Policy & regulation

Emissions reduction

Can a carbon price lower power bills? Virginia is betting yes.

With power demand from data centers skyrocketing, the state is rejoining a regional climate initiative.

By Jake Bittle . 5 May 2026
Nuclear

Top US nuclear regulator is rewriting its rules for new era of reactors

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has in recent weeks proposed a process for approving microreactors and finalized one for reactors with nontraditional designs.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 4 May 2026
Hydrogen

SoCalGas customers spared paying $266M for hydrogen pipeline project

Regulators nixed the utility's funding plans for a massive, controversial hydrogen pipeline. Enviro groups say there are better ways to decarbonize heavy industry.

By Jeff St. John . 1 May 2026
Distributed energy resources

Two California bills would push utilities to get more out of their grids

The state’s three big utilities typically overbuild to meet peak demand. The legislation would order them to try virtual power plants and smarter grid tech instead.

By Jeff St. John . 30 April 2026
Heat pumps

New winter rates saved at least $37M for Massachusetts heat-pump owners

Rhode Island and New York are in the early stages of considering similar discounts for households that install the electric, clean-heating technology.

By Sarah Shemkus . 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
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