Good morning! Winter is finally thawing in Massachusetts, and the last thing residents probably want to think about is their heating bills come November. But heat pump owners in the state can look forward to lower electricity rates next winter thanks to two new utility programs, Sarah Shemkus reports in today’s top story.
Next up, Michael Grunwald shares how making climate-friendly options the default — in this case, plant-based hospital meals — can help them catch on.
A federal judge rules that the EPA, the Interior and Energy Departments, and other agencies illegally froze federal climate and clean energy funds and must immediately start disbursing the money again. (Politico)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state officials say they’ll look to renew the state’s cap-and-trade program in the face of President Trump’s executive order targeting it. (The Hill)
A group of universities file a lawsuit seeking to block the U.S. Department of Energy’s plan to cut funding, arguing the move would “devastate scientific research.” (NBC News)
OVERSIGHT
Trump directs federal agencies to incorporate the “maximum use of technology” to streamline environmental reviews and permitting for energy and infrastructure projects. (E&E News)
TRANSITION
The U.S.’s clean energy transition will slow, but not stop entirely, if Trump continues to roll back environmental regulations and renewable energy subsidies, analyses from BloombergNEF and the U.S. Energy Information Administration conclude. (E&E News)
EMISSIONS
The U.S. seemingly missed the April 15 deadline for all countries to share their greenhouse gas emissions inventories with the United Nations climate body. (E&E News)
DATA CENTERS
BloombergNEF’s latest New Energy Outlook report anticipates data centers will use more power than electric heating and cooling by 2050, possibly helping to extend the lives of fossil fuel power plants. (Latitude Media)
A new Deloitte report predicts new nuclear power capacity could meet 10% of projected demand increases from data centers by 2035. (Utility Dive)
GRID
Texas grid operator ERCOT warns lawmakers that interfering with the state’s energy market could disrupt the grid’s ability to meet growing demand from residents and businesses, after the legislature introduces bills to require more gas, coal, and nuclear power, and to more tightly restrict renewables. (Texas Tribune)
Ratepayer advocates from three states ask federal regulators to compel grid operator PJM to rerun its last capacity auction in an attempt to save ratepayers $5 billion. (Utility Dive)
FINANCE
Crux, a software startup that helps clean energy project developers better monetize their tax credits, raises $50 million in venture financing despite uncertainty around federal climate incentives. (News release)
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