[GWSG] McKibben's response; Houston goes 100%; E trucks; acidity forecasts; batteries replace CH4 plants; VA's big solar plant

[Tilley, Al]

1. Bill McKibben reprises his activities as a climate activist in the course of responding to a smear of a movie. He’s been among the most significant non-scientists, and it’s good to be reminded of his leadership.  https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADY3M2IwNjNlLWY1ODItNGUxMi04MGY0LTE4OWQxNGM3ZWNlNAAQAFVTqE7lfhpCljEreBGHqy0%3D



2. Houston, already the largest user of renewable power among US cities, has signed a 7-year agreement to purchase solar power which will put them at 100% renewable for city operations. The agreement will save $65 million over the purchase period. Houston has set a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. https://cleantechnica.com/2020/05/02/city-of-houston-surprises-100-renewable-electricity-65-million-in-savings-in-7-years/



3. 8% of US greenhouse gas emissions come from medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Electric trucks cost less to operate, and have fewer parts, so they are easier to maintain and last longer. Some are already on the road and more are on the way. Tesla is pricing its rigs at 10% above comparable diesels. At the other end of the transport scale, bicycle use is up in urban areas, and some cities are beginning to wonder what they would look like if cars failed to come back in the familiar throngs. https://climatecrocks.com/2020/05/02/big-rig-drivers-switching-to-electric-cities-ponder-life-after-cars/



4. “Ocean acidification is proceeding a rate 10 times faster today than any time in the last 55 million years.” Until now we could estimate acidification only months in advance. A new technique allows us to make accurate predictions for five years ahead. https://phys.org/news/2020-05-ocean-acidification-years-advance.html



5. Southern California Edison has contracted for 770 MW of battery storage to replace four existing gas plants. The US storage market is expected to grow sevenfold 2019-21 as we expel gas. Much of the new storage will be connected to existing solar plants. https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/southern-california-edison-picks-770mw-of-energy-storage-projects-to-be-built-by-next-year?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Daily&utm_campaign=GTMDaily



6. Virginia is getting a new 620 MW solar project which will be the biggest east of the Rockies. VA has committed to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045.  https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/spower-is-building-the-largest-solar-project-in-virginia?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Daily&utm_campaign=GTMDaily

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