Data centers

Energy markets

The country’s biggest energy market struggles to reform amid soaring costs

Mid-Atlantic grid operator PJM is under intense political pressure to solve its interconnection backlog and other problems. But experts warn there are no easy fixes.

By Jeff St. John . 28 July 2025
Utilities

Will the AI boom be powered by big, slow energy projects?

This week’s AI summit deepened a trend of datacenter developers hitching their hopes to old-school energy sources, from gas power plants to hydropower.

By Julian Spector, Dan McCarthy . 18 July 2025
Energy storage

Redwood Materials built record grid storage project using old EV batteries

The EV battery recycler determined it could make good money by repurposing old battery packs for the grid, and found an eager data center customer.

By Julian Spector . 2 July 2025
Utilities

Dominion Energy’s latest plan sidesteps Virginia’s 2045 clean power goal

The utility’s latest long-range resource plan stops at 2039 without addressing how it will meet the state’s 2045 deadline for achieving 100% carbon-free electricity.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 1 July 2025
Clean energy

Texas finalizes $1.8B to build solar, battery, and gas-powered microgrids

The state Legislature finally passed a proposal to fund backup power for critical facilities like nursing homes and fire stations.

By Jeff St. John . 10 June 2025
Transmission

How sensors, software, and other tech could help Ohio’s aging power grid

A new state law will require utilities and regulators to explore advanced transmission technologies before pursuing conventional grid expansion projects.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 10 June 2025
Transmission

How fast-tracking fossil gas could snarl the Midwest grid

MISO’s plan to let gas plants cut the interconnection line is unfair, costly, and counter to grid reliability goals, former federal regulators and advocates say.

By Jeff St. John . 6 May 2025
Climatetech finance

Can AI chips make the grid smarter? Utilidata raises $60M to find out.

Utilidata and Nvidia think their AI-enabled smart meters can help solve tricky grid challenges, from growing data center demand to more rooftop solar and EVs.

By Jeff St. John . 29 April 2025
Utilities

Is Georgia Power quietly planning a massive buildout of fossil gas?

Watchdog groups and tech giants want more clean energy. But some fear the utility is pursuing a big fossil-gas expansion plan outside of public scrutiny instead.

By Jeff St. John . 23 April 2025
Utilities

Wisconsin utility’s data center–driven gas expansion meets skepticism

Some of the data centers may never even materialize, sticking ratepayers with the bill for overbuilt fossil-fuel infrastructure, advocates argue.

By Kari Lydersen . 14 April 2025