Clean energy

Guest essay

AI: Does not compute

Building fossil-fuel infrastructure to power data centers is a poor bet. Renewables are by far the cheaper, faster choice.

By Amory B. Lovins, Justin Locke . 2 March 2026
Clean energy

Chart: US to overwhelmingly build clean power in 2026

A federal agency says solar, battery, and wind additions will vastly outpace new gas facilities in what’s set to be a record year for power plant construction.

By Julian Spector . 27 February 2026
Solar

Balcony solar is taking state legislatures by storm

In more than half of U.S. states, Republican and Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation that would boost adoption of DIY solar systems.

By Alison F. Takemura . 26 February 2026
Utilities

Illinois cities move to cut ties with a massive coal plant

Two communities seeking cleaner, cheaper energy are resisting pressure to extend deals that bind them to getting power from one of the nation’s dirtiest plants.

By Kari Lydersen . 26 February 2026
Batteries

Chart: Grid battery installations soared to a new high in 2025

The U.S. energy-storage sector has grown rapidly over the last few years as solar has expanded, costs have declined, and electricity demand has soared.

By Dan McCarthy . 20 February 2026
Climatetech finance

Heron Power raises $140M to modernize electrical transformers

Transformers are an old technology that’s in short supply. Tesla alum Drew Baglino thinks his startup can help meet rising demand with new solid-state hardware.

By Jeff St. John . 18 February 2026
Clean energy

Chart: The energy transition attracted record investment in 2025

Investors around the world spent $2.3 trillion on renewables, batteries, power grids, EVs, and more. Meanwhile, investment in fossil fuel supply dropped.

By Ysabelle Kempe . 13 February 2026
Clean energy

A new Ohio bill could be a de facto statewide ban on solar and wind

The state is mulling a bill that calls for all new generation to be “affordable, reliable, and clean” — but its strained definitions would exclude renewables.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 12 February 2026
Transmission

What Energy Secretary Wright gets wrong about the grid

Chris Wright trashed solar and wind for not providing much power during Winter Storm Fern — and ignored basic facts about how much renewables contribute year-round.

By Jeff St. John . 10 February 2026
Fossil fuels

What’s driving up Maine’s energy bills? Natural gas.

A new report finds more renewable energy could help make electricity more affordable, despite efforts to scapegoat clean power for rising costs.

By Sarah Shemkus . 6 February 2026