Clean energy

The Iran war is driving a clean energy wake-up call

China, Spain, and other countries increasingly rely on renewables, helping them avoid oil and gas price volatility as conflict in the Middle East continues.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 27 March 2026

Verdant grass in foreground, with many solar panels behind it, and a mountain in the distance — Solar power has helped Spain avoid some of the high electricity costs faced by its neighbors. (Carlos Noronha/Construction Photography/Avalon via Getty Images)

Clean energy

The world built more solar and wind than ever in 2025

Growth is the name of the game for renewables as countries scramble for much-needed electricity and the tech gets cheaper.

By Ysabelle Kempe . 27 March 2026
Clean energy

Virginia set to enact a flurry of laws boosting cleaner, cheaper power

Gov. Abigail Spanberger is expected to sign bills promoting solar power, batteries, grid tech, and, above all, affordability.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 26 March 2026
Nuclear

States are lifting bans on nuclear power

After decades of aversion to the clean energy source, states are welcoming in nuclear developers as a way to meet surging electricity demand without fossil fuels.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 25 March 2026
Utilities

Ann Arbor, Michigan, prepares to launch its own clean energy utility

Investor-owned utilities have been slow to ditch fossil fuels. The city of Ann Arbor plans to boost access to renewables with a unique model rolling out this year.

By Carey L. Biron . 23 March 2026
Nuclear

Next-gen nuclear has a chicken-and-egg problem

A new report suggests that advanced reactor companies face a difficult path to success — and that the U.S. would be better off narrowing in on fewer designs.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 20 March 2026
Batteries

Which states have the most grid batteries?

California and Texas continue to lead the way on utility-scale storage, but the sector is growing rapidly in Arizona thanks to the state’s abundant solar.

By Dan McCarthy . 13 March 2026
Data centers

Illinois to data centers: Bring your own renewables and skip the line

Proposed legislation offers perks for data centers that invest in clean energy. A broad coalition supports the bill, but details still need to be hammered out.

By Kari Lydersen . 12 March 2026
Liquefied natural gas

Why US LNG firms stand to profit from Iran war fallout

Countries may tap into America’s booming liquefied natural gas exports as Middle Eastern suppliers shutter. But renewables are a safer bet in the long run.

By Dan McCarthy . 6 March 2026
Clean energy

How Vermont’s pioneering clean heat plan fell apart

Misinformation, politics, and a complex design brought down the once-promising program, which sought to slash emissions from heating in the cold New England state.

By Sarah Shemkus . 5 March 2026
Guest essay

AI: Does not compute

Building fossil-fuel infrastructure to power data centers is a poor bet. Renewables are by far the cheaper, faster choice.

By Amory B. Lovins, Justin Locke . 2 March 2026