Southeast

Fossil fuels

Virginia kept its climate law. Dominion sees a loophole.

To power data centers, the state’s largest utility is proposing a massive 3-gigawatt gas plant that tests the limits of the Virginia Clean Economy Act.

By Elizabeth Ouzts .

9 September 2026

Overhead shot of power plant and coal ash — Dominion Energy wants to build a gas facility near its Chesterfield Power Station in Chester, Virginia, seen here in 2018. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

Solar

A Virginia school district pioneers solar and battery microgrids

Roanoke City Public Schools is building the state’s first solar-plus-storage systems to keep emergency shelters going during extreme weather and cut down on costs.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 8 September 2026
Green steel

Hyundai breaks ground on Louisiana steel mill. Is it green enough?

The plant will cut CO₂ emissions compared to traditional coal furnaces. But Hyundai's use of gas and resulting pollution show the messiness of cleaning up steel.

By Maria Gallucci . 3 September 2026
Solar

Virginia to cut rooftop solar costs with nation-first bulk-buy program

Teaming up to buy solar can get residents deep discounts. Virginia is the first to try a statewide campaign as utility bills rise and data centers stress the grid.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 31 August 2026
Solar

Tesla ditches solar roof — and embraces regular solar panels

The product that was supposed to redefine both roofing and home solar never moved beyond expensive niche status. Does the new plan reflect lessons learned?

By Dan McCarthy, Julian Spector . 24 August 2026
Utilities

Duke Energy deals double whammy to its poorest North Carolina customers

A pilot program that applies a credit to low-income households’ monthly bills is poised to end at the same time rates rise for everyone

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 20 August 2026
Geothermal

Sage Geosystems brings its first next-gen geothermal plant online

It’s only the third such project to hook up to the U.S. grid. It comes as surging electricity demand drives interest in the source of around-the-clock clean power.

By Maria Gallucci . 19 August 2026
Clean energy manufacturing

How Qcells’ Georgia factory is surviving US solar policy whiplash

American solar manufacturers are navigating shifting federal policies on tariffs and tax credits, all while demand for their product continues to grow.

By Emily Jones, Grist . 19 August 2026
Clean aluminum

US aluminum is poised for a comeback — if it overcomes these hurdles

Tariffs and rising grid demand are spurring a revival, but high electricity costs and community concerns threaten to stall key new smelter projects

By Maria Gallucci . 13 August 2026
Solar

In North Carolina, rooftop solar is alive and well despite headwinds

While the industry has suffered the loss of federal tax credits and other economic hits, leasing and batteries make the panels pencil out for many homeowners.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 10 August 2026
Nuclear

Nuclear startup Oklo splits its first atoms in test reactor

It’s a demonstration of the tech Oklo will use for its medical isotope business — not power plants — but marks a milestone nonetheless for the buzzy firm.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 6 August 2026