Energy, Utilities & Environment

Hyderabad – September 22, 2026 -- Hyderabad-based deeptech firm Hylenr has completed Phase 1 independent validation testing of its Lattice Confinement Fusion (LCF) reactor at Texas A&M University's Nuclear Engineering Department, detecting elevated helium and argon signals two to three orders of magnitude above background levels.

Texas A&M tests reveal anomalous gas and thermal signatures in BRT-NiUCS-2 reactor

The study, titled 'Validation of Anomalous Heat and Nuclear Signatures in the BRT-NiUCS-2 Reactor: Phase 1 LCF Investigation,' examined the hydrogen-loaded nickel-palladium catalyst reactor using thermal measurement, residual gas analysis, radiation monitoring and post-reaction material characterization. Residual Gas Analysis via an SRS RGA 100 system under high-vacuum conditions found no corresponding rise in nitrogen, ruling out atmospheric leakage as the sole cause of the elevated helium, argon and neon readings.

Toronto – September 22, 2026 -- The United States Patent and Trademark Office has allowed BiomeRenewables Inc.'s Application No. 18/942094, covering the serration structure behind its FeatherEdge® wind turbine blade technology, the Canadian cleantech firm announced.

Patent covers owl-inspired serration design that cuts turbine noise

The application, titled "STRUCTURE WITH SERRATIONS ADAPTED TO TRAVERSE A FLUID ENVIRONMENT," protects Biome's double-dip serration design modeled on the silent flight of owls. The technology reduces aerodynamic noise from wind turbine blades while increasing power output, according to the company.

Beijing – September 22, 2026 -- China's AI-powered meteorological early-warning system "MAZU" has been deployed for cloud-based trials in more than 40 countries, including Pakistan, Ethiopia, the Solomon Islands, Jordan, Sri Lanka, Mongolia and Djibouti, since its 2025 launch.

China Meteorological Administration unveils AI system as first tool under UN Early Warnings for All initiative

Released by the China Meteorological Administration at the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, "MAZU" combines AI-based forecasting models, Fengyun satellite data, multi-source monitoring products and cloud computing infrastructure into a single early-warning platform. The system offers both standardized menu-style solutions and customized configurations for country-specific disaster risks.

Nevada – September 22, 2026 -- i-80 Gold Corp. has completed a feasibility study for its Granite Creek Underground project outlining initial proven and probable mineral reserves of 556,500 ounces of gold at 7.87 grams per tonne across 2.20 million tonnes.

Measured and indicated resources jump 229% versus March 2025 preliminary assessment

The updated mineral resource estimate shows measured and indicated resources rising to 3.73 million tonnes grading 7.17 g/t gold, containing 859,500 ounces, a 229% increase from the PEA published in March 2025. Inferred resources fell 38% to 0.89 million tonnes at 7.06 g/t gold (202,800 ounces) as infill drilling converted material into higher-confidence categories. The estimate incorporates roughly 36,470 meters of drilling from 164 core holes completed between 2023 and the end of 2025.

Mexico City – September 22, 2026 -- ESENTIA Energy Development, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: ESENTIA) has agreed to acquire 100% of Energía Occidente de México, S. de R.L. de C.V. (EOM) for a gross purchase price of US$400 million, the company announced.

The deal, signed today, gives ESENTIA the approximately 313-kilometer Guadalajara-Manzanillo natural gas pipeline system, which runs from Jalisco to the Pacific port of Manzanillo, Colima.

Acquisition links Permian Basin gas supply to the Pacific coast

The Guadalajara-Manzanillo System interconnects directly with ESENTIA's existing Villa de Reyes-Aguascalientes-Guadalajara (VAG) pipeline, operated by its subsidiary Esentia Pipeline de Occidente. Upon closing, ESENTIA says it would become the only private company operating an integrated natural gas pipeline network connecting the Permian Basin in Texas to Mexico's Pacific coast.

Winnemucca, Nev. – September 22, 2026 -- Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: HYMC) is finalizing technical assessments for underground development at its high-grade Brimstone and Vortex systems while evaluating a restart of heap leach operations at its Nevada mine. The Company paired the update with a rebranded corporate identity and redesigned website as it evaluates multiple pathways to unlock shareholder value in the second half of 2026.

Atlanta – September 22, 2026 -- Georgia Power and Google have filed a new agreement with the Georgia Public Service Commission that ties Google's subscription to nuclear capacity uprates at Plants Hatch and Vogtle, a move projected to deliver approximately $900 million in customer benefits over the life of the units.

Google subscription funds 96 megawatts of new nuclear capacity

The filings, submitted under Docket 44280 and Docket 56002, detail how Google's support for extended power uprates (EPUs) at Georgia Power's owned nuclear units will add roughly 96 megawatts of capacity to the state grid. The agreement requires PSC approval and introduces a new Nuclear Uprate (NU-1) tariff structure.

Phoenix – September 22, 2026 -- SWCA Environmental Consultants has launched Regulatory Radar, a subscription-based intelligence platform designed to help project teams anticipate environmental regulatory changes before they disrupt budgets, permitting timelines and compliance obligations.

Platform targets power, energy and infrastructure compliance teams

Regulatory Radar currently supports audiences focused on power and energy, infrastructure and construction compliance. Subscribers receive portal access and targeted alerts when regulatory developments may affect inspections, permits, schedules, budgets or compliance obligations.

Camden, N.J. – September 22, 2026 -- American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility in the U.S., has been named to the fourth edition of TIME's World's Best Companies list for 2026, a ranking produced with market research firm Statista Inc.

TIME and Statista evaluate 1,000 top global performers across three metrics

The ranking draws on survey data from more than 200,000 employees worldwide to gauge satisfaction, three-year revenue growth figures from Statista's revenue database, and sustainability transparency scored against standardized ESG KPIs. Companies were required to show positive revenue growth over the past three years to qualify for consideration.

American Water secures two additional TIME recognitions this year

Beyond the World's Best Companies list, American Water was also named to TIME's World's Most Sustainable Companies for 2026 and TIME's America's Best Companies for 2026.

Washington – – September 21, 2026 -- Elementl Power, an independent developer of utility-scale nuclear power projects, has appointed Robey Clark as senior vice president of Projects to oversee delivery of the company's 5-gigawatt (GW) development portfolio.

Clark takes charge of Elementl's 5 GW nuclear pipeline

Clark will hold executive oversight of Elementl's project management activities, coordinating closely with the company's Licensing and Regulatory Affairs team. His mandate covers the company's current 5 GW portfolio, including a 1.8 GW strategic development arrangement with Google and a 1.5 GW small modular reactor (SMR) project under active development in southeast Ohio. He will report to Elementl's Chief Projects Officer, Shawn Hughes.