Trump freezes giant NY offshore wind project

The top story of the day is the Trump administration's move to stop construction of the already-permitted Empire Wind offshore wind project. The huge project, located off Long Island, is expected to power over 500,000 homes.

The administration says the permitting was rushed by the Biden administration, without resolving conflicts with the fishing industry, coastal communities, and other stakeholders.

The Governor of New York says she'll fight the decision to halt construction. UtilityDive has more. The Natural Resources Defense Council comments in favor of wind power construction.

And now, our daily summaries of nearly 200 selected updates from around the world of green tech and sustainability.

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• 🌾Agriculture (13 stories) - Drones, arsenic in rice, JBS deforestation, unlabeled salmon, Better Meat Co., peasant movements, food forests, Avalo cotton, Eratani, IUNU, and Ÿnsect.

  
  

• 🪨Carbon (7 stories) - US Senate import fees, Apple's 60% emissions drop, Microsoft & AtmosClear's BECCS deal, Occidental acquires Holocene, and SBTi's Net-Zero Standard 2.0.

  
  

• ♻️Circular (5 stories) - LONGi & OCADE collaborate on PV recycling in Colombia; bioeconomy initiative empowers 5,000; battery recycling may eliminate mineral mining; single-stream recycling struggles.

  
  

• 🌱Ecosystems (23 stories) - Wildlife populations diminish, Pantanal frogs face habitat loss, Amazon logging is tied to US/EU, mangrove forests decline, UK wildfires surge, Gauley River endangered by South Fork Coal, and a baby colossal squid is filmed.

  
  

• ⚡Efficiency (5 stories) - Appliance standards save billions; CXL memory & SSDs boost data center efficiency; Louisiana scraps efficiency program; MA utilities offer heat pump rates; BLUETTI launches Apex 300 solar generator.

  
  

• 💰Finance (10 stories) - Trump's policies spur alternative green funding; Crux secures $50M; Catalyze gets $485M for community solar; BP faces shareholder revolt; SEC approves Green Impact Exchange (GIX).

  
  

• 🔌Grid (15 stories) - FirstEnergy faces scrutiny in Ohio, PJM Interconnection urged to expedite approvals in Maryland, Alabama considers $1B infrastructure bill, data centers' growing power demand, dual-purpose microgrids in Texas, Chinese transformers for Europe, ONTRAS' hydrogen pipeline, smart grids and virtual power plants, IEA's zero-carbon electricity, GoodWe's power conversion systems, EM-Power Europe's smart grid startups, Greenlink Interconnector, Oregon microgrid bills, Wärtsilä RICE tech in Kentucky, and Maine transmission line bill.

  
  

• 🌍Indigenous (4 stories) - Xochimilco farmers preserve chinampas with NGO support; Bolivians protest Russian/Chinese lithium contracts; UIC Heritage Garden blends culture and climate action.

  
  

• 🏭Industry (12 stories) - National Grid faces radioactive waste lawsuit; Green Hydrogen vs. Microgrids for AI; Fashion industry lags on emissions; Barrick Gold cyanide spill lingers; RenShine Solar certified; Trump era EPA cuts; Lyten completes US supply chain; NEUMAN & ESSER for EWE hydrogen storage; Liberty Plugins on electrification; Liberation Labs & NEOM Fund; Endurans new solar films; Astronergy & CNPC deal.

  
  

• 📜Policy (60 stories) - IRA funding restarts, Massachusetts heat pump rates may drop, NYC hospitals promote plant-based meals, while Trump era policies weaken EPA, DOE, and ESA regulations.

  
  

• 🔋Renewables (14 stories) - Fusion energy investment, DAS Solar's flexible PV mounting, record renewable growth, ITIF's SMR report, Trump halts Empire Wind, global solar capacity, and Victoria's offshore wind auction.

  
  

• 🚗Transport (12 stories) - Greenlane's EV hub, 3D battery tech, Zenobe's fleet services, Xeal & 3V charging, Bonnell's e-bikes, Volvo EX90 & Hyundai INSTER awards, RBW's US factory, Kia EV3 wins, Franklin's premium charging.

Agriculture

Drones, arsenic in rice, JBS deforestation, unlabeled salmon, Better Meat Co., peasant movements, food forests, Avalo cotton, Eratani, IUNU, and Ÿnsect.

• Agricultural Drones Are Low-Hanging CleanTech Fruit For Sustainable Food Production (CleanTechnica) - Agricultural drones are rapidly transforming farming by reducing costs, emissions, and chemical use, while improving crop yields and offering data-driven insights.

• The ‘king of poisons’ is building up in rice (Grist) - Climate change is increasing arsenic levels in rice, potentially raising cancer risks for those with rice-heavy diets by 2050, according to a new study.

• Revealed: world’s largest meat company may break Amazon deforestation pledges again (The Guardian) - JBS, the world's largest meat company, is likely to miss its 2025 deadline to eliminate deforestation from its Amazon beef supply chain, according to ranchers and experts.

• How the truth about supermarket salmon is being hidden – video (The Guardian) - Scottish salmon producers are no longer required to label salmon as farmed, obscuring the environmental and health impacts of farmed salmon from consumers.

• Meat and potatoes? We can turn potatoes into meat (Better Meat Co.) - The Better Meat Co. patented a method to upcycle potato processing sidestreams into Rhiza™ mycoprotein, a protein-packed food ingredient.

• From Carajás to Gaza: Peasant Struggles Are Global — To Defend Land, Water, and Territories for Life! (Via Campesina) - Global peasant movements unite to commemorate 1996 Brazilian massacre while highlighting ongoing struggles for land rights, food sovereignty, and resistance against corporate land grabs from Gaza to South America.

• Voortgang LEADER project (Koperwiek) - Dutch nursery launches LEADER-funded feasibility study for food forest innovation center in peat meadow areas, exploring sustainable agricultural alternatives.

• Half the World’s People Depend on Rice. New Research Says Climate Change Will Make it Toxic (Inside Climate News) - Rising temperatures and CO2 levels will increase toxic arsenic content in rice, threatening billions who depend on the crop, new research shows.

• Tricia Carey joins “low-carbon” crop startup Avalo (Trellis) - Apparel sustainability veteran Tricia Carey joins AI-driven startup Avalo as CCO to develop low-input, climate-resilient cotton using 30% less fertilizer.

• Eratani closes Series A to boost food security and rice production across Indonesia (AgFunderNews) - Indonesian agtech startup Eratani raises $6.2M Series A to digitize rice farming operations and boost productivity for 34,000 smallholder farmers.

• Ismahane Elouafi on TIME100 list of the most influential people in the world (CGIAR) - Ismahane Elouafi's TIME100 recognition highlights her leadership in agricultural innovation to strengthen global food security amid climate change and declining resources.

• Greenhouse automation ‘becoming a necessity’ says IUNU after raising additional $20m (AgFunderNews) - Seattle-based IUNU raises $20M Series B funding to expand its AI-powered greenhouse automation technology addressing labor shortages and crop loss in indoor agriculture.

• Distressed insect ag firm Ÿnsect secures bridge loan, receives offer for pilot plant (AgFunderNews) - French insect farming company Ÿnsect secures €10M bridge loan and receives pilot plant offer while under insolvency proceedings.

Carbon

US Senate import fees, Apple's 60% emissions drop, Microsoft & AtmosClear's BECCS deal, Occidental acquires Holocene, and SBTi's Net-Zero Standard 2.0.

• The Carbon Copy: A new kind of tax for CDR (The Carbon Copy) - A US Senate bill proposes fees on imports based on carbon intensity, incentivizing industrial decarbonization and carbon removal integration.

• 'Using more clean energy than ever before': Apple confirms its emissions have fallen 60 per cent since 2015 (BusinessGreen) - Apple reports a 60% reduction in emissions since 2015, driven by increased clean energy use, as it pursues its goal of carbon neutrality by 2030.

• Microsoft Signs Largest-Ever Permanent Carbon Removal Purchase Agreement (ESG Today) - Microsoft signed a 15-year agreement to purchase 6.75 million metric tons of carbon removal from AtmosClear's BECCS facility, the largest deal of its kind.

• Exclusive: Occidental Petroleum Buys DAC Startup Holocene (Heatmap News) - Occidental Petroleum acquired direct air capture startup Holocene, signaling confidence in the sector despite Trump administration uncertainties.

• Earth’s Ancient Microbes Offer Lessons for a More Livable Future (Atmos) - Scientists study carbon-sequestering extremophiles in volcanic Japanese island to develop climate solutions and improve carbon capture technology.

• Guest Post: What the SBTi’s Draft Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2.0 Means for Businesses (ESG Today) - Science Based Targets initiative releases draft Corporate Net-Zero Standard 2.0, introducing stricter requirements for large companies and new guidance on emissions reduction and carbon removal.

• Oxy Acquires Carbon Removal Tech Startup Holocene (ESG Today) - Energy giant Occidental acquires direct air capture startup Holocene, expanding carbon removal capabilities with low-temperature technology priced at record-low $100 per ton.

Circular

LONGi & OCADE collaborate on PV recycling in Colombia; bioeconomy initiative empowers 5,000; battery recycling may eliminate mineral mining; single-stream recycling struggles.

• LONGi and OCADE sign agreement to promote photovoltaic module recycling in Colombia (TaiyangNews) - LONGi and OCADE partner to advance photovoltaic module recycling in Colombia, aiming to reduce energy waste and environmental impact through knowledge transfer and optimized recycling processes.

• NATURE+ circular bioeconomy activities reach more than 5,000 people (CGIAR) - Circular bioeconomy initiative reaches 5,000+ people across five countries, establishing sustainable waste-to-value systems and income sources for rural communities.

• Reenvisioning the future of biomass (Carbon180) - Communities advocate for small-scale, locally-controlled biomass projects over large industrial facilities to ensure environmental protection and community benefits.

• How We Can Eliminate the Need for Mined Minerals by 2050 (RMI) - New analysis shows battery recycling and circular economy strategies could eliminate need for new mineral mining in EV supply chain by 2050.

• How single-stream recycling works − your choices can make it better (The Conversation) - Single-stream recycling systems face major efficiency challenges with only 9% of US plastics successfully recycled due to contamination and sorting complexity.

Ecosystems

Wildlife populations diminish, Pantanal frogs face habitat loss, Amazon logging is tied to US/EU, mangrove forests decline, UK wildfires surge, Gauley River endangered by South Fork Coal, and a baby colossal squid is filmed.

• Wide-Ranging Biodiversity Study Highlights Destructive Global Impact of Humans (SOCAN) - A comprehensive global study reveals that human activities are significantly diminishing wildlife populations and species diversity worldwide.

• Most frogs in Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands to lose habitat by 2100: Study (Mongabay) - A study projects that 84% of frog and amphibian species in Brazil's Pantanal wetlands could lose habitat by 2100 due to climate change-induced drying.

• Fake documents, real deforestation drive global trade in illegal Amazon timber (Mongabay) - An EIA report reveals that illegal logging in the Brazilian Amazon is facilitated by fake documents, with nearly 3% of the timber being exported to the U.S. and Europe.

• Human connections to seagrass meadows date back 180,000 years, study reveals (TheConversation) - Archaeological evidence shows humans have used seagrass meadows for food, building, and cultural practices for at least 180,000 years.

• Elevator to extinction (cartoon) (Mongabay) - As climate change forces montane species to higher altitudes, those at the highest elevations face extinction due to lack of habitat.

• Tons of new research published by CENV faculty and students (WWU) - College of the Environment faculty and students published new research on topics ranging from fish traits to blue carbon.

• ‘No fish, no money, no food’: Colombia’s stilt people fight to save their wetlands (The Guardian) - Colombia's stilt-house communities in the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta wetlands face dwindling fish stocks and polluted water due to diverted rivers and mismanagement, threatening their livelihoods and the ecosystem's climate role.

• This Land Is Our Land: New Books About Public Lands, the Threats They Face, and Their Ecological Importance (The Revelator) - New books explore threats to US public lands, from Indigenous appropriation to corporate exploitation, highlighting the need for conservation and historical context.

• Proforestation: The case for leaving trees alone (Mongabay) - Proforestation, leaving existing forests untouched, maximizes carbon storage and biodiversity, offering a radical climate solution by allowing forests to reach full ecological potential.

• Plastic-eating seabird chicks show signs of organ failure and cognitive decline (Mongabay) - Sable shearwater chicks consuming plastics show organ failure and cognitive decline, raising concerns for seabird populations and marine life.

• Are endangered fungi not 'cute enough' to be saved? (DW) - Scientists warn that many fungal species, vital for ecosystems and carbon sequestration, face extinction due to deforestation, pollution, and climate change, necessitating targeted conservation efforts.

• American Rivers names Gauley River to America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2025, due to toxic coal mining pollution (Appalachian Voices) - The Gauley River is named one of America's Most Endangered Rivers of 2025 due to toxic coal mining pollution from South Fork Coal Company's repeated water pollution violations.

• Big Old Trees Are a Big Deal, Part 1: Busting a Myth and Discovering Microhabitats (The Wildlife News) - New research reveals big old trees actively store massive carbon amounts and host vital microhabitats, debunking myth that tree growth declines with age.

• Protecting Our Frontline Defenders: The Case for Mangrove Conservation (Earth.org) - Over 50% of global mangrove forests lost to development and farming, threatening crucial carbon storage capacity and coastal protection for millions.

• Whole ecosystems ‘decimated’ by huge rise in UK wildfires (The Guardian) - UK wildfires surge up to 1,200% in some regions during 2025, decimating ecosystems and endangering rare species across protected habitats.

• Live colossal squid captured on video in wild for first time ever – video (The Guardian) - A baby colossal squid, the world's heaviest invertebrate, has been filmed alive in the wild for the first time near the South Sandwich Islands.

• Meet the DJs spinning Earth Day into nightlife (Grist) - DJs for Climate Action organizes Earth Night, a global initiative bringing climate awareness to nightlife venues through music, education, and community building.

• How Mexican fishers are protecting an endemic oyster — and its ecosystem (Mongabay) - Mexican fishers in Nayarit are reviving the endemic Cortez oyster through sustainable farming, boosting local fisheries and ecosystem health, but face threats from climate change and proposed dam projects.

• Baby colossal squid recorded for the first time in its deep-sea home (Mongabay) - Researchers have recorded the first live baby colossal squid in its natural Antarctic deep-sea habitat, offering new insights into this elusive species.

• Africa’s growing cities are endangering birdlife (commentary) (Mongabay) - Urban expansion in Africa threatens birdlife by reducing species diversity and disrupting essential ecosystem services, according to a new study in Kenya and Nigeria.

• Like the Ritz for wildlife: the joy of recreating England’s ancient hedges (The Guardian) - Volunteers across England are planting new hedges and restoring ancient ones to support wildlife, aiming to meet a government target of 45,000 miles of new or restored hedgerows by 2050.

• I’m obsessed with coastal wildflowers: they look so delicate but thrive in tough conditions (The Guardian) - Naturalist Andrew Cleave explains how coastal wildflowers like rock sea-spurrey and slender centaury demonstrate remarkable resilience by thriving in harsh seaside environments.

• Hearth Artist: Erin Robinsong (The Wellbeing Project) - Erin Robinsong, a poet and interdisciplinary artist researching regenerative poetics, collaborates with The Wellbeing Project on ecological imagination.

Efficiency

Appliance standards save billions; CXL memory & SSDs boost data center efficiency; Louisiana scraps efficiency program; MA utilities offer heat pump rates; BLUETTI launches Apex 300 solar generator.

• Appliance efficiency standards save consumers billions, reduce pollution and fight climate change (The Conversation) - Appliance efficiency standards save consumers billions, cut pollution, and combat climate change by reducing energy consumption and emissions.

• Innovative Solutions Imperative to Meet Data Center Energy Demand (PowerMag) - Innovations like CXL memory pooling, advanced SSDs, and hardware-level security are crucial for meeting the escalating energy demands of AI-driven data centers while maintaining sustainability.

• Energy efficiency program killed; advocates say Louisianans will pay the price. (Floodlight) - Louisiana regulators scrapped a 14-year-in-the-making energy efficiency program, a move advocates say will raise electric bills and benefit utilities.

• Massachusetts heat pump owners could pay less for electricity next winter (Acadia Center) - Massachusetts utilities to introduce seasonal heat pump rates next winter, potentially lowering electricity costs for nearly 3 million households due to reduced grid strain.

• Do You Really Need Two Generators? (CleanTechnica) - BLUETTI launches Apex 300 dual-purpose solar generator with 2,764Wh capacity and 3,840W output for both home backup and RV use.

Finance

Trump's policies spur alternative green funding; Crux secures $50M; Catalyze gets $485M for community solar; BP faces shareholder revolt; SEC approves Green Impact Exchange (GIX).

• As Trump upends aid and markets, who will pay for green development in Global South? (Climate Change News) - As Trump's policies disrupt aid and markets, global leaders seek alternative funding strategies for green development in the Global South amid growing financial uncertainty.

• Fueling America’s Energy and Manufacturing Boom (Lowercarbon) - Crux, a financial platform connecting developers with institutional capital for clean energy projects, secures $50M Series B to accelerate infrastructure funding and streamline complex transactions.

• Investor-led decarbonisation – supporting portfolio companies to reach Net Zero (YouTube) - Investors can support portfolio companies in reaching Net Zero by building trust, embedding sustainability into decision-making, and leveraging technology for data-driven insights.

• Conflict-monitoring collective wins European Space Agency Earth Observation Excellence Award (CEOBS) - International research collective wins €65,000 ESA award for using satellite data to monitor environmental and humanitarian impacts of conflicts and disasters.

• Delivering climate risk data that is useful to local adaptation decision makers (Tyndall Centre) - New study reveals local organizations struggle to access understandable climate risk data for adaptation planning, prompting development of county-scale risk reports.

• The Community Solar Movement Beats Coal, Again (CleanTechnica) - Texas-based Catalyze secures $485 million in financing to expand community solar projects on commercial properties, signaling continued investor confidence in solar over coal.

• BP braces for investor rebellion at first AGM since climate strategy U-turn (The Guardian) - BP faces major shareholder revolt at annual meeting following climate strategy reversal and plummeting company value under chair Helge Lund.

• SEC Approves Launch of U.S.’ First Sustainability-Focused Stock Exchange (ESGToday) - SEC approves Green Impact Exchange (GIX) as first U.S. stock exchange requiring listed companies to make binding sustainability commitments and report progress.

• Active Hope for a Livable Future: Divesting from Fossil Fuels (Laudato Si' Movement) - Catholic institutions urged to divest from fossil fuels, citing moral duty and financial evidence showing divestment doesn't harm returns.

• Senior Officer, Philanthropy Partnerships (Climate Breakthrough) - Climate Breakthrough seeks a Senior Officer to lead individual donor fundraising and advise climate leaders on building their fundraising capabilities.

Grid

FirstEnergy faces scrutiny in Ohio, PJM Interconnection urged to expedite approvals in Maryland, Alabama considers $1B infrastructure bill, data centers' growing power demand, dual-purpose microgrids in Texas, Chinese transformers for Europe, ONTRAS' hydrogen pipeline, smart grids and virtual power plants, IEA's zero-carbon electricity, GoodWe's power conversion systems, EM-Power Europe's smart grid startups, Greenlink Interconnector, Oregon microgrid bills, Wärtsilä RICE tech in Kentucky, and Maine transmission line bill.

• Ohio grid disparities leave some areas with older, outage-prone equipment (Canary Media) - A report reveals that disadvantaged communities in Ohio are more likely to have older, outage-prone grid equipment due to historical underinvestment by FirstEnergy.

• Study: Marylanders could save hundreds on electric bills if grid undergoes reform (RenewableEnergyWorld) - A study reveals Maryland residents could save hundreds on electric bills annually if PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator, expedites energy project approvals.

• Alabama Senate Introduces SB304 – Powering Growth Act (Energy Alabama) - Alabama Senate introduces $1B energy infrastructure bill to modernize grid and finance critical energy projects through new state infrastructure bank.

• Artificial intelligence uses how much energy? #ai (YouTube) - Data centers, powering AI and other operations, currently consume about 1% of global electricity, but could represent 20-25% of US load growth by 2035.

• Backup Power and Grid Support Are Key Benefits of Enchanted Rock’s Dual-Purpose Microgrids (Enchanted Rock) - Dual-purpose microgrids offer backup power to critical infrastructure and bolster the main grid during peak demand in Texas and elsewhere.

• Europe Should Buy Chinese Transformers Now Available Due To Trump’s Trade War (CleanTechnica) - Due to US trade wars and transformer shortages, Europe should buy Chinese transformers to accelerate electrification, as China has the capacity to deliver quickly.

• First section of the hydrogen core network in Eastern Germany (Energy Central) - ONTRAS commissions a 25-kilometre converted gas pipeline as the first section of Eastern Germany's hydrogen core network, enabling the transport of 2,700 tonnes of green hydrogen annually.

• Three Tech Trends That Are Supercharging Clean Energy in 2025 (SEPA) - Smart homes, AI-powered grids, and virtual power plants are key technologies transforming the power grid and accelerating the clean energy transition.

• Five Takeaways from the IEA’s 2024 Global Energy Review (RMI) - IEA's 2024 Global Energy Review shows 80% of new electricity generation from zero-carbon sources, despite slight rise in emissions and fossil fuel use.

• GoodWe’s New PCS Products For C&I And Utility (TaiyangNews) - GoodWe launches new power conversion systems for commercial and utility-scale energy storage, featuring advanced grid stability and harsh environment operation capabilities.

• EM-Power Europe: Start-Ups Provide Smart Solutions for Smart Grids (Power Magazine) - European energy exhibition EM-Power Europe showcases startups offering smart grid management solutions, including flexibility markets and decentralized power control platforms.

• Greenlink: UK-Ireland interconnector comes online (BusinessGreen) - New 500MW Greenlink Interconnector between Wales and Ireland begins operations, boosting cross-border clean energy transmission capacity.

• Oregon's Microgrid Movement (Sustainable Northwest) - Oregon legislature advances two microgrid bills with bipartisan support to boost energy resilience and clean power access in rural communities.

• Kentucky Energy Group Breaks Ground for New RICE Power Plant (POWER) - Kentucky Municipal Energy Agency breaks ground on a 75-MW gas-fired power plant using Wärtsilä RICE technology for flexible and reliable energy.

• Maine Legislature advances bill to tweak provisions of 2021 transmission line referendum (Renewable Energy World) - Maine Legislature advances bill to modify 2021 referendum law requiring legislative approval for new high-impact transmission lines, aiming to streamline power line development process.

Indigenous

Xochimilco farmers preserve chinampas with NGO support; Bolivians protest Russian/Chinese lithium contracts; UIC Heritage Garden blends culture and climate action.

• Duas Semanas em Xochimilco: Fortalecendo Legados Ancestrais por Meio da Ação Coletiva (Meli-bees.org) - Indigenous farmers in Mexico's Xochimilco preserve ancient chinampa farming system while facing climate change and urbanization challenges through collective action and traditional knowledge.

• Two Weeks in Xochimilco, Mexico: Strengthening Ancestral Legacies Through Collective Action (Meli-bees.org) - Indigenous chinampero farmers in Mexico's Xochimilco region partner with NGO to preserve ancient agroforestry practices while developing sustainable economic solutions.

• Bolivian communities push back against foreign-backed lithium projects (Mongabay) - Indigenous Bolivian communities protest $2 billion Russian and Chinese lithium mining contracts over water scarcity concerns and lack of consultation.

• Promoting Climate Action Through Cultural Heritage and Environmental Justice (Second Nature) - University of Illinois Chicago's Heritage Garden program combines cultural heritage and environmental justice through urban gardening initiatives, demonstrating climate action through student internships and community engagement.

Industry

National Grid faces radioactive waste lawsuit; Green Hydrogen vs. Microgrids for AI; Fashion industry lags on emissions; Barrick Gold cyanide spill lingers; RenShine Solar certified; Trump era EPA cuts; Lyten completes US supply chain; NEUMAN & ESSER for EWE hydrogen storage; Liberty Plugins on electrification; Liberation Labs & NEOM Fund; Endurans new solar films; Astronergy & CNPC deal.

• How 77 Tons of Radioactive Waste Ended Up in Brooklyn (DeSmog) - A lawsuit alleges National Grid mismanaged a Brooklyn site, leaving 77 tons of radioactive waste from a former manufactured gas plant near residential areas.

• Green Hydrogen Holds Promise for Power-Hungry AI, but It’s Not Quite There Yet (Enchanted Rock) - Green hydrogen shows potential for powering AI's energy-intensive needs, but current limitations in availability and cost make it less viable than microgrids.

• Fashion is only 8.6% toward 2030 emissions deadline. Here’s how to speed up (Trellis) - The fashion industry is only 8.6% of the way towards its 2030 emissions reduction goal, requiring increased funding, supplier engagement, and a shift beyond efficiency measures like electrification.

• Still no trial over Argentina cyanide mine spill, 7 years after officials were charged (Mongabay) - Seven years after toxic cyanide spill at Barrick Gold's Argentina mine, four charged officials still await trial while affected communities report ongoing environmental impacts.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: RenShine Secures Multiple Certifications & More (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer RenShine Solar obtains international certifications for perovskite modules while multiple domestic firms report major expansions and financial results.

• Cement is a climate menace. Under Trump, fixing it just got harder. (Floodlight) - Trump administration cancels EPA grants for cement decarbonization efforts as industry struggles to reduce its 8% contribution to global carbon emissions.

• Lyten’s final step in tariff-proofing its supply chain (Latitude Media) - US battery maker Lyten completes domestic supply chain by moving lithium alloy production to Pennsylvania, fully insulating itself from Chinese tariffs and critical mineral risks.

• NEUMAN & ESSER Receives Order for Hydrogen Storage Project in Northern Germany (PowerMag) - NEUMAN & ESSER wins contract to supply hydrogen compressors for EWE's large-scale underground hydrogen storage project in Northern Germany, set to launch 2027.

• The POWER Interview: Electrification Key to Total Decarbonization (POWER Magazine) - CEO of Liberty Plugins emphasizes electrification across all sectors as crucial path to total decarbonization, citing EV charging infrastructure and grid flexibility as key priorities.

• Liberation Labs heads to Saudi Arabia as NEOM Investment Fund ventures into biomanufacturing (AgFunderNews) - Liberation Labs partners with Saudi Arabia's NEOM Investment Fund to build precision fermentation facility for bioproducts, addressing kingdom's food security concerns.

• Endurans Offers UV-Optimized EVA Encapsulation Films (TaiyangNews) - Endurans launches two new UV-optimized EVA encapsulation films for solar panels, offering enhanced UV blocking and high light transmittance for improved module performance.

• Astronergy wins 2GW biddings from a state-owned giant (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer Astronergy wins 2.05GW solar panel supply contract from state oil giant CNPC, marking their largest collaboration in renewable energy transition.

Policy

IRA funding restarts, Massachusetts heat pump rates may drop, NYC hospitals promote plant-based meals, while Trump era policies weaken EPA, DOE, and ESA regulations.

• ‘Coding for Climate’ organizes students to develop climate solutions (Yale Climate Connections) - "Coding for Climate" engages students globally in using technology and coding to develop solutions for environmental challenges like water scarcity and deforestation.

• Judge orders IRA funding restart (Canary Media) - A judge ordered the restart of IRA funding after a freeze, while Massachusetts heat pump owners may see lower electricity rates, and NYC hospitals are promoting plant-based meals.

• Could humanity be extinct within 10,000 years? A new book is the wake up call our species needs (TheConversation) - A new book argues humanity faces extinction within 10,000 years due to environmental damage and declining fertility, urging immediate action to mitigate climate change and explore space colonization.

• Video: The failed promise of industry jobs in polluted communities (Floodlight) - A new study and documentary reveal that promises of high-paying industry jobs for minorities in polluted communities are largely unfulfilled, with white workers disproportionately holding better positions.

• Texas Oilfield Company and Executive Plead Guilty in Hydrogen Sulfide Deaths (Inside Climate News) - A Texas oilfield company and executive pleaded guilty to Clean Air Act and OSHA violations after a 2019 incident where a worker and his wife died from hydrogen sulfide exposure.

• In Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley,’ where black communities get all of the pollution, few of the jobs (Grist) - A Tulane study confirms racial disparities in Louisiana's "Cancer Alley," where Black communities face pollution from petrochemical plants but are underrepresented in industry jobs, even with tax breaks meant to boost employment.

• Coffee with the Experts | Understanding EPA's Latest Changes (YouTube) - An expert explains the EPA's deregulatory push, including revisiting the greenhouse gas endangerment finding, and its potential impact on the oil and gas industry, emphasizing the importance of industry engagement for workable regulations.

• Peter Dutton insists he ‘believes in climate change’ after refusing to say if impacts of global heating worsening (The Guardian) - Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton affirmed his belief in climate change but avoided confirming if global heating impacts are worsening, drawing criticism.

• 'I'm not a scientist': Dutton responds to climate change question in ABC leaders' debate – video (The Guardian) - Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton declined to directly acknowledge current climate change impacts during a debate, stating "I'm not a scientist" when questioned.

• Cut back your roses? Berkeley sets new rules for its most wildfire-prone areas (The Guardian) - Berkeley, California, mandates removal of flammable materials within 5ft of homes in high-risk areas to mitigate wildfire spread, following deadly Los Angeles fires.

• No, Canada’s So-called ‘No Pipelines Bill’ Didn’t Block These 16 Energy Projects (DeSmog) - Claims that Canada's Bill C-69 blocked 16 energy projects are false, as these projects were submitted before the law's enactment and failed for other reasons like market conditions or lack of Indigenous consultation.

• How to use the law to save the planet | Against All Odds (Mongabay) - Climate activists are increasingly using legal action, with over 320 cases filed globally, to hold governments and corporations accountable for climate change impacts.

• LAUNCHING MONDAY, APRIL 21: CCNow’s 89 Percent Project Joint Coverage Week (Covering Climate Now) - Covering Climate Now's "89 Percent Project" launches a joint coverage week to highlight the global majority supporting government climate action, providing resources and events for journalists to participate and amplify the message.

• Trump orders won’t slow Michigan coal plant closures (Canary Media) - Despite Trump's efforts, Michigan utilities proceed with coal plant retirements amid debate over labeling gas plants as clean energy.

• Dominion Among Utilities Allowed Exemption for Coal Emissions From Trump’s EPA (Inside Climate News) - Dominion Energy and other utilities received exemptions from stricter federal coal pollution rules under a Trump-era order, delaying compliance with updated standards for mercury and particulate matter emissions.

• GJEP in Action – April 2004 – April 2025 (Global Justice Ecology Project) - GJEP's April actions from 2004-2025 include protesting World Bank policies, opposing megadams, and campaigning against genetically engineered trees, advocating for social and ecological justice.

• # Global Newsletter 94: The Passion to Make a Difference (Extinction Rebellion) - Global protests are increasing against environmental destruction and government inaction, highlighting the urgency for climate action and community solidarity.

• HBO’s ‘The Dark Money Game’ spotlights FirstEnergy’s corruption as Trump revives federal coal plant bailout the utility once lobbied for (Energy and Policy Institute) - HBO's documentary reveals FirstEnergy's bribery scandal and Trump's renewed efforts to bail out coal plants, which the utility previously lobbied for.

• Australia’s Heat Is Rising. So Is Its Climate Inequality. (Atmos) - In Coober Pedy, Australia, climate change exacerbates inequality as wealthier residents use underground homes for relief from extreme heat, while Indigenous communities struggle in poorly insulated housing.

• Louisiana regulators abruptly kill energy efficiency program (Canary Media) - Louisiana regulators abruptly ended a 14-year energy efficiency program despite residents' high electricity consumption, sparking outrage over potential cost increases.

• Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s big question on climate (Acadia Center) - Massachusetts' Attorney General addresses climate concerns amid debates over clean energy costs and fossil fuel reliance in New England.

• An Update on Environmental Omnibus Finance Bills (MNIPL) - Minnesota's House environment bill proposes cuts to prairie, wetland, and climate resilience funding, while the Senate bill focuses on fees, waste management, and pollution recovery.

• How petrostates succeeded in watering down the world’s plan to cut shipping emissions (The Conversation) - Petrostates weakened the IMO's shipping emissions plan, resulting in a gradual transition with financial burdens on vulnerable nations and a likely failure to meet 2030 reduction targets.

• Our Critical Decade for Climate Action: Call for Posters (Tyndall Centre) - Researchers are invited to submit posters by June 6 for the Critical Decade for Climate Action Conference in Norwich, UK, September 8-10.

• SBTi wants more small companies to set net-zero goals. Here’s how it’s wooing them (Trellis) - SBTi's net-zero revision aims to attract more small and midsize companies by introducing a new corporate classification with optional requirements and extended validation timelines.

• Scientists predict a brutal hurricane season while Trump takes aim at NOAA’s budget (Grist) - Scientists forecast a brutal hurricane season exacerbated by warmer oceans, while budget cuts threaten NOAA's ability to provide accurate, timely warnings.

• The subversive power of Spanish-language radio (High Country News) - Spanish-language radio stations in the American West have a long history of informing and defending immigrant communities, dating back to the Great Depression.

• Our Critical Decade for Climate Action Conference: Register Now (Tyndall Centre) - The "Critical Decade for Climate Action" conference in Norwich (Sept 8-10, 2025) will assess climate action opportunities and challenges, featuring interdisciplinary discussions and research presentations.

• Trump to rescind the Public Lands Rule (High Country News) - The Trump administration is moving to rescind the Biden-era Public Lands Rule, which sought to balance conservation with drilling and extraction on federal lands, despite public support for prioritizing conservation.

• Trump Is Sabotaging His Own Nuclear Agenda (Heatmap News) - Trump's administration plans to weaken the Department of Energy office crucial for financing new nuclear projects, potentially undermining his own nuclear energy revival agenda.

• Federal Funding Opportunities and Guidance – April 16, 2025 (Environmental Protection Network) - Federal court orders immediate resumption of EPA, USDA, DOE, DOI, and HUD grant payments previously frozen under IIJA and IRA funding programs.

• [Review] Climate Change Education: An Earth Institute Sustainability Primer (CLEO Institute) - New book "Climate Change Education" provides comprehensive framework for integrating climate science across educational settings while emphasizing social justice and practical solutions.

• Berkeley adopts first-of-its-kind policy to cut pollution from existing homes (Stand.earth) - Berkeley passes groundbreaking policy requiring home sellers and buyers to implement clean energy upgrades during property transfers, starting January 2026.

• Environmental organizations demand clarity on federal parties’ environmental plans ahead of election (Stand.earth) - Ten major Canadian environmental organizations demand federal parties clarify their environmental and climate plans ahead of national election, with Conservative Party notably absent from responses.

• CEBA Statement on Executive Order Updating Permitting Technology for the 21st Century (CEBA) - Clean Energy Buyers Association endorses Trump administration's executive order to modernize energy project permitting process for accelerating clean energy and transmission infrastructure development.

• Solar Cells Exempted From US Import Tariffs, Or Not? (TaiyangNews) - Confusion surrounds US solar cell tariff exemptions as conflicting reports emerge about their inclusion in recent presidential trade action, while semiconductor exemptions are confirmed.

• Climate science isn't giving your kid anxiety (HEATED) - Trump administration cuts Princeton climate research funding, falsely claiming climate science causes youth anxiety rather than government inaction.

• What in tarnation is going on in Texas? (Volts) - Texas legislators debate bills to restrict clean energy development despite state's market-driven renewable energy boom accounting for 90% of new electricity capacity.

• Environmental and Science Groups Sue Trump Admin for Deleting Environmental Justice and Climate Information From Federal Agency Websites (Ecowatch) - Environmental groups sue Trump administration for removing climate and environmental justice data from federal websites.

• All out for Earth Day to May Day! (198methods.org) - Environmental groups launch nationwide Earth Day to May Day mobilizations against fossil fuel industry and immigration crackdowns, targeting multiple US cities April 19-May 1.

• Moms Annual Summit Exposes the Perils of Plastics: Moms Make News (Moms Clean Air Force) - Annual summit unites scientists, experts, and policymakers to address health risks of plastic pollution and petrochemical industry impacts on families.

• More Than 60 Power Plants Exempted From Federal Mercury Limits (Inside Climate News) - Trump administration exempts 60+ power plants from federal mercury emissions standards, affecting one-third of US coal generating capacity.

• CS Energy takes rap for downplaying Callide event, as state generators told to come clean on outages (RenewEconomy) - CS Energy admits downplaying coal plant explosion severity while Queensland government announced life extension plans for aging Callide facility.

• Dutton brings back old-school climate denial in second leaders debate (RenewEconomy) - Opposition leader Peter Dutton questions climate science in second leaders' debate, denying link between fossil fuels and extreme weather events in Australia.

• Solar Industry Statement on Texas Senate Passing Bill that Will Harm Needed Energy Generation (CleanTechnica) - Texas Senate passes SB 819 with 22-9 vote, imposing restrictive requirements on solar projects that threaten grid reliability and $50 billion state solar industry.

• The obscure policy that financed many of the last decade’s riskiest energy investments is back (Renewable Energy World) - Multiple U.S. states revive controversial CWIP policy allowing utilities to bill customers for power plant construction costs before completion, despite historical risks of project failures and cost overruns.

• Montana legislature approves community solar legislation (Renewable Energy World) - Montana legislature passes bipartisan bill enabling private community solar projects up to 5MW with broad support from tribes, farmers, and environmental groups.

• Conservationists sue Trump administration over rollback of green policies (The Guardian) - Environmental groups sue Trump administration over executive order promoting oil industry and rolling back green policies, citing lack of transparency and FOIA violations.

• Nothing to see here, Press Council says after News Corp tabloids’ front-page undisclosed advertorial gassing up fossil fuel | Weekly Beast (The Guardian) - Australian Press Council finds no breach in News Corp tabloids' undisclosed front-page gas industry advertorials, despite complaints over transparency.

• Trump’s EPA Grants Dozens of Coal Plants Exemption From Emissions Rules (PowerMag) - Trump administration exempts 70 coal plants from federal toxic emissions rules, citing grid reliability and energy security concerns.

• Trump's tariffs: A bumpy road ahead for global clean energy market (BusinessGreen) - Trump's proposed reciprocal tariffs threaten global clean energy markets despite 90-day pause, forcing companies to reconsider supply chains and sales strategies.

• EU to Set Sustainable Design Requirements for Apparel, Steel, Furniture Products (ESG Today) - EU adopts 2025-2030 working plan requiring sustainable design standards for apparel, steel, and furniture products, mandating durability, recyclability, and environmental impact disclosures.

• Solar advocates lobby on strong fundamentals amid political uncertainty (Utility Dive) - Solar industry advocates emphasize manufacturing growth and rapid deployment capabilities while lobbying to preserve IRA tax incentives amid political uncertainty and supply chain pressures.

• El poder subversivo de la radio en español (High Country News) - Spanish-language radio stations in the US West provide vital information and support to Latino communities, particularly on immigration issues, echoing a long history of advocacy dating back to the Great Depression.

• El eslabón no regulado de una cadena de suministro tóxica (Grist) - El Paso residents near Cardinal Health warehouses may face dangerous ethylene oxide levels from medical device storage, as warehouses lack regulation compared to sterilisation plants.

• Why politicians manipulate statistics — and what to do about it (Nature) - Social psychologists examine how politicians manipulate statistics for their benefit, citing examples from the Soviet Union to Donald Trump, and suggest ways to counter this.

• A Prefeitura de São Paulo vai transformar o centro da cidade com o programa Requalifica Centro 🏙️ (YouTube) - São Paulo's "Requalifica Centro" program invests R$200 million to renovate old buildings into social housing, covering 25% of renovation costs and allocating R$1 billion for various income levels.

• What’s fueling the fluctuations in US gas prices in April 2025? (Energy Central) - US gas prices in April 2025 fluctuate due to low storage, European demand, weather, and trade tensions with China impacting supply and exports.

• Wildlife agencies’ proposal would be a ‘death sentence’ for some imperiled species (SELC) - US wildlife agencies propose eliminating key 'harm' definition in Endangered Species Act, threatening species survival by enabling habitat destruction.

• Dubai event invites researchers from across world to tackle global challenges – apply to attend (The Conversation) - Dubai's Prototypes for Humanity forum invites global researchers to present solutions for climate, health, AI, and sustainability challenges, offering funded attendance and $100,000 in awards.

Renewables

Fusion energy investment, DAS Solar's flexible PV mounting, record renewable growth, ITIF's SMR report, Trump halts Empire Wind, global solar capacity, and Victoria's offshore wind auction.

• The Australian investors betting big on fusion – the “holy grail” of nuclear tech (RenewEconomy) - Australian investors are backing fusion energy, attracted by recent technological advancements and the potential for a safer, less wasteful alternative to nuclear fission.

• DAS Solar's Flexible Mounting System Ushers in a New Era of Smart, High-Efficiency Solar Power (TaiyangNews) - DAS Solar's flexible mounting system uses resilient materials and dynamic equilibrium to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve structural stability in PV projects.

• Renewables in 2024: 5 Key Facts Behind a Record-Breaking Year (IRENA) - Global renewable power capacity surged by a record 585 GW in 2024, accounting for over 92% of total power expansion, but still falls short of the 2030 tripling target.

• SMRs, not large reactors, are ‘future of nuclear power’: ITIF (Utility Dive) - ITIF reports small modular reactors (SMRs) are more likely than large reactors to achieve price parity with conventional energy with government support, potentially becoming a key U.S. export.

• Bridging the Divide: How Rural Electrification is Powering Forgotten Communities (Energy Central) - Rural electrification projects using off-grid renewables like solar mini-grids are improving lives in forgotten communities by providing access to light, clean cooking, healthcare, and digital tools.

• Trump administration issues halt order for Empire Wind energy project (LCV) - The Trump administration halted the Empire Wind 1 project off Long Island, jeopardizing clean energy goals, union jobs, and grid reliability in New York.

• Trump Tries to Kill New York’s Empire Wind Project (Heatmap News) - The Trump administration is attempting to halt construction of New York's Empire Wind offshore wind project, citing alleged deficiencies in the approval process.

• IEA PVPS: Global Solar PV Capacity Exceeds 2.2 TW (TaiyangNews) - Global solar PV capacity surpassed 2.2 TW in 2024 with 554-602 GW new installations, while India became world's third-largest solar market at 124.6 GW.

• Germany’s March 2025 Solar Additions Drop Sharply to 787 MW (TaiyangNews) - Germany's solar installations dropped to 787 MW in March 2025, falling significantly below the 1.61 GW monthly target needed to reach 215 GW by 2030.

• Australia’s first offshore wind energy auction set to launch in September (RenewEconomy) - Victoria to launch Australia's first offshore wind energy auction in September 2025, aiming to award contracts by October 2026 with 2-9GW capacity targets through 2040.

• Giant solar and battery project proposed for Tasmania’s central highlands by local farming families (RenewEconomy) - Tasmanian farming families propose 250MW solar farm with 144MW battery storage in central highlands region, maintaining sheep grazing alongside energy generation.

• Kenya’s Energy Sector Is Making Strides Toward Universal Electricity Access, Clean Cooking Solutions and Renewable Energy Development (CleanTechnica) - Kenya achieves 79% electricity access rate through renewable energy expansion and clean cooking initiatives, targeting universal access by 2030 with geothermal and wind power leading the transition.

• In a Word: Solarpunk (Bluedot Living) - Solarpunk movement emerges as artistic and cultural force promoting optimistic vision of sustainable, nature-integrated future powered by renewable energy.

• Renewable PPA prices shrug off the tariff roller coaster — at least for now (Utility Dive) - North American solar PPA prices remain stable at $57.04/MWh while wind prices drop 5% despite policy uncertainty and tariff concerns.

Transport

Greenlane's EV hub, 3D battery tech, Zenobe's fleet services, Xeal & 3V charging, Bonnell's e-bikes, Volvo EX90 & Hyundai INSTER awards, RBW's US factory, Kia EV3 wins, Franklin's premium charging.

• Heavy, Medium And Light-Duty EV Charging Hub To Open In Southern California (CleanTechnica) - Greenlane will open a flagship EV charging hub in Colton, CA, on April 24, 2025, featuring over 40 public chargers for heavy, medium, and light-duty zero-emission vehicles.

• Holiday flights could carry fewer passengers as world warms (ScienceDaily) - Rising temperatures may force European airports to reduce passenger numbers by the 2060s due to decreased aircraft lift on hotter days.

• Improving LFP and LMFP Batteries with Addionics 3D Current Collectors (Addionics) - New 3D current collector technology improves energy density and conductivity in LFP and LMFP batteries for electric vehicles.

• Energy Insiders Podcast: Electric trucks and buses and the grid (RenewEconomy) - Zenobe executive discusses electric truck fleet services, battery recycling strategies, and grid integration challenges in Energy Insiders podcast.

• Multifamily Properties Get Big EV Charging Boost in Midwest (CleanTechnica) - JVM Realty partners with Xeal to install EV charging stations across 22 multifamily properties in five Midwest states, guaranteeing 100% uptime through patented technology.

• Multifamily housing needs EV charging. This startup will pay for it. (Canary Media) - Startup 3V Infrastructure offers no-cost EV charging installations at apartment complexes, betting on future profits from charging fees to recover upfront investments.

• Bonnell’s New Electric Dirt Bikes Are Ready To Shake Things Up: Meet The 805 & 902 (CleanTechnica) - Bonnell's new 805 and 902 electric dirt bikes, developed with racing tech and smart features, are set to launch in 2025, offering a high-performance alternative to gas-powered bikes.

• Volvo EX90 Claims World Luxury Car Title (CleanTechnica) - The all-electric Volvo EX90, a seven-seat family SUV, won the World Luxury Car award for its comfortable interior, advanced safety tech, and Scandinavian design.

• Hyundai INSTER Wins “World Electric Vehicle” Award (CleanTechnica) - The Hyundai INSTER, a sub-compact EV with a 230-mile range and rapid charging, won the 2025 World Electric Vehicle award for its design, innovation, and value.

• RBW Electric Cars Trumps Tesla With Sporty Roadster & Powertrain Partnerships (CleanTechnica) - UK startup RBW Electric Cars is launching a US factory in Virginia to produce Roadster and GT models, while also offering EV powertrain solutions to other automakers.

• Kia EV3 Wins World Car of the Year Award! (CleanTechnica) - Kia EV3 wins 2025 World Car of the Year award, marking second consecutive win for Kia following EV9's 2024 victory, with strong European sales and 605km range.

• Franklin’s Charging Delivers The Fast Charging Experience The World Needs (CleanTechnica) - Franklin's Charging opens premium EV charging stations in Arkansas featuring NACS compatibility, lounges, and coffee shops, setting new standards for fast-charging experience.