Massachusetts’ climate retreat

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.

UTILITIES

• The Tennessee Valley Authority says it’s ​“in the middle of a historic gas build right now” with 2.8 GW of new generation under construction, and aims to construct up to 1.5 GW of battery storage and as many as four small modular reactors in the coming years. (Utility Dive)

RENEWABLES

• A new report finds 76% of U.S. solar projects and 86% of wind projects slated to come online through 2028 will be able to access federal tax credits by starting construction before July 4, 2026. (Latitude Media)

• Pine Gate Renewables moves to close a solar factory in western North Carolina and lay off more than 78% of its workforce as it files for bankruptcy due to clean energy policy changes under the Trump administration. (Charlotte Observer)

AFFORDABILITY

• U.S. wholesale power prices will keep rising next year, as will electricity demand, the Energy Information Administration predicts. (Utility Dive)

ELECTRIFICATION

• New York Gov. Kathy Hochul agrees to delay the implementation of a law requiring new construction to be all-electric while an appeals court considers a lawsuit challenging the rule. (CBS News)

FOSSIL FUELS

• The Trump administration rescinds Biden-era restrictions on oil and gas drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and opens the door for ConocoPhillips to explore and develop beyond its Willow project, drawing fire from environmental and Indigenous advocates. (news release, Inside Climate News, E&E News)
• Six states have increased coal power generation and reduced gas consumption this year amid high gas prices, reversing a years-long trend. (Reuters)
• A former Pennsylvania coal-burning power plant being redeveloped as a natural gas plant is ​“courting” data center customers and could have its first customer by the end of the year. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

GRID

• The Grain Belt Express developer asks the Illinois Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that blocked a permit for the $7 billion project. (E&E News)

BATTERIES

• California Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state has added 1,200 MW of battery energy storage to its grid over the last six months, bringing its total installed capacity to about one-third of what’s needed to reach its 100% clean energy by 2045 goal. (Los Angeles Times)
• ICL Group cancels plans for a St. Louis lithium-iron phosphate plant after the Trump administration canceled a $200 million grant in support of the project. (E&E News)