Waymo, Nuclear Approval, Solar Acquisition

Today's Top Climate Stories

1. EVs: The Huge Waymo Recall That Wasn’t (it was just a software update but the word recall got a lot of press coverage) (CleanTechnica)

• Also covered well in Reuters, TechCrunch, Forbes

2. Nuclear: NuScale expects 77-MWe design approval in July, first SMR order by end of 2025 (Utility Dive)

• Also well covered in Energy & Capital

3. Solar: Procurement and logistics from a single source: Nextracker acquires Bentek (Renewable Energy World)

• Also picked up in Solar Power World.

• See also today's launch of Piq Energy grid connector.

Good news of the day: Analysis: Clean energy just put China’s CO2 emissions into reverse for first time (Carbon Brief)

From the Editor

"It's not easy being green," that classic song from Kermit the Frog, was sung more than once in the beautiful documentary Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street. (link to preview) We watched it last night at my house and I went to bed inspired to do something different with this newsletter. The solving of a clear public need and the authenticity of Sesame Street are inspiring.

I've done news aggregation for two decades and I think a "top stories in climate" section here can be a real service in a world of information overload around the very large world of climate change and adaptation. I want to dig into that.

I also think the amazing personalization power of AI in our "just for you" section for email subscribers helps break through the information overload in a complimentary way.

But I also think that some personal reflection from me, as I shift my career from tech into green tech and sustainability, is something you'll find interesting. I talk to really inspiring people every day. Yesterday I got to talk to my friend John Havens, global director of the inspiring standards-focused IEEE Planet Positive 2030 initiative, for example. If I'd thought to ask him if I could blog about our conversation, then I would.

So I'm going to try some different things with this newsletter. Let me know how you like them.

Today's Full Collection

Table of Contents

• 🌾Agriculture (14 stories) - Digital Transformation Accelerator, 'Monsanto Law' protests, native trees/oil palm, Conagra neonicotinoids, Sanctuary Farms, China machinery emissions, KelpEat Solein, whiteflies, Danforth TAHITI, ZBiotics, electric tractor, EU farm subsidies.

  
  

• 🪨Carbon (19 stories) - Verra suspends Kenyan project; Microsoft & Rubicon invest in carbon removal; Tencent's CarbonX Program 2.0; B Corp GHG reporting; Carbon tax bill introduced.

  
  

• ♻️Circular (2 stories) - Gen Z minimalism, Carbon Cell's biochar foam.

  
  

• 🌱Ecosystems (24 stories) - Indianapolis Prize awarded to Lily-Arison René de Roland; Canada lynx, snowshoe hare cycles disrupted; Nature Conservancy urges Hong Kong marine protection; China's Tibet mega-dam sparks concerns; Sumatran tiger conservation threatened; Okapi returns to DRC's Epulu reserve.

  
  

• ⚡Efficiency (8 stories) - Zamora's renewable district heating, IFMA defends Energy Star, Maine's heat pumps, St. Paul's energy evolution, FOTOTHERM's PVT module, AI efficiency surge, Texas efficiency savings, and PVCAD's AI assistant.

  
  

• 💰Finance (13 stories) - Ameren, Actis, House GOP, Bristol, UK venture builder, Congressional briefing, Ares, Eni, Plenitude, Pegasus Capital Advisors, Octopus Energy, Dubai International Financial Center, Verdane, and Hornetsecurity make headlines.

  
  

• 🔌Grid (15 stories) - Optics11 fiber optic sensing, Australian big batteries outperforming coal/gas, Yallourn outages, Tasmania hydro decline, Greenpeace on AI data center emissions, FERC Order 2023, Verrus grid-flexible data center (NREL), hydrogen microgrids, Duke Energy transmission, KACO 360kW inverter, EcoFlow discounts, Grid Edge Innovation Forum, redlined neighborhoods grid issues.

  
  

• 🌍Indigenous (5 stories) - Zedtee timber company destroys Sarawak forests; Malawi fisheries thrive; ILSC guides Australian renewables; Korean haenyeo face challenges; Canada's ice roads melt.

  
  

• 🏭Industry (23 stories) - Lululemon's renewable energy goals, South Fork Coal's pollution, Canadian methane mitigation, Japanese FAST fusion project, 3SUN's solar module, RENA/Premier Energies' partnership, Halocell's perovskite solar, Trina/LONGi/GCL's solar advancements, Alberta's hydrogen blending concerns, green hydrogen from urine, subsea cable factory, Realta's fusion funding, GE's Ecomagination, Brazilian lithium production, Osmoflo's water treatment, Sveck's solar panel encapsulants, Nextracker's revenue and acquisition, WIKA's sensor coating, hydrogen viability debate, oil consumption forecast, smart work zones, EMC24 conference, and HMTX's sustainability shift.

  
  

• 📜Policy (71 stories) - EPA PFAS Rollback, MacGregor's Interior Appointment, MedEWSa Launch, Newsom's Budget, Brazil Deforestation Action, African American Mayors, EU Deforestation Guide, Ontario Bill 17 Threat, IRA Repeal, California Budget, House Cuts, Corporate Playbook, Romania Auction.

  
  

• 🔋Renewables (10 stories) - Solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass updates: Roanoke City Public Schools' $46.5M solar initiative, TWL-Technologie's hybrid solar panel, UK offshore wind capacity, Grand Sunergy's 745W HJT solar module, and Jolywood's flexible solar module.

  
  

• 🚗Transport (18 stories) - Fleets eye electrification, hydrogen; electric refrigeration with solar; IMO net-zero shipping; electric school buses in Transylvania; port electrification; Vermont EV mandate delay; US EV adoption lags; DoorDash robots; trolleybus revival; GM, Ford LMR batteries; OPES solar modules; Tesla Model Y; Waymo update; durable EVs; NZ, AU EV sales; Volvo hybrid.

Agriculture

Digital Transformation Accelerator, 'Monsanto Law' protests, native trees/oil palm, Conagra neonicotinoids, Sanctuary Farms, China machinery emissions, KelpEat Solein, whiteflies, Danforth TAHITI, ZBiotics, electric tractor, EU farm subsidies.

• CGIAR’s digital leap: charting a new course for agriculture through innovation and inclusion (CGIAR) - Global agricultural research organization launches Digital Transformation Accelerator to revolutionize farming through AI, data integration, and digital tools for smallholder farmers.

• Honduras: Peasant Movements Defend the Right of the People to Use, Save, and Exchange their seeds, denounce the ‘Monsanto Law’ (Via Campesina) - Honduran peasant movements protest 'Monsanto Law' and new seed legislation that criminalizes traditional seed-saving practices and threatens food sovereignty.

• Borneo project hopes to prove that forests and oil palms can coexist (Mongabay) - Malaysian research project shows native trees can grow alongside oil palm without reducing yields, offering potential solution for biodiversity corridors in Borneo.

• Thousands Demand Conagra Eliminate Bee-Killing Pesticides from Popcorn (Friends of the Earth) - 30,000 customers petition Conagra to eliminate neonicotinoid-coated seeds from popcorn supply chain, citing risks to bees and human health.

• Healing Land and Legacy Through Urban Agriculture (NSAC) - Detroit's urban farming initiatives, led by Sanctuary Farms, demonstrate how city agriculture projects restore contaminated land while building food security and environmental justice in industrial communities.

• Rising emissions from farm equipment could ‘hinder’ China’s net-zero goals (Carbon Brief) - China's agricultural machinery emissions have risen seven-fold since 1985, potentially reaching 21% of total emissions by 2050 and threatening net-zero goals.

• Wyoming Begins Exploring Voluntary Water Conservation Programs (Inside Climate News) - Wyoming explores voluntary water conservation programs for Colorado River users amid worsening drought conditions and interstate negotiations.

• Webinar : Kickstart & Grow Your Community Food Project (FoodCloud Academy) - Webinar provides guidance on starting community food sharing projects, emphasizing needs assessment, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable growth through examples from FoodCloud's Growers Project and UCC's student food pantry.

• Solar Foods signs supply agreement with Italian food innovator KelpEat (Solar Foods) - Italian food innovator KelpEat signs agreement to launch Solein-powered protein products in US market, showcasing sustainable protein crackers at Pitti Taste event.

• Invasive whiteflies pose a new threat to Bangladesh’s cash crops (Mongabay) - Invasive whiteflies discovered in Bangladesh threaten 61 plant species including major cash crops, likely entered via imported coconut plants in 2014-2015.

• Danforth Technology Center launches gene-editing startup Spearhead Bio to solve ‘a major obstacle with CRISPR’ (AgFundNews) - Danforth Technology Center launches Spearhead Bio startup with TAHITI technology to enable precise gene insertion, complementing CRISPR's limitations in crop modification.

• 🎥 Designer probiotics startup ZBiotics has sold 8 million ‘pre-alcohol’ shots, launched new ‘sugar to fiber’ product (AgFunderNews) - Designer probiotics startup ZBiotics reports 8M sales of GMO hangover remedy shots, launches new sugar-to-fiber conversion product.

• Serious Savings: MK-V Dairy Logs 4,000+ Hours in 2 Years (Monarch Tractor) - Electric dairy tractor logs 4,000 operating hours in two years, nearly paying for itself through diesel savings in California.

• EU Commission proposes cutting green rules on farm subsidies (DW) - EU Commission proposes weakening environmental requirements for farm subsidies to reduce bureaucracy and boost competitiveness amid widespread farmer protests.

Carbon

Verra suspends Kenyan project; Microsoft & Rubicon invest in carbon removal; Tencent's CarbonX Program 2.0; B Corp GHG reporting; Carbon tax bill introduced.

• Kenyan soil carbon project suspended for a second time (Mongabay) - Verra suspends Kenyan soil carbon project after court rules participating conservancies were established illegally, halting credit sales to Meta and Netflix.

• Asset manager SLM Partners highlights ‘critical’ revenue from carbon credits in new regen ag case study (AgFundNews) - Australian regenerative grazing project by SLM Partners generates $500,000 annual income from carbon credits while improving soil health and cattle capacity over 10-year period.

• Rubicon Carbon Enters into Agreement with Microsoft for Nature-based Carbon Removal Credits (Rubicon Carbon) - Microsoft commits to purchase 18 million tonnes of nature-based carbon removal credits over 15-20 years in landmark voluntary carbon market deal.

• What it takes to become a B Corp in 2025 (Greenplaces) - B Corp certification requirements in 2025 to include mandatory annual greenhouse gas emissions reporting for larger companies, alongside existing social and environmental performance standards.

• The impact of BECCS Done Well on Drax (Drax) - Energy company details progress on bioenergy carbon capture commitments, including new Evidence Hub, forest carbon methodology, and Indigenous advisory initiatives.

• From Rio to real impact, my journey at Web Summit 2025 (InPlanet) - CEO shares insights from Web Summit Rio 2025 on scaling Enhanced Rock Weathering technology for carbon removal while boosting crop yields and reducing fertilizer use in Brazil.

• Decarbonization + Carbon Removal: A Relationship Worth Getting Right (Planetary Technologies) - Carbon removal projects drive decarbonization through supply chain improvements and responsible procurement practices, creating synergistic climate benefits.

• STATEMENT: US Congressmembers Introduce Bipartisan Carbon Tax Legislation (WRI) - US Representatives introduce bipartisan carbon tax bill to replace federal gas tax, fund infrastructure, and support climate initiatives with border tax adjustment mechanism.

• DAS Solar Advances Green Manufacturing with ISO Certification for Product Carbon Footprint (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer DAS Solar obtains ISO-14067 carbon footprint certification for manufacturing bases, advancing full lifecycle emissions tracking and green production goals.

• Why spring 2025 is so dry (The Conversation) - UK experiences driest spring in 69 years amid climate change-driven weather blocks and shifting seasonal patterns.

• Factcheck: How the UK is – and is not – studying solar geoengineering (Carbon Brief) - UK government launches £57m solar geoengineering research program funding 21 projects including small-scale outdoor experiments to study climate cooling methods.

• Analysis: Clean energy just put China’s CO2 emissions into reverse for first time (Carbon Brief) - China's CO2 emissions decline for first time due to clean energy growth outpacing power demand, marking potential turning point in emissions trajectory.

• Could Europe Drop the Ball on Carbon Capture and Storage? (Revolve) - European Commission's wavering political commitment to carbon capture and storage targets raises concerns about meeting 2030 climate goals.

• Ice melt opens up enormous cracks in Greenland’s ice sheet (Yale Climate Connections) - Greenland's ice sheet developed over 900 million cubic meters of massive crevasses between 2016-2021, accelerating ice melt and raising global sea level risks.

• Microsoft to Source 18 Million Tonnes of Nature-Based Carbon Removal Credits in New Agreement with Rubicon Carbon (ESG Today) - Microsoft partners with Rubicon Carbon to purchase 18 million tonnes of nature-based carbon removal credits through long-term forest project agreements.

• Sponsored Carbon Removal Challenge Info Session: CarbonX -Millions of USD for CDR and more! (OpenAir) - Tencent launches CarbonX Program 2.0, offering multi-million dollar grants for global carbon removal and energy storage projects, with applications due May 2024.

• The Carbon Copy: A co-founder reflects 🪞 (Carbon180) - Former Heirloom co-founder Noah McQueen joins Carbon180 as Director of Science and Innovation to help scale carbon removal technology and policy frameworks.

• Climate Change Leaves Fingerprints (Covering Climate Now) - Attribution science expert Friederike Otto's new book explains how scientists can now calculate climate change's precise role in extreme weather events, while critiquing media coverage patterns.

• MISO's new carbon-counting tech (Canary Media) - MISO launches open-source software to track real-time carbon emissions data at regional, state and county levels for utilities and companies to measure clean energy progress.

Circular

Gen Z minimalism, Carbon Cell's biochar foam.

• Why 2025 Is Becoming the Year of Living With Less (Atmos) - Gen Z leads cultural shift towards minimalist living and decluttering, driven by climate anxiety and post-pandemic overconsumption awareness.

• Carbon Cell raises £1.2 million (Carbon Thirteen) - London startup Carbon Cell raises £1.2M to scale production of biochar-based plastic-free foam material for packaging and insulation markets.

Ecosystems

Indianapolis Prize awarded to Lily-Arison René de Roland; Canada lynx, snowshoe hare cycles disrupted; Nature Conservancy urges Hong Kong marine protection; China's Tibet mega-dam sparks concerns; Sumatran tiger conservation threatened; Okapi returns to DRC's Epulu reserve.

• Malagasy wildlife champion wins top global conservation award (Mongabay) - Malagasy scientist Lily-Arison René de Roland wins $250,000 Indianapolis Prize for discovering new species and establishing four protected areas in Madagascar.

• New research sheds light on Canada lynx-snowshoe hare cycle, human impacts (Mongabay) - New research reveals climate change, wildfires, and forestry practices are impacting the classic 10-year population cycle between Canada lynx and snowshoe hares across North America.

• Southern Africa’s rangelands do many jobs, from feeding cattle to storing carbon: a review of 60 years of research (The Conversation) - 60-year research review reveals South African rangelands' evolution from pure livestock grazing to vital ecosystems providing carbon storage, water purification, and biodiversity conservation.

• A seadragon and flushing worms: Environmental Photography award winners – in pictures (The Guardian) - Environmental Photography Award winners showcase diverse wildlife and conservation challenges through striking images of seadragons, endangered tigers, and marine ecosystems.

• The Nature Conservancy Urges Hong Kong Government to Prioritize Marine Conservation, Oyster Reef Restoration (Earth.org) - Nature Conservancy urges Hong Kong government to expand marine protected areas and restore oyster reefs as part of updated biodiversity strategy, citing only 6% of waters currently protected.

• How Norway Leads Arctic Ocean Resilience (REVOLVE) - Norway leads Arctic Ocean research with interdisciplinary programs studying warming impacts and sustainable management through Fram Centre and Norwegian Polar Institute initiatives.

• Sharp depletion in soil moisture drives land water to flow into oceans, contributing to sea level rise (ScienceDaily) - Global soil moisture depletion causes 1,614 billion tons of water loss to oceans between 2000-2002, contributing twice as much to sea level rise as Greenland ice melt.

• Climate change is turning coastal lagoons into 'salty soup' (ScienceDaily) - Climate change and human activity are increasing coastal lagoon salinity worldwide, disrupting microbial ecosystems and threatening vital ecological functions.

• China’s Mega Dam Project Poses Big Risks for Asia’s Grand Canyon (Yale E360) - China's planned $137 billion mega-dam project in Tibet's biodiversity-rich Yarlung Tsangpo canyon sparks ecological concerns and geopolitical tensions with India.

• Weatherwatch: How ecologists are helping birds adapt to climate crisis (The Guardian) - Dutch ecologists successfully help migratory pied flycatchers adapt to climate change by relocating them 600km north to Sweden, doubling breeding success.

• Antibiotic pollution widespread in world’s rivers, study finds (Mongabay) - Study finds one-third of human-consumed antibiotics end up in global rivers, raising concerns about aquatic ecosystems and antimicrobial resistance.

• Sumatran tiger protection needs more patrols, tougher penalties, study finds (Mongabay) - Study finds Sumatran tiger conservation in Indonesia's Gunung Leuser National Park requires intensified patrols, stronger penalties, and alternative livelihoods to combat persistent poaching threat.

• How manatees won over an entire village (Mongabay) - Brazilian fishing village transforms from manatee hunters to conservation champions, boosting local economy through eco-tourism and rescue efforts.

• 13 years after deadly attack, an okapi returns to Epulu in DRC reserve (Mongabay) - First okapi returns to DRC's Epulu reserve after 2012 deadly militia attack killed 14 captive okapis and seven people, amid ongoing security concerns.

• UC Davis: Floating Solar Projects Must Factor In Bird Habitats (UC Davis) - Research shows floating solar installations require careful consideration of waterbird habitats and interactions for sustainable deployment.

• Saving Lagoon Pond on Martha’s Vineyard (Bluedot Living) - Martha's Vineyard's Lagoon Pond Association launches multi-pronged conservation effort to combat nitrogen pollution and climate change impacts through public education, water monitoring, and urine diversion initiatives.

• Birding on Martha’s Vineyard (Bluedot Living) - Martha's Vineyard serves as crucial Atlantic Migratory Flyway stop with protected zones for rare shorebirds including roseate terns staging at Norton Point.

• Birding on Nantucket (Bluedot Living) - Nantucket's beaches serve as crucial nesting grounds and migratory stopover for diverse shorebird species, with conservation groups actively protecting key coastal areas.

• Can nature help with recovery from injury? (DW) - Research shows nature exposure aids injury recovery through brain restoration and emotional well-being, supported by studies of forest bathing and brain injury rehabilitation.

• Problem-Solvers in Training (Bluedot Living) - UC Santa Barbara's Bren School trains environmental leaders through interdisciplinary group projects tackling real-world challenges like salmon conservation, climate adaptation, and tribal energy access.

• Elmhurst University (PreventionWeb) - Elmhurst University, located near Chicago, integrates disaster risk reduction education into curriculum while focusing on practical learning and community resilience.

• Senior project takes WWU students all the way to Sitka (Western Today) - WWU Computer Science students develop interactive salmon life-cycle educational game for Sitka Sound Science Center in Alaska as senior project.

• Cool Down P-Town: Building Climate Resilience Through Community Science and Action (Second Nature) - Portsmouth, Virginia launches community-led heat mapping and tree planting initiative to combat extreme urban temperatures disproportionately affecting low-income neighborhoods.

• AI Could Help Humans Understand Animals (Nautilus) - AI researchers use machine learning to decode animal communication patterns and potentially understand non-human consciousness, though challenges remain in bridging species' unique worldviews.

Efficiency

Zamora's renewable district heating, IFMA defends Energy Star, Maine's heat pumps, St. Paul's energy evolution, FOTOTHERM's PVT module, AI efficiency surge, Texas efficiency savings, and PVCAD's AI assistant.

• Suma Capital y ENGIE inauguran una nueva red de calefacción urbana renovable en Zamora (Suma Capital) - New 20MW renewable district heating network launched in Zamora, Spain, set to serve 7,300 homes and reduce CO2 emissions by 11,000 tons annually.

• IFMA adds its name to Energy Star fight (Utility Dive) - International Facility Management Association joins opposition to proposed EPA budget cuts threatening Energy Star program's future.

• Can heat pumps help everyone? (Canary Media) - Maine proposes statewide heat pump adoption plan aimed at lowering electricity costs through strategic deployment and grid management.

• District Energy St. Paul’s legacy of innovation profiled in District Energy Magazine cover story (District Energy Magazine) - St. Paul's district energy system showcases 40-year evolution from steam to innovative hot water and geo-exchange technologies.

• Converting PV Energy To Heat: FOTOTHERM’s Latest PVT Product (TaiyangNews) - Italian company FOTOTHERM unveils new hybrid PVT module combining solar panels with thermal collectors for simultaneous electricity and heat generation at Intersolar Europe 2025.

• 🔮 AI in 2030: Part II (Exponential View) - AI computing power and efficiency projected to increase 2000-fold by 2030, with laptop-level devices matching 2020 data center capabilities.

• Amid record demand rise, efficiency and demand response can lower Texas power bills: Aurora (Utility Dive) - Texas study shows energy efficiency and demand response could save households $424 annually while reducing need for gas power plants by 1GW amid record demand growth.

• AI: PVCAD & PVCAD MEGA (PV Complete) - Solar design software PVCAD introduces AI assistant to automate tasks, validate designs, and provide real-time engineering guidance within AutoCAD environment.

Finance

Ameren, Actis, House GOP, Bristol, UK venture builder, Congressional briefing, Ares, Eni, Plenitude, Pegasus Capital Advisors, Octopus Energy, Dubai International Financial Center, Verdane, and Hornetsecurity make headlines.

• Ameren shareholders reject anti-greenwashing proposal (Energy and Policy Institute) - Ameren shareholders overwhelmingly reject proposal requiring independent verification of utility's climate goals alignment with Paris Agreement.

• Actis Raises $1.7 Billion For RE & Infrastructure Fund (TaiyangNews) - Actis raises $1.7 billion for sustainable infrastructure fund targeting renewable energy and digital infrastructure across emerging markets.

• The Unsung Hero of the Clean Energy Economy Is Now on the Chopping Block (Heatmap News) - House GOP proposal to eliminate IRA's tax credit transferability provision threatens clean energy financing and nuclear plant operations, potentially increasing energy costs from 2028.

• A brilliant day for climate tech in Bristol! (Clean Growth Fund) - Bristol climate tech roadshow event brings together investors, founders and stakeholders to accelerate innovative climate solutions in South West UK.

• Carbon13 invests in eight climate ventures (Carbon13) - UK venture builder invests €10M across eight climate tech startups spanning biotech, wave power, and emissions reduction technologies.

• Briefing drives home impacts of climate change on the insurance industry (Woodwell Climate) - Congressional briefing highlights insurance industry's struggle to accurately price climate risks using outdated catastrophe models, calls for federal regulation reforms.

• Ares in Talks to Acquire $2.2 Billion Stake in Eni’s Renewables, Power and EV Charging Business Plenitude (ESGToday) - Alternative asset manager Ares enters exclusive talks to acquire $2.2 billion stake in Eni's renewable energy and EV charging subsidiary Plenitude.

• Former Blackstone ESG Chief Jean Rogers Joins Pegasus Capital Advisors (ESG Today) - SASB founder and former Blackstone ESG head Jean Rogers joins Pegasus Capital Advisors as Senior Operating Advisor to guide sustainable investments.

• Octopus Launches New Fund to Give Investors Access to Clean Energy Investment Opportunities (ESG Today) - Octopus Energy launches $220M sustainable growth fund offering pension funds and private investors access to 50+ renewable energy projects across 15 countries.

• DIFC Launches Initiative to Train “1 Million Learners” for Sustainability & Sustainable Finance Workforce (ESGToday) - Dubai International Financial Center launches "1 Million Learners" initiative to train workforce in sustainability and sustainable finance by 2030, backed by 29 founding partners.

• Informations financières d’ENGIE au 31 mars 2025 (ENGIE) - French energy giant reports 2.1% organic growth in Q1 2025, with 8.5GW renewable capacity under construction and successful nuclear deal closure in Belgium.

• Verdane realises investment in Hornetsecurity (Verdane) - Private equity firm Verdane exits investment in cybersecurity provider Hornetsecurity as company agrees to acquisition by Proofpoint in deal combining AI-powered security platforms.

• Welcoming David Meyer, CEV’s New Community Manager (Clean Energy Ventures) - Climate tech investment firm appoints David Meyer as new Community Manager to strengthen portfolio relationships and ecosystem engagement.

Grid

Optics11 fiber optic sensing, Australian big batteries outperforming coal/gas, Yallourn outages, Tasmania hydro decline, Greenpeace on AI data center emissions, FERC Order 2023, Verrus grid-flexible data center (NREL), hydrogen microgrids, Duke Energy transmission, KACO 360kW inverter, EcoFlow discounts, Grid Edge Innovation Forum, redlined neighborhoods grid issues.

• SET invests in Optics11 to protect Europe’s critical energy infrastructure (SET Ventures) - Dutch firm Optics11 secures €17M funding to scale fiber optic sensing solutions protecting Europe's critical energy infrastructure from sabotage and failures.

• Big batteries lead charge in high priced grid events, as coal and gas plants struggle to keep pace (RenewEconomy) - New big battery projects in Australia outperform coal and gas plants during high-priced grid events, leading price bidding in March quarter amid fossil fuel plant failures.

• Ageing coal plant “limping” to retirement, with alarming number of unplanned outages (RenewEconomy) - Victoria's Yallourn coal plant experienced unplanned outages 32% of time in 2024, highlighting urgent need to transition to renewable energy as facility approaches 2028 retirement.

• Tasmania’s hydro power hits record lows as trading strategy shifts from baseload to firming (RenewEconomy) - Tasmania's hydropower generation hits record low 35.4% share as state shifts strategy from baseload to strategic firming capacity for renewable integration.

• Green energy transition at risk from unrestricted data centre development (RenewEconomy) - Greenpeace report warns unregulated AI data centers could increase emissions six-fold by 2030, threatening renewable energy transition and requiring strict environmental guidelines.

• Bridging the gap: Must-attend event explores solutions to interconnection bottlenecks (Renewable Energy World) - Major energy summit to address interconnection bottlenecks and FERC Order 2023 implementation across US power markets in June 2024.

• Verrus successfully demos its flexible data center technology (Latitude Media) - Verrus demonstrates grid-flexible data center technology using NREL platform, featuring 100% load curtailment within one minute and utility-scale battery backup.

• Microgrids with Hydrogen: Supporting Energy Systems for the 21st Century (POWER Magazine) - Hydrogen-enhanced microgrids proposed as solution to grid vulnerabilities and rising electricity demand, offering localized power generation with renewable backup.

• North Carolina eyes grid-enhancing tech to improve aging power lines (Canary Media) - North Carolina legislators and advocates push Duke Energy to adopt advanced transmission technologies for grid modernization, despite recent bill setback.

• CEBA CEO Rich Powell: Securing America’s Affordable Energy Future (CEBA) - CEO Rich Powell outlines vision for securing affordable clean energy access in America through market-driven solutions and grid modernization efforts.

• KACO’s Latest Utility-Scale 360 kW String Inverter (TaiyangNews) - KACO unveils 360kW utility-scale string inverter with 99.01% efficiency and enhanced safety features for commercial launch in early 2026.

• Get 50% Off These EcoFlow Power & AC Bundles — Perfect For Off-Grid Adventures (CleanTechnica) - EcoFlow offers 50% discount on portable power station bundles including DELTA 2 Max and WAVE 3 air conditioner for off-grid and mobile power solutions.

• ⌛ Just 2 Weeks Away: Don't Miss the Grid Edge Innovation Forum! (Advanced Energy United) - Grid Edge Innovation Forum in San Jose to explore AI and automation's impact on grid modernization, featuring experts from utilities, regulatory agencies, and technology providers.

• Redlining is blocking the clean energy transition (Canary Media) - Historically redlined neighborhoods face outdated grid infrastructure and frequent outages that block access to clean energy technologies, particularly in Detroit.

• The push to upgrade North Carolina's grid (Canary Media) - North Carolina clean energy advocates push for grid modernization legislation to strengthen infrastructure and accommodate renewables, while Duke Energy plans 40-mile transmission upgrade.

Indigenous

Zedtee timber company destroys Sarawak forests; Malawi fisheries thrive; ILSC guides Australian renewables; Korean haenyeo face challenges; Canada's ice roads melt.

• Malaysian timber company accused of abuse & rights violations: Report (Mongabay) - Human Rights Watch report reveals Malaysian timber company Zedtee destroyed Indigenous forests and issued eviction notices in Sarawak without community consent.

• Community-led system boosts fisheries in a corner of fast-depleting Lake Malawi (Mongabay) - Traditional fisheries management system near Malawi's Mbenje Island shows success in maintaining fish populations while most of Lake Malawi faces declining stocks.

• First Nations contribution to the renewables and clean energy sector: New ILSC guide (First Nations Clean Energy Network) - New ILSC guide outlines opportunities and challenges for Indigenous communities in Australia's renewable energy sector, addressing climate impacts and economic participation.

• South Korea’s female freedivers: TV has made stars of the haenyeo but what is their real story? (The Guardian) - South Korea's traditional female freedivers (haenyeo) face cultural misrepresentation and environmental challenges while working to preserve their sustainable fishing heritage and marine ecosystem knowledge.

• Ice roads are a lifeline for First Nations. As Canada warms, they’re disappearing. (Grist) - Climate change threatens vital ice roads connecting remote First Nations in Canada, forcing communities to choose between mining partnerships or isolation as winter transport routes disappear.

Industry

Lululemon's renewable energy goals, South Fork Coal's pollution, Canadian methane mitigation, Japanese FAST fusion project, 3SUN's solar module, RENA/Premier Energies' partnership, Halocell's perovskite solar, Trina/LONGi/GCL's solar advancements, Alberta's hydrogen blending concerns, green hydrogen from urine, subsea cable factory, Realta's fusion funding, GE's Ecomagination, Brazilian lithium production, Osmoflo's water treatment, Sveck's solar panel encapsulants, Nextracker's revenue and acquisition, WIKA's sensor coating, hydrogen viability debate, oil consumption forecast, smart work zones, EMC24 conference, and HMTX's sustainability shift.

• Lululemon commits to 50% renewable electricity target for core suppliers: Stand.earth applauds progress, calls for continued climate leadership (Stand.earth) - Lululemon commits to 50% renewable electricity target by 2030 for core suppliers, marking significant step in company's net-zero journey.

• South Fork Coal Company: ‘a trail of pollution, debt and disregard’ (Appalachian Voices) - Bankrupt South Fork Coal Company faces legal challenges and environmental violations for polluting West Virginia's Gauley River watershed and illegally using National Forest roads.

• New report: Methane mitigation industry poised to drive growth in Canadian jobs, investment and exports (EDF) - Canadian methane mitigation industry shows strong growth potential with 359 locations and 97 companies driving job creation, technology innovation, and export opportunities.

• Nagoya University, Starlight Engine, and Kyoto Fusioneering Forge Groundbreaking Research Partnership (Kyoto Fusioneering) - Three Japanese organizations partner to advance plasma design for FAST Project aiming to achieve fusion power generation by 2030s.

• 3SUN’s Fully Made-In-Europe HJT Module (TaiyangNews) - Italian manufacturer 3SUN unveils 640W heterojunction solar module with cells and assembly fully made in Europe, featuring 90% bifaciality and -0.24%/°C temperature coefficient.

• RENA Technologies and Premier Energies forge Strategic Partnership for Next-Generation Solar Cell Technologies (TaiyangNews) - RENA Technologies and Premier Energies partner to develop advanced wet chemical processes for N-Type solar cells and silicon/Perovskite tandem technologies in India.

• Step Towards Commercialization Of Tin Halide Perovskite Cells & Modules (TaiyangNews) - Australian researchers partner with Halocell Energy to commercialize lead-free tin halide perovskite solar modules for household and portable electronics applications.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: BNEF Tier 1 Ranking For Trina Storage & More (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar giants make major strides as Trina Storage maintains BNEF Tier 1 ranking, LONGi tops brand value list at $10.2B, and GCL launches AI-powered perovskite production system.

• Engineer Explains Why Alberta’s Hydrogen Strategy Is Money-Losing Climate Failure (DeSmog) - Chemical engineer reveals Alberta's hydrogen-natural gas blending strategy offers minimal emissions reduction while increasing pipeline risks and costs.

• Here’s a cost effective way to make green hydrogen with an unusual ingredient. (Anthropocene) - Scientists develop efficient method to produce green hydrogen from urine using 25% less electricity than water-splitting systems.

• 'A new industrial icon': Plans for £923m Port of Tyne subsea cable factory revealed (BusinessGreen) - £923m subsea cable factory planned for Port of Tyne to manufacture high-voltage cables for UK offshore wind power transmission.

• Nuclear Startup Realta Raises $36 Million to Commercialize Fusion Energy Tech (ESGToday) - Nuclear startup Realta raises $36M Series A funding to develop compact magnetic mirror fusion technology for industrial power generation.

• GE’s Ecomagination at 20: Lessons for today’s sustainability leaders (Trellis) - GE's Ecomagination initiative generated $270B in revenue over 12 years while driving cleantech innovation, but faced challenges in achieving transformative environmental impact despite ambitious marketing.

• SIGMA LITHIUM REPORTS 1Q25 RESULTS: STRONG MARGINS, COST OUTPERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTION ABOVE TARGET (Sigma Lithium) - Brazilian lithium producer reports Q1 2025 net income of $4.7M with 68,300t production and $458/t operating costs, while advancing second plant construction.

• Osmoflo and CERAFILTEC Expand Partnership Agreement. (CERAFILTEC) - German ceramic membrane technology firm expands exclusive partnership with Australian water treatment company Osmoflo to serve Australia-Pacific region with advanced filtration solutions.

• Sveck's High-Transmittance Encapsulant With Low Water Absorption (TaiyangNews) - Sveck unveils updated POE solar panel encapsulants with 90% light transmittance, low water absorption, and enhanced durability for improved module performance.

• Nextracker Sees 18% YoY Revenue Growth In FY2025 (TaiyangNews) - Solar tracker maker Nextracker reports $3 billion revenue in FY2025, acquires Bentek for $78M to expand into electrical balance of systems.

• WIKA Germany relies on Vacuum Coating Technology from SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES for Sensor Applications (TaiyangNews) - WIKA Germany adopts SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES' GENERIS PECVD system for high-precision sensor coating, enabling enhanced electrical insulation and passivation layer deposition.

• Taming the hydrogen hype (Volts) - Climate expert Joe Romm updates his 2003 book challenging hydrogen energy's economic viability and widespread adoption potential amid renewed industry hype.

• EIA forecasts world oil consumption growth to slow amid less economic activity (EIA) - Global oil consumption growth forecasted to fall below 1 million barrels per day through 2026 due to economic slowdown, particularly in Asia.

• How to Prepare for a Safe Work Zone: Tips and Best Practices (Site2020) - Advanced smart work zone technologies including automated flagging devices and sensor systems revolutionize construction site safety through real-time monitoring and remote management capabilities.

• Energy Marketing Conferences - EMC24 “Reimagining Competitive Energy: Empowering Consumers, Driving Innovation, and Shaping the Next Generation of Energy Leaders". (Energy Central) - Major energy industry conference EMC24 to convene in Washington DC focusing on retail energy innovation, consumer empowerment, and next-generation leadership development.

• Flooring company HMTX eliminates CSO position (Trellis) - HMTX Industries eliminates Chief Sustainability Officer role, shifts environmental responsibilities to sales and marketing division after nine-year CSO tenure.

Policy

EPA PFAS Rollback, MacGregor's Interior Appointment, MedEWSa Launch, Newsom's Budget, Brazil Deforestation Action, African American Mayors, EU Deforestation Guide, Ontario Bill 17 Threat, IRA Repeal, California Budget, House Cuts, Corporate Playbook, Romania Auction.

• The Environmental Protection Network Condemns Rollback of Key Protections Against PFAS (Environmental Protection Network) - EPA announces rollback of PFAS chemical regulations and extends compliance deadline for drinking water systems from 2030 to 2031, sparking concerns over public health impacts.

• Confirmation of Deputy Secretary of the Interior Department, Katharine MacGregor (Alaska Wilderness League) - Former Trump official Katharine MacGregor confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Interior amid concerns over her pro-fossil fuel stance and potential impact on Alaska's wilderness.

• MEDiterranean and pan-European forecast and Early Warning System Against natural hazards (MedEWSa) (UNDRR) - New Mediterranean and European early warning system (MedEWSa) launches to deliver climate hazard information and risk reduction strategies through Red Cross partnerships.

• Philippine Academic Society for Climate and Disaster Resilience (PASCDR) (PASCDR) - Philippine academic organization launches platform to consolidate expertise and resources for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in academic community.

• California Must Lead on Climate Action in Final State Budget Agreement (EDF) - California Governor Newsom's revised budget prioritizes climate action through cap-and-trade program extension, promising $3.9 billion in savings for vulnerable families and 287,000 new jobs by 2045.

• Brazil antideforestation operation blacklists more than 500 farms in the Amazon (Mongabay) - Brazil blocks 545 Amazon farms from selling crops and livestock due to illegal deforestation in major satellite-monitoring enforcement action.

• Local leadership on climate takes center stage at the African American Mayors Association Conference (EDF) - African American mayors conference highlights local climate leadership amid federal cutbacks, with mayors from Memphis, Baltimore, and Cleveland discussing resilience strategies and environmental justice initiatives.

• LiveEO | 2025 EUDR Compliance Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for, What to Avoid, and How the Top Tools Compare (LiveEO) - New buyer's guide helps companies evaluate digital compliance tools for upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation, comparing features and risks across leading platforms.

• Stand.earth on Ontario’s Bill 17: “a giant gift to big developers and Enbridge Gas” (Stand.earth) - Ontario's Bill 17 threatens municipal green building standards by prioritizing developer interests and fossil fuel infrastructure over climate-friendly construction requirements.

• Inside Climate News: Congress Begins Repeal of Clean Energy Tax Credits With ‘Sledgehammer Approach’ (Inside Climate News) - House Republicans advance legislation to repeal Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy tax credits despite warnings of job losses and increased energy costs.

• California’s May Budget Revision Kicks Off Negotiations Critical to Achieving an Energy System of the Future (Advanced Energy United) - California's May budget revision maintains some clean energy investments but lacks broader vision for grid modernization and reliability goals, according to industry advocates.

• Tax credits dodge outright repeal, but committee changes are dismal for climate and clean energy (Citizens' Climate Lobby) - House Ways and Means Committee proposes significant cuts to clean energy tax credits from Inflation Reduction Act, including phase-outs of electricity production credits and early termination of solar and efficiency incentives.

• Leveraging your trade association membership to maximize corporate value: a new Playbook for companies (We Mean Business Coalition) - New corporate playbook helps companies leverage trade association memberships to advance climate policy and sustainability goals through structured engagement framework.

• EPA abandons communities by weakening drinking water safeguards against PFAS, including GenX (SELC) - EPA weakens drinking water standards for PFAS chemicals including GenX, removing protections for over 500,000 North Carolina residents affected by Chemours contamination.

• Romania Launches 2nd CfD Auction Round For Nearly 3.5 GW RE (TaiyangNews) - Romania launches second renewable energy auction offering 3.472 GW capacity split between wind and solar, removing previous capacity limits to improve cost efficiency.

• Unprecedented cuts to the National Science Foundation endanger research that improves economic growth, national security and your life (The Conversation) - National Science Foundation faces unprecedented 55% budget cut threatening vital research programs and America's scientific leadership.

• The Republicans Who Could Save The IRA (Distilled.earth) - Republican districts that received $100B in IRA clean energy investments face potential losses as House GOP proposes cutting renewable energy tax credits.

• EPA Rescinds PFAS Protections in the Name of ‘Flexibility’ (Heatmap News) - EPA plans to rescind four Biden-era PFAS drinking water protections, citing need for "compliance flexibility" despite earlier promises to tackle forever chemicals.

• Who Heals the Earth’s Healers? Ways to Avert Burnout for Environmental Advocates (The Revelator) - Environmental advocates face rising burnout risks but can find healing through nature-based therapies including forest bathing, sound therapy and aromatherapy.

• Interview: What the people of China’s coal-rich Shanxi think about climate change (Carbon Brief) - Survey reveals China's coal-rich Shanxi province residents support clean energy transition but lack preparation, with coal workers and youth particularly concerned about job prospects and skills gaps.

• California is facing a historic budget deficit. Making polluters pay is the solution. (The Climate Center) - California lawmakers urged to address $12B budget deficit through proposed Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act and Cap and Trade reform targeting oil companies.

• The Trump Administration is Making Our Water Unhealthy by Rolling Back Toxic PFAS Limits (LCV) - Trump administration weakens toxic PFAS chemical limits in drinking water, reversing previous environmental protections despite earlier promises of clean water standards.

• Researchers Wanted to Understand Concerns With Batteries in Moss Landing, California. Their Funding Just Got Yanked (Inside Climate News) - Federal government cancels two research grants studying community impacts of battery storage fires at California's Moss Landing facility, forcing layoffs of graduate students.

• Locals Oppose ‘Insane’ Plan to Sell 500,000 Acres of Public Lands for Housing in Nevada and Utah (Inside Climate News) - Republicans propose selling 500,000 acres of federal lands in Nevada and Utah for housing development, sparking opposition from tribes, environmentalists and local officials.

• Lawyers Spar Over Whether Pennsylvania Agency Has Authority to Issue Carbon Allowances to Power Plants (Inside Climate News) - Pennsylvania Supreme Court weighs whether state environmental agency can legally require power plants to buy carbon allowances without legislative approval.

• Toxic Cleanups in San Francisco Take More Than Four Years Longer in Communities of Color (Inside Climate News) - San Francisco toxic site cleanups take 4+ years longer in communities of color versus white areas, analysis shows, with disparities persisting even among comparable sites.

• The Trump Administration Plans to Undo Standards on Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ in the U.S. Drinking Water Supply (Inside Climate News) - Trump administration announces plans to rescind and delay Biden-era drinking water standards for toxic PFAS chemicals, affecting millions of Americans' water supplies.

• Congress Begins Repeal of Clean Energy Tax Credits With ‘Sledgehammer Approach’ (Inside Climate News) - House Republicans begin dismantling Biden-era clean energy tax credits worth $559 billion as part of $4.9 trillion Trump tax cut extension package.

• How the World’s Most Powerful Corporations Have Fought Accountability for Climate Change (Inside Climate News) - Report reveals decades-long efforts by major fossil fuel companies to avoid climate change accountability through legal tactics, lobbying, and misinformation campaigns.

• Huge wind and battery project headed to IPC after long-distance objectors force more hearings (RenewEconomy) - NSW's 831MW Pottinger wind and battery project faces additional hearings after 77 objections from residents 50km away, despite local community support.

• If nuclear lost the election for the LNP, home solar and batteries won it for Labor. It’s time to double down (RenewEconomy) - Australian Labor Party wins election on home solar and battery policies as voters reject nuclear power and embrace renewable energy independence.

• Musk Visits With The Saudis — With US Citizens’ Private Data In His Pocket (CleanTechnica) - Elon Musk joins Trump delegation to Saudi Arabia while controlling sensitive US citizen data through DOGE and seeking AI investments, raising conflict of interest concerns.

• Redlining shaped the power grid. Communities of color are still paying the price. (Floodlight) - Historically redlined neighborhoods across US cities face persistent energy inequities including outdated infrastructure, frequent outages, and limited access to renewable energy solutions, investigation finds.

• MP to launch bill to target superyachts, private jets and fossil fuel producers (The Guardian) - Labour MP proposes bill to tax fossil fuel companies, superyacht owners, and private jet operators to fund climate crisis measures.

• UK urged not to exploit poor countries in rush for critical minerals (The Guardian) - Civil society groups warn UK government against neocolonial exploitation of developing nations in critical minerals strategy for green tech and arms industries.

• Labour has denounced me as ‘deeply misleading’ on its planning reform. I wish that were true | George Monbiot (The Guardian) - Labour's proposed planning reform bill threatens wildlife habitats and local green spaces while reducing public consultation on development projects, mirroring Boris Johnson's failed 2020 proposals.

• The Trump Administration Has Clean Air Protections in Its Crosshairs (Earthjustice) - Trump EPA moves to withdraw or weaken 2009 greenhouse gas endangerment finding that underpins major U.S. clean air regulations.

• The unexpected energy targets of Congress’ budget proposal (Latitude Media) - House GOP budget proposal targets nuclear, geothermal, and clean hydrogen tax credits despite previous Republican support for these technologies.

• 'Giving people a stake in clean energy': Great British Energy legislation passes through Parliament (BusinessGreen) - UK Parliament passes Great British Energy Bill, establishing state-backed clean energy investment vehicle to boost public participation in renewable projects.

• Trump promueve engañosamente el carbón ‘limpio’ (Yale Climate Connections) - Trump falsely promotes "clean coal" while announcing executive orders to boost coal power generation, misleadingly blaming environmental regulations for industry decline.

• ‘And So I Roar’ by Abi Daré wins first-ever Climate Fiction Prize (Yale Climate Connections) - UK's first Climate Fiction Prize awards £10,000 to Abi Daré's "And So I Roar," a novel exploring climate change impacts on Nigerian social relationships.

• Mark Ruffalo condemns Trump EPA rollback of PFAS standards: ‘This will make America sicker, not healthier’ (EWG) - Actor Mark Ruffalo condemns Trump EPA's proposed weakening of PFAS drinking water standards, urging states to protect communities as federal protections decline.

• Trump administration moves to weaken landmark PFAS protections in drinking water, putting millions at risk and letting polluters off the hook (EWG) - Trump administration plans to weaken PFAS drinking water protections by rolling back standards for four chemicals while delaying compliance deadlines to 2031.

• New Hampshire budget bill would defund state renewable energy grant program (Canary Media) - New Hampshire budget bill threatens to redirect millions from state renewable energy fund to general budget and utility customer rebates.

• After disasters, AmeriCorps was everywhere. What happens when it’s gone? (Grist) - Trump administration's DOGE cuts gut AmeriCorps disaster response programs nationwide, leaving 32,000 workers suspended and $400M in grants canceled.

• Even your favorite YouTube creators are feeling the effects of federal cuts (Grist) - Science YouTuber Emily Graslie's educational channel faces uncertain future after federal funding cuts impact science communication and museum partnerships.

• Shell Faces New Legal Action Aimed at Stopping New Oil & Gas Projects (ESGToday) - Environmental group Milieudefensie launches legal action against Shell demanding halt to new oil and gas drilling and court-imposed CO2 emissions targets.

• House reconciliation bill targets clean energy: what you need to know (Trellis) - House Ways & Means Committee proposes major cuts to IRA clean energy tax credits and funding, including early phase-out of production credits and reduction of DOE loan programs.

• Lawmakers spar over IRA credits in budget hearings (Utility Dive) - House Republicans and Democrats clash over proposed cuts to Inflation Reduction Act clean energy tax credits during budget committee hearings.

• NOAA stops tracking cost of extreme weather and climate disasters (Utility Dive) - NOAA discontinues tracking billion-dollar weather and climate disasters database amid Trump administration budget cuts targeting climate programs.

• Abi Daré wins the inaugural Climate fiction prize (The Guardian) - Nigerian author Abi Daré wins £10,000 inaugural Climate Fiction Prize for novel exploring climate crisis impacts in rural Africa.

• May Newsletter - Big things happening that affect you (Alliance for Affordable Energy) - Louisiana Public Service Commission to reconsider dismantling of statewide energy efficiency program amid concerns over rising energy costs and waste reduction.

• Join CCC tomorrow night for gas plant action! (Charleston Climate Coalition) - Environmental group organizing protest against proposed Edisto River Gas Plant and pipeline following passage of South Carolina energy bill H.3309.

• What we know about the future of Solar Tax Credits (SolarHoller) - House committee proposes elimination of 30% residential solar tax credit after 2025, with commercial credits phasing out by 2032.

• Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training (PreventionWeb) - Saint Lucia's Ministry of Education launches integrated approach to sustainable development and disaster risk reduction through vocational training and civic empowerment.

• Healey unveils new energy affordability legislation (Acadia Center) - Massachusetts Governor Healey proposes $10 billion energy cost reduction plan amid mixed reactions from environmental advocates.

• HR&A collaborated with Wake County to launch an interactive housing platform to inform growth (HR&A) - Wake County launches interactive housing data dashboard to track population growth, affordability trends, and supply metrics amid 10% population surge and 26% rent increase since 2018.

• Hurricane disaster planning with aging parents should start now, before the storm: 5 tips (The Conversation) - Experts urge families to create comprehensive hurricane preparedness plans for elderly relatives, focusing on five key steps including emergency documentation, medication backup, and evacuation routes.

• May/June response: Responsively Yours (United Women in Faith) - Christian women's organization leader calls for hope and unity amid social challenges, highlighting 2025 Mission study theme and constitutional amendments.

• Larissa Waters elected new Greens leader, as Coalition partners meet to discuss nuclear and net zero (RenewEconomy) - Queensland Senator Larissa Waters elected as new Greens leader following party's loss of three seats and former leader Adam Bandt in federal election.

• Engie cancels solar and battery hybrid project following community objections (RenewEconomy) - Engie cancels 100MW solar farm near Yass due to community opposition over visual impacts, considers standalone battery installation instead.

• Virginia governor vetoes clean energy bills supported by Dominion, environmental groups (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoes bipartisan clean energy bills that would have expanded solar projects and energy storage, citing ratepayer cost concerns.

• Trump calls program to help low-income Americans pay their energy bills ‘unnecessary’ (Renewable Energy World) - Trump administration proposes eliminating LIHEAP energy assistance program for low-income households, calling it "unnecessary" despite serving 6 million families.

• LNP to cut all funding for Queensland’s Environmental Defenders Office, breaking election promise (The Guardian) - Queensland's LNP government breaks election promise by eliminating all state funding for Environmental Defenders Office, cutting $500,000 annual support for free legal environmental advice.

• New York state Sen. Brian Kavanagh celebrates Agriculture Committee’s advancement of Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act (EWG) - New York Senate Agriculture Committee advances Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act to ban harmful additives and require ingredient transparency from manufacturers.

• Not so g-r-r-reat: How food ads shape the diets of children and teens (EWG) - Study reveals children aged 2-11 watch over 1,000 food commercials yearly, linking increased screen time to consumption of ultra-processed foods containing harmful chemicals.

• 70% of Gen Z, Millennials Consider Environmental Sustainability Important in Choosing Employers: Deloitte Survey (ESGToday) - Deloitte survey reveals 70% of Gen Z and Millennial workers prioritize companies' environmental credentials when choosing employers, with many willing to pay more for sustainable products.

• Thousands of energy experts are leaving federal government. Here’s where they should go. (Utility Dive) - Department of Energy faces exodus of 3,500 skilled workers as experts urge them to transition to critically understaffed state public utility commissions.

• A message from CEO, lessons from an EJ fellowship, EV news, and more! (Better Energy) - Great Plains Institute CEO reflects on organization's approach to navigating energy transitions while promoting environmental preservation and economic prosperity for all communities.

• Bad philosophy is stopping progress in physics, says Carlo Rovelli (Nature) - Theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli argues that misinterpreted philosophical ideas from Popper and Kuhn are hindering physics progress by overemphasizing revolutionary theories over confirmatory research.

• 'Electricity prices must come down': Chancellor urged to back reforms that could save households £370 a year (BusinessGreen) - UK Chancellor urged to support reforms moving legacy renewables costs to general taxation, potentially saving households £370 annually on electricity bills.

Renewables

Solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass updates: Roanoke City Public Schools' $46.5M solar initiative, TWL-Technologie's hybrid solar panel, UK offshore wind capacity, Grand Sunergy's 745W HJT solar module, and Jolywood's flexible solar module.

• 5 Types of Renewable Energy (350.org) - Five major renewable energy sources - solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass - offer varying potential for clean power generation, with solar and wind emerging as most promising for community-led energy transitions.

• Roanoke City Public Schools invests in students and saves big with solar (Appalachian Voices) - Virginia's Roanoke City Public Schools launches $46.5M solar initiative across 17 buildings, providing student training and energy cost savings with no upfront costs.

• TWL-Technologie GmbH Unveils New PVT Module At Intersolar Europe 2025 (TaiyangNews) - German company TWL-Technologie unveils hybrid solar panel combining 450W TOPCon photovoltaic cells with 1,100W thermal heat capacity at Intersolar Europe 2025.

• Offshore wind: Energy firms warn record new capacity needed in upcoming contract auction (BusinessGreen) - Energy firms warn UK government must secure record offshore wind capacity in upcoming power contracts auction to meet 2030 clean energy targets.

• Resend: Webinar - Power Sector Update (Climate Action Tracker) - Upcoming webinar to evaluate countries' power sector decarbonization progress and renewable energy commitments following COP28 pledges.

• Tiers of Development (Quaise Energy) - Company outlines three-tier development approach for accessing superhot geothermal energy resources globally based on geothermal gradients.

• Getting Grounded: Powering Oregon With the Sun (Oregon Energy Info) - Oregon's solar energy capacity has grown from 1.46% of state electricity in 2019 to 3.52% in 2023, with widespread adoption across residential, commercial, and utility projects.

• Solar Landscape May Newsletter: ¡Los ahorros solares llegarán pronto! (Solar Landscape) - New Jersey community solar provider announces upcoming bill savings for Spanish-speaking subscribers while warning of June utility rate increases.

• Reclaiming Active Area: Grand Sunergy’s Latest Gap-Less HJT Module (TaiyangNews) - Chinese manufacturer Grand Sunergy unveils 745W HJT solar module with zero-gap design achieving 23.98% efficiency at Intersolar Europe 2025.

• Engineered For Flexibility: Jolywood’s NIWA Air Series Flexible Module (TaiyangNews) - Jolywood unveils ultra-thin 575W flexible solar module with 20.9% efficiency, designed for curved surfaces and low-load bearing roofs.

Transport

Fleets eye electrification, hydrogen; electric refrigeration with solar; IMO net-zero shipping; electric school buses in Transylvania; port electrification; Vermont EV mandate delay; US EV adoption lags; DoorDash robots; trolleybus revival; GM, Ford LMR batteries; OPES solar modules; Tesla Model Y; Waymo update; durable EVs; NZ, AU EV sales; Volvo hybrid.

• ACT Expo 2025: The Business Case for Fleet Electrification (ACT Expo) - Major fleet operators embrace selective electrification strategies while exploring hydrogen and renewable gas alternatives for commercial vehicles, focusing on targeted deployment where EVs provide highest benefits.

• More Than Just Solar (Sunswap) - Engineering firm develops electric transport refrigeration system with solar panels providing up to 98% of energy needs during peak summer operations.

• Global shipping faces a climate reckoning (UN News) - International Maritime Organization approves landmark plan requiring global shipping industry to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 through carbon pricing and fuel standards.

• Electric School Buses Find an Unexpected Home in the Blue Ridge Mountains (Clean Energy) - Rural Transylvania County, NC successfully implements electric school buses, demonstrating improved performance, maintenance ease, and student satisfaction in mountainous terrain.

• Powering the Future: A 30-Year Roadmap to Zero-Emission Port Operations (CleanTechnica) - European mid-sized port outlines 30-year transition plan to achieve zero emissions through comprehensive electrification of ground vehicles, harbor vessels, and shore power systems.

• Vermont Reverses Course On EV Sales Targets (CleanTechnica) - Vermont Governor Phil Scott suspends state's EV sales mandate until 2026, citing insufficient charging infrastructure and technological limitations.

• IEA Global EV Outlook 2025 Shows US Falling Further Behind On Electric Cars (CleanTechnica) - IEA report reveals US electric vehicle adoption falling behind globally, with projected 20% EV market share by 2030 while China dominates with 70% of global production.

• DoorDash & Coco Bring Robot Deliveries To The Sidewalks Of LA & Chicago (CleanTechnica) - DoorDash partners with Coco Robotics to launch autonomous sidewalk delivery robots in LA and Chicago, replacing car deliveries to reduce emissions and traffic congestion.

• Why Modern Cities Are Embracing Trolleybuses Again (CleanTechnica) - Modern trolleybuses with In-Motion Charging technology are seeing global revival as cities seek cost-effective, sustainable transit solutions by combining overhead wires with battery power.

• GM, Ford Tease New Game Changing LMR EV Batteries … But Where Is Waldo? (CleanTechnica) - GM and Ford race to commercialize cost-effective lithium manganese-rich (LMR) EV batteries by 2028, while Tesla remains silent on its manganese battery plans.

• OPES Solar Mobility Launches VIPV Module (TaiyangNews) - German firm OPES Solar Mobility unveils 500W CIGS flexible solar module designed specifically for vehicle integration, featuring matrix cell technology for improved partial shading performance.

• The Driven Podcast: Will the new Model Y save Tesla? (RenewEconomy) - Tesla Australia discusses new Model Y launch and supercharger expansion plans in latest episode of The Driven podcast.

• The Huge Waymo Recall That Wasn’t (CleanTechnica) - Waymo's 1,212-vehicle "recall" merely required over-the-air software update to fix low-speed barrier collision issues, with vehicles remaining in service.

• How To Build A Non-Disposable EV (CleanTechnica) - Auto manufacturers urged to design more durable and repairable EVs with modular components and simplified mechanics for multi-generational longevity.

• EV Sales in New Zealand — April Update (CleanTechnica) - New Zealand's EV sales remain stagnant at 10% market share in April 2025, with Polestar 2 leading new vehicle sales while used Nissan Leaf imports dominate overall numbers.

• EV Sales in Australia — April Update (CleanTechnica) - Australian EV sales reach 9.3% market share in April 2025, with BYD leading at 3,202 units while Tesla sales decline to 500 units.

• Top US States for EV Market Share — 13 States with 10%+ EV Share (CleanTechnica) - California leads US electric vehicle adoption with 26.8% market share, followed by Colorado and Washington, with 13 states now exceeding 10% EV sales.

• Volvo’s 1st Extended-Range Electric Vehicle Coming Soon (CleanTechnica) - Volvo unveils XC70 extended-range plug-in hybrid SUV with 200km electric range, targeting Chinese market initially.