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Sustainable Energy and Infrastructure Developments: M&A Activity, Regulatory Shifts, and the Rise of Data Center Power Demand

Mintz· August 16, 2026

The clean energy and infrastructure landscape is undergoing significant shifts driven by the massive power requirements of AI-driven data centers and evolving regulatory frameworks. Recent developments include T1 Energy’s acquisition of battery manufacturer KORE Power to enter the energy storage market and the SEC’s proposal to rescind federal climate disclosure rules. These trends highlight the critical intersection of digital infrastructure growth, industrial decarbonization through technologies like thermal storage, and the ongoing legal challenges surrounding environmental reporting.

In a notable move for the energy storage sector, T1 Energy (NYSE: TE) reached a definitive agreement on June 3, 2026, to acquire KORE Power for $32 million, with a potential $9.6 million equity-based earn-out for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. This acquisition provides T1 Energy with a strategic entry into the energy storage and AI data center infrastructure markets, leveraging KORE’s proprietary NMC and LFP battery cell technology. Meanwhile, the Heartland Industrial Park project in Indiana, supported by Potentia and legal guidance from Mintz, is projected to generate $65 billion in investment by 2030. This massive development aims to deliver the power capacity required for next-generation technology operations and data centers, illustrating the scale of infrastructure needed to support the digital economy and create thousands of local jobs.

The regulatory environment for climate-related disclosures is facing significant changes at both the federal and state levels. On May 29, 2026, the SEC formally proposed the rescission of the Biden-era climate disclosure rule, arguing that the requirements exceeded the agency's statutory authority and strayed beyond the policy concerns of federal securities laws. While the rule had been stayed pending legal challenges, the move signals a symbolic shift in federal policy under the Trump administration. Concurrently, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced on June 24, 2026, a three-month delay for Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions reporting, moving the deadline from August 10 to November 10, 2026. This extension is intended to provide entities with more clarity on final regulations and allows additional time for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to review the validity of California’s disclosure laws.

As electricity demand surges, industry experts are focusing on speed to power and grid reliability as the defining factors for project success. Former FERC Commissioner Allison Clements and Mintz’s Steven Shparber have highlighted how interconnection delays and supply constraints are reshaping the market for digital infrastructure developers and investors. To address these needs, thermal storage technology is emerging as a vital tool for industrial decarbonization and grid efficiency. A recent white paper from Mintz and the Thermal Battery Alliance explores the regulatory barriers currently hindering thermal storage adoption and advocates for legislative changes to integrate these resources into wholesale electricity markets. These efforts aim to help the grid meet the energy demands of the future while lowering costs for industrial users seeking cleaner, more flexible energy solutions.

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