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The climate crisis spawned a generation of young activists. Now they’re voters.
Madeline Graham, 18, fed her ballot into the machine at the Sandy Spring, Md., polling place, completing her journey from climate protester to climate voter — becoming one of millions of her generation compelled by their deep worry about the planet to vote for the first time. “There’s a lot of emotions,” said Graham as she walked out of the early-voting center after casting her vote for president for Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Proudly she pasted her “I voted” sticker to the dashboard of her truck. [ read more … ]
Wind Energy
Shipbuilding on the ballot? Offshore wind sees an opening
Shipbuilding is now geared toward the country’s offshore oil and gas sector. But that could change: The prospect of thousands of offshore wind turbines being installed in the sea by U.S.-flagged ships, tended for years by well-paid mariners, has spurred talk of a renaissance. Renewable energy and labor leaders say today’s election could be a make-or-break moment for the technology. While Trump hasn’t directly stood in offshore wind developers’ way, advocates see Biden’s $2 trillion climate plan and 100% clean electricity commitment as a shot in the arm for the fledgling U.S. industry.
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Transmission
New report examines benefits of expanding the transmission grid
The report finds that transmission overcomes a significant challenge in the U.S., which is that much of the renewable energy resources are often located in remote, rural regions, far from urban areas. According to the Wind Energy Foundation, the 15 states between the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi River account for 88 percent of America’s wind potential and 56 percent of its large-scale solar photovoltaic potential. However, those states are home to only 30 percent of projected 2050 electricity use. [ read more … ]
Markets
Exxon’s climate fix is algae. Experts say it won’t work
Biofuels represent one of Exxon Mobil’s primary answers to climate change. In television ads and presentations to investors, the company showcases it as an example of its dedication to cutting greenhouse gases. But after more than a decade of research, serious questions remain about Exxon Mobil’s biofuel efforts. The company has spent more in the last 10 years on advertising than on algae research. Exxon Mobil is the only major oil company looking at algae as a potential source of biofuels. Scientists say there is good reason for that. The technology, while technically feasible, is wildly expensive. [ read more … ]
EVs
Formula 1 Champ Nico Rosberg Wants Electric Cars to Hurry Up and Get Cheaper
Formula 1 racer Nico Rosberg achieved 23 Grand Prix victories and won the World Championship in 2016. Five days later, he retired as an active driver and embarked on a career as an entrepreneur and investor, focusing on sustainable mobility and green technologies. He’s an investor in the all-electric racing series Formula E, and has funded new mobility startups including Volocopter, What3Words, and Chargepoint. [ read more … ]
Ford expects profits from new EVs
An electric version of Ford Motor Co.’s bestselling commercial van to be unveiled next week will be sold widely and is meant to be a moneymaker, according to the company’s new CEO.
The news is a further sign that traditional U.S. automakers are shifting their expectations for electric vehicles. Previous EVs have been money-losers meant to comply with regulations. But new electric models are moving front and center, getting the best new features and attached to automakers’ most popular lines [ read more … ]
Campaign 2020
‘Everything is at stake.’ Climate hawks hope to flip Senate
As the nation watches the presidential election today, climate experts will be focusing on control of the Senate and whether Democrats can win a mandate to pursue ambitious climate legislation next year. With polls showing Democrats favored to capture the presidency and the House, climate experts and advocates say securing the Senate would give the party an unprecedented opportunity to enact groundbreaking legislation to cut emissions and enhance clean energy. [ read more … ]
Analysis: Biden’s clean-energy ‘revolution’ faces challenge to match fossil-fuel jobs, pay
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, seeking to allay concerns that his plan to fight climate change would harm the economy, has promised a “clean energy revolution that creates millions of unionized middle-class jobs” if he’s elected. That vision, however, would require policy makers and clean-energy companies to overcome some major challenges in replacing the number and quality of fossil-fuel jobs that could be lost in a transition away from coal and oil. [ read more … ]
3 state battles could swing zero-carbon energy plans
The battleground states of Minnesota, Pennsylvania and North Carolina could be pivotal in determining who occupies the White House in 2021. The pace of the transition away from fossil fuels in all three states is also on the ballot today with Democrats vying for party control of state government. Enough wins could give Democrats control of governorships and state legislatures, and a clearer path for more aggressive carbon emissions reductions in energy and transportation.
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Biden links climate action with jobs in closing argument
Joe Biden has leaned on climate change in the homestretch of his White House campaign — deploying the issue as a way to talk about energy jobs, environmental justice and how he sees the world differently from President Trump. In a Twitter post yesterday, Biden recalled Trump’s past dismissal of climate change as a hoax. “I believe climate change is an existential threat to humanity. Donald Trump doesn’t even think it exists,” he wrote. “It’s that simple, folks.” [ read more … ]
Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.