energy-environment6.16 min read
New Evidence Reveals Ancient Asteroid Impact in Chesapeake Bay
6 months ago•Source: Virginia Mercury
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2.31 min•1 year ago
"TC Energy's Response to Yellowhead County Incident"
TC Energy confirms a rupture on its NGTL natural gas pipeline system in Yellowhead County, Alberta, approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Edson. The affected section has been isolated and shut down, with no reported injuries. The company is working with first responders, including Alberta Wildfire, to contain a secondary fire and is committed to supporting the ongoing response efforts. TC Energy is cooperating with regulatory agencies and authorities and will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
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"Xcel Energy's Power Cuts Spark Frustration and Financial Loss in Colorado"
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"New England's Historic Shift: From Coal to Green Energy"
The last coal-fired power plants in New England, Schiller Station and Merrimack Station, are set to close by 2028, marking the region's transition to green energy. Environmental activists have long advocated for the closure, citing health and environmental concerns. The sites will be redeveloped into renewable energy parks, featuring solar and utility-scale energy storage facilities. While praised by green energy advocates, some experts warn of potential reliability issues with the shift away from baseload power generation. The closures reflect a broader trend of coal plant retirements across the U.S. as the nation moves towards a cleaner energy future.
"New England's Transition to Renewable Energy: Last Coal Plants to Close by 2028"
New England's last running coal plant, Merrimack Station, will cease operations by 2028 as part of a settlement agreement, with the Schiller Station also committing to shut down its coal-fired generators by 2025. The plants will be transformed into renewable energy parks, with plans for solar and battery storage. Advocates see this as a significant win for the environment and public health, while the company aims to transition to clean energy facilities and optimize the grid for reliability without current plans to use gas.
"Big Oil Executives Criticize Energy Transition Efforts as 'Failing Fantasy'"
At the Cera Week conference in Houston, top oil and gas executives criticized the push to move away from fossil fuels, dismissing the transition to clean energy as unrealistic and emotionally driven. They emphasized the importance of continued investment in oil and gas, while downplaying the potential of renewable energy sources. Climate campaigners denounced the executives' comments, accusing the industry of hindering the transition to renewable energy. Despite the urgent need to reduce emissions, the executives focused on carbon capture and hydrogen technologies, while the industry's actions indicate a lack of commitment to reducing emissions.
"ExxonMobil CEO Urges IRA Tax Credits to Make Green Hydrogen Competitive"
ExxonMobil and Aramco CEOs expressed skepticism about the affordability of green hydrogen as a replacement for fossil fuels, citing high costs and a lack of willingness to pay for emissions reduction. They emphasized the need for significant government incentives and long-term offtake agreements to make renewable hydrogen financially viable, and criticized the current energy transition strategy as failing. Additionally, Exxon stated it would not produce blue hydrogen without changes to proposed guidelines for accessing hydrogen production tax credits, raising questions about the eligibility of blue hydrogen for subsidies.
"Oil Executives Warn of Risk to Texas Hydrogen Project Without Tax Credits"
Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods stated that the company's proposed low-carbon hydrogen project in Texas may not proceed if the Biden administration withholds tax incentives for natural gas-fed facilities, arguing that the Inflation Reduction Act should provide credits for "blue" hydrogen produced from gas with carbon capture. Woods emphasized the need for a balanced approach to reducing emissions and transitioning to a low-carbon energy system, cautioning against favoring certain technologies over others. He also mentioned Exxon's interest in establishing the value of Hess' Guyana stake and potentially buying it after arbitration.
"DOE Grants $2.3 Billion Loan for Nevada Lithium Mine, Boosting Electric Vehicle Push"
The U.S. Energy Department has conditionally approved a $2.26 billion loan to Canada-based Lithium Americas for the construction of a controversial lithium mine in Nevada, which holds the largest known U.S. deposit of the metal crucial for electric vehicle batteries. This loan aims to support the development of a lithium carbonate processing plant at the Thacker Pass mine, contributing to President Biden's renewable energy agenda and reducing U.S. reliance on fossil fuels. Despite opposition from environmental groups and Native American tribes, the project is moving forward, with the potential to support the production of batteries for up to 800,000 electric vehicles annually and create economic opportunities.
"New York's South Fork Wind Farm Powers Up as First Large-Scale Offshore Project"
America's first commercial-scale offshore wind farm, South Fork Wind, is officially open 35 miles east of Montauk Point, New York, marking a turning point for the industry and paving the way for a succession of large wind farms. The project, developed by Ørsted and Eversource, can generate 132 megawatts of offshore wind energy to power more than 70,000 homes. With the Biden administration's approval of six commercial-scale offshore wind energy projects, and New York's selection of two more projects to power over 1 million homes, offshore wind is central to national and state plans to transition to a carbon-free electricity system.
"US Government Allocates $750 Million to Boost Hydrogen Industry Across 24 States"
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced $750 million for 52 projects across 24 states to support the clean hydrogen industry, aiming to reduce costs and create over 1,500 new jobs. These projects, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will advance electrolysis technologies and manufacturing capabilities, reinforcing America's global leadership in clean hydrogen. The investments are part of President Biden’s plan to tackle the climate crisis, create jobs, and strengthen America’s manufacturing competitiveness. The projects will also support disadvantaged communities and contribute to reducing harmful emissions.
"Record High Global EV Sales in 2023 Curb Oil Demand, IEA Reports"
The International Energy Agency's analysis shows that the deployment of clean energy technologies, including electric vehicles, solar, wind, and nuclear power, has significantly curbed the rise in global emissions over the last five years. In 2023, 1 in 5 new car sales globally were electric vehicles, contributing to a decrease in oil demand. Despite a rise in energy-related emissions, the expansion of clean energy technologies has helped limit the increase, with renewables playing a crucial role in reducing emissions. Advanced economies saw a record decline in emissions in 2023, driven by strong renewables deployment, coal-to-gas switching, and energy efficiency improvements. The IEA's executive director emphasized the resilience of the clean energy transition in the face of challenges such as the pandemic, energy crisis, and geopolitical instability.
"Revival of 1.7 GW Offshore Wind Farms in New York Sparks Consumer Cost Concerns"
New York State has conditionally awarded contracts to Equinor’s Empire Wind 1 and Eversource and Ørsted’s Sunrise Wind, which were previously canceled but have now reached viable power purchase agreements in the latest offshore wind solicitation. These "shovel-ready" projects will provide enough clean power for 1 million New York homes, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs. The projects are expected to come online in 2026 and 2027, contributing to New York State's goal of achieving 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035.