Category Archives:EPA

06
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.6.13

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

CLIMATE

Philippines prepares for climate-resilient future post Typhoon Haiyan (via RTCC)

Diseases on the move because of climate change (via USA Today)

College endowment managers get schooled on climate change (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Riding the fracking wave all the way to China (via National Journal)

90 groups call for federal regulations to curb methane leaks (via Washington Post)

Is California’s Monterey Shale a major oil resource or over-hyped? (via EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES

Renewables’ share of new power capacity in China surpasses 50% (via Thompson Reuters)

Record German wind farm output lifts renewables share over 35% (via Bloomberg)

China’s installed solar PV to reach 10GW by end of 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

Can the cost of solar in the US compete with Germany? (via RMI Outlet)

Renewable fuel backers try to change EPA’s mind at hearing (via Reuters)

White House finalizing review of permits for wind farm eagle deaths (via The Hill)

Midwest wind cost-competitive with gas and coal (via Breaking Energy)

Secretive right-wing group ALEC continues its war on clean energy (via Climate Progress)

Poll shows 78% support for net metering in Colorado (via Renew Grid)

NUCLEAR

Fukushima radiation to reach US coast at safe levels, says NRC (via Bloomberg)

Japan finds scrapping nuclear boosts pollution, fuel cost (via Bloomberg)

GRID

Japanese energy giants rush into storage as solar booms (via Renew Economy)

Taking green-powered island microgrids to commercial scale (via Greentech Media)

Utility Xcel has plans to create its own transmission company (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Honda joins vehicle-to-grid demonstration project at University of Delaware (via Green Car Congress)

EMISSIONS

EU may extend aviation carbon freeze to 2020, says adviser (via Bloomberg)

Mining, fracking, and drilling have changed public lands from carbon sinks to carbon polluters (via Climate Progress)

FERC tells Congress EPA pollution rules will hit Midwest hardest (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION

Urban car use declines as biking and public transit rise in the US (via Yale e360)

300% increase in all-electric car sales in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

House proposes 15-cent federal gas tax hike (via Autoblog)

Ohio Senate strips anti-Tesla amendment from legislation (via Autoblog)

OPINION

Is Chile the next star in renewable energy? (via Energy Collective)

EPA’s RFS proposal is a step backwards on clean energy path (via Energy Collective)

Understanding the facts of the renewable energy PTC (via CleanTechnica)

California’s renewable energy future (via EarthTechling)

Posted:   |   Categories: ALEC, biofuels, california, Carbon sink, Chile, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Divestment, Electric Vehicle, emissions, energy storage, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, FERC, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, fukushima, Gas tax, germany, grid, honda, japan, methane, Microgrid, Monterey Shale, natural gas, Net metering, News, nuclear, Ohio, Philippines, production tax credit, ptc, Public transit, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, Shale oil, solar, Tesla, transmission, Transportation, Typhoon Haiyan, V2G, Vehicle to grid, wind, xcel
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05
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.5.13

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

ENERGY POLICY

White House claims progress with China on climate, energy (via National Journal)

Feds to get earful on Renewable Fuels Standard today (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS

Australia’s carbon fund a windfall for big polluters – analysis (via Reuters)

Large companies prepared to pay price on carbon (via New York Times)

“You are here” – Perspective on 400ppm atmospheric CO2 (via Significant Figures)

RENEWABLES

Latin America report: Gauging Mexico’s wind energy market (via Renewable Energy World)

Soft costs, not hardware costs, now dominate solar installations (via Greentech Media)

Obama orders federal government to boost renewable energy use to 20% by 2020 (via AP)

15,000 new green jobs announced across America in 3Q 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

EPA fuel mandate imperils biofuel industry, producers warn (via The Hill)

Another battle looms in the endless ethanol war (via National Journal)

ALEC calls for penalties on “freerider” homeowners in solar energy assault (via The Guardian)

California regulators may challenge utilities for blocking hybrid solar-storage systems (via Greentech Media)

Texas has been biggest earner from federal wind tax credit, finds study (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE

UN’s new climate fund opens, but without enough cash (via Climate Progress)

What surprises could climate change have in store for us? (via Washington Post)

Australia’s $10 billion climate fund fights to stay in business (via Bloomberg)

Pennsylvania’s DEP secretary nominee does not view climate change as harmful (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

OIL

Surge in petroleum exports narrows US trade gap (via National Journal)

America’s energy boom has been great for trade. Jobs, not so much. (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION

Will Congress drive up gas taxes in 2014? (via Forbes)

US auto fuel efficiency up 23% since 2007 (via Facts of the Day)

Are electric car sales in a long-term holding pattern? (via Plugin Cars)

Can the government tax each mile you drive? (via National Journal)

EVs lose value faster than traditional new vehicles (via Autoblog Green)

Chevy Spark EV tops EPA fuel economy guide (via Environmental Leader)

California bullet train project handed another setback (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID

Smart grid investment to hit $275 billion in emerging markets by 2023 (via Renew Grid)

Report: Power plant retirements in New England may create problems (via New Haven Register)

TAR SANDS

Leaked document shows oil sands industry’s worst-case scenario has come to life (via InsideClimate News)

The deadly secret behind the Lac-Megantic oil train inferno (via Globe and Mail)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

US Agriculture Department offers $250 million in rural efficiency loans (via The Hill)

How energy retrofits can reduce the cost of healthcare (via RMI Outlet)

Not your grandfather’s streetlights: LEDs light the way to energy savings (via GreenBiz)

Future grows dimmer for classic light bulb (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT

Clogged carbon sink: US public lands are source of 4.5x more carbon than they can absorb (via Center for American Progress)

Chevron and ALEC take on the big, bad Lesser Prairie Chicken (via Huffington Post)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Colorado cities sued for fracking bans by oil and gas group (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS

Sutley’s exit prompts questions about fate of CEQ, climate push (via Greenwire)

Ohio lawmaker vows battle over renewables and energy efficiency laws won’t stop (via Cleveland Plain Dealer)

OPINION

Is a carbon tax the sensible alternative to subsidies? (via Energy Collective)

ALEC stands its ground (via Washington Post)

How Ivy League universities are failing us on climate change (via The Nation)

Why are CEOs struggling to prove sustainability value to investors? (via GreenBiz)

Posted:   |   Categories: 400ppm, ALEC, australia, biofuels, california, Carbon pricing, Carbon sink, carbon tax, Chevron, Chevy Spark EV, China, climate, Climate Change, colorado, Department of Agriculture, Divestment, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ethanol, EVs, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, fuel-efficiency, Gas tax, Green Climate Fund, green jobs, grid, high speed rail, LED, mexico, Nancy Sutley, natural gas, News, Ohio, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, pennsylvania, production tax credit, ptc, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, smart grid, solar, tar sands, texas, Transportation, wind
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04
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.4.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Study rebuts IPCC, calls for more severe emissions cuts (via Climate Central)

Should EPA mirror the carbon pollution standards set by RGGI? (via Forbes)

California cap and trade expanding in 2014 after successful 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

Quebec set to launch carbon market with first permit auction (via Reuters)

How Bloomberg’s new financial tool helps investors game out carbon bubble risks (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY POLICY

Future world energy demand driven by trends in developing countries (via US EIA)

Ohio energy efficiency and renewable energy laws headed for a vote (via Cleveland Plain Dealer)

RENEWABLES

China doubles pace of renewable additions amid pollution cut (via Bloomberg)

Solar PV reaches 3GW installed across Australia (via Renew Economy)

United Kingdom boosts subsidies for offshore wind (via Reuters)

“Wind for Prosperity” brings turbines to the developing world (via GreenBiz)

Renewable energy leads growth on Texas’ electric grid (via Houston Chronicle)

11,000 citizens push for 1 million Colorado solar roofs by 2030 (via CleanTechnica)

OIL

OPEC attempts to stabilize oil prices (via The Hill)

British government backs BP in fight with EPA (via Washington Post)

Oil industry blasts administration’s Arctic drilling plan (via Houston Chronicle)

Federal government to auction eastern Gulf of Mexico drilling leases (via Houston Chronicle)

SEC and analysts ask how much the shale oil windfall is really worth (via EnergyWire)

How scientists are using drones to fight the next big oil spill (via Grist)

TRANSPORTATION

New electric vehicle battery can help power buildings too (via Climate Progress)

Only one month left for tax credits on home EV chargers in US (via Autoblog Green)

Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf continue neck-and-neck sales race in November (via Autoblog Green)

Ohio auto dealers seek to stop Tesla’s way of direct selling (via Columbus Dispatch)

CLIMATE

Europe already feeling climate change impacts (via RTCC)

Federal study warns of sudden climate change impacts (via ABC News/AP)

Experts say the IPCC underestimated future sea level rise (via The Guardian)

Maine’s shrimp season called off due to warming (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Chamber of Commerce says EPA fracking study could hurt US energy boom (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Efficient homes may be more valuable than others (via EarthTechling)

White House to extend energy efficiency initiative for federal buildings (via National Journal)

Lawmakers say EPA’s EnergyStar program lacks transparency (via National Journal)

ENERGY STORAGE

Coming to your home: A battery the size of a fridge (via Forbes)

POLITICS

White House Environmental Council Chair Sutley stepping down (via National Journal)

Fossil fuel companies funnel money into McAuliffe’s inaugural fund (via Climate Progress)

OPINION

The Good Human hangs a left, please join me (via The Good Human)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, australia, battery, BP, california, cap and trade, Carbon bubble, Carbon market, chamber of commerce, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate Change, colorado, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy star, EPA, ERCOT, ev, fracking, Gulf of Mexio, IPCC, Maine, Nancy Sutley, natural gas, News, nissan LEAF, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, OPEC, Quebec, renewables, rggi, Sea level rise, SEC, Shale oil, solar, Terry McAuliffe, Tesla, texas, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wind
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03
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.3.13

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

EMISSIONS 

UN carbon offset market seen “in a coma” for years after Warsaw (via Planet Ark)

Beijing starts China’s third carbon exchange with first trades (via Bloomberg)

US EPA chief to share air pollution lessons with China (via Reuters)

EPA to be “flexible” on carbon standards (via The Hill)

RGGI tells EPA: Keep cap-and-trade alive (via National Journal)

California’s carbon market caps off successful first year of auctions (via Environmental Leader)

Bloomberg LP launches first tool that measures risk of “unburnable carbon” assets (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY POLICY

Report: China’s green economy faces significant challenges (via Environmental Leader)

Canada at crossroads in bid to become energy superpower (via Bloomberg)

Slashing fossil fuel consumption comes with a price (via NPR)

RENEWABLES

Solar PV “competitive” with natural gas in 2025 (via Recharge)

Wind could generate 18% of global electricity by 2050 (via RTCC)

For Minnesota utility, wind backed by hydro is “holy grail” (via Midwest Energy News)

Poll of businesses finds support for Ohio clean energy standards (via Cincinnati Enquirer)

KEYSTONE XL

Billionaire “absolutely” wants to sway Keystone XL decision (via The Hill)

US pipeline safety official admits he’d avoid buying a home near pipelines like Keystone XL (via DeSmog Blog)

CLIMATE

Scientists warn global warming “will be hard to reverse” (via Climate Central)

More droughts, heavier rains predicted for warmer Europe (via Agence France-Presse)

EPA leader urges cooperation on climate ahead of trip to China (via National Journal)

OIL

OPEC scrambling to keep oil prices stable (and high) as it meets (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION

Delayed auto emissions targets will cost EU £21 billion (via BusinessGreen

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

London switches on to LED lighting revolution (via BusinessGreen)

Five of the most important changes to the LEED green building rating system (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Who’s really cashing in on the fracking boom? (via National Journal)

10% of US earthquakes are in Oklahoma – is shale drilling to blame? (via EnergyWire)

GRID

Power struggle: Green energy versus a grid that’s not ready (via Los Angeles Times)

Stem looks beyond utilities to lead charge on batteries for the grid (via GreenBiz)

OPINION

Is EPA on the right track with the biofuels mandate? (via National Journal)

How do meteorologists fit into the 97% global warming consensus? (via The Guardian)

Why the utility death spiral myth needs to die (via Forbes)

Posted:   |   Categories: battery, biofuels, california, canada, cap and trade, Carbon bubble, Carbon market, China, climate, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, europe, Extreme weather, fracking, Gina McCarthy, global warming, green building, grid, Hydropower, Keystone XL, LED, LEED, London, minnesota, natural gas, News, Ohio, oil, oklahoma, OPEC, Renewable energy standard, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, rggi, solar, solar pv, Tom Steyer, Transportation, wind
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02
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.2.13

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

EMISSIONS

Carbon markets now cover 20% of world’s emissions (via RTCC)

Beijing carbon trading starts as China acts on climate (via Reuters)

Top EU powers retreat further on aviation emission plans (via Reuters)

Australia must cut emissions 40% by 2020 to avoid “dramatic climatic shifts” (via The Guardian)

Australia’s pollution plan starts to look like emissions trading (via Bloomberg)

Divestment in fossil fuels pushed in response to climate change inaction (via National Journal)

Student fossil fuel divestment movement suffers setbacks (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

OIL

US oil producers rise in ranking of world’s largest (via Houston Chronicle)

As oil floods Plains towns, crime pours in (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES

EU nations approve solar panel trade pact with China (via Bloomberg)

World built more solar capacity than wind capacity for first time ever in 2013 (via Business Insider)

UK sets new wind energy record with 6GW generated power (via BusinessGreen)

Merkel’s new coalition government seeks greater control over renewables (via Bloomberg)

EPA begins accepting comments on federal Renewable Fuels Standard (via Des Moines Register)

DOE announces $30 million to develop distributed generation technologies (via Renew Grid)

US biodiesel production booms to record pace (via Facts of the Day)

Missouri wants to dismiss lawsuit to enforce renewable energy goals (via News-Leader)

Massachusetts’ Cape Wind project faces tax credit deadlines (via Huffington Post)

New York City doubles down on solar energy (via GreenBiz)

Delta Air Lines joins battle over biofuels (via Houston Chronicle)

41 scientists warn Obama against burning trees for electricity (via Climate Progress)

Ethanol supporters ready to go to bat for biofuels (via Autoblog Green)

The yeast in your beer can also produce hydrocarbons (via Breaking Energy)

US online startup makes going solar as easy as booking flights (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Where fracking falls short (via National Journal)

Fracking boom a dilemma for environmentalists (via McClatchy)

CLIMATE

Evidence shows global heat may be hiding in oceans (via Climate Central)

Climate change will pose rising burden on US taxpayers (via Climate Central)

In New Jersey pines, beetles lead to deforestation (via New York Time)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Australian households cut electricity use by 23% over past 10 years (via Renew Economy)

DOE awards $4 million to 13 states for energy efficiency projects (via Renew Grid)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL

Canada continues to delay release of oil sands emission rules (via Reuters)

Memo suggests US light oil threatens approval of Keystone XL (via Globe and Mail)

TRANSPORTATION

Nissan and British Gas launch UK’s largest commercial EV pilot (via Green Car Congress)

Electric vehicles: Mobile agents of the grid edge (via Greentech Media)

Survey says $25,000 cost barrier is a problem for EVs (via Autoblog)

Are hydrogen cars the wave of the future? Toyota thinks so. (via Washington Post)

OPINION

How will China’s carbon markets work in a non-market economy? (via Renew Economy)

Why India’s solar market looks brighter in 2014 (via Renewable Energy World)

For institutional investors, no ditching fossil fuels yet (via Washington Post)

Climate change no longer electoral Kryptonite (via Grist)

EPA resets the biofuel industry (via Navigant Research)

US Defense Secretary Hagel: Clean energy capability makes US Army “stronger fighting force” (via RTCC)

Is geothermal the only baseload power replacement that makes sense? (via Renewable Energy World)

The EPA’s bold new agenda (via Mother Jones)

UC Davis shows what a sustainable energy future looks like (via GreenBiz)

Posted:   |   Categories: Angela Merkel, australia, biodiesel, biofuels, biomass, canada, cap and trade, cape wind, Carbon market, China, Chuck Hagel, climate, Climate Change, deforestation, distributed generation, Divestment, DOE, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, geothermal, germany, global warming, green building, hydrogen, india, Keystone XL, massachusetts, Missouri, natural gas, new jersey, New York City, News, Nissan, offshore wind, oil, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, solar, tar sands, Toyota, Transportation, UC Davis, uk, united kingdom, wind
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25
Nov

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.25.13

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

COP 19 

Modest deal breaks deadlock at UN climate talks (via Boston Herald/AP)

Main decisions at UN climate talks (via Yahoo! News/Reuters)

Warsaw climate talks set 2015 target for plans to curb emissions (via The Guardian)

EU climate chief says UN talks hinge on 2015 deal (via ABC News/AP)

Pollution pact from China to India shows rift for developing countries (via Bloomberg)

COAL 

China’s coal consumption to hit 4.8 billion tons by 2020 (via Xinhua)

RENEWABLES 

Solar PV production costs to drop in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Double-digit global PV installation growth expected for 2014 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Renewable energy barriers fall with new FERC order (via CleanTechnica)

Solar dominates added US energy capacity in October (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Rooftop solar can reduce summer peak electricity demand by over 50% (via Climate Progress)

Iowans worry about ethanol’s lost political clout (via US News/AP)

Report says Ohio renewable energy laws reduce consumption (via Dayton Daily News)

Guilty plea in bird deaths at wind farms a first (via Washington Post/AP)

Minnesota solar manufacturing subsidy revised (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

EMISSIONS 

EU and China to collaborate on low-carbon city projects (via Green Car Congress)

China to launch two new carbon trading exchanges (via Reuters)

China disappointed by Australian carbon repeal (via Renew Economy)

California’s carbon auction raises $297 million (via Sacramento Bee)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Strong fracking disclosure rules in Wyoming seen as model (via New York Times)

Scientists say pollution starts to migrate as US oil production sets in (via EnergyWire)

CLIMATE 

Sea-level experts concerned about “high-end” scenarios (via Climate Central)

Senate filibuster vote could boost EPA climate regulations (via The Hill)

Hagel, citing climate change, rolls out Arctic strategy (via The Hill)

Americans are convinced climate change is connected to stronger storms, says poll (via Huffington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric vehicles approach tipping point (via Energy Collective)

DOE loses $139 million on loan to Fisker Automotive (via ABC News/AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Whole Foods, Walgreens, other retailers see the light on retrofitting (via GreenBiz)

GRID 

Texas grid plan could overload consumer power bills (via Houston Chronicle)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, california, cap and trade, Carbon market, carbon tax, China, Christiana Figueres, Chuck Hagel, climate, Climate Change, coal, COP 19, DOE, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, FERC, Fisker Automotive, fracking, grid, india, Iowa, minnesota, natural gas, News, Ohio, renewables, Sea level rise, Shale gas, Shale oil, solar, texas, Walgreens, Whole Foods, wind, wyoming
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22
Nov

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.22.13

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

COP 19 

Warsaw talks ignore IPCC “carbon budget” approach (via Climate Central)

COAL 

Ontario premier vows to ban coal-powered electricity (via Financial Post)

CLIMATE 

US and China find convergence on climate issue (via New York Times)

Is America no longer public enemy number one on climate change? (via ClimateWire)

Wildfire risk seen as high or extreme for 4.5 million US homes (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Latin America report: Wind sweeps Brazil’s A-3 power auctions (via Renewable Energy World)

“Stealth business lobbyist” plans 2014 offensive against solar net metering (via Greentech Media)

Standard developed to predict solar plant capacity (via Energy Manager Today)

Wind produces 25% of Iowa’s power, may generate 50% by 2018 (via Facts of the Day)

South Carolina embraces wind energy with turbine research center (via Reuters)

Prince George’s County, Maryland requires buildings to install renewable energy (via Sustainable Business)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Americans uninformed about fracking, says new survey (via Climate Central)

House votes 252-165 to speed up natural gas pipeline approvals (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

EPA doesn’t rule out state carbon tax option for power plants (via The Hill)

Shell self-imposes carbon tax high enough to crash coal, natural gas (via Climate Progress)

Iowa wind energy cuts carbon pollution by 8.4 million metric tons (via Des Moines Register)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Working around Keystone XL, Suncor Energy steps up oil production in Canada (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Why cities hold the key to success on EVs (via GreenBiz)

Can California charge ahead to one million EVs within ten years? (via Energy Collective)

What’s behind NRG’s slow rollout of EV chargers in California? (via Greentech Media)

Tesla Model S tops Consumer Reports car owner satisfaction survey (via San Francisco Chronicle)

GRID 

Transmission line would take Kansas wind power east (via Hutchinson News)

PSE&G gains public support for grid resilience proposal in New Jersey (via Renew Grid)

FERC 

FERC Chairman Wellinghoff stepping down Sunday (via The Hill)

The greatest hits of FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

A war over solar power is raging within the GOP (via New Republic)

Fracking campaign contributions fuel Congress (via Roll Call)

Controversial Ohio clean energy bill gets rewritten (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Why America’s major sports leagues are talking about climate change (via Think Progress)

How Ontario went coal free (via National Journal)

Experts present their views on ethanol and advanced biofuels (via Breaking Energy)

Posted:   |   Categories: Advanced biofuels, ALEC, Brazil, california, canada, Carbon budget, carbon tax, China, climate, coal, COP 19, electric vehicles, emissions, EPA, ethanol, ev, ev charging, FERC, fracking, grid, Iowa, Jon Wellinghoff, kansas, Keystone XL, maryland, natural gas, Net metering, new jersey, News, NRG, Ohio, ontario, Pipelines, PSE&G, renewables, Shell, solar, south carolina, Suncor Energy, tar sands, Tesla Model S, transmission, Transportation, Wildfire, wind
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21
Nov

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.21.13

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

COP 19 

Turmoil at COP 19 as blame game heats up (via Yahoo! News/AP)

Deep division as climate talks enter final stretch (via Phys.org)

China clashes with US & EU on roles in new climate deal (via Bloomberg)

EU denies attempt to hide greenhouse gas emissions (via The Hill)

Poland, while hosting COP 19 conference, sacks environment chief (via Los Angeles Times)

COAL 

Report tallies $35 billion in public funds for overseas coal plants since 2007 (via The Hill)

Coal seen as new tobacco, sparking investor backlash (via Bloomberg)

UK joins US pledge to stop funding foreign coal power plants (via Bloomberg)

Coal’s challenge to the EPA (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

UK solar industry facing job losses as household panels taper off (via The Guardian)

EU imposes duties on biodiesel from Argentina, Indonesia (via Reuters)

Net metering battle likely to shift to other fronts after Arizona clash (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Re-Powering America: Updated project tracking matrix and map (via US EPA)

Alstom unveils world’s largest offshore wind turbine (via BusinessGreen)

Solar fee defeated in Georgia Power rate case (via Renewable Energy World)

Key questions about the future for utility-scale solar industry (via Yale e360)

ENERGY POLICY 

House passes bill to tighten onshore drilling permit deadlines (via National Journal)

Fossil fuel subsidies outstrip climate aid fivefold (via Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS 

Just 90 companies caused two-thirds of all manmade global emissions (via The Guardian)

Australia’s lower house votes to dump carbon tax after 18 months (via The Guardian)

Mexico to follow carbon tax with region’s first carbon offset market (via Triple Pundit)

States press EPA for flexibility in power plant emission rules (via The Hill)

University of Illinois students vote six to one for fossil fuel divestment (via Grist)

FRACKING 

Fracking boom fractures the environmental movement (via National Journal)

House votes to block Interior Department from regulating fracking (via The Hill)

Fracking without freshwater at a West Texas oilfield (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Chevy Volt owners drive more electric miles than Nissan Leaf drivers (via Green Car Reports)

Just 10% of EV charging stations California promised in legal deal are ready (via Washington Post)

US launches investigation into Tesla Model S fires (via Reuters)

Toyota shows off fuel cell concept vehicle (via New York Times)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone won’t be finished until 2016 – here’s what that means (via National Journal)

Keystone foes seek to thwart oil sands exports by rail (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Report: Climate protection goal slipping away (via The Hill)

2015 is make-or-break year for UN process, says former climate czar (via ClimateWire)

Forests buffer the effects of climate change on plants (via Phys.org)

Members of Congress recruit pro sports leagues for climate push (via Politico)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

More than 130 Members of Congress push Obama on energy efficiency extension (via The Hill)

Retailers save millions by curbing energy use (via Houston Chronicle)

A positive diagnosis: How hospitals are reducing their energy consumption (via GreenBiz)

Shaheen: Energy-efficiency bill could hit Senate floor soon (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

US, Norway, UK pledge nearly $300 million to cut deforestation (via Bloomberg BNA)

Great Lakes recover substantial water levels (via New York Times)

OPINION 

Why the UN climate talks keep breaking down in five simple charts (via Washington Post)

Explained in 90 seconds: Breaking the carbon budget (via Mother Jones)

Has demand response peaked in the Northeast US? (via Navigant Research)

Carbon capture and storage is coal’s pipe dream (via Energy Collective)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alstom, Argentina, arizona, australia, biodiesel, california, Carbon bubble, Carbon budget, Carbon market, carbon offsets, carbon tax, chevy volt, China, climate, coal, COP 19, deforestation, Demand response, Divestment, DOI, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, EV chargers, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, Georgia, Georgia Power, Great Lakes, Illinois, Indonesia, interior department, Jeanne Shaheen, Keystone XL, mexico, Net metering, News, nissan LEAF, norway, offshore wind, Poland, renewables, Shaheen-Portman, solar, Subsidies, tar sands, texas, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, University of Illinois, wind
0
20
Nov

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.20.13

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

COP 19 

Poor countries walk out of UN climate talks as compensation row rumbles on (via The Guardian)

COP 19: Warsaw summit faces loss and damage deadlock (via BusinessGreen)

Four issues to watch as COP 19 wraps up (via World Resources Institute)

ENERGY POLICY 

Interior Department announces $14.2 billion in energy revenue (via The Hill)

Colorado state regulator at the center of America’s fracking boom (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

Solar PV dominates first year of Japan’s feed-in tariff (via Recharge)

Wind sets new generation records across US in 2013 (via Facts of the Day)

Biofuels industry, allies push back against EPA decision (via The Hill)

Pecan Street study: West-facing solar panels better for summer’s peak power demand (via Austin Statesman)

Report: Stable policy key to Great Lakes offshore wind jobs (via Midwest Energy News)

$13 billion Ohio clean-energy bond submitted for ballot (via Columbus Dispatch)

Iowa utility plans state’s largest solar farm (via Daily Iowan)

Midwest transmission line developer seeks customers among wind-farm operators (via Wichita Eagle)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia says welcomes us shale oil, sees no need to cut output (via Reuters)

BP builds its largest-ever drilling fleet in the Gulf of Mexico (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

Global damage from extreme weather disasters set to break $200 billion a year (via Climate Progress)

Cost of climate change adaptation could destabilize African countries, warns UN (via The Guardian)

Warming seen worse as nations fail to meet carbon goals (via Reuters)

Three countries that are bailing on climate action (via Mother Jones)

US ranks 43rd on climate policy – and Canada is even worse (via Mother Jones)

Some states ignore climate change in disaster plans, but coastal states are on alert (via ClimateWire)

Sunday’s tornado outbreak could be costliest November weather event in US history (via Washington Post)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Colorado proposes historic air pollution regulations (via Climate Progress)

In Oklahoma, water, fracking, and a swarm of quakes (via Reuters)

On Colorado’s Front Range, fracking questions loom large (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Scientists, UN official warn of “unabated” coal use (via Climate Central)

Tsunami-blocking mangroves lure carbon investors to Southeast Asia (via Bloomberg)

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada boosts Keystone XL cost estimate by $100 million (via Reuters)

Upgrading existing pipelines would create more jobs than building Keystone XL, says report (via Climate Progress)

TransCanada pushes Keystone XL pipeline start to 2016 (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Consumers have favorable views of EVs, but awareness remains low (via Navigant Research)

Nissan to boost production of battery-powered LEAF (via Plugin Cars)

More evidence American may have reached “peak car” (via Greentech Media)

Many consumers still unaware of EV incentives (via Green Car Reports)

Posted:   |   Categories: biofuels, BP, canada, Clean Line, climate, Climate Change, colorado, COP 19, Electric Vehicle, emissions, EPA, ev, Extreme weather, feed-in tariff, fracking, global warming, Green bond, Gulf of Mexico, interior department, Iowa, japan, Keystone XL, methane, natural gas, News, nissan LEAF, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oklahoma, Peak car, Pipelines, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, saudi arabia, Shale oil, solar, solar pv, TransCanada, Transportation, wind
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19
Nov

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.19.13

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

COP 19 

Carbon market hopes dashed in Warsaw (via Environmental Leader)

US preparing post-2020 emissions reduction pledge (via Greenwire)

EMISSIONS 

Global carbon emissions set to reach record 36 billion tons in 2013 (via Phys.org)

Winding roads to replacing the Kyoto Protocol by 2015 (via Climatewire)

Global emissions may peak this decade on China’s renewables push (via Bloomberg)

Beijing and Shanghai set to launch carbon markets (via BusinessGreen)

EU sets provisional CO2 auction calendar for 2014 (via Global Post)

RENEWABLES 

China to install 12,000MW of solar in 2014 (via Facts of the Day)

Floating offshore wind turbines could drive Japan’s renewable energy future (via Renewable Energy World)

Carbon pricing flaws have “chilling effect” on clean energy (via Greenbang)

Solar can cut summer peak power demand in half across Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

Can a coal state like Virginia create a real solar market? (via Greentech Media)

NREL dedicates wind turbine test facility (via Energy Manager Today)

COAL 

British banks among world’s biggest lenders to coal industry (via BusinessGreen)

EPA permitting seen as high hurdle for carbon capture project (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Natural disasters cost $3.6 trillion since 1980, says World Bank (via Mother Jones)

Wealthy nations pledged billions to help the poor adapt to climate change – where did it all go? (via Washington Post)

OIL 

Federal agency pushes back timeline for offshore drilling rules (via Houston Chronicle)

BP releases Gulf of Mexico environmental data (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Why China isn’t ready for electric vehicles (via EarthTechling)

Recargo releases report detailing the habits of EV drivers (via Inhabitat)

US auto regulators probe Tesla on car fires (via The Hill)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Colorado proposes reducing methane leaks from fracking (via Los Angeles Times)

Environmentalists oppose proposed Illinois fracking rules (via Chicago Tribune)

GRID 

Dawn of the grid-scale energy storage era in California (via Greentech Media)

The battery storage system that could close down coal power (via Renew Economy)

NUCLEAR 

Japan won’t set dates to restart 50 idled nuclear reactors (via Bloomberg)

Uncertainties abound in Fukushima decommissioning (via Phys.org)

Nuclear Regulatory Commission resumes Yucca Mountain review (via The Hill)

GREEN BUILDING 

A new scale for green building (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

OPINION 

Why EPA cut down the biofuel standard for the first time ever (via Climate Progress)

Solar energy could be America’s greatest national security asset (via Huffington Post)

California’s cap and trade program more than just a solution for one state (via Huffington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: battery, Beijing, biofuel, BOEMRE, BP, california, cap and trade, carbon capture, Carbon market, China, coal, colorado, COP 19, Electric Vehicle, emissions, energy storage, EPA, EU, EU ETS, European Union, ev, fracking, fukushima, green building, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Illinois, japan, Kyoto Protocol, LEED, Methane leakage, natural gas, News, NRC, NREL, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Recargo, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, Shanghai, solar, Tesla, texas, Transportation, virginia, wind, Yucca Mountain
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