Category Archives:virginia

28
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.28.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Britain calls for EU target to halve emissions by 2030 (via The Independent)

California’s third cap and trade auction sells out at record price (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

Rail picks up steam as a way to move crude (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Better Place announces bankruptcy, board “stands by original vision” (via Autoblog Green)

What Better Place’s bankruptcy tells us about the future of electric cars (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Europe-China solar trade talks end bitterly (via New York Times)

Russia approves 6GW renewables plan (via Recharge)

Brazil prepares for 2014 World Cup with 7 solar stadiums (via Renewable Energy World)

(more…)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, Andrew Cuomo, australia, barack obama, better place, blm, Brazil, california, cap and trade, Capacity auction, China, Cincinnati, climate, Climate Change, colorado river, Condor take, DOE, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, environment, EPA, Ernest Moniz, European Union, ev, feed-in tariff, FIT, fracking, global warming, grid, interior department, Kevin Trenberth, Keystone XL, los angeles, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new york state, News, offshore wind, oil, oregon, PACE, PJM, renewables, Russia, Sally Jewell, Solar trade war, State Department, steven chu, tar sands, Transportation, united kingdom, virginia, Washington State, Water scarcity, wind
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23
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.23.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

98% of DOE’s $34 billion loan portfolio is being repaid (via Facts of the Day)

CLIMATE 

Thawing permafrost could produce lower CO2 emissions than previously thought (via ClimateWire)

New EU climate policy unlikely before 2015 (via Phys.org)

10 cities that will be hardest hit by climate change (via Grist)

Gov. Jerry Brown keeps pressing on the perils of climate change (via San Jose Mercury News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US shale boom shapes international energy markets (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy-rich Colorado becomes setting for fracking fight (via Bloomberg)

Illinois House panel approves fracking measure (via Chicago Tribune)

Grassroots greens challenge EDF on fracking involvement (via Mother Jones)

RENEWABLES 

Germany investing €50 million in solar PV innovation (via Recharge)

Switch to low-carbon energy would save UK households 1,600 (via The Independent)

White House, Pentagon at odds over biofuel refinery program (via Greenwire)

Wind potential – all about the data (via Renewable Energy World)

North Carolina renewable energy policy will remain in place (via Sustainable Business)

EMISSIONS 

China emissions cap proposal hailed as climate breakthrough (via Renew Economy)

China unveils details of pilot carbon-trading program (via The Guardian)

CBO: carbon tax an option to avoid “catastrophic” outcomes (via The Hill)

College fossil-fuel divestment movement builds (via Houston Chronicle)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

House passes bill to speed up Keystone XL, avoid Obama review (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone XL’s southern leg nears completion (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla Motors repays its government loan in full (via Greentech Media)

Tesla Model S set to bring EVs into mainstream (via BusinessGreen)

Coalition launches EV charging station project in upstate New York (via Green Car Congress)

COAL 

Coal regains some electric generation market share from natural gas (via US EIA)

Mining lobby touts economic impact of coal exports (via Charleston Gazette)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

UK government to boost energy efficiency efforts across sectors (via Energy Manager Today)

How Cree perfected the 20-year light bulb (via Forbes)

ENVIRONMENT 

Death by a thousand cuts: coal boom could destroy Great Barrier Reef (via Spiegel)

POLITICS 

The GOP’s green energy tent is slowly getting bigger (via National Journal)

Climate activists to protest at Obama group’s climate events (via Grist)

Q&A: Steven Chu on his time as US Energy Secretary (via Stanford News)

Green billionaire Steyer plans to get involved in Massachusetts Senate race (via The Hill)

Terry McAuliffe reverses course, backs bill to allow oil drilling off Virginia coast (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Europe, Australia, and the slow death of carbon trading (via Renew Economy)

Could a Chinese carbon cap pave the way for a global climate deal? (via Grist)

The impact of budget sequestration on DOD energy innovation (via Innovation Files)

Posted:   |   Categories: arra, australia, biofuel, california, cap and trade, carbon tax, carbon trading, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Cree, Defense Department, Divestment, DOE, edf, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, Environmental Defense Fund, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, germany, Great Barrier Reef, Illinois, Jerry Brown, Keystone XL, LED, massachusetts, natural gas, new york state, News, North Carolina, OFA, offshore drilling, Permafrost, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, rps, Shale gas, Shale oil, solar, solar pv, Stanford, steven chu, tar sands, Terry McAuliffe, Tesla, Tesla Model S, Tom Steyer, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, virginia, 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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18
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.18.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China to more than double air monitoring network (via Phys.org)

EPA likely to delay climate rules for new power plants (via Washington Post)

Dow Chemical to offset Olympic carbon emissions (via Environmental Leader)

RGGI auction raises $106 million for green reinvestment (via Environmental Leader)

Can a divestment campaign move the fossil fuel industry? (via Yale e360)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Natural gas export debate heats up over economic benefits (via Houston Chronicle)

Intrigue in Illinois after House Speaker calls for fracking moratorium (via Midwest Energy News)

RENEWABLES 

$1 trillion projected German fossil fuel import savings from Energiewende (via CleanTechnica)

Indian solar boom boosting materials market (via BusinessGreen)

DOE leaves $51 billion in loan funds unused, says GAO (via The Hill)

Using robots to drive down the cost of solar (via San Jose Mercury News)

Days of promise fade for ethanol (via New York Times)

Bipartisan bill aims to streamline hydropower development (via Renew Grid)

Ten states get 10% of electricity from wind (via Sustainable Business)

Finding happy ground between wind turbines and birds (via Earth Techling)

Arizona wins back its renewables standard (via Greentech Media)

Proposed bill looks to light up Wisconsin’s solar sector (via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

Offshore wind research takes a step forward in Virginia (via Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Ohio legislature re-examines renewable energy mandate (via Columbus Dispatch)

OIL 

Soaring oil prices fuels second North Sea boom (via Daily Express)

North Dakota oil production reaches new high in 2012 (via US EIA)

ENVIRONMENT 

Greening tundra shows impacts of spreading warmth (via Climate Central)

Record cesium level detected in fish caught near Fukushima (via Japan Times)

New Zealand suffering worst drought in 30 years (via Inhabitat)

In drought-ravaged plains, efforts to save a vital aquifer (via Stateline)

Recent storms highlight flaws in top US weather model (via Climate Central)

TRANSPORTATION 

EPA finds 2012 fuel economy was highest ever, 23.8 mpg (via Autoblog Green)

Fuel economy: small decline in 2011 and a probable climb in 2012 (via New York Times)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Market access issues weigh on oil sands developers (via AOL Energy)

Unions split on plans for Keystone XL pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)

House to vote before Memorial Day on Keystone pipeline (via The Hill)

White House: Keystone XL pipeline not a climate change cure (via Time)

House bill would reroute Keystone pipeline around Obama (via Bloomberg)

Enbridge ordered to complete cleanup of massive Michigan oil spill (via CTV/AP)

Enbridge seeks approval to nearly double tar sands pipeline capacity (via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

GRID 

Energy storage technology to surge worldwide (via Houston Chronicle)

Microgrids by mail can contribute to rural electrification in India (via Renewable Energy World)

Risky energy: cyber-security and the nation’s infrastructure (via National Journal)

Fast demand response helps balance the grid (via Navigant Research)

POLITICS 

Obama starts unveiling his plans for climate change, clean energy (via GigaOm)

Congress moves to close tax loopholes for fossil fuels (via Grist)

White House: green investments trump Keystone decision (via USA Today)

How the White House thinks about climate change, in 7 charts (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Why Obama’s Energy Security Trust is a bad idea (via Forbes)

Why we need more solar companies to fail (via MIT Technology Review)

Ten reasons why fracking for dirty oil in California is a stupid idea (via Grist)

What do young conservatives at CPAC think about climate change? (via Grist)

Rebuild vs. retreat: Christie and Cuomo offer contrasting plans in wake of Sandy (via Bergen Record)

Posted:   |   Categories: arizona, barack obama, california, carbon offsets, China, Climate Change, CPAC, Cybersecurity, Demand response, Divestment, DOE, Dow Chemical, drought, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Security Trust, energy storage, EPA, ethanol, fracking, Fuel Economy, fukushima, germany, global warming, grid, Hydropower, Illinois, india, Keystone XL, michigan, Microgrid, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new zealand, News, north dakota, North Sea, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, Olympics, Renewable energy standard, renewables, res, rggi, Shale oil, solar, Subsidy, tar sands, Transportation, virginia, wind, Wisconsin
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12
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.12.13

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

ENERGY POLICY

EU Commission wants carbon cuts, more renewables in 2030 goals (via Reuters)

Australia toughens environmental hurdles on coal, seam gas mining (via Reuters)

CLIMATE

Algae growth resulting from glacial melt could help curb climate change (via Inhabitat)

Study finds climate change making Arctic seasons more like southern regions (via Ottawa Citizen)

Canada losing its seasons to global warming (via IPS News)

Russia will soon switch to grow grapes and soybeans (via BSR Russia)

Climate change is biggest threat, says top Navy commander in Pacific (via Mother Jones)

Rising sea levels threaten historic Jamestown, marine geologist says island’s future is grim (via Washington Post/AP)

RENEWABLES

Global clean energy market values set to nearly double by 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

EU-China solar trade war promises order bonanza for Taiwan (via Reuters)

Iceland could end up at heart of Europe’s clean energy strategy (via BusinessGreen)

EWEA blasts EU states over wind policies (via Recharge)

Australia may have up to 10GW of solar PV by 2017 (via Renew Economy)

Japan’s 10% cut for solar power FIT retains boom incentives (via Bloomberg)

Wind power emerges as long-term natural gas hedge (via Greentech Media)

What will the solar PV market look like in 2016? (via Greentech Media)

Second generation biofuels on verge of cost breakthrough (via BusinessGreen)

Clean power collateral damage: of bird, tortoises and the transition from fossil fuels (via Huffington Post)

Solar PV demand to reach 31 gigawatts in 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

Barriers prevent institutional investment in renewable energy (via Energy Manager Today)

NATURAL GAS

Japan achieves first gas extraction from offshore methane hydrate (via Reuters)

Qatar announces 2.8 tcf natural gas discovery (via AP)

GRID

Smart meter shipments are booming worldwide (via Renew Grid)

Residential demand response participation will hit 16% worldwide by 2018 (via Pike Research)

Merkel government seeks to speed up German power line expansion (via Bloomberg)

Top ten North American networked grid utilities (via Greentech Media)

Biggest power users provide gigawatts of smart grid flexibility (via Greentech Media)

Community-owned transmission? (via CleanTechnica)

NUCLEAR

In US, nuclear energy loses momentum amid economic headwinds, safety issues (via Washington Post)

Fukushima legacy could be costly US plant closures (via Greenwire)

DOE to award $266 million to small modular nuclear reactor project (via Green Car Congress)

Safer nuclear power, at half the price (via MIT Technology Review)

ENVIRONMENT

Forests growing in thawed-out Arctic (via Grist)

China wrestles with cost of cleaner environment (via Phys.org)

State efforts to “reclaim” public lands traced to Koch-fueled ALEC (via Climate Progress)

Ground-level ozone falling faster than predicted, finds study (via Phys.org)

US winter was warmer and wetter than average (via USA Today)

TRANSPORTATION

CTO says GM “committed to electrification as a long-term journey” (via Autoblog Green)

105 billion public transportation trips taken in 2012 (via Mother Nature Network)

Spike in gas prices coming earlier every year (via Politico)

Tesla delays production of Model X electric car to end of 2014 (via GigaOm)

COAL

Coal plants out of style in Germany (via CleanTechnica)

What coal-train dust means for human health (via Oregon Public Broadcasting)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Green building movement gains traction worldwide (via Triple Pundit)

Energy efficiency push losing power in Congress (via The Hill)

OPINION

Inevitable 2014 headline: “Global CO2 level reaches 400 ppm for first time in human existence” (via Climate Progress)

Ending the stupid technology innovation vs. deployment fight once and for all (via Grist)

In search of energy miracles (via New York Times)

When to say no (to Keystone XL) (via New York Times)

Will California’s cap and trade stifle low-carbon innovation? (via GreenBiz)

Will China ever get its pollution problem under control? (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, ALEC, Angela Merkel, arctic, australia, california, canada, cap and trade, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal seam gas, Demand response, DOE, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EU, europe, European Union, ev, feed-in tariff, FIT, fukushima, Gasoline, Geothermal Biofuel, global warming, GM, green building, grid, Iceland, investment, japan, Keystone XL, Koch Brothers, Methane hydrates, natural gas, News, NRC, nuclear, offshore wind, Ozone, public transportation, Qatar, renewables, Russia, Sea ice melt, Sea level rise, Small modular reactors, smart grid, smart meter, SMR, solar, Solar trade war, Taiwan, Tesla, Tesla Model X, transmission, Transportation, virginia, wind
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05
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.5.13

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

OIL 

China ousts US as world’s main oil importer (via Mining.com)

US crude exports spur shale oil refineries (via Bloomberg)

Transocean chief disappointed with Gulf oil spill insurance ruling (via Houston Chronicle)

Non-jury trial may favor BP in Gulf oil spill case (via Alabama.com)

GRID 

Smart grid technology market will total $494 billion by 2020 (via Pike Research)

US transmission investment will peak at $14 billion in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

How much renewable energy can the grid handle? (via Greentech Media)

Wholesale power: bankruptcies and lessons (via Christian Science Monitor)

RENEWABLES 

EU to register Chinese solar panels, highlighting tariff threat (via Bloomberg)

Fast-tracking patent applications bolsters green tech market (via BusinessGreen)

Solar makers turn laser-like focus on boosting solar cell efficiency (via GigaOm)

US wind industry is still clinging onto tax credit (via Politico)

US inching closer to offshore wind (via United Press International)

MIT team outlines path to low-cost solar-to-storable fuels devices (via Green Car Congress)

Now on Kickstarter: a new kind of spinning energy storage device (via GigaOm)

Buffet’s renewables investment MidAmerican Energy a top portfolio company in 2012 (via SNL Energy)

California’s solar PV rebates nearly over: is this good news? (via Renewable Energy World)

University of Maine starts $1.5 million geothermal heating project (via Portland Press Herald)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Environmental activists reeling as Keystone pipeline gains momentum (via The Hill)

Arguments over climate impacts rage in wake of State Department report (via Greenwire)

Enviros seize on State’s pipeline alternatives (via EnergyWire)

Eight figures that will define Keystone XL fight over the next 45 days (via National Journal)

Enbridge declines to pay for new studies on Michigan oil spill damage (via Detroit Free Press)

TransCanada shares rise on Keystone environmental report (via Reuters)

GREEN BUILDING/ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

UK launches green building hub for construction industry (via BusinessGreen)

Ireland launches energy efficiency fund (via Energy Collective)

St. Louis seeks to be model energy efficient city (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Shale boom forces Kremlin to focus on Arctic (via Moscow Times)

Chemical industry surging on US natural gas (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking goes to the Texas legislature (via StateImpact Texas)

CLIMATE 

Splits emerging in UN climate deal agreed in Doha (via RTCC)

Report blames climate change for extreme weather in Australia (via New York Times)

Spring may arrive five weeks earlier by 2100, study finds (via Climate Central)

Warmer climate to open new Arctic shipping routes by 2050 (via Reuters)

Global warming affects crop yields, but it's the water not the heat (via Phys.org)

Two-thirds of Americans now believe global warming is real (via Phys.org)

The coming climate exodus: what we’re doing to help wildlife’s new migration (via Yes! Magazine)

NUCLEAR 

Global nuclear capacity rises in 2012 after post-Fukushima drop (via Reuters)

Restart of Japanese nuclear reactors unlikely this year (via United Press International)

Areva plans first nuclear fuel shipment to Japan since Fukushima (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

2013 electric cars: rated range for each model, ultimate guide (via Green Car Reports)

Shell to push natural gas for trains, vehicles (via Houston Chronicle)

Zipcar says 72% of young Americans don’t care about owning a car (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla Motors delays filing of annual report (via San Jose Mercury News)

EMISSIONS 

Little unity over California’s cap-and-trade program (via Reuters)

Shell forecasts near-zero global emissions by 2100 (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Obama nominates Moniz as DOE chief, McCarthy as EPA head (via Platts)

Obama’s second-term cabinet to play bigger policy role (via Washington Post)

From “green dream team” to B team (via Politico)

McCarthy’s Republican history should smooth path to EPA (via Reuters)

Is fracking a bride to a clean-energy future? Ernest Moniz thinks so (via Washington Post)

Gina McCarthy for EPA could be Obama’s most significant nominee (via Washington Post)

America’s oil and gas billionaires (via Forbes)

Can climate-change denier Ken Cuccinelli win a swing state? (via National Journal)

OPINION 

China keeps making new green pledges (via Grist)

Climate change: the scary hidden stressor (via New York Times)

Arctic ice melt will bring frosty relations as nations navigate across North Pole (via The Independent)

Cabinet picks could take on climate policy (via New York Times)

Do Obama’s cabinet picks match his greener second-term talk? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Does Keystone XL report let Obama off the hook on climate pledge? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Tesla charging situation would benefit from more flexibility, less confrontation (via Autoblog Green)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, Areva, australia, barack obama, BP, california, cap and trade, China, climate, Climate Change, electric vehicles, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, Ernest Moniz, EU, ev, Extreme weather, fracking, fukushima, geothermal, Gina McCarthy, global warming, green building, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Ireland, japan, Ken Cuccinelli, Keystone XL, Maine, michigan, MIT, natural gas, News, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, Russia, Sea ice melt, Severe weather, Shale gas, Shale oil, Shell, smart grid, solar, Solar cell efficiency, solar pv, Solar tariff, Solar trade war, St. Louis, tar sands, Tesla, texas, TransCanada, transmission, Transocean, Transportation, uk, UN, united kingdom, virginia, Warren Buffet, Wholesale power, wind, Zipcar
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22
Feb

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.22.13

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

CLIMATE 

1.5C temperature rise enough to start permafrost melt, scientists warn (via The Guardian)

Poll: one-third of US says action on climate “essential” this year (via The Hill)

Front-runner to lead EPA vows more action on climate change (via The Hill)

Top oil lobbyist: new climate bill will never reach Senate floor (via The Hill)

Inslee: Washington State must do something about climate change (via The Olympian)

PA DEP Secretary pressed on climate change stance (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

COAL 

2012 US coal exports reach record high (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Europe to get first EU-wide offshore oil and gas law (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Saudi Arabia backs local content in 7GW renewables drive (via Recharge)

Saudi Arabia invites companies to bid for colossal renewables contracts (via BusinessGreen)

70 percent of China’s new wind is in low-speed regions (via Greentech Media)

Global solar farm capacity doubles inside 12 months (via BusinessGreen)

Renewables still seeking a level playing field (via EarthTechling)

AWEA says utilities “flocking” to wind (via Recharge)

Are local weather patterns impacted by wind farms? (via EarthTechling)

Wet December may boost hydropower output in California this year (via US EIA)

VA governor signs repeal of renewable energy incentives (via Virginian-Pilot)

Cape Wind financing moves forward (via Cape Cod Times)

Nanocrystal “solar paint” could replace panels, be applied to any surface (via The Good Human)

Solar lantern shines a light on energy poverty (via Treehugger)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Most of Europe’s natural gas supplies still linked to oil prices (via Reuters)

Death on the gas field illustrates high risks of rush to drill (via EnergyWire)

Natural gas hinders Chesapeake’s gains (via Houston Chronicle)

Alaska state regulators consider new fracking rules (via Reuters)

In Illinois, environmentalists and industry compromise on fracking bill (via Midwest Energy News)

EMISSIONS 

China is getting a carbon tax, but how effective will it be? (via Washington Post)

EU carbon prices plunge after German permit auction fails second time (via Bloomberg) 

Study of California cap-and-trade system suggests refinements (via Phys.org)

Researchers develop solar process to covert CO2 to methanol (via Green Car Congress)

GRID 

Study says utilities handled Hurricane Sandy better than governments (via Renew Grid)

PPL investing nearly $1 billion to improve grid reliability (via Renew Grid)

TRANSPORTATION 

Global lithium-ion battery sales will jump sixfold by 2019 (via Autoblog Green)

Numbers don’t lie: plug-in sales ahead of early hybrid sales (via Autoblog Green)

MIT study: fuel economy standards 6-14 times less cost effective than fuel tax for reducing gasoline use (via Green Car Congress)

One of world’s most efficient vehicles unable to enter US (via New York Times)

Colorado renewables law increases environmental benefits of EVs (via Plugin Cars)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear power another casualty of the shale gas boom (via Washington Post)

Vogtle plant is progressing but nuclear revival is not (via Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Forget energy efficiency: these office buildings actually make power (via Good)

Software plots how much homeowners can save on energy retrofits (via Greentech Media)

DC announces plans to be America’s greenest city (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

GREEN BUSINESS 

How to get real green from your green certifications (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

US drought to spread in California, Florida, government forecasts (via Reuters)

USDA forecasts record US corn and soy crops, lower prices (via Reuters)

Time is running out to avert a third summer of drought (via Climate Central)

Unprecedented legal verdict will help millions of birds (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

BP spill pact excluded billions in possible loss claims (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

Senate Democrats prepare to defend Obama’s climate change rules (via National Journal)

EPA’s McCarthy mum on new job, says states to lead climate rules (via Reuters)

Interest groups gird for battle as they anticipate McCarthy pick (via Greenwire)

Latest polling finds strong support for clean energy, stricter carbon pollution standards (via Climate Progress)

LCV: 2012 House of Representatives most anti-environmental ever (via Huffington Post)

DOE Secretary Steven Chu to return to Stanford University (via Stanford Daily)

OPINION 

Dirty fossil fuel exports will come back to bite Australia (via The Guardian)

Supply, demand, and activism: what should the climate movement do next? (via Grist)

Keystone XL decision will define Obama’s climate change legacy (via The Guardian)

Five reasons why the Keystone XL pipeline is bad for the economy (via Resilience)

Court the Right: advice for Obama’s next DOE chief (via Bloomberg)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, australia, awea, barack obama, Barbara Boxer, battery, Bob McDonnell, BP, california, cap and trade, cape wind, carbon tax, Chesapeake, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, colorado, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, EU, europe, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, Florida, fracking, Fracking disclosure, Fuel economy standard, Fuel tax, Gasoline, Georgia, germany, Gina McCarthy, global warming, green business, grid, Grid reliability, Hurricane Sandy, hybrid, Hydropower, Illinois, Jack Gerard, jay inslee, Keystone XL, League of Conservation Voters, Lithium-ion battery, massachusetts, Methanol, Michael Krancer, natural gas, News, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, pennsylvania, Permafrost, Plant Vogtle, Plug in, PPL, renewables, Retrofits, saudi arabia, Severe weather, Shale gas, solar, Stanford, steven chu, Subsidy, tar sands, Tax incentives, Transportation, usda, virginia, Washington DC, Washington State, wind
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23
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.23.13

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Nebraska governor approves new Keystone XL route (via New York Times)

Nebraska approval puts Keystone pipeline decision squarely on Obama (via Globe and Mail)

US State Department: no Keystone decision before end of Q1 2013 (via Reuters)

Obama’s own words turn up heat on Keystone decision (via Politico)

Sierra Club to engage in civil disobedience for first time in opposition to Keystone XL (via San Francisco Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Four of five British have not heard of government’s energy efficiency Green Deal (via BusinessGreen)

Senate bill targets energy efficiency for climate strategy (via Politico)

DC, Virginia, Colorado top US in 2012 LEED certifications (via Energy Manager Today)

Berkeley Lab predicts more energy efficiency incentives in South, Midwest (via Energy Manager Today)

California to invest $2.5 billion retrofitting energy-wasting schools (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

China’s solar market boomed in Q4, accounting for third of global demand (via Forbes)

Japan’s solar tariff may drop 12% as costs sink, BNEF estimates (via Bloomberg)

Global insurers see opportunity in renewable energy (via Recharge)

EU proposes duties on US bioethanol imports (via Reuters)

Chinese solar panel imports drop amid new US tariffs (via Houston Chronicle)

Total solar scenario for Earth: plenty, with room to spare (via EarthTechling)

Ikea to double spending on renewable energy to $4 billion (via Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg) 

Taller wind turbines boost state energy self-reliance (via CleanTechnica)

New bill proposed for Maryland offshore wind (via Recharge)

Wind farm towers: taller and slower with more power (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Wind energy company could be required to track, protect condors (via Bakersfield Californian)

EMISSIONS 

Supreme Court won’t hear challenge to EPA pollution rule (via The Hill)

Court ruling casts doubt on future of EPA monitoring program (via Greenwire)

California greenhouse gas emissions drop for 3rd year (via Sustainable Business)

TRANSPORTATION 

A123 expects Wanxiang sale to be finished by Feb 1 (via Autoblog Green)

Lux Research: Boeing “should have used a safer battery” (via Environmental Leader)

More electric car charging stations open in Atlanta (via Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

COAL 

Sen. Rockefeller reshaping his federal mine safety legislation (via Register-Herald)

Coal trains: what is the impact? (via Skagit Valley Herald)

The people and process behind Bellingham’s coal port decision (via Crosscut)

Iowa utility agrees to stop using coal at five generators (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Betting on Indiana coal: Duke wants ratepayers to fund retrofits, enviros cry foul (via Midwest Energy News)

GRID 

Australian utilities reluctant to invest in smart grid (via Renew Grid)

How much electric supply capacity is needed to keep US electricity grids reliable? (via US EIA)

In fuel cells, the US plays catch-up (via Pike Research)

CLIMATE 

Poll shows country split on climate change (via The Hill)

In inaugural address, Obama makes a moral case for action on climate change (via Washington Post)

Obama signals new executive authority focus on climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

Obama could bypass Congress to fulfill climate pledge (via Bloomberg)

Death from above: Chicago’s bird casualties offer clues on climate change (via Grist)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Shareholders challenge Exxon, Chevron over climate risks (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas vehicles remain less prevalent in US than elsewhere (via Houston Chronicle)

Huntsman Corp. joins campaign against US natural gas exports (via Houston Chronicle)

NUCLEAR 

An early nuclear warning: was it for naught? (via New York Times)

Fish caught near Fukushima shows radiation level 2,500 above safety standards (via Daily Mail)

OPINION 

A quick, awesome must-read on climate change (via Mother Jones)

Will Germany banish fossil fuels before the US? (via Grist)

Enough with our cult of the presidency – the climate’s fate rests with Congress (via Grist)

The climate change endgame (via New York Times)

The 14 fossil-fuel projects poised to f*ck up the climate (via Grist)

Posted:   |   Categories: A123, Atlanta, australia, barack obama, battery, Berkeley Lab, biofuel, boeing, Boeing Dreamliner, california, Chevron, chicago, China, climate, coal, Coal export, Coal train, colorado, Congress, Dave Heineman, duke energy, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Exxon, feed-in tariff, fuel cell, fukushima, germany, green business, grid, Ikea, indiana, japan, Jay Rockefeller, Keystone XL, LEED, maryland, Mine safety, natural gas, Natural gas export, Nebraska, News, nuclear, offshore wind, Reliability, renewables, retrofit, sierra club, smart grid, solar, Solar trade war, tar sands, Tariff, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, USGBC, virginia, Wanxiang, Washington DC, Washington State, wind
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22
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.22.13

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

CLIMATE 

Interview: UN Chief wants action on climate change (via Time/AP)

World Economic Forum: efforts to curb climate change could cost $700 billion a year (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

Survey: 70 percent of firms fear climate threat to revenues (via BusinessGreen)

Seeking clues about sea level rise from fossil beaches (via New York Times)

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon price dips below €5 mark for first time (via BusinessGreen)

China and Australia top list of “carbon bomb” projects (via The Guardian)

EU carbon market in need of an auction monitor (via Reuters)

GRID 

EU energy chief appeals to Germany to drop energy isolation (via Reuters)

Smart city technology market to hit $20.2 billion annually in 2020 (via Green Car Congress)

Germany plans support for energy storage on small PV installations (via Recharge)

In energy storage, the numbers don’t add up – yet (via Pike Research)

RENEWABLES 

France considers third offshore wind power tender for 6GW (via Reuters)

South Korea to change renewable subsidies to boost program efficiency (via Bloomberg)

Unlikely companies bring clout and cash to clean energy lobbying effort (via InsideClimate News)

New thin-film solar cell efficiency record set at 20.4% (via CleanTechnica)

Vermont study demonstrates net metering benefit for ratepayers (via Renewable Energy World)

Willow trees grown for biofuel produce more if grown diagonally (via R&D)

COAL 

Record China imports unlikely to excite Asian coal markets (via Reuters)

Carbon capture & sequestration emissions savings may be lower than predicted (via BusinessGreen)

Visit the tiny town where Big Coal will meet its fate (via Mother Jones)

TRANSPORTATION 

Report: airlines could make €1.3 billion from EU carbon regulations (via BusinessGreen)

What does the Boeing Dreamliner battery fire mean for EVs? (via Plugin Cars)

Toyota leads green tech patent growth for third consecutive quarter (via CleanTechnica)

Major price drops coming for electric vehicles (via CleanTechnica)

Bumpy road ahead for EV charging market? (via Renew Grid)

Avis’ Zipcar buy likely to be approved by antitrust legislators (via Autoblog Green)

Virginia governor’s road-funding plan: penalize hybrids, EVs (via Green Car Reports)

OBAMA INAUGURATION 

Obama’s speech gives climate goals center stage (via New York Times)

Climate change moves to forefront in Obama’s inaugural address (via The Guardian)

Can Obama make defeating climate change his legacy? (via The Guardian)

After Obama’s speech, a hunt for details (via The Hill)

Obama’s climate change pledge tested by Keystone XL pipeline (via Huffington Post/AP)

Can Obama tackle climate change in his second term? (via Washington Post)

OIL 

Arctic drilling can be done safely, federal adviser says (via Houston Chronicle)

Friendly business environment fuels US oil boom (via Houston Chronicle)

800 scientists gather for Gulf of Mexico oil spill conference (via Times-Picayune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

LEDs emerge as popular efficient lighting (via New York Times)

In Chicago, seeking the next bright idea in energy efficiency (via Midwest Energy News)

NUCLEAR 

End to Yucca Mountain “within reach,” Nevada commissions says (via Las Vegas Sun)

Endgame close in legal tussles over Vermont Yankee (via Greenwire)

ENVIRONMENT 

Crop production boosted 145% in drought conditions with water-saving membranes (via TreeHugger)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, australia, Ban-Ki Moon, barack obama, battery, Big Coal, biofuel, Boeing Dreamliner, cap and trade, Carbon auction, carbon capture, Carbon capture & sequestration, ccs, chicago, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EU, European Union, ev, France, germany, grid, Gulf of Mexico, hybrid, Keystone XL, LED, Li-ion battery, Net metering, Nevada, News, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, renewables, Sea level rise, Smart city, smart grid, solar, South Korea, Subsidies, Toyota, Transportation, UN, united nations, vermont, Vermont Yankee, virginia, Washington State, World economic forum, Yucca Mountain, Zipcar
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16
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.16.13

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

GRID 

Offshore transmission line breaks new ground on grid rules (via New York Times)

Why military microgrids influence exceeds their market share (via Pike Research)

ENERGY POLICY 

Large mergers drive changes in ownership of electric generating capacity in 2012 (via US EIA)

Oil lobby touts Keystone XL pipeline, natural gas exports (via Politico)

Oil refiners ask Congress to scrap renewable fuels mandate (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Hong Kong offers $1.3 billion to replace polluting vehicles (via Bloomberg)

EPA says final revisions to 2010 air quality rule will cut industry costs, health risks (via The Hill)

California cuts GHGs for third year (via Environmental Leader)

RENEWABLES 

“Advanced energy” is a trillion-dollar market, and actually grew in 2012 (via GigaOm)

China passes 60GW grid-connected wind capacity (via Recharge)

Inside MENA countries’ solar energy plans (via Renewable Energy World)

Saudi Arabia will set up power buyer for renewables electricity (via Bloomberg)

Royal family investing £20 million in UK wave and tidal power (via BusinessGreen)

Solar provides 5.6% of Italian electricity demand in 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

Morocco to launch new concentrated solar power tenders (via Recharge)

50% solar cell efficiency could be in sight (via EarthTechling)

PTC in place, the US wind industry looks ahead (via Greentech Media)

Solar net metering will provide over $92 million in benefits to California ratepayers (via Electric Light & Power)

Sungevity scores $125 million for third-party solar financing (via Greentech Media)

ALEC to attack North Carolina renewable energy initiative (via DeSmogBlog)

Virginia attorney general targets utility renewable energy incentives (via Washington Times/AP)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Texas study finds increase in water used for fracking (via Texas Tribune)

CLIMATE 

2012 was Earth’s 10th warmest year on record, warmest with a La Nina (via Weather Underground)

US climate diplomat says emissions deal is in nations’ core interest (via The Hill)

Black carbon 2x larger cause of climate change than previously assessed (via Green Car Reports)

Record taxpayer cost is seen for US crop insurance (via New York Times)

Decades of temperature changes where you lived mapped online (via The Guardian)

National Flood Insurance Program – a mighty engine that couldn’t (via ClimateWire)

Science and religion meet at a climate protest (via New York Times)

Do cities really take the lead on climate change? (via Grist)

Sandy relief bill passes House despite conservative opposition (via Huffington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Cadillac and Nissan press the case for electric cars (via New York Times)

Tesla Model S to hit UK market in early 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

Cadillac introduces 2014 ELR extended range electric vehicle (via Green Car Congress)

Nissan to use US battery plant for hybrid vehicles (via Bloomberg)

Johnson Controls offers start-stop battery system for vehicles (via New York Times)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Google makes new electricity push with funding to Energy Foundation (via The Hill)

How Ford and Adidas are making climate change work in their favor (via GreenBiz)

US government seeing big savings from green buildings (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

10 things to know about leasing coal on public land (via Oregon Public Radio)

POLITICS 

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to leave Obama administration (via Reuters)

Ken Salazar’s legacy includes push for wind, solar energy (via Politico)

Chuck Hagel’s Chevron tie not criticized (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

2013: the year of climate decision (via Climate Progress)

Can the Chinese rescue Fisker? (via Autoblog)

For greater job growth, invest in clean energy, not US coal exports (via National Geographic)

Wind might not roar in 2013, even with PTC (via EarthTechling) 

The extreme weather threat that’s all around us (via Huffington Post)

Why is net metering under attack? (via Greentech Media)

A holding pattern at Tesla (via New York Times)

Posted:   |   Categories: Adidas, Advanced industry, ALEC, API, Atlantic wind connection, battery, Cadillac, Cadillac ELR, california, Chevron, China, Chuck Hagel, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, concentrated solar power, Crop insurance, csp, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy Foundation, energy policy, EPA, ev, Extreme weather, Fisker, Ford, fracking, global warming, google, green building, green business, grid, Hong Kong, Hurricane Sandy, hybrid, Insurance, interior department, italy, Johnson Controls, Ken Cuccinelli, ken salazar, Keystone XL, La Nina, M&A, MENA, Microgrid, Morocco, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Net metering, News, Nissan, nissan LEAF, North Carolina, oil, politics, production tax credit, ptc, Renewable fuels mandate, renewables, saudi arabia, Severe weather, solar, Soot, Sungevity, Tesla, Tesla Model S, texas, Third party solar, tidal power, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, US military, virginia, wave power, wind
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