EV's, Reliable Power, et al

[DKG]

Wyoming provides a model for the nation with a new bill to bar the state from restricting carbon-based energy sources or treating carbon as a pollutant. Other red states should follow.

Carbon forms the basis of plant life and emerges from nearly all energy sources, aside from nuclear power, that keep us warm. With forecasts predicting a prolonged cold spell for much of the US, now is the time to end the war on carbon, human life, and effective energy production. Wyoming conservatives offer a solution with SF 92, the "Make Carbon Dioxide Great Again" bill.

For years, most Republican governors have embraced or tolerated the push for "carbon neutral" energy — also known as transitioning away from reliable energy sources to less effective options that harm land and the environment. They mainly differ from Democrats on how quickly to pursue this potential energy nuclear winter. In Wyoming, where the governor supports going "carbon negative," a group of conservatives is taking the offensive, rejecting the idea that carbon is the problem instead of a key driver of the economy.

[Herman]

A University of Michigan study has concluded that it is impossible to mine enough copper to meet the push for EV transition. Not only can't it meet the copper needed for the vehicles themselves, but the power grid would be lacking as well.

"A normal Honda Accord needs about 40 pounds of copper. The same battery electric Honda Accord needs almost 200 pounds of copper. Onshore wind turbines require about 10 tons of copper, and in offshore wind turbines, that amount can more than double," said Adam Simon, U-M professor of earth and environmental studies.
"We show in the paper that the amount of copper needed is essentially impossible for mining companies to produce."

The study found that between 2018 and 2050, the world will need to mine 115% more copper than has been mined in ALL of human history up until 2018 just to meet "business as usual" needs. This would meet the US's current copper needs as well as supporting the developing world without considering the green energy transition. And that is simply impossible.

So as predicted by myself and others, "ain't no way". The push for the move from internal combustion engines to EV's is not simply unrealistic given the stage of technology, but impossible based on actual material needs. And copper is only ONE material which is being shown to be lacking; there are others.

[Oliver the Second]

Huge fire at Moss Landing battery plant spurs evacuations, road closures, sends out plumes of toxic smoke



MOSS LANDING — Highway 1 is closed and evacuations were ordered in Moss Landing and the Elkhorn Slough area after a major fire erupted Thursday afternoon at a battery storage plant in Moss Landing in northern Monterey County.

The fire, which was raging out of control Thursday night, sending up huge flames and clouds of hazardous black smoke, was reported around 3 p.m. at the plant, located on Highway 1, Monterey County spokesman Nicholas Pasculli said.

Evacuations of about 1,500 people were ordered for areas of Moss Landing south of Elkhorn Slough, north of Molera Road and Monterey Dunes Way, and west of Castroville Boulevard and Elkhorn Road to the ocean.

The facility, owned by Vistra Energy, a Texas company, is one of the largest battery storage plants in the world. It holds tens of thousands of lithium batteries, which are used to store electricity from solar power and other sources generated during the day for use at night. Such battery storage plants are a key part of California's efforts to shift most of its electricity generation to renewable sources.

https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/01/16/moss-landing-power-plant-fire-evacuations-road-closures/

[Shen Li]

Huge fire at Moss Landing battery plant spurs evacuations, road closures, sends out plumes of toxic smoke



MOSS LANDING — Highway 1 is closed and evacuations were ordered in Moss Landing and the Elkhorn Slough area after a major fire erupted Thursday afternoon at a battery storage plant in Moss Landing in northern Monterey County.

The fire, which was raging out of control Thursday night, sending up huge flames and clouds of hazardous black smoke, was reported around 3 p.m. at the plant, located on Highway 1, Monterey County spokesman Nicholas Pasculli said.

Evacuations of about 1,500 people were ordered for areas of Moss Landing south of Elkhorn Slough, north of Molera Road and Monterey Dunes Way, and west of Castroville Boulevard and Elkhorn Road to the ocean.

The facility, owned by Vistra Energy, a Texas company, is one of the largest battery storage plants in the world. It holds tens of thousands of lithium batteries, which are used to store electricity from solar power and other sources generated during the day for use at night. Such battery storage plants are a key part of California's efforts to shift most of its electricity generation to renewable sources.

https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/01/16/moss-landing-power-plant-fire-evacuations-road-closures/

The world seems to be taking a step back from EV's.