U.S. Department of Energy

The US Department of Energy deleted about 6,000 pages related to energy conservation during a heatwave. The deletion followed Republican criticism of a New York City mayor's request to reduce grid strain by setting AC to 78 degrees, with some Republicans framing the request as socialism and an issue for women in menopause.

Doug Robison, a third-generation Texas oilman, transformed his organic farming company into Natura Resources, an advanced nuclear startup collaborating with Abilene Christian University to develop molten-salt reactors. The company plans to build its first test reactor by 2028 and a 100-megawatt commercial reactor by 2032, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy and partnerships with multiple universities.

Amazon and J.C. Penney are offering holiday gasoline promotions to reduce travel costs, while the U.S. Department of Energy proposes eliminating energy efficiency standards for appliances. U.S. factory orders declined 1.3% in May due to a drop in aircraft bookings, though other manufacturing sectors remained strong.

Experts recommend setting the thermostat a few degrees higher when away to balance energy efficiency and comfort, though turning off AC entirely can save energy in dry climates but risks mold in humid areas. Factors like climate, home insulation, and AC unit type influence optimal strategies.

PJM Interconnection received authorization from the U.S. Department of Energy to require data centers and large customers to use backup generators during a heatwave to prevent power outages. The emergency order, effective through July 3, allows temporary pollution limit exceedances for power generation and excludes critical facilities like hospitals and defense sites.

PJM Interconnection received authorization from the U.S. Department of Energy to require data centers and other large customers to use backup generators during a heatwave to prevent blackouts. The emergency order, signed by Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, allows PJM to tap into backup power resources until July 3, excluding critical facilities like hospitals. The measure aims to address high energy demand amid extreme temperatures.

US energy secretary Chris Wright called concerns about data centers' environmental impact 'overblown' and urged support for their expansion. He emphasized their role in the AI economy and compared opposition tactics to past anti-fracking campaigns. A Gallup survey found 70% of Americans oppose local data center construction, but Wright argued their benefits outweigh drawbacks.

The U.S. Department of Energy's support is seen as crucial for the growth of zinc-based batteries as an alternative to lithium in energy storage. International Zinc Association officials highlighted this during a conversation with Utility Dive.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, housing the largest digital camera ever built, has begun a decade-long survey of the southern sky from a Chilean mountaintop. The project aims to map billions of stars and galaxies, study dark matter and dark energy, and capture repeated images to detect faint celestial objects.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, the largest digital camera ever built, has begun a decade-long survey of the universe from a Chilean mountaintop. It aims to map billions of stars and galaxies, study dark matter and dark energy, and capture repeated images of the southern sky to detect faint celestial objects.

PJM Interconnection warns of record electricity demand due to a heatwave affecting 13 states, including Maryland, with projected usage exceeding 166,000 megawatts. PJM seeks permission to require data centers to use backup generators during peak times, while utilities urge customers to reduce energy consumption. AI data centers are cited as a key driver of increased grid strain.

Australia's ambassador to the U.S., Greg Moriarty, met key U.S. officials at a World Cup match in Seattle to build relationships and discuss trade issues, including a new tariff on countries with slave labor in supply chains. Moriarty emphasized strengthening U.S.-Australia ties in the Indo-Pacific region and highlighted cultural connections through sports.

The Trump administration announced $17.5 billion in loans to develop 10 new large nuclear reactors to address rising power demand from data centers. The reactors, using Westinghouse’s AP1000 design, aim to begin construction by 2030 and operationalize in the mid-2030s, with officials citing improved planning and supply chain efficiency compared to past projects like Plant Vogtle.

An Oakland coal terminal project, facing years of litigation and controversy, may receive $75 million from the Trump administration to support the coal industry. Critics argue the funding props up a declining sector, while the administration claims it will enhance U.S. energy exports.

Chris Wright, US Department of Energy Secretary, discussed energy security, supply chains, and global markets with Bloomberg's Annmarie Hordern at the 2026 Bloomberg Energy Security Executive Briefing in Houston.

The U.S. Department of Energy ordered the Orlando Utilities Commission to keep its 39-year-old Stanton Energy Center coal plant operational for 90 days, citing an energy emergency linked to potential data centers. The Sierra Club criticized the decision as federal overreach, and Orlando's air quality was listed as 'poor' on June 5.

The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is nearing its lowest level since 1983, with weekly depletion of 9 million barrels as the Trump Administration releases reserves to manage oil exports and domestic prices. Companies purchasing released barrels have pledged to replenish them, but concerns persist over energy market stability amid global reserve declines and geopolitical tensions like the closed Strait of Hormuz.

The article highlights how the rapid growth of data centers, driven by AI, cloud computing, and cryptocurrency, poses environmental and public health risks through air and water pollution, noise, land use changes, and energy costs. U.S. data centers are projected to consume 12% of national electricity by 2028, with Virginia hosting over 600 facilities that already use 26% of the state’s electricity.

The Trump administration awarded Duke Energy a $28.4 million grant to upgrade a coal plant in North Carolina, part of a broader $525 million effort to support coal power. Critics argue the funding prioritizes fossil fuels over renewable energy, while the Department of Energy cites national security and energy infrastructure goals.

Antares Nuclear's Mark-0 microreactor achieved criticality at Idaho National Laboratory under the U.S. Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program, established via President Trump's 2025 executive order. This marks the first advanced reactor to reach criticality under the program and the first privately developed non-light-water reactor in the U.S. in over four decades.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced $700 million in support for the coal industry using the Defense Production Act, including $425 million to extend 12 coal plants. Environmentalists criticized the move, calling coal dirty and expensive. Wheeling Power Company received $50 million to modernize the Mitchell Plant in West Virginia.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has ordered a 465-MW coal unit operated by Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) in Florida to remain operational. The decision is partly to support potential data centers in the state, despite Florida being at 'normal risk' for long-term energy adequacy.

Energy Department undersecretary Darío Gil is leading efforts to strengthen U.S. science and technology competitiveness through initiatives like the Genesis Mission, which includes a $1 billion international partnership with Japan. He emphasizes proactive government involvement in emerging technologies such as AI, fusion energy, and quantum computing, while advocating for increased congressional funding and bipartisan legislation to sustain these efforts.

The U.S. and Japan have announced a science and AI partnership, each investing $500 million. Energy Department Under Secretary Darío Gil emphasized the collaboration as a key moment for future science.

The U.S. Energy Department is considering allowing up to five companies to use surplus plutonium—historically used in nuclear warheads—as fuel. The department has initiated advanced negotiations with selected firms regarding the allocation of this material.

A Ninth Circuit Court panel scrutinized Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act during a case involving the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) versus Meta, raising concerns about the legal protections afforded to online platforms for user-generated content.

The carbon removal industry is shifting its focus to align with Trump's energy agenda, emphasizing energy dominance and economic competitiveness. Two Biden-era projects in Louisiana and Texas received approval under Trump's Energy Department, while the sector highlights its potential to support energy security and provide offsets for industries like LNG and data centers.

The Iran war is causing increased costs for petroleum-derived materials, affecting products like plush toys and other consumer goods. Aleni Brands, a toy manufacturer, faces 10-15% higher material costs from China, with potential price hikes for customers by early 2027 if the conflict persists.

President Trump invoked the 1950 Defense Production Act to boost domestic energy production, citing high gasoline prices and rising power costs amid the Iran war. The move authorizes the Energy Department to use GOP budget law funds for petroleum, coal, natural gas, and grid infrastructure projects, addressing supply chain bottlenecks and long wait times for critical energy equipment.

Donald Trump rebuked his Energy Secretary for a shocking admission that gas prices could remain elevated until 2027, highlighting tensions within his administration over energy policy. The statement sparked criticism from the president, who called the projection unacceptable.

The U.S. Department of Energy's ARPA-E will allocate $135 million to advance fusion energy research, despite President Trump's proposed budget cuts to other fusion initiatives. The funding contrasts with China's $6.5 billion investment in fusion, highlighting global competition in the field.