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Top stories summarized by our editors
Top stories summarized by our editors

Engine No. 1 debuts $100M ESG-focused ETF

6/22/2021

We knew the team at Engine No. 1 had big things in the works, and now we're seeing those plans come to light with the launch of a $100 million sustainable exchange-traded fund known as the Engine No. 1 Transform 500 ETF. "The problem isn't passive investing, it's passive ownership," says Michael O'Leary of Engine No. 1, which famously flipped three board seats at ExxonMobil. "Too many sustainable investing strategies shift an investor's exposure away from companies that need to change rather than working to change them."

RESB Murmurs: The little engine that could keeps chugging along as it becomes a mighty big engine does. - Sean

I watched this young woman surf this morning

6/21/2021

Last night I hopped on my first flight since the pandemic started for a quick trip to my ol' hometown of Carlsbad, California. When I went for a quick walk on the beach this morning, I noticed a few professional photographers with their lenses trained on the lineup of surfers and a drone hovering overhead. I figured someone famous was out there surfing and a few seconds later my suspicion was confirmed when this young woman took off on a wave. Her name is Liv Stone and she's a World Champion and a member of the USA Paralympic team. Totally rad! -- Sean

Photovoltaic-thermal system enables desalination tech

6/18/2021

A team from Tarbiat Modares University in Iran has developed a reverse osmosis desalination system that's designed for brackish water and is powered by hybrid photovoltaic-thermal technology. "Since the efficiency of converters is not 100%, the battery was chosen in a way to supply the required power of the loads and compensate for the converters' power losses," said the team.

RESB Murmurs: Desalination powered by solar will be a game changer in parts of the world where sunshine is plentiful, but drinkable water is not. - Sean

FERC, NARUC task force to tackle US transmission woes

6/18/2021

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners have formed the Joint Federal-State Task Force on Electric Transmission to weigh the cost and benefits associated with transmission build-out and help pave the way for renewables. "It is increasingly clear that interstate transmission will play a critical role in the transition to the clean energy future," tweeted FERC Chair Richard Glick.

RESB Murmurs: Since most conversations about the occurrence of blackouts seem to have shifted from "if" to "when," any help from this task force can't arrive soon enough. - Sean

PHOTO GALLERY: Jack Dorsey's many looks were ranked

6/18/2021

This is a comedic look at the various looks Twitter and Square boss Jack Dorsey has attempted over the years as part of his never-ending quest to convince people he's not a square. Normally, I'd vote for anything with a Jimmy Buffett theme, but in this case Dorsey's "The Beard" and "Check Out My Nine Inch Nails Cover Band" looks tie for the top spot in my ranking. - Sean

Groups urge CPUC to keep rooftop solar competitive

6/17/2021

The defeat of a California State Assembly bill that would have allowed utilities to change net-metering credits and impose fees on rooftop solar customers was a small victory for solar advocates, but now they have to take on similar changes under consideration at the California Public Utilities Commission. "What the big utilities are proposing would do nothing short of halting the rooftop solar industry in its tracks, just as our economy and clean energy needs demand we go forward," said Bernadette Del Chiaro of the California Solar and Storage Association.

RESB Murmurs: For an in-depth look at the net energy metering debate, give a listen to this episode of the Renewable energy SmartPod featuring insights from Joseph Triepke from Lium. - Sean

Climate messaging shouldn't be one-size-fits-all

6/16/2021

Republicans are less likely to prioritize climate issues than Democrats, but a new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change indicates a few simple changes in messaging could help change that. The study, which involved two congressional districts with a mix of Democrats and Republicans, found Republican voters were more likely to identify with like-minded spokespeople whose climate messaging aligned with conservative values.

RESB Murmurs: This study is a must-read for those looking to convert skeptics and build increased support for renewables initiatives. Word choice can also be key. Some terms that are common within the industry -- like "ratepayer" -- aren't as familiar to those outside the industry. Think about it ... terms like "consumer" or "voter" are probably more effective at letting all those ratepayers know renewable projects can benefit them. - Sean

Carbon neutrality by 2030 top corporate climate goal

6/14/2021

More Global Fortune 500 companies are pursuing carbon neutrality goals than are trying to switch to renewable energy or reducing emissions in line with "science-based targets," according to Natural Capital Partners. Companies publishing sustainability reports grew from 20% in 2011 to 90% in 2019 as investors sought more accountability about environmental, social, and governance criteria.

RESB Murmurs: If you want to learn more about how large corporations are tackling climate change, stay tuned for the next episode of the Renewable Energy SmartPod. Miranda Ballentine, CEO of the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance, will be joining the show to discuss the strategies REBA members (including some of the companies featured in this infographic) are deploying to add more renewable energy to their operations. - Sean

Will Biden's climate goals get thrown under a fossil-fueled bus?

6/10/2021

Everyone knew coming into the Biden administration that gaining policy buy-in from Senate Republicans would be a challenge, but fierce negotiations over President Joe Biden's American Jobs Plan have skeptics wondering if the president can secure Senate approval without giving up key aspects of his climate agenda. "[W]e've got to get this done if we're serious about meeting the commitments we just made to the international community, and right now is make-or-break time," said Evergreen Action Executive Director Jamal Raad.

RESB Murmurs: Tick, tick, tick, tick ... the time for President Biden to walk the walk instead of talk the talk is fast-approaching. - Sean

PODCAST: Looney talks transformation underway at BP

6/10/2021

BP has been working for a little over a year to turn itself into an integrated energy company. In this podcast, CEO Bernard Looney discusses how the transition is going and what to expect from BP's future portfolio, as well as the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on energy markets.

RESB Murmurs: Carve out some time to listen to this podcast. Looney is surprisingly forthcoming about the obstacles that stand in the way of BP embracing a more rapid transformation plan. - Sean