Managing A Nuclear Capital Risk
Construction costs for new nuclear power plants pose big risks. Now contractors and vendors could become project investors. Look into it
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November 28, 2008
Marine Energy As Job Engine
Scotland's marine power industry could generate more jobs than North Sea oil and gas. Dive in
Concentrate On The Sun
This could be the dawn of solar thermal power. That's bright
Pass A Climate Law Now
"A recession isn't a bad time to get started on climate legislation." True or false?
November 26, 2008
GHG Records Shattered
The WMO reports that atmospheric levels of CO2, methane and nitrous oxide reached all time highs in 2007. Break down here
Coastal Calamity
The Pacific Ocean coast is acidifying fast and CO2 is the culprit. How base!
NYC Transported
NYC's innovative Transportation Commissioner hasn't been stopped by the congestion pricing fiasco. Green light
EU: Hits & Misses on Renewables
Some EU nations are on target to get 20% of their power from renewable sources by 2020, others are not. Political will and money are the usual suspects. Plug in
Keys To An Urban Agenda
A recent conference, "Imagining Cities: Urban Design After the Age of Oil" spotlighted sustainable transportation, infrastructure and money as keys to greener cities. Open here
November 25, 2008
NY Wind Power Forecast
The future of wind power in New York looks partly fair/partly cloudy. Plug in
The Gas Price Rollercoaster
Will American return to a trance state now that gas prices have plummeted and what would that mean for government policy and revenues? WSJ
Crisis, Climate And The Media
The media looks at itself in this moment of political transition and economic crisis to see what's happening to coverage of the climate crisis. Don't despair
Q: What's Green But Not LEED?
A: The New York Time Building. It's saving a bundle on its high performance energy efficiency. Good news
LEED-ND & Preservation
Draft LEED standards for neighborhood development (ND) are available for public comment. Here's a preservationist perspective. Learn more
November 24, 2008
Cap & Trade v. EJ In CA
Public hearings in Sacramento about the California climate cap & trade plan brought out calls for mandatory GHG controls and community protection. It's about location
On The Grapevine
Obama's transition team may be reading this climate blueprint that makes do without a new climate law. Check it out
Light Up
Beyond CFL's - bright ideas for energy efficient lighting. Seek illumination
Cap & Trade v Tax: Graduate Level
The debate rages over whether cap & trade or taxation is the best way to cut carbon emissions. Take notes
Nuclear Tech: Pressing Ahead
With government funding a UK firm could get an open-die press for making major nuclear power plant parts. Look into it
Portugal Plugs In
Starting in 2010, Portugal will have an expanding network of recharging stations for its growing fleet of electric cars. Get connected
Boston Real Estate's Green Values
Poll finds Boston's real estate aspires to green, energy efficient buildings, even under tough market conditions. Learn more
November 22, 2008
Drill Through Red Tape
It was easier to drill through bedrock than cut through a bureaucratic maze to construct a geothermal heating and cooling system for NYC's General Theological Seminary. Start here
November 21, 2008
Jolting Drop In Power
Electric utilities are shocked by falling power use around the nation. WSJ
Spreadin' Research Around
Spearheaded by California, governors pledge to share their states' climate knowhow and technology with the world. Learn more
Do Green Buildings Do It?
Find out if LEED-rated commercial buildings deliver on their promises. Start here
Willing To Pay More
Polling finds wide support in 21 countries for a shift to renewable energy, even if this means higher utility bills. Plug in
Store CO2 In Brine
Engineers find potential for efficiently capturing CO2 emissions in salty water. Learn more
Bay Area's Plug-In Potential
Looking ahead to a generation of electric cars, Bay area leaders look to building a plug-in infrastructure. Get energized
A Hotter World Is A Sicker World
The spread of malaria and dengue fever are linked to climate change. Learn more
EU Auto Bailout?
European auto makers are asking for bailout money. Environmentalists weigh in. Start your engines
November 20, 2008
Delay is No Longer An Option
How to repower America and fix the economy. It's not either/or
Changing Climate In China?
Breaking with the past, Chinese delegates at a California climate conference did not call for the US to act first. Stay tuned
Less Carbon, More Jobs
Analysis of five low-carbon technologies by Duke University researchers sees major economic growth potential. Read it
Chicago Codes For Climate
Chicago aims for 400,000 code-compliant energy-efficiency home retrofits to help shrink its carbon footprint 25% by 2020. Climate Wire
More Muscle
Bicep, a new coalition of US companies promoting climate protection, calls for more ambitious actions than USCAP, another business coalition promoting climate action. Curl up
November 19, 2008
Think Concretely
Concrete, used in construction since Roman times, is a major source of CO2 emissions. Now, green builders are using more climate-friendly concrete. High performance!
Just Add Vapor
Scientists report that water vapor in the atmosphere doubles the warming impact of CO2. Find out more
Russian Nukes Head West
Russia will build Venezuela's first nuclear power plant. Going Hugo
UK Is #1
The UK is the first nation to enact legislation that makes 80% GHG emissions cuts the law. Start here
Wind Turbine Slowdown
GE's wind turbine business encounters delivery delays linked to financial slowdown, but 'strong growth' is expected with renewables requirements. Turn, turn
Richmond Rail Renaissance
Revived in 2007, the CSX rail freight link from Staten Island to the US mainland is expanding. That's moving
Those "C&S" Words
Analysts argue that carbon capture and sequestration are within our technical reach. The key will be in what kind of climate policy is adopted.Look into it
November 18, 2008
Indonesia: Climate v Palm Oil
The boom in palm oil speeds up deforestation in Indonesia and the government retreats from its global warming goals. And the winner is...
Taking The Temperature
Get a glimpse of how climate scientists practice their calling. Fine print
'Delay Is No Longer An Option'
President-elect Obama delivers a message to the international climate change conference in California. Get it here
Taxing Thoughts
Ever wonder about the best way to finance renewable energy projects? Start here
EU: No Cash To Capture Carbon
A $14 billion proposal to build twelve pilot coal fired power plants equipped with carbon capture-and-bury technology fails to win support in Europe. Why?
UK: Expect Delays
Government lawyers warn that plans to build a generation of new nuclear power plants in the UK will meet legal challenges and delays. Questions raised about siting and investor reaction. Look ahead
Going For Green Infrastructure
Private investment researchers call for a green national infrastructure bank as a smart strategy for hard times. Spend time here
November 17, 2008
Not A Pretty Picture
For the first time, Energy Star rates tvs' energy use when the sets are on. Guess what? Even the best flat-screen tvs are energy hogs. Plug in
No New Coal Now
EPA halts construction of new coal-fired power plants for now. Read the fine print [1.5MB]
Look (Far) Ahead
Based on Joe Romm's review, it looks like the Dingell-Boucher climate bill gets traction in 2026. ASAP?
High Hopes Or Cynical Ploy?
Governor Schwarzenegger hosts a global gathering to boost cooperation on clean tech and cutting GHG emissions. Stay tuned
Plug Into Bolivia
Bolivia has half the world's lithium reserves and that could be the key to a world of plug-in cars. Learn more
US: Climate Action Not Urgent
While nearly 80% of US poll respondents see a strong need for climate action, that's a lower number than gathered from five EU-polled countries. Oh
Kicking The Habit
For a nation addicted to oil, experts look beyond today's low energy prices for the Rx. WSJ
Bicycles Built For You
Bike business up, auto industry not. Gear up
Media Mogul Warm To Carbon Disclosure
The Chair of the News Corporation calls for mandatory corporate carbon disclosure and emissions controls. Deadline 2010
November 14, 2008
Airborne Costs For Offshore Wind
Skyrocketing costs cast doubt on new UK offshore wind power plans. Plug in
EU Seeks Energy Independence
Along with developing access to Central Asian natural gas, the EU's strategic energy plan includes energy efficient buildings and more renewable power. End run Russia?
The Light Goes On - And Off
Sun and wind will light up a giant billboard in Times Square. When there's no sun or wind, the sign goes dark. What a concept!
Just In CASE
CASE, the Center for Architecture, Science and Ecology, is a joint project of hands-on architects and academic researchers to speed the deployment of greener building materials. Learn more
November 13, 2008
Measuring Up
In 2008, the Obama campaign proposed very specific energy goals. Here's a recap and a look ahead to 2009. Plug in
It's Not The Sun
New research find that sunlight is responsible for just 10% of the Earth's recent warming. Learn more
November 12, 2008
Flex Those Brains
The Financial Times is sponsoring a competition for the best ideas about how to combat climate change. Find out more
Let Them Eat Coal
If you find the first part of this story alarming, don't miss the last sentence. Warmer
Japan: Took It Higher
Japan's GHG emissions rise to a record high. Closure of a nuclear power blamed. Now what?
India: What's Small Is Big
The PV revolution pays off for an Indian fisherman. Learn more
Silver Linings
Global companies can gain a competitive advantage by rising to the climate change challenge says business group. Here's how
November 11, 2008
Weighing Our Energy Options
Read Michael Klare's thoughtful piece on the tough choices facing the new president - and all of us. It's not either/or
Learn From Labels
How do carbon labels on supermarket products influence UK consumer choices? Check it out
Might Be Micro-Nukes
Got $25 million? Then you could order a 'garden shed' size nuclear power plant from a company in New Mexico. And then?
Oil-Sand Investments Sink
As global oil prices plummet, energy companies scale back exploration in Canada's oil-sands. Stay tuned
Rx: The Low Carbon Cure
The European Commission sees adoption of low-carbon technologies as a cure for economic woes. Start here
November 10, 2008
Earthly Advice
NYT Dot Earth Blog
Nancy takes up Al Gore's call for investing in 21st century technologies. Read Nancy's Green Auto Aid comment in response to Andy Revkin's post.
Al Gore was right to call for "an immediate and large strategic investment to put people to work replacing 19th century energy technologies... with 21st century technologies".
Today, President-elect Obama and Congress have a chance to start down this 21st century path as they consider financial aid for the US auto industry. If the industry gets public aid (and this is a big if), it should be contingent on three things. First it must accept that California can implement its own CAFE standards and drop objections to any state that adopts California standards. Second, the industry must accept regulation of CO2 emissions for all classes of on-road vehicles. Finally, the auto industry should adopt agreed-to annual sales targets for both ultra fuel efficient and hybrid fuel vehicles.
The terms for repaying federal aid should be contingent upon meeting these targets, with penalty payments for missing them. Success should matter.
Travel Plans
Arctic warming has revived age-old dreams of sailing through the Northwest Passage. Learn what scientists are saying. Brrrr
Treasury Could Be The Key
Obama observers think the Treasury Department will play a critical role in shaping energy and climate policy. "We have a new situation in which energy, climate and the economy very much affect each other, and as a result, that is going to take much broader and more effective coordination inside the U.S. government". Greenwire [Subscribers only]
Saving Australia's 'Alps'
By putting the Snowy Mountains on its National Heritage register, Australia acts to curb climate impacts in this special area. Visit
Clean Energy Threatens The Grid
A US utility group sees the reliability of the electric grid threatened by shifts to natural gas and renewable energy. Plug in
New Climate Partners?
Post-Kyoto climate negotiations could advance on an EU offer to African countries to share renewable energy technologies. Stay tuned
November 07, 2008
Calling For Energy Innovation
Heard on the grapevine - Obama's staff is reading this report. Yes, you can too [4.3MB]
Extreme Nuclear Make Over
Would more attractive architectural designs make nuclear power plants more popular? Nip and tuck
Start At The Top
Global warming impacts in the Arctic mean rethinking the fundamentals of national security policies. Start here
Will Duke Distribute Its Energy?
Utility giant Duke Energy favors rooftop PV as a path to smaller-scale, renewable power supply. Plug in
November 06, 2008
IEA: Things Must Change
The 2008 International Energy Agency report finds that global energy supply and consumption trends are unsustainable and must be changed. Learn more
On Obama's Short List?
There's buzz that Robert Sussman is on Obama's short list for EPA chief. In 2007, Sussman testified before Congress about coal and carbon sequestration. Learn more
Free Permits
The EU's plan to start selling CO2 emissions permits, instead of giving them away for free, was slammed by business. Gee whiz
Get Smart
What's the difference between the dumb electric grid we've got now and the smart grid we could have? Find out here
November 05, 2008
Your Ideas For Obama
Andy Revkin's asking for readers suggestions on climate and energy for the new President. Read & post your own And now some words from our environmental leaders. Read Grist
Europe Hopeful On Obama
Europeans see Obama's election as boosting chances for global climate cooperation. Next stop Poland?
What Should Obama Do?
Climate activist Bill McKibben offers a domestic and global agenda for the Obama administration. Take notes Other views in the news. Here
What Will Obama Do?
A renewable energy bill could be the Obama administration's first carbon-critical legislative initiative. Stay tuned
'Feed-In Tariffs' Trashed
This UK critic holds a dim view of 'feed-in tariffs' as a tool in the renewable energy kit. Small isn't beautiful
November 04, 2008
Arnie & The Atom
Governor Schwarzenegger is interested in new nuclear power for California. Learn more
Green Agenda For #44
The new president will face an urgent need to face climate change, starting November 5. Transition now
Berkeley FIRST
Starting November 5, Berkeley CA will pay the upfront costs of installing PV and energy efficiency upgrades. Costs will be recovered through property tax payments over a 20 year period. Plug in
November 03, 2008
Stock Up?
Although it's tough on Wall Street now, experts look ahead to the potential role of 'securitization' to finance alternative alternative energy and infrastructure. Plug in [2.7 MB]
Greenroots For A New Green Deal
Here's a strong statement of where the US could be going and how to get there. Van Jones
Fuel Subsidies Are For Fossils
UK PM Brown wants a tax code with a 'level playing field' for clean energy and an end to fossil fuel subsidies. New deals ahead
November 01, 2008
Turning the Rust Belt Green
“'The green we’re interested in is cash,' says Norman W. Johnston, who started a solar cell factory called Solar Fields in Toledo in 2003." Work it out