EMISSIONS: Global greenhouse gas emissions are on track to plunge nearly 8% this year, the largest drop ever recorded, though experts cautioned that the drop should not be seen as good news for climate change efforts. (New York Times)
NATURAL GAS: A UCLA study finds that levels of nitrogen dioxide inside California homes exceeded both state and national ambient air-quality standards after an hour of gas appliance use. (Grist)
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RENEWABLE ENERGY:
• A California energy policy expert says the success of renewable energy combined with people’s experience of cleaner air during the coronavirus pandemic could encourage support for a “Green Stimulus” to rebuild the economy. (Science Magazine)
• Colorado utility Xcel Energy finds that its least-cost mix of generation resources prioritized renewable energy bids instead of natural gas when using all-source procurement. (PV Magazine)
• Indiana utility NIPSCO says bids for wind and solar have come in “significantly less expensive than new gas-fired generation.” (PV Magazine)
OFFSHORE WIND: Orsted says its South Fork offshore wind project off Long Island will likely be delayed past its 2022 opening due to a prolonged federal review and COVID-19, and its other projects face similar risks. (Newsday, Greentech Media)
SOLAR: As California homeowners seek to install solar and storage to make their homes more resilient to outages, they’re facing permitting delays and a lack of support from utility PG&E. (Los Angeles Times)
OIL & GAS:
• The Trump administration is expected to announce a plan as soon as today to offer oil companies loans possibly in exchange for a financial stake. (Bloomberg)
• North Dakota regulators will hear testimony next month on whether oil production at current low prices amounts to wasting natural resources, potentially setting the stage for output restrictions. (S&P Global)
• Oklahoma-based shale gas company Chesapeake Energy is preparing a potential bankruptcy filing as it grapples with falling energy prices. (Reuters)
PIPELINES: In a lawsuit over the Keystone XL pipeline, tribes warn that construction crews are flouting the developer’s COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. (E&E News, subscription)
TRANSMISSION:
• A Missouri bill that would essentially block developers from using eminent domain for the Grain Belt Express wind energy transmission project advances for a full state House vote. (Energy News Network)
• The Maine city that would serve as the hub for a power line to import Canadian hydropower would earn $7 million annually in tax revenues. (Sun Journal)
UTILITIES: A former Tennessee Valley Authority chairman joins an environmental group in criticizing the utility for spending money on an advertising campaign during the pandemic. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
NUCLEAR: The Indian Point Unit 2 nuclear plant in New York shuts down for good tonight. (Associated Press)
CLEAN ENERGY:
• Germany’s 20-year clean energy transition that has included missteps along the way can provide critical lessons for the U.S. (InsideClimate News)
• A Vermont organization that promotes energy education moves its program online during the coronavirus pandemic. (Energy News Network)
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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: General Motors delays the unveiling of its new Hummer electric pick-up truck due to the pandemic. (CNET)
COMMENTARY: With state and local budgets in crisis, the time for a carbon tax is now, writes an energy sector lawyer and climate activist. (Climate Law Blog)