Opinion:
¶ “The Oil Industry’s Grip On Public Lands And Waters May Be Slowing Progress Toward Energy Independence” • Of public lands in the western US 77% that are ideal for renewable energy projects are in areas with low or no oil and gas potential, yet they are still prioritized for oil and gas leasing. That imbalance can slow progress. [Center for American Progress]
Public land (Ethan Wright-Magoon, Unsplash)
¶ “Nuclear Revival Won’t Solve Japan’s Energy Crisis” • After the Fukushima disaster, Japan shut down its nuclear plants due to safety concerns. Japan’s energy self-sufficiency was largely lost, leaving the country vulnerable to price volatility in global energy markets. But calling for nuclear reactors to be restarted is not the answer to the current energy crisis. [Asia Times]
World:
¶ “China Endures Summer Of Extreme Weather As Record Rainfall And Scorching Heat Wave Cause Havoc” • Towns and farmlands are inundated by floods, homes and roads are being buried by landslides, crops wither under scorching heat, and hazmat-suited Covid workers collapse from heatstroke. China is feeling the impacts of climate change. [CNN]
Flooding in China (Jéan Béller, Unsplash)
¶ “Records Fall As Extreme Heat Bakes Western Europe” • Heat records tumbled and firefighters faced new blazes as much of Western Europe baked in a grueling heatwave. Heatwaves have become more frequent and more intense, and they last longer because of human-induced climate change. Weather forecasters say there is worse to come. [BBC]
¶ “Fires Blaze As UK Passes 40°C For First Time” • In the UK, over thirty locations went past the previous record of 38.7°C, set in 2019. At Coningsby in Lincolnshire, hit 40.3°C (104.5°F). With the heat comes a surge of fires. Some train service was canceled when rails buckled and overhead cables failed. With such heat, there were more fires. [BBC]
Burned homes (South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service)
¶ “Global Electricity Demand Growth Is Slowing, Weighed Down By Economic Weakness And High Prices” • Worldwide electricity demand growth is slowing sharply in 2022. Renewable power generation is growing faster than overall demand, leading to slight decline in global power sector CO₂ emissions despite rising coal use in Europe amid gas crisis. [IEA]
¶ “Government Approves 8 GW Of Offshore Wind In Major Milestone For Renewable Energy” • Plans for the UK to meet its net zero and energy security commitments received a major boost as six fixed offshore wind projects, with the potential to generate electricity for more than 7 million homes, were given the green light. [Business News Wales]
Offshore wind farm (Theodor Vasile, Unsplash)
¶ “GWEC Provides Renewables Action Plan For Policymakers” • The Global Wind Energy Council published an action plan to help policymakers adopt more renewables and address energy and climate change crises. The plan addresses the need to restore order to energy markets, meet climate goals, and create a secure, stable energy transition. [reNews]
¶ “Octopus Announces $10 Billion Renewable Investment Funds, Acquires Australia’s Largest Solar Project” • Octopus Investments Australia, a subsidiary of Octopus Group, has launched two renewable energy investment vehicles totaling $10 billion. The Octopus funds’ first joint acquisition is the 333-MW Darlington Point Solar Farm. [pv magazine Australia]
Darlington Point Solar Farm (Edify Energy image)
¶ “Reports Russian Soldiers Dead Or Injured Following ‘Event’ At Occupied Ukrainian Nuclear Power Station” • Several Russian soldiers occupying a Ukrainian nuclear power station have died following an unexplained “event” at the plant, the region’s mayor has claimed. A Kyiv news site has reported that Russian troops had “violated safety rules.” [News.com.au]
¶ “No Life Extension For Belgium’s Doel 3 And Tihange 2” • Two nuclear plants in Belgium will be shut down as scheduled, one in September and the other next February. Operations at unit 2 of Belgium’s Tihange NPP and unit 3 of the Doel NPP cannot be extended for technical and safety reasons, owner-operator Engie Electrabel said. [Nuclear Engineering International]
Tihange nuclear power plant (Courtesy of Engie)
US:
¶ “Biden Preparing Executive Action On Climate After Manchin Sinks Legislative Approach” • The White House is preparing a plan to take executive action on climate after Democratic Sen Joe Manchin last week torpedoed his party’s efforts on sweeping legislation. White House official tells CNN that as of Tuesday morning, all options remain on the table. [CNN]
¶ “Massive $8 Billion SunZia Renewable Energy Project Is On Again, For Now” • The biggest renewable energy infrastructure project in US history is on track to begin construction next year. It is a 550-mile transmission line running between New Mexico and Arizona and a 3,000-MW wind farm. Both projects are being developed by SunZia. [CleanTechnica]
Western Spirit (Pattern Energy via prnewswire.com)
¶ “In AP Interview, GM’s Mary Barra Explains Her Strategy To Catch Tesla By 2025” • GM’s goal of catching up to Tesla for EV sales by 2025 seems like an impossible climb. GM still only sells around 1/10 the electric vehicles Tesla does. Mary Barra says she thinks they’re still going to pull it off, by focusing on parts of the market where Tesla is having trouble. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “‘Higher Ambition’ For Climate Action, Post-Manchin, Looks To Locals” • Senator Joe Manchin (D-Coal) has stymied national climate action legislation single-handedly. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) has forecast that there will be a “higher ambition” for states and municipalities across the country to enact climate mitigation policies. [CleanTechnica]
Have an enviably amusing day.
geoharvey 