Solar News Today — September 22, 2026

As we look at the intersection of energy, environment, and policy, a common thread emerges: the tension between preserving natural resources and promoting development. In Pennsylvania, a novel idea is being floated to repurpose abandoned mines as data centers, potentially breathing new life into these sites while also supporting the growing demand for digital infrastructure. Meanwhile, in a move that could have far-reaching consequences for conservation, the Trump administration is pushing to open nearly all national forest trails to off-road vehicles, sparking concerns about erosion, habitat disruption, and the long-term health of these ecosystems.

These developments stand in contrast to a recent federal court ruling that rebuked the Trump administration for canceling clean energy grants, a decision that had been widely criticized by environmental advocates and industry stakeholders. The ruling underscores the ongoing debate about the role of government in supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. In Georgia, the repeal of a greenhouse gas rule is expected to lead to a significant increase in emissions from new sources, highlighting the potential consequences of rolling back climate regulations. As these stories illustrate, the choices we make about energy, conservation, and environmental policy will have lasting impacts on our planet and our communities.

Today's signal:
• Could Abandoned Mines House Pennsylvania’s Unwanted Data Centers? (insideclimatenews.org)
• Trump wants to open nearly all national forest trails to dirt bikes and ATVs (grist.org)
• Federal Judge Rules Against Trump Administration Over Canceled Clean Energy Grants (insideclimatenews.org)
• How Trump’s repeal of the greenhouse gas rule could double new emissions from Georgia (grist.org)