Science and Technology:
¶ “Microplastics In Our Air ‘Spiral The Globe’ In A Cycle Of Pollution, Study Finds” • A large amount of plastics get into the environment, where it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces. Eventually, tiny bits can be swept up by the wind to travel the atmosphere across entire continents, a study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found. [CNN]
Clouds (Rafael Garcin, Unsplash)
World:
¶ “US Heads To China For Climate Talks Ahead Of Biden Summit” • US envoy John Kerry is heading to Shanghai ahead of a climate summit President Joe Biden will host. The US wants China to stop building coal-fired power plants. China wants the US to give more cash to developing countries to obtain clean technology and adapt to climate change. [BBC]
¶ “63% Of Europeans Living In Cities Support EU Ban On Petrol And Diesel Car Sales After 2030” • Almost two-thirds of urban residents support banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in Europe after 2030, according to a YouGov online poll in 15 European cities. A phase-out of fossil-fuel car sales is an option now before EU lawmakers. [CleanTechnica]
Opinion poll (By YouGov – Please click on the image.)
¶ “Ford Mustang Mach-E Preorders Open In China” • The Ford Mustang Mach-E made for the Chinese market will be made in China. Preorders just opened for this new electric crossover/SUV in 20 Chinese cities, reportedly priced at $40,000 to $58,000. Will it be a home run for Ford in China, or will it flop like a soggy noodle? We shall see. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “New EU Emissions Rules Could Limit PHEV Market” • After Transport & Environment found that many plug-in hybrid cars offered in Europe actually pollute more than conventional cars, the blush is off the PHEV rose. New regulations may prohibit car makers from labeling them as “sustainable investments” and tighten nitrogen oxide rules. [CleanTechnica]
BMW X5 xDrive45e (BMW image)
¶ “Hyundai To Electrify Ubers In Europe” • Uber wants to lead the rest of the market in electrifying, and Europe is electrifying pretty darn fast. So, Uber’s got to get moving. Solution: Hyundai. Hyundai is apparently looking to move product, or just happy to help. It’s offering discounts to Uber drivers on the Kona Electric and IONIQ Electric. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Vestas Secures Faroe Islands Order” • Vestas secured an order for the 25-MW Torshavn onshore wind project, just outside the capital of the Faroe Islands. The deal for six V117-4.2 MW Vestas turbines is from Vindrøkt Sp/f, which is owned by Røkt and Effo. The Torshavn project will more than double the wind energy capacity of the Faroe Islands. [reNEWS]
Wind turbines (Vestas image)
¶ “547 Energy Partners Up To Create Multi GW Platform” • An affiliate of 547 Energy is to partner with European clean energy industry veteran Andy Kinsella, to create a portfolio of onshore wind, solar, and energy storage projects in Europe. The new company, Aer Soléir, is to develop, construct, own, and operate a multi-gigawatt platform. [reNEWS]
¶ “Estonia, Denmark Sign Largest Renewable Energy Agreement In Baltics” • Estonia and Denmark have signed a 10-year power purchase agreement that secures the equivalent of about half of Estonia’s annual electricity consumption in renewable energy. The agreement is for 3.8 TWh of renewable energy over 10 years starting in 2023. [news | ERR]
Offshore wind (European Wind Energy Association via Flickr)
¶ “Japanese regulator bans restart at nuclear plant over safety breaches” • Japan’s nuclear regulator prevented TEPCO, operator of the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant, from restarting its only operable atomic facility, after a series of safety breaches. This deals a significant blow to Japanese attempts to resume nuclear power generation. [The Guardian]
US:
¶ “CEC Announces Nation’s First Incentive Project For Zero-Emission Truck And Bus Infrastructure” • During a virtual event, the California Energy Commission announced approval of a first-of-its-kind project to accelerate the deployment of the infrastructure needed to fuel zero-emission trucks, buses, and equipment. [CleanTechnica]
Please click on the image to enlarge it.
¶ “Volkswagen ID.4 Pro: About $32,500 After Tax Credit, 260 Miles Of Range” • The Volkswagen ID.4 Pro (which has an 82 kWh battery) has received an EPA range estimate of 260 miles (418 km) on a single charge. Buyers also get unlimited charging at Electrify America’s ultrafast charging stations for 3 full years. The price is just $39,995. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “What The Dilly-O? Big Renewable Energy Bucks Head For Texas” • Word dropped that GS Group of Korea, the country’s 7th largest business group, is backing the new Energy Transition Ventures fund, which bills itself as the first such entity in Texas committed to disrupting the energy industry with seed money for promising clean tech startups. [CleanTechnica]
Houston (Courtesy of Energy Transition Ventures)
¶ “Vermont’s Lawson’s Finest Liquids Expands Renewable Energy Efforts With New Solar Canopy Project” • Lawson’s Finest Liquids unveiled plans for a 495-module solar canopy at its brewery and taproom in Waitsfield. Lawson’s Finest partnered with SunCommon on the project and expects it to be completed this summer. [Craft Brewing Business]
¶ “Capital Dynamics To Build 200-MW Indiana Solar” • Capital Dynamics and Northern Indiana Public Service Company, part of NiSource, have signed an agreement to bring 200 MW of solar energy to the state. Construction of the Elliot Solar project in Gibson County will begin in summer 2022 and commercial operations are to begin in summer 2023. [reNEWS]
Have a perfectly wonderful day.
geoharvey 
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