North America Alternative & Renewable Energy: Week with Vik: Who Isn‘t Hungry For Power

Research evidence excerpt

North America Alternative & Renewable Energy: Week with Vik: Who Isn‘t Hungry For Power

al would modernize disposal rules by

allowing site specific, risk informed analyses and expanding disposal options

including near surface and deeper pathways. The final rule publication is expected

by November 2026.

Citi’s Take: The proposed disposal rule is constructive as the absence of a clear

disposal pathway for higher activity waste has historically created long term liability

uncertainty for operators. Oklo’s reactor design may benefit from expanded near-

surface disposal options.

Large Load Interconnection — FERC ordered (6/18) all six regional grid operators to

justify or reform tariffs for data centers and other large energy users. The action

focuses on large energy users, including those co-located with their own generation.

Grid operators must address accommodation of co-location agreements and BTM,

among four other priorities.

Citi’s Take: At first glance, FERC's reforms may modestly reduce the urgency of

behind-the-meter power for some data center projects at the margin, however, the

focus on accommodating co-location and BTM is a net positive for BE.

Power Report — BE released a mid-year update (6/15) to its Data Center Power

Report, finding power availability remains the primary constraint on data center

growth. Access to power remains the dominant issue, with 61% of developers

planning to bring their own power if grid access is unavailable. Community and

regulatory pressures are intensifying, with concerns around electricity prices, water

use, and grid reliability, alongside at least 18 state bills and 86 local moratoriums

proposed as of May 2026.

Citi’s Take: The double-blind survey results, which included 156 total entities