ev | Indoor Air Quality Lab

Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.18.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

China takes cautious step toward carbon emissions trading (via Reuters)

China emission trading experiment unlikely to ease cities’ smog (via Bloomberg)

China’s first carbon market faces “credit oversupply” dilemma (via RTCC)

Judge rejects lawsuit to curb Montana methane emissions from drilling (via Greenwire)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL

Alberta’s oil sands raise flaring emissions as rules lag (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone XL pipeline shuns high-tech oil spill detectors (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone XL mapping project uncovers pipeline’s true impact (via EarthTechling)

22 arrested at Keystone XL protest in Chicago (via DNAinfo Chicago)

RENEWABLES

EU trade chief to discuss solar dispute in Beijing (via Reuters)

Japan to start floating offshore wind trial (via Recharge)

Germany adds 1.2GW of solar PV from January-May 2013 (via Recharge)

Solar PV module costs to fall to 36 cents per watt by 2017 (via Greentech Media)

US solar to hit grid parity 2014-2017 (via CleanTechnica)

Six Sioux tribes propose massive wind project (via Recharge)

Solar-powered plane faces the human factor (via New York Times)

Solar likely on 20% of new homes in California in 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

New England states move to import more Canadian hydropower (via Boston Globe)

How to put an offshore wind turbine in the Texas Gulf (via StateImpact Texas)

University of Wisconsin research designs solar panel that stores energy (via Journal-Sentinel)

AT&T introducing solar-powered charging stations in New York City (via New York Times)

NUCLEAR

Nuclear decommissioning surge is investor guessing game (via Bloomberg)

Xcel Energy investing $1.8 billion in two nuclear power plants (via Star-Tribune)

ENVIRONMENT

Great Barrier Reef on the brink as politicians bicker (via The Guardian)

Jet stream changes triggered record 2012 Greenland ice melt (via Yale e360)

Poll: voters favor protecting public lands over drilling them (via Climate Progress)

Why does the US government encourage people to build homes in wildfire zones? (via Washington Post)

The Koch brothers take on environmental groups over Alaska mine (via Washington Post)

OIL

As US oil production soars, oil companies eye far horizons (via Houston Chronicle)

End of BP oil spill cleaning crews leaves questions, concerns on Gulf Coast (via Washington Post/AP)

What sickens people in oil spills, and how badly, is anybody’s guess (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION

Plug-in EVs will reach 3 million in annual sales by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Did America reach “peak car” in 2005? (via Greentech Media)

Ford cuts production emissions 37% per vehicle since 2000 (via Autoblog Green)

Rhode Island installing 50 electric car charging stations (via San Francisco Chronicle/AP)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Companies may turn to courts on US natural gas export push (via Reuters)

First risk assessment of shale gas fracking to biodiversity released (via Phys.org)

Energy Department warns House of limits on natural gas testimony (via The Hill)

Illinois governor signs tough fracking regulations into law (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Global companies growing focus on energy use reductions (via Houston Chronicle)

New York: America’s most energy efficient city? (via GreenBiz)

DOE Buildings Performance Database includes 60,000 records (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS

New Vikings stadium sheds light on sustainability (via EarthTechling)

Clean energy R&D hanging tough through tough times (via EarthTechling)

POLITICS

US mayors announce climate resilience, energy efficiency measures (via Reuters)

GOP bill would cut renewable energy spending in half (via The Hill)

At least 1/3 of US senators hold energy industry investment (via E&E Daily)

Handicapping potential candidates to lead FERC (via Politico)

OPINION

Carbon trading with Chinese characteristics (via Scientific American)

Utility solar is dead; long live distributed generation (via Greentech Media)

What carbon capture can’t do (via MIT Technology Review)

Global warming appears to have slowed lately, that’s no reason to celebrate (via Washington Post)

Posted: | Categories: alaska, Alberta, AT&T, australia, BP, california, canada, cap and trade, carbon capture, Carbon market, chicago, China, Climate adaptation, distributed generation, DOE, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EU, European Union, ev, EV chargers, federal energy regulatory commission, FERC, Ford, fracking, germany, Great Barrier Reef, green business, greenland, Grid Parity, Gulf of Mexico, Hydropower, Ice melt, Illinois, japan, Keystone XL, Koch Brothers, Liquefied natural gas, LNG, methane, Montana, natural gas, Natural gas exports, New England, New York City, News, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, Peak car, Plug-in EV, Quebec, renewables, rhode island, rooftop solar, Shale gas, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, tar sands, texas, Transportation, Wildfire, wind, Wisconsin, xcel energy

Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.17.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

China sets new rules aimed at curbing air pollution (via New York Times)

Shenzen to launch China’s first carbon trading market (via BusinessGreen)

EPA nominee confirmation delay raises questions about US carbon rules (via Reuters)

White House, EPA at odds over savings from emissions regulations (via The Hill)

COAL

Coal reaches 29.9% global market share, highest since 1970 (via Facts of the Day)

Coal industry pins hopes on exports as US markets shrinks (via New York Times)

US Capitol power plant becoming cogeneration, quitting coal (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES

Solar power shines in oil-rich Saudi Arabia (via Christian Science Monitor)

Hydrogen plant starts storing wind energy in Germany (via Houston Chronicle)

China pledges support for domestic solar industry (via Reuters)

3GW of new solar PV plants being developed in China by Yingli (via CleanTechnica)

Is concentrating solar power the technology that saves humanity? (via CleanTechnica)

Is the IRS considering solar REITs? (via Renewable Energy World)

Wind contracts may push Austin Energy to 35% renewable energy goal (via Austin American-Statesman)

CLIMATE

Losing fight vs. climate change, cities around the world find ways to live with it (via Washington Post/AP)

UN global climate talks blocked by Russia set back six months (via Bloomberg)

UN climate talks make “concrete progress” toward global deal at Bonn (via BusinessGreen)

Climate science debate has cost Australia precious time, warns expert (via The Guardian)

Obama leaves climate change-fighting tool on shelf for now (via Reuters)

Pentagon bracing for public dissent over climate and energy shocks (via The Guardian)

Dwindling snow – thanks to climate change – might dry out Los Angeles (via Time)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Chevron’s $10 billion Angola LNG export plant ships first cargo (via Bloomberg)

Study says exports will have significant impact on US natural gas prices (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking fuels water battles in driest US states (via Politico/AP)

TRANSPORTATION

Ford says its regenerative brakes have saved 100 million gallons of gas (via Autoblog Green)

Consumer Reports says higher CAFÉ standards will save car buyers $4,600 (via Autoblog Green)

GM still talking about 300-mile EVs with high-density batteries (via AutoblogGreen)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

UK Green Deal energy efficiency makeover could boost property values £16,000 (via BusinessGreen)

MEETS could be most innovative energy efficiency financing tool yet (via Greentech Media)

14 ways to slim your power bill this summer (via Houston Chronicle)

OIL

IEA chief economist: climate change a financial threat to oil companies (via Houston Chronicle)

Australia to boost offshore oil exploration (via Yahoo! News/IANS)

Northern Alberta pipeline was only five years old before toxic spill (via Globe and Mail)

North Dakota shale oil production continues record pace (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

ENVIRONMENT

World’s biggest marine sanctuary could be declared in Antarctic (via The Guardian)

After Supreme Court water ruling, what’s next for Texas? (via StateImpact Texas)

NUCLEAR

Nuclear plants, old and uncompetitive, closing earlier than expected (via New York Times)

GRID

Explaining how a capacity market works (via Energy Collective)

Smart meters save California Navy base $35,000 annually (via Energy Manager Today)

The microgrid solution (via Resilience)

POLITICS

Obama’s Keystone silence is driving away green activists (via Bloomberg)

Senate Energy Chairman Ron Wyden has broad agenda and an eye toward a dream job (via National Journal)

Baucus sees “creeping” interest in carbon tax (via The Hill)

OPINION

What to do about climate change (via Washington Post)

The big green business opportunity for America’s economy (via CleanTechnica)

Heartland Institute’s Chinese Academy of Sciences fantasy (via Climate Progress)

CAP report “300 Engines of Growth” features clean energy and climate solutions (via Climate Progress)

Posted: | Categories: adaptation, Alberta, Angola, Antarctic, Austin Energy, australia, barack obama, battery, cafe, california, cap and trade, Capacity market, carbon tax, center for american progress, Chevron, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Cogeneration, Concentrating solar power, Consumer Reports, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, ev, Faith Birol, Ford, fracking, fuel economy standards, Gasoline, General Motors, germany, Gina McCarthy, GM, green business, grid, Heartland Institute, hydrogen, IEA, IRS, Keystone XL, LNG, los angeles, Max Baucus, Microgrid, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, north dakota, nuclear, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, REIT, renewables, Ron Wyden, Russia, saudi arabia, Shale oil, smart meters, solar, Transportation, uk, UN, united kingdom, wind, Yingli

Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.14.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

Study raises hope of combating global warming by reducing soot (via Christian Science Monitor)

Storm-battered Philippines moves to reduce climate risks and emissions (via ClimateWire)

Supreme Court curbs Port of Los Angeles’ crackdown on truck emissions (via Greenwire)

OIL

Why America’s shale oil boom could end sooner than you think (via Forbes)

US crude oil production could reach 10 million barrels per day by 2040 (via US EIA)

ExxonMobil faces federal lawsuit over Arkansas oil spill (via Los Angeles Times)

US, Arkansas file joint complaint against Exxon Mobil (via Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

Canadian regulator says Kinder Morgan pipeline spills crude in British Columbia (via Wall Street Journal)

RENEWABLES

MLPs: a bargain for renewables or a devil’s bargain? (via Greentech Media)

Hawaii pledges $300 million for green future (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

Native Americans decry eagle deaths tied to wind farms (via Reuters)

Concentrating solar power for 5.57 cents/kWh (via CleanTechnica)

Dominion Virginia Power set to launch solar purchase plan (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Wind power getting cheaper for Oklahoma utility customers (via The Oklahoman)

ENVIRONMENT

China to survey soil pollution nationwide (via Bloomberg)

Fish nets found to kill large numbers of birds (via New York Times)

Colorado wildfire destroys more homes than any other in state history (via New York Times)

Supreme Court backs Oklahoma over Texas water demand (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS

What does Israel’s offshore natural gas resources mean for the region? (via Council on Foreign Relations)

DOE Secretary Moniz vows gas export decisions this year (via the Hill)

CLIMATE

Is a sleeping climate giant stirring in the Arctic? (via NASA)

Climate bond market doubles to $346 billion in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Cuba girds for climate change by reclaiming coasts (via Boston Globe/AP)

Geoengineering via iron fertilization could backfire (via Science Daily)

Sources: Obama climate plan rollout may come in July (via Politico)

FEMA report says climate change could increase flood risk areas by 45% (via Mother Jones)

$110 billion price tag for US extreme weather events in 2012 (via Climate Central)

Senators from Sandy-hit states press Obama on climate rules (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION

French car-sharing service Autolib will make US debut in Indianapolis (via Autoblog Green)

Austin, Texas claims nation’s largest electric car share (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS

US companies “fall short of sustainability goals” (via Environmental Leader)

GRID

California energy storage plan may require $3 billion investment (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

EPA upgrades Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool for commercial buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

Minnesota home sale listings to include efficiency scores (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION

How the World Bank could slash its carbon emissions: start flying in coach (via Washington Post)

Why federal renewable mandates challenge US utilities – and what they can do (via Breaking Energy)

How EPA fights climate change even when Congress doesn’t want it to (via National Journal)

Climate change is the GOP’s worst nightmare (via Denver Post)

Posted: | Categories: arctic, Arkansas, Autolib, barack obama, Benchmarking, british columbia, california, canada, Car sharing, China, Climate bond, Climate Change, colorado, Concentrating solar power, Corporate Social Responsibility, csr, Cuba, DOE, Dominion Virginia, Eagle take, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, Ernest Moniz, ev, Extreme weather, ExxonMobil, feed-in tariff, FEMA, Flood, France, Geoengineering, global warming, green business, grid, Hawaii, Iron fertilization, Israel, Kinder Morgan, los angeles, Master limited partnerships, methane, minnesota, MLP, natural gas, News, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, Permafrost, Philippines, Pipeline, Port of Los Angeles, renewables, Severe weather, Shale oil, Soot, Supreme Court, texas, Transportation, virginia, Water scarcity, Wildfire, World Bank

Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.14.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

Study raises hope of combating global warming by reducing soot (via Christian Science Monitor)

Storm-battered Philippines moves to reduce climate risks and emissions (via ClimateWire)

Supreme Court curbs Port of Los Angeles’ crackdown on truck emissions (via Greenwire)

OIL

Why America’s shale oil boom could end sooner than you think (via Forbes)

US crude oil production could reach 10 million barrels per day by 2040 (via US EIA)

ExxonMobil faces federal lawsuit over Arkansas oil spill (via Los Angeles Times)

US, Arkansas file joint complaint against Exxon Mobil (via Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

Canadian regulator says Kinder Morgan pipeline spills crude in British Columbia (via Wall Street Journal)

RENEWABLES

MLPs: a bargain for renewables or a devil’s bargain? (via Greentech Media)

Hawaii pledges $300 million for green future (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

Native Americans decry eagle deaths tied to wind farms (via Reuters)

Concentrating solar power for 5.57 cents/kWh (via CleanTechnica)

Dominion Virginia Power set to launch solar purchase plan (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Wind power getting cheaper for Oklahoma utility customers (via The Oklahoman)

ENVIRONMENT

China to survey soil pollution nationwide (via Bloomberg)

Fish nets found to kill large numbers of birds (via New York Times)

Colorado wildfire destroys more homes than any other in state history (via New York Times)

Supreme Court backs Oklahoma over Texas water demand (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS

What does Israel’s offshore natural gas resources mean for the region? (via Council on Foreign Relations)

DOE Secretary Moniz vows gas export decisions this year (via the Hill)

CLIMATE

Is a sleeping climate giant stirring in the Arctic? (via NASA)

Climate bond market doubles to $346 billion in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Cuba girds for climate change by reclaiming coasts (via Boston Globe/AP)

Geoengineering via iron fertilization could backfire (via Science Daily)

Sources: Obama climate plan rollout may come in July (via Politico)

FEMA report says climate change could increase flood risk areas by 45% (via Mother Jones)

$110 billion price tag for US extreme weather events in 2012 (via Climate Central)

Senators from Sandy-hit states press Obama on climate rules (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION

French car-sharing service Autolib will make US debut in Indianapolis (via Autoblog Green)

Austin, Texas claims nation’s largest electric car share (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS

US companies “fall short of sustainability goals” (via Environmental Leader)

GRID

California energy storage plan may require $3 billion investment (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

EPA upgrades Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool for commercial buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

Minnesota home sale listings to include efficiency scores (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION

How the World Bank could slash its carbon emissions: start flying in coach (via Washington Post)

Why federal renewable mandates challenge US utilities – and what they can do (via Breaking Energy)

How EPA fights climate change even when Congress doesn’t want it to (via National Journal)

Climate change is the GOP’s worst nightmare (via Denver Post)

Posted: | Categories: arctic, Arkansas, Austin, barack obama, Benchmarking, british columbia, california, canada, China, Climate bond, Climate Change, colorado, Concentrating solar power, Corporate Social Responsibility, csr, Cuba, DOE, Dominion Virginia, Eagle take, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, Ernest Moniz, ev, Extreme weather, ExxonMobil, feed-in tariff, FEMA, Flood, France, Geoengineering, global warming, green business, grid, Hawaii, Iron fertilization, Israel, Kinder Morgan, los angeles, Master limited partnerships, methane, minnesota, MLP, natural gas, News, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, Permafrost, Philippines, Pipeline, Renewable energy mandates, renewables, Severe weather, Shale oil, Soot, texas, Transportation, virginia, Water scarcity, Wildfire, World Bank

Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.13.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

US-China climate deal was long in the works, reflects shifting incentive for developing nation (via Washington Post/AP)

EU positive over 2015 climate deal despite Russia row (via RTCC)

China is testing out cap and trade – but will it work? (via Washington Post)

COAL

Coal remains world’s fastest-growing fossil fuel (via Platts)

Green groups see higher US coal fees after audit (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES

UN says global renewables sector tops 5.7 million jobs (via BusinessGreen)

Global renewables investment fell in 2012 on weak economy (via Reuters)

Goldman Sachs eyes Japan offshore wind in $3 billion investment (via Bloomberg)

The coming US distributed solar boom (via Greentech Media)

Fulfilling the promise of concentrated solar power (via Climate Progress)

What Interior’s lease auction says about offshore wind innovation (via Innovation Files)

OIL

Saudi Arabia remains key to oil prices, despite US production surge (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil notches record growth (via Wall Street Journal)

Iraq targets 4.5 million barrels per day oil production in 2014 (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE

How climate change makes wildfires worse (via Mother Jones)

Kansas schools to teach evolution, climate change (via KSHB/AP)

Record heat fuels destructive fires in drought-baked Colorado (via Weather Underground)

What is a derecho, anyway? (via Mother Jones)

GREEN BUSINESS

2013 Best Global Green Brands: complete rankings (via GreenBiz)

Chinese tune sustainability message for global credibility (via GreenBiz)

US corporate green spending keeps on climbing (via BusinessGreen)

Feel-good brands “outperform stock market” (via Environmental Leader)

Cash doesn't follow sustainability commitments (via Environmental Leader)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL

Analysts say Keystone Xl delays won’t stop Canadian crude exports (via Houston Chronicle)

TransCanada steps up defense of Keystone XL pipeline (via National Journal)

Alberta tar sands toxic waste spill biggest of recent North America disasters (via Globe and Mail)

GRID

Utility advanced metering analytics market to hit $9.7 billion by 2020 (via Greentech Media)

Industrial demand response payments will reach $4.3 billion annually by 2019 (via Navigant Research)

NUCLEAR

EU proposes mandatory nuclear reviews every six years (via Reuters)

Exelon blames “subsidized” wind, markets for derailing nuclear projects (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION

Lifetime costs of EVs within 10% of competing vehicles (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS

Merkel vows to rein in renewable subsidies if re-elected (via Reuters)

White House regulatory nominee vows to speed up energy reviews (via New York Times)

Posted: | Categories: Advanced metering, Alberta, AMI, Angela Merkel, canada, cap and trade, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal leases, colorado, concentrated solar power, csp, csr, Demand response, Distributed solar, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, EU, ev, Exelon, Goldman Sachs, green business, grid, HFC, interior department, iraq, japan, kansas, Keystone XL, News, nuclear, offshore wind, Offshore wind lease auction, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, renewables, Russia, saudi arabia, Shale oil, solar, tar sands, TransCanada, Transportation, UN, united nations, Wildfire, wind

Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.13.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

US-China climate deal was long in the works, reflects shifting incentive for developing nation (via Washington Post/AP)

EU positive over 2015 climate deal despite Russia row (via RTCC)

China is testing out cap and trade – but will it work? (via Washington Post)

COAL

Coal remains world’s fastest-growing fossil fuel (via Platts)

Green groups see higher US coal fees after audit (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES

UN says global renewables sector tops 5.7 million jobs (via BusinessGreen)

Global renewables investment fell in 2012 on weak economy (via Reuters)

Goldman Sachs eyes Japan offshore wind in $3 billion investment (via Bloomberg)

The coming US distributed solar boom (via Greentech Media)

Fulfilling the promise of concentrated solar power (via Climate Progress)

What Interior’s lease auction says about offshore wind innovation (via Innovation Files)

OIL

Saudi Arabia remains key to oil prices, despite US production surge (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil notches record growth (via Wall Street Journal)

Iraq targets 4.5 million barrels per day oil production in 2014 (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE

How climate change makes wildfires worse (via Mother Jones)

Kansas schools to teach evolution, climate change (via KSHB/AP)

Record heat fuels destructive fires in drought-baked Colorado (via Weather Underground)

What is a derecho, anyway? (via Mother Jones)

GREEN BUSINESS

2013 Best Global Green Brands: complete rankings (via GreenBiz)

Chinese tune sustainability message for global credibility (via GreenBiz)

US corporate green spending keeps on climbing (via BusinessGreen)

Feel-good brands “outperform stock market” (via Environmental Leader)

Cash doesn't follow sustainability commitments (via Environmental Leader)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL

Analysts say Keystone Xl delays won’t stop Canadian crude exports (via Houston Chronicle)

TransCanada steps up defense of Keystone XL pipeline (via National Journal)

Alberta tar sands toxic waste spill biggest of recent North America disasters (via Globe and Mail)

GRID

Utility advanced metering analytics market to hit $9.7 billion by 2020 (via Greentech Media)

Industrial demand response payments will reach $4.3 billion annually by 2019 (via Navigant Research)

NUCLEAR

EU proposes mandatory nuclear reviews every six years (via Reuters)

Exelon blames “subsidized” wind, markets for derailing nuclear projects (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION

Lifetime costs of EVs within 10% of competing vehicles (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS

Merkel vows to rein in renewable subsidies if re-elected (via Reuters)

White House regulatory nominee vows to speed up energy reviews (via New York Times)

Posted: | Categories: Advanced metering, Alberta, AMI, Angela Merkel, canada, cap and trade, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal leases, colorado, concentrated solar power, csp, csr, Demand response, Derecho, Distributed solar, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, EU, ev, Exelon, Goldman Sachs, green business, grid, HFC, interior department, iraq, japan, kansas, Keystone XL, News, nuclear, offshore wind, Offshore wind lease auction, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, renewables, Russia, saudi arabia, Shale oil, solar, tar sands, TransCanada, Transportation, UN, united nations, Wildfire, wind

Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.11.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

US-China emissions deal faces broader challenges (via Politico)

China’s rich provinces outsource emissions to less developed ones (via The Guardian)

America’s 20 worst corporate air polluters (via Forbes)

ENERGY POLICY

EIA says US oil and gas reserves up 35% thanks to shale boom (via The Hill)

Electricity generation scoreboard: gas down 8%; coal up 8%; nuclear down 2.5%; wind up 10% & solar up 228% (via Facts of the Day)

RENEWABLES

US installs record 723MW of solar PV in Q1 2013 (via Greentech Media)

SEPA report ranks US utilities by amount of deployed solar (via Greentech Media)

The coming solar electricity transformation (via CleanTechnica)

As first offshore wind turbine launches in Maine, is Texas next? (via StateImpact Texas)

Biofuels to play integral role in California’s energy future, says new study (via Phys.org)

COAL

2014 European coal plunges to record as Credit Suisse cuts forecast (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE

Scientists say climate change could mean once a century floods every 10 years (via RTCC)

Catastrophic European floods raise climate concerns (via ClimateWire)

New climate data depicts New York City’s growing risk (via New York Times)

Dominion shareholder vote a loud signal to Virginia utility on climate (via InsideClimate News)

GRID

Smart grid activity is heating up in South America (via Renew Grid)

Europe’s grid could carry 10% more electricity via next-generation technologies (via Recharge)

OIL

Venezuelans find oil bonanza in Colombia (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION

Toyota Europe wants clean grid before pushing electric cars (via Plugin Cars)

Frequent flyers pressure United Airlines to tackle climate change (via BusinessGreen)

FAA wants to wean private airlines off leaded fuel (via The Hill)

2013 Chevy Volt gets $4,000 incentive, more if leasing a competitor’s vehicle (via Autoblog Green)

GREEN BUSINESS

Green product growth outpaced others during recession (via Environmental Leader)

Under-fire Sustainable Forestry Initiative revising standards (via Environmental Leader)

Chemical companies seek to limit federal LEED green building (via Bloomberg)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS

Canadian ambassador: Alberta’s oil sands crude “will get to market” (via Houston Chronicle)

Can the new social cost of carbon estimate help stop Keystone XL? (via TriplePundit)

POLITICS

Two Senate panels compete for control over ethanol mandate (via National Journal)

Steven Chu Q&A on Solyndra, Keystone, and US grid (via San Francisco Chronicle)

DOE official violated nepotism policy, says inspector general (via The Hill)

OPINION

What to make of a climate change plateau (via New York Times)

Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) will bring more clean energy investment (via Climate Progress)

Who’ll get stuck with San Onofre’s $3 billion tab? (via Greenwire)

Silver linings in IEA report on 2012 fossil fuel carbon emissions (via The Guardian)

Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.10.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

IEA says global carbon emissions hit record high in 2012 (via Reuters)

US and China agree to wind down production and use of greenhouse gas (via Washington Post)

RGGI carbon auction raises a record $124.5 million (via Bloomberg)

College fossil fuel divestments don’t harm oil and gas or school fund performance (via Environmental Leader)

NUCLEAR

Nuclear plant closures show industry’s struggles (via Yahoo!/AP)

California’s San Onofre nuclear plant to close for good (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES

China invests billions in US, European renewable energy projects (via CleanTechnica)

Wind generates 38% more than nuclear in India during first half of FY2013 (via Panchabuta)

Chile’s businesses set for 600MW renewable energy boost (via BusinessGreen)

WWF campaign calls for $40 billion in renewable energy investments (via Renew Grid)

Utilities and solar advocates square off over future (via Washington Post)

Oxford PV touts 15.4% efficiency record for solar glass technology (via BusinessGreen)

New solar guide could tap 3.3GW potential of HOA communities (via CleanTechnica)

Minnesota to define the value of solar power (via Midwest Energy News)

Wind turbines withstand E5 Oklahoma tornadoes (via BusinessGreen)

CLIMATE

IEA outlines global climate action plan (via BusinessGreen)

Climate change causing Pentagon planning shift, says DOD strategist (via The Hill)

Study: most investors don’t support climate-related shareholder resolutions (via TriplePundit)

Tough spot for farmers: adapting to climate change they don’t believe in (via Grist)

OIL

OPEC’s slipping grasp on the world’s oil market (via Globe and Mail)

US shale boom putting OPEC on the defense (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking foes push California governor on ban (via Houston Chronicle)

Abandoned Texas oil wells raise fears of pollution (via New York Times)

GRID

More utilities set to pursue advanced distribution management systems (via Renew Grid)

Texas grid girds for summer onslaught (via Houston Chronicle)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Shale exploration in China set to explode, says analyst (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION

What’s the future of electric cars? (via National Journal)

California is closing a huge nuclear plant, so what will replace it? (via Washington Post)

What happens when California’s 33% renewable mandate is met? (via Greentech Media)

Posted: | Categories: california, Chile, China, Divestment, Electric Vehicle, emissions, ERCOT, europe, ev, Extreme weather, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, grid, HFC, Hydroflorocarbons, IEA, india, International Energy Agency, minnesota, natural gas, News, nuclear, oil, oklahoma, OPEC, regional greenhouse gas initiative, Renewable energy standard, res, rggi, San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station, Severe weather, Shale gas, Shale oil, solar, Solar glass, solar pv, SONGS, Teas, The Solar Foundation, TSF, wind, World Wildlife Fund, wwf

Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.6.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

Research assigns US three times CO2 reduction responsibility as China (via Bloomberg)

Brazil’s emissions fall 39% since 2005, now 10% below 1990 levels (via Mongabay)

Obama officials raise “social cost” of carbon in federal regulations (via The Hill)

Schools addressing students’ fossil fears without divesting (via Bloomberg)

OIL

Canada oil output will double by 2030 if pipelines are built (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

US crude output exceeds imports for first time in 16 years (via Houston Chronicle)

BP to pump $1 billion into its Alaska drilling efforts (via Grist)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Smarter energy use by UK industry could cut electricity demand 75% (via Phys.org)

Amendments could sink bipartisan Senate energy efficiency bill (via Politico)

RENEWABLES

UK solar investment jeopardized by EU tariffs on China (via Bloomberg)

Japan PM’s power plan lifts renewables at utility expense (via Bloomberg)

Brazil may unlock 21GW renewable energy market (via Recharge)

US solar PV demand to grow 20% in 2013 to 4.3GW (via CleanTechnica)

Interior Department Approves Up to 4Gw Of New Renewable Energy Projects (via CleanTechnica)

Will Master Limited Partnerships campaign put wind tax credit at risk? (via Politico)

DOE issues regulatory roadmap to spur geothermal energy development (via Green Car Congress)

Offshore wind advances create greentech investment opportunities (via Greentech Media)

Solar gardens taking root in US communities (via EarthTechling)

MIT creates solar potential map of Cambridge (via Treehugger)

Renewable energy gets a rural boost in Colorado (via Climate Progress)

Michigan legislators seek offshore wind power restrictions (via Record-Eagle)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

UK prepares for US-style shale gas boom (via CNN Money)

Summer to bring upward pressure on US natural gas prices (via Wall Street Journal)

EPA Inspector General to investigate efforts to reduce natural gas pipeline leaks (via Washington Post/AP)

With more solar on the way, does Xcel need more gas peakers? (via Midwest Energy News)

North Carolina House panel Oks more cautious fracking bill (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE

Russia continues to block UN climate talks (via RTCC)

As extreme weather increases, Bangladesh braces for the worst (via Yale e360)

How investors can help avert climate catastrophe (via GreenBiz)

Stormy weather set to increase due to climate change (via RTCC)

Rising sea levels, stronger storms will threaten US coasts through end of century (via Times-Picayune)

The Obama climate move that nobody noticed (via Grist)

US tailors regional climate plans to help farmers beat the heat (via Bloomberg)

Agriculture Secretary: “America must take steps now” on climate (via The Hill)

COAL

China to cut coal use in key industrial regions (via Reuters)

Sierra Club sues BNEF over coal dust from trains in Washington State (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION

US new-car average gas mileage at highest level ever: 24.8 MPG (via Green Car Reports)

US hybrid & plug-in sales continue strong gains, 32,300 PEVs sold in 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

EPA to issue ethanol use targets this summer (via Reuters)

US added 180 EV charging stations in May (via Autoblog Green)

Study says California’s low-carbon fuel rule is working, but threats loom (via InsideClimate News)

GRID

Smart and micro grids can minimize power outages during hurricane season (via Breaking Energy)

Cheap batteries for backup renewable energy (via MIT Technology Review)

POLITICS

Americans for Prosperity targets Democrats up for re-election with anti-carbon tax campaign (via The Hill)

Congressional Democrats change climate message to focus on disaster costs (via ClimateWire)

Offshore drilling proponents launch new Congressional push (via Houston Chronicle)

The billionaire force behind GOP attempts to dismantle Maine’s renewable energy standards (via Bangor Daily News)

OPINION

EU solar outlook still bright after binge (via Reuters)

Global signs of leadership on clean energy (via WRI Insights)

Why I wanted to be CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (via Greentech Media)

Don’t let another hurricane season blow by without climate action (via The Hill)

Now is the time to be an infrastructure hawk, not a deficit hawk (via Washington Post)

An obscure new rule on microwaves can tell us a lot about Obama’s climate policies (via Washington Post)

Posted: | Categories: Agriculture Department, alaska, american wind energy association, Americans for Prosperity, awea, Bangladesh, barack obama, battery, BNEF, BP, Brazil, california, Cambridge, canada, carbon tax, China, climate, coal, colorado, department of energy, Divestment, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, EV charging infrastructure, Extreme weather, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, geothermal, grid, hybrid, interior department, investment, japan, Jeanne Shaheen, Maine, massachusetts, Master limited partnerships, Methane leakage, michigan, Microgrids, MIT, MLP, natural gas, News, North Carolina, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, Pipelines, production tax credit, ptc, Renewable energy standard, renewables, res, Rob Portman, Russia, Sea level rise, Severe weather, Shale gas, Shinzo Abe, sierra club, smart grid, Social cost of carbon, solar, Solar gardens, solar pv, Solar trade war, Tom Kiernan, Tom Vilsack, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Washington State, xcel energy

Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.4.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

Airlines agree to curb their emissions by 2020 (via The Guardian)

UK confirms backing for stronger EU 2030 emissions targets (via BusinessGreen)

Traffic gridlock grows in African cities, expanding once-tiny carbon footprint (via ClimateWire)

Hotels work together to standardize measuring carbon footprint (via Sustainable Business)

CLIMATE

US and China intensify climate cooperation (via RTCC)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy efficiency retrofits ramp up in China (via GreenBiz)

Energy efficiency firms are eating European utilities’ lunch (via Reuters)

Vehicle program to be stripped from Senate efficiency bill to shrink price tag (via E&E Daily)

COAL

A little less coal in China – 6 ways it is lowering consumption (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES

European Union backs down on China solar tariffs (via New York Times)

Climate change likely to thwart biofuel goals (via Houston Chronicle)

Harnessing India’s clean energy Tower Power (via Renew Economy)

Japanese solar industry soaring (via CleanTechnica)

Solar, biomass push out offshore wind in EU targets (via Reuters)

Could climate bonds become a major force in green finance? (via Environmental Leader)

States buffeted by turbulent wind industry (via Stateline)

State renewable energy laws survive repeal attempts – so far (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

Interior Department to unveil plans for offshore wind leases (via The Hill)

Interior Department approves 520MW of renewables (via Greentech Media)

Solar executives okay with declining incentives in Colorado (via Denver Post)

OIL

Russia joins forces with Scandinavia to finance Arctic oil rush (via Bloomberg)

Kinder Morgan to extend Eagle Ford pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION

EVs are getting as cheap as gasoline rivals (via Los Angeles Times)

Nissan Leaf continues strong sales with 2,138; Chevy Volt moves 1,607 (via Autoblog Green)

EV sales in May on pace for 80,000 per year (via Facts of the Day)

Battery advice from Elon Musk: plugged in at full charge is worst thing to do (via San Jose Mercury News)

ENERGY POLICY

Energy companies call regulatory changes their greatest threat (via Houston Chronicle)

House GOP dusts off energy bills to expand drilling, pipelines (via Politico)

Tea Party targeting Southern Company over solar and nuclear (via San Francisco Chronicle/AP)

Massachusetts launches green bond program to fund clean energy projects (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT

China says rural environmental problems and pollution worsened in 2012 (via Reuters)

Extreme weather worsens US wheat production, cuts market share (via Bloomberg)

Severe storms bring more “weather whiplash” to US (via Climate Central)

NUCLEAR

Worldwide capacity of small modular reactors could pass 18GW by 2030 (via Navigant Research)

Scientists say Fukushima radioactivity in seafood poses minimal health risk (via Phys.org)

Plans for Iowa nuclear power plant scrapped over design, cost concerns (via Des Moines Register)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Illinois must adopt fracking rules, hire experts before expanding drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID

Farmers oppose expanding Kansas wind power transmission line (via Topeka Capital-Journal)

POLITICS

Sen. Alexander proposes “grand principles” for cheaper sustainable energy (via The Hill)

Billionaire Steyer to target Obama supporters in anti-Keystone effort (via The Hill)

OPINION

3 reasons Chinese solar inverters are half the cost of American inverters (via Breaking Energy)

How to settle the US-China solar war (via Greentech Media)

Tesla was not, in fact, worse than Solyndra (via Grist)

What’s good for Arizona Public Service Isn’t Good for Arizona – or solar (via Greentech Media)

Posted: | Categories: africa, arctic, arizona, aviation, barack obama, battery, biofuel, biomass, carbon footprint, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate bonds, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Eagle Ford Shale, Electric Vehicle, Elon Musk, emissions, Emissions reduction, Energy Efficiency, environment, EU, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, fracking, fukushima, grid, Illinois, Incentives, india, interior department, investment, Iowa, japan, Jean Shaheen, kansas, Keystone XL, Kinder Morgan, Lamar Alexander, massachusetts, natural gas, News, nissan LEAF, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Pipeline, Pollution, radioactivity, regulation, Renewable energy portfolio, Renewable energy standard, renewables, res, Rob Portman, rps, Russia, Severe weather, Shale oil, Small modular reactors, solar, Solar tariffs, Solar trade war, solyndra, Southern Company, tea party, Tesla, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Weather whiplash, wind

Category Archives:ev

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