Grid Growth Trend
Industry forecasters see a boom in demand for nanogrid and microgrid systems in the US over the coming 3-10 years, with the military & storm-battered states leading the way
June 30, 2014
NY High Court Upholds Local Frack Authority
Cities & towns in New York have the authority to ban fracking within their boundaries, declares the Court of Appeals, 5-2.
EU: Carbon Price Revival
Proposed curbs on the supply of EU carbon emissions permits send prices to a six-year high
IEA: Global Energy Trends
Fossil fuels still lead in generating electricity & in transportation but renewables are catching on
Carbon Offset Upset
California's carbon offset program is not so popular with some California communities
Carbon-Measuring Satellite
NASA set to launch a satellite for monitoring global CO2 concentrations
Watch The Sun Rise
Rebuild It Better
Climate scientist Klaus Jacobs weighs in on the Big U, the winner of the post-Sandy federal design competition
June 27, 2014
Microgrids Make New Friends
Why are states and local communities taking notice of the microgrid option?
Don't Burn It Up - Write It Down
Leave fossil fuels in the ground, even the President says so
Breathe Easier
NASA maps upgrades in US air quality from 2005-2011
There Is No Sanity Claus
Resolved: There is no 'Good' Anthropocene Era
NYU Makeover - Less Glass, More Green
NYU's renovation of a former MTA building in Brooklyn will be less glassy and more energy smart than the original design
June 26, 2014
Japan: Utility Path To Nuke Restart
Tepco, Japan's big power utility, advances its agenda to reopen two nuclear power generators
EU v Germany: Energy Price Rift
The EU calls public subsidies for advancing Germany's energiewende discriminatory against imported power
Tree Trouble In Town
NYC's Million Tree program plantings have die-off rates as high as 21% in some neighborhoods
Letters-To-The-Editor
The Carbon Tax Center and other readers respond to Henry Paulson's alarum on the risky business of climate inaction in the NY Times
Made In The Shade
Keep cool in a structure made of corn stalks & fungus at MoMA-PS 1 this summer
How To End Fossil-Fuel Subsidies
A new class of bonds could be the policy tool strong enough to forge political conditions for reform
The Houston Solution
US woes with its aged power grid could be ending, starting in Houston TX
Rx For Unhappy Utility Customers
Studying utility customer complaints reveals three ways to make them happier
June 25, 2014
Mexico: Calderon Backs Climate Action
Combating climate change can be profitable & low-carbon business incentives must be offered says Mexican President Calderon
Utility-Scale Solar Boom
In just one year, the average peak hourly generation of utility-scale California solar power grew 150%
EU: 35x30 -- Maybe
Will the EU target energy cuts of 30-35% by 2030?
UK: Big Green Bank Investment
The UK Green Bank assembles a £1 billion fund to invest in offshore wind projects
Bridge Over Dirty Water
Raiding a state environmental clean up fund is the wrong way to finance the new Tappan Zee Bridge says a New York Times editorial
Disruptive Technology -- The Real Deal
Make no mistake profound changes are coming to the electric power grid & here's why
Wanted: Subway CBTC
What is 'communications-based train control' and why should it be installed in every NYC subway line?
US: Nucelar Power Forecast
SEC Action For Climate Action
The SEC should ramp up on corporations to disclose the economic consequences they face from climate change, say two former Treasury chiefs
June 24, 2014
Holland: District Heating With Seawater
Yes they can & yes they are, just add home insulation
What To Expect When You Retire
These maps show how many brutally hot days you will suffer when you're old http://t.co/STnJhnA6ah via @motherjones pic.twitter.com/xCBrc45TQR
— Chris Mooney (@chriscmooney) June 24, 2014ICYMI: Starting A Clean Climate Revolution
Australia: The Social Cost Of Mining Subsidies
@TheAusInstitute What do those state based #mining #subsidies cost us?
#coal #climate #health #education
Ahh a lot. pic.twitter.com/X2c4mnvsS3
— Andrew Bradley (@andrewbradleyhc) June 23, 2014Germany: Coal's Down
The recent rise in German coal-burning is a one-off, probably a trend, concludes a new research report, but more policy push is needed
It'll Cost You
Businesses & investors who ignore climate change will pay a steep price, according to a new report backed by three moguls who ought to know
Take The NYC Carbon Challenge
Calling all New Yorkers who live in multifamily buildings, be the first on your block to cut your carbon footprint faster
Climate Scorecard For The House
A new way to rate Democrats' climate voting & leadership in Congress
30x30 - A Climate Catastrophe
By the EPA's own projections the Clean Power Plan would cut coal burning a mere 30% by 2030
June 23, 2014
Canada: Government Pill Pushers
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission wants everyone living near reactors to have a stash of pills that mitigate health impacts of radiation exposure
France: $6.8 Billion For Green Projects
A French state bank to provide $6.8 billion for energy efficient buildings, clean transportation & renewable energy
Live S.T.E.A.M
The 1936 steam plant on Roosevelt Island could become NYC's newest museum, the S.T.E.A.M. (an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Plant.
Australia: Climate Belivers, Governement Deniers
Polling finds strong support for climate action and dismay with the current Australian government practices
REIT Isues Green Bond
Vornado Realty issues a $450nillion in green bond to finance LEED-type construction and renovation
Blown Away By Texas Wind Power
For a deep-Red state Texas does great wind power and it just keeps growing
EPA Gets A Supreme Court Win
The Supreme Court upholds most EPA authority to cut greenhouse gas emissions
Cities That Walk The Walk
Ranking the 30 most walkable big metro areas in the US
Krugman's Climate Plan B
Skeptical of the political chances for a federal carbon tax, Paul Krugman has a Plan B for cutting carbon
June 22, 2014
Before The Climate Bubble Bursts
Former Repblican Treasury Secretary Paulson calls for a carbon tax now
June 21, 2014
EPA Carbon Rule: Underwhelming Ambition
The numeric goals of EPA's Clean Power Plan are not much of a stretch
June 20, 2014
UK: Bullish On Green Investment Bank
The head of the UK Green Investment Bank sees a bright future if its debt cap is raised
Republican Climate Believers Sighted
Germany, UK: Burning More Coal
Sharp and persistent increases in German and UK coal burning imperil EU carbon cap goals
Bridge Cleans Up With Clean-Up Money
Just half of the $511 million from the environmental remediation fund going to the Tappan Zee Bridge project will be spent on cleaning up nearby pollution
New Dehli: Not Enough Drops To Drink
The growing drinking water crisis in a satellite cite of New Delhi is blamed on mismanagement & lack of planning, not natural causes
Mayors Can Make Carbon History
Five ways cities can help states prepare to meet their federal carbon-cutting goals
Legal Eagles: EPA's Pro-Nuke Provision
EPA's proposed rule for cutting carbon emissions from power plants includes support for keeping existing nuclear power plants on line
Drinking On Governors Island
New York City drinking water now on tap on Governors Island
GOP: One Trick Pony
Congressional Republicans could engineer another government shut down over EPA funding for climate action
June 19, 2014
China: Super-Size Nuke Plants
Rising just 100 miles from Hong Kong, two enormous nuclear power plants are set to open, despite French manufacturer's concern
France: 50x25
The French government pledges to cut the use of nuclear power down from 75% to 50% of the mix by 2025
Getting Around
China: LED Surge
China's LED bulb makers recover their momentum, but quality remain uncertain
$415 Million For The Grid Edge
California is set to put $415 into energy storage tech along with renewable energy tech
June 18, 2014
Newsweek's Greenest List
Interactive Power Map
Find your way around the energy sources & power plant landscape of the US
Rio: Climate Goals
Believe-it-or-not, there's more happening in Rio than the World Cup
Carbon Emissions Rules Polling Positive
Public support for the President's proposal to cut power plant carbon emissions is at 67%
Meet Tomorrow's Power Plant
What could happen when a solar panel system installer with Elon Musk money, buys a low-cost, high-performing solar panel maker
China-UK Climate Commitment
China & the UK agree to take joint steps on climate action
Oakland: Platinum Housing For Seniors
Building on a budget was not a deterrent to Oakland CA senior housing earning LEED Platinum and Energy Star ratings
Cornell's Zero Carbon Campaign
Cornell University is on a daring clean-tech edge in its quest for carbon neutrality
Gore's Good News
Read Al Gore's optimistic climate piece in Rolling Stone
June 17, 2014
More Solar For LA
Projects for generating an added 300 MW of solar power for Los Angeles get the green light
How Cities Can Help States Cut Carbon
Urban building energy efficiency standards can play a big role in meeting federally-mandated state carbon emissions cuts
High Performance Building Rewards
Your great idea for stimulating public demand for greener buildings could win you $10K
June 16, 2014
Costing Climate Change
Lord Stern updates his economic model for predicting climate change impact costs by adopting Professor Nordhaus' discount-rate ideas
Save Water With Solar Power
New infographic: Coal uses 100-1,100 gallons of water per mW/h. #Solar? Zero. http://t.co/K9D4iLqJEb pic.twitter.com/JOy2AlGhjV
— EnergyFactCheck (@EnergyFactCheck) June 16, 2014MA Solar Lights The Way Forward
Massachusetts could have 1,600 MW of installed solar power by 2020 with the passage of legislation now in play
Coal Use At 4-Decade High
Creating power by burning fuel at its highest global level since 1970. More information here on 2013 energy consumption increases
What Affordable Housing Looks Like Now
A brand new housing project in Sugar Hill is a lot affordable & a bit green
Legal Eagles: Climate Insurance Retreat
Insurance company lawsuit are withdrawn that use a novel theory of responsibility where due to "increasing rainfall, the Defendants’ unsafe maintenance of their infrastructure caused or contributed to flooding"
Learning From Experience
What does a 5 US city survey find about design, use and public support?
Climate Chaos: Message In A Bottle
If you got climate SOS messages today coming from the future would that motivate you to act now?
Wind Power: Good But Not Perfect
How should the wind industry respond to persistent, if hard-to-nail-down, complaints about negative health impacts?
June 15, 2014
Presidential Climate Commencement
No more Mr. Nice Guy in the President's call to climate action at his UC Irvine commencement speech
June 14, 2014
World Cup: Power Players
If points were scored for energy efficiency, who would win 3 key World Cup matches?
June 13, 2014
Renewable Power In OH Gov Race
After Ohio's Republican Governor rolled back a renewable energy standard, his Democratic challenger in this year's race makes it an issue of it
So Sue Me
What to expect starting June 2015 in the way of lawsuits to stop Obama's carbon cut rules
World Cup: Climate-Conscious Gear
The 2012 World Cup soccer ball is designed to account for the Brazilian climate and there's solar power too
Defund Federal Climate Rules
Congressional Republicans will try to block agency funding for implementation of carbon emissions rules
Germany: Eco-Tourism 2.0
A guide to 200 renewable energy sites in Germany sells out its first edition
Get Smart
Installing smart-home gadgets can be hard to do
Cosmos: The Climate Story
June 12, 2014
Silicon Valley's Climate's Changed
The time may be past for Silicon Valley venture capital to focus on climate friendly tech investments
Cantor Defeat And Climate Action
NZ and UK: Just Say No
New Zealand & the UK reject Australia's call to block climate activism
PV: Safe Harbor For Institutional Investors
For risk-adverse investors solar panel makers are a safe bet choice
Rome: Not Just Bicycle Thieves
Theft is just one woe crippling Rome's bike-share program
Nantes: Green Euro Capital
What can the French city of Nantes teach other cities about sustainability success?
Hudson Yards: 1st Quantified Community
Wired to capture reams of data to improve building performance Hudson Yards will be the nation's first quantified community (Midtown East rezoners - pay attention!)
Science At Work: Temperature Trends
True or false: global warming means more temperature variability?
Science At Work: Green Magnetism
How magnetic cooling could be an energy efficient refrigeration technology
June 11, 2014
Weatherforecasting: The Generation Gap
Climate change divides old-school weather forecasters from young quants
Follow The Power Money
US electric utilities are shifting their investments toward distribute power and storage assets
UK: Enough Wind To Power The Underground
In 2013 installed #offshorewind generated enough power to run the London Underground for 10 years #GlobalOffshore2014 pic.twitter.com/avLasOXAbm
— The Crown Estate (@TheCrownEstate) June 11, 2014Sustainable L.A: Circa 1986
An unrealized design for the redevelopment of Pershing Square in Los Angeles
Sustainability Ed.
Survey the field of advanced education in sustainability
Sandy Stalls Subway Security
Post-Sandy repairs to subways, tunnels & bridges delay post-9/11 security upgrades to 2017
Starting The Big U
NYC gets the first down payment of $335 million to build a U-shaped seawall to protect lower Manhattan from future floods & storm surges
UK: More Cash For Energy Efficiency
To boost the rate of home energy efficiency upgrading the UK government ups it cash incentives
June 10, 2014
Love It Or Lose It
Lit By LEDs
Global industrial & commercial LED lighting market expected to reach £51.3 ($85.9)mill by 2019:http://t.co/hCtnm1ufI0 pic.twitter.com/edkV5Bae5g
— The Climate Group (@ClimateGroup) June 10, 2014Europe: Too Much Green, Not Enough Batteries
There's too much renewable power in Europe, really? Time to add energy storage equipment
China: Natural Gas Demand To Double
Demand for cleaner urban air will double China's natural gas consumption within 5 years
Don't Despair
Seven reasons to be a climate action optimist
The Start Of Something Big
Why California's energy storage law could be the tipping point for renewable power
The Green Party Guy
Howie Hawkins is the Green Party candidate running to become NY's next Governor
Anatomy Of Renewable Investing
Why Warren Buffett is ready to double his $15 billion renewable energy nvestments
Benchmarking Reaches A Benchmark
The Minneapolis building energy benchmarking law gets its first round of commercial building reports
New Climate Lab Chief
Gavin Schmitt tapped to head the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, succeeding James Hansen
Climate Denial - Blame Ayn Rand
It's not the coal industry driving the frenzied opposition to climate action says Paul Krugman
June 09, 2014
They Sky Won't Fall
Great int'vw w former EPA head Bill Reilly on co2 regs and enviro politics w @maddow -- some optimism for your day: http://t.co/YLvYNJGcbh
— Michael Levi (@levi_m) June 9, 2014Obama Climate Interview
Pricing carbon is good, cynicism is bad says President Obama
The Geo-Politics Of Fracking
Thinking globally about the US natural gas fracking boom
Solar Steam
Solar power in Australia passes a critical test by producing enough steam to generate thermal power
Carbon Emission Price Rise
At $5.02/ton per carbon emissions permit June auction proceeds in the 9 RGGI states hit $90.67 million
From Fossil Investor To Climate Activist
Follow Tom Steyer's on-going journey from fossil fuel investor to big-time climate activist
Forging A Fast Bus Path
Advocates for a NYC bus rapid transit system seek to fuel Mayoral support
June 07, 2014
Chile: Mining The Sun
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet inaugurates the largest PV power plant so far in operation in Latin America spread out over 101 hectares in the Atacama Desert
India: Energy-starved Karnataka
With about 300 days of good solar radiation in a year, Karnataka plans to generate 2,000 MW of solar power. Policy envisages allotting farm lands to investors on rental basis or relaxing norms to purchase farm lands for setting up solar plants by investors...
Now Share This
Shared Clean Energy Bill wending its way through New York Assembly and Senate simultaneously — this session of the legislature ends on June 19 — will the bill make it to the Governor's desk?
Three, Five Or Seven years
How to finance energy efficiency evolving — shift in ROI aligns with capital expenditures.
June 05, 2014
Germany: Waste Not Want
DOE to accept, process and dispose of spent Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) fuel from Germany at the Savannah River Site — seven week-long public comment period begins
New PlaNYC Website
Officially launched: NEW @PlaNYC website at http://t.co/fGZ1WrfPBK pic.twitter.com/2srOpQPgzt
— PlaNYC (@PlaNYC) June 5, 2014Blame It On The Sun
Over the next 10 years electric utilities could see more change than in the last century. Solar is disrupting their afternoon peak-load model
June 04, 2014
The Great Coal Gap
Lower-than-expected Chinese coal demand could result in stranded assets and wasted capital. Carbon Tracker releases report
Mexico: Invest 90L
Knock, Knock, Knocking on Heaven's Door
HAARP's final research project ends on June 10th at which time the Air Force will start to dismantle the $290M research Program in Gakona, Alaska unless there's an intervention
Jindal Puts Pen Down
Legal scholars take a closer look and to their horror SB469 could potentially wipe out billions
Under Ground
"Our infrastructure is built to put energy on the grid from coal-fired power plants," said W.Va. Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Randy Huffman. State and coal officials find no silver lining
June 03, 2014
Singapore: HDB Green Tech
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is exploring green tech for public housing across Singapore
We're Not Talkin Hockey
Transcript of May 30 @MclaughlinGroup where John McLaughlin endorses "The Hockey Stick & the Climate Wars" http://t.co/hqqjpVR97O #HSCW
— Michael E. Mann (@MichaelEMann) June 3, 2014EPA Ruling Exempts VT
Vermonters interested in Energy efficiency from the cost perspective
June 02, 2014
Think Local
Is coastal community Salem, MA ready for a Superstorm? Salem News Tom Dalton reports about alarming stats and maps produced by Stephen Young, a professor at Salem State University and his students.
June 01, 2014
30x30
The EPA climate plan targets a 30% cut in carbon emissions by 2030 and why new climate rule matters. Proposed Rule for download prepare to comment...
What Lies Ahead
@AmyAHarder on @cspanwj w/ @SteveScully flags potentional for @EPA lawsuits -- Section 111(d) used only 5 times... http://t.co/A3h0GJ24yS
— Sallan Foundation (@Sallan_Found) June 1, 2014