Climate crisis

Utilities

Will PG&E’s $2B grid cutbacks derail California’s clean energy buildout?

The state’s utility wildfire liability conundrum could put clean energy projects in a delay doom loop — and solutions are going to be hard to come by.

By Jeff St. John . 5 November 2026

Photo collage of electric pole, fire, and solar panels — (Binh Nguyen/Canary Media; Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images; Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Batteries

Why batteries, not gas plants, should be data centers' first choice

A new report from Georgetown and Duke researchers looks at the advantages of using batteries to meet data center demand — and offers some advice for states.

By Jeff St. John . 3 November 2026
Solar

North Carolina food bank gets microgrid backup for future storms

Marshall’s Beacon of Hope was spared during Hurricane Helene. Thanks to a state grant, solar panels and batteries make it even better prepared to help its community.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 1 October 2026
Hydropower

Mass. utilities and Hydro-Quebec sue each other over missing hydropower

A new power line failed to deliver promised hydroelectricity for 12 days this winter. Utilities want compensation — but Hydro-Québec says it’s the one who’s owed.

By Sarah Shemkus . 10 September 2026
Solar

A Virginia school district pioneers solar and battery microgrids

Roanoke City Public Schools is building the state’s first solar-plus-storage systems to keep emergency shelters going during extreme weather and cut down on costs.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 8 September 2026
Climate crisis

Gary power outage underscores stakes of Solar for All cancellation

Some city residents went two weeks without power following storms. The federal program, ended by Trump, would have enabled many to access solar and batteries.

By Kari Lydersen . 31 August 2026
Nuclear

How much of a threat do heat waves pose to nuclear plants?

Hot water and low river levels have hampered nuclear power in Europe this summer, forcing a reckoning over plant preparedness.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 27 August 2026
Solar

Solar delivers as Europe’s power plants struggle amid heat and drought

Extreme weather spiked power demand just as nuclear, gas, and coal plants had to reduce their output. Solar and batteries helped keep people cool.

By Austin Corona, Grist . 25 August 2026
Hydropower

America’s hydropower challenge goes beyond the West

Lakes Mead and Powell have sunk to unprecedented lows, jeopardizing their generation capabilities — but drought persists in the Northeast, too.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 21 August 2026
Energy efficiency

Massachusetts embraces backyard homes as housing and climate solution

The state needs more housing, fast. ADUs offer a path forward — and their compact, sometimes all-electric designs offer lower energy bills and carbon emissions.

By Sarah Shemkus . 4 August 2026
Offshore wind

Here’s how offshore wind helped New England beat record heat

The region has added dozens of turbines off the East Coast since last summer. They and other clean energy sources cut the need for oil power amid recent hot weather.

By Maria Gallucci . 14 July 2026