Opinion:
¶ Five nuclear reactors have been shuttered in the United States in recent months, signaling a “rapid-fire” industry retreat that will only get worse, according to a recent study by the Institute for Energy and the Environment. [Fox News]
Science and Technology:
¶ Neste Oil and Raisioagro have launched a research project to investigate the potential of waste straw as a raw material for producing renewable diesel. Large quantities of waste straw are produced but little is currently used. [WebWire]
World:
¶ The EU Energy Commissioner warned Germany about cutting renewable energy subsidies. The Commissioner suggests that such actions could cause damage to investor confidence and reduce of renewable energy development. [Hydrogen Fuel News]
¶ Greek construction firm Ellaktor has posted a 26.4 per cent rise in its wind farm revenues for the first half of 2013, despite an overall drop of four per cent for the company. [NewNet]
¶ Japanese Prime Minister Abe said the government “will step forward and implement all necessary policies” to deal with the flood of radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi plant. [Reuters India]
¶ The Japanese government on Tuesday said it would spend the equivalent of $470 million to try to tackle the toxic water crisis at the country’s crippled nuclear power plant. [CNN]
US:
¶ Figures from industry experts Wiki-Solar show total installed capacity in the nation is now 3051 MW from 98 facilities, with 25 new sites totalling 1488 MW added so far in 2013. [reNews]
¶ More wind and solar energy users in Michigan are getting billing credit for excess power they generate. A state report shows net metering production increased by 55% from 2011 to 2012. [Iron Mountain Daily News]
¶ Both members of Vermont’s MiddleburyCollege community and environmentalists are dismayed over the institution’s decision not to divest its nearly $1 billion endowment from the fossil fuel industry. [Addison County Independent]
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