June 19 NEC Energy News
¶ “The Southwest’s Unchecked Thirst For Colorado River Water Could Prove Devastating Upstream” • When the federal Bureau of Reclamation and four states agreed to release a sixth of the capacity of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, on the border of Utah and Wyoming, to help desiccated communities to the south, it created a local uproar. [CNN]
¶ “Georgia Cooperatives Move To Freeze Nuclear Costs At $8.1 Billion” • One of the owners of the Vogtle nuclear plant being expanded in Georgia says it’s shifting overruns to Georgia Power Co in exchange for part of its ownership. Vogtle is currently projected to cost $30.34 billion. Oglethorpe Power Corp hopes to save $400 million. [CityNews Toronto]
¶ “Friendly Fungi Help Forests Fight Climate Change” • While we know that forests play a major role in countering global warming, acting as reservoirs for carbon, what is less well understood is how tiny organisms that dwell hidden in the soil help lock away our greenhouse gas emissions. Ectomycorrhizal fungi enable certain trees to absorb CO₂ faster. [BBC]
¶ “Mexico Signs Renewable Energy Deals With US Companies As It Steps Up Climate Change Fight” • Mexico made commitments with 17 US companies on generating clean energy, its president said. After months of friction with business leaders, President Lopez Obrador said the deals would generate 1,854 MW as the government fights climate change. [The National]
¶ “WA Forges Ahead With Renewables Transition As Other States Face Energy Crisis” • WA has announced the end of state-run, coal-fired power plants by 2030. With additions of rooftop solar, there’s little or no need for the coal-fired plants to run during the daytime, and that causes issues for coal because coal plants aren’t designed to be turned on and off. [ABC]
¶ “Demand For Rooftop Solar Batteries Surges As Eastern Australian Energy Prices Soar” • Demand for batteries linked to rooftop solar panels has soared in the past month as energy prices rise in the coldest start to winter in decades. Inquiries into battery rebates in Victoria have spiked in the past two weeks, one source says. [The Guardian]
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