Multifaceted drivers for onshore wind energy repowering and their implications for energy transition

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Calls for the immediate scaling back and even discontinuation of fossil fuel use have grown strident again recently, on the heels of this month’s release of the final installment of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report. It spawned urgent rhetoric like that from United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres , who said, “…it is possible to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees [Celsius] with rapid and deep emissions reductions across all sectors of the global economy.” His comments were accompanied by yet another round of demands for an immediate halt to funding of any further hydrocarbon investments . That comes in the wake of last year’s anti-fossil fuel mania, when the news was dominated for weeks by the actions of activists from groups like Just Stop Oil . They made headlines by trying to destroy precious works of art and gluing themselves to roadways, all in the name of fighting climate change through their demand … [Read more...] about Want Clean Energy? We’ll Need More Fossil Fuels

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline The national average price for a gallon of gas hit a two-month high Thursday, as gas demand continues to increase heading into the summer while inventories drop, though experts doubt prices will return to their $5 record high recorded last summer. Key Facts The national average for a gallon of gas shot up to $3.46 Thursday, an increase of 5 cents on the week, bringing it to its highest point since the end of January, according to data from GasBuddy . Gas prices have now rebounded more than 40 cents since reaching a low of $3.05 per gallon on December 26. Analysts attribute the rising prices to a combination of high demand and low supplies: Gas demand increased narrowly from 8.81 million barrels per day to 8.82 million barrels over the week ending March 24, while gas reserves dropped from 229.6 million barrels to 226.7 million barrels over the same time, according to Energy Information Agency … [Read more...] about Gas Prices Hit Two-Month High, Though Experts Doubt They Will Rebound To $5—Here’s Where They’re Most Expensive

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) launched a personal attack against President Joe Biden on Thursday, as negotiations between the White House and GOP lawmakers surrounding two high-stakes fiscal issues—the debt ceiling and the federal budget—are deadlocked. Key Facts McCarthy offered Thursday to meet with Biden “tonight” to discuss increasing the U.S.’ federal borrowing limit, offering to bring “soft foods” to a White House lunch if Biden would agree to a sit-down, in what appears to be a ham-fisted attempt to ridicule the president about his age. (At 80, Biden is the oldest president in history.) The offer is a non-starter, however, as the White House has repeatedly called on Congress to pass a debt ceiling increase with no strings attached and said it will not negotiate with Republicans on increasing the borrowing limit, which the federal government is expected to reach some time in late summer. … [Read more...] about McCarthy Mocks Biden Amid Debt Ceiling Standoff—Offering To Bring ‘Soft Foods’ To Negotiating Table

After an early morning police raid, Chinese Christian refugees in Thailand now face imminent deportation back to China and persecution, human rights advocates told the Daily Caller News Foundation. Thai police are allegedly transporting the 63 members of the Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church, also known as the Mayflower Church, to Bangkok to be repatriated to the People’s Republic of China, Deana Brown , 68, founder of Freedom Seekers International, told the DCNF while in Thai custody. Along with church members, Thai police also arrested and confiscated the passports of Brown and fellow Texan, Stacy Nichols, 51, who’d both just arrived in Patayya, Thailand, for a week-long visit with the congregation on Thursday, Brown said. In October 2019, the Mayflower Church, led by Pastor Pan Yongguang, fled religious persecution at the hands of the CCP. After a vote, the church decided to resettle in Jeju Island, South Korea, where a travel visa would not be required for Chinese citizens, … [Read more...] about Over 60 Christian Dissidents Detained In Thailand Facing Imprisonment, Torture If Deported To China

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline A federal judge in Texas struck down a provision of the Affordable Care Act that required coverage for a range of preventive services—including for cancer screenings, medications and more—ruling the task force members tasked with enforcing those preventive services were unlawfully appointed. Key Facts U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor ruled preventive care recommendations made by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force do not have to be complied with, and blocked the federal government from enforcing the task force’s recommendations. The task force issues recommendations for preventive care services that insurers are then forced to cover, as dictated by the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, meaning the ruling means insurance companies will no longer be bound to cover the preventive services affected. Among the preventive services affected by O’Connor’s order are screenings for breast … [Read more...] about Judge Strikes Down Required Coverage Of Preventive Care—Cancer Screenings, Pregnancy, Medications And More

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Sam Bankman-Fried entered a not guilty plea to new federal charges Thursday, according to reporters present at the Manhattan federal court, sticking true to his style and donning an on-brand, unusually casual getup. Key Facts Bankman-Fried, who pleaded not guilty to eight criminal counts in January related to fraud at his cryptocurrency exchange FTX and trading firm Alameda Research, entered the same plea for five additional charges Thursday, including a fresh bribery count for allegedly paying off a Chinese official $40 million in 2021. Photographs of the former billionaire Thursday show him wearing a blue suit and brown loafers, his typical courtroom outfit, but with his own casual touch, keeping his white dress shirt untucked and letting his polka dot tie flop in the wind while entering the courthouse. Bankman-Fried apparently made a slight wardrobe change while in the courtroom, exiting … [Read more...] about Sam Bankman-Fried Pleads Not Guilty To New Bribery Charge—In An Untucked Dress Shirt (Photos)

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Next continues its buying up of beleaguered brands with the purchase of Cath Kidston, the retro retailer with a unique offering of flowers and chintz. In 2020, Cath Kidston went into administration winding up a majority of UK stores and seeing the end to over one thousand roles within the organisation. It was then purchased and repackaged by private investment business, Baring Private Equity Asia, which then in July 2022 sold the business to Hilco Capital. In a deal worth $10.5 million Next has bought the name and intellectual property of Cath Kidston from administrator's PWC PWC but not the remaining four stores. It is confirmed that the stores including one in London’s Piccadilly will be wound down. Next has purchased other challenged brands over recent months including the country-casual fashion brand Joules, and furniture retailer Made.com. In a carefully unified experience, Next offers consumers a … [Read more...] about Next Adds To Portfolio Of Brands With Cath Kidston

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Montage Palmetto Bluff, the premier luxury resort in America’s southeast, is located in Bluffton, South Carolina. The property is situated on 20,000 acres of pristine Lowcountry land, making it one of the largest resort developments on the East Coast. Montage Palmetto Bluff is renowned for its natural beauty, rich history, and world-class amenities, and most recently, wellness and lifestyle programming that celebrates local artisans, chefs, and tastemakers. Montage Palmetto Bluff was originally the site of a wealthy rice plantation in the early 1800s. The property was later acquired by Union Camp Corporation in the mid-20th century, and it was used as a hunting and fishing retreat for the company's executives. In the early 2000s, the property was purchased by Crescent Communities, who developed it into a luxury resort. Montage Palmetto Bluff features 200 guest rooms and suites, each designed to reflect the natural … [Read more...] about Montage Palmetto Bluff Celebrates Local Talent With New Wellness And Lifestyle Programs

The wind-driven 125 fire that forced the evacuation of the town of Simla southeast of metro Denver on Thursday afternoon has been mostly contained, authorities announced Friday morning. Breaking out in grass Thursday afternoon, this fire burned across about 1,000 acres — until Elbert County crews used road graders to clear vegetation. Simla, with a population of about 600, sits 48 miles northeast of Colorado Springs. The Elizabeth Fire Department in a Twitter posting declared the fire 96% contained. The fire is currently 96% contained. Crews will remain on scene to put out hotspots until morning. This is the final update. #125fire — Elizabeth Fire (@Elizabeth_Fire) March 31, 2023 … [Read more...] about Elbert County wildfire that forced evacuation of Simla largely contained

By MICHAEL R. SISAK (Associated Press) NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump will be arraigned Tuesday after his indictment in New York City, court officials said Friday, his formal surrender and arrest presenting the historic, shocking scene of a former U.S. commander in chief forced to stand before a judge. While Trump and his lawyers prepared for his defense, the prosecutor in his hush money case defended the grand jury investigation that propelled him toward trial, as congressional Republicans painted it all as politically motivated. In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told three Republican House committee chairs Friday that such claims are “misleading and meritless” and rebuffed congressional probing into the grand jury process — by law, a confidential one. “We urge you to refrain from these inflammatory accusations, withdraw your demand for information, and let the criminal justice process proceed without … [Read more...] about Trump to be arraigned Tuesday to face hush money indictment