World:
¶ “Europe’s Farms Are Reeling From The Iran War, Except For Regenerative Farmers” • Regenerative farms are less reliant on imported synthetic fertilisers than conventional farmers. They have very similar yields at much lower costs. They improve the soil’s natural fertility with compost, animal manure, rotational grazing, and cover crops. [Euronews]
Italian farm (Carl Beech, Unsplash)
¶ “BYD Sees First Profit Drop Since 2021, But Takes Global EV Crown” • Chinese automaker BYD said its annual sales rose to a record $116 billion, outpacing Tesla’s, but its profit fell for the first time since 2021 under pressure from cutthroat competition. BYD, the largest electric vehicle maker, has been expanding into global markets. [ABC News]
¶ “Middle East Crude Oil Tanker Rates Reached A Multi-Decade High In March” • In March 2026, tanker rates for Very Large Crude Carriers leaving the Middle East to Asia were the highest since at least November 2005, when data were first recorded. The price increase came after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz on March 2. [CleanTechnica]
Crude carrier rates (EIA image)
¶ “BrightDrop Died in America, While China Made Electric Vans Normal” • BrightDrop was General Motor’s attempt to build a modern electric delivery platform for the North American market. Poor sales put it under. By contrast, new energy urban logistics vehicles in China reached 45.2% market penetration in 2024, up from 37.1% in 2023. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Ford Unveils New Battery Electric Transit City Work Trucks For Europe” • Ford Pro announced the Transit City, a battery electric truck designed to meet the needs of the customers who use the Transit series of trucks but need a vehicle that can be operated within the zero emissions zones that are increasingly popular in European cities. [CleanTechnica]
Ford Transit City electric trucks (Ford image)
¶ “SSE Brings Littleton Solar Farm Online” • SSE has brought its 31-MW Littleton solar farm near Evesham in Worcestershire into full operation following a two-year construction program. The company said the newly completed solar farm can generate enough clean, affordable power to provide annual electricity for around 10000 homes. [reNews]
¶ “Taiwan Launches 3.6-GW Auction Round” • Taiwan has fired the starting gun on its next offshore wind auction, with 3.6 GW up for grabs. The Ministry of Economic Affairs announced that the application process will begin on 1 April, and will be open until 30 September. The MOEA plans to announce winners by the end of the year. [reNews]
Offshore windpower (Government of Taiwan image)
¶ “The Iran War Is Driving A Clean Energy Wake-Up Call” • It’s been a month since the US and Israel attacked Iran, sparking a conflict that put oil prices on a roller coaster. But some countries have a shield against the price hikes: wind turbines, solar panels, batteries, and other technologies that provide power unbothered by global upheaval. [Canary Media]
US:
¶ “Trump Seeks Endangered Species Act Exemption For Oil & Gas Projects In Gulf Of Mexico” • The Trump regime is citing national security to seek an exemption from the Endangered Species Act for expanded oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Environmental groups say it could set a dangerous precedent for future fossil fuel projects. [Euronews]
Sea turtle (Wexor Tmg, Unsplash)
¶ “US Senators Target Hungary With Sanctions Bill Over Russian Energy Ties And Ukraine Support Obstruction” • A bipartisan pair of US senators has introduced the Block Putin Act, a bill that would impose sanctions on Hungarian officials accused of facilitating Russian energy purchases and obstructing Western support for Ukraine. [Euronews]
¶ “DC’s Iconic Cherry Blossoms Reach Earlier-Than-Average Peak Bloom For Eighth Straight Year” • Despite Washington, DC, having its coldest winter in over two decades, persistent March warmth pushed the Tidal Basin’s cherry blossoms to another early peak bloom, reflecting a longer-term trend. The average date of peak bloom is April 5. [ABC News]
Cherry blossoms (C Boyd, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Tesla Analyst Thinks Tesla Could Merge With SpaceX In 2027” • SpaceX is on the verge of a giant IPO. Elon Musk once said he never wanted to take a company public again, because he didn’t like the public oversight and analyst questions. But Musk doesn’t run SpaceX, Gwynne Shotwell does. Nevertheless, there is some speculation about change. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Environmental Advocates Launch NC Pipeline Watch ” • The NC Pipeline Watch is composed of trained volunteers and staff involved with other organizations. Community volunteers are essential for construction monitoring. They will watch activities of the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project to ensure that potential violations are reported. [CleanTechnica]
Haw River (Gene Gallin, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “MSPC Approves DTE Energy Application For Coldwater Creek Solar Park” • The Michigan Public Service Commission approved DTE Energy’s application for battery modules and the master service agreements for engineering, procurement and construction for 100-MW Cold Creek Solar Park in Branch County, valued at about $194 million. [WTVB]
¶ “US To Revamp Nuclear Reactor Licensing In First Overhaul Since 1956” • The NRC will make its first significant revisions since 1956 to reactor licensing standards to accelerate launching new advanced rectors. NRC Chairman Ho K. Nieh announced the forthcoming revamped nuclear reactor licensing process to hasten safe deployment. [Yahoo News Canada]
Have a perfectly lovely day.
geoharvey 
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