South Africa: Wind Price Breakthrogh
Wind power is cheaper than electricity from coal-burning power plants in South Africa now
October 31, 2012
Sao Paulo: Gearing Up For Green
With a goal of net-negative operating emissions, the Sao Paulo, Parque da Cidade is the latest part of the city's sustainability planning
We're Ill-Adapted
The disaster that is Sandy reveals how unprepared urban America is for weird climate impacts
Sandy's Signfiicance
Downed Nukes Update
With NYC's power system in disarray, catch up with the status of regional nuclear power plants and are new preparedness rules needed?
October 30, 2012
Science At Work: The Hybrid Storm
What is a hybrid storm and does Sandy's wallop have anything to do with a changing climate?
Subway Disaster Map
A 2011 study of the impact of flooding in the NYC subway system is timely
Finland: Nuclear Graveyard
Finland prepares an island as the final resting place for high-level nuclear waste
UK: Hitachi Ups Nuclear Stakes
It's a new game with new risks with Hitachi's purchase of a UK nuclear power plant and not just a contract builder
Goldman Sachs, Sandy And Glass-Steagal
Why are the flood risks at Goldman Sachs' new headquarters posed by Superstorm Sandy, like the financial risks posed by the rollback of bank regulations?
Building Tips For A Weird-Weather World
If there's a next time for Sandy-like storms, be prepared
Evacuate By Subway
Dear Reader: Last week, at a public meeting about urban sustainability, a Mayoral staffer said the subway system was part of NYC's emergency evacuation plans. After Sandy, it's time to rethink
Climate Funnies
October 29, 2012
A Republican Future
Get a preview of what the EPA can expect with a Republican Senate and a Romney presidency
Denmark: No Lifeline
The Danish government wil not offer direct support for the struggling wind turbine maker giant, Vestas
Good News, Bad News
Cities continue to lead the way on climate mitigation and resilience in light of persistent federal inaction
Map The Wind
A wind map of the US visualizes the power potential of this renewable resource
Presidential Politics Of Sandy
The onshore impact of Sandy is already evident in the Presidential race
Sydney: Baby Echidna Saved
This is not about sustainability policy in Sydney, but don't let that stop you from watching
Tracking Power Outages
Keep an eye on Con Ed's map of power outages in the New York metro area
Science At Work: Frankenstorms
Decade-old research suggests caution about ascribing superstorm Sandy to human-induced climate change, so how to face this "big-maybe"
London: On Switch For Offshore
Phase one of the 630 MW London Array offshore wind project nears completion
October 26, 2012
Tenants Key To Energy Efficiency
Among the critical paths to greening the Empire State Building is working with it tenants. In other cases, good tenants can't compensate for bad design
Climate Corps 2013
Attention grad students! Want to combat climate change? Here's a summer job for you
NY Black - The Latest In PV
The production of true black solar panels in Rochester, NY could revolutionize PV efficiency
Big Cities - Big Data
Big cities attract big data and big data has the potential to improve the quality of urban life
What the World Needs Now
Australia: 25x20
Will Australia stick to its goal of getting 25% of its power from renewable sources by 2020?
Election Lessons From Canada
What does gas at the pump cost in energy-independent Canada?
Think Like A National Security Pro
What can national security expertise bring to thinking about climate risks?
October 25, 2012
17x20
An unplanned confluence of events could help the US almost meet its 2020 goal of cutting GHG's by 17%
UK: Appointment Uproar
Naming a climate-denialist MP to a House of Commons climate and energy committee creates a stir
EU: Carbon Market Resuce Effort
The EU grapples with chronic low prices and oversupply of CO2 emissions permits to rescue its sagging ETS
Powered By Artificial Islands
No room for solar power arrays, then how about putting them on artificial islands?
Just In Time
The MTA will release a new app this year with its subway countdown clock
Clean Energy Frontiers: Geothermal
Supercritical carbon dioxide could replace water as the medium to capture geothermal heat
Presidental Climate Debate
Proxies for the Presidential candidates debate climate and energy policy at MIT and thoughts on how to boost clean energy
Green Lease Library
Buildings owners and occupants, click here to benefit from energy aligned leases
Help Wanted
The US economy will create more solar power jobs than wind power employment by 2020
Fracking Disclosure Demand
Environmentalists petition the EPA to require driller disclosure of the chemicals in their hydrofracking fluids
October 24, 2012
China: The Next Nucelar Generation
With 40% of the world's in-construction nuclear power plants, China's decision on what new technology to use carries weight
Climate of Doubt
Thursday, chat on-line with the makers of the documentary Climate of Doubt, broadcast earlier this week
Koalas Threatened By Climate Change
Mid-East: Solar Prospects
Oil-rich mid-east nations look toward solar power. Listen up — download the BNEF Podcast
It's Too Easy Being Green
True or False: there's not much challenge for a building to get a LEED rating
Bad Acid
The ABC's of ocean acidification and why it's bad for life on Earth
Rome: Snort The Air
Trace amounts of cocaine are found in the air of Rome and other Italian cities
Green Lease And LEED Gold
With its energy-aligned lease at 7 WTC, NYC law firm WilmersHale gets a LEED Gold rating
Rating RGGI
The nine state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative makes just a slight dent in emissions but does better for economic development
Ride The NY Energy Highway
New York releases a blueprint for its energy highway to increase public and private funds for generation, transmission and renewables
October 23, 2012
California Cities On Top
California metro areas are tops for green building, clean power and other measures of urban sustainability
Rockaway Bungalows
With NYC's climate resilience concerns, what to do about the Rockaway Beach bungalows?
Bring Back 1988
A video clip from the 1988 Vice Presidential debate shows how far US politics has retreated from taking climate action
Portugal: Float The Wind
Portugal to scale up its offshore floating wind farm capacity, using US-designed technology
Peer 2 Peer Power
Smart grid technology could allow people to sell wind or solar power directly to one another, eBay-style
Kitchen Recycling
Now, you recycle kitchen waste, but soon Ikea could recycle the kitchen. BTW, Ikea also plans to use 100% renewable energy by 2020
Cuomo's Transmission Troubles
Governor Cuomo's Energy Highway plan to run new transmission lines into power hungry parts of New York faces opposition
October 22, 2012
This Old Rowhouse
Cities like New York are lined with old rowhouses and now there's a handbook for greening them
Focus The Foreign Policy Debate
Five energy and climate issues that belong in the Presidential debate on foreign policy
China: From Solar Star To Shambles
The founder of Suntech, recently China's biggest solar panel maker, has catastrophic losses
Canada: Greener Tar Sands
A group of 49 investors starts a drive to make tar-sands extraction more eco-friendly
Germany: Unplugging Solar Power
Siemens announces the sale of its solar energy business
The Cato Climate Counterfeit
It looks like an 'addendum' to EPA's 2009 climate impact report, but it's a fake put out by the climate-denialist Cato Institute
I'll Have What She's Having
Installing home roof-top solar panels inspires copy-catting
Buffalo Accelerates Energy Efficiency
Researchers at SUNY Buffalo get tech accelerator funds to develop smart-window glazes and more
Green Tech Geek Alert
There's a new smart-meter metrics software on the block that's making big energy promises
The Green Giants
Newsweek scores the 15 top US green tech firms by environmental impact, management initiatives, and transparency
A Red-Hot Green Proposal
When it comes to energy, agriculture, and more, environmentalists must base their advocacy on good science
Changing Places
David Bragdon, director of the NYC Office of Long-Term Planning & Sustainability, moves on to become the Director of Planning and Sergej Mahnovski, the Mayor’s Director of Energy Policy, will replace him. City & State First Read
October 20, 2012
Climate Action Is Political
What to do about uncertainty in climate science and how to address the costs of climate action
Waste Not, Want Not
Keeping methane, a potent greenhouse gas, out of the air during fracking is not hard to do, it just has to be done
October 19, 2012
Saudi Arabia: Kicking The Fossil Fuel Habit
Saudi Arabia proclaims a goal of switching to 100% renewable and low carbon fuels
China: PV Death By Overproduction
Without major reorganization & consolidation, the future looks grim for China's solar panel industry
Ode To Autumn
SEASON of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;
To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
For our readers
Ode to Autumn
Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Energy Basket
Today's natural gas rock-bottom prices are driving out competition from tomorrow's renewable sources, but not entirely
France: Home Green Home
Proposed French tax legislation would cut utility rates on energy efficient homes, making energy slurpers pay more
Picking Up The Climate Tab
Rising property & liability insurance payouts hit $44 billion last year, which preview the costs of climate change
Getting Past Yesterday
Despite the drawbacks of a legacy 20th electric power supply, building a 21st century clean, efficient, distributed system is a tall order
Miami: Where The Floods Are
Today, seasonal high tides send flood waters into Miami streets, soon, sea level rise and storm surges will add to the mix
Smart Heat
Now that it's heating season in NYC, tips for a better working environment
Faulty Batteries Fell Manufacturer
The bankruptcy of EV battery maker A123 was caused by manufacturing glitches that turned out faulty products
October 18, 2012
China: Feast On US Coal
Cheap coal mined on US public land soon could be subsidizing the economies of China and other Asian nations
ABC's Of EAC's
EAC's - energy-aligned clauses, are the way to get building owners and commercial occupants to share the benefits of energy efficiency by way of their leases
Green Biz Trends
The new generation of clean-tech entrepreneurs targets energy efficiency services and software instead of stuff
Australia: Energy Demand Down
Australian electric utilities don't blame drooping demand on oversupply, so they blame it on carbon taxes
Co-Gen Could Be The Answer
With renewed advocacy and federal support, co-generation could climb the list of energy-efficiency to-do's
UK: Energy Policy Fog
In public remarks, the UK energy inister fails to to explain the Prime Minster's energy policy
Rx For Traffic Congestion
Does urban traffic flow improve with measures like congestion pricing? It depends
Greener By The Numbers
World Bank: Green Bonds
“Climate change threatens development gains. We work with client countries to prevent this outcome.” Read all about it
October 17, 2012
EU: Carbon Market Fundamentals
A growing supply of carbon offsets on the EU market sends prices to new lows
Energy Fact Checking
More on the debate - from gas prices, to coal, to CAFE standards
Debriefing The Debate
While neither Obama nor Romney said 'climate change' in their latest debate, they had lots to say about energy
Tempest In A Trash Bin
The NYC Sanitation Department trashes newly installed solar-powered garbage cans
India: Make The Rules Matter
To make eco-friendly building the new normal in India, codes and standards must have teeth
Low-Cost Eco-Home Tips
Five easy, inexpensive things to do for a greener home
Design Is Not Enough
Four facts to launch a discussion about making energy efficient buildings a reality, not just a blueprint
Poland: Love That Shale Gas
Poland's new tax policies foster its growing shale gas industry
What A Dump - Not Now
Eco-restoration at two former garbage dumps along Jamaica Bay creates green gems
Much Ado About Gas Pipelines
Plans for new natural gas pipelines coming through Jamaica Bay arouse local controversy
October 16, 2012
Why Buy Green Gear
It's not the Energy Star label that makes consumers snap up energy-efficient appliances and electronics
The Sound Of Silence
Less Energy, More Work
Six case studies of how energy efficiency goals create jobs in labor-intensive industries and the energy savings free up dollars for other parts of the economy
UK: 17x30
By investing now in energy efficiency, the UK could slash $17 bilion in power bills by 2030
CA: Greenhouse Gas Appeal
A federal appeals court hears argument on whether California's greenhouse gas rules violate the Commerce Clause of the Constitution
Maybe It's The Weather Or Something Like That
Research finds an increasing number of Americans accept the validity of climate change and climate science - but fewer than in 2006
And In This Corner
Will Andy Revkin land a punch in New York's fracking brawl?
Smart Meters/Dynamic Pricing
Smart meters could be a boon for pricing infrastructure demands and using scare urban resources
October 15, 2012
Storm Safety Measures
Federal agencies start restoring NYC's storm-eroded coast line and protect it from future damage
Norway: Carbon Tax Hike
Norway raises its carbon tax on domestically-produced fossil fuels
UK: The Big Squeeze
British utility bills for renewable power to soar 11%
Electric Soccer
Ever wonder how to create electricity by kicking a soccer ball around?
Could Be A Power Player
Hampton Bays, VA, with its shipbuilding, deep water port & coastal infrastructure could be a great place to grow off-shore wind power capacity
Europe: Energy Downs and Ups
EU emissions reduction permit prices drop, as German politics split over rising renewable energy charges
Take Our Uranium, Please
Australia seeks to export uranium to India and make up for lost markets in Germany and Japan
Clean Energy - Big But Not Secure
With Romney as President the rumored demise of the US clean energy industry is premature, but its future is not secure
Solar Powered Trash Cans
Lower Manhattan streets are the latest to get trash cans with solar-powered motors to compact the waste
NYC's Emerald Isle
With its net-zero energy plans, the Cornell NYC Tech project on Roosevelt Island begins the long march through the City's approval process
October 13, 2012
New Energy Benchmarking Tools
Now, there are more tools to drill into building energy usage and make comparisons
China: PV Trade And Tariffs
Nothing is simple in the trade wars over China's solar panels
Faking It
Could $100 million in fake energy credits sold by corrupt biofuel makers, now roiling the industry, spell trouble for other renewable energy programs?
October 12, 2012
All Energy Politics Is Local
The Democratic Senate candidate in North Dakota attacks Obama's energy policy
US Benchmarking Data Now
The EPA releases benchmarking data and energy savings results for 35,000 buildings
Germany: Politics And Power Prices
Chancellor Merkel to cap subsidies for renewable energy, anticipating voter anger over higher utility bills
Australian White Knight Cements It
A carbon-negative cement technology developed in the UK gets bought by a mystery Australian firm
California Caps It
The California carbon cap and trade program is good to go
Name That Crisis
Is "climate disruption" a more mobilizing tag than "climate change" or global warming"? Comments welcome.
We've Got A Problem
NOAA scientists link melting Arctic sea ice to weird weather in North America; expect more weirdness
October 11, 2012
Urban Survival Tips
Practical advice to help urbanites survive climate change impacts
Science At Work - Bipolar Ice II
More climate science on why Antarctic sea ice grows as Arctic ice shrinks
Rethinking Cities
Will open thinking and open urbanism be the strategies for creating sustainable cities?
Israel: Clean Tech Loses A Friend
Shai Agassi resigns from the Better Place board of directors
Japan: 20x17
A Japanese engineering firm plans to build 20 offshore wind turbines by 2017, delivering 60 megawatts of power
L.A. Fracking
A new study at old Los Angeles oil fields that want to start fracking sees no harm in it
Oakland: Yes We Have
Mixed-income, green housing in Oakland, California is a multitasking urban success
Austalia: A Million Solar Roofs
By 2013, one million Australian roofs will have solar panels able to make 2 gigawatts of power
Tracking Carbon Footprints, Toe By Toe
New software allows cities to track the detailed sources and sizes of their carbon footprints
October 10, 2012
Clean Tech Investment Trends
Are clean tech venture investments evaporating or are investors getting more selective?
One Hot Mess
As climate change alters the heat balance between land and sea, expect big weather changes in the Northern Hemisphere
Corporate Call For Renewables Free Trade
US and European firms join with a Chinese solar panel maker and an Indian wind turbine company to call for global free trade in renewable energy tech [EENews $ub]
Science at Work - Climate Change Evidence
Germany: Transmission NIMBY
German plans to end reliance on nuclear power could hinge on the ability to site new high-voltage transmission lines
UK: Catch The Wind, Or Some Gas
UK political fear of tax-funded development costs could derail the future of offshore wind projects and EU access to renewable energy; keep an eye on shale gas
The Price of Power
Owners of the super-green Bank of America building with the latest in on-site energy systems challenge its Con Ed bills
NYC Residential Alert
Smart apartment buildings in NYC will do their benchmarking because energy performance matters
October 09, 2012
First, Benchmarking - Next, Audits
A road map of current and upcoming Greener Greater Building Plan requirements and how to arrive at your destination
Reminder: How Fossil Fuels Get Priced
If election-year rhetoric confuses the issue, a refresher on how fossil fuel prices are set
Follow The Renewable Money
A spot survey of investments and government support in the global renewable energy sector
Chicago: Clean Air Tower
Students design a Chicago skyscraper equipped to scrub CO2 from the air and create biofuel with it
Thinking About Smarter Cities
While ICT innovations are great, it take mores to make electric grids smart and cities more sustainable
20 x 30
A new report finds that six southwest states could save $20 billion by 2030 by if utilities and consumers get more energy efficient
Germany: 10 x 20
Germany seeks to cut energy use 10% by 2020 to counteract rising energy prices and aid low-income households
Copehagen: Carbon-Neutral Hopes
With a goal of going carbon neutral by 2025, Copenhagen sees new economic opportunities
NJ: Wind Power Waffling
Hard to find a trend in prospects for New Jersey offshore wind power projects
October 08, 2012
Urban Parklets
What's a parklet and what did San Francisco and Chicago do to get some?
Bejing: Airborne Data
Beijing officials start collecting more real-time air pollution data
The Jet Stream And You
Climate-related changes in the jet stream could mean more severe storms and floods
Deleading Our Kids
Removing lead form drinking water and house paint makes for healthier and smarter children BUT backyard chickens in NYC are laying lead-laced eggs
No Fireworms, No America
New York City researchers study the role of waterborne fireworms in helping Columbus discover the New World
Court Calls The Shots
State efforts to shut down the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant over control of high-level radioactive waste storage are unsuccessful
You Say You Want A Revolution
For most consumers, the fungibility of fossil fuels and a century of big-brand domination means the renewable energy revolution could be slow in coming
UK: Business Wants Carbon Certainty
Lack of specific goals for cutting carbon emissions and intensity in the power generation sector is bad for business
October 07, 2012
Science At Work - Bipolar Ice
If Arctic ice behaves differently than Antarctic ice, what are the climate change implications?
October 06, 2012
Facing Earth's Limits
The world's water supply is finite and that makes the case for renewable energy
Philadelphia: On The Cutting Edge Of Green
Look at what's getting built in Philadelphia!
October 05, 2012
Scotland: Fill 'Er Up With Single Malt
Could a Scotch whiskey by-product substitute for gasoline?
How Sweet It Is
Sugar could be the key to creating better rechargeable batteries
Make History Greener
How to adapt windows in historic buildings to make them energy efficient.
South Africa: Call For Carbon Tax
Needing to tackle poverty and unemployment, South Africa is the right place for a carbon tax
Amsterdam: Hail An Electric Scooter
EU: More Insurance For N-Plants
After EU stress-tests found safety upgrades needed at most nuclear power plants, officials call for a rise in insurance coverage
Carpe Diem Data
Opportunities multiply to gather and make good use of energy data for advancing efficiency goals
The Cool Roof Pardox
Do cool roofs make desert metro areas drier?
DJ Spooky Hears Antarctic Melting
DJ Spooky's acoustic performance using his recordings of melting Antarctic ice brings art to climate action
October 04, 2012
Debate Fact Checking
The Washington Post Fact Checker finds “In one year, you provided $90 billion in breaks to the green energy world. Now, I like green energy as well, but that’s about 50 years’ worth of what oil and gas receives." The math does not add up for this statement that Romney directed at Obama. [Scroll down for content] Still here? Read more
The Good News Digest
Get a roundup of recent progress on the energy and climate fronts
Chicago Smart Grid Snafu
A cost-recovery ruling by the Illinois utility regulator could derail Chicago's plan to add smart devices to its electric power grid
Euro Green Home Competition
See some standouts in the European high performance home design decathlon
Europe: Cheap Coal Wins
Low-cost coal becomes the fuel of choice in Europe this year, despite low-carbon policies
UK: Green Business Woes
Setbacks hit a UK combined heat and power system maker as well as a PV firm
Science At Work - A Fungus Among Us
Scientists reject the idea that higher CO2 levels in the air could stimulate plant growth, which in turn, would capture more of the gas
Out, Out, Damned D Word
Call them doubtful, call them dismissive, but don't call them climate-deniers
China v US: Trade War Heats Up
Another US solar panel maker urges federal action against China's low-cost PV exports. Meanwhile, China sues the US over an Oregon wind power project
October 03, 2012
A Modest Proposition
Could climate change be a sleeper issue in the 2012 election?
Win With Weatherization
Using federal stimulus dollars, the weatherization program, has upgraded energy efficiency in one million homes
Isn't It Iconic
Antarctica: Parsing Sea Ice
Controversy erupts over the climate change meaning of 2012 sea ice levels in Antarctica
MA Is First, WY Is Fiftieth
Massachusetts is the #1 state for energy efficiency initiatives and Wyoming dead last
Presidential Debate
With the first presidential debate taking place in Colorado, get the back story on renewable energy
Better Disaster Planning
Environmentalists petition the federal government to require states to include climate change assessments in their disaster preparedness plans
UK: Dim Prospects For Nuclear Power
Plans dim for nuclear power plants in the UK as developers head for the exits
October 02, 2012
Earth: Top Viewing
UK: Outsourcing The Wind
The turbines for a massive UK offshore wind power project were not made at home
October 01, 2012
Ikea: LED The Way
By 2016, Ikea stores everywhere will sell only LED lighting products
Finland: Free At Last
Barry Commoner: 1917-2012
Renowned political activist, scientist and environmentalist Barry Commoner dies at the age of 95
Republicans Split On Renewables
White Congressional Republicans adamantly oppose renewable energy, things are different at the state level
Japan: Bet On The Wind
Fearing a solar 'bubble', some Japanese investors choose wind projects in light of an uncertain power future
The Disbelivers
Two-thirds of Republic voters still do not believe in the reality of human-caused climate change
Boston: Southside Sustainability
Inner city Boston neighborhoods start on sustainability and energy retrofit projects
Don't Stop Now
The NYLCV spells out what is needed to keep NYC on track to a greener tomorrow