US report finds sky is the limit for geothermal energy beneath us
US Dept. of Energy project estimates geothermal’s untapped potential. Sonoma Power Plant at The Geysers in California. With all attention focused on the plummeting prices and soaring popularity of solar and wind, geothermal energy is probably under-appreciated. Sure, you might think, it’s great where you can get it—in, say, Iceland or the Geysers area of California—but those are exceptions, right? Not entirely. Geothermal power sources come in many forms, and they're typicall
E.P.A. Finalizes Its Plan to Replace Obama-Era Climate Rules
Loading coal at the Spring Creek Mine in southern Montana. The mine’s owner, Cloud Peak Energy, declared bankruptcy in May. CreditCredit Kevin Moloney for The New York Times WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Wednesday replaced former President Barack Obama’s effort to reduce planet-warming pollution from coal plants with a new rule that would keep plants open longer and undercut progress on reducing carbon emissions. The rule represents the Trump administration’s most
New York to Approve One of the World’s Most Ambitious Climate Plans
The state would pledge to eliminate net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with all its electricity coming from carbon-free sources. New York will be required to get 70 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and shift entirely to carbon-free power a decade later. CreditCreditBenjamin Norman for The New York Times New York lawmakers have agreed to pass a sweeping climate plan that calls for the state to all but eliminate its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,
In Finger Lakes vineyards, climate change has already arrived
In this March photo, Arthur Hunt, owner of Hunt Country Vineyards near Keuka Lake, inspects a Riesling vine. Hunt lays some vines on the ground in the winter and covers them with straw to protect them from extreme cold. (March 12, 2019) Glenn Coin | gcoin@syracuse.com Syracuse, N.Y. -- In a broad clearing of the the Fox Run Vineyard stands a gleaming metal wind machine. A single blade is mounted atop the 40-foot-tall, swiveling pole. Scott Osborn, owner of the vineyard on Sen
Nissan Leaf batteries are lasting a very long time
Nissan x Opus camper with reused Leaf batteries in Britain with Nissan Qashqai Since even before the first market deliveries of its Leaf electric car in late 2010, Nissan has made frequent mention about the need to create second-use demand for the Leaf's battery packs. It turns out, they may need to see many of those ideas put into place. According to comments made last month by a Nissan-Renault executive, citing charging and battery degradation data from Nissan on the 400,00
Climate change: UK government to commit to 2050 target
Greenhouse gas emissions in the UK will be cut to almost zero by 2050, under the terms of a new government plan to tackle climate change. Prime Minister Theresa May said reducing pollution would also benefit public health and cut NHS costs. Britain is the first major nation to propose this target - and it has been widely praised by green groups. But some say the phase-out is too late to protect the climate, and others fear that the task is impossible. The UK already has a 205
New York sets an example for shift to EVs
Kia's HabaNiro all-electric concept vehicle was presented at the New York auto show on Wednesday. Auto shows are invariably about the future, whether it is consumers contemplating their next dream machine or the carmakers showcasing the rides of tomorrow. But at this year's New York International Auto Show, the future has arrived in the form of the electric car, along with all the supporting parts of the electric car ecosystem. In fact, with a team of New York state agencies
Geneva first in region to launch energy program
The Town of Geneva will be the first community in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region to go live with a program that will switch households and small businesses over to a fully renewable electricity supply, unless those customers say that don't want it. The change will happen on July 1. Geneva was able to secure the supply of 100 percent renewable energy, all of which will be generated in New York, through a state-approved mechanism called community choice aggregation. It's ess
Cazenovia working to become ‘Climate Smart’
The town and village of Cazenovia are both regional leaders in the fight against climate change. As registered Climate Smart Communities (CSC), the municipalities are part of a network of over 250 communities committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving climate resilience. Run by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the CSC program helps communities take steps to increase energy efficiency, reduce GHG emissions, save taxpayers money an
National Grid Launches First-of-Its-Kind Battery Storage System
National Grid today unveiled a new battery storage system in Pulaski, New York, that will reinforce electricity reliability for regional customers during periods of peak demand, and alleviate the need for traditional infrastructure upgrades and investments. State and local officials joined company representatives and project partner Aggreko for a ribbon-cutting event at National Grid’s East Pulaski substation. The installation is the first-of-its kind battery storage system i