Future of nation’s energy grid hurt by Trump’s funding cuts

Roshanak (Roshi) Nateghi, Georgetown University

The Trump administration’s widespread cancellation and freezing of clean energy funding is also hitting essential work to improve the nation’s power grid. That includes investments in grid modernization, energy storage and efforts to protect communities from outages during extreme weather and cyberattacks. Ending these projects leaves Americans vulnerable to more frequent and longer-lasting power outages.

The Department of Energy has defended the cancellations, saying that “the projects did not adequately advance the nation’s energy needs, were not economically viable and would not provide a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars.” Yet before any funds are actually released through these programs, each grant must pass evaluations based on the department’s standards. Those included rigorous assessments of technical merits, potential risks and cost-benefit analyses — all designed to ensure alignment with national energy priorities and responsible stewardship of public funds.

I am an associate professor studying sustainability, with over 15 years of experience in energy systems reliability and resilience. In the past, I also served as a Department of Energy program manager focused on grid resilience. I know that many of these canceled grants were foundational investments in the science and infrastructure necessary to keep the lights on, especially when the grid is under stress.

The dollar-value estimates vary, and some of the money has already been spent. A list of canceled projects maintained by energy analysis company Yardsale totals about US$5 billion. An Oct. 2, 2025, announcement from the department touts $7.5 billion in cuts to 321 awards across 223 projects. Additional documents leaked to Politico reportedly identified additional awards under review. Some media reports suggest the full value of at-risk commitments may reach $24 billion — a figure that has not been publicly confirmed or refuted by the Trump administration.

These were not speculative ventures. And some of them were competitively awarded projects that the department funded specifically to enhance grid efficiency, reliability and resilience.

https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/WsNeF/1

Grid improvement funding

For years, the federal government has been criticized for investing too little in the nation’s electricity grid. The long-term planning — and spending — required to ensure the grid reliably serves the public often falls victim to short-term political cycles and shifting priorities across both parties.

But these recent cuts come amid increasingly frequent extreme weather, increased cybersecurity threats to the systems that keep the lights on, and aging grid equipment that is nearing the end of its life.

These projects sought to make the grid more reliable so it can withstand storms, hackers, accidents and other problems.

National laboratories

In addition to those project cancellations, President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for 2026 contains deep cuts to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, a primary funding source for several national laboratories, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which may face widespread layoffs.

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Among other work, these labs conduct fundamental grid-related research like developing and testing ways to send more electricity over existing power lines, creating computational models to simulate how the U.S. grid responds to extreme weather or cyberattacks, and analyzing real-time operational data to identify vulnerabilities and enhance reliability.

These efforts are necessary to design, operate and manage the grid, and to figure out how best to integrate new technologies.

Grid resilience and modernization

Some of the projects that have lost funding sought to upgrade grid management – including improved sensing of real-time voltage and frequency changes in the electricity sent to homes and businesses.

That program, the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program, also funded efforts to automate grid operations, allowing faster response to outages or changes in output from power plants. It also supported developing microgrids – localized systems that can operate independently during outages. The canceled projects in that program, estimated to total $724.6 million, were in 24 states.

For example, a $19.5 million project in the Upper Midwest would have installed smart sensors and software to detect overloaded power lines or equipment failures, helping people respond faster to outages and prevent blackouts.

A $50 million project in California would have boosted the capacity of existing subtransmission lines, improving power stability and grid flexibility by installing a smart substation, without needing new transmission corridors.

Microgrid projects in New York, New Mexico and Hawaii would have kept essential services running during disasters, cyberattacks and planned power outages.

Another canceled project included $11 million to help utilities in 12 states use electric school buses as backup batteries, delivering power during emergencies and peak demand, like on hot summer days.

Several transmission projects were also canceled, including a $464 million effort in the Midwest to coordinate multiple grid connections from new generation sites.

Long-duration energy storage

The grid must meet demand at all times, even when wind and solar generation is low or when extreme weather downs power lines. A key element of that stability involves storing massive amounts of electricity for when it’s needed.

One canceled project would have spent $70 million turning retired coal plants in Minnesota and Colorado into buildings holding iron-air batteries capable of powering several thousand homes for as many as four days.

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Rural and remote energy systems

Another terminated program sought to help people who live in rural or remote places, who are often served by just one or two power lines rather than a grid that can reroute power around an interruption.

A $30 million small-scale bioenergy project would have helped three rural California communities convert forest and agricultural waste into electricity.

Not all of the terminated initiatives were explicitly designed for resilience. Some would have strengthened grid stability as a byproduct of their main goals. The rollback of $1.2 billion in hydrogen hub investments, for example, undermines projects that would have paired industrial decarbonization with large-scale energy storage to balance renewable power. Similarly, several canceled industrial modernization projects, such as hybrid electric furnaces and low-carbon cement plants, were structured to manage power demand and integrate clean energy, to improve grid stability and flexibility.

The reliability paradox

The administration has said that these cuts will save money. In practice, however, they shift spending from prevention of extended outages to recovery from them.

Without advances in technology and equipment, grid operators face more frequent outages, longer restoration times and rising maintenance costs. Without investment in systems that can withstand storms or hackers, taxpayers and ratepayers will ultimately bear the costs of repairing the damage.

Some of the projects now on hold were intended to allow hospitals, schools and emergency centers to reduce blackout risks and speed power restoration. These are essential reliability and public safety functions, not partisan initiatives.

Canceling programs to improve the grid leaves utilities and their customers dependent on emergency stopgaps — diesel generators, rolling blackouts and reactive maintenance — instead of forward-looking solutions.

Roshanak (Roshi) Nateghi, Associate Professor of Sustainability, Georgetown University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The science section of our news blog STM Daily News provides readers with captivating and up-to-date information on the latest scientific discoveries, breakthroughs, and innovations across various fields. We offer engaging and accessible content, ensuring that readers with different levels of scientific knowledge can stay informed. Whether it’s exploring advancements in medicine, astronomy, technology, or environmental sciences, our science section strives to shed light on the intriguing world of scientific exploration and its profound impact on our daily lives. From thought-provoking articles to informative interviews with experts in the field, STM Daily News Science offers a harmonious blend of factual reporting, analysis, and exploration, making it a go-to source for science enthusiasts and curious minds alike. https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/

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Last Updated on September 4, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Super F-35

Lockheed Martin is quietly shaping the future of its flagship fighter, the F-35 Lightning II. With the U.S. Air Force pushing ahead on the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program — and Boeing recently securing the lead — Lockheed is looking at another path: evolving the F-35 into a “supercharged” version that could rival sixth-generation fighters at a fraction of the cost.

And here’s the twist: some of these concepts are drawing inspiration from the legendary Northrop YF-23, the stealth fighter that nearly became America’s premier air superiority jet back in the 1990s.

From F-35 to “Super F-35”

Lockheed executives have acknowledged the need to keep the F-35 relevant as adversaries field more advanced aircraft. CEO Jim Taiclet described the strategy as offering “80% of sixth-generation capability at roughly 50% of the cost.”

Rather than starting from scratch, the plan is to inject sixth-gen technologies into the F-35 platform, improving stealth, sensors, and weapons integration. Several proposed variants have been floated:

F-35D – Incremental improvements in range, sensors, and mission systems. F-35EX – A more radical redesign with new aerodynamics, canards, and possibly thrust vectoring. F-35FX / F-35GX – Experimental concepts featuring tailless delta or diamond-shaped designs, increased fuel capacity, and even greater stealth profiles.

Lockheed’s message is clear: the F-35 can still be stretched far beyond its current form.

Northrop YF-23 PAV-1 in flight.

Enter the YF-23 Connection

The YF-23, also known as the “Black Widow II,” was Northrop’s sleek, stealthy competitor to Lockheed’s YF-22 during the 1990 Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) competition. While the YF-22 eventually evolved into the F-22 Raptor, many aviation enthusiasts still regard the YF-23 as a superior design in stealth and speed.

Now, decades later, Darold Cummings — the original designer of the YF-23 — is influencing proposals for upgraded F-35 variants. His ideas bring echoes of the YF-23’s innovation, including:

Stretched fuselage for more fuel and better aerodynamics. Canard foreplanes to improve agility and control. Thrust vectoring engines that could eliminate the need for a vertical tail, reducing radar signature.

In effect, Lockheed may be merging proven YF-23 design philosophies with the global production and versatility of the F-35.

Why It Matters

The F-35 is already the world’s most widely adopted stealth fighter, serving over a dozen allied nations. A “super-F-35” would:

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Extend the aircraft’s service life well into the 2040s and beyond. Offer allies a more affordable alternative to costly sixth-gen programs. Potentially outpace rivals like China’s J-20 and Russia’s Su-57 by evolving faster than new programs can mature.

If even part of these concepts reach production, the F-35 may transform from a fifth-generation fighter into a bridge to sixth-generation air combat — carrying a touch of the YF-23’s DNA into the future.

Final Thoughts

Lockheed’s proposals remain just that — proposals. Whether the Pentagon or international partners are willing to fund radical upgrades is still an open question. But the idea of a YF-23-inspired Super F-35 has captured the imagination of aviation fans, blending a lost legend of the past with the frontline fighter of today.

If Lockheed pulls it off, the “Lightning II” may yet live up to its name in ways no one expected.

🔗 Related Reading:

• Trump floats possible new F-55 warplane and F-22 upgrade (Reuters)

• Trump’s vision for a twin-engine F-55 fighter jet faces reality check (Reuters)

Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter.  https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/

Last Updated on August 22, 2025 by Daily News Staff

The Mansfield UFO Incident of 1973 — also known as the Coyne Helicopter Encounter — is one of the most documented and credible UFO sightings ever recorded. Involving trained U.S. Army Reserve pilots, multiple civilian witnesses, and unexplained aircraft behavior, this case continues to puzzle both experts and skeptics.

Timeline of Events: October 18, 1973

Crew on board the UH-1H Huey helicopter:

Captain Lawrence J. Coyne – Pilot in Command First Lieutenant Arrigo Jezzi – Co-Pilot Sergeant John Healey – Crew Chief Sergeant Robert Yanacsek – Flight Medic

The helicopter was flying from Port Columbus to Cleveland Hopkins Airport, cruising at 2,500 feet, when events took a mysterious turn.

The First Sighting

At 11:05 PM, Sergeant Yanacsek spotted a red light on the horizon. At first, it seemed like a distant aircraft, but it began approaching rapidly — closing the distance at an estimated speed of over 600 knots.

Evasive Action and Radio Failure

Captain Coyne initiated a descent to avoid a collision, dropping from 2,500 feet toward 1,700 feet. Attempts to contact Mansfield Airport failed — both UHF and VHF radios went dead.

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Direct Confrontation

The approaching light slowed and stopped directly in front of the helicopter. The crew saw a metallic cigar-shaped craft approximately 60 feet long, with a dome and red and white lights at each end. Without warning, a brilliant green beam illuminated the cockpit.

Uncontrolled Ascent

The helicopter suddenly climbed at more than 1,000 feet per minute without pilot control, reaching 3,500 feet before the beam disappeared.

Civilian Witnesses Confirm the Event

Multiple witnesses on the ground in Mansfield reported seeing the same strange object. Some described the light as turning the night sky a vivid green. One family reported their yard was “lit up like daylight” during the encounter.

The UFO Departs

After several seconds, the green beam shut off. The UFO tilted upward, made a sharp 45-degree turn, and sped toward Lake Erie, disappearing from sight in seconds.

Official Recognition and Investigation

The case was investigated by:

The U.S. Army, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Civilian UFO research organizations

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It received national attention and won the National Enquirer Blue Ribbon Panel Award for “most scientifically valuable UFO report of 1973.”

Why the Coyne Incident Still Matters

The 1973 Mansfield UFO sighting stands out because:

Multiple trained military witnesses provided consistent testimony. Civilian eyewitness accounts matched the crew’s description. Electronic interference and unexplained flight behavior were documented. The UFO demonstrated controlled maneuvers beyond known aviation technology of the time.

🔗 Mansfield UFO Incident Related Links

• The Case of Ohio’s Best Documented UFO – Ohio Magazine

• Coyne Incident over Charles Mill Lake was most credible UFO sighting of 1973 – Ashland Source

• UFOs Over Richland County: 1973 – Richland County History

• Coyne Incident focused UFO attention on north central Ohio in 1973 – Richland Source

• Coyne Helicopter Incident – 1973 – Epilogue (Cleveland Ufology)

Dive into “The Knowledge,” where curiosity meets clarity. This playlist, in collaboration with STMDailyNews.com, is designed for viewers who value historical accuracy and insightful learning. Our short videos, ranging from 30 seconds to a minute and a half, make complex subjects easy to grasp in no time. Covering everything from historical events to contemporary processes and entertainment, “The Knowledge” bridges the past with the present. In a world where information is abundant yet often misused, our series aims to guide you through the noise, preserving vital knowledge and truths that shape our lives today. Perfect for curious minds eager to discover the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of everything around us. Subscribe and join in as we explore the facts that matter.  https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge/

Forgotten Genius Fridays

https://stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge-2/forgotten-genius-fridays/

🧠 Forgotten Genius Fridays

A Short-Form Series from The Knowledge by STM Daily News

Every Friday, STM Daily News shines a light on brilliant minds history overlooked.

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Forgotten Genius Fridays is a weekly collection of short videos and articles dedicated to inventors, innovators, scientists, and creators whose impact changed the world—but whose names were often left out of the textbooks.

From life-saving inventions and cultural breakthroughs to game-changing ideas buried by bias, our series digs up the truth behind the minds that mattered.

Each episode of The Knowledge runs 30–90 seconds, designed for curious minds on the go—perfect for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Reels, and quick reads.

Because remembering these stories isn’t just about the past—it’s about restoring credit where it’s long overdue.

 🔔 New episodes every Friday

📺 Watch now at: stmdailynews.com/the-knowledge

 🧠 Now you know.