Welcome to NetZero Insider’s latest Resources Intelligence Report. We start this week with an in-depth look at geothermal energy, perhaps the one renewable technology that will enjoy support from the Trump administration and its Republican allies. K Kaufmann reports that generating energy from underground heat is having a moment in the United States, thanks to that political support but also to technology that has evolved.
John Cropley has a story based on U.S. Energy Information Administration data that show solar, storage and wind power will far outstrip fossil fuels in new power generation capacity added to the U.S. grid in 2025. Unlike geothermal, these renewables are not a few of Trump’s favorite things, but the president’s promotion of fossil generation will take a while to bear results.
Nuclear power generation comes with a lot of caveats, but it does have bipartisan support as a reliable energy source. Cropley reports on newly announced plans to co-locate small modular reactors with a large Michigan reactor that is being brought out of retirement to accommodate growth in demand.
On the subject of demand growth, Hugh Morley gives us the details of PSEG’s year-end financial report, in which the company said it received 4,700 MW worth of inquiries in 2024 from customers exploring large-load and data center projects. That compares with about 400 MW in 2023.
One power technology that appears increasingly unlikely to quickly fill the U.S. need for new power is offshore wind, which has suffered a sharp reversal of fortune amid the transition from President Biden to President Trump. Cropley reports on the latest shoe to drop: SouthCoast Wind said it would take a $278 million impairment because of delays that potentially could extend through Trump’s entire four-year term.
From our curated collection of other media outlets, we offer a series of suggested pairings:
Heatmap has a story on offshore wind developers being frozen out of federal agencies; The Maritime Executive has a roundup of the challenges facing the struggling industry; and in a opinion piece on downbeach.com, a leader of a New Jersey anti-wind activist group explains what led to the successes enjoyed by his organization and other opponent groups.
Finally, Electronic Design updates us on the start of production of innovative iron-air batteries at a new West Virginia factory, while RealClearEnergy dismisses iron-air technology as the “latest shiny object” for quixotic green energy advocates.
All this and much more is gathered in this week’s Intelligence Report:
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International
On the first day that international governments resume the COP16 biodiversity summit, the blistering new research is a resounding call for countries to cut the greenwashing con out of renewable picture once and for all. The Canary
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U.S.
Support from the Trump administration comes without some of the environmental priorities pursued by former President Joe Biden. Energywire
U.S.
The administration has withdrawn carbon dioxide pipeline regulations inspired by a horrific gas leak, and a former industry lobbyist is now overseeing such matters. The Lever
U.S.
The direct air capture industry has ambitious plans to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but it's vying for limited renewable power resources. The New York Times
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California
AB 740 introduced in California and it aims to help VPPs grow around the state. pv magazine
California
California Public Utilities Commission policy has been pushing customers to choose utility-run supply-side DR programs over third-party options that face pressure to keep costs low, writes Collin Smith, a regulatory affairs manager at Leap. Utility Dive
Texas
Texas regulators shift administration of VPP program to ERCOT as effort is now focused on more technical issues Utility Dive
U.S.
At Intersolar & Energy Storage North America 2025, a panel of vehicle-to-grid experts discussed how standardization, incentives, and utility partnerships could unlock the full potential of EVs as flexible, cost-saving grid resources. pv magazine
U.S.
Data centers could help slash costs and grid-upgrade times by easing off of utility grids during peak hours and finding ways to provide their own power. Canary Media
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International
CEO Murray Auchincloss says 'fundamental reset' will mean cut of more than ?4bn to low-carbon investment plan. The Guardian
New York
When energy demand is high, polluting peaker plants kick on. New York isn't generating enough clean energy to phase them out. Untapped New York
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International
The London-based oil giant is carrying out a 'strategy reset' to refocus on fossil fuels. Hydrogen Insight
Louisiana
The facility, owned through a joint venture with Olin Corporation, demonstrates how industrial by-products can integrate seamlessly into clean energy systems. Hydrogen Fuel News
Louisiana
St. Gabriel plant will make liquid hydrogen using by-product H2 from chlorine production. Hydrogen Insight
U.S.
Air Liquide was chosen in 2023 as a partner for six clean hydrogen hubs planned by the DOE, which was to allocate $7 billion for them under the bipartisan infrastructure law signed by former President Joe Biden. Reuters
U.S.
The decision, coming as part of a review initiated by the company's new board and chief executive, will lead to a pre-tax charge of up to $3.1 billion in the fiscal 2025 second quarter. Renewables Now
U.S.
A major hydrogen producer announced Monday that it was nixing two U.S. projects to produce the fuel from renewable energy. Energywire
U.S.
Over 100 organizations are asking Congress to keep the credit. Environmental Health News
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Massachusetts
An effort to bring clean energy to Massachusetts has languished in red tape. POLITICO
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Nevada
The price of lithium, used to make batteries which power electric vehicles, has plunged more than 80% from its peak in November 2022 after a supply glut, forcing companies to mothball mines and freeze projects. Reuters
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Alaska
New pipeline and LNG export facility in Alaska is potentially revived by Trump - Japan would be big customer The New York Times
International
Asia is a key market for future energy demand, but coal dominates its power sector so it's a question how much its appetite for LNG will grow Reuters
International
Shell sees major growth in global LNG appetite in the coming decades Financial Times
International
Low prices have Qatari LNG exporters looking to other markets outside Europe Bloomberg
Oregon
After abandoning plans for Oregon LNG export facility in 2021, Trump's return to office has proponents considering its revival OregonLive
U.S.
Articles looks into how much LNG will dominate Trump's energy policy Forbes
U.S.
The president sparked enthusiasm for American liquefied natural gas exports by lifting a pause on government permit approvals. Financial Times
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International
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will lead the effort. The Washington Post
International
The United States produces domestically just over half the refined copper it consumes each year. More than two-thirds of that is mined in Arizona, where the development of a massive new mine has been stalled for more than a decade. Reuters
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Colorado
Colorado PUC is holding hearings on plans from Xcel to fix potential shortages in natural gas The Colorado Sun
International
BP is ditching $5 billion of planned investment in renewables to refocus on oil and gas BBC
International
The EU has pledged to quit Russian fossil fuels by 2027 in response to Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While Russian pipeline gas deliveries have plunged, the EU increased its imports of Russian liquefied natural gas last year. Reuters
International
A look into why global natural gas prices have shot up in the past year OilPrice.com
Massachusetts
High prices from Massachusetts utilities have generated controversy, but now two-major firms are offering 10% cut for the winter (to be repaid with interest later) Worcester Telegram
North Carolina
Climate advocates say the power plant isn't necessary and that the state would be better off waiting until demand forecasts are more certain. Canary Media
Texas
NRG is building natural gas plants in Texas to specifically serve data centers Houston Chronicle
U.S.
The administration's efforts to solve a so-called "energy emergency" might create an actual crisis. Grist
U.S.
NRG partners with GE Vernova to develop 5.4GW of gas generation for US data center market Data Centre Dynamics
U.S.
AI demand is driving demand for natural gas power plants, which will mean more emissions from the sector The Associated Press
U.S.
With growing LNG exports and power demand, gas prices could become more volatile and that is attractive to storage developers who provide a phyiscal hedge. Natural Gas Intelligence
U.S.
With possible end to sanctions on Russians energy and Trump's Energy Dominance - a wave of fossil fuels could wash over the market. The Guardian
U.S.
Cold winter leads to higher natural gas prices in the United States Bloomberg
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International
The victorious conservatives and the surging far-right both are big fans. Mother Jones
Pennsylvania
The company's 10-K says "ailure to meet contractual timelines could result in significant penalties. Overages in costs or unforeseen issues could result in lower than planned returns on the investment. POWER
U.S.
With utilities pushing back against hyperscale energy demands, companies like Aalo Atomics are rethinking nuclear power. Could a new class of modular reactors be the breakthrough data centers need? Data Center Frontier
U.S.
Independent regulators should not only be free from government and industry meddling; they also need to be adequately staffed with competent experts and have the budget to operate efficiently, writes former NRC Chair Allison M. Macfarlane. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
U.S.
On March 5, the Supreme Court will hear a case that may involve one of the most toxic examples of NIMBYism in American history. Vox
U.S.
Chris Wright says it's critical that the nation be out in front when it comes to artificial intelligence, and that means having reliable and affordable sources of electricity to meet the growing demands of the technology sector. The Associated Press
U.S.
Westinghouse Electric says its big AP1000 reactor should become cheaper to build after lessons learned at projects in South Carolina and Georgia. CNBC
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International
Carlos Martin Rivals helped found Spanish offshore wind developer in 2020 during early days of coronavirus pandemic. Recharge
International
A study in Norway which examined the effects of dyeing one wind turbine blade black found it resulted in a 70% fall in associated bird deaths. The Guardian
Massachusetts
Aside from Vineyard Wind, which was the largest operational offshore wind project in the U.S. before one of its blades snapped off, Vineyard Offshore is working on several other wind farms. The Vineyard Gazette
New Hampshire
HB 682 would remove "offshore wind industry development" from the Office of Offshore Wind Industry Development and Energy Innovation. It would also repeal the Offshore Wind Industry Workforce Training Center Committee and the Offshore and Port Development Commission. Seacoastonline
New Jersey
EDF's partner Shell previously exited the Atlantic Shores joint venture earlier this month, also booking a $1 billion impairment associated with the investment. Utility Dive
New Jersey
Our Defend Our Beaches Committee and Volunteers spent thousands of hours over the past two plus years supporting Community Awareness and Outreach to businesses and homeowners, writes Keith Moore, director of government affairs, Defend Our Beaches NJ. Downbeach
U.S.
The offshore wind energy sector has remained in flux since the inauguration of Donald Trump and his new administration which has paused the efforts of the Biden administration and seems poised to abandon future projects. The Maritime Executive
U.S.
The industry is being frozen out of Washington. Heatmap
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Alaska
Elected officials in the nation's largest state are hoping for a long-term increase in drilling and production as the new president calls for "energy dominance." Energywire
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International
While Europe accounted for 81% of Nordex's orders in 2024, primarily Germany, volumes in North America, led by Canada, grew from 3% in 2023 to 10% in 2024. Reuters
Iowa
Boost for sector under pressure from Donald Trump as TPI Composites looks to take Iowa plant out of mothballs. Recharge
Wyoming
Conservationists in Wyoming zero in on a vulnerability anti-wind activists are targeting elsewhere: the administration's species protection efforts. Heatmap
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Connecticut
Local leaders and energy advocates look to implement community choice aggregation to let municipalities negotiate lower electricity prices and more renewables. Canary Media
International
It is the latest big energy company to change its position in response to the need to lower carbon emissions and curb climate change, returning the focus to oil and gas. Reuters
International
National Grid's renewables division develops, constructs, owns and operates large solar parks, onshore wind farms battery storage assets in the US. It has 1.8 gigawatts in operation and a further 1.3 gigawatts under construction. BNN Bloomberg
International
BP has come under pressure from investors to turn its back on its remaining green ambitions after the company's share price slumped by a quarter in the past two years. The Guardian
U.S.
It is a simple step for FERC to go from prioritizing dispatchable generation to mandating it by not approving the connection of destructive intermittent generators, former energy consultant David Wojick writes. The Heartland Institute
U.S.
As Republicans eye cuts to tax credits, the clean energy industry argues that wind and solar can be built faster than natural gas and nuclear projects. Energywire
U.S.
The company's Upper Midwest Energy Plan includes new investments in battery energy storage systems, wind and solar power, and a natural-gas fired power plant, while extending the lives of Xcel Energy's two nuclear plants. POWER
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Ohio
State regulators deciding the fate of a proposed solar farm shouldn't view local leaders' opinions as official government positions, the project developer argues. Canary Media
U.S.
The industry is rebranding itself as a symbol of American "energy dominance." Grist
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Illinois
The bill also calls for removing barriers that keep newly built clean energy infrastructure from connecting to the grid. Daily Energy Insider
Kentucky
Ascend Elements cited challenging market conditions as it ditched some of its plans in Kentucky. Greenwire
U.S.
The needed geologic formations exist just about everywhere in the continental U.S., including in the Northeast where the rock is a lot older and the heat is a lot deeper. POWER
U.S.
There's a much simpler, less costly solution: don't rely on intermittent wind and solar, and the huge amounts of back-up battery storage they require. Instead, build emissions-free nuclear plants that provide electricity at all times. RealClearEnergy
West Virginia
As low-cost iron-air batteries enter commercial production, they promise to make utility-scale wind and solar power even more competitive with fossil-derived electricity. Electronic Design
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U.S.
By using existing interconnection sites to plug in low-cost clean energy sources, energy planners can increase grid reliability and lower costs, writes Cassady Craighill, technical education director at GridLab. Utility Dive
U.S.
Integrating advanced metering infrastructure with artificial intelligence is moving AMI technology forward to its next generation. T&D World
U.S.
How can utilities plan grid and power plant investments for the AI and data center boom when forecasts are so speculative? Some effective strategies are emerging. Canary Media
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Florida
In accordance with Duke Energy Florida's settlement agreement, the company is investing over $521 million to establish solar sites with a combined 300 MW of capacity. North American Clean Energy
Texas
They pitched solar and battery storage to Texas legislators as a key source of jobs and rural renewal and -- above all -- the fastest possible way to get new electricity onto the state grid. The Hill
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International
While wind farms can have some adverse effects on local wildlife in the habitats where they are sited, including through noise, scientists specialising in the environmental impact of wind farms challenge the claim that wind power is more damaging to wildlife than fossil fuel extraction. BBC
U.S.
His first wave of executive orders included a pause for federal permits and leasing for wind projects on land and at sea. MSN
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