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

Coal plant with a snowcapped mountain in the distance — The Centralia coal plant hasn’t operated since last December, but is required to remain on standby by order of the Trump administration. Its owner, TransAlta, wants reimbursement. Electric ratepayers across the Pacific Northwest could end up paying. (Tom Banse)

Solar

California solar surged ahead of gas in the first 5 months of 2026

Utility-scale solar outproduced gas plants on 82% of all days from January through May, with batteries helping to extend solar’s reach into the evening hours.

By Julian Spector . 22 June 2026
Clean energy

The Iran war sparked a shift toward clean energy. Will it last?

Sky-high fossil fuel prices drove people around the world toward clean energy. But even as the Strait of Hormuz reopens, they may not turn back.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 18 June 2026
Offshore wind

Invenergy says Trump’s offshore wind payout will fund a geothermal push

It’s the third developer to ditch offshore wind leases in exchange for payment from the Trump admin. The proceeds will also fund new gas plants.

By Maria Gallucci . 17 June 2026
Data centers

AI firms are getting creative as they scramble for energy

Desperate for power, companies are pursuing new strategies to run data centers, from repurposing jet engines to beaming solar energy down from space.

By Kathryn Krawczyk, Dan McCarthy . 12 June 2026
Solar

Solar beat coal on the US grid in May — a new milestone

It’s the first time that's happened across an entire month, and it comes despite the Trump administration’s efforts to reinvigorate coal and hamper solar.

By Dan McCarthy . 12 June 2026
Fossil fuels

North Carolina bill would prop up coal until new nuclear is approved

The Republican-backed House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act, which could rein in some data center costs but extend the life of costly old coal plants.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 9 June 2026
Fossil fuels

Indiana coal plant that Trump forced to stay open is not operating

The DOE says the Schahfer plant is key for reliability, but repairs mean it’ll be offline for much of 2026. The grid is set to be just fine without it this summer.

By Kari Lydersen . 1 June 2026
Emissions reduction

California makes controversial change to cap-and-invest program

Air regulators say the new plan balances industry needs and environmental goals — but critics worry that the state has just undermined its own emissions targets.

By Jeff St. John . 1 June 2026
Fossil fuels

Trump admin defends its coal must-run orders in court

The administration told judges that it alone has the power to decide whether an energy emergency exists, a claim that a Michigan official called “unprecedented.”

By Marianne Lavelle . 19 May 2026
Solar

Solar to overtake coal on Texas grid for the first time ever this year

The Trump administration likes to cast renewables as a socialist scam, but solar has soared in the competitive markets of the Lone Star State.

By Julian Spector . 18 May 2026