Policy & regulation

Electrification

New Trump rules make it more costly to electrify North Carolina homes

The Department of Energy recently announced new guidance that prevents “fuel switching,” scrambling the state’s first-ever electrification program.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 9 July 2026

A gray torpedo-shaped propane heater on a green lawn shielded by a white picket fence next to a white building wall — (Gordon Chibroski/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)

Liquefied natural gas

Hawaiʻi committed to 100% clean energy. Now it’s flirting with natural gas.

Gov. Josh Green, a Democrat, wants to import LNG to slash energy bills. But the move might not lead to savings — and it could trip up the state’s climate goals.

By Julian Spector, Savannah Harriman-Pote . 9 July 2026
Electrification

Southern California clean-heat rule survives key legal challenge

A U.S. appeals court upheld the first-in-the-nation measure, which will slash smog-forming emissions from certain gas-fueled boilers and heaters in the region.

By Maria Gallucci . 8 July 2026
Energy efficiency

Trump admin could undermine energy efficiency with dubious new analysis

A Department of Energy study found that the latest version of an international energy code would raise construction costs by billions — and ignored bill savings.

By Alison F. Takemura . 7 July 2026
Hydropower

Could hydropower hamper NYC’s building decarbonization law?

New York City building owners can soon buy renewable energy credits to comply with Local Law 97. Climate groups want Mayor Mamdani to limit this practice.

By Benjy Sachs, New York Focus . 7 July 2026
Policy & regulation

Major energy-affordability bill passes Massachusetts Senate

Now the legislature must hammer out the differences between the Senate text and the House version, which includes major cuts to energy-efficiency funding.

By Sarah Shemkus . 2 July 2026
Solar

Connecticut’s new solar law is better than nothing

The legislation authorizes plug-in solar and extends some renewable energy incentives — but uncertainty still clouds the solar industry in Connecticut.

By Sarah Shemkus . 30 June 2026
Carbon-free buildings

California’s choice: Cleaner air for schools or money for utilities

State lawmakers must decide whether to unlock $194M to fix aging school HVAC and plumbing systems or return it to utilities for a few dollars off monthly bills.

By Jeff St. John . 29 June 2026
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
Energy efficiency

Massachusetts Senate preserves energy-efficiency funding in new bill

Earlier this year, the House proposed $1B in cuts to the state’s nation-leading efficiency program. The Senate rejected that idea in a sweeping new energy bill.

By Sarah Shemkus . 25 June 2026
Data centers

Virginia slaps data centers with big new tax — but no climate rules

The state’s Democratic trifecta couldn’t agree on clean energy or air-quality reforms in time for the budget, which passed this week after months of negotiation.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 23 June 2026