Industry profits under direct challenge from former Sempra executive's criticism
In the world of energy and climate, several significant developments are unfolding across the United States.
Nuclear Energy Expansion
Utah's National Guard is planning to house a nuclear fuel enrichment hardware manufacturing facility, as reported by Deseret News. Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego is urging the conversion of a retiring Coronado coal plant to run on small modular nuclear reactors, according to the White Mountain Independent.
Regulatory Decisions and Scandals
Ohio utility regulators are set to determine whether FirstEnergy will have to pay penalties exceeding half a billion dollars in response to the HB 6 power plant bailout scandal. The decision follows years of delay.
Carbon Capture and Clean Energy
The Trump administration has rescinded $49.2 million in federal funding for a large-scale carbon capture research project in Wyoming. Meanwhile, GreenFire Energy is advancing its effort to increase the Geysers geothermal complex's power output using a closed-loop system.
Emissions Rules and Health Consequences
The EPA's proposed rollback of power plant emissions rules threatens to have severe health and climate consequences, though a long legal road still lies ahead.
Renewable Energy Challenges
Clean energy advocates and companies are grappling with the failure of an Illinois bill that would've incentivized energy storage and other power grid investments. A Republican owner of a Montana solar installation firm has expressed concerns that the GOP's proposed clean energy tax credit cuts would force him to lay off at least half of his staff.
Liquefied Natural Gas Projects
An Alaska journalist questions Gov. Mike Dunleavy's claim that a proposed liquefied natural gas pipeline and export terminal could be completed by 2029, stating it would be among the world's largest and most complicated such projects. The federal court allows the Willow drilling project in Alaska to continue, but orders the federal Bureau of Land Management to address a flaw in its environmental review.
Climate Impacts in Alaska
The National Weather Service issues its first-ever heat advisories for Alaska after temperatures reach 89°F in some places. Idaho National Laboratory plans to demonstrate its "self-healing" microgrid technology in an Alaska city this summer.
Legal Challenges and Wildfire Funds
If Southern California Edison's equipment is found to have sparked the Eaton Fire, damage claims could exhaust California's $21 billion wildfire fund. The federal Government Accountability Office urges the Trans Alaska Pipeline System regulator to adapt to changing conditions.
Controversies and Criticisms
A former Sempra executive criticizes utilities' "unsustainable" rate hikes and high profit margins. The Trump administration withdraws a $300,000 grant aimed at helping an Indigenous Alaska fishing community develop clean energy.
International Interest in Alaskan Projects
The Alaska LNG pipeline project targets a final investment decision (FID) in late 2025 for the pipeline and in 2026 for the LNG export terminal components. Japan has engaged Wood Mackenzie to assess the project, indicating ongoing international interest. The project aims to start operations earliest by 2031, with discussions including the use of Arctic shipping routes for LNG export to Asia to compete with Russian market shares.
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