Daily Archives: January 13, 2014

13
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.13.14

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

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s water squeeze worsens as wetlands shrink 9% since 2003 (via Reuters)

Federal authorities to investigate West Virginia chemical spill (via The Guardian)

West Virginia river chemical leak far larger than previously estimated (via Climate Progress)

MIT study: 52% of projected 2050 global population will live in water-stressed areas (via Green Car Congress)

Drought may pressure California power utilities (via Fitch Ratings)

GREEN BUILDING 

LEED certification’s impact on America: By the numbers (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

Solar faceoff: Feed-in tariff versus net metering (via Energy Collective)

Over 11,000 comments filed on EPA’s ethanol rules (via Autoblog Green)

Solar dropping wholesale electricity prices like a bad habit (via CleanTechnica)

Fate of New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm in hands of regulators (via Atlantic City Press)

Massachusetts reviving SREC program to promote solar growth (via Solar Industry Magazine)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

France’s Total to invest in Britain’s shale gas quest (via Reuters)

UK “going all out for shale” with 40 fracking sites in pipeline (via RTCC)

Manufacturers call for halt on natural gas export approvals (via Houston Chronicle)

New Jersey Pinelands gas pipeline plan is defeated (via Asbury Park Press)

CLIMATE 

EU commissioners clash over 2030 climate goals (via The Guardian)

Public’s climate change concerns “shaped by weather outside” (via RTCC)

In flood insurance fight, Congress wants easy win, not tough solutions (via ClimateWire)

Federal government investigating Christie’s use of Sandy relief funds (via CNN)

OIL 

Canada expects safety standard action on oil train cars “fairly soon” (via Reuters)

Wetland contamination can be predicted by oil boom states (via Los Angeles Times)

Can the oil industry save a threatened species? Texas tries it out (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Study: Air travel outpacing driving in fuel efficiency gains (via Midwest Energy News)

Congress fails to renew important EV tax credits (via Plugin Cars)

Electric vehicle consumers – beyond early adopters (via Center for Climate and Energy Solutions)

Fuel economy of vehicles sold last year at record-high (via Phys.org)

TAR SANDS 

Canadian government to spend $22 million green washing tar sands (via Autoblog Green)

Posted:   |   Categories: Britain, california, canada, China, Chris Christie, climate, Climate Change, drought, electric vehicles, environment, EPA, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, feed-in tariff, Flood, France, fuel-efficiency, green building, LEED, massachusetts, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Net metering, new jersey, News, offshore wind, oil, Oil train, Pipeline, renewables, Shale gas, solar, SREC, tar sands, Total, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Water scarcity, weather, West Virginia
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13
Jan

Healthy One-Pot Meals: Quinoa Pilaf

photo 2Quinoa Pilaf is my new favorite meal. A pilaf is simply a mix of grains, beans, veggies and more– and it's the ultimate one-pot meal. And this is a big deal for me– for the past three years I've taught weekly cooking classes and needed to create three unique gourmet recipes each week. This process is fun and delicious– but after a long day of prepping, teaching and washing a gazillion dishes, the last thing I want to do is cook. Hence, the one-pot meal. I like to put this on the stovetop as soon as I get home from work and set the timer for 20 minutes. Take the time to do yoga, take a shower, check your Pinterest boards, whatever. Then, BAM, dinner is ready. Serve this with a nice big salad or some steamed veggies on the side for an extra nutritional boost. Quinoa Pilaf also makes great leftovers: wrap into a burrito, toss onto your grain salad, and serve warmed alongside some baked tofu.

Quinoa Pilaf

1½ cups quinoa
1 (15 ounce) can beans (garbanzo, black or kidney)
3½ cups water
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
1 Tablespoon garlic flakes
1 Tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin and coriander
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
Black pepper to taste
1 cup chopped kale

  1. Place quinoa in a large pot. Wash, rinse and drain quinoa. Cover with 1½ cups water.
  2. Drain and rinse beans. Add to pot along with remaining ingredients. Stir to combine. Bring quinoa to a boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, toss kale on top and let steam for five minutes.
  3. Fluff quinoa with a fork when finished cooking, serve and enjoy!

Notes: You can also make this dish with curry powder (substitute for chili powder), or keep it super simple with just salt and pepper. I like to use my favorite Tahini dressing on quinoa, but it also tastes great with salsa, yogurt or other awesome sauces.

Posted:   |   Categories: Food+Drink, gluten-free, healthy recipes, one-pot meals, vegan recipes
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