Category Archives:DOE

30
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.30.13

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

COAL 

Goldman Sachs says coal-export terminals are a bad investment (via Grist)

EMISSIONS 

UK government unveils next steps to zero carbon homes (via BusinessGreen)

Study: Energy efficiency drove US emissions decline, not natural gas (via InsideClimate News)

Report: Carbon markets offer “cheap” aviation emissions cuts (via BusinessGreen)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

State Department: Keystone XL jobs impact “negligible” (via The Hill)

Analysts say Obama “headed toward yes” on Keystone pipeline (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

China’s renewable energy spending may total $300 billion through 2015 (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

New solar homes: Japanese builders helping fight for energy independence (via Renewable Energy World)

Saudi Arabia “committed” to 54GW green revolution (via RTCC)

Chinese solar eyes US market after EU agreement (via Environmental Leader)

Wind developers ready US offshore bids (via Recharge)

RMI: New insights into the real value of distributed solar (via Greentech Media)

Algae-to-crude company Sapphire Energy pays of US government loan guarantee (via Green Car Congress)

UCLA scientists double efficiency of novel solar cell (via Phys.org)

ENERGY POLICY 

Senate nears first big energy bill since 2007 (via The Hill)

Deloitte: Energy deals tumble 30% from 2012 activity (via Houston Chronicle)

FERC says JPMorgan manipulated power prices in 2010-2011 (via USA Today)

GRID

Demand response could double to 155.4GW worldwide by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Natural gas plants account for 53% of new generation capacity in 2013 (via Facts of the Day)

North Dakota natural gas flaring equivalent to 1 million cars per year (via Climate Progress)

Federal government begins probe of Gulf gas well blowout (via Houston Chronicle)

BLM will lease rights for natural gas development in Ohio forest (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Study: Global warming puts South American water supplies at risk (via United Press International)

2013 shaping up to be one of Australia’s hottest years ever (via Renew Economy)

Study: sea-level rise threatens 1,400 US cities (via USA Today)

Cornell opens climate change and agriculture center (via Environmental Leader)

OIL 

Shale threatens Saudi economy, warns prince (via Wall Street Journal)

Saudi prince says global oil markets are “in decline” (via RTCC)

Texas will continue to lead US oil boom (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil industry works to reduce flaring in North Dakota (via The Oklahoman)

Oil industry fights safety retrofit of older rail cars (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

BP’s Deepwater compensation fund running dry (via The Guardian)

As Texas drilling expands, so do fights over land rights (via StateImpact Texas)

TRANSPORTATION 

Japanese carmakers partner to double public EV fast chargers (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla sets sights on fledgling China EV market (via TriplePundit)

Ford data shows its PHEV owners operate in electric mode 60% of the time (via Green Car Congress)

DOE Inspector General: Grants to EV charging company were “overly generous” (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Commercial LED lighting revenue will reach $25 billion annually by 2021 (via Navigant Research)

DOE invests in energy efficiency for small buildings (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

A smaller-than-predicted Dead Zone is still toxic for the Gulf of Mexico (via Time)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Research says green corporate policies tied to brand strength (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Some Republicans, not all, clamor for a vote against a carbon tax (via ClimateWire)

EPA chief takes climate push on the road (via The Hill)

Political ad targets Cuccinelli fight with climate scientist (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

The consequences of affordable green energy options (via Washington Post)

Flood, rebuild, repeat: Are we ready for a Superstorm Sandy every other year? (via Grist)

Renewables only marginally more expensive (via Breaking Energy)

How fit are feed-in tariffs? (via Renewable Energy World)

How bracing for superstorms will reshape New York City (via Forbes)

Posted:   |   Categories: algae, arra, australia, biofuel, blm, BP, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal export, Cornell University, Dead Zone, deepwater horizon, Demand response, department of energy, Distributed solar, DOE, Electric vehicle charger, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EU, European Union, EV charger, feed-in tariff, FIT, Ford, Gina McCarthy, global warming, Goldman Sachs, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, japan, Jean Shaheen, Ken Cuccinelli, Keystone XL, natural gas, Natural gas flaring, New York City, News, north dakota, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, renewables, Rob Portman, Rocky Mountain Institute, Sapphire Energy, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, Shale oil, Solar cell efficiency, Solar homes, Solar trade war, State Department, stimulus, Superstorm Sandy, Tesla, texas, Transportation, UCLA, uk, united kingdom, Water scarcity
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23
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.23.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Chinese finance minister confirms carbon tax is on its way (via BusinessGreen)

Zero-carbon Britain is possible by 2030, claims new report (via Treehugger)

COAL 

EU finance arm to decide on curbing loans to coal-fired power (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

UN climate change deal “may not be feasible” by 2015 (via RTCC)

Climate change slowdown due to warming of deep oceans, say scientists (via The Guardian)

DOE examines climate change impact on energy sector (via Breaking Energy)

New EPA chief exhorts agency staff to “act now on climate change” (via The Hill)

Alaska looks for answers in glacier’s summer flood surges (via New York Times)

Schwarzenegger filming documentary on climate change and wildfires (via Christian Science Monitor/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Thailand boosts solar target 50% to 3,000MW (via Bloomberg)

Wind turbine battleground shifts for European and Chinese rivals (via Reuters)

Central American solar markets spurred on by high electricity prices (via Greentech Media)

Solar provides Germany 50% of power at peak hour (via Facts of the Day)

Grid-connected solar capacity in India crosses 1.7GW (via Panchabuta)

Over 1GW and 11,000 jobs for Australian solar industry in 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

With push from tax break, wind industry slowly moves out of the doldrums (via ClimateWire)

Hydropower: the unsung hero of renewable energy (via Christian Science Monitor)

Foster’s solar-skinned buildings signal market tripling (via Bloomberg)

Advocates, foes of biofuels mandate get ready to rumble (via The Hill)

Interior Department announces Virginia offshore wind lease sale (via The Hill)

Oklahoma wind farms to provide power to Arkansas, Nebraska (via The Oklahoman)

Palo Alto switches to 100% renewables – at a cost of $3 per year (via Renew Economy)

Vestas joins DOE, Texas Tech to launch unique wind research facility (via Renewable Energy World)

NATURAL GAS 

US natural gas spot prices increased during first-half 2013 (via US EIA)

US rules on fracking on public lands seen costing drillers $345 million (via Reuters)

Kansas regulators considering new fracking rules (via Kansas City Star)

Minnesota agencies crafting frack sand mining rules (via Daily News/AP)

Welcome to Portage County, the fracking waste disposal capital of Ohio (via Grist)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to implement stricter air quality controls (via China Daily)

Arctic’s boreal forests burning at “unprecedented” rate (via Climate Central)

Pakistan now “one of the most water-stressed countries in the world” as demand exceeds supply (via Climate Progress)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese utility admits Fukushima leaking radioactive water into the sea (via AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Retail lease modifications can improve efficiency (via Environmental Leader)

CBRE initiative highlights most energy efficient real estate tenants (via GreenBiz)

Program shaves electricity bills 34% for low-income South Carolina homes (via Forbes)

OIL 

Oil production in Eagle Ford Shale jumped 58% in May (via Houston Chronicle)

48,000 barrels of oil spilled in Quebec train derailment (via Montreal Gazette)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric vehicle sales are skyrocketing in America (via Grist)

Electric cars selling faster than hybrids did at same point (via Green Car Reports)

GRID 

Wholesale electricity prices rise across the United States (via US EIA)

California and Texas smart grid success shows way forward for US (via CleanTechnica)

POLITICS 

Republicans propose limiting Obama climate plan in budget (via Bloomberg)

Feds fall short of green job goals (via Greenwire)

Lobbyists to hit Hill for slugfest over Renewable Fuel Standard (via E&E Daily)

OPINION 

Australian carbon tax abandoned – what lessons can be learned? (via Triple Pundit)

Echoes of Solyndra in Oregon wind farm probe (via Politico)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, alaska, arctic, Arkansas, Arnold Schwarzenegger, australia, barack obama, biofuels, Britain, california, carbon tax, CBRE, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, DOE, Eagle Ford Shale, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, Frack sand, fracking, fukushima, germany, Gina McCarthy, green building, Green job, grid, Hydropower, india, interior department, japan, kansas, minnesota, natural gas, Nebraska, News, nuclear, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, oregon, pakistan, palo alto, production tax credit, ptc, Quebec, Renewable fuels mandate, renewables, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, solyndra, south carolina, texas, Texas Tech, Thailand, Transportation, UN, united nations, vestas, virginia, Water scarcity, wildfires, wind
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23
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.23.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Chinese finance minister confirms carbon tax is on its way (via BusinessGreen)

Zero-carbon Britain is possible by 2030, claims new report (via Treehugger)

COAL 

EU finance arm to decide on curbing loans to coal-fired power (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

UN climate change deal “may not be feasible” by 2015 (via RTCC)

Climate change slowdown due to warming of deep oceans, say scientists (via The Guardian)

DOE examines climate change impact on energy sector (via Breaking Energy)

New EPA chief exhorts agency staff to “act now on climate change” (via The Hill)

Alaska looks for answers in glacier’s summer flood surges (via New York Times)

Schwarzenegger filming documentary on climate change and wildfires (via Christian Science Monitor/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Thailand boosts solar target 50% to 3,000MW (via Bloomberg)

Wind turbine battleground shifts for European and Chinese rivals (via Reuters)

Central American solar markets spurred on by high electricity prices (via Greentech Media)

Solar provides Germany 50% of power at peak hour (via Facts of the Day)

Grid-connected solar capacity in India crosses 1.7GW (via Panchabuta)

Over 1GW and 11,000 jobs for Australian solar industry in 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

With push from tax break, wind industry slowly moves out of the doldrums (via ClimateWire)

Hydropower: the unsung hero of renewable energy (via Christian Science Monitor)

Foster’s solar-skinned buildings signal market tripling (via Bloomberg)

Advocates, foes of biofuels mandate get ready to rumble (via The Hill)

Interior Department announces Virginia offshore wind lease sale (via The Hill)

Oklahoma wind farms to provide power to Arkansas, Nebraska (via The Oklahoman)

Palo Alto switches to 100% renewables – at a cost of $3 per year (via Renew Economy)

Vestas joins DOE, Texas Tech to launch unique wind research facility (via Renewable Energy World)

NATURAL GAS 

US natural gas spot prices increased during first-half 2013 (via US EIA)

US rules on fracking on public lands seen costing drillers $345 million (via Reuters)

Kansas regulators considering new fracking rules (via Kansas City Star)

Minnesota agencies crafting frack sand mining rules (via Daily News/AP)

Welcome to Portage County, the fracking waste disposal capital of Ohio (via Grist)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to implement stricter air quality controls (via China Daily)

Arctic’s boreal forests burning at “unprecedented” rate (via Climate Central)

Pakistan now “one of the most water-stressed countries in the world” as demand exceeds supply (via Climate Progress)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese utility admits Fukushima leaking radioactive water into the sea (via AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Retail lease modifications can improve efficiency (via Environmental Leader)

CBRE initiative highlights most energy efficient real estate tenants (via GreenBiz)

Program shaves electricity bills 34% for low-income South Carolina homes (via Forbes)

OIL 

Oil production in Eagle Ford Shale jumped 58% in May (via Houston Chronicle)

48,000 barrels of oil spilled in Quebec train derailment (via Montreal Gazette)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric vehicle sales are skyrocketing in America (via Grist)

Electric cars selling faster than hybrids did at same point (via Green Car Reports)

GRID 

Wholesale electricity prices rise across the United States (via US EIA)

California and Texas smart grid success shows way forward for US (via CleanTechnica)

POLITICS 

Republicans propose limiting Obama climate plan in budget (via Bloomberg)

Feds fall short of green job goals (via Greenwire)

Lobbyists to hit Hill for slugfest over Renewable Fuel Standard (via E&E Daily)

OPINION 

Australian carbon tax abandoned – what lessons can be learned? (via Triple Pundit)

Echoes of Solyndra in Oregon wind farm probe (via Politico)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, alaska, arctic, Arkansas, Arnold Schwarzenegger, australia, barack obama, biofuels, Britain, california, carbon tax, CBRE, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, DOE, Eagle Ford Shale, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, Frack sand, fracking, fukushima, germany, Gina McCarthy, green building, grid, Hydropower, india, interior department, japan, kansas, minnesota, natural gas, Nebraska, News, nuclear, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, oregon, pakistan, palo alto, production tax credit, ptc, Quebec, Renewable fuels mandate, renewables, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, solyndra, south carolina, texas, Texas Tech, Thailand, Transportation, UN, united nations, vestas, virginia, Water scarcity, wildfires, wind
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22
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.22.13

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

TAR SANDS 

“Nobody understands” spills at Alberta oil sands operation (via The Star)

State Department approves US-Canada pipeline – it’s not Keystone XL (via Christian Science Monitor)

EMISSIONS 

Trees absorb lower levels of pollution in hot weather (via RTCC)

EPA names interim air pollution chief to lead carbon crackdown (via The Hill)

GRID 

Which states are leading in smart grid? (via Greentech Media)

FERC’s energy storage ruling could jump-start big batteries (via Greentech Media)

The challenge and cost of interconnecting power projects to the grid (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES 

Global biofuels production infrastructure will attract $69 billion in capital investment between 2013-2023 (via Navigant Research)

India may expand solar dumping probe to EU, Japan cells (via Bloomberg)

Bedouin tribe talks a risk in Saudi solar drive (via Bloomberg)

Coal-heavy South Africa eyes wind and solar additions (via RTCC)

Canada to add 450MW of new solar PV in next five years (via Recharge)

UK energy companies paying a heavy price for shunning renewables (via The Guardian)

Solar module costs down 20% in 2013 (via Renew Economy)

Renewables provide 25% of new US electrical generating capacity in first half 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

Excel, Interior Department approvals add almost 2GW of wind (via Sustainable Business)

Oil companies break with trade group on renewable fuel mandate (via Houston Chronicle)

Plan for New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm rejected by regulators (via Star-Ledger)

Texas A&M launches world’s biggest solar photovoltaic R&D facility (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

Canadian oil storage hubs set to expand 25% by 2015 (via Reuters)

US, Canada chug ahead with oil shipments by rail despite risks (via Washington Post)

WTI oil reaches highest price in 16 months (via Houston Chronicle)

Judge denies BP effort to halt Gulf spill claim payouts (via Reuters)

New platforms rise to meet Gulf of Mexico drilling boom (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK government committing additional $763 million to support EVs through 2020 (via Green Car Congress)

Why not a plug-in hybrid minivan? (via Plugin Cars)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Federal study finds natural gas fracking chemicals didn’t spread to aquifers (via Washington Post/AP)

North Carolina fracking moratorium remains in place (via Charlotte Observer)

California fracking moratorium regulations near approval (NBC News)

Fracking filmmakers reflect unusual political twists in gas drilling debate (via Washington Post/AP)

CLIMATE 

Forest fires expected to worsen as climate warms (via The Good Human)

Continuing heat, drought, flooding make up this year’s weather story (via ClimateWire)

Waxman: climate regulations won’t revive legislation (via The Hill)

Vulnerable Maryland weighs threat of sea-level rise (via Washington Post)

COAL 

UK consumers to pay “dirty” coal power subsidies for years (via The Independent)

As EPA head, McCarthy will focus on coal. Oil and gas, not so much (via Triple Pundit)

GREEN BUILDING 

Top 6 cities leading the green building revolution (via EarthTechling)

A new concept: sustainability incubator for cities (via Sustainable Business)

NUCLEAR 

Germany rebuffs European nuclear power subsidy proposal (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

California non-residential building owners must disclose energy usage (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

The case against EPA political bias (via Politico)

Ernest Moniz to restructure top leadership at Energy Department (via Politico)

OPINION 

Shouldn’t climate scientists try harder to communicate their findings? (via The Guardian)

Putting more wind power on the grid (via Los Angeles Times)

US playing game of catch-up in rapidly changing Arctic (via Climate Central)

Why it’s hard for the US government to create green jobs (via Washington Post)

Why new EPA chief Gina McCarthy will be so important to cleantech (via Greentech Media)

When will utilities get a clue about social media? (via Greentech Media)

How do we use electricity? (via Grist)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, arctic, battery, biofuels, BP, california, canada, climate, Climate Change, coal, DOE, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Department, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, European Union, ev, Excel, FERC, Flooding, fracking, Fracking moratorium, germany, Gina McCarthy, global warming, green building, green jobs, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Henry Waxman, india, Interconnection, interior department, japan, Keystone XL, maryland, natural gas, new jersey, News, North Carolina, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, plug-in hybrid, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, Severe weather, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, South Africa, Subsidy, tar sands, texas, Texas A&M, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wildfires, wind
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22
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.22.13

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

TAR SANDS 

“Nobody understands” spills at Alberta oil sands operation (via The Star)

State Department approves US-Canada pipeline – it’s not Keystone XL (via Christian Science Monitor)

EMISSIONS 

Trees absorb lower levels of pollution in hot weather (via RTCC)

EPA names interim air pollution chief to lead carbon crackdown (via The Hill)

GRID 

Which states are leading in smart grid? (via Greentech Media)

FERC’s energy storage ruling could jump-start big batteries (via Greentech Media)

The challenge and cost of interconnecting power projects to the grid (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES 

Global biofuels production infrastructure will attract $69 billion in capital investment between 2013-2023 (via Navigant Research)

India may expand solar dumping probe to EU, Japan cells (via Bloomberg)

Bedouin tribe talks a risk in Saudi solar drive (via Bloomberg)

Coal-heavy South Africa eyes wind and solar additions (via RTCC)

Canada to add 450MW of new solar PV in next five years (via Recharge)

UK energy companies paying a heavy price for shunning renewables (via The Guardian)

Solar module costs down 20% in 2013 (via Renew Economy)

Renewables provide 25% of new US electrical generating capacity in first half 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

Excel, Interior Department approvals add almost 2GW of wind (via Sustainable Business)

Oil companies break with trade group on renewable fuel mandate (via Houston Chronicle)

Plan for New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm rejected by regulators (via Star-Ledger)

Texas A&M launches world’s biggest solar photovoltaic R&D facility (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

Canadian oil storage hubs set to expand 25% by 2015 (via Reuters)

US, Canada chug ahead with oil shipments by rail despite risks (via Washington Post)

WTI oil reaches highest price in 16 months (via Houston Chronicle)

Judge denies BP effort to halt Gulf spill claim payouts (via Reuters)

New platforms rise to meet Gulf of Mexico drilling boom (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK government committing additional $763 million to support EVs through 2020 (via Green Car Congress)

Why not a plug-in hybrid minivan? (via Plugin Cars)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Federal study finds natural gas fracking chemicals didn’t spread to aquifers (via Washington Post/AP)

North Carolina fracking moratorium remains in place (via Charlotte Observer)

California fracking moratorium regulations near approval (NBC News)

Fracking filmmakers reflect unusual political twists in gas drilling debate (via Washington Post/AP)

CLIMATE 

Forest fires expected to worsen as climate warms (via The Good Human)

Continuing heat, drought, flooding make up this year’s weather story (via ClimateWire)

Waxman: climate regulations won’t revive legislation (via The Hill)

Vulnerable Maryland weighs threat of sea-level rise (via Washington Post)

COAL 

UK consumers to pay “dirty” coal power subsidies for years (via The Independent)

As EPA head, McCarthy will focus on coal. Oil and gas, not so much (via Triple Pundit)

GREEN BUILDING 

Top 6 cities leading the green building revolution (via EarthTechling)

A new concept: sustainability incubator for cities (via Sustainable Business)

NUCLEAR 

Germany rebuffs European nuclear power subsidy proposal (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

California non-residential building owners must disclose energy usage (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

The case against EPA political bias (via Politico)

Ernest Moniz to restructure top leadership at Energy Department (via Politico)

OPINION 

Shouldn’t climate scientists try harder to communicate their findings? (via The Guardian)

Putting more wind power on the grid (via Los Angeles Times)

US playing game of catch-up in rapidly changing Arctic (via Climate Central)

Why it’s hard for the US government to create green jobs (via Washington Post)

Why new EPA chief Gina McCarthy will be so important to cleantech (via Greentech Media)

When will utilities get a clue about social media? (via Greentech Media)

How do we use electricity? (via Grist)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, arctic, battery, biofuels, BP, california, canada, climate, Climate Change, coal, DOE, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Department, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, European Union, ev, Excel, FERC, Flooding, fracking, Fracking moratorium, germany, Gina McCarthy, global warming, green building, green jobs, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Henry Waxman, india, Interconnection, interior department, japan, Keystone XL, maryland, natural gas, new jersey, News, North Carolina, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, plug-in hybrid, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, Severe weather, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, South Africa, Subsidy, tar sands, texas, Texas A&M, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wildfires, wind
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15
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.15.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Australia to scrap carbon tax for trading scheme (via Agence France-Presse)

California cap and trade could mean data center cost bumps (via GigaOm)

CLIMATE 

Ice sheets melting at rate of 300 billion tons a year, shows climate satellites (via The Independent)

Study shows climate change happening too quickly for species to adapt (via The Guardian)

After Sandy, New York aims to fortify itself against next big storm & climate change (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Solar PV to hit grid parity, $134 billion annual revenue by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

Annual offshore wind investment to hit €18 billion by 2016 (via Renewable Energy World)

China vows to quadruple solar generating capacity by 2015 (via Reuters)

EU plans probe on German renewable energy law (via Reuters)

Europe installs 1GW offshore wind capacity in first half 2013 (via BusinessGreen)

The history of biofuels goes back 300 years (via Autoblog Green)

US court says biofuel producers must face carbon emissions rules (via Reuters)

Georgia PSC orders 525MW more solar power capacity by 2016 (via Atlanta Business Chronicle)

New York inches toward offshore wind energy (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS 

France’s president rules out shale gas exploration (via Reuters)

Sen. Wyden: natural gas proposal coming soon (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

Study: world’s coral reefs face serious problems by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Sweeping parts of southern seas could become a nature preserve (via NPR)

Study says removing coastal habitat doubles flood impact (via Phys.org)

Canada’s second-largest fire on record spreads smoke to Europe (via Weather Underground)

Wind power and this bird get along fine (via EarthTechling)

OIL

Full extent of heavy metal contamination in Arkansas Exxon oil spill still unknown (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK aims for low-carbon vehicles with £1 billion R&D center (via BusinessGreen)

GM to double models with 40-mpg highway or better by 2017 (via Green Car Congress)

Battery-electric cars are outselling plug-in hybrids (via Green Car Reports)

Better Place bought out of bankruptcy for $12 million (via GigaOm)

Study projects Tesla Roadster packs will retain 80-85% capacity after 100k miles (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla trims Model S reservation price in half (via CleanTechnica)

One year with my Chevy Volt (via CleanTechnica)

Connecticut to fund $200,000 in public charging station incentives (via Autoblog Green)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Federal building efficiency standard could cut energy use 18% (via Environmental Leader)

DOE set to order energy efficiency standards for US computers and servers (via The Hill)

GREEN BUSINESS

Recycling saved General Motors $1 billion in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Skanska quits US Chamber of Commerce over anti-LEED lobbying (via BusinessGreen)

NUCLEAR 

IAEA says aging nuclear reactors pose safety challenge (via Reuters)

GREEN BUILDING 

Re-imagined London tower would harvest pollution as fuel (via EarthTechling)

Munich building snags highest-ever LEED rating (via EarthTechling)

ENERGY POLICY 

Water scarcity from climate change could jack up Europe’s power prices (via Climate Progress)

World Bank abandons coal, green-lights clean micro-grids (via Renew Economy)

When space weather attacks the grid (via Washington Post)

Ideas to bolster US power grid run up against system’s many owners (via New York Times)

Flush with oil and gas cash, North Dakota’s economic growth tops in nation (via Stateline)

POLITICS 

Rudd seeks to ditch carbon tax with eye on election campaign (via Bloomberg)

Tough job ahead as Obama puts climate talk into action, sells plan to public (via Washington Post)

Battle over EPA nominee draws to a close (via The Hill)

GOP “climate disconnect” would sacrifice climate research for weather forecasting (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: Arkansas, australia, battery, better place, biofuels, california, canada, cap and trade, carbon tax, chamber of commerce, chevy volt, China, climate, coal, Connecticut, Coral reef, DOE, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, EV charger, EV charging infrastructure, ExxonMobil, Flood, France, Francois Hollande, General Motors, Georgia, germany, Gina McCarthy, GM, green building, green business, grid, Grid Parity, IAEA, International Atomic Energy Association, kevin rudd, LEED, London, Microgrid, Munich, natural gas, New York City, new york state, News, north dakota, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Recycling, renewables, Ron Wyden, Shale gas, Shale oil, Skanska, solar, solar pv, Tesla, Tesla Model S, tesla roadster, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Water scarcity, Wildfire, wind, World Bank
0
12
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.12.13

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

CLIMATE 

Rising global temperatures accelerate drought-induced forest mortality (via Phys.org)

DOE to boost energy sector climate change efforts (via The Hill)

States seek flexibility in Obama climate plan (via Stateline)

Rising temperatures, shrinking snowpack fuel western wildfires (via Climate Central)

US admirals, generals link climate change to national security (via Public News Service)

ENERGY POLICY 

Japan’s “third arrow” aims for renewables, energy storage (via Renewable Energy World)

Use of coal to generate power rises; greenhouse gas emissions next? (via Los Angeles Times)

Pumping water underground for geothermal or fracking could trigger major earthquake, say scientists (via The Guardian)

RENEWABLES 

Q2 2013 global green investment at $53.1 billion (via Greentech Media)

France wind power feed-in tariff dispute nears finish line (via Recharge News)

New offshore wind turbines begin turning in Europe, but cash scarce (via Reuters)

California fast-tracks renewable energy projects (via Greentech Media)

California Solar Initiative shines with 391MW-installed record year (via CleanTechnica)

Walgreens taking on big boxes for solar energy leadership (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

IEA sees 20-year supply peak outpacing demand in 2014 (via Bloomberg)

Fracking pushes US oil output to highest level since 1992 (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil soars above $106 to 15-month high (via Wall Street Journal)

Gulf oil spill settlement payment offers reach nearly $4 billion (via Houston Chronicle)

Leaner BP blanches at bill for oil spill cleanup (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

OECD countries invest on average around 1% of GDP on road and rail infrastructure (via Green Car Congress)

The business model for solar-powered electric car charging (via Plug-in Cars)

Tesla Model S output speeds past 400 per week (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Air pollution kills more than 2 million people every year (via The Guardian)

Russia and Ukraine likely to block huge proposed Antarctic marine reserve (via The Guardian)

Glass sponge invasion follows Antarctic ice shelf retreat (via Los Angeles Times)

US drought grows for fourth straight week, South driest in weeks (via Reuters)

For Western landscapes, fire may be an agent of change (via ClimateWire)

Steep drop in coastal fish found in California power plant records (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID 

Global smart meter unit shipments will peak at 131 million annually in 2018 (via Navigant Research)

Distributed management systems help utilities balance complex loads (via Navigant Research)

ComEd deploying 4 million smart meters in Illinois (via Renew Grid)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

China raises natural gas prices 15% (via Energy Manager Today)

Distant seismic activity can trigger quakes at fracking sites (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How utilities can make any customer care about efficiency (via GreenBiz)

EIA launches energy efficiency program tracker (via Greentech Media)

Natgas industry push to repeal zero-carbon building law splits green community (via InsideClimate News)

POLITICS 

Infographic: the anti-science climate denier caucus (via Climate Progress)

Reid, McConnell spar on EPA nomination in “nuclear” debate (via The Hill)

Congress tries to turn off lights on efficient bulb mandates (via Houston Chronicle)

Over 10,000 Google users protest company’s Inhofe fundraiser (via Climate Progress)

OPINION 

German tariffs make green energy too expensive to store (via BBC News)

Hey utilities – have you seen the traffic in Los Angeles lately? (via RMI Outlet)

How climate change makes it harder to keep the lights on (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, Antarctica, barack obama, BP, california, California Solar Initiative, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, ComEd, deforestation, DOE, drought, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy efficeincy, energy storage, EPA, ev, feed-in tariff, fracking, France, geothermal, Gina McCarthy, global warming, google, green building, grid, Gulf of Mexico, harry reid, IEA, Illinois, investment, japan, Jim Inhofe, los angeles, Mitch McConnell, natural gas, News, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, renewables, Russia, Shale oil, smart meter, solar pv, Tesla Model S, Transportation, Ukraine, Walgreens, Wildfire, wind
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09
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.9.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China says it will not set carbon cap (via Renewable Energy World)

Blueprint for Russia’s carbon market should be ready by end of 2013 (via RTCC)

DOE fielding aircraft-based study of aerosols generated by wildfires in US (via Green Car Congress)

Colorado mulls oil and gas air pollution rules as residents erupt (via Denver Post)

Website tracks 20 Minnesota cities’ greenhouse gas emissions (via Star-Tribune)

COAL 

China’s reliance on coal reduces life expectancy 5.5 years (via The Guardian)

RENEWABLES 

Navigant: Solar price to reach grid parity worldwide in 2020 (via Energy Manager Today)

Future of UK offshore wind power in “serious doubt” (via The Guardian)

Germany to pull plug on solar subsidies by 2018 (via Phys.org)

Renewables rise to 15% in Australia as power demand and emissions fall (via Renew Economy)

India risks Spain’s solar slump with move to cut tariff (via Bloomberg)

Los Angeles kicks off second round of solar feed-in tariff (via CleanTechnica)

Georgia Power to buy output from 38MW solar project (via Renew Grid)

NUCLEAR 

Nearly half of Japanese cities near nuclear plants would allow resumption (via United Press International)

Japan moves closer to restarting its nuclear reactors (via The Guardian)

World’s first floating nuclear power plant to begin operating in Russia in 2016 (via Russia Times)

CLIMATE 

Climate change to spawn more and stronger hurricanes (via USA Today)

Pacific Island nations meet in Fiji to discuss 2015 climate adaptation strategy (via RTCC)

Nigeria kickstarts adaptation efforts to head off climate disasters (via Thompson-Reuters)

Stressed native UK trees on the march as climate change collapses seasons (via ClimateWire)

Climate change could spark small mammal invasion (via Scientific American)

Climate change might be enabling beetles’ rise against pine trees (via MPR News)

OIL 

US well sites in 2012 discharged more oil than Valdez (via EnergyWire)

Quebec disaster highlights risk of moving crude oil by rail (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

ABB to build world’s largest network of EV fast-charging stations in Netherlands (via Green Car Congress)

Ethanol critics rev up efforts to repeal biofuel rules on gasoline (via Omaha World-Herald)

Tesla Motors to join Nasdaq 100 (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking ban halts first shale gas project in Spain (via Christian Science Monitor)

West Virginia natural gas well explosion kills at least five (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

Insurance companies given severe weather warning (via Climate Central)

Southwest US forests may never recover from megafires (via The Atlantic)

Hundreds evacuated as wildfire threatens Alaskan towns (via Anchorage Daily News)

KEYSTONE XL 

Obama’s Keystone approval could hinge on Canada’s climate measures (via Houston Chronicle)

State Department admits it doesn’t know exact Keystone XL route (via DeSmog Blog)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency saves Scottish homeowners £1 billion (via BusinessGreen)

DOE to toughen energy efficiency standards for new federal buildings (via The Hill)

World’s largest LED retrofit saves 80% for GM (via CleanTechnica)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Majority of EU citizens back green product labeling; 77% would pay premium (via BusinessGreen)

POLITICS 

Obama waves veto pen at House Energy Department spending bill (via The Hill)

Utility 2.0: Can political activism and microtargeting boost clean energy? (via Greentech Media)

“Nuclear option” decision arrives for Sen. Reid on Obama nominations (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Solar costs and grid prices on collision course (via CleanTechnica)

Google becomes a big energy player (via Houston Chronicle)

Survey: 76% of consumers don’t trust their utility (via Greentech Media)

Why France is the next big smart meter market (via Navigant Research)

Divestment: old tactic in new climate campaign (via New York Times)

Posted:   |   Categories: ABB, Air pollution, alaska, australia, barack obama, biofuel, canada, cap and trade, Carbon market, China, climate, Climate adaptation, Climate Change, coal, colorado, deforestation, department of energy, Divestment, DOE, Electric Vehicle, Electric vehicle charging, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, ethanol, Ethical Energy, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Extreme weather, feed-in tariff, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, France, Gasoline, General Motors, Georgia, Georgia Power, germany, GM, google, green business, Grid Parity, harry reid, india, japan, Keystone XL, LED, los angeles, minnesota, natural gas, Netherlands, News, nigeria, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Quebec, renewables, Russia, Scotland, Severe weather, smart meter, solar, Spain, State Department, Subsidy, Tesla, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, West Virginia, Wildfire, wind
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08
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.8.13

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

EMISSIONS 

UN carbon market scheme passes 7,000-project mark (via RTCC)

Could DOE loans to “advanced” fossil fuel projects lower carbon emissions? (via Climate Progress)

Power plant rules coming from EPA as soon as September (via The Hill)

United Church of Christ puts its faith in fossil fuel divestment (via CleanTechnica)

ENERGY POLICY 

Warmer water to boost hydro, nuclear power costs (via Bloomberg)

BLM won’t allow new mining claims on lands tagged for solar (via Greenwire)

RENEWABLES 

EU edges toward solar trade deal with China (via BusinessGreen)

Global solar PV market to hit 45GW in 2014, says Deutsche Bank (via Renew Economy)

Residential solar PV systems experiencing slow adoption in China (via Renewable Energy World)

Pakistan to develop 25GW of wind power by 2015 (via RTCC)

SolarReserve wants to build 600MW solar power plant in Saudi Arabia (via CleanTechnica)

Wind increases production 15-fold since 2003, provides 4% of US power (via Facts of the Day)

The world’s thinnest solar cell, just a nanometer thick (via Christian Science Monitor)

Biofuel investments at seven-year low as BP blames cost (via Bloomberg)

Biofuel program could invite giant grass invasion (via Grist)

Behind Ikea’s coast-to-coast solar push (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

Coal’s slipping grip: New England leads the way (via Climate Central)

The coal industry vs. everyone else: who will win? (via The Guardian)

CLIMATE 

World Meteorological Organization: more heat, more storms, more extremes (via Climate Central)

Australian heat waves “five times more likely due to global warming” (via The Guardian)

UK study suggests economic stagnation no excuse for climate inaction (via Green Car Congress)

Homes keep rising in US West despite growing wildfire threat (via New York Times)

65% of Congressional Republicans deny climate science (via Facts of the Day)

OIL

Crude oil-carrying train derails and explodes in Quebec town (via Climate Progress)

Quebec train explosion fuels rail vs. pipeline debate for moving oil (via The Globe and Mail)

BP asks court to end “feeding frenzy” in Gulf oil spill settlement (via Houston Chronicle)

BP oil spill claims climb ahead of appeal day (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

In Europe, greener transit on existing infrastructure (via New York Times)

EV battery prices drop 40% from 2010 to 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

2013 plug-in electric car sales won’t quite double 2012 (via Green Car Reports)

NUCLEAR 

Japan nuclear operators file for plant safety checks, but early restarts unlikely (via Reuters)

Companies face long wait to restart nuclear plants in Japan (via New York Times)

GRID 

North America will lead global microgrid market with 6GW capacity by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Japanese utility investing in 60MWh battery for grid storage (via Green Car Congress)

UK smart meter installations behind target (via Energy Manager Today)

Pumped storage provides grid reliability even with net generation loss (via US EIA)

FERC signs off on proposed CAISO-PacifiCorp deal (via Renew Grid)

Summer sun brings a focus to Texas power debate (via Houston Chronicle)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Oil to flow through Keystone XL’s southern leg this year (via Houston Chronicle)

Enbridge’s Keystone XL competitor has a permit controversy of its own (via Midwest Energy News)

GREEN BUILDING 

Siemens and partners launching $51 million Vienna smart city project (via Green Car Congress)

The battle for sustainable cities (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS 

Poland’s shale gas dreams fade as investors complain of red tape (via Reuters)

British company applies for UK shale gas fracking permit (via New York Times)

Coal-to-gas plant conversions face challenges (via Navigant Research)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Rating US energy efficiency progress (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Emissions trading in China: risky and difficult, but necessary (via Renew Economy)

Nuclear energy is largely safe, but can it be cheap? (via Time)

Which US state are hot for solar power? (via GigaOm)

Biofuels from invasive plant species open Pandora’s Box (via EarthTechling)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, battery, biofuel, blm, BP, CalISO, cap and trade, Capacity market, China, Climate World Meteorological Organization, coal, Deutsche Bank, Divestment, DOE, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, ERCOT, EU, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, FERC, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, global warming, green building, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Heat wave, Hydropower, Ikea, japan, Keystone XL, Microgrid, natural gas, New England, News, nuclear, oil, oil spill, PacifiCorp, pakistan, Poland, Pumped storage, Quebec, renewables, saudi arabia, Severe weather, Shale gas, Siemens, Smart city, smart meter, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, SolarReserve, tar sands, texas, Transportation, uk, UN, United Church of Christ, united nations, Vienna, Wildfire, wind, WMO
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01
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.1.13

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

CLIMATE 

Obama plan could define 2015 UN climate deal (via RTCC)

Climate change poses grave threat to security: UK military commander (via BusinessGreen)

Climate change not something insurance is likely to cover (via EarthTechling)

Federal community-resilience investments swamped by disaster damages (via Climate Progress)

A new industry is born for the frontlines of climate change (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

Coal-fired retrofit market “$523 billion by 2020” (via Environmental Leader)

In 2013, coal is winning the war on coal: generation jumps 13% as natural gas falls 10% (via Facts of The Day)

DOE Secretary Moniz rebuts “war on coal” (via The Hill)

Coal trains raise concerns in congested Northwest US cities (via Seattle Times)

RENEWABLES 

India’s renewable energy potential remains untapped (via Triple Pundit)

Tensions laid bare as Desertec exits industrial solar consortium (via BusinessGreen)

Congress may change or even repeal 2007 ethanol mandate (via Autoblog Green)

Western governors unveil 10-year energy “vision” (via Houston Chronicle)

ACORE looks at how to scale US renewable energy investments (via Renewable Energy World)

World’s first wind-current generator could produce double the power (via TreeHugger)

Making small wind work takes big planning (via EarthTechling)

SolarCity plans solar power storage solution due in 2015 (via Los Angeles Times)

Connecticut Green Bank closes on $60 million solar lease financing (via Hartford Courant)

South Carolina regulators to re-examine solar power rules (via The State)

OIL 

Cheaper Canadian oil for Midwest refiners not reflected in price at the pump (via InsideClimate News)

BP report says Gulf oil spill only half as big as government claims (via Forbes)

Report shows ExxonMobil pipeline that spilled oil in Arkansas had at least 13 prior leaks (via The Republic)

TRANSPORTATION 

The future of solar and wind powered shipping (via MIT Technology Review)

Hertz 24/7 will make car-sharing available to most Americans by 2016 (via Autoblog Green)

Midwest seen as proving ground for biofuel-powered airliners (via Midwest Energy News)

California high-speed rail is moving forward (via Inhabitat)

Tesla Motors conquers North Carolina (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS 

China backs off shale gas targets (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Electricity market analytics could cut data center emissions 99% (via Energy Manager Today)

Energy Star updates Portfolio Manager for buildings (via GreenBiz)

Chicago to require benchmarking in large commercial buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

5 ways to engage low-income customers in efficiency (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

Algorithm identifies most danger power grid risks amid millions of possible failures (via Phys.org)

What’s the real cost of smart meters in Maine? (via Greentech Media)

EMISSIONS 

Is carbon pricing reducing Australia’s emissions? (via Renew Economy)

99% of Australian businesses back emissions trading scheme (via RTCC)

Some climate advocates open to idea of dumping Australian carbon tax (via The Guardian)

GREEN BUILDING 

Study: smart growth reduces risk of mortgage default (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

At Fort Bliss, an Army vision for a new shade of green (via Los Angeles Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Butterfly decline signals trouble in environment (via Washington Post)

In Texas, a push to show farmers how to save water (via Texas Tribune)

POLITICS 

Obama calls on voters to demand climate action at the ballot box (via The Hill)

Two insiders take the reins on Obama’s climate effort (via Greenwire)

Moderate Democrats, facing hard midterm elections, treat climate plan carefully (via ClimateWire)

Senate leans toward Gina McCarthy confirmation for EPA (via Politico)

OPINION 

Scientists predicted a decade ago Artic ice loss would worsen Western droughts – is that happening already? (via Climate Progress)

Obama’s Lincoln moment? (via Grist)

The biggest oversight in Obama’s climate plan is a doozy (via Grist)

Google’s green search (via Recharge)

The myriad benefits of a carbon tax (via New York Times)

Posted:   |   Categories: ACORE, Arctic ice melt, Arkansas, australia, barack obama, biofuel, BP, california, canada, cap and trade, Carbon pricing, carbon tax, chicago, China, climate, Climate adaptation, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, Coal retrofit, Connecticut, department of energy, Desertec, DOE, drought, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, energy star, environment, EPA, Ernest Moniz, ethanol, Extinction, ExxonMobil, Gina McCarthy, Green bank, green building, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hertz, high speed rail, india, natural gas, News, North Carolina, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, renewables, Resilience, rooftop solar, Shale gas, small wind, Smart growth, smart meters, solar, solar leasing, SolarCity, south carolina, Tesla Motors, texas, Tidal, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, War on Coal, water conservation, Water scarcity, wind
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