Category Archives:global warming

24
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.24.13

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

COAL 

EU finance arm curbs loans to coal-fired power plants (via Reuters)

Chinese coal companies releasing toxic wastewater in Inner Mongolia (via The Guardian)

Why is Germany’s greenest city building a coal-fired power plant? (via InsideClimate News)

Lessons from the beginning of the end of America’s coal industry (via Energy Trends Insider)

ENERGY POLICY 

Utilities missing opportunity on combined heat and power (via Midwest Energy News)

Senate offshore energy revenue-sharing bill has $6 billion price tag (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Chinese tariffs may hurt U.S. makers of solar cells’ raw material (via Washington Post)

New radar technology could double number of UK wind farms (via RTCC)

Highlighting trends in global renewable energy generation (via Houston Chronicle)

The real solar feed-in tariff story in Spain (via CleanTechnica)

House lawmakers say U.S. renewable fuel mandate will change (via Bloomberg)

How twelve states are succeeding in solar energy installation (via Climate Progress)

Offshore wind gains in Virginia, stumbles in New Jersey (via EarthTechling)

First Wind Energy proposes New England’s largest wind farm (via CleanTechnica)

Maryland governor to propose 25% by 2020 renewable energy target (via Washington Post)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Report: Keystone XL would boost oil sands output and emissions (via Houston Chronicle)

The Alberta oil sands have been leaking for nine weeks (via Mother Jones)

Study finds little environmental enforcement in tar sands infractions (via Calgary Herald)

EMISSIONS 

Social cost of carbon battle hits House floor (via The Hill)

A carbon tax by any other name (via New York Times)

11 reasons to divest from the fossil fuel industry (via Resilience)

What if we could harvest electricity from carbon dioxide? (via Energy Manager Today)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Wyoming fracking study to be funded by industry after EPA pulls out (via InsideClimate News)

CLIMATE 

Ancient global warming raised sea levels nearly 70 feet (via National Geographic)

Global temperature plateau likely due to deep ocean warming (via Climate Central)

Arctic thawing could cost the world $60 trillion, say scientists (via BusinessGreen)

Biden, in India, calls climate change a risk to development (via The Hill)

Arctic shipping quadrupled in past year as global warming melts sea ice (via Slate)

Climate change threatens Bangladesh’s millennium development goal achievements (via Thompson-Reuters)

Heat and storms: research helps suburban homes adapt to climate change (via Phys.org)

OIL 

US EIA says OPEC oil sales will decline through 2014 (via Houston Chronicle)

Hess, PetroChina sign China’s first shale oil deal (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU in last lap of talks on global aviation emissions deal (via Euractive)

Renault-Nissan sells its 100,000th electric car (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Severe drought plagues northeast Brazil (via Al-Jazeera)

China weighs environmental costs of economic growth (via Wall Street Journal)

Louisiana state agency to sue energy companies for wetland damage (via New York Times)

GRID 

Smart meters must better integrate into utility operations (via Greentech Media)

Construction on 700-mile Clean Line transmission project could begin in 2015 (via The Oklahoman)

Microgrids and micro-municipalization (via RMI Outlet)

Demand response helps NYISO defend against record heat wave (via Renew Grid)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Green job placements lag (via Environmental Leader)

“LEED for sustainable purchasing” to help corporate buyers (via GreenBiz)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Houses of the rising sun: developers build homes that make more energy than they take (via Washington Post/AP)

Milwaukee launches $100 million PACE program (via Journal Sentinel)

POLITICS 

House bill limiting EPA power draws veto threat (via The Hill)

House Energy Committee chairman: biofuel-blending system “cannot stand” (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Reuters climate change coverage declined significantly after “skeptic” editor joined (via Media Matters for America)

Last week’s hearing on social cost of carbon put right-wing objections to bed (via Climate Progress)

Washington heading for another round of devastating energy innovation cuts (via Energy Collective)

U.S. natural gas use must peak by 2030 to fight climate change (via Center for American Progress)

New Jersey offshore wind: Dead or alive? (via Huffington Post)

Is Georgia the next frontier for US solar development? (via GreenBiz)

Posted:   |   Categories: adaptation, Alberta, arctic, Bangladesh, biofuel, Brazil, carbon tax, China, CHP, Clean Line, climate, Climate Change, coal, Combined heat and power, Demand response, Divestment, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, feed-in tariff, First Wind, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, Fred Upton, Georgia, germany, global warming, green business, green jobs, grid, Hess, india, Inner Mongolia, Keystone XL, LEED, Louisiana, maryland, Microgrid, Milwaukee, natural gas, New England, new jersey, News, Nissan, NYISO, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, OPEC, PACE, PetroChina, Renault, Renewable energy standard, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, res, RFS, Sea level rise, Shale oil, smart grid, smart meter, Social cost of carbon, solar, Solar trade war, Spain, tar sands, transmission, Transportation, united kingdom, US EIA, virginia, Wetland, wind, wyoming
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22
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.22.13

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
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22
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.22.13

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
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19
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.19.13

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)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, Barak Obama, biofuel, california, cap and trade, carbon tax, carbon trading, China, chrysler, climate, Climate Change, coal, community solar, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, Energy Star Portfolio Manager, energy storage, EPA, ethanol, EU, europe, European Union, ev, EV charger, Export-Import bank, fracking, General Motors, germany, Gina McCarthy, global warming, grid, Heather Zichal, Insurance, IPCC, Keystone XL, los angeles, mexico, minnesota, natural gas, News, offshore wind, oil, Pipeline, Renewable energy standards, renewables, res, RIN, Sea ice melt, Shale gas, smart meter, Social cost of carbon, solar, Solar trade war, Tesla, texas, TransCanada, Transportation, united kingdom, V2G, Vietnam
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19
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.19.13

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)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, Barak Obama, biofuel, california, cap and trade, carbon tax, carbon trading, China, chrysler, climate, Climate Change, coal, community solar, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, Energy Star Portfolio Manager, energy storage, EPA, ethanol, EU, europe, European Union, ev, EV charger, Ex-Im Bank, Export-Import bank, fracking, General Motors, germany, Gina McCarthy, global warming, grid, Heather Zichal, Insurance, IPCC, Keystone XL, los angeles, mexico, minnesota, natural gas, News, offshore wind, oil, Pipeline, Renewable energy standards, renewables, res, RIN, Sea ice melt, Shale gas, smart meter, Social cost of carbon, solar, Solar trade war, Tesla, texas, TransCanada, Transportation, united kingdom, V2G, Vietnam
0
18
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.18.13

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)

Posted:   |   Categories: Anadarko, arctic, australia, barack obama, battery, Bioenergy, Boeing Dreamliner, california, cap and trade, Carbon market, Carbon storage, carbon tax, China, CIA, climate, concentrated solar power, deepwater horizon, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EU ETS, ev, Exxon, fracking, germany, global warming, green building, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, harry reid, Heather Zichal, india, interior department, LED, London, NASA, natural gas, News, noaa, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, renewables, Sally Jewell, saudi arabia, Sea ice melt, smart grid, Social cost of carbon, Solar trade war, South Korea, texas, Transportation, UN, united kingdom, US Air Force, usda, Wildfire, wind, World Bank
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16
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.16.13

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

CLIMATE 

Sea levels set for continuing rise in warming world (via Climate Central)

Study: sand dunes, coral reefs protect coasts against climate change (via The Hill)

Colorado wildfire costs insurers $292.8 million (via Bloomberg)

UMass researchers study link between allergies and global warming (via CBS News)

Evangelical scientists issue faith-base call for climate action (via Climate Progress)

OIL 

BP looks to shave more money off Gulf oil spill fines tab (via Houston Chronicle)

Shell’s biggest oil platform heads for deep-water Gulf (via Houston Chronicle)

Alaskan voters will weigh in on tax cut for oil industry (via Stateline)

Exxon won’t disclose inspection results of ruptured Arkansas pipeline’s condition (via InsideClimate News)

RENEWABLES 

China becomes first country to hit 3GW solar milestone (via CleanTechnica)

No quick end to EU-China solar trade war, says EPIA (via Recharge)

India tells wind farms to forecast power or face fines (via Panchabuta)

What’s next for the EU’s renewable energy targets? (via Renewable Energy World)

These maps show the best places to put solar and wind – it’s not where you think (via Washington Post)

Forest biomass loses in US Appeals Court ruling (via EarthTechling)

How much backup does wind power need? (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

Australian PM replaces fixed-price carbon tax with cap-and-trade ahead of elections (via Washington Post)

Rising coal, falling gas jump US emissions by 280 million tons (via Facts of the Day)

Change in social cost of carbon under scrutiny (via Politico)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US to begin exporting fracked gas (via BBC News)

Fracking research: what’s behind EPA’s abandoned studies? (via Christian Science Monitor)

TRANSPORTATION 

A guide to every hybrid car on sale in the US (via Green Car Reports)

Gasoline prices surge nationwide (via Houston Chronicle)

All of a sudden, Nissan doesn’t have enough Leafs to go around (via Autoblog Green)

Midwest gas prices would rise if Keystone pipeline is built (via Kansas City Star)

California high-speed rail to have net zero emissions (via CleanTechnica)

ENVIRONMENT 

India declares 5,748 missing in Himalayan floods (via New York Times)

Perry renews drought disaster for much of Texas (via ABC News)

25 years after Exxon Valdez oil spill, company still hasn’t paid for long-term environmental damages (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

Plans to boost US grid hampered by fragmented ownership (via Energy Manager Today)

Grid resiliency doesn't come cheap in New Jersey (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY POLICY 

Oil industry launches new attack against ethanol mandate (via Reuters)

Canada’s train disaster could inspire new US regulations (via Houston Chronicle)

Low Great Lakes levels raise concerns for Midwest power plants (via Midwest Energy News)

Pennsylvania oil and gas industry caused 365 spills in 2012, but few fines levied (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US universities commit to graduate majors in green chemistry (via Sustainable Business)

POLITICS 

White House, environmentalists met before renewable fuel program crop approval (via The Hill)

Conservative energy group launches anti-carbon tax campaign (via The Hill)

For McCarthy, it’s all over but the regulating (via The Hill)

Senate climate showdown takes shape (via The Hill)

OPINION 

From fixed price to ETS: the complications of reducing emissions (via Renew Economy)

10 ways wind power is beating fossil fuel in India (via GigaOm)

Is solar cheaper than grid electricity? Yes and no. (via Grist)

What we can learn from the electric vehicle shakeout (via GigaOm)

Solar power has gotten so good we can use it to power airplanes (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, Arkansas, australia, biomass, BP, california, canada, cap and trade, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, colorado, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, environment, EPA, ethanol, EU, European Union, EVs, Exxon, Flood, fracking, Gasoline, Gina McCarthy, global warming, green business, grid, Grid Parity, Gulf of Mexico, high speed rail, india, kevin rudd, Keystone XL, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new jersey, News, nissan LEAF, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, pennsylvania, Renewable fuel standard, renewables, Rick Perry, Sea level rise, Shell, solar, Solar trade war, texas, Transportation, Wildfire, wind
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12
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.12.13

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

CLIMATE 

Rising global temperatures accelerate drought-induced forest mortality (via Phys.org)

DOE to boost energy sector climate change efforts (via The Hill)

States seek flexibility in Obama climate plan (via Stateline)

Rising temperatures, shrinking snowpack fuel western wildfires (via Climate Central)

US admirals, generals link climate change to national security (via Public News Service)

ENERGY POLICY 

Japan’s “third arrow” aims for renewables, energy storage (via Renewable Energy World)

Use of coal to generate power rises; greenhouse gas emissions next? (via Los Angeles Times)

Pumping water underground for geothermal or fracking could trigger major earthquake, say scientists (via The Guardian)

RENEWABLES 

Q2 2013 global green investment at $53.1 billion (via Greentech Media)

France wind power feed-in tariff dispute nears finish line (via Recharge News)

New offshore wind turbines begin turning in Europe, but cash scarce (via Reuters)

California fast-tracks renewable energy projects (via Greentech Media)

California Solar Initiative shines with 391MW-installed record year (via CleanTechnica)

Walgreens taking on big boxes for solar energy leadership (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

IEA sees 20-year supply peak outpacing demand in 2014 (via Bloomberg)

Fracking pushes US oil output to highest level since 1992 (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil soars above $106 to 15-month high (via Wall Street Journal)

Gulf oil spill settlement payment offers reach nearly $4 billion (via Houston Chronicle)

Leaner BP blanches at bill for oil spill cleanup (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

OECD countries invest on average around 1% of GDP on road and rail infrastructure (via Green Car Congress)

The business model for solar-powered electric car charging (via Plug-in Cars)

Tesla Model S output speeds past 400 per week (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Air pollution kills more than 2 million people every year (via The Guardian)

Russia and Ukraine likely to block huge proposed Antarctic marine reserve (via The Guardian)

Glass sponge invasion follows Antarctic ice shelf retreat (via Los Angeles Times)

US drought grows for fourth straight week, South driest in weeks (via Reuters)

For Western landscapes, fire may be an agent of change (via ClimateWire)

Steep drop in coastal fish found in California power plant records (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID 

Global smart meter unit shipments will peak at 131 million annually in 2018 (via Navigant Research)

Distributed management systems help utilities balance complex loads (via Navigant Research)

ComEd deploying 4 million smart meters in Illinois (via Renew Grid)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

China raises natural gas prices 15% (via Energy Manager Today)

Distant seismic activity can trigger quakes at fracking sites (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How utilities can make any customer care about efficiency (via GreenBiz)

EIA launches energy efficiency program tracker (via Greentech Media)

Natgas industry push to repeal zero-carbon building law splits green community (via InsideClimate News)

POLITICS 

Infographic: the anti-science climate denier caucus (via Climate Progress)

Reid, McConnell spar on EPA nomination in “nuclear” debate (via The Hill)

Congress tries to turn off lights on efficient bulb mandates (via Houston Chronicle)

Over 10,000 Google users protest company’s Inhofe fundraiser (via Climate Progress)

OPINION 

German tariffs make green energy too expensive to store (via BBC News)

Hey utilities – have you seen the traffic in Los Angeles lately? (via RMI Outlet)

How climate change makes it harder to keep the lights on (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, Antarctica, barack obama, BP, california, California Solar Initiative, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, ComEd, deforestation, DOE, drought, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy efficeincy, energy storage, EPA, ev, feed-in tariff, fracking, France, geothermal, Gina McCarthy, global warming, google, green building, grid, Gulf of Mexico, harry reid, IEA, Illinois, investment, japan, Jim Inhofe, los angeles, Mitch McConnell, natural gas, News, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, renewables, Russia, Shale oil, smart meter, solar pv, Tesla Model S, Transportation, Ukraine, Walgreens, Wildfire, wind
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08
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.8.13

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

EMISSIONS 

UN carbon market scheme passes 7,000-project mark (via RTCC)

Could DOE loans to “advanced” fossil fuel projects lower carbon emissions? (via Climate Progress)

Power plant rules coming from EPA as soon as September (via The Hill)

United Church of Christ puts its faith in fossil fuel divestment (via CleanTechnica)

ENERGY POLICY 

Warmer water to boost hydro, nuclear power costs (via Bloomberg)

BLM won’t allow new mining claims on lands tagged for solar (via Greenwire)

RENEWABLES 

EU edges toward solar trade deal with China (via BusinessGreen)

Global solar PV market to hit 45GW in 2014, says Deutsche Bank (via Renew Economy)

Residential solar PV systems experiencing slow adoption in China (via Renewable Energy World)

Pakistan to develop 25GW of wind power by 2015 (via RTCC)

SolarReserve wants to build 600MW solar power plant in Saudi Arabia (via CleanTechnica)

Wind increases production 15-fold since 2003, provides 4% of US power (via Facts of the Day)

The world’s thinnest solar cell, just a nanometer thick (via Christian Science Monitor)

Biofuel investments at seven-year low as BP blames cost (via Bloomberg)

Biofuel program could invite giant grass invasion (via Grist)

Behind Ikea’s coast-to-coast solar push (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

Coal’s slipping grip: New England leads the way (via Climate Central)

The coal industry vs. everyone else: who will win? (via The Guardian)

CLIMATE 

World Meteorological Organization: more heat, more storms, more extremes (via Climate Central)

Australian heat waves “five times more likely due to global warming” (via The Guardian)

UK study suggests economic stagnation no excuse for climate inaction (via Green Car Congress)

Homes keep rising in US West despite growing wildfire threat (via New York Times)

65% of Congressional Republicans deny climate science (via Facts of the Day)

OIL

Crude oil-carrying train derails and explodes in Quebec town (via Climate Progress)

Quebec train explosion fuels rail vs. pipeline debate for moving oil (via The Globe and Mail)

BP asks court to end “feeding frenzy” in Gulf oil spill settlement (via Houston Chronicle)

BP oil spill claims climb ahead of appeal day (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

In Europe, greener transit on existing infrastructure (via New York Times)

EV battery prices drop 40% from 2010 to 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

2013 plug-in electric car sales won’t quite double 2012 (via Green Car Reports)

NUCLEAR 

Japan nuclear operators file for plant safety checks, but early restarts unlikely (via Reuters)

Companies face long wait to restart nuclear plants in Japan (via New York Times)

GRID 

North America will lead global microgrid market with 6GW capacity by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Japanese utility investing in 60MWh battery for grid storage (via Green Car Congress)

UK smart meter installations behind target (via Energy Manager Today)

Pumped storage provides grid reliability even with net generation loss (via US EIA)

FERC signs off on proposed CAISO-PacifiCorp deal (via Renew Grid)

Summer sun brings a focus to Texas power debate (via Houston Chronicle)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Oil to flow through Keystone XL’s southern leg this year (via Houston Chronicle)

Enbridge’s Keystone XL competitor has a permit controversy of its own (via Midwest Energy News)

GREEN BUILDING 

Siemens and partners launching $51 million Vienna smart city project (via Green Car Congress)

The battle for sustainable cities (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS 

Poland’s shale gas dreams fade as investors complain of red tape (via Reuters)

British company applies for UK shale gas fracking permit (via New York Times)

Coal-to-gas plant conversions face challenges (via Navigant Research)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Rating US energy efficiency progress (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Emissions trading in China: risky and difficult, but necessary (via Renew Economy)

Nuclear energy is largely safe, but can it be cheap? (via Time)

Which US state are hot for solar power? (via GigaOm)

Biofuels from invasive plant species open Pandora’s Box (via EarthTechling)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, battery, biofuel, blm, BP, CalISO, cap and trade, Capacity market, China, Climate World Meteorological Organization, coal, Deutsche Bank, Divestment, DOE, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, ERCOT, EU, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, FERC, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, global warming, green building, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Heat wave, Hydropower, Ikea, japan, Keystone XL, Microgrid, natural gas, New England, News, nuclear, oil, oil spill, PacifiCorp, pakistan, Poland, Pumped storage, Quebec, renewables, saudi arabia, Severe weather, Shale gas, Siemens, Smart city, smart meter, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, SolarReserve, tar sands, texas, Transportation, uk, UN, United Church of Christ, united nations, Vienna, Wildfire, wind, WMO
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03
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.3.13

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

EMISSIONS 

European parliament votes for backloading plan to push up carbon price (via BusinessGreen)

EU ministers and blue chips unite in call to save carbon market (via BusinessGreen)

33 cities test new framework for community-scale greenhouse gas inventories (via WRI Insights)

Lesser-known CO2 storage idea merits attention (via Reuters)

United Church of Christ passes fossil fuel divestment strategy (via Huffington Post)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Ratings and rankings: how competition promotes corporate sustainability (via GreenBiz)

Report says less carbon pollution and more manufacturing can go together (via Climate Progress)

Why American businesses should fight for renewable portfolio standards (via GreenBiz)

RENEWABLES 

Saudi Arabia starts survey of renewable energy potential (via Bloomberg)

Desertec in trouble as founders quit €400 billion solar project (via RTCC)

UK feed-in tariff generates 380,000 small-scale renewable projects in three years (via BusinessGreen)

Uganda launches renewable energy feed-in tariff program (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar water heaters bloom on China’s rooftops, but not in the US (via ClimateWire)

Vestas wins 93MW South African wind turbine order (via Bloomberg)

Algae species shows promise in reducing power plant pollution to make biofuel (via Green Car Congress)

Interior approves 500MW Arizona wind farm (via Renew Grid)

Connecticut’s green bank: a model for public-private renewables partnerships? (via Breaking Energy)

COAL 

Obama revamps $8 billion coal loan program amid objections (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

UN charts “unprecedented” global warming since 2000 (via Bloomberg)

Japan’s climate finance plan welcomed by vulnerable nations (via RTCC)

Rich countries’ proposal to bypass poorer governments on climate aid rejected in UN (via The Guardian)

Death estimates from Indian floods range to 10,000 (via Wall Street Journal)

Arizona wildfire continues to burn out of control (via Arizona Republic)

Death Valley hit hottest US June temperature ever recorded Sunday – 129 (via Washington Post)

OIL 

Federal court rejects SEC rule on oil company payments (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama administration boosts oil industry with $8 billion in loan guarantees (via Houston Chronicle)

Steelmakers file US trade case seeking duties on oil pipes (via Houston Chronicle)

Sickened by Exxon oil spill, Arkansas victims face confusion of officials and doctors (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

GM and Honda to collaborate on fuel-cell development (via New York Times)

Strong June sales push Chevy Volt ahead of Nissan Leaf for first time since February (via Autoblog Green)

Fisker bankruptcy likely, says Delaware governor (via Autoblog Green)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima plant operator seeks to restart two nuclear reactors (via New York Times)

Lower power prices and high repair costs drive nuclear retirements (via US EIA)

GRID 

PJM seeks additional resources to restart electric system if power lost across grid (via Wall Street Journal)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Tar sands coal petcoke exports hit second-highest level ever in April (via DeSmog Blog)

Keystone XL foes turn focus to local governments (via ABC News/AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Cambridge plans $1.5 billion in energy efficiency retrofits (via Energy Manager Today)

How Obama’s climate plan will boost US energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Empire State Building efficiency retrofit model rolls out across US (via CleanTechnica)

NPR’s LEED Gold headquarters a radio nerd’s dream (via EarthTechling)

POLITICS 

What would happen if candidates and elected officials were asked to sign a climate action pledge? (via Climate Progress)

Has the GOP stopped denying climate science, and will they begin participating in solutions? (via The Guardian)

OPINION 

Solar offers hope in fight against climate change (via Huffington Post)

Kosovo a chance for World Bank, Obama to show climate change leadership (via National Geographic)

Heroes and villains of the renewable energy fight (via CleanTechnica)

A closer look at Obama’s $7 billion plan to bring electricity to Africa (via Washington Post)

What’s causing the West’s heat wave and why hot nights are so dangerous (via Washington Post/AP)

Posted:   |   Categories: algae, arizona, Arkansas, barack obama, biofuel, Cambridge, cap and trade, Carbon market, Carbon pricing, Carbon storage, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Connecticut, Delaware, Desertec, Divestment, emissions, empire state building, Energy Efficiency, EU, EU ETS, European Union, Extreme heat, Exxon, feed-in tariff, Fisker, Flood, Fossil fuel divestment, fukushima, General Motors, global warming, GM, Green bank, green business, grid, honda, india, interior department, Keystone XL, LEED, News, nissan LEAF, nuclear, oil, oil spill, Petcoke, Pipeline, PJM, Renewable portfolio standards, renewables, rps, saudi arabia, SEC, solar, Solar water heater, South Africa, tar sands, Transportation, Uganda, uk, UN, United Church of Christ, united kingdom, united nations, vestas, Wildfire, wind, World Bank
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