Axios

General Motors is partnering with Redwood Materials, a battery recycler and energy company, to supply U.S.-built batteries for backup energy storage systems.

Why it matters: The companies are responding to the soaring demand for battery storage systems that can offset power outages and reinforce the grid during peak demand.

Storms sweeping through the U.S. this summer have dumped intense rain on cities across the country, left towns flood-ravaged and forced water rescues.

The big picture: Scientists who spoke to Axios say the deadly floods in Texas that killed more than 130 people underscores the risk that climate change can worsen extreme rainfall events.

Imposing a single narrative on Tuesday's AI-energy summit with President Trump and top execs would feel fake and forced, but some wider themes emerged.

Why it matters: Big investments unveiled in Pittsburgh — plus C-suite and Cabinet wattage there — highlight how fueling data centers is a massive challenge and opportunity.

Firefighters in Arizona were tackling two out-of-control wildfires in extreme heat on Tuesday — including one at the Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim that's forced evacuations, road closures and razed a historic lodge and other structures.

The big picture: The Dragon Bravo Fire that destroyed the Grand Canyon Lodge and prompted parts of the park to close had grown to an estimated 8,570 acres and the White Sage Fire to nearly 52,000 acres by Tuesday evening.

New Orleans and Jefferson Parish officials are preparing for up to 10 inches of rain as a tropical system heads toward Louisiana.

Why it matters: That's more rain than New Orleans typically gets in the entire month of July.

• Officials are setting up sandbag locations and encouraging residents to prepare for the possibility of street flooding.

President Trump said Tuesday he's speeding up permitting and making it easier for data centers to connect to the electricity grid in announcing $92 billion in AI and energy investments at a Pennsylvania summit.

Why it matters: Trump's endorsement of building new power plants — and locating data centers right next to them — reflects the growing thirst for electricity from the energy-intensive facilities.

Blackstone plans to invest $25 billion in American data centers and energy generation to drive AI innovation.

Why it matters: AI capability demands massive investments in data processing capability, which requires significant electricity.

Second-quarter EV sales fell 6.3% compared to April-June of 2024, and the road ahead looks jarring with the loss of consumer purchase subsidies looming, per new Cox Automotive data.

Why it matters: While sales set a record in 2024, and the first half of 2025 narrowly did, too, the upward march was getting less consistent even before the GOP's new budget law nixed incentives.

The New York, Boston and San Francisco areas have relatively high shares of trips taken on foot or bicycle rather than in a vehicle, a new report finds.

Why it matters: Walking and biking can be healthier alternatives to driving, while places designed for people rather than cars can have less air pollution, better neighborhood connectivity and other benefits.