Fossil fuels

Utilities

One way data centers can help the grid? By being flexible

Data centers could help slash costs and grid-upgrade times by easing off of utility grids during peak hours and finding ways to provide their own power.

By Jeff St. John . 27 February 2025
Utilities

How to build data centers without raising grid costs — and emissions

Building dirty power plants to serve the AI boom could spell climate disaster. Luckily there are ways to meet surging demand that are cleaner, faster, and cheaper.

By Jeff St. John . 26 February 2025
Utilities

Utilities are flying blind on data center demand. That’s a big problem.

How can utilities plan grid and power plant investments for the AI and data center boom when forecasts are so speculative? Some effective strategies are emerging.

By Jeff St. John . 25 February 2025
Utilities

Data centers are overwhelming the grid. Could they help it instead?

The boom in AI and data centers could drive increased reliance on fossil fuels. But there are better, cleaner options. Here's what you need to know.

By Jeff St. John . 24 February 2025
Policy & regulation

Indiana advocates press for data center pause amid rising energy demand

Despite tech companies’ clean energy pledges, data centers are fueling demand for new natural gas–fired generation in the state, customers and advocates say.

By Kari Lydersen . 17 February 2025
Solar

Chart: In a first, EU grid got more power from solar than coal in 2024

The bloc’s use of fossil fuels for electricity hit a historic low, but experts say more progress, particularly in the wind sector, is needed.

By Akielly Hu . 31 January 2025
Policy & regulation

Power companies pressure Trump EPA to roll back rules on toxic coal ash

A letter signed by executives from a dozen firms asks the EPA to let the companies off the hook for cleaning up scores of harmful coal-ash sites.

By Kari Lydersen . 29 January 2025
Clean energy

Chart: Wind and solar overtook coal on the US grid in 2024

The renewable energy sources together generated more electricity than coal-fired power plants from January to November of this year.

By Carrie Klein . 20 December 2024
Politics

How Trump’s second term could derail the clean energy transition

The Inflation Reduction Act might not be completely repealed, but plenty of other climate policies could be undone — and fossil fuels could be unleashed.

By Jeff St. John . 6 November 2024
Utilities

Regulators OK Duke Energy's gas-plant buildout despite N.C. climate law

The utility is supposed to cut greenhouse gas emissions 70% by 2030, but North Carolina's utility commission has approved its plan to build new fossil-gas power plants.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 6 November 2024