Category Archives:africa

19
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.19.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Obama looks to fill fall scorecard with regulations, going small-bore (via The Hill)

German industry group seeks green energy overhaul after election (via Reuters)

COAL 

Three times more people working in green jobs than coal (via BusinessGreen)

On cost, new clean energy is beating coal (via EarthTechling)

Wyoming coal sale canceled by US on bid at 15-year low (via Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS 

China faces tough fight against air pollution (via Xinhua)

Business groups, GOP attack social cost of carbon on multiple fronts (via The Hill)

California clears way for use of offsets in carbon market (via Sacramento Bee)

RENEWABLES 

2.8GW solar PV capacity expected to be added in India in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Study flags UK’s offshore green jobs surge (via Recharge)

5 market innovations revolutionizing solar in the developing world (via Sustainable Industries)

Cost of US solar power 60% lower than in early 2011 (via CleanTechnica)

US charges 6 people, 3 firms with $100 million biofuels fraud (via Reuters)

Ten myths about geothermal heating and cooling (via National Geographic)

Google goes greener with 240MW wind power purchase (via Houston Chronicle)

New Era Wind will no longer pursue Goodhue wind farm in Minnesota (via Minnesota Public Radio)

Big solar comes to Utah with 300MW project (via SustainableBusiness)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s Abe orders surviving Fukushima reactors scrapped (via Reuters)

DOE still seeks beneficiary for small modular reactor funding (via Aiken Standard)

CLIMATE 

Delaying climate action will triple costs (via Grist)

Study identifies 10 regions to target climate adaptation funding (via RTCC)

Global temperature trends and the IPCC (via Energy Collective)

Nation-to-nation peer pressure may be best hope for global climate deal (via NBC News)

Poland partners with coal and oil corporate sponsors for COP19 climate conference (via DeSmog Blog)

Obama climate change plan gets first airing in front of House skeptics (via The Guardian)

17 states accuse EPA of exceeding its authority with climate change plan (via The Hill)

Most US companies ignoring SEC rule to disclose climate risks (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Ranking reveals top US cities on energy efficiency (via USA Today)

A quest to prove the business case for installing big batteries at buildings (via GigaOm)

GM’s LEED Gold data center slashes electric bill by 70% (via EarthTechling)

Chicago passes energy benchmarking rules (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

The $1.5 trillion oil find in the Gulf of Mexico (via Christian Science Monitor)

Eagle Ford oil expected to surpass 1 million barrels per day (via Houston Chronicle)

One downside to more oil drilling? Wasted gas (via StateImpact Texas)

China finds resistance to oil deals in Africa (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

DOE advanced vehicle loan portfolio remains strong (via EarthTechling)

Ford adding 200 charging stations in next 15 months (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT 

Environmental groups set for new fight over drilling on US-managed Utah land (via New York Times)

POLITICS 

Obama energy officials defend climate plan to Republicans (via Bloomberg)

Democrat Manchin’s opposition imperils Obama FERC nominee (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Time for Angela Merkel to fill the climate leadership vacuum? (via RTCC)

Carbon pricing levels playing field, reduces energy use (via Energy Manager Today)

Fracking may not be as bad for the climate as we thought (via Washington Post)

Clearing up a few myths about Brazilian biofuels trade (via Energy Collective)

Whether approved or not, Keystone XL has been a victory for lobbyists (via DeSmog Blog)

Naomi Klein “waging ideological war” instead of tacking climate change (via The Guardian)

What’s the climate change context behind Colorado’s floods? (via ClimateWire)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Air pollution, Angela Merkel, barack obama, battery, biofuels, Brazil, california, cap and trade, Carbon market, Carbon pricing, chicago, China, climate, Climate adaptation, Climate Change, coal, colorado, COP19, Eagle Ford Shale, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, Extreme weather, FERC, Flooding, fracking, fukushima, geothermal, germany, global warming, GM, google, green jobs, Gulf of Mexico, india, IPCC, japan, Joe Manchin, Keystone XL, LEED, minnesota, Naomi Klein, New Era Wind, News, nuclear, Offsets, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Poland, renewables, Ron Binz, SEC, Shale oil, Small modular reactors, Social cost of carbon, solar, solar pv, uk, united kingdom, utah, wind, wyoming
0
25
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

EIA projects world energy consumption will increase 56% by 2040 (via US EIA)

Natural gas generation plummets 13.4% as coal surges 11% in US EIA data (via Facts of the Day)

GREEN BUSINESS 

UK green economy grows £6 billion according to government data (via BusinessGreen)

Intel, Microsoft, Kohl’s top EPA Green Power list (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

China’s coal-fired economy dying of thirst as mines lack water (via Bloomberg)

How the White House watered down rules on coal-plant water pollution (via Grist)

EPA Administrator McCarthy’s tenure to be tested by coal sector (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

EU-China solar deal hinges on price as deadline nears (via Reuters)

Report says EU tariffs ending the era of low-cost Chinese solar modules (via Solar Industry Magazine)

UK renewables output soars 19% in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

India adds 566MW of green energy in Q1 (via Panchabuta)

Deepwater turbines “critical” for EU offshore wind (via Recharge)

Insurance costs for renewables may triple to $2.8 billion by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

Biofuel makers seek to ease mandates to avert Congressional overhaul (via Bloomberg)

US solar has best first half of all time in H1 2013 (via SNL)

Wind-bird debate flares with new fatality figure (via EarthTechling)

Solar leasing gains while costs to federal taxpayers falls (via Greentech Media)

The future of US solar power: opportunities in soft costs (via Climate Progress)

Virginia coastline could soon be home to 2GW of offshore wind (via CleanTechnica)

Colorado state capitol first to boast geothermal heating and cooling (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Polar thaw opens shortcut for Russian natural gas (via New York Times)

Chevron to promote shale drilling in Europe (via Houston Chronicle)

House bill would allow US to invest more in African natural gas facilities (via SNL)

DOJ probes US fracking market over antitrust issues (via Reuters)

Fire rages on Gulf rig leaking natural gas (via Washington Post)

Offshore drilling regulation critic runs company operating latest Gulf well blowout rig (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

The North Pole is now a lake (via LiveScience)

A Republican Secretary of State urges action on climate change (via Scientific American)

Obama: Grow middle class to fight climate change (via The Hill)

Four designs for resilient neighborhoods after Sandy (via Good)

EMISSIONS 

Biden urges US-India cooperation on phasing out greenhouse gases (via Climate Progress)

Developing countries to vastly outpace OECD in emissions, says US EIA (via Reuters)

China investing $277 billion over five years to curb air pollution (via Reuters)

British Columbia’s carbon tax cut fuel use, didn’t hurt economy (via CBS News)

Federal court backs EPA ozone limit but orders review of public welfare standard (via Greenwire)

GRID 

Demand response sites to double worldwide by 2020 (via Renew Grid)

Germany’s energy storage subsidy is no solar miracle (via Greentech Media)

The true ROI of smart meter deployments (via Breaking Energy)

New energy storage testing center coming to New York State (via Renew Grid)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Port of Vancouver approves Northwest’s largest oil terminal amid safety concerns (via The Oregonian)

Keystone XL prompts Congress to let lobbyists write letters of support (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Bell’s Brewery sues Enbridge over Kalamazoo River oil spill cleanup (via Michigan Live)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

America’s favorite way to save energy during summer is… (via Outlier)

Alabama state agencies cut energy costs by $3.9 million in 2012 (via Energy Manager Today)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima nuclear cleanup to cost $58 billion (via Phys.org)

TRANSPORTATION 

Charger standards fight confuses EV drivers, puts car company investments at risk (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Three major energy trends to watch: efficiency, renewables, distributed power (via GreenBiz)

Did the Clean Air Act unleash Atlantic hurricanes? (via Washington Post)

Renewable fuels debate: cutting through the hype (via Breaking Energy)

What will replace the California Solar Initiative? (via Renewable Energy World)

POLITICS 

Young US voters think Republican climate dissenters “crazy,” says poll (via The Guardian)

US Navy’s clean energy push to get focus at nomination hearing (via Wall Street Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Air pollution, Alabama, arctic, barack obama, biofuels, british columbia, carbon tax, Chevron, China, clean air act, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Demand response, distributed generation, DOJ, eia, Electric Vehicle, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, Energy Information Administration, energy storage, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, EV charger, fracking, fukushima, George Shultz, geothermal, germany, Gina McCarthy, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, india, intel, Joe Biden, Keystone XL, Kohl's, michigan, Microsoft, natural gas, new york state, News, nuclear, OECD, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Oil exports, oil spill, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, Resiliency, RFS, Russia, Sea ice melt, Shale gas, smart meter, solar, solar leasing, Solar trade war, Superstorm Sandy, tar sands, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Vancouver, virginia, wind
0
25
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

EIA projects world energy consumption will increase 56% by 2040 (via US EIA)

Natural gas generation plummets 13.4% as coal surges 11% in US EIA data (via Facts of the Day)

GREEN BUSINESS 

UK green economy grows £6 billion according to government data (via BusinessGreen)

Intel, Microsoft, Kohl’s top EPA Green Power list (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

China’s coal-fired economy dying of thirst as mines lack water (via Bloomberg)

How the White House watered down rules on coal-plant water pollution (via Grist)

EPA Administrator McCarthy’s tenure to be tested by coal sector (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

EU-China solar deal hinges on price as deadline nears (via Reuters)

Report says EU tariffs ending the era of low-cost Chinese solar modules (via Solar Industry Magazine)

UK renewables output soars 19% in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

India adds 566MW of green energy in Q1 (via Panchabuta)

Deepwater turbines “critical” for EU offshore wind (via Recharge)

Insurance costs for renewables may triple to $2.8 billion by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

Biofuel makers seek to ease mandates to avert Congressional overhaul (via Bloomberg)

US solar has best first half of all time in H1 2013 (via SNL)

Wind-bird debate flares with new fatality figure (via EarthTechling)

Solar leasing gains while costs to federal taxpayers falls (via Greentech Media)

The future of US solar power: opportunities in soft costs (via Climate Progress)

Virginia coastline could soon be home to 2GW of offshore wind (via CleanTechnica)

Colorado state capitol first to boast geothermal heating and cooling (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Polar thaw opens shortcut for Russian natural gas (via New York Times)

Chevron to promote shale drilling in Europe (via Houston Chronicle)

House bill would allow US to invest more in African natural gas facilities (via SNL)

DOJ probes US fracking market over antitrust issues (via Reuters)

Fire rages on Gulf rig leaking natural gas (via Washington Post)

Offshore drilling regulation critic runs company operating latest Gulf well blowout rig (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

The North Pole is now a lake (via LiveScience)

A Republican Secretary of State urges action on climate change (via Scientific American)

Obama: Grow middle class to fight climate change (via The Hill)

Four designs for resilient neighborhoods after Sandy (via Good)

EMISSIONS 

Biden urges US-India cooperation on phasing out greenhouse gases (via Climate Progress)

Developing countries to vastly outpace OECD in emissions, says US EIA (via Reuters)

China investing $277 billion over five years to curb air pollution (via Reuters)

British Columbia’s carbon tax cut fuel use, didn’t hurt economy (via CBS News)

Federal court backs EPA ozone limit but orders review of public welfare standard (via Greenwire)

GRID 

Demand response sites to double worldwide by 2020 (via Renew Grid)

Germany’s energy storage subsidy is no solar miracle (via Greentech Media)

The true ROI of smart meter deployments (via Breaking Energy)

New energy storage testing center coming to New York State (via Renew Grid)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Port of Vancouver approves Northwest’s largest oil terminal amid safety concerns (via The Oregonian)

Keystone XL prompts Congress to let lobbyists write letters of support (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Bell’s Brewery sues Enbridge over Kalamazoo River oil spill cleanup (via Michigan Live)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

America’s favorite way to save energy during summer is… (via Outlier)

Alabama state agencies cut energy costs by $3.9 million in 2012 (via Energy Manager Today)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima nuclear cleanup to cost $58 billion (via Phys.org)

TRANSPORTATION 

Charger standards fight confuses EV drivers, puts car company investments at risk (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Three major energy trends to watch: efficiency, renewables, distributed power (via GreenBiz)

Did the Clean Air Act unleash Atlantic hurricanes? (via Washington Post)

Renewable fuels debate: cutting through the hype (via Breaking Energy)

What will replace the California Solar Initiative? (via Renewable Energy World)

POLITICS 

Young US voters think Republican climate dissenters “crazy,” says poll (via The Guardian)

US Navy’s clean energy push to get focus at nomination hearing (via Wall Street Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Air pollution, Alabama, arctic, barack obama, biofuels, british columbia, carbon tax, Chevron, China, clean air act, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Demand response, distributed generation, DOJ, eia, Electric Vehicle, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, Energy Information Administration, energy storage, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, EV charger, fracking, fukushima, George Shultz, geothermal, germany, Gina McCarthy, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, india, intel, Joe Biden, Keystone XL, Kohl's, michigan, Microsoft, natural gas, new york state, News, nuclear, OECD, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Oil exports, oil spill, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, Resiliency, RFS, Russia, Sea ice melt, Shale gas, smart meter, solar, solar leasing, Solar trade war, Superstorm Sandy, tar sands, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Vancouver, virginia, wind
0
02
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.2.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China’s CO2 growth has turned a corner (via Reuters)

EU ministers urge ETS yes vote (via Recharge)

EPA sends climate rule to White House (via Politico)

New Jersey may rejoin Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia taps new oil areas in plan to preserve capacity (via Reuters)

Moniz: CO2 could enhance US oil production by millions of barrels a day (via Houston Chronicle)

Big lenders wary of following oil money to North Dakota (via Reuters)

Two major lawsuits filed against ExxonMobil for Arkansas tar sands spill (via DeSmog Blog)

RENEWABLES 

California advances pioneering shared renewables bill (via Climate Progress)

Is anything stopping a massive build-out of desert solar? (via Scientific American)

Germany to add 6.5GW of renewable energy this year (via Recharge)

Can Europe meet its 2020 offshore wind targets? (via Renewable Energy World)

Rise in wind and solar expected to boost energy storage market (via Renew Grid)

Austin Energy adds 570MW to wind portfolio (via Renew Grid)

Tennessee public schools to generate nearly $1 million with solar (via Renewable Energy World)

CLIMATE 

Obama seeks to reassert US role in climate debate (via New York Times)

Ocean acidification threatens billion-dollar oyster business (via Climate Central)

Climate change driving more active El Nino cycles (via Yale e360)

Cities lead: preparing for climate change impacts (via EcoAffect)

The climate context behind the deadly Arizona wildfire (via Climate Central)

NRDC releases online tool to track local effects of climate change (via Inhabitat)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas exporters to defend pricing as courts reject oil link (via Houston Chronicle)

Natural gas production remains stable despite low price (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric vehicle drive motor revenue will surpass $2.8 billion annually by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Airbus and Rolls-Royce to build plane powered by algae (via International Business Times)

Biodiesel production nears record output (via Facts of the Day)

Tesla officially gets behind White House petition to allow direct EV sales (via Autoblog Green)

DOE to award up to $13 million to four advanced biofuels projects (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

As China’s demand for coal soars, so does its water scarcity (via ClimateWire)

Deadly heat wave in the West brings fires and travel delays (via New York Times)

Experts see new normal as a hotter, drier West faces more huge fires (via New York Times)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Do green jobs come in any other color? (via Renewable Energy World)

Half of all US retail and hotel projects to be green buildings by 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

New coalition aims to accelerate sustainable purchasing (via Sustainable Industries)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Wireless control systems for smart buildings will reach nearly $295 million in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

8 surprising energy hogs in your home (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

Obama says ravages of climate change is make-or-break issue (via AP)

Koch pledge tied to Congressional climate inaction (via The New Yorker)

Conservatives seek alternatives to climate denialism, come up short (via Grist)

OPINION 

Kevin Rudd needs to seize the moment on climate (via Renew Economy)

How Obama could approve Keystone (via National Journal)

Can Obama’s Africa power plan hold a candle to China? (via Reuters)

Ron Binz will continue FERC’s leadership toward a clean energy future (via Climate Progress)

New Jersey’s new development bill could endanger families, businesses, and first responders (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, arizona, Arkansas, Austin Energy, australia, barack obama, biodiesel, biofuel, california, cap and trade, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Concentrating solar power, csp, El Nino, electric vehicles, emissions, energy storage, Enhanced oil recovery, environment, EOR, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, EU ETS, europe, European Union, ExxonMobil, FERC, germany, green building, green business, green jobs, Heat wave, kevin rudd, Keystone XL, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Natural Resources Defense Council, new jersey, News, north dakota, Ocean acidification, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, regional greenhouse gas initiative, renewables, rggi, rolls royce, Ron Binz, saudi arabia, Shale oil, Shared renewables, solar, Sustainable purchasing, tar sands, Tennessee, Tesla, Transportation, Water scarcity, Wildfire, wind
0
02
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.2.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China’s CO2 growth has turned a corner (via Reuters)

EU ministers urge ETS yes vote (via Recharge)

EPA sends climate rule to White House (via Politico)

New Jersey may rejoin Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia taps new oil areas in plan to preserve capacity (via Reuters)

Moniz: CO2 could enhance US oil production by millions of barrels a day (via Houston Chronicle)

Big lenders wary of following oil money to North Dakota (via Reuters)

Two major lawsuits filed against ExxonMobil for Arkansas tar sands spill (via DeSmog Blog)

RENEWABLES 

California advances pioneering shared renewables bill (via Climate Progress)

Is anything stopping a massive build-out of desert solar? (via Scientific American)

Germany to add 6.5GW of renewable energy this year (via Recharge)

Can Europe meet its 2020 offshore wind targets? (via Renewable Energy World)

Rise in wind and solar expected to boost energy storage market (via Renew Grid)

Austin Energy adds 570MW to wind portfolio (via Renew Grid)

Tennessee public schools to generate nearly $1 million with solar (via Renewable Energy World)

CLIMATE 

Obama seeks to reassert US role in climate debate (via New York Times)

Ocean acidification threatens billion-dollar oyster business (via Climate Central)

Climate change driving more active El Nino cycles (via Yale e360)

Cities lead: preparing for climate change impacts (via EcoAffect)

The climate context behind the deadly Arizona wildfire (via Climate Central)

NRDC releases online tool to track local effects of climate change (via Inhabitat)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas exporters to defend pricing as courts reject oil link (via Houston Chronicle)

Natural gas production remains stable despite low price (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric vehicle drive motor revenue will surpass $2.8 billion annually by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Airbus and Rolls-Royce to build plane powered by algae (via International Business Times)

Biodiesel production nears record output (via Facts of the Day)

Tesla officially gets behind White House petition to allow direct EV sales (via Autoblog Green)

DOE to award up to $13 million to four advanced biofuels projects (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

As China’s demand for coal soars, so does its water scarcity (via ClimateWire)

Deadly heat wave in the West brings fires and travel delays (via New York Times)

Experts see new normal as a hotter, drier West faces more huge fires (via New York Times)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Do green jobs come in any other color? (via Renewable Energy World)

Half of all US retail and hotel projects to be green buildings by 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

New coalition aims to accelerate sustainable purchasing (via Sustainable Industries)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Wireless control systems for smart buildings will reach nearly $295 million in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

8 surprising energy hogs in your home (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

Obama says ravages of climate change is make-or-break issue (via AP)

Koch pledge tied to Congressional climate inaction (via The New Yorker)

Conservatives seek alternatives to climate denialism, come up short (via Grist)

OPINION 

Kevin Rudd needs to seize the moment on climate (via Renew Economy)

How Obama could approve Keystone (via National Journal)

Can Obama’s Africa power plan hold a candle to China? (via Reuters)

Ron Binz will continue FERC’s leadership toward a clean energy future (via Climate Progress)

New Jersey’s new development bill could endanger families, businesses, and first responders (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Airbus, arizona, Arkansas, Austin Energy, australia, barack obama, biodiesel, biofuel, california, cap and trade, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Concentrating solar power, csp, electric vehicles, emissions, energy storage, Enhanced oil recovery, environment, EOR, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, EU ETS, europe, European Union, EVs, ExxonMobil, FERC, germany, green building, green business, green jobs, Heat wave, kevin rudd, Keystone XL, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new jersey, News, north dakota, nrdc, Ocean acidification, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, regional greenhouse gas initiative, renewables, rggi, Ron Binz, saudi arabia, Shale oil, Shared renewables, solar, tar sands, Tennessee, Tesla, Transportation, Water scarcity, Wildfire, wind
0
27
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.27.13

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

CLIMATE 

A political skirmish in Australia could have a big climate impact (via Washington Post)

US heat wave could threaten world’s hottest temperature record (via Climate Central)

Melting sea ice, wobbly jet stream seen as culprits in Alberta floods (via Calgary Herald)

Scientists underscore Obama’s concerns about climate change and severe weather (via ClimateWire)

Obama Administration releases state-by-state climate reports (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Sea level along Maryland shorelines could rise two feet by 2050 (via Phys.org)

COAL

US, China deliver another double blow to Australian coal (via Renew Economy)

World Bank plans to limit financing of coal-fired power plants (via Reuters)

Big coal to fight Obama climate plan (via Wall Street Journal)

The case for a war on coal (via Slate)

RENEWABLES 

IEA: renewables will exceed natural gas and nuclear by 2016 (via CleanTechnica)

Solar energy a boon for power thirsty off-grid Africa (via Energy Manager Today)

Australian solar growing up as PV market eyes next phase (via Renew Economy)

Is China losing its solar companies? (via Sustainable Business)

UK unveils renewable energy price support, electricity market reforms (via BusinessGreen)

Wells Fargo invests $100 million in distributed solar projects (via Energy Manager Today)

Marines push to front lines in renewable energy innovation (via Yale e360)

LA program lets utility pay customers to generate solar power (via Los Angeles Times)

KEYSTONE XL 

In Canada, pipeline remarks stir analysis (via New York Times)

Visions of a greener pipeline (via New York Times)

API spent $22 million lobbying for Keystone XL; State Department contractor ERM an API member (via DeSmog Blog)

EMISSIONS 

USGS assessment finds 3,000 gigaton CO2 storage potential in US (via Green Car Congress)

US climate plan may boost cap and trade (via Reuters)

Federal study touts Gulf Coast for carbon sequestration (via Houston Chronicle)

OIL 

BP steps up spill payments protest with ad campaign (via Reuters)

Massive tar mat dug up off Louisiana coast, 3 years after Gulf oil spill (via CNN)

TRANSPORTATION 

Germany seeks to block EU CO2 car limits for 2020 (via BusinessGreen)

Electric car industry reps cheered by market growth (via Los Angeles Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

UK says shale gas fields twice the size of previous estimates (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Electricity prices soar in West Texas as shale drilling expands (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

Deforestation rising in Amazon countries outside Brazil (via Mongabay)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Empire State Building efficiency retrofit being replicated across the US (via Sustainable Business)

POLITICS 

Rudd sworn in as Australian PM after overthrowing Gillard (via Reuters)

GOP leaders steer clear of climate science fight (via The Hill)

Republicans shift strategy on climate change (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Can Kevin Rudd protect Australia’s climate change credibility? (via The Guardian)

Climate target number one: coal (via Los Angeles Times)

Poll: Americans split on Obama’s handling of climate change (via Huffington Post)

Is Obama’s faith in carbon capture a Technicolor dream? (via Desmog Blog)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Alberta, amazon, american petroleum institute, API, australia, BP, Brazil, canada, cap and trade, Carbon sequestration, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, deforestation, Distributed solar, Electric Vehicle, emissions, empire state building, Energy Efficiency, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, feed-in tariff, FIT, Flood, fracking, Germany EU, global warming, grid, Gulf of Mexico, IEA, International Energy Agency, Julia Gillard, kevin rudd, Keystone XL, los angeles, Louisiana, maryland, natural gas, News, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, rooftop solar, Sea ice melt, Sea level rise, Severe weather, Shale gas, solar, solar pv, State Department, tar sands, texas, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, US Geological Survey, usgs, Wells Fargo, World Bank
0
20
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.20.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Revised EU carbon market fix passes first hurdle (via RTCC)

Obama readying emissions limits on power plants (via New York Times)

Energy risk: the forgotten half of America’s carbon cuts (via Energy Collective)

GOP senators slam significant change to “social cost” of carbon (via The Hill)

US Forest Services study finds urban trees remove air pollution, save lives (via Phys.org)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese nuclear regulator announces safety guidelines overhaul (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

NREL provides open-source system for large-scale energy data collection (via Energy Manager Today)

Energy performance of 60,000 buildings now open to public (via Sustainable Business)

Energy use in US apartments drops nearly 40% (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES 

Top wind power countries in world per capita (via CleanTechnica)

China and Japan drive Africa renewables investment (via Bloomberg)

Renewables offer least-cost option for Africa energy shortages (via Renew Economy)

Germany energy storage incentive could push PV market further (via Renewable Energy World)

Siemens to develop biofuel from steel industry gases (via BusinessGreen)

Optimizing small wind turbines (via Renewable Energy World)

US state-level renewables push is waning (via Reuters)

2013 state solar policy rankings show most solar-friendly states (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

NW residents’ support for coal dropping (via Oregon Public Broadcasting)

CLIMATE 

Global warming threatens Africa food, Asia water within lifetime (via Bloomberg)

Germany insurance claims for flood damage may hit $8 billion (via Reuters)

New US climate strategy coming within weeks (via Reuters)

Ancient pollen in Brazilian rainforest offers climate clues (via BBC News)

Recent trends in climate change indicators (via Energy Collective)

6 of the world’s most extensive climate change adaptation plans (via InsideClimate News)

Report: building resilience to climate-fueled extreme weather “woefully underfunded” (via The Hill)

Mayors launch fight for climate change resiliency (via Energy Collective)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Israel to keep most its natural gas for domestic use (via Reuters)

Shale gas long-term US success poses interim challenges (via EnergyWire)

US gas reserves down amid shale boom (via Breaking Energy)

3.5MW of new US generation capacity added in May, 72% is natural gas (via Facts of the Day)

Study finds consensus on shale drilling’s biggest risks (via Phys.org/Akron Beacon Journal)

ENVIRONMENT 

Philippines financial capital bans plastic bags (via Phys.org)

Study maps likely wildlife migration corridors as climate warms (via Yale e360)

Biologists worried by starving migratory birds tied to climate change (via Washington Post)

Wind-wildlife group begins building bird-death database (via Midwest Energy News)

Seabirds face big problems as sea levels rise (via Mongabay)

Southwest US mega-drought: a bad omen for global forests (via Yale e360)

TRANSPORTATION 

New gas mileage rules will reshape what Americans drive (via Green Car Reports)

Power consumption on Ecotricity’s UK’s electric highway increases 45-fold (via CILT-UK)

Why Tesla thinks it can make battery swapping work (via MIT Technology Review)

US researchers create “green” battery using wood (via United Press International)

OIL 

Norway opens Arctic border area to oil drilling (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

GRID 

EPRI software quantifies value of energy storage (via Energy Manager Today)

Will summer blackouts doom the Texas boom? (via Forbes)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Americans buy green to save money, not the climate (via Mother Jones)

OPINION 

Is Japan solar’s real deal? (via Renewable Energy World)

The time for climate action is now (via Los Angeles Times)

Increased “social cost” of carbon could affect Keystone XL (via CBC News)

The 10 dumbest things ever said about global warming (via Rolling Stone)

Four ways the government subsidizes risky coastal rebuilding (via ProPublica)

Is NYC’s climate plan enough to win the race against rising seas? (via InsideClimate News)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, arctic, barack obama, battery, Battery swapping, biofuel, Brazil, CAFE standards, cap and trade, China, climate, Climate Change, Climate change adaptation, Climate change resiliency, coal, Coal export, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPRI, ERCOT, EU, EU ETS, European Union, ev, ev charging, Extinction, Extreme weather, Floods, fracking, fuel-efficiency, germany, global warming, green business, grid, Israel, japan, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, natural gas, New York City, News, norway, NREL, nuclear, offshore drilling, oil, oregon, Philippines, Plastic bag ban, Renewable energy standards, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, res, rps, Sea level rise, Shale gas, Siemens, small wind, Social cost of carbon, solar, solar pv, Tesla, texas, Transportation, US Forest Service, USFS, wildlife, wind
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04
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.4.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Airlines agree to curb their emissions by 2020 (via The Guardian)

UK confirms backing for stronger EU 2030 emissions targets (via BusinessGreen)

Traffic gridlock grows in African cities, expanding once-tiny carbon footprint (via ClimateWire)

Hotels work together to standardize measuring carbon footprint (via Sustainable Business)

CLIMATE 

US and China intensify climate cooperation (via RTCC)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency retrofits ramp up in China (via GreenBiz)

Energy efficiency firms are eating European utilities’ lunch (via Reuters)

Vehicle program to be stripped from Senate efficiency bill to shrink price tag (via E&E Daily)

COAL 

A little less coal in China – 6 ways it is lowering consumption (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES 

European Union backs down on China solar tariffs (via New York Times)

Climate change likely to thwart biofuel goals (via Houston Chronicle)

Harnessing India’s clean energy Tower Power (via Renew Economy)

Japanese solar industry soaring (via CleanTechnica)

Solar, biomass push out offshore wind in EU targets (via Reuters)

Could climate bonds become a major force in green finance? (via Environmental Leader)

States buffeted by turbulent wind industry (via Stateline)

State renewable energy laws survive repeal attempts – so far (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

Interior Department to unveil plans for offshore wind leases (via The Hill)

Interior Department approves 520MW of renewables (via Greentech Media)

Solar executives okay with declining incentives in Colorado (via Denver Post)

OIL 

Russia joins forces with Scandinavia to finance Arctic oil rush (via Bloomberg)

Kinder Morgan to extend Eagle Ford pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

EVs are getting as cheap as gasoline rivals (via Los Angeles Times)

Nissan Leaf continues strong sales with 2,138; Chevy Volt moves 1,607 (via Autoblog Green)

EV sales in May on pace for 80,000 per year (via Facts of the Day)

Battery advice from Elon Musk: plugged in at full charge is worst thing to do (via San Jose Mercury News)

ENERGY POLICY 

Energy companies call regulatory changes their greatest threat (via Houston Chronicle)

House GOP dusts off energy bills to expand drilling, pipelines (via Politico)

Tea Party targeting Southern Company over solar and nuclear (via San Francisco Chronicle/AP)

Massachusetts launches green bond program to fund clean energy projects (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

China says rural environmental problems and pollution worsened in 2012 (via Reuters)

Extreme weather worsens US wheat production, cuts market share (via Bloomberg)

Severe storms bring more “weather whiplash” to US (via Climate Central)

NUCLEAR 

Worldwide capacity of small modular reactors could pass 18GW by 2030 (via Navigant Research)

Scientists say Fukushima radioactivity in seafood poses minimal health risk (via Phys.org)

Plans for Iowa nuclear power plant scrapped over design, cost concerns (via Des Moines Register)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Illinois must adopt fracking rules, hire experts before expanding drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

Farmers oppose expanding Kansas wind power transmission line (via Topeka Capital-Journal)

POLITICS 

Sen. Alexander proposes “grand principles” for cheaper sustainable energy (via The Hill)

Billionaire Steyer to target Obama supporters in anti-Keystone effort (via The Hill)

OPINION 

3 reasons Chinese solar inverters are half the cost of American inverters (via Breaking Energy)

How to settle the US-China solar war (via Greentech Media)

Tesla was not, in fact, worse than Solyndra (via Grist)

What’s good for Arizona Public Service Isn’t Good for Arizona – or solar (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, arctic, arizona, aviation, barack obama, battery, biofuel, biomass, carbon footprint, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate bonds, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Eagle Ford Shale, Electric Vehicle, Elon Musk, emissions, Emissions reduction, Energy Efficiency, environment, EU, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, fracking, fukushima, grid, Illinois, Incentives, india, interior department, investment, Iowa, japan, Jean Shaheen, kansas, Keystone XL, Kinder Morgan, Lamar Alexander, massachusetts, natural gas, News, nissan LEAF, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Pipeline, Pollution, radioactivity, regulation, Renewable energy portfolio, Renewable energy standard, renewables, res, Rob Portman, rps, Russia, Severe weather, Shale oil, Small modular reactors, solar, Solar tariffs, Solar trade war, solyndra, Southern Company, tea party, Tesla, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Weather whiplash, wind
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29
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.29.13

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

GRID 

Global grid storage market to jump to $10.4 billion by 2017 (via Renew Grid)

Smart grid may plug leaky, wasteful energy systems (via Forbes)

Microgrid merger highlights new business models (via Navigant Research)

PJM secures record amount of new generation, demand response (via Renew Grid)

EMISSIONS 

UN says world could cut emissions by 20B tons by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

UK and Germany see CO2 emissions from energy rise in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Fossil fuel divestment movement reaches 200 colleges (via Toledo Blade/AP)

Oil industry: federal renewable fuel mandate causes more emissions (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

World Bank: business as usual will fail to give sustainable energy for all (via BusinessGreen)

EU tariffs on China solar panels loom as talks fail (via Greentech Media)

Most EU states “oppose PV tariffs” (via Recharge)

China’s threatened solar duties on EU products would hurt its own producers (via Reuters)

1.1GW of wind power to be added in Africa amid new investment (via Inhabitat)

Argentina, Indonesia hit with EU tariff on biodiesel imports (via Bloomberg)

Solar industry anxious over defective panels (via New York Times)

Solar cheaper than wind? (via Sustainable Business)

Wind forecasting and data analytics revenue will surpass $300 million by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Cold climate wind energy showing huge potential (via Phys.org)

Minnesota plants seeds for community solar gardens (via Midwest Energy News)

Wyoming makes power play to export wind energy (via Wall Street Journal)

Kansas City installing solar on municipal buildings, saving $40k/year (via Treehugger)

COAL 

Coal is making a comeback in 2013 (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Germany sticking to 1 million EVs by 2020 target despite slow sales (via Autoblog Green)

Better Place lost $459M on $6.9M in sales last year; cumulative losses of $812M (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla pushes electric-car viability with rapid charging (via Bloomberg)

Musk sticking to plan for “affordable” Tesla model (via Autoblog)

Tesla crosses the $100 per share mark (via GigaOm)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Interior Department faces pressure to slow down fracking rule (via The Hill)

Natural gas may have found its price sweet spot (via Politico)

Illinois counties can do little but brace for fracking’s impact (via Chicago Tribune)

A New Mexico county’s fracking ban is all about the water (via Los Angeles Times)

CLIMATE 

97% global warming consensus meets resistance from science denial (via The Guardian)

Bill would shift NOAA resources from climate research (via Climate Central)

CBS News ties extreme weather to manmade climate change (via Climate Progress)

Bill McKibben wins Sophie Prize for fight against global warming (via Washington Post/AP)

POLITICS 

Former EPA Administrator Jackson heading to Apple (via The Hill)

The obscure county-level election that could change the planet (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Can Pakistan survive climate change? (via ClimateWire)

5 clean tech milestones worth celebrating (via Greentech Media)

Keystone XL approval is a throw of the dice in much bigger gamble (via Huffington Post)

EV industry better off without Better Place (via Navigant Research)

Climate change adaptation: so simple, a caveman could do it (via Grist)

Posted:   |   Categories: adaptation, africa, apple, Argentina, better place, Bill McKibben, biodiesel, biofuels, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Community solar gardens, Demand response, Divestment, electric vehicles, Elon Musk, emissions, energy storage, EPA, EU, European, ev, Extreme weather, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, germany, global warming, grid, Illinois, Indonesia, interior department, Kansas City, Keystone XL, lisa jackson, Microgrid, minnesota, natural gas, New Mexico, News, noaa, pakistan, PJM, Renewable fuel mandate, renewables, smart grid, solar, Solar trade war, Tesla, Transportation, uk, UN, united kingdom, united nations, Washington State, wind, Wind forecasting, World Bank, wyoming
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28
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.28.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Britain calls for EU target to halve emissions by 2030 (via The Independent)

California’s third cap and trade auction sells out at record price (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

Rail picks up steam as a way to move crude (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Better Place announces bankruptcy, board “stands by original vision” (via Autoblog Green)

What Better Place’s bankruptcy tells us about the future of electric cars (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Europe-China solar trade talks end bitterly (via New York Times)

Russia approves 6GW renewables plan (via Recharge)

Brazil prepares for 2014 World Cup with 7 solar stadiums (via Renewable Energy World)

(more…)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Andrew Cuomo, australia, barack obama, better place, blm, Brazil, california, cap and trade, Capacity auction, China, Cincinnati, climate, Climate Change, colorado river, Condor take, DOE, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, environment, EPA, Ernest Moniz, European Union, ev, feed-in tariff, FIT, fracking, global warming, grid, interior department, Kevin Trenberth, Keystone XL, los angeles, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new york state, News, offshore wind, oil, oregon, PACE, PJM, renewables, Russia, Sally Jewell, Solar trade war, State Department, steven chu, tar sands, Transportation, united kingdom, virginia, Washington State, Water scarcity, wind
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