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Weekly Newsflash 9/18-9/22: U.S. Military and Major Banks Turn to Renewables, American Mayors Push for Microgrids, New Water Filtration Tech

This week in clean energy news, United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) energy committee has called for Microgrid tax incentives in order to increase resiliency. In South Florida, following Hurricane Irma, combustibles will be taken to a power plant to be burned and used for energy. The U.S. military has been using more and more renewable energy and Citigroup and JP Morgan have pledged to use 100% clean energy by 2020. On the West Coast, San Francisco and Oakland are suing Exxon, Chevron, and others for their contributions to climate change. Finally, a Chilean startup has created a solution for extreme filtration- taking moisture out of the sky!

What news have you been reading this week? Share with us @GreentownLabs!

 

Bloomberg BusinessweekPulling Clean Water From Thin Air

  • A Chilean startup has built a machine that can take moisture out of the sky and turn it into super-clean drinking water at the touch of a button.

“It’s a machine dubbed FreshWater that can pull moisture out of the air, filter it, and turn it into pure drinking water with the press of a button. It’s said that the best technology resembles magic, and FreshWater certainly fits that description.”

 

Microgrid KnowledgeMayors Call for Microgrid Tax Incentives in U.S. Infrastructure Plan

  • A United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) energy committee has called for microgrid tax incentives to be included in a national infrastructure plan for Congress.

“The mayors want the energy recommendations to be incorporated into a national infrastructure proposal that the organization plans to release later this year, with an eye toward encouraging Congress to take up its cause when it considers infrastructure spending in 2018.”

 

KFDM Southeast TexasIrma debris will be converted to power

  • Curbs all over South Florida are loaded up with debris from hurricane Irma. Piles upon piles of it and a lot of it will be turned into energy.

“It’s a relief on our infrastructure and it is a reasonable use of this waste.”

 

Energy DigitalThe US Military: Winning the renewable war

  • Resilient, sustainable and adequate sources of energy are key elements of the energy strategy of the US armed forces. In recent years, that kind of fuel includes renewable energy.

“The US military consumes over 100mn barrels of oil per year, which leaves troops exposed to enemy attacks. Besides, vulnerability of oil prices and a potential rise in global oil demand raises concerns within the DoD regarding its ability to access reliable fuel sources during its critical missions.”

 

FutustismTwo Big Banks Have Just Pledged to Go 100% Clean Energy By 2020

  • Citigroup and JPMorgan have pledged to join the RE100. The banks will make changes to allow them to run on only clean energy by 2020.

“Business has an essential role to play in advancing the transition to clean energy and a safe climate.”

 

Inside Climate NewsSan Francisco, Oakland Sue Oil Giants Over Climate Change

  • The lawsuits argue that Exxon, Chevron and the other companies knew the global warming risks their products were creating.

‘“Global warming is here, and it is harming San Francisco now,” San Francisco’s lawsuit begins. “This egregious state of affairs is no accident.”’