Green Energy Times

Headline News:

• “How The UK’s ‘Radical’ New Energy Secretary Could Kill North Sea Drilling” • Concerns that the UK will U-turn on its pledge to phase out North Sea drilling are back with a new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is called a “radical economist.” Outspoken about the climate crisis, she could end the North Sea debates. [Euronews]

Miatta Fahnbulleh (Roger Harris, ©House of Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

• “Renewables Provide More Than 30% Of US Electricity” • New data from the US Energy Information Administration, which was reviewed by the SUN DAY Campaign, shows growth of over 10% in electrical generation by renewable energy sources in the first five months of 2026 while total fossil fuel and nuclear capacity keep lagging far behind. [CleanTechnica]
• “Global Oil Prices Cross $100 A Barrel As Iran War Sends Fuel Prices Surging” • Global oil prices crossed $100 a barrel for the first time since May, after Houthi militants in Yemen claimed to have struck two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea. The reported attack threatened to worsen an oil shock that had already been one of the largest in history. [ABC News]
• “Driving The Speed Limit Could Save You Money And Cut Emissions” • A study, published in the journal Communications Sustainability, found that if US drivers complied with posted speed limits, it could save an average of $22 million, more than 6.6 million gallons of fuel, and 57,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every single day. [Euronews]
• “Utilities And Big Tech Pay Lip Service, “Pledge” To Keep Costs Down” • According to reporting by POLITICO, more utility and technology companies will sign onto a nonbinding pledge to keep electricity costs down and protect ratepayers from the skyrocketing bills driven by data centers’ energy demands. “Nonbinding” means what it says. [CleanTechnica]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Headline News:

• “Global Oil Prices Rise To Highest Level In A Month Amid Iran War Escalation” • Oil prices climbed to their highest level in more than a month as fighting in the Middle East escalated and a top US official voiced pessimism about peace talks. Brent crude futures, the benchmark index for worldwide trading, rose to $94.10 a barrel. [ABC News]

Pumpjack (David Thielen, Unsplash, cropped)

• “US Says It Reaches Nuclear Power Deal With Saudi Arabia” • The US and Saudi Arabia have reached an agreement on civil nuclear power, the US DOE said, a deal that allows the kingdom to build nuclear reactors using American technology and to enrich uranium. A civil nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia has been in the works for years. [MSN]
• “Heat Rather Than Lack Of Rain Is To Blame For Europe’s Droughts” • France expects its worst maize harvest in 50 years. The EU’s rivers are so low that shipping is disrupted. Scientists say Europe’s droughts are increasingly driven more by heat than a lack of rain, and soil moisture is vanishing “faster than it would in a world without climate change.” [Euronews]
• “Europe Can Unlock 25 GW of Clean Power By Using Existing Grid Connections” • Europe could add 25 GW of wind and solar to existing hydropower sites across seven EU countries without needing extra grid capacity, according to a new Ember report. In Europe, hydropower plants are particularly well suited for hybridisation. [CleanTechnica]
• “Florida Researchers Bring Endangered Elkhorn Coral Ashore To Protect Them” • Scientists working to save a coral species from extinction transported thirty pieces from nurseries off the Florida coast to a hatchery on land, fearing that warming waters could trigger a mass bleaching event this summer that could wipe them out. [ABC News]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Headline News:

• “Amazon Forest Fires Fell To All-Time Low In 2025, But Could A Super El Niño Halt Progress?” • Forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon fell to a historic low in 2025 after peaking the previous year, according to a report. MapBiomas found that 3.1 million hectares were burned last year – the smallest area since records began in 1985. [Euronews]

Brazilian Amazon forest (Ian Talmacs, Unsplash)

• “35.5%! LONGi Again Breaks World Record For Crystalline Silicon-Perovskite Tandem Solar Cell Efficiency” • LONGi has announced that its independently developed crystalline silicon-perovskite tandem solar cell achieved a conversion efficiency of 35.5%. Certified by the European Solar Test Installation, this sets a new world record. [CleanTechnica]
• “Germany Adds 1.1 GW Of Offshore Wind In H1” • Germany added 1.1 GW of offshore wind capacity in the first six months of 2026, taking its installed offshore wind fleet above the 10-GW mark to 10.8 GW, industry data showed. A total of 84 turbines with a combined capacity of 1,077 MW were commissioned between January and June. [reNews]
• “RWE Notches First Power At Nordseecluster A” • Electricity has been fed into the German grid for the first time from RWE’s 660-MW Nordseecluster A offshore wind farm, a milestone that came just weeks after installation of the first turbine. RWE said installation of Vestas 15-MW turbines is well underway. Full grid connection is scheduled for early 2027. [reNews]
• “Groups Take First Step Toward Lawsuit Against TVA Over Clean Air Act Violations” • The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of Appalachian Voices and the Sierra Club, sent a notice of intent to sue to the TVA, warning it that construction of a new methane gas plant near the site of its 70-year-old coal plant violates the Clean Air Act. [CleanTechnica]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced $8 million is now available to advance innovative alternative fuel solutions in New York through the State’s Advanced Fuels & Thermal Energy program. This initiative supports the development of resources and infrastructure for low-carbon fuels, such as clean hydrogen or ammonia, which can reduce emissions in hard-to-electrify sectors of the economy, such as heavy-duty transportation and industry, or provide zero-emission backup power.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Investing in emerging fuels shows promise to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in transportation, manufacturing and other energy-intensive industries. NYSERDA is doing its due diligence by exploring the best concepts and designs to integrate clean hydrogen, ammonia and other fuels to provide zero-emission energy to reach areas of our economy that are hard to electrify.”

Public Service Commission Chair and CEO Rory M. Christian said, “This funding recognizes that advancing the deployment of alternative fuels can address a critical technological gap and strengthen the state’s economy. Supporting innovation which targets hard-to-electrify uses and sectors is in line with Governor Hochul’s ‘all-of-the-above’ energy policy.”

NYSERDA’s competitive Large-Scale Non-Drop-In Alternative Fuel-Based Resources and Infrastructure solicitation seeks eligible proposals from individuals or teams of developers, firms, manufacturers and researchers to develop, pilot, or demonstrate clean fuels including hydrogen, ammonia, or other alternative fuel projects requiring new or upgraded equipment or infrastructure for production, distribution and storage.

NYSERDA will accept proposals in two technical areas: (1) Large Scale Alternative Fuel-Based Resources, such as multi-megawatt fuel cells and (2) Alternative Fuel Cell Infrastructure, including fuel production, storage, and distribution systems. Funding is available in two categories: (1) Product Development or (2) Pilot and Demonstration.

Proposals must be submitted with the selection of one primary technical area and one funding area to be considered, and will be evaluated based on technical innovation, project plan, budget, risks, market plan, team capability, and benefits to New York State, including to disadvantaged communities as identified by the Climate Justice Working Group. Projects must demonstrate compliance with applicable safety, regulatory, and industry standards and have a minimum of 50% cost-share from non-NYSERDA funding sources.

Proposals are due by September 28, 2026, by 3:00 p.m. ET.  A complete list of all eligibility rules and evaluation criteria can be found in the solicitation summary on NYSERDA’s website.

Additionally, all applicants have the option of submitting a Letter of Intent to NYSERDA to receive feedback on the eligibility, not merits, of their proposal prior to submitting a final version. Proposers interested in submitting the optional Letter of Intent must do so any time prior to September 7, 2026, by 3:00 p.m. ET.

Today’s announcement supports NYSERDA’s Innovation and Research (I&R) program, which invests over $96 million per year to attract world-class energy innovators, reduce risk for private investors and remove barriers to clean energy adoption in New York State, leveraging $15 in additional investment for every $1 spent. NYSERDA has partnered with over 900 companies that have helped make more than 300 products commercially available for consumers, businesses and utilities.

Funding for this program is provided through the New York State Public Service Commission’s 2025 Innovation and Research Order, which funds statewide clean energy innovation and research programs from 2026 through 2030.

New York State’s Climate Agenda
New York State’s climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 40 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors. The State is also working to disburse the historic $2 billion Sustainable Future Program, which will deliver targeted funding to lower emissions, reduce household energy costs, and spur green job growth.

NYSERDA
Since 1975, NYSERDA has been working to advance New York’s energy system and economy. As a public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has served as an objective source for information and technical expertise to drive innovation and investment. NYSERDA professionals have worked to protect the environment and help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. To learn more about NYSERDA’s programs and funding opportunities, visit nyserda.ny.gov.

Headline News:

• “Construction Surge Pushes US Wind Outlook Higher” • The US wind industry is on track to connect more than 50 GW of capacity through 2030, Wood Mackenzie said in its US Wind Energy Monitor Q2 2026 report. The research group raised its five-year outlook, noting that construction starts increased 8% from Q1 2025 to Q1 2026. [reNews]

Wind farm (Ørsted image)

• “Deal Sealed To Unlock 3.56 GW Capacity In NSW Renewable Energy Zone” • The New South Wales government’s planned South West Renewable Energy Zone is closer to delivery after EnergyCo signed a Project Development Deed with Transgrid to upgrade a key section of the grid to support 3.56 GW of new renewable energy capacity. [pv magazine Australia]
• “Oil Prices Rise As Fighting Between US And Iran Intensifies” • Oil prices rose as fighting between the US and Iran intensified. Oil prices jumped in early trading as the US announced attacks for a ninth consecutive night. Iran responded to the strikes by targeting US allies across the Middle East. Benchmark Brent crude rose 3.2% to $90.95 per barrel. [Euronews]
• “Court Orders EPA To Implement National Soot Standard” • The US District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that the US EPA must follow the law and implement the strengthened health-based 2024 National Ambient Air Quality Standard for particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution, commonly called soot. [CleanTechnica]
• “The US Needs 5,000 Miles Of New High-Voltage Lines Every Year. It Only Built 392” • Some transmission experts say the grid needs about 5,000 miles of new lines. The additions reached almost 4,000 miles in 2013. In 2025, the industry added 402 miles. Before we supply AI with electricity, we have to know where it will come from. [OilPrice.com]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Headline News:

• “Heading For The North Pole On Tara Polar Station’s First Expedition” • The Tara Polar Station, a scientific research station designed to drift with the sea ice, left the port of Lorient on its first expedition to the North Pole. The objective is a better understanding of the biodiversity of the Arctic Ocean and the effects of global warming in the region. [Euronews]

Tara Polar Station (Tara Station Foundation image)

• “Geely Unveils New EV Powertrain That Is 93.8% Efficient” • Observers like Bill McKibben note that, considering well head to engine efficiency, only about 15% of the energy that comes out of the ground actually goes to moving our cars and trucks forward. By comparison, this week Geely announced a new EV powertrain that is 93.8% efficient. [CleanTechnica]
• “Serentica Renewables Secures 58-MW Round-The-Clock Power PPA With DCM Shriram” • Serentica Renewables signed a PPA to supply 58 MW of round-the-clock renewable power to DCM Shriram’s chemicals manufacturing plant in Gujarat. A subsidiary will combine solar power from Rajasthan and wind power from Karnataka. [pv magazine India]
• “European Energy Secures Oz Hybrid Financing” • European Energy reached financial close on the Mokoan Hybrid solar and battery project in Victoria. Deutsche Bank is providing a non-recourse financing package to refinance the operational 58-MW Mokoan Solar Farm and support construction and operation of a co-located 40-MW, 80-MWh battery system. [reNews]
• “Offshore Wind Shines During Summer Heat” • America’s offshore wind farms have already shown their ability to keep electricity flowing during brutal winter storms. Now, the clean energy resource has proved it can also bolster the grid during major heat waves, as dangerously hot and humid temperatures settled over the eastern US. [Sierra Club]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Headline News:

• “India’s Solar And Wind Power Hits Record 42.79% Of Grid Load” • India’s power sector achieved a landmark on July 13 as variable renewable energy sources accounted for 42.79% of the total electricity generation in the country. Wind and solar output combined to peak at 103.7 GW. India is accelerating its transition toward cleaner energy sources. [Whalesbook]

Wind farm in India (Thangaraj Kumaravel, CC BY-SA 2.0)

• “US Reaches Solar Power Milestone Amid Fossil Fuel Decline” • While gas and nuclear plants still lead the country’s energy mix, solar generated 12.8% of the nation’s electricity in May, according to an analysis of government data by Ember. Coal provided less, just 12.2%. Five years ago, solar was less than half of its current levels and coal was at 20%. [Kiowa County Press]
• “Spain Faces Hottest Week Of Summer With Temperatures Up To 45°C Next Week” • Spain’s State Meteorological Agency set out a timetable for its next heatwave: Climbing temperatures will intensify by Tuesday, July 22, at the latest, and last until at least Thursday, July 23. Readings that could locally be as high as 45°C (113°F) in the south-eastern third of the country. [Euronews]
• “Every Day In Every Way, Attribution Science Is Getting Better And Better” • The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine published a report on attribution science. It backs a large body of scientific knowledge that could help governments hold oil, gas, and coal companies responsible for damage caused by extreme weather. [CleanTechnica]
• “Climate Scientists Have Predicted Greater Flooding In Texas For Decades. It’s Happening Now” • One of the shocking things about the storms that hit Texas this week is that a similar rainfall event struck almost exactly a year ago in many of the same areas. That tragic repetition may not be surprising to those who follow climate science. [Texas Public Radio]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Headline News:

• “International Flights Set To Pay Carbon Costs Under EU’s Carbon Market Review From 2029” • The EU’s revised its carbon market rules to accelerate progress toward its climate goals. The new rules say international flights coming to the EU from origins within 5,000 km (3,100 miles) will be required to pay for their CO2 emissions starting in 2029. [Euronews]

Plane landing in Zurich (Pascal Meier, Unsplash)

• “East Coast States Will Sue Trump for Illegal Payoffs” • Eight Attorneys General filed a notice of intent that they will challenge two unlawful payoffs from the Trump administration to energy companies. The administration paid energy companies nearly $2 billion in exchange for the companies to abandon offshore wind projects. [CleanTechnica]
• “Severe Storms In France Leave At Least Two Dead And Over 50,000 Homes Without Power” • Thirty départements in central and eastern France were put on orange alert for thunderstorms on Thursday, with a risk of large hail. Power grid operator Enedis said nearly 53,000 households were affected by power outages following the severe storms. [Euronews]
• “India Launches First Hydrogen-Powered Train Built In The Country” • India rolled out its first indigenously built, hydrogen-powered train, a move aimed at expanding use of clean energy in its vast rail network. The train has two driving cars powered by hydrogen and eight passenger coaches. It will operate in the northern state of Haryana. [ABC News]
• “Ocean Winds Secures Go-Ahead For The 2-GW Caledonia Offshore Wind” • Ocean Winds has secured planning approval from Scottish ministers for the 2-GW Caledonia wind farm in the Moray Firth. The developer submitted separate applications for the 77-turbine Caledonia North and 78-turbine Caledonia South sites in November 2024. [reNews]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Headline News:

• “Six Records Solar And Storage Have Crushed In The First Half Of 2026” • Electricity demand is rising, and America needs more power, fast. But solar and storage are delivering. Across the US, the industry is breaking records at a pace that might have been unimaginable just a few years ago. For starters, 91% of new grid capacity in Q1 was solar and storage. [CleanTechnica]

Solar array (Dad Hotel, Unsplash, cropped)

• “Europe’s Booming Solar Fleet Has Saved €20 Billion In Gas Imports Since Iran War, Analysis Shows” • SolarPower Europe analysis shows that solar power saved Europe €20 billion over the time between 1 March and 15 July by lowering demand for gas imports. Over the 137-day period, solar delivered average daily savings of €146 million. [Euronews]
• “What It’s Like Living In One Of The World’s Hottest Towns” • In May, temperatures in the North Indian town of Banda hit a blistering 48.2°C (118.8°F). It was one of several times this year that the town recorded India’s highest temperature. It is called the hottest town on Earth. People work there. And they care for the animals that live there. [Euronews]
• “Cadeler Strengthens Its Hand With Delivery Of Wind Ace” • Cadeler has taken delivery of its eleventh wind installation vessel, Wind Ace. The vessel was built at the COSCO Shipping Offshore shipyard in Qidong, China, and was delivered on schedule and within budget after more than 3.5 million working hours. It will be deployed initially in the UK. [reNews]
• “Science Panel Backs Climate Research, Diverging From The Administration’s View” • A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine backs research finding how much climate change may contribute to extreme weather events. The report could play a role in lawsuits seeking billions of dollars from fossil fuel companies. [MSN]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Headline News:

• “Food Inflation Is Finally Slowing. So Why Could Your Supermarket Bill Start Rising Again?” • Food inflation has been slowing in the eurozone. However, economists at Oxford Economics and Deutsche Bank expect food price inflation to pick up again next year as higher commodity prices feed through the food supply chain. [Euronews]

French food market (Terry Granger, Unsplash)

• “Solar Power Records Set in Spain, France, Germany, and Italy” • Solar power production increased in all major European markets, year over year. The largest increases were 16% in both France and Spain. Also, Germany, Spain, Italy, and France all set new records for solar production, according to analysis from AleaSoft Energy Forecasting. [CleanTechnica]
• “New Jersey Orders At Least One New Nuclear Plant As Energy Demand Surges, And Rate Fears Grow” • New Jersey is laying the groundwork for at least one more nuclear power plant. The New Jersey Monitor reports supporters say the effort could expand the state’s supply of low-pollution electricity, but opponents warn it may add to utility bills. [The Cool Down]
• “GB Solar Generation Hits Quarterly Record” • Great Britain generated a record 8.0 TWh of solar power during Q2 of 2026, while renewables supplied 53% of total electricity, according to Montel’s Q2 GB Electricity Market Summary. Montel said wind remained Great Britain’s largest source of electricity generation, producing 18.9 TWh. [reNews]
• “Why Europe, India, And China Should Adopt Cleantech ASAP ” • Europe, India, and China are spending billions upon billions on oil, gas, and coal from other countries. They are funding other economies heavily to buy dirty, polluting, inefficient fuel that also causes severe health problems and premature deaths among their own people. [CleanTechnica]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Third Act Upstate NY member Kim Knowlton tells a story about the soaring health costs of climate change, NY State Capitol, Dec 2024. (John Seakwood)

Stephen Danna, Kim Knowlton, Anne Lowenthal – Third Act Upstate New York

“But I don’t have a story to tell,” said a Third Act member in a recent storytelling workshop. It’s common for people to doubt their ability to tell a story. Asking someone to write and tell a story about climate change or the brighter future of clean energy is intimidating, but these stories matter. They raise awareness, persuade, connect us with others, and foster cognitive growth.

Who We Are and Why This Work?

Several years ago, Bill McKibben with some of his climate activist friends conceived of and started Third Act. We are a community of elders across the country using life experiences and resources to safeguard the climate and uplift democracy. In the northeast, Third Act has working groups in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

In January 2025, Third Act Upstate NY began looking at the upcoming legislative season with multiple clean energy and solar bills, and a governor looking to halt clean energy funding. It was clear we needed our Assembly and State Senate representatives to understand how energy legislation affects us personally. We considered citing facts and figures to representatives during lobby days and through phone calls, but facts and data are dry, and fail to inspire change, while personal stories have a human power to persuade and are a better way to be heard.

Why Are Stories More Persuasive Than Facts?

A listener can choose to ignore data or interpret them differently than intended. Since stories are personal, a listener cannot dispute, or interpret, someone else’s lived experience.

It became clear to us not everyone thinks they have a story to share. Since other Third Actors didn’t know how to frame their experiences as a story, two members, Steve and Anne, with backgrounds in education and sales got together to figure out how to help people tell their stories. A third member, Kim, with a background in public health, joined us to help people weave data and facts into their stories. Progress!

We believe the fight against climate change will happen through stories, so we developed and offer storytelling workshops. Science shows us that good stories reduce cortisol (stress hormone) and trigger the release of oxytocin (love and empathy hormone) in the brain (Storytelling is Good for Us and Our Bodies at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-stories-of-our-lives/202106/storytelling-is-good-for-us-and-our-bodies). They help us see the world differently, building awareness and hopefulness.  If we are going to make a difference in our fight against climate change, it will be through storytelling. As Katharine Hayhoe puts it, “The fight against climate change needs storytellers as much as scientists.”

Our legislative representatives can use their constituents’ stories to support their reasoning behind a vote. People with different points of view and experience can appreciate another’s perspective once they understand the underlying personal reason. That personal position might even sway someone to the side of the storyteller. At least, the story will give them another point of view to consider.

Tools for Confident Storytelling

We’ve been offering online storytelling workshops to Third Act members for a year and a half, using a story-building framework called “the four pillars, developed by Erica Vladimer of Citizen Action of New York. With Vladimer’s permission, we adapted the tool for our community’s use. There are lots of story frameworks out there, but we like hers because it’s simple and well suited for advocacy.

Our four pillars are clear and concise.

1. Name your values and tell people about the principle you hold dear;

2. Name the conflict, or tell people what’s the obstacle to your cherished value;

3. Tell your story, in which the story of your personal experience shows people how the conflict is harming you and your community; and

4. Call to action to break down the obstacle and be an invitation for others to join you in taking action.

You and your story build a human bridge that’s a catalyst for others to feel the pleasure, power and hopefulness of defending what we care about.

Finding Resources

Many people feel like they don’t have enough factual understanding to support their story. But overwhelming people with fact and figures is a sure-fire way to shut down communication. Instead, shape your story to be personal, specific, and emotional, with a hopeful action to take that opens up listening and creativity. We can share online resources to propel you with a choice fact or two to back your story points. For instance, we have links to national reports like the Fifth US National Climate Assessment (https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/61592), or regional reports like the NY State Climate Assessment (https://nysclimateimpacts.org) that detail what climate change means for health and environment, and our wallets.

So, what’s your story? How are you going to use it to bring about the change you want to see? If you need help creating your story, join our Storytelling workshop on the second Tuesday of any month at https://thirdact.org/upstate-ny/events/storytelling-for-connection-action/. You don’t have to be a member of Third Act to learn how to build your story skills!

Lebanon, NH’s Central Fire Station was designed to aim for net- zero-ready status which included solar, heat pumps, and RTUs on the roof. (ReArch)

Michael J. Daley

The grand opening in April this year of the new Central Fire Station in Lebanon, New Hampshire (www.lebanonnh.gov/) was marked by a ceremonial uncoupling of linked fire hoses strung in place of the more familiar ribbon. This is a traditional way to let the citizens know a new fire station is complete and ready to serve the community.

The design and construction of the $23.78 million facility was anything but traditional. The need to replace the Central Station was identified in 2022 as the building was constructed in 1954 and no longer met current operational needs. ReArch Construction (www.rearchconstruction.com) was the construction manager. Lavallee Brensinger Architects (www.lbpa.com/project/fire-station-1/) was chosen to provide the design and directed to aim for net- zero-ready status.

The internal vehicle bay was designed with LED lights and energy-saving ventilation systems. (Photo credit: Patrick Rogers)

The City of Lebanon chose to reach the highest standard of energy efficient design by participating in the NHSaves (www.nhsaves.com) program and partnering with Liberty(www.libertyutilities.com) to take advantage of the best state of the art technical assistance and highest cost savings incentives. NHSaves requires a public safety facility to achieve an energy use intensity (EUI) of 35 or less to receive a construction incentive of $1.50 per square foot.

EUI is calculated as annual energy consumption divided by building area. The Central Fire Station design EUI is 26.9 based on the 24,531 square foot building. The project qualified and is expected to receive over $50,000 in energy efficiency incentives. Franklin Energy (www.franklinenergynhsaves.com) was instrumental in helping the town navigate through the evaluation and application process required by Liberty’s energy efficiency program.

NHSaves is a performance-based program, and the final payments will depend on the actual performance as recorded during the next year. As the partner utility, Liberty will pay the City these savings. In return, the utility and ratepayers benefit by deferring the need for expensive new electricity generation and limiting harmful emissions.

Because the new Central Fire Station was to occupy the same historic site as the original Central Fire Station, several challenges were encountered meeting energy goals. The site location and size were not sufficient to support a geo-thermal well-field. To maintain required clearances to the neighboring lot lines, much of the mechanical equipment (heat pumps, exhaust fans, dedicated outdoor air system, energy recovery ventilation units and intake vents) needed to be consolidated on the roof levels. Operating as an emergency center requires building conditions to be maintained during periods of power loss and periods of extremely low ambient temperatures.

Another handicap toward high efficiency came from a key feature of the new facility – a state-of-the-art decontamination zone. Exposure to toxic particles from our modern chemicalized buildings is the main occupational hazard faced by firefighters. The decontamination area allows cleaning of gear and bodies after a fire, moving personnel from a dirty zone to clean zone. Because of the risk of cross-contamination of water systems, heat recovery strategies for wastewater could not be employed.

Nevertheless, many specialized air-to-air heat pumps and heat exchange and recovery strategies were installed throughout the facility by ARC Mechanical Contractors (www.arcmech.com). Revision Energy (www.revisionenergy.com) installed 60 kW of solar panels on the very crowded roof space. The solar array supplies 58% of the building’s needs, including heating, and was grant funded with planning support from the city’s planning and energy departments. 

Most occupied spaces are conditioned through multi-zone variable refrigerant flow systems allowing for simultaneous heat and cooling operation as well as recovery and transfer of heating or cooling energy between disparate indoor spaces.

An obvious challenge is the fact that responding to emergencies requires opening the huge bay area to immediate exposure to external climate any time of day or night. To mitigate these frequent and serious losses, the design incorporated dedicated kitchen and vehicle exhaust systems and energy recovery from exhaust air streams to make-up and outdoor air streams to meet ventilation requirements. Air source heat pumps also provide tempering and conditioning of the make-up air supply for kitchen exhaust and the main ventilation air supply to the building. General exhaust and ventilation of the apparatus bay is provided with integral energy recovery through a unit with fixed plate air-to-air heat exchange section while a dedicated exhaust fan provides vehicle exhaust capture at each bay. An air source to water heat pump unit in combination with high efficiency, gas-fired boilers provide heating hot water to in-slab radiant floor serving the apparatus bay and hydronic terminal units or coils serving other spaces throughout the building.

All these sophisticated energy saving strategies were made possible, in part, by the financial and technical assistance of the NHSaves program and is a fine example of its core mission: When the municipalities in our communities save, we all benefit from a healthier, more sustainable environment. Franklin Energy can help Liberty commercial, industrial, and municipal customers navigate the NHSaves program. They can be reached at 603-637-4346 or NHSaves@franklinenergy.com.

Headline News:

• “Environmentalists Decry Trump Administration’s Changing Of ‘Harm’ In Endangered Species Act” • The Departments of Interior and Commerce made a change to the language of the Endangered Species Act that environmental groups believe could open protected habitats to development. The definition of the word “harm” is to be rescinded from the Act. [ABC News]

Whooping cranes (US FWS, public domain)

• “Fastest Renewable Energy Growth Ever” • Renewable Energy Statistics 2026 released by the International Renewable Energy Agency shows that renewable electricity generation grew by 9.8% in 2024. This is significantly higher than the growth recorded in 2023. Overall, renewables accounted for 31.7% of the electricity generation globally in 2024. [CleanTechnica]
• “Solar PV Offers Finland Big Untapped Potential” • Despite its high-latitude, Finland is poised to build nearly 70 GW of solar PV that complements rich wind resources and outcompetes new nuclear power. A stream of energy system research reveals how the “midnight sun” and deep sector coupling gives solar PV an important edge. [pv magazine Global]
• “Cuba Plunged Into Third Nationwide Blackout In Two Weeks As Power Grid Collapses” • Cuba has suffered another blackout of the National Electric System, or SEN, leaving the entire island country without power, officials said, in what was the third such incident in less than two weeks as a US oil embargo stresses the island’s grid. [Euronews]
• “Oil Prices Are Spiking Again. Here’s What It Means For Gas Prices” • Oil prices soared in recent days as fighting in the Middle East escalated, threatening to end a weeks-long stretch of relief for drivers at the pump. Brent crude futures, a benchmark index for worldwide trading, rose to $84.50 a barrel, marking a roughly 12% increase in three days. [ABC News]
• “‘Gigascale’ 5.2-GW, 19-GWh Solar + Storage Project Moves Forward” • Masdar reached financial close on what it calls the “world’s first gigascale round-the-clock renewable energy project.” This project will have a 5.2-GW solar plant, firmed by 19 GWh of battery storage. It will provide 1 GW of clean power continuously, 24 hours a day. [CleanTechnica]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Issue 94, Green Energy Times’ July –October 2026 Edition, has gone to press and will soon be available at the usual locations.

It can be downloaded as a pdf file HERE.

Individual articles will soon be available. 

Headline News:

• “Denmark, Portugal, And Lithuania Lead The Way As The EU Share Of Electricity From Renewables Hits 46%” • The EU’s share of electricity generated from renewables continues to grow, new Eurostat data reveals. In the first quarter of 2026, it reached 45.5% of the total electricity generated. This is up from 42.7% in the same period in 2025. [Euronews]

Wind turbines in Portugal (Afonso Coutinho, Unsplash)

• “New “Air” Battery Makes Larger Electric Aircraft Possible” • The idea behind lithium-air batteries is to use oxygen from the air as a key ingredient, thereby saving considerable weight while potentially boosting energy density far beyond the capacity of ordinary lithium-ion technology. US startup Air Energy may have found a way to do that. [CleanTechnica]
• “Brussels Pivots From Climate Mitigation To Adaptation As Heatwaves Expose Vulnerabilities” • The European Commission, seeing that European policies fail to match the quickening pace and impacts of climate change, pledged to “double down” on efforts to mitigate climate change following last week’s extreme and deadly heatwave in Western Europe. [Euronews]
• “Nova Scotia Green Light For 1.2-GW Onshore Giant” • Nova Scotia has granted environmental assessment approval for the 1.2-GW Ocean Lake wind project. The project will include up to 158 turbines and is being developed by EverWind NS Holdings Ltd and Membertou Development Corp. It will generate enough electricity for about 404,000 homes. [reNews]
• “One Year Since One Big Beautiful Bill: Fewer Jobs, Higher Bills, More Pollution” • In the year since Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” into law the Trump administration reduced over $7.5 billion in clean energy investments. And Americans are facing soaring energy bills, more toxic emissions, and continued economic instability. [CleanTechnica]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Headline News:

• “Firmus Secures 600 MW Energy Supply Agreement In South Australia” • Firmus announced a landmark 12-year wholesale energy supply agreement with Gunvor Group for 600 MW of firm renewable power to support Project Southgate. The project is part of its strategy to develop large-scale AI Factory campuses in regional Australia. [CleanTechnica]

Firmus battery sysem (Firmus image)

• “South Dakota Storm Strikes Two ENGIE Wind Farms” • A powerful storm hit South Dakota on June 29 damaging buildings, infrastructure, and turbines at ENGIE’s 250-MW Triple H and 200-MW North Bend wind farms. Reports said wind speeds of up to 131 mph had been recorded in the area. Collapsed turbine towers and blades are on the ground. [reNews]
• “Air Quality Is Improving Across Europe As Report Finds ‘Steady Decrease’ In Major Pollutants” • Europe’s air quality is getting better. The EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service says in its latest report that while some parts of the continent are still experiencing issues with local air pollution the overall outlook “remains encouraging.” [Euronews]
• “China’s Coal Use Flatlines As Solar And Wind Expand In 2025” • China’s coal consumption remained flat in 2025, as the country marked the first year in a decade without growth. The rapid expansion in renewable energy and structural shifts in industry reshaped the country’s power system. China installed 315 GW of solar capacity in 2025. [Asian Power]
• “Extreme Heat Forecast: What To Expect As Heatwave Hits Northeast” • A dangerous heatwave going on in the Midwest and South has moved into the East Coast. The heat index could reach 106°F in Boston, a scorching 111°F in New York, and 110°F in Washington, DC. Minimal overnight relief will make the heat even more dangerous. [ABC News]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Headline News:

• “Biggest US Wildfire Leaves Ranchers With Dead And Missing Cattle” • As the Cottonwood Fire, the largest wildfire in the US, continued to rage in Utah, ranchers reported finding dead cattle strewn across burned grazing land, and the state agriculture commissioner said it could take years for ranchers to recover from the devastation. [ABC News]

Cattle grazing in Utah (inkknife_2000, CC BY-SA 2.0)

• “Federal Appeals Court Upholds Limits On Fossil Fuel Use In Buildings” • The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld laws that prohibit appliances burning fossil fuels in new buildings in New York City and New York State, affirming lower courts’ rulings. Communities are taking action to stop use of polluting fossil fuels in buildings. [CleanTechnica]
• “Renewables Generate Record Share Of UK Electricity, As Wind Out-Supplies Gas” • Renewable energy sources in the UK generated a record 53.1% of the country’s electricity during the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 7.4%, driven by increased wind energy generation. The share of electricity generated from fossil fuels fell to 32.8%. [Renew Economy]
• “Record-High Ocean Temperatures Could Fuel Sea Level Rise And Extreme Weather On Land” • New Copernicus data reveals that daily global sea surface heat has broken records for the time of year. The record high global sea surface temperatures are the latest sign that the world’s oceans are entering what scientists call “uncharted territory.” [Euronews]
• “Extreme Heat Forecast: What To Expect As Heat Wave Hits Midwest, Northeast” • A serious heat wave is bringing prolonged extreme heat to the Midwest, the South, and the East Coast this week. The extreme heat hit the Midwest first. The heat index is forecast to hit 105°F in Chicago and 111°F in Detroit. The heat is spreading next into the Northeast. [ABC News]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Headline News:

• “Trump Killed Climate.gov Last Summer. Scientists Have Just Brought It Back” • Last summer, Trump shuttered climate.gov, NOAA’s portal on climate science. Now a team of roughly eighty volunteer scientists and former NOAA staffers has resurrected climate.gov as the nonprofit climate.us, crowdfunded with over $321,000 in donations. [Gizmodo]

Atmospheric river (NOAA, public domain)

• “Power From Here: Most Of Humanity Already Lives Where Solar And Wind Are Strongest” • Most of the world is already rich in the two energy sources we need to decarbonize fast: sun and wind. The global shift to renewables is not constrained by resource scarcity, but by whether planning and investment move fast enough. [CleanTechnica]
• “Europe’s Record Heatwave Is Shifting East” • Europe is still going through its most severe heatwave on record, with all-time highs shattered by temperatures across the continent. The death toll is more than 1,300. Now the heat is shifting east towards the Balkans and Ukraine, and Ukraine’s war-damaged power grid is bracing for the heat’s next phase. [Euronews]
• “Solar Power: From Intermittent To Reliable Power” • Global solar demand is growing dramatically. China is by far the largest investor in solar PV generation and the largest producer of solar panels. In contrast to many other markets, solar truly is a global growth industry, now representing over 40% of the investment in global power generation. [McKinsey & Company]
• “Duke Energy Latest Company to Accept Trump’s Dirty ‘Deal’ to Scrap Offshore Wind” • Duke Energy accepted $129 million in taxpayer money to end an offshore wind lease. The company is the latest to accept such an offer from the Interior Department. California and northeastern states are suing the US government over such agreements. [CleanTechnica]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Headline News:

• “Booming Air Tourism Could Fuel European Rent Hikes Of Up To €250 A Year” • With unchecked growth in tourism and air traffic growth, there is a housing crisis in Europe. Some of the most popular destinations, like Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece, have seen protests from residents in the summer months due to the strain on affordable housing. [CleanTechnica]

Home in Greece (Dimitris Kiriakakis, Unsplash, cropped)

• “Swiss Glaciers Melting At Alarming Rate” • The snow and ice that fell on Swiss glaciers last winter is expected to be completely melted away by June 29, Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland has reported. Melting from now to October will shrink the size of the glaciers. The drastic loss is due to the heatwaves that swept over Europe this month. [Euronews]
• “French Deaths Soar As Extreme Heat Breaks European Records” • France saw around 1,000 additional deaths last week at the height of its record-smashing heat wave, the country’s public health agency said. The head of the WHO warned that Europe is now the fastest-warming continent and needs to do more to protect its citizens. [ABC News]
• “‘Insane’ Shortage Of Computer Hardware?” • In the face of the huge demand for computer hardware for data centers, we got news that Apple is raising prices on a bunch of products. Apple CEO Tim Cook said raising prices was “unavoidable.” Elon Musk also chimed in, saying the price surge is unlike anything he has seen “in any area in over 40 years.” [CleanTechnica]
• “Three Firefighters Killed And Two Injured Responding Wildfire On Utah-Colorado Border” • Three firefighters were killed on Saturday while responding to the Snyder Fire, a wildfire burning along the Utah-Colorado border, the US Wildland Fire Service announced. Two other firefighters are being treated for burn injuries, the service said. [ABC News]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.

Headline News:

• “A ‘strategic mistake of colossal proportions’ Why Trump is losing the war on renewables” • Despite the Trump regime, solar overtook coal in the US electricity mix for the first month on record in May. According to energy think tank Ember, sunlight supplied a record 12.8 % of US electricity, while coal fell to 12.2%, its fourth-lowest monthly share ever. [Euronews]

Protest sign (Leo_Visions, Unsplash, cropped)

• “Climate-Tech Claims Need A Red-Flag Pass Before They Get Money” • Climate-tech claims usually arrive with a promise of a solution for some hard part of decarbonization and a request for support. Sometimes the claim deserves serious diligence. Other times it deserves a narrow demonstration. And there are times it deserves a polite but firm no. [Cleantechnica]
• “The Next Frontier: Offshore Wind Power” • Besieged by high electricity costs and heavy reliance on fossil fuels, the Philippine archipelago is positioning itself as a prime destination for Asian offshore wind investment. With massive coastal wind resources, the Philippines recognizes that offshore wind offers the path to energy independence with lowest cost. [MSN]
• “Europe Is Still Sweltering With Record-Breaking Heat” • The brutal heatwave is still griping Europe. Paris banned drinking alcohol in public over the weekend, while the city’s Pride March has been postponed, and the Louvre museum and the Eiffel Tower are closing early. Temperatures in the French capital has touched 39°C (102°F). [Euronews]
• “China Is Quietly Winning The Clean Energy Trade War” • China’s clean energy dominance is growing. Buoyed by fast rising energy needs and the projected demands of the artificial intelligence boom, clean energy projects are getting greenlit at a breakneck pace. Beijing has near-total control of global supply chains for clean energy tech. [OilPrice.com]

For more news, please visit geoharvey – Daily News about Energy and Climate Change.