Daily Archives: January 14, 2014

14
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.14.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Top global emitter China best on climate change, Figures says (via Bloomberg)

After years of decline, US carbon emissions rose 2% in 2013 (via Washington Post)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Google buys Nest for $3.2 billion (via Forbes)

Seattle energy benchmarking finds $90 million potential annual utility bill savings (via CleanTechnica)

Net zero at unprecedented scale on Illinois campus (via EarthTechling)

Nest gives Google its next big data play: Energy (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

UK solar panels reach half a million rooftop milestone (via BusinessGreen)

How the new US-China trade case could change the American solar market (via Greentech Media)

UK renewable energy firms “looking to hire more staff” (via BBC News)

Clean tech venture investment is on the rise, says report (via GreenBiz)

Solar City takes 32% of 2013 3Q US residential PV marker as utilities squirm (via CleanTechnica)

Ethanol mandate unlikely to face repeal in 2014 (via Argus Leader/Gannett)

North Carolina to join California as top 10 global PV “country” in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Coal-dependent Michigan ready to make the switch to clean energy (via EnergyWire)

New ACORE head outlines renewable energy priorities (via National Journal)

COAL 

Japan’s Tepco doubled coal burning on nuclear shutdown (via Bloomberg)

Coal reliance puts Australia second on OECD’s emissions list (via The Guardian)

China to boost annual railway coal capacity to 3 billion tons by 2020 (via Reuters)

Omnibus federal spending bill thwarts Obama on overseas coal funding limits (via National Journal)

Most states remain dependent on coal imports, draining billions from local economies (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

CLIMATE 

Massive Antarctic glacier has entered irreversible melt, could add up to 1 centimeter of sea level rise (via InsideClimate)

New assessment of climate change’s economic risks is ready for business (via Climate Progress)

Historic black colleges leading climate change advocacy (via Huffington Post)

The flood next time: Grappling with sea level rise sooner not later (via New York Times)

Massachusetts governor to unveil climate change prep plan today (via Boston Herald/AP)

Washington DC’s water utility takes lead in preparing for warming world (via ClimateWire)

OIL 

Trains will still move oil despite wrecks, Keystone XL (via Climate Central)

Federal report says 400,000 gallons of oil spilled in North Dakota train derailment (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Nearly 2.6 million EVs will be sold in the US between 2013 and 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Ford F150 truck trail blazes new green technologies (via TriplePundit)

Annual North Carolina fee on electric vehicles starts this month (via Winston-Salem Journal)

Inslee won’t rule out low-carbon fuel standards in Washington State (via Washington State Wire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL: Texas high court gives hope to landowners in eminent domain fight (via InsideClimate News)

ENVIRONMENT 

West Virginia chemical crisis: The latest (via National Journal)

Water restrictions lifted on day five of West Virginia chemical spill (via The Hill)

GRID 

A123 installs 3MWh grid storage solution in Spain (via Renew Grid)

Upper Great Plains Region looking to join Southwest Power Pool grid (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY POLICY 

How one utility giant created its own pipeline of skilled workers (via National Journal)

Has shale gas really reduced US carbon emissions? The problem of coal exports (via Energy Collective)

OPINION 

Keep up the pressure, climate activists (via Washington Post)

Infrastructure snags: What’s so hard about moving energy? (via National Journal)

Why Nest could be a nightmare for Google (via Forbes)

Posted:   |   Categories: A123, ACORE, Antarctica, australia, california, China, Christiana Figueres, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, deval patrick, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, ethanol, ev, Ford, Ford F150, google, grid, Illinois, japan, jay inslee, Keystone XL, massachusetts, Michael Browner, michigan, Nest, Net zero, News, North Carolina, north dakota, nuclear, oil, oil spill, Oil train, PGE, Renewable fuel standard, renewables, RFS, Rick Snyder, Sea level rise, seattle, Shale gas, solar, SolarCity, Southwest Power Pool, Spain, SPP, Tepco, texas, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Washington DC, Washington State, West Virginia
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14
Jan

Fabric Recycling: Reader Question

Fabric Recycling

We got an excellent question on fabric recycling from a reader. I tracked down one resource, but I'd also love to hear your suggestions!

This fabric recycling question comes from reader Sara, who asks:

Is there a way to recycle fabric (bedding,clothing) that is not suitable for re-use (torn and worn)?

That's a great question, Sara, and I think I have the answer for you! There is an organization called SMART - Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles - that's a trade group for companies that use those overly-worn textiles. SMART doesn't accept fabric donations directly, but they have some consumer tips on their page that are worth checking out.

This tip comes from the SMART Consumers page:

Look for collection boxes in your neighborhood. Check with your local charities, thrift stores, or government recycling coordinator for drop-off locations or to get pick-up information.

  • Your favorite local charity
  • Ask your town or city if they have a textile recycling program
  • Call or visit the website of your local transfer station or town landfill or dump to see if they have collection boxes
  • Check your mail for charities that offer curb side pick-up

Fabric Flower Bouquet - Handmade Easter Decorations

Of course, even a well-worn garment often still has some usable fabric on it. Try a project like this fabric scrap bouquet to reuse as much of your worn-out clothing as possible!

Have you had any luck finding fabric recycling services online? Feel free to share links to your favorite resources in the comments!

Posted:   |   Categories: fabric, fabric recycling, Living, Recycling, Recycling Services, Shopping+Services, SMART
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14
Jan

Fabric Recycling: Reader Question

Fabric Recycling

We got an excellent question on fabric recycling from a reader. I tracked down one resource, but I'd also love to hear your suggestions!

This fabric recycling question comes from reader Sara, who asks:

Is there a way to recycle fabric (bedding,clothing) that is not suitable for re-use (torn and worn)?

That's a great question, Sara, and I think I have the answer for you! There is an organization called SMART - Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles - that's a trade group for companies that use those overly-worn textiles. SMART doesn't accept fabric donations directly, but they have some consumer tips on their page that are worth checking out.

This tip comes from the SMART Consumers page:

Look for collection boxes in your neighborhood. Check with your local charities, thrift stores, or government recycling coordinator for drop-off locations or to get pick-up information.

  • Your favorite local charity
  • Ask your town or city if they have a textile recycling program
  • Call or visit the website of your local transfer station or town landfill or dump to see if they have collection boxes
  • Check your mail for charities that offer curb side pick-up

Fabric Flower Bouquet - Handmade Easter Decorations

Of course, even a well-worn garment often still has some usable fabric on it. Try a project like this fabric scrap bouquet to reuse as much of your worn-out clothing as possible!

Have you had any luck finding fabric recycling services online? Feel free to share links to your favorite resources in the comments!

Posted:   |   Categories: fabric, fabric recycling, Living, Recycling, Recycling Services, Shopping+Services, SMART
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