Today’s headlines: SEC’s climate risk rollback, unions weigh in on data centers, 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.

CLIMATE

• The Securities and Exchange Commission formally moves to rescind a Biden-era rule that would’ve required public companies to disclose their climate risks and emissions, after already vowing not to defend the rule against court challenges. (The Hill)

• California regulators approve a proposed carbon cap-and-invest market overhaul, which some advocates fear will steer billions of dollars in free pollution permits to oil refineries and other industrial facilities. (CalMatters)

POLITICS

• A group of clean energy investors is working to boost the campaigns of Republican state and federal lawmakers who support wind and solar energy. (New York Times)

DATA CENTERS

• Worker unions are beginning to intervene in favor of data centers as they see the facilities as an emerging source of jobs. (E&E News)

• Ann Arbor, Michigan-based battery energy storage startup VoltHarbor raises $2 million in a seed round to further its technology designed to help data centers use end-of-life EV batteries. (Crain’s Detroit)

STORAGE

• Data show Arizona added 940 MW of battery energy storage capacity during the first quarter of 2026, the nation’s second-highest amount after Texas and ahead of California. (Phoenix Business Journal)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Louisiana’s booming construction of liquefied natural gas export terminals follows a long history of industries polluting and passing environmental costs on to Black and Indigenous communities in the area. (Scalawag)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Ann Arbor, Michigan, plans to offer residents rebate checks of up to $7,500 to buy new EVs as a way to spur adoption after federal incentives expired. (Detroit Free Press)

• A northeastern Ohio EV battery plant jointly owned by General Motors and LG Energy Solution delays the return of hundreds of workers as EV demand remains weak. (Reuters)