Opinion:
¶ “Los Angeles Is On Fire And Big Oil Are The Arsonists” • The private forecaster AccuWeather estimates initial damage and economic loss of the Los Angeles fires at over $50 billion and says they could be the costliest wildfire disaster in American history. Oil, gas, and coal companies have been lying to us for decades, and their lies have costs. [The Guardian]
Palisades fire (CalFire image)
¶ “Is Tesla In Trouble? Was Alignment With A Trump 2.0 A Profit Gamble?” • Tesla CEO Elon Musk single-handedly rallied voters in November’s win for Donald J. Trump. Sure, the allegiance came at a cost of $238 million from a fundraising arm that Musk founded. But was it good for Tesla’s bottom line? Some analysts at JPMorgan think not. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “You Can Lease A Neta V In Kenya For Just $30 Per Day!” • Late last year, MojaEV launched 100 NETA V electric cars for the taxi market in Nairobi. MojaEV plans to get 500 vehicles to drivers by the middle of this year. These EVs will be leased to taxi drivers in Nairobi at prices starting from just 4,000 Kenya shillings ($30) per day! [CleanTechnica]
MojaEV event for Skyworth (Courtesy of MojaEV)
¶ “EVs Take 23.4% Share In Germany – Disappointing Year For EV Transition” • December saw plugin EVs take 23.4% share in Germany, down from a 30.0% share in December 2023. Battery EV volume was sharply down in a hold-back ahead of tighter 2025 emissions regulations. Overall auto volume was 224,721 units, down 7%. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Minister Hopes Targeted Subsidy Will Turn Malaysians To Renewable Energy” • Natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad hopes that the government’s targeted subsidy initiative will lead to Malaysians turning more to renewable energy. He said that in the past they used fossil fuel because it was cheap. [MSN]
Malaysia (Mahmud Ahsan, Unsplash)
¶ “NLC Forms JV To Set Up 1000 MW Of Solar Power Projects In Assam” • Government-owned NLC India Ltd announced that its renewables arm entered into a joint venture agreement with Assam Power Distribution Company Limited to develop 1000 MW solar power projects. NLC India Renewables Ltd will have an equity shareholding of 51%. [deshsewak.org]
¶ “Planning Permission For 15-Turbine Wind Farm Sought In Waterford” • A planning permission application was submitted to An Bord Pleanála for a 15-turbine wind farm, roughly 4 km northeast of Cappoquin, on Scart Mountain, in Waterford. The wind farm would be able to provide energy for between 45,598 and 65,661 Irish households. [waterford-news.ie]
Michael Street, Waterford (David P Howard, CC-BY-SA 2.0)
US:
¶ “More Headaches For Natural Gas: Next-Gen Heat Pump Water Heaters Are Here” • While attention has been lavished on EVs as necessary for a green future, hot water heaters are also due for a makeover. “Water heating accounts for about 18% of your home’s energy use and is the typically the second largest energy expense in any home,” the US DOE says. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “California Fires Weather Forecast: Nearly 10 Million On Alert For Fire Conditions” • Nearly 10 million people are on alert for fire weather conditions in southern California. Red flag warnings are in effect through Wednesday for 8.8 million people in much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties with a fire weather watch for another 1 million south to Mexico. [ABC News]
Pacific Palisades fire (CalFire image)
¶ “Rep John Block Proposes Tax Increase On Renewable Energy” • Republican Representative John Block who represents most of Otero County, New Mexico, filed a pre-bill which would increase taxes on homeowners and businesses who use renewable energy. Block is known as a radical on social issues and against use of renewable energy. [newsbreak.com]
¶ “Governor Says Drones Spotted Over Louisiana Nuclear Power Plant: Here’s What We Know” • Drones have been spotted flying over a nuclear power plant in Louisiana, but their origin is not known. Governor Jeff Landry spoke to Donald Trump about it. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said she believes state or local officials can act if the drones seem threatening. [MSN]
Have a magnificently comfy day.
geoharvey 