Power grid investment projected to hit $2 trillion by 2050

Major manufacturers have invested in multiple new factories to address the U.S. shortage of power transformers, but it will likely still take years to catch up with exploding demand.

Some 55% of the nation’s 60-million-plus transformers are at least 33 years old and nearing the end of their lives, according to the National Renewable Energy Lab. Between that and heavy growth in energy demand, companies expect an infrastructure bonanza.

Why it matters

PJM power prices jump again. Governors have had enough.

The latest auction for the country’s largest power grid set off alarm bells after agreed-to prices came in 22% over last year’s already-record-high peaks.

Results from the PJM Interconnection Base Residual Auction, which sets the price the grid manager will pay electricity generators to have power available on days of highest energy demand, led a bipartisan coalition of governors from the states that PJM serves to criticize the grid manager and push for a role in appointing two of its 10 board members.

Why it matters

Texas leans into ‘All of the above’ with Trump HyperGrid

A Texas company co-founded by former U.S. Energy Secretary and Texas Gov. Rick Perry plans to build the world’s largest artificial intelligence complex near Abilene, powered by multiple nuclear reactors, natural gas plants and solar power.

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At a glance: Indiana

A snapshot of energy and environmental facts about the state of Indiana.

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Bedingfield: E-waste is quickly growing. Regulations need to catch up.

E-waste is the world’s fastest growing solid waste stream. In 2022, the U.S. alone produced 10% of the world’s e-waste, equal to 7.9 million metric tons of e-waste and containing 3.9 million metric tons of metals, such as gold and copper.

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