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The toxic legacy of old oil wells: California’s multibillion-dollar problem

by Mark Olalde and Ryan Menezes, LA Times Highlights: 35,000 wells have been sitting idle for years because of suspended production, which can contaminate the water supplies and cause fumes to leak Fossil fuel companies are required by law to set aside bonds for the clean up and remediation of oil well sites but the … Read more

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Washington State looks to a ban on new gas vehicles

Electric Vehicles Charging at a Station

by Danny Westneat, Seattle Times Highlights: The idea of banning new gas cars, formerly seen as too aggressive and radical, is picking up steam in Washington state: Ten Washington legislators introduced House Bill 2515, which aims to ban the registration of any new gas-powered passenger or light-duty trucks, starting ten years from now, in 2030 … Read more

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Gov. Newsom should invest in clean transportation. It will make California healthier

Clean Transportation, by DAVID ILIFF, found on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_transport#/media/File:C_Class_Tram,_Melbourne_-_Jan_2008.jpg

by Bill Magavern, CalMatters Highlights: Governor Gavin Newsom should cut diesel pollution as fast as possible Even though California is leading the nation in the advancement of clean transportation technologies, cars account for the largest greenhouse gas emissions Solutions to the California emissions problem include: deployment of more EVs, more pedestrian and bike paths in … Read more

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IEEFA update: Bankruptcies multiply for fracking sector

Aerial view of fracking wells.

by Kathy Hipple, IEEFA, January 28, 2020 Highlights Forty-two companies within the United States that have fracking based portfolios filed for bankruptcy in 2019: In total, the aggregate debt of these companies was $26 billion The fracking sector struggled due to overproduction, gas and oil prices, and increasing debt throughout the past 5 years Moody’s … Read more

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PG&E’s fossil fuel-powered microgrids

Workers install portions of the 8.5 megawatt-per-hour battery system at Fort Carson, Colorado. Huntsville Center’s Energy Savings Performance Contracting program coordinated the project designed to reduce peak electricity use costs, especially during the summer cooling season. (Photo by Scott Clark) found on by Scott Clark, found on https://www.hnc.usace.army.mil/Media/Images/igphoto/2002081389/

by Kavya Balaraman, Utility Dive Highlights: The towns of Angwin, Calistoga, Placerville, and Grass Valley are part of PG&E’s effort to build a network of “resilience zones” and temporary microgrids in portions of its service territory that are especially vulnerable to fire-related outages. PG&E deployed 23 MW of temporary generation from fossil fuel power (diesel) … Read more

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Want to do something about climate change? Follow the money

Divest from Fossil Fuel

by Lennox Yearwood Jr. and Bill McKibben, NY Times Highlights: JPMorgan Chase is among the worst companies to aid the rapid warming of the earth by lending billions to gas and oil companies. “Wells Fargo lent over $151 billion, Citibank lent over $129 billion and Bank of America lent over $106 billion” and “JPMorgan Chase … Read more

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World Economic Forum makes sustainable aviation fuel available for first time

Plane View Over Mountain Range

by Alyssa Danigelis, Environmental Leader, January 20, 2020 Highlights: The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland is providing sustainable aviation fuel for its arriving business jets Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has an 80% smaller carbon footprint compared to normal aviation fuel The use of the SAF is meant to demonstrate that the fuel is available, … Read more

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Europeans, Chinese, Americans to fly less in 2020 to fight climate change

by Jan Strupczewski, Reuters, January 14, 2020 Highlights: A survey by the European Investment Bank (EIB), reveals that most Chinese, European, and U.S. citizens strive to limit their holiday aircraft emissions. “In the poll, 36% of Europeans said they already flew less for holidays to help prevent climate change and 75% intended to do so … Read more

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‘Bleak’ U.N. Report on a Planet in Peril Looms Over New Climate Talks

Deeper and faster cuts are now required Global greenhouse gas emissions have grown by 1.5 percent every year over the last decade. To stay within relatively safe limits, emissions must decline sharply, by 7.6 percent every year, between 2020 and 2030. Even if every country fulfills its current pledges under the Paris Agreement — and … Read more