NEW REPORT: NW Natural’s Biomethane Boondoggle Finds SB 98 Is Greenwashing Fossil Gas, Driving Pollution, and Failing Oregon’s Climate Goals

cleantechnica.com Sep 24, 2026

NEW REPORT: NW Natural’s Biomethane Boondoggle Finds SB 98 Is Greenwashing Fossil Gas, Driving Pollution, and Failing Oregon’s Climate Goals

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 24, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

A Sierra Club and Breach Collective report alleges that NW Natural exploited Senate Bill 98 to divert over $60 million of Oregon ratepayer money into out‑of‑state biomethane projects that have not lowered greenhouse‑gas emissions. The bill, authored by the utility, permits investment in “renewable natural gas” even when it is costlier than methane. The report claims the money has largely funded anaerobic digesters at large animal‑feeding operations, increasing local pollution while failing to reduce gas demand or meet the bill’s stated targets.

💡 Why It Matters

· The findings expose how a state‑backed climate policy can be repurposed to subsidize polluting industries, undermining Oregon’s environmental goals and inflating consumer costs.

Read full article on cleantechnica.com

NEW REPORT: Mississippi Power Failing to Lower Costs & Pollution

The Sierra Club released its sixth Dirty Truth Report, assigning Mississippi Power a score of 44 out of 100—the lowest among the 76 utilities evaluated nationwide. The grading system measures coal retirements, planned gas use, and renewable‑energy additions. While the national average fell to 7, Mississippi Power’s plan shows little commitment to expanding clean power, prompting concerns about higher household bills, increased pollution, and grid reliability. Sierra Club officials highlighted that Mississippi Power is the only Southern Company subsidiary still maintaining coal retirements, labeling the parent’s broader strategy “reckless.” The report warns that continued reliance on fossil fuels will exacerbate health risks, air‑water contamination, and rising electricity costs as AI‑driven data centers boost demand.

💡 Mississippi Power’s lagging clean‑energy agenda threatens both consumer affordability and public health in a region already burdened by fossil‑fuel pollution.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 24

New National Sierra Club Report Spotlights We Energies Failing the Clean Energy…

The Sierra Club’s Dirty Truth Report gave We Energies a record low score of 4 out of 100, citing repeated delays in retiring the Oak Creek coal plant and plans to add 1.2 GW of gas capacity by 2035 to attract AI data centers. The utility’s proposed 14% rate hike faces strong public opposition, with 91% of 1,800 comments opposing the increase and 75% citing affordability. The report highlights We Energies’ prioritization of profit over clean energy and consumer protection.

💡 The findings expose how utility decisions to fuel data‑center growth deepen fossil‑fuel reliance, driving up costs and pollution for local residents. This underscores the urgent need for transparent, consumer‑focused energy planning.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 24

A Continent Squeezed

Europe’s diesel crisis has escalated into a significant economic burden, with record-high fuel prices driven by Middle East conflict and Russian refinery outages. The EU, the world’s largest diesel‑dependent economy, sees road transport account for 77% of diesel consumption. Drivers now pay an extra €30 per 50‑liter fill‑up, while German trucks incur €236 weekly. Daily road‑transport fuel costs reach €270 million, €203 million of which stem from diesel, threatening economic stability and prompting calls for scrappage schemes.

💡 The spike exposes Europe's vulnerability to global oil shocks, forcing urgent policy shifts toward energy independence and climate goals.

energy-storage.news · Sep 23

CATL to supply 918MWh Romania BESS, another 500MWh of projects progress elsewhere…

CATL will supply a 918 MWh lithium‑ion battery energy storage system (BESS) to Greenvolt’s Romanian project, one of the country’s largest. Renovatio Solar will provide EPC services, and the installation is slated for completion within 12 months. The deal follows several other BESS milestones in Central and Eastern Europe, including Eurowind’s 120 MWh Romanian plant and Enexus’s 50 MWh Longi‑powered projects. The developments coincide with the upcoming Energy Storage Summit in Warsaw, highlighting the region’s rapid storage deployment.

💡 The scale of CATL’s Romanian BESS underscores the accelerating shift toward large‑scale storage in Europe’s emerging markets, positioning the region as a key battleground for next‑generation energy infrastructure.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 23

Offshore Wind Battle Heats Up, Now With Geothermal Energy Twist

President Donald Trump’s administration has redirected funds from its offshore wind lease buyout program to support the domestic geothermal industry. The Energy Department announced a new Geothermal Center of Excellence and added $99 million for testing and exploration, while former Liberty Energy CEO Chris Wright was nominated to lead the department. Geothermal, which has historically contributed about 1 % of U.S. utility‑scale power, is now receiving unprecedented attention and investment, despite being in early developmental stages. The move signals a strategic shift toward diversifying clean‑energy portfolios.

💡 By funneling wind‑lease proceeds into geothermal, the administration aims to accelerate a technology that could become a major low‑carbon power source, reshaping the U.S. energy landscape.

energy-storage.news · Sep 23

GridStor closes US$220 million financing for 400MWh Arizona BESS

GridStor secured a US$220 million financing package—comprising tax equity bridge, construction, and term debt—from ING Capital, KeyBank, and Zions Capital Markets to complete its 400 MWh White Tank battery energy‑storage system in Arizona. The 100 MW/400 MWh facility, acquired from Strata Clean Energy in September 2025, will operate under a 20‑year tolling agreement with Arizona Public Service (APS) and is slated for first‑half 2027 service. The project aims to bolster APS’s grid reliability amid record‑high power demand and a growing regional population.

💡 By delivering a large‑scale storage asset, GridStor helps APS meet escalating demand peaks and supports the state’s transition to renewable energy, ensuring continuous power for residents and new industrial developments.