Data centers are on the ballot in 2026 — and just failed the first… A Wisconsin city voted to add new hurdles to data center development in response to unwanted construction, and more communities could soon follow suit.

Voters in Festus MO, a Republican stronghold, just ousted every incumbent council member in response to a data center approval. "Data center opposition is on the rise in every nook and cranny of the country — and it may have a massive influence on more than just local elections this November."

This story is wild! An imposter has been impersonating ProPublica reporter @robert-faturechi.bsky.social and he tries to figure out who it is.

The Romance of the Gas-Station Sign A few glowing roadside numerals set the national mood.

Gas-station signs have long reflected the mood of the consumer economy—but as the role of gasoline in Americans’ lives shifts, these placards may begin to represent something else, @ibogost.com argues:

Nuclear Reactions: The Ongoing Politics of a Radioactive Waste Site Nuclear Reactions: The Ongoing Politics of a Radioactive Waste Site - Kindle edition by McCutcheon, Chuck. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Nuclear Reactions: The Ongoing Politics of a Radioactive Waste Site.

Now available for preorder -- my guide to everything you ever wanted to know about nuclear waste:
www.amazon.com/Nuclear-Reac...

"We're in a tough spot": Mattis delivers harsh Iran assessment If Trump declares victory and pulls back the U.S. military, Iran "would now say we own the Strait," Mattis said.

"We're in a tough spot": former Defense Secretary James Mattis delivers harsh Iran assessment at Houston energy conference: www.axios.com/2026/03/24/m...

A senior official told Axios: "We've always had boots on the ground in conflicts under every president, including Trump. I know this is a fixation in the media, and I get the politics. But the president is going to do what's right."

Iran war looms over global energy summit Dan Yergin, vice chairman of S&P Global, has been the face of the CERAWeek conference.

Next week's #CERAWeek was already featuring a packed agenda. Now there's also Iran, as @amyaharder.bsky.social explains --
www.axios.com/2026/03/19/i...

Meet the sustainability exec at the center of the AI boom Josh Parker oversees the behemoth's efforts to contain its environmental footprint despite explosive growth.

Another fascinating @amyaharder.bsky.social story on Nvidia: www.axios.com/2026/03/17/n...

Nvidia's race to outpace physics Nvidia's chips are improving at such a staggering pace that it defies any historical comparison.

Fascinating piece by @amyaharder.bsky.social: Nvidia's chips are improving at such a staggering pace that it defies any historical comparison.
www.axios.com/2026/03/17/n...

Exclusive: How AI's power demand shifts resistance to nuclear power The NRDC filed comments earlier this month in support of an early step toward restarting a nuclear power plant in Iowa.

Good exclusive from @amyaharder.bsky.social: The AI boom is pushing one of America's most venerable environmental groups to cautiously support nuclear power after decades of resistance.
www.axios.com/2026/03/16/e...

Trump turns to California offshore oil to help with Iran war He invoked a Cold War-era law in a bid to boost oil production in the midst of the Iran war.

Spokesman for Gov. Gavin Newsom reacting to Trump's move to boost oil production off California's coast: It's "a political stunt that would contribute 0.05% to crude oil production and do nothing to lower prices."

www.axios.com/2026/03/13/t...

Iran war reignites debate over U.S. oil exports The U.S. has become one of the world's largest oil exporters since a law changed allowing crude to flow beyond American borders.

Iran war reignites debate over U.S. oil exports, which have surged after Congress + Obama lifted a ban in 2015. www.axios.com/2026/03/13/i... via @axios.com

Exclusive: Google, Tesla unite to fight energy costs The new coalition will address energy affordability by tapping into underused electricity grid capacity.

New exclusive from me: A new coalition of companies that includes Google and Tesla will address energy affordability by tapping into underused electricity grid capacity.

www.axios.com/2026/03/10/g...

Exclusive: U.S. dismissed Ukraine deal for anti-Iran drone tech last year Snubbing Ukraine's offer ranks as one of the U.S.'s biggest tactical miscalculations before the war, officials say.

EXCLUSIVE: 7 months ago, Ukraine tried to sell the U.S. their battle-proven technology for downing Iranian-made drones.

The Trump administration dismissed the Ukrainians, only to reverse course last week after more-than-expected Iranian drone strikes.

Trump's risky business Early polling on the Iran war suggests there may be little or no reward to be had.

Trump fancies himself a high-risk, high-reward president, a confidence cheered by the vast majority of Republican officials and voters.

But risk is risk — and by most measures, it's rising everywhere.

Behind the Curtain: Trump's power play The president has set out to unilaterally impose his will on every vector of American power.

Trump seethed when the Supreme Court stripped away his unilateral tariff authority.

Then he set out to impose his will on every remaining vector of American power — smashing norms and shrugging off Congress in a historic, 14-day show of executive force.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem out, Trump says Noem has come under fire from both Democrats and Republicans.

BREAKING: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem out, Trump says

American gas bounty shielding consumers from war spikes, for now U.S. natural gas dominance provides a cushion when overseas supply is disrupted.

Good story from @amyaharder.bsky.social: U.S.' natural gas bounty acts like a moat to shield consumers from price spikes.
www.axios.com/2026/03/04/i...

Trump offers U.S. insurance, military escorts to energy tankers in Mideast The White House is seeking to ease oil price spikes that are starting to boost U.S. gasoline prices.

NEW: Trump offers U.S. insurance, military escorts to energy tankers in Middle East

Iran conflict spurs early oil price surge It's the first sign of how markets are digesting the potential for supply disruptions.

Crude oil prices spiked in initial trading today by over $6 per barrel — their highest level in just over a year.

Scoop: Top Senate defense leaders intervene in Pentagon-Anthropic AI dispute The bipartisan group of senators sent Anthropic and the Pentagon a private letter urging them to resolve the issue

Scoop: Top Senate defense leaders intervene in Pentagon-Anthropic AI dispute

AI really likes using nuclear weapons in simulated war scenarios. Here's why The study comes as the U.S. military has been working through how to implement AI systems for potential use.

Some of the biggest AI models aren't shy about using nuclear weapons to settle disputes in simulated war scenarios, a new academic study finds.

Trump teases AI electricity pledge. Here's when tech giants will sign it It's the Trump administration's latest response to election-year voter angst over data centers' electricity demands.

Trump teases AI electricity pledge. Here's when tech giants will sign it

A pair of House Republicans plans to join Democrats in SOTU Epstein protests Reps. Thomas Massie and Nancy Mace are both planning displays of support for Epstein's accusers.

Scoop: At least two House Republican plan to join Democrats in State of the Union Epstein protests

Utilities, data centers drive growth in battery storage U.S. battery storage installations rose 29% last year, driven by strong utility-scale growth in Arizona and Texas.

From @bengeman.bsky.social: U.S. battery storage installations rose 29% last year, driven by strong utility-scale growth in Arizona and Texas.
www.axios.com/2026/02/23/b...

Supreme Court blunts President Trump's energy weapon The ruling "absolutely will limit Trump's ability to wield tariffs for geopolitical pressure," Columbia's Trevor Sutton said.

From @bengeman.bsky.social: Supreme Court decision striking down many of Trump's tariffs curbs his power to use energy to pressure trading partners.
www.axios.com/2026/02/20/s...

Oil prices jump amid signs of U.S.-Iran conflict The market sees risks to both Iranian exports but also a conflict that could threaten other supplies.

From @bengeman.bsky.social: Oil prices jumped to their highest levels since last summer amid growing signs the U.S. is preparing a military strike against Iran.

www.axios.com/2026/02/19/b...

6 reasons the U.S. and Iran are on the brink of war There's still time for the U.S. and Iran to work out a solution.

Here are six reasons why the U.S. and Iran are on the brink of war.

Exclusive: New initiative seeks to tackle "big ideas" on climate The Federation of American Scientists is launching an initiative that aims to promote creative thinking for how government can tackle climate change and other challenges.

New from me: Federation of American Scientists launching an initiative to promote creative thinking for how government can tackle climate change and other challenges.
www.axios.com/2026/02/12/f...

"Split" jobs report shows the labor market is stabilizing (for now) January's jobs report points to the possibility that 2025 was the low point for job creation.

Narratives about the labor market have rarely been more split.