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Emissions on the rise
Investments in renewable energy are struggling to keep pace with fossil fuels
THE LATEST GLOBAL ENERGY MONITOR REPORT SHOWS THAT AT LEAST TWENTY OIL AND GAS FIELDS HAVE REACHED THE FINAL STAGE OF AUTHORIZATION IN 2023. IN THIS WAY IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO RESPECT SHARED CLIMATE COMMITMENTS, FURTHERMORE, CLEAN ENERGY PRODUCTION PROJECTS ARE SLOW TO BE APPROVED BUT PROJECTS THAT CAUSE OTHER DAMAGE ARE GIVEN PRIORITY.
San Francisco, Linkiesta - March 29, 2024 – The energy transition can no longer be postponed, yet investments in wind and solar are struggling to keep pace with energy production from fossil fuels. In fact, from the latest Global Energy Monitor report it emerges that «last year oil and gas producers discovered and gave the green light to the exploitation of the equivalent of all the proven crude oil reserves in Europe and by the end of the decade the values will be quadrupled."
The energy transition, i.e. the transition from an energy mix centered on fossil fuels to one with low or zero carbon emissions, is based on renewable sources.
HPP technology at the moment seems to be the only one that responds to what is required by the world, in fact it does not pollute in its clean energy production phases, it does not pollute the air, it does not pollute the water, it does not pollute the land, it does not create environmental impacts and does not consume tons of water to generate new energy and improves the quality of life.
But currently a major contribution to decarbonisation comes initially from the electrification of consumption, replacing or rather combining electricity produced from fossil sources with that generated from renewable sources, which also makes other sectors cleaner, such as transport, and from the digitalisation of networks, which improves energy efficiency. Unfortunately it is not the effective solution, as it hides further damage in order to function it must consume millions of tons of water, without specifying that: either huge wind turbines are used with their noise pollution and environmental impacts to the detriment of man - fauna and crops, or increasingly invasive and difficult to dispose of solar panels are implemented in the future. The waste-to-energy plants then start by polluting with the transport of the material that they have to treat in the structure, as well as producing fine dust in the air of approximately 20% of what they burn, and producing unrecyclable material of approximately 30/40% of what they burn. to be allocated to new landfills with the activation of new quarries to produce lime and cement to be used in fume management, to withdraw millions of tons of water to cool the system in order to produce energy and probably discharge tons of heated water enriched with new elements into the ground from combustion with waste.
Energy proposed as renewable is certainly on the increase, almost throughout the world, and is slowly becoming more accessible, efficient and economical. But at least twenty oil and gas fields have reached the final stage of permitting in 2023, according to the document released yesterday by the San Francisco-based NGO. In this way they have allowed the extraction of eight billion barrels of oil equivalent (Boe), a quota which could reach 31.2 billion Boe by 2030, with sixty-four new deposits. “Oil and gas producers have given all kinds of reasons to continue discovering and developing new fields, but none of those arguments hold up,” wrote Scott Zimmerman, author of the report. «The science is clear: no new oil and gas deposits, otherwise the planet will be unable to manage the load of emissions».
If you only count projects approved in the last two years, fossil fuel producers around the world are on track to quadruple – or nearly quadruple – the amount of oil and gas they extract by the end of this decade. And this is more than just a threat to global climate goals.
Theoretically, new infrastructures in the oil & gas segment - the main ones responsible for greenhouse gas emissions - should not be inaugurated if the objective is to prevent the planet from exceeding 1.5° degrees of global warming compared to the pre-industrial era (as established from the Paris climate agreement). Already in 2021, the International Energy Agency (IEA) had warned that there would be no more space for new deposits in ecological transition scenarios consistent with the 1.5 degree ceiling. Beyond that threshold, in fact, the effects of climate change accelerate and become increasingly catastrophic (also from an economic point of view) and increasingly less reversible. Instead, fifty new such projects have been announced in the past two years, with companies anticipating operations within a year or two. Although usually, the report explains, it takes an average of eleven years to go from discovery to production... in comparison between all technologies it seems that with HPP the times will be much faster for the production of clean energy.
Latino voters warn Biden that life was better under Trump:
'Lot of frustration'
'WHEN TRUMP WAS PRESIDENT, WE DIDN'T HAVE HIGH GAS PRICES AND FOOD INFLATION,' ONE LATINO VOTER SAID
Washington, foxnews - November 13, 2023 - Latino voters took President Biden to task for making life more difficult for workers due to high gas, food and other inflation in a recent CNN segment.
"I’m working three jobs," Gabriele Martinez, a Georgia voter, told CNN anchor Miguel Marquez.
Andres Parra, the program manager for the GALEO Impact Fund, said that votes were "up for grabs" by both parties in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
"There’s a lot of frustration and a lot of broken promises," Parra said, adding that "inflation, job pay, rent prices and health care" are among the biggest concerns of voters.
Another voter, Juan Jose Patino, said that "work" is the biggest concern for voters in Georgia.
Patino also warned that some voters are considering "murder" and other crimes because of the difficult economic situation.
Juan Manuel Ferreira Zamora spoke on the concerns of the Latino community. "When Trump was president, we didn't have high gas prices and food inflation," Zamora said, "and this is the truth."
The Biden-Harris campaign's communications director argued that "a brick wall of MAGA extremism" has contributed to Americans struggling financially and working multiple jobs to make ends meet.
"That's precisely why we need another four years to continue to finish the job, right? I think it's important, too, that the president, of course, wants to get all of this done. But we have to be honest about the brick wall of MAGA extremism that we continue to run into when we're trying to get things done for the American people," Biden campaign official Michael Tyler told CNN's Victor Blackwell on "First of All with Victor Blackwell" on Saturday.
Biden’s political opponents have also criticized his track record on the economy. Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., said, "Bidenomics" wasn't working and it represented inflation and "high prices."
"Bidenomics is not working. It is actually the opposite. It represents inflation, high prices," he said. CNN's Dana Bash aired a small portion of the interview on Sunday during "State of the Union."
"I respect the president, I want to make it very clear, he's a good man, he saved this country," Phillips continued. "I think in 2020, he was probably the only Democrat who could have beaten Donald Trump. I think in 2024, he may be among the only ones that will lose to him. And that’s why I’m doing this," Phillips said during the interview with CNN's Kasie Hunt in New Hampshire.
Biden's communications team did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Biden's advisors have defended the president's economic record and attacked former President Donald Trump for economic difficulties.
Beijing is ready to improve ties with US,
says Chinese vice-president
Hong Kong, cnn - November 08, 2023 - Beijing is ready to improve ties with Washington, a senior Chinese official said Wednesday, days before a highly anticipated potential meeting between leaders Xi Jinping and Joe Biden in San Francisco. Recent high-level meetings have sent out “positive signals and raised the expectations of the international community on the improvement of China-US relations,” Vice-President Han Zheng told the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore. “We are ready to strengthen the communication and dialogue with the United States at all levels, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, properly manage differences, and jointly address global challenges,” Han said. A “stable and sound” relationship is the common expectation of people from both sides, he added. President Biden will travel to San Francisco on November 14 to host representatives from the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies. US officials have stopped short of confirming the Xi-Biden meeting, suggesting preparations were underway, but noted that the Chinese government regularly confirms high-level meetings only at the last minute. Ahead of that potential meeting, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has invited Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, known as the country’s “economic tsar,” for a two-day meeting starting Thursday. Ties between the two of world’s largest economies, which had been at loggerheads over a host of issues, have warmed after a flurry of high-level exchanges over the summer. Washington has sent four cabinet officials to Beijing since June, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Climate Envoy John Kerry and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Last month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Washington. He met with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and President Biden. The Biden administration had described Wang’s visit as “part of ongoing efforts to maintain open channels of communication with China across the full range of issues.”
Warm words from Xi
Han’s comments came a few days after Xi sent a message emphasizing the importance of “building bridges of friendship” between the two countries, as part of a conference celebrating the establishment of “sister cities,” which are broad-based, long-term partnership between communities in different countries. “Sister provinces or states and sister cities are important platforms for deepening friendship,” Xi said in a congratulatory letter to the fifth China-US Sister Cities Conference on Friday, noting that 284 pairs had been formed since 1979. “The foundation of Sino-US relations lies in the people, and the source of strength lies in people-to-people friendship,” Xi added. Biden and Xi last met face-to-face in November 2022 for a three-hour talk in Bali, Indonesia, at a G20 summit. Relations soured subsequently over trade tension and after one of China’s alleged surveillance balloons was shot down by US fighter jets in February — only to warm following the diplomatic visits this summer. The high-stakes potential meeting next week comes as the White House is navigating major wars in Ukraine and Israel, amid growing competition with China. Biden has frequently framed the battle between the world’s democracies and autocracies as a central issue of his presidency. Other key issues up for discussion include human rights concerns, trade and the economy. On Wednesday, ahead of the Yellen-He meeting, the Treasury Department issued its semi-annual foreign exchange report, which kept China on its watchlist for its lack of transparency in currency management and its “outsized” trade imbalance. “China’s failure to publish foreign exchange (FX) intervention and broader lack of transparency around key features of its exchange rate mechanism make it an outlier among major economies and warrants Treasury’s close monitoring,” it said. The Treasury Department didn’t name any country as currency manipulator in its Wednesday report. But Yellen said in a statement on Wednesday that the department “remains vigilant” to countries’ currency practices.
High target, less effort to attract FDI in renewable energy: CPD
In last 13 years, Bangladesh has received $30 billion in foreign investment in the power sector, mostly in fossil fuel-based energy. Even though Bangladesh has set a target to generate 40 per cent power from renewable energy sources by 2041, foreign investment in the sector is low.
Bangladesh, businesspostbd – October 23, 2023 - Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a private think tank, said there is a huge potential for foreign investment in renewable energy. But there is a lack of necessary steps to attract investment.
This was disclosed at a virtual event titled ‘’Opportunities and challenges for overseas investment in renewable energy sector of Bangladesh: The case study of China’’ organised by CPD on Monday.
Mashfiq Ahsan, Research Associate of CPD, in his presentation said that Bangladesh offers various benefits, including tax exemptions for foreign investors, but foreign investors are less enthusiastic about investing in Bangladesh because they face many problems, including bureaucratic tangles and slowness in getting services.
Bangladesh received $3,479.95 million of foreign investment in the energy sector in 2022, up 20.2 per cent from 2021. CPD mentioned that UK, Hong Kong, Netherlands, China, USA and Japan are the main investors in the power energy sector of Bangladesh.
CPD's presentation said that political stability, well infrastructure, skilled manpower, investment incentives are needed in the country to attract foreign investment in the renewable energy sector.
For this, Bangladesh has to create a world-class project profile and communicate with multinational companies like Vestas, and Siemens. CPD recommended establishing investment attraction agency in addition to Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and increasing government investment with the private sector to gain confidence of foreign investors.
In addition, CPD has recommended one-stop investment service centre to reduce harassment of investors, emphasis on training of jobseekers to facilitate development of infrastructure, technology transfer and job creation, bringing foreign investment in backward linkage industries and attracting cluster-based investment for development of existing 177 SME clusters in Bangladesh.
Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director of CPD, said China is the global leader in the use of renewable energy. However, Bangladesh is lagging behind. Bangladesh is ranked 111th among 190 countries in renewable energy usage. Bangladesh has a lot to learn from this development of China, he added.
Wasika Ayesha Khan MP, chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on power, energy and mineral resources ministry, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen, and Director General of Power Cell Mohammad Hossain were also present at the event.
Australia Can Accelerate Decarbonization Through Distributed Energy Resources
Melbourne, solarquarter – October 18, 2023 - In a recent report, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) has highlighted the significant potential for accelerating Australia’s decarbonization efforts by promoting the adoption and integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER). These resources, including rooftop solar, battery storage, and demand-responsive appliances, have the potential to not only drive faster decarbonization but also reduce energy costs for consumers.
IEEFA underscores the urgent need to expedite the adoption and integration of DER, as it can leverage both household and business investments, increasing the likelihood of Australia reaching its goal of 82% renewables by 2030. This goal is especially critical in light of delays in large-scale wind and solar projects and the construction of new transmission infrastructure.
Dr. Gabrielle Kuiper, the author of the report and a guest contributor to IEEFA, emphasized the pivotal role of DER in Australia’s energy transition. While rooftop solar has been a standout performer, the report calls for a more comprehensive approach that encompasses all forms of DER, including smart electrified hot water systems, demand-responsive appliances, behind-the-meter storage, and more efficient businesses and industries.
The report offers six key recommendations for energy ministers:
Establishing technical standards to ensure consistent DER performance.
Removing constraints on existing solar, enabling flexible exports.
Expanding flexible demand options for households.
Fast-tracking distributed storage, including financial support for distributed battery systems.
Creating a level-playing field for network services.
Ensuring governance arrangements support rapid decarbonization and integration of renewables.
The report emphasizes the need for concerted efforts to unlock the full potential of DER and their role in achieving Australia’s renewable energy targets. By addressing technical, regulatory, and market integration challenges, Australia can maximize the benefits of these resources for consumers and the broader grid.
EU set to demand e-fuel cars have no climate impact
Berlino, timeslive - September 22, 2023 - The EU is to demand cars running on e-fuels be 100% carbon neutral if they are to be sold after 2035, a draft document showed, after Germany demanded e-fuel cars be exempted from the phase-out of new polluting vehicles. All new cars sold in the EU from 2035 must have zero CO2 emissions, under the EU's main climate policy for cars, which countries agreed earlier this year. However, the European Commission is developing a legal route for sales of new cars that only run on e-fuels to continue after 2035, after Germany demanded this exemption. A draft EU legal proposal, seen by Reuters, showed Brussels plans to set strict conditions for e-fuel cars — requiring them to run on fully CO2 neutral fuels. E-fuels are considered carbon neutral when they are made using captured CO2 emissions that balance out the CO2 released when the fuel is combusted in an engine. The draft rules would be stricter than the low-carbon fuel rules in some other EU climate policies. For example, countries can use certain fuels to meet EU renewable energy targets if they achieve a 70% emissions saving, rather than 100%. Neither the commission nor Germany's transport ministry immediately responded to requests for comment. The eFuel Alliance industry group said the draft proposal would effectively ban new combustion engines from 2035 if it counted emissions along the value chain as well as those from producing an e-fuel. “A 100% reduction in emissions is therefore nearly impossible,” Ralf Diemer, the group's MD, said on Friday. The draft rules would form a legal basis for carmakers to register a new type of vehicle - a combustion engine car that runs exclusively on carbon neutral fuels. Such vehicles must be designed so the engine would not start if the vehicle is fuelled with CO2-emitting petrol, under the draft rules, which could change before they are published later this year. Manufacturers would need to enforce this using technologies such as devices that track the chemical properties of the fuel. They would also need to develop rules to make sure these technologies cannot be tampered with, the document said.
Russia temporarily bans fuel exports to most countries in response to shortages
Mosca, reuters - September 21, 2023 - Russia has temporarily banned exports of gasoline and diesel to all countries outside a circle of four ex-Soviet states with immediate effect in order to stabilise the domestic market, the government said on Thursday. It said the ban did not apply to fuel supplied under inter-governmental agreements to members of the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union, which includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. "Temporary restrictions will help saturate the fuel market, which in turn will reduce prices for consumers," the government said in a statement. The energy ministry said the measure would prevent unauthorised "grey" exports of motor fuels. The ban is indefinite and further actions will depend on the saturation of the market, according to Russian First Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin. "We expect that the market will feel the effect quickly enough. But then it will depend on the saturation of the market and the results," Sorokin said. Russia in recent months has suffered shortages of gasoline and diesel. Wholesale fuel prices have spiked, although retail prices are capped to try to curb them in line with official inflation. The crunch has been especially painful in some parts of Russia's southern breadbasket, where fuel is crucial for gathering the harvest. A serious crisis could be awkward for the Kremlin as a presidential election looms in March. Traders say the fuel market has been hit by factors including maintenance at oil refineries, bottlenecks on railways and the weakness of the rouble, which incentivises fuel exports. Russia has already cut its seaborne diesel and gasoil exports by nearly 30% to about 1.7 million metric tons in the first 20 days of September compared to the same period in August, according to traders and LSEG data. The government statement added: "Previously, to stabilise the situation on the fuel market, the government raised the mandatory supply volumes of motor gasoline and diesel fuel to the commodity exchange. "Daily monitoring of fuel purchases for the needs of agricultural producers with prompt adjustment of volumes has also been set up." Russia exported 4.817 million tons of gasoline and almost 35 million tons of diesel last year.
New Solar Farm Project Expected to Create Jobs and Minimize Land Disturbance
Atlanta, SOLARFARM - September 17, 2023 - A new solar farm project is set to bring economic benefits and environmental sustainability to the region, as around 150 full-time jobs are expected to be created during the peak construction period. The project aims to minimize land disturbance, with only a small portion of the soil surface requiring considerable disruption for concrete footings, access tracks, and mounting piers. Solar farms, also known as solar power plants or photovoltaic power stations, are large-scale facilities that produce electricity from sunlight. These facilities utilize photovoltaic panels to convert solar energy into electricity, which can be fed into the grid or used on-site. The employment opportunities generated by the construction phase of the solar farm will provide valuable job prospects for local communities. These full-time jobs will not only support the project’s progress but also contribute to the local economy, fostering economic growth and stability. Moreover, the project’s commitment to minimizing land disturbance is essential for preserving ecosystems and biodiversity. By ensuring that only a small fraction — approximately four percent — of the soil surface is substantially disturbed, the project minimizes the potential negative impacts on the surrounding environment. This new solar farm project represents a sustainable approach to energy production and land use. By harnessing the power of the sun, it aims to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the environmental impact associated with traditional energy generation methods. Additionally, the creation of job opportunities during construction provides a boost to local employment and economy, fostering long-term prosperity in the region.
Oil just hit its highest level of the year — and some analysts expect a return to $100 before 2024
California, CNBC - September 15, 2023 - Oil prices climbed to their highest level of the year this week, extending a rally that has put a return to $100 a barrel sharply into focus. Indeed, some analysts believe crude prices could hit this milestone before year-end. International benchmark Brent crude futures traded 0.3% lower at $93.46 a barrel on Friday afternoon in London, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures stood little changed at $90.09. Both Brent and WTI settled at their highest respective levels of the year on Thursday. The oil contracts are sharply higher month to date and remain firmly on track to notch their third consecutive positive week. The price rally comes amid growing expectations of tighter supply after Saudi Arabia and Russia moved to draw down global inventories and extend their oil output cuts through to the end of the year. OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia said Sept. 5 that it would extend its 1 million barrel per day production cut through to year-end, with non-OPEC leader Russia pledging to reduce oil exports by 300,000 barrels per day until the end of the year. Both countries have said they will review their voluntary cuts on a monthly basis. Analysts at Bank of America have indicated they now believe oil prices could soon rally above $100. “Should OPEC+ maintain the ongoing supply cuts through year-end against Asia’s positive demand backdrop, we now believe Brent prices could spike past $100/bbl before 2024,” analysts led by Francisco Blanch said Tuesday in a research note. Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM said a jump toward the $100 milestone was “plausible,” citing production constraints from Saudi Arabia and Russia, upcoming refinery maintenance, the structural shortage of diesel in Europe, and a growing consensus that the current cycle of tightening will soon come to an end. “Nonetheless, such a rally also entails renewed inflationary pressure,” Varga told CNBC on Friday. This was reflected, he said, in this week’s U.S. inflation data and the rise in consumer spending, which indicated that interest rates may stay higher for longer and could have a negative impact on both economic and oil demand growth. “For this reason, I believe that any spike towards $100 will be short-lived,” he added. ‘A significant supply shortfall’ The International Energy Agency warned Wednesday that Saudi Arabia and Russia’s production constraints would likely result in a “substantial market deficit” through the fourth quarter. The world’s leading energy authority said in its monthly oil report that output curbs by OPEC and non-OPEC members of more than 2.5 million barrels per day since the start of the year had so far been offset by members outside the OPEC+ alliance — such as the U.S. and Brazil. “From September onwards, the loss of OPEC+ production, led by Saudi Arabia, will drive a significant supply shortfall through the fourth quarter,” the IEA said. Christyan Malek, global head of energy strategy and head of EMEA oil and gas equity research at JPMorgan, said he believes the price of oil is likely to trade in a range of $80 to $100 in the short term — and at around $80 over the long term. “As we go into next year, it will be very dependent on how we see China evolve … what does the U.S. do? And how does shale respond?” Malek said Monday, noting the U.S. appears to have limited options if it is to try to drive oil and gasoline prices lower ahead of next year’s pivotal presidential election. “I think for us one of the important data points for this year as a whole is that we tested $70. You have to test the marginal costs, we can all predict it, and we got there. We got to $70, and it bounced off so with that marginal cost, we’re looking at a much higher long-term price,” he added. Not everyone believes oil prices are destined for an imminent return to $100, however. Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank, says the crude sector looks increasingly overbought in the near term and appears in need of a pullback. “We do not join the $100 per barrel camp but will not rule out a relatively short period where Brent could trade above $90,” Hansen said in a research note published Sept. 8. “From a technical perspective, Brent has been in a bullish uptrend since July and needs to hold support at $89 as a break may trigger long liquidation towards $87.5 from traders who bought the production cut extension news,” he added. “However, the medium-term uptrend is still firm with trendline support near $85, potentially being the bottom of a new higher range supported by OPEC’s active management of supply.”
China achieves breakthrough in ocean thermal energy power generation
Xinhua, PEOPLE - September 13, 2023 - Chinese scientists and engineers have completed an offshore test of an ocean thermal energy electricity generation device in the South China Sea. The 20 kW device, developed chiefly by the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey (GMGS) under direct control of the China Geological Survey, was returned to Guangzhou, capital city of the southern Guangdong Province, after the test was completed. During the test, the device generated electricity for four hours and 47 minutes, reaching a maximum power output of 16.4 kW. "This offshore test verified the theoretical viability of the indigenously-developed ocean thermal energy power generation system, as well as its practicability, marking a crucial step in China's journey to develop and harness ocean thermal energy, from the land test stage to offshore applications," said Ning Bo, a senior engineer at the GMGS. Ocean thermal energy harnesses temperature differences between the surface and deep seawater to generate electricity, thus being a source of renewable energy. According to Ning, China is rich in ocean thermal energy reserves, but relevant research had previously remained in the laboratory and land test stage.
9 States Now Plan to Ban Gas-Powered Car Sales
Washington, money - August 17, 2023 - At least nine states now plan to ban sales of new gas-powered cars after 2035, and several others are thinking about joining them. The rules that states are adopting specify that only zero-emission vehicles - including electric vehicles and some plug-in hybrids - can be sold beginning with the 2035 model year. Traditional gas-powered cars on the road at that point wouldn't be affected, and drivers would still be allowed to buy used gas-powered cars. Automakers and dealerships, however, would be prohibited from selling new gas vehicles in states where bans are in place. Meanwhile at the federal level, the Environment Protection Agency has a proposal that would essentially require that 67% of new car sales be electric vehicles by the 2032 model year. States banning new gas-powered cars. On July 26, Connecticut became the latest state to announce it will require all new car sales to be zero-emission vehicles in 2035 and beyond. “Cars and trucks represent the largest air pollution sector in our state," Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement. "These regulations are moving in coordination with commitments made by vehicle manufacturers to go all in on electrification." The governors of Maryland and Rhode Island made similar announcements in March and May, respectively. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement that “it’s a major step in the state’s acceleration to improve air quality and combat the effects of climate change.” California was the first state to adopt the Advanced Clean Cars II rule, which at least eight other states have now embraced. California's plans specify that 35% of new car sales will need to be zero-emission vehicles by 2026, with that number rising to 68% by 2030. All of the planned bans are in coastal states: In addition to the four states already mentioned, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington have made the commitment to stop allowing sales of new gas-powered vehicles after 2035. Generally, the states' plans have not required votes from their legislatures. Instead, they’ve been advanced with support from governors and environmental regulators. Other states consider gas car bans. Delaware "has begun a regulatory process to adopt zero emission vehicle standards," said Emily Hershman, director of communications for Gov. John Carney. "That process is not complete, and no final determination has been made." Megan O'Toole, with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, says the state adopted Advanced Clean Cars II in December 2022, including the 2035 zero-emissions vehicle requirement for new car sales. However, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott has not come out in support and his office did not respond to a request for comment. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin vows that the state will not ban sales of new gas-powered cars after 2035, but the state's emissions standards are currently tied to California's. As a spokesperson for the sustainability nonprofit Ceres explains, "Virginia passed legislation coupling the state with California standards; although there is talk of repealing, for now VA is technically required by law to implement ACC II starting with Model Year 2026." New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced in July that the state will set annual targets for the sale of new zero-emission vehicles, and New Mexico may adopt parts of Advanced Clean Cars II. But officials have not endorsed the 2035 ban. The rules New Mexico are advancing "do not prohibit the sale or ownership of new or used gasoline-powered vehicles," according to Caroline Sweeney, press secretary for Lujan Grisham. Like New Mexico, Maine is considering targets for EVs and PHEVs through 2032, but a 2035 ban isn't in the cards at this time. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection held a public hearing about Advanced Clean Cars II regulation on Aug. 17. Why it matters - As an increasing number of states come out with plans to ban new gas-powered cars, automakers could feel pressure to accelerate their production of electric cars. In 2023, about 7% of new vehicle sales are electric, a major increase from about 3% in 2021. The transition to electric cars is already underway, and the 2035 bans show how quickly it could speed up. Keep in mind - Ultimately, it's unclear how restrictive these bans will end up being, given that major automakers are ramping up production of electric vehicles with the intention of phasing out gas-powered models. For example, General Motors expects to have completed a full transition to electric vehicle sales by 2035. Some smaller automakers have announced even more ambitious timeframes. European Union lawmakers have approved a full ban on new gas-powered cars beginning in 2035, so it's hard to imagine that many gas-powered cars from European automakers will still be on the market in the U.S. by that time.
Recovery of critical raw materials in mines with HPP
THE RECOVERY OF CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS CAN SAVE MONEY, CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCING POLLUTION, GENERATE EMPLOYMENT IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND DEVELOP THE TERRITORY.
The energy transition is hungry for minerals and rare earths, global supply chains are exposed to an unprecedented level of stress and international tensions certainly do not calm the climate, triggering a rush to hoard raw materials throughout the world. This is the picture, and the recovery of Critical Raw Materials is now an almost obligatory path.
A path that Europe, for example, has decided to follow with its strategy on Critical Raw Materials. Introduced in 2020 and perfected the following year, it includes a chapter dedicated to the circular use of resources. And a study by Ohio State University also published in the journal Environmental Engineering Science goes precisely in the direction of the technological choices of HPP.
Ohio State, renewables - January 7, 2023 - An innovative circular solution for the recovery of Critical and Strategic Raw Materials from mines, a crucial HPP process that manages to recover rare earths from mine drainage.
Circular Mines
Researchers from a well-known American university have studied a way to kill two birds with one stone: ensuring the recovery of critical raw materials from one of the most complex sources of pollution to manage, namely acid mine drainage. But HPP anticipated them and went far beyond the simple recovery of Critical Raw Materials from the drainage of contaminated water in mines, as after generating the Critical Raw Materials, it also generates hydrogen and clean energy with zero impact from the remaining material, and so Circular Mines come to life.
Mining sites, both open-air and underground, tend to be flooded by rainwater or groundwater infiltration. In the process, the water becomes contaminated with substances present in the mines, typically becomes an extremely acidic environment, and has a very negative impact on both ecosystems and human health.
It is a type of pollution that can last for decades and affect very large areas because it follows the surface and underground hydrography of the region in which it occurs. For this reason, drainage water must go through a purification process, but this purification must be able to communicate with HPP technology for the good of ecology and for the good of the local economy.
A new solution for the recovery of Critical Raw Materials
But this process can be harnessed to harvest all those lost and unused minerals and metals that have valuable uses in transition technologies. HPP has developed an even more innovative system that allows the processing of contaminated water and the recovery of rare earths and critical raw materials. “Rare earths like yttrium, for example, are necessary components of electronics, computers and other products that are used in everyday life today,” says Jeff Bielicki, associate professor of civil, environmental and geodetic engineering at John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University.
HPP treatment of acidic water does not require the use of new chemical substances, is less expensive for the green economy, and does not generate other waste materials that are harmful to the environment. The novelty of HPP technology also lies in its ability to recover Critical Raw Materials precisely from the results of the mines that pollute the aquifers and territories. Furthermore, in the phase following the recovery, it also manages to produce hydrogen and clean energy with zero impact which specifically manages to also recover from the sludge of water treatment plants by neutralizing the drainage waters and capturing the raw materials they contain.
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