Will SMRs happen?

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.

POLITICS

• Western Democrats, advocates, and the industry push back on the Trump administration’s decision to heighten reviews for proposed solar and wind projects on federal land, saying it could lead to a clean energy ​“shadow ban.” (E&E News)

• President Trump dismisses seven of eight members of the federal nuclear waste oversight board. (E&E News)

• Federal lawmakers resume discussions to speed environmental permitting after passing the GOP megalaw. (E&E News)

WIND

• BP will sell its U.S. onshore wind business to LS Power as it once again focuses on fossil fuels. (The Guardian)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Mercedes-Benz will pause production of its EQ EVs at its Alabama factory. (Inside EVs)

• Rivian signs a lease for land in Atlanta to build its East Coast headquarters ahead of plans to break ground on a factory in Georgia next year. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

CLIMATE

• The U.S. EPA will eliminate its Office of Research and Development focused on protecting the environment and human health and cut thousands of employees. (CNBC)

• Climate scientists say President Trump’s funding cuts and layoffs are jeopardizing the country’s ability to address climate change and its environmental and health effects. (The Guardian)

GEOTHERMAL

• North Dakota researchers are examining whether they can pair geothermal power with active oil and gas drilling sites and use captured carbon as a feedstock for geothermal power production. (E&E News)

UTILITIES

• U.S. utilities have requested or secured a record $29 billion in rate increases in the first half of the year, more than double the total reached halfway through 2024. (Latitude Media)

• Republican officials aligned with President Trump discuss the idea of privatizing the federally run Tennessee Valley Authority. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

• California Gov. Gavin Newsom backs legislation that would create a Western transmission organization and day-ahead power market led by the state’s grid operator. (E&E News)

COAL

• New data reveals a Tennessee Valley Authority plant in Alabama contains 21 million cubic yards of coal ash in six ponds, and if all of its sites are in contact with groundwater it could be ​“the dirtiest in the nation.” (AL.com)

• A Wyoming economist says the state could lose up to $50 million annually as a result of federal coal royalty reductions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, but a portion of the losses may be offset by increased economic activity. (Wyoming Public Radio)