Politics

Affordability

Newsom’s last chance to tackle California’s electricity costs

The governor has blocked efforts to harness distributed energy to rein in rising utility rates. Bills on his desk could reverse that trend — if he signs them.

By Jeff St. John . 16 September 2026

Photo illustration with Gavin Newsom and the California flag with yellow background, rooftop solar on blue background — (Binh Nguyen/Canary Media; Johannes Simon/Getty Images; Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Politics

Clean energy super PAC looks to take down a Democratic governor

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee is the first Democrat targeted by the Invest in Tomorrow Coalition, which has notched wins against clean energy foes in GOP primaries.

By Sarah Shemkus . 2 September 2026
Politics

Meet the super PAC working to crush clean energy's political foes

After Republicans voted to undo much of the Inflation Reduction Act, a few cleantech professionals set out to exact electoral revenge. So far, it seems to be working.

By Julian Spector . 1 September 2026
Virtual power plants

California virtual power plant bills clear key legislative hurdle

Last year, Gov. Newsom vetoed bills promoting home batteries, smart thermostats, and EV chargers to curb energy costs. Will he do the same this year?

By Jeff St. John . 26 August 2026
Clean energy

As Ohio grapples with fake comments on clean energy, some want crackdown

Apparently fake public input has promoted fossil fuels and attacked clean energy in Ohio and beyond. Here’s what officials could do to try to stymie the problem.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 25 August 2026
Green steel

Trump turns $500M grant for clean steel into funding for coal furnace

The money was mandated by Congress to help manufacturers like Cleveland-Cliffs adopt low-carbon tech. Now it’ll be used to extend the life of a polluting facility.

By Maria Gallucci . 21 August 2026
Politics

California gubernatorial candidate pledges two hours of free power a day

Democrat Xavier Becerra estimates his plan can cut bills by $1,000 per year. A similar program in Australia offers a blueprint — and some caveats.

By Alison F. Takemura . 18 August 2026
Data centers

Data centers are officially shaping election season

Data center opponents are winning primaries, and governors are instituting moratoriums — but will the action last beyond Election Day?

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 14 August 2026
Offshore wind

Trump’s war on offshore wind is robbing a generation of workers

Building trades spent the past five years preparing for an offshore wind boom that went bust, leaving workers to mourn good-paying jobs that may never come back.

By Ajani Stella, Inside Climate News . 11 August 2026
Wind

The Pentagon's wind farm blockade is over — for now

A federal judge issued yet another blow to Trump’s war on wind, ruling that the Defense Department must resume its review of onshore wind permit applications.

By Dan McCarthy . 6 August 2026
Politics

Trump is blocking billions of dollars of grants that would fix the grid

The Department of Energy has canceled or stalled funding for thousands of projects that would improve the country’s stressed grid — and not just in blue states.

By Jeff St. John . 6 August 2026