Today’s headlines: New York’s data center moratorium, and more

DATA CENTERS

• New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) issues a statewide freeze on permitting large-scale data centers for up to one year, citing a need to figure out how to protect the environment, grid, and consumers from the facilities. (The Hill)
• Funding for climatetech startups surged in the first half of 2026 after several down years, driven in large part by investment in low-carbon data center projects. (CTVC)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Oil prices jump to a four-week high as the U.S. and Iran resume military strikes in the Middle East, deterring shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. (NBC News)
• President Donald Trump’s plan to build two new coal plants — the nation’s first in 13 years — would cost nearly $20 billion if outfitted with carbon capture technology as planned. (CNN)

CLEAN ENERGY

• Citing national security threats, the Trump administration has delayed 155 new wind energy projects across 24 states, and the Pentagon has not revealed when it will resume permitting. (Grist)
• Although the cost of renewables has increased due to tariffs and interest rates, wind and solar remain the cheapest sources of power as all forms of energy get more expensive. (Heatmap)
• The startup Reflect Orbital has won the first-ever Federal Communications Commission license to beam sunlight back to Earth at night in order to produce solar energy. (New York Times)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• EV chargers are growing especially fast in the South, including at fast-food chains like Bojangles and convenience stores. (New York Times)
• Electric RVs are starting to hit the market in the U.S., offering the potential to transform the way millions of Americans vacation each year. (Washington Post)

NUCLEAR

• Shares in General Fusion, the first publicly traded nuclear fusion company, soared after its stock-market debut on Monday. (TechCrunch)