Category Archives:Renewable energy standard

01
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.1.13

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

EMISSIONS

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

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

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

California regulators may track fracking chemicals (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

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

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

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

OIL 

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

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

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

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

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

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

GREEN BUSINESS 

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

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

COAL 

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

What is the future of coal? (via Forbes)

CLIMATE 

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Innovations reshaping the energy efficiency market (via Greentech Media)

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

ENERGY POLICY 

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

GRID 

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

OPINION 

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

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

Posted:   |   Categories: 400ppm, ALEC, Arkansas, Bakken Shale, biomass, BP, california, CFL, chicago, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, ComEd, e-waste, Efficient lighting, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, EU, europe, European Union, fracking, Fracking chemical disclosure, Fuel Cells, green business, Greenhouse gas reporting, grid, Gulf of Mexico, interior department, Keeling Curve, LED, massachusetts, natural gas, New Mexico, News, North Carolina, oil, oil spill, production tax credit, PSE&G, ptc, Recycling, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Sally Jewell, saudi arabia, Sequester, Shale gas, smart grid, solar, Staples, Three Forks Shale, Tom Steyer, Transportation, verizon
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30
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.30.13

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

EMISSIONS

Global carbon dioxide concentration now at highest level in 5 million years (via USA Today)

Global carbon dioxide levels set to pass 400ppm milestone (via The Guardian)

EU uncertainty likely to affect global carbon markets (via RTCC)

COAL 

In the Northwest, rising coal exports to Asia stir huge fight (via Seattle Times)

Bank of America and Citigroup biggest lenders to coal industry (via Bloomberg)

Patriot Coal warns of liquidation without major cuts to labor (via Reuters)

GRID 

Ethiopia getting Chinese funds for $1 billion hydropower line (via Renewable Energy World)

DOE: $2.9 billion in smart grid investment yields $6.8 billion in economic output (via AOL Energy)

RENEWABLES 

Latin American clean energy investment surged 127% in 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

India’s clean power capacity races past 28GW in 2012-2013 (via Panchabuta)

Masdar to invest £1 billion with UK Green Investment Bank (via BusinessGreen)

Obama Administration limits mining on potential renewable energy sites (via The Hill)

Largest solar power plant in world now under construction in California (via Renew Economy)

Seven US offshore wind demonstration projects (via Renewable Energy World)

New wind industry CEO to mix business with environment (via Greentech Media)

Reshuffling the top 5 micro wind turbines (via CleanTechnica)

Website aims to become Yelp of solar power (via Midwest Energy News)

Very small wind hopes to power you up (via EarthTechling)

Colorado wins stronger solar mandate (via Greentech Media)

Slowing clean energy investing rush could hurt Sacramento industry (via Sacramento Bee)

OIL 

China is using up oil faster than we can produce it (via Washington Post)

Saudi-US relations to withstand North American oil boom (via Reuters)

Latest government data shows Canadian oil exports to US rising (via Wall Street Journal)

As shale booms, US crude exports jump to 13-year high (via Reuters)

BP hit by wave of new spill lawsuits ahead of April deadline (via Reuters)

California lawmakers advance bill to halt oil fracking in state (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Texas shale boom has major impact on state budget (via Texas Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION 

Fleet owners driven toward natural gas vehicles as oil prices soar (via Bloomberg)

Diesel, hybrid sales rocket past overall US market growth rate (via Autoblog Green)

Remember: DOE rejected most of the EV startups that wanted loans (via GigaOm)

Tesla Motors offers unlimited battery warranty (via Plugin Cars)

Nissan Leaf time lapse shows the EV being built (via Autoblog Green)

CLIMATE 

Rich countries blamed for setting climate talks “back a decade” (via RTCC)

Climate change compounds rising threats to koala (via The Guardian)

Report links rise in US disaster relief spending to climate change (via Climate Progress)

Along New Jersey bay, rising sea draws ever closer (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

ENERGY POLICY 

Japan utilities post $16 billion loss, outlook clouded on reactor restarts (via Reuters)

California nuclear shutdown offset low 2012 natgas prices (via Reuters)

Marcellus Shale cities, entwined with gas, among latest to join fossil fuel divestment push (via EnergyWire)

ENVIRONMENT 

EU votes to ban bee-killing pesticides (via BusinessGreen)

US Defense Department becomes a wildlife protector (via Los Angeles Times)

5 butterfly species just went extinct while no one was looking (via Mother Jones)

KEYSTONE XL 

Nearly 50 groups lobbying for Keystone XL (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Nest Labs updates smart thermostat for summer (via Greentech Media)

Ohio industry backs state energy efficiency standards (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

The politics of climate change (via Phys.org)

House GOP demands details on DOE loan guarantees (via The Hill)

How “green” is new Interior Secretary Sally Jewell? (via Christian Science Monitor)

New Interior Department chief savors a steep learning curve (via New York Times)

Landrieu primed to lead Senate Energy panel – if she wins re-election (via National Journal)

Sen. Boxer finds herself at odds with environmentalists (via Los Angeles Times)

Zukerberg group draws fire over pro-fossil fuel ads (via Politico)

OPINION 

Why do conservatives like to waste energy? (via Mother Jones)

How the political crusade against Fisker Automotive stifles innovation (via OnEarth)

Carbon market crossroads: new ideas for harnessing global markets to confront climate change (via Climate Progress)

Climate myths: how climate deniers are getting away with bad science (via Mongabay)

How to spot greenwashing (via The Good Human)

The limits of climate adaptation are social, not physical or economic (via Grist)

Posted:   |   Categories: 400ppm, adaptation, awea, Bank of America, barack obama, Barbara Boxer, battery, BP, california, canada, cap and trade, Carbon market, China, Citigroup, climate, Climate Change, Climate denier, coal, Coal export, colorado, Concentrating solar power, csp, Defense Department, diesel, Divestment, DOE, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy policy, environment, Ethiopia, EU, European Union, ev, Extinction, Fisker, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, greenwashing, grid, Gulf of Mexico, hybrid, Hydropower, india, interior department, investment, Keystone XL, marcellus shale, mark zuckerberg, Mary Landrieu, masdar, mountaintop removal, Nest, new jersey, News, nissan LEAF, nuclear, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, Patriot Coal, Pesticides, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Sacramento, Sally Jewell, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, Shale gas, Shale oil, small wind, smart grid, solar, Tesla Motors, texas, Tom Kiernan, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wind
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29
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.29.13

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

EMISSIONS 

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

GREEN BUSINESS 

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

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

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

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

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS

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

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

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

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

Floating wind turbines with undersea energy storage (via EarthTechnling)

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

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

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

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

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

COAL 

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

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

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

CLIMATE 

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

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

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

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

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

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

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

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

ENVIRONMENT 

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

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

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

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

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

OIL 

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

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

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

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

ENERGY POLICY 

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

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

NUCLEAR 

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

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

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

POLITICS 

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

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

OPINION 

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

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

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

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

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

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

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

EU faces energy policy vacuum after 2020 (via Reuters)

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

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

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

COAL

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

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

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

Swerving around barriers and moving electric cars (via Forbes)

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

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

OIL 

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

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

CLIMATE 

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

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

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

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

GRID 

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

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

POLITICS 

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

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

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

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

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

OPINION 

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

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

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

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

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

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, barack obama, biofuel, BP, canada, Chevy Spark, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, Demand response, distributed generation, Electric Vehicle, emissions, environment, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Fisker, Goodhue, grid, Gulf of Mexico, honda, Hydroflourocarbons, japan, Keeling Curve, Keystone XL, LNG, massachusetts, Max Baucus, minnesota, new york state, News, North Carolina, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, pakistan, Pipeline, PJM Interconnection, Quebec, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Sea level rise, Shale gas, smart grid, solar, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation, UN, united nations, wind
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25
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

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

EU faces energy policy vacuum after 2020 (via Reuters)

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

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

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

COAL

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

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

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

Swerving around barriers and moving electric cars (via Forbes)

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

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

OIL 

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

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

CLIMATE 

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

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

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

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

GRID 

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

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

POLITICS 

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

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

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

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

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

OPINION 

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

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

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

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

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

Posted:   |   Categories: 400 PPM, arctic, barack obama, biofuel, BP, canada, Chevy Spark, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, Demand response, distributed generation, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Future Holdings, environment, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Fisker, Goodhue, grid, Gulf of Mexico, honda, Hydroflourocarbons, japan, Keeling Curve, Keystone XL, LNG, massachusetts, Max Baucus, minnesota, new york state, News, North Carolina, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, pakistan, Pipeline, PJM Interconnection, Quebec, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Rosneft, Sea level rise, Shale gas, smart grid, solar, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation, UN, united nations, wind
0
25
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

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

EU faces energy policy vacuum after 2020 (via Reuters)

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

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

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

COAL

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

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

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

Swerving around barriers and moving electric cars (via Forbes)

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

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

OIL 

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

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

CLIMATE 

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

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

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

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

GRID 

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

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

POLITICS 

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

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

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

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

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

OPINION 

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

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

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

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

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

Posted:   |   Categories: 400 PPM, arctic, barack obama, biofuel, BP, canada, Chevy Spark, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, Demand response, distributed generation, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Future Holdings, environment, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Fisker, Goodhue, grid, Gulf of Mexico, honda, japan, Keeling Curve, Keystone XL, LNG, massachusetts, minnesota, new york state, News, North Carolina, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, pakistan, Pipeline, PJM Interconnection, Quebec, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Rosneft, Sea level rise, Shale gas, smart grid, solar, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation, UN, united nations, wind
0
24
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.24.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Germany is torn over shale gas fracking (via Washington Post)

Natural gas price more than doubles from 2012 low (via Houston Chronicle)

Harvard report slams fracking chemical disclosure website (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Record carbon plunge means pain for Europe’s utilities (via Bloomberg)

US power sector readies for new emissions rules (via Wall Street Journal)

Utility Xcel Energy on track to surpass 20% CO2 reduction goal by 2020 (via Renew Grid)

RENEWABLES 

Four charts on the future of the global solar market (via Greentech Media)

France backs plan for EU 2030 renewables target (via BusinessGreen)

Portraits of a maturing solar market: how key states are faring (via Greentech Media)

America now has more solar energy workers than coal miners (via Treehugger)

Hydropower, energy efficiency bills get early start in Congress (via Houston Chronicle)

ALEC picks up the pace: 16 states could repeal renewable energy policy (via Sustainable Business)

Wind map shows untapped energy potential in cities (via Phys.org)

IBM’s new concentrated solar technology may provide 80% efficiency (via BusinessGreen)

Colorado renewable energy requirement bill faces another test in legislature (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

How wind energy helped Iowa attract Facebook’s new data center (via Midwest Energy News)

COAL 

Federal court backs EPA veto of mountaintop mining project (via The Hill)

New regional alliance opposes coal-export plan from Washington ports (via Seattle Times)

With natural gas costly, AEP burning more coal (via Columbus Dispatch)

LA City Council unanimously votes to phase out coal-fired energy (via Los Angeles Times)

CLIMATE 

Saudi Arabia blocks climate change from UN poverty goals (via RTCC)

Climate change as real business risk (via GreenBiz)

Climate’s best hope: another Bush presidency? (via Politico)

TRANSPORTATION 

Obama Administration had advance warning on Fisker Automotive failure (via CBS/AP)

LA to host all-electric race car series (via Los Angeles Times)

Fisker execs will be questioned today over DOE loan, repayments (via Autoblog Green) 

ENVIRONMENT 

Federal court rejects challenge to EPA power plant waste runoff rules (via The Hill)

Red River showdown: Texas-Oklahoma water war could reverberate across US (via Stateline)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

New Jersey school cuts energy use 52%, wins EPA building competition (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

India’s PM talks up clean energy, but can he deliver? (via RTCC)

US oil and gas boom has had a modest economic impact – so far (via Washington Post)

Why is Reuters puzzled by global warming’s acceleration? (via The Guardian)

How much does EPA’s objection to Keystone XL matter? A lot. (via Washington Post)

Breaking down on the road to electric cars (via New York Times)

NRG Energy CEO: solar should break up with wind, date natural gas, have distributed babies (via Grist)

Three thoughts on the Fisker debacle (via Scientific American)

POLITICS 

Conservatives come out for renewable energy projects (via National Journal)

Murkowski sees wider support for clean energy tax break (via Bloomberg)

Obama’s pick for Energy Secretary blocked over cuts at South Carolina nuclear waste plant (via National Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: AEP, ALEC, barack obama, cap and trade, Carbon market, Carbon price, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal export, colorado, Concentrating solar power, David Crane, distributed generation, DOE, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, europe, European Union, facebook, Fisker, FracFocus, fracking, Fracking chemical disclosure, France, germany, Harvard, Hydropower, ibm, india, Iowa, Jeb Bush, Keystone XL, Linsday Graham, Lisa Murkowski, los angeles, mountaintop removal, natural gas, new jersey, News, NRG Energy, oklahoma, Renewable energy standard, renewables, res, saudi arabia, Shale gas, solar, south carolina, texas, Transportation, Washington State, Water scarcity, wind, xcel energy
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17
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.17.13

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

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone emissions seen as equal to 46 coal power plants (via Bloomberg)

Route change forces Keystone foes to shift aim to climate change (via Bloomberg)

Keystone pipeline fans, foes make their cases (via Politico)

House Energy Committee panel passes bill to expedite Keystone XL approval (via The Hill)

Sen. Whitehouse: Obama could use Keystone approval to tackle climate change (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Australia and China agree to carbon trading partnership (via BusinessGreen)

Reactions vary to EU carbon market vote (via RTCC)

RENEWABLES 

220GW of new distributed solar generation will be added by 2018 (via Navigant Research)

International Energy Agency: progress toward low-carbon energy “stalled” (via The Hill)

GWEC: global wind market to dip after record 2012 (via Recharge)

India deploys 27GW grid-connected renewables (via EnergyNext)

Links to solar may forge new ties across Mediterranean (via Climate Central)

China Wind Power to add 700MW of solar and wind by 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

Cleantech VC and the state of the IPO market (via GigaOm)

Better computer models needed for mega wind farms (via MIT Technology Review)

Wind energy production levels hit all-time high in California (via CleanTechnica)

North Carolina could repeal renewable energy policy (via Sustainable Business)

Philadelphia Eagles field generating energy with solar, wind (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

ENERGY POLICY 

Clean energy progress too slow to limit global warming: report (via Reuters)

Europe faces a crisis in energy costs (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Toyota cumulative global hybrid sales pass 5 million, nearly 2 million in US (via Green Car Congress)

Slow sales in Europe mean EVs often going to fleets (via Autoblog Green)

How China’s city-focused electric car programs fell short (via GigaOm)

Elon Musk: Tesla could go federal with franchise dealer fight (via Autoblog Green)

The new Chevy Spark will offer AC or DC charging (via New York Times)

OIL 

First phase of Gulf oil spill trial nearing conclusion (via Houston Chronicle)

Big spills from aging oil pipelines (via Wall Street Journal)

Ohio’s $500 billion oil dream fades as Utica turns gassy (via Bloomberg)

Exxon installs new section in damaged Arkansas pipeline (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy management market “to almost double” by 2020 (via Energy Manager Today)

Data center efficiency may be getting worse (via Greentech Media)

Study dismissing energy benchmarking laws funded by real estate industry (via Greentech Media)

More US households using CFLs and LEDs (via E Source)

10 energy efficiency tips for spring cleaning (via EarthTechling)

COAL 

Faltering China demand hangs over Asian coal (via Retuers)

Environmental groups seek moratorium on Montana, Wyoming coal leasing (via Missoulian)

Ratepayer advocate warns high cost comes with LA’s coal-free plan (via Los Angeles Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Desertification crisis affecting 168 countries worldwide (via RTCC)

Africa aims to combat the effects of climate change by greening the desert (via Climate Progress)

What happens when Asia’s “water tower” dries up? (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

If carbon markets can’t work in Europe, can they work anywhere? (via Time)

European carbon market far from dead (via Reuters)

Thanks to China, our carbon price is here to stay (via Renew Economy)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Arkansas, australia, barack obama, california, Carbon market, Chevy Spark, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Desertification, Distributed solar, Electric Vehicle, Elon Musk, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, Energy management, environment, europe, European Union, ev, Exxon, green business, Gulf of Mexico, GWEC, hybrid, IEA, investment, Keystone XL, los angeles, Montana, News, North Carolina, Ohio, oil, oil spill, Pipelines, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Shale oil, Sheldon Whitehouse, solar, tar sands, Tesla, Toyota, Transportation, Utica Shale, Water scarcity, wind, wyoming
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16
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.16.13

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

EMISSIONS 

European Parliament rejects carbon market reforms (via RTCC)

Carbon price falls most ever after EU rejects surplus fix (via Bloomberg)

EPA reports decline in US greenhouse gas emissions (via The Hill)

COAL 

A tale of two nations: China adds 50GW of coal, US retires 9GW (via Facts of the Day)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

An LED revolution underway in Indian cities (via Energy Next)

US Senators to revive energy efficiency bill (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Saudi Arabia plans solar power export to Europe (via Arab News)

IRS sets wind tax credit regulations for 2013 projects (via Bloomberg)

Soros-backed group: “messy” US green energy efforts yielding results (via The Hill)

Good news from the IRS on the PTC for wind and geothermal (via Greentech Media)

The future of wind finance in the US (via Greentech Media)

Walmart increases its renewable energy target six-fold (via Sustainable Business)

Colorado may raise renewable energy standard to 25% for rural electric co-ops (via Climate Progress)

Community solar expands in Colorado Springs (via Sustainable Business)

ENERGY POLICY 

Germany subsidizes cheap electricity for its neighbors (via Reuters)

State tax writers warm to giving renewables parity with fossil fuels (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia starts production at mammoth offshore oil field (via Houston Chronicle)

Alaska grants tax break to oil companies to reinvigorate production (via New York Times)

Crews remove part of pipeline after Arkansas spill (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

The brutal logic of climate change, international shipping edition (via Grist)

White House extends aviation biofuels program (via BusinessGreen)

United Airlines pledges 85 million gallon in fuel savings (via BusinessGreen)

NATURAL GAS 

Growth in natural gas vehicles will have “minimal impact” on prices (via Environmental Leader)

ENVIRONMENT 

NOAA employees may be furloughed during 2013 hurricane season (via Weather Underground)

OPINION 

Can evolution beat climate change? (via Scientific American)

Why does the EU carbon market vote matter? (via RTCC)

US energy independence will depend on economy’s overall health (via Houston Chronicle)

Batteries: cheapest form of grid power? (via MIT Technology Review)

How solar-friendly permitting processes can work in the US (via Renewable Energy World)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, Arkansas, battery, biofuels, cap and trade, Carbon market, China, Climate Change, coal, colorado, community solar, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy independence, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, George Soros, geothermal, germany, grid, india, IRS, LED, natural gas, News, noaa, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, production tax credit, ptc, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Rural electric co-op, saudi arabia, solar, Subsidy, Transportation, united airlines, Walmart, wind
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05
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.5.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

German net power exports quadrupled in 2012 (via Recharge)

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

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

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

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

RARE EARTHS 

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OIL 

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

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

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

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Alberta mulls tougher carbon rules on oil (via Reuters)

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

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

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

CLIMATE 

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

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

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

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

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

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

GRID 

GE energy storage system makes UK debut (via Recharge)

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

COAL 

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

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

GREEN BUSINESS 

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

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

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

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

OPINION 

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

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

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

More renewables for states (via Politico)

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

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

OTHER NEWS 

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

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