World:
¶ “Use Of Plastics And Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations” • The world’s nations are convening at a UN conference in Geneva to negotiate a deal aimed at tackling plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. Many wish to reduce production and use of specific chemicals. Some oil-producing countries oppose these goals in favor of managing waste. [Euronews]
Plastics (Naja Bertolt Jensen, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “One Of The World’s Most Polluted Cities Banned Single-Use Plastics” • Lagos, Nigeria’s 20 million people produced 870,000 tons of plastic waste in 2024. Last month, Lagos state authorities imposed a ban on single-use plastics. Residents, however, say weak enforcement and an absence of alternatives have weakened its effectiveness. [ABC News]
¶ “Casa Dos Ventos Selects Nextracker For 1.5 GW Of Solar Projects In Brazil” • Casa dos Ventos, known for its leadership in Brazil’s wind energy sector, is now including solar in its portfolio of renewables, part of a growing trend for Brazilian developers aiming to optimize projects. It awarded contracts for four solar projects totaling 1,563 MW. [CleanTechnica]
Hybrid solar-wind power plant (Nextracker image)
¶ “TDK Ventures Invests In Ultraviolette To Speed Electrification Of Motorcycles” • TDK Corporation’s subsidiary TDK Ventures, Inc invested in Ultraviolette, an innovator in high-performance electric motorcycles headquartered in Bangalore, India. The investment represents TDK Ventures’ commitment to advancing sustainable transportation. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Tesla Launches 515-Mile Model 3 In China” • Tesla launched a Model 3 option in China that has 830 km (about 515 miles) of range on a full charge. The starting price of this new Model 3 trim is 269,500 yuan ($37,540). To compare, the longest-range Model 3 in the US has only 363 miles (584 km) of range, at a price of $35,000. [CleanTechnica]
Long-range Tesla Model 3 in China (Tesla image)
¶ “Germany’s Solar Industry Warns Against Subsidy Cuts For Rooftop Installations” • Germany’s solar industry has raised concerns over a proposal by Economy Minister Katherina Reiche to end feed-in subsidies for small-scale rooftop PV systems. The sector cautioned that such a move could risk national climate targets, according to Reuters. [Power Technology]
¶ “NIB And NORD/LB Back 182-MW Lithuanian Solar” • Nordic Investment Bank and NORD/LB will provide up to €64 million to finance two 91-MW solar farms in Lithuania for Green Genius. The sites in Izabelinė and Lieponys will also feature an 18-MW battery storage system at Izabelinė in a hybrid model to improve grid integration. [reNews]
Solar farm (Green Genius image)
¶ “Smoke Reported Near Russian-Occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant” • Smoke was observed in the area of the cargo port at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine’s Energy Ministry said. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said “no radiation increase, no nuclear safety impact (was) reported” in the area. [Yahoo.com]
¶ “Rezolv Secures 731 MW In Romania CFD Auction” • Rezolv Energy has won three contracts for difference totalling 731 MW in Romania’s second renewable energy auction. The awards cover capacity from the 1,044-MW Dama Solar PV park in Arad County and the 300-MW Dunarea East wind farm in Constanța County. [reNews]
Wind farm (Rezolv Energy image)
US:
¶ “Greenlane Announces Key I-10 Charging Corridor, Powering Long-Haul Electric Pilots” • Addressing a critical infrastructure gap for electric trucking along one of America’s busiest freight highways, Greenlane is establishing its second commercial EV charging corridor connecting Southern California to Phoenix via Interstate 10. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Ice Dam At Glacier Releases Floodwater Toward Downstream Homes” • A huge basin of rainwater and snowmelt dammed by Alaska’s Mendenhall Glacier is releasing, and residents in parts of Juneau are urged to evacuate ahead of flooding downstream. Last year, the Mendenhall River’s release flow was about half that of Niagara Falls. [ABC News]
Mendenhall River (Gillfoto, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped)
¶ “US Unlocks Frozen EV Charging Funds” • When the current US administration took office in January, one of the first things it did was impound all funds appropriated by Congress for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. After fourteen states got a preliminary injunction, the Trump administration blinked and backed down. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “EGLE Reviewing Next Steps As The Trump Administration Cancels Federal Solar Funding” • The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy recently announced grant support for a number of pilot projects in the MI Solar for All program. But President Donald Trump’s administration canceled its support for the program. [News From The States]
CBS Solar installation in Michigan (Courtesy of CBS Solar)
¶ “A Billion-Dollar Solar Industry Proof-Of-Life Is Coming To Tennessee” • The abrupt shift in federal energy policy hit the US solar industry hard on the short term, but some players are still in the game. One is Illuminate USA, with a 5-year, 15-GW solar glass deal. Another is Highland Materials, with a new $1 billion polysilicon acility in Tennessee. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “California Taxpayers Gave PG&E A Huge, Supposedly Safe Loan. The Losses Are Already Mounting” • Two weeks before the 2022 legislative session ended, Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration asked lawmakers to authorize a $1.4 billion state loan to keep Diablo Canyon open. The loan was supposed to be safe. Things change. [The Santa Barbara Independent]
Have a spectacularly quiet day.
geoharvey 