QUICK NEWS, June 4: The President's Misguided Try To Save Old Energy; Study Highlights NatGas Fracking Threats

The President's Misguided Try To Save Old Energy President Trump orders Energy Department to stop coal retirements; The memo apparently wants to freeze endangered coal, nuclear contracts for two years.

Megan Geuss, June 1, 2018 (Ars Technica)

“…[A White House memo to Energy Department Secretary Perry proposed using “immediate steps"] to prevent coal plants from early closure…[It reported argued Secretary Perry could use] a wartime rule called the Defense Production Act to bail out failing coal and nuclear plants…[by requiring] grid operators to buy power or electric generation capacity from a list of pre-determined power plants for two years…During that time, the DOE would conduct a study of vulnerabilities in the US power grid system. The justification for using the Defense Production Act would be that keeping unprofitable power plants running is a matter of national security until the two-year vulnerability study is complete…[The memo argues that “fuel-secure plants” have retired and are retiring and] are being replaced by natural gas and renewable power generation that is not secure or resilient…[Under White House orders, Secretary Perry had previously proposed that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission take action to protect coal and nuclear plants but the commission concluded earlier this year that there wasn't sufficient evidence to take such action]…” click here for more

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Study Highlights NatGas Fracking Threats U.N. Report Calls U.S. Fracking History Cautionary Tale

June 4, 2018 (Public News Service)

“…[The experience of hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania, Wyoming, North Dakota, Colorado, and elsewhere has been “a cautionary tale” that shows the technology] should be approached with caution by countries considering ways to meet growing energy demands…[A new UN review of the technology’s history and impacts noted] a growing body of research pointing to hazards associated with fracking…[that include] groundwater contamination, increased seismic activity and methane waste…

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...[The report warned] that investments in shale gas should not come at the expense of renewable energy and efficiency strategies, both considered critical to limit the impacts of climate change…[A recent Rocky Mountain Institute study warned] that nearly $1 trillion in natural gas infrastructure could end up as stranded assets in investment portfolios…” click here for more

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