America’s 11th offshore wind farm approved

On Friday, December 20th the U.S. Department of the Interior approved the nation’s 11th utility scale offshore wind project. The project gets America one step closer to its goal of 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030.

The 141 turbine South Coast Wind project is proposed to be located 20 miles south of Nantucket, and is projected to produce enough energy to power 840,000 average homes when it is completed.

“Every offshore wind farm that gets built off our shores moves our nation closer to a greener and healthier future,” said Johanna Neumann, Senior Director of the Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy at Environment America Research & Policy Center. “If all eleven approved wind farms get built, millions of American households will be powered by the winds blowing off our shores, with none of the pollution that harms our planet or the health of our loved ones.”

29 states have offshore wind potential.  America’s offshore wind resources are big enough to produce more electricity than the nation currently consumes. 

Electric and hybrid vehicle sales set new record

The share of electric and hybrid vehicle sales in the U.S. reached a new record in the third quarter of 2024 according to the latest data from the federal Energy Information Administration.

Combined sales of hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) increased to 21.2% of total new light-duty vehicle (LDV) sales over the three-month time period. Robust sales of battery electric vehicles drove the increase.

“When we see our friends and neighbors get where they need to go in an EV, it dawns on us that we can reap the benefits of driving a more efficient and less polluting car too, ” said Johanna Neumann, Senior Director of the Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy at Environment America Research & Policy Center. “If you need to replace your car, now is a great time to consider an electric vehicle. EV technology has continued to improve, prices keep coming down, and consumers have more choices than ever before.” Consumers may also qualify for tax credits toward their electric vehicle purchase.

New ‘threatened’ classification would give monarch butterflies fighting chance to survive

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposed on Tuesday new protections for the monarch butterfly. If the agency finalizes and approves that proposal, it will list the monarch as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. In December 2020, the agency determined that listing the monarch was “warranted but precluded” due to “higher priority” species and actions.

Western monarch populations, which live west of the Rockies and winter in California, have declined by more than 90% since the 1980s. Eastern monarch populations, which live east of the Rockies and winter in Mexico, have declined by approximately 80%. Habitat loss, the decline of a key food — milkweed — and pesticide overuse have contributed to their dwindling numbers. 

The announcement provides hope for the monarch and its admirers. The 50-year old Endangered Species Act has a proven track record of saving 99% of protected species from extinction.

In response to the FWS announcement, Steve Blackledge, Sr. Director of Conservation Campaigns for Environment America, issued the following statement:

“For too long, the monarch butterfly has been waiting in line, hoping for new protections while its population has plummeted. This announcement by the Fish and Wildlife Service gets this iconic flier closer to the protections it needs, and given its staggering drop in numbers, that can’t happen soon enough. 

“Generations of Americans have been blessed to watch this insect float and flutter in their backyards. This news gives us hope that generations to come also will marvel at this distinctive and wonderful butterfly.”