From Federal to Local Focus

In this edition: ◔ Global Intro ◑ Visual of the Day ◕ Table of Contents ● Full Collection (Email subscribers get 3 just for you)

This morning we've gathered 179 updates from across the world's work on green tech and sustainability.

Today's updates tell a story of regulatory volatility, geopolitical fragmentation, and climate responsibility deferred to state and corporate interests.

• The SEC is giving up on even its watered down emissions reporting plans

• But California regulations have helped double the use of renewable diesel over petroleum diesel in commercial transport over the past 2 years, now making up 65% of what's fueling trucks there!

• And in Oregon, a bill to address food waste and resulting emissions had its first public hearing on Tuesday. It would require uniform date labeling and commercial organics diversion.

  
  

The EPA granted West Virginia state-level control over permitting for CO2 injection and geological storage in wells. What does that mean? Interior Secretary Doug Burgum put it this way: "When you turn the power of the federal government back to the states where it rightfully belongs, those people live there - they care about the water, the soil health, the air. They care about that more than anyone coming in from the outside could. This is not a risk to delegate to responsible energy states; it's actually the way that our country was set up."

Net carbon reduction at 1/15th the cost of EV subsidies, they say! (And the oil companies can keep selling oil.)

None the less, that really is clearly the strategy for defending the Earth in the Trump II era: to local, regional, and corporate efforts we go!

-Marshall Kirkpatrick

Earth Catalyst: We provide thought leadership support systems and bespoke consulting for green tech and sustainability organizations.

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Visual of the Day

Ice Towers for Climate Adaptation

In India's high-altitude Ladakh region, this towering ice structure is a human-made glacier that provides crucial water to farmers during the dry summer months.

Photographed by Ciril Jazbec for Onewater's photo contest, these "ice stupas" are constructed using pipes and valves that sprinkle water which immediately freezes, creating structures that can store up to 7.5 million liters of water to irrigate farmland in a region that receives just 100 mm of annual rainfall.

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (8 stories) - La Via Campesina mobilizes globally as Nestlé-Mars-Fonterra fund dairy emissions cuts; Enhanced Rock Weathering gains traction in Brazil while cyber threats to ag rise 27%

  
  

• Carbon (15 stories) - West Virginia joins CO2 well control states, Twelve raises $83M for CO2-based fuel, INGKA Group unveils net-zero plan, while Mast Reforestation secures $25M for carbon burial projects

  
  

• Circular (2 stories) - Oregon food waste bill advances as MOA Foodtech raises €14.8m for byproduct-to-protein fermentation

  
  

• Ecosystems (21 stories) - Protected areas expand in Ecuador's Manabí and Machángara-Tomebamba; seagrass restoration success in US/UK; Australian bushfires impact parks; orca calf brings hope; Tasmanian whale strandings; global wildlife conservation efforts from Nepal to Scotland

  
  

• Efficiency (7 stories) - AIKO leads module efficiency at 24.2-25% with new designs, as heat pump adoption faces cultural hurdles and duct sealing programs expand

  
  

• Finance (10 stories) - Record $1.9T from China's clean energy GDP share, Maine's $118.2M solar funding, Encore's $389M Brookfield deal, plus TNFD and Global Energy Alliance appointments

  
  

• Grid (16 stories) - Grid operators PJM, MISO, and PG&E advance storage and renewables integration while Hydrostor, tem., and UK batteries boost capacity; Virginia, California push VPPs as Southeast Asia plans $24B transmission network

  
  

• Indigenous (6 stories) - Indigenous land rights threatened by mining projects in Brazil's Xingu River and Amazon, while North American initiatives spotlight traditional ecological knowledge and BIPOC community spaces

  
  

• Industry (19 stories) - Major steelworks seizure disrupts GFG's green plans; Vema Hydrogen secures $13M for subsurface tech; TotalEnergies-Air Liquide hydrogen partnership; Chinese solar firms DMEGC, Sungrow, Risen lead tech advances; methane mitigation industry grows 88%

  
  

• Policy (49 stories) - EPA beach waste sites, SEC climate rule retreat, oil/gas emissions reporting changes, energy groups' hydrogen credit push, state drilling halts, and global policy shifts shape regulatory landscape

  
  

• Renewables (10 stories) - Wave energy firm CorPower Ocean's €17.5M boost, AIKO's European solar expansion, Queensland and NSW wind developments, while Codrington Wind Farm plans 2027 closure

  
  

• Transport (16 stories) - West Coast renewable diesel surge, SARTA's solar hydrogen facility, Volvo's Australian EV plans, EVPassport's 3,600-charger rollout, and Heybike's budget cargo e-bike launch amid Tesla protests and IMO biofuel concerns

Agriculture

La Via Campesina mobilizes globally as Nestlé-Mars-Fonterra fund dairy emissions cuts; Enhanced Rock Weathering gains traction in Brazil while cyber threats to ag rise 27%

• #8M25: La Via Campesina calls for a Global Day of Struggle (La Via Campesina) - Global peasant movement calls for worldwide March 8th mobilization against fascism, violence, and food insecurity, emphasizing women's rights and food sovereignty.

• Drylands under pressure: Science and solutions for global stability (CGIAR) - Drylands supporting 44% of global agriculture face severe climate threats and land degradation, endangering food security and livelihoods of 3 billion people.

• How ‘country palm’ could help pave the way toward a sustainable palm oil future in Liberia (Mongabay) - Native "country palm" agroforestry systems in Liberia show higher biodiversity than industrial plantations while supporting traditional livelihoods and forest conservation.

• How farmers can reduce fertilizer use and sequester carbon (InPlanet) - Enhanced Rock Weathering technique enables farmers to reduce fertilizer costs while improving soil health and sequestering carbon, with first certified carbon credits issued in Brazil.

• Nestlé, Mars to Fund Incentives for Farmers to Cut Dairy Supply Chain Emissions (ESGToday) - Nestlé and Mars partner with Fonterra to fund $27M in farmer incentives and technology aimed at reducing dairy supply chain emissions by 150,000 metric tons by 2030.

• Photo series on Himalayan water-saving ice stupas wins global award (Mongabay) - Award-winning photo series captures innovative ice stupas providing crucial irrigation water to Himalayan farming communities facing glacier retreat.

• Minharmonic : une équation mathématique pour mieux comprendre la dynamique de population du sanglier (Fondation François Sommer) - New mathematical equation 'Minharmonic' enables better prediction of wild boar population dynamics by accounting for both male and female mating patterns.

• Ransomware attacks on food and ag expected to rise, possible ‘cascading impacts’ on the sector (AgFunderNews) - Ransomware attacks on food and agriculture sector rose 27% in 2024 to 212 incidents, with experts warning of increasing supply chain vulnerabilities and cascading industry impacts.

Carbon

West Virginia joins CO2 well control states, Twelve raises $83M for CO2-based fuel, INGKA Group unveils net-zero plan, while Mast Reforestation secures $25M for carbon burial projects

• A surprising predictor of low household carbon footprints: Communities that value purity (Anthropocene) - Study reveals communities valuing purity show lower household carbon footprints, challenging assumptions about conservative moral values and climate action.

• Administrator Lee Zeldin Announces Approval of Class VI Primacy for West Virginia (EPA) - West Virginia becomes fourth US state granted Class VI primacy for CO2 well injection management, joining North Dakota, Wyoming, and Louisiana in state-level control of carbon storage permitting.

• Early warning system for climate tipping points given £81m kickstart (The Guardian) - UK launches £81m project to develop early warning system for climate tipping points using drones, cosmic rays, and AI to forecast potential climate catastrophes.

• IKEA Parent Company Releases Net Zero Transition Plan (ESGToday) - IKEA parent INGKA Group unveils comprehensive Net Zero Transition Plan targeting 50% emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050, focusing heavily on materials decarbonization.

• Many companies meet climate pledges on paper — not on the ground, analyst says (Mongabay) - Analysis reveals companies often achieve climate pledges through unverifiable carbon offsets and renewable certificates rather than actual emissions reductions.

• Mast Reforestation Raises $25 Million to Avoid Carbon Emissions After Wildfires (ESGToday) - Mast Reforestation secures $25M Series B funding to scale post-wildfire biomass burial projects that prevent carbon emissions and enable forest restoration.

• Navigating CCS Hub Development: A Strategic Guide to Project Management (Energy Central) - New 7-step project management framework unveiled for Gulf Coast carbon capture and storage hub development, focusing on regulatory alignment and risk reduction.

• Ocean CO2 Solution? (EnergyCentral) - Scientists explore ocean-based CO2 removal technique where extracting dissolved carbon from seawater could enhance natural oceanic carbon absorption from atmosphere.

• Protected: The Disappearing Ski Town of Tucson, Arizona (Protect Our Winters) - Arizona's Mount Lemmon Ski Valley faces uncertain future as climate change threatens winter recreation in America's southernmost ski area.

• Protecting peatlands and mangroves could halve Southeast Asia’s land-use emissions (Mongabay) - Study finds protecting and restoring Southeast Asia's peatlands and mangroves could reduce regional land-use emissions by 50%, equivalent to 16% of global land-use emissions.

• Sustainable Dubuque | February 17,2025 (CityofDubuque.org) - Dubuque City Council discusses setting new 2050 net-zero emissions target while reviewing 34% emissions reduction achieved since 2003 baseline.

• The Carbon Brief Profile: Germany (Carbon Brief) - Germany, Europe's largest industrial emitter, struggles to meet climate targets despite leading in renewable power, as political tensions rise over nuclear phase-out and coal dependence.

• Twelve Raises $83 Million to Transform Captured CO2 into Clean Fuels (ESGToday) - Carbon tech company Twelve raises $83M to scale production of sustainable aviation fuel made from captured CO2, water, and renewable electricity.

• Update: How’s U.S. winter weather changing in a warming world? (Yale Climate Connections) - Arctic warming's complex influence on U.S. winter patterns shows decreasing cold extremes overall but potential for intense snowstorms in northern regions through 2100.

• Why is it so cold outside when the climate is warming? (Yale Climate Connections) - Weakening polar jet stream and increased atmospheric moisture due to global warming can paradoxically cause extreme cold snaps and heavy snowfall despite rising average temperatures.

 Circular

Oregon food waste bill advances as MOA Foodtech raises €14.8m for byproduct-to-protein fermentation

• Bill to reduce food waste in Oregon gets first hearing (Oregon Public Radio) - Oregon legislature considers bill requiring uniform food date labeling and commercial composting requirements to reduce one million tons of annual food waste.

• Biomass fermentation startup MOA Foodtech secures $15.4m investment commitment from EIC (AgFunderNews) - Spanish startup MOA Foodtech secures €14.8m ($15.4m) investment to scale AI-driven biomass fermentation technology converting food industry byproducts into sustainable protein ingredients.

Ecosystems

Protected areas expand in Ecuador's Manabí and Machángara-Tomebamba; seagrass restoration success in US/UK; Australian bushfires impact parks; orca calf brings hope; Tasmanian whale strandings; global wildlife conservation efforts from Nepal to Scotland

• 24 de Mayo Conservation Area Protects Rivers in Ecuador’s Daule River basin (Andes Amazon Fund) - Ecuador establishes 37,019-acre conservation area in Manabí province to protect vital water resources and 373 species in Daule River basin.

• Australian bushfires leave wildlife facing increased predator risk, decades of recovery (Mongabay) - Australian bushfires devastate three national parks, leaving wildlife vulnerable to predators and facing decades-long recovery amid climate change concerns.

• Could the Northeast Burn Again? (Inside Climate News) - Northeast U.S. faces heightened wildfire risks as climate volatility brings drought conditions similar to devastating 1947 fires that burned 220,000 acres.

• Expansion of the Machángara-Tomebamba Wildlife Refuge in Ecuador (Andes Amazon Fund) - Ecuador expands Machángara-Tomebamba Wildlife Refuge by 41,667 acres, protecting endangered species and vital páramo ecosystems while connecting to El Cajas National Park.

• Seagrass Gardening (The Revelator) - Scientists successfully restore vast seagrass meadows along US East Coast and UK waters, achieving 15:1 growth ratios and enhanced marine biodiversity through innovative seed-planting techniques.

• Southern resident orca update: life in the pod (Environment America) - Southern resident orca population shows signs of hope as new female calf J62 thrives while total population remains critically low at 75 due to salmon decline from Snake River dams.

• The Maugean skate could be extinct in 10 years – and as usual Albo is making it worse | First Dog on the Moon (The Guardian) - Rare Maugean skate faces extinction within decade as Australian government policies threaten species survival in Tasmania.

• Turf war? Fixing grasslands can ease human-wildlife clashes (Conservation International) - Study shows grassland restoration in Kenya reduces human-wildlife conflicts by improving food availability for both livestock and wild animals.

• Understanding of marine ecosystems is alarmingly low – here’s why ocean literacy matters (The Conversation) - Global study reveals young people have low ocean literacy despite recognizing ocean's climate role, with misplaced accountability expectations for ocean protection.

• Bonobos can recognize ignorance and help, a new ‘milestone’ in ape intelligence (Mongabay) - Study reveals bonobos can recognize human ignorance and provide assistance, marking new milestone in understanding ape intelligence.

• Camera trap films two rare black wolves in Poland (Mongabay) - Camera trap in Poland captures rare footage of two black wolves, marking first confirmed sighting of the genetic variant in the country.

• More than 150 whales stranded near Arthur River in Tasmania – video (The Guardian) - 157 false killer whales stranded on remote Tasmanian beach with 136 still alive as rescuers face access challenges.

• Newfound bat virus that uses notorious receptor poses ‘spillover’ risk (Nature) - New bat coronavirus discovered in China uses same cell entry mechanism as COVID-19, raising potential spillover risk to humans.

• Officials to euthanise 90 whales stranded on beach in remote north-western Tasmania (The Guardian) - Tasmania officials to euthanize 90 stranded false killer whales after failed rescue attempts near Arthur River, marking largest such incident in 50 years.

• As elephant conflict shifts, Nepal’s border village offers clues for coexistence (Mongabay) - Nepal's Bahundangi village offers successful human-elephant coexistence model as conflicts spread westward due to urbanization and deforestation.

• Getting rewilding right with the reintroduction of small wildcats (Mongabay) - Scientists outline keys to successful small wildcat reintroductions worldwide, highlighting Scottish wildcat and Iberian lynx conservation wins.

• I’m obsessed with fish that clean other fish: they remember their clients, much like a hairdresser (The Guardian) - Marine biologist campaigns for legal protection of cleaner fish, highlighting their complex social behavior and rising exploitation by salmon farms.

• Prix du patrimoine François Sommer 2025 : candidatez jusqu’au 15 mars ! (Fondation François Sommer) - French heritage foundation increases prize to €50,000 and expands criteria to include biodiversity-focused parks and gardens for 2025 historic monument restoration award.

• Repeated invasions shape NZ's bird life (ScienceDaily) - New Zealand research reveals Ice Age climate shifts drove Australian bird species colonization, reshaping endemic bird populations with implications for future migration patterns.

• Things are looking up for near-extinct Siberian cranes (cartoon) (Mongabay) - Critically endangered Siberian crane population doubles over decade due to successful protection of Russia-China migratory stopover sites.

• Valentines for the bees (Environment America) - Oregon advocates deliver bee-themed valentines to legislators, urging support for HB 2679 bill restricting neonic pesticides to protect declining pollinator populations.

Efficiency

AIKO leads module efficiency at 24.2-25% with new designs, as heat pump adoption faces cultural hurdles and duct sealing programs expand

• Do heat pumps have a 'cosiness' problem? (BusinessGreen) - Research across UK and European households reveals cultural perceptions and 'cosiness' concerns pose barriers to heat pump adoption.

• More than half of Australia’s homes were built before fire standards came in. Here are 5 ways to retrofit them (The Conversation) - Over half of Australia's pre-1990s homes lack modern fire safety standards, with retrofitting costs ranging from $8,500 to $47,000 per property.

• TOP SOLAR MODULES Listing – February 2025 (TaiyangNews) - Latest commercial solar module efficiency rankings show AIKO leading with 24.2% efficient 655W module, as industry sees continued dominance of TOPCon and HJT technologies in high-efficiency segment.

• AIKO’s ABC Module - Making The Most Of Each Electron (TaiyangNews) - AIKO Solar unveils ABC INFINITY Gen III module with 25% efficiency and 20W higher power output, featuring zero-busbar design and back-contact technology for mid-2025 launch.

• ¿Sirve de algo reciclar el agua, y qué más puedo hacer? (Yale Climate Connections) - Comprehensive guide explains water recycling benefits and practical household methods for water conservation, from greywater systems to rainwater harvesting.

• How Aeroseal Strengthens Federal Building Resiliency (Aeroseal) - Advanced duct sealing technology reduces federal building air leakage by up to 97%, improving HVAC resilience and operational stability.

• Reduce Energy Waste– Complimentary Duct Sealing Pilot for Small & Medium-Sized Businesses in Georgia (Aeroseal) - Georgia Power offers free duct sealing program to small businesses to reduce HVAC energy waste and improve efficiency.

Finance

Record $1.9T from China's clean energy GDP share, Maine's $118.2M solar funding, Encore's $389M Brookfield deal, plus TNFD and Global Energy Alliance appointments

• Analysis: Clean energy contributed a record 10% of China’s GDP in 2024 (Carbon Brief) - China's clean energy sectors contributed record 10% of GDP ($1.9tn) in 2024, driving 26% of economic growth through EVs, solar and batteries.

• Clean energy contributed 10% to China’s GDP in 2024, analysis shows (The Guardian) - China's clean energy sector, led by EVs and batteries, contributed record 10% to nation's GDP in 2024, surpassing real estate sector value.

• Economic Restoration (SOCAN) - Restoration economist John Giordanengo to discuss conflicts between conservation and capitalism at Southern Oregon Climate Action Now's February meeting.

• Freshly financed community solar projects could help ease electricity bills in Maine (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Maine's $118.2M financing for four community solar projects to provide electricity bill relief through net energy billing program for 43 businesses and 4,700 households.

• Here’s what we know for certain about business and climate change (EDF+Business) - Corporate leaders at GreenBiz25 confirm commitment to climate action despite political uncertainty, citing business risks and market demands for sustainability.

• PG&E tries to reassure investors amid growing wildfire concerns (Utility Dive) - PG&E seeks expansion of California's wildfire insurance fund amid investor concerns over potential catastrophic fire impacts, with CEO noting credit rating improvements unlikely.

• Renée Cutting announced as GEAPP’s Chief Partnerships & Philanthropy Officer (GEAPP) - Global Energy Alliance appoints Renée Cutting as Chief Partnerships Officer to accelerate clean energy access and climate action in developing economies.

• SOSV Monthly: New General Partners, Events 2025, New Fundings (SOSV Monthly) - Venture firm announces new climate tech summit dates, portfolio funding wins, and ecosystem updates for March 2024.

• TNFD Launches Platform to Upskill Professionals on Nature-related Reporting (ESG Today) - TNFD launches new capacity-building platform with Learning Lab and Trainer Portal to help professionals and businesses assess and report nature-related risks.

• Under the hood of Encore and Brookfield’s debt deal for distributed generation (Latitude Media) - Encore Renewable Energy secures $389M multi-faceted financing deal with Brookfield for distributed solar portfolio, combining construction loans, growth capital, and tax equity solutions.

Grid

Grid operators PJM, MISO, and PG&E advance storage and renewables integration while Hydrostor, tem., and UK batteries boost capacity; Virginia, California push VPPs as Southeast Asia plans $24B transmission network

• As power demand surges, Va. lawmakers seem ready to add more energy storage to the grid (Virginia Mercury) - Virginia lawmakers propose bills to increase utility energy storage requirements from 3,100 to 10,000 megawatts amid rising power demand and grid reliability concerns.

• David vs Goliath: How one start-up is using AI & Machine Learning to take on energy industry giants (Virgin) - UK startup tem. uses AI platform to help businesses bypass traditional energy markets and directly purchase renewable energy, raising £10.5m Series A funding.

• Frustrated by high heating bills? On Facebook, energy customers are venting together (Acadia Center) - New England residents form Facebook groups to protest high energy delivery charges as experts point to costly gas infrastructure maintenance.

• How installers can navigate energy volatility in 2025 and beyond with solar battery storage (Utility Dive) - Solar battery storage systems offer homeowners protection against rising electricity costs and grid instability while reducing power grid stress through 2025.

• How PJM can get the power that it needs — and fast (Canary Media) - PJM grid operator's plan to fast-track gas power plants faces criticism while alternative solutions like surplus interconnection and generator replacement could add more capacity faster.

• Local Governments Can Achieve Texas-Sized Impacts from Distributed Energy Assets and Virtual Power Plants (RMI) - Texas local governments can accelerate distributed energy resource adoption and virtual power plant deployment through permitting reforms, incentives, and public education to enhance grid resilience and reduce costs.

• MISO wants to fast track energy storage projects. Can participating states interconnect as quickly as CAISO and ERCOT? (RenewableEnergyWorld) - MISO proposes expedited energy storage project approval process to address capacity needs, requiring strict criteria including $24,000/MW payments and state acknowledgment.

• New CA Bill Improves Electricity Affordability by Using Virtual Power Plants (Advanced Energy United) - California introduces bill AB 740 to implement virtual power plants for reducing electricity costs and improving grid reliability through home-based distributed energy resources.

• PJM’s power conundrum (Canary Media) - PJM Interconnection faces urgent need to rapidly connect solar, wind and battery projects to replace closing coal plants while meeting rising power demand.

• Shocker! US Could Lead On Compressed Air Energy Storage Project (CleanTechnica) - Hydrostor secures $200M investment for large-scale compressed air energy storage projects in US, targeting fossil plant replacement with 500MW California facility leading development.

• Southeast Asia Begins Building The Supergrid Of The Future (CleanTechnica) - Southeast Asian nations begin constructing massive cross-border power grid system with initial 30km Malaysia connection, part of $24B regional renewable energy transmission network.

• Three big batteries join UK grid, including the biggest to date (RenewEconomy) - UK grid adds three new battery storage systems including 331MWh Bramley facility, the country's largest battery installation to date.

• Virginia General Assembly Gives Bipartisan Green Light to Distributed Generation and Virtual Power Plant Bills (Advanced Energy United) - Virginia legislature passes bipartisan bills expanding distributed energy generation and requiring Dominion Energy to pilot virtual power plant program.

• California utility says its ‘accelerated’ connection of new data centers will bring down customer rates (RenewableEnergyWorld) - PG&E plans to connect 5.5GW of data center demand over next decade, promising 1-2% customer bill reduction per 1,000MW of new load.

• Practical AI for utilities: How to prioritize and scale real-world use cases (Utility Dive) - Utilities increasingly adopt AI for predictive maintenance, grid optimization, and operational efficiency, with most still in pilot phase focusing on generative AI and outage planning.

• AEP expects electric sales to jump 8.6% annually over 3 years (Utility Dive) - American Electric Power forecasts 8.6% annual electricity sales growth through 2027, driven by data centers and industrial facilities requiring potential $10B infrastructure investment.

Indigenous

Indigenous land rights threatened by mining projects in Brazil's Xingu River and Amazon, while North American initiatives spotlight traditional ecological knowledge and BIPOC community spaces

• ‘It’s about control’: Why Trump renamed Denali to Mount McKinley (Grist) - Trump's renaming of Alaska's Denali mountain to McKinley exemplifies colonial control over Indigenous place names and cultural identity.

• As the rainforest gets drier, Amazon Indigenous groups thirst for clean water (Mongabay) - Amazon Indigenous communities face severe drinking water shortages as rainforest water bodies shrink 16% since 1985, with only one-third having proper water systems.

• Blood Gold in the Amazon: Belo Sun’s Mega-Mine Threatens People, Land, and Climate (Amazon Watch) - Canadian mining company Belo Sun gains new financing and court support to advance controversial gold mega-mine threatening Indigenous communities and ecosystems along Brazil's Xingu River.

• O que está em jogo com a proposta de mineração em TI de Gilmar Mendes? (ISA) - Brazil's Supreme Court Justice proposes controversial bill to allow mining on indigenous lands and weaken demarcation rights, sparking protests from indigenous groups and environmental advocates.

• PCEF Grantee Prismid Sanctuary | Esperanza and Mick (Portland Clean Energy Fund) - Black-led Prismid Sanctuary receives funding to rebuild 1914 farmhouse with clean energy infrastructure, creating community space for BIPOC artists in North Portland.

• Reciprocity: Rethinking Our Relationship with the Natural World (Yale E360) - Indigenous botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer advocates for merging Western and Indigenous ecological knowledge while promoting gift economies and reciprocity with nature in new book 'The Serviceberry'.

Industry

Major steelworks seizure disrupts GFG's green plans; Vema Hydrogen secures $13M for subsurface tech; TotalEnergies-Air Liquide hydrogen partnership; Chinese solar firms DMEGC, Sungrow, Risen lead tech advances; methane mitigation industry grows 88%

• “Lost confidence:” Government takes control of Whyalla steel works, as hydrogen plan hangs in balance (RenewEconomy) - South Australian government seizes control of Whyalla Steelworks from GFG Alliance, jeopardizing major green hydrogen and steel plans.

• 1000s of Years of Clean, Cheap Hydrogen: Why We Invested in Vema (Extantia Capital) - VC firm announces $13M seed investment in Vema Hydrogen, developing subsurface hydrogen production technology promising clean hydrogen at <$1/kg with minimal energy requirements.

• Assembly Plant or Battery Powerhouse? Analysis of Foreign Battery Investments in EU (CleanTechnica) - T&E study reveals foreign battery manufacturers dominate EU market with 90% production share, while environmental violations and weak technology transfer requirements raise concerns about Europe's battery industry future.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: EcoVadis Silver Medal For DMEGC Solar & More (TaiyangNews) - Multiple Chinese solar companies receive sustainability awards and make technological advances, with DMEGC and Sungrow earning EcoVadis medals while Risen Energy achieves 30.99% efficiency in tandem solar cells.

• Climate+ | Episode 24 | Marissa Beatty @ Turnover Labs (EnergyCentral) - Chemical manufacturing industry faces decarbonization challenges, contributing 23-28% of global emissions while lacking incentives to adopt greener technologies.

• Decarbonising Refineries in Northern Europe with Green Hydrogen (Energy Central) - TotalEnergies partners with Air Liquide to produce 15,000 tons of green hydrogen annually for Antwerp refinery, targeting 150,000-ton CO2 reduction by 2027.

• Environmentalists ‘Weaken’ Canada, Claims Industry Group with Political Ties (DeSmog) - Canadian pro-oil group 'Energy United' with ties to industry and conservative politicians spends $53,000 on social media ads attacking environmentalists.

• Growing Strong: Methane Mitigation Industry Expands Nationwide, Driving Economic Growth and Cutting Emissions (EDF) - U.S. methane mitigation industry sees 88% growth in manufacturing firms over past decade, creating jobs and reducing emissions while generating economic benefits.

• Investments In Green Steel & Ammonia Plummeted In 2024 (CleanTechnica) - Global investment in industrial decarbonization fell 60% to $31 billion in 2024, with green steel projects seeing largest decline despite record $2.1 trillion in broader energy transition spending.

• No Tech Transfer Requirements in Chinese-European Battery Partnerships Despite EU Subsidies — Study (CleanTechnica) - Study reveals EU-Chinese battery partnerships lack technology transfer requirements and environmental standards despite €900M in state aid from Hungary and Poland.

• PCEF Grantee Oregon Tradeswomen | Nami Bigos (Portland Clean Energy Fund) - Oregon Tradeswomen uses PCEF funding to train women and gender minorities for green energy careers, focusing on increasing access for women of color in building trades.

• Six Key Words to Illuminate Huasun's 2025 New Chapter (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer Huasun expands HJT production capacity, achieves 6GW shipments in 2024, and launches new Kunlun series modules with near 100% bifaciality.

• The Tilbury Jetty needs to be stopped before it begins (Stand.earth) - FortisBC's proposed LNG storage tank and marine jetty expansion in Tilbury Island faces opposition over environmental risks, including threats to endangered orcas and methane emissions.

• TotalEnergies Joins Forces with Air Liquide to Decarbonize its Refineries in Northern Europe with Green Hydrogen (EnergyCentral) - TotalEnergies and Air Liquide partner to develop green hydrogen production for refinery decarbonization in Northern Europe.

• TotalEnergies, Air Liquide Sign Deal to Decarbonize Refineries with Green Hydrogen (ESGToday) - TotalEnergies and Air Liquide partner to produce 45,000 tons of green hydrogen annually for refinery decarbonization in Northern Europe, targeting 450,000-ton CO2 reduction.

• Why Oil Companies Are Cautious About Trump’s ‘Drill, Baby, Drill’ Plan (EnergyCentral) - Major oil companies remain cautious about Trump's drilling expansion plans, citing market conditions and profitability concerns over political pressure.

• Sungrow Ranks in the Global Top 5%, Awarded EcoVadis Gold Medal (TaiyangNews) - Renewable energy company Sungrow receives EcoVadis Gold Medal for top 5% ESG performance, targeting 65% renewable electricity use by 2024 and carbon neutrality by 2028.

• Sunnova Energy To Trim Workforce By Over 15% (TaiyangNews) - US solar company Sunnova Energy to cut 300 jobs (15% of workforce) amid high interest rates and policy uncertainty, targeting $35 million in annual savings.

• Top 5 Solar Cell Suppliers Shipped 163 GW Capacity In 2024 (TaiyangNews) - Top 5 Chinese solar cell manufacturers shipped 163 GW in 2024, led by Tongwei, with TOPCon technology dominating 67% of shipments despite 10.7% year-over-year decline.

Policy

EPA beach waste sites, SEC climate rule retreat, oil/gas emissions reporting changes, energy groups' hydrogen credit push, state drilling halts, and global policy shifts shape regulatory landscape

• ‘An unprecedented situation’: EPA plan for LA wildfire cleanup stirs protests over toxic dangers (The Guardian) - EPA's plan to use LA beaches as toxic waste sorting sites for wildfire debris cleanup sparks protests over environmental and health concerns.

• ‘I’m Not a Scientist’: Net Zero Opponent Nigel Farage Admits Climate Ignorance (DeSmog) - Reform UK leader Nigel Farage admits climate science ignorance while continuing to oppose net zero policies and spread debunked climate claims at ARC conference.

• ‘The path forward is clear’: how Trump taking office has ‘turbocharged’ climate accountability efforts (The Guardian) - Trump's re-election sparks surge in state-level climate accountability laws and litigation against fossil fuel companies, despite industry pushback and federal opposition.

• “Go ahead and finish it”: Think tank pauses anti-wind push (Canary Media) - Conservative think tank halts opposition to Dominion's Virginia offshore wind farm that's already halfway built, declining to join Trump-led blocking effort.

• 🌎 RIP SEC’s TCFD #233 (CTVC) - SEC signals retreat from climate disclosure rules as acting Chair Uyeda moves to pause legal battles, marking potential end to corporate climate transparency requirements in US.

• 108 federal protected areas in Mexico remain without actual management plans (Mongabay) - Nearly half of Mexico's 232 federal protected areas lack management plans despite legal requirements, leaving ecosystems vulnerable to exploitation.

• A Comprehensive Guide to 2025 Subpart W Updates (Project Canary) - EPA mandates major Subpart W emissions reporting changes for oil and gas industry, effective 2025.

• An Emergency Trump-Coded Appeal to Save the Hydrogen Tax Credit (Heatmap News) - Over 100 energy organizations lobby Congress to preserve hydrogen tax credit, citing global competitiveness and energy dominance concerns.

• As Activists Mobilize Against Drilling, Oil and Gas Operators Sour on Colorado (InsideClimateNews) - Colorado regulators halt two major oil drilling projects near Denver suburbs as community activism and strict environmental regulations make operators question state's profitability.

• Battle of the batteries: Solar soakers provide some common ground for Australia’s competing energy visions (RenewEconomy) - Australian political parties converge on home battery support policies as solution for solar grid integration and energy affordability ahead of federal election.

• Changing the narrative (We Mean Business Coalition) - Business leaders urge EU to maintain sustainability regulations and green agenda despite pressure to roll back environmental standards, emphasizing policy certainty for corporate climate action.

• Colorado and Connecticut saved residents hundreds of thousands of dollars on their utility bills (Yale Climate Connections) - Colorado and Connecticut laws blocking utilities from charging customers for lobbying and advertising saved ratepayers over $1.3 million in 2023.

• Congratulations to new BC3 PhD graduate Eva Alonso-Epelde (BC3) - Eva Alonso-Epelde completes PhD thesis examining gender-sensitive analysis of socioeconomic impacts from climate policies and energy transition.

• Do you think polluters should pay for the damages they KNOWINGLY caused? (ACEspace) - Youth activist calls for fossil fuel industry accountability over climate change damages, emphasizing generational impact and urgency of action.

• Global Centre for Climate Mobility (GCCM) (GCCM) - Global climate mobility organization launches fellowship program for young leaders to develop solutions for climate-displaced communities.

• How California can advance affordability, clean air, and safer homes in 2025 (Building Decarb Coalition) - California outlines 2025 building decarbonization priorities including heat pump legislation, air quality standards, and neighborhood-scale electrification to advance affordability and clean air.

• How California can rebuild safer, more resilient cities after wildfires without pricing out workers (The Conversation) - California faces post-wildfire rebuilding challenges, with experts urging policy reforms to create fire-resilient communities while protecting housing affordability for working-class residents.

• How to protect more Australian homes from the growing risks of floods, fires and other climate disasters (The Conversation) - Australian study calls for urgent integration of housing policy, urban planning, and disaster management to protect homes from escalating climate-related disasters.

• How Trump Could Ruin Your Next National Park Adventure (Heatmap News) - Trump administration's mass firing of 5,700 public land managers forces trail closures and threatens park operations, fire prevention, and scientific research across U.S. national parks and forests.

• Indiana advocates seek data center pause (Canary Media) - Indiana consumer advocates seek data center moratorium amid concerns over fossil fuel use and unproven nuclear reactors.

• Indie Folk Musician and DC Climate Activist Vienna Teng Performs at the 20th Annual CCAN Polar Bear Plunge (CCAN) - Vienna Teng headlines 20th Annual Polar Bear Plunge fundraiser in DC area, raising $162,000 for regional climate initiatives as activists take icy dips amid record global temperatures.

• Jon Davis on how the UK government is tackling the climate crisis – cartoon (The Guardian) - Political cartoonist Jon Davis satirizes UK government's inadequate response to climate crisis through multi-panel illustration.

• Joy and anger and hope: youth climate activism (Climate Generation) - Minnesota youth climate activists gather at State Capitol for Climate Justice Education Bill advocacy while hosting Youth Climate Justice Summit focused on movement building and climate solutions.

• Leapfrog Alliance urges GHG Protocol to Prioritize Access to Electricity and Equity (Energy Peace Partners) - Leapfrog Alliance coalition urges GHG Protocol to revise corporate emissions standards to incentivize clean energy investments in underserved communities through 10% geographic matching exemption.

• Lessons from the Los Angeles wildfires (Greenpeace) - Los Angeles wildfires mirror South Africa's increasing out-of-season fire incidents, highlighting global climate crisis impacts and need for enhanced firefighting resources.

• LiveEO | Publishing Houses and EUDR: Challenges and Solutions (LiveEO) - Publishing houses face complex EUDR compliance challenges requiring geolocation tracking and legal verification of paper sources to prevent deforestation-linked products entering EU market by 2025.

• Looming UK energy bills hike sparks fresh calls for faster clean power push (BusinessGreen) - UK energy bill increases prompt experts to call for accelerated renewable energy and efficiency measures to reduce gas dependence.

• Mayor’s Roadmap: Paving the way to healthier cities (EDF) - New mayoral roadmap provides step-by-step guidance for U.S. cities to replace lead water pipes, highlighting $22,000 in health benefits per pipe replaced.

• Payne Institute | February 2025 Monthly Update (Payne Institute) - Monthly newsletter highlights research on tribal energy sovereignty, critical minerals, methane reduction, and global offshore lighting analysis, with focus on energy transition and policy.

• PCEF: Building momentum in our communities (Portland Clean Energy Fund) - Community-led initiative funds diverse local projects for clean energy transition and climate resilience, prioritizing underserved communities and traditional ecological knowledge.

• People Brace for Impacts on Land, Water and Wildlife After Feds Fire Thousands Over Holiday Weekend (InsideClimateNews) - Trump administration fires over 5,700 federal land management employees without warning, threatening wildlife protection, trail maintenance and public land operations.

• Peter Dutton’s nuclear accounting trick #1: Assume you can halve the cost of nuclear power (RenewEconomy) - Australian opposition's nuclear power cost estimates rely on unrealistic assumption of halving current global nuclear construction costs.

• Playing the climate policy game (Enduring Planet) - Climate policy expert Aimee Barnes outlines key strategies for startups to effectively engage with policymakers and trade organizations while navigating regulatory landscapes.

• Strong oil & gas methane rules are essential — and achievable (EnergyExchange) - EU methane regulation mandates emissions reporting starting May 2024, setting global standards for tracking and reducing methane emissions across oil and gas supply chains.

• Take Action: Defend climate progress! (PSR) - Health professionals urged to sign petition defending Inflation Reduction Act's climate and clean energy initiatives ahead of March 2025 Congressional meetings.

• The Power of Moms: How Laura Turner Seydel Raised Environmentalists (Moms Clean Air Force) - Environmental activist Laura Turner Seydel's lifelong commitment to sustainability and hands-on parenting approach led all three children to pursue environmental careers.

• The vicious cycle pushing Bangladeshi climate migrants into modern slavery (Climate Change News) - Research reveals nearly all Bangladeshi climate migrants face forced labor conditions when relocating domestically or to Gulf States, creating cycles of exploitation.

• There are many ways Trump could trigger a global collapse. Here’s how to survive if that happens | George Monbiot (The Guardian) - Trump and Musk's deregulation efforts and federal system degradation could trigger cascading US societal collapse through financial, pandemic, or climate crisis mechanisms.

• Top US prosecutor quits over pressure to investigate Biden climate spending (The Guardian) - Top US prosecutor resigns after refusing Trump appointees' demands to investigate Biden-era EPA climate spending based on Project Veritas video.

• Transcript: Does the colour of your skin make you more vulnerable to climate change? (Greenpeace) - Research shows racial minorities and economically disadvantaged communities face disproportionate climate change impacts due to systemic inequalities in infrastructure, resources and disaster response capabilities.

• Trump executive order takes back funds to help low-income Alabama residents pay electric bills (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Trump executive order rescinds $1 million Infrastructure Act funding, leaving 2,000 low-income Alabama households without $100 energy bill assistance.

• Trump’s attack on paper straws is mostly symbolic — but the plastics industry is celebrating (Grist) - Trump signs executive order banning federal paper straw procurement and directs creation of national strategy to eliminate paper straw policies, drawing plastics industry praise.

• US energy secretary tells UK and Australian conservatives that net zero is “sinister” and “unachievable” (RenewEconomy) - New US Energy Secretary Chris Wright calls net zero goals "sinister" and "unachievable" in speech to conservative UK-Australian conference, dismissing climate science and renewable energy benefits.

• Transcript of EWG podcast ‘Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode' – Episode 25 (EWG) - Neurologist Dr. Ray Dorsey explains how toxic chemicals in food, water and air contribute to rising Parkinson's disease rates and calls for stricter regulation of pesticides like paraquat.

• Resignation of Food and Drug Administration Leader Is a Setback for Safety of U.S. Food System (EDF) - FDA food safety chief Jim Jones resigns amid staff cuts, weakening agency's ability to protect US food supply and regulate harmful chemicals.

• Achieving energy dominance without leaving small customers behind (Utility Dive) - Energy experts warn integrated resource planning must adapt to balance large-scale load growth with protecting small customers from rate increases.

• Advanced degrees to elevate your career in environmental law (Lewis & Clark Law School) - Top-ranked environmental law school offers online Master's programs in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law for working professionals seeking advanced expertise.

• India Proposes Separate ALMM List For Distributed Renewable Energy (TaiyangNews) - India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy proposes separate ALMM list for distributed renewable energy modules with reduced 18% efficiency requirement for off-grid solar projects.

• UNDRR Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia 2024 highlights (UNDRR) - UN disaster risk reduction office highlights 2024 achievements in early warning systems, urban resilience and regional coordination across Europe and Central Asia.

Renewables

Wave energy firm CorPower Ocean's €17.5M boost, AIKO's European solar expansion, Queensland and NSW wind developments, while Codrington Wind Farm plans 2027 closure

• A decade on, farmer revives plans for mini wind farm first proposed to avoid big transmission line (RenewEconomy) - Queensland farmer revives decade-old mini wind farm proposal with six turbines, facing renewed regulatory hurdles and size restrictions that could impact viability.

• AIKO Strengthens Partnership with Energy3000 to Expand High-Efficiency Solar Solutions in Europe (TaiyangNews) - AIKO partners with Energy3000 to distribute high-efficiency N-Type ABC solar modules across European residential and commercial markets.

• Geothermal Energy vs. Fossil Fuels: Be Careful What You Wish For (CleanTechnica) - Enhanced Geothermal Systems technology threatens US fossil fuel industry as startups like GreenFire and Sage expand geothermal power beyond western regions.

• German town digs deep for hot rock geothermal energy to replace gas networks (RenewEconomy) - German town Geretsried pioneers deep-rock geothermal technology to replace gas networks with clean heat and electricity using innovative closed-loop drilling system.

• Indigenous people cut down trees as solar energy remains inaccessible and costly in DRC (Mongabay) - Indigenous Batwa communities in DRC forced to cut forest wood as solar panels remain prohibitively expensive, with only 6 panels serving 700 households across two villages.

• Oceanography Expert Joins Verterra Energy's Board of Advisors (Verterra Energy) - Leading oceanographer Dr. John Downing joins hydropower innovator's advisory board to advance water-based renewable energy solutions.

• Pine forest wind project unveils plans for 8 megawatt turbines and a 2,000 MWh battery (RenewEconomy) - NSW's Sunny Corner wind project plans 500MW facility with 8MW turbines and 2,000MWh battery storage in pine forest plantation near Lithgow.

• Space-Based Solar Power: The Future of 24/7 Clean Energy Generation (PowerMag) - Space-based solar power technology advances with reusable rockets and improved economics could enable 24/7 clean energy beamed from orbit by mid-century.

• Wave energy company awarded $18M from European Innovation Council accelerator program (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Swedish wave energy company CorPower Ocean secures €17.5M ($18.2M) from European Innovation Council to scale commercial wave farm technology.

• End of an era for pioneering wind farm, and a milestone in Australia’s renewables journey (RenewEconomy) - Australia's first privately-owned Codrington Wind Farm to cease operations in 2027 after pioneering 26-year run in Victoria's renewable energy sector.

Transport

West Coast renewable diesel surge, SARTA's solar hydrogen facility, Volvo's Australian EV plans, EVPassport's 3,600-charger rollout, and Heybike's budget cargo e-bike launch amid Tesla protests and IMO biofuel concerns

• Consumption of renewable diesel continues general growth trend on the U.S. West Coast (EIA) - Renewable diesel consumption doubles on U.S. West Coast since Q1 2023, now comprising 65% of California's transport diesel use, driven by state clean fuel programs.

• Estudo revela falhas graves na análise de viabilidade da Ferrogrão e questiona impactos socioeconômicos (ISA) - Study reveals serious flaws in Ferrogrão railway's economic viability analysis, highlighting underestimated costs and ignored environmental impacts in Brazilian Amazon project.

• EV nonprofit holds out hope for embattled IRA tax credits (Utility Dive) - EV advocacy groups fight to preserve IRA tax credits amid Trump administration's rollback of EV initiatives, citing economic and accessibility benefits.

• Let’s Talk About EV Range (CleanTechnica) - Industry expert analyzes EV range requirements, arguing 60kWh batteries will remain more practical than 30kWh options for mainstream adoption through 2030.

• Ohio transit agency to switch to green hydrogen for fuel cell buses (Canary Media) - Ohio transit agency SARTA plans solar-powered green hydrogen facility to fuel its 22-bus hydrogen fleet, replacing imported natural gas-derived fuel from Canada.

• Plugless Hybrids Grow 110% In South Africa in 2024. Isn’t It Better To Bypass The HEV Age? (CleanTechnica) - South Africa sees 110% growth in hybrid vehicle sales in 2024, dominated by Toyota models, while BEVs remain under 1% of total vehicle sales.

• Supersonic passenger aircraft may be returning – here’s what that would mean for the climate (The Conversation) - Boom Supersonic's new supersonic passenger aircraft aims for commercial flights within 5 years, burning up to 10x more fuel than subsonic planes despite sustainable fuel promises.

• T&E and 70+ Aviation Industry Actors Call Upon the European Commission to Support e-SAF Production (CleanTechnica) - T&E and 70+ aviation industry leaders urge European Commission to implement five key policies supporting e-SAF production, aiming to unlock €350 billion global market by 2050.

• UN Shipping Body’s Green Fuels Law Could Worsen the Sector’s Climate Impact — Study (CleanTechnica) - IMO's proposed green shipping fuel law could increase greenhouse gas emissions by 270 million tonnes by 2030 due to heavy reliance on deforestation-linked palm and soy biofuels.

• Vehicle Emissions May Decline Despite Slow EV Adoption (EnergyCentral) - U.S. vehicle emissions projected to decline naturally despite slow EV adoption, potentially aided by Trump-era policies.

• Volvo Moves the Earth & Hauls Ass in Australia (CleanTechnica) - Volvo plans electric truck manufacturing in Australia by 2028 while expanding electric construction equipment imports, having delivered 84 electric trucks, 53 buses, and 2 construction machines.

• ZeroAvia Announces First Sale of Standalone Electric Propulsion System (ZeroAvia) - Aviation company sells its first 600kW electric propulsion system to Jetcruzer International for electric aircraft development, marking milestone in sustainable aviation technology.

• A Tesla Model S For $9,000? (CleanTechnica) - High-mileage 2019 Tesla Model S purchased for under $9,000, demonstrating growing affordability of used luxury EVs despite 250,000 miles on odometer.

• Anti-Musk Sentiment Is Growing. Is Tesla in Trouble? (Heatmap News) - Tesla faces nationwide showroom protests as CEO Elon Musk's political involvement with Trump administration sparks consumer backlash and potential sales impact.

• CBRE selects EVPassport to roll out 3,600 chargers (Utility Dive) - CBRE partners with EVPassport to deploy 3,600 EV chargers across 600 U.S. sites, targeting multifamily and hospitality properties.

• Heybike Hauler Cargo E-Bike Now On Sale At Lowest Price Ever (Plus A Free Rear Basket) (CleanTechnica) - Heybike Hauler cargo e-bike with 440-pound payload capacity and 85-mile range launches at $1199 with free rear basket, marking lowest price point ever.