https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/apr/25/insanely-cheap-energy-how-solar-power-continues-to-shock-the-world ‘Insanely cheap energy’: how solar power continues to shock the world Australian smarts and Chinese industrial might made solar power the cheapest power humanity has seen – and no one saw it coming ‘Solar is providing the cheapest energy the world has ever seen ... It’s a fundamentally different world we’re moving into.’ Photograph: Lukas … Continue reading Solar energy has gotten insanely cheap
Tag: energy
E-scooters — yay or nay in NYC
Very interesting analysis of e-scooters: their utility and their dangers. I can always count on The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Mother Jones for thorough reporting and analysis of issues I care about. Other specialized publications can match them on various topics but it's hard to beat those three. The E-Scooters Loved by Silicon Valley … Continue reading E-scooters — yay or nay in NYC
Another airborne killer web we largely ignore
The passage of the Clean Air Act of 1963 did do an admirable job of clearing visible pollution from the air in the United States. Other parts of the world, particularly China and India, have seasons during which it's almost impossible to see your own feet. Such polluted air isn't just ugly. It kills. And … Continue reading Another airborne killer web we largely ignore
Divest fossil fuels = make money
https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/the-powerful-new-financial-argument-for-fossil-fuel-divestment? The Powerful New Financial Argument for Fossil-Fuel Divestment A report by BlackRock, the world’s largest investment house, shows that those who have divested have profited not only morally but also financially. By Bill McKibben April 3, 2021 Protesters have argued that you shouldn’t try to profit off the end of the world. New analysis shows … Continue reading Divest fossil fuels = make money
US fossil-fuel companies took billions in tax breaks, but laid off thousands anyway
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/02/fossil-fuel-companies-billions-tax-breaks-workers? US fossil-fuel companies took billions in tax breaks – and then laid off thousands Figures show 77 companies received $8.2bn under tax changes related to Covid relief and yet almost every one let workers go An oil well site in south Texas. Photograph: Jennifer Hiller/Reuters Oliver Milman@olliemilmanFri 2 Apr 2021 05.00 EDT 2,187 Fossil-fuel companies … Continue reading US fossil-fuel companies took billions in tax breaks, but laid off thousands anyway
Windfarm to be built off East Coast
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/29/joe-biden-administration-wind-energy-new-jersey White House moves toward approving huge windfarm off east coast Biden administration’s effort to increase offshore wind energy is part of plan to generate power for more than 10m homes by 2030 The GE-Alstom Block Island windfarm stands three miles off of Block Island, Rhode Island. Photograph: Scott Eisen/Getty Images Associated Press in WashingtonMon 29 Mar 2021 15.43 … Continue reading Windfarm to be built off East Coast
First public hearings held on proposal to expand the Danskammer plant
I testified during the afternoon session in opposition to this proposed plant that would be powered but fracked gas from Pennsylvania. Many of the hundreds who spoke were relatively local while I live down the Hudson on Manhattan. I made three points in less than three minutes. (1) They would Never have thought of putting … Continue reading First public hearings held on proposal to expand the Danskammer plant
Local action in NYC fighting equipment to expand the use of fracked gas
Food & Water Watch, members of the Fire Department of New York, and local activists are protesting permits proposed for the addition of more liquified and compressed natural gas to its Greenpoint Facility in Brooklyn. The proposal also seeks to transport trucks carrying this product thru parts of the city. Other than the company proposing … Continue reading Local action in NYC fighting equipment to expand the use of fracked gas
Who’s behind studies used by Republicans to oppose clean energy?
Is anyone surprised that fossil fuel industry fingerprints are all over Republican-favored study opposing Biden's plans to clean the air and water? https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/09/republican-study-wyoming-biden-climate-plans Republicans' new favorite study trashes Biden's climate plans – but who's behind it? Wyoming representative Liz Cheney says the study proves Biden’s policies would destroy state economies. But it has the oil … Continue reading Who’s behind studies used by Republicans to oppose clean energy?
Lessons from the three basic errors in Texas energy system
This is a lengthy article but worth reading. The Texas energy system was unregulated, yes, but its members could have planned for the foreseeable -- but didn't because the costs seemed too great. Unfortunately for Texas, the bottom line is that this disaster proved that total lack of oversight can produce utter disaster. A shame … Continue reading Lessons from the three basic errors in Texas energy system
Bill McKibben: blaming the wind for the Texas disaster is ridiculous
https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/blaming-the-wind-for-the-mess-in-texas-is-ridiculous? Blaming the Wind for the Mess in Texas Is Painfully Absurd By Bill McKibbenFebruary 18, 2021 Failures in renewable-energy generation accounted for only a small percentage of the state’s recent power outages.Photograph by Ron Jenkins / Getty Sometimes, all you need is a map. In the wake of this week’s power failures in Texas, which … Continue reading Bill McKibben: blaming the wind for the Texas disaster is ridiculous
Texas catastrophe was avoidable
https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/texans-in-the-midst-of-another-avoidable-catastrophe? Texans in the Midst of Another Avoidable Catastrophe By Bryan WashingtonFebruary 18, 2021 The state’s independent power grid was couched as a badge of individualism. Then a once-in-a-generation storm hit—and, sure enough, the onus fell on the individual.Photograph by Reginald Mathalone / NurPhoto / Shutterstock Out in Houston on Sunday morning, at the precipice of … Continue reading Texas catastrophe was avoidable
Abycats' Thoughts 