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“Bring Your Own Power” Can’t Fix Data Centers’ Emissions Problem
Regulators are contending with the fallout from explosive data center growth, including issues such as skyrocketing ratepayer costs and crumbling grid reliability. The bring-your-own-power (BYOP) model, in which data centers are incentivized to build or procure their own generation rather than connect to the grid, is a potential solution. But without appropriate emissions guardrails in…
States are stepping up to protect households from rising energy bills due to data centers
Data centers have become a central topic in conversations about energy. The rise in generative AI platforms like ChatGPT has led to widespread and ongoing buildout of energy-hungry data centers, causing concern about unmitigated load growth and rising energy bills. To meet increased energy demand and ensure grid reliability, expensive grid upgrades are being proposed…
The Beehive Microgrid Model: Mobile Solar+Storage in New Orleans
As the intensity and frequency of severe weather events continues to grow, so too do power outages. Power outages have increased nationwide, from an annual average of over 8 hours in 2022 to almost 13 hours in 2025. Power outages are problematic year-round, but when an outage corresponds with days of extreme heat or cold,…
Data centers are reshaping Pennsylvania’s energy landscape—and not for the better
On February 3rd, during his annual address to the Pennsylvania general assembly, Governor Josh Shapiro expressed his concerns about how the rapid buildout of data centers in the state could contribute to rising electricity costs. His calls for guardrails on data center development may fall flat considering his previously unbridled support. Shapiro is currently backing…
Green hydrogen is not a silver bullet to decarbonize the fertilizer industry
Earlier this year, Yara, the world’s largest ammonia distributor, cancelled some of their green hydrogen projects citing cost concerns. This follows the trend of companies scrapping or scaling back their clean hydrogen plans, no doubt escalated by the early retirement of the 45V clean hydrogen tax credit. Yara planned to use this green hydrogen to produce ammonia, made by pairing hydrogen…
Three of the biggest harms from irresponsible data center development—and what communities can do to fight back
The unrestricted build-out of data centers across the country is threatening energy affordability, grid reliability, public health and state climate goals. A recent analysis found that at the current rate of expansion, US data centers will add an additional 44 million metric tons of CO2 to the atmosphere annually and will drain up to 1,125…
Batteries, Batteries Everywhere: Battery-Powered Appliances are Reshaping the Electric Grid
In the not-so-distant past, home batteries were the domain of the early adopters: the solar fanatic with a Powerwall tucked in the garage or the off-grid enthusiast living by their own rules. But that is changing fast. Along with a rapid increase in home battery system installations, batteries are finding their way into the appliances…
Green hydrogen and ammonia are making waves in the shipping industry; will they do more harm than good?
In early March, a large ship made its way into Southampton’s port on the south coast of the UK. A green circle and the words “leading the way to real zero” plastered on the side sent a message: this isn’t your average ship. Named “Green Pioneer” and owned by Australian mining and green hydrogen giant…
Still Considering Solar and Storage? Run, Don’t Walk.
In the six weeks between the release of the House of Representatives’ version of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) and President Trump’s signing of the final legislation, a decade of progress towards achieving cleaner, more reliable energy infrastructure was reversed. The speed with which the bill passed, combined with the severity of changes…
What Nonprofits Need to Know about the Investment Tax Credit in 2025
In the July 2025 “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” Congress terminated key aspects of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for solar and wind projects and created barriers for projects pursuing energy storage and other zero emissions technologies. Under the revised ITC guidelines, solar and wind projects must begin construction by July 4, 2026, or be…
In the News & Press Releases
PEAK Coalition urges New Jersey to mandate battery storage at gas peaker plant
This article in pv magazine highlights comments by the PEAK Coalition (of which CEG is a member) that urge New Jersey to make battery storage mandatory for gas peaker plants, attaching the condition to Bayonne Energy Center’s permit renewal.
Publications
The Public Health and Environmental Impacts of Lithium-Ion Battery Storage Fires: Frequently Asked Questions
Electrification with Equity, Part 2: Scaling Behind-The-Meter Solar+Storage in Massachusetts Environmental Justice Neighborhoods
