storage
Newsletter
Company pursues carbon storage under US forests despite initial denials
CapturePoint Solutions, initially denied twice by the U.S. Forest Service, may soon gain approval to store millions of tons of carbon dioxide beneath national forests due to a proposed rule change.
In short:
- CapturePoint Solutions leased land and started carbon management programs near Forest Service land after initial denials.
- The Forest Service is considering a rule to allow carbon storage under federal lands, though they insist CapturePoint's requests did not influence this decision.
- Critics argue carbon storage could lead to leaks and industrialization of federal lands, while proponents see it as crucial for meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Key quote:
“It gives industry essentially a place to dump their carbon dioxide waste, benefit from the tax credits, and they don't have to deal with the messiness of trying to get permission from property owners and eminent domain.”
— Victoria Bogdan Tejeda, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
Storing carbon dioxide underground could help mitigate climate change, but it also poses risks like potential leaks and environmental impacts. Understanding the balance between these risks and benefits is essential for future policy decisions.
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Newsletter
Energy storage surge reshapes US electricity landscape
Giant batteries are increasingly used to deliver solar power into the evening and stabilize electricity grids across the U.S., showcasing significant technology growth.
Brad Plumer and Nadja Popovich report for The New York Times.
In short:
- California leads with the world's second-largest battery storage capacity, enhancing evening electricity supply without fossil fuels.
- Nationwide, battery storage capacity has expanded dramatically, supporting grid stability and reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.
- Advancements in battery technology and significant cost reductions have accelerated their adoption, influenced by both government policy and market dynamics.
Key quote:
"What's happening in California is a glimpse of what could happen to other grids in the future."
— Helen Kou, head of U.S. power analysis at BloombergNEF
Why this matters:
Large-scale battery systems are pivotal in addressing one of the longstanding challenges of renewable energy: variability. Solar panels, for instance, produce power only when the sun is shining. But as we push toward a more sustainable grid, balancing supply with demand becomes crucial. Here, giant batteries play a critical role. They not only store excess energy generated during peak sunlight but also help stabilize electricity grids, smoothing out the fluctuations caused by the intermittent nature of solar and wind energy.
Some more good news: Solar power on the rise at US schools.
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Newsletter
Tesla's turbulent shift: Can Musk power through the transition?
A recent analysis indicates Tesla, renowned for its electric vehicles, may be shifting focus from car manufacturing to becoming a key player in energy storage and electricity supply.
In short:
- Chinese competitor BYD surpassed Tesla as the biggest global seller of EVs. Other competitors like Ford, Hyundai and Rivian are also catching up in the U.S. market.
- As Tesla's EV's lose a share of the market, the company is diversifying from its EV roots to focus more on energy solutions like battery storage and electric grids.
- Despite current challenges in its car business, Tesla's energy sector profits surged by 140% from last year.
- With products like Megapacks and Powerwalls, the company aims to dominate the clean energy market.
Why this matters:
Tesla's strategic pivot could make it a central figure in the transition to renewable energy, impacting how electricity is delivered and stored. Their technological advancements in energy solutions might set the stage for broader adoption of clean energy.
What is the role of electric vehicles in the push for environmental justice?
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Newsletter
Louisiana faces challenges with carbon storage due to abandoned wells
A new report raises concerns about the feasibility of storing carbon dioxide underground in Louisiana, given the state's high number of abandoned oil and gas wells.
In short:
- Louisiana, leading in proposed carbon storage projects, grapples with the risk posed by 120,000 abandoned wells.
- Experts worry these wells could leak stored carbon dioxide, undermining efforts to combat climate change.
- The state's capability to oversee this complex issue is questioned, amidst fears of insufficient regulatory measures.
Key quote:
"It’s not a question of whether they’re going to leak. It’s a question of how much, how often, and whether it’s an acceptable level of leakage."
— Able Russ, director of the Center for Applied Environmental Science
Why this matters:
Despite its potential, carbon capture and storage faces challenges, including high costs, energy requirements for the capture and compression process, and the need for robust monitoring systems to ensure the CO2 remains securely stored.
In 2021, more than 500 environmental and community groups called on United States and Canadian leaders to abandon efforts to capture carbon emissions from fossil fuels and work harder to curb fossil fuel use in the first place.
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Newsletter
Carbon causes climate change. Why does a California county want to make more?
Kern County wants to use billions in federal tax credits to collect and bury carbon. To do so, it would build new facilities to produce more of the most abundant greenhouse gas.
Newsletter
Oil or water? Midland says disposal wells could threaten water supply
As oil and gas companies struggle to dispose of their wastewater in the Permian Basin, the city of Midland is challenging applications for disposal wells near one of its drinking water sources.
Midland's water security at stake amid wastewater disposal debate
In a bold move, Midland, Texas, is challenging the approval of oil and gas industry wastewater disposal wells near its vital water source.
In short:
- Midland contests permits for wastewater wells near its drinking water source, fearing contamination.
- The city's challenge, accepted by Texas regulators, underscores the tension between oil industry demands and environmental safety.
- A hearing is set for January 2024, spotlighting the broader issue of wastewater disposal in oil-rich regions.
Key quote:
“I think the dangerous part of the architecture is not so much the disposal well. . . it's probably old aging infrastructure that might be in place from the sixties and seventies that’s still operating.”
— Laura Capper, principal consultant for EnergyMakers Advisory Group in Houston.
Why this matters:
This case could set a precedent for how cities safeguard their water resources against industrial threats, a crucial aspect of public health.
Did you know? Chemicals from fracking wastewater dumped into Pennsylvania's Allegheny River continued accumulating in freshwater mussels five years later.
Question for the reader:
How should cities balance industrial development with environmental protection, especially concerning water safety?
AI-based tools helped produce this text, with human oversight and editing.
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