Michelle Ma
@michellema.bsky.social
Reporter @bloomberg.com | I cover all things climate tech | Read my stories: https://www.bloomberg.com/authors/AWTYlfwjEUk/michelle-ma | mma304@bloomberg.net | She/her | Opinions mine | Based in LA
"Don't be afraid to break some eggs," former Biden-era Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said to the next Democratic administration at the BloombergNEF Summit in SF:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
What Democrats Can Learn From the Trump Energy Playbook
Democrats shouldn’t be afraid to take more aggressive actions on clean energy, former Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said.
www.bloomberg.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:37 PM
"Don't be afraid to break some eggs," former Biden-era Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said to the next Democratic administration at the BloombergNEF Summit in SF:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Michelle Ma
In addition to the UNFCCC and IPCC exits, Treasury just announced it's withdrawing from the global Green Climate Fund, calling it a "radical" organization
Trump Expands US Climate Retreat With Exits From UN Bodies
President Donald Trump extended the US retreat from global cooperation on climate action by signaling a withdrawal from flagship international organizations, including the main United Nations and scie...
www.bloomberg.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:28 PM
In addition to the UNFCCC and IPCC exits, Treasury just announced it's withdrawing from the global Green Climate Fund, calling it a "radical" organization
A year after the LA wildfires, the price tag for the costliest blazes in US history is still climbing. Who pays is uncertain.
Our story on how risk and damage have spread beyond burned neighborhoods and the fight to limit losses and shift liability: www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Our story on how risk and damage have spread beyond burned neighborhoods and the fight to limit losses and shift liability: www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
One Year After LA Fires, Recovery Is a Battleground
The price tag for the costliest blazes in US history is still climbing and disputes over who will pay are escalating.
www.bloomberg.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:52 PM
A year after the LA wildfires, the price tag for the costliest blazes in US history is still climbing. Who pays is uncertain.
Our story on how risk and damage have spread beyond burned neighborhoods and the fight to limit losses and shift liability: www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Our story on how risk and damage have spread beyond burned neighborhoods and the fight to limit losses and shift liability: www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Reposted by Michelle Ma
Not sure what presents to give your love ones this holiday season? @oliviarudgard.bsky.social and I have you covered with a green gift guide that includes climate-friendly choices. Enjoy, and happy holidays!
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
How to Give a Greener Gift
This holiday gift guide can help you pick original and unique presents — and hopefully avoid clutter and waste.
www.bloomberg.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Not sure what presents to give your love ones this holiday season? @oliviarudgard.bsky.social and I have you covered with a green gift guide that includes climate-friendly choices. Enjoy, and happy holidays!
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Michelle Ma
Cajun Navy groups may raise a few million dollars in a good year, collectively. As President Trump weighs major changes to FEMA - like shutting it down - some leaders say they wouldn't be able to replace it. Or simply aren't interested.
As one put it: "We don't want to end up sucking like them."
As one put it: "We don't want to end up sucking like them."
The Cajun Navy started after Katrina as volunteer boaters conducted rescues on the fly. Despite legal trouble, scandals and infighting, it's still going. And some leaders say they've been advising Trump officials on FEMA + the US disaster system. Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
The Cajun Navy Is Shaping Trump's Vision for US Disaster Relief
While the Trump administration rethinks federal disaster relief, Republicans have praised how Cajun Navy groups have responded to major storms.
www.bloomberg.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Cajun Navy groups may raise a few million dollars in a good year, collectively. As President Trump weighs major changes to FEMA - like shutting it down - some leaders say they wouldn't be able to replace it. Or simply aren't interested.
As one put it: "We don't want to end up sucking like them."
As one put it: "We don't want to end up sucking like them."
Reposted by Michelle Ma
When Greg Abel takes over the reins of Berkshire Hathaway next year, he will oversee a $1 trillion conglomerate with a whooping $382 billion war chest.
December 10, 2025 at 10:21 PM
When Greg Abel takes over the reins of Berkshire Hathaway next year, he will oversee a $1 trillion conglomerate with a whooping $382 billion war chest.
Reposted by Michelle Ma
In a reversal from this morning, FEMA puts whistleblowers back on leave after reinstating them
Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
FEMA Puts Whistleblowers on Leave Shortly After Reinstating Them
Days after reinstating a group of Federal Emergency Management Agency employees who raised concerns about the government’s disaster preparedness, federal officials have placed those whistleblowers bac...
www.bloomberg.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:35 PM
In a reversal from this morning, FEMA puts whistleblowers back on leave after reinstating them
Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Michelle Ma
Landmark move: New York City's comptroller @bradlander.bsky.social, with hundreds of billions under his control, recommends dropping investment giant Blackrock because they won't reckon with climate change.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
NYC’s Lander Recommends Dropping $42 Billion BlackRock Mandate
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is urging three of the city’s pension funds to drop BlackRock Inc. because of “inadequate” climate plans, the latest move to penalize investment firms for failing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Landmark move: New York City's comptroller @bradlander.bsky.social, with hundreds of billions under his control, recommends dropping investment giant Blackrock because they won't reckon with climate change.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Michelle Ma
PG&E, National Grid and other big utilities are using AI models to pick out relatively cheap, targeted fixes that cut the risk of sparking a deadly fire -- think individual poles to replace and trees to trim back. Story w/ @joewertz.bsky.social (gift link) www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Massive Wildfire Liabilities Push Utilities to Use AI to Stop Blazes
Power companies are turning to tech firms that can spot fragile trees and map high-risk areas before fires start.
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:58 PM
PG&E, National Grid and other big utilities are using AI models to pick out relatively cheap, targeted fixes that cut the risk of sparking a deadly fire -- think individual poles to replace and trees to trim back. Story w/ @joewertz.bsky.social (gift link) www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Scoop: Tesla co-founder JB Straubel's battery recycling firm Redwood Materials laid off dozens of staff, as the company shifts its focus to energy storage and critical minerals. This comes a month after Redwood raised $350 million for an over $6 billion valuation. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Tesla Co-Founder Straubel’s Battery Startup Redwood Fires Dozens
Tesla Inc. co-founder JB Straubel’s battery recycling firm Redwood Materials Inc. cut dozens of jobs as the startup scales back some of its ambitious projects to refocus on tapping into demand for gri...
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Scoop: Tesla co-founder JB Straubel's battery recycling firm Redwood Materials laid off dozens of staff, as the company shifts its focus to energy storage and critical minerals. This comes a month after Redwood raised $350 million for an over $6 billion valuation. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Michelle Ma
New: California Governor Gavin Newsom seized the mantle of US climate leadership at COP30 in Brazil in the face of Trump hostility to climate action. Here's the data on how the world's fourth-largest economy is decarbonizing and slashing emissions. Free link.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
What California's Record Shows About Newsom’s Claims to Climate Leadership
As the US retreats on climate policy, the governor is pitching himself as a global leader.
www.bloomberg.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:19 PM
New: California Governor Gavin Newsom seized the mantle of US climate leadership at COP30 in Brazil in the face of Trump hostility to climate action. Here's the data on how the world's fourth-largest economy is decarbonizing and slashing emissions. Free link.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Two of the world’s biggest data center developers have projects in Nvidia's hometown that may sit empty for years because the local utility isn’t ready to supply electricity.
We called the developers and utility in question to find out why: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
We called the developers and utility in question to find out why: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Data Centers in Nvidia’s Hometown Stand Empty Awaiting Power
The fate of two facilities in Santa Clara, California, highlights a major challenge for the US tech sector and indeed the wider economy.
www.bloomberg.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Two of the world’s biggest data center developers have projects in Nvidia's hometown that may sit empty for years because the local utility isn’t ready to supply electricity.
We called the developers and utility in question to find out why: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
We called the developers and utility in question to find out why: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Battery recycling firm Redwood Materials has begun producing critical minerals at its $3.5 bn South Carolina facility, amid a chill in the US EV market. CEO JB Straubel told me most of its customers today are outside of the EV sector.
More on the company's pivot: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
More on the company's pivot: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Tesla Co-Founder's Critical Minerals Plant Starts Production
As the Tesla co-founder’s battery recycler opens a new facility, it’s also selling critical minerals to a wider set of buyers as the EV market is set to decline.
www.bloomberg.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Battery recycling firm Redwood Materials has begun producing critical minerals at its $3.5 bn South Carolina facility, amid a chill in the US EV market. CEO JB Straubel told me most of its customers today are outside of the EV sector.
More on the company's pivot: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
More on the company's pivot: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Michelle Ma
Most people don't have high expectations from COP30. But with the US govt intent on wrecking climate policies at home and abroad, things could get testy.
For a preview, tune into a conversation later today with Bloomberg's crack team on the ground at COP30. www.bloomberg.com/sessions/202...
For a preview, tune into a conversation later today with Bloomberg's crack team on the ground at COP30. www.bloomberg.com/sessions/202...
Live Q&A: Six Ways the COP30 Climate Summit Can Succeed or Fail
Bloomberg journalists answer your questions about what to expect at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil. Stream our Live Q&A on Monday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. EST
www.bloomberg.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Most people don't have high expectations from COP30. But with the US govt intent on wrecking climate policies at home and abroad, things could get testy.
For a preview, tune into a conversation later today with Bloomberg's crack team on the ground at COP30. www.bloomberg.com/sessions/202...
For a preview, tune into a conversation later today with Bloomberg's crack team on the ground at COP30. www.bloomberg.com/sessions/202...
Arbor Energy was founded as a carbon removal company that uses waste biomass to create electricity and remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Now, the company is pivoting to generating carbon-free electricity with natural gas, supported by a $55M Series A.
Our story: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Our story: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Rocket Tech Is Poised to Generate Clean Power for Data Centers
Founded by SpaceX alumni, Arbor Energy’s technology runs on natural gas and uses carbon capture.
www.bloomberg.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Arbor Energy was founded as a carbon removal company that uses waste biomass to create electricity and remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Now, the company is pivoting to generating carbon-free electricity with natural gas, supported by a $55M Series A.
Our story: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Our story: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Michelle Ma
NEW: Weather models were performing worse ahead of a devastating storm in Alaska compared to a year ago. As one scientist @ecmwf.int put it, "the fact that all the models mis-captured this event tells us something." From me + @joewertz.bsky.social (gift link): www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Deadly Alaska Storm Hit After a Month of Wider Forecast Errors
Scientists say outages at federal monitoring sites in the state may have contributed to confusion over the storm’s predicted track.
www.bloomberg.com
October 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM
NEW: Weather models were performing worse ahead of a devastating storm in Alaska compared to a year ago. As one scientist @ecmwf.int put it, "the fact that all the models mis-captured this event tells us something." From me + @joewertz.bsky.social (gift link): www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Scoop: Rondo Energy has turned on a 100 MWH battery, helping a local oil and gas producer generate steam for thermal enhanced oil recovery.
Paired with solar, the battery heats up clay bricks to produce steam, which is used to force oil out of reservoirs.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Paired with solar, the battery heats up clay bricks to produce steam, which is used to force oil out of reservoirs.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The World’s Largest Battery Made of Bricks Turns On in California
Rondo Energy’s heat battery is helping power enhanced oil recovery.
www.bloomberg.com
October 16, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Scoop: Rondo Energy has turned on a 100 MWH battery, helping a local oil and gas producer generate steam for thermal enhanced oil recovery.
Paired with solar, the battery heats up clay bricks to produce steam, which is used to force oil out of reservoirs.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Paired with solar, the battery heats up clay bricks to produce steam, which is used to force oil out of reservoirs.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Scoop: CarbonCapture Inc. has moved its 2,000-ton direct air capture project from the US to Canada, compelled by shifting political winds and a better policy environment in the north, CEO Adrian Corless told me:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Carbon Capture Startup Moves Project to Canada From US
The startup building it moved the project north due to better incentives and what it views as a more stable regulatory environment.
www.bloomberg.com
October 2, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Scoop: CarbonCapture Inc. has moved its 2,000-ton direct air capture project from the US to Canada, compelled by shifting political winds and a better policy environment in the north, CEO Adrian Corless told me:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Michelle Ma
A double news update after a summer respite from social media: 1) I’ve joined @bloomberg.com
to report on China & climate! 2) Just in time for China’s new climate targets, announced by Xi today. I’m thrilled to cover this special beat—and to be diving right in:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
to report on China & climate! 2) Just in time for China’s new climate targets, announced by Xi today. I’m thrilled to cover this special beat—and to be diving right in:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
China Played It Safe With First Pledge to Cut Greenhouse Emissions
Other nations have achieved larger declines after reaching peak climate pollution — and the world’s biggest emitter has exceeded its own goals
www.bloomberg.com
September 24, 2025 at 9:10 PM
A double news update after a summer respite from social media: 1) I’ve joined @bloomberg.com
to report on China & climate! 2) Just in time for China’s new climate targets, announced by Xi today. I’m thrilled to cover this special beat—and to be diving right in:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
to report on China & climate! 2) Just in time for China’s new climate targets, announced by Xi today. I’m thrilled to cover this special beat—and to be diving right in:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Eight months after the LA wildfires, people who have lost everything are grappling with slow permit approvals, high costs and low insurance payouts. Prices for burnt-out lots are coming down as some residents give up on returning.
My latest (free to read): www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
My latest (free to read): www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
The LA Fires Destroyed 11,000 Homes. Less Than 10% Have Permits to Rebuild
Of the thousands of residents needing to rebuild after this year’s California wildfires, Andy Weyman would seem especially well positioned. The TV and stage director had remodeled his Malibu home just...
www.bloomberg.com
September 25, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Eight months after the LA wildfires, people who have lost everything are grappling with slow permit approvals, high costs and low insurance payouts. Prices for burnt-out lots are coming down as some residents give up on returning.
My latest (free to read): www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
My latest (free to read): www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
California's last nuclear power plant was supposed to be shut down. But now it's on the verge of a 20-year extension, thanks to the state's mounting power needs.
Here's an inside look at Diablo Canyon amid its bid for relicensing (free gift link): www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Here's an inside look at Diablo Canyon amid its bid for relicensing (free gift link): www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
California’s Last Nuclear Plant Is Poised to Stave Off Extinction
Diablo Canyon is nearing the end of a long relicensing process as the need for round-the-clock power grows.
www.bloomberg.com
August 20, 2025 at 5:48 PM
California's last nuclear power plant was supposed to be shut down. But now it's on the verge of a 20-year extension, thanks to the state's mounting power needs.
Here's an inside look at Diablo Canyon amid its bid for relicensing (free gift link): www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Here's an inside look at Diablo Canyon amid its bid for relicensing (free gift link): www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Reposted by Michelle Ma
"workers are not allowed to wear masks on the front line, even if they want to" www.nytimes.com/2025/08/17/u...
Wildfire Fighters, Unmasked in Toxic Smoke, Are Getting Sick and Dying
www.nytimes.com
August 18, 2025 at 7:03 PM
"workers are not allowed to wear masks on the front line, even if they want to" www.nytimes.com/2025/08/17/u...
Reposted by Michelle Ma
New: My investigation into why a 2020 California law mandating ember-resistant zones around homes in wildfire areas hasn't been implemented. As climate threats accelerate, what aesthetic price are Californians prepared to pay to protect their communities? Free link.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
While Los Angeles Burned, Rules to Protect Homes From Wildfires Were On Hold
California passed a 2020 law requiring property owners to create ember-resistant zones. Here’s why it’s only now finishing regulations that could’ve saved LA homes.
www.bloomberg.com
August 12, 2025 at 2:59 PM
New: My investigation into why a 2020 California law mandating ember-resistant zones around homes in wildfire areas hasn't been implemented. As climate threats accelerate, what aesthetic price are Californians prepared to pay to protect their communities? Free link.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Reposted by Michelle Ma
I kind of cannot believe how much is on the agenda for the California legislature related to energy in the next month. An incomplete list to give a sense of the magnitude:
August 13, 2025 at 4:55 PM
I kind of cannot believe how much is on the agenda for the California legislature related to energy in the next month. An incomplete list to give a sense of the magnitude: