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EPA nominee Lee Zeldin. Photo by SecretName101 on wikimedia

It looks like the next EPA head will likely be Lee Zeldin, a former New York Congressman and failed gubernatorial candidate, and he’s already promising policy moves that would make the air dirtier and increase health and fuel costs for Americans.

The nominee doesn’t have a particularly extensive environmental background, without a lot of specific advocacy on environmental topics.

As a result, various environmental protection organizations have released statements pointing out his poor record on environmental legislation in the past and expressing concern at his likely destructive rollbacks to come. In 2020, while he was in Congress, he received the worst environmental score out of the entire New York congressional delegation.

Estimations of the likelihood of these destructive actions can be informed by the period between 2017-2021, which was marked by severe corruption by two EPA heads with deep ties to the oil & gas and coal industries.

The first of those EPA heads, Scott Pruitt, gained prominence by suing the EPA to stop clean air, and in his tenure ended up being so corrupt that he was forced to resign – quite a feat given that administration’s over 3,700 conflicts of interest.

The second, Andrew Wheeler, was a coal lobbyist who tried to orchestrate a $70 billion bailout for the coal industry and showed incredible ignorance and mendacity when discussing the state of his own agency’s regulations.

What we do know about Zeldin’s plans were announced this morning, when he noted to the media that he wants to pull back on the EPA regulations of the last four years.

While we don’t know what specific regulations he intends to target, it is likely that there would be sweeping and/or scattershot actions to reduce the progress of the last four years. Regulations implemented by the EPA under President Biden will save Americans $250B/year in health and energy costs and save 200k lives in total.

Rolling back those regulations, as Zeldin has said he wants to do, would cost Americans money in the form of higher health and fuel costs, and would cause more death.

The reason these rollbacks would cause more death and higher costs is because they would increase air pollution, which is a major driver of death and disease and a major drain on economic productivity. The rollbacks would also increase costs because the targeted regulations are focused on efficiency, and reducing efficiency means higher energy costs for the nation in total.

We also know that Zeldin has received a similar amount of money from the oil & gas industry as Trump’s first corrupt EPA pick. Zeldin has received $269,608 in lifetime political bribes from the Oil & Gas industry – not his largest chunk of donations when sorted by industry, but still significant. This is similar to the pricetag on corrupt oil & gas stooge Scott Pruitt, who earned around $300k in bribes from oil & gas for his work to advance dirty air prior to his appointment as chief saboteur of the EPA.

In exchange for these relatively low pricetags, the richest and most destructive industry in the history of the world – which receives over $700 billion in subsidies yearly in the US alone – received significant boosts from destructive actions at the agency that is tasked with keeping the air you breathe clean.

Alongside his statements today, Zeldin also said that will make these rollbacks “while protecting access to clean air and water,” but it remains to be seen how that is possible. Given that the specific policy actions he has already suggested are incredibly destructive to clean air, this particular quote rings as if it may be untrue. He also said something about artificial intelligence, which it’s unclear what the EPA has anything to do with (unless he was referring to doing something about the massive unnecessary energy use from the sector, but that seems unlikely).

Zeldin said that he wants to ensure US “energy dominance,” which is unlikely to happen with any strategy that focuses away from the technologies of the future. The EPA’s actions of the last four years, and President Biden’s actions as a whole, have all coalesced around a strategy of bringing EV and battery manufacturing to the US so that the US can be ready to provide the products of the future.

Mr. Trump, in contrast, is already seeking to roll back the policies that have successfully led to hundreds of billions in investment and hundreds of thousands of jobs in green industry, despite him being ignorant of what those policies are in the first place.

While in Congress, Zeldin voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, the bill that brought those jobs and billions in investment to the US. But in yet another piece of Orwellian doublespeak, Zeldin said today that he wants to “bring back American jobs to the auto industry,” despite it being clear that he and Mr. Trump both want to roll back policies that have brought back American jobs to the auto industry.

All that said, Zeldin also was a member of a bipartisan “climate solutions caucus” in 2016, and voted against a republican amendment to slash EPA funding in 2020. So it’s not all bad, it’s just 86% bad.

And there is one more silver lining here. Earlier this year, the “Supreme” Court stupidly opined that government agencies should be restrained in their ability to do their jobs when it eliminated something called the Chevron doctrine.

You can read more about that here, but in short, the opinion would make it harder for EPA to change regulations going forward. So Zeldin might have his work cut out for him, as he will likely have to fight against the scientists at his own agency and the courts to implement the dirty-air policies that he has already indicated he wants to implement.

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Anker launches new SOLIX F3000 power station with up to $1,850 savings, Bluetti takes up to 50% off units + exclusive savings, more

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3 hours ago

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June 25, 2025

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Anker launches new SOLIX F3000 power station with up to ,850 savings, Bluetti takes up to 50% off units + exclusive savings, more

Headlining today’s Green Deals is Anker’s new SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station that is launching with up to $1,850 in possible savings across various packages starting from $1,699. Right behind it, there’s Bluetti’s early Prime Day Sale that includes an exclusive bonus 5% savings for our readers, which has models like the Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station dropping to a new $854 low, among others. There’s also Heybike’s 4th of July Sale with up to $600 taken off e-bikes and up to $198 in free accompanying gear starting from $999. Among our tool deals today, you’ll find EGO’s 56V 3,200 PSI Cordless Electric Pressure Washer bundle with two 6.0Ah batteries back at its $699 low, as well as the Greenworks 40V Combo Kit that gives you a 13-inch Cordless String Trimmer/Edger, a 350 CFM Leaf Blower, three spools of replacement line, and a 2.0Ah battery at a new $150 low. Plus, there’s all the rest of the hangover Green Deals in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s early Prime Day Sales from Jackery and Anker SOLIX, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Anker launches new modular SOLIX F3000 3,072Wh LiFePO4 station with up to $1,850 savings starting from $1,699

Anker SOLIX has officially launched its newest backup power solution and taking up to $1,500 off three limited offers through July 2. Things start with the SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station on its own for $1,699 shipped, which is also matching in price at Amazon. Outside of these initial savings, this new unit will carry a $2,599 price tag, which is reduced from the $900 markdown that sets the bar for future discounts. What’s more, the brand is also offering reduced add-on accessory discounts (on the station’s landing page), giving folks the chance to pick up the home backup kit for just $99 (normally $399) and/or the 120V generator input adapter at $49 (normally $99) – adding on an additional $350 savings should you take the opportunity. Head below to learn more about this model and its alternate bundle options.

The next in Anker’s lineup of modular backup power solutions, the new Anker SOLIX F3000 station is ready to tackle your out-of-home adventures alongside at-home emergencies with a starting 3,072Wh LiFePO4 capacity that can expand as high as 24kWh with the addition of the appropriate extra batteries (starting bundle below). It covers your devices and appliances with a max 3,600W power output that can double to 7,200W when two units are connected together, with four AC outputs, one TT-30R AC port, two USB-Cs, two USB-As, a DC port, and a car port.

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One standout feature in regards to the SOLIX F3000 power station’s recharging capabilities is the passthrough charging at up to 3,600W input that it can receive from a generator, making it far easier to deal with unexpected blackouts. There’s also the typical AC charging from a wall outlet, as well as the means to charge from an EV too. Of course, it comes solar-ready too, with dual inputs (165V or 60V) that can achieve up to max 2,400W speeds. There’s also a sleep mode that reduces idle energy, according to Anker, with it reducing idle energy drain when powering low-demand devices like computers, fans, and the like. For example, it “achieves 125 hours of AC idle standby time or runs a 190W fridge for 42 hours.” Head below for more.

Anker’s SOLIX F3000 launch deals (can customize on page):

You can learn more about Anker’s new SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station on the landing page here, and don’t forget about the other savings we’re seeing coming from the brand’s early Prime Day flash sales running through June 26 and 29.

Bluetti power stations

Get up to 50% discounts + bonus exclusive 5% savings on power stations during Bluetti’s early Prime Day Sale starting from $239

Bluetti has launched its early Prime Day Sale through July 7 with up to 50% discounts on power stations, as well as an exclusive extra 5% off sitewide code for our readers, the brand’s lucky wheel, and plenty of units getting free gear. Among the many offers during this event, Bluetti’s Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station is dropping to $854.05 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5TOYS5OFF at checkout for an additional 5% off. This model hit the scene back in November with a $1,699 price tag, which we’ve recently seen falling between $999 and $899 during sales. The deal here gets all the better thanks to the extra savings, giving you a combined $845 markdown that lands it at a new all-time low price.

Travelers and camping enthusiasts will be well supported by Bluetti’s Elite 200 V2 power station, which brings a 2,073.6Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity with it, dishing out steady power up to 2,600W, while also surging as high as 5,200W for hungrier large appliances. It has eight output port options to connect to your devices and appliances, featuring the brand’s Turbo Boost tech that has a built-in MPPT module for faster self-recharging rates. You can regain 80% of the battery in just 50 minutes by using both the AC and DC ports simultaneously, with additional ways to recharge through a wall outlet, your car’s auxiliary port, or by utilizing up to its max 1,000W solar input. Bluetti even designed it to work at “whisper-quiet levels,” which has it operate at 16dB so as not to disturb you if you charge it while sleeping or relaxing.

***Note: None of the prices below have had our exclusive sitewide extra savings factored in, so be sure to use the code 9TO5TOYS5OFF at checkout to score the best prices!

Bluetti’s top early Prime Day Sale backup units:

Bluetti’s early Prime Day Sale deals with free gifts:

  • AC200L (4,198Wh) with B300K expansion battery: $1,999 (Reg. $3,498)
    • comes with free tableware set
  • AC300 (2,764.8Wh) with B300K battery and three 200W panels: $2,099 (Reg. $3,999)
    • comes with free trolley
  • EP500Pro (5,120Wh) Solar Power Station: $2,699 (Reg. $3,999)
    • comes with free 200W solar panel
  • AC500 (5,529.6Wh) with two B300K batteries: $2,799 (Reg. $3,999)
    • comes with free trolley and two PO9D to P150D cables
  • AC200L (7,577.6Wh) with two B300K expansion batteries: $2,999 (Reg. $4,699)
    • comes with two free 200W solar panels
  • AC300 (8,294.4Wh) with three B300K batteries: $3,498 (Reg. $5,598)
    • comes with free trolley
  • AC500 (8,294.4Wh) with three B300K batteries: $3,799 (Reg. $5,599)
    • comes with free 350W solar panel and two P150D to PO9Dcables
  • Two AC500s (5,529.6Wh) with two B300K batteries and P030A cable: $3,899 (Reg. $5,999)
    • comes with free 350W solar panel and two P150D to PO9Dcables
  • AC300 (11,059.2Wh) with four B300K batteries: $4,499 (Reg. $7,697)
    • comes with free trolley
  • And much more…

There’s plenty of more deals to browse during Bluetti’s early Prime Day Sale, which you can find on the landing page here.

Heybike CityRun commuter e-bike

Save $698 on Heybike’s CityRun commuter e-bike with a 55-mile range at $1,099 in 4th of July Sale

Heybike has launched its 4th of July Sale through the upcoming holiday with up to $600 in price cuts and up to $198 in free bundled gear accompanying purchases. Aside from the usual pricing we’re seeing on the popular Mars 2.0 and Ranger S e-bikes, you’ll find a solid commuting option in Heybike’s CityRun Urban Commuter e-bike for $1,099 shipped that also comes with a free front basket and large rear basket. This model normally goes for $1,599 at full price, which we’ve been seeing regularly brought down to $1,099 in recent sales, though we’ve seen it go lower in the past to $999, as well as the $899 low last seen during Black Friday and Christmas sales. You’ll be getting a $500 markdown here along with the $198 bundled gear for $698 in total savings.

The Heybike CityRun e-bike cruises along with a 500W brushless geared hub motor (peaking at 1,000W) paired with a 720Wh battery, giving you up to 55 miles of travel with pedal assistance activated and support up to a top 21 MPH speed. What’s even better is the inclusion of the brand’s higher-power 4A charger that refuels the battery in just four hours’ time. PAS is divided into three different levels and comes supported by a torque sensor.

It’s got some notable upgraded features over other models in the same price range, like the hydraulic disc brakes and hydraulic suspension. You’ll also find it comes stocked with 26-inch by 2.5-inch tires, fenders over each, a 7-speed Shimano derailleur, an auto-on LED headlight, a turn-signaling taillight, a rear cargo rack with a 120-pound payload, and a smart LCD display.

Heybike’s other 4th of July e-bike deals:

EGO Power+ 56V 3,200 PSI Cordless Electric Pressure Washer

Take this EGO 56V 3,200 PSI cordless electric pressure washer with two 6.0Ah batteries anywhere at a $699 low

Amazon is bringing back the low price on the EGO Power+ 56V 3,200 PSI Cordless Electric Pressure Washer that comes with two 6.0Ah batteries for $699 shipped. Typically fetching closer to $799 over the last year or more, the Amazon low we spotted going in and out of stock since March is now available once again. You’ll be getting a $100 markdown while the savings last, giving you a portable and powerful means to complete outdoor cleaning at the best price we have tracked.

It’s not often we see electric pressure washers with 3,000+ PSI power, and even rarer to find ones that are battery-powered, but this cordless EGO model picks up both those titles with a max 3,200 PSI alongside a 1.2 to 2.0 GPM flow rate. There are three cleaning modes to tackle varying jobs around the house (Eco, High, and Turbo), and it comes with two 6.0Ah batteries for up to 60 continuous minutes of runtime, while also being interchangeable with other batteries from the brand.

While those features would normally be quite the standout, another notable design is the dual connection points for water sources – one being for a standard garden hose and the other for the included siphon hose that you simply need a fresh water source to drop into. The package is rounded out with five different nozzles, a 25-foot high-pressure hose, a foam cannon, a filter, and a wand that sports an integrated display to keep an eye on battery levels.

Greenworks 40V 13-inch cordless string trimmer/edger and leaf blower combo kit

Greenworks’ 40V 13-inch cordless trimmer/edger and blower kit + 3 bonus spools at new $150 low

Amazon is offering the Greenworks 40V 13-inch Cordless String Trimmer/Edger and Leaf Blower Combo Kit with three spools of replacement line and a 2.0Ah battery at $150.36 shipped. This packaged bundle would normally fetch $190 at full price, which is the price we’re seeing direct from the brand’s website right now. Discounts over the past year have been regularly been going as low as $152, which is getting beaten out here by the 21% markdown that saves you $40 off the going rate at the lowest price we have tracked.

This budget-friendly combo kit from Greenworks is ready to help you clear your walkways/driveway of overgrown weeds this summer with the combination of the string trimmer/edger and the blower. The 13-inch trimmer quickly converts into an edger to shape up the boundaries of your lawn at the push of a button. It’s ready to tackle jobs from multiple angles thanks to the 90-degree rotating head, while the telescoping shaft allows users of various heights to find comfort while working. There’s also an auto line feed featured that makes replacing broken lines all the faster – not to mention all the replacement line you’re getting with the bonus spools. It’s all rounded out by the 350 CFM leaf blower that has a lightweight and ergonomic design to prevent fatigue during longer jobs.

Best Spring EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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BP shares rise on takeover speculation; Shell denies

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5 hours ago

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June 25, 2025

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BP shares rise on takeover speculation; Shell denies

Shell in early talks to acquire BP in deal valued near $80 billion, reports say

BP shares were whipsawed Wednesday as investors reacted to reports that the oil major might be acquired.

BP shares jumped more than 10% to a session high of $32.94 on a report in The Wall Street Journal that Shell was in early-stage talks to acquire BP. The report, which cited people familiar with the matter, said a deal was far from certain.

Shell, however, subsequently denied talks were talking place. BP shares retreated and were last up about 2%.

“This is further market speculation. No talks are taking place,” a Shell spokesperson told CNBC. “As we have said many times before we are sharply focused on capturing the value in Shell through continuing to focus on performance, discipline and simplification.”

It is unlikely Shell would purchase the entirety of BP, people familiar with the matter told CNBC’s Brian Sullivan. It is more likely that BP would be split and sold in pieces to multiple companies if a deal did transpire, the people said.

BP has underperformed Shell and U.S. rivals as it has struggled to find direction in recent years, fueling speculation that the British oil major is an acquisition target.

BP set ambitious goals five years ago to slash carbon dioxide emissions and invest in renewable energy. But its green pivot came under scrutiny as profits faltered. BP announced a strategic reset earlier this year, doubling down on oil and gas while slashing spending on renewables.

Activist investor Elliott Management disclosed in April that it has built a stake of more than 5% in BP, fueling speculation that the oil major would come under pressure to focus on its core fossil fuel business.

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BYD is selling more EVs than ever, so why is it trimming production in China?

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6 hours ago

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June 25, 2025

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BYD is selling more EVs than ever, so why is it trimming production in China?

BYD-cutting-EV-production

BYD is coming off its best sales month of the year after slashing EV prices in late May. However, it may not be enough, as several sources claim BYD is cutting production in China due to slowing sales.

Why is BYD cutting EV production in China?

With nearly 382,476 new energy vehicles (NEVs) sold globally in May, BYD notched its best sales month of 2025.

Like most carmakers in China, BYD reports monthly NEV sales, which include fully electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).

BYD’s sales are up 39% through the first five months of the year, with over 1.76 million NEVs sold worldwide. Not including its commercial vehicles, BYD’s passenger vehicle sales are up 37% through May, with over 1.73 million units sold.

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Its battery-electric vehicles (EVs) are leading the growth, with sales up 40% through the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

According to a few sources, it may still not be enough as BYD vehicles begin to pile up in China. Two people close to the matter told Reuters on Wednesday that BYD has trimmed production at several factories in China. It’s also reportedly delaying plans to add lines to expand output.

BYD-cutting-EV-production
BYD Seagull EV testing with God’s Eye C smart driving system (Source: BYD)

The sources claimed that BYD has cut night shifts and reduced capacity at some plants by at least a third as it faces rising inventory.

Although BYD has yet to confirm, one of the sources reported that at least four BYD plants are now operating at a slower pace.

One source said that the move was aimed at cutting costs and improving efficiency, while the other claimed it was due to BYD failing to meet its sales target.

BYD-cutting-EV-production
(Source: BYD)

If true, the claims could be pretty significant, given BYD’s aggressive price cuts last month. On May 23, BYD slashed prices by up to 34% on 22 of its vehicles.

BYD still expects to sell around 5.5 million vehicles this year, a nearly 30% increase from 2024. Last year, BYD sold over 4.72 million NEVs, up 41% from 2023. However, its annual growth rate has slowed over the past few years.

BYD-EVs-Europe
BYD “Xi’an” car carrier loading Dolphin Surf EVs for Europe (Source: BYD)

According to data from CnEVPost, BYD’s annual sales growth rate has declined from 218% in 2021 to 208% in 2022 and 62% in 2023.

A survey from the China Automotive Dealer Association last month found that BYD dealers held one of the highest inventory levels, with an average of 3.21 months. In comparison, the industry-wide average was 1.38 months.

Electrek’s Take

With an intensifying EV price war and a wave of low-cost domestic cars flooding the market, Chinese automakers, including BYD, are now looking overseas to drive growth.

BYD is coming off its sixth straight month with record overseas sales in May after selling over 89,000 NEVs outside of China.

After it topped Tesla in monthly vehicle registrations in Europe and the UK this year, BYD launched its most affordable EV earlier this month. The Dolphin Surf is the European version of its top-selling Seagull EV, which can be bought for under $8,000 in China right now.

BYD’s Dolphin Surf arrives as one of the most affordable vehicles in the UK, starting at just £18,650 (about $25,000).

During the launch event, BYD’s special advisor for Europe, Alfredo Altavilla, called (via Autocar) the Dolphin Surf “the missing piece in the A/B-segment.”

According to Altavilla, BYD is launching vehicles in Europe at a faster rate than any other carmaker. “I have zero problem in saying I don’t think there has ever been such a product offensive done in Europe as the one BYD is doing,” he said during the event.

BYD’s sales are expected to double in Europe this year to around 186,000 units. By 2029, S&P Global Mobility forecasts BYD’s sales could reach around 400,000 in Europe. Between its new plants in Hungary and Turkey, BYD is expected to have a combined annual production capacity of over 500,000 units.

And Europe is just one global market. BYD is already a leading EV brand in overseas markets like Brazil, Thailand, Australia, and several other key markets.

Even if the sources’ claims that BYD is cutting production in China are true, the world’s leading EV maker is still expected to see significant growth overseas over the next few years.

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