Energy Barn Update
For the month of October, the New Energy Barn in the path of the Keystone Export pipeline produced 305 kilowatt-hours of electricity, which is the energy equivalent of driving about 13 laps at the Monaco Grand Prix. To date, the barn has generated 3.74 megawatt-hours of electricity, which is the equivalent of about 165 laps at the Monaco Grand Prix.
New Energy News
Comment Periods Open on NPPD R-Project: After a series of hearings showcasing landowner opposition to the proposed R-Line transmission project, public comments on the project are still being accepted by NPPD. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is also accepting comments on the project as part of its preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. Read more about Bold’s position on the R-Line and how to submit your comments here: https://boldnebraska.org/comment-periods-open-on-nppd-r-project/
Great Sioux Nation proposes its own Renewable Energy project to counter Keystone XL: Tribal leaders met with White House staff in DC to discuss plans for a wind farm on tribal land. The project would create jobs for tribal members as well as non-members and provide an economic boost to rural counties. What the project won’t provide is power to the proposed Keystone Export pipeline, if it ever happens to get built, which isn’t looking likely. Read more: https://boldnebraska.org/the-great-sioux-nation-obama-administration-meet-to-address-renewable-energy-and-alternatives-to-the-keystone-xl-pipeline/
China to Cap Coal Consumption in 2020: Following President Obama’s visit to China and a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the leaders of the two nations announced joint goals to reduce their carbon emissions and seriously address their contributions to climate change. After that announcement, China declared that it would place a cap on coal usage in order to meet its goal of peak carbon emissions by 2030. While China emits more tons of carbon per year than the U.S., the United states emits more carbon per capita than any other large industrialized nation on earth. Read more about China’s plan to limit coal usage here: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/business/energy-environment/china-to-place-limit-on-coal-use-in-2020.html?_r=0
Electric Car drivers are using solar power to charge their vehicles: Not only are electric car drivers cutting out the fossil fuels needed to fill gas tanks, but an increasing number of them are using solar panels to charge their cars’ batteries, eliminating the use of coal, gas, and nuclear power in their transportation. While still significant, the cost of a solar installation has decreased drastically in recent years, making many electric car drivers happy with the return on their investment, especially since it allows them to drive completely free of fossil-fuels. Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/f0426e0c3ad349ab8e11f1aecac074ae/electric-car-drivers-trading-gas-solar-power
Wind Power saves $1.2 billion each year:
http://news.yahoo.com/report-wind-power-saves-1-201530999.html
Renewable Generation is competitive with conventional power:
North Dakota Oil Spills increase, Enforcement lags behind:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/in-north-dakota-rising-unease-over-oil’s-effects/ar-BBfvuJ0
