Market strain was severe, with PJM Interconnection's July auction clearing at a record $329.17 per megawatt-day, driven by unprecedented data center demand and extensive interconnection queue backlogs, directly impacting consumer bills. Federal "emergency orders" controversially forced uneconomic coal plants to remain open at an estimated cost of billions to ratepayers, while states pursued divergent paths: New Jersey halted offshore wind, and Arizona repealed its renewable energy standard, simultaneously committing to a large gas pipeline. Further compounding the complexity, Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) prices for new wind and solar climbed following the phase-out of tax credits, suggesting a structural cost increase for renewables. This period reveals a complex mix of market strain, conflicting policies, regulatory shifts, and rising costs, creating deep uncertainty for consumers and investors regarding reliability and the future of the energy transition.