April 23 NEC Energy News
¶ “Can Aging US Nuclear Power Plants Withstand More Extreme Weather?” • To reach its climate goals, the Biden administration aims to extend the lives of US nuclear reactors. But a report finds regulators have not studied whether ever more extreme weather could threaten the safety or viability of power plants largely built in the 1970s and 1980s. [Yale E360]
¶ “China Faces Huge Energy Transition Challenge” • China is proving itself a global green energy leader, but it is expected to depend heavily on fossil fuels in 2050. DNV’s Energy Transition Outlook China says the country’s build out of renewable energy is unrivalled, but fossil fuels will still make up 40% of its energy mix in 2050. [reNews]
¶ “High Interest Rates Are Challenging The Global Transition To Renewable Energy” • After a period of low interest rates from 2009 to 2022, central banks have sharply raised interest rates to fight inflation. The higher cost capital has profound implications for the energy and natural resource industries, said a report from Wood Mackenzie. [pv magazine USA]
¶ “Renewables To Thank For Weeks Of No Load-Shedding” • In the past three weeks there has been no load-shedding in South Africa. The good performance was due to deliberate plans by the government and utility Eskom to deal with power outages. The Energy Action Plan is starting to bear fruit, with the contribution of renewable energy projects. [ITWeb]
¶ “Earth Day 2024 Report Card” • Earth Day offers an annual opportunity for citizens, experts, and lawmakers to celebrate the planet, examine our impact on the changing environment and demand a push toward a sustainable future. To make a united step forward, awareness of the mounting climate crisis is vital, one scientist told ABC News. [ABC News]
¶ “Biden Unlocks $7 Billion Solar Investment On Earth Day” • On Earth Day 2024, President Joe Biden announced $7 billion in grants through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All grant competition. The competition is a key component of the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund of the Inflation Reduction Act. [CleanTechnica]
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