Opinion:
¶ “Nuclear Advocates Accused Of Spreading Misinformation” • Nuclear energy advocates seized on the Victorian weather events and temporary power outage to re-energise their campaign for nuclear energy. Let’s be clear upfront. Nuclear is not being put forward as a genuine alternative to renewables. It’s being used as a delaying tactic to keep fossil fuels going. [Mirage News]
Coal-burning power plant (Jason Blackeye, Unsplash)
World:
¶ “Switzerland Advocates For Geoengineering Research” • The UN Environment Program conference is about to take place in Nairobi. In its preliminaries, Switzerland proposed a global debate on whether the “risks, benefits and uncertainties” of dimming the sun through geoengineering should be studied by a UN expert group. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “FedEx Express UK Grows Its London Fleet Of E-Cargo Delivery Bikes” • An announcement from FedEx Express UK confirms that they are serious about electric micromobility. The company just added eight more 4-wheeled e-cargo bikes to the FedEx London fleet to join the electric cargo bikes FedEx already operates there. [CleanTechnica]
FedEx Express UK electric cargo bike (Courtesy of FedEx)
¶ “Carte Blanche’s Latest Episode Shines A Light On Antarctica’s Climate Change Crisis” • Carte Blanche, South Africa’s beacon of investigative journalism, ventured into the heart of the frozen continent to explore the critical research being conducted by South African scientists. Their work aims to steer global efforts in combating global warming. [BNN Breaking]
¶ “First Electric-Only Volvo Truck” • Volvo Trucks introduces its eighth all-electric truck model, the Volvo FM Low Entry, as its first electric-only model, enhancing the company’s commitment to sustainable transportation. Intended for urban environments, the design of the FM Low Entry focuses on safety, efficiency, and reducing emissions. [CleanTechnica]
Electric Volvo truck
¶ “TSREDCO Told To Set Up Solar Plants At Govt Offices” • The Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana asked officials to set up solar panels at all government offices. Chairing a review meeting with officials of the Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited, he said that renewable energy is a top priority of the state. [The New Indian Express]
¶ “How climate change is thwarting travellers’ cherry blossom plans” • The rare and beautiful ten-day cherry blossom “front” is set to start ten days earlier than usual due to global warming. The travellers who arrived in Tokyo in April 2023 to see the city’s famous cherry tree petals found the blossoms opened ten days early in response to climate change. [BBC]
Cherry blossoms (Jonathan Kim, Unsplash)
US:
¶ “$75 Million To Revitalize Coal Communities, Create Good-Paying Jobs In Illinois” • Federal officials recently went to Illinois, where they announced $75.8 million in fiscal year 2023 funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The funds are to address pollution at abandoned mine lands and increase economic opportunity in Illinois. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Rivian Opening Its Own Charging Network To All EVs” • Rivian is following in Tesla’s footsteps with its decision to open its public charging network to all EVs later this year. The announcement came in the company’s most recent letter to shareholders, outlining plans to expand access to the Rivian Adventure Network. [CleanTechnica]
Rivian charging (Courtesy of Rivian)
¶ “1 GWh Energy Storage Project In Arizona Gets $559 Million In Financing” • Strata Clean Energy secured $559 million in funds for its Scatter Wash battery storage complex. Its capacity is 255-MW and 1,020-MWh. Strata broke ground on the Phoenix, AZ, energy storage project in January. The complex is expected to be operating in 2025. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “DTE Energy Ignites Michigan’s Green Future With Major Renewable Projects Bid” • DTE Energy announced its intention to seek proposals for new wind and solar projects, aiming for a capacity of roughly 1,075 MW. This initiative marks a significant step towards Michigan’s greener future and aligns with the state’s ambitious decarbonization efforts. [BNN Breaking]
Wind farm (DTE Energy image)
¶ “Rivian R2 Pricing, Details, Unveiling Event” • Rivian is gearing up to reveal its Rivian R2 in the coming weeks, bringing with it exciting details ahead of the launch. Notably, Rivian confirmed that the R2 will be available in Europe, signaling an expansion of its market beyond North America. Details are to be disclosed at the unveiling on March 7, 2024. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Platte River’s Path To A Clean, Reliable Energy Future” • Platte River’s primary challenge is deploying renewable resources as fast as possible against rising costs, supply chain snarls, delays due to technology and other industry-wide headwinds while still providing power people can depend on and afford. It aims to do that by 2030. [The Coloradoan]
Solar array (Platte River Power Authority)
¶ “HUD Awards $73.5 Million To Make Housing More Energy Efficient” • The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced it is awarding $73.5 million in new loans and grants under the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program to support extensive energy efficiency and climate resilience renovations for low-income Americans. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
¶ “Alaska Lawmaker’s Bid To Revive Stalled Green Energy Policy Defines Coal As ‘Clean’” • House Bill 368, now before Alaska’s House, was drafted by Sutton Republican Representative George Rauscher. It seeks to define coal-generated electricity as “clean energy,” putting it on the same footing as hydroelectric, wind, solar, and tidal power. [Alaska Beacon]
Have a totally copacetic day.
geoharvey 