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Energy Policy News 7 December 2025 - 24 January 2026

Big Tech’s data-center power bill fight: Warren presses Google as PJM auction plans grow

Big Tech’s data-center power bill fight: Warren presses Google as PJM auction plans grow

Senators led by Elizabeth Warren said Big Tech firms pledged to pay more for data-center electricity but withheld key details on rates and contracts. Trump called on companies to “pay their own way” as PJM weighs an emergency auction for new power supply. FERC signaled it is ready to act quickly on related filings. Google and Microsoft said they cover their own infrastructure costs but cited confidentiality concerns.
24 January 2026
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J.D. Irving seeks an NB Power grid exit as minister backs self-generated wind power plan

J.D. Irving seeks an NB Power grid exit as minister backs self-generated wind power plan

New Brunswick’s natural resources minister backs J.D. Irving Ltd. and other major industries seeking to self-supply renewable energy outside NB Power’s grid. NB Power warns losing large customers could raise bills for other ratepayers. The utility recently signed a 200-megawatt wind power deal with a J.D. Irving subsidiary. Industry leaders say they need relief from rising power costs.
15 January 2026
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Empire Wind decision day: Judge weighs Trump offshore wind pause as Equinor warns of termination

Empire Wind decision day: Judge weighs Trump offshore wind pause as Equinor warns of termination

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols will rule Thursday on whether Equinor can resume construction of its $5.5 billion Empire Wind project off Long Island, halted under a Trump administration order citing national security. Equinor says the project could be terminated if work does not restart by Jan. 16. The Interior Department paused five East Coast wind projects last month over radar concerns. A separate judge cleared Orsted’s Revolution Wind project to proceed Monday.
15 January 2026
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Venezuela oil barrels return: Vitol, Trafigura court India and China as Trump export plan takes shape

Venezuela oil barrels return: Vitol, Trafigura court India and China as Trump export plan takes shape

Vitol and Trafigura are offering Venezuelan crude for March delivery to refiners in India and China, traders said Monday. Brent crude slipped to $63.03 a barrel as markets weighed unrest in Iran against expected Venezuelan exports. Vitol shipped naphtha to Venezuela, set to arrive Jan. 28, to help dilute heavy crude. U.S. efforts to shield Venezuela’s oil revenues face legal and political hurdles.
12 January 2026
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Meta stock braces for Monday after nuclear power push and fresh WhatsApp rules risk

Meta stock braces for Monday after nuclear power push and fresh WhatsApp rules risk

Meta Platforms shares rose 1.1% Friday after announcing long-term nuclear energy deals to power U.S. sites, including a major Ohio data center expansion. Vistra will supply 2,609 MW from its PJM nuclear plants starting in late 2026, while TerraPower and Oklo signed separate agreements for advanced nuclear projects. Vistra shares jumped 10.5% on the news. Meta also faces new regulatory scrutiny in Europe over WhatsApp.
11 January 2026
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NuScale Power stock slips as Capitol Hill nuclear hearing puts SMR trade back in play

NuScale Power stock slips as Capitol Hill nuclear hearing puts SMR trade back in play

NuScale Power shares fell 1.6% to $19.25 Wednesday morning on volume over 7 million, as investors watched a House hearing on nuclear licensing set for 10:15 a.m. ET. The move followed new U.S. Energy Department contracts for domestic uranium enrichment. Broader markets edged higher, while nuclear stocks were mixed. NuScale is seeking customer deals and financing after canceling its Carbon Free Power Project last year.
7 January 2026
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Exxon Mobil stock faces Monday test as Trump pitches Venezuela oil rebuild for U.S. giants

Exxon Mobil stock faces Monday test as Trump pitches Venezuela oil rebuild for U.S. giants

Exxon Mobil shares rose 1.9% Friday after President Trump said U.S. oil companies are prepared to invest billions in Venezuela’s oil sector following Nicolás Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces. Analysts warned repairs could take years and the U.S. embargo remains in place. Brent crude ended down 0.7% at $60.33 a barrel. Investors are watching for Venezuela policy updates and U.S. jobs data due Jan. 9.
5 January 2026
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Chevron caught in Venezuela oil clamp as PDVSA cuts output under U.S. embargo

Chevron caught in Venezuela oil clamp as PDVSA cuts output under U.S. embargo

Venezuela’s PDVSA has cut crude output as storage fills up following a U.S. export embargo and tanker blockade, sources said. Chevron-chartered ships have not left Venezuelan waters since Thursday, and several loaded vessels remain stuck. The U.S. removed President Nicolás Maduro from Caracas on Saturday, with President Trump announcing the oil embargo is fully enforced. December oil exports fell to about half of November’s 950,000 barrels per day.
4 January 2026
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Exxon Mobil stock: what to watch after U.S. strike on Venezuela and Trump oil-company push

Exxon Mobil stock: what to watch after U.S. strike on Venezuela and Trump oil-company push

Exxon closed up 1.9% Friday as investors prepared for Monday’s reopening after U.S. strikes in Venezuela and the capture of President Maduro. Trump said U.S. oil firms would help rebuild Venezuela’s industry, though Exxon has no current operations there. Brent settled at $60.75 a barrel; OPEC+ kept output policy steady on Sunday. Venezuela’s oil exports were halted Saturday as port captains stopped ship departures.
4 January 2026
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Dominion Energy’s Silent Solar Generator Debuts as Virginia Regulators Pause Chesterfield Gas Plant Approval

Dominion Energy’s Silent Solar Generator Debuts as Virginia Regulators Pause Chesterfield Gas Plant Approval

Virginia regulators halted approval for Dominion Energy’s planned 944-megawatt Chesterfield gas plant after environmental and civil rights groups raised legal concerns. Meanwhile, Dominion unveiled a solar-charged, towable battery generator, developed with Power Up Connect, as a cleaner alternative to diesel units for temporary power needs. The battery system is certified for safety and aimed at public events and worksites.
19 December 2025
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Ithaca Pushes Back on NYSEG Rate Hikes as Hochul Pauses New York’s All-Electric Buildings Rules

Ithaca Pushes Back on NYSEG Rate Hikes as Hochul Pauses New York’s All-Electric Buildings Rules

NYSEG has requested a $464.4 million annual increase in electric delivery revenues, which would raise typical residential bills by $33.12 per month, or 23.7%. The utility also seeks a $93 million annual gas revenue hike, adding $33.57 monthly for heating customers. Governor Hochul has paused New York’s all-electric new-building mandate pending court review, leaving cities and builders in limbo.
19 December 2025
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Georgia Power’s $15B Data Center Energy Expansion Heads to Georgia PSC Vote as AI Power Demand Triggers New Federal Grid Rules

Georgia Power’s $15B Data Center Energy Expansion Heads to Georgia PSC Vote as AI Power Demand Triggers New Federal Grid Rules

Georgia’s Public Service Commission votes Friday on Georgia Power’s $15 billion plan to add 10,000 megawatts of new electricity, mainly to meet soaring demand from AI-driven data centers. The proposal includes new gas plants, battery storage, solar, and purchased power. Critics warn the expansion could raise bills for ordinary customers. The vote comes as federal regulators move to clarify how tech companies connect data centers to the grid.
19 December 2025
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House Passes SPEED Act to Fast-Track Energy Projects as Senate Eyes Rewrite Amid Offshore Wind Clash and AI Power Crunch

House Passes SPEED Act to Fast-Track Energy Projects as Senate Eyes Rewrite Amid Offshore Wind Clash and AI Power Crunch

The House passed the SPEED Act 221–196 on Thursday, aiming to overhaul the National Environmental Policy Act and speed up federal reviews for major energy and infrastructure projects. Eleven Democrats joined Republicans; one Republican voted no. A late amendment on offshore wind cost the bill support from a key clean power group. The Senate is expected to make significant changes.
19 December 2025
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India’s SHANTI Bill Passes Parliament: Private Entry into Nuclear Power, Liability Overhaul, and Protests Explained

India’s SHANTI Bill Passes Parliament: Private Entry into Nuclear Power, Liability Overhaul, and Protests Explained

India’s Parliament passed the SHANTI Bill on December 18, 2025, opening the civil nuclear sector to private Indian companies and joint ventures for the first time. Opposition parties and unions announced nationwide protests, citing safety and liability concerns. The law replaces two key nuclear acts and aims to boost nuclear capacity to 100 GW by 2047. Foreign firms can participate only through partnerships with Indian companies.
18 December 2025
Three Mile Island Restart: Energy Secretary Chris Wright Says Crane Clean Energy Center Can Cut Power Prices and Fuel Microsoft’s AI Push

Three Mile Island Restart: Energy Secretary Chris Wright Says Crane Clean Energy Center Can Cut Power Prices and Fuel Microsoft’s AI Push

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited the former Three Mile Island nuclear site to promote restarting Unit 1, backed by a $1 billion federal loan to Constellation Energy. The project aims to supply power for AI-driven data center growth, with Microsoft signing a long-term purchase deal. Unit 1, shut since 2019, could return to service by 2027, pending regulatory approval.
18 December 2025
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Portland General Electric faces scrutiny over data center costs as Oregon POWER Act hits its first big test

Portland General Electric faces scrutiny over data center costs as Oregon POWER Act hits its first big test

Oregon utility watchdogs say Portland General Electric’s proposed “Peak Growth Modifier” could shift long-term grid upgrade costs from data centers to households, despite the state’s new POWER Act. The Citizens Utility Board accuses PGE of sidestepping the law’s intent by letting data centers pay more initially, then passing costs to residential customers over decades. Regulators have not yet ruled.
17 December 2025
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National Grid plc Stock This Week: RIIO‑T3 Decision, UK Grid Reforms, Analyst Targets and the Week‑Ahead Outlook (Updated 14 December 2025)

National Grid plc Stock This Week: RIIO‑T3 Decision, UK Grid Reforms, Analyst Targets and the Week‑Ahead Outlook (Updated 14 December 2025)

National Grid plc (LSE: NG.; ADR: NYSE: NGG) is ending the week with investors focused on one big theme: the “build-the-grid” era is getting real, and regulators are now putting hard numbers and rules on what that build-out can earn—and how fast it can happen. As of the last market close (Friday, 12 December 2025), National Grid shares were around 1,118.5p. One-week performance was +1.41%, with the stock trading below its 52‑week high of 1,183.5p and above the 52‑week low of 909.8p. Hargreaves Lansdown also lists a trailing P/E of ~20 and a dividend yield ~4.18% (figures can vary by
14 December 2025
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Australia’s AEMO Draft 2026 ISP: Coal Until 2049 as $128b Grid Overhaul Backs Solar and Batteries

Australia’s AEMO Draft 2026 ISP: Coal Until 2049 as $128b Grid Overhaul Backs Solar and Batteries

Australia’s energy market operator will keep coal-fired power plants online until 2049 under its new 25-year grid plan, released 10 December. The roadmap calls for $128 billion in investment and a tripling of grid capacity by 2050, while sharply cutting forecasts for new wind farms and transmission lines. Solar, batteries, and household power are set to dominate future supply.
10 December 2025
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Uzbekistan’s €9.46 Billion Green Energy Leap: 42 Projects, 2 Billion kWh of Solar and a Rebuff to Fossil Fuel Politics

Uzbekistan’s €9.46 Billion Green Energy Leap: 42 Projects, 2 Billion kWh of Solar and a Rebuff to Fossil Fuel Politics

Uzbekistan launched 42 new energy and infrastructure projects worth €9.46 billion on Dec. 5, including 16 renewable power plants and 10 grid-scale storage systems. Officials say green energy output could reach 23 billion kWh in 2026, enough to meet national demand. Solar, wind, and hydro now make up about 30% of electricity generation. The government reports $35 billion in recent foreign investment in the sector.
7 December 2025
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Stock Market Today

Rolls-Royce share price ends week higher on buyback update as RR.L eyes turn to results

Rolls-Royce share price ends week higher on buyback update as RR.L eyes turn to results

8 February 2026
Rolls-Royce Holdings shares closed at 1,229p on Friday, up 1.78%, as the FTSE 100 gained 0.59%. The company reported buying 742,570 shares on Feb. 5 as part of its £200 million buyback, bringing total repurchases to 12.66 million shares. Rolls-Royce will attend the World Defense Show in Riyadh, noting over 80% of its Saudi workforce are nationals.
Vodafone share price: Buyback kicks off, but Germany recovery is the next test for VOD.L

Vodafone share price: Buyback kicks off, but Germany recovery is the next test for VOD.L

8 February 2026
Vodafone (VOD.L) bought 27.1 million shares this week as its new buyback began, with the stock closing Friday up 1.47% at 110.6p after a sharp drop the day before. Investors remain focused on Germany’s service-revenue growth and the pace of buybacks ahead of Monday’s open. The company maintained full-year guidance after reporting 5.4% group service revenue growth in Q3, with Germany up 0.7%.
Experian stock price: Why EXPN slid on Friday and what investors watch next week

Experian stock price: Why EXPN slid on Friday and what investors watch next week

8 February 2026
Experian shares fell 4.65% to 2,499 pence at Friday’s close, near a 52-week low, after the company disclosed further purchases under its new $1 billion buyback. About 5.8 million shares traded. The drop followed a volatile week for European data firms amid AI disruption concerns. Investors await U.S. inflation data and peer results ahead of Monday’s open.
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