Headline News:

• “US Adds 8.6 GW Of Solar Manufacturing Capacity, One Of Its Strongest Quarters of Growth Ever” • The US solar industry added 8.6 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity in Q1 2025, marking the third-largest quarter for new manufacturing capacity on record. The surge comes from eight factories in Texas, Ohio, and Arizona. [CleanTechnica]

Solar wafer manufacture (Oregon DOT, CC-BY-SA 2.0)

• “The US Produced More Energy Than Ever Before In 2024” • US total energy production was over 103 quadrillion British thermal units in 2024, a 1% increase from the previous record set in 2023. Several energy sources each set domestic production records last year: natural gas, crude oil, natural gas plant liquids, biofuels, solar, and wind. [CleanTechnica]
• “Oceans Cannot Become ‘Wild West’, Warns UN Chief” • It is a key aim of the now running UN oceans conference is to get sixty countries to ratify a High Seas Treaty and thus bring it into force. One aim of the conference is to take a stand on unregulated mining in the deep sea. It should not be allowed to go ahead, the head of the UN has warned. [BBC]
• “Emperor Penguins Show Dramatic Decline, Satellite Photos Show” • The population of emperor penguins in one part of Antarctica appears to be declining faster than had been thought, according to an analysis of satellite imagery. Between 2009 and 2024 the population of sixteen colonies had declined 22% due to climate change reducing sea ice. [ABC News]
• “How The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Positions US Energy To Be More Costly For Consumers And The Climate” • When it comes to energy policy, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” – the official name of a massive federal tax-cut and spending bill passed in May by House Republicans– risks raising Americans’ energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. [The Conversation]

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