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California Blackouts a Warning for States Ramping Up Green Power
The state’s grid operator called twice for emergency outages over the weekend due to inadequate power supplies, in part because demand peaked as solar production began its evening decline. California has been relying far more heavily on natural-gas-fired power plants, which, unlike wind and solar farms, aren’t dependent on the weather to produce energy. Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized the state’s grid operator and utility regulator in a letter Monday, saying that their “failure to predict these shortages is unacceptable particularly given our state’s work to combat climate change.” [ read more … ]
Extreme Weather
Blackouts threaten heat-ravaged grid
California could see repeated rolling blackouts in the coming months in the face of extreme heat waves that have pushed power supplies to the edge. Residents throughout the Golden State endured power shut-offs last weekend when demand surged and electricity supplies ran short. The California Independent System Operator, which manages the state’s grid, predicted it could happen again through tomorrow as a dangerous heat wave continues. [ read more … ]
Bad Things Happen When the Jet Stream Breaks
It was a California weekend for the history books, adding to 2020’s global tally of extremes—including fires, heatwaves and tropical storms. This year has arguably offered a glimpse into the future of our climate-changed world. But as far as the Golden State is concerned, that future may be here—now. [ read more … ]
Wind Energy
Clean energy break: NJ may consider creating its own electric grid
Lawmakers may require the state Board of Public Utilities to study whether to have New Jersey withdraw from the regional electric transmission grid in favor of either going it alone or joining one operating in New York. The impetus is a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rule raising the price for all new sources of electricity that receive a state subsidy within the PJM Interconnection market, such as wind power being developed in New Jersey. The Murphy administration is seeking to appeal that in federal court. [ read more … ]
Huge U.K. offshore wind farm signs deal to sell power
A giant wind farm being developed off the coast of the U.K. will sell some of its power to energy trader Danske Commodities A/S. Under the 15-year deal, the subsidiary of Equinor ASA will trade and balance power from 480 megawatts of the Dogger Bank wind farm, about 13% of its capacity. It’s a key step as the developers of the massive wind park move toward a final investment decision. [ read more … ]
States
Long-awaited study sets stage for Ind. shift from coal
Indiana regulators have delivered a long-anticipated study to the governor and a legislative task force that will help guide policymakers as they debate the continued pace of the state’s shift from coal to cleaner energy. The 338-page study, issued Friday by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), analyzed a variety of state energy policies and market conditions, including possible moratoriums on coal plant closures, which the report concluded would raise electricity prices.
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Car Efficiency Standards
Defying Trump, 5 Automakers Lock In a Deal on Greenhouse Gas Pollution
Under the California agreement, the automakers, which together make up about 30 percent of the United States auto market, will be required to increase their average fuel economy from about 38 miles per gallon today to about 51 miles per gallon by 2026. By comparison, the Trump administration’s national rule on auto emissions, which was completed this spring, rolled back a 2012 rule that required automakers’ fleets to average about 54 miles per gallon by 2025. Instead, the fleets now must only average about 40 miles per gallon. [ read more … ]
6 questions about Calif. auto emissions deals
In a rebuke to President Trump, five automakers agreed yesterday to follow tougher clean car standards than those outlined by his administration. The five companies — Ford Motor Co., Honda Motor Co. Ltd., Volkswagen AG, BMW of North America and Volvo — each finalized a voluntary emissions agreement with the California Air Resources Board. The agreements come after President Trump gutted federal clean car standards, the most significant climate rules established by former President Obama.
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Climate
These Folks Think Eternal Economic Growth Will Lead to Unstoppable Climate Change
In recent years, a group of economists, ecologists, and anthropologists have converged on a way to address both climate and ecological crises that will also make the world happier, healthier, and more equal. The gist: “less is more”—which also happens to be the title of a new book by one member of this intellectual squad, Jason Hickel, an economic anthropologist at Goldsmiths University of London. [ read more … ]
Natural Gas
In the run-up to U.S. election, drilling lobby promotes natural gas as ‘clean’
America’s biggest oil and gas lobby group is ramping up its advertising spending ahead of the November election to persuade voters that natural gas is a climate-friendly fuel, according to ad buying data. The campaign by the American Petroleum Institute (API), targeted at younger voters and some tight congressional races, is part of a global battle by the drilling industry to assuage growing fears over the role of natural gas in driving climate change. [ read more … ]
Campaign 2020
Biden presidency could spur era of climate litigation
Climate litigation could be on the verge of a sea change if presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden wins his bid for the presidency this fall. The former vice president and his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, have both expressed support for holding oil and gas firms liable for climate change, and legal experts say they would expect notable changes in the way lawsuits over warming-induced sea-level rise and strengthening storms — at both the state and federal levels — are handled if the Democrats clinch the White House. [ read more … ]
Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.