Opinion:
¶ “More renewables for states” An overwhelming majority of Americans — Democrat and Republican, pro-business and pro-environment — support renewable energy, and for good reason. [Politico]
Science and Technology:
¶ A company called Advanced Rail Energy Storage has proposed running loaded boxcars on a steep track to store electricity. The energy cannot be dissipated over time, and the system is claimed to be 90% efficient. [The Green Optimistic]
World:
¶ Denmark is now getting 25% of its electrical power from offshore wind. The goal for 2020 has been increased from 35% to 50%. The hope is to eliminate coal-burning generation altogether within 20 years. [Design & Trend]
¶ New research from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia has drawn the conclusion that a “fully renewable” electricity system could not only be possible but cost-effective. [pv magazine]
¶ Ahead of the proposed commissioning of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, around 2,000 fishermen onboard 200 boats today laid siege to a housing colony of KNPP employees at Chettikulam as part of the ongoing protest. [Indian Express]
¶ The government of Quebec will issue no permits for uranium exploration or mining until an independent study into its environmental impact has been completed. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission says such a moratorium is not founded on science. [World Nuclear News]
US:
¶ Nevada’s largest utility plans to begin closing four coal-fired power plants northeast of Las Vegas and invest more money in renewable energy. [Reno Gazette-Journal]
¶ State House lawmakers in North Carolina are moving ahead with a proposal to freeze and repeal the state’s renewable energy standards. [WRAL.com]
¶ Owners of the San Onofre nuclear plant hope to get a license extension in time to start one reactor by June 1. A representative of the NRC says that schedule represents a challenge. [KPBS]
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