As of Oct. 12, 131 major electric, gas and steam utility rate proceedings were pending across 40 states, with utilities seeking approximately $18.5 billion in aggregate revenue increases.

The returns on equity requested in the pending cases range from 9.50% to 13.20%, averaging 10.48% in vertically integrated electric rate cases, 10.27% in electric distribution rate cases and 10.52% in gas base rate cases.

Capital spending continues to drive rate case activity. Utilities are investing heavily in grid modernization, system resiliency, renewable energy integration, cybersecurity, advanced metering, energy storage and infrastructure needed to support growing electricity demand. Higher operating expenses and financing costs also continue to pressure utility earnings and support requests for additional revenue.

Affordability has become an increasingly important regulatory consideration. Rising customer bills have prompted regulators and policymakers in several jurisdictions to reevaluate traditional ratemaking approaches and place greater emphasis on customer impacts, transparency and performance-based outcomes.

Interest also continues to grow in alternative regulatory frameworks, including multiyear rate plans, formula-based ratemaking and performance-based mechanisms. These approaches are intended to provide greater predictability for utilities while giving regulators additional tools to monitor costs and customer outcomes.

Rate case activity is expected to remain robust through 2027 as utilities continue to recover rising costs and fund significant capital investment programs. At the same time, affordability concerns are likely to play an increasingly prominent role in shaping regulatory outcomes and ratemaking policies.

Over the last several weeks, Regulatory Research Associates surveyed large electric and gas companies and state public utility commissions concerning pending rate cases.

The related spreadsheet provides a tabular listing of state-level, company-specific rate cases pending for companies included in RRA's coverage universe as of Oct. 12, 2026.

Detailed profiles of these cases can be found on RRA's pending rate cases page. In addition, the related spreadsheet contains a tabular listing of the next major event in each pending major rate case for which an agenda was available, as listed on the RRA Events page.