fossil fuels
Newsletter
Congress hears warnings that cutting renewable energy incentives could drive up costs
Energy experts told lawmakers that rolling back Biden-era tax credits for renewables could slow grid expansion, raise electricity costs, and make it harder to meet surging energy demand.
In short:
- The U.S. is facing an unprecedented rise in electricity demand due to artificial intelligence, manufacturing growth, and electrification.
- The Trump administration has moved to halt funding for clean energy incentives, prompting concerns from utilities and grid operators that this could undermine reliability and drive up costs.
- A study found that repealing clean energy tax credits could raise residential electricity bills by 7% and business costs by 10% by 2026.
Key quote:
“I mean, it’s sort of obvious, right? If you pull back incentives for a given activity, you’re going to see less of that activity. In this case, that means there’s going to be less generation out of the system, and it’s going to impose higher costs.”
— Tyler H. Norris, James B. Duke Fellow at Duke University
Why this matters:
Energy demand is rising fast, driven by AI-powered data centers and increased electrification. While renewables are expanding, traditional fossil fuel plants still provide a significant power source. Cutting tax credits for wind, solar, and nuclear energy could slow grid modernization and raise costs, potentially leading to reliability issues and higher prices for consumers. With extreme weather events straining power grids, decisions about energy investment could shape the country’s ability to keep the lights on.
Related: US energy secretary pushes nuclear power as AI-driven energy demand rises
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Credit: Bart van Dijk/Unsplash
China urged to halt coal power expansion as approvals surge
The European Union’s ambassador to China has called on Beijing to stop approving new coal-fired power plants, warning that the country’s rapid expansion of coal projects contradicts its renewable energy leadership.
In short:
- China approved 66.7 gigawatts of new coal-fired power capacity in 2024, most of it in the second half of the year, despite its commitment to peak emissions by 2030.
- A report found China accounted for 93% of global coal power construction starts last year, with local policies slowing renewable energy integration.
- China remains the world leader in renewable energy, with record growth in solar and wind power, but continues to view coal as vital for economic and energy security.
Key quote:
"Commentators outside China are increasingly puzzled at the continued containment of domestic renewable generation in future stranded coal assets."
— Jorge Toledo, EU ambassador to China
Why this matters:
China’s energy strategy presents a paradox: While it leads the world in renewable energy expansion, it is also dramatically increasing coal power capacity. The contradiction reflects the country’s competing priorities — balancing economic growth, energy security, and environmental goals. Coal remains the single largest source of carbon emissions, and as long as China’s reliance on it persists, international efforts to curb global warming face a significant hurdle. While Beijing has pledged to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, its continued investment in coal suggests a prolonged transition. This balancing act underscores the broader challenge facing many nations: how to shift away from fossil fuels without jeopardizing economic growth or energy reliability.
Some good news: Quiet environmental progress in 2024 offers hope for climate action
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Credit: Social Estate/Unsplash
Canberra proves a fossil-fuel nation can run on renewables
Australia’s capital, Canberra, has been powered entirely by renewable energy since 2020, making it a standout in a country still heavily reliant on coal and gas.
In short:
- Canberra became the first city outside Europe with a population over 100,000 to fully decarbonize its power grid, reaching 100% renewable electricity in 2020.
- The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) pursued large-scale wind and solar investments despite national political resistance, benefiting from a stable pro-environment government.
- Canberra’s decentralized energy model has lowered electricity costs for residents and serves as a model for other Australian states moving toward renewables.
Key quote:
"Energy is generated almost everywhere, is used everywhere, is stored everywhere."
— Greg Bourne, climate councillor at The Climate Council
Why this matters:
For years, Canberra has sourced all of its electricity from renewable energy, thanks to a combination of large-scale wind and solar projects and long-term contracts with clean energy providers. The shift has not only slashed the city’s emissions but also led to a decline in electricity costs — directly challenging the long-held argument that coal and gas are essential for economic stability.
While Australia still relies heavily on fossil fuel exports, these domestic energy shifts suggest the country may not be as far behind global clean energy leaders as once thought. If current trends continue, Australia’s vast renewable resources could redefine its energy identity — both at home and abroad.
Related: Australia’s renewable energy aspirations face hurdles
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Credit: Charles Henry/Flickr
Texas oil boom fuels prosperity but leaves a deadly toll on workers and roads
The Permian Basin, now responsible for nearly half of U.S. oil output, is booming again, but its workforce is paying a deadly price, with over 30 oil workers and hundreds of motorists killed annually.
Part one of a four-part series.
In short:
- Deregulation and political support for “energy dominance” have accelerated production, worsening road congestion and toxic workplace hazards while allowing companies to sidestep safety measures.
- Fracking truck drivers, working grueling shifts with little oversight, often exceed legal driving hours, leading to deadly accidents.
- Industry efforts to address safety focus more on infrastructure expansion than worker protections.
Key quote:
“With more drilling comes incidents in the oil field, which then we have to respond to — whether it be an oil rig exploded, or a tank battery is on fire, or there’s an accident somewhere.”
— Austin Harden, West Odessa volunteer fire chief
Why this matters:
Texas’ oil boom comes at a steep cost — worker exploitation, rising road fatalities, and overlooked health risks from exposure to toxic chemicals. While fossil fuel profits soar, communities are left to deal with the consequences, with first responders calling it a crisis of life and death.
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Credit: Owen Allen/Flickr
Biochar might be an even bigger climate solution than we thought
Turning plant waste into biochar has long been touted as a way to store carbon, but new research suggests it could remain locked away for thousands of years — far longer than previously believed.
In short:
- Indigenous people in the Amazon created “terra preta” centuries ago by turning plant waste into a carbon-rich soil additive, a technique now being adapted for modern climate solutions.
- A new study finds biochar could remain stable for millennia, with over 90% surviving for thousands of years, making it a more effective long-term carbon storage method than current models predict.
- This discovery could reshape the carbon credit industry, making biochar-based removal credits more attractive to companies like Microsoft and Google looking to offset their emissions.
Key quote:
“Biochar is already a compelling solution. This data just suggests that the benefits are even greater than we already assumed.”
— Thomas A. Trabold, sustainability scientist at the Rochester Institute of Technology and CEO of Cinterest
Why this matters:
In a world desperate for scalable carbon removal, it turns out the future might be buried in the past. If biochar lasts for thousands of years, it could rival high-tech carbon capture methods at a fraction of the cost while doubling as a soil booster, improving crop yields while keeping carbon safely underground.
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Credit: Eelco Böhtlingk/Unsplash
Major fossil fuel companies linked to half of global carbon emissions
Just 36 fossil fuel companies accounted for half of the world’s carbon emissions in 2023, with emissions continuing to rise despite global climate commitments.
In short:
- The Carbon Majors report found that 36 major fossil fuel companies, including Saudi Aramco, ExxonMobil, and Shell, were responsible for over 20 billion tons of CO₂ emissions in 2023.
- State-owned companies, primarily in China, make up the majority of these top emitters, with coal contributing 41% of emissions.
- The data is being used in legal cases and regulatory actions to hold fossil fuel firms accountable for climate-related damages.
Key quote:
“These companies are keeping the world hooked on fossil fuels with no plans to slow production. The science is clear: we cannot move backwards to more fossil fuels and more extraction. Instead, we must move forward to the many possibilities of a decarbonised economic system that works for people and the planet.”
— Christiana Figueres, former United Nations climate chief
Why this matters:
The world is at a crossroads. To keep global warming within relatively safe limits, scientists warn that greenhouse gas emissions must plummet by 2030. Yet, despite this urgent call, fossil fuel production continues to expand, locking in future emissions and pushing the planet toward more severe climate disruptions.
Carbon pollution is fueling an era of extreme weather: wildfires that consume entire towns, hurricanes that stall and drench cities, and heat waves that push power grids to the brink. Rising global temperatures also pose a direct threat to food and water security, altering growing seasons and reducing the availability of fresh water in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. Public health experts warn of the increasing toll — more heat-related illnesses, the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, and worsening air quality that exacerbates asthma and heart disease.
Related: BP shifts focus back to fossil fuels, slashing green investments
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Nonprofits still blocked from $20 billion in climate funds amid investigations
Nonprofits expecting $20 billion in federal climate funding remain unable to access their accounts after the Trump administration launched investigations, despite a prosecutor’s determination that there was no evidence of wrongdoing.
Lisa Friedman, Claire Brown, and Charlie Savage report for The New York Times.
In short:
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and federal investigators froze bank accounts holding $20 billion designated for climate initiatives, citing concerns over potential fraud.
- Citibank, which manages the funds, acted under federal direction but stated it has no discretion over grant distribution; no evidence has been presented to justify a criminal probe.
- The funding freeze has left climate nonprofits struggling to meet payroll and could jeopardize projects aimed at reducing fossil fuel emissions, particularly in low-income communities.
Key quote:
“These relationships take many months to build and are in jeopardy if funding freezes continue.”
— Brooke Durham, Climate United spokesperson
Why this matters:
The blocked funds were part of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, intended to support clean energy projects nationwide. Many of these initiatives focus on underserved communities, aiming to cut pollution and expand renewable energy. The Trump administration’s efforts to halt the disbursement — without clear evidence of misconduct — raise concerns about political interference in climate policy and overstepping of presidential authority. A prolonged freeze could disrupt crucial emissions reduction projects and undermine trust in federally backed green financing.
Read more: EPA seeks probe into management of $20 billion climate fund
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