West
Energy experts blast failed billion-dollar DOE project as 'financial boondoggle,' 'disaster'
A major solar power plant project that was granted over a billion dollars in federal loans is on the road to closure, with energy experts blasting the project as a “boondoggle” that harmed the environment.
In 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under former President Barack Obama issued $1.6 billion in loan guarantees to finance the Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, a green energy project that consists of three solar concentrating thermal power plants in California.
The facility was touted by then-Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz as an “example of how America is becoming a world leader in solar energy.” But after 10 years, the federally funded plant is now on track to close.
“Ivanpah is yet another failed green energy boondoggle, much like Solyndra,” Jason Isaac, CEO of the American Energy Institute, an American energy advocacy group, told Fox News Digital in a statement. “Despite receiving $1.6 billion in federal loan guarantees, it never lived up to its promises, producing less electricity than expected while still relying on natural gas to stay operational.”
ENERGY SEC. WRIGHT ISSUES DAY-1 ORDERS TARGETING OIL RESERVES, APPLIANCE RULES, ‘NUCLEAR RENAISSANCE’
Ivanpah Solar Power Facility (U.S. Department of Energy)
“Now, with its power contracts canceled, Ivanpah stands as a testament to the waste and inefficiency of government-subsidized energy schemes,” Isaac said.
Ivanpah consists of three individual units, two of which were contracted by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) in 2009 and scheduled to run until 2039.
EXPERTS SAY FIRST WEEK OF ‘TRUMP EFFECT’ IS DERAILING GLOBAL CLIMATE MOVEMENT’S ‘HOUSE OF CARDS’
In January, PG&E announced plans to cancel its agreement with Ivanpah 14 years early, determining that “ending the agreements at this time will save customers money compared to the cost of keeping them through 2039” – ultimately putting Ivanpah on notice for closure.
“The Ivanpah plant was a financial boondoggle and environmental disaster,” Julia Dowell of the Sierra Club, an environmental activism group, said of the power plant.
The $1.6 billion loan to Ivanpah was delivered under former President Obama’s administration. (AP )
“Along with killing thousands of birds and tortoises, the project’s construction destroyed irreplaceable pristine desert habitat along with numerous rare plant species,” Dowell said. “While the Sierra Club strongly supports innovative clean energy solutions and recognizes the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels, Ivanpah demonstrated that not all renewable technologies are created equal.”
This comes after another DOE-funded green energy project, Solyndra, went bankrupt in 2011 after receiving $535 million in federal loan guarantees from the Obama administration.
“Green projects have a long history of expensive taxpayer-subsidized disaster that is getting more so,” Steve Milloy, senior fellow at the Energy & Environmental Legal Institute and former Trump EPA transition team member, said in a statement to Fox.
Chris Wright, chief executive officer of Liberty Energy Inc., was recently confirmed to head the U.S. Department of Energy under the Trump administration. (Al Drago)
Milloy suggested that further green energy failures could come from projects funded by recent Democrat-backed legislation that aims to push the green energy agenda.
“Soon we will be looking at failures of larger magnitude than Green New Deal spending. No green project relying on taxpayer subsidies has ever made any economic or environmental sense,” Milloy said. “It’s important that President Trump stop the taxpayer bleeding by ending what he accurately calls the Green New Scam.”
Read the full article from Here
Whether four-star 2028 prospect King Pitts has an offer from the Washington Huskies as an offensive lineman or an athlete, he’s firmly on Jedd Fisch and the Washington Huskies coaching staff’s radar.
The 6-foot-5, 255-pound two-way lineman is back in his native Hawaii and set to play his junior season at Kapa’a High School after playing at Cardinal Newman in California, after establishing himself as a national recruit during his sophomore year as an offensive tackle and versatile defensive lineman.
The No. 241 overall recruit—according to the 247Sports Composite—Pitts holds 43 total scholarship offers with two years still left of high school football.
As a defensive lineman, Pitts can play either defensive tackle or defensive end with his ability to be a disruptive force against the run and pass. Whichever position the Islands product ends up playing at the next level, there isn’t a question of if, but how well he’ll hold up against Big Ten and SEC-caliber talent.
UW hasn’t ventured heavily into recruiting Hawaii as much recently as the football program has in previous decades. Aside from signing tight end Kekua Aumua in the 2026 class, who began and finished his prep career at Kahuku after transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for his junior season, Fisch has only signed one other prospect from Hawaii, Mililani quarterback Treston Kini McMillan in 2025.
Over the years, the Huskies have featured several notable recruits from the Islands, including defensive tackle Faatui Tuitele in 2019 and a pair of edge rushers, Zion Tupuola-Fetui in 2018 and Hau’oli Kikaha in 2010.
If Fisch and Co. can get the coveted two-way lineman on campus for at least one, if not multiple, unofficial visits over the course of the next 12 months, UW should be a major factor in Pitts’ recruitment long-term.
From chart-topping bands and Broadway stars to comedians and inspirational performers, live entertainment has become a valued part of the BYU-Idaho experience. Brigham Young University-Idaho is pleased to announce the rebranding of its long-running Center Stage series as BYUI Live!—a new name that reflects the university’s vision to create memorable live entertainment experiences that bring BYU-Idaho students and the surrounding community together.
For decades, Center Stage has welcomed exceptional performers to campus, building a tradition rooted in the fine arts. As the series has evolved to include nationally recognized artists such as OneRepublic, Andy Grammer, and Brett Young, the need for a brand that better reflects the breadth of today’s programming became clear.
“BYUI Live! better represents what we’re trying to create,” said Tanner Christensen, who oversees the university’s live guest entertainment series. “Our goal is to bring people together through memorable experiences in our amazing venues at BYU-Idaho. We are excited to bring the community the best entertainment in the industry that the entire family can enjoy.”
BYUI Live! is designed to be more than just a series of concerts or performances. Each event is an opportunity for students, families, and friends, to spend an evening together on campus—enjoying food, activities, and community before gathering for an unforgettable live show.
The new brand launches alongside an exciting lineup of upcoming events. BYUI Live!’s first performance will feature two-time Grammy Award-winning artist Lauren Daigle on Friday, September 18 at the BYU-Idaho Center. Guest artists for the university’s annual Christmas production and other upcoming performances will be announced in the coming weeks.
While the name is changing, the mission remains the same: “to provide uplifting, high-quality entertainment that enriches the student experience, strengthens community, and creates lasting memories.”
For upcoming events and ticket information, visit BYUI Live!’s new website www.byui.edu/live
For media inquiries, please email Tanner Christensen at live@byui.edu
Where Khloe Kardashian Stands With Ex French Montana More Than 10 Years After Breakup
French Montana is done keeping up with reality TV.
In fact, he only agreed to appear on Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Kourtney & Khloé Take the Hamptons over a decade ago as a favor to then-girlfriend Khloe Kardashian.
“She said to get on the show,” he exclusively told E! News at the BET Awards on June 28. “And I got on the show. Shout out to Khloe.”
The “Ever Since U Left Me” rapper, who split with Kardashian in December 2014 after eight months of dating, said the experience was “fun” because her family kept it real.
“They filmed their real life,” he continued. “And we were part of something together that one time. So it felt great. It didn’t feel like work because they film what they do everyday.”
As for his future in reality TV, the 41-year-old said those days are over, shutting down any prospective offers with a simple, “Negative.”
Although the “Unforgettable” artist—whose real name is Karim Kharbouch—may not be returning to television anytime soon, he has no problem hanging out with his ex-girlfriend these days.
-
Connecticut6 minutes agoNew CT laws taking effect July 1: Absentee ballots, zoning, AI
-
Delaware11 minutes agoState Police Investigating Shooting in Newark – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware
-
Florida18 minutes ago10 places to watch the fireworks in South Florida for 4th of July 2026
-
Georgia21 minutes agoBottoms wants Georgia to meet its universal pre-K pledge | Chattanooga Times Free Press
-
Hawaii26 minutes agoWashington Football Pursuing Coveted 2028 Four-Star Hawaii Athlete
-
Idaho33 minutes ago
BYU-Idaho Launches BYUI Live! as New Name for Campus Entertainment
-
Illinois36 minutes ago‘A real farm crisis’: Illinois farm bankruptcies rise for 3rd straight year
-
Indiana41 minutes agoCarroll and Clinton fairs join food drive to help local food banks
