Category Archives:battery

12
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.12.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Obama administration limits on soot pollution upheld by appeals court (via Los Angeles Times)

Deval Patrick calls for “future free of fossil fuels,” zero coal in four years (via Climate Progress)

Stanford divesting coal helps students seeking domino effect (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

Merkel says Germany would support Siemens-Alstom merger (via Reuters)

Obama doubles down on solar, energy efficiency in climate push (via The Hill)

US failed to inspect thousands of at-risk oil and gas wells, finds report (via The Guardian)

House votes to make energy research tax credit permanent (via ABC News/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Global renewable energy jobs count tops 6.5 million (via BusinessGreen)

UBS: Solar could be 10% global capacity by 2020 (via Renew Economy)

Germany approves 328MW of offshore wind (via Recharge)

Chile approves 110MW solar-thermal plant (via Recharge)

Renewables provide record 27% of German electricity demand (via Bloomberg)

Mexico’s newly opened energy market attracts renewables (via Renewable Energy World)

More solar energy powering corporate America (via USA Today)

Wal-Mart doubles down on solar energy plans (via Wall Street Journal)

SolarCity surges on higher rooftop installation forecast (via Bloomberg)

US hopes to tap offshore wind potential (via Houston Chronicle)

ABB rolls out new grid interconnection technology for wind farms (via Renew Grid)

Solar seen bailing California out of summer hydro shortage (via Bloomberg)

Ohio senate votes to kill state’s renewable energy standard (via Climate Progress)

Hawaii confronts green energy’s bugaboo: Batteries (via Christian Science Monitor)

The only active landfill in Vermont goes solar (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

China’s coal dependency threatens efforts to curb warming (via New York Times)

Coal investments a bad bet for state pensions (via Times-Union)

After coal ash spill, Dan is a river of calm and caution (via Winston-Salem Journal)

CLIMATE 

Lloyd’s of London urges insurers to factor in climate change risk (via Environmental Leader)

Obama continues to push unilateral action to fight climate change (via National Journal)

As population surges, harsh Southwest climate will only get harsher (via Climate Progress)

South Carolina’s solution to sea level rise: Build more walls (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Senate standoff threatens to kill energy efficiency bill (via The Hill)

Energy bill fizzles as Senate begins debate on tax extenders (via National Journal)

Better Buildings Challenge partners reduce energy use 2.5% (via Energy Manager Today)

PACE is picking up for Michigan efficiency program (via Midwest Energy News)

Philips continues lighting revolution, tweaks LEDs for hydroponic growing (via GigaOm)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia ratchets up Ukraine’s gas bills in shift to economic battlefield (via New York Times)

Cleanest fossil fuel is Wall Street’s bet on climate change (via Bloomberg)

EPA weighs rule requiring fracking chemical disclosure (via The Hill)

Hundreds of small quakes in North Texas since December (via StateImpact Texas)

EMISSIONS 

IEA: Decarbonizing world economy will save $71 trillion by 2050 (via RTCC)

Few funds ready to follow Stanford’s lead on fossil fuel stocks (via Reuters) 

OIL 

Oil industry risks $1.1 trillion of investor cash (via Bloomberg)

Saudi Arabia, OPEC said will cover any Ukraine-related oil shortage (via Reuters)

BNSF says federal order won’t affect railroad oil shipments (via Bismarck Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION 

US buyers show little interest in big hybrids (via Autoblog Green)

RMI: What’s the true cost of EV charging stations? (via GreenBiz)

Texas will soon offer $2,500 rebate for EVs, PHEVs, and more (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT 

Obama: Palm oil is destroying Malaysia’s rainforests (via Mongabay)

Summer blockbuster? El Nino looking more likely (via Climate Central)

California drought: Parched state braces for fire season (via San Francisco Chronicle)

KEYSTONE XL 

How the Senate’s Keystone XL vote came crumbling down (via EcoWatch)

Keystone XL foes vow to fight South Dakota permit renewal (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Australian households could go off-grid by 2018 (via Renew Economy)

USDA awards $540 million for electric system upgrades, including $35 million for smart grid (via Renew Grid)

Clean Line wins key FERC approval (via Recharge)

POLITICS 

Rubio on a presidential bid, and climate change (via New York Times)

Colorado – energy’s continental divide (via Politico)

OPINION 

How to phase out incentives and grow solar energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Climate debate isn’t so heated in the US (via New York Times)

Obama’s energy announcements are nice, but we’ll need much more (via Time)

Can Congress ever have a reasonable energy debate? (via National Journal)

Texas is American energy leader – so how can its electricity markets be such a mess? (via Energy Trends Insider)

Obama’s new energy efficiency standards will lead to big electricity, consumer, carbon savings (via NRDC Switchboard)

Obama’s solar move is equivalent to a year without 80 million cars (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: ABB, Alstom, Angela Merkel, australia, battery, Better Buildings Challenge, BNSF, california, Chile, Clean Line, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, Coal ash spill, colorado, deforestation, deval patrick, Divestment, drought, earthquakes, El Nino, Electric Vehicle, EMI, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, ev, ev charging, FERC, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, germany, green jobs, grid, Hawaii, hybrid, Hydropower, IEA, Keystone XL, LED, Lloyd's of London, Malaysia, Marco Rubio, mexico, michigan, natural gas, News, North Carolina, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, Oil train, OPEC, PACE, palm oil, PHEV, Philips, renewables, Russia, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, Shaheen-Portman, Siemens, smart grid, solar, SolarCity, south carolina, South Dakota, Stanford University, texas, transmission, Transportation, Ukraine, usda, vermont, wal-mart, Wildfire, wind
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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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23
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.23.14

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

CLIMATE 

NOAA says March is 4th warmest month on record (via Climate Central)

Wall Street wants to lend you money to fight climate change (via The Atlantic)

EPA chief says fighting climate change is agency’s top priority (via The Hill)

Spending Earth Day at ground zero for climate change in America (via Time)

COAL 

Duke Energy says coal ash disposal may cost up to $10 billion (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Geothermal power adds most annual capacity in one year since 1997 (via Bloomberg)

Global 2013 solar PV module production hits 40GW; Yingli is shipment leader (via Greentech Media)

Run-of-river hydropower set for big gains, predicts turbine maker (via Yale e360)

Marubeni completes 82MW solar power system, Japan’s largest (via Bloomberg)

EPA retroactively lowers biofuel requirement for 2013 (via The Hill)

One weird trick to power your city with 100% renewable energy (via Energy Collective)

Why aren’t Southern utilities jumping into the solar business? (via EnergyWire)

The rise of solar co-ops (via RMI Outlet)

A polluted Superfund site is now home to 36,000 solar panels (via Climate Progress)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canada says it will keep Keystone XL issue alive with White House (via Reuters)

Keystone route ruling should be overturned, says Nebraska governor (via Bloomberg)

Anti-Keystone XL protest rides into DC (via Politico)

Steyer says Keystone won’t “dominate” Obama’s legacy (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

China now on track to meet 2015 emissions targets, says state planner (via Reuters)

Carbon capture faces hurdles of will, not technology (via Climate Central)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Drones are becoming energy industry’s new roustabouts (via New York Times)

Electricity consumers pay less than national average in RTOs and restructured states (via COMPETE Coalition)

GRID 

Does income determine who benefits most from smart grids? (via Renew Grid)

Batteries – an expensive way to store energy (via Energy Manager Today)

“Exceptional step forward” for energy storage in New York City (via CleanTechnica)

ENVIRONMENT 

China bans commercial logging in northern forests after widespread deforestation (via Monagbay)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

New $5 million prize gives town and cities more incentives to promote energy efficiency (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Delaying the Keystone XL decision wasn’t all about politics (via Climate Progress)

Stopping Keystone XL: The message is getting through (via Triple Pundit)

Posted:   |   Categories: battery, biofuel, canada, carbon capture, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, deforestation, duke energy, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, geothermal, Gina McCarthy, global warming, grid, Hydropower, japan, Keystone XL, Municipal aggregation, Nebraska, New York City, News, noaa, renewables, RTO, smart grid, solar, Tom Steyer, Yingli
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23
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.23.14

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

CLIMATE 

NOAA says March is 4th warmest month on record (via Climate Central)

Wall Street wants to lend you money to fight climate change (via The Atlantic)

EPA chief says fighting climate change is agency’s top priority (via The Hill)

Spending Earth Day at ground zero for climate change in America (via Time)

COAL 

Duke Energy says coal ash disposal may cost up to $10 billion (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Geothermal power adds most annual capacity in one year since 1997 (via Bloomberg)

Global 2013 solar PV module production hits 40GW; Yingli is shipment leader (via Greentech Media)

Run-of-river hydropower set for big gains, predicts turbine maker (via Yale e360)

Marubeni completes 82MW solar power system, Japan’s largest (via Bloomberg)

EPA retroactively lowers biofuel requirement for 2013 (via The Hill)

One weird trick to power your city with 100% renewable energy (via Energy Collective)

Why aren’t Southern utilities jumping into the solar business? (via EnergyWire)

The rise of solar co-ops (via RMI Outlet)

A polluted Superfund site is now home to 36,000 solar panels (via Climate Progress)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canada says it will keep Keystone XL issue alive with White House (via Reuters)

Keystone route ruling should be overturned, says Nebraska governor (via Bloomberg)

Anti-Keystone XL protest rides into DC (via Politico)

Steyer says Keystone won’t “dominate” Obama’s legacy (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

China now on track to meet 2015 emissions targets, says state planner (via Reuters)

Carbon capture faces hurdles of will, not technology (via Climate Central)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Drones are becoming energy industry’s new roustabouts (via New York Times)

Electricity consumers pay less than national average in RTOs and restructured states (via COMPETE Coalition)

GRID 

Does income determine who benefits most from smart grids? (via Renew Grid)

Batteries – an expensive way to store energy (via Energy Manager Today)

“Exceptional step forward” for energy storage in New York City (via CleanTechnica)

ENVIRONMENT 

China bans commercial logging in northern forests after widespread deforestation (via Monagbay)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

New $5 million prize gives town and cities more incentives to promote energy efficiency (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Delaying the Keystone XL decision wasn’t all about politics (via Climate Progress)

Stopping Keystone XL: The message is getting through (via Triple Pundit)

Posted:   |   Categories: battery, biofuel, canada, carbon capture, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, deforestation, duke energy, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, geothermal, Gina McCarthy, global warming, grid, Hydropower, japan, Keystone XL, Municipal aggregation, Nebraska, New York City, News, noaa, renewables, RTO, smart grid, solar, Tom Steyer, Yingli
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22
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.22.14

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

COAL 

China’s coal boom is waning with ambitious reductions targets (via Triple Pundit)

Ontario closes last coal-fired power plant (via Solar Industry)

Federal judge strikes part of Minnesota energy law preventing coal power (via MPR News)

CLIMATE 

China spreading the use of insurance to cope with climate change damage (via ClimateWire)

Climate-linked drought adding to Syria’s misery (via RTCC)

Hot West, cold East may be new normal as world warms (via Climate Central)

Since first Earth Day, US temperatures marching upward (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

China Premier Li reiterates plans to boost clean energy (via Bloomberg)

Australia’s renewables review kicks off with battle over numbers (via Renew Economy)

Top ten trends in Brazil biofuels for 2014 (via Renewable Energy World)

US to dodge solar shortage in 2014 despite looming PV tariffs (via Solar Industry)

Next step for solar industry: Leases for solar plus storage (via Renew Economy)

Study: Fuels from corn waste not better than gasoline (via AP)

US Army to build military’s largest solar array in Arizona (via The Hill)

Dropping cost of “grid defection” means you could soon ditch your utility (via Fast Company)

RMI’s plan to help Fortune 500 companies up their renewables game (via GreenBiz)

Surpassing milestone of 100,000 solar roofs, PG&E calls for “sustainable” solar policy (via Greentech Media)

Western Texas college joins Texas Tech University on wind energy degree (via PR Web)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone backers keep their faith in embattled pipeline plan (via Reuters)

Horses, teepees arrive on Mall for Keystone XL protest (via Politico)

Keystone XL pipeline fate now in hands of Nebraska court (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s new environmental protection law submitted to parliament (via Reuters)

Brazil strips protected status from 5.2 million hectares of land (via Mongabay)

Consumer electronics industry sets recycling record (via Environmental Leader)

Apple offering free recycling on all used products (via ABC News/AP)

Interior Department launches landscape mitigation strategy (via Triple Pundit)

Wildfires in West increasing burn area at rate of one Denver per year (via Climate Progress)

Fields and farm jobs dry up with California’s worsening drought (via NPR)

Texas city first to reuse water from sewers as drought continues (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS 

Alaska lawmakers back natural gas export plans (via New York Times)

Ohio utilities replacing thousands of miles of gas pipeline (via Midwest Energy News)

EMISSIONS 

Divestment campaigns struggle against stock market, profits (via Houston Chronicle)

OIL 

Russia ships its first Arctic oil – is a boom coming? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Four years later, a sharp divide on Gulf oil spill (via National Journal)

US railroads show untapped value of delay in building oil pipeline (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Musk says Tesla will make cars in China within four years (via Bloomberg)

Hybrids significantly more fuel-efficient in India and China than US (via CleanTechnica)

US exporting a “tidal wave” of gasoline, other fuels (via Houston Chronicle)

Nissan Leaf likely to offer larger battery for longer range (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla Gigafactory seeks North American raw materials to cut pollution (via Green Car Reports)

A detailed look at the dreams and failure of Better Place (via Autoblog Green)

ENERGY POLICY 

Renewable energy gains in 2013 but coal and gas still dominate (via Greentech Media)

Power players muster forces for electricity market reforms (via EnergyWire)

Obama Administration spared developers millions in fees for Georgia nuclear project (via Greenwire)

POLITICS 

Not a single Republican has mentioned Earth Day in Congress since 2010 (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Two degrees: How the world failed on climate change (via Vox)

The clean energy transition is unstoppable, so why fight it? (via Smart Planet)

Where is the real innovation in wind energy? (via CleanTechnica)

World’s top serial bird killers put infamous windmills to shame (via Bloomberg)

Right wing trains its hysterical eye on renewable energy (via Mother Jones)

How conserving water, energy isn’t always about a green lifestyle (via Daily News)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, apple, arctic, arizona, australia, battery, better place, biofuels, Brazil, california, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Divestment, drought, E-recycling, Earth Day, emissions, energy storage, environment, Fossil fuel divestment, Gasoline, Georgia, global warming, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hybrids, india, interior department, Keystone XL, LNG, minnesota, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Nebraska, News, nissan LEAF, nuclear, Ohio, oil, oil spill, ontario, PGE, Pipelines, Recycling, RMI, Russia, solar, Solar trade war, Syria, tar sands, Tesla, Tesla Gigafactory, texas, Texas Tech University, wildfires, wind
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17
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.17.14

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

CLIMATE 

EU to host industry talks ahead of setting 2030 climate goals (via Reuters)

Farmers seeking heat relief signal Brazil climate peril (via Bloomberg)

California drought/polar vortex jet stream pattern linked to global warming (via Weather Underground)

COAL 

Is this the end of China’s coal boom? (via Climate Progress) 

North Carolina governor proposes new coal ash plan (via Citizen-Times/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Yingli forms $160 million China solar project fund (via Recharge)

HSBC says wind and solar best picks in climate stocks (via Renew Economy)

Gaps linger between clean energy and bond market support, says report (via ClimateWire)

Feds to provide $4 billion in green energy support (via The Hill)

Obama to challenge private companies to boost solar power use (via Washington Post)

Just how off is EIA’s renewable energy outlook? How about 20+ years? (via CleanTechnica)

Solar disrupting wholesale energy markets (via Greentech Media)

Virginia’s largest rooftop solar array to be dedicated (via Washington Times/AP)

Meet the governor who crippled his state’s solar energy future (via EcoWatch)

Oklahoma will charge customers who install their own solar panels (via Climate Progress)

EMISSIONS 

Beijing’s bid to move polluting firms watched warily in nearby regions (via Reuters)

Pope Francis urged to back fossil fuel divestment campaign (via The Guardian)

Alberta considers emissions rules to win support for oil (via Bloomberg)

California shows residents the greenhouse gas money (via Bloomberg BNA)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EU agrees to Putin’s call for natural gas security talks (via Reuters)

With white papers, EPA takes first step on potentially far-reaching methane regulations (via ClimateWire)

Leading states tacking fugitive emissions head on (via Breaking Energy)

States peering over the fence on fracking rules (via National Journal)

Andarko joins ad blitz to thwart Colorado fracking curbs (via Bloomberg)

Ohio state plan for earthquake monitoring worries drilling industry (via Columbus Business First)

GRID 

Hydro-Quebec, Sony forming JV to develop large-scale energy storage for grids (via Green Car Congress)

Loan guarantees are back: DOE targets “catalytic” grid integration technology (via Greentech Media)

How synchrophasors are bringing America’s grid into the 21st century (via Energy.gov)

California to utilities: Connect battery-solar systems to the grid (via Greentech Media)

SolarCity resumes applications for California batteries (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Industry opposes push to tighten oil field safety rules (via Houston Chronicle)

US Coast Guard, BP end “active cleanup” of Louisiana’s coast, nearly four years after spill (via Times-Picayune)

Is Gulf cleanup over or not? BP and Coast Guard differ. (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Selling Teslas in China won’t do much for the environment (via MIT Technology Review)

Nissan will expand free charging incentive to 25 Leaf markets (via Autoblog Green)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

One-degree thermostat change could save NYC buildings $145 million per year (via Energy Manager Today)

The link between home ownership and energy efficiency (via Navigant Research)

ENVIRONMENT 

California water contracts can be challenged by green groups (via Bloomberg)

Water shortage divides Californians on solutions and blame (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Is a clean energy boom coming in 2014? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Utilities have four choices in solar revolution, and none are easy to swallow (via CleanTechnica)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, Andarko, battery, Beijing, BP, Brazil, california, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, colorado, Divestment, DOE, drought, earthquakes, eia, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, EU, Federal loan guarantee, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, Fugitive emissions, Green bonds, grid, Gulf of Mexico, HSBC, Hydro-Quebec, Louisiana, Maine, methane, natural gas, New York City, News, nissan LEAF, North Carolina, Ohio, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, Paul LePage, Polar vortex, Pope Francis, renewables, solar, SolarCity, Sony, Synchrophasors, Tesla, Transportation, US Coast Guard, virginia, Vladimir Putin, Wholesale energy markets, wind, Yingli
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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
0
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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25
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.25.14

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

COAL 

Netherlands to stop funding overseas coal power plants (via RTCC)

EPA’s coal ash rule still not done (via Politico)

Supreme Court declines to hear Arch Coal mining permit case against EPA (via Reuters)

Coal ash pods: How power companies get a “bypass” on pollution regulations (via National Geographic)

EPA joins North Carolina in probe of coal ash spill (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Japan approves 2014-2015 renewable energy FiT rates (via Recharge)

Italy, Spain, Germany hit commercial solar grid parity in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

India may see slow growth in new solar capacity additions (via Panchabuta)

Developers register 12GW potential Brazil wind projects for June auction (via Recharge)

Kenya’s 300MW Lake Turkana wind farm to break ground in June (via Renewables Biz)

Solar PV industry targets 100GW annual deployment in 2018 (via Solar Industry)

Mercom Capital forecasts 46GW new solar in 2014 (via Solar Industry)

Greenwood Biosar completes Panama’s first utility-scale solar power plant (via CleanTechnica)

Morgan Stanley: Going off grid nears tipping point (via Renew Economy)

FERC issues license for tidal energy pilot project in Pacific Northwest (via Renew Grid)

Feds clearing path for Pacific wave energy test (via Houston Chronicle)

Cape Wind update: A big legal victory and another legal challenge (via Greentech Media)

Maryland seeks global offshore wind role (via Recharge)

Koch-funded groups fuel assault on Kansas clean energy law (via Climate Progress)

New Jersey’s offshore wind goals up in the air after project rejection (Renewable Energy World)

KEYSTONE XL 

Southern leg of Keystone XL pipeline reaches capacity ahead of schedule (via The Oklahoman)

Not building Keystone XL will leave a billion barrels of bitumen in the ground (via Energy Collective)

EMISSIONS 

New study reveals workings of China’s pilot emissions cap-and-trade systems (via Triple Pundit)

China’s Hubei province to launch carbon market on April 2 (via Reuters)

China’s Shenzen says carbon market had 10% surplus in first year (via Reuters)

As listener and saleswoman, EPA chief takes to the road for climate rules (via New York Times)

States aren’t shying away from regulating carbon emissions from power plants (via Bloomberg BNA)

NATURAL GAS 

DOE approves natural gas export terminal (via The Hill)

North Dakota gas flaring doubles, pumping CO2 into air (via Climate Central)

CLIMATE 

UN official: Countries on track to reach 2015 global climate treaty (via The Hill)

EU delays 2030 climate package decision until October (via RTCC)

WMO: Global warming not stopped, will go on for centuries (via Reuters)

Climate change could leave another 50 million people facing hunger by 2050 (via The Guardian)

UN says 13 of 14 hottest years on record occurred since 2000 (via BusinessGreen)

Weather extremes “consistent” with manmade climate change, says UN (via Agence France-Presse)

OIL 

Houston Channel closed as 24 vessels skim 4,000-barrel oil spill (via Bloomberg)

Galveston Bay oil spill will take economic, ecological toll (via Texas Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION 

VW chairman says component cost decreases keep him confident of EV success (via Autoblog Green)

How four states are trying to woo Tesla Motors’ gigafactory (via Autoblog Green)

Ford: Baby boomers leading trend to compact utility vehicles (via Green Car Congress)

GRID 

FERC Order 1000 has its day in court (via Renewable Energy World)

Southwest Power Pool launches wholesale energy marketplace (via Energy Manager Today)

Car companies take expertise in battery power beyond the garage (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

WHO links 7 million premature deaths annually to air pollution; 12.5% total global deaths (via Green Car Congress)

China says polluting industry still growing too fast (via Reuters)

China aims to launch national pollution permit market within three years (via Reuters)

Brazil desperately seeking solutions to worst drought in decades (via The Guardian)

Water scarcity drives US communities toward smarter use, recycling (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

By 2020, LEDs may rival incandescent bulbs in cost without rebates (via Greentech Media)

LBNL calculates “cost of saved energy” from efficiency programs (via Energy Manager Today)

Opower sets IPO price range at $17-19, could raise $110 million (via GigaOm)

POLITICS 

Green groups spend $5 million to defend three Democrats (via Wall Street Journal)

Mary Landrieu is paying – and getting paid big – for her global warming stance (via National Journal)

OPINION 

“War on coal” isn’t the real reason your utility rates will rise (via Triple Pundit)

Why you shouldn’t applaud Exxon’s decision to disclose climate risks (via Climate Progress)

Galveston oil spill: Does US oil boom mean more spills? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Steven Chu solves utility companies’ death spiral (via Forbes)

Maybe transit isn’t surging after all (via Atlantic Cities)

Watts the mystery? The energy units that power our lives. (via Smart Planet)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, battery, Brazil, cap and trade, cape wind, Carbon market, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, Coal ash spill, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, Exxon, FERC, FERC Order 1000, FIT, germany, Gina McCarthy, global warming, grid, Grid Parity, Hubei, india, italy, japan, kansas, Kenya, LED, Mary Landrieu, maryland, methane, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Netherlands, new jersey, News, North Carolina, north dakota, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Opower, oregon, Panama, renewables, Shenzen, Southwest Power Pool, Spain, SPP, steven chu, Tesla Motors, tidal energy, transit, Volkswagen, War on Coal, wind, WMO
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