U.S. Energy & Policy
Data center construction outlook
Sixty-five percent of contractors expect the data center construction market to grow over the next 12 months, compared to just 8% who expect it to shrink, according to the Associated General Contractors of America’s 2026 construction hiring and business outlook released Jan. 8.
Google turns to CO₂ batteries
Google is commissioning construction of CO₂-based battery systems to provide green, reliable backup power for its major data centers in the United States, Europe and parts of Asia, the company announced.
Venezuela receives oil payment
Venezuela received $300 million Tuesday from oil sales to the United States, interim President Delcy Rodríguez said on social media. The payment represents the first tranche of a $500 million oil deal announced by President Donald Trump following the capture of Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3.
New Jersey accelerates clean energy
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, sworn in Tuesday, ordered the state to accelerate solar, energy storage and virtual power plants. He also directed regulators to study how to modernize the traditional utility business model, including reducing utilities’ dependence on capital spending for profits.
Nevada seeks fuel independence
Nevada is exploring ways to reduce its long-standing reliance on California fuel supplies as refinery closures continue in the Golden State, including the back-to-back shutdowns of two major refineries.
Valero refinery layoffs
Valero Energy Corp. will begin laying off hundreds of workers this spring at its Benicia Refinery in the San Francisco Bay Area. The company notified state and local officials it plans to permanently idle operating units and lay off 237 of 348 employees between March 15 and July 1.
Virginia moves toward RGGI
Virginia’s newly inaugurated Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger has moved to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), reversing the state’s previous withdrawal.
World Energy
BlackRock CEO warns on AI
BlackRock CEO Larry Fink opened the World Economic Forum in Davos with a warning that unchecked AI growth risks destabilizing working and professional classes, calling it a potential failure of modern capitalism.
Carbon Majors report
Just 32 fossil fuel companies accounted for half of global carbon dioxide emissions in 2024, down from 36 a year earlier, according to the Carbon Majors report. Saudi Aramco ranked as the largest state-owned polluter, while ExxonMobil was the largest investor-owned emitter.
India pushes power cost cuts
India wants its power utilities to reduce electricity supply costs to ease the burden on consumers, according to a senior official in the country’s power ministry.
Japan restarts nuclear reactor
Japan has restarted operations at the world’s largest nuclear power plant for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, despite local safety concerns. Reactor No. 6 at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa northwest of Tokyo is now back online.