Stepchange News — 2026-07-08

1

Europe struggles to scale homegrown climate tech despite friendly policy environment — Ever since Trump reentered the White House, Europe has been a safe haven for U.S. climate tech companies fleeing an increasingly hostile…

More: Heatmap News

2

CPS Energy loses $400M winter storm gas pricing case against Energy Transfer — CPS Energy alleged that Energy Transfer’s subsidiaries engaged in “unlawful and unconscionable price gouging” for natural gas, but a judge…

More: Utility Dive

3

Trump pardons nine mechanics convicted of tampering with truck pollution controls — Right before the July 4th weekend, Donald Trump pardoned nine mechanics that were convicted for tampering with vehicle pollution controls…

More: CleanTechnica

4

Maryland challenges PJM transmission-owner fee at FERC — Maryland state agencies asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to end an extra 0.5% return the transmission owners earn for being…

More: Utility Dive

5

Record European heatwave kills thousands, triggers wildfires across southern region — In June 2026, a record-breaking heatwave swept across Europe, with France among the first and...

More: Carbon Brief, Guardian Environment, Inside Climate News, Inside Climate News

6

Software identifies 300 GW of hidden U.S. grid capacity without new infrastructure — Advanced grid-scanning software, as detailed on the Energy Empire podcast with host Jigar Shah, is uncovering massive blocks of hidden…

More: PV Magazine

7

Massachusetts utilities contract 4.5 GWh of energy storage — One project, set for a former fossil power plant site, reflects the diverging fortunes of New England’s offshore wind and energy storage…

More: Utility Dive

8

Lake Powell plunges toward historic low as western water crisis deepens — Experts say the critical reservoir system is careening toward a breaking point as the US west’s climate warms and dries Lake Powell, US’s…

More: Guardian Environment

9

11 Western governors sign pact to speed grid permitting and coordination —

More: Heatmap News

10

Netherlands awards 773 MW of solar in 2025 subsidy round — The Netherlands has backed 86 solar projects under the 2025 round of its government subsidy scheme for large-scale renewable energy…

More: PV Magazine

11

IEA report urges quality gates in early solar project planning to cut financial risk — An IEA-PVPS report warns that treating technical and economic solar project decisions separately poses financial risks, advocating instead…

More: PV Magazine

12

New energy advocacy groups pivot to cost-focused messaging over climate ideology — Many groups are swapping climate ideology for market economics, and shifting to state legislatures.

More: Latitude Media

13

Tesla posts 480,000 Q2 vehicle sales, exceeding Wall Street projections by 20% — Tesla just finished its strongest showing in years. In the second quarter of 2026, the company sold about 480,000 vehicles around the world…

More: Heatmap News

14

Low-cost loans for solar panels could save households hundreds on bills – thinktanks — New Economics Foundation and Finance Innovation Lab suggest loan scheme backed by Bank of England could benefit up to 8m homes Millions of…

More: Guardian Environment

15

United Solar secures IFC financing for Oman polysilicon facility — Polysilicon producer United Solar has reached financial close on a US$50 million equity investment from the World Bank Group's…

More: PV Tech

16

Why worms (and microbes) are catching on as a manure pollution solution — Anthony Agueda, a third-generation California dairy farmer, pulls a rake through a bed of dark, wet wood chips on his family’s land in…

More: MIT Technology Review · Climate

17

Canadian Solar appoints new CEO at Recurrent Energy — Multinational solar manufacturer Canadian Solar has appointed a new CEO at its solar and energy storage project development subsidiary,…

More: PV Tech

18

EIA raises global oil production forecast after Strait of Hormuz reopens — The U.S. Energy Information Administration published its July Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), increasing its expectations for global oil…

More: EIA Press Releases

19

Trump admin could undermine energy efficiency with dubious new analysis — Energy-efficiency standards can make it more expensive to construct new buildings, but they save money for residents in the long run.

More: Canary Media

20

Could hydropower hamper NYC’s building decarbonization law? — This story originally appeared in New York Focus , a nonprofit news publication investigating power in New York

More: Canary Media

1

Europe struggles to scale homegrown climate tech despite friendly policy environment — Ever since Trump reentered the White House, Europe has been a safe haven for U.S. climate tech companies fleeing an increasingly hostile…

More: Heatmap News

2

CPS Energy loses $400M winter storm gas pricing case against Energy Transfer — CPS Energy alleged that Energy Transfer’s subsidiaries engaged in “unlawful and unconscionable price gouging” for natural gas, but a judge…

More: Utility Dive

3

Trump pardons nine mechanics convicted of tampering with truck pollution controls — Right before the July 4th weekend, Donald Trump pardoned nine mechanics that were convicted for tampering with vehicle pollution controls…

More: CleanTechnica

4

Maryland challenges PJM transmission-owner fee at FERC — Maryland state agencies asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to end an extra 0.5% return the transmission owners earn for being…

More: Utility Dive

5

Record European heatwave kills thousands, triggers wildfires across southern region — In June 2026, a record-breaking heatwave swept across Europe, with France among the first and...

More: Carbon Brief, Guardian Environment, Inside Climate News, Inside Climate News

6

Software identifies 300 GW of hidden U.S. grid capacity without new infrastructure — Advanced grid-scanning software, as detailed on the Energy Empire podcast with host Jigar Shah, is uncovering massive blocks of hidden…

More: PV Magazine

7

Massachusetts utilities contract 4.5 GWh of energy storage — One project, set for a former fossil power plant site, reflects the diverging fortunes of New England’s offshore wind and energy storage…

More: Utility Dive

8

Lake Powell plunges toward historic low as western water crisis deepens — Experts say the critical reservoir system is careening toward a breaking point as the US west’s climate warms and dries Lake Powell, US’s…

More: Guardian Environment

9

11 Western governors sign pact to speed grid permitting and coordination —

More: Heatmap News

10

Netherlands awards 773 MW of solar in 2025 subsidy round — The Netherlands has backed 86 solar projects under the 2025 round of its government subsidy scheme for large-scale renewable energy…

More: PV Magazine

11

IEA report urges quality gates in early solar project planning to cut financial risk — An IEA-PVPS report warns that treating technical and economic solar project decisions separately poses financial risks, advocating instead…

More: PV Magazine

12

New energy advocacy groups pivot to cost-focused messaging over climate ideology — Many groups are swapping climate ideology for market economics, and shifting to state legislatures.

More: Latitude Media

13

Tesla posts 480,000 Q2 vehicle sales, exceeding Wall Street projections by 20% — Tesla just finished its strongest showing in years. In the second quarter of 2026, the company sold about 480,000 vehicles around the world…

More: Heatmap News

14

Opdenergy bags $227 million for Chile renewables, energy storage — Spanish IPP Opdenergy has secured US$227 million to support its operating renewable energy portfolio in Chile.

More: PV Tech

15

Low-cost loans for solar panels could save households hundreds on bills – thinktanks — New Economics Foundation and Finance Innovation Lab suggest loan scheme backed by Bank of England could benefit up to 8m homes Millions of…

More: Guardian Environment

16

United Solar secures IFC financing for Oman polysilicon facility — Polysilicon producer United Solar has reached financial close on a US$50 million equity investment from the World Bank Group's…

More: PV Tech

17

Why worms (and microbes) are catching on as a manure pollution solution — Anthony Agueda, a third-generation California dairy farmer, pulls a rake through a bed of dark, wet wood chips on his family’s land in…

More: MIT Technology Review · Climate

18

Canadian Solar appoints new CEO at Recurrent Energy — Multinational solar manufacturer Canadian Solar has appointed a new CEO at its solar and energy storage project development subsidiary,…

More: PV Tech

19

EIA raises global oil production forecast after Strait of Hormuz reopens — The U.S. Energy Information Administration published its July Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), increasing its expectations for global oil…

More: EIA Press Releases

20

Trump admin could undermine energy efficiency with dubious new analysis — Energy-efficiency standards can make it more expensive to construct new buildings, but they save money for residents in the long run.

More: Canary Media

Jul 7, 2026 · 5:00 PM PT edition · 20 stories

Europe struggles to scale homegrown climate tech despite friendly policy environment — Ever since Trump reentered the White House, Europe has been a safe haven for U.S. climate tech companies fleeing an increasingly hostile…

CPS Energy loses $400M winter storm gas pricing case against Energy Transfer — CPS Energy alleged that Energy Transfer’s subsidiaries engaged in “unlawful and unconscionable price gouging” for natural gas, but a judge…

Trump pardons nine mechanics convicted of tampering with truck pollution controls — Right before the July 4th weekend, Donald Trump pardoned nine mechanics that were convicted for tampering with vehicle pollution controls…

Maryland challenges PJM transmission-owner fee at FERC — Maryland state agencies asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to end an extra 0.5% return the transmission owners earn for being…

Record European heatwave kills thousands, triggers wildfires across southern region — In June 2026, a record-breaking heatwave swept across Europe, with France among the first and...

Software identifies 300 GW of hidden U.S. grid capacity without new infrastructure — Advanced grid-scanning software, as detailed on the Energy Empire podcast with host Jigar Shah, is uncovering massive blocks of hidden…

Massachusetts utilities contract 4.5 GWh of energy storage — One project, set for a former fossil power plant site, reflects the diverging fortunes of New England’s offshore wind and energy storage…

Lake Powell plunges toward historic low as western water crisis deepens — Experts say the critical reservoir system is careening toward a breaking point as the US west’s climate warms and dries Lake Powell, US’s…

11 Western governors sign pact to speed grid permitting and coordination —

Netherlands awards 773 MW of solar in 2025 subsidy round — The Netherlands has backed 86 solar projects under the 2025 round of its government subsidy scheme for large-scale renewable energy…

IEA report urges quality gates in early solar project planning to cut financial risk — An IEA-PVPS report warns that treating technical and economic solar project decisions separately poses financial risks, advocating instead…

New energy advocacy groups pivot to cost-focused messaging over climate ideology — Many groups are swapping climate ideology for market economics, and shifting to state legislatures.

Tesla posts 480,000 Q2 vehicle sales, exceeding Wall Street projections by 20% — Tesla just finished its strongest showing in years. In the second quarter of 2026, the company sold about 480,000 vehicles around the world…

Low-cost loans for solar panels could save households hundreds on bills – thinktanks — New Economics Foundation and Finance Innovation Lab suggest loan scheme backed by Bank of England could benefit up to 8m homes Millions of…

United Solar secures IFC financing for Oman polysilicon facility — Polysilicon producer United Solar has reached financial close on a US$50 million equity investment from the World Bank Group's…

Why worms (and microbes) are catching on as a manure pollution solution — Anthony Agueda, a third-generation California dairy farmer, pulls a rake through a bed of dark, wet wood chips on his family’s land in…

Canadian Solar appoints new CEO at Recurrent Energy — Multinational solar manufacturer Canadian Solar has appointed a new CEO at its solar and energy storage project development subsidiary,…

EIA raises global oil production forecast after Strait of Hormuz reopens — The U.S. Energy Information Administration published its July Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), increasing its expectations for global oil…

Trump admin could undermine energy efficiency with dubious new analysis — Energy-efficiency standards can make it more expensive to construct new buildings, but they save money for residents in the long run.

Could hydropower hamper NYC’s building decarbonization law? — This story originally appeared in New York Focus , a nonprofit news publication investigating power in New York

Jul 7, 2026 · 8:00 PM PT edition · 20 stories

Europe struggles to scale homegrown climate tech despite friendly policy environment — Ever since Trump reentered the White House, Europe has been a safe haven for U.S. climate tech companies fleeing an increasingly hostile…

CPS Energy loses $400M winter storm gas pricing case against Energy Transfer — CPS Energy alleged that Energy Transfer’s subsidiaries engaged in “unlawful and unconscionable price gouging” for natural gas, but a judge…

Trump pardons nine mechanics convicted of tampering with truck pollution controls — Right before the July 4th weekend, Donald Trump pardoned nine mechanics that were convicted for tampering with vehicle pollution controls…

Maryland challenges PJM transmission-owner fee at FERC — Maryland state agencies asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to end an extra 0.5% return the transmission owners earn for being…

Record European heatwave kills thousands, triggers wildfires across southern region — In June 2026, a record-breaking heatwave swept across Europe, with France among the first and...

Software identifies 300 GW of hidden U.S. grid capacity without new infrastructure — Advanced grid-scanning software, as detailed on the Energy Empire podcast with host Jigar Shah, is uncovering massive blocks of hidden…

Massachusetts utilities contract 4.5 GWh of energy storage — One project, set for a former fossil power plant site, reflects the diverging fortunes of New England’s offshore wind and energy storage…

Lake Powell plunges toward historic low as western water crisis deepens — Experts say the critical reservoir system is careening toward a breaking point as the US west’s climate warms and dries Lake Powell, US’s…

11 Western governors sign pact to speed grid permitting and coordination —

Netherlands awards 773 MW of solar in 2025 subsidy round — The Netherlands has backed 86 solar projects under the 2025 round of its government subsidy scheme for large-scale renewable energy…

IEA report urges quality gates in early solar project planning to cut financial risk — An IEA-PVPS report warns that treating technical and economic solar project decisions separately poses financial risks, advocating instead…

New energy advocacy groups pivot to cost-focused messaging over climate ideology — Many groups are swapping climate ideology for market economics, and shifting to state legislatures.

Tesla posts 480,000 Q2 vehicle sales, exceeding Wall Street projections by 20% — Tesla just finished its strongest showing in years. In the second quarter of 2026, the company sold about 480,000 vehicles around the world…

Opdenergy bags $227 million for Chile renewables, energy storage — Spanish IPP Opdenergy has secured US$227 million to support its operating renewable energy portfolio in Chile.

Low-cost loans for solar panels could save households hundreds on bills – thinktanks — New Economics Foundation and Finance Innovation Lab suggest loan scheme backed by Bank of England could benefit up to 8m homes Millions of…

United Solar secures IFC financing for Oman polysilicon facility — Polysilicon producer United Solar has reached financial close on a US$50 million equity investment from the World Bank Group's…

Why worms (and microbes) are catching on as a manure pollution solution — Anthony Agueda, a third-generation California dairy farmer, pulls a rake through a bed of dark, wet wood chips on his family’s land in…

Canadian Solar appoints new CEO at Recurrent Energy — Multinational solar manufacturer Canadian Solar has appointed a new CEO at its solar and energy storage project development subsidiary,…

EIA raises global oil production forecast after Strait of Hormuz reopens — The U.S. Energy Information Administration published its July Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), increasing its expectations for global oil…

Trump admin could undermine energy efficiency with dubious new analysis — Energy-efficiency standards can make it more expensive to construct new buildings, but they save money for residents in the long run.