Category Archives:michigan

11
Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.8.14

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

CLIMATE 

MIT predicts 2015 UN climate talks likely to fail (via Environmental Leader)

BASIC nations urge rich countries to act on climate change (via RTCC)

UN releases Ban Ki-moon climate summit plan (via RTCC)

The world’s first climate change refugees were granted residency in New Zealand (via Smithsonian)

87 cities, 4 scenarios, and 1 really hot future (via Climate Central)

Edelman formally declares it will not accept climate denial campaigns (via The Guardian)

COAL 

Coal’s price seen stunted at year-end amid supply glut (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

India invites bids for $8 billion renewable grid upgrade (via Bloomberg)

In Asia, wind industry picks up again (via Navigant Research)

China adds 3.3GW of solar PV in first half 2014 (via Recharge)

U.S. imposes tariffs on solar imports from Taiwan, adds new duties on China imports (via Solar Industry Magazine)

No end in sight for America’s solar revolution (via EcoWatch)

Flaw and order: How Brookings got its analysis of wind and solar costs so wrong (via Greentech Media)

Michigan net metering program shows steady increase (via Energy Manager Today)

Price of wind energy goes down in Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

Minnesota regulators side with utility in value-of-solar case (via Midwest Energy News)

SpaceX is going solar with Elon Musk’s other company, SolarCity (via GigaOm)

SolarCity loss widens as new rooftop installations surge (via Bloomberg)

SolarCity lays out its path to make a profit (via GigaOm)

OIL 

From Russia to Iraq, rising oil risks push 2015 prices to a premium (via Reuters)

DOT: Rail insurance inadequate for oil train accidents (via Politico)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla X to devour premium SUV market, says Morgan Stanley (via Los Angeles Times)

2016 Chevy Volt teased ahead of debut at Detroit Auto Show (via Autoblog)

No million by 2015, but electric vehicles are surging (via Breaking Energy)

Electric vehicles could save U.S. utilities from a death spiral (via Forbes)

Latest services from Uber and Lyft will upend transportation even more (via Washington Post)

Nissan, Mitsubishi team up for $14,000 EV (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS 

Marcellus Shale hits gas production milestone (via The Hill)

Anti-fracking measures to be officially pulled from Colorado ballot (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Deep emissions cuts needed by 2050 to limit warming, says UN (via Yahoo! News/Reuters)

Air traffic growth rates will outpace emissions reductions, research shows (via The Guardian)

White House says emissions delay will raise climate costs (via Bloomberg)

New lawsuits unlikely to touch EPA’s carbon rule, at least in near term (via ClimateWire)

Environmental groups to sue EPA over aircraft emissions (via The Hill)

Carbon pricing and Northwest businesses: a match made in tax-swap heaven? (via Sightline Daily)

ENERGY POLICY 

U.S. insurance industry changes with energy industry (via Houston Chronicle)

South Carolina just passed a major solar bill and sued EPA (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How did China and India beat the U.S. on energy efficiency? (via GreenBiz)

Investment districts may help clean energy reach minority communities (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

Cracking the code on the business of energy management (via Energy Trends Insider)

California could rewrite the rules for distributed demand response (via Greentech Media)

Seattle’s energy code bests national standard (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Mercury pollution in oceans has tripled since Industrial Revolution (via Yale e360)

U.S. forecasters lower hurricane season expectations (via Climate Central)

California’s severe drought unchanged despite record thunderstorms (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Has the era of the “climate refugee” begun? (via Washington Post)

Fools at the fire (via New York Times)

U.S. Commerce Department should allow exports of crude oil (via Washington Post)

Why a global warming pact won’t stop global warming (via National Journal)

Facts can convince conservatives about global warming – sometimes (via The Guardian)

This data on how consumers use energy may surprise you (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: Asia, Ban-Ki Moon, california, Carbon pricing, chevy volt, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, Climate refugees, coal, colorado, Demand response, DOT, drought, edelman, electric vehicles, Elon Musk, emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy management, environment, EPA, fracking, global warming, grid, india, iraq, Lyft, marcellus shale, Mercury, michigan, minnesota, MIT, mitsubishi, natural gas, Net metering, new zealand, News, Nissan, oil, Oil exports, Oil train, renewables, Russia, seattle, solar, Solar trade war, SolarCity, south carolina, SpaceX, Taiwan, Tesla X, texas, Transportation, Uber, united nations, Value of Solar, wildfires, wind
0
22
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.22.14

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

CLIMATE 

NOAA: June 2014 was the hottest in recorded history (via National Journal)

Climate change already having profound impacts on European lakes (via National Geographic)

Report: Higher seas mean extreme floods in South Carolina, North Carolina (via Miami Herald/AP)

Sunday TV shows cover climate change as much in 1H 2014 as in last four years combined (via Media Matters for America)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexican Senate approves bulk of pending energy legislation (via Reuters)

Energy issues playing greater role in foreign policy, says State Dept. envoy (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Wind power will deliver more than seven percent of world’s electricity by 2018 (via Navigant Research)

India seen adding wind capacity after tax credit revived (via Bloomberg)

Brazil gets $335 million wind power loan from German development bank (via Bloomberg)

Powering villages with solar instead of dirty fossil fuels (via EcoWatch)

Renewables make up over 50% of new U.S. power in First Half of 2014 (via Renew Grid)

Who finances residential solar in 2014? (via Greentech Media)

The solar industry’s tax credit conundrum (via Greentech Media)

Michigan legislators seek “energy freedom” for consumer through distributed renewables (via Midwest Energy News)

Offshore wind farms create “reef effect” perfect for marine wildlife – especially seals (via The Independent)

Renewables revolution could be in management, not technology (via Climate Central)

NATURAL GAS 

Fracking opponents renew call for South African shale gas halt (via Bloomberg)

U.K. shale regulation inadequate for safety, says report (via Bloomberg)

Researchers to test how Great Plains shale reacts to fracking (via Huffington Post/AP)

California halts fracking waste injection, warns it may be contaminating aquifers (via Mother Jones)

EMISSIONS 

U.K. retains target to cut carbon emissions in half by 2025 (via Bloomberg)

Legislative attempts to block EPA standards harmful to small businesses (via The Hill)

NHL outlines plan to cut emissions, fight climate change (via The Hill)

COAL 

Dirty coal plants undermine EU climate leadership, says report (via RTCC)

China warns against “blind” rush to build coal-to-gas plants (via Reuters)

Germany, U.K., Poland top “dirty 30” list of EU coal-fired power stations (via The Guardian)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Whirlpool wants Congress to ban class action lawsuits tied to Energy Star program (via New York Times)

Florida utilities move to slash energy conservation programs (via Climate Progress)

Third-party financing was solar’s catalyst – can energy efficiency find the same model? (via Greentech Media)

Four reasons why energy efficiency programs fail (via Energy Collective)

OIL 

As U.S. leads world on oil production, East Coast opens to exploration (via Sustainable Business)

DOT Secretary: New oil train rules could have wide reach (via Houston Chronicle)

Wisconsin oil train derailment clean up underway, evacuation lifted (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Opel dropping Ampera, Europe’s Chevy Volt, because of weak sales (via Autoblog Green)

First six months of 2014 U.S. EV sales show 33% year-over-year gain (via Forbes)

ABB and Volvo partner on fast-charging system for hybrid and electric buses (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla idles California plant to retool for electric SUVs (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Carbon repeal leaves Australia isolated and vulnerable (via Renew Economy)

Disney’s “Planes” sequel is an excuse to talk to your kids about climate change (via Grist)

Why has the response to California’s drought been so weak? (via Science Blogs)

Six reasons technology alone can’t solve water scarcity (via GreenBiz)

Utilities cry “fowl” over Duck Chart and distributed solar power (via CleanTechnica)

Why Tom Steyer’s millions won’t save the planet (via Forbes)

Posted:   |   Categories: ABB, australia, Brazil, california, chevy volt, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, distributed generation, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy star, EPA, EU, europe, European Union, EVs, Florida, fracking, Fracking wastewater, germany, global warming, india, investment tax credit, mexico, michigan, National Hockey League, natural gas, News, noaa, North Carolina, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil trains, Opel Ampera, Poland, renewables, Sea level rise, solar, South Africa, south carolina, Synthetic gas, Tesla, Tom Steyer, Transportation, united kingdom, Volvo, wind, Wisconsin
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22
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.22.14

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

CLIMATE 

NOAA: June 2014 was the hottest in recorded history (via National Journal)

Climate change already having profound impacts on European lakes (via National Geographic)

Report: Higher seas mean extreme floods in South Carolina, North Carolina (via Miami Herald/AP)

Sunday TV shows cover climate change as much in 1H 2014 as in last four years combined (via Media Matters for America)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexican Senate approves bulk of pending energy legislation (via Reuters)

Energy issues playing greater role in foreign policy, says State Dept. envoy (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Wind power will deliver more than seven percent of world’s electricity by 2018 (via Navigant Research)

India seen adding wind capacity after tax credit revived (via Bloomberg)

Brazil gets $335 million wind power loan from German development bank (via Bloomberg)

Powering villages with solar instead of dirty fossil fuels (via EcoWatch)

Renewables make up over 50% of new U.S. power in First Half of 2014 (via Renew Grid)

Who finances residential solar in 2014? (via Greentech Media)

The solar industry’s tax credit conundrum (via Greentech Media)

Michigan legislators seek “energy freedom” for consumer through distributed renewables (via Midwest Energy News)

Offshore wind farms create “reef effect” perfect for marine wildlife – especially seals (via The Independent)

Renewables revolution could be in management, not technology (via Climate Central)

NATURAL GAS 

Fracking opponents renew call for South African shale gas halt (via Bloomberg)

U.K. shale regulation inadequate for safety, says report (via Bloomberg)

Researchers to test how Great Plains shale reacts to fracking (via Huffington Post/AP)

California halts fracking waste injection, warns it may be contaminating aquifers (via Mother Jones)

EMISSIONS 

U.K. retains target to cut carbon emissions in half by 2025 (via Bloomberg)

Legislative attempts to block EPA standards harmful to small businesses (via The Hill)

NHL outlines plan to cut emissions, fight climate change (via The Hill)

COAL 

Dirty coal plants undermine EU climate leadership, says report (via RTCC)

China warns against “blind” rush to build coal-to-gas plants (via Reuters)

Germany, U.K., Poland top “dirty 30” list of EU coal-fired power stations (via The Guardian)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Whirlpool wants Congress to ban class action lawsuits tied to Energy Star program (via New York Times)

Florida utilities move to slash energy conservation programs (via Climate Progress)

Third-party financing was solar’s catalyst – can energy efficiency find the same model? (via Greentech Media)

Four reasons why energy efficiency programs fail (via Energy Collective)

OIL 

As U.S. leads world on oil production, East Coast opens to exploration (via Sustainable Business)

DOT Secretary: New oil train rules could have wide reach (via Houston Chronicle)

Wisconsin oil train derailment clean up underway, evacuation lifted (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Opel dropping Ampera, Europe’s Chevy Volt, because of weak sales (via Autoblog Green)

First six months of 2014 U.S. EV sales show 33% year-over-year gain (via Forbes)

ABB and Volvo partner on fast-charging system for hybrid and electric buses (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla idles California plant to retool for electric SUVs (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Carbon repeal leaves Australia isolated and vulnerable (via Renew Economy)

Disney’s “Planes” sequel is an excuse to talk to your kids about climate change (via Grist)

Why has the response to California’s drought been so weak? (via Science Blogs)

Six reasons technology alone can’t solve water scarcity (via GreenBiz)

Utilities cry “fowl” over Duck Chart and distributed solar power (via CleanTechnica)

Why Tom Steyer’s millions won’t save the planet (via Forbes)

Posted:   |   Categories: ABB, australia, Brazil, california, chevy volt, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, distributed generation, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy star, EPA, EU, europe, European Union, EVs, Florida, fracking, Fracking wastewater, germany, global warming, india, investment tax credit, mexico, michigan, National Hockey League, natural gas, News, noaa, North Carolina, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil trains, Opel Ampera, Poland, renewables, Sea level rise, solar, South Africa, south carolina, Synthetic gas, Tesla, Tom Steyer, Transportation, united kingdom, Volvo, wind, Wisconsin
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07
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.7.14

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

CLIMATE 

Australia sees little consensus among G20 for new climate action (via The Hill)

Report says UK climate change policies have not harmed economy (via The Guardian)

Hawaii, Rhode Island, Vermont take serious climate adaptation action (via CleanTechnica)

Ceres: half of America’s largest companies don’t report on climate risk (via Triple Pundit)

Meet the scientist who might end the climate culture wars (via Popular Science)

RENEWABLES 

Lessons in solar development for the Latin American market (via Renewable Energy World)

Brazil planning local-content rules for solar industry (via Bloomberg)

Deutsche Bank predicts big increase in publicly traded solar-based Yieldcos (via CleanTechnica)

Global solar jobs surge to 2.3 million in 2013 (via Recharge)

Solar thin-film panels reach 11-month high on trade war (via Bloomberg)

World Bank to invest $775 million in clean energy across India (via Economic Times)

Renewables jump to 31% in Germany for first half 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Brazil’s national development bank loans $251 for wind projects (via Recharge)

Insurers to cover European withdrawal of solar and wind subsidies (via Financial Times)

Gamesa and Areva ink deal to form offshore wind giant (via BusinessGreen)

U.S. weighs offshore wind tourism impact (via Recharge)

Two federal agencies side with Cape Wind on environmental issues (via Cape Cod Times)

North Carolina utilities panel will delve into cost of renewable power (via Charlotte News Observer)

Michigan PSC says state could boost solar at no cost to utility customers (via Environmental Law & Policy Center)

Lessons from the making of Massachusetts’ solar compromise bill (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Modi’s power pledge set to lift coal imports to record (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

U.S. Ex-Im Bank weighs loan to major India coal project (via Reuters)

Coal poised for rare win over Obama in Ex-Im Bank fight (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

U.S. pension funds ignore divestment calls, keep fossil fuels burning (via Financial Times)

Taking oil industry cue, environmentalists drew emissions blueprint (via New York Times)

California Democrat introduces bill to delay cap-and-trade expansion (via Reuters)

OIL 

U.S. now world’s biggest oil producer after overtaking Saudi Arabia (via Bloomberg)

Lac Megantic, Quebec still recovering from deadly oil train disaster (via Huffington Post)

US Commerce Secretary says “serious conversations” underway on oil exports (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla Model S earns top score in industry for total quality (via Green Car Reports)

Toyota to offer wireless charging on next-generation Prius in 2016 (via Plug-in Cars)

Data shows why EV owners are so different from the rest of us (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Germany drafting anti-shale fracking rules on public opposition (via Bloomberg)

Research links Oklahoma quakes to drilling activity (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy companies say disposal wells central to Oklahoma’s oil, gas operations (via The Oklahoman)

ENVIRONMENT 

Great Barrier Reed faces ravaging from expected El Nino (via The Guardian)

Nearly 80% of California now under “extreme” drought conditions (via Los Angeles Times)

ENERGY POLICY 

Homebuilders, restaurants herald cracks in Japan’s power market (via Bloomberg)

DOE issuing up to $4 billion in loan guarantees for energy, efficiency projects (via Green Car Congress)

A hot July energy legislation forecast on Capitol Hill (via National Journal)

The future of batteries: Q&A with director of national laboratory battery hub (via Phys.org)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Utilities reveal just how much customers are saving with energy efficiency programs (via Renew Grid)

Biggest hospital in North America to feature a green roof with medicinal herbs (via Inhabitat)

OPINION 

World Bank email leaks reveal internal row over power project loans (via The Guardian)

Green bond market is growing, but what makes a bond green? (via The Economist)

Here’s why the forecast for microgrids looks so sunny (via GreenBiz)

Why carbon market participants want more corporate involvement (via GreenBiz)

Congress’s head-in-the sand approach to climate change (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: Areva, australia, Batteries, Brazil, cap and trade, cape wind, Carbon market, Ceres, climate, Climate adaptation, Climate Change, coal, Deutsche Bank, Divestment, DOE, drought, El Nino, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, ev, ev charging, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, g20, Gamesa, germany, Great Barrier Reef, Green bond, green jobs, green roof, Hawaii, india, japan, Latin America, massachusetts, michigan, Microgrid, natural gas, News, North Carolina, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, Oil train, oklahoma, Quebec, renewables, rhode island, saudi arabia, solar, Solar trade war, Subsidies, Tesla, Tesla Model S, Toyota, Toyota prius, Transportation, united kingdom, vermont, Wastewater disposal wells, wind, World Bank, Yieldcos
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02
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.2.14

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

CLIMATE 

Caribbean coral reefs “will be lost within 20 years” (via The Guardian)

U.S. military bases threatened by climate change (via Fiscal Times)

What every governor really believes about climate change, in one handy map (via Climate Progress)

VA governor revives climate change panel, citing sea level rise threat (via Washington Post/AP)

Eight summer miseries made worse by global warming, from poison ivy to allergies (via National Geographic)

ENERGY POLICY 

EU utilities will suffer from low power prices until 2020, says Moody’s (via Retuers)

RENEWABLES 

BNEF: Renewable energy’s about to dominate global power investments (via CleanTechnica)

Research shows solar panels benefit crops (via Ashland Daily Tidings)

New EIA energy maps show four renewable energy trends (via Greentech Media)

U.S. Northeast added more than 800MW of new renewables capacity in 2013 (via Renew Grid)

Cape Wind gets $150 million boost from U.S. Energy Department (via Boston Globe)

Will EPA carbon rules push Michigan harder on clean energy? (via Midwest Energy News)

NextEra yieldco IPO raises $442.7 million (via Recharge)

Barclays and MSCI launch green bond index (via BusinessGreen)

COAL 

Colorado coal mine rejection on global-warming grounds has major implications (via InsideClimate News)

Georgia coal-to-solar pivot shows the way on climate regulations (via Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS 

The amount of atmospheric CO2 just reached a new record, and scientists are worried (via Climate Progress)

Giving up fossil fuels to save the climate: The $28 trillion write-down (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Nine states join lawsuit against EPA climate rule (via The Hill)

EPA looks to reduce emissions at landfills (via The Hill)

EPA’s CO2 rule and the back door to cap and trade (via Energy Collective)

ENVIRONMENT 

Plastic disappearing from oceans, scientists say, but why? (via Sydney Morning Herald)

Brazil made big environmental promises for its Rio Olympics – here’s why it won’t keep them (via National Journal)

California may step up water restrictions enforcement amid drought (via Reuters)

Water use fell 23% in March as LA reports driest two-year total (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Bakken Shale oil producers told to cut flaring or face punishment (via Houston Chronicle)

With North Dakota oil boom comes concern over spills (via Christian Science Monitor)

TRANSPORTATION 

While you’re asleep, electric car owners are guzzling power (via Mashable)

Chevy Volt sales drop in June, Nissan Leaf inches upward (via Autoblog Green)

Gas prices at six-year high heading into July 4th holiday weekend (via The Hill)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

North Dakota’s latest fracking problem: Burning off excess gas (via Wall Street Journal)

Russia says European Union requests natural gas talks (via Reuters)

GRID 

Hackers find open back door to power grid with renewables (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

IEA: $80 billion wasted on power for online devices in 2013 (via BusinessGreen)

LED lighting will constitute 94% of annual global street lighting sales by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

GE opens a pricing war over the connected LED light bulb (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

How El Nino will change the world’s weather in 2014 (via The Guardian)

EPA’s carbon rule is both a tax and a subsidy (via Forbes)

If Jerry Brown is so green, why is he allowing fracking in California? (via The Nation)

Posted:   |   Categories: Bakken Shale, Barclays, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Brazil, california, cap and trade, cape wind, chevy volt, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, drought, eia, El Nino, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, European Union, ev, fracking, gas prices, GE, Georgia, global warming, Green bond, grid, IEA, Jerry Brown, LED, los angeles, methane, michigan, Moody's Renewables, natural gas, News, NextEra, nissan LEAF, north dakota, Ocean acidification, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Russia, Sea level rise, Shale oil, solar, Terry McAuliffe, Transportation, virginia, YieldCo
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30
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.30.14

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

CLIMATE 

World Bank: Tacking climate change will grow the economy (via Climate Central)

Leading insurer closing its climate change office, leaving industry “mute” (via ClimateWire)

Mexico eyes economic benefits of landmark climate law (via RTCC)

The high cost of climate change inaction in two new studies (via NRDC Switchboard)

Wheat breeders planning for climate change (via The Western Producer)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Scotland primed for shale gas exploration (via BusinessGreen)

RENEWABLES 

IRENA says world needs $550 billion of renewables investment a year (via RTCC)

Last week, wind energy was the new baseload in Australia (via Renew Economy)

German lawmakers vote to reduce renewable energy subsidies (via Bloomberg)

SunEdison closes $190 million financing for Chile solar project (via Bloomberg)

Silver lining for China’s carbon-financed wind power boom (via Forbes)

Columbia River Basin provides more than 40% total U.S. hydroelectric generation (via U.S. EIA)

Michigan’s wind industry soaring (via Detroit Free-Press)

Growing number of solar panels a concern for Wisconsin utilities (via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Boston trying out solar-powered “smart benches” in parks (via Boston Globe)

GM adds three acres of solar arrays at Michigan facilities (via Green Car Congress)

SunPower to add storage to solar in new homes (via Greentech Media)

NextEra Energy prices yieldco IPO (via Recharge)

EMISSIONS 

Australia carbon tax moves closer to repeal after vote in lower house (via Reuters)

Caribbean needs $30 billion investment to cut fossil-fuel use (via Bloomberg)

Shanghai firms meet carbon targets after last-day permit auction (via Reuters)

DOE-sponsored project captures one millionth metric ton of CO2 (via Breaking Energy)

NASA to launch CO2-tracking satellite (via The Guardian)

Los Angeles councilman to propose emissions reduction measure (via Los Angeles Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Drought has drillers running after shrinking California water supply (via NPR)

Map shows when summer heat will peak in your town (via Climate Central)

OIL 

The other battle for Canada’s oil sands (via Houston Chronicle)

Following long ban, U.S. could dominate global light oil supply (via Reuters)

Feds, lawmakers warn of fire risk from oil trains (via The Hill)

Oil boom meets bust in Texas: Above sea of oil, poverty digs in (via New York Times)

BP seeks return of millions in oil spill damage payments (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

China only sold 7,000 electric automobiles in 2013 (via Autoblog Green)

Lukewarm automaker interest in open Tesla EV patents (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan prices replacement Leaf battery at $5,500 (via Autoblog Green)

COAL 

MSHA issues 147 citations during coal mine inspections (via Washington Post)

GRID 

UK seeks to avoid “energy crunch” with 53GW capacity auction (via BusinessGreen)

NREL supercomputer tackles grid challenges (via Intelligent Utility)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Berg Insights predicts 36 million smart homes worldwide by 2017 (via GigaOm)

Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance starts financing network (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

OPINION 

Australia risks G20 isolation by scrapping carbon tax (via Financial Times)

The American West’s water crisis (via New York Times)

How carbon pricing can boost the bottom line (via Environmental Leader)

Time to buy shares in a yieldco? (via Sustainable Business)

Will Governor Christie re-embrace cap-and-trade in wake of EPA rule? (via InsideClimate News)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, battery, Boston, BP, california, canada, cap and trade, Capacity auction, carbon capture, Carbon market, carbon tax, Caribbean, Chile, China, Chris Christie, climate, Climate Change, coal, DOE, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ev, fracking, germany, GM, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hydropower, IRENA, los angeles, mexico, michigan, NASA, natural gas, News, NextEra Energy, Nissan, nissan LEAF, NREL, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, Oil train, regional greenhouse gas initiative, renewables, rggi, Scotland, SEEA, Shale gas, Shanghai, Smart home Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, solar, Subsidy, SunEdison, SunPower, tar sands, Tesla, texas, Transportation, united kingdom, wind, Wisconsin, World Bank, YieldCo
0
25
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.25.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Australian Senate leader to support carbon-price repeal (via Bloomberg)

EPA’s first carbon regs nearly unscathed after years of litigation (via Greenwire)

Congressional observers doubt GOP can blog funding for EPA carbon rules (via SNL Energy)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

First Nations being courted to back tar sands refineries on their land (via InsideClimate News)

Republicans renew push for Keystone vote in Senate (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Over 7GW new solar PV capacity installed in Japan last fiscal year (via CleanTechnica)

U.K. solar industry set to hit 9GW in rush to meet subsidy deadline (via BusinessGreen)

Sustainable district heating from seawater? It’s happening in Holland (via CleanTechnica)

Concentrated solar power could compete with natural gas, says study (via Yale e360)

U.S. financial sector lags in clean energy investment (via Energy Manager Today)

Challenges to financing renewable energy projects on U.S. military sites (via Renewable Energy World)

NRG CEO says residential solar competitive with utility power in 25 states next year (via Green Car Reports)

Southern California Edison seems 290MW in small-scale renewables (via Solar Industry Magazine)

SunPower and SolarCity emerge as fierce solar roof rivals (via GigaOm)

Report: Michigan could expand solar without raising rates (via Midwest Energy News)

Two universities in D.C. make deal to buy solar power (via Washington Post/AP)

CLIMATE 

G20 summit: Obama expected to discuss “critical issue” of climate change (via The Guardian)

May was hottest on Earth since records began (via The Guardian)

Eastern U.S.: Coldest spot on Earth so far in 2014 (via Washington Post)

Former Treasury chiefs agree: Get the SEC into the climate mix (via National Journal)

On N.C.’s Outer Banks, climate change predictions prompt change of forecast (via Washington Post)

OIL 

OPEC secretary general says no oil shortage exists (via Reuters)

U.S. ruling loosens four-decade ban on oil exports (via Wall Street Journal)

Canada’s safety board chief urges U.S. to phase out old rail cars (via Reuters)

1,250-pound tar mat discovered off Florida beach (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Japan bets big on making fuel cell cars a near-future reality (via Reuters)

California lawmakers urge change to vehicle carbon emissions plan (via Los Angeles Times)

COAL 

In Wyoming, going deep to draw energy from coal (via NPR)

GRID 

Fewer wind curtailments, negative power prices in Texas after CREZ grid expansion (via U.S. EIA)

Five key disruptors on the grid edge (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

U.K. Green Investment Bank backs £2 small business energy efficiency fund (via BusinessGreen)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Best Global Green Brands revealed, Ford leads list (via Environmental Leader)

Minneapolis announced as U.S. leader in green commercial space (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY POLICY 

Merkel to push back against EU if Germany’s green energy subsidies questioned (via Reuters)

Report: Independent producers leading growth in U.S. oil and gas reserves (via Houston Chronicle)

Colorado suspends oil and gas wastewater disposal well after quake (via Reuters)

OPINION 

How to untangle yourself from clean energy finance jargon (via GreenBiz)

How the Gateway pipeline stokes simmering fury among British Columbia natives (via Globe and Mail)

Could Opower soon enter the community solar business? (via Greentech Media)

EPA’s clever legal trick could save its clean power plan (via Energy Collective)

POLITICS 

White House says it has “no misgivings” about Steyer meeting (via The Hill)

Joe Manchin, Sheldon Whitehouse seek middle ground on climate change (via Politico)

Posted:   |   Categories: Angela Merkel, australia, barack obama, british columbia, california, canada, Carbon market, carbon tax, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal gasification, colorado, community solar, concentrated solar power, CREZ, Curtailment, David Crane, District heating, Energy Efficiency, EPA, First Nations, Florida, Ford, g20, Gateway pipeline, germany, global warming, Green bank, green building, green business, grid, Grid Parity, Holland, japan, Joe Manchin, Keystone XL, michigan, Minneapolis, natural gas, News, North Carolina, NRG, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, Oil train, OPEC, Opower, renewables, Sea level rise, SEC, Sheldon Whitehouse, solar, SolarCity, southern california edison, Subsidy, SunPower, tar sands, texas, The Netherlands, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation Fuel cell, united kingdom, Washington D.C., Wastewater disposal well, wyoming
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27
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.27.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Australian power prices to surge, utilities to profit if renewable target scrapped (via Bloomberg)

India PM Modi appoints banker to oversee renewables, coal, power (via Bloomberg)

Wellinghoff to utilities: Time to rethink your business model (via GreenBiz)

CLIMATE 

Extreme U.S. and UK winters linked to greenhouse gases (via Bloomberg)

Over 50 trade unions launch global climate action campaign (via BusinessGreen)

COAL 

Russian firm studying world’s largest coal-fired plant to supply China (via Reuters)

A bogus claim electricity prices will “nearly double” because of clean coal technology (via Washington Post)

Rural North Carolina sites become coal ash dumping grounds (via News Observer)

RENEWABLES 

Danish report says 100% renewables feasible by 2050 (via Renew Economy)

China solar PV exports rise on emerging market expansions (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar farmers in Japan harvest electricity with crops (via Bloomberg)

Half of German solar jobs disappear in 2013 (via Recharge)

Australian navy to join U.S. in switch to biofuels (via Renew Economy)

U.S. to reach 20GW solar PV by end of 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Wind Production Tax Credit still up in the air (via Energy Manager Today)

U.S. hydro losing edge to wind, solar (via Recharge)

Applying the lessons of politics to green power (via New York Times)

Utah’s solar power homeowners fight proposed utility fee (via Salt Lake Tribune)

Georgia power adding wind, boosting solar (via Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Smoothing the flow of renewable solar energy in California’s Central Valley (via Energy.gov)

Massive California multi-family apartment complex completes solar installation (via Inhabitat)

SolarCity snaps up another partner – and more money (via SmartPlanet)

SolarCity expands to second island in Hawaii (via CleanTechnica)

Community solar coming of age in Michigan (via Midwest Energy News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia-China natural gas deal fuels U.S. export push (via The Hill)

Putin says Ukraine has no right to demand natgas price discount (via Reuters)

Polish plan on EU Russian natural gas buying gains support (via Reuters)

Shakeout threatens U.S. shale patch as frackers go for broke (via Bloomberg)

Gas boom starts to hit home for residents of Southeastern Pennsylvania (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Bill introduced to speed up fracking in Illinois (via Chicago Tribune)

EMISSIONS 

Northern hemisphere hits carbon dioxide milestone in April (via Reuters)

“Time is running out” to stop rising CO2 levels, says UN (via Time)

Deep underground carbon deposits could pose global warming threat if exposed (via Raw Story/Agence France-Presse)

South Africa has Africa’s largest carbon footprint (via Africa Science News)

WRI tool shows “history of CO2 emissions” (via Environmental Leader)

OIL 

Mexican energy reform seeks to reverse oil production decline (via US EIA)

Sharp rise in West Coast oil trains, fears abound (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Oil boom places 3 of 5 fastest-growing U.S. cities in Texas, shows census (via AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

China to scrap over 5 million old cars in anti-pollution push (via Reuters)

100% of Dutch electric trains could run on renewable energy by 2018 (via CleanTechnica) 

Toyota, Honda, Nissan and more collaborating to increase fuel efficiency (via Autoblog)

As of today, Nissan has solar 50,000 Leafs in U.S., 115,000 globally (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canada oil will flow any way it can to U.S., says transport minister (via Reuters)

New safety requirements set for Keystone XL pipeline (via Kansas City Star)

ENVIRONMENT 

Alaska wildfire scorches an area larger than Chicago (via Los Angeles Times)

California drought: State’s flawed water system can’t track usage (via Huffington Post Green)

NUCLEAR 

U.S. plants prepare long-term nuclear waste storage facilities (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

GRID 

Brazil grid bottlenecks to ease with new transmission (via Recharge)

An almond farm and a “big-ass battery” show future of energy in California (via GigaOm)

POLITICS 

One GOP Senate candidate is backing climate change (via The Hill)

Hillary Clinton’s Keystone XL headache (via Politico)

OPINION 

Could Australia really dismantle its carbon price? (via The Guardian)

Tough emissions cuts would prove the U.S. is serious about climate change (via Washington Post)

The truth about Stanford’s coal divestment shows hurdles ahead (via New Republic)

No thanks to Congress, America has added 5,600 new clean energy jobs in 2014 (via Climate Progress)

What’s the best way to write U.S. climate rule? (via National Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: 400ppm, africa, alaska, australia, battery, biofuels, Brazil, california, canada, China, clean coal, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, community solar, denmark, Divestment, drought, emissions, energy storage, environment, EU, European Union, Extreme weather, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, Georgia, Georgia Power, germany, green jobs, grid, Hawaii, hillary clinton, honda, Hydropower, Illinois, india, japan, Jon Wellinghoff, Keystone XL, mexico, michigan, natural gas, Netherlands, News, Nissan, nissan LEAF, North Carolina, nuclear, oil, oil spill, Oil trains, pennsylvania, Poland, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, Russia, Shale gas, solar, SolarCity, South Africa, Stanford University, tar sands, texas, Tom Matzzie, Toyota, transmission, Transportation, uk, Ukraine, united kingdom, utah, Vladimir Putin, Wildfire, wind
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19
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.19.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Obama greenhouse gas cuts split power, coal industries (via Bloomberg)

Obama’s big carbon crackdown readies for launch (via Politico)

California air board urges doubling of emission cut targets after 2020 (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Governor Brown says University of California coal divestment is a possibility (via Los Angeles Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia-China natural gas deal preparations in “final phase” says Putin (via Reuters)

Support for fracking in United Kingdom falls below 50% (via The Guardian)

A fracking boom where there is no fracking (via National Journal)

North Carolina bill would make fracking chemical disclosure a felony (via EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES 

India’s new government plans to use solar to bring power to every home by 2019 (via Bloomberg)

Saudi Arabia in policy shift seeking solar through Aramco (via Bloomberg)

Solar versus the grid: Map shows where PV makes the most sense (via Greentech Media)

Renewable energy wins in Colorado and Iowa, loses in Ohio (via Sustainable Business)

Texas renewable energy production increases 12% in 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

Georgia Power plan would install 90MW in solar arrays on three Army bases (via EnergyWire)

Maryland Governor O’Malley vetoes wind turbine moratorium (via EnviroPolitics)

COAL 

Pipeline collapse in China coal mine kills 11 (via ABC News/AP)

The coal plant to end all coal plants? (via Washington Post)

Michigan seeks to expand coal ash use, but at what cost? (via Midwest Energy News)

CLIMATE 

Greenland glaciers more susceptible to melt than thought (via Climate Central)

Rift widening between energy, insurance industries over climate change (via Forbes)

California governor links wildfire increase to climate change (via The Guardian)

TRANSPORTATION 

China’s push for better fuel economy has a bigger purpose (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla edges out Toyota as California’s top auto employer (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Coral reefs protect shorelines by reducing wave energy 97% (via Climate Progress)

Rate of US honeybee deaths “to high for long-term survival” (via The Guardian)

Drought worse than Dust Bowl in New Mexico, Colorado, Texas (via Forbes)

US wildfire season starts 75 days early (via New York Times)

California drought conditions to persist through summer (via Bloomberg)

Louisiana lawsuits seek oil and gas industry money to restore coastline (via Los Angeles Times)

Project bringing 15,000 trees to vacant lots in Detroit (via AP)

KEYSTONE XL 

Jane Kleeb versus the Keystone Pipeline (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

In California, a real-world proving ground for energy efficient buildings (via SmartPlanet)

Latest generation video game consoles waste energy even when you’re not playing (via NRDC Switchboard)

NUCLEAR 

U.S. ends nuclear waste fee collections with $31 billion on hand and no disposal option in sight (via Greenwire)

GRID 

Germany’s residential battery storage subsidy sees 4,000 new systems in 1st year (via CleanTechnica)

POLITICS 

Efforts to make climate deniers pay a political price may finally be getting somewhere (via National Journal)

Senate blocks $85 billion tax cut bill because it would have helped wind energy (via Climate Progress)

Miami will likely be underwater before Congress acts on climate change (via National Journal)

OPINION 

What’s exceptional about the current drought, and what isn’t (via Washington Post)

Is climate change too risky for business? (via The Hill)

Obama’s FERC problem isn’t going away (via The Hill)

Clean tech investments are sexy again, here’s why (via SmartPlanet)

Posted:   |   Categories: Aramco, battery, california air resources board, CARB, China, climate, coal, coal ash, colorado, Coral reefs, Detroit, Divestment, drought, Dust Bowl, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, FERC, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, Fuel Economy, Georgia Power, germany, greenland, grid, india, Iowa, Keystone XL, Louisiana, Martin O'Malley, maryland, Miami, michigan, natural gas, New Mexico, News, North Carolina, nuclear, nuclear waste, Ohio, renewables, Russia, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, solar, Tesla, texas, Toyota, Transportation, united kingdom, University of California, Vladimir Putin, Wildfire, wind
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12
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.12.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Obama administration limits on soot pollution upheld by appeals court (via Los Angeles Times)

Deval Patrick calls for “future free of fossil fuels,” zero coal in four years (via Climate Progress)

Stanford divesting coal helps students seeking domino effect (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

Merkel says Germany would support Siemens-Alstom merger (via Reuters)

Obama doubles down on solar, energy efficiency in climate push (via The Hill)

US failed to inspect thousands of at-risk oil and gas wells, finds report (via The Guardian)

House votes to make energy research tax credit permanent (via ABC News/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Global renewable energy jobs count tops 6.5 million (via BusinessGreen)

UBS: Solar could be 10% global capacity by 2020 (via Renew Economy)

Germany approves 328MW of offshore wind (via Recharge)

Chile approves 110MW solar-thermal plant (via Recharge)

Renewables provide record 27% of German electricity demand (via Bloomberg)

Mexico’s newly opened energy market attracts renewables (via Renewable Energy World)

More solar energy powering corporate America (via USA Today)

Wal-Mart doubles down on solar energy plans (via Wall Street Journal)

SolarCity surges on higher rooftop installation forecast (via Bloomberg)

US hopes to tap offshore wind potential (via Houston Chronicle)

ABB rolls out new grid interconnection technology for wind farms (via Renew Grid)

Solar seen bailing California out of summer hydro shortage (via Bloomberg)

Ohio senate votes to kill state’s renewable energy standard (via Climate Progress)

Hawaii confronts green energy’s bugaboo: Batteries (via Christian Science Monitor)

The only active landfill in Vermont goes solar (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

China’s coal dependency threatens efforts to curb warming (via New York Times)

Coal investments a bad bet for state pensions (via Times-Union)

After coal ash spill, Dan is a river of calm and caution (via Winston-Salem Journal)

CLIMATE 

Lloyd’s of London urges insurers to factor in climate change risk (via Environmental Leader)

Obama continues to push unilateral action to fight climate change (via National Journal)

As population surges, harsh Southwest climate will only get harsher (via Climate Progress)

South Carolina’s solution to sea level rise: Build more walls (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Senate standoff threatens to kill energy efficiency bill (via The Hill)

Energy bill fizzles as Senate begins debate on tax extenders (via National Journal)

Better Buildings Challenge partners reduce energy use 2.5% (via Energy Manager Today)

PACE is picking up for Michigan efficiency program (via Midwest Energy News)

Philips continues lighting revolution, tweaks LEDs for hydroponic growing (via GigaOm)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia ratchets up Ukraine’s gas bills in shift to economic battlefield (via New York Times)

Cleanest fossil fuel is Wall Street’s bet on climate change (via Bloomberg)

EPA weighs rule requiring fracking chemical disclosure (via The Hill)

Hundreds of small quakes in North Texas since December (via StateImpact Texas)

EMISSIONS 

IEA: Decarbonizing world economy will save $71 trillion by 2050 (via RTCC)

Few funds ready to follow Stanford’s lead on fossil fuel stocks (via Reuters) 

OIL 

Oil industry risks $1.1 trillion of investor cash (via Bloomberg)

Saudi Arabia, OPEC said will cover any Ukraine-related oil shortage (via Reuters)

BNSF says federal order won’t affect railroad oil shipments (via Bismarck Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION 

US buyers show little interest in big hybrids (via Autoblog Green)

RMI: What’s the true cost of EV charging stations? (via GreenBiz)

Texas will soon offer $2,500 rebate for EVs, PHEVs, and more (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT 

Obama: Palm oil is destroying Malaysia’s rainforests (via Mongabay)

Summer blockbuster? El Nino looking more likely (via Climate Central)

California drought: Parched state braces for fire season (via San Francisco Chronicle)

KEYSTONE XL 

How the Senate’s Keystone XL vote came crumbling down (via EcoWatch)

Keystone XL foes vow to fight South Dakota permit renewal (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Australian households could go off-grid by 2018 (via Renew Economy)

USDA awards $540 million for electric system upgrades, including $35 million for smart grid (via Renew Grid)

Clean Line wins key FERC approval (via Recharge)

POLITICS 

Rubio on a presidential bid, and climate change (via New York Times)

Colorado – energy’s continental divide (via Politico)

OPINION 

How to phase out incentives and grow solar energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Climate debate isn’t so heated in the US (via New York Times)

Obama’s energy announcements are nice, but we’ll need much more (via Time)

Can Congress ever have a reasonable energy debate? (via National Journal)

Texas is American energy leader – so how can its electricity markets be such a mess? (via Energy Trends Insider)

Obama’s new energy efficiency standards will lead to big electricity, consumer, carbon savings (via NRDC Switchboard)

Obama’s solar move is equivalent to a year without 80 million cars (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: ABB, Alstom, Angela Merkel, australia, battery, Better Buildings Challenge, BNSF, california, Chile, Clean Line, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, Coal ash spill, colorado, deforestation, deval patrick, Divestment, drought, earthquakes, El Nino, Electric Vehicle, EMI, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, ev, ev charging, FERC, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, germany, green jobs, grid, Hawaii, hybrid, Hydropower, IEA, Keystone XL, LED, Lloyd's of London, Malaysia, Marco Rubio, mexico, michigan, natural gas, News, North Carolina, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, Oil train, OPEC, PACE, palm oil, PHEV, Philips, renewables, Russia, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, Shaheen-Portman, Siemens, smart grid, solar, SolarCity, south carolina, South Dakota, Stanford University, texas, transmission, Transportation, Ukraine, usda, vermont, wal-mart, Wildfire, wind
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