Southeast

Clean aluminum

Loss of green smelter highlights Kentucky’s need for clean electricity

Century Aluminum chose Oklahoma, not Kentucky, for a new smelter. Some say it’s a "wake-up call" for the Bluegrass State to modernize – and decarbonize – its grid.

By Maria Gallucci . 10 February 2026
Hydrogen

Green hydrogen hype has dried up. This US startup is pressing on.

Electric Hydrogen sees a real but short runway for U.S. green hydrogen projects. Can the company’s next-generation electrolyzer tech gain traction in Europe?

By Jeff St. John . 9 February 2026
Solar

Most of Virginia restricts solar farms. Lawmakers want to change that.

As more counties effectively shut out utility-scale solar, the legislature is advancing a measure that would block blanket bans and establish siting standards.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 6 February 2026
Energy storage

Startup unveils heat battery it says can decarbonize almost any factory

Electrified Thermal Solutions has started operating its first superhot, commercial-scale thermal battery in Texas to help manufacturers curb emissions.

By Maria Gallucci . 29 January 2026
Solar

Is solar really overrunning farmland? Data in North Carolina says no.

Arrays occupy a “minuscule” share of farmland even though the state is a solar leader, a new study finds — belying claims from the Trump admin and others.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 29 January 2026
Solar

North Carolina may use batteries to give new life to old solar farms

A Duke Energy proposal backed by clean energy groups would let older solar farms renew their expiring contracts on favorable terms — if they build storage.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 27 January 2026
Clean aluminum

It takes two aluminum firms to build one power-hungry smelter, apparently

Century Aluminum was eyeing Kentucky for a new smelter, but in a surprise move says it’s teaming up with Emirates Global Aluminium to build one in Oklahoma.

By Maria Gallucci . 26 January 2026
Batteries

A Texas data center will open sooner thanks to an offline grid battery

While Eolian makes important upgrades to a 100-megawatt battery, the company will lend that grid connection to help CyrusOne’s data center get up and running.

By Julian Spector . 22 January 2026
Solar

After Helene, rural North Carolina turns to solar and battery hubs

More than a year after the storm’s devastation, clean-energy microgrids are springing up in remote areas thanks to a program that could become a national model.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 20 January 2026
Solar

Chart: Solar is finally bigger than coal in Texas

Sure, coal had a comeback in 2025. But the year also marked the first time Texas got more power from solar than from the increasingly expensive fossil fuel.

By Dan McCarthy . 16 January 2026