Category Archives:environment

19
Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.19.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Guandong Province adds 20 million permits to China’s biggest carbon market (via Reuters)

COAL 

UK lobbying to keep open one of Europe’s dirtiest coal power plants (via The Guardian)

China’s coal consumption just fell for the first time in a century (via Energy Collective)

Oregon Department of State Lands denies coal export terminal permit (via The Oregonian)

Did this smart business deal just end the South’s overdependence on coal? (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

Solar boom driving first global panel shortage since 2006 (via Bloomberg)

Abbott’s new attack on renewables may spark another solar boom (via Renew Economy)

Germany meets 75% of domestic electricity demand with renewables (via Renew Economy)

Biggest solar project falls as Australia reviews policy (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

Sunpower starts solar leasing program for Australian homes (via Bloomberg)

DOE report highlights strength of U.S. wind industry (via Energy.gov)

Price of wind power at all-time low of 2.5 cents per kilowatt hour (via Greentech Media)

Landmark court ruling opens U.S. grid to renewable energy (via SustainableBusiness)

Old car batteries could make cheaper, more efficient solar panels (via Washington Post)

Power surge coming in Minnesota’s solar industry (via Star-Tribune)

NATURAL GAS 

China’s natural gas demand continues to grow (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking could threaten air quality, workers’ health, says report (via Washington Post)

Pennsylvania Department of Health will note fracking complaints (via Pittsburgh Tribune)

CLIMATE 

The year in heat: World on track for third-hottest year ever (via Bloomberg)

Climate change to slash South Asian GDP, warns development bank (via Financial Times)

Water scarcity and climate change through 2095 (via Phys.org)

Australian climate scientist calls on colleagues to speak up on global warming (via Sydney Morning-Herald)

OIL 

Apache makes 300 million barrel oil reserve discovery off Australia (via Reuters)

EIA to cast new data into oil export debate (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking recycles during drought (via Forbes)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla announces infinite mile warranty for Model S EV (via Autoblog Green)

GM’s 200-mile EV for 2017: What we know so far (via Green Car Reports)

Possibly the world’s first battery-powered train undergoing trials (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

KEYSTONE XL 

Environmental groups demand State Department hand over Keystone XL docs (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Navigant says falling LED prices accelerate adoption in parking lots, outdoor systems (via Energy Manager Today)

Big data driving energy efficiency market, says report (via Energy Manager Today)

Opening the multi-trillion dollar energy management market (via Energy Collective)

After a slow start, PACE getting off the ground in Missouri (via Midwest Energy News)

9 of 10 New York City building plans fail basic energy code test (via Crain’s New York Business)

ENVIRONMENT 

“Severe” drought covers nearly 99.8% of California (via Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles dramatically increases "water cops" staffing as drought worsens (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

Behind closed doors, Obama crafts executive actions (via New York Times)

OPINION 

How to profit off global warming (via Vox)

The power of collective energy purchasing (via CleanTechnica)

Edelman PR firm scurries to fix climate change denial debate (via EcoWatch)

Warm seas keep world on track for a hot year (via Sydney Morning-Herald)

Posted:   |   Categories: Asia, australia, Batteries, california, Carbon market, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal export, DOE, drought, eia, emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy management, environment, Frackig, germany, global warming, GM, Guandong, Keystone XL, LED, los angeles, minnesota, Missouri, natural gas, New York City, News, offshore drilling, oil, oil export, oregon, PACE, pennsylvania, renewables, solar, solar leasing, SunPower, Tesla, Tesla Model S, Tony Abbott, Transportation, united kingdom, wind
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18
Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.18.14

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

EMISSIONS 

China’s carbon plans: Secrecy and oversupply darken outlook (via Reuters)

South Carolina coal plant, efficient but doomed, offers lessons for states grappling with EPA rule (via Greenwire)

NUCLEAR 

The costs of caring for Europe’s nuclear plants (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Courts worldwide reject anti-wind experts and their evidence (via Renew Economy)

China seeks to close loophole on solar polysilicon import duties (via Bloomberg)

Low-carbon technologies deliver over half Spain’s power as renewables output soars (via BusinessGreen)

Federal court upholds renewables integration planning rule for electric grid (via The Hill)

UC Irvine tops U.S. sustainability efforts in “Cool Schools” ranking (via CleanTechnica)

Emerging solar plants scorch birds in mid-air (via ABC News/AP)

Explosive U.S. solar power growth and jobs (via CleanTechnica)

TAR SANDS 

Data shows chemical air pollution around tar sands is getting worse (via Climate Progress)

CLIMATE 

Colombia set to draft new climate law by November (via RTCC)

As climate changes, “underwater mortgage” make take on new meaning (via Bloomberg)

Will it be extinction or “translocation” as climate change impacts increase? (via ClimateWire)

Climate change reflected in altered Missouri River flow, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

Climate change study show Northwest U.S. prairie plants struggle with warming (via The Oregonian)

U.S. cities combating climate change on the local level (via Al-Jazeera)

New Jersey announces climate change mapping website (via NBC 10)

NATURAL GAS 

U.S. takes a crack at China’s tough shale (via Houston Chronicle)

A new fracking frontier: Drilling near the Arctic Circle (via Yale e360)

Natural gas execs fear they’re next for Obama regulations (via The Hill)

Fracking protests escalate on “national day of action” (via BusinessGreen)

Environmentalists split over green group’s fracking industry ties (via Al-Jazeera)

Natural gas will dominate Texas electric growth through 2040 (via Houston Chronicle)

Fact check: Florida fracking fracas (via USA Today)

OIL 

Billions in oil investments at risk from low crude prices (via Reuters)

BOEM to boost offshore drilling bond requirements (via Houston Chronicle)

Interior Department studies minimum standards for Arctic drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

Voters set to decide fate of Alaska oil production tax (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Report: Policymakers must confront transport “taboos” to meet climate goals (via ClimateWire)

Save money this month ($10,064) with mass transit (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

Eleven years after the U.S. Canada blackout, what has (and hasn’t) changed? (via National Geographic)

Survey reveals what U.S. consumers expect from their utilities (via Renew Grid)

Proof that interconnection reform is in the data (via Renewable Energy World)

ENVIRONMENT 

Indonesian government reiterates plan to clear 14 million hectares of forest by 2020 (via Mongabay)

Marine economy takes a dive as ocean acidity rises (via Climate Central)

West’s historic drought stokes fears of water crisis (via Washington Post)

California moves toward historic statewide ban on single-use plastic bags (via EcoWatch)

Report shows persistent drought lingers in western Oklahoma (via The Oklahoman)

POLITICS 

Tony Abbott’s push to ditch renewables could hand coal and gas industry $10 billion (via The Guardian)

Buying Main Street: Billionaires swamp local races (via Politico)

Many Republicans privately support action on climate (via Bloomberg)

Why is a major green group backing a Republican who supports Keystone and offshore drilling? (via National Journal)

Green group looks to “rebuild trust” with GOP (via The Hill)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, Arctic Circle, australia, BOEM, california, Carbon market, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, coal, Colombia, Concentrating solar power, deforestation, drought, emissions, environment, EPA, Extinction, Florida, fracking, global warming, grid, Indonesia, Interconnection, interior department, mass transit, Missouri River, natural gas, new jersey, News, nuclear, Ocean acidification, offshore drilling, oil, oklahoma, renewables, Sea level rise, Shale gas, solar, Solar trade war, south carolina, Spain, tar sands, texas, Tony Abbott, Transportation, University of California Irvine, wind
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18
Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.18.14

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

EMISSIONS 

China’s carbon plans: Secrecy and oversupply darken outlook (via Reuters)

South Carolina coal plant, efficient but doomed, offers lessons for states grappling with EPA rule (via Greenwire)

NUCLEAR 

The costs of caring for Europe’s nuclear plants (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Courts worldwide reject anti-wind experts and their evidence (via Renew Economy)

China seeks to close loophole on solar polysilicon import duties (via Bloomberg)

Low-carbon technologies deliver over half Spain’s power as renewables output soars (via BusinessGreen)

Federal court upholds renewables integration planning rule for electric grid (via The Hill)

UC Irvine tops U.S. sustainability efforts in “Cool Schools” ranking (via CleanTechnica)

Emerging solar plants scorch birds in mid-air (via ABC News/AP)

Explosive U.S. solar power growth and jobs (via CleanTechnica)

TAR SANDS 

Data shows chemical air pollution around tar sands is getting worse (via Climate Progress)

CLIMATE 

Colombia set to draft new climate law by November (via RTCC)

As climate changes, “underwater mortgage” make take on new meaning (via Bloomberg)

Will it be extinction or “translocation” as climate change impacts increase? (via ClimateWire)

Climate change reflected in altered Missouri River flow, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

Climate change study show Northwest U.S. prairie plants struggle with warming (via The Oregonian)

U.S. cities combating climate change on the local level (via Al-Jazeera)

New Jersey announces climate change mapping website (via NBC 10)

NATURAL GAS 

U.S. takes a crack at China’s tough shale (via Houston Chronicle)

A new fracking frontier: Drilling near the Arctic Circle (via Yale e360)

Natural gas execs fear they’re next for Obama regulations (via The Hill)

Fracking protests escalate on “national day of action” (via BusinessGreen)

Environmentalists split over green group’s fracking industry ties (via Al-Jazeera)

Natural gas will dominate Texas electric growth through 2040 (via Houston Chronicle)

Fact check: Florida fracking fracas (via USA Today)

OIL 

Billions in oil investments at risk from low crude prices (via Reuters)

BOEM to boost offshore drilling bond requirements (via Houston Chronicle)

Interior Department studies minimum standards for Arctic drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

Voters set to decide fate of Alaska oil production tax (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Report: Policymakers must confront transport “taboos” to meet climate goals (via ClimateWire)

Save money this month ($10,064) with mass transit (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

Eleven years after the U.S. Canada blackout, what has (and hasn’t) changed? (via National Geographic)

Survey reveals what U.S. consumers expect from their utilities (via Renew Grid)

Proof that interconnection reform is in the data (via Renewable Energy World)

ENVIRONMENT 

Indonesian government reiterates plan to clear 14 million hectares of forest by 2020 (via Mongabay)

Marine economy takes a dive as ocean acidity rises (via Climate Central)

West’s historic drought stokes fears of water crisis (via Washington Post)

California moves toward historic statewide ban on single-use plastic bags (via EcoWatch)

Report shows persistent drought lingers in western Oklahoma (via The Oklahoman)

POLITICS 

Tony Abbott’s push to ditch renewables could hand coal and gas industry $10 billion (via The Guardian)

Buying Main Street: Billionaires swamp local races (via Politico)

Many Republicans privately support action on climate (via Bloomberg)

Why is a major green group backing a Republican who supports Keystone and offshore drilling? (via National Journal)

Green group looks to “rebuild trust” with GOP (via The Hill)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, Arctic Circle, australia, BOEM, california, Carbon market, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, coal, Colombia, Concentrating solar power, deforestation, drought, emissions, environment, EPA, Extinction, Florida, fracking, global warming, grid, Indonesia, Interconnection, interior department, mass transit, Missouri River, natural gas, new jersey, News, nuclear, Ocean acidification, offshore drilling, oil, oklahoma, renewables, Sea level rise, Shale gas, solar, Solar trade war, south carolina, Spain, tar sands, texas, Tony Abbott, Transportation, University of California Irvine, wind
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14
Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.14.14

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

ENVIRONMENT 

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

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

GRID 

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

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

RENEWABLES 

Global renewable energy status uncovered (via Renewable Energy World)

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

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

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

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

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

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

OIL 

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

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

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

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

COAL 

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

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

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

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

NATURAL GAS 

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

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

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

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

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

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

CLIMATE 

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

Expanding existing farmland would benefit climate (via Climate Central)

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

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

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

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

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

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

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

POLITICS 

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

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

OPINION 

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

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

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

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

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, battery, california, cap and trade, Capacity market, carbon capture, Carbon pricing, CBRE, chevy volt, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, colorado, diesel, drought, duke energy, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, fracking, Fracking disposal well, germany, global warming, GM, green building, grid, IEA, india, Jerry Brown, Keystone XL, Mark Begich, mexico, minnesota, Narenda Modi, natural gas, News, North Carolina, NRG Energy, offshore drilling, oil, Oil trains, PJM Interconnection, renewables, Rural electric co-op, sarah palin, Sea level rise, Shale oil, solar, tar sands, Tesla, tesla roadster, texas, tidal power, Transportation, united kingdom, united nations, Value of solar tariff, wave power
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13
Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.13.14

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

GREEN BUSINESS 

Report: U.S. green employment surge takes clean job opportunities past 2.6 million (via BusinessGreen)

America’s Top 10 “coolest schools” in sustainability (via EcoWatch)

COAL 

U.S. anti-coal dominoes hit BRICS wall, other skeptics (via Reuters)

Coal generation down as Germany breaks yet another renewables record (via BusinessGreen)

Coal makes a comeback, for now (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

Europe’s green energy rules cost UK $156 billion (via Bloomberg)

China and India’s GW-scale solar plans (via Renew Economy)

Chinese offshore wind market stagnating, disappointing investors (via Renewable Energy World)

Central America poised for clean tech investment boom (via BusinessGreen)

Citigroup: Global solar outlook is getting brighter (via Renew Economy)

Poor installation, grid constraints, defective panels plague China’s huge solar program (via Greenwire)

Over 26GW wind, solar power capacity offered for Brazil’s upcoming auction (via CleanTechnica)

IRS clarifies beginning of construction rules for renewable energy projects (via Renewable Energy World)

Despite uptick in activity, wind industry faces uncertainty in Congress (via Greenwire)

U.S. solar carport market poised for record year, continued growth (via Greentech Media)

U.S. wind farm construction is surging in 2014 (via Transmission & Distribution World)

OSU campus derives more than 70% of energy from wind (via Energy Manager Today)

New energy-rich sorghum offers ethanol without the corn (via The Guardian)

ENERGY POLICY 

Saudi Arabia, China sign nuclear and renewable energy agreement (via Al-Awsat)

CLIMATE 

Rising economies “ahead on climate” (via BBC)

Call for finance to top agenda at 2015 UN climate summit (via RTCC)

Climate change and health – joining the dots (via Deutche Welle)

That sinking feeling: The Coastal cities doomed to disappear beneath the waves (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

What climate change in the Rockies means for its water (via Climate Central)

California has hottest start to year while Midwest chills (via Climate Central)

“Unprecedented” Detroit flooding event fits global warming pattern (via Mashable)

OIL 

World awash in oil shields markets from 2008 price shock (via Bloomberg)

Oil companies fracking into drinking water sources, shows new research (via Los Angeles Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Green signal for “Britain’s first” battery-powered train (via BusinessGreen)

U.S. public in favor of higher truck fuel efficiency standards (via Autoblog Green)

Gas prices to drop through end of 2014 (via The Hill)

California could give lower-income EV buyers a financial boost (via Autoblog Green)

Next-gen power electronics could cut $6,000 from Tesla Model S (via GigaOm)

Tesla Gigafactory: California could waive environmental rules to get it (via Green Car Reports)

Toyota: East Coast hydrogen cars on the horizon (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

Germany added a lot of wind and solar power, and its grid became more reliable (via Climate Progress)

Key Brazil wind grid link set for completion by November (via Recharge)

U.S. DOE clears Quebec-to-NYC transmission line (via Albany Times Union)

Vermont breaks ground on “perfect” solar + storage microgrid that can provide resilient power (via Renewable Energy World)

Suntech invests $25 million in U.S. energy storage developer (via Solar Industry)

NATURAL GAS 

China’s shale gas bust (via MIT Technology Review)

ENVIRONMENT 

Declining Lake Mead water levels raise concerns for future of parched region (via Huffington Post/AP)

Lightning sparks new wildfires in Oregon, Washington (via The Columbian)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

An energy cure for hospitals (via Navigant Research)

POLITICS 

Senators want more comment time on EPA climate rule (via The Hill)

Democrats increasingly backing oil and gas industry (via Wall Street Journal)

How to eliminate almost every federal agency (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Ebola and climate change: Are humans responsible for severity of current outbreak? (via Newsweek)

The African case for U.S. climate leadership (via WRI Insights)

How far away is grid parity for residential battery storage? (via Renew Economy)

The frustrating climate change memes that just won’t die (via New Republic)

Toyota executive: We’re on the cusp of the automotive hydrogen age (via Green Car Congress)

Journalists to EPA: Stop muzzling scientists (via The Hill)

How I went off-grid with solar in Hawaii (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, battery, biofuels, Brazil, california, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, coal, Detroit, DOE, drought, Ebola, electric vehicles, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ethanol, ev, Floods, fracking, fuel-efficiency, gas prices, germany, Gigafactory, global warming, green business, green jobs, grid, Grid Parity, Hawaii, hydrogen, india, IRS, Lake Mead, Microgrid, natural gas, New York City, News, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, Oklahoma State University, oregon, production tax credit, ptc, Quebec, renewables, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, Shale gas, solar, Solar carport, Suntech, Tesla, Tesla Model S, Toyota, transmission, Transportation, united kingdom, united nations, vermont, Washington State, wildfires, wind
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12
Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.12.14

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

CLIMATE 

In the ocean, clues to climate change (via New York Times)

UN: Climate adaptation investment will ensure Africa’s growth (via BusinessGreen)

Report: Great Barrier Reef’s greatest threat is climate change (via The Guardian)

“Remarkable” warming reported in Central California coastal waters (via Los Angeles Times)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexico opens gas and oil sectors to foreign, private firms (via ABC News/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Mexico and Central America – emerging clean energy powerhouses (via Bloomberg)

Japan challenges China to be world’s biggest solar market in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Brazil readies big push on solar energy but companies are wary (via Reuters)

Mexico 2014 renewable investment may exceed $2.4 billion (via Bloomberg)

IRS guidance relaxed renewable energy tax credit (via The Hill)

Feds designate three North Carolina offshore wind areas (via The Hill)

Stacked solar cells could make solar power cheaper than natural gas (via Treehugger)

OIL 

IEA says world oil market will supplied despite conflicts (via Reuters)

ExxonMobil and Russia began drilling for oil in the Arctic on Saturday (via Climate Progress)

IEA: Weakest oil demand growth since 2012 allays supply risks (via Bloomberg)

North Dakota considers requiring treatment of Bakken crude oil (via Wall Street Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Annual sales of EVs in North America, Western Europe, Asia Pacific will reach 1.8 million by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Study: Airline ticket prices need to increase for climate policies to work (via Climate Progress)

EV makers and utilities unite to realize V2G potential (via Navigant Research)

Tesla Model S shows flaws over time, says Consumer Reports (via Bloomberg)

Income cap coming for California EV rebate, is Tesla most vulnerable? (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla gets legal approval to sell EVs in Pennsylvania (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT 

Australia warns of poor outlook for Great Barrier Reef (via Reuters)

Study: Extreme summer heat, rain on rise as weather gets trapped (via Reuters)

Research project aims to lessen the surprise of extreme wildfires (via Los Angeles Times)

Gulf oyster harvest has nose-dived since BP oil spill (via Huffington Post/AP)

California’s governor reaches $7.2 billion drought bond deal (via Bloomberg)

Tall, ancient, and under pressure (via New York Times)

San Francisco poised to require water rationing in drought (via San Francisco Chronicle)

NATURAL GAS 

Government survey: UK opposition to fracking on the rise (via BusinessGreen)

Report: Too few drinking water safeguards near fracking wells (via Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio’s Utica region now included in EIA’s monthly drilling productivity report (via U.S. EIA)

Big natural gas trove for frackers at Pittsburgh International Airport (via New York Times)

COAL 

Russia ships coal to America despite sanctions (via Forbes)

Beijing cuts coal use 7% in H1 2014 in anti-smog push (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

Study examines “brown carbon” while over a dozen western fires burn (via Climate Progress)

Algae companies ask EPA to endorse carbon capture efforts (via Environmental Leader)

Is fight of California cap-and-trade gas prices aimed at scuttling climate law? (via ClimateWire)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL could mean more carbon emissions than estimated, says study (via Los Angeles Times)

Nebraska court ruling on Keystone XL pipeline not expected until 2015 (via Reuters)

Environmental groups press Kerry on climate impact of Keystone (via The Hill)

GRID 

For microgrids, it’s not all about size (via Navigant Research)

New England effort to expand gas pipelines, transmission hits a snag (via EnergyWire)

California takes first step toward creating a distributed, intelligent grid of the future (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Los Angeles’ city-owned electric utility raises its energy efficiency ambitions (via NRDC Switchboard)

POLITICS 

Rick Perry and other Republicans are loving an Obama-backed green car company (via National Journal)

When did Republicans start hating the environment? (via Mother Jones)

OPINION 

Can we reach a global warming deal? (via National Journal)

Three ways oil matters for the crisis in Iraq (via Vox)

The 198 people who can transform America’s electric grid (via GreenBiz)

Could California become a leader in smart water management? (via Smart Grid Library)

Climate contrarians overrepresented in media coverage, says new survey (via InsideClimate News)

Posted:   |   Categories: algae, arctic, australia, Bakken Shale, Beijing, biofuel, Brazil, Brown carbon, california, Cap an trade, carbon capture, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, drought, eia, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EVs, Extreme weather, ExxonMobil, fracking, global warming, Great Barrier Reef, grid, Gulf of Mexico, IEA, iraq, IRS, japan, Jerry Brown, john kerry, Keystone XL, los angeles, mexico, Microgrid, natural gas, Nebraska, New England, News, North Carolina, north dakota, Ocean acidification, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, production tax credit, renewables, Rick Perry, Russia, san francisco, Shale oil, solar, tar sands, Tesla, Tesla Model S, transmission, Transportation, united kingdom, Utica Shale, V2G, wildfires, wind
0
11
Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.11.14

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

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

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

CLIMATE 

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

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

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OIL 

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

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

COAL 

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

NATURAL GAS 

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

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

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

FERC authorizes Texas LNG export terminal (via Breaking Energy)

ENVIRONMENT 

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

California drought transforms global food market (via Bloomberg)

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

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

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

GRID 

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

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

POLITICS 

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

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

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

OPINION 

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

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

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

Posted:   |   Categories: Blackout, california, canada, China, Chris Christie, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, colorado, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EVs, FERC, Florida, fracking, GAO, Gina McCarthy, grid, Injection well, IRS, japan, Keystone XL, LNG exports, Mississippi, natural gas, new jersey, News, offshore drilling, Ohio, oil, production tax credit, ptc, regional greenhouse gas initiative, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, rggi, rps, Sea level rise, solar, Solar trade war, south carolina, tar sands, texas, Transportation, united kingdom, Waste Management, wildfires, wind, Wisconsin, wyoming
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11
Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.11.14

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

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

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

CLIMATE 

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

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

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OIL 

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

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

COAL 

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

NATURAL GAS 

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

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

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

FERC authorizes Texas LNG export terminal (via Breaking Energy)

ENVIRONMENT 

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

California drought transforms global food market (via Bloomberg)

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

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

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

GRID 

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

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

POLITICS 

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

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

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

OPINION 

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

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

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

Posted:   |   Categories: Blackout, california, canada, China, Chris Christie, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, colorado, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EVs, FERC, Florida, fracking, GAO, Gina McCarthy, grid, Injection well, IRS, japan, Keystone XL, LNG exports, Mississippi, natural gas, new jersey, News, offshore drilling, Ohio, oil, production tax credit, ptc, regional greenhouse gas initiative, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, rggi, rps, Sea level rise, solar, Solar trade war, south carolina, tar sands, texas, Transportation, united kingdom, Waste Management, wildfires, wind, Wisconsin, wyoming
0
11
Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.8.14

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

CLIMATE 

MIT predicts 2015 UN climate talks likely to fail (via Environmental Leader)

BASIC nations urge rich countries to act on climate change (via RTCC)

UN releases Ban Ki-moon climate summit plan (via RTCC)

The world’s first climate change refugees were granted residency in New Zealand (via Smithsonian)

87 cities, 4 scenarios, and 1 really hot future (via Climate Central)

Edelman formally declares it will not accept climate denial campaigns (via The Guardian)

COAL 

Coal’s price seen stunted at year-end amid supply glut (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

India invites bids for $8 billion renewable grid upgrade (via Bloomberg)

In Asia, wind industry picks up again (via Navigant Research)

China adds 3.3GW of solar PV in first half 2014 (via Recharge)

U.S. imposes tariffs on solar imports from Taiwan, adds new duties on China imports (via Solar Industry Magazine)

No end in sight for America’s solar revolution (via EcoWatch)

Flaw and order: How Brookings got its analysis of wind and solar costs so wrong (via Greentech Media)

Michigan net metering program shows steady increase (via Energy Manager Today)

Price of wind energy goes down in Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

Minnesota regulators side with utility in value-of-solar case (via Midwest Energy News)

SpaceX is going solar with Elon Musk’s other company, SolarCity (via GigaOm)

SolarCity loss widens as new rooftop installations surge (via Bloomberg)

SolarCity lays out its path to make a profit (via GigaOm)

OIL 

From Russia to Iraq, rising oil risks push 2015 prices to a premium (via Reuters)

DOT: Rail insurance inadequate for oil train accidents (via Politico)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla X to devour premium SUV market, says Morgan Stanley (via Los Angeles Times)

2016 Chevy Volt teased ahead of debut at Detroit Auto Show (via Autoblog)

No million by 2015, but electric vehicles are surging (via Breaking Energy)

Electric vehicles could save U.S. utilities from a death spiral (via Forbes)

Latest services from Uber and Lyft will upend transportation even more (via Washington Post)

Nissan, Mitsubishi team up for $14,000 EV (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS 

Marcellus Shale hits gas production milestone (via The Hill)

Anti-fracking measures to be officially pulled from Colorado ballot (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Deep emissions cuts needed by 2050 to limit warming, says UN (via Yahoo! News/Reuters)

Air traffic growth rates will outpace emissions reductions, research shows (via The Guardian)

White House says emissions delay will raise climate costs (via Bloomberg)

New lawsuits unlikely to touch EPA’s carbon rule, at least in near term (via ClimateWire)

Environmental groups to sue EPA over aircraft emissions (via The Hill)

Carbon pricing and Northwest businesses: a match made in tax-swap heaven? (via Sightline Daily)

ENERGY POLICY 

U.S. insurance industry changes with energy industry (via Houston Chronicle)

South Carolina just passed a major solar bill and sued EPA (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How did China and India beat the U.S. on energy efficiency? (via GreenBiz)

Investment districts may help clean energy reach minority communities (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

Cracking the code on the business of energy management (via Energy Trends Insider)

California could rewrite the rules for distributed demand response (via Greentech Media)

Seattle’s energy code bests national standard (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Mercury pollution in oceans has tripled since Industrial Revolution (via Yale e360)

U.S. forecasters lower hurricane season expectations (via Climate Central)

California’s severe drought unchanged despite record thunderstorms (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Has the era of the “climate refugee” begun? (via Washington Post)

Fools at the fire (via New York Times)

U.S. Commerce Department should allow exports of crude oil (via Washington Post)

Why a global warming pact won’t stop global warming (via National Journal)

Facts can convince conservatives about global warming – sometimes (via The Guardian)

This data on how consumers use energy may surprise you (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: Asia, Ban-Ki Moon, california, Carbon pricing, chevy volt, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, Climate refugees, coal, colorado, Demand response, DOT, drought, edelman, electric vehicles, Elon Musk, emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy management, environment, EPA, fracking, global warming, grid, india, iraq, Lyft, marcellus shale, Mercury, michigan, minnesota, MIT, mitsubishi, natural gas, Net metering, new zealand, News, Nissan, oil, Oil exports, Oil train, renewables, Russia, seattle, solar, Solar trade war, SolarCity, south carolina, SpaceX, Taiwan, Tesla X, texas, Transportation, Uber, united nations, Value of Solar, wildfires, wind
0
11
Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.8.14

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

CLIMATE 

MIT predicts 2015 UN climate talks likely to fail (via Environmental Leader)

BASIC nations urge rich countries to act on climate change (via RTCC)

UN releases Ban Ki-moon climate summit plan (via RTCC)

The world’s first climate change refugees were granted residency in New Zealand (via Smithsonian)

87 cities, 4 scenarios, and 1 really hot future (via Climate Central)

Edelman formally declares it will not accept climate denial campaigns (via The Guardian)

COAL 

Coal’s price seen stunted at year-end amid supply glut (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

India invites bids for $8 billion renewable grid upgrade (via Bloomberg)

In Asia, wind industry picks up again (via Navigant Research)

China adds 3.3GW of solar PV in first half 2014 (via Recharge)

U.S. imposes tariffs on solar imports from Taiwan, adds new duties on China imports (via Solar Industry Magazine)

No end in sight for America’s solar revolution (via EcoWatch)

Flaw and order: How Brookings got its analysis of wind and solar costs so wrong (via Greentech Media)

Michigan net metering program shows steady increase (via Energy Manager Today)

Price of wind energy goes down in Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

Minnesota regulators side with utility in value-of-solar case (via Midwest Energy News)

SpaceX is going solar with Elon Musk’s other company, SolarCity (via GigaOm)

SolarCity loss widens as new rooftop installations surge (via Bloomberg)

SolarCity lays out its path to make a profit (via GigaOm)

OIL 

From Russia to Iraq, rising oil risks push 2015 prices to a premium (via Reuters)

DOT: Rail insurance inadequate for oil train accidents (via Politico)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla X to devour premium SUV market, says Morgan Stanley (via Los Angeles Times)

2016 Chevy Volt teased ahead of debut at Detroit Auto Show (via Autoblog)

No million by 2015, but electric vehicles are surging (via Breaking Energy)

Electric vehicles could save U.S. utilities from a death spiral (via Forbes)

Latest services from Uber and Lyft will upend transportation even more (via Washington Post)

Nissan, Mitsubishi team up for $14,000 EV (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS 

Marcellus Shale hits gas production milestone (via The Hill)

Anti-fracking measures to be officially pulled from Colorado ballot (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Deep emissions cuts needed by 2050 to limit warming, says UN (via Yahoo! News/Reuters)

Air traffic growth rates will outpace emissions reductions, research shows (via The Guardian)

White House says emissions delay will raise climate costs (via Bloomberg)

New lawsuits unlikely to touch EPA’s carbon rule, at least in near term (via ClimateWire)

Environmental groups to sue EPA over aircraft emissions (via The Hill)

Carbon pricing and Northwest businesses: a match made in tax-swap heaven? (via Sightline Daily)

ENERGY POLICY 

U.S. insurance industry changes with energy industry (via Houston Chronicle)

South Carolina just passed a major solar bill and sued EPA (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How did China and India beat the U.S. on energy efficiency? (via GreenBiz)

Investment districts may help clean energy reach minority communities (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

Cracking the code on the business of energy management (via Energy Trends Insider)

California could rewrite the rules for distributed demand response (via Greentech Media)

Seattle’s energy code bests national standard (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Mercury pollution in oceans has tripled since Industrial Revolution (via Yale e360)

U.S. forecasters lower hurricane season expectations (via Climate Central)

California’s severe drought unchanged despite record thunderstorms (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Has the era of the “climate refugee” begun? (via Washington Post)

Fools at the fire (via New York Times)

U.S. Commerce Department should allow exports of crude oil (via Washington Post)

Why a global warming pact won’t stop global warming (via National Journal)

Facts can convince conservatives about global warming – sometimes (via The Guardian)

This data on how consumers use energy may surprise you (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: Asia, Ban-Ki Moon, california, Carbon pricing, chevy volt, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, Climate refugees, coal, colorado, Demand response, DOT, drought, edelman, electric vehicles, Elon Musk, emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy management, environment, EPA, fracking, global warming, grid, india, iraq, Lyft, marcellus shale, Mercury, michigan, minnesota, MIT, mitsubishi, natural gas, Net metering, new zealand, News, Nissan, oil, Oil exports, Oil train, renewables, Russia, seattle, solar, Solar trade war, SolarCity, south carolina, SpaceX, Taiwan, Tesla X, texas, Transportation, Uber, united nations, Value of Solar, wildfires, wind
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