 42% in 2025, Report Finds 00:26 Commentary: Grid Operators Need an AI Incident Protocol Before Agents Touch the Energy Market 00:45 MISO Foresees Low-risk Winter 2026/27 01:01 Commentary: Shoulder Season Scarcity a Deeper Issue than Typical Outage Season Dynamics 01:19 NEPOOL Technical Committees Approve ISO-NE Large Load Proposal 01:32 NextEra, Dominion Agree to More Conditions in Va. Merger Case 01:53 Data Center Devs Struggle with Conflicting Desires: Speed to Power and ‘Five 9s’ 02:10 Florida Regulators Deal Setback to Duke Energy on Large Load Tariff 02:29 AESO/AUC Briefs: Nov. 3, 2026 02:47 Subscribe Read these stories and more at W-W-W dot R-T-O Insider dot com. Music provided by BreakzStudios.

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