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☆ Droughts killed more than 12 million trees in Mississippi and no one has the money to cut them down
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Droughts in 2023 killed more than 12 million pine trees in Mississippi last year. A report from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Mississippi Forestry Commission found that at least 12.5 million trees died in the state after droughts last year. Mississippi experienced heavy droughts last year starting in June that were so bad that NASA could see the Mississippi River shrinking from space in September. During the droughts, experts say that pine beetles swept across the state taking out entire patches of decades-old pine trees. "We are in a position where we are going to have to do something," Vozzo told The Clarion Ledger.

Persons: That's, Sen, Cindy Hyde, Smith, Pete Vozzo, Vozzo, McCain, Madison, De'Keither Stamps, Tate Reeves, Stamps Organizations: Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Mississippi Forestry Commission, Business, NASA, Republican, Smith, Property, Clarion, McCain Tree Service, Public Service, De'Keither, Gov Locations: Mississippi, Hyde, Madison, Jackson, Vicksburg

☆ California regulator allows PG&E rate hike for wildfire mitigation
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The state's biggest utility, PG&E, serves more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. The APD set the 2023 revenue requirement at $13.52 billion, reflecting an 11% increase from 2022. According to the regulator, customers would see an increase of $32.62 on their bills, compared with PG&E's request of $38.73. One of the main wildfire mitigation efforts PG&E has been undertaking is undergrounding, or burying power lines. This lessens the need for public safety power shutoffs — a last resort during dry, windy conditions to reduce the risk of sparking a wildfire.

Persons: Seher, Shilpi Majumdar Organizations: California Public Utilities Commission, Pacific Gas, E, Thomson Locations: Northern, Central California, powerlines, Bengaluru

But consumer advocacy groups complained, arguing PG&E could save ratepayers money and still reduce wildfire risk by putting a protective covering over the power lines instead of burying them. Commissioners decided to let PG&E bury 1,230 miles (1,979 kilometers) of power lines, which would be $1.7 billion cheaper than PG&E's proposal. For low-income customers who qualify for discounted rates, PG&E said typical monthly bills will increase by $21.50 next year, followed by a $3 per month increase in 2025 before decreasing by $5.50 per month in 2026. The turning point for PG&E came in 2018 when a windstorm knocked down one of its power lines in the Sierra Nevada foothills that started a wildfire. The company has pledged to bury 10,000 miles (16,093 kilometers) of power lines over the next decade.

Persons: ”, John Reynolds, Patti Poppe, undergrounding powerlines, Gavin Newsom, ratepayers, Darcie Houck, Cheryl Maynard Organizations: Pacific Gas & Electric, California Public Utilities Commission, Reform Network, E, Democratic Gov, & $ Locations: SACRAMENTO, Calif, California, Sierra Nevada

(AP) — As the United States injects hundreds of billions of dollars into clean energy through its signature climate law, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, criticism is growing louder about where, how and whether new development should be allowed. MIT is offering a first-of-its-kind course that trains students to be mediators in conflicts over clean energy projects. Students get academic credit and hands-on experience addressing real-world dilemmas, while the community and developer get free help resolving conflict. In one recent Friday afternoon class, students debated everything from environmental justice concerns to misinformation to oil companies. He hopes to create a similar national consortium of universities serving communities and projects in their respective regions regarding clean energy.

Persons: ”, Larry Susskind, Susskind, stokes, ” Susskind, ” Leyla Uysal, “ It’s, “ We’re, ” It’s, Abraham Silverman, he’s “, Silverman, Larry, Patrick Field, ” Chaudhuri, Sarah Mills Organizations: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, Cipher News, Associated Press, Washington D.C, Cell, MIT Renewable Energy Clinic, Harvard University, Power, Google, Columbia University, New, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Consensus, “, ”, University of Michigan, AP Locations: CAMBRIDGE, United States, Washington, New York, California, Chicago, Michigan, New Jersey, Cambridge, loggerheads

☆ Hurricane Lee expected to move north of Puerto Rico but still dangerous
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A composite image shows Hurricane Lee churning towards the Caribbean after intensifying into a major storm, September 8, 2023. Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Hurricane Lee, a powerful Category 3 storm, was expected to move well north of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands this weekend but could cause dangerous beach conditions on the U.S. East Coast beginning on Sunday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Saturday. "Dangerous surf and rip currents are expected to begin along most of the U.S. East Coast Sunday and Monday and worsen through the week," the forecaster said. Lee had intensified into a dangerous Category 5 storm earlier in the week, the highest step on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale, before downgrading into a Category 3 hurricane. "Fluctuations in intensity are likely over thenext few days, however Lee is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through early next week," it said.

Persons: Lee, Hurricane Lee, Eric Beech, Timothy Gardner, Diane Craft Organizations: Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, REUTERS, Acquire, Rights, U.S . Virgin, U.S . East, U.S, National Hurricane Center, U.S ., U.S . East Coast Sunday, National Weather Service, Thomson Locations: Puerto Rico, U.S, U.S . East Coast, Leeward, Atlantic Canada, Bermuda

☆ Factbox: Hurricane Lee intensifies into major storm, roars toward Caribbean
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A composite image shows Hurricane Lee churning towards the Caribbean after intensifying into a major storm, September 8, 2023. How powerful is Hurricane Lee? Lee is packing maximum sustained winds of 165 miles (265 km) per hour, making it a Category 5 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which is based on a storm's sustained wind speed. If Hurricane Lee makes landfall as a Category 5, it could cause catastrophic damage and destroy a high percentage of framed homes. Lee adds to a busy hurricane season that has thus far set a pace above average on several measures, including named storms, named storm days and major hurricane days, Colorado State University meteorologist Philip Klotzbach said.

Persons: Lee, Handout, Philip Klotzbach, Brendan O'Brien, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Handout REUTERS, Simpson, National Weather Service, Northern, U.S . East, National Hurricane Center, Colorado State University, Thomson Locations: Caribbean, Northern Leeward, Leeward Islands, Virginia Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S . East Coast, Canada, Bermuda, Chicago

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Marvell Technology, Affirm, Hawaiian Electric and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Marvell posted earnings of 33 cents per share, excluding items, on $1.34 billion in revenue. For the recent period, Affirm posted a smaller-than-expected loss of 69 cents per share on revenues of $446 million. Intuit posted $2.71 billion in revenue, ahead of the $2.64 billion expected. Analysts polled by Refinitiv had anticipated earnings of $5.85 per share on $2.51 billion in revenue, according to Refinitiv. Adjusted earnings per share came in at 34 cents, ahead of the 9 cents expected by analysts polled by Refinitiv.

Persons: Marvell, Refinitiv, Nordstrom, Ulta, Alan Gould, —, Jesse Pound, Sarah Min, Michelle Fox Organizations: Marvell Technology, Hawaiian Electric, Electric, NBC News, Intuit —, Refinitiv, Intuit, AMC Entertainment, Netflix Locations: Maui

☆ Hawaiian Electric shares slide after Maui County sues for damages over deadly wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A general view shows damage in the fire ravaged town of Lahaina on the island of Maui in Hawaii, U.S., August 15, 2023. Maui County on Thursday sued Hawaiian Electric for damages over the deadly wildfires that have claimed more than100 lives and resulted in billions of dollars in estimated property losses. Hawaiian Electric's stock fell 6% in extended trading on news of the lawsuit. Maui County's attorneys said Hawaiian Electric inexcusably left its powerlines energized despite a warning from the National Weather Service that high winds from Hurricane Dora and drought conditions created a high fire risk. The wildfires reduced the historic town of Lahaina to ruins in the deadliest blazes in the U.S. in more than a century and the worst disaster in Hawaii state history.

Persons: County's Organizations: Hawaiian Electric, National Weather Service Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Maui County, Hurricane

☆ A United Airlines pilot on vacation in Hawaii volunteered to fly a plane from Maui to mainland US to help 300 people escape the fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A United Airlines pilot helped evacuate 300 people from Maui to the mainland US, per CBS Colorado. While on vacation, he volunteered to fly a plane that was left without a pilot. A United Airlines pilot volunteered to help about 300 people escape Maui's raging wildfires, working during his vacation to pilot a plane out, according to CBS Colorado. This was when Eckelkamp volunteered, making it clear that he was ready and available to fly, the news outlet said. Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesAccording to CBS Colorado, Eckelkamp ultimately flew the plane to the mainland US, helping some 300 people escape the fires.

Persons: Vince Eckelkamp, Kathy Eckelkamp, Eckelkamp, Justin Sullivan Organizations: United Airlines, CBS, Morning, CBS Colorado, Kahului, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Associated Press, Airlines Locations: Maui, CBS Colorado, Hawaii, Kula , Hawaii

☆ Opinion: ‘Dear Canada…’ an American firefighter’s heartfelt letter to north of the border
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Opinion Clare Frank | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

This means agencies creating the wildland-urban interface or WUI — where human settlements meet the natural environment — are not ultimately responsible for protecting it. By my fifth year in firefighting, I’d seen plenty of wildfires and structure fires, and wildfires threatening structures. As we convoyed in, a battalion chief instructed each engine company, “If it’s not savable, leapfrog to the next house. Smoke rises from the Texas Creek wildfire south of Lillooet, British Columbia, Canada, on July 9. In this banner year, some are crying for Canada to form a national fire department.

Persons: Clare Frank, Read, Cynthia Smalley, nature’s, partiers, leapfrog, Luis Ascui, they’d, ember, Smokey Bear, “, it’s, Canada’s Organizations: CNN, CNN —, Del, Getty, Australia, Service, Reuters, Twitter, Facebook Locations: California’s, United States, Pebble Beach , California, Del Monte Forest, Kinglake, Victoria, Australia, Canada, Texas, Lillooet, British Columbia, California, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France

CNN —Western Myanmar is being battered by strong winds and heavy rain after Cyclone Mocha made landfall on the Bay of Bengal coastline Sunday. Local residents check the damages after Cyclone Mocha's crashed ashore in Kyauktaw in Myanmar's Rakhine state on May 14, 2023. Two children stand under a roadside shelter to protect from rain before Cyclone Mocha hits in Sittwe, Rakhine State, on Sunday, May 14, 2023. APTropical Cyclone Mocha has intensified to the equivalent of a category 5 Atlantic hurricane. Most live in bamboo and tarpaulin shelters perched on hilly slopes that are vulnerable to strong winds, rain, and landslides.

☆ California is deluged by record rain with more storms coming
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( Kate Fishman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The parade of storms is forecast to continue, bringing even more heavy rain next week, the weather service said. Large stretches of central California received over half their normal annual rainfall since Dec. 26. [1/12] View of flooding from the rainstorm-swollen Sacramento and American Rivers, near downtown Sacramento, California, U.S. January 11, 2023. The storms have killed at least 17 people since the start of the year, California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Tuesday. Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago and Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Hurricane Ian in the Gulf of Mexico on Sept. 27, 2022. Share this -Link copiedHurricane Ian over Cuba on Tuesday morning Hurricane Ian over Cuba, on Tuesday. Share this -Link copiedIan expected to strengthen later Tuesday morning Hurricane Ian is expected to strengthen later Tuesday morning, officials said. Share this -Link copiedStorm clouds over St. Petersburg, Florida Storm clouds are seen as Hurricane Ian approaches in St. Petersburg, Florida on Monday. Ricardo Arduengo / AFP - Getty Images Share this -Link copiedHurricane Ian as it barrelled towards Cuba Hurricane Ian growing stronger as it barrelled toward Cuba on Monday.

☆ Hurricane Ian roars ashore in southwest Florida, bringing destructive floods and wind
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Ashley Capoot | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The National Weather Service has also issued the highest-possible wind warning for several regions in Florida in anticipation of extreme wind damage from the storm. Hurricane Ian approaches west coast of Florida on Sept. 28th, 2022. A sail boat is beached at Sarasota Bay as Hurricane Ian approaches on September 28, 2022 in Sarasota, Florida. President Joe Biden told Florida residents Wednesday he would support them through the storm "every step of the way." Utility trucks are staged in a rural lot in The Villages of Sumter County, Fla., Wednesday morning, Sept. 28, 2022, in preparation for Hurricane Ian.

☆ Canada girds for long haul after historic storm Fiona ravages east coast
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( John Morris | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Waves roll in near a damaged house built close to the shore as Hurricane Fiona, later downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, passes the Atlantic settlement of Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada September 24, 2022. The historic storm slammed into eastern Canada with hurricane-force winds, forcing evacuations, uprooting trees and powerlines, and reducing many homes to "just a pile of rubble." read moreThe Canadian Hurricane Centre estimated that Fiona was the lowest pressured land falling storm on record in Canada. Several university students lined up for food outside convenience stores powered by generators due to the power outage caused by Fiona. "So this is exactly the kind of work that will accompany provincial authorities in the coming weeks and months," he added.

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