Category Archives:battery

21
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.21.14

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

CLIMATE 

Climate models accurately predicted global warming when reflecting natural ocean cycles (via The Guardian)

Climate models on the mark, finds Australian-led research (via Sydney Morning-Herald)

As Arctic ice melts, polar bears find a new menu (via Climate Central)

Boston may need canals to combat climate change (via WGBH)

Religious effort to halt climate change puts Rabbi Moti Reiber behind church pulpits (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Denmark declares wind “cheapest” form of power (via BusinessGreen)

Quebec seeks to strengthen its wind market (via Recharge)

Solar, wind account for over half of all new U.S. generation in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Wind turbines could rule Tornado Alley (via Forbes)

Maryland offshore wind auction date set, New Jersey auction proposed (via TriplePundit)

Feds to announce South Carolina ocean wind tracts in North Myrtle Beach (via The Sun-News)

Washington State just cut up to $2,500 off the cost of solar panels (via Grist)

SunEdison announces IPO pricing for solar yieldco (via Solar Industry Magazine)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexican energy sector reform takes step forward (via Wall Street Journal)

FERC tell utility industry group to beef up electric grid security proposal (via The Hill)

COAL 

India doubles coal tax to fund clean energy, environment projects (via CleanTechnica)

Minnesota governor calls for eliminating coal from state’s energy production (via Minnesota Public Radio)

Coal fuels brewpubs in Wyoming as Kentucky mines misery (via Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS 

World Bank sees “momentum” behind global carbon price (via RTCC)

Some Chinese carbon projects to exit UN offset market if allowed (via Reuters)

U.S. and China lead the way on carbon capture and storage (via Climate Central)

Some U.S. faith groups unload fossil-fuel investments (via Washington Post)

Drought hinders California’s emissions goals (via San Francisco Chronicle)

El Paso Electric to divest from coal and invest in solar (via Santa Fe New Mexican)

OIL 

Amid global turmoil, oil prices oddly stable (via Navigant Research)

Oil trains, born of U.S. energy boom, face test in new safety rules (via Reuters)

Did Obama just signal he’ll open the Atlantic Coast to drilling? (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

China now has more than 200 million EV drivers (via San Jose Mercury News)

Japan Prime Minister says country will offer $20,000 subsidy for fuel cell cars (via Reuters)

China to mandate one-third of government vehicles be plug-ins (via Green Car Report)

Fuel efficiencies drive down passenger vehicle energy demands (via Houston Chronicle)

How can the United States pay for road upkeep? (via Navigant Research)

Three things you may not know about EV maker Tesla Motors (via Motley Fool)

NUCLEAR 

“Empty and lonely” Fukushima towns struggle in catastrophe’s wake (via Greenwire)

Is EPA about to relax radiation protections from nuclear power? (via Forbes)

GRID 

India village claims first 100% solar, energy storage microgrid (via Renew Economy)

Microgrids: They’re kind of a big deal (via Renewable Energy World)

Behind the scenes at Aquion Energy’s battery factor and the future of solar storage (via GigaOm)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

The ten most energy efficient states in America (via Business Cheat Sheet)

LEDs will slash energy use for lighting by 95% (via Renew Economy)

ENVIRONMENT 

The great American oyster collapse (via Al-Jazeera)

Experts say wildfire threat is already above normal in Western U.S. states (via Washington Post)

EPA moves to thwart Alaskan copper and gold mine (via National Journal)

POLITICS 

Climate regulations back under the microscope in Congress (via The Hill)

Steyer cuts $2 million for climate, Mercer aids Tea Party (via Bloomberg)

A fracking problem for Colorado Democrats (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Australia’s decision to dump its carbon tax reveals more about politics than the environment (via Washington Post)

What if climate change triggers cooperation, not conflict? (via Huffington Post)

Combat global warming by taxing carbon (via The Oregonian)

Poll: Men and women think differently about energy, climate (via Time)

How should climate change be taught? (via National Journal)

Reflecting on climate change upon granddaughter’s birth (via Trenton Times)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, australia, battery, Boston, california, carbon capture, Carbon price, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, denmark, Divestment, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, ev, FERC, Fuel Cells, fukushima, global warming, grid, india, japan, Kentucky, LEDs, maryland, mexico, Microgrids, minnesota, new jersey, News, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil trains, Quebec, renewables, Sea level rise, solar, south carolina, SunEdison, Tesla, Transportation, united nations, Washington State, wildfires, wind, World Bank, wyoming, YieldCo
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30
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.30.14

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

CLIMATE 

World Bank: Tacking climate change will grow the economy (via Climate Central)

Leading insurer closing its climate change office, leaving industry “mute” (via ClimateWire)

Mexico eyes economic benefits of landmark climate law (via RTCC)

The high cost of climate change inaction in two new studies (via NRDC Switchboard)

Wheat breeders planning for climate change (via The Western Producer)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Scotland primed for shale gas exploration (via BusinessGreen)

RENEWABLES 

IRENA says world needs $550 billion of renewables investment a year (via RTCC)

Last week, wind energy was the new baseload in Australia (via Renew Economy)

German lawmakers vote to reduce renewable energy subsidies (via Bloomberg)

SunEdison closes $190 million financing for Chile solar project (via Bloomberg)

Silver lining for China’s carbon-financed wind power boom (via Forbes)

Columbia River Basin provides more than 40% total U.S. hydroelectric generation (via U.S. EIA)

Michigan’s wind industry soaring (via Detroit Free-Press)

Growing number of solar panels a concern for Wisconsin utilities (via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Boston trying out solar-powered “smart benches” in parks (via Boston Globe)

GM adds three acres of solar arrays at Michigan facilities (via Green Car Congress)

SunPower to add storage to solar in new homes (via Greentech Media)

NextEra Energy prices yieldco IPO (via Recharge)

EMISSIONS 

Australia carbon tax moves closer to repeal after vote in lower house (via Reuters)

Caribbean needs $30 billion investment to cut fossil-fuel use (via Bloomberg)

Shanghai firms meet carbon targets after last-day permit auction (via Reuters)

DOE-sponsored project captures one millionth metric ton of CO2 (via Breaking Energy)

NASA to launch CO2-tracking satellite (via The Guardian)

Los Angeles councilman to propose emissions reduction measure (via Los Angeles Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Drought has drillers running after shrinking California water supply (via NPR)

Map shows when summer heat will peak in your town (via Climate Central)

OIL 

The other battle for Canada’s oil sands (via Houston Chronicle)

Following long ban, U.S. could dominate global light oil supply (via Reuters)

Feds, lawmakers warn of fire risk from oil trains (via The Hill)

Oil boom meets bust in Texas: Above sea of oil, poverty digs in (via New York Times)

BP seeks return of millions in oil spill damage payments (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

China only sold 7,000 electric automobiles in 2013 (via Autoblog Green)

Lukewarm automaker interest in open Tesla EV patents (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan prices replacement Leaf battery at $5,500 (via Autoblog Green)

COAL 

MSHA issues 147 citations during coal mine inspections (via Washington Post)

GRID 

UK seeks to avoid “energy crunch” with 53GW capacity auction (via BusinessGreen)

NREL supercomputer tackles grid challenges (via Intelligent Utility)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Berg Insights predicts 36 million smart homes worldwide by 2017 (via GigaOm)

Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance starts financing network (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

OPINION 

Australia risks G20 isolation by scrapping carbon tax (via Financial Times)

The American West’s water crisis (via New York Times)

How carbon pricing can boost the bottom line (via Environmental Leader)

Time to buy shares in a yieldco? (via Sustainable Business)

Will Governor Christie re-embrace cap-and-trade in wake of EPA rule? (via InsideClimate News)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, battery, Boston, BP, california, canada, cap and trade, Capacity auction, carbon capture, Carbon market, carbon tax, Caribbean, Chile, China, Chris Christie, climate, Climate Change, coal, DOE, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ev, fracking, germany, GM, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hydropower, IRENA, los angeles, mexico, michigan, NASA, natural gas, News, NextEra Energy, Nissan, nissan LEAF, NREL, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, Oil train, regional greenhouse gas initiative, renewables, rggi, Scotland, SEEA, Shale gas, Shanghai, Smart home Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, solar, Subsidy, SunEdison, SunPower, tar sands, Tesla, texas, Transportation, united kingdom, wind, Wisconsin, World Bank, YieldCo
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24
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.24.14

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

CLIMATE 

May 2014: Earth’s 2nd consecutive warmest month on record (via Weather Underground)

Bipartisan report tallies high toll on economy from global warming (via New York Times)

World Bank says tackling climate change would grow global economy (via The Guardian)

With rising heat and humidity, many U.S. areas will be “unsuited for outdoor activity” (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

Australian PM Tony Abbott introduces carbon tax repeal bill (via Huffington Post)

U.S. Supreme Court nibbles at EPA’s greenhouse gas powers (via Politico)

University of Dayton ditches fossil fuels (via BusinessGreen)

RENEWABLES 

UK Green Investment Bank plans $1.7 billion offshore wind fund (via Bloomberg)

German state will soon go 100% renewable electricity (via Renew Economy)

Three lessons learned from Latin America’s red-hot solar market (via CleanTechnica)

U.S. wind headed for dismal year as carbon emissions rise (via RTCC)

Market share for leasing residential solar to peak in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Renewables provided 88% of new U.S. electrical generating capacity in May 2014 (via Renewable Energy World)

Rooftop solar leases scaring buyers when homeowners sell (via Bloomberg)

Texas hits new peak wind output of 29% total electricity load (via U.S. EIA)

Setback rule will end new wind farms in Ohio (via Greentech Media/Midwest Energy News)

Ohio’s freeze on renewable mandates encourages clean energy foes (via Navigant Research)

SunPower offers batteries to hold solar power until night (via Bloomberg)

Solar installer to use drones for rooftop inspections (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Mosiac expands solar loan program for residential installers (via Solar Industry Magazine)

COAL 

King Coal faces rising investment backlash in Australia (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

U.S. Midwest receives two months of rainfall in one week (via Climate Progress)

California drought poised to drive up food prices as it worsens (via International Business Times)

Half of Colorado in some level of drought (via AP)

Greenpeace losses: Leaked documents reveal extent of financial disarray (via The Guardian)

NUCLEAR 

UK nuclear cleanup bill rises by £2.2 billion (via Financial Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Consumer group: U.S. drivers buying more fuel-efficient cars (via The Hill)

California puts its EV-owner survey info online (via Green Car Reports)

GRID 

Wind industry unites to support 3.5GW Clean Line transmission project (via Renew Grid)

ComEd to complete smart meter rollout three years early (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Thanks to tablets and better TV tech, more gadgets use less energy (via GigaOm)

POLITICS 

White House planning another big climate push (via Huffington Post)

Gasoline fears drive congressional energy agenda (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

The losing bet on climate change (via Bloomberg)

Could Obama’s climate rule come undone? (via National Journal)

Why a national carbon tax would be amazing – in four charts (via Climate Progress)

Storm clouds gathering over the U.S. solar industry (via Renewable Energy World)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, battery, california, carbon tax, Clean Line, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, ComEd, Divestment, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, ev, Extreme weather, Fossil fuel divestment, fuel-efficiency, gas prices, germany, global warming, Green bank, greenpeace, grid, Illinois, Latin America, Mosiac, News, nuclear, offshore wind, Ohio, renewables, smart meter, solar, SunPower, texas, Tony Abbott, transmission, Transportation, united kingdom, University of Dayton, wind, World Bank
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23
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.23.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

France launches €5 financing plan for clean energy transition (via Reuters)

Utilities unsure of future as environmental regs loom (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Yieldco returns in high demand from energy sector (via Financial Times)

Beyond the bank: A new peer-to-peer financing model connects investors to projects (via Greentech Media)

California wrestles with emerging energy business models (via Navigant Research)

EMISSIONS 

Australia’s Abbott revives proposal to scrap carbon-price levy (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

European Union mulls cutting energy use 35% by 2030 (via The Guardian)

RENEWABLES 

Off-grid, clean energy access market valued at $12 billion (via Energy Collective)

India power ministry seeks to reverse solar dumping duties (via Bloomberg)

Japan domestic solar shipments more than doubled in fiscal 2013 (via Bloomberg)

Australians want renewable energy target retained by 72% majority (via The Guardian)

Italy’s planned solar subsidy cuts risk scaring off investors (via Reuters)

Solar tariffs to boost prices of Chinese solar panels 14% (via Bloomberg)

Drifting off the coast of Portugal, the frontrunner in the global race for floating wind farms (via The Guardian)

U.S. water stress may drive shift to renewable power (via RTCC)

Renewable power initiative is stalling in San Francisco (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Solar at grid parity in Utah, a coal state with no renewable standard (via Greentech Media)

SolarCity’s acquisition of Silveo spurs rise in solar stocks (via CleanTechnica)

Despite funding setback, Lake Erie offshore wind project pushes ahead (via Midwest Energy News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Pressure builds against France’s fracking ban (via Los Angeles Times)

LNG rally fading on new supply as nukes set to restart (via Bloomberg)

Higher U.S. natgas price needed to boost shale growth, says economist (via Reuters)

Pennsylvania ordered its health workers to never discuss fracking (via Grist)

CLIMATE 

Waves in the atmosphere fueling extreme weather (via Climate Central)

U.S. summer temperatures have risen up to five degrees since 1970 (via Yale e360)

U.S. mayors to use nature in climate change fight (via AP/ABC News)

COAL 

Rising German coal use imperils European emissions deal (via Bloomberg)

North Carolina residents worry over coal ash ponds (via USA Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Fears of EPA land grab create groundswell against water rule (via The Hill)

The White House wants to save America’s bees (via Time)

As California drought worsens, water use dips slightly (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

IEA: Unconventional oil boom to spread beyond North America by 2019 (via Houston Chronicle)

Russia needs U.S. technology to unlock $8.2 trillion oil trove (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla is world’s most important automaker, says Morgan Stanley (via Los Angeles Times)

Tesla prepping Supercharger network for big growth across Europe (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla looks to fuel a battery revolution (via Navigant Research)

GRID 

Texas turns into testing ground for energy storage (via Texas Tribune)

NERC’s Summer Reliability Assessment highlights regional electricity capacity margins (via U.S. EIA)

OPINION 

The United States of drought (via Washington Post)

The RFS is broken and E85 is no solution (via Breaking Energy)

What the SolarCity-Silveo acquisition could mean (via CleanTechnica)

POLITICS 

Inside the vast liberal conspiracy (via Politico)

Democrats use climate change as wedge issue on Republicans (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Julian Castro is Obama’s newest climate denizen (via National Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, battery, california, Capacity margin, Carbon pricing, China, climate, coal, coal ash, Coal ash spill, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, Extreme weather, fracking, France, germany, global warming, grid, Grid Parity, IEA, india, italy, japan, Julian Castro, Liquefied natural gas, LNG, Morgan Stanley, natural gas, Natural gas exports, NERC, News, North Carolina, offshore wind, oil, pennsylvania, Portugal, Renewable energy standard, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, Russia, san francisco, Shale gas, Shale oil, solar, Solar trade war, SolarCity, Tesla, Tesla Supercharger, texas, Tony Abbott, Transportation, utah, YieldCo
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30
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.30.14

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

EPA EMISSIONS PLAN 

Obama to unveil historic plan to cut U.S. carbon pollution by up to 25% (via The Guardian)

How Obama’s power plant emission rules will work (via Washington Post)

EPA’s approach on carbon limits to spark court challenges (via Wall Street Journal)

GAO shuts down McConnell’s push to block EPA carbon regulations (via The Hill)

NRDC says Obama climate rule will save consumers $37 billion (via The Hill)

EPA may nod to nuclear in carbon rules as generators fear closures (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

China expects to launch national carbon market in 2018 (via RTCC)

CO2 monitoring could be “space-based” in the future (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil expects 3GW new wind power in auctions this year (via Recharge)

UK solar capacity passes 3GW (via RTCC)

Japan wind lobby boosts wind capacity target by half (via Bloomberg)

Iceland moves closer to power Europe with geothermal power (via Bloomberg)

UK radar fix could open up 1GW of onshore wind potential (via BusinessGreen)

Rooftop solar’s emerging markets are in middle-class neighborhoods (via Climate Progress)

Connecting the dots: How fossil-fuel interests are funding state RPS battles (via Greentech Media)

Biodiesel producers push for higher mandate (via The Hill)

Ohio freezes standards for renewable energy in landmark vote (via Bloomberg)

Solazyme opens commercial algae oil factory in Brazil (via GigaOm)

California moves closer to streamlined solar permitting (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

AEP foresees coal plant closures on Obama plan (via Bloomberg)

Testing shows slow movement of coal ash in Dan River (via Roanoke Times)

Coal ash spill upends North Carolina politics, but will substantive legislation result? (via E&E Daily)

CLIMATE 

Fishing industry is poised to lose billions due to climate change (via Climate Progress)

Markey meets Pope to make common cause on climate (via Boston Globe)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia’s energy minister says no gas payments from Ukraine (via Reuters)

Pro-fracking bill flies through North Carolina legislature (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Study: Species disappearing far faster than before (via AP)

Brazil drought fuels World Cup blackout fears (via RTCC)

KEYSTONE 

TransCanada credibility dented by Keystone defects (via Forbes)

TRANSPORTATION 

California, seven other states ready for 3.3 million EVs by 2025 (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

Advanced battery capacity for utility-scale storage will grow 71% per year through 2023 (via Navigant Research)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Missouri utility to make up for lost time on energy efficiency (via Midwest Energy News)

POLITICS 

Republicans on climate science: Don’t ask us (via Politico)

The House Science Committee spent yesterday in a climate change denial echo chamber (via Motherboard)

Harry Reid’s attacks on Koch Brothers sends GOP donors into shadows (via Washington Post)

Big money, the Koch Brothers, and me (via Politico)

OPINION 

Obama is planning his biggest climate policy yet – and he doesn’t need Congress (via Vox)

Wonks collide as Obama climate plan prompts new ideas (via Forbes)

Evolving the conversation on climate change (via Washington Post)

Lies, damn lies, and global warming rules (via National Journal)

You down with LCOE? Maybe you, but not me (via RMI Outlet)

Posted:   |   Categories: AEP, battery, biodiesel, Blackout, Brazil, california, Carbon market, China, climate, coal, coal ash, Coal ash spill, drought, Ed Markey, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, europe, ev, Extinction, fracking, GAO, geothermal, grid, harry reid, Iceland, japan, Keystone XL, Koch Brothers, LCOE, Missouri, Mitch McConnell, natural gas, News, North Carolina, nrdc, nuclear, Ohio, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, rps, Russia, solar, Solar soft costs, Solazyme, TransCanada, Transportation, uk, Ukraine, united kingdom, wind
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27
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.27.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Australian power prices to surge, utilities to profit if renewable target scrapped (via Bloomberg)

India PM Modi appoints banker to oversee renewables, coal, power (via Bloomberg)

Wellinghoff to utilities: Time to rethink your business model (via GreenBiz)

CLIMATE 

Extreme U.S. and UK winters linked to greenhouse gases (via Bloomberg)

Over 50 trade unions launch global climate action campaign (via BusinessGreen)

COAL 

Russian firm studying world’s largest coal-fired plant to supply China (via Reuters)

A bogus claim electricity prices will “nearly double” because of clean coal technology (via Washington Post)

Rural North Carolina sites become coal ash dumping grounds (via News Observer)

RENEWABLES 

Danish report says 100% renewables feasible by 2050 (via Renew Economy)

China solar PV exports rise on emerging market expansions (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar farmers in Japan harvest electricity with crops (via Bloomberg)

Half of German solar jobs disappear in 2013 (via Recharge)

Australian navy to join U.S. in switch to biofuels (via Renew Economy)

U.S. to reach 20GW solar PV by end of 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Wind Production Tax Credit still up in the air (via Energy Manager Today)

U.S. hydro losing edge to wind, solar (via Recharge)

Applying the lessons of politics to green power (via New York Times)

Utah’s solar power homeowners fight proposed utility fee (via Salt Lake Tribune)

Georgia power adding wind, boosting solar (via Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Smoothing the flow of renewable solar energy in California’s Central Valley (via Energy.gov)

Massive California multi-family apartment complex completes solar installation (via Inhabitat)

SolarCity snaps up another partner – and more money (via SmartPlanet)

SolarCity expands to second island in Hawaii (via CleanTechnica)

Community solar coming of age in Michigan (via Midwest Energy News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia-China natural gas deal fuels U.S. export push (via The Hill)

Putin says Ukraine has no right to demand natgas price discount (via Reuters)

Polish plan on EU Russian natural gas buying gains support (via Reuters)

Shakeout threatens U.S. shale patch as frackers go for broke (via Bloomberg)

Gas boom starts to hit home for residents of Southeastern Pennsylvania (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Bill introduced to speed up fracking in Illinois (via Chicago Tribune)

EMISSIONS 

Northern hemisphere hits carbon dioxide milestone in April (via Reuters)

“Time is running out” to stop rising CO2 levels, says UN (via Time)

Deep underground carbon deposits could pose global warming threat if exposed (via Raw Story/Agence France-Presse)

South Africa has Africa’s largest carbon footprint (via Africa Science News)

WRI tool shows “history of CO2 emissions” (via Environmental Leader)

OIL 

Mexican energy reform seeks to reverse oil production decline (via US EIA)

Sharp rise in West Coast oil trains, fears abound (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Oil boom places 3 of 5 fastest-growing U.S. cities in Texas, shows census (via AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

China to scrap over 5 million old cars in anti-pollution push (via Reuters)

100% of Dutch electric trains could run on renewable energy by 2018 (via CleanTechnica) 

Toyota, Honda, Nissan and more collaborating to increase fuel efficiency (via Autoblog)

As of today, Nissan has solar 50,000 Leafs in U.S., 115,000 globally (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canada oil will flow any way it can to U.S., says transport minister (via Reuters)

New safety requirements set for Keystone XL pipeline (via Kansas City Star)

ENVIRONMENT 

Alaska wildfire scorches an area larger than Chicago (via Los Angeles Times)

California drought: State’s flawed water system can’t track usage (via Huffington Post Green)

NUCLEAR 

U.S. plants prepare long-term nuclear waste storage facilities (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

GRID 

Brazil grid bottlenecks to ease with new transmission (via Recharge)

An almond farm and a “big-ass battery” show future of energy in California (via GigaOm)

POLITICS 

One GOP Senate candidate is backing climate change (via The Hill)

Hillary Clinton’s Keystone XL headache (via Politico)

OPINION 

Could Australia really dismantle its carbon price? (via The Guardian)

Tough emissions cuts would prove the U.S. is serious about climate change (via Washington Post)

The truth about Stanford’s coal divestment shows hurdles ahead (via New Republic)

No thanks to Congress, America has added 5,600 new clean energy jobs in 2014 (via Climate Progress)

What’s the best way to write U.S. climate rule? (via National Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: 400ppm, africa, alaska, australia, battery, biofuels, Brazil, california, canada, China, clean coal, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, community solar, denmark, Divestment, drought, emissions, energy storage, environment, EU, European Union, Extreme weather, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, Georgia, Georgia Power, germany, green jobs, grid, Hawaii, hillary clinton, honda, Hydropower, Illinois, india, japan, Jon Wellinghoff, Keystone XL, mexico, michigan, natural gas, Netherlands, News, Nissan, nissan LEAF, North Carolina, nuclear, oil, oil spill, Oil trains, pennsylvania, Poland, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, Russia, Shale gas, solar, SolarCity, South Africa, Stanford University, tar sands, texas, Tom Matzzie, Toyota, transmission, Transportation, uk, Ukraine, united kingdom, utah, Vladimir Putin, Wildfire, wind
0
19
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.19.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Obama greenhouse gas cuts split power, coal industries (via Bloomberg)

Obama’s big carbon crackdown readies for launch (via Politico)

California air board urges doubling of emission cut targets after 2020 (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Governor Brown says University of California coal divestment is a possibility (via Los Angeles Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia-China natural gas deal preparations in “final phase” says Putin (via Reuters)

Support for fracking in United Kingdom falls below 50% (via The Guardian)

A fracking boom where there is no fracking (via National Journal)

North Carolina bill would make fracking chemical disclosure a felony (via EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES 

India’s new government plans to use solar to bring power to every home by 2019 (via Bloomberg)

Saudi Arabia in policy shift seeking solar through Aramco (via Bloomberg)

Solar versus the grid: Map shows where PV makes the most sense (via Greentech Media)

Renewable energy wins in Colorado and Iowa, loses in Ohio (via Sustainable Business)

Texas renewable energy production increases 12% in 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

Georgia Power plan would install 90MW in solar arrays on three Army bases (via EnergyWire)

Maryland Governor O’Malley vetoes wind turbine moratorium (via EnviroPolitics)

COAL 

Pipeline collapse in China coal mine kills 11 (via ABC News/AP)

The coal plant to end all coal plants? (via Washington Post)

Michigan seeks to expand coal ash use, but at what cost? (via Midwest Energy News)

CLIMATE 

Greenland glaciers more susceptible to melt than thought (via Climate Central)

Rift widening between energy, insurance industries over climate change (via Forbes)

California governor links wildfire increase to climate change (via The Guardian)

TRANSPORTATION 

China’s push for better fuel economy has a bigger purpose (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla edges out Toyota as California’s top auto employer (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Coral reefs protect shorelines by reducing wave energy 97% (via Climate Progress)

Rate of US honeybee deaths “to high for long-term survival” (via The Guardian)

Drought worse than Dust Bowl in New Mexico, Colorado, Texas (via Forbes)

US wildfire season starts 75 days early (via New York Times)

California drought conditions to persist through summer (via Bloomberg)

Louisiana lawsuits seek oil and gas industry money to restore coastline (via Los Angeles Times)

Project bringing 15,000 trees to vacant lots in Detroit (via AP)

KEYSTONE XL 

Jane Kleeb versus the Keystone Pipeline (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

In California, a real-world proving ground for energy efficient buildings (via SmartPlanet)

Latest generation video game consoles waste energy even when you’re not playing (via NRDC Switchboard)

NUCLEAR 

U.S. ends nuclear waste fee collections with $31 billion on hand and no disposal option in sight (via Greenwire)

GRID 

Germany’s residential battery storage subsidy sees 4,000 new systems in 1st year (via CleanTechnica)

POLITICS 

Efforts to make climate deniers pay a political price may finally be getting somewhere (via National Journal)

Senate blocks $85 billion tax cut bill because it would have helped wind energy (via Climate Progress)

Miami will likely be underwater before Congress acts on climate change (via National Journal)

OPINION 

What’s exceptional about the current drought, and what isn’t (via Washington Post)

Is climate change too risky for business? (via The Hill)

Obama’s FERC problem isn’t going away (via The Hill)

Clean tech investments are sexy again, here’s why (via SmartPlanet)

Posted:   |   Categories: Aramco, battery, california air resources board, CARB, China, climate, coal, coal ash, colorado, Coral reefs, Detroit, Divestment, drought, Dust Bowl, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, FERC, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, Fuel Economy, Georgia Power, germany, greenland, grid, india, Iowa, Keystone XL, Louisiana, Martin O'Malley, maryland, Miami, michigan, natural gas, New Mexico, News, North Carolina, nuclear, nuclear waste, Ohio, renewables, Russia, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, solar, Tesla, texas, Toyota, Transportation, united kingdom, University of California, Vladimir Putin, Wildfire, wind
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16
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.16.14

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Mexico’s energy reform could take a bite out of U.S. shale-gas sellers, says EIA chief (via Houston Chronicle)

North Carolina fracking bill would clear way for exploratory drilling next spring (via News Observer)

FERC finds little environmental impact in Maryland natural gas export project (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Obama said to consider power plant emissions rule that tests law (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China targets 70GW of solar power to cut coal reliance (via Bloomberg)

Philippines cuts ribbon on first utility-scale solar farm (via BusinessGreen)

24/7 concentrating solar power plant gains environmental approval in Chile (via Triple Pundit)

The red-hot renewable that could incite a green power revolution (via Climate Progress)

On-site solar could spawn tax consequences (via Energy Manager Today)

What does the Colorado decision mean for challenges to state clean energy targets? (via Greentech Media)

Wind Production Tax Credit stalls in US Senate (via Recharge)

Austin’s energy mix just got much sunnier with 150MW solar farm (via StateImpact Texas)

CLIMATE 

Climate change “biggest issue in 2014 proxy season” (via Environmental Leader)

More big companies say they’re concerned about climate risks (via The Guardian)

Brazil “unprepared” for climate change, warns leading scientist (via RTCC)

Wyoming Gov. Mead seeks to recast on climate change to solutions (via Star-Tribune)

New $1.1 billion sea wall protects New Orleans against major storms but may cultivate complacency (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Beyond Keystone XL, more pipelines with more problems (via Greenwire)

Keystone XL delays fuel push for Canada east coast oil pipeline (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

A future of thirst: Hydrologists predict worldwide water crisis (via Jamaica Observer/Agence France-Presse)

All of California in severe drought for first time this century (via USA Today)

Drought among the worst in Texas in past 500 years (via Houston Chronicle)

23% of American honeybee colonies died this winter, report Feds (via Huffington Post/AP)

GRID 

FERC approves changes to PJM’s demand response program (via Renew Grid)

Texas mulls capacity market (via EnergyBiz)

Elon Musk sees nearly unlimited demand for energy storage (via San Francisco Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How much did Nest Labs save utilities last summer? (via Greentech Media)

In Opower’s first earnings report as a public company, it grows sales, widens loss (via GigaOm)

TRANSPORTATION 

Why the federal gas tax is way too low (via Washington Post)

U.S. Senate panel backs transportation bill to maintain funding (via Reuters)

Plug-in rebates finally come to Texas, but not for Tesla (via StateImpact Texas)

POLITICS 

The dirty politics that killed the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill (via Greentech Media)

Sen. Whitehouse challenges Sen. Rubio on climate change (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Why the struggle over climate is moving to the executive branch (via National Journal)

Local, state governments lead the way on global warming (via The Oregonian)

Why is Texas terrible at producing solar power? (via National Journal)

Inslee’s climate effort will face steep odds (via Crosscut)

Posted:   |   Categories: Austin, battery, Brazil, california, canada, Capacity market, Chile, China, clean coal, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Concentrating solar power, Demand response, drought, eia, Elon Musk, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, FERC, fracking, Gas tax, geothermal, global warming, grid, jay inslee, Keystone XL, Marco Rubio, maryland, Matt Mead, mexico, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Nest, New Orleans, News, North Carolina, Opower, Philippines, PJM Interconnection, production tax credit, renewables, Sea level rise, Shaheen-Portman, Shale gas, Sheldon Whitehouse, solar, Tesla, texas, Transportation, wind, wyoming
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15
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.15.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Fossil-free investment portfolios soared 50% in 2013 (via RTCC)

Obama said to put personal push behind EPA emission rules (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

LNG, power demand driving shift in U.S. gas flow (via Houston Chronicle)

Overwhelming vote advances extenders bill, but hurdles remain (via E&E Daily)

Ohio’s manufacturers on both sides of debate over efficiency and renewables (via Plain-Dealer)

RENEWABLES 

Bangladesh leads the world in small solar power home installations (via Mashable)

Is 3,000MW of new Nigeria solar power a model to end energy poverty? (via CleanTechnica)

India may back solar duties after probe finds dumping (via Bloomberg)

Netherlands’ largest offshore wind farm powers forward (via BusinessGreen)

80% of British support renewable energy (via Renewable Energy World)

US biodiesel producers hit hard by policy uncertainty (via Biodiesel.org)

Senate debates wind tax credit extension (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

Delays on climate change have cost us $8 trillion, says IEA (via New Scientist)

IPCC reports “diluted” under “political pressure” to protect fossil fuel interests (via The Guardian)

Warming shifting hurricane impacts away from tropics (via Climate Central)

Japan, Australia urge developing countries to do more on climate (via RTCC)

Kerry to warn of national security climate threats in speech (via The Hill)

Insurance company sues Illinois cities for climate damage (via ClimateWire)

Raging California wildfires fueled by unusually hot May weather (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

U.S. crude output advances to 28-year high on shale boom (via Bloomberg)

Expert: White House likely to lift oil export ban (via Houston Chronicle)

Investors pressuring oil industry over $1.1 trillion exposure to high-cost projects (via Forbes)

California’s thirst shapes debate over fracking (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

White House urges Congress to shore up depleted Highway Trust Fund (via Autoblog)

2015 Chevy Spark will have lighter, smaller battery (via Autoblog Green)

Elon Musk says yes to The Oatmeal’s $8 million request for Nikola Tesla museum (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

National Grid to spend more in U.S. for storm protection (via Reuters)

Three U.S. grid facilities you should know about (via Energy.gov)

COAL 

Beginning of end for coal? Citi sees structural decline (via Renew Economy)

Coal missing boom as climate foes clean Asia’s backyard (via Bloomberg)

GREEN BUILDING 

Enviros bash industry-backed “green” building program (via Grist)

POLITICS 

Steyer targets Rubio, 2016 hopefuls on climate (via The Hill)

Scott Brown urged GOP senators to kill Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill (via Huffington Post)

OPINION 

The first climate tipping point has arrived: Will it be the last? (via Huffington Post)

The $4 trillion mistake: Climate action delayed is climate action denied (via Climate Progress)

Is the White House worried about a Republican president overturning Obama’s climate legacy? (via Bloomberg BNA)

Time to act on U.S. natural gas exports (via CNBC)

Florida already feeling effects of climate change (via Tampa Bay Times)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, Bangladesh, battery, biodiesel, california, Chevy Spark, Citibank, climate, Climate Change, Climate resiliency, coal, Divestment, drought, Elon Musk, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, Florida, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, global warming, green building, grid, Highway Trust Fund, IEA, Illinois, india, IPCC, japan, Jeanne Shaheen, john kerry, Liquefied natural gas, LNG, Marco Rubio, national grid, Natural gas exports, Netherlands, News, nigeria, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, Oil exports, production tax credit, ptc, scott brown, Shaheen-Portman, Shale oil, solar, Solar trade war, Tesla, Tom Steyer, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wildfires
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14
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.14.14

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

CLIMATE 

Climate change poses growing threat of Arctic conflict, finds report (via The Guardian)

April was 2nd warmest globally; Average for U.S. (via Climate Central)

Norway bets on global warming in Arctic oil and gas drive (via Yahoo! News/Reuters)

Rubio can’t name a single source behind his climate denial (via Climate Progress)

COAL 

China produces and consumes almost as much coal as the rest of the world combined (via US EIA)

Turkish prime minister says 238 killed in coal mine disaster (via Reuters)

Two coal miners killed at West Virginia coal operation (via Charleston Gazette)

In Chicago, nurses take up fight against petcoke piles (via Midwest Energy News)

RENEWABLES 

Australia scraps $2.3 billion renewable energy agency (via Recharge)

Industry says renewables can boost EU energy security (via BusinessGreen)

$11 billion will be invested in Indian solar energy by 2017 (via Renewable Energy World)

UK sees sharp rise in percentage of onshore wind farms being rejected (via BusinessGreen)

U.S. solar experts say IRS tax proposal little help to big projects (via Reuters)

Massachusetts wants more solar energy projects (via Boston Globe/AP)

Missouri Senate rejects solar rebates revival (via KSDK/AP)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EPA asked to regulate fracking’s toxic air emissions (via InsideClimate News)

Unintended consequences: Fracking and the flow of drugs (via National Journal)

ENVIRONMENT 

U.S. drought speeds fire season with damage topping $1 billion (via Bloomberg)

Half of U.S. is experiencing some degree of drought (via Yale e360)

OIL 

ConocoPhillips CEO: U.S. crude keeping a check on global oil price spikes (via Houston Chronicle)

Latest oil train derailment adds pressure for stronger U.S. action (via Christian Science Monitor)

TRANSPORTATION 

Sales of hybrid and EV batteries have tripled in three years (via Climate Progress)

California Energy Commission publishes 2014-2015 investment plan for alternative and EV technology (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla appears to be winning direct sales battle in Missouri (via Autoblog Green)

EMISSIONS 

Beijing’s smog police outgunned in China’s war on pollution (via Reuters)

GRID 

How will battery storage help utilities integrate distributed solar? (via Greentech Media)

EAGLE-I: First-ever technology to track power outages nationwide (via Breaking Energy)

NUCLEAR 

Exelon pins nuclear hopes on small modular reactors (via Forbes)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How mandatory disclosure of building energy use affects your 401(k) (via GreenBiz)

KEYSTONE XL 

Blanche Lincoln: Obama will “move on” Keystone XL next year (via Politico)

POLITICS 

Front-running Ontario premier candidate would close down green energy (via Treehugger)

What would a GOP majority look like? Last week offered some clues. (via National Journal)

Welcome to energy and the midterm elections (via Politico)

Rubio walks back climate change comments during National Press Club appearance (via Washington Post)

Ohio bill to freeze efficiency, green energy rules racing toward Governor’s desk (via Cleveland Plain-Dealer)

OPINION 

The world needs more clean coal, or we’re screwed (via Time)

You are already paying a price on carbon (via Huffington Post)

How utilities can stop losing revenue and start making money on solar (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, australia, battery, Beijing, Benchmarking, Blanche Lincoln, california, California Energy Commission, Carbon pricing, chicago, China, clean coal, climate, Climate Change, coal, ConocoPhillips, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, Exelon, fracking, global warming, grid, hybrid, india, Keystone XL, Marco Rubio, massachusetts, methane, Missouri, natural gas, News, norway, nuclear, offshore drilling, Ohio, oil, oil spill, Oil train, ontario, Petcoke, renewables, small modular reactor, Smog, solar, Tesla, Transportation, Turkey, uk, united kingdom, West Virginia, Wildfire, wind
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