Physics World

FEBRUARY 17, 2022

Mention “nuclear power” and attention almost immediately turns to safety. Despite huge advances in nuclear technology in recent decades, everyone still thinks about the accidents that occurred at older reactors like Chernobyl , Three Mile Island or Fukushima. Dozens of countries don’t even have – or don’t want – nuclear power.

Nuclear Power

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 30, 2024

This is due in no small part to the “ nuclear bros ”: an active and seemingly tireless group of nuclear power advocates who dominate social media discussions on energy by promoting SMRs and other “advanced” nuclear technologies as the only real solution for the climate crisis.

Nuclear Power

Legal Planet

OCTOBER 2, 2023

Germany decides to phase out nuclear power, complicating efforts to decarbonize the power sector. Germany agrees on EU regulation to make cars carbon neutral by 2035 (either zero emissions or net-zero). Germany has dragged its feet on EVs because of its powerful car industry.

Nuclear Power

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 31, 2022

It issued five Flex Alerts in 2020, eight in 2021, but there’s only been one so far this year. I’d be remiss not to mention that, ever since the August 2020 power outages, California policymakers and regulators have been pulling out all the stops to maintain grid reliability. What can Californians do to help the grid today?

Solar Power

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 4, 2023

Six years ago, in 2017, electricity generation was 35% coal, 35% nuclear, 23% natural gas, 6% renewable, biomass and other. Read more here In 2021, 53% of electricity generation came from natural gas, 31% from nuclear, 12% from coal and 4% from renewables and other sources, according to the U.S. Yaw praised.

Nuclear Power

PA Environment Daily

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

On September 7, the Department of Health announced it will offer free potassium iodide, or KI, tablets on Thursday, September 9 and 16, to Pennsylvanians who are within 10 miles of the state’s four active nuclear power plants. The state’s five nuclear facilities are closely regulated, secure and well-maintained.

Nuclear Power

Environmental Progress

APRIL 20, 2021

Testimony before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce For a hearing on “Power Struggle: Examining the 2021 Texas Grid Failure” Written statement submitted by: Michael D. Texas regulators appeared to be controlling the cost of electricity until they could no longer do so during the February crisis.

2021

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 4, 2022

In 2021, DEP reported 236,150 cubic feet of TENORM (Technically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) was sent to LLRW facilities for disposal, while all other industries combined in the four state compact sent 46,546 cubic feet of traditionally defined low-level radioactive waste. Read more here.

2016

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 8, 2022

On April 7, the Department of Environmental Protection appealed the April 6 Commonwealth Court order blocking publication of the final regulation establishing a Carbon Pollution Reduction Program covering power plants consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to the PA Supreme Court. Click Here for a copy of the appeal.

Regulations

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 19, 2023

There were two rotating outages during a heatwave in August 2020, a close call when a wildfire knocked out a critical transmission line in July 2021, and the state just barely squeaked by in September 2022 when a historic heatwave led to record-high electricity demand. The list goes on, but you get the point.

2018

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 6, 2023

The article on Pennsylvania also highlights the lack of tough laws, regulations and penalties to prevent environmental problems, including inadequate well plugging bonds. Million In Penalties Collected; Record Number Of Violations Issued; Major Compliance Issues Uncovered; Evidence Of Health Impacts Mounts [PaEN] -- Gov.

Natural Gas

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 9, 2023

That amount is down from the 236,150 cubic feet of TENORM (Technically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) sent in 2021. In 2022, DEP reported Pennsylvania generators of low-level radioactive waste-- primarily nuclear power plants-- sent 48,241 cubic feet of LLRW waste to out-of-state waste facilities for disposal.

Waste

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 10, 2023

This editorial first appeared in the Scranton Times on March 10, 2023 -- As regulators investigate and lawmakers lament the Feb. Josh Shapiro and the Legislature should beef up the DEP’s ability to regulate methane emissions and related public safety concerns. In November, the 13-day leak at an Equitrans Midstream Corp.

Natural Gas

Law Columbia

JUNE 1, 2022

But the country changed course as a result of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, which led to the forced shutdown of nuclear power plants and greater reliance on fossil fuels. As of May 2022 , there are 163 operating coal-fired power plants in Japan. As a result, Japan’s CO 2 emissions increased, peaking in 2013.

Paris Agreement

Energy and Climate Law

FEBRUARY 6, 2020

To do so, this mechanism will mobilise at least €100 billion in investments over the period 2021-2027 (p.1). On 14 January 2020, a proposal of regulation establishing the Just Transition Fund was published, detailing the rules that should apply to it. - Article 7 of the proposed regulation on JTF sets the legal regime for these plans.

Fossil Fuels

Smith Enviorment

JANUARY 22, 2023

A 2021 North Carolina law requires the N.C. More below on the requirements of Session Law 2021-165 (also referred to as House Bill 951) and NCUC action in response. More below on the requirements of Session Law 2021-165 (also referred to as House Bill 951) and NCUC action in response. January 22, 2023.

2021

Environmental Progress

JANUARY 20, 2022

At RePlanet Nederland, we are delighted that the European Commission has proposed, on December 31, 2021, to include nuclear energy in the sustainable finance taxonomy. Yet, we believe that in its current form the proposal would underachieve the goal of encouraging private investment in nuclear energy as a sustainable activity.

Fossil Fuels

PA Environment Daily

NOVEMBER 15, 2021

13, 14, 15 -- Committee Schedule TODAY’s Calendar Of Events TODAY 11:00: House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider House Bill 2075 (Knowles-R- Schuylkill) abrogating DEP’s air pollution control regulations covering heavy-duty trucks [Note: DEP already suspended enforcement of these regulations November 6 - Read more here.];

Nuclear Power

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 8, 2023

Waste Coal In July of 2021 a company by the name of Stronghold Digital Mining (Stronghold) filed an S-1 report with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing plans to purchase three waste coal fired power plants and install 57,000 Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) dedicated to mining bitcoin.

Nuclear Power

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 19, 2023

Of PA [Natural Gas Prices Tripled] -- DCNR Blog: DCNR Building A Network Of Rural Electric Vehicle Charging Stations In State Parks, Forests -- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: PA Begins Accepting Applications For $62 Million In Federal EV Charging Station Funding March 27 -- UnionProgress.com: West Mifflin, Allegheny County Stays Current With EV (..)

Conservation

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 25, 2023

From March 18 to 24, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 582 inspection entries that resulted in reporting 66 violations of environmental regulations-- 42 violations by the conventional oil and gas industry and 24 violations by the unconventional shale natural gas industry.

Waste

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 25, 2023

Waste Coal In July of 2021 a company by the name of Stronghold Digital Mining (Stronghold) filed an S-1 report with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing plans to purchase three waste coal fired power plants and install 57,000 Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) dedicated to mining bitcoin.

Climate Change

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 9, 2023

Climate Alliance , conducted a research study in May 2021 to better understand the capabilities of airborne methane detection technology and to gather data on methane emission sources and rates. Yaw Proposes Independent Energy Office To Promote Development Of PA’s Diverse Energy Portfolio - Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Coal [PaEN] -- Rep.

Natural Gas

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 24, 2023

You’ll also get notice of new technical guidance documents and regulations. DEP eNotice: The Only Way You’ll Know When Applications Come In To DEP Did you know DEP can send you email notices when permit applications are submitted to DEP in your community? Click Here to sign up for DEP’s eNOTICE today !

Natural Gas

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 10, 2023

You’ll also get notice of new technical guidance documents and regulations. Yaw Proposes Independent Energy Office To Promote Development Of PA’s Diverse Energy Portfolio - Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Coal [PaEN] -- U.S. This is the only way you can get notified of when oil and gas-related permits are submitted to DEP.

Natural Gas

PA Environment Daily

JUNE 14, 2023

Our country continues to experience an increase in significant weather events- the 2014 Polar Vortex, successive hurricanes, fires, and Winter Storm Uri in 2021, which brought down Texas' grid,” said Chairman Dutrieuille. Natural Gas Is An Intermittent Generator Rep.

Natural Gas

PA Environment Daily

MAY 5, 2024

-- Republican Herald: West Nile Virus Monitoring Starts In Schuylkill County -- Shapiro Administration Commends 3 PA Schools For Environmental Efforts As Green Ribbon Schools -- National Energy Technology Laboratory: Winners In Western PA, West Virginia Science Bowl Competed In National Science Bowl -- Wildlife For Everyone Foundation Announces 5 Recipients (..)

Conservation

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 5, 2022

Wolf Announced PA Received $26.5 Capitol Lives On In Hundreds Of Court Cases, Including Against 63 From PA [That’s 15.5% Of All Defendants] -- MCall - Ford Turner: Will Some PA Residents Get Pandemic Relief Payments Up To $2,000?

Electricity

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 14, 2022

The amended bill is being held in Committee by Republicans as a possible compromise on the RGGI regulations that they can point to as a way to solve the pollution problems caused by coal-fired power plants. In his budget address in 2021, Gov. At least $12.5 Read more here. percent to the Energy Communities Trust Fund; -- 12.5

Carbon Dioxide

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 22, 2022

On January 25, 2021, Patrick sent a 25-page letter to the Department of Environmental Protection laying out the unresolved issues related to drainage on his property and Sunoco’s lack of compliance with its Chapter 102 Erosion and Sedimentation Control permit.

Natural Gas

PA Environment Daily

SEPTEMBER 5, 2022

29; No Information Yet On Whether Oil & Gas Development Health Risks Will Be Included Health Department Distributing Free Potassium Iodide Tablets To Pennsylvanians Near State’s Four Active Nuclear Power Plants Sept.

Conservation

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 24, 2023

DEP reported in December that between 2017 and 2021, conventional operators abandoned without plugging 2,246 wells -- 561 a year, on average. While this practice for the moment is illegal because it doesn’t meet DEP’s Residual Waste Regulations, it has not been banned. Read more here.

Natural Gas

PA Environment Daily

NOVEMBER 27, 2022

Here are 52 new stories in the PA Environment Digest about individuals, groups, local governments, farmers, businesses, watershed groups and many more working all across Pennsylvania to restore and protect the environment and show others the beauty that surrounds us. Thank you for your leadership! -- EQB To Meet Nov.

Conservation

PA Environment Daily

MAY 13, 2022

Driven by emissions from power generation and industrial activity — activity that generates jobs and economic opportunity for southwestern Pennsylvania — our greenhouse gas emissions, on a per capita basis, are about 50% higher than elsewhere in the state or country. At the same time, we are making progress in reducing our carbon footprint.

Climate Change

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 24, 2022

In calendar year 2021 , DEP issued 4,386 violations to conventional operators and 1,000 violations to unconventional shale gas operators. So far this year-- as of December 16 -- DEP did 12,535 inspections of conventional operators and 20,919 inspections of unconventional shale gas operators.

Natural Gas

Cresforum

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Hydrogen Production and Challenges In 2021, the U.S. Currently, the operation of a hydrogen pipeline involves oversight by various federal agencies and a patchwork of federal statutes and regulations. In May 2023, the company put a $900 million nuclear-powered clean hydrogen production facility on hold, awaiting clarity on the rules.

Fossil Fuels

PA Environment Daily

NOVEMBER 13, 2022

-- NEW FEATURE: Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Nov.

Conservation