QUICK NEWS, June 27: Dems Platform Calls For More Climate Change Science; SolarCity Could Become Tesla; What The Wind Industry Has Built

Dems Platform Calls For More Climate Change Science Democrats adopt climate change science investigation in platform

Devin Henry, June 27, 2016 (The Hill)

“Members of the Democratic National Committee’s platform panel have formally endorsed federal investigations into climate research at fossil fuel companies, including a high-profile probe into Exxon Mobil Corp…The platform didn’t name Exxon, but the company has become the highest-profile target for Democratic attorneys general, who are looking into claims it misled the public about the extent of its knowledge about climate change…Exxon has denied the allegations and fought back against the investigations, calling them an infringement on the company’s First Amendment rights and, as the video below demonstrates, congressional Republicans have so far protected the company]…Despite the climate science amendment — and a call to use 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 — the committee rejected a host of other environmental issues, including a call to ban fracking, end fossil fuel production on federal lands and put a price on carbon pollution…” click here for more

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SolarCity Could Become Tesla Tesla applies for 6 new trademarks to sell solar energy under the ‘Tesla’ brand

Fred Lambert, June 26, 2016 (ElekTrek)

“…[Though the Tesla plan to acquire SolarCity and fold the solar installer’s operations into Tesla’s own business] is still contingent on board approval and shareholder votes at both companies…the automaker is going ahead with trademark applications to sell solar products under its ‘Tesla’ brand…[Tesla] filed 6 new trademark applications [that] range from solar cells and solar modules…[to] the installation and repair of solar panels…[They also cover] the monitoring of solar energy generation and the financing of solar installations…If the Tesla – SolarCity merger goes through, Elon Musk said that he plans to sell both Tesla’s current products and SolarCity’s offering under the same roof and to use the same sales force. Based on these trademark applications, it looks like it could be a possibility that the whole product line could become ‘Tesla’ badged and the ‘SolarCity’ brand would be phased out…” click here for more

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What The Wind Industry Has Built Wind energy is already an American industry

Paul Vigeant, June 26, 2016 (South Coast Today)

“…[The United States] leads the world in land-based wind energy…More than 50,000 turbines stand along ridge lines, prairies and hilltops across the United States. Installed capacity recently surpassed 70 gigawatts — enough to power more than 19 million typical American homes — and is expected to double in the next five years…[Wind] installed more electric generating capacity last year than any other energy source in America…[and] is on track to supply 10 percent of the country’s electricity by 2020, 20 percent by 2030 and 35 percent by 2050…[E]nergy supplied by the wind is as cheap or cheaper per megawatt hour than natural gas. And the cost of wind has shown a steady decline — 66 percent from 2009 to 2014, while volatile natural gas prices have brought consumers painful price spikes…A typical wind turbine has more than 8,000 components, and those pieces are manufactured in 500 plants in 43 U.S. states…The U.S. Department of Labor projects that the fastest growing occupation in the next 20 years will be wind turbine technician, a job that requires training, but no college degree, and paid a median annual salary of $51,050 in May 2015…” click here for more

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