COP29 launches carbon emissions trading regime

Delegates to the global climate gabfest COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan on the first day (Nov. 11) agreed to establish a world-wide carbon emissions reductions trading market. It’s called “Article 6.” As reported by the Voice of America, the delegates adopted two related approaches for carbon trading. The first (Article 6.4) sets up a plan for… More COP29 launches carbon emissions trading regime

Offshore wind adds Trump to its obstacles

Offshore wind in the U.S. finds itself in a difficult spot, with few projects underway and others facing major practical challenges. On top of those well-known existing hurdles, the election of Donald Trump has erected what could be a colossal obstacle. At a campaign rally last May, The Guardian reported, Trump called wind turbines “horrible”… More Offshore wind adds Trump to its obstacles

Trump ascendant: what might it mean for energy and environment?

With Donald Trump headed toward the reins of the federal government in January, it’s difficult to predict what he will do with power this time. He mostly squandered it in his first term, partly due to inexperience, partly due to ineptitude, and, in a major way, due to the Covid pandemic. During the 2024 campaign,… More Trump ascendant: what might it mean for energy and environment?

FERC dumps PJM data center-nuclear plant co-location plan

In a surprise order last Friday (Nov. 1), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected a plan advanced by the PJM Interconnection for an Amazon data center to co-locate next to Talen Energy’s 2,500-MW two-unit Susquehanna nuclear plant near Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Under the failed proposal, Amazon would take up to 480-MW of power directly from the… More FERC dumps PJM data center-nuclear plant co-location plan

Carbon offsets, once trendy, now in big trouble

Is financial trading of carbon dioxide offsets a smart way to reduce major greenhouse gas emissions or an opportunity for fraud and abuse? For years, many interests have seen carbon trading, also known as “carbon offsets” – conceptually similar to the U.S. emissions cap and trade projects that accompanied the reduction in sulfur dioxide power… More Carbon offsets, once trendy, now in big trouble

Around the world, coal still sits atop a wobbly throne

Merrimack Station in Bow, N.H., New England’s last coal-fired power plant, lives. The two-unit plant finally passed a particulates emissions test that will keep the plant running. The plant owner operators, Granite Shore Power, had been trying for over a year to pass the test. Nor was the event a complete success. According to New… More Around the world, coal still sits atop a wobbly throne

Commentary: COP29 looms, where science will take a back seat to performance politics

With the COP29 global climate conference opening in Baku, Azerbaijan in less than two weeks (Nov. 11), it’s worthwhile looking at some of the recent and sometimes confounding science that will confront the delegates. Whether that science will directly influence the proceedings is doubtful. It is worth noting that the affair, the 29th meeting of… More Commentary: COP29 looms, where science will take a back seat to performance politics