Category Archives:smart grid

24
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.24.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Energy subsidies rebound to pre-financial crisis levels (via Houston Chronicle)

Russia to double oil and gas flows to Asia by 2035 (via Reuters)

Britain launches new tender for offshore oil and gas licenses (via Reuters)

Above and beyond: Green tariff design for traditional utilities (via World Resources Institute)

OIL 

Canada, U.S. agencies urge fast action on oil-by-rail safety (via Reuters)

NTSB urges oil trains be routed away from population centers (via Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Federal regulators check Eagle Ford shale oil flammability (via Houston Chronicle)

Tar sands backers say report on oil train risks boosts Keystone XL (via AP)

Record grain crop stuck on prairie as railways tap oil (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China’s solar industry rebounds, but will boom-bust cycle repeat? (via Reuters)

Germany signs off on solar tax (via Climate Spectator)

Two countries dominate world’s green energy workforce, says report (via Houston Chronicle)

Why Latin America will be a tough solar market to crack (via Forbes)

Green bond market breaches $10 billion milestone (via BusinessGreen)

U.S. probes new dumping complaints on China solar products (via Reuters)

U.S. wind incentives among lowest in world (via Facts of the Day)

U.S. may lower 2013 cellulosic ethanol target (via Reuters)

Senators pressure EPA to revise 2014 Renewable Fuels Standard (via National Journal)

NREL finds wind turbines can boost grid system readiness (via Renew Grid)

Wind permits allowing eagle deaths face blowback (via National Journal)

Texas on the brink of a major wind energy milestone (via EcoWatch)

Solar PV installations up 39% in 2013 across Hawaiian utility service area (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

In Kansas, renewable energy standard again under attack (via Midwest Energy News/EnergyWire)

COAL 

China bank regulator said to issue alert on coal loans (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Obama says climate plan will help U.S. negotiate with China, India (via National Journal)

Climate change: The Winter Olympics’ great thaw (via Climate Central)

Arctic sea ice free fall is mirror image of carbon dioxide ascent (via Grist)

Industry awakens to threat of climate change (via New York Times)

Hundred years of dry: How California’s drought could get much, much worse (via Time)

Poll shows Latinos overwhelmingly support climate action (via Grist)

GRID 

Smart grid venture capital funding hit $405 million in 2013 (via Renew Grid)

EIA now providing more detail on electric capacity additions and retirements (via US EIA)

$3.6 billion in transmission improvements on tap for ERCOT grid (via Renew Grid)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla Model S to sell for $121,000 in China (via San Jose Mercury News)

Tesla & China: Priced at $121,000 country could be biggest market, says Musk (via Green Car Reports)

EVs could be key part of changing electrical grid (via New York Times)

Virginia will scrap tax on hybrid vehicles (via Autoblog Green)

OPINION 

Four signs Africa could leapfrog fossil fuels – and one it won’t (via TreeHugger)

No one tries harder than Europe to fight climate change – the recession is testing that (via Washington Post)

How the federal ITC expiration could create a commercial solar market boom (via Renewable Energy World)

Obama’s State of The Union talking points: Saving the planet (via Washington Post)

Five reasons Obama may cave on the Keystone pipeline (via Forbes)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, arctic, barack obama, biofuels, Britain, california, canada, cellulosic ethanol, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, drought, eia, Electric Vehicle, EPA, ERCOT, ev, germany, Green bond, green jobs, grid, Hawaii, india, investment tax credit, itc, kansas, Keystone XL, National Transportation Safety Bureau, natural gas, News, NREL, NTSB, offshore drilling, oil, Oil train, Renewable energy standard, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, Russia, Sea ice, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, Solar trade war, Subsidy, tar sands, Tesla, Tesla Model S, texas, transmission, Transportation, virginia, wind
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09
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.9.14

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

CLIMATE 

Europe’s floods trump Haiyan as costliest natural disaster of 2013 (via RTCC)

Australia heat wave sets records across continent (via Huffington Post/AP)

Flooding could cost UK insurance industry £400 million (via RTCC)

US cold snap inspires climate change denial, while scientists see little room for doubt (via National Geographic)

White House says polar temperatures part of climate change (via The Hill)

Why some mushrooms may be magic for climate change (via Time)

OIL 

Unforeseen US oil boom upends markets as drilling spreads (via Bloomberg)

US oil exports have been banned for 40 years – is it time for that to change? (via Washington Post)

Train carrying oil derails, catches fire in Canada (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

RENEWABLES 

New German solar PV installations fall by half to 3.3GW in 2013 (via Recharge)

Austria adds record 309MW new wind energy capacity in 2013 (via Recharge)

Australia reaches two million small-scale solar systems (via Renew Economy)

US installed record 4.2GW solar PV in 2013 (via Recharge)

DOE’s $3 million clean energy incubator funding is very NIICE (via CleanTechnica)

CRS report outlines PTC phase-out allowing wind, gas parity (via E&E Daily)

New battery material could help wind power go big (via MIT Technology Review)

Wind aids grid as cold hits conventional power (via EarthTechling)

Thanks to wind energy, Texans didn’t lose power during polar vortex (via Climate Progress)

Solar gardens grow in Colorado (via CleanTechnica)

California leads clean energy patent pack (via Energy Manager Today)

Political activism at the grid’s edge: Ethical Electric scores $11 million (via Greentech Media)

SolarCity: Taking on and powering big companies around the world (via The Guardian)

Company pushing massive tar sands pipeline drops $200 million on Texas mega-wind project (via Climate Progress)

COAL 

Wall Street backs away from Washington coal export facility (via Huffington Post)

GRID 

FERC’s new “fast track” interconnection rules will make clean energy development easier (via Greentech Media)

Rural cooperatives: The next smart grid investment frontier (via Navigant Research)

As winter takes hold, plunging temperatures test utilities (via New York Times)

Cold knocks out 36.6GW of power generation in PJM, proving no power plant is 100% dispatchable (via Facts of the Day)

Energy storage company completes $55 million financing round (via Renew Grid)

EMISSIONS 

Location, location, lifestyle determines global warming pollution (via Scientific American)

EPA publishes emissions rule to GOP’s dismay (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL 

Former top Obama security aide endorses Keystone XL pipeline (via Washington Post)

ENVIRONMENT 

China sets air particulate pollution reduction goals (via The Guardian)

Tree islands more effective way to replant the world’s forests (via Mongabay)

Can America’s grasslands be saved? (via Think Progress)

Celebrating deep freeze, insect experts see a chance to kill off invasive species (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Philips promises to halve commercial lighting energy use with new LED tube (via BusinessGreen)

Seattle’s latest benchmarking data shows where efficiency programs should focus (via Greentech Media)

Houston boosts energy efficiency in new homes (via Texas Tribune)

NUCLEAR 

300 groups oppose top climate scientists’ call to embrace nuclear power (via Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Aerodynamic trailer design more than doubles fuel economy (via CleanTechnica)

OPINION 

Five reasons the clean tech industry is stronger than ever (via Renew Grid)

Four reasons California cap and trade had an extraordinary first year (via Forbes)

Oil trains: What you should be reading (via Sightline Daily)

Cap and trade throws a wrench into gears of green consumerism (via Energy Collective)

Posted:   |   Categories: Aquion, australia, Austria, battery, california, canada, cap and trade, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, colorado, CRS, deforestation, DOE, emissions, Enbridge, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, Ethical Electric, europe, Extreme weather, FERC, Flood, Fuel Economy, germany, global warming, grid, Houston, Keystone XL, LED, News, nuclear, oil, Oil exports, Oil train, Philips, PJM, PJM Interconnection, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, Rural electric co-operative, seattle, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, Solar gardens, solar pv, SolarCity, tar sands, texas, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Washington State, wind
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08
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.8.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Global carbon market value to gain 15% in 2014 on EU surplus fix (via Bloomberg)

China’s state utilities move on preferential rules in carbon offset market (via Reuters)

Pollution seen costlier after EU intervention (via Bloomberg)

US carbon emissions increase 2.1% in 2013, may rise again in 2014 (via Facts of the Day)

EPA to publish emission rules for new power plants after delay (via Huffington Post)

America’s forest carbon sink is shrinking, says government report (via InsideClimate News)

Suburbs offset low-carbon footprints of major US cities, study finds (via Yale e360)

NJ environmentalists get their day in court over RGGI withdrawal (via EnviroPolitics Blog)

RENEWABLES 

China on world’s “biggest push” for wind power (via BBC News)

Japan set for offshore wind feed-in tariff (via Recharge)

Chinese solar firms face “total eclipse” in the US (via Xinhua)

Is solar PV on the brink of a second “gold rush”? (via BusinessGreen)

DOE launces national clean energy incubator initiative (via Sustainable Business)

Solar net metering war: Casualty-free, for now (via EarthTechling)

Utility holding company Integrys moves into residential solar (via Greentech Media)

Enzyme with big appetite could boost biofuels (via EarthTechling)

Midwest might be prime real estate for airborne wind power (via Midwest Energy News)

Blue Planet Foundation sees Hawaii energy 100% renewable by 2050 (via Pacific Business News)

Solar popularity continues to grow in Massachusetts (via Renewable Energy World)

COAL 

China’s solution to smog-choked cities is to boost coal production six-fold (via Quartz)

Temporary rebound expected for US coal mining in 2014 (via ABC News/AP)

Goldman Sachs pulls out of Washington State coal export project (via National Journal)

Exports keeping coal industry alive despite surge in natural gas (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

CLIMATE 

Climate change could cause deep water die-off (via Scientific American)

New Year brings more extreme weather and flooding for storm-weary UK (via Climate Progress)

Climate change brings an uncertain future to one of world’s finest teas (via ClimateWire)

Polar freeze: It’s weather, not climate (via Politico)

In much of US, extreme cold is becoming more rare (via Climate Central)

Los Angeles storms to get more severe as sea level rises, study says (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

Oil prices may fall on oversupply in 2014, Moody’s says (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil output to reach 43-year record in 2015, says EIA (via Reuters)

Murkowski calls for end to US crude export ban (via The Hill)

Top oil lobby to throw muscle into 2014 races (via The Hill)

North Dakota Republican calls for oil boom slowdown after train crash (via Prairie Business)

TRANSPORTATION 

More than 35 million EVs will be on roads worldwide by 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Research: EV drivers respond to range anxiety in distinct ways (via Plugin Cars)

EV sales up 229% in 2013 across US (via CleanTechnica)

EVs integrating with the smart grid (via Plugin Cars)

GRID 

Report: Japan plans national smart meter roll out (via BusinessGreen)

Report forecasts global fuel cell market (via Energy Manager Today)

With increasing barriers to federal funding, electric co-ops turn to capital markets (via Renew Grid)

Polar vortex drives record winter energy use in PJM (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT 

Geoengineering could bring severe drought to the tropics, research shows (via The Guardian)

Slowly, Asia’s factories begin to turn green (via New York Times)

GREEN BUILDING 

Federal government approves Defense Department funds for LEED Gold, Platinum certifications (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION 

America’s trade deficit is shrinking – thank fracking (via Washington Post)

Seven things you think you know about energy (via Christian Science Monitor)

An open invitation to 60 Minutes to discuss energy (via GigaOm)

Low-carbon investments in a “virtuous circle” in California (via Energy Manager Today)

Posted:   |   Categories: Airborne wind, biofuels, california, cap and trade, Carbon market, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, DOE, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, environment, EPA, EU, EU ETS, European Union, EVs, Extreme weather, feed-in tariff, Flooding, fracking, fuel cell, Geoengineering, Goldman Sachs, green building, grid, Hawaii, Integrys, japan, LEED, Lisa Murkowski, los angeles, massachusetts, Moody's, Net metering, new jersey, News, north dakota, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, oil prices, Oil trains, PJM Interconnection, Range anxiety, renewables, rggi, Sea level rise, Shale oil, smart grid, smart meter, solar pv, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, V2G, Washington State, wind
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08
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.8.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Global carbon market value to gain 15% in 2014 on EU surplus fix (via Bloomberg)

China’s state utilities move on preferential rules in carbon offset market (via Reuters)

Pollution seen costlier after EU intervention (via Bloomberg)

US carbon emissions increase 2.1% in 2013, may rise again in 2014 (via Facts of the Day)

EPA to publish emission rules for new power plants after delay (via Huffington Post)

America’s forest carbon sink is shrinking, says government report (via InsideClimate News)

Suburbs offset low-carbon footprints of major US cities, study finds (via Yale e360)

NJ environmentalists get their day in court over RGGI withdrawal (via EnviroPolitics Blog)

RENEWABLES 

China on world’s “biggest push” for wind power (via BBC News)

Japan set for offshore wind feed-in tariff (via Recharge)

Chinese solar firms face “total eclipse” in the US (via Xinhua)

Is solar PV on the brink of a second “gold rush”? (via BusinessGreen)

DOE launces national clean energy incubator initiative (via Sustainable Business)

Solar net metering war: Casualty-free, for now (via EarthTechling)

Utility holding company Integrys moves into residential solar (via Greentech Media)

Enzyme with big appetite could boost biofuels (via EarthTechling)

Midwest might be prime real estate for airborne wind power (via Midwest Energy News)

Blue Planet Foundation sees Hawaii energy 100% renewable by 2050 (via Pacific Business News)

Solar popularity continues to grow in Massachusetts (via Renewable Energy World)

COAL 

China’s solution to smog-choked cities is to boost coal production six-fold (via Quartz)

Temporary rebound expected for US coal mining in 2014 (via ABC News/AP)

Goldman Sachs pulls out of Washington State coal export project (via National Journal)

Exports keeping coal industry alive despite surge in natural gas (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

CLIMATE 

Climate change could cause deep water die-off (via Scientific American)

New Year brings more extreme weather and flooding for storm-weary UK (via Climate Progress)

Climate change brings an uncertain future to one of world’s finest teas (via ClimateWire)

Polar freeze: It’s weather, not climate (via Politico)

In much of US, extreme cold is becoming more rare (via Climate Central)

Los Angeles storms to get more severe as sea level rises, study says (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

Oil prices may fall on oversupply in 2014, Moody’s says (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil output to reach 43-year record in 2015, says EIA (via Reuters)

Murkowski calls for end to US crude export ban (via The Hill)

Top oil lobby to throw muscle into 2014 races (via The Hill)

North Dakota Republican calls for oil boom slowdown after train crash (via Prairie Business)

TRANSPORTATION 

More than 35 million EVs will be on roads worldwide by 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Research: EV drivers respond to range anxiety in distinct ways (via Plugin Cars)

EV sales up 229% in 2013 across US (via CleanTechnica)

EVs integrating with the smart grid (via Plugin Cars)

GRID 

Report: Japan plans national smart meter roll out (via BusinessGreen)

Report forecasts global fuel cell market (via Energy Manager Today)

With increasing barriers to federal funding, electric co-ops turn to capital markets (via Renew Grid)

Polar vortex drives record winter energy use in PJM (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT 

Geoengineering could bring severe drought to the tropics, research shows (via The Guardian)

Slowly, Asia’s factories begin to turn green (via New York Times)

GREEN BUILDING 

Federal government approves Defense Department funds for LEED Gold, Platinum certifications (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION 

America’s trade deficit is shrinking – thank fracking (via Washington Post)

Seven things you think you know about energy (via Christian Science Monitor)

An open invitation to 60 Minutes to discuss energy (via GigaOm)

Low-carbon investments in a “virtuous circle” in California (via Energy Manager Today)

Posted:   |   Categories: Airborne wind, biofuels, california, cap and trade, Carbon market, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, DOE, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, environment, EPA, EU, EU ETS, European Union, EVs, Extreme weather, feed-in tariff, Flooding, fracking, fuel cell, Geoengineering, Goldman Sachs, green building, grid, Hawaii, Integrys, japan, LEED, Lisa Murkowski, los angeles, massachusetts, Moody's, Net metering, new jersey, News, north dakota, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, oil prices, Oil trains, PJM Interconnection, Range anxiety, renewables, rggi, Sea level rise, Shale oil, smart grid, smart meter, solar pv, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, V2G, Washington State, wind
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31
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.31.13

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

ENVIRONMENT 

China says 8 million acres of farmland now too polluted for food (via Climate Progress)

Losses from Yosemite wildfire could reach $2 billion (via ABC News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Natural gas is trying, but it just can’t kill coal (via Motley Fool)

Study says majority of Americans don’t understand fracking (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Earth’s carbon dioxide levels now 61% higher than 1990 (via RTCC)

DOE stands by “social cost of carbon” (via The Hill)

New York City’s greenhouse gas emissions drop 19% since 2005 (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

All new Australian power plants will be renewable through 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

How wind is helping deliver record-cheap solar (via EarthTechling)

EIA: US biodiesel production hits high in October (via Green Car Congress)

Shipping container with rollable PV panels inside could become instant 100kW solar plant (via TreeHugger)

CLIMATE 

96% of nightly news segments on extreme weather don’t mention climate change (via EcoAffect)

GRID 

Massachusetts makes smart grid mandatory (via Greentech Media)

California’s risky path to grid reform (via Navigant Research)

OIL 

North Dakota community evacuated after oil train collision and fire (via Los Angeles Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Number of US public charging stations climbed 30% this year (via Autoblog Green)

California ISO rolls out roadmap on vehicle-grid integration (via Renew Grid)

TAR SANDS 

Scientists find 7,300-mile mercury contamination “bullseye” around Canadian tar sands (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, australia, biodiesel, Cal-ISO, california, California ISO, canada, carbon dioxide, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, department of energy, DOE, eia, emissions, environment, EV charger, Extreme weather, fracking, grid, Masschusetts, natural gas, New York City, News, north dakota, oil, Oil train, renewables, smart grid, Social cost of carbon, solar, solar pv, tar sands, Transportation, Wildfire, wind, Yosemite
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23
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.23.13

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

CLIMATE 

Fossil fuel investments face major risks due to climate (via Climate Central)

Conservative groups spend up to $1 billion a year to fight climate change action (via The Guardian)

Temperature records broken across Mid-Atlantic during December heat wave (via Huffington Post/AP)

Tom Steyer may be the liberal answer to the Koch Brothers (via Los Angeles Times)

COAL 

How this Chinese coal company’s $5 billion bankruptcy could trigger financial panic (via Quartz)

Germany’s biggest electricity producer to drop two coal-fired power contracts (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Asia-Pacific region to account for half 2014 global solar PV demand (via CleanTechnica)

Are utilities wilting from heat of solar competition? (via National Journal)

Study finds Texas will increase renewable energy 150% by 2032 but add no coal capacity (via Facts of the Day)

Most new residential solar PV projects in California program aren’t owned by homeowners (via US EIA)

California takes aim at “ducks” to smooth move to renewables (via Reuters)

Ballot fight over Oregon renewable energy law could be sparked by small rural utility (via The Oregonian)

North Carolina has morphed into a solar power leader this year (via GigaOm)

Hawaii’s solar boom is so successful, it’s been halted (via ClimateWire)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Enbridge Gateway win shows stopping Keystone won’t halt oil (via Bloomberg)

Hundreds of conditions attached to Northern Gateway route’s approval (via EnergyWire)

TransCanada CEO: Obama will approve Keystone XL (via The Hill)

Enbridge’s Michigan dilbit spill still not cleaned up as 2013 closes (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

US electricity sales continue downward trend (via Energy Manager Today)

California utility energy efficiency efforts save customer $850 million over two years (via Energy Manager Today)

The new Philadelphia Story is about green infrastructure (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

EMISSIONS 

$290 billion investment needed for China to treat air pollution (via Shanghai Daily)

Why a carbon tax is necessary (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

US oil industry takes aim at export ban (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

US transmission investment gets largest boost since 2000 (via Greentech Media)

EVs integrating with the smart grid (via Navigant Research)

Posted:   |   Categories: Asia, california, Carbon bubble, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Dilbit, electric vehicles, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, ev, germany, global warming, green building, grid, Hawaii, Keystone XL, Koch Brothers, michigan, News, North Carolina, Northern Gateway, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, oregon, philadelphia, renewables, Russ Girling, RWE, smart grid, solar, solar pv, tar sands, texas, Tom Steyer, TransCanada, transmission
0
19
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.19.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Senate Democrats to make eleventh-hour push for tax extenders (via The Hill)

Baucus proposal replaces dozens of energy breaks with credits for “clean” fuel, electricity (via Greenwire)

EMISSIONS 

China seeks to curb worst air pollution in 50 years (via The Guardian)

Guandong carbon market, expected to be China’s biggest, begins briskly (via Reuters)

Most companies still releasing unsustainable amounts of CO2, says study (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Asia key to 2014 solar PV forecasts (via Recharge)

Europe’s highest court fuels doubt over French wind tariffs (via Reuters)

Hydro-Quebec calls for 450MW wind power tender (via Recharge)

Clean energy shines as climate index outperforms equities (via Renew Economy)

EIA continues to lowball its renewable energy forecast (via Greentech Media)

BOEM announces third US offshore wind competitive lease auction (via CleanTechnica)

Michigan conservatives launch renewable energy group (via Michigan Live)

OIL 

Dolphins suffering from lung disease due to Gulf oil spill, says study (via Wall Street Journal)

GRID 

$43 million in USDA loans flow to rural smart grids (via Greentech Media)

Four ways to grow grid-scale energy storage in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Fitch Ratings: US net metering set to grow (via Solar Industry)

California ISO board adopts joint plan with CPUC to ensure future electric reliability (via BusinessWire)

California ISO unveils roadmap to advance demand response, energy efficiency (via Renew Grid)

Texas electricity prices falling since power market deregulation (via Texas Tribune)

TAR SANDS 

TransCanada weighs rail bridge amid Keystone pipeline delay (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

The UN will try for a new disaster risk reduction agreement (via Climate Progress)

Climate change divides political parties in Iowa, nation (via Cedar Rapids Gazette)

COAL 

Coal use hits record high in Japan (via Smart Planet)

GREEN BUILDING 

Future looks green for building industry (via Environmental Leader)

Los Angeles becomes first major city to require “cool roofs” (via Climate Progress)

Cool roofs rising (via Sustainable Industries)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

USGS releases New York baseline drinking water study in Marcellus Shale region (via Breaking Energy)

TRANSPORTATION 

US gasoline pump prices to hit 2013 low (via The Hill)

Tesla will more than double Model S production with help of state tax breaks (via GigaOm)

OPINION 

White House to get aggressive on climate change? (via Washington Post)

British Columbia’s carbon tax leadership now more important than ever (via Vancouver Sun)

Why environmentalists should hope nuclear power sticks around (via Washington Post)

Here’s how the shale gas boom is saving Americans money (via Washington Post)

Christie Administration ignores climate change in New Jersey’s post-Sandy rebuild (via InsideClimate News)

Posted:   |   Categories: BOEM, british columbia, california, California ISO, Carbon market, carbon tax, China, Chris Christie, climate, Climate Change, coal, Cool roofs, CPUC, eia, emissions, energy storage, europe, fracking, France, gas prices, Gasoline, green building, grid, Guandong, Gulf of Mexico, Hydro-Quebec, japan, Keystone XL, los angeles, marcellus shale, maryland, Max Baucus, michigan, natural gas, Net metering, new jersey, new york, News, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, smart grid, solar, Subsidy, tar sands, Tesla, Tesla Model S, texas, TransCanada, Transportation, united nations, usda, usgs, wind
0
19
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.19.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Senate Democrats to make eleventh-hour push for tax extenders (via The Hill)

Baucus proposal replaces dozens of energy breaks with credits for “clean” fuel, electricity (via Greenwire)

EMISSIONS 

China seeks to curb worst air pollution in 50 years (via The Guardian)

Guandong carbon market, expected to be China’s biggest, begins briskly (via Reuters)

Most companies still releasing unsustainable amounts of CO2, says study (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Asia key to 2014 solar PV forecasts (via Recharge)

Europe’s highest court fuels doubt over French wind tariffs (via Reuters)

Hydro-Quebec calls for 450MW wind power tender (via Recharge)

Clean energy shines as climate index outperforms equities (via Renew Economy)

EIA continues to lowball its renewable energy forecast (via Greentech Media)

BOEM announces third US offshore wind competitive lease auction (via CleanTechnica)

Michigan conservatives launch renewable energy group (via Michigan Live)

OIL 

Dolphins suffering from lung disease due to Gulf oil spill, says study (via Wall Street Journal)

GRID 

$43 million in USDA loans flow to rural smart grids (via Greentech Media)

Four ways to grow grid-scale energy storage in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Fitch Ratings: US net metering set to grow (via Solar Industry)

California ISO board adopts joint plan with CPUC to ensure future electric reliability (via BusinessWire)

California ISO unveils roadmap to advance demand response, energy efficiency (via Renew Grid)

Texas electricity prices falling since power market deregulation (via Texas Tribune)

TAR SANDS 

TransCanada weighs rail bridge amid Keystone pipeline delay (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

The UN will try for a new disaster risk reduction agreement (via Climate Progress)

Climate change divides political parties in Iowa, nation (via Cedar Rapids Gazette)

COAL 

Coal use hits record high in Japan (via Smart Planet)

GREEN BUILDING 

Future looks green for building industry (via Environmental Leader)

Los Angeles becomes first major city to require “cool roofs” (via Climate Progress)

Cool roofs rising (via Sustainable Industries)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

USGS releases New York baseline drinking water study in Marcellus Shale region (via Breaking Energy)

TRANSPORTATION 

US gasoline pump prices to hit 2013 low (via The Hill)

Tesla will more than double Model S production with help of state tax breaks (via GigaOm)

OPINION 

White House to get aggressive on climate change? (via Washington Post)

British Columbia’s carbon tax leadership now more important than ever (via Vancouver Sun)

Why environmentalists should hope nuclear power sticks around (via Washington Post)

Here’s how the shale gas boom is saving Americans money (via Washington Post)

Christie Administration ignores climate change in New Jersey’s post-Sandy rebuild (via InsideClimate News)

Posted:   |   Categories: BOEM, british columbia, california, California ISO, Carbon market, carbon tax, China, Chris Christie, climate, Climate Change, coal, Cool roofs, CPUC, eia, emissions, energy storage, europe, fracking, France, gas prices, Gasoline, green building, grid, Guandong, Gulf of Mexico, Hydro-Quebec, japan, Keystone XL, los angeles, marcellus shale, maryland, Max Baucus, michigan, natural gas, Net metering, new jersey, new york, News, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, smart grid, solar, Subsidy, tar sands, Tesla, Tesla Model S, texas, TransCanada, Transportation, united nations, usda, usgs, wind
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11
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.11.13

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

CLIMATE 

Global warming is unpaused and stuck on fast forward, says new research (via The Guardian)

Survey lists best and worst financial funds for climate change risk (via DeSmog Blog)

COAL 

Another global financial institution moves beyond coal (via Huffington Post)

Four proposed coal export terminals have now failed this year due to “diminished” market (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

European Investment Bank invests €50 million into clean energy fund (via CleanTechnica)

A rare win for Australian renewables – national green bank saved in Senate (via Renew Economy)

Offshore wind farms could protect cities from hurricanes (via Climate Central)

When solar & wind capacities rise, electricity generation from solar & wind rise (via CleanTechnica)

US solar energy industry shines in record-setting 3Q 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

Wind power’s growth blown away by tax uncertainty (via National Journal)

Study links taller wind turbines to more bird deaths (via EarthTechling)

Saying goodbye to the wind production tax credit (via Sustainable Business)

EMISSIONS 

New greenhouse gas 7,000 times more harmful than CO2 (via Time)

Australian Senate creates roadblock to carbon tax repeal (via Business Spectator)

Australian offset scheme reaches milestone but future uncertain (via Reuters)

2014 World Cup to nearly double carbon emissions over 2010 (via Climate Progress)

Supreme Court hears case on cross-state air pollution rules (via New York Times)

Justices may back EPA on air pollution rule (via USA Today)

The carbon time bomb in your retirement account (via Mother Jones)

GRID 

True smart grids may have to play the waiting game (via Renew Grid)

Dynamic pricing moves from theory to practice (via Navigant Research)

ETT energizes last of seven West Texas CREZ transmission lines (via Renew Grid)

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee proposes microgrid (via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Chinese LED market set to double by 2017 (via Energy Manager Today)

Goodbye Megatons to Megawatts, hello energy efficiency (via CleanTechnica)

Map shows which cities are buying the most LEDs and CFLs (via GigaOm)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric cars: Which states are doing it right and which states lag? (via Green Car Reports)

OPINION 

The green industrial revolution and the United States (via Center for American Progress)

Why your pension fund could be heading for a “carbon crash” (via BusinessGreen)

After net metering battle, is Arizona getting ready to explore the grid edge? (via Greentech Media)

The new war between the states centers on air pollution (via Forbes)

How long will the fracking boom last? (via Forbes)

Podesta and the pipeline (via The New Yorker)

Posted:   |   Categories: arizona, australia, Carbon bomb, Carbon offset, carbon tax, CFL, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal export, CREZ, Cross-State Air Pollution, Dynamic pricing, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, European Investment Bank, ev, fracking, global warming, Green bank, Greenhouse gases, grid, John Podesta, Keystone XL, LED, Microgrid, Net metering, News, offshore wind, production tax credit, renewables, smart grid, solar, texas, transmission, Transportation, wind, Wisconsin
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05
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.5.13

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

ENERGY POLICY

White House claims progress with China on climate, energy (via National Journal)

Feds to get earful on Renewable Fuels Standard today (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS

Australia’s carbon fund a windfall for big polluters – analysis (via Reuters)

Large companies prepared to pay price on carbon (via New York Times)

“You are here” – Perspective on 400ppm atmospheric CO2 (via Significant Figures)

RENEWABLES

Latin America report: Gauging Mexico’s wind energy market (via Renewable Energy World)

Soft costs, not hardware costs, now dominate solar installations (via Greentech Media)

Obama orders federal government to boost renewable energy use to 20% by 2020 (via AP)

15,000 new green jobs announced across America in 3Q 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

EPA fuel mandate imperils biofuel industry, producers warn (via The Hill)

Another battle looms in the endless ethanol war (via National Journal)

ALEC calls for penalties on “freerider” homeowners in solar energy assault (via The Guardian)

California regulators may challenge utilities for blocking hybrid solar-storage systems (via Greentech Media)

Texas has been biggest earner from federal wind tax credit, finds study (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE

UN’s new climate fund opens, but without enough cash (via Climate Progress)

What surprises could climate change have in store for us? (via Washington Post)

Australia’s $10 billion climate fund fights to stay in business (via Bloomberg)

Pennsylvania’s DEP secretary nominee does not view climate change as harmful (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

OIL

Surge in petroleum exports narrows US trade gap (via National Journal)

America’s energy boom has been great for trade. Jobs, not so much. (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION

Will Congress drive up gas taxes in 2014? (via Forbes)

US auto fuel efficiency up 23% since 2007 (via Facts of the Day)

Are electric car sales in a long-term holding pattern? (via Plugin Cars)

Can the government tax each mile you drive? (via National Journal)

EVs lose value faster than traditional new vehicles (via Autoblog Green)

Chevy Spark EV tops EPA fuel economy guide (via Environmental Leader)

California bullet train project handed another setback (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID

Smart grid investment to hit $275 billion in emerging markets by 2023 (via Renew Grid)

Report: Power plant retirements in New England may create problems (via New Haven Register)

TAR SANDS

Leaked document shows oil sands industry’s worst-case scenario has come to life (via InsideClimate News)

The deadly secret behind the Lac-Megantic oil train inferno (via Globe and Mail)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

US Agriculture Department offers $250 million in rural efficiency loans (via The Hill)

How energy retrofits can reduce the cost of healthcare (via RMI Outlet)

Not your grandfather’s streetlights: LEDs light the way to energy savings (via GreenBiz)

Future grows dimmer for classic light bulb (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT

Clogged carbon sink: US public lands are source of 4.5x more carbon than they can absorb (via Center for American Progress)

Chevron and ALEC take on the big, bad Lesser Prairie Chicken (via Huffington Post)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Colorado cities sued for fracking bans by oil and gas group (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS

Sutley’s exit prompts questions about fate of CEQ, climate push (via Greenwire)

Ohio lawmaker vows battle over renewables and energy efficiency laws won’t stop (via Cleveland Plain Dealer)

OPINION

Is a carbon tax the sensible alternative to subsidies? (via Energy Collective)

ALEC stands its ground (via Washington Post)

How Ivy League universities are failing us on climate change (via The Nation)

Why are CEOs struggling to prove sustainability value to investors? (via GreenBiz)

Posted:   |   Categories: 400ppm, ALEC, australia, biofuels, california, Carbon pricing, Carbon sink, carbon tax, Chevron, Chevy Spark EV, China, climate, Climate Change, colorado, Department of Agriculture, Divestment, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ethanol, EVs, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, fuel-efficiency, Gas tax, Green Climate Fund, green jobs, grid, high speed rail, LED, mexico, Nancy Sutley, natural gas, News, Ohio, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, pennsylvania, production tax credit, ptc, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, smart grid, solar, tar sands, texas, Transportation, wind
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