Opinion:
¶ “The hurricane problem Florida could have avoided” • After Hurricane Andrew, thirty years ago, Florida got new building codes. They may have somewhat protected against damage and enhanced survivability, but other disaster factors, such as rapid population growth and climate change, have tipped the disaster scale in the wrong direction. [CNN]
Housing in Naples, Florida (pennsyloco, CC-BY-SA 3.0, cropped)
¶ “Carmakers’ Lifetime Emissions 50% Higher Than Reported” • Carmakers’ global emissions average 50% more than they report, Transport & Environment analysis shows. Obligatory scope 3 (lifetime) emissions disclosure is set to be introduced in 2023. Exposure to carbon intensive carmakers is a ‘ticking carbon bomb,’ for asset managers. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Last Gasp For Mountain Valley Pipeline Natural Gas Project” • Natural gas stakeholders thought they had the Mountain Valley Pipeline in the bag. Federal legislation that would have cleared the way for it and other fossil energy projects was cut from a spending bill by its own sponsor, Senator Joe Manchin. There is a lot to this story. [CleanTechnica]
West Virginia (DJCohenour, CC-BY-SA 3.0, cropped)
World:
¶ “US Points Finger At Russia Over Gas Pipeline Sabotage” • The US has said it “seems” Russia is to blame for this week’s leaks in the two Nordstream gas pipelines. US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said an investigation was being carried out into the cause of what she called “an act of sabotage.” Russia has dismissed suggestions that it was to blame. [BBC]
¶ “Fraunhofer ISE Doubles Production Speed Of Silicon Wafers For Solar Panels” • Working with a consortium of companies and research organizations, Fraunhofer ISE devised an innovative production line that can produce 15,000 to 20,000 silicon wafers per hour. That is about double the output of most production lines in use today. [CleanTechnica]
Experimental wafer stack (Fraunhofer ISE image)
¶ “In Europe, 13% Of New Car Sales Are Electric (21% Plugins)” • For the first time since June 2021, the overall European car market grew YOY, though it was only by 3%. Plugin hybrid models continued to have falling sales, but at the same time, BEVs managed to maintain their two-digit growth rates last month, with 12% growth. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “WindEurope warns EU Power Plans Will Put Renewables At Risk” • WindEurope warned that new EU emergency regulations in response to the energy crisis could hold up many renewables investments. EU energy ministers are convening to decide on emergency regulations aimed to curb rising electricity prices and coordinate members’ responses. [reNews]
Wind turbines (Thomas Reaubourg, Unsplash)
¶ “Europe Braces For Mobile Network Blackouts As Russia Halts Gas Supplies” • Russia’s decision to halt gas supplies to Europe in the wake of the Ukraine conflict has increased the chances of power shortages. The situation is made worse in France due to the maintenance cycles of several nuclear power plants. Even cell phones could be affected. [Business Today]
Australia:
¶ “Australia’s AGL Energy Plans Investments Of $13 Billion In Renewable Energy By 2036” • An Australian energy generator and retailer, AGL Energy Ltd, recently announced that it plans to spend up to A$20 billion ($13 billion) by 2036 on renewable energy. At the same time it will accelerate the end of coal-fired generating by ten years. [Saur Energy]
Solar panels and radio telescope (ESA_events, CC-BY-SA 2.0)
¶ “Queensland, Australia, Vows To Turn Its Coal Plants Into Renewable Energy Hubs By 2035” • Queensland is one of Australia’s most important coal-producing states, according to Reuters. But that might change. The government announced a $40 billion plan to transition its coal-fired generation stations into renewable energy hubs by 2035. [EcoWatch]
¶ “Queensland Is Building The World’s Largest Pumped Hydro System” • One takeaway from Queensland’s renewable energy plan is that the state is committed to pumped hydro technology. It’s the centerpiece of the state’s new renewables target, coming in the form of two new pumped hydro facilities, one of which will be the largest of its kind worldwide. [ABC]
Pumped hydro plant (Supplied by Snowy Hydro)
US:
¶ “‘Substantial loss of life’ possible in Florida as Hurricane Ian takes aim at South Carolina” • Ian’s combination of winds, rain, and storm surge caused at least a dozen deaths, flooded homes, cut off roadways, and left millions of Florida residents without power as it once more intensified into a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean and heads toward South Carolina. [CNN]
¶ “Hurricane Ian’s Rainfall Was A 1-In-1,000 Year Event For The Hardest-Hit Parts Of Florida” • Hurricane Ian slammed into the Gulf Coast of Florida on Wednesday with record-breaking storm surge and devastating winds. But as it tracked inland, extreme rainfall became the most destructive aspect of the storm for central Florida. [CNN]
Lucky survivors (PCHS-NJROTC, CC-BY-SA 4.0, cropped)
¶ “The US Plan To Power 100% Of Its Flights With Renewable Jet Fuel” • This month, the US DOE released a roadmap on how to achieve carbon-neutral aviation emissions. The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge Roadmap outlines steps to meet 100% of the domestic aviation fuel demand with sustainable fuel by 2050. [Oil Price]
¶ “Burlington Electric Issues RFP To Replace Expiring Renewable Energy Sources” • Burlington Electric Department issued a request for proposals for renewable energy resources to ensure that it can continue to source 100% of its power from renewable generation. BED has contracts that will be expiring in the next two to five years. [Vermont Business Magazine]
Have a thoroughly fortunate day.
geoharvey 
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