THIS WEEK
Who says pickup trucks can't be hybrids (not Ford), solar is unstoppable, and THE GIGAFACTORY HAS BEEN ACTIVATED.
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POLICY
The real cost of carbon pricing in Ontario and Alberta
You've no doubt heard that carbon pricing is going to cost you, but just how true is that? Well, according to a new Maclean's op-ed written by professors Nicholas Rivers and Trevor Tombe, "heated political rhetoric that suggests carbon pricing will lead to skyrocketing price increases throughout the economy is misplaced at best and misleading at worst."
Examining Ontario and Alberta, the two concluded that the average household will pay $150 to $200 annually in direct costs related to carbon pricing and $80 to $100 in indirect ones (assuming people make no changes to their buying habits in response to the carbon tax, and that all cost changes are passed through to consumers). Plus, rebates in Alberta will offset these costs for low- and medium-income households, while Ontario has other initiatives. And then there is the real-world case study, B.C., which introduced a carbon tax in 2008. Their findings? In the years following the introduction of the carbon tax, consumer price increases were actually less in B.C. than in the rest of Canada.
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Yes, China really is the world's clean energy leader
China will invest $361 billion into renewable energy by 2020, the country's energy agency announced last week. The move is expected to create 13 million jobs. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Canada are falling behind.
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Built Ford tough (now with batteries included)
Ford has announced that two of its most iconic vehicles are getting hybrid versions: the Mustang and the F-150. Yes, Ford will soon be selling a hybrid pickup truck. Chrysler, on the other hand, has unveiled an electric, self-driving minivan that it's betting millennials will love.
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Behold, the mighty Gigafactory
Nothing says futuristic capitalism quite like Tesla's Gigafactory, a new 4.9-million-sq.-ft. facility in Nevada. Its first batteries are now rolling off the assembly line, and by next year, the factory will double the world’s production capacity for lithium-ion batteries—and employ 6,500 workers.
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Sunny ways, my friends, sunny ways
If you think clean energy is expensive, think again. Since 2009, solar costs have declined 62 per cent. In less than a decade, solar will most likely be the cheapest option on Earth—we can thank our lucky star for that one, literally.
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Trump can't ignore clean energy's business case
And now, a piece from us. President-elect Donald Trump has clean energy advocates worried, but here's the thing: he's a businessman, and the business case for clean energy has grown into one he can't ignore. (Our op-ed is part of an entire Trump-themed issue from Policy magazine.)
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Is Canada's EV future a sure thing? Not so fast...
Is the electric vehicle revolution an unstoppable force? According to Simon Fraser University professor John Axsen, without good policy in place, Canada could be slow to adopt EVs. Here's a look at why policy matters, and what those policies should be.
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Why Canada's solar industry is hopeful
Yes, "Trump digs coal," but there's still plenty of reason for the solar industry to be optimistic, particularly here at home as the federal government implements new climate policies. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the record year that was for many solar manufacturers.
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The world's greatest economic opportunity?
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has called cleantech the largest economic opportunity the world has known—and Canada is poised to be a leader. That said, our nation has fallen behind in the increasingly competitive international race. What we need is a national strategy.
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Solutions from Southern California
A massive gas leak has Southern Californians worried about something Southern Californians often worry about: blackouts. The solution? Large-scale battery storage, which plays very nice with solar and wind.
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Clean Energy Review is sponsored in part by Genus Capital Management, a leading provider of fossil-fuel-free investments.
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FRONT BURNER
Is the Paris Agreement on Track?
May 17-19 | Vancouver
At last, an event for urban nerds and climate geeks alike. In May, join Renewable Cities for Global Learning Forum 2017, a three-day dialogue on the transition to 100 per cent renewable energy in cities. More than 400 leaders from the private sector, NGOs, academia, government and utilities will engage on topics such as policy development, building political goodwill, financing and all things green and urban. Yes, this is a very Vancouver event (in a good way!). Learn more.
Feb. 2 | Toronto
Powering Prosperity Awards
The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association is celebrating the champions of clean energy in February at its seventh annual awards ceremony. Awards include Developer of the Year, Innovation of the Year, Indigenous Project of the Year and many others. Learn more.
Mar. 16 | Washington, D.C.
ACORE National Renewable Energy Policy Forum
The 15th National Renewable Energy Policy Forum returns to the heartland of American politics in March—with much to discuss. Topics this year include clean energy's role in the U.S. economy, the consequences of tax reform, and large-scale infrastructure initiatives. Learn more.
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IMAGE & MEDIA CREDITS
Featured photo: Maclean's
U.S. employment chart: Policy magazine
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