Which will win? Trump chaos or AI demand for renewable energy?

What if AI ended up being what drives the transition to renewable energy?

The fastest, cheapest way to meet the insatiable demand for more energy to train ever-more-powerful models looks like solar, wind, and batteries. It's not hard at all to imagine the renewables industry reframing itself in national security and economic leadership terms. And the ecological dividend of that being the accelerated replacement of fossil fuels for energy.

The energy storage industry pledged to invest $100B in battery manufacture in the US last month and Jeff St. John has a great long article putting that in context on Canary Media this morning. The Solar Energy Industries Association reshared the graphic above this morning, pointing to an article about how the rapid deployment of solar and batteries is key to the US keeping up in energy and thus AI.

St. John focuses on the uncertainty of Trump chaos as a limiting factor for the growth of renewables. But the aggregate growth of demand may be even more powerful, and the speed of deployment sure does seem clear. Deployment and reliability considerations may make the transition slower than some of us would like, but the economics seem clear in the long run.

Everyone says investors need predictability to invest. But this combination of geopolitical and technological factors feels like it could be more compelling than Trump unpredictability.

And now, today's summaries of 205 selected updates from around the world of green tech and sustainability. If you’re interested in learning more about how we support the companies and organizations we work with, contact us. Sign up to get a version of this newsletter containing 3 updates picked out just for you sent to your inbox.

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• 🌾Agriculture (9 stories) - Dominican Republic food sovereignty, Minnesota hazelnut farming, Brazil's PDS Brasília struggles, basalt rock weathering in Brazilian sugarcane, USDA staff cuts, soil degradation warning, Tanzania sea cucumber ranch, PLANTdex tool, and Georgia shrimp industry crisis.

  
  

• 🪨Carbon (14 stories) - ICECHIP hail study, renewable diesel scrutiny, Brazil sea level rise, OpenEAC carbon accounting, SBTi guidance, Svante DAC, Evergy coal delay, supply chain emissions, Syncraft biochar, HutanBio algae biofuel, Cornell carbon capture.

  
  

• ♻️Circular (6 stories) - Plastic pellet pollution in Oregon, China's EV battery recycling issues, L'Oréal's €100M sustainability accelerator, wine barrel reuse, Blue Stripes' cacao waste snacks, and electronics repair kits for kids.

  
  

• 🌱Ecosystems (21 stories) - LIFE PYRENEES4CLIMA network, Mexico mega cruise ship threat, Florida mangrove restoration, Martha's Vineyard pollution, nighttime lighting pollination disruption, Aconcagua weather stations, Senegal fishery collapse, Attenborough advocacy, South Australia algal bloom, US coastal erosion, Saltwater Guides Association, Singapore butterfly plantings, Brazilian jaguar reintroduction, US wilderness areas, Bradford Pennine Gateway reserve, plastic flying ring ban, Nantucket Hawthorn, BC suicide link, Texas fracking water use, PFAS in beer.

  
  

• ⚡Efficiency (7 stories) - Oregon energy scoring, Massachusetts heat pump study, EPA Energy Star cuts, swamp cooler struggles, Trump efficiency rollbacks, AIA25, and MBJ solar testing.

  
  

• 💰Finance (13 stories) - Pivot Energy, Aligned Climate Capital, Petrobras, Basel Committee, COP29, EcoVadis, Eternal Sun, and Bolster make headlines in finance.

  
  

• 🔌Grid (19 stories) - Energy Vault, Google/Elementl Power, Genex Power, AGL Energy, Dominion Energy, NRG Energy/CPower, FLO/EnergyHub, Bonneville Power Administration/Southwest Power Pool, and Northeastern states advance grid projects.

  
  

• 🌍Indigenous (9 stories) - Psychedelics & environmentalism; "Upstream" climate resilience play; Kari Guajajara on Amazon protection; Julie Servant stewardship role; Guarani land demarcation; Yurok wellness center; Amazonian Assembly demands; Arctic Council transfer; Lorette Goulet's teachings.

  
  

• 🏭Industry (15 stories) - Solar tech advances from WAVELABS, LONGi, and DAS Solar, while Hunan Red Sun plans Nigerian factory; green hydrogen projects face scrutiny in UK and Australia; critical minerals supply chain tensions grow between US and China

  
  

• 📜Policy (63 stories) - House Republicans target IRA clean energy, EDF hires Ryder-Rude, Rights of Nature advocates silenced at UN, TradeAware helps EU deforestation compliance, Ley leads Australian Liberals.

  
  

• 🔋Renewables (15 stories) - Renew Our Power activists, Kilvinane wind farm upgrades, HubSpot's PosiGen & EKOenergy partnerships, EBRD/AfDB solar projects, Astronergy/AESOLAR/Seraphim at Intersolar, US solar/wind growth, Bright Saver's plug-in solar, and MARBERO's 30W panel.

  
  

• 🚗Transport (14 stories) - LNG bunkering faces scrutiny, RVL Aviation plans hydrogen cargo flights, Australian drivers prefer hybrids, House targets Tesla, Chery Omoda E5 gains favor, depot charging is key, Ampersand rebrands, Spiro expands, PA charging hub opens, EV sales surge, Air NZ revises targets, cities try free transit, EV demand threatens forests, AIKO partners with Solar Team Twente.

Agriculture

Dominican Republic food sovereignty, Minnesota hazelnut farming, Brazil's PDS Brasília struggles, basalt rock weathering in Brazilian sugarcane, USDA staff cuts, soil degradation warning, Tanzania sea cucumber ranch, PLANTdex tool, and Georgia shrimp industry crisis.

• Voices from Dominican Republic: ‘Food Sovereignty is the Right to Life and the Right to Live Well.’ (Via Campesina) - Dominican Republic peasant leader emphasizes food sovereignty as fundamental right, highlighting local control over food systems and agroecological practices as key to sustainable farming.

• Lessons from Hazelnuts (Climate Generation) - Minnesota hazelnut farming showcases native perennial crop's resilience to climate change while providing ecological benefits and carbon sequestration.

• Lack of funds, cattle ranchers challenge Brazil’s sustainable farmers (Mongabay) - Brazil's sustainable settlement PDS Brasília struggles as lack of funding and bank support drives farmers to sell land to cattle ranchers, threatening forest conservation efforts.

• InPlanet at EGU General Assembly 2025 (InPlanet) - Research presented at EGU 2025 shows enhanced rock weathering with basalt improved soil health and crop yields in Brazilian sugarcane fields while capturing carbon.

• When USDA Cuts Staff, Farmers Pay the Price: Lessons from the ERS and NIFA Relocations (NSAC) - USDA's planned 30,000 staff cuts threaten to severely disrupt farmer services and program delivery, mirroring devastating impacts of 2019 agency relocations.

• Soil Health — What Is Above (Bluedot Living) - Scientists warn that 95% of Earth's soil could be degraded by 2050 due to industrial farming practices, threatening global food security and human health.

• Down on the ranch with Mafia Island’s free-range sea cucumbers (Mongabay) - Tanzanian entrepreneur pioneers free-range sea cucumber ranch on Mafia Island to restore endangered species while building sustainable export business.

• Study offers new tool to compare environmental impacts of crops (Mongabay) - New PLANTdex tool enables high-resolution comparison of crops' environmental impacts across five key indicators including biodiversity loss and emissions.

• Georgia’s beloved shrimp industry grapples with disease and foreign imports (Grist) - Georgia's shrimp industry faces dual crisis from cheap foreign imports and climate-linked 'black gill' disease, threatening centuries-old coastal tradition.

Carbon

ICECHIP hail study, renewable diesel scrutiny, Brazil sea level rise, OpenEAC carbon accounting, SBTi guidance, Svante DAC, Evergy coal delay, supply chain emissions, Syncraft biochar, HutanBio algae biofuel, Cornell carbon capture.

• Storm Chasers on the Hail Trail (Nautilus) - Scientists launch $11M ICECHIP project to track and study destructive hailstorms across US states using advanced technology and citizen reports.

• Sailing Weather Gets Weird (Nautilus) - Climate change disrupts traditional weather forecasting for ocean sailing, forcing modern vessels to combine advanced technology with old maritime instincts.

• As renewable diesel surges, sustainability claims are deeply questioned (Mongabay) - Renewable diesel industry's rapid expansion and sustainability claims face scrutiny as critics warn of deforestation risks and feedstock shortages amid surging global demand.

• Gramado alagado (ISA) - Rising sea levels threaten Brazil's 9,000km coastline with Rio and Recife among most vulnerable cities, as UN study predicts 21cm rise by 2050.

• OpenEAC Alliance Q2 Meeting Agenda (WattCarbon) - OpenEAC Alliance announces Q2 meeting to discuss carbon accounting methodologies, electrification data standards, and future roadmap for energy tracking systems.

• Webinar: Setting and achieving ambitious SBTi targets (Greenplaces) - Upcoming webinar offers guidance on setting and achieving Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) goals for businesses.

• Real-world testing proves Gen3 efficiency leap with Svante’s structure (Climeworks) - Real-world testing of Svante's structured adsorbents confirms Gen3 direct air capture technology doubles CO2 capture capacity while halving energy use across 1,300+ cycles.

• Evergy leans into fossil fuels as it backtracks on climate commitments (Energy and Policy Institute) - Kansas utility Evergy delays coal plant closures, increases gas generation, and reduces renewable energy plans while abandoning its 2030 emissions reduction target.

• Supply chain emissions: Your greatest challenge and greatest opportunity (Optera) - Supply chain emissions represent majority of corporate carbon footprints, offering major decarbonization opportunities despite measurement challenges.

• Life in the lab is a lesson in trial and error (Woodwell Climate) - Lab researcher details challenges and rewards of processing soil samples for climate research through biogeochemical analysis and instrument troubleshooting.

• Syncraft Opens Clean Power Plant That Provides Electricity, Heat, & CDR (CleanTechnica) - Syncraft launches biomass power plant in Austria that generates electricity and heat while removing carbon through biochar production and storage.

• UK Startup IDs A New Hope For Algae Biofuel: Carbon-Negative Production (CleanTechnica) - UK startup HutanBio achieves carbon-negative algae biofuel production through renewable energy integration and optimized cultivation methods, confirmed by third-party lifecycle assessment.

• Sunlight-powered system mimics plants to power carbon capture (ScienceDaily) - Cornell researchers develop sunlight-powered carbon capture system that mimics plant processes, successfully tested on real industrial emissions.

• April 2025 was the planet’s 2nd-warmest April on record (Yale Climate Connections) - Global temperatures in April 2025 reached second-warmest on record since 1850, with record-warm land areas and near-record ocean temperatures worldwide.

Circular

Plastic pellet pollution in Oregon, China's EV battery recycling issues, L'Oréal's €100M sustainability accelerator, wine barrel reuse, Blue Stripes' cacao waste snacks, and electronics repair kits for kids.

• Plastic pellets found on Oregon beaches (Environment America) - Volunteers find 363 plastic pellets across three Oregon beaches during first International Plastic Pellet Count, highlighting ocean pollution concerns.

• China needs to deal with discarded electric-vehicle batteries (Nature) - China faces mounting battery recycling challenges as EV sales surge to 60% of global market while consumers prefer new over used vehicles.

• L’Oréal Launches €100 Million Sustainable Innovation Accelerator (ESGToday) - L'Oréal launches €100 million accelerator program to develop and scale breakthrough sustainability technologies across beauty industry over 5 years.

• Stained, warped and terroir rich: the global and shockingly sustainable lives of wine barrels (The Guardian) - Wine barrels demonstrate remarkable sustainability through century-long reuse cycles and global circulation, though threatened by recent trade tariffs.

• This snack company is trying to change the way you think about chocolate (Grist) - Blue Stripes company transforms cacao fruit waste into profitable snacks and beverages while boosting Ecuadorian farmer incomes and reducing agricultural emissions.

• ‼️One Week Left to Sign Up to our At-Home Waitlist‼️ (Team Repair) - Educational repair kit company launches summer at-home program for children to learn electronics repair through hands-on activities as screen-free alternative.

Ecosystems

LIFE PYRENEES4CLIMA network, Mexico mega cruise ship threat, Florida mangrove restoration, Martha's Vineyard pollution, nighttime lighting pollination disruption, Aconcagua weather stations, Senegal fishery collapse, Attenborough advocacy, South Australia algal bloom, US coastal erosion, Saltwater Guides Association, Singapore butterfly plantings, Brazilian jaguar reintroduction, US wilderness areas, Bradford Pennine Gateway reserve, plastic flying ring ban, Nantucket Hawthorn, BC suicide link, Texas fracking water use, PFAS in beer.

• Towards a collaborative network to face the climate challenges of the Pyrenees (BC3) - European LIFE PYRENEES4CLIMA project launches collaborative network to assess and protect crucial ecosystem services in Pyrenees region amid climate challenges.

• Cruise ships and intensified tourism in Mexico threaten whale shark habitat (Mongabay) - Mega cruise ship agreement in Mexico's Bahía de La Paz threatens critical whale shark habitat and marine ecosystem with 150,000 annual visitors planned.

• How the weather got ‘stuck’ over the UK – and produced an unusually dry and warm spring (The Conversation) - Persistent high-pressure "blocking" weather system over UK causes record-dry spring with half-normal rainfall, raising drought concerns and wildfire risks.

• A Helping Hand for Mangroves (The Revelator) - Florida conservation groups combat hurricane damage to mangrove forests through volunteer-driven restoration projects, protecting coastlines and communities from flooding.

• Great Pond Foundation: Living Waters, Thriving Island (Great Pond Foundation) - Martha's Vineyard conservation group warns of urgent need to protect island's ponds and waterways from nutrient pollution and climate change impacts through community action and monitoring.

• Field Note: Light Pollution, Plants, and Pollinators (Bluedot Living) - Research shows artificial nighttime lighting significantly disrupts plant pollination cycles and ecosystem health, with moth visits to flowers reduced by 62% in artificially lit areas.

• Scientists track climate change on a remote Andes mountain peak (Yale Climate Connections) - International scientists install weather stations on Argentina's Aconcagua peak to study climate change impacts on crucial mountain snowpack and glacial water resources.

• Foreign Fishers Plunder Senegalese Waters, Driving Locals to Migrate to Spain (Yale E360) - Foreign industrial trawlers deplete Senegal's fish stocks, forcing local fishers to risk dangerous migration to Spain's Canary Islands amid fishery collapse.

• From Zoo Quest to Ocean: The evolution of David Attenborough’s voice for the planet (The Conversation) - David Attenborough's 70-year broadcasting evolution shows shift from colonial-era wildlife collecting to urgent environmental advocacy.

• ‘A horror movie’: sharks and octopuses among 200 species killed by toxic algae off South Australia (The Guardian) - Toxic algal bloom off South Australia's coast kills over 200 marine species including sharks and octopuses, driven by marine heatwave with waters 2.5C above normal.

• Locally Sourced: Shoreline Loss (Covering Climate Now) - Climate change-driven coastal erosion causes $500M in annual US property losses as communities face difficult choices between costly beach restoration and inland retreat.

• Angling for answers, this saltwater fishing group boosts research for better conservation (Mongabay) - American Saltwater Guides Association combines angler education, scientific research and advocacy to improve marine conservation while supporting sustainable fishing businesses.

• Singapore study says roadside flowers can improve urban butterfly biodiversity (Mongabay) - Singapore study finds diverse roadside flower plantings boost urban butterfly populations despite using non-native species, suggesting cost-effective biodiversity solution.

• A rare jaguar rewilding story highlights obstacles to the big cat’s conservation in Brazil (Mongabay) - Young male jaguar's successful reintroduction to Brazilian Amazon highlights persistent threats from wildfires, poaching, and habitat loss facing the species.

• Why protecting wildland is crucial to American freedom and identity (The Conversation) - Wilderness areas, comprising 110 million acres of protected federal land, remain crucial to American identity and freedom despite new legislative proposals threatening their preservation.

• Brontë country to become protected national nature reserve (The Guardian) - England designates 1,274-hectare Bradford Pennine Gateway as national nature reserve, protecting Brontë-inspiring landscapes and rare wildlife near Bradford.

• I’m obsessed with protecting seals: ‘The flying ring toy was deeply embedded in her neck’ (The Guardian) - Seal welfare activist campaigns to ban plastic flying rings after witnessing severe injuries to seals, leading major retailers to switch to solid discs.

• Bicknell’s Hawthorn — a Rare Tree Found Only on Nantucket (Bluedot Living) - Bicknell's Hawthorn, a critically endangered tree species with fewer than 100 specimens remaining, exists only on Nantucket Island and is being protected through conservation efforts.

• Environmental Health (Springer) (Environmental Health) - Study reveals direct link between hot summer days and increased suicide attempts in British Columbia, highlighting urgent need for mental health interventions during extreme heat events.

• Texas Oil and Gas Companies Drill With River Water During Extreme Drought (Inside Climate News) - Texas oil and gas companies extract over 14 billion gallons from Rio Grande and Pecos River for fracking operations despite severe drought conditions impacting local communities.

• Toxic substances in your suds? Study finds PFAS in local water used to brew beer (EWG) - Study finds over half of tested beers contain PFAS chemicals from local water supplies, with small craft breweries most affected due to limited filtration capabilities.

Efficiency

Oregon energy scoring, Massachusetts heat pump study, EPA Energy Star cuts, swamp cooler struggles, Trump efficiency rollbacks, AIA25, and MBJ solar testing.

• ODOE at 50: a History of Home Energy Scoring (Oregon Department of Energy) - State marks 50 years of pioneering home energy scoring programs, with 40,000+ homes rated and mandatory scoring requirements now covering 20% of Oregon's population.

• New Massachusetts Report from Advanced Energy United: Smarter Rates Can Unlock Savings for Electrifying Homes (Advanced Energy United) - Massachusetts study shows time-of-use electricity rates could save households over $1,000 annually when switching from gas to electric heat pumps while reducing grid strain.

• Energy Star is on the chopping block: what it means for CRE professionals and how to save your data before the lights go out (Gridium) - EPA budget cuts threaten Energy Star program and Portfolio Manager platform, impacting commercial real estate benchmarking and compliance tracking nationwide.

• Swamp Coolers’ Ability to Beat the Heat is Evaporating in Record Southwestern Temperatures (Inside Climate News) - Rising temperatures in Southwest US cities render traditional swamp coolers increasingly ineffective, forcing residents to switch to energy-intensive air conditioning systems.

• Trump rolls back Biden-era efficiency rules (Utility Dive) - Trump signs four Congressional Review Act resolutions rolling back Biden-era energy efficiency standards for water heaters, refrigeration equipment, and product certifications.

• Conference: AIA Conference on Architecture & Design 2025 (Greenplaces) - Architecture and design sustainability conference AIA25 to showcase eco-friendly solutions and host networking events at Boston Convention Center in June 2025.

• MBJ Quickcheck At Intersolar Europe 2025: Portable Luminescence Testing In Daylight (TaiyangNews) - German firm MBJ Solutions unveils portable daylight-compatible solar panel testing device at Intersolar Europe 2025, enabling real-time fault diagnostics without system shutdown.

Finance

Pivot Energy, Aligned Climate Capital, Petrobras, Basel Committee, COP29, EcoVadis, Eternal Sun, and Bolster make headlines in finance.

• Virtual Power Purchase Agreements May Be A Quick Fix In Climate Quest (Forbes) - Virtual power purchase agreements emerge as rapid climate solution, enabling companies to boost renewable energy development while hedging against market volatility through financial contracts.

• North America Solar PV News Snippets: Pivot Energy Raises $200 Million & More (TaiyangNews) - Multiple US solar companies secure major funding, including Pivot Energy's $200M for community solar projects, while new partnerships advance 75MW of solar development.

• Policy Experts Fear Laxer Climate Rules Could Leave U.S. Markets Open to Greater Volatility (Inside Climate News) - Basel Committee shifts from mandatory to voluntary climate risk disclosures for global banks, prioritizing extreme weather over broader climate risks.

• Forecasting Petrobras: A Scenario-Based Financial Outlook Through 2029 (Energy Central) - Petrobras financial forecast through 2029 projects three growth scenarios with CapEx ranging from 8.5-12.5% of revenue amid energy transition challenges.

• ‘Loss and damage fund’ for climate change needs broader remit (Nature) - Scientists call for expansion of COP29 'loss and damage' climate fund to include communities affected by ecosystem disruptions from CO2 emissions.

• Empower communities to fight climate change at grassroots level (Nature) - Scientists advocate for climate finance clubs among nations to accelerate decarbonization through aligned emission-reduction policies.

• Aligned Climate Capital Raises $200 Million for Distributed Solar Fund (ESG Today) - Investment firm Aligned Climate Capital raises $200M for distributed solar fund targeting underserved US markets, with initial projects in Maine and DC.

• Let’s use early milestones to stay focused on climate action (Climate Change News) - COP29 President urges focus on concrete climate finance milestones including tripling UN fund outflows by 2030 and mobilizing $300 billion annually by 2035.

• "The question of 'Earth' and Economy are inextricably linked." - Jose Ordonez, CDP. (CDP) - Global corporate environmental disclosure rises 7% to 25,000 entities in 2024, with leading companies linking executive pay to climate targets and increasing internal carbon pricing.

• Webinar: Preparing your EcoVadis scorecard (Greenplaces) - Sustainability consultancy offers webinar to help companies prepare EcoVadis scorecards for environmental performance assessment.

• Dutch Investor Acquires Majority Stake In Eternal Sun (TaiyangNews) - Dutch investment firm Bolster acquires 80% stake in solar testing company Eternal Sun to accelerate international expansion and operational growth.

• Colombia’s Economic Outlook 2024–2026: Navigating Recovery Amid Fiscal Challenge (Energy Central) - Colombia forecasts moderate GDP growth of 1.8% in 2024 amid energy sector headwinds, fiscal constraints, and urgent need for energy transition investments.

• 📈 How to Earn with IncentiFind’s Affiliate Program | Affiliate Walkthrough & Revenue Opportunities (IncentiFind) - Green building platform launches affiliate program offering up to $1,500 per commercial engagement through revenue sharing and customer discount options.

Grid

Energy Vault, Google/Elementl Power, Genex Power, AGL Energy, Dominion Energy, NRG Energy/CPower, FLO/EnergyHub, Bonneville Power Administration/Southwest Power Pool, and Northeastern states advance grid projects.

• Energy Vault Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results (Energy Vault) - Energy storage company reports 10% revenue growth to $8.5M in Q1 2025, with 49% increase in contract backlog to $648M driven by Australia and US projects.

• E&E News: Bonneville Power Finalizes Decision to Join Western Market (E&E News) - Bonneville Power Administration chooses Southwest Power Pool's Markets+ over California's market system for day-ahead power trading, potentially splitting Western grid operations.

• Inside Climate News: Northeastern States Unveil New Grid Planning Strategy in Attempt to Regain Control Over Energy Future (Inside Climate News) - Nine Northeastern states launch collaborative transmission plan to bypass grid operators and accelerate clean energy projects while controlling costs.

• Canary Media: Illinois’ Grid Needs Batteries. Can the Legislature Deliver? (Canary Media) - Illinois lawmakers push to pass legislation for 1,038MW battery storage procurement by summer 2025 to support clean energy transition and meet growing power demand.

• 🌏 SMRs for GPTs #245 (CTVC) - Google partners with Elementl Power to develop three 600MW small modular nuclear reactors, investing early-stage capital to secure clean power for AI operations by 2033.

• Innovative Interconnected Minigrid Partnerships Deliver Reliable Electricity, Boosting Economic Growth for Underserved Nigerians (Energy Alliance) - Nigeria's first four interconnected minigrids add 3MW solar capacity serving 6,300 connections, demonstrating viable solution for country's electricity access challenges.

• Partnerships for Power: Unlocking Scale for Interconnected Minigrids in Nigeria (Global Energy Alliance) - Nigeria's interconnected minigrid pilot projects achieve 95% increase in connections and 15x consumption growth compared to isolated systems, demonstrating viable path for expanding renewable energy access.

• Demand side response: a guide for 2025 (GridBeyond) - Global demand-side response programs evolve in 2025 with UK expanding access, Australia facing FCAS market shifts, and US seeing increased capacity prices driving participation.

• GridBeyond launches API integration to unlock revenues for businesses (GridBeyond) - Energy tech firm launches API platform enabling businesses to monetize small-scale energy assets through demand response and energy markets.

• “A relief:” Australia an oasis for battery storage developers as Trump tariffs disrupt US projects (RenewEconomy) - Energy Vault reports Australia's battery storage market thriving while US projects face disruption from Trump-era China tariffs.

• Genex slashes wind plans, adds big battery as it reshapes hub around delayed pumped hydro plant (RenewEconomy) - Genex Power halves planned wind capacity to 120MW and adds 150MW battery at Kidston hub while delayed pumped hydro project nears completion.

• AGL acquires Upper Hunter pumped hydro projects (Renewable Energy World) - AGL Energy acquires two pumped hydro storage projects in New South Wales with combined 1,393MW capacity and 10-hour storage potential.

• How ADMS and DERMS Are Delivering Smarter Solutions for Utilities and Customers (Power Magazine) - Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) and Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) enable utilities to optimize grid operations and integrate distributed energy resources through sophisticated software platforms.

• Amid tariff uncertainty, US grid battery industry faces an uphill climb (Canary Media) - US grid battery industry growth faces setbacks from Trump-era tariff uncertainties and potential cuts to Biden clean energy tax credits.

• Virginia utility-scale VPP pilot mandate is first amid national push (Utility Dive) - Virginia becomes first state to mandate utility-scale virtual power plant pilot program requiring Dominion Energy to propose 450MW capacity system by December.

• Regional power system planning could save Western states $3.25B: UC San Diego (Utility Dive) - UC San Diego study finds increased power system coordination among 11 Western states could save up to $3.25 billion annually through transmission planning and market expansion.

• FLO and EnergyHub partner to expand access to EV managed charging (EnergyHub) - FLO and EnergyHub partner to integrate EV chargers with utility grid management systems across 80+ utilities, enabling driver participation in managed charging programs.

• Check out this gorgeous map of US data center infrastructure (NREL) - National lab releases comprehensive map visualizing US data center locations, transmission lines, and fiber optic networks, highlighting critical infrastructure relationships for energy industry planning.

• NRG Energy acquires VPP company CPower from LS Power (Latitude Media) - NRG Energy acquires virtual power plant company CPower and 13GW gas portfolio from LS Power in $12 billion deal to meet data center demand.

Indigenous

Psychedelics & environmentalism; "Upstream" climate resilience play; Kari Guajajara on Amazon protection; Julie Servant stewardship role; Guarani land demarcation; Yurok wellness center; Amazonian Assembly demands; Arctic Council transfer; Lorette Goulet's teachings.

• Can Psychedelics Help Heal Our Relationship With the Natural World? (Atmos) - Research explores how psychedelics and indigenous wisdom around plant medicines like ayahuasca could foster environmental stewardship through enhanced "mind perception" of nature.

• AIMS Students Explore Climate Futures Through Interactive Theatre (Climate Generation) - American Indian middle school students explore climate resilience through interactive theater performance "Upstream" in St. Paul.

• ‘We can’t talk solutions without understanding complexities: Kari Guajajara on Brazil’s Amazon (Mongabay) - Indigenous lawyer Kari Guajajara urges Brazilian government to better understand territorial complexities and Indigenous perspectives when protecting Amazon lands from illegal mining and ranching.

• Welcoming Julie Servant to the Wahkohtowin Team (Wahkohtowin) - Julie Servant appointed as Guardian Program Manager to lead Indigenous land stewardship and cultural revitalization initiatives in M'Chigeeng territory.

• Após 37 anos, Guarani celebram demarcação da Terra Indígena Jaraguá (SP) (Instituto Socioambiental) - After 37-year struggle, Guarani indigenous people celebrate official demarcation of 532-hectare Jaraguá Territory in São Paulo, ending Brazil's smallest indigenous territory status.

• Yurok Tribe to Receive $26.4 Million for Regional Wellness Center (Yurok Today) - California awards Yurok Tribe $26.4M to build 53-bed regional wellness center serving rural Northern California's mental health and addiction treatment needs.

• Amazonian Indigenous Peoples reiterate demand to halt fossil fuel expansion at the 4th Amazonian Assembly (Stand.earth) - Amazonian Indigenous leaders from five countries demand halt to fossil fuel expansion and recognition of Indigenous governance at 4th Amazonian Assembly in Peru.

• Media release: 14th Meeting of the Arctic Council (Arctic Council) - Norway concludes chairship and transfers leadership to Denmark at 14th Arctic Council meeting, reaffirming commitment to regional cooperation despite geopolitical challenges.

• Elder Teaching with Kokum Lorette Goulet (Indigenous Climate Action) - Matey Elder Lorette Goulet shares traditional teachings on ecological balance, emphasizing human responsibility to maintain harmony with nature through spiritual connection and sustainable practices.

Industry

• Solar tech advances from WAVELABS, LONGi, and DAS Solar, while Hunan Red Sun plans Nigerian factory; green hydrogen projects face scrutiny in UK and Australia; critical minerals supply chain tensions grow between US and China

• Justice family coal company faces contempt hearing over broken cleanup promises (Appalachian Voices) - Justice family coal company A&G faces federal contempt hearing for failing to meet court-ordered mine cleanup deadlines in Virginia despite $600,000 last-minute escrow deposit.

• Advancing Perovskite Commercialization: Latest Innovation Of WAVELABS At Intersolar Europe 2025 (TaiyangNews) - WAVELABS unveils advanced LED-based testing system for perovskite and tandem solar modules at Intersolar Europe 2025, enabling precise characterization of next-generation photovoltaics.

• Hunan Red Sun To Build 600 MW Solar Factory In Nigeria (TaiyangNews) - Chinese firm Hunan Red Sun partners with Nigeria's IRS Group to build 600MW solar module factory in Kano state, aiming to serve distributed generation projects and boost clean energy access.

• China Solar PV News Snippets: World’s 1st PID-p Certificate For LONGi & More (TaiyangNews) - LONGi becomes world's first company to receive TÜV SÜD's PID-p certification for its Hi-MO solar modules, while multiple Chinese solar manufacturers announce technological and business expansions.

• Backer of Australia’s two biggest green hydrogen projects claims “breakthrough” on costs (RenewEconomy) - Intercontinental Energy claims standardized node design for massive Australian green hydrogen projects could reduce costs by 10-20% through improved efficiency.

• Australian innovation helped launch China solar juggernaut – now it’s time to hitch a ride with PV giants (RenewEconomy) - Australian solar innovator SunDrive partners with Chinese manufacturing giants to scale up copper-plating technology for high-efficiency solar cells.

• Norway Has More Energy Transition Plans In The Works (CleanTechnica) - Norway expands energy transition beyond EVs and wind power with new initiatives in battery technology, wave energy, grid optimization, and maritime carbon capture.

• HySpeed Green Hydrogen Play Will Lead To Stranded Assets & Fiscal Losses (CleanTechnica) - UK's £6.5B Project HySpeed green hydrogen initiative faces high risk of stranded assets and financial losses due to economic unviability and competition from cheaper electrification alternatives.

• Starch-based bioplastic may be as toxic as petroleum-based plastic, study finds (The Guardian) - Study finds starch-based bioplastics may cause similar health problems as petroleum-based plastics, including organ damage and metabolic changes in mice.

• Shifting the Hydrogen Landscape Demands a Coherent Strategy (REVOLVE) - Green hydrogen focus shifts from large-scale hype to smaller practical projects as industries view hydrogen access as crucial for future competitiveness.

• Rethinking Emergency Power: Hydrogen and the Future of Disaster Resilience (POWER Magazine) - Hydrogen-based emergency power systems emerge as key disaster resilience solution alongside traditional backup options, offering clean long-duration power from atmospheric moisture.

• Study finds cancer-causing chemicals in personal care products used by Black women and Latinas in L.A. (EWG) - Study reveals over half of personal care products used by Black women and Latinas in Los Angeles contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing chemicals linked to cancer.

• America’s moment to secure its critical mineral future (Utility Dive) - China's dominance of critical minerals supply chain threatens US security as nation seeks domestic production boost through 45X tax credits.

• Workshop: Implementing A Low Carbon Concrete Building Code in your City. (CleanTechnica) - Workshop outlines implementation strategies for low-carbon concrete building codes, featuring ACI CODE 323 and insights from concrete sustainability experts.

• DAS Solar Displays Advanced TOPCon & BC Modules At Intersolar Europe 2025 (TaiyangNews) - Chinese manufacturer DAS Solar showcases advanced TOPCon and back-contact solar modules with up to 24.8% efficiency at Intersolar Europe 2025.

Policy

House Republicans target IRA clean energy, EDF hires Ryder-Rude, Rights of Nature advocates silenced at UN, TradeAware helps EU deforestation compliance, Ley leads Australian Liberals.

• Where heat does not come in waves: a framework for understanding and managing chronic heat (CLEO Institute) - New research framework redefines chronic heat as a distinct climate hazard affecting billions globally, requiring different assessment and response approaches than traditional heat wave management.

• Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resourses (HCENR) - Republic of Sudan (HCENR Sudan) - Sudan's Council of Ministers' environmental protection agency coordinates national sustainable resource management and disaster risk reduction under Prime Minister's leadership.

• Integrating gender and nutrition into climate policy: Insights from the GCAN Initiative in Nigeria (CGIAR) - Nigeria's climate policy initiative addresses gender inequality and malnutrition amid rising temperatures and extreme weather impacting food security and infrastructure.

• “A Slap in the Face” — Rights of Nature Advocates Silenced at the United Nations (CELDF) - Rights of Nature advocates from multiple countries were barred from speaking at UN Earth Day meeting despite prior security clearance, prompting criticism of institutional resistance to environmental rights.

• Global Climate Policy Expert from U.S. State Department Joins Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) - Former US State Department climate negotiator Meredith Ryder-Rude joins Environmental Defense Fund as Associate VP for Global Engagement & Partnerships.

• New Tax Bill Threatens U.S. Clean Energy Boom (EDF) - House committees propose legislation to cut clean energy tax incentives and EPA programs, threatening $400 billion in private investment and potential 20% electricity bill increases by 2026.

• LiveEO | Product Masterclass: How TradeAware Makes Companies EUDR Compliant (LiveEO) - Software platform TradeAware launches masterclass to help companies achieve EU deforestation regulation compliance through supply chain tracking and risk assessment tools.

• Advanced Energy United Warns Tax Package Will Lead to Higher Costs and Threatens America’s Energy Supply (Advanced Energy United) - Industry group warns House tax proposal would undermine clean energy investments and US competitiveness by reducing tax credits and transferability mechanisms.

• Webinar: California climate accountability package (SB 253 & SB 261) (Greenplaces) - Webinar announced to explain California's new climate accountability laws SB 253 and SB 261 requiring emissions reporting.

• House Republicans’ Plan to Cut Clean Energy Tax Incentives Sparks Community Action to Safeguard $2.1 Billion in Clean Energy Jobs in West Virginia (CCAN Action Fund) - House Republicans' proposal to cut Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy tax credits threatens $2.1 billion investment and 3,000 jobs in West Virginia, sparking community protests.

• N4C, iCS y TNC abren una convocatoria para que los periodistas se unan a la innovadora cohorte de medios para la COP30 (Nature4Climate) - Major environmental organizations launch media training program for journalists covering COP30 in Brazil's Amazon, offering editorial support and field access.

• CEBA Statement on Energy Credit Provisions in U.S. House Draft Tax Bill (CEBA) - Clean Energy Buyers Association opposes House tax bill's phase-out of energy tax credits, warning of impacts on electricity costs and US energy independence.

• US Legislation Proposes Earlier Phase Out Of Clean Energy Tax Credits (TaiyangNews) - Republican bill proposes to accelerate phase-out of US clean energy tax credits by one year to 2031, threatening domestic renewable manufacturing competitiveness.

• From nuclear to nature laws, here’s where new Liberal leader Sussan Ley stands on 4 energy and environment flashpoints (The Conversation) - New Liberal leader Sussan Ley's track record shows support for nuclear power and gas while opposing rapid renewable transition and maintaining cautious stance on environmental protections.

• As insurance gets harder to buy, NZ has 3 choices for disaster recovery – and we keep choosing the worst one (The Conversation) - New Zealand faces difficult policy choices as climate-driven insurance retreat forces government to balance risk reduction, fiscal responsibility, and social equity.

• Trump guts low-income energy assistance as summer heat descends and electricity prices rise (The Conversation) - Trump administration eliminates LIHEAP staff and funding as rising summer temperatures and energy costs threaten millions of low-income Americans' access to cooling.

• How Trump’s latest rollback could raise your utility bills (ClimateDesk) - Trump administration targets Energy Star efficiency program that has saved Americans billions in energy costs and reduced emissions.

• Joe Rogan and Other Top Podcasts Spread Climate Disinfo, Research Finds (DeSmog) - Research finds 8 of 10 top podcasts spread climate misinformation, with Joe Rogan and others pushing subtle denial narratives rather than outright climate change rejection.

• GOP Budgets Propose Biggest Blows Yet to the IRA (Heatmap News) - House Republicans propose sweeping cuts to Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy programs and tax credits through multiple committee budgets.

• Shift Key Special Edition: The Fight Over the Inflation Reduction Act Has Arrived (Heatmap News) - House Ways and Means Committee releases proposal to drastically cut Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy tax credits as part of Republican budget plan.

• The House GOP Tax Proposal Would Effectively Kill The IRA (Heatmap News) - House GOP tax proposal aims to terminate major clean energy tax credits and EV incentives from Biden's Inflation Reduction Act by 2025-2032.

• House Republicans Plan Big Cuts to the IRA’s Clean Energy Grants (Heatmap News) - House Republicans propose $880 billion in budget cuts targeting IRA clean energy programs, including loan offices, industrial emissions reduction, and vehicle standards.

• The Real Problem With ‘Climate Realism’ (Heatmap News) - Council on Foreign Relations' new Climate Realism Initiative criticized for ignoring US emissions reductions while framing climate change primarily as foreign threat to American security.

• SOCAN Testimony Supporting SB926 (SOCAN) - Oregon climate group testifies in support of bill holding utilities financially liable for wildfire damage caused by their equipment, opposing cost transfer to ratepayers.

• How Climate and Air Pollution Are Silently Endangering Moms and Babies: Takeaways From the Maternal and Child Health Forum (Moms Clean Air Force) - Forum reveals critical links between environmental pollution, climate change, and severe maternal health disparities, particularly affecting women of color in the US.

• MEMO: The Week Ahead — Most Extreme Anti-Environmental Bill in U.S. History Charges Forward in the House (LCV) - House Republicans advance sweeping budget reconciliation bill targeting environmental protections, clean energy funding, and public lands while expanding fossil fuel industry benefits.

• Despite Problems in and out of State, Horne LLP Is Again Chosen by N.C. Officials to Run Disaster Relief Efforts (Inside Climate News) - North Carolina awards $81.5M disaster recovery contract to Horne LLP despite previous performance issues and recent $1.2M settlement in West Virginia over improper billing.

• Huge offshore project “within days” of being dumped over Trump administration delays (RenewEconomy) - Equinor's 810MW Empire Wind offshore project faces termination within days due to Trump administration's construction halt order, costing $50M weekly in delays.

• SwitchedOn podcast: Energy as a civil right, not just a commodity (RenewEconomy) - Former Biden energy justice director Shalanda Baker urges equitable clean energy transition to prevent disadvantaged communities from being left behind in decarbonization efforts.

• Ley elected first woman to lead Liberals, nuclear advocate O’Brien is deputy, and baseload is the focus (RenewEconomy) - Sussan Ley becomes first female Liberal Party leader in Australia, appointing nuclear advocate Ted O'Brien as deputy while emphasizing focus on "baseload" power.

• Littleproud’s first comments as re-elected Nationals leader: Blackout disinformation (RenewEconomy) - Re-elected Australian Nationals leader David Littleproud spreads misinformation about Spain's power grid blackouts and carbon capture storage capabilities.

• America Closed For Business: Bill Rolling Back IRA Provisions Will Slash Investment (CleanTechnica) - House Republicans propose bill to roll back major IRA clean energy incentives, threatening $200B+ in renewable investments and pushing capital toward EU and China.

• California Opposes Rooftop Solar For All The Wrong Reasons (CleanTechnica) - California utilities oppose rooftop solar by claiming ownership of customer-generated power and pushing legislation to cut compensation, despite evidence showing solar reduces grid costs.

• Amid ongoing drought, Interior nabs 18 new agreements for Colorado River conservation (Interior Department) - 18 new water conservation agreements secured with Arizona and California stakeholders to save 321,000 acre-feet in Lake Mead through 2026 amid Colorado River drought.

• Relief for renewables? US, China reach deal for 90-day pause on tariffs (Renewable Energy World) - US and China agree to reduce recent massive tariffs to 30% and 10% respectively in 90-day trade deal pause, boosting global markets.

• India-Pakistan conflict over water reflects a region increasingly vulnerable to climate change (RenewableEnergyWorld) - India's suspension of 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan signals growing water conflicts amid climate change impacts on Himalayan rivers serving 25% of global population.

• To the new environment minister, Murray Watt: it’s time to get reforms right | Lyndon Schneiders (The Guardian) - New Australian Environment Minister Murray Watt faces critical task of reforming national environmental laws after 15 years of failed attempts amid ongoing biodiversity loss.

• Secret Science - Mask the participants, not the study. (Energy Central) - EPA's "secret science" rule debate centers on balancing health data privacy with scientific transparency in environmental regulations, highlighting need for data masking over complete confidentiality.

• Explainer: Why Gender Will Be High on the Agenda at COP30 (Earth.org) - COP30 climate conference in Brazil to adopt new Gender Action Plan addressing women's disproportionate climate vulnerability and role in solutions.

• How Are New Governments in the UK, US, and Canada Responding to Climate Change? (Earth.org) - UK Labour Party promises bold climate action while Trump dismantles US progress and Canada's Carney pursues dual-track energy strategy balancing fossil fuels with emissions reduction.

• When Disaster Strikes Unequally: Climate Justice at the Forefront (Earth.org) - Climate disasters disproportionately impact marginalized communities, with studies showing racial minorities face higher risks and fewer resources during extreme weather events.

• Exposing Injustice in the Clean Energy Transition (REVOLVE) - Japanese-based journalist Nithin Coca exposes human rights violations in Asia's clean energy transition, highlighting exploitation in Xinjiang's massive solar projects and regional fossil fuel industries.

• How to talk to Republicans about offshore wind (Canary Media) - Offshore wind industry conference in Virginia focuses on strategies to appeal to Republican leadership amid Trump administration's anti-wind stance.

• Republicans Launch Plan to Scrap Biden Era Green Energy Tax Credits (ESG Today) - Republican tax plan aims to eliminate Biden-era green energy tax credits for EVs, clean energy production, and household renewables by 2025-2031.

• Guest Post: The EU Must Not Roll Back Its Green Regulations (ESGToday) - EU Commission's proposed Omnibus Simplification Package threatens to weaken CSRD environmental reporting requirements, potentially exempting 40% of currently compliant companies.

• New York Passes Budget with Over $1 Billion Investment in Decarbonization (ESG Today) - New York approves $1 billion budget for climate initiatives including building emissions reduction, EV infrastructure, and renewable energy expansion.

• Climate Policy Outlook: 4 stories to follow this week (Trellis) - Republican lawmakers split on IRA clean energy credits while Montana GOP fights to preserve public lands amid broader policy debates on energy and environmental regulations.

• Tory energy spokesman claims UN climate experts are ‘biased’ (The Guardian) - Conservative energy spokesman Andrew Bowie claims IPCC climate scientists are biased and suggests UK could withdraw from Paris Agreement under Badenoch leadership.

• UK windfall tax can fund switch to green jobs for North Sea oil workers – report (The Guardian) - UK study shows permanent windfall tax on North Sea oil could fund £1.9bn annual worker transition to renewable energy jobs.

• Climate Resilience Project (Gonzaga University) - Climate Resilience Project partners with Carl Maxey Center to address environmental inequities and extreme weather impacts in Spokane's underserved East Central neighborhood.

• Climate Literacy Project (Gonzaga University) - Undergraduate students teach K-8 classrooms hands-on climate science lessons through Climate Literacy Fellows program aimed at localizing climate education.

• The Time is Now (Gonzaga University) - Climate Institute launches initiative to build community trust and climate resilience in Spokane through local relationship-based action and education.

• Governor Kim Tae-heum of Chungnam, South Korea, on accelerating subnational climate leadership (Under2 Coalition) - South Korean Chungnam Governor outlines regional climate action plan including coal plant phase-out, methane reduction, and citizen engagement initiatives.

• "Our commitment is towards people." - Deepali Khanna on making change happen in Asia (The Climate Group) - Rockefeller Foundation's Asia head emphasizes rapid, innovative action and long-term commitment to transform vulnerable communities through climate initiatives.

• "There's a huge opportunity for Asai to be a leader for climate action." - Kimiko Hirata (Climate Group) - Asia's growing economy and supply chains position it for climate leadership, with Japan playing crucial role in regional decarbonization and renewable energy development.

• Cracks of Light: What I learned in Europe and inspiration of the Road to Belem (Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative) - European tour reveals accelerating support for fossil fuel phaseout treaty amid growing recognition that energy security requires ending fossil fuel dependence.

• Trump’s war on efficiency  (Canary Media) - Trump administration wages multi-front assault on energy efficiency standards, from light bulbs to appliances, while states mount legal challenges.

• You’re Invited! Prep Your Climate Coverage: Summer Heat & Hurricanes (Covering Climate Now) - Global journalism initiative hosts webinar to help reporters better cover climate change's impact on summer heat waves and hurricanes.

• How the EPA and NOAA are being hobbled by DOGE red tape (Nature) - EPA's main science division faces effective shutdown as Musk's DOGE task force restrictions hobble multiple federal agencies including NOAA through funding cuts.

• Talking offshore wind in the Trump era (Canary Media) - Offshore wind industry leaders shift messaging to focus on economic benefits rather than climate impacts when engaging with Republican lawmakers.

• Traffickers slither through loopholes with wild-caught African snakes and lizards (Mongabay) - South African wildlife traffickers exploit legal gaps to export native reptiles and amphibians as captive-bred specimens for international pet trade, study reveals.

• The Climate Fiction Prize 2025: the five shortlisted books reviewed by our experts (The Conversation) - Five shortlisted novels for 2025 Climate Fiction Prize explore environmental crisis through diverse storytelling perspectives, from Nigerian drought to space station observations.

• Council leader accepted Spurs tickets days before felling of ancient oak (The Guardian) - Enfield council leader accepted free Spurs match tickets days before ancient oak's controversial felling by company linked to football club.

Renewables

Renew Our Power activists, Kilvinane wind farm upgrades, HubSpot's PosiGen & EKOenergy partnerships, EBRD/AfDB solar projects, Astronergy/AESOLAR/Seraphim at Intersolar, US solar/wind growth, Bright Saver's plug-in solar, and MARBERO's 30W panel.

• The Energy Lives On (350.org) - Global climate activists gather at Renew Our Power event to share strategies for community-led renewable energy transitions and deliver demands to COP30 President.

• Ameresco Secures Approval for Wind Turbine Upgrade in Ireland, Boosting Renewable Energy Production (Ameresco) - Irish wind farm secures approval for turbine upgrades at Kilvinane facility, set to generate 8,500 MWh annually for national grid.

• How HubSpot made a global impact with smart renewable energy choices (3Degrees) - HubSpot achieves global renewable energy goals through strategic partnerships with PosiGen Solar and EKOenergy-certified projects, supporting low-income communities and developing regions.

• Middle East & Africa Solar PV News Snippets: EBRD Shells Out $30 Million For Egypt Project & More (TaiyangNews) - EBRD provides $30M for Egypt's 1GW solar-storage hybrid project, while AfDB funds solar developments in Togo, Nigeria and Zambia.

• Astronergy shines with its breakthroughs at Intersolar Europe 2025 (TaiyangNews) - Astronergy showcases advanced n-type solar modules with zero-busbar technology and new European partnerships at Intersolar Europe 2025.

• Intersolar Europe 2025 Recap: Innovation, Partnerships, and Recognition (TaiyangNews) - AESOLAR showcases new solar module innovations at Intersolar Europe 2025, including retrofit-focused Déjà Vu series and DIBt-certified Horizon carport module.

• Seraphim’s Innovative Full-Screen Bifacial Module At Intersolar Europe 2025 (TaiyangNews) - Seraphim unveils 620W full-screen bifacial solar module with innovative steel-aluminum frame design at Intersolar Europe 2025.

• SOCAN Testimony Supporting SB827 (SOCAN) - Oregon climate group testifies in support of bill offering rebates for solar power and battery storage systems to address renewable energy intermittency issues.

• Solar and wind make up 98 pct of new US generation capacity in Trump’s first three months (RenewEconomy) - Solar and wind account for 98% of new US electricity generation capacity in Q1 2025, with solar alone representing 72.3% despite Trump administration opposition.

• Replacing Yallourn: Onshore wind and more transmission will be cheaper than offshore wind (RenewEconomy) - Analysis shows onshore wind in Australia's Riverina region with new transmission infrastructure would cost 60% less than offshore wind projects for replacing Victoria's Yallourn coal plant.

• From Backyards To Balconies: The New Face Of Solar Power With Bright Saver (CleanTechnica) - San Francisco nonprofit Bright Saver launches plug-in solar panel system for renters and homeowners without suitable roofs, offering affordable monthly payments and simple installation process.

• The Shift: Knowing the Drill (Bluedot Living) - Third-generation driller Brock Yordy transitions from oil and gas to leading geothermal drilling education, advocating for clean energy expansion through ground-source heat pumps.

• Sam Kimmins - “97% of businesses want renewable energy.” (Climate Group) - Survey reveals 97% of global businesses desire renewable electricity due to cost stability and market advantages, with major firms' combined demand exceeding South Korea's annual usage.

• Two Reliability Certificates! ASTRO N7s Showcases Outstanding Performance in Extreme Conditions (TaiyangNews) - Astronergy's ASTRO N7s solar modules secure VKF hail impact and TÜV NORD mechanical load certifications, demonstrating exceptional durability in extreme weather conditions.

• Tiny But Mighty: The MARBERO 30W Solar Panel Is A Steal At 59% Off (CleanTechnica) - MARBERO's compact 30W solar panel with 23% efficiency and multi-device charging capability now available at $28.49, down 59% from original price.

Transport

LNG bunkering faces scrutiny, RVL Aviation plans hydrogen cargo flights, Australian drivers prefer hybrids, House targets Tesla, Chery Omoda E5 gains favor, depot charging is key, Ampersand rebrands, Spiro expands, PA charging hub opens, EV sales surge, Air NZ revises targets, cities try free transit, EV demand threatens forests, AIKO partners with Solar Team Twente.

• Port of Vancouver: bunkering cruise ships with LNG is nothing to be proud of (Stand.earth) - Port of Vancouver faces criticism for promoting LNG bunkering of cruise ships, as methane emissions from LNG are 84 times more harmful to climate than CO2.

• ZeroAvia Launch Operator RVL Aviation to Fly World First Zero-Emission Cargo Services in the UK (ZeroAvia) - UK-based RVL Aviation signs agreement to operate world's first zero-emission cargo flights using hydrogen-electric powered Cessna Caravans by 2025.

• Range anxiety – or charger drama? Australians are buying hybrid cars because they don’t trust public chargers (The Conversation) - Australian drivers opt for hybrid vehicles over EVs due to widespread distrust in public charging infrastructure reliability and availability.

• Congress Could Break Tesla’s Revenue Model (Heatmap News) - House budget proposals threaten Tesla's profitability by targeting regulatory credits and EV tax incentives that comprised 38% of company's 2024 net income.

• 4 Months with the Chery Omoda E5 (CleanTechnica) - Australian EV owner shares positive transition from Holden Volt hybrid to more affordable Chery Omoda E5 electric SUV, highlighting improved range and technology at lower cost.

• Electric Depots: The Key To Electrifying Road Logistics (CleanTechnica) - New study reveals depot charging is crucial for rapid adoption of battery-electric heavy-duty vehicles in regional freight transport, with nearly half of trucks in major European markets suitable for overnight depot charging.

• Ampersand Unveils Upgraded Electric Motorcycle Named “Alpha” (CleanTechnica) - Ampersand rebrands flagship electric motorcycle as "Alpha" with 50+ upgrades while expanding its EV charging network across Africa, serving 5,700+ motorcycles traveling 950,000 km daily.

• Spiro Launches In Cameroon & Tanzania (CleanTechnica) - African e-mobility company Spiro expands battery-swapping network for electric motorcycles to Tanzania and Cameroon, bringing total operations to 8 countries with 600+ swap stations serving 30,000 bikes.

• New EV Charging Hub Opens In Pennsylvania (CleanTechnica) - Pennsylvania's largest regional EV charging hub opens near Harrisburg International Airport with 6 chargers, 12 ports, and solar-powered canopies in $2 million project.

• 179. The future of the Auto Industry: Winners, challengers and zombies - Redefining Energy podcast (Redefining Energy) - Global EV sales surge 29% in Q1 2025 despite auto industry tariff disruptions, with China leading growth at 36% followed by Europe and North America.

• Air New Zealand Sets New 2030 Climate Goals After Dropping out of SBTi (ESG Today) - Air New Zealand sets new 2030 emissions reduction target of 20-25% after withdrawing from Science Based Targets initiative due to implementation challenges.

• Can public transport ever replace cars? (DW) - Cities worldwide experiment with free public transport and infrastructure redesign to reduce car dependency, but psychological attachment to cars remains a major barrier.

• How to make electric vehicles that don’t trash forests through mining (Climate Change News) - Study shows EU's electric vehicle demand could destroy 118,000 hectares of forest by 2050 unless alternative battery technologies and strict mining policies are adopted.

• AIKO Partners with Solar Team Twente to Power Innovation in the 2025 World Solar Challenge (TaiyangNews) - AIKO partners with Solar Team Twente to provide high-efficiency solar cells for their vehicle in 2025 World Solar Challenge race across Australia.