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EIA Estimates Record U.S. Electric Generating Capacity Additions in 2026, with Solar in the Lead

LCG, February 20, 2026--The EIA today issued an "in-brief analysis" that estimates U.S. power plant developers and operators plan to complete a record installation of 86 GW of new, utility-scale electric generating capacity that is connected to the U.S. power grid in 2026. Last year, 53 GW of new capacity was added to the grid, which was the largest capacity installation in a single year since 2002. Thus the estimate of 86 GW of new capacity in 2026 is a whopping 33 GW greater than the year prior. It should be noted that over 20 GW of the 86 GW of new capacity this year is estimated to be completed in December.

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Enhanced Geothermal Systems May Drive Significant Growth in Geothermal Power Generation

LCG, February 19, 2026--The EIA released an "in-brief analysis" today regarding the expected completion of the first, large-scale commercial enhanced geothermal system (EGS) in June 2026, and the significant growth potential for year-round, 24x7, carbon-free, renewable EGS power generation in the United States.

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Industry News

California Capsule: Davis Hopes for Best in Washington

Feb. 27, 2001California Gov. Gray Davis, in Washington for the winter meeting of the National Governors' Association, said yesterday that President Bush is "on the right track in making education his highest priority" but was unable to point to any encouraging signs that the administration would ride to the rescue of his state's electricity problems.

Davis said the administration "clearly understands" the need for a national energy policy. "They understand transmission lines as well as new generation are key components. I have to believe they will be helpful," was the best he could offer.

Davis acknowledged he would need administration support for his plan to take over transmission facilities from the state's three investor-owned utilities. "Clearly, we have to persuade lots of people in Washington that what we're doing is the right thing," the governor said. He was scheduled to talk over the scheme this morning with Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham.

And like Old Man River, the California energy problem keeps on rolling along.

  • State Sen. Don Perata, a Northern California Democrat, unveiled a plan to encourage energy conservation by giving a billion dollars in rebates to consumers who reduce electricity usage during the month May through September. Perata thinks Californians are still unaware of the power crunch. "If you look at the public at large in California, a majority today still don't [sic] believe there's an energy crisis. You do this, a lot of them will catch on quickly." The would catch on quicker if their electric rates went up.

  • According to the San Francisco Chronicle, energy regulators are becoming infatuated with a program that would allow utilities to either turn off air conditioners or turn up thermostats when power supplies were low. It's not a new idea, the paper points out, and it isn't cheap. Southern California Edison Co. offers a device that costs $150 per customer to install, and Pacific Gas & Electric Co. has a plan that would cost more. The idea of having a little more control over the lives of citizens has obvious appeal for regulators.

  • An administrated law judge of the California Public Utilities Commission has proposed banning job cuts at PG&E and SoCal Edison. In fact, judge John Wong proposed that companies be ordered to rehire 725 employees they have already laid off in an attempt to conserve cash. The two companies have announce plans for an addition 2,125 layoffs over the next few month. The PUC is expected to review Wong's recommendation at its March 7 meeting.

  • The Associated Press decided to find out whether Californians really use more power than they should and found that only Rhode Island uses less electricity per capita. For all types of energy use, the state ranks number 47 per capita, the wire service reported yesterday, citing data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. It's the nice weather in Northern California that does it.

  • Electricity rates in most of California are still frozen at 10 percent less than their 1997 levels, but that hasn't stopped some hotel chains from raining their room rates to compensate for the price spikes they have been reading about. Marriott International, Hilton Hotels and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide have begun charging between $2.00 and $4.00 extra per room, even in places where there has been not increase in the cost of electricity.

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