Good morning, and welcome our 385 new readers getting plugged in to the clean energy transition!

In today’s brief:

• Tesla expanding EV charging acess

• Republicans unsuccessful opposition to ESG

• New Belgium embracing reduced GHG beer

Let’s dive in!

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THE BIG IDEA

Tesla establishing dominance in EV charging

Tesla's dominance in the electric vehicle market is being further solidified through recent deals with General Motors and Ford.

Why it matters: The lack of charging infrastructure has been a major deterrent for potential electric car buyers.

What’s happening: As the industry navigates this charging technology landscape, it remains to be seen which standard will prevail and shape the future of electric vehicle charging.

• Unlike typical technical standards developed collaboratively, Tesla's proprietary charging system has been established without extensive input from other companies.

• However, SAE International, an engineering association, recently reached an agreement with Tesla to establish a charging connector standard, allowing other automakers and charging companies to contribute.

• The risks extend to Tesla as well, as providing exclusive access to its charging stations may lead to longer wait times and dissatisfaction among its own customers.

Bottom line: The introduction of an adapter will enable Ford and GM cars to connect to Tesla's fast chargers, with plans for both automakers to produce models compatible with the Tesla plug by 2025.

Hot take: They say to build picks and shovels during major economic booms. Tesla opening up their charging network for larger car companies does just that.

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QUICK DEBRIEF

Ford receives $9.2 billion loan to bolster US EV efforts, marking a significant moment in President Biden's green technology plan. Ford's construction of three battery factories aim to produce 2 million EVs by 2026 contribute to the manufacturing boom in the US. Read more.

NASA has opposed lithium mining in a Nevada lakebed crucial for calibrating its satellites. The Bureau of Land Management withdrew a portion of Railroad Valley Playa from mining due to NASA's reliance on its consistent environment for satellite calibration. Read more.

Republican opposition to ESG initiatives doesn't hinder green efforts in red states. Legislation targeting ESG is part of a nationwide campaign against financial firms, while sustainable companies like Nucor continue their green endeavors. Read more.

New Belgium Brewing plans to install an energy-efficient electrified boiler from AtmosZero to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The boiler utilizes heat pump technology, drawing heat from the air and transferring it to produce steam, offering greater efficiency compared to resistive heating. Read more.

New York City's plan for congestion tolls in midtown Manhattan has received final federal approval. The purpose of congestion pricing is to generate $1 billion annually for the MTA, reduce traffic and pollution, and increase mass-transit ridership. Read more.

Chicago and the Upper Midwest experienced a smoky haze from Canadian wildfires. The Air Quality Index in Chicago reached its worst reading of 209, prompting warnings and precautions for those with respiratory conditions. Read more.

Texas and the South are experiencing a dangerous heat wave, with triple-digit temperatures and high humidity. Nighttime temperatures are not cooling down enough, posing risks for those without air conditioning. Read more.

Sophie Purdom of CTVC has launched Planeteer Capital, a fund focused on early-stage startups addressing climate change challenges. The fund prioritizes B2B businesses in sectors like carbon management, industrial decarbonization, and sustainable agriculture. Read more.

Purdue University researchers have patented a tiltable agrivoltaic array that allows farm equipment to pass through. Agrivoltaics combines food and electricity production on the same land, benefiting both crops and solar panels. Read more.

WHAT WE’RE READING

No, climate activists are not coming for NYC pizza. The New York Post's viral "exclusive" on emissions rules for pizza ovens is based on a lie (Heated)

A visualization of lifecycle emissions of EVs vs. combustion engine vehicles. (Visual Capitalist)

Electrifying everything at the rate required to meet our climate goals (Rewiring America)

The Future of Climate Tech 2023. Achieving net zero doesn’t hinge on moonshot scientific breakthroughs, but rather the mass scaling of existing technologies and implementation of new technologies that will speed our path to zero (Silicon Valley Bank)

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As always, thanks for reading, and see you next time.

—Rick