Energy

US wind power generation on course to surpass coal | Reuters

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US wind power generation on course to surpass coal | Reuters

LITTLETON, Colorado, Dec 5 (Reuters) - U.S. electricity generation from wind power is on course to surpass coal-fired electricity generation, potentially by 2026, as wind supply growth expands at a record pace just as coal-fired generation is cut across the country.

Coal-fired power remains the second largest source of U.S. electricity behind natural gas, and over the first 10 months of 2023 coal-fired output was roughly 60% greater than total generation from wind sources, data from think tank Ember shows

U.S. wind power generation on track to surpass coal-fired generation But with wind power generation rapidly rising in most regions while utilities steadily cut coal capacity, wind output is on track to eventually overtake coal output within the U.S. electricity generation mix, which will mark a significant milestone in U.S. energy transition efforts.

NPR

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COP28 president incorrectly says fossil fuel phaseout is not necessary : NPR

In the video, Ireland's former president Mary Robinson asks al-Jaber to use his position to push for a global agreement to phase out fossil fuels. Such language was not included in the landmark 2015 Paris climate agreement, and has been repeatedly blocked by petroleum-dependent countries at subsequent negotiations.

That's despite unequivocal, and long-standing, scientific consensus that humanity must transition to renewable energy sources immediately in order to avoid catastrophic warming, including runaway sea level rise, mass extinction of plants and animals and countless lives lost to extreme weather.

In the video, however, al-Jaber responds to Robinson's suggestion with this incorrect statement: "I respect the science, and there is no science out there, or no scenario out there, that says that the phase-out of fossil fuel is what's going to achieve 1.5 [degrees Celsius]."

Cold Reality – Empire Center for Public Policy

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Cold Reality – Empire Center for Public Policy

This is an interesting propaganda piece and research paper sponsored by the state's propane industry. It really shows how fossil fuel interests are facing dire consequences, at least over time, from the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act -- and how modest the costs of upgrading to heat pumps really is. While they make the numbers seem alarming, a $50k upgrade to a house isn't much when you consider the savings over time, and how much houses cost these days. Definitely read this article.

Warren Generating Station 1993

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Warren Generating power station is a retired 84-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power station in Warren, the state of Pennsylvania, United States.

The current use of the Site includes the Warren Combustion Turbine (CT) facility owned by Warren Generation LLC.  The CT is a 57-megawatt natural gas- and distillate fuel oil-fired electric generating station, which consists of one operational simple-cycle CT and ancillary equipment and systems. Fuel for the CT is delivered by pipeline (natural gas) and tanker truck (oil). 

The Site previously had housed two coal-fired 42-megawatt steam electric generation units (Units 1 and 2), which were installed in 1948 and 1949, respectively, and retired in September 2002. Since the units’ retirement in 2002, all coal has been removed from the Site. 

Historically two on-site landfills were utilized: the North Disposal area, located northwest of the power generation facilities, was closed in 1984 via capping with native soils; and the South Disposal area, located west of the power generation facilities, was closed 2003 via capping with native soils. Waste materials placed in these landfills consisted of fly ash, bottom ash, and pyrites.  The South Disposal Area was operated under Solid Waste Permit No. 300858.  The Ash Pond Nos. 1 & 2 were closed in 2002-200 3. 

https://www.dep.pa.gov/About/Regional/NorthwestRegion/Community-Information/Pages/Warren-Generating-Station.aspx

One of the greatest threats of climate change is the power vacuum it creates …

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… how it enables unscrupulous politicians enormous powers to operate the state as will benefit themselves and their in-group.

Martial law is hardly an unfamiliar concept to a country at war. During every active war, civil liberties and rights – even those delimited in the constitution are limited. Climate change destroys infrastructure with massive floods and fires, puts human life at risk. It brings out the military to restore order and rebuild destroyed infrastructure.

There is an enormous need to build climate friendly and hardened infrastructure in a short period of time. If it’s not built proactively, it will be built reactively after the existing infrastructure is destroyed by climate change induced storms. Areas that aren’t taking serious action now will be taking more action faster later on.

Rushed action by government means curtailed civil liberties, environmental protection undermined, corruption and waste. There is going to be a lot of that when we address climate change – not just the modeling but climate change effects to infrastructure and economy as a whole.

We must do more not only to slow emissions growth and reduce it but also harden our infrastructure now while it’s still cheaper to do and avoid more costly emergency damage repairs. Climate change is going to be really bad – they’re no stopping the serious damage we’ve done to the planet already – but we can take steps to limit the pain and protect our democracy and necessary infrastructure.