World:
¶ “More Beavers Set To Be Released” • A breeding pair of beavers will be released into a new 6.5-hectare (16-acre) enclosure in the Shropshire Hills in the headwaters of the River Clun. The river and its tributaries are a “critical and fragile ecosystem,” and the species within them, like Atlantic Salmon, benefit from beaver dams, which create sediment-free water. [BBC]
Beaver (Dušan veverkolog, Unsplash)
¶ “Uruguay EV Sales Report: 300% Growth In A Record February Brings BEV Market Share Over 15%” • Uruguay has consistently been the second most advanced country in Latin America as far as electrification goes, behind Costa Rica. As far as the auto sales go, EVs and plugin hybrids had a combined market share of 15.4% in February. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Norway’s New Industrial Policy Pivots Away From Hydrogen For Energy” • In 2020, Norway jumped into hydrogen like it was the next North Sea oil rush. The government released a national hydrogen strategy full of ambitions and buzzwords. A problem with such an approach is that physics and economics refuse to read the press releases. [CleanTechnica]
Bergen (Ignacio Ceballos, Unsplash)
¶ “UK Reconsidering Tesla Subsidies After Trump Tariffs” • US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on imported cars (again), and one reaction from the UK is to reconsider its policy on EV subsidies, especially since it is providing so much money to Tesla buyers. The subsidies have come to £188 million in the last nine years. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Researchers Reveal Surprising Financial Twist Tied To New Energy Rollout” • Your electric bill might be more stable in the future than you think. A study from the University of Cambridge predicts that meeting green energy goals could have a surprising benefit: fewer price spikes and more predictable costs for homes across Europe. [The Cool Down]
Solar panels (yue chan, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Russia Could Offer Nuclear Power Plant For Mars Mission Of ‘Great Visionary’ Elon Musk, Says Putin’s Envoy” • Russia may provide a small nuclear power plant for a Mars mission planned by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, said Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s envoy for international cooperation. He said Moscow could discuss the offer with Musk via video conference. [MSN]
US:
¶ “Anonymous Survey Of Oil & Gas Executives Says Geopolitical Uncertainty Clouds Their Outlook” • Out of all the constituent groups in the US, wouldn’t you think that oil and gas executives would be supporting President Donald J. Trump’s policies? Well, an anonymous survey released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas says otherwise. [CleanTechnica]
Meeting in the Oval Office (White House, public domain)
¶ “‘Range Anxiety Will Go Away’: How The Mercedes CLA Sedan Could Upend Americans’ Views On EVs” • Americans have two demands when buying an EV: long range and rapid charging. German automaker Mercedes-Benz may have a solution: the upcoming electric CLA sedan. It has a 500-mile range and adds 200 miles in ten minutes of charging. [ABC News]
¶ “Florida Surpasses California In New Solar Installations” • Last May, Florida enacted a law deleting any reference to climate change from most of its state policies. It was a move Republican Governor Ron DeSantis described as “restoring sanity …” Oddly enough, against this backdrop of ignorance, Florida has become a national leader in solar power. [CleanTechnica]
Solar array with batteries (NextEra Energy image)
¶ “Major Electric Company Secures Loan To Make A Shift That Could Save Its Customers Money” • Arizona Public Service Company secured a conditional $1.81 billion loan that will help the shift toward renewable energy. The utility company hopes to source 45% of its energy from renewables by 2030 and cease coal-fired generating by 2031. [The Cool Down]
¶ “RWE Expands Renewable Energy In West Texas To Power The Oilfield” • Rising power demand encouraged RWE to expand its renewable energy capacity in West Texas. RWE and GE Vernova are partnering on 109 2.82-MW wind turbines for two projects that, combined, will provide 308 MW of new and upgraded power capacity. [Midland Reporter-Telegram]
Have a superbly relaxing day.
geoharvey 