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Opinion:

¶ “Comparing Trump And Obama Iran Deals” • After President Donald Trump signed an MOU with Iran, there has been an urge to compare the deal Trump made with the one he tore up during his first term in office: President Obama’s 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Trump said he feared sending the US into a depression. [ABC News]

World:

¶ “El Niño Raises Fears Of Summer Wildfires In Portugal” • Portugal is far from the Pacific, but that does not mean it is shielded from the impacts of El Niño. A hot summer means a need for heightened vigilance, not only regarding the health effects of heat, especially for people working outdoors, but also in relation to wildfires. [Euronews]

¶ “Gas Expansion In The Guise Of Security: Is Europe Making The Energy Crisis Permanent? ” • The fossil fuel price shock triggered by the war on Iran has exposed Europe’s dangerous reliance on oil and gas. But rather than treating it as a warning, governments across the EU are doubling down with plans to build almost 60 GW of new gas plants. [Euronews]

¶ “Energy Independence is Becoming Solar’s Strongest Selling Point” • TIME magazine carried an article by Alexis Abramson, dean of the Columbia Climate School, who said the failed assault on Iran altered the way people think about solar energy. “Across the US and globally, interest in clean energy is accelerating faster than at any point in history.” [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Solar With Firming Now Beating Gas In Asia, And EVs Could Save Region $350 Billion A Year” • It is a big headline figure: Ember estimates Asia could eventually save $350 billion a year on oil imports if it electrified its fleets. $350 billion. Every year. And “Firmed solar can now undercut most of the new gas power capacity Asia is planning to build.” [CleanTechnica]

¶ “wpd Commences Operation Of First Onshore Wind Farm In Japan” • German Renewable Developer wpd has started the commercial operation of its first onshore wind project in Japan, the 7.48-MW Higashi Izu Furusato Wind Power Plant. Doing so, it is meeting its planned timeline and marking a key expansion into the Japanese market. [Asian Power]

¶ “RWE Inaugurates Three French Wind Farms” • RWE has inaugurated three wind farms in the Hauts-de-France and Grand Est regions of France. RWE said the Catillon-Fumechon, Chemin de Châlons, and Catésis projects have a combined capacity of 68.8 MW. The three wind farms will generate enough electricity for about 38,000 households. [reNews]

¶ “High French River Temperatures Expected To Limit Nuclear Power Output Next Week” • French state-owned utility EDF warned that three nuclear plants face production curbs next week because of high temperatures on the Rhone and Garonne rivers as France grapples with its second heatwave this spring. The plants us the river for cooling. [MSN]

¶ “RWE To Beef Up German Hybrid Site” • RWE is expanding its solar project between Bedburg and Jüchen in Germany and is building a 75-MW battery storage system. The company said the second phase will add around 20 MW, increasing total capacity to more than 100 MW. The site will generate enough electricity to supply around 34,000 households. [reNews]

US:

¶ “Here Comes Another New Addition To The US EV Battery Ecosystem” • Graphite One tells why the demand for graphite among battery manufacturers is so large. “Despite research into silicon, lithium metal, and other alternatives, none have yet matched graphite’s combination of, cost, and manufacturability,” the company enthuses. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Trump Administration Reveals List Of Civil Rights, Climate Change Materials Removed From National Parks” • The Trump administration revealed the list of materials that the National Park Service removed from US parks that relate to civil rights, diverse populations, science, and the environment. The list was made public as part of a court filing. [ABC News]

¶ “Trump Administration Illegally Extends Operations Of The Culley And Schahfer Coal Plants Yet Again” • The Trump DOE announced the third extension for the Culley and Schahfer coal-fired power plants since they were ordered to stay open at the end of 2025. But the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission says both are broken. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Agrivoltaics Gets Big Thumbs-Up From A State Struggling To Conserve Its Agrarian Heritage” • The Piedmont Environmental Council is known for establishing the first crop-based agrivoltaic system in Virginia. It’s a relatively small project, but the impact of the project has resonated through the halls of the Virginia state legislature. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Court Ruling Deals Major Blow To Trump’s War On Wind Power” • The Trump administration is quietly backing off of its war on wind as it faces increasing legal headwinds and energy prices soar. A recent report finds that wind projects still come online during Trump’s current term, and investments in the wind sector are strong. [OilPrice.com]

¶ “Meta Is Buying Up To 6.6 GW Of Nuclear Power To Feed Its AI Data Centers” • Meta Platforms has committed to purchasing up to 6.6 GW of nuclear power through 20-year agreements with Vistra Corp. The contracts will supply electricity for Meta’s expanding network of artificial intelligence data centers with “reliable baseload energy.” [MSN]

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World:

¶ “What El Niño Could Mean For Europe This Year” • Climate scientists warned that El Niño has begun, as the world braces for a year of extreme weather. Experts at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education warn that the climate phenomenon can have severe knock-on effects, triggering drought, food insecurity, and even electricity shortages. [Euronews]

¶ “Maritime Organisations Call For Electrification Action Plan To Include Shipping” • An electric transition is getting possible for the shipping industry. Ships are increasingly able to use to local grids for the purpose. Important barriers remain, and including shipping in the EU’s Electrification Action Plan is essential for the electrification of the industry. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “New Fleet Of Electric Hydrofoil Boats To Be Deployed In The Maldives” • Travel between islands in the Maldives could soon be smoother and more sustainable. The US maritime technology company Navier and Dubai-based JIH Global Investment have confirmed a $100 million partnership to establish the Navier Network to connect the islands. [Euronews]

¶ “Economic Growth No Longer Guarantees Fuel Growth” • For most of the twentieth century, a simple assumption worked well enough for energy forecasting: When economies grew, fuel demand grew with them. It became one of the easier ways to get the transition wrong. Now, what used to convert growth into fossil fuel demand no longer does. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Brazil EV Sales Report: 153% Growth In May” • Brazilian car sales nearly always peak in December, but this year is proving different. Already in March, EV sales were at the levels they hit in December 2025. By May, they have grown nearly 40% over the prior record. In previous years, that only happened after an entire twelve months. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Ireland Quadruples Solar Energy Capacity In Three-Year Period” • Ireland’s solar sector nearly quadrupled its total energy capacity to 2.7 GW over the past three years, according to Solar Ireland’s annual ‘Scale of Solar’ report on the industry. Ireland’s total connected solar capacity is now predicted to exceed 3.3 GW by the end of this year. [Silicon Republic]

¶ “RWE Completes Nordseecluster A Cable Campaign” • RWE offshore wind GmbH finished the inter-array cable campaign at its Nordseecluster A offshore wind project in Germany. RWE said 48 cables were laid, buried, terminated, and tested during the campaign. With the array now connected, the project has moved on to turbine installation. [reNews]

¶ “Iran War Exposes Asia’s Oil Risk As Solar Becomes A Security Tool” • The Iran war has exposed a hard truth for Southeast Asia: The region still depends on imported fuels that move through risky shipping routes. The conflict showed how quickly energy security can become a problem when supplies of fuel depend on a bottleneck being open. [Microgrid Media]

¶ “Solar Power Study Might Solve A Big Transmission Problem” • A study was to find the impact of shade cast by the transmission cables, as well as whether placing the components near each other can cause electromagnetic field interference. Surprisingly, the study’s data showed that the shade cast by the power lines barely affected PV performance. [MSN]

US:

¶ “After Months Of War, Trump Says Iran Has Right To Nuclear Program” • This seems to be a sharp departure from Trump’s previous claims. After months of insisting that the purpose of the war was to end any nuclear capability by Iran, and demanding “zero enrichment,” Trump is now saying that the country can use nuclear power for electricity. [The New Republic]

¶ “DOJ Seeks To Dismiss Air Pollution Lawsuit Against xAI” • The US DOE is helping one of Elon Musk’s companies fight a civil rights lawsuit that alleges it is illegally running dozens of natural gas turbines to power a $20 billion Mississippi data center. The NAACP suit says xAI is running dozens of portable turbines without proper emissions controls. [ABC News]

¶ “DOJ Rushes To Help xAI Pollute The Skies Over Mississippi” • xAI has created a series of gigantic data centers in Tennessee and northern Mississippi. The local utilities do not have generating capacity to meet their electricity demand, so Elon Musk brought in a fleet of fifty or more portable methane-powered generators to keep up their supply. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Trump Pays Off Energy Company In Grudge Match Against Offshore Wind” • Reportedly, Donald Trump is paying $765 million to get Invenergy to abandon four offshore wind leases. This comes days after the US voluntarily dismissed its own appeal in an ongoing legal challenge against Trump’s executive order to ban US wind development. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “High Tech Hydropower Transmission Trips Up Trump’s Fossil Fuel Fantasy ” • The New York City metro area took up to 20% off the carbon footprint of its electric demand with a new 1.25-GW HVDC transmission line, the Champlain Hudson Power Express. The line connects ratepayers with in downstate New York with hydropower resources in Quebec. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “TMI Owner Says Pennsylvania Nuclear Plant Is On Track To Reopen Next Year” • Constellation Energy crews have worked since 2024 to reopen Three Mile Island’s Unit 1 to meet spiking electricity demand, especially for planned data centers. Three Mile Island closed in 2019 because it was unable to compete with cheaper sources of electricity. [MSN]

Have a sufficiently gorgeous day

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World:

¶ “Nearly All Children Are Exposed To Lasting Health Impacts Of Climate Change” • Nearly every child in the world is exposed to climate hazards that threaten their health and development, a UNICEF report says. It found the impact on children’s physical and mental health, as well as well-being and access to education and protection, is enormous. [Euronews]

¶ “Solar-Powered Fridges Are Boosting Farmers’ Incomes By 50%” • Solar-powered, off-grid cold rooms, warehouses and cooling hubs allow farmers and traders to preserve perishable goods without relying on expensive and unreliable electricity grids. This shift is gaining momentum across Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda and South Africa. [Euronews]

¶ “Massive Chunk Of Antarctic Sea Ice Didn’t Refreeze, Satellite Images Show” • Every winter, Antarctic sea ice grows and decays. But since 2015, the sea ice has entered a “new, much reduced state,” in which less and less is re-freezing due to rising air and sea temperatures. Now an amount of sea ice in West Antarctica about the size of Montana is missing. [ABC News]

¶ “Europe’s Sovereignty Budget” • Every year, Europe spends around €430 billion on imported fossil fuels. Instead of investing in a resilient, homegrown energy system based on renewables, Europe pays huge annual premiums for its dependence on fossil fuels. They fund some of the world’s worst regimes, some of which undermine Europe’s security. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “UK Plans To Roll Back EV Mandate” • Automakers and UK trade unions have been lobbying to water down its EV mandates for years. They cite concerns about costs and loss of jobs in the automotive sector if the mandates were enforced. The UK government has announced it will hold a consultation on what the new 2030 target should be. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Fossil Fuels Are 40% Of Freight Shipping Tonnage, But Half Its Fuel Use” • Maritime fuel debates usually start with the wrong object. They look at today’s bunker fuel demand and ask what fuels can scale far enough to replace it. A better question is how much maritime fuel demand remains after the energy transition changes the cargoes ships carry. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Siemens Energy Wins A 2-GW Converter Deal” • Siemens Energy and Neptun Smulders Offshore Renewables have won a contract from 50Hertz to deliver the North Sea Connector 2 grid connection system in the North Sea with capacity of up to 2 GW. Siemens Energy will equip the offshore converter platform with electrical transmission technologies. [reNews]

¶ “Strong Support For Government-Backed Renewable Energy Future” • A new survey reveals that Australians are strongly in favour of government-owned energy infrastructure and public investment in renewables. Three-quarters of those polled say government should play an active role in building and running energy assets. [pv magazine Australia]

¶ “European Energy Inaugurates Solar Park In Latvia” • European Energy is inaugurating the 148-MW Tārgale Solar Park in Ventspils Municipality, its first completed and fully grid-connected renewable energy project in Latvia. The €80 million project is to generate around 154,550 MWh annually. The project is supported by a 10-MW PPA with Apple. [reNews]

¶ “EU To Finance €690 Million Upgrade Of Egypt’s Grid To Boost Renewables” • Egypt and the EU are strengthening their strategic partnership in renewable energy through a financing package of up to €690 million to upgrade and expand Egypt’s electricity transmission network, according to a press release from the EU. [Egypt Oil & Gas]

US:

¶ “‘Scientists Were Dead Right’: Al Gore Says On Anniversary Of ‘An Inconvenient Truth'” • The scientists have been right about climate change all along, said former Vice President Al Gore on the 20th anniversary of the release of “An Inconvenient Truth,” the Oscar-winning documentary about his campaign to educate people about climate change. [ABC News]

¶ “EVs Will Come Roaring Back, Rivian Edition” • The US startup Rivian just won’t take no for an answer. Despite the dismal state of affairs in the US market, the automaker aims to beat industry leader Tesla at its own game as a maker of 100% battery powered premium EVs, without using hybrids or range extenders to pad sales numbers. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Solar Manufacturing Capex In The USA Exploded From $150 Million In 2020 To $2.5 Billion In 2026” • US solar PV making has gone from small potatoes to a giant industry since Joe Biden took office in 2021. Here’s a whopper of a stat: The capex of US solar manufacturing burgeoned from $150 million in 2020 to an estimated $2.5 billion in 2026. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Verogy Is Turning Four Municipal Landfills Into Solar Farms” • Construction has started on solar energy installations being developed by Verogy at four municipal landfill sites in the towns of Mansfield, Morris, Somers, and Suffield, Connecticut. The projects are turning closed landfills into clean energy assets that benefit host communities. [Solar Power World]

¶ “Nuclear Reactor Discussed For VT Yankee Site” • The Vernon Selectboard is to hear plans by a Texas company to redevelop the site where the Vermont Nuclear Power Plant was. The agenda reads: Planning Commission-NorthStar/Power Transitions Proposed Site Development; Battery Storage, Data Center and mini nuclear power plant. [Vermont Daily Chronicle]

Have a mystifyingly magnificent day.

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World:

¶ “Spain’s Renewables Revolution Is Paying Off” • New analysis shows that Spanish households have each saved €10 per month on their electricity bills since the Hormuz strait was effectively closed in March. In the Spanish’s transition to renewable energy, the influence fossil fuels have on the electricity price has been reduced by 75% since 2019. [Euronews]

¶ “French Schools Could Change Exam Times Due To Extreme Heat” • Students in France are taking their Baccalaureate exams just as another intense heatwave hits with temperatures of up ro 40°C (104°F). The French Minister of National Education is proposing shifting future exam times so they don’t take place at the hottest times of day. [Euronews]

¶ “Cuba Quantifies Impact Of US Oil Blockade On Children’s Health And Daily Life” • The survival rate for Cuban children with cancer has fallen from 85% before the US energy blockade began in January to 65%, according to a report from Cubadebate. The report said 100,000 children younger than seven can’t even get a daily liter of milk from the state. [ABC News]

¶ “Renault EV Demand Grew 50% In Some Markets From Iran War” • One result of the US and Israel war against Iran is that Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz and much of the world’s oil couldn’t get to market. The CEO of Renault recently said that EV demand in France and Germany grew by 50% for the company since the US started the war. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Spain Could Have Nearly 7 GW of Offshore Solar Power” • Most of us don’t think about offshore solar power much, but there are some who have the sense to examine it well. A team of researchers from the University of A Coruña found that up to 6.48 GW of floating offshore solar capacity could be developed off the coast of Spain. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “NSW Powers Up Australia’s First Eight-Hour Battery” • The Limondale Battery Energy Storage System, the first operational eight-hour battery in Australia, promises to be a major milestone in NSW’s renewable energy transition. The 50-MW, 400-MWh Limondale BESS will help increase the amount of renewable energy available to the grid. [Utility Magazine]

¶ “Dutch Increase IJmuiden Ver Strike Price Caps” • The Dutch cabinet has increased financial support for the IJmuiden Ver Gamma-A and Gamma-B offshore wind farms to secure market interest in 2 GW of new capacity in the North Sea. The cabinet said the maximum tender amount for IJmuiden Ver Gamma-A will rise from €104/MWh to €117/MWh. [reNews]

¶ “New Zealand hits 94.5% renewable power as solar surges” • In the first three months of 2026, renewables generated 94.5% of New Zealand’s electricity, with solar output hitting a record high. The data makes the nation’s future clean-energy targets look far more attainable. They appear in New Zealand’s latest Energy Quarterly publication. [MSN]

¶ “Vestas Installs 100 V236 Offshore Turbines” • Vestas has installed 100 of its V236 offshore wind turbines globally. Each has a capacity of 15.0MW. The company said the 100th turbine was installed at the Baltic Power offshore wind farm owned by ORLEN and Northland Power. The project will have 76 of the turbines for 1.2 GW of capacity. [reNews]

¶ “Pressure Piled On Russia As PM Steps Up Support To Power Ukraine At G7 Summit” • The UK is set to power Ukraine with nuclear fuel for the next two years and announce a new swathe of sanctions, as the Prime Minister declares support. This comes as G7 gets under way with a roundtable session on building peace and security for Ukraine and for Europe. [GOV.UK]

US:

¶ “Gas Prices Fall Below $4 A Gallon, GasBuddy Says” • After an agreement between the US and Iran, the national average price of a gallon of gas stands at $3.99, marking a decline of more than 9¢ over the past week, according to a GasBuddy post. Gas prices, however, continue to register well above where they stood before the Iran war. [ABC News]

¶ “Trump Retreats from Lawsuit Challenging Illegal Wind Ban” • The Trump administration has voluntarily dismissed its own appeal in a lawsuit challenging Donald Trump’s executive order banning wind project development in the US. The judge had ruled the order was “capricious and arbitrary.” This effectively ends the unlawful windpower ban. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Circularity Cuts Cost Of Making Sustainable Aviation Fuel From Bio-Methane” • In recent six-month trial, Circularity Fuels showed that biogas from a California dairy farm manure digester was successfully converted to a drop-in aviation fuel. It meets the ASTM D7566 Annex A1 specifications in use for the jet engines of commercial aircraft. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Solar Energy Is Essential (Trump Just Won’t Admit It)” • In a press statement announcing an award of $18.1 million to a germanium producer, the Defense Department took note of the applications it will be used for. Solar made the cut. “Germanium is also essential for solar cells that power military and civilian satellites,” the agency stated. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Ohio Has Blocked A Lot Of Wind And Solar; Its Residents Pay The Price” • The Ohio Supreme Court recently blocked a permit for what would be the state’s largest solar installation, in the latest example of how lawmakers and other officials have obstructed renewable energy in Ohio. It means the least expensive power is not available for residents. [Ohio Capital Journal]

Have a predictably prefect day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Electricity Scarcity Will Shape AI’s Future Trajectory” • The race for supremacy in artificial intelligence is often portrayed as a contest of intellectual prowess: better models, faster chips and more sophisticated algorithms. But this perspective misses a harder, less glamorous truth. The real frontier of AI isn’t the silicon. It’s the electricity. [China Daily]

Science and Technology:

¶ “New World Record Set For Solar Module With Perovskite” • Another day, another reason why fossil fuels are toast. Persistent innovation in solar cells has sent the conversion efficiency in the industry through the roof. Last week some new world efficiency records were set, one of which is for solar modules made tandem perovskite-silicon cells. [CleanTechnica]

World:

¶ “Italy’s Cinque Terre Coastline Could Be Flooded By 13-Meter Waves By 2150 As Sea Levels Rise” • In the Italian region of Liguria, the Cinque Terre National Park is known for its colorful houses, fishing harbors, steep cliffsides, and hiking trails. But analysis suggests its villages could be at serious risk of flooding in the next 125 years. [Euronews]

¶ “Energy Experts Warn Of Slow Oil And Gas Supply Recovery After Iran Deal” • It will likely take months for energy companies to resume operations and meet global demand fully, according to energy experts. The slow pace of shipping and refining crude oil, along with uncertainty over safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, means relief will take time. [Euronews]

¶ “Transition Scenarios Need A Better Population Denominator For 2100” • The world went from about 2.5 billion people in 1950 to over 8 billion today. That expansion still shapes assumptions about food, energy, housing, and much more. A lot of long-range thinking still carries that demographic memory. But the actual growth curve has changed. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Ocean Winds Installs First Tréport Turbine” • Ocean Winds has installed the first turbine at the 500-MW Dieppe Le Tréport offshore wind farm off the coast of France. Ocean Winds said the project will comprise 62 turbines and is capable of supplying electricity that is equivalent to the annual consumption of about 850,000 people. [reNews]

¶ “Wind Farms Lift Irish Rates Income” • Wind farms in Ireland will contribute almost €75 million in commercial rates to local authorities in 2026. Wind Energy Ireland said analysis compiled by Halpin’s showed annual rates payments from wind farms increased from €69.27 million in March 2025 to €74.87 million in March 2026. [reNews]

¶ “Can Solar Power Plants Trigger Rainfall In The UAE? German Scientists Investigate A Surprising Desert Phenomenon” • A simulation suggests that once dark artificial surfaces reach a certain size, they begin to influence local weather patterns in unexpected ways. In the case of the UAE, that influence could include an increase in rainfall. [MSN]

¶ “Hitachi Energy Expands Zero-Emission Power Portfolio With HyFlex Compact” • Hitachi Energy introduced HyFlex Compact, a hybrid generator and flexible power hub. It provides electricity without emissions for temporary and off-grid applications such as construction projects. To provide electricity, it combines a fuel cell system with a battery. [Renewable Energy Magazine]|

US:

¶ “$7,000 For Rooftop Solar Permitting!? Time To Automate It” • According to an analysis from Frontier Group and Environment America, permitting requirements can add a whopping $7,000 to the cost of a rooftop solar power system. The good news in New York is that lawmakers are pushing to do away with complicated, costly permitting requirements. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Elon Musk’s Missed Full Self-Driving Targets” • CleanTechnica has covered Elon Musk’s predictions about when Tesla would implement true, unsupervised, full self-driving would arrive. They have gone on for a decade. So far, they have always been off. However, just how off they were ten years ago is something worth remembering. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Constellation Energy Passes Another Regulatory Hurdle For Three Mile Island” • US energy regulators advanced plans to restart the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, allowing the company to transfer certain grid rights from its Eddystone plant to the Three Mile Island facility, which is to serve a Microsoft data center’s energy needs. [Yahoo Finance]

¶ “Haaland Unveils Renewable Energy Plan Aimed At Lowering Utility Costs In New Mexico” • Deb Haaland, the Democratic nominee for governor of New Mexico, unveiled a plan to expand the state’s renewable energy sector. The goal is to lower utility costs for residents while strengthening New Mexico’s role as a national energy producer. [Native News Online]

Have a totally copacetic day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Aviation Fuel Demand Doesn’t Collapse. Cheap Kerosene Growth Does” • COVID did not permanently break aviation, but recovery is not the same as returning to cheap kerosene growth. The old aviation model was built around abundant, energy-dense, relatively cheap liquid fossil fuel. A new model must look at the industry differently. [CleanTechnica]

World:

¶ “Trump Allows Iran Civilian Nuclear Program In Peace Bid” • Donald Trump agreed to a major concession to end the war in Iran: allowing the Islamic Republic to retain some of its civilian nuclear program. The Trump administration gave Iran a green light to hold onto its civilian nuclear power plants as long as they can’t be used to create a nuclear weapon. [MSN]

¶ “Fraunhofer Wants Solar Cells On Vehicles, To Help The Grid” • At a time when the energy transition is going through so many challenges in Europe, could solar cells on vehicles make a big difference? A European pilot project led by TNO, Fraunhofer ISE, Sono Motors, IM Efficiency, and Lightyear, investigated the technical and practical potential. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “The Big ICE Meltdown: May’s China EV Sales Report” • In the past, strong EV sales meant setting records. This time, the overall market in China dropped 22% YOY, to around 1.5 million sales. ICE-powered models crashed 39% YOY, and plugin hybrids were not much better in May. Pure battery EVs were the only thing that grew. And they were up 42%! [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Clean Energy Investments Surge, But That Is Only Part Of The Story” • The general perception is that the US massive push favoring the dirtiest forms of energy means global investments in fossil fuels are soaring. The reality is quite different. According to the IEA, clean energy investments last year were $2.2 trillion, while $1.2 trillion went into fossil fuels. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “External Power Supply Restored At Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant” • Power engineers have restored external power to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant following yet another power outage caused by russian shelling. This is the nineteenth instance of a complete loss of external power to the nuclear plant since Russian troops occupied it. [Ukrainian news]

¶ “Inner Mongolia To Turn Its Vast Renewable Energy Into An Edge In Green Computing” • AI makes power supply, cost, and carbon emissions key concerns for the industry. As AI pushes demand for data centers, China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region is seeking to turn its vast renewable energy resources into a competitive edge in green computing. [China Daily]

US:

¶ “US Democratic Lawmakers Pledge To Help Speed Up Disaster Recovery In Puerto Rico” • A group of US Democratic lawmakers promised Puerto Ricans that they would try to speed up the slow recovery from destructive hurricanes and earthquakes, a process that relies heavily on federal funds. There have been a number of factors slowing down the response. [ABC News]

¶ “Gas Prices Are Falling Toward $4 Per Gallon But Outlook Is Uncertain, Analysts Say” • Gas prices have fallen toward $4 per gallon in recent weeks, nearing the milestone as oil costs have eased in response to negotiations between the US and Iran. The US average price of a gallon of gas stands at $4.10, after declining 40¢, or 8.8%, over the past month. [ABC News]

¶ “Green Signs Executive Order To Preserve 2026 Renewable Energy Tax Credit” • Governor Josh Green issued an executive order effectively preserving Hawaii’s solar tax credit changed by Act 24 for 2026. This action protects investment decisions made in the past few months and addresses concerns expressed by the state’s solar industry. [Hawaii Tribune-Herald]

¶ “Super El Niño Will Mean More To South Carolina Folks As Hurricane Season Goes On” • Scientists are gearing up for El Niño to emerge soon, making big changes to the Palmetto State’s weather. It will impact everything from temperature and rain to possible hurricanes. There’s a growing chance that the climate event will become “super.” [AOL.com]

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World:

¶ “Rare Coastal Floods Now 12 Times More Likely – Human-Driven Climate Change Is A Major Contributor” • Once rare extreme floods in coastal communities are far more common than they had been. Human-caused climate change makes sea levels higher, research shows, and when higher sea levels add to high tides, storm surges are worse. [Euronews]

¶ “Antarctica Records Winter Temperatures 20°C Warmer Than Normal” • The Antarctic has been experiencing alarmingly high temperatures this month. The mercury climbed to over 15°C at one weather station in June, soaring past previous winter heat records. The unusual temperatures are sparking fears over the acceleration of climate collapse. [Euronews]

¶ “El Niño Is Here And Scientists Fear It’ll Be Big, Bad, And Costly” • NOAA has confirmed the start of El Niño. Weather scientists forecast it will rival or exceed a record El Niño that began in 1997 and helped trigger billions of dollars in damage from heatwaves, floods, droughts, tornadoes, and wildfires. Its effects are global. [Euronews]

¶ “Brazil Reports Drop In Amazon Deforestation Rates, Pushing Back On US Tariff Accusations” • Brazilian officials announced a sharp drop in deforestation rates, pushing back on an argument the US used last week to justify additional tariffs on the South American country. They said Amazon deforestation was down 61.4% from May of 2025. [ABC News]

¶ “Most Efficient Solar Module In The World” • The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) is no stranger to solar power records, and it has just set another one. Through its own III-V germanium solar PV module, the Fraunhofer Institute has reached 34.4% efficiency for a solar module. The march to solar records keeps going on. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “UK Sprints Forward With Grid Connections for 700 Clean Energy Projects” • The UK’s system for grid connections was “first come, first served.” That may not sound too bad, but it led to major bottlenecks for grid connections. The UK implemented some reforms, and now it’s getting clean power projects the grid connections they need. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Debut Enercon Turbine Rises In Iceland” • Enercon has completed the first turbine at the Vaðölduver site in Iceland on schedule, as work continues on the 120-MW wind farm. The project is to have 28 E-138 EP3 turbines with a total capacity of 120 MW. Heavy haulage operations run six evenings per week from the port to the wind farm. [reNews]

¶ “ENGIE And European Energy Partner On A Renewable Hydrogen Development in Denmark” • ENGIE and European Energy have entered into a cooperation agreement to advance the development of a large-scale renewable hydrogen project in Denmark. It will be near Kassø, home to the first e-methanol plant in the world. [Renewable Energy Magazine]

¶ “Renewables Meet All Growth In China’s Electricity Demand In 2025” • China reached a historic climate milestone in 2025 as its additional renewable energy covered the entirety of China’s growing power needs. The country’s newly installed renewable power generating capacity also accounted for more than 60% of global additions. [Xinhua]

¶ “China’s Fusion Reactor Is On Track For Ignition By 2027, Threatening US Lead” • In China, the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak is reportedly on track to achieve ignition in 2027. This would make the tokamak the first nuclear fusion reactor in the world to sustain plasma without external heating sources. [OilPrice.com]

US:

¶ “SpaceX Soars After Trading Begins In Largest IPO Of All Time” • Rocket and AI company SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, soared in trading on Friday, moving well above an initial public offering price of $135 per share. The IPO made Musk the first trillionaire, vaulting the world’s richest person further ahead of other financial titans. [ABC News]

¶ “US Solar Growth Hurting From Solar Permitting Delays ” • In the latest US Solar Market Insight report, Wood Mackenzie and SEIA pointed out that a federal permitting slowdown has delayed many solar projects, and if that goes on, solar growth in coming years will stagnate. It is one more warning about how much the US is holding back solar power. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Largest Wind Farm In The United States Is Slated To Begin Commercial Operations” • The SunZia Wind Project, the largest wind farm in the US, is slated to begin commercial operations this month. The wind farm, which is in New Mexico, has a total net summer generating capacity of 3,650 MW. It is composed of 916 wind turbines. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Hawaii University Nearly 100% Solar Powered” • Brigham Young University-Hawaii is launching into phase two of a big solar project. When the phase is completed, it should mean that the university will get 100% of its electricity from solar power. Instead of relying on rooftop solar power, the university is going into the ground for the phase. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Officials Announce Locations For New Nuclear Microreactors” • The US Air Force and the Defense Innovation Unit selected its initial potential locations for nuclear microreactors. They named Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, and Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, as their “preferred locations” for the reactors. [Eurasia Review]

Have an enjoyably entertaining day.

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Opinion:

¶ “The Threat To Nuclear Power Plants Around The World” • The “vulnerability” of the civilian energy infrastructure was exposed this week when a drone strike on the United Arab Emirates cut off power to a nuclear reactor, Bloomberg said. It’s the first time a fully operating nuclear plant had to rely on back-up generators because of a military attack. [MSN]

¶ “Renewable Energy Is Not A Side Story, It Is The Headline” • “Renewable energy is not a side story in Philippine economic growth, it is the headline. The ₱344.6 billion that investors are committing to renewable energy under the Green Lane is proof that the Philippines is a destination for clean energy business,” Energy Secretary Garin said. [pv magazine Global]

World:

¶ “Brussels Set To Unveil Plan To Lower Electricity Bills Amid Energy Crisis” • Faced with rising energy costs, geopolitical instability, and mounting pressure on Europe’s power grids, the European Commission wants to make electricity taxation more favourable than natural gas in a bid to lower bills, according to a document seen by Euronews. [Euronews]

¶ “EU Steps In To Shield Households From Energy Price Spikes Ahead Of New Carbon Costs” • As the EU extends its carbon market to buildings and road transport, the European Council and European Parliament have agreed to strengthen a financial tool designed to stabilize new carbon costs for heating and fuel due to kick in in 2028. [Euronews]

¶ “Hungary’s Third-Largest Lake Is Disappearing” • At Lake Velence, around 40 km west of Budapest, metal steps that led down to the shoreline now just hit sand. The dire situation has arisen from prolonged droughts, lack of rainfall, and decades of water mismanagement. And it’s putting the area’s ecosystem and tourism industry at risk. [Euronews]

¶ “El Niño Returns, Likely Will Intensify Into A Strong Event This Year, NOAA Says” • El Niño conditions are present and expected to strengthen in the coming months. They can bring potentially significant impacts to our weather, the upcoming hurricane season, and global temperatures, according to the latest forecast from the NOAA. [ABC News]

¶ “0% Tax Rate for Solar Power Sector in Bangladesh” • A 0% tax rate for the solar power sector was introduced by Bangladesh. Various duties and taxes will be removed on solar components until 2035. The import duty, regulatory duty, supplementary duty, and advance tax are all being cut to 0% on critical solar power components. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Every town can have a wind turbine or solar panels” • GB Energy, a publicly-owned company based in Aberdeen, has been criticized for confusion over what it will actually do and whether its role has been watered down. But its head of local energy strategy is clear that his own task is to deliver 1,000 community-owned renewable projects in the UK by 2030. [Yahoo]

¶ “France To Publish 10-GW Offshore Tender” • The French Government is publishing the specifications for a 10-GW French offshore wind tender. The Ministry of Energy already published the tender itself on the Official Journal of the EU website. The offshore tender will cover a mixture of eleven bottom-fixed and floating projects. [reNews]

¶ “Will The Hinkley C Nuclear Power Station Ever Open?” • Two decades ago last month, Tony Blair announced that nuclear power was “back on agenda with a vengeance.” Twenty years on, an alternative scenario is beginning to look more and more likely. It is that Britain will have to spend a few years, at the least, with zero nuclear power. [The Spectator]

US:

¶ “Anthropic CEO Calls For Stronger Regulation Of AI” • AI has advanced at an exponential pace. Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, an AI company based in San Francisco, is calling for stronger regulation of the technology. In an interview with ABC News, he said AI has to be developed with the proper guardrails to ensure it has a positive impact. [ABC News]

¶ “US Producer Prices Rose 6.5% On Higher Energy Prices, Largest Yearly Jump Since 2022” • US producer prices climbed last month at the fastest pace since November 2022, fueled by a surge in energy prices after the start of the Iran war. The Labor Department reported that its producer price index jumped 6.5% from May 2025. [ABC News]

¶ “Balcony Solar Bill Is Moving Forward In California” • The California Supreme Court just decided to kill efforts to appeal the California Public Utilities Commission’s net metering cuts, but perhaps balcony solar can help boost the industry a bit. No need for a permit. No need to wait. You just plug in your solar panels and collect the energy. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Why GM Will Focus On Sodium-Ion Batteries For Energy Storage” • GM said it will transition to making sodium-ion batteries for energy storage. And why not? The Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit for batteries is still in effect, one of the few parts of the Inflation Reduction Act that the current administration didn’t wreck. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “RWE And Meta Sign Texas Solar PPA” • RWE and Meta have signed a long-term corporate power purchase agreement for the 298-MW (AC) Rabbit’s Foot Solar project in Texas. RWE said the project in Bowie County is under construction and is expected to begin commercial operations by the end of 2027. The PPA is the fourth for the two companies. [reNews]

Have an excitingly creative day.

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World:

¶ “France Adds 157,000 Hectares Of Protected Forest” • From the rain forests of French Guiana to ancient woodlands in eastern France, thousands of hectares of forest have new protections. France said it added 157,000 hectares to its biological reserves as it works toward placing 10% of its land under ‘strong protection’ by 2030. [Euronews]

¶ “World Will Cross 1.5°C Warming Limit By 2030 If Emissions Continue At Current Rate” • The world is edging dangerously close to the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C warming threshold, with human-induced warming reaching 1.37°C in 2025, a major new report warns. If emissions continue at current levels, the 1.5°C limit will be crossed around 2030. [Euronews]

¶ “BYD: World’s Largest Automaker In Five Years” • In the recent shareholder meeting, Chairman Wang Chuanfu indicated that BYD would grow to be the largest automaker by volume in five years and would exceed 10 million units by the decade’s end. “Five years from now, BYD will be able to achieve true global leadership in terms of scale.” [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Global Banks Financed Fossil Fuels with $8.7 Trillion Since the Paris Agreement” • The latest Banking on Climate Chaos report finds that 65 world banks committed $906 billion to fossil fuel companies in 2025, an increase of 8% from the previous year. In ten years, these banks have channeled $8.7 trillion into oil, gas, and coal operations. [CleanTechnica

¶ “Mexico Unveils Olinia Uno, A ‘Coche Del Pueblo’ Starting At $8600” • The Mexican government has moved a step closer to creating a “national car,” the Olinia Uno. It is scheduled to go into production in 2027 with a starting price tag of $8,400. The Olinia is designed to be the “Coche Del Pueblo,” meaning the “people’s car,” for Mexico. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Public Backs Clean Power Security Push” • A majority of the UK public believes clean power strengthens the country’s energy security, according to a report commissioned by eleven energy trade associations. The report found that 63% of people think clean power improves UK security, with the view held across all political persuasions. [reNews]

¶ “TenneT Flags Dutch Energy Security Risks” • Risks to supply security for Dutch electricity will increase significantly in the coming years, according to the “Security of Supply Monitor 2026,” TenneT’s annual advice to the country’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. TenneT recommends introducing a capacity mechanism. [reNews]

¶ “Renewables To Safeguard Asia From Oil Shocks” • As the conflict in the Middle East entered its 100th day, record-high prices of oil and gas exposed the dependence of the Asia-Pacific region on imported fossil fuels. The development of renewable energy sources will help shield Asian economies from the harsh impact of soaring oil prices. [China Daily]

¶ “EU Approves Italy’s €23 Billion Renewable Electricity Plan” • The European Commission approved a €23 billion Italian State aid scheme. It will support generating electricity with renewable energy sources. The move is in line with the Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal, which aims to speed up the roll-out of clean energy and lower energy costs. [edie]

¶ “Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Plant Cut Off From Power” • The high-voltage power line to the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant was automatically shut down, management said. Standby diesel generators have taken over the power supply, and no increased levels of radioactivity were detected. Dangerous outages of this type have been frequent in the war. [Yahoo]

US:

¶ “Solar Power Outstrips Coal In US Despite Trump’s Attacks” • Even as President Donald Trump boosts coal over clean energy, solar power is hitting new milestones in the US and remains the leading source of new power. States won by Trump in the 2024 election accounted for 74% of all solar capacity installed in the first quarter of 2026. [Euronews]

¶ “Trump Claims Over 100 Million Barrels Of Oil Have Gone Through Strait Of Hormuz” • President Trump said a “secret mission” was conducted last month for 200 ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The operation was “wildly successful,” he said. ABC News could not immediately verify the accuracy of Trump’s claims. [ABC News]

¶ “This Electric Aircraft Is The First To Take Flight Using Solid-State Batteries” • Helios Horizon, a Florida nonprofit, did what it says is the first piloted flight of an electric aircraft powered by solid-state batteries. Founder and test pilot Miguel Iturmendi carried out a series of short test flights at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport in central Florida. [Robb Report]

¶ “The Rivian R2 Is Here!” • Rivian is moving toward the mass-market with the midsize R2 SUV, which is now finding its way to customers. Rivian is delivering the R2 to customers. Deliveries to Rivian staff and insiders had already begun in April. The R2 still isn’t truly a mass-market vehicle, as it costs at least $44,990 on the low end. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “‘Man Who Killed Offshore Wind’ Now Pushing Fossil Fuels And Nuclear” • David Stevenson, who led a national campaign against offshore wind power for the Caesar Rodney Institute, is now fighting land-based solar and wind farms while promoting fossil fuels and nuclear power with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. [Energy and Policy Institute]

Have a magnificently untroubled day.

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World:

¶ “‘EU’s Environmental Policy Must Be Part Of Defence Strategy,’ Commissioner Roswall Says” • The environmental policy of the EU should now be considered a key part of Europe’s defence strategy, according to Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, in an interview. [Euronews]

¶ “Heatwaves Are Killing Tens Of Thousands In India” • India has been sweltering through baking heat, with temperatures in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh creeping past 48°C (118.3°F) in May. Estimates are that a single day of extreme heat causes about 3,400 excess deaths nationally in India. Also, the heatwaves are getting more frequent and more intense. [Euronews]

¶ “A Bog Is Like A Minefield” • Talking about defence, people uasually imagine tanks, drones, or hardened borders. Peatlands usually don’t come to mind. But their wetness, inaccessibility, and limited passability make them a factor of relevance for security policy. The issue combines climate action, biodiversity, and water management with defence. [Euronews]

¶ “Meta And CleanMax Partner On 900 MW Of Solar And Wind Power Capacity In India” • US-based Meta Platforms, Inc, and Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions Ltd partnered to support the development of 837 MW of new solar and wind capacity across Rajasthan and Karnataka. The partnership has over 900 MW of renewable capacity now. [pv magazine India]

¶ “Vestas Announces 112 MW Of Orders In France” • Vestas has announced five undisclosed wind turbine orders in France with a combined capacity of 112 MW as part of its second-quarter order intake. The orders cover projects ranging from 13 MW to 38 MW and all include long-term Active Output Management 5000 service agreements. [reNews]

¶ “Tamil Nadu Aims To Develop 15,000 MW Of Renewable Power Capacity” • The new Government in Tamil Nadu looks to enhance its installed capacity of renewable power by about 10,000 to 15,000 MW in the coming years. This new capacity is expected to come from solar and wind power facilities along with battery storage systems. [MSN]

¶ “Nordex Wins 100-MW Order In Eastern Europe” • The Nordex Group won a 100-MW order in Eastern Europe. The contract includes the supply and commissioning of seventeen N163/5.X turbines, the company said. The order also includes a multi-year service and maintenance agreement. Full operation of the turbines is scheduled for 2028. [reNews]

US:

¶ “The V8 Engine Was Declared Dead Years Ago. Now It’s Back In Demand” • Just a few years ago, the auto industry was largely shunning big engines in favor of more fuel efficient powertrains. Eight cylinders were out and small, turbocharged six and four cylinders were in. Some consumers didn’t seem to notice, or care. But others certainly did. [ABC News]

¶ “Sixteen Utah Cities Choose To Opt-In To Groundbreaking Clean Energy Program To Bring 100% Clean Energy To Grid” • When the Utah Renewable Communities program concluded, sixteen towns and cities had voted to participate. The customers of Rocky Mountain Power in them will be able to choose where their electricity comes from. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “GM Announces New Sodium-Ion Grid-Scale Battery Storage Developed In The US” • GM announced an effort for sodium-ion batteries in partnership with Peak Energy, with an investment by GM Ventures. It’s a deliberate bet on matching the chemistry to the right application rather than forcing one solution across every use case. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Solar And Storage Provide Over 90% Of All New Power Added To The US Grid In Q1” • The US added 7.8 GW of solar capacity in the first quarter of 2026, as solar remained the leading source of new power added to the grid. Despite changing tax policy and regulatory actions targeting clean energy, 91% of new capacity were solar and energy storage. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Largest Solar Cell Factory In USA Has Started Production In Georgia” • Qcells just started manufacturing solar cells at its new factory in Cartersville, Georgia, the company announced. It had already been producing solar modules there. The company will now be using its own solar cells in a vertically integrated solar production facility. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Zelestra And Meta Sign Texas Solar PPA” • Zelestra and Meta have signed a long-term power purchase agreement for the 180-MW Palmera solar project in Texas. The agreement expands the companies’ US partnership to eight PPAs covering around 1.4 GW of solar capacity, Zelestra said. All eight of the projects are expected to be operational by 2028. [reNews]

¶ “Solar Power Outstrips Coal In The US Despite President Trump’s Attacks” • Data released by global energy think tank Ember, along with a report from the Solar Energy Industries Association and analytics firm Wood Mackenzie, show the continued growth of solar and decline of coal in the US despite federal policy. [MSN]

¶ “A Pair Of Bills Now Head To Ayotte’s Desk” • Governor Kelly Ayotte kicked off 2026 with a call to open New Hampshire to advancement and expansion of nuclear power. None of the three bills that came would do. Lawmakers say they have successfully worked with the governor to draft a compromise bill that pushes nuclear power. [New Hampshire Bulletin]

Have a significantly delightful day.

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World:

¶ “Plug-In Solar Is Soaring Across Europe, But Is It Better Than Traditional Rooftop Panels?” • Solar has been called the “shining star” in Europe’s clean energy transition, cushioning households from volatile fossil fuel shocks. Amid the war on Iran, which oil and gas prices rising, people are seeking energy independence. But which kind of solar is best? [Euronews]

¶ “Seven EU Countries Push Brussels To Resist Weakening Car Emission Targets Further” • Seven EU countries urged Brussels to resist any rollback of CO₂ standards for cars and vans, arguing that weakening emissions rules would endanger Europe’s climate objectives, economic competitiveness, and energy security, a document seen by Euronews shows. [Euronews]

¶ “The Cost Of Balancing The Grid If The EU Cuts EV Targets: 150 New Power Plants” • Europe’s electricity system could be a big victim of plans to scale back EV targets. EVs can be ‘batteries on wheels,’ providing a different math of the electricity sector. Fewer EVs would mean less storage capacity for the grid and a need for more power plants. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Majority Of Europeans Back Reducing Fossil Fuel Imports To Make Europe Safer” • Polling in five major European countries showed strong support for electrification and investment in clean energy. The views cut across left-right political divides. Over six in ten (64%) believe that reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels makes Europe safer. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Solar Records Get Busted in Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal” • Solar power keeps growing all around the world. And as days get longer, countries are starting to set new solar power generation records. For example, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal ended May with a bang, setting new daily solar generation records. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Charter Aims To Address Concerns Over Data Centers” • Organizations in the energy sector have launched an industry charter aimed at addressing concerns around the development of data centers in Scotland. The charter focuses on renewable energy, energy efficiency, water consumption, district heat, and community benefits. [Daily Business]

¶ “Acciona Energía Doubles Storage Plans For Chile” • Acciona Energía announced plans to build a 196-MW, 980-MWh battery energy storage system at its El Romero solar plant in Chile. The facility in the Atacama Desert will double AE’s planned energy storage capacity in the country. Commercial operations are expected to begin by the end of 2027. [reNews]

¶ “Net Zero Energy Unveils Ireland Storage Project” • Net Zero Energy has unveiled plans for a 600-MW long-duration energy storage project in County Carlow using green hydrogen. The proposed Rathrush Green Energy Park near Rathoe will use surplus renewable energy to produce hydrogen for storage and later convert it back into electricity. [reNews]

¶ “Off-Grid Mine Runs Solely On Renewables For Nearly A Week” • Bellevue Gold is celebrating a milestone at its namesake gold mine in Western Australia. The site was able to run entirely on renewables for 155 consecutive hours. The site’s 90-MW hybrid power station has 27 MW of solar, 24 MW of wind, and 15 MW, 33 MWh of battery storage. [Energy Magazine]

¶ “Grossi: Attacking Any Nuclear Facility, Anywhere, Is A Red Line That Cannot Be Crossed” • The director general of the world’s nuclear watchdog opened the IAEA Board of Governors meeting with a blunt declaration that he said was directed at every combatant in every active conflict: nuclear facilities are off-limits. No exceptions. [The Eastern Herald]

US:

¶ “Use Of Bomb-Grade Plutonium For Energy” • The President of the US signed an executive order directing the DOE to stop an operation getting rid of nuclear bomb materials. Instead, it is to give the weapons-grade plutonium to private companies to use in nuclear reactors. They are to get enough plutonium to build 2,000 nuclear bombs. [Green Energy Times]

¶ “US Clean Energy Can Now Power About 80 Million Homes!” • The solar and battery storage project pipelines keep growing in the US, though the government is less supportive for solar and quite antagonistic to wind. In the US as a whole, as in the #1 solar state of California, the clean electricity option is still competitive due to its very low costs. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “The Geysers Is Adding 25 MW Of Geothermal Capacity” • California’s largest geothermal resource added 25 MW of new generating capacity, strengthening the state’s geothermal energy. Calpine, a Constellation business unit, announced completion of the expansion project at The Geysers geothermal complex in Sonoma County, California. [ThinkGeoEnergy]

¶ “Trump Forces Florida Coal Plant To Run Past Retirement, Raising Costs For Customers” • The Trump Administration invoked its so-called “energy emergency” to force the Stanton coal plant in Orlando to stay open past its planned retirement. Sierra Club analysis sestimates the plant is responsible for 45 premature deaths each year. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Judge tosses Trump bid to restrict renewable energy tax credits” • A federal judge struck down a Trump administration effort to restrict tax credits for wind and solar energy. The ruling is a win for renewable energy supporters, but it comes less than a month before a deadline to phase out the credits entirely under so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” [The Hill]

Have a redundantly rewarding day,

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World:

¶ “How Hot Conditions Could Impact The World Cup” • The World Cup is set to begin during one of the hottest times of year in more than a dozen cities in Canada, the US and Mexico, and several of the host cities may see high temperatures during the soccer tournament. High temperatures that may put athletes and even spectators at risk. [ABC News]

¶ “Mexico Reaches 5 GW Of Distributed Solar Power” • Mexico has reached another renewable energy milestone. From 600,368 installations across the country, Mexico reached 5,164.98 MW of small-scale, distributed solar power capacity by the end of 2025. Net metering has been a key driver of small-scale solar growth in the country. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “BYD Exports Rose 80% Year Over Year In May” • BYD has grown to enormous, dominant heights in China, but to continue its growth, it has needed to see rapid growth abroad. Right now, that is what it’s seeing. BYD’s overseas sales rose enormously in November, and they have been much higher in 2026 than in the same period of 2025. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “France Gets Electrification Right, But 2030 Will Be A Lot Of Work” • France announced a national electrification push that is directionally correct in a way that much energy policy still is not. Its policy means energy security, industrial policy, household cost protection, and a way to prevent the fossil fuel problems of others from showing up in French bills. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Nordex Wins 255-MW German Haul” • Nordex Group has secured orders totalling 255 MW for fourteen wind projects in Germany during the first two months of the second quarter. The orders cover 39 turbines, including nineteen N163/6.X units, eleven N175/6.X units and nine N149 turbines, according to the company. [reNews]

¶ “Greek Solar Producers With CfDs To Get Paid When Prices Reach Zero” • Currently, when prices are zero or lower for two consecutive hours, solar power producers with contracts for difference (CfDs) don’t get paid. The Greek Energy Ministry decided that renewable energy producers will be paid when the price is zero. [Balkan Green Energy News]

¶ “Nuclear Program ‘Non-Negotiable’” • North Korea’s nuclear weapons program is “absolutely non-negotiable,” said Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong-un. Her statement was carried by state media ahead of a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Pyongyang has long insisted on its right to a nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programs. [Taipei Times]

US:

¶ “Elon Musk Said He Wouldn’t Take SpaceX Public, But Two Things Changed His Mind” • The stress of taking Tesla public seems to have worn Musk down tremendously. He said he would not do that again. But he needs money for SpaceX, and with the IPO that is coming, he will be able to retain control of 85% of the company’s stock. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Pulling Back The Curtain On The SpaceX IPO” • This is the week of the SpaceX initial public offering. It is expected to be the largest IPO in history and the one that will make Elon Musk the wealthiest person in human history. Some people will invest with expectations of wealth, but others advise that it is a way to extract money from those who are foolish. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Waymo Sending Used EV Batteries To Community Clean Energy” • Some Waymo robotaxis are already getting old, at least in terms of miles driven. The company is apparently at the point that it has old, used EV batteries it no longer needs. It is going to help community clean energy projects by supplying these used batteries to their efforts. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “City Approves Long-Term Solar Energy Agreement As Part Of Clean Energy Transition” • Los Angeles officials have approved a thirty-year agreement to purchase electricity from a solar project in Utah, adding 300 MW of solar power to the city’s electricity portfolio as it works toward its goal of using 100% clean energy by 2035. [Santa Monica Mirror]

Have an absurdly successful day.

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World:

¶ “Heat Map Shows Most Of Spain In Intense Heat” • Clear skies will dominate almost everywhere in Spain, and 34ºC (100°F) will be reached in much of central and southern regions. Madrid will hover around the high, and Seville and Córdoba will reach 36ºC at noon. And even along the Cantabrian coast temperatures will rise sharply. [Euronews]

¶ “Investments Starting To Grow Nicely In Africa’s Electric Motorcycle Sector” • The electric motorcycle sector is growing nicely in Africa. Just eight years ago it was a bunch of guys converting a ICE motorcycles to electric. There are now well over fifty companies active in the sector, and some of them have raised significant funding. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “CATL Developing 12,000 Wh Per Kg Lithium-Air Battery” • Now that CATL, the largest battery manufacturer in the world, has begun mass production of sodium-ion batteries, it is turning its attention to the batteries it will manufacture in the future. And reportedly, the company’s long-term focus is on lithium-air battery technology. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “How Renewable Energy Is Acing Peak Energy Demand Amid Scorching Heat” • India’s peak power demand touched a record high of 270.8 GW on May 21 and Renewable energy (including hydro) provided 34% to the peak demand, including 28.9% to the total energy generation for the day. The temperatures soared above 45°C in many cities. [MSN]

¶ “PHEV Sales Continue To Record Phenomenal Growth In South Africa” • In South Africa, sales of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) were up 280% in 2025 compared with sales figures from 2024. But now, the report for Q1 2026 has come, saying that PHEVs were up again, this time by a whopping 430%, from 241 units sold in Q1 2025 to 1,277 in Q1 2026. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Scientists Blame Climate Change For UK Heatwave And Say 35°C In Spring Is ‘Absolutely Astonishing'” • The UK is in the midst of a spring heatwave, in which the temperatures in parts of the country are hitting highs of 35.1°C (95.2°F). As people struggle to find some relief, scientists are blaming climate change for the blistering heat. [MSN]

¶ “Ukraine Claims Russian Drone Struck Nuclear Facility Near Chernobyl” • Ukraine has accused Russia of “nuclear terrorism,” claiming a drone struck a spent nuclear storage facility about 15 km (9 miles) from Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The drone struck a container reception building of the Centralized Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility. [Yahoo]

US:

¶ “Why Solar Power Is Booming Under Trump” • The Trump administration may pivot away from renewable energies, but solar still rules. Newly released data from FERC shows that at the close of last year, solar energy additions were the single largest form of new energy capacity installations for the 28th straight month, starting in September of 2023. [MSN]

¶ “Fuel Prices Are Shaping Summer Plans As US Boaters Get Ready To Hit The Water” • Recreational boaters, like motorists, are feeling a pinch from the Iran war. US gas prices have come down in recent weeks, but a gallon of regular gas still cost an average of 34% more than it did a year earlier, according to motor club AAA. [ABC News]

¶ “GM Pitches New LMR EV Battery On Earth, New EV On The Moon” • GM has been making a big deal about its investment in new EV battery technology, and it looks like all that hard work is going to pay off with its lithium manganese-rich formula. And GM contributed advanced battery technology to the upcoming Pegasus lunar rover. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Why Would Someone Prefer Coal Power Over Solar Or Wind?” • The vast majority of Americans like solar power and wind power more than coal, because they understand the clear benefits of free, clean fuel over expensive, polluting coal. But the US government thumb is being put on the side of coal power at the moment. [CleanTechnica]

Have a plainly superior day.

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World:

¶ “Fossil Fuel Imports Have Dropped Across The EU Since War On Iran, Except In Three Countries” • While the EU responded to the latest fossil fuel crisis by limiting fossil fuel imports, a trio of states, Germany, Italy, and Belgium, have “deepened their exposure by increasing them.” Overall, EU imports have fallen 1.2% since the war started in March. [Euronews]

¶ “How Solar Has Saved Europe €136 Million Per Day Since The Start Of The Iran War” • On June 4, Brent crude was trading at $95 (€81) per barrel, a €20 increase from the day before the war began. But analysis by SolarPower Europe shows that harnessing sunlight for energy saves Europe €12.8 billion as of 2 June, an average of €136 million per day. [Euronews]

¶ “Global Biofuel Demand Set to Grow by Nearly 70% as Food Prices Rise” • The scramble for biofuel feedstocks to combat high oil prices could see biofuel consumption rise globally by a staggering 70% by 2030, a T&E study shows. This risks putting severe pressure on global food prices with vegetable oil prices already at a post-2022 peak. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “EVs Take 33.0% Share In France – Tesla Model Y Leads” • The first quarter of 2026 saw plugin EVs take 33.0% share in France, up from 22.9% in Q1 2025. BEV share grew strongly year on year, while the plugin hybrid share was flat. Overall Q1 auto volume was 339,478 units, down some 2.5% YOY. The Tesla Model Y was the best-selling full battery EV in Q1. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Investigation Launched Into Scout Moor Turbine Damage” • An investigation has been launched after a turbine was damaged at Engie’s 65-MW Scout Moor onshore wind farm in England. Rotor blade damage was detected on a Nordex N80 machine that caused the tip section to become detached. The damage may be due to a lightning strike. [reNews]

¶ “Renewable Energy Is Overtaking Traditional Power Projects Across Africa, Industry Leaders Say” • Africa’s next generation of power projects is increasingly being built around solar and wind power with battery storage, as governments and investors shift away from coal and large hydropower dams in search of cheaper, faster, and more reliable electricity. [AOL.com]

US:

¶ “Innovative Strategies The Wine Industry Is Using To Adjust To Climate Change” • An increase in heat has been found to alter the chemistry of grapes and the taste of the wine. In response, some vintners are changing the way they cultivate their crops to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce their own carbon footprint. [ABC News]

¶ “US Set To Hold Latest Oil And Gas Lease Sale For Alaska Wildlife Refuge” • The Trump administration’s push to expand oil and gas development in Alaska is facing a new test, with the latest lease sale set for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The last two lease sales were remarkable for a lack of interest on the part of the industry. [ABC News]

¶ “Governor Polis Signs Bill Countering Expensive Federal Coal Plant Orders” • Colorado Governor Polis signed a bill requiring more transparency on the costs incurred from running coal units past their retirement dates. It requires modern pollution controls for coal plants operating after 2033 and directs the PUC to help the state reach its 2030 climate targets. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “People Who Worked On Tesla ‘Full Self Driving’ Don’t Trust Tesla ‘Full Self Driving’” • When Reuters interviewed a former self-driving engineer at Tesla and nine former data labelers, they did not offer a singing endorsement of Tesla’s “Full Self Driving” system. Reuters also talked with eleven independent traffic safety researchers for the piece. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Trump Doubles Down On Coal Power, Just In Time For The Midterms Elections” • Faced with a mounting wave of voter rage over high electricity costs, President Donald Trump is piling on the hurt with a new, billion-dollar effort to build new coal power plants and keep the old ones running. And this comes just as the midterm elections approach. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Governor Lamont Signs Solar Energy Bill” • Connecticut Gov Ned Lamont signed a solar power bill to ensure that the state’s families and businesses can continue to choose to go solar. The new law extends rooftop solar programs, promises to bring faster solar permitting, and moves towards allowing sales of “balcony” solar systems. [Environment America]

¶ “US Says Antares’ Small Nuclear Reactor Reaches ‘Criticality’” • The Trump administration announced a small modular nuclear reactor developed by Antares Nuclear Inc in a US DOE pilot program reached “criticality.” It is a test reactor design that could be used as a basis for power reactors. [This reactor could produce about 1 MW of power. ghh] [MSN]

Have a totally copacetic day.

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geoharvey is not tax-deductible.

World:

¶ “France Accused Of ‘Climate Denial’ As Green Funding Quietly Shrinks Following Blistering Heatwave” • Last month, France sweltered under a powerful heat dome. Weather agency Météo France said that new monthly highs had been logged at 352 weather stations. The highest temperature was 37.1°C. But France repeatedly cut its funding to deal with heat. [Euronews]

¶ “EU Invests In Ocean Monitoring As US Cuts Funding” • With underwater drones and ocean-focused satellites, the EU is expanding its monitoring network of Earth’s seas as climate change fuels heat waves and stronger storms. The move comes just as the Trump administration is planning severe cuts to a similar system in the US. [ABC News]

¶ “Donut Lab’s Manufacturing Is Different ” • Donut Lab’s latest video reveals a novel manufacturing method. Speculation has swirled around the methods and sources of Donut Lab’s batteries since their introduction. We now have news from them that supports the idea that the Finnish company was using a different manufacturing method. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Chinese NEV Share Hits 63%. What’s Next?” • EVs are at new levels of market penetration in China. Chinese retail New Energy Vehicle (battery EV and plugin hybrid) market share estimates are 63% for May, while Chinese wholesale (including exports) reached 61%, according to Chinese Passenger Car Association, as reported in CnEVPost. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Energy, Water Use And Pollution Of AI And Data Centers Rival Most Countries” • The environmental footprint of data centers already rivals some of the world’s largest countries, a United Nations University report says. The report predicts their water and energy use will double in just four years as use of AI grows. So will their pollution. [MSN]

¶ “Levanta Renewables Achieves Financial Close For 166-MW Barotac Solar And BESS Project” • Levanta Renewables got Financial Close for the Barotac Solar Power and BESS (battery energy storage system) in the Visayas, Philippines. The project has a 166-MW ground-mounted solar PV plant integrated with an 80-MWh battery system. [Asian Power]

¶ “West Moberly And RES Win 210-MW Award” • West Moberly First Nations and RES have signed a 30-year energy purchase agreement with BC Hydro for the 210-MW Sweetwater Wind Project in British Columbia. West Moberly First Nations will hold a 51% ownership stake in the project through a wholly owned subsidiary, RES added. [reNews]

¶ “Paya Partners With Fourier On Hydrogen Long-Duration Energy Storage Project” • Payal Industrial Park in Dahej, Gujarat has partnered with Bay Area startup Fourier to deploy a long-duration hydrogen-powered energy storage system. This system can keep industrial operations running for 12 hours to a full week without grid power. [Fuel Cells Works]

¶ “EBRD Backs Romanian Battery Project” • The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is providing up to €44 million for a 127-MW, 254-MWh battery project in Romania. The Scornicești project is co-owned by R.Power and Eiffel Investment Group through its managed fund Eiffel Transition Infrastructure SLP, the bank said. [reNews]

¶ “Japan Proposes Rebuilding Aging Nuclear Plants To Meet Power Demand” • A proposal outlined at a meeting on nuclear policy reflects a shift towards greater reliance on nuclear energy to help meet rising power demand and reduce expensive fuel imports. It calls for fourteen new nuclear power plants with have a combined capacity of about 16 GW. [MSN]

US:

¶ “Trump Delivers Boost To Coal Worth Hundreds Of Millions” • The Trump administration is putting $700 million into coal. Trump announced the move during remarks in the Oval Office, saying his administration is “taking historic action to bring down the price of energy and the cost of living for all Americans with the power of clean, beautiful coal.” [The Hill]

¶ “Citing Cleaner, Cheaper Alternatives, Colorado Regulators Deny Xcel Energy’s $2.9 Billion Gas System Plan ” • Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission declined to approve much of Xcel Energy’s Gas Infrastructure Plan, which lays out the utility’s forecasted investments in methane gas infrastructure over the coming years. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “What War On EVs? New $230 Million LFP Battery Materials Factory Proposed For Texas” • For all the red-state rhetoric bandied about in Texas, the state has emerged as a premier energy transition showcase for wind and solar power, e-fuels, and clean tech manufacturing. Now two battery startups plan to make lithium iron phosphate there. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Hyundai Steel To Significantly Reduce Emissions, Switch from Gas To Electric Heaters At Proposed Louisiana Plant” • Hyundai Steel updated its air permit application with plans to switch nine dirty industrial heaters at its proposed steel plant from gas-fired to electric. The company also said they would install more pollution controls. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Wind And Solar Are Saving Texans $20 Million A Day” • In Texas, more than a third of electricity came from wind and solar projects as early as the first half of 2022. This year, wind and solar capacity have both set records already. RMI estimates that, on average, wind and solar projects in Texas have avoided $20 million per day in fuel costs. [RMI]

Have a properly praiseworthy day

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(, CC-BY-SA 3.0) km² CO₂ NH₃ CH₄ ₹ NOₓ ‽ ♦♦♦♦♦

World:

¶ “Regenerative French Farms Lost Only A Third As Much As Others To Drought” • Data on drought-hit French farmland reveals that the most promising solution could be the greenest. In a study of over 1,200 farms during the 2023 droughts, early findings show that highly regenerative farms recorded an 8% drop in yields, while the others lost 22%. [Euronews]

¶ “Record Heat-Related Deaths In Spain After A Hot May” • According to estimates from the daily mortality monitoring system, last month saw 101 deaths in Spain attributed to high temperatures, the highest figure for May since monitoring began in 2015. This is 3.6 times the average number of deaths linked to May heat in the past decade. [Euronews]

¶ “EU’s Chinese Solar Inverter Ban Reshapes Renewable Energy ” • Although 61% of solar inverters imported into the EU come directly from China, the European Commission is now banning financial institutions from financing projects that use Chinese components. “With Chinese inverters, one must also trust the Chinese government.” [Euronews]

¶ “North Korea Unveils Another Nuclear Plant” • North Korea unveiled a new facility to produce nuclear bomb fuels. Kim Jong Un announced plans to bolster the country’s nuclear forces “at an exponential rate.” The North’s Korean Central News Agency said the facility used “more sophisticated technology” but didn’t give any further details. [ABC News]

¶ “BMW iX3 Starting $5,000 Cheaper Than Comparable BMW X3” • Is the new BMW iX3 about to shake things up? Based on the key facts we’ve seen released about it, it should! The iX3 is coming in a whopping $5,000 cheaper than the comparable version of the gas-powered BMW X3. And the iX3 also offers 434 miles of range. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Prysmian Completes Sofia Cable Works” • Prysmian has completed its activities at RWE’s Sofia Offshore Wind Farm in the UK. It installed over 450 km of high-voltage cables on land and at sea using its Leonardo Da Vinci cable-laying vessel. The project on Dogger Bank in the North Sea will be able to generate enough power for 1.2 million homes. [reNews]

¶ “GE Vernova Lands 100-MW Order In India” • GE Vernova has signed an agreement with Powerica to supply 28 turbines for the 100-MW Botad Wind Farm in Gujarat, India. GE Vernova said the project marks the Indian debut of its 3.8-MW workhorse turbine. Deliveries for the project are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. [reNews]

¶ “New Zealand Will Stay Nuclear Free (Mainly Because It Can’t Afford Not To)” • Richard Meade, an economist with a particular interest in New Zealand’s electricity markets, says nuclear power doesn’t stack up as a reliable solution for the country’s future energy needs. Reactors are massively expensive and take a long time to build, he says. [The Spinoff]

¶ “Renewable transition vital for Fiji’s survival – Ro Filipe” • Fiji is accelerating one of the biggest energy transitions in its history as Government moves to reduce the country’s dependence on imported petroleum and shield consumers from rising global fuel shocks, the Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services, and Transport said. [The Fiji Times]

¶ “India’s Renewable Energy Boom, Over 4.4 Million Jobs By 2030: Report” • India’s push towards renewable energy could generate over 4.4 million jobs by 2030, according to a study released by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water and NRDC India. The study forecasts rooftop solar to be the single largest employment engine. [Times Now]

US:

¶ “Higher Gas Prices Fueling Pain At The Pentagon” • A growing list of unplanned and rising expenses is increasingly straining the Pentagon, with fuel costs emerging as one of the most significant pressures. Oil and fuel prices have surged during the Iran war. That surge could saddle the Pentagon with more than $1 billion in unplanned costs this year. [ABC News]

¶ “Tesla Cybercab Is Super Efficient, Though Questions And Hurdles Remain” • The Tesla Cybercab has achieved a stunning efficiency rating. At 165 Wh/mile efficiency, it has an estimated running cost of 2.6¢/mile. The hyper-efficient Lucid Air Pure, for comparison, has a 230 Wh/mile efficiency. Nevertheless, a lot of what a normal EV has isn’t there. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Up To 50% Off On A New Heat Pump Installation, A Startup Says” • Jetson Home has announced its entry into into the ripe California market, providing itself with a fresh opportunity to share the money-saving advantages of its heat pump business model. It says that its direct sales system reduces the total cost of a heat pump installation by 30-50%. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “US Will Dismantle The Ocean Observatories Initiative” • As the US seeks to halt science, the National Science Foundation announced it is “descoping” the Ocean Observatories Initiative. OOI is a vast ocean observation network that comprises more than 900 instruments deployed throughout the world’s oceans. It seems the US would rather not know. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “US Renewables Buyers Encouraged To Act Fast In A Complex Market” • A recent report from Trio examines major factors influencing the renewable energy market in the US during the first half of 2026, including tax credit reforms, the prices of renewable energy credits and power purchase agreements, and community solar. [pv magazine USA]

Have a totally flawless day.

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World:

¶ “Spanish Waters Hit ‘Historic Records’ In May After Extreme Heatwave” • From the Cantabrian Sea to the Balearics, Spanish waters ended May with temperatures never before seen at this time of year. Measurements by Puertos del Estado show record highs for the month along much of the coastline, after a historic heat sent land temperatures soaring. [Euronews]

¶ “Almost Everywhere Will Face Above Average Summer Heat, WMO Warns” • El Niño will hit this summer with 80% certainty, according to the latest forecast by the World Meteorological Organization. El Niño is expected to leave virtually nowhere untouched, with above-average temperatures forecast around the globe for June to August. [Euronews]

¶ “The UK Government Set A Target Of An 87% Cut In Carbon Emissions By 2042” • The British government said that it will stick to its net-zero goal, despite pressure on energy supplies from global conflicts. It will reduce the UK’s planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions by 87% of 1990 levels in the next decade and a half. [ABC News]

¶ “Commercial Electric Fleet Operators In South Africa Prove A 27% Cost Advantage” • South Africa’s EV market has reached a pivotal moment, with commercial fleets proving substantial economic advantages and consumer interest surging, according to industry leaders speaking at a webinar hosted by energy analyst Chris Yelland. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Volvo: Still Focused On 100% Electric Vehicles, Even If World Drags Its Feet” • Håkan Samuelsson, CEO of Volvo Cars, gave at least some of the reasons why Volvo Cars needs to stay focused on electrification. Perhaps he has the sense that despite speed bumps or short-term slowdowns, there is no stopping the EV’s technological progress. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “What Hormuz Is Teaching Traders About Utilities” • The Strait of Hormuz shows how vulnerable electricity markets are to fuel price shocks, even after years of investment in renewable energy. The effects of the disruption are steadily working their way through natural gas markets, fuel contracts, and wholesale electricity worldwide. [OilPrice.com]

¶ “ESB And Red Rock Complete Monopiles At Inch Cape” • ESB and Red Rock Renewables have completed the installation of all 54 monopile foundations at the 1,100-MW Inch Cape wind farm off the east coast of Scotland. The developers said Jan De Nul’s heavy lift vessel Les Alizés has been installing the monopiles since December of 2025. [reNews]

¶ “Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Suffers Blackout After Drone Strike” • On the night of 2-3 June, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant experienced its 17th blackout since being occupied by Russian forces and the fifth since the beginning of 2026. The plant’s critical systems continued to operate using backup diesel generators. [Ukrainska Pravda]

¶ “UAE Nuclear Plant Attackers ‘Knew What They Were Doing’: IAEA Chief” • The UAE’s nuclear plant was “carefully targeted” in May by attackers who aimed to cause a major incident, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said on June 2. Rafael Grossi said the drone attack on May 17 hit risked shutting the plant down. [The Straits Times]

US:

¶ “Seven States Sue Trump Administration Over Deal To Halt Offshore Wind Farm” • Seven are suing the Trump Interior Department over a deal paying $928 million to end an East Coast offshore wind development. The Interior Department made the deal with the French company TotalEnergies in March. The deal was unlawful, the states say. [ABC News]

¶ “Markey Demands Trump Cancel DOE Plan To Give Private Companies Enough Plutonium To Build 2,000 Nuclear Bombs” • Senator Ed Markey implored President Donald Trump to cancel his DOE’s plan to give private companies enough plutonium to build around 2,000 nuclear bombs, warning the move raises a number of important concerns. [Common Dreams]

¶ “Giant Solar Power Plant In Texas Gets A New Neighbor” • The sharp U-turn in federal energy policy has been devastating for the US wind industry, but the solar industry is rushing to fill the gap. In the latest news, the huge, 600-MW Hornet solar power plant in Texas is about to get a new 201-MW neighbor, just next to it in Swisher County. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Sierra Club Applauds Northeast States For Challenging Trump Administration’s Illegal Offshore Wind Lease Buyout” • “These states recognize what this administration refuses to accept: Offshore wind lowers energy costs and strengthens our grid. Trump’s backroom buy-outs are a bad deal for families already struggling to pay their bills.” [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Ford Escape Going Electric!” • Ford is developing its Universal EV platform to bring down the cost of its EVs. It announced that the Ford Escape electric is expected to come to market on the platform in 2029. It’s an interesting decision. There aren’t many small or cheap electric vehicles on the US market, and the US EV market isn’t exactly hot just now. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “How One Place In Colorado Achieved 100% Clean Energy This Spring” • Holy Cross Energy delivered 100% clean energy to its 45,000-plus members in March, a renewable power landmark for the Colorado cooperative and a signal that the federal turn-back toward fossil fuels has not impeded all climate change initiatives in the state. [The Colorado Sun]

Have a spontaneously wonderful day.

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World:

¶ “A €100 Billion Queue: Why Europeans Wait Years For Clean Energy” • Over €100 billion of renewables are stuck in Europe, as communities across the continent wait years for solar panels and heat pumps. A report found that 375 GW of clean energy projects and 455 GW of battery storage projects are trapped in distribution grid queues. [Euronews]

¶ “Can The EU Make Its Trade With China Sustainable And Risk Free?” • EU Commissioners met on May 29, to debate how to shield European industries from surging Chinese imports. They recognized that “the current state of the trade and investment relationship is not sustainable.” Concrete proposals are expected in the third quarter of the year. [Euronews]

¶ “Electricity Prices Fall Across Australia As Renewables Build Momentum” • As bulk power costs decline in Australia’s eastern states due to high renewable energy inputs, the price reductions are finally reaching the household and small business consumer. More than 400,000 small-scale storage systems have a stabilizing influence on the grid. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Europe EV Sales Report: BEVs Jump 42% and Reach 23% Market Share! ” • Thanks to several factors (new models, high gas prices, mass arrival of Chinese models, etc), EV sales picked up again in Europe. Almost 385,000 plugin vehicles were registered in Europe in April, 262,000 being pure electrics (BEVs). Overall, plugin vehicles were up 35% YOY. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Battery Storage Boom Brings Free Electricity To Australia” • The head of the Australia Energy Regulator said the addition of a large number of batteries, along with more solar and windpower, has reduced system volatility, even as the disruption in energy markets caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz caused economic dislocations elsewhere. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Swedish Renewables Spending Rebounds” • The investment decisions in Sweden’s wind and solar sectors in the first quarter of 2026 exceeded the total for all of 2025, including the country’s largest solar park and a 89-MW wind project. Renewable energy is helping to lower electricity prices, and battery storage capacity is expanding rapidly. [reNews]

¶ “First Turbine Rises At 760-MW Hollandse Kust West” • The first of 52 wind turbines at the Hollandse Kust West wind farm was installed by Ecowende, 53 km off the coast of IJmuiden in the Netherlands. The developer, a consortium of Shell, Eneco, and Chubu, said the project will feature Vestas 15.0-MW turbines with a total capacity of 760 MW. [reNews]

¶ “Safest Energy Is Locally Produced Renewable Energy, IRENA Chief Says” • The safest energy is energy that is competitive on the domestic market and can be produced through local capacity without being exposed to geopolitical changes, according to Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency. [Report.az]

¶ “Australia’s First 8-Hour Battery Gets Go-Ahead As 144 Tesla Megapacks Prepare To Transform The Grid” • Australia’s first eight-hour battery energy storage system has cleared a major hurdle. The project pairs 144 Tesla Megapacks with an existing solar farm in New South Wales, aiming to help keep electricity flowing long after sundown. [The Cool Down]

¶ “Turning Point For Power Market As Storage Is No Longer Optional” • Battery storage is becoming conventional and a critical element of the electricity system, according to a panel held at Belgrade Energy Forum. Countries in Southeastern Europe must show clarity and enable operators to participate in multiple markets. [Balkan Green Energy News]

US:

¶ “New Mexico Voters Choose Party Nominees For Governor As Revenue Soars From Oil Boom” • Voters will choose Democratic and Republican nominees for governor as New Mexico grapples with chronic problems, including cuts to key federal programs. This comes just as the global rise in oil prices from the Iran war brings new tax revenue to state coffers. [ABC News]

¶ “New Guidance from DOE Weakens Popular Home Energy Rebate Programs” • New DOE guidance prohibits using rebate funds to replace old, polluting fossil fuel-fired appliances, such as gas furnaces, with efficient electric alternatives like heat pumps. Instead, the rebates will only be allowed for electric-to-electric appliance changes. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Court Dismisses GE Vineyard Appeal” • A Massachusetts judge has rejected GE Vernova’s request to throw out a previous order requiring it to continue working on CIP-Iberdrola’s 806-MW Vineyard Wind 1 array off the coast of Massachusetts. Turbine supplier GE Vernova is required to continue maintaining and servicing the project. [reNews]

¶ “Sierra Club West Virginia Files Testimony in Mon Power’s $2.48 Billion Gas Plant” • Sierra Club submitted testimony in the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity case for Mon Power’s proposed $2.48 billion, 1,200 MW combined cycle gas plant, which would be built without first retiring the Fort Martin coal plant’s aging coal units. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Hochul Announces New Development In Nuclear Energy Program” • Governor Kathy Hochul is looking into the State Power Authority’s plan to develop at least 1 GW of nuclear-fuel capacity in Upstate New York. New developments include an appeal that will provide up to $40 million in workforce support along with nuclear developers and training. [Yahoo]

Have an absolutely outstanding day.

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World:

¶ “In Venice, A Growing Flamingo Population Finds Refuge In Recovering Wetlands” • Flamingos started showing up in the vast Venetian Lagoon in the early 2000s, but they were rare enough that the local dialect has no word for them. Last year, climate change brought the number of wintering flamingos in Venice to a record of nearly 24,000. [ABC News]

¶ “Asian Tiger Mosquito Spreads As Far As Berlin: How Dangerous Is It?” • With climate change, Asian Tiger Mosquitoes have spread massively across southern and central Europe since the 1990s. There are established populations in Berlin and other parts of Germany. They carry chikungunya and dengue, though neither has appeared so far. [Euronews]

¶ “Over 9,900 Electric Buses Operating In Latin America Now” • The website E-Bus Radar shows there are over 9,900 electric buses in Latin America now, including the Caribbean. The buses category includes battery-powered buses and trolleybuses. The top bus manufacturers, of course, are Chinese: BYD, Yutong Bus, Foton, and Zhongtong Bus. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Chile EV Sales Report: 10% Market Share Reached In April Thanks To 247% Growth!” • The wealthiest country, Chile is known for being ahead of the Latin American curve in adopting most new technologies. But it has lagged in the passenger EV segment, closing 2025 at a mere 3.3% market share. Thanks to Trump & Co, that has changed. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “CWP Challenges Scoop Hill Wind Refusal” • CWP Energy has filed for a judicial review of Scottish Ministers’ refusal of its giant Scoop Hill wind farm in Dumfries and Galloway. CWP said the project represents a £1 billion investment and would deliver 432 MW of power and 200 MW of battery storage, enough electricity to power 450,000 homes. [reNews]

¶ “Wind Power Sets A Clear Course For Shipping’s $1 Trillion Energy Transition” • Conflict in the Middle East is driving fuel price uncertainty. Scientific validation shows that fuel saved by wind propulsion can be predicted with greater confidence and consistency than the commodity markets can. The value of the transition could be $1 trillion. [Energy Voice]

¶ “The Race To Build The World’s Largest Solar Farms” • As panel prices fall and governments worldwide look to diversify their energy mix, some developers are launching mega-projects to meet the growing demand. One in China will have 16.9 GW of capacity. California plans a 21 GW solar project with batteries. They aren’t the largest. [OilPrice.com]

¶ “China Advances Technologies To Stabilize Renewable-Heavy Power System” • China’s renewable energy installed capacity has reached the world’s largest scale, and the country is accelerating its transition from treating renewables as supplementary to make them the dominant energy supply. The transition requires some major changes in the power grid. [China Daily]

¶ “Ukraine Hits Pipeline, Refinery And Fuel Depot In Overnight Strikes On Russia” • Ukrainian drones struck targets in several Russian regions overnight, including an oil pipeline pumping station, a refinery, and a fuel depot. Russia accused Ukraine again of hitting the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant with a drone. Ukraine denied the charge. [The Japan Times]

¶ “Britain’s Nuclear Renaissance Faces Cost Pressures” • The UK is diversifying its energy mix away from fossil fuels for reduced emissions and energy security. This includes boosting its nuclear power capacity with the development of two large nuclear plants. However, its nuclear ambitions have not quite gone to plan, after years of delays and rising costs. [OilPrice.com]

US:

¶ “Ford Mustang Mach-E Cheaper than Ford Escape! (5-Year Total Cost of Ownership)” • The Ford Mustang Mach-E is clearly a superior vehicle to the Ford Escape. It’s got better tech, better driving quality, better acceleration, and a cooler look. It comes at a higher price. Nevertheless, its 5-year total cost of ownership is quite a lot lower. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Demand Destruction Is The Reward Fossil Fuel Donors Get For Supporting MAGA” • Nearly two years ago, the Republican candidate for president of the US told a group of oil and gas executives that if they put $1 billion into his campaign, they could write their own ticket if he won. They did. Now they have to deal with the war in Iran. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Energy Giant Switches On First Phase Of $1.1 Billion Texas Solar Farm Set To Power AT&T And Toyota” • Sequoia Solar, in Callahan County, Texas, has brought its first 400 MW of capacity online. That first phase is now operating, while a second 415-MW phase is due online before the end of the year. The two phases combine to 815 MW. [Yahoo Finance]

Have a basically whimsical day.

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geoharvey is not tax-deductible.

World:

¶ “Clean Energy Saved EU €51 Billion In 2025 By Cutting Fossil Fuel Imports” • Using wind and solar to generate power meant significantly less reliance on imported oil and gas, according to energy think tank Ember. Europe looks set for further savings in 2026 as renewable energy generation hits record highs thanks to ideal Spring conditions. [Euronews]

¶ “Climate Change Means Larger Hailstones And Europe Isn’t Immune” • Europe has huge economic losses due to hailstorms, but climate experts warn that rising temperatures is only making the hail bigger and more damaging. Climate change caused by burning polluting fossil fuels makes air more unstable, making larger hail and storms. [Euronews]

¶ “The Global Floating Wind Industry Flexes Its Muscles” • The global effort to develop floating offshore wind turbine platforms was once vigorously supported in the US, steered by the US DOE with private sector partners. Now some of the domestic partners ply their wares in overseas markets for lack of opportunities here in the US. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “China Sold More Plugin Vehicles In 2025 Than All The Types Of Vehicles Bought In The USA!” • China sold 16.49 million plugin consumer vehicles in 2025 domestically and abroad. (About 12.8 million were sold domestically.) In the US, people bought 16.38 million consumer vehicles overall. (The country produced about 10.2 million.) [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Cuba Bets On Solar Power As Energy Crisis Deepens” • Cuba has gone through a worsening energy crisis for years, leading it to rely on Venezuelan oil. Following the US intervention in Venezuela in February, the energy crisis has grown even worse, as Cubans face regular blackouts and the economy suffers. Now Cuba is turning to solar power. [OilPrice.com]

¶ “Morocco Is Emerging As A Renewable Energy Superpower” • Morocco is rapidly becoming a renewable energy powerhouse thanks to its favourable weather conditions and proximity to Europe. The North African country has rapidly developed its solar energy sector and is now looking to become a major green hydrogen and sustainable shipping hub. [OilPrice.com]

¶ “Russia Says Ukraine Drone Struck Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant” • The Russian state nuclear energy company, Rosatom, claimed that a Ukrainian drone had hit the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which Russian forces captured ​in March 2022. Ukraine’s military denied attacking the site, calling Russian claims “yet another propaganda ploy.” [DW.com]

US:

¶ “Giant Data Center In New Mexico Will Be Powered By Fuel Cells” • Santa Teresa is in southeastern New Mexico, not far from El Paso, Texas. It is ground zero in a fight between local residents and the owners of a massive data center designed to feed the insatiable appetite of AI for computing power. It will be powered by fuel cells, but no one is fooled. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “California Has Lowest Wholesale Electricity Prices In USA” • Wind power, water power, and solar power all mean no fuel and low wholesale electricity prices. But given how much people love to exclaim “California is expensive,” it is a shock to find out that wholesale electricity is cheaper in California than anywhere else in the country. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Connecticut Approves Plug-In Solar” • Small-scale solar is growing every year. Connecticut passed HB 5340, making the state the sixth to send a plug-in solar bill to the governor for final approval. Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Virginia, and Utah are the other states that are making it easier for consumers to add new types of solar. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Company Bets $1.2 Billion On Massive Wyoming Solar And Battery Hub For Meta Data Centers” • A clean energy project tied to one of Meta’s data centers is drawing attention after Enbridge announced a $1.2 billion investment in Wyoming. The Cowboy Project combines 365 MW of solar capacity with battery storage of 200 MW and 1,600 MWh. [Yahoo Finance]

Have a magically enjoyable day.

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World:

¶ “Four EU Countries Push Brussels To Ease Carbon Market’s Pressure On Industry” • Estonia, France, Germany, and Spain are urging the European Commission to rethink part of its planned carbon market reforms, warning that some industries could face serious competitive pressure under stricter emissions rules due to take effect between 2026 and 2030. [Euronews]

¶ “ECB Rate Hike In Focus As Eurozone’s ‘Big Four’ Report Stubbornly High Inflation” • Prices are rising faster in the EU’s biggest economies, early figures for May show. The numbers reinforce growing expectations that the European Central Bank will raise interest rates in June. The French inflation rate rose to its highest level in over a year. [Euronews]

¶ “The Buick Electra L7 BEV Looks Awesome – But Only For China” • American car company Buick, huge with grandparents back when we were kids, has released a very cool looking new sedan, the Buick Electra L7 BEV. Unfortunately, it will not be available in the US. The Buick Electra L7 BEV was developed solely for China. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Africa Is Embracing Renewable Energy” • African countries are increasingly looking to renewable energy to meet growing power demand. In 2025, African countries added a total of 11.3 GW of renewable capacity, up from 4.2 GW in 2024, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. And increasingly, renewables are displacing fossil fuels. [Yale E360]

¶ “GE Hits 25-GW Mark At German factory” • GE Vernova has produced 25 GW of wind turbine capacity at its Salzbergen facility in Germany, marking a manufacturing milestone for the site. The facility has been a key manufacturing hub for its wind business for nearly three decades. It assembles nacelles with more than 2,600 components. [reNews]

¶ “Over 100 Home Heat Pumps Helped Balance Germany’s Grid For Nearly Three Years Without Affecting Comfort” • Viessmann Climate Solutions, part of Carrier Global Corporation, said it has concluded a pilot in Germany that shows residential heat pumps can actively support grid operations, according to Renewable Energy Magazine. [The Cool Down]

¶ “European Energy Receives German Hydrogen Support” • European Energy secured support under Germany’s hydrogen auction framework linked to the European Hydrogen Bank for adding 150 MW of hydrogen production capacity in Denmark. Funding of up to €228 million will support additional hydrogen production connected to its Kassø site. [reNews]

¶ “Sunsure Commissions 105-MW Uttar Pradesh Solar Project” • Sunsure Energy commissioned a 105-MW solar project in Uttar Pradesh only four months after signing the PPA. The project is the first to transmit renewable power through the state’s Green Energy Corridor-II system. It is connected to the system through a dedicated 7 km transmission line. [Solarbytes]

¶ “Planning Approval Secured For Solar And Energy Storage Project In Wales” • Lightsource bp announced planning approval for Plas Power Solar and Energy Storage, a proposed 57-MW (AC) project in Wrexham, North East Wales. Once developed, the project will generate enough renewable energy to provide annual needs of 22,700 houses. [Lightsource bp]

¶ “The Zaporizhzhia NPP Lost All External Power Overnight For The Sixteenth Time During The War” • During the night of May 28–29, the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant once again lost external power supply, causing it to enter blackout mode, according to a report issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency. [Odessa Journal]

US:

¶ “Is AI To Blame For Hiring Woes Faced By College Graduates?” • The unemployment rate for recent college graduates registers at 5.6%, notably higher than the overall unemployment rate of 4.2%. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, whose company offers an AI model called Claude, said last year that AI could cut entry-level jobs in half in the US by 2030. [ABC News]

¶ “California Air Regulators Update A Key Climate Program, Sparking Pushback”• California air regulators updated the rules of a key climate program in a move some environmental groups said would undercut efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, the oil industry said the program will still hinder efforts to bring down energy costs. [ABC News]

¶ “Iran Deal Coming Soon – Because Exxon Is Running Out of Oil” • Exxon Mobil Senior Vice President Neil Chapman warned that oil inventories are draining fast and could reach “really low levels” in the coming few weeks if the situation in the Middle East isn’t resolved. Naturally, if that happens prices will spike. We could be in for a real shock. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “SEC Formally Proposes Rescinding Climate Disclosure Rule, Deepening Retreat From Investor Protection” • The Securities and Exchange Commission proposed rescinding its 2024 climate disclosure rule, as it moves to eliminate federal requirements for public companies to disclose certain information about climate-related risks. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Illinois First Great Lakes State To Enact Plastic Pellet Pollution Law” • The Illinois state legislature has passed HB4418, which defines pre-production plastic pellets as a pollutant and gives the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency the authority to establish policies to prevent them from being released into the environment. [CleanTechnica]

Have a pleasantly relaxing day.

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World:

¶ “Strong El Niño May Stretch To 2028 As UN Warns Climate Change To Smash Heat Records In Next Five Years” • In the next five years, Earth is overwhelmingly likely to surge again and again past the international climate threshold set as safe and shatter its hottest-year record along the way, according to new UN climate projections. [Euronews]

¶ “Brussels Faces Backlash Over Carbon Trading System As Production Costs Soar” • Six EU countries have raised renewed concerns over the bloc’s carbon market. They say that the costs it links to pollution could force some industries to relocate their production facilities outside the EU to countries that have weaker environmental rules. [Euronews]

¶ “Berlin Is Ground Zero In The War Between Bicycles And Cars” • A report in the Times says Berlin has many bike lanes, carpooling services, and extensive public transportation. In recent months, a petition to limit access for private vehicles gathered tens of thousands of signatures. But there is strong opposition to banning cars. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Over 200,000 EV Public Charging Points In Germany Now” • Germany is a leading clean energy nation, and it is making progress with electrification of transport. The latest milestone it has achieved is that over 200,000 public EV charging points have been installed. And a little more than 51,000 of those are fast chargers. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “European Energy Turns Sod On Cornwall Hybrid” • European Energy has started construction of the 68-MW Indian Queens solar and battery project in Cornwall, England. The company said construction began in May 2026 and is expected to continue for approximately one year, with grid connection scheduled in the first half of 2027. [reNews]

¶ “Ming Yang Joins Norwegian Offshore Wind” • Ming Yang Europe has joined Norwegian Offshore Wind, Norway’s largest offshore wind industry group. The organization unites roughly 300 member companies across the offshore wind value chain Norway has a goal of 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040, with a strong emphasis on floating wind. [reNews]

¶ “State Locks In Six Renewable Energy Zones After Final Round Of Nips, Tucks, And Rethinks” • Victoria has formally declared five onshore renewable energy zones and one “shoreline” REZ that will lay the foundations for the state’s step-change from its current share of around 45% of battery-backed wind and solar to 65% by 2030 and 95% by 2035. [Renew Economy]

¶ “IAEA Reports Longest Communications Outage Yet At The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant” • Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has reported that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plan has had its longest communications outage yet amid reports of increased military activity nearby. [Ukrainska Pravda]

US:

¶ “US Agriculture Industry Is At Risk As Drought Conditions Worsen” • Farms all over the country are bracing for the impact of drought after months of little precipitation, experts told ABC News. Over 60% of the continental US has been under moderate drought or worse conditions since April 7, according to the US Drought Monitor. [ABC News]

¶ “New Report Warns Of Rising Food Insecurity Nationwide” • A new economic report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York identified a “remarkable” rise in food insecurity. The issue possibly explains gloomy consumer outlooks due to the uncertain access some people have to adequate food, despite strong economic fundamentals. [ABC News]

¶ “Over 300 West Virginians Voice Concerns Over $1.44 Billion DOE Coal Bailout” • In the past month, 304 West Virginians have submitted comments to Governor Patrick Morrisey expressing concerns over a $1.44 billion DOE loan to West Virginia utilities to refurbish six unnamed coal-fired power plants, extending their lives by up to 20 years. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Public Service Commission Passes Georgia Power’s Costs To Ratepayers” • Despite the efforts of two commissioners, the Georgia Public Service Commission agreed to allow Georgia Power to continue automatically passing along all of its fuel costs to ratepayers rather than creating an incentive for the utility to manage fuel costs better. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Gen Z Wants A Net Zero Future, But They’re Uncertain If They Can Make A Difference” • A study from Sacred Heart University with GreatBlue Research finds that Gen Z people overwhelmingly care about climate change, sustainability, and social justice. But there’s a hitch. They don’t feel confident that taking action will make a difference. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “235 New Clean Energy Factories Opened In Five Years As A US Manufacturing Boom Powers Through Policy Headwinds” • According to SolarQuarter, an industry report said the US added over 235 clean energy factories in just five years, with domestic production emerging as a major force in both the economy and the energy transition. [The Cool Down]

¶ “The Texas-Size Fight Over Rick Perry’s Nuclear Power Startup” • Seven months ago, former Energy Secretary Rick Perry described as genius an idea from Texas energy billionaire Toby Neugebauer to build the world’s largest data center on a dusty grazing lease near Amarillo. But things have not gone as planned, and the two are in a bitter feud. [MSN]

Have a marvelously splendid day.

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Opinion:

¶ “Nuclear Power And Other People’s Money” • Nuclear Power would never have existed without subsidies by the government and ratepayer costs. The commercial nuclear power Gordian knot, from mining to Price-Anderson Nuclear Insurance and waste disposal, exists only because of OPM, Other People’s Money, in the form of subsidies. [CounterPunch]

World:

¶ “Nordic Coalition Urges EU To Stand Firm Against New Oil And Gas Drilling In The Arctic” • A Nordic coalition of financial institutions, trade unions, and climate scientists sent a warning to the European Commission, calling on EU leaders to maintain its existing ban on new Arctic oil and gas drilling, as the bloc revises its policy in the region. [Euronews]

¶ “EU Powerhouses Like Germany ‘On Track’ To Miss 2030 Emissions Goal While Spain May Smash Its Target” • In 2021, the EU agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 from pre-industrial levels became legally binding. And the 27 member states agreed to reduce their net climate emissions by 90% by 2040. [Euronews]
Heidelberg (Mateo Krossler, Unsplash)

¶ “Record Heat Has ‘Fingerprints Of Climate Change All Over It’” • Record May temperatures have sweltered huge parts of Europe, as countries remain trapped under a “powerful” heat dome. Record high temperatures in France and the UK have caused fatalities. But experts warn the worst is yet to come and this summer might be intensely hot. [Euronews]

¶ “Africa’s Solar Boom May Be Hiding In The Import Data” • With cheap Chinese solar modules, falling battery prices, weak African grids, and expensive oil and gas, African electricity users had practical reasons to want electricity that did not depend on the grid or fuel trucks. Here is some data that shows how easy it is becoming to convert. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Africa’s Electric Motorcycle Manufacturers Get Ready For The Next Phase As Adoption Of Electric Motorcycles Accelerates” • A number of factors present a good opportunity for companies to disrupt the African ICE motorcycle sector. This has led over a hundred of them to venture into the electric motorcycle sector in the African continent. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “15-Year Sustainable Aviation Fuel Deal For The UK’s Largest Regional Airline” • Loganair made a 15-year deal on SAF, and it did so at a good time. The SAF industry is far more expansive now than it was in the early 2000’s, when innovation in the field centered on bio-based versions of kerosene aviation fuel. Things have changed since then. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “ContourGlobal Unleashes Chilean Battery” • ContourGlobal has started operations of a battery energy storage system at the Victor Jara hybrid solar plant in Tarapacá, Chile. The company said the project combines a 231-MW solar PV plant with a 1.3-GWh battery system capable of delivering up to 200 MW of energy for 6.5 hours after sunset. [reNews]

¶ “Green Power Surges Under Qilian Mountains, Jinchang Boosts New Energy Development Via Optimized Grid Services” • As a core power supplier for local new energy industries, State Grid Jinchang Power Supply Company has stepped up efforts to build a modern new power system and accelerate integrated energy and urban development. [Yahoo Finance Singapore]

¶ “TotalEnergies Files To Build 1.5-GW French Offshore Site” • TotalEnergies applied for planning permission for its 1500-MW Centre Manche offshore wind farm off the coast of Normandy. The filing comes eight months after the French State awarded the project. It marks a milestone in the development of what is called France’s largest renewables project. [reNews]

US:

¶ “Feared Data Center Power Surge Fizzles As Solar Shoves Coal Off The US Grid” • Fears that power-hungry data centers would trigger a surge in electricity demand across the US appear not to be coming true, at least not yet. Early 2026 data suggests the grid isn’t demanding much growth. Renewable energy is also doing well as coal declines. [The Cool Down]

¶ “Low-Income Families Bear Highest Energy Burden” • The US DOE defines a high energy burden as spending 6% or more of income on energy costs, and a severe burden as spending 10% or more. Sierra Club analysis shows that some low-income families are spending nearly 13%. But the US government is backing high-cost energy instead of renewables. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Merom Coal Plant Is To Power Google And Amazon Data Centers, And Hoosiers Risk Footing The Bill” • NIPSCO GenCo signed a 12-year contract with Hallador Energy to power two new data centers with its Merom coal-fired power plant. To power an AI data center with coal is unprecedented. And it risks high costs for ratepayers. [CleanTechnica]

Have a memorably untroubled day.

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World:

¶ “Renewable Energy Is Overtaking Traditional Power Projects In Africa” • In Africa, the next generation of power projects is increasingly being built around solar and wind power and battery storage, as governments and investors shift away from coal and large hydropower dams in search of cheaper, faster, and more reliable electricity. [ABC News]

¶ “African Cities Sound Alarm On Climate And Housing At Baku Urban Forum” • From flooding in Addis Ababa to housing deficits in Luanda, African officials at the World Urban Forum in Baku say climate change and rapid urbanization are outpacing their ability to respond. They say the old funding models are no longer enough. [Euronews]

¶ “Rising Temperatures Are Putting Koala Populations At Risk, Scientists Say” • Rising temperatures are exacerbating threats to Australia’s iconic koalas, an already vulnerable species, scientists warn. Koalas are increasingly facing heat stress and even death when temperatures exceed a certain threshold, according to a paper published in Biology Letters. [ABC News]

¶ “France Plans To Double Domestic Electricity Production Share” • France is trying hard to counter concerns about fuel dependence by focusing on a huge increase in its own electricity generation and shifting from technologies that rely on fossil fuels to those that just need electricity. And it has thousands of companies on board to help. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Colombia EV Sales Report: Sales Grow 316% In April, EVs Now Over 20% Market Share!” • Beating all expectations, Colombia’s EV market is once again growing at explosive rates, with sales in April 2026 more than 300% above those in April 2025. The full battery EV market share alone almost reached 20%, compared with 7.4% 12 months ago! [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Australian Philanthropist Vows To Address Energy Inequality In Commonwealth Countries” • Australian philanthropist and tech entrepreneur Rick Parish strengthened his commitment to tackling energy inequality and the humanitarian crisis in the Commonwealth countries, using his company’s clean energy cooking stove, especially. [Renewable Energy Magazine]

¶ “Bałtyk 2 And Bałtyk 3 Foundations Installed” • Equinor and Polenergia have installed the first offshore wind foundations for the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 projects off the coast of Poland in the Baltic Sea. Equinor said the first dozen monopile and transition piece sets have been safely installed as part of the offshore installation campaign. [reNews]

¶ “EU Should Ban Non-Western OEMs” • Jose Luis Blanco, the Nordex Chief Executive, has called for a full ban on non-western turbine manufacturers selling hardware in the EU due to cyber security concerns, the Financial Times reported. He does not think the bloc has gone far enough with proposed legislation to exclude “high-risk” suppliers. [reNews]

¶ “Vattenfall Builds First PV Park With Green Steel” • Vattenfall is constructing its first solar park featuring a lower-emission steel at the 80-MW Juliusburg/Krukow project in Germany. Vattenfall said installing the steel for the substructures of panels on the Krukow section of the 74-hectare site in Schleswig-Holstien would cut emissions by 67%. [reNews]

¶ “Green Energy Isn’t Europe’s Problem – Storage Is” • During the day when the sun is shining, or when the wind blows, the amount of electricity available in Germany and some other European countries is often more than is needed. But there are not enough batteries to store it, which makes it impossible to use it later on. [DW.com]

US:

¶ “Last-Minute New York Budget Guts Climate Law” • New York lawmakers and the public got a first look at the Transportation and Economic Development section of NY’s $268.5 billion state budget, just hours before voting. It is the product of a secretive, one-sided negotiation process that weakens the state’s climate and community protection law. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “When Will EV Sales Pick Up In The US?” • The Iran war has stimulated research-level interest in electric cars here in the US, but all that online noodling has yet to translate into a significant EV sales bump. Some signs of life have been bubbling up, with Subaru providing one of the few reasons to celebrate, though it has a way to go. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “US Picks Potential Partners For Using Plutonium Surplus From The Cold War As Fuel” • The US government has chosen five companies, including Oklo, to enter advanced talks over potentially using its Cold War-era plutonium, originally made for weapons, as a nuclear reactor fuel. The plutonium has a half-life of 24,000 years. [Al Jazeera]

¶ “Ørsted And HASI Close US Land Finance Deal” • Ørsted and HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital have completed three land transactions encompassing around 6,600 acres of the Danish developer’s Eleven Mile Solar Center in Arizona, the Sparta Solar scheme in Texas, and the Muscle Shoals array in Alabama. Their total capacity is to be about 1 GW. [reNews]

¶ “Bloom Energy Shows Why Fuel Cells, Not Nuclear, Are AI’s Future Power Source” • Bloom Energy announced a 2.5-GW fuel-cell deal with Oracle for its AI data center Project Jupiter, delivering electricity in months to years compared to nuclear’s 7-15 year timeline while reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 92% compared to fossil fuel generation. [AOL.com]

Have a manageably marvelous day.

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World:

¶ “Spain Unveils Climate Social Plan With €9 Billion For Energy Transition” • The Spanish government unveiled its proposed Social Climate Plan, which provides for almost €9 billion ($10.47 billion) in public aid focused on mobility and housing. The plan earmarks almost €4.3 billion for housing policies and €4.7 billion to decarbonize transportation. [Euronews]

¶ “Strait Of Hormuz Turmoil ‘Serious’ Risk For Europe, Top UAE Adviser Warns” • Dr Anwar Gargash said at a conference in Prague that the Strait of Hormuz is a European energy problem, not a distant regional one, as the region faces the worst instability in decades. It is a direct challenge to European energy supply and trade. [Euronews]

¶ “Pope Calls For Robust Regulation Of AI In Manifesto” • In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV has called for robust regulation of artificial intelligence and for its developers to work for common good rather than profit. He issued the sweeping manifesto on safeguarding humankind as the technology impacts everything from work to war. [ABC News]

¶ “Brazilian Government Commits $617.5 Million To Amazon Ecological Investment” • The Brazilian government said it has committed 3.1 billion reais ($617.5 million) to foster ecological investment in the Amazon region, as part of a plan to expand a federal program known as Eco Invest that was announced during last year’s COP30. [ABC News]

¶ “An Post Reaches Emissions Milestone 3 Months Early” • An Post, the postal service of Ireland, announced that it has cut its carbon emissions by 50% compared to 2009 levels and done so three months earlier than planned. The reduction comes even as An Post has seen its volume grow by 27%. In 2025, it delivered a total of 73 million items. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Dogged Pursuit Of Green Hydrogen Continues In Europe, With An Assist From The US” • The green movement has been failing to get traction as costs stayed stubbornly high relative to conventional hydrogen and off-takers failed to materialize in force. But we might take a look at some recent news coming out of the EU and the UK. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Nordex Wins 110-MW Türkiye turbine order” • The Nordex Group has secured a 110-MW order from Eksim Enerji AŞ in Türkiye for the Balıkesir-3 wind farm. Nordex said the contract covers the supply and installation of sixteen N175/6.X wind turbines on tubular steel towers with a hub height of 119 meters. A 10-year Premium Service Agreement is included. [reNews]

¶ “Australia Seeks 5 GW Of Renewable Capacity In Its Latest Tender” • The next round of the Australian government’s Capacity Investment Scheme is open, providing renewable energy project developers with the opportunity to register and bid for underwriting contracts for projects in the National Electricity Market. [pv magazine International]

¶ “Renewable Energy Just Broke A 100-Year-Old Streak” • When Thomas Edison’s Pearl Street electrical station fired up in Lower Manhattan in 1882, it ran on coal. Since then, Coal has survived the oil era, the nuclear era, and natural gas. Now it has been surpassed by renewable energy, according to Ember’s Global Electricity Review 2026. [MSN]

US:

¶ “Evacuation Zone Shrinks After ‘Worst-Case Scenario’ Of Southern California Chemical Tank Explosion Averted, Officials Say” • About 16,000 people remain under evacuation orders for a possible tank explosion, Garden Grove Police Chief said at a press briefing. That’s down from 50,000. The tank’s temperature has been reduced. [ABC News]

¶ “Uber: Getting Hard to Justify High AI Costs” • Tech companies and large corporations are all gung-ho about using AI, so there’s a lot of early adoption underway. But how useful is the rush to adopt, and is it providing a positive return on investment? Uber is apparently starting to ask these questions, as AI does not seem to deliver as expected. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Sunrun Is Number Five On TIME’s 2026 List Of World’s Most Impactful Companies” • Sunrun, America’s largest provider of home battery storage, solar, and home-to-grid power plants, was named Number Five on TIME’s inaugural list of The World’s Most Impactful Companies, and earned the top ranking in the utilities category. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “$1 Billion Electric Truck Rebate Program Announced” • Just a bit ago, WattEV ordered 370 Tesla semi trucks, quite a large order for such trucks in the US. Now comes news of a California state program, California Clean Fuel Reward, to provide rebates to retailers that buy fully electric medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “US Renewables Generation Jumps 11%” • Renewable energy sources increased US electrical generation by more than 11% in the first quarter of 2026, according to new data reviewed by the SUN DAY Campaign. The campaign said utility-scale solar generation rose by 23.9% during the period, while small-scale solar by 11.9% and wind by 2.1%. [reNews]

¶ “US Military Airlifts A Nuclear Reactor Across Three States After Trump Pushes For More Nuclear Energy” • The military transported a small nuclear reactor by air, advancing the Trump administration’s plan to deploy nuclear energy across the nation. The 5-MW Valar Atomics Ward 250 nuclear reactor is about the size of a large truck. [AOL.com]

Have a famously pleasant day.

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Opinion:

¶ “India’s Nuclear Euphoria: The Hard Economics Policymakers Ignore” • There is a sort of newfound euphoria sweeping India with respect to nuclear power, and in particular, Small Modular Reactors. But enthusiasm is not a substitute for analysis. And that is particularly true of the economics of nuclear power plants, and the waste they produce. [Counterview]

Science and Technology:

¶ “Why AI And Why Now?” • AI means data centers, which are a flash point in US politics. Utah just approved a data center that Grist says will use 9 GW of power, double what the entire state uses today. Physics professor Robert Davies believes the giant computer center will create a heat island big enough to devastate the ecology of its area. [CleanTechnica]

World:

¶ “Vertical Gardens Are A Practical, Beautiful Way To Cool Down Cities” • French botanist Patrick Blanc pioneered vertical gardens in the 1980s, and Europe has some striking examples. They are becomming common in South America. Botanist Ignacio Solano is breaking down misconceptions about the technology while he teaches people to turn cities green. [Euronews]

¶ “XPENG Offers More Human-Like Autonomous Driving” • XPENG’s in-house developed Turing AI chips provide more computing power than competing systems. Beyond the nominal computing power, the effective computing power is even higher. This computing power lets cars adapt better to local conditions and drivers. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Dajin Taps Jumbo To Deliver Heavy-Lift Ships” • Dajin Heavy Industry signed a contract with Jumbo Marine, a Dutch offshore shipping company, to build two high-end heavy-lift vessels. The Chinese foundations maker said that the vessels will be equipped with two 1200-tonne heavy-duty cranes with a combined lifting capacity of 2400 tonnes. [reNews]

¶ “Swedish Developer Wins Brattön-Sälelund Permit” • Swedish developer Rabbalshede Kraft secured a permit for the Brattön-Sälelund wind farm in Munkedal municipality in Sweden. The nine-turbine project is expected to generate around 250 GWh per year, equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of about 45,000 households. [reNews]

¶ “RWE Lands Power Deal For 1.1-GW Oz Giant” • RWE has secured a Capacity Investment Scheme contract for its 1100-MW Theodore onshore wind project in Central Queensland. The company said that the Theodore project could feature up to 170 turbines and a battery storage facility capable of powering about 500,000 Queensland homes. [reNews]

¶ “Fortescue Ushers In 1.4 GW Of Renewables Across Five Projects” • Fortescue started building the final solar installation to help it achieve Real Zero emissions by 2030. The Australian mining company broke ground on its 690-MW Turner River solar farm in the Pilbara while beginning its 650-MWh BESS at its Cloudbreak operations. [Energy Magazine]

¶ “As Wars Hit Power Plants And Fuel Supplies, Rooftop Solar Can Be A Lifeline” • In a recent Guardian opinion essay, US Rep Lloyd Doggett and Michael Shank argue that attacks on Ukraine’s energy system and unstable fuel markets sparked by America’s war with Iran highlight just how vulnerable the infrastructure of fossil fuels can be. [The Cool Down]

¶ “Electricity Bills To Fall Even Further Than Predicted In State As Renewables Share Nears 50%” • The cost of electricity will fall in all five of Victoria’s electricity distribution zones, the state’s pricing regulator confirmed, cutting household energy bills by an average of $84 in the coming financial year and small business bills by an average of $241 a year. [Renew Economy]

¶ “Iran Launches Plan To Equip 12,000 Schools With Solar Power” • In a major step toward expanding renewable energy, Iran has begun a nationwide project to install solar power in 12,000 schools. The initiative, with a total capacity of 60 MW, aims to reduce pressure on the national grid, promote clean energy, and enhance energy security. [Tehran Times]

US:

¶ “As Authorities Urgently Try To Prevent California Chemical Tank Explosion, 50,000 Are Still Under Evacuation Orders” • In Orange County, authorities are still trying urgently to prevent an overheated, pressured, bulging tank filled with a toxic chemical from exploding. The Orange County Fire Authority is doing visual inspections. [ABC News]

¶ “US Solar & Storage Manufacturers Flood DC To Highlight Global Leadership And Jobs” • With the crisis in the Middle East and its connection to rising energy prices, representatives of the solar power and energy storage industry went to Washington to remind policymakers how useful cheap, clean, home-collected energy can be. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “2,500 New EV Chargers Are Planned For Apartment And Condo Complexes” • There are apartment and condo dwellers who have onsite EV chargers, but they are in the minority. Now there is some good news for the rest. The EV charging company ChargePoint plans to install 2,500 new EV chargers at multi-family dwellings. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “US Adds Nearly 10 GWh Of Energy Storage Capacity In First Quarter, Best Q1 On Record” • The US energy storage industry installed 9.7 GWh of capacity in Q1 of 2026, the strongest first quarter in the sector’s history. Energy storage installations in Q1 were up 32% year-over-year despite actions in Washington that target clean energy. [CleanTechnica]

Have an obviously advantageous day.

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World:

¶ “How Football Fans Are Tackling Sweden’s Fertilizer Problem Using Urine” • Eleda Stadion will open its toilets to an initiative aiming to gather 1,000 liters of human urine to defeat Sweden’s dependence on imported fossil fuel-based synthetic fertilizer. Researchers estimate that urine could replace up to 30% of the country’s synthetic fertilizer. [Euronews]

¶ “Ukrainian Drone Attack Triggers Fire A At A Russian Oil Terminal” • A Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire at another Russian oil terminal overnight, officials in Russia’s Krasnodar region said, in what appeared to be the latest attack on Moscow’s vital oil industry. Authorities said falling drone debris sparked a fire at an oil terminal. [ABC News]

¶ “The 100% Electric VW ID. Polo GTI” • Volkswagen is a leader for EV sales in Europe and one of the top automakers in terms of EV sales globally. However, Europe is where the company shines, and the new ID. Polo is an EV made for the European market. Volkswagen has unveiled the GTI version of the Volkswagen ID. Polo, the first fully electric GTI model. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “100% Renewable Energy By 2050? A Global Model Maps The Way Forward” • To pave the way for net-zero emissions, many energy engineers and global leaders have been developing and facilitating the deployment of energy technologies that produce, store and distribute electricity sourced from renewable sources such as solar and wind. [Tech Xplore]

¶ “Earth.org Debunks Clean Energy Myths” • Mark Twain liked to say, “What you don’t know won’t hurt you near as much as what you do know that ain’t true.” Sadly, large corporations take advantage of our innate ability to believe false information for their private gain. Here is some myth busting that shows how wrong they are. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Push Back On Reduced Assessment Of Nuclear Projects” • In Canada, academics, environmental lawyers, and civil society organizations are raising the alarm over a federal proposal to reduce independent scrutiny of nuclear projects. A May 8th Discussion Paper proposes major rollbacks in project reviews under the Impact Assessment Act. [Wawa-news.com]

US:

¶ “Due To Rising Gas Prices, Some Americans Are Staying Home On Memorial Day” • Despite a spike in gas prices in the country, more than 45 million Americans are projected to travel over fifty miles during Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA. But for those Americans who struggle financially, even short-distance travel is out of reach. [ABC News]

¶ “Kia EV6 Price Gets Cut Tto $37,900!” • It’s been a just bit disappointed to see Kia EV6 sales not matching its worth and competitiveness, but perhaps the pricing was always just a bit high. Now, however, Kia is looking to take things to the next level. The company has just dropped the base price of the Kia EV6 from $42,900 to $37,900! [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Four Western States Combine Forces To Kickstart A Geothermal Energy Revolution ” • After the Trump regime introduced its energy policy attacking solar and wind, four Western US states with copious geothermal potential (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah) formed the Mountain West Geothermal Consortium. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “World’s Fourth-Largest Economy Challenges Trump On Offshore Wind” • California has the fourth-largest economy in the world, and it has 200 GW of offshore wind potential. While President Trump would like to see all those clean gigawatts sit there, unused, California officials and industry stakeholders have other plans. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “One Of The World’s Biggest ‘Toaster Oven’ Batteries Is Turning Excess Wind Power Into Industrial Heat” • When the wind blows, and nobody needs the electricity, store it in hot carbon blocks for later. That is the idea behind a massive new battery project in South Dakota that is giving unwanted wind power a second life. [The Cool Down]

Have a substantively gratifying day.

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 geoharvey is not tax-deductible.

World:

¶ “WUF13 Ends With Global Call For Action” • As the World Urban Forum ended in Baku, the debate on the future of cities evolved beyond architecture, infrastructure and skylines to the urgent global question of how can cities withstand conflict, climate change, rapid urbanisation, and inequality without leaving communities behind. [Euronews]

¶ “Egypt To Ship Cypriot Gas To Europe In QatarEnergy Deal” • QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil have signed a deal with Egypt to pipe Cypriot offshore gas to Egyptian liquefaction facilities for export to Europe. The deal is considered the latest sign that Egypt is becoming the dominant energy hub of the Eastern Mediterranean. [Euronews]

¶ “German Business Morale Improves Despite Disruptions By The Iran War To Energy Markets” • Germany’s closely watched ifo Business Climate Index increased to 84.9 points in May from 84.5 in April. The index is a highly regarded early indicator of German economic developments, published monthly by the ifo Institute for Economic Research. [Euronews]

¶ “State Media: 82 Dead, Nine Trapped In Coal Mine Accident In Northern China” • At least 82 people were killed and nine are still trapped after a coal mine accident in northern China, according to Chinese state media. The incident occurred in Changzhi City, Xinhua reported. Carbon monoxide levels “exceeded limits” in the mine, it said. [ABC News]

¶ “Gotion Unveils Sodium Battery Products With 261 Wh/kg Energy Density And 20,000 Charge Cycles” • At the 15th Global Technology conference, CarNewsChina reported, Gotion has introduced three specialized versions of its sodium battery and said it already has gigawatt-hour scale production lines set up and ready to go. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “EU Businesses Demand Electrification Action” • Companies and business organisations across the EU called for “immediate, bold and effective electrification policy actions” ahead of the European Commission’s forthcoming Electrification Action Plan. The organisations argued that the EU must reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. [reNews]

¶ “DRI Commissions 126-MW Văcărești Solar Park” • DRI has received the commercial operating licence for its 126-MW Văcărești solar park from the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority, starting full commercial operations at the project. The Văcărești project is expected to supply annual electric needs for about 50,000 households. [reNews]

US:

¶ “Evacuation Orders Issued In California City Over Chemical Tank: ‘It Fails Or It Blows Up'” • In a situation that has been called “unprecedented,” tens of thousands of people in Southern California have been told to leave their homes. Officials have issued a dire warning that a chemical tank at an aerospace facility will either fail or explode. [ABC News]

¶ “Mozilla Foundation Condemns Data Collection By Cars” • In 2023, Mozilla Foundation claimed online, “Cars Are the Worst Product Category We Have Ever Reviewed for Privacy.” Now, car companies are still collecting and selling information about drivers from how fast they are driving to who is in the car with them, and much more. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Who’s Afraid Of Electric Trucks? Not California, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio…” • US EV sales plummeted after President Trump and Republican in Congress killed off key federal tax credits last year, sending the EV movement into a tailspin. But signs of a rebirth continue to emerge, with electric trucks being an area of interest. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Floating Solar Comes To DeSantistan” • Solar Power World reported this week that D3 Energy, a company that specializes in floating solar, signed a master lease with the Florida Department of Transportation to serve as the exclusive developer of floating solar systems on FDOT-owned stormwater ponds. And the first project is fully operational. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “As Wildfire Grows Near Ex-Nuclear Site, California County Sets Up Radiation Air Monitors” • With a Southern California wildfire only growing, firefighters in Ventura County increased response efforts near a former nuclear reactor and rocket testing site. Nuclear research ended at the site in 1988 and rocket testing stopped in 2006. [Inside Climate News]

¶ “US Energy Storage Expands To Support Growing Power Needs” • The US energy storage industry installed a record amount of capacity in the first quarter as utilities seek greater grid stability and lower costs amid rising demand for electricity. The industry installed 9.7 GWh of new capacity between January and March, up 32% YOY. [MSN]

Have an engagingly uncluttered day.

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World:

¶ “Petrostates Tried To Squash This Historic Climate Ruling. The UN Just Voted To Back It” • The UN General Assembly approved a non-binding resolution endorsing the advisory opinion by the UN’s top court last July that called failure by countries to protect the planet from climate change a violation of international law, a win for low-lying countries. [Euronews]

¶ “Spain To Launch Biggest Forest Fire Campaign After Record Losses Last Year” • As Spain sweltered through its hottest summer on record in 2025, almost 4,000 square kilometers of land went up in smoke, a record, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. Now Spain is in a record campaign against forest fires. [Euronews]

¶ “How Lithuania Became A Wild Card For The EU’s Clean Energy Race” • Lithuania has rapidly become a renewables powerhouse after drastically reducing its reliance on polluting fossil fuels. The country’s domestic consumption of renewable electricity jumped from 15% five years ago to 50% in 2025, thanks to huge investment in solar and wind. [Euronews]

¶ “Ford Could Sell Spanish Factory Space To Geely To Build EVs” • In a continuing trend, another Chinese automaker finds factory space in Europe to build electric cars there. Ford is reportedly on the verge of selling factory space in Spain to Chinese automotive giant Geely. This would be the first plant in Europe where Geely can build cars. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “EU Aviation Strategy – T&E Call for Evidence Response” • With the crisis in Iran and broader conflicts such as the Ukraine war, the dependency of European aviation on fossil fuels and imported kerosene is clearer than ever. If it fails to look ahead, Europe will risk losing its competitive edge in sustainable technologies. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Stellantis to Build EVs for Dongfeng in France” • Chinese automaker Dongfeng has partnered with Stellantis on a plan to build EVs in France. BYD had been looking to take over dormant or underutilized factories from legacy automakers like Stellantis to build more EVs in Europe. But it looks like Dongfeng will beat it to the punch. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “1.8-GW Danish Offshore Tender Attracts Bidders” • Bids have been submitted for the North Sea and Hesselø offshore wind areas in Denmark covering at least 1,800 MW of capacity. The bids are being evaluated. A third offshore wind tender for the North Sea South area with a minimum capacity of 1 GW is scheduled for autumn 2028. [reNews]

¶ “EU Wind Funding Drives Seven-Fold Returns” • Each €1 of public funding for wind delivers €7 annually to the European economy by 2040, according to a study by Trinomics with DTU Wind. The study said targeted EU support for wind innovation and industrial scale-up would generate major economic and energy security benefits. [reNews]

¶ “Australia Opens Tenders For 2.5 GW Of Solar And Wind Alongside 12.5 GWh Of Storage” • The government of New South Wales launched the latest of its planned tenders seeking new solar and wind generation and energy storage projects as it prepares for the exit of coal and the shift to a grid dominated by renewables. [pv magazine International]

¶ “The Threat To Nuclear Power Plants Around The World” • The vulnerability of the civilian energy infrastructure was exposed this week when a drone strike on the United Arab Emirates cut off power to a nuclear reactor, said Bloomberg. A fully operating nuclear power plant, in a country not in a war, was the target of a military attack. [The Week]

US:

¶ “Trump Administration Will Ease Refrigerant Rule In Effort To Address Surging Grocery Costs” • The Trump administration is set to loosen a federal rule that requires grocery stores and air-conditioning companies to reduce greenhouse gases used in cooling equipment, in what officials say is a push to lower grocery costs. [ABC News]

¶ “Higher Fuel Prices Have Some Americans Scaling Back Their Travel Plans” • The summer travel season gets its start in the US with the long Memorial Day holiday weekend. Higher fuel prices due to the Iran war and other inflationary pressures are making most forms of travel costlier as people in much of the world form their plans. [ABC News]

¶ “Another Route To Rooftop Solar: The Ann Arbor Solution” • Small-scale solar arrays have become a powerful addition to the US electricity grid, at an estimated 58 GW and counting. The balcony solar movement is accelerating the trend. Now the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan with a new solution aimed to help install solar with storage. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Wood Mackenzie Warns On Data Center Power” • Wood Mackenzie warns that the race to power AI is straining US grid development. Data center developers are pursuing collocated generation and flexible interconnection models due to grid build-outs taking 5 to 10 years, but the projects face greater hurdles than widely understood. [reNews]

¶ “Senate Bill Could Remove Regulations Around Nuclear Plant Building Materials” • A new US Senate bill could remove some regulations around building materials in nuclear plants. It would allow commercial grade steel and concrete in non safety-related parts of plants, rather than the more expensive nuclear-grade materials. [Aspen Public Radio]

Have a dependably goodly day.

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World:

¶ “Christian Leaders Lambast Big Fossil Fuel Companies As They Demand An EU Windfall Tax” • A coalition of Christian organisations has issued an urgent appeal to the EU to “remain steadfast in its founding values of human dignity and the common good by accelerating a just energy transition.” They ask for a windfall profits tax. [Euronews]

¶ “EU Fertilizer Plan Exposes Link Between Energy And Food Bills” • The European Commission’s latest fertilizer plan is an attempt to break the chain reaction linking gas prices, fertilizer shortages, and rising grocery bills, triggered by the war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Critics say it fails to protect consumers. [Euronews]

¶ “The UN Has Bad News For Global Growth As Middle East Crisis Continues” • UN economists said global GDP growth is now forecast at 2.5% for 2026, down from 2.7% in January, and could fall to just 2.1% “in a more adverse scenario.” That would be one of the weakest growth rates this century, outside of the COVID-19 pandemic. [Euronews]

¶ “XPENG Starts Producing Robotaxis” • XPENG has been quick to develop its autonomous driving capabilities. It feels like the company is still so young, and now it’s making robotaxis! A couple of days ago, the company announced “the official rollout of its first mass-produced Robotaxi in Guangzhou.” This is a first, even for China. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Open Letter: EU Passenger Package Is A Golden Opportunity For Rail To Reach Its Full Potential” • The Youth on Track coalition, uniting youth organizations, consumer groups, and environmental NGOs of the EU, is calling in an open letter to EU institutions to raise the ambitions of the EU Passenger Package for rail service. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Hyundai Motor Group Expands Pan-India Network To Accelerate Battery And Electrification Research” • Hyundai Motor Group is expanding its Center of Excellence in India, establishing a pan-India network of academic-industrial partners to accelerate the research and development of battery and electrification technologies. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Seanergy 2026: Siemens ‘Has Capacity For Offshore Surge'” • European power giant Siemens Energy has told the offshore wind industry that it has the turbines and electrical equipment to deliver “whatever needs to be done” in the sector. Some of its customers had fears it would not be able to deliver turbines and substations. [reNews]

¶ “24/7 Renewables Could Happen Sooner Than You Think” • A new type of clean megaproject is starting to look not only possible but also economically attractive. These projects would load up the sunniest and windiest places on Earth with enough solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries to deliver ​“firm power” 24 hours a day. [Canary Media]

¶ “Vattenfall Inaugurates 139-MW Bruzaholm Windfarm” • Vattenfall has inaugurated the 139-MW Bruzaholm wind farm in Eksjö, Sweden. Approximately 50% of the wind farm’s power will go to Volvo under a long-term PPA with the automaker. The agreement helps to secure Volvo’s long-term access to a source of competitive electricity. [reNews]

¶ “German Government Plans First Nuclear Fusion Power Plant By The 2040s” • The German government plans to build the world’s first commercial fusion plant in the 2040s,. The aim is to build a demonstration fusion power plant in Germany by the end of the 2030s and the world’s first commercial fusion plant in the 2040s. [Yahoo]

US:

¶ “Water Supplies Along Colorado River Basin In Peril, Experts Say” • The Colorado River basin and its two largest reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, are facing possible record-low water levels in the coming months due to a snow drought in much of the West over the winter season, a study from the US Bureau of Reclamation shows. [ABC News]

¶ “Oracle Exec Sues Tesla Over Full Self Driving Promises And Wins $10,600” • A director of software engineering at Oracle who feels he got duped when he paid for Tesla Full Self Driving years ago recently filed a claim in Texas small claims court against Tesla. He got $10,600 in a default judgment as well as $72.88 in court costs. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Avangrid And PSE Sign Big Horn PPA” • Avangrid and Puget Sound Energy have signed a long-term power purchase agreement for the Big Horn I wind farm in Washington state. The project has a capacity of 199.5-MW, Iberdrola said. The agreement will secure clean energy supply from the Klickitat County project. [reNews]

¶ “First EV Chargers Installed At Large Restaurant Chain” • EV chargers are getting to be much more common in the US. The restaurant chain Bojangles recently installed its first EV chargers at one of its restaurants and reportedly will expand EV charging at many or all of them. Bojangles has about 800 restaurants in 23 states. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “US Energy Storage Jumps 32% To Q1 Record” • US energy storage developers added 9.7 GWh of new battery capacity in the first quarter of 2026, the highest level ever recorded for any quarter, with a 32% year-on-year increase, Reuters said. This comes despite federal actions the industry says are slowing clean energy development. [Egypt Oil & Gas]

Have a greatly appreciative day.

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World:

.¶ “New “Atlas” Will Catalog Proteins That Bind to Rare Earth Elements” • Led by the NLR and supported by PNNL, the creation of the first-ever Microbial Rare Earth Element Atlas could help address the list of 60 critical minerals identified by the US Geological Survey as vital to the national economy but at risk of disrupted supply chains. [CleanTechnica]

World:

.¶ “UAE Says Mystery Drones Targeting Nuclear Plant Came From Iraq” • Drones that targeted the Emirates’ only nuclear power plant last week were launched from Iraqi territory, the UAE said on Tuesday, pointing to a significant escalation by Tehran-backed groups in a war that has repeatedly targeted Gulf energy infrastructure. [Euronews]

¶ “Players Demand Stronger Safety Rules As Experts Warn On World Cup Heat” • Professional football players are calling on the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to introduce stronger protections against dangerous extreme temperatures during the men’s World Cup 2026. Heat stress can increase risks to player health. [Euronews]

¶ “Biggest Boost To Renewable Power In NSW History” • NSW is launching the biggest renewable energy tender in its history, seeking enough new generation to power about one-third of homes across NSW. Tender 8 is seeking 2.5 GW of renewable energy, making it the state’s largest generation Long-Term Energy Service Agreement tender. [NSW Government]

¶ “‘Real Panic’ In Oil Industry Expected To Come In June If Strait Of Hormuz Doesn’t Open” • Numerous countries have relied on oil reserves to manage the oil crisis and keep oil and gas prices from spiking shockingly. However, as those reserves get drained and the Strait Of Hormuz remains blocked, they could get a quick shock anyway. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Solar To Dominate Power By 2032” • Solar will become the world’s largest source of electricity by 2032, according to BloombergNEF’s New Energy Outlook 2026. BloombergNEF said rising electricity demand driven by electrification, data centres, population growth and higher incomes is reshaping global energy systems. [reNews]

¶ “Nabrawind Tests ‘Crane-Less’ Installation System” • Nabrawind installed its first wind turbine using its Skylift system at the InnoVent Diaz wind farm in Namibia. The Skylift lifting system integrates two technologies developed by Nabrawind: the Self-Erecting System, adapted to conventional tubular towers, and BladeRunner. [reNews]

¶ “PV Curtailment On The Rise In India” • Ember estimated total renewable energy curtailment at around 470 GWh in the first quarter of 2026, particularly common in the northern and western regions. Nearly 300 GWh of curtailments were attributable to transmission constraints and the remaining 170 GWh linked to system inflexibility. [pv magazine International]

¶ “Italy To Assign 10 GW Of PV In 2026-2027 Renewables Auctions” • Italian energy agency Gestore dei servizi energetici announced that the renewable energy FerX auctions planned for 2026 and 2027 will allocate 10 GW of PV capacity and 16 GW of wind power. “The goal is to hold one auction by the end of the year and the other two in 2027.” [pv magazine International]

¶ “Oman Power Company Signs 2.7 GW PPA For Continuous Wind-Solar-Storage Project” • Oman renewables developer O-Green Energy signed a PPA with the country’s single electricity buyer for a hybrid renewable energy project in Mahmout and Duqm. The 2.7 GW Continuous Renewable Energy Project will comprise solar, wind and battery storage. [pv magazine India]

US:

¶ “New US DOE Funding Opportunity To Strengthen Microgrids” • The NLR is launching a funding opportunity through the Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership, with funding from the US DOE Office of Electricity. It offers up to $2.5 million in direct project funding $1 million in technical assistance to help with remote microgrids. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Data Center Server Energy Use Grows Across The Commercial Building Stock” • In the Annual Energy Outlook 2026, the US DOE’s long-term outlook, we project electricity consumed by data center servers will increase across the commercial building stock, more in standalone data centers than in all other data centers combined. [CleanTechnica]

¶ “Enel Buys 270-MW US Solar Portfolio” • Enel has signed an agreement to acquire a portfolio of around 270 MW of operational solar plants in the US. The company said the deal covers seven photovoltaic plants for a consideration of about $140 million and is expected to deliver around $20 million per year in ordinary EBITDA. [reNews]

¶ “Costly Blunder Of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant” • A 1972 state-commissioned report from the Rand Corporation noted that California had 30,000 MW of available generation but would need 72,000 MW of new power on the grid to meet the needs for 1991, requiring perhaps forty more nuclear reactors. Thankfully for ratepayers, cooler heads prevailed. [The Santa Barbara Independent]

¶ “Bill Including Solar-Charged Batteries In Net Metering Heads To Governor’s Desk” • A bill that cleared the New Hampshire Legislature last week would create a framework for residents to be compensated for renewably generated electricity they feed into the grid from home battery systems. The prime sponsor of House Bill 1718 is Rep Michael Vose. [New Hampshire Bulletin]

Have a comfortably magnificent day.