Category Archives:Ukraine

28
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.28.14

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

CLIMATE 

US and China lift climate change hopes with new phase of talks (via Financial Times)

Mount Everest is shrinking due to climate change (via Climate Progress)

El Nino risk increases as Pacific Ocean gets warmer (via Bloomberg)

Western US faces bigger, more frequent wildfires (via Climate Central)

US mayors leading the way on emission cuts & climate resilience (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Gazprom says it won’t halt gas flows to Europe over Ukraine price row (via Wall Street Journal)

Local governments fail to account for $17 million in natural gas impact fees (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

How long can the fracking revolution last? (via RTCC)

RENEWABLES 

Experimental efforts to harvest the ocean’s power face cost setbacks (via New York Times)

Chart: Wind dominates the 37GW of US power under construction (via Greentech Media)

Google’s green energy plan: Build, learn, and expand (via Christian Science Monitor)

Fear and loathing at the CPUC: California debates the future of solar (via Greentech Media)

6MW floating vertical-axis wind turbine unveiled (via Recharge)

ENERGY POLICY 

French energy minister promises 100,000 green jobs (via Reuters)

US electricity prices may be going up for good (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

China wants more Latin American oil, president to visit in July (via Reuters)

US regulators to propose enhanced oil tank car standards (via Reuters)

Oil industry starts fracking in Nevada (via Elko Daily Free Press)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla unveils plans for solar-powered EV charging network in China (via Renew Economy)

EPA says automakers ahead of schedule for 54.5 MPG by 2025 (via Autoblog Green)

EV buyers are younger, more affluent than hybrid shoppers (via Autoblog Green)

California Air Resources Board adds another $25 million to expand clean vehicle rebate program (via Green Car Congress)

COAL 

Asian coal miners pursuing self-defeating output gains (via Reuters)

Kitzhaber says “no” to coal export plans in Oregon (via The Daily News)

Montana coal mine falls years behind original permitting schedule (via Missoulian)

EMISSIONS 

Rich nations’ greenhouse gas emissions fall in 2012, led by US (via Reuters)

Scotland enlists universities in low-carbon push (via BusinessGreen)

Fossil fuels face $30 trillion in losses from climate, renewables (via Renew Economy)

Soils release far more CO2 tan previously thought as emissions rise (via Yale e360)

Changes to agriculture practices could slash emissions up to 90% (via Environmental Leader)

Projected CO2 emissions vary with coal and nuclear power plant retirements (via US EIA)

California cuts part of its greenhouse gas emissions by exporting them (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL moving forward…in Canada’s eyes (via Christian Science Monitor)

Canada still betting the US will approve Keystone XL (via Reuters)

Cowboys, Indians, and Neil Young voice opposition to Keystone XL (via United Press International)

Steyer challenges Kochs to Keystone XL debate (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

More LED installations than fluorescents expected this year for first time (via Energy Manager Today)

In user test, Next thermostat and its smart competitors disappoint (via EnergyWIre)

ENVIRONMENT 

Worsening US drought pushes wheat price higher (via Wall Street Journal)

California drought: Jobs, money dry up in farm towns (via San Francisco Chronicle)

California drought declaration is so bad the state is rolling back some environmental protections (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

Extreme tornado swings: What holds the key? (via Climate Central)

POLITICS 

GOP Rep. Grimm’s woes cast cloud on climate turnabout (via Politico)

OPINION 

How US-China cooperation can expand clean energy development (via WRI Insights)

Climate-proofing the poorest cities is currently impossible (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

A battle is looming over renewable energy, and fossil fuel interests are losing (via Washington Post)

The rise and fall of America’s climate deniers: How politics hijacked the fight against global warming (via Salon)

Keystone weirdonomics mean gas prices won’t be getting any cheaper (via Bloomberg)

It’s easy being green. Being fossil fuel free is harder (via Forbes)

Dear Texas: Enjoy the oil boom, just don’t blow it this time (via Forbes)

2C in our rear-view mirror, geoengineering dead ahead (via Energy Collective)

Posted:   |   Categories: california air resources board, California Public Utilities Commission, canada, CARB, Carbon bubble, Carbon sequestration, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, CPUC, drought, El Nino, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, EV charger, Extreme weather, fracking, France, Gazprom, Geoengineering, global warming, google, green jobs, Hybrids, John Kitzhaber, Keystone XL, Koch Brothers, Latin America, LED, Michael Grimm, Montana, Mount Everest, natural gas, Nest, Nevada, News, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, Oil train, oregon, renewables, Scotland, solar, Tesla, texas, tidal power, Tom Steyer, Transportation, Ukraine, wildfires, wind
0
25
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.25.14

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

OIL 

Shale boom sends US crude oil supply to highest level since 1930 (via Bloomberg)

US regulators to propose enhanced oil tank car standards (via Reuters)

US pipeline and oil-by-rail regulator making 9% staff cut, confounding experts (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

FTC officials back Tesla’s direct-to-consumer car sales model (via Reuters)

Consumer Reports finds plug-in retail experience underwhelming (via Autoblog Green)

Is Tesla planning another electric vehicle factory in California? (via Los Angeles Times)

Improving the performance of hybrid powertrains (via Navigant Research)

RENEWABLES 

UK onshore wind power will lose subsidies, say conservatives (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Central Asian hydroelectric water wars heat up (via Huffington Post)

Solar PV set to surge 50% in Africa and Middle East in 2014 (via Recharge)

GE renewable investments exceed $10 billion (via BusinessWire)

US solar energy capacity grew an astounding 418% from 2010-2014 (via CleanTechnica)

EPA releases list of top 100 US organizations using renewable energy (via Solar Industry)

Financing lessons residential solar can teach the commercial and industrial sector (via Renewable Energy World)

Google and Apple announce new renewable energy investments (via RTCC)

New York State pledges $1 billion for solar through 2023 (via Bloomberg)

SunPower lands another strong quarter, launches new solar holding company (via Greentech Media)

Fisherman’s Energy to file legal appeal for New Jersey offshore wind rejection (via Recharge)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

GE said to be in talks to buy France’s Alstom (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Why electric utilities have an image problem (via Navigant Research)

Battle between fossil fuels & solar intensifies (via Sustainable Business)

50,000 Pennsylvania electric customers switch suppliers on price swings (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

CLIMATE 

Corals may withstand higher temperatures, says study (via RTCC)

Top 12 ways the world can eliminate agriculture’s climate footprint (via Phys.org)

UK supermarket: 95% of fresh produce already at risk from climate change (via The Guardian)

Study links polar vortex, California drought to climate change (via The Hill)

84,000 lives threatened by sea level rise in New England (via Climate Progress)

Lower Manhattan 20x more likely to flood than in 1844 (via ClimateWire)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Putin, Merkel call for gas talks over Ukraine (via Reuters)

Trade implication of US energy policy and LNG exports (via Center for American Progress)

Baker Hughes to reveal all hydraulic fracturing chemicals (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

USGBC launches real-time green building tool (via Environmental Leader)

Following pipeline delay, KXL politics may derail energy efficiency bill (via Greenwire)

Think you’re better at saving energy? Three charts suggest a reality check. (via Outlier)

KEYSTONE XL 

US support for Keystone hits 61% in new poll (via The Hill)

How Obama shocked Harper as Keystone Frustrator-in-Chief (via Bloomberg)

How Canada’s incoherence on climate is killing Keystone (via Rescuing the Frog)

GRID 

Britain installs first grid-scale battery (via Reuters)

Smart grid companies raise $101 million to kick off 2014 (via Renew Grid)

“LEED-like” standard launched for electric grids (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

China takes on pollution with biggest environmental law changes in 25 years (via Bloomberg)

Brazil’s coffee crop prayers for rain met with deluge threat (via Bloomberg)

Drought area expands in Plains and California (via Farm Futures)

For first time in 15 years, drought hits 100% of California (via Los Angeles Times)

Plastic bottle recycling increases 53% in 12 years (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION 

The new abolitionism (via The Nation)

Maddow: Will US energy companies disrupt Obama’s Russia policy? (via Washington Post)

The real story behind falling renewable energy investments (via World Resources Institute)

Solar power is booming but will never replace coal – here’s why (via Forbes)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Alstom, Angela Merkel, apple, battery, Brazil, california, canada, climate, Climate Change, coal, Consumer Reports, drought, Electric Vehicle, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ev, Federal Trade Commission, Fisherman's Energy, Flooding, fracking, France, FTC, GE, global warming, google, green building, grid, Hydropower, Keystone XL Stephen Harper, LEED, LNG, MENA, middle east, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new jersey, New York City, new york state, News, offshore wind, oil, Oil train, pennsylvania, PHMSA, Polar vortex, Recycling, renewables, Russia, Sea level rise, Shaheen-Portman, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, SunPower, Tesla, Transportation, uk, Ukraine, united kingdom, USGBC, Vladimir Putin, wind
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18
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.18.14

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

ENVIRONMENT 

One-fifth of China’s farmland is polluted (via New York Times)

California suffers astonishingly fast snowpack melt as drought intensifies (via Mashable)

COAL 

Barclays and Citigroup funded worst of US coal industry (via Bloomberg)

Old-school coal is making a comeback (via Miami Herald/McClatchy)

Cold January boosted capacity factor of retiring coal plants above 50% (via SNL Energy)

Duke Energy tells shareholders coal ash spill won’t affect bottom line (via Charlotte News Observer)

RENEWABLES 

Ukraine seeks renewable energy boost to counter Russia (via Bloomberg)

South Africa moves to add more renewable energy (via CleanTechnica)

The 20 best cities for solar power as US prepares for an energy “revolution” (via Huffington Post)

Eleven states generated electricity from non-hydro renewables at double US average (via US EIA)

A few of America’s greenest colleges are really big on renewables (via US News and World Report)

Green Power Partnership driving on-site energy (via Energy Manager Today)

New simulation tool could help add more solar to America’s grid (via Energy.gov)

EPA data shows 57,860 gallons of cellulosic biofuel produced in Q1 2014 (via Green Car Congress)

Wisconsin solar garden sells out in two weeks (via Energy Manager Today)

CLIMATE 

5.3 million years of sea level change on one cliff face (via Wired Science)

More, bigger wildfires burning western US, shows study (via AGU)

After dry winter in California, preparations begin for harsh wildfire season (via Climate Progress)

Virginia Supreme Court rules for U-Va, in global warming case (via Washington Post)

New Jersey residents want to reduce coastal risks, but they don’t want to pay (via Huffington Post)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexican energy industry working to restructure for the future (via Breaking Energy)

State AGs take up fossil fuels boom as IPCC and feds lean green (via Denver Post)

Kasich questions electricity deregulation at PUCO chief’s swearing in (via Columbus Dispatch)

EMISSIONS 

Brazil looks to swap World Cup publicity for carbon credits (via Reuters)

Pennsylvania asks EPA for more flexible emissions, trading rules to boost power plant energy efficiency (via ClimateWire)

POLITICS 

Steyer vows to aid anti-Keystone lawmakers (via Politico)

Ohio voters favor renewables, energy efficiency and candidates who do the same, says poll (via Plain Dealer)

OPINION 

On climate, business as usual (via Washington Post)

Let’s use fossil fuels to make stuff, but let’s not cook the planet (via CleanTechnica)

Thanks in part to climate change, the American West will see more fiery summers (via Washington Post)

The Deepwater Horizon threat (via New York Times)

The fracking industry faces its climate demon (via National Journal)

Energy efficiency doesn’t sell, but it can (via Energy Manager Today)

Posted:   |   Categories: Barclays, biofuels, Brazil, california, carbon trading, Cellulosic biofuel, China, Citigroup, climate, Climate adaptation, coal, coal ash, deepwater horizon, drought, duke energy, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy policy, environment, EPA, fracking, Green Power Partnership, Hydropower, IPCC, John Kasich, Keystone XL, mexico, Michael Mann, new jersey, News, North Carolina, Ohio, oil spill, pennsylvania, renewables, Russia, Sea level rise, solar, solar garden, South Africa, Tom Steyer, Ukraine, virginia, wildfires, Wisconsin
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08
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.8.14

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

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine leader warns of Russian natural gas shut-off (via Wall Street Journal)

Half of 2013 US power plant capacity additions came from natural gas (via US EIA)

EMISSIONS 

EPA’s McCarthy says draft emissions rules will give states new tools (via Los Angeles Times)

ENERGY POLICY 

Where clean energy dollars went in 2013 (via Bloomberg)

Four snapshots of American energy use (via Energy.gov)

RENEWABLES 

Cheap solar power pushes renewables growth worldwide (via Climate Central)

Germany ushers in renewable energy reform (via Reuters)

India ups 2014 solar PV target by 30% to 1,000MW (via CleanTechnica)

Chile installs record-breaking 150MW solar PV in Q1, 380MW under construction (via Greentech Media)

SunEdison quits 20MW India PV project over domestic content requirements (via Recharge)

US wind power blows to new records, again and again (via Bloomberg)

Capital keeps pouring into booming US residential solar market (via Greentech Media)

EPA delays, ethanol credits take center stage in RFS court battle (via Greenwire)

New York Green Bank open for business, deals in the works (via Breaking Energy)

Texas awards $2.2 million to fund offshore wind research (via Recharge)

State regulators approve Block Island offshore wind deal (via Recharge)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

When will Obama make his call on Keystone XL? (via The Hill)

Does Koch Industries hold most Canadian oil sands leases? It’s complicated. (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

How climate change can make food less nutritious (via Climate Progress)

Three-quarters of World Bank-backed projects still don’t evaluate climate risks (via Huffington Post)

Green scientist is Tom Steyer’s new policy guru (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Maersk Line lowers shipping emissions 12% during 2013 (via BusinessGreen)

Why the US government just invested $225 million on hybrid electric trains (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Britain’s honeybee colony deaths among worst in Europe, reveals study (via The Guardian)

In another blow to Pebble Mine, Rio Tinto pulls out (via Washington Post)

Drought now affecting two thirds of Texas (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Renewable energy investment is down – and that’s okay (via Time)

Cellulosic biofuels aren’t dead (via Navigant Research)

Why are so many veterans serving in the US solar industry? (via GreenBiz)

Demand response the best cure for ailing Texas grid (via Energy Manager Today)

Posted:   |   Categories: Block Island, Britain, canada, Cellulosic biofuel, Chile, climate, Climate Change, Demand response, drought, Electric trains, emissions, environment, EPA, ERCOT, ethanol, fracking, germany, Gina McCarthy, Green bank, grid, india, Keystone XL, Koch Industries, Maersk Line, natural gas, new york, News, offshore wind, Pebble Bay, Renewable fuel standard, renewables, RFS, rhode island, Rio Tinto, Russia, solar, SunEdison, tar sands, texas, Tom Steyer, Transportation, Ukraine, wind, World Bank
0
07
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.7.14

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

CLIMATE 

UN says time running out to meet global warming target (via Reuters)

US seeks changes to “skewed” data in UN climate draft (via Bloomberg)

Forest fires arrive early as Siberia sees record high temperatures (via Siberian Times)

Climate change could turn focus on Canadian Prairies for food production (via Calgary Herald)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Gazprom stops courting US investors after Crimea crisis (via Houston Chronicle)

Ukraine in emergency talks with EU neighbors on natural gas imports (via Reuters)

Interior Department works through millions of comments on fracking rules (via Bloomberg)

Exxon Mobil to reveal fracking data (via Time)

Wyoming to start plugging old methane wells (via Billings Gazette)

RENEWABLES 

Global trends in renewable energy investment 2014 (via Bloomberg)

Japan’s new energy policy stops short of setting renewables targets (via Bloomberg)

Britain embraces distributed solar (via Forbes)

Solar capacity in India crosses 2.6GW (via Panchabuta)

Fastest quarterly growth in polysilicon prices since 2010 (via Greentech Media)

Wind power has cut US CO2 emissions 4.4%, says report (via Huffington Post)

Wind power is reducing electricity rates: Repays tax credit 17x over (via TriplePundit)

Policy headwinds for the wind industry (via Navigant Research)

Deeper data dives yield more certainty on solar jobs (via Solar Industry)

Study touts benefits of wood pellets for energy (via Houston Chronicle)

Kansas lawmakers pass net metering plan in defeat for ALEC (via Midwest Energy News)

Home Depot launches the next generation of outdoor power (via EarthTechling)

Women are key residential solar energy customers (via Energy Collective)

Criticism of 2008 law part of new debate over Ohio green energy bill (via Columbus Dispatch)

Tackling energy poverty with renewables? (via Breaking Energy)

OIL 

Canada can move faster than US on oil rail cars, says Transport Minister (via Reuters)

Interior says Atlantic offshore drilling tests could begin this year (via The Hill)

Coast Guard report criticizes Shell’s judgment in Arctic drilling (via The Hill)

California regulations block state shale oil boom (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Solar, hydrogen, and aluminum: A guide to the latest advanced vehicle technology (via Climate Progress)

Electricity pricing and the economics of EVs (via Navigant Research)

NUCLEAR 

Dozens of nuclear reactors must prove safety under revised quake estimates (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Opower makes public market debut, gives hope to other green tech startups (via Forbes)

TAR SANDS

Mounting evidence of health concerns near tar sands development (via Energy Collective)

Enbridge first to confirm re-exports of Canadian crude via US (via Reuters)

Is Minnesota the next tar sands fight battleground? (via Midwest Energy News)

GRID 

Enabling remote microgrids in the developing world (via Navigant Research)

Texas blackouts rise, rank second in nation (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Declare a California fracking moratorium now (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Must-see video: Showtime climate series “Years of Living Dangerously” (via Climate Progress)

Can “Generation Hot” avoid its fate? (via The Daily Beast)

Should the wind production tax credit be revived? (via National Journal)

Opower IPO is a sign that “intelligent efficiency” truly matters (via Greentech Media)

Why Norway has embraced Tesla and other EVs (via Renew Economy)

Louisiana’s coastline is disappearing – here’s why it’s so hard to escape (via Washington Post)

Is Tesla Motors a carmaker, or really a grid-storage company? (via Green Car Reports)

What does “winning” the clean energy race even mean? (via Greentech Media)

Can complexities of sugarcane ethanol imports lead to increased carbon emissions? (via Energy Collective)

Posted:   |   Categories: ALEC, arctic, biofuels, biomass, Blackout, california, canada, climate, Climate Change, Electric Vehicle, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, ethanol, ev, Exxon Mobil, fracking, Gazprom, global warming, green jobs, grid, Home Depot, india, interior department, japan, kansas, Louisiana, methane, Microgrid, minnesota, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Net metering, News, norway, nuclear, offshore drilling, Ohio, oil, Oil train, Opower, production tax credit, renewables, Russia, Sea level rise, Shell, Siberia, solar, tar sands, Tesla Motors, texas, Transportation, Ukraine, US Coast Guard, Wildfire, wind, wyoming
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02
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.2.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Hubei province starts China’s second-biggest carbon exchange (via Bloomberg)

India mulls low-carbon fuel standard to cut vehicle exhaust by 2021 (via Bloomberg)

US EPA carbon rule for existing power plants sent to White House (via Reuters)

Promotion of cap-and-trade money for residents downplays looming higher electricity rates (via ClimateWire)

Companies try to catch CO2 before it touches the sky (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS 

Russia tightens pressure on Ukraine with rise in natural gas prices (via New York Times)

UK could produce shale gas within four years in emergency (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

India to award 1 gigawatt of solar permits by 2015 (via Bloomberg)

Brazil planning its first solar-specific national auction (via Renewable Energy World)

Iceland’s clean energy lures metal companies from abroad (via SmartPlanet)

Senators leave Production Tax Credit out of renewable fuel proposal (via Houston Chronicle)

Crowdfunding for solar, wind reaching fevered pitch (via Sustainable Business)

Advancements in wind turbine technology improve efficiency; reduce cost (via Renewable Energy World)

BOEM publishes environmental assessment of potential Georgia offshore wind area (via Recharge)

BOEM readies Massachusetts offshore wind auction (via Recharge)

Vermont raises net metering cap to 15% (via Solar Industry)

Mystery property tycoon makes $533 million bet on solar (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

German states water down energy reform but Merkel pleased (via Reuters)

Net US energy imports in 2013 lowest in more than 20 years (via US EIA)

Hearings begin today in latest push against Ohio energy laws (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Canadian safety board urges faster phase out of oil rail tankers (via Reuters)

Crunch year ahead for Norway’s Arctic oil adventure (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Number of electric vehicles doubling every year (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf has 2nd-best sales month ever, Chevy Volt does a 2013 repeat (via Autoblog Green)

Volkswagen could bring wireless EV charging to market by 2017 (via Autoblog)

California forms waiting list for electric car rebates (via Plugin Cars)

Tesla to use North American materials amid pollution worry (via Bloomberg)

Koch Brothers quietly seek to ban new mass transit in Tennessee (via Climate Progress)

TAR SANDS 

Oil sands link to health concerns, says Canadian report (via Globe and Mail)

CLIMATE 

Climate change responses to shape Asia’s future (via Washington Post)

China and EU pledge joint climate action (via BusinessGreen)

Biofuels might hold back progress combating climate change (via Scientific American)

NUCLEAR 

Japan may only be able to restart one-third of its nuclear reactors (via Reuters)

Utility Exelon wants to kill wind and solar subsidies while keeping nukes (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

Utility spending on smart grid IT systems will total nearly $140 billion from 2014 through 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Unique state models offer a glimpse of New England’s microgrid future (via Greentech Media)

Maine Public Utilities Commission: Smart meters are safe (via Renew Grid)

RES Americas launch 8MW energy storage system in PJM (via Energy Manager Today)

Grid Edge 20: Companies transforming the US power sector (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Chinese coal firms creak under heavy debt, tumbling prices (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

Meager snowpack bad news for drought-parched California (via USA Today)

Rains won’t quell California wildfire season (via Climate Central)

OPINION 

Climate change: Is anybody listening? (via Newsweek)

Global warming and the developing world (via New York Times)

Will Oregon cook up a carbon tax? (via Sightline Daily)

Rumsfeldian climate risks (via Energy Collective)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, biofuels, BOEM, Brazil, california, canada, cap and trade, carbon capture, Carbon market, carbon tax, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, Exelon, Georgia, geothermal, germany, grid, Hubei, Iceland, india, japan, Koch Brothers, Maine, mass transit, massachusetts, Microgrid, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Net metering, News, nissan LEAF, norway, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, Oil train, oregon, PJM Interconnection, production tax credit, renewables, RES Americas, Russia, Shale gas, smart grid, smart meters, solar, tar sands, Tennessee, Tesla, Transportation, uk, Ukraine, united kingdom, vermont, Volkswagen, Wildfire, wind
0
20
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.20.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Australia’s Senate rejects carbon tax repeal bill (via Reuters)

EU lawmakers reject deal to exempt foreign flights from emission charges (via Reuters)

COAL 

Planned coal-fired power plant retirements continue to increase (via US EIA)

Duke Energy eyes closing more coal plants in response to Dan River spill (via Charlotte Business Journal)

RENEWABLES 

Japan added 7GW of clean energy capacity since July 2012 (via Bloomberg)

Concentrated solar to top 1GW capacity by 2020 (via BusinessGreen)

Scotland approves two major offshore wind farm projects (via Reuters)

Solar usage shattering records in California as new capacity comes online (via Greentech Media)

New Jersey rejects offshore wind project’s subsidy plan (via Recharge)

Net metering in the air: Solar energy progress in Massachusetts and other states (via Energy Collective)

Native American tribe could soon build a billion-dollar wind farm with Interior Department funding (via Climate Progress)

Clearing up cloudy understanding on solar output (via Phys.org)

CLIMATE 

Climate change fuelled storms, rising seas cost China $2.6 billion in 2013 (via Reuters)

EU leaders to set October deadline to agree on 2030 climate goals (via Reuters)

A cold US winter, but 8th warmest globally (via Climate Central)

White House brings together big data and climate change (via Climate Central)

NATURAL GAS 

Shell pulled out of shale gas talks in Ukraine in January (via Reuters)

Crimea crisis won’t cut Russia gas flow to Europe, says IHS (via Houston Chronicle)

Simple fixes could plug methane leaks from energy industry, finds study (via National Geographic)

White House to unveil new methane strategy this month (via Washington Post)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Up to 40% energy savings “achievable” from home energy management (via Energy Manager Today)

Detroit airport’s switch to LED lights will save $1.2 million yearly (via Detroit Free Press)

OIL 

BP set to expand Gulf of Mexico drilling (via National Journal)

Oil pipeline leaks thousands of gallons in Ohio nature preserve (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Chairman says BMW will make 100,000 EVs a year by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

Electric cars have a dirty little secret (via InsideClimate News)

California may cut gasoline demand 9% by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Energy industry overestimated cost of pollution controls, says study (via Huffington Post)

California officials prepare for worst as historic drought deepens wildfire risk (via The Guardian)

ENERGY STORAGE 

Spurred by Japan, steady growth predicted for energy storage market (via Renewable Energy World)

Incentives for energy storage spread worldwide (via EnergyWire)

POLITICS 

John Podesta knocks greens on natural gas (via Politico)

Obama’s Keystone XL choice pits donors against at-risk Senate (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Why a melting Arctic could sink the global economy (via Center for American Progress)

The end of spring in a warming world (via Time)

A remarkably accurate global warming prediction, made in 1972 (via The Guardian)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, barack obama, BMW, BP, california, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal ash spill, concentrated solar power, Crimea, Detroit, drought, duke energy, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EU, ev, Gasoline, global warming, Gulf of Mexico, Home energy management, interior department, japan, John Podesta, Keystone XL, LED, massachusetts, methane, Methane leakage, natural gas, Net metering, new jersey, News, North Carolina, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, politics, renewables, Russia, Scotland, Sea level rise, Shell, solar, Transportation, Ukraine, Wildfire, wind
0
14
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.14.14

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

OIL 

Crude oil shipments by rail increased 83 percent in 2013 (via New York Times)

BP regains ability to bid on leases for US land and water (via Washington Post)

Report: Fracking could raise earthquake risks in California (via Houston Chronicle)

Average pump price passes $3.50 for first time in 6 months (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Research: China’s “war on smog” won’t cut CO2 by much (via RTCC)

Social cost of carbon greatly underestimated, says report (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

Norway’s oil fund may inject $40 billion in renewables (via Renew Economy)

Mexico boosts appeal as emerging solar market (via Solar Industry Magazine)

The burden of permitting, inspection, and interconnection on residential solar PV deployment (via Energy Collective)

California’s grid sets two new solar energy records in two days (via CleanTechnica)

Xcel Energy awards $42 million for development of renewable energy projects (via Renew Grid)

US seeks comments on Virginia offshore wind (via Recharge)

It’s official: Efficiency, clean energy can help fill California’s nuclear generation gap (via Renewable Energy World)

Panasonic looks to California for solar-storage integration lessons (via Greentech Media)

KEYSTONE XL

Beyond the hype, Keystone would yield few permanent jobs (via Reuters)

Keystone debate rages in Senate over health, climate effects (via Houston Chronicle)

Kerry says he hasn’t prejudged Keystone XL (via The Hill)

Markey wants Keystone XL oil to stay in US (via The Hill)

Dems grapple with dilemma on Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

SEC’s role in climate change (via The Hill)

Technology needed to combat climate change, says Murkowski (via Bloomberg)

Here’s what the Chamber of Commerce thinks about global warming (via National Journal)

NATURAL GAS 

16% of natural gas consumed in Europe flows through Ukraine (via US EIA)

Experts see cheaper way to turn natural gas into fuels (via Reuters)

Stakes high in mystery over Ohio fracking, quakes (via Columbus Dispatch)

COAL 

Emails link Duke Energy and North Carolina regulators (via New York Times)

North Carolina rejects Duke’s coal ash plan, amid leniency accusations (via News & Observer)

Utility quietly buying up homes near Wisconsin coal plant on groundwater pollution fears (via Journal-Sentinel)

18 Ohio coal power plans operating with expired pollution permits (via Columbus Dispatch)

POLITICS 

Climate change showdown in Florida governor’s race (via InsideClimate News)

Hanger withdraws from Pennsylvania governor’s race (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

OPINION 

Russia picks an odd time to put on climate halo (via Bloomberg)

Are US infrastructure needs truly urgent? (via New York Times)

How risky is investing in oil stocks? (via CleanTechnica)

Five things we learned from the Keystone XL Senate hearing (via Climate Progress)

Fourth time’s the charm on climate change for Chamber of Commerce (via National Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: BP, california, California ISO, chamber of commerce, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, coal ash, duke energy, Ed Markey, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, europe, Florida, fracking, gas prices, john kerry, Keystone XL, Lisa Murkowski, mexico, natural gas, News, North Carolina, norway, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, Oil train, Panasonic, pennsylvania, renewables, Russia, SEC, Social cost of carbon, solar, Solar soft costs, Ukraine, virginia, wind, Wisconsin, xcel energy
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13
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.13.14

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

NATURAL GAS 

EU parliament excludes shale gas from tougher environmental code (via The Guardian)

Europe looks to cut Russian gas imports amid Ukraine crisis (via Christian Science Monitor)

Marcellus tops major US shale plays in drill rig productivity (via StateImpact Texas)

Wyoming Supreme Court reverses district court decision on fracking fluid disclosure (via Casper Star-Tribune)

KEYSTONE XL 

Foreigners play a key role in comments protesting Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Three EU countries hit 2020 renewable benchmarks early (via Climate Central)

Study: Wind power saves Europe €2.4 billion worth of water every year (via BusinessGreen)

Vestas back on top as wind turbine installation leader (via Renewable Energy World)

Wind leaves nuclear behind in China (via CleanTechnica)

1st Latin American Solar Decathlon set for Colombia in 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

Top 10 US cities for solar power (via Fast Company)

Clean energy job growth in US starts to slip (via Forbes)

Poll: 75% of US homeowners say utilities shouldn’t block solar (via Greentech Media)

SolarCity inks deal to sell solar panels at Best Buy (via SmartPlanet)

Texas leads growth in clean energy jobs (via Houston Chronicle)

Minnesota becomes first state to set “value of solar” tariff (via Midwest Energy News)

Massachusetts: The Commonwealth of solar (via Greentech Media)

Renewables could meet nearly one-third Michigan’s energy needs (via UCS)

GRID 

US power grid preparedness falls short, says report (via New York Times)

EMISSIONS 

China sticks with coal gasification to curb smog despite potentially big rise in CO2 emissions (via ClimateWire)

Russia considers domestic carbon market in global warming fight (via Bloomberg)

Study projects explosive African emissions growth from fossil fuels and biofuels (via Green Car Congress)

EU backs big cuts on super-strength greenhouse gases (via RTCC)

House GOP launches probe into EPA power plant emissions rule (via The Hill)

OIL 

US to tap strategic petroleum reserve (via Houston Chronicle)

US surprises oil market with sale from strategic petroleum reserve (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Toyota expects hybrids will soon reach 20% global sales volume (via Autoblog)

Norway will become first nation with one EV for every hundred cars (via Inhabitat)

California’s pioneering low-carbon fuels rule could see multiple changes (via ClimateWire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Indiana lawmakers flip off switch on state’s energy efficiency program (via NWI Times)

Indiana governor to decide fate of energy efficiency standard (via EnergyWire)

NUCLEAR 

General Electric sued over 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster (via United Press International)

ENVIRONMENT 

Earth has a secret reservoir of water, say scientists (via Agence France-Presse)

California drought to drive up long-term food prices (via San Jose Mercury News)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexico anticipates energy overhaul will bring in billions (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Exporting liquefied natural gas is a dreadful idea for the climate (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: biofuels, california, Carbon market, China, Coal gasification, Colombia, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, europe, European Union, ev, Fracking fluid disclosure, fukushima, General Electric, green jobs, grid, hybrid, indiana, japan, Keystone XL, LCFS, Liquefied natural gas, LNG, marcellus shale, massachusetts, mexico, michigan, Mike Pence, minnesota, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, norway, nuclear, oil, renewables, Russia, Shale gas, solar, Solar Decathlon, strategic petroleum reserve, texas, Transportation Toyota, Ukraine, vestas, wind, wyoming
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10
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.10.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Four new ozone-destroying chemicals found in atmosphere (via The Guardian)

Swiss seek precision as nations shape carbon markets (via Bloomberg)

RGGI carbon prices jump in first event with fewer permits (via Bloomberg)

New study shows how fossil fuel pollution damages the heart (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

America’s largest grid system could reach 30% renewable energy by 2026 (via CleanTechnica)

Distributed defectors: When customers leave the grid (via GreenBiz)

RENEWABLES 

Europe a dark spot for global solar PV market (via Recharge)

China lagging on 2020 hydro goals as premier urges new dam building (via Reuters)

Renewables in MENA to double next year, says Desertec (via Renewable Energy World)

750MW of FiT-approved solar PV projects in pipeline for Kenya (via CleanTechnica)

Google reaps tax breaks in $1.4 billion clean energy bet (via Bloomberg)

US DOE studies what motivates solar adoption to sustain growth (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Plan offered to move Oklahoma to all-renewable energy by 2050 (via The Oklahoman)

Illinois cut pollution equivalent of a million cars through renewable energy buys (via Huffington Post/AP)

Maryland bills would allow wind, solar projects on preserved farmland (via Baltimore Sun)

In Central Texas, drought threatens hydropower (via Texas Tribune)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

While US waits on Keystone XL decision, Canada approves a different tar sands pipeline (via Climate Progress)

Anti-Keystone comments outnumber supporting one 2 to 1 (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

Potential clash anticipated between US, EU at UN climate meeting (via Bloomberg BNA)

GAO: Climate change poses serious risk to US energy systems (via DeSmogBlog)

US government creates incentives to rebuild flood-hit coastal homes, over and over (via InsideClimate News)

Democrat Senators plan all-night climate change “talkathon” (via USA Today)

OIL 

Major gaps in plan to slow down oil trains (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

US public transit use reaches highest level since 1956 (via New York Times)

US car-sharing programs have taken 500,000 cars off roads (via Yale e360)

Gas prices may jump from California emissions law (via ABC News/AP)

Report: Tesla turned down California sites for Gigafactory (via San Francisco Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

First energy-efficiency bonds sold to investors (via Reuters)

NREL tool measures building energy performance (via Environmental Leader)

ENVIRONMENT 

Bitter cold knocks invasive insects down but not out (via AccuWeather)

Housing developments near drying forests a deadly combination in US West (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Don’t send America’s natural gas to Ukraine (via Politico)

Did concentrated solar power miss its chance? (via Christian Science Monitor)

The green movement has a Millennial problem (via Washington Post)

The Northeast’s cap-and-trade system is back on track to cut emissions (via Climate Progress)

Solar and crowdfunding getting cozier every day (via GigaOm)

How solar breaks traditional planning on the distribution grid (via Greentech Media)

Posted:   |   Categories: california, canada, cap and trade, Car sharing, carbon markets, China, climate, Climate Change, concentrated solar power, Desertec, distributed generation, DOE, drought, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EU, europe, European Union, Flood, GAO, google, grid, Hydropower, Illinois, Kenya, Keystone XL, maryland, MENA, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, NREL, oil, Oil train, oklahoma, Pipeline, PJM Interconnection, renewables, rggi, Sea level rise, solar, solar pv, tar sands, Tesla, texas, Transportation, Ukraine, wildfires, wind
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