West

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)

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
Solar

California's first solar-covered canal is now fully online

The 1.6-MW pilot system is among a growing number of initiatives to put solar over waterways. The approach could generate gigawatts of power nationwide.

By Maria Gallucci . 10 September 2025
Ocean energy

Will this startup be the first to successfully scale up ocean power?

Many companies have failed to harness the sea’s energy. Eco Wave Power thinks its shore-mounted tech, which it just installed at a wharf in LA, can buck the trend.

By Julian Spector . 10 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
Virtual power plants

California quietly guts ambitious virtual power plant bill

Bills boosting solar, batteries, EVs, and smart thermostats to rein in California’s utility costs moved ahead — but the most innovative approaches were cut.

By Jeff St. John . 5 September 2025
Clean energy

Colorado goes big on clean energy before tax credits vanish

States are under pressure to expedite wind and solar projects before GOP policies make them more expensive. Colorado is leading the way.

By Julian Spector . 4 September 2025
Virtual power plants

California’s biggest virtual power plant may get a funding reprieve

Home batteries enrolled in the program can provide 700 MW of cost-effective grid support, new analysis finds — but only if state lawmakers preserve its funding.

By Jeff St. John . 21 August 2025
Batteries

Peak Energy's new battery is cooler than lithium-ion systems

The startup’s first sodium-based grid-battery project has a novel design that cuts costs by virtually eliminating the need for temperature controls.

By Julian Spector . 21 August 2025
Fossil fuels

Colorado now requires health warning labels on gas stoves

The state is the first to put labels on the appliances pointing consumers to evidence about the harms of cooking with gas. Appliance manufacturers are suing.

By Alison F. Takemura . 19 August 2025
Hydrogen

This hydrogen microgrid is the first of its kind. Is it a good idea?

Energy Vault, Plug Power, and PG&E partnered on a project that replaces diesel generators with fuel cells to provide backup power for a small town in California.

By Julian Spector . 11 August 2025