Heat-trapping gases in atmosphere hit record levels

CLIMATE: NOAA released a report Friday showing levels of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere reached historic highs last year, with one scientist saying the methane spike in particular “should terrify us.” (Associated Press)

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CLEAN ENERGY:

• The Department of Energy is racing to get billions of dollars in clean energy loans out the door to ensure financing is in place before the 2024 election. (E&E News, subscription)
• New York’s governor proposes a new policy that would speed up clean energy project siting by requiring approval within a year of proposal — but some legislators say there needs to be more guardrails to protect labor and farmlands. (NY Focus)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• A new poll finds electric vehicle ownership has risen since last year, but the number of people seriously considering buying one has declined, and more people say they would not buy one at all. (Gallup)
• Finance companies and dealers are increasingly interested in the used EV market, which is complicated because of varying car values and incentives. (Canary Media)
• Auto analysts say the Biden administration’s formula for a new “petroleum equivalency factor” will significantly worsen the miles-per-gallon rating for electric vehicles and could be as impactful as new tailpipe emissions. (Detroit News, subscription)

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TRANSPORTATION:

• While North Carolina has required its power sector to zero out emissions, it has been reluctant to take on reducing dependence on cars, which experts say will be necessary to reach climate goals. (Energy News Network)
• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says “it’s not going to be Florida taxpayers constructing a train” in explaining his rejection of state funds to expand a high-speed rail line. (WUSF)

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SOLAR: Solar generated more electricity than coal in Texas for the first time last month, providing more than 10% of the state’s electricity. (IEEFA)

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WIND: Wyoming researchers paint turbine blades black in an experimental effort aimed at reducing bird collisions with wind power facilities. (Wyoming Public Radio)

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NUCLEAR: A Department of Energy official says despite Plant Vogtle’s delays and cost overruns, the lessons learned from the project could help propel nuclear energy forward. (Grist)

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CARBON CAPTURE: The CEO of a multi-state carbon pipeline project maintains that it would be crucial for ethanol producers who could market low-carbon products. (NWestIowa.com)

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MINING: Efforts to develop a lithium mining site in Nevada face a major obstacle: Finding enough water. (Inside Climate News)

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COMMENTARY: A climate journalist finds that traveling by train — at least, on America’s outdated diesel-powered ones — can in some cases be worse for the climate than flying. (New York Times)

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