One Cool Thing: Maine Approves First Offshore Floating Wind Project in the U.S.

CGI of 12MW Aqua Ventus 1 unit Photo: UMaine via rechargenews.com

We wanted to end the week on a high note!  We have written about Norway’s big plans for floating offshore wind — now we will have it in the U.S. too, thanks to the Governor of Maine, Janet Mills, who finally got the 12-megawatt demonstration project green-lit by pushing through legislation that forced state utility regulators to issue the power purchase agreement for the project.  What?  It took her leadership to get it done after the prior Governor slowed the project on cost grounds (the energy from it will be price-competitive BTW).  She also is working to make the state of Maine carbon-neutral by 2045.  To this we say, YES WE CAN!

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Electric Vehicles Still Charging Ahead

Electric Vehicles Still Charging Ahead

Investment in electric vehicles and their components and infrastructure continue to grow in spite of the pandemic and economic downturn, not to mention the infancy of the market.  According to MarketWatch.com, there is “sky high” investor interest in clean energy and electric vehicle companies.

Why This Matters:  Former Vice President Biden’s new clean energy jobs proposal revives the “cash for clunkers” program but in a way that would juice this market.

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China’s Purchases and Investments In US Energy Are On Their Terms

China’s Purchases and Investments In US Energy Are On Their Terms

President Trump trumpeted his trade deal with China, but so far it has been a bust, according to The Wall Street Journal — the Chinese have not purchased nearly the amount of energy (in terms of total dollars) as they promised — only $2B in oil and gas purchases against a commitment of $25B for this year.

Why This Matters:  Trump’s energy policy is a colossal failure, especially when measured against his outlandish campaign promise of complete energy independence.

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Dakota Access and Keystone XL Pipelines Stymied, BUT SCOTUS Gives Other Projects a Pass

Dakota Access and Keystone XL Pipelines Stymied, BUT SCOTUS Gives Other Projects a Pass

A federal judge in Washington, DC ruled yesterday that the Dakota Access Pipeline must shut down and empty all its oil until the government completes an environmental review of the pipeline’s impacts, giving the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, whose reservation lies downstream, a huge victory.  Similarly, late in the day, the Supreme Court refused to overturn the order of a district judge that shut down construction of parts of the Keystone XL pipeline so it is also blocked for now.

Why It Matters:  The Dakota and Keystone XL news is greatly tempered by the fact that numerous other pipeline projects can go ahead despite their inadequate permit unless they are individually challenged in court and blocked.

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