ELECTRIC UTILITY AND ERCOT NEWS
US Energy Information Administration: Natural gas for power generation flat this summer, record high expected in 2027
May 28 — We forecast demand in the commercial sector to grow nationally because of the addition of new data centers and large manufacturing facilities—particularly in Texas (driving up demand in ERCOT) and Virginia (driving up demand in PJM). These facilities require large amounts of electricity for both operation and cooling.
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=67725
Energy Storage News: ERCOT incentivises grid-forming BESS with US$25 million programme
May 28 — Established 26 May, the Nodal Protocol Revision Request (NPRR) “establishes a one-time advanced grid support incentive programme to encourage inverter-based resources (IBRs) that would not otherwise be required to provide advanced grid support to implement advanced grid support within 18 months of receiving the award notification.”
https://www.energy-storage.news/ercot-incentivises-grid-forming-bess-with-us25-million-programme/
KXXV: Killeen resident battles repeated power outages, calls on Oncor to find lasting fix
May 27 — A Killeen woman who says she has dealt with frequent power outages for more than two years says she fears what summer heat could mean for her and her neighborhood.
https://www.kxxv.com/news/local-news/in-your-neighborhood/bell-county/killeen/killeen-resident-battles-repeated-power-outages-calls-on-oncor-to-find-lasting-fix
Power: Spearmint Energy Secures $450 Million in Financing for Texas BESS Project
May 27 — Florida-headquartered Spearmint Energy said it has closed a financing package of $450 million to support a standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) installation in Texas. The company earlier in May said the funding supports Red Egret, a 300-MW/600-MWh BESS in Texas City, located southeast of Houston.
https://www.powermag.com/spearmint-energy-secures-450-million-in-financing-for-texas-bess-project/
The Conversation: Blackout risks are rising – why neighboring power grids can’t just send extra electricity where it’s needed
May 27 — Beyond the immediate human and economic toll, major blackouts like these often leave behind the same unsettling contrast: One region goes dark while nearby places still have power.
https://theconversation.com/blackout-risks-are-rising-why-neighboring-power-grids-cant-just-send-extra-electricity-where-its-needed-280783
Utility Dive: Demand management, data center flexibility boost regional reliability: NERC
May 27 — The reliability watchdog dropped its forecast for ERCOT’s net internal demand by 3.7 GW, or 4.6%, compared to last summer, “because more data centers can be curtailed by grid operators.”
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/demand-management-data-center-flexibility-boost-regional-reliability-nerc/821225/
The Texas Energy and Power Newsletter: How Texas decides which data centers to connect
May 27 — Tiffany Wu on how ERCOT’s batch zero process will decide which large loads get studied first, which transmission gets built, and who pays for it.
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/how-texas-decides-which-data-centers
Energy and Policy Institute: CenterPoint’s PACs have contributed millions to influential right-wing PACs in Texas
May 27 — CenterPoint’s two political action committees (PACs) contributed $2 million to Texas PACs and politicians between 2021 and 2026, with Republican candidates and PACs associated with Republican priorities receiving the lion’s share of funds, according to a review of political contribution filings by the Energy and Policy Institute.
https://energyandpolicy.org/https-energyandpolicy-org-texas-utility-pac/
KPRC: CenterPoint Energy restores power for thousands as storms moved through Houston area overnight
May 27 — CenterPoint said it has restored 56,000 customers since weather impacts started around 1 a.m. The company said as of 5 a.m., 99% of its electric customers have power.
https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/05/27/thousands-of-centerpoint-energy-customers-without-power-as-storms-continue-to-move-through-houston-area/
Solar Quarter: Frontier Power USA Acquires 480 MWh ERCOT Battery Storage Portfolio From Bimergen Energy Corporation To Accelerate U.S. Market Expansion
May 27 — Frontier Power USA (FPUSA), a company focused on long-duration energy storage development and investment, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a 480 MWh portfolio of battery energy storage system projects from Bimergen Energy Corporation. The acquisition, made through FPUSA and its affiliates, marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth as it expands its presence in the U.S. storage sector.
https://solarquarter.com/2026/05/27/frontier-power-usa-acquires-480-mwh-ercot-battery-storage-portfolio-from-bimergen-energy-corporation-to-accelerate-u-s-market-expansion/
Solar Builder: Repsol energizes Texas’s largest solar facility
May 26 — The solar site marks a milestone for solar in the Lone Star State, as the 825 MW Pinnington project is the largest renewable energy project to reach commercial operation in the ERCOT market. Built by Black & Veatch and its Overland Contracting Inc. (OCI) construction subsidiary, the project reached energization at “an accelerated pace,” according to the company. In comparison to other solar projects of its size, Pinnington reached operation status about 2.5 times faster, Repsol adds.
https://solarbuildermag.com/projects/repsol-energizes-texas-largest-solar-facility/
Latitude Media: The Texas Energy Fund’s first projects are coming online
May 26 — The first power plant funded by the Texas Energy Fund’s gas loans came online earlier this month, and a second is on its way. These mark the first tangible victories for a program that has run headlong into the macroeconomic challenges of the AI boom.
https://www.latitudemedia.com/news/the-texas-energy-funds-first-projects-are-coming-online/
MSN: Texas just ran its entire grid on wind, solar, and batteries alone for hours — renewables briefly powering the nation’s biggest energy state with no gas or coal
May 25 — Texas just ran its entire grid on wind, solar, and batteries alone for hours — renewables briefly powering the nation’s biggest energy state with no gas or coal.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/texas-just-ran-its-entire-grid-on-wind-solar-and-batteries-alone-for-hours-renewables-briefly-powering-the-nation-s-biggest-energy-state-with-no-gas-or-coal/ar-AA23X36k?ocid=finance-verthp-feeds
CW39: Over 190,000 customers have power restored after Saturday storms, CenterPoint Energy says
May 23 — A statement from CenterPoint said that as of 10 a.m. Sunday, crews have restored power to approximately 190,000 customers since weather impacts began around 3 a.m. Saturday, with most customers restored within an average of approximately 80 minutes.
https://cw39.com/weather/centerpoint-restores-power-houston/amp/
NPR: Can Texas’ power grid handle the demands of data centers?
May 22 — New electricity demand in this country is unlike anything we’ve seen in decades. Our colleagues at the Indicator from NPR’s Planet Money, Cooper Katz McKim and Darian Woods, went to Texas to see if the electricity grid can handle it.
https://www.npr.org/2026/05/22/nx-s1-5826894/can-texas-power-grid-handle-the-demands-of-data-centers
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Man dies, woman injured in electrocution at Benbrook home Friday
May 23 — A man has died and a woman is injured after the two were electrocuted in the backyard of a Benbrook home, according to the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/article315863532.html
Grist: Solar to overtake coal on Texas grid for the first time ever this year
May 23 — For the first time ever, solar is set to generate more electricity than coal in the power market managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT. Nobody is building new coal power plants in the state, but developers are adding more solar there than anywhere else in the country. As a result of those diverging trajectories, the federal government expects ERCOT will receive 78 billion kilowatt-hours from solar in 2026 and just 60 from coal.
https://grist.org/energy/solar-to-overtake-coal-on-texas-grid-for-the-first-time-ever-this-year/
Solarbytes: Repsol commissions 825 MW solar project in Texas
May 23 — Madrid headquartered Repsol has achieved commercial operations at its 825 MW Pinnington solar project in Texas. The facility is now the largest single renewable project to reach commercial operation in the ERCOT market.
https://solarbytes.info/emea-bytes/repsol-achieves-commercial-operations-at-825-mw-pinnington-solar-project-texas-11865266
Energy Storage News: Spearmint Energy secures US$450 million for 600MWh Texas BESS project
May 22 — Battery storage developer and operator Spearmint Energy has closed a US$450 million financing to support its 300MW/600MWh Red Egret battery energy storage system (BESS) project.
https://www.energy-storage.news/spearmint-energy-secures-us450-million-for-600mwh-texas-bess-project/
Fox26: Retired Houston couple battling CenterPoint over who should pay after power surge causes thousands in damage
May 21 — A Houston couple says a power surge linked to CenterPoint Energy work in their neighborhood destroyed multiple appliances and electronics in their home, but the utility denied their damage claim, citing a tariff that places responsibility for surge protection on customers.
https://www.fox26houston.com/news/retired-houston-couple-battling-centerpoint-over-who-should-pay-after-power-surge-causes-thousands-damage
Mother Jones: Solar Electricity Is Poised to Overtake Coal in—of All Places—Texas
May 21 — Texas. Nobody is building new coal power plants in the state, but developers are adding more solar there than anywhere else in the country. As a result of those diverging trajectories, the federal government expects ERCOT will receive 78 billion kilowatt-hours from solar in 2026, and just 60 from coal.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/05/solar-electricity-overtakes-coal-texas-ercot-energy-power-grid-resilience/
Reuters: (Commentary) Texas cuts gas use as ERCOT clean power momentum keeps growing
May 12 — The share of natural gas within the power generation mix of the state of Texas has fallen to multi-year lows so far this year as clean energy sources continue to crowd out fossil fuels within the top U.S. oil and gas production hub.
https://www.reuters.com/commentary/reuters-open-interest/texas-cuts-gas-use-ercot-clean-power-momentum-keeps-growing-2026-05-21/
The Austin Chronicle: Austin Energy Argues Gas an Unfortunate Necessity
May 21— On Thursday, AE will ask City Council to approve building 400 megawatts of gas capacity, 100 MW of battery storage, and 299 MW of wind power locally. The Electric Utility Commission metlast week to discuss the plan to greenlight an estimated $1 billion in gas “peaker” units. “This is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever faced here,” Chair Dave Tuttle said. “We don’t really want to do this, but is it something that is just prudent for the community?”
https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/austin-energy-argues-gas-an-unfortunate-necessity/
Culture Map Austin: Texas’ annual solar power expected to eclipse coal for the first time
May 20 — Solar generation is expected to reach 78 billion kilowatt-hours in 2026 in the ERCOT grid, compared with 60 billion kilowatt-hours for coal, the EIA forecast says. The ERCOT grid supplies power to about 90 percent of Texas.
https://austin.culturemap.com/news/innovation/solar-energy-surpasses-coal-ercot/
KPRC: ‘We’re tired of it’: Houston-area homeowners demand answers over recurring power outages
May 19 — Homeowners say the repeated disruptions have become so common, some families have installed generators and started tracking outages themselves.
https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/05/19/were-tired-of-it-houston-area-homeowners-demand-answers-over-recurring-power-outages/
Fox26: CenterPoint Energy activates emergency operations for severe storms
May 19 — Their Emergency Operations Center has been activated as they monitor and prepare for the possibility of severe thunderstorms. They will keep an eye on evolving conditions and CenterPoint says they will coordinate with local officials.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/centerpoint-energy-activates-emergency-operations-121106886.html
The Texas Energy and Power Newsletter: ERCOT’s reliability standard process, the Texas Backup Power Package rule, and transmission cost allocation debates.
May 19 — This Grid Roundup includes ERCOT’s reliability standard process, the Texas Backup Power Package rule, and ongoing debates over transmission cost allocation. While each proceeding is different, the policy question is similar: can Texas protect customers from reliability and cost risks without discouraging the flexible resources that could help solve them?
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/energy-policymakers-grapple-with
The Texas Energy and Power Newsletter: Energy policymakers grapple with reliability, fairness, and flexibility
May 19 — This Grid Roundup includes ERCOT’s reliability standard process, the Texas Backup Power Package rule, and ongoing debates over transmission cost allocation. While each proceeding is different, the policy question is similar: can Texas protect customers from reliability and cost risks without discouraging the flexible resources that could help solve them?
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/energy-policymakers-grapple-with
CleanTechnica: Electricity Generation from Solar Could Exceed Coal in ERCOT for the First Time in 2026
May 19 — In our most recent Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), we forecast that annual electric power generation from utility-scale solar will surpass that from coal for the first time in 2026 within the electricity grid that covers most of Texas. Solar generation is expected to reach 78 billion kilowatthours (BkWh) in 2026 in the electricity grid operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) compared with 60 BkWh for coal.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/05/19/electricity-generation-from-solar-could-exceed-coal-in-ercot-for-the-first-time-in-2026/
Daily Energy Insider: Oncor hosts regional roundtable in East Texas to discuss storm response
May 19 — The roundtable, which brought together local leaders, emergency management officials, first responders, and meteorology experts, discussed severe weather across East Texas, ranging from powerful spring and summer storms to winter weather events like Winter Storm Fern. The participants also talked about increasing risks from tropical systems and wildfires and shared insights on how these evolving threats are impacting local communities.
https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/52334-oncor-hosts-regional-roundtable-in-east-texas-to-discuss-storm-response/
Gilmer Mirror: (Op-Ed) “Landowners treated unjustly by 765-kV transmission line” – Update from Oncor
May 18 — Oncor and LCRA TSC complied with all state laws and regulations when providing landowner notice for this project, and in several ways exceeded those requirements. In June 2025, we advertised the project’s multiple upcoming public meetings – triple the amount required – in numerous local newspapers, going beyond state notification rules to help ensure communities were broadly informed about the project, preliminary routes, and the opportunity to engage with our teams.
https://www.gilmermirror.com/2026/05/18/landowners-treated-unjustly-by-765-kv-transmission-line-inbox/
Big News Network: Latino leaders want say in future of TX energy policies
May 18 — Rogelio Meixueiro, Texas community advocate with GreenLatinos, said the state needs a diverse mix of energy sources, including more wind and solar.
https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/279057621/latino-leaders-want-say-in-future-of-tx-energy-policies
Odessa American: GUEST VIEW: AI is eating the grid. Texas has five years to feed it
May 16 — When people talk about the energy future, they generally start with a narrative about renewables replacing fossil fuels. What is happening on the Texas grid, however, looks nothing like that.
https://www.oaoa.com/opinion/guest-views/guest-view-ai-is-eating-the-grid-texas-has-five-years-to-feed-it/
E&E News: Texas grid operator says it hit EIA’s solar milestone last year
May 15 — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said solar outproduced coal power in its region in 2025, while a new federal projection put 2026 as the first year that could happen.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/texas-grid-operator-says-it-hit-eias-solar-milestone-last-year/
American Public Power Association: New Braunfels Utilities Seeks Up to 250 MW of Dispatchable Future Power Supply
May 15 — Texas public power utility New Braunfels Utilities has issued a Request for Proposals to solicit and procure up to 250 megawatts of dispatchable future power supply in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas market.
https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/new-braunfels-utilities-seeks-250-mw-dispatchable-future-power-supply
KXAN: Texas lawmakers push back on massive 765-kV transmission line project
May 15 — A major project to move power across Texas to the Permian Basin through giant transmission lines is now facing growing pushback, not just from landowners but from state lawmakers.
https://www.kxan.com/energy-crossroads/texas-lawmakers-push-back-on-massive-765-kv-transmission-line-project/
Midland Reporter-Telegram: Conduit offers details on West Texas power generation plans
May 15 — Conduit Power’s plans to develop natural gas-powered assets to sell energy and ancillary services to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas are taking shape.
https://www.mrt.com/business/oil/article/conduit-west-tx-grid-power-sites-22257419.php
CW39: CenterPoint upgrades to reduce Houston hurricane outage times
May 14 — As hurricane season approaches, CenterPoint Energy says it is ramping up emergency preparedness efforts that could directly impact how quickly Houston-area customers regain power after a major storm.
https://cw39.com/cw39/centerpoint-emergency-response-drill/
E&E News: Solar to produce more power than coal in Texas, EIA says
May 14 — Federal researchers say solar on Texas’ main power grid may reach new heights in 2026, while Republicans continue to criticize renewable energy.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/solar-to-produce-more-power-than-coal-in-texas-eia-says/
KCEN: Texas lawmakers push back against major Oncor transmission line project
May 14 — Nearly two dozen Texas lawmakers are challenging Oncor’s proposed transmission line expansion, citing concerns for property owners across the state.
https://www.kcentv.com/video/news/local/texas-lawmakers-push-back-against-major-oncor-transmission-line-project/500-987a7b6f-3b03-4c42-8bf9-b0026afc387d
Data Center Knowledge: Gridlock or Growth? ERCOT Warns Texas AI Power Boom May Not Materialize
May 14 — Texas is planning its grid around an unprecedented wave of AI-driven power demand that the state’s energy regulator says may not fully materialize on projected timelines.
https://www.datacenterknowledge.com/energy-power-supply/gridlock-or-growth-ercot-warns-texas-ai-power-boom-may-not-materialize
Fox7: Solar will pass coal in power generation in Texas in 2026
May 13 — Annual electric power generated from solar will surpass that of coal in Texas for the first time in 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s latest Short-Term Energy Outlook.
https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-solar-coal-ercot
US Energy Information Administration: Electricity generation from solar could exceed coal in ERCOT for the first time in 2026
May 13 — Utility-scale solar generation has been increasing steadily in ERCOT as solar capacity additions help meet rapid electricity demand growth. Although natural gas remains the dominant source of electricity generation in ERCOT, accounting for an average 44% of electricity generation from 2021 to 2025, solar’s share of the generation mix has increased from 4% to 12% in those years, while coal’s share has decreased from 19% to 13%.
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=67685
National Review: Study: Expect Texas Electric Bills to Rise Further
May 12 — Between 2015 and 2025, the number of residential electricity customers in Texas grew by roughly 2.73 million, a 27% increase. The investor-owned utilities that deliver power to their growing pool of residential customers have been steadily raising their rates to pay for expansions and repairs.
https://natlawreview.com/press-releases/study-expect-texas-electric-bills-rise-further
CW39: CenterPoint: Houston’s energy grid ready for FIFA World Cup 2026
May 12 — CenterPoint Energy announced it has been working in the field for more than a year, strengthening electric and natural gas infrastructure around game venues, the Fan Festival, and hospitality areas – completing nearly 700 reliability upgrades along the way.
https://cw39.com/news/local/centerpoint-energy-fifa-world-cup-upgrades-houston/
Utility Dive: Vistra adds 4.5 GW of capacity in line with ‘reasonable’ forecasts for PJM, ERCOT
May 11 — “While these views remain below many third-party forecasts and ISO projections, they reflect what we believe to be the pace of physical development,” Vistra CEO Jim Burke said.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/vistra-adds-45-gw-of-capacity-in-line-with-reasonable-forecasts-for-pjm/819845/
Utility Dive: (Commentary) Competitive power markets have delivered. Abandoning them would be a mistake.
May 11 — Electricity markets are not perfect, but they remain one of the most powerful tools we have for delivering reliable, affordable power at scale, writes former FERC Commissioner Nora Mead Brownell.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/competitive-power-markets-pjm-data-center-virginia/819075/
San Antonio Report: Gas power leapfrogs wind for first time in 10 years in Texas’ grid connection queue
May 10 — A decade ago, wind power was surging in popularity and attracting huge investments that made Texas a national leader in renewable energy. But today, gas generation is making a big comeback, driven by a wave of data centers flooding into the state.
https://sanantonioreport.org/gas-power-leapfrogs-wind-for-first-time-in-10-years-in-texas-grid-connection-queue/
JD Supra: ERCOT’s Batch Zero Proposal and What It Means for Large-Load Projects in Texas
May 8 — ERCOT is tightening the large-load interconnection process in response to unprecedented demand, particularly from data centers and other power-intensive digital infrastructure projects.
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/ercot-s-batch-zero-proposal-and-what-it-1903245/
Seyfarth: ERCOT’s Batch Zero Proposal and What It Means for Large-Load Projects in Texas
May 7 — ERCOT’s proposed Batch Zero framework would move large-load interconnections toward a more structured process that gives greater weight to project maturity, readiness, and system impacts.
https://www.seyfarth.com/news-insights/ercots-batch-zero-proposal-and-what-it-means-for-large-load-projects-in-texas.html
Texas Tribune: Gas power leapfrogs wind for first time in 10 years in Texas’ grid connection queue
May 7 — For the last six months, the volume of gas generation in the Texas grid’s interconnection queue — the yearslong waiting list for electric generators wanting to connect to the grid — has surpassed wind. It’s the first time since January 2016 that gas has overtaken wind in the queue, a shift that reflects the policy and economic headwinds facing the wind industry and data centers favoring gas power as they seek to cash in on the artificial intelligence boom.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/07/texas-power-grid-ercot-interconnection-queue-gas-wind/
Reuters: Texas off-grid power build soars as data centers bridge grid delays
May 6 — The development of behind-the-meter (BTM) power generation is booming in Texas as data center developers seek to deploy facilities faster than grid connections can be completed.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/texas-off-grid-power-build-soars-data-centers-bridge-grid-delays–reeii-2026-05-06/
KVUE: Calls to amend Texas private partnership law meant to speed up projects, save money
May 6 — Lawmakers also heard from ERCOT officials about a pilot program that started in 2023 that shifts away from building massive new power plants. Instead, the grid operator is turning to thousands of home batteries and electric vehicles to act as a single, giant virtual power plant.
https://www.kvue.com/article/news/politics/texas-legislature/texas-house-committee-public-private-partnerships-ercot-grid/269-fd19992a-71af-4330-905d-63fd70de5951
Texas Energy and Power Newsletter: Process is Killing Texas Data Center Projects
May 6 — Maura Yates, CEO of Mothership Energy, explains why the binding constraint is contract complexity, not technology.
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/process-is-killing-texas-data-center
Utility Dive: TXU Energy EV charging program could work in other competitive markets: ChargeScape CEO
May 6 — Ford electric vehicle drivers get 15 hours per day of “free” home charging under a special retail plan in Texas. The automaker says it shifted 515 MWh of energy to off-peak periods in 2025.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/txu-energy-ev-charging-program-could-work-in-other-competitive-markets-cha/819483/
Data Center Dynamics: AEP sees contracted capacity surge to 63GW, 90% tied to data centers
May 6 — Due to increased load growth, the utility expanded its capital spending plan by $6 billion to $78bn, primarily to support new transmission and generation projects.
https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/aep-sees/
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Hornet Solar project shares economic impact on Swisher County
May 5 — Hornet Solar, developed by Vesper Energy, announced that in 2025 alone, it contributed more than $5 million to the community and generated 1.5 million megawatt-hours of electricity, according to a company news release.
https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/business/2026/05/05/hornet-solar-project-impacts-swisher-county-west-texas-economy/89935224007/
Dallas Morning News: Time for the nuclear option?
May 4 — Texas is in a historic moment, growing faster than its energy grid can keep up. New families arrive each day as local infrastructure struggles to scale fast enough. Data centers are multiplying at a rate the world has never seen. Oil fields and refineries from Midland to the Gulf Coast anchor our energy economy. And in places like Corpus Christi, water is running out. Texas has never faced a moment as consequential as this, and its infrastructure isn’t ready for it.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-dallas-morning-news/20260504/281638196817057
Victoria Advocate: Louderback takes stance on data center regulations
May 4 — In a statement shared on social media, Louderback said multiple companies have expressed interest in developing data centers at the Port of Victoria, as well as in Bay City, Jackson County and Calhoun County, and emphasized that any projects would be required to supply their own water and power.
https://victoriaadvocate.com/2026/05/04/louderback-takes-stance-on-data-center-regulations/
Houston Public Media: Texas leads nation in utility shutoffs as electric bills rise, federal report finds
March 4 — Texas leads the nation in utilities shutting off electricity and natural gas services to customers who can’t afford their energy bills, according to a report released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/energy-environment/2026/05/04/550798/texas-leads-nation-in-utility-shutoffs-as-electric-bills-rise-federal-report-finds/?amp=1
Williamson County Sun: Power struggle: Neighbors oppose incoming transmission lines
May 4 — Overseen by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and the Public Utility Commission, the transmission lines will bring power from the eastern part of the state to the Permian Basin in West Texas.
https://www.wilcosun.com/news-jarrell-florence-east-williamson-county/power-struggle-neighbors-oppose-incoming-transmission
Dallas Morning News: (Commentary) Time for the nuclear option in Texas?
May 4 — While there is never a single silver-bullet solution, nuclear energy offers Texas a clean, reliable, scalable path to meet energy, water and economic challenges while strengthening our local communities.
https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/time-nuclear-option-texas-22236682.php
HR DRIVE: Oncor Electric could fire employee for publicly disparaging smart meters, DC Circuit Holds
May 1 — Texas-based utility Oncor Electric Delivery Co. did not violate the National Labor Relations Act when it fired a field technician for giving disparaging testimony about its new smart meters during a state senate committee hearing, the District of Columbia U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held April 28.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/oncor-electric-could-fire-employee-154100594.html
Midland Reporter Telegram: Oncor moving quickly to expand West Texas power supplies
May 1 —Long before Permian Basin energy companies began electrifying their operations, and long before data centers and bitcoin miners began eyeing the area, Oncor, the state’s largest energy delivery company, was aware of surging demand in West Texas.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/oncor-moving-quickly-to-expand-west-texas-power-supplies/ar-AA228418
E&E News: $33B transmission build-out leaves Texas ranchers fuming
May 1 — Texas is among a growing list of places with vocal opposition to electricity projects across the country from Maryland to Maine. At issue are both the physical effects of huge towers and miles of power lines as well as questions about compensation and due process.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/33b-transmission-build-out-leaves-texas-ranchers-fuming/
Texas Energy and Power Newsletter: Texas Bets on Speed
April 29 — But as Gin Kinney, chief administrative officer at NRG Energy, told Energy Capital Podcast hosts Matt Boms and Josh Rhodes at CERAweek in Houston this year, the company’s planning horizon has collapsed to 12-18 months.
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/ceraweek
Business Wire: Resilient Structures Expands Houston Facility, Plans Additional Production Lines to Meet Growing Demand
April 29 — The facility, located in Humble, Texas, will support utilities as they strengthen infrastructure to improve reliability in the face of more frequent severe weather. The site will play a key role in ongoing efforts to enhance service reliability for communities across the Gulf Coast region.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260429237355/en/Resilient-Structures-Expands-Houston-Facility-Plans-Additional-Production-Lines-to-Meet-Growing-Demand
Guardian: CEOs of US’s top energy firms averaged nearly 16% pay raise to $12.3m, review finds
April 29 — The US’s top utilities’ CEOs enjoyed a 16% pay raise last year – to an average of $12.3m – even as consumers shoulder the pain from high bills spurred by continuing inflation, the Iran war and datacenter growth, a new review of industry financial documents shows.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/29/energy-ceo-pay-raises-2025
Reuters: Graphic Packaging, NextEra to build 250 MW solar plant in Texas
April 29 — Graphic Packaging Holding said on Wednesday it has signed an agreement with NextEra Energy Resources to build a 250-megawatt solar power plant in Texas, aiming to source renewable electricity and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/graphic-packaging-nextera-build-250-mw-solar-plant-texas-2026-04-29/
Real Clear Energy: It’s Time for Texas to Get Competitive on Transmission Development
April 29 — Texas operates the most competitive wholesale electricity generation market in the United States. Every day, hundreds of power generators compete in ERCOT-run auctions to deliver the cheapest power to homes and businesses. The retail electric market is equally robust, with retail electric providers (REPs) vigorously competing for customers based on price, service, and preferences.
https://www.realclearenergy.org/articles/2026/04/29/its_time_for_texas_to_get_competitive_on_transmission_development_1179778.html
Utility Dive: What load growth demands of resource planning
April 27 — Utilities and grid operators are facing load growth projections that would have seemed implausible just five years ago. For example, as of last November, the Electric Reliability Corporation of Texas (ERCOT) reported that large loads seeking interconnection by 2030 would increase the peak demand served in ERCOT by 142 gigawatts, or nearly tripling its present-day demand.
https://www.utilitydive.com/spons/what-load-growth-demands-of-resource-planning/818035/
Utility Dive: What load growth demands of resource planning
April 27 — Utilities and grid operators are facing load growth projections that would have seemed implausible just five years ago. For example, as of last November, the Electric Reliability Corporation of Texas (ERCOT) reported that large loads seeking interconnection by 2030 would increase the peak demand served in ERCOT by 142 gigawatts, or nearly tripling its present-day demand.
https://www.utilitydive.com/spons/what-load-growth-demands-of-resource-planning/818035/
Rigzone: CenterPoint Targets 8 GW of Data Center Load in 3 Years
April 26 — CenterPoint Energy Inc on Thursday announced plans to energize 8 gigawatts (GW) of generation projects catered to data centers by 2029. The Houston, Texas-based power and gas utility said in its quarterly report it has 12.2 GW of firmly committed industrial load in Greater Houston.
https://www.rigzone.com/news/centerpoint_targets_8_gw_of_data_center_load_in_3_years-26-apr-2026-183533-article/
Fox26: Can Texas’ power grid handle the meteoric rise of AI data centers?
April 24 — Last week, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) presented a six-year forecast of how much power demand they expect in the near future. When the numbers showed a quadrupled peak demand by 2032, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) sent them back to the drawing board.
https://www.fox26houston.com/news/ai-data-centers-texas-power-grid
Business Insider: Big Tech’s AI data centers are pushing the power grid to its limits — and one state is feeling it the most
April 24 — Just last week, Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the Lone Star State’s grid operator, told state regulators that power demand is on track to quadruple by 2032, driven by an unprecedented surge in large data center projects seeking to connect to the grid.
https://www.businessinsider.com/texas-power-grid-demand-data-centers-2026-4
Utility Dive: CenterPoint to energize 8 GW of data center load by 2029
April 23 — Houston is now “firmly established as a location of choice for some of the world’s largest hyperscalers,” CenterPoint CEO Jason Wells said in the company’s first quarter earnings call.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/centerpoint-energy-data-center-load-earnings/818293/
Denton Record-Chronicle: ERCOT says state’s energy demand is growing, but long-term forecast is likely overstated
April 23 — Officials with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas said last week that the state’s energy demand could reach nearly 368 gigawatts by 2032 — enough energy to power more than 73 million homes on a hot summer day or cold winter morning.
https://dentonrc.com/news/state/ercot-says-states-energy-demand-is-growing-but-long-term-forecast-is-likely-overstated/article_ec60419a-a352-4d84-9a72-a645830da07d.html
HillsboroReporter: Texas Data Center Boom Topic Of County Summit
April 23 — Moderated by Carlton Schwab, president of the Texas Economic Development Council, the question-and-answer session featured John Littlefield, president of Southwest Engineers; Larry McManus, from the Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism Division; and Eric Meier, supervisor of Planning Model Administration at ERCOT.
https://hillsbororeporter.com/texas-data-center-boom-topic-of-county-summit-p31596-54.htm
ABC 13 News: Two data centers proposed for Matagorda County, residents pushing back
April 23 — Data centers are large facilities filled with servers that store information people use every day on the internet, fueling AI and the digital data boom.
https://abc13.com/post/data-centers-proposed-matagorda-county-residents-pushing-back/18944946/
KHOU 11: NE Harris County community worried they’ll be left in the dark
April 23 —Residents in a northeast Harris County trailer home community said they’re worried about safety after receiving notice that their neighborhood’s street lights could soon go dark over an unpaid power bill.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/harris-county-community-no-lights/285-b8121f98-7985-4193-bc2d-3b1dc2120b01
Texas Standard: ERCOT forecast raises new questions about Texas power demand
April 22 — ERCOT says Texas electric demand could reach nearly 370,000 megawatts by 2032, quadrupling our current capacity. Much of the projected growth is tied to data centers, raising fresh questions about grid planning — including how many of those centers will actually be built.
https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/today-on-texas-standard-april-22-2026/
KCENTV: Salado residents pack meeting, urged to take action against proposed $2 billion transmission line project
April 22 — Dozens of Central Texans gathered to learn how to file as intervenors with the Public Utility Commission of Texas, a step that would give them a formal voice in the decision-making process for the project.
https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/salado-residents-meeting-urged-take-action-proposed-2-billion-transmission-line/500-a7341e98-64c1-41e5-ac9a-a3dc5a7ae242
Texarkana Gazette: Forecast for Texas electricity demand is being multiplied by data centers and crypto
April 21 — Recently, the existing tension between grid preparedness and aggressive projections has been laid bare by official estimates, with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas filing its newest long-term load forecast last week. The state’s grid operator predicted peak electricity demand surpassing 367 gigawatts by 2032 — more than four times the current all-time peak of 85,508 megawatts recorded in August 2023.
https://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/2026/apr/21/forecast-for-texas-electricity-demand-is-being/
GAS UTILITY and RAILROAD COMMISSION NEWS
WFAA: : Dallas City Council approves higher rate for Atmos customers
May 28 — The rate will increase Dallas residents’ monthly bills by just under $10 per month, according to the council agenda. This comes on top of last year’s increase of almost $8 per month, WFAA previously reported.
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-city-council-approves-another-rate-increase-for-atmos-customers/287-358a9465-6a1f-4baf-949c-2e6e56c1f5d0
Austin American-Statesman: Use Texas Gas agreement to lower utility costs
May 27 — Over the course of the next three months, the City Council will consider the franchise renewal agreement. The last time this occurred was 20 years ago. This is literally a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get longstanding problems corrected.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/austin-american-statesman/20260527/281629606928285
WFAA: Today, the Dallas City Council will decide whether Atmos can increase rates
May 27 — Today, the Dallas City Council will decide whether Atmos can increase rates. The company argues the price hikes are justified.
https://www.wfaa.com/video/news/local/today-the-dallas-city-council-will-decide-whether-atmos-can-increase-rates/287-229dc8f9-d016-4c54-a6d4-10fc0ea29674
The Hill: Paxton-backed French ousts incumbent in Texas Railroad Commission GOP runoff
May 27 — Former Tarrant County GOP chair Bo French is projected to deliver an upset and defeat incumbent Jim Wright in the GOP primary for Texas Railroad Commissioner, according to Decision Desk HQ.
https://thehill.com/homenews/5896011-french-gop-texas-railroad-commission-runoff/
E&E News: Texas oil companies push to fend off far-right bid for regulatory post
May 26 — The Texas Oil and Gas Association has joined Republican officials in backing incumbent Jim Wright over Bo French for a Railroad Commission seat as a closely watched primary runoff arrives.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/texas-oil-companies-push-to-fend-off-far-right-bid-for-regulatory-post/
East Texas News: Overview of state railroad commission presented
May 23 — Though the agency still carries the “railroad commission” name, it no longer regulates railroads. Established in 1891, the commission now oversees oil and gas production, pipelines, critical infrastructure, alternative fuels, natural gas utilities, and surface mining operations across Texas.
https://www.easttexasnews.com/stories/overview-of-state-railroad-commission-presented,90865
Dallas Morning News: Atmos settlement would raise average Dallas residential gas bill by $9.46 monthly
May 22 — The gas company initially sought a $38 million revenue increase from Dallas customers under its annual rate review process, according to a city memo released Friday. That’s equal to a 10.5% increase for a typical residential customer, or roughly $135 per year.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/dallas-city-council-review-atmos-233611177.html
KTRH: CenterPoint Says Natural Gas Smell Across Houston Not Due To System Issues
May 22 — The odor could be smelled up the I-45 corridor into northwest and northeast Harris County. That led to dispatch centers being inundated with calls.
https://ktrh.iheart.com/featured/houston-texas-news/content/2026-05-21-centerpoint-says-natural-gas-smell-across-houston-not-due-to-system-issues/
KHOU: Where is the gas smell across Houston coming from?
May 21 — San Jacinto College also posted about the odor near their north campus. They investigated and determined that facilities are safe at the campus.
https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/houston-gas-smell-thursday-may-21/285-b02e0262-d4f4-4bb6-a1d4-0eb140092a34
KUT News: Bo French talks more about DEI than oil and gas. But he could soon regulate the industry in Texas.
May 20 — Those endorsements, and Wright’s experience in the oil and gas industry, which the Railroad Commission regulates, should have made him the favored Republican in this year’s election for the head of the three-person commission.
https://www.kut.org/politics/2026-05-20/what-the-texas-railroad-commission-race-says-about-state-politics
Texas Tribune: Election for oil regulator becomes battleground for wealthy donors
May 19 — In the GOP runoff for Texas Railroad commissioner, billionaires, big oil companies and trade groups flood the campaign pockets of candidates Jim Wright and Bo French.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/19/texas-railroad-commission-election-2026-billionaire-battleground/
Odessa-American: RC Commissioners assess more than $1.1 million in penalties
May 15 — The Railroad Commission of Texas assessed $1,133,572 in enforcement docket fines against operators and businesses at the Commissioners’ open meeting on Tuesday. The Commission has primary oversight and enforcement of the state’s oil and gas industry and intrastate pipeline safety.
https://www.oaoa.com/local-news/rrc-commissioners-assess-more-than-1-1-million-in-penalties-2/
City of Corpus Christi: City Council Approves Agreements Supporting Proposed Gas Storage Facility
May 12 — The action will authorize the execution of two real estate contracts associated with the proposed project, including approximately 3,021 acres of property over an underground pore space designated for natural gas storage. The acquisition will satisfy a key requirement for pursuing permitting of the facility through the Texas Railroad Commission.
https://www.corpuschristitx.gov/news/posts/city-council-approves-agreements-supporting-proposed-gas-storage-facility/
WFAA: Lake Dallas businesses say ongoing construction, utility work are driving customers away
May 12 — Small business owners in Lake Dallas say months of road closures, utility work and infrastructure repairs are making it difficult for customers to reach their stores and restaurants, leaving some worried about whether they can stay open.
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/denton-county/lake-dallas-businesses-ongoing-construction-utility-work-driving-customers-away/287-521ab720-eee0-4365-8459-fa07d4d2a387
Austin American-Statesman: Once-in-a-generation’ Texas Gas deal weighed City rates have doubled since 2019; critics demand safeguards
May 8 — As gas bills climb across Austin, the City Council approved on first reading Thursday what advisers are calling a “once-in-a-generation” franchise agreement with Texas Gas Service, the utility that serves roughly 95% of Austin’s natural gas customers. But members of the city’s Resource Management Commission have said the proposed 10-year deal does not go far enough to shield customers like Williams from escalating costs.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/austin-american-statesman/20260508/284704803474496
KVUE: Austin council considering deal with Texas Gas Service
May 8 — Austin council members are considering a 10-year franchise agreement with Texas Gas Service despite concerns about increasing bills.
https://www.kvue.com/video/news/local/austin-city-council-deal-texas-gas-services-bill-concerns/269-8c539846-988b-4d3a-b4bd-e36a194efc30
News4SA: Gas leaks top 1,500 across San Antonio area late 2025, experts cite aging infrastructure
May 6 — Two weeks after two homes were destroyed in an explosion on the Northeast Side that sent multiple people to the hospital, new data is raising questions about how often gas leaks are being reported across the region.
https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/gas-leaks-top-1500-across-san-antonio-area-late-2025-experts-cite-aging-infrastructure-texas-investigation-explosions-injuries-homes-preston-hollow-neighborhood-records-railroad-commission
KUT News: Despite anger over bills, Austin considers new contract with Texas Gas Service
May 7 — The Austin City Council is scheduled to vote Thursday on a plan to continue partnering with Texas Gas Service for another 10 years. That’s even though the council and residents have had plenty of complaints about the cost of the service being provided.
https://www.kut.org/austin/2026-05-07/austin-tx-city-council-new-contract-texas-gas-service
Austin American-Statesman: Austin weighs ‘once-in-a-generation’ Texas Gas deal as customers face rising bills
May 7 — The city’s gas rates have doubled since 2019. Some critics say leaders could do more to curb ballooning bills.
https://www.statesman.com/news/local/article/austin-texas-gas-deal-rising-bills-22243150.php
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Anti-Muslim Railroad Commission candidate could tank Texas’ economy | Opinion
May 3 — Consider that the largest refinery in Texas is owned by Saudi Aramco, also known as the Saudi Arabian Oil Company. Rather than sell, the company could simply shut down the refinery, leading to a huge overnight increase in gasoline prices. Other businesses closing could lead to layoffs.
https://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article315581676.html
KSAT: Texas Railroad Commission GOP runoff: Who is running and what to know
April 28 — In the GOP runoff, incumbent Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright is pitching himself as a “proven advocate for Texas energy” who also values “high environmental and safety standards.” Meanwhile, challenger Bo French has cast himself as a “MAGA conservative” who wants “to give Trump the backing he needs” in the energy industry.
https://www.ksat.com/news/texas/2026/04/28/texas-railroad-commission-gop-runoff-who-is-running-and-what-to-know/
The Cool Down: Home explosion linked to decades-old plastic gas pipes that utility company was supposed to replace
April 25 — A doorbell camera captured a head-turning video of a gas explosion in North Texas, and the early investigation shows the blast may be linked to aging and faulty underground pipes.
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-business/video-gas-explosion-north-texas/
Crossroads Today: Pipeline explosion in Edna kills one, injures two in Wednesday afternoon incident
April 23 — Jackson County Sheriff Rick Boone said the Railroad Commission of Texas and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the explosion.
https://www.crossroadstoday.com/news/local-news/pipeline-explosion-in-edna-kills-one-injures-two-in-wednesday-afternoon-incident/article_8ad00a23-1a9e-4117-9e2e-aa3b14f8b8db.html
NBC DFW: Lake Dallas home explosion investigation continues one month later
April 23— A newly released video shows the moment a home exploded in Lake Dallas, trapping a woman inside before neighbors rescued her.
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/lake-dallas-home-explosion-video/4014725/
KDFW: East Texas gas well fire near Etoile expected to burn for days After explosion
April 23 — A natural gas well fire sparked by an explosion in East Texas earlier this week could continue burning for several days as specialized crews work to bring it under control, local officials said.
https://www.fox4news.com/news/east-texas-gas-well-fire-etoile-expected-burn-days-after-explosion
TELECOM AND BROADBAND NEWS
Fierce Network: Here are the latest signs that BEAD is falling apart
May 27 — After a year of rebidding and guidance changes, the U.S. broadband industry breathed a sigh of relief in February when the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced it had approved the vast majority of final state BEAD proposals, opening the door for funding to flow. But just a few months in, it seems cracks in the BEAD program are beginning to show.
https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/bead-already-falling-apart
Progressive Farmer: Rural Broadband Has Come Far, but Gaps Remain
May 27 — Rural home broadband subscriptions jumped from 58% in 2018 to 71% by 2025, according to Pew Research Center. Federal programs poured nearly $47 billion into expansion efforts, with the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program alone providing $42.
https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/business-inputs/article/2026/05/27/rural-broadband-come-far-gaps-remain
Rio Grande Guardian: Brownsville is helping 17 surrounding cities and communities with their broadband needs
May 27 — A $22 million grant the City of Brownsville received from the State of Texas will help bring lightning fast fiber optic broadband to 17 surrounding cities and communities.
https://riograndeguardian.com/stories/cardenas-brownsville-is-going-to-help-17-surrounding-cities-and-communities-with-their-broadband,70777
River Reporter: (Commentary) FCC unleashes satellite broadband expansion
May 25 — A Federal Communications Commission ruling will boost broadband availability for more Americans by expanding satellite network capacity several times over, improving reliability and likely lowering costs. The increased efficiency of satellite networks under the order will also lead to faster speeds for users.
https://www.riverreporter.com/stories/opinion-fcc-unleashes-satellite-broadband-expansion,260838
Telecompetitor: Syntrio to buy fiber assets from Texas electric cooperative
May 22 — Syntrio Solutions LLC is acquiring the fiber-optic assets of Tri-County Electric Cooperative — based in Azle, Texas — to advance fiber deployment in the area. Terms of the deal were not announced.
https://www.telecompetitor.com/syntrio-to-buy-fiber-assets-from-texas-electric-cooperative/
Community Impact: Lower Colorado River Authority to invest billions in power, water, broadband to support growth
May 22 — Plans show power, water and broadband infrastructure development account for $1.8 billion for just FY 2026-27. The funds will come from the authority’s on revenues and debt, with no state appropriations included, a news release states.
https://communityimpact.com/austin/lake-travis-westlake/development/2026/05/22/lower-colorado-river-authority-to-invest-billions-in-power-water-broadband-to-support-growth/
Fierce Network: How will rural broadband providers survive BEAD’s next phase?
May 22 — AI dominated Fiber Connect 2026 in Orlando, but broadband did make it into a few discussions, especially those focused on what’s become of the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Money has started to roll out, which is a good thing, but now smaller broadband operators are facing operational reality, according to Adrian Fitzgerald.
https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/how-will-rural-broadband-providers-survive-beads-next-phase
POTs and PANs: (Commentary) Abandoned Rural Calls
May 21 — I’m hearing an increasing number of stories from rural ISPs and telcos about voice calls that are not completing to their customers. People place a call to customers on a rural network and give up when they don’t hear the phone ringing at the receiving end of the call in a reasonable amount of time. The industry term for this phenomenon is an abandoned call, which generally occurs when the caller assumes the call didn’t work.
https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2026/05/21/abandoned-rural-calls/
Broadband Communities: FCC commits to further improving the National Broadband Map
May 21 — The rural broadband picture in the U.S. is looking up, according to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who recently applauded progress he says is reflected in the agency’s new broadband map.
https://bbcmag.com/fcc-commits-to-further-improving-the-national-broadband-map/
Broadband Breakfast: Bulk Broadband Cuts Gigabit Prices in Half
May 21 — Residents in bulk broadband arrangements pay 50 percent less for gigabit internet service, according to a new study filed Thursday at the Federal Communications Commission.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/study-bulk-broadband-cuts-gigabit-prices-in-half/
Broadband Breakfast: Barrasso Bill Would Increase Broadband Access on Federal Lands
May 21 — The bill, known as the CLOSE THE GAP Act, will limit environmental and historical preservation reviews and expand categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/barrasso-bill-would-increase-broadband-access-on-federal-lands/
Federal Communications Commission: FCC Seeks Comment on TRS Payment Formulas and Funding Requirements
May 22 — On May 22, 2026, the FCC released a Public Notice seeking comment on the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) Fund administrator’s annual report and proposed provider compensation formulas, funding requirements, and contribution factors for the period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
https://www.fcc.gov/consumer-governmental-affairs/fcc-seeks-comment-trs-payment-formulas-and-funding-requirements-2
American Public Power Association: LCRA Commits $1.8 Billion for Power, Water and Broadband
May 21 — The Lower Colorado River Authority recently approved its largest investment plan to date to help Texas keep pace with its continued growth, LCRA said on May 21.
https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/lcra-commits-18-billion-power-water-and-broadband
Broadband Breakfast: Utilities Push Back on FCC’s 30-Day Pole Contractor Approval Rule
May 21 — Contractor backlogs and rising construction costs are holding up broadband deployment on utility poles, major electric utilities told Federal Communications Commission staff.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/utilities-push-back-on-fccs-30-day-pole-contractor-approval-rule/
Benton Institute: NTCA Calls for Accountability and Transparency in Measuring BEAD Performance
May 20 — NTCA urges the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to further advance accountability and transparency in the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program by publicly releasing (or directing Eligible Entities to publish, as applicable) the results of each subgrantee’s performance testing.
https://www.benton.org/headlines/ntca-calls-accountability-and-transparency-measuring-bead-performance
Broadband Breakfast: Texas-Based MSEC Communications Withdraws From Broadband Program
May 20 — The company cited mounting construction and regulatory costs tied to serving the remaining locations in its award area. The Texas-based provider had originally been awarded nearly $4.2 million to deploy broadband service to 9,024 locations.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/msec-communications-withdraws-from-rdof-broadband-program/
Broadband Breakfast: FCC Considers Satellite Changes to Universal Service’s High Cost Fund
May 20 — The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday launched an inquiry into the future of its high-cost universal service programs, signaling an expanded role for low-Earth orbit satellite services.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/fcc-considers-satellite-changes-to-universal-services-high-cost-fund/
StateScoop: The digital divide is shrinking, but ‘there’s still a long way to go’
May 20 — Over the last few years, states have been tasked with deploying an unprecedented level of federal broadband funding, through programs like the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program.
https://statescoop.com/radio/the-digital-divide-is-shrinking-but-theres-still-a-long-way-to-go/
Benton Institute: FCC Proposes Modernization of High-Cost Program
May 20 — The Federal Communications Commission adopted a proposal to examine how the FCC can make some of the Commission’s high-cost support mechanisms more efficient and effective going forward.
https://www.benton.org/headlines/fcc-proposes-modernization-high-cost-program
Broadband Breakfast: Utilities Push Back on FCC’s 30-Day Pole Contractor Approval Rule
May 21 — Electric companies also say true-up invoices are needed when make-ready costs exceed projections.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/utilities-push-back-on-fccs-30-day-pole-contractor-approval-rule/
Public Knowledge: Public Knowledge Warns FCC “Streamlining” Could Undermine Broadband Map Accuracy
May 20 — Today, the Federal Communications Commission voted to adopt a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking claiming to “streamline” the agency’s broadband data collection by reducing the number of ways consumers can challenge providers on coverage claims. The agency collects this broadband data to support its National Broadband Map – a tool designed to help close the digital divide by identifying communities lacking high-speed internet access. Public Knowledge contends that “streamlining” the data collection may also negatively impact the map’s effectiveness.
https://publicknowledge.org/public-knowledge-warns-fcc-streamlining-could-undermine-broadband-map-accuracy/
ProPublica: This Convicted Felon Gets $1 Million a Year to Sell Obsolete Internet Service. You Pay for It.
May 19 — The federal government and phone companies don’t call it a tax — but it acts like one. Carriers must currently contribute 37 cents of every dollar of their interstate and international phone revenues to the fund.
https://www.propublica.org/article/alaska-telecom-subsidies-roger-shoffstall
Broadband Breakfast: Smart Communities Need More than Fiber, They Need Government Engagement
May 18 — A Nebraska fiber provider built a wireless network into every city router that school-issued Chromebooks connect to automatically, turning any home into a homework spot.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/operators-smart-communities-need-more-than-fiber-they-need-government-engagement/
Fierce Network: AI is reshaping fiber demand but operators still face this basic hurdle
May 18 — AI-driven demand is accelerating fiber growth, especially in enterprise and data center connectivity
https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/ai-reshaping-fiber-demand-operators-still-face-basic-hurdle-convincing-customers
Benton Institute: Building on the Bargain: A Responsible Framework for BEAD’s Next Phase
May 18 — The question now is straightforward, and consequential: What comes after the deployment of universal last-mile access?
https://www.benton.org/headlines/building-bargain-responsible-framework-bead%E2%80%99s-next-phase
Broadband Breakfast: BEAD Non-Deployment Funds Could Fund Precision Ag. States Are Still Waiting to Find Out
May 18 — State broadband and agriculture agencies remain siloed despite precision agriculture’s growing connectivity demands, panelists said.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/bead-non-deployment-funds-could-fund-precision-ag-states-are-still-waiting-to-find-out/
State Scoop: First BEAD-funded internet connections go live with fixed wireless towers
May 18 — The two BEAD-funded internet connections in Nebraska and Louisiana signal a shift from the program’s tenuous planning phase to deployment.
https://statescoop.com/first-bead-internet-connections-go-live/
Fierce Network: Fiber’s AI moment: Why the industry’s long buildout is finally paying off
May 18 — For years, the fiber broadband industry has operated with a familiar focus: homes passed, homes connected, incremental expansion. That strategy may have been sufficient during the last wave of network buildout, but with the advent of AI, it’s no longer adequate.
https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/fibers-ai-moment-why-industrys-long-buildout-finally-paying
Axios: An AI hate wave is here
May 17 — The AI hype cycle would have you believe the technology is inevitable. But AI backlash is growing, as people worry it will steal their jobs, jack up electricity rates and further enrich the wealthy, all while hurting the environment.
https://www.axios.com/2026/05/17/ai-backlash-polling-sentiment
Texas Tribune: Texas summer camps have closed, scaled back operations due to state’s new regulations
May 16 — After the deadly July 4 Hill Country floods that killed 27 children and counselors at Camp Mystic, Texas lawmakers required youth camps to implement a slew of new safety requirements, including weather warning systems and having fiber optic internet, and pay thousands of dollars more in licensing fees. While the state has pulled back on the internet requirement for now, the regulations have shaken up the industry, according to multiple camp directors.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/18/texas-summer-camps-closing-state-regulations/
PC Mag: SpaceX to FCC: $4.5B Broadband Program Is Unnecessary. Starlink Has It Covered
May 15 — SpaceX tells the FCC to wind down a program that offers subsidies to ISPs serving rural areas since access ‘has effectively been solved’ with Starlink. Detractors aren’t sure that’s true.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/spacex-to-fcc-45b-broadband-program-is-unnecessary-starlink-has-it-covered
CFX: Trump Signs Rural Broadband Bill
May 13 — President Trump signed the Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 into law on Monday. First introduced in the Senate Commerce Committee back in January 2025, the bill will require the FCC to create a process that evaluates applicants for certain funding programs dedicated to affordable broadband deployment in high-cost areas.
https://www.cablefax.com/regulation/trump-signs-rural-broadband-bill
Benton Institute: The Rural Broadband Protection Act Meets a High-Cost Program at a Crossroads
May 12 — On May 11, 2026, President Trump signed the Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 (S. 98) into law. The new law requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) to screen applicants for high-cost universal service broadband funding before committing funds, and sets minimum financial penalties for applicants who default before receiving funding.
https://www.benton.org/blog/rural-broadband-protection-act-meets-high-cost-program-crossroads
Benton Institute: NTIA Encourages ISPs to Ensure State BEAD Contracts Comply With Agency Priorities
May 11 — The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recently began circulating a document, “BEAD Subgrantees: Protect Your Rights,” that encourages internet service providers (ISPs) to ensure that specific language appears in state contracts for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
https://www.benton.org/blog/ntia-encourages-isps-ensure-state-bead-contracts-comply-agency-priorities
Politico: America’s gamble on satellite broadband gets real
May 11 — Clusters of low-Earth orbit satellites have provided internet access to soldiers on the front lines in Ukraine, to protesters during Iran’s recent internet blackout, and following natural disasters. But the technology is relatively new and unproven, even as it promises to bring high-speed internet to rural and isolated parts of America at a fraction of the cost of laying down fiber cables.
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/digital-future-daily/2026/05/11/americas-gamble-on-satellite-broadband-gets-real-00914362
Broadband Breakfast; South Texas Residents Sue SpaceX Over Alleged Damage Caused by Starship
May 11 — About 80 South Texas homeowners are suing Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX for $10 million, claiming that the 11 test flights from the Starship rocket have repeatedly caused damage to their homes.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/south-texas-residents-sue-spacex-over-alleged-damage-caused-by-starship/
Government Technology: Following House Approval, Senate Takes Up Broadband Access
May 8 — A federal measure to increase Internet access in Appalachia is getting bipartisan support, with the introduction of a Senate bill requiring study of whether broadband can be incorporated into regional projects.
https://www.govtech.com/network/following-house-approval-senate-takes-up-broadband-access
Broadband Breakfast: FCC Pole Attachment Rules Take Effect
May 8 — The order, approved unanimously last July by the Federal Communications Commission, establish new timelines for utilities handling pole attachment requests and streamlined contractor approvals for broadband providers seeking to deploy new networks.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/fcc-pole-attachment-rules-take-effect/
KXAN: Texas comes to an agreement with camps to drop fiber optic internet requirement for 2026 summer
May 7 — Multiple Texas camp directors said they reached an agreement with the state to lower a safety requirement that would have prevented many camps from opening to thousands of children this summer.
https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-comes-to-an-agreement-with-camps-to-drop-fiber-optic-internet-requirement-for-2026-summer/
Benton Institute: NTIA Launches Spectrum.gov, Bringing Transparency to Spectrum Policy
May 7 — The National Telecommunications and Information Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that it is launching Spectrum.gov, which will bring all of NTIA’s spectrum resources for federal spectrum managers, policymakers, industry, and the public under one easy-to-navigate website.
https://www.benton.org/headlines/ntia-launches-spectrumgov-bringing-transparency-spectrum-policy
Broadband Breakfast: The State of Broadband Deployment: Progress, Gaps, and Early Outcomes
May 4 — This session examines where networks are being built, where gaps remain, and how deployment patterns are evolving as funding flows into the market.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/broadband-breakfast-on-may-27-2026-the-state-of-broadband-deployment-progress-gaps-and-early-outcomes/
Texas Tribune: Texas lifts safety rule enacted after deadly flood, clearing the way for some summer camps to reopen
May 5 — Nineteen camps had sued over a regulation that required fiber optic connectivity. An agreement with the state allows sites to operate with other broadband internet service.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/05/05/texas-summer-camps-internet-floods-regulations/
Fierce Network: Court vacates former FCC’s rule on digital equity
May 7 — In the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Congress tasked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with adopting rules to prevent digital discrimination of access to broadband by consumers. The prior FCC under Chair Jessica Rosenworcel sought comment on various ways the agency could implement the statute and adopted a rule accordingly.
https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/court-vacates-former-fccs-rule-digital-equity
ARS Tecnica: Court strikes down FCC anti-discrimination rule opposed by Internet providers
May 6 — An appeals court today struck down federal rules that prohibit discrimination in access to broadband services, delivering a victory to telecom and cable lobby groups. The court ruling was welcomed by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, who voted against the Biden-era rules when they were approved in 2023.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/05/court-strikes-down-fcc-anti-discrimination-rule-opposed-by-internet-providers/
KLBJ: Texas Leaders Push for Waiver on New Broadband Requirement for Camps
May 6 —The issue centers on a recently enacted camp safety law that requires licensed youth camps to maintain redundant internet capabilities, including fiber-optic broadband service, as part of expanded emergency preparedness standards adopted after last year’s deadly flooding disasters.
https://www.newsradioklbj.com/austinlocalnews/texas-leaders-push-for-waiver-on-new-broadband-requirement-for-camps/
Statescoop: Lawmakers consider bill featuring BEAD tracking mandate for Commerce Department
May 5 — The Accelerating Broadband Permits Act joins other federal measures aimed at tackling permitting frustrations plaguing the federal broadband program.
https://statescoop.com/bill-bead-broadband-tracking-mandate-commerce-dept/
Benton Institute: The FCC is Proposing Changes in How it Maps the Digital Divide
May 4 — For more than a decade, federal programs have relied on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) data to answer a deceptively simple question: who has broadband internet access and who does not? The answer determines where billions of dollars in federal infrastructure funding go. Getting it right matters enormously. Getting it wrong means money fails to reach places that need it most.
https://www.benton.org/blog/fcc-proposing-changes-how-it-maps-digital-divide
Fierce Network: Rethinking Broadband With AI and Automation
May 4 — As broadband services become increasingly commoditized, ISPs are facing mounting pressure to differentiate beyond speed and price. Customer experience is emerging as the key battleground. By leveraging AI-driven intelligence, service providers can gain real-time visibility into network performance and subscriber behavior, allowing them to anticipate issues before they impact users.
https://www.fierce-network.com/sponsored/rethinking-broadband-ai-and-automation
Inside Towers: BEAD Awardees Learn History
May 4 — This fall will mark the 5-year anniversary of the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included a program meant to extend internet connectivity to all Americans through the BEAD initiative. During the last four years, state broadband officers have learned about many aspects of infrastructure deployment, including technology, financing and permitting. Now as the BEAD deployment dollars finally roll out, they’re getting an opportunity to learn about history. Not the history of broadband, but the histories of their own states.
https://insidetowers.com/bead-awardees-learn-history/
North Star Monthly: $42 Billion Rural Broadband Program Finally Moves Forward — With Major Questions Still Unresolved
May 2 — The BEAD program is now operational in most states, but billions in unallocated funding, rising costs, and permitting hurdles threaten to slow what was promised as a once-in-a-generation buildout.
https://www.northstarmonthly.com/under_the_same_north_star/42-billion-rural-broadband-program-finally-moves-forward-with-major-questions-still-unresolved/article_475c3698-0103-4277-b9f3-266651420a1f.html
Broadband Breakfast: FCC Proposes to Streamline Broadband Data Collection
May 1 — The commission is set to vote May 20 on proposed changes aimed at streamlining the reporting, audit, and challenge processes that underpin the map. The BDC collects data used to build the National Broadband Map.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/fcc-proposes-to-streamline-broadband-data-collection/
Government Technology: What’s New in Digital Equity: Digital Access Hub for Veterans
April 30 — Plus, a regional partnership launched to expand digital inclusion in Washington, stakeholders have raised concerns about the impacts of the FCC’s proposed E-rate program bidding portal, and more.
https://www.govtech.com/network/whats-new-in-digital-equity-digital-access-hub-for-veterans
NewsWest9: Reeves County receives $15 million grant to expand broadband access
April 30 — Announced Tuesday by county officials, Reeves County has been awarded over $15 million to develop and enhance infrastructure supporting broadband connectivity in rural areas of the state. The award is a product of the Texas Middle Mile Program which aims to expand the the reach of high-speed internet access to rural communities. The county was reportedly one of only four entities to receive an award for the project.
https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/community/reeves-county-15-million-grant-expand-broadband-access/513-e4c9f1eb-bb11-4edc-ad94-8d3610f62426
Fast Company: We obtained nearly 1,000 complaints about SpaceX’s Starlink. Here’s what they reveal
April 29 — The complaints provide a view into how the technology has already evolved into a critical lifeline for some rural U.S. residents. They also provide insight into some of the leading issues that frustrate Starlink customers, including variant—and sometimes disappointing—internet speeds, as well as poor customer service.
https://www.fastcompany.com/91532281/spacex-starlink-fcc-complaints
Permian Proud: Reeves County awarded $15.4M state grant for fiber infrastructure
April 29 —Reeves County received a $15,442,296 grant from the Texas Middle Mile Program to build new broadband infrastructure, according to county officials.
https://permianproud.com/community/reeves-county-awarded-15-4m-state-grant-for-fiber-infrastructure/
Foundation for Defense of Democracies: Data Centers, Telecommunications Networks, and Space-Based Systems
April 29 —The subject of this hearing is timely. Our nation is under attack in cyberspace. Our adversaries increasingly see this as a U.S. vulnerability, and China specifically is conducting “operational preparation of the battlefield” activities as well as espionage and intellectual property theft against our companies and critical infrastructure. At the same time, we appear to be reducing our investments in cyber defense.
https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2026/04/29/data-centers-telecommunications-networks-and-space-based-systems/
KMID: Reeves County secures $15M for broadband infrastructure
April 28 — The Reeves County project represents a total investment of approximately $19.8 million and will support the development of 84.5 miles of open-access, high-capacity fiber infrastructure to address longstanding connectivity gaps in one of the most underserved regions of West Texas.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/reeves-county-secures-15m-broadband-025139248.html
League of Minnesota Cities: House Pulls Broadband Permitting Bill After Local Government Opposition
April 27 — In addition to the League, the coordinated efforts included the National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors.
https://www.lmc.org/news-publications/news/all/federal-update-house-pulls-broadband-permitting-bill-after-local-government-opposition/
Fierce Network: SpaceX doesn’t always get what it wants at the FCC
April 24 — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Thursday denied requests by multiple satellite companies – including SpaceX – for access to spectrum, saying it’s all about enabling the direct-to-device (D2D) market to flourish.
https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/spacex-doesnt-always-get-what-it-wants-fcc
Broadband Breakfast: Local Orgs Happy to See Broadband Permitting Bill Stalled
April 24 — Local organizations were pleased to see a broadband permitting bill pulled from consideration on the House floor earlier this week.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/local-orgs-happy-to-see-broadband-permitting-bill-stalled/
San Angelo Live: PASSED: Pfluger’s Federal Broadband Deployment Act Passed Unanimously in the House
April 23 — Congressman August Pfluger’s (TX-11) Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act was unanimously passed through the U.S. House of Representatives, marking his 11th bill to pass the House this term and a major step forward for improving transparency and efficiency in the broadband deployment process, and helping close the digital divide for rural Americans.
https://sanangelolive.com/news/politics/2026-04-23/passed-pflugers-federal-broadband-deployment-act-passed-unanimously-house#google_vignette
Odessa American: Pfluger’s Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act passed unanimously in the House
April 23 — Pfluger’s bipartisan Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to submit a comprehensive plan to Congress within 180 days detailing how the agency will track permit applications for deploying broadband on federal lands. This will streamline projects to expand broadband access and help close the digital divide for communities in rural America.
https://www.oaoa.com/local-news/government/pflugers-federal-broadband-deployment-tracking-act-passed-unanimously-in-the-house/#google_vignette
Rio Grande Guardian: Brownsville is creating the framework for greater regional connectivity
April 23 — The City of Brownsville developed a public-private partnership with Omni Fiber. The private company provides what is termed the Last Mile of service. The funding from the Texas Broadband Development Office will help with the city’s Middle Mile program.
https://riograndeguardian.com/stories/guard-brownsville-is-creating-the-framework-for-greater-regional-connectivity,66705
NBC 23: Pharr approves fiber optic ordinance for new buildings, internet providers speak out
April 23 — On April 20, the city commissioners unanimously approved the existing fiber-optic ordinance. According to the city agenda, the commissioners believe modern fiber optics are a needed public utility, which will support economic development, emergency response and education.
https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/pharr-approves-fiber-optic-ordinance-for-new-buildings-internet-providers-speak-out/
Pots & Pans: The Push for Permitting Reform
April 17 — The bill first started with the goal of making it easier to get permits for BEAD and other federally grant-funded projects, but the bill has grown to encompass all local and state permitting for telecommunications infrastructure.
https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2026/04/27/the-push-for-permitting-reform/