Recent hurricanes in the Caribbean and the United States and devastating floods across South Asia are a stark reminder of the horrors that climate change will unleash if left unchecked. In 2016, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said that inaction on climate change 'would spell disaster for us, for our children and for the planet.' And yet, the World Bank Group continues to … [Read more...]
Engineering study dispels myths on limits to renewables in SA
A serious engineering study and report has dispelled the myths and propaganda peddled by fired former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe and suspended Eskom acting CEO Matshela Koko on the limits and costs of accommodating significant levels of variable renewable energy capacity in the South African power grid. The study and associated report was prepared for the South African … [Read more...]
British company still exporting dangerous lead in petrol
A British company made millions this year selling a dangerous chemical linked to brain damage and premature death to a developing country, despite repeatedly stating it would stop. Innospec claims to be the only company in the world that manufactures a fuel additive called tetraethyl lead (TEL) — which is the lead in leaded petrol. TEL can be added to fuel to improve … [Read more...]
Brazil rejects oil company’s ‘Amazon Reef’ drilling bid
Brazil’s environmental regulator Ibama said on Tuesday it has rejected Total SA’s environmental study on drilling in the Foz do Amazonas basin, warning it needs more information or it will suspend the French oil firm’s license application. Ibama’s repeated refusals to accept Total’s environmental impact study has held up the company’s four-year quest to explore the offshore … [Read more...]
Power Purchase Agreements will be signed in October says energy minister
It is good news to the ears of Independent Power Producers that Eskom, will in October, sign the Power Purchase Agreements, Minister of Energy, Mmamoloko Kubayi announced today. This comes after stakeholder engagement between the Department of Energy and the Department of Public Enterprises. Eskom refused to sign the agreements in 2016, claiming that it had an over supply of … [Read more...]
Fears of another Fukushima linger as tropical storm pummels Texas
In the midst of Tropical Storm Harvey's drenching onslaught, energy watchdogs are sounding the alarm over the continued operation of two nuclear reactors in East Texas that are running at full capacity despite what they claim is the clear potential for a major disaster. Located near Bay City, Texas, the reactors belong to the South Texas Project, a 12,200-acre nuclear power … [Read more...]
Coal and nuclear lobbies threaten renewables in South Africa
South African power utility Eskom recently repeated that it will not conclude supply contracts with the developers of new renewable energy power stations. These developers were selected under a programme to facilitate private sector involvement in the building of medium-sized renewable energy power stations. The programme has won plaudits for its success in facilitating the … [Read more...]
An interview with brave Dakota pipeline eco-saboteurs
Jennifer Murnan and Max Wilbert of Deep Green Resistance interviewed Ruby Montoya and Jessica Reznicek following their press release claiming responsibility for multiple incidents of sabotage of the Dakota Access Pipeline and construction equipment. Jennifer: First, thank you so much, Jessica and Ruby, for having this conversation today. Could you talk a little bit about who … [Read more...]
Insist the DEA challenges seismic surveying of our coastline
In South Africa, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for oil and petroleum exploration activities is no longer mandatory because Section 39 of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act has been withdrawn. This effectively means the oil and gas industry polices and monitors itself. Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS) is applying for a reconnaissance permit for an … [Read more...]
Elon Musk’s big battery brings renewables’ viability into sharp focus
Elon Musk’s agreement to build the world’s largest battery for South Australia isn’t just an extraordinary technological breakthrough that signs coal’s death warrant. It’s potentially a game changer in the way we do politics, reinserting the importance of basic reality into a debate which has been bereft of it for too long. There’s been a lot written in recent years on the … [Read more...]
Climate and water threatening Thabametsi coal plant still on the cards
The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) could be giving the go-ahead for what will be one of the most greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensive coal-fired power stations, not only in South Africa, but in the world. Its GHG emissions are likely to be 60% higher than Eskom’s new Medupi and Kusile coal plants. This is apparent from the final climate change impact assessment … [Read more...]
The legal challenges of selling clean electricity directly to municipalities
Government needs to set the rules to favour renewable energy. The legal and regulatory framework forms the foundation for building a sustainable renewable energy infrastructure. In countries such as China, environmental issues have become the reasons for mass demonstrations. As a result, the Chinese government changed its plan for renewable energy and China is now experiencing … [Read more...]
Moment of truth for Elon Musk as Model 3 hits the market
For Dom Larose, there was an obvious next step to shrinking his carbon footprint after he had switched his home in the UK to a renewable source of electricity: buying an electric car. When the Vodafone sales executive first made the move four years ago, however, it did not come cheap. Prices for the Tesla Model S, the car he bought, start at £62,000. "You drive into the car … [Read more...]
