Today’s headlines: Strait of Hormuz blockaded, a solar factory comes to Georgia, 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.

MIDDLE EAST ENERGY SHOCK

• The U.S. military says it has implemented a total blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and is turning back some oil tankers that attempt to leave Iranian ports. (The Hill)

CLEAN ENERGY

• Georgia firm Suniva plans to build a $350 million, 4.5-GW solar-cell factory in Laurens, South Carolina, that is expected to employ 564 workers. (South Carolina Daily Gazette, PV Magazine)

• China is reportedly considering stopping exports of solar manufacturing equipment to the U.S., a move that would deal a serious blow to U.S. solar companies. (Reuters)

• U.S. solar and wind contract prices surged in the first quarter due to rising tariffs, labor shortages, and permitting difficulties, a new report finds. (Reuters)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Trump administration officials attend a groundbreaking ceremony for a controversial $1 billion pipeline intended to carry natural gas from Pennsylvania, under waters off New Jersey, and into New York. (New York Times)

• The NAACP sues Elon Musk’s xAI, claiming its use of gas-burning turbines in Mississippi to power data centers violates the Clean Air Act and harms nearby communities. (CNBC)

GRID

• U.S. utilities plan to spend $1.4 trillion on capital expenditures by 2030, driven by data centers and load growth, the need for extreme-weather protection, and aging infrastructure, according to a consumer group’s new report. (E&E News)

• Federal regulators approve market rules for a new 1,250-MW transmission line set to begin delivering Canadian hydropower into New York City next month. (Utility Dive)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Uber expands its investment in Lucid, saying it will invest another $200 million and buy at least 35,000 of the company’s EVs to use as robotaxis, up from 20,000 announced last year. (CNBC)

• Battery recycler Redwood Materials partners with Rivian to reuse the EV maker’s battery packs for onsite energy storage at Rivian’s Illinois manufacturing plant. (Solar Power World)

• Caterpillar Inc. reportedly acquires self-driving electric tractor startup Monarch Tractor. (Bloomberg)

NEW FROM CANARY

• Vermont’s first neighborhood geothermal project prepares to break ground — Sarah Shemkus

• Stegra lands funding to complete world’s first major green-steel mill — Maria Gallucci

• What to expect as Ohio utility corruption trial heads for a do-over — Kathiann M. Kowalski

• Georgia Power will now let data centers bring their own clean energy — Jeff St. John