Key developments
Whistleblower accuses GHG Protocol of opacity
Heatmap News reported a whistleblower report by Danny Cullenward alleging that the Greenhouse Gas Protocol has systemic transparency and governance failures. The report says the steering committee and board are dominated by business and finance interests, meeting minutes and votes are not public, and working-group documents were withheld. It also highlights an 8-7 split over managed-land-proxy-plus for forest carbon accounting, while the board finalized the land-sector standard without forest-carbon guidance and left complaints and ISO harmonization unresolved.
Why it matters
The GHG Protocol underpins corporate emissions reporting, so governance disputes could affect the credibility and direction of company climate claims worldwide.
Sources & driving stories
HEATMAP NEWS
Heatmap News coverageDatacenter power demand delays coal retirements
The Register reported that US PIRG Education Fund, Environment America Research & Policy Center, and Frontier Group released two Earth Day reports linking datacenter growth to delayed coal retirements and more fossil buildout. Using EIA data, the reports say about 40% of scheduled coal retirements or fuel switches by the end of 2025 did not happen, and current trajectories could keep coal plants operating until 2065. A companion analysis estimates 15 zombie coal plants emitted about 65 million metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2023, while some datacenter campuses are also proposing on-site gas generation because of grid connection delays.
Why it matters
It shows AI-driven electricity demand is reinforcing fossil generation even as utilities and customers say they are decarbonizing.
Sources & driving stories
THE REGISTER · Dan Robinson
The Register coverageEU grids package moves into legislation
Dentons said the European Commission's Grids Package has moved into the ordinary legislative process after core proposals were published on 10 December 2025. The package would require ordinary-case permitting within two years, create a single digital permit portal, presume grid and clean-energy projects serve an overriding public interest, and expand financing through a larger CEF for Energy 2028-2034 envelope and a rule reserving 25% of certain congestion rents for network investment. The article also notes Poland signed related Energy Law amendments into law in April 2026 under Draft UC84.
Why it matters
Grid delays are now a binding constraint on Europe’s energy transition, so these rules could affect how quickly renewables can connect and scale.
Sources & driving stories
DENTONS
Dentons coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
Surf Clean Energy seeks bankruptcy protection
The Long Island installer says expiring federal rebates hurt the rooftop solar market, adding to broader industry stress.
WORTH NOTING
Potomac River low-flow risk rises
Near-record lows and expanded severe drought signal worsening short-term water supply pressure for the Washington region.
WORTH NOTING
Weather disruptions hit 23 elections
The new IDEA analysis suggests climate-linked hazards are becoming a governance and democracy problem across Africa and Asia.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Will GHGP change forest-carbon rules?
The report exposes a live dispute over managed-land proxy methods and opaque governance that could shape the next standard update.
OPEN QUESTION
Can EU grid rules outpace permitting delays?
Whether member states meet the proposed timelines will determine if the package meaningfully speeds renewable interconnection.