Latest news with #DOE
New York Post
5 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
NYC teachers getting anti-Israel literature in DOE schools
Hateful anti-Israel propaganda has slipped into city Department of Education literature and schools at least five times in the past two months, The Post has learned. In the latest instance, faculty members at a large Brooklyn elementary/middle school received an email Monday with the subject line: 'How Much Jewish Wealth From The Black Slave Trade Was Used To Help Create Israel?' Among a dozen links to inflammatory texts, the email includes several articles branding Jews as former slave owners; a piece by Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakahn claiming 'Jewish behavior has ill-affected Black people and others;' and a Palestinian children's workbook decrying 'bullies called Zionists.' 4 Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos has vowed to crack down on dissemination of 'politically one-sided materials deeply offensive to the Jewish community.' Andrew Schwartz / 'It's clearly an attack,' a Jewish teacher who received the diatribe in her DOE email told The Post. The incident is evidence of rising antisemitism in NYC schools and other educational institutions since the Israeli-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023, experts say. The emails came from think.285@ an encrypted account hiding the sender's identity. The teacher asked that she and her 'amazing' school, which she described as close-knit and harmonious, not be named. 'There was never an issue with antisemitism — not once,' she told The Post, adding she wears a Star of David at work. 'It wouldn't be fair to drop such a stain on the school. I would put my last penny on the fact that I don't think it's a person from the school' who sent the offensive missive. 4 The links to antisemitic literature in an email sent to Brooklyn teachers include a Palestinian children's handbook that refers to 'bullies called Zionists.' Obtained by the New York Post Like many other NYC schools, the Brooklyn school posts its teachers' DOE email addresses on a public website. Two assistant principals were 'horrified' by the cyber stealth, but the teacher has not discussed the emails with the principal — who did not address them with staff. It's the latest in a series of anti-Israel attacks popping up in DOE communications. In early April, schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos apologized after a 17-page 'Stop Gaza Genocide Toolkit' was linked in a newsletter sent to teachers and parents. 4 Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos apologized in early April after a 17-page 'Stop Gaza Genocide Toolkit' was linked in a newsletter sent to teachers and parents. Weeks later, a 'Teacher Career Pathways' newsletter for master teachers in the city's 1,800 schools called for student voices to be heard on the 'genocide in Gaza.' In a DOE crackdown on 'politically one-sided materials that are deeply offensive to the Jewish community' being disseminated, Aviles-Ramos halted the release of mass communications sent to educators, students and parents without her approval. At the same time, an anti-Israel group, the Labor for Palestine Network, sent an email blast to city teachers on their DOE accounts calling for a May Day strike and other 'civil disobedience' to protest the Gaza war. The DOE said it would investigate. Last month, a flyer distributed in several Manhattan schools urged teachers voting in their union elections to back a campaign to divest pension funds from Israel. 4 Elias Rodriguez, 31 of Chicago, is charged in the May 21 murders of two Israeli embassy workers in Washington, D.C. Katie Kalisher via Storyful The flyers came after the cold-blooded murder of two young Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. by a gunman who yelled, 'Free Palestine.' The United Federation of Teachers disavowed the flyers. The DOE said it removed them from schools. Karen Feldman, a middle-school teacher and Holocaust educator studying the rise of antisemitism in NYC public schools, said the mounting incidents 'point to a systemic issue.' 'We must all demand stronger oversight and safeguards to ensure public institutions do not become platforms for hate,' she said. Asked whether the Brooklyn school had reported the emails, a DOE spokeswoman said, 'We are investigating this matter and will address it as appropriate with disciplinary action, community engagement, and educational intervention.' Officials said the DOE has identified who sent previous anti-Israel emails, but would not elaborate on 'personnel matters.'
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Plug Power Inc. (PLUG): A Bull Case Theory
We came across a bullish thesis on Plug Power Inc. (PLUG) on Tiny Stock Ninja's Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on PLUG. Plug Power Inc. (PLUG)'s share was trading at $0.78 as of 23rd May. A generator being fueled and readied for use as part of an end-to-end green hydrogen ecosystem. Plug Power Inc. (PLUG) reported Q1 2025 results showing moderate revenue growth to $133.7 million, an 11% increase year-over-year, driven by electrolyzer deliveries and hydrogen production. Despite significant improvement in gross margin losses—from -132% to -55%—the company remained unprofitable, with high operating expenses and an EPS miss fueling investor skepticism and a nearly 10% stock decline. Operationally, Plug Power expanded its hydrogen production capacity with a new Louisiana plant and highlighted a $21 billion European electrolyzer project pipeline, positioning itself strongly in the green hydrogen economy amid growing demand and favorable EU policies. Financially, the company bolstered liquidity through a $280 million equity raise, a $525 million financing facility, and a $1.66 billion DOE loan guarantee, ending Q1 with nearly $300 million in unrestricted cash, yet persistent cash burn and capital expenditures pose sustainability questions. Management aims for gross margin breakeven by the end of 2025 and no additional equity raises this year, signaling confidence but acknowledging risks from U.S. policy uncertainty, supply chain challenges, and concentrated customer exposure. Analysts maintain a 'Hold' rating with a $2.10 price target, reflecting long-term potential tempered by near-term operational and regulatory hurdles. While the stock's recent decline reflects investor caution, Plug Power's cost reduction initiatives and strategic focus on Europe provide a compelling, though risky, investment case for those bullish on hydrogen's future, contingent on successful execution of key milestones such as the Texas plant commissioning and European project final investment decisions. Plug Power Inc. (PLUG) is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 13 hedge fund portfolios held PLUG at the end of the first quarter which was 24 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of PLUG as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than PLUG but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock. Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey.
Miami Herald
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
How U.S. Battery Innovations Could Transform EVs, Homes and the Power Grid
Your smartphone, electric car and home solar array all share a hidden truth: the humble lithium‑ion battery powering them was first commercialized in 1991. Today, three decades later, the U.S. still relies heavily on this vintage chemistry. But a quiet energy revolution is underway that will drive longer EV road trips from Los Angeles to San Francisco, slash home storage costs, and cut reliance on contentious cobalt and nickel supply chains. Nearly every device you own, from your iPhone in Manhattan to your Tesla parked in Palo Alto, uses lithium‑ion cells. This workhorse chemistry delivers high energy density in a compact package, but its road map has begun to bump against real‑world limits: Range ceilings: Most American EVs top out around 300–350 miles per charge, still shy of that California coast‑to‑coast dream. Safety headaches: Flammable liquid electrolytes have prompted high‑profile recalls by major automakers after thermal‑runaway concerns: Over 60% of the world's cobalt and 70% of nickel come from geopolitically sensitive regions that can involve labor and environmental issues. Think of first‑generation lithium‑ion like the Ford Model T: revolutionary in its day, but ready for a homegrown reinvention. Under the bipartisan Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Department of Energy aims to drive battery pack costs below $80 per kWh by 2025. Meanwhile, the DOE's Battery500 Consortium brings together Argonne National Lab, Ford, GM and Solid Power to push solid‑state energy density past 500 Wh/kg. States like California (with its Self‑Generation Incentive Program) and New York (via NY Green Bank) are offering rebates on stationary storage, while utilities such as PG&E and NextEra Energy are piloting grid‑scale sodium‑ion and flow batteries. These incentives, paired with swelling U.S. venture investment-over $5 billion in 2023 for battery startups-are rewiring America's cleantech landscape. Below are the five battery families poised to reshape U.S. energy, from EV showrooms in Detroit to solar farms in Texas. 1. Solid‑State Batteries: The 500-Mile EV Game Changer How they work: Replace liquid electrolytes with a solid ceramic or polymer-think of it as an unbreakable ionic highway. Why it matters for Americans: 500‑mile EV range: Ford and BMW collaborations with Solid Power aim to hit this milestone by 2027, letting a single charge carry you from Denver to No more Tesla battery‑fire headlines-solid electrolytes don't fuel thermal DOE tests show over 1,200 full cycles with minimal capacity loss-translating to 10+ years in daily service. Challenges: Scaling to gigafactory volumes remains a multibillion‑dollar hurdle. Expect U.S. pilot production lines by 2025 and limited consumer SUVs by 2030. 2. Lithium‑Sulfur: Lightweight, Low-Cost, and Made in America How they work: Swap pricey metal oxide cathodes for abundant sulfur, slashing pack weight and cost. American edge: Sulfur is a byproduct of U.S. oil refining, costing under $0.05 per kg. Key perks: Up to 500 Wh/kg theoretical energy density-fueling lighter drones for NOAA weather projects and next‑gen eVTOL cost: Potential factory costs as low as $60/kWh. Hurdle: Polysulfide shuttling degrades cycle life-startups like Lyten (HQ: Menlo Park) and Sion Power (Chandler, AZ) are deploying graphene coatings to stabilize cathodes, targeting pilot production by 2027. 3. Sodium‑Ion Batteries: Cheap, Abundant, and Perfect for Home Storage How they work: Replace lithium with sodium in the same "rocking‑chair" format-no exotic supply chains required. U.S. relevance: Sodium is over 10,000 times more abundant than lithium, with vast deposits in Gulf Coast salt flats and across the western U.S. Pros: Cost: Sodium-ion packs could drop below $70/kWh by 2026, undercutting even lithium-ion on reliability: Performs well down to –4 °F, making it a strong candidate for northern grid storage and winter life: Lab data and projections suggest 3,000–5,000 cycles, rivalling or exceeding lithium-ion durability. Use cases: Ideal for stationary home and community storage, as well as micro-mobility like e‑bikes and scooters. Catching up fast: While current sodium-ion energy density remains lower (110–140 Wh/kg), CATL projects next-gen cells reaching 200 Wh/kg by 2027, putting them on par with lithium-ion. Lab results also suggest cycle life of 3,000–5,000 cycles, making sodium-ion viable not just for home storage and scooters, but potentially for urban EVs and commercial fleets. 4. Aluminum‑Ion: Ultra-Fast Charging for Phones and Tools How they work: Anodic aluminum sheets cycle ions through novel cathode structures and ionic liquids. American R&D: Oak Ridge National Lab and Argonne prototypes show full charges in under 10 minutes. Benefits: Fast charging: Down from hours to minutes for smartphones and power Aluminum is the most recycled metal in the U.S.-no toxic extraction. Roadblocks: Lab cells still struggle to maintain 500+ cycles. Commercial rollout likely 2030+, pending DOE's SCALE‑UP funding rounds. 5. Zinc‑Air: Reliable Backup Power for Hurricanes and Grid Outages How they work: Zinc oxidizes at the anode while ambient oxygen reacts at the cathode-like a fuel cell that never runs out of air. Why Texas and Florida care: $50/kWh system costs are within reach for community backup during hurricane-driven blackouts.10‑day storage capability keeps critical services online when solar or wind dips. Limitation: Slow recharge time-best suited for primary backup or flow‑style refueling at centralized hubs. Powerwall vs. sodium‑ion: A Tesla Powerwall 2 lists around $11,500 ($430/kWh installed) today. Early sodium‑ion systems from GridScale Energy (Austin) are targeting $300/kWh installed by 2026-over 30% costs: The average price of a new EV in the U.S. hovers around $55,000. If solid‑state reduces battery pack costs by 15%, automakers could drop sticker prices by $8,000 or boost range by 100 miles without raising pilot: Florida Power & Light's zinc‑air trial aims for 1 MW, 10 MWh systems to handle hurricane season peak loads, at an estimated $200/kWh installed-half the cost of lithium‑ion backups. Why Battery Tech Is Key to America's Energy Security and Affordability Your wallet: U.S. DOE targets and IRA credits could cut your home battery costs in half by 2030. One of the leading reasons for NOT buying an EV in the US is concern over car price which is largely determined by battery security: Fewer imports of cobalt and nickel mean stronger supply chains and less price commute: Imagine your EV reliably hitting 600 miles on a charge-no more range anxiety on I‑95 or Route 66. No single battery chemistry will rule. Instead, expect a U.S. portfolio approach: Luxury EVs: Solid‑state batteries for flagship models from Tesla, Ford and mobility: Sodium‑ion for entry‑level EVs, e‑bikes and scooters in urban cores like New York or Los electronics: Aluminum‑ion and improved lithium‑ion for phones, laptops and power tools that recharge in resilience: Zinc‑air and next‑gen flow batteries giving states their own backup independence. American automakers, utilities and labs are investing tens of billion annually to lead this charge. The real competition isn't just technical-it's about reshoring manufacturing, training a new workforce, and securing U.S. leadership in the energy transition. Q: When can I buy these locally? Sodium‑ion home/storage: Available via regional installers by 2025– EVs: Limited pilot fleets from 2027–2030; mass‑market rollout by packs: Aerospace and specialty drone use in early 2030s. Q: Will lithium‑ion stick around? Absolutely. Existing plants in Nevada and Ohio will keep cranking out improved lithium‑ion for phones, laptops and lower‑range EVs through the 2030s, with incremental gains in lifetime and safety. Q: How about recycling? U.S. firms like Li‑Cycle (Toronto HQ, U.S. plants in Rochester and Gilbert) and Redwood Materials (Nevada) are scaling up facilities to recover over 95% of metals from spent cells, while new chemistries with fewer toxic metals streamline processing. Better batteries are not science fiction; they're being engineered today in American labs, factories and testbeds. Over the next decade, advances in solid‑state, sodium‑ion, lithium‑sulfur, aluminum‑ion and zinc‑air will reshape how we power cars, phones and the grid. The question for U.S. consumers isn't if these breakthroughs will arrive, but which one will change your life. And it might just be Made in America. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Business Wire
KBRA Comments on Amendment to Sunnova's Loan Guarantee Agreement with DOE
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 29, 2025, Sunnova Energy Corporation (Sunnova) disclosed that it had amended its Loan Guarantee Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on May 22, 2025. The amendment reduced the maximum aggregate amount of partial guarantees from $3.0 billion to $371.6 million. This is equal to the total partial guarantees previously issued for Sunnova's two solar loan ABS transactions under Project Hestia: Sunnova Hestia I Issuer, LLC, Series 2023-GRID1 and Sunnova Hestia II Issuer, LLC, Series 2024-GRID1. KBRA currently maintains ratings on two classes of notes issued from the two transactions. Each has a Class 1-A tranche that benefits from DOE guarantees covering both principal and interest payments. On May 2, 2025, KBRA affirmed its 'AAA (sf)' ratings on each of the Class 1-A notes, as well as its 'BB (sf)' ratings on the Class 2-A notes of each transaction. Although the amendment reduced all remaining capacity of its partial loan guarantee to Sunnova's Project Hestia, it does not affect the existing guarantees provided by the DOE to the two transactions referenced above. As such, KBRA does not expect this amendment, in and of itself, to affect the existing ratings of the two transactions. KBRA previously alerted the market to Sunnova's going concern issue in a press release published on March 4, 2025, and will continue to monitor developments related to Sunnova's financial health, potential manager transitions, and the performance of Sunnova transactions. About KBRA KBRA, one of the major credit rating agencies, is registered in the U.S., EU, and the UK. KBRA is recognized as a Qualified Rating Agency in Taiwan, and is also a Designated Rating Organization for structured finance ratings in Canada. As a full-service credit rating agency, investors can use KBRA ratings for regulatory capital purposes in multiple jurisdictions. Doc ID: 1009708
Axios
a day ago
- Business
- Axios
DOE scuttles $1B in Texas clean energy funding
The U.S. Department of Energy has canceled $3.7 billion in clean energy projects nationwide, including more than $1 billion tied to facilities in Texas. Why it matters: The elimination of the 24 projects created under the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law is among the biggest and most specific cases yet of Trump 2.0 officials pulling the plug on the Biden administration's unprecedented subsidies for low-carbon energy. Context: The department was aiming to close the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations and terminate nearly half its awarded funding, Axios Pro reported last month. Driving the news: The terminated support was aimed mostly at carbon capture and various other "decarbonization initiatives," DOE said in a statement. DOE alleged that Biden officials "failed to conduct a thorough financial review" and noted that 16 of the awards were "signed" between the election and President Trump's inauguration. Zoom in: Texas saw four projects terminated, including three near Houston: Calpine Texas CCUS Holdings, Baytown – $270 million. Exxon Mobil Corporation, Baytown – $331.9 million. Orsted Star P2X, Chambers County – $99 million. Eastman Chemical Company, Longview – $375 million. What they're saying: "Today, we are acting in the best interest of the American people," U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said in the announcement. The DOE said in the statement the projects "were not economically viable and would not generate a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars." The other side:"The abrupt termination of $3.7 billion in clean energy investment is shortsighted and malicious," said Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee's energy panel. What we're watching: Other projects that could be on the chopping block.
