Opinion:
¶ If the marginal cost of solar and wind energy is close enough to zero (because there is no fuel cost), then the energy price in a 100 per cent wind and solar market is going to be zero – at least in the current market structure. But who would invest? [RenewEconomy]
World:
¶ A group of academics whose views on green energy underpinned a central plank of the Better Together campaign has published a shock U-turn report arguing that independence now offers the best way to meet Scotland’s renewables targets. [Herald Scotland]
¶ The Scottish National Party has condemned the UK government for failing to recognize the different needs of Scotland’s islands when introducing an energy strike price further to today’s announcements of the support prices for electricity generation. [SNP]
¶ The National Trust for Ireland, will go to the High Court in London for a two-day hearing to challenge the legality of the UK’s decision to grant permission to build and operate a new, two-reactor nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, Somerset, 150 miles from the Irish coast. [Agriland]
US:
¶ SunEdison, one of the world’s largest solar energy providers, last week introduced an innovative renewable energy project in partnership New York City. Mayor Bloomberg and SunEdison officials unveiled the partnership to build the City’s largest solar energy project. [EIN News]
¶ Last week, a committee in Massachusetts moved closer to banning hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) in the Bay State. This is a day after Texas, the epicenter of fracking in the United States, suffered a 3.6 magnitude earthquake. [ThinkProgress]
¶ California’s cap and trade market will expand in 2014 after a successful first year of operations that quelled fears of a European Union-style carbon allowance glut while powering a clean energy economic boom. [CleanTechnica]
¶ After suffering a power outage at last year’s game, the NFL looked for new ways to provide power for the 2014 Super Bowl. Energy company PSEG announced they partner with the NFL Environmental Program in order to provide renewable energy for Super Bowl XLVIII. [GetSolar.com]
¶ A proposed renewable energy project for the Hawaiian island of Molokai combines solar and stored hydroelectric power with the goal of 100% renewable energy for the island and lowered electric rates for local customers. [Molokai Dispatch]
¶ An alliance of corporations and conservative activists is mobilising to penalize homeowners who install their own solar panels – casting them as “freeriders” – in a sweeping new offensive against renewable energy, the Guardian has learned. [Raw Story]
¶ The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station was shut down early Tuesday morning after a problem with a valve, officials said. The valve was leaking steam used to drive the main turbine, Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman Neil Sheehan said. [Boston Globe]
¶ The Omaha Public Power District says it’s ready to bring the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station back online. In a filing posted to the US NRC’s website, OPPD outlined the steps it has taken to fix a laundry list of problems at the plant, which has not produced power for two years. [Omaha World-Herald]
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