This week in the news, Americans began slowly leaving their homes again as many governors begin to ease social distancing restrictions. However, the rebound in public movement was substantial – with American mobility being almost halfway back to where it was in February. And as more Americans are venturing out, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also issued guidelines to help schools and workplaces determine whether they are ready to open for business. Finally, even as the nation begins to open up more, Americans are still turning to Zoom meetings and now Houseparty is joining in with its celebrity-fronted video events, which will feature celebrities who will chat, dance, cook, sing, workout and more. We hope these headlines will help you start your weekend, but be sure to check out our favorite energy stories! Check out last week’s right here.
The essential pipelines you never knew you needed are safer than ever.
America’s more than 2.6 million-mile network of pipelines is something we barely notice until we turn on our gas stoves or our heaters in the winter, or spot a small sign off the side of a trail out in the woods marking the unobtrusive arteries that fuel our country and economy. World Oil reports on how the safest, most reliable method of moving energy around just got better.
Are the tanks full again? The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is warning about market volatility.
A few weeks ago, the price of a barrel of U.S. oil fell to a record low and even plunged briefly into negative territory. The CFTC urged the futures industry to be prepared. MarketWatch breaks down why we should be prepared for the potential possibly negative pricing again.
The largest solar energy project in the history of the U.S. was approved.
This week a large solar energy project in Nevada was approved by the federal government. It is expected to generate enough electricity to power 260,000 homes. U.S. News reports on how it could be the eighth-biggest solar facility in the world.
The first test in orbit for beaming solar energy to Earth with radio waves.
While the idea of beaming solar energy to Earth with radio waves has been discussed for decades, this weekend the technology will get its first test. The U.S. Air Force is expected to launch its secret space plane to conduct the first “orbital experiment” with space-based solar power. Wired looks at the plan to convert the sun’s energy into microwaves and beam it down.
New film spotlights the transformative power of energy across the world.
As an alternative to Michael Moore’s Planet of the Humans, there is a new feature-length documentary, SwitchOn that allows viewers to see what life is like in remote regions of the world that have little or no access to modern energy. Real Clear Energy tells the story about how electricity fuels humans.