Shumita Basu

The trial is expected to last around eight weeks. Let's turn now to a big development in American energy infrastructure, what Vox calls the holy grail of clean energy. Because of the rise of lithium-ion batteries, our capacity to hold electricity in batteries that service our energy grids has increased five-fold in the last few years.

The trial is expected to last around eight weeks. Let's turn now to a big development in American energy infrastructure, what Vox calls the holy grail of clean energy. Because of the rise of lithium-ion batteries, our capacity to hold electricity in batteries that service our energy grids has increased five-fold in the last few years.

And this year, new battery installations are posed to almost double compared to 2024. Vox's Umair Irfan explained for us why this is such a big deal.

And this year, new battery installations are posed to almost double compared to 2024. Vox's Umair Irfan explained for us why this is such a big deal.

And this year, new battery installations are posed to almost double compared to 2024. Vox's Umair Irfan explained for us why this is such a big deal.

But battery-based energy storage is changing that, and fast. It allows electricity from solar and wind to be stored and used when needed. Or as backup power in emergencies when transmission lines are damaged. A big reason why this tech is advancing so quickly is because batteries have become a lot cheaper than they were a few decades ago. They're better at holding denser amounts of energy.

But battery-based energy storage is changing that, and fast. It allows electricity from solar and wind to be stored and used when needed. Or as backup power in emergencies when transmission lines are damaged. A big reason why this tech is advancing so quickly is because batteries have become a lot cheaper than they were a few decades ago. They're better at holding denser amounts of energy.

But battery-based energy storage is changing that, and fast. It allows electricity from solar and wind to be stored and used when needed. Or as backup power in emergencies when transmission lines are damaged. A big reason why this tech is advancing so quickly is because batteries have become a lot cheaper than they were a few decades ago. They're better at holding denser amounts of energy.

Erfan cited a few other reasons.

Erfan cited a few other reasons.

Erfan cited a few other reasons.

The other good news here is this type of energy storage is cleaner than traditional methods. The American power sector is the second largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. It's also getting old and in need of expensive repairs.

The other good news here is this type of energy storage is cleaner than traditional methods. The American power sector is the second largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. It's also getting old and in need of expensive repairs.

The other good news here is this type of energy storage is cleaner than traditional methods. The American power sector is the second largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. It's also getting old and in need of expensive repairs.

Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following. House Republicans published their proposal to deliver on Trump's tax-cutting agenda with a bill that suggests substantial cuts for Medicaid.

Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following. House Republicans published their proposal to deliver on Trump's tax-cutting agenda with a bill that suggests substantial cuts for Medicaid.

Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following. House Republicans published their proposal to deliver on Trump's tax-cutting agenda with a bill that suggests substantial cuts for Medicaid.

Analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated the plan would bring down spending by $715 billion over the next decade and, quote, reduce the number of people with health insurance by at least 8.6 million by 2034. Republicans plan to lower that number largely by tightening eligibility and work requirements. But internal divisions remain.

Analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated the plan would bring down spending by $715 billion over the next decade and, quote, reduce the number of people with health insurance by at least 8.6 million by 2034. Republicans plan to lower that number largely by tightening eligibility and work requirements. But internal divisions remain.

Analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated the plan would bring down spending by $715 billion over the next decade and, quote, reduce the number of people with health insurance by at least 8.6 million by 2034. Republicans plan to lower that number largely by tightening eligibility and work requirements. But internal divisions remain.