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☆ How One Reaction to a Mural Tore a New England Town Apart
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Jenna Russell | John Tully | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Few were present at the select board meeting in Littleton, N.H., last August when Carrie Gendreau, one of its members, began to talk about a mural that had recently been painted on the side of a building downtown. Its subject matter — a blooming iris, dandelions, birch trees — did not seem controversial. But for Ms. Gendreau, 62, who was also a state senator representing northern New Hampshire, the mural had set off alarms. She was certain there were subversive messages in its imagery, planted there by the nonprofit group that had planned and paid for it. The group was North Country Pride, founded four years ago to build more visible support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the rural region.

Persons: Carrie Gendreau, Gendreau Organizations: North Country Pride Locations: Littleton, N.H, New Hampshire

☆ How a Pandemic Boom Led to a ‘Property Tax Mess’ in Colorado
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( David W. Chen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Then this year, Ms. Gamble, a retired X-ray technician, faced a 20 percent spike in her property tax bill. With no other way to pay it, she began to empty her home of 34 years in the Denver suburb of Littleton, one memento at a time. “Every knickknack I have, everything I don’t use, I’m selling,” said Ms. Gamble, 84, who has asked officials in neighboring Douglas County about applying for subsidized housing. I think I need to use two credit cards to do it. And I’m going to have to pay interest on those.”

Persons: Marleen Gamble, Gamble, ” Organizations: Social Security Locations: Denver, Littleton, Douglas County

Minnesota, which had the most organized effort outside of Michigan, saw 1 in 5 Democratic voters mark the “uncommitted” option, a higher percentage than the 13% who voted uncommitted in Michigan. Supporters of the protest argue anger over the war could endanger Biden’s chances in swing states like Michigan against former President Donald Trump in their likely rematch. As Biden’s supporters are quick to point out, the “uncommitted” vote isn't a historical anomaly. Biden has won every state's primary contest so far and is on track to clinch the nomination this month. Minnesota voter Sarah Alfaham voted in the state's Democratic primary — as she has for many years — but opted to mark “uncommitted” on her ballot.

Persons: Joe Biden's, “, Donald Trump, Biden’s, Trump, Biden, Waleed Shahid, Lauren Hitt, ”, He’s, Hitt, Barack Obama’s, Ro Khanna, Shahid, Khanna, uncommitted, Sarah Alfaham, “ Joe Biden, Alfaham, Marcus Casillas, “ uncommitted, they've, they’ve, Asma Nizami, Minnesota's, Jesse Bedayn, Mark Vancleave Organizations: Biden, Democratic, Tuesday, Michigan, United Food, Commercial Workers, Washington, State, Associated Press Locations: LANSING, Mich, Israel, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin's, Gaza, California, U.S, Colorado's, Washington, Littleton , Colorado, Bloomington , Minnesota

☆ When the ‘tradwife’ lifestyle leads to divorce
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Taylor Nicioli | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Enitza Templeton of Littleton, Colorado, embodied the tradwife lifestyle for 10 years. Like any relationship, the tradwife arrangement does not always make for a happy couple with no family issues. How to live a happy ‘tradwife’ lifestyleAlexia Delarosa currently lives the traditional wife lifestyle. Delarosa currently and happily embodies the traditional lifestyle — her husband works, while she stays home with the kids. Since then, Templeton has made several videos answering questions about the tradwife life and how she left it, while her podcast focuses on advice for single mothers.

Persons: Enitza Templeton, “, ” Templeton, ”, Templeton, Tradwife influencers, Christine Borzumato, “ It’s, Suzanne Degges, White, I’m, … You’re, Gainey, —, Kelly Campbell, Campbell, influencers, Alexia Delarosa, Delarosa, ” Delarosa, that’s Organizations: CNN, Sporting, Elon University, Northern, Northern Illinois University’s, California State University, TikTok Locations: Littleton , Colorado, North Carolina, Northern Illinois, DeKalb , Illinois, San Bernardino

☆ My childhood best friend and I lost touch, but we ended up at the same college. We're now making up for lost time.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Maddie Browning | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

From that moment on, we became childhood best friends, and now we are trying to rekindle that friendship in college. We loved to be in the spotlight, dancing ballet in "The Nutcracker" every year — making sure we knew all the parts. We were navigating the end of middle and beginning of high school without each other — a pivotal moment of development, and our lives didn't align. We are now getting a second chance at friendshipI graduated from high school during the start of the pandemic in 2020 when Rebecca was still a junior. Rebecca moved to California with her parents after high school.

Persons: I've, Rebecca, It's Organizations: Service, Cottonwood Preschool, Emerson College, Emerson, Boylston, AMC, Boston Ballet Locations: Littleton , Colorado, California

The body and cremains were found on Feb. 6 by someone who was cleaning out the house after Harford was evicted, police said. The body of a 63-year-old woman was found in a hearse on the property. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesThe other cremains found on the property appear to have been professionally cremated, officials said. Investigators are checking labels on the cremains and state databases in an effort to return the cremains to their families. The owners of the Return to Nature Funeral Home — Jon and Carie Hallford, face hundreds of felony charges.

Persons: Miles Harford, Harford, Jon, Carie Organizations: DENVER, Denver, Medical Locations: Denver, Littleton, Penrose , Colorado, Colorado

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst//File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLITTLETON, Colorado, Dec 5 (Reuters) - U.S. electricity generation from wind power is on course to surpass coal-fired electricity generation, potentially by 2026, as wind supply growth expands at a record pace just as coal-fired generation is cut across the country. U.S. wind power generation on track to surpass coal-fired generationBut with wind power generation rapidly rising in most regions while utilities steadily cut coal capacity, wind output is on track to eventually overtake coal output within the U.S. electricity generation mix, which will mark a significant milestone in U.S. energy transition efforts. In 2015 - before U.S. power producers accelerated renewable power development - coal-fired electricity generation was nearly 700% greater than electricity output from U.S. wind farms. PEAKS AND TROUGHSU.S. wind generation already briefly surpassed total coal-fired power output in April this year, when wind electricity generation totalled 42.85 terawatt hours compared to the 39.8 TWh generated by coal plants, according to Ember. That means that within the current decade U.S. wind power will be able to surpass coal-fired power in the electricity generation mix, and help accomplish a major U.S. energy transition target.

Persons: Jonathan Ernst, Gavin Maguire, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Institute for Energy Economics, U.S, P Global, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Iowa, Latimer , Iowa, U.S, LITTLETON , Colorado, United States

☆ Europe's clean energy boom cuts forward prices to pre-Ukraine invasion levels
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreLITTLETON, Colorado, Dec 1 (Reuters) - A boom in clean power electricity generation has helped push Europe's forward power prices to their lowest levels since before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 severed natural gas pipeline flows and sent the region's power prices surging. CLEAN POWER CONVICTIONA major driver behind the subdued power price outlook has been the sharp rise in clean power capacity development across Europe in recent years, and widespread confidence that much further clean power development will emerge in the years ahead. EXTENDED LEADEurope's clean power share ranks second behind Latin America (65%) among major regions, and sharply exceeds the clean power share in North America (47%), Asia (33%) and Africa (25%). Clean power supply expansions are planned throughout every region, but strong government and societal support for an accelerated energy transition means Europe will likely be the largest clean power developer outside China for the remainder of this decade, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). If those expected clean power expansions materialise, Europe's power prices may decline further and could help the region fulfil its ambitions of becoming a major clean energy hub to rival China.

Persons: Gavin Maguire, Miral Organizations: America, International Energy Agency, European Union, South East, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Cestas, France, Europe, LITTLETON , Colorado, Ukraine, Germany, North America, Asia, Africa, China, United States, Saharan Africa, South, South East Asia

LITTLETON, Colorado, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Over 60% of global electricity generated so far in 2023 was produced by fossil fuels, despite the ongoing aggressive roll-out of renewable energy sources in every major economy. Fossil fuels remain the primary source of global electricity despite steep gains in clean power outputBut with the energy systems of so many influential countries still so dependent on fossil fuels, there is little chance that COP28 meetings will yield the kind of bold power sector overhauls that ardent climate activists may hope for. Global electricity generation by sourceCoal's staying power as the main pillar of the global electricity generation system is at odds with widely held assumptions that coal is being phased out of power systems due to plant closures seen in Western economies in recent years. GAS ON THE UPNatural gas has the second largest share of electricity generation globally, accounting for around 22.6% of total generation so far this year. RENEWABLE REPLACEMENTSWorldwide, electricity generation from renewable sources has grown at nearly triple the pace of fossil fuels since 2019, providing a boost to supporters of the energy transition away from fossil fuels.

Persons: Gavin Maguire, Christopher Cushing Organizations: United Nations, Global, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, United States, China, India, Japan, Poland, Turkey, Dubai, Europe, North America, Asia, Indonesia, Philippines, Germany, South Korea

☆ Jared Fogle, former face of Subway and admitted child abuser, is scheduled to be released from prison a year early
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Haven Orecchio-Egresitz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Jared Fogle was once the face of Subway sandwiches. In 2015, Fogle was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for having sex with minors. AdvertisementFor the last eight years, Jared Fogle, once the face of Subway sandwiches, has been living on an even blander diet at a federal prison mess hall. AdvertisementThe BOP declined to comment on Fogle's release date, per security policy, and it is unclear when his release was scheduled. An attorney for Fogle could not immediately be identified, as he represented himself in his last federal court matter.

Persons: Jared Fogle, Fogle, —, Fogle's, Kathleen McLaughlin, AP Fogle Organizations: Service, FCI, Business, Subway, FBI, AP, of, of Prisons Locations: FCI Englewood, Colorado, Indiana, Littleton , Colorado

☆ Tougher EU methane rules mean US gas sector must clean up act -Maguire
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Snow covered transfer lines are seen at the Dominion Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in Lusby, Maryland March 18, 2014. Methane is the primary component of natural gas, and is a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide in terms of climate-warming potential over the near term, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, a U.S.-based nonprofit. However, in terms of methane intensity, or a measure of how much methane is emitted in the production of oil and gas, the United States ranks 10th, emitting 8.18 tonnes of methane per kiloton of oil energy equivalent (ktoe). That U.S. intensity rating compares favourably to Venezuela's 53.35 tonnes of methane per ktoe, and is 42% less than Russia's 14 tonnes of methane per ktoe. What's more, it is unclear where EU lawmakers will draw the line in terms of what methane intensity levels are acceptable, and if they plan to adjust thresholds over time.

Persons: Snow, Gary Cameron, Gavin Maguire, Christopher Cushing Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, Natural Resources Defense Council, . Energy Information Administration, U.S, LNG, Russia, International Energy, United States, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Lusby , Maryland, LITTLETON , Colorado, United States, U.S, Europe, Russia, Ukraine, States, Canada, Saudi Arabia

☆ Europe primed for industrial reboot after key power price deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

LITTLETON, Colorado, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Mainland Europe's two largest economies have reached key power price deals this month that should set the stage for increased power consumption by industry from 2024 onwards. Higher power and industrial output will in turn likely generate higher total emissions, even amid ongoing efforts to deploy more clean energy throughout Europe's power systems. Both power deals aim to reduce costs and boost energy supplies to households and businesses next year, and will likely spur a rise in total power consumption across Europe following a rare contraction in Europe's power use so far in 2023. Power output from fossil fuels also dropped by around 10% through October, while power generation from clean sources rose by 3.6% to result in a 2.4% decline in Europe's total power generation through the first 10 months of the year. Europe's power generation and power sector emissions dip in 2023Europe's power emissions look set to rebound in 2024 if overall power output increases, as more generation from power plants fuelled by natural gas and coal will be needed alongside greater generation from renewable sources to ensure higher stable power supplies to consumers.

Persons: Gavin Maguire, Stephen Coates Organizations: EDF, FOCUS, Eurasia Group, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Germany, Ukraine, Europe, France, Eurasia

Margaret Newcomb, 69, a retired French teacher, is desperately trying to protect her retirement savings by caring for her 82-year-old husband, who has severe dementia, at home in Seattle. She used to fear his disease-induced paranoia, but now he’s so frail and confused that he wanders away with no idea of how to find his way home. He gets lost so often that she attaches a tag to his shoelace with her phone number. They ran up $15,000 in medical and credit card debt while she took on the role of caretaker. “I had to do it.”Millions of families are facing such daunting life choices — and potential financial ruin — as the escalating costs of in-home care, assisted-living facilities and nursing homes devour the savings and incomes of older Americans and their relatives.

Persons: Margaret Newcomb, Feylyn Lewis, Sheila Littleton, ”, “ Locations: French, Seattle, England, Nashville, Houston

LOS ANGELES (AP) — John Bailey, a cinematographer who led the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences during the initial #MeToo reckoning, died Friday at 81. Bailey died “peacefully in his sleep” in Los Angeles, his wife, Carol Littleton, said in a statement distributed by the film academy. The moves sparked immediate backlash, including fears that the new category would relegate hits like that year's “Black Panther” out of contention for the best film award. A month later, the “outstanding achievement in popular film” award had been tabled. Bailey is survived by Littleton, a former Academy governor and film editor who was nominated for an Oscar for “E.T.

Persons: — John Bailey, Bailey, “, Carol Littleton, Bailey —, ”, —, Weinstein, ” Bailey, Bailey's, CEO Dawn Hudson, Oscar Organizations: ANGELES, Academy of Motion Picture Arts, Sciences, Academy, Governors, CEO, Associated Press, Hollywood Locations: Los Angeles, Littleton

For the first time, Indonesia accounted for more than 50% of global thermal coal exports during the January to October window, data from Kpler shows, indicating its success in wresting share from rival exporters. Indonesia coal exports by destinationIndia was the second largest buyer of Indonesian coal, grabbing a roughly 20% share of the total (82 million tons). Indonesia vs Australia thermal coal pricesThat compares to an average $184 per ton for the roughly 6,200 kcal/kg coal shipped from Newcastle in Australia. Indonesia coal export price vs Indonesia coal exports to ChinaThe price to ship a ton of coal from Indonesia to China is currently around $8-$10, compared to $14-$15 a ton for the Australia to China voyage, according to Shanghai Shipping Exchange data. And that means Indonesia's full-year coal exports will smash previous records for 2023 as a whole.

Persons: Gavin Maguire, Tom Hogue Organizations: Russia, TOP, China, Australia, Indonesia, Shanghai Shipping Exchange, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Cilegon, West Java, Indonesia, LITTLETON , Colorado, South Africa, Colombia, United States, Hong Kong, India, Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Australia, LSEG, Newcastle, Mozambique, Russia, Indonesian, Asia

WIDESPREAD IMPACTAny shortfall in France's total power generation will have Europe-wide repercussions due to the scale of France's clean power supplies. Even with the rapid advances in clean power generation throughout most major European economies in recent years, France still accounts for over 25% of total clean power generation in the European Union, data from think tank Ember shows. The latest forecast for wind generation in Germany, Europe's largest wind power producer, calls for wind power generation to be 2.1% above the long-term average from November 2023 through to the end of February 2024, data from LSEG shows. Any drop in regional wind power output would also affect regional power flows by raising demand for imports into countries that may see a dip in local wind generation. In recent months, France's rising output of nuclear power has facilitated higher power market exports to neighbouring nations, including the United Kingdom and Italy.

Persons: Yves Herman Acquire, Gavin Maguire, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: EDF, REUTERS, Jan, European Union, Reuters, Thomson Locations: France, Cattenom, LITTLETON , Colorado, Russia, Ukraine, LSEG, Europe, EU, Germany, Europe's, United Kingdom, Italy

☆ NASA’s Lucy mission will closely fly by the asteroid Dinkinesh
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The NASA Lucy mission is about to have its first encounter with a space rock. The spacecraft, launched in October 2021, will fly by the small asteroid Dinkinesh on Wednesday. Dinkinesh is about half a mile (1 kilometer) wide and is situated in the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Each of the asteroids Lucy will fly by differ in size and color. These are some of the asteroids that the Lucy mission will fly by over the next 12 years.

Persons: NASA Lucy, Lucy, ”, Hal Levison, Dinkinesh, REx — Lucy, Mark Effertz, Amy Mainzer, — Organizations: CNN, NASA, Lincoln, Asteroid Research, US Air Force, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Southwest Research Institute, Dinkinesh, JPL, Caltech, Lockheed Martin, University of Arizona, Trojans Locations: LINEAR, San Antonio, Jupiter, Littleton , Colorado, Ethiopia

The uneven nature of economic activity in turn makes it a challenge to assess the likely toll on emissions in the world's largest polluter. RIPPLE EFFECTIn addition to retail sales and factory output data, statistics on China's air travel volumes also offer a gauge on broader economic activity and emissions potential. In turn, greater emissions from both the airlines themselves as well as from China's world-leading refining sector can also be expected. China’s exports of an array of goods – from toys to diesel – are risingThe pace of some of those exports may slow over the near term if China's domestic demand improves and helps tighten producer inventories. But if greater output in China helps to depress goods prices, then international consumer demand can be expected to recover, which may further boost China's economic recovery, as well as the emissions that go with it.

Persons: Thomas Peter, Gavin Maguire, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, National Energy Administration, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Wu'an, Hebei province, China, LITTLETON , Colorado, Beijing

SPREAD TOO THINA major drawback for potential green hydrogen users is that there has been too little of the stuff available to allow for much real world testing. Yet these train systems have occupied the time and attention of hydrogen system developers that may have been better spent elsewhere. And as heat pumps have been making rapid inroads into home heating markets across Europe and elsewhere in recent years - at a fraction of the cost of a potential hydrogen set up - it is clear that household hydrogen applications will remain scarce. LADDERING UPThe most promising areas for potential hydrogen use have been highlighted by industry analyst Michael Liebreich in his so-called Hydrogen Ladder. Rather than attempt to deploy hydrogen against lower-cost options in homes and transport systems, Liebreich suggests that the hydrogen industry pursue demand opportunities in helping heavy industry to decarbonise.

Persons: Michael Liebreich, Gavin Maguire, Stephen Coates Organizations: International Energy Agency, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Germany, Europe

A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker is tugged towards a thermal power station in Futtsu, east of Tokyo, Japan November 13, 2017. GAS HEAVY GENERATIONThe main driver of Thailand's LNG imports - which have jumped by 127% since 2019 - is its gas-heavy electricity generation system. Since 2015, natural gas capacity expansions have accounted for 72% of Thailand's total increases in electricity generation capacity, Ember data shows. TRACKING PROGRESSA key solace for transition advocates is that the development of new electricity generation capacity may be more important than historical capacity development trends. For the near term, however, the strong growth pace of Thailand's LNG imports suggests fossil fuels have most of the expansion momentum in Thailand's energy system.

Persons: Issei Kato, Ember, Gavin Maguire, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Energy Institute, Singapore Coal, LNG, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Futtsu, Tokyo, Japan, LITTLETON , Colorado, Thailand, LNG, Qatar, Australia, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Asia, Indonesia, Gulf, Vietnam, South East Asia

Gas accounted for around 51% of Italy's total electricity generation in 2022, making the country the most gas-reliant among Europe's largest economies, data from Ember shows. INDUSTRIAL BASEKey to natural gas' staying power in Italy's generation mix is the country's high level of industrial energy demand. However, Italy's power costs have climbed sharply since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 cut natural gas supplies to Western Europe and sent regional power costs soaring. This week's ENI deal offers additional protection for consumers by further reducing Italy's reliance on Russia for natural gas supplies, even as it cements Qatar's position as Italy's top LNG supplier. Higher gas supplies may also help reduce overall power costs, and in turn should help boost the competitiveness of Italy-based businesses relative to regional rivals.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Gavin Maguire, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: REUTERS, Italy's ENI SpA, Gas, Energy Institute, United States, Department of Commerce, LSEG, ENI, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, QatarEnergy, Southern, Italy, Europe Italy, Europe, United, Ukraine, Western Europe, Germany, Russia, United States, Algeria, Qatar

The International Energy Agency (IEA) report published this week revealed that a growing volume of renewable energy generation is being stalled as developers wait for projects to be connected to national electricity grids. Since the report's release on Monday, share prices of companies engaged in building electric grids, or with products and services tied to grid modernisation, have outperformed firms that are focused on renewable energy generation. The share prices of certain firms that hold these particular skill or product sets have seen signs of heightened buying interest this week since the IEA report was published, indicating that some investors may be already placing bets that grid specialist firms may be primed for growth going forward. Germany's E.ON (EONGn.DE), which has a major energy networks division, is up roughly 17% this year, LSEG data shows. Firms that develop smart meters and other grid management tools are also expected to see growth in demand for their services by power companies.

Persons: Lisi Niesner, Gavin Maguire, Muralikumar Organizations: REUTERS, International Energy Agency, IEA, FOCUS, Mastec Inc, U.S, Fluor Corp, Eaton Corporation, E.ON, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Weselitz, Germany, LITTLETON , Colorado, U.S, Ireland

☆ Clean energy fans should not expect too much from pro-EU Poland
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Indeed, the pace of Poland's clean energy supply growth may more often undershoot expectations than exceed them over the near term, even with a significant swing in political power. POWER SYSTEM CHANGES ALREADY UNDERWAYA major reason for climate trackers to expect only modest shifts in clean energy policies and momentum going forward is that Poland's energy system has already substantially cleaned up its electricity generation mix in recent years. Between 2018 and 2022, Poland's electricity producers boosted clean electricity supply capacity by over 150% so that clean sources now account for roughly 40% of total electricity capacity, up from 20% in 2018, data from think tank Ember shows. BACKLOGS BREWINGEmerging problems linking new clean generation assets with Poland's electric grid are a key reason why clean power growth may slow going forward. Pushing power costs lower may even trump plans to further clean up the power generation system, which may only add to power generation costs over the near term despite resulting in lower emissions in the long run.

Persons: Donald Tusk, Donald Tusk's, Gavin Maguire, Sonali Paul Organizations: European Union Civic Coalition, European, Poland's Institute, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, Poland, Germany, Ukraine, Europe, LSEG, Western Europe

A pipe for transporting carbon dioxide to removal equipment is shown at the Tomakomai carbon, capture and storage (CCS) test site in Tomakomai, Hokkaido prefecture, Japan March 22, 2018. Japan aims to cut total carbon emissions by 46% by 2030 from 2013 levels, and has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050. In Japan, those difficulties are made worse by the already-strained state of the national power system due to the sharp drop in nuclear power generation since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Over the longer term, Japan is also targeting increases in wind power generation, especially from offshore sites. Electric vehicle sales are accelerating in Japan, but remain a tiny proportion of Japan's total car fleetHowever, EVs represented just 3% of total car sales last year, and account for less than 1% of Japan's total car stock.

Persons: Aaron Sheldrick, EVs, Gavin Maguire, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, Energy Institute, Japan, International Energy Agency, IEA, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Tomakomai, Hokkaido prefecture, Japan, LITTLETON , Colorado, India, China, United States, Europe

Brazil boosted clean electricity generation capacity by more than 35% from 2017 to 2022Solar power accounted for 6.8% of Brazil's electricity generation in 2023, up from about 4.2% in 2022, according to Ember. But overall power generation in key European economies such as Germany remains well below peaks seen around 2018-19, as power generators face shortages of key power fuels such as natural gas in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In turn, restricted power output has kept energy costs elevated above long-term averages, which curbed consumption from energy-intensive industries and hobbled overall economic growth. The fact that Brazil's power sector has managed to overcome those challenges to create a world-leading clean power sector may offer counterparts in other regions clues on how to maintain growth rates. Brazil's new position as the cleanest major power sector may also help challenge assumptions that clean power expertise is concentrated in wealthier economies, and may widen the perspective of power sector developers who are trying to map out energy system expansion plans over coming years.

Persons: Sao Jose da Barra, Paulo Whitaker, Ember, Gavin Maguire, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, HYDRO, National Electric Energy Agency, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Furnas, Sao Jose, Minas Gerais, Central Brazil, BRAZIL, LITTLETON , Colorado, Brazil, France, Argentina, America, Europe, Germany, Ukraine, Asia

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