Author: Graham Foster

As President Joe Biden’s administration approaches its conclusion, American farmers are urging action against the surge of used cooking oil imports from China. They argue these imports threaten the farming community’s efforts to produce crops for low-carbon fuels, crucial for the industry’s growth. Used cooking oil is essential for manufacturing green diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. Recent figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture reveal that imports from China hit nearly one million metric tons in September, a record high. In contrast, other nations have implemented restrictions, leading to an influx of these imports into the U.S. Biden’s significant climate…

Texas, along with 10 other Republican-led states, has filed a lawsuit against major asset management firms BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard. The states accuse these companies of colluding to limit coal supplies to promote what they claim is a harmful and politically driven environmental agenda. This federal antitrust lawsuit alleges that the three largest index fund managers in the U.S. have used their investments in coal companies to restrict the supply, thereby raising prices in line with goals to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. The lawsuit, which was submitted on Wednesday, highlights a growing conflict as Republican leaders escalate their opposition…

Key Takeaways: Element Energy has launched the world’s largest facility for second-life battery storage in West Texas. This facility has a capacity of 53 MWh and utilizes 900 used electric vehicle batteries. The company currently has around 2 GWh of repurposed electric vehicle batteries ready for use in energy storage systems. On the same day, Element Energy announced a collaboration with LG Energy Solution Vertech to create complete energy storage systems that incorporate Element’s second-life batteries and advanced battery management technologies. Background Information: Reusing electric vehicle batteries can keep about 80% of their original capacity, with some batteries even surpassing…

Good morning and welcome back to Energy Source from New York. In a groundbreaking move, the Federal Reserve has reduced interest rates for the first time since the pandemic, marking the end of a lengthy effort to control inflation. This decision is expected to significantly support the U.S. renewable energy sector, especially as high borrowing costs have made many projects unviable, particularly in offshore wind energy. Clean energy stocks showed a modest rally ahead of and right after the Fed’s announcement. The Invesco Solar ETF jumped by 4% during intraday trading but eventually closed lower than its previous day’s closing.…

CalPERS Makes Big Strides in Climate Investments The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) has announced that it is more than halfway to its ambitious goal of investing over $100 billion in climate solutions. The largest pension fund in the U.S. reported that it has already committed $53 billion to various climate initiatives. This milestone comes just a year after CalPERS set its $100 billion investment target. The pension fund emphasized that this goal is part of its sustainable investment strategy aimed for 2030. However, some beneficiaries and climate advocacy groups are urging the fund to stop purchasing bonds from…

Hello and welcome back to Energy Source, broadcasting live from New York. As the new Trump administration prepares to take office, there is growing attention on how it will reshape energy and climate policies. A significant part of this discussion involves a focus on expanding oil drilling and potentially rolling back mandates for electric vehicles. However, in a clear response from liberal states, California’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, plans to introduce state tax incentives for those purchasing electric vehicles if the federal tax credit of $7,500 is eliminated under Trump’s leadership. Newsom stated, “We’re not turning back on a clean…

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, has indicated that there is potential for the Chinese wind turbine manufacturer, Mingyang, to establish a factory in Scotland, as part of the country’s ambition to create more jobs in the renewable energy sector. Earlier this year, a proposed manufacturing site by Mingyang was prioritized through a collaborative initiative aimed at linking the supply chain with developers in Scotland. However, this potential deal has raised concerns among some politicians, who worry about relying on a company from a country deemed “hostile” in terms of international relations, especially regarding critical aspects of the offshore wind…

Brussels is raising concerns about the Netherlands’ new biogas policies. The Dutch government plans to require energy companies to use biogas sourced exclusively from domestic manure and organic waste. This move has sparked a response from the European Commission, which claims such measures could create unfair trade barriers. In response to this situation, the Netherlands has delayed implementing these new regulations until January 2026. The EU had established significant targets in 2022 to promote biogas, aiming to cut methane emissions—known to be much more harmful than CO₂—and reduce reliance on gas imports from Russia. Biomethane, derived from materials like animal…

Donald Trump’s plan to impose hefty tariffs on imports from Canada is raising alarms among oil producers. They warn that the proposed tariffs could lead to higher prices for American drivers. Late on Monday, Trump suggested a 25 percent tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico, claiming that these neighboring countries are not doing enough to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The oil industry in Canada, which supplies over half of the crude oil consumed in the US, could face significant challenges if these tariffs are implemented. Industry leaders indicate that US consumers will feel the impact, with…

This week in New York, influential figures from various sectors, including industry leaders and environmental advocates, have come together for Climate Week, a significant annual event focused on climate change discussions and initiatives. During this event, interviews with key policymakers are taking place, including a notable discussion with Jennifer Granholm, the U.S. Secretary of Energy. She expressed concerns regarding former President Donald Trump’s proposal to dismantle the current administration’s climate laws, suggesting that this would put the U.S. at a disadvantage in the global clean technology race, particularly against China. Granholm emphasized that the move would not be beneficial for…