Legislative
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Energy Security
What Trump’s First 100 Days Have Meant to the Power Industry
U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn into office for the second time on Jan. 20, 2025. That means April 30 marks his 100th day back in office. A lot has happened during that relatively short period of time (Figure 1). The Trump administration has implemented sweeping changes to U.S. energy policy, primarily focused on promoting […]
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Coal
U.S. Coal Production Continues Steady Decline as Generation Capacity Falls
U.S. production of coal has continued to decline since peaking in 2008, according to a report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The EIA–on the same day earlier this month when President Trump signed an executive order designed to increase U.S. coal production and coal-fired power generation—released data showing the U.S. produced 578 million short tons (MMst) of coal in 2023, or less than half of the amount produced in 2008.
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Coal
Trump’s EPA Grants Dozens of Coal Plants Exemption from Emissions Rules
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted nearly 70 coal-fired U.S. power plants a two-year exemption from federal requirements to reduce emissions of toxic chemicals such as mercury, arsenic and benzene. It’s another move by the Trump administration to boost the U.S. coal industry, measures that include encouraging electric utilities to continue operating coal-fired power plants that might otherwise be closed.
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Commentary
America’s Nuclear Renaissance: How the TVA Can Lead Our Energy Future
You may have heard of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), our nation’s largest public utility and source of cheap, clean, and reliable electricity for 10 million people. You may even know that its Board of Directors is appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate, making it directly […]
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Legal & Regulatory
Trump’s EPA Set to Undo Limits on Power Plant Emissions
The Trump administration has announced several regulatory rollbacks designed to curb limits on power plant emissions, along with cutting protections for air and water quality. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin on March 12 said the agency is moving to undo at least 31 regulations established during the Biden administration in an effort to […]
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Gas
Maryland Officials Support Gas Plants Among Cleaner Forms of Generation
Maryland lawmakers have introduced a bill in the state legislature that sponsors say would provide an easier path to build new power plants, including natural gas-fired facilities, and lower utility bills for ratepayers as part of the process.
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Legal & Regulatory
Lawmakers Scrutinize Power Sector’s Future as Surging Demand Raises Alarms
In a hearing that underscored the mounting challenges facing the American power sector, industry leaders warned Congress that the nation’s power infrastructure is approaching a precarious juncture as unprecedented demand growth collides with retiring baseload generation. At the House Energy Subcommittee hearing on March 5, titled “Scaling for Growth: Meeting Demand for Reliable, Affordable Electricity,” […]
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Legal & Regulatory
Trump Energy Policy Changes Signal Major Industry Shifts in 2025 and Beyond
There has been significant outrage from the left around changes the Trump administration has made since taking office, including actions that specifically affect the power industry. Yet, it’s not uncommon
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Legal & Regulatory
Private Equity Weighs Focus as Government Policies Shift
As the new administration begins implementing its energy policy agenda, the market is keenly anticipating the impact on private equity sponsors’ energy transition investments. President Trump has signaled
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Coal
U.S. Coal Plants Get Reprieve as Market and Policies Change
Several U.S. utilities in recent months have said they plan to keep coal-fired units in their generation fleets operating past their scheduled retirement dates, in most cases citing increased demand for electricity in their service areas. Some also note that the Trump administration is likely to eschew enforcement of current pollution standards, and attempt to […]