commentary

Increasing adoption of cloud computing gave rise to the development of data centers, but the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the increasing demand for digital services has resulted in an exponential surge of data center growth. The industry is in a transformative phase that will be marked by significant developments in infrastructure, technology […]

The energy market is the newest frontier for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance risk. This sector is highly complex; it is dynamic, volatile, and under mounting regulatory pressures.

As 2025 kicks off with new leadership, the U.S. faces new challenges like a rapidly growing demand of electricity driven in large part by data center expansion, electric vehicle adoption, bitcoin mining operations, and continued industrial growth. Electricity supply and security remains a critical concern, particularly as aging infrastructure and supply chain disruptions complicate efforts […]

As renewable energy generation continues to grow, the use of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in solar farms has become increasingly important for stabilizing the grid and enabling the integration of intermittent solar and wind power. The permitting process to build a BESS facility often requires a formal plan for site decommissioning and disposal, even […]

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 […]

Is it possible that the digital infrastructure and energy/power industries are overestimating the need for data centers, and for development of new energy facilities to be used to power them? The growth of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) is expected to account for 3.5% of global electricity consumption by 2030, according to Gartner, a consultancy. […]

During the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, then-candidate Donald J. Trump took an extremely tough stance on bringing back jobs lost to foreign countries by incentivizing domestic manufacturing. Trump took a hard line against the Clean Power Plan, many times referring to it as a “jobs killer” and an “inflation creator.” Energy independence became a resounding […]

The production and consumption of carbon-free energy (CFE) has accelerated worldwide in recent years, driven by large private energy consumers who have been leading this transition. For example, Google has been matching 100% of its global annual electricity consumption with purchases of renewable energy since 2017. The public sector is also an increasing driver, as […]

Surging demand for electricity, soaring electricity prices, and risks to supply chains are creating an imperative for innovative ways to control energy costs, and increase resilience by diversifying commercial and industrial power sources. U.S. electricity prices are soaring amid growing demand, extreme temperatures, gas price volatility, inflation, and the cost of new grid infrastructure and […]

In the rapidly evolving landscape of power generation, companies are increasingly integrating smart grids and artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations. This transition, while promising enhanced efficiency and reliability, also brings forth a myriad of challenges, particularly in the realms of cybersecurity and legal compliance. This commentary delves into three legal issues around emerging cybersecurity […]