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Menlo Spark

@menlospark.bsky.social
70 followers 53 following 420 posts

Menlo Spark works to help Menlo Park achieve its goal of climate neutrality by 2030, and to help spread innovative climate policies throughout the Bay Area and more broadly.

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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Event next week (Pacific Time): actionnetwork.org/events/faith...
actionnetwork.org
Faith for Clean Air: What Bay Area Faith Leaders Need to Know
Faith for Clean Air: What Bay Area Faith Leaders Need to Know October 6 | 6:00–7:00 PM | Zoom Clean air is a matter of health, justice, and care for our neighbors. And right now, important decisions...
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Right To Zero @righttozero.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Even pizza tastes better when it's cooked in an all-electric oven.
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Some good points about the positives of teens on e-bikes: electrek.co/2026/09/30/e...
electrek.co
E-bikes are giving teenagers something we thought they’d lost
If you’ve spent any time reading local neighborhood social media groups lately – and for your mental health, I hope...
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
More EV fast-charging news. There's an argument that fast-charging eliminates the need for expensive, at-home EV-charging retrofits. I'm dubious for the short and medium term, but it might be right in the longer term. electrek.co/2026/09/25/g...
electrek.co
Geely's AI fast charging 'heals' EV batteries for 20% more cycle life
Geely's new AI fast charging uses micro-pulse currents to reverse lithium buildup from fast charging, claiming up to 20% more battery cycle life.
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Today's reading: www.solaracks.com/balcony-sola...
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Inside Climate News @insideclimatenews.org · 24/09/2026
More than 450,000 people are projected to die in the next six months from the additional heat brought by a super El Niño, according to estimates from climate scientists released Wednesday. The estimated heat death toll is on top of impacts from droughts, wildfires and floods.
insideclimatenews.org
Super El Niño to Cause 451,000 Heat Deaths - Inside Climate News
Climate scientists are calling the hotter temperatures resulting from El Niño a “postcard from the future.”
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Good news on EVs in Europe: www.semafor.com/article/09/2... EV sales projected to at least quadruple to 32% of US new car sales by 2030: news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...
semafor.com
European EV sales jump 50% amid soaring fuel prices
EVs now make up almost a third of sales on the continent, with even mega luxury brands joining the shift.
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Christina Scaringe @natureishome.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
'51% of Americans overall now say they are likely to purchase or lease an EV within the next five years' www.zeta.org/news/ahead-o...
zeta.org
Ahead of Climate Week, New Poll Finds EV Divide Is More Generational Than Political - ZETA
75% of Americans under 35 say they are likely to purchase or lease an EV within five years; 52-point age gap dwarfs 12-point partisan divide
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Right To Zero @righttozero.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Read @missionvespa.bsky.social's op-ed about a no-brainer bill awaiting @governor.ca.gov's signature! The Home Energy Choice Act is a practical way to avoid costly and unnecessary gas infrastructure investments. Plus, it will save customers money. calmatters.org/commentary/2...
calmatters.org
Opinion | California could save millions by paying homeowners to switch to electric appliances
Gov. Gavin Newsom considers paying homes to switch from gas to heat pumps and induction stoves — instead of funding gas line repairs.
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Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Natural gas demand on the California grid peaked in 2014 and has been falling ever since. Gas-fired electricity fell 15% last year, then another 26% in the first half of this year as solar and batteries continued to boom. insideclimatenews.org/news/1009202... via @dangearino.bsky.social
insideclimatenews.org
How California Is Kicking Its Natural Gas Habit - Inside Climate News
Solar and batteries matter, but they’re not the only reasons for the steep decline in gas-fired electricity.
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Very much not helpful. We have to emphasize this is an old plant with old standards no longer in use, but still not helpful. www.canarymedia.com/articles/bat...
canarymedia.com
Vistra’s Moss Landing grid battery is on fire yet again
The California facility, with its outdated building and battery design, had a catastrophic fire in 2025. Now, a new fire ignited during the…
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Many coal mines in the US, too.
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Climate change a likely cause of the massive deaths in Nepal, with Nepal's total and per-person emissions playing a trivial role. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Nepal to use new flood study to claim millions from UN climate disaster fund
A new study says climate change was a likely factor in the massive flood on the Nepal-Tibet border last month.
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Right To Zero @righttozero.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
AB 2313 is waiting on @governor.ca.gov's signature! 🖊 The bill will give Californians the freedom and funds for non-polluting appliances with money that would otherwise be spent replacing gas service lines. www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
sacbee.com
What are some of the California environmental bills the Legislature sent to Gavin Newsom?
The governor has until Sept. 30 to act on these and other measures.
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Bad news: Southern oceans could become a carbon source one atmospheric concentrations stabilize or decline. Somewhat good news: the switch to source is around 2150, giving us some time to deal with this. phys.org/news/2026-09...
phys.org
Southern Ocean may flip from carbon sink to carbon source under mitigation scenarios
Plans to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels depend on reaching net-zero emissions and, in many cases, actively removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air. While this...
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Utility-scale solar has no significant impact on nearby home values: electrek.co/2026/09/08/d...
electrek.co
Do wind and solar farms tank home values? A 20-year study has an answer
Ball State researchers analyzed two decades of Indiana home sales to see whether nearby wind and solar farms hurt property values.
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Learn better recycling! www.eventbrite.com/e/free-progr...
eventbrite.com
Free Program Takes the Guesswork Out of Recycling
Two Recology experts will explain proper sorting and answer all your questions about recycling.
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
They've been talking about wave power for decades. We'll see how it goes. www.msn.com/en-us/money/...
msn.com
MSN
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Jan Rosenow @janrosenow.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
In country after country we start to see EV sales up and ICE down. The lines cross in an X typical for transitions. Norway in 2019. Sweden and Nepal in 2023. Denmark and Singapore in 2024. Belgium and the Netherlands in 2025. Finland is crossing now. janrosenow.substack.com/p/the-car-in...
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Glaciers are highly localized, while permafrost is widespread under the right conditions. The effects of losing permafrost from climate change are both dramatic and subtle.
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Justin Gerdes @justingerdes.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
The California Legislature sent @asmmarcberman.bsky.social's Home Energy Choice Act (AB 2313) to @governor.ca.gov's desk. "Rather than being forced to have their gas hookups replaced, homeowners will get the choice to receive funds to electrify their homes." earthjustice.org/press/2026/c... 🔌💡
earthjustice.org
California Legislature Passes the Home Energy Choice Act
AB 2313 will give Californians the freedom and funds for non-polluting appliances with money that would otherwise be spent replacing gas service lines
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Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Big win for community solar in the California Legislature today: www.latimes.com/environment/... via @blancabegert.bsky.social
latimes.com
Solar power for renters would get easier with two bills now on the governor's desk
Renters could get access to solar panels if the governor signs two bills just passed by the Legislature.
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Interesting change of pace: an ebike rider describing the experience of riding gas bikes, instead of the usual reverse. electrek.co/2026/08/31/i...
electrek.co
I traded my electric motorcycle for a gasoline bike on vacation. It was pretty shocking
For the last few weeks, my wife and I have been hopping between islands in the Philippines, and like so...
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Just one study but it casts doubt on enhanced rock weathering, one of the more promising solutions in the difficult field of carbon dioxide removal. news.cornell.edu/stories/2026... Might still work in the "silver buckshot" frame of climate solutions, but with unclear buckshot size.
news.cornell.edu
Study casts doubt on carbon-removal method | Cornell Chronicle
A study led by Cornell researchers suggests the real-world potential of “enhanced weathering” — spreading crushed basalt on farmland as a way to removed CO2 — may be far smaller than widely cited esti...
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
New to me: an EV charger that will dial down when the load is high in the house. Looks like a way to make Level 2 charging accessible without panel upgrades. electrek.co/2026/08/25/4...
electrek.co
Need a panel upgrade for an EV charger? Schneider may have a workaround
Schneider's new smart 48-amp home EV charger manages household power to help some drivers avoid a costly electrical panel upgrade.
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Great news! Menlo Spark is very happy to have supported this. California is one of 50 states, but it's also about 10% of Americans that will soon have access to balcony solar.
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The Platypus Curve in Australia: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jltR...
youtube.com
Australia Killed the Duck Curve (With Batteries)
YouTube video by Engineering with Rosie
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Right To Zero @righttozero.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
The Home Energy Choice Act #AB2313 by @asmmarcberman.bsky.social will let families choose the energy that powers their homes.
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Warren Wells, AICP @warrenjwells.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Amazing study here. For every hour you ride a bike, you live one extra hour.
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Felix Hamer • electricfelix @electricfelix.eurosky.social · 17/08/2026
Matt Fernley: "An interesting chart highlighting the evolution of BEVs over the past 10 years. In 2015, the world's average BEV had a range of 200km and a price of US$42,000. By 2026, the range had doubled but the price had fallen by nearly a quarter." nitter.net/matt_fernley...
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Georgia is mapping where tidal marshes are likely to relocate due to sea level rise, if planning allows that to happen: grist.org/solutions/a-...
grist.org
A new plan to preserve Georgia’s marshes: Give them space to migrate
Environmental protections usually only cover existing ecosystems. A group of conservationists wants the state to take a longer view.
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Tesla had everything and is blowing it. electrek.co/2026/07/30/t...
electrek.co
Tesla hits 10 million vehicles — but its EV growth has stalled
Tesla built its 10 millionth vehicle, but its EV growth has stalled for two straight years and it's now producing well below its own installed capacity.
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Corey Cantor @coreybcantor.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Spoke with @jeffstjohn.bsky.social about the new California EV incentive program, passed by the legislature & gov that launched off of white paper by Atlas Public Policy & EVs for All America. Check out the piece 👇🔌🚗 www.canarymedia.com/articles/ele...
canarymedia.com
California to offer a novel $3,500 rebate for first-time EV buyers
Research shows that once drivers try an EV, they stick with them. That's why these incentives target those who’ve never owned one to maximize the bang for…
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Combining these graphs together, lead emissions from gas declined approx. 75% by 1980. Still too much lead in our environment, esp urban soil and small aircraft. Source: web.mit.edu/ckolstad/www...
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Induction boils water nearly twice as fast as gas: vimeo.com/363936356 And you can melt chocolate without annoying double boiler techniques.
vimeo.com
Nourishing Our Net Zero Future
Whose cuisine reigned supreme during a Multistudio Gas vs. Induction cookoff? We designed a hands-on learning experience for our employees to demonstrate the environmental, health, time and taste bene...
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International Energy Agency @iea.org · 27/07/2026
The tech sector isn’t just consuming energy – it’s also shaping supply It made up around 40% of all corporate power purchase agreements for renewables signed in 2025 Data centre deals alone covered about half of the sector’s current electricity use 👉 iea.li/4cfapmP
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Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Seriously how can you not love these?
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
[Me semi-listening to a statewide webinar on heat pumps aimed at contractors, not so much at us] Moderator: blah blah blah Menlo Spark in the Bay Area has case studies you can refer to for this- Me: [leaps up, jumps into the chat] Yes, Brian here from Menlo Spark, happy to answer questions....
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Toyota in a "sense of crisis" when it could have led the EV revolution a generation ago, and it still isn't fully committing to EVs. Some lessons for American companies if they pay attention. electrek.co/2026/07/20/t...
electrek.co
Toyota's next-gen Corolla EV takes center stage as a 'sense of crisis' reshapes the company
The world’s best-selling car of all time is going electric. Toyota’s next-generation Corolla EV will debut on a new platform...
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Michael Wara @michaelwara.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
As wildfire smoke blankets tens of millions of Americans, schools need a rethink of how they plan for and react to wildfire smoke events. Jessica Yu on our team spent two years deploying monitors in school classrooms to measure smoke intrusion into individual rooms.
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Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🇨🇦🍁🍁 @minibubbly.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
El Niño is here, and it’s already looking like it could be 'mind-blowing' 'I think we should prepare for some pretty significant impacts,' says climate scientist www.cbc.ca/news/science...
cbc.ca
El Niño is here, and it’s already looking like it could be 'mind-blowing' | CBC News
Temperatures in the El Niño region in the Pacific Ocean are the warmest they've been on record at this time of year. And the peak is still months away.
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
If you've been buying carbon-free power from your electricity provider, and then start producing your own, say by adding solar to your building, you're doing even more to help. The idea that replacing clean power with clean power makes no change is wrong, because of what happens next.
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Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Sometimes the headline says it all: "I’ve Seen More Improvement In Two Years Of Reviewing EVs Than I Did In A Decade Testing Gas Cars" insideevs.com/features/800...
insideevs.com
I’ve Seen More Improvement In Two Years Of Reviewing EVs Than I Did In A Decade Testing Gas Cars
As EVs rapidly improve in every key area, it's getting harder and harder to imagine a future for gasoline engines. They just can't keep up.
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Prof. Eliot Jacobson @climatecasino.net · 14/07/2026
Breaking News! Code UFB!!! As of July 13th, the global ocean sea-surface temperature has set a daily record for the 42nd day in a row. Yesterday's global sea-surface temperatures is 0.10°C hotter than any previous July 13th on record. Here's the breakdown, by decade:
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Will be interesting to see how the business case works out. People have been working on wave energy for a long time, would be great to see it become useful.
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
The ironic thing from the Republican perspective is that the Trump Administration increased taxes to stop clean energy, harming American competitiveness and increasing global warming. electrek.co/2026/07/09/t...
electrek.co
Trump clean energy rollbacks erase $68B in US investment
A new analysis from E2 says canceled US clean energy projects have wiped out nearly 470,000 jobs and $68 billion in investment.
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Zee207702🇨🇦🍁🍃🎃🐈‍⬛ @zee207702.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
www.cbc.ca/news/climate...
cbc.ca
Canadians design ice-resistant floating solar for cold climates | CBC Climate Change News
In this issue of our environmental newsletter, we check out a new design for a floating solar system designed for Canadian winters, see how Toronto boosted cycling to cut traffic during the World Cup ...
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Would be very interesting to hear a response from those in support of climate hushing. This all seems pretty damning.
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Should also require all new energy demand from data centers and crypto come from new renewable energy sources.
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Menlo Spark @menlospark.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Important legislation from our local Assemblymember Marc Berman: earthjustice.org/experts/matt...
earthjustice.org
Californians Deserve to Choose the Energy Source for their Homes — a New Bill Would Give Them the Freedom and Funds to Do So
The Home Energy Choice Act (AB 2313) is the biggest no-brainer of the state legislative session
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