Litigation To Track
The implications of six big high performance building cases could become clear in 2011. Stay eagle-eyed
December 31, 2010
December 30, 2010
New Coalition Kingmaker?
The increasing success of Germany's Green Party could make it a contender in the nation's coalition power structure. Eco-power
DEP: Growing GHG Giant
The NYC Department of Environmental Protection sees its energy use increasing by 53% over the next five years. This will be a challenge for the goal of cutting the City's carbon footprint 30% by 2017. Stay tuned
New $$$ For The New Year
Starting soon, the non-profit NYC Energy Efficiency Corporation will start making loans for energy efficiency renovation work. $40 million in play
Flying Down To Rio
Rio de Janeiro gets IBM's smarter cities technology for its new operations center. Brazil & Big Blue
The Social Science Of Climate Change
The National Research Council reports on what behavioral and social science can add to mobilizing for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Intro here
December 29, 2010
Tax (Incentives) Man!
The federal tax code provides specific incentives for building owners to install alternate energy capacity. Highlights
Molecule Fuel
Plans to chemically convert cheap natural gas into more costly fossil fuels raises questions. Explore here
Weather Or Not?
Still wondering how scientists and insurers distinguish weather from climate change? Risky business
Arsenic & Science
The controversy about arsenic as a biological building block offers insights into the sociology of science. Learn more
A Whole Lotta Sun Going On
New Jersey will be home to one of the nation's largest rooftop PV installations. Go Garden State!
Cold Enough For You?
Scientists say Greenland's ice sheets are melting but total collapse is not imminent Thaw here
Is Your City A STAR?
Find out which US cities make ICLEI's list to design and test sustainable community performance software. The envelope please
December 28, 2010
Comments On The Keeling Curve
Letters-to-the-editor on the implications of the Keeling Curve article in the New York Times. Vox pop
Names To Know
Here are ten Congressional freshman to watch on energy issues in 2011. Stay tuned
People Can Change
Studies of why people quit smoking or start using seat belts point the way to altering climate-changing behavior. Learn more
Upton's New Year Resolution
Disappointed with court decisions, Fred Upton, incoming chair of Congress' committee with EPA oversight, wants pass legislation to 'delay' EPA's climate change rules. Just say no
UK: Freeze Freezes Boilers
Energy efficient boilers, required in the UK since 2005, are freezing up in the record-shattering cold. What to do?
Nuclear Maybes
Nuclear power utilities keep options open on future construction in the US. Here's how
What Is The Public Role of Climate Scientists?
Princeton Professor Michael Oppenheimer addresses the AGU about scientists' engagement in the public policy arena on climate change. Video here
Timing Is Everything
Is there a best time for launching climate change mitigation actions? Look into it
December 27, 2010
Gifford v USGBC: 2011
Read some tea-leaves for next steps in the nation's best-known green building litigation. Hot enough?
Baby, It's Weird Outside
A roundup of observations on links between cold, snowy weather and climate change. Whew!
Bad Economy Dampens Carbon Emissions
The 5.7% drop in Japan's annual carbon emissions is linked to depressed (Western?) economies. Stay tuned
Photo The Future
A photo essay from British Columbia on what sea level rise could look like. Imagine that
Goin' To Jersey City
Got plans to visit Jersey City, NJ? Take the green map.
Colorado: On Bill Finance
Although New York failed to pass an on-bill home energy improvement finance law in 2010, Colorado is one of twelve states that gets it. Fan mail
Washington Watching In 2011
Here are the federal energy and climate hot button items to keep tabs next year. Coming soon
Year's Top Earth News
Add this list of the most newsworthy climate and energy stories to your Year end reading
December 24, 2010
Khosla Looks Ahead
Green venture capitalist Vinod Khosla sees a revolution in mainstream technologies as key to future energy progress. Summary free, full content not
Looking For Good Cheer
The global economic slump cut carbon emissions, but not as much as projected. What will a recovery bring? Keep looking
Up Next?
Here are ten green tech trends to watch in 2011. List here
EV: First Year Free!
The Long Island utility, LIPA, offers a $500 rebate for the purchase of plug-in electric and hybrid cars, enough to pay for a year of recharging. Happy holidays!
December 23, 2010
The Next Round Of GHG Rules
EPA will issue a schedule for industry-wide performance standards to cut GHG emissions from power plants and oil refineries. Look ahead
Correlation Is Not Causality
Yet another parsing of the New Yorker piece that uses Jevons Paradox to dash the hopes of energy efficiency advocation. Share my obsession
2011: Clean Money
2011 could be the year for investors to move into clean tech ventures. Stay tuned
EU: 20x20? No
An EU official says cutting carbon emissions 20% by 2020 is unlikely, but has recommendations for making progress. Look into this
The Congressional Year Ahead
Republicans, seeing the Obama administration's forward momentum on regulating CO2, want to strike down the EPA's regulatory powers, but E2 could attract support Congressional support for an energy bill.
The Climate Beat
Consider the difference between balance and false balance when reporting on climate science projections about how hot things could get. Grapple with it
December 22, 2010
The Desertification Peril
The greatest risk posed by climate change is desertification and the destruction of agricultural capacity. Very dry
Less Is More In Gainesville
Evidence for the impact of energy efficiency laws is found in a study of Gainesville, Florida. Get some data
EU: CO2 Permit Demand Sinks
Demand for 2013 EU CO2 emissions permits plunges just when they will no longer be free. Stay tuned
GI Green
The US Army adopts the latest in building energy efficiency standards, ASHRAE 189.1. Stars & stripes
And This Lump Of Coal Goes To...
Romm hands out his 2010 Citizen Kane awards for the worst media climate coverage. Thank you!
Tri-State Energy Plans
The Regional Plan Association taps into electricity and efficiency networks in NY, NJ and CT to energize ideas about shared energy planning. Stay tuned
Don't Mourn. Send A Message
Scientists get a crash course in how to communicate their climate knowledge to the public and partisan spinners. Here's how
December 21, 2010
France: PV Halt Blamed On China
Cheap Chinese PV imports are cited in suspending France's solar power program. Non!
Australia: Renewables Plunge
New renewable power projects in Australia drop by 80%, financial crunch gets the blame. Incentives ahead?
Texas: Sun Capital
Will Texas fulfill its potential to become a solar power powerhouse? Plug in
Reid v Rockefeller: How It's Done
While Senator Rockefeller blamed loss of Republican support for withdrawing his effort to thwart EPA's powers to regulate GHG emissions, he was outfoxed by Harry Reid. Look inside
Old Is New Again
What can today's urbanists can learn from Italy's old Cinque Terre? Visit here
From BRIC To BC
Rio di Janeiro and other big cities in Brazil will get their electricity from distribution grids owned by China. Watt a world!
Peaked Gas
Experts think US gasoline demand may have peaked in 2006. Down boys!
AC For Xmas
For readers looking forward to warmer weather and for friends in Australia, a history of air conditioning. Cold comfort
December 20, 2010
Back To The Future
Don't miss this social history of how scientists and journalists communicate and what this means for us now. In these times
What Will Drive Utility Rates Up In 2011?
Hint: it's not just renewable energy. Get ready
Get Smart
The Rockefeller Foundation reports on the five critical smart techs for 21st century cities and examines potential conflicts over privacy and centralization. Look ahead
$$ Guarantees The Wind
An 845 MW Oregon wind power project gets a $1.3 billion federal loan guarantee. Details here
Germany: The Electric Acid Test
How will German electric consumers respond to rising renewable energy costs? Watt a jolt
The Sino-Singapore Saga
China and Singapore study past failures to succeed at a joint eco-cities project. Visit
Higher Education
Does NYU"s controversial expansion in Greenwich Village win points for going green? Look into it
December 19, 2010
City Science
December 18, 2010
Don't Call It Trash!
Shipping crates, salvaged timber and other repurposed materials find a place in NYC homes. Here's how
Energy Efficiency Paradox, Not
NRDC shows how improved energy efficiency can be a great success, not the paradox described in the New Yorker article "An Energy Dillemma". Plug in
December 17, 2010
Energy Grant Gets A Year
The new federal tax law includes a one year extension of the grant program for alternative energy projects and other fuel provisions. Whew!
Romm Rips Book On Cities & Climate Future
Climatopolis, a book about how cities will thrive in a globally heated world, fails because the author 'hasn't done his homework' writes Joe Romm. Review it
Today A Volt Tomorrow A Caddy
GM is using some of its Chevrolet Volt technology to build a Cadillac plug-in SUV. Down market up
Front Lines Of The Energy Future
Harvard researchers summarize findings on energy research, development and deployment in economically emerging BRIMCS nations. Fine print
UK: Greens See Red Over Energy Plan
UK environmentalists attack the government's energy proposal for its support of nuclear power. Plug in
Don't Trash Those Batteries!
New York State now requires electronic consumer goods makers to take back dead batteries and keep them out of the trash. Recycle that!
Commercial Tenants Trend Green
An international survey of commercial building tenants finds favor for renting green space, although US support ranks lowest. Learn more
December 16, 2010
No Laughing Matter
The US doubles its estimates of the country's recoverable natural gas reserves. Drill down
The Fifth Horseman
Given the size and growth of China and it's basic reliance on coal, what are its energy options? Look into it
Carbon Market Mayhem
China gets vast overpayments from the EU carbon trading market to end production of one GHG, while another ozone hole making gas is smuggled into the US black market. Couldn't make this up
Why Aren't There More Green Jobs?
It's the dismal economy, stupid. Fightin' words
Antarctica: The Science of Melting
NASA reports on the the science of melting Antarctic ice sheets and predictions of sea level rise. Learn more
Time To Get Serious!
At a conference about how to drive US energy innovations, there was little agreement about what to do. Think about that
Green Code With Cost Offsets
North Carolina's new green building code offers a menu of cost offsets, some related to fire safety, for any added costs of improved energy efficiency. Warmer?
December 15, 2010
What's Jevons Got To Do With It?
Here's a rousing cheer for the New Yorker article that uses Jevons' Paradox to dampen enthusiasm for energy efficiency.
US Green Export Prospects
The future for growing global export of US energy efficiency and clean tech services is much brighter than export of green manufactured goods. Stay tuned
Fox Climate Slant Outed
A leaked memo confirms that last year Fox News set an official policy to promote Climategate and other climate skeptic stories. Gasp!
Where Green Stocks Shine
In 2010, stock markets in Brazil, Korea and South Africa showed gains for green equities while they lost value in Europe. Invest some time
UK: Cameron's Climate Plan
British Prime Minister Cameron is set to announce a major energy policy that includes a unified floor price for carbon but green bank plans are scaled back.
Energy Innovation - Revkin Blogs
Andy Revkin keeps tabs on today's Energy Innovation conference in Washington. Get the latest
December 14, 2010
China: The End Of The Coal Road?
The idea that China will face a critical coal scarcity is based on a confluence of factors. Stay tuned
From Cancun To Canberra
Outcomes of the Cancun climate talks will be felt in setting Australia's carbon-cutting goals. Learn more
Tea Party In Hot Water?
The decision by new tea party-friendly governors in OH and WI to kill federally funded high speed rail projects can have painful local consequences. Ouch!
Washington: Clean or Rennewable?
Will Congressional Republicans and Democrats find common ground on 'clean' energy legislation and how is that different from "renewable' energy? Dig in
C-Dating
Here's a new way for the media and climate scientists to find each other. Love it
Why We Do What We Do
Environmental policy can no longer rely on the 'rational economic actor' model as the basis for effective climate action. What's the alternative?
London: A New Tradition
London's venerable fleet of black taxi cabs could be all electric within a decade. Hail, hail
December 13, 2010
India: Rising Climate Power
The Cancun climate conference shows India to be a rising economic power that is becoming a rising climate policy maker. Learn more
An Inconvenient Proposal
It can't be said too often, a carbon tax would solve many problems. Anybody listening?
Some Like It Green
While corporate property owners are more upbeat about energy efficiency than developers, they share an enthusiasm for green tax breaks. Survey the field
Aussie Apartments Gain From Green
If you live in an Australian apartment, improved energy efficiency would be a winner. Here's how
Climate Corps Case Study
The Climate Corps, a cadre of MBA students who work with big companies to go greener, do nitty-gritty field work. Here's E-bay
Too Cheap To Matter?
Researchers finds UK businesses routinely underestimate the value of energy efficiency and this is a costly error. Count on it
Will Alaska REAP What It Sows?
Alaska creates REAP, a program to fund energy efficiency improvements in some public buildings. Learn more
Berlin: Imagine Tomorrow
Like the man-horse centaur of Greek myth, a visionary Berlin home design unites the energy flows of home and car. Wow!
December 12, 2010
Cancun: At Least One Star
Cancun's climate meeting delivers some results. Look up
December 10, 2010
NY Funds Home Energy Improvements
New York announces funding from RGGI auctions and the Department of Energy will support energy audits and low cost loans for homeowners. Got that?
Sky-High Tehran Air Pollution
Iran blames US sanctions for soaring air pollution in Tehran coming from locally refined gasoline. Oh
One Year Reprieve
Grist reports the federal tax vote to include a one year extension of renewable energy grants. Act now! and get More info here
UK: Passive House Performance
While not a household name, Passive House projects are making a name for themselves with facts on the ground. Learn more
Be Nice To Lawyers Vote
New Jersey hires a law firm to fight federal demands for repayment of $271 million resulting from the state pulling the plug on the cross-Hudson train tunnel project. Fee hee
NY Gets $7.3 Million For Rail
New York is just one of the states to get new rail funding from the billions rejected by Wisconsin and Ohio. Get on board
Is The Tide Rising?
The prospects for generating electricity from the ocean tides gets brighter in the US. Details here
Indian Point Gets One Thumbs Up
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission finds the environmental impact of keeping the Indian Point nuclear generators open after 2015 to be acceptable. Stay tuned
Feedback On Clouds
While understanding the positive and negative impact of clouds on climate change increases, it is still a work in progress. Science in action
December 09, 2010
Biochar: Cheers Or Jeers
There's hot debate over the potential of biochar, the product of burning organic waste without oxygen, to combat climate change. Got a match?
The Swoosh Footprint
Nike develops and deploys an open source software to measure the carbon footprint of new products. Jump in
Cancun: Down To the Wire
With two days left, what's at stake in the outcome of the UN climate meeting in Cancun? Tick, tick, tick
Money Mechanisms
A UN Climate Advisors report on options for global action considers the mechanisms and balance of public and private financing. Look into it
Big Ambitions In Small Spaces
Living City Block launches a project to green a two-block segment of a Washington DC neighborhood. Visit
The Hadley Cell and You
Scientists see evidence of lower wind speeds in wind-turbine friendly places around the globe and suspect northward shifts in global air circulation linked to climate change are a cause. Study up
December 08, 2010
UK: Let's Make A Green Deal
Parliament will take up legislation to cut GHG emissions by allowing utilities to offer owners incentives for taking out loans to insulate their homes. Learn more
Euro Carbon Market Eyes Cancun
The ability of prices on the EU carbon market to drive new investment will depend on the outcome of the Cancun climate talks. Make a connection
China: There Ought To Be A Law
A Chinese air conditioning and insulation tycoon who exports products around the world urges his country to pass more laws on efficient energy performance. Read on
About That Tax Deal
Will a renewable energy grant program be saved in the final federal tax agreement? Stay tuned
Do People Like Green Buildings?
A USGBC white paper points to a research agenda for learning about people's experience of high performance building. The human element
Tall, Green & Gold In San Francisco
Renovations in San Francisco's Transamerica Pyramid earn a LEED Gold rating. Way to go
December 07, 2010
Who's Buying Into Shale Oil?
Small US shale oil companies are selling out to big energy players. Consolidate
Clean Tech Innovators
Which countries lead in clean tech patents and investments and why? Get busy In the US, policy direction and access to capital are needed now. Get busier
In The National Interest
The Center for American Progress finds US leadership on global finance to cut GHG emissions is in the national interest. Think about that
Why Easy Is Not Enough
What's wrong with the proposal to take on easier climate changers like methane until we're able to tackle CO2? Fine print
Relocating Browner
Inside the Beltway, people are parsing Carol Browner's departure from the White House energy and climate office to become a Deputy Chief-of-Staff. Enter here
Cancun: Trust But Verify
China and the US edge closer on verifying carbon reduction claims as Canun talks continue Stick around
Brawl Over Fracking Oversight
Industry challenges Pennsylvania's oversight of exploratory natural gas drilling while environmentalists fight exemptions. Dig in
Why Is England Cold?
A mix of climate change forces and weather patterns explain England's foul and frigid winter. Learn more
China Makes A Climate Move
At the Cancun climate meeting, China offers to make binding cuts to its carbon emissions. Cities could be critical.
New Mexico Caps Carbon
New Mexico imposes caps on CO2 emissions from big sources starting in 2013. State's right!
Nudges & Neurons
Do behavioral economics and neuroscience offer tools to close the gap between scientific knowledge of climate change and public perception? Look into it
December 06, 2010
Fate Of GE's PBCs
This week, the EPA will announce how much of GE's PCB-laced Hudson River sediment can be left in place. Who's happy now?
LA: Let's Do Less
The municipally-owned electric utility of Los Angeles undercuts the Mayor's renewable power goals. How's that?
South Africa Goes Renewable
With backing by the World Bank and Pretoria, South Africa will get 20,000 MW of electricity from renewable sources. Learn more
Supreme Court To Hear Carbon Case
The US Supreme Court to hear arguments on a 2nd Circuit decision (which included now-Supreme Court Justice Soto-Mayor) that found CO2 emissions are a public nuisance contributing to climate change. Spring 2011
Some Day
Sooner or later, the US energy industry will see climate change and clean tech as opportunities for growth. Stay tuned
RES RIP?
Hopes dim for passing a federal renewable energy standard standard and a tax break for the industry in 2010. Plug in
China: Wind Power IPO
Chinese utilities seek stock market investors for new wind power projects in Hong Kong. Spend some time
French-Indian Nuke Deal
France will build two of twenty new nuclear generators planned for India. Proliferating power
December 05, 2010
China Grows A Green Workforce
To meet its clean energy goals and make its mark in the green economy, China invests in university and vocational education. Stay tuned
Moving $575M
With the death of the Cross Harbor tunnel project, the Port Authority has some $575 million on hand. What to do?
December 03, 2010
Lack Of Liquidity Sinks Wave Project
A UK company seeking finance for wave power projects withdraws from capital market. Dip in
RGGI Auction Results
The final RGGI auction of 2010 raised $48.6 million although not all CO2 emissions allowances were bought up. Get the details
Flunking Econ 101
Joe Romm finds a new Economics textbook to be riddled with factual errors on climate change. True or false?
The Age Of Aquarius
EPA releases photos of 60's-style pollution, before the birth of the agency in 1970. Happy 40th
Qatar: PV World Cup
Qatar plans for PV solar power to air condition the 2022 World Cup soccer stadiums. Gooooal!
What Do Afghanistan & Climate Change Share?
The war in Afghanistan and inaction on the federal climate front tie in a FP poll for Obama's biggest failure in 2010. Just ask
Sydney: Breaking The Coal Habit
Sydney Australia takes first steps to break free of its reliance on coal-fired power plants. Here's how
Prize Winning Hamburg
Hamburg, Germany wins the 2011 EU Green Capital prize. Visit here
December 02, 2010
2010: A Real Hottie
2010 is on track to be the hottest year on record as well as having the highest known level of atmospheric GHGs. WMO
Wrecking Crew
The new Republican majority in Congress assembles procedural tools to raze a raft of Clean Air Act rules. Wham!
Some Like It Green
Looking to make the case for green roofs? Start here
It's A Plan
New York issues a region by region analysis of coming climate change impacts and how to plan for them. Transition-worthy ideas
December 01, 2010
Free Money For Now
Applications for federal stimulus grants for rooftop solar installations are pouring in now to beat the December 31 deadline. Act now!
NYC Wins Big
New York's PlaNYC 2030 wins the top USEPA prize for its smart growth accomplishments. Nice work
Kill The Messenger
The incoming Republican majority in the House of Representatives eliminates the Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming Bang bang!
Warmer Evidence
NASA reports that the temperature of large lakes around the world has risen over the last 25 years. Dive in
Popping Up In NY
In 2011, expect more op-up cafes, part of the toolkit for making New York's streets more user friendly. Walk in