DOE loans Southern $26.5B

The Hill · Feb 25, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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Energy & Environment The Big Story DOE loans Southern $26.5B The Energy Department on Wednesday announced it would dole out its largest-ever loan, lending $26.5 billion for electric power in Georgia and Alabama.© AP Photo/Evan Vucci The loan, to subsidiaries of the utility Southern Company, would fund new gas power and improvements for existing nuclear power plants and water power, as well as battery storage system and power line upgrades. In a press call on Wednesday, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said, “This allows data center development, this allows reshoring of American manufacturing.” He also noted that the announcement was coming in conjunction with Southern Company’s recent announcements that it would freeze rates for the next few years in these states. Greg Beard, director of the department’s loans office, said that the energy supported by the funds be enough to power 15 million homes. He said that Georgia Power would get $22.5 billion and Alabama Power would get $4.1 billion.“This is the largest investment by the U.S. government ever in a non-crisis time,” Beard said.Read at TheHill.com. Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, I’m Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Essential Reads How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future:Senators on Wednesday pressed President Trump’s pick to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) over his past statements in favor of selling some of the nation’s public lands. The Trump administration is looking to change how Black history is presented at the park sites and museums under its influenceEmissions from data centers can cause breathing issues and premature deaths for those living nearby, according to a new report. What We’re Reading News we’ve flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Trump allows U.S. companies to resell Venezuelan oil to Cuba’s private sector (Miami Herald) SOTU quotes of note President Trump said during this Tuesday night speech that the U.S. “just received from our new friend and partner, Venezuela, more than 80 million barrels of oil.” He did not elaborate. Trump also said that he “negotiated the new rate payer protection pledge” for data centers. “We’re telling the major tech companies that they have the obligation to provide for their own power needs” he said, adding, “I’m telling them, they can build their own plant. They’re going to produce their own electricity. It will ensure the company’s ability to get electricity, while at the same time, lowering prices of electricity for you.” He did not say whether any specific companies would participate in the pledge or how it would be enforced. What Others are Reading Two key stories on The Hill right now: Beneath the surface of the Supreme Court’s tariff decision, Justice Neil Gorsuch had choice words for his colleagues. Read more Pennsylvania Democrats won two special elections for the state House, keeping their majority intact, according to Decision Desk HQ. Read moreYou’re all caught up. See you tomorrow! Close The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Energy and Environment newsletter Tags Chris Wright Neil Gorsuch Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.