Concentration of CO2 in the Atmosphere
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The January, 2025 edition of Green Energy Times has gone to press and will be distributed soon.
The full edition can be downloaded as a pdf file HERE.
Online posts of the individual articles will be available soon.
Headline News:
- “China Has Plans For A Gigantic Solar Array In Space” • A report by Live Science says Chinese scientists have announced a plan to build an enormous solar power station in space that is 1 km (0.6 mi) wide and will beam continuous energy back to Earth as microwaves. It will be ten times as efficient as land-based array of solar panels. [CleanTechnica]
 Space Launch (China National Space Agency image)
- “LA Fires Rewriting Record Books As Residents Brace For More Dangerous Winds” • Even as four wildfires burn on in Los Angeles County and people brace for a new round of dangerous winds, the blazes already hold records. Each of the two biggest fires, Palisades and Eaton, is one of the most destructive blazes in the history of California. [ABC News]
- “Volkswagen ID.7 Goes 941 Kilometers (585 Miles) On A Single Charge” • The Volkswagen ID.7 is an extremely capable, cool, and compelling car that deserves more attention than it gets. Now the company is pulling in a little bit more attention. A non-modified, standard VW ID.7 Pro S just drove 941 kilometers (585 miles) on a single charge. [CleanTechnica]
- “How LA Fires Impact Farmers And Agriculture Industry” • While raging flames, persistent smoke and damaging winds continue to plague residents in Los Angeles County, farmers across Southern California are also facing the possibility of devastating damage to their crops. One challenge for farmers is air quality; the other is economic. [ABC News]
- “Wright Wants To Increase Domestic Energy Production, Says ‘There Isn’t Dirty Energy And Clean Energy'” • Chris Wright, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to be secretary of the DOE, set out his priorities, including restoring “energy dominance,” increasing technological innovation, and cutting regulatory red tape, during a lengthy hearing. [ABC News]
For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.
Headline News:
- “Floating Solar Panels Powering Sustainability From Water Bodies” • Because of the water bodies, floating solar panels not only occupy underutilized spaces but also operate at a higher performance level due to their cooler operating conditions and reflective surroundings, making them an important addition to renewable energy technology. [Tata Power]
- “Masdar And EWEC Plan 24/7 Solar And Battery System For UAE” • Masdar and EWEC announced plans for the first large ‘round the clock’ solar and battery storage project in the world, delivering up to 1 GW of power, in Abu Dhabi. The project will have a 5.2-GW (DC) solar plant with 19-GWh of battery storage, the largest such system in the world. [reNews]
- “AZ And USFS Struggle To Balance Protecting Nature And People Enjoy It” • Outdoor recreation is a massively growing industry, important to the economy as a whole. It’s important also for responsible people to have better respect for nature, especially young people, because it will increase their desire to protect the environment. [CleanTechnica]
- “TREDA To Set Up Over 10,000 Solar-Powered Pump Sets In Rural Areas” • The Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency announced it is to set up over 10,000 solar-powered pump sets to ensure assured irrigation in the rural farmland under PM Kusum scheme. TREDA has already set up 3,616 solar power pumps. [India Today NE]
- “LA Fires Live Updates: At Least 25 Fire-Related Deaths, Medical Examiner Says” • At least 25 people have died as multiple wildfires, fueled by severe drought conditions and strong winds, rage across the Los Angeles area. Thousands of firefighters are battling wildfires in 45 square miles of densely populated Los Angeles County. [ABC News]
For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.
President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Chris Wright to lead the Department of Energy presents an important moment for American energy policy. Trump has promised to cut energy costs “by half within 12 months”. To deliver on this promise, Chris Wright will need to continue key areas of work where the DOE has successfully saved families money on utility bills and strengthened American energy independence and manufacturing leadership.
The Department of Energy invests in numerous offices, programs, and financing that help reduce energy costs and advance the energy sector with transformative technologies.
Cutting Energy Costs with Rebates and Assistance Programs
The Department of Energy has allocated $8.8 billion to Home Energy Rebate Programs. These programs are saving an estimated $1 billion annually on consumer energy costs and bolstering over 50,000 American jobs.
Boosting Manufacturing with Loans and Supporting Tax Credits
The Loans Program Office and the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit’s incentives for domestic production are accelerating clean energy manufacturing by funding innovation and scaling essential tech.
Strengthening Energy Infrastructure
Federal programs strengthen energy infrastructure by modernizing the grid, improving resilience, and transforming retired facilities into hubs for clean energy innovation.
The Bottom Line: If Chris Wright is confirmed to lead the DOE, he will be entrusted to protect American businesses, jobs, and consumers. To be successful, he must continue programs that are creating jobs, spurring domestic manufacturing, and securing America’s role as the global energy leader.
Headline News:
- “‘Always On’ Nuclear Power Is About As Reliable As Wind And Solar – During A Renewables Drought” • A key selling points for nuclear power, its “always on,” reliability, was put to the test in an analysis that found that a fleet of modern nuclear plants is about as reliable as a fleet of wind and solar farms in the midst of a bad renewable energy drought. [RenewEconomy]
- “Officials Nationwide Should Prepare For Potential Climate Disasters, Researchers Say” • Experts say that extreme weather events worsened by climate change are knocking on the doors of people all across the country. Local officials must proactively prepare their regions before their residents become the next victims of tragedy. [ABC News]
- “China’s Electric Car Sales Grow In 2024, As Sales Of Gasoline Cars Plunge” • Sales of all types of EVs rose more than 40% in China last year, while sales of gasoline-powered automobiles plunged, industry data shows. A total of 31.4 million vehicles were sold last year in the world’s biggest market by sales, and exports rose 20%. [ABC News]
- “Natural Power Spins Off Bat Sensing Tech” • Natural Power has spun off a smart turbine curtailment technology in the US, developed to reduce bat collisions and fatalities. The system limits bat fatalities at wind farms while simultaneously reducing curtailment hours and associated energy losses when compared to a blanket curtailment strategy. [reNews]
- “Los Angeles Residents Face Cost Of Devastating Wildfires” • Los Angeles residents who fled devastating wildfires are facing huge recovery efforts, as they gather what they can from the ruins of their homes. As firefighters continue a massive effort to contain and subdue the historic infernos, Angelenos grapple with unthinkable loss. [ABC News]
For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.
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Ice Harvest 2025
Our annual Ice Harvest is happening on Saturday, January 25 from 10 am-3 pm! Weeks of cold weather has allowed the ice to grow thick enough for staff to plan a harvest.
Help us fill our ice house and experience the traditional process used to harvest ice before the days of widespread refrigeration. Admission will be by donation.
Look for updates on Facebook and Instagram and on our website: https://www.hanfordmills.org/programs/ice-harvest/. Bring the whole family for winter’s coolest tradition!
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Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV) will host a press conference on Thursday introducing the 2025 Environmental Common Agenda, laying out this year’s top legislative priorities for the Vermont environmental community. We have convened 19 organizations to develop an agenda that will guide our advocacy throughout the session. Join VCV and our partner organizations as we introduce the Common Agenda on Thursday, January 16th at 11:00 am in the Vermont State House Cedar Creek Room.
Details:
Common Agenda Press Conference
Thursday, January 16 2025 – 11:00 am
Vermont State House – Cedar Creek Room
115 State Street
Montpelier, VT
05633
Speakers:
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Dan Fingas – Executive Director, Vermont Conservation Voters
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Paul Burn – Executive Director, Vermont Public Interest Research Group
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Elena Mihaly – Vice President for Vermont, Conservation Law Foundation
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Jared Carpenter – Water Protection Advocate, Lake Champlain Committee
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Kati Gallagher – Sustainable Communities Program Director, Vermont Natural Resources Council
Headline News:
- “KU Research Suggests Wind Power Isn’t A Red Vs Blue Issue In Kansas” • Wind power can spark passionate reactions, but how this one shakes out across Kansas may not follow political lines. New wind installations aren’t allowed in about one-fifth of the counties in Kansas, in part to protect America’s last big swath of tallgrass prairie. [KMUW]
- “The Fastest Energy Change In History Continues” • Solar and wind are being installed at a rate that is three times faster than all other new electricity sources combined. This offers compelling market-based evidence that PV and wind are currently the most competitive and practical methods for deploying new generating capacity. [pv magazine International]
- “Death Toll In Los Angeles Fires Rises To 24” • At least 24 people are believed to be dead and over a dozen others remain unaccounted for as multiple fires, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and severe drought conditions, continue to rage across Southern California, leaving fire crews scrambling to contain the historic destruction. [ABC News]
- “Making Cement With Fewer The Carbon Emissions” • The Production of cement, the world’s most used commodity after water, produces 8% of global CO₂ emissions. A study from the University of Michigan describes an electro-chemical approach that greatly reduces the amount of CO₂ released by the process of making cement. [CleanTechnica]
- “S&P Global Commodity Insights Predicts A Transformative Shift As Investments In Cleantech Outpace Fossil Fuels For The First Time” • The S&P Global Commodity Insights report, Top Cleantech Trends for 2025, underscores the growing dominance of renewable technologies while addressing the opportunities and challenges of the clean energy sector. [StreetInsider]
For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.
Headline News:
- “Los Angeles Is On Fire And Big Oil Are The Arsonists” • The private forecaster AccuWeather estimates initial damage and economic loss of the Los Angeles fires at over $50 billion and says they could be the costliest wildfire disaster in American history. Oil, gas, and coal companies have been lying to us for decades, and their lies have costs. [The Guardian]
 Pacific Palisades fire (CalFire image)
- “Is Tesla In Trouble? Was Alignment With A Trump 2.0 A Profit Gamble?” • Tesla CEO Elon Musk single-handedly rallied voters in November’s win for Donald J. Trump. Sure, the allegiance came at a cost of $238 million from a fundraising arm that Musk founded. But was it good for Tesla’s bottom line? Some analysts at JPMorgan think not. [CleanTechnica]
- “Planning Permission For 15-Turbine Wind Farm Sought In Waterford” • A planning permission application was submitted to An Bord Pleanála for a 15-turbine wind farm, roughly 4 km northeast of Cappoquin, on Scart Mountain, in Waterford. The wind farm would be able to provide energy for between 45,598 and 65,661 Irish households. [waterford-news.ie]
- “California Fires Weather Forecast: Nearly 10 Million On Alert For Fire Conditions” • Nearly 10 million people are on alert for fire weather conditions in southern California. Red flag warnings are in effect through Wednesday for 8.8 million people in much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties with a fire weather watch for another 1 million south to Mexico. [ABC News]
- “Rep John Block Proposes Tax Increase On Renewable Energy” • Republican Representative John Block who represents most of Otero County, New Mexico, filed a pre-bill which would increase taxes on homeowners and businesses who use renewable energy. Block is known as a radical on social issues and against use of renewable energy. [newsbreak.com]
For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.
Headline News:
- “Vineyard Wind 1 Finishes Monopile Installation” • The CIP-Avangrid joint venture Vineyard Wind has completed monopile installation at the 804-MW Vineyard Wind 1 site off the coast of Massachusetts. An announcement on Vineyard Wind’s website shows all 62 monopiles installed. Vineyard Wind is starting cable laying, which will run through April. [reNews]
- “25% Of Americans Avoiding Tesla Tech Because Of Elon Musk” • Three things are no secret: (1) Elon Musk benefits more than any other individual from Tesla’s success, (2) Elon Musk has gotten extremely involved in political matters (emphasis on “extremely”), and (3) many people won’t buy Tesla products because of those first two facts. [CleanTechnica]
- “Constellation Energy To Buy Calpine In Blockbuster $16.4 Billion US Power Deal” • Nuclear power provider Constellation Energy agreed to buy privately held natural gas and geothermal company Calpine Corp for $16.4 billion. It is one of the biggest acquisitions in US power industry history. The deal comes at a time of rising electricity demand. [Reuters]
- “L.A. Fires Show The Reality Of Living In A World With 1.5°C Of Warming” • The Southern California blaze was a kind of hell. Residents at a nursing home were evacuated in wheelchairs and pushing walkers, many in their night clothes, as embers fell. Fire fighters, with hoses at the ready but without water at hydrants, could only watch as houses burned. [Time Magazine]
- “Three-Wheeled Electric Vehicles Are Coming For Your Fossil Fuels” • A market for three-wheeled electric vehicles is beginning to take shape, and that’s good news for the US EV startup Aptera. The company just earned a big vote of confidence from the A-list battery manufacturer LG Energy Solutions, smoothing the path to full production this year. [CleanTechnica]
For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.
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