States across the U.S. are implementing initiatives to enhance electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure as EV adoption continues to grow. Recent policies range from rebates for residential EV chargers to expansion of medium and heavy-duty EV charging programs, reflecting a push to support the transition to clean transportation.
Transmission planning across the U.S. is adapting to meet rising energy demands, necessitating coordinated efforts to strengthen and expand infrastructure. Beyond supporting renewable integration and enhancing resilience, transmission expansion is becoming critical for new electrification demands, increased manufacturing activity, and large data center loads.
Co-locating energy-intensive data centers with power generation facilities is viewed as a strategic solution to access large sources of electricity without lengthy interconnection processes or extensive grid
upgrades. Recently, technology firms have turned to nuclear power for its steady, carbon-free output to directly power these high-demand facilities. However, the co-location trend has raised concerns over grid reliability and potential cost impacts.
Canada has passed legislation to unlock the vast potential of offshore renewable energy in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. This marks a significant step forward for the offshore wind industry in the region, establishing a joint regulatory framework to harness the Atlantic wind resources.
As carbon management grows as a critical tool for climate action, federal strategies and state legislation are evolving to promote efficient and responsible development of carbon capture projects and carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines. However, ongoing opposition and legal challenges, particularly concerning the use of eminent domain, reflect the complexities the industry must navigate to fully emerge. Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) involves the capture of CO2 from the emissions of industrial processes before they are released into the atmosphere for storage in subsurface geological formations.
The Biden administration has taken significant action to foster renewable energy development on federal lands to support the clean energy transition. Recent actions include efforts to expand solar energy development across 11 western states and streamline federal permitting processes, underscoring the administration's commitment to achieving a carbon-free grid by 2035.
The buildout of the nascent clean hydrogen industry hinges on regulations to implement the clean hydrogen production tax credit considered critical for projects to advance, alongside progress on regional clean hydrogen hubs that will serve as the foundation for a national hydrogen network.
The push to expand energy storage capacity reflects the drive for more resilient and flexible energy systems to support the shift to clean energy. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) anticipates significant growth in energy storage with nearly 36 gigawatts (GW) added by the end of 2028 based on plans reported by utilities. At the end of 2023, U.S. electric utilities reported operating about 15.8 GW of battery storage capacity.
There is a growing focus on reducing the contributions of buildings to greenhouse gas emissions in order to accelerate progress toward a net-zero carbon future. Buildings account for about 40 percent of total energy use in the U.S. and 35 percent of the nation's carbon emissions, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Recent developments in U.S. carbon markets highlight a changing landscape marked by fluctuating auction prices, new initiatives, and regulatory reviews.
The U.S. is accelerating its transition to clean transportation through substantial investments to expand the electric vehicle (EV) charging network and support domestic production capabilities for EVs and their components.
Despite facing hurdles, the U.S. offshore wind industry continues to make progress. The Vineyard Wind project off Massachusetts is under investigation after a turbine blade failure, and a Gulf of Mexico lease auction has been canceled due to a lack of interest. Nevertheless, ambitious plans to expand the industry are moving forward, including the implementation of the first floating offshore wind research lease and California’s plan to procure 7.6 gigawatts (GW) of capacity.