Energy justice in the news
Local
Hawaii Sets New Emissions Targets as it Pursues Goal of 100% Renewable Energy by 2045
In July, Governor Ige signed 4 new bills that aim to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s fight against climate change:
HB 1800 - establishes a new goal for the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit
SB 2570 - will establish a rebate program for those who install or upgrade a fueling system for renewable hydrogen
HB 1801 - will require state facilities to implement cost-effective energy efficiency measures, and directs the State Energy Office to collect the utility bills of all state-owned facilities and to make that data public
HB 2089 - will change the way that the state’s renewable energy portfolio standards are calculated
National
In a Twist, Old Coal Plants Help Deliver Renewable Power. Here’s How. (New York Times)
The end of coal is near. As the remaining coal plants across the continent are reaching their retirement, they’re quickly being turned into renewable energy sources. In Illinois, for example, nine coal-burning plants are on track to become solar farms and battery storage. Instead of creating new projects from scratch, which can often be controversial and time consuming, the option to refurbish coal plants has something new projects don’t - they’re already wired into the grid. Another added bonus is that this can revitalize and invest in communities that lost jobs when the original coal plants shut down.
International
The European Union is facing an energy crisis. Having previously relied on Russia to meet a large portion of its energy needs, the EU is feeling the effects of sanctions on the warring nation. However, French prime minister Elisabeth Borne issued a statement that France will take 100% control of its main energy provider, Electricite de France. With the state controlling energy production, they can focus on energy independence and completing more renewable energy projects, while preventing the cost of energy from becoming a financial burden for French citizens.