Category Archives:environment

22
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.22.14

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

COAL 

China’s coal boom is waning with ambitious reductions targets (via Triple Pundit)

Ontario closes last coal-fired power plant (via Solar Industry)

Federal judge strikes part of Minnesota energy law preventing coal power (via MPR News)

CLIMATE 

China spreading the use of insurance to cope with climate change damage (via ClimateWire)

Climate-linked drought adding to Syria’s misery (via RTCC)

Hot West, cold East may be new normal as world warms (via Climate Central)

Since first Earth Day, US temperatures marching upward (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

China Premier Li reiterates plans to boost clean energy (via Bloomberg)

Australia’s renewables review kicks off with battle over numbers (via Renew Economy)

Top ten trends in Brazil biofuels for 2014 (via Renewable Energy World)

US to dodge solar shortage in 2014 despite looming PV tariffs (via Solar Industry)

Next step for solar industry: Leases for solar plus storage (via Renew Economy)

Study: Fuels from corn waste not better than gasoline (via AP)

US Army to build military’s largest solar array in Arizona (via The Hill)

Dropping cost of “grid defection” means you could soon ditch your utility (via Fast Company)

RMI’s plan to help Fortune 500 companies up their renewables game (via GreenBiz)

Surpassing milestone of 100,000 solar roofs, PG&E calls for “sustainable” solar policy (via Greentech Media)

Western Texas college joins Texas Tech University on wind energy degree (via PR Web)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone backers keep their faith in embattled pipeline plan (via Reuters)

Horses, teepees arrive on Mall for Keystone XL protest (via Politico)

Keystone XL pipeline fate now in hands of Nebraska court (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s new environmental protection law submitted to parliament (via Reuters)

Brazil strips protected status from 5.2 million hectares of land (via Mongabay)

Consumer electronics industry sets recycling record (via Environmental Leader)

Apple offering free recycling on all used products (via ABC News/AP)

Interior Department launches landscape mitigation strategy (via Triple Pundit)

Wildfires in West increasing burn area at rate of one Denver per year (via Climate Progress)

Fields and farm jobs dry up with California’s worsening drought (via NPR)

Texas city first to reuse water from sewers as drought continues (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS 

Alaska lawmakers back natural gas export plans (via New York Times)

Ohio utilities replacing thousands of miles of gas pipeline (via Midwest Energy News)

EMISSIONS 

Divestment campaigns struggle against stock market, profits (via Houston Chronicle)

OIL 

Russia ships its first Arctic oil – is a boom coming? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Four years later, a sharp divide on Gulf oil spill (via National Journal)

US railroads show untapped value of delay in building oil pipeline (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Musk says Tesla will make cars in China within four years (via Bloomberg)

Hybrids significantly more fuel-efficient in India and China than US (via CleanTechnica)

US exporting a “tidal wave” of gasoline, other fuels (via Houston Chronicle)

Nissan Leaf likely to offer larger battery for longer range (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla Gigafactory seeks North American raw materials to cut pollution (via Green Car Reports)

A detailed look at the dreams and failure of Better Place (via Autoblog Green)

ENERGY POLICY 

Renewable energy gains in 2013 but coal and gas still dominate (via Greentech Media)

Power players muster forces for electricity market reforms (via EnergyWire)

Obama Administration spared developers millions in fees for Georgia nuclear project (via Greenwire)

POLITICS 

Not a single Republican has mentioned Earth Day in Congress since 2010 (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Two degrees: How the world failed on climate change (via Vox)

The clean energy transition is unstoppable, so why fight it? (via Smart Planet)

Where is the real innovation in wind energy? (via CleanTechnica)

World’s top serial bird killers put infamous windmills to shame (via Bloomberg)

Right wing trains its hysterical eye on renewable energy (via Mother Jones)

How conserving water, energy isn’t always about a green lifestyle (via Daily News)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, apple, arctic, arizona, australia, battery, better place, biofuels, Brazil, california, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Divestment, drought, E-recycling, Earth Day, emissions, energy storage, environment, Fossil fuel divestment, Gasoline, Georgia, global warming, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hybrids, india, interior department, Keystone XL, LNG, minnesota, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Nebraska, News, nissan LEAF, nuclear, Ohio, oil, oil spill, ontario, PGE, Pipelines, Recycling, RMI, Russia, solar, Solar trade war, Syria, tar sands, Tesla, Tesla Gigafactory, texas, Texas Tech University, wildfires, wind
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18
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.18.14

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

ENVIRONMENT 

One-fifth of China’s farmland is polluted (via New York Times)

California suffers astonishingly fast snowpack melt as drought intensifies (via Mashable)

COAL 

Barclays and Citigroup funded worst of US coal industry (via Bloomberg)

Old-school coal is making a comeback (via Miami Herald/McClatchy)

Cold January boosted capacity factor of retiring coal plants above 50% (via SNL Energy)

Duke Energy tells shareholders coal ash spill won’t affect bottom line (via Charlotte News Observer)

RENEWABLES 

Ukraine seeks renewable energy boost to counter Russia (via Bloomberg)

South Africa moves to add more renewable energy (via CleanTechnica)

The 20 best cities for solar power as US prepares for an energy “revolution” (via Huffington Post)

Eleven states generated electricity from non-hydro renewables at double US average (via US EIA)

A few of America’s greenest colleges are really big on renewables (via US News and World Report)

Green Power Partnership driving on-site energy (via Energy Manager Today)

New simulation tool could help add more solar to America’s grid (via Energy.gov)

EPA data shows 57,860 gallons of cellulosic biofuel produced in Q1 2014 (via Green Car Congress)

Wisconsin solar garden sells out in two weeks (via Energy Manager Today)

CLIMATE 

5.3 million years of sea level change on one cliff face (via Wired Science)

More, bigger wildfires burning western US, shows study (via AGU)

After dry winter in California, preparations begin for harsh wildfire season (via Climate Progress)

Virginia Supreme Court rules for U-Va, in global warming case (via Washington Post)

New Jersey residents want to reduce coastal risks, but they don’t want to pay (via Huffington Post)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexican energy industry working to restructure for the future (via Breaking Energy)

State AGs take up fossil fuels boom as IPCC and feds lean green (via Denver Post)

Kasich questions electricity deregulation at PUCO chief’s swearing in (via Columbus Dispatch)

EMISSIONS 

Brazil looks to swap World Cup publicity for carbon credits (via Reuters)

Pennsylvania asks EPA for more flexible emissions, trading rules to boost power plant energy efficiency (via ClimateWire)

POLITICS 

Steyer vows to aid anti-Keystone lawmakers (via Politico)

Ohio voters favor renewables, energy efficiency and candidates who do the same, says poll (via Plain Dealer)

OPINION 

On climate, business as usual (via Washington Post)

Let’s use fossil fuels to make stuff, but let’s not cook the planet (via CleanTechnica)

Thanks in part to climate change, the American West will see more fiery summers (via Washington Post)

The Deepwater Horizon threat (via New York Times)

The fracking industry faces its climate demon (via National Journal)

Energy efficiency doesn’t sell, but it can (via Energy Manager Today)

Posted:   |   Categories: Barclays, biofuels, Brazil, california, carbon trading, Cellulosic biofuel, China, Citigroup, climate, Climate adaptation, coal, coal ash, deepwater horizon, drought, duke energy, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy policy, environment, EPA, fracking, Green Power Partnership, Hydropower, IPCC, John Kasich, Keystone XL, mexico, Michael Mann, new jersey, News, North Carolina, Ohio, oil spill, pennsylvania, renewables, Russia, Sea level rise, solar, solar garden, South Africa, Tom Steyer, Ukraine, virginia, wildfires, Wisconsin
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16
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.16.14

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

CLIMATE 

Right wing threatens EU climate change goals (via RTCC)

Study ties epic California drought, “frigid east” to manmade climate change (via Climate Progress)

KEYSTONE XL 

The green case against Keystone XL (via Politico)

Jimmy Carter comes out against Keystone XL pipeline (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Clean energy investment rises 9%, led by solar power (via Bloomberg)

European Investment Bank promises €2 billion clean energy funding boost (via BusinessGreen)

India signs power contracts for 700MW of new solar capacity (via Bloomberg)

IFC backs 50MW Pakistan wind project (via Recharge)

Solar trends for Q1 of 2014 and beyond: View from Mercom Capital (via Forbes)

Department of Defense undertakes largest solar project to date (via Climate Progress)

Oil group says EPA may flip-flop on ethanol mandate (via The Hill)

Dual turning point for biofuels (via New York Times)

Tiny portable wind turbine fits in your bag, charges your gadgets (via TreeHugger)

EMISSIONS 

Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions fall 0.8% in 2013 (via Reuters)

Plants are key to removing 63 million tons of CO2 a year (via The Guardian)

US greenhouse gas emissions dropped 3.4% in 2012 (via Los Angeles Times)

Federal appeals court says EPA can force power plans to cut mercury emissions (via Washington Post)

US EPA studies whether to regulate methane from oil and gas (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Pitzer College selling fossil fuel stocks in environmental move (via Los Angeles Times)

COAL 

Identifying the global coal industry’s water risks (via World Resources Institute)

The Pacific Rim coal bubble (via Sightline Daily)

Washington University students continue Peabody protest (via St. Louis Business Journal)

ENERGY POLICY 

American penitentiaries emphasize the need for sustainability (via TreeHugger)

BOEM announces plan to auction 21 million Gulf acres (via Houston Chronicle)

Investors urge Duke Energy to vote out directors (via News Observer)

ENVIRONMENT 

China poised to beef up national Environmental Protection Law (via BusinessGreen)

Congo deforestation could cause region to warm 3C by 2050 (via RTCC)

Pollution is substantially worse in minority neighborhoods across the US (via Washington Post)

GAO audit finds lack of data on environmental reviews (via The Hill)

A brutal allergy season is ahead – blame the polar vortex (via Mother Jones)

OIL 

Radioactive waste booms with shale oil as new rules mulled by US (via Bloomberg)

BP, Coast Guard end spill cleanup on Gulf shoreline (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

US to stay global first in vehicle miles drive, says futurist (via Green Car Reports)

BMW lifts i3 electric car production 43% on higher demand (via Bloomberg)

Where do US electric cars save money the quickest? (via Green Car Reports)

DOE announces $10 million to upgrade technology for renewable drop-in fuels production (via Green Car Congress) 

GRID 

How a small California county went grid positive (via RMI Outlet)

Home energy management grows in some mind-bending ways (via EnergyWire)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EIA: Natural gas will slash diesel’s dominance as rail fuel (via Houston Chronicle)

Pennsylvania DEP “monitoring” Ohio earthquake situation (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Is Pennsylvania wasting its fracking wealth? (via National Journal)

New York City hotel commissions combined heat and power plant (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

A backup plan for climate change (via Washington Post)

Felipe Calderon: Economic arguments needed to fight climate change (via Forbes)

The eight factors driving global industrial efficiency (via Greentech Media)

It’s okay to support nuclear power and still enjoy a movie now and then (via Bloomberg)

Why it’s a big deal that half of the Great Lakes are still covered in ice (via The Atlantic)

Energy companies need to remake their boards before activists force them to (via Forbes)

Why the great Washington University sit-in against Peabody Coal matters (via Huffington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, Allergies, australia, biofuels, BMW, BOEM, BP, california, Carbon bubble, climate, Climate Change, coal, Combined heat and power, Congo, Defense Department, deforestation, diesel, Divestment, DOE, drought, duke energy, earthquakes, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, ethanol, European Investment Bank, European Union, ev, Felipe Calderon, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, GAO, Great Lakes, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Home energy management, IFC, india, Jimmy Carter, Keystone XL, methane, natural gas, New York City, News, nuclear power, offshore drilling, Ohio, oil, oil spill, pakistan, Peabody, pennsylvania, Pitzer College, Polar vortex, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, Shale oil, small wind, solar, Transportation, US Coast Guard, Washington University, wind
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15
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.15.14

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

CLIMATE 

March was 4th warmest on record globally (via Climate Central)

Scientists say Greenland ice melt “accelerating” (via RTCC)

Canadian economy will lose billions to climate change (via Toronto Star)

Canada’s climate warms to corn as grain belt shifts north (via Bloomberg)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Emboldened Canada pipeline opponents push for referendum (via Reuters)

Keystone foes taught arrest tactics if project is cleared (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China’s wind energy capacity tops 92GW with 16GW additions in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

China’s 14GW solar target “challenged” by policy uncertainty (via Renew Economy)

Solar’s dramatic price plunge could trigger energy price deflation (via Greentech Media)

Desperately seeking stability: Wind industry looks ahead after topsy-turvy 2013 (via Breaking Energy)

GAO: Delay in issuing annual RFS hurt refiners (via The Hill)

When renewables meet the oil and gas industry, opposites attract (via Renewable Energy World)

Wisconsin snaps up community solar in record time (via Renewable Energy World)

Do you wash your solar modules often enough? (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Study: Methane emissions 100-1,000x EPA estimates at Pennsylvania fracking sites (via Washington Post)

GRID 

German demand response: Almost ready for prime time (via Greentech Media)

Lights would stay on with more flexible, distributed microgrids (via Sustainable Business)

Smart thermostats join “Internet of Things” to turn up heat on utilities (via EnergyWire)

OIL 

California to see surge in oil brought in by rail (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Is 120 miles just about perfect for EV range? (via Autoblog Green)

GM working on Chevy Volt with shorter range, lower cost (via CleanTechnica)

ENVIRONMENT 

Asian air pollution linked to freak North American weather (via CNN/KTVZ)

The world’s cities are gobbling up land faster than they’re gaining people (via Washington Post)

Water stress magnifies impacts of US droughts (via GreenBiz)

POLITICS 

Inside Democrats’ plan to oust Pennsylvania’s governor (via National Journal)

OPINION 

An enormous question for “solar choice” (via CleanTechnica)

Can nuclear power and renewable energy learn to get along? (via Energy Collective)

How tackling China’s coal cap makes it a leader in tackling climate change (via Renew Economy)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, california, canada, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, community solar, drought, Electric Vehicle, environment, ev, fracking, germany, global warming, GM, greenland, grid, Keystone XL, methane, Microgrid, natural gas, Net metering, News, nuclear, oil, Oil train, pennsylvania, Pipeline, Renewable fuel standard, renewables, RFS, solar, tar sands, Transportation, Value of solar tariff, wind, Wisconsin
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10
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.10.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

EU seeks cheaper power, curbs renewable subsidies (via ABC News/AP)

UK risks brownouts without power from Scotland (via Bloomberg)

New England power generators oppose Massachusetts proposed clean energy mandates (via ClimateWire)

Arizona utility’s long-term plan calls for more renewables, less coal (via Renew Grid)

EMISSIONS 

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels just hit their highest point in 800,000 years (via Climate Progress)

Carbon trading in China: Short-term experience, long-term wisdom (via C2ES)

California issues first forestry offsets for carbon market (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

GWEC: Global installed wind power capacity will almost double in five years (via Renewable Energy World)

Chinese solar module prices may increase up to 20% in the US in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Offshore wind advances in Rhode Island, Texas, Georgia (via CleanTechnica)

Majority of Americans support renewable fuel standard, poll shows (via The Hill)

Net metering update: What do recent decisions tell us? (via Greentech Media)

A breakthrough for utility-scale solar on contaminated lands? (via Greentech Media)

Stanford researchers develop less resource-intensive way to make ethanol (via MIT Technology Review)

COAL 

China plans ban on imports of coal with high ash, sulfur (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Climate changes to result in bird, reptile shifts (via ABC News/AP)

Obama targets climate change in wildfire strategy (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Cars become biggest driver of greenhouse gas increases (via Bloomberg)

The US Navy has found a way to turn seawater into fuel (via Huffington Post)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Walmart and GE team up for global LED rollout (via BusinessGreen)

How Japan replaced half its nuclear capacity with efficiency (via Energy Collective)

LA, DC top cities for Energy Star buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

Big manufacturers urging Ohio lawmakers to keep energy-efficiency benchmarks (via Columbus Business First)

FRACKING 

Researcher: 2014 slated to be most active year for global shale drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

P&G pledges zero deforestation by 2020 (via GreenBiz)

Wildlife in Gulf of Mexico still suffering four years after BP oil spill: report (via The Guardian)

GRID 

Wind, solar energy driving electricity storage technology (via Climate Central)

Grid operator endorses $590 million power project for Houston area (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Shale gas blooms in China? Not so fast (via Breaking Energy)

Obama Administration’s enthusiasm for coal sales undermines its climate program (via Center for American Progress)

Cowboys and Indians against Keystone XL (via Politico)

Why California’s drought isn’t going anywhere (via Climate Central)

Making climate adaptation finance work (via World Resources Institute)

Can a fair price for solar energy win over utilities? (via Grist)

Posted:   |   Categories: arizona, BP, california, Carbon market, carbon trading, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, deforestation, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy star, energy storage, environment, ERCOT, ethanol, EU, European Union, fracking, GE, Georgia, Global Wind Energy Council. Renewables, grid, Gulf of Mexico, GWEC, japan, Keystone XL, LED, los angeles, massachusetts, Net metering, New England, News, nuclear, Offsets, offshore wind, Ohio, oil spill, P&G, Renewable fuel standard, renewables, rhode island, Scotland, shale, solar, Stanford, Subsidies, texas, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, US Navy, Walmart, Washington DC, Wildfire, wind
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08
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.8.14

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

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine leader warns of Russian natural gas shut-off (via Wall Street Journal)

Half of 2013 US power plant capacity additions came from natural gas (via US EIA)

EMISSIONS 

EPA’s McCarthy says draft emissions rules will give states new tools (via Los Angeles Times)

ENERGY POLICY 

Where clean energy dollars went in 2013 (via Bloomberg)

Four snapshots of American energy use (via Energy.gov)

RENEWABLES 

Cheap solar power pushes renewables growth worldwide (via Climate Central)

Germany ushers in renewable energy reform (via Reuters)

India ups 2014 solar PV target by 30% to 1,000MW (via CleanTechnica)

Chile installs record-breaking 150MW solar PV in Q1, 380MW under construction (via Greentech Media)

SunEdison quits 20MW India PV project over domestic content requirements (via Recharge)

US wind power blows to new records, again and again (via Bloomberg)

Capital keeps pouring into booming US residential solar market (via Greentech Media)

EPA delays, ethanol credits take center stage in RFS court battle (via Greenwire)

New York Green Bank open for business, deals in the works (via Breaking Energy)

Texas awards $2.2 million to fund offshore wind research (via Recharge)

State regulators approve Block Island offshore wind deal (via Recharge)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

When will Obama make his call on Keystone XL? (via The Hill)

Does Koch Industries hold most Canadian oil sands leases? It’s complicated. (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

How climate change can make food less nutritious (via Climate Progress)

Three-quarters of World Bank-backed projects still don’t evaluate climate risks (via Huffington Post)

Green scientist is Tom Steyer’s new policy guru (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Maersk Line lowers shipping emissions 12% during 2013 (via BusinessGreen)

Why the US government just invested $225 million on hybrid electric trains (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Britain’s honeybee colony deaths among worst in Europe, reveals study (via The Guardian)

In another blow to Pebble Mine, Rio Tinto pulls out (via Washington Post)

Drought now affecting two thirds of Texas (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Renewable energy investment is down – and that’s okay (via Time)

Cellulosic biofuels aren’t dead (via Navigant Research)

Why are so many veterans serving in the US solar industry? (via GreenBiz)

Demand response the best cure for ailing Texas grid (via Energy Manager Today)

Posted:   |   Categories: Block Island, Britain, canada, Cellulosic biofuel, Chile, climate, Climate Change, Demand response, drought, Electric trains, emissions, environment, EPA, ERCOT, ethanol, fracking, germany, Gina McCarthy, Green bank, grid, india, Keystone XL, Koch Industries, Maersk Line, natural gas, new york, News, offshore wind, Pebble Bay, Renewable fuel standard, renewables, RFS, rhode island, Rio Tinto, Russia, solar, SunEdison, tar sands, texas, Tom Steyer, Transportation, Ukraine, wind, World Bank
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03
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.3.14

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

EMISSIONS 

West Coast states, British Columbia talk carbon collaboration (via Bloomberg)

Report: Wood-burning power plants emit more pollution per megawatt than coal (via Herald-Leader)

EPA faulted for failure to disclose pollutant test risks (via New York Times)

Social media data centers powered by dirty energy, warns Greenpeace (via The Guardian)

CLIMATE 

Arctic sea ice falls to fifth lowest level on record (via The Guardian)

Warming temperatures could dry out one third of the planet (via Climate Central)

Climate change experts become an endangered species in North Carolina (via ClimateWire)

RENEWABLES 

Soaring solar PV growth set to hit new highs in 2014-2015 (via Renew Economy)

Japan, UK drive 9GW solar PV installations in Q1 (via Recharge)

Green bonds hit record $8 billion mark in first quarter 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

Merkel agrees to ease cuts in wind aid to appease regional governments (via Bloomberg)

Clean energy investment rises in 3 countries amid global decline (via Bloomberg)

One million solar lamps now shining across Africa (via RTCC)

White House doubles down on green tech loan program (via National Journal)

Rail congestion, cold weather raise ethanol spot prices (via US EIA)

5 renewable energy finance models bringing clean power to the people (via GreenBiz)

Minnesota lawmakers look to boost wind energy exports (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Old math casts doubt on accuracy of oil reserve estimates (via Bloomberg)

Energy industry leaders clash over US oil exports (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU “bullied” into diluting aviation emissions trading scheme (via RTCC)

China considers more electric car incentives (via Bloomberg)

Li-ion batteries for EVs will surpass $26 billion in annual revenue by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

DOE ready for more advanced transportation loans, now focusing on suppliers (via Autoblog Green)

US gasoline prices reach six-month high as ethanol climbs (via Houston Chronicle)

Tesla to appeal changed New Jersey car regulations (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Gallup poll says majority of US favors energy conservation over production (via The Hill)

DOE and IMT build new green lease recognition program (via GreenBiz)

Demand response value isn’t just about capacity, finds study (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

New Chicago ordinance grants petcoke exemption (via Chicago Tribune)

ENVIRONMENT 

Less rainfall not the only risk factor in widespread drought shows study (via CBS News)

House passes “Weather Forecasting Improvement Act of 2014” (via Washington Post)

Allergy alert: Tidal wave of pent up pollen could be headed our way (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

What climate change means in dollars and cents (via Bloomberg)

The UN’s new focus: Surviving, not stopping, climate change (via The Atlantic)

Injecting urgency into the World Bank’s climate change efforts (via World Resources Institute)

Why it’s still too early to bet on residential energy storage in the US (via Navigant Research)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Angela Merkel, arctic, Aviation emissions, battery, biomass, british columbia, california, chicago, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, data centers, Demand response, DOE, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, Gasoline prices, global warming, Green bonds, Green lease, greenpeace, IMT, japan, minnesota, new jersey, News, North Carolina, oil, Oil exports, oregon, Petcoke, renewables, Sea ice melt, solar, Solar lamp, solar pv, Tesla, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, united nations, Washington State, wind, World Bank
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03
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.3.14

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

EMISSIONS 

West Coast states, British Columbia talk carbon collaboration (via Bloomberg)

Report: Wood-burning power plants emit more pollution per megawatt than coal (via Herald-Leader)

EPA faulted for failure to disclose pollutant test risks (via New York Times)

Social media data centers powered by dirty energy, warns Greenpeace (via The Guardian)

CLIMATE 

Arctic sea ice falls to fifth lowest level on record (via The Guardian)

Warming temperatures could dry out one third of the planet (via Climate Central)

Climate change experts become an endangered species in North Carolina (via ClimateWire)

RENEWABLES 

Soaring solar PV growth set to hit new highs in 2014-2015 (via Renew Economy)

Japan, UK drive 9GW solar PV installations in Q1 (via Recharge)

Green bonds hit record $8 billion mark in first quarter 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

Merkel agrees to ease cuts in wind aid to appease regional governments (via Bloomberg)

Clean energy investment rises in 3 countries amid global decline (via Bloomberg)

One million solar lamps now shining across Africa (via RTCC)

White House doubles down on green tech loan program (via National Journal)

Rail congestion, cold weather raise ethanol spot prices (via US EIA)

5 renewable energy finance models bringing clean power to the people (via GreenBiz)

Minnesota lawmakers look to boost wind energy exports (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Old math casts doubt on accuracy of oil reserve estimates (via Bloomberg)

Energy industry leaders clash over US oil exports (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU “bullied” into diluting aviation emissions trading scheme (via RTCC)

China considers more electric car incentives (via Bloomberg)

Li-ion batteries for EVs will surpass $26 billion in annual revenue by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

DOE ready for more advanced transportation loans, now focusing on suppliers (via Autoblog Green)

US gasoline prices reach six-month high as ethanol climbs (via Houston Chronicle)

Tesla to appeal changed New Jersey car regulations (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Gallup poll says majority of US favors energy conservation over production (via The Hill)

DOE and IMT build new green lease recognition program (via GreenBiz)

Demand response value isn’t just about capacity, finds study (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

New Chicago ordinance grants petcoke exemption (via Chicago Tribune)

ENVIRONMENT 

Less rainfall not the only risk factor in widespread drought shows study (via CBS News)

House passes “Weather Forecasting Improvement Act of 2014” (via Washington Post)

Allergy alert: Tidal wave of pent up pollen could be headed our way (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

What climate change means in dollars and cents (via Bloomberg)

The UN’s new focus: Surviving, not stopping, climate change (via The Atlantic)

Injecting urgency into the World Bank’s climate change efforts (via World Resources Institute)

Why it’s still too early to bet on residential energy storage in the US (via Navigant Research)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Angela Merkel, arctic, Aviation emissions, battery, biomass, british columbia, california, chicago, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, data centers, Demand response, DOE, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, Gasoline prices, global warming, Green bonds, Green lease, greenpeace, IMT, japan, minnesota, new jersey, News, North Carolina, oil, Oil exports, oregon, Petcoke, renewables, Sea ice melt, solar, Solar lamp, solar pv, Tesla, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, united nations, Washington State, wind, World Bank
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02
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.2.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Hubei province starts China’s second-biggest carbon exchange (via Bloomberg)

India mulls low-carbon fuel standard to cut vehicle exhaust by 2021 (via Bloomberg)

US EPA carbon rule for existing power plants sent to White House (via Reuters)

Promotion of cap-and-trade money for residents downplays looming higher electricity rates (via ClimateWire)

Companies try to catch CO2 before it touches the sky (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS 

Russia tightens pressure on Ukraine with rise in natural gas prices (via New York Times)

UK could produce shale gas within four years in emergency (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

India to award 1 gigawatt of solar permits by 2015 (via Bloomberg)

Brazil planning its first solar-specific national auction (via Renewable Energy World)

Iceland’s clean energy lures metal companies from abroad (via SmartPlanet)

Senators leave Production Tax Credit out of renewable fuel proposal (via Houston Chronicle)

Crowdfunding for solar, wind reaching fevered pitch (via Sustainable Business)

Advancements in wind turbine technology improve efficiency; reduce cost (via Renewable Energy World)

BOEM publishes environmental assessment of potential Georgia offshore wind area (via Recharge)

BOEM readies Massachusetts offshore wind auction (via Recharge)

Vermont raises net metering cap to 15% (via Solar Industry)

Mystery property tycoon makes $533 million bet on solar (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

German states water down energy reform but Merkel pleased (via Reuters)

Net US energy imports in 2013 lowest in more than 20 years (via US EIA)

Hearings begin today in latest push against Ohio energy laws (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Canadian safety board urges faster phase out of oil rail tankers (via Reuters)

Crunch year ahead for Norway’s Arctic oil adventure (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Number of electric vehicles doubling every year (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf has 2nd-best sales month ever, Chevy Volt does a 2013 repeat (via Autoblog Green)

Volkswagen could bring wireless EV charging to market by 2017 (via Autoblog)

California forms waiting list for electric car rebates (via Plugin Cars)

Tesla to use North American materials amid pollution worry (via Bloomberg)

Koch Brothers quietly seek to ban new mass transit in Tennessee (via Climate Progress)

TAR SANDS 

Oil sands link to health concerns, says Canadian report (via Globe and Mail)

CLIMATE 

Climate change responses to shape Asia’s future (via Washington Post)

China and EU pledge joint climate action (via BusinessGreen)

Biofuels might hold back progress combating climate change (via Scientific American)

NUCLEAR 

Japan may only be able to restart one-third of its nuclear reactors (via Reuters)

Utility Exelon wants to kill wind and solar subsidies while keeping nukes (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

Utility spending on smart grid IT systems will total nearly $140 billion from 2014 through 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Unique state models offer a glimpse of New England’s microgrid future (via Greentech Media)

Maine Public Utilities Commission: Smart meters are safe (via Renew Grid)

RES Americas launch 8MW energy storage system in PJM (via Energy Manager Today)

Grid Edge 20: Companies transforming the US power sector (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Chinese coal firms creak under heavy debt, tumbling prices (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

Meager snowpack bad news for drought-parched California (via USA Today)

Rains won’t quell California wildfire season (via Climate Central)

OPINION 

Climate change: Is anybody listening? (via Newsweek)

Global warming and the developing world (via New York Times)

Will Oregon cook up a carbon tax? (via Sightline Daily)

Rumsfeldian climate risks (via Energy Collective)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, biofuels, BOEM, Brazil, california, canada, cap and trade, carbon capture, Carbon market, carbon tax, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, Exelon, Georgia, geothermal, germany, grid, Hubei, Iceland, india, japan, Koch Brothers, Maine, mass transit, massachusetts, Microgrid, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Net metering, News, nissan LEAF, norway, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, Oil train, oregon, PJM Interconnection, production tax credit, renewables, RES Americas, Russia, Shale gas, smart grid, smart meters, solar, tar sands, Tennessee, Tesla, Transportation, uk, Ukraine, united kingdom, vermont, Volkswagen, Wildfire, wind
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01
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.1.14

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

EMISSIONS 

World foots $1.9 trillion fossil fuel subsidy bill every year (via Recharge News)

Mining giant Chile prepping carbon tax to curb CO2 emissions (via Reuters)

Exxon: Highly unlikely world limits fossil fuels (via AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Hybrid vehicles more fuel efficient in India, China than in US (via Phys.org)

Study: Gasoline prices will fall if US exports crude oil (via Houston Chronicle)

Massachusetts plugs into electric vehicle rebates (via CleanTechnica)

With EV market in its infancy, Tesla still needs to take risks (via GigaOm)

RENEWABLES 

Global wind power market declined 20% from 2012 to 2013 (via Navigant Research)

Latin America to add 53GW new wind by 2023 (via Recharge)

Merkel may ease cuts for onshore wind power to save jobs (via Bloomberg)

First Solar sees 20MW new solar capacity in Australian mining projects (via Renew Economy)

Support for solar energy climbs to nearly 80% of Americans (via Navigant Research)

Utilities enter the distributed generation era (via Navigant Research)

Wind farms have no sizable impact on house prices (via CleanTechnica)

Study: Michigan could triple renewable energy at low consumer cost (via Midwest Energy News)

3.3MW solar system tops San Diego airport (via Energy Manager Today)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear kingdom: Saudi Arabia’s atomic ambitions (via Breaking Energy)

CLIMATE 

Report predicts cities’ reaction to climate change (via Environmental Leader)

Combating climate change may take a global vegetarian movement (via National Journal)

MIT researchers propose massive microbe bloom may have triggered Permian extinction (via Green Car Congress)

Baseball bats may be next victim of climate change (via Daily Climate)

NATURAL GAS 

Chevron, Polish firm jointly explore for shale gas (via CNBC/AP)

Pennsylvania leases more than 1,400 acres under rivers and streams to natural gas drillers (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

GRID 

Green Charge Networks: In some markets, cost-effective energy storage is here (via Forbes)

Solar Decathlon houses make up solar village to test microgrid technology (via Renewable Energy World)

KEYSTONE XL 

Silicon Valley’s elite comes out against Keystone XL (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

ENVIRONMENT 

“Living with drought” website created for Nevada (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

From energy guzzler to energy efficient – 5 ways to create an energy-saving home (via The Good Human)

OPINION 

Is the SolarCity model the only way to scale residential solar? (via Greentech Media)

MIT climate scientist responds on disaster costs and climate change (via FiveThirtyEight)

Latinos benefit from green jobs: Dirty energy industry green with envy (via Huffington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: Angela Merkel, australia, carbon tax, Chevron, Chile, China, climate, distributed generation, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, ev, Extinction, First Solar, fracking, gas prices, germany, green jobs, grid, india, Keystone XL, Latin America, massachusetts, michigan, Microgrid, natural gas, News, nuclear, Oil exports, pennsylvania, Poland, renewables, San Diego, saudi arabia, Shale gas, solar, Solar Decathlon, SolarCity, Subsidy, Tesla, Transportation, wind
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