The August, 2022 edition of Green Energy Times has gone to press and will soon be available in the places it is distributed. It is now available online and can be downloaded HERE.
Individual articles are being uploaded, and will be available soon online.
“China is beating the US in clean energy. Can America catch up?” • Despite its continued connection with coal, China has emerged in the last decade as a global clean energy champion. It is outperforming the US by a wide margin in almost every area of clean technology, from overall investment and manufacture to marketing across the world. [Grid News]
“ReNew Power Claims India’s ‘Biggest Ever’ Finance Deal Made For Battery-Backed Renewable Energy Project” • ReNew Power said it secured $1 billion financing for the biggest single-project clean energy deal in India. It will include 900 MW of wind and 400 MW of solar power, along with storage capacity to provide dispatchable energy 24/7. [Energy Storage News]
“As Colorado River Crisis Grows, Some Officials Say It’s Time For Feds To Make A Move On Water Cuts” • The Colorado River system is spiraling toward its demise, stakeholder states failed to meet an August 15 deadline to devise a plan to reduce water useage themselves. Now the US government says it is stepping in to produce mandatory cuts. [CNN]
“US Natural Gas Prices Spike To 14-Year High” • US natural gas prices have increased to levels unseen since 2008, even as prices for gasoline and oil are falling. The summer spike is being driven partly by high demand as scorching temperatures through much of the country force Americans to crank up the air conditioning. It is made worse by low inventory levels. [CNN]
“American Farmers Are Killing Their Own Crops And Selling Cows Because Of Extreme Drought” • Of the farmers in the US, 37% of said they are plowing through and killing existing crops that won’t reach maturity because of dry conditions. In Texas, drought is forcing farmers to sell off their cattle, reducing the state’s herds by 50%. [CNN]
“US DOE Finds Record Production And Job Growth In Wind Power Sector” • The DOE released three reports showing that wind power remains one of America’s fastest growing energy sources and a generator of high-quality jobs. Wind power accounted for 32% of US energy capacity growth in 2021, and it employs 120,000 Americans. [CleanTechnica]
$369 billion-worth of climate-friendly incentives will spread through the U.S. economy as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act. As the host of the Energy Show — a podcast/radio show going on for 10+ years — I’ve been doing my best to explain these technologies in practical, easy-to-understand terms. You are receiving this email because I believe your editorial focus is aligned with the topics we cover on the Energy Show.This week’s Energy Show podcast is about the IRA. Even if you’re retired or Irish, the inaptly-named Inflation Reduction Act is the most important legislation for clean tech ever. We’ll talk about the big picture of U.S. energy generation and use, and then delve into how much homeowners can save with the incentives in the IRA.
The Inflation Reduction Act
Listen to the Podcast Audio on Soundcloud
I downloaded all 755 pages of this bill so I could check the legal details in the fine print (DeVinne 18 pt). Congress threw the entire clean tech kitchen sink into the IRA, along with some much-needed social programs. There is no doubt in my mind that the IRA will accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels – particularly as homeowners electrify their homes and stop using gasoline and natural gas (Converting a House to Zero Net Energy).
The IRA has the potential to reduce U.S. emissions by 42% by 2030. Nevertheless, ten years from now the climate will still be hotter. Moreover, accelerated utility investments in electric generation infrastructure will likely double electric rates, accentuated by utility efforts to recapture losses from stranded fossil fuel assets (Energy Prices Through the Roof). It will take an all-hands-on-deck effort — on a worldwide basis — to deploy the necessary technologies to reverse global warming. The IRA is just a start for the U.S.
Here is a summary of the key homeowner provisions of the IRA. In calculating costs and savings for average homeowners, the following assumptions were made: 1,000 kwh electricity/month, 640 therms methane/year, 1,000 miles driving/month, California EV2 electric rates, and suburban California construction costs. Where appropriate, I’ve included links to previous Energy Shows that cover many of the technologies in the IRA.
EVs will become majority of new cars sold in 5 years. There will be chargers at 50% of service stations (Electric Vehicle Charging) as the term “gas station” gradually becomes obsolete. Service station owners need to keep selling Slim Jims and bad coffee — and stopping for a charge is the best way to keep their customer base. The IRA has a $7,500 credit for new EVs and a $4,000 credit for used EVs. You’ll need 7.2 more solar panels to power your car (Electrifying Your Home – How Many More Solar Panels Do I Need?), with savings of $12,100 over 10 years compared to driving with gas.
25% of homes with a sunny roof will have solar panels. Hawaii and California are already at 30% and 12% respectively since in these states rooftop solar is dramatically cheaper than utility power. Solar would be on 75% of homes if not for utilities’ deliberate efforts to increase — or outright prevent — homes and businesses from installing rooftop solar (Don’t Tax the Sun). The Residential Clean Energy Credit (RCEC, my favorite new FLA) in the IRA will increase homeowner’s tax credit (Solar Investment Tax Credit) for solar to 30% for ten years, up from the current 26%. Rooftop solar will save the typical customer $4,500 per year with paybacks of fewer than 5 years.
Battery storage now qualifies for the full 30% tax credit (What Batteries Should I Buy with My Solar System). However, the widespread adoption of batteries depends on two key factors. First, battery availability – which is challenging since the vast majority of batteries are going into EVs. Second, utility policies towards customer-owned batteries — as with rooftop solar, many utilities do their best to prevent customers from installing storage batteries since utilities maximize their profits by installing their own batteries. On the other hand, trends towards less reliable utility power and near universal dependence on electricity make having a solar backup system almost a necessity (Five Tips to Maximize Your Battery Storage Savings).
50% of homes will have a Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH), mostly as replacements as old gas hot water heaters die (Best Ways to Heat Water for your Home) and (How Much Heat Can a Heat Pump Pump). With the $1,750 HPWH incentive in the IRA, a new HPWH will cost about the same as a gas hot water heater. You’ll need 1.6 more solar panels to power a HPWH, with savings of $3,300 over ten years if powered by rooftop solar compared to utility-supplied methane.
25% of all homes will be heated and cooled with a heat pump (Lose the Gas Furnace, Install a Heat Pump), mostly as replacements to old central AC compressors and old gas furnaces. New air-to-air heat pumps work very efficiently in all but the coldest climates. With the $8,000 incentive in the IRA, installing a heat pump costs about the same as a gas furnace. Additional work to replace old, leaky ductwork and air handlers would be covered with energy efficiency incentives in the IRA. You’ll need 6.8 more solar panels to power your heat pump HVAC system, with savings of $14,000 over 10 years if powered by rooftop solar compared to utility-supplied methane.
75% of standard electric ranges will be replaced with induction cooktops. With the $840 incentive in the IRA, induction cooktops will be less expensive than conventional cooktops. My wife was reluctant to give up her old high-output gas range, but now she’s an induction convert since it cooks faster with better control — and has zero harmful emissions in the kitchen (except when she sautés hot peppers). One caveat: steel or iron cookware is required, so the aluminum cookware industry may go into a slow decline. You’ll need 1.3 more solar panels for your induction cooktop, with savings of $1,400 over 10 years if powered by rooftop solar compared to utility-supplied methane.
50% of old homes will have their electric panel or electric service upgraded. The IRA includes a $4,000 incentive for these upgrades, as well as $2,500 for wiring upgrades. These incentives will cover costs in low-cost locations. However, here in Silicon Valley costs for simple electric panel upgrades are more like $6,500. Electric service upgrades – due to the hideously-complicated coordination necessary between the city and utility — range from $8,000 with overhead wiring to over $15,000 for underground wiring (Electrical Panel Upgrades). Painful as these high costs may be, the power requirements of EVs and heat pumps make these panel and service upgrades a necessity for an all-electric home.
Scalable commercial energy technologies will probably reap the lion’s share of total government support in the IRA. Utility-scale solar and stand-alone storage will grow even faster than current trends. Not only are there direct incentives, such as the extension of the ITC, but there are also depreciation, kwh production, domestic content, preferential siting and transferable credit incentives. Note that commercial projects over one megawatt require prevailing wage workers, which will be a boon to unionized employers.
Carbon Oxide Sequestration, commonly referred to as Carbon Capture and Direct Air Capture (Carbon Capture and Storage – the Reality), has new incentives that range from $35/ton to $180 ton. Incentives depend on the capture sources and eventual disposition of the CO2, as well as the use of prevailing wages for construction. Most of the incentives will directly benefit the oil and gas industry (Economics of Fossil Fuels). The fossil fuel industry won’t give up on technology that extends the use of their products – even though these carbon capture technologies are thermodynamically and economically inferior (Direct Air Capture – Panacea or Pandora’s Box?). My jaded view is that we support these loser technologies so that there is funding for winners.
Zero Emission Nuclear Power (Nuclear Power Too Cheap to Meter – or Not) is now eligible for a generation credit in the IRA. Recent nuclear plants have taken over 20 years to design and commission, so I am skeptical about timely deployment of new nuclear plants. Nevertheless, continued research is worthwhile, as well as considering extending the life of existing nuclear plants (Long Term Costs of Nuclear Power).
Credits for a variety of clean fuels are included in the IRA: biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. Until we have adequate supplies of green hydrogen, we will continue to need liquid fuels for long distance transportation.
Clean hydrogen hits the jackpot with a $3/kg production credit. Out of all the fuels, I am most enthusiastic about the potential for the cleanest form of hydrogen: green hydrogen, which is electrolyzed from water using wind or solar power (Benefits of Green Hydrogen). Success with this technology is dependent on two factors: inexpensive power (achievable now with wind and solar) and inexpensive electrolyzers.
Renewal of the solar ITC, both for commercial and residential projects, takes place immediately upon the IRA’s signature by the president. Most of the non-tax provisions — such as incentives for heat pumps, electrical upgrades and energy efficiency – will be administered by state energy offices. So expect paperwork, complicated as always, to become available sometime in early 2023. Incentives for carbon capture, nuclear power, clean hydrogen, etc. will be administered by the Federal Government with regulations developed within one year of the IRA being signed into law.
Was Uncle Joe distracting almost everyone in Congress with talk of Executive Orders for clean technologies while Senators Manchin and Schumer were negotiating this legislation in secret? Perhaps we’ll never know. Nevertheless, the combination of clean tech and fossil fuel incentives in the IRA strikes a reasonable balance between winners and losers.
Bottom line, the Inflation Reduction Act is the biggest clean technology effort by the federal government, ever. It will help the U.S. accelerate a transition away from polluting fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse emissions from the U.S. by 42% by 2030, and save the average homeowner who electrify their homes about $7,500 in annual energy costs. For more details, please listen up to this week’s Energy Show, and click on the relevant links for more details about each technology.
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announces the opening of applications for the second competitive round of the Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund.
In collaboration with local funders, VCRD is supporting innovators in developing solutions that move Vermont closer to its climate and energy goals by providing at least $20,000 in grant funding toward local projects. The second round follows a successful initial round of investments in 18 projects (out of 29 applications).
“This fund enables small catalyst projects that test ideas, learn from, and share new ways to create meaningful impact through local climate-based solutions. The breadth of projects across Vermont from the first round of the Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund speaks to the diversity and innovation required to implement local climate solutions,” noted Program Manager, Laura Cavin Bailey.
Award amounts range from $500 – $4,000 and will be awarded based on demonstrating a mix of innovation, collaboration, replicability, while also addressing Vermonters in need. Eligible applicants are municipalities, town committees, schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations.
“Initial funding for community-scale climate innovations is a scarce and important resource for local leaders,” said VCRD Executive Director Brian Lowe. “We are grateful to our funders for their community focus and look forward to supporting some creative applications.”
Applications will remain open until Sunday, September 18.
“Takeaways From Today’s Report On Lake Mead And The Colorado River” • The federal government announced that the Colorado River will operate in a Tier 2 shortage condition for the first time starting in January as the West’s historic drought has taken a severe toll on Lake Mead. States are facing mandatory cuts in water use. [CNN]
“Can Renewable Energy Visions Of The Future Actually Be Within Reach?” • The passage of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the US has opened up hope that this is just a start, that other renewable energy and sustainability visions of the future might be within our grasps. Let’s imagine looking into an all-electric crystal ball … [CleanTechnica]
“Car Tires Are Disastrous For The Environment. This Startup Wants To Be A Driving Force In Fixing The Problem” • As tires wear down, the material they lose becomes dust. Around 6.1 million metric tons of tire dust end up in our atmosphere and waterways annually. A startup in London, The Tyre Collective, says its technology can reduce the problem. [CNN]
“’We’ve Got The Power’ – Sandia Technology Test Delivers Electricity To The Grid” • For the first time, Sandia National Laboratories researchers delivered electricity produced by a new power-generating system to an electrical grid. It is a closed-loop Brayton cycle system based on captured CO₂ instead of H₂O, and it is very efficient. [CleanTechnica]
“Biden Signs Climate, Tax And Health Bill Into Law” • US President Joe Biden has signed a $700 billion (£579 billion) bill that aims to fight climate change and healthcare costs while raising taxes, primarily on corporations and the rich. The final version is more modest in scope than the $3.5 tillion package first envisaged by Democrats. [BBC]
“One-Third Of The Food We Eat Is At Risk Because The Climate Crisis Is Endangering Butterflies And Bees” • Species of bees, butterflies, and bats are all pollinators. Without them, fruits, vegetables and other plants wouldn’t be pollinated, and that’s a major problem for our food supply. They are in decline because of climate change. [CNN]
“German Households Face Levy Of Hundreds Of Euros On Gas Bills” • German households will have to pay hundreds of Euros more a year for gas under a levy to help energy companies cover the cost of replacing Russian supplies. For an average family of four, the additional charge will amount €480 ($489; £404), according to Verivox. [BBC]
“Israeli Companies To Launch Renewable Energy Projects In Seven Arab Countries” • Two Israeli energy companies, Enlight Renewable Energy and NewMed Energy, signed two memoranda of understanding to jointly set up, develop, and operate the projects in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. [Xinhua]
“Renewable Energy Growth Expected To Be 20-Times Greater Than Natural Gas Over Next Three Years” • According to a review by the SUN DAY Campaign of data recently released by FERC, 66,315 MW of projects in the solar pipeline have high probability of going forward. There are 17,383 of high probability windpower and just 4,319 of gas. [Solar Power World]
“California Lawmakers Float Legislation To Keep Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant Open” • California lawmakers are looking at draft legislation to keep the state’s last operating nuclear plant, Diablo Canyon, open beyond its planned 2025 closure date. But there are still significant logistical and political challenges ahead before that could happen. [CNBC]
WIND AND SOLAR PROVIDED MORE THAN TWO-THIRDSOF NEW U.S. ELECTRICAL GENERATING CAPACITY
DURING FIRST HALF OF 2022
FERC FORESEES NATURL GAS CAPACITY ADDITIONS PLUMMETING OVER NEXT THREE YEARS AS RENEWABLE ENERGY GROWTH IS 20x GREATER
Contact: Ken Bossong, 301-588-4741 or 301-270-6477 x.6
Washington DC – According to a review by the SUN DAY Campaign of data recently released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), renewable sources accounted for more than two-thirds of the new U.S. electrical generating capacity added during the first six months of 2022.
Renewables Provide 2/3 of New Capacity in First Half 2022:
Wind (5,722-MW) and solar (3,895-MW) provided 67.01% of the 14,352-MW in utility-scale (i.e. > 1-MW) capacity put into service during the first half of the year. Additional capacity was provided by geothermal (26-MW), hydropower (7-MW), and biomass (2-MW). The balance came from natural gas (4,695-MW) and oil (5-MW). No new capacity was reported for 2022 from either nuclear power or coal.
New capacity reported in June alone includes the 200.0-MW Heartland Divide Wind II Project in Iowa and the 145.0-MW Panorama Wind Farm in Colorado. New solar generation is being provided by the 250.0-MW Athos Solar Energy Project in California and the 149.0-MW Big River Solar Project in Illinois as well as the 137.5-MW Nebula Solar Project and the 108.0-MW Emerald Grove Solar Project, both in Texas.
These recent additions bring renewable energy’s share of total U.S. available installed generating capacity up to 26.74%. For comparison, five years ago, renewables’ share was 19.70%. Ten years ago, it was 14.76%.
FERC Foresees Strong Solar and Wind Growth in the Near-Term:
Perhaps more dramatic are the trend lines indicated by FERC data for the next three years – i.e., through June 2025.
FERC reports that there may be as much as 192,507-MW of new solar capacity in the pipeline with 66,315-MW classified as “high probability” additions and no offsetting “retirements.” The “high probability” additions alone would nearly double utility-scale solar’s current installed capacity of 74,530-MW while successful completion of all projects in the pipeline would nearly quadruple it. Notably, FERC’s forecast predates Congressional approval of the Inflation Reduction Act which could super-charge solar’s growth.
In addition, new wind capacity by June 2025 could total 70,393-MW with 17,383-MW being “high probability” and only 158-MW of retirements expected. Thus, installed wind capacity could grow by at least 12% and possibly by much more.
“High probability” generation capacity additions for utility-scale solar and wind combined, minus anticipated retirements, reflect a projected net increase of 83,540-MW over the next three years, or over 2,300-MW per month. That figure does not include new distributed, small-scale solar capacity or additions by hydropower, geothermal, and biomass.
Prospects for Natural Gas Take a Nosedive:
Possibly more startling is how little net new natural gas capacity FERC anticipates being added over the next three years – just 4,319-MW. That is less net new gas capacity by June 2025 than the new gas capacity that was added in the first half of 2022. For perspective, in June 2019, FERC had foreseen 21,679-MW of net new natural gas additions in the three-year pipeline. The newly-reported sharp drop in natural gas pipeline projects suggests a major reversal for its future prospects.
If just FERC’s latest “high probability” projections materialize, by June 2025, renewable energy sources would grow from a bit over a quarter today to nearly a third (31.79%) of the nation’s total available installed generating capacity. Utility-scale solar and wind generating capacity would expand from 17.15% of domestic capacity today to 22.64% by mid-2025 with solar and wind accounting for 10.68% and 11.96% respectively, or close to a quarter (22.64%) combined.
Meanwhile, natural gas’ share would contract from 44.23% today to 42.37% by June 2025. If current trends continue or – as seems likely – accelerate, renewable energy generating capacity should overtake that of natural gas by 2030, if not sooner. Moreover, coal’s share of the nation’s generating capacity would fall from 17.66% to 15.10% by mid-2025 while that of nuclear power would decline from 8.17% to 7.84%.
In Conclusion…
“With each new monthly “Infrastructure” report from FERC, the prospects for renewable sources, especially solar and wind, brighten while those for natural gas, coal, and nuclear power continue to slide,” noted the SUN DAY Campaign’s executive director Ken Bossong. “By the end of this decade, the mix of renewable energy sources should constitute the largest share of the nation’s electrical generating capacity.”
All across the state, New Yorkers are de-carbonizing their heating and cooling systems by switching to electric powered heat pumps. NY-GEO is here
Just In! is NY-GEO’s weekly news feed for members. NY-GEO’s calendar-year memberships are open to everyone and available for as little as $35. See more information on memberships here. Click here to see some of the work a NY-GEO membership supports. We also feature three of the top news item summaries on the NY-GEO home page every Monday.
Sponsored by
Con Ed Clean Heat Funding Restored by PSC – NYS Public Service Commission Press Release – “The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today approved Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.’s (Con Edison) request to transfer previously collected and unspent funds as well as future authorized electric energy efficiency budgets to support the continuation of its popular Clean Heat program. In addition, the Commission made other modifications to the program, including reallocating an additional $100 million into the program and approving a continuity funding mechanism. Combined, today’s decision will result in $518 million in funding being made available for the company to continue processing applications and will allow for up to $10 million per month of additional funding to continue operating the program.” Con Edison had requested $32 Million per month. Six of the seven Commissioners voted in favor of the Commission Order. Commissioner Diane Berman voted “concur”. The order noted “In general, all commenters support the continuation of Con Edison’s Clean Heat Program and recommend that the Commission act expeditiously to resume the program.” It cited comments from NY-GEO and listed 2 pages of commenting organizations.
Utilities File Data on the Cost of the 100 Foot Gas Infrastructure Subsidy – In April of 2020, as the Public Service Commission began its Gas Planning Proceeding, NY-GEO filed item #3 in the proceeding – a request the Commission require utilities to provide accurate and “apples to apples” data on the cost of “the 100 foot rule”. Under this rule, customers requesting gas service are provided infrastructure connecting their building to the gas system at no cost to them, paid for by the rate payers of the utility. NY-GEO’s 53-page request documented what was then available from public records regarding this subsidy, which had been designed to expand gas use back when state policy viewed gas as environmentally beneficial. On August 10th, New York’s Joint Utilities filed its report on Costs of Extending Service to New Customers. Several organizations and analysts have begun crunching the data. Future editions of Just In! will detail the results. Below is the residential portion of Con Edison’s table from the report.
America’s Heat-Pump Market Has a Sugar-Crash Problem – Incentive programs for heat pumps offer big consumer rebates that cause demand to spike, then run out of money and cause demand to plummet. Here’s a fix – Nate Kinsey – Canary Media – “One Monday morning this past May, heat-pump contractors, customers and supporters in and around New York City awoke to discover that one of their major rebate programs was about to disappear. For the previous eight months, customers had been upgrading to heat pumps in droves, enticed by utility Con Edison’s generous Clean Heat rebate program, offered to anyone who installed a heat pump and hit the off-switch on their existing fossil fuel–based heating system. Demand for the program was so high that Con Edison blew through its entire six-year program budget in two years, which forced the program to grind to a halt. Whoops.” .Full article here
“World leaders Make Fifth Attempt To Pass UN Oceans Treaty” • World leaders will meet at the UN in New York for more talks to save the world’s oceans from overexploitation. The UN High Seas Treaty has been through 10 years of negotiations but has yet to be signed. If agreed, it would put 30% of the world’s oceans into conservation areas by 2030. [BBC]
“XPeng Bringing Truly Ultrafast Charging To Town” • Chinese EV startup XPeng is on the verge of releasing an EV that will be able to charge at a wicked-fast pace. According to the company, the G9 will be able to gain 200 kilometers (124 miles) of driving range in just 5 minutes. The company is reportedly rolling out the chargers for the car, as well. [CleanTechnica]
“Saudi Aramco Tops Its Record With $48.4 Billion Quarterly Profit” • Saudi oil giant Aramco broke its own record with a $48.4 billion profit for the second quarter of 2022, on high oil prices after Russia’s invasion of Ukrain. The 90% year-on-year increase marks the biggest earnings since its public listing three years ago. Aramco is the world’s largest oil exporter. [BBC]
“BEV Demand Increasing, ICEV Demand Decreasing Across Europe” • Compared to 2021, new car sales have dropped by 11% to 20% in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and the UK. Full battery EV demand is increasing, while all types of internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV), including hybrids, have falling demand throughout Europe. [CleanTechnica]
“Volta And Hoboken, NJ, Partner To Install 25 New Public EV Chargers” • The city of Hoboken will get at least 25 new public EV chargers through its partnership with Volta in the next 18 months. This will double the number of the city’s public EV chargers. Volta and the city of Hoboken may work together in the future, as well. [CleanTechnica]
“Can Eating Fish Ever Be Sustainable?” • Seafood includes everything from farmed prawns to wild mackerel. It can have an array of environmental impacts, from high carbon emissions to the effects of overfishing, slaughtered bycatch, or antibiotic pollution. But some seafood can be a healthy source of food with low-carbon, low environmental impact. [BBC]
“Climate Activists Fill Golf Holes With Cement After Water Ban Exemption” • Climate activists in southern France have filled golf course holes with cement to protest against the exemption of golf greens from water bans amid the country’s severe drought. Golf greens are getting water while a hundred French villages are running short. [BBC]
“Wind Blows Away Australian Records” • The wind farm road block is gone. It’s full steam ahead for Australian wind power now, and wind is blowing away Australian records. Under new management, wind power is being encouraged, every day seems to herald a new wind farm announcement, and power generation records being broken. [CleanTechnica]
“Autonomy Orders 23,000 More Electric Vehicles” • After a lot of recent news about Autonomy, the biggest EV subscription company in the US, we have even more. The company has just ordered 23,000 EVs from 17 different automakers to expand and diversify its subscription fleet. Up till now, it has only offered the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. [CleanTechnica]
“First Tesla Megapack Deployed In NYC” • NineDot Energy has launched a community-scale battery energy storage site in the Bronx. It will be the first such site in New York City. The battery system has a 3.08-MW, 12.32-MWh Tesla Megapack system, a solar canopy, and the infrastructure needed for bi-directional EV chargers. [CleanTechnica]
“A Disastrous Megaflood Is Coming To California, Experts Say. It Could Be The Most Expensive Natural Disaster In History” • A study by Science Advances shows climate change has doubled the chances of a disastrous flood happening in California in the next four decades. Experts say it would be unlike anything anyone alive today has ever experienced. [CNN]
“House Passes Democrats’ Health Care And Climate Bill, Clearing Measure For Biden’s Signature” • The House voted to pass Democrats’ $750 billion health care, energy, and climate bill. The final vote was 220-207, along party lines. Four Republicans did not vote. Now that the House approved the bill, it will go to President Biden to be signed into law. [CNN]
“Tesco Electrifies Deliveries To More Than 400 City Center Stores In Greater London” • Tesco has become the first retailer to launch a zero-emission electric lorry to make deliveries from its distribution centersto stores in city centers in the UK. Electric trucks will help improve air quality in urban areas, and their use should be prioritized. [CleanTechnica]
“Ford Lightning: Orders Open Again, But Prices Are Up, Better Standard Range, New Hitch Assist Feature, Other News” • Ford is taking orders for the F-150 Lightning again, but prices are higher. That was expected, but there are two new reasons to make an order: There’s ten more miles of range, and an available feature to help with hauling. [CleanTechnica]
“Wood-Burning Power Plants In Massachusetts Won’t Qualify For Renewable Energy Credits” • An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind will expand clean energy development and end renewable energy subsidies for wood-burning power plants, according to a press release from Climate Action Now Western Massachusetts. [MassLive.com]
