Daily Summary of Climate & Energy · Final editionThursday 29 October 2026 · UTC
Climate & Energy News: 29 October 2026
Trump uses wind approvals as leverage in permitting deal; EU geothermal study
The Trump administration is letting a few US onshore wind projects move forward while keeping pressure on Biden-era offshore approvals, as it tries to win Democratic votes for a sweeping energy permitting bill. A new analysis finds 30 industrial clusters in 11 EU countries where geothermal heat could replace fossil fuels.
Utilities and companies also announced new solar capacity, a methane-reduction credit deal and corporate renewable power contracts.
White House uses wind project approvals as leverage in US permitting talks
The Trump administration allowed five onshore wind developments to advance this week, two of them approved on Wednesday, according to a White House official. At the same time it has asked federal courts to let it reconsider three offshore wind projects authorized under President Biden.
Analysts describe the mix as a bargaining tactic to win Democratic support for a compromise bill to overhaul energy permitting, which could stall in the lame-duck session after the midterms. Wind supplies about 11% of US power, and BloombergNEF expects onshore installations of around 7 GW this year, down from 17 GW in 2020.
Study finds geothermal could replace fossil heat at 30 EU industrial clusters
A new analysis identifies 30 industrial clusters in 11 EU countries where geothermal energy could replace fossil fuels for industrial heat. Converting these sites could displace more than 850 million euros a year in fuel spending and avoid 4.3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The countries covered include Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Austria and the Netherlands, and the study names a further 152 candidate clusters.
Salesforce agrees to buy 500,000 rice methane-reduction credits from Mitti Labs
Mitti Labs has signed a five-year carbon-credit agreement under which Salesforce will buy 500,000 methane-reduction credits by 2030. The deal funds climate-smart rice farming on tens of thousands of smallholder farms in India. The farms will use alternate wetting and drying, which cuts water use and methane emissions, with results verified by satellite data. Mitti Labs estimates the programme could save 700 billion litres of water.
Envision unveils renewable energy system for mining and smelting sites
Envision Energy has unveiled an AI-powered energy system for mining and metal-processing operations. It combines wind and solar power, battery storage and integrated energy management. The system is aimed at sites with limited grid access and is meant to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. Envision says it targets a renewable electricity share above 80% and energy costs about 20% lower, depending on site conditions.
Microsoft signs two solar power deals with Macquarie's Blueleaf in Japan
Microsoft has signed two long-term solar power purchase agreements with Blueleaf Energy, a platform owned by Macquarie Asset Management. Microsoft will be the sole buyer of power from two new photovoltaic projects in Japan, which are due to start operating in mid-2027. The deals, announced October 28, extend a relationship that already covers about 540 MW of wind and solar capacity in the UK, Spain and India.
The capacity and value of the Japanese projects were not disclosed.
DTE Energy brings 132 MW Fish Creek solar park online in Michigan
US utility DTE Energy has started commercial operation of its 132 MW Fish Creek Solar Park in Montcalm County, Michigan, a project costing about 268 million dollars. The utility says the plant will supply the annual electricity needs of roughly 30,000 homes. It was funded through DTE's voluntary MIGreenPower programme, and construction supported about 550 jobs. DTE announced the start of operations on October 28.
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