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Canada has an emphasis on minimizing their carbon footprint. Recently they committed to $20 million for the construction and distribution of small modular nuclear power plants. These single, small, modular power plants would be able to produce up to 300MWe (megawatt of electric capacity). For reference, that would be enough to power 150K to 200K homes. The benefit of these units would certainly be the transportation flexibility for more isolated communities with minimal waste.

Andrew Wheeler, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency re-introduced the Cleaner Trucks Initiative (CTI) at a livestock exchange in Marshall, Virginia earlier this week.  The policy aims to reduce oxides of nitrogen, NOx, and other pollutants for highway heavy-duty engines by establishing more rigorous emission standards.  Wheeler is calling for public participation in drafting the initiative through his issuing of an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

Seattle is making an attempt to move aggressively towards cutting the city emissions.   In September, Mayor Jenny Durkan signed a bill that would tax home heating oil an additional 24 cents per gallon.  This tax would be on top of the existing 10% heating oil tax that currently exists for the residents of Seattle.  This tax will take effect starting during the summer of 2020.