Category Archives:british columbia

17
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.17.14

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

CLIMATE

Research says latest international climate pledges still fall short of 2C goal (via ClimateProgress)

Europe’s record-hot year made 35 times more likely by climate change (via The Guardian)

New York, other major cities face more power outages thanks to climate change (via ClimateProgress)

Rutgers research shows climate change driving fish north (via Newark Star-Ledger)

NUCLEAR

Japan approves two new nuclear reactors (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES

Duties set by U.S. on imports of China, Taiwan solar goods (via Bloomberg)

New tariffs on Chinese solar-panel makers split the U.S. solar industry (via Greentech Media)

Beijing urges U.S. to be reasonable in search for trade settlement (via PV Tech)

David Cameron declares UK has “enough” onshore wind farms (via BusinessGreen)

British Columbia approves $7.5 billion hydropower dam (via Reuters)

Central America’s biggest wind farm gets $300 million from IFC (via Bloomberg)

Chile’s mines set hot pace on renewables – Australia should take notice (via Renew Economy)

Where does solar make sense? New state study shows big differences and surprises (via Breaking Energy)

NREL demonstrates 45.7% efficiency for solar cell (via NREL)

California approves major revisions in its Renewable Auction Mechanism (via Greentech Media)

Rural co-ops promise net metering but don’t always deliver (via Midwest Energy News)

Cape Wind will miss 2014 goal to close project financing (via Recharge)

Power options: Comparing costs of rooftop solar to traditional electricity (via WRI Insights)

Think tank proposes 40 options to change ethanol mandate (via The Hill)

Staples California announces green energy offering for small businesses (via Environmental Leader)

EMISSIONS

Beijing reveals bottom-up approach to national carbon market (via RTCC)

Australia quietly re-instates a carbon-trading scheme (via Renew Economy)

Industry’s mercury challenge could undermine attack on EPA climate rule (via Greenwire)

A carbon pollution policy with all the fixins’ (via Sightline Daily)

California pensions should divest coal assets, says state senate leader (via Reuters)

Washington Governor proposes carbon tax to fund pressing transportation needs (via Huffington Post)

OIL

OPEC net oil export revenues expected to fall in 2014-2015 (via U.S. EIA)

An OPEC of the West? North American nations eye stronger oil and gas ties (via Christian Science Monitor)

U.S. talking oil exports just when the world needs it least (via Bloomberg)

Investors in beat-up oil bonds lean on banks for rescue (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION

ABB-led consortium launches $10.5 million project to install EV fast chargers along key European highways (via Green Car Congress)

4,700 all-electric cars sold in Europe during October (via Inside EVs)

U.S. households to spend $550 less on gasoline in 2015 (via Houston Chronicle)

California, Washington lead all other states in EV ownership rates (via Green Car Reports)

GRID

Utility distribution microgrids are expected to reach $6 billion in annual revenue by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Developing a reliable wind “super grid” for Europe (via Phys.org)

Cautiously, private utilities dip toes into microgrid pool (via Navigant Research)

Will states take over demand response markets in the U.S.? (via Renewable Energy World)

PG&E testing new grid-scale battery system at $160 per kWh (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT

Italy says it will oppose EU plans to scrap environmental law (via The Guardian)

Obama withdraws Alaska’s Bristol Bay from drilling (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Top 10 universities taking the lead on sustainability worldwide (via EcoWatch)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service working on more regulations than EPA (via Greenwire)

Rocky Mountain Institute, Carbon War Room join forces (via BusinessGreen)

Cutting the cord without blowing your power bill (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

POLITICS

McConnell says Keystone first item on GOP Senate agenda (via The Hill)

Lobbying of Hillary begins (via The Hill)

Jeb Bush may be “the smart brother” but he’s as much a climate denier as any conservative (via The Guardian)

Renewable energy companies use new clout in statehouses (via Stateline)

OPINION

Is India’s grand solar vision becoming reality? (via Renewable Energy World)

Plunging oil prices are doing Obama’s foreign policy for him (via Washington Post)

Protecting Bristol Bay was an easy call for Obama – the hard ones come next (via National Journal)

Should the price of oil really impact renewable energy adoption? (via Greentech Media)

In defense of Massachusetts: Why the Bay State is leading in energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

The real reason Tesla’s stock is tanking (via Huffington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: ABB, alaska, australia, battery, Bristol Bay, british columbia, california, cape wind, carbon markets, carbon tax, carbon trading, Carbon War Room, Chile, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, David Cameron, Demand response, Divestment, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, ev, ev charging, Fish and Wildlife Service, Fossil fuel divestment, global warming, grid, hillary clinton, Hydropower, india, italy, japan, jay inslee, Jeb Bush, Keystone XL, massachusetts, Microgrid, Mitch McConnell, New York City, News, NREL, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, OPEC, PGE, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, Rocky Mountain Institute, Rural electric co-op, Rutgers University, solar, Solar trade war, Taiwan, Tesla, Transportation, united kingdom, Washington State, wind
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25
Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.25.14

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

COAL 

China’s coal gas plants to emit massive greenhouse gases (via The Hill)

India’s top court rules allocations of 218 coal mines illegal (via Bloomberg)

India markets slip after coal block allocations are termed illegal (via Business Standard)

British Columbia coal export terminal gets the green light (via Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

EMISSIONS 

Hundreds of methane plumes spotted on Atlantic sea floor (via Scientific American/Nature)

California’s latest carbon auction raises $331.8 million (via Sacramento Bee)

RENEWABLES 

Leading Chinese solar PV suppliers continue to increase market share despite global trade disputes (via Solarbuzz)

EPA ethanol mandate goes to White House for review (via The Hill)

Geothermal power steaming over wind and solar energies (via Forbes)

$500 million invested in Mexico distributed solar (via Energy Manager Today)

SolarCity expects Silevo 1GW factory to cost up to $450 million (via PV Tech)

New York’s solar programs merge under NY-Sun initiative (via Energy Manager Today)

Berkshire Hathaway says net metering should be “eliminated” (via Greentech Media)

CLIMATE 

Climate change could happen slower for the next decade, says study (via Time)

“Incredible” rate of polar ice loss alarms scientists (via The Guardian)

Don’t even think about it: Why we are wired to ignore climate change (via GreenBiz)

OIL 

Energy reform could increase Mexico’s long-term oil production 75% (via U.S. EIA)

Iraqi, Kurdistan lawyers face off in U.S. court over stranded tanker’s oil (via Houston Chronicle)

West Texas energy bills show oil boom’s unexpected costs (via Texas Tribune)

ENERGY POLICY 

Obama urges renewal of U.S. Export-Import Bank (via Washington Post)

Watch six months of fracking fires blaze across America (via National Journal)

TAR SANDS 

Enbridge tries new strategy to sidestep Keystone-style permitting fight (via EnergyWire)

ENVIRONMENT 

Vanishing bird ignites debate over endangered species rules (via The Hill)

Ecologists just saved miles of Texas coastline using BP oil spill money (via Climate Progress)

POLITICS 

Will Hispanic voters alter the politics of climate change? (via National Journal)

Steyer PAC gets just $501,000 from outside donors in July (via Politico)

OPINION 

How the U.S. and Korea could work together to reduce carbon emissions (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Generation Y have “very little interest” in challenging unsustainable investment (via Blue & Green)

Here’s what EVs need to succeed: Roaming for charging stations (via GigaOm)

Lifestyles of California’s rich and parched (via Politico)

Why the Gulf job market actually improved after the BP oil spill (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: berkshire-hathaway, biofuels, british columbia, california, cap and trade, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal export, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Enbridge, EPA, ethanol, ev charging, EVs, Export-Import bank, fracking, geothermal, india, iraq, Keystone XL, Korea, Kurdistan, methane, mexico, Net metering, new york state, News, NextGen Climate, NY-Sun, oil, oil spill, renewables, Silevo, solar, SolarCity, tar sands, texas, Tom Steyer, wind
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23
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.23.14

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

COAL 

China coal demand to peak by 2020, says Standard & Poor (via RTCC)

German coal power plants are Europe’s most climate-damaging (via Bloomberg)

Labor officials promise to fix black program for coal miners with black lung (via ABC News)

EMISSIONS 

Industry to EPA: Climate rule “not workable” (via The Hill)

U.S. poll finds support for carbon tax grows when revenue funds renewables (via Green Car Congress)

RENEWABLES 

Solar leasing market in Australia could reach $100 billion (via Renew Economy)

European wind industry slashes growth forecasts (via BusinessGreen)

Geothermal industry grows with help from oil and gas drilling (via New York Times)

Orix plans to build as many as 15 geothermal plants in Japan (via Bloomberg)

Iberdrola profit drops as Spain renewable subsidy cuts hit (via Bloomberg)

Self-cooling solar cells boost power, last longer (via Energy Manager Today)

Google offers $1 million prize for anyone who can build a better power inverter (via Forbes)

“Pay-as-you-go” solar financing hits new milestone (via Huffington Post)

CLIMATE 

Earth’s hottest June follows hottest May – a new normal? (via Christian Science Monitor)

U.S. and China presidents to attend September UN climate summit (via RTCC)

Study: Natural variations explain the global warming “pause” (via Salon)

Poll: U.S. leads the world….in climate denial (via Climate Progress)

Climate change hits all Pentagon operations, says official (via The Hill)

Obama attributes wildfires to climate change (via Huffington Post/AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EU Commission agrees to 30% by 2030 energy savings goal (via Reuters)

In Minnesota, “behavior” programs show energy-saving results (via Midwest Energy News)

California calculates the value of time in energy efficiency (via Navigant Research)

In New York, greening older buildings (via Navigant Research)

Energy efficiency finance in plain English: An intro to leases (via Energy Manager Today)

NATURAL GAS 

Industry pans DOE’s plan for natural gas exports (via Houston Chronicle)

Shale plays reduce political risk (via Reuters)

Pennsylvania Auditor General criticizes state oversight of shale gas industry (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

GRID 

Brazil to auction 4,000 kilometers of new transmission lines (via Recharge)

Here’s what utilities really think about microgrids (via Greentech Media)

Keeping up with energy storage (via Renewable Energy World)

TAR SANDS 

Alberta oil clout dominating Canada’s unbalanced economy (via Bloomberg)

Enbridge mulls Midwest rail terminal to ease pipeline congestion (via Reuters)

Maine port city bans oil loading as Canada seeks export options (via Reuters)

TransCanada spends big on K Street as pipeline fight heads to finish (via Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Lithium-ion batteries for EVs will surpass $24 billion annual revenue by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Electric cars equal gasoline cost of just 75 cents per gallon (via Green Car Reports)

Is this the site of Tesla’s Gigafactory in Nevada? (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT 

Great Barrier Reef will be “pretty ugly” by 2050, say researchers (via Huffington Post)

Drier than the Dust Bowl: Waiting for relief in rural America (via Washington Post)

Unprecedented spate of wildfires incinerates homes in Pacific Northwest (via Scientific American)

POLITICS 

Group tries to make climate change a winning wedge issue (via Huffington Post)

EPA chief in hot seat as lawmakers dissect carbon rule (via Reuters)

Obama announces nominations for Nuclear Regulator Commission (via The Hill)

OPINION 

British Columbia’s climate plan is working, so why stop now? (via The Tyee)

Why Australia’s carbon tax repeal is an economic step back (via CleanTechnica)

The dangerous truth behind wildfires (via Huffington Post)

I crashed a climate change denial conference in Las Vegas (via Vice)

How the South Portland city council foiled Big Oil’s plan to sneak tar sands out of Canada (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, australia, Batteries, Brazil, british columbia, california, canada, carbon tax, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, DOE, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU Commission, europe, EVs, gas prices, geothermal, germany, Gina McCarthy, global warming, google, Great Barrier Reef, green building, grid, iberdrola, japan, Maine, Microgrids, minnesota, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Nevada, new york state, News, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Oil exports, Oil train, pennsylvania, renewables, Shale gas, solar, solar leasing, Spain, tar sands, Tesla, Tesla Gigafactory, TransCanada, transmission, Transportaiton, wildfires, wind
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23
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.23.14

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

COAL 

China coal demand to peak by 2020, says Standard & Poor (via RTCC)

German coal power plants are Europe’s most climate-damaging (via Bloomberg)

Labor officials promise to fix black program for coal miners with black lung (via ABC News)

EMISSIONS 

Industry to EPA: Climate rule “not workable” (via The Hill)

U.S. poll finds support for carbon tax grows when revenue funds renewables (via Green Car Congress)

RENEWABLES 

Solar leasing market in Australia could reach $100 billion (via Renew Economy)

European wind industry slashes growth forecasts (via BusinessGreen)

Geothermal industry grows with help from oil and gas drilling (via New York Times)

Orix plans to build as many as 15 geothermal plants in Japan (via Bloomberg)

Iberdrola profit drops as Spain renewable subsidy cuts hit (via Bloomberg)

Self-cooling solar cells boost power, last longer (via Energy Manager Today)

Google offers $1 million prize for anyone who can build a better power inverter (via Forbes)

“Pay-as-you-go” solar financing hits new milestone (via Huffington Post)

CLIMATE 

Earth’s hottest June follows hottest May – a new normal? (via Christian Science Monitor)

U.S. and China presidents to attend September UN climate summit (via RTCC)

Study: Natural variations explain the global warming “pause” (via Salon)

Poll: U.S. leads the world….in climate denial (via Climate Progress)

Climate change hits all Pentagon operations, says official (via The Hill)

Obama attributes wildfires to climate change (via Huffington Post/AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EU Commission agrees to 30% by 2030 energy savings goal (via Reuters)

In Minnesota, “behavior” programs show energy-saving results (via Midwest Energy News)

California calculates the value of time in energy efficiency (via Navigant Research)

In New York, greening older buildings (via Navigant Research)

Energy efficiency finance in plain English: An intro to leases (via Energy Manager Today)

NATURAL GAS 

Industry pans DOE’s plan for natural gas exports (via Houston Chronicle)

Shale plays reduce political risk (via Reuters)

Pennsylvania Auditor General criticizes state oversight of shale gas industry (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

GRID 

Brazil to auction 4,000 kilometers of new transmission lines (via Recharge)

Here’s what utilities really think about microgrids (via Greentech Media)

Keeping up with energy storage (via Renewable Energy World)

TAR SANDS 

Alberta oil clout dominating Canada’s unbalanced economy (via Bloomberg)

Enbridge mulls Midwest rail terminal to ease pipeline congestion (via Reuters)

Maine port city bans oil loading as Canada seeks export options (via Reuters)

TransCanada spends big on K Street as pipeline fight heads to finish (via Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Lithium-ion batteries for EVs will surpass $24 billion annual revenue by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Electric cars equal gasoline cost of just 75 cents per gallon (via Green Car Reports)

Is this the site of Tesla’s Gigafactory in Nevada? (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT 

Great Barrier Reef will be “pretty ugly” by 2050, say researchers (via Huffington Post)

Drier than the Dust Bowl: Waiting for relief in rural America (via Washington Post)

Unprecedented spate of wildfires incinerates homes in Pacific Northwest (via Scientific American)

POLITICS 

Group tries to make climate change a winning wedge issue (via Huffington Post)

EPA chief in hot seat as lawmakers dissect carbon rule (via Reuters)

Obama announces nominations for Nuclear Regulator Commission (via The Hill)

OPINION 

British Columbia’s climate plan is working, so why stop now? (via The Tyee)

Why Australia’s carbon tax repeal is an economic step back (via CleanTechnica)

The dangerous truth behind wildfires (via Huffington Post)

I crashed a climate change denial conference in Las Vegas (via Vice)

How the South Portland city council foiled Big Oil’s plan to sneak tar sands out of Canada (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, australia, Batteries, Brazil, british columbia, california, canada, carbon tax, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, DOE, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU Commission, europe, EVs, gas prices, geothermal, germany, Gina McCarthy, global warming, google, Great Barrier Reef, green building, grid, iberdrola, japan, Maine, Microgrids, minnesota, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Nevada, new york state, News, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Oil exports, Oil train, pennsylvania, renewables, Shale gas, solar, solar leasing, Spain, tar sands, Tesla, Tesla Gigafactory, TransCanada, transmission, Transportaiton, wildfires, wind
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10
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.10.14

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

CLIMATE 

From Sao Paulo to Hong Kong, cities report economic climate threat (via Bloomberg)

UK defense ministry details global security impacts of climate change (via ClimateWire)

Loss of snowpack and glaciers in Rockies poses water threat (via Yale e360)

Sea level rise cuts across political divide in Norfolk, Va (via GreenBiz)

ENERGY POLICY 

Why China’s energy consumption will keep rising (via Energy Collective)

U.S. public lands fading as fossil fuels source (via Climate Central)

Federal government still spending billions to subsidize fossil fuels (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Solar, wind to beat coal on costs in China, India by 2020 (via Renew Economy)

One-third of Germany’s power came from renewables in first half 2014 (via Yale e360)

Upcoming auctions position Brazil for major solar growth (via Solar Industry Magazine)

EIA projections show hydropower growth limited by economics, not resources (via US EIA)

Mercom Capital charts top solar deals of second quarter (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Chicago to announce new rooftop solar discount program (via Chicago Tribune)

Food waste is so yesterday – think biogas instead (via GreenBiz)

What you need to know about how clean energy yielcos work (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Coal’s last gasp in Europe (via The Economist)

Most U.K. coal plants to shut by 2023 on climate rules (via Bloomberg)

Mountaintop removal coal mining decimates Appalachian fish populations (via EcoWatch)

Missouri governor signs law blocking coal-related ballot measures (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

EMISSIONS 

Zero carbon and economic growth can go together, says UN study (via The Guardian)

Australian Senate rejects carbon tax repeal (via Reuters)

Australian PM seeks carbon price repeal next week after losing vote (via Bloomberg)

EU Parliament to consider carbon price fix this fall (via The Hill)

China’s Tianjin carbon market extends permit deadline again (via Reuters)

The shocking truth about British Columbia’s carbon tax: It works (via The Globe and Mail)

OIL 

Swaps could be next way around oil export ban (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

China makes new electric vehicles tax-free (via The Guardian)

Nissan launches “no charge to charge” program for Leaf buyers (via CleanTechnica)

ENVIRONMENT 

One-fifth of the Amazon may have been savannah before Europeans arrived (via Mongabay)

Freedom Industries fined $11,000 for historic West Virginia chemical spill (via Climate Progress)

The weird and wonderful world of indoor farming (via Think Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Fracking could supply one-third of UK gas by 2035, says National Grid (via RTCC)

GRID 

Modi budget plans $250 million to boost solar, grid to end India blackouts (via Bloomberg)

Transmission issues plague power-starved southern India states (via Panchabuta)

Washington State grants $14.3 million for energy storage systems (via Bloomberg)

NUCLEAR 

Tepco says it has turned corner on Fukushima nuclear cleanup (via Bloomberg)

Wisconsin reactor’s demise shows plight of nuclear towns (via Bloomberg)

KEYSTONE XL 

Nebraska court date pushes final Keystone XL decision past midterms (via Washington Post)

POLITICS 

House Republicans threaten to subpoena EPA over carbon rules (via The Hill)

White House threatens to veto energy spending bill over environmental riders (via The Hill)

Forget LeBron, it’s free agency season for green groups (via National Journal)

Study says rich Republicans are the worst climate deniers (via Mother Jones)

OPINION 

Here’s what the world would look like if we took global warming seriously (via Vox)

Sixty years after birth, it’s time for solar cells to get serious (via GigaOm)

Why we need a carbon tax (via Huffington Post)

Fix the climate problem? Easy – cut U.S. emissions to 1901 levels (via Bloomberg)

How Silveo could succeed where Solyndra failed (via Greentech Media)

Why Washington State’s $14.3 million energy storage program is so different from others (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: amazon, Appalachia, australia, Biogas, Brazil, british columbia, cap and trade, carbon tax, chicago, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, drought, eia, electric vehicles, emissions, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU ETS, europe, ev, ev charging, fracking, fukushima, germany, grid, Hong Kong, Hydropower, india, Keystone XL, LED, Mercom Capital, Missouri, mountaintop removal, national grid, natural gas, Nebraska, News, nissan LEAF, Norfolk, nuclear, oil, Oil exports, renewables, Sao Paulo, Sea level rise, Silveo, solar, solyndra, Subsidies, Tepco, Tianjin, Tony Abbott, transmission, Transportation, united kingdom, united nations, virginia, Washington State, West Virginia, wind, Wisconsin, Yieldcos
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25
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.25.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Australian Senate leader to support carbon-price repeal (via Bloomberg)

EPA’s first carbon regs nearly unscathed after years of litigation (via Greenwire)

Congressional observers doubt GOP can blog funding for EPA carbon rules (via SNL Energy)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

First Nations being courted to back tar sands refineries on their land (via InsideClimate News)

Republicans renew push for Keystone vote in Senate (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Over 7GW new solar PV capacity installed in Japan last fiscal year (via CleanTechnica)

U.K. solar industry set to hit 9GW in rush to meet subsidy deadline (via BusinessGreen)

Sustainable district heating from seawater? It’s happening in Holland (via CleanTechnica)

Concentrated solar power could compete with natural gas, says study (via Yale e360)

U.S. financial sector lags in clean energy investment (via Energy Manager Today)

Challenges to financing renewable energy projects on U.S. military sites (via Renewable Energy World)

NRG CEO says residential solar competitive with utility power in 25 states next year (via Green Car Reports)

Southern California Edison seems 290MW in small-scale renewables (via Solar Industry Magazine)

SunPower and SolarCity emerge as fierce solar roof rivals (via GigaOm)

Report: Michigan could expand solar without raising rates (via Midwest Energy News)

Two universities in D.C. make deal to buy solar power (via Washington Post/AP)

CLIMATE 

G20 summit: Obama expected to discuss “critical issue” of climate change (via The Guardian)

May was hottest on Earth since records began (via The Guardian)

Eastern U.S.: Coldest spot on Earth so far in 2014 (via Washington Post)

Former Treasury chiefs agree: Get the SEC into the climate mix (via National Journal)

On N.C.’s Outer Banks, climate change predictions prompt change of forecast (via Washington Post)

OIL 

OPEC secretary general says no oil shortage exists (via Reuters)

U.S. ruling loosens four-decade ban on oil exports (via Wall Street Journal)

Canada’s safety board chief urges U.S. to phase out old rail cars (via Reuters)

1,250-pound tar mat discovered off Florida beach (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Japan bets big on making fuel cell cars a near-future reality (via Reuters)

California lawmakers urge change to vehicle carbon emissions plan (via Los Angeles Times)

COAL 

In Wyoming, going deep to draw energy from coal (via NPR)

GRID 

Fewer wind curtailments, negative power prices in Texas after CREZ grid expansion (via U.S. EIA)

Five key disruptors on the grid edge (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

U.K. Green Investment Bank backs £2 small business energy efficiency fund (via BusinessGreen)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Best Global Green Brands revealed, Ford leads list (via Environmental Leader)

Minneapolis announced as U.S. leader in green commercial space (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY POLICY 

Merkel to push back against EU if Germany’s green energy subsidies questioned (via Reuters)

Report: Independent producers leading growth in U.S. oil and gas reserves (via Houston Chronicle)

Colorado suspends oil and gas wastewater disposal well after quake (via Reuters)

OPINION 

How to untangle yourself from clean energy finance jargon (via GreenBiz)

How the Gateway pipeline stokes simmering fury among British Columbia natives (via Globe and Mail)

Could Opower soon enter the community solar business? (via Greentech Media)

EPA’s clever legal trick could save its clean power plan (via Energy Collective)

POLITICS 

White House says it has “no misgivings” about Steyer meeting (via The Hill)

Joe Manchin, Sheldon Whitehouse seek middle ground on climate change (via Politico)

Posted:   |   Categories: Angela Merkel, australia, barack obama, british columbia, california, canada, Carbon market, carbon tax, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal gasification, colorado, community solar, concentrated solar power, CREZ, Curtailment, David Crane, District heating, Energy Efficiency, EPA, First Nations, Florida, Ford, g20, Gateway pipeline, germany, global warming, Green bank, green building, green business, grid, Grid Parity, Holland, japan, Joe Manchin, Keystone XL, michigan, Minneapolis, natural gas, News, North Carolina, NRG, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, Oil train, OPEC, Opower, renewables, Sea level rise, SEC, Sheldon Whitehouse, solar, SolarCity, southern california edison, Subsidy, SunPower, tar sands, texas, The Netherlands, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation Fuel cell, united kingdom, Washington D.C., Wastewater disposal well, wyoming
0
29
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.29.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Obama to offer rule that sharply curb power plant emissions (via New York Times)

U.S. Chamber says new EPA rule could cost economy $51 billion a year (via Los Angeles Times)

America’s top 100 power producers already reducing emissions (via The Hill)

COAL 

Alberta renewables seen cheaper than coal in coming decades (via Bloomberg)

As EPA carbon rules loom, North Dakota clings to coal (via Midwest Energy News)

RENEWABLES 

13.5GW of solar PV estimated for China this year (via CleanTechnica)

UK wind and hydropower surges 55% in first quarter 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

Solar PV may hit $83/MWh in Brazil auction (via Recharge)

French court annuls wind power decree, ending legal saga (via Reuters)

Wind power most popular source of energy in UK (via The Guardian)

U.S. set to install 6.6GW of solar in 2014 as residential market booms (via BusinessGreen)

A PV market first: Residential solar in U.S. beats commercial installations (via Greentech Media)

Hannon Armstrong buys $107 million renewable energy portfolio (via Bloomberg)

SolarCity tries first-ever online solar offer with Groupon (via Greentech Media)

Show me solar: Missouri’s opportunity for solar power (via CleanTechnica)

Solar roadways smashes crowdfunding target, still raising more (via Green Car Reports)

ENERGY POLICY 

EU eyes plan to diversify energy supply but sees no easy fixes (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Ohio Governor Kasich will sign two-year freeze on renewables, energy efficiency standards (via Plain-Dealer)

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Mexico’s energy ministry projects rapid near-term growth of natural gas imports from U.S. (via US EIA)

Natural gas boom presents a conundrum for British Columbia (via New York Times)

Bill that would have sped up fracking in Illinois dies in legislature (via Chicago Tribune)

CLIMATE 

Fewer polar bear cubs being born on Arctic islands, finds survey (via The Guardian)

New environment ministry in India puts climate change atop agenda (via Economic Times)

Big waves bust up sea ice, may be playing role in melt (via Climate Central)

Melting Arctic ice may release 1 trillion tiny pieces of plastic into oceans, say researchers (via Huffington Post)

U.S. industry gears up to fight Obama’s climate rules (via Reuters)

OIL 

Oil-by-rail protests planned to mark Canadian disaster (via Houston Chronicle)

Report: Exporting U.S. oil would be economic boom (via Houston Chronicle)

How extreme heat could lead to more oil rail car derailments (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Car2go car sharing service withdrawing from UK (via Green Car Congress)

TAR SANDS 

TransCanada’s safety promises draw scrutiny even as they multiply (via Greenwire)

POLITICS 

Obama raises the stakes against GOP climate deniers (via National Journal)

Pregame scuffle breaks out on EPA climate rule (via Politico)

The ongoing political explosion over climate change (via Washington Post)

Obama seeks climate legacy as coal-state Democrats cringe (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Barclays just threw gasoline on the fire in the battle between utilities and solar industry (via Energy Trends Insider)

Did Obama’s West Point speech make his climate case? (via New York Times)

The battle against Obama’s climate proposals has already begun (via Washington Post)

How the U.S. energy mix made a U-turn from California to Texas (via EnergyWire)

Cutting carbon: States can use what they’ve already got to lower power plant emissions (via WRI Insights)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, arctic, Barclays, Brazil, british columbia, california, canada, car2go, chamber of commerce, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, EU, European Union, fracking, France, global warming, Groupon, Hannon Armstrong, Hydropower, Illinois, india, John Kasich, mexico, Missouri, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, north dakota, Ohio, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, Oil train, Renewable energy standard, renewables, solar, Solar roadway, SolarCity, tar sands, texas, TransCanada, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Utility death spiral, wind
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14
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.14.14

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

CLIMATE 

Act fast to curb global warming or extract CO2 from air, says UN (via Reuters)

IPCC report: World must urgently switch to clean energy sources (via The Guardian)

World Bank president says fighting climate change and poverty are linked (via ClimateWire)

Shippers and seabirds clash over Arctic territory (via Alaska Dispatch)

GRID 

Weather-related blackouts doubled since 2003 (via Climate Central)

FERC says steps underway to protect grid (via AP)

DOE Inspector General: Power grid threats should have remained classified (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Northern Gateway pipeline rejected by British Columbia First Nation (via Huffington Post)

Canadians turn up the heat against Northern Gateway tar sands pipeline (via Climate Progress)

Opponents carve massive anti-Keystone XL message into field that could hold future pipeline (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Are we halfway to market dominance for solar? (via Greentech Media)

A rising tension: Value of solar tariff versus net metering (via Greentech Media)

How much are solar Facebook fans worth? About $403 each (via Renewable Energy World)

EMISSIONS 

UN says world’s greenhouse gas emissions growing rapidly (via The Hill)

IPCC says major greenhouse gas reductions needed by 2050 (via Climate Central)

IMF, World Bank push for price on carbon (via Business Standard/AFP)

Greenland ice sheet samples show impact of US Clean Air Act on climate (via Austrian Tribune)

Desmond Tutu calls for anti-apartheid style boycott of fossil fuel industry (via The Guardian)

EPA held over 100 meetings, met with over 200 groups to design carbon rules (via Climate Progress)

Harvard faculty members urge university to divest from fossil fuels (via The Guardian)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Gas carousel making Spain Europe’s biggest LNG exporter (via Bloomberg)

How many jobs does fracking really create? (via National Journal)

Geologists say fracking likely cause of Ohio earthquakes (via Time) 

Early speculators let drilling leases lapse as North Carolina fracking prospects remain uncertain (via Winston-Salem Journal)

ENVIRONMENT 

Entire marine food chain at risk from rising CO2 levels in water (via The Guardian)

El Nino could raise meteorological hell this year (via Grist)

US drought retreats 15% in one year (via Climate Central)

OIL 

IMF says North American boom to keep oil prices low (via Christian Science Monitor)

Crude oil leak in China taints water for millions (via New York Times)

Rail transport of crude oil increases as pipelines fall short (via New York Times)

Big Oil comes up short in shale (via Houston Chronicle)

Houston fills with crude oil that can’t be shipped out (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Sales of electric and alternative fuel vehicles will reach 12.4 million annually by 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Washington State’s governor signs pro-Tesla bill (via Autoblog Green)

COAL 

China cuts in coal use may mean world emissions peak before 2020 (via Bloomberg)

Clean coal might work in China, but we won’t see much of it here (via Washington Post)

Chicago 30-hour ties up for Buffet’s trains slows coal (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency bill gaining momentum in US Senate (via Bloomberg BNA)

Cities collaborate and compete to improve energy efficiency (via Midwest Energy News)

NUCLEAR 

Japan supports nuclear power in national energy plan (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

Unions or greens – which Keystone XL player is doing more to keep the Senate blue? (via E&E Daily)

NRDC, LCV create environmental political alliance (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Is protecting the grid a matter of national security? (via National Journal)

Three most sobering graphics from UN’s new climate report (via Climate Progress)

400ppm: The milestone that puts Earth in the “danger zone” (via RTCC)

Posted:   |   Categories: 400ppm, arctic, Blackout, british columbia, canada, China, clean air act, clean coal, climate, Climate Change, coal, Desmond Tutu, Divestment, DOE, drought, earthquakes, El Nino, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, europe, ev, Extreme weather, facebook, FERC, First Nations, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, greenland, grid, Harvard, Houston, IMF, japan, jay inslee, Keystone XL, LCV, LNG exports, natural gas, Nebraska, Net metering, News, North Carolina, Northern Gateway, nrdc, nuclear, Ocean acidification, Ohio, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, Oil train, Pipeline, renewables, Shaheen-Portman, Shale oil, solar, Spain, tar sands, Tesla, Transportation, UN, UN IPCC, Value of solar tariff, Washington State, 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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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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