DC-to-DC Power Wrap: IRI Deal, FERC DC Orders, G7 on Minerals, & Wind Appeal

Research evidence excerpt

DC-to-DC Power Wrap: IRI Deal, FERC DC Orders, G7 on Minerals, & Wind Appeal

TD Cowen

Global Research June 18, 2026

stationary source permits (xAI argues the CTs are mobile). DOJ's filing states xAI facility is

needed for national security purposes. We see intervention as continued evidence of our view

Trump will continue to bend powers of federal government to support AI and data center

infrastructure – despite emerging grassroots opposition.

What We're Reading

Power

■Sens. Cotton (R-AK) and Cortez Mastro (D-NV) introduced legislation to restrict a president's

power to tamper with permits for energy projects, both renewable and traditional (HERE).

■Sen. King (I-ME) successfully added an amendment to the NDAA which set a 180-day

deadline for national security reviews for energy projects, primarily benefitting wind (HERE).

Amendment supported by Armed Services Chair Wicker (R-MI)

■Congressmen Evans (R-CO) and Castor (D-FL) formally introduced the Ratepayer Protection

Act (HERE) - bill would codify the voluntary pledges made under President Trump's pledge.

■DOE finalized a rule streamlining the application process to obtain authorization to export

electricity to the US (HERE).

■DOE issued a Section 202(c) order to Duke Energy waiving air quality regulations for a 30-

hour period due to an anticipate hot weather induced electricity demand increase (HERE).

■DOE (again) issued a Section 202(c) order to TransAlta delaying the retirement of the

Centralia Unit 2 coal-fired power plant until 9/12/2026 (HERE).

■District Court for DC overturned $82.1M in DOE grant rescissions (HERE) - includes nearly

$50M in hydrogen funding for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

■NRC announced its intent to prepare an EIS for the Palisades SMR project developed by

Holtec (HERE).