White House unveils $7B in solar grants as some states deal with a solar surplus
In a bid to bolster renewable energy infrastructure across the nation, the Biden administration recently announced $7 billion in federal solar power grants. This move, unveiled on Earth Day, came as parts of the nation experience a surplus of solar energy. That surplus raised power bills for solar panel owners.
The White House said its solar initiative can power nearly a million homes and substantially reduce emissions. The reduction would be equivalent to the impact of burning over 3 billion fewer gallons of gasoline. Federal officials touted the plan as a means to collectively save its recipients $350 million annually. The program is directed at low- and middle-income communities.
However, amidst this federal push for solar energy expansion, some states find themselves with an oversupply of solar power. California, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Hawaii and North Carolina rolled back their financial incentives for solar power projects as a result.
California, in particular, faces the prospect of a potential 40% decline in solar installations this year. The state’s surplus of solar panels led to the wastage of millions of megawatts of energy every year. That ultimately resulted in higher electricity prices.
This occurs when residential solar panels feed excess energy back into the grid, only for it to be discarded. Consequently, homeowners miss out on potential reductions in their power bills from incentives they would normally receive for delivering solar power to the grid.
One solution to mitigate this issue involves the adoption of solar battery storage systems, which enable homeowners to store excess energy for later use. However, the cost of installing such systems ranges from $12,000-$20,000. That range poses a significant financial barrier for many.
While solar panels undoubtedly offer environmental benefits and are often cheaper than carbon-intensive energy sources, policymakers are beginning to see some downsides to their increased proliferation.
Hawaii begins process of removing World War II Ha‘ikū Stairs
The “Stairway to Heaven” in Hawaii, officially known as the Ha‘ikū Stairs, is being dismantled after being closed to the public since 1987. Built by the U.S. Navy during World War II, the stairway consists of nearly 4,000 steps winding through a steep mountainside more than 2,800 feet above sea level.
“I can promise you that this was not a capricious decision,” Mayor Rick Blangiardi said in a statement.
Despite being off-limits, the trail has continued to attract thrill seekers, exacerbated by social media, according to the Honolulu City Council.
“Due to rampant illegal trespassing, Haiku Stairs is a significant liability and expense for the city, and impacts the quality of life for nearby residents,” Honolulu City Council member Esther Kiaʻāina told CNN affiliate Hawaii News Now.
From January 2022 to February 2024, the Honolulu Fire Department conducted five rescues on the Ha‘ikū Stairs, KHON2 reports. Over the past 12 years, firefighters have rescued 118 people from the site.
Senate dismisses articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Mayorkas
The Senate took little time to dismiss impeachment charges against the Secretary of Homeland Security. A volcano erupted in Indonesia, prompting evacuations and fears of a tsunami. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, April 18, 2024.
Senate dismissed articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Mayorkas
The Senate quickly voted to dismiss impeachment charges against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday, April 17, with the trial lasting just hours.
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The Senate rejected two articles of impeachment brought by House Republicans. Democrats argued that both charges were unconstitutional. In a party-line vote of 51-48, the Senate dismissed the first article accusing Mayorkas of a willful and systematic refusal to comply with immigration law. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted “present.”
The second article, alleging Mayorkas lied to Congress under oath about border security, was dismissed by a strict party-line vote of 51-49.
The Senate ended the trial about three hours after it began.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., stated the charges failed to meet “the high standard of high crimes and misdemeanors.”
“And we felt very strongly that we had to set a precedent that impeachment should never be used to settle policy disagreements. I felt that very strongly,” Schumer said. “This is the first impeachment I can recall, you look at history, none were done because there were policy disagreements. If we allowed that to happen, it would set a disastrous precedent for Congress, could throw our system of checks and balances into cycles of chaos.”
In response, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said, “History will not judge this moment well.”
Speaker Johnson said House will vote on Ukraine, Israel aid this weekend
A vote on a foreign aid package that would send additional funding to Ukraine and Israel is scheduled for the evening of Saturday, April 27, in the House, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Ala., said.
While Johnson hopes to gain enough support from House Democrats and fellow Republicans to pass the bills, he received an endorsement from President Joe Biden. In a statement, Biden said he strongly supports the package and will sign it into law immediately to “send a message to the world: We stand with our friends, and we won’t let Iran or Russia succeed.”
911 emergency outages resolved in four states
Emergency 911 services were restored Wednesday night, April 17, in South Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada and Texas following a major outage that left call centers unreachable for many residents. The cause has not been identified but Homeland Security has noted the increasing risks of cyberattacks on digital 911 systems.
In Del Rio, Texas, the issue was traced to a major cellular carrier. Services in Las Vegas and other affected areas have resumed, and all missed emergency calls have been returned.
Reuters reports that the Transportation Department’s Office of Emergency Medical Services, the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency did not immediately return requests for comment.
Indonesia issues tsunami alert after volcano erupts on remote island
Indonesian authorities have ordered hundreds to evacuate following multiple eruptions of Mount Ruang, a volcano in North Indonesia, that began erupting Tuesday, April 16.
The volcano has been spewing lava and ash thousands of feet into the air, accompanied by lightning strikes. Mount Ruang is a stratovolcano, characterized by its cone-like shape and steep sides formed by thick, slow-flowing lava. Such volcanoes often erupt explosively due to gas buildup in the magma.
Indonesia’s volcanology agency has raised the alert to its highest level, citing the potential for a partial collapse into the sea that could trigger a tsunami, similar to an event in 1871.
Approximately 800 residents have been relocated to a nearby island as a precaution.
Google fires 28 employees after protest, lays off others amid restructuring
Google has fired 28 workers who protested at the company’s offices in California and New York on Tuesday, April 16, over a contract with the Israeli government, a company spokesperson said. The employees were terminated for “physically impeding other employees’ work and preventing them from accessing” facilities, which was described as a “clear violation” of Google’s policies.
The firings on Wednesday, April 17, came after additional layoffs at Google were reported earlier as the tech giant continues to restructure and cut costs. The company has not confirmed the number of employees dismissed in this latest round of cuts.
According to an email sent to staff, Google’s finance chief said the company is looking to build “growth hubs” in cities outside the U.S., including Mexico City and Dublin, as part of the restructuring.
Hawaii begins process of removing World War II Ha‘ikū Stairs
The “Stairway to Heaven” in Hawaii, officially known as the Ha‘ikū Stairs, is being dismantled after being closed to the public since 1987. Built by the U.S. Navy during World War II, the stairway consists of nearly 4,000 steps winding through a steep mountainside more than 2,800 feet above sea level.
Despite being off-limits, the trail has continued to attract thrill seekers, exacerbated by social media, according to the Honolulu City Council.
The council has initiated a $2.5 million removal process expected to last at least six months.
Historic buildings at Pearl Harbor set to be demolished for renewable energy
The U.S. Navy has unveiled plans to lease 25 acres of land within Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) in Hawaii for the development of clean energy infrastructure. This proposal, if implemented, would involve the demolition of three historic buildings and repurposing six others to make way for a biofuel plant and solar energy farm.
These facilities aim to provide a sustainable electricity source capable of powering over 100,000 homes, something that will contribute to Hawaii’s goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045.
The initiative also addresses critical energy security concerns faced by the Navy on the base. Once completed, this power supply will reportedly ensure continuous military operations at Pearl Harbor — even in the event of a grid outage.
“The purpose of the Proposed Action is to generate and store renewable energy in order to improve energy security, strategic flexibility and energy resiliency at JBPHH,” the Naval Department wrote. “The need for the proposed action is to address the Navy’s critical energy security gaps by providing energy resiliency to the entire base in the event of a grid outage. JBPHH’s aging — average age of over 50 years — undersized infrastructure and overloaded distribution system also impact reliability.”
The buildings slated for demolition and repurposing fall within a protected National Historic Landmark District. An environmental assessment of the project has acknowledged that moving forward with this plan will alter sites deemed historically significant.
“The proposed action would result in minor, permanent and irreversible impacts to historic architectural resources,” the assessment read. “Adverse effects to historic properties would be resolved through consultation and implementation of mitigation.”
In response to these concerns, the Navy has initiated a public consultation process to gather feedback on the proposed renewable energy plan. Individuals are invited to voice their opinions on the matter to the Naval Department through May 2.
Hawaii court rebukes SCOTUS in gun rights case, cites ‘spirit of Aloha’
In a recent ruling, the Hawaiian Supreme Court invoked the “spirit of Aloha,” a deeply ingrained cultural conduct emphasizing kindness, humility, unity and patience, to address the issue of firearm regulation. On Wednesday, Feb. 7, the court ruled that people living in Hawaii do not have the right to carry a firearm in public without a license.
The case dates back to 2017 when Maui police arrested Christopher Wilson for carrying an unregistered pistol. Wilson was charged with improperly holding a firearm and ammunition. The gun was unregistered in Hawaii and Wilson had not applied for a permit to carry the gun. Wilson told officers he legally purchased the gun in Florida in 2013. He filed to dismiss the charges and argued officers violated his Second Amendment rights.
Wilson’s motion was denied.
In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. The high court ruled that carrying a gun in public is a constitutional right. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote gun laws must be “consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.”
So, Wilson filed a second motion to dismiss his case. A judge granted the dismissal. However, the state appealed to its Supreme Court.
Wednesday, Hawaii’s high court vacated the lower court’s order that granted Wilson’s motion to dismiss.
In a 53-page unanimous opinion, Hawaii Justice Todd Eddin rebuked the U.S. Supreme Court’s Bruen decision.
Eddin noted that Hawaii’s Constitution mirrors the Second Amendment, but the court reads those words differently than the U.S. Supreme Court.
“We hold that in Hawaii there is no state constitutional right to carry a firearm in public,” Eddin said, adding that Hawaii’s historical tradition excludes an individual right to possess weapons.
“Hawai’i has never recognized a right to carry deadly weapons in public; not as a kingdom, republic, territory, or state,” Eddin said.
“The spirit of Aloha clashes with a federally mandated lifestyle that lets citizens walk around with deadly weapons during day-to-day activities,” the opinion said.
Wilson’s lawyer said his office is looking over their options, including seeking a review from the U.S. Supreme Court.
In another Second Amendment case out of Hawaii, three Maui residents are challenging a law that went into effect last year that prohibits Hawaii residents from carrying firearms on the beach, into banks and bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is set to hear oral arguments in April.
Hawaii replaces its last coal plant with a Tesla battery system
Hawaii’s goal of being 100% powered by green energy technology by 2045 may be getting a significant push forward. Following the closure of its last remaining coal plant in 2022, the Aloha State will now be utilizing a Tesla Megapack battery system installed by energy company Plus Power to deliver electricity to its grid.
“This project provides another example of Hawaii’s leadership in the clean energy transition,” said Mark B. Glick, Hawaii’s chief energy officer. “The grid modernization strategies employed by Plus Power support a cleaner, more reliable and more affordable energy system.”
Situated across eight acres on the island of Oahu near the capital city of Honolulu, the facility boasts 158 Megapack battery systems, each comparable in size to a standard shipping container. This newly implemented technology matches the electric output of the retired coal plant, with Tesla saying it is the “most advanced grid-scale battery energy storage system in the world.”
“This is the first time a standalone battery site has provided grid-forming services at this scale,” said Mike Snyder, the senior director at Tesla Megapack. “This is a critical application for high renewable penetration grids supplied by 185 MW of Megapack inverters.”
The tropical climate of Hawaii, renowned for its sunny skies and ideal tourist destinations, is also conducive to harnessing solar energy. However, the state’s previous grid infrastructure was unable to store much of the surplus power generated from solar panels, resulting in cleaner electricity going to waste.
The state’s Megapack battery project aims to address that issue with additional storage that reduces the amount of unused renewable energy by nearly 70%. This system also has the ability to hold onto additional reserve energy to use in the case of grid outages caused by severe weather or natural disasters.
“This is a landmark milestone in the transition to clean energy,” said Brandon Keefe, Plus Power’s executive chairman. “It’s the first time a battery has been used by a major utility to balance the grid: providing fast frequency response, synthetic inertia, and black start. This project is a postcard from the future — batteries will soon be providing these services, at scale, on the mainland.”
According to Hawaiian Electric, this technology is expected to save consumers around 28 cents per month, but further reductions to the electric bills of Hawaiians could be coming. Future cost-saving green energy projects plan to rely on the battery system when they eventually come online.
3 US soldiers killed in Jordan drone strike identified: The Morning Rundown, Jan. 30, 2024
The Defense Department identifies the three U.S. soldiers killed in a drone strike at a base in Jordan as officials investigate how the attack happened. And Elon Musk says his Neuralink startup has successfully implanted a computer chip into a human’s brain for the first time. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024.
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3 U.S. soldiers killed in Jordan drone strike identified
The identities of the three U.S. soldiers who were killed in an attack on a military base in Jordan on Sunday, Jan. 28, have been released as the investigation is revealing new details. The Defense Department said 46-year-old Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 23-year-old Spc. Breonna Moffett and 24-year-old Spc. Kennedy Sanders, all from Georgia, were killed by an unmanned aerial drone attack on the troops’ sleeping quarters in the early morning hours.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our three Army Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country in Jordan. Our prayers are with these loyal and courageous Soldiers’ families, friends, and the entire 718th Engineer Company – we honor their selfless…
The Biden administration blamed an Iranian-backed militia group for the attack, the first in which American soldiers have been killed since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Iran has denied it was behind the strike. White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby echoed President Joe Biden’s comments a day earlier. Kriby said the U.S. would respond.
“We do not seek another war. We do not seek to escalate,” Kirby said. “But we will absolutely do what is required to protect ourselves, to continue that mission, and to respond appropriately to these attacks.”
All three soldiers who died were part of Operation Inherent Resolve, tasked with defeating ISIS in the region. The strike is believed to be the deadliest attack on U.S. service members since 13 Americans were killed in Afghanistan in 2021.
Six-week pause in war proposed for release of more hostages
Talks of another pause in the war between Israel and Hamas are in the early stages. Still, officials said the framework to deal is expected to be presented to Hamas that would see a six-week stoppage in fighting and the release of more hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
I met with @MBA_AlThani_ in Washington, DC, to discuss efforts to secure the release of all the remaining hostages held by Hamas. We are thankful for Qatar’s partnership and indispensable role in mediating. pic.twitter.com/ngdqwM5miY
The terms were drafted by representatives of the United States, Israel, Qatar, and Egypt on Sunday, Jan. 28, in Paris. CIA Director William Burns was among those working on the plan that Qatar would present to Hamas officials, and they would then send back a response.
“We are hoping actually, to relay this proposal to Hamas and to get them to a place where they engage positively and constructively in the process.” Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al Thani said during an Atlantic Council webinar.
Officials told the New York Times the early framework called for Hamas to release elderly hostages as well as any remaining women and children during the pause in fighting. When asked on Monday, Jan. 29, about the plan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken replied, “The less said, the better.” He added the proposal on the table is a “compelling one” and “there is some real hope going forward.”
IRS contractor sentenced to 5 years for leaking Trump’s tax records
I acted out of a sincere, if misguided, belief I was serving the public interest.
Charles Edward Littlejohn
Prosecutors said Littlejohn leaked tax data to the New York Times and ProPublica between 2018 and 2020; prosecutors called the leaks “unparalleled in the IRS’s history” and argued that Littlejohn applied to be an IRS contractor to get Trump’s tax returns and figured out how to search for records without sounding alarms.
“I acted out of a sincere, if misguided, belief I was serving the public interest,” Littlejohn said.
Littlejohn was also fined $5,000 and will be under three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Judge Reyes said the crime was so extraordinary that the punishment must “deter others who might feel an obligation to break the law.”
Cyberattack targets government systems where Trump faces election interference charges
A cyberattack targeted Fulton County, Georgia, government systems, where former President Donald Trump faces election interference charges. According to a Fulton County official, the attack, which is being investigated by law enforcement, targeted devices that use county servers, including those used by District Attorney Fani Willis’ Office.
A county commissioner said there is no indication that any sensitive information about employees or citizens has been leaked, and there is no timeline for when the threat will end and when systems will be restored.
The attack comes as Willis faces filing deadlines in the election interference case against Trump. This week, Willis will be heard in front of a judge as to why she should not be disqualified from prosecuting the case following allegations that she had a relationship with the special prosecutor she hired to work on the Trump case.
Elon Musk says Neuralink has implanted computer chip in first human
Musk said initial results showed “promising neuron spike detection” but gave no further details on the procedure or the patient. In May of 2023, Neuralink announced it received approval from the FDA to conduct its first-in-human clinical study.
🧠 Elon Musk announced the first successful Neuralink brain chip implant in a human. Think about telling someone 10 years ago that by 2024, we'd be on the brink of unlocking telepathy…
In a follow-up post, Musk said the first Neuralink product called “telepathy” will enable the patient to use a phone or computer to control any device just by thinking. Musk said initial users will be those who have lost the use of their limbs.
Pilot believes he may have found Amelia Earhart’s long-lost plane
Tony Romeo, a former Air Force intelligence officer, said he and his crew at Deep Sea Vision may have discovered the long-lost wreckage of Earhart’s twin-engine aircraft after scanning more than 5,200 square miles of ocean floor.
The $11 million expedition used an underwater drone to capture a sonar image resembling the shape of an airplane near Howland Island, halfway between Australia and Hawaii. Earhart was set to land on the island for refueling during her 1937 flight, in which she had hoped to be the first pilot to circumnavigate the globe.
Because the images are blurry, Romeo said his team will return to the site later this year to take clearer photos to confirm if it is indeed the long-lost plane.
Bill aiming to exclude Trump from ballot gains traction in Hawaii
As the Republican primaries unfold, there’s growing concern that former President Donald Trump might face exclusion from the ballot in Hawaii. A bill gaining traction aims to bar voters from electing presidential candidates identified by a federal or state supreme court as insurrectionists.
The proposed legislation also seeks to prohibit Hawaii state electors from voting for a nominee disqualified under the 14th Amendment.
Hawaii State Sen. Karl Rhoads, D, the bill’s proponent, additionally proposed safeguards that require state electors to pledge against casting their ballots for any nominee disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, in case voters nominate an individual who is considered an insurrectionist.
“The Legislature finds that citizens of this State have the right to expect that public servants be people of integrity, and not people who have committed actions that threaten democracy or undermine the vote of the people,” the bill states.
Despite Trump being removed from ballots in Colorado and Maine, he hasn’t been legally found guilty of insurrection charges. Both states’ decisions are pending appeal.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to review Colorado’s decision, upheld by the state Supreme Court, in early February.
It remains uncertain whether the Supreme Court will secure Trump’s name on all state ballots or if states will explore alternative avenues, such as the proposed bill in Hawaii, to exclude the GOP frontrunner from the state ballot.
Similar lawsuits that aim to remove Trump from ballots in Minnesota, Michigan, Arizona and Oregon were dismissed on procedural grounds, according to Newsweek. Meanwhile, the Illinois State Board of Elections is reportedly contemplating a challenge to the former president’s eligibility for appearing on the state’s ballot.
Millions of US workers set for minimum wage boost in 2024
As the clock ticks into 2024, millions of American workers will welcome a pay increase. Minimum wage adjustments are set to take effect in 22 states and 38 cities or counties across the nation in the new year.
Data from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) shows that 12 states, including California, Arizona and Connecticut, are raising minimum wages based on an inflation adjustment formula.
Meanwhile, eight states, including Maryland, Illinois and New York, have enacted new laws to boost their minimum wages. Nebraska and Missouri voters approved ballot measures to do the same.
Hawaii will see the most substantial increase, jumping from $12 per hour to $14 per hour. On the other hand, Michigan will witness the smallest rise of $0.23 per hour, reaching $10.33.
Starting Jan. 1, Maryland, New Jersey, and upstate New York will join California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Washington in establishing a minimum wage of $15 or higher, with Washington leading at $16.28 per hour.
While the wage hike is sure to make an impact on retail and fast-food workers, small, local businesses must also prepare to pay employees more.
Business owners like Victoria Foster of Victory Lane Boutique in Cincinnati, Ohio, emphasized the need to raise salaries for employees.
“You have to be able to raise salaries for employees just to be able to survive, to be able to live comfortably,” Foster said.
However, the minimum wage increase may not benefit all workers in the 22 states. Some business owners may opt to cut staff to manage higher costs.
In California, where the state minimum wage reaches $16 on Jan. 1, fast-food workers will see an even more significant increase to $20 per hour by April 2024.
Nearly 10 million workers are expected to see a pay raise in the new year, with EPI estimating that almost 60% of those workers are women, and over a quarter are parents.
Despite this shift, it’s important to note that the federal minimum wage, stagnant since 2009, remains at $7.25 per hour.
Israel expanding strikes in Gaza following end of temporary truce: The Morning Rundown, Dec. 4, 2023
With the cease-fire over, Israel says it’s expanding its ground operations to all of Gaza. And plans for the next merger in the airline industry have been announced. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Dec. 4, 2023.
Israel expanding operation in Gaza days after cease-fire ends
Israel expanded its evacuation orders on Sunday, Dec. 3, with reports saying the IDF dropped leaflets in communities in southern Gaza, warning neighborhoods of a heavy attack. On Sunday night, Dec.3, an Israel military spokesman said the country “continues and expands its ground operations against Hamas strongholds all across the Gaza Strip” but did not further elaborate.
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The Israeli military said this morning its airstrikes hit about 200 Hamas targets in Gaza overnight, including a school in northern Gaza that it said contained “terror infrastructure.”
Speaking to ABC News on Sunday, Dec. 3, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. is still working to get cease-fire discussions back on the table to free the approximate 140 hostages that remain in Gaza, including eight Americans.
Kirby also said Israel has been “receptive” to the U.S.’ message to minimize civilian casualties amid the IDF’s growing operations.
3 commercial ships attacked by Iranian-backed militia in Red Sea
According to the report, a U.S. warship also shot down three drones in self-defense, though it was not clear if the warship was the target of any specific attacks. Minor damage was reported as a result of the hours-long assault. In a statement, the U.S. military called these attacks a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security.
Today, there were four attacks against three separate commercial vessels operating in international waters in the southern Red Sea. These three vessels are connected to 14 separate nations. The Arleigh-Burke Class destroyer USS CARNEY responded to the distress calls from the…
“We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran,” U.S. Central Command said. “The United States will consider all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners.”
5 bodies recovered from wreckage of Osprey that crashed in Japan
Air Force Staff Sgt. Jake Galliher, 24, was killed Wednesday in the CV-22 Osprey aircraft crash off the coast of Japan that has left at least one airman dead and seven missing. https://t.co/7K9RN303yb
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines officials said the deal would combine two carriers with few overlapping routes. They said the combined organization would provide service to 138 destinations, including nonstop service to 29 international locations.
The companies said the plan would add more travel opportunities to and from Hawaii. The deal still has to be approved by Hawaiian Airlines investors and U.S. regulators, which could be an issue. The Justice Department is currently trying to block JetBlue’s proposed acquisition of Spirit Airlines.
First wireless-charging public road opens in the U.S.
Drivers of electric vehicles in Detroit searching for the next station to charge their car now have another option: the first wireless-charging public road in America. For a few days now, drivers of certain EVs have had the opportunity to charge their cars on the newly paved 14th Street in the Motor City.
Israel-based company Electreon developed the technology. The company, which has similar projects in other countries, including Sweden, Germany, Italy, and Norway, said the roadway is safe for pedestrians. State officials said the cost of the project is approximately $6 million.
Washington, D.C. celebrates 2023 Kennedy Center honorees
Speaking at a White House reception before Sunday evening’s Dec. 3 event, President Biden welcomed the group and said the performing acts “reflect who we are as human beings.”
Several guests from all corners of the entertainment industry appeared on stage to honor the stars, including actors Meg Ryan, Robert De Niro, and Kerry Washington, country group Little Big Town, and rapper Missy Elliot. The event was hosted by 2017 honoree singer Gloria Estefan and is set to air on CBS on Dec. 27.