Green Markets - January 20, 2025

Jan 21, 2025

Green Markets is a daily series dedicated to highlighting events of interest that could impact investments within environmental markets.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement, citing misalignment with U.S. values and economic interests. The decision faced criticism from environmental groups, highlighting concerns over the U.S.'s role in global climate action. Trump also signaled plans to roll back climate policies from the previous administration, focusing on boosting U.S. energy production and addressing "climate extremism."
President Donald Trump revoked offshore oil and gas leasing bans put in place by the Biden administration, aiming to boost U.S. energy development. While the actions may face legal challenges and take years to result in new development, they reflect Trump's commitment to unlocking more U.S. energy resources.
President Donald Trump signaled an end to new U.S. government support for wind power, stating that wind turbines are unattractive, costly, and harmful to wildlife. His administration plans to halt leasing for large offshore wind farms, framing this as part of his broader energy policy to maximize American energy output.
President Donald Trump revoked a 2021 executive order by President Joe Biden that aimed for 50% of all new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030. The target, which was not legally binding, had gained support from both U.S. and foreign automakers. Trump's administration also plans to direct agencies to revisit stricter emissions rules requiring automakers to sell between 30% to 56% electric vehicles by 2032.

Sungrow Hydrogen has secured a major supply contract for ACME Group’s 320-MW green ammonia project in Oman, marking its largest deal in the region. The contract involves providing 1000 Nm³/h ALK hydrogen production equipment, with deliveries expected to be completed in 2025. The project aims to produce 300 tonnes of green ammonia daily starting in 2026.

Cemex's Knoxville cement plant in Tennessee has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to host a carbon capture, removal, and conversion test center. This project will include $101 million in funding to develop test centers at cement plants and power facilities.

Related Stock List(s): Carbon Capture Stocks

Canoo, an EV startup, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and ceased operations due to significant financial challenges, including $164 million in liabilities and failed funding efforts. Despite raising $600 million through an SPAC merger in 2020, the company struggled with strategic pivots, executive departures, and limited vehicle deliveries.

A federal appeals court has invalidated a Trump-era rule permitting the transport of LNG by rail. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled in favor of 14 Democratic-led states, the District of Columbia, and environmental groups, stating that the Trump administration had inadequately assessed the safety risks associated with LNG rail transport. This decision reverses a regulation implemented during Trump's first term as president.

Related Stock List(s): LNG Stocks

A TVA-led coalition, including GE Hitachi and Duke Energy, has applied for $800 million in federal funding to accelerate the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs), aiming to bring an SMR online in Tennessee by 2033. Indiana Michigan Power and Appalachian Power are also pursuing DOE grants for early-stage SMR development at sites in Indiana and Virginia.

New Forests has successfully raised $375 million (A$600 million) for its Australia New Zealand Landscapes and Forestry Fund (ANZLAFF), attracting institutional investors from Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The fund focuses on integrated investments across forestry, carbon, agriculture, and renewable energy sectors in Australia and New Zealand. Notable investors include Finland's Evli, Japan's Kyushu Electric Power, and returning investors such as Sweden’s AP2 and Germany’s BVK.

Green Investing