Energy costs on the ballot in several key states on Election Day

An early preview of the role energy might play in next year's mid-terms

In today’s edition:

— Energy costs are on ballots across the country on Election Day. Here are the biggest races.

— Apollo buys half of world’s largest wind farm from Ørsted, expands European green footprint

— Using AI to better understand what the whales are telling us

— Solar depends on energy storage. Here come the big batteries.

— In battle over manufacturing EVs vs. gas vehicles, electric’s cleaner in the end

“Justice and History” is a marble sculpture by Thomas Crawford on the east front of the Senate wing of the U.S. Capitol Building. Photo: Architect of the Capitol.

With the chaotic midterm Congressional elections still a year away, anyone looking for action in today’s elections in the U.S. will focus on rising energy costs, which are roiling ballots in Virginia, New Jersey, Georgia, New York City, and to some extent, California.

In the Virginia governor’s race, where rising power needs for the state’s massive data center complex, estimated at about one-sixth the bandwidth of all global data center capacity, Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger is clearly the clean energy candidate, favoring green energy solutions to keep costs low. Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Early-Sears wants less solar and wind, but more small nuclear reactors, when and if they become available.

In New Jersey, another governor’s race hinges on affordable energy, with Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill in favor of clean energy solutions while Republican former legislator Jack Ciattarelli claims investment in energy sources like offshore wind are partly responsible for some of the fastest rising energy bills in the nation.

Georgia also has a big race for elected Public Service Commission seats, which centers around how big a commitment the state should make to nuclear energy over other, perhaps cheaper renewable forms of energy. In New York City, the high-profile race for mayor between Democrat Zohran Mamdani, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and Guardian Angel founder Curtis Sliwa isn’t really about energy prices but the winner will have authority over implementing a new law to curb building emissions as well as a role in the state’s ongoing governing of traffic congestion in the city.

Finally, in California, the big fight is about redistricting, but the response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “Yes on 50” campaign for a temporary redistricting of Congressional seats to offset White House redistricting in other states is seen as litmus test for Newsom’s popularity and potential run for president in 2028. Depending how the vote goes, political analysts will determine whether Newsom has the flexibility to go big on climate and energy in any potential campaign.

Plenty of political news to chew on for seasoned election watchers, and an early indication of how important energy costs will be in next year’s big midterms.

If you have ideas or suggestions for us, contact me directly at
dcallaway@callawayclimateinsights.com.

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Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 project, in the North Sea off the southeast coast of England. Photo: Ørsted.

Apollo expands European green energy footprint with Ørsted deal