Blog
To help you maintain some optimism about the future of our planet, I invite you to stop by here for a bit of good news on climate.
No Bids for Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
The U.S. Department of the Interior received no bids in a recent auction for oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Polish City Joins Powering Past Coal Alliance
In the city’s most recent energy transition effort, Katowice has joined the Powering Past Coal Alliance.
U.S. Protects Oceans from Drilling
President Biden has withdrawn 625 million acres of U.S. ocean from future oil and gas leasing.
Governor Signs Climate Change Superfund Law
The governor of New York has signed the Climate Change Superfund Act, which requires fossil fuel companies to pay a portion of the state’s climate change adaptation costs.
California Waiver Withstands Court Challenge
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review the Environmental Protection Agency’s grant of a Clean Air Act preemption waiver to California for its Clean Cars program.
Court Upholds Montana Youth Climate Victory
The Montana Supreme Court has upheld the decision of a lower court finding that Montana’s actions in support of a fossil fuel energy system violate the plaintiffs’ constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment.
Barcelona Innovating With Regenerative Braking
Using regenerative braking technology, Barcelona is recouping energy from subway trains for use in its subway system and also for electric vehicle charging stations.
U.S. Issues Liquid Natural Gas Study
The U.S. Department of Energy has issued its energy, economic, and environmental assessment of U.S. liquid natural gas exports.
U.S. Loans $9.63 Billion for EV Batteries
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced a $9.63 billion loan to BlueOval SK for its construction of three new facilities in Kentucky and Tennessee, which will manufacture electric vehicle batteries.
EV Charging Infrastructure Expanding
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced a $1.25 billion loan to EVgo for 7500 new electric vehicle chargers to be installed across the country.
Fusion Energy Technology Advances
A New Zealand company has built a fusion energy device using a levitated dipole, a newer fusion device design.
Maine Sues Fossil Fuel Companies
The state of Maine has sued five fossil fuel companies alleging that the companies engaged in deception regarding the harm caused by the use of fossil fuels.
Flow Battery Installation Escalating
Countries, particularly those in Asia, are building an increasing number of flow batteries (a type of long-duration energy storage).
U.S. Pursuing Wave Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced over $100 million in funding for the design, fabrication, and testing of wave energy converters.
U.S. to Fund New EV Facility
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced a $6.57 billion loan to Rivian for the construction of a manufacturing facility in Georgia.
Path for Reducing Aviation Emissions Delineated
Transport & Environment, a European nonprofit, reports that minor changes to flight paths could dramatically reduce, at low cost, aviation’s contribution to global warming.
Virginia’s Exit From GHG Initiative Deemed Invalid
A court has decided that Virginia’s 2023 exit from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative was unlawful.
Washington Voters Support Cap and Invest
Voters in Washington state rejected an initiative to repeal the 2021 Washington Climate Commitment Act, which provides for a greenhouse gas emissions reduction cap and invest program.
Cold Climate Heat Pumps Developed
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced that eight manufacturers have developed heat pumps designed specifically for cold climates.
Efficient Storage Designed Using Plentiful Elements
Using common elements, researchers have developed a hybrid device that stores solar energy more efficiently than batteries made with rare elements.