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Commonwealth Fusion Systems Applies for PJM Interconnection to Launch First Commercial Fusion Power Plant

Commonwealth Fusion Systems Applies for PJM Interconnection to Launch First Commercial Fusion Power Plant

Commonwealth Fusion Systems Applies for PJM Interconnection to Launch First Commercial Fusion Power Plant
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Fusion Energy Group Seeks PJM Connection for First Commercial Power Plant

Fusion Energy Group Seeks PJM Connection for First Commercial Power Plant

Fusion Energy Group Seeks PJM Connection for First Commercial Power Plant
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Environmental Protection Agency boss backs big budget cuts but Congress will get the final say

Environmental Protection Agency boss backs big budget cuts but Congress will get the final say

The head of the Environmental Protection Agency is back on Capitol Hill defending the administration's plan to cut in half the EPA's budget
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Virginia Legalizes Plug Play Solar, Easing Adoption for Residents

Virginia Legalizes Plug Play Solar, Easing Adoption for Residents

Virginia has become the third state in the U.S. to legalize plug & play solar, allowing residents to install solar units on balconies without local bans, provided they comply with zoning and safety standards. This development aims to simplify the process and reduce barriers to solar energy adoption. The new law, HB 395, prohibits any locality from banning balcony solar on residential structures as long as the units are no more than 1.2kW, comply with zoning restrictions, and do not export power. The units must meet the standards of the most recent version of the National Electrical Code and be certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
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U.S. Supreme Court Deliberates on Legality of Geofence Warrants in Chatrie Case

U.S. Supreme Court Deliberates on Legality of Geofence Warrants in Chatrie Case

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deliberating on the legality of geofence warrants in the case of Chatrie v. United States. This case involves the use of geofence warrants by law enforcement to obtain location data from tech companies like Google, which was used to identify suspects in a 2019 bank robbery in Virginia. The court heard arguments on whether such warrants violate the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. The justices appeared divided on the issue, with some expressing concerns about privacy and the broad scope of these warrants, while others questioned the implications of restricting law enforcement's access to digital data.
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Blue Hill Observatory Highlights Climate Science Amid Political Challenges

Blue Hill Observatory Highlights Climate Science Amid Political Challenges

The Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center in Milton, Massachusetts, one of America's oldest weather observatories, continues to provide valuable climate data using traditional methods. Despite political challenges and budget cuts affecting federal weather institutions, Blue Hill remains operational as a private nonprofit. The observatory has maintained a continuous record of weather data for 141 years, using analog tools like mercury barometers and hygrometers. This long-term data is crucial for climate research, offering insights into historical weather patterns and the impact of climate policies.
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Avride Deploys Self-Driving Delivery Robots in Arlington, Mapping Local Sidewalks

Avride Deploys Self-Driving Delivery Robots in Arlington, Mapping Local Sidewalks

Avride, a Massachusetts-based company specializing in autonomous vehicles, has initiated a project to map the streets and sidewalks of Arlington County using self-driving delivery robots. These robots are designed to deliver food, groceries, and online purchases. The initial phase of this project involves deploying at least one 'personal delivery device' to chart a two-mile radius in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, expected to last about two weeks. This initiative follows a similar deployment in Alexandria by a different company, Serve Robotics, in December. Avride's robots, which are also operational in cities like Philadelphia, Austin, Dallas, and Jersey City, are equipped with cameras, lidar, and ultrasonic sensors to navigate autonomously. They are legally permitted in Virginia, provided they adhere to pedestrian laws and maintain liability insurance.
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EPA leader Zeldin supports slashing agency budget by half at contentious congressional hearings

EPA leader Zeldin supports slashing agency budget by half at contentious congressional hearings

President Donald Trump's administration proposes cutting the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget by roughly half, sparking heated congressional hearings this week
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US Supreme Court weighs lawfulness of 'geofence' warrants in crime probes

US Supreme Court weighs lawfulness of 'geofence' warrants in crime probes

By John Kruzel WASHINGTON, April 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on Monday over whether law enforcement's use of a "geofence" warrant to nab data from cellphones near the scene of a Virginia armed robbery violated the U.S.
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Virginia Legalizes Plug Play Solar, Expanding Residential Solar Options

Virginia Legalizes Plug Play Solar, Expanding Residential Solar Options

Virginia has become the third state in the United States to legalize plug & play solar systems, also known as 'balcony solar.' This development allows residents to install small-scale solar units on residential structures without facing municipal bans. The new law, HB 395, permits these systems as long as they do not exceed 1.2kW, comply with zoning restrictions, and do not export power. The systems must adhere to the National Electrical Code and be certified by a recognized testing laboratory. This move is part of a broader effort to reduce barriers to residential solar adoption, which include permitting costs, wait times, and upfront expenses.
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Supreme Court Evaluates Constitutionality of 'Geofence' Warrants in Privacy Case

Supreme Court Evaluates Constitutionality of 'Geofence' Warrants in Privacy Case

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deliberating on the constitutionality of 'geofence' warrants, a law enforcement technique that allows police to access data from tech companies to identify individuals near a crime scene. This method involves drawing a virtual boundary around a crime location and obtaining a warrant to compel tech companies, like Google, to provide location data of users within that area. The case under review stems from a 2019 bank robbery in Midlothian, Virginia, where police used a geofence warrant to identify potential suspects. Google initially identified 19 users, later narrowing it down to three, one of whom was arrested. The case raises significant Fourth Amendment concerns regarding unreasonable searches and privacy rights in the digital age.
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Supreme Court Considers Legality of Geofence Warrants in Privacy Case

Supreme Court Considers Legality of Geofence Warrants in Privacy Case

The U.S. Supreme Court is deliberating on the constitutionality of geofence warrants, which allow law enforcement to access location data from mobile devices to identify suspects near crime scenes. The case in question involves Okello Chatrie, who was convicted of a bank robbery in Virginia after police used a geofence warrant to obtain location data from Google. The justices are examining whether such warrants violate the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. During the arguments, justices expressed concerns about the privacy implications of accessing location data and the potential for overreach in law enforcement practices. The court is expected to issue a decision by July, which could have significant implications for privacy rights and law enforcement techniques.