Policy & regulation

Virtual power plants

More states look to virtual power plants to fight rising electric bills

A dozen state legislatures are pushing measures to launch or expand programs that rely on customers’ thermostats, batteries, and EVs to relieve the grid.

By Jeff St. John . 25 February 2026
Emissions reduction

Will the EU water down its new carbon tariff?

On Jan. 1, the bloc launched its world-first fee on the carbon emissions of imported goods. A European Commission proposal to allow exemptions is drawing ire.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 24 February 2026
Policy & regulation

Where’s New York on climate goals? Falling behind.

While other states expand decarbonization efforts amid federal opposition, New York is falling back on natural gas and may pause its climate goals altogether.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 20 February 2026
Climate crisis

States push climate superfund bills despite Trump’s opposition

The legislation would make oil and gas firms pay for climate damages from burning their products. Trump has referred to such laws as “extortion.”

By Sarah Shemkus . 17 February 2026
Policy & regulation

The EPA’s biggest emissions-fighting tool is dead — at least for now

The Trump administration has repealed the endangerment finding, setting up legal battles that could determine the future of the bedrock climate policy.

By Dan McCarthy, Kathryn Krawczyk . 13 February 2026
Clean energy

A new Ohio bill could be a de facto statewide ban on solar and wind

The state is mulling a bill that calls for all new generation to be “affordable, reliable, and clean” — but its strained definitions would exclude renewables.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 12 February 2026
Transmission

What Energy Secretary Wright gets wrong about the grid

Chris Wright trashed solar and wind for not providing much power during Winter Storm Fern — and ignored basic facts about how much renewables contribute year-round.

By Jeff St. John . 10 February 2026
Culture

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl show had a big message about Puerto Rico’s grid

The superstar climbed a sparking electric pole as the Trump administration claws back millions in federal funding meant to fix the island’s hurricane-battered grid.

By Maria Gallucci . 9 February 2026
Solar

Most of Virginia restricts solar farms. Lawmakers want to change that.

As more counties effectively shut out utility-scale solar, the legislature is advancing a measure that would block blanket bans and establish siting standards.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 6 February 2026
Energy efficiency

In U-turn, Trump approves low-income energy-assistance funds

A new spending bill gives the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program $4 billion — a reversal from the Trump administration’s proposal to eliminate it last spring.

By Alison F. Takemura . 5 February 2026