Will data centers help get more clean energy on the power grid, or unleash a new wave of gas plant construction that will drive up consumer costs and carbon emissions? That’s the big question Jeff St. John tackles this week in a series of four articles, the first of which is out today.
If you haven’t yet, sign up for Jeff’s webinar on data centers’ energy dilemma, which is happening tomorrow.
Plus, Kathiann Kowalski on the nuances of Ohio elected officials’ opinions on solar farms, and why it matters.
Tech companies including Meta and Microsoft are increasingly abandoning their renewable power goals to build gas plants that will power expanding data centers. (Washington Post)
FOSSIL FUELS
BP will reportedly drop its renewable power goals and redouble efforts to produce fossil fuels. (Reuters)
A think tank finds fossil fuel companies are using similar lobbying tactics in the U.S., EU, and Australia to block building electrification policies. (Grist)
TRANSPORTATION
The General Services Administration, which manages federal buildings, says it will shut down the 8,000 electric vehicle chargers it operates across the country. (The Verge)
The Trump administration has begun the process of attempting to revoke California’s authority to set its own vehicle emissions standards, which Massachusetts and several other Northeast states have also adopted. (CommonWealth Beacon)
POLITICS
Some school districts say they regained access to electric bus grants late last week after the Trump administration’s freeze on federal clean energy funding. (New York Times)
House Republicans launch an effort to rescind Biden-era water efficiency standards and an EPA rule fining oil and gas operators for methane emissions. (E&E News)
CLIMATE
The Trump administration directs U.S. scientists to stop working on the IPCC climate report ahead of a global meeting this week. (CNN)
CLEAN ENERGY:
National Grid finalizes a deal to sell its U.S. onshore renewables business to Brookfield Asset Management. (Reuters)
The U.S. saw a record-high $272 billion invested in clean energy and transportation in 2024 but growth slowed in the final quarter of the year. (Clean Investment Monitor)
OVERSIGHT
FERC Chair Mark Christie says a Trump administration executive order targeting the agency essentially reiterates policies it’s been following for years. (Utility Dive)
This Torus whitepaper explores innovative strategies like hybrid energy storage systems and virtual power plants — offering faster deployment, grid stability, and sustainability to ensure reliable power in an evolving energy landscape.
