Fossil fuels

Fossil fuels

Trump admin’s must-run orders put broken-down coal plants in a bind

Utilities are already paying to keep aging coal plants open under DOE emergency orders. New demands to revive nonfunctioning units add costs and legal complications.

By Jeff St. John . 9 January 2026
Just transition

'Win by time’: How Poland is preparing for the death of coal

In the country’s coal region — one of the EU’s biggest — advocates and union leaders are working to ensure the energy transition doesn’t leave miners behind.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 7 January 2026
Utilities

How energy affordability took center stage in 2025

From Trump’s Day One energy emergency to Democrats’ Election Day sweep, rising power prices have been this year’s hottest energy conversation.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 2 January 2026
Fossil fuels

The legal battle bogging down Massachusetts’ plan to ditch gas

In 2023, state regulators released a landmark order paving the way for a clean energy transition. Utilities aren’t quite ready to embrace the change.

By Sarah Shemkus . 23 December 2025
Utilities

Georgia’s lame-duck utility commission OKs massive, pricey gas buildout

Critics fear Georgia Power’s $16.3 billion investment in fossil-gas plants and batteries will jack up customers’ bills if data centers don’t show up as forecasted.

By Jeff St. John . 19 December 2025
Fossil fuels

Trump admin orders Washington state coal plant to stay running

TransAlta’s Centralia power plant was meant to close at month’s end and be converted to burn gas by 2028. DOE’s must-run order complicates that plan.

By Jeff St. John . 17 December 2025
Clean energy

Indiana says it’s retiring two coal plants, but is it making other plans?

The Trump administration has already ordered a Michigan coal plant to run past its retirement date. Two polluting, inefficient plants in Indiana may be next.

By Kari Lydersen . 15 December 2025
Just transition

As solar booms and coal fades, Greece’s mining region struggles to adapt

Next year, Greece will complete its rapid coal phaseout. It’s an undeniable success for the energy transition — but residents of Western Macedonia feel left behind.

By Dan McCarthy . 3 December 2025
Clean energy

Can the war on coal still be won?

Ten years ago, the U.S. was on track to phase out coal by 2030, thanks to the Sierra Club. Now Trump and AI are delaying — but not stopping — the fuel’s decline.

By Michael Grunwald . 1 December 2025
Fossil fuels

Trump cites ‘emergency’ to keep Michigan coal plant online into winter

The Energy Department’s orders to keep the J.H. Campbell plant running are driving up costs and pollution. States and advocates are challenging the move in court.

By Jeff St. John . 19 November 2025