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Rachel I. Jacobson

@rachelijacobson.bsky.social
274 followers 417 following 288 posts

Climate policy for social transformation. State climate policy lead @centeronbudget.bsky.social

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Reposted by Rachel I. Jacobson
PM2.5 Kills ~9 Million People Each Year Worldwide @tkovach.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
And that's different from tobacco company litigation how? www.axios.com/2026/10/06/s...
My thought bubble: A bright spot for the oil companies is that multiple justices seemed wary of a practical mess in the absence of federal preemption.

"Presumably, if you prevail, the next day, a municipality in every single state will file a lawsuit," Roberts told Boulder's attorney.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Today, in bad news for the energy transition 1. Massachusetts asks the federal government to fast-track permits for a gas line that won't even be ready until 2028 2. A Western Kentucky utility company's latest plan proposes to keep coal plants open past 2050
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
New Jersey is forced to allocate $60M to farmers who lost crops in an April freeze event. But the damage wasn't from the freeze: it was the freeze PRECEDED BY early blooming from unseasonable warmth - warmth made 2x more likely by climate change. www.newsfromthestates.com/article/bill...
newsfromthestates.com
Bill would give $60M in state aid to NJ farmers who lost crops in April freeze
New Jersey farmers whose fruit crops were damaged or destroyed by an unexpected four-day freeze last spring could apply for grants to help them recover their losses under new legislation that would ea...
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Lack of AC in Texas prison amounts to violation of 8th amendment - "cruel and unusual punishment" - judge says. The question is, how will they pay for it? www.texastribune.org/2026/09/22/t...
texastribune.org
Texas ordered to air condition all prisons by the end of 2029
High temperatures violate the Constitution’s protection against cruel and unusual punishment, the judge ruled. Texas will appeal.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
“The real threat to insurance and to the policyholders and members of the public who rely on it comes not from efforts to make responsible parties pay for climate harm, but from climate change itself” @cadavejones.bsky.social Why does this even need to be said? climateintegrity.org/news/view/pr...
climateintegrity.org
Property insurers side with Big Oil over everyday Americans in Supreme Court case | Center for Climate Integrity
While raising premiums due to climate change-related costs, insurance industry groups are backing Big Oil in their attempt to duck legal accountability
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Louisiana says it doesn't have enough $$ for affordable housing AND fortified roofs, and the latter is the "top priority." What's really happening: The state slashed taxes and its politicians are in the pocket of the insurance industry. www.newsfromthestates.com/article/loui...
newsfromthestates.com
Louisiana’s affordable housing dollars redirected to storm-proof roofs
Louisiana has found more money to allow homeowners to upgrade their roofs to withstand hurricanes, but it will come at the cost of affordable housing.Gov. Jeff Landry confirmed Monday that $20 million...
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
TFW claude tells you you asked a sharp question. Duh, someone's gotta hold you accountable. Oh wait...
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
i've seen several headlines of regulators in certain states granting just a fraction of what utility companies have requested. so... what's happening in the other states? where are regulators providing a high level of scrutiny, and where are they not? www.americanprogress.org/article/elec...
americanprogress.org
Electric and Natural Gas Utility Rate Hikes Tracker
Analysis finds that since January 2025, more than 116 million electric utility customers and more than 59 million natural gas utility customers across 49 states and Washington, D.C., will face increas...
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
“We cannot look at the potential revenue from development without also accounting for the costs and compounding burdens that development will place on communities and water systems.”👏👏👏 www.newsfromthestates.com/article/lawm...
newsfromthestates.com
Lawmakers told data centers could be key to improving WV water issues
A member of the Morrisey administration told lawmakers Tuesday that data centers can improve the water quality and infrastructure in West Virginia, where brown fluid, chemical smells and more have pla...
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Note to states: cutting energy efficiency and clean energy programs is NOT how you tackle energy affordability. You know what you could try instead? Enhancing the programs designed to help people pay their bills, specifically the people who are actually struggling. www.cbpp.org/blog/to-addr...
cbpp.org
To Address High Energy Costs, States Should Increase Energy Assistance, Not Cut Climate Programs
Everyone deserves affordable, safe energy to meet their everyday needs. But average electricity bills have risen close to 6 percent in the past 12 months. Some states made the sound choice of...
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
After 15+ years driving as little as possible I had to switch my kid to a school that's only accessible to him by car. Now that I'm in the car every day there's one though that's playing on repeat: cars should not share intersections with pedestrians.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
When the gas industry is concerned about your data center guardrails, you know you're on to something www.energyconnects.com/news/gas-lng...
energyconnects.com
Pennsylvania Data Center Limits Are a Threat to Gas Firms, Trade Group Says
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s new restrictions on data center development threaten a key source of demand growth for shale gas producers in the state,
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Lots of urgent actions needed on energy, but keeping coal plants open isn't one of them "Our reading of the text, structure, and history leaves us unpersuaded by DOE’s sweeping conception of its 'emergency' authority," www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
pbs.org
Federal court rejects Trump administration order keeping Michigan coal plant open
In a defeat for the Trump administration, a federal court on Friday ruled that the Energy Department exceeded its authority when it forced a Michigan coal-fired power plant to stay open past its sched...
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Friendly reminder that lots of new legal frameworks go through many rounds of challenges before taking hold. Polluters should pay - climate superfund makes sense.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
We should be raising - and allocating - federal funding for water and environmental protection based on need and risk. Instead, lawmakers are securing earmarks for projects in their districts while lifesaving plans elsewhere languish in cuts and red tape. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2026...
subscriber.politicopro.com
POLITICO Pro: House Republicans eye massive water, environment earmarks
The GOP could secure the lion's share of community project funding, much of it for major water infrastructure initiatives.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
States are under fiscal pressure, yet most funnel public $$ toward already-profitable tech companies. Heartening to see at least 25 states consider limiting data center tax breaks during 2026 sessions, and 8 succeed! Here's hoping more states follow suit in 2027. www.cbpp.org/blog/states-...
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
The IRA will have a lasting impact on the climate and energy landscape. a dose of optimism from @mtajo.bsky.social as we mark the 4th anniversary of IRA's passage
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
I shudder to think what USGCRP and NCA will look like under this man www.politico.com/news/2026/07...
politico.com
The administration has a new climate change office. It’s headed by a climate critic.
The office that produces the National Climate Assessment has been reconstituted, after the administration gutted it last year.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
The July 4th Weekend heatwave, which was made 5x more likely by climate change, highlighted glaring lack of heat protections across the country www.climatecentral.org/climate-shif...
climatecentral.org
Climate Shift Index Alerts | Climate Central
Climate Central issues alerts in many instances when the Climate Shift Index identifies a notable extreme weather event around the world that was made more likely by human-caused climate change.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
I was glad to provide expert review for @nrdc.org's climate mobility report, which maps US policy to international frameworks, advocates for proactive relocation policy & highlights the need for uninterrupted housing, health, & food assistance amid climate disruption. www.nrdc.org/resources/cr...
nrdc.org
From Crisis to Opportunity
NRDC’s new report shows how to build a just framework for planned relocation in the United States.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Another day, another misguided blue state move to block climate progress www.newsfromthestates.com/article/mcke...
newsfromthestates.com
McKee seizes veto pen to block building energy use reporting bills
In a shocking move for environmentalists, Gov. Dan McKee is exercising his veto power to block legislation requiring large buildings to report their energy use.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Sure, it's got data center guardrails, but requiring costly coal plants to stay online cancels out the ratepayer protection, www.canarymedia.com/articles/fos...
canarymedia.com
North Carolina bill would prop up coal until new nuclear is approved
The Republican-backed House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act, which could rein in some data center costs but extend the life of costly old coal plants.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
another day, another untargeted energy affordability proposal that doesn't provide meaningful relief www.newsfromthestates.com/article/econ...
newsfromthestates.com
Economists say a gas tax suspension wouldn’t give Ohioans meaningful relief
As gas prices spike, some Ohio lawmakers are floating the idea of suspending the state’s 38.5-cent-a-gallon tax.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
another day, another harebrained scheme by the Trump administration to keep coal plants open www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trum...
newsfromthestates.com
Trump plan would reopen Western Maryland coal plant
President Donald Trump (R) unveiled hundreds of millions in investments on Thursday to fortify existing coal-fired power plants, build new ones — and restart a retired coal plant in Western Maryland.T...
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Congress’s first go at a surface transportation deal – the Build America 250 Act – deauthorizes 5 programs designed to help states repair harm to low-income communities and communities of color from dangerous infrastructure & pollution. Congress should protect & grow these programs. ⬇️
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
“The central question is no longer whether firm renewables can compete on cost, but how quickly the structural conditions needed to realise their potential can be put in place across the diversity of markets and institutional contexts prevailing globally.”
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
"...the nation is a tinderbox, gripped by widespread drought and with a light snowpack in the mountains...upheaval in the federal wildland firefighting effort have left firefighters deeply concerned about their ability to mount an effective response."
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Redistricting = more environmental racism. “It’s always been the polluters’ playbook to go into communities that have traditionally been underrepresented in our democracy for various reasons in order to get their plans across" - Justin Kwasa @lcv.org subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
subscriber.politicopro.com
E&E News: Greens mobilize against redistricting blitz
Environmentalists say new maps could disenfranchise voters in areas burdened by the impacts of pollution and climate change.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Quick reminder that coal stay-open orders are expensive and ineffective. Today's evidence: 3 of the facilities President Trump ordered to stay open haven't generated any power subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
subscriber.politicopro.com
E&E News: 3 coal turbines ordered to stay open by DOE have not run
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the retiring plants were needed to potentially save lives. None of them have generated power.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
if only the same politicians were interested in using "sound science" in climate and energy policy.... insideclimatenews.org/news/0703202...
insideclimatenews.org
‘Sound Science’ Bills Limiting State Environmental Regulations Set ‘Insurmountable Burden of Proof,’ Scientists Say - Inside Climate News
Bills in four states require environmental regulations to show “direct causal link” to “manifest bodily harm,” not just increased risk of disease. Scientists say that’s all but impossible.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
you know who seeks immunity? actors who know they're guilty. state and federal attempts to protect fossil fuel companies from legal liability for climate damages are a cry for help from a dying industry.
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Reposted by Rachel I. Jacobson
Mikaela Tajo @mtajo.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
The President’s FY27 Budget guts programs that protect the environment, promote health, and reduce energy bills. Some of the most egregious cuts include eliminating LIHEAP, halving the EPA’s budget, and reprogramming billions of funds for renewable energy. More below:
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
In which among other dire consequences we lose NIACS, one of the crown jewels of applied climate science www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/c...
nytimes.com
Forest Service Will Close Research Stations That Study Wildfire Risk
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Fossil fuel companies are profiting from global conflicts as people struggle to afford energy. States should pass policies to raise revenue & protect consumers before the next crisis. 🧵 theconversation.com/as-war-raise...
theconversation.com
As war raises oil prices, households pay while energy companies profit
Rising tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran have sent oil prices surging. While households and governments face higher costs, parts of the fossil fuel industry stand to gain billions.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
We can only call it flood resilience if it actually builds resilience for the people experiencing climate impacts. Critical coverage of climate gentrification in Atlanta by @adamlmahoney.bsky.social capitalbnews.org/atlanta-worl...
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
It was great to be on with Julianne Malveaux and @mtajo.bsky.social this morning to talk about high energy costs. wpfwfm.org/radio/progra... 🧵
wpfwfm.org
Archived Shows
Washington DC, listener supported community radio station dedicated to Jazz and Justice streaming live.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
The war in Iran is sending gasoline prices soaring. States are responding with gas tax holidays, but there are better ways to support low-income families & protect state budgets. 🧵
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
I don't want to be mad w/ a story marrying wind energy & thriving seniors, but the answer to more wind power deployment isn't local property tax abatements, & TX's booming renewables are chiefly b/c of its approach to lax local land use permitting @canarymedia.com www.canarymedia.com/articles/win...
canarymedia.com
How a tiny Texas town is using wind energy to help out senior citizens
A wonky tax deal with wind companies means more food and medical resources for older residents of “The Biggest Little Town in the World."
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
@sierraclub.org reports fossil plant stay-open orders have cost ratepayers $235M so far www.utilitydive.com/news/doe-202...
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Florida reauthorized its disaster fund. Good: they need to get $ out quickly when climate change-fueled disasters happen. but the fund lapsed b/c it of misuse on immigration enforcement & they exempt immigration from emergency declaration extension oversight 🤷‍♀️ floridaphoenix.com/briefs/flori...
floridaphoenix.com
Florida lawmakers approve recreated emergency fund — with some guardrails • Florida Phoenix
Florida lawmakers voted Friday to recreate the state’s embattled disaster response fund — with some new guardrails.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Utilities are making too much money. Why? They're only supposed to get a return on equity - the amount needed to attract investment on an open market. Investing in utilities is quite safe, so the rate should be low. But regulators award them much more than is needed www.volts.wtf/p/are-utilit...
volts.wtf
Are utilities making too much money?
Joe Daniel on why trimming utility profits is good governance.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Coal stay-open orders trample state authority and cost ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars... and counting. Meanwhile, many of the plants that have been forced to stay open aren't even supplying any power to the grid. www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trum...
newsfromthestates.com
Trump is forcing coal plants to stay open. It could cost customers billions.
In an unprecedented use of federal authority, President Donald Trump’s administration has invoked emergency powers to force a series of retiring coal plants to stay open.Utilities, states and grid ope...
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Reposted by Rachel I. Jacobson
Wesley Tharpe @wesleytharpe.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
New report: States & localities in '26 are facing a one-two punch—fallout from harmful federal actions on one hand & regressive state policies on the other. The path forward? Protecting & raising revenues to mitigate harm & build forward. Here’s how: www.cbpp.org/research/sta...
cbpp.org
Sound State Revenue Choices Essential to Counteract Harmful Policies and Build Forward
Last summer’s harmful Republican megabill paired enormous tax breaks for wealthy households and corporations with historically deep cuts that will take away people’s vital health care and food assista...
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
think of everything Pennsylvania could fund with a real severance tax... penncapital-star.com/education/st...
penncapital-star.com
State House Democrats: Pa. needs to prioritize universal pre-K • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Only one state in the country offers universal pre-K, despite the touted benefits. What would it take for Pennsylvania to do so?
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Pros and cons to linking carbon markets, but overall bigger is better. Regardless of the program type, no state should be taking this revenue raiser off the table. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/03/05/w...
washingtonstatestandard.com
WA takes another step to link its carbon market with California and Quebec • Washington State Standard
Both supporters and critics of Washington’s cap-and-trade program say combining markets would benefit the state.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
There's a lot happening in the Missouri energy system. Thanks @kbianews.bsky.social for the great coverage www.kbia.org/kbia-news/20...
kbia.org
Higher electricity bills driving inflation, consumer frustration
Experts say electricity is the new eggs as rising utility costs get political.
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
In addition to raising household energy costs, Senate buget committee shows the harmful Republican megabill adds $3.5B/year in new fossil fuel subsidies, on top of the $31B/year the industry already gets www.budget.senate.gov/ranking-memb...
budget.senate.gov
New Report Reveals How Much Republicans’ Big Oil Donors Will Benefit From the Big, Ugly Betrayal Law | U.S. Senate Committee On The Budget
The Official U.S. Senate Committee On The Budget
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
heartening, but a carrot-only approach isn't going to get the job done. www.canarymedia.com/articles/ene...
canarymedia.com
How Oregon is building back smarter after wildfire
After a destructive fire, residents faced the task of rebuilding. Thanks to state incentives, the new homes are more energy efficient and resilient to…
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
the disaster relief fund had more than $7 billion in available funding as of January. That means FEMA will continue to respond to active disasters and emergencies that present immediate threats to life and safety (including "cleaning up snow") www.msn.com/en-us/news/u...
msn.com
MSN
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Rachel I. Jacobson @rachelijacobson.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Data centers building their own power plants won't bring residential electricity prices down - it'll skip oversight and regulations and remove opportunities to invest in critical public infrastructure
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