Opinion:
¶ “Re-Examining Plymouth’s Fraught Relationship With Nuclear Energy” • The 1972 opening of the Pilgrim nuclear power plant might have been the worst thing to happen in Plymouth’s long history. It ushered in an era of fool’s gold prosperity that exacted a steep price on what was a quintessential sleepy town. Its side effects still linger. [Plymouth Independent]
World:
¶ “Drought Declared In ‘Almost Three-Quarters’ Of England, UK Government Says” • Some 71.3% of England is in drought, the UK government said. This year, the nation experienced its driest July on record, with a fifth heatwave and scant rain forecast for the week ahead. Farmers battling low crop yields warned of possible food shortages. [Euronews]
¶ “Drought Forces Water Restrictions Across Nearly 70% Of France, Government Says” • “As France is experiencing a particularly severe drought, the effects of climate change continue to increase pressure on water resources,” the ministry for ecological transition said, adding that “nearly 70% of French territory is subject to restrictions on water use.” [Euronews]
¶ “As Europe Battles The Flames, Another Heatwave Is On The Way” • As Europe grapples with major wildfires, the threat of further heatwaves still hangs over it. Now another heatwave is forecast after periods of record drought that have driven rivers to historic lows, ignited historic forest fires, and contributed to thousands of deaths. [Euronews]
¶ “CATL Battery For Electric Aviation Passes Important Safety Test” • CATL, the world’s largest battery maker, has developed a battery for use in electric aircraft. In particular, this battery is designed for passenger eVTOL aircraft (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft). The battery has now passed an important safety test in China. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Banks Agree To €1.5 Billion Cash Injection For 1-GW Hai Long” • Northland, Gentari, and Mitsui have completed a €1.48 billion incremental financing package to support the 1-GW Hai Long offshore wind project off Taiwan. The shareholders said eleven banks are participating in the project’s financing structure for the first time. [reNews]
¶ “European Energy Bags Cash For UK Hybrid Build” •E uropean Energy has secured £58.1 million in construction financing from Danske Bank for the Indian Queens hybrid renewable energy project in Cornwall. The project, will combine a 68-MW solar park with a 47.5-MW, 95-MWh battery system. The project is expected to be operational in 2027. [reNews]
¶ “Hungary’s Nuclear Power Returns As Rain Lifts Danube Water Levels” • Hungary expects its only nuclear power plant to resume production as early as Monday after one of the turbines at the Paks nuclear plant is switched on, Prime Minister Peter Magyar said. Hungary has had power supply issues with the Danube at its lowest level in nearly 90 years. [OilPrice.com]
US:
¶ “Plastic Made From Sugar Can Be An Alternative To Harmful Microplastics” • A Massachusetts lab, CJ Biomaterials, ferments sugar to make plant-based polymers that microbes will consume. These alternatives to traditional plastics made of fossil fuels are seen by some as one of many solutions needed to confront global plastic pollution. [ABC News]
¶ “FEMA Says It’s Providing Water Trailers To Puerto Rico Amid Water Crisis” • The Federal Emergency Management Agency said that it’s providing water trailers to Puerto Rico as the island grapples with a water crisis. The trailers will be distributed for up to 30 days initially, following the Puerto Rican government’s request for federal support. [ABC News]
¶ “Colorado District Court Latest To Dismiss Industry Lawsuit Against Building Updates” • A Colorado District Court Judge has dismissed a corporate-backed lawsuit against Denver ordinances aimed at reducing air pollution from buildings and reducing energy bills. The court agreed that federal law does not preempt Denver’s codes. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “AO Smith Partners with Panasonic to Bring a CO₂ Split HPWH to Market” • Split heat pump water heaters, with the compressor and tank separated, are having a moment. Several products have come to market this year, and more are on the way. AO Smith, one of the big manufacturers in US water heating, just released a split HPWH called the Voltex X. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Much Of New Mexico’s Tribal, Pueblo Land Could Provide Geothermal Power” • Much of New Mexico’s tribe and pueblo land could be used for geothermal energy, an energy expert told a panel of state lawmakers. State leaders have increasingly eyed geothermal energy along with wind and solar to reach the state’s renewable energy goals. [Source New Mexico]
¶ “Silicon EV Batteries Earn $1.4 Billion Seal Of Approval From Defense Department” • The Defense Department has been notoriously cautious about investing in EVs, but EV batteries are another matter. The recent rise of drone warfare, ground robots, and autonomous vehicles has sparked a fresh round of activity within the DOD. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “PUC Approves Hawaiian Electric’s Request To Expand Renewables, Energy Storage” • Hawaiian Electric announced the Public Utilities Commission had approved its Integrated Grid Planning Request for Proposals, which seeks competitively priced renewable energy and storage for Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island to meet growing energy needs. [Maui Now]
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