Category Archives:Energy benchmarking

02
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.2.13

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

CLIMATE 

By 2050 much of the Arctic could be green (via Mongabay)

South East Asia food basket facing “shocking” future (via RTCC)

US dominated global disaster losses in 2012: Swiss Re (via Climate Central)

Climate hawks go on offense, but impact uncertain (via InsideClimate News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

European industry flocks to US to take advantage of cheaper natgas (via Washington Post)

Rumors of a cheap-energy jobs boom from natgas remain just that (via New York Times)

Federal government wants to track PA oil and gas production more closely (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Fracking wastewater disposal wells mapped in Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

Illinois proposes fracking tax lower than most states (via Chicago Tribune)

RENEWABLES 

Solar PV demand in emerging Asian countries expected to boom through 2017 (via Solar Industry)

Offshore wind power: huge potential goes largely untapped (via EarthTechling)

Shared renewables could supercharge California’s clean energy economy (via CleanTechnica)

What’s wrong with Pennsylvania solar? (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Three years after Gulf spill, BP faces big week in court (via Houston Chronicle)

Exxon developing evacuation plan for Pegasus oil pipeline spill (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

TRANSPORTATION 

Hybrid sales up 32% this year, could hit 8% of market by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

A longer life for lithium-sulfur batteries (via Phys.org)

Tesla’s stock soars over 20% on profit, sales news (via GigaOm)

Tesla cancels lowest-range version of Model S (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Air pollution linked to 1.2 million premature deaths in China (via New York Times)

Poll: nearly half say US government too lax on environment (via The Hill)

Texas deploys “rainy day fund” to start long-term fight against drought (via ClimateWire)

ENERGY POLICY 

Japanese cabinet proposes energy sector overhauls (via New York Times)

Citigroup: renewables will triumph and natural gas will help (via Grist)

America gets a D+ in energy infrastructure (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

How Ontario is putting an end to coal-burning power plants (via Yale e360)

Coal opponents say Washington State terminal has derailed (via Seattle Weekly)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Could energy benchmarking rules be useless? (via Greentech Media)

Energy Trust of Oregon saves 71% of 2012 electricity target in Q4 (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US book industry using 24% recycled paper on average (via Mongbay)

EMISSIONS 

“Global” carbon market goes truly global (via CleanTechnica)

Carbon emissions declined 1.4% in Europe in 2012 (via Bloomberg)

Greenhouse gas emissions from farmland underestimated (via Phys.org)

Soils in newly forested areas store substantial carbon (via Phys.org)

Supreme Court rejects challenge to EPA air pollution rule from oil lobby (via Reuters)

GRID 

More than 400 microgrid projects under development worldwide (via Navigant Research)

Texas grid expansion to double wind capacity, deliver to major cities (via Sustainable Business)

POLITICS 

Bucking administration turnover trend, Sutley may stay at CEQ (via Greenwire)

NASA climate scientist James Hansen to leave government for advocacy work (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Germany’s solar-power success: too much of a good thing? (via Grist)

Seven things you learn driving the length of the Keystone XL pipeline (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, american petroleum institute, arctic, Arkansas, battery, BP, california, cap and trade, Carbon market, CEQ, China, Citigroup, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, CREZ, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EU, europe, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, Exxon Mobil, fracking, Fracking wastewater, germany, global warming, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, hybrid, James Hansen, japan, Keystone XL, marcellus shale, Microgrid, Nancy Sutley, NASA, natural gas, News, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, ontario, oregon, pennsylvania, Recycling, renewables, Shale gas, Shared renewables, solar, Tesla, Tesla Model S, texas, Transportation, Washington State, wind
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01
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.1.13

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Federal agencies asked to delay Keystone over pipeline safety issues (via InsideClimate News)

Exxon Mobil pipeline leaks “a few thousand” barrels of crude oil in Arkansas (via Washington Post)

Exxon confirms ruptured Arkansas pipeline carried Canadian dilbit (via InsideClimate News)

Exxon to excavate Pegasus crude pipeline to find cause of leak (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Countries in Asia cutting carbon faster than Europe (via Climate Central)

Enviro groups want Supreme Court to review power plant air pollution ruling (via The Hill)

Northeast US states fight carbon emissions with renewables (via EarthTechling)

RENEWABLES 

Japan approves 10% solar feed-in tariff cut (via Recharge News)

Solar roof highways: India’s road to new power? (via EarthTechling)

Current solar module efficiency nowhere near its potential (via CleanTechnica)

America’s biggest utility power provider gets into the distributed-energy game (via Grist)

States cooling to renewable energy (via Wall Street Journal)

New York spends $47 million for 76 large on-site solar projects (via Energy Manager Today)

Solar investments to yield millions for local school children (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Israel taps large offshore natural gas field (via New York Times)

Saudi Arabia’s shale gas challenge (via Asharq Al-Awsat)

As fracking proliferates in Texas, so do disposal wells (via Texas Tribune)

Ed Rendell’s plea for New York fracking fails to disclose industry ties (via ProPublica)

TRANSPORTATION 

EPA proposes Tier 3 standards for gasoline sulfur content and vehicle emissions (via Green Car Congress)

Opponents attack EPA proposal requiring cleaner fuel, cars in US (via Washington Post)

Automakers unwrap hybrids to meet tough fuel standards (via Detroit News)

As potential investors back away, Fisker retains bankruptcy law firm (via Los Angeles Times)

Tesla Motors reaches profitability on brisk Model S sales (via San Jose Mercury News)

Consumer electronics are driving battery advances (via Plugin Cars)

CLIMATE 

Europe to be battered by Sandy-style superstorms (via New Scientist)

A glorious winter, but Alps face warmer world and huge changes (via The Guardian)

Study: global warming means seas freeze more off Antarctica (via Scientific American)

Nature’s thermometers say spring is springing earlier by 3 days per decade (via Weather Underground)

COAL 

With Illinois coal hot, environmentalists demand reforms to mine permit system (via Midwest Energy News)

ENVIRONMENT 

Cost of environmental damage in China growing rapidly amid industrialization (via New York Times)

China’s exploitation of Latin American natural resources raises concern (via The Guardian)

Haiti to plant millions of trees, double forest coverage by 2016 (via Inhabitat)

Mystery malady kills more bees, heightening worry on farms (via New York Times)

GRID 

Global microgrid market will pass $40 billion in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

National power panel set up for better grid supervision in India (via Panchabuta)

Distributed energy: driving the ghosts out of the machine (via Grist)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

A “China Dream” – more efficient than the American one (via Midwest Energy News)

Red states use 55% more energy, produce 80% more carbon emissions (via Sustainable Business)

USDA offers funding for rural energy efficiency projects (via Energy Manager Today)

Study says mandatory energy benchmarking not worth the cost (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION 

How the US oil, gas boom could shake up global order (via NBC News)

Amid austerity, how can Washington spur new energy technologies? (via National Journal)

Salazar’s legacy: win some, lose some (via Houston Chronicle)

Will driverless cars solve our energy problems or just create new ones? (via Washington Post)

Is the US economy getting more energy efficient or not? (via Greentech Media)

Bill McKibben’s lesson for business in the age of climate change (via GreenBiz)

Exxon oil spill in Arkansas seeps into Keystone debate (via Globe and Mail)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alps, Antarctica, Arkansas, battery, Bill McKibben, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Cross state air pollution rule, deforestation, Dilbit, distributed generation, Ed Rendell, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, europe, ev, Extreme weather, Exxon Mobil, feed-in tariff, Fisker, fracking, Fracking wastewater, global warming, grid, Haiti, Hybrids, Illinois, india, Israel, japan, ken salazar, Keystone XL, Microgrid, natural gas, new york state, News, NRG Energy, offshore drilling, oil spill, Pipeline, Renewable portfolio standards, renewables, rggi, saudi arabia, Shale gas, solar, Solar efficiency, tar sands, Tesla Model S, Tesla Motors, texas, Transportation, usda
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07
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.7.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US shale revolution hinges on exports, say executives (via Houston Chronicle)

Railway says fuel savings inspired LNG test (via Houston Chronicle)

Enbridge CEO interested in providing natural gas for trains (via Houston Chronicle)

New York State Assembly votes to block fracking until 2015 (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Clean energy, transportation posed to create 110,000 jobs (via Sustainable Business)

Wal-Mart beats 20% emissions reduction goal a year early (via BusinessGreen)

COAL 

Weak global coal market threatens low-margin mines (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Japan’s wind industry headed for boom after solar surge (via Bloomberg)

Green investing update (via AOL Energy)

Despite major growth, SolarCity shares drop on Q4 loss (via GigaOm)

Wind energy lessons from Illinois: Q&A with AWEA’s Rob Gramlich (via Midwest Energy News)

SMUD launches pilot to study the grid impacts of solar (via Renew Grid)

Clean energy coalition ups ante on renewable energy in Minnesota (via Pioneer Press)

Minnesota lawmakers consider rate-based solar power incentives (via Star-Tribune)

ENERGY POLICY 

Fossil fuels still fastest-growing global energy source (via Energy Manager Today)

Dearth of skilled workers imperils $100 billion in US projects (via Bloomberg)

US oil and gas boom takes many by surprise (via NBC News)

California CEOs say current energy policies helpful but too complicated (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Top 1% of US homes consume 4 times more electricity than average (via Outlier)

Energy efficiency cut 107TWh of US electricity demand in 2011 (via CleanTechnica)

The industrial sector: low-hanging fruit for demand response? (via Renew Grid)

Chicago buildings aggregate energy data to participate in better demand response (via Energy Manager Today)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canadian official: Keystone rejection wouldn’t harm US-Canada relationship (via The Hill)

Four factors that could turn Keystone’s fate (via Politico)

Canada pitches oil sands crude as greener choice for US (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone XL critics now hang hopes on delaying the pipeline (via Reuters)

GRID 

EEI expects $15 billion in transmission investment this year (via Renew Grid)

US smart meter market is far from saturated (via Greentech Media)

Heating and cooling no longer majority of US home energy use (via US EIA)

CLIMATE 

Misunderstanding seal-level rise and climate impacts (via Science Blogs)

How climate change worsened violence in Syria (via Mother Jones)

EPA, DOE can tackle climate change on several fronts (via Washington Post)

Climate change turns an already troubled ski industry on its head (via High Country News)

Washington governor, senators disagree on terms of climate-change bill (via Seattle Times)

OIL 

Saudi Aramco committed to US oil exports, says CEO (via Bloomberg)

German oil executive: country’s clean energy dream now a “nightmare” (via Houston Chronicle)

Texas oil production may hit record by 2020, says state regulator (via Bloomberg)

BP CEO: no retreat from Gulf of Mexico despite spill (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

EV efficiency should be ranked on miles/KWh, not MPGe (via Green Car Reports)

FedEx Express fleet beats 20% fuel economy improvement goal, sets new target of 30% improvement by 2020 compared to 2005 (via Green Car Congress)

GM targets lower car weight, long-range EVs (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

Bangladesh, India, China at “high-risk” from natural disasters (via RTCC)

UK consumer consumption footprint more than 1½ times its land area (via BusinessGreen)

Endangered or not, species at least no longer waiting (via New York Times)

House votes to increase weather satellite funding (via Climate Central)

Texas shields free-market habitat program from federal scrutiny (via Greenwire)

NUCLEAR 

Feds look to ship Washington radioactive waste to New Mexico (via Post-Intelligencer)

Hanford nuclear leak: budget cuts threaten cleanup efforts (via Politico/AP)

POLITICS 

Harry Reid: the closet environmentalist (via National Journal)

Obama pick for Interior Department faces hearing; agency under fire (via Reuters)

Interior nominee Jewell championed outdoor jobs over oil (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Why food riots are likely to become the new normal (via The Guardian)

Better Place was supposed to revolutionize electric cars – what went wrong? (via Washington Post)

BP CEO: “peak oil” talk quieted by abundance (via The Hill)

Are environmentalists wrong about Keystone XL? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Posted:   |   Categories: awea, Bangladesh, better place, BP, california, canada, chicago, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Demand response, DOE, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Enbridge, endangered species, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, ev, Extinction, FedEx, fracking, Fuel economy standard, germany, GM, green business, green jobs, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hanford, harry reid, Illinois, india, interior department, investment, japan, Keystone XL, LNG, minnesota, natural gas, Natural gas export, new york state, News, nuclear, offshore drilling, oil, Oil exports, peak oil, renewables, Rob Gramlich, Sally Jewell, saudi arabia, Saudi Aramco, Sea level rise, Shale gas, Shale oil, smart grid, smart meter, SMUD, solar, SolarCity, Subsidy, Syria, tar sands, texas, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wal-mart, Washington State, wind
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26
Feb

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.26.13

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

NATURAL GAS 

Germany to approve fracking “with conditions” (via Phys.org)

Wild cards lurk in the speedy switch to gas-fired power generation (via EnergyWire)

EMISSIONS 

Alberta cancels carbon capture and storage project (via Huffington Post)

Falling nuclear and rising coal cause rise in carbon emissions during November 2012 for first time in a year (via Facts of the Day)

California carbon price surpasses expectations (via Environmental Leader)

RENEWABLES 

India nears renewables goal with 12.4 gigawatts added in 3 years (via Panchabuta)

More than 450 geothermal power projects underway worldwide (via Renew Grid)

Are banks backing away from solar projects? (via Greentech Media)

Solar-powered cell towers lead rural electrification (via Treehugger)

New England offshore wind planning offers lessons for Great Lakes (via Midwest Energy News)

States encourage and discourage renewable energy trading (via AOL Energy)

Massachusetts maps its solar energy future (via Renewable Energy World)

OIL 

High-stakes trial resumes over 2010 Gulf oil spill (via Houston Chronicle)

As oil spill trial opens, push for a deal continues (via New York Times)

Deepwater Horizon oil spill trial begins – how much will BP pay? (via Christian Science Monitor)

BP seeks to prove Gulf oil spill errors weren’t negligence (via Bloomberg)

Land grab cheats North Dakota tribes out of $1 billion, suits allege (via ProPublica)

CLIMATE 

Global warming and airflow changes “caused US and EU heatwaves” (via The Guardian)

New study links extreme weather to climate change (via Phys.org)

Feeding ourselves on a warming planet (via New York Times)

Southwest, Great Plains most vulnerable to water shortages (via Environmental Leader)

Study: climate change may dry up important US reservoirs like Lakes Powell and Mead (via Climate Progress)

Global warming worries California voters, poll finds (via Sacramento Bee)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Report finds diluted oil sands bitumen not more corrosive than comparable heavy crude in pipelines (via Green Car Congress)

Alberta premier says climate change important to US approval of Keystone XL (via CBC News)

Flickers of life for clean fuels standard as oil sands plans form (via InsideClimate News)

GRID

FERC makes first Order 1000 compliance rulings (via Renew Grid)

The ant, the grasshopper, and electricity prices in New England (via New York Times)

JCP&L seeks to recover Sandy repair costs, deploy smart grid tech (via Renew Grid)

NUCLEAR 

US nuclear power on track for lowest production since 2000-2001 (via Facts of the Day)

Nuclear waste in the age of climate change (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla CEO says NY Times article reduced market cap by $100 million (via Bloomberg)

Variable utility rate plans will have little impact for electric vehicle drivers (via Pike Research)

COAL 

Utility settles with EPA, agrees to stop burning coal at three sites (via The Hill)

“Green” strategists now back coal trains (via Seattle Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Power market transparency: money out of negawatts (via AOL Energy)

America: the worldwide leader in wasting energy (via Forbes)

Energy efficiency in Maine receives two powerful boosts (via CLF Scoop)

Boston mayor wants building energy reporting (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

Obama’s quiet strategy on climate change (via National Journal)

Lew: White House won’t propose carbon tax (via The Hill)

Bipartisan push to address climate change (via Politico)

OPINION 

Fight over gas exports is prelude to oil exports brawl (via Houston Chronicle)

Why the debt crisis has trumped the climate crisis – at least in DC (via Time)

What California can teach DC about climate change policy (via GreenBiz)

Divestment: the best solution for environmental justice (via Good)

Why innovation alone isn’t enough to win the climate fight (via Time)

What ARPA-E can’t do (via MIT Technology Review)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, ARPA-E, barack obama, Boston, BP, california, cap and trade, carbon capture, Carbon capture & sequestration, carbon tax, ccs, Clean fuel standard, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, deepwater horizon, Dilbit, Divestment, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, EPA, FERC, fracking, geothermal, germany, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Sandy, india, Jack Lew, JCPL, Keystone XL, Maine, massachusetts, natural gas, Natural gas exports, New England, new jersey, News, north dakota, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Order 1000, Pipelines, REC, Renewable energy credits, renewables, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, tar sands, transmission, Washington State
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13
Feb

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.13.13

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

STATE OF THE UNION 

Obama gives Congress a climate change ultimatum (via Reuters)

Obama vows executive action climate push but many specifics remain absent (via The Hill)

Obama floats “Energy Security Trust” in State of the Union (via The Hill)

Obama calls for doubling US energy efficiency by 2030 (via Greentech Media)

Obama talks tough on climate, proposes “drilling for clean energy” program (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama promises cap-and-trade action (via Washington Post)

Obama cites storms, drought to build case for climate action (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Australia’s electricity emissions fall to 10-year low as coal sidelined by renewables (via Renew Economy)

EU aviation carbon emissions to decline in 2013 (via Bloomberg)

North American carbon markets to “more than double” this year (via Environmental Leader)

On-ship carbon capture concept developed, could reduce ship emissions up to 65% (via Green Car Congress)

RENEWABLES 

Three charts to help you understand Chile’s emerging utility-scale solar market (via Greentech Media)

Tea party targets renewable energy standard in Kansas (via Grist)

New York State solar market shows significant promise for 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

Maine leads trend toward floating offshore wind turbines (via Sustainable Business)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US Senate Energy Committee mulls future of natural gas policy (via Reuters)

Beyond the boom, unanswered questions about the life of new natural gas wells (via EnergyWire)

New York State puts off fracking decision (via New York Times)

New York State may issue fracking permits without final regulations (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Germany may implement energy storage incentive (via CleanTechnica)

Data centers morphing into virtual power plants (via Pike Research)

CLIMATE 

Climate change outpacing green investment, report shows (via GreenBiz)

Why Tokyo has more to fear from sea-level rise than Vancouver (via Washington Post)

East Coast faces rising seas from slowing Gulf Stream (via Climate Central)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Almost two-thirds of consumers remain unaware of UK’s energy efficiency Green Deal (via BusinessGreen)

Newer US homes are 30% larger but consumer about as much energy as older homes (via US EIA)

EPEAT green electronics registry adds printers, copiers (via GreenBiz)

Minneapolis commercial buildings to report energy use starting in 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)

TRANSPORTATION 

Holland’s plan to go EV is working (via Autoblog Green)

The charges are flying over a test of Tesla’s charging network (via New York Times)

San Jose State University and CalCharge launch “Battery University” program (via Green Car Congress)

OIL 

US approves Chinese-Canadian oil deal (via The Hill)

Russia plans $25-30 billion oil-for-loans deal with China (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Corporations face mounting investor demand to enhance environmental performance (via BusinessGreen)

ENVIRONMENT 

Deaths of endangered fish curtail California water exports (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

Top Republican to Obama: don’t bypass Congress on climate (via The Hill)

Sen. Boxer’s ideal EPA candidate seems to describe Gina McCarthy (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Obama can’t change polarization on climate change (via Grist)

Can Congress compromise on clean energy? (via Midwest Energy News)

Is exporting natural gas a problem? (via Politico)

Is another Enron possible in today’s energy market? (via Forbes)

Is more charging needed to sell electric cars in Northeast US? (via Green Car Reports)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, barack obama, Barbara Boxer, battery, Benchmarking, CalCharge, california, canada, cap and trade, carbon capture, Carbon market, Chile, China, Climate Change, coal, data centers, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, Enron, EPA, EPEAT, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Extreme weather, germany, Gina McCarthy, green business, green deal, grid, Holland, John Thune, kansas, Maine, Minneapolis, Natural gas exports, new york state, News, offshore wind, oil, Renewable energy standard, renewables, res, Russia, Sea level rise, Severe weather, solar, Tesla, Tokyo, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Vancouver, Virtual power plant, Water scarcity, wind
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08
Feb

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.8.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Global carbon market value drops 35 percent (via Environmental Leader)

Carbon price suffers “dramatic and enduring” slump (via BusinessGreen)

RGGI calls for 45% cut in amount of carbon emissions allowed (via New York Times)

Utilities prepare for federal carbon rules on power plants (via ClimateWire)

Americans want carbon regulations but not taxes (via United Press International)

COAL 

Green Europe’s dirty secret: it’s consuming more coal (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

Could climate change be Al-Qaida’s best friend in Africa? (via Slate)

EPA to issue climate change plan on Friday (via The Hill)

Senior Dem: Obama vows to tackle climate – eventually (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

India rebuffs US solar complaint at WTO (via Wall Street Journal)

Wind power markets grow where the Iron Curtain fell (via Greentech Media)

Deadly China pollution breathes new life into solar debt (via Bloomberg)

Intel and Wal-Mart lead EPA’s green power partnership list (via CleanTechnica)

Wind industry moves to standardize site assessments (via BusinessGreen)

Biomass breathing new life into coal plants (via Forbes)

Broad coalition working against ethanol, says it’s “worse than tar sands” (via Autoblog Green)

Despite tarnished reputation, small wind advocates still see opportunity (via Midwest Energy News)

California sets a new solar power record (via Greentech Media)

Apple eyes another patent patent for solar-powered iPhone (via CNET)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Chu bets big on batteries, predicts new energy business models (via SNL Energy)

7 major energy trends to watch in 2013, via DOE’s David Sandalow (via GigaOm)

EIA begins posting daily energy prices online (via US EIA)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Extracting Europe’s shale gas will be slow and difficult (via The Economist)

North Dakota bill cuts tax exemption for natural gas flaring (via Dickinson Press)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency may cut $169 billion in business costs (via Bloomberg)

$150 million in US tax credits available for energy efficiency projects (via Energy Manager Today)

Which is better for efficiency: retrofits or behavior change? (via Greentech Media)

87% of Seattle’s large buildings report energy usage (via Energy Manager Today)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

First Nations question Northern Gateway experts on oil spill impacts (via Globe and Mail)

Pressure on Kerry ahead of meeting with Canada counterpart (via The Guardian)

TransCanada CEO urges permit for Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION

Hybrids, EVs don’t see big sales boost from higher gas prices (via Reuters)

Ford expects 900 US dealers for its plug-ins by Spring 2013 (via New York Times)

Lawmakers pitch plan to tweak Renewable Fuel Standard (via Houston Chronicle)

AeroVironment bundles home charger, installation, warranty with EV purchase (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

UK to start construction of 93 new flood defense projects in 2013 (via BusinessGreen)

Two Great Lakes hit record low levels: climate crisis or natural cycle? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Westerners agree protected public lands create jobs, oppose state/private ownership (via Climate Progress)

In California, reading the snow to tell future for water supply (via New York Times)

GRID 

How will smart grid transformer technologies stabilize the aging US grid? (via Greentech Media)

US electricity system: over-engineered and vulnerable (via Grist)

NUCLEAR 

Exelon cuts nuclear upgrade spending amid low gas prices (via Reuters)

POLITICS

Can Obama pair Keystone XL and climate action? (via Politico)

Murkowski mulls “hold” on Interior nominee over road’s rejection (via The Hill)

Gore backs Harvard divestment campaign (via Mother Jones)

OPINION 

Renewables cheaper than coal in Australia- a preview of things to come (via Grist)

The other resource curse (via Council on Foreign Relations)

How long before fracking spreads to Europe? At least a decade (via Washington Post)

Climate message essentials for all six “Americas” (via Sightline Daily)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, al gore, Al-Qaida, apple, australia, barack obama, battery, biomass, california, canada, cap and trade, Carbon market, Carbon price, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, David Sandalow, Divestment, drought, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, EPA, ethanol, europe, ev, EV charger, Exelon, First Nations, Flaring, Flood, Ford, fracking, grid, Harvard, hybrid, india, intel, interior department, iPhone, john kerry, Keystone XL, Lisa Murkowski, natural gas, News, north dakota, Northern Gateway, nuclear, regional greenhouse gas initiative, Renewable fuel standard, renewables, Retrofits, RFS, rggi, Russ Girling, Sally Jewell, Sea level rise, seattle, Shale gas, Shale oil, small wind, smart grid, Smog, solar, Solar trade war, steven chu, tar sands, tax credits, TransCanada, Transportation, united kingdom, wal-mart, Water scarcity, wind, World Trade Organization, WTO
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04
Feb

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.4.13

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

TRANSPORTATION 

Germany could have a million plug-in vehicles by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

Toyota recycling old hybrid batteries into energy-storage systems for dealers (via Autoblog Green)

Secretary Chu says 1 million EVs by 2015 is “ambitious” (via Plugin Cars)

DOE launches workplace charging challenge (via Energy Manager Today)

Chevy Volt sales drop to 1,140 in January, Nissan Leaf falls to 650 (via Autoblog Green)

OIL 

Land battles rise as US eyes 450,000 miles of new pipeline (via Bloomberg)

Vast California oil reserve may now be within reach, and battle heats up (via New York Times)

North Dakota weighs industrial water extraction tax for shale oil use (via Fargo-Mooread Forum)

RENEWABLES 

Red tape trips up France’s green energy hopes for wind power (via Reuters)

China adds one-third of world’s onshore wind in 2012 (via Recharge)

Solar power giving Haiti a hospital it can use (via EarthTechling)

Sabotage may have felled UK wind turbine (via United Press International)

First Solar may sell solar power cheaper than coal (via Bloomberg)

The top 10 wind energy states in 2012 (via AOL Energy)

Government’s plan to expand biofuel use runs into bumps on road (via Washington Post)

Wind now supplies 6% of US electricity (via Sustainable Business)

Texas grid operator says renewables competitive with natgas over next decade (via Facts of the Day)

Georgia Power planning 1.5GW of renewables by 2016, less coal-fired generation (via Renew Grid)

North Carolina governor boosts offshore wind (via Recharge)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Reshaping Panama Canal trade means boom in US gas to Asia (via Bloomberg)

US shale gas revolution throws down the gauntlet to Europe (via Reuters)

Legal loophole keeps fracking mixes murky (via Houston Chronicle)

US Senators propose making LNG exports automatic (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking for state dollars (via Council on Foreign Relations)

Ohio farmers divided on fracking (via Columbus Dispatch)

GRID 

Pentagon promises massive response to increasing cyber attacks (via AOL Energy)

Energy companies and landowners are clashing over property rights (via Forbes)

SPP approves $751 million in transmission-expansion projects (via Renew Grid)

10-year low for electricity prices across ISO-New England in 2012 (via Renew Grid)

Texas mega-battery aims to green up the grid (via New Scientist)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

White House delay on efficiency standards costs consumers $300 million per month (via Greentech Media)

Employee “green teams” deliver $76 million boost for US Postal Service (via BusinessGreen)

Minneapolis considers energy benchmarking for commercial buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

CLIMATE 

Outgoing Energy Secretary Chu’s parting warning on warming (via Time)

Research shows the Antarctic ozone hole has changed ocean circulation (via Inhabitat)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Why Canada’s oil sands industry wants a CO2 tax (via Bloomberg)

Rethinking opposition to Keystone XL (via Energy Collective)

EMISSIONS 

For US and China, world’s biggest climate polluters, it’s still business as usual (via InsideClimate News)

Like everything else, carbon emissions are bigger in Texas (via Houston Chronicle)

COAL 

Colorado communities take on fight against energy land leases (via New York Times)

Seattle’s coal training (via Seattle Weekly)

POLITICS 

Obama’s climate team appears primed for action (via Politico)

Top EPA air quality official in line to replace outgoing administrator (via The Hill)

Murkowski launches push for expanded drilling, green energy policy revamp (via The Hill)

Gore presses Obama to “follow through” on climate change promises (via The Hill)

Kerry: climate bill failure among biggest Senate regrets (via The Hill)

OPINION 

UK Green Power Auction Market a “win-win-win” for renewables, consumers, suppliers (via BusinessGreen)

How will energy productivity jumpstart the US economy? (via National Journal)

Steven Chu steps down as energy secretary – so how did he do? (via Washington Post)

Is wind power reaching a tipping point? (via Midwest Energy News)

Posted:   |   Categories: al gore, Antarctic, Asia, barack obama, battery, california, canada, carbon tax, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, colorado, Cybersecurity, DOE, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, ERCOT, europe, ev, EV charger, First Solar, fracking, Fracking fluid, France, Georgia, Georgia Power, germany, Gina McCarthy, global warming, grid, Haiti, hybrid, ISO New England, john kerry, Keystone XL, Lisa Murkowski, LNG export, Minneapolis, natural gas, Natural gas export, News, nissan LEAF, North Carolina, north dakota, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, Panama Canal, Pipeline, renewables, seattle, Shale gas, Shale oil, solar, Southwest Power Pool, SPP, steven chu, tar sands, texas, Toyota, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, US Postal Service, USPS, wind
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01
Feb

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.1.13

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

OIL 

Mystery oil sheen grows near site of BP Gulf disaster (via NBC News)

EMISSIONS 

US carbon emissions fall to lowest levels since 1994 (via The Guardian)

Guidelines issues to ensure captured carbon stays sequestered (via BusinessGreen)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone pipeline decision to languish until mid-June (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Clean energy in Europe suffering from falling CO2 prices (via Energy Collective)

German solar FIT to decline 2.2% monthly through April (via Recharge)

Greece sees impressive solar PV growth despite banking crisis (via Renewable Energy World)

Italian town runs solely on wind, sells the rest (via Sustainable Business)

Biofuel-blending battle rages on as EPA releases new projections (via The Hill)

GE introduces wind turbine for low-wind sites (via Energy Manager Today)

Seven projects looking to use big data to cut the cost of solar power (via GigaOm)

After delays, Maine approves offshore wind farm (via CLF Scoop)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

The US has some of the lowest energy taxes in the developed world (via Washington Post)

Transformation in US power supply breeds emissions success, grid challenges (via Houston Chronicle)

US utilities expect more environmental regulations during 2nd Obama term (via Environmental Leader)

Renewables in bed with natural gas? (via Mother Jones)

TRANSPORTATION 

Nissan will triple number of EV fast chargers in US (via Autoblog Green)

EV Everywhere Blueprint outlines DOE EV goals for 2022 (via Green Car Congress)

69% of US voters support stricter auto emission standards (via Environmental Leader)

Tesla’s Musk calls Boeing 787 Dreamliner batteries “fundamentally unsafe” (via Autoblog Green)

More EV loans “remains to be seen,” Chu says (via Bloomberg)

Big price declines in 2013 EVs: price cuts put EVs on the road (via Facts of the Day)

Hertz adds Chevy Volt to car-sharing service, targets students (via Green Car Reports)

Dreamliner’s woes hearten foes (via Politico)

ENVIRONMENT 

Australian government pledges to protect Great Barrier Reef (via Reuters)

EU proposes to ban insecticides linked to bee decline (via BusinessGreen)

US drought hangs tough through January (via Climate Central)

Survey of nation’s largest cities finds water supplies not as threatened as believed (via Phys.org)

GRID 

Smart grid sector sees $434M in VC funding, $17B in M&A transactions (via Renew Grid)

SDG&E strives to develop ‘self-healing’ grid (via Renew Grid)

The (wrong) report on Silver Spring’s IPO chances (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

2013 policy priorities for sustainable and responsible investors (via GreenBiz)

CLIMATE 

Philippine government says climate change is top priority (via Sustainable Business)

Planting trees may not reverse climate change but it will help local cooling (via Phys.org)

Climate scientists erring on the side of least drama (via Skeptical Science)

Alaska natives try to flee climate impacts but find little help (via ClimateWire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Sacramento launches $100-million energy retrofit fund (via Forbes)

Washington DC requires commercial buildings to track energy and water use (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

Why the US coal industry is so worried (via Sightline Daily)

Half of Washington State residents support coal export terminal (via Seattle Met)

POLITICS 

Hagel vows DoD focus on alternative fuels, energy efficiency if confirmed (via The Hill)

Hagel’s other label: anti-green (via Politico)

Sen. Carper plans renewed push for offshore wind credit legislation (via The Hill)

Right place, wrong time for secretary candidate with gold-plated resume? (via Greenwire)

OPINION 

Mr. President, there’s a major flaw in your solution to climate change (via Take Part)

Can Obama do for the grid what Eisenhower did for highways? (via New York Times)

Posted:   |   Categories: Afforestation, alaska, australia, Auto emissions, barack obama, battery, Bees, biofuels, Boeing Dreamliner, BP, california, carbon capture, Carbon capture & sequestration, Carbon pricing, ccs, chevy volt, Chuck Hagel, climate, Climate Change, Climate scientists, coal, Coal exports, Department of Defense, DoD, DOE, drought, electric vehicles, Elon Musk, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, Energy retrofits, energy tax, environment, EPA, EU, europe, European Union, ev, EV charger, feed-in tariff, FIT, GE, germany, Great Barrier Reef, Greece, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hertz, Insecticides, italy, Maine, natural gas, News, Nissan, NRG, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Philippines, renewables, Sacramento, solar, steven chu, Tesla, Tom Carper, Transportation, Washington DC, Washington State, Water, wind
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