Utilities

Utilities

Virginia’s data center boom tests clean energy law

Exploding electricity needs are pushing Virginia's largest utility to seek new gas plants — despite a state mandate to eliminate fossil fuels by 2045.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 4 September 2025
Fossil fuels

Chart: The retiring coal power plants Trump could revive

The Energy Department keeps ordering expensive, polluting plants to keep running at the eleventh hour. Here’s what’s on the line through the end of Trump’s term.

By Dan McCarthy . 29 August 2025
Fossil fuels

Trump extends order forcing Pennsylvania fossil-fuel plant to stay open

The administration isn’t backing off efforts to revive retiring coal and gas plants. Now, customers are on the hook to pay for Eddystone for another three months.

By Dan McCarthy . 28 August 2025
Utilities

Google’s new plan to keep its data centers from stressing the grid

AI data centers are set to swamp U.S. power grids. Google’s new utility deals aim to flip the script — shifting workloads to ease strain and speed its access to energy.

By Jeff St. John . 28 August 2025
Emissions reduction

North Carolina ditched its 2030 climate goal. Now what?

Rising power demand and the low cost of renewables may give wind and solar a fighting chance even though Duke Energy no longer has to cut emissions in the near term.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 26 August 2025
Utilities

Why power bills are rising — and why that’s not changing soon

Ending support for renewables and keeping fossil fuel power plants are the wrong tactics for addressing skyrocketing electricity rates

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 22 August 2025
Policy & regulation

Chart: Yes, US power prices are rising. Don’t blame clean energy.

Household costs have been going up since 2020 due to an aging grid, natural disasters, and volatile gas prices. Trump is making things worse.

By Dan McCarthy, Ysabelle Kempe . 22 August 2025
Utilities

Ohio Utility Watch: ‘Power corrupts’ and regulatory cases continue

The latest edition of Ohio Utility Watch, a periodic newsletter tracking developments in Ohio's House Bill 6 scandal.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 14 August 2025
Fossil fuels

Massachusetts residents no longer have to subsidize new gas hookups

A new ruling says anyone who wants a new gas line will have to pay for it. Until now, utilities have spread out the costs of new hookups among all their customers.

By Sarah Shemkus . 14 August 2025
Batteries

NYC utility tests portable home batteries to dull AC’s impact on the grid

Con Ed connected power boxes to 65 customers’ AC units, allowing households to stay cool without plugging in during summer system overload.

By Samantha Maldonado, THE CITY . 12 August 2025