Category Archives:california

25
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.25.13

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

CLIMATE 

Billionaires secretly fund attacks on climate science (via The Independent)

Kerry says global climate change is threat to US (via Washington Post)

Obama’s inaugural speech rallies campus climate divestment campaign (via Buzzfeed)

How climate change could wipe out the Western Forests (via The Atlantic)

Explained in 90 seconds: it’s cold – that doesn’t mean global warming is fake (via Mother Jones)

EMISSIONS 

Japan to announce lower greenhouse gas reduction targets by November (via Bloomberg)

Norwegian Sea can hold 100 years of Norway’s CO2 emissions (via Reuters)

EU carbon price crashes to record low (via The Guardian)

Tokyo’s cap-and-trade cuts CO2 23% in second year (via Environmental Leader)

Federal court won’t review decision that struck down EPA pollution rule (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

China “finalizing renewables quote” (via Recharge)

What the president’s focus on climate change means for cleantech (via GreenBiz)

Crowd-funded solar projects top $1 million in US (via Treehugger)

Wind tax credit has appeal for red states, too (via Politico)

Arizona regulators slash home solar incentive, kill commercial plan (via Arizona Daily Star)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

How much will tar sands oil add to global warming? (via Scientific American)

After Nebraska setback, greens regroup on Keystone XL (via Mother Jones)

From John Kerry, cautious words on Keystone XL (via The Hill)

John Kerry says he’ll control Keystone XL review as Secretary of State (via InsideClimate News)

Enbridge says Eastern US Gulf Coast next big market for Canadian oil (via InsideClimate News/Reuters)

GRID 

Global smart grid spending rose to $13.9 billion driven by China (via Bloomberg)

Nearly 70 percent of electric meters in Europe will be smart by 2020 (via Pike Research)

Oak Park, Illinois test drives a blackout-proof, solar-powered smart grid (via Grist)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Ukraine signs landmark $10 billion shale gas deal with Shell (via Reuters)

110 lawmakers urge exports of US natural gas (via Houston Chronicle)

Do we have enough water to frack our way to energy independence? (via Huffington Post)

California sued for allegedly failing to regulate fracking (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Number of ChAdeMO EV charging stations in US jumped tenfold in 2012 (via Autoblog Green)

UK could roll out 122,000 EV chargers under EU plan (via BusinessGreen)

Are vehicle miles travelled (VMT) fees the key to federal transportation woes? (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

Will Texas be next to tax electric vehicles? (via Autoblog Green)

With new battery hub, Chicago seeks to lead nation on electric vehicles (via Midwest Energy News)

GREEN BUSINESS 

McDonald’s, Unilever, Pepsi, Adidas make sustainability news at Davos (via GreenBiz)

Should oil firms make a list of the world’s most sustainable companies? (via GreenBiz)

Unilever reveals half of its factories send ‘zero waste’ to landfills (via BusinessGreen)

Oregon tops US in new clean jobs index (via Sustainable Business Oregon)

COAL 

Governors at odds over Northwest export terminal proposals (via Greenwire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Does increased energy efficiency just spark us to use more? (via Scientific American)

Washington DC once again leads America in LEED certifications (via CleanTechnica)

Energy efficiency in the Northeast US: Massachusetts leads, New Jersey lags (via Energy Manager Today)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Energy industry fueled by strong M&A activity (via Houston Chronicle)

Texas regulatory commission that oversees drilling is being overhauled, even in name (via New York Times/Texas Tribune)

OPINION 

How the “Kochtopus” stifled green debate (via The Independent)

Obama’s second chance on Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

From words to deeds: how to push Obama toward climate action (via Grist)

Memo to DC: think long-term on clean energy (via Earth Techling)

The Keystone XL objections wither away (via Wall Street Journal)

US Northeast faces stark choice on climate pollution (via New York Times)

An economic tale of two shale booms: Pennsylvania is not North Dakota (via Facts of the Day)

POLITICS 

Would a White House green team help on climate? (via Politico)

Democrats form Congressional task force to fight climate change (via Bloomberg)

White House official details Obama plans for climate change, clean energy (via SNL Energy)

White House official: corporate tax reform should boost green energy (via The Hill)

Obama climate push to tie environment, jobs (via Reuters)

Posted:   |   Categories: Adidas, arizona, barack obama, battery, california, canada, cap and trade, Carbon price, Carbon sequestration, ccs, chicago, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal export, Crowd funding, Davos, deforestation, Divestment, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, EPA, EU, europe, European Union, ev, EV charger, fracking, global warming, green building, green business, green jobs, grid, Illinois, Incentives, japan, jay inslee, john kerry, Keystone XL, Koch Brothers, Kochtopus, LEED, M&A, massachusetts, mcdonald's, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Nebraska, new jersey, News, north dakota, norway, oregon, pennsylvania, Pepsi, production tax credit, ptc, Rebound effect, Recycling, renewables, Shell, smart grid, smart meters, solar, tar sands, texas, Tokyo, Transportation, uk, Ukraine, Unilever, united kingdom, VMT, Washington DC, World economic forum, Zero waste
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24
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.24.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Japan’s 2012 LNG imports at record high on nuclear woes (via Reuters)

White House starts review of revised gas “fracking” rule (via The Hill)

GAO says regulators need to improve natural gas pipeline incident response data (via Washington Post/AP)

Dow Chemical fights ally Exxon’s natural gas export push (via Bloomberg)

Pennsylvania fracking wastewater might overwhelm Ohio injection wells (via Akron Beacon Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electrifying auto fleets could cut company fuel costs by 75% (via BusinessGreen)

Plug-in readiness reports show wide difference between California regions (via Green Car Congress)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Majority of US senators back Keystone XL pipeline (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Sting operations reveal mafia involvement in Italian renewable energy (via Washington Post)

Expensive loans dim prospects for renewable energy in India (via Forbes)

Big funders bought wind in 2012 (via Greentech Media)

Mitsubishi Heavy seeks 10% share of global offshore wind market (via Bloomberg)

Latin American solar markets poised for 66% growth through 2017 (via Greentech Media)

Report: lack of consistent policy holding back clean energy industry (via Midwest Energy News)

North America’s largest wind energy storage facility goes online in Texas (via CleanTechnica)

VW starts up largest solar park at US auto factory in Tennessee (via Autoblog Green)

EMISSIONS 

Japan ready to ditch emissions reduction target (via Phys.org)

Beijing to scrap old cars and swap coal-burners in clean air bid (via Bloomberg)

Greenhouse gas emissions dip in Minnesota, but future is uncertain (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Deutsche Bank pays $1.6 million to end US energy market trading probe (via Bloomberg)

Study: college endowments triple returns on fossil fuel stocks (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

China to cap electricity growth at 8% through 2015 (via Bloomberg)

Smart grid may be shortest route to Obama’s green energy goals (via Forbes)

The importance, challenge, and future of smart grid data analytics (via Renew Grid)

Duke completes battery storage project at Texas wind farm (via Renew Grid)

New aggregation programs drive consumer participation in Illinois energy choice (via US EIA)

NUCLEAR 

Japan faces nuclear shutdown for second time since Fukushima (via Reuters)

Funding no problem for German shift from nuclear energy (via Reuters)

Fracking for uranium (via Forbes)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Companies call on EU to deliver 2030 energy efficiency goals (via BusinessGreen)

Surge expected for utility customer-funded energy efficiency programs (via Renew Grid)

Does your state lead in LEED? (via Greentech Media)

How energy literate are you? (via Mapawatt)

CLIMATE 

Why Greenland’s melting could be the biggest climate disaster of all (via Mother Jones)

Andes glaciers melting at record rates (via Christian Science Monitor/Reuters)

Analysis: Obama’s next climate steps apt to be temperate (via Reuters)

Derek Jeter steps to the plate for climate change (via Politico)

Climate change bill readied for 2013 Utah state legislative session (via Salt Lake Tribune)

OIL 

Alaskans want role in US Arctic offshore drilling probe (via Houston Chronicle)

POLITICS 

Obama’s covert plans for climate (via Politico)

Tracking the changes at EPA in Obama’s second term (via AOL Energy)

Ashton Carter said to be leading contender for US Energy Secretary (via Bloomberg)

Sen. Kerry to divest financial holdings to avoid conflicts of interest (via Boston Globe)

Sen. Murkowski to release “comprehensive” energy blueprint next week (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Why are greens so defensive about the rebound effect? (via Grist)

Uncertainty about climate change is reason for more aggressive action (via Grist)

Breaking down the Federal clean energy innovation budget: demonstration projects (via Innovation Files)

OTHER NEWS 

An additional listing of clean energy and climate news is posted at Climate Progress

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, Ashton Carter, barack obama, Beijing, california, China, climate, Climate Change, Derek Jeter, Deutsche Bank, Divestment, Dow Chemical, Duke, Electric Vehicle, Electricity aggregation, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy industry, energy storage, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, Exxon, fracking, Fracking wastewater, fukushima, GAO, germany, glaciers, greenland, grid, Illinois, india, Injection wells, italy, japan, john kerry, Keystone XL, Latin America, LEED, Lisa Murkowski, LNG imports, minnesota, mitsubishi, Municipal aggregation, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, pennsylvania, Pipelines, Rebound effect, renewables, Sea level rise, smart grid, solar, tar sands, Tennessee, texas, Transportation, uranium, utah, Volkswagen, wind
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23
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.23.13

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Nebraska governor approves new Keystone XL route (via New York Times)

Nebraska approval puts Keystone pipeline decision squarely on Obama (via Globe and Mail)

US State Department: no Keystone decision before end of Q1 2013 (via Reuters)

Obama’s own words turn up heat on Keystone decision (via Politico)

Sierra Club to engage in civil disobedience for first time in opposition to Keystone XL (via San Francisco Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Four of five British have not heard of government’s energy efficiency Green Deal (via BusinessGreen)

Senate bill targets energy efficiency for climate strategy (via Politico)

DC, Virginia, Colorado top US in 2012 LEED certifications (via Energy Manager Today)

Berkeley Lab predicts more energy efficiency incentives in South, Midwest (via Energy Manager Today)

California to invest $2.5 billion retrofitting energy-wasting schools (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

China’s solar market boomed in Q4, accounting for third of global demand (via Forbes)

Japan’s solar tariff may drop 12% as costs sink, BNEF estimates (via Bloomberg)

Global insurers see opportunity in renewable energy (via Recharge)

EU proposes duties on US bioethanol imports (via Reuters)

Chinese solar panel imports drop amid new US tariffs (via Houston Chronicle)

Total solar scenario for Earth: plenty, with room to spare (via EarthTechling)

Ikea to double spending on renewable energy to $4 billion (via Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg) 

Taller wind turbines boost state energy self-reliance (via CleanTechnica)

New bill proposed for Maryland offshore wind (via Recharge)

Wind farm towers: taller and slower with more power (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Wind energy company could be required to track, protect condors (via Bakersfield Californian)

EMISSIONS 

Supreme Court won’t hear challenge to EPA pollution rule (via The Hill)

Court ruling casts doubt on future of EPA monitoring program (via Greenwire)

California greenhouse gas emissions drop for 3rd year (via Sustainable Business)

TRANSPORTATION 

A123 expects Wanxiang sale to be finished by Feb 1 (via Autoblog Green)

Lux Research: Boeing “should have used a safer battery” (via Environmental Leader)

More electric car charging stations open in Atlanta (via Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

COAL 

Sen. Rockefeller reshaping his federal mine safety legislation (via Register-Herald)

Coal trains: what is the impact? (via Skagit Valley Herald)

The people and process behind Bellingham’s coal port decision (via Crosscut)

Iowa utility agrees to stop using coal at five generators (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Betting on Indiana coal: Duke wants ratepayers to fund retrofits, enviros cry foul (via Midwest Energy News)

GRID 

Australian utilities reluctant to invest in smart grid (via Renew Grid)

How much electric supply capacity is needed to keep US electricity grids reliable? (via US EIA)

In fuel cells, the US plays catch-up (via Pike Research)

CLIMATE 

Poll shows country split on climate change (via The Hill)

In inaugural address, Obama makes a moral case for action on climate change (via Washington Post)

Obama signals new executive authority focus on climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

Obama could bypass Congress to fulfill climate pledge (via Bloomberg)

Death from above: Chicago’s bird casualties offer clues on climate change (via Grist)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Shareholders challenge Exxon, Chevron over climate risks (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas vehicles remain less prevalent in US than elsewhere (via Houston Chronicle)

Huntsman Corp. joins campaign against US natural gas exports (via Houston Chronicle)

NUCLEAR 

An early nuclear warning: was it for naught? (via New York Times)

Fish caught near Fukushima shows radiation level 2,500 above safety standards (via Daily Mail)

OPINION 

A quick, awesome must-read on climate change (via Mother Jones)

Will Germany banish fossil fuels before the US? (via Grist)

Enough with our cult of the presidency – the climate’s fate rests with Congress (via Grist)

The climate change endgame (via New York Times)

The 14 fossil-fuel projects poised to f*ck up the climate (via Grist)

Posted:   |   Categories: A123, Atlanta, australia, barack obama, battery, Berkeley Lab, biofuel, boeing, Boeing Dreamliner, california, Chevron, chicago, China, climate, coal, Coal export, Coal train, colorado, Congress, Dave Heineman, duke energy, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Exxon, feed-in tariff, fuel cell, fukushima, germany, green business, grid, Ikea, indiana, japan, Jay Rockefeller, Keystone XL, LEED, maryland, Mine safety, natural gas, Natural gas export, Nebraska, News, nuclear, offshore wind, Reliability, renewables, retrofit, sierra club, smart grid, solar, Solar trade war, tar sands, Tariff, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, USGBC, virginia, Wanxiang, Washington DC, Washington State, wind
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18
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.18.13

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone’s tar sands waste said to warm climate more than coal (via Bloomberg)

As State Department nears completion of Keystone XL review, both sides dig in (via Washington Post)

Two report on oil sands paint a dire picture (via New York Times)

Federal study reignites pollution concern in expanding tar sand region (via DeSmog Blog)

GOP governors, Canadian leader press Obama to approve Keystone pipeline (via The Hill)

TransCanada on the climate impacts of its Keystone XL pipeline (via Huffington Post)

CLIMATE 

Temperature hits all-time high in Sydney (via Phys.org)

Survey finds businesses trusted more than government on climate change (via Environmental Leader)

US frost-free season grows to 21 days (via Facts of the Day)

RENEWABLES 

High-tech energy attracts $1.12 trillion in global revenue (via Houston Chronicle)

Germany may widen FIT reforms (via Recharge)

Report: solar could meet global electricity needs in 2050 using under 1% of world’s land (via Climate Progress)

Rising solar energy output drives German and French power prices to record lows (via CleanTechnica)

Developers will invest $1.9 trillion in clean energy over next five years (via Renewable Energy World)

2013 could be make or break year for algae fuel (via GigaOm)

US wind power accounted for 6% of generation capacity in 2012 (via Bloomberg)

FERC proposes rule to speed up solar energy grid interconnections (via Renewable Energy World)

US Army’s New Mexico solar array world’s largest of its kind (via EarthTechling)

Study: US must increase clean energy efforts (via United Press International)

Utilities, environmentalists behind study of Montana’s renewable power mandate (via Billings Gazette)

MIT builds material that generates electricity from water vapor (via Treehugger)

GRID 

Report predicts 3.5 million lost jobs, $3.1 million lost economic output without US transmission upgrades (via Renew Grid)

What US smart grid investments have done so far (via Renew Grid)

FERC proposes streamlining small generator interconnections (via Renew Grid)

PJM, NYISO begin market-to-market coordination (via Renew Grid)

First four months of municipal aggregation save Champaign, IL $700,000 (via News-Gazette)

OIL 

Global refining boom could challenge US exports (via Houston Chronicle)

OPEC forecasts record US oil supply growth in 2013 (via Christian Science Monitor)

As Shell’s Arctic drilling hopes hit snags, its rivals watch (via New York Times)

BP says North American shale oil boom will pressure OPEC (via Wall Street Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Mexico relaxes auto fuel-efficiency rule to quell legal threat (via Reuters)

How important is charging infrastructure to EV adoption? (via GreenBiz)

US grounds fuel-efficient Boeing Dreamliner (via Environmental Leader)

DOE partnership aims to realize EV-to-grid dream (via Triple Pundit)

As electric future unfolds, gasoline remains king (via Midwest Energy News)

GM says next generation Chevy Volt will be “thousands of dollars” cheaper (via Autoblog Green)

Fisker Karma production stoppage reaches 6 months, company claims “sufficient supply” (via Autoblog Green)

COAL 

Coal’s “lifeline to Asia” emerges as new front in global warming fight (via ClimateWire)

Scrutiny rises for royalties paid on US coal exports to Asia (via The Oregonian)

Coal mine safety rule prompted by explosion faces industry blowback (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

RWE starts carbon capture at UK coal plant (via Reuters)

Fraud-free cap and trade: what California learned from Europe (via GreenBiz)

New York Governor Cuomo proposes tougher RGGI carbon cap (via AOL Energy)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Top economies face fuel price spike as LNG supply drops (via Reuters)

Report recommends changes to tax exemption for fracking (via Texas Tribune)

ENVIRONMENT 

Canada’s environmental health last in developed world (via Huffington Post)

As US drought persists, many scramble to save every drop of water (via Reuters)

About a dozen environment reporters left at top five US papers (via InsideClimate News)

POLITICS 

Obama’s climate challenge (via Rolling Stone)

DOE Secretary Chu said to plan departure from cabinet (via Bloomberg)

US environmentalists challenged to get climate change laws through Congress (via The Guardian)

If you want to pass climate legislation, fix US politics (via Grist)

DOE names new BPA administrator (via Renew Grid)

New Washington governor sets his sights on climate change solutions (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Why the climate bill failed: it’s not that simple (via Grist)

How are we doing on energy efficiency? (via Grist)

Obama to confront oil pipeline, climate change in second term (via US News/AP)

What corporations can learn from green revolving funds (via GreenBiz)

Posted:   |   Categories: algae, Andrew Cuomo, arctic, australia, barack obama, biofuel, Boeing Dreamliner, BP, BPA, california, canada, cap and trade, carbon capture, chevy volt, clean tech, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, Coal mine, Coal royalties, DOE, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, Environmental health, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, feed-in tariff, FERC, Fisker Karma, fracking, France, fuel-efficiency, germany, global warming, grid, Illinois, Interconnection, investment, jay inslee, Keystone XL, LNG, mexico, MIT, Montana, Municipal aggregation, natural gas, New Mexico, new york state, News, NYISO, offshore drilling, oil, Oil exports, oil sands, OPEC, Petcoke, PJM, Renewable energy standard, renewables, rggi, Shale oil, Shell, smart grid, solar, State Department, steven chu, Sydney, tar sands, texas, TransCanada, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, US Army, V2G, Washington State, wind
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16
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.16.13

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

GRID 

Offshore transmission line breaks new ground on grid rules (via New York Times)

Why military microgrids influence exceeds their market share (via Pike Research)

ENERGY POLICY 

Large mergers drive changes in ownership of electric generating capacity in 2012 (via US EIA)

Oil lobby touts Keystone XL pipeline, natural gas exports (via Politico)

Oil refiners ask Congress to scrap renewable fuels mandate (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Hong Kong offers $1.3 billion to replace polluting vehicles (via Bloomberg)

EPA says final revisions to 2010 air quality rule will cut industry costs, health risks (via The Hill)

California cuts GHGs for third year (via Environmental Leader)

RENEWABLES 

“Advanced energy” is a trillion-dollar market, and actually grew in 2012 (via GigaOm)

China passes 60GW grid-connected wind capacity (via Recharge)

Inside MENA countries’ solar energy plans (via Renewable Energy World)

Saudi Arabia will set up power buyer for renewables electricity (via Bloomberg)

Royal family investing £20 million in UK wave and tidal power (via BusinessGreen)

Solar provides 5.6% of Italian electricity demand in 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

Morocco to launch new concentrated solar power tenders (via Recharge)

50% solar cell efficiency could be in sight (via EarthTechling)

PTC in place, the US wind industry looks ahead (via Greentech Media)

Solar net metering will provide over $92 million in benefits to California ratepayers (via Electric Light & Power)

Sungevity scores $125 million for third-party solar financing (via Greentech Media)

ALEC to attack North Carolina renewable energy initiative (via DeSmogBlog)

Virginia attorney general targets utility renewable energy incentives (via Washington Times/AP)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Texas study finds increase in water used for fracking (via Texas Tribune)

CLIMATE 

2012 was Earth’s 10th warmest year on record, warmest with a La Nina (via Weather Underground)

US climate diplomat says emissions deal is in nations’ core interest (via The Hill)

Black carbon 2x larger cause of climate change than previously assessed (via Green Car Reports)

Record taxpayer cost is seen for US crop insurance (via New York Times)

Decades of temperature changes where you lived mapped online (via The Guardian)

National Flood Insurance Program – a mighty engine that couldn’t (via ClimateWire)

Science and religion meet at a climate protest (via New York Times)

Do cities really take the lead on climate change? (via Grist)

Sandy relief bill passes House despite conservative opposition (via Huffington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Cadillac and Nissan press the case for electric cars (via New York Times)

Tesla Model S to hit UK market in early 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

Cadillac introduces 2014 ELR extended range electric vehicle (via Green Car Congress)

Nissan to use US battery plant for hybrid vehicles (via Bloomberg)

Johnson Controls offers start-stop battery system for vehicles (via New York Times)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Google makes new electricity push with funding to Energy Foundation (via The Hill)

How Ford and Adidas are making climate change work in their favor (via GreenBiz)

US government seeing big savings from green buildings (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

10 things to know about leasing coal on public land (via Oregon Public Radio)

POLITICS 

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to leave Obama administration (via Reuters)

Ken Salazar’s legacy includes push for wind, solar energy (via Politico)

Chuck Hagel’s Chevron tie not criticized (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

2013: the year of climate decision (via Climate Progress)

Can the Chinese rescue Fisker? (via Autoblog)

For greater job growth, invest in clean energy, not US coal exports (via National Geographic)

Wind might not roar in 2013, even with PTC (via EarthTechling) 

The extreme weather threat that’s all around us (via Huffington Post)

Why is net metering under attack? (via Greentech Media)

A holding pattern at Tesla (via New York Times)

Posted:   |   Categories: Adidas, Advanced industry, ALEC, API, Atlantic wind connection, battery, Cadillac, Cadillac ELR, california, Chevron, China, Chuck Hagel, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, concentrated solar power, Crop insurance, csp, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy Foundation, energy policy, EPA, ev, Extreme weather, Fisker, Ford, fracking, global warming, google, green building, green business, grid, Hong Kong, Hurricane Sandy, hybrid, Insurance, interior department, italy, Johnson Controls, Ken Cuccinelli, ken salazar, Keystone XL, La Nina, M&A, MENA, Microgrid, Morocco, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Net metering, News, Nissan, nissan LEAF, North Carolina, oil, politics, production tax credit, ptc, Renewable fuels mandate, renewables, saudi arabia, Severe weather, solar, Soot, Sungevity, Tesla, Tesla Model S, texas, Third party solar, tidal power, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, US military, virginia, wave power, wind
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11
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.11.13

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

CLIMATE 

Heat, flood, or icy cold, extreme weather rages worldwide (via New York Times)

Australia braces for more blistering heat after record busting spell (via Washington Post)

COAL 

Ontario to be coal-free by 2013 (via Ontario Ministry of Energy)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Fossil fuel divestment campaign spreads to America’s churches (via InsideClimate News)

Investment community calls for predictable climate policy (via GreenBiz)

RENEWABLES 

Deutsche Bank predicts global solar market will rise 22 percent in 2013 (via Bloomberg)

Global clean energy investment falls for first time (via BusinessGreen)

Chile approves 3.1GW of solar PV projects (via Renewable Energy World)

US wind industry awaits tax guidance on PTC rule (via Politico)

New York Governor announces $1 billion green bank and $1.5 billion solar program (via Climate Progress)

California solar program hits 1GW-installed milestone (via EarthTechling)

NREL and Stanford team up on peel-and-stick solar cells (via Renewable Energy World)

EMISSIONS 

IRENA: shale gas boom can complement renewables to cut coal (via Bloomberg)

EPA cites Shell Arctic drilling rigs for air emissions violations (via Los Angeles Times)

Do you live near one of the nation’s dirtiest power plants? (via Huffington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Global auto exec survey expects internal-combustion engine dominance but with downsizing and PHEV investment (via Green Car Congress)

In lawsuit against Energy Department, firms claim cronyism in “green car” loan program (via Washington Post)

Nearly 1 million natural gas trucks and buses will be sold worldwide from 2012-2019 (via Pike Research)

New EV charging station connects to smart meters (via Renew Grid)

Fuel cell vehicles could be a $1.8 billion market in 2030 (via Environmental Leader)

How to read a plug-in hybrid’s mileage sticker (via Mapawatt)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US manufacturers lobby against “unfettered” natural gas exports (via Houston Chronicle)

California announces preliminary hydraulic fracturing regulations (via AOL Energy)

USGS finds no contamination from fracking in two Arkansas counties (via Reuters)

RARE EARTHS 

DOE plunks $120 million into rare earths research hub (via AOL Energy)

Molycorp lowers 2013 outlook, shares plunge (via Reuters)

OIL 

Support grows for more offshore drilling oversight by US (via Houston Chronicle)

BP oil spill settlement payments exceed $1 billion mark (via Houston Chronicle)

Rep. Markey: Shell may have moved Kulluk Arctic drilling rig to avoid taxes (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

Drought-damaged US states face poor outlook as dry weather persists (via The Guardian)

Native Canadians could block natural resource development (via Reuters)

Beetlemania: insects are gobbling up 1,000-year-old trees (via Mother Jones)

GRID 

ERCOT says Texas electric transmission capacity will fall short of demand (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

If you aren’t alarmed about climate, you aren’t paying attention (via Grist)

Why is General Electric backing down from its plug-in pledge? (via Plugin Cars)

New York State’s clean tech challenge to California (via Forbes)

OTHER NEWS 

An additional listing of clean energy and climate news is posted at Climate Progress

Posted:   |   Categories: Andrew Cuomo, arctic, Arkansas, australia, BP, california, canada, Chile, climate, Climate Change, coal, deforestation, department of energy, Deutsche Bank, Divestment, drought, Ed Markey, Electric Vehicle, emissions, environment, EPA, ERCOT, ev, ev charging, Extreme weather, Flood, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, fuel cell, GE, General Electric, green business, grid, Internal combustion engine, investment, IRENA, Molycorp, natural gas, Natural gas export, new york state, News, NREL, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, ontario, PHEV, Pine bark beetles, Plug in, production tax credit, ptc, Rare earths, renewables, Severe weather, Shale gas, Shell, smart meter, solar, Stanford, Subsidy, texas, transmission, Transportation, usgs, wind
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10
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.10.13

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

CLIMATE 

UN climate official wants “strong” US response to record heat (via The Hill)

Arab Spring spawns Middle East youth climate change movement (via Sustainable Business)

Five charts help illustrate 2012 as warmest year on record (via Climate Central)

By the numbers: the hottest year on record (via WRI Insights)

Local governments answer America’s climate change wake-up call (via CleanTechnica)

Climate change and the shrinking Mississippi River (via Huffington Post)

Since 2009, Sunday TV shows haven’t quoted a single scientist on climate change (via Treehugger)

RENEWABLES 

Solar shakeout expected to slash solar equipment makers by 70% (via GigaOm)

MENA solar markets to exceed 3GW annually by 2015 (via Greentech Media)

China’s plan to double solar capacity in 2013 boosts industry (via Reuters)

China and renewables: the outlook for growth (via CleanTechnica)

Nearly 12% of UK electricity now produced by renewables (via Energy Collective)

In India, solar ambitions are suddenly outsized (via New York Times)

Wind power to provide 5% of America’s electricity by 2015 (via Facts of the Day)

Answers about tax credit specifics are still blowin’ in the wind (via Houston Chronicle)

New York Gov. Cuomo announces $1 billion green bank, new energy czar (via Greentech Media)

BP cuts ribbon on 600MW worth of US wind farms (via BusinessGreen)

Google invests $200 million in Texas wind farm, has now backed 2GW of clean power (via GigaOm)

Chinese firm buys US solar start-up MiaSole (via New York Times)

OIL 

Arctic standards urged for oil drilling in forbidding region (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil imports are falling to their lowest level since 1987 (via Washington Post)

Shale oil output anchors a record growth in US production (via EnergyWire)

Interior Department, Coast Guard launch separate probes of Shell Arctic operations (via EnergyWire)

BP’s oil and dispersant toxic to baby corals (via Mother Jones)

Phillips makes $1 billion commitment to ship Bakken shale oil (via Reuters)

Big Oil lobby claims the industry “gets no subsidies, zero, nothing” (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

Smart meter opponents turn to Maryland state legislature (via Capital Gazette)

California awards $1.8 million to UCSD microgrid project (via Green Car Congress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Volkswagen wants to be “the leader in electrification” (via Autoblog Green)

China to offer electric car incentives soon, says official (via Bloomberg)

2013 Nissan Leaf now more efficient, charges in half the time (via Inhabitat)

Virginia Gov. McDonnell proposes eliminating state’s gas tax (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

California ratepayers to receive 85% of cap-and-trade revenue as climate dividend (via AOL Energy)

COAL 

EIA projects slight bump up for coal this year, but long-term projections show decline (via Charleston Gazette)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Utilities can save big with next-generation energy efficiency programs (via Energy Manager Today)

Back from the brink: home energy efficiency tax credits (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US Chamber’s fracking jobs boom: behind the numbers (via Midwest Energy News)

POLITICS 

Obama’s first term: assessing progress on top energy and climate priorities (via Climate Progress)

Former White House aide defends “green” stimulus, says created 720,000 jobs (via The Hill)

Sen. Sanders floats new climate bill after US hits heat record (via The Hill)

MIT to Obama: get serious about climate change (via Triple Pundit)

Treasury Secretary nominee Jack Lew has ties to energy (via Christian Science Monitor)

Tom Steyer might be the next big name in US energy politics (via Greenwire)

OPINION 

China’s solar PV goal masks a fallacy (via Recharge)

Solyndra stunk. The green stimulus didn’t. (via Washington Post)

Climate-proofing cities: not something conservatives will be good at (via Grist)

Heat: Hell on poor countries, no biggie for the rich (via Grist)

Clarifying public investments in clean energy innovation (via Innovation Files)

Innovation should be central to next Energy Secretary’s agenda (via Innovation Files)

The science of why comment trolls suck (via Mother Jones)

OTHER NEWS 

An additional listing of clean energy and climate news is posted at Climate Progress

Posted:   |   Categories: Andrew Cuomo, Arab Spring, arctic, arra, Bakken Shale, barack obama, bernie sanders, Bob McDonnell, BP, california, cap and trade, China, climate, Climate Change, Climate dividend, coal, drought, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, ev, fracking, Gas tax, google, grid, india, interior department, Jack Kew, maryland, MENA, MiaSole, Microgrid, middle east, Mississippi River, natural gas, new york state, News, nissan LEAF, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, Phillips, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, Shale oil, smart meter, solar, solyndra, stimulus, Subsidies, Tax credit, texas, Tom Steyer, Transportation, united kingdom, US Coast Guard, virginia, Volkswagen, wind
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