Opinion:
¶ “Automakers Continue To Lobby For Global Heating, Against EVs” • The nonprofit think tank InfluenceMap found that except for Tesla, every one of the world’s largest automakers “actively advocated against at least one policy promoting electric vehicles.” And even Elon Musk has spoken out against some EV subsidies and policies. [CleanTechnica]
Please click on the image to enlarge it (Courtesy of InfluenceMap)
¶ “Choosing Nuclear Over Renewables And Efficiency Will Make Climate Crisis Worse” • “Carbon-free power is necessary but not sufficient; we also need cheap and fast,” says Lovins, co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute, now known as RMI, and who has spent half a century advising governments and companies on energy efficiency. [RenewEconomy]
Science and Technology:
¶ “‘Magical Thinking’: Hopes For Sustainable Jet Fuel Are Not Realistic” • There is currently “no realistic or scalable alternative” to standard kerosene-based jet fuels, and the touted “sustainable aviation fuels” are well off track to replace them in a timeframe needed to avert dangerous climate change, according to a report by the Institute for Policy Studies. [The Guardian]
Contrails (Fr Daniel Ciucci, Unsplash)
¶ “Making Batteries Takes A Lot Of Lithium. Some Of It Could Come From Wastewater” • An analysis based on Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection data suggests that lithium from the wastewater of Marcellus shale gas wells could supply 40% of the country’s demand, if it could be extracted with complete efficiency. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “Heat Exposure Of Older People Across World To Double By 2050, Finds Study” • Compared with today, there will be up to an extra 250 million people aged 69 or above who are exposed to dangerous levels of heat, defined as 37.5°C, according to a study that highlights the combined risk posed by a heating world and an ageing population. [The Guardian]
Seaside (sk, Unsplash)
¶ “‘Impossible’ Heatwave Struck Philippines In April, Scientists Find” • A record-breaking heatwave that scorched the Philippines in April would have been impossible without the climate crisis, scientists found. Temperatures above 40°C (104°F) struck across Asia in April, causing deaths, water shortages, crop losses, and widespread school closures. [The Guardian]
¶ “Volkswagen Announces 2025 ID. Buzz Offer Structure” • Volkswagen of America, Inc, announced the offer structure for the 2025 ID. Buzz, the electric reincarnation of the Microbus. The ID. Buzz will be offered stateside in three trims: Pro S and Pro S Plus, and a launch-only 1st Edition. It will have a 91-kWh battery and 282 to 335 horsepower. [CleanTechnica]
Volkswagen 2025 ID. Buzz and Microbus(Volkswagen image)
¶ “Tata Power Renewable Energy Commences Solar Module Production In Tamil Nadu” • Tata Power Renewable Energy has begun production of solar modules at a new plant in Tamil Nadu, with solar cell production slated to begin next month. The plant will bolster capacity additions that require locally manufactured products. [Manufacturing Today India]
¶ “Surge In India’s Renewables Tendering Set To Keep Coal’s Share Below 50% In Total Installed Capacity” • India is emerging as a renewable energy powerhouse with a surge in both capacity addition and tendering to add more plants. This is seen in a suite of new research reports showing a trend to a more sustainable future for India’s electricity sector. [IEEFA]
Solar array (Binu jayakrishnan, CC-BY-SA 3.0)
¶ “Australia Budget Commits AU$22.7 Billion To ‘Renewable Energy Superpower’ Plan” • The Australian federal government’s 2024-2025 budget includes a major investment in clean energy manufacturing and an energy bill rebate for households. It covers fiscal policy for a decade and addresses the cost-of-living and investment. [Energy-Storage.News]
US:
¶ “Trump Pledges To Scrap Offshore Wind Projects On ‘Day One’ Of Presidency” • Donald Trump vowed to immediately halt offshore wind energy projects “on day one” of a new term as US president, in his most explicit threat yet to the industry and the latest in a series of promises to undo key aspects of the transition to cleaner energy. [The Guardian]
Offshore wind turbines (Marcel Strauß, Unsplash)
¶ “Green Hydrogen Tentacles To Spread Across US” • The ink is still wet on the contract, but the US DOE is so excited about its new green hydrogen project that they announced it anyway. The deal involves a conditional loan guarantee of up to $1.66 billion aimed at kickstarting the construction of six new green hydrogen electrolyzer facilities. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Maryland Signs New Offshore Wind Law” • The state of Maryland has signed new legislation aimed at keeping the state’s offshore wind goals on track. The law allows qualified offshore wind developers to apply for outstanding Offshore Renewable Energy Credits created as a result of changes in the market and to add additional capacity to existing projects. [reNews]
Base of a tower (Maryland Energy Administration)
¶ “Cemex Adopts Solar Power At Its Clinchfield, Georgia Cement Plant” • Through a long-term agreement with Georgia Power, the Clinchfield Cement Plant will secure close to 25% of its electricity from solar facilities beginning in 2025. This agreement supports Cemex’s Future in Action program, with the goal of emitting net-zero CO₂ by 2050. [World Cement]
¶ “Maine Utility Regulators Are Restarting The Process Of Building Renewable Energy In Northern Maine” • Last year, the Maine PUC terminated an agreement on the construction of a 1,000-MW wind farm in Aroostook County and a high-voltage transmission line from northern Maine to the New England power grid. Now, it’s looking for new bids. [Maine Public]
Have an honestly friendly day.
geoharvey 