Category Archives:global warming

22
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.22.14

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

CLIMATE 

Hottest 12 months on record: NOAA data “show no pause in warming” (via Climate Progress)

Portugal could block EU climate deal over grid connection target (via Reuters)

Report: Insurance companies unprepared for climate change risks (via Environmental Leader)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine, Russia gas talks end without breakthrough (via AP)

No deal yet, but EU hopes for Russia-Ukraine gas deal next week (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Australia seeks to reduce renewable energy target to “real” 20% (via Bloomberg)

China to end wind curtailment from grid in 2015 (via Recharge)

Brazil’s wind farm capacity factor at 50% (via Recharge)

Opposition party reject Abbot government’s first attempt to cut renewable energy target (via The Guardian)

Reinstating the PTC, other lapsed incentives on Senate’s lame duck to-do list (via SNL News)

U.S. wind installations in first nine months of 2014 beat 2013 total (via Bloomberg)

Big utilities pushing into booming home solar market (via Reuters)

In ethanol, cellulosic coming to push out corn (via Navigant Research)

Tidal lagoon power breakthrough project gains momentum (via Breaking Energy)

Boeing, Chinese partner to make jet fuel from used cooking oil (via Reuters)

COAL 

Ex-Im Bank Inspector General investigating financing of 4GW India coal project (via Bloomberg BNA)

EMISSIONS 

Divestment campaigners set their sights on UK banks (via RTCC)

Polar vortex spiked U.S. CO2 emissions in 2013 (via Climate Central)

Report: Retirees, 401Ks hold most shares in oil and gas industry (via Houston Chronicle)

States, environmental groups slam EPA ozone limits in contentious court hearing (via Greenwire)

OIL 

Triple whammy looms for China’s oil refiners as crude plunges (via Bloomberg)

U.S. shale oil producers cramming wells in risky push to extend boom (via Bloomberg)

Oil price tremors not rattling Texas…yet (via Texas Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION 

German EV market has doubled since last year (via CleanTechnica)

EPA to scrutinize auto fuel economy tests, issue revised guidelines (via Autoblog)

Researchers take big-data approach to estimate EV range (via Phys.org)

GRID 

Enphase charges into the energy storage market (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT 

Brazil creates Amazon rainforest reserve larger than Delaware (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

POLITICS 

Brazil’s Rousseff pulls ahead of Neves before Sunday’s election (via Reuters)

Environmental issues grabbing big role in political ad campaigns (via New York Times)

Is Michigan’s most powerful Republican really in political danger? (via National Journal)

Nuclear Regulatory Commission chairwoman heads for exit (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Climate records are breaking so often, we’ve stopped paying attention (via Washington Post)

If you could build a solar-friendly grid from scratch, how would you do it? (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, boeing, Brazil, cellulosic ethanol, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Dilma Rousseff, Divestment, electric vehicles, emissions, energy storage, Enphase, EPA, ethanol, EU, ev, Ex-Im Bank, Export-Import bank, Fossil fuel divestment, Fred Upton, germany, global warming, grid, india, michigan, natural gas, News, noaa, NRC, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, oil, Portugal, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, Russia, Shale oil, solar, texas, tidal power, Tony Abbott, Transportation, Ukraine, united kingdom, wind
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21
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.21.14

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

CLIMATE 

After record warm September, 2014 is on track for warmest year (via Washington Post)

Sweden pledges $500 million to Green Climate Fund (via RTCC)

How climate change is fueling the Miami real estate boom (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s new trade minister says will restart reactors deemed safe (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

China wind-service market seen surging with $3 billion spending (via Bloomberg)

Chile will lead Latin America in renewable energy, says president (via PV Tech)

Geothermal power industry lost steam but may be poised for comeback (via Los Angeles Times)

Solar energy prices see double-digit decline in 2013; trend expected to continue (via NREL)

Solar lease securitization encounters tax challenges (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

Solar consolidation expected in U.S. as tax credit drives deals (via Bloomberg)

Solar companies look to batteries, financing, soft costs as the future (via GigaOm)

$200 million more flows to residential solar loans through Sungage and Mosiac (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Indonesia developing mega coal mine five times larger than Singapore (via Mongabay)

India pushes ahead with coal reforms (via Reuters)

Peabody posts quarterly loss as coal prices fall (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

Renewables, efficiency made up 70% of U.S. emissions drop since 2007 (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine, Russia gas deal may be just enough to get through winter (via Reuters)

Tougher greenhouse goals could cut EU’s natural gas imports in half (via WRI Insights)

British Columbia to outline carbon, tax polices for LNG (via Bloomberg)

Energy Department: U.S. must act now on methane emissions (via Houston Chronicle)

Regulations could douse North Dakota gas flaring (via Climate Central)

GRID 

Transmission superhighway takes shape in central U.S. (via Navigant Research)

Innovative energy storage technologies gain ground (via Navigant Research)

OIL 

Oil falls on speculation OPEC won’t cut production (via The Hill)

Report: ISIS oil production worth $800 million per year (via The Hill)

Government lags in measuring gush of U.S. crude (via Houston Chronicle)

Shale oil producers face low price consequences of their success (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil at $80 a barrel muffles forecasts for U.S. shale boom (via Bloomberg)

Crude oil spills into Louisiana bayou, kills wildlife (via Shreveport Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

As China gets tougher on fuel economy, some carmakers may be left behind (via Reuters)

UK hails best-ever quarter for EV sales as demand revs up (via BusinessGreen)

Denmark’s plan to offset transportation emissions sparks EV row (via The Guardian)

Ford Focus Electric gets $6,000 price drop, now starts at $29,995 (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan does demand response via Leaf EVs (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Amid California’s drought, a bruising battle for cheap water (via Los Angeles Times)

Land records show many Ohio state parks could see mining, drilling (via Columbus Dispatch)

POLITICS 

Sao Paulo water cuts used by Rousseff against challenger (via Bloomberg)

In key midterm races, Democrats sound like Republicans on climate (via InsideClimate News)

Five lose-lose Senate races for climate advocates (via InsideClimate News)

OPINION 

What's the value of divestment? (via National Journal)

Will the solar industry get behind CPS Energy’s alternative to net metering in San Antonio? (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: battery, Brazil, Chile, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Demand response, denmark, Dilma Rousseff, Divestment, DOE, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, European Union, ev, Ford Focus, Fossil fuel divestment, geothermal, global warming, Green Climate Fund, grid, Indonesia, ISIS, japan, Louisiana, Miami, Mosaic, natural gas, Net metering, News, nissan LEAF, north dakota, nuclear, Ohio, oil, oil spill, OPEC, Peabody, renewables, Russia, San Antonio, Shale oil, solar, Sungage, Sweden, transmission, Transportation, Ukraine, united kingdom, wind
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14
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.14.14

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

CLIMATE 

NASA: Earth just experienced the warmest six-month stretch ever recorded (via Slate)

Wild weather forces climate adaptation on Europe’s political agenda (via The Guardian)

Climate change threatens national security, says Pentagon (via Washington Post)

Only 7% of energy companies prepared for climate risks, says study (via RTCC)

COAL 

Europe spends €10 billion a year on coal subsidies (via RTCC)

RENEWABLES 

U.S. duties prompt Chinese PV shipment surge (via PV Tech)

Wind power is cheapest energy source, finds EU analysis (via The Guardian)

UK and Norway will install subsea transmission to trade green power (via BusinessGreen)

Higher efficiency technologies to dominate PV industry by 2018 (via PV Tech)

Survey: Utilities could do a much better job at streamlining solar interconnection (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Saudis tell oil investors low prices might stay (via The Hill)

Nearly 3% of oil output vulnerable if prices fall to $80, says IEA (via Reuters)

Arctic offshore drilling a winner in tight Senate contests (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla talking to Slovakia about European EV plant (via Autoblog Green)

California reaffirms EV leadership (via Navigant Research)

EMISSIONS 

Germany’s largest utility wants deep EU emissions cuts, early carbon trade reform (via Reuters)

EPA readies major ozone rule change (via The Hill)

Exxon blasts movement to divest from fossil fuels (via National Journal)

2014 Nobel Prize economist argues for binding emissions targets (via Greenwire)

NATURAL GAS 

Israel sees natural gas as key to transforming Mideast relations (via Bloomberg)

UK to allow fracking companies to use “any substance” under homes (via BusinessGreen)

ENVIRONMENT 

Proctor & Gamble to cut water use an additional 20% by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

Koch Super PAC donors uncloaked (via Politico)

Paul Ryan doubts human role in climate change (via The Hill)

OPINION 

What’s the impact of falling oil prices? (via National Journal)

Three reasons solar will outshine fossil fuels in Mexico (via CleanTechnica)

The multibillion-dollar question: How to spend carbon revenue? (via The Energy Collective)

The great climate model (via Forbes)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, california, cap and trade, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Divestment, E.ON, emissions, EPA, europe, Extreme weather, Exxon, Fossil fuel divestment, germany, global warming, IEA, Israel, Koch Brothers, mexico, natural gas, News, norway, offshore drilling, oil, Ozone, Paul Ryan, Proctor & Gamble, renewables, saudi arabia, Slovakia, solar, Tesla, Transportation, united kingdom, wind
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13
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.13.14

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

ENERGY POLICY

U.S. opposing China’s plan for Asian Development Bank (via New York Times)

Germany says it can’t exit coal-fired energy at same time as nuclear (via Reuters)

COAL 

China sets coal resource tax between 2%-10% (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Merkel eyes multinational power market to cut renewables cost (via Bloomberg)

Renewables to drive power generation growth in Africa, says IEA (via Bloomberg)

India faces mounting calls to move solar to fixed tariffs (via Bloomberg)

China to promote utility-scale solar power projects (via Bloomberg)

Off-grid solar installation fund announced in Australia (via PV Tech)

Indian PV manufacturing insufficient to meet government ambition (via PV Tech)

40% drop in solar PV cost is brightest spot in global energy picture (via InsideClimate News)

SolarCity: PV panel supply crunch coming (via Recharge)

Biden: “Energy revolution” calls for more investment in alternatives (via The Hill)

North Carolina renewable energy boom being driven by solar (via CleanTechnica)

CLIMATE 

World’s fish leaving tropics, moving to poles (via United Press International)

Expanding Antarctic sea ice is flooding “warning bell” (via Climate Central)

Penny pinching risks global climate deal success in 2015, says France (via The Guardian)

U.S. may make “significant” climate fund pledge, says Peru minister (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS 

Groups call for wastewater disposal halt in Oklahoma (via The Oklahoman)

In Texas, traffic deaths climb amid fracking boom (via NPR)

ENVIRONMENT 

Cyclone in India kills 8 as typhoon hits Japan (via New York Times)

Sao Paulo water supply at risk in extreme drought (via Huffington Post/AP)

Nation’s wildland firefighters grapple with relentless blazes (via Wall Street Journal)

Obama says he’s “not finished” after naming new monument (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

DOE sets new green standard certifications for federal buildings (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

IKEA may tighten carbon rules to protect environment (via Reuters)

Unions, greens press Obama to propose methane regulations (via The Hill)

Methane hotspot is huge, but nothing compared to other methane sources (via Climate Progress)

Methane hot spot in U.S. predates fracking boom, says study (via National Geographic)

OIL 

Spectators push oil into bear market as supply rises (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Brazil planning transmission auction to link 7.5GW wind (via Recharge)

How microsynchrophasors could keep solar-saturated grids stable (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

GOP to investigate environmental groups’ influence on carbon rule (via New York Times)

Iowa candidates clash over EPA in U.S. Senate debate (via Politico)

Why climate hawks should still vote for fossil-fuel loving Democrats (via Grist)

OPINION 

The $10 billion question: Will the Green Climate Fund live up to expectations? (via World Resources Institute)

The price of oil is tumbling, the cost of finding it is not (via Economist)

Charting China’s carbon horizon (via Energy Collective)

Three things to know about Obama’s newest climate plan (via Bloomberg)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Angela Merkel, Antarctic, australia, biofuels, Brazil, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, DOE, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, ethanol, fracking, France, germany, global warming, Green Climate Fund, grid, IEA, Ikea, india, Iowa, Japan Extreme weather, Joe Biden, methane, natural gas, News, North Carolina, nuclear, oil, oklahoma, Peru, renewables, Sao Paulo, Sea ice melt, solar, SolarCity, Synchrophasors, tariffs, texas, transmission, Wastewater disposal, wildfires, wind
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09
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.9.14

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

CLIMATE 

UN sets six-month deadline for delivery of draft climate agreement (via RTCC)

EU nations mull funds to aid clean energy in 2030 climate deal (via Bloomberg)

EU 2030 compromise could weaken climate action (via RTCC)

NOAA: Antarctic sea ice growth linked to loss of land ice (via Climate Progress)

Prepare for climate change or risk loss of funds, says FEMA (via Sustainable Business)

California leads U.S. on climate change preparation, says 50-state tool (via USA Today)

RENEWABLES 

Solar’s $30 billion splurge proves too much for Japan’s grid (via Bloomberg)

China solar demand in doubt as rooftop installations lag target (via Reuters)

Solar outlook in Ontario promising despite FiT cut (via PV Tech)

Ukraine wants 1GW of wind by 2016 (via Recharge News)

UK energy minister sets sights on “subsidy-free” solar by 2020 (via PV Tech)

Brazil eliminates taxes on wind parts to spur turbine production (via Bloomberg)

Mercom reports strong quarterly solar financing activity (via Solar Industry)

Slow-growing geothermal seeks bigger piece of U.S. renewable energy pie (via Breaking Energy)

Honda, SolarCity expand sun-powered partnership with new $50 million fund (via Autoblog Green)

Buying renewable power for data centers poses major challenges for Internet companies (via Greentech Media)

Wind energy innovation: Hybrid concrete and steel towers (via Navigant Research)

Proposed U.S. solar trade tariff changes “illegal” (via PV Tech)

Massachusetts offshore wind auction to include 4-5 zones (via Recharge News)

Renexia plans 500MW offshore wind for Maryland coast (via Recharge News)

NUCLEAR 

EU approves plan for new nuclear power station in UK (via New York Times)

Federal inspector faults regulator on San Onofre nuclear plant review (via CBS Los Angeles)

EMISSIONS 

Glasgow University to ditch £18 million fossil fuel investments (via BusinessGreen)

EPA sends ozone regulation for White House review (via The Hill)

California moves to revoke carbon credits after inquiry (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Canadian crude exports to U.S. top 3 million bpd for first time (via Reuters)

Oil bulls keep faith Saudi supply cuts will revive price (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

In the U.S., a turning point in the flow of oil (via New York Times)

Environmental groups ramp up crude-by-rail fight in courtroom (via Breaking Energy)

Lego scraps Shell deal after Arctic drilling protest (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK invests £11 million to get hydrogen cars on the road (via BusinessGreen)

Tesla sets up shop in Japan, sells first EVs (via Green Car Reports)

EPA says 24.1-mpg new car average is best ever (via Autoblog Green)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Efficiency worth more than renewables at $310 billion, says IEA (via Bloomberg)

Which states have the most efficient cars and homes? Study ranks them (via Green Car Reports)

ENERGY POLICY 

Canadian support for joint U.S. energy policy falls (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

New Hampshire could be the next state to take on microgrids (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

Sugar shortage seen looming amid drought in Brazil (via Bloomberg)

Beijing raises smog alert as pollution envelops North China (via Bloomberg)

Obama to declare national monument in San Gabriels (via Los Angeles Times)

California’s firefighting air tanker fleet grounded after deadly Yosemite crash (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Fossil fuel divestment: A brief history (via The Guardian)

2014 extreme weather: looking for climate ties (via Climate Central)

Fourth quarter PV installation forecasts turning into a lottery (via PV Tech)

Advanced ethanol makers trying to give Big Oil a run for its money (via Forbes)

The big problem with letting small railroads haul oil (via Sightline)

Firsthand lessons on public charging for EVs (via Energy Collective)

California’s drought is so bad it’s literally moving mountains (via National Journal)

Documentary “The Overnighters” shows dark side of North Dakota oil boom (via Reuters)

Posted:   |   Categories: Antarctica, arctic, Beijing, biofuels, Brazil, california, canada, cap and trade, China, climate, Climate Change, Divestment, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, ethanol, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, FEMA, Fossil fuel divestment, geothermal, global warming, grid, honda, hydrogen, japan, Lego, maryland, massachusetts, Mercom, New Hampshire, News, noaa, north dakota, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil train, ontario, OPEC, renewables, San Onofre, Sea ice, Shell, solar, Solar trade war, SolarCity, Tesla, Transportation, Ukraine, united kingdom, Wildfire, wind
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06
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.6.14

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

CLIMATE 

Past measurements may have missed massive ocean warming (via Science)

Could climate change affect the number of boys and girls born? (via Smithsonian)

Miami Beach prepares for annual “King Tide” flooding and a taste of sea level rise (via Huffington Post)

COAL 

U.S. sees drop in coal exports in 2014 (via Mining.com)

U.S. coal exports fall on lower European demand, increased global supply (via U.S. EIA)

U.S. coal companies having tough 2014 so far (via Knoxville News Sentinel)

New regulations, competition have coal industry reeling (via Tuscaloosa News)

RENEWABLES 

7 renewable energy lessons from Germany (via Renewable Energy World)

German solar PV market continues shrinking (via Renewables International)

U.S. DOE says 54GW of offshore wind power waiting to be tapped (via TriplePundit)

Siemens says wind power needs subsidy to compete in U.S. (via Financial Times)

U.S. DOE awarding $25 million to reduce CSP costs (via Solar Industry Magazine)

OSU researchers build rechargeable solar battery (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

USDA provides $91 million for biogasoline blendstock plant (via Green Car Congress)

First commercial quantities of cellulosic ethanol from woody biomass marketed (via Phys.org)

OIL 

Shell suspends Siberian oil project, says Russian partner (via Wall Street Journal)

Orphaned Russian oil heads to U.S. west on Asia overflow (via Bloomberg)

Rosneft CEO says he’ll develop Arctic oil with or without Exxon (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

BP seeks revised verdict or new trial on spill negligence (via Bloomberg)

Gov. Inslee: “Outdated, inadequate, and dangerous” oil trains crossing state (via Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

TRANSPORTATION 

European regulators say incorrect C02 ratings could cost drivers $580/year (via Autoblog Green)

Carnival cruises toward $2.5 billion in fuel savings (via GreenBiz)

UMTRI monthly report shows large drop in new-vehicle fuel economy in September (via Green Car Congress)

Toyota racks up 7 million hybrids sold since 1997 (via Green Car Reports)

ENERGY POLICY 

EU seeks faster energy market integration amid crisis (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Brazil keeps renewable energy transmission & distribution discounts (via Recharge News)

Building wind power superhighways (via Chicago Tribune)

Grid-scale energy storage continues making inroads (via Renew Grid)

NATURAL GAS 

An industry you’ve never heard of is trying to cut $1.8 billion in wasted natural gas (via Climate Progress)

Two gas drillers agree to disclose fracking risks to investors (via The Hill)

Maryland report: Fracking poses little risk to drinking water in the state (via Climate Progress)

Drilling waste site roils tiny Texas town (via Texas Tribune)

EMISSIONS 

Fish failing to adapt to rising CO2 levels in ocean (via The Guardian)

China emissions rising on high-carbon economic growth (via RTCC)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Tougher energy efficiency target would boost UK economy by £62 billion (via The Guardian)

Johnson Controls, WRI partnership targets energy efficiency in cities (via Environmental Leader)

ENVIRONMENT 

Wilderness as economic stimulus? A closer look at the evidence (via The Hill)

In virtual mega-drought, California avoids defeat (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

Brazil’s Rousseff in tight runoff against pro-business Neves (via Reuters)

Clashing visions of conservation shake Brazil’s presidential vote (via New York Times)

Democrats lean heavily on PACs in coordinated push to counter GOP (via New York Times)

McConnell on climate change: “Not a scientist” (via Courier-Journal)

This woman could become one of the world’s most influential environmentalists (via National Journal)

OPINION 

India’s mixed climate change forecast (via Washington Post)

Why the oil majors are backing away from renewable energy (via EnergyWire)

Cold days for coal could mean a better forecast for our climate (via Energy Collective)

A carbon tax will create jobs for Americans (via CNN)

Congress should fix the gas tax (via Washington Post)

NASA explains how climate change is like the flu (via National Journal)

Will investors flock to SunEdison’s emerging market YieldCo? (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, battery, biofuels, BP, Brazil, california, carbon tax, cellulosic ethanol, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, Concentrating solar power, department of energy, Dilma Rousseff, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, European Union, fracking, Fuel Economy, Gas tax, germany, global warming, grid, india, jay inslee, Johnson Controls, maryland, methane, Mitch McConnell, NASA, natural gas, News, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Oil trains, renewables, Rosneft, Russia, Sea level rise, Shell, Siemens, solar, SunEdison, texas, Toyota, Transportation, united kingdom, wind, YieldCo
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30
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.30.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Beijing emissions drop in carbon market’s first year (via Environmental Leader)

EPA’s McCarthy: Clean Power Plan state targets, compliance options could change (via SNL Energy)

Despite UN climate summit, fossil fuel firms are in for the long term (via The Guardian)

COAL 

China to overhaul coal resource taxes to boost domestic producers (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

IEA says solar could be world’s top electricity source by 2050 (via The Guardian)

Japan has added 11GW of clean energy since July 2012 (via Bloomberg)

Utilities limit access as clean energy tests Japan’s grid (via Bloomberg)

Schneider joins Mexican distributed solar venture (via Energy Manager Today)

Latin America, Caribbean could get 9GW new solar in five years (via Recharge News)

1GW new PV under construction in Latin America and Caribbean (via PV Tech)

China outlines new rules for wind industry (via Recharge)

Federal report says solar could cut utility profits 15% (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Federal clean-energy loans go begging over controversy concerns (via Wall Street Journal)

U.S. solar firms set to benefit from OPIC loan program (via PV Tech)

PSEG to spend $247 million through 2016 on solar power (via Bloomberg)

A new solar model takes root in Colorado (via Navigant Research)

SunEdison sets emerging markets yieldco (via PV Tech)

NREL software tool a boon for wind industry (via Phys.org)

ENVIRONMENT 

Earth has lost 50% of its wildlife in past 40 years, says WWF (via The Guardian)

Brazil drought heralds sugar shortages (via Reno Gazette-Journal)

US consumer behavior “least sustainable” globally (via Environmental Leader)

Once considered won, battled against invasive beetles is renewed (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS 

Russia hopes for Ukraine gas deal this week (via Reuters)

Advocates warn frack sand rush threatens U.S. towns (via Huffington Post)

West Virginia to frack beneath Ohio River, drinking water supply for millions (via Climate Progress)

Ohio singled out for worst fracking waste disposal practices (via EcoWatch)

Exelon to build “cleanest” natural gas units (via Environmental Leader)

CLIMATE 

Climate fueled some of 2013’s most extreme weather events (via Climate Central)

Antarctic ice melt causes small shift in gravity (via Slate)

Scientists trace extreme heat in Australia to climate change (via New York Times)

Source of the sizzle: Climate change-fueled heat waves (via USA Today)

Barrier islands feeling effects of climate change (via New York Times)

Occidental Petroleum bolts from ALEC over climate stance (via National Journal)

GRID 

Grid-scale energy storage systems totaled more than 360MW in 2013-2014 (via Navigant Research)

Microgrid technologies to exceed $26 billion in annual revenue by 2023 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

A major settlement could make Arizona the next energy storage growth market (via Greentech Media)

Xcel Energy powers up 200-mile transmission project (via Renew Grid)

OIL 

Russian oil chief: Sanctions won’t stop Arctic drilling (via The Hill)

New Eagle Ford oil wells continue to show higher production (via U.S. EIA)

TRANSPORTATION 

European cars were 38% dirtier than air standards show (via Bloomberg)

EU countries to set EV targets under new green car rules (via BusinessGreen)

Japan conducts first public test of new maglev train (via Inhabitat)

Rolls-Royce gives up on electric, diesel in favor of hybrid (via Autoblog Green)

POLITICS 

Obama faces hard sell on climate fund (via The Hill)

Environmental groups take 2014 fight to states (via Politico)

OPINION 

Why peak oil predictions haven’t come true (via Wall Street Journal)

The death of the Aral Sea (via Science Blogs)

The natural gas boom could accelerate climate change (via FiveThirtyEight)

Dark side of the shale oil boom (via Washington Post)

Is a global climate treaty only a pipe dream? (via New York Times)

U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard: Not just for ethanol anymore (via National Geographic)

Drought in California, floods in California, doubt now in scientists’ minds (via Bloomberg)

Can the Big Island of Hawaii get all its electricity from renewables? (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: ALEC, Antarctica, Aral Sea, arctic, arizona, australia, Brazil, california, cap and trade, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, drought, Eagle Ford, electric vehicles, Emission, energy storage, EPA, ev, Exelon, Extinction, Extreme weather, fracking, Gina McCarthy, global warming, grid, Hawaii, IEA, japan, Maglev train, mexico, Microgrid, natural gas, News, NREL, offshore drilling, Ohio, Ohio River, OPIC, peak oil, PSE&G, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, rolls royce, Russia, Schneider Electric, Sea ice melt, Shale boom, solar, SunEdison, Transportation, Ukraine, West Virginia, wind, xcel energy, YieldCo
0
19
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.19.14

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

COAL 

China power plants exempts from low-quality coal ban: Sources (via Reuters)

With China coal ban, has Australia’s luck run out? (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek) 

Battery storage to make reserve coal plants redundant (via Renewables International)

A month of disappointments for coal exporters (via Sightline Daily)

Scientists on a quest for knowledge about coal dust risks (via EarthFix)

Ohio Supreme Court approves coal strip mining in state wildlife area (via Columbus Dispatch)

RENEWABLES 

Scotland “No” vote removes doubt for $23 billion in new renewables (via Bloomberg)

Wind adds 1.4GW to upcoming Brazil renewables auction (via Recharge News)

Jamaica aims to double renewable energy capacity (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek) 

German PV equipment manufacturing up 39% in 2014 (via Renewables International)

Solar power making big competitive gains, new studies show (via Breaking Energy)

Technology advances wind energy development (via The Energy Collective)

Food versus fuel in U.S. renewable energy showdown (via Thompson Reuters)

Report: U.S. solar costs continue rapid decline (via PV Tech)

U.S. solar and wind start to outshine gas (via Financial Times)

Wind power could improve grid resiliency, says GE (via CleanTechnica)

Putting solar panels on school roofs could increase U.S. solar capacity (via Climate Progress)

U.S. DOE targets 50,000 new solar installers by 2020 (via PV Tech)

Vivint Solar, 2nd U.S. solar installer, sets IPO terms to raise $370 million (via Greentech Media)

CLIMATE 

2014 on track to be warmest year on record (via Climate Central)

Summer 2014 was a sizzler: Earth’s hottest on record (via USA Today)

China cautious on fresh commitments ahead of climate change summit (via South China Morning Post)

Obama to tout U.S. climate plan at UN summit (via Reuters)

Report warns Superstorm Sandy was not “The Big One” (via Huffington Post)

White House officials acknowledge climate plan’s limits, but decry inaction (via ClimateWire)

HUD launches $1 billion national disaster resilience competition (via Inhabitat)

OIL 

Oil prices at two-year low, OPEC may change that (via Christian Science Monitor)

Oxfam sues SEC over oil payment disclosure rule (via The Hill)

Oklahoma to pass California, Alaska in oil production (via The Oklahoman)

TRANSPORTATION 

French group develops mass electric vehicle charging stations (via Reuters)

IRS won’t (or can’t) revel how many plug-in vehicle tax credits are left (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS 

Obama urged to plug methane leaks to meet climate goal (via Bloomberg) 

EMISSIONS

Hard truths about world power plant carbon emissions (via CleanTechnica)

California and Quebec announce first joint cap-and-trade auction (via Green Car Congress)

MISO study suggests regional approach is better when it comes to EPA carbon compliance (via EnergyWire)

UN hired PR firm that won’t rule out clients who oppose carbon regulations (via The Guardian)

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada CEO “frustrated” by linkage of Keystone XL to climate change (via Bloomberg BNA)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Ruling against FERC order could cost U.S. demand response market $4.4 billion (via Greentech Media)

LEED-certified professionals in great demand (via Sustainable Business)

ENVIRONMENT 

Why fewer acres have burned this year despite California drought (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Massive Northern California fire outrunning firefighters (via Los Angeles Times)

Despite some rain, drought still grips Texas towns (via StateImpact Texas)

POLITICS 

White House cranks up heat ahead of UN climate summit (via The Hill)

Brazil’s Rousseff closes in on Silva ahead of October vote (via Reuters)

Al Gore: Climate skepticism will haunt GOP in 2016 (via National Journal)

With an eye on 2016, Christie resists climate change plan for New Jersey (via New York Times)

Frank Pallone builds support for top spot on Energy Committee (via Politico)

OPINION 

Why higher education is a bright green market (via GreenBiz)

U.S. schools go solar (via EcoWatch)

Posted:   |   Categories: al gore, alaska, australia, biofuels, Brazil, california, cap and trade, China, Chris Christie, Clean Power Plan, climate, coal, Coal exports, Demand response, Dilma Rousseff, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ev charging, Extreme weather, FERC, France, Frank Pallone, GE, germany, global warming, green jobs, grid, IRS, Jamaica, Keystone XL, LEED, methane, MISO, natural gas, new jersey, News, Ohio, oil, oklahoma, OPEC, Oxfam, Quebec, renewables, Russ Girling, Scotland, SEC, solar, Superstorm Sandy, texas, TransCanada, Transportation, Vivint Solar, Wildfire, wind
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16
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.16.14

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

COAL 

China bans coal with high ash or sulfur to fight smog (via Bloomberg)

GAO: More coal power plants to retire than previously thought (via The Hill)

Coal power shows zero growth in 2014, report shows (via Climate Central)

In mining country, “war on coal” hard to see (via Boston Globe)

Study: Black lung at historically high levels in Appalachia (via Charleston Daily Mail)

EMISSIONS 

Big corporations leading the way on climate change with carbon pricing (via the Guardian)

Study: Urban air pollution may affect brains of young children (via Yale e360)

RENEWABLES 

Global renewable energy capacity grows more than ever before (via Christian Science Monitor)

Yingli drops Q2 solar module manufacturing costs to less than 50 cents per watt (via Greentech Media)

India to up solar target fivefold to 15 gigawatts (via Bloomberg)

Musk solar strategy used as model for record investments (via Bloomberg)

Duke spends $500 million to expand North Carolina solar power (via Bloomberg)

DOE National Labs can also be regional economic hubs (via Energy Collective)

Block Island offshore wind farm receives final federal approval (via Breaking Energy)

New study reveals truth about wind turbines and bird deaths (via Inhabitat)

NATURAL GAS 

Nigeria to triple natural gas output for power supply (via Bloomberg)

Natural gas drilling is polluting water, but don’t blame fracking (via National Journal)

Fracking gives U.S. energy boom plenty of room to run (via Wall Street Journal)

Gas production blamed for rise in Colorado, New Mexico earthquakes (via Reuters)

North Dakota meets first benchmark to reduce flaring (via Bismarck Tribune)

CLIMATE 

NASA ranks August 2014 as warmest on record (via Climate Central)

Fixing climate change may add no costs, says report (via New York Times)

Coca Cola, Heinz, other major food companies warn climate change threatens businesses (via Climate Progress)

Ocean algae can evolve fast to tackle climate change, says study (via Reuters)

OIL 

OPEC expected to lower oil output target in November (via Reuters)

Russia says did not discuss coordination with OPEC on oil prices (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Autonomous and connected car technologies may progressively curb emissions (via ClimateWire)

Morgan Stanley: Tesla stock up “for the wrong reasons?” (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID 

German clean-energy shift can do without storage, says study (via Bloomberg)

Homeowners to invest over $25 billion in generation and storage from 2014 to 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Capacity markets: Future of European demand response? (via Greentech Media)

Storing renewable energy in a thousand basements (via EnergyWire)

Stem banks $100 million for no-money-down energy storage (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

DOE pushing new energy efficiency rules for hotel heating and cooling (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

California drought threatens sushi, too (via Politico)

OPINION 

How fighting climate change could save the planet and rebuild the economy (via Washington Post)

China, the climate, and the fate of the planet (via Rolling Stone)

Preventing climate change and adapting to it are not morally equivalent (via Grist)

Has the great climate change migration already begun? (via The Guardian)

UN Climate Summit: What’s in it for cities? (via World Resources Institute)

Posted:   |   Categories: Black lung, california, Capacity market, Carbon pricing, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, department of energy, drought, duke energy, Elon Musk, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, europe, fracking, GAO, germany, global warming, grid, india, methane, Morgan Stanley, natural gas, New Mexico, News, nigeria, North Carolina, north dakota, offshore wind, oil, OPEC, renewables, Russia, solar, Stem, Tesla, Transportation, united nations, wind, Yingli
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15
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.15.14

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

COAL 

Is China finally kicking its coal addiction? (via Huffington Post)

Coal-fired generation in U.S. to fall 25% by 2020 (via Renew Economy)

Obama’s mountaintop coal mining legacy still to be determined (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

The clean energy economy: 2.7 million green jobs, 40% fewer emissions (via CleanTechnica)

Sun and wind alter global landscape, leaving utilities behind (via New York Times)

Brazil plans 3.5GW new solar by 2023 (via PV Tech)

Central America solar capacity set to explode (via CleanTechnica)

Clean energy investment at risk from Scottish referendum vote (via Bloomberg)

EPA faces 2014 election accusations on ethanol policy (via The Hill)

Study showcases effective state renewable energy policies to help meet pending EPA rules (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Groups do last-minute jockeying on RFS rule as election day nears (via E&E Daily)

North America’s largest biomass-fueled power plant opens (via Environmental Leader)

As Oklahoma wind industry matures, some call for greater regulation (via The Oklahoman)

Push to impose extra fees on solar customers draws outrage in Wisconsin (via Climate Progress)

EMISSIONS

UN climate summit set for major carbon pricing announcement (via RTCC)

Big corporations brace for global carbon price rollout (via Reuters)

Major corporations leading charge for robust carbon price, says CDP (via BusinessGreen)

EU polluters to land €5 billion windfall under “carbon leakage” proposal (via The Guardian)

South Korea increases emissions cap in proposed carbon trading scheme (via Reuters)

Economists dig into problem of taxing carbon emissions or trading them (via ClimateWire)

California oil marketers want cap-and-trade investigated (via Bloomberg)

Economists call for Midwest carbon tax, emissions market (via MPR News)

OIL 

New U.S. sanctions on Russia to stall Exxon’s Arctic oil plans (via New York Times)

Momentum builds to allow U.S. oil exports (via The Hill)

New petroleum technology revitalizes Powder River Basin oil production (via U.S. EIA)

TRANSPORTATION 

Fuel cells will flop outside Japan, says Volkswagen (via Autoblog)

CLIMATE 

World’s six multilateral development banks promise to do more on climate (via The Hill)

Leading philanthropic foundations can create climate “tipping point” (via RTCC)

Criminal deforestation poses growing climate threat (via RTCC)

No rain for decades: Scientists warn to stand by for “megadroughts” (via The Independent)

Climate activists organize New York march ahead of UN summit (via ABC News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

UK Green Deal energy efficiency program called “disappointing failure” (via The Telegraph)

California delays energy disclosure program for smaller nonresidential buildings (via Breaking Energy)

GRID 

Solar storms add to growing list of issues for grid reliability monitor (via EnergyWire)

Michigan’s agriculture industry confronts aging grid infrastructure (via Midwest Energy News)

ENVIRONMENT 

What will survive in hot, acidic oceans? (via Climate Central)

Where the wildfires are: If there’s smoke, there are costly health problems (via The Guardian)

Yosemite wildfire crews also battling bears on fire lines (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

Memo lays out value in anti-Koch attacks (via Politico)

OPINION 

Should the U.S. export oil to push down prices and hurt Putin? (via Quartz)

The climate change trap (via National Journal)

A new perspective on the net metering debate (via Renewable Energy World)

Central America’s heart set on solar with new government tenders (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Another record year for CO2 (via Energy Collective)

YieldCos don’t fit the bill for many renewable energy companies (via Renewable Energy World)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, biomass, Brazil, california, cap and trade, Carbon market, Carbon pricing, carbon tax, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, deforestation, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, ethanol, European Union, Exxon, Fuel Cells, global warming, green jobs, grid, japan, michigan, Mountaintop coal removal, NERC, Net metering, News, Ocean acidification, offshore drilling, oil, Oil exports, oklahoma, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, Russia, Scotland, solar, South Korea, Transportation, united kingdom, Vladimir Putin, Volkswagen, Wildfire, wind, Wisconsin, YieldCo
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