Searing heat threatens power grids, health over nearly half the United States
Heat advisories and extreme heat warnings stretch from Nebraska to Long Island and from New Hampshire to northeast Texas.
Electric
Hoosiers’ electric bills spike 17.5% on average over past year
The statewide average increase was nearly double the prior year’s record increase of 9.3%, the analysis found.
Energy Department cancels $4.9B loan guarantee for Midwest line to deliver green power
Plan call for the line to deliver electricity from western Kansas about 800 miles, across Missouri and Illinois and into Indiana, connecting there to the power grid for the eastern United States.
Ratepayer protection agency recommends against Duke’s coal-to-gas push
The state agency tasked with protecting utility consumers has asked regulators to reject Duke Energy Indiana’s plan to retire two coal-powered units and replace them with new natural gas units.
Big Tech’s soaring energy demands making coal-fired power plant sites attractive
Coal-fired power plants are becoming more valuable now that the suddenly strong demand for electricity to run Big Tech’s cloud computing and artificial intelligence applications has set off a full-on sprint to find new energy sources.
Bill to boost energy generation, nuclear manufacturing moves to governor
The bill will expedite approval processes for large-load customers like data centers and create cost- recovery mechanisms for projects utilities take on to serve those big customers.
Trump signs executive orders to help dying coal industry
The president directed federal agencies to loosen various restrictions on coal mining, leasing and exports.
Facing competition from Big Tech, states dangle incentives, loosen laws to attract power plants
The spike in demand for electricity is being driven, in large part, by the artificial intelligence race as tech companies are snapping up real estate and seeking power to feed their energy-hungry data centers.
State regulators OK electricity rate hike for Duke Energy
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, or IURC, gave approval for an increase of $395.7 million a year for rates and charges, down from the $491.5 million hike requested by Duke—a decrease of 19.5%.
Eight Indiana coal sites offer ‘substantial opportunities’ for nuclear plants, per new Purdue study
Purdue officials announced in May that the university was selected to study small nuclear technology and how it can potentially be used to power Indiana in the future.
Solar energy group nabs $117M to help underserved communities, low-income residents
Residents could have solar panels installed on their rooftops. Or a renter could subscribe to community solar “micro-grids” that can reduce their bills.
Judge blocks ‘right of first refusal’ law on electric transmission projects as MISO readies to OK bids
U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt ruled that an act signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb in 2023 that gives local utilities the right of first refusal on electric transmission projects discriminates against interstate commerce.
Google invests in venture to build energy parks for data centers
The energy parks would provide a much-needed reliable source of power as aging U.S. grids struggle to meet demand from artificial intelligence and electrification of homes, vehicles and factories.
Indiana ratepayer advocates hail ‘landmark’ settlement with data centers, utility company
If state regulators approve the settlement, it’ll also apply to new industrial customers with large electric loads.
Colorado business seeks tax abatement on Pike Township battery storage project
The proposed battery farm would store electricity during times when there’s excess power on the grid and then discharge the energy back into the grid during times of peak demand.
AES Indiana standing firm on plan to convert Petersburg power plant from coal to natural gas
AES Indiana says it remains committed to ending the use of coal at its massive Petersburg Generating Station, despite growing opposition from Republican elected officials and the coal lobby.
Amazon, Google make nuclear investments to power data centers with clean energy
Both tech giants are seeking new sources of carbon-free electricity to meet surging demand from data centers and artificial intelligence.
Consumer group calls for moratorium on new electricity-guzzling data centers in Indiana
Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana said the huge new data centers planned in the state could lead to skyrocketing utility bills while providing few jobs relative to their energy consumption and the incentives they receive.
Indiana utilities earn collective ‘C’ grade on clean-energy goals
One Indiana utility company earned top marks and another pair nabbed no points in a national clean-energy assessment by the left-leaning Sierra Club.
Holcomb joins GOP ‘energy choice’ coalition to address energy prices
A group of Republican governors are pushing back against clean energy mandates—and Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has joined the effort.