As electricity demand soars, nuclear power is emerging as a key solution to ensure grid stability and achieve net-zero emissions goals. More recently, increasing demand, particularly from data centers, is fueling the push to restart previously shut-down nuclear plants.
President Trump has issued a series of executive actions signaling major changes in the U.S. energy landscape, including declaring a national energy emergency, expanding fossil fuel development, suspending offshore wind initiatives, and withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement. These actions represent a sharp departure from former President Biden’s renewable energy and climate-focused policies.
Discussions on utilities' natural gas planning are progressing, with several U.S. states actively engaging stakeholders to identify solutions and shape future strategies. These efforts focus on critical issues such as aligning regulatory frameworks with state climate goals, ensuring reliable service, and adapting to evolving market and technology changes.
States across the U.S. are advancing plans and procurement strategies for the expansion of energy storage deployment to meet ambitious targets. Energy storage helps balance electricity demand from variable energy sources like wind and solar, while providing backup power to the grid during peak usage or outages.
U.S. carbon markets are experiencing a resurgence as key states reinforce their commitment to cap-and-trade systems despite hurdles. Washington's latest carbon auction saw prices rebound following voter support for its program, while a court ruling has invalidated the controversial withdrawal of Virginia from the regional carbon market. Meanwhile, progress in California, Québec, and Washington toward potential program linkage signals a move toward greater market integration, setting the stage for more robust and scalable climate solutions nationwide.
States across the U.S. are taking significant steps to improve distributed solar programs. These initiatives aim to ease access, streamline operations, and address customer needs while supporting broader clean energy goals.
Heading into the winter season, grid operators and utilities across the U.S. continue to strengthen their winter readiness measures to ensure reliable electricity supplies amid rising demand and potential energy shortfalls.
The Biden administration is accelerating efforts to secure its clean energy and climate accomplishments, advancing rules and funding programs to drive decarbonization. Recent initiatives, such as methane emission rules and clean energy investments, aim to solidify progress achieved during the administration's tenure. However, the incoming Trump administration raises concerns of potential policy reversals, similar to the sweeping rollbacks seen in 2017.
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.