Focus
New wave of smaller, cheaper nuclear reactors sends U.S. states racing to attract the industry
Associated Press – March 28
With the promise of newer, cheaper nuclear power on the horizon, U.S. states are vying to position themselves to build and supply the industry’s next generation as policymakers consider expanding subsidies and paving over regulatory obstacles. Advanced reactor designs from competing firms are filling up the federal government’s regulatory pipeline as the industry touts them as a reliable, climate-friendly way to meet electricity demands from tech giants desperate to power their fast-growing artificial intelligence platforms. The reactors could be operational as early as 2030, giving states a short runway to roll out the red carpet, and they face lingering public skepticism about safety and growing competition from renewables like wind and solar.
News
U.S. energy infrastructure gets a D+ from American Society of Civil Engineers
Utility Dive – March 27
Rapid energy demand growth in the U.S. is threatening an aging and fragile electric grid, says the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), which dropped the energy sector’s 2025 Infrastructure Report Card grade to a D+ from the C- they gave it in 2021. ASCE cited various challenges, including a shortage of distribution transformers, increases in severe weather events, and a lack of transmission capacity.
Consortium looks to expand canal solar projects statewide
Turlock Journal – March 28
The first solar-over-canal project in California, built over Turlock Irrigation District canals, has begun producing electricity. Project Nexus is a pilot program funded by the State of California and a public-private-academic partnership between TID, Solar AquaGrid, UC Merced, and the California Department of Water Resources. The California Solar Canal Initiative research project, led by the University of Southern California’s Dornsife Public Exchange and Solar AquaGrid, is looking to accelerate the use of solar power across the state by equipping government agencies, utilities, community members, and other interested parties with data on optimal locations and identifying willing host communities.
Projects
Data farm proposed near Salton Sea could be first major development in Lithium Valley
Palm Springs Desert Sun – April 1
The first major development in Imperial County’s Lithium Valley may have nothing to do with lithium. CalETHOS president and chief operating officer Joel Stone said that the publicly traded start-up aims to break ground on a 200,000-square-foot data center by 2026, part of a $5.5 billion, million-square-foot “first phase” campus. What’s drawing the company to Lithium Valley? “We could care less about the lithium ... We care about the power,” Stone said, referring to a vast, boiling brine reserve tucked deep underground that can be used to extract reliable steam power.
Shasta County’s fight to stop controversial wind energy project scores a win
Record Searchlight – March 26
Shasta County’s fight to stop a revived controversial wind energy project has received a big boost. The California Energy Commission, in a published staff assessment of the proposed Fountain Wind project, concluded the project’s benefits do not outweigh the toll it would take on the environment. California Energy Commission officials told the Record Searchlight this is a preliminary staff assessment not to recommend the project. Ultimately, the commission will have the final say on the project.
‘Blue economy’ report released as wave energy prep starts at Port of L.A.
Daily Breeze – March 31
A two-year demonstration project at the Port of Los Angeles to harness energy from the waves is just part of the vision at AltaSea in San Pedro, where the focus is to help develop a cutting-edge “blue” economy. Work is underway at AltaSea to launch the Eco Wave Power project, which the Port of Los Angeles approved with a permit issued on March 27. Eco Wave, an AltaSea tenant, has developed a patented, cost-efficient technology for turning ocean waves into green electricity.
New York Power Authority acquires first solar farm
Daily Sentinel – March 26
The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has acquired its first solar farm, Somers Solar, a 20 MW project in in Washington County, under its new expanded authority — the first step in a renewable energy growth plan across the state, according to Governor Kathy Hochul. The governor announced earlier this year that she is looking for 3 GW of potential renewable energy growth in New York, giving NYPA additional power and authority to make it happen through the state’s 2023-24 state budget.
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