Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Simon Mahan

Kevin J. CREATURE @kevinjkircher.com · 1d

Over 40% of corn grown in Indiana is used to make ethanol that cars burn. One acre of corn yields about 16,500 vehicle-miles per year of ethanol, which sounds high until you realize that one acre of solar yields about 2,700,000 vehicle-miles per year: 16,000% more driving for a given plot of land.

35 400 1.1K

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 1d

Look, we're gonna build transmission one way or another. We can either attempt to be proactive and thoughtful, or reactive and panicked. I know my hot water tank will die someday soon, I don't know exactly when, but I want to replace it before it explodes. Why is this hard?

1 6

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 2d

Cool job alert with the Southeastern Wind Coalition, Program Associate, $65k, must be in either MS, AR, AL, TN, or GA; www.sewind.org/central-stat...

Central States Sr. Program Associate — Southeastern Wind Coalition

www.sewind.org

1 1

Reposted by Simon Mahan

Jonathan Mingle @jmingle.bsky.social · 2d

Back in 2022 @simonmahan.bsky.social told me*:

"I know folks who know Congress reps’ phone # by heart but they don’t know the PUC even exists."

Maybe this Georgia election will also be an inflection point for public awareness of PUCs' huge power.

*for this piece:
www.nybooks.com/online/2022/...

The Groaning Grid | Jonathan Mingle

One could be forgiven for thinking that it’s only Senator Joe Manchin who gets to decide these things, but here’s a little-known fact: precisely 201

www.nybooks.com

1 1

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 2d

Dang

2

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 2d

MISO MTEP25 sneak peek: MISO south is blowing up

1 2

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 2d

$305k subsidy for nuclear in Arkansas, when the state utilities provide this sort of analysis ~for free~ (it's called an IRP, look it up)
www.arkansasonline.com/news/2025/oc...

Arkansas lawmakers hire firm to conduct nuclear energy study | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

EXCEL Services Corp., a consulting firm, has been hired by the state to study the development of new nuclear energy generation in Arkansas.

www.arkansasonline.com

1 5

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 3d

“[Entergy Arkansas] has known about the retirement of White Bluff for almost a decade, and has effectively waited until the last minute to announce public plans,” Mahan wrote. www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/arka...

Arkansas’ Energy Future: New Power Plants Planned as Demand Surges

Entergy, AECC plan new power plants and more renewable energy as Arkansas shifts from coal and demand for electricity surges.

www.arkansasbusiness.com

1 5

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 3d

So close to such a great day

4

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 3d

The PSC recently brought in consulting firm Bates White to examine the numbers and assess whether or not Mississippi benefits from staying in MISO.

The result? Mississippi benefits from staying in MISO. southernrenewable.org/news-updates...

3

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 4d

Duke Energy’s Resource Plan Delays Wind Energy Development Until 2040s www.sewind.org/news/duke-en...

Duke Energy’s Resource Plan Delays Wind Energy Development Until 2040s — Southeastern Wind Coalition

Onshore and offshore wind indefinitely delayed as Duke cites site assessment challenges and federal policy impacts.

www.sewind.org

2 5 3

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 7d

The facility will be powered .... a new 600-megawatt solar project backed by a 350-megawatt battery-storage system that will be located in Jefferson County. Google will pay rates that cover the cost of this resource. armoneyandpolitics.com/state-local-...

State, Local Leaders Gather to Tout Google's Planned $4B Data Center in West Memphis

State and local leaders gathered in West Memphis Thursday to officially launch plans for Google's $4 billion data center in the Crittenden

armoneyandpolitics.com

1 5

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 7d

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw8M...

Wind of Change: Amazon's Investment in Tunica County's Future with Charles Finkley Jr.

YouTube video by Marc Lamont Hill

www.youtube.com

2

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 8d

This year's Arkansas State Fair fly tying entry. A mayfly life cycle.

10

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 10d

Bah, all the Commissioners know me already haha

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 10d

Most terrifying moment at a conference:
Me: Hi, I'm Simon.
Them: Oh, I know who you are.

Is that...good? haha

1 7

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 10d

Entergy Mississippi Launches $300M Grid Upgrade with No Added Cost to Customers www.mpbonline.org/blogs/news/e...

Entergy Mississippi Launches $300M Grid Upgrade with No Added Cost to Customers

Mississippi Public Broadcasting is MPB. Mississippi is Our Mission. Get the latest news on Tate Reeves, the Election and updates on Television, Radio and Online

www.mpbonline.org

1

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 23d

At #FRISymposium2025 today in Columbia, Missouri. The theme is Field of Dreams. Lots of state regulators from all over the country. Great group of dedicated public servants working on reliability and cost savings.

1 1

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 25d

Heading to #FRISymposium2025 this week up at Mizzou and looking forward to talking about transmission! web.cvent.com/event/5534b8...

2

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 25d

Looks like FNET/GridEye UTK ORNL hasn't been updating for six months. www.youtube.com/@fnet/videos

FNET/GridEye UTK ORNL

This channel is created by PowerIT Lab at University of Tennessee, Knoxville/Oak Ridge National Lab Contact: http://powerit.utk.edu [email protected]

www.youtube.com

1 2

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 29d

Vigilently optimistic!

Reposted by Simon Mahan

Electrek @electrek.co · 29d

Hyundai is now delaying its EV battery plant that was raided by ICE

Construction on Hyundai’s electric vehicle battery site that was raided by ICE last week is now facing more setbacks. Hyundai is delaying work at the EV battery plant as the detained workers are expected to fly home on Thursday. more…

electrek.co

1 13 32

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 29d

See ya next year RE+!

1 8

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · 29d

"Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi are not going to fund any of the projects because MISO South was not part of the LRTP planning exercise." www.rtoinsider.com/114572-miso-...

MISO, Stakeholders Appeal to FERC to Leave Long-range Tx Plan Intact

MISO and several stakeholders came to the defense of the RTO’s Midwest LRTP as five Republican states seek to repeal the projects’ approval.

www.rtoinsider.com

1 2

Simon Mahan @simonmahan.bsky.social · Sep 10

Oh I intentionally framed the restroom. It's a humanizer.
Yup! Lots of ag use discussions

1 3