Nukes In Neutral
Prospects have stalled for reviving the global nuclear power industry. Money matters
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May 29, 2009
Fill 'Er Up With Algae
Algae, not corn, could be the next big thing in non-fossil fuels. Algae?
Waxman-Markey Uncapped?
Provisions in Waxman-Markey that allow for the sale of extra emissions permits as a market 'safety valve' could negate the imposition of a carbon cap. Fine print
Brooklynites Act On Passive Housing
A 19th Century warehouse in Brooklyn's Windsor Terrace will be transformed into 30 units of energy efficient 'passive home' co-housing. Learn more
May 28, 2009
Guangzhou: Super Tall, Super Green
China's Pearl River an office tower, opening in 2010, could be the world's most energy efficient mega-building. Here's how
Making It Murky
The Economist predicts any cap and trade program that gets through Congress will be murky, complex and less effective than a carbon tax. And that's not all
Adapting To Adaptation
Experts are talking about how nations and populations can adapt to climate change, but what's being done? Find out
EU Targets Transport
Tackling GHG emissions from shipping and aviation could be an EU goal at the Copenhagen climate talks. Stay tuned
They're Not Stimulated
Despite federal stimulus fund requirements for states to adopt up-to-date building energy codes, several midwest states aren't acting. Just lethargy?
May 27, 2009
Big Bucks For Green Homes & Jobs
Affordable housing can now tap $4 billion in federal funds to improve energy efficiency. Another $500 million will go for green collar job training. Stimulating!
Market Growth Fails To Cut Carbon
Despite growth in the EU-ETS carbon trading market, global emissions are up. Go figure Secondary market investments slammed by recession. Figure more
May 26, 2009
Zero x 16
By 2016 all new homes in England will have to be zero-carbon. What's that?
Sotomayor's Eco Judgment
A Clean Water Act ruling by Justice Sotomayor in a case brought by the Hudson Riverkeeper was recently overturned by a 6-3 vote in the Supreme Court. Look into it
UK: Pricey Nuclear Power
Cost and cost-overruns pose the biggest threat to a new generation of nuclear power plants in the UK. Billions of pounds
Germany: Climate v. Industrial Policy?
The EU will examine climate policy impacts of German aid to its energy-intensive industries. Plug in
Frack That
Congress might require disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, 'fracking', to drill for natural gas near water supplies. Learn more
Politics & Green Politics
Get the back story on a challenge to New York's junior senator that never happened and its connection to sustainable energy policy. Start here
Michigan - After The Auto Economy
While the crashing auto industry in Michigan grabs the headlines, green shoots of a clean energy industry appear in Ann Arbor. WSJ
China-US Coal Project
Four Chinese companies team up with Duke Energy to develop and deploy technologies to capture CO2 at coal burning power plants. Stay tuned
May 22, 2009
Why Waxman's The Way
The ever climate-vigilant Joe Romm supports the Waxman-Markey bill. Here's why
WIll US Climate Act Lower The Bar?
Passage of the current US climate bill, which sets targets lower than the EU's, could affect negotiations on the upcoming global warming agreement. Look into it
Another Win For Cape Wind
Developers of a 130 turbine wind farm near Cape Cod get their state 'super-permit'. Plug in
Rate That Server!
EPA's launches an Energy Star rating for computer servers. Cool
May 21, 2009
How Accomodating
An energy economist looks at the Waxman bill and doesn't like what he sees. Check it out
Good News, Bad Times
In 2008, US carbon emissions dropped by 2.8% and energy efficiency increased. Both these trends are linked to the rotten economy. Get the facts
Capturing Carbon In Alabama
A US electricity producer plans to trap the CO2 at its Alabama power plant and the USDOE will pipe it underground for storage. ETA 2011
High Performance in Beijing
Opened in 2005, a green office building in Beijing now has a high performance track record. Text & photos
Coal Friendlier
The coal industry warms to amendments appearing in the Waxman-Markey climate bill. Ayes ahead?
May 20, 2009
Global Positioning
New York Times Blog Dot Earth
Prompted by Andy Revkin's Bracket Time for Climate {Treaty} {Pact} posting on Dot Earth, Nancy joins the conversation about a new global climate agreement and the Waxman-Markey bill in Congress. Read Revkin's post and Nancy's comment.
Nancy's Comment:
Michael Levi writes, "The various targets proposed for developed countries are very hard to reconcile with Waxman-Markey, which is probably the outer limit of what's currently possible in the United States."
Please explain & expand.
While Paul Krugman's weighed in on behalf of Waxman-Markey, on the basis that this is the best that the American political system can do at this time, Levi appears to think that passing this bill will leave us so short of meaningful targets as to render a 450 ppm global goal absurd. If so, this is quite different than saying the perfect is the enemy of the good and now's the time to have that public discussion.
Urban Arithmetic
Simple math shows that big cities are greener than small ones, but also that elephants are more resource efficient than mice. Go figure
It Might Be Worse
MIT research predicts a much hotter world by 2100 without changes in global climate action. Much hotter!
China: 20x2010
Chinese officials are hopeful about cutting the country's energy intensity 20% by next year. Stay tuned
High Tech Poised To Boom
New vehicle CAFE standards could create good times for high tech suppliers, but maybe not. Look into it
London Gets Zoned
Ten low-carbon zones will be created and funded in London. Participants will have 20.12% by 2012 carbon cutting goals. Here's how
It's A Beginning
It could take decades for US cars to become as fuel efficient as their foreign competitors even with the Obama commitment to raising CAFE standards and cutting GHGs. Start here and Here
The Green Metal Movie
A documentary about constructing a high performance building gets a warm reception from apprentice ironworkers. Change is in
May 19, 2009
Waxman Bill Fails The Test
The acid test of good climate policy is supporting new energy technologies rather than making the cost of old energy higher. Nordhaus & Shellenberger
Greenpeace Warns Investors
Greenpeace reports that Shell Oil's carbon intensity will soar due to its Canadian oil sands scheme and investors will suffer. Look into it
Perverse Incentives
The EU-ETS allows selected industries to emit CO2 for free. This generates windfall profits but discourages green investment. A bargain?
Make Haste Slowly
With more than 400 proposed amendments, hearings and a vote on the Waxman climate bill could take a while. Stay tuned
Great Leap Forward
A major Chinese electric utility plans to produce 900 MW of wind power by 2010. Plug in
Stimulated By Efficiency
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides billions of dollars for making the nation energy efficient. Follow the money
Get Efficient
The NYLCV posts a primer on energy efficiency and how to get it in the Empire State. Start here
May 18, 2009
Politics Could Doom Climate Bill
United Republican opposition and divided Democrats dim the chance of passing an honest and effective climate bill this year. FT editorial
Krugman & Gore Weigh In
Since politics is the art of the possible, NYT columnist Paul Krugman rates the Waxman climate bill as good legislation. That's heavy & Al Gore agrees
Oz: Catching Rays
Australia will build a 1000 MW solar power plant with public and private sector funding. Think big
US Stimulus Attracts Global Investors
A major accounting firm reports that global alternative energy investments will be flowing to the US in response to Obama's fiscal stimulus plan. Adds up
The Next Generation Grid ASAP!
The Obama administration kicks off a campaign on new rules for a smart electric power grid. WSJ
May 15, 2009
DOE's Nuclear Short List
DOE considers four new nuclear reactor projects for billions in federal loan guarantees. Who's listed?
The 2% Deal
The House climate bill will give domestic oil refiners 2% of the free emissions permits created by its cap and trade scheme. Click here & Here [for entire allocation memo]
See You In Court
Calling it the 'evil twin' of global warming, environmentalists sue the EPA over the impact of ocean acidification under provisions of the Clean Water Act. Learn more
Update on Lower EU Emissions
EU-ES carbon emissions declined 3.1% from 2007 to 2008. Claiming credit
Carbon Rx
35 New York City hospitals sign on to cut their carbon footprint 30% over the coming decade. Salud!
May 14, 2009
Curiouser & Curiouser
Two Republicans introduce a carbon tax bill in Congress. The tax, starting at $15 a ton, would rise to $100 over three decades. Curious?
Cred For Copenhagen
Bill Clinton urges US Congress to pass "strong" climate legislation to gain support for global action later this year in Copenhagen. Stay tuned
Fat Nation
Why are cars sold in the US so much heavier (and less energy efficient) than cars sold elsewhere? Get the skinny
Bye Solar
Throttling down its solar investments, BP says PV can't yet compete with fossil fuels. Find out more
50% Off
The Waxman climate bill halves both the initial requirement for producing alternate energy and the penalty for failing to meet this goal. Small print
Whole Lotta Solar Going On
If plans work out, Arizona will be home to a 340 MW solar thermal power plant that sells energy to four western states. Parabolical!
May 13, 2009
Unadaptable
The World Bank reports the potential havoc of climate-related sea level rise and storm surges will be much greater in some developing regions than others. Ready?
Media & Climate Change
With the prospect for federal action on climate change, how the media covers the issue become critically important. Drill down
Venturing Into Efficiency
While investments in alternative power are souring, some venture capital is getting sweet on energy efficiency. Look into it
Icon of Unsustainability
Lucknow India, with its overwhelmed transportation and sewage treatment systems, is a megacity that isn't working. WSJ
Shrink That Plugload!
A study by the International Energy Agency calls for a new generation of TVs and laptops designed to slash their 15% share of home energy demand. Gadgets & Gigawatts
Mexico-EU Climate Path
Mexico's proposal for a climate change fund could facilitate a new global agreement according to an EU negotiator. This way
May 12, 2009
Could Be The Answer
Green leases, a new way to share the costs and benefits of investing in building performance, are under serious consideration in NYC. Rethink
UK: Big $ For Wind Power
The London Array wind project gets $3 billion in private capital to begin development. Plug in
Arizona Stops The Sun
Arizona regulators deny a permit for transmission lines that would carry solar power to California. How dim
Green Schools Vote
If enacted, a bill before Congress would authorize at least $6.4 billion to reduce schools' carbon footprints and improve learning conditions. E&E Daily [Subscribers only]
Who's Piggy Bank?
May 11, 2009
Managing Future Energy Risks
McKinsey reports that risks posed by volatile energy prices can be manged by adopting cost-effective energy efficiencies. Fine print
Green Power Champs
Here's the annual EPA list of the nation's top green power purchasers. Who's on?
Cap and What?
Pollsters find just 24% of US voters can identify cap and trade as a climate change issue. Oh
Gainesvilles' Solar Gains
Gainesville Florida is a solar boomtown, bucking dimmer PV prospects elsewhere. Find out why
What's Up Down Under
Existing Australian office buildings are improving energy efficiency, safeguarding against rising costs and attracting new tenants. Good on ya
Smart Meters On The Way
All homes in the UK will be equipped with energy-saving, cost-neutral electric meters by 2020. Cheers
#1 Car
A Honda electric-gas hybrid car tops the sales charts in Japan. That's moving
The Next Light Wave
Cool but costly, LED could be the next big thing in lighting. Plug in