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- Black Rock Exits Net Zero // PJM SIS Proposal // Biden AI Data Orders
Black Rock Exits Net Zero // PJM SIS Proposal // Biden AI Data Orders
Welcome to GridBrief, your source for in-depth analysis of the critical issues shaping the energy industry. From game-changing grid proposals to geopolitical shifts in clean energy and Wall Street's retreat from ESG commitments, we’re here to bring you the insider insights with a touch of our signature wit. Let’s power up.
PJM’s Proposal Could Unlock 26 GW of Capacity

The PJM Interconnection is making waves with its proposal to revise Surplus Interconnection Service (SIS) rules, potentially freeing up over 26 GW of accredited capacity for the 2026/27 delivery year. The changes could turbocharge grid access and bring long-awaited relief to PJM's transmission backlog.
Clean energy advocates, utility regulators, and industry heavyweights like Dominion Energy have rallied behind the proposal. By removing limitations on SIS and enabling earlier project development requests, PJM could reduce delays and costs for battery storage and renewables, helping stabilize capacity prices and address resource adequacy concerns.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has until March 7 to review the proposal. If approved, PJM’s July capacity auction may mark a pivotal moment in the transition to a cleaner, more efficient grid. For a region that’s been grappling with capacity shortfalls, this initiative promises a fresh jolt of progress.
Biden’s Executive Order Boosts AI Data Centers and Clean Power

President Biden’s latest executive order aims to fast-track gigawatt-scale AI data centers and clean energy projects on federal lands, signaling a bold commitment to meet soaring energy demands while tackling emissions.
The Departments of Defense and Energy will identify and lease sites strategically connected to high-capacity transmission infrastructure. Developers will be required to match data center power consumption with new clean energy generation—think solar, wind, and nuclear.
While the move underscores America's bid to lead in AI and clean energy, critics warn of preferential treatment for Big Tech and potential cost burdens on everyday consumers. AI’s insatiable appetite for electricity—projected to reach 9% of U.S. demand by 2030—poses significant challenges for grid stability and affordability.
BlackRock Exits Net Zero Alliance Amid Political Pressure

BlackRock’s decision to leave the UN-backed Net Zero Asset Managers (NZAM) initiative reflects a growing exodus from climate alliances as political pressures mount. The financial giant joins five of the largest U.S. banks in stepping back from high-profile commitments amid Republican scrutiny of ESG strategies.
Citing legal inquiries and misaligned public perceptions, BlackRock assured clients that the departure won’t alter its portfolio strategies. Still, the move highlights a broader retreat from coordinated climate action, as Wall Street navigates a fraught political landscape under new federal leadership.
With major financial institutions pivoting away from net-zero commitments, the question looms: Can the private sector balance profitability with sustainability, or is the ESG era facing an existential crisis?
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