Today’s headlines: Trump invokes wartime powers to boost fossil fuels, 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.

FOSSIL FUELS

• President Donald Trump invokes the Defense Production Act to boost coal, oil, and gas production and shore up the power grid, unveiling a series of executive orders that could prompt more pipeline construction and fossil fuel procurement. (E&E News)

• Environmental groups sue the Interior Department to stop BP from launching a $5 billion drilling project in the Gulf of Mexico. (New York Times)

DATA CENTERS

• FERC is working on a regulatory proposal that could increase its authority over how large power consumers are brought onto the grid, which may have major implications for AI data centers and who pays for the grid upgrades they need to come online. (Politico)

• More than 270 data center projects are facing pushback across the U.S., more than the 258 onshore and offshore wind projects facing similar opposition. (Heatmap)

SOLAR

• A New York Times article about balcony solar’s popularity in Germany inspired a Utah state representative to champion a bill that legalized use of the tech in the state, sparking a wave of similar legislation across the country. (Grist)

• Interior Secretary Doug Burgum tells a congressional panel that Chinese solar panel imports warrant strong inspections to root out alleged national security risks. (Bloomberg)

MINERALS

• USA Rare Earth, a critical minerals company with backing from the U.S. government, announces plans to buy Brazilian rare earths mining company Serra Verde in a $2.8 billion deal. (CNBC)

CLEAN ENERGY

• Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and other climate leaders urge Democrats to make an affordability case for clean energy as oil prices remain high and the midterm elections approach. (The Guardian)

• Average solar and wind power purchase agreement prices rose across North America during the first quarter of 2026, largely thanks to intensifying electricity demand. (Utility Dive)