On October 6, PUC Chairman Stephen DeFrank called for mechanisms to preempt local land use decisions on needed electric generation to address grid reliability risks from data center growth.

On October 6, Fit Energy announced it is working with Newport Township on a Community Benefits Agreement for a fuel cell power generation and data center project following zoning approvals in August 2026.

States, renewable developers back MISO's accelerated interconnection queue plan

The Organization of MISO States said the approach can materially accelerate processing of legacy queue cycles while preserving reliability responsibilities.

Andrew Plenge, vice president of strategy and energy policy at Commonwealth Edison in Illinois, said ComEd will file a broader Virtual Power Plant framework by the end of 2027 that goes beyond batteries and incorporates more customer technologies.

Maryland PSC awards 440 MW/1,760 MWh in first bulk energy storage procurement

Maryland Public Service Commission Chair Kumar Barve announced on Thursday that Flatiron Energy's 400 MW/1,600 MWh Chalk Point Storage Project and REV Renewables's 40 MW/160 MWh Jade Meadow III Battery Storage Project will receive awards in the first round of the Maryland Next Generation Energy Act energy storage procurement.

Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak passed 1,000 cases on Monday, October 5, 2026, a threshold not seen since the early 1990s, per Associated Press.

PA Rep. Kenyatta introduces bill to ban federal agents at polling places amid election concerns

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) introduced a bill to expand Pennsylvania’s election code to prohibit federal agents within 100 feet of polling places, responding to activist concerns about ICE presence.

Dozens rally at Pa. Capitol calling for statewide data center development moratorium

Dozens gathered at the Pennsylvania Capitol on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, to demand Gov. Josh Shapiro and lawmakers enact a statewide moratorium on data center development amid over 100 proposed projects.

Senate President Nick Scutari introduces bill to roll back Tesla direct sales exemption

Senate President Nick Scutari introduced legislation requiring Tesla to sell through dealerships, arguing the exemption is outdated given current EV market choices.

House · Bill On Concurrence (keywords: data center, data centers)

House · Resolutions (keyword: data center)

Senate · Third Consideration (watchlist)

GOP spends $100M to flip nine newly redrawn House seats

Republicans have spent nearly $100 million since Sept. 1 on ads to flip nine newly drawn Republican-leaning House districts, though they expect to win only five of the 14 new red seats created by mid-decade redistricting.

Sen. Maggie Hassan prepares oversight agenda targeting Trump administration

Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) is preparing to become top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, planning to probe ICE vetting standards, DHS fraud, Trump financial disclosures, and Corey Lewandowski conduct.

Sen. Susan Collins and Troy Jackson debate in Maine Senate race

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Democratic challenger Troy Jackson held their first of four debates in the Maine Senate race, discussing Collins’ Kavanaugh vote, abortion rights, FBI investigation, and Trump ties.

GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek to debate in Iowa Senate race

GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek will face off in an Iowa Senate debate tonight at 8 p.m. as debate season heats up ahead of the midterms.

Sen. Chris Coons open to sanctioning Israel's leaders over Gaza conflict

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) told POLITICO he would be 'open' to sanctioning Israel’s top leaders, including Netanyahu, if the government continues its current path in Gaza.