February 4 NEC Energy News
¶ “Does Renewable Energy Threaten Efforts To Conserve Biodiversity On Land?” • In our study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, we suggest that, while conflicts between renewables and protected areas do occur, overlap need not be as severe as previously suggested, with appropriate policy and regulatory controls. [Carbon Brief]
¶ “EU Member States To Sue Brussels For Classifying Fossil Fuel Gas And Nuclear Power As ‘Green Energy’” • EU member states are to take legal action against the European Commission after it decided to count natural gas and nuclear power as green energy. The EU’s executive controversially included the two fuels in its “taxonomy” this week. [The Independent]
¶ “House Committee Supports Nuclear Waste Ban Bill” • A New Mexico House Committee has approved a bill that would ban spent nuclear material from being stored in or transported through the state. The legislation aims directly at a proposed privately owned and operated spent nuclear waste interim storage facility in southeast New Mexico. [KSFR]
¶ “European Oil Facilities Hit By Cyber-Attacks” • Multiple oil transport and storage companies across Europe are dealing with cyber-attacks. IT systems have been disrupted at Oiltanking in Germany, SEA-Invest in Belgium, and Evos in the Netherlands. In total dozens of terminals with oil storage and transport across the world have been affected. [BBC]
¶ “EPA, White House Warn Louis Dejoy To Halt Plan To Replace USPS Fleet With Gas-Powered Trucks” • The White House and EPA blasted the US Postal Service for its decision to replace 90% of its aging vehicle fleet with gas-powered trucks, rather than EVs. The current USPS plan would have only 10% of its next generation delivery vehicles be electric. [CNN]
¶ “New England Natural Gas And Electricity Prices Increase On Supply Constraints, High Demand” • The spot natural gas price at the Algonquin Citygate, a trading hub and benchmark for the natural gas price in New England, averaged $20.55 per million British thermal units during January 2022, the highest monthly average price since February 2014. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Caterpillar Hops On Electric Train Craze With A Massive Deal For Ten Locomotives” • Through its Progress Rail subsidiary, Caterpillar, the legendary maker of heavy equipment, locked in a 10-locomotive deal with the Union Pacific Railroad, the equally legendary rail company. It will be the biggest battery-electric locomotive fleet in the US. [CleanTechnica]
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