Latest news with #GlobalEnergyMonitor
CNN
4 days ago
- Business
- CNN
America was already losing to China on clean energy. Trump just sealed its fate.
The new clean energy regime can be summarized in one incredible statistic: China installed more wind and solar power in a single year than the total amount of renewable energy currently operating in the United States. America was already laps behind China in the race to dominate the industry, new data from Global Energy Monitor shows. President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful,' spending bill will secure its position as a clean-energy loser, experts told CNN. The spending law Trump signed earlier this month knee-caps clean energy tax credits for wind and solar. Business leaders say it will raise electricity prices for businesses and consumers alike here, as the cheapest electrons on the grid (generated by wind and solar) become more costly to build and are replaced with more expensive gas. At the same time, pulling funds from the clean energy industry puts it on its heels just as it was looking to make gains toward more efficient technologies and better battery storage. Meanwhile, China is currently building 510 gigawatts of utility-scale solar and wind capacity, according to Global Energy Monitor. It will be added to the eye-popping 1,400 gigawatts already online — five times what is operating in the US. In short, 'the game has already been called,' said Li Shuo, director of the China climate hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute. Wind and solar, bolstered by giant batteries that can store their energy, are also becoming an increasingly dominant force in the US, but on a much smaller scale. Renewables generate the vast majority of new electricity that's come online in the past few years in the US and make up about 85% of what is currently waiting to be approved in the nation's permitting queue. The US had roughly 275 gigawatts of wind and solar operating at the end of last year. There are another 150 gigawatts of wind and solar planned for construction through 2031, according to the US Energy Information Administration — projects at risk with Trump and Republicans' bill that quickly phases out subsidies for renewables. In the US, wind and solar developers are running into the buzzsaw that is President Donald Trump. Trump pushed forcefully to kill tax credits for wind and solar development in his signature law, succeeding in curtailing the credits and vowing to hinder the industry in other ways. The law effectively cuts planned renewables additions to the grid in half over the next decade compared to projections without it, according to modeling done by the non-partisan think tank Rhodium Group. That will mean rising electricity prices in every continental US state, due to the price of renewables increasing and more expensive gas filling the gap, as CNN has reported. Even with China's blistering pace of installations so far, 510 gigawatts of wind and solar currently being built is astonishing. Shuo said the number seemed a little higher than what Chinese analysts have projected. Mengqi Zhang and Yujia Han, the two Global Energy Monitor analysts who authored the report, told CNN that part of the reason the number is so high is that Chinese renewables developers were racing to build out quickly in order to claim government subsidies that expired in June. 'This is why the surge is coming before May,' Han said. Most of China's wind and solar farms are far away from its largest cities. But in China's capital of Beijing, the country's energy transition is apparent in another way – it is difficult to find a gas-powered car driving on the roads, Shuo said. Shuo recently visited Beijing and said nearly all Uber drivers there are driving EVs. 'All the drivers will tell you it just doesn't make any economic sense for them to purchase another (gas) vehicle,' Shuo said. 'Some of them told me that the fuel cost of driving an EV is about one sixth of an (gas)-powered vehicle.' Climate analysts in China feel confident the nation has reached its peak oil use, given the dramatic uptick in EV use, Shuo said. But the outstanding question is China's power sector, and whether all the wind and solar the country has installed over the last several years can displace coal-fired power. Over the few months, China's increased demand for power has been met entirely by renewables, meaning the country hasn't increased its planet-warming pollution even as it's using more power. 'There's still a lot of entrenched interest to support coal, but overall what we're looking at is renewable energy eating into the share of fossil fuel power generation,' Shuo said. Meanwhile, in the US, more expensive electricity could significantly hamper economic development and discourage companies from building here, undermining one of Trump's own priorities. With less wind and solar coming online due to the GOP law, plus long wait times to get new natural gas plants up and running, Rhodium analyst Ben King said some data centers and large manufacturing facilities may struggle to get enough power. 'Data centers, semiconductor manufacturing and other sources of new industrial load, that just might not be able to come online, because we may not have the generators to meet that demand,' King said.
The Star
10-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Group of volunteer-professionals helps solarise Mindanao one solar panel at a time
MANILA: Mindanao, the Philippines' second biggest island group, is blessed with natural beauty. Think lush forests and pristine beaches, verdant mountains and dramatic waterfalls. It's also a melting pot of cultures—an intersection of artistic and culinary heritage. No wonder it has earned the nickname 'Land of Promise.' It is also a hub for renewable energy development, with potential in hydropower, geothermal energy, and solar projects. However, Mindanao still faces challenges in balancing its energy transition with social and environmental considerations, according to the Global Energy Monitor. With the promise of a Mindanao that is reliant on greener energy still far from being realised, groups are working to achieve this goal. One of which is Mindanao Goes Solar, the advocacy arm of Professional Organisers Unlimited Inc., a Cagayan de Oro-based events and creative agency. Kickstarting Mindanao's clean energy transition In an interview with Asia News Network, Philline Donggay, project lead of the Mindanao Goes Solar movement, shared that the roots of the advocacy can be traced to research engagements with stakeholders working on clean energy transition in Mindanao. The group had earlier support from the European Climate Foundation, which enabled them to conduct the all-important stakeholder analysis and ecosystem mapping of the solar energy landscape in Mindanao. The region has the lowest electrification rate among the country's three major island groups, Donggay lamented, adding that there is also a need to decarbonise electricity production in the Mindanao grid to contribute to the Philippines' national climate goals and the global sustainable development goals (SDGs). 'Solar, which is abundant in the country and is now the cheapest source of energy in the region and elsewhere, is the optimum solution to kickstart Mindanao's clean energy transition,' she added. Donggay explained that the energy needs of Mindanao's most geographically isolated and off-grid communities can be better serviced by solar photovoltaic (PV) due to the technology's distributed and decentralised nature. 'This could help the regions finally achieve 100% electrification,' she emphasised. Moreover, rooftop solar PV has the potential to decrease greenhouse gas emissions in Mindanao's urban centres and surrounding municipalities by reducing demand for electricity from the grid, which is mostly produced by fossil fuels like coal. Mindanao Goes Solar supports Mindanao Development Authority's short-term goal of '50% renewable energy by 2030.¨ In the long term, meanwhile, their goal is to achieve a clean, just and equitable energy transition, switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy and optimising solar photovoltaic technology to meet the energy needs of every Mindanaoan household, business, and community. The challenge, Donggay explained, is to heighten awareness and understanding of the benefits of solar to power consumers, policymakers and other stakeholders in Mindanao. Promoting solar energy To this end, Donggay is proud of how, for the past three years, Mindanao Goes Solar has been successfully aiding the promotion of the region's local solar industry, both on the consumer and supplier side. Since its inception in 2022, the movement has spearheaded educational, creative, and engaging initiatives in the local language of Bisaya, such as the Solar Week broadcast, the Solar Talks series and campaigns like 'Solar Suroy' and 'SolAroundYou.' 'These projects help heighten awareness of solar to Mindanao power consumers while experiential promotions such as public solar charging stops and solar sheds, and solar outreach to remote communities like Siargao and the off-grid island in the Moro Gulf bring solar directly to the user,' Donggay shared. Furthermore, the success of solar expos and exhibits in Mindanao's key cities, such as Davao and Cagayan de Oro, connects solar service providers to potential clients while providing new knowledge about technology, policy and financing relevant to the public. All these help the young solar industry prosper in Mindanao. Asia News Network had the chance to attend the Mindanao Goes Solar's Davao Expo at the Abreeza Mall in Davao City last month, which featured over ten solar service providers, including AC Tech Solutions, CGAM Commercial, Flaretech, Gintong Tubig, Gizmo Etc., Greenergy, Lightbeam Solar, Pylon Energy, Solarhub, Sungrid Energy, and Sunstruct Solutions. The expo also included talks featuring solar energy experts in the region. Overcoming roadblocks Still, there are challenges, and Donggay identifies three of the biggest. These, however, don't deter Mindanao Goes Solar from working towards their goals, with the team having actionable measures in place for each of these roadblocks. For one, the local solar industry is still fledgling, meaning many service providers initially engaged have had difficulties staying in business for various reasons, Donggay shared. With this, the Mindanao Goes Solar secretariat conducts regular needs analyses to help solar suppliers with their specific needs while promoting the professionalisation of their businesses, such as in the acquisition of business permits and referrals to training when available. Another difficulty, Donggay added, is the implementation of solar policy like Net Metering, to which Mindanao Goes Solar offers 'knowledge sessions' from which relevant stakeholders could learn. Finally, solar financing is difficult. To address this, Mindanao Goes Solar regularly engages with financial institutions and promotes any clean energy financing they may have, which makes solar PV affordable to Mindanao consumers. What's in the pipeline On top of the aforementioned initiatives, Mindanao Goes Solar has a few more projects in the pipeline. 'We are launching a list of verified solar service providers operating in Mindanao,' Donggay said. 'This helps ensure that only credible and trustworthy solar services are offered to Mindanaoans. The effort supports the professionalisation of the industry with proper in-region maintenance services.' This group of volunteer-professionals helps solarise Philippines' Mindanao one solar panel at a time She also mentioned that they are increasing the reach of their educational awareness and experiential campaigns to more Mindanao cities and off-grid communities in the coming months. 'The theory of change is that Mindanao Goes Solar becomes the primary communicator and knowledge sharing innovator of information related to solar in Mindanao,' Donggay said. 'Thus, enriching the local solar ecosystem, fostering partnerships and helping the industry achieve solar adoption at scale.' - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
Hamilton Spectator
09-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
FACT FOCUS: Trump misrepresents facts about wind power during Cabinet meeting
President Donald Trump expressed his disdain for wind power during a meeting with his Cabinet recently, calling it an expensive form of energy that 'smart' countries don't use. His comments on Tuesday contained false and misleading information about the use of wind power in the United States and around the world, and came on the heels of an executive order he signed Monday that would end subsidies around 'green' energy. Here's a look at the facts. CLAIM: 'Wind is a very expensive form of energy.' THE FACTS: Onshore wind is one of the cheapest sources of electricity generation, with new wind farms expected to produce electricity around $30 per megawatt hour. This compares to a new natural gas plant, around $65 per megawatt hour, or a new advanced nuclear reactor, which runs over $80, according to estimates from the Energy Information Administration. Onshore wind farms cost less to build and operate than natural gas plants on average in most regions of the United States, even without tax credits. Though natural gas plants are available to produce electricity at any time of the day, unlike wind. Offshore wind is among the sources of new power generation that will cost the most to build and operate, at $88 per megawatt hour, according to the EIA. While electricity rates have risen nationwide over the past decade, states that have added a significant amount of onshore wind power, such as Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico, have kept rates from rising as fast as other states , said Brendan Pierpont, director of electricity modeling at the nonpartisan think tank Energy Innovation. For example, the share of electricity generated from wind in Iowa increased from 15% in 2010 to nearly 60% of the state's electricity generation in 2023, while the state's electricity rates grew at a rate slower than that of 42 other states, his research found. Wind power can be expensive if it's built where winds are weaker, but the United States is adding it in places with strong wind resources, he added. 'Wind should be seen as part of an overall portfolio of electricity system resources and is an important part of keeping costs down,' he said Wednesday. Trump has committed to increasing U.S. energy production, particularly fossil fuels. He signed an executive order Monday aimed at phasing out tax credits for wind and solar facilities. CLAIM: Wind turbines are 'almost exclusively' made in China, but President Xi Jinping told Trump they have 'very, very few.' THE FACTS: China is the world's largest manufacturer of wind turbines, producing more than half of the supply. It is also installing them in China at a record pace. In total, China has 1.3 terawatts of utility-scale wind and solar capacity in development, which could generate more electricity than neighboring Japan consumed in all of 2023, according to a report from the Global Energy Monitor released Wednesday. The report highlighted China's offshore wind development, calling China the undisputed leader in the offshore wind sector, though it also said coal and gas are still on the rise across China. 'The whole narrative that we're led to believe in the West is that China is building coal plants and that it's doing nothing for its carbon footprint,' Tom Harper, partner at the global consultant Baringa, said Tuesday. 'So the surprising thing is China is building a portfolio of zero-carbon resources that are designed to not perfectly complement each other, but to work alongside each other to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.' CLAIM: 'If you look at smart countries, they don't use it.' THE FACTS: At least 136 countries around the world use wind power to generate electricity, according to the EIA , with many countries growing the amount they produce. The top five markets for wind power in 2024 were China, the U.S., Brazil, India and Germany, while Uzbekistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia represent the next wave of wind energy growth, according to the Global Wind Energy Council . Council CEO Ben Backwell said 2024 marked yet another record year for wind energy growth, with the 'industry increasingly pushing into new regions.' Michael Gerrard, director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University, disputed the idea that smart countries don't use wind power. China is soaring ahead in building a massive amount of wind power while Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland, Spain, Sweden, France and many other countries in Europe have large programs of wind construction, he said Wednesday. 'By cutting back on wind power development, the U.S. is ceding the lead to China in this important technology, and killing a lot of U.S. jobs,' Gerrard said in an e-mail. CLAIM: In New England, two whales washed up over 50 years, 'and last summer they had 14 washed up. Now, I'm not saying that's the wind farm that was built, that maybe it is right.' THE FACTS: There are no known links between large whale deaths and ongoing offshore wind activities, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . NOAA says it analyzes the causes of death whenever possible, following the science and data. Unfounded claims about offshore wind threatening whales have surfaced as a flashpoint in the fight over the future of renewable energy. The nation's first commercial-scale offshore wind farm officially opened in 2024 east of Montauk Point, New York. The nation's second-largest offshore wind farm is under construction off the coast of Massachusetts. A five-turbine pilot project has been operating since 2016 off the coast of Rhode Island. CLAIM: 'The birds are dying all over the place.' THE FACTS: Turbines, like all infrastructure, can pose a risk to birds. However, the National Audubon Society, which is dedicated to the conservation of birds, thinks developers can manage these risks and climate change is a greater threat. An Audubon report found that two-thirds of North American bird species could face extinction due to rising temperatures. In January, the nonprofit said responsible offshore wind development is a clear win for birds, the U.S. economy and the climate. 'While persistent myths claim widespread and devastating effects of offshore wind turbines on wildlife, the science tells a different story. Our findings clearly indicate that we can responsibly deploy offshore wind in a manner that still protects birds and their habitats,' Sam Wojcicki, Audubon's senior director for climate policy, wrote in a January post . The organization also supports wind energy on land when it is sited and operated properly to minimize the impact on birds and other wildlife. CLAIM: 'You can't take them down because the environmentalists don't let you bury the blades.' THE FACTS: Wind turbine blades are challenging to recycle. They are designed for durability to withstand hurricane-force winds. However, the U.S. already has the ability to recycle most wind turbine materials, according to the Department of Energy. It issued a report in January that found 90% of wind turbines can be recycled using existing infrastructure, while new strategies and innovative recycling methods will be needed to tackle the rest. The wind power industry acknowledges that the disposal of wind turbine blades is an issue. Danish wind energy developer Ørsted committed in 2021 to never sending turbine blades to landfill, instead reusing, recycling or otherwise recovering them. ___ Find AP Fact Checks here: .
San Francisco Chronicle
09-07-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
FACT FOCUS: Trump misrepresents facts about wind power during Cabinet meeting
President Donald Trump expressed his disdain for wind power during a meeting with his Cabinet recently, calling it an expensive form of energy that 'smart' countries don't use. His comments on Tuesday contained false and misleading information about the use of wind power in the United States and around the world, and came on the heels of an executive order he signed Monday that would end subsidies around 'green' energy. Here's a look at the facts. CLAIM: 'Wind is a very expensive form of energy.' THE FACTS: Onshore wind is one of the cheapest sources of electricity generation, with new wind farms expected to produce electricity around $30 per megawatt hour. This compares to a new natural gas plant, around $65 per megawatt hour, or a new advanced nuclear reactor, which runs over $80, according to estimates from the Energy Information Administration. Onshore wind farms cost less to build and operate than natural gas plants on average in most regions of the United States, even without tax credits. Though natural gas plants are available to produce electricity at any time of the day, unlike wind. Offshore wind is among the sources of new power generation that will cost the most to build and operate, at $88 per megawatt hour, according to the EIA. While electricity rates have risen nationwide over the past decade, states that have added a significant amount of onshore wind power, such as Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico, have kept rates from rising as fast as other states, said Brendan Pierpont, director of electricity modeling at the nonpartisan think tank Energy Innovation. For example, the share of electricity generated from wind in Iowa increased from 15% in 2010 to nearly 60% of the state's electricity generation in 2023, while the state's electricity rates grew at a rate slower than that of 42 other states, his research found. Wind power can be expensive if it's built where winds are weaker, but the United States is adding it in places with strong wind resources, he added. 'Wind should be seen as part of an overall portfolio of electricity system resources and is an important part of keeping costs down,' he said Wednesday. Trump has committed to increasing U.S. energy production, particularly fossil fuels. He signed an executive order Monday aimed at phasing out tax credits for wind and solar facilities. CLAIM: Wind turbines are 'almost exclusively' made in China, but President Xi Jinping told Trump they have 'very, very few.' THE FACTS: China is the world's largest manufacturer of wind turbines, producing more than half of the supply. It is also installing them in China at a record pace. In total, China has 1.3 terawatts of utility-scale wind and solar capacity in development, which could generate more electricity than neighboring Japan consumed in all of 2023, according to a report from the Global Energy Monitor released Wednesday. The report highlighted China's offshore wind development, calling China the undisputed leader in the offshore wind sector, though it also said coal and gas are still on the rise across China. 'The whole narrative that we're led to believe in the West is that China is building coal plants and that it's doing nothing for its carbon footprint,' Tom Harper, partner at the global consultant Baringa, said Tuesday. 'So the surprising thing is China is building a portfolio of zero-carbon resources that are designed to not perfectly complement each other, but to work alongside each other to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.' CLAIM: 'If you look at smart countries, they don't use it.' THE FACTS: At least 136 countries around the world use wind power to generate electricity, according to the EIA, with many countries growing the amount they produce. The top five markets for wind power in 2024 were China, the U.S., Brazil, India and Germany, while Uzbekistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia represent the next wave of wind energy growth, according to the Global Wind Energy Council. Council CEO Ben Backwell said 2024 marked yet another record year for wind energy growth, with the 'industry increasingly pushing into new regions.' Michael Gerrard, director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University, disputed the idea that smart countries don't use wind power. China is soaring ahead in building a massive amount of wind power while Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland, Spain, Sweden, France and many other countries in Europe have large programs of wind construction, he said Wednesday. 'By cutting back on wind power development, the U.S. is ceding the lead to China in this important technology, and killing a lot of U.S. jobs,' Gerrard said in an e-mail. CLAIM: In New England, two whales washed up over 50 years, 'and last summer they had 14 washed up. Now, I'm not saying that's the wind farm that was built, that maybe it is right.' THE FACTS: There are no known links between large whale deaths and ongoing offshore wind activities, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA says it analyzes the causes of death whenever possible, following the science and data. Unfounded claims about offshore wind threatening whales have surfaced as a flashpoint in the fight over the future of renewable energy. The nation's first commercial-scale offshore wind farm officially opened in 2024 east of Montauk Point, New York. The nation's second-largest offshore wind farm is under construction off the coast of Massachusetts. A five-turbine pilot project has been operating since 2016 off the coast of Rhode Island. CLAIM: 'The birds are dying all over the place.' THE FACTS: Turbines, like all infrastructure, can pose a risk to birds. However, the National Audubon Society, which is dedicated to the conservation of birds, thinks developers can manage these risks and climate change is a greater threat. An Audubon report found that two-thirds of North American bird species could face extinction due to rising temperatures. In January, the nonprofit said responsible offshore wind development is a clear win for birds, the U.S. economy and the climate. 'While persistent myths claim widespread and devastating effects of offshore wind turbines on wildlife, the science tells a different story. Our findings clearly indicate that we can responsibly deploy offshore wind in a manner that still protects birds and their habitats,' Sam Wojcicki, Audubon's senior director for climate policy, wrote in a January post. The organization also supports wind energy on land when it is sited and operated properly to minimize the impact on birds and other wildlife. CLAIM: 'You can't take them down because the environmentalists don't let you bury the blades.' THE FACTS: Wind turbine blades are challenging to recycle. They are designed for durability to withstand hurricane-force winds. However, the U.S. already has the ability to recycle most wind turbine materials, according to the Department of Energy. It issued a report in January that found 90% of wind turbines can be recycled using existing infrastructure, while new strategies and innovative recycling methods will be needed to tackle the rest. The wind power industry acknowledges that the disposal of wind turbine blades is an issue. Danish wind energy developer Ørsted committed in 2021 to never sending turbine blades to landfill, instead reusing, recycling or otherwise recovering them. ___
Winnipeg Free Press
09-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
FACT FOCUS: Trump misrepresents facts about wind power during Cabinet meeting
President Donald Trump expressed his disdain for wind power during a meeting with his Cabinet recently, calling it an expensive form of energy that 'smart' countries don't use. His comments on Tuesday contained false and misleading information about the use of wind power in the United States and around the world, and came on the heels of an executive order he signed Monday that would end subsidies around 'green' energy. Here's a look at the facts. CLAIM: 'Wind is a very expensive form of energy.' THE FACTS: Onshore wind is one of the cheapest sources of electricity generation, with new wind farms expected to produce electricity around $30 per megawatt hour. This compares to a new natural gas plant, around $65 per megawatt hour, or a new advanced nuclear reactor, which runs over $80, according to estimates from the Energy Information Administration. Onshore wind farms cost less to build and operate than natural gas plants on average in most regions of the United States, even without tax credits. Though natural gas plants are available to produce electricity at any time of the day, unlike wind. Offshore wind is among the sources of new power generation that will cost the most to build and operate, at $88 per megawatt hour, according to the EIA. While electricity rates have risen nationwide over the past decade, states that have added a significant amount of onshore wind power, such as Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico, have kept rates from rising as fast as other states, said Brendan Pierpont, director of electricity modeling at the nonpartisan think tank Energy Innovation. For example, the share of electricity generated from wind in Iowa increased from 15% in 2010 to nearly 60% of the state's electricity generation in 2023, while the state's electricity rates grew at a rate slower than that of 42 other states, his research found. Wind power can be expensive if it's built where winds are weaker, but the United States is adding it in places with strong wind resources, he added. 'Wind should be seen as part of an overall portfolio of electricity system resources and is an important part of keeping costs down,' he said Wednesday. Trump has committed to increasing U.S. energy production, particularly fossil fuels. He signed an executive order Monday aimed at phasing out tax credits for wind and solar facilities. CLAIM: Wind turbines are 'almost exclusively' made in China, but President Xi Jinping told Trump they have 'very, very few.' THE FACTS: China is the world's largest manufacturer of wind turbines, producing more than half of the supply. It is also installing them in China at a record pace. In total, China has 1.3 terawatts of utility-scale wind and solar capacity in development, which could generate more electricity than neighboring Japan consumed in all of 2023, according to a report from the Global Energy Monitor released Wednesday. The report highlighted China's offshore wind development, calling China the undisputed leader in the offshore wind sector, though it also said coal and gas are still on the rise across China. 'The whole narrative that we're led to believe in the West is that China is building coal plants and that it's doing nothing for its carbon footprint,' Tom Harper, partner at the global consultant Baringa, said Tuesday. 'So the surprising thing is China is building a portfolio of zero-carbon resources that are designed to not perfectly complement each other, but to work alongside each other to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.' CLAIM: 'If you look at smart countries, they don't use it.' THE FACTS: At least 136 countries around the world use wind power to generate electricity, according to the EIA, with many countries growing the amount they produce. The top five markets for wind power in 2024 were China, the U.S., Brazil, India and Germany, while Uzbekistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia represent the next wave of wind energy growth, according to the Global Wind Energy Council. Council CEO Ben Backwell said 2024 marked yet another record year for wind energy growth, with the 'industry increasingly pushing into new regions.' Michael Gerrard, director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University, disputed the idea that smart countries don't use wind power. China is soaring ahead in building a massive amount of wind power while Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland, Spain, Sweden, France and many other countries in Europe have large programs of wind construction, he said Wednesday. 'By cutting back on wind power development, the U.S. is ceding the lead to China in this important technology, and killing a lot of U.S. jobs,' Gerrard said in an e-mail. CLAIM: In New England, two whales washed up over 50 years, 'and last summer they had 14 washed up. Now, I'm not saying that's the wind farm that was built, that maybe it is right.' THE FACTS: There are no known links between large whale deaths and ongoing offshore wind activities, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA says it analyzes the causes of death whenever possible, following the science and data. Unfounded claims about offshore wind threatening whales have surfaced as a flashpoint in the fight over the future of renewable energy. The nation's first commercial-scale offshore wind farm officially opened in 2024 east of Montauk Point, New York. The nation's second-largest offshore wind farm is under construction off the coast of Massachusetts. A five-turbine pilot project has been operating since 2016 off the coast of Rhode Island. CLAIM: 'The birds are dying all over the place.' THE FACTS: Turbines, like all infrastructure, can pose a risk to birds. However, the National Audubon Society, which is dedicated to the conservation of birds, thinks developers can manage these risks and climate change is a greater threat. An Audubon report found that two-thirds of North American bird species could face extinction due to rising temperatures. In January, the nonprofit said responsible offshore wind development is a clear win for birds, the U.S. economy and the climate. Currently on hiatus A review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe. 'While persistent myths claim widespread and devastating effects of offshore wind turbines on wildlife, the science tells a different story. Our findings clearly indicate that we can responsibly deploy offshore wind in a manner that still protects birds and their habitats,' Sam Wojcicki, Audubon's senior director for climate policy, wrote in a January post. The organization also supports wind energy on land when it is sited and operated properly to minimize the impact on birds and other wildlife. CLAIM: 'You can't take them down because the environmentalists don't let you bury the blades.' THE FACTS: Wind turbine blades are challenging to recycle. They are designed for durability to withstand hurricane-force winds. However, the U.S. already has the ability to recycle most wind turbine materials, according to the Department of Energy. It issued a report in January that found 90% of wind turbines can be recycled using existing infrastructure, while new strategies and innovative recycling methods will be needed to tackle the rest. The wind power industry acknowledges that the disposal of wind turbine blades is an issue. Danish wind energy developer Ørsted committed in 2021 to never sending turbine blades to landfill, instead reusing, recycling or otherwise recovering them. ___ Find AP Fact Checks here:
