Corpus Christi Faces $235M Repayment for Unbuilt Desalination Plant
The Gulf Coast city declined to pursue a state-funded seawater desalination project, leaving it potentially owing Texas $235 million.
Climate & Energy
The grid, materials, and climate technology.
After Helene, Western North Carolina Builds Permanent Resilience Hubs
Two years after Hurricane Helene, communities are turning ad hoc disaster response into lasting solar-powered resilience hubs.
October EV deals: deep discounts on Audi, Porsche, VW models
Volkswagen Group is offering unusually large rebates on its electric vehicles this October as it works through inventory and competitive pressure.
Hybrids Replace Engine Upgrades, Not EVs, Argues CleanTechnica
A CleanTechnica columnist argues that hybrids are best understood as an alternative to larger engines, not as a direct rival to full electrification.
Irish Heat Pump Study Undermines 'Fabric First' Dogma
New evidence from Ireland suggests that requiring deep insulation before heat pump installation could slow down building decarbonisation.
Open Letter Urges Musk to Enable FSD for All Tesla EVs
An open letter argues that if Tesla's Full Self-Driving is as safe as claimed, Musk has a moral duty to deploy it across his entire EV fleet.
YMX and Outrider pair self-driving tech with electric yard trucks
A five-year pilot will put autonomous, zero-emission yard trucks to work in large enterprise logistics yards.
Chinese EV Makers Expand Dealer Networks in Brazil
A dealer tour in São Paulo shows Chinese automakers rapidly building a retail presence for electric vehicles in Brazil.
Colorado Water Trial Pits Farmers Against Declining Aquifer
A Colorado court case could force San Luis Valley farmers to cut groundwater use, reshaping the local agricultural economy.
California Law Cracks Down on Predatory Developers After Wildfires
A new state law targets speculative developers who pressure wildfire survivors into selling their land for far less than it's worth.
States Sue Trump Administration and Wind Developers Over Lease Buyouts
California and Northeastern attorneys general allege federal law violations and collusion in offshore wind lease buyouts.
Senate permitting reform stalls over data center backlash and environmental rollbacks
A bipartisan Senate push to speed up energy permitting is closer than ever, but voter hostility to data centers and Democratic doubts about White House commitments are delaying a deal.
Solar boat startup aims to electrify small commercial watercraft
A Massachusetts company founded by an EV pioneer is building customizable sun-powered boats for ferries, tours, and water taxis, with an eye toward zero-emission marine transport.
Illinois climate migration law stalls as task force never convenes
The nation's first law to prepare a state for climate-driven displacement has been effectively shelved a year after passage, with only one of 17 task force seats filled.
NIO sells 30% of battery swap unit to Geely at $2.4B valuation
Geely is taking a 30% stake in NIO Power, the unit behind NIO's battery swap stations and chargers, at a post-money valuation of about $2.4 billion.
Michigan weighs performance-based ratemaking as affordability concerns grow
As electricity bills rise, states like Michigan are exploring performance-based ratemaking to tie utility profits to outcomes rather than capital spending.
Utah Advocates Urge Air Agency to Keep Coal Plant Shutdown Date in Haze Plan
Advocates in Utah are pressing state regulators not to weaken an existing coal plant shutdown date in the latest regional haze plan.
Senate nears permitting reform deal as data center power demand surges
A bipartisan group of senators is closer than ever to a permitting reform bill that would speed up energy projects, but data centers' unpopularity complicates the politics.