The big sustainability news today is the US Department of Energy's announcement of billions of dollars in loans for energy transition.
$15B to PG&E for improved transmission lines, batteries, hydro power, virtual power plants and more
$9.6B for Ford's joint venture for EV battery manufacture
DOE financing requires a Community Benefits Plan and the Ford loan will come with worker training in Tennessee and Kentucky that includes, among other things, systems thinking! (What does that mean? Check out this 10 minute video intro.) This is a great way to advance sustainability. May those training programs be meaningfully implemented and monitored over time.
-Marshall Kirkpatrick
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Today and every day, our system scans over 1,000 green tech and sustainability organizations for updates. Below, you'll find:
A Visual of the Day
A digest-style Table of Contents for 150 selected updates from around the green tech and sustainability world
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Visual of the Day
Historical context for Ford's battery loan
These things take time; here's a timeline of events relevant to the Department of Energy's $9.6B loan to Ford for electric battery manufacturing. (Timeline made using Claude, fact-checked using Perplexity)
Today's Updates

Table of Contents
Agriculture (11 stories) - CGIAR's 50-year German partnership, East African agrivoltaics success, and global rangeland studies highlight shifting agricultural practices, while new food system metrics and Haryana crop surveys show adaptation to climate pressures
Carbon (8 stories) - Federal DAC hubs and NTU's carbon-capturing concrete advance amid methane concerns, Arctic emissions shift, and farm waste storage innovations
Circular (2 stories) - Enhanced PLA bioplastic breakthrough and Stuttgart IBA'27's construction material flow study advance circular building materials
Climate (1 story) - Music icon Graham Nash observes 460-inch rainfall decline at Hawaii residence over 30 years
Ecosystems (9 stories) - Eastern Australian waterbirds drop 50%, Gulf of California faces LNG threat, record Galaxea coral found off Bali, while Persian onagers return to Saudi reserves and Crimean oil spill endangers marine life
Efficiency (4 stories) - Ancient Roman aqueduct revival in Athens joins heat pump initiatives from California's Quick Start program and nationwide push, while induction cooking gains celebrity backing
Finance (12 stories) - DOE commits $9.63B to Ford's battery plants and $55B total in clean projects, while Convergent secures $150M from MUFG for solar+storage and Adaptation Fund aids vulnerable nations
Grid (14 stories) - Major grid auctions and expansions advance with China's $60/kWh battery tender, MISO's $21.8B transmission plan, and Germany's 2GW Baltic HVDC project, while tech giants Exxon, Google pursue data center power solutions and utilities adopt AI/quantum computing innovations
Indigenous (14 stories) - Prescribed burn associations, Pomo tribes, and global indigenous communities lead fire management initiatives while Peruvian, Indonesian, and Brazilian groups protect ancestral lands and traditional practices
Industry (13 stories) - Supply chain shifts as DOE maps hydrogen future; Crusoe Energy's $600M AI-power integration; rising costs hit concrete, textile decarbonization; STEP fusion advances; China's cobalt dominance grows
Policy (34 stories) - DOE reports $54B in clean energy benefits; EPA defends 9μg/m³ soot limits; Supreme Court preserves California emissions authority; Oregon ends gas subsidies; Shell wins UK protest injunctions
Renewables (12 stories) - Major wind projects from Apex Clean Energy and Vestas, JA Solar's voltage breakthrough, record tandem cell efficiency in Germany, and Australia's 4.9GW battery storage expansion highlight global renewable momentum
Transport (10 stories) - EV workforce surge shows 10x assembly jobs; EPA confirms 140 MPGe efficiency; BYD, Zeekr expand globally while Benzina Zero aids Gaza; Honda plans US hydrogen production amid mixed regional EV adoption rates
Agriculture
CGIAR's 50-year German partnership, East African agrivoltaics success, and global rangeland studies highlight shifting agricultural practices, while new food system metrics and Haryana crop surveys show adaptation to climate pressures
CGIAR and Germany mark 50 years and look ahead to inaugural Flagship Report (CGIAR) - Germany and CGIAR mark their 50-year alliance while previewing a landmark food system science report slated for April 2025.
Crop diversification for sustainable farming: What do farmers think? (CGIAR) - Indian farmers increasingly favor water-efficient crops like bajra, mustard, and maize over rice, according to a new Haryana survey highlighting adaptation despite economic hurdles.
Farming has always been gambling with dirt – but the odds are getting longer | Gabrielle Chan (The Guardian) - Australian farmers report crops ripening 2-3 weeks earlier than usual amid erratic rainfall patterns, threatening harvests and financial stability across the nation's £47bn agricultural sector.
Scientists can now predict how climate change will alter plant growth cycles (ScienceDaily) - Scientists have developed a model showing plants now begin flowering and leaf growth 3-4 weeks earlier than 150 years ago, using warming velocity to predict future climate impacts.
Study Reveals Benefits Of Agrivoltaics In East Africa (CleanTechnica) - New research shows East African agrivoltaic systems boost crop yields while cutting water consumption and delivering solar power to rural areas.
The Food Fighters (Anthropocene Magazine) - Two Indian brothers' high-tech and regenerative farming rivalry ends when their mother's hybrid approach proves 30% more productive on the family's contested land.
There’s a biodiversity crisis and the industrial food system is driving it (Via Campesina) - Industrial food systems threaten global biodiversity, with current agricultural practices causing species loss in both food production and natural ecosystems worldwide.
We must prioritize rangeland conservation for planetary health and biodiversity (commentary) (Mongabay) - Global rangelands, spanning 79 million square kilometers and supporting 2 billion people, receive just 10% representation in national climate plans despite their vital role in biodiversity and food security.
Inside the Good Meat Project’s mission to change meat consumption (AgFunderNews) - A new national directory and education initiative aims to connect consumers with local, ethical meat producers while building sustainable networks between farmers, butchers and retailers.
What do we know about the future of measuring food systems? (CGIAR) - Global researchers unveil 50 key indicators across five themes to track worldwide food systems, emphasizing critical gaps in data gathering and measurement standards.
After wildfires, ranchers face 2-year delay to graze cattle on federal land – is it doing more harm than good? (The Conversation) - Federal grazing restrictions forcing ranchers to wait two years after wildfires are causing financial hardship, despite studies indicating shorter recovery periods could adequately restore affected lands.
Carbon
Federal DAC hubs and NTU's carbon-capturing concrete advance amid methane concerns, Arctic emissions shift, and farm waste storage innovations
In the second Trump term, carbon removal faces its first major test | Latitude Media (Latitude Media) - A potential second Trump presidency threatens to slow $3.5 billion in federal carbon removal programs despite growing private investments and secure tax incentives.
Satellite data reveals true scale of methane pollution (Yale Climate Connections) - New satellite data reveals U.S. landfills emit 6 million metric tons of methane yearly, nearly double the 3.7 million metric tons reported to EPA in 2021.
Scientists develop 3D concrete printing method that captures carbon dioxide (ScienceDaily) - Scientists at NTU Singapore have created a 3D-printed concrete that captures 38% more carbon dioxide while increasing structural strength by 37% compared to traditional methods.
Six defining moments for carbon removal in 2024 (Carbon180) - Federal funding of $1.2 billion for direct air capture hubs, coupled with historic government purchases, propelled carbon removal efforts to unprecedented heights in 2024.
The Arctic’s Alarming Shift: From Climate Regulator to Carbon Source (AlaskaWild) - Arctic regions now emit more carbon than they absorb, as permafrost thaw, wildfires, and record temperatures in 2024 reverse centuries of carbon storage patterns.
The Simple Case for Regifting This Holiday Season (Atmos) - New research reveals regifting could slash holiday-related carbon emissions by 57%, yet social stigma continues to deter widespread adoption of this eco-friendly practice.
The surprisingly simple way to remove carbon from our atmosphere (Wren) - Scientists convert farm waste into sealed carbon blocks stored underground, targeting 50,000 tons of CO2 removal by 2025 at under $100 per ton while benefiting local communities.
Will AI save the planet? Why the evidence is flawed (The Conversation) - Studies questioning AI's environmental advantages expose significant gaps in carbon impact measurements and sustainability research methodologies, scientists report.
Circular
Enhanced PLA bioplastic breakthrough and Stuttgart IBA'27's construction material flow study advance circular building materials
Redefining PLA For Durable Applications Is Now Possible With Floreon's Technology (Floreon) - Scientists have developed a bioplastic formulation that enhances PLA's durability, flame resistance, and recyclability, making it suitable for engineering applications.
Urban Mining Scan IBA’27 Stuttgart (Metabolic) - Stuttgart's IBA'27 building exhibition launches material flow analysis across ten construction sites to boost urban mining potential in the industrial region's sustainable transformation.
Climate
Music icon Graham Nash observes 460-inch rainfall decline at Hawaii residence over 30 years
Graham Nash has witnessed climate change (YouTube) - Legendary musician Graham Nash reports a stark decline in rainfall at his Hawaii home, where yearly precipitation has dropped from 460 inches over three decades.
Ecosystems
Eastern Australian waterbirds drop 50%, Gulf of California faces LNG threat, record Galaxea coral found off Bali, while Persian onagers return to Saudi reserves and Crimean oil spill endangers marine life
‘Increasingly worried’: more than a quarter of a million waterbirds disappear from eastern Australia (The Guardian) - Annual aerial surveys show eastern Australian waterbird numbers have plummeted by 50%, with only 287,231 birds counted in 2024 compared to 579,641 in 2023.
‘Shifting baselines’ in Cabo Verde after 50 years of declining fish stocks (Mongabay) - Older fishers in Cabo Verde report 74% larger catches than today's generation, exposing a stark half-century decline in fish populations across the archipelago's waters.
"Hope & Harmony" with Dr Jane Goodall and Dr Sylvia Earle (CDL Singapore) - Two of the world's leading conservationists united for the first time in Asia, raising S$150,000 for environmental causes before 1,400 guests at Singapore's "Hope & Harmony" event.
Fossil Fuel Sacrifice Zone in the Aquarium of the World?! (NRDC) - A proposed $30 billion LNG export facility in Mexico threatens the Gulf of California's UNESCO World Heritage marine ecosystem while aiming to process 30 MMTA of natural gas for Asian markets.
Grassroots efforts sprout up to protect Central America’s Trifinio watershed (Mongabay) - Local communities mobilize to save Central America's Trifinio watershed, which faces a 20% reduction by 2050 due to pollution, deforestation and mining across Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
New strategies to overcome environmental polarization in the Mar Menor Lagoon (BC3) - Researchers propose stakeholder dialogue and shared ecosystem care to reduce environmental polarization in Spain's Mar Menor lagoon.
Scientists in Bali find what could be the world’s largest coral colony (Mongabay) - Scientists have discovered a massive 58x71-meter Galaxea astreata coral colony off Bali's Nusa Penida, which could surpass the recent Solomon Islands find as the world's largest.
Ukraine: Oil spill off Crimea poses huge environmental risk (DW) - A massive oil spill of 3,700 tons near Crimea's Kerch Strait threatens marine ecosystems with environmental damage experts say could match last year's Kakhovka dam catastrophe.
Time to Confront the Aquarium Trade’s ‘Gray Areas’ (The Revelator) - Amid welfare concerns and high mortality rates, a UK aquarium expert urges domestic breeding over imports in the $1.3 billion fish trade industry.
Efficiency
Ancient Roman aqueduct revival in Athens joins heat pump initiatives from California's Quick Start program and nationwide push, while induction cooking gains celebrity backing
Athens Has A Water Problem, So They Looked Back To The Ancients For Answers (CleanTechnica) - Athens has restored a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct to supply non-potable water for irrigation and cooling, targeting annual savings of 250 million gallons amid worsening drought conditions.
Induction Cooking with Chef Rachelle (Elders Climate Action) - Celebrity chef Rachelle showcases induction cooking's 90% energy efficiency while preparing charred vegetables, proving it outperforms traditional gas stoves in both safety and temperature control.
The key to successfully deploying heat pump water heaters? Funding innovation. (Utility Dive) - California's Quick Start Grant program drives heat pump water heater adoption by testing plug-in 120V technology and offering gas loaner initiatives.
Yet another reason why heat pumps are awesome: health benefits (Canary Media) - Heat pump adoption across America could save 3,400 lives per year and cut 300,000 tons of indoor air pollution by reducing fossil fuel use in homes.
Finance
DOE commits $9.63B to Ford's battery plants and $55B total in clean projects, while Convergent secures $150M from MUFG for solar+storage and Adaptation Fund aids vulnerable nations
Adaptation Fund: 17 Years of Pioneering Adaptation Action (Adaptation Fund) - The Adaptation Fund has provided direct climate funding access to vulnerable nations for 17 years, delivering concrete solutions for urgent environmental challenges.
Another distributed deal done: Convergent closes financing facility from Mitsubishi (Renewable Energy World) - Energy developer Convergent has secured a $150M financing facility from MUFG to advance distributed solar and storage projects across America, expanding its $1B development pipeline.
Fitch Ratings Upgrades MCE’s Credit Rating from BBB+ to A- (MCE) - California's MCE has secured a higher Fitch credit rating of A-, up from BBB+, following strong customer retention and improved liquidity metrics.
Ford Gets $9.63 Billion Loan for BlueOval SK from US DOE (CleanTechnica) - US Department of Energy's $9.63 billion loan to Ford's BlueOval SK will fund three EV battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky, generating 7,500 permanent jobs.
Four Ways to Jump-Start Clean Hydrogen Finance in 2025 (RMI) - New research identifies five key financing barriers between hydrogen developers and lenders, proposing four market solutions to boost clean hydrogen investment next year.
Milford Holdings LLC closes on 1.1-megawatt solar project (CT Green Bank) - Connecticut-based Milford Holdings LLC has secured $2.2M in C-PACE financing for a 1.1MW solar installation projected to generate $4M in energy revenue over two decades.
Northvolt’s Failure: A Wake-Up Call for Green Policy in Europe and the U.S. (Energy Central) - Asian battery makers maintain dominance as Europe's Northvolt collapses despite $15B funding and $50B orders, exposing green manufacturing hurdles in Western markets.
The Department of Energy’s loan office is more popular than ever | Latitude Media (Latitude Media) - The Department of Energy's loan office has committed $55 billion across 33 projects amid a surge in applications from companies racing to secure funding before potential political changes.
Unlocking Insurance to Rebuild Stronger and Greener after Disasters (EDF) - Insurance providers could spur climate-resilient rebuilding by offering policy endorsements that fund green upgrades during post-disaster reconstruction efforts.
What’s the TFFF? A forest finance tool ‘like no other’ shows promise, pitfalls (Mongabay) - A proposed Brazilian facility seeks to protect forests by generating $4 billion yearly through a $125 billion investment portfolio backed by wealthy nations and institutions.
Young people in Africa call for a fair increase in funding for climate adaptation (Mongabay) - African youth activists are demanding $40 billion yearly for climate adaptation while launching a campaign seeking $630 billion in renewable energy investments across the continent by 2030.
Bluesky has Blue Ocean Potential for Climate Tech Marketers (Alder & Co.) - Climate tech marketers find fertile ground on Bluesky, where chronological feeds and engaged users create opportunities amid less competition than rival platforms X and Threads.
Grid
Major grid auctions and expansions advance with China's $60/kWh battery tender, MISO's $21.8B transmission plan, and Germany's 2GW Baltic HVDC project, while tech giants Exxon, Google pursue data center power solutions and utilities adopt AI/quantum computing innovations
“Mind blowing:” Battery cell prices plunge in China’s biggest energy storage auction (RenewEconomy) - Battery cell prices have plummeted to $US60.5-82/kWh in China's largest energy storage auction, which includes a 16GWh tender with 20-year maintenance and installation services.
🌏 The data center power shift #226 (CTVC) - Energy giants Exxon, Google, and ECL unveil competing strategies using gas+CCS, renewables, and hydrogen to power AI data centers amid soaring electricity demands.
2-GW Offshore Grid Connection Takes Shape in the German Baltic Sea (POWER) - German energy officials awarded a consortium the nation's first 2-GW HVDC offshore grid project, connecting Baltic Sea wind farms to the mainland via 110km of subsea cable.
Con Edison opening up storage procurement to include distributed portfolios (Renewable Energy World) - New York utilities Con Edison and Orange & Rockland are seeking bids for distributed energy storage portfolios exceeding 5MW, with projects set to launch across service territories by 2030.
Electricity Users May Warm To The Next Trend: Virtual Power Plants (Forbes) - Smart home devices and distributed energy assets could provide 60 gigawatts of grid capacity at half the cost of traditional power plants through virtual power plant networks.
How cyber attacks could threaten the energy transition | Latitude Media (Latitude Media) - Sophisticated cyber attacks and the surge in IoT devices pose mounting risks to power grid security, Microsoft warns, threatening global clean energy goals.
Hurricane Helene Killed 49 in South Carolina’s Upstate Region as Costs of Damage and Response Exceed $370 Million (Inside Climate News) - Forty-nine people died and damages topped $370 million after Hurricane Helene ravaged South Carolina's upstate region with fallen trees and widespread power outages.
HVDC Transmission Between Europe & North America Makes Fiscal Sense (CleanTechnica) - A new study reveals intercontinental power cables could save billions by connecting European and North American grids to leverage time zone differences and renewable energy patterns.
Midwest Grid Operator Beats Its Own Record, but the Work Is Not Done Yet (NRDC) - The Midcontinent Independent System Operator has approved a $21.8 billion transmission expansion that will enable 100GW of clean energy capacity, potentially delivering $101 billion in benefits across eleven Midwest states.
NERC adopts 2 new standards to boost extreme weather reliability (Utility Dive) - Grid regulators approved two standards requiring temperature planning and emergency assessments, alongside three critical infrastructure protection updates, to enhance reliability during extreme weather events.
Regulator rejects Basslink bid in draft decision on troubled undersea cable (RenewEconomy) - Australian regulators rejected APA Group's bid to convert the 500MW Basslink undersea cable into a regulated transmission asset, citing inadequate market benefits versus consumer costs.
The Age of Electrons Has Arrived, but Maybe Not for the Right Reasons (Heatmap News) - Global utility spending will exceed oil and gas investments for the first time in 2024, fueled largely by data centers' massive power demands rather than climate initiatives.
The Transformative Role of Quantum Computing in Revolutionizing Energy and Technology (EnergyCentral) - Department of Energy researchers report a 25% boost in grid efficiency using IBM's quantum algorithms, enhancing renewable energy systems and battery technology across the nation.
The state of utility AI adoption: ‘aggressive incrementalism’ | Latitude Media (Latitude Media) - U.S. utilities are embracing AI through systematic, data-driven approaches to solve operational issues while carefully managing technical and regulatory hurdles.
Indigenous
Prescribed burn associations, Pomo tribes, and global indigenous communities lead fire management initiatives while Peruvian, Indonesian, and Brazilian groups protect ancestral lands and traditional practices
A Shared Love for Community-Led Fire: The 2024 PBA Leader’s Exchange in California (Fire Networks) - Leaders from over 25 prescribed burn associations converged at California's Hopland Research Center to tackle fire management and tribal partnerships across the state.
Armed conflict, not Batwa people, at heart of Grauer’s gorillas’ decline in DRC park (Mongabay) - Armed conflict in DRC's Kahuzi-Biega National Park drove Grauer's gorilla populations down between 1994-2003, as refugees, poaching, and mining took their toll.
Asociacion Non Manish (Equator Initiative) - A Peruvian indigenous group has restored 520 hectares of Amazon rainforest across five communities while preserving traditional cultural practices and protecting local biodiversity.
Celebrating 10 Years of the Blog! (Fire Networks) - Network marks decade-long milestone with 680-plus published stories from global practitioners, researchers and indigenous communities sharing wildfire resilience strategies.
Community Weaving for Eco-Cultural Restoration: Partnering with Tribes in Lake County, CA (Fire Networks) - Local tribes and scientists unite in Lake County, California, combining traditional Pomo knowledge with modern research to protect Clear Lake's watershed and reduce wildfire risks.
Engaging Communities with Prescribed Fire: Lessons Learned from PBA Outreach in Fire-Prone Areas (Fire Networks) - Experts share insights from Northern California workshops aimed at helping fire-prone communities embrace prescribed burning through trauma-informed outreach and strategic planning.
Escape Into the Story: Three Longform Reads for Your Weekend (Fire Networks) - Interactive narratives delve into wilderness fire management, Texas wildfire resilience, and Fire Learning Network partnerships through three new StoryMaps.
How climate change is changing calendars — and what to do about it (Nature) - Climate change is disrupting traditional timekeeping systems worldwide, forcing communities to adapt centuries-old cultural practices as seasonal patterns shift dramatically.
On Indonesia’s unique Enggano Island, palm oil takes root in an Indigenous society (Mongabay) - Indigenous leaders on Indonesia's remote Enggano Island are fighting a 15,000-hectare palm oil project, citing threats to water resources and local ecosystems.
Reconectar com a natureza para evitar o fim do mundo (Instituto Socioambiental) - Brazilian environmental experts propose a nature-based restoration model inspired by indigenous wisdom to tackle ecological and social challenges affecting Earth's future.
Returning to our roots: the value of ancestral knowledge in facing future challenges (UNDRR) - Indigenous communities across Latin America, including Panama's Guna people, are applying centuries-old practices to tackle climate threats while maintaining cultural traditions amid rising sea levels.
Untrammeling the Wilderness (Fire Networks) - Scientists urge federal wilderness managers to embrace prescribed and Indigenous burning practices, citing data showing 120 years of fire suppression has damaged natural ecosystems.
Voces del Fuego (Voices of Fire) (Fire Networks) - Fifty fire practitioners from 27 organizations across eight countries unite in California's first Spanish-language prescribed burn training program, captured in "Voces del Fuego."
A Dakota Recipe That Brings Tradition to the Table (Atmos) - A Dakota chef preserves ancestral heritage by sharing a generations-old squash bowl recipe featuring wild rice and traditional cooking techniques from Oceti Sakowin lands.
Industry
Supply chain shifts as DOE maps hydrogen future; Crusoe Energy's $600M AI-power integration; rising costs hit concrete, textile decarbonization; STEP fusion advances; China's cobalt dominance grows
‘The state doesn’t want to know’: Doctors raise alarm on children’s health crisis in Chile’s copper heartland (Climate Change News) - Doctors warn of rising autism rates near Chile's copper mines, as officials ignore potential health risks from pollution linked to clean energy production.
5 Ways a Green Supply Chain Strategy Boosts Your Bottom Line (RyeStrategy) - Green supply chain strategies drive profits up 35% through larger contracts, lower operating costs, rising consumer demand, regulatory compliance and enhanced talent recruitment, new data shows.
A phased Hydrogen transition. (Energy Central) - Department of Energy outlines three-phase hydrogen economy transition, targeting efficiency gains and infrastructure development to boost clean energy adoption.
Brazil paper and pulp industry invests in blockchain to comply with EUDR (Mongabay) - Brazilian paper producers face costs up to $230 per ton as they adopt blockchain technology to comply with new EU deforestation regulations.
Building with earth could transform sustainable construction – here’s how (The Conversation) - Despite its proven durability and eco-friendly nature, rammed earth construction struggles to gain widespread acceptance due to social stigma, lack of standards and elevated labor expenses.
China will dominate global cobalt supply by 2030. Chinese companies own control stakes in the world’s largest deposits. (EnergyCentral) - Chinese firms are set to control nearly half of global cobalt mining within seven years, holding majority stakes in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia's richest deposits.
Commentary: Ohio should replicate Pennsylvania’s success cutting methane pollution (Energy News Network) - Pennsylvania's methane mitigation sector added 22.2% more jobs in three years while cutting emissions, setting a clear example for neighboring Ohio to follow.
December Newsletter 2024 (Kyoto Fusioneering) - Japanese and British fusion firms join forces with STEP Programme to advance tritium breeding research for spherical tokamak reactors.
Green hydrogen and the financing challenge (The Hindu) - India's green hydrogen sector has achieved just 10 percent of its 2030 production targets amid steep capital costs and pricing hurdles.
Guidance for Developing Performance Standards and Specifications for Concrete (RMI) - New guidance outlines stakeholder roles and testing protocols for developing performance-based concrete standards, promoting collaboration to accelerate low-carbon concrete adoption across industries.
Lower-Emissions Fabrics of the Future: How to create a market for low-emissions clothes and textile products (RMI) - Industry experts warn that high production costs and inconsistent emissions tracking pose significant barriers to expanding low-carbon textile markets, despite growing consumer interest in sustainable fashion.
Report Says $6.5 Billion in Unburned Coal Sitting at U.S. Power Plants (POWER Magazine) - U.S. power plants are stockpiling $6.5 billion in unused coal, maintaining 120-day reserves while burning only half the daily amount consumed in 2015.
The rise of Crusoe and its $600 million bet on AI infrastructure | Latitude Media (Latitude Media) - Crusoe Energy secures $600M in funding to expand its AI infrastructure operations, including a 1.2GW computing cluster in Texas that integrates power generation, data centers, and manufacturing capabilities.
Policy
DOE reports $54B in clean energy benefits; EPA defends 9μg/m³ soot limits; Supreme Court preserves California emissions authority; Oregon ends gas subsidies; Shell wins UK protest injunctions
2023 Progress report: Implementation of the UN Plan of Action on disaster risk reduction for resilience (UNDRR) - UN agencies bolstered disaster risk reduction in 2023, expanding early warning systems and gender-responsive strategies across member states despite ongoing implementation challenges.
2024 EERE Investment Snapshot Report Overview: Clean Energy Developments Yield Major Benefits (EESI) - Federal clean energy investments have generated $54 billion in economic benefits and created 143,000 jobs since 2014, according to a new Department of Energy report.
50th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act: Why Isn’t Drinking Water Safer? (NRDC) - Despite five decades of federal water protections, 63 million Americans face contaminated tap water due to utility resistance, lax oversight, and outdated standards.
As Earth dries out, countries fail to reach drought agreement (Climate Home News) - Global efforts to combat rising land dryness falter as US and other nations reject Africa's call for binding drought measures at UN desertification summit in Riyadh.
Bougie moms, unite! Our superpowers could be the key to saving our kids’ future (Yale Climate Connections) - Wealthy mothers are being called upon to use their combined $2.4 trillion in spending power to influence climate policy and secure a safer environmental future for their children.
Brazil passes law to cap emissions and regulate carbon market (Mongabay) - Brazil's parliament has approved a landmark emissions trading law that sets national carbon caps but exempts the agricultural sector, which accounts for 74% of the country's greenhouse gas output.
California to ease enforcement action on climate rules for first year of reporting (Utility Dive) - California regulators will waive penalties for companies failing to meet emissions reporting requirements in 2026, the first year of compliance under Senate Bill 253.
Community Wildfire Defense Grants: A Round Three Application Primer (Fire Networks) - US Forest Service launches $200 million grant program, enabling communities and Tribes to mitigate wildfire risks through February 2025.
D.C. Circuit Hears Oral Argument in Challenges to EPA’s National Health-Based Standards for Soot (EDF) - Federal judges heard arguments over EPA's tightened soot standards of 9 micrograms per cubic meter, which could prevent 100,000 premature deaths annually.
Denmark refuses to extradite whaling activist Paul Watson to Japan, says lawyer (The Guardian) - Danish authorities have rejected Japan's extradition request for Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson, who was arrested in Greenland for alleged anti-whaling activities in 2010.
How does La Niña affect India’s climate? | Explained (The Hindu) - La Niña's expected late arrival in 2024-25 signals milder winters, gentler summers, and increased monsoon rainfall across India.
International and state interference in US energy policy must end (Energy Central) - A leading energy analyst warns that foreign climate accords and state lawsuits threaten American energy independence, pointing to Europe's failed policies as evidence for maintaining fossil fuel development.
International Court of Justice Hears Climate Pleas Ahead of Issuing an Advisory Opinion (InsideClimateNews) - Nations worldwide testify before the International Court of Justice, as developing countries seek accountability from major carbon emitters ahead of a landmark 2025 climate ruling.
It's worth mixing it up: what combination of policies will lead to a clean energy future? (ScienceDaily) - New research reveals combining multiple clean energy policies proves 40% more effective at driving solar and heat pump adoption than single incentives, particularly benefiting rental properties.
Justices could scale back environmental law in NEPA case (Utility Dive) - The Supreme Court is considering limits to NEPA environmental reviews while examining an 88-mile Utah railway project designed for crude oil transport.
Landmark ICJ climate change hearing concludes; opinion expected in 2025 (Mongabay) - After hearing from 96 nations on greenhouse gas obligations, the International Court of Justice has concluded its historic climate change case, with a ruling anticipated in early 2025.
Levels of Cancer-Causing Benzene Reached New Heights in Beleaguered Channelview. Regulators Never Told Residents (Inside Climate News) - Air quality monitors detected benzene levels three times above Texas state limits in Channelview, yet officials withheld this evacuation-worthy data from residents.
LiveEO | 28 EUDR Definitions You Need to Know (LiveEO) - New EU regulations outline 28 key definitions requiring businesses to provide geolocation data and due diligence for high-risk commodities by 2025 to ensure deforestation-free supply chains.
Mayotte cyclone: health services in ruins as rescuers race to reach survivors (The Guardian) - Cyclone Chido has devastated health facilities and informal settlements across Mayotte, threatening thousands of lives in France's most impoverished overseas territory.
Mayotte: drone footage shows cyclone damage as French official tells rescuers not to panic – video (The Guardian) - Drone footage captures catastrophic destruction across French territory Mayotte, where thousands are feared dead amid widespread collapse of health services and infrastructure.
More than 6m homes at risk of flooding in England, says Environment Agency (The Guardian) - Rising flood risks from rivers, sea, and surface water threaten 6.3 million English homes, with experts projecting an increase to 8 million properties by 2050.
Northern India and Pakistan are yet again engulfed in a haze of pollution — but a lasting solution is possible (Nature) - Air pollution across northern India and Pakistan has reached twenty times WHO safety limits, impacting millions as experts call for year-round solutions in transport and waste sectors.
Oregon Energy Victory Saves Consumers Millions, Makes Climate Progress (Earthjustice) - Oregon regulators have ordered Northwest Natural to end gas line subsidies by 2027 and halt customer charges for climate-related lobbying, a move expected to save consumers millions annually.
Permitting Solutions for a Strong, Clean and Reliable Grid Must Continue (EDF) - Despite polls showing 72% of voters back grid expansion, Congress omitted clean energy permitting reforms from its year-end funding package.
Plastic products should tell you how clean they are. Here’s how they can. (RMI) - New guidance mandates emissions reporting across the entire plastic production chain, empowering consumers to make climate-conscious choices at the point of purchase.
Shell Wins Injunctions Against UK Gas Station Protesters Amid Growing Threats to Activism (Inside Climate News) - Shell secured five-year UK court injunctions limiting protests at its facilities, as global authorities intensify restrictions on climate activism.
Supreme Court Will Not Consider Constitutional Challenges to California Clean Vehicle (SCOTUS) - The Supreme Court has declined to review challenges to California's vehicle emission standards, focusing solely on oil industry standing claims.
TCN Workshop: Green jobs and green skills: What are they and how can I help my students get some? (TCN Workshop) - Education expert Christina Kwauk outlines green career pathways and teaching methods to help educators guide students toward sustainability-focused jobs.
The Democrats finally come clean on gas (The Crucial Years) - US Department of Energy admits liquefied natural gas exports drive up global emissions and hinder renewable energy growth, marking a stark policy shift from previous administrations.
The View from Washington (3): An essay on Trump 2.0 and climate politics. (Energy Central) - Internal GOP divisions emerge over Trump's America First agenda as Biden administration accelerates environmental safeguards ahead of potential 2024 transition.
This Ocean Wave Has Rights (Nautilus) - A Brazilian coastal town has granted legal personhood to an ocean wave, eight years after a mining disaster contaminated over 400 miles of the Rio Doce river system.
Tropical Cyclone Chido’s Horrifying Destruction (Heatmap News) - Tropical Cyclone Chido, the region's most powerful storm since 1924, has left 14 dead in Mayotte after unleashing 136-mph winds that devastated neighborhoods across the French territory.
US Supreme Court Rules Against Red States In California Emissions Waiver Case (CleanTechnica) - The Supreme Court has rejected a challenge from Republican-led states to California's authority to set tougher vehicle emissions standards under EPA waivers.
Watchdog warns Defra and Ofwat they could face court over sewage dumping (The Guardian) - Environmental watchdog threatens legal action against three UK agencies for failing to prevent illegal sewage dumping in England's waterways during non-extreme weather.
Renewables
Major wind projects from Apex Clean Energy and Vestas, JA Solar's voltage breakthrough, record tandem cell efficiency in Germany, and Australia's 4.9GW battery storage expansion highlight global renewable momentum
“Tidal wave” of big batteries and record solar and wind put 2030 renewables target within reach (RenewEconomy) - Australia's surge in renewable deployment, featuring 4.9GW of battery storage within a total 7.5GW capacity, positions the nation to achieve its 82% clean energy goal by 2030.
Apex finances wind farms in Illinois and North Carolina (Renewable Energy World) - Apex Clean Energy has secured financing for two wind farms totaling 489MW across Illinois and North Carolina, attracting major tech companies and utilities as power buyers.
Coalition’s nuclear plan will hit Earth with 1.7bn extra tonnes of CO2 before 2050, experts warn (The Guardian) - Experts warn nuclear energy plans would generate 1.7bn extra tonnes of CO2 by 2050, as coal plants remain operational longer and delay the shift to renewable power sources.
JA Solar’s Bycium+ Cell Sets New Record For Open-Circuit Voltage — 748.6mV (CleanTechnica) - Chinese solar manufacturer JA Solar has achieved a 748.6mV open-circuit voltage with its new Bycium+ TOPCon cell, verified by Germany's ISFH.HIGH.
Local Energy, Global Lessons: How Ranch Sereno Models the Future of Community-Centered Energy (CleanTechnica) - A California solar project has created local jobs and fostered community engagement while prioritizing environmental planning at Ranch Sereno.
Mingyang’s two-headed floating wind turbine begins operations, despite fractures in giant blades (RenewEconomy) - China's Mingyang Smart Energy has launched its 16MW floating dual-turbine wind platform OceanX, even as blade fractures plague its separate 20MW turbine development.
Renew Economy is hiring to expand its team and deepen its coverage of the energy and EV transition (RenewEconomy) - Leading Australian clean energy news outlet seeks experienced journalist to expand coverage of renewables and electric vehicles, with role commencing February 2025.
Rooftop solar keeps getting more accessible. Here’s why. (Canary Media) - Median household income for rooftop solar adopters has fallen by $26,000 since 2010, signaling wider adoption across economic groups.
Solar: Shop Smart (EnergyInfo.Oregon.gov) - Oregon officials urge residents to scrutinize solar installation offers, as panel costs drop 50% while incentives rise, prompting concerns over deceptive "free solar" marketing schemes.
Solving The Silicon-Perovskite Tandem Solar Cell Puzzle (CleanTechnica) - German scientists achieve record-breaking 31.6% efficiency with new silicon-perovskite tandem solar cells, balancing peak performance with commercial potential despite lead content.
Tasmania port tapped as key offshore wind hub, days after declaration of Bass Strait zone (RenewEconomy) - Port of Bell Bay will host a 25-hectare renewable energy terminal near Tasmania's newly declared 20GW Bass Strait wind zone.
Vestas Will Supply Turbines for 1.1-GW Scottish Offshore Wind Project (POWER Magazine) - Danish wind giant Vestas will deliver 72 turbines totaling 1.1-GW to Scotland's Inch Cape offshore project, with installation starting 2026 and completion expected 2027.
Transport
EV workforce surge shows 10x assembly jobs; EPA confirms 140 MPGe efficiency; BYD, Zeekr expand globally while Benzina Zero aids Gaza; Honda plans US hydrogen production amid mixed regional EV adoption rates
Cars in Australian cities are emitting less – but in the regions exhaust emissions are growing (The Conversation) - Urban vehicle emissions across Australia have fallen while regional areas face rising exhaust levels due to slower EV uptake, longer commutes and scarce charging stations.
Deloitte Complicit In Indefensible Brampton Hydrogen Bus CUTRIC Study (CleanTechnica) - Deloitte's economic analysis of Brampton's $16M transit study understated hydrogen bus fleet costs by $1.5B while supporting CUTRIC Board members with conflicting hydrogen interests.
Electric Vehicles Create More Jobs than Fossil Fuel Vehicles — Research (CleanTechnica) - New research reveals electric vehicle manufacturing employs ten times more assembly workers than traditional combustion vehicles, with one plant maintaining triple its workforce after ten years.
EV Model Year 2024 Efficiency Ranges From 53 To 140 MPGe (CleanTechnica) - New EPA data reveals 2024 electric vehicles achieve up to 140 MPGe, nearly triple the efficiency of top-performing gasoline cars at 57 MPG.
Exclusive — Benzina Zero Teams Up with BeamWell to Provide Gaza Relief (CleanTechnica) - Italian e-moped maker Benzina Zero and BeamWell are delivering water desalination systems and electric scooters to Gaza through Jordan to aid humanitarian efforts.
How Fleets Can Electrify Light-Duty Commercial Vehicles (RMI) - Global fleet data reveals light-duty commercial vehicles can match gas vehicle costs while slashing emissions by 90% through strategic electrification planning and data-driven implementation.
Why Ohio companies are investing in hydrogen cars despite infrastructure issues (Energy News Network) - Ohio firms forge ahead with hydrogen vehicle investments, including Honda's first US-made hybrid hydrogen car in Marysville, despite limited refueling infrastructure across the state.
Will Some US Automakers Hit Crisis During Trump Term? (CleanTechnica) - US automakers face mounting challenges amid EV transition and economic risks, with industry experts warning of potential collapse if federal bailouts become unavailable during a second Trump term.
Zeekr 7X — Super Quick, Luxurious SUV for Europe (CleanTechnica) - Chinese automaker Zeekr enters Europe's luxury market with its €52,990 7X electric SUV, boasting 615km range, 3.8-second acceleration to 100km/h, and 480kW charging speeds.
BYD Enters Peru (CleanTechnica) - Chinese automaker BYD launches five electric models in Peru, with plans to open seven stores by 2025 while exploring local manufacturing and public transport opportunities.
And those are today's updates!
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