Daily Archives: February 17, 2014

17
Feb

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.17.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Germany set to cut rebates for companies that generate own power (via Bloomberg)

Renewable mandates, subsidies: At war with each other? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Study highlights benefits of innovative pricing in competitive electricity markets (via COMPETE)

COAL 

EIA increases short-term coal retirement prediction 50% (via Greentech Media)

North Carolina governor denies Duke coal ash deal involvement (via ABC News/AP)

EMISSIONS 

Iran plans carbon emissions trading market (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Australia to review renewable energy target (via Reuters)

Climate skeptic to lead review of Australia’s renewable energy target (via The Guardian)

Wind turbines propel Michigan closer to 2015 renewable energy goal (via Detroit Free Press)

Property rights at heart of battles over Oklahoma wind farm regulation (via The Oklahoman)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas prices soar as U.S. stockpiles drop (via Wall Street Journal)

CLIMATE 

Sec. Kerry announces “unique co-operative effort” with China on climate change (via The Guardian)

Climate change an issue of national security, warns Milliband (via The Guardian)

Denmark about to set even more ambitious climate goals than Europe (via Climate Progress)

Kerry urges Indonesia to fight climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

Obama launches climate change fund (via The Hill)

Kerry to begin climate blitz (via The Hill)

Climate trends tell different story for Great Lakes ice (via Climate Central)

Climate change gets its 15 minutes on Sunday interview shows (via The Hill)

San Francisco announces 0-50-100 plan to fight climate change (via Sustainable Business)

Map: Here’s how climate change has impacted your city (via Climate Progress)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canadian PM Harper will press Obama on Keystone (via The Hill)

Native Americans vow last stand to block Keystone XL (via Miami Herald/McClatchy)

Enbridge pipeline joins Keystone XL in wait for U.S. permit (via Reuters)

Kerry burnishes his green badge in Asia ahead of Keystone call (via Bloomberg)

Canadian company named U.S. Oil Sands will soon start extracting Utah’s tar sands (via DeSmog Blog)

ENVIRONMENT 

More than 140 Brazilian cities rationing water due to drought (via AZ Central/AP)

Desalination plants a pricey option if drought persists (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Water cleaning technology could help farmers (via New York Times)

In California’s parched Central Valley, a message of aid and a warning from Obama (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

US oil demand returns to growth (via Energy Collective)

TRANSPORTATION

World’s largest EV fast charger network to roll out in China (via CleanTechnica)

Wanxiang wins bid for Fisker at $149.2 million (via Autoblog Green)

POLITICS 

Harper government makes moves to silence Canada’s leading environmental groups (via InsideClimate News)

Obama wants Congress to help with climate agenda after all (via National Journal)

John Kerry mocks those who deny climate change (via Houston Chronicle)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, barack obama, Brazil, california, canada, Carbon market, carbon trading, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, denmark, desalination, drought, Duke, Ed Milliband, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Enbridge, environment, ev, Fisker, germany, Great Lakes, Indonesia, iran, john kerry, Keystone XL, michigan, natural gas, News, North Carolina, oil, oklahoma, Renewable energy standard, renewables, san francisco, Stephen Harper, Subsidies, tar sands, Transportation, utah, Wanxiang, wind
0
17
Feb

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.17.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Germany set to cut rebates for companies that generate own power (via Bloomberg)

Renewable mandates, subsidies: At war with each other? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Study highlights benefits of innovative pricing in competitive electricity markets (via COMPETE)

COAL 

EIA increases short-term coal retirement prediction 50% (via Greentech Media)

North Carolina governor denies Duke coal ash deal involvement (via ABC News/AP)

EMISSIONS 

Iran plans carbon emissions trading market (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Australia to review renewable energy target (via Reuters)

Climate skeptic to lead review of Australia’s renewable energy target (via The Guardian)

Wind turbines propel Michigan closer to 2015 renewable energy goal (via Detroit Free Press)

Property rights at heart of battles over Oklahoma wind farm regulation (via The Oklahoman)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas prices soar as U.S. stockpiles drop (via Wall Street Journal)

CLIMATE 

Sec. Kerry announces “unique co-operative effort” with China on climate change (via The Guardian)

Climate change an issue of national security, warns Milliband (via The Guardian)

Denmark about to set even more ambitious climate goals than Europe (via Climate Progress)

Kerry urges Indonesia to fight climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

Obama launches climate change fund (via The Hill)

Kerry to begin climate blitz (via The Hill)

Climate trends tell different story for Great Lakes ice (via Climate Central)

Climate change gets its 15 minutes on Sunday interview shows (via The Hill)

San Francisco announces 0-50-100 plan to fight climate change (via Sustainable Business)

Map: Here’s how climate change has impacted your city (via Climate Progress)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canadian PM Harper will press Obama on Keystone (via The Hill)

Native Americans vow last stand to block Keystone XL (via Miami Herald/McClatchy)

Enbridge pipeline joins Keystone XL in wait for U.S. permit (via Reuters)

Kerry burnishes his green badge in Asia ahead of Keystone call (via Bloomberg)

Canadian company named U.S. Oil Sands will soon start extracting Utah’s tar sands (via DeSmog Blog)

ENVIRONMENT 

More than 140 Brazilian cities rationing water due to drought (via AZ Central/AP)

Desalination plants a pricey option if drought persists (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Water cleaning technology could help farmers (via New York Times)

In California’s parched Central Valley, a message of aid and a warning from Obama (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

US oil demand returns to growth (via Energy Collective)

TRANSPORTATION

World’s largest EV fast charger network to roll out in China (via CleanTechnica)

Wanxiang wins bid for Fisker at $149.2 million (via Autoblog Green)

POLITICS 

Harper government makes moves to silence Canada’s leading environmental groups (via InsideClimate News)

Obama wants Congress to help with climate agenda after all (via National Journal)

John Kerry mocks those who deny climate change (via Houston Chronicle)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, barack obama, Brazil, california, canada, Carbon market, carbon trading, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, denmark, desalination, drought, Duke, Ed Milliband, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Enbridge, environment, ev, Fisker, germany, Great Lakes, Indonesia, iran, john kerry, Keystone XL, michigan, natural gas, News, North Carolina, oil, oklahoma, Renewable energy standard, renewables, san francisco, Stephen Harper, Subsidies, tar sands, Transportation, utah, Wanxiang, wind
0
17
Feb

Product Review: Upton’s Natural Seitan Bacon

Picture 5

More and more studies show that humans, animals and the ecosystem will benefit when we start eating more plants and less meat. But for many, this seems like a big sacrifice. Giving up favorite meats and animal products and replacing with vegetables is not something that everyone likes to tackle, but there are a lots of delicious vegan and vegetarian options out there to help make the transition to plant-based diets more appealing. Faux meats are one of the foods that make it easy to swap out traditional meat-based meals into one that is plant-based and planet-friendly. I finally tried some Upton's Naturals Bacon Seitan, and was pretty impressed with the deliciousness of it all.

Upton's Naturals has cute, sustainable packaging and a clever, hipster look on all their products. Like many faux meat foods, Upton's is made with wheat gluten. Gluten, while allergenic to some, is a great option for vegans and omnivores alike. Gluten is the protein found in wheat (also in rye, barley and spelt), and it's gluten that gives bread it's chewy, springy texture. It's about 80% protein, which means it's a great protein-rich alternative to actual meat. With multiple flavors like chorizo, chicken and crumbles, Upton's can be an option for your meatless meals.

More reasons to like Upton's? Here's the description of their products: "We keep our ingredients simple and clean – absolutely no artificial or "natural" flavors and no GMOs. Wheat, water, soy sauce, and spices are the only ingredients we need to make our seitan unique and delicious."

The bacon seitan was easy to cook: just a bit of coconut oil in my new non-toxic, non-stick pan and grilled until slightly browned. I served it simply with some healthy fried rice and a squeeze of lime. But it would also be delish in some wraps, chopped into chili or beans, or with a tofu scramble!

If you can't eat gluten, my other favorite options for fake bacon are Turtle Islands Smokey Maple Bacon Tempeh, or making homemade tempeh bacon, which is easier than you'd think! There are lots of other brands out there, but these are often made with lots of gunk that you don't really want in your body. Stick to the super natural stuff!

IMG_2187
Upton's Bacon Seitan, grilled to perfection

IMG_2189
Bacon seitan with fried rice! Yums!

Posted:   |   Categories: Food+Drink, healthy meals, plant-based, product review, vegan
0
17
Feb

Product Review: Upton’s Natural Seitan Bacon

Picture 5

More and more studies show that humans, animals and the ecosystem will benefit from eating more plants and less meat. But for many, this seems like a big sacrifice. Giving up favorite meats and animal products and replacing with vegetables is not something that everyone likes to tackle, but there are a lots of delicious vegan and vegetarian options out there to help make the transition to plant-based diets more appealing. Faux meats are one of the foods that make it easy to swap out traditional meat-based meals into one that is plant-based and planet-friendly. I finally tried some Upton's Naturals Bacon Seitan, and was pretty impressed with the deliciousness of it all.

Upton's Naturals has cute, sustainable packaging and a clever, hipster look on all their products. Like many faux meat foods, Upton's is made with wheat gluten. Gluten, while allergenic to some, is a great option for vegans and omnivores alike. Gluten is the protein found in wheat (also in rye, barley and spelt), and it's gluten that gives bread it's chewy, springy texture. It's about 80% protein, which means it's a great protein-rich alternative to actual meat. With multiple flavors like chorizo, chicken and crumbles, Upton's can be an option for your meatless meals.

More reasons to like Upton's? Here's the description of their products: "We keep our ingredients simple and clean – absolutely no artificial or "natural" flavors and no GMOs. Wheat, water, soy sauce, and spices are the only ingredients we need to make our seitan unique and delicious."

The bacon seitan was easy to cook: just a bit of coconut oil in my new non-toxic, non-stick pan and grilled until slightly browned. I served it simply with some healthy fried rice and a squeeze of lime. But it would also be delish in some wraps, chopped into chili or beans, or with a tofu scramble!

If you can't eat gluten, my other favorite options for fake bacon are Turtle Islands Smokey Maple Bacon Tempeh, or making homemade tempeh bacon, which is easier than you'd think! There are lots of other brands out there, but these are often made with lots of gunk that you don't really want in your body. Stick to the super natural stuff!

IMG_2187
Upton's Bacon Seitan, grilled to perfection

IMG_2189
Bacon seitan with fried rice! Yums!

Posted:   |   Categories: Food+Drink, healthy meals, plant-based, product review, vegan
0