Utilities

Solar

Alabama Power can keep charging steep rooftop solar fee, judge rules

The standby charge, among the highest in the nation, is “chilling” solar in the sunny state, critics say. Alabama Power says the fee is needed to maintain the grid.

By Dennis Pillion . 1 April 2026
Clean energy

Arizona cuts key renewables policy as clean energy market takes off

Regulators said ending the state’s renewable portfolio standard would save customers money, but the official economic analysis undermines that assertion.

By Julian Spector . 31 March 2026
Utilities

Ann Arbor, Michigan, prepares to launch its own clean energy utility

Investor-owned utilities have been slow to ditch fossil fuels. The city of Ann Arbor plans to boost access to renewables with a unique model rolling out this year.

By Carey L. Biron . 23 March 2026
Data centers

Duke Energy agrees to explore a cleaner way to power data centers

A settlement deal would commit the North Carolina utility to working with Google on a scheme that lets data centers pay to secure 24/7 clean energy.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 19 March 2026
Solar

The fight over California’s community solar plan is heating up

Regulators are long overdue on their mandate to create a community solar-storage program. And critics say the plan that is in the works is “fatally flawed.”

By Jeff St. John . 17 March 2026
Nuclear

Draft bill would let utilities own nuclear plants in Ohio

Last year, the state banned utilities from building and operating electricity generation. But now, some lawmakers want to make an exception for “advanced nuclear.”

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 12 March 2026
Data centers

Illinois to data centers: Bring your own renewables and skip the line

Proposed legislation offers perks for data centers that invest in clean energy. A broad coalition supports the bill, but details still need to be hammered out.

By Kari Lydersen . 12 March 2026
Batteries

Base Power to launch 100-MW home battery network for Texas utility

The unicorn startup notched its biggest utility partnership yet, to install enough home batteries to rival a gas-fired peaker power plant.

By Julian Spector . 11 March 2026
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