October 25, 2021

Is there an "energy crisis"? Not really -- fossil fuels are collapsing, and it's high time

Is there an "energy crisis"? Not really — fossil fuels are collapsing, and it's high time
Why are energy prices spiking? Mostly because we're not making the transition to wind and solar fast enough

By CARL POPE
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 25, 2021 5:45AM


(Salon) The Economist calls it "The Energy Shock." Forbes and the Wall Street Journal go further, resurrecting a term from the 1970s: "Energy Crisis." The media is hyperventilating.

But what is going on, really? I'd describe it as the first fossil fuel collapse of the clean energy transition, or even as proof that cleaner and faster means cheaper and stable energy." That's quite different from the Economist subhead, which pushes the idea there are "grave problems with the transition to clean energy."

What does the evidence show? First, renewable wind and solar increased their contribution to global energy supply by a record 8% in 2021, providing 8,300 TeraWatt hours (TWH) of clean, cheap power. Wind generation globally grew by 17%, in spite of poor winds in parts of Europe. Overall, renewable power delivered 30% of the world's electrons in the first year of pandemic recovery.

This clean energy growth occurred despite the fact that governments provide $600 billion per year to subsidize the use of fossil fuels. This new wind and solar power was cheaper than coal and gas in virtually every case. Indeed, the only major exceptions — meaning economies where fossil fuel generation is still cheaper than renewables — are Russia and Mexico (cheap gas), along with Japan and Indonesia (cheap coal). ............(more)

https://www.salon.com/2021/10/25/is-there-an-energy-crisis-not-really--fossil-fuels-are-collapsing-and-its-high-time/

October 23, 2021

Trump-endorsed GOP candidate for Michigan Secretary of State to speak at QAnon conference

(Detroit Metro Times) Former President Donald Trump’s pick for Michigan secretary of state, Kristina Karamo, plans to deliver a speech at a major QAnon conference in Las Vegas this weekend called “For God & Country: Patriot Double Down.”

The Oak Park Republican with no political experience received Trump’s endorsement after she falsely claimed Michigan officials rigged the election. She continues to trumpet lies about the election and is still calling for an Arizona-style audit, even after that state’s examination reaffirmed Biden's victory and contradicted claims about fraud last month.

Karamo announced her participation in the conference on Facebook on Oct. 2.

“Come to the Patriot Double Down Where I will be speaking!!!” she wrote.

The conference is organized by John Sabal, a Trump loyalist and prominent QAnon conspiracy theorist known as “QAnon John.” Also set to attend are Jim and Ron Watkins, a father-and-son duo that some experts believe invented “Q,” and three Arizona lawmakers who were involved in the state’s deeply flawed election audit. ..............(more)

https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2021/10/21/trump-endorsed-gop-candidate-for-michigan-secretary-of-state-to-speak-at-qanon-conference#.YXQhCqLP0LQ.link

October 23, 2021

Florida Man Arrested After Throwing A 'G' At Woman

A Florida man appearing for arraignment ended up behind bars again Tuesday (October 19) after "violating the letter of law," as the Smoking Gun puts it.

Authorities in Indian River County arrested 26-year-old Jordan Thomas for allegedly battering a woman at a courthouse, but what he used was the bizarre part. An arrest report claims Thomas took "a signage letter from the blackboard in front of Court Room 3" and threw it at Shanterria Rolle, a 23-year-old Vero Beach resident. The letter "G" ended up hitting the victim, cops say.

Thomas, an Amazon driver, was being arraigned for a misdemeanor charge of battery, reporters say. He was accused of attacking Rolle in September, authorities confirmed. Officials say they caught the chaos on video while they were in recess. .............(more)

https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-10-22-florida-man-arrested-after-throwing-a-g-at-woman/

October 22, 2021

CA: Amtrak train service from Sacramento to Bakersfield back on track after COVID hiatus

Oct. 18—Train service will resume on Monday between Sacramento and Bakersfield after a 19-month COVID-related suspension.

The 6:26 a.m. San Joaquins Amtrak train leaving from Sacramento will be the first since March 2020 after ridership collapsed following the pandemic, said David Lipari, marketing manager for the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority.

"We are really excited about it," said Lipari. "Before the pandemic it was a very popular train since it was the first train down The Valley."

A second train will depart Bakersfield on Monday at 6:12 p.m arriving in Sacramento at 11:35 p.m. ...............(more)

https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/news/21243041/ca-amtrak-train-service-from-sacramento-to-bakersfield-back-on-track-after-covid-hiatus

October 22, 2021

Black candidates for US Senate smash fundraising records for 2022 midterms

(Guardian UK) African American candidates running for the US Senate smashed campaign fundraising records over the past three months, raising hopes of transforming a body that remains overwhelmingly white.

There have only been 11 Black senators since the chamber first convened in 1789 and only two were women. Senator Kamala Harris’s ascent to the vice-presidency means there are currently no female members who are Black.

But in the most recent Federal Election Commission reporting period, African Americans posted huge sums from donors, especially in the south, suggesting the potential to build a pipeline of Black politicians who can excite the grassroots and reshape the government.

Democrat Raphael Warnock, a pastor who won a crucial runoff in January to become Georgia’s first Black senator, took in a staggering $9.5m over three months for his re-election bid. Val Demings, a congresswoman and former police chief challenging the Republican senator Marco Rubio in Florida, was close behind with $8.5m. .............(more)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/22/black-candidates-us-senate-fundraising-records-2022-midterms

October 21, 2021

Tufts Lacrosse Player Madie Nicpon Dies After Choking In Charity Hot Dog-Eating Contest

A Tufts University lacrosse player choked to death in a charity hot dog-eating contest over the weekend, according to reports.

Madie Nicpon, a 20-year-old junior described by friends as a generous teammate who planned a career in medicine, was competing with other students in the “Play for Pink” breast cancer awareness fundraiser at an off-campus home in Somerville, Massachusetts, Saturday when the accident happened, a friend told NewsCenter 5.

First responders performed “extensive lifesaving procedures,” Tufts said in a statement. Nicpon was pronounced dead a day later at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Emails from school administrators confirmed her death, the Tufts Daily school newspaper reported. Around 3,000 gathered Sunday for a memorial at the Gantcher Center and mourners made their way to the lacrosse field, where candles were placed around Nicpon’s lacrosse jerseys, the school paper noted. ...........(more)

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tufts-lacrosse-hot-dog-eating-contest_n_61713333e4b010d9330cd00c?

October 20, 2021

Police reform by another name: COVID mandates causing cops to complain -- and quit

Police reform by another name: COVID mandates causing cops to complain — and quit
Complaining cops are inadvertently revealing themselves to be among the problem officers in their department

By HEATHER DIGBY PARTON
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 20, 2021 9:56AM


(Salon) One of the only federal legislative initiatives that had any hope for bipartisan agreement in the last few years was the police reform bill that was being negotiated by Senators Corey Booker, D-NJ, and Tim Scott, R-SC, along with Rep. Karen Bass of California. Although it always seemed like a difficult lift considering the acrimony on both sides surrounding the issue, it seemed for a while that they were actually making some progress. Unfortunately, those talks finally fell apart and now don't seem to have any chance of revival.

Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, dishonestly said that he refused to agree to the Democrats' insistence on "defunding" the police — which they were not doing. Booker explained that he finally pulled the plug when Scott backed out of the agreement to codify Donald Trump's executive order. No doubt Scott knew he would be all alone in the GOP if he signed on and simply decided he'd be better off politically if he just abandoned ship altogether.

....(snip)....

There has been a legal consensus that in order to provide public safety, police must be allowed to exercise their own professional judgment in the course of their jobs. They are given much greater leeway than in any other employment and are legally protected from most civil liability. And as we have unfortunately seen in too many cases, expecting the criminal code to protect the public from police is a long shot.

....(snip)....

Today we are witnessing an unusual situation which reveals that for all the protestations that cops have such a dangerous job that they must be allowed plenty of room to make decisions that they believe will save their own lives and protect the citizens, there are members of police departments who clearly just believe they should be above the law.

The New York Times reported last week that COVID-19 was the leading cause of death among police officers last year, nearly five times the number who died as a result of firearms. Nobody knows how many have fallen ill from the disease but departments across the country have reported large outbreaks. And yet they are having a very difficult time getting some officers to take the vaccine. Now that many cities are mandating the shots the Police Unions are in an uproar and officers are quitting rather than adhere to the law. .............(more)

https://www.salon.com/2021/10/20/police-reform-by-another-name-mandates-causing-cops-to-complain--and-quit/

October 19, 2021

L.A. Metro's G Line now fully electric

L.A. Metro's G Line now fully electric
Oct. 14, 2021

L.A. Metro has phased out its legacy 60-foot articulated CNG buses on the G Line — the type that has run on the dedicated BRT line since it opened in October 2005 — and replaced them with 40 new, 60-foot articulated zero-emission buses.

Mass Transit Staff Report




The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (L.A. Metro) G (Orange) Line has completely transitioned to an all-electric bus fleet, offering customers a non-polluting, quiet and ultra-smooth riding experience.

L.A. Metro has phased out its legacy 60-foot articulated compressed natural gas (CNG) buses on the G Line — the type that has run on the dedicated bus rapid transit line since it opened in October 2005 — and replaced them with 40 new, 60-foot articulated zero-emissions buses manufactured by New Flyer. The buses feature zero tailpipe emissions and employ advanced electric technologies such as high-energy batteries and traction propulsion system.

“Metro is officially on the road to a zero-emissions future with its first official use of electric buses on a major Bus Rapid Transit Line,” said L.A. Metro Board Chair and Chair of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, Hilda L. Solis. “This marks the beginning of Metro’s commitment and long-term investment in a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable bus fleet for L.A. County, one that helps our region reduce its greenhouse gas emissions at the tailpipe while greatly improving the customer experience.”

Rapid en-route chargers installed at North Hollywood, Canoga and Chatsworth Stations give the buses an all-day operating capability along the 18-mile corridor. L.A. Metro says buses have about a 150-mile range on a single charge without rapid charging. ...........(more)

https://www.masstransitmag.com/bus/vehicles/hybrid-hydrogen-electric-vehicles/press-release/21242271/la-metros-g-line-now-fully-electric

October 19, 2021

Ocean Cleanup Extracts 20,000 Pounds Of Rubbish From Pacific Garbage Patch

October 19, 2021

Big corporations that claim to support voting rights are still funding right-wing state AGs

Big corporations that claim to support voting rights are still funding right-wing state AGs
Coke, GM, AT&T pay "lip service" to voting rights while funding GOP vote-suppression forces, says watchdog group

By IGOR DERYSH
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 19, 2021 6:00AM


(Salon) Major corporations that have publicly touted their support for voting rights amid the nationwide Republican crackdown on ballot access are still funding many Republican state attorneys general who are working to scuttle federal voting rights legislation.

Leaders of companies like General Motors, Coca-Cola and Home Depot denounced the Republican onslaught of voting restrictions in states like Georgia earlier this year. But those companies and others have kept on funding Republican attorneys general who urged congressional leaders to block the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, a proposed law that would restore a section of the Voting Rights Act — recently gutted by the Supreme Court — requiring states with a history of racial discrimination to pre-clear new voting changes with the Justice Department.

That also came after an arm of the Republican Attorneys General Association sent robocalls on Jan. 5 of this year, urging supporters to come to Washington to "fight" Congress in support of former President Donald Trump's election lies. The following day, of course, pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol. The group also received $150,000 from a major Republican donor who helped fund the "Stop the Steal" rally that preceded the riot.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita led 22 other Republican attorneys general last month in condemning the John Lewis Voting Rights bill, claiming it "would allow the United States Department of Justice to usurp the authority states rightly possess over their own elections, essentially federalizing the election system." ...........(more)

https://www.salon.com/2021/10/19/big-corporations-that-claim-to-support-voting-rights-are-still-funding-right-wing-state-ags/