Category Archives:Keystone XL

10
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.10.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US recoverable natural gas estimate jumps 26 percent (via Houston Chronicle)

EIA projects flatlining of natural gas consumption through 2014 (via Facts of the Day)

Little support for natural gas exports, UT poll finds (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

Australia prepares for new weather extremes as political opposition mounts (via ClimateWire)

Nearly 80 percent of Americans hit by extreme weather disaster since 2007 (via Climate Progress)

Climate change included in US science teaching guidelines for first time (via The Guardian)

NUCLEAR 

Ex-regulator says all US nuclear reactors have safety design flaw (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

Global solar PV market surges toward 100GW milestone (via BusinessGreen)

Asian Development Bank pleads for alternative energy use (via Bangkok Post)

Chinese wind energy output soars 41 percent (via BusinessGreen)

South African solar projects get $2.2 billion boost (via Sustainable Business)

Brazil planning for another 300MW of solar PV (via CleanTechnica)

When it comes to solar power, small scale is beautiful (via EarthTechling)

Renewables provide 82% of new US electrical generating capacity in1Q 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

NRG introducing solar with battery storage for homeowners (via Renewable Energy World)

Building a solar economy: 4 lessons from Hawaii (via Yes! Magazine)

First Solar soars 45 percent on outlook, acquisition (via Reuters)

Mosiac receives approval to offer $100 million in solar investments to California residents (via San Jose Mercury News)

Illinois renewable energy fund set to jump 10x, but glitches could make it impossible to spend money (via Crain’s Chicago Business)

OIL 

OPEC joins US in lowering 2013 oil demand growth view (via Reuters)

Gazprom, Shell agree to develop Arctic oil fields despite environmental concerns (via Washington Post)

BP says safety was top priority in Gulf before massive oil spill (via Washington Post)

Today is deadline for Exxon to produce Arkansas oil spill documents (via Ozarks First)

Exxon oil spill cleanup in path of severe weather, maybe a tornado (via InsideClimate News)

Jury finds Exxon liable for $236 million in New Hampshire pollution suit (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

UN emissions credits surge as developers delay carbon claims (via Bloomberg)

Shanghai to become second Chinese city to launch carbon trading this June (via BusinessGreen)

Air pollution killed 7 million people in 2010 (via Mongabay)

DOE nominee mum on carbon tax during hearing (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone XL pipeline developer fears decision is “many months” away (via The Hill) 

Did Keystone XL contractor hide its conflict of interest? (via Mother Jones)

TRANSPORTATION 

More than 48,000 EV public charging stations have been deployed worldwide (via Navigant Research)

Car repair costs rising – apart from hybrids, which get cheaper (via Green Car Reports)

US public charging stations increase 9% in first quarter 2013 (via Autoblog Green)

Elon Musk says next, cheaper Tesla coming in 2016 or 2017 (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

New grid architecture enables renewable integration (via Navigant Research)

In Iowa, researchers seeing a stronger, lighter power line (via Midwest Energy News)

ENERGY POLICY 

Energy tax reform a heavy lift for lawmakers (via Politico)

Four charts that show the US spends too little on energy research (via Washington Post)

Kansas could outlaw sustainable development (via Treehugger)

COAL 

Plans for one coal export terminal in Oregon dropped, four others still under consideration (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Entire planet will soon have rapid deforestation detection system (via Mongabay)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Hundreds of US colleges creating a clean energy future, today (via EcoAffect)

Best Buy e-waste recycling actually a notable accomplishment (via EarthTechling)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Ohio state legislature reviewing energy efficiency rules (via Columbus Dispatch)

POLITICS 

Coming and going at the Energy Department (via New York Times)

Ernest Moniz faces grilling in confirmation hearing (via Houston Chronicle)

McCarthy to face barrage of agency criticism (via E&E Daily)

OPINION 

How carbon reduction and smart grid work together (via Greentech Media)

Why First Solar is buying a silicon solar cell startup no one’s heard of (via GigaOm)

Exxon revolutionizes energy by delivering it straight to your face (via Grist)

Posted:   |   Categories: 1958, Air pollution, arctic, Arkansas, Asian Development Bank, australia, battery, Best Buy, BP, Brazil, california, cap and trade, carbon tax, carbon trading, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal export, deforestation, department of energy, DOE, e-waste, eia, Electric Vehicle, Elon Musk, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, Energy tax reform, environment, Ernest Moniz, ev, ev charging, Extreme weather, Exxon, First Solar, fracking, Gazprom, Gina McCarthy, green business, Gregory Jaczko, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii, Hybrids, Illinois, Iowa, kansas, Keystone XL, Mosiac, natural gas, Natural gas exports, New Hampshire, News, NRC, NRG, nuclear, offshore drilling, Ohio, oil, oil spill, OPEC, oregon, Recycling, renewables, Shanghai, Shell, smart grid, solar, solar pv, South Africa, tar sands, Tesla, transmission, Transportation, UN, united nations, wind
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08
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.8.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

India seeks access to US natural gas (via The Hill)

Shale-rich Spanish region expected to vote to ban fracking (via Reuters)

Foreign investors play large role in US shale industry (via US EIA)

TRANSPORTATION 

Cheaper electric vehicle batteries: slow and steady wins the race (via Green Car Reports)

Fisker mass layoffs trigger federal lawsuit (via Autoblog)

GREEN BUSINESS 

A glimpse into the future of retailer sustainability (via GreenBiz)

RENEWABLES 

Global biofuels production will reach nearly 62 billion gallons by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

630MW offshore wind London Array at full power (via Recharge)

Austria installed 230MW of solar in 2012 to double total capacity (via CleanTechnica)

IRS gives wind power a raise (via EarthTechling)

Sewer bonds new funding model for solar projects (via Bloomberg)

Wind energy and wildlife: science marks industry efforts (via AOL Energy)

North Carolina’s renewable portfolio standard under attack (via RTCC)

EMISSIONS 

China’s emissions trading scheme in line for 2020 national launch (via RTCC)

Study: fossil fuel emissions stunt coral growth (via RTCC)

Air pollution killed 1.2 million Chinese in 2010 (via Greentech Media)

US carbon emissions drop as natural gas displaces coal (via The Hill)

Total carbon emissions from natural gas may exceed coal by 2016 (via Facts of the Day)

Study: EPA rules will fuel shift away from coal (via The Hill)

OIL 

Ruling against BP clears way for spill payout appeals (via Reuters)

Exxon oil spill could be 40% larger than company estimates, say EPA figures (via InsideClimate News)

Upstart pipeline company staking its future on stopping heavy oil corrosion (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Tipping point near for LED lighting (via Navigant Research)

GRID 

“Battery University” aims to train a work force for next-generation energy storage (via New York Times)

Texas to double wind capacity with $6.8 billion transmission investment (via AOL Energy)

ComEd facing lawsuit connected to smart meter initiative (via Renew Grid)

POLITICS 

DOE, EPA nominees face Congressional hearings this week (via The Hill)

Meet the US billionaire who wants to kill the Keystone XL pipeline (via The Globe and Mail)

The man who could put climate change on Obama’s agenda (via National Journal)

Salazar looks back on a “joyful run” as Interior Secretary (via New York Times)

OPINION 

Is the Keystone XL pipeline too risky? (via National Journal)

Yea or nay, White House will face backlash on Keystone (via Politico)

Why solar power company stocks are still earthbound (via New York Times)

Posted:   |   Categories: Arkansas, Austria, battery, biofuels, BP, cap and trade, China, coal, ComEd, Coral reef, CREZ, Denis McDonough, Dilbit, DOE, Electric battery, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, Ernest Moniz, ev, Exxon, Fisker, fracking, Gina McCarthy, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, india, interior department, IRS, ken salazar, Keystone XL, LED, natural gas, News, North Carolina, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, production tax credit, ptc, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, rps, Shale gas, smart meter, solar, Spain, Tax incentive, texas, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wind
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05
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.5.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

German net power exports quadrupled in 2012 (via Recharge)

US Air Force releases strategic energy plan (via Sustainable Business)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US proposal to move fracking wastewater by barge stirs debate (via Reuters)

GE to build $110 million fracking research center in Oklahoma (via Environmental Leader)

Frackers are losing $1.5 billion yearly to leaks (via Mother Jones)

RARE EARTHS 

Discovery of rare earth metals in ocean mud could help Japan (via Autoblog Green)

RENEWABLES 

Germany’s offshore wind industry finally taking off (via Recharge)

Solar milestone: 1 million PV systems installed in Australia (via Renew Economy)

Merkel losing allies in $700 billion shift to renewables (via Bloomberg)

IRS and renewable energy finance: the waiting game (via Energy Trends Insider)

US renews funding for biofuels research centers (via Detroit News)

Are feed-in tariffs a “subsidy” for a small group of utility customers? (via Midwest Energy News)

PG&E cancels California solar power contracts with BrightSource (via Bloomberg)

ALEC-sponsored bill to repeal North Carolina’s renewable energy standard narrowly passes out of committee (via Climate Progress)

OIL 

Feds add teeth to offshore drilling safety mandates (via Houston Chronicle)

Gulf oil spill killed millions of microscopic creatures at base of food chain (via Tampa Bay Times)

Texas refinery is Saudi foothold in US market (via New York Times)

Arkansas AG sets deadline for Exxon to produce oil spill documents (via CTV/AP)

Arkansas oil spill sheds light on aging pipeline system (via NPR)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK fuel sales plummet as motorists embrace efficiency (via BusinessGreen)

Nearly 200,000 plug-in EVs equipped with vehicle-to-building technology will be sold through 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Placement of quick charge stations key to eliminating range anxiety (via Plugin Cars)

Proposed gasoline pollution rules fuel air quality debate (via Houston Chronicle)

US drivers could see “significantly lower” gas prices this summer (via NBC News)

Chevy Volt pounds another nail in the coffin of range anxiety (via CleanTechnica)

Chevy Volt fleet racks up 150 million electric-powered miles (via Autoblog Green)

Fisker, A123 settle $140 million supply claims for just $15 million (via Autoblog Green)

A new electric car with an old name (via New York Times)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Alberta mulls tougher carbon rules on oil (via Reuters)

Groups ask State Department for 120-day comment period on Keystone pipeline (via InsideClimate News)

Alberta premier heads to DC to press Keystone pipeline (via The Hill)

Environmentalists hope spill will turn Americans against Keystone (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

New culprit in sea-level rise: Arctic clouds (via Grist)

Colombia blazes a trail for smaller nations to fight global warming (via ClimateWire)

1,600 years of glaciers in Andes melted in 25 years (via New York Times)

Federal study: global warming means stronger extreme rains (via The Hill)

In wake of Sandy, NOAA alters hurricane warning policy (via Climate Central)

Federal government projects climate change will double wildfire risk in forests (via Denver Post)

EMISSIONS 

Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions declined in 2012 (via US EIA)

Mushrooms could be key to safe and natural carbon sequestration (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

GE energy storage system makes UK debut (via Recharge)

Solar decathlon homes form microgrid village in Missouri (via Phys.org)

COAL 

Coal exports: two weeks of good news (via Sightline Daily)

Nevada utility to shut out coal, embrace renewables (via Renewable Energy World)

GREEN BUSINESS 

How Proctor & Gamble created $1 billion in value with waste (via Greentech Media)

Shell’s VC fund looks to green the fossil fuel business (via Greentech Media)

Employees take corporate sustainability efforts home, study says (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

New technology could cut efficiency audit costs 75% (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

BrightSource’s cancelled projects highlight hurdles for desert solar thermal plants (via GigaOm)

Is China’s State Grid too big to work? (via Recharge)

RPS attacks go against the march of history (via Renewable Energy World)

More renewables for states (via Politico)

Methane leaks are undermining the shale-gas boom. Here’s how to fix that. (via Politico)

Keystone XL: the pipeline to disaster (via Los Angeles Times) 

OTHER NEWS 

An additional roundup of energy and climate news is posted at Climate Progress

Posted:   |   Categories: A123, Alberta, ALEC, Andes, Angela Merkel, arctic, Arkansas, australia, biofuels, brightsource, california, carbon dioxide, Carbon sequestration, chevy volt, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal export, Colombia, Concentrating solar power, csp, csr, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, ev, Extreme weather, Exxon, feed-in tariff, Fisker, Florida, fracking, Fracking wastewater, Fuel Economy, Gasoline, GE, germany, global warming, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Sandy, IRS, japan, Keystone XL, Methane leakage, Microgrid, Missouri, natural gas, Nevada, News, noaa, North Carolina, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, PGE, Pipeline, Proctor & Gamble, Range anxiety, Rare earths, Renewable energy standard, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, res, rps, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, Shell, solar, solar pv, State Department, State Grid, Subsidy, tar sands, texas, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, US Air Force, V2G, Wildfire
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04
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.4.13

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

EMISSIONS 

British Columbia set to announce five-year carbon tax freeze (via Vancouver Sun)

Two major air pollutants increase in Beijing (via New York Times)

Who’s really in charge on EPA rules? A chat with legal scholar Lisa Heinzerling (via Grist)

ENERGY POLICY 

EU re-launches CCS and renewable energy fund (via BusinessGreen)

What would a manufacturing renaissance do to US energy intensity? (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Overseas demand breathes new life into US coal industry (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

India’s demand for clean energy credits almost triples in March (via Panchabuta)

Australia competing with Germany on low solar PV prices (via CleanTechnica)

Japan to become largest solar market after China (via Bloomberg)

Suntech unit bankruptcy had roots in deadbeat customers (via Bloomberg)

Renewable energy stations that double as wildlife reserves (via EarthTechling)

BP wind sale highlights renewable energy struggles (via Houston Chronicle)

Top ten wind states all have electric rates below national average (via Facts of the Day)

Online solar marketplace is like an eBay for solar (via TreeHugger)

Exelon falls from green favor as chief fights wind aid (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Canada seen beating US in $150 billion Asia LNG race (via Bloomberg)

Natural gas revolution and its implications: LNG exports 101 (via Energy Collective)

Natural gas pipeline market failure looms (via AOL Energy)

Senate panel to scrutinize natural gas exports – again (via Houston Chronicle)

Ohio not part of nonbinding Northeast fracking pact (via Columbus Dispatch)

TRANSPORTATION 

China issues new EU-ETS aviation emissions warning (via Xinhua)

Tesla increases lease calculator costs; supercharging, “mystery” announcement soon (via Autoblog Green)

Gentlemen, start your calculators: checking the math of Tesla’s lend-lease program (via New York Times)

OIL 

China to surpass US as world’s top crude importer, OPEC says (via Bloomberg)

Norway’s oil future seen with ice-free Arctic’s barrels (via Bloomberg)

Feds: all companies should heed Shell’s Arctic drilling lessons (via Houston Chronicle)

Gulf oil spill settlement dispute becomes more contentious (via Houston Chronicle)

Geologist’s Alaska gamble could turn into America’s next big shale play (via EnergyWire)

Inland US oil refiners stung by renewable energy credits (via Reuters)

No-fly zone in place over Arkansas pipeline spill site (via Nasdaq)

CLIMATE 

Has the rate of sea level rise tripled since 2011? (via Climate Progress)

World Bank president says global warming threatens planet and poorest (via Washington Post)

Environmental policies matter for growing megacities, study finds (via Phys.org)

GRID 

Over 400 microgrid projects underway en route to $40 billion market (via CleanTechnica)

How diverse is your state’s electricity generation portfolio? (via Climate Progress)

Smart meters still under fire in DC, Maine (via Renew Grid)

Big data dives clarify California power markets (via AOL Energy)

KEYSTONE XL 

The Keystone XL pipeline and its politics, explained (via Washington Post)

Former White House spokesman: polls won’t drive Obama on Keystone (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Utility customers will spend $1.4 billion on building energy management systems by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

LED streetlights move from pilot projects to widespread use (via Midwest Energy News)

POLITICS 

Obama on climate change: “the politics of this are tough” (via The Hill) 

Poll: majority of Republicans believe global warming is a hoax (via The Hill)

Anti-Keystone billionaire rattles Democrats (via Politico)

Salazar to leave Interior Department with no regrets (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Why Africa is missing the solar power boat (via Renewable Energy World)

Slow and steady wins the solar race (via GigaOm)

“Social bankability” needed to expand off-grid clean energy (via Greentech Media)

Has Tesla made electric cars affordable? Not exactly (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, alaska, arctic, Arkansas, australia, Aviation emissions, barack obama, Beijing, BP, british columbia, california, Carbon capture and storage, carbon tax, ccs, China, Clean energy credits, climate, Climate Change, coal, distributed generation, emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy intensity, Energy management, energy policy, EPA, EU, European Union, Exelon, fracking, germany, global warming, grid, Gulf of Mexico, india, interior department, japan, ken salazar, Keystone XL, LED, LNG, Maine, Microgrid, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, norway, offshore drilling, Ohio, oil, oil spill, OPEC, Pipeline, Sea ice melt, Sea level rise, Shale oil, Shell, smart meter, solar, solar pv, Suntech, Tesla, Tom Steyer, Transportation, Washington DC, World Bank
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03
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.3.13

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Berkeley Lab researchers release guide to financing energy upgrades for K-12 school districts (via Phys.org)

California to set energy efficiency standards for video game consoles (via Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles includes cool roofs in building code (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

Arkansas attorney general plans investigation into oil spill (via AP)

At oil spill cleanup in Arkansas, Exxon running the show, not feds (via InsideClimate News)

Dolphin deaths still high after Gulf oil spill, says NWF (via Houston Chronicle)

Mishaps shouldn’t impede energy expansion, oil industry economist says (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Solar PV industry now operating as net energy producer (via EarthTechling)

The drought is drying up all our ethanol (via Mother Jones)

Utilities challenge net metering as solar power expands in California (via ClimateWire)

BP puts wind farm business up for sale (via Reuters)

Citigroup blows by Santander as greenest bank on wind power push (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

World Bank plans to take lead in climate challenge (via RTCC)

Climate change making extreme events worse in Australia (via The Guardian)

Geoengineering schemes need global sign-off, researchers say (via The Guardian)

Public trusts scientists on climate change, says poll (via RTCC)

NASA’s most famous climate scientist is retiring – here’s a look back at his work (via Washington Post)

ENERGY POLICY 

Sequester looms over DOE’s energy labs (via Politico)

Poll: two-thirds back Keystone pipeline, global warming belief trends upward (via The Hill)

House Natural Resources Committee democrats launch “EVIZ” iPad app (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Emissions rules put alternative-fuel vehicles in a bind (via New York Times)

US Parks Service launches clean transportation initiative (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla announces lease option for Model S starting at $1,500/month (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf has best sales month ever with 2,236 sold, Chevy Volt steady at 1,478 (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla, Fisker, and what could have been: a tale of two electric car startups (via GigaOm)

GRID 

Demand response payments increase significantly in PJM (via Greentech Media)

ComEd says smart grid efforts created 2,400 jobs in 2012 (via Renew Grid)

Northeast Utilities still can’t reveal “new route” for Northern Pass (via CLF Scoop)

COAL 

Oregon environmental coalition gives notice on coal dust lawsuit (via New York Times)

OPINION 

For energy tech, the boring stuff (business model innovation) will be key (via GigaOm)

Is the Internet too hot for data centers to handle? (via Scientific American)

8 myths about wind energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Expensive batteries are holding back electric cars – can that change? (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alternative-fuel vehicle, Arkansas, australia, battery, BP, california, chevy volt, Citigroup, climate, Climate Change, coal, ComEd, Cool roofs, data center, Demand response, DOE, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy efficiency standards, ethanol, ev, Extreme weather, Exxon, Fisker, Geoengineering, global warming, green building, green jobs, grid, Gulf of Mexico, James Hansen, Keystone XL, los angeles, NASA, National Wildlife Federation, Net metering, News, nissan LEAF, Northeast Utilities, Northern pass, oil, oil spill, oregon, Pipeline, PJM, renewables, Sequester, smart grid, solar, solar pv, Tesla, Tesla Model S, transmission, Transportation, US Parks Service, wind, World Bank
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02
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.2.13

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

CLIMATE 

By 2050 much of the Arctic could be green (via Mongabay)

South East Asia food basket facing “shocking” future (via RTCC)

US dominated global disaster losses in 2012: Swiss Re (via Climate Central)

Climate hawks go on offense, but impact uncertain (via InsideClimate News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

European industry flocks to US to take advantage of cheaper natgas (via Washington Post)

Rumors of a cheap-energy jobs boom from natgas remain just that (via New York Times)

Federal government wants to track PA oil and gas production more closely (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Fracking wastewater disposal wells mapped in Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

Illinois proposes fracking tax lower than most states (via Chicago Tribune)

RENEWABLES 

Solar PV demand in emerging Asian countries expected to boom through 2017 (via Solar Industry)

Offshore wind power: huge potential goes largely untapped (via EarthTechling)

Shared renewables could supercharge California’s clean energy economy (via CleanTechnica)

What’s wrong with Pennsylvania solar? (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Three years after Gulf spill, BP faces big week in court (via Houston Chronicle)

Exxon developing evacuation plan for Pegasus oil pipeline spill (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

TRANSPORTATION 

Hybrid sales up 32% this year, could hit 8% of market by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

A longer life for lithium-sulfur batteries (via Phys.org)

Tesla’s stock soars over 20% on profit, sales news (via GigaOm)

Tesla cancels lowest-range version of Model S (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Air pollution linked to 1.2 million premature deaths in China (via New York Times)

Poll: nearly half say US government too lax on environment (via The Hill)

Texas deploys “rainy day fund” to start long-term fight against drought (via ClimateWire)

ENERGY POLICY 

Japanese cabinet proposes energy sector overhauls (via New York Times)

Citigroup: renewables will triumph and natural gas will help (via Grist)

America gets a D+ in energy infrastructure (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

How Ontario is putting an end to coal-burning power plants (via Yale e360)

Coal opponents say Washington State terminal has derailed (via Seattle Weekly)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Could energy benchmarking rules be useless? (via Greentech Media)

Energy Trust of Oregon saves 71% of 2012 electricity target in Q4 (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US book industry using 24% recycled paper on average (via Mongbay)

EMISSIONS 

“Global” carbon market goes truly global (via CleanTechnica)

Carbon emissions declined 1.4% in Europe in 2012 (via Bloomberg)

Greenhouse gas emissions from farmland underestimated (via Phys.org)

Soils in newly forested areas store substantial carbon (via Phys.org)

Supreme Court rejects challenge to EPA air pollution rule from oil lobby (via Reuters)

GRID 

More than 400 microgrid projects under development worldwide (via Navigant Research)

Texas grid expansion to double wind capacity, deliver to major cities (via Sustainable Business)

POLITICS 

Bucking administration turnover trend, Sutley may stay at CEQ (via Greenwire)

NASA climate scientist James Hansen to leave government for advocacy work (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Germany’s solar-power success: too much of a good thing? (via Grist)

Seven things you learn driving the length of the Keystone XL pipeline (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, american petroleum institute, arctic, Arkansas, battery, BP, california, cap and trade, Carbon market, CEQ, China, Citigroup, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, CREZ, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EU, europe, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, Exxon Mobil, fracking, Fracking wastewater, germany, global warming, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, hybrid, James Hansen, japan, Keystone XL, marcellus shale, Microgrid, Nancy Sutley, NASA, natural gas, News, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, ontario, oregon, pennsylvania, Recycling, renewables, Shale gas, Shared renewables, solar, Tesla, Tesla Model S, texas, Transportation, Washington State, wind
0
01
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.1.13

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Federal agencies asked to delay Keystone over pipeline safety issues (via InsideClimate News)

Exxon Mobil pipeline leaks “a few thousand” barrels of crude oil in Arkansas (via Washington Post)

Exxon confirms ruptured Arkansas pipeline carried Canadian dilbit (via InsideClimate News)

Exxon to excavate Pegasus crude pipeline to find cause of leak (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Countries in Asia cutting carbon faster than Europe (via Climate Central)

Enviro groups want Supreme Court to review power plant air pollution ruling (via The Hill)

Northeast US states fight carbon emissions with renewables (via EarthTechling)

RENEWABLES 

Japan approves 10% solar feed-in tariff cut (via Recharge News)

Solar roof highways: India’s road to new power? (via EarthTechling)

Current solar module efficiency nowhere near its potential (via CleanTechnica)

America’s biggest utility power provider gets into the distributed-energy game (via Grist)

States cooling to renewable energy (via Wall Street Journal)

New York spends $47 million for 76 large on-site solar projects (via Energy Manager Today)

Solar investments to yield millions for local school children (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Israel taps large offshore natural gas field (via New York Times)

Saudi Arabia’s shale gas challenge (via Asharq Al-Awsat)

As fracking proliferates in Texas, so do disposal wells (via Texas Tribune)

Ed Rendell’s plea for New York fracking fails to disclose industry ties (via ProPublica)

TRANSPORTATION 

EPA proposes Tier 3 standards for gasoline sulfur content and vehicle emissions (via Green Car Congress)

Opponents attack EPA proposal requiring cleaner fuel, cars in US (via Washington Post)

Automakers unwrap hybrids to meet tough fuel standards (via Detroit News)

As potential investors back away, Fisker retains bankruptcy law firm (via Los Angeles Times)

Tesla Motors reaches profitability on brisk Model S sales (via San Jose Mercury News)

Consumer electronics are driving battery advances (via Plugin Cars)

CLIMATE 

Europe to be battered by Sandy-style superstorms (via New Scientist)

A glorious winter, but Alps face warmer world and huge changes (via The Guardian)

Study: global warming means seas freeze more off Antarctica (via Scientific American)

Nature’s thermometers say spring is springing earlier by 3 days per decade (via Weather Underground)

COAL 

With Illinois coal hot, environmentalists demand reforms to mine permit system (via Midwest Energy News)

ENVIRONMENT 

Cost of environmental damage in China growing rapidly amid industrialization (via New York Times)

China’s exploitation of Latin American natural resources raises concern (via The Guardian)

Haiti to plant millions of trees, double forest coverage by 2016 (via Inhabitat)

Mystery malady kills more bees, heightening worry on farms (via New York Times)

GRID 

Global microgrid market will pass $40 billion in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

National power panel set up for better grid supervision in India (via Panchabuta)

Distributed energy: driving the ghosts out of the machine (via Grist)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

A “China Dream” – more efficient than the American one (via Midwest Energy News)

Red states use 55% more energy, produce 80% more carbon emissions (via Sustainable Business)

USDA offers funding for rural energy efficiency projects (via Energy Manager Today)

Study says mandatory energy benchmarking not worth the cost (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION 

How the US oil, gas boom could shake up global order (via NBC News)

Amid austerity, how can Washington spur new energy technologies? (via National Journal)

Salazar’s legacy: win some, lose some (via Houston Chronicle)

Will driverless cars solve our energy problems or just create new ones? (via Washington Post)

Is the US economy getting more energy efficient or not? (via Greentech Media)

Bill McKibben’s lesson for business in the age of climate change (via GreenBiz)

Exxon oil spill in Arkansas seeps into Keystone debate (via Globe and Mail)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alps, Antarctica, Arkansas, battery, Bill McKibben, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Cross state air pollution rule, deforestation, Dilbit, distributed generation, Ed Rendell, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, europe, ev, Extreme weather, Exxon Mobil, feed-in tariff, Fisker, fracking, Fracking wastewater, global warming, grid, Haiti, Hybrids, Illinois, india, Israel, japan, ken salazar, Keystone XL, Microgrid, natural gas, new york state, News, NRG Energy, offshore drilling, oil spill, Pipeline, Renewable portfolio standards, renewables, rggi, saudi arabia, Shale gas, solar, Solar efficiency, tar sands, Tesla Model S, Tesla Motors, texas, Transportation, usda
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28
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.28.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

IMF: Get rid of $1.9 trillion in energy subsidies to fight climate change (via Washington Post)

Oil and electricity: a compare-and-contrast tale of two regulators (via McClatchy)

Sequestration forces Interior to cut mineral revenue payments to states (via EnergyWire)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Battle widens over oil pipelines from Canada through Midwest (via Minnesota Star-Tribune)

Train derailment spills 30,000 gallons of Canadian crude in Minnesota (via Reuters)

Suncor Energy cancels troubled Alberta tar sands project (via Vancouver Sun)

US to hold Keystone pipeline hearing in Nebraska (via Phys.org)

RENEWABLES 

Solar, wind to push renewables to 36% of global cumulative installed capacity by 2020 (via EnergyNext)

Global solar PV installations to reach 200GW by 2015 (via EnergyNext)

China raising PV prices on European exports (via Recharge)

Japan to increase offshore wind capacity to 40x current level by 2020 (via EnergyNext)

UK boosts renewables share of power generation to 11.3% (via Recharge)

Rwanda to start $27 million geothermal development (via Renewable Energy World)

We’re number one: US installed most wind power in 2012, US company GE Wind is top supplier (via Climate Progress)

NREL study: securitization could cut solar LCOE 16% (via Greentech Media)

New organic solar cells process sunlight as plants do (via Mother Nature Network)

Study: Midwesterners open to wind farms, especially in rural areas (via Phys.org)

Lancaster, California becomes first US city to require solar (via Greentech Media)

OPT Oregon wave energy project delayed again (via EarthTechling)

COAL 

Japan coal use to jump 24% in 2013-2014 as energy costs rise (via Reuters)

More science on mountaintop removal’s health effects (via Charleston Gazette)

CLIMATE 

Security risks of climate change prompt military review by over 100 countries (via RTCC)

How to abuse statistics: claim global warming stopped in 1998 (via Weather Underground)

Global warming predictions prove accurate over past 15 years (via The Guardian)

Climate change is increasing seasonal allergies (via Climate Central)

Ocean acidification from climate change threatens the seas (via USA Today)

EMISSIONS 

EU eyes 40 percent carbon cuts by 2030 (via BusinessGreen)

EU confident carbon market fix will win states’ support (via Bloomberg)

Auditor General’s carbon neutral report scalds British Columbia government (via Huffington Post/Canadian Press)

Disney, Microsoft, Shell opt for self-imposed CO2 emission taxes (via The Guardian)

Study: US biofuels policy pushes GHG emissions overseas (via Midwest Energy News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking’s latest scandal – earthquake swarms (via Mother Jones)

Drilling boom spurs rush to harness brackish water (via StateImpact Texas)

Small towns find fracking brings boom, booming headaches (via Bloomberg)

Texas regulators ease rules to encourage frack water recycling (via Houston Chronicle)

Nearly 670 miles of wells drilled in Ohio in 2012 (via Akron Beacon Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

US “peak miles” may have happened five years ago, Americans still drive 3 trillion miles a year (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf sales will hit new record in March, around 1,900 units (via Autoblog Green)

Fisker puts US workforce on furlough this week (via Reuters)

GRID 

Seven simple strategies for smart grid engagement (via Renew Grid)

Solar activity can affect transmission grid, but 2013 activity less than anticipated (via US EIA)

You can’t have a smarter grid without smarter buildings (via Greentech Media)

Santa Clara, California launches free outdoor wi-fi on backs of smart meters (via GigaOm)

ENVIRONMENT 

With drought season off to a bad start, scientists forecast another bleak year (via InsideClimate News)

Gardeners plant strawberries and tomatoes in Arctic valleys of Greenland for first time (via Inhabitat)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How the Internet of Things will transform building management (via GreenBiz)

Tax time 2013: energy efficiency home tax credits (via EarthTechling)

POLITICS 

UK prime minister removes anti-wind energy minister from post (via Recharge)

Under fire, Senate Democrat trio says Keystone vote not endorsement (via The Hill)

Ethanol debate has glimpse of bipartisanship (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Low-carbon economies and smart grids: watch out for China (via Forbes)

Americans already pay a carbon tax, via extreme weather’s impact on GDP (via Sustainable Business)

Giant investment bank taken over by hippie alarmists (via Grist)

Is the sky the limit for wind power? (via NPR)

Cooling on warming (via New York Times)

How green is your university? (via New York Times)

OTHER NEWS 

An additional roundup of energy and climate news is posted at Climate Progress

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, biofuels, british columbia, california, canada, cap and trade, Carbon market, Carbon pricing, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Disney, drought, earthquakes, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, Fisker, fracking, GE Wind, geothermal, global warming, green business, greenland, grid, IMF, interior department, japan, Keystone XL, LCOE, Microsoft, minnesota, mountaintop removal, natural gas, Nebraska, News, nissan LEAF, NREL, Ocean acidification, offshore wind, Ohio, oil spill, oregon, Peak miles, Pipelines, renewables, Rwanda, Sequestration, Shell, smart grid, smart meters, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, Subsidies, Suncor Energy, tar sands, texas, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Wastewater, Wave energy, wind
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25
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.25.13

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

CLIMATE 

China facing $243 billion climate funding shortfall (via BusinessGreen)

Australia’s new energy minister: I’m no longer a climate skeptic (via Renew Economy)

For engineers, climate failure becomes an option (via Climate Central)

Obama’s science advisers press for carbon standards (via The Hill)

Billionaire plans effort to calculate cost of inaction on climate (via Greenwire)

COAL 

Chinese utilities face $20 billion coal costs due to water, BNEF says (via Bloomberg)

Chicago coal plants left no toxic legacy, but cleanup remains complicated (via Midwest Energy News)

RENEWABLES 

India says 71% of solar capacity built using imported modules (via Bloomberg)

Cumulative solar PV demand to double again by 2015 (via Renewable Energy World)

China might soon stop flooding the world with cheap solar panels (via Washington Post)

New Japanese feed-in tariff rates set (via CleanTechnica)

Unlocking renewable energy potential in the Caribbean (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewable energy losing its shine in Europe (via USA Today)

Denmark adds record wind electricity to grid (via Energy Next)

Rising solar power production in US likely to make it second-largest new power source in 2013 (via Climate Progress)

Measuring renewable energy “reserves” (via Grist)

Northeast solar sales surge through Home Depot (via Greentech Media)

Possible tax credit repeal could threaten North Carolina solar (via News Observer)

OIL 

Russia lets China into Arctic rush as energy giants embrace (via Bloomberg)

Bakken emerges as contender for US oil drilling crown (via CNBC)

ENVIRONMENT 

Drought that ravaged US crops likely to worsen in 2013, forecast warns (via Guardian)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

US rejects Enbridge’s plan for Sandpiper oil pipeline (via Reuters)

Keystone XL passes US senate 62-37 (via The Hill)

Keystone public comments won’t be made public, State Department says (via Inside Climate News)

GRID 

CAISO green-lights renewable energy transmission projects (via Renew Grid)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

India to unveil shale gas policy within two weeks (via Reuters)

As gas wells multiply, so do fracking studies (via Navigant Research)

What happens when natural gas is no longer dirt cheap? (via Washington Post)

In Ohio, the fog begins to lift over the Utica shale (via Reuters)

Ohio fracking boom has not brought jobs (via Grist)

TRANSPORTATION 

What 2013 looked like for greener cars, back in 1988 (via Green Car Reports)

POLITICS 

Senate votes highlight Dem divisions over Keystone, carbon taxes (via The Hill)

Climate change activists’ hope springs eternal (via Politico)

Within mainstream environmental groups, diversity is lacking (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

China’s coal plants are squeezing its water supply (via GigaOm)

Energy intensity the worst way to measure energy efficiency (via Slate)

Why geoengineering has immediate appeal to China (via The Guardian)

Why Russian doomsday climate predictions may prove prophetic (via RTCC)

Biofuels mandate: defend, reform, or repeal? (via National Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, australia, Bakken Shale, barack obama, biofuels, CaISO, canada, Carbon standard, carbon tax, Caribbean, chicago, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, denmark, drought, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, Energy intensity, environment, EU, europe, feed-in tariff, fracking, Geoengineering, grid, Home Depot, india, japan, Keystone XL, natural gas, News, North Carolina, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, Pipeline, renewables, Russia, Shale gas, solar, solar pv, tar sands, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation, Utica Shale, Water scarcity, wind
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22
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.22.13

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

CLIMATE 

2010 Iceland eruption yields bad news for geoengineering schemes (via Mongabay)

Ancient extinction has ominous CO2 lessons for today: study (via Climate Central)

New blog series will answer questions on climate finance (via WRI Insights)

TRANSPORTATION 

China imposes tough new auto fuel standards as renewables boom speeds up (via BusinessGreen)

EU puts airline carbon tax on hold for a year (via Phys.org)

It’s official: traffic pollution can cause asthma in children (via Los Angeles Times)

RENEWABLES 

UK’s green investment bank provides first offshore wind backing (via BusinessGreen)

Integrating variable renewables as Germany expands its grid (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar glut survives Suntech as customers seek alternative (via Bloomberg)

(more…)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, Allison Macfarlane, apple, barack obama, california, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, ComEd, Connecticut, Demand response, DOE, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, European Union, Extinction, fracking, Fracking fluid, Fuel Cells, Fuel standard, Geoengineering, germany, green business, Green Investment Bank, grid, Hydropower, Iceland, Illinois, interior department, investment, Keystone XL, methane, natural gas, Nevada, new jersey, News, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Ocean acidification, OFA, offshore wind, oil, Organizing for America, PacifiCorp, Pecan Street, production tax credit, ptc, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, rps, Russia, Sally Jewell, Shale gas, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, State Department, Suntech, texas, TransCanada, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, vestas, Washington DC, wind
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