With Vineyard Wind ruling, 4 of 5 offshore wind projects win relief from Trump freeze

Project developers said despite their outreach, the government “refused to discuss the supposedly new information about national security impacts” cited as the reason for halting construction, or what they might do to mitigate them.

By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 28, 2026

Solar manufacturing gains momentum in US, but shifting policies pose challenges

“You’ve seen pretty distinct growth and investment ... But we still have a long way to go as an industry in terms of reshoring,” said Scott Moskowitz, vice president of market strategy and public affairs at manufacturer Qcells.

By Michelle No • Jan. 27, 2026

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

GHG Protocol proposal risks slowing clean energy expansion

Proposed changes to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol would make it more difficult for companies to report renewables use and could discourage procurement, according Lesley Hunter and Jeffrey Gorham of the American Council on Renewable Energy.

By Lesley Hunter and Jeffrey Gorham • Jan. 27, 2026

In 2026, virtual power plants must scale or risk being left behind

The AI data center frenzy is shifting utilities’ focus to large-scale generation. But advocates say flexible, distributed energy resources still provide the biggest bang for the buck, according to our 2026 DER outlook.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2026

Trump signs bill increasing DOE’s wind and solar spending by $250M

The White House asked that Congress zero out the solar and wind energy programs of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, but lawmakers provided $320 million to those two Energy Department programs.

By Diana DiGangi • Updated Feb. 2, 2026

Can power demand boost renewables above policy obstacles in 2026?

The industry is navigating new FEOC rules and steeling itself for the end of some IRA credits. But load growth and rising electricity bills present opportunity, according to experts in our renewable energy outlook.

By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 22, 2026

New Jersey governor orders state to accelerate solar, storage and virtual power plants

Gov. Mikie Sherrill, who was sworn in Tuesday, also ordered regulators to study how to “modernize” the traditional electric utility business model, including by making utility profits “less dependent on capital spending.”

By Robert Walton • Jan. 21, 2026

Global wind power additions to decline 6% in 2026: WoodMac

A development slowdown in China will drive the decline, but policy challenges in the United States will also “curb wind’s buildout,” according to analysis from Wood Mackenzie.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2026

America’s new power barons: Who will rule the AI-grade megawatt megasector?

The winning model will be hybrid: gas for firmness, renewables for optics and cost, and storage for stability, writes NOVUS Energy Advisors’ Emily Easley.

By Emily Easley • Jan. 15, 2026

Judge grants (another) injunction to offshore developer amid Trump’s war on wind

Some analysts predicted a similar outcome on Jan. 16 in a separate case that would allow Dominion to continue construction on its 2.6-GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project.

By Meris Lutz • Jan. 13, 2026

Trump pulls US from key climate treaty, 65 other global organizations

The U.S. will exit the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and several other global bodies focused on climate, energy and sustainable development.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 12, 2026

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

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

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

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

Rooftop 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

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

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

What 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

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

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

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

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

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

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