Opinion:
¶ “Is The US Stockpiling Dirty Oils? How Greater Transparency Can Reduce The Climate Impacts” • In response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, President Biden authorized the largest-ever Strategic Petroleum Reserve drawdown in March 2022. The economic benefits may seem clear, but the environmental impacts of SPR withdrawal are less certain. [CleanTechnica]
Strategic oil reserve (Energy.gov, public domain, cropped)
¶ “Elon Musk Wants To Build A Future Worth Getting Excited About” • Elon Musk wants to build a future worth getting excited about, and he elaborated more on this in a recent TED Talks interview at Tesla Giga Texas. One pre-recorded interview with TED Talks head Chris Anderson has recently been made available to watch online. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Why Nuclear Power Won’t Solve The Fuel Crisis” • There is a sudden spurt of nuclear optimism from Washington to London, but it is little more than a political feint. By the time proposed nuclear projects are developed, in a decade or more, we will be either well into a new chapter of solar and wind energy or in deep trouble. [Yahoo News UK]
Sailing into a dream (Johannes Plenio, Unsplash)
Science and Technology:
¶ “Taller Wind Turbines To Get TLC From 3D Printing” • Parts of the US have no wind turbines because of wind speed issues, so engineers and innovators are hammering away at that by finding ways to build taller wind turbine towers. That’s not as easy as it sounds, but GE Renewable Energy is banking on 3D printing to overcome the obstacles. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “Australian Scientists To Fit Tesla With Printed Solar Panels In 15,000-Kilometer Test Ride” • Hoping to get people thinking about climate change, the Charge Around Australia project will power a Tesla with 18 printed plastic solar panels, each 18 meters (59 feet) long, rolling them out beside the vehicle to soak up sunlight when it needs a charge. [CNN]
Printed solar panels (Image from Charge Around Australia)
¶ “Ukraine War Forcing Europe To Tackle Its Dependency On Fossil Fuels” • As we mark Earth Day 2022, countries in Europe are grappling with how to transition from fossil fuels, especially oil and gas from Russia. Some environmentalists are cautiously optimistic that the war in Ukraine could push the west towards more renewables. [RTE]
¶ “Ørsted Toasts First Power At Greater Changhua 1&2a” • Ørsted has achieved successful delivery of first power from the 900-MW Greater Changhua 1&2a Offshore Wind Farm, in waters off Taiwan. The first power was delivered as scheduled with the installation and energization of the first batch of offshore wind turbines at the site. [reNews]
Jackup ship at work (Ørsted image)
¶ “World Earth Day – Need To Reduce People’s Reliance On Fossil Fuels: Dalai Lama” • His Holiness Dalai Lama said on the occasion of World Earth Day, “Let us remember that everyone wants to live a good life, Not just humans, but also animals, birds, and insects.” He added, “We should all be worried about our shared existence.” [News Track]
US:
¶ “Honolulu Is Leading The Way For Solar Power. Here’s How Other US Cities Rank” • Nine US cities have a combined solar capacity greater than the entire country had just ten years ago. Environment America and research firm Frontier Group found that 15 of the 56 cities surveyed reported a tenfold increase in their solar capacity between 2014 and 2022. [CNN]
Honolulu (Zetong Li, Unsplash)
¶ “Statevolt Plans 54-GWh Battery Factory In California” • Lars Carlsrom may be the Elon Musk of battery manufacturers. He is a serial entrepreneur founding battery companies. Now, Electrive reports that Carlstrom is behind a battery company that intends to build a 54-GWh battery factory in Southern California’s Imperial Valley. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Tesla’s Revenue Grew To Over $18 Billion In Q1 2022” • Tesla reported its earnings for the first quarter of 2022, and beat the expectations of certain analysts. Tesla’s automotive revenue reached $16.86 billion, up 87% from Q1 last year. Tesla also said that its growth was impacted by growth in vehicle deliveries and other factors. [CleanTechnica]
Gigafactory (Tesla courtesy image)
¶ “Michigan Climate Plan Calls For 60% Renewable Power By 2030” • Michigan would get 60% of its electricity from renewable sources and build infrastructure to accommodate millions of electric vehicles within the next eight years if the state can reach goals in a climate plan put forth by the administration of Gov Gretchen Whitmer. [MLive.com]
¶ “New York City’s Central Park A ‘Lab’ To Study Climate Change” • Central Park is now a climate change laboratory that researchers hope will help many US parks more resilient. The Central Park Climate Lab team wants to use data from satellites and on the ground to study seasonal patterns and how plant and animal life respond to shifting weather. [WKZO]
Central Park (Jon Tyson, Unsplash)
¶ “Hormel On Track To Match 100% Of Domestic Energy Use With Renewable Sourcing” • Hormel Foods Corporation has announced that it anticipates matching 100% of its domestic energy use with renewable sourcing by the end of 2022. Hormel Foods is aiming to match 100% of its global energy use with renewable sourcing by 2030. [Austin Daily Herald]
¶ “Nuclear Power Industry Targets Alaska For Small Reactors” • Nuclear industry giant Westinghouse believes that their micro-reactors could dramatically change Alaska’s relationship with energy, and its representatives have been going to the state to talk to leaders. Not everyone is so certain of the economic and environmental benefits. [Governing]
Have a resoundingly triumphant day.
geoharvey 
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