Energy Costs Politics (Maine): Republican governor hopeful Bobby Charles unveiled an “Emergency 207 Plan” to cut Mainers’ energy bills, using $207 million from the rainy day fund, suspending the auto fuel tax, doubling LIHEAP aid, and targeting school heating costs—while Democratic rival Hannah Pingree criticized the plan for ignoring the Iran-linked price spike. Grid & Rates (Wisconsin): Wisconsin regulators will hold hearings on WPS’s request for about a 14% residential electric and gas rate increase, with the utility citing reliability spending and federal tax-credit savings; the Citizens Utility Board says bills are already rising too fast. Pipeline Oversight (Canada): Canada’s energy regulator approved a Trans Mountain toll settlement as “just and reasonable,” letting the pipeline contract up to 90% of capacity (up from 80%) as it expands toward 1.19 million barrels per day by late 2028. Solar Permitting (U.S.): A Jefferson County committee approved a 5MW, 25-acre Watertown-area solar project despite city opposition tied to land-use conflicts and nearby airport safety concerns. Efficiency Wins (Vermont): Efficiency Vermont recognized Vermont State University for projects across four campuses that are projected to save over $600,000 annually. AI Power Demand (U.S./Markets): Bloom Energy’s fuel-cell “mini power plants” are gaining traction with AI data centers as grid interconnection delays stretch, boosting investor interest and local hiring. Fuel Price Pressure (U.S.): GasBuddy and AAA reporting shows fuel remains volatile and historically high in many regions, with prices still reacting to global oil moves tied to Middle East tensions and Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Battery Supply Chain (U.S.): Amprius won up to $75M to expand domestic high-energy battery production for unmanned aerial systems, targeting operations in early 2028. Nuclear Cost Debate (New York): A watchdog group warns New York’s nuclear push could bring $24B in taxpayer and ratepayer costs, citing construction overruns risk. International Energy Policy (Ghana): Ghana’s Energy Commission trained customs officials to better enforce energy-efficiency rules for imported cooling appliances.