States redefine “clean” energy as House cuts funding; Xcel Energy expands grid to meet rising demand.

As states struggle to meet their clean electricity goals, some are redefining “clean” definitions to include nuclear, natural gas and biomass generation. The House of Representatives passed a bill to gut energy provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, including electric appliance rebates and funding for local governments to update building codes. The Energy Department has released a draft plan for speeding the country’s grid interconnection process. Xcel Energy plans to double its grid capacity in the Permian Basin to meet anticipated demand from oil and gas industry electrification and population growth. Enbridge has agreed to contribute $61 million a year to fund the decommissioning of the Line 3 pipeline. Federal and state Buy Clean programs aim to use governments’ purchasing power to drive manufacturing of low-carbon steel, cement, and other building materials. A New York City co-op building’s lack of gas for two years due to a high repair bill underscores difficulty for low-income residents to maintain gas systems or make electric upgrades. The Los Angeles region has developed a climate roadmap calling for ambitious emissions reductions and investment in clean energy towards the 2028 Olympic Games.