Investing to Loosen Bottlenecks

(Almost) Everyone wants to decarbonize the economy, but there are bottlenecks.

Including in the continent where a huge amount of the world's next economic growth is likely to happen: Africa. Woochong Um (left) is a man focused on resolving those bottlenecks to decarbonization.

I'm inspired by this story because it's about a campaign to:

- identify and loosen system bottlenecks

- by investing in data analysis capabilities

- in order to catalyze investment in transformation toward a more sustainable world.

Today, as he concludes his first year as CEO of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Mr. Um and team announced a partnership with Agence Française de Développement (AFD Group) to mobilize up to $5 million of technical assistance in accelerating clean energy access in Africa.

Specifically, they will fund capacity building in African banks, in order to catalyze funding of sustainable energy projects large and small - including mini-grids, solar home systems, and grid upgrades.

What skills will be strengthened by this new investment plan?

* Portfolio screening

* Diligence capabilities

* and support the analysis of portfolio emissions.

These are the kinds of skills that need to be bolstered around the world in order to effectively transition to a more sustainable economy. May we all be inspired by this campaign in our respective projects.

And now we offer you the best updates from around the green tech and sustainability world today. May they help grow your capacity! Email subscribers get 3 just for you.

-Marshall Kirkpatrick

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

 

Today and every day, our system scans over 1,000 green tech and sustainability organizations for updates. Below, you'll find:

• A Visual of the Day

• A digest-style Table of Contents for 203 selected updates from around the green tech and sustainability world

• (If you subscribe by email) 3 personalized selections just for you and your work

Did a friend forward you this newsletter? Welcome! You can subscribe here and get your own personal recommendations each day.

Visual of the Day

Land Revived, Lives Improved

This CGIAR project by ICRISAT in Latur, India uses climate-smart farming methods to restore degraded soil with water monitoring and crop diversification, helping small farmers grow crops again while addressing poverty, hunger, and environmental challenges.

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (12 stories) - IRA funding freeze hits 30,000 farmers as Svalbard Vault adds 14,000+ seeds; Shelburne Farms pioneers carbon-neutral agriculture while global initiatives advance in Niger, Kenya, and India

  
  

• Carbon (14 stories) - BP retreats from net-zero goals as Mitico and Octavia Carbon advance new capture solutions; Kenya court blocks offset project while Dalhousie and Pathways Alliance face CCS challenges

  
  

• Circular (3 stories) - Battery recycler shifts markets; corporations criticized for packaging greenwashing; Resynergi raises $18M for plastic-to-feedstock conversion plant

  
  

• Ecosystems (21 stories) - Global wildlife threats span Arctic bears, Congo species, Guinea chimps; UN COP16 biodiversity targets lag while NASA probes lunar ice and Nouabalé-Ndoki camera traps reveal rare species

  
  

• Efficiency (9 stories) - AI weather forecasting, microLED data centers, PVCAD solar design tools, and remote sensing drive major efficiency gains across utilities, housing, and disaster prediction

  
  

• Finance (13 stories) - BBVA's $735B sustainability pledge, BP's fossil fuel pivot, major renewable acquisitions by Brookfield ($1.7B) and CDPQ ($10B), EU's €1.1B clean tech funding, while China's green sector hits $1.9T

  
  

• Grid (24 stories) - Major utilities tackle data center surge with nuclear revival, gas plants, and V2G pilots while transmission upgrades and storage tenders reshape grid capacity

  
  

• Indigenous (7 stories) - Mapuche face raids in Argentina, while Indigenous communities advance conservation in Cambodia's Samkhuy Village, Brazil's Amazon, Indonesian Borneo's Dayak lands, Thailand's Moken waters, and Phoenix's Heard Museum

  
  

• Industry (20 stories) - BP slashes renewables for fossil fuels while First Solar, DAS Solar expand; EU launches €100B Clean Industrial Deal; TerraPower advances Natrium reactor; Cambium raises $18.5M for wood tech; Beyond Meat restructures

  
  

• Policy (60 stories) - Trump EPA cuts, EU sustainability rollbacks, and global policy shifts dominate as Zeldin targets Endangerment Finding while states advance clean initiatives and legal challenges mount

  
  

• Renewables (10 stories) - CIP invests £600m in Welsh wind farms, acquires UK offshore project; AESOLAR maintains Tier 1 status; global developments in geothermal, TOPCon solar, and hydrogen sailboats; major solar expansions in Pakistan, Australia, and US

  
  

• Transport (10 stories) - Major V2X pilots launch in MA and IL; BMW-Toyota plan hydrogen cars; Volvo ES90 hits 300km/10min charging; NYC congestion pricing succeeds; 3V and CBRE target multi-family EV charging

Agriculture

IRA funding freeze hits 30,000 farmers as Svalbard Vault adds 14,000+ seeds; Shelburne Farms pioneers carbon-neutral agriculture while global initiatives advance in Niger, Kenya, and India

• Broken Promises: Over 30,000 Farmers Denied Funds (NSAC) - Trump administration blocks $2.3 billion in promised conservation and energy funding to over 30,000 farmers through executive order freezing IRA payments.

• Destination: Shelburne Farms Inn on the Shores of Lake Champlain (Bluedot Living) - Historic 4,000-acre Shelburne Farms in Vermont operates as sustainable agriculture education center and luxury inn while pioneering carbon-neutral farming practices and teacher training programs.

• South African Land Issue: Southern and Eastern African La Via Campesina Denounces US Sanctions and Calls for Comprehensive Agrarian Reform (Via Campesina) - African farmers' movement condemns US sanctions on South Africa over new land expropriation law aimed at redistributing colonial-era agricultural holdings.

• The ‘doomsday’ seed vault in Svalbard just added thousands of climate-hardy crops (Grist) - Norway's Svalbard Global Seed Vault adds 14,022 climate-resilient crop samples from 21 gene banks worldwide, bolstering food security against climate disasters.

• Transforming Nigerian Women Participation in Coastal Aquaculture Through AABS-IMTA Intervention (CGIAR) - Nigerian women gain economic opportunities through sustainable coastal aquaculture program combining multiple species cultivation in integrated water systems.

• PCEF Community Grants Kick-off - Room 2 (Portland Clean Energy Fund) - Technical assistance session reveals $5 million available for regenerative agriculture and green infrastructure projects, with focus on community-led food sovereignty and ecological restoration initiatives in Portland.

• Making Wine With Backyard Grapes (Bluedot Living) - Amateur winemaker discovers forgotten grapevines in Nahant backyard, creates homemade rosé using traditional wild fermentation methods.

• Assessing Fish Loss and Waste Through a Gender-Responsive Lens (CGIAR) - Global research team launches pioneering study in Kenya combining gender analysis with fish loss assessment to understand how gender dynamics affect waste in fisheries value chains.

• Empowering Women Through Smart Food Training in Balleyara, Niger (CGIAR) - Thirty women in Balleyara, Niger receive training in food processing and marketing of nutrient-rich crops to boost food security and economic opportunities.

• Guest article: Latin America, the next big thing in agtech (and why you should care) (AgFundNews) - Latin America's agtech sector poised for major growth by 2025, driven by vast agricultural exports, untapped land potential, and maturing technologies including AI and precision farming.

• RECIPE: Seasonal Fruit Kernza Tart (Bluedot Living) - Recipe showcases climate-friendly Kernza grain in seasonal fruit tart, highlighting perennial crop's carbon sequestration benefits.

• With Science, We Can: Degraded Lands Transform into Productive Farms in Latur, India (CGIAR) - Scientists transform degraded farmland in India's Latur region through climate-smart practices and integrated landscape management, boosting smallholder productivity.

Carbon

BP retreats from net-zero goals as Mitico and Octavia Carbon advance new capture solutions; Kenya court blocks offset project while Dalhousie and Pathways Alliance face CCS challenges

• Beyond the burn: Harvesting dead wood to reduce wildfires and store carbon (ScienceDaily) - Study shows combining dead wood harvesting with forest thinning reduces wildfire risks while increasing carbon storage through biochar production in Western US forests.

• BP to slash spending on net zero ventures as it focuses on oil and gas again (RenewableEnergyWorld) - BP slashes green spending by $5 billion annually while boosting oil and gas investments by 20% to $10 billion, marking major retreat from net-zero commitments.

• Carbon Removal Challenge Info Session: The Makings of a Great CDR Project (Carbon Removal Challenge) - Expert panel discusses key success factors for carbon dioxide removal projects, emphasizing scalability, cost-effectiveness, and comprehensive risk assessment in evaluation process.

• Community Notice: Dalhousie Dye Tracer Test Commencing on March 3rd and March 7th (Planetary Technologies) - Dalhousie University researchers to conduct dye tracer tests in Halifax Harbour to study dispersion patterns for ocean alkalinity enhancement carbon removal project.

• Delay and uncertainty around California’s core pollution-cutting program is costing the state millions (EDF) - California's cap-and-trade auction prices drop to $29.27 amid regulatory uncertainty, resulting in $851 million revenue loss for state climate programs.

• Does the global carbon offset sector need an overhaul? (DW) - Kenya High Court rules major carbon offset project illegal, highlighting growing concerns over human rights violations and effectiveness of global carbon credit schemes.

• Intense heat changes our biology and can make us age significantly faster: study (The Conversation) - New study reveals prolonged exposure to extreme heat accelerates biological aging by up to 2.48 years over a six-year period, particularly affecting older adults.

• Mitico raises $4.3M seed round to revolutionize CO₂ capture with ‘prehistoric chemistry’ (SOSV) - Mitico secures $4.3M seed funding to develop salt-based carbon capture technology that removes 95% of CO2 from industrial exhaust streams.

• Pathways Carbon Capture Project Is Not Viable, Expert Warns (DeSmog) - Expert warns Pathways Alliance's carbon capture project in Alberta requires massive subsidies to be viable and faces severe financial risks, according to IEEFA analysis.

• Scientists are trying to figure out how to help the ocean absorb even more climate-changing pollution (Yale Climate Connections) - Scientists research ocean alkalinity enhancement method to boost ocean's carbon absorption capacity by adding crushed minerals that convert CO2 into long-lasting bicarbonate.

• Testimony: Reform Cap and Trade to cut pollution and help working Californians (The Climate Center) - California advocacy group urges Cap and Trade reform to eliminate free pollution allowances and redirect funds to help low-income residents with energy costs.

• This is CDR: Octavia Carbon’s Project Hummingbird – Pioneering Direct Air Capture in Africa. (This is CDR) - Africa's first Direct Air Capture facility launches in Kenya's Rift Valley, led by Octavia Carbon with $5M seed funding and community-focused approach.

• Will the UK’s proposed long-term emissions strategy get us to net zero? An expert review (The Conversation) - UK's seventh carbon budget relies heavily on electric vehicles and existing technologies rather than societal changes to achieve 2038-2042 emissions targets.

• Greenplaces and CNaught team up for #TinyClimateActs 2025 (Greenplaces) - Environmental tech firms launch Earth Month campaign offering carbon credits for individual eco-friendly actions, targeting employee engagement and verified emissions reductions.

Circular

Battery recycler shifts markets; corporations criticized for packaging greenwashing; Resynergi raises $18M for plastic-to-feedstock conversion plant

• Li-Cycle Announces Approval to Trade on the OTCQX® Best Marketa (Li-Cycle) - Battery recycling company moves trading from NYSE to OTCQX Best Market amid stock price challenges, maintains focus on domestic critical minerals production.

• Plastic design changes: a greenwashing tactic (Greenpeace) - Major corporations' plastic packaging design changes exposed as greenwashing tactics while failing to address fundamental overproduction issues.

• Plastic Recycling Tech Provider Resynergi Raises $18 Million (ESGToday) - Plastic recycling startup Resynergi secures $18M Series B funding to launch first commercial site converting waste plastics into reusable feedstock materials using microwave-assisted pyrolysis technology.

Ecosystems

Global wildlife threats span Arctic bears, Congo species, Guinea chimps; UN COP16 biodiversity targets lag while NASA probes lunar ice and Nouabalé-Ndoki camera traps reveal rare species

• ‘Human activity on a massive scale’: a photo exhibition tackles the climate crisis (The Guardian) - Global photo exhibition "Second Nature" showcases 44 photographers documenting humanity's massive environmental impact through striking images of industrial sites, climate disasters, and human displacement.

• ‘Some people will die’: Conversations with Nigeria’s gorilla hunters (Mongabay) - Nigerian hunters reveal how cultural taboos against killing gorillas are being eroded by trafficking networks and demand for ape body parts in traditional medicine.

• Arctic Giants in Peril: The Polar Bear’s Fight Against Climate Change (Earth.org) - Arctic polar bears face critical survival threat as climate change causes sea ice loss, reducing hunting seasons and food access for 22,000-31,000 remaining bears.

• Climate change is politically divisive. Public parks? Not so much. (Grist) - Public parks and green infrastructure projects gain bipartisan support while providing climate resilience through flood control and stormwater management.

• Cropped 26 February 2025: COP16 biodiversity talks resume; Farmers sue Trump; Mapping extreme weather’s ag impacts (Carbon Brief) - UN biodiversity summit COP16 resumes in Rome amid funding disputes, deforestation concerns, and lagging global commitments to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030.

• First global study of the extraordinary role of animals as architects of Earth (Anthropocene) - Global study reveals wild animals move earth equivalent to 500,000 major floods annually, with termites and other species significantly reshaping landscapes.

• Guinea greenlights gold mine in habitat of critically endangered chimpanzees (Mongabay) - Guinea approves Australian company's gold mining project in critical western chimpanzee habitat despite environmental impact concerns.

• In Kenya, grassland restoration can help reduce conflict, study says (Mongabay) - Study shows grassland restoration in Kenya's Chyulu Hills reduces human-wildlife conflicts and improves community security by providing better resources for both livestock and wildlife.

• Protected areas alone can’t shield mammals from human impact, study finds (Mongabay) - Study finds protected tropical forest areas see 1% decline in mammal species for every 16 people per square kilometer living nearby, despite conservation status.

• Protegiendo Nuestro Océano y Comunidades: An Encuentro on Deep-Sea Mining (GreenLatinos) - Environmental experts discuss deep-sea mining threats to ocean ecosystems and indigenous communities during virtual panel, emphasizing need for moratorium.

• Quel équilibre entre forêts et grands ongulés face au changement climatique et environnemental ? (Fondation François Sommer) - French forests face dual challenge of climate change and high deer populations, requiring costly protective measures and adaptation strategies.

• Revelado: Más de la mitad de las naciones no protegen el 30% de la tierra y el mar en sus planes de biodiversidad de la ONU (Carbon Brief) - Over half of nations fail to commit to protecting 30% of land and sea in UN biodiversity plans, representing one-third of Earth's surface.

• Meet the ice-hunting robots headed for the Moon right now (Nature) - Two NASA spacecraft launch to Moon's south pole to search for water ice using robotic drill and orbital mapping technology.

• Total collapse of vital Atlantic currents unlikely this century, study finds (The Guardian) - New climate models suggest Atlantic Ocean currents won't completely collapse this century but severe weakening remains likely with devastating global impacts.

• Wildfire debris washes up on LA beaches after major rainstorm (The Guardian) - Los Angeles beaches face environmental hazard as wildfire debris and urban runoff from January's Palisades fire wash ashore following major rainstorm.

• Elusive wildlife shows up for photographer’s camera traps in Congo (Mongabay) - High-definition camera traps in Congo's Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park capture rare images of endangered species including leopards, forest elephants, and giant pangolins.

• Field Studies in Panama: Researching Aquatic Flora (NYBG) - Botanical researcher leads first-ever aquatic plant collection expedition in remote Panamanian rivers, discovering new species and establishing community connections.

• How poetry can help us understand mass extinction events (The Conversation) - Research explores how poetry's unique ability to convey complex ideas can help humans better understand and contextualize mass extinction events through geological time.

• Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Film Now Available (The Wildlife News) - Documentary film "Desert Trout" exploring endangered Lahontan Cutthroat Trout now freely available online for public viewing.

• Parrotfish support healthy coral reefs, but they’re not a cure-all, and sometimes cause harm (The Conversation) - Research shows parrotfish conservation alone isn't enough to save coral reefs, as different species impact reef health in varying ways and some can accelerate reef erosion.

• The rarely seen Madras hedgehog in India is also poorly studied (Mongabay) - Madras hedgehog, found only in southern India, faces research gaps and population threats despite IUCN 'least concern' status.

Efficiency

AI weather forecasting, microLED data centers, PVCAD solar design tools, and remote sensing drive major efficiency gains across utilities, housing, and disaster prediction

• Europe’s New AI Weather Forecasting Model Up to 20% More Accurate Than Conventional Methods (Earth.org) - European AI weather forecasting system launches with 20% higher accuracy than traditional models while using 1000x less energy for predictions up to 15 days ahead.

• Hyperlume wants to make chip-to-chip communication faster and more efficient (TechCrunch) - Canadian startup Hyperlume develops energy-efficient microLED technology for faster chip-to-chip data center communications, securing $12.5M seed funding.

• PCEF Community Grants Kick-off - Room 4 (Portland Clean Energy Fund) - Workshop details comprehensive home energy retrofit program requirements, funding structure, and implementation process for community organizations serving marginalized populations.

• PVCAD Demo (PV Complete) - New PVCAD software demo showcases automated solar design tools for commercial rooftop projects, featuring integrated 3D modeling, electrical calculations and energy simulation capabilities.

• The National Hurricane Center set an all-time record for forecast accuracy in 2024 (Yale Climate Connections) - National Hurricane Center achieves unprecedented track forecast accuracy in 2024, with record-breaking predictions at all time intervals amid increased storm activity.

• Three Crises, One Solution: The Case For Intergenerational Housing (Atmos) - Intergenerational housing programs match elderly homeowners with young tenants, addressing housing affordability, loneliness, and climate impact through shared living spaces.

• We need to switch to heat pumps fast – but can they can overcome this problem? (The Conversation) - UK's rapid transition to heat pumps faces efficiency and behavioral challenges in race to achieve 87% emissions cut by 2040.

• Energy: Does your company have a strategy? (Energy Central) - Energy consultant warns most companies lack strategic energy plans, urges simple one-page approach covering sourcing, efficiency, and risk management.

• LiveEO | Advancing Vegetation Management with Remote Sensing Technologies (LiveEO) - Remote sensing technologies revolutionize utility vegetation management through satellite imagery, LiDAR, and drones for enhanced risk assessment and maintenance optimization.

Finance

BBVA's $735B sustainability pledge, BP's fossil fuel pivot, major renewable acquisitions by Brookfield ($1.7B) and CDPQ ($10B), EU's €1.1B clean tech funding, while China's green sector hits $1.9T

• As COP16 Talks Resume, Governments Must Step Up Biodiversity Finance (Earth.org) - Global biodiversity finance gap remains critical as COP16 talks resume, with current $78-91B annual spending dwarfed by $500B harmful subsidies and $500-900B needed funding.

• BBVA Raises Sustainable Finance Goal to More than $700 Billion by 2029 (ESGToday) - Spanish bank BBVA doubles sustainable finance target to $735 billion by 2029, focusing on climate change mitigation and inclusive social development projects.

• BP confirms fossil fuel 'reset' and deep cuts to renewables funding (BusinessGreen) - BP announces major strategy shift to increase oil and gas investment to $10bn annually while significantly reducing renewable energy funding.

• Brookfield Acquires National Grid’s U.S. Renewables Business for $1.7 Billion (ESGToday) - Brookfield Asset Management acquires National Grid's U.S. renewables business for $1.7B, including 3.1GW of solar, wind and battery storage assets.

• CDPQ To Acquire Innergex Renewable Energy In CAD 10 Billion Deal (TaiyangNews) - CDPQ pension fund to acquire renewable energy company Innergex in CAD 10 billion deal, adding 4.66 GW operating portfolio across North America.

• Clean Investment Monitor: Q4 2024 Update (Clean Investment Monitor) - US clean energy and transport investment reached $70B in Q4 2024, with 77% of projects located in Republican congressional districts.

• GEAPP & AFD Group Join Forces to Support Local Financial Institutions in Africa in Support of Mission 300 (GEAPP) - Global Energy Alliance and AFD Group commit $5 million in technical assistance to boost African financial institutions' capacity for clean energy project financing.

• Hydrogen Bank and more funding mechanisms to support Europe's clean tech future (Energy Central) - European Commission announces €1 billion Hydrogen Bank call, €1 billion industrial decarbonization auction, and €100 billion Industrial Decarbonisation Bank to support clean tech development.

• Plug Power Has Lost $3.12 billion Since 2010, Never Turned A Profit, Stock Collapsing (CleanTechnica) - Hydrogen fuel cell company Plug Power reports $3.12 billion in cumulative losses since 2010 with no profitable years, as stock price plummets to 0.1% of peak value.

• Why the Current Climate Strategy is Doomed: Part 2 (Energy Central) - Analysis reveals current climate strategy's funding expectations are unrealistic, highlighting need for new approach to meet emissions reduction goals.

• 分析：2024年清洁能源对中国GDP的贡献将达到创纪录的10% (Carbon Brief) - China's clean energy sector hits record 10% of GDP in 2024, contributing $1.9 trillion through renewables, EVs, and batteries.

• China’s Runergy Bags RMB 900 Million Equity Investment From Suppliers (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer Runergy secures RMB 900M ($124M) equity investment from suppliers S.C New Energy and Autowell Technology after Tongwei deal collapse.

• SEEDS Capital E-news - Discover the latest highlights in the deep tech space (SEEDS Capital) - Singapore invests additional S$440M in deep tech startups through Startup SG Equity scheme while increasing co-investment cap to S$12M per startup.

Grid

Major utilities tackle data center surge with nuclear revival, gas plants, and V2G pilots while transmission upgrades and storage tenders reshape grid capacity

• 'Zonal pricing': Rival lobbying campaigns move up a gear (BusinessGreen) - Rival campaigns intensify over UK's proposed zonal electricity pricing system, with new report claiming £55bn potential savings while opposition mounts.

• A new perspective for US virtual power plants (Kaluza) - Virtual power plants require customer-centric approach and integrated technology platforms to balance renewable energy supply-demand while reducing grid costs.

• Constellation Races to Revive Crane Nuclear Plant Amid Tight Timelines, Market Shifts (POWER Magazine) - Constellation Energy accelerates $1.6B revival of Three Mile Island nuclear plant for 2028 restart, hiring 600 workers amid Microsoft data center power agreement.

• Electric school buses could help power Illinois’ grid (Canary Media) - Illinois utility ComEd launches pilot program using parked electric school buses as grid power sources during summer months.

• How to build data centers without raising grid costs — and emissions (Canary Media) - Data center developers and utilities explore clean energy tariffs and energy parks to meet massive AI-driven power demand without raising costs or emissions.

• Kia Brings Vehicle-to-Home to USA and Smart Charge Feature to Netherlands (CleanTechnica) - Kia launches vehicle-to-home power backup capability in seven US states and smart charging features in Netherlands, expanding EV grid integration services.

• Pipeline companies deliver most of the U.S. electric power sector's natural gas (EIA) - Pipeline companies dominate US natural gas deliveries to power sector, transporting 75% (27.1 Bcf/d) of total gas used for electricity generation in 2023.

• Planned Retirements of U.S. Coal-Fired Electric-Generating Capacity to Increase in 2025 (CleanTechnica) - U.S. plans to retire 12.3 GW of power capacity in 2025, with coal plants accounting for 66% of shutdowns as utilities transition to cleaner energy sources.

• Prices fall as first pumped hydro and two eight hour battery projects win landmark storage tender (RenewEconomy) - NSW awards landmark storage tender to 800MW pumped hydro project and two 8-hour batteries, securing 14,000MWh total capacity for $3.5 billion.

• Seeing the Invisible: A Trip to Framingham, Massachusetts’ Geothermal Network (Building Decarb Central) - Massachusetts unveils nation's first utility-operated geothermal network in Framingham, serving 135 customers with underground thermal energy system.

• SwitchedOn Podcast: The struggle to switch on a community battery (RenewEconomy) - Melbourne community group Village Power faces ongoing regulatory and retail hurdles in seven-year struggle to activate local battery storage project.

• The Country’s Largest Power Markets Are Getting More Gas (Heatmap News) - Three major companies form joint venture to build 5+ gigawatts of natural gas power plants in PJM and ERCOT markets by 2029, amid rising electricity demand.

• This Meta AI data center mega project demands $6 billion in electric infrastructure. Who will pay for it? (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Meta's planned $10B AI data center in Louisiana requires $6B in new electric infrastructure from Entergy, including solar farms and gas plants, raising concerns over cost allocation.

• Total energy bills are more important than wholesale prices, even if you have rooftop solar (RenewEconomy) - Total household electricity costs remain stable despite spot market volatility due to 40% national rooftop solar adoption reducing consumption.

• Xcel Energy’s Marcus Johansson on building digital twins for the future grid (Renewable Energy World) - Xcel Energy's Marcus Johansson discusses utility-scale digital twin implementation for grid modernization at upcoming DTECH conference.

• Zimbabwe plans to expand coal use to address drought-induced blackouts (Climate Change News) - Zimbabwe plans major coal expansion to counter drought-impacted hydropower shortages, despite climate commitments, citing lack of clean energy financing.

• NRG, GE Vernova, Kiewit Have Plan to Build Four New Gas-Fired Power Plants (Power Magazine) - NRG Energy partners with GE Vernova and Kiewit to build four gas-fired power plants totaling 5,000 MW capacity to meet rising data center energy demands in ERCOT and PJM markets.

• Sempra announces $56B capital plan amid rapid Texas growth (Utility Dive) - Sempra Energy unveils $56B five-year capital plan with $36B targeted for Texas transmission projects amid rapid state growth, despite recent earnings decline.

• DJI Power 1000 Portable Power Station: An Unbeatable Deal at $449! (CleanTechnica) - DJI launches Power 1000 portable power station with 1024Wh LiFePO4 battery and 2200W output at $449, offering 55% discount on high-capacity backup power solution.

• ERCOT approves $54 million plan to move CenterPoint’s mobile generators to San Antonio (RenewableEnergyWorld) - ERCOT approves $54M plan to relocate CenterPoint's mobile generators from Houston to San Antonio to replace aging gas plants and prevent transmission bottlenecks.

• Grid equipment manufacturers anticipate 2% annual US load growth through 2050 (Utility Dive) - US electricity demand projected to grow 50% by 2050, driven by data centers and electrification, according to electrical manufacturers association.

• ISO-NE Capacity Market Success: SYSO’s Expertise in FCM Qualification (SYSO Technologies) - Energy consultancy achieves 70% success rate in qualifying new power generation assets for ISO-NE's Forward Capacity Market, including 100% success for storage projects.

• One software solution to rule them all: How a startup is enabling utility compliance (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Startup Ferro Power Solutions launches comprehensive software platform to help utilities manage compliance, asset data, and grid reliability standards.

• PSE&G large load pipeline jumps to 4.7 GW as nuclear offtake talks continue: CEO LaRossa (Utility Dive) - PSE&G reports massive surge in data center power requests to 4.7 GW while pursuing nuclear power supply deals and expressing concerns over PJM market stability.

Indigenous

Mapuche face raids in Argentina, while Indigenous communities advance conservation in Cambodia's Samkhuy Village, Brazil's Amazon, Indonesian Borneo's Dayak lands, Thailand's Moken waters, and Phoenix's Heard Museum

• ‘The forests are going up in flames – so is the rule of law’: Argentina’s climate of fear (The Guardian) - Argentina's government raids Indigenous communities and cuts environmental protections while wildfires devastate Patagonian forests amid accusations of state persecution of Mapuche people.

• Empowering Samkhuy Village through Community-Led Change and Gender-Inclusive Leadership (CGIAR) - Samkhuy Village in Cambodia achieves sustainable fisheries management through women-led committees, community learning hubs, and conservation of 82 hectares of fishing grounds.

• Formatura marca último módulo da formação de coletores de sementes do Projeto Terra e Mata (Ecoporé) - Indigenous and local communities complete seed collection training program in Brazilian Amazon, focusing on restoration ecology and bioeconomy network participation.

• Indigenous Dayak community makes strides on Borneo toward forest autonomy (Mongabay) - Indigenous Dayak community in Indonesian Borneo seeks government approval for 2,000-hectare customary forest management to protect sacred lands and traditional practices.

• Lei baterá em quilombola e não baterá em fazendeiro: a criminalização das práticas tradicionais e o PL 3339/2024 (Instituto Socioambiental) - Brazil's proposed environmental crime law PL 3339/2024 risks disproportionately criminalizing traditional quilombola communities while failing to effectively punish large-scale environmental offenders.

• Thailand’s last sea nomads cling to their roots in a changing world (Mongabay) - Thailand's indigenous Moken sea nomads adapt traditional lifestyle by collecting ocean plastic waste while preserving maritime culture in Mu Ko Surin National Park.

• Indigenous spaces all around new Arizona exhibit (High Country News) - Phoenix's Heard Museum showcases "Space Makers" exhibit celebrating Indigenous art evolution while local Native Art Market fosters cultural preservation through diverse artist community.

Industry

BP slashes renewables for fossil fuels while First Solar, DAS Solar expand; EU launches €100B Clean Industrial Deal; TerraPower advances Natrium reactor; Cambium raises $18.5M for wood tech; Beyond Meat restructures

• “Too far, too fast:” bp details renewables backtrack, puts Australian green hydrogen mega-projects on ice (RenewEconomy) - BP slashes planned renewables investment from $30B to $4B by 2030, puts Australian hydrogen projects on hold to refocus on fossil fuels.

• BP blames ‘misplaced’ faith in green transition for its renewed focus on fossil fuels (The Guardian) - BP abandons green initiatives and increases fossil fuel investment to $10bn annually, citing "misplaced optimism" in energy transition speed.

• Cambium Raises $18.5 Million to Replace Carbon Intensive Building Materials with Sustainable Wood (ESGToday) - AI-powered wood supply chain platform Cambium raises $18.5M to transform waste wood into sustainable building materials and digitize lumber industry operations.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: DAS Solar Retains BNEF Tier 1 Ranking & More (TaiyangNews) - DAS Solar maintains BNEF Tier 1 status while AIKO's ABC modules outperform TOPCon in field tests and China registers over 30,000 new solar projects in January 2025.

• Clean Manufacturing in America [Briefing Series: Congressional Climate Camp] (EESI) - Congressional briefing highlights $123 billion surge in US clean energy manufacturing investments driven by Inflation Reduction Act, creating 67,000 rural jobs across solar, battery, and wind industries.

• Coal mine reclamation stalls in Kentucky (Canary Media) - Hundreds of Kentucky surface coal mines remain unreclaimed since 2022, causing ongoing environmental problems for neighboring communities.

• DAS Solar Continues to Rank Among BNEF's Tier 1 PV Module Manufacturers (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer DAS Solar maintains BloombergNEF Tier 1 status in Q1 2025, achieving 26.7% efficiency in TOPCon cell production while expanding global operations.

• DKEM: Developing Metallization Paste For TBC Cell (TaiyangNews) - DKEM develops specialized metallization paste for TBC solar cells, addressing challenges in p-Poly side contact formation and silver consumption reduction.

• EU Launches Strategy to Drive Demand for Clean Products, Decarbonize Industry (ESGToday) - EU launches Clean Industrial Deal with €100 billion funding target to accelerate industrial decarbonization and boost clean tech manufacturing in Europe.

• EU: Over €100 Billion For Clean Manufacturing Under Clean Industrial Deal (TaiyangNews) - EU launches €100 billion Clean Industrial Deal to boost domestic cleantech manufacturing and industrial decarbonization, targeting 100GW annual renewable energy deployment by 2030.

• First Solar Achieves FY2024 Guidance With 27% YoY Increase (TaiyangNews) - First Solar reports $4.2 billion net sales in 2024 with 14.1 GW shipments, plans 25 GW manufacturing capacity by 2026 while advancing thin-film and perovskite technology.

• Hydrogen Economy Collaborative: Reflections and Future Outlook (Better Energy) - Hydrogen Economy Collaborative launches green ammonia working group and expands focus on production, infrastructure, and policy for advancing low-carbon hydrogen adoption in the Midwest.

• Kemmerer 1—TerraPower’s Pioneering Fourth-Generation Nuclear Project—Hits Key NRC Milestone Ahead of Schedule (POWER Magazine) - TerraPower's 345-MW sodium-cooled Natrium nuclear reactor project in Wyoming achieves NRC draft safety evaluation milestone ahead of schedule, targeting 2027 construction start.

• Mapping the Path to Industrial Decarbonization (RMI) - California and Texas lead US industrial decarbonization efforts with 90 commercial-scale net-zero projects, driven by renewable energy policies and hydrogen infrastructure.

• Snowy Hydro calls for heads to roll after “flying shrapnel” halts tunneling works, again (RenewEconomy) - Snowy Hydro demands contractor leadership change after dangerous ventilation fan failure halts $12 billion pumped hydro project tunneling work.

• The Natural Gas Turbine Crisis (Heatmap News) - Major gas turbine manufacturers face severe production backlogs until 2029, threatening US electricity demand growth as manufacturers prioritize profits over capacity expansion.

• The Power of a Free, Open Production Location ID (Open Supply Hub) - Organization launches free open-source ID system to standardize and streamline supply chain location data sharing across industries and datasets.

• Beyond Meat to lay off 6% of its workforce and suspend operations in China (AgFundNews) - Beyond Meat cuts 6% of workforce, suspends China operations amid second quarter of growth, aiming to improve margins despite $1.1B debt burden.

• From sunscreen to essential oils, why some personal care products could be harmful to your health (The Conversation) - Research reveals personal care products, including 'natural' ones, emit harmful volatile organic compounds that can cause health issues through inhalation and skin absorption.

• India’s Gensol Engineering Selling Scorpius Trackers US For INR 3.5 Billion (TaiyangNews) - Indian EPC firm Gensol Engineering sells US solar tracker subsidiary and global IP rights for $40.3 million to undisclosed US renewable energy provider.

Policy

Trump EPA cuts, EU sustainability rollbacks, and global policy shifts dominate as Zeldin targets Endangerment Finding while states advance clean initiatives and legal challenges mount

• ‘An assault on science anywhere is an assault on science everywhere’: Nature denounces Trump’s attack on US research (Nature) - Global scientific community urged to defend US research as Trump administration undermines science funding and participation in climate initiatives.

• 'Reckless deregulation': European Commission slammed over plan to gut corporate sustainability rules (BusinessGreen) - European Commission proposes major rollback of corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements, sparking widespread criticism from business and environmental groups.

• “A tricky dance getting out of coal:” Why Australia’s biggest state and its biggest grid needs a climate bill (RenewEconomy) - Western Australia's parliament debates climate bill amid challenges of coal phase-out, grid infrastructure, and gas transition in state's largest electricity network.

• “Last ditch:” Australia’s richest woman takes on local environment laws in Canada coal power play (RenewEconomy) - Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart's company battles local opposition and environmental laws to revive controversial coal mining project in Canada's Rocky Mountains.

• 10 Ways We’ll Fight the Trump Administration to Protect Our Environment (Earthjustice) - Legal advocacy organization outlines 10-point strategy to challenge Trump administration's environmental deregulation efforts through court actions and policy advocacy.

• A Cynical and Shameful Recommendation to Stop Cutting Climate Pollution (Moms Clean Air Force) - EPA Administrator Zeldin recommends striking down Endangerment Finding, threatening key legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

• An Australian state promised to turn native forest into a national koala park. It’s still being logged (Mongabay) - New South Wales government continues logging native forests within proposed Great Koala National Park boundaries despite 2023 campaign promise to protect endangered marsupial habitat.

• Are There Forever Chemicals in Your Drinking Water? (Heatmap News) - EPA data reveals over 500 U.S. water utilities report unsafe PFAS levels in drinking water, with some locations exceeding recommended limits by thousands of times.

• Arizona Solar Advocates Challenge APS “Grid Access Charge” In Court: A Fight For Fair Energy Policy (CleanTechnica) - Arizona solar advocates file legal appeal against APS's $2-3 monthly "Grid Access Charge" on solar customers, claiming discrimination and violation of state and federal laws.

• Catherine Coleman Flowers: On Environmental Justice and Protecting Holy Ground (Climate One) - Environmental justice advocate Catherine Coleman Flowers discusses civil rights, environmental racism, and fossil fuel impacts in the American South, drawing from her experiences in Alabama's Lowndes County.

• Coalition spokesninnies have lashed out at the nice man at the Climate Change Authority | First Dog on the Moon (The Guardian) - Coalition leaders criticize Climate Change Authority head over comments linking Dutton's energy policy to climate dangers.

• Congress Set to Vote on Repeal of Biden Administration Climate Regulations (Inside Climate News) - Congress to vote on repealing Biden-era methane emissions fee and water heater efficiency standards using Congressional Review Act.

• ECA February National Call Building Relationships with Elected Officials, a convo with Joe Simitian (ECA) - Former California State Senator Joe Simitian shares strategies for building effective relationships with elected officials to advance environmental legislation and climate action.

• EPA Abdicates on Climate Change by Moving to Nix Endangerment Finding (NRDC) - EPA moves to eliminate 2009 climate change endangerment finding despite mounting evidence of climate disasters across America

• EPA says it has unfrozen billions in funds for climate-related projects (Floodlight) - EPA unfreezes nearly $100 billion in climate project funding after court orders block Trump administration's attempted freeze.

• EPA Would Shrink to 1970 Staffing Levels—‘When the Skies Were Dark With Smog’—Under Proposed Plan (Inside Climate News) - Trump administration proposes 65% staff reduction at EPA, potentially shrinking workforce to 1970 levels of 5,300 employees.

• EU to Exempt 80% of Companies from CSRD Sustainability Reporting Requirements (ESGToday) - EU Commission announces major reduction in sustainability reporting requirements, exempting 80% of companies from CSRD and simplifying other key environmental regulations.

• Goodbye X, 2 upcoming events, 13 new jobs (Global Landscapes Forum) - Organization announces departure from X (formerly Twitter) platform while promoting upcoming forest-focused events and job opportunities.

• House Republicans contemplate rollbacks for wildlife protections (Southern Environmental Law Center) - House Republicans propose weakening Endangered Species Act protections amid agency staff cuts, threatening conservation of 250+ Southern species.

• How the Eaton Fire destroyed a delicate truce over Altadena’s future (Grist) - Devastating Eaton Fire in Altadena disrupts community's delicate compromise between wildfire safety zoning and housing development, raising concerns about climate gentrification.

• How the Next Generation is Reshaping the Climate & Energy Conversation (Alder & Co.) - Student-led climate conferences evolve towards interactive, solution-driven formats with increased focus on mental health, deployment strategies, and inclusivity.

• It' a DOGE Eat DOG World (Energy Central) - Elon Musk's $288M Trump campaign donation ties to controversial government contract review group DOGE, criticized for inaccurate savings claims and disruptive agency layoffs.

• Last spots - Climate at the Border- El Clima en la Frontera - Aplica aquí - Apply here (Covering Climate Now) - Free bilingual training program launches to help US-Mexico border journalists report on climate change's regional impacts, migration patterns, and inequalities.

• LCV’S 2024 National Environmental Scorecard Highlights Republican Extremism and Chaos (LCV) - 2024 National Environmental Scorecard reveals House Republicans blocked climate action while Senate confirmed record environmental judges.

• Legal Protections for Wildlife in Jeopardy as House Hosts Oversight Meeting (Inside Climate News) - House Republicans challenge Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act during oversight hearing, signaling potential weakening of wildlife protections.

• LETTER: Support S.J.Res. 10 to Terminate Energy Emergency Executive Order (LCV) - Over 130 environmental organizations urge Senate to support resolution terminating Trump's Energy Emergency Executive Order targeting clean energy investments and environmental protections.

• Maps Will Illustrate How the World’s Population May Shift by 2100 Due to Climate Change (CleanTechnica) - WorldPop researchers developing high-resolution maps to predict global population shifts due to climate change impacts through 2100, backed by £5.6 million Wellcome Trust funding.

• Nauru sells citizenship to help fund relocations as sea levels rise (The Guardian) - Nauru launches $105,000 'golden passport' citizenship scheme to fund inland relocation of population threatened by rising sea levels.

• New report skewers Coalition’s contentious nuclear plan – and reignites Australia’s energy debate (The Conversation) - Parliamentary inquiry finds Coalition's nuclear power plan would cost $116 billion and face significant delays until mid-2040s, making it unviable compared to renewables.

• News Reports: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin Wants to Strike Down EPA’s Endangerment Finding (EDF) - EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin urges White House to strike down EPA's Endangerment Finding, threatening foundational climate pollution protections upheld by Supreme Court.

• PCEF Community Grants Kickoff - Room 1 (Portland Clean Energy Fund) - Portland launches extensive workforce development and contractor training program targeting marginalized communities for clean energy jobs, offering $2M in grants for business development and training.

• Questions and Confusion as Trump Pauses Key Funding for Shrinking Colorado River (Inside Climate News) - Trump administration's executive order freezes $4 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding meant to protect Colorado River water levels, threatening conservation efforts and water security for 40 million people.

• Rewriting Our Future: WEDO’s 2024 Impact Report (WEDO) - Global women's environmental organization releases 2024 impact report highlighting three decades of advocacy for gender-just climate policies and women's leadership in sustainability.

• Scenic Hudson Praises Governor Hochul for Nominating Amanda Lefton to Lead New York DEC (Scenic Hudson) - Environmental group endorses Amanda Lefton, former offshore wind director, as Governor Hochul's nominee to lead New York's Department of Environmental Conservation.

• Senate Democrats Vote to Terminate Sham Trump Energy Emergency (LCV) - Senate Democrats unanimously vote to terminate Trump's energy emergency declaration, opposing measures that would benefit oil companies at the expense of clean energy investments.

• States Are Pursuing Buy Clean Policies & Programs (CleanTechnica) - Nine US states advance Buy Clean policies requiring low-carbon construction materials for public projects, continuing climate action despite federal withdrawal.

• Sussex to launch UK’s first climate justice undergraduate degree (The Guardian) - University of Sussex announces UK's first undergraduate degree in climate justice, sustainability and development, launching in 2026 with focus on climate politics, activism and environmental rights.

• Terminated Parks Employee Warns of the Danger and Cruelty of Job Cuts (Atmos) - Former National Park Service biologist warns mass terminations threaten wildlife monitoring programs and visitor safety across US national parks.

• The ‘Endangerment Finding’ Is in Danger (Heatmap News) - EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin reportedly urging Trump administration to repeal 2009 'endangerment finding' that classifies greenhouse gases as public health threat.

• The Coalition’s attack on the climate authority is a cynical attempt to put ideology over facts – it must be called out | Kylea Tink (The Guardian) - Coalition attacks Climate Change Authority's credibility after report finds nuclear energy plans would add 2 billion tonnes of emissions and jeopardize Australia's 2050 net-zero target.

• The Early Lessons of Trump’s ‘Energy Dominance’ (Heatmap News) - Trump administration's first month shows aggressive rollback of climate policies while promoting LNG exports, creating potential natural gas price volatility risks.

• The EU's 'Clean Industrial Deal' (Canary Media) - EU set to announce 'Clean Industrial Deal' combining emissions reduction targets with measures to boost domestic clean tech manufacturing and energy security.

• The U.S. terminated its 30×30 conservation plan but this also presents an opportunity (commentary) (Mongabay) - U.S. withdrawal from global 30x30 conservation initiative prompts calls for reimagining more inclusive and effective conservation strategies beyond area-based targets.

• The US is destroying climate progress. Here’s a strategy to win over the right | Erin Burns (The Guardian) - Climate policy expert argues for reframing climate action through multiple benefits beyond environmental impact to build lasting bipartisan support in US.

• There were never any climate havens: floods in the midwest, hurricanes in Appalachia (The Guardian) - Climate experts debunk myth of 'climate-proof' US regions as floods, hurricanes, and extreme weather increasingly impact previously-touted 'climate haven' locations like Wisconsin, Asheville, and Duluth.

• This Is CDR: Tracking Europe's Evolving CDR Policy Landscape-Alexis Dunand (CarbonGap) - New Carbon Removal Policy Tracker tool maps and analyzes carbon dioxide removal policy developments across Europe, highlighting progress and implementation gaps.

• Trump and Zeldin Announce Plan to Gut EPA (LCV) - Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin propose 65% EPA budget cut, threatening environmental protection and pollution enforcement capabilities.

• Trump may rue firing experts when environmental rollbacks land in court (The Guardian) - Trump administration's environmental rollbacks face legal challenges amid concerns over fired experts and agency capacity, with advocacy groups better prepared from first-term experience.

• Trump Says EPA Will Cut 65% of Staff (NRDC) - Trump announces EPA Administrator plans to cut 65% of agency staff, threatening environmental protection capacity.

• Trump’s EPA wants to demolish the bedrock of US climate regulation. It won’t be easy. (Grist) - Trump EPA seeks to dismantle 2007 greenhouse gas endangerment finding that underpins US climate regulations, faces significant legal hurdles.

• UK belatedly publishes nature pledge at COP16 in Rome as it seeks ‘leadership role’ (Carbon Brief) - UK finally releases its biodiversity action plan at COP16 in Rome, committing to protect 30% of land and seas while aiming to reverse nature loss by 2030.

• Unchecked Global Warming Would Ruin New York. EPA Chief and Would-Be Governor Lee Zeldin Does Not Care. (Moms Clean Air Force) - Former EPA chief and NY governor candidate Lee Zeldin pushes to dismantle climate regulations and funding despite New York's vulnerability to climate disasters.

• UNDRR directory (new) (UNDRR) - UN disaster risk reduction office launches comprehensive online directory of resources, tools, and initiatives for global disaster resilience and prevention efforts.

• UNDRR Regional Office for Africa - CREWS Initiative Factsheet (UNDRR) - UN disaster risk office strengthens early warning systems across sub-Saharan Africa through CREWS initiative, providing technical support and capacity building from 2022-2024.

• US climate research agency braces for ‘efficiency’ cuts: ‘They will gut the work’ (The Guardian) - Trump administration targets NOAA with one-third budget cuts and political oversight, threatening US climate research capabilities and global weather forecasting services.

• Why people rebuild in Appalachia’s flood-ravaged areas despite the risks (The Conversation) - Rural Appalachian communities face repeated flooding and limited rebuilding options due to land scarcity, high costs, and complex ownership patterns, forcing many residents to rebuild in flood-prone areas.

• Why the Current Climate Change Strategy was Doomed to Fail (Energy Central) - Analysis reveals current climate change strategy's failure stems from ignoring historical energy transition patterns and unrealistic fossil fuel elimination goals.

• Climate policy discussion, sector lunches, and office hours  @ 9Zero SF (9Zero) - San Francisco climate innovation hub announces March events including policy discussions, sector lunches, and member office hours focused on climate action and networking.

• Robbins Island wind farm beats Supreme Court challenge, but still awaits EPBC ruling (RenewEconomy) - Tasmania's $1 billion Robbins Island wind farm project wins Supreme Court battle over state environmental approvals but awaits federal EPBC assessment.

• WWU's Bo Watkins nominated for state Student Civic Leadership Award (Western Today) - WWU student Bo Watkins nominated for Governor's Student Civic Leadership Award for extensive community service and work as substance use disorder counselor.

Renewables

CIP invests £600m in Welsh wind farms, acquires UK offshore project; AESOLAR maintains Tier 1 status; global developments in geothermal, TOPCon solar, and hydrogen sailboats; major solar expansions in Pakistan, Australia, and US

• 'Vote of confidence': CIP to invest £600m in Wales' clean energy rollout (BusinessGreen) - Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners commits £600m to build 10 wind farms and 300km of grid infrastructure across Wales.

• AESOLAR Achieves 16th Inclusion in BloombergNEF Tier 1 PV Module Manufacturer List (TaiyangNews) - German solar manufacturer AESOLAR maintains BloombergNEF Tier 1 status for 16th time as industry standards tighten from 5MW to 10MW project threshold.

• Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners | Morecambe Bay (Energy Central) - Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners acquires Morecambe Bay fixed-bottom offshore wind project in UK for renewable energy development.

• Eavor to showcase closed-loop geothermal at Hannover Messe 2025 (Eavor) - Canadian geothermal technology company to showcase innovative closed-loop geothermal system at world's largest industrial trade fair in Hannover.

• IEA PVPS Report On Mitigating Solar PV Degradation For Long-Term Efficiency (IEA PVPS) - New report examines degradation challenges in TOPCon and SHJ solar technologies, highlighting need for improved testing methods to ensure long-term module reliability.

• New renewables developer proposes solar farm and big battery for Tamworth hinterland (RenewEconomy) - New developer Bright Path Renewables proposes 155MW solar farm and 360MW/1440MWh battery project near Tamworth, NSW, with construction targeted for 2028.

• Pakistan's solar boom (Volts) - Pakistan's rooftop solar boom surges with 20+ gigawatts installed despite utility-scale struggles, driven by Chinese imports and bottom-up adoption amid grid challenges.

• Producing energy with half measures (Energy Central) - British startup Drift Energy plans hydrogen-producing sailboats with underwater turbines, though similar mobile renewable energy vessels have been previously developed.

• U.S. Solar and Batteries Headed for Record Year (Yale E360) - Solar and battery installations to dominate 80% of new U.S. power capacity in 2024, accelerating coal's decline as wind growth slows.

• Welsh Water inks 40-year PPA with renewables developer Innova (BusinessGreen) - Welsh Water signs 40-year renewable power agreement with Innova to supply Five Fords sewage treatment works from new solar farm.

Transport

Major V2X pilots launch in MA and IL; BMW-Toyota plan hydrogen cars; Volvo ES90 hits 300km/10min charging; NYC congestion pricing succeeds; 3V and CBRE target multi-family EV charging

• Could V2X be a silver bullet solution? A Massachusetts clean energy research center intends to find out (Renewable Energy World) - Massachusetts launches largest state-led V2X program with 100 bidirectional chargers to test electric vehicles as grid storage assets.

• Illinois electric school buses get a summer job (Canary Media) - Illinois utility ComEd launches summer vehicle-to-grid pilot using electric school buses to store and dispatch power during peak demand periods.

• New EV Charging Scheme Taps Into Big Juicy EV Sales Opportunity (CleanTechnica) - 3V Infrastructure partners with CBRE to install no-upfront-cost EV charging stations at apartment buildings, targeting untapped multi-family residential market.

• PCEF Community Grants Kick-off - Room 3 (Portland Clean Energy Fund) - Portland's transportation decarbonization grant program enters second year, focusing on community-led projects and expanding funding areas.

• Room for both Heathrow and Gatwick to expand, says airport boss (The Guardian) - Heathrow CEO supports expansion of both London airports, seeking third runway guarantees while Gatwick plans second runway, citing different market focuses.

• Trump Wants To Kill NY Congestion Pricing — It Raised $48.6 Million In Tolls During Its First Month (CleanTechnica) - NYC's congestion pricing program raises $48.6M in first month despite Trump's attempts to revoke federal authorization.

• A Tesla Model 3 For $23,000? (CleanTechnica) - Used 2021 Tesla Model 3 available for $23,200, potentially dropping to $19,200 with federal EV tax credit, comparable to used Toyota Corolla pricing.

• BMW to launch hydrogen cars in 2028 (Energy Central) - BMW partners with Toyota to launch hydrogen-powered cars in 2028, marking significant shift in luxury automotive sector.

• Faster & Further than Any Volvo Car Before: New ES90 Adds 300km in 10 Minutes & Goes 700km on One Charge (CleanTechnica) - Volvo's new ES90 electric car achieves breakthrough charging speed of 300km in 10 minutes and 700km total range using 800-volt technology.

• Lynk & Co Brings Plugin Hybrid with 200km of Range & DC Fast Charging to Europe — Meet the 08 (CleanTechnica) - Lynk & Co launches 08 plugin hybrid in Europe with industry-leading 200km electric range and DC fast charging capability, starting at €52,995.