Policy & regulation

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
Wind

New Ohio bill could hamstring big wind and solar farms even more

Despite bipartisan agreement that Ohio needs more electricity generation, the GOP-led Senate passed a bill that would boost natural gas and ding renewables.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 23 June 2026
Solar

Community solar needs space to grow. Warehouse rooftops have lots of it.

Industrial buildings could host gigawatts of shared solar to deliver low-cost power to underserved urban communities — if states and utilities allow it to scale up.

By Jeff St. John . 22 June 2026
Solar

Rooftop solar is in for a tough few years in the US

Trump and GOP lawmakers revoked lucrative tax credits for rooftop solar. The results are predictable.

By Dan McCarthy . 19 June 2026