Simpler solar regulations could save Americans $1.2 trillion.
Streamlining permitting, inspection requirements, and interconnection processes could make rooftop solar affordable for 18M more U.S. households.
Sometimes the fastest way to cheaper energy is just simpler rules.
@heatmap.news
Graphic with three columns split on top two-thirds of page, image in column from left to right: Québec City, Québec; Sacramento, CA; Olympia, WA. Title text centered to page in white text with dark blue background: “WA, CA, and Québec Move Toward Linking Carbon Markets.” Subheading below in regular text: “A linked market would improve market stability, lower compliance costs, reduce pollution risk, and increase investment predictability.” Clean & Prosperous logo in bottom right corner.
Washington, California, and Québec released a draft agreement to link their carbon markets, putting WA months ahead of schedule.
If completed, Washington would join the California–Québec shared carbon market - the fourth-largest in the world.
Public comment open through May 1.
The market continues to support clean energy ☀️
Over the past decade, the price of onshore wind has fallen 70%, solar panels 90% and batteries even more - making renewables some of the cheapest electricity sources.
The clean energy transition is just smart economics.
@grist.org
We recently visited UW Solar and UW Transportation Services to see the new 86.4 kW solar canopy at UW’s E-18 lot! 🔆
More than a decade in the making, the project feeds into the UW grid and covers 20 EV charging spaces. If expanded, it could generate up to 8 MW, or ~5% of campus electricity use.
📣 Attention fellow battery nerds 📣
Form Energy just announced a 300 MW battery for a data center in MN - 100 hours of clean, firm power.
That’s over half of all U.S. battery capacity added in 2025 - in one project.
Multi-day storage is moving from pilot to grid-scale reliability.
@heatmap.news
Graphic with lime green background and title text: “Update: Mapping Washington’s Climate Commitments.” Bullets below: “In this update: 516 newly mapped investments, $136 million additional CCA funding,” “New totals: 3,484 total mapped investments, $4.25 billion total CCA funding.” Image of Mapping Washington’s Climate Commitments below. Clean & Prosperous logo in bottom right corner.
Graphic with lime green background and title text: “Highlights from this update.” Four rectangles with white backgrounds stacked across page. Top box text: “Transportation Improvement Board - Complete Streets: $59 million for nearly 100 projects improving safety and connectivity on local streets statewide.” Box below: “School-Related Investments: $16+ million across 280 projects, primarily towards planning energy efficiency and climate upgrades in K-12 schools statewide.” Box below: “Salmon Recovery & Fish Habitat: $42.5 million across 33 projects restoring habitat, improving fish passage, and strengthening watershed resilience.” Bottom box: “AmeriCorps Climate Corps: $5.1 million supporting 28 placements advancing clean energy and conservation projects across Washington.” Clean & Prosperous logo in bottom right corner.
Mapping Washington’s Climate Commitments is updated 🗺️
Now tracking nearly 3,500 projects and $4.25B+ in CCA investments statewide.
This round adds 516 projects and $126M more in funding for safer streets, schools, farms, salmon recovery, and Climate Corps.
climatecommitment.cleanandprosperous.org
Yakima County has paused large-scale solar since 2022. Now, commissioners are weighing agrivoltaics (raised panels that allow grazing or crops underneath).
Research suggests it could work on ~ 87,000 acres statewide.
The goal: to protect ag land and add local power as demand grows.
Big energy for Washington’s work to lead the commercial zero emissions transition 🚚⚡Range Zero Emissions brought the trucks and the ambition to the Future of Carbon Policy Forum!
Trump revoked the 2009 endangerment finding, removing the legal requirement to regulate GHGs.
That slows progress: emissions fall 26-35% below 2005 levels by 2035 without key rules vs. 32-44% if they remain.
19 US states – nearly half the population – remain committed to net-zero targets.
Graphic with image of “Helion Energy’s Polaris fusion reactor operating with tritium and deuterium fuel” on top two-thirds of page. Title text below image: “Big Step for Fusion Energy.” Subheading: “Helion announced new technical milestones that signal measurable progress toward commercial fusion power.” Clean & Prosperous logo in bottom right corner.
Graphic with title text on top of page: “What Helion Achieved.” Bullet points below: “Reached 150 million degrees Celsius plasma temperature,” “First private company to test its fusion divide with Tritium,” “Previous temperature benchmark was 100 million degrees Celsius,” “Next target is 200 million degrees Celsius.” Image of Employees working on the Helion fusion prototype device, which is 60 feet long” on bottom half of page. Clean & Prosperous logo in bottom right corner.
Graphic with title text on top of page: “Future of Carbon Policy Forum.” Subheading: “Helion was a finalist for the David & Patricia Giuliani Clean Energy Entrepreneur Award at our 8th annual Future of Carbon Policy Forum!” Image of panelist Anthony Pancotti of Helion speaking during the award finalist panel. Clean & Prosperous logo in bottom right corner.
@helionenergy.bsky.social reached 150 million°C plasma temperatures and became the first private company to test its fusion device with tritium fuel - a key milestone on the path to commercial fusion.
Next target: 200 million°C as electricity demand rises.
@geekwire.com
VPPs need to be part of the clean energy transition - they provide 37.5 GW today. Programs grew 33%+ last year, but capacity rose just 13.7%.
With load growth surging from data centers, VPPs could be the fastest and most cost-effective way to add power - if scale barriers are solved.
@heatmap.news
Graphic with title text: “Clean energy investment didn’t just slow in 2025 - it reversed.” Subheading: “in 2025, companies cancelled, closed, or downsized clean energy projects - driving funding losses, job cuts, manufacturing pullbacks, and major EV and battery reversals.” Simple chart on bottom of the page with title: “Year-End Highlights.” From left to right: red square with text: “$34.8 billion investments abandoned,” red block with text: “38,000 jobs cancelled,” green block with text: “$12.3 billion investments announced,” green block with text: “22,900 new jobs announced.” Clean & Prosperous logo in bottom right corner.
Graphic with image of clean energy site on top third of page. Title text below: “Investment Losses Outpaced New Announcements.” Subheading: “Nearly $3 abandoned for every $1 announced.” Bullet points below: “$34.8 billion in clean energy projects abandoned, $12.3 billion in new investment announced, 61 projects cancelled, closed, or downsized, investment losses totaled just over $1 billion in 2023 and $2.5 billion in 2024.” Clean & Prosperous logo in bottom right corner.
Graphic with image of workers and solar panels on top third of page. Title text below: “Clean Jobs Erased,” subheading below: “project reversals outweighed new job announcements.” Bullet points below: “28,031 jobs eliminated, 22,905 jobs announced, Net loss of more than 15,000 expected clean energy, Largest annual clean energy job losses since tracking began in 2022.” Clean & Prosperous logo in bottom right corner.
Graphic with image of manufacturing workers on top third of page. Title text below: “Manufacturing & EV Projects Hit Hardest,” subheading below: “Capital-intensive facilities and EV/battery projects drove the bulk of 2025 losses.” Bullet points below: “$30+ billion in lost manufacturing investment, Nearly 38,000 manufacturing jobs lost, $21+ billion in lost EV investment, $21+ billion in lost battery/storage investment.” Clean & Prosperous logo in bottom right corner.
Clean energy investment didn’t just slow in 2025 - it reversed.
$34.8B in projects were cancelled, closed, or downsized - nearly 3x the $12.3B announced.
38,031 jobs were eliminated, a net loss of 15,000+. Manufacturing and EV/battery supply chains were hit hardest.
e2.org/reports/clea...
Voters recognize renewables as the most affordable energy source.
28% of voters as the cheapest energy source & 21% as second-cheapest, with wind close behind. Far fewer view gas, oil, or coal as low-cost.
The takeaway: voters see clean energy as the most affordable option.
@dataforprogress.org
Graphic with yellow background. “No 2117 A Bad Deal for Washington” logo centered to top of page. Main text centered bold to page: “Protect Climate Commitment Act Revenue.” Subtext: “145+ members of the coalition that defeated Initiative 2117 urge lawmakers to keep promises to voters to use CCA funds for good jobs, clean air, Tribal-led projects, and reduced climate pollution.”
145+ members of the coalition that defeated I-2117 are calling on lawmakers to protect Climate Commitment Act investments and keep promises to voters. CCA funds must be used to create jobs & reduce pollution - not fill budget holes.
cleanandprosperous.org/wp-content/u...
States are making heat pumps a better deal!
Grids peak in summer, leaving winter capacity underused - so heat pump homes can use more electricity in winter without new grid upgrades.
MA, MN & CO now offer 4–7¢/kWh winter discounts - saving households hundreds. Lower bills, lower emissions.
Graphic with orange background and title text left aligned: “Wildfire Smoke Has Health Impacts Nationwide.” Bullet points below: “24,100 deaths per year tied to long-term wildfire smoke exposure,” “Linked to respiratory, heart, and neurological disease.” “Small pollution increases tied to 5,594 additional deaths annually.” Image of wildfire aftermath on right one-third of page. Clean & Prosperous logo in bottom right corner.
Climate Commitment Act investments can help strengthen wildfire resilience and protect public health.
A study estimates long-term exposure to pollution from wildfire smoke contributed to an average of 24,100 deaths per year across the lower 48 states.
www.seattletimes.com/nation-world...
The nation’s electric grid largely doesn’t store energy - most electricity is immediately used. PNNL found pairing batteries with hydropower can extend equipment lifespans, create new revenue, and improve environmental flows.
All the more reason to Build SHIIT and strengthen grid reliability⚡
Graphic with green background, WSDOT logo on top of page, main text: "Participate Now Go Zero-Emission.” Image of white semi truck on left side of graphic.
Big step forward for clean fleets in WA!
After seeing point-of-sale vouchers speed adoption on our 2023 study mission to CA, we’re excited for the Washington Zero-Emission Incentive Program launch.
Dealers: register to offer instant savings + more zero-emission trucks.
wazip.org?utm_source=p...
EV charging keeps expanding even with federal roadblocks 🚗
In 2025, the U.S. public fast-charging network grew 30%, adding 18,000+ ports. Chargers are more reliable (93% success rates) and drivers logged 141M sessions (+30%) - a sign supply is matching rising EV demand.
@canarymedia.com
Graphic with image of EV charger plugged into car on top half of page. Title text: “Clean Air, Delivered by EVs,” subheading: “Even small increases in EV adoption lead to measurable improvements in neighborhood air quality.” Text left aligned below: “Nitrogen dioxide is released during fossil fuel combustion,” an arrow pointing to right aligned text: “For every increase of 200 EVs, nitrogen dioxide emissions decreased by 1.1%.” Clean & Prosperous logo in bottom right corner.
EVs are already cleaning the air 🚗🔌
A CA study found 200+ EVs = 1.1% less air pollution in neighborhoods.
In WA, EVs are ~20% of new car sales + we’re scaling charging & fleet incentives through Charging Forward Together & WAZIP to speed up the benefits.
@grist.org
grist.org/solutions/ev...
Positive tipping points are real: when clean options are cheaper & easier - adoption snowballs.
Bike lanes → more riders. Chargers → more EVs.
WA’s next tipping point is energy.
Build SHIIT shows 250+ ready projects showing faster buildout drives faster decarbonization, jobs, & growth.
@grist.org
Panel: David & Patricia Giuliani Clean Energy Entrepreneur Award Finalists. From left to right: Lisa Stiffler, Reporter, GeekWire; Chris Dougher, VP of Operations, Sila; Anthony Pancotti, Co-Founder, Helion; Karl Vanevenhoven, COO, Yakima Chief Hops
David & Patricia Giuliani Award Finalists. From left to right: Art Ortega, Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Regulatory Compliance, Yakima Chief Hops; Anthony Pancotti, Co-Founder, Helion; Michael Mann, Executive Director, Clean & Prosperous; Chris Dougher, VP of Operations, Sila; Karl Vanevenhoven, COO, Yakima Chief Hops
David & Patricia Giuliani Award
We closed out the 2026 Future of Carbon Policy Forum spotlighting Giuliani Award finalists: Anthony Pancotti of Helion, Chris Dougher of Sila Nanotechnologies, and Karl Vanevenhoven of Yakima Chief Hops - advancing real decarbonization and jobs.
Congrats to this year’s winner, Yakima Chief Hops! 👏
Another case to Build SHIIT👷
Sila is moving ahead with manufacturing even as limited electricity supplies could impede expansion.
The Build Sustainable High Impact Infrastructure Together study shows we must add power to keep projects like this moving - unlocking more jobs and investment here.
Graphic with title text: “Clean Energy Dominated New Power Build in 2025.” Circle chart below with chart title and subtitle aligned to the left: “Clean energy is dominating U.S. power plant construction 2025,” “Share of new utility-scale capacity additions, January-November 2025.” Circle chart right aligned next to title representing percentages for: solar, battery storage, wind, natural gas. Bullet points below: “92% of new U.S. capacity was solar, wind, or batteries,” “solar: 50%+ of additions,” “storage: 31% of additions,” “wind > gas for new capacity,” “clean energy is leading U.S. power growth.” Clean & Prosperous logo in bottom right corner.
Renewables kept growing in 2025 - even as federal policy boosted fossil fuels. Through Nov., 92% of new U.S. power additions came from solar, wind, or batteries (EIA/Cleanview).
Solar delivered ~50%, storage 31%, and wind outbuilt gas.
Clean energy is driving grid growth ⚡️
@canarymedia.com
We’re working to streamline permitting and break down barriers in order to move Washington’s clean energy economy forward. We have huge opportunities in our state as we come together to get these projects built. www.youtube.com/shorts/37uM2...
Coal gets sold as “reliable.” The data says otherwise.
Coal has the highest equipment-related outage rate - about twice as high as wind. And coal’s reliability has, in fact, been decreasing. Propping it up means higher costs for power that breaks down more often.
@heatmap.news
Build SHIIT energy 👷⚡
Our second panel at the Future of Carbon Policy Forum - "Efficient & Effective Clean Energy Siting" - got real about what’s holding projects up and how to fix it.
As @propublica.org highlights, WA is dead last in renewable growth. Time to Build SHIIT.
WA has to Build SHIIT Now 👷
Washington has the goals, the interest, and the projects - but until we fix how clean energy actually gets permitted, sited, and connected, opportunity will keep slipping away.
Graphic with background image of solar panels on building and white square with text centered to page. “Keep Climate Commitment Act Dollars Focused on Climate.” Subtext: “Proposed changes would shift ~$600 in CCA funds to uses outside the intent of the law. Staying focused on climate, clean air, and clean energy is the highest and best use of these dollars.” ‘Funded by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act’ logo centered on bottom third of square. Clean & Prosperous logo in bottom right corner.
Olympia’s in session and budget talks are heating up.
CCA funds were created to cut pollution + grow clean energy - not fill gaps outside the law’s intent. Redirecting $500M+ takes WA off track.
Read more from the @seattletimes.com editorial board: www.seattletimes.com/opinion/edit...
U.S. emissions are back up.
After two years of decline, 2025 saw a 2.4% jump as electricity demand surged and coal burn rebounded 13%. What do rising emissions actually mean? It means dirtier air, higher energy costs for working families, and increased vulnerability to climate disasters.
