The Westlands Water District in California has adopted the Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan to develop up to 21 GW of solar generation on fallowed agricultural land in response to water shortages in the San Joaquin Valley. California law AB 2661 allows the district to repurpose the land for solar, storage, and transmission facilities, aiming to preserve agriculture viability and create economic opportunities for farmworkers. Stakeholder collaboration will be key in advancing project planning and implementation steps for this initiative, which seeks to address water scarcity while promoting sustainable solutions for the region's agricultural sector.
Tag: California
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21 Gigawatts of Solar for California Land That Can No Longer Be Used for Agriculture
The Westlands Water District in California's San Joaquin Valley is repurposing fallowed land for solar power plants, potentially generating 21 gigawatts of solar energy. California law AB 2661 authorizes the water district to develop solar generation, battery storage, and transmission facilities, with a community benefits plan in place. This initiative aims to address the region's issues with drought, limited water supply, and agricultural needs, providing a practical approach to preserving agriculture while utilizing dry, empty land for renewable energy production.
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Industrial Green Hydrogen Is Coming To Europe From The US
The emergence of industrial green hydrogen as a key player in global decarbonization is highlighted in the article, focusing on using renewable energy sources like wind and solar power to decarbonize the hydrogen supply chain. Electric Hydrogen, a Massachusetts startup, is leading the way in this space with support from major industrial stakeholders and climate tech investors. Their HYPRPlant electrolyzer production platform aims to reduce transportation and storage costs for large-scale operations, with projects in California and Texas, including the Project Roadrunner to become the largest efuels producer globally. Efforts to export green ammonia overseas and the potential for ammonia to serve as a transportation medium for green hydrogen are also discussed, showcasing US innovators' impact on global decarbonization despite federal energy policy changes.
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Environmental News Network – Spray-on Antibacterial Coating Offers New Protection for Plants Against Disease and Drought
Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a spray-on polymer coating to help plants resist bacterial infections and survive drought, which could strengthen global food security. Bacterial infections are a growing threat to agriculture, causing major crop losses worldwide. Rising temperatures are allowing pathogens to expand into new regions, increasing crop exposure to infections. Researchers developed an antibacterial coating that can be sprayed directly onto plant leaves to combat this challenge, offering a promising solution to enhance crop resilience and food production in the face of climate change.
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Environmental News Network – UC San Diego Launches Soil Health Center to Advance Climate Solutions, Food Security
The University of California San Diego has established the UC San Diego Soil Health Center at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in Southern California, dedicated to advancing climate solutions through soil health research, education, and outreach. The center's focus is on building and maintaining soil health to mitigate climate change, enhance food security, and boost societal resilience. By bringing together experts from different fields, the center aims to drive sustainable technology innovations, such as creating a natural soil probiotic to enhance plant growth and increase carbon storage in the soil.
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2025 Energy Year in Review: Solar and Storage Shine Through, Despite It All
In 2025, despite challenges from the Trump administration, clean energy in the United States showed significant progress. The US solar sector saw record-breaking installations, with Texas leading the way followed by California and Indiana. Solar generation and manufacturing capacity also experienced substantial growth. Energy storage installations increased by over 50%, with Texas, California, and Arizona leading the way. Overall, 2025 is projected to be the biggest year for clean power deployment in history, showcasing the potential of clean energy technologies in transforming electricity markets across the country. Solar is expected to overtake coal in some states, with commitments to clean energy goals from states like Maine and California. Affordability concerns are driving more people to recognize the benefits of solar and wind power, with decision makers and advocates pushing for policies to accelerate the transition to clean energy. Innovation, economies of scale, and international progress are making clean energy more attractive, highlighting the possibilities and long-term benefits of a clean energy economy.
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Grid operators, ratepayers shouldn’t fear flexible data centers: GridCARE
GridCARE, a California-based startup, released an analysis showing that large data centers can help reduce electricity costs and improve grid reliability by incorporating flexibility into their operations. By partnering with utilities and using artificial intelligence in load management, data centers can potentially reduce costs by 5% across all customer classes or unlock over $1.35 billion in capital for the utility. Another analysis by Camus Energy, encoord, and Princeton University found that flexible data centers could connect to the grid sooner and eliminate incremental power supply costs, contributing $733 million per gigawatt towards the cost of its incremental load. Overall, these studies suggest that data centers can play a key role in improving grid efficiency and sustainability, leading to lower rates for customers and accelerating investment in grid assets.
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CDR Monthly Recap
In September 2025, the durable carbon removal market saw nearly 119,000 tonnes of CDR contracted, with deals involving Google, Vaulted Deep, Schneider Electric, and Climeworks Solutions. Various new projects, partnerships, and funding opportunities are driving momentum in the industry, including investments in high-impact carbon removal projects, solid-sorbent DAC technology deployment, and the launch of commercial Direct Air Capture units. Companies like Ucaneo, Equatic, Boeing, and Origen Carbon are scaling up their CDR technologies, while initiatives such as the Carbon Removal Challenge and university-led online courses on carbon removal are being launched. California passed bills to accelerate CDR, COP30 will host a carbon removal pavilion, and the World Resources Institute published a roadmap for U.S. states to scale DAC.
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Another EV Charging Hub Running On Renewable Energy Launches In California
Terawatt Infrastructure has launched a new fleet charging hub in Rialto, California, with 18 fast chargers for fleet vehicles powered by 100% renewable energy. The hub includes amenities like a driver lounge, license plate recognition for seamless entry, and 24/7 security, part of Terawatt's vision to create a connected, electrified network for EV fleets. Solar power canopies at the hub generate electricity, provide shade, and protect vehicles from precipitation, contributing to emissions reduction. The installation of new EV chargers not only benefits the environment by reducing harmful air pollution but also creates jobs in the EV industry, with Southern California employing 119,200 workers in the sector.
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The Coming Slow Fade of America’s Corn Ethanol Industry
The United States corn ethanol industry is facing challenges as gasoline demand decreases due to efficiency gains, hybrid vehicles, and EV adoption. Ethanol demand is shrinking within the declining gasoline market, with higher blend rates not able to compensate for the base decline. California and New York are leading the way in transitioning to electric vehicles, while the aviation industry is projected to see a shift in fuel demand towards batteries and biofuels. Global shipping is moving towards electrification and alternative fuels, with a decline in demand for fossil fuels. The US corn ethanol sector is expected to decline by 20% to 50% in the next twenty years due to the growth of electric vehicles and the need for producers to diversify.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/29/the-coming-slow-fade-of-americas-corn-ethanol-industry/