Opinion:
¶ “Narrowing The Solar Equity Gap Through Solarize” • Recent census-level data shows that such inequalities as racial diversity and education levels are hindering equitable adoption of solar power at a local level. With support from the Inflation Reduction Act, local governments can address the solar equity gap through inclusive “Solarize” campaigns. [CleanTechnica]
Students installing a solar system (Solarize Philly image)
Science and Technology:
¶ “Nearly 30 Dangerous Feedback Loops Could Permanently Shift The Earth’s Climate, Scientists Say” • A group of world scientists researched climate literature to find climate feedback loops. They found that 27 are driving up global temperatures and just seven that help slow the pace of climate crisis. The study appeared in the journal One Earth, [CNN]
World:
¶ “Europe’s Natural Gas Prices Fall To 18-Month Low” • Europe’s natural gas prices fell to their lowest level in nearly 18 months in another sign the region has avoided a much-feared energy crisis. Benchmark wholesale gas prices fell to €49/MWh ($52/MWh), their lowest level since September 2021 and a fraction of the all-time high of €320 hit in August last year. [CNN]
Valves and pipes (Long Pyles, Pixy.org, CC0)
¶ “The Munro MK_1 Is An All-Electric All-Terrain Workhorse For Farms, Forests, Jobsites, And More” • Scotland’s Munro Vehicles was founded with the goal of “creating a practical, go anywhere do anything EV for the world’s heaviest industries.” The Munro MK_1, an electric all-terrain vehicle with plenty of moxie, shows the company is well on its way. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Amazon Boosts Its Sustainability Credentials With Record Renewable Energy Purchases (Plus Offshore Wind Seaweed Farming!)” • Amazon announced adding 8.3 GW of renewable energy to its portfolio in 2022, with 133 projects in 11 countries. It now has access to more than 20 GW of green power. What next for Amazon? Seaweed farming! [CleanTechnica]
North Sea seaweed farming (Amazon image)
¶ “Ontario Jumping Into Critical Minerals Supply Chain For EVs” • The government of Ontario invested $5.8 million to help junior mining companies explore for critical minerals used to make batteries for EVs, smartphones, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing technologies. The funding is part of the Ontario Junior Exploration Program. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “China Launches Climate Prediction Model For Wind And Solar Power” • China has launched a national wind and solar resources climate prediction model to enable provincial authorities to forecast energy demand and supply, the central government said. The model provides data and graphics that will be released monthly. [MSN]
Wind farm in Xinjiang (taylorandayumi, CC-BY-SA 2.0, cropped)
¶ “Saudi Arabia Launches World’s Largest Solar Power Plant” • A solar power facility in Mecca province is expected to be running by end‑2025, with a generation capacity of 2,060 MW. Cean energy project investment is expected to rise with high oil prices in 2023‑24, and Saudi Arabia seeks to add 15 GW of renewable energy capacity soon. [Economist Intelligence Unit]
US:
¶ “Biden Administration Restores Obama-Era Mercury Rules For Power Plants, Eyes More Regulations In Coming Months” • The Biden administration finalized a decision to reestablish Obama-era rules that require coal and oil-fired power plants to reduce toxic pollutants, including mercury and acid gas, that come out of their smokestacks. [CNN]
Coal-burning power plant (Loïc Manegarium, Pexels)
¶ “Ford First To Build NMC Batteries And LFP Batteries In The USA” • Ford has become the #2 EV seller in the USA, but it’s also now the first automaker to state that it will produce both nickel manganese cobalt and lithium iron phosphate batteries for EVs in the US. It is investing a full $3.5 billion into a new LFP battery factory in Marshall, Michigan. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Li-Bridge, US To Double Lithium Battery Revenues To $33 Billion And Provide 100,000 Jobs By 2030” • Li-Bridge, a public-private alliance for US battery making convened by the US DOE and managed by Argonne National Laboratory, released a plan to accelerate the creation of a robust domestic supply chain for lithium-based batteries. [CleanTechnica]
Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne National Laboratory)
¶ “FERC Rejects American Clean Power, RENEW Northeast Complaint Alleging ISO-NE Bias Towards Gas Plants” • The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission dismissed a complaint from renewable energy trade groups who argued that ISO New England gives natural gas-fired power plants an unfair advantage in its markets. [Utility Dive]
¶ “NY PSC Authorizes $4.4 Billion In Transmission Upgrades Planned By National Grid And Other Utilities” • The New York Public Service Commission announced that it authorized the state’s four major upstate electric utilities to develop 62 local transmission upgrades at an estimated cost of $4.4 billion to reduce grid congestion. [Utility Dive]
¶ “Six Workers Decommissioning Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station Exposed To Airborne Radiation” • Six workers decommissioning the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station were exposed to airborne radiation in August of 2020, a federal inspection report says. The contract workers were wearing air-fed protective suits, and plant employees failed to test the air for radiation. [WCAI]
¶ “Dumping A Million Gallons Of Radioactive Water In Hudson Is ‘Best Option,’ Per Indian Point Nuclear Plant Owner” • The owner of the defunct Indian Point plant says it plans to dump about a million gallons of radioactive water into the Hudson River. The company says the move is the “best option” for the waste. It could happen as early as August. [Gothamist]
Have a fundamentally fantastic day.
geoharvey 