Category Archives:Gulf of Mexico

01
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.1.13

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

CLIMATE 

Obama plan could define 2015 UN climate deal (via RTCC)

Climate change poses grave threat to security: UK military commander (via BusinessGreen)

Climate change not something insurance is likely to cover (via EarthTechling)

Federal community-resilience investments swamped by disaster damages (via Climate Progress)

A new industry is born for the frontlines of climate change (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

Coal-fired retrofit market “$523 billion by 2020” (via Environmental Leader)

In 2013, coal is winning the war on coal: generation jumps 13% as natural gas falls 10% (via Facts of The Day)

DOE Secretary Moniz rebuts “war on coal” (via The Hill)

Coal trains raise concerns in congested Northwest US cities (via Seattle Times)

RENEWABLES 

India’s renewable energy potential remains untapped (via Triple Pundit)

Tensions laid bare as Desertec exits industrial solar consortium (via BusinessGreen)

Congress may change or even repeal 2007 ethanol mandate (via Autoblog Green)

Western governors unveil 10-year energy “vision” (via Houston Chronicle)

ACORE looks at how to scale US renewable energy investments (via Renewable Energy World)

World’s first wind-current generator could produce double the power (via TreeHugger)

Making small wind work takes big planning (via EarthTechling)

SolarCity plans solar power storage solution due in 2015 (via Los Angeles Times)

Connecticut Green Bank closes on $60 million solar lease financing (via Hartford Courant)

South Carolina regulators to re-examine solar power rules (via The State)

OIL 

Cheaper Canadian oil for Midwest refiners not reflected in price at the pump (via InsideClimate News)

BP report says Gulf oil spill only half as big as government claims (via Forbes)

Report shows ExxonMobil pipeline that spilled oil in Arkansas had at least 13 prior leaks (via The Republic)

TRANSPORTATION 

The future of solar and wind powered shipping (via MIT Technology Review)

Hertz 24/7 will make car-sharing available to most Americans by 2016 (via Autoblog Green)

Midwest seen as proving ground for biofuel-powered airliners (via Midwest Energy News)

California high-speed rail is moving forward (via Inhabitat)

Tesla Motors conquers North Carolina (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS 

China backs off shale gas targets (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Electricity market analytics could cut data center emissions 99% (via Energy Manager Today)

Energy Star updates Portfolio Manager for buildings (via GreenBiz)

Chicago to require benchmarking in large commercial buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

5 ways to engage low-income customers in efficiency (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

Algorithm identifies most danger power grid risks amid millions of possible failures (via Phys.org)

What’s the real cost of smart meters in Maine? (via Greentech Media)

EMISSIONS 

Is carbon pricing reducing Australia’s emissions? (via Renew Economy)

99% of Australian businesses back emissions trading scheme (via RTCC)

Some climate advocates open to idea of dumping Australian carbon tax (via The Guardian)

GREEN BUILDING 

Study: smart growth reduces risk of mortgage default (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

At Fort Bliss, an Army vision for a new shade of green (via Los Angeles Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Butterfly decline signals trouble in environment (via Washington Post)

In Texas, a push to show farmers how to save water (via Texas Tribune)

POLITICS 

Obama calls on voters to demand climate action at the ballot box (via The Hill)

Two insiders take the reins on Obama’s climate effort (via Greenwire)

Moderate Democrats, facing hard midterm elections, treat climate plan carefully (via ClimateWire)

Senate leans toward Gina McCarthy confirmation for EPA (via Politico)

OPINION 

Scientists predicted a decade ago Artic ice loss would worsen Western droughts – is that happening already? (via Climate Progress)

Obama’s Lincoln moment? (via Grist)

The biggest oversight in Obama’s climate plan is a doozy (via Grist)

Google’s green search (via Recharge)

The myriad benefits of a carbon tax (via New York Times)

Posted:   |   Categories: ACORE, Arctic ice melt, Arkansas, australia, barack obama, biofuel, BP, california, canada, cap and trade, Carbon pricing, carbon tax, chicago, China, climate, Climate adaptation, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, Coal retrofit, Connecticut, department of energy, Desertec, DOE, drought, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, energy star, environment, EPA, Ernest Moniz, ethanol, Extinction, ExxonMobil, Gina McCarthy, Green bank, green building, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hertz, high speed rail, india, natural gas, News, North Carolina, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, renewables, Resilience, rooftop solar, Shale gas, small wind, Smart growth, smart meters, solar, solar leasing, SolarCity, south carolina, Tesla Motors, texas, Tidal, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, War on Coal, water conservation, Water scarcity, wind
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28
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.28.13

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Environmentalists demand new climate analysis for Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

First Nations group calls for BC to reject Northern Gateway pipeline permits (via Vancouver Sun)

Oil sands leak on northern Alberta weapons range (via CBC News)

EMISSIONS 

World’s highest carbon price faces Australia’s new leader (via Bloomberg)

EU plans to make it mandatory for ship owners to measure carbon emissions (via The Guardian)

US CO2 emissions on the rise again (via Navigant Research)

Why a carbon tax isn’t in Obama’s climate plan (via Energy Collective)

RENEWABLES 

UK boosts Green Bank by £800 million (via Recharge)

India and Turkey to enhance cooperation on renewables (via EnergyNext)

UK green electricity generation leaps 10% (via BusinessGreen)

China plans large-scale solar PV pilot projects (via CleanTechnica)

UK shows offshore wind more costly than solar (via Reuters)

Chinese firm charged in theft of US company’s turbine software (via New York Times)

US military faces trio of renewable energy goals (via EarthTechling)

EPA says ethanol bounty may push refiners over 10% blend wall (via Bloomberg)

A whole new way of thinking about geothermal (via Greentech Media)

After much delay, US offshore wind power set to sail (via Politico)

LA launches nation’s largest solar rooftop program (via Grist)

COAL 

India to eclipse China as world’s largest coal power (via Bloomberg)

The US will stop financing coal plants abroad – that’s a huge shift (via Washington Post)

Coal exports have doubled during Obama’s so-called “war on coal” (via The Week)

Moniz sees coal’s significant role (via AP)

CLIMATE 

Researchers say global warming may affect soil microbe survival (via Phys.org)

More species at risk from climate change than thought (via CBS News)

UN climate chief welcomes Obama plan, wants US energy czar (via Reuters)

Calgary floods spotlight cities’ costly failure to plan for climate change (via CBC News)

OIL 

House advances plan to expand drilling on US-Mexico maritime border (via Houston Chronicle)

House votes to double oil revenue cap for Gulf states (via The Hill)

Deepwater drilling expansion will strain workforce, says study (via Houston Chronicle)

Texas oil output surges past North Dakota (via Reuters)

BP report could cut Gulf oil spill penalties by up to $7 billion (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU delays CO2 car targets after fierce lobbying from Germany (via BusinessGreen)

BMW forecast for doubled EV range spurs more debate than conclusions (via Autoblog Green)

Anthony Foxx, Charlotte’s transit-friendly mayor, nominated for transportation secretary (via Grist)

Nissan offers up new Leaf battery replacement program (via EarthTechling)

Ikea to add EV charging stations in Houston, nationwide (via Houston Chronicle)

Tesla Motors wins in North Carolina, anti-competitive legislation dropped (via Autoblog Green)

NUCLEAR 

UK nuclear expansion advances with $15 billion loan backing (via Bloomberg)

Senate OKs Macfarlane for full term as NRC chairwoman (via The Hill)

Quarrels continue over nuclear waste repository (via New York Times)

GRID 

Microgrids and energy security: the business case (via Breaking Energy)

California’s timely demand response roadmap (via Navigant Research)

Solar PV, energy storage combine in commercial-scale Maryland microgrid (via Sustainable Business)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Cloud computing can reduce GHGs 95%, save $2.2 billion (via Environmental Leader)

Obama’s Better Buildings program celebrates first year (via Greentech Media)

Energy efficiency saves AT&T at least $151 million (via Mother Nature Network)

Staples reaches milestone of 500 Energy Star buildings (via Sustainable Business)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Obama’s climate plan silent on exports but pledges support for global gas markets (via EnergyWire)

Methane scrutiny in Obama climate plan may cost drillers (via Bloomberg)

Ohio law shielding fracking chemical details may violate federal statute (via Columbus Dispatch)

POLITICS 

GOP to make EPA spending bill a climate battleground (via The Hill)

Obama’s EPA nominee in jeopardy from Senate Republicans (via Reuters)

Obama to tap Colorado regulator Binz as new FERC chief (via The Hill)

Moniz optimistic on Obama’s plan to reduce emissions (via New York Times)

OPINION 

India’s EV market falling short (via Navigant Research)

Will Obama’s climate policy spur new energy technologies? (via MIT Technology Review)

US takes key climate change steps, but the world must do more (via Washington Post)

Sports world teams up against climate change (via GreenBiz)

Figures: no country doing enough on climate change (via RTCC)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, Alison Macfarlane, Anthony Foxx, AT&T, australia, barack obama, battery, Better Buildings Program, BMW, BP, british columbia, calgary, california, Carbon price, carbon tax, China, Christiana Figueres, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, colorado, Demand response, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy star, energy storage, EPA, Ernest Moniz, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Extinction, federal energy regulatory commission, feed-in tariff, FERC, First Nations, Flood, fracking, Fracking fluid, geothermal, germany, Gina McCarthy, global warming, Green bank, green building, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Houston, Ikea, india, kevin rudd, Keystone XL, LNG, LNG exports, los angeles, maryland, methane, mexico, Microgrid, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, nissan LEAF, North Carolina, north dakota, Northern Gateway, NRC, nuclear, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, nuclear waste, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, renewables, Ron Binz, Shale oil, solar, Solar FIT, solar pv, Staples, tar sands, Tesla, texas, Transportation, Turkey, uk, united kingdom, wind
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27
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.27.13

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

CLIMATE 

A political skirmish in Australia could have a big climate impact (via Washington Post)

US heat wave could threaten world’s hottest temperature record (via Climate Central)

Melting sea ice, wobbly jet stream seen as culprits in Alberta floods (via Calgary Herald)

Scientists underscore Obama’s concerns about climate change and severe weather (via ClimateWire)

Obama Administration releases state-by-state climate reports (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Sea level along Maryland shorelines could rise two feet by 2050 (via Phys.org)

COAL

US, China deliver another double blow to Australian coal (via Renew Economy)

World Bank plans to limit financing of coal-fired power plants (via Reuters)

Big coal to fight Obama climate plan (via Wall Street Journal)

The case for a war on coal (via Slate)

RENEWABLES 

IEA: renewables will exceed natural gas and nuclear by 2016 (via CleanTechnica)

Solar energy a boon for power thirsty off-grid Africa (via Energy Manager Today)

Australian solar growing up as PV market eyes next phase (via Renew Economy)

Is China losing its solar companies? (via Sustainable Business)

UK unveils renewable energy price support, electricity market reforms (via BusinessGreen)

Wells Fargo invests $100 million in distributed solar projects (via Energy Manager Today)

Marines push to front lines in renewable energy innovation (via Yale e360)

LA program lets utility pay customers to generate solar power (via Los Angeles Times)

KEYSTONE XL 

In Canada, pipeline remarks stir analysis (via New York Times)

Visions of a greener pipeline (via New York Times)

API spent $22 million lobbying for Keystone XL; State Department contractor ERM an API member (via DeSmog Blog)

EMISSIONS 

USGS assessment finds 3,000 gigaton CO2 storage potential in US (via Green Car Congress)

US climate plan may boost cap and trade (via Reuters)

Federal study touts Gulf Coast for carbon sequestration (via Houston Chronicle)

OIL 

BP steps up spill payments protest with ad campaign (via Reuters)

Massive tar mat dug up off Louisiana coast, 3 years after Gulf oil spill (via CNN)

TRANSPORTATION 

Germany seeks to block EU CO2 car limits for 2020 (via BusinessGreen)

Electric car industry reps cheered by market growth (via Los Angeles Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

UK says shale gas fields twice the size of previous estimates (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Electricity prices soar in West Texas as shale drilling expands (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

Deforestation rising in Amazon countries outside Brazil (via Mongabay)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Empire State Building efficiency retrofit being replicated across the US (via Sustainable Business)

POLITICS 

Rudd sworn in as Australian PM after overthrowing Gillard (via Reuters)

GOP leaders steer clear of climate science fight (via The Hill)

Republicans shift strategy on climate change (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Can Kevin Rudd protect Australia’s climate change credibility? (via The Guardian)

Climate target number one: coal (via Los Angeles Times)

Poll: Americans split on Obama’s handling of climate change (via Huffington Post)

Is Obama’s faith in carbon capture a Technicolor dream? (via Desmog Blog)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Alberta, amazon, american petroleum institute, API, australia, BP, Brazil, canada, cap and trade, Carbon sequestration, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, deforestation, Distributed solar, Electric Vehicle, emissions, empire state building, Energy Efficiency, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, feed-in tariff, FIT, Flood, fracking, Germany EU, global warming, grid, Gulf of Mexico, IEA, International Energy Agency, Julia Gillard, kevin rudd, Keystone XL, los angeles, Louisiana, maryland, natural gas, News, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, rooftop solar, Sea ice melt, Sea level rise, Severe weather, Shale gas, solar, solar pv, State Department, tar sands, texas, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, US Geological Survey, usgs, Wells Fargo, World Bank
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26
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.26.13

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

OBAMA CLIMATE PLAN 

Obama outlines ambitious plan to cut greenhouse gases (via New York Times)

Obama invites court fight with aggressive climate rules (via The Hill)

Obama’s climate plan spares oil and gas from big changes (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama plan offers help to US cities on climate’s front lines (via Reuters)

Utilities react cautiously to Obama climate plan (via Wall Street Journal)

Republicans face limited options on Obama climate plan (via Politico)

GRID 

Snapshots of China’s smart grid (via Greentech Media)

Energy storage for solar and wind integration will total 22GW installed capacity from 2013 to 2023 (via Navigant Research)

US smart meter installations to hit 61.7 million units by end of 2013 (via Renew Grid)

Breakthrough NREL lab could solve renewables-grid integration problems (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

China top country in world for renewables investment (via Renewable Energy World)

UK Green Investment Bank spends £635 million in first year (via BusinessGreen)

Study: wind and solar plant benefits vary by location (via Phys.org)

DNV-KEMA releases floating offshore wind turbine standards (via North American Windpower)

How can the solar industry better assess financial risk? (via Breaking Energy)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Obama offers Keystone surprise in climate change speech (via The Hill)

Canada says it sees no net increase in emissions from Keystone (via Reuters)

Federal report: diluted oil sands crude poses no higher pipeline risk (via Houston Chronicle)

Narrow and flawed, federal pipeline safety study fails to settle controversy (via InsideClimate News)

Tar sands mining to begin this summer in Kentucky (via Louisville Public Radio)

GREEN BUILDING 

Green infrastructure promises GDP boost to UK by 2015 (via BusinessGreen)

Green building taking off in hospitality, retail industries (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

Oil prices to fall as much as 30% by 2016, says forecaster (via Houston Chronicle)

BP challenges settlements in Gulf oil spill (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Recovering wasted energy expenses is a $750 billion opportunity (via Energy Manager Today)

5 leading-edge efficiency programs in the US (via Greentech Media)

EMISSIONS 

UK “could miss carbon emissions targets in 2020s” (via The Guardian)

Is a carbon tax more effective than EPA rules? You might be surprised. (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

Climate change becoming a top shareholder concern (via Houston Chronicle)

Maine governor vetoes climate change study (via Portland Press Herald)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Mixed results in study of water, fracking (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

OPINION 

How Tesla pulled ahead of the electric car pack (via Council on Foreign Relations)

Obama and climate change: fresh air (via The Guardian)

Obama may have left himself wiggle room to approve Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

The 5 most interesting pieces of Obama’s new climate plan (via Greentech Media)

10 takeaways from Obama’s climate speech (via Politico)

Posted:   |   Categories: barack obama, BP, canada, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, Dilbit, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, ev, fracking, green building, grid, Grid integration, Gulf of Mexico, Kentucky, Keystone XL, natural gas, News, NREL, oil, oil spill, Pipelines, renewables, smart grid, smart meter, solar, tar sands, Tesla, uk, united kingdom, wind
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19
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.19.13

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

COAL 

US coal exports set monthly record (via US EIA)

Army Corps won’t consider global emissions from coal exports (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS

China carbon permits trade 22% below EU on market debut (via Bloomberg)

EU emission trading system set for second “backloading” vote (via RTCC)

Autism tied to air pollution, brain-wiring disconnection (via Bloomberg)

Cutting carbon could save US corporations $780 billion over 10 years (via BusinessGreen)

GRID 

Smart grid market revenue will hit $73 billion annually by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

Obama nourishes smart grid to feed his legacy (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

European utilities switch off investment in fossil fuel plants (via New York Times)

Japan’s journey from nuclear to solar power (via EarthTechling)

Moniz sees bright future for solar (via Breaking Energy)

Cape Wind gets $200 million investment from Danish fund (via Phys.org)

California’s solar energy initiative is ending – what has it left behind? (via Energy Collective)

Getting it right in New England’s regional process for Canadian hydropower imports (via CLF Scoop)

CLIMATE 

World Bank says world’s poorest will feel brunt of climate change (via The Guardian)

Small global warming rise would have “alarming” impact, says World Bank (via Reuters)

California and Shenzen, China sign agreement to cooperate on climate change (via Green Car Congress)

Ernest Moniz keeps cool as House GOP disputes climate change (via Politico)

Record-shattering heat bakes Alaska (via Washington Post)

Seattle adopts carbon neutral climate action plan for 2050 (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EPA official says fracking study won’t be done until 2016 (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Bahrain launches green plan to tackle growing energy consumption (via Gulf Daily News)

Firing up Minnesota’s “energy efficiency power plant” (via Midwest Energy News)

Making energy efficiency attractive for owners of older Seattle buildings (via New York Times)

OIL 

US considers exporting more oil for first time since 1970’s (via Bloomberg)

Canada raises liability for offshore oil spills to $1 billion (via Globe and Mail)

Why did officials slap Exxon with an oil spill lawsuit so quickly in Arkansas? (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

South Africa starts three-year study to see if it’s ready for EVs (via Autoblog Green)

Vermont and Quebec announce electric car corridor (via Fox News/AP)

Will you or the grid control your electric car? (via Scientific American)

ENVIRONMENT 

This year’s Gulf of Mexico dead zone could be biggest on record (via Time)

“Extreme” Arizona wildfire burns 5,000 acres in just 7 hours (via NBC News)

LA approves ban on plastic grocery bags (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Why you should care about Solar Impulse and renewable energy’s long journey (via Washington Post)

How reliance on trees can help forests (via New York Times)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, arizona, Arkansas, Bahrain, barack obama, california, California Solar Initiative, canada, cap and trade, cape wind, Carbon neutral, carbon trading, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, Electric vehicle charging, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy efficiency retrofits, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, EU ETS, European Union, ev, ev charging, Extreme weather, Exxon, fracking, global warming, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hydropower, japan, los angeles, minnesota, natural gas, New England, News, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, Plastic bag ban, Quebec, renewables, seattle, Shenzen, smart grid, solar, Solar Impulse, South Africa, Transportation, V2G, vermont, Wildfire, wind, World Bank
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18
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.18.13

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

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

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

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

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

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

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

RENEWABLES 

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

Japan to start floating offshore wind trial (via Recharge)

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

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

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

Six Sioux tribes propose massive wind project (via Recharge)

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

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

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

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

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

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

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear decommissioning surge is investor guessing game (via Bloomberg)

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

ENVIRONMENT 

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

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

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

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

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

OIL 

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

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

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

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

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

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

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

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

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

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

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

GREEN BUSINESS 

New Vikings stadium sheds light on sustainability (via EarthTechling)

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

POLITICS 

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

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

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

Handicapping potential candidates to lead FERC (via Politico)

OPINION 

Carbon trading with Chinese characteristics (via Scientific American)

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

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

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

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, Alberta, AT&T, australia, BP, california, canada, cap and trade, carbon capture, Carbon market, chicago, China, Climate adaptation, distributed generation, DOE, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EU, European Union, ev, EV chargers, federal energy regulatory commission, FERC, Ford, fracking, germany, Great Barrier Reef, green business, greenland, Grid Parity, Gulf of Mexico, Hydropower, Ice melt, Illinois, japan, Keystone XL, Koch Brothers, Liquefied natural gas, LNG, methane, Montana, natural gas, Natural gas exports, New England, New York City, News, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, Peak car, Plug-in EV, Quebec, renewables, rhode island, rooftop solar, Shale gas, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, tar sands, texas, Transportation, Wildfire, wind, Wisconsin, xcel energy
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07
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.7.13

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

GRID 

Utilities outline smarter, more resilient grid to cope with future storms (via ClimateWire)

During major storms, utilities turn to technology (via Navigant Research)

What municipal utilities want from the smart grid (via Greentech Media)

COAL

Global coal consumption booms nearly 60% as China consumes 47% of total (via Facts of the Day)

RENEWABLES 

US mulling solar trade agreement with EU, China (via Reuters)

Major global markets continue to determine wind’s path (via Renewable Energy World)

Feed-in tariff spurs Japan solar power boom (via Washington Post)

North America and Asia-Pacific lead geothermal market (via Navigant Research)

Tidal energy could be next big wave (via Forbes)

Report shows US solar annual capacity passed 2GW in 2012 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Ethanol leading to a corn-based bubble (via Houston Chronicle)

DOE launches geothermal regulatory roadmap for project developers (via CleanTechnica)

NREL announces 2012 utility green power program leaders (via Renew Grid)

Nebraska governor signs wind incentive bill into law (via Recharge)

Connecticut governor signs bill amending RPS to include hydropower (via Renew Grid)

Solar Foundation releases solar guide for homeowner associations (via Solar Industry Magazine)

OIL 

Interior Secretary says no new oil drilling in Atlantic as GOP forges ahead (via The Hill)

Gulf oil wells have been leaking since 2004 hurricane (via Grist)

Oil boom masks technological limits that could stifle long-term Bakken potential (via EnergyWire)

Few objections to fracking rule from oil industry, says Interior Secretary (via The Hill)

Oil industry drove economic booms in North Dakota, Texas (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

Arctic summers could be nearly ice-free in seven years (via Grist)

UN beats $30 billion goal to fund climate aid in poorer nations (via Bloomberg)

Slicing open stalagmites to reveal climate secrets (via Mother Jones)

More pieces of global warming puzzle assembled by recent research (via The Guardian)

NUCLEAR 

NRC orders owners of 31 US nuclear reactors to toughen vents (via Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS 

European demand for voluntary offsets surges in private sector (via GreenBiz)

Germany in new push against EU car emissions plan (via Reuters)

Measuring carbon in soil takes a leap forward (via Phys.org)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Detroit’s huge petcoke pile makes its way back to Canada (via New York Times)

Harry Reid says Keystone XL vote coming in US Senate (via The Hill)

Obama dogged by Keystone XL protesters during Bay Area visit (via San Francisco Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

US irrigation subsidies leading to more water use (via New York Times)

Time for US to rely less on shovels, hoses, retardant in fighting wildfires? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Dell pledges waste-free packaging by 2020 (via Environmental Leader)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Federal government give industry, environmentalists more time to study drilling rule (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla CEO Elon Musk will drive Model S from LA to New York (via Green Car Reports)

Want to boost fuel economy? Stop thinking about miles per gallon. (via Washington Post)

POLITICS 

Obama officials face tough questions on oil drilling, land access (via Houston Chronicle)

A bipartisan energy committee stuck in a partisan Senate (via National Journal)

OPINION 

How “tower power” is breaking open the rural clean energy market (via Greentech Media)

Distributed solar has arrived (via Navigant Research)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, Bakken Shale, barack obama, canada, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Connecticut, Dell, department of energy, Detroit, distributed generation, DOE, drought, Elon Musk, emissions, environment, ethanol, EU, European Union, Extreme weather, feed-in tariff, FIT, fracking, Fuel Economy, geothermal, germany, global warming, grid, Gulf of Mexico, harry reid, Hydropower, interior department, japan, Keystone XL, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, natural gas, Nebraska, News, north dakota, NRC, NREL, nuclear, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Offsets, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, Petcoke, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, rps, Sally Jewell, Severe weather, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, Solar Foundation, Solar trade war, tar sands, Tesla, texas, tidal energy, Transportation, UN, united nations, Water scarcity, Wildfire, wind
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14
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.14.13

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

EMISSIONS 

South Korea to launch world’s most ambitious carbon trading scheme (via BusinessGreen)

Clock is ticking, slowly, on rules for coal-fired power plants (via Los Angeles Times)

EIA releases report on CO2 emissions by state (via Green Car Congress)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Sustainability “highly important” to 42% of supply chains (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY POLICY 

Wyoming governor unveils state energy policy 2 years in making (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Germany disputes hard EU stance on China solar panel duties (via Reuters)

5 achievements from Germany’s “Energiewende” (via WRI Insights)

Consumer support for wind and solar energy fell in 2012 (via Navigant Research)

Big Data will provide accurate analysis of wind-wildlife impacts (via Treehugger)

Feds study Gulf wildlife to make way for wind turbines (via Houston Chronicle)

Sharper computer models clear the way for more wind power (via MIT Technology Review)

In Solyndra wake, US solar industry sees chance to go from niche to mainstream (via Greenwire)

DOE’s high-impact energy innovation incubator program (via Energy Collective)

SolarCity shares up 200% since IPO (via Recharge)

Illinois renewable energy fund lacks power to fulfill purpose (via Chicago Tribune)

OIL 

Lower Mexican oil production contributes to lower US crude oil exports (via US EIA)

Pipelines spill three times as much oil as trains (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

US oil boom leaves OPEC sidelined from demand growth (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

Mount Everest glaciers have shrunk 13% in 50 years (via Mongabay)

Melting ice opens fight over sea routes for Arctic (via Bloomberg)

Hurricane Sandy forced third-most people from homes worldwide in 2012 (via The Hill)

America’s first climate refugees (via The Guardian)

Climate resilience: deconstructing the new buzz-word (via Climate Progress)

Both sides in climate war blamed for cherry-picking attribution research (via InsideClimate News)

GRID 

Smart meters stumble in the UK (via Greentech Media)

How “shadow bids” could hurt the demand response market (via Greentech Media)

Insights into renewables and the grid from Congress (via Greentech Media)

Water utilities to spend $2 billion on smart meters through 2020 (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Nations ponder how to handle busier, more polluted Arctic (via ClimateWire)

Fewer rainforests mean less energy for developing nations (via New York Times)

Tinderbox-dry Western US at high risk of major wildfires (via Climate Central)

Feds warn sequester cuts weakened readiness for wildfire season (via The Hill)

Do we need a better yardstick to measure severe droughts in US? (via Climatewire)

OPINION 

The myths and realities of America’s oil and gas boom (via Greentech Media)

What to expect from EV range now and over time (via Plugin Cars)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, arctic, cap and trade, Carbon market, China, climate, Climate refugees, Climate resilience, coal, deforestation, Demand response, DOE, drought, eia, electric vehicles, emissions, Energiewende, environment, EU, European Union, ev, germany, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Sandy, Hydropower, Illinois, mexico, Mount Everest, News, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, OPEC, Pipeline, renewables, Sea ice melt, smart grid, smart meters, solar, Solar trade war, SolarCity, solyndra, South Korea, sustainability, Wildfire, wind, wyoming
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14
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.14.13

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

EMISSIONS 

South Korea to launch world’s most ambitious carbon trading scheme (via BusinessGreen)

Clock is ticking, slowly, on rules for coal-fired power plants (via Los Angeles Times)

EIA releases report on CO2 emissions by state (via Green Car Congress)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Sustainability “highly important” to 42% of supply chains (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY POLICY 

Wyoming governor unveils state energy policy 2 years in making (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Germany disputes hard EU stance on China solar panel duties (via Reuters)

5 achievements from Germany’s “Energiewende” (via WRI Insights)

Consumer support for wind and solar energy fell in 2012 (via Navigant Research)

Big Data will provide accurate analysis of wind-wildlife impacts (via Treehugger)

Feds study Gulf wildlife to make way for wind turbines (via Houston Chronicle)

Sharper computer models clear the way for more wind power (via MIT Technology Review)

In Solyndra wake, US solar industry sees chance to go from niche to mainstream (via Greenwire)

DOE’s high-impact energy innovation incubator program (via Energy Collective)

SolarCity shares up 200% since IPO (via Recharge)

Illinois renewable energy fund lacks power to fulfill purpose (via Chicago Tribune)

OIL 

Lower Mexican oil production contributes to lower US crude oil exports (via US EIA)

Pipelines spill three times as much oil as trains (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

US oil boom leaves OPEC sidelined from demand growth (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

Mount Everest glaciers have shrunk 13% in 50 years (via Mongabay)

Melting ice opens fight over sea routes for Arctic (via Bloomberg)

Hurricane Sandy forced third-most people from homes worldwide in 2012 (via The Hill)

America’s first climate refugees (via The Guardian)

Climate resilience: deconstructing the new buzz-word (via Climate Progress)

Both sides in climate war blamed for cherry-picking attribution research (via InsideClimate News)

GRID 

Smart meters stumble in the UK (via Greentech Media)

How “shadow bids” could hurt the demand response market (via Greentech Media)

Insights into renewables and the grid from Congress (via Greentech Media)

Water utilities to spend $2 billion on smart meters through 2020 (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Nations ponder how to handle busier, more polluted Arctic (via ClimateWire)

Fewer rainforests mean less energy for developing nations (via New York Times)

Tinderbox-dry Western US at high risk of major wildfires (via Climate Central)

Feds warn sequester cuts weakened readiness for wildfire season (via The Hill)

Do we need a better yardstick to measure severe droughts in US? (via Climatewire)

OPINION 

The myths and realities of America’s oil and gas boom (via Greentech Media)

What to expect from EV range now and over time (via Plugin Cars)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, arctic, cap and trade, Carbon market, China, climate, Climate change. Global warming, Climate refugees, Climate resilience, coal, deforestation, Demand response, DOE, drought, eia, electric vehicles, emissions, Energiewende, environment, EU, European Union, ev, germany, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Sandy, Hydropower, Illinois, Matt Mead, mexico, News, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, OPEC, Pipeline, renewables, Sea ice melt, smart grid, smart meters, solar, Solar trade war, SolarCity, solyndra, South Korea, sustainability, Wildfire, wind, wyoming
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09
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.9.13

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

EMISSIONS 

World Bank President urges carbon price (via Environmental Leader)

EU carbon price crisis spreads to Australia (via RTCC)

EU carbon trading system remains in peril, but rescue attempts is launched (via ClimateWire)

Carbon market champions unfazed by Kyoto dead end (via Bloomberg)

Cap and trade auction investment plan a win for California (via Energy Manager Today)

COAL 

Another Northwest coal export project falls by the wayside (via The Oregonian)

ENERGY POLICY 

The 2013 US utility outlook on renewables, smart grid (via Greentech Media)

Foes suggest a climate trade-off if Keystone XL is approved (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

Offshore wind industry will become €130 billion annual market by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

World’s first green bank loans $1 billion in first five months of operation (via Reuters)

World Bank turns to hydropower to square development with climate change (via Washington Post)

German scientists use offshore wind farms to replenish lobsters (via Bloomberg)

Study finds tiny rate increases from state renewable portfolio standards (via Greentech Media)

US job market bursting with green tech opportunities (via EarthTechling)

Weak 2013 US wind turbine market predicted (via Recharge)

Minnesota House approves 4% by 2025 solar PV mandate (via Recharge)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Mexico still far from tapping shale potential, says energy minister (via Reuters)

US natural gas exports: friend or foe? (via WRI Insights)

US will use less natural gas in 2014 than in 2012, according to EIA (via Facts of the Day)

Interior Department’s fracking rules in cross hairs ahead of upcoming release (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

European plug-in EV sales will reach 670,000 unites annually by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Tesla posts first profit as Model S becomes best-selling US plug-in (via Autoblog Green)

California legislature aims to make public charging networks available to all (via Plugin Cars)

Consumer Reports gives near-perfect score to Tesla Model S (via Reuters)

OIL 

How oil travels around the world, in one map (via Washington Post)

Shell announces plans to build world’s deepest production facility (via Houston Chronicle)

Interior Secretary to oil industry: don’t throw regulators under the bus (via Houston Chronicle)

Gulf of Mexico emergency oil spill equipment put to the test (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

North American smart meter shipments will continue decline through 2014 (via Navigant Research)

Demand response cuts need for new generation in PJM grid (via Energy Collective)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Canada says it may take EU to WTO over oil sands dispute (via Reuters)

Can carbon capture clean up Canada’s oil sands? (via MIT Technology Review)

Academics warn Canada against further tar sands production (via The Guardian)

Pipeline wars seen spreading after Keystone XL fight (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy efficiency bill clears Senate panel (via The Hill)

Big data means big savings for big buildings (via GreenBiz)

Boston mandates energy benchmarking (via Energy Manager Today)

CLIMATE 

Declining snow cover imperils plant and animal species, study says (via Yale e360)

After swimming through Sandy’s havoc, New Jersey beach towns want to stay put (via ClimateWire)

POLITICS

Congressional scholar says holds on top administration posts “not business as usual” (via SNL Energy)

Environmentalists seize on Biden’s Keystone XL remarks to launch new attack (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

How the anti-coal campaign is protecting Australia’s economy (via Renew Economy)

Carbon tax is best option Congress has (via Washington Post)

It’s official: $1 invested in EPA yields $10 in benefits (via Climate Progress)

Why aren’t environmental groups divesting from fossil fuels? (via The Nation)

Carbon tax has very broad, bipartisan support – outside of Congress (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, Big data, Black & Veatch, Boston, california, canada, cap and trade, carbon capture, Carbon market, Carbon price, carbon tax, carbon trading, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, Consumer Reports, Demand response, Divestment, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, EPA, ETS, EU, europe, European Union, ev, ev charging, Fossil fuel divestment, germany, global warming, Green bank, green jobs, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hydropower, interior department, investment, Joe Biden, Keystone XL, Kyoto Protocol, minnesota, new jersey, News, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, oregon, Pipelines, PJM Interconnection, politics, PV solar, Renewable portfolio standards, renewables, Sally Jewell, Shell, smart meter, solar, tar sands, Tesla, Tesla Model S, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wind, World Bank, World Trade Organization, WTO
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