Managing new political risk for renewable energy projects

Clean energy developers face multiple risks from the Trump administration — but there are pathways for easing them.

By Jason Kosek and Peja Breuler • Aug. 11, 2025

FERC’s Christie steps down, leaving agency with three members

The White House plans to name Commissioner David Rosner, a Democrat, as interim chairman, according to reports. One former FERC official speculated that the administration wants a majority that will support colocating data centers at power plants.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 11, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

Lawmaker, AARP call for nationwide utility commission reforms to stop rising electric bills

A coalition of consumer and environmental advocates said public service commissions have become too closely aligned with utility interests. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., reintroduced legislation this week to prohibit utility companies from using ratepayer dollars to fund political lobbying and advertising.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 8, 2025

In wind and solar dispute, Sens. Grassley, Curtis delay Trump nominees

“The idea is, when you do this, it will get a certain amount of attention from the administration," said Tim Hagle, a political scientist at the University of Iowa.

By Diana DiGangi , Meris Lutz • Aug. 7, 2025

In blow to some battery operators, Texas maintains non-spin reserve threshold

Experts said the decision could reduce non-spin reserves on the state’s electric grid and push some players out of state.

By Brian Martucci • Aug. 7, 2025

Mapping Trump’s tariffs by trade balance and geography

Duties on over 90 countries’ imports are slated to rise above a previous 10% baseline tariff implemented by the U.S. Here are three graphics illustrating the changes.

By Edwin Lopez • Aug. 6, 2025

We at PJM need realistic solutions, not politics, to take on energy challenges

Some public narratives have presented an inaccurate picture of the PJM Interconnection’s role in cost-effectively keeping the lights on. Here are the facts.

By Aftab Khan • Aug. 6, 2025

PSE&G large load pipeline jumps 47%, to 9.4 GW, much of it speculative

Most of the demand is from data centers, but the New Jersey utility only expects about 10% to 20% of the interconnection inquiries to come to fruition, Ralph LaRossa, CEO of Public Service Enterprise Group, the utility’s parent company, said Tuesday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 6, 2025

Interior halts offshore wind leasing, claims industry was favored by Biden administration

Secretary Doug Burgum rescinded designated offshore wind energy areas and directed the department to prioritize capacity density when permitting energy projects on federal lands.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 5, 2025

5 court cases that could derail Trump’s tariffs

One of the critical proceedings challenging Trump's tariff use began last week. Judges sounded skeptical of the administration's arguments. 

By Antone Gonsalves • Aug. 4, 2025

Move fast, adapt faster: A distributed generation playbook for turbulent times

Distributed generation can go from development to construction to operation in months, not years, even under compressed timelines.

By Goksenin “Goksi” Ozturkeri • Aug. 4, 2025

The US will install these country-specific tariffs Aug. 7

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday officially codifying rates for over 60 trading partners while pushing back implementation by seven days.

By Philip Neuffer • Aug. 1, 2025

Aggregations and data centers: If a resource shows up when the grid is straining, make it count.

Allow AI data centers to participate in grid stress management, and the capital will flow to the solutions that enable flexible, grid-supportive outcomes.

By Arushi Sharma Frank • July 31, 2025

Fed holds main rate steady, overriding two dissenting votes

The mix of a cooling labor market and stubborn, above-target inflation has posed a dilemma for the central bank while breaking unanimity among policymakers.

By Jim Tyson • July 31, 2025

Dynegy to pay $38M to settle charges it manipulated MISO’s capacity market

The case shows how easy it is for companies to manipulate regional transmission organization capacity auctions and underscores the need for stronger safeguards, said a consumer watchdog.

By Ethan Howland • July 31, 2025

5 utility commissions ask FERC to undo MISO’s $22B multi-value transmission portfolio

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator overstated the benefits of transmission projects approved in December, according to a complaint at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

By Ethan Howland • July 31, 2025

PPL utilities reach agreement on adding 1.3 GW of gas-fired power, mainly for data centers

The agreement also pushes out the retirement date of a 297-MW coal-fired unit and withdraws an earlier proposal to build a four-hour, 400-MW battery electric storage system at another gas plant. 

By Ethan Howland • July 31, 2025

EPA aims to revoke ‘endangerment finding’ underpinning power, auto sector climate regs

The effort to end greenhouse gas-related rules that address climate change will likely face "significant legal pushback,” according to research firm Capstone.

By Ethan Howland • July 30, 2025

Want abundant energy? Ask who benefits from scarcity.

Achieving energy abundance requires reforming electricity markets, refreshing electric utility regulation and rethinking the way we pay for grid infrastructure.

By Arjun Krishnaswami • July 30, 2025

DOE allows Talen to run oil-fired unit above limits to avoid outages amid heat wave

The unit is one of several owned by Talen Energy that were slated to retire in May of this year, before the company reached a “reliability-must-run” agreement to delay their shuttering to 2029. 

By Ethan Howland • July 29, 2025

Trump’s AI action plan calls for dispatchable resources and grid upgrades

The plan is in line with previous actions by the Trump administration to delay the shuttering of coal plants, but it also acknowledges the need for enhanced efficiency and transmission.   

By Meris Lutz • July 28, 2025

Coal- and gas-fired power plants have a new best friend: data centers

The data center boom is here to stay, but so is climate change. Load growth is not an excuse to reverse progress and renew dependence on fossil fuel energy.

By Abbe Ramanan • July 25, 2025

NRC approvals move Palisades nuclear plant closer to restart

The Palisades plant is now authorized to receive new fuel and formally transition licensed reactor operators to on-shift status, Holtec International said in a statement.

By Robert Walton • July 25, 2025

FERC orders changes to PJM’s grid interconnection process, plus 3 other open meeting takeaways

Required changes include cost allocation for network upgrades, consideration of grid-enhancing technologies and energy storage modeling.

By Ethan Howland • July 25, 2025

US electricity demand to grow 2.5% annually through 2035: BofA Institute

Building electrification, data centers, industrial growth and electric vehicles are among the factors contributing to growth, according to the prediction.

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2025