Hot and Salty
Molten salt will be used at three California solar power plants to store power and boost output if regulators approve
January 31, 2012
Do It In Brooklyn
Brooklyn gets its first e-waste recycling drop-off center
Battery Dud Isn't Doomsday
Time for some background and perspective on the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of the federally-funded EV battery maker
Japan: Nuke Plant Stress Tests
Most UN experts approve the stress tests related to restarting nuclear power plants in Japan
India: Seaweed Power
A biofuel enzyme maker partners with an Indian firm to make ethanol from seaweed
Put Your Green Best Foot Forward
Why the best product pitches don't flag the brand's environmental pluses
Why Republicans Love Solyndra
Republicans consider a contempt of Congress vote against the White House over the bankruptcy of PV maker Solyndra
Chu Chewed Up
Carl Sagan's famous quote captures an essence of DOE Secretary Chu's Washington years, “Our planet is a lonely speck. In all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.”
Useful Knowledge
Chicago leads the way on building an e-platform for the city and with its citizens
January 30, 2012
Hot Volcanos, Chilled Climate
How did a spate of volcanic eruptions in 1250-1300 AD lead to the Earth's Little Ice-Age?
For Your Consideration
Here's the WSJ anti-climate science editorial that's making the rounds and the pro-climate science letter in Science the Journal refused to publish and don't overlook the economic angle
Oceanic Acid Indigestion
Trend data on ocean acidification, an outcome of rising CO
See Climate Change
Watch the NASA video map of global temperature trends starting in 1880
Crimping CA Eco-Leadership
A keystone of California's climate policy -- its low-carbon fuel standards -- faces numerous obstacles
How To Slash Energy Bills 15-30%
US apartment dwellers could save $3.4 billion annually in electric and natural gas fuel costs through energy efficient retrofits
Poland: Fracking Fan
Taking a different tack than many EU nations, Poland embraces hydrofracking for shale gas extraction
UK: Wind Power Money Jumps In
The UK is seeing an investment surge in on-shore wind turbine projects
India: Sun Spots
India will develop a solar atlas for pinpointing the country's best places to site solar power facilities
January 27, 2012
Rx For Climate Change
If the $409 billion in annual global production and consumption subsidies for fossil fuels was ended, we would advance half way to cutting enough GHG emissions to keep the planet tolerably cool
Singapore: Insuring Its Future
Singapore develops defenses against the threat of climate-induced flooding from the South China Sea
Obama Stays The Green Course
Turning his back on political fallout from the Solyndra bankruptcy, the President sticks with his commitment to building a green energy economy. Meanwhile, some firms producing or using natural gas could be the biggest winners
Oil: Peak, Plateau or None-Of-The-Above
Another round in the peak oil prize fight BTW, don't skip the readers comments & a rebuttal
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Berlin: Cleaning Up The Police
Berlin adds eleven EV and hybrid vehicles to its Police Department fleet
Capping RGGI
RGGI, the 10 state the carbon cap and trade program, cuts down the number of available emissions allowances
Bloomberg's Slow On Solar
The Manhattan Borough President says Mayor Bloomberg is a solar power slowpoke and proposes to put PV on 1,094 school roofs
EU: When Cheap Is No Bargain
A leaked EU report finds the price of carbon emissions permits is too low to stimulate climate-friendly investment, but makes no recommendations
The Next Big Thing
A California workshop might be incubating the electric storage technology that could change the rules of the power game
January 26, 2012
Speed Dialers For Renewables
Low expectations of Congressional action on the President's energy agenda is a safe bet, but panels of citizen speed-dialers gave the Obama SOTU speech high marks on solar and wind power proposals
China: Wind Power Piracy
Delve into allegations of industrial espionage involving China and US wind turbine technology
Light Up
The energy efficient light bulb revolution is happening here and now
Money Gusher For Pipeline
Who paid what for the lobbying campaign on the Keystone XL pipeline project
Honest Buildings, Honest
Incubated in NYC, a new website let's you be part of the high performance building and the social media revolutions. Here's one example
Court Gives PACE A Little Lift
PACE, the program for financing building energy upgrades, struck down by the nation's mortgage regulator in 2010, gets a chance to come back
Germany: Rain On Solar Power
Has Germany's pro-PV power policy become a money sinkhole?
Like A Fish Needs A Bicycle, But Better
A new 'bicycle pump' technology uses wave power to create on-shore electricity
January 25, 2012
Why It Will Get Warmer Sooner
NASA pulls together oceans of information to explain predictions of rapid global warming
Energy: He Said, They Said
Here's a summary of the President's remarks on energy in his State of the Union speech and Republican reactions
China: Carbon Cutting By Province
China's Guangndong Province has the biggest carbon-cutting ambitions in a five-year, seven province pilot program
Corporate Sustainability Catches On
The number of corporations that see sustainability providing a profitable competitive advantage is reaching a 'tipping point', with resource-intensive firms as leaders
Sunny California
Although California is not the only state to take up the solar power challenge, it still leads the way
A New Low For RGGI
CO2 emissions hit a record low in states that are part of the RGGI cap and trade program
Paying For The Train
The MTA objects over a $75 million fee payment to New York State as part of a $9 billion bond deal
January 24, 2012
More Inconvenient Truth
Despite a wave of VC investment, technological innovation and federal support, fossil fuels are still king
Eat Out, Stay Warm
NYC eateries are on the way to providing the grease for 20 million gallons of clean burning biodiesel to use in local building boilers (Greenwire $ub]
James Green Bond
Swedish & Japanese firms lead the way on underwriting green bonds issued by large development agencies like the World Bank
State of The Union 2012
Chief energy goals spelled out in the President's 2011 State of the Union address required Congressional action and went nowhere, expect ideas this year that don't need Congress But what does Gingrich say about science?
How To Save The Planet
People should live in cities, here's why
UK: Nuke Plant Nixed
The GE and Hitachi proposal for a plutonium-powered nuclear reactor is by UK authorities
January 23, 2012
Suing San Diego
The state of California sues the city of San Diego because its regional transportation scheme will not cut GHG emissions
Lighting The Way
Confused about which light bulbs to buy or have trouble with the one's you bought already? Ask Umbra
UK: On The Donor Trail
A renewed effort is underway to find out who funds a London-based foundation that disputes human-caused climate change
What A Concept
Renovate vacant foreclosed homes in federal receivership to create thousands of energy-efficient, affordable rentals
DOE: Small Nuke Power Is Next
The US Department of Energy throws it weight and funding behind the development of small modular reactors but where the radioactive waste goes is still a problem
Demark: Lomborg Loses
Facing funding cuts from the Danish government, Bjorn Lomborg's climate change skeptic center is set to close this summer
Plumbing Climate Denial
If today's 'deficit' of scientific literacy does not explain widespread public skepticism about climate change, what does?
Fraught In Florida
Keep an eye on what Republican Presidential primary candidates say in Florida about environmental protection
What NY Greens Want
New York's environmental groups have ten top goals for State action in 2012
A Different Kind Of Hybrid
GE wants its wind turbine customers to buy its solar PV equipment too
Navy Yard Farm
An organic rooftop farm is slated to open at the Brooklyn Navy Yard this summer
2030: When Less Is More
With aggressive code requirements and efficiency technology deployment, the Energy Information Administration projects US commercial and residential consumption could drop below 2005 levels in 2030. Complete report here
January 22, 2012
Too Many Taxis
Consider the unintended consequences of New York City's plan to create 2,000 addition taxi medallions
January 21, 2012
Reality Check
What's a weather disaster? a climate disaster? and when will the signals be seen? [Hint: Don't skip the links]
Wind Power Slump
As developers rush to take advantage of final tax credits for 9 gigawatts of wind-power projects in 2012, the industry's near future looks grim
Another Round On Jevons Paradox
Arguments about the Jevons Paradox, also known as the rebound effect, still enthrall energy efficiency wonks
Spain: Solar After Dark
Two 50 MW solar thermal power plants in Spain generate power long after dark
January 20, 2012
Blues For Blue-Green Alliance
An alliance of unions and environmentalists loses a union member over the group's opposition to the oil sands Keystone pipeline project
Germany: Negative Solar Impact
Solar power stocks skid on global markets as German speeds up cuts to its feed-in tariffs
Efficiency Gamification
The new Green Button Program attracts developers to create competitive energy efficiency apps
Where Do We Go From Here
With the expiration of federal loan guarantees and tax breaks that serve as renewable energy policy, EDF offers ideas about what should we do now
The Canada-California Carbon Link
While the Canadian oil pipeline project is on hold for now, a court decision striking down California's low-carbon rule could allow local refineries to process Alberta's oil sands in the future
Japan: A Teachable Moment
Japan faces the prospect of a long, hot summer with no nuclear power plants on-line
Plan To Respond
The public comment period is open for a draft federal road map indicating how local authorities could adapt to climate change impacts
Hansen Does 2011
Jim Hansen crunches 2011 world weather data (a La Nina year) and finds it the ninth warmest since 1880
Save NYC Wetlands
New York City's got a draft strategy to protect thousands of acres of wetlands threatened by climate change & rising sea levels, development & pollution Public comment period through Feb. 18
See Air Pollution In Beijing
Click through these current photos of Beijing, but don't inhale
January 19, 2012
Who's Watching Now
Sharp increases in US toxics and carbon emissions, despite a slow economic recovery, show the need for more corporate innovation, government monitors and citizen watchdogs
LEEDers
On a per-capita basis, which states rank in the top ten for LEED-certified commercial and institutional buildings in 2011?
Renewables Skeptic
According to fossil fuel giant BP, rapid growth in renewable energy won't be enough to cut GHG emissions and stabilize the global climate by 2030 & predicts North American self-sufficiency in oil and gas
Science (Still) At Work
Understanding that all science is a work-in-progress done by real folks is the first step toward understanding climate science
Conservative Case Against Carbon Tax
Hint: More tax revenue = more government
Shale Gas Is A Wedge Not A Bridge
Experts debate over the claim that shale gas will be a bridge to a renewable energy economy
UK: Too Hot For Hedgehogs
Researchers seek public involvement on a survey to determine whether climate change endangers British hedgehogs
Conferencing In Queens
Governor Cuomo promises that private funds will build the proposed Queens convention center, but who will pay for extra MTA service?
January 18, 2012
California Sun Powers Japanese Tech
A Japanese firm sells 150 MW of thin-film PV panels, using a new low-cost technology, to a California power company
Norway: Puts $$$ Where Mouth Is
Norway promises $300 million a year to help nine African and Asian nations develop efficient power supplies by tapping into the global carbon emissions market
Green Button Data Sharing
California utility customers now can share their electricity data by using a commonly formatted on-line tools by hitting the Green Button
Europe: The Supergrid Challenge
The technical challenge of building a European supergrid capable of conveying renewable power around the continent could be the easy part
US Nixes Canadian Pipeline
The State Department will not approve the Canadian Keystone XL oil pipeline project as now proposed & the reactions roll in
Germany: What $2.15 Will Trillion Buy
Nuclear power plant builder Siemens estimates replacement of nuclear power with other sources will cost Germany $2.15 trillion
Climate-As-Culture War: Round X
Think Like A Market
Examine one piece of the raging debate over the US export of natural gas, potential domestic price volatility
State of Green Business Report
Using twenty indicators, the annual state of green business report paints a dark picture, with just a few few bright spots
Australia: The Year Of Living Efficiently
What was learned from the experience of an Australian family who spent a year in an experimental energy efficient home?
January 17, 2012
Minding The Media
Looks like CBS News fact checkers flubbed their facts on federal loans to clean energy companies
Paradoxical Thinking
If the most powerful forces arrayed against climate action are stagnating national economies, is the opposite true?
Scotland: Trump v Wind Power
Donald Trump threatens to pull the plug on a resort and housing project at his golf course in Scotland if the country proceeds with an offshore wind power project
Contain Your Enthusiasm
Seeing potential in a glut of shipping containers, Starbucks opens a new chapter in green building & urban retail
Climate Deniers' Curriculum
Several states now require science educators to include climate denial if they teach about climate change
Weird Weather At Home
Last year's extreme and destructive weather, climate change-driven or not, reverberates in rising home insurance bills
Funding For Biofuel Study
$17 million in venture capital will go to research on improving the aviation fuel potential of the inedible japtropha plant
China: Urban Milestone
For the first time, the majority of Chinese live in the nation's cities
January 16, 2012
EU: Carbon Market Lows
The market price of EU carbon emission reduction credits hits new lows on fears of system fraud and wider economic woes
China: Urban Carbon Caps
Seven Chinese cities are told to pilot CO2 cutting programs and prepare for emissions trading markets.
January 14, 2012
China 2011: Renewables Hop, Coal Leaps
While China was expanding its renewable power supply, it burned an additional 95 million additional tons of coal in the year of the rabbit
Made In The Shade
Among many high performance features, New York City's new Learning Spring School has sun-screening shades on its facade to keep classrooms cool
Life's Not A Beach
Southeast Florida, home to 5.6 million people, isn't waiting for international climate treaties to undertake its own climate adaptation planning
January 13, 2012
UK: Green Goals Flash Red
The UK's hallmark energy efficiency program 'loft lagging', or in US English 'attic insulation', is headed toward collapse
Experts Disagree
Experts disagree over the impact of falling natural gas prices on energy use, development of renewables and whether prices will stay low
CA Mandates Green Gizmo And More
California to require sale of energy efficient battery chargers and clarifies renewable and energy efficiency rules for utilities
GHG To-Do List
Here's a list of 14 ways to cut methane and soot pollution and make the world a climate-safer place
Decision Pending On VT Nuke Plant
Expect a court decision on Vermont's challenge to federal relicensing of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant
Nuclear Decision Pending In VT
Expect a court decision on Vermont's challenge to federal relicensing of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant
Denmark: Renewable Labor Pains
Vestas, the leading Danish wind turbine maker, lays off 10% of its global labor force
Power Math
If part of the decision about the future of Indian Point pivots on the cost of electricity, why is it hard to do the math?
January 12, 2012
The Holy Grial Of PV
It's complicated to explain, but grid parity, when solar power costs the same as fossil-fueled power, could be coming to New York by 2016
Wind Over Water
Examine the challenges of creating scalable off-shore wind power systems and what UK efforts show
Saskachewan: Could Tax Carbon
The province of Saskatchewan Canada contemplates writing a carbon tax into its revised environmental code
Find That Footprint
Gas Glut
With a surge in natural gas supplies, prices sink to a two-year low but production costs don't [WSJ $ub]
Risk of Derailment
Mobility stakes are high in the 2012 election since New York's transit future relies on federal dollars & innovative funding
Some Like It Cheap
Some airlines are eager to get in on free or low-market cost carbon emissions permits, others oppose the entire scheme
January 11, 2012
Forget Jevons Paradox
In case you missed last year's set-to, here's why improved energy efficiency does not result in a rebound in energy use
After Fracking
The gas and oil extraction industry is working on superfracking
Banking On Energy Efficiency
The Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation looks for the value of energy efficiency housing and finds it in The Benefits of Energy Efficiency in Multifamily Underwriting and the Benefits of Energy Efficiency in Multifamily Affordable Housing
Rio: Cities High On Earth Summit List
At the upcoming Rio+20 UN conference, urban sustainability will be a top goal
Follow The Oil And Gas Money
Here's how much money members of Congress got from the oil and gas industry since July 2009 as an industry trade association warns there will be consequences over President Obama's upcoming decision on the
Business v Brown On Cap And Trade
California businesses denounce Governor Brown's plan to use the carbon cap and trade fee to help fill state budget holes
NJ Stalls On Solar
On the last day of the New Jersey legislative session, a bill to support the state's slumping solar credits market failed to move forward
January 10, 2012
A State Of Success
States find their clean energy fund programs also succeed at stimulating economic growth
Monitor The Media
Is it true that general climate coverage in the media took a nose dive last year or was it just certain topics that took the hit?
France: 6,000 x 2020
A major French utility has the plan but not the financing to build 6,000 MW of off-shore wind power by 2020
One Cheer For The Aviation Carbon Tax
The awkward EU aviation carbon tax could provoke a trade war, but it's better than nothing at all. Meanwhile, a study of the US industry finds big profit opportunities hidden in the EU fine print
Thumb Up For Solar New York
Governor Cuomo's solar New York plan gets a warm editorial embrace
Green Helps Put California In The Black
Governor Brown plans to use half of the annual $1 billion in carbon cap and trade revenue to help reduce the California deficit
Count On It
Energy efficiency saves homeowners and businesses money and payback times are another plus
Bio-Power Grows Up
A process that converts wood chips and crop waste into clean fuel cell energy gets scalable
EU: Carbon Market Slump
Sagging prices and an oversupply emissions credits leads to calls for government intervention in the EU carbon market
A Polymer To Save The Planet
Scientists have created PEI, a low cost polymer that can be used infilters to adsorb CO2 right from the air, and recycled into fuel
January 09, 2012
Fly With Smaller Footprints
German airline Lufthansa launches a regular flight from Frankfort to Washington DC partly fueled with biosynthetic kerosene
Getting Green In Bushwick
Students in Bushwick, Brooklyn learn about urban sustainability by growing food and building a greenhouse
Wind Storm
A study claiming that harnessing wind power adds to climate change stirs up a tempest
Germany: The Political Economy Of PV
Before cutting PV subsidies, Germany set an all time record for installations in December 2011 and every aspect of the industry and government policy is now in play
UK: Derailing High Speed Rail
Government plans for high speed rail service from London to Birmingham face an internal Tory rebellion
Bangalore v India
The solar power potential made possible by the IT revolution centered in Bangalore may find it hard to grow in India
EVs Won't Make A Dent
Industry observers don't expect significant market growth for hybrid and EVs until 2025 and news on the clean energy front is no better
Sierra Club Does New Hampshire Primary
The Sierra Club sums up the environmental views of Republicans running in the New Hampshire primary with a cast of sock puppets
The Long Interglacial Era
What evidence do scientists consider when calculating the onset of an Ice Age, and what is likely to delay the next one?
NYC's Emerald Waterfront
Park development accelerates along the east coast of Manhattan
January 08, 2012
Mental Structures
Cognitive neuroscience converges with architecture to sprout new urban forms rooted in the natural world
January 06, 2012
Chicago: Upgrading The Grid
Over the decade, Chicago's Con Ed will spend billions to make its electric grid smarter and self-healing
India: Investing In Renewables
With government backing and purchase power agreements, investors are attracted to renewable power projects in India, as purchase of turbines for solar power plants rises
Australia: Demonstrating Carbon Storage
Based on a demonstration project, scientists find that depleted gas reservoirs in Australia could be used for carbon sequestration
Predictions And Wish Lists
What are some insiders thinking could happen on the energy and climate fronts in this Presidential-race year?
Slowdown For Smart Meters
Less funding and spotty consumer acceptance are a drag on the smart electric meter business
Useful Urban Knowledge
Cities like New York are creating digital finger-prints to solve high priority problems, some of them could be ecologic
Coal Plant Courts Regulation
The owner of coal-burning power plant who has invested $885 million to cut pollution is dismayed by a federal court decision to delay new EPA rules
January 05, 2012
I See Green
Can you see prospects for green/clean economic development in New York City's emergent high tech tomorrow? Sallan wants to know
World: Rare Earth Shortage Threatens Renewables
The global short supply of rare earths crucial to renewable energy technology components could limit production growth
Cuomo's Solar Goal
Governor Cuomo announces his intention of quadrupling New York solar capacity by 2013 with small, medium & large scale projects
Climate B.S. Awards
See any patterns among the winners of the 2011 Bad Science awards?
EU: Airline Carbon Fee Won't Break The Bank
Compare Chinese airline profits with the cost of paying EU's carbon fee and wonder what the fuss is about
Making Affordable Housing More So
Habitat for Humanity builds low cost, energy efficient homes where heating/cooling and electric bills average $100 a month
ARPA-E Looks Ahead
Researchers at ARPA-E search forbig energy tech breakthroughs
Evidence Of Climate Change
Want to know how scientists identify and causal 'fingerprints' of global climate change?
China: Don't Inhale Yet
It will take decades to clean up the polluted air in Chinese cities and that may not include small, unhealthy particles
Yes We Could
One more time -- rebuild American with good green jobs
January 04, 2012
The Way We Were
Photos of America from the 1970's show what pollution and the natural world can look like
Norway: Pull Back On Solar
The Norwegian maker of solar power parts cuts production, citing low-cost Chinese competition
Watch That Tax Credit
Vestas, the Danish wind turbine maker, will reconsider its US operations if the federal production tax credit expires as company-wide earnings slide
Shall We Overcome
The rise of local opposition to renewable energy projects is the latest in the siting drama, Anywhere But Here
Edison's Bright Idea
The great-grandson of the inventor of the light bulb is sure Edison would approve of the new federal efficiency standard
Santorum: Let's Look At The Record
What does Rick Santorum have to say about global warming cooling?
Fire, Not Ice
Think a new ice age is on the way? Think again
UK: Waving At Engineers
The developer of wave-power turbines for installation along the UK coast seeks big engineering firms to scale-up production capacity
France: Old N-Plants Not Safe Enough
Billions of euros will have to be spent to bring the aging fleet of French nuclear power plants up to current safety standards
January 03, 2012
Pssst! Pay Attention
Media coverage of climate issues down 42% from its 2009 peak
Paying The Pipeline Piper
Stay tuned for President Obama's decision on the Keystone XL tar-sands pipeline and the political consequences while a former safety inspector speaks out
India: Auto Expo Split Personality
India's annual auto show will feature both small, energy efficient models and big, energy-slurping SUVs
Germany: Free Is Not Enough For Airline
Despite getting 15 million free carbon emissions permits, Lufthansa will raise air fares to pay for the remaining 35%
Energy Storage Calculations
While developing technology to store sun and wind power is critical to renewable power growth, calculating the cost of storage is another complexity
The Gold Shale Rush
International energy firms scramble to buy US shale gas deposits
Energized For 2012
With an annual energy bill of $4 billion, the Defense Department will be rolling out 27 cutting edge renewable projects
Making It In NYC
If you can make it there, you'll make it any where... clean, green and high tech firms get incubated in NYC
Germany: Bright Spot For Solar Industry
A Chinese solar equipment maker buys a troubled German high-tech PV firm, but the sector is not thriving
January 02, 2012
Generating Jobs
Renewable energy and efficiency projects are are the engines of new job creation in the US, not the Canadian oil sands pipeline