May 10 Green Energy News

Headline News:

“New California Oil Permits Rose 7.8% In 2020’S First Quarter As Oil Prices Plunged” • As the price of oil went below zero, new oil and gas drilling permits actually increased 7.8% in California during the first quarter of 2020, according to a report by two watchdog groups. Another thing that increased was spending on oil lobbying. [SF Bay Area Indymedia]

Toluca Street, Los Angeles, ca 1900 (Author unknown, Wikimedia Commons)

“Oil Drilling Collapses To 11-Year Low With Explorers In Retreat” • Oil and natural gas exploration fell to an all-time low as the Covid-19 pandemic snuffed out the remnants of the US shale boom. In the span of just eight weeks, 53% of active oil and gas rigs in the country have gone dark, according to data released by Baker Hughes Co. [Free Malaysia Today]
“Renewable Roundup: Solar And Wind Dominate New Energy Installations (Even After The Coronavirus)” • The US Energy Information Administration’s latest information on new capacity additions shows it expects 42 GW to start commercial operation in 2020. Solar and wind represent almost 32 GW, which is 76% of these additions. [Red, Green, and Blue]
“Clean Trucks Like The Tesla Semi Are More Important Than Ever” • According to Popular Mechanics, there were at least 2.8 million semi trucks registered in the US in 2016. These trucks are heavy polluters, and research shows that almost 80% of those who died of Covid-19 across four countries were in heavily polluted regions. [CleanTechnica]
“Lawsuit Filed Over The Reopening Of Tesla’s Factory In Fremont” • Tesla wanted to reopen the Fremont plant safely, based on what it learned at its plant in China with 7,000 workers and not one death (as Elon stated on the Joe Rogan Experience). Alameda County officials are not allowing Tesla to reopen, so Tesla is going to court. [CleanTechnica]

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