Today’s headlines: FERC’s data center directive, Vermont legalizes balcony solar, 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.

DATA CENTERS

• FERC directs grid operators to expedite the connection of data centers to the grid and prevent projects’ power costs from being hefted onto residential customers. (Latitude Media)

• Data centers could more than double their share of U.S. power demand and account for up to 15% of electricity use by 2030 as forecast growth outpaces any efficiency gains, according to a federal laboratory’s new report. (E&E News)

• The Public Utility Commission of Texas approves stricter standards for data centers to connect to the state’s standalone power grid. (Houston Public Media, Texas Tribune)

SOLAR

• Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) signs a bill authorizing the use of balcony solar panels that residents can assemble themselves and plug into a conventional outlet. (State Affairs)

• Kern County, California’s supervisors approve Terra-Gen’s proposed 1.4-GW Discovery solar-plus-storage project on about 7,700 acres of private land. (KGET)

NUCLEAR

• Commonwealth Fusion Systems has reportedly secured a nine-figure investment from an Abu Dhabi investment fund and is building what it says will be the world’s most powerful tokamak, a machine that uses powerful magnets to create fusion power. (NBC Boston)

COAL

• A Wisconsin coal plant previously slated for retirement that’s now receiving $19 million from the Trump administration to modernize operations significantly increased its carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions last year. (Wisconsin Examiner)

CLEAN ENERGY

• University of Michigan researchers test new devices to convert wave energy to electricity for an island in Lake Michigan, as residents seek more stable power sources for critical facilities. (Interlochen Public Radio)