Energy Brief ** The Trump administration announces a $1.4 billion deal with Vulcan Elements and ReElement Technologies, consisting of federal loans and private investments, to produce rare-earth magnets in the U.S. used in EV motors, data centers, and other electronics.** | This accelerates domestic critical mineral capacity and shifts supply chain leverage back toward U.S. …
Category: Solar Energy in Oklahoma
Official—electric co-ops stay away from data centers
“Now, the rise of AI and its driving need for more data center capacity is turning the electricity supply situation upside down across the United States.” A former member of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission warned rural electric co-ops should stay away from making contracts to supply power to AI and data centers. …
Energy Brief: Key U.S. and Global Energy Developments
Energy Brief — U.S. Pennsylvania’s Republican attorney general files charges against a fracking company he says contaminated drinking water in eight counties.However, contamination enforcement fights frequently escalate in shale regions as regulatory scrutiny tightens around fracking contamination claims. Arizona Public Service proposes a new gas plant southwest of Phoenix with a first phase designed to …
SPP creates new director role for risk and tariff compliance
New Leadership Move Inside SPP The Southwest Power Pool said it has created a new position, one to direct the grid’s enterprise risk management program and tariff compliance measures.However, market observers often view leadership structure shifts inside SPP as strategic alignment signals because governance scaffolding shapes long-term reliability, cost, and regulatory posture across the footprint. …
Commission review of PSO preapproval could stretch into 2026
Case Timeline Before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission It could be March, 2026 perhaps before the preapproval request totaling $1.2 billion in new energy generation projects by Public Service Company of Oklahoma goes before Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners.However, the official docket identifies the PSO “Generation Preapproval (includes CWIP)” matter under PUD 2025-000064, signaling a lengthy procedural path …
Data centers put big strain on Texas grid operator ERCOT
Grid Reliability and the Texas grid surge The grid operator in Texas, known as ERCOT, says there is such a “rapid explosion” of large load users that it’s more than the grid can handle.This framing forces industry decision makers to rethink Grid Reliability as a core risk metric.Additionally, the warning reinforces alignment between transmission analysts …
Energy Brief: US Grid Spend, Nuclear Shift, PJM Priorities
American Electric Power Expands Grid Spending in $72B Plan Energy Brief highlights major utility capital expansion. AEP increased its five-year capex plan 33% to $72 billion as power demand grows across multiple states. Company leaders said new spending targets long-term grid infrastructure reinforcement, capacity additions, and modernization for reliability. Executives emphasized major investment will be …
Energy Brief: Westinghouse, Chevron, Gates, Global Oil
Westinghouse Expands Nuclear Power Development in $80 Billion Plan Westinghouse Electric Co. joined forces with Cameco Corp. and Brookfield Asset Management to create a transformative partnership that will advance nuclear power technology across the United States. The companies announced the agreement on October 28, confirming plans for at least $80 billion in new nuclear reactors, …
Trying to understand why electric rates are rising
Oklahoma Electricity Rates Remain Affordable Despite National Increases While it might appear that electricity rates in Oklahoma are climbing due to recent utility rate hikes, a new New York Times report shows that Oklahoma continues to rank among the nation’s most affordable states for electricity. According to the Times’ analysis, Oklahoma’s cost of electricity rose …
Fermi America Expands West Texas Energy Projects
Fermi America Secures Key Partnerships for West Texas Growth Former Energy Secretary Rick Perry’s firm Fermi America, co-founded with Texas Tech University and others, gained momentum this week through two major energy development announcements. The first announcement focused on a partnership with the City of Amarillo and Carson County. The Amarillo City Council approved a …