Articles

Geothermal

Want a job drilling for geothermal? A Northeast training hub is coming.

A worker shortage threatens to hold up America’s buildout of geothermal networks. These groups have a plan to address the problem, starting in Massachusetts.

By Sarah Shemkus . 11 June 2026
Energy efficiency

Clean energy and efficiency spared in Rhode Island budget process

The state legislature rebuked Democratic Gov. Dan McKee’s effort to roll back emissions targets and funding for energy efficiency in the name of affordability.

By Dan McCarthy, Sarah Shemkus . 10 June 2026
Transmission

This software firm has a plan to take grid-enhancing tech nationwide

Most U.S. grid operators already use OATI’s software. Now the firm wants to tap AI and data to boost transmission capacity — and it’s asking the DOE for funding.

By Jeff St. John . 10 June 2026
Clean aluminum

Energy-hungry aluminum plant is swept up in Oklahoma governor’s race

The state’s Republican attorney general — a gubernatorial candidate — sued to stop the new Trump-backed smelter, which would double America’s aluminum output.

By Maria Gallucci . 10 June 2026
Solar

New Qcells plant doubles current US capacity to make solar cells

The company’s Cartersville, Georgia, factory is the largest of its kind in the nation — and it just started producing the key solar panel component.

By Julian Spector . 9 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
EV charging

In this house, an EV helps power appliances — and the grid

Can electric vehicles finally start working as backup batteries for homes and the grid? This 120-home pilot project in California is working out the kinks.

By Jeff St. John . 9 June 2026
Long-duration energy storage

Pioneering grid battery nudges California closer to 24/7 clean energy

The Tumbleweed installation just went online in Kern County. It can store clean energy and discharge it for eight hours straight, a harbinger of what’s to come.

By Julian Spector . 8 June 2026
EV charging

Why is Massachusetts sitting on $64M in EV-charger funding?

Despite the state’s political embrace of EVs, it has built zero chargers nearly four years after receiving federal funds from the Biden administration.

By Jordan Wolman, CommonWealth Beacon . 8 June 2026
Heat pumps

Want a deal on a heat pump? Team up with your neighbors.

Bulk buying is a tried-and-true way to get discounts on rooftop solar. Now programs aimed at heat pumps are popping up too, helping people save thousands of dollars.

By Alison F. Takemura . 8 June 2026