Category Archives:massachusetts

03
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.3.13

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

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon market has longest rally since 2008 before September supply boost (via Bloomberg)

EU said to plan carbon-market aviation adjustment in October (via Bloomberg)

US and Europe may face off over reducing airline emissions (via Los Angeles Times)

MIT: Vehicle emissions cause 53,000 extra deaths a year (via AutoblogGreen)

Polish CO2 permit sales to start September 16 (via Reuters Point Carbon)

A carbon tax that America could live with (via New York Times)

Mind the carbon gap (via Grist)

COAL 

EU coal demand starting decades-long slide (via Reuters Point Carbon)

RENEWABLES 

Solar energy world capacity tops 102GW (via EarthTechling)

Renewable energy worth €17 billion to Germany in 2012 (via Recharge)

South Australia to reach 50% renewables within a decade (via CleanTechnica)

With rooftop solar on the rise, US utilities are striking back (via Yale e360)

California and Hawaii most attractive states for renewables (via Breaking Energy)

Nearly 40,000 new green jobs created across America during 2Q 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

AB 327: From California solar killer to net metering savior? (via Greentech Media)

25% of America’s residential solar is in one utility service territory (via Facts of the Day)

Mosiac bets on the environment (via New York Times)

How Xcel saved $22 million with weather and wind forecasting (via Renewable Energy World)

State agencies ponder changes to wind energy rules (via Post-Bulletin)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Caspian Sea could become natural gas hub (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama position on fracking leaves both sides grumbling (via The Tribune/McClatchy)

98 more Ohio earthquakes linked to fracking disposal well (via Columbus Dispatch)

CLIMATE 

FEMA flood maps raising cost of insurance (via Boston Globe)

Is climate change pushing pests into northern farms? (via Mother Jones)

OIL 

Booming oil production boosted US GDP estimate (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Study: China could soon find itself in traffic jam hell (via Green Car Reports)

Aviation industry unlikely to agree to emissions reduction deal until 2016 (via RTCC)

Number of US bike sharing programs doubled in 2013 (via EarthTechling)

Will Tesla alone double global demand for its battery cells? (via Green Car Reports)

KEYSTONE XL 

Aerial photos show Keystone XL behind schedule (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone delays seen giving time for climate concessions (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Tres Amigas seeks to break US grids out of isolation (via Midwest Energy News)

The rural path to a smarter grid (via SmartPlanet)

Transmission upgrades compensate for coal retirements in Ohio (via US EIA)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Argentina adopts US’s LEED-certified buildings program (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

$2 million fund boosts energy efficiency at Massachusetts colleges (via Energy Manager Today)

NUCLEAR 

Japan to fund $470 million ice wall to stop reactor leaks (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

How the Fukushima ice barrier will block radioactive groundwater (via MIT Technology Review)

Radiation near Japanese plant’s tanks suggest new leaks (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s meteorological authority launches air pollution forecasts (via Xinhua)

Montana Supreme Court decision could change how crews fight wildfires (via The Missoulian)

POLITICS 

German opposition to EU carbon market fix to wane after election (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Abbott warns of “trillion dollar” Australian carbon tax (via The Australian)

On Obama’s energy agenda, White House and OFA websites not always in sync (via Greenwire)

Judge refuses to toss climate scientist Mann’s defamation lawsuit (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Fukushima’s radioactive legacy is just beginning (via Climate Central)

The oceans are acidifying at the fastest rate in 300 million years – how worried should we be? (via Washington Post)

Can the World Bank’s green bonds become a scalable climate solution? (via Energy Collective)

Labor Day 2050: Global warming and the coming collapse of labor productivity (via Climate Progress)

Why the Energy Department hires industry advocates as regulators (via Climate Progress)

Don’t overlook sugarcane ethanol in America’s renewable fuels debate (via Energy Collective)

Why Ron Binz is a good choice to run FERC (via Breaking Energy)

Should you divest from coal and oil? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Why have so many venture capitalists flopped in clean tech? (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, Argentina, australia, battery, Bike sharing, biofuels, california, cap and trade, Carbon market, Carbon pricing, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate change. FEMA, coal, Divestment, DOE, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, Ethanol. Brazil, EU, EU ETS, European Union, FERC, Flood, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, fukushima, germany, green building, green jobs, grid, Hawaii, japan, Keystone XL, LEED, massachusetts, Michael Mann, Montana, Mosiac, natural gas, Net metering, News, nuclear, Ocean acidification, Ohio, oil, Poland, renewables, Ron Binz, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, Tesla, Transportation, Tres Amigas, Wildfire, wind, World Bank, xcel
0
25
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.25.13

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

OBAMA CLIMATE PLAN 

Obama’s second-term plan to address climate change (via Climate Progress)

The White House’s big new climate change plan (via Washington Post)

Obama’s climate change plan tackles power plants – not refineries (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama takes on power plant emissions as part of climate plan (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

EU emissions trading scheme oversupply may cancel out renewable gains (via The Guardian)

British Columbia plans to promote carbon taxes in other North American jurisdictions (via Globe and Mail)

US Supreme Court agrees to hear EPA appeal over air pollution rule (via Reuters)

Shadow environmental campaign ramps up to support coming power plant rules (via E&E Daily)

Massachusetts may become first state to adopt direct carbon tax (via Boston Globe)

RENEWABLES 

India set to revive wind energy tax break (via Recharge)

Japan’s high renewable energy costs curb subsidy impact (via Bloomberg)

How wind and solar broke the world’s electricity markets (via Renew Economy)

Sharp hits record 44.4% efficiency for triple-junction solar cell (via Greentech Media)

State renewable energy incentives survive lobby attack (via Stateline)

Houston, Palo Alto make big renewable energy buys (via Sustainable Business)

Solar coming to 200 more Walgreens roofs (via EarthTechling)

Solar gardens give green energy access to more in Colorado (via Denver Post)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Methane found in drinking water near Pennsylvania natural gas wells (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

Insurance firms press governments on climate adaptation (via RTCC)

Air pollution may have suppressed storms in North Atlantic (via New York Times)

Hundreds of small US firms demand climate action (via GreenBiz)

Nebraska trees still dying after 2012 drought (via Lincoln Journal-Star)

OIL 

Exxon to spend $3.2 billion on Russian offshore exploration (via Houston Chronicle)

The Northwest’s pipeline on rails (via Sightline)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Empire State Building exceeds energy efficiency savings (via Energy Manager Today)

Washington DC signs its first major PACE deal for efficiency and solar (via Greentech Media)

TRANSPORTATION 

NREL drives toward the future with fuel cell EVs (via Renewable Energy World)

GRID 

Average US residential summer 2013 electric bill expected to be lowest in four years (via US EIA)

Texas grid operator weighed down by peak electricity demand (via Houston Chronicle)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL pipeline protesters stage largest action yet in Oklahoma (via The Oklahoman)

OPINION 

President Obama’s race against time on climate (via Politico)

Obama’s energy push could loom large in 2014 elections (via Politico)

Why we need a national plan on climate change (via EarthTechling)

The one thing Obama’s climate policy can’t leave out (via CleanTechnica)

Obama tries the kitchen-sink approach to global warming (via Washington Post)

No-drama Obama unveils series of modest, sensible steps on climate change (via Grist)

Posted:   |   Categories: barack obama, british columbia, cap and trade, carbon tax, climate, Climate adaptation, Climate Change, colorado, deforestation, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, empire state building, Energy Efficiency, ERCOT, EU, EU ETS, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, Exxon, fracking, fuel cell, grid, Houston, Incentives, india, japan, Keystone XL, massachusetts, natural gas, Nebraska, News, NREL, offshore drilling, oil, PACE, palo alto, pennsylvania, Pipeline, Renewable energy standards, renewables, res, rooftop solar, Russia, Severe weather, Sharp, solar, Solar efficiency, Solar gardens, texas, Transportation, Walgreens, Washington DC, wind
0
06
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.6.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Research assigns US three times CO2 reduction responsibility as China (via Bloomberg)

Brazil’s emissions fall 39% since 2005, now 10% below 1990 levels (via Mongabay)

Obama officials raise “social cost” of carbon in federal regulations (via The Hill)

Schools addressing students’ fossil fears without divesting (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Canada oil output will double by 2030 if pipelines are built (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

US crude output exceeds imports for first time in 16 years (via Houston Chronicle)

BP to pump $1 billion into its Alaska drilling efforts (via Grist)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Smarter energy use by UK industry could cut electricity demand 75% (via Phys.org)

Amendments could sink bipartisan Senate energy efficiency bill (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

UK solar investment jeopardized by EU tariffs on China (via Bloomberg)

Japan PM’s power plan lifts renewables at utility expense (via Bloomberg)

Brazil may unlock 21GW renewable energy market (via Recharge)

US solar PV demand to grow 20% in 2013 to 4.3GW (via CleanTechnica)

Interior Department Approves Up to 4Gw Of New Renewable Energy Projects (via CleanTechnica)

Will Master Limited Partnerships campaign put wind tax credit at risk? (via Politico)

DOE issues regulatory roadmap to spur geothermal energy development (via Green Car Congress)

Offshore wind advances create greentech investment opportunities (via Greentech Media)

Solar gardens taking root in US communities (via EarthTechling)

MIT creates solar potential map of Cambridge (via Treehugger)

Renewable energy gets a rural boost in Colorado (via Climate Progress)

Michigan legislators seek offshore wind power restrictions (via Record-Eagle)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

UK prepares for US-style shale gas boom (via CNN Money)

Summer to bring upward pressure on US natural gas prices (via Wall Street Journal)

EPA Inspector General to investigate efforts to reduce natural gas pipeline leaks (via Washington Post/AP)

With more solar on the way, does Xcel need more gas peakers? (via Midwest Energy News)

North Carolina House panel Oks more cautious fracking bill (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Russia continues to block UN climate talks (via RTCC)

As extreme weather increases, Bangladesh braces for the worst (via Yale e360)

How investors can help avert climate catastrophe (via GreenBiz)

Stormy weather set to increase due to climate change (via RTCC)

Rising sea levels, stronger storms will threaten US coasts through end of century (via Times-Picayune)

The Obama climate move that nobody noticed (via Grist)

US tailors regional climate plans to help farmers beat the heat (via Bloomberg)

Agriculture Secretary: “America must take steps now” on climate (via The Hill)

COAL 

China to cut coal use in key industrial regions (via Reuters)

Sierra Club sues BNEF over coal dust from trains in Washington State (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

US new-car average gas mileage at highest level ever: 24.8 MPG (via Green Car Reports)

US hybrid & plug-in sales continue strong gains, 32,300 PEVs sold in 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

EPA to issue ethanol use targets this summer (via Reuters)

US added 180 EV charging stations in May (via Autoblog Green)

Study says California’s low-carbon fuel rule is working, but threats loom (via InsideClimate News)

GRID 

Smart and micro grids can minimize power outages during hurricane season (via Breaking Energy)

Cheap batteries for backup renewable energy (via MIT Technology Review)

POLITICS 

Americans for Prosperity targets Democrats up for re-election with anti-carbon tax campaign (via The Hill)

Congressional Democrats change climate message to focus on disaster costs (via ClimateWire)

Offshore drilling proponents launch new Congressional push (via Houston Chronicle)

The billionaire force behind GOP attempts to dismantle Maine’s renewable energy standards (via Bangor Daily News)

OPINION 

EU solar outlook still bright after binge (via Reuters)

Global signs of leadership on clean energy (via WRI Insights)

Why I wanted to be CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (via Greentech Media)

Don’t let another hurricane season blow by without climate action (via The Hill)

Now is the time to be an infrastructure hawk, not a deficit hawk (via Washington Post)

An obscure new rule on microwaves can tell us a lot about Obama’s climate policies (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: Agriculture Department, alaska, american wind energy association, Americans for Prosperity, awea, Bangladesh, barack obama, battery, BNEF, BP, Brazil, california, Cambridge, canada, carbon tax, China, climate, coal, colorado, department of energy, Divestment, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, EV charging infrastructure, Extreme weather, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, geothermal, grid, hybrid, interior department, investment, japan, Jeanne Shaheen, Maine, massachusetts, Master limited partnerships, Methane leakage, michigan, Microgrids, MIT, MLP, natural gas, News, North Carolina, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, Pipelines, production tax credit, ptc, Renewable energy standard, renewables, res, Rob Portman, Russia, Sea level rise, Severe weather, Shale gas, Shinzo Abe, sierra club, smart grid, Social cost of carbon, solar, Solar gardens, solar pv, Solar trade war, Tom Kiernan, Tom Vilsack, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Washington State, xcel energy
0
04
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.4.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Airlines agree to curb their emissions by 2020 (via The Guardian)

UK confirms backing for stronger EU 2030 emissions targets (via BusinessGreen)

Traffic gridlock grows in African cities, expanding once-tiny carbon footprint (via ClimateWire)

Hotels work together to standardize measuring carbon footprint (via Sustainable Business)

CLIMATE 

US and China intensify climate cooperation (via RTCC)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency retrofits ramp up in China (via GreenBiz)

Energy efficiency firms are eating European utilities’ lunch (via Reuters)

Vehicle program to be stripped from Senate efficiency bill to shrink price tag (via E&E Daily)

COAL 

A little less coal in China – 6 ways it is lowering consumption (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES 

European Union backs down on China solar tariffs (via New York Times)

Climate change likely to thwart biofuel goals (via Houston Chronicle)

Harnessing India’s clean energy Tower Power (via Renew Economy)

Japanese solar industry soaring (via CleanTechnica)

Solar, biomass push out offshore wind in EU targets (via Reuters)

Could climate bonds become a major force in green finance? (via Environmental Leader)

States buffeted by turbulent wind industry (via Stateline)

State renewable energy laws survive repeal attempts – so far (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

Interior Department to unveil plans for offshore wind leases (via The Hill)

Interior Department approves 520MW of renewables (via Greentech Media)

Solar executives okay with declining incentives in Colorado (via Denver Post)

OIL 

Russia joins forces with Scandinavia to finance Arctic oil rush (via Bloomberg)

Kinder Morgan to extend Eagle Ford pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

EVs are getting as cheap as gasoline rivals (via Los Angeles Times)

Nissan Leaf continues strong sales with 2,138; Chevy Volt moves 1,607 (via Autoblog Green)

EV sales in May on pace for 80,000 per year (via Facts of the Day)

Battery advice from Elon Musk: plugged in at full charge is worst thing to do (via San Jose Mercury News)

ENERGY POLICY 

Energy companies call regulatory changes their greatest threat (via Houston Chronicle)

House GOP dusts off energy bills to expand drilling, pipelines (via Politico)

Tea Party targeting Southern Company over solar and nuclear (via San Francisco Chronicle/AP)

Massachusetts launches green bond program to fund clean energy projects (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

China says rural environmental problems and pollution worsened in 2012 (via Reuters)

Extreme weather worsens US wheat production, cuts market share (via Bloomberg)

Severe storms bring more “weather whiplash” to US (via Climate Central)

NUCLEAR 

Worldwide capacity of small modular reactors could pass 18GW by 2030 (via Navigant Research)

Scientists say Fukushima radioactivity in seafood poses minimal health risk (via Phys.org)

Plans for Iowa nuclear power plant scrapped over design, cost concerns (via Des Moines Register)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Illinois must adopt fracking rules, hire experts before expanding drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

Farmers oppose expanding Kansas wind power transmission line (via Topeka Capital-Journal)

POLITICS 

Sen. Alexander proposes “grand principles” for cheaper sustainable energy (via The Hill)

Billionaire Steyer to target Obama supporters in anti-Keystone effort (via The Hill)

OPINION 

3 reasons Chinese solar inverters are half the cost of American inverters (via Breaking Energy)

How to settle the US-China solar war (via Greentech Media)

Tesla was not, in fact, worse than Solyndra (via Grist)

What’s good for Arizona Public Service Isn’t Good for Arizona – or solar (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, arctic, arizona, aviation, barack obama, battery, biofuel, biomass, carbon footprint, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate bonds, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Eagle Ford Shale, Electric Vehicle, Elon Musk, emissions, Emissions reduction, Energy Efficiency, environment, EU, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, fracking, fukushima, grid, Illinois, Incentives, india, interior department, investment, Iowa, japan, Jean Shaheen, kansas, Keystone XL, Kinder Morgan, Lamar Alexander, massachusetts, natural gas, News, nissan LEAF, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Pipeline, Pollution, radioactivity, regulation, Renewable energy portfolio, Renewable energy standard, renewables, res, Rob Portman, rps, Russia, Severe weather, Shale oil, Small modular reactors, solar, Solar tariffs, Solar trade war, solyndra, Southern Company, tea party, Tesla, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Weather whiplash, wind
0
23
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.23.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

98% of DOE’s $34 billion loan portfolio is being repaid (via Facts of the Day)

CLIMATE 

Thawing permafrost could produce lower CO2 emissions than previously thought (via ClimateWire)

New EU climate policy unlikely before 2015 (via Phys.org)

10 cities that will be hardest hit by climate change (via Grist)

Gov. Jerry Brown keeps pressing on the perils of climate change (via San Jose Mercury News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US shale boom shapes international energy markets (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy-rich Colorado becomes setting for fracking fight (via Bloomberg)

Illinois House panel approves fracking measure (via Chicago Tribune)

Grassroots greens challenge EDF on fracking involvement (via Mother Jones)

RENEWABLES 

Germany investing €50 million in solar PV innovation (via Recharge)

Switch to low-carbon energy would save UK households 1,600 (via The Independent)

White House, Pentagon at odds over biofuel refinery program (via Greenwire)

Wind potential – all about the data (via Renewable Energy World)

North Carolina renewable energy policy will remain in place (via Sustainable Business)

EMISSIONS 

China emissions cap proposal hailed as climate breakthrough (via Renew Economy)

China unveils details of pilot carbon-trading program (via The Guardian)

CBO: carbon tax an option to avoid “catastrophic” outcomes (via The Hill)

College fossil-fuel divestment movement builds (via Houston Chronicle)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

House passes bill to speed up Keystone XL, avoid Obama review (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone XL’s southern leg nears completion (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla Motors repays its government loan in full (via Greentech Media)

Tesla Model S set to bring EVs into mainstream (via BusinessGreen)

Coalition launches EV charging station project in upstate New York (via Green Car Congress)

COAL 

Coal regains some electric generation market share from natural gas (via US EIA)

Mining lobby touts economic impact of coal exports (via Charleston Gazette)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

UK government to boost energy efficiency efforts across sectors (via Energy Manager Today)

How Cree perfected the 20-year light bulb (via Forbes)

ENVIRONMENT 

Death by a thousand cuts: coal boom could destroy Great Barrier Reef (via Spiegel)

POLITICS 

The GOP’s green energy tent is slowly getting bigger (via National Journal)

Climate activists to protest at Obama group’s climate events (via Grist)

Q&A: Steven Chu on his time as US Energy Secretary (via Stanford News)

Green billionaire Steyer plans to get involved in Massachusetts Senate race (via The Hill)

Terry McAuliffe reverses course, backs bill to allow oil drilling off Virginia coast (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Europe, Australia, and the slow death of carbon trading (via Renew Economy)

Could a Chinese carbon cap pave the way for a global climate deal? (via Grist)

The impact of budget sequestration on DOD energy innovation (via Innovation Files)

Posted:   |   Categories: arra, australia, biofuel, california, cap and trade, carbon tax, carbon trading, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Cree, Defense Department, Divestment, DOE, edf, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, Environmental Defense Fund, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, germany, Great Barrier Reef, Illinois, Jerry Brown, Keystone XL, LED, massachusetts, natural gas, new york state, News, North Carolina, OFA, offshore drilling, Permafrost, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, rps, Shale gas, Shale oil, solar, solar pv, Stanford, steven chu, tar sands, Terry McAuliffe, Tesla, Tesla Model S, Tom Steyer, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, virginia, wind
0
07
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.7.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Japan, China, South Korea to cooperate on air pollution (via Phys.org)

EU to vote on carbon market reforms in July (via RTCC)

EPA to defend greenhouse gas emission rule today in federal appeals court (via Greenwire)

Seattle plan would make city carbon neutral by 2050 (via Seattle Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Public charging stations for electric cars: who leads the way? (via Green Car Reports)

Ford to set annual hybrid sales record in just five months (via Bloomberg)

Tesla to earn $250 million from sales of California emission credits (via Autoblog)

GM aims to cut Chevy Volt cost by $10,000 (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

Canada loses WTO appeal over “protectionist” renewable energy subsidies (via BusinessGreen)

“46% average” EU levy on Chinese solar PV panels (via Recharge)

Australia passes milestone: 1 million homes have rooftop solar (via Sustainable Business)

First Solar posts Q1 profit, backs 2013 profit outlook (via Reuters)

US wind industry set to rebound as lobby pursues tax credit (via Bloomberg)

AWEA devising long-term plan to present to Congressional tax committees (via The Hill)

Minnesota legislature considers solar energy standard (via Minnesota Public Radio)

New marine terminal in Massachusetts will deploy offshore wind turbines (via Boston Herald)

CLIMATE 

US public anxious on climate change – to a point (via Politico)

California governor blames climate change for state’s early fire season (via Los Angeles Times)

COAL 

King Coal losing crown as US gains energy independence (via Bloomberg)

US coal industry’s growing east-west divide (via Reuters)

GRID 

A123’s grid-scale storage business lives on (via Greentech Media)

TAR SANDS 

Enbridge shuts North Dakota line after finding oil leak (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Don’t pitch the environmental value of your light bulb to conservatives (via Greentech Media)

Energy efficiency target could save Ohio ratepayers $5.6 billion by 2020 (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT 

EPA’s top investigator: “there are significant geographic regions we can no longer cover” (via Greenwire)

Water war between Klamath River farmers, tribes poised to erupt (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

2013 a pivotal year in transition to a more diverse energy mix (via Navigant Research)

Is Obama the “environmental president”? (via Grist)

The surprising reason why Obama favors natural gas exports (via Washington Post)

Can 400ppm spark us into climate action? (via RTCC)

5 reasons why it’s (still) important to reduce fugitive methane emissions (via WRI Insights)

Posted:   |   Categories: 400ppm, A123, australia, awea, barack obama, california, canada, cap and trade, cape wind, Carbon market, Carbon neutral, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, drought, Electric Vehicle, Electric vehicle charging, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Ford, GM, grid, japan, massachusetts, Methane emissions, minnesota, News, north dakota, offshore wind, Ohio, oil spill, Pipeline, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, rooftop solar, seattle, solar, Solar trade war, South Korea, tar sands, Tesla, Transportation, Water scarcity, Wildfire, wind
0
02
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.2.13

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

EMISSIONS

UN envoys consider 2050 carbon target in climate talks (via Bloomberg)

Was efficiency responsible for 75% of CO2 reductions in 2012? (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Green building materials will reach $254 billion in annual market value by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

General Motors urges Obama and Congress to unite on climate change (via The Guardian)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US predicted to be a top liquefied natural gas exporter by 2020 (via Houston Chronicle)

Moody’s: modest amount of US natural gas exports will get approval (via The Hill)

Shell makes big bet on boom in natural gas (via New York Times)

Fracking spread could strain water resources in West, study finds (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

EU solar groups lobby against duties on Chinese solar products (via Recharge)

China wants to use curtailed wind power to replace coal-fired heating (via CleanTechnica)

Indonesia plans rural solar electrification push (via Recharge)

Is there hope for hydropower as the climate changes? (via EarthTechling)

US-designed no-emission ocean thermal energy power plant will debut off China’s coast (via ClimateWire)

Renewable energy groups spar over biofuel imports (via Politico)

Legislators fail to reform Hawaii solar tax credit (via Honolulu Star Advertiser)

Massachusetts crushes solar goals, aims much higher (via CleanTechnica)

Los Angeles urged to expand solar power to 20% of all energy by 2020 (via Los Angeles Daily News)

OIL 

Who’s in charge here? At US oil spills, it’s whoever made the mess (via OnEarth)

Fracking boom in North Dakota is here to stay (via Mother Jones)

TRANSPORTATION 

Survey shows strong US support for fuel efficiency standards (via New York Times)

Nissan Leaf has second-best sales month, Chevy Volt declines slightly (via Autoblog Green)

EV maker Coda files for bankruptcy, focuses on energy storage (via GigaOm)

CLIMATE 

Poll: majority see climate change affecting US weather (via The Hill)

Climate change: when rain, rain won’t go away (via USA Today)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Enbridge pipeline expansion could turn into Keystone-like fight (via Bloomberg)

Alaska watches as Canada considers shipping tar sands across Arctic (via Alaska Dispatch)

Elected officials in rural Nebraska pass anti-Keystone pipeline resolution (via Omaha World-Herald)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

US banks reluctant to finance energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Internet of Things extends under your sink with new water and electricity sensors (via Treehugger)

GRID 

Who are the top utilities in smart grid? (via Greentech Media)

NYSERDA awards $1.4 million to advanced energy storage projects (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Cash for doomed crops means US farmers avoid disaster cost (via Bloomberg)

42% of Americans live with dangerous pollution; check your zip code (via The Good Human)

ENERGY POLICY 

Report: EU facing €1 trillion energy investment black hole (via RTCC)

For Obama and Pena Nieto, a delicate “first dance” around energy (via Reuters)

Texas power supplies for summer peak season seen as tight but improving (via Fort-Worth Star Telegram)

OTHER NEWS 

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

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, arctic, Arctic Ocean, barack obama, biofuel, canada, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, COda, Crop insurance, Curtailment, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, Enrique Pena Nieto, environment, ERCOT, EU, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, fracking, Fuel efficiency standards, General Motors, green building, green business, grid, Hawaii, Hydropower, Keystone XL, Liquefied natural gas, LNG, los angeles, massachusetts, mexico, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Nebraska, News, nissan LEAF, north dakota, NYSERDA, Ocean thermal energy, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, renewables, Severe weather, Shale oil, Shell, smart grid, solar, Solar trade war, tar sands, Tax credit, texas, Transportation, UN, united nations, Water scarcity, wind
0
01
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.1.13

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

EMISSIONS

All eyes on Keeling Curve: scientists anxious as CO2 levels cross 400 PPM (via InsideClimate News)

States scramble as EPA shifts research monitors into regulatory mode (via Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU sets terms for global aviation climate talks (via RTCC)

European new car emissions fall nine percent in three years (via BusinessGreen)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

China struggles to tap its shale gas (via Washington Post)

Fracking rules coming “in weeks” says Jewell (via The Hill)

California regulators may track fracking chemicals (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

PTC clarity to ease renewable energy additions, questions remain (via AOL Energy)

Midwest looks to New England for biomass roadmap (via Midwest Energy News)

Solar to account for almost all new generation in California system in 2H 2013 (via Greentech Media)

PSE&G plans $446 million in new solar generation capacity (via Recharge News)

Bill to end North Carolina’s renewable energy standard resurfaces in legislature (via News & Observer)

Verizon to invest $100 million in solar, fuel cells (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

Saudi oil minister predicts more active US in energy markets (via The Hill)

Saudi Arabia’s oil minister says country has shale but must learn to tap it (via Reuters)

US doubles oil reserve estimates at Bakken, Three Forks shale (via Reuters)

BP to fund $340 million in early restoration projects in Gulf (via Houston Chronicle)

Citizens group finds 30 toxic chemicals in air following Arkansas oil spill (via Mongabay)

Federal regulators launch test of Helix offshore spill containment system (via Houston Chronicle)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Most firms get greenhouse gas reports wrong, says report (via Reuters)

Staples brings responsible e-waste recycling across the US (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

Coal’s power market share lead over gas is doubling in 2013 (via Facts of the Day)

What is the future of coal? (via Forbes)

CLIMATE 

Sequester hits nation’s climate change research capability (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Innovations reshaping the energy efficiency market (via Greentech Media)

Study finds conservative US shoppers turned off by efficient lightbulbs (via The Guardian)

ENERGY POLICY 

New Mexico county ordinance bans oil, gas development (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

ComEd installs 470 smart switches across Chicago grid (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

It’s easy to keep US carbon emissions flat – sadly that’s not enough (via Washington Post)

Did a billionaire’s spending sway the Massachusetts Senate primary? (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: 400ppm, ALEC, Arkansas, Bakken Shale, biomass, BP, california, CFL, chicago, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, ComEd, e-waste, Efficient lighting, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, EU, europe, European Union, fracking, Fracking chemical disclosure, Fuel Cells, green business, Greenhouse gas reporting, grid, Gulf of Mexico, interior department, Keeling Curve, LED, massachusetts, natural gas, New Mexico, News, North Carolina, oil, oil spill, production tax credit, PSE&G, ptc, Recycling, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Sally Jewell, saudi arabia, Sequester, Shale gas, smart grid, solar, Staples, Three Forks Shale, Tom Steyer, Transportation, verizon
0
29
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.29.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China makes strides to curb carbon emissions (via Navigant Research)

GREEN BUSINESS 

San Francisco and Seattle lead US cities pulling funds from fossil fuel firms (via The Guardian)

Volkswagen sustainability report shows emissions, production progress (via Autoblog Green)

Can fossil fuel divestment prevent the carbon bubble from bursting? (via CleanTechnica)

How the NFL became a champion of sustainability (via The Guardian)

How sustainability metrics help build trust in the financial sector (via GreenBiz)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS

Land-locked Alberta mulls tar sands pipeline to Arctic port (via Reuters)

TransCanada sees Keystone XL delayed until second half 2015 (via Retuers)

RENEWABLES 

100% renewables for Australia not so costly after all (via Renew Economy)

Solar PV module revenues to turn upward, but not until 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

European Commission launches Chinese solar glass subsidy inquiry (via Reuters)

Amonix claims 36.2% solar energy efficiency record (via Recharge)

DOE, Stanford unveil solar, wind battery (via Energy Manager Today)

Floating wind turbines with undersea energy storage (via EarthTechnling)

Geothermal saves $117 million per year for California and Nevada (via Greentech Media)

North Carolina notches a win against ALEC anti-renewables effort (via CleanTechnica)

Los Angeles launches largest municipal solar program in US (via Triple Pundit)

Community colleges help prepare students for a green job market (via Santa Fe New Mexican)

Massachusetts ski resort runs completely on solar and wind (via Sustainable Business)

COAL 

In Montana, ranchers line up against coal (via Los Angeles Times)

Bankrupt Patriot Coal asks court to slash union pensions (via Reuters)

FutureGen 2.0 gets clean environmental impact statement (via Jacksonville Journal Courier)

CLIMATE 

UN climate talks kick off in Bonn (via The Guardian)

China leading in climate change fight, argues Australian government report (via BusinessGreen)

Ocean surface temperatures off Northeast US coast highest in 150 years (via Bangor Daily News)

Major pan-European study conducted on ocean acidification (via Phys.org)

Wild weather swings may be a sign of climate change (via Climate Central)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EPA lowers estimates of methane leaks during natural gas production (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Ready (or not?) for a great coming Texas shale boom (via New York Times)

Ohio tries to avoid repeat of 2011 injection well quakes (via Midwest Energy News)

ENVIRONMENT 

Rapid transition of climate zones could speed extinction (via RTCC)

US to remove gray wolves from endangered list (via The Hill)

Empty nets in Louisiana three years after the BP oil spill (via CNN)

EPA deals blow to Alaska mine project (via The Hill)

New Mexico grapples with tough choices as drought persists (via Yahoo! News/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Bike-sharing programs now in 49 countries, 500 cities (via Sustainable Business)

Tesla to offer loaners to customers with cars in the shop (via GigaOm)

Chicago car charging station feud goes to court (via Chicago Tribune)

OIL 

One month after Exxon’s Arkansas oil spill, still no answers to basic questions (via InsideClimate News)

Oil rig worker ranks among worst jobs of 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Study: buyers of energy-efficient homes less likely to default (via Today Show)

NREL teams with US Navy to cut energy use (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY POLICY 

Europe bids to marry natural gas and renewable energy (via Recharge)

Colorado senate votes to strengthen state’s clean energy standard (via ClimateProgress)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese nuclear reactors may come back online soon (via United Press International)

Thinking small, nuclear power enters distributed era (via Navigant Research)

FBI investigating weekend shootout at Watts Bar nuclear power plant (via Knoxville News)

POLITICS 

Germany’s Greens lurch left in bid to beat Merkel (via Reuters)

Charlotte Mayor Foxx to be named US Transportation Secretary (via The Hill)

OPINION 

How can Congress boost renewable-energy requirements? (via National Journal)

Everybody chill out a little, carbon trading will be fine (via Grist)

Would a carbon tax boost clean energy? (via Christian Science Monitor)

People who believe in free markets more likely to reject climate science (via Sustainable Business)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, Alberta, ALEC, Amonix, Angela Merkel, Arkansas, australia, battery, Bike sharing, california, Carbon bubble, carbon tax, Charlotte, chicago, China, clean coal, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Divestment, DOE, DOT, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy policy, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU, europe, European Union, ev charging, Extinction, Extreme weather, Exxon, fracking, Fracking wastewater, FutureGen, geothermal, germany, global warming, green business, green jobs, Gulf of Mexico, japan, Keystone XL, los angeles, Louisiana, massachusetts, Methane emissions, Montana, natural gas, Nevada, New Mexico, News, NFL, North Carolina, NREL, nuclear, Ocean acidification, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, Patriot Coal, Pipeline, Renewable energy standard, renewables, res, san francisco, seattle, Severe weather, Shale gas, SMR, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, Stanford, tar sands, Tesla, texas, TransCanada, Transportation, UN, US Navy, Volkswagen, Watts Bar, wind
0
25
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

By 2023, a changed world in energy (via New York Times)

EU faces energy policy vacuum after 2020 (via Reuters)

Europe struggles in shale gas race (via New York Times)

Biggest energy private equity deal is on verge of collapse, and it’s a big deal (via Energy Trends Insider)

EMISSIONS 

China to phase out production of super greenhouse gas (Mongabay)

Keeling Curve website wants you to know when CO2 levels hit 400 PPM (via Climate Progress)

Scientist says China’s pollution is killing Japan’s trees (via New York Times)

COAL

Exploring prospects for US coal exports to China (via WRI Insights)

Federal study says many coal sludge ponds have weak walls (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Anonymous donors fund solar projects across the US (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewable energy parks: a blueprint for locally produced clean energy (via Energy Manager Today)

North Carolina rejects cuts to renewable energy mandates (via Bloomberg)

Last gasp for controversial Minnesota wind farm? (via Midwest Energy News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Chinese airline to start biofuel-powered commercial flights (via BusinessGreen)

How to charge millions of electric cars? Not all at once (via New York Times)

Honda boss says Chinese drivers don’t want green cars (via Autoblog)

Swerving around barriers and moving electric cars (via Forbes)

Chevy Spark EV rated at 82 miles, 119 MPGe combined (via Autoblog Gren)

Fisker hearing kicks off as unhappy customers emerge (via GigaOm)

OIL 

Rosneft plans more Arctic exploration to boost share value (via Bloomberg)

Gulf oil spill trial judge poses questions on gross negligence issue (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

US should do more on climate change to aid economy: UN official (via Scientific American/Reuters)

Pakistan’s farmers grapple with climate change (via Al-Jazeera)

US East Coast cities confront global warming-induced sea level rise (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

Fires burn more fiercely as northern forests warm (via Yale e360)

GRID 

Demand response cuts the need for new generation in PJM (via Greentech Media)

New York State approves $2.2 billion power line from Quebec (via AOL Energy)

POLITICS 

Energy boom strengthens US clout in world, Obama advisor says (via Reuters)

LNG, Keystone XL emerge as central issues in British Columbia election (via Vancouver Sun)

Bipartisan group of lawmakers float renewable energy finance bill (via The Hill)

Billionaire climate activist backing old-line and new-school tactics in Mass. Senate primary (via E&E Daily)

Baucus to lean heavily into land conservation before retiring (via E&E Daily)

OPINION 

Finding a new direction in climate change policy (via The Innovation Files)

Utilities have far to go in smart grid maturity (via Greentech Media)

What Fisker’s failure tells us about Obama’s clean energy programs (via Washington Post)

If Keystone XL gets blocked, can trains save Canada’s tar sands? (via Washington Post)

Why we don’t need Fisker (via MIT Technology Review)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, barack obama, biofuel, BP, canada, Chevy Spark, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, Demand response, distributed generation, Electric Vehicle, emissions, environment, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Fisker, Goodhue, grid, Gulf of Mexico, honda, Hydroflourocarbons, japan, Keeling Curve, Keystone XL, LNG, massachusetts, Max Baucus, minnesota, new york state, News, North Carolina, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, pakistan, Pipeline, PJM Interconnection, Quebec, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Sea level rise, Shale gas, smart grid, solar, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation, UN, united nations, wind
0