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!

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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.

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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.

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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

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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?

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

🔋 CATL’s Battery Breakthrough China’s battery giant CATL just unveiled technology that can charge an EV in just five minutes while also performing well in cold weather and offering over 500 km (320 miles) of range. They're even rolling out sodium-ion batteries to replace traditional 12V batteries, reducing fire risk and cost.

🎒 Chicago Teachers Union Bargains for the Planet In a groundbreaking new contract, the Chicago Teachers Union added climate initiatives to their demands. If approved, the deal will bring solar to 30 schools, heat pumps, and clean energy job training — all in partnership with local labor unions.

🗣️ Thomas L. Friedman on China: “We’re Screwed”

🏢 Climate Action in NYC A Manhattan housing co-op has gone fully electric.

📬 Listener Mail: Greetings from Japan

⚡ The Lightning Round

• New York injects $30M more into EV rebates.

• Robots are fixing China's grid.

• Tesla’s mega-charger (168 stalls!) is coming to California.

Pope Francis and the climate.

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See you in one week!

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

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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.

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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

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Donate via PayPal | Join us on Patreon

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.

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

Read more

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

Read more

• 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.

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