Latest news with #CleanEnergy
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Trump Gives Musk a Second Black Eye in Scorched Earth Attack
Donald Trump broke his silence over Elon Musk on Thursday in a dramatic intervention after the Tesla billionaire's frenzied attacks on the 'One Big Beautiful Bill.' The president abruptly declared their bromance is all but over and suggested the former first buddy has 'Trump Derangement Syndrome.' In a scorched earth tirade in the Oval Office, Trump suggested that the Tesla boss was bitter because his 'big beautiful bill' scrapped clean energy credits - which would impact Musk's electric vehicle business - and also because the president withdrew the NASA nomination of a Musk ally. 'Elon and I had a great relationship. I don't know if we will anymore,' Trump said. 'I'm very disappointed with Elon. I've helped him a lot. He knew the inner workings of the bill better than anybody sitting here. He had no problem with it. All of a sudden he had a problem and he only developed the problem when he found out we're going to cut the EV [Electric Vehicle] mandate.' Musk responded in real time, declaring on X: 'False, this bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no one in Congress could even read it!' He later added: 'Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.' 'Such ingratitude.' Trump's Oval Office rampage marks the end of the alliance between the world's richest man and its most powerful president, merely months after Musk spent almost $300 million to get Trump re-elected. The brutal rebuke came after Musk delivered a blistering critique of Trump's sweeping domestic policy bill on Tuesday, describing it as a 'disgusting abomination' and condemning everyone who voted for it. The former DOGE boss ramped up his attack against the bill on Wednesday, telling his 220 million-plus followers on X: 'Call your Senator, Call your Congressman, Bankrupting America is NOT ok! KILL the BILL.' This came after the Congressional Budget Office found that the Trump-backed bill would add $2.4 trillion to federal budget deficits over 10 years. A few hours later, he called out Trump by name for the first time, re-posting a meme with a large yellow tractor that said 'Trump's big beautiful bill.' In another sucker punch on Thursday, Trump also told reporters that he believes he could have won in Pennsylvania - the swing state that clinched his victory - even if Musk hadn't helped. He then suggested that Musk had turned on him after he ended his official DOGE duties on Friday. 'People leave my administration, and they love us, and then at some point … some of them actually become hostile. I don't know what it is. It's sort of Trump derangement syndrome, I guess they call it," Trump said. 'They leave it and the glamour is gone, and the whole world is is different, and they become hostile. I don't know what it is.' Musk fired back on X: 'Whatever.' Musk's anger over the bill this week came after a tumultuous few months in which Musk upended the federal bureaucracy, watched his Tesla stocks plummet amid a public backlash and ultimately failed to deliver the $1 trillion in savings he claimed DOGE would achieve. Trump had earlier praised him for his role during a joint press conference on Friday, even giving Musk a gold key - symbolic of a key to the White House. 'I'll continue to be visiting here and be a friend and adviser to the president,' Musk said, wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with the words 'The Dogefather.' 'I hope so,' said Trump.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HCC, Dean Tech team up to teach green tech, construction to jobseekers
SPRINGFIELD — Holyoke Community College and Dean Technical High School are teaming up for a new, free seven-week green tech and construction program that's already getting a diverse, inaugural group of trainees prepped for the workforce. 'We like to call it a three-in-one introductory program. It is an introduction to green construction and electricity, and how those are applied to clean energy systems, such as solar panels and EV chargers,' said Mary Wagner, HCC clean energy training manager. Trainees in 'Introductory Training Green Construction, Electricity and Clean Energy Systems' can earn some Occupational Safety and Health Administration construction safety credentials, while learning green building, hand and power tool use, electrical concepts and circuitry. The free program is paid for with a two-year, $832,000 state grant that HCC received in 2024 for climate-related workforce training initiatives. HCC was the only institution in Western Massachusetts to receive this funding, which was part of a $3.4 million allocation from the Healey-Driscoll administration. Four Dean Tech educators teach the program. On top of having teaching experience, they also have worked in the field and have union knowledge. Wagner said students have conveyed to her that these well-liked instructors have created a helpful, friendly learning environment. Starting July 7 through Aug. 1, there will be two free, four-week programs to train workers for jobs in the clean energy sector and prepare students for careers in one of Massachusetts' fastest-growing industries. The green construction, electricity and clean energy systems program will shift from evenings to Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In addition, the schools will run a weatherization-intensive training program. Those classes will meet at Dean Tech and HCC on Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. During this four-week program, trainees will learn proper tool use and techniques for air sealing, weather stripping, insulating, spray foaming, and controlling building moisture and ventilation. All of these measures reduce energy costs by increasing the energy efficiency of buildings. State Rep. Patricia Duffy said this kind of program is exactly what her constituents need, and what the city needs. 'It's what people of all ages are looking for. Holyoke Community College is following high-demand industries,' said Duffy. 'Holyoke is getting a lot of attention for clean energy companies coming to the city, and we want companies to come and hire local people.' Students who complete the program will be eligible for work in construction, can apply for a paid electrician apprenticeship program or enroll in further training as a clean energy technician. Programs like these reflect the state's priorities of closing the skills gap and creating pathways into high-demand industries. HCC works with multiple community and employer partners to ensure their trainees receive assistance to secure employment or further education. Local assistance programs and employers include places like the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Springfield Works, Green Crest Energy, the Coalition for an Equitable Economy, Trinity Solar, Holyoke Gas & Electric, and the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board. Kermit Dunkelberg, HCC's assistant vice president of adult education and workforce development, shared that he hopes the dual focus of training people for jobs and helping small businesses grow will result in more locally owned companies doing the work in the area. 'Much of the work to date is done by out-of-state contractors with large companies, but where is the space for a new company? Where's the space for BIPOC-owned companies and women-owned? I hope we are creating some pathways that are more accessible for the communities we're trying to serve,' said Dunkelberg. Last year, the state Division of Apprenticeship Standards approved $465,600 in registered apprenticeship tax credits for employers who hired 97 apprentices, a statement from the Healey-Driscoll Administration said. Because of a 2023 tax cut package, clean energy employers are now eligible for the tax credit of up to $4,800 per apprentice. Clean energy employers hired 26 apprentices using the tax credit last year. 'By expanding eligibility to some of our most in-demand and growing industries, we are reducing the cost of doing business in Massachusetts, encouraging employers to leverage apprenticeship as a strategy to fill their hiring needs, and giving dozens of Massachusetts residents a pathway to a good-paying career,' Healey said in the statement. In the fall, HCC and Dean Tech also will launch a solar associate technical training and certification program that will run from September to December. Wagner said that future programs include EV charger installation and maintenance training and certification, energy auditing training, and home energy rating system training. While this is a two-year funded grant, Duffy said she will advocate for additional funding. 'We have to show the proven results that we are getting students through this program, getting jobs, and companies are attracted to it. We will need to get the companies to advocate on this program, too,' said Duffy. To be eligible, students must be at least 18, authorized to work in the U.S., have a high school diploma or equivalency, be able to start work after the training, and pass a background check. For more information or to enroll, visit or contact career counselor Mike Blasco at mblasco@ or 413-552-2801. Read the original article on MassLive.
Globe and Mail
29-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Want More Money? These 3 High-Yield Dividend Stocks Are on Track to Give You a Raise Every Single Quarter.
Most top dividend stocks strive to boost their payments at least once a year. However, some companies are even more generous. They aim to give their investors a raise every single quarter. That enables investors to collect a very steadily rising income stream. Clearway Energy (NYSE: CWEN.A)(NYSE: CWEN), Energy Transfer (NYSE: ET), and W.P. Carey (NYSE: WPC) have been hiking their high-yielding payouts each quarter for the past few years. While future payments are not guaranteed, these look like ideal stocks to buy to collect a very steadily rising stream of passive income. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More » A powerful plan to grow its dividend Clearway Energy currently pays a $0.4384 per-share dividend ($1.75 annualized). The clean energy company has a 5.7% dividend yield at its current rate and share price. The company generates very stable cash flow by selling clean energy to utilities and large corporate customers under long-term, fixed-rate power purchase agreements (PPAs). The company has been raising its dividend each quarter (it hiked its payout by 1.7% last quarter), and it's targeting to pay a total of $1.76 per share in dividends this year. It aims to deliver 6.5% dividend-per-share growth next year and raise its payment in the bottom half of its 5%-8% long-term target range in 2027. Powering Clearway's growing dividend is its investmentstoexpand its clean energy portfolio. For example, it recently bought an operational solar farm in California and a wind farm in Washington. The company also agreed to re-power the Mt. Storm Wind project in West Virginia by installing larger turbines. It will sell the power from that project to Microsoft under a 20-year PPA. The company uses its post-dividend free cash flow and balance sheet flexibility to fund growth investments. Lots of fuel to increase its lucrative payout Energy Transfer currently pays a quarterly distribution of $0.3275 per unit ($1.31 annualized). That gives the master limited partnership (MLP) a 7.3% yield at its recent unit price and distribution level. The energy midstream company aims to raise its distribution by $0.0025 per unit each quarter ($0.01 annualized), which works out to a 3% to 5% annual growth rate. The MLP, which sends its investors a Schedule K-1 federal tax form each year -- so unitholders will have a little extra paperwork -- generates very stable cash flow because fee-based assets supply about 90% of its annual earnings. Energy Transfer aims to distribute a little more than half of its stable earnings to investors, retaining the rest to invest in growing its operations and maintaining a rock-solid financial profile. Energy Transfer is investing about $5 billion into growth capital projects this year, which should come online through the end of next year. Those expansions will supply it with incremental sources of cash flow as theyenter commercial service. It has many more projects under development that it could approve in the future. Meanwhile, its strong balance sheet gives it the financial flexibility to make accretive acquisitions as opportunities arise. It bought WTG Midstream last year in a $3.3 billion deal that will add $0.04 per unit to its cash flow this year, increasing to $0.07 per unit by 2027. The company's growth investments give it the fuel to raise its payout each quarter. Dual dividend growth drivers W.P. Carey recently raised its dividend payment to $0.89 per share ($3.56 annualized). The real estate investment trust (REIT) has a 5.7% yield at its current payout level and share price. The landlord has been increasing its payment every quarter since resetting its dividend in 2023 when it exited the office sector by selling and spinning off those properties. It raised its payment by $0.005 per share each quarter last year and has been hiking it by $0.01 per share each quarter this year. Two factors drive W.P. Carey's steadily rising dividend. The REIT invests in single-tenant industrial, warehouse, retail, and other properties secured by long-term net leases with built-in rent escalation. About half of its leases tie rental rates to inflation, while most of the remaining contracts raise rents at a fixed annual rate. These leases supply it with very stable and steadily rising rental income. In addition, W.P. Carey uses its post-dividend free cash flow, non-core assets sales, and balance sheet flexibility to buy additional income-producing properties secured by leases with built-in rental escalation. This strategy supplies it with a growing income stream to support its steadily rising dividend. Get paid more each quarter Clearway Energy, Energy Transfer, and W.P. Carey have been raising their dividend payments each quarter. That's adding to their already lucrative income streams. It makes them ideal dividend stocks to buy for those who want to collect a very steadily rising stream of passive income. Should you invest $1,000 in Energy Transfer right now? Before you buy stock in Energy Transfer, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Energy Transfer wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $651,761!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $826,263!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is978% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to170%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025 Matt DiLallo has positions in Clearway Energy, Energy Transfer, and W.P. Carey. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Advocates warn of looming vote that could impact millions of Americans: 'It's expected to save the farm about $15,000 in energy costs each year'
A new interactive tool is showing just how effective Inflation Reduction Act investments have been, according to Public News Service. Renewable Energy Success Stories in the Keystone State is an online map that allows visitors to pan across Pennsylvania and learn more about local rollouts of wind and solar power, electric vehicle infrastructure, and other sustainability projects. "The Tulpa Canal Farm, which is a dairy farm in Berks County, received a Clean Energy grant to install about 400 solar panels, which is great," said Flora Cardoni, deputy director of the PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center, per Public News Service. "It's expected to save the farm about $15,000 in energy costs each year." Other companies have been benefiting from improved energy efficiency as well. That includes Hall Industries, which cut 14% of its energy use with upgraded lighting. According to Cardoni, Harley Davidson will be able to build more efficient electric motorcycles and reduce waste thanks to IRA incentives. While it's great to hear the good news, the project's primary goal is to defend against the threat of repeal. PennEnvironment is encouraging locals to write to their representatives in support of the Inflation Reduction Act. Despite the good it is clearly doing, it remains under imminent threat from the Trump administration, which has it wants to repeal the IRA, though that would require an act of Congress. Reducing pollution isn't just a way to stabilize increasingly violent weather patterns. Investments made in mitigation now will protect people against much higher adaptation costs in the future. One study suggests spending $1 now can save $13 later. Spending on sustainability makes perfect sense, even from a purely economic standpoint. While government decisions may impact where tax dollars go, you can still make investments that result in both positive climate impacts and healthy returns. GreenPortfolio can connect people to remote financial advisers to simplify eco-friendly investing. This includes information on building portfolios, investment recommendations, and banks and credit cards that align with your values. Do you think the federal government should give us tax breaks to improve our homes? Definitely Only for certain upgrades Let each state decide instead No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
CNN
21-05-2025
- Business
- CNN
The jobs and tax credits that could disappear if the ‘big, beautiful' House GOP bill passes
Green energy Sustainability Taxes Congressional newsFacebookTweetLink Follow House Republicans are proposing to gut energy savings and clean energy tax credits in President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful' tax bill — funds that are creating thousands of jobs in GOP states and saving homeowners money on their bills. It's all on the chopping block. The House GOP is moving closer to a final vote on Trump's tax package, before it heads to the Senate. If Congress passes the tax bill as it stands, it could cost the US more than 830,000 jobs that would otherwise be created in the coming years, the think tank Energy Innovation found. The impacted jobs are mostly in construction and manufacturing, building factories and components for EVs, wind turbines, solar panels, batteries and other clean energy products — the vast majority of which are in GOP states and districts. It also threatens an eye-popping amount of investment from companies that piggybacked on the passage of the 2022 clean energy bill, also known as the Inflation Reduction Act. 'We're talking about an awful lot of money — approaching a trillion dollars in private sector investment that's either been made or has been planned — that is at risk,' said Robbie Orvis, Energy Innovation's senior director of modeling and analysis. The threatened funds are in the same places the jobs are at risk; nearly 80% of the investment sparked by the law is in Republican areas, according to data from the Rhodium Group and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Bottom line, that's what the new tax bill is, essentially: a repeal of the clean energy provisions in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, according to independent analysis from the two nonpartisan think tanks. 'It's functionally equivalent to a full-out repeal,' Orvis said, adding the current bill proposed by House Republicans is a 'sledgehammer on steroids.' It would hurt Republicans the most. Republicans represent 14 of the top 20 congressional districts that are on the cusp of gaining the most jobs from the law, which was championed by former President Joe Biden. Tennessee, Georgia and the Carolinas, among others, have gained most of the new jobs in electric vehicle and battery manufacturing and could stand to lose the most if tax credits disappear. Rep. Mark Amodei, whose Nevada district alone is poised to gain more than 20,000 jobs in mining, refining and processing lithium for EVs and batteries, previously told CNN that continuing to fund these facilities in his district is 'fundamental.' Orvis said the Republican tax bill could not only hurt future projects, it will likely hurt existing manufacturing facilities as well. 'Some of the proposed language in the (bill) text actually puts existing facilities at risk because they will no longer qualify to receive some of the tax credits that they got financing on,' Orvis said. The cost of electricity for everyday Americans and businesses would also go up; Energy Innovation found wholesale electricity prices would increase by 50% by 2035. This is in large part because solar and wind energy are cheaper than fossil fuels. Rhodium's analysis found the GOP bill would slash the amount of new clean energy on the US electric grid by 57-72% through 2035. Cutting cheaper wind and solar will raise American's energy bills, analysts said. 'You don't worry about (price volatility) with wind and solar; the sun is still free,' Rhodium analyst Ben King told CNN. 'By shifting away from renewables and back to natural gas, you are exposing yourself to price volatility as well.' Some Republican lawmakers have voiced concerns that repealing the tax credits could hurt electricity generation at a time when the US needs more power than ever. The AI boom is gobbling up electricity for data centers, and companies are on the hunt for electrons wherever they can find them. That's the central argument solar CEOs have been making to Republican lawmakers as they've pleaded with them to keep the credits intact. 'Solar is the most effective form of energy going forward; it's the fastest and cheapest to market,' said Zaid Ashai, CEO of solar company Nexamp. 'The reality is we're in this economic competition with China. The only way to win the technology and AI race is to be energy independent, and solar is a really key component of that.'
