The former coal-mining town of Cumberland is turning an old fossil-fuel legacy into a potential clean-energy breakthrough. Researchers with the University of Victoria’s ACET initiative are studying geothermal heat use from underground mine tunnels, where trapped water could act like a massive underground thermal battery to heat and cool local buildings—using infrastructure that once powered coal extraction.
The US Navy says it is actively clearing explosive mines from the Strait of Hormuz, a lifeline for global oil shipments. Officials warn the operation could take months, and even suspected mine threats are already disrupting routes. Shipping firms and insurers are reworking risk assessments and policies as Washington moves to restore safe passage for vessels.
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