Utilities

Policy & regulation

California just passed a suite of bills to tackle rising energy costs

The state’s lawmakers got serious about reducing electricity rates this session, with measures to help with summer bills and enable public financing for power grids.

By Jeff St. John . 17 September 2025

Government building with a domed top. Three flags fly on a pole on the building. — The California state Capitol in Sacramento (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Utilities

As data centers go up, North Carolina weighs how to handle energy demand

Duke wants to build gas plants, but clean energy advocates argue that solar, battery storage, and demand response could help alleviate growing strain on the grid.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 16 September 2025
Virtual power plants

California could save big if virtual power plants target ‘sweet spots’

The state’s utilities could use rooftop solar, batteries, and EVs to cut $13.7B in costs — by applying those to the right parts of stressed-out local grids.

By Jeff St. John . 11 September 2025
Energy efficiency

North Carolina families see lower bills with new Duke Energy program

The utility refers low-income customers to groups like Energy Savers Network, which provides free efficiency retrofits for long-term savings.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 9 September 2025
Solar

Can utilities replace power lines with solar and batteries in remote areas?

Expanding the grid to reach far-flung customers can be a costly fire hazard. So utilities like PG&E are testing out microgrids using solar, batteries, and generators.

By Jeff St. John . 8 September 2025
Utilities

Virginia’s data center boom tests clean energy law

Exploding electricity needs are pushing Virginia's largest utility to seek new gas plants — despite a state mandate to eliminate fossil fuels by 2045.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 4 September 2025
Fossil fuels

Chart: The retiring coal power plants Trump could revive

The Energy Department keeps ordering expensive, polluting plants to keep running at the eleventh hour. Here’s what’s on the line through the end of Trump’s term.

By Dan McCarthy . 29 August 2025
Fossil fuels

Trump extends order forcing Pennsylvania fossil-fuel plant to stay open

The administration isn’t backing off efforts to revive retiring coal and gas plants. Now, customers are on the hook to pay for Eddystone for another three months.

By Dan McCarthy . 28 August 2025
Utilities

Google’s new plan to keep its data centers from stressing the grid

AI data centers are set to swamp U.S. power grids. Google’s new utility deals aim to flip the script — shifting workloads to ease strain and speed its access to energy.

By Jeff St. John . 28 August 2025
Emissions reduction

North Carolina ditched its 2030 climate goal. Now what?

Rising power demand and the low cost of renewables may give wind and solar a fighting chance even though Duke Energy no longer has to cut emissions in the near term.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 26 August 2025
Utilities

Why power bills are rising — and why that’s not changing soon

Ending support for renewables and keeping fossil fuel power plants are the wrong tactics for addressing skyrocketing electricity rates

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 22 August 2025