July 16 NEC Energy News
¶ “French Nuclear Cuts Extend To Next Week As Temperatures Soar” • EDF’s nuclear plant output cuts are expected to stretch into next week as a heat wave sweeping across Europe pushes up river temperatures, reducing its ability to cool its plants. EDF said that two power stations on the Rhone River will produce less electricity in the coming days. [Regina Leader Post]
¶ “Russian Forces Accused Of Storing Weapons In Nuclear Plant” • Russia is using Europe’s largest nuclear power plant as a base to store weapons, including missile systems, and to shell nearby areas in Ukraine, an official with Kyiv’s nuclear agency said. The nuclear plant has been under Russian control since the early weeks of Moscow’s invasion. [The Guardian]
¶ “Thousands Escape Wildfires In France, Spain, And Greece” • Over 11,000 people have been forced to leave a region in south-western France in the past few days. Dozens of fires are burning in Portugal and Spain where temperatures have surged above 40°C. At least 281 deaths in both countries were linked to the heat and several towns in Spain were evacuated. [BBC]
¶ “Solectrac Partners With Nolan Manufacturing To Produce More Electric Tractors” • Solectrac, based in Northern California, makes battery-electric tractors for farming and utility operations. Solectrac announced it has entered into a partnership with Nolan Manufacturing to begin producing its battery-electric tractors in a facility in North Carolina. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Hypothetical Weather Forecast For 2050 Is Coming True Next Week” • Two years ago, UK Met Office scientists tried a thought experiment to project what our forecasts will look like in 2050. “Not actual weather forecast,” they said. “Examples of plausible weather based on climate projections.” Well, on Monday and Tuesday, it’s here, 28 years early. [CNN]
¶ “Biden Vows To Use Executive Action After Manchin Torpedoes Climate Agenda” • After Senator Joe Manchin dealt a devastating blow to Democrats’ hopes for sweeping legislative action this year, President Joe Biden vowed to take “strong executive action” in response. The president aims toward writing broad climate action and tax legislation. [CNN]
¶ “June Was Tesla’s Best Production Month Yet, Despite Low Q2 Deliveries” • Tesla’s deliveries in Q2 were plagued by COVID-19 lockdowns that caused a 22-day production pause at its Shanghai Gigafactory. Nevertheless, Tesla’s new Gigafactories in Berlin and Texas are already showing their value, beginning with impressive production in June. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Extreme Heat Is Getting Worse” • Duke Energy announced a summertime record for electric use in North Carolina and South Carolina on June 15, 2022. That was six days before summer started. With climate change, the number of annual heat waves in the US increasing from two per year in the 1960s to six per year during the 2010s. [NC State News]
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