A new piece of legislation would provide New Yorkers with further access to electric vehicles.

The Direct EV Sales bill, still under consideration by the New York Legislature, would remove restrictions on the sale of electric vehicles. Currently, five stores, all of which are downstate in New York City and Long Island, can sell EVs directly to consumers.

James Chen, vice president of public policy for Rivian, argued allowing more access is long overdue. As the U.S. makes the push to get more people driving electric vehicles, Chen said the lack of direct sales has been a roadblock.

"The prohibition of direct sales in a number of states including New York has really stifled the ability for consumers to learn about them," Chen asserted. "I mean, at the end of the day, to be able to purchase or to be able to sell electric vehicles, there's a lot more involved than the traditional gasoline-powered vehicles."

He noted when people go to buy a gasoline-powered vehicle, more research is done beforehand, and they are more familiar with the technology. However, without direct sales, people are left with many questions about EVs dealers are not able to answer right away. Chen pointed out unfamiliarity has kept electric vehicles from being in vogue, but he said passage of the bill would address many lingering doubts.

Despite moving toward electric vehicles, there still are plenty of detractors, who Chen sees as motivated by misconceptions. One, in particular, claims EVs are somehow lesser than gasoline-powered cars.

"I think the biggest misconception is that the vehicle is somehow a compromise, whether it be range or the ability to find a place to charge up," Chen emphasized. "Most people will charge up, 70% to 80% of charging will be done at home. You come home at night, you plug in your vehicle, and you wake up every morning with a quote unquote 'full tank.' "

Some critics contended the legislation gets around current regulations. Chen countered the measure would allow electric-vehicle companies to invest in New York state and widen the market for consumer variety.

He added it would regulate new EV companies and allow people more alternatives for where to buy EVs.

New research from the University of New Hampshire could help dairy farmers increase profits while reducing their effect on the climate.

Scientists said adding a plant-based essential oil blend to cow feed can improve a cow's digestion and reduce the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Andre Brito, associate professor of dairy cattle nutrition and management at the University of New Hampshire, said the findings are especially true for pasture grazing cows and shows a happy cow makes for a healthier environment.

"If those animals are provided those conditions, they'll be more productive," Brito pointed out. "Then the amount of methane that's being emitted by those animals is diluted because they're producing more product."

Brito reported adding the plant oils led to a more than 6% increase in milk production, which is good news for the majority of New Hampshire dairies, especially small to mid-size operations with smaller profit margins and higher equipment costs.

Still, Brito noted the research findings could translate to larger, industrial-size dairies. The factory farms often hold thousands of cows, generating significant methane emissions through their hearty burps and manure, which is often stored in large, polluting lagoons.

Brito acknowledged although the plant-based oils are readily available for use, farmers must weigh the economic benefits and overall environmental impact.

"Any investment that the farmers would make in a product has to be tied to economics," Brito stressed. "Even though farmers overall, they are conscious about the environment and they want to make sure that there is less carbon, nitrogen footprint out of their farms."

Brito's research was conducted on cows as they transitioned from the winter indoor-feeding schedule to eating their favorite plants in the pasture, a diet change which can increase the cow's emissions.

Brito added he hopes the research can help farmers better understand when to add the oils to the cow feed to potentially reduce the cow's overall climate effect.


get more stories like this via email

State officials in Maine are highlighting apprenticeships as a way to earn a living wage and contribute to the state's growing green economy.

They'll kick off the first-ever Youth Apprenticeship Week by exposing high school students to the numerous ways they can learn and earn in offshore wind energy development, passive home construction, aquaculture, and more.

Maine Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program Manager Kristine McCallister said about 90% of apprentices choose to stay with their employer after their training is complete.

"Apprentices have a mentor and they're earning wages and they're earning pay increases as they go," said McCallister, "so it's a really great way to attract talent to Maine and to keep talent here."

McCallister said apprentices will earn $300,000 more over their lifetime. The state aims to add 75,000 more workers to the economy over the next five years by growing career training pipelines.

A report by the Maine Labor Climate Council finds the state can create tens of thousands of jobs by building a zero-carbon transportation system.

Workers will be needed to install EV charging stations, electrify school bus fleets, and potentially build a high-speed rail line from Bangor to Boston.

McCallister said new Mainers, like those studying with Portland Adult Education, are using apprenticeships to fill these roles and other clean-energy jobs.

"Those pre-apprentices just graduated and have interviewed with some of our apprenticeship programs," said McCallister, "so we're really hoping they're going to help feed that pipeline as this economy is booming in Maine in terms of the renewable-energy sector."

McCallister said some companies are even offering on-the-spot interviews and job offers this week. All apprenticeship events are listed on the Department of Labor's website.




get more stories like this via email

Climate watchers are predicting this summer's temperatures may set records, which could aggravate some medical conditions.

A 30-year study of health records from more than 200 countries and territories suggests a connection between stroke and climate change. The online publication "Neurology" reported the growing number of global deaths and disabilities from strokes are linked to -- but not caused by -- climate change.

Dr. Ann Jones, stroke neurologist at Indiana University Hospital, said when the body feels extreme heat and sweat evaporates, hypercoagulation, or blood thickening, occurs, which increases the chance for blood clots. Winter weather can also produce an instinctive response.

"The cold makes us kind of react with our fight-or-flight kind of drive, and it makes our blood vessels close down or vasoconstrict," Jones explained. "That can raise blood pressure up and that can predispose you to stroke."

Jones noted an ischemic stroke involves a clogged artery preventing blood from flowing to brain tissue. A ruptured artery during a hemorrhagic stroke causes blood to travel outside the artery wall into the brain tissue.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported almost 43% or 3,500 per 100,000 Hoosiers died from a stroke in 2021. Indiana ranks 34th in the nation for the rate of strokes.

The Yale Center on Climate Change and Health found heat can increase the risk of a stroke. Recent global burden-of-disease studies found 2 to 5 million deaths per year are linked to extreme temperatures globally. And climate change can also indirectly impact health through poor water quality, air pollution and increased spreading of infectious diseases.

Jones maintained good health is a start toward prevention and recommends the Mediterranean diet; consuming less red meat for optimal well-being and getting 30 minutes of exercise five times per week.

"Some things are out of our control," Jones acknowledged. "But just taking care of yourself in the ways that we can; focusing more on vegetables, fish, and staying hydrated, working on blood pressure with that reduced goal of less than 130 over 80."

The study indicated more research could identify the impact of temperature change on stroke as a way to address health inequalities including the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and industrial processes.