Today’s headlines: Gas plants could sidestep air rules, Trump moves to suspend gas tax, 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.

FOSSIL FUELS

• The U.S. EPA proposes rule changes that would let gas power plants, data centers, and factories start building non-polluting components before they secure federal air pollution permits. (Inside Climate News)

• President Donald Trump says he will move to suspend the federal gas tax, though he’ll need Congress’ support to get it done. (Associated Press)

• U.S. energy production hit a new high last year, driven largely by rising output of natural gas, crude oil, and renewables, and marking four straight years of new records. (EIA)

BATTERIES

• As Ford prepares to open its BlueOval EV battery complex in Michigan in collaboration with Chinese company CATL, experts wonder whether this could pave the way for further U.S.-China collaboration on batteries and other tech. (Bloomberg)

GRID

• PJM Interconnection officials once again face criticism from state leaders at their latest meeting over affordability and reliability concerns, with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) saying the grid operator ​“failed to get ahead of” the data center boom. (E&E News)

GEOTHERMAL

• Next-generation geothermal startup Fervo Energy revises the terms of its IPO to issue 70 million shares at $25 to $26 per share, up from 55.5 million shares at $21 to $24. (news release, Reuters)

SOLAR

• The Solar Energy Industries Association appoints former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, as its new president and CEO, in a sign that the organization will try to raise GOP support for renewables. (PV Magazine)

HYDROPOWER

• Trump signs a bill that will let FERC give recently relicensed hydropower projects more time to start construction, a move that could aid dozens of facilities across 15 states. (E&E News)