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The top 10 most-followed Instagram accounts

The top 10 most-followed Instagram accounts

Tech-news

With billions of users worldwide, Instagram is arguably the most popular photo sharing platform. With the ability to share posts, reels, and 24-hour stories, Instagram allows everyone and anyone to share snippets of their lives. The top accounts on the platform, primarily belonging to celebrities, show just how much we love to see the daily goings-on in lives different from our own.

Ever wondered who holds the top spot for the most followers? Here are the 10 most-followed Instagram accounts, according to Social Blade.

1. Instagram – 691 million followers

Surprise, surprise, the holder of the top spot on Instagram is… Instagram. The app’s own account shares reposts of memes, artists, and other creators.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 659 million followers

The second most followed person on Instagram is none other than Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. At the time of writing, Ronaldo has amassed a whopping 652 million followers. Unsurprisingly, his posts mostly theme around football and his current team, Al Nassr. Ronaldo also holds the record for most liked Instagram comment when he wrote on Kylian Mbappé’s Real Madrid announcement post “my turn (to watch).”

3. Lionel Messi – 505 million followers

Sticking with the footballer theme, the third most followed account belongs to Inter Miami CF player, Lionel Messi. His account also features mostly football content, sharing glimpses into life on and off the pitch. His most liked post is a series of photos celebrating Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup win.

Mashable Trend Report

4. Selena Gomez – 419 million followers

Actress, musician, and founder of cosmetics brand Rare Beauty, Selena Gomez is up next on the list. She shares career highlights, Rare Beauty promotions, and glimpses into her daily life, making her one of the most-followed celebrities on the platform.

Joint 5. Kylie – 393 million followers

At present, it’s a tie for the next position on the list. The first of the Jenner-Kardashian clan to feature is Kylie. As of March 30, she has amassed an unbelievable 393 million followers. Her posts regularly give us an insight into her life, her Kylie Cosmetics empire, and family life with her two adorable children. Kylie previously held the record for the most liked photo on Instagram, a picture of her newborn daughter Stormi. However, she later lost this position to a photo of an egg (yes, an egg…).

Joint 5. Dwayne Johnson – 393 million followers

If you need motivation, the tied number 5 on the most-followed list is your go-to. Dwayne Johnson’s Instagram followers are given a regular insight into his fitness routine, movie projects, and personal life. He shares workout clips with the sets and reps listed out for you to try at home, if you’re feeling brave.

7. Ariana Grande – 374 million followers

The star of recent Wicked fame is number 7 on our list. An incredible singer and actress, Ariana Grande also holds Instagram-follower fame. Recent content has of course been heavily influenced by the recent release of Wicked, with the Oscar-nominated actress sharing behind-the-scenes images with co-star Cynthia Erivo.

8. Kim Kardashian – 356 million followers

Kim Kardashian’s Instagram account is as aesthetic as her. It’s full of glimpses of her Skims brand, family life and various other collaborations. Fashion is definitely a strong theme of her posts, and you can expect some serious glam envy.

9. Beyoncé – 310 million followers

Another musician to make the list is Beyoncé. Hot of a successful awards season for her latest album, Cowboy Carter, Beyonce’s Instagram account is the perfect insight for fans. Posts regularly include her latest Levi’s partnership, her new fragrance release and of course, awards season success.

10. Khloé Kardashian – 302 million followers

Number 10 on the most followed list is Khloé Kardashian. Another insight into the Kardashian-Jenner family, Khloe’s posts are primarily wholesome family shots.



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In an X post on Friday, Elon Musk warned future shareholders that while returns could be massive eventually, those who invest in SpaceX should not “expect entirely smooth sailing along the way,” and that he must be allowed to focus on his mission of making human life “multiplanetary.”

I’m thinking you should heed is warning. After all, if you’re considering buying SpaceX stock, what do you think will happen at SpaceX after the expected IPO next month? You can’t be picturing SpaceX becoming some boring pillar of economic stability like AT&T, can you?

Speaking to his employees in February, Musk described his dream for the future of SpaceX as one full of space catapults, a Dyson sphere around the sun, and AI that feeds on secret knowledge previously known only to long-dead aliens.

In other words, if you’re imagining good old fashioned American capitalist enterprise with healthy profits, dividends, and market-friendly competition, like something from a 1940s propaganda film, you’re investing in the wrong company.

To wit: SpaceX’s corporate governance regime will be set up in such a way that the CEO and chairman cannot be fired, according to a report last month from Reuters. SpaceX will have different classes of stock with different power levels. Class A for pension funds and Robinhood users—plebs, in other words—and Class B for people who matter. Class B stock will carry ten times the voting power of Class A stock, and Musk will control the Class B stock.

The IPO filing, part of which is excerpted in the Reuters article, spells this out. Musk “can only be removed from our board or these positions by the vote of Class B holders.” If Musk “retains a significant portion of his holdings of Class B common stock for an extended period of time, he ⁠could continue to control the election and removal of a majority of our board.”

Basically, Musk stays in both positions as long as he wants, and can easily veto any effort to fire him. Common shares without voting power aren’t rare these days, but a powerless board is. As a Harvard corporate governance expert named Lucian Bebchuk explained to Reuters, “Usually removal of the CEO is a decision left to the board, and controllers rely on their power to replace the board.”

So if you own stock in SpaceX, you’re just along for the ride.

On Friday, in response to a Financial Times article about SpaceX’s draconian governance scheme, Musk explained himself. Sort of:

 

“I need to make sure SpaceX stays focused on making life multiplanetary and extending consciousness to the stars,” he wrote.

He often does this. In response to criticism—or just as often in response to fans shielding him from criticism—he would say some variation on if people are mean to me, humanity will never be multiplanetary.

For instance, when CleanTechnica leapt to his defense after Bernie Sanders criticized him over income inequality in 2021, he replied, “I am accumulating resources to help make life multiplanetary & extend the light of consciousness to the stars.” That same year, in response to handwringing from European finance ministers about his potential monopoly over satellite launches, he posted, “SpaceX is developing rockets needed to make life multiplanetary — full & rapid reusability at large scale.” Also in 2021, when the FAA expressed concern that SpaceX had overstepped his clearance from the federal government, he wrote about how much he hated the FAA’s space division, saying, “Their rules are meant for a handful of expendable launches per year from a few government facilities. Under those rules, humanity will never get to Mars.”

Some are predicting shortly after the IPO, the accompanying increase in SpaceX’s valuation will cause Musk’s net worth to cross the trillion-dollar threshold. This isn’t a trivial side effect. Elon Musk is more or less signaling that he is the protagonist of humanity’s future, and everyone else is an NPC. Do you believe that? Then by all means buy the stock (This is not financial advice).

#Elon #Musk #Explains #SpaceX #Board #Powerless #FireElon Musk,ipo,SPACEX">Elon Musk Explains Why the SpaceX Board Must Be Powerless to Fire Him In an X post on Friday, Elon Musk warned future shareholders that while returns could be massive eventually, those who invest in SpaceX should not “expect entirely smooth sailing along the way,” and that he must be allowed to focus on his mission of making human life “multiplanetary.” I’m thinking you should heed is warning. After all, if you’re considering buying SpaceX stock, what do you think will happen at SpaceX after the expected IPO next month? You can’t be picturing SpaceX becoming some boring pillar of economic stability like AT&T, can you? Speaking to his employees in February, Musk described his dream for the future of SpaceX as one full of space catapults, a Dyson sphere around the sun, and AI that feeds on secret knowledge previously known only to long-dead aliens. In other words, if you’re imagining good old fashioned American capitalist enterprise with healthy profits, dividends, and market-friendly competition, like something from a 1940s propaganda film, you’re investing in the wrong company. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFvOPpBVff0[/embed] To wit: SpaceX’s corporate governance regime will be set up in such a way that the CEO and chairman cannot be fired, according to a report last month from Reuters. SpaceX will have different classes of stock with different power levels. Class A for pension funds and Robinhood users—plebs, in other words—and Class B for people who matter. Class B stock will carry ten times the voting power of Class A stock, and Musk will control the Class B stock. The IPO filing, part of which is excerpted in the Reuters article, spells this out. Musk “can only be removed from our board or these positions by the vote of Class B holders.” If Musk “retains a significant portion of his holdings of Class B common stock for an extended period of time, he ⁠could continue to control the election and removal of a majority of our board.” Basically, Musk stays in both positions as long as he wants, and can easily veto any effort to fire him. Common shares without voting power aren’t rare these days, but a powerless board is. As a Harvard corporate governance expert named Lucian Bebchuk explained to Reuters, “Usually removal of the CEO is a decision left to the board, and controllers rely on their power to replace the board.” So if you own stock in SpaceX, you’re just along for the ride. On Friday, in response to a Financial Times article about SpaceX’s draconian governance scheme, Musk explained himself. Sort of: Yes, I need to make sure SpaceX stays focused on making life multiplanetary and extending consciousness to the stars, not pandering to someone’s bullshit quarterly earnings bonus! Obviously, IF SpaceX succeeds in this absurdly difficult goal, it will be worth many orders of… — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 15, 2026   “I need to make sure SpaceX stays focused on making life multiplanetary and extending consciousness to the stars,” he wrote. He often does this. In response to criticism—or just as often in response to fans shielding him from criticism—he would say some variation on if people are mean to me, humanity will never be multiplanetary. For instance, when CleanTechnica leapt to his defense after Bernie Sanders criticized him over income inequality in 2021, he replied, “I am accumulating resources to help make life multiplanetary & extend the light of consciousness to the stars.” That same year, in response to handwringing from European finance ministers about his potential monopoly over satellite launches, he posted, “SpaceX is developing rockets needed to make life multiplanetary — full & rapid reusability at large scale.” Also in 2021, when the FAA expressed concern that SpaceX had overstepped his clearance from the federal government, he wrote about how much he hated the FAA’s space division, saying, “Their rules are meant for a handful of expendable launches per year from a few government facilities. Under those rules, humanity will never get to Mars.” Some are predicting shortly after the IPO, the accompanying increase in SpaceX’s valuation will cause Musk’s net worth to cross the trillion-dollar threshold. This isn’t a trivial side effect. Elon Musk is more or less signaling that he is the protagonist of humanity’s future, and everyone else is an NPC. Do you believe that? Then by all means buy the stock (This is not financial advice). #Elon #Musk #Explains #SpaceX #Board #Powerless #FireElon Musk,ipo,SPACEX

In an X post on Friday, Elon Musk warned future shareholders that while returns could be massive eventually, those who invest in SpaceX should not “expect entirely smooth sailing along the way,” and that he must be allowed to focus on his mission of making human life “multiplanetary.”

I’m thinking you should heed is warning. After all, if you’re considering buying SpaceX stock, what do you think will happen at SpaceX after the expected IPO next month? You can’t be picturing SpaceX becoming some boring pillar of economic stability like AT&T, can you?

Speaking to his employees in February, Musk described his dream for the future of SpaceX as one full of space catapults, a Dyson sphere around the sun, and AI that feeds on secret knowledge previously known only to long-dead aliens.

In other words, if you’re imagining good old fashioned American capitalist enterprise with healthy profits, dividends, and market-friendly competition, like something from a 1940s propaganda film, you’re investing in the wrong company.

To wit: SpaceX’s corporate governance regime will be set up in such a way that the CEO and chairman cannot be fired, according to a report last month from Reuters. SpaceX will have different classes of stock with different power levels. Class A for pension funds and Robinhood users—plebs, in other words—and Class B for people who matter. Class B stock will carry ten times the voting power of Class A stock, and Musk will control the Class B stock.

The IPO filing, part of which is excerpted in the Reuters article, spells this out. Musk “can only be removed from our board or these positions by the vote of Class B holders.” If Musk “retains a significant portion of his holdings of Class B common stock for an extended period of time, he ⁠could continue to control the election and removal of a majority of our board.”

Basically, Musk stays in both positions as long as he wants, and can easily veto any effort to fire him. Common shares without voting power aren’t rare these days, but a powerless board is. As a Harvard corporate governance expert named Lucian Bebchuk explained to Reuters, “Usually removal of the CEO is a decision left to the board, and controllers rely on their power to replace the board.”

So if you own stock in SpaceX, you’re just along for the ride.

On Friday, in response to a Financial Times article about SpaceX’s draconian governance scheme, Musk explained himself. Sort of:

 

“I need to make sure SpaceX stays focused on making life multiplanetary and extending consciousness to the stars,” he wrote.

He often does this. In response to criticism—or just as often in response to fans shielding him from criticism—he would say some variation on if people are mean to me, humanity will never be multiplanetary.

For instance, when CleanTechnica leapt to his defense after Bernie Sanders criticized him over income inequality in 2021, he replied, “I am accumulating resources to help make life multiplanetary & extend the light of consciousness to the stars.” That same year, in response to handwringing from European finance ministers about his potential monopoly over satellite launches, he posted, “SpaceX is developing rockets needed to make life multiplanetary — full & rapid reusability at large scale.” Also in 2021, when the FAA expressed concern that SpaceX had overstepped his clearance from the federal government, he wrote about how much he hated the FAA’s space division, saying, “Their rules are meant for a handful of expendable launches per year from a few government facilities. Under those rules, humanity will never get to Mars.”

Some are predicting shortly after the IPO, the accompanying increase in SpaceX’s valuation will cause Musk’s net worth to cross the trillion-dollar threshold. This isn’t a trivial side effect. Elon Musk is more or less signaling that he is the protagonist of humanity’s future, and everyone else is an NPC. Do you believe that? Then by all means buy the stock (This is not financial advice).

#Elon #Musk #Explains #SpaceX #Board #Powerless #FireElon Musk,ipo,SPACEX">Elon Musk Explains Why the SpaceX Board Must Be Powerless to Fire HimElon Musk Explains Why the SpaceX Board Must Be Powerless to Fire Him In an X post on Friday, Elon Musk warned future shareholders that while returns could be massive eventually, those who invest in SpaceX should not “expect entirely smooth sailing along the way,” and that he must be allowed to focus on his mission of making human life “multiplanetary.” I’m thinking you should heed is warning. After all, if you’re considering buying SpaceX stock, what do you think will happen at SpaceX after the expected IPO next month? You can’t be picturing SpaceX becoming some boring pillar of economic stability like AT&T, can you? Speaking to his employees in February, Musk described his dream for the future of SpaceX as one full of space catapults, a Dyson sphere around the sun, and AI that feeds on secret knowledge previously known only to long-dead aliens. In other words, if you’re imagining good old fashioned American capitalist enterprise with healthy profits, dividends, and market-friendly competition, like something from a 1940s propaganda film, you’re investing in the wrong company. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFvOPpBVff0[/embed] To wit: SpaceX’s corporate governance regime will be set up in such a way that the CEO and chairman cannot be fired, according to a report last month from Reuters. SpaceX will have different classes of stock with different power levels. Class A for pension funds and Robinhood users—plebs, in other words—and Class B for people who matter. Class B stock will carry ten times the voting power of Class A stock, and Musk will control the Class B stock. The IPO filing, part of which is excerpted in the Reuters article, spells this out. Musk “can only be removed from our board or these positions by the vote of Class B holders.” If Musk “retains a significant portion of his holdings of Class B common stock for an extended period of time, he ⁠could continue to control the election and removal of a majority of our board.” Basically, Musk stays in both positions as long as he wants, and can easily veto any effort to fire him. Common shares without voting power aren’t rare these days, but a powerless board is. As a Harvard corporate governance expert named Lucian Bebchuk explained to Reuters, “Usually removal of the CEO is a decision left to the board, and controllers rely on their power to replace the board.” So if you own stock in SpaceX, you’re just along for the ride. On Friday, in response to a Financial Times article about SpaceX’s draconian governance scheme, Musk explained himself. Sort of: Yes, I need to make sure SpaceX stays focused on making life multiplanetary and extending consciousness to the stars, not pandering to someone’s bullshit quarterly earnings bonus! Obviously, IF SpaceX succeeds in this absurdly difficult goal, it will be worth many orders of… — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 15, 2026   “I need to make sure SpaceX stays focused on making life multiplanetary and extending consciousness to the stars,” he wrote. He often does this. In response to criticism—or just as often in response to fans shielding him from criticism—he would say some variation on if people are mean to me, humanity will never be multiplanetary. For instance, when CleanTechnica leapt to his defense after Bernie Sanders criticized him over income inequality in 2021, he replied, “I am accumulating resources to help make life multiplanetary & extend the light of consciousness to the stars.” That same year, in response to handwringing from European finance ministers about his potential monopoly over satellite launches, he posted, “SpaceX is developing rockets needed to make life multiplanetary — full & rapid reusability at large scale.” Also in 2021, when the FAA expressed concern that SpaceX had overstepped his clearance from the federal government, he wrote about how much he hated the FAA’s space division, saying, “Their rules are meant for a handful of expendable launches per year from a few government facilities. Under those rules, humanity will never get to Mars.” Some are predicting shortly after the IPO, the accompanying increase in SpaceX’s valuation will cause Musk’s net worth to cross the trillion-dollar threshold. This isn’t a trivial side effect. Elon Musk is more or less signaling that he is the protagonist of humanity’s future, and everyone else is an NPC. Do you believe that? Then by all means buy the stock (This is not financial advice). #Elon #Musk #Explains #SpaceX #Board #Powerless #FireElon Musk,ipo,SPACEX

In an X post on Friday, Elon Musk warned future shareholders that while returns could be massive eventually, those who invest in SpaceX should not “expect entirely smooth sailing along the way,” and that he must be allowed to focus on his mission of making human life “multiplanetary.”

I’m thinking you should heed is warning. After all, if you’re considering buying SpaceX stock, what do you think will happen at SpaceX after the expected IPO next month? You can’t be picturing SpaceX becoming some boring pillar of economic stability like AT&T, can you?

Speaking to his employees in February, Musk described his dream for the future of SpaceX as one full of space catapults, a Dyson sphere around the sun, and AI that feeds on secret knowledge previously known only to long-dead aliens.

In other words, if you’re imagining good old fashioned American capitalist enterprise with healthy profits, dividends, and market-friendly competition, like something from a 1940s propaganda film, you’re investing in the wrong company.

To wit: SpaceX’s corporate governance regime will be set up in such a way that the CEO and chairman cannot be fired, according to a report last month from Reuters. SpaceX will have different classes of stock with different power levels. Class A for pension funds and Robinhood users—plebs, in other words—and Class B for people who matter. Class B stock will carry ten times the voting power of Class A stock, and Musk will control the Class B stock.

The IPO filing, part of which is excerpted in the Reuters article, spells this out. Musk “can only be removed from our board or these positions by the vote of Class B holders.” If Musk “retains a significant portion of his holdings of Class B common stock for an extended period of time, he ⁠could continue to control the election and removal of a majority of our board.”

Basically, Musk stays in both positions as long as he wants, and can easily veto any effort to fire him. Common shares without voting power aren’t rare these days, but a powerless board is. As a Harvard corporate governance expert named Lucian Bebchuk explained to Reuters, “Usually removal of the CEO is a decision left to the board, and controllers rely on their power to replace the board.”

So if you own stock in SpaceX, you’re just along for the ride.

On Friday, in response to a Financial Times article about SpaceX’s draconian governance scheme, Musk explained himself. Sort of:

 

“I need to make sure SpaceX stays focused on making life multiplanetary and extending consciousness to the stars,” he wrote.

He often does this. In response to criticism—or just as often in response to fans shielding him from criticism—he would say some variation on if people are mean to me, humanity will never be multiplanetary.

For instance, when CleanTechnica leapt to his defense after Bernie Sanders criticized him over income inequality in 2021, he replied, “I am accumulating resources to help make life multiplanetary & extend the light of consciousness to the stars.” That same year, in response to handwringing from European finance ministers about his potential monopoly over satellite launches, he posted, “SpaceX is developing rockets needed to make life multiplanetary — full & rapid reusability at large scale.” Also in 2021, when the FAA expressed concern that SpaceX had overstepped his clearance from the federal government, he wrote about how much he hated the FAA’s space division, saying, “Their rules are meant for a handful of expendable launches per year from a few government facilities. Under those rules, humanity will never get to Mars.”

Some are predicting shortly after the IPO, the accompanying increase in SpaceX’s valuation will cause Musk’s net worth to cross the trillion-dollar threshold. This isn’t a trivial side effect. Elon Musk is more or less signaling that he is the protagonist of humanity’s future, and everyone else is an NPC. Do you believe that? Then by all means buy the stock (This is not financial advice).

#Elon #Musk #Explains #SpaceX #Board #Powerless #FireElon Musk,ipo,SPACEX

As states seek out much-needed supplies of clean, reliable energy, some are looking to an unconventional source: abandoned oil and gas wells harnessed for geothermal heat.

Millions of inactive wells are littered across the United States, the relics of earlier eras of fossil fuel production. A large number of the sites have no official owner, and many are still polluting groundwater and leaking heat-trapping methane. The country has barely scratched the surface in dealing with this problem.

Policymakers in both Republican- and Democratic-led states are exploring whether these sites could instead be converted into new wells for producing geothermal energy. The holes are already drilled in the ground, after all. And regions with widespread oil and gas development have rich subsurface data that geothermal firms need in order to determine where and how to build their carbon-free systems.

The concept is relatively new and largely untested, though scientists and startups are working to change that. States are also laying the groundwork for action by lifting regulatory hurdles and launching in-depth studies.

In Oklahoma, the state Senate is considering a bill that would create a process for companies to buy abandoned oil and gas wells and repurpose them for geothermal energy or underground energy storage. Oklahoma has identified over 20,000 such wells, and state regulators estimate that it would take 235 years and hundreds of millions of dollars to plug all of them. Fixing a single old well can cost anywhere from $75,000 to $150,000 or more, by some calculations, depending on where it’s located and how complicated it is to clean up.

The Well Repurposing Act, which passed Oklahoma’s House in March, is modeled after a similar law that New Mexico adopted last year to address its 2,000-plus orphan wells.

The Oklahoma bill ​“recognizes that these wells are a liability, and that there may be a way to turn them into some sort of revenue generation and give them value,” said Dave Tragethon, communications director for the nonprofit Well Done Foundation, which works to find and cap abandoned oil and gas wells nationwide. ​“And if there’s value, that means there’s more of a willingness to address them and more of an opportunity to raise funding.”

In Alabama, legislators passed a law last month that allows the state to approve and regulate the conversion of oil and gas wells to tap alternative energy resources like geothermal. North Dakota adopted a bill last year requiring a legislative council to study the feasibility of using nonproductive wells to generate geothermal power. And in Colorado, state agencies just launched a technical study to evaluate the potential of repurposing old wells for geothermal development and carbon capture and sequestration.

These efforts reflect the growing bipartisan support for geothermal energy, which has largely remained unscathed by the Trump administration’s efforts to block renewable energy projects. The energy resource has the potential to help meet the nation’s soaring energy demand while also slashing planet-warming emissions from electricity and heating.

Converting Wells Is Enticing but Complicated

Geothermal systems work by circulating fluids underground to capture naturally occurring heat, which can then be used to drive turbines for generating electricity or to directly warm the air and water in buildings. The industry is gaining momentum thanks to recent advances in drilling methods and technologies that are making it technically possible or financially viable to access geothermal energy in more places.

Many of those breakthroughs have come from the oil and gas industry, whose skilled workforce of drilling engineers and geoscientists, and deep corporate pockets, have helped launch startups and deploy cutting-edge systems. However, most of that expertise and funding is being poured into building new projects—not figuring out how to retool leaky wells left behind by earlier generations.

#Oil #Gas #Wells #Find #Life #Producing #Clean #Energyenvironment,energy,climate change,climate desk,policy">Old Oil and Gas Wells Could Find Second Life Producing Clean EnergyAs states seek out much-needed supplies of clean, reliable energy, some are looking to an unconventional source: abandoned oil and gas wells harnessed for geothermal heat.Millions of inactive wells are littered across the United States, the relics of earlier eras of fossil fuel production. A large number of the sites have no official owner, and many are still polluting groundwater and leaking heat-trapping methane. The country has barely scratched the surface in dealing with this problem.Policymakers in both Republican- and Democratic-led states are exploring whether these sites could instead be converted into new wells for producing geothermal energy. The holes are already drilled in the ground, after all. And regions with widespread oil and gas development have rich subsurface data that geothermal firms need in order to determine where and how to build their carbon-free systems.The concept is relatively new and largely untested, though scientists and startups are working to change that. States are also laying the groundwork for action by lifting regulatory hurdles and launching in-depth studies.In Oklahoma, the state Senate is considering a bill that would create a process for companies to buy abandoned oil and gas wells and repurpose them for geothermal energy or underground energy storage. Oklahoma has identified over 20,000 such wells, and state regulators estimate that it would take 235 years and hundreds of millions of dollars to plug all of them. Fixing a single old well can cost anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 or more, by some calculations, depending on where it’s located and how complicated it is to clean up.The Well Repurposing Act, which passed Oklahoma’s House in March, is modeled after a similar law that New Mexico adopted last year to address its 2,000-plus orphan wells.The Oklahoma bill ​“recognizes that these wells are a liability, and that there may be a way to turn them into some sort of revenue generation and give them value,” said Dave Tragethon, communications director for the nonprofit Well Done Foundation, which works to find and cap abandoned oil and gas wells nationwide. ​“And if there’s value, that means there’s more of a willingness to address them and more of an opportunity to raise funding.”In Alabama, legislators passed a law last month that allows the state to approve and regulate the conversion of oil and gas wells to tap alternative energy resources like geothermal. North Dakota adopted a bill last year requiring a legislative council to study the feasibility of using nonproductive wells to generate geothermal power. And in Colorado, state agencies just launched a technical study to evaluate the potential of repurposing old wells for geothermal development and carbon capture and sequestration.These efforts reflect the growing bipartisan support for geothermal energy, which has largely remained unscathed by the Trump administration’s efforts to block renewable energy projects. The energy resource has the potential to help meet the nation’s soaring energy demand while also slashing planet-warming emissions from electricity and heating.Converting Wells Is Enticing but ComplicatedGeothermal systems work by circulating fluids underground to capture naturally occurring heat, which can then be used to drive turbines for generating electricity or to directly warm the air and water in buildings. The industry is gaining momentum thanks to recent advances in drilling methods and technologies that are making it technically possible or financially viable to access geothermal energy in more places.Many of those breakthroughs have come from the oil and gas industry, whose skilled workforce of drilling engineers and geoscientists, and deep corporate pockets, have helped launch startups and deploy cutting-edge systems. However, most of that expertise and funding is being poured into building new projects—not figuring out how to retool leaky wells left behind by earlier generations.#Oil #Gas #Wells #Find #Life #Producing #Clean #Energyenvironment,energy,climate change,climate desk,policy

littered across the United States, the relics of earlier eras of fossil fuel production. A large number of the sites have no official owner, and many are still polluting groundwater and leaking heat-trapping methane. The country has barely scratched the surface in dealing with this problem.

Policymakers in both Republican- and Democratic-led states are exploring whether these sites could instead be converted into new wells for producing geothermal energy. The holes are already drilled in the ground, after all. And regions with widespread oil and gas development have rich subsurface data that geothermal firms need in order to determine where and how to build their carbon-free systems.

The concept is relatively new and largely untested, though scientists and startups are working to change that. States are also laying the groundwork for action by lifting regulatory hurdles and launching in-depth studies.

In Oklahoma, the state Senate is considering a bill that would create a process for companies to buy abandoned oil and gas wells and repurpose them for geothermal energy or underground energy storage. Oklahoma has identified over 20,000 such wells, and state regulators estimate that it would take 235 years and hundreds of millions of dollars to plug all of them. Fixing a single old well can cost anywhere from $75,000 to $150,000 or more, by some calculations, depending on where it’s located and how complicated it is to clean up.

The Well Repurposing Act, which passed Oklahoma’s House in March, is modeled after a similar law that New Mexico adopted last year to address its 2,000-plus orphan wells.

The Oklahoma bill ​“recognizes that these wells are a liability, and that there may be a way to turn them into some sort of revenue generation and give them value,” said Dave Tragethon, communications director for the nonprofit Well Done Foundation, which works to find and cap abandoned oil and gas wells nationwide. ​“And if there’s value, that means there’s more of a willingness to address them and more of an opportunity to raise funding.”

In Alabama, legislators passed a law last month that allows the state to approve and regulate the conversion of oil and gas wells to tap alternative energy resources like geothermal. North Dakota adopted a bill last year requiring a legislative council to study the feasibility of using nonproductive wells to generate geothermal power. And in Colorado, state agencies just launched a technical study to evaluate the potential of repurposing old wells for geothermal development and carbon capture and sequestration.

These efforts reflect the growing bipartisan support for geothermal energy, which has largely remained unscathed by the Trump administration’s efforts to block renewable energy projects. The energy resource has the potential to help meet the nation’s soaring energy demand while also slashing planet-warming emissions from electricity and heating.

Converting Wells Is Enticing but Complicated

Geothermal systems work by circulating fluids underground to capture naturally occurring heat, which can then be used to drive turbines for generating electricity or to directly warm the air and water in buildings. The industry is gaining momentum thanks to recent advances in drilling methods and technologies that are making it technically possible or financially viable to access geothermal energy in more places.

Many of those breakthroughs have come from the oil and gas industry, whose skilled workforce of drilling engineers and geoscientists, and deep corporate pockets, have helped launch startups and deploy cutting-edge systems. However, most of that expertise and funding is being poured into building new projects—not figuring out how to retool leaky wells left behind by earlier generations.

#Oil #Gas #Wells #Find #Life #Producing #Clean #Energyenvironment,energy,climate change,climate desk,policy">Old Oil and Gas Wells Could Find Second Life Producing Clean Energy

As states seek out much-needed supplies of clean, reliable energy, some are looking to an unconventional source: abandoned oil and gas wells harnessed for geothermal heat.

Millions of inactive wells are littered across the United States, the relics of earlier eras of fossil fuel production. A large number of the sites have no official owner, and many are still polluting groundwater and leaking heat-trapping methane. The country has barely scratched the surface in dealing with this problem.

Policymakers in both Republican- and Democratic-led states are exploring whether these sites could instead be converted into new wells for producing geothermal energy. The holes are already drilled in the ground, after all. And regions with widespread oil and gas development have rich subsurface data that geothermal firms need in order to determine where and how to build their carbon-free systems.

The concept is relatively new and largely untested, though scientists and startups are working to change that. States are also laying the groundwork for action by lifting regulatory hurdles and launching in-depth studies.

In Oklahoma, the state Senate is considering a bill that would create a process for companies to buy abandoned oil and gas wells and repurpose them for geothermal energy or underground energy storage. Oklahoma has identified over 20,000 such wells, and state regulators estimate that it would take 235 years and hundreds of millions of dollars to plug all of them. Fixing a single old well can cost anywhere from $75,000 to $150,000 or more, by some calculations, depending on where it’s located and how complicated it is to clean up.

The Well Repurposing Act, which passed Oklahoma’s House in March, is modeled after a similar law that New Mexico adopted last year to address its 2,000-plus orphan wells.

The Oklahoma bill ​“recognizes that these wells are a liability, and that there may be a way to turn them into some sort of revenue generation and give them value,” said Dave Tragethon, communications director for the nonprofit Well Done Foundation, which works to find and cap abandoned oil and gas wells nationwide. ​“And if there’s value, that means there’s more of a willingness to address them and more of an opportunity to raise funding.”

In Alabama, legislators passed a law last month that allows the state to approve and regulate the conversion of oil and gas wells to tap alternative energy resources like geothermal. North Dakota adopted a bill last year requiring a legislative council to study the feasibility of using nonproductive wells to generate geothermal power. And in Colorado, state agencies just launched a technical study to evaluate the potential of repurposing old wells for geothermal development and carbon capture and sequestration.

These efforts reflect the growing bipartisan support for geothermal energy, which has largely remained unscathed by the Trump administration’s efforts to block renewable energy projects. The energy resource has the potential to help meet the nation’s soaring energy demand while also slashing planet-warming emissions from electricity and heating.

Converting Wells Is Enticing but Complicated

Geothermal systems work by circulating fluids underground to capture naturally occurring heat, which can then be used to drive turbines for generating electricity or to directly warm the air and water in buildings. The industry is gaining momentum thanks to recent advances in drilling methods and technologies that are making it technically possible or financially viable to access geothermal energy in more places.

Many of those breakthroughs have come from the oil and gas industry, whose skilled workforce of drilling engineers and geoscientists, and deep corporate pockets, have helped launch startups and deploy cutting-edge systems. However, most of that expertise and funding is being poured into building new projects—not figuring out how to retool leaky wells left behind by earlier generations.

#Oil #Gas #Wells #Find #Life #Producing #Clean #Energyenvironment,energy,climate change,climate desk,policy

TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is on sale for $129.97 (reg. $249.99) through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

$129.97
$249.99 Save $120.02

 

Subscription prices keep climbing, and productivity software is no exception. If you’re tired of monthly payments just to use Word or Excel, this Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business deal is a refreshing alternative.

For a limited time, Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC is on sale for $129.97 (reg. $249.99), and this promo runs through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Mashable Deals

By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

This version includes the classic Microsoft apps most of us rely on every day: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Instead of subscribing to Microsoft 365, Office 2024 is a one-time purchase, perfect for those who’d rather own their software outright.

As we’ve discussed before with other Microsoft Office deals, the biggest draw is the combination of familiarity with newer AI-powered tools and performance upgrades. Word now includes Smart Compose suggestions to help speed up writing, while PowerPoint adds improved presentation recording tools with voice narration, video support, and live camera integration for remote meetings or presentations.

Excel also gets some of the biggest upgrades this time around. Microsoft says it now handles larger datasets and multiple spreadsheets more smoothly, plus it brings AI-powered insights to help you spot trends and build visualizations faster.

For business users, Outlook remains a huge perk, bundled with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote in the Home & Business edition. Built-in collaboration tools — such as real-time co-authoring, comments, version history, and Microsoft Teams integration — make working with others much easier and more tolerable.

Another practical feature is offline access. Unlike Microsoft 365’s cloud-first approach, Office 2024 works well for anyone who wants reliable software without being online all the time.

This deal is a smart option for freelancers, students, remote workers, small business owners, or anyone clinging to an older Office version and wanting an affordable, up-to-date setup without another recurring bill.

Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is currently available for $129.97, 48% off, through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

#Microsofts #core #productivity #apps #Office">Get Microsoft’s core productivity apps for 0 with Office 2024 TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is on sale for 9.97 (reg. 9.99) through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 9.97 9.99 Save 0.02   Subscription prices keep climbing, and productivity software is no exception. If you’re tired of monthly payments just to use Word or Excel, this Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business deal is a refreshing alternative.For a limited time, Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC is on sale for 9.97 (reg. 9.99), and this promo runs through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Mashable Deals By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. This version includes the classic Microsoft apps most of us rely on every day: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Instead of subscribing to Microsoft 365, Office 2024 is a one-time purchase, perfect for those who’d rather own their software outright.As we’ve discussed before with other Microsoft Office deals, the biggest draw is the combination of familiarity with newer AI-powered tools and performance upgrades. Word now includes Smart Compose suggestions to help speed up writing, while PowerPoint adds improved presentation recording tools with voice narration, video support, and live camera integration for remote meetings or presentations.Excel also gets some of the biggest upgrades this time around. Microsoft says it now handles larger datasets and multiple spreadsheets more smoothly, plus it brings AI-powered insights to help you spot trends and build visualizations faster.For business users, Outlook remains a huge perk, bundled with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote in the Home & Business edition. Built-in collaboration tools — such as real-time co-authoring, comments, version history, and Microsoft Teams integration — make working with others much easier and more tolerable.Another practical feature is offline access. Unlike Microsoft 365’s cloud-first approach, Office 2024 works well for anyone who wants reliable software without being online all the time. Mashable Deals By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. This deal is a smart option for freelancers, students, remote workers, small business owners, or anyone clinging to an older Office version and wanting an affordable, up-to-date setup without another recurring bill.Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is currently available for 9.97, 48% off, through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.StackSocial prices subject to change. #Microsofts #core #productivity #apps #Office

Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is on sale for $129.97 (reg. $249.99) through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

$129.97
$249.99 Save $120.02

 

Subscription prices keep climbing, and productivity software is no exception. If you’re tired of monthly payments just to use Word or Excel, this Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business deal is a refreshing alternative.

For a limited time, Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC is on sale for $129.97 (reg. $249.99), and this promo runs through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Mashable Deals

By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

This version includes the classic Microsoft apps most of us rely on every day: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Instead of subscribing to Microsoft 365, Office 2024 is a one-time purchase, perfect for those who’d rather own their software outright.

As we’ve discussed before with other Microsoft Office deals, the biggest draw is the combination of familiarity with newer AI-powered tools and performance upgrades. Word now includes Smart Compose suggestions to help speed up writing, while PowerPoint adds improved presentation recording tools with voice narration, video support, and live camera integration for remote meetings or presentations.

Excel also gets some of the biggest upgrades this time around. Microsoft says it now handles larger datasets and multiple spreadsheets more smoothly, plus it brings AI-powered insights to help you spot trends and build visualizations faster.

For business users, Outlook remains a huge perk, bundled with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote in the Home & Business edition. Built-in collaboration tools — such as real-time co-authoring, comments, version history, and Microsoft Teams integration — make working with others much easier and more tolerable.

Another practical feature is offline access. Unlike Microsoft 365’s cloud-first approach, Office 2024 works well for anyone who wants reliable software without being online all the time.

This deal is a smart option for freelancers, students, remote workers, small business owners, or anyone clinging to an older Office version and wanting an affordable, up-to-date setup without another recurring bill.

Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is currently available for $129.97, 48% off, through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

#Microsofts #core #productivity #apps #Office">Get Microsoft’s core productivity apps for $130 with Office 2024

TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is on sale for $129.97 (reg. $249.99) through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

$129.97
$249.99 Save $120.02

 

Subscription prices keep climbing, and productivity software is no exception. If you’re tired of monthly payments just to use Word or Excel, this Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business deal is a refreshing alternative.

For a limited time, Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC is on sale for $129.97 (reg. $249.99), and this promo runs through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Mashable Deals

By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

This version includes the classic Microsoft apps most of us rely on every day: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Instead of subscribing to Microsoft 365, Office 2024 is a one-time purchase, perfect for those who’d rather own their software outright.

As we’ve discussed before with other Microsoft Office deals, the biggest draw is the combination of familiarity with newer AI-powered tools and performance upgrades. Word now includes Smart Compose suggestions to help speed up writing, while PowerPoint adds improved presentation recording tools with voice narration, video support, and live camera integration for remote meetings or presentations.

Excel also gets some of the biggest upgrades this time around. Microsoft says it now handles larger datasets and multiple spreadsheets more smoothly, plus it brings AI-powered insights to help you spot trends and build visualizations faster.

For business users, Outlook remains a huge perk, bundled with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote in the Home & Business edition. Built-in collaboration tools — such as real-time co-authoring, comments, version history, and Microsoft Teams integration — make working with others much easier and more tolerable.

Another practical feature is offline access. Unlike Microsoft 365’s cloud-first approach, Office 2024 works well for anyone who wants reliable software without being online all the time.

This deal is a smart option for freelancers, students, remote workers, small business owners, or anyone clinging to an older Office version and wanting an affordable, up-to-date setup without another recurring bill.

Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business is currently available for $129.97, 48% off, through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

#Microsofts #core #productivity #apps #Office

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