January 23 NEC Energy News
¶ “Solar Energy Has Already Won. Now The Real Work Begins To Bring Light To Those Left Behind” • In rural Latin America, a single solar panel can mean that a child studies by electric light rather than by candlelight, or a family with cows can keep their milk refrigerated, protecting their income and improving food security. [Welcome to the United Nations]
¶ “Santee Cooper Seeks Proposals To Finish Nuclear Project That Soaked Ratepayers” • State-owned Santee Cooper said it will seek proposals to acquire and complete two nuclear reactors that were left unfinished when the power company walked away from the construction project eight years ago, leaving ratepayers on the hook amid rising costs and delays. [AOL.com]
¶ “Europe Made More Electricity From Solar Than Coal In 2024” • The EU made more power from sunshine than coal last year. Solar PVs generated 11% of the EU’s electricity, but coal-burning plants generated 10%, according to data from climate thinktank Ember. And the role of fossil gas fell for the fifth year in a row to cover 16% of the electricity. [The Guardian]
¶ “Mt Washington Cog Railway Goes Electric!” • Mt Washington, while it is still preserving history, is also highlighting ongoing innovation. Engineering students from the University of New Hampshire are working alongside the Mt. Washington rail staff to develop an all-electric locomotive to replace its iconic steam engine. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “California Fires Live Updates: New LA County Fire Explodes To Over 9,000 Acres” • The two largest fires, the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, remain active. One of the latest, the Hughes Fire in the Castaic area, now covers 9,400 acres, closed I5, and has prompted evacuation orders for tens of thousands of people. [ABC News]
¶ “Toyota Whacked With Gigantic Fine For Diesel Emissions Cheating” • Toyota, that paragon of virtue who advertises its hybrid vehicles as “self charging electric cars,” has been caught with its hand in the diesel cheating cookie jar and slapped with the second largest civil and criminal fines in EPA history. They come to $1.6 billion in total. [CleanTechnica]
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