Articles

Clean aluminum

America’s big new aluminum smelter is still waiting on a power deal

Global supply shocks spurred by the Iran war are bolstering the case for domestic production. But the plant still hasn’t secured its electricity supply.

By Maria Gallucci . 30 April 2026
Virtual power plants

A new bill would help VPPs replace peaker plants in California

California has a lot of home batteries, EVs, and smart thermostats that could do the work of dirty peaker plants. SB 913 would try to make that possible.

By Jeff St. John . 29 April 2026
Electrification

Local policies to get buildings off gas keep winning in court

Even though a court struck down Berkeley, California’s pioneering gas ban in 2023, similar lawsuits against electric building and appliance standards are flailing.

By Alison F. Takemura . 29 April 2026
Long-duration energy storage

US battery startup builds factory in China after nixing Kentucky plant

With $300M in new funds, EnerVenue says China is in fact the best spot to scale its NASA-inspired tech — making the firm an outlier as peers grow U.S. manufacturing.

By Julian Spector . 29 April 2026
Solar

Virginia’s new law blocks counties from banning solar

Two-thirds of the state’s counties ban or heavily limit solar. Now, those blanket restrictions are going away, though counties can still bar individual projects.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 28 April 2026
Energy efficiency

Why are blue states scapegoating energy efficiency?

Energy-efficiency programs yield long-term benefits for utility bills and the climate. We found three reasons why Democrats are looking to cut them anyway.

By Sarah Shemkus . 28 April 2026
Utilities

Supreme Court won’t hear appeal in Ohio utility bribery case

It’s the end of the line for the only two people serving prison time related to the HB 6 scandal, which cost utility customers big and stymied clean energy.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 27 April 2026
Food and farms

Trump is blocking solar for farmers. Can the Farm Bill fix that?

REAP had been helping farmers go solar and save money since 2008, until Trump came along. A looming Farm Bill vote could seal its fate — or solve its problems.

By Kari Lydersen . 27 April 2026
Politics

Fossil fuel promoters tied to campaign to keep Ohio county renewable ban

Richland County voters are deciding whether to reject a wind and solar ban. Organizations linked to pro-gas interests have given money to keep it in place.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 24 April 2026
Solar

Solar power soared last year — and it’s not slowing down

More and more countries are hitting new solar generation records, and those that are still relying on fossil fuels have good reason to catch up.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 24 April 2026