Disastrous forest news, investments in renewables, and ag impacts of climate change

The ice is melting and the forests are on fire. It's an intense time to be alive - let's invest in alternatives, support what's working, and act to stop the biggest drivers of climate disruption that we can. We aim to help you make an impact with the information you'll find here.

We looked at thousands of sources this morning and want to offer two varieties of highlight reel: The top climate-related stories being talked about around the world and (if you subscribe by email) 3 picked out just for you.

Today's Top Climate Stories

What's getting the most trade & popular press coverage today

1. Forests in peril: Devastating forest news. WRI reports that global forest loss doubled in 2024, primarily due to wildfires, which released 4X as much emissions as global air travel. (Also covered in Climate Change News and DW.) Much of this is in Brazil, Bolivia, and Columbia. A Guardian editorial says forest defenders must have support but the Trump administration is reportedly aiming to clearcut South Dakota's Black Hills.

2. Corporate action: Apple is a climate leader that should be celebrated, Environmental Defense Fund argues in defending Apple against charges of greenwashing; it's a move unlike anything EDF has done before (Trellis). JP Morgan signed one of the biggest, lowest cost carbon removal deals in history (ESG Today) - but it's retrofitting a paper mill, so see the forests news above for goodness sake. Aligned Capital surpasses $200M raised for distributed solar (CleanTechnica), Patria will invest $1B in clean power data centers for AI in Latin America (ESG Today), and Waffle House will add fast EV charging stations to its diners.

3. Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture: Global wheat yield would be 10% higher without climate change (CarbonBrief), the European Chocolate Crisis is driven by climate change (Guarding). Living Carbon faces protest of its plans to allegedly sell GMO trees that don't decay as carbon offsets. Creepy! Their website sure doesn't focus on that.

From the Editor

What I'm seeing in green tech and sustainability

Seed, feed, and weed. That's one model for changing the world that I picked up from management thinker John Hagel: let’s plant the seeds of what we want to see, feed what we want to see more of so that it can grow, and weed the things we want to get rid of.

In the face of absolutely devastating news about global forest loss doubling last year (today's top story, above) - obviously that demands immediate action. Even that is not enough, though. We need to seed things like distributed solar power, feed things like responsible corporate action (see EDF on Apple), and weed things like the campaign to stop genetically engineered trees as carbon capture, by the Global Justice Ecology Project.

Seed, feed, and weed. That's a big part of why we do this newsletter, too.

Today's Full Collection

Table of Contents

• 🌾Agriculture (12 stories) - Corteva uses AI for crop protection; CleanCapital invests in agrovoltaics; IRRI addresses rice virus; Brightseed launches AI-discovered gut supplement.

  
  

• 🪨Carbon (13 stories) - Living Carbon faces activist concerns; Climate Week NYC 2025; Carbon removal job cuts; SYNCRAFT Reversepowerplants; 'Legion44' documentary; Apple carbon credit support; Carbon-backed digital currency app; Carbon Removal Challenge; TeamViewer Scope 3 reduction; Trellis Impact 25; JPMorgan & CO280 deal.

  
  

• ♻️Circular (4 stories) - Polyester textile recycling in Europe, Indra wastewater treatment, Australia solar panel waste, India construction waste recycling targets.

  
  

• 🌱Ecosystems (25 stories) - Bangladesh cyclone impacts, Sudan war damage, New Guinea deforestation, Brazil monkey reintroduction, NSW floods, glacier/forest loss, Armenia biodiversity, El Paso dust storms, Amazon threats, coral 'perfume', Trump border wall, Panama monkey behavior, Galapagos warblers, Oregon hikes, bird collisions, UK polar bear, bat parasites, Denisovan fossils.

  
  

• ⚡Efficiency (5 stories) - Heat Pump Summit, TOPCon solar cell (26.5%), AI sustainability tools, Gamesa Electric 'CoolBrid', and California Energy Commission benchmarking webinar.

  
  

• 💰Finance (14 stories) - SOA invests in PierSight; Carlyle launches Revera Energy; Aligned Climate Capital exceeds solar fund target; Neot Capital's mobility platform; Blackstone acquires TXNM Energy.

  
  

• 🔌Grid (19 stories) - TVA's BWRX-300 application, South Australia's Templers battery, Ace Power's 1,000MW battery proposal, Waratah Super Battery delays, Monash University's flow battery, LG Energy Solution's expansion, and BLUETTI's Apex 300.

  
  

• 🌍Indigenous (13 stories) - Cordillera communities form conservation network; peasant movement supports Indigenous rights against Panama's mining; First Nations conservation jobs in BC; Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in & WCS Canada conservation; Indigenous-led clean energy symposium; Petroperú oil auction blocked; Ecuador communities fight Dundee Precious Metals mine; UN report on Chan 75 dam; Alaska glacier melt sparks mining conflict; Black Hills logging threatens Indigenous rights; Indigenous climate disaster response webinar.

  
  

• 🏭Industry (19 stories) - Clean energy jobs grow in Connecticut; Hydrogen projects in Scotland & EU get funding; Fluence expands US battery production; Chevron's chemical disclosures questioned; IEA warns on critical mineral supply chains; Lululemon hires ex-Nike sustainability chief.

  
  

• 📜Policy (72 stories) - California beach access, Kenya's early warnings, Roxane Gay on reproductive justice, Yale diversity program, IMAGINE Adaptation project, Brazil land reform, Congo gold mining, EFTA Court ruling, House Republicans' budget cuts, Alabama Power coal ash, BP/Shell/Chevron lobbying, HFC-23 emissions, human rights attacks, Texas ExxonMobil tax break, Equinor wind project, NASA climate lab, Girl Scout funding, EU reporting rollback, Friederike Otto on inequality, EPA PFAS limits, Scotland emissions target, California Electrification Summit, State of the Air report, Inflation Reduction Act, farm subsidies, Russia oil sanctions, solar tariffs, PathBuilt scandal, Georgia Power rates, Dartmoor wild camping, federal scientist layoffs, DOE loan commitments, food chemical bans, clean energy tax credits.

  
  

• 🔋Renewables (13 stories) - Brazil favela solar co-op, EU PVSEC 2025, Huasun/Next2Sun vertical PV, 5B Maverick tech, Gradient Geothermal units, Empire Wind project resumes.

  
  

• 🚗Transport (16 stories) - ACT Expo, LONGi solar car carrier, Eaton-ChargePoint partnership, CATL sodium-ion batteries, EU Intelligent Transport Systems, Brazil-China railway, BP Pulse at Waffle House, California EV market, Honda pivots to hybrids.

Agriculture

Corteva uses AI for crop protection; CleanCapital invests in agrovoltaics; IRRI addresses rice virus; Brightseed launches AI-discovered gut supplement.

• Corteva: AI can transform crop protection to replace ‘randomness and chance’ with ‘prediction, specificity and design’ (AgFund News) - Corteva executive tells Congress AI is revolutionizing crop protection by enabling precise protein modeling and targeted molecule development, replacing random screening with predictive design.

• CleanCapital COO on how agrovoltaics ‘strengthens both agriculture and energy infrastructure’ (AgFund News) - CleanCapital COO explains how agrovoltaics projects combining solar arrays with farming operations provide consistent revenue streams for farmers while optimizing land use and energy infrastructure.

• Global wheat yields would be ‘10%’ higher without climate change (Carbon Brief) - Global wheat yields currently 10% lower than they would be without climate change, new study finds, impacting food prices and security.

• How to tackle new strains of potato blight and avoid another great famine (The Conversation) - Scientists develop new detection methods and integrated strategies to combat evolving potato blight strains that threaten global food security and cost billions annually.

• EU’s ‘chocolate crisis’ worsened by climate breakdown, researchers warn (The Guardian) - EU's chocolate supply faces severe disruption as 96.5% of cocoa imports come from climate-vulnerable nations with declining biodiversity, new research shows.

• House budget bill’s top farm subsidy loopholes and giveaways (EWG) - House budget bill expands farm subsidy loopholes, increasing payment limits and eligible acres while favoring large farms over small family operations.

• IRRI identifies the first case of rice yellowing syndrome in the Philippines (CGIAR) - IRRI scientists confirm first case of rice yellowing syndrome in Philippines, caused by co-infection of RGSV and RRSV viruses, severely impacting crop yields.

• A key decade of food system change and looking forward: Per Pinstrup-Andersen on his time as IFPRI Director General (CGIAR) - Former IFPRI Director General and World Food Prize laureate Per Pinstrup-Andersen reflects on critical decade of global food system transformation and policy development.

• Brightseed addresses gut barrier function with bioactives backed by new human clinical data (AgFunderNews) - Brightseed launches Bio Gut Core supplement containing AI-discovered bioactives NCT and NFT, proven in clinical trials to improve gut barrier function at 120mg daily dose.

• City of Venice Named Illinois Grocery Initiative Grantee (HR&A) - Venice, Illinois secures funding through state's Grocery Initiative to build municipally-owned grocery store combating local food desert.

• Why a Central Texas farmer is on a one-man mission to stop renewable energy (Renewable Energy World) - Fifth-generation Texas farmer Robert Fleming leads local opposition against renewable energy expansion, citing environmental concerns and tax incentive disputes.

• Almost 10,000 farmers have received subsidies for 40 straight years (EWG) - Nearly 10,000 US farmers received continuous farm subsidies for 40 years, totaling $10.7 billion in taxpayer funds, with top recipients collecting up to $19 million each.

Carbon

Living Carbon faces activist concerns; Climate Week NYC 2025; Carbon removal job cuts; SYNCRAFT Reversepowerplants; 'Legion44' documentary; Apple carbon credit support; Carbon-backed digital currency app; Carbon Removal Challenge; TeamViewer Scope 3 reduction; Trellis Impact 25; JPMorgan & CO280 deal.

• GJEP and Biofuelwatch Visit Living Carbon (Global Justice Ecology Project) - Environmental activists confront Living Carbon over genetically engineered trees designed to resist decay for carbon offset credits, raising ecological concerns.

• Greenplaces at Climate Week NYC 2025 (Greenplaces) - Climate tech firm to host sustainability events and workshops at Climate Week NYC 2025, featuring networking, expert panels, and climate action discussions.

• Growth adjustments (Climeworks) - Carbon removal company announces up to 106 job cuts globally while maintaining focus on technology development and market expansion.

• Marcel Huber On Expanding SYNCRAFT & The Future of Clean Energy (CleanTechnica) - SYNCRAFT co-founder Marcel Huber discusses company's biomass Reversepowerplants that generate clean energy while removing CO2 through biochar carbon storage in Austria and planned US expansion.

• Legion44 CDR Movie Continues To Gather Global Momentum (CleanTechnica) - Documentary 'Legion44' gains international attention for showcasing global carbon dioxide removal efforts through screenings in major cities, featuring scientists and entrepreneurs working on atmospheric restoration.

• Overshoot - Of Energy, Economics, Ecology and Extraction (Energy Central) - Global energy transition faces likely overshoot until 2040s despite efficiency gains, requiring accelerated deployment of renewables, nuclear, and nature restoration to meet climate goals.

• Why EDF is backing Apple in a class-action greenwashing suit (Trellis) - Environmental Defense Fund files rare amicus brief supporting Apple's carbon credit practices in greenwashing lawsuit over carbon-neutral watch claims.

• Why governments should not hide behind forests to meet their emissions goals (Climate Change News) - Scientists warn governments' practice of combining land carbon storage with fossil fuel emissions in climate targets undermines 1.5°C warming goals and enables continued fossil fuel emissions.

• Toco, Explained: Real action. Real results. Real fast. (Toco) - New carbon-backed digital currency app enables users to make everyday purchases while automatically investing in verified climate projects through a Swiss non-profit carbon reserve.

• 2025 Carbon Removal Challenge Showcase Stream (Carbon Unbound) - Five student teams present innovative carbon removal projects in final showcase of 2025 Carbon Removal Challenge competition.

• TeamViewer’s Approach to Scope 3 Accounting (The Climate Choice) - TeamViewer achieves 75% reduction in reported Scope 3 emissions by switching from generic spend-based factors to supplier-specific emission intensities.

• Join Greenplaces at Trellis Impact 25 (Greenplaces) - Sustainability tech company to showcase carbon accounting and emissions reduction solutions at Trellis Impact 25 conference in San Jose.

• JPMorgan Signs Large-Scale Carbon Removal Deal for Under $200 per Ton (ESGToday) - JPMorgan signs 13-year deal with CO280 to purchase 450,000 tons of carbon removal from pulp mill emissions at under $200 per ton, marking one of lowest prices for engineered CDR.

Circular

Polyester textile recycling in Europe, Indra wastewater treatment, Australia solar panel waste, India construction waste recycling targets.

• The Textile Recycling Breakthrough: Why policy must lead the scale-up of polyester recycling in Europe (Systemiq) - New report outlines policy and industry actions needed to scale up polyester textile recycling in Europe, showing potential for 10x capacity growth by 2035 through improved feedstock access and cost reduction measures.

• Emerald Portfolio Company Feature: INDRA (Emerald VC) - Indian startup Indra develops chemical-free wastewater treatment systems achieving 95% water recovery with 40% lower operating costs for domestic and industrial applications.

• Solar Insiders Podcast: Australia’s waste panel problem – and how to turn it into a goldmine (RenewEconomy) - Smart Energy Council expert explains how Australia's solar panel waste stream represents major resource recovery opportunity requiring urgent federal action.

• India sets construction waste recycling targets with new rules (Mongabay) - India mandates construction waste recycling targets requiring 25% by 2026 and 100% by 2029, with new rules effective April 2026.

Ecosystems

Bangladesh cyclone impacts, Sudan war damage, New Guinea deforestation, Brazil monkey reintroduction, NSW floods, glacier/forest loss, Armenia biodiversity, El Paso dust storms, Amazon threats, coral 'perfume', Trump border wall, Panama monkey behavior, Galapagos warblers, Oregon hikes, bird collisions, UK polar bear, bat parasites, Denisovan fossils.

• Environmental Research Communications (IOP Science) (Environmental Research Communications) - Bangladesh cyclone study shows stable frequency but increasing spatial impact from 1979-2022 due to growing exposure and improved reporting systems.

• One Ecosystem (One Ecosystem) - Open access journal publishes research on ecology and sustainability, covering ecosystem services, climate change, and environmental management across multiple disciplines.

• The environmental costs of the war in Sudan (CEOBS) - Sudan's civil war has caused widespread environmental damage including deforestation, agricultural decline, industrial pollution, and ecosystem degradation across protected areas and urban zones.

• In New Guinea, megadiverse lowland forests are most at risk of deforestation (Mongabay) - New study warns New Guinea's lowland rainforests face severe deforestation risk, threatening biodiversity hotspots and potential release of 2 billion metric tons of carbon by 2040.

• Brazil rewilds urban forest with vaccinated brown howler monkeys (Mongabay) - Brazil successfully reintroduces vaccinated brown howler monkeys to Rio de Janeiro's Tijuca National Park, aiding Atlantic Forest ecosystem restoration.

• NSW is copping rain and flooding while parts of Australia are in drought. What’s going on? (The Conversation) - Heavy rainfall and flooding hit NSW's Mid North Coast while other Australian regions face drought due to complex weather patterns and localized rainfall dynamics.

• Beyond the Ice: Understanding the Far-Reaching Impacts of Glacier Loss (Protect Our Winters) - Global glacier loss accelerates in 2023-2024, threatening water resources, hydropower, and food security across four major regions, with all 59 monitored glaciers showing ice loss.

• RELEASE: Global Forest Loss Shatters Records in 2024, Fueled by Massive Fires (WRI) - Global forest loss hit record levels in 2024 with fires causing 50% of tropical primary forest destruction, releasing 4.1 gigatons of emissions - four times higher than 2023's air travel emissions.

• Armenia: A Small Nation With a Huge Biodiversity Story (The Revelator) - Armenia, one of Earth's most biodiverse nations per square mile with 3,800 plant and 17,000 animal species, prepares to host UN Biodiversity Convention while balancing conservation with development challenges.

• El Paso Hasn’t Seen This Many Dust Storms Since the Dust Bowl (Inside Climate News) - El Paso records 10 dust storms in 2024, highest since 1935-36 Dust Bowl era, as extreme drought and high winds create hazardous air quality conditions.

• NSW floods: almost 50,000 people isolated by record flooding on mid-north coast (The Guardian) - Nearly 50,000 people isolated by record-breaking '1-in-500-year' flood event in NSW's mid-north coast as emergency services conduct helicopter rescues amid continued rainfall warnings.

• The Guardian view on protecting the Amazon: forest defenders must have support | Editorial (The Guardian) - Brazil's upcoming Cop30 climate conference spotlights Amazon rainforest conservation challenges amid ongoing deforestation threats, Indigenous defenders' struggles, and Brazil's conflicting environmental policies.

• The Age of Reason (Nature) - Science fiction story depicts future where Earth is uninhabitable due to environmental devastation, forcing survivors to live in space while grappling with memories of their lost home planet.

• Algae “perfume” fused with high-tech materials holds promise for growing coral (Anthropocene Magazine) - Scientists develop coral-attracting 'perfume' gel using algae chemicals that increases coral larvae settlement by 20 times in flowing water tests.

• Extensive wildfires fueled record forest loss in 2024 (DW) - Global wildfires drove record-breaking 30 million hectares of forest loss in 2024, with fires destroying five times more primary tropical forests than previous year.

• Trump’s border wall expansion endangers wildlife and habitat (High Country News) - Trump administration's border wall expansion threatens 1,077 native animal species and 83 endangered species across US-Mexico border with new construction planned in Arizona, California and Texas.

• Global forest loss hits “frightening” record high with climate-fuelled fires (Climate Change News) - Global forest loss reached record 6.7 million hectares in 2024, driven by climate-fueled fires and agricultural expansion in Amazon and Congo Basin regions.

• Capuchin monkeys on Panama island seen stealing howler monkey babies (Mongabay) - Young male capuchin monkeys on Panama's Jicarón Island observed stealing and carrying howler monkey infants, leading to deaths of stolen babies.

• A Snout of Significance (Nautilus) - Endangered Ecuadorian 'Pinocchio lizard' uses flexible proboscis appendage primarily for mating displays rather than combat, scientists discover after species' rediscovery.

• Study finds fast traffic noise is infuriating Galápagos warblers (Mongabay) - Study reveals traffic noise causes increased aggression in Galapagos yellow warblers living near roads on Santa Cruz and Floreana islands.

• Summer of Oregon State Parks (Environment Oregon) - Oregon state parks announces summer 2025 guided hiking series across six diverse locations to promote public land conservation and secure reliable park funding.

• Windows are the No. 1 human threat to birds – an ecologist shares some simple steps to reduce collisions (The Conversation) - Windows kill up to 5.19 billion birds annually in US through deadly collisions, making them the leading human-caused threat to bird populations, but solutions like window films and screens can reduce deaths by 95%.

• Victoria, UK’s oldest polar bear, put down after health problems (The Guardian) - UK's oldest polar bear Victoria euthanized at 28 years old at Highland Wildlife Park after age-related health deterioration.

• Before studying parasites, this PhD researcher was their host (Nature) - Colombian parasitologist Kevin Liévano-Romero's childhood experiences with parasitic infections inspired his current PhD research studying bat parasites and their viruses at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

• What a precious handful of fossils is teaching us about Denisovans (Nature) - DNA analysis of rare Denisovan fossils reveals ancient hominin group's widespread presence across Asia and interbreeding with modern humans.

Efficiency

Heat Pump Summit, TOPCon solar cell (26.5%), AI sustainability tools, Gamesa Electric 'CoolBrid', and California Energy Commission benchmarking webinar.

• S2E11:The Conference for Contractors Who Want to Get Heat Pumps Right – with Brent Davidson (Amply Energy) - US Heat Pump Summit founder Brent Davidson discusses November event in Worcester focusing on contractor training, business strategies, and technical expertise for heat pump installations.

• Process & Structural Modifications Enable Efficiency Gains In TOPCon Cells (TaiyangNews) - TOPCon solar cell technology achieves 26.5% efficiency through rear-side passivation and selective emitter improvements, marking significant progress in commercial solar cell production.

• 5 ways AI can help streamline sustainability efforts (Trellis) - AI tools revolutionize sustainability practices with 50% of professionals adopting AI for data analysis, reporting, and goal-setting, while raising concerns about increased energy consumption.

• Gamesa Electric Launches White Paper on Hybrid Cooling Systems for Utility-Scale Inverters (TaiyangNews) - Gamesa Electric releases white paper detailing hybrid cooling system 'CoolBrid' for utility-scale solar inverters, combining liquid and air cooling for enhanced performance.

• Benchmarking 101 Webinar (CEC) - California Energy Commission announces April 30 webinar to guide building owners through energy benchmarking compliance requirements ahead of June 2025 deadline.

Finance

SOA invests in PierSight; Carlyle launches Revera Energy; Aligned Climate Capital exceeds solar fund target; Neot Capital's mobility platform; Blackstone acquires TXNM Energy.

• Why We Invested in PierSight: Satellites for Ocean Protection (Sustainable Ocean Alliance) - SOA and partners invest $8M in PierSight's maritime satellite constellation for detecting illegal fishing, oil spills, and ecosystem threats through all-weather ocean monitoring.

• Bridging the Climate Innovation Gap through the Climate Tech Fellowship (NYC Climate Exchange) - New Climate Tech Fellowship program launches to help university innovators commercialize early-stage climate solutions, focusing on diverse founders and addressing funding gaps.

• Carlyle Launches Revera Energy For Australia & UK RE Markets (TaiyangNews) - Carlyle launches Revera Energy platform to develop battery storage, renewable energy and green hydrogen projects in Australia and UK markets, backed by $7.6 billion infrastructure fund.

• IRA Cuts Would Sacrifice $1 Trillion of Economic Growth (Heatmap News) - House Republicans' proposed IRA cuts could cost U.S. economy $1 trillion in GDP through 2035 by restricting clean energy tax credits and raising consumer energy costs.

• Global investment giant creates new platform for Australian battery storage assets (RenewEconomy) - Investment firm Carlyle launches Revera Energy platform to manage $374M portfolio of Australian and UK battery storage assets, including 250MW Bungama project.

• Aligned Climate Capital’s Largest Solar Fund Exceeds $200 Million Target (CleanTechnica) - Aligned Climate Capital's distributed solar fund exceeds $200M target, aims to develop 150MW of mid-scale solar projects over next two years focusing on underserved areas.

• Carlyle Launches New Clean Energy Infrastructure Development Platform (ESGtoday) - Carlyle launches Revera Energy platform with $440M investment to develop battery storage, renewable power and green hydrogen infrastructure projects in Australia and UK.

• Neot Raises $390 Million to Launch New Sustainable Mobility Financing Platform (ESG Today) - Neot Capital launches €350 million sustainable mobility leasing platform for zero-emission transport infrastructure across Europe.

• Navigating EcoVadis reporting: Practical guidance from Greenplaces’ experts (Greenplaces) - EcoVadis sustainability assessment platform now influences procurement decisions for 150,000+ rated companies, requiring robust documentation across environment, labor, ethics and procurement metrics.

• Ameresco to Participate at Upcoming Conferences (Ameresco) - Clean energy solutions provider announces management participation in three major investor conferences across US and UK in May-June 2025.

• What does the Rich List really measure? (Centre for Thriving Places) - UK's Sunday Times Rich List shows decline to 156 billionaires who collectively control wealth equivalent to three times UK's annual healthcare budget, sparking debate on extreme wealth limits.

• Blackstone makes an $11.5 billion bet on surging electricity demand (Latitude Media) - Blackstone infrastructure division to acquire TXNM Energy for $11.5B, investing $400M in power expansion to support data center and AI growth in New Mexico.

• Global Reporting Initiative’s lead North American executive steps aside (Trellis) - GRI North America head Matthew Rusk departs after 4 years as organization adapts to mandatory sustainability disclosure landscape.

• Hiring a fractional COO for your climate startup (Enduring Planet) - Climate tech startups can benefit from hiring fractional COOs to bridge operational expertise gaps until full-time hires are feasible, offering experienced leadership at lower cost and risk.

Grid

TVA's BWRX-300 application, South Australia's Templers battery, Ace Power's 1,000MW battery proposal, Waratah Super Battery delays, Monash University's flow battery, LG Energy Solution's expansion, and BLUETTI's Apex 300.

• NY Climate Tech: May 20 - May 27 (NY Climate Tech) - Weekly newsletter highlights offshore wind project revival at South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, climate tech mixers, and grid-focused events across NYC.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: TaiyangNews Solar Power Plant Developments Conference On May 27, 2025 & More (TaiyangNews) - Virtual conference on utility-scale solar development trends announced for May 27, 2025, amid industry growth and new market challenges including grid integration and hybrid solutions.

• The Tennessee Valley Authority Is Taking a Big Swing on Small Nuclear (Heatmap News) - Tennessee Valley Authority applies for construction permit to build GE Vernova Hitachi's BWRX-300 small modular nuclear reactor at Clinch River site.

• Another big battery joins the grid in South Australia as state heads towards 100 pct net renewables (RenewEconomy) - South Australia adds 111MW/291MWh Templers battery to grid, marking eighth operational battery project as state progresses toward 100% renewables by 2027.

• Huge 8,000 MWh battery proposed for new major wind and solar hub in Barnaby’s back yard (RenewEconomy) - Ace Power proposes 1,000MW battery with 8,000MWh storage capacity alongside wind and solar hub in Australia's New England Renewable Energy Zone.

• Transmission and approval bottlenecks stall progress on critical green export hub (RenewEconomy) - Hunter region's green industrial transition faces major delays due to slow renewable project approvals and transmission infrastructure bottlenecks, threatening local industry decarbonization targets.

• “The kind of battery you want in your garage:” Australian team claims flow battery breakthrough (RenewEconomy) - Monash University engineers develop water-based flow battery with improved membrane design for faster, safer, and cheaper home solar energy storage.

• Australia’s most powerful battery to be fully operational by end of year after commissioning slows (RenewEconomy) - Australia's largest grid battery project Waratah Super Battery (850MW/1680MWh) faces commissioning delays, now targeting full operation by end of 2025.

• EcoFlow’s Memorial Day & RV Sales: Unmatched Deals On Solar Generators, Batteries, & Power Stations (CleanTechnica) - EcoFlow launches Memorial Day and RV sales with up to 67% off portable power stations, solar panels, and battery bundles through May 28, 2025.

• ‘Huge amount of growth’: Lawmakers hear testimony on meeting Pa. power demand (Pennsylvania Capital-Star) - Pennsylvania lawmakers hear testimony that wind, solar, and nuclear power deployment could help meet state's projected 70,000MW electricity demand growth by 2040, while industry group warns against mandates.

• A former race car engineer on battery safety and supply chains (Latitude Media) - Former IndyCar engineer discusses LG Energy Solution's $1.4B US battery manufacturing expansion and shift to safer, domestically-sourced energy storage systems.

• Patria Launches New Platform to Invest $1 Billion in Clean Energy-Powered Data Centers (ESG Today) - Patria Investments launches $1 billion Omnia platform to develop renewable energy-powered data centers across Latin America, targeting AI workload facilities.

• Why your electricity bill is so high and what Pennsylvania is doing about it (The Conversation) - Pennsylvania electricity bills set to rise 10-20% over three years due to aging infrastructure, data center demand, and regional grid constraints.

• GridBeyond Appoints Kelly Lorincz as Head of Demand Side Response (GridBeyond) - Energy technology firm appoints Kelly Lorincz as Head of Demand Side Response for North American market, bringing 20 years of industry experience to expand grid flexibility services.

• FERC anticipates energy price rises this summer (GridBeyond) - FERC's 2025 Summer Assessment forecasts higher wholesale electricity prices across most US regions despite adequate generating resources to meet expected summer demand.

• The Chairman of Texas’ Public Utility Commission Has a To-Do List (Inside Climate News) - Texas Public Utility Commission Chairman Thomas Gleeson outlines three priorities: rebuilding public trust, protecting ratepayers during infrastructure expansion, and repairing stakeholder relationships following Winter Storm Uri.

• Solar, Gas, & Battery: Why Apex 300’s 3-Part Backup Plan Is a Hurricane Season Must-Have (CleanTechnica) - BLUETTI's Apex 300 backup power system combines battery storage, solar charging, and generator compatibility to provide extended power during hurricane season outages.

• Legacy, renewables and smart grid (Energy Central) - Brazil's electricity sector evolution follows three stages - legacy centralized generation, renewable integration challenges, and smart grid solutions for managing intermittent sources.

• MISO plan to fast track gas plants rejected (Canary Media) - Federal regulators reject MISO's proposal to fast-track new gas plants, marking win for clean energy advocates who argued plan would hinder renewable goals.

Indigenous

Cordillera communities form conservation network; peasant movement supports Indigenous rights against Panama's mining; First Nations conservation jobs in BC; Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in & WCS Canada conservation; Indigenous-led clean energy symposium; Petroperú oil auction blocked; Ecuador communities fight Dundee Precious Metals mine; UN report on Chan 75 dam; Alaska glacier melt sparks mining conflict; Black Hills logging threatens Indigenous rights; Indigenous climate disaster response webinar.

• Formation of sub-national ICCA network (ICCA.ph) - Indigenous leaders from six Cordillera communities form regional network to strengthen local conservation governance and traditional knowledge preservation.

• Panama Protests: La Via Campesina Extends Solidarity to Social Movements, Denounces the State-led Repression (La Via Campesina) - Global peasant movement condemns Panama's state violence against protesters opposing social security reforms, mining projects, and river damming while supporting indigenous and rural communities' rights.

• Join Our Team: Stewardship Funding Specialist and Economic Development Analyst (Coast Funds) - Indigenous-led conservation finance organization seeks Economic Development Analyst and Stewardship Funding Specialist to support First Nations' conservation and economic development initiatives in British Columbia.

• An alternative approach to bridge Indigenous knowledge and Western science for conservation (commentary) (Mongabay) - WCS Canada and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation develop parallel approach allowing Indigenous and Western knowledge systems to coexist independently in conservation planning.

• Don’t miss out! Get your ticket to the First Nations Clean Energy Symposium (First Nations Clean Energy Network) - Indigenous-led clean energy symposium opens registration for August 2025 event on Kabi Kabi country, offering sponsored tickets for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates.

• The Amazon vs. Big Oil: Why Petroperú’s Latest Defeat Matters Globally (Amazon Watch) - Indigenous resistance blocks Petroperú's oil auction of Block 64 in Peruvian Amazon, keeping 55 million barrels of crude in ground after decades-long campaign.

• A Rebel Priest, A Crusading Lawyer, and A Canadian Mining Company (Cultural Survival) - Indigenous communities in Ecuador fight Canadian mining company Dundee Precious Metals' gold mine project, citing water source protection and constitutional rights.

• Indigenous Water Defenders Take on a Canadian Mining Giant (Cultural Survival) - Indigenous water defenders in Ecuador fight Canadian mining company Dundee Precious Metals over gold mine threatening vital water sources and traditional lands.

• Ngäbe Communities Affected by the Chan 75 Hydroelectric Dam and Cultural Survival Submit UPR Report on the State of Indigenous Rights in Panama (Cultural Survival) - Ngäbe Indigenous communities and advocacy group submit UN human rights report detailing violations from Chan 75 hydroelectric dam construction in Panama, highlighting forced displacement and lack of proper consultation.

• Who will benefit from melting glaciers? (Grist) - Melting glaciers in Alaska and Canada create new salmon habitat while attracting mining companies, sparking conflict between Indigenous groups and industry over resource rights.

• The US government stole the Black Hills. Now it’s clear-cutting them. (Grist) - Trump administration's directive to accelerate logging in South Dakota's Black Hills National Forest threatens Indigenous rights and forest sustainability while disregarding climate impacts.

• Omer Songshare- Yesod (Foundations) | Dayenu (Dayenu) - Jewish climate movement shares spiritual song "B'shem Hashem" during Omer counting period, connecting ancestral foundations with environmental activism.

• Join us tomorrow! Resilience Rising: Indigenous Wisdom in Disaster Response & Climate Crisis Management (Cultural Survival) - International webinar to highlight Indigenous knowledge and community practices in climate disaster response, featuring experts from Bangladesh, Houma, Khomani San, and Newar communities.

Industry

Clean energy jobs grow in Connecticut; Hydrogen projects in Scotland & EU get funding; Fluence expands US battery production; Chevron's chemical disclosures questioned; IEA warns on critical mineral supply chains; Lululemon hires ex-Nike sustainability chief.

• Clean Energy Industry Contributes More Than $7 Billion to State’s Gross Regional Product as Employment Growth Continues (CT Green Bank) - Connecticut's clean energy sector contributed $7.01 billion to state economy in 2023, with 3.9% job growth across 4,500 companies employing 46,000 workers.

• Major Collaborative Research Study Launches to Measure Real-World Hydrogen Emissions (EDF) - International research consortium launches comprehensive study to measure real-world hydrogen emissions across infrastructure in North America and Europe using new high-precision analyzers.

• ZeroAvia to Build Manufacturing Hub in Scotland (ZeroAvia) - Hydrogen-electric aviation company to build major manufacturing hub near Glasgow Airport with £9m Scottish Enterprise grant, creating hundreds of jobs.

• STATEMENT: WRI Statement on the IEA Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2025 (WRI) - IEA report warns of critical mineral supply chain concentration risks for clean energy transition, emphasizing need for responsible mining and diversified processing.

• US oil firms pumping secret chemicals into ground and not fully reporting it (The Guardian) - US oil companies, led by Chevron, pumped 30M pounds of undisclosed chemicals in Colorado wells while failing to comply with state chemical disclosure laws.

• Fluence Expands U.S. Manufacturing Footprint with New Arizona Facility (Power Magazine) - Fluence opens Arizona manufacturing facility to produce U.S.-made battery storage components, investing $700M and creating 1,200+ jobs as part of domestic supply chain expansion.

• 'Diversification is the cornerstone of energy security': Can anyone catch China in the global critical minerals race? (BusinessGreen) - IEA warns China's dominance in critical minerals supply chain for clean energy technologies continues to grow despite global diversification efforts.

• Some of the most polluted US cities are home to coal-based steel plants (Canary Media) - Seven US coal-based steel plants contribute significantly to air pollution in cities ranking among nation's 25 worst for air quality, analysis shows.

• EU Awards Over $1 Billion to Renewable Hydrogen Production Projects (ESG Today) - EU awards €992 million ($1.1B) to 15 renewable hydrogen production projects across Europe, aiming to produce 2.2M tonnes of clean hydrogen and avoid 15M tonnes of CO2 emissions over 10 years.

• Former Nike CSO Noel Kinder joins Lululemon (Trellis) - Former Nike Chief Sustainability Officer Noel Kinder joins Lululemon as SVP of sustainability to lead net-zero goals and materials innovation.

• Come see us at IVTExpo & Conference 2025! (Wattalps) - Battery systems manufacturer to showcase immersion cooling technology and present electric drill case study at IVT Expo 2025 in Cologne.

• A high-power oscillation test of a dual-frequency 1-MW gyrotron (Kyoto Fusioneering) - Scientists successfully test dual-frequency 1-megawatt gyrotron for fusion energy applications.

• Betterial’s Coated & Multilayer Backsheets For PV Modules (TaiyangNews) - Chinese manufacturer Betterial launches five fluoropolymer backsheet variants for solar panels, including coated and multilayer designs offering enhanced durability and performance specifications.

• T1 Energy Seeks Saudi Investment For 5 GW US Solar Cell Plant (TaiyangNews) - T1 Energy seeks Saudi investment for 5 GW solar cell manufacturing plant in Texas while facing US policy uncertainties and lowering 2025 production guidance.

• Sonnex To Establish 500 MW Solar Module Factory In Bangladesh (TaiyangNews) - German solar manufacturer Sonnex Energie partners with local EPC firm to build 500MW solar module factory in Bangladesh by 2028, targeting South Asian markets.

• U.S. Refining Industry Risks from 2025 Hurricane Season (CleanTechnica) - Colorado State University forecasts heightened hurricane risks to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries in 2025, with 17 named storms threatening 55% of nation's refining capacity.

• Elon Musk Is The Cause, Not The Solution To Tesla’s Deep Problems (CleanTechnica) - Tesla's ongoing struggles stem from years of Elon Musk's poor business decisions and unrealistic promises rather than his recent political activities.

• Lululemon Appoints Former Nike CSO as New Sustainability Head (ESGtoday) - Lululemon names former Nike Chief Sustainability Officer Noel Kinder as new Senior VP of Sustainability to lead global environmental strategies.

• Measuring the clean manufacturing boom (Canary Media) - New report shows clean energy manufacturing employs 122,000 workers with 75% of jobs in Trump-voting states, as Republicans debate retaining IRA incentives.

Policy

California beach access, Kenya's early warnings, Roxane Gay on reproductive justice, Yale diversity program, IMAGINE Adaptation project, Brazil land reform, Congo gold mining, EFTA Court ruling, House Republicans' budget cuts, Alabama Power coal ash, BP/Shell/Chevron lobbying, HFC-23 emissions, human rights attacks, Texas ExxonMobil tax break, Equinor wind project, NASA climate lab, Girl Scout funding, EU reporting rollback, Friederike Otto on inequality, EPA PFAS limits, Scotland emissions target, California Electrification Summit, State of the Air report, Inflation Reduction Act, farm subsidies, Russia oil sanctions, solar tariffs, PathBuilt scandal, Georgia Power rates, Dartmoor wild camping, federal scientist layoffs, DOE loan commitments, food chemical bans, clean energy tax credits.

• Property and Permanence (Places Journal) - California coastal homeowners use misleading 'private beach' signs and intimidation tactics to deter public access, particularly affecting Los Angeles's Latinx communities seeking to visit Malibu beaches.

• Kenya launches 'Early Warnings for All' initiative to enhance disaster preparedness (UNDRR) - Kenya launches national Early Warnings for All initiative, pledging 5% of disaster budget to upgrade warning systems for climate disasters affecting 410,000 people in 2024.

• When the World Is on Fire, What Does Reproductive Choice Really Mean? (Atmos) - Reproductive justice advocate Roxane Gay examines how climate crisis and legislation limit childbearing choices, highlighting need for both environmental and policy solutions.

• CELDF’s Newest Publication – Can You Handle the Truth? Introductory Pre-order Prices for the E-book and Paperback (CELDF) - Environmental law organization releases new book 'Can You Handle the Truth?' examining systemic challenges in human-nature relationships and community activism.

• Ray of Hope for Diversity and Inclusion in Environmental Careers (Acadia Center) - Environmental organization partners with Yale University's Environmental Fellows Program to boost diversity in environmental careers through mentorship and fellowship opportunities.

• Alianza entre científicos y agentes locales en nueve ciudades de todo el mundo para mejorar la adaptación climática (BC3) - Nine global cities partner with scientists in IMAGINE Adaptation project to develop practical approaches for monitoring and evaluating local climate adaptation interventions.

• Trump Administration Will Reportedly Roll Back Fuel Economy Standards for Vehicles (EDF) - Trump administration plans to weaken U.S. vehicle fuel economy standards without public input, potentially increasing fuel costs and foreign oil dependence.

• Delay in land reform fuels new wave of settlers and violence in the Amazon (Mongabay) - Land reform delays in Brazil's Amazon spark new settler influx and violence as 145,000 families await plots amid rising deforestation and conflicts.

• How Mongabay-India took root: Interview with Sandhya Sekar (Mongabay) - Sandhya Sekar, founding program director of Mongabay-India, transformed from ecologist to journalist to build one of India's most credible environmental news operations since 2018.

• Heavy rainfall in Vietnam & China causes flash floods, landslides (Mongabay) - Heavy rainfall triggers deadly landslides and flash floods in Vietnam and China, killing at least 9 people as officials warn of climate change-intensified weather patterns.

• Deforestation in REDD-protected Congo rainforests is ‘beyond words’ (Mongabay) - Republic of Congo grants 79 gold mining permits in REDD+ protected rainforest areas while seeking $8.3M from World Bank for claimed carbon reductions.

• As Indonesia phases out coal, what happens to people & environments left behind? (Mongabay) - Indonesia's coal plant retirement plans lack environmental recovery and community support measures, leaving polluted ecosystems and displaced communities without clear paths forward.

• Projeto que implode o licenciamento ambiental é aprovado em comissões do Senado (Socioambiental) - Brazil's Senate committees approve controversial bill that would drastically weaken environmental licensing requirements and threaten indigenous territories.

• Victory for youth and environmentalists in European supranational court: oil and gas climate impacts must be counted (Greenpeace) - EFTA Court rules Norwegian oil and gas projects must include downstream emissions impacts in climate assessments, marking legal victory for environmental groups.

• Intervenor compensation: supporting public participation in utility decisions (EDF) - States' intervenor compensation programs enable public participation in utility decisions by funding community advocates, though accessibility and implementation vary widely across jurisdictions.

• The Most Dangerous Climate Rollback in U.S. History: What it Means (Protect Our Winters) - House Republicans advance sweeping legislation to cut clean energy funding, mandate fossil fuel development, and weaken environmental protections under budget reconciliation process.

• Budget Reconciliation: Where things stand and how you can help (PSR) - House Republicans propose repealing key climate tax credits, environmental justice grants, and Medicaid funding while increasing nuclear weapons spending in new budget reconciliation bill.

• Alabama Power threatened with lawsuit over continuing toxic coal ash pollution in Gadsden, Alabama (SELC) - Alabama Power faces lawsuit over toxic coal ash pond leaking arsenic at 40x legal limits into groundwater near Gadsden drinking water source.

• Trump's big, oily bill (Heated) - Trump's budget bill would eliminate clean energy tax credits, fast-track fossil fuel projects, and could raise household energy costs 7% by 2035.

• Sneak Preview: New Season Coming June 3rd! (Drilled) - Climate journalism podcast announces new season launch on June 3rd.

• A Wave of Clean Energy Project Cancellations May Be Coming (Distilled Earth) - House Republicans' proposed IRA tax credit phase-out threatens clean energy projects, with California facing higher cancellation risks due to lengthy permitting delays versus Texas.

• Understanding and Countering Climate Change Misinformation and Disinformation (SEJ) - Yale Program hosts expert panel to discuss climate change misinformation spread, vulnerable groups, and effective countermeasures in May 2025 virtual event.

• REVEALED: Now There’s Proof That the Fossil Fuel Industry Uses Cultural Sponsorships to Block Climate Action (DeSmog) - Internal documents reveal major oil companies BP, Shell, and Chevron used cultural sponsorships to protect business interests and block climate action while lobbying against environmental policies.

• Senate to Defy Parliamentarian, Kill California Waiver (Heatmap News) - Senate Republicans plan to defy parliamentarian ruling and vote to end California's long-standing EPA emissions waiver despite procedural challenges.

• How the GOP Megabill Would Reshape the U.S. Energy Economy (Heatmap News) - GOP budget reconciliation megabill aims to dismantle clean energy tax credits, potentially increasing U.S. emissions by 500M tons by 2030 and raising consumer energy costs.

• Trump Is Making Risky Bets in Pursuit of a Mining Boom (Heatmap News) - Trump administration expedites mining permits for 28 projects without standard feasibility studies, raising environmental and economic viability concerns.

• Call now: No budget deal for fossil fueled fascists (198 Methods) - Progressive groups launch national call-in campaign urging Congress to reject Republican budget bill over climate and social program cuts.

• Boletín de EcoMadres: Enero – Mayo 2025 (Moms Clean Air Force) - EcoMadres program highlights climate displacement stories, environmental threats to Latino communities, and advocates for clean air initiatives across multiple US states.

• EcoMadres Newsletter: January-May 2025 (Moms Clean Air Force) - Latino-focused EcoMadres program expands environmental advocacy with climate migration series, maternal health forums, and state-level clean air initiatives across Arizona, Florida, Iowa, and Nevada.

• Letter: Oppose the Anti-Environmental Billionaire Tax Scam (LCV) - League of Conservation Voters urges House to reject 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act', warning it would slash environmental protections and clean energy funding to finance tax cuts for wealthy corporations.

• Global Newsletter #95: REBEL EARTH MONTH: WE ARE THE FIRE (Extinction Rebellion) - Global climate activists escalate direct actions worldwide against fossil fuel expansion, with notable protests in DRC, Belgium, Colombia, and Indonesia targeting oil exploration and mining.

• A Restricted Climate Super Pollutant Is Pumped Out at Far Higher Levels Than Countries Admit. What Happens Next? (Inside Climate News) - Global monitoring reveals HFC-23 super pollutant emissions are 5x higher than reported levels, with 40% from China likely violating Montreal Protocol agreement.

• Paris Agreement Target for Warming Won’t Protect Polar Ice Sheets, Scientists Warn (Inside Climate News) - Scientists warn Paris Agreement's 1.5°C warming target insufficient to prevent catastrophic polar ice melt, suggesting 1°C as safer threshold for ice sheet stability.

• Defending Human Rights Is Dangerous. Defending Nature Makes It Even Riskier (Inside Climate News) - Over 6,400 attacks on human rights defenders occurred globally from 2015-2024, with environmental and Indigenous activists facing disproportionate violence, disappearances, and legal harassment.

• Veteran Environmentalist Sues Rural School Board Over Exxon Tax Break Decision (Inside Climate News) - Environmental activist sues Texas school district over alleged public notice violations in $10 billion ExxonMobil plastics plant tax break negotiations.

• Extreme Weather Slams the Midwest and Southern U.S. Amid Staffing Shortages at the National Weather Service (Inside Climate News) - Deadly tornadoes and storms hit Midwest and South amid National Weather Service staffing shortages, with over 25 killed and more severe weather expected.

• Alabama Power Threatened With Lawsuit for Contaminating Groundwater With Coal Ash (Inside Climate News) - Alabama Power faces lawsuit over coal ash pond leaking arsenic at 40 times legal limit into groundwater near Coosa River, threatening drinking water supply.

• Trump administration lifts ban on huge US offshore wind farm, allows work to resume (RenewEconomy) - Trump administration lifts stop-work order on Equinor's 810MW Empire Wind offshore project in New York, allowing immediate construction restart after month-long halt.

• Redlining shaped the power grid. Communities of color are still paying the price. (Renewable Energy World) - Redlining's historical impact on U.S. power grid infrastructure continues to burden communities of color with unreliable service, frequent outages, and high energy costs while limiting access to clean energy solutions.

• Godfather of climate science decries Trump plan to shut Nasa lab above Seinfeld diner: ‘It’s crazy’ (The Guardian) - Trump administration to shut down historic NASA climate research lab above NYC's Seinfeld diner, sparking outrage from climate scientists including James Hansen.

• ‘Plenty of time’ to solve climate crisis, interior secretary tells representatives (The Guardian) - Interior Secretary Doug Burgum tells House committee US has 'plenty of time' to solve climate crisis while defending Trump's $5bn cut to environmental programs.

• Oil industry funded Girl Scouts and British Museum to boost image, evidence suggests (The Guardian) - Oil companies funded Girl Scouts, museums, and cultural institutions between 2015-2021 to improve public image amid climate crisis, congressional investigation reveals.

• Trump administration to allow work to continue on $5bn New York wind farm (The Guardian) - Trump administration lifts stop-work order on $5bn New York offshore wind farm after governor's negotiations, while opening path for new gas pipeline development.

• Explainer: Is the EU Backtracking on Its Climate Pledges? The Implications of the European Omnibus Simplification Package (Earth.org) - EU's Omnibus Simplification Package significantly weakens corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements, rolling back key European Green Deal climate commitments.

• Does renewable energy reduce fossil fuel production in the US? (ScienceDaily) - Penn State study finds increased renewable energy production does not reduce fossil fuel output across 33 US states from 1997-2020, suggesting need for direct fossil fuel reduction policies.

• Inequality magnifies climate impacts worldwide, climate scientist writes in new book. (Yale Climate Connections) - Climate scientist Friederike Otto's new book argues that societal inequality amplifies climate change impacts, with vulnerable populations bearing heaviest burden of extreme weather events.

• So-called ‘100-year floods’ are happening more often (Yale Climate Connections) - Research shows '100-year floods' now occurring annually in many coastal areas due to climate change and rising sea levels, rendering historical flood probability calculations obsolete.

• The cruelest farm bill ever (EWG) - House budget bill expands farm subsidies for wealthy farmers while cutting SNAP benefits for 11 million Americans, including 4 million children.

• The EPA is rolling back drinking water limits for 4 PFAS. Thousands more remain unregulated. (Grist) - EPA rolls back drinking water limits for 4 PFAS chemicals while thousands remain unregulated, extending utility compliance deadlines to 2031.

• SEIA estimates budget bill could wipe out almost 300K clean energy jobs (Utility Dive) - House budget bill rolling back clean energy incentives could eliminate 287 U.S. solar/storage factories and 300,000 jobs by 2030, SEIA analysis warns.

• Watchdog urges Scotland to take action after repeatedly missing climate targets (The Guardian) - UK climate watchdog warns Scotland must take 'immediate action' after abandoning emissions pledges and delaying 75% reduction target by six years.

• 2025 CEC/EPRI Electrification Summit (CEC/EPRI) - California Energy Commission hosts Electrification Summit to advance decarbonization strategies and address implementation barriers with utility stakeholders and policymakers.

• Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group (DACAG) Meeting 5/16/2025 (CEC) - California's Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group welcomes new members and discusses tribal energy, summer reliability, and asthma prevention in transition planning.

• What’s in the Air: Unpacking the 2025 State of the Air (American Lung Association) - Annual State of the Air report reveals 156 million Americans live in areas with failing air quality grades, with communities of color facing disproportionate exposure to pollution.

• Defend the IRA and Our Future (Climate Reality Project) - Inflation Reduction Act has created 400,000 jobs, brought $422 billion in investments, and saved $8 billion in energy costs while advancing clean energy adoption across US communities.

• "There's a huge opportunity for Asia to be a leader for climate action." - Kimiko Hirata (Climate Group) - Asia positioned to lead global climate action through supply chain decarbonization, renewable energy deployment, and regional collaboration, says Integrate's Executive Director Kimiko Hirata.

• ‘City slicker’ farm payments top $2B – and House GOP bill would make problem worse (EWG) - Almost 80,000 urban residents received over $2B in farm subsidies during 2020-2024 through payment loopholes, with House GOP bill threatening to expand eligibility further.

• HYOJITO Co., Ltd. (PreventionWeb) - Japanese advertising firm HYOJITO Co. specializes in station-area guide maps and signage, including disaster evacuation maps and tsunami warning signs for communities.

• Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences (JIES) (JIES) - Dutch academic journal publishes international environmental research focusing on social and natural sciences, with emphasis on environmental change, impacts, and solutions.

• EU Enacts Harsher Energy Sanctions On Russia, While U.S. Ponders Them (Forbes) - EU implements stricter energy sanctions targeting Russia's oil trade and shadow fleets while US lawmakers consider 500% tariffs on Russian oil purchases, aiming to weaken Russia's war funding capabilities.

• USITC Issues Final Injury Determination In AD/CVD Investigation (TaiyangNews) - US International Trade Commission approves steep tariffs on solar imports from Southeast Asia, effective June 2025, following domestic manufacturers' petition claiming unfair competition.

• Nonprofit Threat Thwarted (UUSC) - Grassroots advocacy successfully blocks White House proposal to revoke nonprofits' tax-exempt status, though other concerning provisions remain in tax bill.

• NC Fires a Disaster Relief Subcontractor Founded by Former ReBuild NC Boss (Inside Climate News) - North Carolina emergency officials fire disaster relief contractor PathBuilt after discovering it was founded by former ReBuild NC leaders who steered contracts to themselves through a mid-level official.

• SEIA: Solar & Storage Industry Statement on U.S. International Trade Commission Injury Determination (SEIA) - US International Trade Commission's affirmative injury ruling on solar imports threatens domestic manufacturing growth by adding tariffs that could increase costs and slow industry expansion.

• Georgia Power agrees to hold rates steady, but that doesn’t include hurricane recovery costs (Renewable Energy World) - Georgia Power agrees to freeze base rates through 2028 while maintaining high profit margins, though customers may face future increases from hurricane recovery costs.

• Wild camping on Dartmoor is legal, supreme court rules (The Guardian) - Supreme Court rules wild camping legal on Dartmoor, defeating landowner's challenge and preserving England's only legal wild camping area.

• #OpenToWork: how laid-off US scientists are coping with shattered careers (Nature) - Mass layoffs of US federal scientists trigger brain drain as researchers seek positions abroad or pivot careers amid widespread funding cuts and contract terminations.

• As DOE reviews $15 billion in awards, LPO may again be on the chopping block (Latitude Media) - Trump administration plans to cancel $8 billion in DOE loan commitments as multiple clean energy companies abandon federal funding amid policy uncertainty.

• On food chemicals, Biden and states have done more than Trump (EWG) - Biden administration and state legislatures outpace Trump in banning harmful food chemicals, including BVO and Red Dye No. 3, while states lead with broader chemical restrictions.

• GOP supporters of IRA clean energy credits outline reconciliation bill recommendations (Utility Dive) - 14 House Republicans request changes to clean energy tax credit phase-out plan, seeking extended transferability and adjusted foreign entity provisions in reconciliation bill.

• Trump threatens West Virginia renewables (Canary Media) - Trump and congressional Republicans threaten to roll back climate package tax credits and programs that created clean energy jobs in West Virginia, potentially raising power bills and increasing coal reliance.

• Is it OK for AI to write science papers? Take Nature’s AI research test and find out how your ethics compare (Nature) - Survey reveals sharp divide among academics on appropriate use of AI in writing scientific papers, with consensus only on editing and translation.

Renewables

Brazil favela solar co-op, EU PVSEC 2025, Huasun/Next2Sun vertical PV, 5B Maverick tech, Gradient Geothermal units, Empire Wind project resumes.

• Solar Revolution: Brazil’s first favela solar energy cooperative (350.org) - Brazil's first favela solar energy cooperative in Rio de Janeiro provides reliable electricity to hundreds of residents, reducing blackouts and inspiring similar projects across the country.

• EU PVSEC 2025: Programme Out Now, Registration Open, PV Academy Relaunched (TaiyangNews) - EU PVSEC 2025 conference announces full program for September event in Bilbao, featuring 1000 presentations on PV technology advances and free access to past lecture recordings.

• Huasun and Next2Sun Highlight Innovation and Investment Potential of HJT Vertical PV at BNEF Summit Munich 2025 (TaiyangNews) - Huasun Energy and Next2Sun showcase heterojunction solar technology's superior returns in vertical PV applications at BNEF Summit Munich, reporting 15.1% IRR in Bavaria case study.

• Trump Reverses Course on Empire Wind, Lifting Pause (Inside Climate News) - Trump administration lifts construction pause on $5 billion Empire Wind offshore project near New York after Gov. Hochul's intervention, allowing 1,500 workers to resume building 810-megawatt wind farm.

• Australian Maverick solar innovator 5B says costs to fall 25 pct after landing first Sunshot grant (RenewEconomy) - Australian solar innovator 5B receives $46 million government grant to scale up production of rapid-deploy Maverick solar technology, expecting 25% cost reduction.

• Unlock the Full Potential of Community Solar (CleanTechnica) - Community solar projects expand to 6GW installed capacity across 20+ US states, offering shared renewable access while facing interconnection and policy challenges.

• Blow to UK’s 2030 clean energy targets as SSE cuts spending on renewables (The Guardian) - UK energy giant SSE cuts £3bn from renewable investments, jeopardizing nation's 2030 clean power targets due to policy and planning delays.

• The Earth’s Hydrogen Jackpot: Enough Clean Power for 252 Billion Years, and More. (Energy Central) - Scientists discover vast untapped natural hydrogen reserves in Earth's crust that could provide clean energy for 170,000 years, with oceans holding potential for 252 billion years of power generation.

• Modular Geothermal Power: Gradient’s Scalable Solution for Oil and Gas Sites (POWER Magazine) - Gradient Geothermal launches portable modular geothermal power units for oil and gas sites, offering 75-300kW systems with one-day installation.

• Solar apprenticeships give Virginia students a head start on clean energy (Canary Media) - Virginia solar apprenticeship program trains rural students for renewable energy jobs while offering college credits and local employment opportunities in former coal country.

• Trump Reverses Ban on Massive New York Offshore Wind Project (ESG Today) - Trump administration reverses halt on New York's Empire Wind offshore project, expected to power 500,000 homes, following reported compromise on gas pipeline construction.

• India Installed 6.7 GW New Solar Capacity In Q1 2025 (TaiyangNews) - India installed 6.7 GW of solar capacity in Q1 2025, marking 25% YoY decline due to domestic module supply constraints and transmission infrastructure bottlenecks.

• Stop work order on Empire Wind 1 lifted, Equinor resumes construction (Utility Dive) - Trump administration lifts stop work order on 810-MW Empire Wind 1 offshore project following discussions between New York Gov. Hochul and federal officials about natural gas pipeline capacity.

Transport

ACT Expo, LONGi solar car carrier, Eaton-ChargePoint partnership, CATL sodium-ion batteries, EU Intelligent Transport Systems, Brazil-China railway, BP Pulse at Waffle House, California EV market, Honda pivots to hybrids.

• ACT Expo 2025: The Business Case for Fleet Electrification (2050 Partners) - ACT Expo 2025 showcases growing commercial fleet electrification trends, with focus on heavy-duty vehicles, multiple emission reduction paths, and selective implementation strategies.

• Q&A with Moaz Uddin: The Real Cost, Emissions, and Benefits of Electric Vehicles (Better Energy) - Senior EV policy specialist details comprehensive analysis of electric vehicles' lower lifetime costs, reduced emissions, safety advantages, and charging infrastructure compared to gas vehicles.

• China's Largest PV+LNG Powered Car Carrier Sets Sail on Its Maiden Voyage with LONGi Solar Modules (TaiyangNews) - China launches its largest PV+LNG dual-fuel car carrier 'Yuanhai Kou', featuring LONGi's 302.8kW solar system that saves 111 tons of fuel annually.

• Eaton & ChargePoint Hatch Hassle-Free EV Charging Infrastructure Plan (CleanTechnica) - Eaton and ChargePoint partner to streamline EV charging infrastructure deployment across US, Canada, and Europe with turnkey solutions and V2X capabilities.

• Sodium Batteries: Yet Another Sign EVs Are Here To Stay (CleanTechnica) - CATL announces mass production of sodium-ion EV batteries by end of 2025, offering cost advantages over lead-acid batteries despite current limitations versus lithium-ion technology.

• How Intelligent Transport Systems Transform Mobility in Europe (Revolve) - European Union advances Intelligent Transport Systems with updated directives and technologies to reduce congestion, improve safety, and enhance mobility efficiency across urban centers.

• The Next Era of Transportation and Infrastructure Next Stop: Sustainable Public Transit and Mobility (EESI) - Congressional briefing highlights public transit's economic impact, with $1 invested generating $5 in returns, while reducing emissions and improving accessibility across 6,800 US transit providers.

• Cycling for the Planet (Climate Generation) - Executive Director Susan Phillips joins 460-mile bike ride from New Orleans to Tallahassee to raise climate crisis awareness and funds while promoting sustainable transportation.

• Brazil & China move ahead on 3,000-km railway crossing the Amazon (Mongabay) - Brazil and China advance plans for 3,000-km trans-Amazon railway project to reduce commodity shipping times to Asia by 10 days, raising environmental concerns.

• Waffle House adds fast EV charging to its 24/7 diners (The Verge) - BP Pulse to install 400kW DC fast chargers at Waffle House locations across Southern US states starting 2026, adding EV charging to 24/7 dining experience.

• All deliveries to wind farm stopped after turbine part stuck under bridge (RenewEconomy) - Queensland's Wambo wind farm halts all deliveries after oversized turbine part damages bridge during transport mishap.

• California EV Sales Stay Strong, Model Choice Skyrockets (CleanTechnica) - California maintains 20.8% EV market share in Q1 2025 despite Tesla sales drop, as available EV models increase from 105 to 147.

• Podbike Shuts Down: Norwegian E-Velomobile Startup Files For Bankruptcy (Cleantechnica) - Norwegian e-velomobile startup Podbike files for bankruptcy after failing to sustain production of its innovative 4-wheeled electric bike-car hybrid.

• Honda Changes Course On EVs, Will Switch Focus To Hybrids (CleanTechnica) - Honda cuts EV investment by 30% to $48 billion, pivots to hybrid vehicles amid market uncertainty and changing regulations.

• NHTSA Adjusts Autonomous Vehicle Rules Ahead Of Tesla Robotaxi Rollout (CleanTechnica) - NHTSA eases autonomous vehicle safety reporting requirements and exempts US-made robotaxis from federal safety standards ahead of Tesla's planned rollout.

• Tikehau Acquires Sustainable Mobility Solutions Provider EYSA (ESG Today) - Tikehau Capital acquires Spanish sustainable mobility provider EYSA Group to expand digital mobility infrastructure systems globally, leveraging its private equity decarbonisation strategy.