Good morning! Reducing CO2 emissions from transportation and buildings means more than just powering them with clean energy — it requires decarbonizing the materials they’re made with. Maria Gallucci reports on how states are leading the way here after the federal government has retreated.
Next up, Sarah Shemkus delivers a positive update on networked geothermal in Connecticut, and Alison Takemura shares a heat pump success story in chilly Minnesota.
Trump issues an executive order asserting control over independent government agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, threatening oversight of power and natural gas markets. (E&E News)
CLEAN ENERGY
Biden-era funding for renewable energy factories was set to reinvigorate domestic manufacturing, but that’s in jeopardy as the Trump administration rolls back federal clean energy support. (New York Times)
A new Business Council for Sustainable Energy study shows how solar, wind, and storage dominated new electricity generation additions in the U.S. last year, and the necessity of federal support to keep clean energy growing. (BCSE)
FEDERAL FUNDING
Some recipients of federal green bank funding say they were blocked from accessing their Citibank accounts Wednesday, after the Trump administration moved to claw back the $20 billion program. (E&E News)
FOSSIL FUELS
Conservation groups sue the Trump administration over plans to shrink areas protected from offshore drilling. (The Hill)
U.S. oil and biofuel companies join together to ask the Trump administration to increase the amount of biofuels that must be blended into the country’s fuel mix. (Reuters)
TRANSPORTATION
The Trump administration announces plans to halt New York City’s congestion pricing program; the Metropolitan Transit Authority immediately files a lawsuit challenging the legality of the move. (New York Times)
GRID
A Texas company helps customers access low-cost battery storage systems by charging them an annual membership fee and becoming the customer’s electricity plan provider. (Houston Chronicle)
COMMENTARY
Brownfields, rooftops, and other underutilized spaces present promising opportunities to site solar projects in Michigan that also can avoid bitter land use disputes, a clean energy advocate writes. (Bridge)
ATTENTION CHICAGO: UPCOMING EVENT
On stage: Conversations with clean energy experts, including Rep. Sean Casten of the U.S. Congress, Naomi Davis of Blacks in Green, Kara Demirjian Huss of TCCI Manufacturing, A.J. Patton of 548 Enterprises, David Roberts of Volts, Angela Tovar of the city of Chicago and Lisa Clemmons Stott of the Illinois Department of Commerce.
Off stage: Drink, eat, and socialize with clean energy leaders, investors, inventors, public leaders, and advocates.
🗓️March 27, 2025, 2:00 - 7:00p.m. CDT
📍 mHUB • 1623 West Fulton Street Chicago, IL 60612
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