Keaton Peters
keatonpeters.bsky.social
Keaton Peters
@keatonpeters.bsky.social
Energy Reporter for Straight Arrow News. Previous bylines in Canary Media, The Texas Tribune, Inside Climate News, Government Market News, Austin American-Statesman and others. keatonpeters.com
Pinned
Heidi O'Donnell needed $535 for half a tank of heating oil as temps in upstate New York dipped into the 20s. But the federal #LIHEAP funds she relied on for help the past 7 years are delayed.

NEW today: HHS said states will receive funds by Nov 30
#greensky #energysky #heat
san.com/cc/low-incom...
Low-income homes left in the cold as billions in heating aid frozen until Nov. 30
The Trump administration plans to release $3.7 billion for LIHEAP by Nov. 30. The program helps low income people stay warm in the winter.
san.com
In #California, 67 groups signed a letter urging state utility commission to reject higher profits for utility companies.

PG&E, SoCal Edison and others say more profit margin needed to secure financing for hardening the grid against #wildfire risk. #energysky
For @san.com

san.com/cc/californi...
California regulators pressured to stop $917 million utility profit push
Pressure is growing for California regulators to reject electric and gas rate hikes proposed by the state’s largest investor-owned utilities.
san.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:24 AM
The Florida Public Service Commission OK'd a $7 billion rate hike for 12 million people through 2029

Beyond worries over cost of living, rate hike critics say consumer protections around data center risks were watered down. #energysky #greensky #inflation

For @san.com

san.com/cc/florida-r...
Florida residents opposed a $7B electric rate hike. Regulators OK'd it anyway
Twelve million Floridians will see higher electric bills in the coming years after state regulators approved a $7 billion rate hike.
san.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:41 PM
BREAKING: The #Florida Public Service Commission approved a $7 billion electricity rate hike on 6 million customers, including Miami area

Florida Power and Light originally asked the state to approve a $10 billion increase. #energysky #climate #electricbills #greensky
November 20, 2025 at 3:48 PM
The Florida Public Service Commission is meeting now to decide whether to green light a major electricity #ratehike from #Florida Power and Light

The $7-10 billion increase is billed as the largest single electric rate increase in U.S. history.

Follow me here for live updates #energysky #greensky
November 20, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Heidi O'Donnell needed $535 for half a tank of heating oil as temps in upstate New York dipped into the 20s. But the federal #LIHEAP funds she relied on for help the past 7 years are delayed.

NEW today: HHS said states will receive funds by Nov 30
#greensky #energysky #heat
san.com/cc/low-incom...
Low-income homes left in the cold as billions in heating aid frozen until Nov. 30
The Trump administration plans to release $3.7 billion for LIHEAP by Nov. 30. The program helps low income people stay warm in the winter.
san.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:47 PM
SCOOP: HHS says $3.7 billion in home heating/cooling assistance (LIHEAP) funds will be released by Nov 30. Typically, funds go out to states on Oct 1. This after the gov #shutdown, DOGE staffing cuts and bipartisan outrage. Full story coming today for @san.com

#greensky #energysky #LIHEAP #winter
November 19, 2025 at 3:56 PM
The IEA made a splash with its latest outlook that brought back the current policy scenario.

Will we ever see peak oil? That depends on which scenario plays out.

But beyond oil, there are a lot of positive signs for renewable energy growth.

#greensky #energysky #climate

san.com/cc/internati...
International Energy Agency: Oil here to stay, solar to surge with power demand
The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2025 doesn't clearly say when — or if — oil demand will peak, but solar is surging.
san.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Rising power bills are on the minds of millions of voters.

In GA, Dems won two statewide races for the utility board. My source said it "was a referendum on Georgia Power and high electric bills."

In NJ, high bills were a top issue for both parties. #greensky #energysky

san.com/cc/high-elec...
High electric bills proved a motivating issue for voters in Georgia, New Jersey
From Georgia to New Jersey, rising electricity bills were on millions of voters’ minds as they cast ballots on Tuesday.
san.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Reposted by Keaton Peters
It's clear New Jerseyans understand that clean energy is the solution to the affordability crisis, not the problem.

I spoke to @keatonpeters.bsky.social about how energy affordability became a top election issue this year! Full piece here >>
san.com/cc/high-elec...
High electric bills proved a motivating issue for voters in Georgia, New Jersey
From Georgia to New Jersey, rising electricity bills were on millions of voters’ minds as they cast ballots on Tuesday.
san.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:57 PM
What happens when a data center moves in a few hundred feet from your neighborhood?

A firm found 79 GW of proposed facilities. It would take 40 Hoover Dams to meet that electricity demand.

In Taylor, TX, the one family is trying to stop a project. #greensky #energysky

san.com/cc/a-data-ce...
A data center is moving into a small town. Residents say it will ruin their history
Big Tech is betting on an AI-powered future, but in most places where data centers are proposed, they face backlash from existing neighbors.
san.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Ever-higher electric bills and even hotter temperatures leave Americans in a "double squeeze" paying more for power and needing more of it to stay cool.

Falling behind on utility bills can be deadly.

23 states now ban electricity shutoffs during high heat.
#energysky

san.com/cc/as-electr...
As electric bills rise, more states ban disconnections in dangerous weather
A growing number of states are passing laws that prevent utility companies from disconnecting customers during extreme heat.
san.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Texas has the cheapest gas in the U.S., with multiple $2.08 options yesterday. Avg prices are down to levels not seen since Dec. 2024 or May '21

Trump is taking credit but what’s driving it? OPEC+, seasonal driving habits, an oncoming recession? Expert opinion is split.

san.com/cc/2-gasolin...
$2 gasoline inches into view as average price hits lowest point in 2025
Gasoline prices in many parts of the U.S. are hovering above $2 per gallon, pushing the national average down to $3 or slightly lower.
san.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:06 PM
As #electricity demand increases, there are solutions beyond building new power plants.

Dynamic Line Rating has emerged as a promising technology for increasing the gird’s capacity, potentially saving consumers money at a time when #utilitybills are going up.

#energysky

san.com/cc/how-ai-we...
How AI, weather data and 3D maps can help the power grid — and ratepayers
The U.S. power grid has an efficiency problem, but software upgrades and specialized data could provide relief to congested power lines.
san.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Hey #energysky

I’m a reporter writing about increasing electric #utility bills. Here to connect with people who have personal experience with their power being turned off for an upcoming story.

Please reach out at kpeters@san.com. I want to know how disconnection impacted you

#electricbill
October 8, 2025 at 3:30 AM
The Trump administration generated $22.8 million from the latest auction to lease public land for oil and gas exploration. But a policy decreasing royalty payments returned to taxpayers has reignited debate over oil and gas drilling on public lands.
#energysky
#climate
#oil
san.com/cc/oil-and-g...
Oil and gas leases earn $22.8 million, but some taxpayers doubt benefits
The Trump Administration generated $22.8 million in revenue from the latest auction to lease public land for oil and gas exploration.
san.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:03 AM
A new Meta subsidiary recently applied to trade wholesale power on the #electricgrid.

The move lets Meta sell power it purchased for data centers back to the grid when electricity prices spike.

“That’s money that the rest of us wind up paying,” a source said.

#energysky
san.com/cc/metas-nex...
Meta’s next step: Starting a company to buy and sell power for its data centers
On Sept. 16, a new Meta subsidiary filed an application with federal regulators to trade wholesale power on the electric grid.
san.com
September 24, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Offshore wind is on life support and its opponents want to pull the plug on existing projects.

“It’s throwing a monkey wrench into an economic development machine” one source said.

In New Jersey, public support for wind energy is sinking as voters look for a new governor

san.com/cc/offshore-...
Offshore wind runs aground facing Trump policies, sinking public opinion
Offshore wind projects in New Jersey and across the country are struggling to survive a variety of Trump administration policy changes.
san.com
September 22, 2025 at 7:15 PM
“We have a choice to make about how we meet that increase in electricity demand,” report author from @rewiringamerica.bsky.social told me.

The report says heat pumps, rooftop #solar and #batteries can meet 100% of projected data center electric load thru 2029.

#energysky

san.com/cc/rooftop-s...
Rooftop solar, batteries, heat pumps will help the grid handle data centers: Report
A new report suggests home energy upgrades like solar power, batteries and heat pumps can offset the electricity demand from data centers.
san.com
September 20, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Across the country, regional utility companies and grid operators are singing the same song: America needs more power.

But are the #energy needs of AI data centers overhyped?

Many researchers think so, and I asked them why in a new article this morning.

#energysky
san.com/cc/researche...
Researchers question AI data centers' 'eye-popping' energy demands
Regional grids are projecting major increases to energy demand, but some experts are skeptical of the AI data center growth projections.
san.com
September 11, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Reposted by Keaton Peters
I have a story out today with exclusive reporting on workplace safety at an oilfield waste facility in East Texas. McBride Operating has come under fire for its violations of environmental regulations. Workers have also been put in harm's way. (1)

insideclimatenews.org/news/0509202...
Embattled Texas Oilfield Waste Company Fined After Worker’s Death - Inside Climate News
A 26-year-old employee at McBride Operating in Waskom, Texas, was killed when a valve blew off a pump last year. Another worker had sued the company two years earlier after being injured on the job.
insideclimatenews.org
September 5, 2025 at 1:22 PM
ConocoPhillips will cut 20-25% of staff, joining Shell, Chevron and others in laying off workers.

Coming as oil prices are low and companies have consolidated

“There’s this growing consensus that we may be seeing the end of production growth in the U.S.,” my source said.

san.com/cc/oil-and-g...
Oil and gas layoffs deepen as ConocoPhillips cuts its workforce
ConocoPhillips will lay off 20-25% of its workforce, joining a growing number of oil and gas companies that have announced job cuts.
san.com
September 5, 2025 at 12:51 AM
U.S. investment in renewable energy decreased $20.5 billion in the first half of 2025 compared to the end of 2024, a 36% drop.

Uncertainty over U.S. policy is the main driver, and is expected to cost jobs and U.S. competitiveness. #energy #energysky #climate #renewables

san.com/cc/private-i...
Private investment drops as US shifts renewable energy policy
Renewable energy investors slowed the flow of funding into the U.S. in the first half of 2025, while global investment hit an all-time high.
san.com
August 28, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Three gas power plants totaling 2.3 gigawatts rushed through for Meta data center.

The project was approved without waiting for an official recommendation from an administrative law judge, who reviewed hundreds of pages of testimony and oversaw in-person hearings in July.

san.com/cc/louisiana...
Louisiana moves ahead with contentious gas power plants for Meta data center
The Louisiana Public Service Commission approved plans by Entergy to build three new gas power plants for a Meta data center.
san.com
August 23, 2025 at 3:54 PM
#EnergySky

The core issue was who would pay for new gas infrastructure if Meta backpedals its data center plans, or leaves after the initial 15-year contract.

Entergy also did not complete competitive bidding.

Davante Lewis, the sole NO vote, said those issues were "too bitter for me to swallow"
APPROVED in a 4-1 vote: 2.3 gigawatts of gas plants to power Meta's data center

Shouts of "shame" and "you sold Louisiana out" were heard as the Louisiana Public Service Commission went to recess following the vote.

Critics argued ratepayer protections were insufficient.

san.com/cc/entergy-l...
Entergy Louisiana wants fast approval of gas plants to power Meta data center
Louisiana’s electric utility company Entergy wants a fast-tracked approval of three new gas-fired plants to power a Meta data center.
san.com
August 20, 2025 at 6:20 PM