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This Week in Cleantech (05/15/2026) - xAI grows data center gas fleet despite legal scrutiny

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This Week in Cleantech is a weekly podcast covering the most impactful stories in clean energy and climate featuring Paul Gerke of Factor This and Tigercomm’s Mike Casey.

This week's episode features special guest Molly Taft from WIRED, who discusses Elon Musk's AI company xAI's decision to add 19 natural gas turbines to its Colossus 2 data center in Southaven, Mississippi.

This week’s “Cleantecher of the Week” is fourth grader Christian Mango. At 10 years old, Christian researched electric vehicles, cited facts, and wrote to his U.S. congresswoman Virginia Foxx proposing a $5,000 federal EV tax rebate. When she responded by reprimanding Christian as foolish and his teachers as propagandists, Christian made national news for writing the letter. Congratulations Christian! 

This Week in Cleantech — May 15, 2026 

  1. Solar trade group taps former GOP governor as new chief — POLITICO
  2. Organic flow battery company CMBlu closes €50 million Series C — Energy Storage News
  3. Fervo IPO ushers geothermal energy into mainstream — Axios
  4. EDPR upbeat on US renewables market, sees profitable growth and new opportunities — Reuters
  5. xAI Adds 19 New Gas Turbines Despite Ongoing Lawsuit — WIRED

Want to make a suggestion for This Week in Cleantech? Nominate the stories that caught your eye each week by emailing  Paul.Gerke@clarionevents.com