The Latest
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Retrieved from Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Deep DiveFERC in 2026: Rising costs cloud regulators’ options on data centers, transmission and more
DOE’s colocation proposal and transmission planning reforms will set FERC’s agenda this year against a backdrop of rising concern over affordability, former commission chairmen and experts say in our 2026 outlook.
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iStock / fizkes
Sponsored by CEE Integrated Home CompetitionA new utility-recognized approach to grid-integrated electrification in the “messy middle”
Recognized by leading utilities, Flair’s Bridge Pro enables control of ductless and hybrid systems.
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Andres Kudacki/Getty Images via Getty Images
US coal generation jumped 31% during Winter Storm Fern: EIA
Gas generation in the Lower 48 states increased 14%, while solar, wind and hydropower contributions declined from the week before, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
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NextEra bets on gas as data center pipeline remains steady at about 15 GW
The company touted gas supply and pipeline acquisitions. “We expect more gas-fired generation ... so having the ability to move molecules around the country is a critical skill set,” said CEO John Ketchum.
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Retrieved from Senate EPW on January 29, 2026
Republican, Democratic senators call for project certainty at permitting reform hearing
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., said permitting talks could resume if the Trump administration stops its moves to thwart wind and solar projects.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
OpinionLessons from launching New Jersey’s largest utility-led EV program
Growing PSE&G’s electric vehicle initiative from a pilot to a full-scale program required flexibility and persistence, writes Dawn Neville, the utility’s senior manager of electric transportation.
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Courtesy of Pilot
Pilot Co. expands electric semi-truck charging plans
The travel center company will add Tesla semi chargers at around 20 locations across California, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas and may include other manufacturers in the future.
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Courtesy of Prime Data Centers
Prime Data Centers uses closed-loop air and liquid cooling to earn Energy Star certifications
The Dallas-based developer and operator is one of a growing group of tech companies looking to reduce data centers’ impacts on the environment and customer energy bills.
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Alex Wong via Getty Images
With Vineyard Wind ruling, 4 of 5 offshore wind projects win relief from Trump freeze
Project developers said despite their outreach, the government “refused to discuss the supposedly new information about national security impacts” cited as the reason for halting construction, or what they might do to mitigate them.
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Getty Images
Trump administration must release EV charger funds, court rules
The Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration “yanked the NEVI Formula Program’s cord out of the outlet,” said U.S. District Judge Tana Lin. “It is simply not how things are lawfully done.”
Updated Jan. 28, 2026 -
Nathan Howard/Getty Images via Getty Images
OpinionHow utilities can prepare for the next wave of data center growth
The U.S. grid is unprepared to handle data center power needs. Utilities want to invest, but permitting hurdles remain a major impediment, writes Nexans North America President Tim King.
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Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
Sam Altman-backed Exowatt launches arm to power data centers with renewables
The company said ExoRise will provide customers with solar and battery infrastructure that supports “behind-the-meter and off-grid deployment” with a focus on the U.S. Southwest.
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Sean Gallup via Getty Images
Deep DiveIn 2026, virtual power plants must scale or risk being left behind
The AI data center frenzy is shifting utilities’ focus to large-scale generation. But advocates say flexible, distributed energy resources still provide the biggest bang for the buck, according to our 2026 DER outlook.
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Getty Images
Ratemaking innovation key to meeting data center demand, experts say
The unprecedented scale and speed of AI data center demand requires institutional rather than technical innovation, University of Texas at Austin's Michael Webber said.
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Brett Carlsen/Getty Images via Getty Images
DOE expands use of emergency orders amid winter freeze
Waivers issued Monday for the PJM Interconnection, New York ISO and Duke Energy build on emergency directives the Department of Energy ordered over the weekend.
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David McNew via Getty Images
OpinionGHG Protocol proposal risks slowing clean energy expansion
Proposed changes to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol would make it more difficult for companies to report renewables use and could discourage procurement, according Lesley Hunter and Jeffrey Gorham of the American Council on Renewable Energy.
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Courtesy of Honda Motor Co.
Honda dissolving its fuel cell system partnership with GM
Honda said it will continue internal development of its hydrogen fuel cell technology and intends to make it a core business segment in the future.
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Permission granted by T1 Energy
Solar manufacturing gains momentum in US, but shifting policies pose challenges
“You’ve seen pretty distinct growth and investment ... But we still have a long way to go as an industry in terms of reshoring,” said Scott Moskowitz, vice president of market strategy and public affairs at manufacturer Qcells.
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Andres Kudacki/Getty Images via Getty Images
Winter peak demand could hit new highs, prompting DOE emergency orders
Grid operators that sought permission to run generators at maximum capacity said they have adequate power supplies, but they made their requests in light of potentially record-high winter peak demand this week.
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MISO regulators seek stakeholder review for DOE ‘emergency’ orders cost allocation
The U.S. Department of Energy has failed to show there are reliability benefits from keeping power plants from retiring in the Midcontinent region, state utility regulators told FERC.
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Joe Raedle/Getty Images via Getty Images
OpinionThe new equation for energy security in 2026
Energy systems will be shaped by those who build resilient, diversified portfolios that balance reliability, policy, emissions, cost and independence, writes Honeywell Process Technology CEO Ken West.
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Getty Images
Moody’s sees $3T in data center spending by 2030
The financial services company says costlier builds and power constraints could stretch out completion timelines, but demand remains strong.
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Ron Jenkins via Getty Images
DOE orders diesel generators to be ready as electric sector prepares for Winter Storm Fern
Secretary of Energy Chris Wright asked grid operators to be prepared to utilize up to 35 GW of backup generation. A consumer advocate warned the plan is unworkable.
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Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
DOE funding bill ignores some of Trump’s requested cuts
The White House asked that Congress zero out the solar and wind energy programs of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, but Congress provided $320 million to those two Energy Department programs.
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Alex Wong via Getty Images
The week in 5 numbers: DOE axes or alters $83B in loans, NJ governor comes out swinging
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey used their respective bully pulpits to push their energy priorities. Plus, transmission and, of course, PJM news.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Deep DiveCan power demand boost renewables above policy obstacles in 2026?
The industry is navigating new FEOC rules and steeling itself for the end of some IRA credits. But load growth and rising electricity bills present opportunity, according to experts in our renewable energy outlook.
