All articles tagged with #clean energy
In southern France, ITER—the world’s largest fusion reactor and a $22 billion multinational project—strives to sustain 150-million-degree plasma in a tokamak using superconducting magnets, aiming to prove fusion can provide abundant, emission-free energy; despite delays, heat-shield cracks, and a $5 billion cost overrun, ITER’s open-science model and global collaboration are shaping the path for private fusion startups.
Federal regulators are closing public comments on a proposed fusion-energy rule, with final regulation expected this fall; the framework treats fusion as different from fission, aiming for a much lighter oversight that could even exempt fusion from NRC jurisdiction while state regulators supervise facilities. Industry leaders say this move is a pivotal step toward commercial fusion in the 2030s–2040s, lowering financial risk even as scientific and engineering hurdles remain.
The Iran war is driving a shift toward Chinese clean-energy tech—EVs, solar, and batteries—as oil markets swing and nations seek energy security, boosting Beijing’s influence ahead of Trump-Xi discussions while the U.S. doubles down on hydrocarbons.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer rolled out a five-point energy and climate agenda aimed at making clean energy cheaper, reviving Inflation Reduction Act incentives, easing permitting for wind/solar, expanding transmission and storage, and broadening the energy mix to include geothermal and nuclear, with a focus on lowering electricity bills and creating jobs ahead of likely midterm shifts in power.
Xcel Energy will power Google's new Pine Island data center in Minnesota under an Electric Service Agreement that will add 1,900 MW of new clean energy—1,400 MW wind, 200 MW solar, and 300 MW long-duration storage—plus a 300 MW/100-hour Form Energy iron-air battery (about 30 GWh). Google will cover its service costs, and the package includes a $50 million Capacity*Connect investment; the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will review the agreement. The move aims to support Minnesota’s economy and energy goals while keeping current customers’ bills stable.
California filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s cancellation of about $2.7 billion in Biden-era clean-energy funding, including $1.2 billion for a hydrogen hub, arguing the cuts violate congressional authorizations and threaten jobs, energy prices and the U.S. lead in clean energy; the suit is joined by several other states and cites due process and separation of powers.
California and the United Kingdom signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen collaboration on clean-energy technologies, especially offshore wind, easing UK firms’ access to California’s market, boosting joint research, and reaffirming commitment to UN climate goals amid U.S. policy shifts.
Former President Donald Trump attacked California Gov. Gavin Newsom and derided a new UK-California clean-energy pact signed in London, calling Newsom 'Newscum' and saying the deal was inappropriate; the agreement aims to boost cooperation on clean energy tech, offshore wind, and give British firms access to California's market as Newsom tours Europe ahead of a potential 2028 presidential run.
China has emerged as the dominant force in the global energy transition, leading in renewable deployment and low-carbon tech while the United States withdraws from climate leadership; yet China still relies on coal for reliability and tightly controls critical minerals and processing, creating security and dependency questions for Western economies as they race to catch up.
The United States formally withdraws from the Paris climate agreement for a second time, signaling a renewed break with international climate governance. While global emissions trends grow faster toward renewables, the move risks complicating global decarbonization efforts, potentially emboldening fossil-fuel interests and shifting leadership toward countries like China as others push forward on clean-energy expansion.
A federal judge in Seattle ruled that the Trump administration unlawfully paused funding for the NEVI Formula Program, ordering the Transportation Department to preserve already approved funds and implementation plans. The decision, praised by environmental groups, bars further withdrawal or cancellation of the Biden-era EV charging investments and signals that Congress’s funding for EV infrastructure should proceed as intended.
The 145-mile New England Clean Energy Connect line delivering 1,200 MW of Quebec hydroelectric power to Massachusetts is now operational, promising cheaper, lower-emission electricity under a 20-year fixed-price contract that could save ratepayers about $50 million annually; the project faced years of delays, regulatory battles, and a 2021 Maine referendum that halted work and inflated costs, but construction resumed in 2023, highlighting the region’s need for more high-voltage transmission as demand rises and renewables grow, with ongoing regional coordination emphasized.
Many American families are struggling with soaring energy prices, leading to increased utility debt, shut-offs, and financial hardship, amid broader debates over energy policy and infrastructure investments.
Meta has announced partnerships with three companies—Oklo, TerraPower, and Vistra—to support the development and operation of up to 6.6 GW of nuclear energy by 2035, aiming to power its data centers and AI infrastructure with clean, reliable energy, create jobs, and strengthen America's nuclear supply chain.
Constellation has completed its acquisition of Calpine, creating the largest U.S. electricity producer, combining nuclear, natural gas, and geothermal assets to provide reliable, clean energy and support America's technological and economic growth.