germany | Indoor Air Quality Lab

Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.23.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

Chinese finance minister confirms carbon tax is on its way (via BusinessGreen)

Zero-carbon Britain is possible by 2030, claims new report (via Treehugger)

COAL

EU finance arm to decide on curbing loans to coal-fired power (via Reuters)

CLIMATE

UN climate change deal “may not be feasible” by 2015 (via RTCC)

Climate change slowdown due to warming of deep oceans, say scientists (via The Guardian)

DOE examines climate change impact on energy sector (via Breaking Energy)

New EPA chief exhorts agency staff to “act now on climate change” (via The Hill)

Alaska looks for answers in glacier’s summer flood surges (via New York Times)

Schwarzenegger filming documentary on climate change and wildfires (via Christian Science Monitor/AP)

RENEWABLES

Thailand boosts solar target 50% to 3,000MW (via Bloomberg)

Wind turbine battleground shifts for European and Chinese rivals (via Reuters)

Central American solar markets spurred on by high electricity prices (via Greentech Media)

Solar provides Germany 50% of power at peak hour (via Facts of the Day)

Grid-connected solar capacity in India crosses 1.7GW (via Panchabuta)

Over 1GW and 11,000 jobs for Australian solar industry in 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

With push from tax break, wind industry slowly moves out of the doldrums (via ClimateWire)

Hydropower: the unsung hero of renewable energy (via Christian Science Monitor)

Foster’s solar-skinned buildings signal market tripling (via Bloomberg)

Advocates, foes of biofuels mandate get ready to rumble (via The Hill)

Interior Department announces Virginia offshore wind lease sale (via The Hill)

Oklahoma wind farms to provide power to Arkansas, Nebraska (via The Oklahoman)

Palo Alto switches to 100% renewables – at a cost of $3 per year (via Renew Economy)

Vestas joins DOE, Texas Tech to launch unique wind research facility (via Renewable Energy World)

NATURAL GAS

US natural gas spot prices increased during first-half 2013 (via US EIA)

US rules on fracking on public lands seen costing drillers $345 million (via Reuters)

Kansas regulators considering new fracking rules (via Kansas City Star)

Minnesota agencies crafting frack sand mining rules (via Daily News/AP)

Welcome to Portage County, the fracking waste disposal capital of Ohio (via Grist)

ENVIRONMENT

China to implement stricter air quality controls (via China Daily)

Arctic’s boreal forests burning at “unprecedented” rate (via Climate Central)

Pakistan now “one of the most water-stressed countries in the world” as demand exceeds supply (via Climate Progress)

NUCLEAR

Japanese utility admits Fukushima leaking radioactive water into the sea (via AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Retail lease modifications can improve efficiency (via Environmental Leader)

CBRE initiative highlights most energy efficient real estate tenants (via GreenBiz)

Program shaves electricity bills 34% for low-income South Carolina homes (via Forbes)

OIL

Oil production in Eagle Ford Shale jumped 58% in May (via Houston Chronicle)

48,000 barrels of oil spilled in Quebec train derailment (via Montreal Gazette)

TRANSPORTATION

Electric vehicle sales are skyrocketing in America (via Grist)

Electric cars selling faster than hybrids did at same point (via Green Car Reports)

GRID

Wholesale electricity prices rise across the United States (via US EIA)

California and Texas smart grid success shows way forward for US (via CleanTechnica)

POLITICS

Republicans propose limiting Obama climate plan in budget (via Bloomberg)

Feds fall short of green job goals (via Greenwire)

Lobbyists to hit Hill for slugfest over Renewable Fuel Standard (via E&E Daily)

OPINION

Australian carbon tax abandoned – what lessons can be learned? (via Triple Pundit)

Echoes of Solyndra in Oregon wind farm probe (via Politico)

Posted: | Categories: Air pollution, alaska, arctic, Arkansas, Arnold Schwarzenegger, australia, barack obama, biofuels, Britain, california, carbon tax, CBRE, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, DOE, Eagle Ford Shale, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, Frack sand, fracking, fukushima, germany, Gina McCarthy, green building, grid, Hydropower, india, interior department, japan, kansas, minnesota, natural gas, Nebraska, News, nuclear, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, oregon, pakistan, palo alto, production tax credit, ptc, Quebec, Renewable fuels mandate, renewables, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, solyndra, south carolina, texas, Texas Tech, Thailand, Transportation, UN, united nations, vestas, virginia, Water scarcity, wildfires, wind

Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.22.13 share

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

TAR SANDS

“Nobody understands” spills at Alberta oil sands operation (via The Star)

State Department approves US-Canada pipeline – it’s not Keystone XL (via Christian Science Monitor)

EMISSIONS

Trees absorb lower levels of pollution in hot weather (via RTCC)

EPA names interim air pollution chief to lead carbon crackdown (via The Hill)

GRID

Which states are leading in smart grid? (via Greentech Media)

FERC’s energy storage ruling could jump-start big batteries (via Greentech Media)

The challenge and cost of interconnecting power projects to the grid (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES

Global biofuels production infrastructure will attract $69 billion in capital investment between 2013-2023 (via Navigant Research)

India may expand solar dumping probe to EU, Japan cells (via Bloomberg)

Bedouin tribe talks a risk in Saudi solar drive (via Bloomberg)

Coal-heavy South Africa eyes wind and solar additions (via RTCC)

Canada to add 450MW of new solar PV in next five years (via Recharge)

UK energy companies paying a heavy price for shunning renewables (via The Guardian)

Solar module costs down 20% in 2013 (via Renew Economy)

Renewables provide 25% of new US electrical generating capacity in first half 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

Excel, Interior Department approvals add almost 2GW of wind (via Sustainable Business)

Oil companies break with trade group on renewable fuel mandate (via Houston Chronicle)

Plan for New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm rejected by regulators (via Star-Ledger)

Texas A&M launches world’s biggest solar photovoltaic R&D facility (via CleanTechnica)

OIL

Canadian oil storage hubs set to expand 25% by 2015 (via Reuters)

US, Canada chug ahead with oil shipments by rail despite risks (via Washington Post)

WTI oil reaches highest price in 16 months (via Houston Chronicle)

Judge denies BP effort to halt Gulf spill claim payouts (via Reuters)

New platforms rise to meet Gulf of Mexico drilling boom (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION

UK government committing additional $763 million to support EVs through 2020 (via Green Car Congress)

Why not a plug-in hybrid minivan? (via Plugin Cars)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Federal study finds natural gas fracking chemicals didn’t spread to aquifers (via Washington Post/AP)

North Carolina fracking moratorium remains in place (via Charlotte Observer)

California fracking moratorium regulations near approval (NBC News)

Fracking filmmakers reflect unusual political twists in gas drilling debate (via Washington Post/AP)

CLIMATE

Forest fires expected to worsen as climate warms (via The Good Human)

Continuing heat, drought, flooding make up this year’s weather story (via ClimateWire)

Waxman: climate regulations won’t revive legislation (via The Hill)

Vulnerable Maryland weighs threat of sea-level rise (via Washington Post)

COAL

UK consumers to pay “dirty” coal power subsidies for years (via The Independent)

As EPA head, McCarthy will focus on coal. Oil and gas, not so much (via Triple Pundit)

GREEN BUILDING

Top 6 cities leading the green building revolution (via EarthTechling)

A new concept: sustainability incubator for cities (via Sustainable Business)

NUCLEAR

Germany rebuffs European nuclear power subsidy proposal (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

California non-residential building owners must disclose energy usage (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS

The case against EPA political bias (via Politico)

Ernest Moniz to restructure top leadership at Energy Department (via Politico)

OPINION

Shouldn’t climate scientists try harder to communicate their findings? (via The Guardian)

Putting more wind power on the grid (via Los Angeles Times)

US playing game of catch-up in rapidly changing Arctic (via Climate Central)

Why it’s hard for the US government to create green jobs (via Washington Post)

Why new EPA chief Gina McCarthy will be so important to cleantech (via Greentech Media)

When will utilities get a clue about social media? (via Greentech Media)

How do we use electricity? (via Grist)

Posted: | Categories: Alberta, arctic, battery, biofuels, BP, california, canada, climate, Climate Change, coal, DOE, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Department, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, European Union, ev, Excel, FERC, Flooding, fracking, Fracking moratorium, germany, Gina McCarthy, global warming, green building, green jobs, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Henry Waxman, india, Interconnection, interior department, japan, Keystone XL, maryland, natural gas, new jersey, News, North Carolina, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, plug-in hybrid, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, Severe weather, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, South Africa, Subsidy, tar sands, texas, Texas A&M, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wildfires, wind

Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.22.13 share

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

TAR SANDS

“Nobody understands” spills at Alberta oil sands operation (via The Star)

State Department approves US-Canada pipeline – it’s not Keystone XL (via Christian Science Monitor)

EMISSIONS

Trees absorb lower levels of pollution in hot weather (via RTCC)

EPA names interim air pollution chief to lead carbon crackdown (via The Hill)

GRID

Which states are leading in smart grid? (via Greentech Media)

FERC’s energy storage ruling could jump-start big batteries (via Greentech Media)

The challenge and cost of interconnecting power projects to the grid (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES

Global biofuels production infrastructure will attract $69 billion in capital investment between 2013-2023 (via Navigant Research)

India may expand solar dumping probe to EU, Japan cells (via Bloomberg)

Bedouin tribe talks a risk in Saudi solar drive (via Bloomberg)

Coal-heavy South Africa eyes wind and solar additions (via RTCC)

Canada to add 450MW of new solar PV in next five years (via Recharge)

UK energy companies paying a heavy price for shunning renewables (via The Guardian)

Solar module costs down 20% in 2013 (via Renew Economy)

Renewables provide 25% of new US electrical generating capacity in first half 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

Excel, Interior Department approvals add almost 2GW of wind (via Sustainable Business)

Oil companies break with trade group on renewable fuel mandate (via Houston Chronicle)

Plan for New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm rejected by regulators (via Star-Ledger)

Texas A&M launches world’s biggest solar photovoltaic R&D facility (via CleanTechnica)

OIL

Canadian oil storage hubs set to expand 25% by 2015 (via Reuters)

US, Canada chug ahead with oil shipments by rail despite risks (via Washington Post)

WTI oil reaches highest price in 16 months (via Houston Chronicle)

Judge denies BP effort to halt Gulf spill claim payouts (via Reuters)

New platforms rise to meet Gulf of Mexico drilling boom (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION

UK government committing additional $763 million to support EVs through 2020 (via Green Car Congress)

Why not a plug-in hybrid minivan? (via Plugin Cars)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Federal study finds natural gas fracking chemicals didn’t spread to aquifers (via Washington Post/AP)

North Carolina fracking moratorium remains in place (via Charlotte Observer)

California fracking moratorium regulations near approval (NBC News)

Fracking filmmakers reflect unusual political twists in gas drilling debate (via Washington Post/AP)

CLIMATE

Forest fires expected to worsen as climate warms (via The Good Human)

Continuing heat, drought, flooding make up this year’s weather story (via ClimateWire)

Waxman: climate regulations won’t revive legislation (via The Hill)

Vulnerable Maryland weighs threat of sea-level rise (via Washington Post)

COAL

UK consumers to pay “dirty” coal power subsidies for years (via The Independent)

As EPA head, McCarthy will focus on coal. Oil and gas, not so much (via Triple Pundit)

GREEN BUILDING

Top 6 cities leading the green building revolution (via EarthTechling)

A new concept: sustainability incubator for cities (via Sustainable Business)

NUCLEAR

Germany rebuffs European nuclear power subsidy proposal (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

California non-residential building owners must disclose energy usage (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS

The case against EPA political bias (via Politico)

Ernest Moniz to restructure top leadership at Energy Department (via Politico)

OPINION

Shouldn’t climate scientists try harder to communicate their findings? (via The Guardian)

Putting more wind power on the grid (via Los Angeles Times)

US playing game of catch-up in rapidly changing Arctic (via Climate Central)

Why it’s hard for the US government to create green jobs (via Washington Post)

Why new EPA chief Gina McCarthy will be so important to cleantech (via Greentech Media)

When will utilities get a clue about social media? (via Greentech Media)

How do we use electricity? (via Grist)

Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.19.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

EU and China launch joint scheme to tackle emissions (via RTCC)

China finance minister backs carbon tax (via RTCC)

Conservatives attack each other over carbon tax plans (via ClimateWire)

COAL

Asia’s coal use grows despite gas challenge (via Wall Street Journal)

Ex-Im Bank rejects financing for Vietnam coal plant, citing global warming (via Washington Post/AP)

RENEWABLES

China’s solar feud with West leads to tax (via New York Times)

Chilly offshore wind lurks for Europe (via EarthTechling)

Solar energy storage about to take off in Germany and California (via Forbes)

US renewable energy use soared in 2012 – report (via RTCC)

Federal credit: Government financing for clean energy (via Center for American Progress)

State renewable energy mandates find improbable backers – farmers (via Wall Street Journal)

White House steps up biofuel support amid escalating attacks (via The Hill)

Ethanol RIN credits have climbed 2,000% this year, but where do they go now? (via Autoblog Green)

Biodiesel can solve the ethanol debate, say supporters (via Houston Chronicle)

Is a 50% efficient solar cell on the horizon? (via GigaOm)

Plugging into military solar (via Renewable Energy World)

First community solar projects launched in Minnesota (via Star-Tribune)

CLIMATE

Snow and Arctic sea ice extent plummet suddenly as globe bakes (via Washington Post)

Sensitive information: A peek inside the next IPCC assessment (via The Economist)

Record June heat extends globe’s streak to 340 months (via Climate Central)

EU pledges to support China’s climate effort (via BusinessGreen)

“Drunken” weather pattern leads to deadly heat (via Climate Central)

New EPA chief McCarthy will take on sweeping climate agenda (via Politico)

More states requiring insurers to complete climate risk survey (via Environmental Leader)

KEYSTONE XL

TransCanada exec: Keystone pipeline date may slide again (via The Hill)

Keystone risk worries US oil sands investors (via Houston Chronicle)

TransCanada rebuffs EPA call to run Keystone pumps with renewables (via Bloomberg)

Zichal: Obama “raised the bar” on Keystone’s climate impacts (via Politico)

ENERGY POLICY

Britain plans tax breaks for shale gas investment (via Reuters)

Mexico’s conservatives propose “deep” energy reform, concessions (via Reuters)

US oil and gas boom is straining the country’s infrastructure (via Washington Post)

Utility customer satisfaction is way up in the US (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Renters can help US save energy (via C2ES)

California is proof that energy efficiency works (via Greentech Media)

Upgraded EPA Energy Star Portfolio Manager offers lifecycle feature (via Energy Manager Today)

GRID

Europe’s smart meter race hitting its stride (via Greentech Media)

Short-term real-time power prices reflect system strain during Northeast heat wave (via US EIA)

OIL

Is Arctic oil exploration dead in the US? (via EnergyWire)

US approval of Enbridge pipeline plan irks some oil shippers (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION

Los Angeles extends rebates for electric car chargers (via Plugin Cars)

It’s official: General Motors now sees Tesla as a threat (via Green Car Reports)

Chrysler tests EV technology to shave peak power on grid (via Energy Manager Today)

GM to test utility-controlled solar charging for electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

ENVIRONMENT

Largest lake in Middle East region may dry up (via Bloomberg)

Texas drought forecast to continue, perhaps for years (via StateImpact Texas)

POLITICS

Senate confirms Gina McCarthy as EPA administrator (via Washington Post)

Lawmakers concerned new carbon metric developed in secret (via The Hill)

Murkowski says Keystone amendment won’t kill efficiency bill (via The Hill)

Building bipartisan collaboration on energy competition? (via Energy Collective)

Insurance industry, Republicans split on climate change (via Bloomberg)

OPINION

Poll finds broad public support for Obama climate plan (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil industry should blame itself for federal fracking rules (via Forbes)

Morality is missing from debate about sustainable behavior (via The Guardian)

It’s hot as hell and the grid’s not gonna take it anymore (via Greentech Media)

Stuff white people like: denying climate change (via Grist)

Is renewable energy just “Hamburger Helper?” (via Forbes)

Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.19.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

EU and China launch joint scheme to tackle emissions (via RTCC)

China finance minister backs carbon tax (via RTCC)

Conservatives attack each other over carbon tax plans (via ClimateWire)

COAL

Asia’s coal use grows despite gas challenge (via Wall Street Journal)

Ex-Im Bank rejects financing for Vietnam coal plant, citing global warming (via Washington Post/AP)

RENEWABLES

China’s solar feud with West leads to tax (via New York Times)

Chilly offshore wind lurks for Europe (via EarthTechling)

Solar energy storage about to take off in Germany and California (via Forbes)

US renewable energy use soared in 2012 – report (via RTCC)

Federal credit: Government financing for clean energy (via Center for American Progress)

State renewable energy mandates find improbable backers – farmers (via Wall Street Journal)

White House steps up biofuel support amid escalating attacks (via The Hill)

Ethanol RIN credits have climbed 2,000% this year, but where do they go now? (via Autoblog Green)

Biodiesel can solve the ethanol debate, say supporters (via Houston Chronicle)

Is a 50% efficient solar cell on the horizon? (via GigaOm)

Plugging into military solar (via Renewable Energy World)

First community solar projects launched in Minnesota (via Star-Tribune)

CLIMATE

Snow and Arctic sea ice extent plummet suddenly as globe bakes (via Washington Post)

Sensitive information: A peek inside the next IPCC assessment (via The Economist)

Record June heat extends globe’s streak to 340 months (via Climate Central)

EU pledges to support China’s climate effort (via BusinessGreen)

“Drunken” weather pattern leads to deadly heat (via Climate Central)

New EPA chief McCarthy will take on sweeping climate agenda (via Politico)

More states requiring insurers to complete climate risk survey (via Environmental Leader)

KEYSTONE XL

TransCanada exec: Keystone pipeline date may slide again (via The Hill)

Keystone risk worries US oil sands investors (via Houston Chronicle)

TransCanada rebuffs EPA call to run Keystone pumps with renewables (via Bloomberg)

Zichal: Obama “raised the bar” on Keystone’s climate impacts (via Politico)

ENERGY POLICY

Britain plans tax breaks for shale gas investment (via Reuters)

Mexico’s conservatives propose “deep” energy reform, concessions (via Reuters)

US oil and gas boom is straining the country’s infrastructure (via Washington Post)

Utility customer satisfaction is way up in the US (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Renters can help US save energy (via C2ES)

California is proof that energy efficiency works (via Greentech Media)

Upgraded EPA Energy Star Portfolio Manager offers lifecycle feature (via Energy Manager Today)

GRID

Europe’s smart meter race hitting its stride (via Greentech Media)

Short-term real-time power prices reflect system strain during Northeast heat wave (via US EIA)

OIL

Is Arctic oil exploration dead in the US? (via EnergyWire)

US approval of Enbridge pipeline plan irks some oil shippers (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION

Los Angeles extends rebates for electric car chargers (via Plugin Cars)

It’s official: General Motors now sees Tesla as a threat (via Green Car Reports)

Chrysler tests EV technology to shave peak power on grid (via Energy Manager Today)

GM to test utility-controlled solar charging for electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

ENVIRONMENT

Largest lake in Middle East region may dry up (via Bloomberg)

Texas drought forecast to continue, perhaps for years (via StateImpact Texas)

POLITICS

Senate confirms Gina McCarthy as EPA administrator (via Washington Post)

Lawmakers concerned new carbon metric developed in secret (via The Hill)

Murkowski says Keystone amendment won’t kill efficiency bill (via The Hill)

Building bipartisan collaboration on energy competition? (via Energy Collective)

Insurance industry, Republicans split on climate change (via Bloomberg)

OPINION

Poll finds broad public support for Obama climate plan (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil industry should blame itself for federal fracking rules (via Forbes)

Morality is missing from debate about sustainable behavior (via The Guardian)

It’s hot as hell and the grid’s not gonna take it anymore (via Greentech Media)

Stuff white people like: denying climate change (via Grist)

Is renewable energy just “Hamburger Helper?” (via Forbes)

Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.18.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

UN carbon’s longest rally to persist on supply crunch (via Bloomberg)

Australia carbon link may spur EU management panel, says Accenture (via Bloomberg)

EU-Australia CO2 union shows price tension (via Reuters)

Geology matters when it comes to storing carbon (via Climate Central)

21% of households account for 50% of greenhouse gas emissions (via Phys.org)

White House regulatory chief defends “social cost of carbon” boost (via The Hill)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

How will cheaper natural gas affect business and the economy? (via Washington Post)

Interior Secretary defends federal fracking regulations (via Bloomberg)

California officials wrestle with handling fracking trade secrets (via Los Angeles Times)

RENEWABLES

Saudi Arabia aims to be world’s largest renewable energy market (via Arab News)

China hits US and South Korea with solar material duties, skirts EU decision (via Reuters)

India unveils plans for massive concentrated solar power (via RTCC)

Is Germany the hot spot for battery-backed solar? (via Greentech Media)

New wind and solar can supply 100% of annual US electricity load growth (via Facts of the Day)

CLIMATE

NASA: Globally, June was second warmest on record (via Climate Progress)

Researchers project ice-free Arctic by 2058 (via Phys.org)

EU hails China’s commitment to climate change (via Fox News/Agence-France Presse)

Fossil fuels tax to fund climate efforts proposed at UN talks (via RTCC)

Bill to shift NOAA resources to weather marches on (via Climate Central)

Zichal: Climate rules can be finished during Obama’s term (via Politico)

Reid blames climate change for wildfires: “West is burning” (via Las Vegas Review-Journal)

CIA backs $630,000 study on controlling climate change (via Grist)

After wildfire tragedy, talk of global warming’s contribution a delicate matter (via InsideClimate News)

OIL

China pumps crude at fastest pace since 2010 as oil prices climb (via Bloomberg)

US Gulf oil profits will lure $16 billion in more rigs by 2015 (via Houston Chronicle)

US ranks #5 on petroleum risk list (via Breaking Energy)

Exxon secrecy over ruptured pipeline may mask national danger (via Houston Chronicle)

Gulf of Mexico oil sheen traced to Deepwater Horizon rig wreckage (via Los Angeles Times)

Enbridge seeks swift approval of 600-mile Midwest oil pipeline, pitches project at open houses (via Washington Post)

Anadarko, unshaken by Deepwater Horizon legacy, builds big in Gulf of Mexico (via Forbes)

US Air Force to study drilling for oil off California coast (via Los Angeles Times)

TRANSPORTATION

United Kingdom invests £1 billion in low-carbon auto manufacturing (via CleanTechnica)

Comparing driving costs of EVs and conventional cars (via Energy Collective)

Report says efficient urban transportation could save world $70 trillion (via Inhabitat)

“Dreamliner” nightmare continues: 787 catches fire in London (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Creating climate wealth through energy efficient buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

LED lights saved $675 million in energy costs in 2012 (via The Good Human)

Obama’s plan for energy-efficient federal buildings powered by clean energy (via Climate Progress)

New federal buildings face higher efficiency standard (via EarthTechling)

GRID

Electricity prices soar past $200 per MWh as heatwave hits Eastern US (via Energy Collective)

USDA awards another $18 million in smart grid funding to rural utilities (via Renew Grid)

ENVIRONMENT

World Bank: environmental damage costing India nearly 6% of GDP (via BusinessGreen)

Interior Secretary says drought may cause record wildfires in US (via Bloomberg)

Texas ranks last on US green state list (via Houston Chronicle)

GREEN BUSINESS

Sustainable manufacturing “can boost profits $15 billion annually” (via Environmental Leader)

Green consumers are brand loyal (via Mother Nature Network)

Report: companies see climate risks but few take action (via The Hill)

OPINION

The World Bank cuts off coal funding – how big an impact will it have? (via Washington Post)

UK government over-estimating future fuel prices (via Reuters)

US can’t afford to cede green energy industry to competitors (via Christian Science Monitor)

Burning fossil fuels imperils our ability to burn fossil fuels (via Mother Jones)

The carbon footprints lead to you (via Washington Post)

Global warming is making life hell for firefighters (via Motherboard)

Will bioenergy with carbon capture save us? (via EarthTechling)

Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.15.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

Australia to scrap carbon tax for trading scheme (via Agence France-Presse)

California cap and trade could mean data center cost bumps (via GigaOm)

CLIMATE

Ice sheets melting at rate of 300 billion tons a year, shows climate satellites (via The Independent)

Study shows climate change happening too quickly for species to adapt (via The Guardian)

After Sandy, New York aims to fortify itself against next big storm & climate change (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES

Solar PV to hit grid parity, $134 billion annual revenue by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

Annual offshore wind investment to hit €18 billion by 2016 (via Renewable Energy World)

China vows to quadruple solar generating capacity by 2015 (via Reuters)

EU plans probe on German renewable energy law (via Reuters)

Europe installs 1GW offshore wind capacity in first half 2013 (via BusinessGreen)

The history of biofuels goes back 300 years (via Autoblog Green)

US court says biofuel producers must face carbon emissions rules (via Reuters)

Georgia PSC orders 525MW more solar power capacity by 2016 (via Atlanta Business Chronicle)

New York inches toward offshore wind energy (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS

France’s president rules out shale gas exploration (via Reuters)

Sen. Wyden: natural gas proposal coming soon (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT

Study: world’s coral reefs face serious problems by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Sweeping parts of southern seas could become a nature preserve (via NPR)

Study says removing coastal habitat doubles flood impact (via Phys.org)

Canada’s second-largest fire on record spreads smoke to Europe (via Weather Underground)

Wind power and this bird get along fine (via EarthTechling)

OIL

Full extent of heavy metal contamination in Arkansas Exxon oil spill still unknown (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION

UK aims for low-carbon vehicles with £1 billion R&D center (via BusinessGreen)

GM to double models with 40-mpg highway or better by 2017 (via Green Car Congress)

Battery-electric cars are outselling plug-in hybrids (via Green Car Reports)

Better Place bought out of bankruptcy for $12 million (via GigaOm)

Study projects Tesla Roadster packs will retain 80-85% capacity after 100k miles (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla trims Model S reservation price in half (via CleanTechnica)

One year with my Chevy Volt (via CleanTechnica)

Connecticut to fund $200,000 in public charging station incentives (via Autoblog Green)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Federal building efficiency standard could cut energy use 18% (via Environmental Leader)

DOE set to order energy efficiency standards for US computers and servers (via The Hill)

GREEN BUSINESS

Recycling saved General Motors $1 billion in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Skanska quits US Chamber of Commerce over anti-LEED lobbying (via BusinessGreen)

NUCLEAR

IAEA says aging nuclear reactors pose safety challenge (via Reuters)

GREEN BUILDING

Re-imagined London tower would harvest pollution as fuel (via EarthTechling)

Munich building snags highest-ever LEED rating (via EarthTechling)

ENERGY POLICY

Water scarcity from climate change could jack up Europe’s power prices (via Climate Progress)

World Bank abandons coal, green-lights clean micro-grids (via Renew Economy)

When space weather attacks the grid (via Washington Post)

Ideas to bolster US power grid run up against system’s many owners (via New York Times)

Flush with oil and gas cash, North Dakota’s economic growth tops in nation (via Stateline)

POLITICS

Rudd seeks to ditch carbon tax with eye on election campaign (via Bloomberg)

Tough job ahead as Obama puts climate talk into action, sells plan to public (via Washington Post)

Battle over EPA nominee draws to a close (via The Hill)

GOP “climate disconnect” would sacrifice climate research for weather forecasting (via Climate Progress)

Posted: | Categories: Arkansas, australia, battery, better place, biofuels, california, canada, cap and trade, carbon tax, chamber of commerce, chevy volt, China, climate, coal, Connecticut, Coral reef, DOE, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, EV charger, EV charging infrastructure, ExxonMobil, Flood, France, Francois Hollande, General Motors, Georgia, germany, Gina McCarthy, GM, green building, green business, grid, Grid Parity, IAEA, International Atomic Energy Association, kevin rudd, LEED, London, Microgrid, Munich, natural gas, New York City, new york state, News, north dakota, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Recycling, renewables, Ron Wyden, Shale gas, Shale oil, Skanska, solar, solar pv, Tesla, Tesla Model S, tesla roadster, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Water scarcity, Wildfire, wind, World Bank

Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.10.13 share

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

GRID

India has €2 billion market potential for high-voltage transmission lines (via Hindu Business Line)

NRG Energy looks into solar-based microgrids in Australia (via Renew Economy)

Ontario ramps up smart grid investment as coal is phased out (via Triple Pundit)

Texas calls for 317MW of compressed air energy storage (via Greentech Media)

OIL

OPEC to lose market share to shale in 2014 as rivals pump more (via Reuters)

Criminal investigation begun into deadly Canada train crash (via New York Times)

Quebec oil train explosion visible from space (via Climate Central)

North Dakota shale oil relies on rail for transport (via Grand Forks Herald)

Alaska pushing new plan for ANWR oil research (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES

India’s first wind auction stalled by court case (via Bloomberg)

China won’t introduce duties on EU polysilicon imports (via Bloomberg)

Tidal energy could power half of Scotland (via RTCC)

Wind energy in Brazil: the country of the future? (via Renewable Energy World)

Records set to be smashed as Germany’s solar output soars (via RTCC)

US passes 10GW installed solar PV capacity milestone (via CleanTechnica)

Benefits of renewables in US better seen in eastern states (via EarthTechling)

EMISSIONS

Air pollution causing higher risk of lung cancer and heart failure in Europe (via The Guardian)

Program begins large-scale CO2 injection in Michigan field test (via Green Car Congress)

COAL

EIA estimates annual US coal burn, supply to drop; exports to increase (via Platts)

Recent coal export trends: Q1 2013 (via Sightline Daily)

FirstEnergy shuttering two western Pennsylvania coal plants (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

CLIMATE

Study says small birds may be able to cope with climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

Water worries: climate change in the desert Southwest (via USA Today)

In the US heartland, a young conservative climate campaign launches (via ClimateWire)

Toronto deluged with its all-time record 1-day rainfall (via Weather Underground)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

EPA’s abandoned Wyoming fracking study one retreat of many (via High Country News)

Depleted offshore Gulf of Mexico natural gas well suffers blowout, leak (via Reuters)

Philadelphia may be marketed as natural gas hub (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Amish debate fracking and temptation (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION

Greener fuels at heart of EU’s €3.8 billion biotech package (via BusinessGreen)

US Department of Defense alternative drive vehicle spending will top $900 million by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Study finds pairing an EV with green electricity program increases buyer interest by 23% (via Green Car Congress)

TAR SANDS

Canada tar sands expansion conditionally approved despite “significant” effects on wildlife (via Globe and Mail)

ENVIRONMENT

Europe must tackle air pollution, warn UN scientists (via Climate Central)

Australia admits Barrier Reef environmental conditions are “poor” (via Phys.org)

Attitudes on GMO crops are modifying (via New York Times)

States falling short on Chesapeake Bay cleanup goals (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

NUCLEAR

Japan nuclear regulator alarmed at Fukushima contamination reports (via Reuters)

POLITICS

Report shows remarkable “climate disconnect” in House GOP voting record (via Climate Progress)

Vitter drops filibuster threat on EPA nominee McCarthy (via Washington Post)

Wealthy donors in his corner as Obama comes out swinging on climate (via InsideClimate News)

Senate Dems huddle with Obama adviser on climate plan (via The Hill)

Top US offshore drilling regulator stepping down (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION

Can Germany afford its “energy bender” shift to green power? (via BBC News)

UK’s green industrial revolution at risk from government “dithering” (via BusinessGreen)

You can’t deny global warming after seeing this graph (via Washington Post)

California energy efficiency a national role model (via EarthTechling)

Connecticut moves (mostly) ahead on clean energy (via CLF Scoop)

Posted: | Categories: Air pollution, alaska, Alberta, anwr, australia, barack obama, BOEMRE, Brazil, CAES, california, canada, Carbon sequestration, Chesapeake Bay, China, Climate Climate change, coal, Coal exports, Compressed air energy storage, Connecticut, David Vitter, Defense Department, drought, eia, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, Enhanced oil recovery, environment, EPA, EU, ev, Extreme weather, FirstEnergy, fracking, fukushima, germany, Gina McCarthy, GMO, Great Barrier Reef, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Heather Zichal, india, japan, LNG, michigan, Microgrid, natural gas, Natural gas export, News, north dakota, NRG Energy, nuclear, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, ontario, OPEC, pennsylvania, philadelphia, Quebec, renewables, Scotland, Severe weather, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, tar sands, texas, tidal energy, Toronto, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Water scarcity, wind, wyoming

Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.9.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

China says it will not set carbon cap (via Renewable Energy World)

Blueprint for Russia’s carbon market should be ready by end of 2013 (via RTCC)

DOE fielding aircraft-based study of aerosols generated by wildfires in US (via Green Car Congress)

Colorado mulls oil and gas air pollution rules as residents erupt (via Denver Post)

Website tracks 20 Minnesota cities’ greenhouse gas emissions (via Star-Tribune)

COAL

China’s reliance on coal reduces life expectancy 5.5 years (via The Guardian)

RENEWABLES

Navigant: Solar price to reach grid parity worldwide in 2020 (via Energy Manager Today)

Future of UK offshore wind power in “serious doubt” (via The Guardian)

Germany to pull plug on solar subsidies by 2018 (via Phys.org)

Renewables rise to 15% in Australia as power demand and emissions fall (via Renew Economy)

India risks Spain’s solar slump with move to cut tariff (via Bloomberg)

Los Angeles kicks off second round of solar feed-in tariff (via CleanTechnica)

Georgia Power to buy output from 38MW solar project (via Renew Grid)

NUCLEAR

Nearly half of Japanese cities near nuclear plants would allow resumption (via United Press International)

Japan moves closer to restarting its nuclear reactors (via The Guardian)

World’s first floating nuclear power plant to begin operating in Russia in 2016 (via Russia Times)

CLIMATE

Climate change to spawn more and stronger hurricanes (via USA Today)

Pacific Island nations meet in Fiji to discuss 2015 climate adaptation strategy (via RTCC)

Nigeria kickstarts adaptation efforts to head off climate disasters (via Thompson-Reuters)

Stressed native UK trees on the march as climate change collapses seasons (via ClimateWire)

Climate change could spark small mammal invasion (via Scientific American)

Climate change might be enabling beetles’ rise against pine trees (via MPR News)

OIL

US well sites in 2012 discharged more oil than Valdez (via EnergyWire)

Quebec disaster highlights risk of moving crude oil by rail (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION

ABB to build world’s largest network of EV fast-charging stations in Netherlands (via Green Car Congress)

Ethanol critics rev up efforts to repeal biofuel rules on gasoline (via Omaha World-Herald)

Tesla Motors to join Nasdaq 100 (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Fracking ban halts first shale gas project in Spain (via Christian Science Monitor)

West Virginia natural gas well explosion kills at least five (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT

Insurance companies given severe weather warning (via Climate Central)

Southwest US forests may never recover from megafires (via The Atlantic)

Hundreds evacuated as wildfire threatens Alaskan towns (via Anchorage Daily News)

KEYSTONE XL

Obama’s Keystone approval could hinge on Canada’s climate measures (via Houston Chronicle)

State Department admits it doesn’t know exact Keystone XL route (via DeSmog Blog)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy efficiency saves Scottish homeowners £1 billion (via BusinessGreen)

DOE to toughen energy efficiency standards for new federal buildings (via The Hill)

World’s largest LED retrofit saves 80% for GM (via CleanTechnica)

GREEN BUSINESS

Majority of EU citizens back green product labeling; 77% would pay premium (via BusinessGreen)

POLITICS

Obama waves veto pen at House Energy Department spending bill (via The Hill)

Utility 2.0: Can political activism and microtargeting boost clean energy? (via Greentech Media)

“Nuclear option” decision arrives for Sen. Reid on Obama nominations (via The Hill)

OPINION

Solar costs and grid prices on collision course (via CleanTechnica)

Google becomes a big energy player (via Houston Chronicle)

Survey: 76% of consumers don’t trust their utility (via Greentech Media)

Why France is the next big smart meter market (via Navigant Research)

Divestment: old tactic in new climate campaign (via New York Times)

Posted: | Categories: ABB, Air pollution, alaska, australia, barack obama, biofuel, canada, cap and trade, Carbon market, China, climate, Climate adaptation, Climate Change, coal, colorado, deforestation, department of energy, Divestment, DOE, Electric Vehicle, Electric vehicle charging, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, ethanol, Ethical Energy, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Extreme weather, feed-in tariff, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, France, Gasoline, General Motors, Georgia, Georgia Power, germany, GM, google, green business, Grid Parity, harry reid, india, japan, Keystone XL, LED, los angeles, minnesota, natural gas, Netherlands, News, nigeria, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Quebec, renewables, Russia, Scotland, Severe weather, smart meter, solar, Spain, State Department, Subsidy, Tesla, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, West Virginia, Wildfire, wind

Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.2.13 share

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

EMISSIONS

China’s CO2 growth has turned a corner (via Reuters)

EU ministers urge ETS yes vote (via Recharge)

EPA sends climate rule to White House (via Politico)

New Jersey may rejoin Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (via Bloomberg)

OIL

Saudi Arabia taps new oil areas in plan to preserve capacity (via Reuters)

Moniz: CO2 could enhance US oil production by millions of barrels a day (via Houston Chronicle)

Big lenders wary of following oil money to North Dakota (via Reuters)

Two major lawsuits filed against ExxonMobil for Arkansas tar sands spill (via DeSmog Blog)

RENEWABLES

California advances pioneering shared renewables bill (via Climate Progress)

Is anything stopping a massive build-out of desert solar? (via Scientific American)

Germany to add 6.5GW of renewable energy this year (via Recharge)

Can Europe meet its 2020 offshore wind targets? (via Renewable Energy World)

Rise in wind and solar expected to boost energy storage market (via Renew Grid)

Austin Energy adds 570MW to wind portfolio (via Renew Grid)

Tennessee public schools to generate nearly $1 million with solar (via Renewable Energy World)

CLIMATE

Obama seeks to reassert US role in climate debate (via New York Times)

Ocean acidification threatens billion-dollar oyster business (via Climate Central)

Climate change driving more active El Nino cycles (via Yale e360)

Cities lead: preparing for climate change impacts (via EcoAffect)

The climate context behind the deadly Arizona wildfire (via Climate Central)

NRDC releases online tool to track local effects of climate change (via Inhabitat)

NATURAL GAS

Natural gas exporters to defend pricing as courts reject oil link (via Houston Chronicle)

Natural gas production remains stable despite low price (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION

Electric vehicle drive motor revenue will surpass $2.8 billion annually by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Airbus and Rolls-Royce to build plane powered by algae (via International Business Times)

Biodiesel production nears record output (via Facts of the Day)

Tesla officially gets behind White House petition to allow direct EV sales (via Autoblog Green)

DOE to award up to $13 million to four advanced biofuels projects (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT

As China’s demand for coal soars, so does its water scarcity (via ClimateWire)

Deadly heat wave in the West brings fires and travel delays (via New York Times)

Experts see new normal as a hotter, drier West faces more huge fires (via New York Times)

GREEN BUSINESS

Do green jobs come in any other color? (via Renewable Energy World)

Half of all US retail and hotel projects to be green buildings by 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

New coalition aims to accelerate sustainable purchasing (via Sustainable Industries)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Wireless control systems for smart buildings will reach nearly $295 million in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

8 surprising energy hogs in your home (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS

Obama says ravages of climate change is make-or-break issue (via AP)

Koch pledge tied to Congressional climate inaction (via The New Yorker)

Conservatives seek alternatives to climate denialism, come up short (via Grist)

OPINION

Kevin Rudd needs to seize the moment on climate (via Renew Economy)

How Obama could approve Keystone (via National Journal)

Can Obama’s Africa power plan hold a candle to China? (via Reuters)

Ron Binz will continue FERC’s leadership toward a clean energy future (via Climate Progress)

New Jersey’s new development bill could endanger families, businesses, and first responders (via Climate Progress)

Posted: | Categories: africa, arizona, Arkansas, Austin Energy, australia, barack obama, biodiesel, biofuel, california, cap and trade, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Concentrating solar power, csp, El Nino, electric vehicles, emissions, energy storage, Enhanced oil recovery, environment, EOR, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, EU ETS, europe, European Union, ExxonMobil, FERC, germany, green building, green business, green jobs, Heat wave, kevin rudd, Keystone XL, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Natural Resources Defense Council, new jersey, News, north dakota, Ocean acidification, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, regional greenhouse gas initiative, renewables, rggi, rolls royce, Ron Binz, saudi arabia, Shale oil, Shared renewables, solar, Sustainable purchasing, tar sands, Tennessee, Tesla, Transportation, Water scarcity, Wildfire, wind

Category Archives:germany

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