News Feeds | ecology.iww.org (2024)

Fossil Free - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 13:50

It’s not everyday that we get to bring you a triple dose of good news.

After tireless campaigning from organisations, including 350.org,the UK has left the dangerous Energy Charter Treaty.We’ve also seenrich nations resolve their disputes and appoint representatives to a crucial climate fund.Finally, Probitas, a major insurance company, hasrefused to insure two major fossil fuel projects, one of which is the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.

Wins happen because of people who keep taking action, always speaking truth to power. These victories are not just wins; they are beacons of hope for our planet.

Picture this: after a relentless push from climate warriors nationwide,the UK has made the bold move to ditch the troublesome Energy Charter Treaty. This treaty was like a golden ticket for big fossil fuel companies to throw lawsuits at countries that dared to stand-up to them to tackle climate change. But not anymore! With the UK out of the picture, it’s like we’ve closed a door that once led to a maze of legal battles, giving our planet a breather from corporate bullying.

Now, onto the second triumph –a tale of rich nations stuck in bureaucratic bickering while the clock ticked for our climate. There was this crucial fund waiting to be unleashed for countries struggling with climate impacts, but the rich kids couldn’t agree on who gets a seat at the boardroom table.Outrageous, right?So, we launched a thunderous petition,rallying over 20,000 to demand they stop squabbling and get down to business. And guess what?They listened!Now the fund can get on with ensuring money gets to the countries experiencing the devastation of climate impacts.

These victories aren’t just about paperwork or legal jargon; they’re about people coming together, raising voices, and creating ripples of change that turn into tidal waves of progress toward transformative climate justice.

In a final win for our planet,Probitas 1492, a major insurance player in London, has officially declared that they willnot be providing insurance for two massive fossil fuel projects: the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the West Cumbria Coal Mine.

This groundbreaking decision comes hot on the heels of a peaceful sit-in at Probitas’ lobby orchestrated by Christian Climate Action (CCA) and a daring act of protest where the office was splattered with red paint by a fearless group called “Stop the System.”

The pressure from Insure Our Future Global Week of Action played a pivotal role in securing this victory.It’s a testament to the power of collective action and a reminder that every voice and every action counts in our fight to protect the planet.

Could you tell a friend or two about these victories?

Share on Facebook

Share X/Twitter

Share on Whatsapp

Let’s celebrate now and gear up for the next challenge on our journey towards a sustainable and thriving world for all.

The post 3 victories appeared first on 350.

Categories: J2. Fossil Fuel Industry

Fossil Free - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 13:50

It’s not everyday that we get to bring you a triple dose of good news.

After tireless campaigning from organisations, including 350.org,the UK has left the dangerous Energy Charter Treaty.We’ve also seenrich nations resolve their disputes and appoint representatives to a crucial climate fund.Finally, Probitas, a major insurance company, hasrefused to insure two major fossil fuel projects, one of which is the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.

Wins happen because of people who keep taking action, always speaking truth to power. These victories are not just wins; they are beacons of hope for our planet.

Picture this: after a relentless push from climate warriors nationwide,the UK has made the bold move to ditch the troublesome Energy Charter Treaty. This treaty was like a golden ticket for big fossil fuel companies to throw lawsuits at countries that dared to stand-up to them to tackle climate change. But not anymore! With the UK out of the picture, it’s like we’ve closed a door that once led to a maze of legal battles, giving our planet a breather from corporate bullying.

Now, onto the second triumph –a tale of rich nations stuck in bureaucratic bickering while the clock ticked for our climate. There was this crucial fund waiting to be unleashed for countries struggling with climate impacts, but the rich kids couldn’t agree on who gets a seat at the boardroom table.Outrageous, right?So, we launched a thunderous petition,rallying over 20,000 to demand they stop squabbling and get down to business. And guess what?They listened!Now the fund can get on with ensuring money gets to the countries experiencing the devastation of climate impacts.

These victories aren’t just about paperwork or legal jargon; they’re about people coming together, raising voices, and creating ripples of change that turn into tidal waves of progress toward transformative climate justice.

In a final win for our planet,Probitas 1492, a major insurance player in London, has officially declared that they willnot be providing insurance for two massive fossil fuel projects: the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the West Cumbria Coal Mine.

This groundbreaking decision comes hot on the heels of a peaceful sit-in at Probitas’ lobby orchestrated by Christian Climate Action (CCA) and a daring act of protest where the office was splattered with red paint by a fearless group called “Stop the System.”

The pressure from Insure Our Future Global Week of Action played a pivotal role in securing this victory.It’s a testament to the power of collective action and a reminder that every voice and every action counts in our fight to protect the planet.

Could you tell a friend or two about these victories?

Share on Facebook

Share X/Twitter

Share on Whatsapp

Let’s celebrate now and gear up for the next challenge on our journey towards a sustainable and thriving world for all.

The post 3 victories appeared first on 350.

Categories: J2. Fossil Fuel Industry

Fossil Free - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 13:50

It’s not everyday that we get to bring you a triple dose of good news.

After tireless campaigning from organisations, including 350.org,the UK has left the dangerous Energy Charter Treaty.We’ve also seenrich nations resolve their disputes and appoint representatives to a crucial climate fund.Finally, Probitas, a major insurance company, hasrefused to insure two major fossil fuel projects, one of which is the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.

Wins happen because of people who keep taking action, always speaking truth to power. These victories are not just wins; they are beacons of hope for our planet.

Picture this: after a relentless push from climate warriors nationwide,the UK has made the bold move to ditch the troublesome Energy Charter Treaty. This treaty was like a golden ticket for big fossil fuel companies to throw lawsuits at countries that dared to stand-up to them to tackle climate change. But not anymore! With the UK out of the picture, it’s like we’ve closed a door that once led to a maze of legal battles, giving our planet a breather from corporate bullying.

Now, onto the second triumph –a tale of rich nations stuck in bureaucratic bickering while the clock ticked for our climate. There was this crucial fund waiting to be unleashed for countries struggling with climate impacts, but the rich kids couldn’t agree on who gets a seat at the boardroom table.Outrageous, right?So, we launched a thunderous petition,rallying over 20,000 to demand they stop squabbling and get down to business. And guess what?They listened!Now the fund can get on with ensuring money gets to the countries experiencing the devastation of climate impacts.

These victories aren’t just about paperwork or legal jargon; they’re about people coming together, raising voices, and creating ripples of change that turn into tidal waves of progress toward transformative climate justice.

In a final win for our planet,Probitas 1492, a major insurance player in London, has officially declared that they willnot be providing insurance for two massive fossil fuel projects: the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the West Cumbria Coal Mine.

This groundbreaking decision comes hot on the heels of a peaceful sit-in at Probitas’ lobby orchestrated by Christian Climate Action (CCA) and a daring act of protest where the office was splattered with red paint by a fearless group called “Stop the System.”

The pressure from Insure Our Future Global Week of Action played a pivotal role in securing this victory.It’s a testament to the power of collective action and a reminder that every voice and every action counts in our fight to protect the planet.

Could you tell a friend or two about these victories?

Share on Facebook

Share X/Twitter

Share on Whatsapp

Let’s celebrate now and gear up for the next challenge on our journey towards a sustainable and thriving world for all.

The post 3 victories appeared first on 350.

Categories: J2. Fossil Fuel Industry

Institute for Local Self-Reliance - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 13:43

Skeptical Science - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 13:37

This story by Naveena Sadasivam and Kate Yoderwas originallypublished by Gristand is part ofCovering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story.

The long-awaited jobs board for the American Climate Corps, promised early in the Biden administration, will open next month, according to details shared exclusively with Grist.

The program is modeled after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps, launched in 1933 to help the country make it through the Great Depression. The positions with the new corps could range across a number of fields including energy-efficiency installations, disaster response preparedness, recycling, and wildfire mitigation.

The White House plans to officially launch an online platform in April. At first, only a couple of hundred jobs will be posted, but eventually up to 20,000 young people are expected to be hired in the program’s first year. Interested candidates can apply to the positions through the portal, and the majority of the positions are not expected to require experience.

“The American Climate Corps is a story of hope and possibilities,” said Maggie Thomas, a special assistant to the president for climate change. “There’s an incredible demand signal from young people who we see as being put on a pathway to good-paying careers.”

That path could include work such as installing wind and solar projects, conserving energy in homes, and restoring ecosystems, such as wetlands, to protect towns from flooding. Thomas announced a logo for the program at the Aspen Ideas climate conference in Miami on Wednesday.

The American Climate Corps has wide support, meaning that those few hundred open spots available next month might fill up quickly. Some 71 percent of votersapprove of the idea, including well over half of Republicans, according to polling Data for Progress conducted last October. And previous polling has shown that half of likely voters under 45would consider joining the program, given the chance.

“We’re absolutely confident that there are millions of young people who are interested in these programs,” said Saul Levin, the legislative and political director at the Green New Deal Network.

That demand was evident at a series of public listening sessions held by the White House earlier this year. The events were oversubscribed and ran over time with participants eager to sign up for potential jobs, Thomas said. Given the demand, President Biden promised totriple the size of the corpsin a decade at his State of the Union speech last week. His newly proposed budget calls for an $8 billion expansion of the American Climate Corps to employ an additional 50,000 corps members per year by 2031.

Still, that’s nowhere close to the dreams some progressives had for the program: Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York had hoped it would put1.5 million Americansto work addressing the climate crisis. Nor is it comparable to the original Civilian Conservation Corps, which hired 3 million men to plant billions of trees, fight forest fires, prevent erosion, and build trails you can still hike at national parks today.

“We’ll say this again and again — hundreds [of positions] is not enough,” Levin said. “We’re talking about a country on fire. We’re talking about people not being able to breathe the air outside. So the scale needs to be dramatically ramped up.” He sees the president’s call for billions in funding for the program as a signal that the administration is committed to expanding it.

The current version of the American Climate Corps is in many ways a compromise of Biden’s initial plans to revive that program and update it for the problems of the 21st century. The corps was initially funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, the landmark climate bill Biden signed in 2021. But that funding was stripped from the bill before passage. As a result, funding for the American Climate Corps had to be cobbled together from existing funding from seven agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Interior.

One source of funding for these positions is the$2 billion in environmental justice community grantsallotted to the EPA in November. The EPA grants could potentiallybe used by a grassroots community organizationthat, say, is deploying air monitors in neighborhoods, Thomas said. The group could apply for funding from the EPA and then use the money to hire a small team of people through the American Climate Corps website.

“We’ve been trying to think creatively about the sources of funds that we are bringing to the table to ensure that we’re building justice and equity into the fabric of the American Climate Corps,” Thomas said.

Whether Congress approves Biden’s request for $8 billion to expand the corps is very much up in the air, but Thomas hopes that the rollout of the program in the coming months will make its popularity clear.

“Once you see the impact of what the American Climate Corps will be in communities across the country, it’s going to be really hard for members of Congress to deny the incredible opportunity that exists with a program like this,” she said.

Categories: I. Climate Science

Montana Environmental Information Center - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 13:16

By Mark Moran, Public News Service The Bureau of Land Management has proposed expanding the public land available for solar power production in 11 states, including Montana. The BLM’s Western Solar Plan builds on a version first released in 2012 and focuses on harnessing the potential in Western and Plains states most amenable to solar …

The post Montana land proposed for solar power appeared first on Montana Environmental Information Center - MEIC.

Categories: G2. Local Greens

The Nature of Cities - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 13:15

Background to the Sustainable Financing Gap Globally, challenges in making our cities resilient are multi-dimensional and are on the rise. According to the 2023 Sustainable Development Goals Report, over half of the global population currently resides in urban areas, a rate projected to reach 70% by 2050. Approximately 1.1 billion people currently live in slums … Continue reading Environmental, Social, and Governance Investing for Inclusive Cities →

The post Environmental, Social, and Governance Investing for Inclusive Cities appeared first on The Nature of Cities.

Categories: B5. Resilience, Third Nature, and Transition

Mining.Com - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 13:12

What the market interpreted to be an exploration miss for Volcanic Gold Mines (TSXV: VG) at the Mila discovery on the Motagua Norte project in Guatemala turned out to help zero in on the actual gold source, says president and CEO Simon Ridgway.

This adjustment in the geological understanding pointed the team towards more targeted drilling locations and refined their exploration strategy.

“I was very excited by the fact that we’ve missed in the first few holes because it led me to where the gold’s coming from,” he told The Northern Miner’s western editor, Henry Lazenby, this month during the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s convention in Toronto.

The company plans to focus on the Motagua Norte and nearby Holly properties this year, aiming to expand their exploration activities along the prospective Veta Madre Fault zone.

Watch the full video below.

Categories: J2. Fossil Fuel Industry

Western Environmental Law Center - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 13:12

In response to the Biden administration releasing its final U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) methane waste rule, the Western Environmental Law Center, Environmental Defense Fund, The Wilderness Society, Earthjustice, and Western Organization of Resource Councils released the following statements today.

The final rules released today take steps to reduce waste from routine venting and flaring of gas at well sites.

According to the Biden administration, oil and gas operators vented or flared approximately 150 billion cubic feet of methane in 2019 — or about $400 million of natural gas on federal and Tribal lands. That is enough natural gas to meet the needs of 2.1 million households, which is nearly as many households as in the states of New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming combined. If that gas were captured, it could generate tens of millions of dollars in revenue for states and tribes to fund education, infrastructure, and health services.

“Eliminating waste from routine venting and flaring of associated gas conserves domestic energy resources, ensures taxpayers benefit from the development of publicly-owned minerals, lessens oil and gas production’s negative impact on the climate, and protects the health of frontline communities,” said Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, executive director of the Western Environmental Law Center. “The health risks increase the closer people live, work, and go to school near oil and gas facilities – it’s crucial federal agencies move forward on strong implementation and enforcement of these new rules.”

“Strong Interior Department methane waste rules are integral for the United States to protect taxpayers from wasted energy resources,” said Jon Goldstein, Senior Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, EDF. “Taking action to limit methane waste on public lands offers a win-win-win for taxpayers, producers and communities harmed by this waste and associated pollution.”

The waste of natural gas through venting and flaring on federal and Tribal lands has been a persistent problem for decades.

“Methane from oil and gas development on public lands harms communities, invaluable natural resources, and the climate,” said Ben Tettlebaum, Director and Senior Staff Attorney at The Wilderness Society. “This rule takes steps to reduce methane waste from venting and flaring, which not only makes good economic sense, but also has conservation and climate benefits.”

“When oil and gas operators leak, vent or flare methane, taxpayers and communities suffer,” said Robin Cooley, Deputy Managing Attorney, Rocky Mountain Office, Earthjustice. “BLM has a critical role to play in reducing oil and gas waste. Along with EPA’s new rules to control methane pollution, it is vital for these federal agencies to swiftly implement and enforce rules to protect all Americans.”

Venting and flaring emit not only methane but also harmful pollutants including ozone- or smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous pollutants that have serious public health impacts on communities living in basins with oil and gas production or in proximity to federally-owned or Tribal minerals.

The impact of wasted methane extends beyond economic concerns. Tribal communities in North Dakota are particularly affected by methane waste, suffering not just from economic harm but disproportionate health impacts from venting and flaring. Representative Lisa Finley-DeVille (ND4a) co-founder and VP of Fort Berthold POWER, Western Organization of Resource Councils member and Dakota Resource Council board member said. “The BLM waste rule addresses the royalties lost from unfettered oil and gas production, but for my community on Fort Berthold Reservation, the fact that routine venting and flaring from existing and new wells is not eliminated means the continued waste of tribal resources. Not only do we lose out on revenue through royalties and taxes but we also have to pay the higher costs of healthcare due to exposure to the wasted gas. ”

BLM has authority and a legal responsibility to eliminate the waste of public resources. Reducing methane waste protects taxpayer resources,supports local economies and has important co-benefits such as reducing climate pollution and protecting public health.

In December 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized tougher clean air standards that, for the first time, establish protective limits on methane pollution from both new and existing oil and gas sources, including efforts to limit flaring from newly drilled wells.

Contacts:

Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, Western Environmental Law Center, 575-751-0351, eriksg@westernlaw.org

Kelsey Robinson, Environmental Defense Fund, 512-591-3404, krobinson@edf.org

Kerry Leslie, The Wilderness Society, 415-398-1484, kerry_leslie@tws.org

The Western Environmental Law Center (WELC) uses the power of the law to foster thriving, resilient western U.S. lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of a changing climate. We envision a western U.S. abundant with protected and interconnected ecosystems, powered by renewable energy, and cared for by communities brought together in an ecology of kinship.

One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and activists and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund.

The Western Organization of Resource Councils (WORC) is a network of nine grassroots organizations in seven Western states with 19,935 members, many of them ranchers and farmers committed to common-sense reform in agriculture, oil and gas development, coal mine reclamation, and rural economic development. Headquartered in Billings, Mont., WORC also has an office in Washington, D.C.

Dakota Resource Council’s mission is to promote sustainable use of North Dakota’s natural resources and family-owned and operated agriculture by building member-led local groups that empower people to influence the decision-making processes that affect their lives and communities.

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. It wields the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. Earthjustice is here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

The post National conservation groups respond to BLM methane waste rule, support action to limit waste of taxpayer-owned oil, gas appeared first on Western Environmental Law Center.

Categories: G1. Progressive Green

La Jicarita - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 13:09

Editor’s Note: Antonio “Ike” DeVargas recently threw his hat in the ring for Rio Arriba County Commissioner, District 3, the seat currently held by Moises Morales. DeVargas has been in the news lately in his quest to unseat District 1 Rio Arriba County Commissioner Alex Naranjo with a recall petition for “malfeasance and misfeasance and dereliction of duty.” On March 19 Judge Marie Wood held a hearing in Santa Fe First District Court on whether the recall petition can move forward and will render a decision, hopefully in April.

Here’s what DeVargas posted on Facebook:

If elected the following is my platform goals:

1. To serve one 4 year term and then pass the torch to a younger person, preferably a woman in the mid 40s to mid 50s group in order to provide a gender balance on the board.2. To explore the feasibility of expanding the board to 5 members in order to give better representation to the citizens of Rio Arriba County. Most New Mexico Counties have 5 members.3. To make sure all County business is conducted in the open, to provide the transparency that citizens need and deserve to be properly informed.4. That all major positions ( E.G.) County Manager, are advertised so that the County can hire the most qualified person to do the job for the COUNTY.5. To review and update the arbitrary, capricious, and antiquated Rio Arriba Solid Waste Ordinance that has resulted in the terrible situation that is the North Central Solid Waste Authority.6. To review and possibly repeal other Ordinances that have been enacted without the resources to be enforced.These kind of ordinances lead to citizens disrespect for the law and eventually to the disrespect for the law makers as well.7. I pledge to host town hall community meetings in different locations in the 3rd District in order to hear voters concerns ,criticisms, and recommendations to improve County services.8. To encourage younger citizens to participate in the political arena of our County and State. They are the future!!

Categories: G2. Local Greens

DRILL OR DROP? - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 12:37

The UK’s second largest onshore oil production site has published proposals to increase its footprint by about a third and drill two new wells.

Proposed layout for production at Wressle from new wells.
Source: Planning application to North Lincolnshire Council

A planning application for the Wressle site in North Lincolnshire, published today, also seeks permission for long-term production, new processing equipment and an underground pipeline.

The site operator, Egdon Resources, has been producing oil from the Wressle-1 well since July 2022. In 2023, Wressle accounted for about 4% of UK onshore oil production, behind Wytch Farm (76%).

Egdon now wants to drill two new wells, to be called Wressle-2 (W2) and Wressle-3 (W3), to target both oil and gas from the Ashover Grit and Penistone Flags rock formations.

The company has previously estimated that the Wressle field has more than 1.7m barrels of oil and 3.78 billion standard cubic feet of gas.

The application said:

“By enabling the production of indigenous oil and gas reserves, it will help to reduce the need for imports into the UK, thereby reducing associated production and transport greenhouse gas emissions when compared to sourcing the fossil fuels from other countries.”

It said the new plans would “not result in any notable adverse environmental or amenity impacts”.

They would, it said, “deliver modest but positive long-term economic and social impacts for the local community”.

A consultation on the plans by North Lincolnshire Council continues until 25 April 2024.

Proposed plan for Wressle siteCurrent plan for Wressle siteDetails

The planning application comprises more than 40 documents, including a 64-page planning statement, by the consultancy, Aecom.

The proposals include:

• Extension of the existing site by an area of 0.67ha, increasing the current site of 1.85ha by 36%.
• Construction of three well cellars
• Back-to-back drilling of two lateral boreholes – the additional cellar may be used to drill a future water injection well
• Upgraded production facilities, including fluid storage tanks, separator system, surface pump, associated bunds
• New gas processing equipment
• 600m underground gas pipeline to link Wressle to the national gas grid

The application said it would not use high volume hydraulic fracturing.

But it does refer to a proppant squeeze, a small-scale hydraulic fracturing technique used when the flow of hydrocarbons is restricted by reduced permeability of rock formations.

Proppant squeeze is allowed under the current moratorium on fracking in England. It does require a hydraulic fracturing plan that must be approved by the Environment Agency and North Sea Transition Authority. The process was used on the Wressle-1 well.

Proposed work phasesPhase 1 site construction

Operations: develop wellsite extension with new fencing, drainage, and containment system; install three new well cellars within 10-20m of current Wressle-1 cellar.
Duration: Eight weeks
Operating hours: 7am-7pm, Monday-Saturdays
Average HGVs per day: 6
Total HGV numbers: 238
Employment: 7 on site, 4 off site

Phase 2 drilling

Operations: Drill and complete Wressle-2 (W2) and Wressle-3 (W3) wells in southerly/southwesterly directions using a 42m rig
Duration: 21 weeks, allowing for rig to be demobilised between well drilling if necessary
Operating hours: Mobilisation/demobilisation: 7am-7pm, Monday-Saturdays; drilling W2 and W3: 24 hours/7 days a week; completion of wells: 7am-7pm 7 days a week
Average HGVs per day: drilling and completion 5
Total HGV numbers: drilling and completion 536
Employment: 8 on site, 6 off site

Phase 3 production testing and proppant squeeze

Operations: Test production from W2 and W3 wells; proppant squeeze followed by further test production of W2 and W3. The proppant squeeze would use about 150m3 of water, salt and 20-30 tonnes of ceramic bead proppant with what was described as “several minor chemical additives, all of which are widely used in the UK”.
Duration: Initial test 9 weeks; proppant squeeze 3 weeks; second test 5 weeks
Operating hours: Initial test 24-hours, 7 days a week; proppant squeeze 7am-7pm, Monday-Saturday; test production 24 hours, 7 days a week
Average HGVs per day: Initial test production 3; proppant squeeze 4; second test production 3
Total HGV numbers: Initial test production 128; proppant squeeze 61; second test production 58
Employment: 8 on site, 6 off site

Phase 4 production

Operations: Site civils works, including new storage tank and surface pump bunds, extension of internal road, installation of plinths for gas processing equipment; installation of extra production facilities, including four storage tanks, additional separator system and up to two surface pump systems; construct underground gas pipeline; production of oil and gas; export of gas to network via 600m pipeline to connection south west of site.
Duration: site civils works 8 weeks; enhanced production installation 14 weeks; gas to grid 7 weeks
Operating hours: site civils work7am-7pm, Monday-Saturday; installation of enhanced production facilities: 7am-7pm, 7 days a week; production:24 hours, 7 days a week; gas to grid connection 7am-7pm, Monday-Saturday
Average HGVs per day: Site civils work 3; installation of enhanced production 1; production 5; gas to grid 2
Total HGV numbers: Site civils work 88; installation of enhanced production 27; gas to grid 60
Employment: 21 on site, 6 off site

Phase 5 decommissioning and restoration

Operations: Plug and decommission wells; restore site to farmland
Duration: 12 weeks
Operating hours: 7am-7pm, Monday-Saturday
Average HGVs per day: Well decommissioning and site restoration 6
Total HGV numbers: Well decommissioning and site restoration 348
Employment: 21 on site, 5 off site

Key facts

Address: Wressle-1, Lodge Farm, Clapp Gate, Appleby DN15 0DB

Grid reference: SE 96801 11122

Location: 1.6km north west of village of Wressle

Application reference: PA/2024/275

Application link: https://apps.northlincs.gov.uk/application/pa-2024-275

Licence area: The Wressle site is in PEDL182 and field extends across PEDL180. Egdon, through its parent company Heyco, has a 30% stake and is the operator of both licences.

Current site size: 1.85ha including access track

Proposed extension: 0.67ha

Nearest homes to site: Decoy Farm (460m), Decoy Cottage (460m), North Cottage (500m)

Nearest homes to proposed pipeline: Broughton Cottages (290m)

Local or national landscape designations: None

Formal ecological designations covering the site: None

Nearest designated wildlife areas: Broughton Far Wood SSI (600m from wellsite) Broughton Alder Wood (660m from proposed pipeline); six nature reserves within 1km of the site

Flooding: Flood Zone 1 (very low risk)

Nearest watercourse: Ella Beck borders the wellsite and access track

Drinking water: not in a source protection zone or drinking water safeguard zones. It is in a drinking water protected area and a nitrate vulnerable zone

Scheduled monuments: Thornholme Augustinian Priory 1.3km from site. 10 listed buildings within 2km

Planning policy: The application claims that it accords with the North Lincolnshire Local Plan, North Lincolnshire Core Strategy and the Appleby Parish Council Neighbourhood Plan. It also says it accords with Nationally Planning Policy Framework and planning practice guidance and government on energy and climate change.

The planning statement said:

“Both local and national policy recognise the need for indigenous hydrocarbon production to ensure the security of energy supply and reduce national demand for imports, as well as the local economic benefits of hydrocarbon production.”

DrillOrDrop will report on reaction to the planning application and the passage of the proposals through the planning system

DrillOrDrop has closed the comments section on this and future articles. We are doing this because of the risk of liability for copyright infringement in comments.We still want to hear about your reaction to DrillOrDrop articles. You can contact us byclicking here.

Categories: G2. Local Greens

Solar Industry Magazine - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 12:37

GameChange Solar (GCS) has had what the company calls “certain performance enhancement features” of its Genius Trackers validated by research and analysis firm Enertis, which examined the company’s proprietary algorithms for the tracker series.

The company says the report includes models estimating power production from three of its algorithms, as well as presented site analysis findings, comparing real production data from inverters to theoretical models.

It adds that the report found the company’s PowerBoost algorithm, meant to enhance solar plant production during backtracking, demonstrated 5.5% annual gains. Its SmartStow algorithm for wind-stow method had estimated gains of 3.15% over a 45-degree stow and 0.73% over a 0-degree stow. The company’s WeatherSmart is said to show gains of 6.02% during overcast days.

“We are pleased to announce that Enertis’s comprehensive analysis confirms, through models and real production data, the efficacy of our proprietary algorithms,” says Derick Botha, CCO at GameChange Solar. “Our innovative control logic helps maximize energy generation, which is what every solar project owner cares about.”

The post GameChange Solar Tracker Features Validated by Third Party appeared first on Solar Industry.

Categories:

Wild Idaho Rising Tide - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 12:00

The Wednesday, March 27, 2024, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features news, music, and reflections on upcoming thirteenth anniversary celebrations of WIRT, Washington and Oregon state opposition to industry insistence on federal approval to start construction of the GTN Xpress methane pipeline expansion in April 2024, letters to Northwest senators about energy commissioner nominees and their Congressional hearing, to Amazon denouncing its possible use of GTN Xpress gas, and to a British Columbia official warning of the climate impacts of increased fracking and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, Canadian organizing pressure forcing changes in fossil fuels funding banks, and updates and resistance camp opportunities with First Nations. Broadcast for twelve years on progressive, volunteer, community station KRFP Radio Free Moscow, every Wednesday between 1:30 and 3 pm Pacific time, on-air at 90.3 FM and online, the show describes continent-wide, grassroots, frontline resistance to fossil fuels projects, the root causes of climate change, thanks to generous, anonymous listeners who adopted program host Helen Yost as their KRFP DJ.

WIRT Song: The Tide Is Rising, 2013 Wild Idaho Rising Tide

13th Annual Celebration of Wild Idaho Rising Tide, March 21, 2024 Wild Idaho Rising Tide

Answer of the States of Washington and Oregon re Gas Transmission Northwest LLC’s February 20, 2024, Request to Proceed with Construction at the GTN Xpress Project under CP22-2, March 18, 2024 Washington and Oregon Attorneys General

Gas Transmission Northwest LLC Submits Response to the March 18, 2024, Letter from the States of Washington and Oregon Opposing the February 20, 2024, Request for Notice to Proceed with Construction at the GTN Xpress Project under CP22-2, March 22, 2024 Gas Transmission Northwest

Gas Transmission Northwest LLC Submits Biweekly Construction Status Report No. 2 for the Period of March 6, 2024, to March 20, 2024, re the GTN Xpress Project under CP22-2, March 26, 2024 Gas Transmission Northwest

Letter to Northwest Senators about FERC Commissioner Nominees and Hearing, March 18, 2024 Stop GTN Xpress Coalition (WIRT facebook post forthcoming)

Letter to Amazon Opposing Its Use of GTN Xpress Pipeline Expansion Gas, March 19, 2024 Troublemakers Community (WIRT facebook post forthcoming)

Climate Impacts of Expanded Fracking and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in Canada (Letter to B.C. Premier David Eby), 2024 Wilderness Committee (WIRT facebook post forthcoming)

Organizing Pressure Forces Royal Bank of Canada Changes, March 21, 2024 Decolonial Solidarity (WIRT facebook post forthcoming)

Winter Update from Unist’ot’en, March 24, 2024 Unist’ot’en Camp (WIRT facebook post forthcoming)

Categories: B4. Radical Ecology

Baltimore, MD – The Chesapeake Climate Action Network mourns the tragic loss of life on March 26 with the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Our hearts go out to the families of those who are presumed dead after the collapse. Our thoughts are with the immigrant community whose loved ones had been working on the bridge at the time of the collapse.

Hundreds of thousands of people in the greater Baltimore community rely on the Francis Scott Key Bridge and have had their daily life and commute disrupted. As Baltimore seeks a path forward in the wake of this disaster, the entire staff and board of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network are thinking of our members most affected by the collapse and everyone in the Baltimore region.

The post CCAN Statement on the Francis Scott Key Bridge Disaster appeared first on Chesapeake Climate Action Network.

Categories: G2. Local Greens

PoWHR Coalition - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 11:49

Richmond, VA — The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has cited the Mountain Valley Pipeline for violating environmental laws, demanding a fine of $34,000.

Criticism and pressure continue to mount regarding the DEQ’s delay and inaction to hold MVP accountable to environmental law. In February, about 30 groups sent a letter to DEQ asking them to issue a stop work order to MVP. DEQ has not responded to the letter. In March, community members gathered near the regional DEQ office in Salem, Virginia to protest their inadequate response to destruction caused by the MVP.

Russell Chisholm, co-director of the Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights Coalition (POWHR) responded:

“Every day, diligent construction monitors traverse our streams and steep slopes to ensure our communities are safe from MVP’s reckless construction; they are to thank for this recognition of MVP’s violations. However, DEQ-issued fines amount to pennies for a corporation that’s throwing billions of dollars into an impossible project, with money to spare for SLAPP suits against the community.”

Protestors plan to return to DEQ offices in Richmond and Salem soon.

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Categories: G2. Local Greens

Global Justice Ecology Project - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 11:26

Como publicado en Resumen el 27 de marzo 2024 Una delegación internacional visitará Chile y territorio mapuche durante la segunda quincena de abril de 2024, con el objetivo de analizar los impactos del monocultivo forestal en las regiones de Biobío, Araucanía y Los Ríos. Los representantes de la sociedad civil internacional visitarán diversas comunidades, y […]

The post Resumen: Delegación internacional visitará Chile y Wallmapu para analizar impactos de monocultivo forestal appeared first on Global Justice Ecology Project.

Categories: B4. Radical Ecology

Mining.Com - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 11:22

Alamos Gold (TSX: AGI; NYSE: AGI) is acquiring Argonaut Gold (TSX: AR) and its past-troubled Magino mine in northern Ontario in an all-share deal valued at $325 million to become Canada’s third-largest gold producer.

The transaction, scheduled to close in July, is expected to create $515 million in cost-savings over about two decades of production from Alamos’ Island mine and the neighbouring Magino located northeast of Lake Superior, the companies said Wednesday. Alamos will use Magino’s larger mill and tailings facilities instead of Island’s. Total Alamos output is expected to increase by about a quarter to around 630,000 oz. gold per year.

“The addition of Magino will make Alamos a stronger company and enhance our unique position as a growing intermediate producer, with declining costs, and one of the lowest political risk profiles in the sector,” Alamos president and CEO John McCluskey said during a webcast.

“With respect to our whole phase three expansion and some of the aspects of going into that, the fact that we were just about to practically rebuild a new mill. We just don’t have to do that now,” McCluskey said. “There were costs that we were going to incur this year on the tailings lift for our existing tailings facility, about $20 million in costs. That’s just something we don’t have to do at this point.”

The acquisition gives Alamos a fourth long-life producing asset in addition to its two mines in Ontario – Young-Davidson and Island – and Mulatos in Mexico. It has the Lynn Lake development project in Manitoba, which received federal environmental approval last year, as well as others in Turkey and Oregon.

Shares in Alamos rose more than 7% on Wednesday in Toronto to C$19.79 apiece, valuing the company at C$7.9 billion. They’ve traded in a range of C$14.80 to C$20.20 over the past 52 weeks.

Magino costs

Argonaut started commercial production at Magino in November after construction costs almost doubled to nearly C$1 billion and led to the ouster of a CEO before a mill problem postponed output.

The Reno, Nev.-based company estimated the mine would cost C$510 million to build in 2020 but inflation and other challenges increased the final tally to C$980 million. Founder, president and CEO Peter Dougherty left in late 2021.

After it poured first gold at Magino on June 15, production was delayed while the mill was repaired for 20 days in September, causing Argonaut to miss last year’s guidance. Argonaut sold another 1% output stream to Franco-Nevada (TSX: FNV; NYSE: FNV), which has a 3% net smelter return royalty, to shore up its finances.

In the Alamos deal, Argonaut’s other assets such as the Florida Canyon mine in the United States, as well as the El Castillo Complex, the La Colorada operation, and the Cerro del Gallo project in Mexico, are to be placed in a separate company, at least for the moment known as Spin Co. The plan is to list Spin Co. on an exchange and Alamos would invest $10 million for a 19.9% stake.

Premium paid

Alamos plans to issue 20.3 million shares valued at about $276 million as part of the deal. The acquisition valued Argonaut at a 34% premium based on Argonaut’s and Alamos’ closing prices on Tuesday on the TSX. Each Argonaut common share outstanding will be exchanged for 0.0185 Alamos common shares and one share of Spin Co. It will give Alamos 95% of the combination and Argonaut 5%.

The deal implies an estimated total consideration of $0.40 per Argonaut common share or $325 million, the companies said.

The company’s resource now stands at more than 5 million oz. and there are plans to hike production to 900,000 oz. a year by expanding and tweaking Magino’s mill with feed from Magino and Island, the CEO said.

“We had some pretty tough critics from our side go up and look at the mill and they really liked what they saw,” McCluskey said. “That permanent tailings facility at 150 million tonnes, it’s hard to put a price on that. If you were settled on the path to permitting a facility like that today that could take up to a decade. With an ever growing mine and mineral reserve at Island Gold, that’s a big de-risking event for us.”

Categories: J2. Fossil Fuel Industry

Mining.Com - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 11:20

Lundin Gold (TSX: LUG) updated its estimates of reserves and resources for its Fruta del Norte (FDN) gold mine in Ecuador. Proven and probable reserves contain 4.5 million oz. of gold in 21.7 million tonnes of ore with an average grade of 7.89 g/t gold.

The measured and indicated resources contain 7.0 million oz. in 23.5 million tonnes averaging 9.24 g/t gold.

“With this updated estimate, Lundin Gold has grown FDN’s mineral reserves since operations began in 2019, adding approximately 2.6 million oz. before mining depletion,” said Lundin Gold president and CEO Ron Hochstein.

“Our 2023 conversion drilling program has enabled us to grow our measured and indicated resources, and the near-mine program has also provided additions to our inferred resources. Based on planned conversion and exploration programs for 2024, I am very excited for the potential to add more ounces over the coming year.”

Much of the reason the M+I resources grew was due to reclassifying inferred material to indicated in areas immediately beyond the current reserve boundary. The new indicated areas include extensions to the north, at depth, and to the south of the FDN deposit.

A total of 350,000 oz. of gold was added to the inferred material as a result of conversion and near-mine drilling completed in 2023.

The inferred resource contains 1.5 million oz. of gold in 8.0 million tonnes with a grade of 5.77 g/t gold.

Lundin Gold produced 281,273 oz. from the Fruta del Norte mine in 2023. The all-in sustaining cost per ounce of gold sold was $860.

Categories: J2. Fossil Fuel Industry

Mining.Com - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 11:11

Epiroc is strengthening the focus on its tools and attachments businesses. The company will split the division into two divisions and appoint a new division president.

In recent years, the Tools & Attachments division has expanded significantly through organic and inorganic growth and will become significantly larger after the completion of the acquisition of Stanley Infrastructure. To sustain optimal focus on each business line and continue fostering profitable growth, Epiroc will split the Tools & Attachments division into these two new divisions: the Rock Drilling Tools division and the Mining & Infrastructure Attachments division.

Martin Hjerpe, currently SVP M&A, strategy, and supply chain, will become president of the Tools division. Goran Popovski, currently president of the Tools & Attachments division, will become president of the Attachments division.

“With past growth and now the ongoing acquisition of Stanley Infrastructure – our largest acquisition ever – our tools and attachments business is expanding significantly,” says Helena Hedblom, Epiroc’s president and CEO. “By dividing up the business into two dedicated divisions, we are optimizing the focus for all the business lines and supporting sustainable, profitable growth.”

Epiroc’s Tools division will offer top hammer and handheld drills; down-the-hole, rotary and raise boring drills; ground support; and supply chain expertise.

The Attachments division will offer ground engaging tools (CR); hydraulic attachment tools; and Stanley Infrastructure units.

Categories: J2. Fossil Fuel Industry

Green and Red Podcast - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 11:03

Categories: B4. Radical Ecology