Populations disappearing in areas where temperatures are getting hotter, scientists say
From The Guardian, February 6, 2020
Bumblebees are in drastic decline across Europe and North America owing to hotter and more frequent extremes in temperatures, scientists say.
A study suggests the likelihood of a bumblebee population surviving in any given place has declined by 30% in the course of a single human generation. The researchers say the rates of decline appear to be “consistent with a mass extinction”.
Peter Soroye, a PhD student at the University of Ottawa and the study’s lead author, said: “We found that populations were disappearing in areas where the temperatures had gotten hotter. If declines continue at this pace, many of these species could vanish forever within a few decades.”
The team used data collected over a 115-year period on 66 bumblebee species across North America and Europe to develop a model simulating “climate chaos” scenarios. They were able to see how bumblebee populations had changed over the years by comparing where the insects were now to where they used to be.
Increases projected to be modest, after most recent power auction, but BPU does raise concerns about money utilities are pumping into transmission
Transmission tower
New Jersey residential and small-commercial customers will likely see their monthly electric bills increase slightly this June, a mild reversal of the past few years when prices were relatively stable or dipped because of low natural gas prices.
Nevertheless, New Jersey Board of Public Utility officials described the 19th annual power auction conducted by the agency as an overall success, despite concerns that increasing investments in transmission upgrades are beginning to take a toll on customers.
“The cost of transmission has been out of hand and has been for a long time,’’ said BPU President Joseph Fiordaliso. “The rate of return is too high,’’ he added, referring to what utilities earn for making those investments.
In the end, three of the four electric utilities will see their residential and small-commercial customers’ bills increase, topped by the state’s biggest utility, Public Service Electric & Gas, whose typical residential customers will see bills climb about 4.4%, or $5.20 more per month. The increases take effect on June 1.
Bills from Jersey Central Power & Light, the state’s second-largest electric utility with more than 1 million customers, will increase by 2.4% or by $2.09 a month; typical bills for Atlantic City Electric’s residential customers will rise by 0.3% or 40 cents monthly, while Rockland Electric customers will experience a drop of 1.6%, or $1.89 per month.
Costs for commercial customers
For larger commercial and industrial customers who buy electricity from independent suppliers, costs also will increase when compared to previous years, largely a result of increased demands to supply power from renewable sources and higher costs to provide the capacity to keep the lights on.
The boost in bills was largely foreseen by a consultant hired by the BPU who projected rising energy prices could boost costs as well as higher transmission expenses, most evidently seen by PSE&G customers.
“We expected to see higher prices and that’s what we got,’’ said Frank Mossburg, managing director of Bates White, which had been hired by the board to oversee the auction. The higher charges also were caused by lower prices expiring under contracts purchased three years ago in a prior auction.
PSE&G pumps money into transmission
Transmission was a factor in all of the increases, but none more significant than PSE&G, which has been investing huge amounts of capital into transmission upgrades. In a five-year plan outlined last year, it sought to invest $5 billion in transmission upgrades.
But PSE&G argued that despite the increase, customers still spend less than they did more than a decade ago.
A l backcountry skier reaching the summit of the mountain during a snowstorm,
NY Department of Environmental Conservation alert
Backcountry downhill skiers, snowboarders, and others who may traverse slides and other steep, open terrain in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks must be aware of the risk of avalanche, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos advised today.
“The current snowstorm in the Adirondacks will result in snow depths and conditions ideal for winter outdoor recreational activities like snowshoeing, cross country skiing, or simply enjoying the beauty of the mountains and forests,” Commissioner Seggos said. “However, DEC cautions anyone planning to ski, board, or traverse backcountry slides and other avalanche-prone terrain in the High Peaks region or other high elevation mountains in the Adirondacks to be careful and be prepared for avalanche conditions.”
Snow depths on high elevation slopes in the High Peaks range from three to five feet, with more snow expected into tonight. The new snow will fall on the current snow pack, which already has distinct layers formed by rain and melt/freeze cycles. Lower snow layers may be reactive to the added stresses of recent snows, creating conditions conducive to avalanches.
The current National Weather Service winter storm warning for northern New York for February 7, states light mixed precipitation will transition to moderate to heavy snow and continue through the evening. Snowfall rates of one to three inches per hour are likely during the midday hours. Gusty winds will develop in the afternoon and likely yield near-whiteout conditions due to blowing snow.
Avalanches can occur in any situation where snow, slope, and weather conditions combine to create the proper conditions. While much of the steep open terrain is found in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks, avalanche-prone terrain is found on mountains throughout the Adirondacks, including Snowy Mountain in Hamilton County.
Avalanche danger increases during and immediately after major snowfalls and during thaws. The forecast for this weekend is for mostly sunny and partly sunny skies with temperatures above freezing. While this weather is appealing to outdoor enthusiasts, it also increases the danger of avalanches.
The majority of avalanches in the U.S. occur in the western mountains. However, avalanches do occur in the northeast and can have dire consequences. Last year, Vermont State Police, multiple volunteer search and rescue groups, and resort ski patrols received dozens of calls for assistance when more than 30 skiers and snowboarders required rescue. In February 2018, a skier on Wright Peak was trapped waist-deep in snow. He was escaped uninjured with the assistance of his companions. This is the same peak where one person was killed and five people were injured in an avalanche while skiing in February 2000.
DEC reminds backcountry winter recreationists to take the following precautions when traveling in avalanche-prone terrain:
Cross-country skiers and snowshoers should stay on trails and avoid steep slopes on summits;
Know the terrain, weather, and snow conditions;
Dig multiple snow pits to conduct stability tests – do not rely on other people’s data;
Practice safe route-finding and safe travel techniques;
Never ski, board, or climb with someone above or below you – only one person on the slope at a time;
Ski and ride near trees – not in the center of slides or other open areas;
Always carry a shovel, probes, and a transceiver with fresh batteries;
Ensure all members of the group know avalanche rescue techniques;
Opponent anticipates ‘multiyear battle’ as the company amends its $1B project, withdraws a permit application and prepares for possible fall hearing in U.S. Supreme Court
The past several days underlined that steadfastness with a flurry of moves by the company, some of which may have bolstered its five-year quest to win approval for the controversial project, and others that guaranteed new delays in its efforts.
Throughout its long fight to win approval for a 120-mile-long new natural gas pipeline through parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, PennEast Pipeline LLC has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to be in it for the long haul.
Late last week, PennEast filed amendments to its $1 billion project, proposing to build it in two phases. Initially, it would focus on 68 miles in Pennsylvania where it has won most of the approvals it needs to begin construction, targeting completion by November of next year. The other portion in New Jersey would be set to deliver gas in 2023, pending more complicated permit approvals in the state.
In a press release, Anthony Cox, chair of the company’s Board of Managers, said the action “again proves the PennEast partners are fully committed to the entire project and meeting the needs of its customers for safe, clean, reliable and affordable energy.’’
Meanwhile, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission sided with PennEast last week in seeking to overturn an adverse federal appeals court ruling that threatens to block the project from moving forward in New Jersey. The agency issued an order saying the decision could disrupt the natural gas sector’s ability to construct interstate pipelines.
PennEast wants to withdraw one application
In addition, PennEast asked the Delaware River Basin Commission to withdraw the company’s applications for a water withdrawal permit for the original route of its project in Pennsylvania.
The project, widely opposed by local groups and environmentalists on both sides of the Delaware River, aims to deliver cheap natural gas to customers in both states. New Jersey’s Division of Rate Counsel, however, argues the proponents have failed to demonstrate a need for the project.
Finally, PennEast won an extension until March 4 to appeal the U.S. Court of Appeals decision saying the company could not exercise eminent domain over 40 state-owned lands. The extension could push a hearing by the Supreme Court, if it decides to review the case, until next fall, according to opponents.
“This is another multiyear battle,’’ said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “It’s been a major shakeup in the last couple of weeks. They are not going away. They are just reshuffling everything.’’
Maya van Rossum, Delaware Riverkeeper agreed, calling the maneuvering by the company likely only procedural steps. “DRBC must not be lulled into believing that it can approve the Pennsylvania portion of the project alone and consider the New Jersey portion later.’’
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Although natural gas produces about half the carbon dioxide emissions when burned than coal does, studies show methane leaks and flaring throughout the supply chain release far more greenhouse gas emissions than official data suggests. Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Can natural gas be part of a climate change solution?
That’s what the American Petroleum Institute argues in a new campaign it has launched ahead of this year’s elections, pushing back against some Democratic candidates who support bans on new development of oil and gas. The campaign echoes a refrain that supporters from both political parties have pushed for years: that gas is a cleaner fuel than coal and can serve as a bridge to a low-carbon future.
The industry points to data showing the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions are at their lowest level in decades, as coal power generation has been replaced by gas, which produces about half the carbon dioxide emissions when burned, and by renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
But experts agree that those official figures understate emissions of methane, the primary component of natural gas and a potent greenhouse gas released in leaks throughout the oil and gas development supply chain. And while there’s uncertainty about how much methane is leaking, several studies show that the benefits of the switch from coal to gas over the last decade are smaller than government data suggests, perhaps substantially smaller.
Many oil and gas companies have pledged to reduce their methane emissions. But beyond the methane leaks, emissions from new petrochemical plants and liquid natural gas export facilities in coming years, spurred by the gas boom, are set to surge.
With costs of renewable energy sources like wind and solar now competitive with natural gas, many experts who have studied the industry’s emissions say that even though the switch from coal to gas has likely provided some climate benefits, marginal as they may be, it’s harder to argue that it can continue doing so in the future.
David Lyon, a scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund, which has collaborated with the oil and gas industry in working on methane, said asking whether gas is better than coal may be the wrong question. “Compared to coal, I think there are a lot of advantages to natural gas,” he said. “But renewables have a lot more advantages.”
Jessika Trancik, an associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Institute for Data, Systems and Society, who recently co-authored a study about the coal-to-gas switch, said continuing to rely on natural gas will grow increasingly difficult.
“It has served as a bridge,” she said. “But we’re kind of nearing the end of the bridge.”
