Governors' Wind Energy Coalition

GOP states benefiting from shift to wind and solar energy

By Michael Biesecker, Associated Press • • Posted 2016-05-06 06:28:21

It was the second straight year U.S. investment in renewable energy projects has outpaced that of fossil fuels. Robust growth is once again predicted for this year. And while Republican lawmakers in Washington have fought to protect coal-fired power plants, opposing President Barack Obama’s efforts to curtail climate-warming carbon emissions, data show their home states are often the ones benefiting most from the nation’s accelerating shift to renewable energy. Leading the way in new wind projects are GOP strongholds Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, home to some of the leading critics of climate science and renewable energy incentives in Congress. Republican-dominated North Carolina trails only California in new solar farms, thanks largely to pro-renewables polices enacted years ago under a Democratic legislature. [ read more … ]

Wind industry, bird advocates dissect new eagle rule

Phil Taylor, E&E reporter • • Posted 2016-05-06 06:28:55

A new Fish and Wildlife Service plan to permit energy companies to kill federally protected bald and golden eagles for up to 30 years is drawing mixed reviews from wind and wildlife advocates. The draft rule would give wind farms, power lines and other large projects license to injure, disturb or kill a limited number of eagles in exchange for commitments to avoid and mitigate harm.
[ read more … ]

Foreign energy leaders ‘shocked,’ worried by Trump’s rise

Evan Lehmann and Jean Chemnick, E&E reporters • • Posted 2016-05-06 06:30:23

The Netherlands’ environment minister described Donald Trump’s views on climate change as “wrong” yesterday, hours after the celebrity businessman solidified his grasp on the Republican nomination for president. A handful of other foreign officials also expressed concern about Trump’s dismissive comments on rising temperatures. Together, those worries might foreshadow international disagreements facing a Trump administration on an environmental issue that 195 nations recently pledged to address as a global threat. [ read more … ]

Demand for Model 3 pushes Tesla to accelerate manufacture plans

Anne C. Mulkern, E&E reporter • • Posted 2016-05-06 06:30:46

Tesla Motors will accelerate production of all its electric vehicles, pushed by heady demand for its planned midpriced car, the company said yesterday. Palo Alto, Calif.-based Tesla, best known as a maker of luxury EVs, said it’s on track to start making the mainstream Model 3 in 2017. In addition, because of the clamor for that car, Tesla will push up its plan to hit production of 500,000 total cars annually, reaching that road mark by 2018. [ read more … ]

Hansen calls on billionaire Buffett to endorse carbon pricing

Benjamin Hulac, E&E reporter • • Posted 2016-05-06 06:29:32

“We knew we weren’t going to win,” said the Nebraska Peace Foundation’s Mark Vasina, who introduced the proposal for the foundation at the meeting. The goal was to raise the issue, he said. Responding to the foundation’s resolution, Buffett said climate change is highly probable, not certain, and poses “no adverse impact on the insurance business,” Vasina recalled. [ read more … ]

Researchers Aim to Put Carbon Dioxide Back to Work

By HENRY FOUNTAIN, New York Times • • Posted 2016-05-06 06:29:55

Think, for a moment, of carbon dioxide as garbage, a waste product from burning fossil fuels. Like other garbage, almost all of that CO2 is thrown away — into the atmosphere, where it contributes to climate change. A small amount is captured and stored underground to keep it out of the air. But increasingly, scientists are asking, rather than throwing away or storing CO2, how about recycling some of it?
[ read more … ]

Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.

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	May 6, 2016
GOP states benefiting from shift to wind and solar energy By Michael Biesecker, Associated Press • • Posted 2016-05-06 06:28:21 It was the second straight year U.S. investment in renewable energy projects has outpaced that of fossil fuels. Robust growth is once again predicted for this year. And while Republican lawmakers in Washington have fought to protect coal-fired power plants, opposing President Barack Obama’s efforts to curtail climate-warming carbon emissions, data show their home states are often the ones benefiting most from the nation’s accelerating shift to renewable energy. Leading the way in new wind projects are GOP strongholds Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, home to some of the leading critics of climate science and renewable energy incentives in Congress. Republican-dominated North Carolina trails only California in new solar farms, thanks largely to pro-renewables polices enacted years ago under a Democratic legislature. [ read more … ] Wind industry, bird advocates dissect new eagle rule Phil Taylor, E&E reporter • • Posted 2016-05-06 06:28:55 A new Fish and Wildlife Service plan to permit energy companies to kill federally protected bald and golden eagles for up to 30 years is drawing mixed reviews from wind and wildlife advocates. The draft rule would give wind farms, power lines and other large projects license to injure, disturb or kill a limited number of eagles in exchange for commitments to avoid and mitigate harm. [ read more … ] Foreign energy leaders ‘shocked,’ worried by Trump’s rise Evan Lehmann and Jean Chemnick, E&E reporters • • Posted 2016-05-06 06:30:23 The Netherlands’ environment minister described Donald Trump’s views on climate change as “wrong” yesterday, hours after the celebrity businessman solidified his grasp on the Republican nomination for president. A handful of other foreign officials also expressed concern about Trump’s dismissive comments on rising temperatures. Together, those worries might foreshadow international disagreements facing a Trump administration on an environmental issue that 195 nations recently pledged to address as a global threat. [ read more … ] Demand for Model 3 pushes Tesla to accelerate manufacture plans Anne C. Mulkern, E&E reporter • • Posted 2016-05-06 06:30:46 Tesla Motors will accelerate production of all its electric vehicles, pushed by heady demand for its planned midpriced car, the company said yesterday. Palo Alto, Calif.-based Tesla, best known as a maker of luxury EVs, said it’s on track to start making the mainstream Model 3 in 2017. In addition, because of the clamor for that car, Tesla will push up its plan to hit production of 500,000 total cars annually, reaching that road mark by 2018. [ read more … ] Hansen calls on billionaire Buffett to endorse carbon pricing Benjamin Hulac, E&E reporter • • Posted 2016-05-06 06:29:32 “We knew we weren’t going to win,” said the Nebraska Peace Foundation’s Mark Vasina, who introduced the proposal for the foundation at the meeting. The goal was to raise the issue, he said. Responding to the foundation’s resolution, Buffett said climate change is highly probable, not certain, and poses “no adverse impact on the insurance business,” Vasina recalled. [ read more … ] Researchers Aim to Put Carbon Dioxide Back to Work By HENRY FOUNTAIN, New York Times • • Posted 2016-05-06 06:29:55 Think, for a moment, of carbon dioxide as garbage, a waste product from burning fossil fuels. Like other garbage, almost all of that CO2 is thrown away — into the atmosphere, where it contributes to climate change. A small amount is captured and stored underground to keep it out of the air. But increasingly, scientists are asking, rather than throwing away or storing CO2, how about recycling some of it? [ read more … ] Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.
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