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Michelle Ma

@michellema.bsky.social

9.1K followers 1.5K following 59 posts

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

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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

Michelle Ma @michellema.bsky.social · 5d

The story comes a day after my colleague @arinatter.bsky.social broke the news that the US Energy Department plans to cancel $7.6 billion of projects. That includes an award for CarbonCapture's regional direct air capture hub project.

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Trump’s $7.6 Billion Energy Cuts Hit California Grid Upgrade

The Trump administration’s plan to cancel billions of dollars for energy projects following the US government shutdown includes an initiative to upgrade electric transmission lines in California.

www.bloomberg.com

Michelle Ma @michellema.bsky.social · 5d

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...

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

Reposted by Michelle Ma

Lili Pike @lilipike.bsky.social · 13d

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...

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

Michelle Ma @michellema.bsky.social · 12d

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...

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

Michelle Ma @michellema.bsky.social · Sep 5

Adding onto this list, I now also write about the western utilities (PG&E, Edison, etc.) and geothermal energy! Reach out if you work in these fields.

Michelle Ma @michellema.bsky.social · Aug 20

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...

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

Reposted by Michelle Ma

Zoë Schlanger @zoeschlanger.bsky.social · Aug 18

"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

Reposted by Michelle Ma

Todd Woody @toddwoody.bsky.social · Aug 12

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...

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

Reposted by Michelle Ma

Michael Wara @michaelwara.bsky.social · Aug 13

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

Akshat Rathi @akshatrathi.bsky.social · Aug 8

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

Michelle Ma @michellema.bsky.social · Aug 8

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...

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

Reposted by Michelle Ma

Lauren Rosenthal @laurenthal.bsky.social · Aug 5

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

Reposted by Michelle Ma

Lauren Rosenthal @laurenthal.bsky.social · Aug 4

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...

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

Reposted by Michelle Ma

Jason Leopold @jasonleopold.bsky.social · Jul 29

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...

Luke Farritor. Portrait of a Young DOGE Coder Dismantling America’s Institutions

Reposted by Michelle Ma

Heatmap News @heatmap.news · Jul 21

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.

Michelle Ma @michellema.bsky.social · Jul 15

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...

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

Michelle Ma @michellema.bsky.social · Jul 14

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...

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

Michelle Ma @michellema.bsky.social · Jul 14

Join me at 10am PT/1pm ET for a live Q&A 👇

Bloomberg News @bloomberg.com · Jul 14

TODAY: What's the future of US solar, wind and EV projects under Trump's tax law?

Ahead of #BloombergGreen Seattle, @akshatrathi.bsky.social, @michellema.bsky.social, @arinatter.bsky.social and @mchediak.bsky.social will answer your questions.

🎧 Tune in to our Live Q&A at 1pm EDT: bit.ly/44tYaPx

Michelle Ma @michellema.bsky.social · Jul 8

The tragedy in Texas ranks among the costliest and deadliest flash floods in US history.

From 1980 through last year, flooding killed hundreds of people nationwide and inflicted at least $203.3 billion in losses, according to data from NOAA's NCEI.

My story: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Texas Disaster Adds to US Flood Costs That Exceed $200 Billion

The deluge in Texas last week ranks as one of the deadliest and costliest flash floods in US history, highlighting the mounting threat to communities that aren’t prepared for extreme rainfall.

www.bloomberg.com

Michelle Ma @michellema.bsky.social · Jul 2

My colleagues @mslaurabliss.bsky.social and @rachaeldottle.bsky.social did a deep dive into the toxic landfill problem making communities across the US sick.

Free gift link: www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...

America’s Overheated Landfills Have Been Making People Sick

Beneath layers of waste, landfills around the US have been reaching scorching temperatures, spewing toxic gases and geysers of trash juice.

www.bloomberg.com

Michelle Ma @michellema.bsky.social · Jun 30

If passed, the new Senate plan would threaten billions of dollars of clean energy investments and risk causing household energy bills to spike higher.

ACP: New tax would raise clean energy costs $4 bn to $7 bn
Rhodium: 10% to 20% cost increase

Gift link:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Solar, Wind Industries See Existential Threat in Senate Tax Bill

A proposed excise tax would exacerbate the pain from the phaseout of subsidies.

www.bloomberg.com

Michelle Ma @michellema.bsky.social · Jun 25

Nearly six months out from the Los Angeles area wildfires, toxic smoke damage is still making it hard for some victims to move on. Investigations and lawsuits are mounting against insurers.

My latest on California's mounting insurance and climate crisis: www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

Homes With Toxic Smoke Damage Deepen Insurance Nightmare in LA

Months after fire tore through Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades neighborhood, homeowners are struggling to get reimbursed — not for houses reduced to rubble, but for the damage of smoke and toxins in th...

www.bloomberg.com

Reposted by Michelle Ma

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · Jun 17

SCOOP: DHS Sec. Kristi Noem directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to prepare a memo on how to abolish itself and create a re-branded, radically smaller disaster response organization, according to a copy of the document reviewed by Bloomberg News. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

‘Abolishing FEMA’ Memo Outlines Ways for Trump to Scrap Agency

In a newly revealed March memo, officials proposed ways to dramatically curtail the US government’s disaster response role, such as by ending aid for smaller disasters and cutting housing funds for su...

www.bloomberg.com

Reposted by Michelle Ma

Lauren Rosenthal @laurenthal.bsky.social · Jun 4

The National Hurricane Center has at least 4 empty positions for meteorologists, according to its website. But Commerce Sec. Howard Lutnick says it’s “fully staffed” + ready for storms. Story w/ @weathersullivan.bsky.social @alicia-diaz.bsky.social (free link) www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Lutnick Says Hurricane Center’s Fully Staffed Despite Key Vacancies

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told a congressional hearing that the US National Hurricane Center was fully staffed even though key positions are going unfilled as hurricane season begins.

www.bloomberg.com

Reposted by Michelle Ma

Akshat Rathi @akshatrathi.bsky.social · Jun 5

How to deal with shortage of skilled workers:

- Increase immigration
- Poach from others
- Retrain existing workers
- Train new workers

Immigration is out of favor. Poaching is limited. Retraining is not easy. Training takes years.

No easy way out!

🎁 link

www.bloomberg.com/features/202...

There Aren’t Enough Engineers to Meet the World’s Growing Hunger for Power

Aging population and anti-immigration rhetoric in rich countries are forcing companies building electricity infrastructure to find creative solutions

www.bloomberg.com