Category Archives:department of energy

08
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.8.15

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

CLIMATE 

Much of the world’s fossil fuel reserves must stay buried to prevent climate change, says study (via The Guardian)

Hot, unfriendly skies could alter future flights (via Climate Central)

EPA to delay U.S. carbon rule for power plants until summer (via Bloomberg)

COAL 

Study: 80% of coal reserves need to stay in the ground (via BusinessGreen)

More than 90% of U.S. coal should stay underground: Climate study (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

IHS remains cautious on PV market demand growth (via PV Tech)

India issues draft guidelines for 3 gigawatts of solar projects (via Bloomberg)

China pushing harder for PV manufacturing consolidation; 10 companies to dominate (via PV Tech)

Dubai utility DEWA produces the world’s cheapest solar energy ever (via Renewable Energy World)

Pace of Japan’s renewable development is slowing (via CleanTechnica)

A Caribbean island says goodbye diesel, hello 100% renewable electricity (via RMI Outlet)

Solar patents reach a record high (via Energy Manager Today)

Almost 4,000 U.S. schools are now running on solar (via Sustainable Business)

California on its way to meeting clean energy goals, say officials (via Huffington Post/AP)

Poll: 82% of Oregonians support renewable energy (via Portland Business Journal)

National Grid “officially” cuts ties with Cape Wind (via Recharge)

Department of Energy opens up $125 million fund for energy innovation (via GigaOm)

SunEdison buys 1.6GW of “PTC-eligible” wind turbines (via Recharge)

Tea Party is pushing for solar power in Florida (via Washington Post)

Perovskite solar cell reaches record efficiency (via Phys.org)

EMISSIONS 

Oil plunge seen eroding emissions ambition on carbon and climate (via Bloomberg)

Carbon pricing in 2014 (via Energy Collective)

EPA to create CO2-slashing plan for states that won’t (via Climate Central)

71% of Washington State voters support proposed cap-and-trade system (via Seattle Times)

OIL 

No chance of OPEC output cut, even after oil dips below $50, say Gulf delegates (via Reuters)

Shrinking foreign oil bill sends U.S. trade deficit lower (via Houston Chronicle)

Renowned trader sees $40 oil as “absolute price floor” (via Houston Chronicle)

White House not under pressure to expand U.S. oil exports, says Podesta (via Reuters)

White House issues formal Keystone XL veto threat (via The Hill)

Oil taxes tempt recession-scarred U.S. states as prices plummet (via Bloomberg)

Oil industry joins hands with solar in latest annual report (via Greentech Media)

DOE Secretary: Strategic Petroleum Reserve needs “modernization” (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Green vehicle demand revs up as UK electric car sales quadruple (via The Guardian)

Key GOP senator says gas hike is on the table (via The Hill)

New Oregon rules require 10% cleaner fuels (via Oregon Public Broadcasting)

GRID 

Even in the off-season, utilities must prepare the smart grid with storage for natural disasters (via Renewable Energy World)

Why big energy companies want to invest in energy storage startups (via Forbes)

ENERGY POLICY 

New U.S. generating capacity in 2014 was overwhelmingly natural gas, wind, solar (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Can nuclear energy compete in today’s energy markets? (via Forbes)

ENVIRONMENT 

EU banned pesticides to help bees, but now other bugs are invading (via Bloomberg)

NOAA reduces odds of El Nino conditions this winter (via Weather Underground)

OPINION 

Why leaving fossil fuels in the ground is good for everyone (via The Guardian)

Smart money is on storing energy, not carbon, says economist (via Phys.org)

A tumultuous year for demand response (via Navigant Research)

Bold clean tech investing predictions for 2015 (via Greentech Media)

SMUD’s community renewable energy development program: Partnering for results in clean energy (via Renewable Energy World)

How to get famous in the solar industry (via Renewable Energy World)

Understanding the oil price drop: What does $50-per-barrel oil mean? (via Greentech Media)

Ten clean energy stocks for 2015 (via Renewable Energy World)

Cape Wind loses power contracts, becomes victim of class warfare (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: ARPA-E, california, cap and trade, cape wind, Carbon bubble, Carbon market, Caribbean, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, department of energy, diesel, DOE, Dubai, El Nino, Electric Vehicle, emissions, energy storage, EPA, Ernest Moniz, European Union, ev, Florida, grid, india, japan, Jim Inhofe, Keystone XL, national grid, News, noaa, oil, Oil exports, OPEC, oregon, Perovskite, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, smart grid, SMUD, solar, strategic petroleum reserve, SunEdison, tea party, Transportation, united kingdom, Washington State, wind
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06
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.6.15

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

EMISSIONS 

Global carbon market to hit €70 billion this year (via BusinessGreen)

Climate change groups split on fossil fuel divestment (via Financial Times)

KEYSTONE XL 

House to vote on Keystone XL bill Friday (via The Hill)

Democrats plan Keystone XL counterattack (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Egypt picks firms to develop 4.3GW of renewable energy projects (via Recharge)

Germany solar undershoots government target (via Recharge)

South Africa considers rooftop solar electricity credits (via Renewable Energy World)

UK and Germany smash wind power records (via Climate Progress)

India’s solar initiative could tip carbon scales favorably (via GreenBiz)

Scotland saw a “massive year” of renewable energy (via CleanTechnica)

Small and medium wind power installations expected to total over 3.2GW globally from 2014 through 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Reduced U.S.-China tariff rates weaken SolarWorld’s negotiating position, says Roth Capital (via PV Tech)

Chinese solar firms boosted by reduced 2012 U.S. trade tariffs (via PV Tech)

California Governor Jerry Brown calls for 50% renewables by 2030 (via Greentech Media)

New materials could boost solar panel efficiency (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia seeks to calm internal oil price fears (via The Hill)

Oilfield write-downs loom as plummeting prices gut drilling values (via Bloomberg)

Oil prices at $50: Why a barrel of crude costs less than your shoes (via Christian Science Monitor)

TRANSPORTATION 

Automakers challenged by low gas prices (via USA Today)

Nissan sold 30,200 Leafs in U.S. in 2014, up 33.6% from 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

California governor calls for 50% reduction in petroleum use in cars and trucks from today’s levels by 2030 (via Green Car Congress)

CLIMATE 

One for the record books: 2014 officially hottest year on record (via Climate Central)

Pope Francis plants a flag in the ground on climate change (via The Guardian)

NATURAL GAS 

Massive spike in Oklahoma earthquakes may be due to fracking (via Washington Post)

Against the grain: Minnesota’s long slog toward dealing with frack sand (via InsideClimate News)

GRID 

Revenue from grid-scale energy storage expected total more than $68 billion from 2014-2024 (via Navigant Research)

Monitoring wind conditions can improve transmission performance (via Breaking Energy)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

The most energy-efficient states in America (via Forbes)

DOE pushes for zero-energy building standards (via The Hill)

Sen. Shaheen doesn’t want energy efficiency bill tied to Keystone XL (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Why India’s cuts to rooftop solar subsidies could be a good thing (via PV Tech)

The big question: What do proposed EPA regulations mean for the energy industry? (via Renewable Energy World)

The seven most attractive nations for renewable investments: Part one – America (via CleanTechnica)

Why are these clean tech venture capital investors smiling? (via Greentech Media)

Beyond the cliché: Why energy efficiency needs success stories, not catchphrases (via Greentech Media)

Wind and solar – the perfect partnership (via Recharge)

Six renewable energy trends to watch in 2015 (via Renewable Energy World)

New York State Public Service Commission action will help tenants, low-income customers, others lacking rooftop access go solar (via Energy Collective)

Posted:   |   Categories: california, Carbon market, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, department of energy, Divestment, DOE, Egypt, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, feed-in tariff, Fossil fuel divestment, Frack sand, germany, global warming, grid, india, Jeanne Shaheen, Jerry Brown, Keystone XL, minnesota, natural gas, new york state, News, nissan LEAF, oil, oklahoma, Pope Francis, Renewable energy credit, renewables, saudi arabia, Scotland, Shaheen-Portman, small wind, solar, Solar trade war, Solarworld, South Africa, transmission, Transportation, united kingdom, wind, Zero-energy building
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18
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.18.14

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

EMISSIONS

EU decides to ratify Kyoto Protocol extension (via RTCC)

EPA punts decision on methane regulations (via The Hill)

Gov. Inslee want to cap and tax emissions from Washington State’s major polluters (via Climate Progress)

Department of Energy announces 22 new emissions reductions, energy efficiency projects (via Breaking Energy)

COAL

McConnell wants to stop coal rules (via AP)

ERCOT report re-ignites war of words over coal plant shutdowns (via Austin American-Statesman)

RENEWABLES

Green bonds sell big in 2014 as finance bids to help climate (via Reuters)

UK low-carbon electricity generation up 24% in 3Q 2014 (via Bloomberg)

Faced with a surge in PV, Japan will allow utilities to restrict solar output on grid (via Greentech Media)

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

Seabirds “steer clear” of offshore wind farms (via BusinessGreen)

Big energy retailers intensify attack on Australia rooftop solar subsidies (via Renew Economy)

U.S. wind power capacity additions expected to increase in last quarter of 2014 (via U.S. EIA)

Wind power getting the PTC extension it didn’t want (via Breaking Energy)

Supporters decry short break extension for wind industry (via The Hill)

Nearly $1 billion available for PACE projects in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

CNEE releases energy legislation year in review (via Energy Manager Today)

Report sees bright future for renewable energy in Minnesota (via Midwest Energy News)

National Grid planning 16 megawatts of Massachusetts solar (via Bloomberg)

SunPower prepares for “disruptive shift in energy market” with Sunverge solar-plus-storage deal (via PV Tech)

NATURAL GAS

Poland and Ukraine to look at expanding gas transport links (via Reuters)

Cuomo to ban fracking; health officials call it unsafe (via Bloomberg)

New York unlikely to face lawsuits over fracking ban, say experts (via Reuters)

CLIMATE

Persistent warming driving big Arctic changes (via Climate Central)

UN’s Clean Development Market mechanism future in doubt, largely sidelined in Lima (via Bloomberg BNA)

Four signs the Arctic is getting baked by climate change (via Mother Jones)

Front yards turn to wetlands as climate change takes toll in Virginia (via Bloomberg)

OIL

World market shockwaves ripple far and wide from oil prices epicenter (via Reuters)

Oil plunge sets stage for energy defaults: Credit markets (via Bloomberg)

EU lawmakers fail to approve tar sands oil veto (via Reuters)

Enbridge shuts oil pipeline to U.S. after spill in Canada (via Houston Chronicle)

Chevron cancels Canadian Arctic drilling as oil prices slide (via Reuters)

Cheap oil jamming rails means higher U.S. power bills (via Bloomberg)

DOT Secretary to talk oil train safety in Canada (via The Hill)

Petrobas CEO says Rousseff refused offer to resign on scandal (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION

Smarter charging, load leveling can save $10,000 a month in EV electricity costs (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla to miss 2020 delivery target by 40%, forecasts analyst (via Greentech Media)

Siemens, Duke Energy, Ford team up to demonstrate lower-cost home charging (via Inside EVs)

How electric car advertising has changed over time (via Inside EVs)

GRID

The intersection of solar energy and energy storage (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Revenue from zero-energy buildings is expected to hit $4.6 trillion through 2035 (via Navigant Research)

OPINION

How cheaper oil is shaping the world (via New York Times)

Seven radical ideas for a 2015 climate change deal (via RTCC)

Trade tariffs old and new mean U.S. will face PV module supply crunch, says Jigar Shah (via PV Tech)

Fed’s Yellen: Oil price decline is good for U.S. economy (via Nasdaq)

Top cleantech buzzwords and phrases from 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Are solar microgrids a step on the ladder toward grid access? (via Energy Collective)

What the Senate’s tax extender bill means for wind energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Posted:   |   Categories: Agriculture Department, Andrew Cuomo, Anthony Foxx, arctic, australia, canada, cap and trade, carbon tax, Chevron, Clean Development Mechanism, coal, department of energy, Dilma Rousseff, DOE, duke energy, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, ERCOT, European Union, ev, ev charging, Federal reserve, Ford, global warming, Green bonds, grid, Janet Yellen, japan, jay inslee, Jigar Shah, massachusetts, methane, Microgrid, minnesota, Mitch McConnell, national grid, natural gas, Net zero, new york, News, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Oil train, PACE, Petrobas, Poland, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, Sea level rise, Siemens, solar, Solar trade war, SunPower, Sunverge, tar sands, Tesla, texas, Transportation, Ukraine, united kingdom, united nations, virginia, Washington State, wind
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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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16
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.16.14

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

COAL 

China bans coal with high ash or sulfur to fight smog (via Bloomberg)

GAO: More coal power plants to retire than previously thought (via The Hill)

Coal power shows zero growth in 2014, report shows (via Climate Central)

In mining country, “war on coal” hard to see (via Boston Globe)

Study: Black lung at historically high levels in Appalachia (via Charleston Daily Mail)

EMISSIONS 

Big corporations leading the way on climate change with carbon pricing (via the Guardian)

Study: Urban air pollution may affect brains of young children (via Yale e360)

RENEWABLES 

Global renewable energy capacity grows more than ever before (via Christian Science Monitor)

Yingli drops Q2 solar module manufacturing costs to less than 50 cents per watt (via Greentech Media)

India to up solar target fivefold to 15 gigawatts (via Bloomberg)

Musk solar strategy used as model for record investments (via Bloomberg)

Duke spends $500 million to expand North Carolina solar power (via Bloomberg)

DOE National Labs can also be regional economic hubs (via Energy Collective)

Block Island offshore wind farm receives final federal approval (via Breaking Energy)

New study reveals truth about wind turbines and bird deaths (via Inhabitat)

NATURAL GAS 

Nigeria to triple natural gas output for power supply (via Bloomberg)

Natural gas drilling is polluting water, but don’t blame fracking (via National Journal)

Fracking gives U.S. energy boom plenty of room to run (via Wall Street Journal)

Gas production blamed for rise in Colorado, New Mexico earthquakes (via Reuters)

North Dakota meets first benchmark to reduce flaring (via Bismarck Tribune)

CLIMATE 

NASA ranks August 2014 as warmest on record (via Climate Central)

Fixing climate change may add no costs, says report (via New York Times)

Coca Cola, Heinz, other major food companies warn climate change threatens businesses (via Climate Progress)

Ocean algae can evolve fast to tackle climate change, says study (via Reuters)

OIL 

OPEC expected to lower oil output target in November (via Reuters)

Russia says did not discuss coordination with OPEC on oil prices (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Autonomous and connected car technologies may progressively curb emissions (via ClimateWire)

Morgan Stanley: Tesla stock up “for the wrong reasons?” (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID 

German clean-energy shift can do without storage, says study (via Bloomberg)

Homeowners to invest over $25 billion in generation and storage from 2014 to 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Capacity markets: Future of European demand response? (via Greentech Media)

Storing renewable energy in a thousand basements (via EnergyWire)

Stem banks $100 million for no-money-down energy storage (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

DOE pushing new energy efficiency rules for hotel heating and cooling (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

California drought threatens sushi, too (via Politico)

OPINION 

How fighting climate change could save the planet and rebuild the economy (via Washington Post)

China, the climate, and the fate of the planet (via Rolling Stone)

Preventing climate change and adapting to it are not morally equivalent (via Grist)

Has the great climate change migration already begun? (via The Guardian)

UN Climate Summit: What’s in it for cities? (via World Resources Institute)

Posted:   |   Categories: Black lung, california, Capacity market, Carbon pricing, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, department of energy, drought, duke energy, Elon Musk, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, europe, fracking, GAO, germany, global warming, grid, india, methane, Morgan Stanley, natural gas, New Mexico, News, nigeria, North Carolina, north dakota, offshore wind, oil, OPEC, renewables, Russia, solar, Stem, Tesla, Transportation, united nations, wind, Yingli
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11
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.11.14

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

EMISSIONS

Ozone layer to recover by mid-century, say scientists (via RTCC)

China sees big drop in carbon emissions (via China Daily)

COAL 

China’s coal imports drop for first time since country became net coal importer (via Huffington Post)

Wyoming appeals Oregon’s coal port denial (via Union Bulletin/AP)

RENEWABLES 

World’s poorest regions get a boost in renewable energy financing (via Renewable Energy World)

Report: EVs are missing link in making solar power competitive with fossil fuels (via Autoblog Green)

Brazil expands tax credit to ethanol, sugar exporters (via Bloomberg)

Japan’s METI says 1,820MW of solar projects cancelled (via Bloomberg)

Brazilian rooftop solar PV market stagnating (via Recharge News)

Australian-owned solar technology makes storage breakthrough (via Renew Economy)

New solar capacity beats natural gas in first have of 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Four cellulosic ethanol breakthroughs (via Breaking Energy)

NATURAL GAS 

New Russian, Ukraine, EU gas talks set for September 20 (via Reuters)

DOE clears natural gas exports at two sites (via The Hill)

Shale boom boosts diverse group of refining, LNG, petrochemical interests (via Houston Chronicle)

Statoil, partners expand effort to put flared natural gas to use (via Houston Chronicle)

McAuliffe: No fracking in George Washington National Forest (via Times Dispatch/AP)

CLIMATE 

How climate change may disrupt the tranquil U.S.-Canada border (via ClimateWire)

Climate change accelerating death of Western forests (via USA Today)

California plans nation’s most detailed sea level rise database (via Climate Central)

TAR SANDS 

Blocked on all other sides, tar sands could cross the Arctic (via Climate Progress)

Oil sands companies to adopt voluntary environmental commitments in Canada (via Wall Street Journal)

GRID 

U.S. grid safe from large-scale attack, say experts (via Politico)

USDA invests $518 billion more in rural grid improvements (via Renew Grid)

Indoor marijuana growers create big demand for energy in Northwest (via Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Energy storage: Progress and promise (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Europe dominates zero-energy buildings market (via Energy Manager Today)

Opower’s five principles of how to design for energy customers (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Despite decline in some regions, world oil consumption still rising (via U.S. EIA)

Putin’s oil deals with Exxon, Shell imperiled by sanctions (via Bloomberg)

U.S., EU ready new sanctions to stop oil exploration in Russia (via Reuters)

Treasury Department to step up efforts against ISIS oil sales (via The Hill)

Canada vs. U.S on oil train standards (via Sightline Daily)

45-year high U.S. oil output may cut pump price, imports (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla in Nevada: Auto dealers give OK to direct sales (via Los Angeles Times)

Nevada bets $1.3 billion on Tesla to push beyond gambling (via Bloomberg)

Tesla Gigafactory could produce 20% more electricity than it needs (via CleanTechnica)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Siemens, Unilever, SwissRe named world’s most sustainable companies (via BusinessGreen)

ENVIRONMENT 

Scientists say the ozone layer is recovering (via AP)

The oceans are acidifying faster than in 300 million years – how bad could it get? (via Vox)

California’s water-starved farmers stymied by fish protections (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

GOP says regulators’ oil-train safety push could be climate-change policy in disguise (via National Journal)

Here’s the GOP’s best shot at derailing Obama’s new climate plan (via The New Republic)

Democrats, Republicans spar over “climate denier” label at House hearing on EPA carbon rule (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Pursuing a global climate treaty: Next stop, New York (via Resources for the Future)

How Hillary Clinton’s State Department sold fracking to the world (via Grist)

How two guys, a lobster boat, and a district attorney just made climate history (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, australia, biofuels, Brazil, california, canada, cellulosic ethanol, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, deforestation, department of energy, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ethanol, European Union, EVs, Exxon, green business, grid, hillary clinton, japan, LNG, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Net zero buildings, Nevada, News, Ocean acidification, oil, Oil trains, Opower, oregon, Ozone layer, renewables, Russia, Sea level rise, Shell, Siemens, solar, statoil, SwissRe, tar sands, Terry McAuliffe, Tesla, Tesla Gigafactory, Transportation, Ukraine, Unilever, Vladimir Putin, wyoming
0
11
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.11.14

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

EMISSIONS

Ozone layer to recover by mid-century, say scientists (via RTCC)

China sees big drop in carbon emissions (via China Daily)

COAL 

China’s coal imports drop for first time since country became net coal importer (via Huffington Post)

Wyoming appeals Oregon’s coal port denial (via Union Bulletin/AP)

RENEWABLES 

World’s poorest regions get a boost in renewable energy financing (via Renewable Energy World)

Report: EVs are missing link in making solar power competitive with fossil fuels (via Autoblog Green)

Brazil expands tax credit to ethanol, sugar exporters (via Bloomberg)

Japan’s METI says 1,820MW of solar projects cancelled (via Bloomberg)

Brazilian rooftop solar PV market stagnating (via Recharge News)

Australian-owned solar technology makes storage breakthrough (via Renew Economy)

New solar capacity beats natural gas in first have of 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Four cellulosic ethanol breakthroughs (via Breaking Energy)

NATURAL GAS 

New Russian, Ukraine, EU gas talks set for September 20 (via Reuters)

DOE clears natural gas exports at two sites (via The Hill)

Shale boom boosts diverse group of refining, LNG, petrochemical interests (via Houston Chronicle)

Statoil, partners expand effort to put flared natural gas to use (via Houston Chronicle)

McAuliffe: No fracking in George Washington National Forest (via Times Dispatch/AP)

CLIMATE 

How climate change may disrupt the tranquil U.S.-Canada border (via ClimateWire)

Climate change accelerating death of Western forests (via USA Today)

California plans nation’s most detailed sea level rise database (via Climate Central)

TAR SANDS 

Blocked on all other sides, tar sands could cross the Arctic (via Climate Progress)

Oil sands companies to adopt voluntary environmental commitments in Canada (via Wall Street Journal)

GRID 

U.S. grid safe from large-scale attack, say experts (via Politico)

USDA invests $518 billion more in rural grid improvements (via Renew Grid)

Indoor marijuana growers create big demand for energy in Northwest (via Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Energy storage: Progress and promise (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Europe dominates zero-energy buildings market (via Energy Manager Today)

Opower’s five principles of how to design for energy customers (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Despite decline in some regions, world oil consumption still rising (via U.S. EIA)

Putin’s oil deals with Exxon, Shell imperiled by sanctions (via Bloomberg)

U.S., EU ready new sanctions to stop oil exploration in Russia (via Reuters)

Treasury Department to step up efforts against ISIS oil sales (via The Hill)

Canada vs. U.S on oil train standards (via Sightline Daily)

45-year high U.S. oil output may cut pump price, imports (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla in Nevada: Auto dealers give OK to direct sales (via Los Angeles Times)

Nevada bets $1.3 billion on Tesla to push beyond gambling (via Bloomberg)

Tesla Gigafactory could produce 20% more electricity than it needs (via CleanTechnica)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Siemens, Unilever, SwissRe named world’s most sustainable companies (via BusinessGreen)

ENVIRONMENT 

Scientists say the ozone layer is recovering (via AP)

The oceans are acidifying faster than in 300 million years – how bad could it get? (via Vox)

California’s water-starved farmers stymied by fish protections (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

GOP says regulators’ oil-train safety push could be climate-change policy in disguise (via National Journal)

Here’s the GOP’s best shot at derailing Obama’s new climate plan (via The New Republic)

Democrats, Republicans spar over “climate denier” label at House hearing on EPA carbon rule (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Pursuing a global climate treaty: Next stop, New York (via Resources for the Future)

How Hillary Clinton’s State Department sold fracking to the world (via Grist)

How two guys, a lobster boat, and a district attorney just made climate history (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, australia, biofuels, Brazil, california, canada, cellulosic ethanol, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, deforestation, department of energy, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ethanol, European Union, EVs, Exxon, green business, grid, hillary clinton, japan, LNG, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Net zero buildings, Nevada, News, Ocean acidification, oil, Oil trains, Opower, oregon, Ozone layer, renewables, Russia, Sea level rise, Shell, Siemens, solar, statoil, SwissRe, tar sands, Terry McAuliffe, Tesla, Tesla Gigafactory, Transportation, Ukraine, Unilever, Vladimir Putin, wyoming
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09
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.9.14

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

EMISSIONS

Greenhouse gas surge to impact atmosphere and oceans, says WMO (via Bloomberg)

World Bank to expand plan to buy emission project credits (via Bloomberg)

EU nations make little headway on carbon market reforms (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Obama to launch climate contest for U.S. cities (via The Hill)

With groundbreaking, large-scale carbon capture finds a home in Texas oil patch (via EnergyWire)

ENERGY POLICY 

Power plants heading out to sea in post-Fukishima Japan (via Bloomberg)

Natural gas, solar, wind lead power plant capacity additions in first-half 2014 (via U.S. EIA)

RENEWABLES 

Norway losing out to Sweden in $6 billion wind power boom (via Bloomberg)

Adapt or perish: Global shift to renewables inevitable, says IRENA (via Renew Economy)

The return of small commercial solar? (via Greentech Media)

U.S. DOE awards grant to study wind turbines’ impact on birds and bats (via Think Progress)

Power clashes cloud solar’s future in Washington State (via Seattle Times)

Five clean energy YieldCos you may not have heard about (via Greentech Media)

Ten clean energy stocks for 2014: September update (via Renewable Energy World)

NATURAL GAS 

Nine countries that could hold the next big shale play (via Houston Chronicle)

Amid Ukraine crisis, Europe weighs fracking (via Christian Science Monitor)

A tale of three countries: Water risks to global shale development (via World Resources Institute)

Fracking in China: Just add water (via Christian Science Monitor)

CLIMATE 

Research shows surprise global warming “hiatus” could have been forecast (via The Guardian)

Climate change may drastically increase forest fires in Europe (via Science World Report)

U.K. to reveal strategy for climate change talks (via The Guardian)

Mosquito-borne viruses hit Japan and the U.S. (via New York Times)

Hundreds of bird species at risk due to climate change (via USA Today)

Cities prepare for warmer climate without saying so (via Seattle Times/AP)

Prosecutors side with coal blockaders on climate defense, drop charges (via Climate Central)

OIL 

U.K. government lends hand to BP in U.S. Gulf oil spill rulings (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Germany to cut transport emissions as it pushes electric cars (via Bloomberg)

Californians propel plug-in car sales with 40% of market (via Bloomberg)

UC-Riverside team shows new eco-routing navigation tool can cut EV energy use up to 51% (via Green Car Congress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Europe’s dependency on Russian gas may be cut amid energy efficiency focus (via The Guardian)

Utility customers respond to variable pricing (via Navigant Research)

Opower enters rare partnership with FirstFuel to expand into commercial building efficiency (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

DOE to fund $8 million in microgrid projects across U.S. (via The Hill)

POLITICS 

Environmental groups hit $4 million for election campaigns (via The Hill)

Report says “green” businesses donate millions to congressional climate deniers (via EcoWatch)

White House threatens to veto bill to kill EPA water rule (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Should we curb air pollution from air travel? (via National Journal)

Why a carbon tax can help climate change and the economy (via Forbes)

Yale University ducks on fossil fuel divestment – and fails Leadership 101 (via Huffington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: BP, california, carbon capture, Carbon market, carbon tax, China, climate, coal, Demand response, department of energy, Divestment, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, europe, European Union, ev, FirstFuel, Forest fire, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, germany, global warming, grid, Gulf of Mexico, IRENA, japan, Microgrid, natural gas, News, norway, oil, oil spill, Opower, renewables, Russia, Shale gas, solar, Sweden, texas, Transportation, Ukraine, united kingdom, Variable pricing, Washington State, wind, World Bank, World Meteorological Organization, Yale University, YieldCo
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31
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.31.13

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

ENVIRONMENT 

China says 8 million acres of farmland now too polluted for food (via Climate Progress)

Losses from Yosemite wildfire could reach $2 billion (via ABC News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Natural gas is trying, but it just can’t kill coal (via Motley Fool)

Study says majority of Americans don’t understand fracking (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Earth’s carbon dioxide levels now 61% higher than 1990 (via RTCC)

DOE stands by “social cost of carbon” (via The Hill)

New York City’s greenhouse gas emissions drop 19% since 2005 (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

All new Australian power plants will be renewable through 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

How wind is helping deliver record-cheap solar (via EarthTechling)

EIA: US biodiesel production hits high in October (via Green Car Congress)

Shipping container with rollable PV panels inside could become instant 100kW solar plant (via TreeHugger)

CLIMATE 

96% of nightly news segments on extreme weather don’t mention climate change (via EcoAffect)

GRID 

Massachusetts makes smart grid mandatory (via Greentech Media)

California’s risky path to grid reform (via Navigant Research)

OIL 

North Dakota community evacuated after oil train collision and fire (via Los Angeles Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Number of US public charging stations climbed 30% this year (via Autoblog Green)

California ISO rolls out roadmap on vehicle-grid integration (via Renew Grid)

TAR SANDS 

Scientists find 7,300-mile mercury contamination “bullseye” around Canadian tar sands (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, australia, biodiesel, Cal-ISO, california, California ISO, canada, carbon dioxide, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, department of energy, DOE, eia, emissions, environment, EV charger, Extreme weather, fracking, grid, Masschusetts, natural gas, New York City, News, north dakota, oil, Oil train, renewables, smart grid, Social cost of carbon, solar, solar pv, tar sands, Transportation, Wildfire, wind, Yosemite
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18
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.18.13

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

CLIMATE 

EU needs international climate finance roadmap (via Reuters)

November temperatures set new global high, says NOAA (via CNN)

Water scarcity escalating due to climate change, says report (via The Hill)

2013 in review: A year of increasing extreme weather events (via The Guardian)

Obama and climate change: The real story (via Rolling Stone)

11 US cities tapped to spur “climate resiliency” action worldwide (via InsideClimate News)

OIL 

Shale well depletion raises questions over US oil boom (via Houston Chronicle)

Report: Taxpayers not getting fair return from drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

Without exports, US could face oil supply glut in 2015 (via Breaking Energy)

Interior Department has stopped trying to raise drilling royalty rates (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

Tony Abbott could scrap Australia’s renewables target (via RTCC)

Merkel rejects EU probe of Germany’s green energy incentives (via Bloomberg)

Canadian solar surging on sales of power projects (via Bloomberg)

Mexico will be hottest solar market in Latin America, despite huge Chile project pipeline (via Greentech Media)

UK approves plans for major offshore wind hub project (via Recharge)

Study shows rooftop solar adds thousands to home resale values (via CleanTechnica)

US DOE invests $13 million into domestic solar manufacturing (via CleanTechnica)

Turbine noise can be heard from just 3% of wind farms (via The Guardian)

A struggle to balance wind energy with wildlife (via New York Times)

Wind power rivals coal with $1 billion order from Buffett (via Bloomberg)

Ohio and Michigan partner for clean energy manufacturing (via CBS News)

Construction begins on Cape Wind offshore wind farm (via Cape Cod Times)

Move over wind – solar energy market “exploding” in Iowa (via Midwest Energy News)

Kansas renewable energy target under fire again in state legislature (via Lawrence Journal-World)

US shifts offshore wind gaze to Maryland (via Renewable Energy World)

Pentagon report says market forces shifted rare earth availability (via Reuters) 

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada to start oil shipments on Keystone XL southern leg in January (via Houston Chronicle)

House budget chief looks to tie Keystone XL to debt-ceiling vote (via The Hill)

GRID 

Utility-scale battery storage costs could be competitive with gas within 18 months (via Renew Economy)

US net metering set to grow, but effect on electric utilities uncertain (via Reuters)

USDA providing $1.8 billion in funding for rural electric utilities (via Renew Grid)

California ISO unveils roadmap to smarter, stronger grid (via BusinessWire)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Britain opens door to more shale gas drilling (via New York Times)

Outlook suggests green light for more gas exports (via EnergyWire)

USGS study: Methane common in southern New York State groundwater (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

TRANSPORTATION 

Will biofuels do better in aviation than anywhere else? (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla gets $34.7 million tax break to boost manufacturing in California (via San Francisco Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Shaheen fights to recharge energy efficiency bill (via National Journal)

Infographic guide to buying energy-efficient light bulbs (via Inhabitat)

NUCLEAR 

Right-sized reactors breathing new life into nuclear energy (via Forbes)

OPINION 

Can the American wind energy industry survive without the PTC? (via Energy Collective)

It doesn’t take much global warming to drive water scarcity way up (via Climate Progress)

How wind power could beat out natural gas (via EarthTechling)

Could 2014 be the year of the battery? (via Renew Economy)

Are taxpayers getting their fair share of oil royalties? (via National Journal)

Four ways climate change is transforming our winters (via C2ES)

Posted:   |   Categories: Angela Merkel, australia, barack obama, battery, Bill McKibben, biofuels, CaISO, california, California ISO, canada, cape wind, CFL, Chile, climate, Climate Change, Climate resiliency, department of energy, DOE, Energy Efficiency, Extreme weather, fracking, Gas exports, germany, global warming, grid, interior department, Iowa, Jeanne Shaheen, kansas, Keystone XL, LED, maryland, massachusetts, methane, mexico, michigan, natural gas, Net metering, new york, News, noaa, nuclear, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, Paul Ryan, production tax credit, ptc, Rare earths, renewables, rooftop solar, Shaheen-Portmann, Shale oil, solar, Tesla, Tony Abbott, TransCanada, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, usda, usgs, warren buffett, Water scarcity, wind, Wind turbine noise
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