Utilities

Utilities

As Californians electrify, can this tech combo prevent grid overload?

Utility PG&E is piloting two devices that strategically throttle power use so that new EVs and heat pumps don’t mean costly home and grid upgrades.

By Jeff St. John . 10 March 2026
Data centers

How states are trying to keep AI data centers off your power bill

“Large load tariffs” are spreading fast as states scramble to protect consumers and the climate from the AI boom. Some approaches have more promise than others.

By Jeff St. John . 4 March 2026
Utilities

Ohio corruption trial traces tactics to prop up nuclear and coal plants

Former FirstEnergy execs Chuck Jones and Mike Dowling face state criminal charges connected to HB 6 bailout maneuvers, for which Ohioans are still paying the price.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 27 February 2026
Utilities

Illinois cities move to cut ties with a massive coal plant

Two communities seeking cleaner, cheaper energy are resisting pressure to extend deals that bind them to getting power from one of the nation’s dirtiest plants.

By Kari Lydersen . 26 February 2026
Virtual power plants

More states look to virtual power plants to fight rising electric bills

A dozen state legislatures are pushing measures to launch or expand programs that rely on customers’ thermostats, batteries, and EVs to relieve the grid.

By Jeff St. John . 25 February 2026
Virtual power plants

New Orleans’ latest bid for a better grid: a citywide virtual power plant

The storm-prone city is making its local utility design a $28 million incentive program to get hundreds more backup batteries into homes and businesses.

By Julian Spector . 24 February 2026
Batteries

Can a big battery help Boston save billions on the power grid? Maybe.

Grid operators don’t readily let batteries stand in for costly transmission upgrades, but this massive Massachusetts project could spur them to reconsider.

By Jeff St. John . 23 February 2026
Utilities

I let Duke Energy control my thermostat. I don’t regret it.

Throughout this freezing-cold winter, customers like me pitched in to save North Carolina’s grid, and we made a little money doing it.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 19 February 2026
Utilities

What’s behind your sky-high power bill: A region-by-region breakdown

Geography, wildfires, natural gas, wind energy, regulatory free-for-alls — these are some of the factors that determine your electric bills.

By Naveena Sadasivam, Clayton Aldern . 19 February 2026
Fossil fuels

Massachusetts scrutinizes pipeline-safety program as gas bills spike

The program aims to fix leaky pipes, but critics say utilities use it to boost profits and overbuild fossil-fuel infrastructure not needed as the state decarbonizes.

By Sarah Shemkus . 5 February 2026