Huge offshore wind pause

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.

OFFSHORE WIND

• The U.S. Interior Department will immediately pause leases for all five offshore wind projects under construction, citing unspecified ​“national security risks.” (Axios)

• New York state announces plans to invest up to $300 million in port upgrades to strengthen the offshore wind industry and supply chain. (news release)

GRID

• The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission says it is ​“unacceptable” that grid operator PJM Interconnection was unable to secure enough capacity to meet its reliability target in its most recent auction and orders PJM to file new rules making it easier to build power plants in the region. (Utility Dive)

• FERC orders PJM to create rules governing the colocation of power plants with data centers and other large energy users, a move analysts call a ​“major victory” for power plant owners. (Utility Dive)

• The federal Bureau of Land Management green-lights the 217-mile high-voltage Cross-Tie transmission project designed to carry wind and solar power between Nevada and Utah. (news release)

CLEAN ENERGY

• Developers, experts, and advocates say the renewable-energy industry has taken a hit this year under the Trump administration, but are optimistic they’ll see a rebound in 2025. (Associated Press)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Minnesota Power abandons plans to buy electricity from a planned $1 billion gas plant in northern Wisconsin, casting doubt on the project that has faced opposition from tribes and environmental groups. (Star Tribune)

NUCLEAR

• New York state and Ontario sign an agreement to collaborate on nuclear power technology, development, training, and financing. (CBC)

GEOTHERMAL

• A group of 13 states will partner to rapidly expand geothermal power development in collaboration with private industry. (news release)

• Fervo expects the first phase of its Cape Station enhanced geothermal project to come online next year after attracting private investments and interest. (Utah News Dispatch)

CLIMATE

• Bills that aimed to make fossil fuel companies pay for the damages of climate change stalled out this year in several Northeastern states, as lawmakers wait to see the outcome of legal challenges to similar laws in New York and Vermont. (Bloomberg Law)

UTILITIES

• FirstEnergy affiliates in Ohio agree to pay $275 million in restitution to their customers as part of a deal to settle and resolve years of investigations tied to the House Bill 6 corruption scandal. (Cleveland.com)

NEW FROM CANARY

• Electrifying these factories could cut a gigaton of CO2 pollution — Maria Gallucci

• A path to fast, cheap home solar and batteries: go through the meter — Jeff St. John

• Georgia’s lame-duck utility commission OKs massive, pricey gas buildout — Jeff St. John

• The 10 biggest clean energy stories of 2025 — Kathryn Krawczyk