Category Archives:Shale oil

05
Nov

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.5.14

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

CLIMATE 

Kerry: U.S., China cannot solve climate problems alone (via The Hill)

Queen Elizabeth admits “one has climate change concerns” (via BusinessGreen)

Tasmanian devils decline due to climate change, says research (via The Guardian)

Jersey retreating from rivers, but not coast, after Sandy (via Climate Central)

More activists arrested as climate demonstration continues at FERC (via Greenwire)

EMISSIONS 

South Korea carbon market unlikely to deliver climate target, say analysts (via BusinessGreen)

Germany looks to fast-track exit from coal, as well as nuclear (via Renew Economy)

California readies for cap-and-trade next steps (via TriplePundit)

Church of England failing to heed call to divest from fossil fuels (via The Guardian)

RENEWABLES 

How renewables in developing countries are leapfrogging traditional power (via Climate Progress)

Concerns amid low Brazil solar PV prices (via Recharge News)

Severe droughts hasten hydropower’s slow decline (via Navigant Research)

The end of a solar era: The Legacy of the California Solar Initiative (via Greentech Media)

Enphase posts record quarterly revenue with more expected (via PV Tech)

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada says Keystone XL project costs rise to $8 billion (via Bloomberg)

The Senate has a filibuster-proof pro-Keystone XL majority (via National Journal)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

LED efficiency soars in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

NREL, U.S. Army validate energy savings for net zero energy installations (via Phys.org)

OIL 

Halliburton CEO expects shale to reverse oil price slump (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

PGE takes energy storage to the distribution substation (via Greentech Media)

EU plans power supergrid to boost renewables (via RTCC)

NATURAL GAS 

Denton voters pass first fracking ban in Texas (via Houston Chronicle)

Three of four Ohio towns reject anti-fracking measures (via Midwest Energy News)

ENVIRONMENT 

Pollution halves India’s potential grain yield (via Hindustan Times/Reuters)

California passes $7.5 billion water bond (via Huffington Post)

POLITICS 

The new GOP Senate is already gearing up to cause climate mayhem (via Grist)

Elections a half victory for climate billionaire Steyer (via The Hill)

RNC Chair Priebus: Obama will sign Keystone XL bill (via The Hill)

Congratulations, voters. You just made this climate denier the most powerful senator on the environment (via The New Republic)

OPINION 

Why two crucial pages were left out of the latest UN climate report (via Washington Post)

Despite everything, 2014 is another growth year for solar PV (via Renewable Energy World)

Which hybrids save you money? Not as many as you might think (via Autoblog Green)

There’s still no consistent way to value solar on the grid (via Greentech Media)

The California Water Bond is a beginning, not an end: Here’s what’s next (via Huffington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: Brazil, california, California Solar Initiative, cap and trade, Carbon market, China, Church of England, climate, Climate Change, coal, Divestment, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, Enphase, European Union, ev, FERC, Fossil fuel divestment, germany, grid, Halliburton, hybrid, Hydropower, india, IPCC, james inhofe, john kerry, Keystone XL, LED, natural gas, Net zero, new jersey, News, NREL, nuclear, Ohio, oil, PGE, renewables, Shale oil, solar, South Korea, Superstorm Sandy, texas, Tom Steyer, TransCanada
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22
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.22.14

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

CLIMATE 

Hottest 12 months on record: NOAA data “show no pause in warming” (via Climate Progress)

Portugal could block EU climate deal over grid connection target (via Reuters)

Report: Insurance companies unprepared for climate change risks (via Environmental Leader)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine, Russia gas talks end without breakthrough (via AP)

No deal yet, but EU hopes for Russia-Ukraine gas deal next week (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Australia seeks to reduce renewable energy target to “real” 20% (via Bloomberg)

China to end wind curtailment from grid in 2015 (via Recharge)

Brazil’s wind farm capacity factor at 50% (via Recharge)

Opposition party reject Abbot government’s first attempt to cut renewable energy target (via The Guardian)

Reinstating the PTC, other lapsed incentives on Senate’s lame duck to-do list (via SNL News)

U.S. wind installations in first nine months of 2014 beat 2013 total (via Bloomberg)

Big utilities pushing into booming home solar market (via Reuters)

In ethanol, cellulosic coming to push out corn (via Navigant Research)

Tidal lagoon power breakthrough project gains momentum (via Breaking Energy)

Boeing, Chinese partner to make jet fuel from used cooking oil (via Reuters)

COAL 

Ex-Im Bank Inspector General investigating financing of 4GW India coal project (via Bloomberg BNA)

EMISSIONS 

Divestment campaigners set their sights on UK banks (via RTCC)

Polar vortex spiked U.S. CO2 emissions in 2013 (via Climate Central)

Report: Retirees, 401Ks hold most shares in oil and gas industry (via Houston Chronicle)

States, environmental groups slam EPA ozone limits in contentious court hearing (via Greenwire)

OIL 

Triple whammy looms for China’s oil refiners as crude plunges (via Bloomberg)

U.S. shale oil producers cramming wells in risky push to extend boom (via Bloomberg)

Oil price tremors not rattling Texas…yet (via Texas Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION 

German EV market has doubled since last year (via CleanTechnica)

EPA to scrutinize auto fuel economy tests, issue revised guidelines (via Autoblog)

Researchers take big-data approach to estimate EV range (via Phys.org)

GRID 

Enphase charges into the energy storage market (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT 

Brazil creates Amazon rainforest reserve larger than Delaware (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

POLITICS 

Brazil’s Rousseff pulls ahead of Neves before Sunday’s election (via Reuters)

Environmental issues grabbing big role in political ad campaigns (via New York Times)

Is Michigan’s most powerful Republican really in political danger? (via National Journal)

Nuclear Regulatory Commission chairwoman heads for exit (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Climate records are breaking so often, we’ve stopped paying attention (via Washington Post)

If you could build a solar-friendly grid from scratch, how would you do it? (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, boeing, Brazil, cellulosic ethanol, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Dilma Rousseff, Divestment, electric vehicles, emissions, energy storage, Enphase, EPA, ethanol, EU, ev, Ex-Im Bank, Export-Import bank, Fossil fuel divestment, Fred Upton, germany, global warming, grid, india, michigan, natural gas, News, noaa, NRC, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, oil, Portugal, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, Russia, Shale oil, solar, texas, tidal power, Tony Abbott, Transportation, Ukraine, united kingdom, wind
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21
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.21.14

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

CLIMATE 

After record warm September, 2014 is on track for warmest year (via Washington Post)

Sweden pledges $500 million to Green Climate Fund (via RTCC)

How climate change is fueling the Miami real estate boom (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s new trade minister says will restart reactors deemed safe (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

China wind-service market seen surging with $3 billion spending (via Bloomberg)

Chile will lead Latin America in renewable energy, says president (via PV Tech)

Geothermal power industry lost steam but may be poised for comeback (via Los Angeles Times)

Solar energy prices see double-digit decline in 2013; trend expected to continue (via NREL)

Solar lease securitization encounters tax challenges (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

Solar consolidation expected in U.S. as tax credit drives deals (via Bloomberg)

Solar companies look to batteries, financing, soft costs as the future (via GigaOm)

$200 million more flows to residential solar loans through Sungage and Mosiac (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Indonesia developing mega coal mine five times larger than Singapore (via Mongabay)

India pushes ahead with coal reforms (via Reuters)

Peabody posts quarterly loss as coal prices fall (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

Renewables, efficiency made up 70% of U.S. emissions drop since 2007 (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine, Russia gas deal may be just enough to get through winter (via Reuters)

Tougher greenhouse goals could cut EU’s natural gas imports in half (via WRI Insights)

British Columbia to outline carbon, tax polices for LNG (via Bloomberg)

Energy Department: U.S. must act now on methane emissions (via Houston Chronicle)

Regulations could douse North Dakota gas flaring (via Climate Central)

GRID 

Transmission superhighway takes shape in central U.S. (via Navigant Research)

Innovative energy storage technologies gain ground (via Navigant Research)

OIL 

Oil falls on speculation OPEC won’t cut production (via The Hill)

Report: ISIS oil production worth $800 million per year (via The Hill)

Government lags in measuring gush of U.S. crude (via Houston Chronicle)

Shale oil producers face low price consequences of their success (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil at $80 a barrel muffles forecasts for U.S. shale boom (via Bloomberg)

Crude oil spills into Louisiana bayou, kills wildlife (via Shreveport Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

As China gets tougher on fuel economy, some carmakers may be left behind (via Reuters)

UK hails best-ever quarter for EV sales as demand revs up (via BusinessGreen)

Denmark’s plan to offset transportation emissions sparks EV row (via The Guardian)

Ford Focus Electric gets $6,000 price drop, now starts at $29,995 (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan does demand response via Leaf EVs (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Amid California’s drought, a bruising battle for cheap water (via Los Angeles Times)

Land records show many Ohio state parks could see mining, drilling (via Columbus Dispatch)

POLITICS 

Sao Paulo water cuts used by Rousseff against challenger (via Bloomberg)

In key midterm races, Democrats sound like Republicans on climate (via InsideClimate News)

Five lose-lose Senate races for climate advocates (via InsideClimate News)

OPINION 

What's the value of divestment? (via National Journal)

Will the solar industry get behind CPS Energy’s alternative to net metering in San Antonio? (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: battery, Brazil, Chile, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Demand response, denmark, Dilma Rousseff, Divestment, DOE, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, European Union, ev, Ford Focus, Fossil fuel divestment, geothermal, global warming, Green Climate Fund, grid, Indonesia, ISIS, japan, Louisiana, Miami, Mosaic, natural gas, Net metering, News, nissan LEAF, north dakota, nuclear, Ohio, oil, oil spill, OPEC, Peabody, renewables, Russia, San Antonio, Shale oil, solar, Sungage, Sweden, transmission, Transportation, Ukraine, united kingdom, wind
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17
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.17.14

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

NATURAL GAS 

Russia’s Putin threatens to reduce European gas supplies (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

Winter unlikely to see repeat of frigid polar vortex (via Climate Central)

NUCLEAR 

France signs agreement to build nuclear reactors in South Africa (via Yahoo! News/AFP)

UK’s Hinkley nuclear deal to face National Audit Office probe (via BusinessGreen)

RENEWABLES 

Europe’s biggest solar bonds downgraded on Italy’s policy (via Bloomberg)

As Japan eyes nuclear restarts, renewables get shut out of grid (via Reuters)

India announces 15GW solar power purchase program (via Renewable Energy World)

China to phase out financial support for solar sector by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

JinkoSolar adds 200MW to China PV project pipeline (via PV Tech)

GTM Research expects equivalent of 25GW new polysilicon production by 2016 (via PV Tech)

Minneapolis utility fight ends with unique clean-energy deal (via Midwest Energy News)

COAL 

Pacific islanders blockade Australian coal port to protest rising sea levels (via The Guardian)

Britain’s battered coal industry sees glimmer of hope in carbon capture (via Reuters)

For $20 million, a coal utility bought an Ohio town and a clean conscience (via The Atlantic)

EMISSIONS 

Qingdao prepares China’s 8th regional carbon market (via RTCC)

Sweden calls on EU to agree to 50% carbon cuts for 2030 (via RTCC)

Texas plant to capture, then reuse carbon (via New York Times)

OIL 

Falling oil prices shake up global economies (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

As oil prices plummet, Saudi Arabia faces a test of strategy (via New York Times)

Oil-by-rail fuels record U.S. imports of Canadian oil (via DeSmogBlog)

Shale oil boom helping American consumers like never before (via Bloomberg)

U.S. moves ahead with central Gulf of Mexico offshore auction (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Americans could waste $2.8 trillion stuck in traffic by 2030 (via Autoblog)

Tesla says first battery-swapping site will go live in December (via Green Car Reports)

11 more GM facilities worldwide go landfill-free; total rises to 122 (via Green Car Congress)

GRID 

FERC investigating polar vortex impact on grid (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

Sao Paulo running out of water unless reserve tapped now (via Bloomberg)

U.S. plastic bottle recycling increases for 24th year (via Environmental Leader)

Whole Foods launches environmental ratings for its produce (via BusinessGreen)

Tornadoes increasingly coming in swarms in U.S., study says (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

POLITICS 

Brazil’s Neves closing campaign cash gap thanks to banks and ethanol (via Reuters)

OPINION 

PJM’s capacity market: Model to copy or avoid? (via Breaking Energy)

Why you should question the value proposition of energy storage (via Greentech Media)

We don’t, and can’t know how much it will cost to tackle climate change (via Grist)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, battery, Brazil, canada, Capacity market, carbon capture, Carbon market, China, climate, coal, drought, emissions, energy storage, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, FERC, France, gas prices, GM, grid, Gulf of Mexico, india, italy, japan, JinkoSolar, Minneapolis, natural gas, News, nuclear, offshore drilling, Ohio, oil, Oil train, PJM Interconnection, Polar vortex, Qingdao, Recycling, renewables, Russia, Sao Paulo, saudi arabia, Shale oil, solar, South Africa, Sweden, Tesla, texas, Transportation, united kingdom, Vladimir Putin, Whole Foods
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16
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.16.14

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

CLIMATE 

New study details alarming acceleration in sea level rise (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY POLICY 

Smart cities are driving change across the energy sector (via Navigant Research)

Evidence connects quakes to oil, natural gas boom (via Climate Central)

Lockheed claims breakthrough on fusion energy project (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES

German clean-energy costs drop for first time (via Bloomberg)

U.S. residential solar demand could approach 1GW annually (via Renewable Energy World)

Refiners press Obama to lower renewable fuel mandate (via The Hill)

Retailers, seeking out bargains, continue to lead on solar (via Midwest Energy News)

Georgia the latest state to produce dirt-cheap power (via Greentech Media)

Hawaiian utility targets 92% renewable energy by 2030 (via CleanTechnica)

Wisconsin: America’s latest solar energy battleground (via The Energy Collective)

SolarCity offers bonds, wants everybody to invest in solar (via Forbes)

OIL 

Plummeting oil prices sting Russia, other “Petro States” (via U.S. News & World Report)

Report: Oil exports could drive manufacturing renaissance (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil price slump could lead to production cuts, shakeouts at shale companies (via EnergyWire)

North Dakota oil formations produce 1 billion cumulative barrels (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Volkswagen: Plug-in hybrids a “bridge” to pure electric cars in future (via Green Car Reports)

Gasoline prices fall to lowest average since 2011 (via The Hill)

Automakers, utilities studying how to manage electric vehicles (via Houston Chronicle)

California high court clears way for more bullet train work (via Los Angeles Times)

Tesla face possible sales prohibition in Michigan (via Bloomberg)

Battery storage breakthrough allows recharge in two minutes (via Renew Economy)

NATURAL GAS 

Long after fracking stops, the noise lives on (via NPR)

EMISSIONS 

Exxon, Shell carbon emissions rise even as output drops (via Wall Street Journal)

GRID 

In South Korea, an energy storage bonanza (via Navigant Research)

Giant energy storage project aims at renewable energy’s holy grail (via Renewable Energy World)

The opportunity of time-of-use pricing (via RMI Outlet)

OPINION 

Why natural gas won’t help save the planet (via National Journal)

Coal industry still in denial over prices, regulation (via Reuters)

Are Wal-Mart’s owners really a threat to distributed energy? (via Greentech Media)

Can a low-carbon fuels standard work in Washington? (via Washington State Wire)

Posted:   |   Categories: Bakken Shale, battery, california, climate, Climate Change, coal, earthquakes, electric vehicles, emissions, energy storage, ev, Exxon, fracking, Fusion, gas prices, Georgia, germany, Hawaii, HECO, high speed rail, hybrid, Lockheed Martin, Low carbon fuels standard, natural gas, News, north dakota, oil, Oil exports, Renewable fuel mandate, renewables, RFS, Russia, Sea level rise, Shale oil, Shell, solar, SolarCity, Tesla, Transportation, Volkswagen, wal-mart, Washington State, Wisconsin
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08
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.8.14

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

CLIMATE 

Ocean acidification to cost global economy $1 trillion by 2100 (via BusinessGreen)

Sea level rise making floods routine for U.S. coastal cities (via Climate Central)

Canada’s federal watchdog says it will fail to meet climate goals without new policies (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY POLICY 

Less severe weather means lower expected household heating bills this winter (via U.S. EIA)

Texas uses the most electricity, burns nearly the most fuel (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Solar to beat wind to wholesale grid parity in Europe (via PV Tech)

Chile top renewables market on sunny desert, windy shores (via Bloomberg)

UK confirms cuts to large-scale solar support (via PV Tech)

Study: Renewables as green as you’d expect (via Climate Central)

Solar debt financing on pace to reach highest mark since 2010 (via Bloomberg)

DOE study finds offshore wind can save U.S. billions on electricity (via NRDC Switchboard)

Drought reveals water-energy connection, cutting California hydropower in half (via Greentech Media)

Massachusetts offshore wind auction coming in 2014 (via Recharge News)

Massachusetts raises solar net metering cap for businesses, municipalities (via Renewable Energy World)

Bill to repeal Michigan renewable energy standard faces long odds (via Midwest Energy News)

Novozymes looks beyond “fantasy fuel” it helped turn into reality (via Retuers)

SolarCity to finance rooftop panels in shift from leasing (via Bloomberg)

SolarCity loan deal could propel rooftop market (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

SolarCity CEO: Half of new business by end of 2015 could be solar loans (via Greentech Media)

EMISSIONS 

Judge dismisses Nebraska lawsuit against EPA (via San Francisco Chronicle/AP)

OIL 

EIA sees lower OPEC output, weaker demand growth in 2015 (via Reuters)

Lower demand, higher supply drive oil prices to lowest level since 2012 (via U.S. EIA)

Shale boom tested as sub-$90 oil threatens U.S. drillers (via Bloomberg)

Keystone XL be darned: Canada finds oil route around Obama (via Bloomberg)

Crude oil export studies coming soon, says U.S. EIA (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Lamborghini unveils first plug-in hybrid at Paris Motor Show (via Inhabitat)

Airlines fly the skies on a sugar high (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS 

Pennsylvania pursues record $4.5 million fine against gas driller (via AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Global energy efficiency market worth $310 billion and growing, says IEA (via BusinessGreen)

Energy efficiency remains hottest sector within clean tech (via Energy Manager Today)

ThyssenKrupp reduces manufacturing energy use 38% in 3 years (via Energy Manager Today)

Constellation, Comverge plan to merge their C&I demand response offerings (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT

Californians make big cuts in water usage, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

Drought a ”slow-motion disaster” for Western states (via Arizona Republic) 

OPINION 

Australia crushes its renewable energy industry (via Sustainable Business)

While critics debate Energiewende, Germany gains a global advantage (via The Energy Collective)

Four reasons pay-as-you-go solar financing is unlocking energy access for all (via Huffington Post)

How grid efficiency went south (via New York Times)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, biofuel, california, canada, Chile, climate, Climate Change, Comverge, Constellation, Demand response, DOE, drought, eia, emissions, Energiewende, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, fracking, germany, Grid Parity, Hydropower, Keystone XL, Lamborghini, massachusetts, michigan, natural gas, Nebraska, Net metering, News, Novozymes, Ocean acidification, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, OPEC, pennsylvania, Renewable energy standard, renewables, Sea level rise, Shale oil, solar, SolarCity, texas, ThyssenKrupp, Transportation, united kingdom, wind
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07
Oct

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.7.14

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

EMISSIONS 

EPA ozone-pollution standard left intact by Supreme Court (via Bloomberg)

Methane pollution from federal lands rising, oil boom to blame (via Houston Chronicle)

COAL 

Leading Australian pension fund ditches coal holdings (via RTCC)

Complex market forces are challenging Appalachian coal mining (via Center for American Progress)

Coal miners to march on EPA against climate rule (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Global solar power market could hit 200GW by end of 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

U.S. solar trade case could expand to include Chinese modules with any cell origin (via PV Tech)

Chinese, Japanese solar PV to soar in Q4 2014 (via Recharge)

Solar PV catching on fast in Latin America, Caribbean (via Triple Pundit)

UK offers $482 million for renewable energy auctions (via Energy Manager Today)

China’s solar industry continues rebound (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar, wind cost may fall to level for coal by 2020s (via Bloomberg)

First-ever global life cycle assessment of renewable energy future (via Phys.org)

Solar companies fall on U.S. stock market on heavy volume (via Reuters)

Despite political setback, high hopes for Ohio clean energy (via Midwest Energy News)

Researchers develop technique to turn winery waste into biofuel (via Breaking Energy)

DuPont, P&G partner to use cellulosic ethanol in Tide laundry detergent, replacing corn ethanol (via Green Car Congress)

ENERGY POLICY 

EU moves closer to 2030 deal on climate, energy (via Bloomberg)

Japan nuclear restart to hit oil usage hardest (via Reuters)

Regulatory complexities, natural gas economics driving power markets (via Energy Manager Today)

California drought leads to less hydropower, increased natural gas generation (via U.S. EIA)

OIL 

EU abandons “dirty” label for tar sands oil (via Reuters)

DOE Secretary skeptical U.S. will export oil anytime soon (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

EV sales charge up 50% in 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

Fast charging your EV might not be as bad for batteries as predicted (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla to join luxury race into automated driving (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

The ocean’s surface layer has been warming much faster than previously thought (via Climate Progress)

10 countries have pledged $2.3 billion to fight climate change – the U.S. isn’t one of them (via Mother Jones)

NATURAL GAS 

A push to make “fracking” sound better (via Wall Street Journal)

Cuomo administration edited and delayed key fracking study (via Capital New York)

GRID 

Battery storage costs could plunge below $100/kWh (via Renew Economy)

POLITICS 

Anti-ALEC activists pressure eBay to drop conservative group (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Are Russian energy sanctions working? (via National Journal)

Why are institutional investors still hesitating on solar? (via Greentech Media)

Carbon capture’s energy penalty problem (via Reuters)

Can sucking CO2 out of the atmosphere really work? (via MIT Technology Review)

Why solar power is taking off at airports across the U.S. (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: ALEC, Andrew Cuomo, australia, battery, biofuel, california, carbon capture, cellulosic ethanol, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, Divestment, drought, DuPont, electric vehicles, emissions, energy storage, EPA, Ernest Moniz, ethanol, European Union, EVs, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, grid, japan, methane, natural gas, new york state, News, nuclear, Ohio, oil, Oil exports, Proctor & Gamble, renewables, Russia, Shale oil, solar, tar sands, Tesla, Transportation, united kingdom, wind
0
10
Sep

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.10.14

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

EMISSIONS

PwC: Five-fold rise in pace of carbon emissions cuts needed (via Triple Pundit)

Fossil fuels stir debate at university endowments (via Wall Street Journal)

Exiting RGGI system cost New Jersey $114 million (via Bergen Record)

ENERGY POLICY 

EU pushes for urgent energy deal in U.S. trade pact (via Reuters)

Energy-hungry Japan waits as U.S. debates exports (via Greenwire)

EDF invests $515 million into new Paris energy R&D facility (via Reuters)

U.S. EIA projects world liquid fuels to rise 38% by 2040 (via Green Car Congress)

Five Keystone XLs: The carbon in Northwest fossil fuel export plans (via Sightline Daily)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil to invest $14.9 billion in wind energy between 2015 and 2018 (via Latin American Herald Tribune)

India pushes ultra-mega scheme to scale solar PV (via Forbes)

Gamesa raises $304 million to expand emerging-market wind energy (via Bloomberg)

Mexico’s new power industry law: Implications for clean energy (via Energy Collective)

EU forecasts green jobs boom (via Recharge News)

German consumers can expect green power surcharges to fall next year (via Reuters)

U.S. and China hold almost half of PV pipeline, but only 3.7GW in China (via CleanTechnica)

U.S. solar generation, output surge in first half of 2014 (via PV Tech)

New U.S. large-scale solar, wind capacity soars (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Obama’s international climate strategy: More grease for renewables (via Renewable Energy World)

California clean energy bill could open door for homeowners, small businesses (via Breaking Energy)

University of California signs major solar deal (via Washington Post)

Google to invest $145 million in California solar project (via The Hill)

OIL 

U.S. boost 2015 oil forecast as shale power push to 10 million barrels per day (via Reuters)

OPEC cuts demand outlook by most in three years on shale surge (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

Rosneft struggles to grow as sanctions hit Russia’s oil champion (via Reuters)

Saudi Arabia tells OPEC it cut output in August as oil nears $100 (via Reuters)

Feds move to prevent runaway oil trains (via The Hill)

Think tank charges policymakers with 70’s mindset on oil exports (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

EIA’s 2014 gasoline use forecast has risen 2 billion gallons in past 10 months (via U.S. EIA)

China and UC-Davis partner to put zero-emission vehicles on fast track (via UC Davis)

California electric vehicle sales pass major milestone (via San Francisco Chronicle)

2016 Chevy Volt spy shots highlight much-needed fixes (via Yahoo! Auto)

Tesla expects another high-volume deal with Toyota in next few years (via Autoblog)

COAL 

South Africa’s coal-fired power stations carry heavy health costs (via The Guardian) 

CLIMATE 

UN climate chief says 125 world leaders confirmed for New York summit (via RTCC)

How global warming is already worsening extreme deluges in the U.S. (via Climate Progress)

Royal Dutch Shell CEO: Climate change discussion “has gone into la-la land” (via Washington Post)

America’s heartland wilts under climate change onslaught (via RTCC)

NUCLEAR 

Japan to restart two nuclear reactors (via The Guardian/AFP)

Russia to build eight nuclear power plants in Iran (via Trend)

KEYSTONE XL 

Environmental group sues Feds for Keystone XL documents (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Zero-energy building revenue set to exceed $1.4 trillion annually by 2035 (via Navigant Research)

IEA calls on policymakers to deliver “multiple benefits” of energy efficiency (via BusinessGreen)

Four ways to play the LED boom (via Forbes)

This deep dive into 10 years of LEED unearths surprises (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS 

Poland looks to import natural gas from U.S., Canada (via Reuters)

Natural gas industry unveils infrastructure security program (via Houston Chronicle)

40% of people near fracking wells report health woes (via USA Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Ocean acidification may dull sharks’ ability to smell prey, finds study (via Yale e360)

Rocky Mountains facing unprecedented assault from insects, fires, heat, drought (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

California water use drops statewide (via San Jose Mercury News)

POLITICS 

Kochs backing out of blue-state Senate races (via Grist)

Obama’s brain drain (via Politico)

Interior Secretary: GOP information requests cost millions (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Whether it’s green growth, green economy, or creative economy, it’s all about green jobs (via Huffington Post)

Are carbon capture and biomass indispensible in the climate change fight? (via Energy Collective)

Another year, another record high for greenhouse gases (via Climate Central)

How ISIS smuggles oil to fund its campaign (via NPR)

How fracking bought the Buffalo Bills (via National Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: biomass, Brazil, california, canada, cap and trade, carbon capture, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Divestment, drought, edf, eia, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, European Union, EVs, Extreme weather, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, Gamesa, Gasoline, germany, global warming, google, green jobs, IEA, india, interior department, iran, ISIS, japan, Keystone XL, LED, LEED, mexico, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new jersey, News, nuclear, Ocean acidification, oil, Oil exports, Oil trains, OPEC, Pipeline, Poland, renewables, rggi, Rosneft, Royal Dutch Shell, Russia, Sally Jewell, saudi arabia, Shale oil, solar, South Africa, Tesla, Toyota, Transportation, University of California, Wildfire, wind
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26
Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.26.14

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

EMISSIONS 

13 states say EPA climate regulations illegally left out data (via The Hill)

GAO finds no fault with “social cost of carbon” (via The Hill)

Fossil fuel divestment: A $5 trillion challenge (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

UBS analysts: “Large-scale power stations could be on path to extinction” (via Greentech Media)

“Major investment cycle” and rapidly changing U.S. energy markets pose challenges for FERC, says new chairman (via EnergyWire)

One electric utility is carbon neutral, today (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

India plans to add 10,000MW wind energy capacity every year (via CleanTechnica)

Pattern turns to solar after building top Chile wind farm (via Bloomberg)

Verizon to boost solar by $40 million, almost doubling its clean energy (via GigaOm)

SolarWorld wins trade case but faces sliding stock, parts recall, and more (via Greentech Media)

Trina Solar posts profit as module shipments jump (via Reuters)

Retail vs. wholesale energy pricing: One reason it’s easy for rooftop solar to be cost effective (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

Enbridge case reflects broader effort to fast-track pipelines (via Midwest Energy News)

Grain piles up, waiting for a ride, as trains move North Dakota oil (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

China said to consider $16 billion EV-charging fund (via Bloomberg)

Are the EPA’s MPGe ratings hurting EV sales? (via Autoblog Green)

The story of Elon Musk and GM’s race to build the first mass-market EV (via Quartz)

NATURAL GAS 

Labour party attempts to strengthen UK fracking industry regulation (via BusinessGreen)

Fracking link to birth defects probed in early research (via Bloomberg)

Drilling underway at Pittsburgh International Airport (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

CLIMATE 

Small island states, facing rising seas, seek economic overhaul (via Reuters)

Health benefits offset costs of climate policies: MIT study (via Greenwire)

Visualize it: Old weather data feeds new climate models (via Climate Central)

Scientists go beyond science to explain their climate terror (via National Journal)

GRID 

Investment in U.S. electricity transmission infrastructure shows steady increase (via U.S. EIA)

The Catch-22 of energy storage (via Energy Collective)

ENVIRONMENT 

Chart: How many birds are killed by wind, solar, oil, and coal? (via Climate Progress)

San Joaquin is America’s most endangered river (via EcoWatch)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Sustainability standard developed for home appliances (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION 

In race for solar power, China is winning (via Christian Science Monitor)

Europe is burning our forests for “renewable” energy. Wait, what? (via Grist)

A climate for change: America should not wait while the world warms (via Washington Post)

How WWI killed the dream of a solar-powered world (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

Posted:   |   Categories: biomass, Cheryl LaFleur, Chile, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, Divestment, electric vehicles, Elon Musk, emissions, Enbridge, energy storage, EPA, europe, ev, ev charging, FERC, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, GAO, GM, grid, india, natural gas, News, north dakota, oil, Pattern Energy, Pipelines, Pittsburgh, renewables, San Joaquin River, Sea level rise, Shale oil, Social cost of carbon, solar, Solarworld, tar sands, Tesla, transmission, Transportation, Trina Solar, united kingdom, verizon, wind
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14
Aug

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.14.14

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

ENVIRONMENT 

Worst drought in 50 years hits China’s breadbasket (via Market Watch)

Brown signs $7.5 billion plan to ease California drought (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Report: Some retiring U.S. power plants may not need to be replaced (via Renew Grid)

PJM may expand capacity market rules: Handout to fossil fuels, or needed reliability boost? (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES 

Global renewable energy status uncovered (via Renewable Energy World)

Wave and tidal power costing more than forecast (via Bloomberg)

U.K. renewables industry celebrates record start to 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

Minnesota PUC passes on value of solar, but likely not for long (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Which solar company boasts the highest market cap? (via Greentech Media)

NRG’s portable solar deal gives it a new place in the sun (via Houston Chronicle)

More “Made in the USA” solar modules coming soon (via Renewable Energy World)

OIL 

Oil nationalism seen reversing by IEA amid shale boom (via Bloomberg)

Mexico opens oil fields to foreigners (via New York Times)

Mexico hopes to lure $50.5 billion in historic oil tender (via Reuters)

Feds urged to put Atlantic waters on auction block (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking opponents renew calls for moratorium amid drought (via CBS Los Angeles)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla Roadster to get replacement battery, 400-mile range (via Green Car Reports)

Chevy Volt: Only current GM model not recalled this year (via Green Car Reports)

COAL 

U.S. coal imports fall as natural gas advances (via Houston Chronicle)

North Carolina tells Duke Energy to submit ash removal plans (via Charlotte Observer)

EMISSIONS 

New CO2 satellite sends first data back to Earth (via Climate Central)

Will CO2 emissions standards spur carbon capture technology? (via Energy Collective)

Here’s one company that’s really psyched about EPA’s climate change rule (via National Journal)

Coal-fired rural co-ops dig in against EPA emission rules, but a few mavericks flirt with renewables (via ClimateWire)

NATURAL GAS 

Diesel is used in fracking without permits, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

Fracking operations get even closer to drinking water sources than we thought (via Grist)

Why railroads are taking a fresh look at natural gas (via Reuters)

Texas regulator unveils proposed rules on fracking disposal wells (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking companies fight Texas families’ air pollution suits, fearing precedent (via InsideClimate News)

Colorado senator defends fracking, says “burning water” helped Native Americans (via National Journal)

CLIMATE 

Antarctica may lift sea level faster in threat to megacities (via Bloomberg)

Expanding existing farmland would benefit climate (via Climate Central)

India PM Modi to miss UN climate change summit in New York (via Economic Times)

National parks could suffer due to climate change, says study (via AccuWeather)

Heavy downpours increasing in U.S. due to global warming

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Canadian oil sands crude is X factor in crude-by-rail rule (via EnergyWire)

Former Hillary aide sought to “neutralize” greens on Keystone XL (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EU regulators say German, others in breach of energy efficiency law (via Reuters)

CBRE releases list of Top 30 cities for green real estate (via Triple Pundit)

POLITICS 

Sarah Palin jumps in, Mark Begich ducks on Alaska oil tax vote (via Politico)

Coal campaigns: Diverting the public from real issues (via Charleston Gazette)

OPINION 

How to stop tax inversions with a carbon levy. Seriously. (via Bloomberg)

How cap-and-trade helps forest and businesses grow together (via GreenBiz)

How your breakfast is fighting climate change (via The Hill)

U.S. students demand clean energy (via EcoWatch)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, battery, california, cap and trade, Capacity market, carbon capture, Carbon pricing, CBRE, chevy volt, China, Clean Power Plan, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, colorado, diesel, drought, duke energy, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, fracking, Fracking disposal well, germany, global warming, GM, green building, grid, IEA, india, Jerry Brown, Keystone XL, Mark Begich, mexico, minnesota, Narenda Modi, natural gas, News, North Carolina, NRG Energy, offshore drilling, oil, Oil trains, PJM Interconnection, renewables, Rural electric co-op, sarah palin, Sea level rise, Shale oil, solar, tar sands, Tesla, tesla roadster, texas, tidal power, Transportation, united kingdom, united nations, Value of solar tariff, wave power
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