Some critics have complained that Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency can’t protect us from the supposed environmental harms of data centers if they cut down on red tape to streamline building permits. That’s part of a broader narrative that data centers are bad for the environment, but it ignores their benefits.
Mining Permitting Reform Is a Start, but Not a Substitute for a Durable Fix
The Protecting Domestic Mining Act (H.R. 1501) just passed the House by a 218–201 vote, with seven Democrats crossing the aisle. The bill, which now heads to the Senate, makes mining and mineral processing eligible for expedited permitting under Title 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (known as FAST-41) and blocks a Biden-era proposal that would have limited that eligibility to "critical" minerals.
How America’s Memory Chip Squeeze Is Another Affordability Challenge
Americans just lived through one chip shortage. They’re about to live through another, and this one could hit their wallets even harder. The culprit this time isn’t a pandemic disrupting factories; it’s an artificial intelligence (AI) boom devouring the world’s memory chip supply. If Washington isn’t careful, the policy response could make the problem worse, not better.
Amid Severe Drought, Water Solutions Companies are Stepping In to Optimize Scarce Water Resources
Leveraging Xylem's 'smart sewer' technology, the community of South Bend, Indiana, was able to save around $400 million in planned infrastructure spending... roughly one billion gallons of polluted water are now prevented from contaminating the St. Joseph River every year.
Is Power the Next Shale? America Needs to Adopt Strict Capital Discipline Before the Bill Comes Due
Announced megawatts are like leased acres, but energized, used, and profitable megawatts are like productive wells. The boom is genuine, and success will depend on precision, discipline, and pragmatism.
A Stronger El Niño Is Putting Crop Forecasting to the Test
Across major farming regions, crop conditions are shifting quickly as rainfall and temperature patterns become more uneven. Too much rain is creating problems in some places, while others are dealing with persistent dryness.
Investing in Wildfire Prevention Will Be Key to Preventing Europe’s Next Summer from Hell
Instead of reacting after a fire breaks out, public agencies and utility providers must detect dangerous fires before they ignite. This is where companies like Overstory are trying to make a difference.
Trump Extends Jones Act Waiver. Here’s Why Congress Should Make It Permanent
The United States is the world’s largest oil and gas producer, but energy abundance means little if that energy cannot reach the people who need it.
More Current, Less Cost: Why Advanced Conductors are an Overlooked Grid Capacity Tool
To unlock affordable grid capacity, policymakers should require utilities to consider the best-available line technologies by default, while utilities themselves modernize planning to reinforce their affordability commitment to customers.
China could control the future of energy if America doesn’t act fast
Rather than causing disparate groups to come together to recognize the importance of all forms of energy, oil prices have resulted in some pushing harder for oil and gas and others pressing harder for solar, wind and batteries. This is a false dichotomy. Both are needed.









