We’re all being ground down by the Trump regime’s “feral energy," as you so rightly describe it. Thankfully, being ground down hasn’t wrecked your optimism, which we can all use more of. And, happily, that’s realistic, not delusional optimism.
Keep it up, your reporting is one of the few things that give me hope. My solar panels are up and running; I will never pay another electric bill. My car is electric; I will never pump gas again. Feels good while the struggle in Hormuz goes on. Why doesn't everybody do this? What you are implying is that it won't be long before everybody does - the price is right.
Well, the progress with solar is uplifting, for sure.
Thank you for all this info.
I think CA should take a cue from Australia and have maybe an hour a day free during peak solar energy producing hours.
If they are not yet sure what consumption levels they can handle and what the response will be, they could do a pilot program or something. Maybe they could limit the amount of KWh that are free and/or have people sign up for a special rate program for that free hour.
I am doing the backyard solar (not plug-in or net metering). I simply run my solar generation into batteries (power stations) and plug certain appliances into those. Thus, not being permanent and not being grid or wall related, no permit is required according to my city. But they also suggested I not have them visible, so maybe they simply do not even have any guidance for the camping style set-up at all. I make sure they are stacked at night and keep them low to the ground, so no issues with wind.
If the utilities had the free hour, I would buy another battery ASAP to charge at that time and then use it overnight or during peak usage hours when rates are highest and when they suggest you conserve. Others may choose to charge a car or do laundry, etc. during that free hour.
Currently, it is a tossup if I will buy another battery or a few more panels for the front (once balcony legislation goes though). I can't afford both.
If the state wants more storage, having a free hour may encourage more battery purchases for the home if others who want to save on utilities or do their part, choose to do so.
The free hour w/battery would also help apartment dwellers who do not have a sunny balcony save by charging up during peak solar hours, as well.
BTW, I looked it up and have found no fire instances with these types of power station batteries. They seem far - far more safe than natural gas. That is for sure.
Also, even if CA were to become almost 100% solar and wind for all energy needs, set-ups like mine help people save $ on utility bills and can help as a personal backup if the grid goes down, so it is still very useful.
We are concerned about crazy Trump and the useless Republicans in Congress, and what if something is happening in Ukraine that has enormous implications for the world, not only for us but for the world?
What if our armies and our nuclear weapons are useless because a system of weapons has been developed that defies any defensive control? Think about that. Each country would have indefensible weapons, and every country could use them at will.
What is happening in Ukraine is that they are developing and field-testing weapon systems that defy any defense, and they are using them to destroy Russia. They are collaborating with other countries (Germany) to develop weapons with advanced intelligence systems that will outmaneuver any defensive system.
To quote Owen Warner in the Medium, “Germany and Ukraine have officially left the 'donation' era behind. They are in the age of Joint Strike. They are embarking on two covert endeavors called Anubis and Seth-X, that will rewrite the rules of a nation’s warfare without ever declaring war.” Again, to quote the Defense Post, “Anubis” is built for deep-strike missions, while “Seth-X” is designed for swarm attacks, expanding Ukraine’s strike capabilities.
Advancements in weapon systems are progressing exponentially across many countries, and unfortunately, under Trump's distractibility, we are not among them. Leading countries, besides Ukraine, include France, Germany, England, India, Turkey, Spain, and Norway. Artificial intelligence is reshaping warfare.
What would our world be like if no country were a superpower with a military force over the others? What if no country had a defense against attack by other countries? How would differences be resolved?
Russia has no defense against the new weapons being used by Ukraine, and Russia will eventually have to negotiate with Ukraine in defeat. Imagine a world without warring armies, without aircraft carriers, and without ground maneuvering, but where every country has millions of drones and rockets at its disposal. How would any country survive an attack from maybe five other countries, all with millions of drones? London survived a German Blitz in the Second World War, and Israel successfully defends itself against drone attacks from Iran, but could they defend themselves against an attack from maybe five neighbors, each with thousands of drones and rockets? I know no one could survive an attack from many countries, all with massive drones available to them.
We are forced to focus on the crazy Trump, but Ukraine is a testing ground for a new world order, one with no bullying countries like us, and one that must design a new way to resolve differences. The war changes are unfolding at an enormous speed, and we are not paying attention to the fact that our countries lack intelligent leaders who are sophisticated enough to understand the advancement of AI weapons and their implications for the future world.
We are concerned about crazy Trump and the useless Republicans in Congress, and what if something is happening in Ukraine that has enormous implications for the world, not only for us but for the world?
What if our armies and our nuclear weapons are useless because a system of weapons has been developed that defies any defensive control? Think about that. Each country would have indefensible weapons, and every country could use them at will.
What is happening in Ukraine is that they are developing and field-testing weapon systems that defy any defense, and they are using them to destroy Russia. They are collaborating with other countries (Germany) to develop weapons with advanced intelligence systems that will outmaneuver any defensive system.
To quote Owen Warner in the Medium, “Germany and Ukraine have officially left the 'donation' era behind. They are in the age of Joint Strike. They are embarking on two covert endeavors called Anubis and Seth-X, that will rewrite the rules of a nation’s warfare without ever declaring war.” Again, to quote the Defense Post, “Anubis” is built for deep-strike missions, while “Seth-X” is designed for swarm attacks, expanding Ukraine’s strike capabilities.
Advancements in weapon systems are progressing exponentially across many countries, and unfortunately, under Trump's distractibility, we are not among them. Leading countries, besides Ukraine, include France, Germany, England, India, Turkey, Spain, and Norway. Artificial intelligence is reshaping warfare.
What would our world be like if no country were a superpower with a military force over the others? What if no country had a defense against attack by other countries? How would differences be resolved?
Russia has no defense against the new weapons being used by Ukraine, and Russia will eventually have to negotiate with Ukraine in defeat. Imagine a world without warring armies, without aircraft carriers, and without ground maneuvering, but where every country has millions of drones and rockets at its disposal. How would any country survive an attack from maybe five other countries, all with millions of drones? London survived a German Blitz in the Second World War, and Israel successfully defends itself against drone attacks from Iran, but could they defend themselves against an attack from maybe five neighbors, each with thousands of drones and rockets? I know no one could survive an attack from many countries, all with massive drones available to them.
We are forced to focus on the crazy Trump, but Ukraine is a testing ground for a new world order, one with no bullying countries like us and one that must design a new way to resolve differences. The war changes are unfolding at an enormous speed, and we are not paying attention to the fact that our countries lack intelligent leaders who are sophisticated enough to understand the advancement of AI weapons and their implications for the future world.
Between Carney and Zelenskyy, we are so lucky to see such leaders at the same time. Canada and Ukraine are so lucky, living in the present and the future!
Amid the unrelenting horrors, isn’t it lovely to feel some hope - and dare I add, joy - about trends and actions (like battery storage!) that Bill reports to us?
Thanks for the excellent and highly informative article. I would add that we should be increasingly concerned about the role of the data centres. Not only are these energy and cooling water ‘vampires’ with the appetite of a small city, but the computing power they provide hurtles us ever more rapidly towards the development of AI super-intelligence, which many respected experts predict would likely end all human life, period. We need to stop building data centres until net zero is achieved and the AI industry is subject to proper safety regulation. I would encourage anyone to read (or listen to) Yudkowsky & Soares’ ‘If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies’ as a matter of urgency.
"Renewables funds attract biggest capital flows for 5 years, as focus shifts from climate change to geopolitical crisis" headline in Financial Times. I found the article on www.FixTheNews.com
So grateful for all this info, thank you! I feel so bad for the buffalo, having been to Montana once (I am from Sweden) and I will always remember their slow and majestic walk over the prairie. They belong there.
Tuesday evening, a talk by Third Act. Join us for a conversation with Kaira Jewel Lingo about her work on transformative ways to meet life’s challenges with wisdom, resilience, and balance. Kaira Jewel has much to say about caring for yourself, for others, and our planet.
The US is rather a petro-state and will be last to do the good stuff. China for example, is now leaning on its middle managers to reduce emissions. https://archive.is/GdUIL
Batteries and nuclear plants are fundamentally different assets. A nuclear plant produces power continuously — a 1 GW plant delivers ~1 GW around the clock, ~8,760 hours/year. California’s utility-scale batteries are almost entirely 4-hour lithium-ion systems — they discharge for 4 hours, then are depleted. Comparing them to nuclear plants conflates peak discharge capacity (MW) with sustained energy generation (MWh/year). It’s like comparing a fuel tank to an engine.
A 1 GW nuclear plant generates ~8 TWh/year. A 1 GW / 4-hour battery stores 4 GWh — roughly 1/2,000th the annual output. The comparison is off by orders of magnitude on an energy basis.
We’re all being ground down by the Trump regime’s “feral energy," as you so rightly describe it. Thankfully, being ground down hasn’t wrecked your optimism, which we can all use more of. And, happily, that’s realistic, not delusional optimism.
Keep it up, your reporting is one of the few things that give me hope. My solar panels are up and running; I will never pay another electric bill. My car is electric; I will never pump gas again. Feels good while the struggle in Hormuz goes on. Why doesn't everybody do this? What you are implying is that it won't be long before everybody does - the price is right.
Well, the progress with solar is uplifting, for sure.
Thank you for all this info.
I think CA should take a cue from Australia and have maybe an hour a day free during peak solar energy producing hours.
If they are not yet sure what consumption levels they can handle and what the response will be, they could do a pilot program or something. Maybe they could limit the amount of KWh that are free and/or have people sign up for a special rate program for that free hour.
I am doing the backyard solar (not plug-in or net metering). I simply run my solar generation into batteries (power stations) and plug certain appliances into those. Thus, not being permanent and not being grid or wall related, no permit is required according to my city. But they also suggested I not have them visible, so maybe they simply do not even have any guidance for the camping style set-up at all. I make sure they are stacked at night and keep them low to the ground, so no issues with wind.
If the utilities had the free hour, I would buy another battery ASAP to charge at that time and then use it overnight or during peak usage hours when rates are highest and when they suggest you conserve. Others may choose to charge a car or do laundry, etc. during that free hour.
Currently, it is a tossup if I will buy another battery or a few more panels for the front (once balcony legislation goes though). I can't afford both.
If the state wants more storage, having a free hour may encourage more battery purchases for the home if others who want to save on utilities or do their part, choose to do so.
The free hour w/battery would also help apartment dwellers who do not have a sunny balcony save by charging up during peak solar hours, as well.
BTW, I looked it up and have found no fire instances with these types of power station batteries. They seem far - far more safe than natural gas. That is for sure.
Also, even if CA were to become almost 100% solar and wind for all energy needs, set-ups like mine help people save $ on utility bills and can help as a personal backup if the grid goes down, so it is still very useful.
WHAT IF EVERY COUNTRY HAD INDEFENSIBLE WEAPONRY?
We are concerned about crazy Trump and the useless Republicans in Congress, and what if something is happening in Ukraine that has enormous implications for the world, not only for us but for the world?
What if our armies and our nuclear weapons are useless because a system of weapons has been developed that defies any defensive control? Think about that. Each country would have indefensible weapons, and every country could use them at will.
What is happening in Ukraine is that they are developing and field-testing weapon systems that defy any defense, and they are using them to destroy Russia. They are collaborating with other countries (Germany) to develop weapons with advanced intelligence systems that will outmaneuver any defensive system.
To quote Owen Warner in the Medium, “Germany and Ukraine have officially left the 'donation' era behind. They are in the age of Joint Strike. They are embarking on two covert endeavors called Anubis and Seth-X, that will rewrite the rules of a nation’s warfare without ever declaring war.” Again, to quote the Defense Post, “Anubis” is built for deep-strike missions, while “Seth-X” is designed for swarm attacks, expanding Ukraine’s strike capabilities.
Advancements in weapon systems are progressing exponentially across many countries, and unfortunately, under Trump's distractibility, we are not among them. Leading countries, besides Ukraine, include France, Germany, England, India, Turkey, Spain, and Norway. Artificial intelligence is reshaping warfare.
What would our world be like if no country were a superpower with a military force over the others? What if no country had a defense against attack by other countries? How would differences be resolved?
Russia has no defense against the new weapons being used by Ukraine, and Russia will eventually have to negotiate with Ukraine in defeat. Imagine a world without warring armies, without aircraft carriers, and without ground maneuvering, but where every country has millions of drones and rockets at its disposal. How would any country survive an attack from maybe five other countries, all with millions of drones? London survived a German Blitz in the Second World War, and Israel successfully defends itself against drone attacks from Iran, but could they defend themselves against an attack from maybe five neighbors, each with thousands of drones and rockets? I know no one could survive an attack from many countries, all with massive drones available to them.
We are forced to focus on the crazy Trump, but Ukraine is a testing ground for a new world order, one with no bullying countries like us, and one that must design a new way to resolve differences. The war changes are unfolding at an enormous speed, and we are not paying attention to the fact that our countries lack intelligent leaders who are sophisticated enough to understand the advancement of AI weapons and their implications for the future world.
WHAT IF EVERY COUNTRY HAD INDEFENSIBLE WEAPONRY?
We are concerned about crazy Trump and the useless Republicans in Congress, and what if something is happening in Ukraine that has enormous implications for the world, not only for us but for the world?
What if our armies and our nuclear weapons are useless because a system of weapons has been developed that defies any defensive control? Think about that. Each country would have indefensible weapons, and every country could use them at will.
What is happening in Ukraine is that they are developing and field-testing weapon systems that defy any defense, and they are using them to destroy Russia. They are collaborating with other countries (Germany) to develop weapons with advanced intelligence systems that will outmaneuver any defensive system.
To quote Owen Warner in the Medium, “Germany and Ukraine have officially left the 'donation' era behind. They are in the age of Joint Strike. They are embarking on two covert endeavors called Anubis and Seth-X, that will rewrite the rules of a nation’s warfare without ever declaring war.” Again, to quote the Defense Post, “Anubis” is built for deep-strike missions, while “Seth-X” is designed for swarm attacks, expanding Ukraine’s strike capabilities.
Advancements in weapon systems are progressing exponentially across many countries, and unfortunately, under Trump's distractibility, we are not among them. Leading countries, besides Ukraine, include France, Germany, England, India, Turkey, Spain, and Norway. Artificial intelligence is reshaping warfare.
What would our world be like if no country were a superpower with a military force over the others? What if no country had a defense against attack by other countries? How would differences be resolved?
Russia has no defense against the new weapons being used by Ukraine, and Russia will eventually have to negotiate with Ukraine in defeat. Imagine a world without warring armies, without aircraft carriers, and without ground maneuvering, but where every country has millions of drones and rockets at its disposal. How would any country survive an attack from maybe five other countries, all with millions of drones? London survived a German Blitz in the Second World War, and Israel successfully defends itself against drone attacks from Iran, but could they defend themselves against an attack from maybe five neighbors, each with thousands of drones and rockets? I know no one could survive an attack from many countries, all with massive drones available to them.
We are forced to focus on the crazy Trump, but Ukraine is a testing ground for a new world order, one with no bullying countries like us and one that must design a new way to resolve differences. The war changes are unfolding at an enormous speed, and we are not paying attention to the fact that our countries lack intelligent leaders who are sophisticated enough to understand the advancement of AI weapons and their implications for the future world.
Between Carney and Zelenskyy, we are so lucky to see such leaders at the same time. Canada and Ukraine are so lucky, living in the present and the future!
Amid the unrelenting horrors, isn’t it lovely to feel some hope - and dare I add, joy - about trends and actions (like battery storage!) that Bill reports to us?
I get more good news from https://fixthenews.com/ I devour it.
Evicting buffalo? Isn't that treason?
Thanks for the excellent and highly informative article. I would add that we should be increasingly concerned about the role of the data centres. Not only are these energy and cooling water ‘vampires’ with the appetite of a small city, but the computing power they provide hurtles us ever more rapidly towards the development of AI super-intelligence, which many respected experts predict would likely end all human life, period. We need to stop building data centres until net zero is achieved and the AI industry is subject to proper safety regulation. I would encourage anyone to read (or listen to) Yudkowsky & Soares’ ‘If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies’ as a matter of urgency.
The global hinge swings. 25 countries suffer shortages of road oil, jet fuel or heating oil reports
Grist. They declare this war may be the beginning of the end of fossil fuel dominance.
https://grist.org/energy/iran-war-oil-gas-coal-solar-nuclear/ I found the article on www.FixTheNews.com
The global hinge swings.
"Renewables funds attract biggest capital flows for 5 years, as focus shifts from climate change to geopolitical crisis" headline in Financial Times. I found the article on www.FixTheNews.com
https://archive.is/wqa9m#selection-1603.0-1603.110
https://www.ft.com/content/9921f2b5-c910-4cec-a50f-cad453935a1a?syn-25
“Dam the Bering Strait”. ffs
So grateful for all this info, thank you! I feel so bad for the buffalo, having been to Montana once (I am from Sweden) and I will always remember their slow and majestic walk over the prairie. They belong there.
Thank you as always.
Tuesday evening, a talk by Third Act. Join us for a conversation with Kaira Jewel Lingo about her work on transformative ways to meet life’s challenges with wisdom, resilience, and balance. Kaira Jewel has much to say about caring for yourself, for others, and our planet.
https://thirdact.org/events/hope-and-joy-series-we-were-made-for-these-times-an-evening-with-kaira-jewel-lingo/
It is inspiring to look at the world more than the US. I suppose McKibben HAS to read the news about Trump, but I don't.
Australia is using 24% less fossil gas for its grid because solar and batteries have doubled. https://archive.is/vesuK
orginal story https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-29/doubling-of-australia-s-battery-capacity-cuts-reliance-on-gas?sref=B9VwE2e5
The US is rather a petro-state and will be last to do the good stuff. China for example, is now leaning on its middle managers to reduce emissions. https://archive.is/GdUIL
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-24/fail-on-climate-action-and-miss-out-on-promotion-china-warns-officials?srnd=phx-green&sref=B9VwE2e5&utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demonu57v11i&fbclid=IwY2xjawRrnIRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe_YKOYh7VWmsvuEldJjYi2zkvDeDiOhUgWYLzAQXNDjYnUf1yMAALyw0DJro_aem_9ZCyxr1ljR8E3R_xJJ6xRA
Batteries and nuclear plants are fundamentally different assets. A nuclear plant produces power continuously — a 1 GW plant delivers ~1 GW around the clock, ~8,760 hours/year. California’s utility-scale batteries are almost entirely 4-hour lithium-ion systems — they discharge for 4 hours, then are depleted. Comparing them to nuclear plants conflates peak discharge capacity (MW) with sustained energy generation (MWh/year). It’s like comparing a fuel tank to an engine.
A 1 GW nuclear plant generates ~8 TWh/year. A 1 GW / 4-hour battery stores 4 GWh — roughly 1/2,000th the annual output. The comparison is off by orders of magnitude on an energy basis.