Category Archives:Carbon market

30
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.30.14

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

CLIMATE 

Indian monsoons becoming more erratic (via RTCC)

Climate change “making extreme rainfall in England more likely” (via The Guardian)

Las Vegas burning: Lessons in resilience from the nation’s driest big city (via Grist)

Oyster reefs could provide “dynamic” sea walls that outpace sea-level rise (via ClimateWire)

COAL 

Supreme Court OKs EPA pollution rules: Another blow for coal (via Christian Science Monitor)

Is underground coal gasification the new fracking? (via Renew Economy)

RENEWABLES 

China hits EU with final duties on polysilicon imports (via Reuters)

Germans installing far fewer solar panels in 2014 (via Reuters)

China fuels highest solar silicon demand since 2011 (via Bloomberg)

Concerns escalate over fresh UK solar subsidy reforms (via BusinessGreen)

Pension funds hold a key to renewable energy finance (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewable electricity projections show growth under carbon market assumptions (via US EIA)

Americans are more concerned about clean energy than climate change (via EcoAffect)

ORNL assessment finds >65GW untapped hydropower in US rivers and streams (via Green Car Congress)

World’s largest solar panel farm is completed and live in Arizona (via GigaOm)

SunEdison closes financing on 60MW California solar farm (via Bloomberg)

US regulations push wave-energy project to Australia (via Houston Chronicle)

Tricky political tides challenge East Coast offshore wind projects (via ClimateWire)

Landfill area becoming solar site (via Energy Manager Today)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexico expected to present energy reform laws today (via Reuters)

Report: Alstom to accept GE’s $13 billion offer (via Greentech Media)

Exelon expands again, reportedly buys Pepco for $5.4 billion (via Forbes)

EMISSIONS 

April becomes 1st month with CO2 levels above 400 PPM (via Climate Central)

Ending Australia’s carbon tax could deliver $40 billion budget hit (via Renew Economy)

China could expand carbon market to big-polluting industrial regions (via Reuters)

UK political uncertainty undermining carbon targets (via RTCC)

Documents contradict EPA on climate-rule delay (via Politico)

EPA’s powers upheld by Supreme Court with climate rules on deck (via Bloomberg)

Washington State’s governor unveils carbon reduction plan (via Reuters)

KEYSTONE XL 

Harry Reid leaves door open to Keystone XL pipeline vote (via Reuters)

GRID 

Military advances energy independence with microgrids (via GreenBiz)

Tax credits for energy storage would advance renewable energy technology (via Energy Manager Today)

New York State gets to work on “grid of the future” with sweeping changes to come (via EnergyWire)

Extreme weather topples 38 TVA transmission towers (via Times Free Press)

OIL 

Bakken oil fields market billionth barrel of oil (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK to invest $841 million from 2015-2020 to boost ultra-low emission vehicle industry (via Green Car Congress)

US rollout of electric vehicle charging stations slowing down (via RTCC)

Winners and losers in EPA fuel economy scores (via Navigant Research)

Tesla making plans for Gigafactory in at least two states (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT 

Reporter travels to Brazil’s Amazon: Can the battle against deforestation be won? (via InsideClimate News)

Almost half of Americans live with unhealthy levels of air pollution (via The Guardian)

Triple digits expected in California and Texas during early spring heat wave (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Congressional supporters optimistic about natural gas export bill (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Efficiency bill may face roadblocks beyond Keystone XL (via Greenwire)

Maryland county becomes first in US to enact energy benchmarking (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

Big donor secrecy: “Irony, but it’s not hypocrisy” (via Politico)

Steyer explores involvement in Colorado contests (via E&E Daily)

OPINION 

EPA is on a legal winning streak (via National Journal)

The reality of a hotter world is already here (via Smithsonian)

George Will knocks out another instant climate classic (via Bloomberg)

What the Supreme Court’s latest air pollution ruling means (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: 400 PPM, Alstom, amazon, arizona, australia, Bakken Shale, Benchmarking, Brazil, california, Carbon market, carbon tax, China, climate, coal, Coal gasification, Cross state air pollution rule, deforestation, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, England, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Exelon, Extreme weather, Fuel Economy, GE, germany, Gigafactory, global warming, grid, harry reid, Hydropower, india, jay inslee, Keystone XL, Las Vegas, maryland, mexico, Microgrid, Monsoon, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new york state, News, offshore wind, oil, Pepco, renewables, Sea level rise, Shaheen-Portman, Shale oil, solar, Solar trade war, SunEdison, Tesla, texas, transmission, Transportation, TVA, uk, united kingdom, Washington State, Wave energy
0
10
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.10.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

EU seeks cheaper power, curbs renewable subsidies (via ABC News/AP)

UK risks brownouts without power from Scotland (via Bloomberg)

New England power generators oppose Massachusetts proposed clean energy mandates (via ClimateWire)

Arizona utility’s long-term plan calls for more renewables, less coal (via Renew Grid)

EMISSIONS 

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels just hit their highest point in 800,000 years (via Climate Progress)

Carbon trading in China: Short-term experience, long-term wisdom (via C2ES)

California issues first forestry offsets for carbon market (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

GWEC: Global installed wind power capacity will almost double in five years (via Renewable Energy World)

Chinese solar module prices may increase up to 20% in the US in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Offshore wind advances in Rhode Island, Texas, Georgia (via CleanTechnica)

Majority of Americans support renewable fuel standard, poll shows (via The Hill)

Net metering update: What do recent decisions tell us? (via Greentech Media)

A breakthrough for utility-scale solar on contaminated lands? (via Greentech Media)

Stanford researchers develop less resource-intensive way to make ethanol (via MIT Technology Review)

COAL 

China plans ban on imports of coal with high ash, sulfur (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Climate changes to result in bird, reptile shifts (via ABC News/AP)

Obama targets climate change in wildfire strategy (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Cars become biggest driver of greenhouse gas increases (via Bloomberg)

The US Navy has found a way to turn seawater into fuel (via Huffington Post)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Walmart and GE team up for global LED rollout (via BusinessGreen)

How Japan replaced half its nuclear capacity with efficiency (via Energy Collective)

LA, DC top cities for Energy Star buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

Big manufacturers urging Ohio lawmakers to keep energy-efficiency benchmarks (via Columbus Business First)

FRACKING 

Researcher: 2014 slated to be most active year for global shale drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

P&G pledges zero deforestation by 2020 (via GreenBiz)

Wildlife in Gulf of Mexico still suffering four years after BP oil spill: report (via The Guardian)

GRID 

Wind, solar energy driving electricity storage technology (via Climate Central)

Grid operator endorses $590 million power project for Houston area (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Shale gas blooms in China? Not so fast (via Breaking Energy)

Obama Administration’s enthusiasm for coal sales undermines its climate program (via Center for American Progress)

Cowboys and Indians against Keystone XL (via Politico)

Why California’s drought isn’t going anywhere (via Climate Central)

Making climate adaptation finance work (via World Resources Institute)

Can a fair price for solar energy win over utilities? (via Grist)

Posted:   |   Categories: arizona, BP, california, Carbon market, carbon trading, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, deforestation, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy star, energy storage, environment, ERCOT, ethanol, EU, European Union, fracking, GE, Georgia, Global Wind Energy Council. Renewables, grid, Gulf of Mexico, GWEC, japan, Keystone XL, LED, los angeles, massachusetts, Net metering, New England, News, nuclear, Offsets, offshore wind, Ohio, oil spill, P&G, Renewable fuel standard, renewables, rhode island, Scotland, shale, solar, Stanford, Subsidies, texas, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, US Navy, Walmart, Washington DC, Wildfire, wind
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02
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.2.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Hubei province starts China’s second-biggest carbon exchange (via Bloomberg)

India mulls low-carbon fuel standard to cut vehicle exhaust by 2021 (via Bloomberg)

US EPA carbon rule for existing power plants sent to White House (via Reuters)

Promotion of cap-and-trade money for residents downplays looming higher electricity rates (via ClimateWire)

Companies try to catch CO2 before it touches the sky (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS 

Russia tightens pressure on Ukraine with rise in natural gas prices (via New York Times)

UK could produce shale gas within four years in emergency (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

India to award 1 gigawatt of solar permits by 2015 (via Bloomberg)

Brazil planning its first solar-specific national auction (via Renewable Energy World)

Iceland’s clean energy lures metal companies from abroad (via SmartPlanet)

Senators leave Production Tax Credit out of renewable fuel proposal (via Houston Chronicle)

Crowdfunding for solar, wind reaching fevered pitch (via Sustainable Business)

Advancements in wind turbine technology improve efficiency; reduce cost (via Renewable Energy World)

BOEM publishes environmental assessment of potential Georgia offshore wind area (via Recharge)

BOEM readies Massachusetts offshore wind auction (via Recharge)

Vermont raises net metering cap to 15% (via Solar Industry)

Mystery property tycoon makes $533 million bet on solar (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

German states water down energy reform but Merkel pleased (via Reuters)

Net US energy imports in 2013 lowest in more than 20 years (via US EIA)

Hearings begin today in latest push against Ohio energy laws (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Canadian safety board urges faster phase out of oil rail tankers (via Reuters)

Crunch year ahead for Norway’s Arctic oil adventure (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Number of electric vehicles doubling every year (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf has 2nd-best sales month ever, Chevy Volt does a 2013 repeat (via Autoblog Green)

Volkswagen could bring wireless EV charging to market by 2017 (via Autoblog)

California forms waiting list for electric car rebates (via Plugin Cars)

Tesla to use North American materials amid pollution worry (via Bloomberg)

Koch Brothers quietly seek to ban new mass transit in Tennessee (via Climate Progress)

TAR SANDS 

Oil sands link to health concerns, says Canadian report (via Globe and Mail)

CLIMATE 

Climate change responses to shape Asia’s future (via Washington Post)

China and EU pledge joint climate action (via BusinessGreen)

Biofuels might hold back progress combating climate change (via Scientific American)

NUCLEAR 

Japan may only be able to restart one-third of its nuclear reactors (via Reuters)

Utility Exelon wants to kill wind and solar subsidies while keeping nukes (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

Utility spending on smart grid IT systems will total nearly $140 billion from 2014 through 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Unique state models offer a glimpse of New England’s microgrid future (via Greentech Media)

Maine Public Utilities Commission: Smart meters are safe (via Renew Grid)

RES Americas launch 8MW energy storage system in PJM (via Energy Manager Today)

Grid Edge 20: Companies transforming the US power sector (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Chinese coal firms creak under heavy debt, tumbling prices (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

Meager snowpack bad news for drought-parched California (via USA Today)

Rains won’t quell California wildfire season (via Climate Central)

OPINION 

Climate change: Is anybody listening? (via Newsweek)

Global warming and the developing world (via New York Times)

Will Oregon cook up a carbon tax? (via Sightline Daily)

Rumsfeldian climate risks (via Energy Collective)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, biofuels, BOEM, Brazil, california, canada, cap and trade, carbon capture, Carbon market, carbon tax, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, Exelon, Georgia, geothermal, germany, grid, Hubei, Iceland, india, japan, Koch Brothers, Maine, mass transit, massachusetts, Microgrid, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Net metering, News, nissan LEAF, norway, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, Oil train, oregon, PJM Interconnection, production tax credit, renewables, RES Americas, Russia, Shale gas, smart grid, smart meters, solar, tar sands, Tennessee, Tesla, Transportation, uk, Ukraine, united kingdom, vermont, Volkswagen, Wildfire, wind
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25
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.25.14

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

COAL 

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

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

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

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

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maryland seeks global offshore wind role (via Recharge)

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

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

KEYSTONE XL 

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

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

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

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

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

NATURAL GAS 

DOE approves natural gas export terminal (via The Hill)

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

CLIMATE 

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

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

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

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

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

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

OIL 

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

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

GRID 

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

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

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

ENVIRONMENT 

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

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

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

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

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

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

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

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

POLITICS 

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

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

OPINION 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, battery, Brazil, cap and trade, cape wind, Carbon market, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, Coal ash spill, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, Exxon, FERC, FERC Order 1000, FIT, germany, Gina McCarthy, global warming, grid, Grid Parity, Hubei, india, italy, japan, kansas, Kenya, LED, Mary Landrieu, maryland, methane, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Netherlands, new jersey, News, North Carolina, north dakota, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Opower, oregon, Panama, renewables, Shenzen, Southwest Power Pool, Spain, SPP, steven chu, Tesla Motors, tidal energy, transit, Volkswagen, War on Coal, wind, WMO
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19
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.19.14

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

CLIMATE 

Global warming will cut crop harvests 2% each decade, say researchers (via The Guardian)

Scientists warn of global warming’s abrupt changes (via Los Angeles Times)

White House launches new climate data initiative (via Washington Post)

A steady 57% in US blame humans for global warming (via Gallup)

NATURAL GAS 

Keystone foes take aim at Maryland natural gas export terminal (via Bloomberg)

New York pipeline blast shakes up an industry (via Christian Science Monitor)

RENEWABLES 

Hints of a settlement in the US-China solar panel trade case (via Greentech Media)

These 16 states will install the most solar PV in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Cellulosic fuels company KiOR has “substantial doubts” about its future, funding needed by April 1 (via Green Car Reports)

SolarCity on track to install half a gigawatt of solar in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

New algorithm improves small wind turbine efficiency (via Phys.org)

Ohio approves 300MW wind farm (via Recharge)

Minnesota paves the way for solar advocates nationwide (via Renewable Energy World)

Cape Wind offshore wind project wins important legal victory (via Triple Pundit)

Minnesota takes step to link energy loans with utility bill (via Midwest Energy News)

KEYSTONE XL 

Despite opposition, many landowners await Keystone XL pipeline (via ABC News/AP)

EMISSIONS 

Atmospheric CO2 to cross 400ppm threshold for a month (via Climate Central)

Chongqing’s draft carbon market plan calls for cuts from 2014 (via Reuters)

China’s Shanghai aims for cleaner energy, lower CO2 growth (via Reuters)

OIL 

US energy boom needs $641 billion in infrastructure, says study (via Houston Chronicle)

Faced with production declines, drillers cook up new recipes for growth (via EnergyWire)

Fewer firms submit bids in offshore Gulf drilling auction (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Efficiency, emissions rules to squeeze California gasoline demand (via Bloomberg)

COAL 

Coal exports are dragging down Indonesia’s economy – is the US next? (via Huffington Post)

Study says coal demand has hit rock bottom (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

Grid evolves, and FERC isn’t just for energy wonks anymore (via Greenwire)

Should consumers bear the cost to upgrade the grid? (via National Journal)

OPINION 

What the world will look like if Elon Musk becomes the next Henry Ford (via Quartz)

Fracking’s odd new friend: Vladimir Putin (via National Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: 400ppm, california, cape wind, Carbon market, Cellulosic biofuel, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, Cove Point, Elon Musk, emissions, FERC, fracking, global warming, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Indonesia, Keystone XL, KiOR, minnesota, natural gas, Natural gas export, New York City, News, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, Pipelines, renewables, small wind, solar, Solar trade war, SolarCity, Transportation, Vladimir Putin, wind
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13
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.13.14

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

NATURAL GAS 

EU parliament excludes shale gas from tougher environmental code (via The Guardian)

Europe looks to cut Russian gas imports amid Ukraine crisis (via Christian Science Monitor)

Marcellus tops major US shale plays in drill rig productivity (via StateImpact Texas)

Wyoming Supreme Court reverses district court decision on fracking fluid disclosure (via Casper Star-Tribune)

KEYSTONE XL 

Foreigners play a key role in comments protesting Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Three EU countries hit 2020 renewable benchmarks early (via Climate Central)

Study: Wind power saves Europe €2.4 billion worth of water every year (via BusinessGreen)

Vestas back on top as wind turbine installation leader (via Renewable Energy World)

Wind leaves nuclear behind in China (via CleanTechnica)

1st Latin American Solar Decathlon set for Colombia in 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

Top 10 US cities for solar power (via Fast Company)

Clean energy job growth in US starts to slip (via Forbes)

Poll: 75% of US homeowners say utilities shouldn’t block solar (via Greentech Media)

SolarCity inks deal to sell solar panels at Best Buy (via SmartPlanet)

Texas leads growth in clean energy jobs (via Houston Chronicle)

Minnesota becomes first state to set “value of solar” tariff (via Midwest Energy News)

Massachusetts: The Commonwealth of solar (via Greentech Media)

Renewables could meet nearly one-third Michigan’s energy needs (via UCS)

GRID 

US power grid preparedness falls short, says report (via New York Times)

EMISSIONS 

China sticks with coal gasification to curb smog despite potentially big rise in CO2 emissions (via ClimateWire)

Russia considers domestic carbon market in global warming fight (via Bloomberg)

Study projects explosive African emissions growth from fossil fuels and biofuels (via Green Car Congress)

EU backs big cuts on super-strength greenhouse gases (via RTCC)

House GOP launches probe into EPA power plant emissions rule (via The Hill)

OIL 

US to tap strategic petroleum reserve (via Houston Chronicle)

US surprises oil market with sale from strategic petroleum reserve (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Toyota expects hybrids will soon reach 20% global sales volume (via Autoblog)

Norway will become first nation with one EV for every hundred cars (via Inhabitat)

California’s pioneering low-carbon fuels rule could see multiple changes (via ClimateWire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Indiana lawmakers flip off switch on state’s energy efficiency program (via NWI Times)

Indiana governor to decide fate of energy efficiency standard (via EnergyWire)

NUCLEAR 

General Electric sued over 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster (via United Press International)

ENVIRONMENT 

Earth has a secret reservoir of water, say scientists (via Agence France-Presse)

California drought to drive up long-term food prices (via San Jose Mercury News)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexico anticipates energy overhaul will bring in billions (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Exporting liquefied natural gas is a dreadful idea for the climate (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: biofuels, california, Carbon market, China, Coal gasification, Colombia, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, europe, European Union, ev, Fracking fluid disclosure, fukushima, General Electric, green jobs, grid, hybrid, indiana, japan, Keystone XL, LCFS, Liquefied natural gas, LNG, marcellus shale, massachusetts, mexico, michigan, Mike Pence, minnesota, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, norway, nuclear, oil, renewables, Russia, Shale gas, solar, Solar Decathlon, strategic petroleum reserve, texas, Transportation Toyota, Ukraine, vestas, wind, wyoming
0
11
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.11.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Germany’s carbon targets in doubt as emissions rise in 2013 (via RTCC)

Bank of England warned over carbon bubble – should you be worried? (via TreeHugger)

China pledges harsher punishment in fight against smog (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Does a 1,000-mile international pipeline need a permit? (via Houston Chronicle)

Major gaps in plan to slow down oil trains (via National Journal)

State official says Canadian oil won’t hurt North Dakota’s output (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Americans took a record 10.7 billion public transit trips in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

From mines to megawatts: The promise of “conflict-free Big Solar” (via GreenBiz)

ALEC launches new effort to influence local government policy (via Climate Progress)

Lux: Biofuels face sharp slowdown to 3.2% annual growth as next-generation fuels emerge (via Green Car Congress)

California electric grid sets solar generation record (via Reuters)

Cheapest solar ever? Austin Energy buys PV from SunEdison at 5 cents per kilowatt-hour (via Greentech Media)

Small biomass power plants could help rural economies, stabilize national power grid, says study (via Phys.org)

COAL 

Coal to the rescue, but maybe not next winter (via New York Times)

CLIMATE 

India’s view on climate change shifts toward adaptation, clean energy (via ClimateWire)

GAO: Climate change threatens infrastructure (via Climate Central)

CEOs face record shareholder interest in managing corporate climate risks (via ClimateWire)

Conserving water, cutting greenhouse gases may conflict in drought-parched Southwest (via ClimateWire)

Democrats: Round-the-clock climate speeches not just hot air (via Politico)

Democrats clock all-nighter with climate talk (via ABC News/AP)

NATURAL GAS 

Central Europeans want US gas to cut dependence on Russia (via Reuters)

EU leaders to urge greater effort to cut gas imports (via Reuters)

GRID 

California’s solar demands reshape grid’s energy load (via EarthTechling)

Hotbed for microgrids grows in “energy cul-de-sac” (via EnergyWire)

Predicting PV plant power fluctuations and optimizing energy storage (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Maryland government reduces energy 11% since 2008 (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Why the Keystone XL pipeline matters for climate (via Huffington Post)

Here’s one way to rally support for oil and coal exports: Tax them (via Washington Post)

Solar poll: What do US homeowners think about clean energy? (via CleanTechnica)

How climate change drove the rise of Ghengis Khan (via Time)

Posted:   |   Categories: ALEC, Austin Energy, biofuels, biomass, california, canada, Carbon bubble, Carbon market, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, europe, GAO, germany, grid, india, Keystone XL, maryland, Microgrid, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, north dakota, oil, Oil exports, Oil train, Pipeline, Public transit, renewables, Russia, Shale gas, solar, SunEdison, tar sands, Transportation
0
04
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.4.14

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

EMISSIONS 

EU ETS auction cuts to breathe new life into carbon markets (via Bloomberg New Energy Finance)

EPA strikes back at sulfur emissions (via National Journal)

ENERGY POLICY 

Proposed Congressional bill would revive US rare earths industry (via Navigant Research)

Green groups take aim at US energy exports as Keystone XL attack broadens (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency creates 387% return on investment in US Southeast (via CleanTechnica)

Opower files for $100 million US IPO (via Bloomberg New Energy Finance)

RENEWABLES 

Africa takes first steps toward renewables revolution (via Renewable Energy World)

Five lessons US offshore wind must learn from Europe (via Renewable Energy World)

Top 10 metro US areas winning the solar race (via Smart Planet)

Wind power’s big empty space down south (via EarthTechling)

In Virginia politics, renewable energy dwarfed by big utility (via Virginian-Pilot)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Study says Keystone XL would have much larger impact than State Department suggests  (via Huffington Post)

Great Lakes oil pipeline raise spills fear amid debate over Keystone XL (via The Guardian)

CLIMATE 

EU releases proposals for UN 2015 climate deal (via RTCC)

European support for climate change action “not dented by financial crash” (via The Guardian)

Australia’s climate forecast: Hot days, higher fire risk, more severe droughts (via The Guardian)

Netherlands to upgrade flood defenses to cope with climate change (via RTCC)

OIL 

China’s national oil company licensed to seek Arctic oil (via China Daily)

Domestic crude oil drives a cautious US refining revival (via New York Times)

Crude oil export battle flares with dueling reports (via National Journal)

US court rejects BP appeal over Gulf spill losses (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

New US fuel standards aim to cut asthma, heart attacks (via Reuters)

Nissan Leaf sales up again in February, Chevy Volt dips deeper (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla’s battery factory threatens the auto, utility, and building controls market (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT 

Government shutdown cost national parks 8 million lost visitors in 2013 (via Climate Progress)

Harsh winter causing large die-off of invasive insects (via Yale e360)

Study says Americans use twice as much water as they think (via Los Angeles Times)

North Carolina cites five more power plants in massive coal ash spill (via The Guardian)

NATURAL GAS 

Russia-Ukraine conflict spills beyond borders into natural gas markets (via Forbes)

Investment report: Marcellus growth not peaking any time soon (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

Are utility concerns about aging infrastructure overblown? (via Midwest Energy News)

Install a building battery, save the grid? (via GreenBiz)

How will Tesla’s “gigafactory” affect the grid? (via EnergyWire)

OPINION 

Vladimir Putin won’t threaten Europe’s gas – for now (via Politico)

Can Congress pass energy efficiency legislation? (via National Journal)

What Opower’s IPO filing tells us about the company (via Greentech Media)

Just another solar deal, or the future? (via EarthTechling)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, australia, battery, BP, Carbon market, chevy volt, China, climate, CNOOC, Coal ash spill, Dominion Virginia, drought, duke energy, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EU, EU ETS, European Union, Flood, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Keystone XL, marcellus shale, natural gas, Netherlands, News, nissan LEAF, North Carolina, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, Opower, Pipeline, Rare earths, renewables, Russia, solar, tar sands, Tesla, Transportation, Ukraine, unfccc, virginia, Vladimir Putin, Wildfire, wind
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25
Feb

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.25.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Backloading EU carbon market fix poised to become law (via BusinessGreen)

UN promises “bold response” to stalled carbon offset scheme (via BusinessGreen)

Supreme Court questions EPA’s power on emissions controls (via National Journal)

Supreme Court justices struggle for common ground on EPA emission rules (via Greenwire)

Shell reaches landmark with world’s first industrial carbon capture project (via Houston Chronicle)

EPA threatens Pennsylvania over air pollution rule violations (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL 

Governors: Obama expects Keystone decision within months (via Politico)

Loopholes speeding Keystone XL route through Nebraska backfire on governor, TransCanada (via InsideClimate News)

RENEWABLES 

China narrows gap to US in renewable energy ranking (via Bloomberg)

Greece awaits “new deal” after adding 1GW of solar in 2013 (via PV Magazine)

Netherlands connects over 600MW of PV to grid (via PV Tech)

Survival of fittest in China’s renewable energy market (via Bloomberg)

India announces 2GW worth of new large-scale solar projects (via CleanTechnica)

Non-hydro renewable sources triple electricity output in last decade (via Facts of the Day)

Powering the US with renewables: A state-by-state roadmap (via Renewable Energy World)

ALEC coordinates new attacks on renewables mandates and net metering (via Greentech Media)

Unions’ full support for offshore wind a “work in progress” (via ClimateWire)

Sugarcane converted to cold-tolerant, oil-producing crop (via Science Daily)

SolarCity says it had “an amazing year” in 2013 but delays earnings (via GigaOm)

SolarCity to install fewer panels in first quarter (via Reuters)

California startup turns old wind turbines into gold (via InsideClimate News)

North Carolina is newest net-metering battleground (via Energy Manager Today)

ENERGY POLICY 

Japan unveils draft energy policy, with nuclear, in wake of Fukushima (via The Guardian)

Court throws out Bush Administration rule on mountaintop coal removal (via SustainableBusiness)

GE to spend another $10 billion on energy research by 2020 (via Reuters) 

Oil, coal trains, concerns likely to increase in Northwest (via Spokesman-Review)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas at heart of GE’s $10 billion Ecomagination boost (via Greentech Media)

More work needed to stop natural gas flaring at oil wells, officials say (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

UN makes future of small island states a 2014 priority (via RTCC)

Increase in Western wildfires fuels Obama’s budget move (via Climate Central)

OIL 

Oil net imports have declined since 2011, with value falling slower than volume (via US EIA)

Shell’s Arctic oil plans face shareholder scrutiny (via RTCC)

TRANSPORTATION 

Volt fleet to cross 400 million EV miles today (via GM)

OPINION 

Is it getting any easier for clean tech firms to cross the “valley of death?” (via Greentech Media)

RMI report predicts demise of existing utility business (via Energy Manager Today)

After legal setback in Nebraska, what’s next for Keystone XL? (via Climate Progress)

A $400 natural gas bill? It’s on the way (via Washington Post)

Microalgae-derived biogas a promising alternative to fossil fuels (via Phys.org)

Posted:   |   Categories: ALEC, arctic, Backloading, biofuel, Biogas, california, carbon capture, Carbon market, Carbon offset, chevy volt, China, climate, coal, Electric Vehicle, EPA, EU, ev, Flaring, fukushima, GE, Greece, Hydropower, india, japan, Keystone XL, Mountaintop coal removal, natural gas, Nebraska, Net metering, Netherlands, News, North Carolina, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil imports, Oil trains, pennsylvania, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, Sea level rise, Shell, solar, solar pv, SolarCity, Supreme Court, TransCanada, Transportation, UN, united nations, wildfires, wind
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24
Feb

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.24.14

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

GREEN BUSINESS 

Blue-green opportunities: Energy efficiency and jobs impacts in US manufacturing (via WRI Insights)

Illinois jumps to top of US green building LEED-certified ranks (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Shopping around for natural gas: The good, the bad, and the confusing (via Midwest Energy News)

New England natural gas prices set record (via Energy Manager Today)

Colorado first state to regulate methane emissions (via The Hill)

Exxon CEO joins anti-fracking lawsuit after drilling threatens his property value (via Slate)

RENEWABLES 

UK claims world leadership in offshore wind (via Energy Manager Today)

Five million German households faced with higher power bills (via Reuters)

Interior Department approves 550MW of solar projects on public land (via Solar Industry)

DOE awards $2 million to support geothermal systems with rare earth extraction capability (via CleanTechnica)

Air Force scores biggest-ever military solar plant (via CleanTechnica)

Top 10 women of solar energy (via Energy Collective)

New Year off to hot start for US solar industry (via Renewable Energy World)

OIL 

Arctic oil still seen decades off as producers balk at costs (via Bloomberg)

Oil industry head cautions against creating new rail risks (via Houston Chronicle)

Federal regulators move to hike cap on oil spill liabilities (via Houston Chronicle)

To make shipping oil safer, railroads agree to eight measures (via New York Times)

Funding the future with fracking in North Dakota (via National Journal)

Oil spill closes 65-mile stretch of lower Mississippi River (via Reuters)

GE to funnel billions into oil field technology (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Megacity driving woes signal dawn of “peak car” era (via Bloomberg)

Study finds 20-25% of EV range lost as psychological safety buffer; driver assistance systems could shrink loss (via Green Car Congress)

Elon Musk and Tesla plan world’s biggest battery factory (via Greentech Media)

Tesla’s Musk accelerating vehicle output through 2014 (via Bloomberg)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone backers find Nebraska judge not only hurdle remaining (via Bloomberg)

Keystone’s future in hands of Nebraska’s new pipeline regulator (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

January 2014: Earth’s 4th warmest January on record (via Weather Underground)

Arctic temperatures could increase 13C by 2100 (via RTCC)

Climate change to add to winter extremes, limiting warming benefit (via Sydney Morning Herald)

Small volcanic eruptions add to larger impact on climate (via Climate Central)

Obama climate change agenda faces first Supreme Court test (via Reuters)

This year’s crazy weather is freezing the economy (via Washington Post)

Coffee shortage possible due to drought, climate change, rising demand (via Washington Post)

In Rhode Island flood zones, houses raised to lower premiums (via Providence Journal)

ENVIRONMENT 

Obama to propose changes to wildfire funding in budget (via Weather Channel/AP)

Environmental groups resort to suing industries directly (via New York Times)

California farmers brace for little or no water amid extreme drought (via The Guardian)

Coal ash spill could push North Carolina to move more aggressively on environmental threats (via News Observer)

EMISSIONS

“Imagination” required to save UN carbon market, says new chair (via RTCC)

GRID 

Bid to connect US grids needs buy-in from independent Texas (via EnergyWire)

POLITICS 

Environmental advocates target climate change as Democratic election issue (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Has China’s coal boom hit the buffers? (via BusinessGreen)

Why is the Obama administration using taxpayer money to back a nuclear plant that’s already being built? (via Washington Post)

The short era of cheap natural gas ended in January: Is it gone forever? (via Facts of the Day)

Will methane burn down the natural gas “bridge” to the future? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Play it again: January continues globe’s warm trend (via Climate Central)

Communicating the health and climate connection (via EcoAffect)

Waiting on Ivanpah (via CleanTechnica)

Posted:   |   Categories: battery, Carbon market, China, climate, coal, coal ash, colorado, DOE, drought, Electric Vehicle, Elon Musk, emissions, Energy Efficiency, ERCOT, EU ETS, ev, Exxon, Flooding, fracking, GE, geothermal, germany, global warming, green building, green business, grid, interior department, Ivanpah, Keystone XL, LEED, methane, Mississippi River, natural gas, Nebraska, News, North Carolina, north dakota, nuclear, offshore drilling, oil spill, Oil train, Oil. Arctic, Peak car, Range anxiety, Rare earths, renewables, Rex Tillerson, rhode island, Shale oil, solar, Tesla, texas, Transportation, Tres Amigas, uk, united kingdom, US Air Force, wildfires
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