Category Archives:ev

26
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.26.14

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

OIL 

Oil’s swift fall raises fortunes of U.S. abroad (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Is Europe leaving electric vehicle range anxiety behind? (via CleanTechnica)

Nissan Leaf may overtake Chevy Volt on cumulative sales in 2015 (via Autoblog)

EMISSIONS 

China on pace to beat 2014 energy intensity reduction target (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Germans balk at plan for wind power lines (via New York Times)

Japan to build world’s biggest floating solar farm (via Greentech Media)

America’s place in the Sun: Energy Department report sets goal (via Phys.org)

CASE says U.S. solar sector harmed by decision to impose PV tariffs (via Solar Industry Magazine)

India announces 1.3GW solar projects to support domestic manufacturers (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

Investment in microgrid technologies expected to exceed $155 billion through 2023 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

New transmission replaces retiring coal plants (via Navigant Research)

Largest behind-the-meter energy storage system deployed in LA (via Energy Manager Today)

Flywheels get their spin back with Beacon Power’s rebound (via IEEE Spectrum)

Orix offers energy storage twist on solar leasing (via CleanTechnica)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Why the LEED Dynamic plaque is the way to go (via GreenBiz)

Ameren Missouri energy efficiency plan to save customers $260 million (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Brazil appoints agribusiness advocate as agriculture minister (via The Guardian)

OPINION 

An open Cuba is poised for a green future (via Navigant Research)

Posted:   |   Categories: Ameren, Beacon Storage, Brazil, CASE, chevy volt, China, coal, Cuba, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, europe, ev, Flywheels, germany, grid, india, japan, LEED, los angeles, Microgrid, Missouri, News, nissan LEAF, oil, Orix, Range anxiety, renewables, solar, solar leasing, Solar trade war, transmission, Transportation, wind
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24
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.24.14

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

CLIMATE 

Rising seas may connect Cold War rivals U.S. and Cuba (via U.S. News & World Report)

These U.S. cities have already passed a climate change “tipping point” (via Vice)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas prices fall 29 percent in three months (via The Hill)

New Yorkers agree with fracking ban, finds survey (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Africa’s largest wind power project achieves full financial close (via AllAfrica)

Chile’s mines set a hot pace for renewables – Australia take note (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar panel maintenance poses unforeseen challenge in developing world electrification (via Energy Collective)

The rise and fall of wind power in America (via Vox)

2015 could be breakthrough year for U.S. renewable policy, says ACORE (via Recharge)

SunEdison and TerraForm yieldcos secure $75 million for 60MW of solar projects (via PV Tech)

A bit of good green energy news for your holidays, courtesy of New England (via Grist)

Connecticut Green Bank’s C-PACE program: Low-cost, long-term financing for clean energy upgrades (via Renewable Energy World)

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon rises to two-year high as holidays cut supply (via Bloomberg)

EPA ordered to start enforcing rules to cut ozone in 2015 (via Bloomberg)

Here’s the state-based climate solution that doesn’t need Congress (via Climate Progress)

Virginia legislators proposes legislation to join RGGI carbon market (via Washington Post/AP)

OIL 

Oil firms’ predicament: Who should cut output? (via Wall Street Journal)

Oil prices likely to rebound in second half of 2015: Poll (via Reuters)

BP unit says big spill fines could cut deep (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

China invests billions in electric cars & EV charging stations (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

Japan may spend 50 billion yen for energy storage, says Yomiuri (via Bloomberg)

Orix to start rental of home-use solar panels, storage batteries (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

The fossil fuel industry spent more than $721 million during 2014 midterm elections (via Climate Progress)

OPINION 

Jigar Shah: Trade duties already harming U.S. solar companies (via PV Tech)

The eight best things that happened to renewable energy in 2014 (via Climate Progress)

1603: A renewable energy subsidy, yes; just don’t call it a bailout (via Breaking Energy)

How solar power and EVs could make suburban living awesome again (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, australia, BP, Carbon market, Chile, China, climate, Climate Change, Connecticut, Cuba, electric vehicles, emissions, energy storage, EPA, EU ETS, European Union, ev, ev charging, fracking, Green bank, grid, japan, natural gas, new york, News, oil, oil spill, Ozone, PACE, renewables, rggi, Sea level rise, solar, Solar trade war, SunEdison, TerraForm, Transportation, virginia, wind, Yieldcos
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24
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.24.14

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

CLIMATE 

Rising seas may connect Cold War rivals U.S. and Cuba (via U.S. News & World Report)

These U.S. cities have already passed a climate change “tipping point” (via Vice)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas prices fall 29 percent in three months (via The Hill)

New Yorkers agree with fracking ban, finds survey (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Africa’s largest wind power project achieves full financial close (via AllAfrica)

Chile’s mines set a hot pace for renewables – Australia take note (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar panel maintenance poses unforeseen challenge in developing world electrification (via Energy Collective)

The rise and fall of wind power in America (via Vox)

2015 could be breakthrough year for U.S. renewable policy, says ACORE (via Recharge)

SunEdison and TerraForm yieldcos secure $75 million for 60MW of solar projects (via PV Tech)

A bit of good green energy news for your holidays, courtesy of New England (via Grist)

Connecticut Green Bank’s C-PACE program: Low-cost, long-term financing for clean energy upgrades (via Renewable Energy World)

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon rises to two-year high as holidays cut supply (via Bloomberg)

EPA ordered to start enforcing rules to cut ozone in 2015 (via Bloomberg)

Here’s the state-based climate solution that doesn’t need Congress (via Climate Progress)

Virginia legislators proposes legislation to join RGGI carbon market (via Washington Post/AP)

OIL 

Oil firms’ predicament: Who should cut output? (via Wall Street Journal)

Oil prices likely to rebound in second half of 2015: Poll (via Reuters)

BP unit says big spill fines could cut deep (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

China invests billions in electric cars & EV charging stations (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

Japan may spend 50 billion yen for energy storage, says Yomiuri (via Bloomberg)

Orix to start rental of home-use solar panels, storage batteries (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

The fossil fuel industry spent more than $721 million during 2014 midterm elections (via Climate Progress)

OPINION 

Jigar Shah: Trade duties already harming U.S. solar companies (via PV Tech)

The eight best things that happened to renewable energy in 2014 (via Climate Progress)

1603: A renewable energy subsidy, yes; just don’t call it a bailout (via Breaking Energy)

How solar power and EVs could make suburban living awesome again (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, australia, BP, Carbon market, Chile, China, climate, Climate Change, Connecticut, Cuba, electric vehicles, emissions, energy storage, EPA, EU ETS, European Union, ev, ev charging, fracking, Green bank, grid, japan, natural gas, new york, News, oil, oil spill, Ozone, PACE, renewables, rggi, Sea level rise, solar, Solar trade war, SunEdison, TerraForm, Transportation, virginia, wind, Yieldcos
0
23
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.23.14

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

NATURAL GAS 

Biggest Arctic gas project seeks route around U.S. sanctions (via Bloomberg)

Natural gas falls to two-year low with no cold in sight (via Reuters)

Groups urge administration to steer clear of gas exports bill (via The Hill)

New York and Maryland had the same information about fracking, and they made very different decisions (via Washington Post)

ENERGY POLICY 

Germany’s electricity mix: Solar capacity reigns, but coal generation sustains (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES 

Canadian pension funds divert investment to solar (via PV Tech)

UK and US yieldcos on Christmas acquisition spree (via PV Tech)

Wind and solar = 77% of new U.S. electricity generating capacity in November (via CleanTechnica)

Clean energy policy wins and losses of 2014 (via Greentech Media)

2014 renewable energy recap: Stepping backward, crawling forward (via IEEE Spectrum)

Apple, IKEA, Walmart: 12 leaders in on-site renewables (via GreenBiz)

Cloudy future for wind farms in Ohio (via Columbus Dispatch)

As the weather turns frightful, keep placed in service deadlines delightful (via Renewable Energy World)

Did OPIC just finish a watershed beyond-the-grid solar deal? (via Energy Collective)

Austin’s balancing act: Solar policy and affordability (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

CLIMATE 

Pacific coral shows global warming’s tie to wind (via Bloomberg)

Wheat yields to fall more than expected in warmer world (via Reuters)

Atmospheric rivers to soak California as climate warms (via LiveScience)

New York’s fracking ban divides experts on climate impacts (via Climate Central)

Miami’s climate catch-22: Building waterfront condos to pay for protection against rising seas (via Washington Post)

Wyoming Republican fights ban on controversial climate-science standards (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

World’s top 500 firms’ emissions rise, despite call for cuts (via Reuters)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia vows not to cut output to prop up oil markets (via Reuters)

Shell collaborating with regulators over Arctic drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil crash wipes $11.7 billion from buyout firms’ holdings (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

AAA: Falling gas prices break record (via The Hill)

Congress lets $8,000 hydrogen vehicle tax credit expire (via Autoblog)

To challenge Tesla, Volkswagen will buy solid-state battery startup (via Inside EVs)

Living the EV-PV dream: How I paired my solar system with an electric car (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

Germany power demand plummets, renewables rise, fossil power at a 35-year low (via Renewables International)

Solar energy and storage helps Caribbean expats live the food life (via Renewable Energy World)

Can distributed generation replace $1 billion in substation upgrades? New York will soon find out (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

What was the biggest energy success story of 2014? (via National Journal)

Could flooding finally wake Americans up to the climate crisis? (via Grist)

The year ahead: 2015 trends in clean tech (via Energy Collective)

Posted:   |   Categories: AAA, apple, arctic, Austin, battery, california, canada, Caribbean, climate, coal, distributed generation, Electric Vehicle, emissions, energy storage, ev, ev charging, Flooding, fracking, gas prices, germany, grid, hydrogen, Ikea, maryland, Miami, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new york state, News, offshore drilling, Ohio, oil, OPIC, renewables, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, solar, Tesla, texas, Transportation, Volkswagen, Walmart, wind, wyoming, YieldCo
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22
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.22.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Regulators want to change fossil fuel pricing rules for federal land (via The Hill)

Oil price plunge and clean energy – the real impact (via Bloomberg)

Ohio Governor Kasich says more regulation needed on fracking (via Columbus Dispatch)

D.C. coalition emerges to oppose Exelon-Pepco merger (via Washington Post)

Portland considers energy benchmarking policy for large commercial buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

RENEWABLES 

India to fund $158 million for 1GW of new solar projects (via Bloomberg)

Germany to help finance Chile’s first solar-thermal power plant (via Renewable Energy World/Bloomberg)

Indian solar plant will equal almost all the solar capacity installed in the U.S in 2010 (via Treehugger)

Kyocera venture to build 13.4MW floating solar plant in Japan (via Bloomberg)

Solar-friendly rate for commercial customers adopted in California (via Energy Manager Today)

Arizona utilities get approval to own rooftop solar (via Greentech Media)

Maximizing the value of installed solar assets (via Forbes)

Upcoming auctions for solar PV: A legal perspective (via Renewables International)

Utilities and solar groups both claim victory in Arizona rooftop showdown (via PV Tech)

NUCLEAR 

Geopolitics key to South Africa’s $100 billion nuclear plan (via Bloomberg)

First of four Fukushima reactors cleared of nuclear fuel (via Phys.org)

CLIMATE 

Four legal battles this year that were all about climate change (via Climate Progress)

The military, energy, and preparing for climate change (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Cuban oil may prove a boon for U.S. companies (via Climate Progress)

Saudi oil chief: No conspiracy behind oil prices (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Shale debt crunch could intensify in April (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone “not even nominal benefit” to U.S. consumers, says Obama (via The Hill)

Good times for Texas to North Dakota may turn bad on oil-price drop (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

EVs hurt most in renewables industry from oil’s slump (via Bloomberg)

DOE report evaluates EV charging impacts on grid and charging behaviors (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla Model S drivers travel more miles than Nissan Leaf owners (via Autoblog)

Tesla battery swap now working in beta in California (via GigaOm)

COAL 

Is China’s demand for coal going to keep rising? Don’t count on it. (via Grist)

U.S. plans to shut royalty loophole on coal exports (via Reuters)

Environmentalists split with the Obama administration over coal ash rules (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Will EU emission trading remain a major source of low carbon finance? (via CleanTechnica)

Alberta extends climate change rules, including $15/tonne carbon levy (via Huffington Post/Canadian Press)

Study recommends Massachusetts carbon tax to fight climate change (via Boston Globe)

OPINION 

Why Russia should ally with China and India on carbon rules (via RTCC)

Obama sounds like he’s about to reject the Keystone pipeline (via Mother Jones)

Five questions to help us understand how commercial solar may grow in 2015 (via Greentech Media)

Who will get caught when the oil debt bubble pops? (via Forbes)

How oil’s decline could spatter North Dakota (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Continuing Maryland’s energy boom (via Washington Post)

Who really has grassroots support? Wind energy (via The Hill)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, arizona, california, carbon tax, Chile, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, Coal exports, Cuba, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, EU ETS, European Union, ev, ev charging, Exelon, fracking, fukushima, germany, india, japan, Keystone XL, Kyocera, maryland, massachusetts, News, nissan LEAF, north dakota, nuclear, Ohio, OPEC, Pepco, portland, renewables, Russia, saudi arabia, Shale oil, solar, South Africa, Tesla Model S, texas, Transportation, wind
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19
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.19.14

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

CLIMATE

Climate change could cut global food production 18% by 2050 (via BusinessGreen)

Major coral bleaching in Pacific may become worst die-off in 20 years (via The Guardian)

NASA satellite sends back most detailed view yet of CO2 (via Climate Central)

Much of coastal U.S. will see over 30 days of flooding due to sea level rise, projects NOAA (via Huffington Post)

White House floats new climate guidelines for energy, infrastructure development (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES

China solar exports may face increase in EU duties (via Bloomberg)

Japan’s new FiT rules draw criticism from Japan Renewable Energy Foundation (via PV Tech)

India’s biggest wind company plans to enter solar market (via Greentech Media)

This new finance policy tweak boosts India solar energy (via CleanTechnica)

BNDES approves $222 million in loans for Brazil ethanol plant (via Bloomberg)

EBRD backs Polish wind farm with €23.8 million (via Bloomberg)

South Africa fights blackouts with concentrating solar power (via TriplePundit)

GE ships first Brazil wind turbine nacelle under tough local-content rules (via Recharge News)

U.S power sector employment declines, except for renewable electricity generators (via U.S EIA)

U.S. solar-plus-storage market to surpass $1 billion by 2018 (via Greentech Media)

EIA expects 2014 U.S. wind installations to total less than 5GW (via Recharge)

New money coming home: Investors likely to continue backing residential solar in 2015 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

U.S. could easily power itself 100x over with just solar power (via Treehugger)

Businesses get solar at no upfront cost, encourage customers and employees to invest (via Treehugger)

Duke prepares South Carolina distributed solar program (via Renewable Energy World)

Coalition plans push to expand Minnesota’s renewable energy standard in 2015 (via Star-Tribune)

Illinois solar gets closer to game time (via Renewable Energy World)

COAL

U.S. EPA set to issue long-anticipated rules for coal ash disposal (via Reuters)

Coal ash waste about to be federally regulated for the first time (via Climate Progress)

EMISSIONS

Polluting is getting expensive again in Europe: Carbon & climate (via Bloomberg)

The National Hockey League is going carbon neutral (via National Journal)

OIL

Bankers see $1 trillion in investments stranded in the oil fields (via Bloomberg)

Oil price bloodbath to spark energy sector buying spree (via Reuters)

Nebraska Supreme Court decision on Keystone XL punted to 2015 (via The Hill)

Oil crunch could cost Texas 128,000 jobs, says Fed model (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION

U.S. gasoline drops below $2.50 in U.S. for first time in 2009 (via Bloomberg)

Tax breaks for EV charging, natural gas cars back through end of 2014 (via Green Car Reports)

Analyst slashes Tesla sales forecast 40% due to fuel prices (via Autoblog)

2016 Chevy Volt to add on-demand regenerative braking (via Green Car Reports)

ENERGY POLICY

German energy use sinks to lowest level since reunification (via BusinessGreen)

U.S. power sector needs $2.1 trillion in investment by 2035, says EIA (via Greentech Media)

EBay just became the latest tech company to leave conservative group ALEC (via Climate Progress)

GRID

Smart thermostat programs roll on in Texas, Arizona, Maryland (via Greentech Media)

Alaska leads the world in microgrid deployments (via Navigant Research)

NATURAL GAS

The state of shale (via Phys.org)

Here's the grassroots political story behind the New York fracking ban (via Washington Post)

ENVIRONMENT

Companies pay $9.7 million in EPA enforcement actions (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION

The top five energy and climate stories of 2014 (via Forbes)

Global biofuels industry: A promising future (via Navigant Research)

Three ways renewables could benefit from low oil prices (via Forbes)

Will coal plant retirements and fracking threaten electric reliability? (via Navigant Research)

The surprising link between what makes us happy and what saves energy (via Washington Post)

Solyndra? Solyndra! The legacy of government loan guarantees beyond politics (via Greentech Media)

Six lessons learned from the front lines of the climate fight (via Huffington Post)

Solar tariffs: Throttling America’s biggest job creation machine (via Renewable Energy World)

How Denmark and Texas became wind energy kings (via StateImpact Texas)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, ALEC, arizona, biofuels, BNDES, Brazil, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, Coral bleaching, denmark, duke energy, ebay, EBRD, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, energy storage, environment, ethanol, European Union, ev, ev charging, feed-in tariff, Flooding, fracking, GE, germany, Illinois, india, japan, maryland, Microgrid, minnesota, National Hockey League, natural gas, new york state, News, noaa, oil, Poland, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Sea level rise, Shale gas, solar, Solar concentrating power, solyndra, South Africa, south carolina, suzlon, Tesla, texas, wind
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18
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.18.14

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

EMISSIONS

EU decides to ratify Kyoto Protocol extension (via RTCC)

EPA punts decision on methane regulations (via The Hill)

Gov. Inslee want to cap and tax emissions from Washington State’s major polluters (via Climate Progress)

Department of Energy announces 22 new emissions reductions, energy efficiency projects (via Breaking Energy)

COAL

McConnell wants to stop coal rules (via AP)

ERCOT report re-ignites war of words over coal plant shutdowns (via Austin American-Statesman)

RENEWABLES

Green bonds sell big in 2014 as finance bids to help climate (via Reuters)

UK low-carbon electricity generation up 24% in 3Q 2014 (via Bloomberg)

Faced with a surge in PV, Japan will allow utilities to restrict solar output on grid (via Greentech Media)

This new finance policy tweak boosts India solar energy (via CleanTechnica)

Seabirds “steer clear” of offshore wind farms (via BusinessGreen)

Big energy retailers intensify attack on Australia rooftop solar subsidies (via Renew Economy)

U.S. wind power capacity additions expected to increase in last quarter of 2014 (via U.S. EIA)

Wind power getting the PTC extension it didn’t want (via Breaking Energy)

Supporters decry short break extension for wind industry (via The Hill)

Nearly $1 billion available for PACE projects in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

CNEE releases energy legislation year in review (via Energy Manager Today)

Report sees bright future for renewable energy in Minnesota (via Midwest Energy News)

National Grid planning 16 megawatts of Massachusetts solar (via Bloomberg)

SunPower prepares for “disruptive shift in energy market” with Sunverge solar-plus-storage deal (via PV Tech)

NATURAL GAS

Poland and Ukraine to look at expanding gas transport links (via Reuters)

Cuomo to ban fracking; health officials call it unsafe (via Bloomberg)

New York unlikely to face lawsuits over fracking ban, say experts (via Reuters)

CLIMATE

Persistent warming driving big Arctic changes (via Climate Central)

UN’s Clean Development Market mechanism future in doubt, largely sidelined in Lima (via Bloomberg BNA)

Four signs the Arctic is getting baked by climate change (via Mother Jones)

Front yards turn to wetlands as climate change takes toll in Virginia (via Bloomberg)

OIL

World market shockwaves ripple far and wide from oil prices epicenter (via Reuters)

Oil plunge sets stage for energy defaults: Credit markets (via Bloomberg)

EU lawmakers fail to approve tar sands oil veto (via Reuters)

Enbridge shuts oil pipeline to U.S. after spill in Canada (via Houston Chronicle)

Chevron cancels Canadian Arctic drilling as oil prices slide (via Reuters)

Cheap oil jamming rails means higher U.S. power bills (via Bloomberg)

DOT Secretary to talk oil train safety in Canada (via The Hill)

Petrobas CEO says Rousseff refused offer to resign on scandal (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION

Smarter charging, load leveling can save $10,000 a month in EV electricity costs (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla to miss 2020 delivery target by 40%, forecasts analyst (via Greentech Media)

Siemens, Duke Energy, Ford team up to demonstrate lower-cost home charging (via Inside EVs)

How electric car advertising has changed over time (via Inside EVs)

GRID

The intersection of solar energy and energy storage (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Revenue from zero-energy buildings is expected to hit $4.6 trillion through 2035 (via Navigant Research)

OPINION

How cheaper oil is shaping the world (via New York Times)

Seven radical ideas for a 2015 climate change deal (via RTCC)

Trade tariffs old and new mean U.S. will face PV module supply crunch, says Jigar Shah (via PV Tech)

Fed’s Yellen: Oil price decline is good for U.S. economy (via Nasdaq)

Top cleantech buzzwords and phrases from 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Are solar microgrids a step on the ladder toward grid access? (via Energy Collective)

What the Senate’s tax extender bill means for wind energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Posted:   |   Categories: Agriculture Department, Andrew Cuomo, Anthony Foxx, arctic, australia, canada, cap and trade, carbon tax, Chevron, Clean Development Mechanism, coal, department of energy, Dilma Rousseff, DOE, duke energy, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, ERCOT, European Union, ev, ev charging, Federal reserve, Ford, global warming, Green bonds, grid, Janet Yellen, japan, jay inslee, Jigar Shah, massachusetts, methane, Microgrid, minnesota, Mitch McConnell, national grid, natural gas, Net zero, new york, News, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Oil train, PACE, Petrobas, Poland, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, Sea level rise, Siemens, solar, Solar trade war, SunPower, Sunverge, tar sands, Tesla, texas, Transportation, Ukraine, united kingdom, united nations, virginia, Washington State, wind
0
17
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.17.14

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

CLIMATE

Research says latest international climate pledges still fall short of 2C goal (via ClimateProgress)

Europe’s record-hot year made 35 times more likely by climate change (via The Guardian)

New York, other major cities face more power outages thanks to climate change (via ClimateProgress)

Rutgers research shows climate change driving fish north (via Newark Star-Ledger)

NUCLEAR

Japan approves two new nuclear reactors (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES

Duties set by U.S. on imports of China, Taiwan solar goods (via Bloomberg)

New tariffs on Chinese solar-panel makers split the U.S. solar industry (via Greentech Media)

Beijing urges U.S. to be reasonable in search for trade settlement (via PV Tech)

David Cameron declares UK has “enough” onshore wind farms (via BusinessGreen)

British Columbia approves $7.5 billion hydropower dam (via Reuters)

Central America’s biggest wind farm gets $300 million from IFC (via Bloomberg)

Chile’s mines set hot pace on renewables – Australia should take notice (via Renew Economy)

Where does solar make sense? New state study shows big differences and surprises (via Breaking Energy)

NREL demonstrates 45.7% efficiency for solar cell (via NREL)

California approves major revisions in its Renewable Auction Mechanism (via Greentech Media)

Rural co-ops promise net metering but don’t always deliver (via Midwest Energy News)

Cape Wind will miss 2014 goal to close project financing (via Recharge)

Power options: Comparing costs of rooftop solar to traditional electricity (via WRI Insights)

Think tank proposes 40 options to change ethanol mandate (via The Hill)

Staples California announces green energy offering for small businesses (via Environmental Leader)

EMISSIONS

Beijing reveals bottom-up approach to national carbon market (via RTCC)

Australia quietly re-instates a carbon-trading scheme (via Renew Economy)

Industry’s mercury challenge could undermine attack on EPA climate rule (via Greenwire)

A carbon pollution policy with all the fixins’ (via Sightline Daily)

California pensions should divest coal assets, says state senate leader (via Reuters)

Washington Governor proposes carbon tax to fund pressing transportation needs (via Huffington Post)

OIL

OPEC net oil export revenues expected to fall in 2014-2015 (via U.S. EIA)

An OPEC of the West? North American nations eye stronger oil and gas ties (via Christian Science Monitor)

U.S. talking oil exports just when the world needs it least (via Bloomberg)

Investors in beat-up oil bonds lean on banks for rescue (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION

ABB-led consortium launches $10.5 million project to install EV fast chargers along key European highways (via Green Car Congress)

4,700 all-electric cars sold in Europe during October (via Inside EVs)

U.S. households to spend $550 less on gasoline in 2015 (via Houston Chronicle)

California, Washington lead all other states in EV ownership rates (via Green Car Reports)

GRID

Utility distribution microgrids are expected to reach $6 billion in annual revenue by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Developing a reliable wind “super grid” for Europe (via Phys.org)

Cautiously, private utilities dip toes into microgrid pool (via Navigant Research)

Will states take over demand response markets in the U.S.? (via Renewable Energy World)

PG&E testing new grid-scale battery system at $160 per kWh (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT

Italy says it will oppose EU plans to scrap environmental law (via The Guardian)

Obama withdraws Alaska’s Bristol Bay from drilling (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Top 10 universities taking the lead on sustainability worldwide (via EcoWatch)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service working on more regulations than EPA (via Greenwire)

Rocky Mountain Institute, Carbon War Room join forces (via BusinessGreen)

Cutting the cord without blowing your power bill (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

POLITICS

McConnell says Keystone first item on GOP Senate agenda (via The Hill)

Lobbying of Hillary begins (via The Hill)

Jeb Bush may be “the smart brother” but he’s as much a climate denier as any conservative (via The Guardian)

Renewable energy companies use new clout in statehouses (via Stateline)

OPINION

Is India’s grand solar vision becoming reality? (via Renewable Energy World)

Plunging oil prices are doing Obama’s foreign policy for him (via Washington Post)

Protecting Bristol Bay was an easy call for Obama – the hard ones come next (via National Journal)

Should the price of oil really impact renewable energy adoption? (via Greentech Media)

In defense of Massachusetts: Why the Bay State is leading in energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

The real reason Tesla’s stock is tanking (via Huffington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: ABB, alaska, australia, battery, Bristol Bay, british columbia, california, cape wind, carbon markets, carbon tax, carbon trading, Carbon War Room, Chile, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, David Cameron, Demand response, Divestment, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, ev, ev charging, Fish and Wildlife Service, Fossil fuel divestment, global warming, grid, hillary clinton, Hydropower, india, italy, japan, jay inslee, Jeb Bush, Keystone XL, massachusetts, Microgrid, Mitch McConnell, New York City, News, NREL, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, OPEC, PGE, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, Rocky Mountain Institute, Rural electric co-op, Rutgers University, solar, Solar trade war, Taiwan, Tesla, Transportation, united kingdom, Washington State, wind
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11
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.11.14

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

CLIMATE

Six ways climate change threw the animal world into disarray this year (via Climate Progress)

John Kerry: Climate change is now a security issue (via The Guardian)

Top scientists to media: Stop using “skeptic” to describe deniers (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS

Poll: Majority of U.S. voters back regulating methane emissions (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES

Distributed solar PV poised to reach its potential in Africa (via Navigant Research)

India uses coal tax to help fund 21GW new solar development (via PV Tech)

South Africa plans to triple renewables output to curb blackouts (via Blomberg)

Australia adds another 75MW rooftop solar in November (via Renew Economy)

World’s largest coal miner announces 1GW solar power plan (via CleanTechnica)

Climate Bonds Initiative lifts lid on green bond market (via BusinessGreen)

US-China solar trade deal still possible despite breakdown claims (via PV Tech)

Over a third of new U.S. electricity came from solar this year (via GigaOm)

Off-grid solar companies closed $64 million in 2014: Start of a bigger trend? (via Greentech Media)

Lawmakers frustrated at EPA over ethanol mandate delay (via The Hill)

First Solar gives U.S. residential market another try (via Forbes)

A small-town Kansas bank is helping lead a solar revolution (via Midwest Energy News)

ENERGY POLICY

Coal wins, sage grouse loses in $1.1 trillion U.S. budget deal (via Bloomberg)

SDG&E: Utilities need to set “proper price signals” to manage distributed generation (via Greentech Media)

OIL

Oil price hit by OPEC numbers as Saudis stand firm on output (via Houston Chronicle)

Alaska faces $3.5 billion deficit amid lower oil prices (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION

China offers billions to subsidize EV charging build-out (via Bloomberg)

Several states are adding or increasing incentives for EV charging stations (via US EIA)

Boeing completes first flight powered with “green diesel” (via CleanTechnica)

NUCLEAR

Nuclear poised to be winner as Abe eyes broader Japan majority (via Bloomberg)

DOE announces $12.5 billion in loans for advanced nuclear (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy efficient buildings expected to reach nearly $623 billion annual revenue by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Database showcases 37 net-zero energy buildings across U.S. (via Energy Manager Today)

New Honda “Green Dealer Guide” spells out energy efficiency for dealership buildings (via Green Car Reports)

GRID

Microgrids create energy-resilient communities (via Renewable Energy World)

Broaching the baseload issue: Finding hybrid solutions to stabilize the grid (via Renewable Energy World)

EMISSIONS

Visualizing the rise of carbon pricing around the world (via Fast Company)

ENVIRONMENT

Study shows 270,000 tons of plastic float in the ocean (via Huffington Post)

OPINION

Is cellulosic ethanol all it’s cracked up to be? (via Breaking Energy)

Cheap oil’s make-or-break moment for clean energy (via Huffington Post)

Will new technologies give a critical boost to solar power? (via Yale e360)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, australia, boeing, Carbon pricing, cellulosic ethanol, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, DOE, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, ethanol, ev, ev charging, First Solar, Green bonds, grid, honda, india, japan, john kerry, kansas, methane, Microgrid, natural gas, Net zero, News, nuclear, oil, OPEC, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, saudi arabia, SDG&E, Shinzo Abe, solar, Solar trade war, South Africa
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08
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.8.14

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

CLIMATE

Adapting to a warmer climate could cost almost three times as much as thought, says UN report (via The Guardian)

Peru climate change talks slowed by clashes of rich and poor nations (via Los Angeles Times)

Rift widens among greens over burying carbon as climate fix (via Reuters)

Five burning issues for Lima climate talks this week (via RTCC)

Morocco and Mexico biggest beneficiaries of climate funds (via The Guardian)

US Coast Guard proposes Bering Strait shipping route (via ABC News/AP)

How winters are changing throughout the U.S. (via Climate Central)

A fossil fuel scandal at Lima climate talks (via Huffington Post)

NATURAL GAS

Ukraine expects Russian gas supplies to resume Monday (via Reuters)

West Virginia approves fracking under Ohio River; critics leery (via Columbus Dispatch)

Plans for shale gas “energy hub” draw investors and protestors to Philadelphia (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

RENEWABLES

India plans five-fold increase in clean energy (via ABC News/AP)

Peru lifts renewable energy target for 60% by 2025, aims for 100% long term (via Renew Economy)

Canada probes Chinese solar imports for possible dumping violations (via Forbes)

Wind farms powered 107% of Scotland’s homes in November (via BusinessGreen)

Global wind turbine manufacturing capacity far surpasses demand (via Navigant Research)

Enel Green Power starts $190 million wind farm in Chile (via Bloomberg)

Suzlon conducting study for offshore wind farm in India (via Financial Express)

Ethanol joins US fuels dominating global export market (via Houston Chronicle)

World record solar module efficiency of 40.4% from CPV startup RayGen (via Greentech Media)

Solar PV generation doubles – monthly US electricity generation report (via CleanTechnica)

Heco seeks Hawaii green light for 207MW solar PPAs (via Recharge)

Now’s the time to buy into community solar prices, at all-time low (via CleanTechnica)

New York launches “Community Solar NY” To support Solarize campaigns (via Solar Industry Magazine)

A “business” model for expanding renewable energy: The New Mexico Production Tax Credit (via Renewable Energy World)

EMISSIONS

Global Divestment Day: Climate action vs carbon bubble risk (via CleanTechnica)

China blocks carbon review sought by US at UN talks (via Bloomberg)

IETA: Carbon markets need to matter more in Lima (via RTCC)

Oil companies at climate talks dismiss carbon bubble fears (via RTCC)

Renewable energy price declines can help states meet carbon targets under EPA’s Clean Power Plan (via NRDC Switchboard)

RGGI carbon auction raises more than $94 million (via Environmental Leader)

A California community shoots for the moon: Palo Alto considers carbon neutrality (via RMI Outlet)

OIL

Global shale ambitions wane as OPEC price war deepens oil plunge (via Bloomberg)

Don’t count on oil drop greasing global growth (via Bloomberg)

Oil price drops boost argument for crude exports (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil rig count rises as shale drillers face OPEC challenge (via Bloomberg)

US Supreme Court rejects BP challenge to Gulf spill settlement (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION

US fuel economy average down for the first time in four years (via Autoblog)

Fuel to the fire? Fuel exports soar under Obama (via AP)

Quebec is first Canadian province to use carrot-and-stick tactics with car buyers (via Montreal Gazette)

US gasoline prices fall to four-year low (via Reuters)

US airlines will need to sharply increase fleet renewal to meet 2020 carbon neutral growth goal (via Green Car Congress)

Audi confirms it will release Tesla-rivaling electric sedan in 2017 (via Inhabitat)

Uber adds a billion dollars more to its coffers (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Latin American coalition to restore 20 million hectares of forest (via RTCC)

California’s drought is now the worst in 1,2000 years (via Time)

Trackable, biodegradable fishing nets could put an end to “ghost nets” (via Treehugger)

COAL

Big banks propping up dirty coal industry to tune of $89 billion (via Huffington Post)

Grassroots anti-coal movements to watch (via Treehugger)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

UK government to re-launch Green Deal energy efficiency scheme with £30 million fund (via BusinessGreen)

Are hotel energy and water savings programs really about the environment? (via Treehugger)

Freedom Tower was supposed to be the greenest building in America – so what went wrong? (via Mother Jones)

Green real estate trends (via Huffington Post)

NUCLEAR

Almost all US nuclear plants require life extension past 60 years to operate beyond 2050 (via US EIA)

GOP gain put nuclear power back on the table (via The Hill)

New math to help Exelon’s nuclear plants (via Crain’s Chicago Business)

GRID

Regional Japan grids can take less than half of renewables approved by government (via Bloomberg)

Smart meter power savings prove slow to materialize (via New York Times)

POLITICS

Energy firms secretly helped state attorneys general fight Obama (via The Hill)

Fossil-fuel lobbyists, bolstered by GOP wins, work to curb environmental rules (via Washington Post)

House Republican plans to introduce climate-science bill (via National Journal)

Black Friday shopper numbers twice as high as midterm election voter turnout (via Inhabitat)

OPINION

The end and beginning of the Arctic (via Climate Central)

India’s energy moment: Ready for a low-carbon future? (via National Geographic)

Will German wind market double? (via Renewables International)

Five reasons why Tesla’s stock is down (via GigaOm)

Why a Florida utility suddenly wants to serve Hawaii (via Christian Science Monitor)

Can solar companies really be called “high tech?” (via Renewable Energy World)

What’s really at stake in the Florida solar battle? (via Renewable Energy World)

Do gasoline prices affect home values? (via Houston Chronicle)

Why the world missed the oil price crash (via Council on Foreign Relations)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, audi, BP, california, canada, Carbon bubble, carbon capture, Carbon market, Carbon neutrality, Chile, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, community solar, deforestation, Divestment, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, enel green power, Energy Efficiency, EPA, ethanol, ev, Exelon, Florida, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, Freedom Tower, germany, global warming, green building, green deal, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii, india, japan, Latin America, mexico, Morocco, natural gas, New Mexico, new york state, News, NextEra, nuclear, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, OPEC, Peru, Quebec, renewables, rggi, Russia, Scotland, Shale gas, Shale oil, smart meters, solar, Solar trade war, suzlon, Tesla, Transportation, Uber, Ukraine, united kingdom, US Coast Guard, West Virginia, wind
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