Category Archives:africa

07
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.7.14

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

CLIMATE 

Climate change is harming economy, says report (via Wall Street Journal)

US climate report says global warming impact already severe (via Washington Post)

Almost 200,000 glaciers mapped in global inventory baseline for study of global warming effects (via Treehugger)

Industry sees costly rules after Obama climate report (via Bloomberg)

The tech trends to watch while America is boiling, storming, burning, & drying up (via GigaOm)

Climate change in the US – eight compelling charts (via Climate Central)

COAL 

Indiana leads nation in coal ash ponds, raising toxin concerns (via Indy Star)

Stanford University divestment is a warning to coal industry (via RTCC)

Has Wyoming passed peak coal? (via Sightline Daily)

RENEWABLES 

Annual wind power capacity installations in key emerging markets will double by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

With a little help, Africa could become a renewable energy powerhouse (via Climate Progress)

Brazil tests suggest more ethanol means more local smog (via Autoblog Green)

Court upholds EPA’s 2013 renewable fuel mandate (via The Hill)

Ohio’s renewable energy industries spent $1 billion, employed 3,500 (via Cleveland Plain-Dealer)

The promise of shared renewables: Will California’s SB 43 bring solar for all? (via Energy Collective)

Top 10 things you didn’t know about offshore wind energy (via Energy.gov)

EMISSIONS 

EU proposes shield for 175 industries in carbon market (via Bloomberg)

Carbon tax goes into effect in France (via Sustainable Business)

Stanford to purge $18 billion endowment of coal stock (via New York Times)

ENERGY POLICY 

EIA releases complete Annual Energy Outlook 2014 report (via US EIA)

Why utilities need to get real about distributed energy (via GreenBiz)

Five climate charts that should deeply worry the electricity sector (via Greentech Media)

Experts: Cost gap between renewables and natural gas “is closing” (via Greentech Media)

Earthquake potential could cause shale sector to lose footing (via Forbes)

Ohio’s efficiency and renewable energy standards would be kept in compromise (via Cleveland Plain-Dealer)

ENVIRONMENT 

In China, 64% say they are environmentalists (via Reuters)

The risks to US water resources from climate change (via Science Blogs)

Energy companies warned about water availability (via Houston Chronicle)

OIL 

Asia is most vulnerable to Mideast oil supply shock, says report (via Reuters)

Researcher: BP oil becoming “part of the geological record” of the sea floor (via Climate Progress)

New offshore decommissioning requirements coming (via Houston Chronicle)

Solar-powered oil production could shake up California carbon rule (via Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION 

China leans on automakers to produce EVs, but infrastructure lags (via Green Car Reports)

KEYSTONE XL 

It’s game over for the Keystone XL pipeline (via The Guardian)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Still no deal on amendments as test vote planned for Shaheen-Portman (via E&E Daily)

Ten smart building myths busted (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Obama’s global warming talk is beside the point (via National Journal)

Climate change affects us all – so what’s stopping us from joining forces? (via The Guardian)

States and cities need to act now on climate change (via Washington Post)

Bill Clinton, Barack Obama weather déjà vu (via Politico)

The top ten global warming skeptic arguments answered (via The Guardian)

John Podesta: Congress won’t stop EPA’s climate rules (via Politico)

Six tips for communicating about the National Climate Assessment (via EcoAffect)

From grid defected to grid connected (via RMI Outlet)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Asia, biofuel, BP, Brazil, california, Carbon market, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, distributed generation, Divestment, drought, earthquake, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, Fossil fuel divestment, France, global warming, grid, Gulf of Mexico, indiana, Keystone XL, National Climate Assessment, natural gas, News, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, Peak coal, Renewable energy standard, Renewable fuel standard, renewables, Shaheen-Portman, Shale gas, Shale oil, Shared renewables, Smart buildings, Stanford University, Transportation, wind, wyoming
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25
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.25.14

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

OIL 

Shale boom sends US crude oil supply to highest level since 1930 (via Bloomberg)

US regulators to propose enhanced oil tank car standards (via Reuters)

US pipeline and oil-by-rail regulator making 9% staff cut, confounding experts (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

FTC officials back Tesla’s direct-to-consumer car sales model (via Reuters)

Consumer Reports finds plug-in retail experience underwhelming (via Autoblog Green)

Is Tesla planning another electric vehicle factory in California? (via Los Angeles Times)

Improving the performance of hybrid powertrains (via Navigant Research)

RENEWABLES 

UK onshore wind power will lose subsidies, say conservatives (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Central Asian hydroelectric water wars heat up (via Huffington Post)

Solar PV set to surge 50% in Africa and Middle East in 2014 (via Recharge)

GE renewable investments exceed $10 billion (via BusinessWire)

US solar energy capacity grew an astounding 418% from 2010-2014 (via CleanTechnica)

EPA releases list of top 100 US organizations using renewable energy (via Solar Industry)

Financing lessons residential solar can teach the commercial and industrial sector (via Renewable Energy World)

Google and Apple announce new renewable energy investments (via RTCC)

New York State pledges $1 billion for solar through 2023 (via Bloomberg)

SunPower lands another strong quarter, launches new solar holding company (via Greentech Media)

Fisherman’s Energy to file legal appeal for New Jersey offshore wind rejection (via Recharge)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

GE said to be in talks to buy France’s Alstom (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Why electric utilities have an image problem (via Navigant Research)

Battle between fossil fuels & solar intensifies (via Sustainable Business)

50,000 Pennsylvania electric customers switch suppliers on price swings (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

CLIMATE 

Corals may withstand higher temperatures, says study (via RTCC)

Top 12 ways the world can eliminate agriculture’s climate footprint (via Phys.org)

UK supermarket: 95% of fresh produce already at risk from climate change (via The Guardian)

Study links polar vortex, California drought to climate change (via The Hill)

84,000 lives threatened by sea level rise in New England (via Climate Progress)

Lower Manhattan 20x more likely to flood than in 1844 (via ClimateWire)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Putin, Merkel call for gas talks over Ukraine (via Reuters)

Trade implication of US energy policy and LNG exports (via Center for American Progress)

Baker Hughes to reveal all hydraulic fracturing chemicals (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

USGBC launches real-time green building tool (via Environmental Leader)

Following pipeline delay, KXL politics may derail energy efficiency bill (via Greenwire)

Think you’re better at saving energy? Three charts suggest a reality check. (via Outlier)

KEYSTONE XL 

US support for Keystone hits 61% in new poll (via The Hill)

How Obama shocked Harper as Keystone Frustrator-in-Chief (via Bloomberg)

How Canada’s incoherence on climate is killing Keystone (via Rescuing the Frog)

GRID 

Britain installs first grid-scale battery (via Reuters)

Smart grid companies raise $101 million to kick off 2014 (via Renew Grid)

“LEED-like” standard launched for electric grids (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

China takes on pollution with biggest environmental law changes in 25 years (via Bloomberg)

Brazil’s coffee crop prayers for rain met with deluge threat (via Bloomberg)

Drought area expands in Plains and California (via Farm Futures)

For first time in 15 years, drought hits 100% of California (via Los Angeles Times)

Plastic bottle recycling increases 53% in 12 years (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION 

The new abolitionism (via The Nation)

Maddow: Will US energy companies disrupt Obama’s Russia policy? (via Washington Post)

The real story behind falling renewable energy investments (via World Resources Institute)

Solar power is booming but will never replace coal – here’s why (via Forbes)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Alstom, Angela Merkel, apple, battery, Brazil, california, canada, climate, Climate Change, coal, Consumer Reports, drought, Electric Vehicle, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ev, Federal Trade Commission, Fisherman's Energy, Flooding, fracking, France, FTC, GE, global warming, google, green building, grid, Hydropower, Keystone XL Stephen Harper, LEED, LNG, MENA, middle east, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new jersey, New York City, new york state, News, offshore wind, oil, Oil train, pennsylvania, PHMSA, Polar vortex, Recycling, renewables, Russia, Sea level rise, Shaheen-Portman, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, SunPower, Tesla, Transportation, uk, Ukraine, united kingdom, USGBC, Vladimir Putin, wind
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09
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.9.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

US used more energy in 2013 than 2012, but efficiency is up too (via National Geographic)

Grandfather utilities threatened by spreading renewables (via Bloomberg)

Sen. Wyden aims for energy parity in overhaul to “rotting” tax code (via E&E Daily)

CLIMATE 

414 cities report over 4,000 climate actions (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

El Nino odds seen at more than 70% as Pacific warms (via Bloomberg)

Data shows low snowpack years will happen more frequently in Pacific Northwest (via EarthFix)

Virginia governor to revive climate change panel (via San Francisco Chronicle/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Renewable energy installations to rise 37% by 2015, says BNEF (via Bloomberg)

Enel Green sees Africa as “next big place” for renewables (via Bloomberg)

India’s solar power capacity tops 2.6GW (via CleanTechnica)

Solar, wind no longer face high capital costs, says Shah (via Bloomberg)

Solar jumps to 22% of new US generation capacity in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

Crowdfunding seen topping $5 billion for rooftop solar (via Bloomberg)

Fishermen’s Energy appeals BPU offshore wind project rejection (via Recharge)

Clean energy victory bond could generate $150 billion in financing, 1 million jobs (via Business Journals)

COAL 

Duke Energy, North Carolina appeal coal ash ruling (via Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS 

Greenhouse gases from thawing permafrost “accelerating global warming” (via International Business Times)

Many nations wary of extracting carbon from air to fix climate (via Reuters)

Shell, Unilever, 68 others seek 1 trillion-ton limit on CO2 output (via Bloomberg)

Chile plans to enact the first carbon tax in South America (via Climate Progress)

Utilities disagree on how EPA should regulate emissions (via Climate Central)

Carbon divestment activists claim victory as Harvard adopts green code (via The Guardian)

OIL 

Fracking moratorium proposal advances in California State Senate (via Los Angeles Times)

Scientists, oil industry still probing fracking-earthquake link (via The Oklahoman)

TRANSPORTATION 

Debunked: Hybrid vehicle myths and truths (via Breaking Energy)

GM investing $449 million for advanced EV and battery manufacturing (via Green Car Congress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Toronto’s “Race to Reduce” garners 9% energy efficiency cut (via Energy Manager Today)

Indonesia gets world’s first net-zero energy skyscraper (via Sustainable Business)

GRID 

5 market trends that will drive microgrids into the mainstream (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

The geopolitical potential of the US energy boom (via Council on Foreign Relations)

How the US power grid is like a big pile of sand (via National Journal)

What made Vermont’s net metering expansion process so unique? (via Greentech Media)

If “value of solar” is optional, will Minnesota utilities adopt it? (via Midwest Energy News)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, battery, california, carbon tax, Chile, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, Coal ash spill, Divestment, duke energy, El Nino, electric vehicles, emissions, Enel Green, Energy Efficiency, EPA, ev, Fisherman's Energy, fracking, Geoengineering, global warming, GM, Green bond, grid, Harvard, hybrid vehicle, india, Indonesia, Jigar Shah, Microgrid, minnesota, Net metering, Net zero, new jersey, News, North Carolina, offshore wind, oil, Pacific Ocean, Permafrost, renewables, Ron Wyden, Shell, solar, South America, Terry McAuliffe, Toronto, Transportation, Unilever, Value of Solar, vermont, virginia, wind
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03
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.3.14

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

EMISSIONS 

West Coast states, British Columbia talk carbon collaboration (via Bloomberg)

Report: Wood-burning power plants emit more pollution per megawatt than coal (via Herald-Leader)

EPA faulted for failure to disclose pollutant test risks (via New York Times)

Social media data centers powered by dirty energy, warns Greenpeace (via The Guardian)

CLIMATE 

Arctic sea ice falls to fifth lowest level on record (via The Guardian)

Warming temperatures could dry out one third of the planet (via Climate Central)

Climate change experts become an endangered species in North Carolina (via ClimateWire)

RENEWABLES 

Soaring solar PV growth set to hit new highs in 2014-2015 (via Renew Economy)

Japan, UK drive 9GW solar PV installations in Q1 (via Recharge)

Green bonds hit record $8 billion mark in first quarter 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

Merkel agrees to ease cuts in wind aid to appease regional governments (via Bloomberg)

Clean energy investment rises in 3 countries amid global decline (via Bloomberg)

One million solar lamps now shining across Africa (via RTCC)

White House doubles down on green tech loan program (via National Journal)

Rail congestion, cold weather raise ethanol spot prices (via US EIA)

5 renewable energy finance models bringing clean power to the people (via GreenBiz)

Minnesota lawmakers look to boost wind energy exports (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Old math casts doubt on accuracy of oil reserve estimates (via Bloomberg)

Energy industry leaders clash over US oil exports (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU “bullied” into diluting aviation emissions trading scheme (via RTCC)

China considers more electric car incentives (via Bloomberg)

Li-ion batteries for EVs will surpass $26 billion in annual revenue by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

DOE ready for more advanced transportation loans, now focusing on suppliers (via Autoblog Green)

US gasoline prices reach six-month high as ethanol climbs (via Houston Chronicle)

Tesla to appeal changed New Jersey car regulations (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Gallup poll says majority of US favors energy conservation over production (via The Hill)

DOE and IMT build new green lease recognition program (via GreenBiz)

Demand response value isn’t just about capacity, finds study (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

New Chicago ordinance grants petcoke exemption (via Chicago Tribune)

ENVIRONMENT 

Less rainfall not the only risk factor in widespread drought shows study (via CBS News)

House passes “Weather Forecasting Improvement Act of 2014” (via Washington Post)

Allergy alert: Tidal wave of pent up pollen could be headed our way (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

What climate change means in dollars and cents (via Bloomberg)

The UN’s new focus: Surviving, not stopping, climate change (via The Atlantic)

Injecting urgency into the World Bank’s climate change efforts (via World Resources Institute)

Why it’s still too early to bet on residential energy storage in the US (via Navigant Research)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Angela Merkel, arctic, Aviation emissions, battery, biomass, british columbia, california, chicago, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, data centers, Demand response, DOE, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, Gasoline prices, global warming, Green bonds, Green lease, greenpeace, IMT, japan, minnesota, new jersey, News, North Carolina, oil, Oil exports, oregon, Petcoke, renewables, Sea ice melt, solar, Solar lamp, solar pv, Tesla, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, united nations, Washington State, wind, World Bank
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03
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.3.14

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

EMISSIONS 

West Coast states, British Columbia talk carbon collaboration (via Bloomberg)

Report: Wood-burning power plants emit more pollution per megawatt than coal (via Herald-Leader)

EPA faulted for failure to disclose pollutant test risks (via New York Times)

Social media data centers powered by dirty energy, warns Greenpeace (via The Guardian)

CLIMATE 

Arctic sea ice falls to fifth lowest level on record (via The Guardian)

Warming temperatures could dry out one third of the planet (via Climate Central)

Climate change experts become an endangered species in North Carolina (via ClimateWire)

RENEWABLES 

Soaring solar PV growth set to hit new highs in 2014-2015 (via Renew Economy)

Japan, UK drive 9GW solar PV installations in Q1 (via Recharge)

Green bonds hit record $8 billion mark in first quarter 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

Merkel agrees to ease cuts in wind aid to appease regional governments (via Bloomberg)

Clean energy investment rises in 3 countries amid global decline (via Bloomberg)

One million solar lamps now shining across Africa (via RTCC)

White House doubles down on green tech loan program (via National Journal)

Rail congestion, cold weather raise ethanol spot prices (via US EIA)

5 renewable energy finance models bringing clean power to the people (via GreenBiz)

Minnesota lawmakers look to boost wind energy exports (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Old math casts doubt on accuracy of oil reserve estimates (via Bloomberg)

Energy industry leaders clash over US oil exports (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU “bullied” into diluting aviation emissions trading scheme (via RTCC)

China considers more electric car incentives (via Bloomberg)

Li-ion batteries for EVs will surpass $26 billion in annual revenue by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

DOE ready for more advanced transportation loans, now focusing on suppliers (via Autoblog Green)

US gasoline prices reach six-month high as ethanol climbs (via Houston Chronicle)

Tesla to appeal changed New Jersey car regulations (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Gallup poll says majority of US favors energy conservation over production (via The Hill)

DOE and IMT build new green lease recognition program (via GreenBiz)

Demand response value isn’t just about capacity, finds study (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

New Chicago ordinance grants petcoke exemption (via Chicago Tribune)

ENVIRONMENT 

Less rainfall not the only risk factor in widespread drought shows study (via CBS News)

House passes “Weather Forecasting Improvement Act of 2014” (via Washington Post)

Allergy alert: Tidal wave of pent up pollen could be headed our way (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

What climate change means in dollars and cents (via Bloomberg)

The UN’s new focus: Surviving, not stopping, climate change (via The Atlantic)

Injecting urgency into the World Bank’s climate change efforts (via World Resources Institute)

Why it’s still too early to bet on residential energy storage in the US (via Navigant Research)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Angela Merkel, arctic, Aviation emissions, battery, biomass, british columbia, california, chicago, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, data centers, Demand response, DOE, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, Gasoline prices, global warming, Green bonds, Green lease, greenpeace, IMT, japan, minnesota, new jersey, News, North Carolina, oil, Oil exports, oregon, Petcoke, renewables, Sea ice melt, solar, Solar lamp, solar pv, Tesla, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, united nations, Washington State, wind, World Bank
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18
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.18.14

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

CLIMATE 

Climate change is putting world at risk of irreversible changes, warns AAAS (via The Guardian)

Global warming may double Japan’s heat-related deaths, says study (via Bloomberg)

42% of Americans think global warming exaggerated, suggests poll (via The Hill)

Study: Rockies’ wildflower season 35 days longer from climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

White House to host climate change resilience event (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

China mandates firms must start reporting carbon emissions (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

37GW of new solar capacity installed worldwide in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

African Renewable Energy Fund secures $100 million for Sub-Saharan renewables (via Renewable Energy World)

UK invests $6.6 million to cut offshore wind costs (via Recharge)

India cuts renewable funds, impeding solar rooftop growth (via Bloomberg)

Biofuels production drives growth in overall US biomass energy use since 2002 (via US EIA)

US ethanol profits in 2013 second highest on record (via Des Moines Register)

Oceans stand to deliver abundant carbon-free energy (via Climate Central)

States look to green banks to leverage private clean tech investment (via Energy Collective)

Kansas co-op plans state’s largest solar array (via Midwest Energy News)

First Solar seeking growth to replace giant desert plants (via Bloomberg)

COAL 

Tweak to North Carolina law protected Duke’s coal ash pits (via ABC News/AP)

William Koch, pessimistic about coal’s future in US, gets out of the business (via ClimateWire)

GRID 

Japan launches battery storage subsidy for homes, businesses (via Renew Economy)

Ontario grid operator issues RFP for up to 35MW energy storage (via Renew Grid)

Midwest wind power transmission line plan irks farmers (via Huffington Post/AP)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

New Jersey eyes ban on fracking waste from any state (via Sacramento Bee/AP)

Ohio’s earthquake average has risen since 2010 (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Not into fracking? How about some nuclear waste? (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Who will emerge as the Opower of commercial building efficiency? (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

US Department of Energy releases results from Strategic Petroleum Reserve sale (via Reuters)

Alaska sues Obama administration for rejecting Arctic drilling plan (via The Hill)

Oil spill reaches Missouri River in North Dakota (via Bismarck Tribune/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

How more EV sales in America hurts China’s environment (via Autoblog)

GM executive chief EV engineer says reducing cost of plug-in vehicles “huge priority” (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL 

60% of pro-Keystone XL comments tied to industry, says group (via InsideClimate News)

ENVIRONMENT 

Warmest winter on record worsens California drought (via Yahoo! News/Reuters)

1,500-year-old Antarctic moss brought back to life (via Scientific American)

OPINION 

China’s “solar bubble” may be a coal bubble in disguise (via Navigant Research)

Is Canada the next energy superpower? (via Christian Science Monitor)

The US can’t really undermine Russia by exporting gas (via MIT Technology Review)

Shielding the transmission grid means protecting the economy (via Forbes)

Transparent utility pricing will make the smart grid smarter (via Greentech Media)

Could Minnesota’s “value of solar” make everyone a winner? (via Grist)

What is PACE financing? (via Energy Collective)

POLITICS 

Democrats’ anti-Koch strategy is risky (via Washington Post)

Solar industry worries Wyden’s ties to SolarWorld may affect China trade case, ITC (via SNL Energy)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, alaska, Antarctic, arctic, battery, biofuels, biomass, california, canada, China, Clean Line, climate, Climate Change, DOE, drought, earthquake, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, ethanol, ev, First Solar, fracking, global warming, GM, Green bank, grid, india, japan, kansas, Keystone XL, minnesota, Missouri River, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new jersey, News, north dakota, nuclear, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, ontario, Opower, PACE, renewables, Ron Wyden, Russia, smart grid, solar, Solar trade war, Solarworld, strategic petroleum reserve, tidal energy, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom
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24
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.24.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Energy subsidies rebound to pre-financial crisis levels (via Houston Chronicle)

Russia to double oil and gas flows to Asia by 2035 (via Reuters)

Britain launches new tender for offshore oil and gas licenses (via Reuters)

Above and beyond: Green tariff design for traditional utilities (via World Resources Institute)

OIL 

Canada, U.S. agencies urge fast action on oil-by-rail safety (via Reuters)

NTSB urges oil trains be routed away from population centers (via Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Federal regulators check Eagle Ford shale oil flammability (via Houston Chronicle)

Tar sands backers say report on oil train risks boosts Keystone XL (via AP)

Record grain crop stuck on prairie as railways tap oil (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China’s solar industry rebounds, but will boom-bust cycle repeat? (via Reuters)

Germany signs off on solar tax (via Climate Spectator)

Two countries dominate world’s green energy workforce, says report (via Houston Chronicle)

Why Latin America will be a tough solar market to crack (via Forbes)

Green bond market breaches $10 billion milestone (via BusinessGreen)

U.S. probes new dumping complaints on China solar products (via Reuters)

U.S. wind incentives among lowest in world (via Facts of the Day)

U.S. may lower 2013 cellulosic ethanol target (via Reuters)

Senators pressure EPA to revise 2014 Renewable Fuels Standard (via National Journal)

NREL finds wind turbines can boost grid system readiness (via Renew Grid)

Wind permits allowing eagle deaths face blowback (via National Journal)

Texas on the brink of a major wind energy milestone (via EcoWatch)

Solar PV installations up 39% in 2013 across Hawaiian utility service area (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

In Kansas, renewable energy standard again under attack (via Midwest Energy News/EnergyWire)

COAL 

China bank regulator said to issue alert on coal loans (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Obama says climate plan will help U.S. negotiate with China, India (via National Journal)

Climate change: The Winter Olympics’ great thaw (via Climate Central)

Arctic sea ice free fall is mirror image of carbon dioxide ascent (via Grist)

Industry awakens to threat of climate change (via New York Times)

Hundred years of dry: How California’s drought could get much, much worse (via Time)

Poll shows Latinos overwhelmingly support climate action (via Grist)

GRID 

Smart grid venture capital funding hit $405 million in 2013 (via Renew Grid)

EIA now providing more detail on electric capacity additions and retirements (via US EIA)

$3.6 billion in transmission improvements on tap for ERCOT grid (via Renew Grid)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla Model S to sell for $121,000 in China (via San Jose Mercury News)

Tesla & China: Priced at $121,000 country could be biggest market, says Musk (via Green Car Reports)

EVs could be key part of changing electrical grid (via New York Times)

Virginia will scrap tax on hybrid vehicles (via Autoblog Green)

OPINION 

Four signs Africa could leapfrog fossil fuels – and one it won’t (via TreeHugger)

No one tries harder than Europe to fight climate change – the recession is testing that (via Washington Post)

How the federal ITC expiration could create a commercial solar market boom (via Renewable Energy World)

Obama’s State of The Union talking points: Saving the planet (via Washington Post)

Five reasons Obama may cave on the Keystone pipeline (via Forbes)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, arctic, barack obama, biofuels, Britain, california, canada, cellulosic ethanol, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, drought, eia, Electric Vehicle, EPA, ERCOT, ev, germany, Green bond, green jobs, grid, Hawaii, india, investment tax credit, itc, kansas, Keystone XL, National Transportation Safety Bureau, natural gas, News, NREL, NTSB, offshore drilling, oil, Oil train, Renewable energy standard, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, Russia, Sea ice, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, Solar trade war, Subsidy, tar sands, Tesla, Tesla Model S, texas, transmission, Transportation, virginia, wind
0
20
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.20.14

Marcacci Communications publishes a daily roundup of energy and climate news and opinion. Inclusion of articles does not mean endorsement. 

EMISSIONS 

CO2 emissions being “outsourced” by rich countries to rising economies (via The Guardian)

Church of England says unlikely to quit fossil fuel investment (via Reuters)

COAL 

Value of coal assets “could be halved” if world goes low-carbon (via RTCC)

FutureGen gets key US Energy Department approval (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

RENEWABLES 

19 countries join forces to develop Africa Clean Energy Corridor (via GreenBiz)

India and UAE agree to partner on renewable energy development (via India.com)

German economy minister plans prompt cut to renewable energy tariffs (via Reuters)

Kenya to generate over half its electricity through solar power by 2016 (via The Guardian)

China sets final duties on US solar materials (via Reuters)

Island channel tidal energy could power about half of Scotland (via Phys.org)

How the Army became a leader in third-party clean energy financing (via Greentech Media)

Bill would reward Wisconsin power companies exceeding renewable energy targets (via Wisconsin Rapids Tribune)

California Energy Commission to award up to $24 million for new biofuel projects (via Green Car Congress)

ERCOT boosts wind energy use to record 9.9% in 2013 (via Recharge)

New York sets California-like path for solar energy (via Sustainable Business)

In coal-reliant Missouri, “market rush” leaves solar push in limbo (via EnergyWire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canadian Prime Minster still expects US approval of Keystone XL (via Reuters)

Kerry will deliberate on Keystone XL after environmental impact analysis is done (via Washington Post)

Canadian environment groups challenge oil pipeline approvals (via Reuters)

Kerry not pressured by Canada’s Keystone XL push (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Davos: Climate impacts pose severe global economic risk (via BusinessGreen)

Climate impacts could push up food prices by 25% (via BusinessGreen)

Peru’s farmers fight climate change using modern and Inca techniques (via The Guardian)

Climate change alters land map of India (via Hindustan Times)

Extreme El Nino events could double over 100 years, experts warn (via The Independent)

Climate-proofing of farms seen too slow as industry faces havoc (via Bloomberg)

Study finds growing doubt on climate change (via The Hill)

Alleging “malpractice” with climate skeptic papers, publisher kills journal (via Science Insider)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Emails reveal UK helped shale gas industry manage fracking opposition (via The Guardian)

ENVIRONMENT

More than 90 wildfires rage in Australia’s New South Wales (via Huffington Post/AP)

Drought disaster declared in Utah, 10 other states (via Salt Lake Tribune)

Chemical-related hospital admissions in West Virginia double since water deemed safe (via Climate Progress)

Freedom Industries files for bankruptcy protection (via Wall Street Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Fisker bankruptcy auction scheduled for February 12th (via Autoblog Green)

Effort to halt bullet train for “Hyperloop”-like options aims for California ballot (via ClimateWire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Innovative financing spurs energy efficiency in rural communities (via GreenBiz)

Speaking the CFO’s language: The case for energy efficiency (via Energy Manager Today)

GRID 

Load curtailment from demand response programs will triple by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Dueling charts of the day: Peaker plants vs. green power (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Can we sever the link between energy and economic growth? (via Washington Post)

EPA climate rules: Too much, too little, or just right? (via National Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, australia, biofuel, California Energy Commission, canada, Carbon bubble, China, Church of England, climate, Climate Change, coal, Davos, Demand response, Divestment, drought, El Nino, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, ERCOT, feed-in tariff, Fisker, fracking, FutureGen, germany, grid, high speed rail, Hyperloop, india, john kerry, Kenya, Keystone XL, Missouri, natural gas, new york state, News, Peru, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Scotland, Shale gas, solar, Solar trade war, Stephen Harper, tar sands, texas, tidal power, Transportation, united arab emirates, united kingdom, utah, West Virginia, Wildfire, wind, Wisconsin, World economic forum
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28
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.28.13

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

EMISSIONS 

EU nations due to decide on carbon market fix November 8 (via Bloomberg)

11 years left on Australia’s carbon budget (via Business Spectator)

Can the EU ETS combine intensity-based and absolute emissions caps? (via Energy Collective)

UK universities urged to pull cash from fossil fuel giants (via The Guardian)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Companies working to reduce flaring in North Dakota (via Bismarck Tribune)

In fracking, West Virginia sees a second chance (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

India’s solar capacity passes 27GW milestone (via RTCC)

Ethiopia flicks switch on Africa’s largest wind farm (via BusinessGreen)

Startups compete to defeat “soft costs” of solar power (via GreenBiz)

Minnesota’s day in the sun for determining the value of solar (via Midwest Energy News)

Dragonfly wind turbine blends in to produce power in low wind conditions (via Treehugger)

CLIMATE 

Rising flood insurance costs may force relocations (via New York Times)

Earth’s 4th warmest September on record; 32 billion-dollar disasters in 2013 (via Weather Underground)

13 EU environment ministers call for climate policy action (via Reuters)

OIL 

Nearly 300 oil spills went unreported in North Dakota in less than two years (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Where are America’s EV charging stations? (via Green Car Report)

Volvo EV charges wirelessly in less than three hours (via Autoblog Green)

New York to build first US state fuel reserve (via National Journal)

Automakers lose latest game of chicken with California’s zero emission rules (via Plugin Cars)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Rep. Upton vows efficiency bill action if Senate plan advances (via The Hill)

Green building is now the law in Dallas (via Environmental News Network)

GRID 

US charges up support of grid energy storage (via Smart Planet)

3 factors driving the marriage of solar and energy storage (via Greentech Media)

Texas regulators’ vote to require spare power on grid fuels debate (via Houston Chronicle)

POLITICS 

In a switch, green groups are outspending industry – and winning (via National Journal)

Climate policy already headlining 2014 midterm elections (via DeSmog Blog)

OPINION 

Climate regulations could cost fossil-fuel firms trillions – should they be worried? (via Washington Post)

Could New York City’s subways survive another hurricane? (via New York Times)

How new regulatory models could help utilities thrive and survive (via Greentech Media)

Polls show energy doesn’t spark Americans’ interest (via Politico)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, australia, california, Capacity market, Carbon budget, Carbon market, climate, Climate Change, Dallas, Divestment, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, Ethiopia, EU, EU ETS, European Union, ev, ev charging, Flaring, Flooding, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, Fred Upton, Gasoline, global warming, green building, grid, india, minnesota, natural gas, New York City, new york state, News, north dakota, oil, oil spill, renewables, Shaheen-Portman bill, solar, texas, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Volvo, West Virginia, wind
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24
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.24.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Cutting carbon emissions could save 3 million lives per year by 2100 (via Climate Progress)

New greenhouse gas accounting tool will help China’s cities pursue low-carbon development (via WRI Insights)

Carbon capture, sequestration may not be part of EPA rule for existing coal plants (via Washington Post)

Green groups strike back in social cost of carbon fight (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

Beijing to invest $162.6 billion in 5 years to treat air pollution (via Xinhua)

China’s vanishing rivers (via Washington Post)

Property loss from Colorado flood damage estimated at $2 billion (via Huffington Post)

KEYSTONE XL 

Environmentalists take hard line with Obama on Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

RENEWABKES 

Merkel wins: New lease on life for renewables in German government (via Greentech Media)

Largest African PV project to begin construction early 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Loans challenge big money’s leasing model for US rooftop solar (via Reuters)

Texas Panhandle wind bursting at the seams (via EarthTechling)

Big Solar is having a banner year in US (via EarthTechling)

Ohio legislator releasing rollback of state’s clean energy rules (via Columbus Dispatch)

New York State streamlining solar permit process (via Solar Industry Magazine)

CLIMATE 

UN climate panel stresses solidity of new report on global warming (via Washington Post)

IPCC roundup: Early reports focus on warming “hiatus” (via Climate Central)

Study: Climate change pumps up risk of severe storms (via USA Today)

Coral reef destruction “accelerating” – half destroyed over past 30 years (via The Independent)

Climate change devastating ocean fishermen (via Climate Progress)

New US climate map shows temperature changes in HD (via Phys.org)

Cities leading the fight against climate change (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

COAL 

Current US coal plants excluded from new carbon capture rules – EPA chief (via Reuters)

Southern Company’s Kemper coal plant comes to fore with EPA’s CO2 proposal (via Bloomberg BNA)

TRANSPORTATION 

Airlines face carbon verdict on $708 billion industry (via Bloomberg)

Tesla’s vehicle buyback program could yield $368 million profit (via Autoblog Green)

ChargePoint’s new EV charging service borrows from solar leasing models (via Greentech Media)

California continues to dominate US electric car market (via Plugin Cars)

93 cities taking part in Sunday’s National Plug-In Day (via Green Car Reports)

OIL 

More Colorado oil spills found after devastating flooding (via Huffington Post)

California governor’s signature on fracking bill comes with a twist (via EnergyWire)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Environmental disclosure tied to higher financial performance (via Environmental Leader)

North American steel industry has recycled more than 1 billion tons of steel since 1988 (via Green Car Congress)

GRID 

Smart meters deliver 1 billion data points daily (via Greentech Media)

Sandia National Laboratories release energy storage how-to guide (via Phys.org)

Silver Spring networks launches smart metering-as-a-service (via GreenBiz)

Skinny grids (via Huffington Post)

NUCLEAR 

First US nuclear power closures in 15 years signal wider industry problems (via InsideClimate News)

POLITICS 

German voters follow Merkel down bumpy path to clean energy (via Christian Science Monitor)

Federal shutdown would shutter EPA, says agency chief (via The Hill)

Obama cabinet stumps for climate action (via Politico)

OPINION 

Global warming hasn’t stopped – it’s the hottest decade on record (via DeSmog Blog)

Cherry-pick climate facts all you like, Earth is still warming (via Renew Economy)

RGGI: Proof carbon trading can work in the US? (Via RTCC)

EPA emissions rules lighting the way on climate change (via Baltimore Sun)

How density makes us safer during natural disasters (via Mother Jones)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Angela Merkel, barack obama, california, cap and trade, carbon, carbon capture, Carbon market, carbon trading, ChargePoint, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Coral reef, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, environment, EPA, ev, ev charging, Extreme weather, Flood, fracking, germany, global warming, green business, IPCC, Jerry Brown, Keystone XL, new york state, News, nuclear, Ohio, oil, oil spill, Recycling, Renewable energy standard, renewables, rggi, Severe weather, Social cost of carbon, solar, solar pv, Southern Company, Tesla, texas, Transportation, wind
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