October 18 NEC Energy News
¶ “Germany To Postpone Nuclear Plant Closures As Russia’s War In Ukraine Fuels Energy Crisis Fears” • German Chancellor Olaf Scholz ordered ministers Monday to prepare to keep all three of the country’s remaining nuclear plants running until mid-April, putting his foot down on an issue that had threatened to split his three-party government. [CBC]
¶ “Mercedes CEO Says Europe’s Gas Crisis Will Accelerate Its Shift To Renewables” • Europe’s gas crisis will be “a catalyst” for Mercedes-Benz to push deeper into clean energy, says its CEO. Mercedes is taking steps to cut down its use of natural gas at the company’s factories in Germany by roughly half, while keeping production levels up. [CNN]
¶ “EU Produces Record Wind And Solar Energy As It Shirks Russian Gas” • Wind and solar power made up a record 24% of the European Union’s electricity since Russia invaded Ukraine, a report says. It’s a boost that also helped the bloc battle soaring inflation. Nineteen of the EU’s 27 member states had record wind and solar generation since March. [CNN]
¶ “Say “Climate Pollution” Instead Of “Greenhouse Gases” – The Difference In Impact Is Huge” • Climate activists are altering the language they employ to describe our quickly warming world, and the term “climate pollution” has started to shift the way that the public ascribes responsibility for the existential crisis that surrounds us. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Volkswagen BEV Sales Nearly 500,000 A Year – Now Ewan McGregor Is Providing A Boost” • Volkswagen aims to be the top selling battery EV maker in the world. That’s not going to be easy, but the German auto giant has made a lot of progress. Tesla plans to reach 1.4 million BEV deliveries this year. Volkswagen Group is approaching 500,000. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Renewable Investments Could Outstrip Upstream Oil And Gas In 2022” • High spot electricity prices, particularly in Europe, are changing narrative for the utility wind and solar investment. Potential payback periods of under one year could start a race to develop renewable assets purely based on project economics, Rystad Energy research shows. [Oil Price]
¶ “California’s Tomato Farmers Are Getting Squeezed By Water Crisis As Growing Costs Continue To Rise” • This year, fewer tomatoes were grown as rising interest rates, inflation, and the crushing drought squeezed farmers who saw their margins sliced and diced. While the cost of growing tomatoes continues to rise, it ultimately hits consumers. [CNN]
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