Opinion:
¶ “Our climate plans are in pieces as killer summer shreds records” • Deadly fires have scorched swaths of the Northern Hemisphere this summer, from California to Arctic Sweden and down to Greece on the sunny Mediterranean. Drought in Europe has turned verdant land barren, while people in Japan and Korea are dying from record-breaking heat. [CNN]
California wildfire
¶ “A high-stakes debate looms on wildfire costs” • A raging debate is emerging over who should pay for the damage of California wildfires. PG&E and other utilities say it is unfair to make them pay for damage caused by power equipment, unless they were negligent. Under the present rules, utilities are on the hook regardless of fault. [Santa Rosa Press Democrat]
World:
¶ “How Investment in Renewable Energy Can Reduce Poverty in Zambia” • In the past, 98% of Zambia’s electricity came from hydro plants, but with a continuing drought, energy industry experts advise hydroelectric-reliant countries like Zambia to invest in alternative energy. The Zambian government has responded to the crisis with a number of initiatives. [Borgen Project]
Rooftop solar system in Zambia
¶ “India’s Renewable Investments Near $20 Billion” • For the first time in history, investing in India’s renewable energy sector surpassed that of traditional fossil fuel-based power production. India achieved this feat in 2017, according to the recent numbers released in the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Investment 2018 report. [OilPrice.com]
¶ “Conservative MPs who called for onshore wind ban out of step with constituents, poll reveals” • Three years ago, 79 Conservative MPs signed an open letter in which they called for a block on new onshore developments in England. New polling for 10:10 Climate Action suggests that nearly 75% of their constituents disagree with them. [The Independent]
Wind farm (Adrian Dennis | AFP | Getty Images)
¶ “New efforts at Edmonton Heritage Festival aim to make it more eco-friendly” • Thousands of people are expected to pass through Edmonton’s Heritage Festival this weekend and organizers are stepping up efforts to reduce the event’s carbon footprint. A large solar array with 42 modules was set up to power the newcomers tent at the festival. [Globalnews.ca]
¶ “Hot weather forces 4 French nuclear reactors to shut down” • Four French nuclear reactors in three power plants near the Rhine and the Rhone Rivers have had to be temporarily shut down. EDF said this was done to avoid overheating the rivers. Nuclear power plants use water from the rivers to cool their reactors, but this heats the rivers. [WTNH.com]
Fessenheim nuclear plant (Florival fr, Wikimedia Commons)
US:
¶ “11 GW of Texas solar would complement existing wind power” • A study by UT-Austin finds that 11 GW of solar power would be the optimal capacity to complement existing wind generation in meeting electricity demand of Texas throughout the year. While the results reflect a carbon price scenario, they may still provide near-term guidance. [pv magazine USA]
¶ “Alliant Energy will eliminate coal from energy mix by 2050” • Alliant Energy says it will eliminate coal from its energy mix by 2050. The company also has a goal to cut carbon emissions by 80%. While the Paris Accord calls for reducing carbon 32% below 2005 levels by 2030, Alliant Energy’s plans enable a 40% reduction by that time. [REVE]
Power lines
¶ “AG Sides with Power-Plant Opponents in Water Case” • Rhode Island’s attorney general is supporting a court case that challenges the proposed Burrillville power plant. He filed an amicus brief, or letter of support, saying the town of Johnston is not allowed to sell water it buys from Providence to the proposed Clear River Energy Center. [ecoRI news]
¶ “Solar powering major portion of Ogden Rescue Mission” • In Utah, officials at the Ogden Rescue Mission say a PV system there will free up money to help Ogden’s homeless better. Work has been completed on a 131-panel rooftop solar array at the mission. Officials say it will help the organization save more than $6,000 a year on energy costs. [Standard-Examiner]
Ogden Rescue Mission PVs (Matt Herp | Standard-Examiner)
¶ “New solar farm to locate in Edgecombe” • Invenergy, which is based in Chicago, will be constructing a $100-million-plus solar farm in North Carolina. Reportedly, development and permitting are ongoing for the 600-acres Edgecombe Solar Farm. It is expected to bring $2.5 million in new tax revenue to Edgecombe County. [Rocky Mount Telegram]
¶ “Developer Franklin L. Haney reportedly offered $10 million to Trump attorney to help secure federal loan for Bellefonte” • The president’s former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, was offered $10 million to secure $5 billion in federal loan guarantees for development of a former TVA nuclear plant, The Wall Street Journal reported. [Chattanooga Times Free Press]
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