Category Archives:Rob Portman

24
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.24.13

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

GRID 

India’s $10B roadmap for smart grid transformation (via Greentech Media)

MISO grid adding four new electric utility territories in December (via US EIA)

New Jersey’s grid defense debate continues a year after Sandy’s knockout blow (via EnergyWire)

OIL 

Interior close to floating new offshore drilling rule (via The Hill)

Watchdog report finds pipeline regulators spend more time at industry conferences than at oil spills (via Huffington Post)

As pipeline concerns mount, focus returns to Great Lakes (via Midwest Energy News)

North Dakota pipeline spill raises questions amid state’s oil boom (via Los Angeles Times)

Environmentalists slam Coke, Pepsi for tar sands use in trucks (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

Deutsche Bank says solar PV market could reach 50GW in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Ethiopia signs $4 billion geothermal deal (via Phys.org)

Record year blows UK small wind installations past 102MW (via CleanTechnica)

US has 11 offshore wind farms in the works  - sort of (via EarthTechling)

Algae biofuel gets Congressional caucus (via Sustainable Business)

Vivint Solar raises $540 million new funding for home solar leasing (via CleanTechnica)

Meet the Kickstarter of solar energy (via National Journal)

Long Island Power Authority seeks 280MW of renewable capacity (via Recharge)

CLIMATE 

Australia, UN spar over wildfires and climate change (via Reuters)

Pacific nations “very disappointed” by Australian PM’s climate skepticism (via The Guardian)

IPCC’s carbon budget will not drive Warsaw talks, says UN climate chief (via The Guardian)

Climate change cost you the McDonald’s dollar menu (via Quartz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking fight focuses on a New York town’s ban (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Ozone hole over South Pole shrinks by 6%, scientists credit warm upper air (via Washington Post/AP)

House shows it can unite by passing mammoth water bill (via National Journal)

GREEN BUILDING 

UK to invest £40 billion in green infrastructure projects (via RTCC)

Five US cities that are taking climate preparation seriously (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

VW calls Germany’s 1 million EV by 2020 goal achievable (via Bloomberg)

EV charging networks start to unify (via Plugin Cars)

DC looks to reduce traffic, improve air quality with 2040 plan (via ClimateWire)

NUCLEAR 

Britain, India go nuclear as Japan struggles to contain radiation (via Sustainable Business)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Revival planned for Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill (via National Journal)

NREL develops energy audit tool (via Energy Manager Today)

EMISSIONS 

China to send air pollution inspection teams to provinces (via Reuters)

EPA hits the road to seek input on power plant emission rules (via Reuters)

Texas remains top US carbon polluter despite declines (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Australia’s bushfires and the role of climate change (via Climate Central)

Hot topic: The science of global warming and the public disconnect (via U-T San Diego)

The dark forces lined up against renewables in Australia (via Renew Economy)

How carmakers like Ford will spark changes on the grid’s edge (via Greentech Media)

The dangerous bargain Harvard’s president has made with fossil fuels (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: algae, australia, biofuels, Carbon budget, China, climate, Climate Change, Coke, Deutsche Bank, Divestment, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy audit, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, Ethiopia, ev, ev charging, Ford, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, geothermal, germany, global warming, Great Lakes, green building, grid, Harvard, india, interior department, IPCC, japan, Jeanne Shaheen, Long Island Power Authority, MISO, natural gas, new jersey, new york state, News, north dakota, NREL, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Ozone hole, Pepsi, Pipeline, renewables, Resiliency, Rob Portman, small wind, smart grid, solar, solar pv, tar sands, texas, Tony Abbott, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Vivint Solar, Volkswagen, Washington DC, wildfires, wind
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24
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.24.13

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

GRID 

India’s $10B roadmap for smart grid transformation (via Greentech Media)

MISO grid adding four new electric utility territories in December (via US EIA)

New Jersey’s grid defense debate continues a year after Sandy’s knockout blow (via EnergyWire)

OIL 

Interior close to floating new offshore drilling rule (via The Hill)

Watchdog report finds pipeline regulators spend more time at industry conferences than at oil spills (via Huffington Post)

As pipeline concerns mount, focus returns to Great Lakes (via Midwest Energy News)

North Dakota pipeline spill raises questions amid state’s oil boom (via Los Angeles Times)

Environmentalists slam Coke, Pepsi for tar sands use in trucks (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

Deutsche Bank says solar PV market could reach 50GW in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Ethiopia signs $4 billion geothermal deal (via Phys.org)

Record year blows UK small wind installations past 102MW (via CleanTechnica)

US has 11 offshore wind farms in the works  - sort of (via EarthTechling)

Algae biofuel gets Congressional caucus (via Sustainable Business)

Vivint Solar raises $540 million new funding for home solar leasing (via CleanTechnica)

Meet the Kickstarter of solar energy (via National Journal)

Long Island Power Authority seeks 280MW of renewable capacity (via Recharge)

CLIMATE 

Australia, UN spar over wildfires and climate change (via Reuters)

Pacific nations “very disappointed” by Australian PM’s climate skepticism (via The Guardian)

IPCC’s carbon budget will not drive Warsaw talks, says UN climate chief (via The Guardian)

Climate change cost you the McDonald’s dollar menu (via Quartz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking fight focuses on a New York town’s ban (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Ozone hole over South Pole shrinks by 6%, scientists credit warm upper air (via Washington Post/AP)

House shows it can unite by passing mammoth water bill (via National Journal)

GREEN BUILDING 

UK to invest £40 billion in green infrastructure projects (via RTCC)

Five US cities that are taking climate preparation seriously (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

VW calls Germany’s 1 million EV by 2020 goal achievable (via Bloomberg)

EV charging networks start to unify (via Plugin Cars)

DC looks to reduce traffic, improve air quality with 2040 plan (via ClimateWire)

NUCLEAR 

Britain, India go nuclear as Japan struggles to contain radiation (via Sustainable Business)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Revival planned for Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill (via National Journal)

NREL develops energy audit tool (via Energy Manager Today)

EMISSIONS 

China to send air pollution inspection teams to provinces (via Reuters)

EPA hits the road to seek input on power plant emission rules (via Reuters)

Texas remains top US carbon polluter despite declines (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Australia’s bushfires and the role of climate change (via Climate Central)

Hot topic: The science of global warming and the public disconnect (via U-T San Diego)

The dark forces lined up against renewables in Australia (via Renew Economy)

How carmakers like Ford will spark changes on the grid’s edge (via Greentech Media)

The dangerous bargain Harvard’s president has made with fossil fuels (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: algae, australia, biofuels, Carbon budget, China, Christiana Figures, climate, Climate Change, Coke, Deutsche Bank, Divestment, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy audit, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, Ethiopia, ev, ev charging, Ford, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, geothermal, germany, global warming, Great Lakes, green building, grid, Harvard, india, interior department, IPCC, japan, Jeanne Shaheen, Long Island Power Authority, MISO, natural gas, new jersey, new york state, News, north dakota, NREL, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Ozone hole, Pepsi, Pipeline, renewables, Resiliency, Rob Portman, small wind, smart grid, solar, solar pv, tar sands, texas, Tony Abbott, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Vivint Solar, Volkswagen, Washington DC, wildfires, wind
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09
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.9.13

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canada formally offers to limit emissions if US approves Keystone XL (via Climate Progress)

Keystone pipeline foe Steyer launches $1 million ad push (via The Hill)

Dilbit in Exxon’s Pegasus pipeline may have contributed to rupture (via InsideClimate News)

EMISSIONS 

US, China agree to work on phasing out hydrofluorocarbons (via Washington Post)

Abbott government begins process to repeal carbon tax (via ABC)

Regulatory scholars want feds to review carbon cost estimate (via The Hill)

EPA to hold conference calls with stakeholders on carbon standards for power plants (via Bloomberg BNA)

Trees write air pollution record in wood (via Scientific American)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Shaheen-Portman bill: 172,000 green jobs, huge energy efficiency gains (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

Chinese solar cheaper to manufacture because of industry scale, not cheaper labor (via CleanTechnica)

Australian renewable energy industry braces for Abbott (via Recharge)

UK urged to back EU biofuels cap (via The Guardian)

Finland looks to ease wind permitting in developed areas (via Recharge)

Dutch set 4.4GW offshore wind goal (via Recharge)

China idles fewer wind farms as grid connections smoothed (via Bloomberg)

US solar will generate as much as today’s nuclear plants, or 20% of US power, by 2026 (via Facts of the Day)

Pilot program launched to make solar more economical for electric cooperatives (via Renew Grid)

Could US solar demand bring PV manufacturing back? (via Solar Industry Magazine)

US Navy triples funding for clean energy in Hawaii (via CleanTechnica)

Renewable energy entrepreneur is China’s latest billionaire (via Forbes)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

House to take aim at fracking regulations (via The Hill)

US Forest Service set to decide on fracking in George Washington National Forest (via Washington Post)

FracFocus straining under heavy use as BLM weighs disclosure regulation (via EnergyWire)

CLIMATE 

Arab Summer: Warming-fueled drought helped spark Syria’s civil war (via Climate Progress)

Poland outlines ambition for 2013 UN climate summit (via RTCC)

Scientists studying solar radiation management as a way to cool planet (via Washington Post)

Ice melting faster in Greenland and Antarctica, show leaked UN documents (via Bloomberg)

Bloomberg, Steyer to launch big climate push (via The Hill)

Drones find new purpose studying Arctic ice melt (via Climate Central)

ENERGY POLICY 

China looks west as it bolsters energy ties (via New York Times)

Surprising trends in summer energy use across US (via Inhabitat)

GREEN BUSINESS 

FIFA sets green goal for 2014 Brazil World Cup (via BusinessGreen)

AASHE updates college sustainability rating system (via Environmental Leader)

Executives want sustainable products, but will they walk the talk? (via GreenBiz)

Seeking investments that are profitable and green (via New York Times)

NUCLEAR 

South Korea nuclear issues, tower protests raise blackout risks (via Reuters)

Radiation levels spike at Fukushima disaster site (via CleanTechnica)

Study supports nuclear waste disposal near Great Lakes (via Midwest Energy News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla worries about battery supply as it increases vehicle production (via New York Times)

Is $35,000 or less the threshold price for volume EVs? (via Green Car Reports)

US gasoline rises to $3.58 a gallon (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

X Prize unveils $2 million award to prevent ocean acidification (via USA Today)

Rim Fire is third-largest wildfire in California’s history (via NPR)

In South Florida, a polluted water bubble ready to burst (via New York Times)

OPINION 

3 big takeaways from the new global commitment to phase down HFCs (via WRI Insights)

The president and the pipeline (via New Yorker)

Net metering polices helping to spur solar growth (via Huffington Post)

How big business can save the climate (via Council on Foreign Relations)

Posted:   |   Categories: AASHE, Antarctica, arctic, Arkansas, australia, battery, biofuels, Blackout, blm, california, canada, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, Curtailment, Dilbit, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, Exxon, FIFA, Finland, Florida, FracFocus, fracking, fukushima, Geoengineering, global warming, Great Lakes, green business, greenland, Hawaii, HFCs, Hydroflurocarbons, japan, Jeanne Shaheen, Keystone XL, Michael Bloomberg, natural gas, Net metering, Netherlands, News, nuclear, Ocean acidification, offshore wind, oil spill, Pipeline, Poland, renewables, Rob Portman, Rural electric co-op, Social cost of carbon, solar, South Korea, Syria, tar sands, Tesla, Tom Steyer, Tony Abbott, uk, united kingdom, US Forest Service, US Navy, Wildfire, wind, world cup
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31
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.31.13

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

ENERGY MARKETS 

US oil and gas projected to surge for years (via Houston Chronicle)

JPMorgan Chase to pay $410 million penalty in electricity pricing scheme (via Washington Post)

Could utilities’ future be selling light instead of electrons? (via Midwest Energy News)

GRID 

$23 million energy storage research center launched in New York State (via CleanTechnica)

EMISSIONS 

British Columbia’s carbon tax after five years (via Energy Collective)

California and Australia bolster carbon trading ties (via BusinessGreen)

GHG plan could cost “less than 0.5% of total airline revenue” (via Environmental Leader)

RENEWABLES 

Trade fight over solar benefits a bystander – Taiwan (via New York Times)

Claims of faulty data in EU-China solar trade case now under investigation (via Renewable Energy World)

Europe’s biggest solar projects threatened by China deal (via Bloomberg)

Largest solar project in southern hemisphere gets go-ahead from Australia (via BusinessGreen)

Renewables workers wages “growing faster than oil and gas pay” (via BBC News)

Congress eyes change to US biofuels mandate, EPA targets loom (via Reuters)

US biodiesel production reached record output in May 2013 (via US EIA)

BP shelves sale of 2.6GW wind energy arm (via BusinessGreen)

BP wins as US refiners suffer under biofuel mandate (via Reuters)

Virginia seeks research lease for offshore wind energy test project (via Richmond Times-Dispatch)

COAL 

Southern Company absorbs $450M in additional losses for over-budget Mississippi coal plant (via Star-Tribune/AP)

Despite slowdown, global coal remains a planet-destroying monster (via Grist)

CLIMATE 

Calgary facing “well over” $3 billion in flood damage costs (via Calgary Herald)

US investors signal new interest in climate-related risks (via RTCC)

McCarthy: Climate change poses economic threat (via Politico)

A nation on fire: climate change and the burning of America (via Climate Progress)

Congressional task force links worsening wildfires to climate change (via National Journal)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Gulf natgas blowout could tip regulator focus to shallow water (via Houston Chronicle)

Crews to start relief well Thursday at Gulf blowout site (via Houston Chronicle)

Ohio state forest fracking plan halted, for now (via Columbus Dispatch)

ENVIRONMENT 

Something in the air: how global warming is spreading toxic dust (via ClimateWire)

The crucial question for the American West: how long will the water hold out? (via Mother Jones)

Which energy resources are gulping down our water? (via GreenBiz)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Sponsors pare back energy efficiency bill ahead of Senate debate (via The Hill)

Philadelphia enforces building energy benchmarking in October (via Energy Manager Today)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

McCarthy: EPA will be “honest commenter” on Keystone XL review (via The Hill)

EPA: Enbridge nearly tripling oil spill dredging (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima cleanup turns toxic for Japan’s Tepco (via Reuters)

Japanese utility and public in dark about crippled nuclear plant (via Reuters)

POLITICS 

Obama calls out GOP for wasting time on Keystone (via Climate Progress)

New EPA head McCarthy outlines ambitious agenda in Harvard speech (via Washington Post)

Kochs tap ex-Cantor aide to lobby on anti-carbon tax measure (via The Hill)

OPINION 

The world needs more Energiewende (via WRI Insights)

Can Washington find agreement on biofuels mandate? (via National Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, barack obama, battery, biodiesel, biofuels, BOEMRE, BP, british columbia, calgary, california, Carbon market, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, emissions, Enbridge, Energiewende, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, fracking, Gina McCarthy, global warming, green jobs, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Jean Shaheen, JPMorgan Chase, Keystone XL, Koch Brothers, michigan, Mississippi, natural gas, new york state, News, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, philadelphia, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, Rob Portman, solar, Solar trade war, Southern Company, Taiwan, tar sands, virginia, Water scarcity, wildfires, wind
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30
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.30.13

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

COAL 

Goldman Sachs says coal-export terminals are a bad investment (via Grist)

EMISSIONS 

UK government unveils next steps to zero carbon homes (via BusinessGreen)

Study: Energy efficiency drove US emissions decline, not natural gas (via InsideClimate News)

Report: Carbon markets offer “cheap” aviation emissions cuts (via BusinessGreen)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

State Department: Keystone XL jobs impact “negligible” (via The Hill)

Analysts say Obama “headed toward yes” on Keystone pipeline (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

China’s renewable energy spending may total $300 billion through 2015 (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

New solar homes: Japanese builders helping fight for energy independence (via Renewable Energy World)

Saudi Arabia “committed” to 54GW green revolution (via RTCC)

Chinese solar eyes US market after EU agreement (via Environmental Leader)

Wind developers ready US offshore bids (via Recharge)

RMI: New insights into the real value of distributed solar (via Greentech Media)

Algae-to-crude company Sapphire Energy pays of US government loan guarantee (via Green Car Congress)

UCLA scientists double efficiency of novel solar cell (via Phys.org)

ENERGY POLICY 

Senate nears first big energy bill since 2007 (via The Hill)

Deloitte: Energy deals tumble 30% from 2012 activity (via Houston Chronicle)

FERC says JPMorgan manipulated power prices in 2010-2011 (via USA Today)

GRID

Demand response could double to 155.4GW worldwide by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Natural gas plants account for 53% of new generation capacity in 2013 (via Facts of the Day)

North Dakota natural gas flaring equivalent to 1 million cars per year (via Climate Progress)

Federal government begins probe of Gulf gas well blowout (via Houston Chronicle)

BLM will lease rights for natural gas development in Ohio forest (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Study: Global warming puts South American water supplies at risk (via United Press International)

2013 shaping up to be one of Australia’s hottest years ever (via Renew Economy)

Study: sea-level rise threatens 1,400 US cities (via USA Today)

Cornell opens climate change and agriculture center (via Environmental Leader)

OIL 

Shale threatens Saudi economy, warns prince (via Wall Street Journal)

Saudi prince says global oil markets are “in decline” (via RTCC)

Texas will continue to lead US oil boom (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil industry works to reduce flaring in North Dakota (via The Oklahoman)

Oil industry fights safety retrofit of older rail cars (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

BP’s Deepwater compensation fund running dry (via The Guardian)

As Texas drilling expands, so do fights over land rights (via StateImpact Texas)

TRANSPORTATION 

Japanese carmakers partner to double public EV fast chargers (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla sets sights on fledgling China EV market (via TriplePundit)

Ford data shows its PHEV owners operate in electric mode 60% of the time (via Green Car Congress)

DOE Inspector General: Grants to EV charging company were “overly generous” (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Commercial LED lighting revenue will reach $25 billion annually by 2021 (via Navigant Research)

DOE invests in energy efficiency for small buildings (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

A smaller-than-predicted Dead Zone is still toxic for the Gulf of Mexico (via Time)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Research says green corporate policies tied to brand strength (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Some Republicans, not all, clamor for a vote against a carbon tax (via ClimateWire)

EPA chief takes climate push on the road (via The Hill)

Political ad targets Cuccinelli fight with climate scientist (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

The consequences of affordable green energy options (via Washington Post)

Flood, rebuild, repeat: Are we ready for a Superstorm Sandy every other year? (via Grist)

Renewables only marginally more expensive (via Breaking Energy)

How fit are feed-in tariffs? (via Renewable Energy World)

How bracing for superstorms will reshape New York City (via Forbes)

Posted:   |   Categories: algae, arra, australia, biofuel, blm, BP, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal export, Cornell University, Dead Zone, deepwater horizon, Demand response, department of energy, Distributed solar, DOE, Electric vehicle charger, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EU, European Union, EV charger, feed-in tariff, FIT, Ford, Gina McCarthy, global warming, Goldman Sachs, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, japan, Jean Shaheen, Ken Cuccinelli, Keystone XL, natural gas, Natural gas flaring, New York City, News, north dakota, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, renewables, Rob Portman, Rocky Mountain Institute, Sapphire Energy, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, Shale oil, Solar cell efficiency, Solar homes, Solar trade war, State Department, stimulus, Superstorm Sandy, Tesla, texas, Transportation, UCLA, uk, united kingdom, Water scarcity
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26
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.26.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Fossil fuels to dominate world energy use through 2040 (via Climate Central)

White House to focus comprehensive energy review on infrastructure (via The Hill)

White House aides, utility reps huddle on power plant carbon regulations (via The Hill)

OIL 

European oil demand continues to shrivel in 2013 (via Reuters)

Halliburton to plead guilty to destroying evidence in BP oil spill (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Solar, wind could replace all fossil fuels in Australia by 2040 (via Renew Economy)

Philippines plan shift to 100% renewables in 10 years (via Renew Economy)

EU seeks last-minute China PV deal (via Recharge)

Floating wind farms could provide EU with 40GW by 2020 (via RTCC)

India faces short-term setback in renewable energy investment (via Panchabuta)

Scotland could receive roughly 50% its electricity from tidal energy (via CleanTechnica)

Sao Paulo sets 70% renewables target (via Renewable Energy World)

Dominion watching first US wind energy lease sale (via Richmond Times Dispatch)

Big geothermal getting bigger at Ball State (via EarthTechling)

COAL 

Coal market fundamentals changed, yet spot prices remained stable (via US EIA)

Buffett says coal’s decline in U.S. to be gradual yet permanent (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

GOP launches bid to block environmental restrictions on mountaintop coal removal (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Global warming and the future of storms (via The Guardian)

Norway issues shipping warning as Arctic sea lanes open (via RTCC)

NASA climate change video: This is the U.S. in 2100 (via Mother Nature Network)

Dems’ recess game plan: Push climate message (via Politico)

Maryland governor unveils strongest US plan to fight climate change (via CleanTechnica)

A climate action plan for affordable multifamily housing (via Center for American Progress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

DOE official: Chinese natural gas could “wreak havoc” on markets (via The Hill)

Wyden floats fracking regulation framework (via The Hill)

Republicans launch legislative assault on BLM fracking rules (via Greenwire)

UPS says natural gas “game changer” for cutting emissions (via Bloomberg)

Antitrust probe targets Halliburton’s fracking business (via Bloomberg)

Colorado congressman files lawsuit to prevent fracking near his property (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Trading halt could show UN carbon market in jeopardy (via Bloomberg)

Europe’s carbon problem is now Australia’s, too (via Environmental Leader)

Investment firms call for more carbon accounting (via Environmental Leader)

The positive economic impact of a carbon tax in 10 charts (via Grist)

O’Malley releases greenhouse gas reduction plan at climate change summit (via Washington Post/AP)

ENVIRONMENT

Russia’s weather to limit crops again after last year’s drought (via Bloomberg)

What cities are doing to become water smart (via EarthTechling)

GRID 

FERC order increases opportunity for energy storage (via Breaking Energy)

Forward operating solar: military microgrids lead the way (via Solar Industry Magazine)

States weigh compact to bolster energy grid (via Stateline)

MISO uses real-time synchrophasor tech to improve grid reliability (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

31 states now support utility energy efficiency investments (via Energy Manager Today)

A closer look at the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill (via WRI Insights)

More states join the regulatory push for utility efficiency (via Greentech Media)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric cars could be cost-competitive with gas-powered in 2017 (via Los Angeles Times)

Which EV model will be the first to break into top 10 of global auto sales? (via CleanTechnica)

100% increase in electric car sales in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

RINs ethanol credits below $1, U.S. gasoline future fall 7 cents (via Reuters)

Plug-in electric vehicle buyers very satisfied with cars: report (via Green Car Reports)

OPINION 

EIA’s most important insights about our energy future (via Climate Central)

Can renewables grow fast enough to make a difference? (via Greentech Media)

The great Texas wind rush (via Huffington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, australia, Ball State University, Brazil, Bureau of Land Management, cap and trade, Carbon accounting, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Dominion Virginia, drought, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, ethanol, EU, europe, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, FERC, fracking, gas prices, geothermal, global warming, green building, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Halliburton, india, Jared Polis, Jean Shaheen, Martin O'Malley, maryland, Microgrid, MISO, Mountaintop coal removal, NASA, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, norway, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, Philippines, renewables, RIN, Rob Portman, Ron Wyden, Russia, Scotland, Sea ice melt, Severe weather, solar, Solar trade war, Synchrophasor, texas, Transportation, UN, united nations, United Postal Service, ups, virginia, warren buffett, Water scarcity, wind
0
06
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.6.13

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

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

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

OIL 

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

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

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

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

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Solar gardens taking root in US communities (via EarthTechling)

MIT creates solar potential map of Cambridge (via Treehugger)

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

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

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

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

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

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

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

CLIMATE 

Russia continues to block UN climate talks (via RTCC)

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

How investors can help avert climate catastrophe (via GreenBiz)

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

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

The Obama climate move that nobody noticed (via Grist)

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

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

COAL 

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

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

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

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

GRID 

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

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

POLITICS 

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

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

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

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

OPINION 

EU solar outlook still bright after binge (via Reuters)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.4.13

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

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

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

CLIMATE 

US and China intensify climate cooperation (via RTCC)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency retrofits ramp up in China (via GreenBiz)

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

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

COAL 

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

Japanese solar industry soaring (via CleanTechnica)

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

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

States buffeted by turbulent wind industry (via Stateline)

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

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

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

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

OIL 

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

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

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

ENERGY POLICY 

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

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

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

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

ENVIRONMENT 

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

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

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

NUCLEAR 

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

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

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

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

GRID 

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

POLITICS 

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

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

OPINION 

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

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

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

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

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, arctic, arizona, aviation, barack obama, battery, biofuel, biomass, carbon footprint, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate bonds, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Eagle Ford Shale, Electric Vehicle, Elon Musk, emissions, Emissions reduction, Energy Efficiency, environment, EU, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, fracking, fukushima, grid, Illinois, Incentives, india, interior department, investment, Iowa, japan, Jean Shaheen, kansas, Keystone XL, Kinder Morgan, Lamar Alexander, massachusetts, natural gas, News, nissan LEAF, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Pipeline, Pollution, radioactivity, regulation, Renewable energy portfolio, Renewable energy standard, renewables, res, Rob Portman, rps, Russia, Severe weather, Shale oil, Small modular reactors, solar, Solar tariffs, Solar trade war, solyndra, Southern Company, tea party, Tesla, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Weather whiplash, wind
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16
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.16.13

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

CLIMATE 

Survey finds 97% of climate science papers agree global warming is man-made (via The Guardian)

North Pole wanders, thanks to climate change (via Grist)

GAO: Feds should improve help to local governments on climate change (via The Hill)

Climate-related disasters cost American taxpayers $96 billion last year (via Grist) 

ConocoPhillips CEO: humans accelerating climate change (via Houston Chronicle)

SEC upholds shareholder vote on efficiency measure over climate concerns (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla could raise $830M through new stock offering (via GigaOm)

DOE to award $62.5M over 5 years to accelerate development of next-generation EV batteries (via Green Car Congress)

Ford taps AeroVironment for home-charging systems (via Autoblog Green)

RENEWABLES 

China says EU solar duties to “seriously harm” trade ties (via Reuters)

Brazil auction rules may boost price of cheap wind power (via Bloomberg)

UK offshore wind body starts work (via Recharge)

US holds tests to solve wind farm effects on radar (via Airport World)

Which states use the most green energy? (via Mother Jones)

Study: doubling wind will cut rates for PJM customers (via Greentech Media)

Solar carve-out wins another vote in Minnesota (via Solar Industry Magazine)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Mexico debates opening its doors for shale development (via Houston Chronicle)

Quebec proposes law to ban fracking (via Houston Chronicle)

Floating terminals are wave of the future for LNG (via Houston Chronicle)

Survey finds fracking brings economic boost, concerns over environmental risks (via Phys.org)

Compromise reached on Illinois fracking legislation (via Chicago Tribune)

OIL 

Inquiry on potential oil price manipulation intensifies (via New York Times)

Transocean to see a dust-up at annual shareholder meeting (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

Arctic Council sets 2015 goal for climate pact (via Politico)

Canada pushes development as it takes over Arctic Council (via Phys.org)

GRID 

PJM has 11.2GW of demand response for this summer (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Major business group backs Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency plan (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Good news, bad news from new EIA emissions analysis (via Climate Central)

California governor proposes to borrow $500M from cap-and-trade revenue (via ClimateWire)

POLITICS 

Harper seeks to build Keystone XL support on US visit (via Bloomberg)

After upset British Columbia election, tar sands route to Pacific still open (via InsideClimate News)

First green party candidate elected to British Columbia legislature (via Yahoo! News)

OPINION 

3 reasons PG&E is reaching its California solar initiative targets (via Greentech Media)

Utilities vs. rooftop solar: what the fight is about (via Grist)

Three recommendations for the new US-China climate change working group (via Huffington Post)

How New York Times, NPR, and Wall Street Journal print fossil fuel talking points without full disclosure (via Climate Progress)

Climate hawks should aggressively support America COMPETES act (via Innovation Files)

The economic case for divesting from fossil fuels (via Renewable Energy World)

Posted:   |   Categories: aerovironment, Arctic Council, battery, Brazil, british columbia, california, canada, cap and trade, China, climate, Climate Change, ConocoPhillips, Demand response, Divestment, DOE, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EU, European Union, ev, EV charger, EV charging system, Extreme weather, Ford, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, GAO, global warming, grid, Illinois, Jean Shaheen, Jerry Brown, Keystone XL, LNG, mexico, minnesota, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, offshore wind, oil, PGE, PJM Interconnection, Quebec, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Rob Portman, rooftop solar, SEC, Severe weather, Shale gas, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, Stephen Harper, Tesla, Transocean, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wind
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16
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.16.13

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

CLIMATE 

Survey finds 97% of climate science papers agree global warming is man-made (via The Guardian)

North Pole wanders, thanks to climate change (via Grist)

GAO: Feds should improve help to local governments on climate change (via The Hill)

Climate-related disasters cost American taxpayers $96 billion last year (via Grist) 

ConocoPhillips CEO: humans accelerating climate change (via Houston Chronicle)

SEC upholds shareholder vote on efficiency measure over climate concerns (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla could raise $830M through new stock offering (via GigaOm)

DOE to award $62.5M over 5 years to accelerate development of next-generation EV batteries (via Green Car Congress)

Ford taps AeroVironment for home-charging systems (via Autoblog Green)

RENEWABLES 

China says EU solar duties to “seriously harm” trade ties (via Reuters)

Brazil auction rules may boost price of cheap wind power (via Bloomberg)

UK offshore wind body starts work (via Recharge)

US holds tests to solve wind farm effects on radar (via Airport World)

Which states use the most green energy? (via Mother Jones)

Study: doubling wind will cut rates for PJM customers (via Greentech Media)

Solar carve-out wins another vote in Minnesota (via Solar Industry Magazine)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Mexico debates opening its doors for shale development (via Houston Chronicle)

Quebec proposes law to ban fracking (via Houston Chronicle)

Floating terminals are wave of the future for LNG (via Houston Chronicle)

Survey finds fracking brings economic boost, concerns over environmental risks (via Phys.org)

Compromise reached on Illinois fracking legislation (via Chicago Tribune)

OIL 

Inquiry on potential oil price manipulation intensifies (via New York Times)

Transocean to see a dust-up at annual shareholder meeting (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

Arctic Council sets 2015 goal for climate pact (via Politico)

Canada pushes development as it takes over Arctic Council (via Phys.org)

GRID 

PJM has 11.2GW of demand response for this summer (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Major business group backs Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency plan (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Good news, bad news from new EIA emissions analysis (via Climate Central)

California governor proposes to borrow $500M from cap-and-trade revenue (via ClimateWire)

POLITICS 

Harper seeks to build Keystone XL support on US visit (via Bloomberg)

After upset British Columbia election, tar sands route to Pacific still open (via InsideClimate News)

First green party candidate elected to British Columbia legislature (via Yahoo! News)

OPINION 

3 reasons PG&E is reaching its California solar initiative targets (via Greentech Media)

Utilities vs. rooftop solar: what the fight is about (via Grist)

Three recommendations for the new US-China climate change working group (via Huffington Post)

How New York Times, NPR, and Wall Street Journal print fossil fuel talking points without full disclosure (via Climate Progress)

Climate hawks should aggressively support America COMPETES act (via Innovation Files)

The economic case for divesting from fossil fuels (via Renewable Energy World)

Posted:   |   Categories: aerovironment, Arctic Council, battery, Brazil, british columbia, california, canada, cap and trade, China, climate, Climate Change, ConocoPhillips, Demand response, Divestment, DOE, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EU, European Union, ev, EV charger, EV charging system, Extreme weather, Ford, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, GAO, global warming, grid, Illinois, Jean Shaheen, Jerry Brown, Keystone XL, LNG, mexico, minnesota, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, offshore wind, oil, PGE, PJM Interconnection, Quebec, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Rob Portman, rooftop solar, SEC, Severe weather, Shale gas, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, Stephen Harper, Tesla, Transocean, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wind
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