#energy-policy

#energy-policy

The Trump administration's plan to cancel billions of dollars for energy projects following the US government shutdown includes an initiative to upgrade electric transmission lines in California. A consortium that included the California Energy Commission and Southern California Edison was awarded a federal grant of $600 million for the upgrade last year, which was to allow faster access to clean energy. But that project - which was slated to improve 100 miles of transmission lines - will have its funding cut, according to a list from the Department of Energy.

The American colonies had been settled by Britain for over 150 years before what is today eastern Canada was wrested from the French and added to the empire in 1763 (technically Britain had already taken control militarily in 1760; the treaty formalized the transfer). Only about 70,000 people lived there compared to about 1,000,000 in the 13 American colonies. Canadians were invited to join the Revolution in 1776 but having just lost a war to the British a decade earlier, decided to pass on a rematch.

Jensen Huang, the boss of the chipmaker Nvidia, had some advice for UK ministers last week as they signed a multibillion-pound tech deal with the US: burn more gas. I've every confidence that the UK will realise that it takes energy to grow new industries, he said. Sustainable power like nuclear and wind and of course all of that solar is all going to contribute. But I'm also hoping that gas turbines can also contribute.

The H100 project in Levenmouth, supported by the Scottish Government and gas network operator SGN, is supplying green hydrogen produced from an offshore wind turbine to 300 homes. Residents are using hydrogen-powered boilers and radiators like they would natural gas, but without carbon emissions. First Minister John Swinney called the project "a new prospect and a really exciting opportunity," emphasising its potential to inform UK energy policy.

Painting a rather rosy picture, she argues that Europe is not only a challenger, but a leader in many fields that will define that race on innovation, including computing power and AI adoption. She insists that Europe is not playing catch up like it was during the rise of the Internet, but is among the frontrunners. But on a slightly more critical tone, she says that Europe needs to capitalise on our strengths

One of the Trump administration's top priorities has been its devastating, unilateral rollback of renewable energy projects and environmental regulations - and a corresponding, aggressive push for fossil fuel interests. But to hear a growing chorus of "abundance" proponents tell it, the real obstacle to climate progress is environmental regulation itself. In a disturbing trend, influential politicians and commentators are propagating the idea that U.S. environmental regulation is too stringent,

The big picture: Electricity prices and demand have been rising since the pandemic thanks to several forces rowing in the same direction. Think data center growth, wider digitalization of the economy, high temperatures, rising costs for natural gas used in power plants, power infrastructure investment, electric cars, manufacturing growth and more. The Energy Department's independent stats arm projects a year-over-year increase of over 4% in residential costs per kilowatt-hour in 2025, and a similar rise in 2026.

The number of operating US oil and gas rigs held flat at 539 last week, hovering near four-year lows and down 47 rigs in the last 12 months.

Michael expressed a strong belief in nuclear energy for its reliability and compactness, countering Bernard's focus on renewable energy as a more viable solution.

The Trump administration reissued a license to Chevron, allowing oil production and exports from Venezuela, despite past cancellations linked to Maduro's legitimacy as President.

The UK government is considering expanding its Boiler Upgrade Scheme to include air-to-air heat pumps that offer both heating and cooling amid rising summer temperatures.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasized the significance of extracting rare earth elements from coal to reduce reliance on China for crucial tech and military products.

Building clean power at pace and scale is the only way to get Britain off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets. A reformed system of national pricing is the best way to deliver an electricity system that is fairer, more affordable, and more secure.