Climate
Privacy
Bob Dylan
Drones
Data Centers
AI Governance
2026 Maine Senate Race
Key developments
Trump loosens EPA refrigerant phaseout rules
Trump announced a rollback of two EPA refrigerant rules, delaying deadlines for grocery and air-conditioning companies to cut hydrofluorocarbon use and exempting transport companies from repairing HFC leaks. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and major grocery executives backed the move, while Trump said it would save more than $2.4 billion and lower grocery and cooling costs. Grist reported that economists and former EPA officials say the savings claim is implausible and that the rollback could add 68 million metric tons of CO2e by 2050.
Why it matters
It weakens a major super-pollutant phaseout and could raise emissions without materially lowering food prices.
Sources & driving stories
GRIST · Ayurella Horn-Muller
Grist coverageTrump directs $700 million to coal plants
Trump announced $700 million in Defense Production Act grants for more than a dozen existing coal-fired power plants, along with funding tied to a new coal export terminal in Oakland and a restarted plant in Maryland. The package also keeps selected coal units operating across 10 states and includes two new coal plants in Alaska and West Virginia. Environmental groups say the plan will increase pollution and health harms, and the EPA separately moved to change an Obama-era emissions-reduction plan affecting a Wyoming power unit.
Why it matters
It is a direct federal push to extend coal generation just as climate and air-quality rules are being relaxed.
Sources & driving stories
THE GUARDIAN · Dharna Noor
The Guardian coverageGHG Protocol tightens corporate renewable claims
The GHG Protocol, used by most organizations for voluntary emissions reporting, is finalizing a Scope 2 update that would move corporate renewable electricity accounting from annual certificate matching to hourly matching with stricter deliverability requirements. Draft guidance is planned for 2026, finalization for 2027, and implementation for 2028, with existing long-term PPAs expected to be grandfathered. The shift would weaken many low-cost REC-based 100% renewable claims and raise procurement costs, especially for cross-border unbundled certificate strategies.
Why it matters
It could materially change how companies claim renewable electricity and how much they pay for compliance-grade clean power.
Sources & driving stories
ENVIRONMENT+ENERGY LEADER
Environment+Energy Leader coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
xAI buys another $269M in Megapacks
The filing shows continued battery purchases alongside a gas-heavy data-center buildout tied to Colossus.
WORTH NOTING
NYSERDA opens $25 million building incentives
The program backs net-zero and resilience-focused projects in New York, including lower refrigerant use.
WORTH NOTING
OGCI releases CCS carbon-accounting report
The report adds industry guidance on how capture and removal projects should be measured and claimed.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Will HFC rollback lower grocery bills?
The administration's claim depends on whether refrigerant compliance costs actually affect retail prices.
OPEN QUESTION
How will corporate buyers meet hourly matching?
The Scope 2 shift could force expensive procurement changes and expose weak renewable claims before 2028.