coal ash | Indoor Air Quality Lab

Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.22.14 share

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

ENERGY POLICY

Regulators want to change fossil fuel pricing rules for federal land (via The Hill)

Oil price plunge and clean energy – the real impact (via Bloomberg)

Ohio Governor Kasich says more regulation needed on fracking (via Columbus Dispatch)

D.C. coalition emerges to oppose Exelon-Pepco merger (via Washington Post)

Portland considers energy benchmarking policy for large commercial buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

RENEWABLES

India to fund $158 million for 1GW of new solar projects (via Bloomberg)

Germany to help finance Chile’s first solar-thermal power plant (via Renewable Energy World/Bloomberg)

Indian solar plant will equal almost all the solar capacity installed in the U.S in 2010 (via Treehugger)

Kyocera venture to build 13.4MW floating solar plant in Japan (via Bloomberg)

Solar-friendly rate for commercial customers adopted in California (via Energy Manager Today)

Arizona utilities get approval to own rooftop solar (via Greentech Media)

Maximizing the value of installed solar assets (via Forbes)

Upcoming auctions for solar PV: A legal perspective (via Renewables International)

Utilities and solar groups both claim victory in Arizona rooftop showdown (via PV Tech)

NUCLEAR

Geopolitics key to South Africa’s $100 billion nuclear plan (via Bloomberg)

First of four Fukushima reactors cleared of nuclear fuel (via Phys.org)

CLIMATE

Four legal battles this year that were all about climate change (via Climate Progress)

The military, energy, and preparing for climate change (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL

Cuban oil may prove a boon for U.S. companies (via Climate Progress)

Saudi oil chief: No conspiracy behind oil prices (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Shale debt crunch could intensify in April (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone “not even nominal benefit” to U.S. consumers, says Obama (via The Hill)

Good times for Texas to North Dakota may turn bad on oil-price drop (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION

EVs hurt most in renewables industry from oil’s slump (via Bloomberg)

DOE report evaluates EV charging impacts on grid and charging behaviors (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla Model S drivers travel more miles than Nissan Leaf owners (via Autoblog)

Tesla battery swap now working in beta in California (via GigaOm)

COAL

Is China’s demand for coal going to keep rising? Don’t count on it. (via Grist)

U.S. plans to shut royalty loophole on coal exports (via Reuters)

Environmentalists split with the Obama administration over coal ash rules (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS

Will EU emission trading remain a major source of low carbon finance? (via CleanTechnica)

Alberta extends climate change rules, including $15/tonne carbon levy (via Huffington Post/Canadian Press)

Study recommends Massachusetts carbon tax to fight climate change (via Boston Globe)

OPINION

Why Russia should ally with China and India on carbon rules (via RTCC)

Obama sounds like he’s about to reject the Keystone pipeline (via Mother Jones)

Five questions to help us understand how commercial solar may grow in 2015 (via Greentech Media)

Who will get caught when the oil debt bubble pops? (via Forbes)

How oil’s decline could spatter North Dakota (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Continuing Maryland’s energy boom (via Washington Post)

Who really has grassroots support? Wind energy (via The Hill)

Posted: | Categories: Alberta, arizona, california, carbon tax, Chile, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, Coal exports, Cuba, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, EU ETS, European Union, ev, ev charging, Exelon, fracking, fukushima, germany, india, japan, Keystone XL, Kyocera, maryland, massachusetts, News, nissan LEAF, north dakota, nuclear, Ohio, OPEC, Pepco, portland, renewables, Russia, saudi arabia, Shale oil, solar, South Africa, Tesla Model S, texas, Transportation, wind

Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.19.14 share

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

CLIMATE

Climate change could cut global food production 18% by 2050 (via BusinessGreen)

Major coral bleaching in Pacific may become worst die-off in 20 years (via The Guardian)

NASA satellite sends back most detailed view yet of CO2 (via Climate Central)

Much of coastal U.S. will see over 30 days of flooding due to sea level rise, projects NOAA (via Huffington Post)

White House floats new climate guidelines for energy, infrastructure development (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES

China solar exports may face increase in EU duties (via Bloomberg)

Japan’s new FiT rules draw criticism from Japan Renewable Energy Foundation (via PV Tech)

India’s biggest wind company plans to enter solar market (via Greentech Media)

This new finance policy tweak boosts India solar energy (via CleanTechnica)

BNDES approves $222 million in loans for Brazil ethanol plant (via Bloomberg)

EBRD backs Polish wind farm with €23.8 million (via Bloomberg)

South Africa fights blackouts with concentrating solar power (via TriplePundit)

GE ships first Brazil wind turbine nacelle under tough local-content rules (via Recharge News)

U.S power sector employment declines, except for renewable electricity generators (via U.S EIA)

U.S. solar-plus-storage market to surpass $1 billion by 2018 (via Greentech Media)

EIA expects 2014 U.S. wind installations to total less than 5GW (via Recharge)

New money coming home: Investors likely to continue backing residential solar in 2015 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

U.S. could easily power itself 100x over with just solar power (via Treehugger)

Businesses get solar at no upfront cost, encourage customers and employees to invest (via Treehugger)

Duke prepares South Carolina distributed solar program (via Renewable Energy World)

Coalition plans push to expand Minnesota’s renewable energy standard in 2015 (via Star-Tribune)

Illinois solar gets closer to game time (via Renewable Energy World)

COAL

U.S. EPA set to issue long-anticipated rules for coal ash disposal (via Reuters)

Coal ash waste about to be federally regulated for the first time (via Climate Progress)

EMISSIONS

Polluting is getting expensive again in Europe: Carbon & climate (via Bloomberg)

The National Hockey League is going carbon neutral (via National Journal)

OIL

Bankers see $1 trillion in investments stranded in the oil fields (via Bloomberg)

Oil price bloodbath to spark energy sector buying spree (via Reuters)

Nebraska Supreme Court decision on Keystone XL punted to 2015 (via The Hill)

Oil crunch could cost Texas 128,000 jobs, says Fed model (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION

U.S. gasoline drops below $2.50 in U.S. for first time in 2009 (via Bloomberg)

Tax breaks for EV charging, natural gas cars back through end of 2014 (via Green Car Reports)

Analyst slashes Tesla sales forecast 40% due to fuel prices (via Autoblog)

2016 Chevy Volt to add on-demand regenerative braking (via Green Car Reports)

ENERGY POLICY

German energy use sinks to lowest level since reunification (via BusinessGreen)

U.S. power sector needs $2.1 trillion in investment by 2035, says EIA (via Greentech Media)

EBay just became the latest tech company to leave conservative group ALEC (via Climate Progress)

GRID

Smart thermostat programs roll on in Texas, Arizona, Maryland (via Greentech Media)

Alaska leads the world in microgrid deployments (via Navigant Research)

NATURAL GAS

The state of shale (via Phys.org)

Here's the grassroots political story behind the New York fracking ban (via Washington Post)

ENVIRONMENT

Companies pay $9.7 million in EPA enforcement actions (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION

The top five energy and climate stories of 2014 (via Forbes)

Global biofuels industry: A promising future (via Navigant Research)

Three ways renewables could benefit from low oil prices (via Forbes)

Will coal plant retirements and fracking threaten electric reliability? (via Navigant Research)

The surprising link between what makes us happy and what saves energy (via Washington Post)

Solyndra? Solyndra! The legacy of government loan guarantees beyond politics (via Greentech Media)

Six lessons learned from the front lines of the climate fight (via Huffington Post)

Solar tariffs: Throttling America’s biggest job creation machine (via Renewable Energy World)

How Denmark and Texas became wind energy kings (via StateImpact Texas)

Posted: | Categories: alaska, ALEC, arizona, biofuels, BNDES, Brazil, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, Coral bleaching, denmark, duke energy, ebay, EBRD, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, energy storage, environment, ethanol, European Union, ev, ev charging, feed-in tariff, Flooding, fracking, GE, germany, Illinois, india, japan, maryland, Microgrid, minnesota, National Hockey League, natural gas, new york state, News, noaa, oil, Poland, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Sea level rise, Shale gas, solar, Solar concentrating power, solyndra, South Africa, south carolina, suzlon, Tesla, texas, wind

Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.15.14 share

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

EMISSIONS

Lawyers gird for fight against EPA’s Clean Power Plan based on states’ rights (via ClimateWire)

Half of Republicans support carbon limits, survey finds (via The Hill)

Fossil fuel companies grow nervous as divestment movement grows stronger (via Grist)

Capturing carbon as a byproduct of running a fuel cell (via New York Times)

Gov. Inslee says if polluters were charged, state would benefit (via Seattle Times)

NATURAL GAS

Can China’s shale gas help it reach peak coal by 2020? (via Motley Fool)

Ukraine says Chevron plans to pull out of $10 billion shale gas deal (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES

EnergyTrend calls 2014 solar demand at 44GW with 2015 to top 50GW (via PV Tech)

The global biofuels industry: A future in doubt (via Navigant Research)

Analysis: Can Japan exceed 10GW of solar capacity installation in 2014? (via Renewable Energy World)

SunEdison to supply 570GWh of solar energy to Chile grid (via PV Tech)

Vestas gets biggest wind order as Africa market accelerates (via Bloomberg)

Solar industry trends: Capital costs continue to drop while solar companies reinvent themselves as energy companies (via Forbes)

South Carolina avoids a battle, reaches settlement on net energy metering (via Greentech Media)

New York State doubles solar net metering cap (via PV Tech)

430,000 advanced energy jobs in California…today (via CleanTechnica)

Solar and wind give California second camel hump (via Renewables International)

Study: Nebraska grid has capacity to export more wind energy (via Lincoln Journal Star)

Minnesota city freezes ground-mounted solar due to zoning concerns (via Greentech Media)

CLIMATE

International negotiators strike last-minute deal to reduce carbon emissions (via ClimateProgress)

UN agrees way forward on climate change but path is unclear (via The Guardian)

Paris climate summit faces tougher job after modest Lima deal (via Reuters)

Catholic bishops from every continent call for “end to the fossil fuel era” (via ClimateProgress)

Most Americans aren’t aware of the health impacts of climate change (via ClimateProgress)

People don’t work as hard on hot days – on a warming planet (via Washington Post)

COAL

Coal demand growth to slow in next five years on China, says IEA (via Bloomberg)

Coal demand set to break 9 billion tonne barrier this decade (via The Guardian)

As Japan burns more coal, climate policies under pressure (via Reuters)

First U.S. coal ash regulations in the offing (via The Hill)

GRID

Fitch: U.S. utilities “well positioned” to deal with upcoming obstacles (via Renew Grid)

MISO board approves $2.5 billion in new transmission (via Renew Grid)

OIL

Mexico shale boom outlook dims as U.S. drillers struggle (via Bloomberg)

Despite lower crude oil prices, U.S. crude oil production expected to grow in 2015 (via U.S. EIA)

Early slowdown signs emerge for U.S. oil states after crude slide (via Reuters)

U.S. taxpayers help fund oil train boom amid safety concerns (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

TRANSPORTATION

Electric cars: A review of 2014 (via Forbes)

Gasoline prices tend to have little effect on demand for car travel (via U.S. EIA)

Street lights add EV charging (via Navigant Research)

Tesla’s stationary storage strategy: “Everywhere we look, there’s an opportunity” (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

$140 million DOE innovation hub focuses on energy efficiency in manufacturing (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT

Earth faces sixth “Great Extinction” with 41% of amphibians set to go to the way of the dodo (via Huffington Post)

23 pollinating species in Britain have gone extinct in last 150 years (via Inhabitat)

Congress protects new national parks and wilderness areas for first time in five years (via ClimateProgress)

OPINION

COP20 lays groundwork for Paris climate pact: 7 key developments (via WRI Insights)

Five takeaways from the Lima climate talks (via National Journal)

How the ”war on coal” went global (via Politico)

How the U.S. can beat OPEC in an oil prices war (via Christian Science Monitor)

The basic reason oil keeps getting cheaper and cheaper (via Washington Post)

Insights from the solar industry in rural Peru (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

10 energy numbers to remember from 2014 (via Outlier)

Will cheap oil kill Keystone XL? (via Politico)

Posted: | Categories: biofuels, california, carbon capture, Chevron, Chile, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, COP20, Divestment, DOE, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, ev charging, EVs, Extinction, Fossil fuel divestment, fuel cell, gas prices, green jobs, grid, japan, jay inslee, Keystone XL, mexico, minnesota, MISO, natural gas, Nebraska, Net metering, new york, News, Oil trains, OPEC, Peru, renewables, Shale gas, Shale oil, solar, south carolina, SunEdison, Tesla, transmission, Transportation, Ukraine, united kingdom, vestas, War on Coal, wind

Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.29.14 share

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

CLIMATE

Study: Climate change could spark conflict in emerging economies (via BusinessGreen)

EU sets ambitious 2030 climate and energy goals (via Greentech Media)

Chinese vice premier meets Obama adviser on climate change (via Xinhua)

NUCLEAR

Japan edges back toward nuclear power with vote to restart first reactors (via BusinessGreen)

Nuclear industry touts environment benefits as it seeks to stem reactor retirements (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES

Poor countries tap renewables at twice the pace of rich nations (via Bloomberg)

EU on track for green energy goals, but 2030 a challenge (via Reuters)

Global PV operations and maintenance market to hit 237GW by 2018 (via Greentech Media)

Global hydropower to double in 20 years, but at what cost to wildlife? (via RTCC)

Millions in new investment cap record year for beyond-the-grid solar markets (via Energy Collective)

U.S. solar boom boosts European manufacturers REC and Solarworld (via Renewable Energy World/Bloomberg)

U.S. solar now 59% cheaper than analysts predicted back in 2010 (via CleanTechnica)

Wind and solar boosted California grid reliability during tough summer (via Renew Grid)

OIL

Shell seeks five more years for Arctic oil drilling drive (via Bloomberg)

Mexico’s state-owned oil giant Pemex is in uncharted waters (via New York Times)

Goldman Sachs expects U.S. crude to fall to $70 next year (via Houston Chronicle)

Scientists discover huge “bathtub ring” of sea floor oil from BP spill (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION

Increasing ethanol use has reduced average energy content of retail gasoline (via US EIA)

2016 Chevy Volt will have more EV range, bigger battery (via Autoblog Green)

California to require new buildings to be prepped for EV charging stations (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla announces new EV leasing package (via New York Times)

Indianapolis plans to add 425 EVs to municipal fleet by 2016 (via Green Car Congress)

GM to build Volt electric drive in Michigan (via Bloomberg)

COAL

U.S. banks deny fund to coal port near Great Barrier Reef (via RTCC)

Coal ash rule heads to White House for final review (via The Hill)

As rail congestion crimps coal supplies, expansion calls grow louder (via Navigant Research)

EMISSIONS

Australian government wins backing for compromise emissions scheme (via Reuters)

Drying Amazon could be major carbon concern (via Climate Central)

Climate change concerns push Chile to forefront of carbon tax movement (via New York Times)

EPA quietly revamps policy for alleged major air polluters, ends “watch list” (via SNL Energy)

Four carbon cap-tax hybrids (via Sightline Daily)

Oil-price plunge gives new ammo to divestment activists (via InsideClimate News)

Sen. Whitehouse to push carbon price bill (via The Hill)

GRID

Europe blackout threat looms amid power supply risks, says study (via Bloomberg)

Sandia evaluates batteries for modular grid energy storage (via Energy Manager Today)

Alevo unstealthed: New gigawatt-scale grid battery contender (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

LEED retail participants on the rise (via Environmental Leader)

30% of building managers use no energy saving technology (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS

Most Canadians say environment trumps energy prices (via Bloomberg)

Environmental groups spending an unprecedented $85 million in 2014 elections (via Washington Post)

Millennials could make a difference on climate, if they voted (via Grist)

NextGen targets GOP Senate hopefuls in Michigan, Iowa (via The Hill)

OPINION

Can OPEC survive the oil industry’s new economics? (via Bloomberg)

It’s not perfect, but EU energy and climate deal is great news for green economy (via BusinessGreen)

Liebreich: Nuclear – the thin end of a failing wedge (via Bloomberg)

Posted: | Categories: Alevo, amazon, arctic, australia, battery, Blackout, BP, california, canada, cap and trade, carbon tax, chevy volt, Chile, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, Coal exports, Divestment, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, ethanol, europe, European Union, ev charging, Fossil fuel divestment, Gasoline, GM, Great Barrier Reef, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hydropower, Indianapolis, Iowa, japan, LEED, mexico, michigan, News, NextGen, nuclear, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, OPEC, Pemex, renewables, Sheldon Whitehouse, Shell, solar, Tesla, Transportation, wind

Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.18.14 share

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)

Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.8.14 share

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

EMISSIONS

Shanghai opens carbon market to trading pros to boost liquidity (via Bloomberg)

U.S. carbon markets just dropped $400 million on clean energy (via CleanTechnica)

Aircraft emissions may be next for U.S. climate rules (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY

Scotland independence vote seen risking $23 billion in power projects (via Bloomberg)

Brazil delays power auction to attract more hydro, gas proposals (via Bloomberg)

It’s not just oil – power industry due to be overhauled in Mexico (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES

China spurs rooftop solar projects in world’s top market with call for higher subsidy (via Bloomberg)

Australian government increasingly divided over plan to scrap renewable energy target (via The Guardian)

U.K. leading offshore wind power market (via CleanTechnica)

$71 trillion in net savings by 2050 from transition to renewable energy (via CleanTechnica)

Mexico’s new power industry law: Implications for clean energy (via Breaking Energy)

Ontario set for 1.7GW wind binge by end of 2015 (via Recharge News)

U.S., China account for over half the world’s solar PV pipeline (via Solar Industry Magazine)

U.S. solar industry nears 16GW installed capacity (via Greentech Media)

Buoyed by business deals, solar dominates new U.S. clean tech jobs (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Banner second quarter for new U.S. solar PV installations (via Recharge News)

California solar projects plan undergoing major overhaul (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Ohio clean energy rules favored by voters, poll finds (via Plain-Dealer)

SolarCity bolsters operations in seven states (via PV Tech)

OIL

BP lashes out at journalists, “opportunistic” environmentalists (via Mother Jones)

BP oil spill penalty could reach 15% of company’s market cap (via Breaking Energy)

BP “grossly negligent” in 2010 oil spill, says judge (via Christian Science Monitor)

BP can absorb new oil spill fine, say analysts (via Reuters)

Ending oil export ban drawing more talk on Capitol Hill (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION

Electrified car sales stall as buyers back away from hybrids (via Los Angeles Times)

London’s double decker buses get updated with wireless charging (via Autoblog Green)

U.S. vehicle fuel economy at record high (via Phys.org)

Nevada lures Tesla Gigafactory with $1.3 billion in tax breaks, expects $100 billion economic impact (via Bloomberg)

California may have shot at second Tesla Gigafactory (via San Francisco Chronicle)

COAL

America’s coal-fired divide (via National Journal)

North Carolina says Duke Energy coal ash dams are high hazard risk (via News Observer)

CLIMATE

World on track for 4 degrees Celsius warming by 2100 because of missed carbon targets (via The Guardian)

UN banking on business to drive climate negotiations (via RTCC)

Activists promise biggest climate march in history (via The Guardian)

Extreme snowfall events will continue even in global warming, says study (via Washington Post)

How climate change is affecting the world’s biggest food company (via Washington Post)

Yale fund takes aim at climate change (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS

U.S. economy has gotten a lift by going deep to retrieve natural gas (via Forbes)

Poorly understood fracking wastewater is analyzed for first time (via InsideClimate News)

Ohio halts injections at two fracking wastewater wells after earthquake (via Columbus Dispatch/AP)

GRID

US electricity transmission investments vary by region (via U.S. EIA)

KEYSTONE XL

Nebraska Supreme Court examines governor’s role in blessing Keystone XL (via The Guardian)

ENVIRONMENT

8% of world’s remaining pristine forests degraded since 2000 (via World Resources Institute)

100 die in five days of flooding in Northern India (via New York Times)

Canada tops world in forest degradation thanks to climate change, logging, energy development (via Climate Progress)

Dramatic proof California’s drought is one of the worst ever (via KHON/CNN)

California governor to sign plastic bag ban measure (via The Hill)

POLITICS

Hillary Clinton and Rand Paul just kicked off 2016’s climate battle (via National Journal)

League of Conservation Voters expects huge jump in midterm election spending (via The Hill)

OPINION

How the U.S. government is saving taxpayer money with clean energy (via Greentech Media)

Republicans say gas prices are rising – they’re not (via National Journal)

How methane wrecked Obama’s fracking habit (via Mother Jones)

Anthony Foxx takes futurist turn at U.S. Department of Transportation (via National Journal)

Tesla mines gold in Nevada with Gigafactory decision (via Los Angeles Times)

Posted: | Categories: Anthony Foxx, australia, BP, Brazil, california, canada, Carbon market, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, deforestation, Divestment, drought, duke energy, electric vehicles, emissions, environment, ev, Extreme weather, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, global warming, green jobs, grid, hillary clinton, Hybrids, Hydropower, india, Jerry Brown, Keystone XL, London, methane, mexico, natural gas, Nebraska, Nevada, News, North Carolina, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, ontario, Rand Paul, renewables, Scotland, solar, SolarCity, Tesla, Tesla Gigafactory, transmission, Transportation, united kingdom, united nations, wind, Yale

Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.21.14 share

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

EMISSIONS

China to let foreign investors trade in Shenzen carbon market (via Bloomberg)

Architects from 124 countries make “zero-carbon cities” pledge (via RTCC)

EPA report shows progress reducing urban air toxics across U.S.; 50% reduction from mobile sources since 1990 (via Green Car Congress)

Reducing NYC’s carbon emissions one building at a time (via GreenBiz)

COAL

Coal gas boom in China holds climate change risks (via Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

Canada’s largest port approves $15 million coal transfer project (via Reuters)

Oregon coal terminal decision highlights exports’ emissions (via Climate Central)

North Carolina lawmakers pass coal ash restrictions (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES

Africa to add more renewables in 2014 than in past 14 years (via Bloomberg)

South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya lead renewables spurt in Africa (via Bloomberg)

Solar power poses lower risk to birds than cats or cars (via Bloomberg)

Renewable energy could hit 36% of global energy, but there’s a biomass catch (via The Energy Collective)

Solar PV helps eliminate kerosene lamps in Africa (via Navigant Research)

“World’s biggest” tidal array gets go ahead in Scotland (via BusinessGreen)

Japan to support PV on landfill sites (via Recharge)

Renewable energy accounts for 100% of all new U.S. power in July (via Renew Grid)

As small hydropower swells, so does caution over its impacts (via GreenBiz)

Are reverse auctions key to reforming solar energy subsidies? (via The Energy Collective)

How one wonky court decision could unlock our renewable energy future (via CleanTechnica)

ABB unveils cable innovation to increase offshore wind efficiency (via Reuters)

Vestas heads for 1^st dividend in decade after turnaround (via Bloomberg)

NUCLEAR

Tepco concedes failure of Fukushima ice wall (via CleanTechnica)

CLIMATE

Antarctica and Greenland losing ice at fastest rate ever recorded (via Yale e360)

Study says answer to global warming slowdown lies in depths of Atlantic Ocean (via The Guardian)

Food and drink companies respond to consumer pressure on climate change (via The Guardian)

NATURAL GAS

China’s natural gas production falls short in China (via New York Times)

Study to explore economic potential of Mexican shale (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy industry looks to develop better methane monitors (via Houston Chronicle)

At least 10 percent of fracking fluid is toxic, says LBNL analysis (via Climate Progress)

GRID

Smart grid technology revenue will be $70.2 billion by 2023 (via Energy Manager Today)

A comeback for community energy storage (via Navigant Research)

Where is distributed energy storage being deployed in the U.S.? (via Greentech Media)

OIL

Russia said to be near oil tax plan that may cost state $6.6 billion (via Bloomberg)

Western Gulf of Mexico offshore drilling lease sale results in $110 million in bids on 400,000 acres (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT

Epic drought in U.S. West is literally moving mountains (via Climate Central)

63 trillion gallons of groundwater lost in Western U.S. drought (via Los Angeles Times)

California has given out rights to five times more water than it actually has (via Climate Progress)

Drought weighing you down? It’s lifting America up. (via Mother Jones)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL

Tar sands bitumen set to eclipse pipelines like Keystone XL (via DeSmog Blog)

Canada’s $24 million Keystone XL ad campaign falls flat (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Apple produces 134 out of 135 entries in EPEAT’s new green tablet registry (via Treehugger)

OPINION

Could shale revive China’s flagging oil fields? (via Reuters)

Brace yourself for Solargeddon, Australia (via The Energy Collective)

Why EVs will make solar viable without subsidies (via Renew Economy)

Here’s why Solar City will move into Mexico (via Greentech Media)

Toyota could be wrong about the high cost of hydrogen (via CleanTechnica)

If you can’t take the heat, get off the island (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS

McConnell promises spending standoff over Obama green agenda (via National Journal)

Meet the scientists who sat Rick Scott down and explained climate change to him (via Salon)

Posted: | Categories: ABB, africa, Antarctica, apple, australia, biomass, california, canada, Carbon market, China, climate, coal, coal ash, Coal export, Coal gas, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, EPEAT, Ethiopia, EVs, fracking, fukushima, global warming, greenland, grid, hydrogen, Hydropower, japan, Kenya, Keystone XL, methane, mexico, Mitch McConnell, natural gas, New York City, News, North Carolina, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oregon, renewables, Reverse auction, Rick Scott, Russia, Scotland, Shale gas, smart grid, solar, Solar City, South Africa, Subsidies, tar sands, Tepco, tidal power, Toyota, vestas, Water rights, wind

Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.14.14 share

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

ENVIRONMENT

Worst drought in 50 years hits China’s breadbasket (via Market Watch)

Brown signs $7.5 billion plan to ease California drought (via Bloomberg)

GRID

Report: Some retiring U.S. power plants may not need to be replaced (via Renew Grid)

PJM may expand capacity market rules: Handout to fossil fuels, or needed reliability boost? (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES

Global renewable energy status uncovered (via Renewable Energy World)

Wave and tidal power costing more than forecast (via Bloomberg)

U.K. renewables industry celebrates record start to 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

Minnesota PUC passes on value of solar, but likely not for long (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Which solar company boasts the highest market cap? (via Greentech Media)

NRG’s portable solar deal gives it a new place in the sun (via Houston Chronicle)

More “Made in the USA” solar modules coming soon (via Renewable Energy World)

OIL

Oil nationalism seen reversing by IEA amid shale boom (via Bloomberg)

Mexico opens oil fields to foreigners (via New York Times)

Mexico hopes to lure $50.5 billion in historic oil tender (via Reuters)

Feds urged to put Atlantic waters on auction block (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking opponents renew calls for moratorium amid drought (via CBS Los Angeles)

TRANSPORTATION

Tesla Roadster to get replacement battery, 400-mile range (via Green Car Reports)

Chevy Volt: Only current GM model not recalled this year (via Green Car Reports)

COAL

U.S. coal imports fall as natural gas advances (via Houston Chronicle)

North Carolina tells Duke Energy to submit ash removal plans (via Charlotte Observer)

EMISSIONS

New CO2 satellite sends first data back to Earth (via Climate Central)

Will CO2 emissions standards spur carbon capture technology? (via Energy Collective)

Here’s one company that’s really psyched about EPA’s climate change rule (via National Journal)

Coal-fired rural co-ops dig in against EPA emission rules, but a few mavericks flirt with renewables (via ClimateWire)

NATURAL GAS

Diesel is used in fracking without permits, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

Fracking operations get even closer to drinking water sources than we thought (via Grist)

Why railroads are taking a fresh look at natural gas (via Reuters)

Texas regulator unveils proposed rules on fracking disposal wells (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking companies fight Texas families’ air pollution suits, fearing precedent (via InsideClimate News)

Colorado senator defends fracking, says “burning water” helped Native Americans (via National Journal)

CLIMATE

Antarctica may lift sea level faster in threat to megacities (via Bloomberg)

Expanding existing farmland would benefit climate (via Climate Central)

India PM Modi to miss UN climate change summit in New York (via Economic Times)

National parks could suffer due to climate change, says study (via AccuWeather)

Heavy downpours increasing in U.S. due to global warming

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL

Canadian oil sands crude is X factor in crude-by-rail rule (via EnergyWire)

Former Hillary aide sought to “neutralize” greens on Keystone XL (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

EU regulators say German, others in breach of energy efficiency law (via Reuters)

CBRE releases list of Top 30 cities for green real estate (via Triple Pundit)

POLITICS

Sarah Palin jumps in, Mark Begich ducks on Alaska oil tax vote (via Politico)

Coal campaigns: Diverting the public from real issues (via Charleston Gazette)

OPINION

How to stop tax inversions with a carbon levy. Seriously. (via Bloomberg)

How cap-and-trade helps forest and businesses grow together (via GreenBiz)

How your breakfast is fighting climate change (via The Hill)

U.S. students demand clean energy (via EcoWatch)

Posted: | Categories: alaska, battery, california, cap and trade, Capacity market, carbon capture, Carbon pricing, CBRE, chevy volt, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, colorado, diesel, drought, duke energy, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, fracking, Fracking disposal well, germany, global warming, GM, green building, grid, IEA, india, Jerry Brown, Keystone XL, Mark Begich, mexico, minnesota, Narenda Modi, natural gas, News, North Carolina, NRG Energy, offshore drilling, oil, Oil trains, PJM Interconnection, renewables, Rural electric co-op, sarah palin, Sea level rise, Shale oil, solar, tar sands, Tesla, tesla roadster, texas, tidal power, Transportation, united kingdom, united nations, Value of solar tariff, wave power

Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.11.14 share

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL

Canada ignores climate warnings in drive for tar sands oil (via RTCC)

Keystone XL carbon emissions “would be four times higher than U.S. thought” (via The Guardian)

CLIMATE

EPA roadshow highlights polarized U.S. climate debate (via RTCC)

Planners in southeast Florida try to awaken their state to sea level rise (via ClimateWire)

EPA chief: Teach global warming in schools (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES

China will install more solar in 2014 than the U.S. ever has (via Climate Progress)

Japan solar industry forecasts 100GW capacity by FY 2030 (via Bloomberg)

U.K. wind power surge sees renewables outstrip coal (via BusinessGreen)

Over 3GW of large-scale U.S. solar PV projects at risk from anti-dumping actions (via Solar Industry Magazine)

U.S. installs 835MW new wind energy so far in 2014, 14.6GW on the way (via CleanTechnica)

U.S. IRS clarifies wind PTC eligibility rules (via Recharge)

States dangle property tax abatements to draw new solar customers (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Chill from Ohio RPS freeze extends to neighboring solar markets (via Renewable Energy World)

Wyoming regulators give key approval for America’s largest wind farm (via Casper Star-Tribune)

A landmark deal in Mississippi could give a big boost to utility-scale solar (via Greentech Media)

South Carolina will let people lease equipment for solar energy (via Washington Post)

Report says Wisconsin solar growth has been hampered by policy, utilities (via Wisconsin Public Radio)

OIL

U.S. oil falls to six-month low on refinery outlook (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION

EV car sales are up over 70% in Europe and the U.S. (via Climate Progress)

The challenge for EV sales is car dealers, again (via Green Car Reports)

EV charging stations sprouting all over California (via Sacramento Bee)

COAL

Waste Management sees growth with EPA coal-ash disposal rule (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

EMISSIONS

Texas may refuse to follow EPA climate rules (via Texas Tribune)

Obama action group joins fight against Christie’s climate pact exit (via InsideClimate News)

NATURAL GAS

What’s fueling the fracking boom? Debt (via Christian Science Monitor)

GAO criticizes EPA’s fracking injection well oversight (via Environmental Leader)

Northeast U.S. natural gas spot prices particularly sensitive to temperature swings (via U.S. EIA)

FERC authorizes Texas LNG export terminal (via Breaking Energy)

ENVIRONMENT

China’s coastal economic boom on track to “burn out” its marine resources (via ClimateWire)

California drought transforms global food market (via Bloomberg)

Bottled water comes from the most drought-ridden places in America (via Mother Jones)

California lawmakers consider historic rules to limit groundwater pumping (via San Jose Mercury-News)

Lightning-sparked California wildfires burn more than 134,000 acres (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID

China’s State Grid quietly builds Mediterranean power network (via Reuters)

Can we make America’s power grid blackout-proof? (via GreenBiz)

POLITICS

Obama’s offshore drilling move opens rift with environmental groups (via The Hill)

House Republicans to combine energy, jobs efforts (via Politico)

Colorado’s frack-free movement sacrificed for Democrats facing re-election (via InsideClimate News)

OPINION

What’s driving millions of dollars back into energy efficiency? (via The Guardian)

Why creative industries won’t follow PR lead on climate change (via The Guardian)

The contentious, complicated fight for water in California (via Los Angeles Times)

Posted: | Categories: Blackout, california, canada, China, Chris Christie, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, colorado, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EVs, FERC, Florida, fracking, GAO, Gina McCarthy, grid, Injection well, IRS, japan, Keystone XL, LNG exports, Mississippi, natural gas, new jersey, News, offshore drilling, Ohio, oil, production tax credit, ptc, regional greenhouse gas initiative, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, rggi, rps, Sea level rise, solar, Solar trade war, south carolina, tar sands, texas, Transportation, united kingdom, Waste Management, wildfires, wind, Wisconsin, wyoming

Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.11.14 share

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL

Canada ignores climate warnings in drive for tar sands oil (via RTCC)

Keystone XL carbon emissions “would be four times higher than U.S. thought” (via The Guardian)

CLIMATE

EPA roadshow highlights polarized U.S. climate debate (via RTCC)

Planners in southeast Florida try to awaken their state to sea level rise (via ClimateWire)

EPA chief: Teach global warming in schools (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES

China will install more solar in 2014 than the U.S. ever has (via Climate Progress)

Japan solar industry forecasts 100GW capacity by FY 2030 (via Bloomberg)

U.K. wind power surge sees renewables outstrip coal (via BusinessGreen)

Over 3GW of large-scale U.S. solar PV projects at risk from anti-dumping actions (via Solar Industry Magazine)

U.S. installs 835MW new wind energy so far in 2014, 14.6GW on the way (via CleanTechnica)

U.S. IRS clarifies wind PTC eligibility rules (via Recharge)

States dangle property tax abatements to draw new solar customers (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Chill from Ohio RPS freeze extends to neighboring solar markets (via Renewable Energy World)

Wyoming regulators give key approval for America’s largest wind farm (via Casper Star-Tribune)

A landmark deal in Mississippi could give a big boost to utility-scale solar (via Greentech Media)

South Carolina will let people lease equipment for solar energy (via Washington Post)

Report says Wisconsin solar growth has been hampered by policy, utilities (via Wisconsin Public Radio)

OIL

U.S. oil falls to six-month low on refinery outlook (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION

EV car sales are up over 70% in Europe and the U.S. (via Climate Progress)

The challenge for EV sales is car dealers, again (via Green Car Reports)

EV charging stations sprouting all over California (via Sacramento Bee)

COAL

Waste Management sees growth with EPA coal-ash disposal rule (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

EMISSIONS

Texas may refuse to follow EPA climate rules (via Texas Tribune)

Obama action group joins fight against Christie’s climate pact exit (via InsideClimate News)

NATURAL GAS

What’s fueling the fracking boom? Debt (via Christian Science Monitor)

GAO criticizes EPA’s fracking injection well oversight (via Environmental Leader)

Northeast U.S. natural gas spot prices particularly sensitive to temperature swings (via U.S. EIA)

FERC authorizes Texas LNG export terminal (via Breaking Energy)

ENVIRONMENT

China’s coastal economic boom on track to “burn out” its marine resources (via ClimateWire)

California drought transforms global food market (via Bloomberg)

Bottled water comes from the most drought-ridden places in America (via Mother Jones)

California lawmakers consider historic rules to limit groundwater pumping (via San Jose Mercury-News)

Lightning-sparked California wildfires burn more than 134,000 acres (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID

China’s State Grid quietly builds Mediterranean power network (via Reuters)

Can we make America’s power grid blackout-proof? (via GreenBiz)

POLITICS

Obama’s offshore drilling move opens rift with environmental groups (via The Hill)

House Republicans to combine energy, jobs efforts (via Politico)

Colorado’s frack-free movement sacrificed for Democrats facing re-election (via InsideClimate News)

OPINION

What’s driving millions of dollars back into energy efficiency? (via The Guardian)

Why creative industries won’t follow PR lead on climate change (via The Guardian)

The contentious, complicated fight for water in California (via Los Angeles Times)

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