Good morning. EQT wants to build the country's largest gas producer, while a Texas transmission map just got politically awkward.
Top Stories
EQT AGREES TO BUY RANGE TO BUILD THE TOP U.S. GAS PRODUCER
WV MetroNews
The all-stock deal would combine nearly 3 million Appalachian acres, 30 years of drilling inventory and about 3,700 miles of infrastructure. The combined company, valued at more than $50 billion including debt, targets a first-quarter 2027 close pending regulatory approval.
FIVE POWER-LINE ROUTES VANISH FROM A BILLIONAIRE DONOR'S RANCH
Texas Monthly
Early maps placed more than 11 miles of possible transmission across Kelcy Warren's ranch, but revised plans removed or rerouted every segment without an official protest. Warren has given Gov. Greg Abbott more than $4.5 million since 2016.
THE AI BOOM IS RUNNING OUT OF OBVIOUS MONEY
The Washington Post
Technology companies are borrowing hundreds of billions of dollars, issuing new stock and testing increasingly complex financing structures to keep data-center construction moving.
U.S. GRID BOTTLENECKS THREATEN THE ELECTRIC RACE WITH CHINA
Forbes
A new international index puts China ahead on electrification and warns that slow U.S. grid expansion could erode the industrial advantage behind AI, manufacturing and other power-hungry growth.
CONSERVATIVE CLIMATE GROUPS BRACE FOR A BLUE-WAVE WIPEOUT
POLITICO
Environmental advocates on the right are preparing for substantial Republican losses and mapping how to rebuild their influence in Congress after the midterms.
Power & Grid
MASSACHUSETTS SETS THE COUNTRY'S BIGGEST BATTERY TARGET
Canary Media
The state wants 5 GW of storage by 2030 and 10 GW by 2035 as a 700-MW project prepares for construction. New siting rules promise decisions within 15 months, though some grid-upgrade estimates exceed $200 million.
WIND ORDERS HIT 2.8 GW BEFORE THE TAX-CREDIT DOOR CLOSED
Utility Dive
Developers rushed orders into the second quarter before a July 4 construction deadline. Wood Mackenzie still expects 39 GW of new U.S. onshore wind by 2030, while offshore additions remain constrained by federal policy.
MARL HEARINGS OPEN WITH EMINENT DOMAIN ON THE TABLE
13 WOWK
NextEra told West Virginia regulators that more than 95% of landowners historically reach voluntary agreements, with eminent domain used when negotiations fail. Project-specific acquisition numbers are not yet available.
SOLAR GROUPS PUT NEW CONDITIONS ON THE $67 BILLION DOMINION DEAL
pv magazine USA
The coalition wants automated reviews for small solar projects, customer-owned meter adapters and competitive procurement protections. More than 110 utilities in 38 states already allow at least one meter-adapter model.
ONE OPERATOR CAN RUN AN AUTOMATED SOLAR PILE DRIVER
pv magazine USA
Xpanner says its machine cuts pile-driving cycle time by 45% with centimeter-level positioning and remote control. The platform has already been used at 67 U.S. job sites.
Data Centers
ELEVEN MISO STATES OPPOSE THE GRID'S LARGE-LOAD FAST LANE
Utility Dive
States, Google and ratepayer advocates told FERC that MISO's 120-day review could shift upgrade costs to existing customers. Independent generators say utilities would gain too much control over which power projects get expedited access.
ABBOTT'S DATA-CENTER CRACKDOWN MEETS HIS OWN PAPER TRAIL
POLITICO
Records and interviews show the governor's office and state appointees worked closely with technology and power companies while Texas became a data-center hub. The history complicates Abbott's election-year turn toward tougher rules.
A NATIONAL SUPER PAC DROPS INTO TWO KANSAS DATA-CENTER VOTES
The Topeka Capital-Journal
Defend US reported $38,531.68 in October spending against Emporia's data-center and battery bans and is also targeting Ottawa's measure. The group backed a gubernatorial candidate for fighting AI and data centers earlier this year.
A FLORIDA POLL FINDS 59% OPPOSE LOCAL DATA CENTERS
The Verge
Candidates across at least 10 states are debating moratoriums, tax breaks and who pays for infrastructure. One Florida poll found 59% opposition to data centers in respondents' own communities.
FOUR MIDTERM BATTLEGROUNDS COULD REDRAW THE DATA-CENTER MAP
The Wall Street Journal
New moratoriums and restrictions are on the ballot in four places where the results could determine whether major projects advance or stall.
Stat of the Day
4,200
Potentially affected landowners on the revised Bell County East route map
The count rose from about 2,800 as planners added new links to the map.
Texas Monthly ↗