XPost: alt.global-warming   
      
   *California plans to ban sales of new gas-powered cars in 15 years   
   Brad Plumer and Jill Cowan, The New York Times via Carbon Brief   
      
   Several publications report that California plans to ban the sale of   
   new gasoline-powered cars statewide by 2035. In an executive order,   
   governor Gavin Newsom directed California's regulators to develop a   
   plan that would require automakers to sell steadily more   
   zero-emissions passenger vehicles in the state, such as   
   battery-powered or hydrogen-powered cars and pickup trucks, until they   
   make up 100% of new auto sales in just 15 years, the New York Times   
   reports. The plan would also set a goal for all heavy-duty trucks on   
   the road in California to be zero emissions by 2045 where possible,   
   the New York Times says, adding: "And the order directs the state's   
   transportation agencies to look for near-term actions to reduce   
   Californian's reliance on driving by, for example, expanding access to   
   mass transit and biking." The Los Angeles Times reports that Newsom   
   also "threw his support" behind a plan to ban fracking in the   
   state. It reports: "Newsom did not take executive action to ban the   
   controversial oil extraction method known as fracking but called on   
   the state Legislature to do so, setting up what could be a contentious   
   political fight when lawmakers reconvene in Sacramento next year."   
   Newsom's move is also covered by Reuters, the Guardian and   
   InsideClimate News. Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Michigan has   
   announced its intentions to aim for carbon neutrality by 2050.   
      
   Elsewhere in US news, the Guardian reports on a poll showing "a clear   
   majority of American voters want decisive action to deal with the   
   threats posed" by climate change. Seven in 10 voters support   
   govt action to address climate change, with three-quarters   
   wanting the US to generate all of its electricity from renewable   
   sources such as solar and wind within 15 years, the Guardian says. The   
   poll was carried out by the Guardian and Vice. Meanwhile, the Hill   
   reports that nearly 40 Democrat senators have now called for climate   
   change questions in the presidential debates.   
      
      
      
   *Goodbye and good riddance to gas-powered cars   
   Editorial, Los Angeles Times   
      
   An editorial in the Los Angeles Times celebrates California governor   
   Gavin Newsom's order for the state to ban the sale of gas-powered cars   
   within 15 years. The editorial says: "The state is already feeling the   
   effects of climate change with record-high temperatures and   
   record-year wildfires. We cannot wait for the federal govt to   
   step up, or be deterred by Trump's denial of science and   
   facts. California has to take the lead, again."   
      
   Elsewhere, an editorial in the Times questions UK prime minister Boris   
   Johnson's enthusiasm for "green hydrogen" following its story (see   
   above) on how fossil fuel companies could be "misleading" him on the   
   technology's benefits. The editorial says: "While technology exists to   
   produce `green hydrogen' via electrolysis from water, it remains   
   prohibitively expensive. Nor is there sufficient surplus renewable   
   energy capacity to drive hydrogen production."   
      
   Meanwhile, an editorial from the Financial Times's Lex team argues   
   that Elon Musk has overpromised on the falling costs of batteries for   
   electric cars. It says: "Two years ago the chief executive of Tesla   
   declared that a $25,000 car model could be 3 years away. On   
   Tue he announced that the low-cost version was in fact another   
   three years away and required a battery overhaul#Moving battery cell   
   production in-house is the sort of costly, ambitious plan that Tesla   
   shareholders should be primed for - particularly after the company   
   revealed $8.6bn of cash and equivalents at the end of the last   
   quarter." Elsewhere in the Daily Telegraph, head of technology Robin   
   Pagnamenta says: "Elon Musk's battery ambitions face major hurdles -   
   but you'd be brave to bet against him."   
      
      
   --   
   Upcoming events:   
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   A man may fail many times but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame   
   someone else.   
   -- J. Paul Getty, 29 Aug 2017   
      
   [Anyone But Trump:]   
   The number one reason voters are backing Joe Biden? He isn't Donald Trump   
   ABC News, 23 Sep 2020 19:53Z   
   Joe Biden purposefully stayed out of the spotlight, and has held onto an   
   election-winning lead. But with presidential debates looming the spotlight   
   is about to find him, whether he likes it or not.   
      
   Reserve Bank should buy 'mountainous sums' of Government debt to pull   
   Australia from recession, says Keating   
   ABC News, 23 Sep 2020 19:47Z   
   Paul Keating accuses the Reserve Bank of indolence and failing to do what is   
   necessary to prevent the recession getting worse, potentially by directly   
   financing the Government's budget deficit to try and boost employment.   
      
   'There's got to be a reason to get out of bed and come into the office': Can   
   employers lure workers back from their homes?   
   ABC News, 23 Sep 2020 20:45Z   
   More than half of Australia's office real estate isn't being used, as desk   
   dwellers continue to work from home. How much will that change after the   
   pandemic?   
      
   [Record!]   
   Westpac settles AUSTRAC money laundering case for $1.3 bn   
   ABC News, 23 Sep 2020 22:12Z   
   Westpac reaches a deal with AUSTRAC to settle more than 23 mn   
   alleged breaches of anti-money laundering laws by paying a record $1.3   
   bn penalty.   
      
     Half-truths, gaps and grey zones: Banks still have a huge problem   
     ABC News, 23 Sep 2020 19:47Z   
     After corporate embarrassment and heavy criticism, Australian banks have   
     made tremendous progress on meeting the red letter of the law. But they are   
     still falling short of meeting the interests of Australian society at large,   
     writes John Coyne.   
     [In other reports the banks that were forced to pay back customers   
     $bns in overcharged or illegal fees have been slow to give the money   
     back.  Between them there's at least $1 bn to go with the banks   
     apparently not refunding anyone unless customers know enough to   
     request they get their money back. In some cases they've set up   
     special accounts with customer money in them and then quietly begun   
     levying charges without telling the customer].   
      
   Wallet of missing South Australian boatie found washed ashore during search   
   ABC News, 23 Sep 2020 06:15Z   
   Police say the chances of finding missing SA boatie Tony Higgins alive are   
   diminishing after his wallet was found among other personal items washed   
   ashore south of Adelaide.   
   [The guy and a mate went missing a couple weeks ago. After a week-long   
   search they were found, claiming they were not lost and didn't know a   
   search was on for them.  A week later he's gone MIA again but this   
   time it looks permanent. 57 yo Higgins called for help 5am Tue saying   
   his boat was taking on water].   
      
   [Long Road To Recovery:]   
   After 6 months in hospital and 77 days in intensive care, coronavirus   
   patient Richard Misior leaves COVID-19 ward   
   ABC News, 23 Sep 2020 07:13Z   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)