Good morning! Data centers are going to need a whole lot of power. The problem? No one knows exactly how much — or when or where those data centers will need it. That mystery is making it hard for utilities across the country to plan ahead, Jeff St. John reports today in part two of his data center series.
If you haven’t already, sign up for Jeff’s webinar on data centers and the grid today at 2 p.m. ET.
Up next, Sarah Shemkus has the latest on how Connecticut is helping cities and towns to partner and secure cheaper, cleaner power.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects 63 GW of new utility-scale generation to join the power grid this year, with solar responsible for more than half of that growth, and battery storage not far behind. (EIA)
A new Rhodium Group analysis affirms Republican congressional districts have already received the bulk of clean manufacturing investments since the Inflation Reduction Act passed. (Latitude Media)
FUNDING FREEZE
Nonprofit coalition Power Forward Communities, which includes Habitat for Humanity, says it will start spending its $2 billion federal grant for energy-efficient housing construction even as the U.S. EPA tries to retract funds. (Politico)
Federal funding for plugging abandoned oil and gas wells, low-income power bill assistance, and other energy and climate initiatives starts flowing again in some states. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star, Alabama Reflector)
GRID
Governors plan to press Congress to pass permitting reforms and ensure the federal government meets its obligations for federally funded projects, including through the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure law. (Utility Dive)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
The Trump administration’s targeting of vehicle emissions rules and EV incentives is a blow for electric semi-truck companies that have invested billions into development and manufacturing. (Bloomberg)
The U.S. General Services Administration’s shutdown of thousands of EV charging stations could cost the federal government as much as $1 billion in stranded assets. (E&E News)
SOLAR
Solar leaders emphasize the promises of energy “independence” and “dominance” over climate benefits as they make a case for their industry to the federal government, farmers, and other skeptical partners. (Grist)
OFFSHORE WIND
French energy company EDF withdraws from Atlantic Shores, a fully permitted wind farm off the New Jersey coast, citing “significant evolutions” in U.S. policy. (Workboat)
NUCLEAR
Texas officials aggressively court the re-emerging nuclear sector with public land and taxpayer funding. (Inside Climate News)
On stage: Conversations with clean energy experts, including Rep. Sean Casten of the U.S. Congress, Naomi Davis of Blacks in Green, Kara Demirjian Huss of TCCI Manufacturing, A.J. Patton of 548 Enterprises, David Roberts of Volts, Angela Tovar of the city of Chicago and Lisa Clemmons Stott of the Illinois Department of Commerce.
Off stage: Drink, eat, and socialize with clean energy leaders, investors, inventors, public leaders, and advocates.
🗓️March 27, 2025, 2:00 - 7:00p.m. CDT
📍 mHUB • 1623 West Fulton Street Chicago, IL 60612