Solar had a big 2024

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.

SOLAR

• The U.S. installed 50 GW of solar capacity last year, accounting for 66% of new capacity added to the grid, a new SEIA and Wood Makenzie report finds. (SEIA)

TARIFFS

• In response to President Trump’s tariff threats, Ontario adds a 25% surcharge to power exported to New York, Michigan, and Minnesota, a move that could cost residents and businesses in these states up to $400,000 a day. (New York Times)

• The charges threaten northern states’ climate plans that rely on Canadian clean energy imports. (E&E News)

COURTS

• The U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear an argument by 19 Republican attorneys general seeking to limit states’ abilities to sue fossil fuel companies for climate damages. (New York Times)

FOSSIL FUELS

• At CERAWeek, Energy Secretary Chris Wright promises an end to the Biden administration’s ​“irrational” climate policies, while oil and gas executives who once touted the necessity of renewables instead proposed continuing the fossil fuel buildout (NBC News, Washington Post)

• Interior Secretary Doug Burgum says the U.S. should restart its closed coal power plants under President Trump’s energy emergency. (Reuters)

• The Trump administration terminates leases for 29 mine safety offices, a third of which are in Appalachia, including six in Kentucky. (Louisville Courier Journal)

OVERSIGHT

• The Trump administration suspends a Biden-era rule aimed at holding energy companies and other firms liable for accidentally killing migratory birds, potentially affecting the wind and oil and gas industries. (Washington Post)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Analysts say House Republicans won’t be able to derive large budget cuts from slashing EPA tailpipe emissions regulations if they first repeal EV tax credits. (E&E News)

GEOTHERMAL

• Behind-the-meter geothermal energy production could meet up to 64% of electricity demand expected to come from hyperscale data centers by 2030, according to a new Rhodium Group report. (Latitude Media)

GRID

• Hitachi Energy announces a $250 million investment to scale up electric transformer production to meet rising demand sparked by data center growth, with 40% of that investment headed to the U.S. (Utility Dive)