Affordability

Energy efficiency

Trump admin could undermine energy efficiency with dubious new analysis

A Department of Energy study found that the latest version of an international energy code would raise construction costs by billions — and ignored bill savings.

By Alison F. Takemura . 7 July 2026
Policy & regulation

Major energy-affordability bill passes Massachusetts Senate

Now the legislature must hammer out the differences between the Senate text and the House version, which includes major cuts to energy-efficiency funding.

By Sarah Shemkus . 2 July 2026
Solar

Martha’s Vineyard solar array will cut bills for low-income islanders

A new rooftop solar project offers the first test of a community-benefit model that nonprofit PowerOptions Connect hopes to roll out across the Northeast.

By Sarah Shemkus . 1 July 2026
Carbon-free buildings

California’s choice: Cleaner air for schools or money for utilities

State lawmakers must decide whether to unlock $194M to fix aging school HVAC and plumbing systems or return it to utilities for a few dollars off monthly bills.

By Jeff St. John . 29 June 2026
Fossil fuels

Washington coal plant produces no power but plenty of costs. Who pays?

The Trump administration ordered the last coal plant in Washington to be on standby. Its owner wants utilities to pick up the still-running tab for that.

By Tom Banse . 26 June 2026
Energy efficiency

Massachusetts Senate preserves energy-efficiency funding in new bill

Earlier this year, the House proposed $1B in cuts to the state’s nation-leading efficiency program. The Senate rejected that idea in a sweeping new energy bill.

By Sarah Shemkus . 25 June 2026
Data centers

Virginia slaps data centers with big new tax — but no climate rules

The state’s Democratic trifecta couldn’t agree on clean energy or air-quality reforms in time for the budget, which passed this week after months of negotiation.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 23 June 2026
Solar

Community solar needs space to grow. Warehouse rooftops have lots of it.

Industrial buildings could host gigawatts of shared solar to deliver low-cost power to underserved urban communities — if states and utilities allow it to scale up.

By Jeff St. John . 22 June 2026
Data centers

Data centers are key to fight over Duke electric rates in North Carolina

Duke Energy wants to raise household rates by 18%. Clean energy and consumer advocates say there's a much better way to prepare for data centers.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 17 June 2026
Solar

Will New York Gov. Kathy Hochul sign a balcony solar bill?

The legislature passed a measure to allow DIY plug-in solar panels, and clean energy boosters are hopeful that Hochul will sign it to promote affordability.

By Alison F. Takemura . 16 June 2026