Category Archives:World Bank

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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03
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.3.13

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

EMISSIONS 

World Bank finds 60 carbon pricing systems in place or in development (via CleanTechnica)

Beijing adding pollution tax to gas prices by next year (via Autoblog Green)

Higher CO2 levels cause “greening” from plant fertilization effect (via Mongabay)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

British Columbia says no to Northern Gateway pipeline on oil spill concerns (via The Globe and Mail)

Another major tar sands pipeline seeking US permit (via InsideClimate News)

Keystone builder “extremely confident” Obama will approve it (via The Hill)

All sides pressing John Kerry on Keystone XL (via Boston Globe)

RENEWABLES 

US now most attractive market for renewables, says Ernst & Young (via Renewable Energy World)

Japanese domestic solar shipments soar (via Recharge)

Ontario replacing large-scale FIT with competitive procurements process (via Renew Grid)

Utility Xcel proposes total of 30% wind across its generation system (via Denver Post)

New Jersey utility PSE&G spending half a billion on solar (via Renew Grid)

ENVIRONMENT 

In Alaska, planned mine pits salmon against gold (via Politico)

NOAA ends weather forecast furloughs as tornadoes strike Oklahoma (via The Hill)

Fracking tests ties between California oil and agriculture interests (via New York Times)

82% of California native fish species risk extinction from climate change (via Sacramento Bee)

OIL 

Oil executives tune out the call of the wild Arctic (via Reuters)

OPEC to study US shale boom on member concerns (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil fields under olive groves offer Italy an economic boost (via Bloomberg)

Canadian refineries importing US crude at 4 times historic levels (via Houston Chronicle)

China’s plastic bag ban saves 6 million tons of oil in 5 years (via China Daily)

Kinder Morgan shelves plans for Texas-to-California oil pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

EPA exploring negative environmental effects of li-ion EV batteries (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf hits 10,000-unit sales mark in Europe (via Green Car Congress)

Bosch sees 180-mile EVs as minimum by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

Musk says fourth Tesla vehicle to be small electric SUV (via Bloomberg)

Combining EVs with smart grid technology can halve charging costs (via Climate Progress)

Range anxiety frustrating EVs with charger disconnect (via Bloomberg)

Florida repeals state renewable fuel standard (via Green Car Congress)

Car2Go comes to Denver with 300 Smart Fortwo vehicles (via Autoblog Green)

CLIMATE 

Climate envoys urged to draft plan B on failure of global temperature target (via Bloomberg)

Rainforests will survive extreme global warming, says study (via Mongabay)

Rate of ocean warming greater than previous estimates (via RTCC)

Colorado getting a climate change czar (via CBS/AP)

GRID 

Vehicle-to-grid emerges in new deployments (via Navigant Research)

Energy storage gets a boost in California (via Navigant Research)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

3 big energy efficiency stories you should know about (via Greentech Media)

Infographic: LEED buildings in the world (via USGBC)

OPINION 

Global game-changers in energy and climate (via National Journal)

America isn’t a clean-energy leader (via National Journal)

Tesla’s a success – so what? (via Greenwire)

The climate change guilt trip (via Los Angeles Times)

Is rail-bound crude oil a disaster waiting to happen? (via EnergyWire)

Silicon Valley is now paying even less attention to climate change and that sucks (via GigaOm)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, barack obama, battery, Beijing, Bosch, british columbia, california, canada, cap and trade, car2go, Carbon pricing, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, colorado, denver, Electric Vehicle, Elon Musk, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, Ernst & Young, europe, ev, Extinction, Extreme weather, feed-in tariff, FIT, Florida, fracking, global warming, grid, italy, japan, john kerry, Keystone XL, Kinder Morgan, LEED, new jersey, News, nissan LEAF, noaa, Northern Gateway, Ocean warming, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, ontario, OPEC, Pebble Bay, Pipeline, Plastic bag ban, PSE&G, Rainforests, Range anxiety, Renewable fuel standard, renewables, Russ Girling, Severe weather, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, tar sands, Tesla, texas, TransCanada, Transportation, V2G, Vehicle to grid, wind, World Bank, xcel
0
03
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.3.13

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

EMISSIONS 

World Bank finds 60 carbon pricing systems in place or in development (via CleanTechnica)

Beijing adding pollution tax to gas prices by next year (via Autoblog Green)

Higher CO2 levels cause “greening” from plant fertilization effect (via Mongabay)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

British Columbia says no to Northern Gateway pipeline on oil spill concerns (via The Globe and Mail)

Another major tar sands pipeline seeking US permit (via InsideClimate News)

Keystone builder “extremely confident” Obama will approve it (via The Hill)

All sides pressing John Kerry on Keystone XL (via Boston Globe)

RENEWABLES 

US now most attractive market for renewables, says Ernst & Young (via Renewable Energy World)

Japanese domestic solar shipments soar (via Recharge)

Ontario replacing large-scale FIT with competitive procurements process (via Renew Grid)

Utility Xcel proposes total of 30% wind across its generation system (via Denver Post)

New Jersey utility PSE&G spending half a billion on solar (via Renew Grid)

ENVIRONMENT 

In Alaska, planned mine pits salmon against gold (via Politico)

NOAA ends weather forecast furloughs as tornadoes strike Oklahoma (via The Hill)

Fracking tests ties between California oil and agriculture interests (via New York Times)

82% of California native fish species risk extinction from climate change (via Sacramento Bee)

OIL 

Oil executives tune out the call of the wild Arctic (via Reuters)

OPEC to study US shale boom on member concerns (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil fields under olive groves offer Italy an economic boost (via Bloomberg)

Canadian refineries importing US crude at 4 times historic levels (via Houston Chronicle)

China’s plastic bag ban saves 6 million tons of oil in 5 years (via China Daily)

Kinder Morgan shelves plans for Texas-to-California oil pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

EPA exploring negative environmental effects of li-ion EV batteries (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf hits 10,000-unit sales mark in Europe (via Green Car Congress)

Bosch sees 180-mile EVs as minimum by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

Musk says fourth Tesla vehicle to be small electric SUV (via Bloomberg)

Combining EVs with smart grid technology can halve charging costs (via Climate Progress)

Range anxiety frustrating EVs with charger disconnect (via Bloomberg)

Florida repeals state renewable fuel standard (via Green Car Congress)

Car2Go comes to Denver with 300 Smart Fortwo vehicles (via Autoblog Green)

CLIMATE 

Climate envoys urged to draft plan B on failure of global temperature target (via Bloomberg)

Rainforests will survive extreme global warming, says study (via Mongabay)

Rate of ocean warming greater than previous estimates (via RTCC)

Colorado getting a climate change czar (via CBS/AP)

GRID 

Vehicle-to-grid emerges in new deployments (via Navigant Research)

Energy storage gets a boost in California (via Navigant Research)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

3 big energy efficiency stories you should know about (via Greentech Media)

Infographic: LEED buildings in the world (via USGBC)

OPINION 

Global game-changers in energy and climate (via National Journal)

America isn’t a clean-energy leader (via National Journal)

Tesla’s a success – so what? (via Greenwire)

The climate change guilt trip (via Los Angeles Times)

Is rail-bound crude oil a disaster waiting to happen? (via EnergyWire)

Silicon Valley is now paying even less attention to climate change and that sucks (via GigaOm)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, Arctic Offshore drilling, barack obama, battery, Beijing, Bosch, british columbia, california, canada, cap and trade, car2go, Carbon pricing, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, colorado, denver, Electric Vehicle, Elon Musk, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, Ernst & Young, europe, ev, Extinction, Extreme weather, feed-in tariff, FIT, Florida, fracking, Gas price, global warming, grid, italy, japan, john kerry, Keystone XL, Kinder Morgan, LEED, new jersey, News, nissan LEAF, noaa, Northern Gateway, Ocean warming, oil, oil spill, oklahoma, ontario, OPEC, Pebble Bay, Pipeline, Plastic bag ban, Pollution tax, PSE&G, Range anxiety, Renewable fuel standard, renewables, Russ Girling, Severe weather, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, tar sands, Tesla, texas, TransCanada, Transportation, V2G, Vehicle to grid, wind, World Bank, xcel
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29
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.29.13

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

GRID 

Global grid storage market to jump to $10.4 billion by 2017 (via Renew Grid)

Smart grid may plug leaky, wasteful energy systems (via Forbes)

Microgrid merger highlights new business models (via Navigant Research)

PJM secures record amount of new generation, demand response (via Renew Grid)

EMISSIONS 

UN says world could cut emissions by 20B tons by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

UK and Germany see CO2 emissions from energy rise in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Fossil fuel divestment movement reaches 200 colleges (via Toledo Blade/AP)

Oil industry: federal renewable fuel mandate causes more emissions (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

World Bank: business as usual will fail to give sustainable energy for all (via BusinessGreen)

EU tariffs on China solar panels loom as talks fail (via Greentech Media)

Most EU states “oppose PV tariffs” (via Recharge)

China’s threatened solar duties on EU products would hurt its own producers (via Reuters)

1.1GW of wind power to be added in Africa amid new investment (via Inhabitat)

Argentina, Indonesia hit with EU tariff on biodiesel imports (via Bloomberg)

Solar industry anxious over defective panels (via New York Times)

Solar cheaper than wind? (via Sustainable Business)

Wind forecasting and data analytics revenue will surpass $300 million by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Cold climate wind energy showing huge potential (via Phys.org)

Minnesota plants seeds for community solar gardens (via Midwest Energy News)

Wyoming makes power play to export wind energy (via Wall Street Journal)

Kansas City installing solar on municipal buildings, saving $40k/year (via Treehugger)

COAL 

Coal is making a comeback in 2013 (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Germany sticking to 1 million EVs by 2020 target despite slow sales (via Autoblog Green)

Better Place lost $459M on $6.9M in sales last year; cumulative losses of $812M (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla pushes electric-car viability with rapid charging (via Bloomberg)

Musk sticking to plan for “affordable” Tesla model (via Autoblog)

Tesla crosses the $100 per share mark (via GigaOm)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Interior Department faces pressure to slow down fracking rule (via The Hill)

Natural gas may have found its price sweet spot (via Politico)

Illinois counties can do little but brace for fracking’s impact (via Chicago Tribune)

A New Mexico county’s fracking ban is all about the water (via Los Angeles Times)

CLIMATE 

97% global warming consensus meets resistance from science denial (via The Guardian)

Bill would shift NOAA resources from climate research (via Climate Central)

CBS News ties extreme weather to manmade climate change (via Climate Progress)

Bill McKibben wins Sophie Prize for fight against global warming (via Washington Post/AP)

POLITICS 

Former EPA Administrator Jackson heading to Apple (via The Hill)

The obscure county-level election that could change the planet (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Can Pakistan survive climate change? (via ClimateWire)

5 clean tech milestones worth celebrating (via Greentech Media)

Keystone XL approval is a throw of the dice in much bigger gamble (via Huffington Post)

EV industry better off without Better Place (via Navigant Research)

Climate change adaptation: so simple, a caveman could do it (via Grist)

Posted:   |   Categories: adaptation, africa, apple, Argentina, better place, Bill McKibben, biodiesel, biofuels, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Community solar gardens, Demand response, Divestment, electric vehicles, Elon Musk, emissions, energy storage, EPA, EU, European, ev, Extreme weather, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, germany, global warming, grid, Illinois, Indonesia, interior department, Kansas City, Keystone XL, lisa jackson, Microgrid, minnesota, natural gas, New Mexico, News, noaa, pakistan, PJM, Renewable fuel mandate, renewables, smart grid, solar, Solar trade war, Tesla, Transportation, uk, UN, united kingdom, united nations, Washington State, wind, Wind forecasting, World Bank, wyoming
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09
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.9.13

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

EMISSIONS 

World Bank President urges carbon price (via Environmental Leader)

EU carbon price crisis spreads to Australia (via RTCC)

EU carbon trading system remains in peril, but rescue attempts is launched (via ClimateWire)

Carbon market champions unfazed by Kyoto dead end (via Bloomberg)

Cap and trade auction investment plan a win for California (via Energy Manager Today)

COAL 

Another Northwest coal export project falls by the wayside (via The Oregonian)

ENERGY POLICY 

The 2013 US utility outlook on renewables, smart grid (via Greentech Media)

Foes suggest a climate trade-off if Keystone XL is approved (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

Offshore wind industry will become €130 billion annual market by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

World’s first green bank loans $1 billion in first five months of operation (via Reuters)

World Bank turns to hydropower to square development with climate change (via Washington Post)

German scientists use offshore wind farms to replenish lobsters (via Bloomberg)

Study finds tiny rate increases from state renewable portfolio standards (via Greentech Media)

US job market bursting with green tech opportunities (via EarthTechling)

Weak 2013 US wind turbine market predicted (via Recharge)

Minnesota House approves 4% by 2025 solar PV mandate (via Recharge)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Mexico still far from tapping shale potential, says energy minister (via Reuters)

US natural gas exports: friend or foe? (via WRI Insights)

US will use less natural gas in 2014 than in 2012, according to EIA (via Facts of the Day)

Interior Department’s fracking rules in cross hairs ahead of upcoming release (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

European plug-in EV sales will reach 670,000 unites annually by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Tesla posts first profit as Model S becomes best-selling US plug-in (via Autoblog Green)

California legislature aims to make public charging networks available to all (via Plugin Cars)

Consumer Reports gives near-perfect score to Tesla Model S (via Reuters)

OIL 

How oil travels around the world, in one map (via Washington Post)

Shell announces plans to build world’s deepest production facility (via Houston Chronicle)

Interior Secretary to oil industry: don’t throw regulators under the bus (via Houston Chronicle)

Gulf of Mexico emergency oil spill equipment put to the test (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

North American smart meter shipments will continue decline through 2014 (via Navigant Research)

Demand response cuts need for new generation in PJM grid (via Energy Collective)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Canada says it may take EU to WTO over oil sands dispute (via Reuters)

Can carbon capture clean up Canada’s oil sands? (via MIT Technology Review)

Academics warn Canada against further tar sands production (via The Guardian)

Pipeline wars seen spreading after Keystone XL fight (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy efficiency bill clears Senate panel (via The Hill)

Big data means big savings for big buildings (via GreenBiz)

Boston mandates energy benchmarking (via Energy Manager Today)

CLIMATE 

Declining snow cover imperils plant and animal species, study says (via Yale e360)

After swimming through Sandy’s havoc, New Jersey beach towns want to stay put (via ClimateWire)

POLITICS

Congressional scholar says holds on top administration posts “not business as usual” (via SNL Energy)

Environmentalists seize on Biden’s Keystone XL remarks to launch new attack (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

How the anti-coal campaign is protecting Australia’s economy (via Renew Economy)

Carbon tax is best option Congress has (via Washington Post)

It’s official: $1 invested in EPA yields $10 in benefits (via Climate Progress)

Why aren’t environmental groups divesting from fossil fuels? (via The Nation)

Carbon tax has very broad, bipartisan support – outside of Congress (via Climate Progress)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, Big data, Black & Veatch, Boston, california, canada, cap and trade, carbon capture, Carbon market, Carbon price, carbon tax, carbon trading, climate, Climate Change, coal, Coal exports, Consumer Reports, Demand response, Divestment, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, EPA, ETS, EU, europe, European Union, ev, ev charging, Fossil fuel divestment, germany, global warming, Green bank, green jobs, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Hydropower, interior department, investment, Joe Biden, Keystone XL, Kyoto Protocol, minnesota, new jersey, News, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, oregon, Pipelines, PJM Interconnection, politics, PV solar, Renewable portfolio standards, renewables, Sally Jewell, Shell, smart meter, solar, tar sands, Tesla, Tesla Model S, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wind, World Bank, World Trade Organization, WTO
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19
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.19.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Report: fossil fuel carbon bubble will plunge world into another financial crisis (via The Guardian)

EIA projects fossil fuels will still provide 78% of US energy in 2040 (via Facts of the Day)

CLIMATE 

China and India talk up plans for national climate action (via BusinessGreen)

China plans to complete climate change draft law in two years (via Bloomberg)

World Bank president: climate change is urgent “today” problem (via PBS News)

RENEWABLES 

Masdar unveils Africa’s largest solar PV plant (via BusinessGreen)

South Africa sees a 20,000% increase in clean energy investment (via Greentech Media)

Japan plans major solar storage project (via Recharge)

How does the California solar initiative compare to Japan’s FIT? (via Solar Magazine)

99% of 2012 US solar PV installations were net metered (via CleanTechnica)

California has more solar jobs than actors (via Greentech Media)

Midwest wind energy plan tests power of farmers (via Houston Chronicle)

Solar wins in Louisiana net metering fight (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar cooling panel could provide AC without electricity by sending heat to outer space (via Treehugger)

TRANSPORTATION 

Nearly 22 million electric vehicles will be sold from 2012 to 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Microbattery technology could shrink battery sizes by a factor of ten (via United Press International)

FAA set to approve Boeing’s fixes for Dreamliner problem batteries (via Washington Post/AP)

Fisker spent $660,000 on each $103,000 plug-in car (via Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS 

Almost official: California’s cap and trade program finally linking with Quebec (via Triple Pundit)

Chevron defies California on carbon emissions (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Report: higher level of renewables poses no problem for the grid (via Renew Grid)

Demand response needed to beat the heat in Texas (via Greentech Media)

KEYSTONE XL

The first – and last – hearing on Keystone XL environmental impact (via Mother Jones)

Rowdy Keystone pipeline hearing pits workers vs greens (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Senators reveal slimmer energy-efficiency bill with eye toward GOP (via The Hill)

Energy efficiency stocks rally on Shaheen-Portman bill (via Forbes)

OIL 

Interior Department: emergency containment equipment a must for Arctic drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

More US oil probably won’t destroy the climate (via Council on Foreign Relations)

Arkansas homeowners file class action lawsuit against ExxonMobil (via KARK News)

NATURAL GAS 

Energy Department: LNG export decisions coming soon (via Houston Chronicle)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, Arkansas, battery, boeing, california, cap and trade, Carbon bubble, Chevron, China, climate, Climate Change, Demand response, DOE, Dreamliner, eia, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, ev, ExxonMobil, FAA, feed-in tariff, Fisker, fossil fuel, grid, india, interior department, investment, japan, Jean Shaheen, Keystone XL, LNG, Louisiana, masdar, Microbattery, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Nebraska, Net metering, News, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, Quebec, renewables, Rob Portman, solar, Solar cooling, solar pv, South Africa, texas, transmission, Transportation, wind, World Bank
0
04
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.4.13

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

EMISSIONS 

British Columbia set to announce five-year carbon tax freeze (via Vancouver Sun)

Two major air pollutants increase in Beijing (via New York Times)

Who’s really in charge on EPA rules? A chat with legal scholar Lisa Heinzerling (via Grist)

ENERGY POLICY 

EU re-launches CCS and renewable energy fund (via BusinessGreen)

What would a manufacturing renaissance do to US energy intensity? (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Overseas demand breathes new life into US coal industry (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

India’s demand for clean energy credits almost triples in March (via Panchabuta)

Australia competing with Germany on low solar PV prices (via CleanTechnica)

Japan to become largest solar market after China (via Bloomberg)

Suntech unit bankruptcy had roots in deadbeat customers (via Bloomberg)

Renewable energy stations that double as wildlife reserves (via EarthTechling)

BP wind sale highlights renewable energy struggles (via Houston Chronicle)

Top ten wind states all have electric rates below national average (via Facts of the Day)

Online solar marketplace is like an eBay for solar (via TreeHugger)

Exelon falls from green favor as chief fights wind aid (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Canada seen beating US in $150 billion Asia LNG race (via Bloomberg)

Natural gas revolution and its implications: LNG exports 101 (via Energy Collective)

Natural gas pipeline market failure looms (via AOL Energy)

Senate panel to scrutinize natural gas exports – again (via Houston Chronicle)

Ohio not part of nonbinding Northeast fracking pact (via Columbus Dispatch)

TRANSPORTATION 

China issues new EU-ETS aviation emissions warning (via Xinhua)

Tesla increases lease calculator costs; supercharging, “mystery” announcement soon (via Autoblog Green)

Gentlemen, start your calculators: checking the math of Tesla’s lend-lease program (via New York Times)

OIL 

China to surpass US as world’s top crude importer, OPEC says (via Bloomberg)

Norway’s oil future seen with ice-free Arctic’s barrels (via Bloomberg)

Feds: all companies should heed Shell’s Arctic drilling lessons (via Houston Chronicle)

Gulf oil spill settlement dispute becomes more contentious (via Houston Chronicle)

Geologist’s Alaska gamble could turn into America’s next big shale play (via EnergyWire)

Inland US oil refiners stung by renewable energy credits (via Reuters)

No-fly zone in place over Arkansas pipeline spill site (via Nasdaq)

CLIMATE 

Has the rate of sea level rise tripled since 2011? (via Climate Progress)

World Bank president says global warming threatens planet and poorest (via Washington Post)

Environmental policies matter for growing megacities, study finds (via Phys.org)

GRID 

Over 400 microgrid projects underway en route to $40 billion market (via CleanTechnica)

How diverse is your state’s electricity generation portfolio? (via Climate Progress)

Smart meters still under fire in DC, Maine (via Renew Grid)

Big data dives clarify California power markets (via AOL Energy)

KEYSTONE XL 

The Keystone XL pipeline and its politics, explained (via Washington Post)

Former White House spokesman: polls won’t drive Obama on Keystone (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Utility customers will spend $1.4 billion on building energy management systems by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

LED streetlights move from pilot projects to widespread use (via Midwest Energy News)

POLITICS 

Obama on climate change: “the politics of this are tough” (via The Hill) 

Poll: majority of Republicans believe global warming is a hoax (via The Hill)

Anti-Keystone billionaire rattles Democrats (via Politico)

Salazar to leave Interior Department with no regrets (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Why Africa is missing the solar power boat (via Renewable Energy World)

Slow and steady wins the solar race (via GigaOm)

“Social bankability” needed to expand off-grid clean energy (via Greentech Media)

Has Tesla made electric cars affordable? Not exactly (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: africa, alaska, arctic, Arkansas, australia, Aviation emissions, barack obama, Beijing, BP, british columbia, california, Carbon capture and storage, carbon tax, ccs, China, Clean energy credits, climate, Climate Change, coal, distributed generation, emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy intensity, Energy management, energy policy, EPA, EU, European Union, Exelon, fracking, germany, global warming, grid, Gulf of Mexico, india, interior department, japan, ken salazar, Keystone XL, LED, LNG, Maine, Microgrid, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, norway, offshore drilling, Ohio, oil, oil spill, OPEC, Pipeline, Sea ice melt, Sea level rise, Shale oil, Shell, smart meter, solar, solar pv, Suntech, Tesla, Tom Steyer, Transportation, Washington DC, World Bank
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03
Apr

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.3.13

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Berkeley Lab researchers release guide to financing energy upgrades for K-12 school districts (via Phys.org)

California to set energy efficiency standards for video game consoles (via Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles includes cool roofs in building code (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

Arkansas attorney general plans investigation into oil spill (via AP)

At oil spill cleanup in Arkansas, Exxon running the show, not feds (via InsideClimate News)

Dolphin deaths still high after Gulf oil spill, says NWF (via Houston Chronicle)

Mishaps shouldn’t impede energy expansion, oil industry economist says (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Solar PV industry now operating as net energy producer (via EarthTechling)

The drought is drying up all our ethanol (via Mother Jones)

Utilities challenge net metering as solar power expands in California (via ClimateWire)

BP puts wind farm business up for sale (via Reuters)

Citigroup blows by Santander as greenest bank on wind power push (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

World Bank plans to take lead in climate challenge (via RTCC)

Climate change making extreme events worse in Australia (via The Guardian)

Geoengineering schemes need global sign-off, researchers say (via The Guardian)

Public trusts scientists on climate change, says poll (via RTCC)

NASA’s most famous climate scientist is retiring – here’s a look back at his work (via Washington Post)

ENERGY POLICY 

Sequester looms over DOE’s energy labs (via Politico)

Poll: two-thirds back Keystone pipeline, global warming belief trends upward (via The Hill)

House Natural Resources Committee democrats launch “EVIZ” iPad app (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Emissions rules put alternative-fuel vehicles in a bind (via New York Times)

US Parks Service launches clean transportation initiative (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla announces lease option for Model S starting at $1,500/month (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf has best sales month ever with 2,236 sold, Chevy Volt steady at 1,478 (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla, Fisker, and what could have been: a tale of two electric car startups (via GigaOm)

GRID 

Demand response payments increase significantly in PJM (via Greentech Media)

ComEd says smart grid efforts created 2,400 jobs in 2012 (via Renew Grid)

Northeast Utilities still can’t reveal “new route” for Northern Pass (via CLF Scoop)

COAL 

Oregon environmental coalition gives notice on coal dust lawsuit (via New York Times)

OPINION 

For energy tech, the boring stuff (business model innovation) will be key (via GigaOm)

Is the Internet too hot for data centers to handle? (via Scientific American)

8 myths about wind energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Expensive batteries are holding back electric cars – can that change? (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alternative-fuel vehicle, Arkansas, australia, battery, BP, california, chevy volt, Citigroup, climate, Climate Change, coal, ComEd, Cool roofs, data center, Demand response, DOE, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy efficiency standards, ethanol, ev, Extreme weather, Exxon, Fisker, Geoengineering, global warming, green building, green jobs, grid, Gulf of Mexico, James Hansen, Keystone XL, los angeles, NASA, National Wildlife Federation, Net metering, News, nissan LEAF, Northeast Utilities, Northern pass, oil, oil spill, oregon, Pipeline, PJM, renewables, Sequester, smart grid, solar, solar pv, Tesla, Tesla Model S, transmission, Transportation, US Parks Service, wind, World Bank
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21
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.21.13

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

TAR SANDS 

Canada’s First Nations say they will fight oil sands, pipeline (via CBC News)

Michigan oil spill cleanup may exceed insurance (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

World Bank to prioritize support for climate vulnerable states (via RTCC)

Americans’ belief in global warming rises with thermometer (via Times-Picayune/AP)

If you thought 2012 was hot, just wait a few years (via Climate Central)

GRID

Grid operator warns of future power problems in New England (via Boston Globe/AP)

Texas legislature approves electric market cost-benefit measure (via Houston Chronicle)

California lawmakers hammer utilities panel for shoddy forecasting (via Sacramento Bee)

RENEWABLES 

China’s wind power production increased more than coal power did for first time ever in 2012 (via Climate Progress)

India to install 1.3-1.4GW solar power in 2013 (via Panchabuta)

Australia sticks with renewable energy target (via Recharge)

1GW of new PV seen in Mideast and Africa in 2013 (via Recharge)

German insurers urge easing green energy investment rules (via Reuters)

US Senate rejects amendment gutting military biofuels program by 40-59 vote (via The Hill)

Small wind power annual installations will double in capacity by 2018 (via Navigant Research)

OIL 

Oil companies bid $1.6 billion for Gulf drilling rights (via Houston Chronicle)

Coastal states want more offshore drilling revenue (via Politico)

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s coastal waters increasingly polluted (via Phys.org)

New pope: “let us be protectors of creation” (via Mongabay)

Four ways to harvest rainwater and save resources (via The Good Human)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear regulators under fire for delay of post-Fukushima safety requirement (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

NRC: Car petroleum use, GHG emissions could drop 80% (via Environmental Leader)

US lawmakers say ethanol mandate may hike gasoline price (via Reuters)

Study says EV drivers will pay more per kWh to charge at work (via Green Car Reports)

DOE tool scores EV readiness for cities, counties, states (via EarthTechling)

SuperTruck semi achieves 54-percent increase in fuel economy (via Autoblog)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

UK budget promises shale gas tax breaks, public benefits (via Reuters)

Pact reached on voluntary standards for fracking in Northeast US (via New York Times/AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Study shows energy-efficient homes are 32% less risky for lenders (via Greentech Media)

Walgreens launches first net-zero retail store in US (via Sustainable Business)

New reasons to change light bulbs (via New York Times)

COAL 

Coal plants belching out less mercury (via Forbes)

How coal affects water quality: state of the science (via Sightline Daily)

POLITICS 

The wealth of business connections for Obama’s Energy pick (via ProPublica)

Keystone XL pipeline debate rattles Massachusetts Senate race (via Reuters)

OPINION 

A Chinese solar giant goes bankrupt, and that’s a good thing (via GigaOm)

UK budget sets green alarm bells ringing (via Recharge)

Protecting renewable portfolio standards from cynical attacks (via Forbes)

How to cut US gasoline use in half by 2030 (via Washington Post)

Two ways Americans may get more ownership of their energy future (via CleanTechnica)

More coal-fired idiocy and mendacity in Nevada (via Grist)

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