TELECOM AND BROADBAND NEWS
Benton Institute: BEAD Isn’t Over Yet: What Happens After Final Approval?
Sept. 30 — With all 50 states now having approved BEAD Final Proposals, the program is moving from planning to execution—but the process is far from settled.
https://www.benton.org/event/bead-isnt-over-yet-what-happens-after-final-approval
Broadband Breakfast: BEAD Enters Cleanup Phase With More Broadband Gaps to Fill
Sept. 30 — Broadband policy expert Carol Mattey says the next round of funding could roll out in nine months
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/bead-enters-cleanup-phase-with-more-broadband-gaps-to-fill/
Roll Call: Senators press administration for answers on broadband funds
Sept. 29 —A bipartisan group of senators is pushing the Commerce Department to release long-delayed guidance for states seeking to use remaining funds from a $42 billion broadband grant program.
https://rollcall.com/2026/09/29/senators-press-adminstration-for-answers-on-broadband-funds/
Benton Institute: The State of AI in Rural Broadband: Findings from 132 Providers
Sept. 29 — AI is moving from a future consideration for rural broadband to a critical tool for operators in record time. This webinar unpacks the 2026 Rural Broadband State of AI study, a first-of-its-kind report drawn directly from 132 rural broadband providers on where they stand with AI adoption, what’s holding them back, and where they expect the most value.
https://www.benton.org/event/state-ai-rural-broadband-findings-132-providers
Benton Institute: Assessing the ‘Land Grab’ in the U.S. Fiber Market: Who’s Next?
Sept. 28 — An analysis of Ookla Speedtest data from almost 1,700 fixed internet providers in the U.S. in the first half of 2026 turned up roughly 500 internet service providers that show likely fiber network characteristics
https://www.benton.org/headlines/assessing-%E2%80%98land-grab%E2%80%99-us-fiber-market-who%E2%80%99s-next
Communications Daily: Experts Say Regulation Is Required to Reach Universal Service Goal
Sept. 28 — Both state and federal governments need to use regulation, not just subsidies, to reach the goal of universal service, experts said Thursday during an event hosted by the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.
https://communicationsdaily.com/article/2026/09/28/experts-say-regulation-is-required-to-reach-universal-service-goal-2609250047
KJAS: Southeast Texas residents asked to share broadband needs in five-minute survey
Sept. 26 — The South East Texas Regional Planning Commission is asking residents to help identify gaps in internet service across the region by completing a short broadband survey.
https://www.kjas.com/community/civic_events/article_4c0dd400-f897-4b9c-b99a-ffbef3636aa8.html
NewsWest9: Nearly 900 student rural households have access to internet thanks to broadband projects
Sept. 25 — Student households in Grant and Hidalgo counties will finally have access to broadband internet.
https://www.newswest9.com/video/news/local/rural-household-students-broadband-projects/513-fa1ca225-8b4a-45b0-ba66-8b7103e26de2
Benton Institute: An Evolving Digital Divide: Measuring and Understanding Mobile-Dependent Households
Sept. 25 — Despite unprecedented broadband investment, the share of U.S. households relying solely on cellular data and mobile devices, or mobile-dependent households, increased from 11.9 to 14.1 percent between 2019 and 2024.
https://www.benton.org/headlines/evolving-digital-divide-measuring-and-understanding-mobile-dependent-households
Benton Institute: (Commentary) The Internet is Essential Infrastructure. We Should Govern It Accordingly.
Sept. 24 — Broadband customers enjoy none of the common carrier protections that once applied to the landline telephone service high-speed internet replaced. Mobile data sits largely outside the statute’s reach. We need a new law that governs communications as we use them now, not as they existed when America Online told us, “You’ve got mail.”
https://www.benton.org/headlines/internet-essential-infrastructure-we-should-govern-it-accordingly
Broadband Breakfast: Broadband Progress Hasn’t Closed the Digital Divide, Analysts say
Sept. 23 — A major telecom law passed 30 years ago is running into modern problems.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/broadband-progress-hasnt-closed-the-digital-divide-analysts-say/
ARS Technica: Cities across US oppose Trump FCC plan to preempt local broadband rules
Sept. 22 — Cities and counties around the US are angry at the Trump administration over a proposal to override local rules that govern the deployment of wired broadband networks.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/09/cities-across-us-oppose-trump-fcc-plan-to-preempt-local-broadband-rules/
IPM News: Federal delays are holding up $21 billion for rural internet projects, as states wait for guidance
Sept. 22 — State officials are waiting for guidance on how they can spend billions of federal dollars earmarked for rural broadband projects.
https://ipmnewsroom.org/federal-delays-are-holding-up-21-billion-for-rural-internet-projects-as-states-wait-for-guidance/
Broadband Breakfast: BEAD Projects Clear Federal Review Faster, Then Hit Poles and Roads
Sept. 18 — Louisiana has cut federal reviews to days, Kansas is reshuffling one-third of its awarded locations, and Virginia says utility poles and rights-of-way are now the biggest delays.
https://broadbandbreakfast.com/permitting-update-bead-projects-clear-federal-review-faster-then-hit-poles-and-roads/
Broadband Communities: BEAD’s unspent billions will deliver broadband to additional locations
Sept.15 — Over $21 billion clawed back during Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s Benefit of the Bargain initiative for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program can now be used to address more locations unserved by broadband, NTIA announced this month.
https://bbcmag.com/beads-unspent-billions-will-deliver-broadband-to-additional-locations/
National Association of Counties: NTIA Announces Planned Use of Portion of Remaining BEAD Funds
Sept. 14 — Counties remain in support of federal policies and program that help close the digital divide by subsidizing the deployment of high-speed broadband infrastructure in unconnected and underserved areas.
https://www.naco.org/news/ntia-announces-planned-use-portion-remaining-bead-funds
ELECTRIC UTILITY AND ERCOT NEWS
Latitude Media: ERCOT batteries: Boom, bust, or rebound?
Oct. 1 — It’s been a wild few years for grid-scale batteries in Texas. At the start of the decade, the Lone Star State was home to roughly 200 megawatts of battery capacity. Today, that number has skyrocketed to seventeen gigawatts…with at least five more gigawatts expected to come online by the end of 2026.
https://www.latitudemedia.com/news/catalyst-ercot-batteries-boom-bust-or-rebound/
The Texas Cool Down: As millions of Texans crank up AC, grid demand hits a record 91.1 gigawatts
Sept. 30 — Millions of Texans came home on July 21, turned on the lights, and cranked up the air conditioning — and in the process pushed the state’s power grid into record territory. On July 22, demand climbed even higher, underscoring how quickly extreme summer heat can strain the systems people rely on to stay safe and comfortable.
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/texas-power-grid-demand-record-july-heat/
Texas Scorecard: Sharp Profit Spikes For Utilities Draw National Attention
Sept. 30 — A research institute attributes spikes like those from Oncor and CenterPoint to a wider national issue of utility monopolies and malleable government oversight.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/sharp-profit-spikes-for-utilities-draw-national-attention/
Renewable Energy World: (Commentary) Competitive transmission in Texas could save ratepayers billions
Sept. 30 — ERCOT’s 2024 and 2025 Regional Transmission Plans outline about $36 billion in estimated costs for the Strategic Transmission Expansion Plan (STEP), which includes a new 765-kilovolt “backbone.” Transmission charges already make up as much as 15% of a typical residential bill in ERCOT, and they have risen about 34% in the past two years. The study notes that under current Texas law, new transmission is generally assigned to incumbent utilities through a right-of-first-refusal framework, meaning these projects would be built without competitive bidding.
https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/power-grid/transmission/competitive-transmission-in-texas-could-save-ratepayers-billions/
Texas Energy and Power Newsletter: How far can batteries stretch Texas transmission?
Sept. 30 — Chase Dowling, founding power systems engineer at Base Power, on why siting matters more than volume for Texas’s data center boom, and what it means for new transmission.
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/how-far-can-batteries-stretch-texas
Inside Climate News: Meta Announces Large Solar Purchase Agreement in Texas, But It’s Powering Some Data Centers With Gas
Sept. 30 — The new solar project is less than half the size of a gas plant planned for Meta’s El Paso data center.
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/30092026/meta-texas-solar-purchase-smaller-than-data-center-gas-plant/
Sierra Club: Texas Energy Policy Updates: ERCOT CEO Salary, Data Centers, Transmission
Sept. 29 — Energy affordability is on everyone’s mind these days. From rising electricity costs – a recent study by TEPRI found that average residential electricity prices in ERCOT’s deregulated market rose by about 30 percent between 2020 and 2025 – to high gas and diesel prices – Texans are feeling the pinch.
https://www.sierraclub.org/texas/blog/2026/09/texas-energy-policy-updates-ercot-ceo-salary-data-centers-transmission
Data Center Dynamics: Beyond power availability: What makes a data center project power-ready
Sept. 28 — For years, data center developers approached power as a question of availability: How much capacity could a utility provide, where could it provide it, and when could it be delivered? As demand accelerated and capacity tightened, those questions began reshaping site selection.
https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/marketwatch/beyond-power-availability-what-makes-a-data-center-project-power-ready/
CBS Austin: New coalition to release records, seek pause on Texas data center water deals
Sept. 28 — A new statewide coalition is set to launch at the Texas Capitol this morning, saying it plans to release public records it believes raise questions about how water is being negotiated and committed for data-center development across the state.
https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/new-coalition-to-release-records-seek-pause-on-texas-data-center-water-deals
The Cool Down: Houston customers break down electric bills, find CenterPoint eating up to 41% of bills
Sept. 28 — Houston customers who examined their electric bills found that CenterPoint’s power delivery charges, not just the electricity they used, are making up a surprisingly large part of the monthly total.
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-business/centerpoint-electric-bills-houston-customers/
CBS19: Abbott pauses new Texas data center permits as state studies water and power use
Sept. 27 — ERCOT, the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Texas Water Development Board are collecting information on electricity and water use.
https://www.cbs19.tv/video/news/local/abbott-pauses-new-texas-data-center-permits-as-state-studies-water-and-power-use/501-7084d517-7254-40ce-a801-2c9dbcbbcdaf
Texas Energy and Power Newsletter: Solar Funds Clawed Back
Sept. 27 — Earlier this week, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to stop issuing data center permits until the ERCOT and Texas Water Development Board audits are complete. That covers the behind-the-meter projects that bypass grid approval and applies to parts of the state outside ERCOT that his August grid moratorium missed.
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/solar-funds-clawed-back-reading-and
White & Case: PUCT sets financial commitments for data center interconnection as governor pauses permit approvals
Sept. 25 — The new rule materially departs from the more stringent early capital requirements by replacing the non-refundable interconnection fee of $50,000 per MW with size-tiered study charges paired with an initial flat $100,000 fee.
https://www.whitecase.com/insight-alert/puct-sets-financial-commitments-data-center-interconnection-governor-pauses-permit
Texas Scorecard: Texans Raise Concerns Regarding ERCOT’s Transmission Line Models
Sept. 25 — In a letter sent Tuesday to ERCOT Chief Operating Officer Woody Rickerson, Buckley detailed the questions he had regarding the models, which essentially amounted to why they were so different from one another and whether or not the lines were justified under the more recent model.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/texans-raise-concerns-regarding-ercots-transmission-line-models/
Greater Houston Partnership: CENTERPOINT SECURES $50M TO IMPROVE HOUSTON GRID RESILIENCY
Sept. 25 — Recipients are expected to rebuild or upgrade more than 1,500 miles of transmission lines and deploy grid-enhancing technology across nearly 21,000 miles. The DOE says the improvements will make more than 23 gigawatts of additional electricity capacity available.
https://www.houston.org/news/centerpoint-secures-50m-to-improve-houston-grid-resiliency/
T&D World: CenterPoint Energy Selected for $50 Million DOE Grant to Modernize Greater Houston’s Electric Grid
Sept. 25 — Through the DOE-funded project, CenterPoint Energy plans to install Siemens Energy’s transmission grid-stabilizing technology, which can respond rapidly to changes in electricity demand and help maintain reliable service for customers.
https://www.tdworld.com/transmission-reliability/news/55407869/centerpoint-energy-selected-for-50-million-doe-grant-to-modernize-greater-houstons-electric-grid
Texas Energy & Power Newsletter: Regulators need to get comfortable with bragawatts
Sept. 24 — That gap, the one ERCOT revealed with batch zero and the one Exelon calculated, is what we in the industry now call bragawatts. That is, announced capacity that may never get built. While the word captures the imagination (it is quite catchy), it isn’t a true reflection of what is actually going on. Bragawatts are not lies. Bragawatts are a predictable result of a rush to get an option on scarce grid capacity. A queue position is not a lie.
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/regulators-need-to-get-comfortable
Texas Scorecard: State Rep. Calls on USDA Secretary for Help With Controversial 765-kV Transmission Project
Sept. 24 — State Rep. Brad Buckley said ERCOT’s 765-kV transmission lines “trample private property rights to advance a radical climate agenda.”
https://texasscorecard.com/state/state-rep-calls-on-usda-secretary-for-help-with-controversial-765-kv-transmission-project/
Inside Climate News: Texas Electric Utility Only Considered Gas to Power $10 Billion Meta Data Center
Sept. 24 — Administrative judges recommend approval of the gas power plant if the utility assures ratepayers won’t pay the cost.
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/24092026/el-paso-electric-only-considered-gas-to-power-meta-data-center/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/french-faces-republican-divide-over-202058352.html
KPRC: Houston could see boost from $5.25B national investment to strengthen power grid
Sept. 24 — DOE officials will join CenterPoint Energy leadership in Houston the same day to make what both organizations described as a “major announcement” related to efforts to build a stronger, more resilient energy future for the Greater Houston region — a direct signal that Texas projects are among the 31 grid-improvement projects selected as part of DOE’s SPARK initiative.
https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/09/24/federal-grid-funding-coming-to-texas-as-doe-centerpoint-energy-hold-joint-houston-announcement/
Spectrum News: Texas data centers face a growing demand for power
Sept. 23 — Artificial intelligence is driving demand for new data centers, and those facilities can require enormous amounts of electricity.
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/rochester/news/2026/09/23/texas-data-centers-face-a-growing-demand-for-power
PV Magazine: Solar growth accelerates in ERCOT and MISO as data centers drive demand
Sept. 22 — U.S. solar generation is expected to rise sharply through 2027 as electricity demand reaches record levels, with much of the growth concentrated in Texas and the Midwest.
https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/09/22/solar-growth-accelerates-in-ercot-and-miso-as-data-centers-drive-demand/
KFOX: Gov. Abbott broadens moratorium on data center approvals to include environmental permits
Sept. 22 — Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on Monday to stop issuing new permits for data centers, strengthening his moratorium on the industry’s development in Texas.
https://kfoxtv.com/newsletter-daily/gov-abbott-broadens-moratorium-on-data-center-approvals-to-include-environmental-permits-09-22-2026
Utility Dive: Texas PUC adopts softened rules on data center interconnection
Sept. 21 — The Public Utility Commission of Texas backed off the standards it proposed in March, eliminating a non-refundable interconnection fee and extending energization milestone deadlines.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/texas-puc-adopts-data-center-interconnection-rules/830899/
ERCOT: ERCOT Launches Podcast
Sept. 21 — ERCOT PowerCast will release monthly episodes in both audio and video formats beginning in 2027. Episodes will be available on ercot.com and popular podcast content channels, including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Amazon Music.
https://www.ercot.com/news/release/09212026-revised-ercot-launches
Texas Tribune: Gov. Greg Abbott broadens moratorium on data center approvals to include environmental permits
Sept, 21 — Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on Monday to stop issuing new permits for data centers, strengthening his moratorium on the industry’s development in Texas.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/21/texas-data-center-moratorium-water-energy/
Houston Public Media: Gov. Abbott orders TCEQ to pause environmental permits for data centers until audit is complete
Sept. 21 — The state’s power grid managers are seeking information about these projects’ energy and water usage.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/energy-environment/2026/09/21/562389/gov-abbott-orders-tceq-to-pause-environmental-permits-for-ai-crytocurrency-data-centers-until-audit-is-complete/
CBS News: Gov. Abbott pauses new data center permits until water, power audit complete
Sept. 21 — On Monday, the governor directed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to stop issuing new permits until ERCOT, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and The Water Development Board (TWDB) complete an audit of new data centers.
https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-gov-greg-abbott-pause-new-data-center-permits-sept-21-2026/
The Cool Down: Texas ERCOT CEO drops multiyear pay deal after Dan Patrick rebukes the package
Sept. 20 — A proposed multiyear pay package for the head of Texas’ power grid operator has been put on hold after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick publicly criticized it. The dispute raises new questions about accountability as households continue to face higher electricity bills.
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-business/texas-ercot-ceo-contract-dispute-dan-patrick/
The Cool Down: CenterPoint confirms customer data breach after hacker leaks alleged 7.49 million records
Sept. 20 — The person claiming responsibility, using the alias “4d722e4d656f77,” told BleepingComputer earlier this month that they took 7.49 million customer records. The alleged records include customer names, phone numbers, service and billing addresses, account numbers, billed amounts, and partial Social Security numbers. CenterPoint Energy is based in Houston and serves about 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/centerpoint-confirms-customer-data-breach-003900265.html
Holland & Knight: Texas Governor Expands Regulatory Pressure on Data Center Development
Sept. 17 — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest directive signals increased regulatory pressure on data center development in the Lone Star State. On September 14, 2026, Gov. Abbott directed the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to “use its statutory authority to compel major water users to comply with water use reporting requirements and to impose legal consequences for past and future failure to comply with state law.”
https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2026/09/texas-governor-expands-regulatory-pressure-on-data-center-development
Texas Tribune: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls on ERCOT to reverse 30% pay raise for board members
Sept. 17 — On the same day the Electric Reliability Council of Texas’ board of directors moved to nearly double its CEO’s salary, board members also signed off on a 30% pay bump for themselves, according to newly disclosed information about the raises.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/17/texas-dan-patrick-ercot-board-pay-increase/
Texas Scorecard: Lt. Gov. Patrick Loses ‘Confidence and Trust’ In ERCOT Chairman
Sept. 17 — Proposed higher pay for ERCOT CEO would have come as reports show continued increases in residential electric bills.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/lt-gov-patrick-loses-confidence-and-trust-in-ercot-chairman/
CBS Austin: POLL: Are you concerned about the Texas power grid?
Sept. 17 — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), has faced scrutiny in recent years following major grid failures, including the deadly Winter Storm Uri in February 2021, as well as periodic conservation appeals during summer heat waves.
https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/poll-are-you-concerned-about-the-texas-power-grid
Texas Tribune: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls on ERCOT to reverse 30% pay raise for board members
Sept. 17 — Patrick has also rebuked ERCOT’s board for approving and then backtracking on a contract that would allow ERCOT’s CEO to earn $6.4 million in 2027.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/17/texas-dan-patrick-ercot-board-pay-increase/
CBS Austin: ERCOT group meets in Austin to plan for AI, data center power demand on grid
Sept. 17 — Texas power officials are meeting in Austin this morning to grapple with a growing challenge: how to connect massive new electricity users tied to AI and data centers without overloading the grid during peak demand and emergencies.
https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/ercot-group-meets-in-austin-to-plan-for-ai-data-center-power-demand-on-grid
Texas Energy and Power Newsletter: Everything moving on the Texas grid
Sept. 16 — Michael Webber on the 765 kV remand, the case nobody has made for AI, and why he thinks building more is the cheaper option.
https://www.texasenergyandpower.com/p/everything-moving-on-the-texas-grid
CW39: CenterPoint Energy says some customer information was in data breach
Sept. 16 — According to an SEC filing made by the Houston-based utility, CenterPoint learned that a third party claimed online to have accessed data containing customer information.
https://cw39.com/news/business/centerpoint-energy-data-breach-confirmed/amp/
KVUE: ERCOT backs away from $6.4M CEO contract after Lt. Gov. Patrick criticism
Sept. 16 — ERCOT backs away from a $6.4 million CEO contract after criticism from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
https://www.kvue.com/video/news/local/texas/ercot-backs-away-from-64m-ceo-contract-after-lt-gov-patrick-criticism/269-beb99316-3f48-4e24-87ed-b4f0e4cfd445
The Hill: Abbott orders penalties for Texas data centers that fail to report water use
Sept. 16 — The governor’s office said that some major water users, including data centers, appear to have violated state law by failing to provide required information about their water use. Abbott directed the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to impose legal consequences for past and future reporting failures.
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/6091529-abbott-texas-data-centers-water-use/
KHOU11: CenterPoint Energy confirms a customer data breach
Sept. 15 — CenterPoint Energy says they are working to investigate exactly how a customer data breach occurred and what data was compromised.
https://www.khou.com/video/news/local/centerpoint-energy-confirms-a-customer-data-breach/285-50582b1d-4ec8-4c0e-920d-3a84405080c1
The Texas Tribune: ERCOT quickly backtracks after approving contract that would let CEO earn $6.4 million in 2027
Sept. 15 — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick balked at the contract two boards approved for Pablo Vegas. The ERCOT chief said officials then decided not to execute the deal.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/15/texas-ercot-energy-grid-ceo-salary-prices/
Utility Dive: ‘Second-life’ battery project is B2U’s second in ERCOT, with more on the way
Sept. 15 — A strategic supply agreement with Waymo and rising EV adoption rates will expand the company’s access to older batteries still fit for use in stationary storage, CEO Freeman Hall said.
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/second-life-battery-project-is-b2us-second-in-ercot-with-more-on-the-wa/830409/
KERA News: ERCOT to survey more than 400 data centers as part of Gov. Abbott’s audit
Sept. 14 — The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, which manages the state’s main power grid, said data centers will have until mid-October to complete the roughly 130-question survey. The survey includes questions about “financial assistance, power self-sufficiency, water and cooling, community impact, and ownership,” according to ERCOT.
https://www.keranews.org/texas-news/2026-09-14/ercot-to-survey-more-than-400-data-centers-as-part-of-gov-abbotts-audit
The Texas Tribune: Gov. Greg Abbott orders Texas water agency to penalize data centers that don’t report their water usage
Sept 14 — Last year, less than 30% of data centers responded to a state-mandated water usage survey conducted by the Texas Water Development Board.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/14/texas-data-centers-abbott-water-survey-enforcement/
Spectrum News: Dallas ranks No. 1 for data centers, report says
Sept. 14 — Real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield says for the first time, Dallas is the No. 1 data center location in the world.
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/austin/news/2026/09/14/dallas-ranks-high-data-center-market
Houston Chronicle: CenterPoint energy hit with multiple proposed class actions over alleged data breach
Sept. 13 — Three lawsuits were filed last week against CenterPoint in federal court by the Florida law firm Shamis and Gentile, which is representing customers Laurie Eirwin, Latoya Wyche and Christa Floyd. The company is facing two other lawsuits in federal court filed by Dallas law firm Lippe and Associates, which is representing customers Joyce Curry and Nathaniel Sonia.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/centerpoint-energy-hit-multiple-proposed-235213317.html
San Antonio Current: After public pressure, Texas OKs more 765 lines, directing companies to work with landowners
Sept. 12 — The Public Utility Commission voted to greenlight some proposals to build first-of-their-kind transmission lines after approving two massive lines last month.
https://www.sacurrent.com/news/texas-news/after-public-pressure-texas-oks-more-765-lines-directing-companies-to-work-with-landowners/
KPRC: Data centers are coming to Texas. What could it mean for your electric bill, water and neighborhood?
Sept. 11 — Now, as Texas prepares for a major expansion of data centers — including larger facilities designed to support artificial intelligence — many people have questions about what that growth could mean for their communities.
https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/09/09/data-centers-are-coming-to-texas-what-could-they-mean-for-your-electric-bill-water-and-neighborhood/
The Texas Tribune: After public pressure, Texas OKs more 765 lines, directing companies to work with landowners
Sept. 11 — The Public Utility Commission voted to greenlight some proposals to build first-of-their-kind transmission lines after approving two massive lines last month.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/11/transmission-lines-landowners-oil-industry-outcry/
Energy & Policy Institute; Two of Texas’ biggest investor-owned utilities record a big boost in profits during the second quarter of 2026
Sept. 10 — Two of Texas’ biggest transmission and distribution utilities reported sharply higher profits in the second quarter of 2026. Dallas-based Oncor Electric Delivery Company and CenterPoint Energy’s Texas subsidiary reported a 65% and 43% increase in profits respectively, for the three months ending June 30, compared to the same period in 2025.
https://energyandpolicy.org/two-of-texas-biggest-investor-owned-utilities-record-a-big-boost-in-profits-during-the-second-quarter-of-2026/
Texas Scorecard: Top Regulator Recommends Remanding Transmission Project to Administrative Law Judges
Sept. 10 — Thomas Gleeson wrote judges did not address questions of state and federal standards and congestion cost savings.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/top-regulator-recommends-remanding-transmission-project-to-administrative-law-judges/
GAS UTILITY and RAILROAD COMMISSION NEWS
Oil Price: CenterPoint Closes $2.62 Billion Sale of Ohio Gas Utility
Oct. 1 — CenterPoint Energy has closed the previously announced $2.62 billion sale of its Ohio natural gas utility business to National Fuel Gas Company, completing another step in the Texas-based utility’s effort to concentrate investment on its core regulated operations.
https://finance.yahoo.com/energy/articles/centerpoint-closes-2-62-billion-145256645.html
Dallas Morning News: French faces Republican divide over disparaging posts in statewide Texas race
Sept. 30 — Republican state Rep. Angie Chen Button of Garland said Wednesday she will not vote for her party’s nominee for the Texas Railroad Commission, Bo French.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/french-faces-republican-divide-over-202058352.html
Texas Scorecard: as Railroad Commissioner Praises Trump’s Rollback of Fuel Economy Standards
Sept. 30 — The U.S. Department of Transportation finalized the new standards under its “Freedom Means Affordable Cars” initiative. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the new standards would achieve a fleetwide average fuel economy target of 34.9 miles per gallon by the 2031 model year, down from the Biden administration’s 50.4 mpg target.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/texas-railroad-commissioner-praises-trumps-rollback-of-fuel-economy-standards/
The Hill: (Commentary) Trump, Republicans refuse to pull endorsement of Bo French — why?
Sept. 29 — If you are a person running for elected office in Texas, of all places, and you repeatedly use the language of hanging and public execution against political opponents, including a Black former president, that should be problematic for everyone.
https://thehill.com/opinion/lindseys-lens/6118168-bo-french-racist-rhetoric-controversy/
Rio Grande Guardian: Rosenthal: Texas Railroad Commission Needs an Engineer, Not Culture Wars
Sept. 29 — Speaking at the Northern Cameron County Democrats’ “Meet the Candidates Forum” at the La Sierra Event Center on September 26, the Houston Democrat argued that the powerful state agency—which regulates the state’s massive oil and gas industry rather than rail transportation—requires technical leadership to tackle environmental and public safety challenges.
https://riograndeguardian.com/stories/rosenthal-texas-railroad-commission-needs-an-engineer-not-culture-wars,85350
WFAA: Atmos Energy contractor in critical condition after gas explosion in Dallas Design District
Sept. 28 — An Atmos Energy contractor is hospitalized in critical condition following an overnight gas explosion while inspecting lines at a Dallas Design District apartment.
https://www.wfaa.com/video/news/local/dallas-county/atmos-energy-contractor-in-critical-condition-after-gas-explosion-in-dallas-design-district/287-3c559e32-81aa-4c0d-9ffc-6bae6d5ec88e
KERA NEWS: 2 Atmos Energy contract workers hospitalized in pipe explosion days after Dallas apartment gas leak
Sept. 28 — Dallas Fire-Rescue says a contractor was pressure testing a gas line near 1200 Turtle Creek Boulevard when the line exploded during the process. The incident happened at the Alexan Riveredge Apartments, where hundreds of residents had been displaced by a separate gas leak more than a week earlier.
https://www.keranews.org/energy-environment/2026-09-28/2-atmos-energy-contract-workers-hospitalized-in-pipe-explosion-days-after-dallas-apartment-gas-leak
The Cool Down: Texas resident gets $20,000 gas bill, sees usage 60 times higher, and shuts off autopay
Sept. 26 — One reply focused on safety instead of billing, warning that a real spike could mean a leak. That commenter told the resident to call the emergency line and make sure that their carbon monoxide detectors were working.
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-home/texas-resident-gas-bill-autopay-shut-off/
The Texas Tribune: Jon Rosenthal says he and Bo French agreed to first major debate between Texas statewide candidates
Sept. 25 — The debate, which has not been confirmed by French, would be his first major public event since he attracted criticism over racist posts about UT students.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/09/25/bo-french-jon-rosenthal-debate-texas-railroad-commissioner/
KDH News: Railroad commissioner: Oil industry must strengthen defenses against cyber attacks
Sept. 24 — Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian is urging the Texas oil and natural gas industry to strengthen its defenses against cyberattacks.
https://kdhnews.com/news/texas/railroad-commissioner-oil-industry-must-strengthen-defenses-against-cyber-attacks/article_d950653b-a03e-5ef7-a575-ca9a5b26fbbe.html
Public Citizen: Public Citizen Comments to the Texas House Committee on Energy Resources Regarding the Railroad Commission’s Elimination of Public Comment Opportunities
Sept. 15 — On behalf of 30,000 members and supporters in Texas, Public Citizen’s Texas office appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on the proposed elimination of public comment from Railroad Commission (RRC) hearings. We believe the recommendations below, namely changing the name of the commission to more accurately reflect its mission and keeping public comment will ensure that there is a robust and healthy public participation process that is necessary for a functioning government.
https://www.citizen.org/article/public-citizen-comments-to-the-texas-house-committee-on-energy-resources-regarding-the-railroad-commissions-elimination-of-public-comment-opportunities/
Denton Record-Chronicle: Senate, Texas Railroad Commission races remain tight less than month before early voting
Sept. 23 — A pair of polls just released suggest that many of the midterm elections in Texas could be heading for a photo finish, with Republicans in danger of losing at least one statewide contest to Democrats for the first time in more than 30 years.
https://dentonrc.com/elections/poll-senate-texas-railroad-commission-races-remain-tight-less-than-month-before-early-voting/article_86e2741a-dbb7-458c-b909-084ec81df608.html
Houston Chronicle: Bo French wants to ‘kick’ Islam out of Texas energy as Railroad Commissioner. Can he?
Sept. 23 — French made waves this month when he posted a photo of non-white students at a UT football game and suggested they did not belong at the school. He has since doubled down on the position, even in the face of Republican criticism.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/bo-french-wants-kick-islam-170457352.html
BusinessWire: (Press Release) SiEnergy Reaches Settlement in Texas General Rate Case
Sept. 23 — If approved, the settlement would resolve all items in the general rate case. It provides for an $8.6 million increase in the annual revenue requirement, compared with SiEnergy’s original request of $12.0 million. The settlement also provides for a capital structure of 59.75% equity and 40.25% long-term debt, a return on equity of 9.8%, and an overall cost of capital of 8.0%.
https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20260923478615/sienergy-reaches-settlement-in-texas-general-rate-case
Madison Meteor: City approves Atmos rate settlement
Sept 23 — Madisonville City Council approved an Atmos Energy rate settlement Sept. 21, clearing the way for residential gas bills to rise an average $13.37 a month starting Oct. 1. The agreement covers Madisonville and 181 other Mid-Tex cities after negotiations cut Atmos’s initial request by more than $30 million.
https://www.madisonvillemeteor.com/article/7085,city-approves-atmos-rate-settlement
Fox4: Residents in the dark on timeline to return to Turtle Creek apartment complex after gas leak
Sept. 23 — On Friday, September 18, Atmos Energy crews conducting routine inspections discovered an outside gas leak at the Factory Design District Apartments, located at 120 Turtle Creek Boulevard. The inspection followed an unrelated kitchen fire on the fourth floor earlier that afternoon, which was quickly extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system and firefighters with no injuries reported.
https://www.fox4news.com/news/dallas-apartment-gas-leak-turtle-creek-timeline-atmos-energy
Fox26: Bo French leads Railroad Commission race despite drop in favorability, poll shows
Sept. 22 — Republican railroad commission candidate Bo French is seeing his favorability among Texas voters drop amid his controversial social media posts.
https://www.fox26houston.com/election/bo-french-leads-jon-rosenthal-texas-railroad-commission
Houston Public Media: U.S. Senate, Texas Railroad Commission races remain tight less than month before early voting, TSU poll finds
Sept. 22 — Another nail-biter contest is the race for Texas Railroad Commissioner, with Republican Bo French leading Democratic state Rep. Jon Rosenthal 44% to 42%, with 3% supporting Libertarian Arthur DiBianca and 11% undecided. French’s lead also falls within the margin of error. French is experiencing backlash from his own party to his social media posts of a photo from a University of Texas football game. The photo shows a crowd of people of color, who French denigrated.
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/election-2026/2026/09/22/562540/u-s-senate-texas-railroad-commission-races-remain-tight-less-than-month-before-early-voting-tsu-poll-finds/
Houston Chronicle: Texas approves Exxon plan to bury 53M tons of carbon dioxide
Sept. 22 — Known as the Rose Project, ExxonMobil’s plan to permanently store 53 million metric tons of carbon dioxide beneath Jefferson County land won approval from the Texas Railroad Commission on Sept. 15. The project was the first contested carbon-storage permit decided by Texas regulators since the state took over the program from federal officials in December 2025, according to the Texas Dispatch.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/texas-approves-exxon-plan-bury-104500339.html
WFAA: 325-unit Dallas apartment building remains evacuated due to gas leak, officials say
Sept. 21 — Repairs after this emergency, which peaked Friday evening, continued throughout the weekend. Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR) says five residents needed to be relocated by the Red Cross after the leak, but everyone else impacted was able to make it to a hotel.
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-county/gas-leak-prompts-evacuation-325-unit-dallas-apartment-building-during-inspection/287-35c62012-7b16-4afa-8be8-7eda6cf831a1
Daily Energy Insider: Utilities support proposed federal bill to reform judicial review of natural gas pipelines
Sept. 21 — The Unleash American Pipelines Act, H.R. 10500, would reform the judicial review process for natural gas pipeline certificates of public convenience and necessity issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/53830-utilities-support-proposed-federal-bill-to-reform-judicial-review-of-natural-gas-pipelines/
WFAA: Atmos Energy outage repairs complete in Little Elm after contractor damages natural gas pipeline
Sept. 21 — Some residents in Little Elm and surrounding areas were impacted by an outage after a third-party contractor damaged a natural gas pipeline Monday morning. Atmos Energy announced the repairs were completed at 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21.
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/denton-county/atmos-energy-reported-little-elm-contractor-damages-natural-gas-pipeline/287-1d6c5633-d0e9-4346-912b-20ebc3ceed8e
Fox4: Gas leak prompts evacuation of Dallas apartment complex
Sept. 19 — While isolating the original 16-inch gas main, Atmos technicians discovered a parallel 3-inch main that also had to be purged. Atmos said the apartment building and six businesses on Levee Street could remain without gas service until Tuesday.
https://www.fox4news.com/news/gas-leak-prompts-evacuation-dallas-apartment-complex
Texas Scorecard: Landowners Request ‘Forensic Audit’ of Permian Basin Electricity Modeling
Sept. 19 — Filing comes as ERCOT has come under fire from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick over a proposed contract extension and compensation increase for its CEO.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/landowners-request-forensic-audit-of-permian-basin-electricity-modeling/
The Texan: Texas Railroad Commission and House Energy Resources Committee Lock Horns
Sept. 16 — State Rep. Drew Darby had choice words for Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian at the recent committee hearing.
https://thetexan.news/issues/energy/texas-railroad-commission-and-house-energy-resources-committee-lock-horns/article_c14e54d5-54c0-4066-9494-745ebbb70776.html
Inside Climate News: Texas Oil and Gas Regulator Doubles Down and Defies State Legislature
Sept. 16 — After backlash to a new public comment policy, Commissioner Wayne Christian refused to attend a legislative hearing and cursed at a member of the public.
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/16092026/texas-oil-regulator-wayne-christian-defies-state-legislature/
Mother Jones: Bo French Wants Texas to Be the New Rhodesia. His Opponent Just Wants to Keep the Heat On.
Sept. 17 — In a bitter May runoff, Republicans instead nominated Bo French, an investor and former county GOP chair with only the vaguest glimmer of industry experience and a mostly irrelevant and racist political program that calls for deporting 100 million people, purging the nation of Muslims, and emulating a defunct apartheid state.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/09/bo-french-jon-rosenthal-texas-railroad-commission/
Texas Standard: Several Texas Republicans condemn Bo French’s racist posts calling Asian students at UT a ‘problem’
Sept. 14 — French, the Republican nominee for a statewide position regulating Texas’ oil and gas industry, posted a photo of University of Texas students, while decrying “foreigners” displacing Americans.
https://texasstandard.org/stories/bo-french-john-cornyn-republican-texas-railroad-commissioner-ut/
Politico: Texas GOP candidate stands by xenophobic comments following backlash
Sept. 14 —Bo French, a Texas Republican running for the state’s railroad commission, reemphasized his viral social media post about Asian American students at the University of Texas.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/14/bo-french-ut-football-students-01075214
Inside Climate News: Meet the Mechanical Engineer Running to Regulate the Texas Oil and Gas Industry
Sept. 11 — Rosenthal worked as a mechanical engineer in the oil and gas industry for 25 years. Following Donald Trump’s 2016 election, he ran for state representative and flipped a seat that had been held by Republicans for more than two decades. Rosenthal has served on the Energy Resources Committee throughout his nearly eight years in the Texas House.
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/11092026/democrat-jon-rosenthal-runs-to-regulate-texas-oil-gas-industry/