Category Archives:EU

29
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.29.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China makes strides to curb carbon emissions (via Navigant Research)

GREEN BUSINESS 

San Francisco and Seattle lead US cities pulling funds from fossil fuel firms (via The Guardian)

Volkswagen sustainability report shows emissions, production progress (via Autoblog Green)

Can fossil fuel divestment prevent the carbon bubble from bursting? (via CleanTechnica)

How the NFL became a champion of sustainability (via The Guardian)

How sustainability metrics help build trust in the financial sector (via GreenBiz)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS

Land-locked Alberta mulls tar sands pipeline to Arctic port (via Reuters)

TransCanada sees Keystone XL delayed until second half 2015 (via Retuers)

RENEWABLES 

100% renewables for Australia not so costly after all (via Renew Economy)

Solar PV module revenues to turn upward, but not until 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

European Commission launches Chinese solar glass subsidy inquiry (via Reuters)

Amonix claims 36.2% solar energy efficiency record (via Recharge)

DOE, Stanford unveil solar, wind battery (via Energy Manager Today)

Floating wind turbines with undersea energy storage (via EarthTechnling)

Geothermal saves $117 million per year for California and Nevada (via Greentech Media)

North Carolina notches a win against ALEC anti-renewables effort (via CleanTechnica)

Los Angeles launches largest municipal solar program in US (via Triple Pundit)

Community colleges help prepare students for a green job market (via Santa Fe New Mexican)

Massachusetts ski resort runs completely on solar and wind (via Sustainable Business)

COAL 

In Montana, ranchers line up against coal (via Los Angeles Times)

Bankrupt Patriot Coal asks court to slash union pensions (via Reuters)

FutureGen 2.0 gets clean environmental impact statement (via Jacksonville Journal Courier)

CLIMATE 

UN climate talks kick off in Bonn (via The Guardian)

China leading in climate change fight, argues Australian government report (via BusinessGreen)

Ocean surface temperatures off Northeast US coast highest in 150 years (via Bangor Daily News)

Major pan-European study conducted on ocean acidification (via Phys.org)

Wild weather swings may be a sign of climate change (via Climate Central)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EPA lowers estimates of methane leaks during natural gas production (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Ready (or not?) for a great coming Texas shale boom (via New York Times)

Ohio tries to avoid repeat of 2011 injection well quakes (via Midwest Energy News)

ENVIRONMENT 

Rapid transition of climate zones could speed extinction (via RTCC)

US to remove gray wolves from endangered list (via The Hill)

Empty nets in Louisiana three years after the BP oil spill (via CNN)

EPA deals blow to Alaska mine project (via The Hill)

New Mexico grapples with tough choices as drought persists (via Yahoo! News/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Bike-sharing programs now in 49 countries, 500 cities (via Sustainable Business)

Tesla to offer loaners to customers with cars in the shop (via GigaOm)

Chicago car charging station feud goes to court (via Chicago Tribune)

OIL 

One month after Exxon’s Arkansas oil spill, still no answers to basic questions (via InsideClimate News)

Oil rig worker ranks among worst jobs of 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Study: buyers of energy-efficient homes less likely to default (via Today Show)

NREL teams with US Navy to cut energy use (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY POLICY 

Europe bids to marry natural gas and renewable energy (via Recharge)

Colorado senate votes to strengthen state’s clean energy standard (via ClimateProgress)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese nuclear reactors may come back online soon (via United Press International)

Thinking small, nuclear power enters distributed era (via Navigant Research)

FBI investigating weekend shootout at Watts Bar nuclear power plant (via Knoxville News)

POLITICS 

Germany’s Greens lurch left in bid to beat Merkel (via Reuters)

Charlotte Mayor Foxx to be named US Transportation Secretary (via The Hill)

OPINION 

How can Congress boost renewable-energy requirements? (via National Journal)

Everybody chill out a little, carbon trading will be fine (via Grist)

Would a carbon tax boost clean energy? (via Christian Science Monitor)

People who believe in free markets more likely to reject climate science (via Sustainable Business)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, Alberta, ALEC, Amonix, Angela Merkel, Arkansas, australia, battery, Bike sharing, california, Carbon bubble, carbon tax, Charlotte, chicago, China, clean coal, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Divestment, DOE, DOT, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy policy, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU, europe, European Union, ev charging, Extinction, Extreme weather, Exxon, fracking, Fracking wastewater, FutureGen, geothermal, germany, global warming, green business, green jobs, Gulf of Mexico, japan, Keystone XL, los angeles, Louisiana, massachusetts, Methane emissions, Montana, natural gas, Nevada, New Mexico, News, NFL, North Carolina, NREL, nuclear, Ocean acidification, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, Patriot Coal, Pipeline, Renewable energy standard, renewables, res, san francisco, seattle, Severe weather, Shale gas, SMR, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, Stanford, tar sands, Tesla, texas, TransCanada, Transportation, UN, US Navy, Volkswagen, Watts Bar, wind
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25
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

By 2023, a changed world in energy (via New York Times)

EU faces energy policy vacuum after 2020 (via Reuters)

Europe struggles in shale gas race (via New York Times)

Biggest energy private equity deal is on verge of collapse, and it’s a big deal (via Energy Trends Insider)

EMISSIONS 

China to phase out production of super greenhouse gas (Mongabay)

Keeling Curve website wants you to know when CO2 levels hit 400 PPM (via Climate Progress)

Scientist says China’s pollution is killing Japan’s trees (via New York Times)

COAL

Exploring prospects for US coal exports to China (via WRI Insights)

Federal study says many coal sludge ponds have weak walls (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Anonymous donors fund solar projects across the US (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewable energy parks: a blueprint for locally produced clean energy (via Energy Manager Today)

North Carolina rejects cuts to renewable energy mandates (via Bloomberg)

Last gasp for controversial Minnesota wind farm? (via Midwest Energy News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Chinese airline to start biofuel-powered commercial flights (via BusinessGreen)

How to charge millions of electric cars? Not all at once (via New York Times)

Honda boss says Chinese drivers don’t want green cars (via Autoblog)

Swerving around barriers and moving electric cars (via Forbes)

Chevy Spark EV rated at 82 miles, 119 MPGe combined (via Autoblog Gren)

Fisker hearing kicks off as unhappy customers emerge (via GigaOm)

OIL 

Rosneft plans more Arctic exploration to boost share value (via Bloomberg)

Gulf oil spill trial judge poses questions on gross negligence issue (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

US should do more on climate change to aid economy: UN official (via Scientific American/Reuters)

Pakistan’s farmers grapple with climate change (via Al-Jazeera)

US East Coast cities confront global warming-induced sea level rise (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

Fires burn more fiercely as northern forests warm (via Yale e360)

GRID 

Demand response cuts the need for new generation in PJM (via Greentech Media)

New York State approves $2.2 billion power line from Quebec (via AOL Energy)

POLITICS 

Energy boom strengthens US clout in world, Obama advisor says (via Reuters)

LNG, Keystone XL emerge as central issues in British Columbia election (via Vancouver Sun)

Bipartisan group of lawmakers float renewable energy finance bill (via The Hill)

Billionaire climate activist backing old-line and new-school tactics in Mass. Senate primary (via E&E Daily)

Baucus to lean heavily into land conservation before retiring (via E&E Daily)

OPINION 

Finding a new direction in climate change policy (via The Innovation Files)

Utilities have far to go in smart grid maturity (via Greentech Media)

What Fisker’s failure tells us about Obama’s clean energy programs (via Washington Post)

If Keystone XL gets blocked, can trains save Canada’s tar sands? (via Washington Post)

Why we don’t need Fisker (via MIT Technology Review)

Posted:   |   Categories: 400 PPM, arctic, barack obama, biofuel, BP, canada, Chevy Spark, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, Demand response, distributed generation, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Future Holdings, environment, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Fisker, Goodhue, grid, Gulf of Mexico, honda, Hydroflourocarbons, japan, Keeling Curve, Keystone XL, LNG, massachusetts, Max Baucus, minnesota, new york state, News, North Carolina, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, pakistan, Pipeline, PJM Interconnection, Quebec, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Rosneft, Sea level rise, Shale gas, smart grid, solar, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation, UN, united nations, wind
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25
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

By 2023, a changed world in energy (via New York Times)

EU faces energy policy vacuum after 2020 (via Reuters)

Europe struggles in shale gas race (via New York Times)

Biggest energy private equity deal is on verge of collapse, and it’s a big deal (via Energy Trends Insider)

EMISSIONS 

China to phase out production of super greenhouse gas (Mongabay)

Keeling Curve website wants you to know when CO2 levels hit 400 PPM (via Climate Progress)

Scientist says China’s pollution is killing Japan’s trees (via New York Times)

COAL

Exploring prospects for US coal exports to China (via WRI Insights)

Federal study says many coal sludge ponds have weak walls (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Anonymous donors fund solar projects across the US (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewable energy parks: a blueprint for locally produced clean energy (via Energy Manager Today)

North Carolina rejects cuts to renewable energy mandates (via Bloomberg)

Last gasp for controversial Minnesota wind farm? (via Midwest Energy News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Chinese airline to start biofuel-powered commercial flights (via BusinessGreen)

How to charge millions of electric cars? Not all at once (via New York Times)

Honda boss says Chinese drivers don’t want green cars (via Autoblog)

Swerving around barriers and moving electric cars (via Forbes)

Chevy Spark EV rated at 82 miles, 119 MPGe combined (via Autoblog Gren)

Fisker hearing kicks off as unhappy customers emerge (via GigaOm)

OIL 

Rosneft plans more Arctic exploration to boost share value (via Bloomberg)

Gulf oil spill trial judge poses questions on gross negligence issue (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

US should do more on climate change to aid economy: UN official (via Scientific American/Reuters)

Pakistan’s farmers grapple with climate change (via Al-Jazeera)

US East Coast cities confront global warming-induced sea level rise (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

Fires burn more fiercely as northern forests warm (via Yale e360)

GRID 

Demand response cuts the need for new generation in PJM (via Greentech Media)

New York State approves $2.2 billion power line from Quebec (via AOL Energy)

POLITICS 

Energy boom strengthens US clout in world, Obama advisor says (via Reuters)

LNG, Keystone XL emerge as central issues in British Columbia election (via Vancouver Sun)

Bipartisan group of lawmakers float renewable energy finance bill (via The Hill)

Billionaire climate activist backing old-line and new-school tactics in Mass. Senate primary (via E&E Daily)

Baucus to lean heavily into land conservation before retiring (via E&E Daily)

OPINION 

Finding a new direction in climate change policy (via The Innovation Files)

Utilities have far to go in smart grid maturity (via Greentech Media)

What Fisker’s failure tells us about Obama’s clean energy programs (via Washington Post)

If Keystone XL gets blocked, can trains save Canada’s tar sands? (via Washington Post)

Why we don’t need Fisker (via MIT Technology Review)

Posted:   |   Categories: 400 PPM, arctic, barack obama, biofuel, BP, canada, Chevy Spark, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, Demand response, distributed generation, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Future Holdings, environment, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Fisker, Goodhue, grid, Gulf of Mexico, honda, japan, Keeling Curve, Keystone XL, LNG, massachusetts, minnesota, new york state, News, North Carolina, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, pakistan, Pipeline, PJM Interconnection, Quebec, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Rosneft, Sea level rise, Shale gas, smart grid, solar, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation, UN, united nations, wind
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25
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

By 2023, a changed world in energy (via New York Times)

EU faces energy policy vacuum after 2020 (via Reuters)

Europe struggles in shale gas race (via New York Times)

Biggest energy private equity deal is on verge of collapse, and it’s a big deal (via Energy Trends Insider)

EMISSIONS 

China to phase out production of super greenhouse gas (Mongabay)

Keeling Curve website wants you to know when CO2 levels hit 400 PPM (via Climate Progress)

Scientist says China’s pollution is killing Japan’s trees (via New York Times)

COAL

Exploring prospects for US coal exports to China (via WRI Insights)

Federal study says many coal sludge ponds have weak walls (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Anonymous donors fund solar projects across the US (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewable energy parks: a blueprint for locally produced clean energy (via Energy Manager Today)

North Carolina rejects cuts to renewable energy mandates (via Bloomberg)

Last gasp for controversial Minnesota wind farm? (via Midwest Energy News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Chinese airline to start biofuel-powered commercial flights (via BusinessGreen)

How to charge millions of electric cars? Not all at once (via New York Times)

Honda boss says Chinese drivers don’t want green cars (via Autoblog)

Swerving around barriers and moving electric cars (via Forbes)

Chevy Spark EV rated at 82 miles, 119 MPGe combined (via Autoblog Gren)

Fisker hearing kicks off as unhappy customers emerge (via GigaOm)

OIL 

Rosneft plans more Arctic exploration to boost share value (via Bloomberg)

Gulf oil spill trial judge poses questions on gross negligence issue (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

US should do more on climate change to aid economy: UN official (via Scientific American/Reuters)

Pakistan’s farmers grapple with climate change (via Al-Jazeera)

US East Coast cities confront global warming-induced sea level rise (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

Fires burn more fiercely as northern forests warm (via Yale e360)

GRID 

Demand response cuts the need for new generation in PJM (via Greentech Media)

New York State approves $2.2 billion power line from Quebec (via AOL Energy)

POLITICS 

Energy boom strengthens US clout in world, Obama advisor says (via Reuters)

LNG, Keystone XL emerge as central issues in British Columbia election (via Vancouver Sun)

Bipartisan group of lawmakers float renewable energy finance bill (via The Hill)

Billionaire climate activist backing old-line and new-school tactics in Mass. Senate primary (via E&E Daily)

Baucus to lean heavily into land conservation before retiring (via E&E Daily)

OPINION 

Finding a new direction in climate change policy (via The Innovation Files)

Utilities have far to go in smart grid maturity (via Greentech Media)

What Fisker’s failure tells us about Obama’s clean energy programs (via Washington Post)

If Keystone XL gets blocked, can trains save Canada’s tar sands? (via Washington Post)

Why we don’t need Fisker (via MIT Technology Review)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, barack obama, biofuel, BP, canada, Chevy Spark, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, Demand response, distributed generation, Electric Vehicle, emissions, environment, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Fisker, Goodhue, grid, Gulf of Mexico, honda, Hydroflourocarbons, japan, Keeling Curve, Keystone XL, LNG, massachusetts, Max Baucus, minnesota, new york state, News, North Carolina, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, pakistan, Pipeline, PJM Interconnection, Quebec, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Sea level rise, Shale gas, smart grid, solar, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation, UN, united nations, wind
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24
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.24.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Germany is torn over shale gas fracking (via Washington Post)

Natural gas price more than doubles from 2012 low (via Houston Chronicle)

Harvard report slams fracking chemical disclosure website (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Record carbon plunge means pain for Europe’s utilities (via Bloomberg)

US power sector readies for new emissions rules (via Wall Street Journal)

Utility Xcel Energy on track to surpass 20% CO2 reduction goal by 2020 (via Renew Grid)

RENEWABLES 

Four charts on the future of the global solar market (via Greentech Media)

France backs plan for EU 2030 renewables target (via BusinessGreen)

Portraits of a maturing solar market: how key states are faring (via Greentech Media)

America now has more solar energy workers than coal miners (via Treehugger)

Hydropower, energy efficiency bills get early start in Congress (via Houston Chronicle)

ALEC picks up the pace: 16 states could repeal renewable energy policy (via Sustainable Business)

Wind map shows untapped energy potential in cities (via Phys.org)

IBM’s new concentrated solar technology may provide 80% efficiency (via BusinessGreen)

Colorado renewable energy requirement bill faces another test in legislature (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

How wind energy helped Iowa attract Facebook’s new data center (via Midwest Energy News)

COAL 

Federal court backs EPA veto of mountaintop mining project (via The Hill)

New regional alliance opposes coal-export plan from Washington ports (via Seattle Times)

With natural gas costly, AEP burning more coal (via Columbus Dispatch)

LA City Council unanimously votes to phase out coal-fired energy (via Los Angeles Times)

CLIMATE 

Saudi Arabia blocks climate change from UN poverty goals (via RTCC)

Climate change as real business risk (via GreenBiz)

Climate’s best hope: another Bush presidency? (via Politico)

TRANSPORTATION 

Obama Administration had advance warning on Fisker Automotive failure (via CBS/AP)

LA to host all-electric race car series (via Los Angeles Times)

Fisker execs will be questioned today over DOE loan, repayments (via Autoblog Green) 

ENVIRONMENT 

Federal court rejects challenge to EPA power plant waste runoff rules (via The Hill)

Red River showdown: Texas-Oklahoma water war could reverberate across US (via Stateline)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

New Jersey school cuts energy use 52%, wins EPA building competition (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

India’s PM talks up clean energy, but can he deliver? (via RTCC)

US oil and gas boom has had a modest economic impact – so far (via Washington Post)

Why is Reuters puzzled by global warming’s acceleration? (via The Guardian)

How much does EPA’s objection to Keystone XL matter? A lot. (via Washington Post)

Breaking down on the road to electric cars (via New York Times)

NRG Energy CEO: solar should break up with wind, date natural gas, have distributed babies (via Grist)

Three thoughts on the Fisker debacle (via Scientific American)

POLITICS 

Conservatives come out for renewable energy projects (via National Journal)

Murkowski sees wider support for clean energy tax break (via Bloomberg)

Obama’s pick for Energy Secretary blocked over cuts at South Carolina nuclear waste plant (via National Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: AEP, ALEC, barack obama, cap and trade, Carbon market, Carbon price, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal export, colorado, Concentrating solar power, David Crane, distributed generation, DOE, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, europe, European Union, facebook, Fisker, FracFocus, fracking, Fracking chemical disclosure, France, germany, Harvard, Hydropower, ibm, india, Iowa, Jeb Bush, Keystone XL, Linsday Graham, Lisa Murkowski, los angeles, mountaintop removal, natural gas, new jersey, News, NRG Energy, oklahoma, Renewable energy standard, renewables, res, saudi arabia, Shale gas, solar, south carolina, texas, Transportation, Washington State, Water scarcity, wind, xcel energy
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23
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.23.13

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

EMISSIONS 

EU may have road map on modified carbon fix in June (via Bloomberg)

EU carbon trading reform could face second ballot in June (via RTCC)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Canada launches oil sands online environmental monitoring portal (via CBC News)

EPA balks at State’s “insufficient” review of Keystone XL route (via The Hill)

Americans more supportive of Keystone than Canadians, poll finds (via Financial Post/Bloomberg)

Keystone XL foes say 1 million comments show power of grassroots (via Houston Chronicle)

Tar sands spill poses unusual threat (via Houston Chronicle)

Hedge-fund billionaire leads donors in pushing Obama on Keystone (via Bloomberg)

Former top US pipeline regulator backs Keystone XL (via Politico)

Keystone XL opponents to train 60k activists in civil disobedience (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

BNEF: renewables investment set to triple by 2030 (via BusinessGreen)

India offers to foot bill for 30% of solar construction costs (via Bloomberg)

As cities fill with smog, China embraces stable and regulated renewable development in 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

US states turn against renewable energy as gas plunges (via Bloomberg)

Senators to offer bill expanding financing mechanism to renewables (via The Hill)

New tool to attract solar investors: monitor real-time performance (via Sustainable Business)

Will we ever really make much electricity from the ocean? (via EarthTechling)

CLIMATE 

Report: EU urged to develop climate adaptation strategy (via BusinessGreen)

Despite unseasonable cold in EU and US, March was 10th warmest on record (via Mongabay)

Bangladesh focuses on adaptation strategy as climate fears grow (via RTCC)

US shows rapid rise of temperatures since first Earth Day (via Climate Central)

TRANSPORTATION 

Report: EVs to make up 2-10% of world’s cars by 2035 (via Greentech Media)

US hybrid vehicle market share grew 41% in 2012 to 3.1% overall (via Green Car Congress)

West coast cities dominate Greenest Car Shoppers list (via Autoblog Green)

NYC launches electric taxi “fleet” with six Nissan Leaf EVs (via Autoblog Green)

Fisker Automotive misses DOE loan payment (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

Is Saudi Arabia losing its importance in the oil market? (via Motley Fool)

Halliburton seeks a deal over Gulf oil spill (via New York Times)

GRID 

Nest unleashes power of smart thermostats with data-driven services (via GigaOm)

University of British Columbia unveils smart grid energy storage system (via Renew Grid)

Why doesn’t dynamic pricing make sense for electricity customers? (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Interior chief Jewell: “one size doesn’t fit all” on fracking (via The Hill)

US trucking industry set to expand use of natural gas (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

US drought worsens, scorching much of the country (via AOL Energy)

Texas and Oklahoma head to Supreme Court over water (via StateImpact Texas)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Facebook lifts the lid on its water, energy use (via GreenBiz)

OPINION 

How Americans see global warming – in 8 charts (via Washington Post)

What BP doesn’t want you to know about the 2010 Gulf spill (via Newsweek/The Daily Beast)

Infrastructure and resilience: forging a national strategy for reconstruction and growth (via Climate Progress)

How the climate reform effort was poisoned from the inside (via The Nation)

Why aren’t younger Americans driving anymore? (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, Bangladesh, BP, british columbia, canada, cap and trade, Carbon market, China, climate, Climate Change, DOE, drought, Dynamic pricing, Earth Day, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, facebook, Fisker Automotive, fracking, global warming, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Halliburton, hybrid, india, interior department, investment, Keystone XL, natural gas, Nest, New York City, News, nissan LEAF, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, PHMSA, renewables, Sally Jewell, saudi arabia, smart grid, Smart thermostat, solar, State Department, tar sands, Tax incentives, texas, tidal energy, Tom Steyer, Transportation, Water scarcity
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22
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.22.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

IMF rejects fossil fuel subsidies, calls for reform (via Climate Central)

EPA proposes water pollution rules for power plants (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

In Europe, paid permits for pollution are fizzling (via New York Times)

Europe’s carbon market collapse won’t kill cap and trade (via CleanTechnica)

Cap and trade programs in California and Quebec to merge (via Los Angeles Times)

California to link its cap and trade program with Quebec’s January 1, 2014 (via Green Car Congress)

KEYSTONE XL 

Public comment period ending on controversial Keystone report (via InsideClimate News)

RENEWABLES 

India plans subsidies to boost solar power sector (via Wall Street Journal)

China set to approve 27.9GW of wind power projects (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewables investment seen tripling amid supply glut (via Bloomberg)

ABB bets on solar power with $1 billion inverter takeover (via Reuters)

New solar cell process achieves record efficiency, says MIT (via Yale e360)

Renewable power’s green vs. green battles continue (via Politico)

Google calls on utilities to sell it clean energy for data centers, starting in North Carolina (via GigaOm)

Power grab: San Antonio’s CPS looks to eliminate net metering (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Study: fracked gas far more climate-friendly than coal (via The Hill)

Natural gas industry experiencing “paradigm shift” (via Houston Chronicle)

OIL 

BP still uncertain over spill cost at third anniversary (via Bloomberg)

Three years after the BP spill, tar balls and oil sheen blight Gulf Coast (via The Atlantic)

Arkansas oil spill probe falls to understaffed agency with close industry ties (via InsideClimate News)

Florida becomes 4th state to sue BP over oil spill (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill is back (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Dirty war over coal exports in the Northwest US (via The Economist)

Coal dust impacts at issue as Army Corps considers Northwest export plans (via Greenwire)

Coal industry sees lifeline in big deposits out West (via Politico)

OPINION 

Europe’s cap and trade program is in trouble – can it be fixed? (via Washington Post)

What’s holding back energy and climate policy? (via National Journal)

Warren Buffet’s coal problem (via Marc Gunther)

East Coast rebuilding but vulnerable to future Sandys (via LiveScience)

Posted:   |   Categories: ABB, Arkansas, BP, california, cap and trade, China, coal, Coal export, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, EU, European Union, Extreme weather, Florida, fossil fuels, fracking, google, Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Sandy, IMF, india, investment, Jean Shaheen, Keystone XL, methane, MIT, natural gas, Net metering, News, North Carolina, oil, oil spill, Quebec, renewables, Rob Portman, San Antonio, Severe weather, solar, Solar inverter, Subsidy, texas, Warren Buffet, water pollution, wind
0
18
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.18.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

EIA projects US per capita energy use will fall to 1963 levels (via Facts of the Day)

GRID 

Germany on the verge of an energy storage subsidy (via Greentech Media)

Report: US electrical grid could be reliable with much higher level of renewables (via Reuters)

US smart grid cybersecurity spending to reach $7.25B by 2020 (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Coal ranks as “most environmentally costly” business (via Environmental Leader)

RENEWABLES 

China trounces US in green energy investments (via CNN Money)

Solar trade war opens new front as India questions US subsidies (via BusinessGreen)

World to get fewer new wind turbines in 2013 (via Reuters)

Global wind power capacity increased 19% in 2012 (via Renewable Energy World)

PV solar dominates new renewable installations in Japan (via Recharge)

Vestas and GE neck and neck at top of wind industry (via BusinessGreen)

UK’s National Trust launches 50% renewable energy target by 2020 (via RTCC)

India to double renewable energy capacity to 55GW by 2017 (via EnergyNext)

SEPA names top 10 US electric utilities for solar power usage (via Solar Industry)

Environmentalists sue officials over Duke Energy wind project (via Charlotte Business Journal)

EMISSIONS 

IEA: carbon intensity of global energy supply has barely change in last 20 years (via Green Car Congress)

EU climate chief vows to fight on to save emissions trading scheme (via The Guardian)

Europe’s rollercoaster carbon prices set to hit Australia (via Phys.org)

China climate chief says EU CO2 crisis will not hurt domestic plans (via Reuters)

EPA faces lawsuit threats over blown climate rule deadline (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

US hybrids save a half billion gallons of gas a year (via Sustainable Business)

A look under the hood: why EV startup Fisker crashed and burned (via GigaOm)

NATURAL GAS 

Asian nations eagerly eye cheap US natural gas (via Houston Chronicle)

Natural gas industry to develop fast in China, says expert (via Xinhua)

Natural gas prices rise from historic lows (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

How Cheniere Energy got first in line to export America’s natural gas (via Forbes)

CLIMATE 

Scientists raise questions on drought and climate (via Climate Central)

Amid Keystone fight, Canadian official defends climate comments (via The Hill)

Gov. Brown says changes to California’s environmental law unlikely this year (via Sacramento Bee)

POLITICS 

A polarized Energy & Commerce Committee reflects a gridlocked Congress (via National Journal)

Sens. Shaheen, Portman have high hopes for energy efficiency bill (via Politico)

What the House GOP doesn’t want you to know about wind vs. oil tax credits (via Climate Progress)

GOP Representative: ExxonMobil deserves pat on the back for Arkansas spill response (via Grist)

OPINION 

Lighting a spark on the High Plains (via New York Times)

None of the world’s top industries would be profitable if they paid for the natural capital they use (via Grist)

Why more US oil may not mean cheaper US gasoline (via Council on Foreign Relations)

Activism is half the battle: the need for clean energy policymakers (via Energy Collective)

Posted:   |   Categories: Arkansas, australia, california, canada, cap and trade, Carbon intensity, carbon trading, Cheniere Energy, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Connie Hedegaard, Cybersecurity, drought, duke energy, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, energy storage, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, ExxonMobil, Fisker, Gasoline, GE, germany, grid, hybrid, IEA, india, International Energy Agency, japan, Jean Shaeen, Jerry Brown, Keystone XL, LNG, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, oil spill, PV solar, renewables, Rob Portman, SEPA, smart grid, solar, Solar trade war, Subsidy, Tax credit, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, vestas, wind, World Trade Organization, WTO
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16
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.16.13

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

EMISSIONS 

European Parliament rejects carbon market reforms (via RTCC)

Carbon price falls most ever after EU rejects surplus fix (via Bloomberg)

EPA reports decline in US greenhouse gas emissions (via The Hill)

COAL 

A tale of two nations: China adds 50GW of coal, US retires 9GW (via Facts of the Day)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

An LED revolution underway in Indian cities (via Energy Next)

US Senators to revive energy efficiency bill (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Saudi Arabia plans solar power export to Europe (via Arab News)

IRS sets wind tax credit regulations for 2013 projects (via Bloomberg)

Soros-backed group: “messy” US green energy efforts yielding results (via The Hill)

Good news from the IRS on the PTC for wind and geothermal (via Greentech Media)

The future of wind finance in the US (via Greentech Media)

Walmart increases its renewable energy target six-fold (via Sustainable Business)

Colorado may raise renewable energy standard to 25% for rural electric co-ops (via Climate Progress)

Community solar expands in Colorado Springs (via Sustainable Business)

ENERGY POLICY 

Germany subsidizes cheap electricity for its neighbors (via Reuters)

State tax writers warm to giving renewables parity with fossil fuels (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia starts production at mammoth offshore oil field (via Houston Chronicle)

Alaska grants tax break to oil companies to reinvigorate production (via New York Times)

Crews remove part of pipeline after Arkansas spill (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

The brutal logic of climate change, international shipping edition (via Grist)

White House extends aviation biofuels program (via BusinessGreen)

United Airlines pledges 85 million gallon in fuel savings (via BusinessGreen)

NATURAL GAS 

Growth in natural gas vehicles will have “minimal impact” on prices (via Environmental Leader)

ENVIRONMENT 

NOAA employees may be furloughed during 2013 hurricane season (via Weather Underground)

OPINION 

Can evolution beat climate change? (via Scientific American)

Why does the EU carbon market vote matter? (via RTCC)

US energy independence will depend on economy’s overall health (via Houston Chronicle)

Batteries: cheapest form of grid power? (via MIT Technology Review)

How solar-friendly permitting processes can work in the US (via Renewable Energy World)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, Arkansas, battery, biofuels, cap and trade, Carbon market, China, Climate Change, coal, colorado, community solar, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy independence, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, George Soros, geothermal, germany, grid, india, IRS, LED, natural gas, News, noaa, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, production tax credit, ptc, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Rural electric co-op, saudi arabia, solar, Subsidy, Transportation, united airlines, Walmart, wind
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15
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.15.13

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

CLIMATE 

NOAA: Arctic summers to be nearly ice-free earlier than predicted (via The Hill)

Antarctic summer ice melt accelerating – report (via RTCC)

US, China vow to boost climate efforts amid “increasing” dangers (via The Hill)

Kerry pushes US climate ambition in Japan (via RTCC)

As flood threats rise, federal reform to diversify insurance risk sinks (via ClimateWire)

EMISSIONS 

Cutting specific pollutants would slow sea level rise, research says (via Phys.org)

Europe braces for verdict on climate chief’s carbon plan (via Bloomberg)

EPA will delay rule limiting carbon emissions at new power plants (via New York Times)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL pipeline to take center stage in US House this week (via Bloomberg BNA)

RENEWABLES 

Clean energy investment falls 22% in Q1 as subsidy cuts stall projects (via Bloomberg)

EU on track to meet 2020 wind, renewables targets, but current policies alone insufficient (via Greentech Media)

Brazil plans three renewable energy tenders in 2013 (via Recharge)

(more…)

Posted:   |   Categories: Antarctica, arctic, arizona, Arkansas, barack obama, battery, Blackout, Brazil, california, China, Chris Nelder, clean coal, climate, Climate Change, coal, Connie Hedegaard, Electric Vehicle, emissions, energy storage, EPA, Ethiopia, EU, europe, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, Exxon, fast charging, Flood, fracking, FutureGen, grid, japan, Keystone XL, Lithium-ion battery, Microgrid, News, noaa, nuclear, oil, oil spill, peak oil, Pipeline, Portugal, renewables, San Antonio, Sea ice melt, Severe weather, Smart cities, smart grid, Smart homes, solar, texas, Transportation, Water, wind
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