The Clean Energy Show

Big Oil gets caught trying to inhibit EVs and renwables. What starts as a climate investigation turns into allegations of a decades-long antitrust conspiracy to block renewables and electric vehicles — and Michigan's lawsuit could have massive implications for the energy transition. James may need the show's defibrillator. We also head to Newfoundland, where a hydroelectric dam froze for the first time since the 1960s, forcing generators offline and triggering power conservation across multiple cities during severe winter storms. It's a rare reminder that climate change doesn't just mean warming — it means volatility. The growing backlash against fat-tire e-bikes in Amsterdam, where safety concerns and ER visits are rising fast This week's rage includes SaskPower doing their best to prevent EV adoption, grid demand fees, misinformation about EV bus fires, and Ford's alleged lobbying around Trump-era climate rollbacks. On the brighter side, new satellite data confirms EVs are already delivering cleaner air in California, with measurable drops in nitrogen dioxide linked directly to zero-emission vehicle adoption. Links mentioned: BYD suspension video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlNpTLie-aw Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2026 Sneeze Media.

Canada's upcoming allowance of lower-cost Chinese EVs and the politics swirling around it, to real-world winter EV performance, portable batteries quietly saving businesses money, and New Jersey's controversial new e-bike law, this episode blends practical advice, myth-busting, and clean-energy reality checks. Plus, we answer some surprisingly common EV questions from a medical professional, including why putting a wind turbine on a moving car definitely won't work. A Brooklyn bagel shop using portable batteries to slash demand charges. Answering EV myths: wind turbines on cars, coal-powered grids, battery lifespan, and charging time and what first-time EV buyers should actually know before going electric Links & sources mentioned: Canary Media on Brooklyn bagel shop batteries: https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/batteries/brooklyn-bagel-shop-plug-in-batteries The Lightning Round Global solar generation expected to grow 50% in the next two years Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2026 Sneeze Media.    

Solar panels could deliver nearly twice today's energy by 2050, according to new research projecting efficiencies above 35%. This week on The Clean Energy Show, James and Brian break down what that means for global solar power, costs, land use, and long-term reliability. Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks including a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes looks, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on our podcast! Starting at just $1 per month! They also unpack talks between China and the European Union to replace steep EV tariffs with a minimum pricing system, and whether that actually changes anything for electric vehicle buyers. Plus, grid-scale battery storage in the UK continues to surge after back-to-back years of massive growth. The show also looks at how climate change is cracking homes in London, as extreme heat shrinks clay soils and destabilizes foundations, and reacts to reports of giant airborne wind turbines now flying in China, generating power thousands of feet above the ground. Topics include: • Solar panel efficiency above 35% by 2050 • China–EU EV tariff negotiations • UK grid battery storage boom • Climate change–driven subsidence in London • Airborne wind turbines and high-altitude energy • Sodium-ion batteries, EV market growth, robotaxis, and more Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2026 Sneeze Media.    

In this abridged January 2026 bonus episode of The Clean Energy Show, Brian Stockton and James Whittingham kick off the first podcast of 2026 with a packed update on clean tech, transportation, and air quality trends shaping the global energy transition. The show begins with developments in electric shipping, including Norway's autonomous container ship Yara Birkeland and testing of the world's largest battery-electric ferry, which will carry more than 2,000 passengers between Argentina and Uruguay. Listener mail sparks a brief but heated debate over whether corn is a vegetable, grain, or something else entirely. The main stories focus on dramatic improvements in Beijing's air quality, with PM2.5 pollution levels down nearly 75% since 2013, driven largely by China's rapid adoption of electric vehicles. The hosts also break down how BYD has surpassed Tesla as the world's largest EV seller, why Tesla's sales declined in 2025, and how brutal competition inside China is squeezing margins for everyone involved. Other highlights include China's claim of producing the world's first 100% recyclable wind turbine blade, signs that low-cost Chinese EVs could enter the U.S. market as early as 2027, and a wide-ranging Lightning Round covering batteries, heat pumps, solar growth, robotics, and plastics. The episode closes with a troubling investigation into toxic air contamination aboard commercial airplanes — a hidden pollution problem affecting crews and passengers alike. For the full, unabridged bonus episode, visit https://patreon.com/cleanenergypod and support the show. Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.    

• U.S. Electric Vehicle Debate James breaks down the ongoing American EV culture wars, why they feel stuck, and how much is political theatre vs. real-world data. We're off this week for the holidays so we're playing our Patreon bonus episode from a month ago because we think it has some great stories in it. • EV Market Growth The hosts dig into the latest numbers showing EVs gaining traction globally—and why the economic case keeps getting harder to ignore. • Stockpiling Critical Minerals A look at why countries are hoarding minerals like lithium and nickel, what it means for future supply chains, and who's preparing well (and who isn't). • Rivian's Smart Bike Helmet Brian brings up Rivian's unexpected new gadget—a "smart" bike helmet—and the hosts try to figure out why an EV truck company is branching out. • Corn's Environmental Impact A discussion about why corn farming is causing more climate trouble than most people think, including fertilizer emissions and long-term soil issues. • Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture The hosts explore ideas and innovations that reduce nitrous-oxide emissions, improve soil health, and make food systems more sustainable. • The World's Largest Sand Battery Wrapping up with the Finnish energy-storage breakthrough that stores heat in giant silos of sand—cheap, renewable, and surprisingly effective. Back next week with a new show! Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.    

A look back at the biggest clean energy developments of 2025 — and we reveal why electric trucking in China may be the most important story of the year. We break down record global growth in solar, wind, and EV adoption, explain how renewables are now outpacing fossil fuels in new investment, and explore why China's rising clean power generation is finally pushing its CO₂ emissions lower even as electricity demand grows CES 293 - Google Docs. (Letters are being held over until our next bonus episode.) The show also checks in on Norway, the world's EV laboratory, where electric vehicles now dominate both new sales and the overall vehicle fleet. The hosts discuss what Norway's data tells us about the future of gas, diesel, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids — and what it means for automakers still betting on combustion engines. Other highlights include a major San Francisco power outage, Volkswagen shelving the ID. Buzz in the U.S., and encouraging new data suggesting the world may have passed peak air pollution. Links mentioned San Francisco power outage (CNN): https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/21/us/outage-sf-power-san-francisco Norway EV market update (CleanTechnica): https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/22/evs-take-98-4-share-in-norway-bev-fleet-overtakes-diesel/ World may have passed peak air pollution (Our World in Data): https://ourworldindata.org/data-insights/the-world-has-probably-passed-peak-air-pollution Volkswagen shelves ID. Buzz in the U.S. (Electrek): https://electrek.co/2025/12/19/volkswagen-shelves-electric-minibus-for-us-not-forever/ CES 293 - Google Docs The Lightning Round Global EV sales are projected to hit 20 million vehicles in 2026 Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.    

How plunging battery costs are turning solar into reliable, around-the-clock power that can compete directly with fossil fuels. Brian Stockton and James Whittingham break down new findings from Ember showing that grid-scale batteries now make dispatchable solar cheaper than many new gas plants, fundamentally changing the energy landscape. The episode also explores why Big Oil is increasingly betting on petrochemicals and single-use plastics as EVs cut into fuel demand. A new IEEFA report reveals that a 70% global reduction in single-use plastics would deliver a major financial blow to the petrochemical industry while cutting millions of barrels per day of oil demand. From Canada, a Clean Energy Canada study finds that switching all homes in British Columbia to electric heat pumps could save households $675 million per year, reduce electricity demand, and cut emissions by about 6% of the province's total. Individual households could save hundreds to over a thousand dollars annually. We also discuss Australia's booming home battery market, fueled by expanded federal subsidies, and Rivian's plans for autonomous electric vehicles that can run errands, self-diagnose, and drive themselves for service as the company builds its own AI hardware and software. The Lightning Round covers global clean energy milestones including record renewable power in Australia, new solar efficiency records, fusion breakthroughs, EV and battery news, major climate policy moves in Europe, and Tesla opening its northernmost Supercharger in Alaska. Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.    

Nairobi's ride-hailing sector hits 40% electric motorcycles as Bolt logs 4.8 million EV rides. Financing from M-KOPA and Watu helps riders switch to cheaper, cleaner bikes, and local companies like Roam and Ampersand expand assembly and charging. Norway agrees to study its post-oil future after a deal with the Greens to pass the 2026 budget. EV incentives begin to scale back as adoption goals are met: https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/norway-to-examine-scenarios-for-post-oil-economy/. Thermostats Part 2 with Brian and James reviews the McVeggie. He wonders if it's actually just a mayo sandwich. They react to CNN's Bill Weir covering Trump's MPG rollback (full clip on Patreon: https://patreon.com/cleanenergypod) and look back at The Price Is Right giving away a $112,000 Tesla Roadster in 2010 and other EVs over the years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPq_I_L2UL4. A drone strike damages the protective shelter over the Chernobyl reactor. UN inspectors say repairs are needed, though experts caution against panic. BBC link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98nldr06l2o James wakes up to hazardous air quality as Environment Canada issues a 10+ AQHI alert. LA becomes officially coal-free after the Intermountain Power Project shuts down, ending decades of coal power for the city. More from Electrek: https://electrek.co/2025/12/08/los-angeles-power-supply-is-now-officially-coal-free/. Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.    

Solar power brings new dignity to a Kurdish village devastated by a chemical attack 38 years ago. Steven Guilbeault resigns from cabinet over a pipeline deal he says breaks Canada's climate commitments. North Carolina uses "super-roofs" and catastrophe bonds to cut hurricane losses. And Zillow removes climate risk scores from listings after backlash. Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks including a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes looks, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on our podcast! Starting at just $1 per month! Sheikh Wasan—attacked with mustard gas in 1987—has been rebuilt with 72 solar systems (432 panels) installed by the Rwanga Foundation. The project restores 24-hour power to homes, schools, and community buildings, offering long-overdue dignity to survivors. Canada's former environment minister steps down, saying a recent pipeline agreement makes climate obligations unattainable. Catastrophe bonds now reward homeowners for installing hurricane-resistant roofs, cutting claims by up to 60%. Insurance challenges rise as storms worsen. Zillow briefly added wildfire, flood, heat, and wind risk data to listings, but removed it after complaints from agents. Buyers now must check climate risks themselves via First Street Foundation. First Street: https://firststreet.org/ Lightning Round Dominican Republic activates the 162.6 MW Cotoperí Solar complex. Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!    

The COP30 climate conference ended without references to fossil fuels after lobbying pressure. Al Gore criticized petrostates for blocking progress and argued the world has reached "Peak Petrostate." Outside the UN process, 24 countries have agreed to coordinate on fossil-fuel phaseout efforts, with Colombia and the Netherlands hosting the first international conference in 2026. An archival look back at Gore's 1992 Earth Summit warnings underscores the longstanding concerns. Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks! Arkansas has launched its first-ever wind project: a 135 MW installation using 32 U.S.-made turbines. The project delivers significant local benefits, including $950,000 annually to Cross County and over $50 million to landowners over its lifetime. Microsoft has committed to purchasing all generated power under a 20-year agreement. Insurance companies are expanding into climate-risk consulting, offering inspections and adaptation guidance before disasters occur. Zurich Insurance now employs dozens of climate risk engineers, reflecting a growing industry segment. According to S&P Global, the world's 1,200 largest public companies face an estimated $1.2 trillion annually in climate-related physical risk by 2050. Some firms cannot obtain coverage without taking mitigation steps. Tehran Faces Possible Relocation Iran's president warned that Tehran may no longer be viable due to severe ecological strain, including chronic water shortages, sinking land, frequent power cuts, and hazardous air quality. The government has discussed relocating the capital to the Makran coast, though significant financial, infrastructural, and security challenges remain. Lightning Round Electric heavy trucks are expanding rapidly in China, reducing lifetime operating costs by 10–26 percent and contributing to an 11 percent drop in diesel demand.  And more! Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.    

Brazil's environment minister Marina Silva is calling on nations to commit to a voluntary and "self-determined" fossil-fuel phaseout roadmap at COP30. Debate continues over how aggressive nations should be and how such a roadmap should be enforced. Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/16/have-courage-to-create-fossil-fuel-phaseout-roadmap-at-cop30-brazilian-minister-urges Sodium-Ion Batteries That Work at -100°C Researchers at Purdue University have demonstrated a sodium-ion battery capable of operating reliably in extreme cold. The pouch cell was tested with real wind and solar inputs, raising possibilities for remote, polar, and space applications. Lightning Round At COP30 there are 50 fossil-fuel lobbyists for every delegate from the Philippines. The IEA's latest oil-demand forecast assumes no EV growth outside China and Europe—an assumption that defies basic economics and was influenced by Trump-era pressure. Sky debuts a silent, zero-emission hydrogen + sodium battery power system for film and TV sets. Story: https://fcw.sh/RgGKB0 Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page. Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store      

A YouTuber powers his entire home using batteries pulled from disposable vapes. It's an ingenious (if slightly dangerous) recycling project that shows how creative energy storage can get. Germany — the country that started the global solar revolution — actually has worse solar potential than Saskatchewan's darkest month! Still, by inspiring the boom that made solar cheap and widespread, Germany paved the way for countries like China to dominate solar manufacturing today. Join The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for free and get this month's bonus episode! Also this week: coal mines are heating homes in the UK, Nissan sells its HQ to stay afloat, Toyota delays its solid-state EV battery (again), and a giant Australian grid battery survives a major failure. The Lightning Round COP conference coverage vs. cruise ads, Spain nearly coal-free, edible road salt in Sweden, Texas breaks a November heat record, and Germany launches Europe's largest battery storage project. Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.    

How Australia's new "solar sharer" program will give every household three hours of free solar power a day—even if they don't have panels! It's a bold experiment to shift energy use to the middle of the day when the sun is strongest. In California, the state quietly pulled the plug on its long-delayed e-bike rebate program, shuffling the remaining funds into clean car subsidies instead. The hosts argue it's a short-sighted move that favors more expensive solutions over the most efficient ones. Meanwhile, South Korea now requires solar canopies over large parking lots nationwide—providing clean power, shade, and EV charging. The hosts also mark ten years since the Paris Accord and look back at how renewables blew past early forecasts. Other stories include Kia's big EV push into Japan, Chery's 800-mile solid-state battery breakthrough, and listener mail about Chinese automakers. The Lightning Round: Waymo expands robotaxis to new cities, Hyundai's global EV sales surge 47%, France tops global energy efficiency rankings, and a shocking stat—rising heat now kills one person every minute. Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.    

European automakers are scrambling to form new alliances to dodge massive EU fines for missing EV targets. Tesla sits at the center of an ever-growing web of carbon-credit partnerships, giving traditional automakers a lifeline as they rush to electrify. In the courts, youth-led climate lawsuits are heating up on both sides of the border. Canada is seeing its first-ever federal climate trial — La Rose v. His Majesty the King — arguing that government inaction violates young people's Charter rights. And in the U.S., a recent dismissal of the "kids versus Trump" case may still pave the way for future climate victories after a judge called climate change a "children's health emergency." Plus, a new company wants to store clean energy under the sea using giant saltwater bladders — like a pumped hydro system without the mountains. Google also backs plans to restart an old nuclear plant in Iowa to secure 25 years of zero-carbon power. And in the Lightning Round: Two proposed AI data centers would use as much energy as five cities. North Dakota's power prices fall as coal declines. China rebrands "semi-solid-state" batteries. The last coal plant in New England shuts down — for good. Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.    

Uber Green gets a new name as Uber doubles down on electric rides, the world's largest heat battery comes online in California, a massive new floating twin wind turbine from China smashes records, and California tightens fire safety rules after a major grid battery blaze. Plus, why cold wind actually generates more electricity — and why Kia's newest EV comes with a gasoline-scented air freshener. Brian goes all the way to Boston to see a Paul Thomas Anderson film in VistaVision then gets stranded there thanks to Air Canada. Then we discuss the Blue Jays going to the World Series. More chitchat in our extended Patreon episode this week. China's MingYang Ocean X floating wind turbine doubles the size of current designs with 290-meter rotors and 50 MW capacity. James vents about nuclear plans in Saskatchewan More: Nissan's Sakura EV gets a solar roof generating up to 3,000 km of free driving per year. Beyond Meat stock surges over 1,000%. Chinese automakers outsell Toyota in Japan's EV market. Fossil-fuel heat linked to a 38% decline in tropical birds. Finland finds cold air produces more wind energy than warm — but watch out for ice on the blades. Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.    

China opens the world's first underwater data center — and it's using 90% less energy. The Boston Housing Authority tries out saddle-shaped window heat pumps that drape over windows like Pringles chips. James's two electric cars — a Chevy Bolt and a Nissan Leaf — both get modern makeovers with fast charging, heat pumps, and vehicle-to-home power. Plus, Delta Airlines bets on hybrid-electric planes — think Prius, but with less legroom.  Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks including a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes looks, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on our podcast! Starting at just $1 per month! The Lightning Round ⚡ 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry goes to climate fighters Green hydrogen https://fcw.sh/7OCY5B Deep Sky building a $500M direct air capture facility in Manitoba — one of the world's largest. BYD Seagull named one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2025. Chinese automakers now hold 13% of the UK car market, predicted to hit 30% in two years. Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.    

Conservatives actually support climate action. Nigeria goes big on solar, Santiago's air gets cleaner, and renewables finally overtake coal worldwide. Renewables surpassing coal globally for the first time — even in China and India. Nigeria's solar revolution: cheap panels, no diesel noise, and whole villages going solar. Chile's long fight against smog finally paying off — cleaner air for 7.5 million people in Santiago. Why many conservatives quietly support climate action — and what's really holding back their politicians. Lightning Round: Japan's new leader goes all-in on nuclear. Puerto Rico's rooftop solar boom. The Vatican's new climate commitment. VW's EV sales up 231%. Inhalers linked to climate pollution. Alberta vs. Norway oil wealth. World's largest floating wind turbine launched in China. Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! PayPal Donate offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.    

Carrier, the company that invented air conditioning, is now adding batteries to its HVAC systems to help stabilize the grid. James compares clean energy progress in Heilongjiang, China, to the situation in Saskatchewan, Canada, where coal is sticking around until 2050. Meanwhile, developing nations may be scaling back their attendance at COP30 in Brazil due to soaring hotel prices in the Amazon. Join us for free on Patreon for addional content like the hydrogen letter correcting us. We also dig into listener mail, including a detailed correction on hydrogen vs. SMR math, new EV charging options from Grizzl-E, heat pump dryer experiences, Scandinavian crime drama recommendations, and whether James should just fill his house with snake plants instead of an air purifier. Plus, Glenn Wright weighs in on forests, carbon sinks, and net-zero. In the Lightning Round: U.S. nuclear license extensions in Wisconsin France planning a 1.5 GW offshore wind farm The U.S. DOE reportedly banning “climate change” from its vocabulary Renewables beating new nuclear ten to one for climate mitigation China's clean energy dominance in solar, batteries, and wind Morocco sending solar power to Germany Europe backing African renewables A new sodium-ion battery installation in Switzerland And just how many solar panels China installs every second Links to stories we covered: Carrier batteries for air conditioners (Canary Media): https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/batteries/carrier-air-conditioning-help-grid Heilongjiang clean energy projects (China green hydrogen & e-methanol): https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-29/nations-rethink-plans-for-brazil-climate-summit-as-costs-soar?srnd=phx-green COP30 hotel crunch (Bloomberg): https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-29/nations-rethink-plans-for-brazil-climate-summit-as-costs-soar?srnd=phx-green Grizzl-E EV Club: https://grizzl-e.com/ca/ | https://club.grizzl-e.com/ | https://youtu.be/SH7fItzcFbQ Antarctica wind project: https://www.antarctica.gov.au/antarctic-operations/stations-and-field-locations/amenities-and-operations/renewable-energy/wind-power IEA on rising AC demand: https://iea.li/48AjJAc Morocco–Germany undersea solar cable (CleanTechnica): https://cleantechnica.com EU renewables in Africa (Bloomberg): https://bloomberg.com

In this special interview episode, we sit down with economist Brett Dolter to explore the future of clean energy in Saskatchewan and beyond. From the politics of power generation to the technical challenges of renewables in extreme cold, Brett offers a candid and insightful look at what it will take to transition to a greener grid. Brett Dolter is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics, University of Regina where he teaches courses in climate change policy, microeconomics, cost-benefit analysis, and ecological economics. Brett's research is focused on modelling the costs and consequences of climate and energy policy. Current research projects include analyzing the distributional impacts of carbon pricing in Canada; modelling the cost of decarbonizing the Canadian electricity system; and exploring public support for competing energy futures in Regina, Saskatchewan. The report on SaskPower vs fed regulations Dolter published here (PDF) We discuss why Saskatchewan, despite its world-class solar and wind resources, lags behind provinces like Alberta in renewable adoption, and how monopoly structures and regulatory frameworks have slowed progress. Brett explains how reforming electricity rate structures could accelerate electrification, make rooftop solar more attractive, and help families save money in the long run. The conversation also covers the engineering realities of renewable energy in cold climates—from wind turbines to heat pumps—and looks at innovations from around the world, including northern China, that could be adapted for the Prairies. Finally, Brett dives into the political dimensions of the energy transition, reflecting on public opinion, partisan divides, and the path forward for renewables in Saskatchewan. This is an eye-opening discussion about the intersection of policy, technology, and economics—and why the choices made today will shape our energy future for decades to come. Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! PayPal Donate offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.

The future of batteries—including a surprising chemistry that works all the way down to –50°C. We'll also look at New York City's new speed limit for e-bikes, the world's first driverless truck border crossing, and how a listener in Japan pressed Saskatchewan's premier on renewables. CORRECTION: 600,000 tons of hydrogen does not produce 200 terawatt hours of electricity. It's only 2! AI halucinated and let us down. We appologize. We explore whether Saskatchewan really is “too cold to decarbonize,” with insights from researchers like Brett Dolter and Stanford's Mark Z. Jacobson. Plus, we compare the province's energy choices with bold projects in northern China and the Netherlands, where renewables are surging ahead despite tough climates. In listener mail, Jon from Japan updates us on solar and EV progress in his city, proving that persistence pays off. And in the Lightning Round, we'll cover fossil fuel declines in Europe, China's new climate pledge, a Canadian wildfire twist that helped crops, India's nuclear expansion, Nigeria's solar boom, and BYD's massive new battery breakthrough. Wind-solar-hydrogen integrated demonstration project in Manzhouli, China. Lightning Round: China's climate pledge, U.S. offshore wind ruling, EV oil displacement, Nigeria's solar push, BYD's 14.5 MWh container battery Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our  Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! PayPal Donate offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.    

A listener letter dives deep into climate despair and tough questions about our future, Newark's historic airport terminal gets an all-electric makeover, and a Canadian teenager fails a driving test because their Tesla was deemed “too high tech.” Plus, Norway now boasts more EV charging plugs than fuel nozzles, and we break down what that means for the rest of the world. We also dig into air quality data, Saskatchewan's forest policies, and whether negative emissions like BECCS can play a role in climate solutions. As always, the Lightning Round brings you the latest clean energy headlines—from BYD's new e-Bus platform to rooftop solar in Puerto Rico, geothermal startups, and the steep adoption curve of EVs. Links to stories we discussed in this episode: Rooftop solar boom in Puerto Rico: HubSpot News Xpeng's first European EVs roll off the line: CNEV Post Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! PayPal Donate offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.        

New York just made history as the first U.S. state to officially ban fossil fuels in most new building construction, setting the stage for an all-electric future. Meanwhile, wildfire smoke is proving more dangerous than ever—scientists say breathing it can be like smoking half a pack of cigarettes a day, with staggering health and economic costs across North America. And in New York City, the NYPD now has the power to confiscate uncertified e-bike batteries in the name of safety. We also cover abandoned coal boreholes in Australia leaking methane equivalent to thousands of cars, listener mail about ultra-cold climate 'cascading' heat pumps, and the latest in global clean energy progress. In the Lightning Round: – Bluetti's sodium-ion power station – CATL's ultra-fast charging EV battery – India's electric vehicle targets – China's solar exports to Africa And much more! Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks! Links – New York gas ban (Canary Media) – Abandoned methane-leaking coal boreholes (The Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/sep/03/abandoned-queensland-coal-borehole-found-to-be-emitting-10000-cars-worth-of-greenhouse-gas – Flooid Power Systems cold-climate heat pumps: https://flooidpower.com – Video: https://youtu.be/KQNc4VnTOis?si=cqSk9OnZ6cHeZsDM Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show PayPal Donate offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.    

Kiké Dueck, a twelve-year-old climate activist from Canada who is already making waves in the fight for a sustainable future, sits down with James. Kiké shares what inspired them to take action at such a young age, the challenges of being a youth voice in a world dominated by adults, and the creative ways young people can make a difference. From school strikes to community organizing, to suing your government, Kiké proves that no one is too young to speak up for the planet. We also discuss the role of education, how family and friends react to activism, and Kiké's vision for a cleaner, more just world. Their passion and determination are a reminder that the next generation isn't waiting for change—they're creating it. Listen in for an inspiring conversation full of honesty, courage, and hope for the future. Topics: Saskatchewan Bill 137, pronouns in schools Suing the Saskatchewan SaskParty Government - TikTok CBC feature: Kiké's Climate strike Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Follow/Subscribe Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-clean-energy-show/id1498854987 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5wOOCKdJ7Rtq72YxzcTqFm?si=515f6bec86654ed8 WATCH our hour-long weekly video podcasts and other videos on: TikTok  |  YouTube  |  Instagram  Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon or with YouTube Memberships to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! PayPal Donate offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.    

How Big Oil is fueling much of the legal opposition to offshore wind in the U.S.—using environmental laws to stall clean energy progress. We break down who's behind the lawsuits, why they matter, and how they threaten America's climate goals. We also look at new research showing that riding a bicycle could reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, thanks to the unique brain benefits of cycling. Meanwhile, here at home in Saskatchewan, the provincial government wants to extend coal power until 2050. But one of our listeners is fighting back with a court challenge, demanding accountability and a livable future. Plus, updates on U.S. tax credits for clean appliances and EVs, listener mail from Europe on smart charging apps, and Mark Jacobson's thought experiment on how little it would cost to power the entire world with solar panels. We begin with a conversation about our weekend which included musician Emm Gryner! And in the Lightning Round: Beyond Meat rebrands to “Beyond” And a Canadian Tesla owner proves you can drive electric all the way to the Arctic Links from this episode: Offshore wind lawsuits and oil ties Cycling and Alzheimer's risk study Rewiring America tax credit hub: https://rewiringamerica.org Saskatchewan climate lawsuit: https://cpj.ca/saskatchewan-legal-action/ Wisconsin youth climate lawsuit: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/22/young-climate-activists-sue-wisconsin Support the show now: Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks. E-transfer whittingham.james@gmail.com

James takes us on his 4,000 km electric vehicle odyssey to the West Coast—an audio vacation slideshow with EVs, chargers, and road trip surprises. Brian dives into the strange story of Russian hackers seizing control of a Norwegian dam, while James shares a shocking climate realization from salmon on the Pacific coast. Plus, we unpack the dangers of gas station neurotoxins, and Colorado's new law requiring health warning labels on gas stoves. Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon. Episode Highlights: Colorado requires air quality warning labels on gas stoves. Gas station neurotoxins and neurological health risks. The Lightning Round: Ukraine hits Russia's Druzhba oil pipeline. Nepal's EV share of new car sales reaches 87.6%. And: in April, China installed more solar than Australia has in its entire history (abc.net.au). Donate via PayPal

The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, focusing on the Pacific Palisades community and the implications for urban areas as climate change intensifies. Actor Martin Short's love for that community and how James feels connected to it. Alongside an in-depth look at John Vaillant's book Fire Weather, we uncover the growing wildfire threat to cities and practical ways to safeguard homes and lives. Encore episode that followed the Pacific Palisades Fires in Los Angeles, January 2025. We will be back on August 14th with our Patreon episode and August 20th with a new regular episode. UPDATE: CAL FIRE has marked Martin Short's home as 'undamaged'! This is contrary to the previous report by The Wrap. CORRECTION on the size of screen to protect attic vents. It should be no bigger than 1/8" opening (we said 1/4" which is an out-dated guideline.) Episode Highlights: Los Angeles Wildfires: Examining the catastrophic fires in Pacific Palisades, where a tight-knit, picturesque community was largely destroyed. We discuss the human stories, the risks of living in fire-prone areas, and the role of climate change in escalating wildfire events. Author John Vaillant: Insights from Fire Weather and Vaillant's analysis of urban wildfires as a dire climate threat, with compelling clips from his talks and audiobook. The Cost of Fire Risk: Why insurers are pulling out of high-risk areas, leaving homeowners scrambling for alternatives like the FAIR Plan. Tokyo's Disaster Preparedness: A spotlight on Tokyo's remarkable infrastructure designed to mitigate natural disasters, from flood tunnels to seismic standards for buildings. Home Fire Safety Tips: Learn critical steps to reduce the risk of your home catching fire in a wildfire, including creating defensible spaces, fireproofing materials, and evacuation best practices. Key Links Mentioned: Fire Weather by John Vaillant: Audiobook available here Induction Cooktop Review on Wirecutter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/copper-charlie-induction-stove-review/ Raw video of Pacific Palisades fire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt7VVdGcDzE Contact Us: We love hearing from our listeners! Share your thoughts and questions at CleanEnergyShow@gmail.com. Support Our Work: Help us continue creating climate-positive content: Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VMDCRPHLNR8YE Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cleanenergypod

David Suzuki stuns with a message of climate defeat—but is he right? Brian and James unpack Suzuki's pessimism and a powerful rebuttal from climate politics professor Donald Wright, who says the fight is not over. Also this week: Germany hits a heat pump milestone, surpassing gas boiler sales for the first time.

A viral meme claims Norway installed sea-life-friendly underwater turbines. It's AI-generated nonsense—though there have been real tidal power projects in Norway and Scotland. We unpack the truth behind the clickbait. The United Nations' top court declares a clean, healthy environment a human right. But what does it really mean for international law and fossil fuel development? Wildfire smoke chokes Saskatoon in record amounts. And we hear from Aiden, a listener in Lytton, B.C.—a town still devastated from climate disaster four years ago. Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks including a monthly bonus podcast! Also on the show:

UN Secretary General António Guterres proclaims that the fossil fuel era is fading and the clean energy age is rising. Vietnam is banning gas-powered motorcycles in downtown Hanoi by 2026. Meanwhile, a new electric scooter hits 100 mph, and China begins building the world's largest hydroelectric dam. Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks! Also on the show:

A Canadian Football League game was cancelled after fans waited six hours in thick wildfire smoke—smoked sausages, indeed. We dig into why air quality is getting worse and how it's connected to climate change. Plus, surprising new research shows that diesel generators are allowed to emit 48 times more nitrogen oxides than natural gas boilers. We explore the shocking pollution double standards that exist across industries. Meanwhile, in Northeast Calgary, homeowners are struggling to get insurance due to a rise in extreme hail. Some insurance companies are pulling out entirely. What's behind this localized crisis—and why it's a warning for the rest of the country. And in Reno, Nevada, a startup has installed the world's largest second-life battery grid using hundreds of used EV battery packs. It's powering a data center and showing a viable path for battery reuse. Also in this episode: Water use restrictions in England as drought conditions worsen U.S. Republicans blame Canada for wildfire smoke ruining their summer (but not climate change) Scientists say cleaning up air pollution might be making global warming worse in the short term Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! PayPal Donate offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.

Amish E-Bikes, Balcony Solar, and a Djibouti Wind Boom E-bikes are quietly transforming Amish communities, balcony solar panels are powering up UK homes, and the tiny African nation of Djibouti is making huge renewable energy strides. Plus, Brian returns from London with fresh eyes on electric taxis, streetcars, and some eyebrow-raising climate solutions. We explore how indoor air quality is the our new air quality frontier. Bill Gates is backing a new kind of wind energy. Plus, climate change delivers catastrophic floods to Texas. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/thecleanenergyshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cleanenergypod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleanenergypod/

This week, we're bringing a special treat to the public: a previously exclusive Patreon bonus episode! Brian and James take a October, 2024 road trip in Brian's Tesla Model Y, which was recently upgraded with Full Self-Driving Beta. Yes, the car drove itself—and we captured the whole experience. The hosts discuss: Transferring FSD Beta from the Model S to the Model Y A 30-minute test drive across town with no human input Real-time impressions and commentary during the drive Reactions to Tesla's autonomous driving performance The weird, the smooth, and the occasional sudden stop This is not just a conversation—it's a rolling commentary from inside the car while the AI takes the wheel. Buckle up for this unique episode! Back next week with an all-new show! Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Follow/Subscribe Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-clean-energy-show/id1498854987 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5wOOCKdJ7Rtq72YxzcTqFm?si=515f6bec86654ed8 WATCH our hour-long weekly video podcasts and other videos on: TikTok  |  YouTube  |  Instagram  Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon or with YouTube Memberships to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! PayPal Donate offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.

New groundbreaking new data on solar-plus-battery affordability, community-driven efforts to fight wildfire smoke, and the global decline of coal power. Brian prepares for a trip to London, and James shares his latest air quality observations from the smoky Canadian prairies. They also touch on some big global issues: India's indoor air pollution crisis, New York's unexpected plans for new nuclear power, and China's rapid solar and blimp tech progress. Plus, an update on fusion energy from a listener email and the usual dose of humour, clean tech insight, and righteous frustration. Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon!  Episode Highlights: A Saskatchewan First Nation installs air scrubbers in homes to combat wildfire smoke Grid-scale batteries have become cheap enough to enable true 24/7 solar in sunny cities Ireland shuts down its last coal plant—only to convert it to oil New York State proposes a new nuclear plant amid rising demand from data centers Lightning Round Links:

Smoke from wildfires in the Canadian prairies drifts all the way to Switzerland, ruining a listener's hike—and James feels personally responsible. Meanwhile, Brian reports that global banks continue to pump money into fossil fuels, all while hiking credit card interest rates. He sums up their attitude perfectly: “We're evil, we just can't help it.” Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on Patreon for exciting perks! Get a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes content, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on our podcast! Starting at just one dollar per month! The Clean Energy Air Quality Project continues with a new discovery—our local landfill is a serious pollution source. James calls it a “foul, disgusting place,” and the data seems to back him up. Plus, the UK is sweating through a major heat wave just as Brian plans a visit. Will his timing cool things down? King Charles seems to think so. Also on this episode: Global banks' greenwashing hypocrisy Citizen science and the ongoing Clean Energy Air Quality Project The unexpected reach of prairie wildfire smoke Climate change and travel plans colliding in real time. Articles Nepal's EV Leapfrog – CleanTechnica Tesla vs. NHTSA Autopilot Probe – The Verge 25-Year Solar Panel Warranty – Electrek Tesla Battery Recall & Fire Risk – InsideEVs EV Idle Payment via Smart Grid – Canary Media Let me know if you'd like this in a different format (e.g., for YouTube or Instagram). Subscribe & Follow: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/thecleanenergyshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cleanenergypod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleanenergypod/ Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VMDCRPHLNR8YE

Our listeners bought an air quality monitoring station for the podcast and we plan to make the most out of it! Already, James is learning about some bad air from industry in his Canadian city. 

Our city had the worst air quality in the world at the time of recording, with an Air Quality Index of 446 (that's like smoking over 60 cigarettes a day). We explore what led to these hazardous conditions, how wildfires are affecting our communities and even reaching Europe, and why Canada's air quality reporting system needs a 21st-century overhaul. Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on Patreon for exciting perks! Our monthly bonus podcast is coming up this week! The Clean Energy Show received two sustainability awards from the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE), a United Nations University network promoting Education for Sustainable Development.  The fast fashion industry gets a sustainability report card. H&M tops the chart with a B+ thanks to its real investment in decarbonization. But most brands are still failing. Read more from Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-03/h-m-outperforms-zara-and-shein-on-green-report-card-for-fashion Swiss authorities averted disaster by evacuating the town of Blatten before a monitored glacier collapsed. But such preventative infrastructure is rare globally. More from Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-03/swiss-glacier-collapse-is-a-lesson-on-climate-disaster-management Jason Cook-Studer of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band is building microgrids and district heating with salvaged wood while fighting fires threatening his traplines. We share his inspiring work in a featured clip. Andrew Johnson from One School, One Farm—building bridges between classrooms and climate resilience: We play a clip from his RCE presentation! ⚡ In the Lightning Round: Used solar panels get second life through Search4solar http://dlvr.it/TL6xmA Port of L.A. cuts ship emissions 24% with OpenTable-style scheduling https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-03/how-to-cut-shipping-pollution-quickly-and-cheaply

Penguin poop might be cooling the planet by seeding clouds over Antarctica! A new study shows how ammonia from penguin guano helps form reflective cloud cover. Meanwhile, a $10 billion geoengineering plan proposes to deploy 500,000 undersea drones to regrow Arctic sea ice. Can technology save the poles—and should it? Support our podcast on Patreon and get exciting perks!  We also bust myths about EV fires after The Telegraph claims they're on the rise.  Plus, an Edmonton pilot project is using secret tech to stop EV charger cable theft—and it's already working. Also in this episode: Solar fences at Zurich Airport could boost solar production 20x by 2040. Read more Quebec investors rescue Lion Electric, keeping Canadian school bus EV dreams alive. Full story The new Pope Leo vows to continue Francis's environmental legacy. Lightning Round: Global EV sales rose 35% in Q1 2025. IEA report Climate change has reduced global wheat yields by ~10%. Source Hyundai's robotic EV chargers are live at a Korean airport. Details Macdonald-Laurier Institute says Canada doesn't need new oil pipelines. More Edmonton's secret anti-theft tech leads to arrests at EV chargers. Read Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean PayPal Donate offers one-time or regular donations. The Clean Energy Show Store. Copyright 2025.    

This week on a special encore episode of The Clean Energy Show, Brian is recovering from surgery, and James wonders if he's truly on the mend—or if it's a Schrödinger's host situation. Either way, they've queued up a listener-favorite episode for your enjoyment! Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on Patreon for exciting perks! Get a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes content, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on our podcast! Starting at just a couple dollars per month! In this replay of Episode 166, Brian and James dive into some wild, worrying, and hilarious developments in the clean energy world: Climate scientists—especially women—are receiving increasing death threats, but remain determined to keep speaking truth to power. Ford shocks the auto world by announcing it will adopt Tesla's charging port standard in North America. Toyota appears baffled by the concept of a charging network. Siemens designs a wind turbine just for Americans—complete with baseball fandom and gunfire (well, figuratively). Australia delays the reopening of a coal power plant… that exploded. (Yes, really.) Catch all this and more clean energy news, commentary, and comedy in this classic episode of The Clean Energy Show. Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean WATCH our hour-long weekly video podcasts and other videos on: TikTok  |  YouTube  |  Instagram  PayPal Donate offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2025 Sneeze Media.    

Canada approves its first Small Modular Reactor (SMR), but critics argue it's a costly, high-risk distraction from cheaper, proven renewables. Ontario Clean Air Alliance explains the financial and security risks Plug-and-play solar is finally coming to the U.S., launching in Utah this summer with no permits or installers required. EcoFlow's new modular solar kits, with similar kits already popular in Europe and China, they could revolutionize backyard and balcony power for American homeowners. Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks! Also this week: Thames Water warns that London may face water restrictions following the driest spring in nearly 70 years. As Brian plans his summer visit, the city's leaky infrastructure—losing enough water daily to fill 230 Olympic-sized pools—adds urgency to the crisis. – EcoFlow's new “Stream” solar energy system starts at $599, with optional battery backup. See ZDNet. – Manitoba's skyrocketing EV charging prices spark backlash—$700 for two hours? – Mazda switches to Tesla's NACS charging plug in Japan, adding to the global shift.  The Lightning Round: – U.S. budget cuts all tax incentives for new nuclear – Sweden hits 63.3% EV adoption – U.S. could be powered 1x over by solar-covered parking lots – GM unveils a lithium manganese-rich battery promising higher range and lower costs – Plus: A look at Onox, the all-electric tractor with swappable battery packs via Electrek Email us at CleanEnergyShow@gmail.com or leave a voice message at speakpipe.com/cleanenergyshow Donate via PayPal.

We dive into thorium nuclear reactors — a long-dormant technology with huge safety and environmental potential, now being revived by China. What are they, how do they work, and why aren't we using them already? Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on Patreon for exciting perks! Get our monthly bonus podcast and more! Meanwhile in Los Angeles, rebuilding after devastating wildfires has sparked controversy. The mayor rolled back an electric-only building mandate to speed up reconstruction — but a new report says building all-electric is faster and cheaper. We explore why gas-free homes make more sense, even in emergencies. The longest-range electric vehicles on the market, sometimes topping 1,000 km. Plus: Pittsburgh Airport is transforming a former landfill into a solar powerhouse. BC Hydro triples its EV charging network as British Columbia adds 200,000 EVs. Australia's rooftop solar boom, EV battery longevity, and gene-edited rice in India. The Lightning Round: Uber expands robotaxi services globally with Chinese partners. Waymo robotaxis: up to 25x safer for pedestrians. 70% of ferries on order now electric. By 2027, nearly all new homes in England must include solar panels. We explain how thorium reactors differ from traditional nuclear, their safety advantages, and why they may be key to a cleaner energy future. Pittsburgh landfill solar: https://electrek.co/2025/04/30/pittsburgh-airport-landfill-solar/ LA rebuild & natural gas: https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/carbon-free-buildings/la-fires-electric-construction

A massive blackout brought Spain and Portugal to a standstill this week, reminding us just how deeply modern life depends on electricity. The outage disrupted everything from subways and air traffic to ATMs and elevators, leading to scenes of chaos in Madrid and emergency water deliveries by tractor. We break down the moment-by-moment collapse of daily life—and what it tells us about resilience and infrastructure. See our Patreon page for our social media posts and ways to support our work! In the UK, the Labour government is pushing forward with new overhead power lines, despite public opposition to their visual impact. A study endorsed by Labour shows burying cables is 4.5 times more expensive than pylons—read more from The Guardian. Also in Britain, protesters frustrated with the lack of textile recycling options are mailing their worn-out clothes back to the CEOs of the companies that sold them. One PhD student's protest kicked off a wave of “postal activism”—full story here. We also respond to a heartfelt listener email from California about EV range anxiety. Is it time EVs matched gas vehicles for range? We talk bladder size, cold weather, spousal tolerance, and battery waste. Plus, another listener from Swift Current updates us on his repaired Hyundai Ioniq 5—and reveals a surprise connection with last week's mailbag guest from Japan. In the Lightning Round: Scientists develop a tool that could let courts hold oil companies accountable for climate damages—via Bloomberg. New York lawmakers push to shut down Tesla stores. A startup is turning methane into butter. China approves 10 new nuclear reactors—again.

Pope Francis had become one of the most influential voices on the moral side of climate change. Back in 2015, he released an encyclical called Laudato Si', where he framed environmental issues not just as scientific or political problems, but as deep moral and spiritual ones. He emphasized that climate change affects everyone—but especially the poor and vulnerable who contribute the least to the problem yet suffer the most from its effects. At the end of the show, we look back. All links to items mentioned on our show can be found on our Patreon page.

In Sierra Leone, solar power is saving lives—literally. A neonatal intensive care unit that once faced constant blackouts is now powered by a solar microgrid with lithium-ion batteries. The result? A surge from 10 newborns a month in 2013 to 140 today, with hundreds of lives saved each year thanks to reliable, renewable power. (Sorry, we had to remix this episode twice! James does NOT have a brain tumor.) Watch Michael Liebreich's documentary from his Cleaning Up YouTube channel: https://www.patreon.com/posts/solar-hospital-126744571?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link A historic win for climate accountability: the UN's maritime agency has passed the first international emissions cap for global shipping. Also this week: New research shows that cleaner air boosts solar power generation. Plus: A U.S. jury has ordered Greenpeace to pay $660 million in damages over its role in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests.  Florida has overtaken California It's illegal to bike your kids to school in Ontario. J.D. Vance called the people of China "peasants." We had thoughts. Links Mentioned: Solar Brightening Boosts Power Output – Bloomberg Greenpeace Verdict and the Future of Activism – Bloomberg UN Shipping Emissions Vote – BBC Support the Show: Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VMDCRPHLNR8YE Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cleanenergypod

Texas offers billions to build gas power plants—but no one wants the cash. Developers say renewables are just too cheap. Meanwhile, Delhi cracks down on combustion cars, Viking unveils a zero-emission cruise ship, and salmon are swimming free thanks to dam removal. Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on Patreon for exciting perks! Get a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes content, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on our podcast! You can support us for as little as one dollar per month with a custom Patreon pledge or with PayPal. In this episode: Texas' Energy Gamble: A $5B loan program for new gas plants is falling apart. Developers say costs and market risks are too high. Read more Viking's Hydrogen Cruise Ship: The Viking Libra launches in 2026 as the world's first zero-emission hydrogen-powered cruise ship. Details Barcelona's All-Electric Ferry: New ferry runs 21 hours on a single charge. Story Delhi's Combustion Crackdown: Starting April 15, vehicles older than 10–15 years can't refuel. Big bans are coming by 2035. Read UK Adjusts Its Ban: ICE vehicle sales end in 2030, hybrids get a 5-year extension. Details Salmon Return to the Klamath: Four dam removals bring salmon back to Oregon and California rivers. Watch the doc Fleet EV Update: James reflects on EV truck adoption and fights battery myths. CATL eyes Nio's battery swap network. More Lightning Round: Russia struggles as oil nears $50/barrel Toyota plans 10 new EVs by 2027 (link) Audi halts U.S. deliveries due to tariffs BYD sells 6,500 EVs in March in the UK (+750%) Pakistan multiplies solar capacity 17x in 2024 Illinois EV adoption up 50%, fueled by $4,000 rebate Solar power is doubling globally every 3 years Over 100 oil refineries face shutdown by 2035 Clean electricity surpassed 40% globally in 2024 Source

Welcome to episode 256 of The Clean Energy Show! This week, we explore the challenges of allowing Chinese EVs into Canada, the arrival of USB-C charging for electric bikes, and how small amounts of solar power are transforming lives in Africa. Plus, Canada's greenhouse gas emissions are trending downward, and James Whittingham claims full credit. The Downside of Chinese EVs in Canada China is testing whether the prospect of big EV investments could sway Canada's trade policies. The country's ambassador to Canada has expressed concerns over restrictions that have hindered BYD's expansion into Canada. Critics argue that China's trade proposals could reduce Canada to a resource exporter while China dominates global tech and manufacturing. Is this the kind of economy Canada wants? Read more USB-C Charging for E-Bikes Read more Electrification in Africa Gains Momentum Plunging solar panel prices and increased international funding are fueling the rise of mini-grids in Africa. These solar-powered microgrids are transforming rural communities, enabling businesses, improving education, and even providing street lighting for safety. The impact is profound, with villages experiencing economic and social growth thanks to electricity access. Read more Canada's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Decline Read more The Lightning Round EV sales in China have likely caused gasoline consumption to peak. Read more Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are emerging as major markets for Chinese solar panels. Read more Uruguay's EV market is booming, with battery-electric vehicles reaching over 15% market share. Read more Hyundai's Georgia EV plant is now operational, ready to launch the three-row IONIQ 9. Read more Waymo's self-driving cars now use external speakers to alert passengers about forgotten items. Read more Volvo's latest electric truck boasts a 600km range, 44-ton capacity, and rapid 40-minute charging. Read more Chinese battery manufacturer Cornex has improved grid-scale battery storage by 50%, with mass production beginning in June. Read more Eric from the Bay Area recommends the documentary The White House Effect, which is premiering at a local film festival in Sebastopol, California. Join our Patreon for exclusive content, including bonus episodes and ad-free listening! Sign up at https://www.patreon.com/c/cleanenergypod. Donate via PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VMDCRPHLNR8YE We love hearing from you! Email us at CleanEnergyShow@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at https://www.speakpipe.com/CleanEnergyShow.

Solar plus batteries are having a breakthrough moment, signaling a major shift in global energy. An aluminum plant in Australia is moving to solar plus battery storage, making its production greener than ever. We also hear from a listener who connected his heat pump hot water heater to his HVAC system, proving once again that our audience is the smartest around. And in a groundbreaking development, scientists have achieved 100% lithium recycling, which could make EV battery production truly sustainable. Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on Patreon for great rewards from Brian and James like our exclusive Patreon Podcast on Clean Energy! Meanwhile, a new millimeter-wave drilling technology could revolutionize geothermal energy by reaching depths conventional drills can't handle. Plus, we discuss fossil fuel subsidies in Canada and Alberta's premier's threats to national unity over green policies. Topics This Week: Solar plus battery storage powering an aluminum plant in Australia A listener shares his heat pump water heater and HVAC integration 100% lithium recycling breakthrough for EV batteries Millimeter-wave technology for next-gen geothermal drilling Canada's ongoing fossil fuel subsidies and Alberta's political maneuvers Listener Mail: Roshan Gervais shares his experience with a heat pump hot water heater in Edmonton, how it affects his home's temperature, and how he integrated it with his furnace ducts for cooling benefits in summer. Lightning Round: China is expanding its grid to keep up with its solar boom Mercedes-Benz unveils its most affordable and advanced EV sedan Germany locks its net-zero goals into the constitution Trump's plan to kill clean energy tax credits could spike U.S. household energy costs China's Sinopec halts Russian oil purchases Tesla deliveries drop 43% in Europe, while EV sales rise 28% BYD advances silicon-ion battery technology for improved safety and durability UK announces its first national forest in 30 years Global building sector emissions stop rising for the first time since 2020 Landmark youth climate lawsuit in the U.S. comes to an end, but leaves a lasting impact Join the Conversation: Email us at CleanEnergyShow@gmail.com Leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/cleanenergyshow Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and community discussions: https://www.patreon.com/c/cleanenergypod Follow us on social media: https://www.tiktok.com/@cleanenergypod, https://www.instagram.com/cleanenergypod/, https://www.youtube.com/c/thecleanenergyshow, https://open.spotify.com/show/7nIGJi8pZ9EmiJTPY4VOr5, https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-clean-energy-show/id1498854987

James goes on a well-deserved rant about his local government doubling the road tax on electric vehicles. Despite rarely using highways, his Nissan LEAF EV is now subject to a tax that funds road repairs outside the city and it's six times what a similar gas vehicle would pay. It's a move that highlights how some governments continue to punish EV owners instead of encouraging clean transportation. Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on Patreon for exciting perks! Meanwhile, California has unveiled an ambitious plan to deploy six million heat pumps by 2030. However, despite incentives, the state is projected to fall two million units short of its goal. We discuss what's being done to promote heat pump adoption and how the initiative could serve as a model for the rest of the U.S. In a major shake-up for the automotive industry, Chinese battery and car manufacturer BYD has delivered what could be the final blow to the internal combustion engine. With their latest breakthrough in ultra-fast EV charging, vehicles can now recharge in just five minutes—matching the convenience of refueling a gas car. If this innovation takes hold, it could rapidly accelerate EV adoption worldwide. Also on the show: London is set to install 570 sidewalk-flush EV chargers, making it easier than ever for city dwellers to charge their vehicles. The Ultra Low Emissions Zone in London continues to be a success, reducing air pollution significantly and improving public health. Listener Mail: A real-life experience with Hyundai's ICCU recall, and a discussion on the future of electric air taxis ahead of the L.A. Olympics. The Lightning Round: Global BEV sales surge, solid-state battery advancements, and U.S. states wrestling with Chinese automaker investments. Links & References: California's Heat Pump Initiative London's Flush EV Chargers Ultra Low Emissions Zone Impact BYD's Five-Minute Charging Announcement

Alberta has long believed its oil would sell forever, but U.S. refineries are signaling they could drop Alberta crude in a heartbeat. Looks like “forever” lasts about as long as a duck on a tailings pond. Meanwhile, Korea's $800 billion pension fund is ditching coal, an 8-year-old activist has forced India's Supreme Court into action, and Brazil wants to reverse deforestation with reforestation. Main Stories

The develping country of Pakistan has a terrible power grid but that's why it is experiencing a massive shift to solar, from the ground, up! With a payback period of just 1.5 years, solar is becoming a necessity for many Pakistanis. Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on Patreon for exciting perks! Also this week: Mapping industrial heat pump opportunities BYD and forced labor allegations  Massachusetts launches V2X pilot program – While a great step toward energy resilience, we discuss why it's time to move beyond pilot programs and into real-world deployment. Eagle Cam - Watch live here. Main Stories: Pakistan's grassroots solar revolution: We examine how businesses and everyday citizens are adapting to an unreliable grid by embracing small-scale solar installations. Even rickshaws and motorcycles are going electric! Listen to the Volts podcast featuring experts Mustafa Amjad and Waqas Moosa discussing Pakistan's transition. Industrial heat pumps in the US: Canary Media has mapped out the best areas to replace industrial boilers with heat pumps to reduce ozone pollution. BYD's Brazil controversy: The Guardian and Reuters have reported on forced labor allegations at a BYD factory construction site in Brazil. Workers were found living in degrading conditions, and labor laws were violated in both Brazil and China. Massachusetts' V2X Pilot: Electrek reports on Massachusetts launching a two-year vehicle-to-everything (V2X) pilot program to explore energy-sharing possibilities between EVs and the grid. The Lightning Round: Companies shift to ‘greenhushing' Bloomberg Japan's worst wildfire in 50 years Norway's zero-emission transport zones – The country allows cities to ban fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Bloomberg China's nuclear fusion timeline – Bloomberg A racist oil change sticker leads to a free EV – After an appalling incident in Wisconsin, a Nissan dealership in New York is giving a free Leaf EV to the victim. Electrek Email us at CleanEnergyShow@gmail.com or find us on Patreon!

In this episode of The Clean Energy Show, James and Brian explore a groundbreaking startup backed by OpenAI's Sam Altman that's turning sunlight into heat stored in bricks. These modular containers can be deployed anywhere, potentially revolutionizing data center power supply. They also discuss how heat pumps continue to outsell gas furnaces in the U.S., signaling a major shift in home heating technology. Meanwhile, Japan's largest nuclear reactor remains inactive, stalled by local political resistance even as public opinion on nuclear power shifts. Support the Show: Follow us for free or join our Patreon community at https://www.patreon.com/c/cleanenergypod. Donate via PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VMDCRPHLNR8YE. CONTEST ALERT! If you have a free or Supporter Patreon account and follow our podcast by March 3, 2025, you will automatically be entered to win a free 1 Year Clean Club Membership! The episode also features a humorous story from the Czech Republic, where industrious beavers thwarted plans for a new dam by building their own—completely free of charge. James and Brian explore the implications of these stories for clean energy adoption and environmental conservation. Brian revisits a classic SNL clip featuring Mike Myers in a climate change-themed Christmas special, while James shares his thoughts on a YouTube video documenting a train journey from Shanghai to Beijing. He humorously contemplates the highs and lows of communist amenities, including squat toilets. The hosts dive into the cold hard facts about wind turbines and whether they can function effectively at temperatures below -30°C. They also touch on the challenges of grid stability and energy demands during extreme weather conditions. In The Lightning Round, they cover a range of fast-paced stories including: Ram's electric truck with a unique battery reserved just for towing. India doubling its rooftop solar subsidies to $2.31 billion. Indonesia's delayed coal peak timeline and its implications for climate goals. California's push towards 100% renewable energy with massive wind energy imports from New Mexico. China's clean energy boom, now accounting for 10% of its GDP. Texas gearing up for its windy season, which could significantly boost wind power output. A surge in U.S. battery manufacturing, doubling cell production capacity this year. Solar and battery combinations becoming cheaper than coal and natural gas in key markets. California's ambitious offshore wind plans moving forward despite political challenges. This week's CES FAST FACT™ reveals how Japan's largest floating solar plant was redesigned after a typhoon-related fire, highlighting the importance of engineering clean energy projects to withstand extreme weather conditions. Don't miss this jam-packed episode of The Clean Energy Show! Contact Us: We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at CleanEnergyShow@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/cleanenergyshow.  See you in one week!

Palm oil is one of the biggest environmental villains, but now a Dutch biotech company has scaled up a breakthrough yeast-based alternative that could drastically cut emissions and deforestation. Meanwhile, New York City is tackling unsafe e-bike batteries by handing out free replacement e-bikes to delivery workers. Plus, France is going all-in on nuclear power to support the AI boom. Undecided with Matt Ferrell - the popular YouTuber comes to Brian and James's backyard to explore the construction of a wind farm. Great video here. https://youtu.be/rKPYy8RF1RU?si=p8HFcVONNNYHMCks Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on Patreon for exciting perks! Also on this episode: China's heavy trucks are electrifying at a record pace. Russia's war is increasing global aviation emissions. New research shows carbon capture may be worse than simply investing in renewables. Rivian's electric delivery van, once exclusive to Amazon, is now available for purchase by any fleet. Listener Mail Weldon in Winnipeg shares a funny experience about driving an EV in -30°C, proving that gas cars aren't just bad for the environment but also for visibility! The Lightning Round BYD's solid-state battery breakthrough could double EV range. A new Airbus A321XLR jet cuts fuel use by 30% per passenger. Data center electricity demand is skyrocketing worldwide. EV interest is surging, but cost misconceptions remain high. The cost of installing a Tesla Supercharger stall? About $40,000. Home insurance costs in Alberta have soared 90% in a decade due to extreme weather events. China's heavy-duty truck market is rapidly shifting to electric, hitting 21% market share this year. Contest: Win a Free Clean Club Membership! We're giving away a one-year membership to our Clean Club, which includes: Ad-free, high-quality episodes Early access to new episodes Exclusive Patreon bonus content Monthly shoutouts and merch discounts If you're already a Patreon supporter or following us for free, you're automatically entered! Contact Us We love hearing from listeners! Send us your feedback: Email: CleanEnergyShow@gmail.com Voicemail: speakpipe.com/cleanenergyshow Join our Patreon community for exclusive posts and discussions. Support the show by rating us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app. Don't forget to follow for weekly episodes!