Today’s headlines: Crude prices skyrocket, Indian Point gets an advocate, and more

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.

IRAN

• International crude oil prices spiked close to $120 per barrel over the weekend before sinking to just under $100 this morning amid continued turmoil in the Middle East. (Associated Press)

• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) calls on the Trump administration to tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower gasoline prices. (E&E News)

NUCLEAR

• U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and the Republican New York Congress member whose district includes the Indian Point nuclear plant argue that the facility should be reopened to lower electricity costs. (City and State)

• South Korea’s industry minister says the country may help fund a U.S. nuclear plant as part of its promise to invest $350 million in the U.S. (Reuters)

SOLAR

• Qcells resumes solar panel manufacturing in Georgia after conquering a customs hurdle that has held up work since November. (PV Magazine)

BATTERIES

• SK Battery America Inc. lays off nearly 1,000 workers at its Atlanta EV battery plant, citing market instability. (Associated Press)

POLITICS

• The election of two Georgia Democrats over Republican incumbents on the state’s utility regulatory board last year could be a bellwether for public utility elections across the U.S. this year amid energy affordability debates. (E&E News)

AFFORDABILITY

• Wholesale power prices for ISO New England hit historically high levels this winter as low temperatures drove the highest energy use in the region since 2014. (RTO Insider)

HYDROGEN

• Plug Power plans to auction as much as 250 MW of hydrogen power in a special auction PJM Interconnection may hold later this year. (Bloomberg)

GEOTHERMAL

• The U.S. geothermal energy industry is relying on former oil and gas workers, who hold expertise in drilling and other essential skills. (Grist)

DATA CENTERS

• At least 11 states are considering temporary bans and other measures to rein in data center development amid concerns about energy prices and environmental impact. (Stateline)