The Weekly · Friday, October 16, 2026
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Data Centers + Energy · United States · Canada · Mexico
FERC accepts Duke's 75% large-load floor; Van Buren approves Google's 1 GW data center site plan.
Published 9:00 AM ET / 6:00 AM PT · 40 stories · 20 large-load proceedings tracked · 5 Calendar dates
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1FERC, CER & Commissions
FERC accepts Duke Energy Carolinas rules making large loads pay for at least 75% of planned load for 15 years
Federal regulators accepted new Duke Energy Carolinas rules for large-load transmission upgrades. A transmission customer that serves a large load must pay for at least 75% of its planned load, and the floor lasts 15 years.
Why it matters. The rules cover data centers and other large loads in North and South Carolina. Commissioner Lindsay See said a 75% contribution sits near the low end of what is just and reasonable.
October 9, 2026 · mgrid.org · North Carolina and South Carolina
2Policy & Regulation
Salix City Council says no data center moratorium is in place and approves a Google memorandum of understanding 3-2
On October 14, 2026, the Salix City Council in Iowa stated there is no data center moratorium in place and voted 3-2 for a memorandum of understanding with Google. Google would pay for any independent advisors the council hires to study the data center's impact.
Why it matters. Google wants to build a data center on 900 acres of annexed land in Salix, and the agreement caps the advisor cost at $150,000. The source names no other side.
October 14, 2026 · KCRG · Salix, Iowa
3Policy & Regulation
Regina council votes 5-4 to seek more information on Bell AI data center expansion
Regina city council voted 5-4 on October 14 to seek more information on Bell's AI data center expansion in the Rural Municipality of Sherwood. The motion directs city administration to prepare a report outlining Regina's role.
Why it matters. The expansion would increase the campus from 300 MW to 1.2 GW, and Bell says the proposed expansion would instead use power generated by a natural-gas operator. The vote does not decide whether the expansion should proceed, and Acting City Manager Jim Mickle cautioned that the city's role is limited.
October 14, 2026 · 620 CKRM · Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
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