Texas Expands Natural Gas Development with New Loan Agreement
Texas reached its third Texas Energy Fund loan agreement to boost natural gas development. NRG Energy, Inc. signed the agreement with the state to build a 721 MW natural gas power plant at its Cedar Bayou Generating Station in Chambers County outside Houston. This new plant will strengthen grid reliability and provide power to thousands of households and businesses across the region.
EV Lane Access Restricted for Hybrid and Electric Drivers
Starting today, Georgia, Virginia, and 10 other states will enforce new rules prohibiting solo electric vehicle and hybrid drivers from using high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes during peak hours. The change reflects growing congestion concerns and pressure on states to ensure HOV lanes meet their intended purpose of reducing traffic through carpooling.
U.S. Relaunches Coal Leasing Auctions
The Trump administration launched new leasing auctions for 14,000 acres of coal mining land. The auctions cover Alabama, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Officials say the auctions will support coal jobs and energy security, though critics argue the move undermines carbon reduction targets.
Texas Power Plant Plans Linked to Data Center Development
LandBridge Company and NRG Energy announced plans for a 1,100 MW gas-fired power plant and supporting transmission infrastructure. The project is tied to a potential Texas data center site, reflecting the increasing strain data centers place on the U.S. electric grid.
Virginia Launches New Energy Law & Policy Center
The College of William & Mary Law School in Virginia unveiled a new Center for Energy Law & Policy, to be led by former FERC chair Mark Christie. The center will study emerging legal and regulatory issues as states and utilities balance energy affordability, reliability, and decarbonization efforts.
🌍 World Energy Updates
Ukraine Nuclear Plant Faces Ongoing Risk
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine has relied on emergency diesel generators for nine days after an external power line was severed. Russian management confirmed the plant remains vulnerable to further outages as war pressures persist.
Sweden Opens Largest Solar Farm
The Hultsfred Solar Farm, now the largest in Sweden, is the size of 185 American football fields. Built at Hultsfred Airport, the plant highlights how utility-scale solar projects are rapidly growing across Europe.
Czechia Invests in Nuclear Upgrade
Czechia’s Temelín Nuclear Power Plant will receive 2,000-ton, 213-foot turbine sets—one of the largest upgrades in Europe. This project marks Czechia’s biggest nuclear procurement since commissioning its current fleet.
Egypt Pushes Renewable Growth
Egypt, one of Africa’s earliest adopters of renewables, continues its expansion. By 2012, the country already had 555 MW of wind power online, and new projects are underway to accelerate renewable development.
Crypto Mining Meets Brazilian Renewables
Crypto mining firms are negotiating contracts with Brazilian electricity providers like Renova Energia. The deals aim to use Brazil’s surplus renewable power without burdening the grid during peak times.