Category Archives:virginia

31
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.31.13

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

ENERGY MARKETS 

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

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

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

GRID 

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

EMISSIONS 

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

California and Australia bolster carbon trading ties (via BusinessGreen)

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COAL 

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

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

CLIMATE 

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

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

McCarthy: Climate change poses economic threat (via Politico)

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

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

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

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

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

ENVIRONMENT 

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

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

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

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

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

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

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

NUCLEAR 

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

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

POLITICS 

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

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

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

OPINION 

The world needs more Energiewende (via WRI Insights)

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

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, barack obama, battery, biodiesel, biofuels, BOEMRE, BP, british columbia, calgary, california, Carbon market, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, emissions, Enbridge, Energiewende, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, fracking, Gina McCarthy, global warming, green jobs, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Jean Shaheen, JPMorgan Chase, Keystone XL, Koch Brothers, michigan, Mississippi, natural gas, new york state, News, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, philadelphia, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, Rob Portman, solar, Solar trade war, Southern Company, Taiwan, tar sands, virginia, Water scarcity, wildfires, wind
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26
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.26.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

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

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

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

OIL 

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

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Big geothermal getting bigger at Ball State (via EarthTechling)

COAL 

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

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

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

CLIMATE 

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

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

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

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

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

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

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

Wyden floats fracking regulation framework (via The Hill)

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

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

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

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

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

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

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

ENVIRONMENT

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

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

GRID 

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

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

States weigh compact to bolster energy grid (via Stateline)

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

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

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

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

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

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

OPINION 

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

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

The great Texas wind rush (via Huffington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, australia, Ball State University, Brazil, Bureau of Land Management, cap and trade, Carbon accounting, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Dominion Virginia, drought, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, ethanol, EU, europe, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, FERC, fracking, gas prices, geothermal, global warming, green building, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Halliburton, india, Jared Polis, Jean Shaheen, Martin O'Malley, maryland, Microgrid, MISO, Mountaintop coal removal, NASA, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, norway, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, Philippines, renewables, RIN, Rob Portman, Ron Wyden, Russia, Scotland, Sea ice melt, Severe weather, solar, Solar trade war, Synchrophasor, texas, Transportation, UN, united nations, United Postal Service, ups, virginia, warren buffett, Water scarcity, wind
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25
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

EIA projects world energy consumption will increase 56% by 2040 (via US EIA)

Natural gas generation plummets 13.4% as coal surges 11% in US EIA data (via Facts of the Day)

GREEN BUSINESS 

UK green economy grows £6 billion according to government data (via BusinessGreen)

Intel, Microsoft, Kohl’s top EPA Green Power list (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

China’s coal-fired economy dying of thirst as mines lack water (via Bloomberg)

How the White House watered down rules on coal-plant water pollution (via Grist)

EPA Administrator McCarthy’s tenure to be tested by coal sector (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

EU-China solar deal hinges on price as deadline nears (via Reuters)

Report says EU tariffs ending the era of low-cost Chinese solar modules (via Solar Industry Magazine)

UK renewables output soars 19% in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

India adds 566MW of green energy in Q1 (via Panchabuta)

Deepwater turbines “critical” for EU offshore wind (via Recharge)

Insurance costs for renewables may triple to $2.8 billion by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

Biofuel makers seek to ease mandates to avert Congressional overhaul (via Bloomberg)

US solar has best first half of all time in H1 2013 (via SNL)

Wind-bird debate flares with new fatality figure (via EarthTechling)

Solar leasing gains while costs to federal taxpayers falls (via Greentech Media)

The future of US solar power: opportunities in soft costs (via Climate Progress)

Virginia coastline could soon be home to 2GW of offshore wind (via CleanTechnica)

Colorado state capitol first to boast geothermal heating and cooling (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Polar thaw opens shortcut for Russian natural gas (via New York Times)

Chevron to promote shale drilling in Europe (via Houston Chronicle)

House bill would allow US to invest more in African natural gas facilities (via SNL)

DOJ probes US fracking market over antitrust issues (via Reuters)

Fire rages on Gulf rig leaking natural gas (via Washington Post)

Offshore drilling regulation critic runs company operating latest Gulf well blowout rig (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

The North Pole is now a lake (via LiveScience)

A Republican Secretary of State urges action on climate change (via Scientific American)

Obama: Grow middle class to fight climate change (via The Hill)

Four designs for resilient neighborhoods after Sandy (via Good)

EMISSIONS 

Biden urges US-India cooperation on phasing out greenhouse gases (via Climate Progress)

Developing countries to vastly outpace OECD in emissions, says US EIA (via Reuters)

China investing $277 billion over five years to curb air pollution (via Reuters)

British Columbia’s carbon tax cut fuel use, didn’t hurt economy (via CBS News)

Federal court backs EPA ozone limit but orders review of public welfare standard (via Greenwire)

GRID 

Demand response sites to double worldwide by 2020 (via Renew Grid)

Germany’s energy storage subsidy is no solar miracle (via Greentech Media)

The true ROI of smart meter deployments (via Breaking Energy)

New energy storage testing center coming to New York State (via Renew Grid)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Port of Vancouver approves Northwest’s largest oil terminal amid safety concerns (via The Oregonian)

Keystone XL prompts Congress to let lobbyists write letters of support (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Bell’s Brewery sues Enbridge over Kalamazoo River oil spill cleanup (via Michigan Live)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

America’s favorite way to save energy during summer is… (via Outlier)

Alabama state agencies cut energy costs by $3.9 million in 2012 (via Energy Manager Today)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima nuclear cleanup to cost $58 billion (via Phys.org)

TRANSPORTATION 

Charger standards fight confuses EV drivers, puts car company investments at risk (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Three major energy trends to watch: efficiency, renewables, distributed power (via GreenBiz)

Did the Clean Air Act unleash Atlantic hurricanes? (via Washington Post)

Renewable fuels debate: cutting through the hype (via Breaking Energy)

What will replace the California Solar Initiative? (via Renewable Energy World)

POLITICS 

Young US voters think Republican climate dissenters “crazy,” says poll (via The Guardian)

US Navy’s clean energy push to get focus at nomination hearing (via Wall Street Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Air pollution, Alabama, arctic, barack obama, biofuels, british columbia, carbon tax, Chevron, China, clean air act, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Demand response, distributed generation, DOJ, eia, Electric Vehicle, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, Energy Information Administration, energy storage, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, EV charger, fracking, fukushima, George Shultz, geothermal, germany, Gina McCarthy, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, india, intel, Joe Biden, Keystone XL, Kohl's, michigan, Microsoft, natural gas, new york state, News, nuclear, OECD, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Oil exports, oil spill, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, Resiliency, RFS, Russia, Sea ice melt, Shale gas, smart meter, solar, solar leasing, Solar trade war, Superstorm Sandy, tar sands, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Vancouver, virginia, wind
0
25
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

EIA projects world energy consumption will increase 56% by 2040 (via US EIA)

Natural gas generation plummets 13.4% as coal surges 11% in US EIA data (via Facts of the Day)

GREEN BUSINESS 

UK green economy grows £6 billion according to government data (via BusinessGreen)

Intel, Microsoft, Kohl’s top EPA Green Power list (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

China’s coal-fired economy dying of thirst as mines lack water (via Bloomberg)

How the White House watered down rules on coal-plant water pollution (via Grist)

EPA Administrator McCarthy’s tenure to be tested by coal sector (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

EU-China solar deal hinges on price as deadline nears (via Reuters)

Report says EU tariffs ending the era of low-cost Chinese solar modules (via Solar Industry Magazine)

UK renewables output soars 19% in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

India adds 566MW of green energy in Q1 (via Panchabuta)

Deepwater turbines “critical” for EU offshore wind (via Recharge)

Insurance costs for renewables may triple to $2.8 billion by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

Biofuel makers seek to ease mandates to avert Congressional overhaul (via Bloomberg)

US solar has best first half of all time in H1 2013 (via SNL)

Wind-bird debate flares with new fatality figure (via EarthTechling)

Solar leasing gains while costs to federal taxpayers falls (via Greentech Media)

The future of US solar power: opportunities in soft costs (via Climate Progress)

Virginia coastline could soon be home to 2GW of offshore wind (via CleanTechnica)

Colorado state capitol first to boast geothermal heating and cooling (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Polar thaw opens shortcut for Russian natural gas (via New York Times)

Chevron to promote shale drilling in Europe (via Houston Chronicle)

House bill would allow US to invest more in African natural gas facilities (via SNL)

DOJ probes US fracking market over antitrust issues (via Reuters)

Fire rages on Gulf rig leaking natural gas (via Washington Post)

Offshore drilling regulation critic runs company operating latest Gulf well blowout rig (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

The North Pole is now a lake (via LiveScience)

A Republican Secretary of State urges action on climate change (via Scientific American)

Obama: Grow middle class to fight climate change (via The Hill)

Four designs for resilient neighborhoods after Sandy (via Good)

EMISSIONS 

Biden urges US-India cooperation on phasing out greenhouse gases (via Climate Progress)

Developing countries to vastly outpace OECD in emissions, says US EIA (via Reuters)

China investing $277 billion over five years to curb air pollution (via Reuters)

British Columbia’s carbon tax cut fuel use, didn’t hurt economy (via CBS News)

Federal court backs EPA ozone limit but orders review of public welfare standard (via Greenwire)

GRID 

Demand response sites to double worldwide by 2020 (via Renew Grid)

Germany’s energy storage subsidy is no solar miracle (via Greentech Media)

The true ROI of smart meter deployments (via Breaking Energy)

New energy storage testing center coming to New York State (via Renew Grid)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Port of Vancouver approves Northwest’s largest oil terminal amid safety concerns (via The Oregonian)

Keystone XL prompts Congress to let lobbyists write letters of support (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Bell’s Brewery sues Enbridge over Kalamazoo River oil spill cleanup (via Michigan Live)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

America’s favorite way to save energy during summer is… (via Outlier)

Alabama state agencies cut energy costs by $3.9 million in 2012 (via Energy Manager Today)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima nuclear cleanup to cost $58 billion (via Phys.org)

TRANSPORTATION 

Charger standards fight confuses EV drivers, puts car company investments at risk (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Three major energy trends to watch: efficiency, renewables, distributed power (via GreenBiz)

Did the Clean Air Act unleash Atlantic hurricanes? (via Washington Post)

Renewable fuels debate: cutting through the hype (via Breaking Energy)

What will replace the California Solar Initiative? (via Renewable Energy World)

POLITICS 

Young US voters think Republican climate dissenters “crazy,” says poll (via The Guardian)

US Navy’s clean energy push to get focus at nomination hearing (via Wall Street Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Air pollution, Alabama, arctic, barack obama, biofuels, british columbia, carbon tax, Chevron, China, clean air act, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Demand response, distributed generation, DOJ, eia, Electric Vehicle, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, Energy Information Administration, energy storage, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, EV charger, fracking, fukushima, George Shultz, geothermal, germany, Gina McCarthy, green business, grid, Gulf of Mexico, india, intel, Joe Biden, Keystone XL, Kohl's, michigan, Microsoft, natural gas, new york state, News, nuclear, OECD, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Oil exports, oil spill, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, Resiliency, RFS, Russia, Sea ice melt, Shale gas, smart meter, solar, solar leasing, Solar trade war, Superstorm Sandy, tar sands, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Vancouver, virginia, wind
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24
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.24.13

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

COAL 

EU finance arm curbs loans to coal-fired power plants (via Reuters)

Chinese coal companies releasing toxic wastewater in Inner Mongolia (via The Guardian)

Why is Germany’s greenest city building a coal-fired power plant? (via InsideClimate News)

Lessons from the beginning of the end of America’s coal industry (via Energy Trends Insider)

ENERGY POLICY 

Utilities missing opportunity on combined heat and power (via Midwest Energy News)

Senate offshore energy revenue-sharing bill has $6 billion price tag (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Chinese tariffs may hurt U.S. makers of solar cells’ raw material (via Washington Post)

New radar technology could double number of UK wind farms (via RTCC)

Highlighting trends in global renewable energy generation (via Houston Chronicle)

The real solar feed-in tariff story in Spain (via CleanTechnica)

House lawmakers say U.S. renewable fuel mandate will change (via Bloomberg)

How twelve states are succeeding in solar energy installation (via Climate Progress)

Offshore wind gains in Virginia, stumbles in New Jersey (via EarthTechling)

First Wind Energy proposes New England’s largest wind farm (via CleanTechnica)

Maryland governor to propose 25% by 2020 renewable energy target (via Washington Post)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Report: Keystone XL would boost oil sands output and emissions (via Houston Chronicle)

The Alberta oil sands have been leaking for nine weeks (via Mother Jones)

Study finds little environmental enforcement in tar sands infractions (via Calgary Herald)

EMISSIONS 

Social cost of carbon battle hits House floor (via The Hill)

A carbon tax by any other name (via New York Times)

11 reasons to divest from the fossil fuel industry (via Resilience)

What if we could harvest electricity from carbon dioxide? (via Energy Manager Today)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Wyoming fracking study to be funded by industry after EPA pulls out (via InsideClimate News)

CLIMATE 

Ancient global warming raised sea levels nearly 70 feet (via National Geographic)

Global temperature plateau likely due to deep ocean warming (via Climate Central)

Arctic thawing could cost the world $60 trillion, say scientists (via BusinessGreen)

Biden, in India, calls climate change a risk to development (via The Hill)

Arctic shipping quadrupled in past year as global warming melts sea ice (via Slate)

Climate change threatens Bangladesh’s millennium development goal achievements (via Thompson-Reuters)

Heat and storms: research helps suburban homes adapt to climate change (via Phys.org)

OIL 

US EIA says OPEC oil sales will decline through 2014 (via Houston Chronicle)

Hess, PetroChina sign China’s first shale oil deal (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU in last lap of talks on global aviation emissions deal (via Euractive)

Renault-Nissan sells its 100,000th electric car (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Severe drought plagues northeast Brazil (via Al-Jazeera)

China weighs environmental costs of economic growth (via Wall Street Journal)

Louisiana state agency to sue energy companies for wetland damage (via New York Times)

GRID 

Smart meters must better integrate into utility operations (via Greentech Media)

Construction on 700-mile Clean Line transmission project could begin in 2015 (via The Oklahoman)

Microgrids and micro-municipalization (via RMI Outlet)

Demand response helps NYISO defend against record heat wave (via Renew Grid)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Green job placements lag (via Environmental Leader)

“LEED for sustainable purchasing” to help corporate buyers (via GreenBiz)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Houses of the rising sun: developers build homes that make more energy than they take (via Washington Post/AP)

Milwaukee launches $100 million PACE program (via Journal Sentinel)

POLITICS 

House bill limiting EPA power draws veto threat (via The Hill)

House Energy Committee chairman: biofuel-blending system “cannot stand” (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Reuters climate change coverage declined significantly after “skeptic” editor joined (via Media Matters for America)

Last week’s hearing on social cost of carbon put right-wing objections to bed (via Climate Progress)

Washington heading for another round of devastating energy innovation cuts (via Energy Collective)

U.S. natural gas use must peak by 2030 to fight climate change (via Center for American Progress)

New Jersey offshore wind: Dead or alive? (via Huffington Post)

Is Georgia the next frontier for US solar development? (via GreenBiz)

Posted:   |   Categories: adaptation, Alberta, arctic, Bangladesh, biofuel, Brazil, carbon tax, China, CHP, Clean Line, climate, Climate Change, coal, Combined heat and power, Demand response, Divestment, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, feed-in tariff, First Wind, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, Fred Upton, Georgia, germany, global warming, green business, green jobs, grid, Hess, india, Inner Mongolia, Keystone XL, LEED, Louisiana, maryland, Microgrid, Milwaukee, natural gas, New England, new jersey, News, Nissan, NYISO, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, OPEC, PACE, PetroChina, Renault, Renewable energy standard, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, res, RFS, Sea level rise, Shale oil, smart grid, smart meter, Social cost of carbon, solar, Solar trade war, Spain, tar sands, transmission, Transportation, united kingdom, US EIA, virginia, Wetland, wind, wyoming
0
23
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.23.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Chinese finance minister confirms carbon tax is on its way (via BusinessGreen)

Zero-carbon Britain is possible by 2030, claims new report (via Treehugger)

COAL 

EU finance arm to decide on curbing loans to coal-fired power (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

UN climate change deal “may not be feasible” by 2015 (via RTCC)

Climate change slowdown due to warming of deep oceans, say scientists (via The Guardian)

DOE examines climate change impact on energy sector (via Breaking Energy)

New EPA chief exhorts agency staff to “act now on climate change” (via The Hill)

Alaska looks for answers in glacier’s summer flood surges (via New York Times)

Schwarzenegger filming documentary on climate change and wildfires (via Christian Science Monitor/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Thailand boosts solar target 50% to 3,000MW (via Bloomberg)

Wind turbine battleground shifts for European and Chinese rivals (via Reuters)

Central American solar markets spurred on by high electricity prices (via Greentech Media)

Solar provides Germany 50% of power at peak hour (via Facts of the Day)

Grid-connected solar capacity in India crosses 1.7GW (via Panchabuta)

Over 1GW and 11,000 jobs for Australian solar industry in 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

With push from tax break, wind industry slowly moves out of the doldrums (via ClimateWire)

Hydropower: the unsung hero of renewable energy (via Christian Science Monitor)

Foster’s solar-skinned buildings signal market tripling (via Bloomberg)

Advocates, foes of biofuels mandate get ready to rumble (via The Hill)

Interior Department announces Virginia offshore wind lease sale (via The Hill)

Oklahoma wind farms to provide power to Arkansas, Nebraska (via The Oklahoman)

Palo Alto switches to 100% renewables – at a cost of $3 per year (via Renew Economy)

Vestas joins DOE, Texas Tech to launch unique wind research facility (via Renewable Energy World)

NATURAL GAS 

US natural gas spot prices increased during first-half 2013 (via US EIA)

US rules on fracking on public lands seen costing drillers $345 million (via Reuters)

Kansas regulators considering new fracking rules (via Kansas City Star)

Minnesota agencies crafting frack sand mining rules (via Daily News/AP)

Welcome to Portage County, the fracking waste disposal capital of Ohio (via Grist)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to implement stricter air quality controls (via China Daily)

Arctic’s boreal forests burning at “unprecedented” rate (via Climate Central)

Pakistan now “one of the most water-stressed countries in the world” as demand exceeds supply (via Climate Progress)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese utility admits Fukushima leaking radioactive water into the sea (via AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Retail lease modifications can improve efficiency (via Environmental Leader)

CBRE initiative highlights most energy efficient real estate tenants (via GreenBiz)

Program shaves electricity bills 34% for low-income South Carolina homes (via Forbes)

OIL 

Oil production in Eagle Ford Shale jumped 58% in May (via Houston Chronicle)

48,000 barrels of oil spilled in Quebec train derailment (via Montreal Gazette)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric vehicle sales are skyrocketing in America (via Grist)

Electric cars selling faster than hybrids did at same point (via Green Car Reports)

GRID 

Wholesale electricity prices rise across the United States (via US EIA)

California and Texas smart grid success shows way forward for US (via CleanTechnica)

POLITICS 

Republicans propose limiting Obama climate plan in budget (via Bloomberg)

Feds fall short of green job goals (via Greenwire)

Lobbyists to hit Hill for slugfest over Renewable Fuel Standard (via E&E Daily)

OPINION 

Australian carbon tax abandoned – what lessons can be learned? (via Triple Pundit)

Echoes of Solyndra in Oregon wind farm probe (via Politico)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, alaska, arctic, Arkansas, Arnold Schwarzenegger, australia, barack obama, biofuels, Britain, california, carbon tax, CBRE, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, DOE, Eagle Ford Shale, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, Frack sand, fracking, fukushima, germany, Gina McCarthy, green building, Green job, grid, Hydropower, india, interior department, japan, kansas, minnesota, natural gas, Nebraska, News, nuclear, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, oregon, pakistan, palo alto, production tax credit, ptc, Quebec, Renewable fuels mandate, renewables, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, solyndra, south carolina, texas, Texas Tech, Thailand, Transportation, UN, united nations, vestas, virginia, Water scarcity, wildfires, wind
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23
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.23.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Chinese finance minister confirms carbon tax is on its way (via BusinessGreen)

Zero-carbon Britain is possible by 2030, claims new report (via Treehugger)

COAL 

EU finance arm to decide on curbing loans to coal-fired power (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

UN climate change deal “may not be feasible” by 2015 (via RTCC)

Climate change slowdown due to warming of deep oceans, say scientists (via The Guardian)

DOE examines climate change impact on energy sector (via Breaking Energy)

New EPA chief exhorts agency staff to “act now on climate change” (via The Hill)

Alaska looks for answers in glacier’s summer flood surges (via New York Times)

Schwarzenegger filming documentary on climate change and wildfires (via Christian Science Monitor/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Thailand boosts solar target 50% to 3,000MW (via Bloomberg)

Wind turbine battleground shifts for European and Chinese rivals (via Reuters)

Central American solar markets spurred on by high electricity prices (via Greentech Media)

Solar provides Germany 50% of power at peak hour (via Facts of the Day)

Grid-connected solar capacity in India crosses 1.7GW (via Panchabuta)

Over 1GW and 11,000 jobs for Australian solar industry in 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

With push from tax break, wind industry slowly moves out of the doldrums (via ClimateWire)

Hydropower: the unsung hero of renewable energy (via Christian Science Monitor)

Foster’s solar-skinned buildings signal market tripling (via Bloomberg)

Advocates, foes of biofuels mandate get ready to rumble (via The Hill)

Interior Department announces Virginia offshore wind lease sale (via The Hill)

Oklahoma wind farms to provide power to Arkansas, Nebraska (via The Oklahoman)

Palo Alto switches to 100% renewables – at a cost of $3 per year (via Renew Economy)

Vestas joins DOE, Texas Tech to launch unique wind research facility (via Renewable Energy World)

NATURAL GAS 

US natural gas spot prices increased during first-half 2013 (via US EIA)

US rules on fracking on public lands seen costing drillers $345 million (via Reuters)

Kansas regulators considering new fracking rules (via Kansas City Star)

Minnesota agencies crafting frack sand mining rules (via Daily News/AP)

Welcome to Portage County, the fracking waste disposal capital of Ohio (via Grist)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to implement stricter air quality controls (via China Daily)

Arctic’s boreal forests burning at “unprecedented” rate (via Climate Central)

Pakistan now “one of the most water-stressed countries in the world” as demand exceeds supply (via Climate Progress)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese utility admits Fukushima leaking radioactive water into the sea (via AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Retail lease modifications can improve efficiency (via Environmental Leader)

CBRE initiative highlights most energy efficient real estate tenants (via GreenBiz)

Program shaves electricity bills 34% for low-income South Carolina homes (via Forbes)

OIL 

Oil production in Eagle Ford Shale jumped 58% in May (via Houston Chronicle)

48,000 barrels of oil spilled in Quebec train derailment (via Montreal Gazette)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric vehicle sales are skyrocketing in America (via Grist)

Electric cars selling faster than hybrids did at same point (via Green Car Reports)

GRID 

Wholesale electricity prices rise across the United States (via US EIA)

California and Texas smart grid success shows way forward for US (via CleanTechnica)

POLITICS 

Republicans propose limiting Obama climate plan in budget (via Bloomberg)

Feds fall short of green job goals (via Greenwire)

Lobbyists to hit Hill for slugfest over Renewable Fuel Standard (via E&E Daily)

OPINION 

Australian carbon tax abandoned – what lessons can be learned? (via Triple Pundit)

Echoes of Solyndra in Oregon wind farm probe (via Politico)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, alaska, arctic, Arkansas, Arnold Schwarzenegger, australia, barack obama, biofuels, Britain, california, carbon tax, CBRE, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, DOE, Eagle Ford Shale, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, Frack sand, fracking, fukushima, germany, Gina McCarthy, green building, grid, Hydropower, india, interior department, japan, kansas, minnesota, natural gas, Nebraska, News, nuclear, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, oregon, pakistan, palo alto, production tax credit, ptc, Quebec, Renewable fuels mandate, renewables, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, solyndra, south carolina, texas, Texas Tech, Thailand, Transportation, UN, united nations, vestas, virginia, Water scarcity, wildfires, wind
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14
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.14.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Study raises hope of combating global warming by reducing soot (via Christian Science Monitor)

Storm-battered Philippines moves to reduce climate risks and emissions (via ClimateWire)

Supreme Court curbs Port of Los Angeles’ crackdown on truck emissions (via Greenwire)

OIL 

Why America’s shale oil boom could end sooner than you think (via Forbes)

US crude oil production could reach 10 million barrels per day by 2040 (via US EIA)

ExxonMobil faces federal lawsuit over Arkansas oil spill (via Los Angeles Times)

US, Arkansas file joint complaint against Exxon Mobil (via Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

Canadian regulator says Kinder Morgan pipeline spills crude in British Columbia (via Wall Street Journal)

RENEWABLES 

MLPs: a bargain for renewables or a devil’s bargain? (via Greentech Media)

Hawaii pledges $300 million for green future (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

Native Americans decry eagle deaths tied to wind farms (via Reuters)

Concentrating solar power for 5.57 cents/kWh (via CleanTechnica)

Dominion Virginia Power set to launch solar purchase plan (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Wind power getting cheaper for Oklahoma utility customers (via The Oklahoman)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to survey soil pollution nationwide (via Bloomberg)

Fish nets found to kill large numbers of birds (via New York Times)

Colorado wildfire destroys more homes than any other in state history (via New York Times)

Supreme Court backs Oklahoma over Texas water demand (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS 

What does Israel’s offshore natural gas resources mean for the region? (via Council on Foreign Relations)

DOE Secretary Moniz vows gas export decisions this year (via the Hill)

CLIMATE 

Is a sleeping climate giant stirring in the Arctic? (via NASA)

Climate bond market doubles to $346 billion in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Cuba girds for climate change by reclaiming coasts (via Boston Globe/AP)

Geoengineering via iron fertilization could backfire (via Science Daily)

Sources: Obama climate plan rollout may come in July (via Politico)

FEMA report says climate change could increase flood risk areas by 45% (via Mother Jones)

$110 billion price tag for US extreme weather events in 2012 (via Climate Central)

Senators from Sandy-hit states press Obama on climate rules (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

French car-sharing service Autolib will make US debut in Indianapolis (via Autoblog Green)

Austin, Texas claims nation’s largest electric car share (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US companies “fall short of sustainability goals” (via Environmental Leader)

GRID 

California energy storage plan may require $3 billion investment (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EPA upgrades Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool for commercial buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

Minnesota home sale listings to include efficiency scores (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

How the World Bank could slash its carbon emissions: start flying in coach (via Washington Post)

Why federal renewable mandates challenge US utilities – and what they can do (via Breaking Energy)

How EPA fights climate change even when Congress doesn’t want it to (via National Journal)

Climate change is the GOP’s worst nightmare (via Denver Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, Arkansas, Autolib, barack obama, Benchmarking, british columbia, california, canada, Car sharing, China, Climate bond, Climate Change, colorado, Concentrating solar power, Corporate Social Responsibility, csr, Cuba, DOE, Dominion Virginia, Eagle take, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, Ernest Moniz, ev, Extreme weather, ExxonMobil, feed-in tariff, FEMA, Flood, France, Geoengineering, global warming, green business, grid, Hawaii, Iron fertilization, Israel, Kinder Morgan, los angeles, Master limited partnerships, methane, minnesota, MLP, natural gas, News, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, Permafrost, Philippines, Pipeline, Port of Los Angeles, renewables, Severe weather, Shale oil, Soot, Supreme Court, texas, Transportation, virginia, Water scarcity, Wildfire, World Bank
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14
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.14.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Study raises hope of combating global warming by reducing soot (via Christian Science Monitor)

Storm-battered Philippines moves to reduce climate risks and emissions (via ClimateWire)

Supreme Court curbs Port of Los Angeles’ crackdown on truck emissions (via Greenwire)

OIL 

Why America’s shale oil boom could end sooner than you think (via Forbes)

US crude oil production could reach 10 million barrels per day by 2040 (via US EIA)

ExxonMobil faces federal lawsuit over Arkansas oil spill (via Los Angeles Times)

US, Arkansas file joint complaint against Exxon Mobil (via Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

Canadian regulator says Kinder Morgan pipeline spills crude in British Columbia (via Wall Street Journal)

RENEWABLES 

MLPs: a bargain for renewables or a devil’s bargain? (via Greentech Media)

Hawaii pledges $300 million for green future (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

Native Americans decry eagle deaths tied to wind farms (via Reuters)

Concentrating solar power for 5.57 cents/kWh (via CleanTechnica)

Dominion Virginia Power set to launch solar purchase plan (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Wind power getting cheaper for Oklahoma utility customers (via The Oklahoman)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to survey soil pollution nationwide (via Bloomberg)

Fish nets found to kill large numbers of birds (via New York Times)

Colorado wildfire destroys more homes than any other in state history (via New York Times)

Supreme Court backs Oklahoma over Texas water demand (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS 

What does Israel’s offshore natural gas resources mean for the region? (via Council on Foreign Relations)

DOE Secretary Moniz vows gas export decisions this year (via the Hill)

CLIMATE 

Is a sleeping climate giant stirring in the Arctic? (via NASA)

Climate bond market doubles to $346 billion in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Cuba girds for climate change by reclaiming coasts (via Boston Globe/AP)

Geoengineering via iron fertilization could backfire (via Science Daily)

Sources: Obama climate plan rollout may come in July (via Politico)

FEMA report says climate change could increase flood risk areas by 45% (via Mother Jones)

$110 billion price tag for US extreme weather events in 2012 (via Climate Central)

Senators from Sandy-hit states press Obama on climate rules (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

French car-sharing service Autolib will make US debut in Indianapolis (via Autoblog Green)

Austin, Texas claims nation’s largest electric car share (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US companies “fall short of sustainability goals” (via Environmental Leader)

GRID 

California energy storage plan may require $3 billion investment (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EPA upgrades Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool for commercial buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

Minnesota home sale listings to include efficiency scores (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

How the World Bank could slash its carbon emissions: start flying in coach (via Washington Post)

Why federal renewable mandates challenge US utilities – and what they can do (via Breaking Energy)

How EPA fights climate change even when Congress doesn’t want it to (via National Journal)

Climate change is the GOP’s worst nightmare (via Denver Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, Arkansas, Austin, barack obama, Benchmarking, british columbia, california, canada, China, Climate bond, Climate Change, colorado, Concentrating solar power, Corporate Social Responsibility, csr, Cuba, DOE, Dominion Virginia, Eagle take, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, Ernest Moniz, ev, Extreme weather, ExxonMobil, feed-in tariff, FEMA, Flood, France, Geoengineering, global warming, green business, grid, Hawaii, Iron fertilization, Israel, Kinder Morgan, los angeles, Master limited partnerships, methane, minnesota, MLP, natural gas, News, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, Permafrost, Philippines, Pipeline, Renewable energy mandates, renewables, Severe weather, Shale oil, Soot, texas, Transportation, virginia, Water scarcity, Wildfire, World Bank
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11
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.11.13

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

EMISSIONS 

US-China emissions deal faces broader challenges (via Politico)

China’s rich provinces outsource emissions to less developed ones (via The Guardian)

America’s 20 worst corporate air polluters (via Forbes)

ENERGY POLICY 

EIA says US oil and gas reserves up 35% thanks to shale boom (via The Hill)

Electricity generation scoreboard: gas down 8%; coal up 8%; nuclear down 2.5%; wind up 10% & solar up 228% (via Facts of the Day)

RENEWABLES 

US installs record 723MW of solar PV in Q1 2013 (via Greentech Media)

SEPA report ranks US utilities by amount of deployed solar (via Greentech Media)

The coming solar electricity transformation (via CleanTechnica)

As first offshore wind turbine launches in Maine, is Texas next? (via StateImpact Texas)

Biofuels to play integral role in California’s energy future, says new study (via Phys.org)

COAL 

2014 European coal plunges to record as Credit Suisse cuts forecast (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Scientists say climate change could mean once a century floods every 10 years (via RTCC)

Catastrophic European floods raise climate concerns (via ClimateWire)

New climate data depicts New York City’s growing risk (via New York Times)

Dominion shareholder vote a loud signal to Virginia utility on climate (via InsideClimate News)

GRID 

Smart grid activity is heating up in South America (via Renew Grid)

Europe’s grid could carry 10% more electricity via next-generation technologies (via Recharge)

OIL 

Venezuelans find oil bonanza in Colombia (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Toyota Europe wants clean grid before pushing electric cars (via Plugin Cars)

Frequent flyers pressure United Airlines to tackle climate change (via BusinessGreen)

FAA wants to wean private airlines off leaded fuel (via The Hill)

2013 Chevy Volt gets $4,000 incentive, more if leasing a competitor’s vehicle (via Autoblog Green)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Green product growth outpaced others during recession (via Environmental Leader)

Under-fire Sustainable Forestry Initiative revising standards (via Environmental Leader)

Chemical companies seek to limit federal LEED green building (via Bloomberg)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canadian ambassador: Alberta’s oil sands crude “will get to market” (via Houston Chronicle)

Can the new social cost of carbon estimate help stop Keystone XL? (via TriplePundit)

POLITICS 

Two Senate panels compete for control over ethanol mandate (via National Journal)

Steven Chu Q&A on Solyndra, Keystone, and US grid (via San Francisco Chronicle)

DOE official violated nepotism policy, says inspector general (via The Hill)

OPINION 

What to make of a climate change plateau (via New York Times)

Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) will bring more clean energy investment (via Climate Progress)

Who’ll get stuck with San Onofre’s $3 billion tab? (via Greenwire)

Silver linings in IEA report on 2012 fossil fuel carbon emissions (via The Guardian)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, biofuels, california, canada, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Colombia, Credit Suisse, department of energy, DOE, Dominion, eia, electric vehicles, emissions, europe, ev, Extreme weather, FAA, Federal Aviation Authority, Flood, green building, green business, grid, IEA, International Energy Agency, investment, Keystone XL, LEED, Maine, Master limited partnerships, MLP, natural gas, New York City, News, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, renewables, San Onofre, Severe weather, SFI, Shale gas, Shale oil, smart grid, Social cost of carbon, solar, solar pv, solyndra, steven chu, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, tar sands, texas, Toyota, Transportation, united airlines, Venezuela, virginia
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