Category Archives:california

06
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.6.14

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

CLIMATE 

Past measurements may have missed massive ocean warming (via Science)

Could climate change affect the number of boys and girls born? (via Smithsonian)

Miami Beach prepares for annual “King Tide” flooding and a taste of sea level rise (via Huffington Post)

COAL 

U.S. sees drop in coal exports in 2014 (via Mining.com)

U.S. coal exports fall on lower European demand, increased global supply (via U.S. EIA)

U.S. coal companies having tough 2014 so far (via Knoxville News Sentinel)

New regulations, competition have coal industry reeling (via Tuscaloosa News)

RENEWABLES 

7 renewable energy lessons from Germany (via Renewable Energy World)

German solar PV market continues shrinking (via Renewables International)

U.S. DOE says 54GW of offshore wind power waiting to be tapped (via TriplePundit)

Siemens says wind power needs subsidy to compete in U.S. (via Financial Times)

U.S. DOE awarding $25 million to reduce CSP costs (via Solar Industry Magazine)

OSU researchers build rechargeable solar battery (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

USDA provides $91 million for biogasoline blendstock plant (via Green Car Congress)

First commercial quantities of cellulosic ethanol from woody biomass marketed (via Phys.org)

OIL 

Shell suspends Siberian oil project, says Russian partner (via Wall Street Journal)

Orphaned Russian oil heads to U.S. west on Asia overflow (via Bloomberg)

Rosneft CEO says he’ll develop Arctic oil with or without Exxon (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

BP seeks revised verdict or new trial on spill negligence (via Bloomberg)

Gov. Inslee: “Outdated, inadequate, and dangerous” oil trains crossing state (via Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

TRANSPORTATION 

European regulators say incorrect C02 ratings could cost drivers $580/year (via Autoblog Green)

Carnival cruises toward $2.5 billion in fuel savings (via GreenBiz)

UMTRI monthly report shows large drop in new-vehicle fuel economy in September (via Green Car Congress)

Toyota racks up 7 million hybrids sold since 1997 (via Green Car Reports)

ENERGY POLICY 

EU seeks faster energy market integration amid crisis (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Brazil keeps renewable energy transmission & distribution discounts (via Recharge News)

Building wind power superhighways (via Chicago Tribune)

Grid-scale energy storage continues making inroads (via Renew Grid)

NATURAL GAS 

An industry you’ve never heard of is trying to cut $1.8 billion in wasted natural gas (via Climate Progress)

Two gas drillers agree to disclose fracking risks to investors (via The Hill)

Maryland report: Fracking poses little risk to drinking water in the state (via Climate Progress)

Drilling waste site roils tiny Texas town (via Texas Tribune)

EMISSIONS 

Fish failing to adapt to rising CO2 levels in ocean (via The Guardian)

China emissions rising on high-carbon economic growth (via RTCC)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Tougher energy efficiency target would boost UK economy by £62 billion (via The Guardian)

Johnson Controls, WRI partnership targets energy efficiency in cities (via Environmental Leader)

ENVIRONMENT 

Wilderness as economic stimulus? A closer look at the evidence (via The Hill)

In virtual mega-drought, California avoids defeat (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

Brazil’s Rousseff in tight runoff against pro-business Neves (via Reuters)

Clashing visions of conservation shake Brazil’s presidential vote (via New York Times)

Democrats lean heavily on PACs in coordinated push to counter GOP (via New York Times)

McConnell on climate change: “Not a scientist” (via Courier-Journal)

This woman could become one of the world’s most influential environmentalists (via National Journal)

OPINION 

India’s mixed climate change forecast (via Washington Post)

Why the oil majors are backing away from renewable energy (via EnergyWire)

Cold days for coal could mean a better forecast for our climate (via Energy Collective)

A carbon tax will create jobs for Americans (via CNN)

Congress should fix the gas tax (via Washington Post)

NASA explains how climate change is like the flu (via National Journal)

Will investors flock to SunEdison’s emerging market YieldCo? (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, battery, biofuels, BP, Brazil, california, carbon tax, cellulosic ethanol, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, Concentrating solar power, department of energy, Dilma Rousseff, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, European Union, fracking, Fuel Economy, Gas tax, germany, global warming, grid, india, jay inslee, Johnson Controls, maryland, methane, Mitch McConnell, NASA, natural gas, News, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Oil trains, renewables, Rosneft, Russia, Sea level rise, Shell, Siemens, solar, SunEdison, texas, Toyota, Transportation, united kingdom, wind, YieldCo
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02
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.2.14

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

CLIMATE 

Obama and Modi announce agreement on U.S.-India global warming efforts (via Washington Post)

Antarctic sea ice hits new max; continent still warming (via Climate Central)

ENERGY POLICY 

MIT: Global energy use, CO2 may double by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Ex-Im Bank to finance $1 billion Mexican oil and gas deal (via The Hill)

Finland’s “fickle” nuclear energy policy? (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

2014 clean energy spending at $175 billion so far on Chinese rise (via Bloomberg)

Global clean energy investment rallies, but UK market plummets (via BusinessGreen)

Latin America on pace to install 2.3GW of solar PV in 2015 (via Greentech Media)

World Bank approves $500 million for Morocco solar (via Bloomberg)

Trina drops as Japan outlook sinks Chinese solar makers (via Bloomberg)

Property tycoon reveals $20 billion solar-led portfolio (via Bloomberg)

Vivint Solar makes public market debut, shares up modestly (via Forbes)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Hilton Worldwide achieves ISO 50001 energy management certification (via Energy Manager Today)

Japan focuses on zero-energy buildings (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas slips on outlook for above-normal supply gain (via Bloomberg)

Baker Huges will officially disclose fracking chemicals (via Houston Chronicle)

Exxon fracking report responds to shareholders (via ABC News/AP)

Ohio fracking waste issues go beyond chemical disclosure (via Midwest Energy News)

GRID 

DOE approves transmission line to deliver Quebec hydropower to New York (via Renewable Energy World)

New Jersey Transit becomes a leader in microgrids (via Energy Collective)

OIL 

U.S. crude oil exports headed to South Korea (via Energy Collective)

As U.S. debates oil train safety, local rules gather steam (via Christian Science Monitor)

Maze of federal oversight impedes North Dakota’s anti-flaring push (via Reuters)

North Dakota oil boom widens wage gap between the sexes (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla now has 200 Superchargers open around the world (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf makes 19 months in a row for record sales; Chevy Volt drops 21% (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla’s Musk outlines unveiling of “Model D and something else” (via Bloomberg)

COAL 

Australian coal miners cutting costs not output as rebound seen (via Bloomberg)

Court upholds EPA veto in mountaintop removal mining case (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

Study: Bark beetles not a wildfire bugaboo in Western U.S. (via USA Today)

POLITICS 

Republicans craft 2015 plan to force Obama’s hand on Keystone (via Reuters)

Energy trade group, environmental bosses rake in green (via Greenwire)

Report: McConnell opposed coal plant as county leader (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Global clean energy investment sustains its recovery (via Bloomberg)

Counting trees to save the woods: Using big data to map deforestation (via The Guardian)

Could the 2C climate target be completely wrong? (via The Guardian)

Expanding on the California Climate Credit (via Huffington Post)

Voters don’t really care about climate change, so why do Democrats keep talking about it? (via Washington Post)

The Wall Street Journal’s fresh face of climate inaction (via Slate)

The cult of Neil Degrasse Tyson (via Politico)

Posted:   |   Categories: Antarctica, australia, Baker Hughes, california, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, deforestation, DOE, Elon Musk, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, Export-Import bank, Exxon, Finland, fracking, grid, Hilton Worldwide, Hydropower, india, japan, Keystone XL, Latin America, mexico, Microgrids, Mitch McConnell, Morocco, Mountaintop coal removal, natural gas, New Jersey Transit, new york, News, nissan LEAF, north dakota, nuclear, Ohio, oil, Oil exports, Oil trains, Quebec, renewables, Sea ice melt, solar, South Korea, Tesla, Tesla Supercharger, transmission, Transportation, Trina, united kingdom, Vivint Solar, wildfires, World Bank, Zero energy buildings
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01
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.1.14

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

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine readies for winter without Russian gas (via The Hill)

Winter season heightens Russia-Europe gas game (via Retuers)

U.S. gas boom turns global as LNG exports shake up market (via Bloomberg)

FERC approves Dominion’s Cove Point LNG export facility (via Reuters)

EPA shows 73% decline in methane emissions from fracked wells (via Green Car Congress)

EMISSIONS 

Smog clouds Shanghai’s drive to become global financial center (via Bloomberg)

U.S. emissions increased in 2013, according to EPA (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

India will be renewables superpower, says energy minister (via The Guardian)

Germany renewables output tops coal for first time (via Bloomberg)

Japan may apply solar brakes with rate overhaul (via Bloomberg)

India to build first offshore wind power project (via Bloomberg)

Brazil study shows 30 ethanol mills near bankruptcy (via Bloomberg)

Japan to slap more restrictions on solar power (via Reuters)

Wave power finally on the horizon? (via Renewables International)

New Western U.S. real-time market aims to smooth bumps in renewable generation (via EnergyWire)

Massachusetts: 100,000 clean energy jobs (via Sustainable Business)

Vivint Solar prices IPO at $16 per share, aims for SolarCity-style ride (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Coal competing with oil and gas for space on rails (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Alpha Natural sees room for just 2-4 big U.S. coal miners (via Bloomberg)

For sale: Coal mines for investors willing to buck trend (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

U.S., India partner on climate resilience (via The Hill)

Six EU states cast doubt on proposed 2030 climate goals (via RTCC)

South Pacific flotilla to protest climate change inaction at Australia coal port (via Reuters)

OIL 

OPEC oil output hits highest since 2012 on Libya, Saudi (via Reuters)

Crude oil prices recover as Saudi Arabia cuts production (via Houston Chronicle)

Rising U.S. crude exports move closer to 1957 record (via Bloomberg)

U.S. could press for international Arctic drilling standards (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil, rail industries want 7 years to fix tank cars (via ABC News/AP)

Oil lobby: Rail tank car phase-out could cost $45.2 billion (via The Hill)

Enbridge delays North Dakota oil pipeline at least a year (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla breaks into Japan (via Forbes)

NUCLEAR 

DOE to offer $12.6 billion for nuke projects (via The Hill)

GRID 

California is integrating western utilities into its grid balancing market (via Greentech Media)

Dozens of developers show interest in Hawaii’s energy storage proposal (via PV Tech)

ENVIRONMENT 

North American beekeepers sue to stop pesticides (via Triple Pundit)

California governor signs plastic bag ban (via The Hill)

California burns through $209 million wildfire budget, taps $70 million more (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

An environmentalist’s calculated push toward Brazil’s presidency (via Reuters)

OPINION 

Taxes, fees: The worldwide battle between utilities and solar (via Reuters)

The world’s biggest energy hogs aren’t who you think they are (via Christian Science Monitor)

Holding out on solar? It’s time to reconsider (via GreenBiz)

Power markets and the changing color of the grid (via The Energy Collective)

Searching for the good life in the Bakken oil fields (via The Atlantic)

The explosive debate over a new natural gas pipeline through the Northeast (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alpha Natural, arctic, australia, Brazil, california, coal, Cove Point, DOE, emissions, Enbridge, energy storage, EPA, ethanol, EU, FERC, germany, green jobs, grid, Hawaii, india, japan, Jerry Brown, libya, LNG, massachusetts, methane, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, north dakota, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, Oil train, OPEC, Pipeline, renewables, Russia, saudi arabia, Shanghai, solar, Solar City, Tesla, Transportation, Ukraine, Vivint Solar, wave power, Wildfire
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30
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.30.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Beijing emissions drop in carbon market’s first year (via Environmental Leader)

EPA’s McCarthy: Clean Power Plan state targets, compliance options could change (via SNL Energy)

Despite UN climate summit, fossil fuel firms are in for the long term (via The Guardian)

COAL 

China to overhaul coal resource taxes to boost domestic producers (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

IEA says solar could be world’s top electricity source by 2050 (via The Guardian)

Japan has added 11GW of clean energy since July 2012 (via Bloomberg)

Utilities limit access as clean energy tests Japan’s grid (via Bloomberg)

Schneider joins Mexican distributed solar venture (via Energy Manager Today)

Latin America, Caribbean could get 9GW new solar in five years (via Recharge News)

1GW new PV under construction in Latin America and Caribbean (via PV Tech)

China outlines new rules for wind industry (via Recharge)

Federal report says solar could cut utility profits 15% (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Federal clean-energy loans go begging over controversy concerns (via Wall Street Journal)

U.S. solar firms set to benefit from OPIC loan program (via PV Tech)

PSEG to spend $247 million through 2016 on solar power (via Bloomberg)

A new solar model takes root in Colorado (via Navigant Research)

SunEdison sets emerging markets yieldco (via PV Tech)

NREL software tool a boon for wind industry (via Phys.org)

ENVIRONMENT 

Earth has lost 50% of its wildlife in past 40 years, says WWF (via The Guardian)

Brazil drought heralds sugar shortages (via Reno Gazette-Journal)

US consumer behavior “least sustainable” globally (via Environmental Leader)

Once considered won, battled against invasive beetles is renewed (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS 

Russia hopes for Ukraine gas deal this week (via Reuters)

Advocates warn frack sand rush threatens U.S. towns (via Huffington Post)

West Virginia to frack beneath Ohio River, drinking water supply for millions (via Climate Progress)

Ohio singled out for worst fracking waste disposal practices (via EcoWatch)

Exelon to build “cleanest” natural gas units (via Environmental Leader)

CLIMATE 

Climate fueled some of 2013’s most extreme weather events (via Climate Central)

Antarctic ice melt causes small shift in gravity (via Slate)

Scientists trace extreme heat in Australia to climate change (via New York Times)

Source of the sizzle: Climate change-fueled heat waves (via USA Today)

Barrier islands feeling effects of climate change (via New York Times)

Occidental Petroleum bolts from ALEC over climate stance (via National Journal)

GRID 

Grid-scale energy storage systems totaled more than 360MW in 2013-2014 (via Navigant Research)

Microgrid technologies to exceed $26 billion in annual revenue by 2023 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

A major settlement could make Arizona the next energy storage growth market (via Greentech Media)

Xcel Energy powers up 200-mile transmission project (via Renew Grid)

OIL 

Russian oil chief: Sanctions won’t stop Arctic drilling (via The Hill)

New Eagle Ford oil wells continue to show higher production (via U.S. EIA)

TRANSPORTATION 

European cars were 38% dirtier than air standards show (via Bloomberg)

EU countries to set EV targets under new green car rules (via BusinessGreen)

Japan conducts first public test of new maglev train (via Inhabitat)

Rolls-Royce gives up on electric, diesel in favor of hybrid (via Autoblog Green)

POLITICS 

Obama faces hard sell on climate fund (via The Hill)

Environmental groups take 2014 fight to states (via Politico)

OPINION 

Why peak oil predictions haven’t come true (via Wall Street Journal)

The death of the Aral Sea (via Science Blogs)

The natural gas boom could accelerate climate change (via FiveThirtyEight)

Dark side of the shale oil boom (via Washington Post)

Is a global climate treaty only a pipe dream? (via New York Times)

U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard: Not just for ethanol anymore (via National Geographic)

Drought in California, floods in California, doubt now in scientists’ minds (via Bloomberg)

Can the Big Island of Hawaii get all its electricity from renewables? (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: ALEC, Antarctica, Aral Sea, arctic, arizona, australia, Brazil, california, cap and trade, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, drought, Eagle Ford, electric vehicles, Emission, energy storage, EPA, ev, Exelon, Extinction, Extreme weather, fracking, Gina McCarthy, global warming, grid, Hawaii, IEA, japan, Maglev train, mexico, Microgrid, natural gas, News, NREL, offshore drilling, Ohio, Ohio River, OPIC, peak oil, PSE&G, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, rolls royce, Russia, Schneider Electric, Sea ice melt, Shale boom, solar, SunEdison, Transportation, Ukraine, West Virginia, wind, xcel energy, YieldCo
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24
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.24.14

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

UN CLIMATE SUMMIT

Here’s what major nations pledged at the UN climate summit (via National Journal)

Fortune 500 companies take center stage at UN climate summit (via Fortune)

Obama: U.S., China must lead on climate change efforts (via Wall Street Journal)

China, U.S. make treaty pledges during climate summit (via Climate Central)

UN climate summit pledges to halt loss of natural forest by 2030 (via The Guardian)

Major firms pledge climate change disclosure as “fiduciary duty” (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

India’s top court scraps nearly all coal blocks allocated since 1993 (via Reuters)

Coal mogul Murray says more bankruptcies possible (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Kazakhstan mulls 713MW new solar PV capacity by 2020 (via Renewable Energy World)

Mexico’s solar energy revolution (via The Energy Collective)

Brazil free market “could add 1.3GW new wind capacity (via Recharge News)

Santander tops green bank list as Europe’s lenders surge (via Bloomberg)

IKEA, Swiss Re, Marks, H&M go all-in on renewables (via GreenBiz)

Investors anxious and ready to grow green bond market (via Sustainable Business)

DOE report: U.S. wind has come far but faces challenges (via Energy Manager Today)

Feds draft renewable energy plan for California desert (via The Hill)

Developers plan $8 billion renewable energy project for Los Angeles (via Bloomberg)

Siemens unveils 3.3MW onshore wind turbine (via Recharge News)

SolarCity seeking $500 million in fourth panel-backed bond offer (via Bloomberg)

SolarCity strikes deal with New York for solar manufacturing plant (via Greentech Media)

CLIMATE 

New analysis shows global exposure to sea level rise (via Climate Central)

Report: Little climate aid for poor countries could threaten global treaty (via The Hill)

Climate change puts out the welcome mat for invasive species (via Grist) 

New executive order: U.S. must consider climate change when helping other countries (via Climate Progress)

Houston takes lead with climate plan (via Houston Chronicle)

NATURAL GAS 

EU plans for Iran gas imports if sanctions lifted (via Reuters)

Panel: Don’t expect high natural gas prices any time soon (via Houston Chronicle)

Pennsylvania natural gas leaks among worst in U.S. (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Record year for fossil fuel emissions pushes carbon budget to brink (via The Guardian)

European Union to cut emissions 80% by 2050 (via The Hill)

China targets emissions peak “as soon as possible” (via BusinessGreen)

Hong Kong seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50% (via Bloomberg)

Cities may reduce carbon emissions 8 gigatons by 2050 (via Bloomberg)

Quebec, California seeking to boost size of carbon market (via Bloomberg)

Analysts, states bullish on success of clean power plan (via Climate Central)

Brown says global lead on zero emissions beating forecast (via Bloomberg)

Rockefellers pledge to ditch fossil fuel assets (via GreenBiz)

OIL 

Delta: oil exports would prompt refinery closures (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

BIO says EPA inaction on RFS rule causing increase in emissions (via Green Car Congress)

An electric power plant on the roof of your car? (via Los Angeles Times)

Rapid charging EV batteries: Less damaging than we thought? (via Green Car Reports)

Even without Tesla, EV batteries can help California (via Phys.org)

NUCLEAR 

Japan won’t restart nuclear plants unless safety is restored (via Reuters)

GRID 

North America’s biggest battery gets unveiled today (via Greentech Media)

America’s grid has a baby boomer social security problem (via RMI Outlet)

New York grid operator takes a close look at distributed energy (via Renew Grid)

Can batteries replace coal plants? (via Chicago Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

3,000 NYC buildings to get energy retrofits (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Sustainable corporations perform better financially, finds report (via The Guardian)

Companies are taking the baton in climate change efforts (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

No drought relief in U.S. West without deep mountain snow (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

All over the planet, countries are completely missing their emissions targets (via Washington Post)

What good is a climate summit without emissions cuts? (via Washington Post)

Analyzing outcomes from the UN climate summit (via WRI Insights)

Tough slog ahead to fulfill UN climate summit promises (via Bloomberg)

Obama is pushing climate-change resilience, but he’s not promising new carbon cuts (via National Journal)

How to explain climate change so Congress can actually understand (via National Journal)

How does the People’s Climate March stack up against the largest protest rallies in U.S. history? (via The Energy Collective)

How to tap the medium-scale clean energy market (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

Posted:   |   Categories: Batteries, Brazil, california, cap and trade, Carbon budget, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, deforestation, Delta, Divestment, DOE, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, European Union, ev, Fossil fuel divestment, Green bonds, green business, grid, H&M, Hong Kong, Houston, Ikea, india, iran, japan, Jerry Brown, Kazakhstan, los angeles, Marks, mexico, natural gas, Natural gas exports, New York City, new york state, News, nuclear, NYISO, oil, pennsylvania, People's Climate March, Quebec, Renewable Fuels Standard, RFS, Santander, Sea level rise, Siemens, solar, SolarCity, Swiss Re, Tesla, united nations, wind
0
24
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.24.14

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

UN CLIMATE SUMMIT

Here’s what major nations pledged at the UN climate summit (via National Journal)

Fortune 500 companies take center stage at UN climate summit (via Fortune)

Obama: U.S., China must lead on climate change efforts (via Wall Street Journal)

China, U.S. make treaty pledges during climate summit (via Climate Central)

UN climate summit pledges to halt loss of natural forest by 2030 (via The Guardian)

Major firms pledge climate change disclosure as “fiduciary duty” (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

India’s top court scraps nearly all coal blocks allocated since 1993 (via Reuters)

Coal mogul Murray says more bankruptcies possible (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Kazakhstan mulls 713MW new solar PV capacity by 2020 (via Renewable Energy World)

Mexico’s solar energy revolution (via The Energy Collective)

Brazil free market “could add 1.3GW new wind capacity (via Recharge News)

Santander tops green bank list as Europe’s lenders surge (via Bloomberg)

IKEA, Swiss Re, Marks, H&M go all-in on renewables (via GreenBiz)

Investors anxious and ready to grow green bond market (via Sustainable Business)

DOE report: U.S. wind has come far but faces challenges (via Energy Manager Today)

Feds draft renewable energy plan for California desert (via The Hill)

Developers plan $8 billion renewable energy project for Los Angeles (via Bloomberg)

Siemens unveils 3.3MW onshore wind turbine (via Recharge News)

SolarCity seeking $500 million in fourth panel-backed bond offer (via Bloomberg)

SolarCity strikes deal with New York for solar manufacturing plant (via Greentech Media)

CLIMATE 

New analysis shows global exposure to sea level rise (via Climate Central)

Report: Little climate aid for poor countries could threaten global treaty (via The Hill)

Climate change puts out the welcome mat for invasive species (via Grist) 

New executive order: U.S. must consider climate change when helping other countries (via Climate Progress)

Houston takes lead with climate plan (via Houston Chronicle)

NATURAL GAS 

EU plans for Iran gas imports if sanctions lifted (via Reuters)

Panel: Don’t expect high natural gas prices any time soon (via Houston Chronicle)

Pennsylvania natural gas leaks among worst in U.S. (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Record year for fossil fuel emissions pushes carbon budget to brink (via The Guardian)

European Union to cut emissions 80% by 2050 (via The Hill)

China targets emissions peak “as soon as possible” (via BusinessGreen)

Hong Kong seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50% (via Bloomberg)

Cities may reduce carbon emissions 8 gigatons by 2050 (via Bloomberg)

Quebec, California seeking to boost size of carbon market (via Bloomberg)

Analysts, states bullish on success of clean power plan (via Climate Central)

Brown says global lead on zero emissions beating forecast (via Bloomberg)

Rockefellers pledge to ditch fossil fuel assets (via GreenBiz)

OIL 

Delta: oil exports would prompt refinery closures (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

BIO says EPA inaction on RFS rule causing increase in emissions (via Green Car Congress)

An electric power plant on the roof of your car? (via Los Angeles Times)

Rapid charging EV batteries: Less damaging than we thought? (via Green Car Reports)

Even without Tesla, EV batteries can help California (via Phys.org)

NUCLEAR 

Japan won’t restart nuclear plants unless safety is restored (via Reuters)

GRID 

North America’s biggest battery gets unveiled today (via Greentech Media)

America’s grid has a baby boomer social security problem (via RMI Outlet)

New York grid operator takes a close look at distributed energy (via Renew Grid)

Can batteries replace coal plants? (via Chicago Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

3,000 NYC buildings to get energy retrofits (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Sustainable corporations perform better financially, finds report (via The Guardian)

Companies are taking the baton in climate change efforts (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

No drought relief in U.S. West without deep mountain snow (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

All over the planet, countries are completely missing their emissions targets (via Washington Post)

What good is a climate summit without emissions cuts? (via Washington Post)

Analyzing outcomes from the UN climate summit (via WRI Insights)

Tough slog ahead to fulfill UN climate summit promises (via Bloomberg)

Obama is pushing climate-change resilience, but he’s not promising new carbon cuts (via National Journal)

How to explain climate change so Congress can actually understand (via National Journal)

How does the People’s Climate March stack up against the largest protest rallies in U.S. history? (via The Energy Collective)

How to tap the medium-scale clean energy market (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

Posted:   |   Categories: Batteries, Brazil, california, cap and trade, Carbon budget, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, deforestation, Delta, Divestment, DOE, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, European Union, ev, Fossil fuel divestment, Green bonds, green business, grid, H&M, Hong Kong, Houston, Ikea, india, iran, japan, Jerry Brown, Kazakhstan, los angeles, Marks, mexico, natural gas, Natural gas exports, New York City, new york state, News, nuclear, NYISO, oil, pennsylvania, People's Climate March, Quebec, Renewable Fuels Standard, RFS, Santander, Sea level rise, Siemens, solar, SolarCity, Swiss Re, Tesla, united nations, wind
0
22
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.22.14

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

CLIMATE 

U.S.-China rifts on hacking, spying put aside for climate collaboration (via Bloomberg)

U.S. will not commit to climate aid for poor nations at UN summit (via The Guardian)

Three decades until carbon budget is eaten through (via Climate Central)

“Largest-ever” climate change march rolls through NYC (via USA Today)

Denying climate change “will cost us billions of dollars,” warns U.S. budget director (via Climate Progress)

Climate protesters pledge risking arrest during Wall Street sit-in (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

European nations increasing electricity generation from no-carbon sources (via U.S. EIA)

China named most attractive renewables market; U.S. falls to #2 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

India to raise solar power goal to 15GW by 2019 (via BusinessGreen)

Middle East and Africa pipeline swells to 12GW (via PV Tech)

Brazil state solar auction to impose domestic content restriction (via PV Tech)

Citigroup sees 2.2GW Australian solar market by 2020 (via Renew Economy)

Coal India said to plan $1.2 billion in solar projects (via Bloomberg)

Barclays pledges £1 billion Green Bond investment (via BusinessGreen)

Abengoa offers first green bond to raise $642 million (via Bloomberg)

New cost analysis shows unsubsidized renewables increasingly rival fossil fuels (via Greentech Media)

Solar capacity increases sharply at U.S. schools (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Big factories go to work on biofuels (via New York Times)

Five states leading the distributed energy revolution (via Greentech Media)

Every SolarCity customer will get battery backup within 5-10 years (via CleanTechnica)

CalSTRS to triple clean energy investments to $3.7 billion (via Reuters)

Charting solar’s spotty rise in the Sunshine State (via EnergyWire)

New York City to build 100MW of solar PV (via Recharge)

LA launches streamlined solar permitting system (via Los Angeles Times)

COAL 

The move to peak coal in China by 2016 (via Renew Economy)

China’s appetite for coal has likely peaked (via Bangkok Post)

The biggest loser: Bleak outlook for thermal coal (via Renew Economy)

EMISSIONS 

China, US, India push world carbon emissions up (via AP)

China surpasses EU in per-capita pollution for first time (via Bloomberg)

Carbon output seen shrinking faster as EU mulls supply fix (via Bloomberg)

Half the globe backs World Bank carbon price movement (via RTCC) 

Philanthropies including Rockefellers, and investors pledge $50 billion fossil fuel divestment (via Reuters)

NJ Gov. Christie on regional cap-and-trade: It’s “a completely useless plan” (via Climate Progress)

DeBlasio promises to reduce NYC emissions by 80% (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Exxon, Rosneft said to halt Arctic well on Russian sanctions (via Chicago Tribune)

TransCanada: Keystone cost may rise 85% before U.S. decision (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla needs $6 billion through 2025, says Goldman Sachs (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla wins in Massachusetts, tries for more in New Jersey (via Autoblog Green)

Gov. Jerry Brown seeks more electric cars in California (via New York Times)

Business group’s gas tax increase opposition gets no traction (via Los Angeles Times)

NATURAL GAS 

Surging natural gas supply masks risk of winter price shock (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Green building materials market to reach $529 billion by 2020 (via Environmental Leader)

Is PJM costing consumers $1.3 billion by ignoring energy efficiency? (via CleanTechnica)

Green roofs sprouting up globally (via Navigant Research)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s new trade minister says energy policy difficult without nuclear (via Reuters)

Congress props up Ex-Im Bank but leaves nuclear energy to dangle (via Forbes)

GRID 

Distributed generation leads microgrid investment opportunity (via Navigant Research)

ENVIRONMENT 

Drought to continue across western U.S. (via Wall Street Journal)

EPA will wait until February to decide on Alaska mine (via The Hill)

Best Buy recycles 1 billion pounds of electronics, appliances (via Environmental Leader)

Does tarantula boom signal end of California drought? (via Washington Post)

POLITICS 

Environmentalists fear loss of Senate firewall (via The Hill)

Why one senator wants to halt U.S. coal leases (via Christian Science Monitor)

Sanders demands carbon score from CBO for all bills (via The Hill)

Environmentalists question Hillary’s climate chops (via The Hill)

House bill would extend wind, other renewable energy tax breaks (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Will Germany join international community to restrict overseas coal finance? (via The Energy Collective)

The coming era of unlimited, free clean energy (via Washington Post)

Good news! There’s bad news for coal (via Grist)

Philanthropies are divesting from fossil fuels – but does it matter? (via National Journal)

Lord Stern: Global warming may create billions of climate refugees (via The Guardian)

Posted:   |   Categories: abengoa, africa, alaska, arctic, australia, Barclays, Batteries, bernie sanders, Best Buy, Bill DeBlasio, biofuels, Brazil, california, CalSTRS, cap and trade, Carbon budget, Carbon price, China, Chris Christie, Citigroup, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal India, distributed generation, Divestment, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, EU ETS, europe, Ex-Im Bank, Exxon, Florida, Fossil fuel divestment, germany, Green bond, green building, Green roofs, grid, Grid Parity, hillary clinton, india, japan, Jerry Brown, Keystone XL, los angeles, massachusetts, Microgrid, middle east, natural gas, new jersey, New York City, News, nuclear, offshore drilling, oil, PJM Interconnection, production tax credit, ptc, Recycling, regional greenhouse gas initiative, renewables, rggi, Rosneft, Russia, solar, SolarCity, Tesla, TransCanada, Transportation, wind, Work Bank
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19
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.19.14

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

COAL 

China power plants exempts from low-quality coal ban: Sources (via Reuters)

With China coal ban, has Australia’s luck run out? (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek) 

Battery storage to make reserve coal plants redundant (via Renewables International)

A month of disappointments for coal exporters (via Sightline Daily)

Scientists on a quest for knowledge about coal dust risks (via EarthFix)

Ohio Supreme Court approves coal strip mining in state wildlife area (via Columbus Dispatch)

RENEWABLES 

Scotland “No” vote removes doubt for $23 billion in new renewables (via Bloomberg)

Wind adds 1.4GW to upcoming Brazil renewables auction (via Recharge News)

Jamaica aims to double renewable energy capacity (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek) 

German PV equipment manufacturing up 39% in 2014 (via Renewables International)

Solar power making big competitive gains, new studies show (via Breaking Energy)

Technology advances wind energy development (via The Energy Collective)

Food versus fuel in U.S. renewable energy showdown (via Thompson Reuters)

Report: U.S. solar costs continue rapid decline (via PV Tech)

U.S. solar and wind start to outshine gas (via Financial Times)

Wind power could improve grid resiliency, says GE (via CleanTechnica)

Putting solar panels on school roofs could increase U.S. solar capacity (via Climate Progress)

U.S. DOE targets 50,000 new solar installers by 2020 (via PV Tech)

Vivint Solar, 2nd U.S. solar installer, sets IPO terms to raise $370 million (via Greentech Media)

CLIMATE 

2014 on track to be warmest year on record (via Climate Central)

Summer 2014 was a sizzler: Earth’s hottest on record (via USA Today)

China cautious on fresh commitments ahead of climate change summit (via South China Morning Post)

Obama to tout U.S. climate plan at UN summit (via Reuters)

Report warns Superstorm Sandy was not “The Big One” (via Huffington Post)

White House officials acknowledge climate plan’s limits, but decry inaction (via ClimateWire)

HUD launches $1 billion national disaster resilience competition (via Inhabitat)

OIL 

Oil prices at two-year low, OPEC may change that (via Christian Science Monitor)

Oxfam sues SEC over oil payment disclosure rule (via The Hill)

Oklahoma to pass California, Alaska in oil production (via The Oklahoman)

TRANSPORTATION 

French group develops mass electric vehicle charging stations (via Reuters)

IRS won’t (or can’t) revel how many plug-in vehicle tax credits are left (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS 

Obama urged to plug methane leaks to meet climate goal (via Bloomberg) 

EMISSIONS

Hard truths about world power plant carbon emissions (via CleanTechnica)

California and Quebec announce first joint cap-and-trade auction (via Green Car Congress)

MISO study suggests regional approach is better when it comes to EPA carbon compliance (via EnergyWire)

UN hired PR firm that won’t rule out clients who oppose carbon regulations (via The Guardian)

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada CEO “frustrated” by linkage of Keystone XL to climate change (via Bloomberg BNA)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Ruling against FERC order could cost U.S. demand response market $4.4 billion (via Greentech Media)

LEED-certified professionals in great demand (via Sustainable Business)

ENVIRONMENT 

Why fewer acres have burned this year despite California drought (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Massive Northern California fire outrunning firefighters (via Los Angeles Times)

Despite some rain, drought still grips Texas towns (via StateImpact Texas)

POLITICS 

White House cranks up heat ahead of UN climate summit (via The Hill)

Brazil’s Rousseff closes in on Silva ahead of October vote (via Reuters)

Al Gore: Climate skepticism will haunt GOP in 2016 (via National Journal)

With an eye on 2016, Christie resists climate change plan for New Jersey (via New York Times)

Frank Pallone builds support for top spot on Energy Committee (via Politico)

OPINION 

Why higher education is a bright green market (via GreenBiz)

U.S. schools go solar (via EcoWatch)

Posted:   |   Categories: al gore, alaska, australia, biofuels, Brazil, california, cap and trade, China, Chris Christie, Clean Power Plan, climate, coal, Coal exports, Demand response, Dilma Rousseff, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ev charging, Extreme weather, FERC, France, Frank Pallone, GE, germany, global warming, green jobs, grid, IRS, Jamaica, Keystone XL, LEED, methane, MISO, natural gas, new jersey, News, Ohio, oil, oklahoma, OPEC, Oxfam, Quebec, renewables, Russ Girling, Scotland, SEC, solar, Superstorm Sandy, texas, TransCanada, Transportation, Vivint Solar, Wildfire, wind
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18
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.18.14

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

TRANSPORTATION 

Can this California university create a zero-emission vehicle future? (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

Benefits of Atlantic offshore drilling outweigh costs, says study (via The Hill)

BP plans deeper offshore oil drilling despite court ruling (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Asia-Pacific solar installations could pass 17GW in second half 2014 (via PV Tech)

Global offshore wind market poised for fivefold growth (via BusinessGreen)

Leading the charge in Mexico’s renewable energy revolution (via Renewable Energy World)

Brazil state plans solar auction as it seeks local panel plant (via Bloomberg)

Lazard: U.S. renewable reach cost-parity tipping point (via BusinessGreen)

New studies find significant declines in price of rooftop, utility-scale solar (via Phys.org)

The untapped power of solar data (via Greentech Media)

New online solar map heats up roof potential (via Boston Herald)

Some see garbage, other see opportunity: Installing solar landfills (via Renewable Energy World)

Amid energy law freeze, Ohio solar market stalls (via Midwest Energy News)

SolarCity says it can make commercial rooftops into better power plants (via EnergyWire)

CLIMATE 

Amid climate change, trees are growing faster (via National Journal)

Arctic sea ice to reach sixth-lowest extent on record (via Climate Central)

Obama to tout global warming “resilience” at UN climate summit (via National Journal)

Investors representing £15 trillion in assets call for climate change deal (via The Guardian)

Ban Ki-moon to join climate change march (via The Guardian)

COAL 

Coal industry in deep denial over Chinese coal crackdown (via Renew Economy)

Environmentalists see judge’s rejection of Colorado coal lease as turning point in climate fight (via Greenwire)

North Carolina coal ash petitions demand quicker cleanup (via News Observer)

Leaking Dominion Virginia coal ash ponds spur complaint (via Huffington Post)

EMISSIONS 

Germany takes first steps to ratify Kyoto extension (via Bloomberg)

Carbon-capture technology works, but cost is still prohibitive (via Seattle Times)

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auction prices continue to rise (via U.S. EIA)

Obama science advisor calls carbon rule first important step (via Bloomberg)

University of California regents support renewables but not coal and oil divestment (via Los Angeles Times)

NATURAL GAS 

In South China Sea, China makes first big gas discovery while other countries look on (via Climate Progress)

Argentina drafts energy bill to lure shale deposit investors (via Reuters)

GRID 

Energy storage for the grid expected to reach $15.6 billion annual revenue by 2024 (via Navigant Research)

California ISO, PacifiCorp outline energy imbalance market plan (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

White House proposes new energy efficiency rule in climate push (via Reuters)

$18 trillion windfall: Health, productivity benefits of efficiency top energy savings (via The Energy Collective)

POLITICS 

Obama may enjoy a “leadership moment” at next week’s climate summit0 (via ClimateWire)

Senators back “technology-neutral” energy taxes (via The Hill)

NRDC hires Interior Department official to be president (via The Hill)

OPINION 

What’s the worst that could happen if Scotland leaves the UK? (via National Journal)

How fossil fuels make inequality worse (via Climate Progress)

Why coal is here to stay (via Christian Science Monitor)

China’s coal addition threatens the planet – but can it handle a natural gas revolution? (via Grist)

How state public money pays for coal exports and oil trains (via Sightline Daily)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, Argentina, Ban-Ki Moon, BP, Brazil, california, California ISO, carbon capture, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, Coal exports, colorado, Divestment, emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy imbalance market, energy storage, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, germany, grid, Grid Parity, Kyoto Treaty, mexico, natural gas, News, North Carolina, nrdc, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, Oil train, PacifiCorp, regional greenhouse gas initiative, renewables, rggi, Scotland, Sea ice melt, Shale gas, solar, SolarCity, Transportation, UC Davis, united kingdom, virginia, Zero emission vehicle
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17
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.17.14

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

COAL 

China coal restrictions may have little impact on imports (via Reuters)

Coal sector eyes salvation in green bond market (via RTCC)

Coal industry market value contracting again after brief rebound (via SNL Energy)

Peabody Energy to be removed from S&P 500 index (via Post-Dispatch)

U.S. Corps of Engineers halts Oregon coal terminal review pending permit outcome (via The Oregonian)

RENEWABLES 

China wind sector braces for feed-in tariff cuts (via Recharge News)

Funding released to accelerate 740MW of new renewables in Chile (via PV Tech)

UK solar farm issues Europe’s first certified climate bonds (via BusinessGreen)

PV industry loses $500 million a year through supply chain (via PV Tech)

Chile to get net metering for PV plants under 100kW (via PV Tech)

USDA Secretary expects 2014 biofuel use targets to rise (via Reuters)

When the power’s out, solar panels may not keep the lights on (via NPR)

Some see garbage, others see opportunity: Installing solar on landfills (via RMI Outlet)

Preliminary OK for large California concentrated solar project sparks debate over impact to birds (via Greenwire)

Burlington, Vermont’s electricity now 100% renewable (via The Week)

CLIMATE 

Natural disasters displaced more people than war in 2013, finds study (via The Guardian)

Rising sea levels a “sleeping giant” that could cost $226 billion, says report (via The Guardian)

Antarctic Peninsula glacier recession “unprecedented” (via BBC)

Climate change may add billions to wildfire costs, study says (via Los Angeles Times)

Mapping the future of sea-level rise on the Potomac, the Chesapeake, and the Atlantic (via Washington Post)

Drought-hit California faces future trouble as warming reduces water (via RTCC)

NATURAL GAS 

Study links increased drilling with earthquakes (via Wall Street Journal)

Study: Bad fracking techniques let methane flow into drinking water (via Washington Post)

Leaky wells spur call for stricter rules on gas drilling (via Bloomberg)

Fracking ban enrages Coloradans sitting on energy riches (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Natural gas company seeks federal approval for Massachusetts pipeline (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

EMISSIONS 

Businesses double down on carbon pricing while Capitol Hill idles (via GreenBiz)

EPA delays key power plant rule of signature climate change plan (via The Guardian)

White House partners with industry to tackle refrigerant greenhouse gas (via Reuters)

EPA extends climate rule comment period (via The Hill)

Broad carbon tax outlines get positive legislative response (via The Oregonian)

OIL 

Oil prices rise on prospect of OPEC output cut (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

Deeper Saudi oil cuts seen after biggest drop since 2012 (via Bloomberg)

Can the U.S. cut off Islamic State’s oil sales? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Feds reveal details on Shell’s Arctic ambitions (via Houston Chronicle)

TransCanada sees itself in oil train business regardless of Keystone XL (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

EVs are cleaner, but still not a magic bullet (via New York Times)

GM learning from current Chevy Volt owners as it works on next-gen model (via Autoblog Green)

Report suggests Tesla Model 3 to cost $50,000 or more (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla “ecosystem” changing the face of Silicon Valley (via Green Car Reports)

GRID 

PG&E tops in U.S. smart meter deployments (via Energy Manager Today)

50 million U.S. smart meters and counting (via Greentech Media)

Demand response capacity expected to increase more than six-fold by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

ENVIRONMENT 

Unilever aims to end deforestation (via Sustainable Business)

Drought-stricken California gets landmark groundwater legislation (via Sacramento Bee)

POLITICS 

Obama welcomes report saying fighting climate change can be low cost (via The Guardian)

Bobby Jindal: White House are “science deniers” (via Politico)

Markey to seek halt on federal coal leases (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Fighting climate change makes economic sense; cities should take the lead (via Huffington Post)

Measuring up: How to assess the upcoming UN climate summit (via Climate Progress)

By the numbers: The new climate economy (via WRI Insights)

Mexico has reformed its energy sector, now what? (via Forbes)

Bobby Jindal’s soft climate-change skepticism (via National Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: Antarctic, arctic, biofuel, Bobby Jindal, Burlington, california, Carbon pricing, carbon tax, chevy volt, Chile, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate bonds, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, colorado, concentrated solar power, deforestation, Demand response, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, EPA, EVs, Extreme weather, fracking, GM, Green bonds, Greenhouse gases, grid, Keystone XL, massachusetts, methane, mexico, natural gas, Net metering, News, offshore drilling, oil, Oil train, OPEC, oregon, Peabody Energy, PGE, Pipeline, renewables, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, Shell, smart meter, solar, Tesla, Tesla Model 3, Tom Vilsack, TransCanada, Transportation, Unilever, united kingdom, vermont, wildfires, wind
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