Category Archives:texas

09
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.9.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Greenhouse gas rules will be enacted soon, says Obama aide (via The Hill)

California governor green lights carbon market link with Quebec (via BusinessGreen)

COAL 

Which countries are planning the most coal-fired power plants? (via The Guardian)

Europe’s 2nd-biggest coal-fired power plant will turn to wood from North America (via ClimateWire)

Study: US coal industry is in far more trouble than anyone realizes (via Washington Post)

GRID 

Vehicle-to-building technology rises with PEV sales (via Environmental Leader)

Making sense of the demand response market (via Energy Collective)

MISO wraps up its first annual capacity auction (via Renew Grid)

RENEWABLES 

Over 1,000 firms demand end to EU-China solar PV trade war (via BusinessGreen)

Solar power has reached grid parity in India and Italy (via Treehugger)

China’s wind output grows 41% (via Recharge)

How cleantech is enhancing the US military’s “mission capability” (via Greentech Media)

Super algae could replace conventional biofuels (via RTCC)

New wind harvesting invention could bring cities to life (via Phys.org)

New York State renewable power plan would cost $382 billion by 2030 (via Bloomberg)

California wind power blows away production record (via Yahoo! Finance)

New York State expands NY-Sun Initiative with $13.5 million in new funding (via Solar Industry Mag)

Turbines near Lake Erie energize conservation, wind power debate (via Toledo Blade)

Wind farm suit against Xcel dismissed (via St. Paul Pioneer Press)

ENERGY POLICY 

White House engaging lawmakers on energy tax code issues (via The Hill)

How much do health impacts from fossil fuel electricity cost the US economy? (via Forbes)

Indiana lawmakers advance plan to give utilities more power over rate increases (via Midwest Energy News)

KEYSTONE XL 

Killing Keystone XL could risk more oil spills by rail (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Island countries facing watery demise confer on survival strategies (via ClimateWire)

Climate change will threaten wine production, study shows (via The Guardian)

Geoengineering could trigger disaster in parts of Africa (via Climate Central)

Poll: fears of global warming rising in US (via The Hill)

Summer temperatures expected to be far above average (via Greentech Media)

Rebuilding the shores, increasing the risks (via New York Times)

Getting serious about a Texas-sized drought (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Captured carbon used for natural gas fracking (via Sustainable Business)

Judge rules administration overlooked fracking risks in California mineral leases (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Manufacturing nearing energy efficiency ceiling (via Energy Manager Today)

Colby College achieves carbon neutrality (via Environmental Leader)

California office park secures three dozen LEED certifications (via EarthTechling)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s TEPCO may run out of space for radioactive water (via Reuters)

POLITICS 

Obama’s DOE, EPA picks face Senate grilling this week (via Reuters)

DOE nominee Moniz seen as “dose of reality” (via Greenwire)

OPINION 

How Margaret Thatcher made the conservative case for climate action (via Mother Jones)

For the price of the Iraq War, the US could have gotten halfway to a renewable power system (via Grist)

Climate fight should target coal, not Keystone (via Bloomberg)

Schwarzenegger: California’s silent disaster (via Los Angeles Times)

Fisker struggles mark blow to Obama’s electric car goal (via Bloomberg)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, algae, Arnold Schwarzenegger, barack obama, biofuels, california, cap and trade, carbon capture, Carbon neutrality, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Colby College, Demand response, DOE, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy policy, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, European Union, ev, externalities, Fisker, fracking, Geoengineering, Gina McCarthy, global warming, green building, green business, grid, Grid Parity, india, indiana, italy, japan, Keystone XlL, Lake Erie, LEED, Margaret Thatcher, MISO, natural gas, new york state, News, nuclear, NY Sun Initiative, Ohio, oil spill, Quebec, renewables, Sea level rise, Solar trade war, Tax incentive, Tepco, texas, V2G, wind, xcel
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09
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.9.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Greenhouse gas rules will be enacted soon, says Obama aide (via The Hill)

California governor green lights carbon market link with Quebec (via BusinessGreen)

COAL 

Which countries are planning the most coal-fired power plants? (via The Guardian)

Europe’s 2nd-biggest coal-fired power plant will turn to wood from North America (via ClimateWire)

Study: US coal industry is in far more trouble than anyone realizes (via Washington Post)

GRID 

Vehicle-to-building technology rises with PEV sales (via Environmental Leader)

Making sense of the demand response market (via Energy Collective)

MISO wraps up its first annual capacity auction (via Renew Grid)

RENEWABLES 

Over 1,000 firms demand end to EU-China solar PV trade war (via BusinessGreen)

Solar power has reached grid parity in India and Italy (via Treehugger)

China’s wind output grows 41% (via Recharge)

How cleantech is enhancing the US military’s “mission capability” (via Greentech Media)

Super algae could replace conventional biofuels (via RTCC)

New wind harvesting invention could bring cities to life (via Phys.org)

New York State renewable power plan would cost $382 billion by 2030 (via Bloomberg)

California wind power blows away production record (via Yahoo! Finance)

New York State expands NY-Sun Initiative with $13.5 million in new funding (via Solar Industry Mag)

Turbines near Lake Erie energize conservation, wind power debate (via Toledo Blade)

Wind farm suit against Xcel dismissed (via St. Paul Pioneer Press)

ENERGY POLICY 

White House engaging lawmakers on energy tax code issues (via The Hill)

How much do health impacts from fossil fuel electricity cost the US economy? (via Forbes)

Indiana lawmakers advance plan to give utilities more power over rate increases (via Midwest Energy News)

KEYSTONE XL 

Killing Keystone XL could risk more oil spills by rail (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Island countries facing watery demise confer on survival strategies (via ClimateWire)

Climate change will threaten wine production, study shows (via The Guardian)

Geoengineering could trigger disaster in parts of Africa (via Climate Central)

Poll: fears of global warming rising in US (via The Hill)

Summer temperatures expected to be far above average (via Greentech Media)

Rebuilding the shores, increasing the risks (via New York Times)

Getting serious about a Texas-sized drought (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Captured carbon used for natural gas fracking (via Sustainable Business)

Judge rules administration overlooked fracking risks in California mineral leases (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Manufacturing nearing energy efficiency ceiling (via Energy Manager Today)

Colby College achieves carbon neutrality (via Environmental Leader)

California office park secures three dozen LEED certifications (via EarthTechling)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s TEPCO may run out of space for radioactive water (via Reuters)

POLITICS 

Obama’s DOE, EPA picks face Senate grilling this week (via Reuters)

DOE nominee Moniz seen as “dose of reality” (via Greenwire)

OPINION 

How Margaret Thatcher made the conservative case for climate action (via Mother Jones)

For the price of the Iraq War, the US could have gotten halfway to a renewable power system (via Grist)

Climate fight should target coal, not Keystone (via Bloomberg)

Schwarzenegger: California’s silent disaster (via Los Angeles Times)

Fisker struggles mark blow to Obama’s electric car goal (via Bloomberg)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, algae, Arnold Schwarzenegger, barack obama, biofuels, california, cap and trade, Capacity auction, carbon capture, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Colby College, Demand response, DOE, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy policy, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, European Union, ev, externalities, Fisker, fracking, Geoengineering, Gina McCarthy, global warming, green building, green business, grid, Grid Parity, india, indiana, italy, japan, Keystone XlL, Lake Erie, LEED, Margaret Thatcher, MISO, natural gas, new york state, News, nuclear, NY Sun Initiative, Ohio, oil spill, Quebec, renewables, Sea level rise, Solar trade war, Tax incentive, Tepco, texas, V2G, wind, xcel
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08
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.8.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

India seeks access to US natural gas (via The Hill)

Shale-rich Spanish region expected to vote to ban fracking (via Reuters)

Foreign investors play large role in US shale industry (via US EIA)

TRANSPORTATION 

Cheaper electric vehicle batteries: slow and steady wins the race (via Green Car Reports)

Fisker mass layoffs trigger federal lawsuit (via Autoblog)

GREEN BUSINESS 

A glimpse into the future of retailer sustainability (via GreenBiz)

RENEWABLES 

Global biofuels production will reach nearly 62 billion gallons by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

630MW offshore wind London Array at full power (via Recharge)

Austria installed 230MW of solar in 2012 to double total capacity (via CleanTechnica)

IRS gives wind power a raise (via EarthTechling)

Sewer bonds new funding model for solar projects (via Bloomberg)

Wind energy and wildlife: science marks industry efforts (via AOL Energy)

North Carolina’s renewable portfolio standard under attack (via RTCC)

EMISSIONS 

China’s emissions trading scheme in line for 2020 national launch (via RTCC)

Study: fossil fuel emissions stunt coral growth (via RTCC)

Air pollution killed 1.2 million Chinese in 2010 (via Greentech Media)

US carbon emissions drop as natural gas displaces coal (via The Hill)

Total carbon emissions from natural gas may exceed coal by 2016 (via Facts of the Day)

Study: EPA rules will fuel shift away from coal (via The Hill)

OIL 

Ruling against BP clears way for spill payout appeals (via Reuters)

Exxon oil spill could be 40% larger than company estimates, say EPA figures (via InsideClimate News)

Upstart pipeline company staking its future on stopping heavy oil corrosion (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Tipping point near for LED lighting (via Navigant Research)

GRID 

“Battery University” aims to train a work force for next-generation energy storage (via New York Times)

Texas to double wind capacity with $6.8 billion transmission investment (via AOL Energy)

ComEd facing lawsuit connected to smart meter initiative (via Renew Grid)

POLITICS 

DOE, EPA nominees face Congressional hearings this week (via The Hill)

Meet the US billionaire who wants to kill the Keystone XL pipeline (via The Globe and Mail)

The man who could put climate change on Obama’s agenda (via National Journal)

Salazar looks back on a “joyful run” as Interior Secretary (via New York Times)

OPINION 

Is the Keystone XL pipeline too risky? (via National Journal)

Yea or nay, White House will face backlash on Keystone (via Politico)

Why solar power company stocks are still earthbound (via New York Times)

Posted:   |   Categories: Arkansas, Austria, battery, biofuels, BP, cap and trade, China, coal, ComEd, Coral reef, CREZ, Denis McDonough, Dilbit, DOE, Electric battery, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, Ernest Moniz, ev, Exxon, Fisker, fracking, Gina McCarthy, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, india, interior department, IRS, ken salazar, Keystone XL, LED, natural gas, News, North Carolina, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, production tax credit, ptc, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, rps, Shale gas, smart meter, solar, Spain, Tax incentive, texas, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wind
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05
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.5.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

German net power exports quadrupled in 2012 (via Recharge)

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

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

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

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

RARE EARTHS 

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OIL 

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

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

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

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Alberta mulls tougher carbon rules on oil (via Reuters)

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

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

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

CLIMATE 

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

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

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

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

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

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

GRID 

GE energy storage system makes UK debut (via Recharge)

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

COAL 

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

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

GREEN BUSINESS 

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

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

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

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

OPINION 

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

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

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

More renewables for states (via Politico)

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

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

OTHER NEWS 

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

Posted:   |   Categories: A123, Alberta, ALEC, Andes, Angela Merkel, arctic, Arkansas, australia, biofuels, brightsource, california, carbon dioxide, Carbon sequestration, chevy volt, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal export, Colombia, Concentrating solar power, csp, csr, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, ev, Extreme weather, Exxon, feed-in tariff, Fisker, Florida, fracking, Fracking wastewater, Fuel Economy, Gasoline, GE, germany, global warming, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Sandy, IRS, japan, Keystone XL, Methane leakage, Microgrid, Missouri, natural gas, Nevada, News, noaa, North Carolina, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, PGE, Pipeline, Proctor & Gamble, Range anxiety, Rare earths, Renewable energy standard, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, res, rps, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, Shell, solar, solar pv, State Department, State Grid, Subsidy, tar sands, texas, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, US Air Force, V2G, Wildfire
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02
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.2.13

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

CLIMATE 

By 2050 much of the Arctic could be green (via Mongabay)

South East Asia food basket facing “shocking” future (via RTCC)

US dominated global disaster losses in 2012: Swiss Re (via Climate Central)

Climate hawks go on offense, but impact uncertain (via InsideClimate News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

European industry flocks to US to take advantage of cheaper natgas (via Washington Post)

Rumors of a cheap-energy jobs boom from natgas remain just that (via New York Times)

Federal government wants to track PA oil and gas production more closely (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Fracking wastewater disposal wells mapped in Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

Illinois proposes fracking tax lower than most states (via Chicago Tribune)

RENEWABLES 

Solar PV demand in emerging Asian countries expected to boom through 2017 (via Solar Industry)

Offshore wind power: huge potential goes largely untapped (via EarthTechling)

Shared renewables could supercharge California’s clean energy economy (via CleanTechnica)

What’s wrong with Pennsylvania solar? (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Three years after Gulf spill, BP faces big week in court (via Houston Chronicle)

Exxon developing evacuation plan for Pegasus oil pipeline spill (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

TRANSPORTATION 

Hybrid sales up 32% this year, could hit 8% of market by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

A longer life for lithium-sulfur batteries (via Phys.org)

Tesla’s stock soars over 20% on profit, sales news (via GigaOm)

Tesla cancels lowest-range version of Model S (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Air pollution linked to 1.2 million premature deaths in China (via New York Times)

Poll: nearly half say US government too lax on environment (via The Hill)

Texas deploys “rainy day fund” to start long-term fight against drought (via ClimateWire)

ENERGY POLICY 

Japanese cabinet proposes energy sector overhauls (via New York Times)

Citigroup: renewables will triumph and natural gas will help (via Grist)

America gets a D+ in energy infrastructure (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

How Ontario is putting an end to coal-burning power plants (via Yale e360)

Coal opponents say Washington State terminal has derailed (via Seattle Weekly)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Could energy benchmarking rules be useless? (via Greentech Media)

Energy Trust of Oregon saves 71% of 2012 electricity target in Q4 (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US book industry using 24% recycled paper on average (via Mongbay)

EMISSIONS 

“Global” carbon market goes truly global (via CleanTechnica)

Carbon emissions declined 1.4% in Europe in 2012 (via Bloomberg)

Greenhouse gas emissions from farmland underestimated (via Phys.org)

Soils in newly forested areas store substantial carbon (via Phys.org)

Supreme Court rejects challenge to EPA air pollution rule from oil lobby (via Reuters)

GRID 

More than 400 microgrid projects under development worldwide (via Navigant Research)

Texas grid expansion to double wind capacity, deliver to major cities (via Sustainable Business)

POLITICS 

Bucking administration turnover trend, Sutley may stay at CEQ (via Greenwire)

NASA climate scientist James Hansen to leave government for advocacy work (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Germany’s solar-power success: too much of a good thing? (via Grist)

Seven things you learn driving the length of the Keystone XL pipeline (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, american petroleum institute, arctic, Arkansas, battery, BP, california, cap and trade, Carbon market, CEQ, China, Citigroup, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, CREZ, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EU, europe, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, Exxon Mobil, fracking, Fracking wastewater, germany, global warming, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, hybrid, James Hansen, japan, Keystone XL, marcellus shale, Microgrid, Nancy Sutley, NASA, natural gas, News, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, ontario, oregon, pennsylvania, Recycling, renewables, Shale gas, Shared renewables, solar, Tesla, Tesla Model S, texas, Transportation, Washington State, wind
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01
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.1.13

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Federal agencies asked to delay Keystone over pipeline safety issues (via InsideClimate News)

Exxon Mobil pipeline leaks “a few thousand” barrels of crude oil in Arkansas (via Washington Post)

Exxon confirms ruptured Arkansas pipeline carried Canadian dilbit (via InsideClimate News)

Exxon to excavate Pegasus crude pipeline to find cause of leak (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Countries in Asia cutting carbon faster than Europe (via Climate Central)

Enviro groups want Supreme Court to review power plant air pollution ruling (via The Hill)

Northeast US states fight carbon emissions with renewables (via EarthTechling)

RENEWABLES 

Japan approves 10% solar feed-in tariff cut (via Recharge News)

Solar roof highways: India’s road to new power? (via EarthTechling)

Current solar module efficiency nowhere near its potential (via CleanTechnica)

America’s biggest utility power provider gets into the distributed-energy game (via Grist)

States cooling to renewable energy (via Wall Street Journal)

New York spends $47 million for 76 large on-site solar projects (via Energy Manager Today)

Solar investments to yield millions for local school children (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Israel taps large offshore natural gas field (via New York Times)

Saudi Arabia’s shale gas challenge (via Asharq Al-Awsat)

As fracking proliferates in Texas, so do disposal wells (via Texas Tribune)

Ed Rendell’s plea for New York fracking fails to disclose industry ties (via ProPublica)

TRANSPORTATION 

EPA proposes Tier 3 standards for gasoline sulfur content and vehicle emissions (via Green Car Congress)

Opponents attack EPA proposal requiring cleaner fuel, cars in US (via Washington Post)

Automakers unwrap hybrids to meet tough fuel standards (via Detroit News)

As potential investors back away, Fisker retains bankruptcy law firm (via Los Angeles Times)

Tesla Motors reaches profitability on brisk Model S sales (via San Jose Mercury News)

Consumer electronics are driving battery advances (via Plugin Cars)

CLIMATE 

Europe to be battered by Sandy-style superstorms (via New Scientist)

A glorious winter, but Alps face warmer world and huge changes (via The Guardian)

Study: global warming means seas freeze more off Antarctica (via Scientific American)

Nature’s thermometers say spring is springing earlier by 3 days per decade (via Weather Underground)

COAL 

With Illinois coal hot, environmentalists demand reforms to mine permit system (via Midwest Energy News)

ENVIRONMENT 

Cost of environmental damage in China growing rapidly amid industrialization (via New York Times)

China’s exploitation of Latin American natural resources raises concern (via The Guardian)

Haiti to plant millions of trees, double forest coverage by 2016 (via Inhabitat)

Mystery malady kills more bees, heightening worry on farms (via New York Times)

GRID 

Global microgrid market will pass $40 billion in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

National power panel set up for better grid supervision in India (via Panchabuta)

Distributed energy: driving the ghosts out of the machine (via Grist)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

A “China Dream” – more efficient than the American one (via Midwest Energy News)

Red states use 55% more energy, produce 80% more carbon emissions (via Sustainable Business)

USDA offers funding for rural energy efficiency projects (via Energy Manager Today)

Study says mandatory energy benchmarking not worth the cost (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION 

How the US oil, gas boom could shake up global order (via NBC News)

Amid austerity, how can Washington spur new energy technologies? (via National Journal)

Salazar’s legacy: win some, lose some (via Houston Chronicle)

Will driverless cars solve our energy problems or just create new ones? (via Washington Post)

Is the US economy getting more energy efficient or not? (via Greentech Media)

Bill McKibben’s lesson for business in the age of climate change (via GreenBiz)

Exxon oil spill in Arkansas seeps into Keystone debate (via Globe and Mail)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alps, Antarctica, Arkansas, battery, Bill McKibben, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Cross state air pollution rule, deforestation, Dilbit, distributed generation, Ed Rendell, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, europe, ev, Extreme weather, Exxon Mobil, feed-in tariff, Fisker, fracking, Fracking wastewater, global warming, grid, Haiti, Hybrids, Illinois, india, Israel, japan, ken salazar, Keystone XL, Microgrid, natural gas, new york state, News, NRG Energy, offshore drilling, oil spill, Pipeline, Renewable portfolio standards, renewables, rggi, saudi arabia, Shale gas, solar, Solar efficiency, tar sands, Tesla Model S, Tesla Motors, texas, Transportation, usda
0
29
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.29.13

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

TRANSPORTATION 

Long-delayed EPA gasoline pollution rules set for Friday debut (via The Hill)

Consumer concerns about range and economics still hinder interest in buying EVs (via Navigant Research)

Tesla Model S wins 2013 World Green Car of the Year (via Autoblog Green)

A little lesson in electric vehicles (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EPA and Department of Energy recognize 2013 Energy Star awardees (via Environmental Leader)

Los Angeles maps electricity use at the block level (via MIT Technology Review)

OIL 

OPEC oil output falls to lowest level since 2011 (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

A record year for world wind power in 2012 (via Greentech Media)

India’s wind power base to rise 50% by 2015 (via Hindustan Times)

Asian giants embracing more clean energy (via EarthTechling) 

Bulgaria to suspend up to 40% of wind, solar capacity (via Renewable Energy World)

India’s off-grid renewables initiative changing lives (via Renewable Energy World)

German solar to gain from Cyprus crisis as investors seek safety (via Bloomberg)

Solar storage market set for rapid growth (via Renewable Energy World)

Report: some federal wind energy programs “duplicative” (via The Hill)

New process may make renewable energy reliable at last (via Climate Central)

Lured by savings and cash, many American schools are going solar (via ClimateWire)

New York State’s competitive solar program off to a bright start (via Greentech Media)

Maine introduces feed-in tariff legislation (via Renewable Energy World)

New bill could help Georgia reap solar energy cash crop (via Energy Collective)

The wind blows, the sun shines: the tax breaks (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS 

The new tech that could make methane leaks a thing of the past (via Forbes)

CLIMATE 

Scientists find “missing heat” of global warming 700 meters below the sea (via Mongabay)

Study: climate worst-case scenario may backfire in activists’ campaign (via Huffington Post)

Survey: Americans believe in climate change risks but won’t pay to fix them (via The Guardian)

Survey explores how UK gardeners are adapting to climate change (via Phys.org)

Canada could leave UN climate talks after UNCCD exit (via RTCC)

San Diego, bracing for climate change, studies its weaknesses (via ClimateWire)

ENVIRONMENT 

Canada first country to pull out of UN drought convention (via The Globe and Mail)

GRID 

Lone Star Transmission lights up 330 miles of Texas CREZ power lines (via Renew Grid)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Accounting for environmental externalities is good for business and the planet (via BusinessGreen)

Ford reduces water use in vehicle assembly by 10.6 billion gallons (via Autoblog Green)

EMISSIONS 

UK’s CO2 emissions up 4.5% in 2012 (via The Guardian)

Fungi drives carbon uptake by boreal forests (via Mongabay)

Hong Kong to raise air quality standards and cut emissions (via Bloomberg)

TAR SANDS 

Pentagon officials tour oilsands as part of effort to recruit veterans to jobs (via Calgary Herald)

Total sets sights on getting oil sands crude to Gulf coast (via Globe and Mail)

OPINION 

IMF says global fossil fuel subsidies amount to $1.9 trillion a year…and that’s probably an underestimate (via Grist)

Brutal solar market benefits consumers (via Navigant Research)

Poll: Americans want energy focus on renewables, not oil (via Houston Chronicle)

Posted:   |   Categories: Bulgaria, canada, climate, Climate Change, CREZ, Cyprus, DOE, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy star, energy storage, EPA, ev, feed-in tariff, Ford, Gasoline, Georgia, germany, green business, grid, Hong Kong, IMF, india, los angeles, Maine, methane, natural gas, new york state, News, oil, OPEC, Range anxiety, renewables, San Diego, solar, Subsidy, tar sands, Tesla, Tesla Model S, texas, Total, uk, united kingdom, wind
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29
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.29.13

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

TRANSPORTATION 

Long-delayed EPA gasoline pollution rules set for Friday debut (via The Hill)

Consumer concerns about range and economics still hinder interest in buying EVs (via Navigant Research)

Tesla Model S wins 2013 World Green Car of the Year (via Autoblog Green)

A little lesson in electric vehicles (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EPA and Department of Energy recognize 2013 Energy Star awardees (via Environmental Leader)

Los Angeles maps electricity use at the block level (via MIT Technology Review)

OIL 

OPEC oil output falls to lowest level since 2011 (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

A record year for world wind power in 2012 (via Greentech Media)

India’s wind power base to rise 50% by 2015 (via Hindustan Times)

Asian giants embracing more clean energy (via EarthTechling) 

Bulgaria to suspend up to 40% of wind, solar capacity (via Renewable Energy World)

India’s off-grid renewables initiative changing lives (via Renewable Energy World)

German solar to gain from Cyprus crisis as investors seek safety (via Bloomberg)

Solar storage market set for rapid growth (via Renewable Energy World)

Report: some federal wind energy programs “duplicative” (via The Hill)

New process may make renewable energy reliable at last (via Climate Central)

Lured by savings and cash, many American schools are going solar (via ClimateWire)

New York State’s competitive solar program off to a bright start (via Greentech Media)

Maine introduces feed-in tariff legislation (via Renewable Energy World)

New bill could help Georgia reap solar energy cash crop (via Energy Collective)

The wind blows, the sun shines: the tax breaks (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS 

The new tech that could make methane leaks a thing of the past (via Forbes)

CLIMATE 

Scientists find “missing heat” of global warming 700 meters below the sea (via Mongabay)

Study: climate worst-case scenario may backfire in activists’ campaign (via Huffington Post)

Survey: Americans believe in climate change risks but won’t pay to fix them (via The Guardian)

Survey explores how UK gardeners are adapting to climate change (via Phys.org)

Canada could leave UN climate talks after UNCCD exit (via RTCC)

San Diego, bracing for climate change, studies its weaknesses (via ClimateWire)

ENVIRONMENT 

Canada first country to pull out of UN drought convention (via The Globe and Mail)

GRID 

Lone Star Transmission lights up 330 miles of Texas CREZ power lines (via Renew Grid)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Accounting for environmental externalities is good for business and the planet (via BusinessGreen)

Ford reduces water use in vehicle assembly by 10.6 billion gallons (via Autoblog Green)

EMISSIONS 

UK’s CO2 emissions up 4.5% in 2012 (via The Guardian)

Fungi drives carbon uptake by boreal forests (via Mongabay)

Hong Kong to raise air quality standards and cut emissions (via Bloomberg)

TAR SANDS 

Pentagon officials tour oilsands as part of effort to recruit veterans to jobs (via Calgary Herald)

Total sets sights on getting oil sands crude to Gulf coast (via Globe and Mail)

OPINION 

IMF says global fossil fuel subsidies amount to $1.9 trillion a year…and that’s probably an underestimate (via Grist)

Brutal solar market benefits consumers (via Navigant Research)

Poll: Americans want energy focus on renewables, not oil (via Houston Chronicle)

Posted:   |   Categories: Bulgaria, canada, climate, Climate Change, CREZ, Cyprus, DOE, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy star, energy storage, EPA, ev, feed-in tariff, Ford, Gasoline, Georgia, germany, green business, grid, Hong Kong, IMF, india, los angeles, Maine, methane, Methane leak, natural gas, new york state, News, oil, OPEC, Range anxiety, renewables, San Diego, solar, Subsidy, tar sands, Tesla, Tesla Model S, texas, Total, uk, united kingdom, wind
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28
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.28.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

IMF: Get rid of $1.9 trillion in energy subsidies to fight climate change (via Washington Post)

Oil and electricity: a compare-and-contrast tale of two regulators (via McClatchy)

Sequestration forces Interior to cut mineral revenue payments to states (via EnergyWire)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Battle widens over oil pipelines from Canada through Midwest (via Minnesota Star-Tribune)

Train derailment spills 30,000 gallons of Canadian crude in Minnesota (via Reuters)

Suncor Energy cancels troubled Alberta tar sands project (via Vancouver Sun)

US to hold Keystone pipeline hearing in Nebraska (via Phys.org)

RENEWABLES 

Solar, wind to push renewables to 36% of global cumulative installed capacity by 2020 (via EnergyNext)

Global solar PV installations to reach 200GW by 2015 (via EnergyNext)

China raising PV prices on European exports (via Recharge)

Japan to increase offshore wind capacity to 40x current level by 2020 (via EnergyNext)

UK boosts renewables share of power generation to 11.3% (via Recharge)

Rwanda to start $27 million geothermal development (via Renewable Energy World)

We’re number one: US installed most wind power in 2012, US company GE Wind is top supplier (via Climate Progress)

NREL study: securitization could cut solar LCOE 16% (via Greentech Media)

New organic solar cells process sunlight as plants do (via Mother Nature Network)

Study: Midwesterners open to wind farms, especially in rural areas (via Phys.org)

Lancaster, California becomes first US city to require solar (via Greentech Media)

OPT Oregon wave energy project delayed again (via EarthTechling)

COAL 

Japan coal use to jump 24% in 2013-2014 as energy costs rise (via Reuters)

More science on mountaintop removal’s health effects (via Charleston Gazette)

CLIMATE 

Security risks of climate change prompt military review by over 100 countries (via RTCC)

How to abuse statistics: claim global warming stopped in 1998 (via Weather Underground)

Global warming predictions prove accurate over past 15 years (via The Guardian)

Climate change is increasing seasonal allergies (via Climate Central)

Ocean acidification from climate change threatens the seas (via USA Today)

EMISSIONS 

EU eyes 40 percent carbon cuts by 2030 (via BusinessGreen)

EU confident carbon market fix will win states’ support (via Bloomberg)

Auditor General’s carbon neutral report scalds British Columbia government (via Huffington Post/Canadian Press)

Disney, Microsoft, Shell opt for self-imposed CO2 emission taxes (via The Guardian)

Study: US biofuels policy pushes GHG emissions overseas (via Midwest Energy News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking’s latest scandal – earthquake swarms (via Mother Jones)

Drilling boom spurs rush to harness brackish water (via StateImpact Texas)

Small towns find fracking brings boom, booming headaches (via Bloomberg)

Texas regulators ease rules to encourage frack water recycling (via Houston Chronicle)

Nearly 670 miles of wells drilled in Ohio in 2012 (via Akron Beacon Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

US “peak miles” may have happened five years ago, Americans still drive 3 trillion miles a year (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf sales will hit new record in March, around 1,900 units (via Autoblog Green)

Fisker puts US workforce on furlough this week (via Reuters)

GRID 

Seven simple strategies for smart grid engagement (via Renew Grid)

Solar activity can affect transmission grid, but 2013 activity less than anticipated (via US EIA)

You can’t have a smarter grid without smarter buildings (via Greentech Media)

Santa Clara, California launches free outdoor wi-fi on backs of smart meters (via GigaOm)

ENVIRONMENT 

With drought season off to a bad start, scientists forecast another bleak year (via InsideClimate News)

Gardeners plant strawberries and tomatoes in Arctic valleys of Greenland for first time (via Inhabitat)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How the Internet of Things will transform building management (via GreenBiz)

Tax time 2013: energy efficiency home tax credits (via EarthTechling)

POLITICS 

UK prime minister removes anti-wind energy minister from post (via Recharge)

Under fire, Senate Democrat trio says Keystone vote not endorsement (via The Hill)

Ethanol debate has glimpse of bipartisanship (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Low-carbon economies and smart grids: watch out for China (via Forbes)

Americans already pay a carbon tax, via extreme weather’s impact on GDP (via Sustainable Business)

Giant investment bank taken over by hippie alarmists (via Grist)

Is the sky the limit for wind power? (via NPR)

Cooling on warming (via New York Times)

How green is your university? (via New York Times)

OTHER NEWS 

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

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, biofuels, british columbia, california, canada, cap and trade, Carbon market, Carbon pricing, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Disney, drought, earthquakes, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, Fisker, fracking, GE Wind, geothermal, global warming, green business, greenland, grid, IMF, interior department, japan, Keystone XL, LCOE, Microsoft, minnesota, mountaintop removal, natural gas, Nebraska, News, nissan LEAF, NREL, Ocean acidification, offshore wind, Ohio, oil spill, oregon, Peak miles, Pipelines, renewables, Rwanda, Sequestration, Shell, smart grid, smart meters, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, Subsidies, Suncor Energy, tar sands, texas, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Wastewater, Wave energy, wind
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27
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.27.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

EU to start debate on energy, climate rules amid crisis (via Bloomberg)

China’s utility giants vulnerable to water scarcity, report says (via Yale e360)

Report: Energy Department mismanaged stimulus-backed climate program (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

EPA: most of nation’s waters in “poor condition for aquatic life” (via Stateline)

Open-source project explores “choke point” of water, food, & energy crises (via EarthTechling)

Teen invents device to clean giant ocean garbage patches (via Treehugger)

New Mexico farmers seek “priority call” as drought persists (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

China warns EU over solar panel spat (via Recharge)

China’s bailouts darken horizon for solar panel sector (via Reuters)

Report: Vestas blown off wind market top spot by GE (via BusinessGreen)

Bosch turns off light on money-losing solar power business (via Autoblog Green)

Rooftop solar could power all Australian households, slash electricity prices (via Renew Economy)

Angola “planning 100MW wind farm” (via Recharge)

Denmark hits 1,000MW of offshore wind, shows no sign of slowing down (via Forbes)

Study shows need to account for carbon sinks when siting clean energy projects (via Greentech Media)

US DOE launches new clean energy manufacturing initiative (via Energy Collective)

Federally funded R&D centers spent $17.8 billion on R&D in FY 2011 (via Green Car Congress)

Massive energy skyscraper proposed for US-Mexico border (via Forbes)

Another PACE setback: California court dismisses suit challenging curtailment (via Solar Industry)

Georgia set to increase solar energy with new legislation (via CleanTechnica)

Dominion to pay for solar power in Virginia, but is it enough? (via EarthTechling)

EMISSIONS 

Discovery may allow scientists to make fuel from CO2 in the atmosphere (via Phys.org)

EU set to announce 30% by 2030 emissions reduction target (via RTCC)

US emissions decline, coal exports rise (via RTCC)

The price of carbon (via Huffington Post)

Washington State passes legislation to tackle greenhouse gas emissions (via Oregon Public Broadcasting)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Interior Department to release another draft of fracking rules (via Casper Star-Tribune)

US natural gas pipeline construction plummets in 2012 (via Houston Chronicle)

Wyoming judge rules fracking ingredients are trade secrets (via Casper Star-Tribune)

Waterless fracking makes headway in Texas, slowly (via Texas Tribune)

2011 Oklahoma earthquake tied to oil-drilling fracking wastewater (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Rising UK energy bills will be reduced with climate policies, says energy secretary  (via The Guardian)

How to save the US $1 trillion: energy efficiency (via EarthTechling)

Army testing energy efficient tents (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

Oil spill response group forming emergency strike team for Gulf (via Houston Chronicle)

Rising North Dakota oil production and demand spurs two new refineries (via US EIA)

Cleanup of 2010 Michigan dilbit spill aims to stop spread of submerged oil (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric vehicle drive motor sales will reach 3.7 million units by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

China mandates strict fuel-economy increase to 47 mpg by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

Enviros decry Virginia tax on hybrid cars (via The Hill)

COAL 

Oregon, Washington governors ask Obama to weigh climate impact of coal ports (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Arctic ice hits annual maximum extent, 6th lowest on record (via Climate Central)

UK’s lead G8 negotiator blocks climate change from agenda (via The Guardian)

Federal plan aims to help wildlife adapt to climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

Seven surprising ways US cities are adapting to monster storms (via OnEarth)

Poll questions shift public views on global warming (via USA Today)

New York State tells investors that climate change may hurt its finances (via New York Times)

POLITICS 

Five easy pieces of energy legislation for Congress (via National Journal)

Ernest Moniz should have an easy time with Senate confirmation (via Politico)

Carbon tax? No thanks, says US Senate (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Will China’s new leaders clean up the environment? (via Energy Collective)

Do clean energy innovation clusters work? (via Greentech Media)

What climate hawks can (and can’t) learn from public-health campaigns (via Grist)

Why emerging economies are not cleantech cash machines (via Navigant Research)

The state of cleantech venture capital: what lies ahead (via GigaOm)

More effort needed to meet EU’s 2020 clean energy goals (via Reuters)

Can offshore wind make or break wave energy? (via Renewable Energy World)

Do high natural gas prices mean the shale boom is ending? (via Christian Science Monitor)

OTHER NEWS 

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

Posted:   |   Categories: Angola, arctic, arra, australia, biofuel, Bosch, california, carbon dioxide, Carbon market, Carbon sink, carbon tax, China, climate, co2, coal, Coal export, denmark, DOE, Dominion, drought, earthquake, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, fracking, Fracking fluid, Fracking wastewater, Fuel Economy, GE, Georgia, global warming, hybrid, interior department, mexico, michigan, natural gas, New Mexico, new york state, News, north dakota, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil spill Gulf of Mexico, oklahoma, oregon, PACE, Pacific Garbage Patch, Pipelines, politics, renewables, rooftop solar, Sea ice melt, Shale gas, Shale oil, solar, Solar trade war, texas, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, US Army, vestas, virginia, Washington State, Water quality, Water scarcity, Waterless fracking, wind, wyoming
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