Today’s headlines: Clean energy sets an EU record, China pushes climate leadership, and more

This roundup of U.S. energy news headlines is part of our Canary Media Daily newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox each morning.

CLEAN ENERGY

• Wind and solar generated 30% of the EU’s electricity last year, while fossil fuels provided 29%, marking the first time renewables have beaten coal, oil, and gas. (The Guardian)

POLITICS

• A newly unveiled congressional spending bill would protect federal emergency funding from further cuts, while another would claw back millions of dollars meant to build a nationwide EV charging network. (E&E News, The Hill)

DAVOS

• At the World Economic Forum in Davos, China pushes itself as a leader on climate action and celebrates its use of wind, solar, and battery power as the U.S. retreats. (Inside Climate News)

• In Davos, President Donald Trump once again praises nuclear power, saying he was originally hesitant about the power source’s safety. (Axios)

FEDERAL FUNDING

• Some communities that lost federal climate grants last year have sued to reclaim them, while others have had to move on from projects that would’ve helped them curb pollution and adverse health effects. (Grist)

GEOTHERMAL

• Sage Geosystems raises $97 million in a Series B round as it looks to build its first commercial-scale power generation project in the Western U.S. (Latitude Media)

EFFICIENCY

• Gas industry groups ask the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down stronger, Biden-era efficiency standards for gas-powered commercial water heaters and home furnaces. (E&E News)

COAL

• Environmental groups sue the Trump administration to stop the rollback of coal plant wastewater regulations. (E&E News)