New Orleans uses solar microgrids to prepare for hurricanes

New Orleans has developed a network of solar-powered "community lighthouses" to provide power during hurricanes, aiming to enhance resilience against extreme weather events.

Beth Timmins reports for BBC.

In short:

The Broadmoor Church in New Orleans is equipped with solar panels, serving as one of 86 planned "community lighthouses" designed to offer power during hurricanes. These hubs form part of a project by Together Louisiana to build the nation's largest network of solar resilience centers.
Community lighthouses function as microgrids with battery backup, offering essential power for communication, refrigeration and medical needs during power outages caused by hurricanes. The project, backed by local and federal funding, will eventually support 380,000 New Orleans residents.
Louisiana, prone to extreme weather, faces high costs due to hurricanes. With these lighthouses, the state aims to reduce deaths and suffering caused by power outages and extreme heat during hurricanes like Ida in 2021.

Key quote:

“This starts from grassroots to try to get a response that becomes systemic, one that checks in on people in their neighbourhoods – we're in the early stages of developing this across our state.”

— Broderick Bagert, Together Louisiana

Why this matters:

Extreme weather is increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change, leaving many without power during hurricanes. New Orleans' solar microgrid initiative is a proactive step towards ensuring community safety and resilience during these events.

www.bbc.com

Sick African American man coughing holding paper napkin near mouth suffering from respiratory ailment

Credit: Prostock-studio/BigStock Photo ID: 400400966

In U.S. coal country, black lung surges as federal protections stall

While President Trump is directing hundreds of millions of dollars to coal projects, miners in Appalachia are suffering from a resurgence of black lung disease. But industry pushback has indefinitely delayed federal rules that would reduce miners’ exposure to deadly silica dust.

Read the Full Article on

e360.yale.edu

New Orleans uses solar microgrids to prepare for hurricanes

With promises of money, controversial gas pipeline on Navajo Nation passes first hurdle

Revealed: British ad giant’s billion-dollar greenwash of U.S. oil industry

What could the UAE’s exit from OPEC mean for oil markets and the climate?

Congress once shielded gun makers. Now it’s fossil fuel companies’ turn

The SEC tried to silence activist investors. Now they're fighting back

Takeaways from the first conference focused on transitioning away from fossil fuels

In U.S. coal country, black lung surges as federal protections stall

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.