QUICK NEWS, November 19: Farms Can Lead Climate Crisis Solutions; Electricity Customers Saving With New Energy

Farms Can Lead Climate Crisis Solutions Helping American agriculture go from climate crisis to ‘net zero’

November 18, 2019 (AgDaily)

“…[Progress has been made on increasing overall soil carbon (which has positive effects on soil quality and could result in increased productivity, agricultural resilience, and yield stability, especially on carbon-depleted soils)…[But] overall the U.S. agricultural production sector has increased its GHG emissions and climate impact over the past few decades…[This is largely due to on] increasing use of liquid manure storage lagoons found on concentrated animal feeding operations [CAFOs], which emit more methane than dry-stacked or composted manure [according to a new study from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition]…

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Key issues analyzed include: the impact of CAFOs on climate and environment; the relationship between the climate crisis and overproduction; how the structure of the federal crop insurance system contributes to overproduction and by extension climate change; and impactful sustainable production practices, including perennial cropping systems, resource-conserving crop rotations, and management intensive grazing…[T]he paper puts forward nearly 30 detailed public policy recommendations…” click here for more

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Electricity Customers Saving With New Energy California utility reports savings for ratepayers by offering renewable energy

Billy Ludt, November 14, 2019 (Solar Power World)

“…[A] record number of local governments in Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, and Solano Counties, that have switched to [energy supplier MCE’s 100% renewable energy service and shown steady growth in customers taking advantage of MCE’s rooftop solar and electric vehicle incentive programs…22 of the 34 city, town and county governments in MCE’s service area have taken the lead on local climate action by choosing to enroll their municipal electric accounts in Deep Green, MCE’s 100% renewable energy service option…for their public buildings, streetlights and civic services — 100% of it from California solar and wind energy sources…

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MCE now has over 470,000 electricity accounts in the Bay Area, providing renewable energy to more than 1 million customers and businesses. Ratepayers have saved more than $50 million on their monthly bills after switching to MCE, compared to customers who have remained with PG&E…More than 33,000 MCE customers have invested in rooftop solar…There are now more electric vehicle charging stations than gas stations in Marin County…12 new renewable energy projects in MCE’s service area are now providing a collective capacity of approximately 25 MW of clean electricity, enough energy to power over 12,000 homes annually…” click here for more

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