West

Transmission

This novel power line could link 3 grids across 3 time zones

North Plains Connector has earned backing from the Energy Department and utilities, and could deliver huge cost and reliability benefits — if states give it the OK.

By Jeff St. John .

3 September 2026

Transmission tower and a blue sky — (Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Geothermal

Fervo and Google sign world’s largest deal for next-gen geothermal power

The geothermal startup will supply 400 MW from its Cape Station project to a Google data center in Utah. An initial phase of the project will come online this fall.

By Maria Gallucci . 1 September 2026
Virtual power plants

California declines to fund its biggest virtual power plant

The Demand Side Grid Support program was given no money for next year, though supporters blocked an effort that could have disbanded the VPP altogether.

By Jeff St. John . 1 September 2026
Offshore wind

Trump’s $4B in offshore wind buyouts spur legal blowback from states

Interior is using tax dollars to pay firms to ditch offshore wind leases and invest in fossil fuels instead. California just became the eighth state to sue to stop it.

By Maria Gallucci . 1 September 2026
Balcony solar

California Legislature passes balcony solar bill

Unless Gov. Newsom blocks the bill, it will legalize plug-in solar in one of the world’s biggest economies. But the rules are more restrictive than some hoped for.

By Alison F. Takemura . 26 August 2026
Geothermal

Geothermal needs better tools for superhot drilling. Hephae can help.

For next-gen geothermal to scale, drilling costs must drop. Startup Hephae says its novel tech can make that happen — and developers like Fervo are giving it a try.

By Maria Gallucci . 26 August 2026
Virtual power plants

California virtual power plant bills clear key legislative hurdle

Last year, Gov. Newsom vetoed bills promoting home batteries, smart thermostats, and EV chargers to curb energy costs. Will he do the same this year?

By Jeff St. John . 26 August 2026
Batteries

Arizona is having a grid battery growth spurt. Will that last?

So far this year, it has built more battery capacity than any state besides Texas. But political shifts could complicate the long-term growth trajectory.

By Julian Spector . 24 August 2026
Hydropower

America’s hydropower challenge goes beyond the West

Lakes Mead and Powell have sunk to unprecedented lows, jeopardizing their generation capabilities — but drought persists in the Northeast, too.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 21 August 2026
Geothermal

Geothermal has big potential. Here’s how states can help realize it.

Next-generation geothermal projects are underway in the U.S. West, but states will need more targeted policies for the industry to scale, a new report argues.

By Maria Gallucci . 18 August 2026
Politics

California gubernatorial candidate pledges two hours of free power a day

Democrat Xavier Becerra estimates his plan can cut bills by $1,000 per year. A similar program in Australia offers a blueprint — and some caveats.

By Alison F. Takemura . 18 August 2026