Opinion:
¶ “Renewables Surge, Yet Carbon Emissions Hit Record. What Gives?” • The world’s emissions of heat-trapping CO₂ rose to record levels last year, according to an International Energy Agency report, but renewable energy sources continued their exponential growth. Some analysts believe that the world’s fossil fuel demand has peaked. [Christian Science Monitor]
Earth from above the Gulf of Mexico (NASA image, Unsplash)
¶ “UK Budget: Why Chancellor Jeremy Hunt Is Dead Wrong About Nuclear Power – Dr Richard Dixon” • The nuclear industry and their friends are stepping up their propaganda war but their terrible track record shows that new reactors are still not the answer to either reducing emissions or supplying affordable power. [MSN]
World:
¶ “‘Endless, Brutal Heat’: Argentina’s Late-Season Heatwave Has ‘No Similarities In History’” • Argentina is grappling with an unprecedented late-summer heatwave as temperatures soar to record-breaking levels. The heat causes crops to wither, spreads wildfires, and adds huge pressure to a country already facing an economic crisis. [CNN]
Puerto Madero (Sebastian Cyrman, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Brazilian Researchers Find ‘Terrifying’ Plastic Rocks On Remote Island” •The geology of Brazil’s volcanic Trindade Island has fascinated scientists for years, but some rocks recently found in the remote turtle refuge are alarming. The rocks have melted plastic intertwined in them. The island is 1,140 km (708 miles) off the coast of Espirito Santo. [CNN]
¶ “Honda And Volkswagen Accelerate EV Plans” • Honda and Volkswagen both announced plans to ramp up their conversion to electric vehicles. Honda is moving production around to clear factory space for its forthcoming EVs, while Volkswagen says it is committed to investing more than $193 billion worldwide over the next several years. [CleanTechnica]
Volkswagen ID.2all (Volkswagen image)
¶ “85% Of Global Companies Don’t Have Credible Plans To Reduce Corporate Flying Emissions” • 85% of global companies are failing to set real targets to reduce their travel emissions, the second edition of a ranking on business travel by The Travel Smart Campaign shows. Only 50 companies out of 322 have set targets to reduce travel emissions. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Italy Is Fighting Energy Poverty And Climate Change” • San Giovanni a Teduccio is a working-class neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples. A rooftop solar system provides low-cost, clean energy to twenty of its families. San Giovanni is one of at least 35 renewable energy communities across Italy, according to the nonprofit Legambiente Campania. [CleanTechnica]
Naples (Danilo D’Agostino, Unsplash)
¶ “35% Of Philippine Energy Supply To Come From Renewable Sources By 2030” • The Energy Regulatory Commission said the Philippines is planning to make renewable energy one of its leading sources of power supply in less than ten years. It will account for at least 35% of the energy mix by 2030 and more than 50% by 2040. [Inquirer Business]
¶ “Chancellor Unveils Nuclear And Carbon Capture Incentives” • The UK Chancellor has announced funding for carbon capture, usage, and storage and nuclear power plants in a Spring Budget devoid of new incentives for wind and solar projects. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled up to £20 billion to develop what he calls “another plank of our green economy.” [reNews]
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt (UK Government image)
¶ “Japan Regulator Bypasses Experts In Declaring Faults Under Nuclear Plant Not Active” • Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority approved an electric power company’s claim that faults running just below a nuclear plant are “not active,” without seeking to consult a group of experts who indicated the possibility of the faults being active in 2016. [The Mainichi]
US:
¶ “EPA Finalizes Rule To Cut Down On Harmful Smog And Pollution From Power Plants” • The EPA has finalized what is called its good-neighbor rule, which aims to cut down on smog and NOₓ pollution from coal-fired power plants and industrial facilities. A rule to reduce CO₂ pollution from coal and natural gas-fired power plants is expected soon. [CNN]
Smoke (DDP, Unsplash)
¶ “Notre Dame Solar Plant To Cut Campus Carbon Emissions 600 To 700 Tons A Year” • The University of Notre Dame will install a 46,000-square-foot solar array on the west side of campus, along Indiana 933, as part of an ongoing effort to diversify its energy supply and achieve net zero campus carbon emissions by 2050. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “To California Regulators: Delay Harmful Rooftop Solar Plan!” • California regulators should revise a rooftop solar plan to make solar more affordable for low-income communities, dozens of groups are telling the California PUC. The commission’s plan drastically reduces the credit new solar users would get when they send solar energy to the grid. [CleanTechnica]
Installing solar panels (Dennis Schroeder, NREL)
¶ “AVANGRID Continues Expansion Of Solar Farms With New Projects In Texas And Ohio” • AVANGRID, a leading sustainable energy company and part of the Iberdrola Group, is building its presence in the US renewable energy industry with two solar projects in Texas and Ohio. They will generate 523.5 MW of clean and affordable power. [Yahoo Finance]
¶ “Biden-Harris Administration Announces $750 Million To Advance Clean Hydrogen Technologies” • The Biden-Harris Administration, through the DOE, announced the availability of $750 million for research, development, and demonstration efforts to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen. Long-term energy storage is one use of hydrogen. [Department of Energy]
Have an uncommonly comfortable day.
geoharvey 
Leave a Reply