Green Energy's NIMBY Issue

Your unbiased daily news brief

Author

James Kratch
February 05, 2024

Good morning and happy Monday! If you did not watch the Grammy Awards last night, you missed some big news: Taylor Swift dropped a stunner: She has a new album coming. The Tortured Poets Department will be released on April 19. Oh, and she also became the first person to win Album of the Year four times. Have a great day!

In Today’s Brief

  • California: Dangerous weather hits

  • Canada: Foreign housing ownership ban

  • FCC: Deepfake robocall prohibition

  • Jobs report: Surprising January surge

  • World Cup: Stunning 2026 final host

… and more

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Top Tips

1) It ain't easy going green

National clean energy aspirations are often undercut by local resistance, according to a new report.

  • The issue: A USA Today analysis found that 15% of U.S. counties have effectively banned or stopped solar and wind utility projects for many reasons. The rate of prohibition outpaces the rate of construction elsewhere. Restrictions impact areas with clean energy potential.

  • The goal: President Joe Biden’s Administration has said the U.S. can reach 100% clean energy by 2035. But the current state of play will make it hard to reach that milestone.

  • Big picture: Climate change and clean energy are contentious political issues at all levels of American life, not just at a national level. The projects' job (and tax) growth potential does not necessarily motivate approval, even if most Americans support green energy.

2) Bombs away

The U.S. carried out over 100 airstrikes in Iraq, Syria and Yemen over the past few days.

  • The action: The Pentagon targeted a slew of sites in retaliation against Iranian-backed militias after three U.S. troops were killed in a drone attack on an outpost in Jordan. There were also operations conducted with the United Kingdom against the Houthi rebels, who have menaced Red Sea commerce since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

  • The response: The Houthis, also backed by Iran, claimed the latest attacks would not go unanswered. The Iranians issued warnings about potential U.S. strikes on their spy ships in the region. But there was no immediate indication of a significant escalation. The U.S. is not expected to hit targets inside Iran.

  • Big picture: The U.S. has indicated it will continue airstrikes but has made it clear it does not want to see a larger war break out in the Middle East. It seems to be succeeding so far.

3) Keep scrolling

Over 80% of U.S. adults use YouTube, making it the country's most popular social media platform.

  • The numbers: The video-based provider is used by 83% of participants in a recent Pew survey on social media. Facebook was a distant second with 68%, followed by Instagram with 47%.

  • On the rise: TikTok -- which has sparked concern from lawmakers due to its ties to China -- has experienced significant growth in popularity. A third of the people Pew polled use it; only 22% said they are on X, formerly known as Twitter.

  • Big picture: Social media usage is a hot political topic -- see last week's contentious Senate hearing with tech CEOs -- and will be a significant focus in the run-up to the 2024 election. Campaigns want to reach voters, especially younger ones, while there will be vigilance about misinformation and attempts at election interference.

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Quick Tips

U.S. News

  • An atmospheric river hit California yesterday and will continue today. The heavy rains and winds could cause severe flooding and mudslides in the central and southern parts of the state, including Los Angeles (More)

  • The Senate released a long-awaited $118B package including a border security deal and foreign aid for Israel and Ukraine. House Republicans and former President Donald Trump are expected to oppose the deal (More)

  • A small plane crashed into a Florida mobile home park late Thursday night, killing the pilot and two people on the ground. Police in Clearwater said several people had just left the area before the crash (More)

World News

  • Canada extended its foreign-owned housing ban through 2026. The measure aims to help curb the country's affordable housing issues (More)

  • The U.S. and Japan named China as a hypothetical enemy in a joint exercise envisioning an emergency in Taiwan. It is the first time the countries have done so in a war game (More)

  • Namibian President Hage Geingob died of cancer at 82. The country, one of Africa's most stable democracies, will have a special election within 90 days (More)

Campaign News

  • The FCC is pushing to immediately outlaw deepfake robocalls generated with artificial intelligence. A pre-New Hampshire primary recording purporting to be President Biden is being investigated (More)

  • President Biden turned down a CBS offer for an interview during the Super Bowl pregame show. Biden also declined an interview with FOX before last year's game (More)

  • Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley made a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live. The Republican presidential candidate appeared in the show's cold open and joked about her Civil War gaffe (More)

Business & Markets

  • Major indexes closed higher on Friday. The S&P 500 closed at a new record high (Dow +0.35%, Nasdaq +1.74%, S&P 500 +1.07%).

  • The U.S. economy added 353K jobs in January, exceeding expectations. Analysts had projected 185K jobs added; unemployment was steady at 3.7% (More)

  • Adidas will stop writing off its unsold Yeezy inventory and attempt to sell it for no less than at cost. The apparel brand ended its partnership with Kanye West in 2022 after the rapper's antisemitic comments (More)

Entertainment & Sports

  • New Jersey's MetLife Stadium was awarded the 2026 World Cup final in a surprise decision. FIFA was expected to give the game to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (More)

  • Miley Cyrus and SZA were among the other big winners at last night’s Grammys. Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder were among the performers (More)

  • Carl Weathers died last Thursday at 76. The actor played Apollo Creed in the Rocky films; he also starred in Predator and played for the NFL's Oakland Raiders (More)

Quick Hitters

  • Feel Good: A school bus driver in Florida had to stop driving to discipline some kids in the back. It was a fortuitous pause; she noticed another student was choking on the way back to the driver's seat and saved him with the Heimlich maneuver.

  • Take Note: Is dark chocolate a healthier avenue for Valentine's Day next week? Yes and no. While it has more benefits than milk chocolate, that does not mean it is like eating vegetables.

  • Go Deep: Sleep deprivation does not just leave you tired. It can distort your reality in manners similar to intoxicants. Take an in-depth look at how a lack of rest impacts your body.

  • Self Care: It's OK to be alone with your thoughts. Spending time in silence with only your mind to engage with can be an enjoyable experience. Here's why.

  • Life Hack: Laundry detergent pods may not be the best answer for washing your clothes. Sticking with traditional detergent could have financial and sanitary benefits.

  • Get Healthy: Pop quiz: What’s the body’s most abundant protein? The answer: Collagen. NativePath's Certified Grass-Fed Collagen Powder is made from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows and contains 18 grams of protein per suggested serving. Start incorporating it daily to support skin elasticity, joint health, bone strength, and muscle growth and maintenance.*

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Why is the internet so fascinated with Nicolas Cage? Check out this examination of the actor's unique role in pop culture.

  • Punxsutawney Phil indicated spring will be here soon 🌼

  • A North Carolina city is the national capital of remote work 🧑‍💻

  • Lionel Messi's napkin contract is going up for auction ⚽️

  • Detroit has installed the first electronic road in the U.S. ⚡️

  • Apple is the world's most valuable brand by almost $200B 📱

  • There are a lot of retail salespeople in America 🧾

  • Peeking inside the world's most critical secret buildings 🤫

  • There is a new record holder for most time spent in space 🧑‍🚀

  • Aircraft laser strikes were an even bigger problem last year ✈️

  • Tucker Carlson may be in Moscow to interview Vladimir Putin 🇷🇺

Looking Ahead …

This could be a consequential week on the legal front for former President Trump. The Supreme Court will hear arguments on his Colorado ballot ban on Wednesday. A verdict in his New York civil business fraud trial and a decision on his claims of presidential immunity in his federal election interference case could also come soon.

Question of the Day

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Trivia: Who has won the most Grammys in history?

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