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Nine northeastern US states launch alliance to speed clean energy transmission and bypass grid operator delays

A coalition of nine states in the US Northeast has announced a new strategy to jointly govern and plan interstate electric grid expansion, aiming to break through regional gridlock and accelerate clean energy development.

Aman Azhar reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

The states — Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont — unveiled the Strategic Action Plan on Interregional Transmission on April 28, establishing a model to coordinate and finance cross-border power lines.
The move follows years of frustration with PJM Interconnection and other grid operators over delays and cost hikes that have slowed renewable energy rollouts and burdened consumers.
The plan emphasizes public-interest goals over profit, with proposals to standardize equipment, pool procurement, and launch a joint request for transmission projects that meet climate mandates and reduce fossil fuel use.

Key quote:

“This collaboration illustrates exactly why state-led action is so important.”

— Wes Moore, governor of Maryland

Why this matters:

The U.S. electric grid wasn't designed to move clean energy across long distances, but that's exactly what's needed to meet renewable energy goals and fight climate change. Many states now have ambitious targets to cut emissions, but they're running into roadblocks because current grid systems prioritize the needs of legacy utilities and rely on fragmented regional oversight. Without a coordinated approach, states like Maryland and New Jersey — heavy power importers with bold renewable mandates — risk falling short of their climate commitments. The lack of interregional planning has also left many solar and wind projects stranded in a backlog of approval processes. By stepping in to lead transmission planning, states hope to streamline development and reduce consumer costs, while cutting dependence on fossil fuels during peak demand.

insideclimatenews.org

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California mining company turns to solar heat but can’t quit coal just yet

In California’s Mojave Desert, a mining plant is turning to solar thermal energy to replace one of its coal-fired generators, but a second unit may run for years due to the intense heat and 24-hour power it needs.

Ivan Penn reports for The New York Times.

In short:

Searles Valley Minerals, a mining company in Trona, Calif., is replacing one of its two coal plants with a solar thermal system but says the other may need to stay online for the foreseeable future due to operational demands.
The company will use a concentrating solar power system from start-up GlassPoint, which uses mirrors to generate high heat, a solution that works well in hot, sunny areas but requires a large land footprint and remains rare in the U.S.
Despite California’s push to phase out coal and President Trump’s efforts to revive it, economic and geographic constraints continue to complicate full industrial transitions away from fossil fuels.

Key quote:

“We just think coal is going to be a problem. We’re going to have a hard time sourcing it. We need to be ready to pivot.”

— Dennis Cruise, president of Searles Valley Minerals

Why this matters:

Industrial heat — the kind used in mining, chemical production, and heavy manufacturing — accounts for about half of global energy use, yet it’s rarely mentioned in public climate debates. Unlike home heating or car travel, generating this level of heat without fossil fuels is still tough. Most renewable energy technologies don’t deliver the extreme, continuous heat these facilities need. That leaves industries like the one in Trona stuck with coal, even as it becomes harder to source and politically unpopular. As the U.S. attempts to decarbonize, industrial energy needs present one of the biggest hurdles.

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