Today’s headlines: NRC proposes speedier licensing, Craig 1 fires back up, 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.

NUCLEAR

• The Nuclear Regulatory Commission proposes speeding up licensing for advanced nuclear reactor designs, and exempting some projects from National Environmental Policy Act requirements. (E&E News)

FOSSIL FUELS

• In Colorado, Tri-State Generation and Transmission restarts its idled Craig 1 coal plant, months after the Trump administration ordered the owner to delay its retirement. (Colorado Sun)

• Utility industry insiders say they expect the EPA to repeal Biden-era power plant rules in the coming months by raising doubts about the climate impact of gas power and about carbon capture’s efficacy. (E&E News)

DATA CENTERS

• Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) vetoes what would have been the first statewide data center moratorium, saying it would have stopped a widely supported project already under development. (Maine Morning Star)

SOLAR

• North Carolina utility regulators direct Duke Energy to pause procurement of solar power generation and battery storage until the two parties agree on an updated integrated resource plan. (E&E News)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Leases on as many as 300,000 EVs will expire this year, flooding the market with used cars and giving consumers a more affordable option as gas prices soar. (New York Times)

GRID

• U.S. electricity revenue rose 9% this February compared to the same month in 2025, indicating retail power prices rose on a similar scale over the year. (EIA)

• An analysis firm finds the Pacific Northwest grid could face a near-term power shortfall as demand rises faster than new generating resources can be deployed. (Washington State Standard)

CLIMATE

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signs a law blocking local governments from enacting policies to track their greenhouse gas emissions and otherwise pursue net-zero goals. (Miami Herald)