Category Archives:offshore drilling

21
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.21.13

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

TAR SANDS 

Canada’s First Nations say they will fight oil sands, pipeline (via CBC News)

Michigan oil spill cleanup may exceed insurance (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

World Bank to prioritize support for climate vulnerable states (via RTCC)

Americans’ belief in global warming rises with thermometer (via Times-Picayune/AP)

If you thought 2012 was hot, just wait a few years (via Climate Central)

GRID

Grid operator warns of future power problems in New England (via Boston Globe/AP)

Texas legislature approves electric market cost-benefit measure (via Houston Chronicle)

California lawmakers hammer utilities panel for shoddy forecasting (via Sacramento Bee)

RENEWABLES 

China’s wind power production increased more than coal power did for first time ever in 2012 (via Climate Progress)

India to install 1.3-1.4GW solar power in 2013 (via Panchabuta)

Australia sticks with renewable energy target (via Recharge)

1GW of new PV seen in Mideast and Africa in 2013 (via Recharge)

German insurers urge easing green energy investment rules (via Reuters)

US Senate rejects amendment gutting military biofuels program by 40-59 vote (via The Hill)

Small wind power annual installations will double in capacity by 2018 (via Navigant Research)

OIL 

Oil companies bid $1.6 billion for Gulf drilling rights (via Houston Chronicle)

Coastal states want more offshore drilling revenue (via Politico)

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s coastal waters increasingly polluted (via Phys.org)

New pope: “let us be protectors of creation” (via Mongabay)

Four ways to harvest rainwater and save resources (via The Good Human)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear regulators under fire for delay of post-Fukushima safety requirement (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

NRC: Car petroleum use, GHG emissions could drop 80% (via Environmental Leader)

US lawmakers say ethanol mandate may hike gasoline price (via Reuters)

Study says EV drivers will pay more per kWh to charge at work (via Green Car Reports)

DOE tool scores EV readiness for cities, counties, states (via EarthTechling)

SuperTruck semi achieves 54-percent increase in fuel economy (via Autoblog)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

UK budget promises shale gas tax breaks, public benefits (via Reuters)

Pact reached on voluntary standards for fracking in Northeast US (via New York Times/AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Study shows energy-efficient homes are 32% less risky for lenders (via Greentech Media)

Walgreens launches first net-zero retail store in US (via Sustainable Business)

New reasons to change light bulbs (via New York Times)

COAL 

Coal plants belching out less mercury (via Forbes)

How coal affects water quality: state of the science (via Sightline Daily)

POLITICS 

The wealth of business connections for Obama’s Energy pick (via ProPublica)

Keystone XL pipeline debate rattles Massachusetts Senate race (via Reuters)

OPINION 

A Chinese solar giant goes bankrupt, and that’s a good thing (via GigaOm)

UK budget sets green alarm bells ringing (via Recharge)

Protecting renewable portfolio standards from cynical attacks (via Forbes)

How to cut US gasoline use in half by 2030 (via Washington Post)

Two ways Americans may get more ownership of their energy future (via CleanTechnica)

More coal-fired idiocy and mendacity in Nevada (via Grist)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, australia, barack obama, biofuels, CaISO, california, canada, China, climate, coal, DOE, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, environment, ERCOT, Ernest Moniz, ethanol, ev, ev charging, EV charging infrastructure, First Nations, fracking, Fuel Economy, fukushima, Gasoline, germany, global warming, grid, Gulf of Mexico, india, investment, ISO-NE, Keystone XL, LED, marcellus shale, massachusetts, MENA, michigan, natural gas, Net zero, Nevada, New England, News, NRC, nuclear, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, Pope Francis, PV solar, Renewable energy standard, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, rps, Shale gas, small wind, solar, tar sands, texas, uk, united kingdom, Walgreens, wind, World Bank
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18
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.18.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China to more than double air monitoring network (via Phys.org)

EPA likely to delay climate rules for new power plants (via Washington Post)

Dow Chemical to offset Olympic carbon emissions (via Environmental Leader)

RGGI auction raises $106 million for green reinvestment (via Environmental Leader)

Can a divestment campaign move the fossil fuel industry? (via Yale e360)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Natural gas export debate heats up over economic benefits (via Houston Chronicle)

Intrigue in Illinois after House Speaker calls for fracking moratorium (via Midwest Energy News)

RENEWABLES 

$1 trillion projected German fossil fuel import savings from Energiewende (via CleanTechnica)

Indian solar boom boosting materials market (via BusinessGreen)

DOE leaves $51 billion in loan funds unused, says GAO (via The Hill)

Using robots to drive down the cost of solar (via San Jose Mercury News)

Days of promise fade for ethanol (via New York Times)

Bipartisan bill aims to streamline hydropower development (via Renew Grid)

Ten states get 10% of electricity from wind (via Sustainable Business)

Finding happy ground between wind turbines and birds (via Earth Techling)

Arizona wins back its renewables standard (via Greentech Media)

Proposed bill looks to light up Wisconsin’s solar sector (via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

Offshore wind research takes a step forward in Virginia (via Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Ohio legislature re-examines renewable energy mandate (via Columbus Dispatch)

OIL 

Soaring oil prices fuels second North Sea boom (via Daily Express)

North Dakota oil production reaches new high in 2012 (via US EIA)

ENVIRONMENT 

Greening tundra shows impacts of spreading warmth (via Climate Central)

Record cesium level detected in fish caught near Fukushima (via Japan Times)

New Zealand suffering worst drought in 30 years (via Inhabitat)

In drought-ravaged plains, efforts to save a vital aquifer (via Stateline)

Recent storms highlight flaws in top US weather model (via Climate Central)

TRANSPORTATION 

EPA finds 2012 fuel economy was highest ever, 23.8 mpg (via Autoblog Green)

Fuel economy: small decline in 2011 and a probable climb in 2012 (via New York Times)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Market access issues weigh on oil sands developers (via AOL Energy)

Unions split on plans for Keystone XL pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)

House to vote before Memorial Day on Keystone pipeline (via The Hill)

White House: Keystone XL pipeline not a climate change cure (via Time)

House bill would reroute Keystone pipeline around Obama (via Bloomberg)

Enbridge ordered to complete cleanup of massive Michigan oil spill (via CTV/AP)

Enbridge seeks approval to nearly double tar sands pipeline capacity (via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

GRID 

Energy storage technology to surge worldwide (via Houston Chronicle)

Microgrids by mail can contribute to rural electrification in India (via Renewable Energy World)

Risky energy: cyber-security and the nation’s infrastructure (via National Journal)

Fast demand response helps balance the grid (via Navigant Research)

POLITICS 

Obama starts unveiling his plans for climate change, clean energy (via GigaOm)

Congress moves to close tax loopholes for fossil fuels (via Grist)

White House: green investments trump Keystone decision (via USA Today)

How the White House thinks about climate change, in 7 charts (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Why Obama’s Energy Security Trust is a bad idea (via Forbes)

Why we need more solar companies to fail (via MIT Technology Review)

Ten reasons why fracking for dirty oil in California is a stupid idea (via Grist)

What do young conservatives at CPAC think about climate change? (via Grist)

Rebuild vs. retreat: Christie and Cuomo offer contrasting plans in wake of Sandy (via Bergen Record)

Posted:   |   Categories: arizona, barack obama, california, carbon offsets, China, Climate Change, CPAC, Cybersecurity, Demand response, Divestment, DOE, Dow Chemical, drought, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Security Trust, energy storage, EPA, ethanol, fracking, Fuel Economy, fukushima, germany, global warming, grid, Hydropower, Illinois, india, Keystone XL, michigan, Microgrid, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new zealand, News, north dakota, North Sea, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, Olympics, Renewable energy standard, renewables, res, rggi, Shale oil, solar, Subsidy, tar sands, Transportation, virginia, wind, Wisconsin
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15
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.15.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US natural gas exports to Mexico jump 24 percent (via Houston Chronicle)

US utilities to burn more coal as natgas prices climb (via Reuters)

Risky US-backed loans and a diplomatic blitz force debate over LNG costs (via EnergyWire)

University of Tennessee’s fracking research funded by gas profits raises ethics concerns (via Washington Post/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Road funds on empty; more US states weigh gasoline tax hikes (via Reuters)

New internal combustion technology could improve range-extended electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

US House will get EV charging stations for plug-in driving Congressmen (via Autoblog Green)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s fossil-fueled generation remains high because of continuing nuclear plant outages (via US EIA)

Exelon could boost its US nuclear output 1,100MW (via Crain’s Chicago Business)

RENEWABLES 

Japan adds 1,178Mw of mostly solar energy in nine months (via Bloomberg)

EU could save billions with cross-border renewables cooperation (via Reuters)

Biomass industry to more than triple globally by 2030 (via Renewable Energy World)

EU votes to extend renewables target to 2030 (via Recharge)

2012 was a record-breaking year for solar panels in the US (via GigaOm)

The trouble with turbines: an ill wind (via Nature)

California renewable power supply growing, costs falling (via Reuters)

Bill would end North Carolina’s renewable energy program (via Charlotte News Observer)

NJ regulators to decide in June on offshore wind project (via Recharge)

Massachusetts could be hub for offshore wind industry (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

Cradle of mankind offers Kenya three centuries of oil (via Bloomberg)

US EIA projects OPEC oil decline in 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

Interior chief: Shell “screwed up,” must improve to resume Arctic effort (via The Hill)

Interior allows BP to bid on Gulf leases, with conditions (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

USAID launches Pacific climate change projects (via Australia Network News)

Lack of climate action risks developing world gains, says UN (via Phys.org)

World’s hotter days cooled by growth of grasslands (via Phys.org)

February keeps the planet’s warm streak alive: NOAA (via Climate Central)

Devastating East African drought made more likely by climate change (via Phys.org)

Glacial meltwater catastrophes are forming high in the Andes (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

US oil exports spur more questions about Keystone XL pipeline (via Wall Street Journal)

GEOENGINEERING 

Experts propose new structure for regulation of geoengineering research (via Phys.org)

Can giant umbrellas help protect polar ice caps? (via Good)

Rules needed for geoengineering research, say experts (via Climate Central)

EMISSIONS 

EU cancels carbon auction, prices drop (via Environmental Leader)

Shaping the next generation of carbon markets (via Huffington Post)

ENVIRONMENT 

Spring rain, then foul algae in ailing Lake Erie (via New York Times)

GRID 

Maintaining grid “survivability” after blackouts (via Renew Grid)

Are municipal utilities more resilient during disasters? (via Grist)

Smart grid markets on the move (via AOL Energy)

POLITICS 

Obama revives green energy sales pitch (via The Hill)

Obama turns focus to research in first energy speech of second term (via Reuters)

Could Republicans ever support a carbon tax? Bob Inglis thinks so (via Washington Post)

Green groups flocking to Markey for Senate (via Politico)

OPINION 

There’s high trust in clean power despite the negative headlines (via GigaOm)

Immigration reform – for the climate (via Los Angeles Times)

15 must-haves for any modern residential solar website (via Renewable Energy World)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, barack obama, biomass, Blackout, Bob Inglis, BP, california, cap and trade, cape wind, Carbon market, carbon tax, climate, Climate Change, coal, drought, Ed Markey, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, environment, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, EV charging infrastructure, Exelon, fracking, Gas tax, Geoengineering, global warming, grid, Gulf of Mexico, interior department, japan, Kenya, Keystone XL, Lake Erie, LNG, massachusetts, mexico, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new jersey, News, noaa, North Carolina, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, OPEC, politics, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, rps, Shell, smart grid, solar, tar sands, Tennessee, Transportation, wind
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15
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.15.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US natural gas exports to Mexico jump 24 percent (via Houston Chronicle)

US utilities to burn more coal as natgas prices climb (via Reuters)

Risky US-backed loans and a diplomatic blitz force debate over LNG costs (via EnergyWire)

University of Tennessee’s fracking research funded by gas profits raises ethics concerns (via Washington Post/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Road funds on empty; more US states weigh gasoline tax hikes (via Reuters)

New internal combustion technology could improve range-extended electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

US House will get EV charging stations for plug-in driving Congressmen (via Autoblog Green)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s fossil-fueled generation remains high because of continuing nuclear plant outages (via US EIA)

Exelon could boost its US nuclear output 1,100MW (via Crain’s Chicago Business)

RENEWABLES 

Japan adds 1,178Mw of mostly solar energy in nine months (via Bloomberg)

EU could save billions with cross-border renewables cooperation (via Reuters)

Biomass industry to more than triple globally by 2030 (via Renewable Energy World)

EU votes to extend renewables target to 2030 (via Recharge)

2012 was a record-breaking year for solar panels in the US (via GigaOm)

The trouble with turbines: an ill wind (via Nature)

California renewable power supply growing, costs falling (via Reuters)

Bill would end North Carolina’s renewable energy program (via Charlotte News Observer)

NJ regulators to decide in June on offshore wind project (via Recharge)

Massachusetts could be hub for offshore wind industry (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

Cradle of mankind offers Kenya three centuries of oil (via Bloomberg)

US EIA projects OPEC oil decline in 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

Interior chief: Shell “screwed up,” must improve to resume Arctic effort (via The Hill)

Interior allows BP to bid on Gulf leases, with conditions (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

USAID launches Pacific climate change projects (via Australia Network News)

Lack of climate action risks developing world gains, says UN (via Phys.org)

World’s hotter days cooled by growth of grasslands (via Phys.org)

February keeps the planet’s warm streak alive: NOAA (via Climate Central)

Devastating East African drought made more likely by climate change (via Phys.org)

Glacial meltwater catastrophes are forming high in the Andes (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

US oil exports spur more questions about Keystone XL pipeline (via Wall Street Journal)

GEOENGINEERING 

Experts propose new structure for regulation of geoengineering research (via Phys.org)

Can giant umbrellas help protect polar ice caps? (via Good)

Rules needed for geoengineering research, say experts (via Climate Central)

EMISSIONS 

EU cancels carbon auction, prices drop (via Environmental Leader)

Shaping the next generation of carbon markets (via Huffington Post)

ENVIRONMENT 

Spring rain, then foul algae in ailing Lake Erie (via New York Times)

GRID 

Maintaining grid “survivability” after blackouts (via Renew Grid)

Are municipal utilities more resilient during disasters? (via Grist)

Smart grid markets on the move (via AOL Energy)

POLITICS 

Obama revives green energy sales pitch (via The Hill)

Obama turns focus to research in first energy speech of second term (via Reuters)

Could Republicans ever support a carbon tax? Bob Inglis thinks so (via Washington Post)

Green groups flocking to Markey for Senate (via Politico)

OPINION 

There’s high trust in clean power despite the negative headlines (via GigaOm)

Immigration reform – for the climate (via Los Angeles Times)

15 must-haves for any modern residential solar website (via Renewable Energy World)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, barack obama, biomass, Blackout, Bob Inglis, BP, california, cap and trade, cape wind, Carbon market, carbon tax, climate, Climate Change, coal, drought, Ed Markey, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, environment, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, EV charging infrastructure, Exelon, fracking, Gas tax, Geoengineering, global warming, grid, Gulf of Mexico, interior department, japan, Kenya, Keystone XL, Lake Erie, Liquefied natural gas, LNG, massachusetts, mexico, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new jersey, News, noaa, North Carolina, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, OPEC, politics, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, rps, Shell, smart grid, solar, tar sands, Tennessee, Transportation, wind
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11
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.11.13

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

GRID

PJM plans billions in transmission upgrades to meet massive generation shift (via Renew Grid)

Stanford scientists calculate carbon footprint of grid-scale batteries (via EurekAlert)

Bad news: the US power grid is getting pricier, less reliable (via Washington Post)

Why smart cities need smart grids (via Pike Research)

How battery storage will change the household energy market (via Renew Economy)

NUCLEAR

In Japan, work resume on new plant two years after Fukushima (via Washington Post)

NRC chief: US plants safer after Japan crisis (via ABC News/AP)

Report: a “ripped safety net” at Midwest nuclear plants (via Midwest Energy News)

Officials rejected some fixes to San Onofre plant, shows report (via Los Angeles Times)

RENEWABLES

Panel flags 11% cut to Japan solar FIT (via Recharge)

China calls for EU talks on panel “dumping” (via Recharge)

US nuclear industry withers as wind pummels prices (via Bloomberg)

Seven next-generation energy technologies showcased by ARPA-E (via MIT Technology Review)

BPA: smaller chance of wind energy curtailment in Pacific Northwest this spring (via Renew Grid)

Getting more renewables into the Texas energy mix (via Greentech Media)

Plug pulled on huge Minnesota wind project (via Post Bulletin)

Maryland passes landmark offshore wind legislation (via CleanTechnica)

Iowa sets wind-generated electricity high (via Iowa Business Record)

Austin Energy’s value of solar tariff – could it work anywhere else? (via Greentech Media)

OIL

Dwindling production has led to lesser role for Venezuela as major oil power (via New York Times)

ConocoPhillips set to begin Arctic oil drilling in 2014 (via Zacks)

TRANSPORTATION

PwC: electrified vehicle market share will climb to 6.3% by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

ExxonMobil: diesel will pass gasoline as top global transportation fuel by 2020 (via Green Car Congress)

UK government funds €37 million in new EV initiatives (via Pike Research)

Volkswagen Group planning to launch 6 or more plug-in hybrids in 2014 (via Green Car Congress)

California adds $4.5 million in funds to clean vehicle rebate project (via Plugin Cars)

KEYSTONE XL

Canada’s First Nations lead battle against Alberta tar sands (via RTCC)

US Chamber, API go grassroots in Keystone pipeline battle (via The Hill)

Keystone fails Texas common-carrier test, court is told (via Bloomberg)

Keystone XL pipeline will create 35 permanent jobs, State Department says (via Christian Science Monitor)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Understanding the world of consumer energy management (via Greentech Media)

Maine PUC approves plan to lower bills with increased efficiency (via CLF Scoop)

How to chose an LED light bulb (via MIT Technology Review)

CLIMATE

Poland aims to pave way for 2015 climate deal (via Yahoo! News/AP)

NYSE prepares extreme weather backup plan (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Maryland anti-fracking bills die (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking health study results likely years off (via USA Today/AP)

ENVIRONMENT

Pollution now top cause of social unrest in China (via Treehugger)

Floating tsunami trash to be decades-long headache (via Phys.org)

In China, public anger over secrecy on environment (via Reuters)

Warming means wetter weather – and drier weather (via Climate Central)

Largest US dam removal releases huge amount of sediment (via Yale e360)

COAL

US coal consumption falls to 1985 levels (via Facts of the Day)

POLITICS

Sizing up Obama’s new energy, environment team (via National Journal)

Sen. Boxer calls for post-Fukushima safety report as anniversary approaches (via The Hill)

OPINION

Can the world fight climate change and energy poverty at the same time? (via Washington Post)

What will it take to boost the overall success of EVs? (via Renew Grid)

Is US energy independence realistic? (via Houston Chronicle)

Transition to low-carbon future will unfold slowly (via Houston Chronicle)

Activism and policy are not the same thing (via Grist)

How livestock can protect the land (via GreenBiz)

Washington DC wants to be the greenest city in the US (via Grist)

Nature’s prophet: Bill McKibben as journalist, public intellectual, and activist (via Energy Collective)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, alberta tar sands, american petroleum institute, arctic, ARPA-E, Austin Energy, barack obama, Barbara Boxer, battery, Bill McKibben, BPA, california, canada, CARB, China, climate, coal, Curtailment, diesel, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy poverty, energy storage, environment, EU, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, ExxonMobil, feed-in tariff, First Nations, FIT, fracking, fukushima, Gasoline, global warming, grid, hybrid, Hydropower, Incentives, japan, Keystone XL, LED, Maine, maryland, minnesota, natural gas, New York Stock Exchange, News, NRC, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, PJM Interconnection, plug-in hybrid, Poland, renewables, San Onofre, smart grid, Smog, solar, Solar trade war, Stanford, texas, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, US Chamber of Commerce, Venezuela, Volkswagen, Washington DC, Washington State, wind
0
11
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.11.13

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

GRID

PJM plans billions in transmission upgrades to meet massive generation shift (via Renew Grid)

Stanford scientists calculate carbon footprint of grid-scale batteries (via EurekAlert)

Bad news: the US power grid is getting pricier, less reliable (via Washington Post)

Why smart cities need smart grids (via Pike Research)

How battery storage will change the household energy market (via Renew Economy)

NUCLEAR

In Japan, work resume on new plant two years after Fukushima (via Washington Post)

NRC chief: US plants safer after Japan crisis (via ABC News/AP)

Report: a “ripped safety net” at Midwest nuclear plants (via Midwest Energy News)

Officials rejected some fixes to San Onofre plant, shows report (via Los Angeles Times)

RENEWABLES

Panel flags 11% cut to Japan solar FIT (via Recharge)

China calls for EU talks on panel “dumping” (via Recharge)

US nuclear industry withers as wind pummels prices (via Bloomberg)

Seven next-generation energy technologies showcased by ARPA-E (via MIT Technology Review)

BPA: smaller chance of wind energy curtailment in Pacific Northwest this spring (via Renew Grid)

Getting more renewables into the Texas energy mix (via Greentech Media)

Plug pulled on huge Minnesota wind project (via Post Bulletin)

Maryland passes landmark offshore wind legislation (via CleanTechnica)

Iowa sets wind-generated electricity high (via Iowa Business Record)

Austin Energy’s value of solar tariff – could it work anywhere else? (via Greentech Media)

OIL

Dwindling production has led to lesser role for Venezuela as major oil power (via New York Times)

ConocoPhillips set to begin Arctic oil drilling in 2014 (via Zacks)

TRANSPORTATION

PwC: electrified vehicle market share will climb to 6.3% by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

ExxonMobil: diesel will pass gasoline as top global transportation fuel by 2020 (via Green Car Congress)

UK government funds €37 million in new EV initiatives (via Pike Research)

Volkswagen Group planning to launch 6 or more plug-in hybrids in 2014 (via Green Car Congress)

California adds $4.5 million in funds to clean vehicle rebate project (via Plugin Cars)

KEYSTONE XL

Canada’s First Nations lead battle against Alberta tar sands (via RTCC)

US Chamber, API go grassroots in Keystone pipeline battle (via The Hill)

Keystone fails Texas common-carrier test, court is told (via Bloomberg)

Keystone XL pipeline will create 35 permanent jobs, State Department says (via Christian Science Monitor)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Understanding the world of consumer energy management (via Greentech Media)

Maine PUC approves plan to lower bills with increased efficiency (via CLF Scoop)

How to chose an LED light bulb (via MIT Technology Review)

CLIMATE

Poland aims to pave way for 2015 climate deal (via Yahoo! News/AP)

NYSE prepares extreme weather backup plan (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Maryland anti-fracking bills die (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking health study results likely years off (via USA Today/AP)

ENVIRONMENT

Pollution now top cause of social unrest in China (via Treehugger)

Floating tsunami trash to be decades-long headache (via Phys.org)

In China, public anger over secrecy on environment (via Reuters)

Warming means wetter weather – and drier weather (via Climate Central)

Largest US dam removal releases huge amount of sediment (via Yale e360)

COAL

US coal consumption falls to 1985 levels (via Facts of the Day)

POLITICS

Sizing up Obama’s new energy, environment team (via National Journal)

Sen. Boxer calls for post-Fukushima safety report as anniversary approaches (via The Hill)

OPINION

Can the world fight climate change and energy poverty at the same time? (via Washington Post)

What will it take to boost the overall success of EVs? (via Renew Grid)

Is US energy independence realistic? (via Houston Chronicle)

Transition to low-carbon future will unfold slowly (via Houston Chronicle)

Activism and policy are not the same thing (via Grist)

How livestock can protect the land (via GreenBiz)

Washington DC wants to be the greenest city in the US (via Grist)

Nature’s prophet: Bill McKibben as journalist, public intellectual, and activist (via Energy Collective)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, alberta tar sands, american petroleum institute, arctic, ARPA-E, Austin Energy, barack obama, Barbara Boxer, battery, Bill McKibben, BPA, california, canada, CARB, China, climate, coal, ConocoPhillips, Curtailment, diesel, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy poverty, energy storage, environment, EU, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, ExxonMobil, feed-in tariff, First Nations, FIT, fracking, fukushima, Gasoline, global warming, grid, hybrid, Hydropower, Incentives, japan, Keystone XL, LED, Maine, maryland, minnesota, natural gas, New York Stock Exchange, News, NRC, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, PJM Interconnection, plug-in hybrid, Poland, renewables, San Onofre, smart grid, Smog, solar, Solar trade war, Stanford, texas, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, US Chamber of Commerce, Venezuela, Volkswagen, Washington DC, Washington State, wind
0
07
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.7.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US shale revolution hinges on exports, say executives (via Houston Chronicle)

Railway says fuel savings inspired LNG test (via Houston Chronicle)

Enbridge CEO interested in providing natural gas for trains (via Houston Chronicle)

New York State Assembly votes to block fracking until 2015 (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Clean energy, transportation posed to create 110,000 jobs (via Sustainable Business)

Wal-Mart beats 20% emissions reduction goal a year early (via BusinessGreen)

COAL 

Weak global coal market threatens low-margin mines (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Japan’s wind industry headed for boom after solar surge (via Bloomberg)

Green investing update (via AOL Energy)

Despite major growth, SolarCity shares drop on Q4 loss (via GigaOm)

Wind energy lessons from Illinois: Q&A with AWEA’s Rob Gramlich (via Midwest Energy News)

SMUD launches pilot to study the grid impacts of solar (via Renew Grid)

Clean energy coalition ups ante on renewable energy in Minnesota (via Pioneer Press)

Minnesota lawmakers consider rate-based solar power incentives (via Star-Tribune)

ENERGY POLICY 

Fossil fuels still fastest-growing global energy source (via Energy Manager Today)

Dearth of skilled workers imperils $100 billion in US projects (via Bloomberg)

US oil and gas boom takes many by surprise (via NBC News)

California CEOs say current energy policies helpful but too complicated (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Top 1% of US homes consume 4 times more electricity than average (via Outlier)

Energy efficiency cut 107TWh of US electricity demand in 2011 (via CleanTechnica)

The industrial sector: low-hanging fruit for demand response? (via Renew Grid)

Chicago buildings aggregate energy data to participate in better demand response (via Energy Manager Today)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canadian official: Keystone rejection wouldn’t harm US-Canada relationship (via The Hill)

Four factors that could turn Keystone’s fate (via Politico)

Canada pitches oil sands crude as greener choice for US (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone XL critics now hang hopes on delaying the pipeline (via Reuters)

GRID 

EEI expects $15 billion in transmission investment this year (via Renew Grid)

US smart meter market is far from saturated (via Greentech Media)

Heating and cooling no longer majority of US home energy use (via US EIA)

CLIMATE 

Misunderstanding seal-level rise and climate impacts (via Science Blogs)

How climate change worsened violence in Syria (via Mother Jones)

EPA, DOE can tackle climate change on several fronts (via Washington Post)

Climate change turns an already troubled ski industry on its head (via High Country News)

Washington governor, senators disagree on terms of climate-change bill (via Seattle Times)

OIL 

Saudi Aramco committed to US oil exports, says CEO (via Bloomberg)

German oil executive: country’s clean energy dream now a “nightmare” (via Houston Chronicle)

Texas oil production may hit record by 2020, says state regulator (via Bloomberg)

BP CEO: no retreat from Gulf of Mexico despite spill (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

EV efficiency should be ranked on miles/KWh, not MPGe (via Green Car Reports)

FedEx Express fleet beats 20% fuel economy improvement goal, sets new target of 30% improvement by 2020 compared to 2005 (via Green Car Congress)

GM targets lower car weight, long-range EVs (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

Bangladesh, India, China at “high-risk” from natural disasters (via RTCC)

UK consumer consumption footprint more than 1½ times its land area (via BusinessGreen)

Endangered or not, species at least no longer waiting (via New York Times)

House votes to increase weather satellite funding (via Climate Central)

Texas shields free-market habitat program from federal scrutiny (via Greenwire)

NUCLEAR 

Feds look to ship Washington radioactive waste to New Mexico (via Post-Intelligencer)

Hanford nuclear leak: budget cuts threaten cleanup efforts (via Politico/AP)

POLITICS 

Harry Reid: the closet environmentalist (via National Journal)

Obama pick for Interior Department faces hearing; agency under fire (via Reuters)

Interior nominee Jewell championed outdoor jobs over oil (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Why food riots are likely to become the new normal (via The Guardian)

Better Place was supposed to revolutionize electric cars – what went wrong? (via Washington Post)

BP CEO: “peak oil” talk quieted by abundance (via The Hill)

Are environmentalists wrong about Keystone XL? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Posted:   |   Categories: awea, Bangladesh, better place, BP, california, canada, chicago, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Demand response, DOE, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Enbridge, endangered species, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, ev, Extinction, FedEx, fracking, Fuel economy standard, germany, GM, green business, green jobs, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hanford, harry reid, Illinois, india, interior department, investment, japan, Keystone XL, LNG, minnesota, natural gas, Natural gas export, new york state, News, nuclear, offshore drilling, oil, Oil exports, peak oil, renewables, Rob Gramlich, Sally Jewell, saudi arabia, Saudi Aramco, Sea level rise, Shale gas, Shale oil, smart grid, smart meter, SMUD, solar, SolarCity, Subsidy, Syria, tar sands, texas, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wal-mart, Washington State, wind
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06
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.6.13

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

EMISSIONS 

US scientists report big jump in heat-trapping CO2 (via AP)

China boosts energy and emissions goals after record smog (via Bloomberg)

Report: EU must retire carbon credits or see market credibility lost (via BusinessGreen)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Utilities saved enough energy in 2011 to power 9 million US homes (via Greentech Media)

LED lighting to grow 40% in 2013, Phillips executive says (via Bloomberg)

Cree launches an LED bulb for under $10 (via GigaOm)

$65 billion saved in California with energy efficiency (via EarthTechling)

Texas A&M cuts energy bills $140 million despite expanding campus (via Bryan-College Station Eagle)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Report: US oil and gas production up despite drop on federal lands (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

US “$1.6 billion clean-energy surplus” with China (via Recharge)

The emerging opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s solar market (via Greentech Media)

Sequester: Treasury cuts renewable energy grants 8.7% (via Greentech Media)

(more…)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, barack obama, california, canada, cap and trade, Carbon market, carbon tax, China, coal, Cree, drought, emissions, Energy Department, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, European Union, fracking, Fuel economy standard, germany, Gina McCarthy, grid, honda, Hugo Chavez, india, investment, Keystone XL, LED, los angeles, natural gas, News, nuclear, Ocean acidification, offshore drilling, oil, plug-in hybrid, politics, Rare earths, renewables, Sally Jewell, saudi arabia, Sequester, Shale gas, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, State Department, statoil, tar sands, texas, transmission, Transportation, Treasury Department, Venezuela
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05
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.5.13

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

OIL 

China ousts US as world’s main oil importer (via Mining.com)

US crude exports spur shale oil refineries (via Bloomberg)

Transocean chief disappointed with Gulf oil spill insurance ruling (via Houston Chronicle)

Non-jury trial may favor BP in Gulf oil spill case (via Alabama.com)

GRID 

Smart grid technology market will total $494 billion by 2020 (via Pike Research)

US transmission investment will peak at $14 billion in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

How much renewable energy can the grid handle? (via Greentech Media)

Wholesale power: bankruptcies and lessons (via Christian Science Monitor)

RENEWABLES 

EU to register Chinese solar panels, highlighting tariff threat (via Bloomberg)

Fast-tracking patent applications bolsters green tech market (via BusinessGreen)

Solar makers turn laser-like focus on boosting solar cell efficiency (via GigaOm)

US wind industry is still clinging onto tax credit (via Politico)

US inching closer to offshore wind (via United Press International)

MIT team outlines path to low-cost solar-to-storable fuels devices (via Green Car Congress)

Now on Kickstarter: a new kind of spinning energy storage device (via GigaOm)

Buffet’s renewables investment MidAmerican Energy a top portfolio company in 2012 (via SNL Energy)

California’s solar PV rebates nearly over: is this good news? (via Renewable Energy World)

University of Maine starts $1.5 million geothermal heating project (via Portland Press Herald)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Environmental activists reeling as Keystone pipeline gains momentum (via The Hill)

Arguments over climate impacts rage in wake of State Department report (via Greenwire)

Enviros seize on State’s pipeline alternatives (via EnergyWire)

Eight figures that will define Keystone XL fight over the next 45 days (via National Journal)

Enbridge declines to pay for new studies on Michigan oil spill damage (via Detroit Free Press)

TransCanada shares rise on Keystone environmental report (via Reuters)

GREEN BUILDING/ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

UK launches green building hub for construction industry (via BusinessGreen)

Ireland launches energy efficiency fund (via Energy Collective)

St. Louis seeks to be model energy efficient city (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Shale boom forces Kremlin to focus on Arctic (via Moscow Times)

Chemical industry surging on US natural gas (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking goes to the Texas legislature (via StateImpact Texas)

CLIMATE 

Splits emerging in UN climate deal agreed in Doha (via RTCC)

Report blames climate change for extreme weather in Australia (via New York Times)

Spring may arrive five weeks earlier by 2100, study finds (via Climate Central)

Warmer climate to open new Arctic shipping routes by 2050 (via Reuters)

Global warming affects crop yields, but it's the water not the heat (via Phys.org)

Two-thirds of Americans now believe global warming is real (via Phys.org)

The coming climate exodus: what we’re doing to help wildlife’s new migration (via Yes! Magazine)

NUCLEAR 

Global nuclear capacity rises in 2012 after post-Fukushima drop (via Reuters)

Restart of Japanese nuclear reactors unlikely this year (via United Press International)

Areva plans first nuclear fuel shipment to Japan since Fukushima (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

2013 electric cars: rated range for each model, ultimate guide (via Green Car Reports)

Shell to push natural gas for trains, vehicles (via Houston Chronicle)

Zipcar says 72% of young Americans don’t care about owning a car (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla Motors delays filing of annual report (via San Jose Mercury News)

EMISSIONS 

Little unity over California’s cap-and-trade program (via Reuters)

Shell forecasts near-zero global emissions by 2100 (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Obama nominates Moniz as DOE chief, McCarthy as EPA head (via Platts)

Obama’s second-term cabinet to play bigger policy role (via Washington Post)

From “green dream team” to B team (via Politico)

McCarthy’s Republican history should smooth path to EPA (via Reuters)

Is fracking a bride to a clean-energy future? Ernest Moniz thinks so (via Washington Post)

Gina McCarthy for EPA could be Obama’s most significant nominee (via Washington Post)

America’s oil and gas billionaires (via Forbes)

Can climate-change denier Ken Cuccinelli win a swing state? (via National Journal)

OPINION 

China keeps making new green pledges (via Grist)

Climate change: the scary hidden stressor (via New York Times)

Arctic ice melt will bring frosty relations as nations navigate across North Pole (via The Independent)

Cabinet picks could take on climate policy (via New York Times)

Do Obama’s cabinet picks match his greener second-term talk? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Does Keystone XL report let Obama off the hook on climate pledge? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Tesla charging situation would benefit from more flexibility, less confrontation (via Autoblog Green)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, Areva, australia, barack obama, BP, california, cap and trade, China, climate, Climate Change, electric vehicles, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, Ernest Moniz, EU, ev, Extreme weather, fracking, fukushima, geothermal, Gina McCarthy, global warming, green building, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Ireland, japan, Ken Cuccinelli, Keystone XL, Maine, michigan, MIT, natural gas, News, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, Russia, Sea ice melt, Severe weather, Shale gas, Shale oil, Shell, smart grid, solar, Solar cell efficiency, solar pv, Solar tariff, Solar trade war, St. Louis, tar sands, Tesla, texas, TransCanada, transmission, Transocean, Transportation, uk, UN, united kingdom, virginia, Warren Buffet, Wholesale power, wind, Zipcar
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28
Feb

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.28.13

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

CLIMATE 

EU climate chief to huddle with White House, State officials (via The Hill)

China’s rising sea levels threaten economic interests (via Hindu Business Line)

Pakistan government launches national climate change policy (via Pakistan Daily Times)

US generals warn of climate change dangers (via RTCC)

Nebraska lawmakers warm to climate change study (via Omaha World-Herald)

COAL 

Germany to add most coal-fired plants in two decades, IWR says (via Bloomberg)

UK coal use up 32.5% in 2012 (via RTCC)

Nine reasons China won’t need enough coal to justify Pacific Northwest exports (via Grist)

RENEWABLES 

Crystal ball: China will not produce more wind energy than the US before 2020 (via Green Leap Forward)

India tops 1GW new solar capacity (via BusinessGreen)

Germany’s clean energy supporters sound alarm over subsidy cuts (via The National)

Analysts warn markets biased against clean energy (via GreenBiz)

(more…)

Posted:   |   Categories: AFL-CIO, arctic, Bill McKibben, BP, brightsource, california, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, concentrated solar power, Connie Hedegaard, csp, distributed generation, Divestment, DOE, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, Ernest Moniz, europe, ev, germany, GM, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Heather Zichal, india, japan, Keystone XL, Light rail, Maine, Microgrid, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Nebraska, News, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, pakistan, philadelphia, plug-in hybrid, renewables, Sea level rise, Shell, smart grid, solar, South Africa, Subsidies, Superstorm Sandy, tar sands, Tesla, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, US Navy, wind
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