Keaton Peters
@keatonpeters.bsky.social
Energy Reporter for Straight Arrow News. Previous bylines in Canary Media, The Texas Tribune, Inside Climate News, Government Market News, Austin American-Statesman and others. keatonpeters.com
Pinned
Keaton Peters
@keatonpeters.bsky.social
· Dec 11
Texas crypto mines consumed more power than 1 million homes: Exclusive
A SAN investigation found large crypto mines in Texas used more electricity than residents in the cities of San Antonio and El Paso combined.
san.com
New Investigation for @san.com
14.7M MWh of power last year for Texas crypto
Total electricity consumed by #crypto mines is equal to combined residential utility customers in the city of San Antonio, the El Paso area and a mid-sized #Texas city like Garland
#energysky
san.com/cc/texas-cry...
14.7M MWh of power last year for Texas crypto
Total electricity consumed by #crypto mines is equal to combined residential utility customers in the city of San Antonio, the El Paso area and a mid-sized #Texas city like Garland
#energysky
san.com/cc/texas-cry...
An executive order from President Donald Trump will allow an off-road blend of diesel to be used on American highways, tax-free. That doesn’t mean dyed diesel is street-legal in all 50 states.
#energysky
buff.ly/wsHK92r
#energysky
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Farm diesel goes street legal. But can Trump’s waiver solve soaring costs?
An executive order from President Donald Trump will allow an off-road blend of diesel to be used on American highways, tax-free.
buff.ly
October 6, 2026 at 10:32 PM
An executive order from President Donald Trump will allow an off-road blend of diesel to be used on American highways, tax-free. That doesn’t mean dyed diesel is street-legal in all 50 states.
#energysky
buff.ly/wsHK92r
#energysky
buff.ly/wsHK92r
Why did the Ratepayer Protection Act die in the Senate? The bill would have required states to consider new rules on how electric costs are allocated between data centers and other customers. GOP called it "common sense." Dems said its "feeble." #energysky
For @san.com
buff.ly/XDhCD9h
For @san.com
buff.ly/XDhCD9h
Why the Senate rejected a bill aimed at fairly assigning data center power costs
The Ratepayer Protection Act was voted down 57-43, just a few votes shy of reaching the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome the filibuster.
buff.ly
September 30, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Why did the Ratepayer Protection Act die in the Senate? The bill would have required states to consider new rules on how electric costs are allocated between data centers and other customers. GOP called it "common sense." Dems said its "feeble." #energysky
For @san.com
buff.ly/XDhCD9h
For @san.com
buff.ly/XDhCD9h
Heating oil costs up 70% compared to this time last year. That's a problem in the Northeast, where millions rely on heating oil to stay warm, and colder weather is about to blow in.
It's yet another part of the economic fallout of the war in Iran. For @san.com #energysky
buff.ly/CaqtyOC
It's yet another part of the economic fallout of the war in Iran. For @san.com #energysky
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‘I won’t be able to get a whole tank.’ As Iran war goes on, heating oil prices spike
The effects of the war in Iran threaten to leave some Americans in the literal cold this year because of the high cost of heating oil.
buff.ly
September 26, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Heating oil costs up 70% compared to this time last year. That's a problem in the Northeast, where millions rely on heating oil to stay warm, and colder weather is about to blow in.
It's yet another part of the economic fallout of the war in Iran. For @san.com #energysky
buff.ly/CaqtyOC
It's yet another part of the economic fallout of the war in Iran. For @san.com #energysky
buff.ly/CaqtyOC
In August, Abbott ordered the state’s utility regulatory agency and power grid operator to pause projects at the final step: Grid interconnection. But every other part of the construction process was allowed to move forward unencumbered. Now, that's changing. #energysky
buff.ly/C9z4cON
buff.ly/C9z4cON
The future of Texas’ data center rush just got a lot more complicated
Texas Gov. Abbott directed the state's environmental agency to stop approving permits for data centers until an audit is finished.
buff.ly
September 22, 2026 at 8:32 PM
In August, Abbott ordered the state’s utility regulatory agency and power grid operator to pause projects at the final step: Grid interconnection. But every other part of the construction process was allowed to move forward unencumbered. Now, that's changing. #energysky
buff.ly/C9z4cON
buff.ly/C9z4cON
A court struck down Trump's emergency order to keep a Michigan coal plant in operation.
The decision may determine how much power the feds have over the state's electric grid planning and whether coal power continues its decline. #energysky
For @san.com
The decision may determine how much power the feds have over the state's electric grid planning and whether coal power continues its decline. #energysky
For @san.com
Why a court order could hasten coal plant retirements
A court ruled there was no emergency to justify a Trump order for a coal plant in Michigan to keep operating past its planned retirement.
san.com
September 15, 2026 at 7:33 PM
A court struck down Trump's emergency order to keep a Michigan coal plant in operation.
The decision may determine how much power the feds have over the state's electric grid planning and whether coal power continues its decline. #energysky
For @san.com
The decision may determine how much power the feds have over the state's electric grid planning and whether coal power continues its decline. #energysky
For @san.com
Reposted by Keaton Peters
The White House announced a pledge with Big Tech to not increase home electricity costs in the wake of data centers. @keatonpeters.bsky.social did the legwork to show just how hard that is to put into practice, given regulatory power is at the state and local level: san.com/cc/inside-th...
Inside the effort to make data centers pay their share of electricity costs
A Straight Arrow investigation finds gray areas around the question of who pays for new power infrastructure when a data center comes to town.
san.com
September 9, 2026 at 6:12 PM
The White House announced a pledge with Big Tech to not increase home electricity costs in the wake of data centers. @keatonpeters.bsky.social did the legwork to show just how hard that is to put into practice, given regulatory power is at the state and local level: san.com/cc/inside-th...
Data centers do affect electricity prices. Earlier this year, 50+ utilities signed the White House' ratepayer protection pledge, but implementation is an open question for states.
Reporting for @san.com, I unpack the numbers on electric bill increases. #energysky
buff.ly/0gSUGoi
Reporting for @san.com, I unpack the numbers on electric bill increases. #energysky
buff.ly/0gSUGoi
Inside the effort to make data centers pay their share of electricity costs
A Straight Arrow investigation finds gray areas around the question of who pays for new power infrastructure when a data center comes to town.
san.com
September 9, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Data centers do affect electricity prices. Earlier this year, 50+ utilities signed the White House' ratepayer protection pledge, but implementation is an open question for states.
Reporting for @san.com, I unpack the numbers on electric bill increases. #energysky
buff.ly/0gSUGoi
Reporting for @san.com, I unpack the numbers on electric bill increases. #energysky
buff.ly/0gSUGoi
Reposted by Keaton Peters
New: The wrongful deportation of an Austin man, let back into the U.S. on Sunday, highlights what many have warned about for years: When local police join forces with the feds, it can lead to U.S. citizens being hassled, detained and even deported.
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www.texastribune.org/2026/09/02/t...
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www.texastribune.org/2026/09/02/t...
Texas man’s deportation raises questions about ICE partnerships
The federal government let U.S. citizen Brian José Morales García return to Texas on Sunday after deporting him to Mexico following a traffic stop in Central Texas.
www.texastribune.org
September 3, 2026 at 4:05 AM
New: The wrongful deportation of an Austin man, let back into the U.S. on Sunday, highlights what many have warned about for years: When local police join forces with the feds, it can lead to U.S. citizens being hassled, detained and even deported.
🧵
www.texastribune.org/2026/09/02/t...
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www.texastribune.org/2026/09/02/t...
In six months, the global market for crude oil has proved resilient to major disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. But underneath the daily price fluctuations, another problem continually ratcheted up: damaged refineries that turn crude oil into gasoline. #energysky
straightarrowne.ws/3UjPFUA
straightarrowne.ws/3UjPFUA
Six months into war with Iran, refinery bottlenecks keep gas prices high
While the market for crude oil has proved resilient to major disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, fuel costs face increasing upward pressure.
san.com
August 28, 2026 at 6:21 PM
In six months, the global market for crude oil has proved resilient to major disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. But underneath the daily price fluctuations, another problem continually ratcheted up: damaged refineries that turn crude oil into gasoline. #energysky
straightarrowne.ws/3UjPFUA
straightarrowne.ws/3UjPFUA
I've been writing about data centers since 2024, but the level of interest in the topic has skyrocketed in the past 3-5 months. How did data centers become a cultural villain?
At @san.com we unravel how anti data center sentiment caught fire online and IRL
buff.ly/bdGcEFm
At @san.com we unravel how anti data center sentiment caught fire online and IRL
buff.ly/bdGcEFm
How data centers became America's favorite new villain — online and IRL
Big tech is recruiting influencers to pitch data centers to locals. But the grassroots pushback is proving just as viral.
san.com
August 20, 2026 at 6:18 PM
I've been writing about data centers since 2024, but the level of interest in the topic has skyrocketed in the past 3-5 months. How did data centers become a cultural villain?
At @san.com we unravel how anti data center sentiment caught fire online and IRL
buff.ly/bdGcEFm
At @san.com we unravel how anti data center sentiment caught fire online and IRL
buff.ly/bdGcEFm
Should data centers profit from a power shortage? A new proposal from America's largest power grid opens the door to paying tech to shut their facilities off when the grid needs power elsewhere.
If FERC approves, it will be up to the states to decide details. #energysky
straightarrowne.ws/4glhx1K
If FERC approves, it will be up to the states to decide details. #energysky
straightarrowne.ws/4glhx1K
Largest US grid floats paying data centers to shut off during power scarcity
Grid operator PJM wants federal approval to stop power from flowing to data centers when system-wide electricity demand exceeds supply.
san.com
August 18, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Should data centers profit from a power shortage? A new proposal from America's largest power grid opens the door to paying tech to shut their facilities off when the grid needs power elsewhere.
If FERC approves, it will be up to the states to decide details. #energysky
straightarrowne.ws/4glhx1K
If FERC approves, it will be up to the states to decide details. #energysky
straightarrowne.ws/4glhx1K
Meta will not have to disclose energy use and job creation numbers for its $50 billion data center in Louisiana. Regulators voted 3-1 to overturn a judge's subpoena for #Meta to produce records to demonstrate the public benefit of 7 new gas power plants. #energysky
straightarrowne.ws/3TJlIwZ
straightarrowne.ws/3TJlIwZ
Regulators shield Meta job numbers in Louisiana as power plant debate grows
Louisiana’s utility regulator declined to force Meta to release records in the review of Entergy proposal to build new gas power plants.
san.com
August 12, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Meta will not have to disclose energy use and job creation numbers for its $50 billion data center in Louisiana. Regulators voted 3-1 to overturn a judge's subpoena for #Meta to produce records to demonstrate the public benefit of 7 new gas power plants. #energysky
straightarrowne.ws/3TJlIwZ
straightarrowne.ws/3TJlIwZ
Tech companies are in support of Gov. Abbott's data center standards, amid a pause on connecting new facilities to the ERCOT grid. Construction is going ahead, including off-grid gas generators. And the audit? It has not started yet, officials told me. #energysky #climate
straightarrowne.ws/4xy8iCk
straightarrowne.ws/4xy8iCk
Big Tech promises data center safeguards to comply with Texas audit
Companies that build data centers are lining up to express how their projects in Texas align with Gov. Greg Abbott’s standards.
san.com
August 11, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Tech companies are in support of Gov. Abbott's data center standards, amid a pause on connecting new facilities to the ERCOT grid. Construction is going ahead, including off-grid gas generators. And the audit? It has not started yet, officials told me. #energysky #climate
straightarrowne.ws/4xy8iCk
straightarrowne.ws/4xy8iCk
Utility companies say their contracts with data centers will yield cost savings for residential customers that could lower monthly payments. The full picture of data centers’ impact on monthly bills is more complicated.
A new must read from @san.com
#energysky #datacenters
A new must read from @san.com
#energysky #datacenters
Utilities are now pitching data centers as a way to cut electric costs
Utility companies say data centers will keep electric bills from rising. The full impact on monthly bills is more complicated.
san.com
August 10, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Utility companies say their contracts with data centers will yield cost savings for residential customers that could lower monthly payments. The full picture of data centers’ impact on monthly bills is more complicated.
A new must read from @san.com
#energysky #datacenters
A new must read from @san.com
#energysky #datacenters
Data center supporters often tout job creation, despite mixed signals on how many permanent roles they will actually create. But for some cities, the ratio of high tax revenue to more modest jobs is exactly why they want data centers. #energysky #datacenters
For @san.com
For @san.com
The big reason small cities want data centers. Hint: It’s not permanent jobs
Small-city mayors say they want data centers despite reports showing that the projects create an underwhelming number of permanent jobs.
buff.ly
July 31, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Data center supporters often tout job creation, despite mixed signals on how many permanent roles they will actually create. But for some cities, the ratio of high tax revenue to more modest jobs is exactly why they want data centers. #energysky #datacenters
For @san.com
For @san.com
In Nevada, a data center company wants to force decisions around who pays for grid upgrades into a closed door arbitration.
In a rare move, the state utility company NV Energy is suing to keep the process in public view. #energysky #datacenters
My latest for @san.com
san.com/cc/data-cent...
In a rare move, the state utility company NV Energy is suing to keep the process in public view. #energysky #datacenters
My latest for @san.com
san.com/cc/data-cent...
Data centers want a closed-door deal. Nevada’s electric utility is suing to stop it
Nevada’s largest utility company, NV Energy, is suing a data center company over potential impacts to resident’s electric bills.
san.com
July 30, 2026 at 10:39 PM
In Nevada, a data center company wants to force decisions around who pays for grid upgrades into a closed door arbitration.
In a rare move, the state utility company NV Energy is suing to keep the process in public view. #energysky #datacenters
My latest for @san.com
san.com/cc/data-cent...
In a rare move, the state utility company NV Energy is suing to keep the process in public view. #energysky #datacenters
My latest for @san.com
san.com/cc/data-cent...
At a city commission in Kansas, a teacher clapped in support of a speaker urging officials to vote down a data center proposal.
Police dragged him out of the meeting and placed him under arrest for "disorderly conduct."
The commission went on to OK the data center 5-0
straightarrowne.ws/4wtf2RO
Police dragged him out of the meeting and placed him under arrest for "disorderly conduct."
The commission went on to OK the data center 5-0
straightarrowne.ws/4wtf2RO
High school teacher arrested at city meeting after clapping for anti-data center speech
A high school teacher in Kansas was arrested at a city commission meeting last week after clapping in support of an anti-data center speaker.
san.com
July 28, 2026 at 4:58 PM
At a city commission in Kansas, a teacher clapped in support of a speaker urging officials to vote down a data center proposal.
Police dragged him out of the meeting and placed him under arrest for "disorderly conduct."
The commission went on to OK the data center 5-0
straightarrowne.ws/4wtf2RO
Police dragged him out of the meeting and placed him under arrest for "disorderly conduct."
The commission went on to OK the data center 5-0
straightarrowne.ws/4wtf2RO
Reposted by Keaton Peters
“This is about decisions being made rapidly and behind closed doors intentionally to reduce public scrutiny of these large data center projects,” said Alaina DiLaura, policy coordinator at the Alliance for Affordable Energy. @keatonpeters.bsky.social san.com/cc/meta-figh...
Meta fights order to disclose job, power figures for $50B Louisiana data center
Meta’s data center has become a potent test case for public trust in the regulatory process underlying how massive energy projects are built.
san.com
July 24, 2026 at 10:50 PM
“This is about decisions being made rapidly and behind closed doors intentionally to reduce public scrutiny of these large data center projects,” said Alaina DiLaura, policy coordinator at the Alliance for Affordable Energy. @keatonpeters.bsky.social san.com/cc/meta-figh...
A Judge ordered Meta to disclose how many permanent jobs its $50 billion data center in Louisiana will create. Meta is fighting to void the order.
Plans for 10 new power plants are testing public trust in the regulatory process. Will consumers foot the bill? #energysky
buff.ly/9KMvThu
Plans for 10 new power plants are testing public trust in the regulatory process. Will consumers foot the bill? #energysky
buff.ly/9KMvThu
Meta fights order to disclose job, power figures for $50B Louisiana data center
Meta’s data center has become a potent test case for public trust in the regulatory process underlying how massive energy projects are built.
buff.ly
July 23, 2026 at 9:46 PM
A Judge ordered Meta to disclose how many permanent jobs its $50 billion data center in Louisiana will create. Meta is fighting to void the order.
Plans for 10 new power plants are testing public trust in the regulatory process. Will consumers foot the bill? #energysky
buff.ly/9KMvThu
Plans for 10 new power plants are testing public trust in the regulatory process. Will consumers foot the bill? #energysky
buff.ly/9KMvThu
If Lake Mead's water falls below 1,035 feet — a level not seen since the reservoir was filled in the 1930s — it’s expected that 70% of the Hoover Dam’s current hydropower will be cut.
That could happen next Spring, according to a new study. #energysky #climate
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That could happen next Spring, according to a new study. #energysky #climate
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What does low water at the Hoover Dam mean for power in the American West?
The water level at Lake Mead is less than 10 feet away from rendering most of the hydroelectric turbines at the Hoover Dam inoperable.
buff.ly
July 20, 2026 at 6:30 PM
If Lake Mead's water falls below 1,035 feet — a level not seen since the reservoir was filled in the 1930s — it’s expected that 70% of the Hoover Dam’s current hydropower will be cut.
That could happen next Spring, according to a new study. #energysky #climate
buff.ly/w0i9T1G
That could happen next Spring, according to a new study. #energysky #climate
buff.ly/w0i9T1G
As energy costs rise, New Jersey passed three laws aimed at lowering electric bills and ensuring data centers pay their way onto the grid. How do they work?
straightarrowne.ws/3T8ZfsB
straightarrowne.ws/3T8ZfsB
How New Jersey is trying to rein in data centers and lower electric bills
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed three laws on Tuesday aimed at lowering electric bills and ensuring data centers pay for grid upgrades.
san.com
July 8, 2026 at 9:43 PM
As energy costs rise, New Jersey passed three laws aimed at lowering electric bills and ensuring data centers pay their way onto the grid. How do they work?
straightarrowne.ws/3T8ZfsB
straightarrowne.ws/3T8ZfsB
Electricity prices are surging as Americans face a major heatwave. It’s shaping up to be the most expensive day of the year for PJM, America’s largest regional power grid.
Summer bills are already projected to rise 10% this year. #energysky #climate
Stay cool, everyone
san.com/cc/electric-...
Summer bills are already projected to rise 10% this year. #energysky #climate
Stay cool, everyone
san.com/cc/electric-...
Electric grid strains while 150 million endure high heat ahead of July Fourth
Wholesale electricity prices on America’s most highly populated regional power grid are surging under the heat.
san.com
July 2, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Electricity prices are surging as Americans face a major heatwave. It’s shaping up to be the most expensive day of the year for PJM, America’s largest regional power grid.
Summer bills are already projected to rise 10% this year. #energysky #climate
Stay cool, everyone
san.com/cc/electric-...
Summer bills are already projected to rise 10% this year. #energysky #climate
Stay cool, everyone
san.com/cc/electric-...
Building energy infrastructure is like a Rubik's cube: Finance, permits, tech and politics must slide into place.
Whether it's a nuclear plant, offshore wind, transmission line or pipeline, delays and cancellations are the norm. What can change that? #energysky @san.com
buff.ly/ynq6p1a
Whether it's a nuclear plant, offshore wind, transmission line or pipeline, delays and cancellations are the norm. What can change that? #energysky @san.com
buff.ly/ynq6p1a
What will it take to solve the great American energy puzzle?
From transmission lines and pipelines to nuclear power plants and offshore wind turbines, the U.S. struggles to build energy infrastructure.
buff.ly
June 30, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Building energy infrastructure is like a Rubik's cube: Finance, permits, tech and politics must slide into place.
Whether it's a nuclear plant, offshore wind, transmission line or pipeline, delays and cancellations are the norm. What can change that? #energysky @san.com
buff.ly/ynq6p1a
Whether it's a nuclear plant, offshore wind, transmission line or pipeline, delays and cancellations are the norm. What can change that? #energysky @san.com
buff.ly/ynq6p1a
Trump's use of executive power in his second term has already altered how federal agencies operate, how legal accountability functions and what institutional norms govern the presidency.
Follow the link for Straight Arrow's deep dive on the future of Presidential power.
buff.ly/0xUHpou
Follow the link for Straight Arrow's deep dive on the future of Presidential power.
buff.ly/0xUHpou
The rule of law is at a 'breaking point.' Will future presidents have free rein?
A core American principle is that no one is above the law. But as presidents wield more power, what does the future hold for democracy?
buff.ly
June 29, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Trump's use of executive power in his second term has already altered how federal agencies operate, how legal accountability functions and what institutional norms govern the presidency.
Follow the link for Straight Arrow's deep dive on the future of Presidential power.
buff.ly/0xUHpou
Follow the link for Straight Arrow's deep dive on the future of Presidential power.
buff.ly/0xUHpou
New transmission lines are coming to Texas. They can unlock the full potential of renewable energy, but demand growth from oil and gas is the primary reason they're being built.
Ranchers along proposed routes say newl ines will disrupt their operations. #energysky
buff.ly/CZ4pfES
Ranchers along proposed routes say newl ines will disrupt their operations. #energysky
buff.ly/CZ4pfES
These ranchers heal the land. The power company drew a line through it
Transmission line routes across private property are driving a wedge between two quintessentially Texan industries: oil and cattle.
buff.ly
June 25, 2026 at 6:47 PM
New transmission lines are coming to Texas. They can unlock the full potential of renewable energy, but demand growth from oil and gas is the primary reason they're being built.
Ranchers along proposed routes say newl ines will disrupt their operations. #energysky
buff.ly/CZ4pfES
Ranchers along proposed routes say newl ines will disrupt their operations. #energysky
buff.ly/CZ4pfES