May 12 NEC Energy News
¶ “Helion And Microsoft Lead World Down Nuclear Fusion Rabbit Hole” • The announcement of a 50-MW agreement between Helion and Microsoft is historic, but it raises a lot of thorny questions about fusion, the role of tech in promoting new energy sources, and whether all this talk about fusion is even doing any good for the planet. [Gizmodo]
¶ “Dow’s Seadrift, Texas Location Selected For X-Energy Advanced SMR Nuclear Project” • Dow, the materials science company, and X-Energy Reactor Company announced that Dow has selected its UCC1 Seadrift Operations manufacturing site in Texas for its proposed advanced small modular reactor nuclear project. [Dow Corporate]
¶ “Wildfire Smoke From Alberta And British Columbia Reaches US” • Much of Canada and parts of the US are blanketed by smoke as wildfires in Alberta rage. As of Thursday, there are 75 active wildfires in Alberta, 23 of which are considered out of control. Early May is typically the start of wildfire season in the region, but this level activity is unusual. [BBC]
¶ “EPA Proposes New Rules That Would Dramatically Slash Planet-Warming Pollution From Power Plants” • The EPA has proposed one of its most highly anticipated climate rules to date, compelling nearly all US power plants that generate the nation’s electricity to capture or otherwise greatly reducue their planet-warming fossil fuel emissions. [CNN]
¶ “The Investment Differences Between Renewable And Coal-Fired Power” • In Vietnam, investment in renewable energy was 480% higher than planned, but for thermal power it was just 60% of the plan. Also, a total of 6.6 GW of thermal power was behind schedule for installations, but 14 GW of solar power was ahead of schedule. [Vietnamnet]
¶ “NextEra Blows Green Hydrogen Raspberry At Renewable Energy Foes” • The Florida energy firm NextEra Energy Partners has decided to ditch its natural gas pipelines and transform itself into a pure-play renewable energy investment opportunity. If all goes according to plan, green hydrogen will come to Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, too. [CleanTechnica]
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