Clean industry

Green steel

Hyundai breaks ground on Louisiana steel mill. Is it green enough?

The plant will cut CO₂ emissions compared to traditional coal furnaces. But Hyundai’s use of gas and resulting pollution show the messiness of cleaning up steel.

By Maria Gallucci . 3 September 2026

Gray slap sign saying "Hyundai Steel: Leading the New Era of Steel" — The main gate of Hyundai Steel’s factory in Pohang, South Korea (Jung Yeon-JeJ/AFP via Getty Images)

Clean aluminum

US aluminum is poised for a comeback — if it overcomes these hurdles

Tariffs and rising grid demand are spurring a revival, but high electricity costs and community concerns threaten to stall key new smelter projects

By Maria Gallucci . 13 August 2026
Heat pumps

World’s oldest cheddar-maker slashes energy bills with novel heat pumps

Innovative tech from U.K.-based Arkaya Energy cools fresh milk and redirects the resulting heat, saving Barber’s Farmhouse Cheesemakers more than $90,000 a year.

By Alison F. Takemura . 10 August 2026
Green steel

Ohio steel giant aims to use Biden climate funds for polluting project

Cleveland-Cliffs got $500M for a big green-steel push. Under Trump, the firm is “rescoping” to work that perpetuates coal use and will boost local pollution.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 6 August 2026
Green steel

Could a new iron ore mine turn Minnesota into a green steel powerhouse?

Mesabi Metallics is opening a mine and processing plant on the Iron Range, spurring job opportunities and a chance to join the global transition to low-carbon steel.

By Brian Martucci . 23 July 2026
Electrification

Southern California clean-heat rule survives key legal challenge

A U.S. appeals court upheld the first-in-the-nation measure, which will slash smog-forming emissions from certain gas-fueled boilers and heaters in the region.

By Maria Gallucci . 8 July 2026
Green steel

A year after US Steel was sold, communities push for clean investment

Northwest Indiana residents say Nippon Steel’s acquisition of U.S. Steel could bring jobs and growth. But they’re still waiting on Nippon to deliver.

By Maria Gallucci . 29 June 2026
Green steel

Hyundai’s new steel mill sparks hopes and fears in Louisiana

The manufacturer is building a $6 billion facility that will use cleaner technology — and potentially green hydrogen. But residents question whether they will benefit.

By Maria Gallucci . 25 June 2026
Energy efficiency

Norwegian startup raises $6M to fix this sneaky source of energy waste

Eqon makes devices that can “dim” the power consumed by electric heating cables, which factories and cities use — often inefficiently — to keep surfaces warm.

By Maria Gallucci . 24 June 2026
Energy storage

The hidden innovation behind Antora’s massive new heat battery

The startup is turning on a 200-battery project in South Dakota — and pioneering an electric utility rate that could help boost thermal energy storage more widely.

By Maria Gallucci . 27 May 2026
Clean industry

Industry can dodge fuel shocks by electrifying. What’s the holdup?

As the Iran war spikes fossil fuel prices, Oxford University experts demystify electric tech’s vast potential to decarbonize industry — and how policy can help.

By Alison F. Takemura . 7 May 2026