Trump Reshapes U.S. Energy Policy on Day One: Key Executive Orders and Their Impacts
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump took immediate action to overhaul the nation’s energy policies, signing a series of executive orders that signaled a dramatic shift in priorities. These orders address domestic energy supply, renewable energy projects, and regulatory policies, setting the stage for a new era of energy production and governance in the United States.
Trump Declares National Energy Emergency on Inauguration Day
In his inauguration speech on January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to America’s energy dominance, promising bold actions to secure energy independence and support American industries. Energy was a key theme of his address, highlighting the importance of fossil fuels, reducing regulations, and prioritizing domestic production.
Energy News 20/01: AI Supercomputers, Heat Pumps, and Global Vehicle Dominance
This week’s energy highlights range from groundbreaking AI advancements to insights into heat pump performance and nuclear investment hurdles. Dive into the latest trends in vehicle production, biodiversity's role in forestry, and the rapid rise of supercomputers reshaping AI.
Doug Burgum Energy Profile – Nominee for Secretary of the Interior and Head of the National Energy Council
Doug Burgum is the former Governor of North Dakota, a position he held from 2016 to 2024. Prior to entering politics, Burgum had a distinguished career in business, notably as the founder of Great Plains Software, which was acquired by Microsoft in 2001. Following the acquisition, he served as a Microsoft executive, overseeing various initiatives and demonstrating a keen ability to navigate complex organizational landscapes.
Chris Wright Energy Profile: Insights into the Potential Secretary of Energy
Chris Wright is the CEO of Liberty Energy, a prominent oilfield services company known for its focus on hydraulic fracturing technology and innovations in energy production. Wright holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT and has spent his career championing advancements in energy technology, with a particular emphasis on domestic energy production.
AI and Energy: The UK’s Path to Becoming a Clean Energy Superpower
The UK government has unveiled plans to interweave artificial intelligence (AI) with energy policy, signaling a bold approach to addressing the dual challenges of escalating energy demands and transitioning to clean energy. Central to this vision is the creation of a dedicated AI Energy Council, co-chaired by the Science and Energy Secretaries.
The UK's AI Action Plan: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Road Ahead
The UK government has revealed an ambitious plan to position artificial intelligence (AI) at the heart of its strategy for national renewal. The initiative, unveiled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on January 13, 2025, outlines a comprehensive vision to harness AI's transformative power for economic growth, job creation, and public service reform.
Energy News 13/01: BYD's Rapid Expansion & Record-Breaking Energy Projects
This week's energy highlights capture pivotal moments shaping the future. From BYD's meteoric rise in the automotive industry to Europe's groundbreaking battery storage facility, these stories underscore the rapid evolution of energy and transportation. As we reflect on 2024—the hottest year ever recorded—we also explore the progress in EV charging infrastructure and the role of clean energy manufacturing in global transitions.
Trump Slams Wind Energy: Policy Plans Revealed
At a press conference held at Mar-a-Lago, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump declared his intent to end the construction of wind turbines across the country, stating, “We’re going to try and have a policy where no windmills are being built.” Trump framed wind energy as an inefficient and environmentally harmful choice, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to prioritizing fossil fuels and natural gas.
Energy Sparks 06/01: AI, UK EV Records & Battery Mineral Deficits
This week, we explore the UK’s EV record, the evolving role of AI in energy, and the supply challenges for critical minerals in clean energy transitions. From France and Germany’s electricity comparison to visualizing battery mineral deficits, it’s a roundup of key insights shaping the future of energy.
Trump: UK’s North Sea Strategy a ‘Big Mistake’
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has criticized the U.K.'s energy tax policies in light of recent announcements by U.S. oil firm Apache to exit the North Sea. "The U.K. is making a very big mistake. Open up the North Sea. Get rid of Windmills!" Trump declared, underscoring his disapproval of Britain's windfall tax and support for renewable energy over fossil fuels.
2024: UN President and WHO Highlight Climate Crisis in End-of-Year Warnings
2024 is on track to become the hottest year on record, marking the culmination of a decade of unprecedented heat, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The stark reality has prompted urgent calls to action from global leaders, including UN Secretary-General and WHO representatives.
Energy Sparks 30/12: CO₂ Tracking, AI Power Impact, and Sustainable Solutions
This week’s stories highlight exciting advancements in energy and sustainability. From real-time CO₂ emission tracking to innovative balcony solar setups in Germany, and even America’s first large-scale vertical strawberry farm, here’s what’s making waves.
UK Plots EV Future: Restoring 2030 Petrol & Diesel Phase-Out
The UK government has launched a consultation aimed at restoring the 2030 phase-out date for new petrol and diesel cars, signaling renewed commitment to transitioning to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander unveiled the initiative on December 24, calling on the automotive and charging industries to shape the country’s clean energy future.
Flamanville 3 Powers Up: A New Era for France's Energy Grid
France has marked a pivotal moment in its energy journey as EDF, the state-run energy operator, successfully integrated the Flamanville 3 nuclear reactor into the national power grid. Nestled along the English Channel, this engineering marvel is Europe's most powerful nuclear reactor and France's largest, boasting an impressive capacity of 1.6 gigawatts (GW).
Energy Sparks 23/12: European Reactor, Global Energy Map, and EV Advances
This week’s energy roundup spans from cutting-edge nuclear advancements to the electrification of construction equipment. We’ll also dive into global energy dynamics, natural gas demand, and a captivating visualization of global car production.
Clean Coal: Trump’s Vision and the Challenges Ahead
Clean coal refers to the process of capturing carbon emissions from coal power plants and either storing them underground or repurposing them to reduce environmental impact. While it aims to make coal a more environmentally friendly energy source, critics argue that the technology is costly, energy-intensive, and not widely scalable.
Energy Sparks 16/12: Solar Policies, Nuclear Reactor Ages, and EV Breakthroughs
This week’s stories highlight bold moves in solar policy, nuclear reactor insights, and game-changing innovations in EV batteries. From U.S. solar strategies to Europe’s recycling potential, the energy world is evolving fast.
UK and US Unite for Groundbreaking Fusion Energy Project
The UK and US have launched a transformative joint project in fusion energy, partnering with UK-based Tokamak Energy to drive progress toward a cleaner energy future. This £40.5 million initiative, the first collaboration of its kind between the two governments, aims to advance lithium research and develop critical technology needed to unlock the potential of fusion power.
Tesla, BYD, and the Legacy Auto Dilemma in the EV Race
The global automotive industry is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by the rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Traditional automakers, long-dominant in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, are now competing in a new arena dominated by EV specialists like Tesla and BYD. This transition poses significant challenges for legacy manufacturers, who must balance their established ICE operations with the urgent need to innovate and compete in the electrification race.