Will transmission expansion continue under Trump?

GRID: The future of Biden administration initiatives to spur transmission construction is in question as Republicans take over Congress and the White House, though utilities, state regulators and private investors could use growing power demand to make a case for continued expansion. (E&E News, Canary Media)

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ALSO:

• Industry experts expect electricity demand and prices to continue to surge this year as challenges loom related to transmission, renewables, and nuclear’s resurgence. (Utility Dive)
• A new study of the New England power system finds the region’s reliance on natural gas power generation poses risks in case of an extended cold snap or gas infrastructure problems. (RTO Insider, subscription)

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EMISSIONS:

• U.S. greenhouse gas emissions fell just 0.2% in 2024 as surging electricity demand spurred more natural gas generation, putting the country further off track from its climate goals. (New York Times)
• The U.S. EPA proposes a rule that would require municipal waste incinerators — often touted as a source of renewable energy — to monitor for toxic air emissions. (The Guardian)
• Blue states are preparing for a legal battle with the Trump administration over whether they will be allowed to continue to adopt California’s more stringent regulations on tailpipe emissions. (Stateline)

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RENEWABLES: Texas is the top state for renewable energy generation and battery capacity as of the end of 2024, ranking first for wind and solar and second behind California for battery capacity. (Reuters)

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COAL: Rocky Mountain Power cancels several Wyoming coal plants’ previously scheduled retirements, but plans to convert some of the units to run on natural gas. (Cowboy State Daily)

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OIL & GAS:

• The U.S. Interior Department says it received no bids for oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, saying industry’s lack of interest shows some places are “too special and sacred” for drilling. (Alaska Beacon)
• The future of the controversial Line 5 pipeline through the Straits of Mackinac remains uncertain as a key court date looms, Trump takes office and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau steps down. (Detroit News, subscription)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• Tesla has so far brought in $11 billion from selling regulatory credits that President-elect Trump could roll back. (Axios)
• Honda announces plans to mass produce two new electric vehicle models at an Ohio plant that underwent a $700 million expansion in 2022. (WCMH)

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NUCLEAR: As New York faces rising power demand and the need to lower greenhouse gas emissions, it’s taking a serious look at the possibilities of advanced nuclear power plants. (Inside Climate News)

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CLEAN ENERGY: A decades-long local government collaboration in southwestern Minnesota helps 18 counties manage clean energy development and avoid controversies and misinformation that have affected projects in other parts of the country. (Energy News Network)

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