Data centers get flexible

This roundup of U.S. energy news headlines is part of our Canary Media Daily newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox each morning.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Democratic state lawmakers say they’re unlikely to support bills to let EV makers sell directly to consumers as Elon Musk clouds Tesla’s reputation. (Politico)

POLITICS

• After President Trump says U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin anticipates he’ll cut 65% of the agency’s staff, a White House spokesperson says Zeldin instead aims to cut 65% of ​“wasteful spending.” (E&E News)

• The U.S. House votes to overturn the Biden administration’s rule that charges oil and gas companies a methane emissions fee. (The Hill)

• Congressional Democrats vow to fight the EPA’s plan to challenge the landmark finding that fossil fuels harm public health. (E&E News)

• Democrats denounce Trump’s energy emergency declaration as a ​“sham” the administration has used to boost oil and gas production and slash the federal workforce, but fail to overturn it in the Senate. (Associated Press)

CLEAN ENERGY

• Wind developers and solar and battery manufacturers say in earnings reports that the Trump administration is likely to slow their growth this year. (E&E News)

• Industry analysts expect residential solar to rebound after last year’s slowdown, though at least two installers recently laid off employees amid federal policy uncertainty and high interest rates. (Latitude Media)

• Tariffs on critical minerals could end up being a boon for the U.S. battery recycling industry. (Latitude Media)

FUNDING FREEZE

• As some states regain access to funding for electric buses and efficiency work, money for other clean energy initiatives remains in limbo. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star, NHPR)

GRID

• Grid operator PJM’s failure to enact reforms to its interconnection process in years past could cost consumers as much as $7 billion this year, a new report concludes. (PV Magazine)

• A group of national grid equipment manufacturers predicts U.S. electricity demand will grow 2% annually over the next 25 years from data centers and other sectors. (Utility Dive)

FOSSIL FUELS

• A U.S. Energy Department report found new liquified natural gas export terminals on the Gulf Coast would lead to domestic fuel and electricity price spikes, raising doubts about Trump’s promise to lower costs by encouraging exports. (Grist)

• In its $300 million defamation lawsuit against Greenpeace, the Dakota Access pipeline owner claims the nonprofit’s statements against the project caused eight banks to back out of financing the pipeline. (North Dakota Monitor)

NUCLEAR

• Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho consider creating a partnership aimed at encouraging advanced nuclear reactor deployment. (Deseret News)

• Data centers could provide a revenue lifeline for Illinois’ six nuclear plants, which in recent years have been supported by a zero-emissions standard and a carbon mitigation credit that are set to expire in 2027, as well as a federal tax credit that could come under scrutiny. (S&P Global)

MINING

• Sibanye-Stillwater, the largest investor in the proposed Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine in Nevada, withdraws its $490 million commitment, but says the project should still be able to access its funding from the federal Loan Programs Office. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)