Tesla said Wednesday that it has begun production of "a more affordable model."
Why it matters: The automaker has long promised a cheaper EV, but has said little about it recently, fueling speculation that CEO Elon Musk had lost interest.
The Energy Department on Wednesday terminated a conditional $4.9 billion loan guarantee for a giant Midwest power line that conservatives criticized as a green energy project.
Why it matters: The DOE's move on the Grain Belt Express throws up a substantial roadblock for the project and marks another Trump administration effort to undo its predecessor's actions on energy.
As a newcomer to the auto industry, Rivian finds itself at a critical juncture.
Sales of its pricey R1 models are headed in the wrong direction, but it's pinning a lot on next year's release of a smaller, $45,000 SUV, the R2, followed later by an even cheaper R3.
But first, the company has to get through 2025.
Why it matters: Electric vehicle sales have stalled in the U.S., and President Trump's tariff and tax policies will further stifle growth.
The United Nations' judicial arm — citing "severe" effects and "existential" risks — ruled Wednesday that multiple international agreements require countries to battle climate change and cut emissions under international law.
Why it matters: While non-binding, advocates hope the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion adds new weight to global courtroom and diplomatic efforts to win tougher climate policies.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for lower-carbon data center development in a major address on climate change as the COP30 summit draws closer.
Why it matters: It signals how AI's massive energy thirst is high on the climate world's radar as hyperscalers expand infrastructure for training and use of powerful AI tools.
The chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency urban search and rescue team resigned Monday over frustrations on how the government handled the Texas flood response, CNN first reported.
The big picture: Ken Pagurek's resignation comes as the agency approaches peak disaster season, while fighting off accusations of a delayed disaster response in Texas as President Trump pushes to overhaul FEMA.
Elon Musk faces pressure Wednesday to show investors that he's refocused on building a brighter future for Tesla, as the company deals with backlash over his political activity.
The big picture: Tesla's set to deliver second-quarter earnings after the close of trading Wednesday amid myriad challenges, including slumping electric vehicle sales, tariffs and rising competition from Chinese EV makers like its arch rival BYD.
A heat dome — plus the "corn sweat" phenomenon in some areas — is bringing dangerous levels of heat and humidity to much of the country east of the Rockies this week.
Why it matters: Heat warnings and advisories stretch from Louisiana and the Florida panhandle up to Chicago and beyond as of Tuesday afternoon, covering nearly 85 million Americans.
Why it matters: The switch to cane sugar reflects the Make America Healthy Again movement's growing influence over the food industry's use of ultra-processed ingredients.
Invenergy, the company behind a huge proposed Kansas-to-Indiana transmission project facing political headwinds, will seek to connect a gas-fired power plant it's developing to the line, per a source close to the company.
State of play: Invenergy is also in active discussion with a company to bring existing coal-fired generation onto the proposed Grain Belt Express project, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
DOE's Oak Ridge National Lab and the AI startupAtomic Canyon will announce a collaboration Tuesday to streamline licensing for new nuclear plants.
Why it matters: Navigating the Nuclear Regulatory Commission process is complex and time-consuming, even as U.S. power demand rises and hyperscalers seek new electrons for AI data centers.
Three Democratic senators wrote to Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian Monday to raise concerns about company plans to use AI to set individualized fares, which the airline maintains won't target customers with offers based on personal details.
Why it matters: Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) wrote that Delta's personalized "current and planned individualized pricing practices" would present data privacy concerns and "likely mean" fare price rises "up to each individual consumer's personal 'pain point'" at a time when many families were struggling.
