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EnergyPlatform.News(letter)
July 21, 2025
In this week’s edition of energy and environmental policy news across the states: Texas has big plans for natural gas-fired power plants, Congress weighs fees on imports from high-emitting countries, Data center real estate deals skyrocket, Pilot program to streamline U.S. nuclear development, Mississippi at a glance.
Plus: Schultz: Back to the basics on funding forest management
There are 130 new gas plants, or planned gas plant expansions, proposed or under construction in Texas, according to a new report from an environmental advocacy group. That would be enough to generate 58 gigawatts of new electricity capacity – roughly enough to power 48 million homes a year. Data center demand is driving much of the growth: They’re a big reason Texas’ main grid operator predicts demand will nearly double by 2030.
Two Republican senators are working to build support for a proposal that would boost reshoring U.S. manufacturing by imposing additional fees on imports from nations with higher carbon emissions.
The Foreign Pollution Fee Act mirrors the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), aiming to shield American manufacturers from being undercut by goods made under looser environmental and climate rules in foreign countries.
Analysts are tracking a massive crop of proposed new data centers, with one of the world’s largest commercial real estate firms saying demand is so high that pre-leasing of new centers before construction is even complete will likely hit 90%.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) unveiled a pilot initiative aimed at revolutionizing advanced nuclear reactor testing. The program allows private developers to build and operate “Qualified Test Reactors” (QTRs) under DOE authority, rather than going through the conventional Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing path. The initiative targets at least three reactors reaching criticality, or performing sustainably, by July 4, 2026.
A snapshot of energy and environmental facts about the state of Mississippi.
The 2026 Forest Service Budget is focused and strategic, making trade-offs for efficiency and alignment around the highest priorities for National Forest System lands. It will also support local economies through jobs, trade, timber production, recreation access, energy development and livestock grazing.
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