US Data Center Cost Fight: The House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act to stop families from absorbing grid upgrades driven by AI data centers, but a Senate Democrat blocked a fast-track vote, arguing the bill lacks “teeth.” Heating Oil Relief Push: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand urged the federal government to immediately release LIHEAP heating funds as New York heating oil costs jump. Quantum Push: The US Department of Energy launched a $215m Quantum Genesis Q Competition to speed fault-tolerant, scientifically useful quantum computers toward 2028. Community Clean Power (UK): Great British Energy opened a £30m local solar and clean energy fund under the Local Power Plan, aimed at community projects—not direct homeowner grants. Energy Security (Middle East): Saudi’s East-West pipeline shut after buffering Strait of Hormuz shocks, highlighting how layered corporate and government “shock absorbers” matter. Nuclear Expansion (Idaho): Idaho State University and NuCube Energy announced a second campus microreactor site for advanced research and workforce training. Ukraine Grid Resilience: US DFC approved loans for DTEK to deploy 200MW/400MWh battery storage and support Vodafone Ukraine. Clean Energy Policy (Connecticut): DEEP opened public input for the state’s next Comprehensive Energy Strategy. Waste-to-Energy (Indonesia): A Chinese firm broke ground on its second Indonesian waste-to-energy project, targeting 500,000+ tons/year.