NewEnergyNews More: April 2018

NewEnergyNews More

Every day is Earthday.

Some details about NewEnergyNews and the man behind the curtain: Herman K. Trabish, Agua Dulce, CA., Doctor with my hands, Writer with my head, Student of New Energy and Human Experience with my heart

email: herman@NewEnergyNews.net

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Your intrepid reporter

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  • Monday, April 30, 2018

    The Answer Is New Energy, Not GeoEngineering

    The Idea That We Will Science Our Way Out of Climate Change is Dangerous, Say Scientists

    Daniel Starkey, April 29, 2018 (Geek)

    “Scientists are becoming increasingly concerned with the idea that people won’t make significant changes to their lifestyles and that governments won’t commit to radical action — instead relying on the deluded and dangerous presumption that some advanced technology will save us…Part of that comes from the fact that scientists have dreamed up these plans in the first place…Many of these are various kinds of geoengineering projects that are designed to counter specific symptoms of the climate change problem…[A popular one is] pumping sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere to mimic the chilling effect of massive volcanic explosions. It’s important to note that while this would cool the Earth, it also doesn’t fix the problem with the concentration of CO2 in the air. The oceans would still grow more and more acidic, killing off all manner of marine life and kneecapping global ecosystems and food systems…The problem is that politicians and the public may think that these solutions are good enough and will opt for them without considering the myriad of consequences that come with it…” click here for more

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    No Let-up In Solar Policy Fights

    The 50 States of Solar Report: 40 States and D.C. Took Action on Distributed Solar Policy and Rate Design During Q1 2018

    April 25, 2018 (North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center)

    “…[The Q1 2018 50 States of Solar finds that 149 state and utility-level distributed solar policy and rate changes were proposed, pending, or enacted in Q1 2018. They included]…actions to increase monthly fixed charges or minimum bills on all residential customers by at least 10%...changes to net metering policies…[plans] to examine some element of the value of distributed generation or the costs and benefits of net metering…[plans to add or change policy] on community solar…[proposals] to add new or increase existing charges specific to rooftop solar customers…[proposals for] action on utility-owned rooftop solar policies or programs…policy action on third-party solar ownership laws or regulations…[Over 50 bills were considered by legislators related to distributed generation compensation policies and studies. The majority of bills under consideration related to credit rates for excess generation, net metering or distributed energy resource studies, and net metering aggregate caps…” click here for more

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    Ocean Wind’s Many And Varied Benefits

    The value of offshore wind energy: What the US is missing out on; Economists take a look at what contributes to offshore wind's value.

    Megan Geuss, April 26, 2018 (Ars Technica)

    “The US is a latecomer to the world of offshore wind…[Compare its one 30 MW project, brought online in 2016,] to Europe. The continent now has 15,780MW of offshore wind…European projects added 560 new offshore wind turbines across 17 different offshore wind farms in 2017 alone…[A new report from] the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is now asking: what is the value of the offshore wind that the US didn't build over the last decade? Although many analyses have studied the falling cost of installing offshore wind, assigning a value to offshore wind is ground that is less well-tread. Though it's much more expensive to construct turbines in the ocean, offshore wind can also generate more value because sea breezes tend to be stronger and more reliable, and wind turbines can be built bigger…The Berkeley researchers found that over the last 10 years, the value of hypothetical US offshore wind energy ranged from $40/MWh to more than $110/MWh depending on where the wind was sited and how renewable energy was priced in that region…” click here for more

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    Tuesday, April 24, 2018

    Another ‘This Is It’ Moment For Climate Change

    One of the most worrisome predictions about climate change may be coming true

    Chris Mooney, April 23, 2018 (Washington Post)

    “Two years ago, former NASA climate scientist James Hansen and a number of colleagues laid out a dire [computer simulation-based] scenario in which gigantic pulses of fresh water from melting glaciers could upend the circulation of the oceans, leading to a world of fast-rising seas and even superstorms…[A new oceanographic study] appears to have confirmed one aspect of this picture — in its early stages…[Ocean measurements off the coast of East Antarctica show] that melting Antarctic glaciers are indeed freshening the ocean around them. And this, in turn, is blocking a process in which cold and salty ocean water sinks below the sea surface in winter, forming ‘the densest water on the Earth’…[on] the West Antarctic coast and the coast around the enormous Totten glacier in East Antarctica…[T]he melting of Antarctica’s glaciers appears to be triggering a ‘feedback’ loop in which that melting, through its effect on the oceans, triggers still more melting…not to mention rising seas as glaciers lose mass…” click here for more

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    Here’s Why Wind Is A Winner

    Wind energy’s swift growth, explained

    John Hall, April 23. 2018 (The Conversation)

    “…[T]he total amount of U.S. electricity generated by wind turbines nearly doubled between 2011 and 2017…Wind turbines, which convert moving air into electrical power, currently produce 6.3 percent of the electricity the U.S. consumes. Texas leads the nation overall in terms of the amount of power it gets from wind. Iowa gets a higher share of its electricity from wind turbines than any other state – 37 percent…The U.S. still lags other nations, particularly those in Europe, with offshore wind production…[But the first commercial offshore wind farm] began operating in 2016. New York state plans to build a much larger offshore farm. And California may soon establish floating offshore wind farms…[Recent improvements in energy storage technology and turbine efficiency] are lowering costs…[and] market forces coupled with widespread concerns over climate change, continue to propel the wind industry…[Corporate giants, such as Apple and Google,] are proactively seeking to rely on wind energy, rather than fossil fuels…And this wind rush is creating jobs in manufacturing, services and science. With total generating capacity projected to increase from about 89 gigawatts to more than 400 gigawatts over the next 30 years, the Energy Department says the industry may eventually employ 600,000 American workers.” click here for more

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    Solar For The Heartlands

    Solar farms set to sprout across Illinois

    Robert Channick, April 22, 2018 (Chicago Tribune)

    “Anew crop is ready to sprout on Illinois farms, with gleaming solar panels supplanting rows of corn and soybeans…[Drawn by new incentives and the Future Energy Jobs Act requiring Illinois utilities to get 25 percent of their retail power from renewable sources like solar and wind by 2025], renewable energy developers are staking out turf on the rural fringes of the Chicago area and beyond, looking to build dozens of solar farms to feed the electric grids of Commonwealth Edison and other utilities…It’s a potential sea change in the Illinois energy landscape that proponents say is long overdue and will provide customers with a green power alternative. But the rise of solar power also has generated opposition from some residents…” click here for more

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    Monday, April 23, 2018

    “Letter From A Teenage Girl Who Has Had Enough”

    Dear leaders: You've failed your children on climate change

    Jamie Margolin, April 22, 2018 (CNN)

    Read this passionate letter, signed “A teenage girl who has had enough and is not alone” HERE

    “Dear leaders…You failed us…[W]hen faced with the choice of fossil fuel money for your campaigns, or the wellbeing of your children, you pick fossil fuels…[M]y generation is so done with your talk…I'm a 16-year-old sophomore in high school. I have my whole life ahead of me, and there's so much I want to do…[But] I'm growing up in the early 21st century, a time when the world and all its life systems are falling apart…When I think of the future, I can't assume stability or safety.

    When I think of adulthood, I see my home being flooded, I see deathly heat waves, droughts, famine and intense, deadly storms…I see insects, allergens, and diseases spreading…countless people dying from toxic drinking water, food full of chemicals, and air thick with pollutants…millions upon millions of refugees…wars and conflict over dwindling resources…You are leaving my generation with a world that is unlivable…The first step to getting out of a hole is to stop digging…You're still in the pockets of corporations digging our destruction…Generation Z has had it…We are organizing the [Youth Climate March in Washington DC this on July 21] that you won't be able to ignore…” click here for more

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    The Many Values Of Ocean Wind

    New study finds that the market value of offshore wind varies significantly along the U.S. east coast

    April 16, 2018 (Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory)

    “…[T]he economic value of wind power can vary significantly by location, depending on the time-varying wind resource profile at a given site, as well as local pricing and market rules within the regional power market…[A new Berkeley Lab study] finds that the historical ‘market value’ of offshore wind (considering energy, capacity, and REC value) is highest for sites off of New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts—i.e., all areas where offshore wind is being actively pursued—and lowest for sites along the southeastern coast…[It] also finds that offshore wind can reduce air pollution emissions and wholesale electricity and natural gas prices, though effects vary in magnitude over time and across regions…The ‘market value’ of offshore wind is found to have exceeded that of land-based wind, due to offshore wind sites being located closer to major population centers and also having a time-varying profile of electricity production that is more-correlated with that of electricity demand. Yet, the cost of offshore wind is also higher than that of land-based wind, requiring important economic tradeoffs…” click here for more

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    Solar For All

    This Untapped Market Could Add 320 Gigawatts Of New U.S. Residential Solar Energy

    Silvio Maracacci, April 23, 2018 (Forbes)

    “Residential rooftop solar projects in the U.S. have historically been installed on wealthier, single-family households, meaning companies typically target higher-income households with their marketing efforts...[T]his focus is overlooking a massive growth opportunity: Low-to-moderate income (LMI) households…A new first-of-its-kind report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) finds nearly half of all U.S. residential rooftop solar technical potential is on LMI households, and LMI solar capacity could total 320 gigawatts (GW) of potential solar installations across America…[That is six times solar’s current] 53.3 GW total installed capacity...LMI solar’s growth potential extends to nearly every corner of the U.S…[but tapping] the LMI solar opportunity will require innovative approaches to solar projects and market policies described in the NREL paper]…” click here for more

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    Tuesday, April 17, 2018

    Kids Demand Moral Response To Climate Change

    Florida Kids Sue Gov. Scott Over Climate Change: You Have 'Moral Obligation' to Protect Us; The case, connected to the federal Our Children’s Trust climate lawsuit, is one of nine pressuring states to take action on global warming and fossil fuels.

    Georgina Gustin, April 16, 2018 (Inside Climate News)

    “Eight young Floridians, ages 10 to 19, sued their state and its climate-policy-averse governor… for failing to protect residents from the impacts of a warming climate…They say they already see signs of climate change around them—from powerful hurricanes to extreme heat waves to tidal flooding that now regularly washes into coastal roads and parks as sea level rises—and they want the state to do something about it…[The lawsuit] is the latest in a wave of legal cases filed by children against states and the federal government that accuse government of depriving them of the fundamental right to a stable climate…The Florida plaintiffs [argue the state should] ‘adhere to its legal and moral obligation to protect current and future generations from the intensifying impacts of climate change…’” click here for more

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    Wind Delivers Big Money To Struggling Rural Ohio

    Wind power set to deliver $54m to Ohio’s rural communities by the end of 2018

    Michele Froese, April 16, Windpower Engineering & Development)

    “…[Just four utility-scale wind projects in rural Ohio] will have delivered over $54 million in payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) and land lease payments by the end of 2018…[These very real financial benefits to places in need of economic opportunity underscores the misguidedness the Ohio Legislature, which] – without any public input or legislative debate – enacted changes to the state’s property setback requirements for new wind projects in 2014, creating one of the most stringent statewide setback laws in the nation. Since the change, the state’s Power Siting Board has yet to receive a single new project application that complies with the requirements. In addition, there are more than a dozen approved or pending in-state wind projects that may not reach completion without a change to the current law…In contrast, the American wind industry has developed 17 projects in nearby and neighboring states such as Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania since 2014, representing over $2 billion in project investment…” click here for more

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    Studies Leave Doubt Of Need For Old Energy

    Department of Energy Releases Bogus Study to Prop Up Coal Plants

    Jeremy Richardson, April 10, 2018 (Union of Concerned Scientists)

    “…Major grid operator PJM’s new study shows [a National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)] report “reaches some sweeping conclusions that are not supported by the specific facts concerning grid operations” and [PJM debunks the Department of Energy (DOE)-ordered NETL study’s] claim that blackouts would have occurred without the coal units dispatched during the bomb cyclone…[The NETL study also] estimates a bogus value for coal providing these so-called “resiliency” services…[Federal regulators] rejected the DOE’s fact-free proposal to bail out coal and nuclear plants late last year…[The nugget of truth] is that we do need reserve capacity to be available in times of peak demand, especially during [winter cold snaps and other] extreme weather events…[But] regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs)were prepared for the cold snap, and the markets [and New Energy output compensated for spikes in natural gas prices]…” click here for more

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    Monday, April 16, 2018

    How the science of persuasion could change the politics of climate change; Conservatives have to make the case to conservatives, and a growing number of them are.

    James Temple, April 16, 2018 (MIT Technology Review)

    “…While much of the research and debate today focuses on figuring out the right mix of clean energy sources, or on developing better and cheaper technologies, the real breakthrough that’s required might lie in the science of persuasion. We’ll never generate enough clean energy to dramatically cut emissions in the next few decades—while abandoning fossil-fuel plants that still work perfectly well—as long as so many political leaders adamantly deny even the existence of anthropogenic climate change…[T]he academic literature offers insights on what drives such shifts in political sentiment…Lesson one: Pick the right targets…[T]he goal should be to change the minds of the elites…Lesson 2: Depoliticize the issue…[C]raft fact-based arguments designed to appeal specifically to their political interests, and present policies they can rationalize within their ideologies…Lesson 3: Pick the right policies…Lesson 4: Find areas of common ground…” click here for more

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    Turning Trash Into Solar Power

    Super Idea: Repurposing Toxic Sites to Produce Solar Energy

    Frank Carini. April 14, 2018 (EcoRI News)

    “…[Two municipalities in Rhode Island and the state university have solved the challenge of finding land for solar by] developing solar energy on long-ago trashed sites…[They] are building solar facilities on two Superfund sites…[T]he former Rose Hill Regional Landfill and the closed URI waste disposal site/West Kingston town dump…had been identified at one time by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as having been contaminated by hazardous waste. The properties, which had been remediated and closed, are reportedly expected to be producing solar energy in the coming months…There is no capital cost for the two municipalities and URI. The developer, Kearsarge Energy, will keep 75 percent of the energy generated and sell the remaining 25 percent to the towns and the university…[The agreement] also stipulates that the renewable energy credits (RECs) produced at the two solar facilities will stay with Kearsarge for the first 10 years before transferring to the consortium…[O]wners of municipal landfills must balance the risk to humans versus a beneficial reuse of a landfill…[S]olar projects have typically been deemed favorable by regulatory agencies since access by humans is relatively limited to construction…” click here for more

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    New Atlantic Coast Areas Opened To Ocean Wind

    Feds Eye More Wind Energy Leases

    Christopher Walsh, April 11, 2018 (East Hampton Star)

    “The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [BOEM] is calling for information and nominations from companies interested in commercial wind energy leases within a proposed area in the New York Bight, an area of shallow waters between Long Island and the New Jersey coast…[T]he agency seeks public opinion on the potential for wind energy development in the area, including site conditions, resources, and multiple uses in close proximity to, or within, the areas…[Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo welcomed BOEM’s support for] one of the largest offshore wind development plans in the country, which [is expected to] power 1.2 million New York homes and create 5,000 good-paying jobs…” click here for more

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    Tuesday, April 10, 2018

    Buildings Designed To Weather Climate Change

    How can architects design facades for the age of climate change?

    Jonathan Hilburg, April 9, 2018 (The Architects Newspaper)

    “Taking environmental stresses into account when designing a building is typical, but rising tides, heat waves, extreme winds and other climate change-driven conditions present new challenges to building envelopes…[Yan Chu of Adamson Associates facade and mechanical system designs are now based on current climatic data but climate change requires] a more fundamental rethinking…[But climate change is going to create] a whole new level of weather conditions…There is a whole sector of the design community trying to address resiliency and survivability…[That should be folded] into the design process…[The passive house strategy is] a holistic way of thinking of design…[Designing for the most recent codes will not meet the need of the next code. The biggest challenge is how to create incentives for] buildings owners, occupants, and designers to address climate change without depending on the building code…” click here for more

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    Tidal,Wave, And Other Ocean Energies In 2017

    Report highlights ocean energy activities in 2017

    Elizabeth Ingram, March 22, 2018 (HydroWorld)

    “…[G]lobal installed ocean energy power compared with the previous year, surpassing 25 MW. Tidal current deployments increased to more than 17 MW and wave energy deployments reached 8 MW. The remainder of the capacity comes from ocean thermal energy conversion and salinity gradient…[a just-released annual review of the industry includes] waves, tidal range, tidal currents, ocean currents, ocean thermal energy conversion and salinity gradients…[It details achievements and progress in many key tasks for the industry, including three that have been completed. Two new tasks were initiated] in 2017: establishing a common international stage gate metrics framework to be used by technology developers, investors and funders, and validating numerical tools for tidal energy…[The report also highlights progress in] Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, the European Commission, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the U.S…” click here for more

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    The Future Of U.S. Offshore Wind

    To See Offshore Wind Energy’s Future, Look on Shore – in Massachusetts; A former whaling port has been retrofitted to serve the wind industry, a blade-testing center is up and running, and the state has an offshore wind power mandate.

    Jan Ellen Spiegel, April 9, 2018 (Inside Climate News)

    “…[The U.S. will enter the global offshore wind market in earnest with Massachusetts’ decision on which among three proposed offshore wind projects it wants to move ahead. No matter which are chosen, Massachusetts wins…[because it has already prepared the onshore components for offshore wind, including a major offshore wind-ready port in New Bedford, a wind turbine blade testing center in Charlestown and workforce training initiatives…[It also has the] first-in-the-nation offshore wind energy mandate…[which] requires the state's utilities to have long-term contracts for 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind power by June 2027..[The competitive solicitation] includes proposals from Deepwater Wind, Bay State Wind and Vineyard Wind…[All three have agreed] to use New Bedford's Marine Commerce Terminal, which opened in 2015…[The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)] estimates that just the existing leased areas off New England and New York can support about 7,600 megawatts of power generation…[The estimated 8,000 megawatts of offshore wind that could be developed in the northeast by 2030] could result in the creation of nearly 40,000 jobs…” click here for more

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    Monday, April 9, 2018

    Air Travel Troubles From Climate Change

    Here's How Climate Change Could Make Air Travel Even Worse; Rising seas, increased storms, and other effects from climate change will take a toll on your travel plans.

    “…[Climate change] is going to disrupt your future travel plans, especially if you're planning to fly. Weather disruptions will mean more delays and cancellations, strengthening jet streams at high altitudes means more turbulence, and traveling against the jet stream (like flying from Europe to the U.S.) means your flights will take longer…Heat waves and rising temperatures cause the air to thin , which makes it harder for planes to generate enough lift during takeoff…[Scientists predict] 10 to 30 percent of flights scheduled during the hottest time of the year will require weight restrictions…[A Boeing 737 would require lightening by three passengers.] Short runways — like those at New York's LaGuardia Airport — will be especially vulnerable…[Unexpected storms could damage equipment and terminals, and flood] low-lying areas like airports in coastal regions. Blistering heat can literally melt airport tarmacs…” click here for more

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    California Moves Ahead With Floating Wind

    Consortium to develop floating offshore wind farm off California coast

    Michelle Froese, April 3, 2018 (Windpower Engineering)

    “The Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) has selected a consortium of companies to enter into a public-private partnership to pursue the development of [a 100 to 150-MW floating offshore wind farm more than 20 miles] off the Northern California coast… The consortium says it is pleased to bring proven technology, development expertise, and financial capabilities to the partnership, which will work toward a flagship project for the floating offshore wind industry in California and the US in general… The wind resource off the Humboldt County coast is the best off California with average wind speeds of more than ten meters per second, inducing expected high-capacity performance from wind farms…[The consortium] is comprised of Principle Power Inc., EDPR Offshore North America LLC, Aker Solutions Inc., H. T. Harvey & Associates, and Herrera Environmental Consultants Inc. The] project partners will continue proactive community and stakeholder outreach…” click here for more

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    Four Mileposts For Solar

    4 Bold Predictions for Solar Energy; There are big changes coming to solar energy in 2018.

    Travis Hoium, April 9, 2018 (The Motley Fool)

    “The solar industry…[is] a long-term, multitrillion-dollar opportunity…Here are a few trends…[First Solar will benefit from the U.S. tariff on imported modules and cells because it is] the only company that had a large [domestic] manufacturing presence…[JinkoSolar (NYSE:JKS) plans to build] a $50 million module assembly plant in Florida…[SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWR)] is eyeing two manufacturing sites in the U.S...Energy storage is going mainstream…[As it] becomes easier to justify financially, the market will grow exponentially…Tesla is going to shrink into solar oblivion…[Its] buyout of SolarCity is looking worse by the day, highlighted by just 87 MW of solar installations in Q4 2017, down 57% from a year earlier…The Middle East is going to taking solar energy seriously…Saudi Arabia recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Softbank to build 200,000 MW of solar…[First Solar, SunPower, Vivint Solar, and Sunrun are] well ahead of small, regional installers in developing energy storage and they should be able to exploit that advantage…” click here for more

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    Tuesday, April 3, 2018

    Renewables Up But So Are Fossil Fuels

    Global energy demand grew by 2.1% in 2017, and carbon emissions rose for the first time since 2014

    22 March 2018 (International Energy Agency)

    “Global energy demand rose by 2.1% in 2017, more than twice the previous year’s rate, boosted by strong global economic growth, with oil, gas and coal meeting [over 70%] of the increase in demand for energy, and renewables…[accountimg] for almost all of the rest [according to the IEA’s Global Energy and CO2 Status Report, 2017]…[Because improvements] in energy efficiency slowed…global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions increased by 1.4% in 2017, after three years of remaining flat…[But emissions declined] in the U.S., UK, Mexico and Japan…The biggest drop in emissions came from the U.S., driven by higher renewables deployment…Oil demand grew by 1.6%...Natural gas consumption grew 3%, the most of all fossil fuels, with China alone accounting for nearly a third of this growth, and the buildings and industry sectors contributing to 80% of the increase…Renewables had the highest growth rate of any fuel, meeting a quarter of world energy demand growth, as renewables-based electricity generation rose 6.3%...” click here for more

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    Gallup Finds Partisan Divide On Climate Still High

    Global Warming Concern Steady Despite Some Partisan Shifts

    Megan Brenan and LyDia Saad, March 28, 2018 (Gallup)

    “…Americans' concerns about global warming…[remain at the record-high levels they were in 2017 but the White House attitude may have contributed to a widening partisan] divide…Ninety-one percent of Democrats and 33% of Republicans say they worry a great deal or fair amount about global warming, but 67% of Republicans worry only a little or not at all…[82% of Democrats and 34% of Republicans] think global warming has already begun to happen…57% of Republicans think it will not happen in their lifetime (25%) or will "never happen" (32%)…About seven in 10 Republicans (69%) think the seriousness of global warming is exaggerated in the news, 15% think it is generally correct and 15% say it is generally underestimated…[Democrats see the seriousness of global warming] underestimated (64%) or correct (32%), and just 4% say it is exaggerated…” To be continued Thursday (click here for more)

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    EVs Ready To Race Ahead In 2018

    Global Electric Vehicle Market Looks to Fire on All Motors in 2018

    Sarwant Singh, April 3,2018 (Forbes)

    “…Global electric vehicle (EV)] sales are poised to climb from 1.2 million in 2017 to 1.6 million in 2018 and further upwards to an estimated 2 million in 2019…[although major challenges remain] related to battery technology and charging infrastructure, [according to a new report from Frost & Sullivan]…Initiatives to develop low- cost, fast charging battery technologies that support long range use looked set to yield promising results. In 2017, car manufacturers targeted higher battery capacities of over 60 kWh that increased the range of an EV up to 200 miles on a single charge…[Safer, longer duration] solid state batteries have emerged as potential game changers for future battery chemistries…[and are already being developed by] leading car manufacturers including BMW and Toyota…[At the same time, the cost of lithium ion battery packs] fell below $200 KWH…There are currently over 90,000 public charging stations globally which are poised to expand to over 120,000 in 2018…[Charging stations typically tend to be clustered around areas where EV sales are the highest. This is on the verge of transforming…EV sales across all major regional markets are on the upswing. In 2017, China led the market with just short of 50% market share, followed by Europe with 26%...” click here for more

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    Monday, April 2, 2018

    Think Win-Win To Beat Climate Change

    On climate change, zero-sum thinking doesn't work; There are win-win solutions to this problem.

    Joseph Robertson, 2 April 2018 (UK Guardian)

    Democracy is not a zero-sum game. Behaving as if it is degrades democratic process and our personal political sovereignty…[In a zero-sum game, whatever] one gains, another must lose…[But the] beating heart of a free society is the guarantee of personal political sovereignty…Political sovereignty is informational sovereignty…Distortion of our informational environment has slowed humanity’s overall effort to eliminate corruption and transcend harmful practices, like those that destabilize Earth’s climate…[H]uman intelligence, creative collaboration, and adherence to basic principles of fairness, make more good possible…Success requires dealing ably with complexity…Zero-sum thinking strips intelligence from our politics. Generative thinking recognizes that complex constructive interactions make us smarter, more capable, freer, and more secure…If we are informationally sovereign, we can scale up smart decision-making to correct hidden market failures and expand routine access to increased value for everyone…

    To distort and disrupt climate and energy decision-making, carbon polluters spent hundreds of millions of dollars over several decades. Their aim was to degrade the sovereignty of voters, consumers, rivals in the innovation space, the free press, and even nation states…[That] undermined the competitiveness of polluting industries, making outdated methods appear longer lived than they stand a real chance of being, even as they build up unprecedented, nonlinear carbon liability. Market forces will eventually stop rewarding ever more costly carbon-intensive practices that put irreplaceable natural life-supports at risk…There is no reason for such risky business models, or corrupt institutions, to continue to undermine humanity’s ability to solve big problems…” click here for more

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