Opinion:
¶ “Red-State Voters Want Clean Energy Too. Just Ask Nebraska” • Nebraska turned more than a few heads recently when its public officials adopted net-zero carbon goals for electricity. Renewable energy enjoys support among voters regardless of their politics. While Democrats may be motivated by the climate, Republicans see economic benefits. [CleanTechnica]
Nebraska (Taylor Siebert, Unsplash)
¶ “Methane Is Killing Us. Does Anyone Care? Does Anyone Even Know?” • We know that methane burns cleaner than coal. But exploring for, drilling, compressing, and transporting the stuff causes massive amounts of environmental damage. Some scientists estimate methane emissions in the atmosphere account for 30% of global warming. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Why Europe Is So Dependent On Russia For Natural Gas” • The EU is especially dependent on Russian energy, which is becoming increasingly unsustainable. The Washington Post reported the EU is making plans for energy independence from Russia, citing anonymous sources. The plan is expected to be announced next week. [CNBC]
Nord Stream pipeline route (Samuel Bailey, CC-BY-SA 3.0)
World:
¶ “Oil Rises As Russia Invasion Nears Ukraine Capital” • Oil prices rose on Friday amid investor concerns over tightening supplies as Russian’s invasion of Ukraine entered its second day. The price of Brent crude oil rose by more than 2% to $101 (£75) a barrel as fighting appeared to intensify near the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. [BBC]
¶ “How Exxon, BP, And Shell Help Russia Pump Oil And Gas” • Any action that affects Russia’s energy interests will highlight the role played by some of the West’s biggest Oil & Gas players, which have provided billions of dollars for Russia and are some of the country’s leading foreign investors. Here is information on who they are and how they are involved. [CNN]
LNG tanker (Diogo Hungria, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Carbon-Free Food Deliveries In Melbourne, Australia” • In Melbourne, CERES Fair Food wanted to provide carbon-free food deliveries. It borrowed from CORENA the money to buy two Ford eTransit vans and install Zappi solar smart chargers. This allowed it to get the most use out of its excess solar output from PVs on its warehouse roof. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Gogoro Goes Big With One Millionth Swappable Battery” • The battery-swapping leaders at Gogoro have secured a place at the head of the pack with their millionth battery. The company started 2015, went to fundraising in 2017, and has one million batteries in use, making it Taiwan’s battery swap standard for two-wheeled vehicles. [CleanTechnica]
Battery swap station (Gogoro image)
¶ “What’s The Construction Industry Blueprint To Cut Carbon?” • The construction industry has focused on improving building design for decades. But now, as actors across the value chain see the need to increase decarbonization actions, more architects, builders, and contractors are investing in design innovation for sustainable construction. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “NSW Looks To Quadruple Size Of First Renewable Energy Zone After Eraring Closure” • The government of New South Wales unveiled a new corridor for major transmission lines that could help it quadruple the size of the Central-West Renewable Energy Zone, one of five being created to replace coal stations that are closing. [Renew Economy]
Crudine Ridge wind farm (CWP Renewables image)
¶ “Fortescue Strikes Deal With Queensland For Green Hydrogen Transmission Link” • Fortescue Future Industries got support from Queensland’s government to connect two proposed green hydrogen projects to the grid so that they can access supplies of renewable electricity. One of the projects would produce 55,000 tonnes of hydrogen each year. [Renew Economy]
¶ “Russian Forces Seize Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant” • The Russian military forces seized control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Ukrainian officials say. A presidential adviser said the “totally pointless attack” on Thursday amounted to “one of the most serious threats in Europe today.” The danger goes far beyond the borders of the Ukraine. [BBC]
Empty buildings at Chernobyl (Viktor Hesse, Unsplash)
US:
¶ “Offshore Wind Done Right” • We need offshore wind, and we need to do it right. Developing a strategy to protect the imperiled right whale population from day one of commercial-scale offshore wind development in US waters showcases the Biden administration’s commitment to fight climate, and to stem biodiversity loss. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Mixed Water Supply Conditions In The Northwest Affect 2022 Hydropower Outlook” • NOAA’s Northwest River Forecast Center released its latest water supply forecast for the 2022 water year, which runs from October 2021 through September 2022. This covers a third of the US hydropower capacity, so it has bearing on fuel prices. It is at near normal. [CleanTechnica]
Columbia River (Hannah, Unsplash)
¶ “New Mexico Grand Opening Of Pattern Energy’s Western Spirit Wind, Largest Renewable Project In US History” • Pattern Energy Group LP commissioned its Western Spirit Wind power facilities. Western Spirit Wind consists of four wind projects with a total capacity of over 1,050 MW, enough to provide for annual needs of 900,000 Americans. [Los Alamos Daily Post]
¶ “Feds Rescind License Extension For Florida Nuclear Plant” • NRC officials reversed a decision to allow the Turkey Point nuclear plant in southern Florida to continue running for another 30 years. The NRC ordered a review of environmental risks, including those posed by climate change. The reactors could still run until 2032 and 2033. [WHEC TV]
Have an extraordinarily homey day.
geoharvey 
Leave a Reply