What’s stopping solar and sheep?

This roundup of U.S. energy news headlines is part of our Canary Media Daily newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox each morning.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Last week’s ICE raid at Hyundai’s under-construction EV battery plant in Georgia has stopped its work, and will likely discourage future U.S. partnerships with foreign manufacturers that have been a hallmark of clean energy development. (Grist)

WIND

• Connecticut Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont says he’s open to making a deal with the federal government to get Revolution Wind construction running again, including one involving natural gas. (E&E News)

GRID

• A yearlong study of eastern U.S. grid capacity from a group of utilities and transmission coordinators finds the region is vulnerable during weather emergencies due to power delivery constraints. (E&E News)

• U.S. electricity generation is on track to grow 2.3% this year and 3% next year due to forecast cold weather and growing demand from data centers and other large power users, according to the Energy Information Administration. (Utility Dive)

STORAGE

• Google will fund a portion of long-duration storage projects developed on Salt River Project’s electric grid in Arizona and research the installations’ effectiveness. (Utility Dive)

CLIMATE

• Energy Secretary Chris Wright dissolves the research group behind a recent report that questioned climate change and drew pushback from scientists, but will not withdraw the report. (CNN)

• At the global Gastech conference, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum says winning the ​“AI arms race” is an ​“existential threat,” not climate change. (E&E News)

POLITICS

• The House passes an $892 billion defense bill that includes support for critical mineral acquisition and advanced nuclear, but also blocks the Pentagon’s transition to EVs and hybrids. (New York Times, Breaking Defense)

NUCLEAR

• The U.S. Energy Department announces $134 million for fusion energy research, largely going to national labs. (E&E News)

PUBLIC LANDS

• The U.S. Interior Department moves to rescind a Biden-era public lands rule that gives conservation equal weight with drilling, mining, and other purposes. (Inside Climate News)

NEW FROM CANARY

• California could save big if virtual power plants target​‘sweet spots’ — Jeff St. John

• Illinois farmers find that sheep and solar arrays go well together — Kari Lydersen