Italy simplifies geothermal energy permitting
Geothermal energy, which uses the earth's inner heat for heating and also turns it into electricity by using special power plants, accounts for 10 percent of all renewable energy sources in Italy and its potential may be doubled, it said in a statement.
Italy's geothermal plants produce 5 billion kilowatt hours of power a year which is enough to meet needs of about 6 million people, the ministry said.
The ministry did not give details on a new decree to simplify geothermal projects' authorization. Italy is notorious for lengthy permitting procedures for industrial projects.
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Victims of California's mega-fire will sue electricity company
LOS ANGELES - Victims of California's most destructive wildfire have filed a lawsuit accusing Pacific Gas & Electric Co. of causing the massive blaze.
The suit filed on Tuesday in state court in California accuses the utility of failing to maintain its infrastructure and properly inspect and manage its power transmission lines.
The utility's president said earlier the company doesn't know what caused the fire, but is cooperating with the investigation by state agencies.
PG&E told state regulators last week that it experienced a problem with a transmission line in the area of the fire just before the blaze erupted.
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