MenuIn Q1 2024, 11 gigawatts of solar module manufacturing capacity were activated in the United States. This represents a 71% increase, making it the largest quarterly capacity increase in American history. That is enough electricity to power 8.2 million homes. Amidst such good news, it is easy to ignore the looming problems associated with American
Category Archives: Climate Change
AI Is Pushing the World Toward an Energy Crisis
The dramatic resignation of Ilya Sutskever, the chief scientist of OpenAI, which is behind artificial intelligence and large language models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has reinvigorated public debates on the future of AI and its exorbitant costs. Beyond the many acknowledged concerns, such as AI safety or the future of work and creativity, there is a trade-off
China’s New Naval Tech: Environmental Dream and Security Nightmare
The world’s largest electric container ship, constructed by China’s COSCO Shipping Corporation, completed its first-ever voyage on April 22. This ship alone will save thousands of tons of carbon emissions in just a few trips, a feat that the climate-conscious worldwide should applaud. Carbon emissions from international shipping, vital for global trade, are upward-trending, contributing to global climate change, and must be
Revitalizing U.S. Energy Policy for the 21st Century
The United States is undergoing a growing politicization of the energy transition, a “megatrend,” as Alexander Mirtchev, a Distinguished Professor at George Mason University, called it in his magisterial book on the subject, The Prologue. Such polarization is typical for other transformative technological and policy issues in America, from abortion to gun control. Read the full
Joe Biden’s LNG Policy Fiasco
Congressional hearings scheduled for February 6 and 8 expose the Biden administration’s massive energy policy blunder. This misstep will impede American energy production, undermine economic growth, endanger the hard-earned U.S. status as the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter, and threaten Washington’s strategic credibility among friends and foes. The hearings are set to unite
Elon Musk’s Hail Mary In China
Tesla was once the undisputed global leader in electric vehicles. In the earlier part of this decade, Tesla’s Tesla0.0% stock was a certain winner, reaching an all-time high on November 4, 2021. Those days are now distant as the company grapples with mounting competition from international and Chinese rivals, with companies such as BYD dominating
New U.S. Solar Panel Tariff Intensifies Sino-American Green Tech War
The Sino-American trade war may be old news, but now a new battlefield is front and center: green tech. During her controversial visit to China, Secretary Janet Yellen made waves by criticizing China’s excess industrial capacity. Secretary Yellen warned the Chinese that retaliatory tariffs would be levied if this wasn’t addressed while simultaneously making the
U.S. And China Vie For Copper As Demand And Prices Soar
The world is running short of copper, and companies and countries are scrambling. This essential metal, a staple of civilization going back to the bronze age, is the lifeblood of existing energy infrastructure and cutting-edge technology. Unfortunately, it faces a projected supply shortfall by 2025 with projections showing a 20% price jump by May 2027.
Electric Vehicles 2024 Tax Changes Are Not Enough For Global Leadership
Considering an electric vehicle in 2024? Be aware of policy changes that could negatively affect your purchase. Starting in January, new rules will allow car dealers to give EV buyers their tax credit upfront. However, many EV models, batteries and components from China will no longer be eligible as the Sino-American competition goes green. The
Lithium: Price Collapse Secures Green Transition, Causes Headaches
Lithium is earning its current moniker, “white gold,” and all the geopolitical contention that comes with it. When Argentina’s new libertarian president, Javier Milei, announced sweeping reforms, a prominent one was making it easier to export lithium. The U.S. subsequently announced financial support to make that happen. When Namibia conflicted with a Chinese mining company,