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California cap-and-trade spending doubles to $1.4 billion in 2018; xEV rebates, affordable housing, wildfire prevention, public transit

Green Car Congress

From rebates for electric and plug-in vehicles to energy efficiency and solar installations that are reducing home energy costs, more than 125,000 individual projects were completed in 2018. These “implemented” funds have leveraged an additional $10.8 billion from other sources.

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Nanjing team develops solar-powered electrolysis process for extraction of lithium from seawater

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Researchers from Nanjing University have developed a new method for the extraction of lithium metal from seawater using solar-powered electrolysis with a NASICON solid-state electrolyte as the selective membrane. Schematic Diagram of the Solar-Powered Lithium Extraction Device. (A) —Yang et al. Yang et al. 2018.07.006.

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As states continue to use less coal for electricity, driving electric vehicles becomes even cleaner

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This brief study analyzes, for each individual state, the changes from 2018 to 2020 in the use of coal (one of the two most polluting energy sources) to generate electricity. This study is an update of a study that examined the changes from 2008 to 2018. Proportional amount of emissions relative to hydro. Natural gas.

Coal 334
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New California Energy Commission standards require solar PV systems for new homes; first in nation

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Moving to cut energy use in new homes by more than 50%, the California Energy Commission (CEC) has adopted building standards that require solar photovoltaic systems starting in 2020. The ventilation measures improve indoor air quality, protecting homeowners from air pollution originating from outdoor and indoor sources.

Standards 170
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Study measures the effect of regional change in clouds caused by ships’ emissions; masking GHG warming

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This puffy line is not just exhaust from the engine, but a change in the clouds that’s caused by small airborne particles of pollution. Satellite image taken 16 January 2018 off the coast of Europe. Pollution from ships creates lines of clouds that can stretch hundreds of miles. Michael Diamond/University of Washington.

Emissions 223
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EPA finalizes greenhouse gas standards for LDVs MY 2023-2026

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EPA is planning to initiate a separate rulemaking to establish multi-pollutant emission standards under the Clean Air Act for MY 2027 and later. These include technologies such as high-efficiency headlamps or solar reflective paint that keeps the vehicle cabin cooler to reduce air conditioning needs. Source: EPA.

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CMU study finds that coal retirement is needed for EVs to reduce air pollution

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In the study’s future 2018 grid scenarios that account for predicted coal plant retirements, PEVs would produce air emissions damages comparable to or slightly lower than HEVs. Life cycle emissions by pollutant and life cycle stage for each vehicle type in the recent (a) and future (b) PJM grid. Source: Weis et al.

Coal 150