Policy & regulation

Fossil fuels

Trump looks to radically reshape power plant oversight — and boost coal

Trump's raft of pro-coal executive orders includes a plan to give DOE unprecedented authority to force any power plant to stay open, no matter the cost.

By Jeff St. John . 9 April 2025
Heat pumps

SoCal regulators weigh weakened rules for emissions-free appliances

Though the new proposal would still help clean up the region’s smog-filled air, it stops short short of mandating heat pumps and banning appliances that emit NOx.

By Alison F. Takemura . 8 April 2025
Policy & regulation

Trump’s tariffs undermine his energy and manufacturing goals

Solar and wind power might not suffer as much as batteries and EVs. But Trump’s tariff regime will still harm the nascent U.S. cleantech industry, experts say.

By Jeff St. John . 7 April 2025
Clean energy

Wind and solar power opponents make headway in state legislatures

In Texas and beyond, legislation to kneecap renewables is catching on — although some rural GOP lawmakers still tout the industry’s benefits for their constituents.

By David Montgomery . 7 April 2025
Policy & regulation

What Trump’s tariffs mean for the energy transition

Wind, solar, EVs, data centers, and even fossil fuels are likely to struggle if the new levies hold.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 4 April 2025
Clean energy

Chart: Top 15 states where IRA repeal could raise energy bills

The climate law’s tax credits encourage developers to build clean energy, the cheapest form of power around. Without those incentives, bills would climb.

By Dan McCarthy . 4 April 2025
Methane

States lead on landfill methane emissions as federal action stalls

The EPA was set to tighten rules on landfill operators. With Trump in charge, state policies may be the nation’s best bet at curbing these emissions.

By Isobel Whitcomb . 3 April 2025
Clean industry

Bipartisan bill to boost green building materials glides through House

As the Trump administration cuts or scrutinizes clean industry projects, Congress moves to bolster R&D and deployment of low-carbon concrete, cement, and asphalt.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 3 April 2025
Electric vehicles

The bid to make Illinois a leader on electric trucking

The state is considering adopting California’s ambitious clean trucks standards even as President Trump threatens to block them.

By Kari Lydersen . 1 April 2025
Clean energy

Trump moves goalposts for farmers counting on clean energy grants

The USDA is demanding grant rewrites favoring fossil fuels over renewables, leaving some rural recipients doubtful they’ll ever see the money they were promised.

By Mario Alejandro Ariza, Ames Alexander, Joe Engleman . 31 March 2025