Daily Archives: December 19, 2013

19
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.19.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

ENERGY POLICY 

Senate Democrats to make eleventh-hour push for tax extenders (via The Hill)

Baucus proposal replaces dozens of energy breaks with credits for “clean” fuel, electricity (via Greenwire)

EMISSIONS 

China seeks to curb worst air pollution in 50 years (via The Guardian)

Guandong carbon market, expected to be China’s biggest, begins briskly (via Reuters)

Most companies still releasing unsustainable amounts of CO2, says study (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Asia key to 2014 solar PV forecasts (via Recharge)

Europe’s highest court fuels doubt over French wind tariffs (via Reuters)

Hydro-Quebec calls for 450MW wind power tender (via Recharge)

Clean energy shines as climate index outperforms equities (via Renew Economy)

EIA continues to lowball its renewable energy forecast (via Greentech Media)

BOEM announces third US offshore wind competitive lease auction (via CleanTechnica)

Michigan conservatives launch renewable energy group (via Michigan Live)

OIL 

Dolphins suffering from lung disease due to Gulf oil spill, says study (via Wall Street Journal)

GRID 

$43 million in USDA loans flow to rural smart grids (via Greentech Media)

Four ways to grow grid-scale energy storage in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Fitch Ratings: US net metering set to grow (via Solar Industry)

California ISO board adopts joint plan with CPUC to ensure future electric reliability (via BusinessWire)

California ISO unveils roadmap to advance demand response, energy efficiency (via Renew Grid)

Texas electricity prices falling since power market deregulation (via Texas Tribune)

TAR SANDS 

TransCanada weighs rail bridge amid Keystone pipeline delay (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

The UN will try for a new disaster risk reduction agreement (via Climate Progress)

Climate change divides political parties in Iowa, nation (via Cedar Rapids Gazette)

COAL 

Coal use hits record high in Japan (via Smart Planet)

GREEN BUILDING 

Future looks green for building industry (via Environmental Leader)

Los Angeles becomes first major city to require “cool roofs” (via Climate Progress)

Cool roofs rising (via Sustainable Industries)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

USGS releases New York baseline drinking water study in Marcellus Shale region (via Breaking Energy)

TRANSPORTATION 

US gasoline pump prices to hit 2013 low (via The Hill)

Tesla will more than double Model S production with help of state tax breaks (via GigaOm)

OPINION 

White House to get aggressive on climate change? (via Washington Post)

British Columbia’s carbon tax leadership now more important than ever (via Vancouver Sun)

Why environmentalists should hope nuclear power sticks around (via Washington Post)

Here’s how the shale gas boom is saving Americans money (via Washington Post)

Christie Administration ignores climate change in New Jersey’s post-Sandy rebuild (via InsideClimate News)

Posted:   |   Categories: BOEM, british columbia, california, California ISO, Carbon market, carbon tax, China, Chris Christie, climate, Climate Change, coal, Cool roofs, CPUC, eia, emissions, energy storage, europe, fracking, France, gas prices, Gasoline, green building, grid, Guandong, Gulf of Mexico, Hydro-Quebec, japan, Keystone XL, los angeles, marcellus shale, maryland, Max Baucus, michigan, natural gas, Net metering, new jersey, new york, News, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, smart grid, solar, Subsidy, tar sands, Tesla, Tesla Model S, texas, TransCanada, Transportation, united nations, usda, usgs, wind
0
19
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.19.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

ENERGY POLICY 

Senate Democrats to make eleventh-hour push for tax extenders (via The Hill)

Baucus proposal replaces dozens of energy breaks with credits for “clean” fuel, electricity (via Greenwire)

EMISSIONS 

China seeks to curb worst air pollution in 50 years (via The Guardian)

Guandong carbon market, expected to be China’s biggest, begins briskly (via Reuters)

Most companies still releasing unsustainable amounts of CO2, says study (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Asia key to 2014 solar PV forecasts (via Recharge)

Europe’s highest court fuels doubt over French wind tariffs (via Reuters)

Hydro-Quebec calls for 450MW wind power tender (via Recharge)

Clean energy shines as climate index outperforms equities (via Renew Economy)

EIA continues to lowball its renewable energy forecast (via Greentech Media)

BOEM announces third US offshore wind competitive lease auction (via CleanTechnica)

Michigan conservatives launch renewable energy group (via Michigan Live)

OIL 

Dolphins suffering from lung disease due to Gulf oil spill, says study (via Wall Street Journal)

GRID 

$43 million in USDA loans flow to rural smart grids (via Greentech Media)

Four ways to grow grid-scale energy storage in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Fitch Ratings: US net metering set to grow (via Solar Industry)

California ISO board adopts joint plan with CPUC to ensure future electric reliability (via BusinessWire)

California ISO unveils roadmap to advance demand response, energy efficiency (via Renew Grid)

Texas electricity prices falling since power market deregulation (via Texas Tribune)

TAR SANDS 

TransCanada weighs rail bridge amid Keystone pipeline delay (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

The UN will try for a new disaster risk reduction agreement (via Climate Progress)

Climate change divides political parties in Iowa, nation (via Cedar Rapids Gazette)

COAL 

Coal use hits record high in Japan (via Smart Planet)

GREEN BUILDING 

Future looks green for building industry (via Environmental Leader)

Los Angeles becomes first major city to require “cool roofs” (via Climate Progress)

Cool roofs rising (via Sustainable Industries)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

USGS releases New York baseline drinking water study in Marcellus Shale region (via Breaking Energy)

TRANSPORTATION 

US gasoline pump prices to hit 2013 low (via The Hill)

Tesla will more than double Model S production with help of state tax breaks (via GigaOm)

OPINION 

White House to get aggressive on climate change? (via Washington Post)

British Columbia’s carbon tax leadership now more important than ever (via Vancouver Sun)

Why environmentalists should hope nuclear power sticks around (via Washington Post)

Here’s how the shale gas boom is saving Americans money (via Washington Post)

Christie Administration ignores climate change in New Jersey’s post-Sandy rebuild (via InsideClimate News)

Posted:   |   Categories: BOEM, british columbia, california, California ISO, Carbon market, carbon tax, China, Chris Christie, climate, Climate Change, coal, Cool roofs, CPUC, eia, emissions, energy storage, europe, fracking, France, gas prices, Gasoline, green building, grid, Guandong, Gulf of Mexico, Hydro-Quebec, japan, Keystone XL, los angeles, marcellus shale, maryland, Max Baucus, michigan, natural gas, Net metering, new jersey, new york, News, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, smart grid, solar, Subsidy, tar sands, Tesla, Tesla Model S, texas, TransCanada, Transportation, united nations, usda, usgs, wind
0
19
Dec

Pallet Crafts: Make a Tea Light Holder

Pallet Crafts: Tea Light Holder

Pallet crafts are such a fun way to keep waste out of the landfill, and this tea light holder is beautiful in its simplicity!

A lot of pallet crafts call for a lot of special materials, and what I love about this one from our friend David Quilty at The Good Human is that you really don't need special tools or woodworking skills to make this candle holder. The finished project has a rustic look, so even if you're using a hand saw, you'll end up with a very nice-looking candle holder when it's all said and done.

I know, I always talk about this when I talk about pallet crafts, but it's so important! When you're sourcing your pallet, you want to be sure that you're using one that's headed for the landfill. Don't just nab a pallet from behind the local big box store. Make sure you pop inside and ask. If they don't have any pallets that are being discarded, ask them to contact you when they do have one. You're saving them money on disposal fees, so don't be shy about asking!

craftRECYCLED logo

This simple project only requires a few simple tools and supplies. You will need:

  • A wood pallet
  • A way to cut the pallets to size - David used a miter saw, but you can also use a hand saw if you're patient
  • Wood glue
  • Spade or hole drill bits
  • Wood clamps
  • Sand paper
  • Tea lights

That's it! Just a few basic tools, and you're ready to get crafty. David has detailed instructions, including plenty of images to help you along the way over at The Good Human. Click here for the full tutorial!

Posted:   |   Categories: Craft Recycled, crafty reuse, creative reuse, DIY, pallet craft, pallet craft project, pallet crafts, reuse, upcycling, wood pallets
0