AI Data Center Cost Fight: The U.S. House overwhelmingly passed the Ratepayer Protection Act (417-3) to push states to make AI data centers cover the full cost of power and grid upgrades—aimed at stopping residents from paying for the AI boom. Energy Affordability Politics: Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said her team is weighing fall/winter relief as heating bills loom, while New York’s energy rebate checks are already turning into an election-year argument over whether one-time help is enough. Middle East Shock & Markets: Shell and Equinor warned that disruptions tied to the Iran conflict are stretching into a longer, tighter, more volatile global energy market as “shock absorbers” weaken. Rates Under Pressure: The Bank of England is set to hold rates, but surging energy prices are reviving talk of future hikes, while the U.S. Fed rate move is still sparking political heat. Storage Push: The UK launched an Ultra-Long Duration Energy Storage Challenge with grants for clean power storage lasting 100 hours or more to cut reliance on gas and blunt price spikes. Grid Resilience Tech: Duquesne Light and the U.S. DOE rolled out smarter grid monitoring in Pittsburgh to improve real-time response and reliability.