Renewables
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Illinois sets 3-GW energy storage target, requires utilities to develop virtual power plants
Electricity bills in Illinois rose 15% last year. A new law aims to reduce energy costs by incentivizing new resources, expanding solar and growing efficiency programs.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 9, 2026 -
Win McNamee via Getty Images
Emboldened Virginia Democrats focus on clean energy, affordability
Their proposals include bills intended to increase renewables and energy storage, expand utility efficiency programs and improve load forecasting.
By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 8, 2026 -
Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo via Getty Images
Utilities under pressure: 6 power sector trends to watch in 2026
Facing rising demand and aggressive load growth projections, utilities are rolling out massive spending plans. Now they'll have to walk a fine line with regulators and ratepayers.
By Meris Lutz , Robert Walton , Ethan Howland , Diana DiGangi • Jan. 8, 2026 -
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4 of 5 offshore wind farms challenge Trump administration stop work order
The December stop work order is estimated to be costing the projects anywhere from $1 million to $5 million per day.
By Diana DiGangi • Updated Jan. 8, 2026 -
Permission granted by LeFrak
OpinionRooftop solar is booming, but not in the communities that need it most
Prioritize community-led promotions and education strategies to have far-reaching impacts, writes Planno CEO Daniel Domingues.
By Daniel Domingues • Jan. 5, 2026 -
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Prepaid leases, data center dollars key for DERs in 2026: Enphase executive
Analysts expect a residential solar-and-storage market already trending away from customer ownership to shift rapidly toward the lease and subscription model next year.
By Brian Martucci • Updated Dec. 24, 2025 -
Courtesy of Dominion Energy
Senate Democrats end permitting reform talks over offshore wind freeze
The move comes after the Trump administration ordered work to halt on five offshore wind projects totaling 7 GW. The freeze on offshore wind construction “wrecks the trust needed with the executive branch for bipartisan permitting reform,” the senators said.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 23, 2025 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
OpinionWhat the Western REC registry shake-up means for corporate clean energy
The process of rebuilding the Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System creates near-term uncertainties and risks, Roger Ballentine of Green Strategies writes.
By Roger Ballentine • Dec. 22, 2025 -
John Moore via Getty Images
Trump administration halts all large-scale offshore wind projects under construction in US
The action affects five major offshore wind farms under development in federal waters, including the 2.6-GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind. The administration cited classified “national security risks” for the move.
By Diana DiGangi • Updated Dec. 22, 2025 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Why the SPEED Act may slow down after passing the House
In January, lawmakers face the expiration of a temporary government funding deal and impending midterms, complicating the bill's advancement. But observers say there is more urgency now than ever before to reform energy infrastructure permitting.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 22, 2025 -
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House passes permitting reform bill with anti-offshore wind amendment
The amendment was “absolutely critical for preserving the Trump administration’s ability to continue its much-need reviews of ocean wind projects,” said Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J.
By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 19, 2025 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Court agrees to rehear $14B climate funding freeze case
The nonprofit recipients of $14 billion in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund grants frozen by the EPA are scheduled to have their case reheard by the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in February.
By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 18, 2025 -
Permission granted by PJM Interconnection
PJM capacity prices hit record high as grid operator falls short of reliability target
A 6.6-GW shortfall could trigger a backstop procurement to bolster PJM’s reserve margin, according to Jefferies analysts.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 18, 2025 -
Kevin Frayer via Getty Images
Clean energy industry preps ahead of impending FEOC guidance
The foreign-entity-of-concern guidance is likely to be “taxpayer-friendly” and should be released by the end of January, according to an analysis from strategy firm Capstone.
By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 16, 2025 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Deep DiveTribal nations regroup after loss of federal funding for clean energy
“We know the demand for energy is only going to continue in the coming years,” said Clara Pratte, founder of the solar company Navajo Power. “And in terms of tribal communities, we have to be players in this world.”
By Diana DiGangi • Updated Dec. 16, 2025 -
Permission granted by Hydrostor
Sponsored by HydrostorStorage for all seasons: Why the grid needs more than four hours
Longer storage is key to keeping the lights on year-round.
By Gabe Murtaugh • Dec. 15, 2025 -
John Moore via Getty Images
New York targets power sector carbon allowances in proposed climate regulations
The amendments would reduce the annual budget of CO2 allowances through 2037, including the number of voluntary renewable energy purchases.
By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 11, 2025 -
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NYPA adopts 5.5-GW renewables plan amid concerns over affordability, policy changes
Developers with major solar, wind and storage projects in the New York Power Authority’s updated plan include AES, EDF Renewable Energy, Forward Power and Orenda.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 10, 2025 -
Win McNamee via Getty Images
Virginia data centers must pay ‘fair share,’ incoming lieutenant governor says
“There is new energy in this legislature, and with it a real opportunity to build new energy right here in the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi.
By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 5, 2025 -
Drew Angerer via Getty Images
The week in 5 numbers: Wind and solar are what’s for dinner
In other news, the Trump administration has fired shots at “established monopolist” Duke Energy as officials test antitrust tools in power markets, and a fight over capacity auctions highlights the risk of phantom data centers.
By Meris Lutz • Dec. 5, 2025 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
US added 2 GW of solar in September, putting 2025 ahead of 2024 for new solar generation
Solar accounted for three-quarters of new generation installed so far this year, followed by wind at 13% and gas at 11%.
By Meris Lutz • Dec. 4, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
California lawmakers say utilities must be accountable for interconnection delays
In a letter to state regulators, 18 legislators say that PG&E and SCE are “repeatedly missing state-mandated timelines to interconnect solar and storage.”
By Diana DiGangi • Updated Dec. 3, 2025 -
The image by chaddavis.photography is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
MISO begins reviewing 6.1 GW — 70% of it gas — in fast-track interconnection study
The grid operator’s Expedited Resource Addition Study process has grown to 11.2 GW, with an additional 18 GW seeking to join the initiative.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 2, 2025 -
Brent Stirton via Getty Images
Deep DiveUtilities, regulators look to accelerate pilots to achieve speed-to-innovation
Stakeholders say clear cost limits, timelines and parameters for scaling can overcome the inertia of a traditionally risk-averse industry.
By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 1, 2025 -
Retrieved from Grand River Dam Authority.
Power plants in SPP can expand up to 20% under new FERC-approved fast-track review
Developers must show that the necessary financing and equipment has been secured and that the project can be online within five years.
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 1, 2025
