Southeast

Corporate procurement

Google buys power from record-busting solar-battery site in Arkansas

Developer Cypress Creek has broken ground on the project, which will eventually deliver 2.5 gigawatts of solar production and 2.9 gigawatt-hours of battery storage.

By Julian Spector .

15 July 2026

Overhead view of a remote construction site with steel coils, tents, and cars on sunny day with a few clouds in the distance — The Steel River Energy Center in Mississippi County, Arkansas (Cypress Creek Energy)

Energy efficiency

New manufactured homes may get more efficient thanks to housing law

The Trump administration has a year to issue updated energy conservation standards for the homes, a move that would especially help the rural South.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 15 July 2026
Electrification

New Trump rules make it more costly to electrify North Carolina homes

The Department of Energy recently announced new guidance that prevents “fuel switching,” scrambling the state’s first-ever electrification program.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 9 July 2026
Geothermal

Quaise Energy raises $134M to fuel superhot geothermal ambitions

The startup closed the first tranche of Series B funding as it pushes to build a novel geothermal plant in Oregon and advance its rock-melting drilling tech.

By Maria Gallucci . 7 July 2026
Data centers

Duke Energy proposes special rules for data centers in North Carolina

After insisting it wasn’t needed, Duke pitched a "large load tariff" for big energy users — a concession to critics before a hearing on its proposed rate hike.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 6 July 2026
Green steel

Hyundai’s new steel mill sparks hopes and fears in Louisiana

The manufacturer is building a $6 billion facility that will use cleaner technology — and potentially green hydrogen. But residents question whether they will benefit.

By Maria Gallucci . 25 June 2026
Data centers

Virginia slaps data centers with big new tax — but no climate rules

The state’s Democratic trifecta couldn’t agree on clean energy or air-quality reforms in time for the budget, which passed this week after months of negotiation.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 23 June 2026
Data centers

Data centers are key to fight over Duke electric rates in North Carolina

Duke Energy wants to raise household rates by 18%. Clean energy and consumer advocates say there's a much better way to prepare for data centers.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 17 June 2026
Clean aluminum

Energy-hungry aluminum plant is swept up in Oklahoma governor’s race

The state’s Republican attorney general — a gubernatorial candidate — sued to stop the new Trump-backed smelter, which would double America’s aluminum output.

By Maria Gallucci . 10 June 2026
Solar

New Qcells plant doubles current US capacity to make solar cells

The company’s Cartersville, Georgia, factory is the largest of its kind in the nation — and it just started producing the key solar panel component.

By Julian Spector . 9 June 2026
Fossil fuels

North Carolina bill would prop up coal until new nuclear is approved

The Republican-backed House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act, which could rein in some data center costs but extend the life of costly old coal plants.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 9 June 2026