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Good morning. Far-off energy forecasts often feel intangible. But for parents, they can get personal. Our own Matt Chester, who’s set to become a dad in mere days, says impending fatherhood has reframed his outlook for the coming decades. Read his piece here, and let us know if it resonates with you.
— Molly, Carrie, and the Energy Central editorial team
See how Black & Veatch helped modernize critical infrastructure in Texas to reduce outages and restore power faster when a hurricane strikes.
States are making major data center moves…and ratepayer opposition keeps building.
In Texas, ERCOT’s board voted to approve data centers in batches (beginning with “Batch Zero,” which is predicted to include some 100 GW of “mature” projects). The board also greenlit orders for data centers and crypto-mining facilities to remain online during quick grid disruptions, aiming to curb rippling outages. Now, the fate of these proposals lies with the Texas PUC.
New York officials appear set to press pause on data centers for a year—it could become the first state moratorium of its kind (if Gov. Kathy Hochul inks the legislation).
The public POV: Over 70% of Americans are against data centers near their homes, per a Heatmap Pro poll. That’s a major shift from last September, when 42% of respondents told Heatmap said they were opposed.
MISO is prepared to tackle rising demand—if all goes according to plan.
Phew: The region is predicted to “maintain sufficient capacity to meet demand” over the next five years, the grid operator noted, according to its survey of resource owners.
Members plan to add an average 15 GW/year of accredited summer capacity, and 12.4 GW/year of accredited winter capacity. Meanwhile, MISO’s compound annual load growth rate is projected to range from 3.1% to 5.1%.
The details: MISO states and utilities plan to add record levels of resource additions (driven largely by natural gas, along with “strong growth” slated for wind, battery storage, and solar.) This shifts seasonal reliability risk toward winter, MISO explained.
Geothermal bills are bridging the party divide.
A hot rocks package: The US House has passed the Geothermal Energy Advancement Act, a bipartisan bundle of bills aimed at speeding up the geothermal buildout.
The details: The legislation would 1) offer streamlined environmental permitting for geothermal projects on public lands (which gas and oil companies already receive) and 2) require the DOI to process drilling permit applications within 60 days, among other measures. The House also passed a separate bill that would boost geothermal sales on federal land.
What’s next: It’s uncertain whether these bills will see the same support in the Senate. But the purple backing could signal success—especially with the urgent need for 24/7 clean power across the US grid.
On the state level: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill that will encourage thermal energy network development and require IOUs to solicit proposals for geothermal projects.
Smarter meters are reshaping grid operations. Tune in on June 9 to find out how Sense turns real-time data into faster fixes, sharper decisions, and stronger customer programs across the grid.
Three Mile Island is back on track for a (possible) 2027 restart.
Constellation’s $1.6B plan to bring nuclear back to Three Mile Island—now called the Crane Clean Energy Center—has cleared a major hurdle. FERC is allowing Constellation to transfer 760 MW of Capacity Interconnection Rights from its Eddystone plant to Crane. (Previously, PJM said Crane couldn’t connect to the grid until 2031 due to needed transmission upgrades.)
Need for nuclear: The revamped facility will power Microsoft data centers, and it could become the country’s first fully revived nuclear plant.
Transmission projects keep sparking drama.
The background: Utilities, including Xcel Energy and American Transmission Company, have asked FERC for a five-year pause on competitive bidding for major Midwest transmission projects, claiming they raise costs and slow construction.
The backlash: Ratepayer advocates (and a recent R Street report) have argued the opposite. Now, 12 Wisconsin officials are calling on FERC to reject the request. They claim that “competition works,” and it enables Wisconsin to maintain a “reliable grid while benefiting from competitive pressures that drive efficiencies and cost savings.”
Meanwhile in New England, states want increased scrutiny on asset condition projects. Exhibit A: Eversource Energy’s X-178 transmission project in New Hampshire. Critics say the company evaded thorough ISO-NE review. Now, the grid operator is developing a review process for asset condition projects, which could kick off next year.
Are data centers heating up surrounding communities?
The fans that cool off condensers are pushing hot air outdoors, according to a peer-reviewed study from Arizona State University. In neighborhoods downwind of four Phoenix-area data centers, researchers recorded temperatures up to 4 degrees Fahrenheit higher than in upwind areas.
And as we reported in March, one pre-print study suggested that data centers warm the surrounding land by up to 16 degrees Fahrenheit. As data centers quickly expand across the US, scientists are fretting over the collective warming effect.
🔒 Securing the last mile is more important than ever. It’s time to build a clearer understanding of what’s happening between the substation and the meter. Here, a practical and scalable approach can illuminate what was once unseen—and unlock more informed and timely decisions across the grid. Our partners at Wesco have all the details.
Rising energy costs are reshaping grid operations. Tune in to hear how utilities and energy users can improve reliability, manage costs, and unlock more value from energy assets in real time.
Thanks for reading. Talk soon!