Opinion:
¶ “Fracking Isn’t a Fairytale, It’s a Nightmare” Natalie Bennett, leader of the UK’s Green Party, says belief in “fairydust” – a magical solution to our energy needs – has been far too prevalent among far too many of their political leaders in recent months. [Huffington Post UK]
Science and Technology:
¶ The US DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory is studying the ability of wood borers to make enzymes that convert biomass into sugars, which can be used for the biofuels industry. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
World:
¶ Over the next three decades, world energy consumption is projected to increase by 56%, driven by growth in the developing world, according to International Energy Outlook 2013, released by the US Energy Information Administration. [Eurasia Review]
¶ A plan to ship 16 radioactive steam generators through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River for recycling in Sweden has been cancelled after delays caused by public opposition. [Lethbridge Herald]
¶ Two international nuclear experts invited to a nuclear reform monitoring panel took the organizer, TEPCO, to task for failing to keep the public informed about toxic water leaks at Fukushima Daiichi. Dale Klein, former NRC head told TEPCO they don’t know what they are doing. [The Japan Daily Press]
US:
¶ By a two-to-one margin, New Hampshire residents believe there should be a higher priority put on increasing the use of renewable energy instead of increased drilling for oil. Also, nine in 10 New Hampshire residents believe that climate change is happening now. [Foster’s Daily Democrat]
¶ The Obama administration is pushing plans for renewable energy projects on public land, banning new mining claims on more than 300,000 acres in the West to make sure the areas are available for solar power installations. But some conservationists are not happy. [Grist]
¶ US natural gas use needs to peak within 17 years in order to meet the Obama administration’s climate goals and prevent the worst impacts of global warming, according to the Center for American Progress said. [Platts]
¶ Kansas has more wind energy potential than any state except Texas, but eight states generate more windpower. A key problem: a lack of high-voltage electricity lines to connect the remote areas where turbines churn out power to the bustling regions that demand it. [Willits News]
¶ The government of Vermont has asked federal regulators to look into why radiation monitors failed recently at the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. [Vermont Public Radio]
¶ Federal regulators are worried that a security manager’s firing from a job at a nuclear plant could deter employees and contractors from questioning safety at one of the nation’s largest nuclear power stations. [FederalNewsRadio.com]
geoharvey 