-
“Beautiful, clean coal”: Trump announces $700 million for fossil energy
“Beautiful, clean coal”: Under this motto, US President Donald Trump has announced investments of 700 million dollars (around 603 million euros) for the coal industry. The funds are intended to modernize US power plants, expand mines, and build a container port north of San Francisco dedicated to exports. According to Trump, the funds are intended…
-
Millions in state funds for wind turbine recycler: Trial over illegal disposal begins now
On June 11, the trial of Michael Roth—an entrepreneur from the Upper Palatinate region—begins at the Weiden Regional Court. His company, which specialized in the disposal and recycling of wind turbine scrap, had received state subsidies shortly before facing insolvency. Prosecutors accuse him of transporting waste materials to the Czech Republic between June 2024 and…
-
Alcolock: EU mandates interface for alcohol interlocks in new cars starting in July
From July 2026, new cars in the EU must be equipped with an interface for an alcohol interlock, as Brussels aims to curb drunk driving more effectively through vehicle technology. The legal basis for this is Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 on general vehicle safety. It mandates several modern safety systems for new vehicles, including provision for…
-
Infrasound study from Sweden: Measurements show higher signal levels than previously assumed
In Sweden, researchers analyzed measurement data from the Målarberget and Lervik wind farms and published their findings in 2026. The infrasound study concludes that modern, large-scale wind turbines can generate stronger low-frequency signals than earlier generations of turbines. Furthermore, the measurements indicate that standard calculation models may underestimate the propagation of infrasound under certain conditions.…
-
Michelin to cut up to 1,500 jobs: Tire giant intensifies cost-cutting measures
Michelin plans to cut up to 1,500 jobs in France over the next three years. The tire manufacturer announced this move in late May 2026. The decision was prompted by high costs, less favorable operating conditions, and international uncertainty. At the same time, additional costs of around 400 million euros linked to the war involving…
Blackout News on Social Media
-
Germany’s unique path drives up electricity prices and weakens industry
Berlin is debating the consequences of the energy transition, as the nuclear phase-out, high electricity prices, and lackluster CO2 reduction results increasingly converge. Germany’s unique approach to decommissioning its nuclear power plants is impacting an industrial sector that is already grappling with high energy and production costs. Despite investing billions in renewable energies, Germany remains…
-
Expansion of Wind Power Costs Billions: New Turbines Deliver Hardly Any Additional Electricity
In Germany, the wind power sector between 2020 and 2025 highlights a central problem of the energy transition. The installed capacity of onshore wind turbines rose by 25.2 percent, while actual electricity fed into the grid increased by only 1.2 percent. In absolute terms, this means: capacity grew by 14 gigawatts, yet electricity generation in…
-
Electric Buses Fail on the Slopes: Costly Transition Hits Its Limits in Glarus
In Glarus, new battery-powered electric buses deployed on the route to Schwändi revealed significant shortcomings during regular operation in early 2026. The vehicles struggle to proceed reliably on uphill sections, as the gradient, vehicle weight, passenger load, and technical performance limits converge. Due to these physical constraints, passengers are occasionally forced to disembark and continue…
-
Wind Power Expansion in Bavaria: Uneconomical Facilities Encounter Overburdened Power Grids
The expansion of wind power in Bavaria is facing increasing criticism, as many turbines in the south can scarcely compete economically with sites in the north. By the end of March, only five out of 44 Bavarian projects had been awarded a contract. However, the root cause lies not solely in bureaucracy or a lack…
-
OECD Forecasts Slower Global Economic Growth Due to Iran War
In light of the repercussions of the war involving Iran, the OECD has downgraded its economic outlook for the global economy. Assuming a limited disruption caused by the conflict in the Gulf region, the OECD projects a slowdown in global economic growth from 3.4 percent last year to 2.8 percent in 2026. For Germany, the…
-
Emissions Trading: EU Disguises New Regulations as Aid for European Industry
Brussels is planning a reform of the European Emissions Trading System for late May 2026, which is ostensibly intended to ease the burden on energy-intensive companies. The EU Commission aims to make more free CO₂ allowances available, but intends to link them to investments in climate-friendly technologies. This initiative impacts steelworks, chemical plants, cement manufacturers,…
-
EU Free Trade: 410 Trade Barriers Threaten Europe’s Supply Chains
The EU is pressing ahead with its interim agreement with the Mercosur states, even as its free trade strategy encounters an increasing number of covert trade barriers. This situation is driven by a global economy in which nations utilize technical regulations, import licenses, and special requirements. In November 2025, the European Commission recorded a total…
-
Volksbanks Face Multi-Billion Risks: “Bad Bank” Takes Over Problem Loans—Nearing Record Levels
In 2025, BAG Bankaktiengesellschaft assumed problematic exposures from the Volksbanks on an unusually large scale. Its business volume grew by just under 1.4 billion euros, as major problem loans and a weak economic climate weighed on the cooperative financial group. By the end of 2025, BAG was managing a portfolio of just over 1.7 billion…
-
Why Battery Storage Is Not Enough During Dark Lulls: New Figures Reveal the Problem
In Berlin, the dispute over new gas-fired power plants is intensifying ahead of the summer consultations on the Power Plant Security Act, as—according to an analysis by Uniper—prolonged periods of low wind and solar output occur significantly more frequently than is often portrayed. Between 2016 and 2025, the company counts 1,435 phases lasting more than…
-
New EU Regulation Increases Costs of Electric Cars, Batteries, and Solar Systems
Berlin and Brussels are set to discuss new EU industrial regulations in late May 2026. The proposed EU regulation aims to bolster European manufacturing and promote climate-friendly materials. However, an internal report from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs warns of higher costs for electric vehicles, batteries, solar systems, and construction projects. This is triggered…