Department of Energy

Cleveland-Cliffs planned to use up to $500 million from a Biden administration grant to facilitate cleaner steelmaking at its Middletown Works in Ohio, aiming for a direct reduced iron facility powered by natural gas or hydrogen. However, the company has reportedly redirected these funds to instead refurbish the existing coal-based blast furnace and add a cogeneration plant that uses waste heat. This shift moves away from advanced industrial decarbonization methods toward maintaining traditional, high-pollution technology.

President Donald Trump announced that the federal government will fund $180 million in grants for mining schools to help rebuild the U.S. coal industry. The funding includes allocations from the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, while he also committed over $2 billion in new contracts for companies like Niron Magnetics and Sila Nanotechnologies.

Tennessee is among five states considered for a $50 billion federal nuclear waste storage deal, with Oak Ridge as the primary site and four Cumberland Plateau counties under consideration. The state has not specified all potential storage locations, and Governor Bill Lee emphasizes balancing economic benefits with environmental risks. The Department of Energy has not finalized the agreement.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is failing to apply lessons from past efforts in nuclear waste cleanup, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The GAO highlights missed opportunities for improvement in the DOE's management of nuclear waste cleanup initiatives.

Democrats requested information on ties between the Trump and Lutnick families and critical mineral deals. They asked several U.S. departments and the Export-Import Bank to preserve records related to those deals.

The Virginia administration, led by Chief Energy Officer Josephus Allmond and Secretary of Commerce Carrie Chenery, is gathering public input on a new energy plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. A public meeting in Petersburg on August 3 and an online survey will inform the plan, which includes renewable energy, small modular reactors, and participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

The Spanberger administration is seeking public input on Virginia's new energy plan, which aims to establish a 10-year roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. A public meeting in Petersburg on August 3 will gather feedback alongside an online survey, with the final report due in October 2026. The plan includes renewable energy sources, small modular reactors, and maintaining fossil fuels when necessary, while addressing rising energy costs and grid reliability.

Idaho is one of five finalists selected to host a proposed Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, as announced by the Department of Energy. The project aims to establish Idaho as a nuclear powerhouse and a site for nuclear waste management.

The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve is experiencing stress due to emergency releases and aging infrastructure. The reserve has an authorized storage capacity of 714 million barrels, according to the Department of Energy.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) proposes eliminating the ALARA principle, a 50-year-old radiation safety standard requiring radiation exposure to be as low as reasonably achievable. This change aligns with President Donald Trump's efforts to expand nuclear energy production amid increased electricity demand from data centers and artificial intelligence. The NRC claims safety standards remain unchanged, while the Department of Energy has already stopped using ALARA.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) proposes to eliminate the ALARA radiation safety principle, which has minimized public and worker radiation exposure for 50 years, replacing it with a graded approach. This comes as President Trump seeks to expand nuclear energy production, and the NRC claims the change clarifies standards without lowering safety limits.

The White House announced a nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia to support its civilian nuclear energy program, sparking divided reactions. Democrats expressed concerns about a potential nuclear arms race in the Middle East, while Republicans emphasized the importance of regional partnerships. The agreement includes safeguards to prevent nuclear materials from being used for weapons.

The White House announced a nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia to support its civilian nuclear energy program, with Democrats criticizing it for potentially fueling a regional arms race and Republicans emphasizing the need for regional partnerships. The agreement includes safeguards to prevent nuclear materials from being used for weapons, but critics argue it could undermine efforts to counter Iran's nuclear program.

The Trump administration claimed in a court filing that federal green grants canceled last year were selected 'solely' based on a state’s political affiliation. The Department of Energy lawyer Jeff Novak made this assertion in the filing.

The Department of Energy highlighted on social media that solar panels do not generate power at night, a known fact often criticized by renewable energy opponents. Grid operators are aware of this limitation and plan accordingly.

The Trump administration claimed in a court filing that green grants canceled last year were selected 'solely' based on a state's political affiliation. Department of Energy lawyer Jeff Novak stated the department identified 624 grants for potential termination, with the White House involved in the process.

Trump stated the Saudi nuclear deal excludes enrichment and depends on relations with Israel. The civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, signed Wednesday, will be sent to Congress for review by the Department of Energy.

The Trump administration announced a civil nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, allowing U.S. private companies to export nuclear materials and technology to develop the kingdom's civilian nuclear program. The agreement, part of a multi-billion-dollar partnership, aims to strengthen U.S.-Saudi commercial relations and security amid heightened tensions with Iran.

The Trump administration announced $5 billion in funding for 15 agencies to advance scientific research using AI. The initiative aims to address chronic diseases, accelerate drug discovery, and develop durable building materials, with scientists gaining access to Department of Energy supercomputers and datasets.

The Department of Energy's website has removed energy-saving tips for homes, including checking for air leaks and power-hungry appliances, as energy costs rise. Previously, the site offered guidance to identify and address these issues.

Federal agencies canceled nearly $2 billion in University of California research grants using keywords like diversity and vaccine hesitancy, which researchers allege violated the First Amendment. The Trump administration is accused of targeting politically disfavored research and disproportionately affecting states that voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

The Trump administration canceled $2 billion in University of California research grants, using keywords like diversity and gender to target projects. Legal teams argue this mass termination violated the First Amendment and other constitutional protections, with a court hearing scheduled for October 20.

The article suggests that Mamdani, facing financial constraints, could save on the Department of Energy's large budget by reviewing contracts, particularly no-bid awards and those not competitively bid for years once the council receives them.

The Department of Energy removed over 1,600 pages from its Energy Saver website by July 3, including resources on home energy assessments and thermostat guidance. The purge coincided with a proposed rule to restrict future energy efficiency standards for appliances, labeled as ending 'Green New Scam' mandates. The deletion occurred amid public debate over energy conservation advice during a heatwave, with critics suggesting the removal was politically motivated.

President Donald Trump's administration halted offshore wind development, citing national security risks based on a classified Defense Department report. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum linked wind turbines to radar and sonar interference, while Sweden and Denmark are also addressing similar security concerns with their offshore wind projects.

Over 1,600 energy department webpages on utility bill savings were removed as US temperatures soared. A Guardian analysis linked the removals to the Trump administration's push to weaken efficiency rules.

The Trump administration's FY 2026 supplemental request includes $87.6 billion for the Iran War (Operation Epic Fury), with $768 million allocated to the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) for activities aimed at terminating Iran's nuclear program. The Senate Armed Services Committee is set to question Jules W. Hurst III, a nominee for Under Secretary of Defense, about these funding details.

The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve is under strain due to repeated oil releases by the Biden and Trump administrations, aging infrastructure, and reduced operational capacity. Concerns about its ability to respond to future energy disruptions, like the U.S.-Iran conflict affecting the Strait of Hormuz, highlight the need for significant investment in the Gulf Coast-based reserve.

Environmental groups are challenging a Trump administration emergency order to keep a Florida coal-fired power plant operational. The groups argue the order failed to establish an energy emergency, while the Department of Energy cited anticipated demand from data centers as a reason.

The Trump Administration's actions, including a June 12, 2026, Commerce Department directive requiring licenses for Anthropic's AI models, created uncertainty about foreign-person employees' access to frontier AI development. After Anthropic suspended model access globally, including for its own foreign employees, the controls were later lifted but remain a potential threat to future models. National Security Presidential Memorandum 11 encouraged AI companies to assist with vetting foreign talent to balance security and innovation.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) criticized the Department of Energy (DOE) for prematurely excluding less expensive options in nuclear cleanup efforts. The report highlights concerns about the DOE's approach to cost-effective solutions for nuclear waste management.

Thirteen Democrat-led states, including California, Colorado, and Washington, are allowed to continue their lawsuit against the Trump administration for terminating clean energy programs without congressional approval. A federal judge denied the administration's motion to dismiss, ruling the states have a right to seek relief and that the case should remain in federal court.

Before air conditioning became common in mid-20th century US homes, people used ice blocks, fans, and cold drinks to stay cool. Historical records show iceboxes, mechanical cooling techniques, and frozen treats like ice cream were key methods. Recent heat waves highlight the growing necessity of air conditioning as temperatures set new records.

The Department of Energy has ordered certain generating units to remain operational during tight grid conditions, incurring approximately $550 million in annual costs, according to the Sierra Club. The emergency orders aim to maintain grid stability but raise questions about their benefits.

The White House released executive orders on quantum computing emphasizing coordination over major investments or policy changes. President Donald Trump highlighted goals like strengthening the domestic supply chain and delivering a quantum computer to the Department of Energy by 2028, but quantum companies and researchers note the orders lack substantial new funding or operational shifts. The orders are seen as adding credibility to quantum technology, though it remains unproven at scale.

The Department of Energy ordered six power plants to delay their retirements last year. Two of these plants produced zero electricity in the first quarter of 2026, and another is currently offline for repairs.

The Trump administration plans to issue executive orders to accelerate the federal government's transition to post-quantum encryption and increase funding for the domestic quantum computing industry. The orders include a new deadline for adopting quantum-resistant encryption by 2029 or 2030 and exclude military networks. The administration also announced over $2 billion in incentives for nine quantum companies under the CHIPS and Science Act.

Congress approved a $1 billion Energy Resilience Fund for Puerto Rico in 2022 to support solar and battery systems for low-income residents. The Trump administration redirected most funds to Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), a bankrupt utility, to upgrade fossil fuel power plants and build a natural gas pipeline, bypassing competitive bidding and waiving standard cost-sharing requirements. Critics argue this shift undermines the original intent to provide resilient backup power for medically vulnerable communities.

Trump’s Genesis Mission is using AI to work on nuclear weapons, according to the article. The Department of Energy describes Genesis as an AI initiative for scientific discovery, but its first public challenges suggest a different focus.

Darío Gil, a Department of Energy official, discusses the factors that will drive future innovation. The article highlights his insights on emerging technologies and energy advancements shaping tomorrow's innovations.