Today’s headlines: New Jersey allows balcony solar, LNG exports soar, 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.

SOLAR

• New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) signs a law authorizing residents to use plug-in solar panels. (Gothamist)

• The DOE looks to award $12 million to projects that could make space-based solar power production possible. (news release)

FOSSIL FUELS

• U.S. LNG exports rose 23% in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2025, largely thanks to the expanded use of existing refineries and production facilities. (Energy Information Administration)

• The DOE extends an order keeping Florida’s Stanton coal plant from entering an extended cold shutdown for another three months. (news release)

NUCLEAR

• Realta Fusion and Madison Gas and Electric plan to build a 200-MW nuclear fusion plant in Wisconsin by the 2030s, starting with prototype devices to commercialize the technology. (Wisconsin State Journal)

GRID

• Watchdog groups warn that prolonged outages in Gary, Indiana, last month should serve as a warning to other utilities to prioritize grid reliability upgrades over profits. (Chicago Sun-Times)

• MISO proposes a set of requirements that large load customers, like data centers, must meet to support reliability planning and understand risks. (Utility Dive)

• Maryland’s energy consumer watchdog is challenging grid operator PJM’s plan to procure more power to avoid a potential shortfall, arguing that the planned auction could cost residents some $562 million over 15 years. (Inside Climate News)