No images? Click here EnergyPlatform.News(letter)March 24, 2025 In this week’s edition of energy and environmental policy news across the states: Permissive policies help drive growth of ‘solar schools’; Study: U.S. can meet energy demand if data centers dial back at peak times; Evaluating the safety of public tap water; At a glance: Oklahoma Plus: ‘Historic action’ on critical minerals may reduce reliance on China The number of U.S. schools with solar arrays installed on campus quadrupled in 10 years, driven largely by schools in states, such as California, Connecticut and New Jersey, with permissive policies authorizing third-party ownership via power purchase agreements. U.S. energy demand is expected to rise sharply in coming years, driven in part by the new computation and storage needs of artificial intelligence and data centers. A recent study from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment suggests that existing infrastructure can absorb much of this growth without massive new generation investments – if data centers will curtail their use during peak demand times for the rest of the grid. Drinking water across the United States contains hundreds of chemicals, heavy metals and radioactive substances, often at levels researchers don’t consider safe, according to the Environmental Working Group, which recently updated its database of local water system tests. “The state of American drinking water continues to be perilous, and the need for stricter regulation remains,” the independent nonprofit group said in its State of American Drinking Water report. A snapshot of energy and environmental facts about the state of Oklahoma. During President Trump’s joint address to Congress, he promised “historic action to dramatically expand production of critical minerals and rare earths here in the U.S.A.” Prioritizing domestic critical minerals exploration and development is good news for every American who uses modern technology, relies on national defense, or wants a strong economy and affordable, reliable energy. We’re adding news and commentary from
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