Plugged In | January 2026

Plugged In | January 2026

House Passes Major GOP-Led Permitting Overhaul 

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the SPEED Act by a vote of 221-196. It aims to accelerate new energy infrastructure construction. 

Source: Politico

DOE Uses Emergency Powers to Freeze More Than 2 GW of Coal Retirements 

The Department of Energy has issued four additional emergency orders directing coal plants in Colorado and Indiana to remain open for grid reliability. 

Source: POWER 

Trump Order Halts Offshore Wind Projects For at Least 90 Days 

The Trump administration has directed five offshore wind projects along the East Coast to halt construction for 90 days citing national security risks.  

Source: AP 

There Aren't Enough AI Chips to Support Data Center Projections, Report Says 

A recent report by London Economics International found projections of U.S. data center growth are likely overstated due to global constraints on semiconductor chip production.  

Source: Utility Dive 

Abbott Taps Jarred Shaffer as Director of Texas Advanced Nuclear Office 

Texas has created a new Advanced Nuclear Office with a $350 million fund to grow the nuclear industry inside the state. 

Source: KCEN TV 

NIST Adds to AI Security Guidance With Cybersecurity Framework Profile 

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released a framework for organizations to manage cybersecurity challenges of AI systems, improve cyber defense with AI and defend against AI-powered cyberattacks.  

Source: Utility Dive 

Report: Solar, Storage in Massachusetts Could Reap $313M in Consumer Savings 

A newly released report found that continued solar and storage deployment in Massachusetts could lead to $313 million in consumer savings through 2030. 

Source: Daily Energy Insider 

Hawaii State Energy Office to Launch Contractor Training Program in 2026 

Hawaii's state energy office is looking to grow its workforce through the Training for Residential Energy Contractors program to help deliver home energy upgrades.  

Source: Maui Now 

MISO Board Approves Largest Ever Regional Grid Upgrade in the US 

The board recently approved $22 billion worth of long-range transmission projects across the Midwest that will enable 116 GW of new generation in the region. 

Source: Fresh Energy 

Blackstone Investing $1.2 Billion for 600-MW Gas-Fired Plant in West Virginia 

Blackstone is helping construct a 600 MW natural gas power plant in West Virginia to serve a Virginia-`based co-op that serves 1.5 million customers in the region.  

Source: POWER