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 | [email protected] | She/her | Opinions mine | Based in LA
Pinned
Michelle Ma
@michellema.bsky.social
· Apr 10
Are you a federal worker or someone in the climate tech industry who wants to share information with me? I cover climate issues including carbon removal, hydrogen, batteries, the AI boom and the California climate/insurance nexus.
You can call or text me on Signal: +1 909 215 4343
You can call or text me on Signal: +1 909 215 4343
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:
Reposted by Michelle Ma
Carbon removal firm Noya shuts shop www.linkedin.com/posts/joshis...
Daniel and I recently made the decision to wind down operations at Noya. | Josh Santos | 43 comments
Daniel and I recently made the decision to wind down operations at Noya.
building Noya has been the single most fulfilling and challenging thing i’ve done in my career so far, and i’m so grateful to ...
www.linkedin.com
August 8, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Carbon removal firm Noya shuts shop www.linkedin.com/posts/joshis...
Companies with a climate proposition are juggling a trade war, rolled back federal support, jittery investors, you name it.
Amid all the chaos, one industry has been propping up clean tech: artificial intelligence.
My latest with @mchediak.bsky.social:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Amid all the chaos, one industry has been propping up clean tech: artificial intelligence.
My latest with @mchediak.bsky.social:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Money Is Raining Down on Green-Tech Firms That Have an AI Story
Long-unloved nuclear and geothermal are experiencing a boom in interest as data center developers seek carbon-free resources capable of delivering round-the-clock electricity to power artificial intel...
www.bloomberg.com
August 8, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Companies with a climate proposition are juggling a trade war, rolled back federal support, jittery investors, you name it.
Amid all the chaos, one industry has been propping up clean tech: artificial intelligence.
My latest with @mchediak.bsky.social:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Amid all the chaos, one industry has been propping up clean tech: artificial intelligence.
My latest with @mchediak.bsky.social:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Michelle Ma
Scoop: The U.S. billion-dollar disaster database is set to return this fall over at @climatecentral.org. They've hired the former NOAA scientist who ran the project for 10+ years www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Researchers Are Resurrecting Billion-Dollar Disaster Tool Trump Killed
Nonprofit Climate Central has hired the scientist behind a key database of costly weather disasters to rebuild it.
www.bloomberg.com
August 5, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Scoop: The U.S. billion-dollar disaster database is set to return this fall over at @climatecentral.org. They've hired the former NOAA scientist who ran the project for 10+ years www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Michelle Ma
Neil Jacobs - the weather scientist who was in charge at NOAA during "Sharpiegate" - is poised to come back.
“I’m hopeful that he’s learned how to fight within the political system," one former NOAA chief said, "because he is going to have to fight." / 1
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
“I’m hopeful that he’s learned how to fight within the political system," one former NOAA chief said, "because he is going to have to fight." / 1
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
US Weather Boss During ‘Sharpiegate’ Nears Return to a Shrinking Agency
Trump’s appointee to run the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has vowed to support the president's massive cuts.
www.bloomberg.com
August 4, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Neil Jacobs - the weather scientist who was in charge at NOAA during "Sharpiegate" - is poised to come back.
“I’m hopeful that he’s learned how to fight within the political system," one former NOAA chief said, "because he is going to have to fight." / 1
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
“I’m hopeful that he’s learned how to fight within the political system," one former NOAA chief said, "because he is going to have to fight." / 1
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Michelle Ma
NEW investigation: DOGE-Pilled
The full story on the transformation of 23 year-old Luke Farritor and how he ended up at the Department of Government Efficiency--slashing, dismantling, undoing--wielding a résumé that "didn’t pass muster”
NO PAYWALL!
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
The full story on the transformation of 23 year-old Luke Farritor and how he ended up at the Department of Government Efficiency--slashing, dismantling, undoing--wielding a résumé that "didn’t pass muster”
NO PAYWALL!
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
July 29, 2025 at 3:54 PM
NEW investigation: DOGE-Pilled
The full story on the transformation of 23 year-old Luke Farritor and how he ended up at the Department of Government Efficiency--slashing, dismantling, undoing--wielding a résumé that "didn’t pass muster”
NO PAYWALL!
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
The full story on the transformation of 23 year-old Luke Farritor and how he ended up at the Department of Government Efficiency--slashing, dismantling, undoing--wielding a résumé that "didn’t pass muster”
NO PAYWALL!
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Reposted by Michelle Ma
TOMORROW: Don't miss our virtual briefing featuring Heatmap's @kbrigham.bsky.social, @latimes.com's @sammyroth.bsky.social, @bloomberg.com's @michellema.bsky.social, and Eric Fischgrund of FischTank PR on the challenges of climate reporting in a rapidly changing political and economic landscape.
July 21, 2025 at 5:37 PM
TOMORROW: Don't miss our virtual briefing featuring Heatmap's @kbrigham.bsky.social, @latimes.com's @sammyroth.bsky.social, @bloomberg.com's @michellema.bsky.social, and Eric Fischgrund of FischTank PR on the challenges of climate reporting in a rapidly changing political and economic landscape.
Trump's sweeping immigration crackdowns are causing a brain drain to the climate tech sector, hurting the economy and energy transition, tech billionaire Vinod Khosla told my colleague @akshatrathi.bsky.social today at the Bloomberg Green Festival in Seattle.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Trump Immigration Policies Hit Climate Tech Talent Pipeline, Khosla Says
The billionaire venture capitalist said the Middle East, India and Europe are among the places that will benefit from the president’s crackdown on immigration.
www.bloomberg.com
July 15, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Trump's sweeping immigration crackdowns are causing a brain drain to the climate tech sector, hurting the economy and energy transition, tech billionaire Vinod Khosla told my colleague @akshatrathi.bsky.social today at the Bloomberg Green Festival in Seattle.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
President Donald Trump’s sweeping $3.4 trillion fiscal package is already creating opportunities for segments of the energy and climate industries that had fallen out of favor, struggled to grow or haven’t managed to break through.
My latest (gift link):
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
My latest (gift link):
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Trump’s Tax Law Throws Lifeline to Unloved Energy and Climate Sectors
From coal-fired power to a risky bet to cool the planet, these are the sectors likely to get a boost.
www.bloomberg.com
July 14, 2025 at 7:03 PM
President Donald Trump’s sweeping $3.4 trillion fiscal package is already creating opportunities for segments of the energy and climate industries that had fallen out of favor, struggled to grow or haven’t managed to break through.
My latest (gift link):
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
My latest (gift link):
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...