EcoTech Note: We seldom write about the fourth policy area supported by CCL – “Healthy Forests.” Forests are a natural carbon sink, with nature helping with “carbon capture” and bring NET-zero goals closer. Here’s an effort that seeks to measure the health effects on nearby residents.
Nearly one-fifth of Nevada’s public lands could open up to utility-scale solar development under the Bureau of Land Management’s final Western Solar Plan — drawing the support of solar developers and the ire of conservationists.
The document released Thursday designates about 18,000 square miles or 11.8 million acres — roughly 17 percent — of the state’s public lands for possible large-scale solar projects, identified as 5 megawatts and larger.
Currently, only about 15 percent of the state’s BLM-administered land is available for possible solar development. In addition to calling for nearly 12 million acres in Nevada to be open to solar development, the final plan increases the total acreage available across the West from 22 million to 31 million acres.
Enteric methane, which is naturally emitted during the digestive process of most livestock species, has been deemed the single largest source of agricultural methane emissions. Garnering support from a diverse coalition, U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., seeks to reduce enteric methane by integrating emissions-reduction practices into U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs and providing financial incentives to farmers that voluntarily adopt them.
In the farm bill – a must-pass piece of legislation done every five years – Congress supports a range of federal programs that aim to make farmers and ranchers more competitive in global markets, mitigate agriculture’s climate impacts, and keep food prices affordable. These range from …
Anti-development forces — commonly known as NIMBYs — threaten the transition to clean energy. Case In Point: Battle Born Solar Project, near Overton, Nevada.
Raising animals for protein creates a LOT of GHGs. “Meatless burgers” from plant-based (or cultured-cell) alternatives exist. These new startups take the ideas further.
