The Press Enterprise: Desert Solar Plant Has Pollution Problem
A solar power plant at the center of the Obama administration’s push to reduce America’s carbon footprint by using millions of taxpayer dollars to promote green energy has its own carbon pollution problem.
The Ivanpah plant in the Mojave Desert uses natural gas as a supplementary fuel. Data from the California Energy Commission show that the plant burned enough natural gas in 2014 -- its first year of operation -- to emit more than 46,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
That’s nearly twice the pollution threshold for power plants or factories in California to be required to participate in the state’s cap-and-trade program to reduce carbon emissions.
Climate Progress: Why Are So Many People Mad About This Environmental Group’s Endorsement?
Grassroots environmentalists unleashed a wave of criticism on the D.C.-based League of Conservation Voters on Monday and Tuesday, after the group announced its endorsement for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Hundreds of people -- many of whom said they support Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who has made climate change a central part of his presidential campaign -- posted comments on LCV’s Facebook page and depleted its ranking from more than 4 stars to 2.2, while grassroots groups speculated privately on why the group would offer its earliest-ever endorsement.
Renewable Energy Focus: Scotland Falling Short of 100% Renewable Energy Goal
A new report has shown that Scotland will miss its 100% renewable electricity target without further investment in onshore and offshore wind.
The study, published by industry body Scottish Renewables, shows Scotland is on course to generate the equivalent of 87% of its annual demand for power from renewables by 2020, and highlights the need for further support from the U.K. government if the target is to be met.
Its release comes amid press reports of a leaked letter from the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change stating that the U.K. will miss its 2020 renewables targets.
MIT Technology Review: White House Strikes a Blow for Advanced Nuclear Reactors
Acknowledging a groundswell of startup companies developing advanced nuclear reactors, the U.S. Department of Energy has announced a new program to help facilitate and finance innovation in nuclear power. Called the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear, the program will “provide the nuclear energy community with access to the technical, regulatory, and financial support necessary to move new or advanced nuclear reactor designs toward commercialization.”
There are nearly 50 companies in North America working on advanced nuclear reactor technologies, backed by more than $1.3 billion in private capital, according to Third Way, a Washington, D.C.-based research organization focused on energy, climate change, and national security.
Bloomberg: Energy Hasn't Been This Hot Since They Invented Fire
Beyond coal's pain, change is so monumental that it's difficult to say who the winner will be. It's easier to say what won't be. Nuclear won't. It's kind of running in place, benefiting from its status as a low-carbon power source but suffering from its expense and most everyone's reluctance to welcome new reactors in their backyards.
Natural gas is the coal killer, undercutting coal's price as a power generation fuel. The abundance of American gas will keep the world market for liquefied natural gas supplied well through 2020. Low prices are great for destroying competitors, but they can leave investors hurting.
Renewables are no longer "alternative energy." Solar power is competitive with fossil electricity in more and more places every year -- watch China, India, and Chile in 2016.