TEXAS
Base Power Raises $1 Billion for Home Battery Installations
Base Power, an Austin-based startup, raised $1 billion in Series C funding to expand its home battery storage systems. The company leases large-capacity batteries to homeowners, offering a lower upfront cost and a monthly fee, while also selling electricity back to the grid. Base Power is currently constructing its first factory outside Austin and plans to expand beyond Texas and build a second battery factory in the U.S. Read more
Newest U.S. Coal-Fired Plant Suffers Extended Outage
Sandy Creek, a 932-megawatt power plant near Waco and the newest large coal-fired plant in the U.S., suffered a catastrophic failure resulting in an extended outage until March 2027. It’s the second major failure at Sandy Creek since its construction, and its original deployment was delayed until May 2013 due to damage during testing in 2011.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas reports that during the current outage period, significant growth is expected in Texas for utility-scale solar and battery storage, while coal’s contribution to power generation has substantially decreased. The shift reflects changing market preferences in Texas, where coal use has decreased from 38.1 percent in 2013 to 12.6 percent by 2024, while wind and solar have gained significant ground. Read more
150 MW Battery Storage Facility Comes Online in Brazoria County
Nightpeak Energy announced the commercial operation of Bocanova Power, a 150 MW battery storage facility in Brazoria County. The facility, utilizing Tesla’s Megapack 2 XL systems, supports the Houston region’s peak capacity needs and integrates renewable energy. Founded in 2022, Nightpeak Energy develops energy infrastructure projects in the U.S. West and Texas, and their current portfolio includes 240 MW of battery storage and natural gas generation facilities. Read more
Harris County Sues EPA
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for canceling over $400 million in solar energy grants for Texas. The Solar for All program, part of a Biden-era initiative, aimed to provide solar panels and battery storage to low-income families and community centers. Menefee argues the EPA lacks the authority to cancel the grants, as the funds were already legally committed. Read more
Environmental Damage Suit Against FAA Dismissed
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit claiming the Federal Aviation Administration didn’t properly assess environmental impacts of SpaceX’s rocket launches in South Texas. Environmental groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, argued the FAA should’ve conducted a more thorough environmental impact assessment rather than allowing a Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) prepared by SpaceX, which found significant impacts but included mitigation efforts.
The lawsuit accused the FAA of failing to protect local wildlife affected by launches, such as those in the Boca Chica area. However, the judge concluded there was no evidence that the FAA failed to independently evaluate SpaceX’s PEA, stating most conclusions were well-reasoned and fell within a broad zone of reasonableness. The judge deferred to the FAA’s judgment based on a recent Supreme Court ruling cautioning against micromanaging federal agencies. Read more
LOUISIANA
Industrial Facility Explosion Creates Environmental Hazard
Cleanup and decontamination efforts in Tangipahoa Parish persist months after petrochemical storage tanks at the Smitty’s Supply facility in Roseland exploded on Aug. 22, leading to a fire that raged for approximately two weeks. The company, which processes and sells oils, lubricants, fluids, and acids for diverse industrial and automotive applications, continues to address the aftermath of the incident. State officials are testing seafood from the Tangipahoa River and Lake Pontchartrain for contamination. The testing, which includes analyzing for heavy metals and hydrocarbons, aims to assess public health risks and determine if seafood consumption advisories are needed. Read more
Hyundai Hydrogen Steel Mill to Locate in Ascension Parish
Hyundai has proposed a $6 billion hydrogen-integrated steel mill in Ascension Parish to launch by 2029. However, company officials have raised a series of concerns they say must be addressed before construction moves forward. They urged the state to address these issues, including implementing an emergency response framework and expanding access roads to four lanes by September 2026. Louisiana officials are reviewing traffic models and working with Entergy to determine power needs before proceeding with road improvements. Read more
New Pipelines Online to Transport Gas to Gulf Coast
Two new pipelines, Momentum Midstream’s NG3 Pipeline and Williams Companies’ Louisiana Energy Gateway (LEG) Pipeline, are now operational, transporting natural gas from the Haynesville Shale to Gulf Coast LNG export terminals. These pipelines, along with an expansion of DT Midstream’s LEAP Pipeline, will provide a combined 3.9 Bcf/d of additional capacity, supporting the growing LNG export market. Read more
Oil and Gas Services Firm Acquires Industrial Panel Manufacturer
Danos, an oil and gas services company, has acquired Houma-based Panel Specialists, an industrial panel manufacturer. The acquisition aims to enhance Danos’ capabilities in control panels, instrumentation and electrical solutions, with most of Panel Specialists’ employees joining Danos. This marks Danos’ third acquisition this year, following purchases of X-Pro Valve and Surplus Valve Warehouse, and the onshore U.S. oil and gas labor supply operations of John Wood Group. Read more
Companies To Earn $3.5 Billion in Carbon Capture Tax Credits
Louisiana businesses are set to benefit substantially from federal tax credits, potentially netting over $3.5 billion, through carbon capture and sequestration projects under the 45Q tax credit program. This credit provides $85 per metric ton for carbon dioxide that industries capture and store. There are 17 projects in Louisiana’s chemical, refining and LNG sectors that qualify under this program, aiming to capture about 42 million tons of CO2 for storage or reuse. A total of 43 such projects and 10 pipelines are planned, including regional hubs to transport and store CO2. Read more
AtmosClear and ExxonMobil Partner on Carbon Storage Deal
AtmosClear, a subsidiary of Fidelis New Energy, signed a 15-year deal with ExxonMobil to handle, transport, and store biogenic CO2 from a planned carbon capture facility at the Port of Baton Rouge. The facility, expected to begin production in 2029, will generate renewable power and capture 680,000 metric tons of CO2 annually. Read more
Millions Awarded for New Orleans Drainage Project
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $51.5 million contract to M.R. Pittman Group, LLC for utility and support work on the Florida Avenue Canal expansion. This project, part of the Southeast Louisiana Urban Flood Control Project, aims to widen the canal and improve drainage in low-lying areas of New Orleans. The project is deemed crucial for reducing flood risk from heavy rainfall events. Read more
Louisiana State University Eyes Energy Coop Extension Service
LSU is considering creating a new cooperative extension service focused on energy to provide unbiased, science-based information to the public. This service would build on the existing LSU Ag Center and LSU Sea Grant programs, leveraging their expertise and community presence. Standing issues include securing funding and ensuring the service remains independent from industry influence. Read more
Saint Bernard Transportation Corridor Agreement is Signed
The Port of New Orleans and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development signed an agreement to advance the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor. This project aims to improve freight efficiency, reduce traffic congestion and provide a hurricane evacuation route. The corridor is designed to support the future Louisiana International Terminal, which is anticipated to create thousands of jobs, generate more than $1 billion in state and local tax revenue and bolster Louisiana’s standing in international commerce. Read more
Complaint Filed Against MISO
Louisiana and four other states (Mississippi, Arkansas, North Dakota and Montana) filed a complaint against the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), accusing it of relying on unreasonable assumptions to justify $22 billion in transmission projects. The complaint argues that MISO overstated benefits and ignored concerns raised by stakeholders, including the market monitor, about the flawed business case for the projects. MISO, however, defends the plan, stating it was developed collaboratively and will provide significant value to members. Read more
Economic Expansion Projected
The state is projected to add 74,500 jobs over the next two years, driven by expansions in the liquefied natural gas industry and the construction of Meta’s $10 billion data center. Lake Charles and Monroe are expected to be the fastest-growing regions, with job gains of 8 percent by the end of 2027. Baton Rouge is also projected to see significant job growth due to industrial construction in Ascension Parish. Read more
MISSISSIPPI
State Grid Upgrade Launched
Entergy Mississippi announced Superpower Mississippi, a $300 million grid upgrade to reduce power outages by 50 percent over the next five years. The initiative, funded by new revenue from large industrial customers, will strengthen the grid with stronger utility poles, smart devices, and expanded vegetation management. Upgrading work within the 45-county service area of Entergy Mississippi will start as soon as approved by the Public Service Commission and is projected to continue until 2030. Read more
Solar Farm projects planned
Six companies are planning to invest more than $1.8 billion in solar farms across the state, creating nearly 1,300 temporary construction jobs and generating tens of millions in property taxes. The projects, including the $650 million Soul City Solar in Hinds County, are expected to generate clean energy for decades. Additionally, the projects are touted to generate tens of millions of dollars in new property taxes for local governments and school districts. Notably, the Soul City farm is projected to generate $147 million for Hinds County over the ensuing 30 years. Read more
ALABAMA
Surface Mining Commission Rescinds Methane Monitoring Requirements
State officials have suspended plans to require methane monitoring at expanding coal mines, reversing a previous agreement with federal regulators. This decision comes after a fatal home explosion in 2024, which residents and experts attribute to methane escaping from the Oak Grove mine. Critics argue that the state’s actions violate federal law and put residents at risk, urging the federal government to take over mine regulation. Read more
Restoration of Lower Perdido Islands Expands Amenities and Bird Habitat
A restoration project at the Lower Perdido Islands in Orange Beach created approximately 30 acres of marsh habitat, expanding beach areas for visitors. The project aims to balance recreational use for humans as well as providing critical habitat for migratory birds. Though some areas will be off-limits to visitors, the city anticipates that the restoration will attract more visitors who not only want a beach to visit but also want to experience the native wildlife in the area. Read more
Recycling Grants Awarded Across the State
The Department of Environmental Management is awarding over $2.5 million in grants from the Alabama Recycling Fund (ARF) to cities, counties, solid waste authorities and other organizations across the state to enhance recycling initiatives. These grants, allocated for fiscal year 2026, were presented during the Alabama Recycling Coalition’s Annual Conference and Expo, Sept. 10-12.
The coalition, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting waste reduction, material reuse, recycling and composting activities, is among the recipients of these grants. The total amount of grants, amounting to $2,529,388, is made possible by the Solid Wastes and Recyclable Materials Management Act, which was enacted by the Alabama Legislature in 2008. Read more
