Sat.Dec 31, 2022 - Fri.Jan 06, 2023

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What Does Western Grid Regionalization Mean for California?

Union of Concerned Scientists

California’s grid reliability struggles have intensified in recent years as extremes summer heat strains the system and threatens power outages. The state’s grid reliability is also inextricably linked to issues of improving energy affordability and achieving California’s ambitious clean energy goals. With California’s power woes apparent, Western grid regionalization has been raised as a potential path to address these related concerns.

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Green Energy Jobs Rapidly Expanding

Environment + Energy Leader

According to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the ILO's Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review 2022, the number of renewable energy jobs increased by around 700,000 globally between 2020 and 2021. The post Green Energy Jobs Rapidly Expanding appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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A Dangerous Disruption

Legal Planet

Last week, MIT’s “Technology Review” reported that a small startup firm is proposing to spray reflective aerosols in the stratosphere commercially as a climate corrective. (Stratospheric Aerosol Injection or SAI.) The firm is small and new, operating with a claimed total of $750K of venture financing. They say they have thus far launched two small weather balloons, which each released a few grams of sulfur dioxide gas (SO 2 ) in the stratosphere.

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20 Years of Severe Drought Impede Huge Developments in Southwest

Circle of Blue

20 Years of Severe Drought Impede Huge Developments in Southwest Uncertain path forward for largest development ever proposed in Arizona. By Keith Schneider. Circle of Blue. January 5, 2023. BUCKEYE, AZ. — The White Tank Mountains were the backdrop in October when senior executives of the Howard Hughes Corporation broke ground for Teravalis, the largest planned community ever proposed in Arizona.

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Implementing D.E.J.I. Strategies in Energy, Environment, and Transportation

Speaker: Antoine M. Thompson, Executive Director of the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition

Diversity, Equity, Justice, and Inclusion (DEJI) policies, programs, and initiatives are critically important as we move forward with public and private sector climate and sustainability goals and plans. Underserved and socially, economically, and racially disadvantaged communities bear the burden of pollution, higher energy costs, limited resources, and limited investments in the clean energy and transportation sectors.

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Sacred Groves: How the Spiritual Connection Helps Protect Nature

Yale E360

From Ethiopia’s highlands to Siberia to the Australian rainforest, there are thousands of sacred forests that have survived thanks to traditional religious and spiritual beliefs. These places, many now under threat, have ecological importance, experts say, and must be saved. Read more on E360 →.

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Rare Earth Metals Market Expected Growth of 10.1% by 2033

Environment + Energy Leader

The market for rare earth metals is fueled by a number of growth factors, including: Rising sales of electric automobiles. Increased application in a variety of industries. The utilization of renewable energy sources is rising. The post Rare Earth Metals Market Expected Growth of 10.1% by 2033 appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Federal Progress on EV Charging in 2022

Union of Concerned Scientists

As we bid farewell to 2022 and look forward to 2023, I’ve been reflecting on progress made in the past year, particularly in the implementation of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. We had a strong start to 2022 when the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration released guidance to states in February, reflecting many UCS recommendations.

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New York City Greenery Absorbing All Traffic Emissions on Many Summer Days

Yale E360

On many summer days, trees, shrubs, and grasses across the New York metro area soak up as much carbon dioxide as is generated by all cars, buses, and trucks, according to new research. Read more on E360 →.

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Meet the Honorees: Monica Meagher, Sustainability Group Manager, BART

Environment + Energy Leader

Meet Monica Meagher, Group Sustainability Manager at BART. Monica and her team manage specific projects that range from electricity procurement for the entire system to annual sustainability reporting to LED retrofits. . The post Meet the Honorees: Monica Meagher, Sustainability Group Manager, BART appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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The Year Ahead

Legal Planet

Here we are, starting another year. Last year turned out to have some major environmental developments. The most notable were the Supreme Court’s ruling in West Virginia case, striking down the Clean Power Plan, and the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, with its huge economic incentives for clean energy. Here’s quick rundown of what 2023 might hold in store.

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Shaping a Resilient Future: Climate Impact on Vulnerable Populations

Speaker: Laurie Schoeman Director, Climate & Sustainability, Capital

As households and communities across the nation face challenges such as hurricanes, wildfires, drought, extreme heat and cold, and thawing permafrost and flooding, we are increasingly searching for ways to mitigate and prevent climate impacts. During this event, national climate and housing expert Laurie Schoeman will discuss topics including: The two paths for climate action: decarbonization and adaptation.

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Federal Water Tap, January 2: USGS Finds Steep Groundwater Declines in Rural Nevada

Circle of Blue

The Rundown. The U.S. Geological Survey finds declining groundwater levels in agricultural valleys in Nevada. The EPA finalizes a new definition of the scope of the Clean Water Act. New data shows the number of households receiving federal water bill assistance rose last summer. The EPA misses its self-imposed, end-of-year deadline for issuing draft drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS.

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Florida Neighborhoods Are Gentrifying in the Wake of Hurricanes, Study Finds

Yale E360

Florida neighborhoods hit by hurricanes have seen little drop in interest from homebuyers. On the contrary, these communities have tended to gentrify, with the price of homes and the income of buyers rising slightly after a storm, a new study reveals. Read more on E360 →.

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Great Britain Sets New Record for Wind Generation

Environment + Energy Leader

Britain has achieved a new record for wind energy generation, with power from onshore and offshore turbines helping to enhance sustainable energy production late last year. The post Great Britain Sets New Record for Wind Generation appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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A New Birth of Housing?

Legal Planet

Tucked deep inside the massive Omnibus bill is what has been called the “Baby YIMBY” provision — an $85 million grant program, to be administered by HUD : The bill provides the U.S. Secretary for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with $85 million to dole out on a competitive basis to jurisdictions for “the identification and removal of barriers to affordable housing production and preservation.” The secretary, currently Marcia Fudge, would have wide discretion to

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Sustainability at Retail

Sustainability impacts every nation, company, and person around the world. So much so that, in 2015, the United Nations (UN) issued a call for action by all countries to work toward sustainable development. In response to this and as part of a global Sustainability at Retail initiative, Shop! worked collaboratively with its global affiliates to address these critical issues in this white paper.

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MassDEP Proposes Cumulative Impact Analysis Regulations — It’s About to Get Interesting.

Law and Environment

After more than a year of work, MassDEP has proposed regulations that would require applicants to perform cumulative impact analysis prior to issuance of certain air emissions permits. The regulations were required by the environmental justice provisions of the 2021 Climate Roadmap Act. The requirement to perform a CIA will apply to any person seeking a comprehensive plan approval in or within one mile of any environmental justice community as well as to any project requiring a comprehensive pl

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Winter Warm Spell Stifles Skiing in Swiss Alps

Yale E360

The Alps are seeing a dearth of snowfall this winter amid unusually warm temperatures, forcing closures at some slopes. Read more on E360 →.

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Canadian Solar Supplies 550MWh of Battery Storage to Pulse Clean Energy

Environment + Energy Leader

Vertically integrated PV company Canadian Solar will supply 550MWh of battery storage equipment for developer Pulse Clean Energy’s UK projects. The post Canadian Solar Supplies 550MWh of Battery Storage to Pulse Clean Energy appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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The Stream, January 4, 2023 — Freezing Temperatures Across U.S. South Wreak Havoc on Water Systems

Circle of Blue

Distribution pipe at a water treatment plant. Photo © J. Carl Ganter/Circle of Blue. YOUR GLOBAL RUNDOWN. An unseasonal arctic blast over the holiday season disrupted water access throughout the American South. Visitors to a ski resort in British Columbia are being asked to bring and ration their own water amid a record-low potable supply. A 2,000-year-old fountain in Turkey’s “City of Gladiators” is being restored to flow once again with fresh water.

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U.S. DOE Announces $3.5 Billion to Accelerate Direct Air Capture Commercialization

Law and Environment

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced a $3.5 billion funding opportunity to create regional Direct Air Capture (DAC) Hubs. The DAC Hubs program is one of four new programs announced by the Biden-Harris administration aimed at building “a commercially viable, just, and responsible carbon dioxide removal industry,” in the U.S. with funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

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Oops! Sellers Didn’t Read The Mineral Deed Before Signing

Energy & the Law

Precious little legal analysis is required to grasp the lesson from Springbok Royalty Partners v. Cook. No mode or manner of legal gymnastics is likely to save parties from the legal effect of a contract they didn’t bother to read before they signed it. The agreement. Following a lengthy conversation between the Cooks and a Springbok employee, the parties agreed to a price for the sale of the Cooks’ minerals and signed a letter agreement entitled “Offer to Purchase Mineral Interests in Lands”.

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ADNOC Allocates $15B to Low-Carbon Solutions

Environment + Energy Leader

Building on multibillion-dollar capital investments in decarbonization projects, ADNOC is collaborating with international partners and stakeholders throughout the energy value chain on technology, best practices, and policy to support and advance global decarbonization operations. The post ADNOC Allocates $15B to Low-Carbon Solutions appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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BIOSENSORS – AS SIMPLE AS THEY COME

Cleannovate

I left the health awareness meeting desiring to check my blood sugar. Diabetes is a silent killer in many African … More.

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EPA and the Corps Promulgate a “Durable” WOTUS Rule — Proving Only That There Is a Difference Between Hope and Expectation

Law and Environment

Last week, EPA and the Army Corps finally published their long-awaited rule defining “Waters of the United States.” Will the WOTUS rule finally provide the clarity for which we have been waiting, allowing the rule to be as “durable” as the agencies claim, or will it instead be dead on arrival, made irrelevant by the upcoming Supreme Court decision in Sackett , which many observers expect will significantly narrow the scope of jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act?

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Scientists Report a Dramatic Drop in the Extent of Antarctic Sea Ice

Inside Climate News

Links between global warming and the decline of sea ice in the Southern Ocean are still unclear, but climate can’t be ruled out as a driver. By Bob Berwyn The new year started with the familiar refrain of climate extremes, as scientists with the National Snow and Ice Data Center reported Jan. 3 that the sea ice around Antarctica dropped to its lowest extent on record for early January.

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Wiicare Joins Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council

Environment + Energy Leader

Wiicare joins worldwide companies DOW, Eastman, and Boston Scientific as members of HPRC. The post Wiicare Joins Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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For the sake of diversity: An alternative approach to tree planting that prioritizes conservation goals

The Applied Ecologist

Lead author Olivia St-Laurent explains why she and her co-authors of the new article advocate for a novel approach to environmental tree planting, benefitting people and nature by prioritizing biodiversity conservation. Everywhere, governments are making commitments to stop or slow the loss of local biological diversity and to restore degraded ecosystems.

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EPA Proposes to Lower the PM2.5 NAAQS — Searching For the Goldilocks Level

Law and Environment

EPA has finally proposed revisions to the national ambient air quality standard for PM2.5. The Administrator is proposing to lower the standard from 12.0 ug/m 3 to a range of 9.0 to 10.0 ug/m 3. . Readers of this space will recall that the Clean Air Science Advisory Committee recommended that EPA lower the PM2.5 NAAQS to between 8.0 and 10.0 ug/m 3.

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Snapshots, Hotshots and Moonshots: Images of Climate Change in 2022

Inside Climate News

Climate change manifested this year in more than just weather disasters. By Katelyn Weisbrod Climate change and an environment in peril were visible in many of 2022’s defining moments: record-smashing heat waves in Europe and South Asia, droughts pushing the fragile global food system to its limit and energy and food markets shaken by war in Ukraine.

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New Report Shows Apple Leads Circular Smartphone Market

Environment + Energy Leader

This report assesses how well the OEM is reducing its impact on the environment by reusing materials, recycling devices, and minimizing waste at each stage. The post New Report Shows Apple Leads Circular Smartphone Market appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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How much agri-environment provision is required to reverse farmland bird declines?

The Applied Ecologist

Dr Robert Hawkes, RSPB Conservation Scientist, explains the findings of a recently published article. Here, RSPB and BTO scientists, in partnership with Natural England, explore how much bird-friendly agri-environment management is needed to stabilise or reverse farmland bird declines. The UK government has recently committed to halting species abundance declines in England by 2030, with similar timebound EU targets currently under discussion.

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Let’s float some more solar farms

A Greener Life

By Jeremy Williams. There has been some unwarranted fussing about solar farms in the UK recently. There is an enduring perception that they compete with food production and should be restricted. I’ve described why that’s not the case , but even if land is in short supply and isn’t suitable for solar panels, there are other options. Yes, there are roofs, the natural habitat of the PV.

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The Trailing Edge: Drought, Wildfire and Forest Transformation

Washington Nature

Washington is home to 2.7 million acres of forest landscape in need of urgent restoration. Scientists are looking to trailing edge forests, areas that are expected to experience range contraction and possible landscape conversion, for insight and lessons on how to manage this ever-changing landscape. A new study conducted by the Washington Department of Natural Resources and The Nature Conservancy sought to localize and improve understanding of the trailing edge forests in the eastern Cascades o

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Golder Associates Rebranding as WSP

Environment + Energy Leader

Since acquiring Golder Associates, WSP has been able to take advantage of increasing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) trends and achieve exceptional strategic growth to fulfill the rising need for environmental services and sustainably sound infrastructure development. The post Golder Associates Rebranding as WSP appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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The crystal growers behind the graphene revolution

New Scientist

Takashi Taniguchi and Kenji Watanabe create high-quality crystals that offer the perfect substrate on which to tailor-make two-dimensional materials with amazing electronic properties.

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