Petrochemical

Texas freeze led to release of tons of air pollutants as refineries shut

Sun, 2021-02-21 14:46 — mike kraft

Texas freeze led to release of tons of air pollutants as refineries shut The largest U.S. oil refiners released tons of air pollutants into the skies over Texas this week, according to figures provided to the state, as one environmental crisis triggered another. Laura Sanicola, Erwin Seba U.S.

NEW YORK/HOUSTON (Reuters) - The largest U.S. oil refiners released tons of air pollutants into the skies over Texas this week, according to figures provided to the state, as one environmental crisis triggered another.

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White House coronavirus adviser says vaccine companies plan to update shots to address variants

Thu, 2021-02-18 13:57 — mike kraft

White House coronavirus adviser official discusses plans by vaccine companies cope with COVID-19 variants

Andy Slavitt, White House senior adviser on the coronavirus response, said vaccine-producing companies plan to update their shots to address variants of the virus.

During a Washington Post live interview Thursday, he said the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines “work well for” the most prominent variant spreading throughout the United States, which is the one first identified in Britain.

He said that while the vaccines appear less effective against the variants first identified in Brazil and South Africa, they do produce some antibodies.

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Biden takes sweeping steps to curb climate change, vows job creation

Wed, 2021-01-27 19:29 — mike kraft

Biden takes sweeping steps to curb climate change, vows job creation President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed a new raft of executive actions to combat climate change, including pausing new oil and gas leases on federal land and cutting fossil fuel subsidies, as he pursues green policies he billed as a boon for job creation. Valerie Volcovici, Jeff Mason U.S.

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Coronavirus: few vaccines prevent infection – here’s why that’s not a problem

Tue, 2021-01-12 15:05 — mike kraft

Coronavirus: few vaccines prevent infection – here's why that's not a problem Sterilising immunity means that the immune system is able to completely prevent a virus from replicating in your body. Not all vaccines provide this. Sarah L Caddy The Conversation

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Health experts dispute conservatives’ claim that new study finds masks are ineffective

Sat, 2020-11-21 14:50 — mike kraft

Health experts dispute conservatives’ claim that new study finds masks are ineffective Mask-wearing has remained a hot-button political issue even as more states, including those with Republican governors who long resisted such measures, are adopting mask mandates following a rise in cases across the United States. Meryl Kornfield Washington Post

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What Happens to Earth if the US Exits the Climate Deal?

Sat, 2017-05-27 22:48 — Kathy Gilbeaux

Credit: AP Photo/Jim Cole, File

washingtonpost.com - Associated Press - May 27, 2017

. . . In an attempt to understand what could happen to the planet if the U.S. pulls out of Paris, The Associated Press consulted with more than two dozen climate scientists and analyzed a special computer model scenario designed to calculate potential effects.

Scientists said it would worsen an already bad problem, and make it far more difficult to prevent crossing a dangerous global temperature threshold.

. . . “The U.S. matters a great deal . . . That amount could make the difference between meeting the Paris limit of two degrees and missing it” . . .

While scientists may disagree on the computer simulations they overwhelmingly agreed that the warming the planet is undergoing now would be faster and more intense.

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Are Solar and Wind Really Killing Coal, Nuclear and Grid Reliability?

Wed, 2017-05-17 00:20 — Kathy Gilbeaux

Lessons from the Lone Star State: A surge in wind power on the Texas grid didn’t cause reliability problems (and brought down electricity prices) because regulators improved the efficiency of wholesale electricity markets. Sarah Fields Photography/Shutterstock.com

theconversation.com - by Joshua D. Rhodes, Michael E. Webber, Thomas Deetjen and Todd Davidson - May 11, 2017

U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry in April requested a study to assess the effect of renewable energy policies on nuclear and coal-fired power plants.

Some energy analysts responded with confusion, as the subject has been extensively studied by grid operators and the Department of Energy’s own national labs. Others were more critical, saying the intent of the review is to favor the use of nuclear and coal over renewable sources.

So, are wind and solar killing coal and nuclear? Yes, but not by themselves and not for the reasons most people think. Are wind and solar killing grid reliability? No, not where the grid’s technology and regulations have been modernized. In those places, overall grid operation has improved, not worsened.

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Coal Crash: How Pension Funds Face Huge Risk From Climate Change

Wed, 2015-06-17 09:03 — Kathy Gilbeaux

Coal is moved on a conveyor belt at the PT Bukit Asam open pit coal mine in Tanjung Enim, South Sumatra province, Indonesia. Photograph: Dadang Tri/Getty Images

Special report: The plummeting coal sector and a growing green divestment movement is leaving firms who still invest in fossil fuels and connected pension holders heavily exposed

theguardian.com - by Damian Carrington and Caelainn Barr - June 15, 2015

The pension funds of millions of people across the world, including teachers, public sector workers, health staff and academics in the UK and US, are heavily exposed to the plummeting coal sector, a Guardian analysis has revealed.

It has also found that just a dozen people, including the owner of Chelsea FC, Roman Abramovich, own coal reserves equivalent to the annual carbon emissions of China, the world’s biggest polluter. The UN, which advocates a shift to clean energy, has more than $100m (£65m) invested in coal through its own pension fund.

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