A fishing boat at a dock with fishing nets stacked alongside it.

Fishermen struggle with lost federal funds for greener equipment

Commercial fishermen across the U.S. say budget cuts have frozen or rescinded federal grants meant to help them upgrade to cleaner, lower-emission equipment, leaving many financially stranded.

Patrick Whittle reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

Fishermen and seafood processors were counting on federal grants to replace diesel engines and upgrade refrigeration systems, but funding has been cut or put on hold.
The Department of Government Efficiency, created under the Trump administration, has targeted U.S. Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency budgets, affecting decarbonization efforts in the seafood industry.
Many fishermen are left with unexpected costs, struggling to move forward with projects that were supposed to reduce emissions and improve efficiency.

Key quote:

"They’ve started contacting me in the last couple of weeks because they’ve had the plug pulled on money that was already committed. If they miss a season they could go out of business."

— Sarah Schumann, Rhode Island fisher and director of the Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign

Why this matters:

The fishing industry, often viewed through the lens of sustainability and overfishing concerns, also has a significant carbon footprint. Diesel-powered vessels, refrigeration needs, and processing operations contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, making modernization a priority for those pushing for a more climate-friendly seafood supply chain.Yet, transitioning to cleaner technology — whether hybrid engines, electrification, or alternative fuels — comes at a steep cost. Many small- and mid-sized fishing operations rely on federal grants or low-interest loans to upgrade their fleets. Without those promised funds, they find themselves in a precarious position: unable to afford new technology but facing growing pressure to cut emissions.

This struggle plays out against the backdrop of a rapidly warming planet. Record-breaking ocean temperatures threaten fish stocks and disrupt marine ecosystems, making it all the more urgent to reduce the industry’s environmental impact. But if funding dries up, the consequences could go beyond stalled progress. Some businesses, already operating on razor-thin margins, may not survive the transition at all.

apnews.com

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California mining company turns to solar heat but can’t quit coal just yet

In California’s Mojave Desert, a mining plant is turning to solar thermal energy to replace one of its coal-fired generators, but a second unit may run for years due to the intense heat and 24-hour power it needs.

Ivan Penn reports for The New York Times.

In short:

Searles Valley Minerals, a mining company in Trona, Calif., is replacing one of its two coal plants with a solar thermal system but says the other may need to stay online for the foreseeable future due to operational demands.
The company will use a concentrating solar power system from start-up GlassPoint, which uses mirrors to generate high heat, a solution that works well in hot, sunny areas but requires a large land footprint and remains rare in the U.S.
Despite California’s push to phase out coal and President Trump’s efforts to revive it, economic and geographic constraints continue to complicate full industrial transitions away from fossil fuels.

Key quote:

“We just think coal is going to be a problem. We’re going to have a hard time sourcing it. We need to be ready to pivot.”

— Dennis Cruise, president of Searles Valley Minerals

Why this matters:

Industrial heat — the kind used in mining, chemical production, and heavy manufacturing — accounts for about half of global energy use, yet it’s rarely mentioned in public climate debates. Unlike home heating or car travel, generating this level of heat without fossil fuels is still tough. Most renewable energy technologies don’t deliver the extreme, continuous heat these facilities need. That leaves industries like the one in Trona stuck with coal, even as it becomes harder to source and politically unpopular. As the U.S. attempts to decarbonize, industrial energy needs present one of the biggest hurdles.

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