TODAY'S LEAD: The Trump Administration's clean energy agenda faces immediate headwinds as a critical House vote on permitting reform falters amidst growing backlash against offshore wind, threatening to derail bipartisan efforts to accelerate infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, Ford dramatically reorients its US manufacturing strategy, pivoting away from electric pickup production toward battery storage systems, underscoring evolving market signals for clean energy technology.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

Permitting Bill Stalls Over Offshore Wind: A federal permitting reform vote faces delay in the House due to lawmaker concerns over offshore wind project impacts, Politico reports.
Ford Shifts US EV Plants to Battery Production: Ford will retool former US EV manufacturing sites to produce 5-MWh BESS and residential batteries, signaling a strategic pivot Solar Power World reveals.
Ford Cancels BlueOval City Electric Pickup: Ford scrapped plans for electric truck production at its Tennessee BlueOval City plant, opting for gas-powered models and battery manufacturing Michigan Advance reports.
San Antonio Utility Seeks 500 MW Battery Storage: CPS Energy issued an RFP for 500 MW of new battery storage, doubling its current capacity toward a 1 GW goal PV Magazine USA announced.
New Jersey Landfill Slated for Solar Project: Salem, New Jersey, seeks proposals to convert a 41-acre capped landfill into a solar energy project Solar Power World reported.

Solar & Storage

Utility-scale solar and battery storage projects continue their robust trajectory across the US, even as broader market forces prompt strategic shifts within major manufacturers. San Antonio's CPS Energy issued a critical Request for Proposals for 500 MW of battery storage, aiming to significantly expand its grid flexibility. This initiative will effectively double the utility’s current storage capacity, pushing them past a combined 1 GW of operational or contracted storage under their ambitious Vision 2027 Generation Plan. Developers with utility-scale energy storage experience have until January 30, 2026, to submit bids, offering a significant opportunity in the Texas market