Policy & regulation

Carbon-free buildings

California cities face months of delays in building code approvals

State law AB 130 has stalled local building efficiency rules for up to nearly a year, hampering progress on climate goals.

By Alison F. Takemura . 5 October 2026
Transportation

Drivers will pay the price for Trump’s fuel economy rollbacks

Americans will pay more at the pump as the president eases up expectations on automakers. It’s one of several ways the White House is raising the cost of living.

By Wendy Becktold, Ysabelle Kempe . 2 October 2026
Solar

Where does balcony solar stand in your state?

Dozens of states are considering legislation to allow residents to use DIY plug-in solar. Follow the efforts here.

By Sarah Shemkus . 2 October 2026
Virtual power plants

Newsom finally says yes to virtual power plants

California’s outgoing governor approved bills to contain utility spending and allow customers to get paid to let batteries, EVs, and appliances ease grid stress.

By Jeff St. John . 1 October 2026
Transmission

Senate permitting bill could greatly expand power lines and clean energy

The U.S. transmission grid isn’t growing fast enough to meet surging electricity demand. Fast-tracking transmission upgrades could change that.

By Jeff St. John . 30 September 2026
Nuclear

A ‘wholesale revision’ of US nuclear rules is on the table

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has been busy responding to Trump’s executive order. But will the many siting and permitting changes accelerate nuclear deployment?

By Brian Martucci . 30 September 2026
Batteries

Will New York's 1GW storage contracts finally break the state's big battery impasse?

The state stepped in with a market-based contract in hopes of jump-starting the big battery construction that has so far proved elusive.

By Julian Spector . 28 September 2026
Electrification

The Senate wants to pass a permitting reform bill. So what’s the holdup?

A bipartisan group of senators has a plan to speed up energy permits to meet rising demand, but data center backlash and environmental rollbacks are sticking points.

By Austin Corona, Grist . 28 September 2026
Politics

A recent legal victory could free $7B in frozen Solar for All funds

Nonprofits and companies are ready to relaunch solar projects to help low-income residents — if the Trump administration obeys a court order to give them the money.

By Jeff St. John . 24 September 2026
Virtual power plants

Should we get excited about California’s latest virtual power plant?

Google and PG&E will enlist Silicon Valley homes with batteries and other devices to help the grid. But they’re ignoring the data center elephant in the room.

By Jeff St. John . 23 September 2026