Above the Fold       

How to Profit From Our Trash 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American produces just under 5 pounds of trash per day or nearly 300 million tons per year. Of that, roughly 32% gets either recycled or composted, with another 12% directly combusted for energy production/transfer. What’s left is more than 146 million tons of what’s called “municipal solid waste” (MSW) that gets buried in one of America’s 2,000 or so landfills. All that rotting rubbish (which creates tons of methane) is now becoming a sort of commodity as companies rush to cash in on this dirty, yet clean energy source, which doesn’t require drilling. Waste-to-energy products can also capture new tax breaks that make it even more viable. The level of gas produced by landfill is much less than a typical natural gas well but tends to be more stable over longer periods of time.  

Companies like Archaea Energy Inc. (which was just bought by BP PLC), are installing waste-derived natural gas plants at locations around the country, including the largest in Pennsylvania at the Keystone Sanitary Landfill. The gas that’s recovered from the decaying trash must be separated and treated before it’s pumped into a natural gas energy system, but the costs are offset by renewable-fuel credits, which can be traded separately or used to balance other types of traditional production. The elevated cost of natural gas is creating a bit of urgency as energy firms look to capitalize on current pricing. Other players such as Waste Management Inc., North America’s biggest landfill operator, along with NextEra Energy Inc., are also investing hundreds of millions in landfill gas projects. 

Three Things                            

Tesla Finally Delivers Its First Semi-Trucks 

Beleaguered by the pandemic and a global parts shortage, the first Tesla-made electric semi-trucks were finally delivered to PepsiCo — five years after they were first announced, and three years behind their initial target date. Pepsi was the first to reserve 100 new-age trucks to add to its fleet. The truck features a new 1,000-volt powertrain architecture that can propel the giant vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in just 20 seconds, offering a published range of up to 500 miles. Prices reportedly start at $150,000 and several other companies such as FedEx and Walmart have also committed to purchase dozens of semis. Unfortunately for Tesla, several competitors are already working on alternatives, while the adoption of all-electric trucks, in general, faces major hurdles from charging station options to weight restrictions.   

China’s Slight Acquiesce to Public Demand 

The Chinese government is not known for its sensitivity to public opinion. But in a recent, rare shift, it has not only acknowledged public anger and nationwide protests against draconian COVID-19 controls but also is responding with policy changes. China’s zero-tolerance approach to containing the virus included harsh, extended lockdowns that impacted the lives and livelihoods of its citizens and the world, as so many of us depend on China’s exports and consumption. And while leader Xi Jinping may be softening his tactics, the country may now become increasingly vulnerable to widespread infection, illness and death as its vaccination rate remains relatively low. It is certainly a complicated situation, but at a minimum, it’s at least a moral win for the people of China.  

Why You Should Keep Children’s Information Away From Social Media 

We all know the basics of digital safety, from regularly changing passwords to avoiding sketchy or unknown websites and emails, but recent studies reveal that “sharenting” pushes the lines of kids’ own privacy, and the photos, comments and dates we post about our children gives criminals a leg up on figuring out our most cherished secrets (and passwords). A recent study by UK-based Nominet found that parents post an average of 1,500 photos (per child) by their 5th birthday, and many do NOT make those posts completely private. Other studies revealed that most passwords or challenge questions contain either a pet’s or child’s name, followed by a key date, such as a birthday or anniversary. Unfortunately for many, that information is relatively easy to access via social media or a quick Google search. Experts suggest using a smartphone (not social media) to share photos with other trusted friends or loved ones. 

In the Know                            

Santa’s Great Merger 

Both the American Santa Claus and Britain’s Father Christmas are derived from St. Nicholas, and Dec. 6 is officially St. Nicholas Day. The 4th century bishop of Myra, Nicholas was known for his generosity. Historians say he rode on horseback on this “Feast Day,” distributing sweets and presents to good children, and potatoes, twigs or lumps of coal to the bad ones. On this day, in some regions, children still leave letters for St. Nicholas, along with carrots or grass for his donkey or horse (forget the cookies). But in many western cultures, Santa’s arrival coincides with Christmas Day, the celebration of Jesus’ birth. It’s hard to say when the two holidays were merged, but we do know that several popular books published in the 1800s formed Santa’s modern story, with his first image published in a children’s book in 1821.