British Columbia: Thumbs Up On Carbon Tax
Now starting its second year, there's evidence - with caveats - that the carbon tax in British Columbia is doing what it should
July 31, 2012
More Sad Solyrda News
Solyndra, the bankrupt PV maker that borrowed $527 million from US tax payers, will repay them just $24 million
VAWT's Ahead
Sandia National Labs advances on developing a new generation of vertical axis wing turbines, VAWT's
Solar Power Gap
While the pace of PV installations in the US is accelerating, a comparison with Germany reveals a solar power gap
Cheers (Mostly) For Philadelphia Transit
SEPTA, the Philaldephia-metro mass transit authority, receives an award from the American Public Transit Association, but also comes in for some criticism
US Solar Profits
What's the secret of a US PV maker that bucks a trend by making a profit?
China: Solar Funny Money
Storm clouds gather around the financial practices of major Chinese solar panel exporter. Chinese solar stocks pounded
Green Building Tax Break For NY
Starting in January, New Yorkers who build or renovate properties to LEED-type standards can get a tax break
July 30, 2012
Where We Live Now
Experts are debating whether more Americans are moving to cities or exurbs, so why does it matter?
An Energy Beauty Contest
Beijing: Went For Gold WIth Green
Beijing got cleaner air and cut GHG emissions during the 2008 Olympics
London: Going For Gold With Green
London sets the pace for green Olympics
San Antonio Won't Waste Waste
San Antonio finds valuable ways to reuse everything in its sewage
It's Showtime
Expect climate change denier Senator Inhofe to take center stage at this week's Environment & Public Works Committee hearings
GE Cools On Nuclear Power
General Electric says the cost of nuclear power is 'hard to justify' and favors natural gas and renewables instead
The Selling O' The Green
Economic ups and downs and now burnished corporate images are the big drivers in green-themed advertising
Climate Conversion
Thoughts from The Guardian on Richard Muller's story of personal climate conversion appearing in the New York Times
July 28, 2012
Smart Green Gadgets
Smart battery queries the grid — stores energy when it's cheap.
A Green Apple In Reno
Seeking to replicate its renewable power success at a North Carolina data center, Apple eyes a green facility for Reno
Import Substitution
If losing access to rubber trees was the mother of invention for synthetic rubber during WWII is now the ideal time to substitute renewable energy sources for imported fossil fuels?
July 27, 2012
What Every Smart City Needs
There seems to be a pattern shared by cities that are growing smarter
Urban Climate Beacons
Who are the 41 California cities & counties that got Beacon Climate Awards for Local Leadership Toward Solving Climate Change?
Japan: The Most Dangerous Myth
The Japan Times editorializes that believing the myth of safe nuclear power led government and industry into catastrophic errors
OECD: Expect Nuclear Expansion
The OECD sees global nuclear power growing 44 - 99% by 2035, concentrated in China, India, South Korea & Russia
Sunny Money
The latest California energy trend is third-party ESCO financing for home and commercial solar projects. But wait, there's more! solar installers are thriving
Brazil: Great Energy Efficiency Expectations
Hopes are high for a boom in Brazilian energy efficiency services
Power-Hungy Building
"Though New York City boasts of being a new tech hub, few buildings here are equipped to provide sufficient power. The New York Genome Center's new $47 million headquarters at 101 Sixth Ave. will be powered by 375 Pearl St. which has extraordinary access to electricity because it was built as a switching center for New York Telephone." [A subscription to Crain's Health Pulse is required to read the article in full]
MTA's Behavioral Economics
The MTA wants to tack $1 on the purchase of new Metrocards to encourage riders to refill their current cards
On The Climate Blog Beat
What's your take on the debate blaming politics, media OR our lizard brains for failure to take action on climate change?
July 26, 2012
Conservatives Shatter Climate Consensus
Energy policy decisions by England's ruling Conservative Party are creating an uproar. Stay tuned
Singapore: Green Garden
A 100-hectare botanic garden in Singapore is designed to save 30% on its electric use
Urban Salvation
Pomona: On The Electric Bus
Pomona, California goes mass transit with a three fast-charging electric buses
Natural Gas Alchemy
Consider the potential for using natural gas instead of oil as a product feedstock
London: The Perfect Smog Storm
Current London weather conditions could blanket the opening of the Olympics with smog
EU: Salvage Cabon Trading Scheme
The EU takes small steps to revive swooning carbon emissions permit prices
Dig It
Tunneling work is now complete for all of New York City's new subway and rail routes
July 25, 2012
Picture That
Will urban residents want to upgrade energy efficiency after seeing 'photos" of their homes leaking energy?
NYC: Sunny Side Up
What are the prospects for more PV installations in the Big Apple?
Exceeding Energy Expectations
The growth of renewable energy since 2000 way outstrips expert predictions. Why?
Preserving Stability
if political conservatives want to conserve things, what would make a compelling climate action argument?
NY Solar Porgam Maxes Out
The New York Central Hudson power utility reaches its limit for solar powered, net-metering customers and will not accept more applicants
London: Taxi Olympics
Five hydrogen-powered cabs get a trial run during the London Olympics
UK: Later For Decarbonization
A deal is struck on UK energy and climate policy
Fom Sci-Fi To Sci-Fact
Researchers invent a thin film for windows and hand-held electronics that makes electricity
Korea v Australia: Carbon Offsets
The Korean ban on domestic use of international carbon offsets isolates Australia's program
Stars In Their Eyes
Who will win the EPA competition for the best-performing Energy Star buildings in the nation?
Mexico: Climate Law At Risk
Mexico's new President may not carry out the terms of the climate protection law passed by his predecessor
July 24, 2012
All Aboard For High Speed Rail
Making the case for a Boston-New York-Washington, DC high speed rail system
Urban Earth
Wind Generates Money
A study of Illinois wind power finds it makes money & jobs as well as electricity
Turkey: 30x23
With a new 10 MW wind power installation, Turkey advances toward its goal of getting 30% of its power from renewables by 2023
UK: Nuclear Sticker Shock
Sticker shock over the cost of new nuclear power plants could mean doubling utility rates
Japan: Post-Nuclear Carbon Soars
CO2 emissions of a major Japanese electric utility spiral up 40% after the closure of its nuclear power plants
Chicago Tree Huggers
10,000 hot and thirsty urban trees seek people to water them
New Front In Climate Politics
The League of Conservation Voters targets five climate-deniers seeking re-election this year
Why Save A Watt
What message motivates people to become more energy efficient?
July 20, 2012
Get Over It
Enough already, it's climate change and 3,715 business are done debating
Partner Benefits
Capturing the benefits of smart grid, energy efficient building opportunities, means property owners and utilities must find common ground
Store It In The Cave, Man
Caves filled with compressed air can become an effective way to store renewable energy for when it's needed
July 19, 2012
Israeli-Chinese Wave Power Deal
A deal shapes up for an Israeli firm to sell its wave power technology to a Chinese car maker
France: 6,000 x 20 Not
France will miss its target of 6,000 MW of offshore wind power by 2020, but subsidy costs for output could be lower than predicted
Scientists Want To Know
Scientists and engineers have a list of 14 questions they want the Presidential contenders to answer
Solar Soft Costs
Why the soft costs of PV installation in the US are 60% higher than in Germany (and cheers to NYC red-tape cutting)
EU: Carbon Market Woes
With sagging emissions permits prices, it's cheaper to be a carbon slurper than a carbon sipper in the EU
Friend Of Bill Is Friend Of Green
A former Bill Clinton political guru opens an electric car factory in Mississippi
US Energy Use Shfiting For Good
Add a recession with a turn away from coal-burning - replaced by fracked natural gas - plus new emissions regulations and growth in renewable power and it could total up to a permanent lower-carbon US energy economy, but it's complicated
Sea Beds For Power Grids
Deep-sea oil and gas companies explore how to create a deep water electric grid to power more drilling
Eco-Optimism
A Sallan Snapshot writer launches a blog that looks for opportunities amidst the pervasive eco-gloom
July 18, 2012
White House - Green Sports
The greening of professional sports has a fan in the White House
India: Where Wind Is Cheaper Than Coal
For the first time, some wind-generated electricity in India costs less than power from coal-burning plants
Israel: Go With The Hydro-Flow
An Israeli technology firm generates electric from the flow of water through underground pipes in the Negev Desert
Bill Rates Hill
Bill McKibben doesn't blame Hillary Clinton for the failed Copenhagen climate meeting, but does take the Secretary of State to task for how she negotiated the Canadian XL Keystone pipeline
Australia: LNG To Asia, GHGs to Planet
Proposed LNG export equipment and terminals in Australlia for shipment to Asians market would send GHG emissions spiraling
US Energy: Subsidy v Policy
Consider the current realities of US energy programs and why energy politics look the way they do
Save J-Bay
New York City joins forces with the federal government to revive and protect 10,000 acres of Jamaica Bay
Improbable Is Not Impossible
An industry expert explains why nuclear power plants designs, because they use 'unforgiving' technology, must rest on planning for the improbable
July 17, 2012
The Mental Climate Of Gen X
A National Science Foundation-funded study finds Gen X'ers are not climate change deniers, but they aren't much worried about a hotting-up planet
Finland: Nuclear Delays
Building a next-generation nuclear power plant in Finland by French utility Areva is three years behind schedule
Domestic Stimulus Stays Home
What's wrong with the claim that stimulus dollars for clean renewable energy projects are a domestic job killer?
Classic Joy, Urban-Style
Apple Regrets
Apple does a u-turn on its decision to leave EPEAT, a green product certification program
City As Adjective
What comes to mind when you think of Berlin, L.A., Brussels or Amsterdam?
It's Hot Out There
June 2012 , global temperatures, rainfall and historic comparisons
July 16, 2012
Pulse Detected For Carbon Tax
Guess what - the idea of a federal carbon tax shows signs of life
Australia: Wave Hello
Prospects improve for a 19 MW offshore wind power project in Victoria, Australia
EV: Re-Target Low Interest Loans
Bloomberg News urges the feds to shift low interest loans for electric vehicles to buyers, arguing car-makers now have ample access to capital while EU targets toughest emissions standards
Ehtiopia: Wind From The East
Ethiopian imports of Chinese wind turbines illustrate the growing export market for China's renewable power products
What Happens In Kansas Won't Stay There
The severe drought affecting crops and livestock in Kansas and through the mid-west will raise food prices around the nation
Keys To Sustainable Cities
If sustainability needs cities and cities need sustainability, what are the critical forward paths?
Just The Facts Ma'am
Peruse this fact sheet about what it will take to decarbonzie global electric power systems
Germany: Meet Merkel's Green Guy
A profile of the new German Environmental Minister, Peter Altmaier, operating in an era of challenging transitions
G Whizz
The MTA will restore mass transit services cut in 2010 and make expanded G train service permanent
July 13, 2012
The Agile City Survey
What is your city doing to advance 21 century urban innovation?
Disclosure Is Needed
A study of the environmental risks of hydrofracking highlight the knowns and the unknowns of its water resource impacts
NYC: Friday The 13th
An air quality alert is in effect for NYC's 'sensitive groups' on July 13
UK: Steel v Carbon
A government report echos UK steelmakers' fear of lost market share due to domestic environmental levies
China: Real Time Air Quality
A new website gives current air quality information for Shanghai, Beijing and other Chinese cities
Quebec: Climb The Garden Walls
An invitation to climb the geo-textile, moss-covered walls of Sainte Flavie, Quebec
Incorruptible Carbon
Q: Carbon tax or cap & trade? A: Opt for the least corruptible option
Be Kind Or Behind
The NY League of Conservation Voters gives the State legislature a B, noting little has been done on clean energy and climate protection
July 12, 2012
Global Cities In Harm's Way
Thumb-nail sketches of 20 global cities at risk for major climate-change damage
Greening Apple
Greenpeace no longer gives Apple failing grades on corporate energy and climate performance
Beyond The Nader
Jill Stein is the new Green Party standard bearer for the 2012 Presidential election
Conservation Nation, Sort Of
March 2012 research reveals that while more than half of the Americans surveyed said they had tried to cut family energy use, only a small fraction said they had engaged in any climate support actions
Where The Oil Goes
By 2013, developing nations will become the major market destination for oil, with big energy policy implications
London: Navigating Google Bike Maps
How does Google Maps rate as a tool for pedaling around London?
New Zealand: Controversial Carbon Market
Will New Zealand stay the course in its commitment to a carbon emissions market scheme?
Grand Central Rezoning
The Bloomberg administration wants to allow bigger skyscrapers to go up near Grand Central Station, but will green zoning rules have an impact?
Mitigate, Adapt Or Suffer
When it comes to a climate-changed world, we've got three options and we may not get to choose just one
July 11, 2012
Australia: Solar Boom and Bust
A cautionary tale about solar power caught in shape-shifting energy policy currents
Nuke Building-Costs Boom
A study by the AP discloses billions in rising costs at nuclear power plants now under construction
Actions On Clean Energy Loans
Two solar power firms advance toward obtaining DOE clean energy loan guarantees
Sweden: Spray-On Light
Swedish researchers are working on a spray-on LED paint that could be applied to wallpaper and fabrics
UK: Call for Flood-Resilience
Government climate advisors urge planning now for a 400% increase in home and business flood risks
Just The Facts Isn't Enough
Utilities are not doing much with the flood of data pouring in from the smart meters they install
Ice Is Nice
A summer treat -- iceberg portraits
Solar Power And Solar Panels
Germany has proved that political will can create solar power consumers but can automation revive its solar manufacturing?
July 10, 2012
UK: Less For The Wind
The UK government is set to announce a 10% cut to subsidies for on-shore wind power, with cuts for offshore wind also slated
Randomly Hot - Not
The odds that this year's record-busting heat is just a random weather event are 1 in 1.6 million. But wait, there's more
EU: Too Much Of A Good Thing
A glut of EU carbon emissions permits weighs on the market
Getting Past Climate Denial
What does a former Republican Congressman call for instead of climate change denial?
King Coal Dethroned
Beijing-Copenhagen: Sustainable Sharers
C40 produces a new urban sustainability sharing agreement -- Beijing and Copenhagen, Europe's greenest capital city
Don't Drive
Last year extended the national drop in driving that started in 2007 as the population becomes more urban
Eco-Voting Made Easier
New York eases procedures for the Green Party to get on the primary ballot this September
NY To Philly: 37x40
By 2040 and assuming access to funds, Amtrak will get you from New York City to Philadelphia in 37 minutes
July 09, 2012
Oceanic Osteoporosis
Ocean acidification caused by rising CO2 levels in the air threaten global food security and livelihoods
Bonding Sunlight
Bank underwriters expect a boom in bonds to finance new solar projects
Forget About Climate Change
Factoring out the impact of fossil fuels on climate change, calculate the world's new power equation (or the persistence of fossil thought)
Wonderful Wonderful Copenhagen
Copenhagen wins the European Green Capital award
Brownfields And Sustainability
Experts and innovators see redevelopment and community revitalization at the core of today's brownfields clean ups
Harvard Museum Wins Green Light Award
Construction-phase LED lighting at Harvard's Fogg Museum wins a US Green Building Council innovative design award
UK; New Nuclear Partners
After losing German backing for developing new UK nuclear power plants, French and Chinese firms express interest
EU: Diluted Energy Directive
Will the watered-down provisions of the EU energy efficiency directive be able to make a difference?
July 08, 2012
$14 Million For Energy Efficiency
The Department of Energy awards states $14 million for improving their buildings' energy efficiency performance
July 06, 2012
Hot Enough For You
Steamy Washington weather sets a 141 year record
Redirecting Federal Clean Energy Flows
A call to redirect federal energy policy toward broad technology developments, but the fragmented clean tech industry lacks clout compared to fossil fuel heavy-weights
Federal Fracking Framework
Would a federal regulatory framework for natural gas fracking be any better than state-by-state rules?
Community Air Moniitors
Community groups in Brooklyn and Queens are among the 23 funded in New York State to conduct air screening projects
Weird Weather Alters Views
A senior Obama administration scientist sees US views climate change shift due to severe weather events
What The FERC
How does FERC, the little known federal electricity transmission regulator, make progress on the renewable energy front?
UK: Much More Offshore Wind
Two of three offshore wind projects, with a total of 1.1 gigawatt capacity, get UK government approval
Argentina-China: Wind Nexus
China will provide $3 billion to buy turbine equipment for a 1,350 MW wind power project in Argentina, Latin America's largest
Summer In The City
Summer 2012 sets records but don't forget that 1966 record by The Lovin' Spoonful
Australia: Cheaper Carbon
Prices in Australia's new carbon market are up to 45% lower than predicted
July 05, 2012
Not Alll GHG's Are Created Equal
Some research suggests that natural gas obtained from fracking has a smaller greenhouse impact than other natural gas
In Praise Of Sunshine
Sunshine laws, requiring public disclosure of environmental data like carbon emissions, can do a lot
Scrape The Sky With Platinum
NYC's One Bryant Park is the nation's first LEED-Platinum office tower
Hong Kong: Shop, Not Shiver
Hong Kong shopping malls, famous for frigid summer AC, pledge to warm things up
Everybody Talks About The Weather
If this summer sets records for storms that knock out electric power supplies, it could also be time to start investing in better system reliability, distributed power and smart grids to keep the lights on
40x17
The IEA predicts global growth of renewable power, with a a 40% increase by 2017
Japan: Nuke Acccident Not Natural
Government and industry, not nature, is responsible for the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster, according to a parliament inquest
Smells And Sounds Of The City
Take a sensory tour of the Big Apple this summer
Builiding Stars
The winners of the EBie awards for greenest, highest performing existing buildings in the US are...
July 03, 2012
Follow That Coal
European coal burning skyrockets with low-cost US imports, while natural gas sales fell last year
UK: High-Priced Home Insulation Loans
British homeowners can borrow from a new government program to insulate their dwelllngs, but the 7.5% interest rate is controversial
China: 21x15
China plans to install 21 gigawatts of solar power by 2015 to absorb more domestic PV panel production
British Columbia: Carbon Tax Update
Now four years old, the British Columbia carbon tax is unique in North America and controversial
NY: $$$ For Energy Efficiency
The New York Power Authority okays a $30 million/five year commitment to boost market development of energy efficiency technology firms
Building Owners Seek Federal Energy Action
A nationwide real estate association gives its six-point plan for advancing energy efficiency to a Senate committee
Feds Query JPMorgan Over Electric Markets
Federal regulators subpoena JPMorgan about possible electricity market manipulations in California and the midwest
For A Greener Gotham Use Your Thumbs
Another way To Waste Water
Burning Our Rivers looks at the toll taken by power plants on US water resources
From Noten Island To Urban Emerald
The Dutch called it Noten Island, but soon the 172 acres of Governors Island will be called a gem
July 02, 2012
Franco-Australian Solar Project At Risk
Plans by a French electric utility for a solar thermal project in Queensland, Australia are stymied by a loss of government funds
MIA: Campaigning On Climate
Climate change is MIA from the Obama re-election campaign, even though signs of a changing climate are all too clear
Australia: Carbon Price Pinched By Politics
With the Labor PM trailing in polls, prospects for Australia's' carbon futures market dim even as the carbon law goes goes into effect
Controversial Campus Goes Platinum
The hotly-debated plan for Columbia University's new west Harlem campus wins a LEED Neighborhood Development Platinum rating
Meet The Flywheel
Get introduced to an old technology repurposed as a renewable energy storage technology - the flywheel
Adding Fuel To The Wildfire
Making the connection between Colorado's raging wildfires and climate change that have charred the city of Colorado Springs.
New Exxon Or Not
While Exxon's current CEO is no climate denier, what to make of his approach to solving the problems of a hotter globe? asks the FT. Al Gore is not impressed
LEDs Are Street Smart
A twelve city test of LED street lighting find they can be up to 85% more energy efficient than conventional bulbs