Australian state of Queensland approves $1bn wind farm
The Queensland government has approved the country’s largest windfarm, a $1bn project to build almost 200 turbines in the shadow of the Bowen basin’s coalmines.
States & provinces
California approves $738 million transportation electrification initiative
“What we’re seeing is one of the largest and most well-thought-out approaches to advancing electrification of vehicles,” says Adrian Martinez, an attorney for Earthjustice.
Rhode Island becomes latest state to pass new gun laws after Parkland
The governor has signed a bill to ban bump stocks and another to implement a “red flag” law.
Vermont passes gender-neutral bathroom bill
Vermont lawmakers have passed a bill that will require all single-user bathrooms in public buildings or places of public accommodation to be marked as gender-neutral.
Maryland becomes 11th state to ban ‘gay conversion therapy’ for minors
Maryland Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan, a Republican, signed the Youth Mental Health Protection Act into law on Tuesday, making the state the 11th to ban gay conversion therapy for minors.
California becomes first state to order solar on new homes
Most new units built after Jan. 1, 2020, will be required to include solar systems as part of the standards adopted by the California Energy Commission.
Hawaii legislature passes bill banning sunscreens containing chemicals that kill coral reefs
The Hawaiian state legislature just passed a bill that would ban the sale of sunscreens containing the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate. Research has shown these chemicals are toxic to coral.
California laws seek to limit surveillance technology
California privacy advocates say it is “more critical than ever that the amount of surveillance and personal data collected be the bare minimum, to ensure the safety of our community from unlawful and inhumane targeting.”
California hits new utility-scale solar generation record of 10.5 GW
For the first time in the state’s history utility-scale solar generation surpassed 10.5 gigawatts. Then two days later, that record was broken when 10,539 megawatts were generated.
Illinois Senate votes to require LGBT history curriculum be taught in schools
The Illinois Senate has approved a bill that requires public schools to teach “the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country and this State.”