West

Batteries

A pioneering grid-battery factory is headed for this California city

Sodium-ion batteries promise cheaper, more durable energy storage. Peak Energy seeks to kick-start the next-gen battery market by building the first big U.S. plant.

By Julian Spector .

10 July 2026

Stage with speaker and others seated with a large US flag behind them and rows of people seated on a gleaming floor — Emily Desai, chief deputy director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, speaks at Peak Energy’s new Sacramento, California, factory, which will be equipped with machinery to start production in early 2027. (Peak Energy)

Liquefied natural gas

Hawaiʻi committed to 100% clean energy. Now it’s flirting with natural gas.

Gov. Josh Green, a Democrat, wants to import LNG to slash energy bills. But the move might not lead to savings — and it could trip up the state’s climate goals.

By Julian Spector, Savannah Harriman-Pote . 9 July 2026
Electrification

Southern California clean-heat rule survives key legal challenge

A U.S. appeals court upheld the first-in-the-nation measure, which will slash smog-forming emissions from certain gas-fueled boilers and heaters in the region.

By Maria Gallucci . 8 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
Carbon-free buildings

California’s choice: Cleaner air for schools or money for utilities

State lawmakers must decide whether to unlock $194M to fix aging school HVAC and plumbing systems or return it to utilities for a few dollars off monthly bills.

By Jeff St. John . 29 June 2026
Fossil fuels

Washington coal plant produces no power but plenty of costs. Who pays?

The Trump administration ordered the last coal plant in Washington to be on standby. Its owner wants utilities to pick up the still-running tab for that.

By Tom Banse . 26 June 2026
Solar

California solar surged ahead of gas in the first 5 months of 2026

Utility-scale solar outproduced gas plants on 82% of all days from January through May, with batteries helping to extend solar’s reach into the evening hours.

By Julian Spector . 22 June 2026
Solar

Community solar needs space to grow. Warehouse rooftops have lots of it.

Industrial buildings could host gigawatts of shared solar to deliver low-cost power to underserved urban communities — if states and utilities allow it to scale up.

By Jeff St. John . 22 June 2026
EV charging

In this house, an EV helps power appliances — and the grid

Can electric vehicles finally start working as backup batteries for homes and the grid? This 120-home pilot project in California is working out the kinks.

By Jeff St. John . 9 June 2026
Long-duration energy storage

Pioneering grid battery nudges California closer to 24/7 clean energy

The Tumbleweed installation just went online in Kern County. It can store clean energy and discharge it for eight hours straight, a harbinger of what’s to come.

By Julian Spector . 8 June 2026
Emissions reduction

California makes controversial change to cap-and-invest program

Air regulators say the new plan balances industry needs and environmental goals — but critics worry that the state has just undermined its own emissions targets.

By Jeff St. John . 1 June 2026