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Energy

A general illustration of U.S. weather extremes, the backdrop for the climate-liability laws now being challenged in court. Photo via Reuters.

Why a Judge Blocked New York's $75 Billion Climate Law

A federal judge sided with 22 Republican state attorneys general to block New York's first-in-the-nation climate superfund fee, ruling the Clean Air Act preempts states from making polluters pay for storm and flood damage.

Climate  · 1 Sep 2026, 09:21  · Maya Calder
A row of wind turbines in a field, some spinning and one standing still.

Why Wind Turbines Sometimes Shut Off on Windy Days

A stationary turbine on a windy day usually isn't broken. It's hit a safety limit, a grid order, or a maintenance window.

Climate  · 30 Aug 2026, 09:23  · Maya Calder
President Trump signs a proclamation setting tariffs and minimum import prices on polysilicon, the material used to make solar panels and semiconductors.

Tariff vs. Price Floor: What Trump's New Solar Rule Does

The White House set a 15% tariff on polysilicon and, separately, a hard minimum price. The two tools do very different jobs, and the gap between them explains why solar makers are watching closely.

Climate  · 7 Aug 2026, 09:24  · Maya Calder
Rows of servers in a data center hall lit by blue indicator lights.

Why AI Data Centers Use So Much Electricity and Water

AI data centers are on track to use as much power as Japan by 2030. Here is why the chips draw so much electricity, how much water cooling takes, and what it means for your bill.

Tech  · 7 Jul 2026, 09:28  · Daniel Okafor
A person cools off in the water from an open fire hydrant during the July 2026 heat wave.

PJM Orders Emergency Power Cuts as Heat Strains the Grid

With 67 million people's power on the line, PJM leaned on paid demand cuts and data-center curtailments to keep the lights on through the heat.

Business  · 4 Jul 2026, 05:42  · Priya Raman