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Audubon Florida
Birdwatchers on a field trip.
Audubon Florida Climate and Energy News Roundup
This week we share news about solar power for 1 million Florida homes, progress on emissions reductions, how managed retreat could help rural communities, and more!
Birdwatchers counting species at a stormwater treatment area in Lake City.
Florida Public Service Commission Approves Enough Utility-scale Solar to Power 1 Million Homes
From Solar Power World Online

“The Florida Public Service Commission today unanimously approved Florida Power & Light Company’s comprehensive, four-year rate settlement agreement developed jointly with the Florida Office of Public Counsel — the state’s consumer advocate — as well as the Florida Retail Federation, the Florida Industrial Power Users Group and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. The approved agreement, which was also signed by Vote Solar, The CLEO Institute and Federal Executive Agencies, will phase in new rates starting in 2022 and supports continued long-term investments in infrastructure, clean energy and innovative technology — including what FPL says is the largest solar buildout in the United States. FPL projects typical residential customer bills will remain well below the national average through the end of 2025.”
Yes, There Has Been Progress on Climate. No, It’s Not Nearly Enough.
From the New York Times

“In 2014, before the Paris climate agreement, the world was on track to heat up nearly 4 degrees Celsius (7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) by the end of the century, an outcome widely seen as catastrophic. Today, thanks to rapid growth in clean energy, humanity has started to bend the emissions curve. Current policies put us on pace for roughly 3 degrees Celsius of warming by 2100 — a better result, but still devastating...To hold global temperature rise to a safer limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius, far more drastic action is needed.”
Guest Column: Solutions to Climate Change Start at the Local Level
From the Florida Times-Union

“A recent report issued by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) acknowledges that while climate change is a global phenomenon, the solutions must be focused on the local level. Impacts from climate change include increased drought, wildfires, and extreme weather events including flooding and hurricanes. In North America, catastrophic storms are becoming normal events in the summer months. According to NOAA’s Coastal Services Center, over the past three years, the U.S. has seen over 50 weather events with losses exceeding $1 billion.”
USA - Commentary: Could ‘Managed Retreat’ from Climate Change Revitalize Rural America?
From Coastal News Today

“Southern Italy’s rural Calabria region announced an innovative project in 2021 to breathe new life into its small towns. It plans to offer young professionals thousands of dollars if they move in and commit to launch a business, preferably a business the community needs. Northwest Arkansas has a similar program to draw new residents to rural towns like Springdale by offering $10,000 and a mountain bike... These efforts take advantage of the growing work-from-home culture to try to revitalize rural communities that are in decline. They may also hold a key to coping with anticipated domestic climate migration as storms and wildfires exacerbated by climate change make parts of the country unlivable.”
Insurance Companies Can Cancel, Not Renew Policies for Ida Victims After Louisiana Rule Expires
From WRKF Public Radio Baton Rouge
 
“Louisiana insurance policyholders in 25 parishes are subject to cancellation and non-renewal of their policies starting Monday. From Aug. 26 to Oct. 24, Southeast Louisiana policyholders were protected from losing their policies by Louisiana Department of Insurance Emergency Rule 47, which forced insurance companies to continue honoring the policies they issued even if policyholders failed to pay their premiums...  To justify ending the emergency rule, Donelon said some insurance companies are facing “solvency concerns” in the wake of Ida; basically, they’re running out of funds to pay out insurance claims.”
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