What Cambridge's Dramatic Reform Means For the Housing Crisis
A prime example of the US housing crisis has been Cambridge, Massachusetts: Average rent is 69% higher than the country's average, according to Zillow, and housing restrictions were so tight that the affluent Boston suburb only expected to build 350 units in the next 15 years. In 2023, you could count the number of new homes there on one hand (five units total).
But after a dramatic housing reform passed in February, property owners and developers in the hometown of Harvard and MIT will be able to build up to four stories, by right, citywide — with an option for an additional two stories on top. The Yes-in-My-Backyard movement is celebrating Cambridge's reforms, but some locals are concerned. Read more from Kriston Capps today on CityLab: How Upzoning in Cambridge Broke the YIMBY Mold
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Hamilton Spectator
37 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Ford's new energy plan for Ontario increases reliance on nuclear, fossil fuels
The Ford government is projecting a major shift toward nuclear power to meet rising electricity demand and support Ontario's transition to net-zero emissions by mid-century. Its newly released long-term Energy for Generations plan — billed as the province's first-ever integrated energy strategy — also shows an increased reliance on fossil fuels over the next decade, with emissions expected to rise before declining after 2030. The province describes the plan as 'a comprehensive roadmap to meet future energy needs, support new housing, and power the most competitive economy in the G7.' 'As energy demand soars, our plan leverages 'Made-In-Ontario' to build affordable, clean, and always reliable power, built by and for Canadians,' Ontario's Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce said in a statement. The plan will help the province meet growing electricity demand while achieving over 99 per cent zero-emissions electricity by 2050, he added. Critics say the plan misses key opportunities to scale-up renewables, puts energy affordability at risk and increases Ontario's dependence on foreign energy supplies. The plan projects total electricity production in 2050 to be just under 275 terawatt-hours (TWh), with nuclear making up the largest share at over 200 TWh. That means nuclear plants could supply more than 70 per cent of Ontario's electricity by 2050, up from about 50 per cent today. Currently, Ontario's nuclear fleet — Bruce, Darlington, and Pickering — provides 12,000 MW of capacity. The plan projects the province could need up to 17,800 MW of new nuclear power by 2050, equivalent to building five new Darlington stations. To support this buildout, the province says it is preparing new nuclear sites and has already begun early engagement with First Nation and local communities. A new nuclear technology panel will guide technology choices and project timelines, with input from Ontario Power Generation, Bruce Power, the Independent Electricity System Operator and government officials. The province says nuclear projects are complex and costly, and it plans to explore new ownership models and equity partnerships to attract private capital and help finance the expansion. It aims to attract investment from Canadian pension funds and institutional investors to 'keep more Canadian energy dollars working here at home,' the province said. Mark Winfield, professor at York University and co-chair of its Sustainable Energy Initiative, said the plan lacks a clear decision-making framework and basic accountability mechanisms. He said there is no process in place to evaluate whether the government's chosen energy path is the most affordable or lowest-risk for the province. 'There is no oversight or review process to assess whether this represents the least-cost or lowest-risk option for Ontario,' Winfield said. By 'review,' Winfield refers to independent assessments — such as those typically conducted by regulatory bodies or outside experts — that evaluate costs, risks, and alternatives before major infrastructure decisions are finalized. Winfield also questioned the long-term focus on nuclear. 'All of the proposed reactor technologies rely on enriched fuel that comes from the United States,' he said. 'This exposes Ontario to new energy security risks.' In recent months, the Ford government has committed billions to nuclear energy, announcing new builds and refurbishments it says will create tens of thousands of jobs. Earlier this year, it unveiled plans for a massive nuclear plant near Port Hope , projected to generate 10,000 megawatts — enough to power 10 million homes — though key details like costs and timelines remain undisclosed. Last week, the province introduced legislation to expand access to Ontario's public clean energy fund for nuclear projects. Industry groups welcomed Ontario's new energy plan, with major players praising the government's commitment to both nuclear power and natural gas. Enbridge Gas called the plan a 'clear affirmation' of the essential role natural gas will continue to play, citing its importance for affordability, grid stability and economic growth. The company said investments in gas infrastructure are foundational to Ontario's prosperity. The Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries also applauded the plan, calling it a bold step toward clean energy leadership. The group highlighted Ontario's strong nuclear track record and said the proposed expansion — including large reactors and SMRs — positions the province to secure long-term clean energy supply. Aliénor Rougeot, climate and energy program manager at Environmental Defence, said Ontario's new energy plan could lead to higher household bills, more air pollution and increased reliance on the US fossil gas. While she welcomed the idea of a long-term, integrated approach, she argued that the plan should be replaced with one built on publicly shared modelling. To Rougeot, the most glaring problem is the plan's failure to prioritize wind and solar — Ontario's cheapest and cleanest energy sources. 'I kept flipping through the document, asking: Where are the renewables?' Rougeot said. The supply forecast is particularly troubling to her, as it shows Ontario having less wind and solar in 2050 than in 2030. She believes the refusal to give renewable energy a central role in the province's future grid will come at a high cost — both economically and environmentally. Wind and solar make up approximately nine per cent and two per cent of Ontario's current electricity generation, respectively. In its plan, the government says their role is expected to grow over time. Starting in 2025, nearly 3,000 megawatts of energy storage will be added to the grid. However, the plan argues that nuclear is more cost-effective and land-efficient than wind and solar. It claims that to generate the same amount of energy as a proposed 10,000 MW nuclear station at Wesleyville, Ontario would need roughly 100 times more land for solar and 500 times more land for wind. But new analysis suggests solar doesn't require large tracts of land — for example, more than half of Toronto's electricity needs could be met through rooftop and parking lot solar alone. A new report from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance argues that wind and solar could meet the same energy needs as the proposed Wesleyville nuclear station much faster and at far lower cost — potentially saving the province up to $19 billion annually. It highlights Ontario's untapped potential for offshore wind in the Great Lakes and large-scale solar at the Port Hope site. Another report warns that electricity from new nuclear could cost up to 3.6 times more than onshore wind, three times more than solar, and 1.7 times more than offshore wind. Lia Codrington, a senior analyst at the Pembina Institute, said the province's new energy plan represents a positive step toward long-term planning, noting that many jurisdictions around the world are already moving quickly toward clean energy and decarbonization. She viewed it as important for Ontario to follow that trend — and even potentially lead — by modernizing its electricity system. Codrington questioned the government's argument that land use limits renewable energy expansion. She said wind turbines allow for shared land use — such as farming — and solar panels can be installed on rooftops, parking lots, and other built environments. In her view, decisions about land use should reflect what Ontarians want in their communities when it comes to energy sources, not just technical comparisons in megawatts per square kilometre. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Multipolarity and Globalization: A Shared Answer – International Media Discuss the Emerging Global Landscape
BEIJING, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The eighth 'International Editors-in-Chief Roundtable,' hosted by Global Times and Global Times Online ( brought together media leaders from China, Russia, Pakistan, Canada, Nepal, Syria, and Ghana to explore global trends. Amid ongoing global shifts, participants highlighted the value of inclusive globalization and diversified Asif Noor, Editor-in-Chief of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, Pakistan, said countries are adapting engagement models. Bai Long, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times (China), stressed the importance of win-win development in a multipolar world. Liu Yonggang, President and Editor-in-Chief of The Paper, noted that 2024 marks a turning point in global economic restructuring, with developing countries gaining influence at COP28 and WTO talks. Liu Hong, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of XinhuaNet, pointed to the Global Development Initiative and RCEP as key examples of inclusive multilateralism. Bai Long highlighted the Belt and Road Initiative's infrastructure impact. Rituraj Subedi, Deputy Executive Editor of The Rising Nepal, said globalization is irreversible, and that cooperation and multilateralism are vital to fair Contact Person: Pang Zhiqin Email:pangzhiqin@ Website: Telephone: 0086-010-65361101 City: Beijing, China A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
High-Level Financial Roundtable at the Brazil Lithium & Critical Minerals Summit 2025 Drives Capital Mobilisation for Brazil's Critical Minerals Sector
London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - June 11, 2025) - (The Net-Zero Circle) The "Critical Minerals & Capital - An Exclusive Dialogue" Financial Roundtable took place last week at the Niemeyer Room of the Ouro Minas Hotel during the 2nd Brazil Lithium & Critical Minerals Summit 2025, organized by IN-VR and Invest Minas. This invitation-only, strategic session gathered an elite group of financiers, investors, mining operators, government representatives, and technology providers for an in-depth dialogue on accelerating investment flows into Brazil's rapidly growing critical minerals sector. As Brazil cements its role as a global powerhouse in lithium, nickel, graphite, and other essential minerals, this roundtable offered a unique platform to explore innovative financing solutions and foster collaboration among key stakeholders in the critical minerals value chain. Key themes discussed included: Innovative financing mechanisms tailored for lithium and critical mineral projects Challenges and opportunities in early-stage and infrastructure funding The pivotal role of public-private partnerships and development bank support ESG-linked finance and sustainability criteria shaping capital allocation Policy and regulatory frameworks influencing investor confidence Case studies showcasing successful financing structures in Latin America Held in a focused and facilitated format, the roundtable encouraged active participant engagement, enabling representatives to share their portfolios, highlight investment priorities, and identify pathways for strategic collaboration. Prominent participants included representatives from: UK Export Finance (UKEF) Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) Ministry of Finance (Ministério da Fazenda) Toronto Stock Exchange European Investment Bank UK Government Mining operators including Pilbara Minerals (PLS), Companhia Brasileira de Lítio (CBL), Atlas Lithium, Perpetual Resources, Spark Energy Minerals, Aclara Resources Financial institutions such as Banco Safra, Banco do Nordeste, Prisma Capital, Regia Capital, BDMG, YVY Capital, and Ore Investment - "I'm proud to say that Minas Gerais provides the legal and political stability necessary for sector development." – Ronaldo Barquette, Director of Investment Attraction at Invest Minas; - "I'm available to collaborate with financial institutions on matters related to mineral rights." – Caio Trivellato, Director at National Mining Agency (ANM); (Klaus Petersen from Viridis Mining, Ronaldo Barquette from Invest Minas and Guillaume Legaré from Toronto Stock Exchange at the Financial Roundtable)To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Minas Gerais stands at the heart of Brazil's critical minerals landscape, supported by the region's rich mineral endowments and Brazil's strategic commitment to the global energy transition. This roundtable reinforces Minas Gerais' position as a hub for capital mobilization, innovation, and sustainable mining development. The Financial Roundtable at the Brazil Lithium & Critical Minerals Summit 2025 exemplifies the critical role of strategic, high-level collaboration in unlocking investment and accelerating responsible development within Brazil's vital mineral sectors. About IN-VRIN-VR is a leading global consultancy specializing in energy, mining, and investment promotion, bridging the gap between governments and the private sector. With a track record of organizing premier industry summits, IN-VR facilitates high-impact investment opportunities and strategic collaborations worldwide. About Invest MinasInvest Minas is the investment promotion agency of Minas Gerais, dedicated to attracting foreign investment and fostering economic development in Brazil's lithium and critical minerals sector. For media inquiries, or to schedule interviews, please contact:Alberto CruzAssociate Marketing Director, IN-VRe-mail: alberto@ END OF PRESS RELEASE. To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
