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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a sweeping rollback of key emissions rules for fossil fuel power plants. On March 12, 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced plans to repeal Biden-era regulations aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions, including the updated Clean Power Plan and stricter Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS).

This move aligns with President Trump’s energy agenda and is framed as part of the “Power the Great American Comeback” campaign. According to the EPA, the rollback could save the power sector $19 billion over two decades, or roughly $1.2 billion per year, starting in 2026.

Trump-Era EPA Move Targets Biden’s Climate Rules: Will the Climate Impact Be Severe?

EPA Administrator Zeldin highlighted,

“Affordable, reliable electricity is key to the American dream and a natural byproduct of national energy dominance. According to many, the primary purpose of these Biden-Harris administration regulations was to destroy industries that didn’t align with their narrow-minded climate change zealotry. Together, these rules have been criticized as being designed to regulate coal, oil and gas out of existence.”

The 2024 Clean Power Plan 2.0, finalized under the Biden administration, was expected to cut 1.38 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2047. That’s equivalent to taking over 320 million gasoline-powered cars off the road for a year.

  • The U.S. is the world’s second-largest emitter and has the highest per-capita emissions. That puts a big responsibility on the country to lead climate action.

But hitting the 2030 climate goal won’t be easy. The Rhodium Group says emissions must fall by 7.6% every year from 2025 to 2030. And undoubtedly, that’s a steep drop.

us emissions

By revoking this plan, the U.S. risks losing one of its most ambitious tools for slashing power sector emissions. The plan also targeted other air pollutants known to harm human health, including fine particulates and heavy metals like mercury and arsenic.

EPA Seeks End to CO₂ Limits for Power Plants

The EPA’s proposal includes eliminating all greenhouse gas standards under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act for both new and existing fossil fuel plants. The agency argues that CO₂ emissions from power plants do not significantly contribute to “dangerous air pollution” as defined under the Act. Therefore, they say these emissions shouldn’t be regulated in this way.

The proposal would also reverse a 2024 rule requiring carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology on new natural gas and modified coal plants. Instead, the EPA is considering less strict efficiency-based rules for new gas plants.

U.S. EMISSIONS
Source: EIA

Repeal of Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Amendments 

Alongside the carbon rules, the EPA wants to eliminate amendments made in 2024 to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. These changes had tightened mercury and particulate matter limits for coal- and oil-fired plants. The rollback would revert the standards to their 2012 levels.

The agency estimates this repeal could save the power industry another $1.2 billion over ten years beginning in 2028. However, environmental groups argue that the 2024 MATS updates were necessary to protect communities, especially in states like West Virginia, Texas, and North Carolina, where coal power remains a key energy source.

Cites Supreme Court Ruling in Justification

The EPA is leaning on the 2022 Supreme Court decision in West Virginia v. EPA, which limited the agency’s authority to reshape the U.S. energy mix under the “major questions doctrine.” Critics of the Biden administration’s rule say it tried to revive the original Clean Power Plan, which had been blocked by the courts years earlier.

It now argues that regulating power plant CO₂ emissions exceeds its authority and shifts energy decisions away from states and consumers.

Energy Security vs. Climate Commitments

The rollback is being pitched as an effort to lower energy costs, boost national security, and strengthen U.S. manufacturing. Supporters say it removes red tape for coal and gas plants that supply reliable baseload power, especially important for sectors like AI, data centers, and heavy industry.

But critics argue that the proposed changes put the U.S. at odds with its international climate commitments. The Biden administration had pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, and cutting power plant emissions is a key part of that roadmap.

What’s Next for U.S. Climate Policy?

The proposed repeals are subject to public comment before being finalized. However, the EPA’s new direction signals a dramatic shift away from federal climate regulation—one that could reshape everything from clean energy incentives to carbon trading strategies.

For now, the message from the EPA is clear: the focus is shifting from emissions cuts to energy affordability and independence. But at what cost? The answer may lie in future carbon market trends, climate data, and the response from U.S. states and industries.

The post EPA Pushes Rollback on Carbon Rules for Fossil Fuel Plants — Is U.S. Net Zero Target at Stake? appeared first on Carbon Credits.

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Big American Nuclear Revival! Cameco, Brookfield, and Washington’s $80B Reactor Deal

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Big American Nuclear Revival! Cameco, Brookfield, and Washington's $80B Reactor Deal

Cameco and Brookfield have joined a major partnership with the U.S. government to build a large fleet of new nuclear reactors. The plan centers on Westinghouse reactor technology. It aims to boost the U.S. power supply and speed up the use of low-carbon electricity for industry and data centers. The agreement is worth at least $80 billion in aggregate project value.

A Historic $80B Bet on Nuclear Power

The partnership commits to mobilizing at least $80 billion to build new Westinghouse reactors across the United States. The U.S. government agreed to help arrange financing and to speed permitting and approvals.

The companies say the program will fund both large reactors (AP1000 class) and smaller designs, such as the AP300 small modular reactor (SMR). The aim is repeatable construction and faster delivery.

Officials said the plan includes near-term purchases of long-lead parts and financing to make projects bankable. The government may also take a financial stake or use profit-sharing mechanisms tied to future project cash flows. That is meant to cut investor risk and attract private capital into long lead-time nuclear projects.

Chris Wright, Secretary for the United States Department of Energy, remarked:

“This historic partnership with America’s leading nuclear company will help unleash President Trump’s grand vision to fully energize America and win the global AI race. President Trump promised a renaissance of nuclear power, and now he is delivering.”

Powerful Partners: Who’s Behind the Deal

Westinghouse provides reactor designs, engineering, and project know-how. Brookfield Asset Management brings large-scale project finance and infrastructure experience.

Cameco, a major uranium producer, supplies fuel expertise and helps secure nuclear fuel supply chains. Together, they combine technology, capital, and raw material access.

The U.S. government acts as a facilitator. It will help line up financing, speed regulatory approvals, and coordinate federal support. The public role aims to reduce early-stage risk so private investors will commit to multi-billion-dollar projects. This public-private model is central to the deal.

What $80 Billion Buys: Scale and Impact

The $80 billion figure is an aggregate investment target. Industry analysts estimate this sum could support about 6 to 10 large reactors. This is based on using 1 GW-class AP1000 units and costs close to current U.S. estimates. The final mix could include several large units plus a set of SMRs, depending on site choices and supply costs.

If the program builds multiple 1 GW reactors, the added capacity could total several thousand megawatts. Each AP1000 unit can produce about 1,100 MW of electricity.

AP1000 nuclear reactor output vs other power sources

The chart shows how powerful a single AP1000 reactor is compared with other common energy sources. Each unit generates about 1,100 megawatts (MW) of electricity. That’s similar to the output of 2 modern coal plants, 5 large wind farms, or about 11 utility-scale solar farms.

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the International Energy Agency, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory show that:

  • A typical coal plant generates about 600 MW.
  • Wind projects average around 200 MW.
  • Solar projects average about 100 MW.

Nuclear power stands out for its ability to provide steady, large-scale electricity from one site. This supports industrial growth and helps meet clean energy goals.

Multiple units would offer steady, low-carbon power. Grid operators and large users, like data centers and manufacturing hubs, can count on this power all day and night.

Timing will depend on permitting, supply chain ramp-up, and financing. The partners said they will focus on repeatable designs to shorten schedules.

Still, observers warn that multi-year lead times are likely for most projects. The deal does include near-term actions to buy long-lead items now, which can help start work sooner.

Rebuilding America’s Energy Workforce

Backers say the program will revive large parts of the U.S. industrial base. Reactor builds need heavy forgings, turbines, valves, control systems, and large concrete works. They also need skilled trades such as welders, pipefitters, and nuclear operators.

Estimates show that there will be tens of thousands of construction jobs in peak years. Each completed plant will create thousands of long-term operations jobs.

The plan could also spur investment in domestic component manufacturing. That includes forging mills, heat exchanger factories, and specialized machining facilities.

Allied countries can also supply parts. Local content rules and incentives may boost U.S. production. Proponents say a revived supply chain will reduce cost risks and shorten delivery times over the long run.

Cameco’s shares jumped sharply when the announcement arrived. Investors expect that uranium demand will rise and prices will strengthen if a multi-reactor program moves forward.

global uranium trend
Sourced from Mining Technology, original: Global uranium output. Credit: GlobalData.

Brookfield’s shares also rose, reflecting the firm’s role as a project owner and financier. Market moves show investor appetite for nuclear-related assets when backed by government support.

Fueling the AI Boom With Clean Power

Data centers and AI systems draw increasing electricity. International energy agencies predict that global data center electricity use may more than double by 2030. Large, always-on power sources, such as nuclear, help avoid the output variability of some renewables.

Tech firms looking to scale AI often seek firm, low-carbon power to run data centers reliably. This deal links clean power planning to industrial and digital growth goals.

Policymakers see nuclear as a way to add “firm” low-carbon capacity. The U.S. plans discussed this year aim to boost nuclear capacity significantly by mid-century. This increase will help support electrification and heavy industry. The new agreement positions Westinghouse and its owners to play a major role if the national policy push continues.

But at What Cost?

Large nuclear projects can run into delays and cost overruns. Past builds worldwide show that permitting complexity, supply chain bottlenecks, and labor shortages raise budgets and push schedules.

Critics say that scaling too quickly might cause past issues to reappear. They stress the need for tight control over management, standards, and procurement.

Cost control will matter. Industry watchers note that standardized, repeatable designs and cleared regulatory paths can reduce per-unit costs over time. The deal’s advocates point to near-term purchases of long-lead items and government risk sharing as tools to keep costs down. But the real test will come during project execution and the first wave of concrete pours and module deliveries.

On policy, the partnership came alongside broader international trade and investment talks. Some reports say allied countries, including Japan, may support financing or procurement as part of wider industrial cooperation. That could give projects added capital and technology depth, but it also means geopolitics will shape parts of the supply chain.

A Turning Point for U.S. Nuclear Energy

This $80 billion partnership is a major step toward a new U.S. nuclear building program. It pairs private capital and industry know-how with government support.

If done right, the plan could boost low-carbon electricity, create jobs, and strengthen fuel and component supply chains. If it faces delays or cost overruns, the program could strain public budgets and investor patience.

The coming months will show if the partners can turn headlines into real projects. This means getting to operating reactors that will support a low-carbon, AI-driven economy. 

The post Big American Nuclear Revival! Cameco, Brookfield, and Washington’s $80B Reactor Deal appeared first on Carbon Credits.

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Canada Leads G7 with $6.4B Critical Minerals Boost to Secure Global Supply Chains

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Canada is stepping up in the race for critical minerals. During its G7 Presidency, the country announced a $6.4 billion investment for 26 new projects and partnerships. This aims to strengthen supply chains and reduce reliance on unstable markets. The announcement took place at the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers’ Meeting in Toronto. It marks a new approach for Canada and its allies to ensure clean energy security, advanced manufacturing, and defense.

Canada’s Critical Minerals Alliance Gains Global Momentum

Central to this initiative is the Critical Minerals Production Alliance. This framework connects G7 nations and industry leaders to speed up mineral projects while maintaining strong environmental and labor standards.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson noted that access to critical minerals—like lithium, graphite, nickel, and rare earth elements—supports cleaner, more resilient economies.

He said,

“Canada is moving quickly to secure the critical minerals that power our clean energy future, advanced manufacturing and national defence. Through the Critical Minerals Production Alliance and the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan, we are mobilizing capital, forging international partnerships and using every tool at our disposal to build resilient, sustainable and secure supply chains. These investments are foundational to Canada’s sovereignty, competitiveness and leadership in the global economy.” 

Unlocking $6.4 Billion for 26 Projects

Canada is introducing 26 new investments, partnerships, and policies. These initiatives aim to speed up the production and processing of critical minerals across the country. They will attract public and private capital to boost domestic mining and processing.

Key highlights include:

  • Offtake agreements with major producers like Nouveau Monde Graphite and Rio Tinto for graphite and scandium.

  • Partnerships with nine allied nations—France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Norway, the U.S., Australia, and Ukraine—to co-invest and secure offtake deals.

  • A new Roadmap to Promote Standards-Based Markets for Critical Minerals under the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan (CMAP).

These actions position Canada as a trusted and transparent supplier of responsibly sourced minerals, enhancing investor confidence in long-term, low-risk clean energy supply chains.

Building a Secure and Responsible Future

Canada’s ties with G7 partners focus on resilience. With rising global competition, clear supply chains are crucial for strategic security.

Under the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan, member countries aim to diversify production, boost innovation, and ensure fair labor and environmental practices. This plan builds on Japan’s Five-Point Plan for Critical Minerals Security (2023) and Italy’s 2024 initiatives. It also expands cooperation with emerging markets and developing economies.

Canada will use the Defence Production Act to stockpile key minerals, enhancing domestic readiness for defense and industrial needs. This stockpile will:

  • Strengthen Canada’s defense supply chains.

  • Protect domestic production from market disruptions.

  • Support NATO’s deterrence and defense strategy.

  • Boost sovereignty in the Arctic region.

This strategy shows that minerals like nickel, copper, and rare earths are vital for EVs, batteries, national defense, clean technologies, and digital infrastructure.

CHINA CRITICAL MINERALS
Source: IEA

Projects Driving Canada’s Mineral Future

The newly funded projects span Quebec and Ontario, targeting high-demand minerals for EV batteries, semiconductors, and renewable technologies.

Flagship projects include:

  • Northern Graphite Corp. – Graphite mine near Montreal, Quebec.
  • Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. – Matawinie graphite project, Quebec.
  • Vianode – Synthetic graphite and anode materials facility in St. Thomas, Ontario.
  • Torngat Metals Ltd. – Strange Lake rare earth elements project, Quebec.
  • Ucore Rare Metals Inc. – Rare earth processing plant in Kingston, Ontario.
  • Rio Tinto Group – Scandium production facility in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec.

Additional infrastructure investments in Chibougamau, Kuujjuaq, and Eeyou Istchee James Bay (Quebec) will improve logistics and supply chains for copper, lithium, nickel, and cobalt.

These developments will boost local economies, create jobs, and strengthen G7 supply chain resilience while supporting Canada’s clean energy transition.

Mobilizing Global Capital for Clean Energy Security

G7 partners agree that responsible mining needs immediate, scaled investment to tackle issues like permitting delays and price volatility. The G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan calls for better collaboration among governments, export credit agencies, and development finance institutions (DFIs) to unlock capital and lower investment risks.

This strategy aims to attract private financing for projects meeting high environmental and ethical standards, fostering transparent, market-based systems for mineral trade.

Moreover, the G7 seeks to help emerging market economies build responsible mining industries through better infrastructure, governance, and investment frameworks.

These partnerships will align with global initiatives like the G20 Compact with Africa, ensuring mineral development fosters local value creation and community participation.

Strengthening Canada’s Leadership in a Critical Decade

Furthermore, Canada is preparing for major international events, including the IEA Ministerial Meeting and the PDAC Conference in 2026. These will highlight Canada’s growing role in achieving a clean energy future.

By linking national defense, economic security, and clean energy goals, the Critical Minerals Production Alliance shows how cooperation can counter practices that disrupt mineral trade and threaten global supply stability.

The country’s $9 billion defense investment plan, announced earlier this year, supports this strategy by enhancing domestic capabilities while promoting sustainable development.

Canada anchors North America’s critical minerals growth

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), North America holds a major share of the world’s essential mineral reserves. The United States has large deposits of lithium, copper, and rare earth elements. Canada is rich in graphite, lithium, and nickel, while Mexico has strong copper reserves.

Together, these countries play an important role in global mining. The region accounts for about 10% of the world’s copper output and 9% of rare earth production. In 2024, the United States approved its first lithium mine in more than 60 years, marking a big step toward securing a local supply.

By 2040, the IEA expects the value of North America’s energy minerals to grow to around USD 30 billion for mining and USD 14 billion for refining. Mining growth will mainly come from copper in the United States and Mexico, and from lithium and nickel in Canada.

For refining, the region could make up about 4% of the global market, led by copper and lithium refining in the United States and copper and nickel refining in Canada.

Canada Critical mineral
Source: IEA

A Unified Path Toward Resilient Supply Chains

The G7 stands united against global challenges. Canada’s leadership shows that securing critical minerals goes beyond extraction. It emphasizes trust, transparency, and long-term sustainability.

By promoting responsible mining, mobilizing capital, and ensuring traceable supply chains, Canada and its allies are paving the way for a cleaner, more secure industrial future.

The Critical Minerals Production Alliance demonstrates that countries can work together. By collaborating, they build strong systems that support economic growth, protect the environment, and enhance national security. They also help power future technologies.

The post Canada Leads G7 with $6.4B Critical Minerals Boost to Secure Global Supply Chains appeared first on Carbon Credits.

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Amazon Stock Rises, Meta Falls: Q3 Earnings Show Split Paths in AI and Clean Energy

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Amazon Stock Rises, Meta Falls: Q3 Earnings Show Split Paths in AI and Clean Energy

Meta Platforms and Amazon.com just announced their latest quarterly earnings. Both showed strong financial results despite a tough global economy. Both companies are investing in clean energy, carbon reduction, and sustainability. They aim to meet the rising energy demand from artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers. However, while Amazon’s stock soars after the announcement, Meta’s stock dips.

The results show a big shift in tech companies. They are connecting financial growth to climate responsibility and long-term resilience. Let’s examine how these tech giants perform financially and sustainably. 

Amazon’s Revenue and Cloud Strength Push Q3 Growth

Amazon reported $180.2 billion in revenue for the third quarter of 2025, up 13% year over year. The company’s net income surged to $21.2 billion, or $1.95 per diluted share, compared to $9.9 billion a year earlier.

The strongest gains came from Amazon Web Services (AWS), which grew 20% year over year to $33.0 billion in revenue. Amazon’s cloud division is its most profitable part. It supports thousands of companies around the globe and helps boost AI and digital tools.

Amazon income segment q3 2025
Source: Amazon

Amazon’s retail business did better than expected. Prime Day sales and rising advertising revenue helped. Advertising revenue climbed 28% to US $14.7 billion.

With its strong quarter, Amazon’s stock increased about 12% in after-hours trading. Analysts say the company’s long-term plan is key to growth. It focuses on cloud computing, renewable energy, and automation.

Amazon AMZN stock price

CEO Andy Jassy noted in a statement:
“AWS is growing at a pace we haven’t seen since 2022. We continue to see strong demand in AI and core infrastructure, and we’ve been focused on accelerating capacity.”

Meta Reports Higher Profits but Faces Market Pressure

Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, reported $51.2 billion in revenue for Q3 2025. This is a 26% increase compared to last year. Net income reached $2.7 billion, or $1.05 per share.

Meta Platforms financial results q3
Source: Meta

The company noted higher ad spending, strong engagement on its apps, and early gains from its AI-driven recommendation systems. Despite these strong results, Meta’s stock dropped more than 11% after the results came out. Investors were concerned about the company’s rising costs for infrastructure and AI chips.

Meta stock price

CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that Meta will keep “building responsibly for the long term.” He emphasized that AI systems and the metaverse will be key investment areas until 2026.

Big Tech’s Race to Power AI With Clean Energy

AI development is driving record electricity demand. Data centers already consume around 415 terawatt-hours (TWh) of power globally each year, or about 1.5% of total electricity use. By 2030, consumption could more than double to 945 TWh, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

data center power demand 2030

Both Meta and Amazon are addressing this surge by pairing AI growth with clean energy expansion.

  • Amazon is the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy in the world. It has over 550 wind and solar projects. Together, these projects generate more than 33 gigawatts (GW) of capacity as of 2025. They supply power to AWS data centers, logistics hubs, and fulfillment sites across 27 countries.
  • Meta sources 100% renewable energy for its global operations and data centers. It has added 10 GW of clean energy capacity since 2020 and continues to invest in solar and wind farms in the U.S., Spain, and Singapore.

These efforts are part of a larger trend in tech: replacing fossil fuel power with firm, clean sources such as nuclear, geothermal, and long-duration storage, to ensure 24/7 reliability.

Amazon’s Net-Zero Roadmap

Amazon aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement target. To get there, it is cutting emissions across transportation, operations, and packaging.

Key steps include:

  • Deploying over 145,000 electric delivery vans by 2030.
  • Using sustainable aviation fuel for Amazon Air.
  • Reducing plastic packaging and promoting circular economy programs.
  • Investing in carbon removal projects, including reforestation and direct air capture systems.

In 2024, Amazon reduced its carbon intensity — emissions per dollar of revenue — by 16% from its 2021 baseline. The company is testing green hydrogen and battery storage. This will help stabilize renewable energy supplies for its warehouses and data centers.

Meta’s Net-Zero and Carbon Removal Efforts

Meta reached net-zero emissions for its operations (Scope 1 and 2) in 2020. Now, it’s focusing on Scope 3 emissions, which come from suppliers and user activity.

By 2030, Meta aims to reach full net-zero emissions across its value chain. It is buying more renewable energy and improving server designs for better efficiency. It is also investing in carbon removal projects, like reforestation and biochar.

The company’s circular-hardware program reuses old data-center servers. This effort recycles materials and cuts electronic waste by almost 60% since 2022. Its new data centers in Texas and Denmark will run entirely on wind and solar power, helping to balance AI’s growing energy demand.

Meta also launched a “climate science hub” across Facebook and Instagram to share verified climate information and encourage community-level sustainability actions.

Investor Takeaway: Profits Up, Pressures High, Climate Still Central

Amazon’s strong revenue and cloud success show its resilience. However, the company is dealing with rising costs from its AI expansion and logistics network. Analysts expect AWS growth to remain steady as enterprise clients expand AI workloads.

Meta’s profits were better than expected. However, the company’s high capital spending raised worries about short-term margins. Reality Labs, which works on AR/VR and metaverse products, had a $3.7 billion operating loss in Q3. However, executives noted that AI integration is boosting user engagement and ad performance.

Both companies play key roles in the AI economy and clean energy transition, even with short-term ups and downs.

Clean Energy and Tech: A Shared Future

Amazon vs Meta renewable energy capacity

Amazon and Meta are boosting their clean energy efforts. This shows a big change in the industry. As AI and data grow, having reliable low-carbon electricity is now a key advantage.

  • By 2030, Amazon’s projects might create enough renewable energy to offset 30 million metric tons of CO₂ each year. This is about the same as the emissions from 8 million cars.
  • Meta’s ongoing efficiency programs have cut data center energy use by 30% per computing task compared to 2020, even as total workloads grow.

Both companies are exploring new power sources. They are looking into small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced geothermal systems. This aims to provide clean energy for their global networks without interruption.

For Amazon and Meta, the latest earnings reports tell a story of growth tied to responsibility. Their revenues are up, AI investment continues, and sustainability remains at the center of their long-term strategies.

Short-term market swings show investor caution. Still, both companies are building the digital and environmental infrastructure for the next decade of tech growth.

In the race to power AI with clean energy, they show that profitability and sustainability can grow together if backed by the right investments, partnerships, and long-term visions.

The post Amazon Stock Rises, Meta Falls: Q3 Earnings Show Split Paths in AI and Clean Energy appeared first on Carbon Credits.

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