Post Carbon: Energy efficiency could transform the South - Juliet Eilperin: "The Georgia Tech-Duke analysis, released Monday, says 'aggressive energy-efficiency initiatives' could keep energy
consumption in the South's residential, commercial and industrial facilities 'from growing over the next twenty years.' That could lead to the retirement of 25 gigawatts of older power plants, and render unnecessary the construction of 49 gigawatts of new power plants.The study also estimates that such measures would generate $2.25 in jobs and economic activity for every $1 spent on making residential, commercial and industrial facilities more energy efficient."
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Questions for Banks That Put Together Complex Deals - NYTimes.com
Questions for Banks That Put Together Complex Deals - NYTimes.com: "But Wall Street, as it is wont to do, took the concept to another level, creating securities that allowed investors to make side bets on the housing market. Known as synthetic C.D.O.’s, they did not raise money for home loans or serve any other broad economic purpose.
Instead, like a casino offering blackjack along with slot machines and Texas hold ’em, they were just one more way to bet against the housing market.
Now, the question in Washington is whether other banks, in addition to Goldman, might face legal action stemming from their role in this market. Bank analysts on Wall Street, too, are trying to figure out who might have done deals similar to Goldman’s, exposing them to potential liabilities."
Instead, like a casino offering blackjack along with slot machines and Texas hold ’em, they were just one more way to bet against the housing market.
Now, the question in Washington is whether other banks, in addition to Goldman, might face legal action stemming from their role in this market. Bank analysts on Wall Street, too, are trying to figure out who might have done deals similar to Goldman’s, exposing them to potential liabilities."
Monday, April 19, 2010
Robert S. Eshelman: World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth Kicks Off in Bolivia.
Robert S. Eshelman: World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth Kicks Off in Bolivia.: "As the Bolivian conference gets underway, another conference is coming to a close. The U.S. State Department, this week convened a two-day meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, a group comprised of the 17 leading global economies. The U.S. is seeking to link any commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to other leading economies' commitments to do the same, particularly China, India, and Brazil. This is a significant departure from the historic burden placed upon rich nations under the Kyoto Protocol to limit their greenhouse gas emissions, while developing nations need only reduce the carbon intensity of their economies."
Technology Review: Blogs: Potential Energy: Natural Gas May Be Worse for the Planet than Coal
Technology Review: Blogs: Potential Energy: Natural Gas May Be Worse for the Planet than Coal: "But experts are warning that natural gas might not be as clean as it seems.
In fact, using natural gas rather than diesel in vehicles could actually increase climate change, says Robert Howarth, professor of ecology and environmental biology at Cornell University. 'You're aggravating global warming more if you switch,' he says."
In fact, using natural gas rather than diesel in vehicles could actually increase climate change, says Robert Howarth, professor of ecology and environmental biology at Cornell University. 'You're aggravating global warming more if you switch,' he says."
Technology Review: Blogs: Potential Energy: Iceland Volcano Won't Cool the Planet
Technology Review: Blogs: Potential Energy: Iceland Volcano Won't Cool the Planet: "The eruptions of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano, while impressive and large enough to shut down air traffic in Europe, don't fit the bill."
With Goldman Case, S.E.C. Signals Renewed Toughness - NYTimes.com
With Goldman Case, S.E.C. Signals Renewed Toughness - NYTimes.com: "But with its latest lawsuit against Goldman Sachs, the most powerful, most feared and most envied firm on Wall Street, the S.E.C. is sending a signal that it is back on the beat and that it is going after very big targets.
In interviews this weekend, Mary L. Schapiro, the commission’s chairwoman, and Robert Khuzami, its new director of enforcement, said the agency was stepping up both its rule-making and its investigations in the wake of the financial crisis."
In interviews this weekend, Mary L. Schapiro, the commission’s chairwoman, and Robert Khuzami, its new director of enforcement, said the agency was stepping up both its rule-making and its investigations in the wake of the financial crisis."
Albuquerque Journal - On the Mesa, Open Space, but No Electricity or Running Water - NYTimes.com
Albuquerque Journal - On the Mesa, Open Space, but No Electricity or Running Water - NYTimes.com: "On a Dusty Mesa, No Water or Electricity, but Boundless Space"
Senior Executives at Goldman Had a Role in Mortgage Unit
As the bank deals with a fraud suit from the S.E.C., former workers say that in 2006, executives sided with traders who thought home prices would decline.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
EERE News: Report Proposes a National Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation
EERE News: Report Proposes a National Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation: "The report also calls for improved communications on climate change impacts, adaptation, and resilience; additional training and resources within the federal government; better coordination and collaboration among U.S. government entities, as well as stakeholders; the identification of priority areas for a coordinated government response, such as water resource management and international adaptation; the establishment of a flexible framework for U.S. government agencies to understand, analyze, and respond to climate change challenges and opportunities; and an evaluation of the results of any adaptation effort, to capture any lessons learned."
White House Rhetoric May Signal Climate-Bill Surge - NYTimes.com
White House Rhetoric May Signal Climate-Bill Surge - NYTimes.com: "And as long as lawmakers retain a price on carbon emissions, Aldy said, Obama remains willing to compromise.
'He's not strongly wedded that we have to do it this way or that way,' he said. 'But what we have to do is stop sort of arguing with each other, make some progress here in the near term, and do so in a way that is both consistent with promoting our economic recovery agenda while addressing the needs to mitigate our greenhouse gas emissions. And he clearly thinks that's something that's very possible, something that as we work with the Senate that we try to achieve.'"
'He's not strongly wedded that we have to do it this way or that way,' he said. 'But what we have to do is stop sort of arguing with each other, make some progress here in the near term, and do so in a way that is both consistent with promoting our economic recovery agenda while addressing the needs to mitigate our greenhouse gas emissions. And he clearly thinks that's something that's very possible, something that as we work with the Senate that we try to achieve.'"
Study Examines Federal Spending on Climate Change Programs
Study Examines Federal Spending on Climate Change Programs: "The federal government has committed several billion dollars in annual spending, mostly by the Department of Energy and NASA, on projects to expand the understanding of climate change or to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions."
Dealing With Climate Change Is Up To Companies, Not Just Governments - Forbes.com
Dealing With Climate Change Is Up To Companies, Not Just Governments - Forbes.com: "Of the hundred largest economies in the world, 52 are multinational enterprises; only 47 are nation states.
You can't grasp what has been accomplished in addressing climate change without looking at what companies have done, and are doing, to measure and reduce their carbon use."
You can't grasp what has been accomplished in addressing climate change without looking at what companies have done, and are doing, to measure and reduce their carbon use."
dBusinessNews :: Daily Business News Delivered to Your Desktop
dBusinessNews :: Daily Business News Delivered to Your Desktop: "The New York Chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI-NY) will hold a timely discussion on 'Navigating Climate Change Disclosure' on April 14, 2010 at 6:00 pm. The program will focus on the SEC's recently released guidance on climate change disclosure requirements, addressing what impact the regulations may have and what investor relations professionals need to consider for their companies as it relates to this legislation."
AFP: 7,500 due for alternate climate conference in Bolivia
AFP: 7,500 due for alternate climate conference in Bolivia: "The alternative 'people's conference' on climate change called by socialist Bolivian President Evo Morales is expecting 7,500 delegates from more than 100 countries, officials said Monday."
Monday, April 12, 2010
Technology Review: Solar-Powered Desalination
Technology Review: Solar-Powered Desalination: "Saudi Arabia's national research agency, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), is building what will be the world's largest solar-powered desalination plant in the city of Al-Khafji."
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Of Cook Stoves and Climate Change | Use Celsias.com - reduce global °Celsius
Of Cook Stoves and Climate Change Use Celsias.com - reduce global °Celsius: "For example Black carbon emissions account for 30% of the changes associated with Himalayan glacier melt. It is perhaps fitting to say that one of the cheapest and most efficient means of avoiding dangerous tipping points in the climate system is to provide the world’s poor with improved cook stoves. By eliminating the use of open fires for cooking and accompanying black carbon emissions, it is possible to reduce an estimated 0.5-1 billion tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent gases in India alone. In addition this is a fast-acting climate strategy when compared to other mitigation strategies as particles generally remain in the atmosphere days to weeks compared with up to one hundred years for carbon dioxide."
Is climate change a moral issue? What would God say? - Green House - USATODAY.com
Is climate change a moral issue? What would God say? - Green House - USATODAY.com: "'To cultivate peace, one must protect creation!' Benedict told ambassadors accredited to the Vatican in a January speech. He said the same 'self-centered and materialistic' thinking that sparked global financial woes was also endangering creation. He added:
The protection of creation is not principally a response to an aesthetic need, but much more to a moral need, inasmuch as nature expresses a plan of love and truth which is prior to us and which comes from God."
The protection of creation is not principally a response to an aesthetic need, but much more to a moral need, inasmuch as nature expresses a plan of love and truth which is prior to us and which comes from God."
Senators prepare compromise climate change bill
Senators prepare compromise climate change bill: "Last week, Obama's top negotiator to international climate talks, Todd Stern, told Reuters that action in Congress was critical for U.S. leverage and credibility in U.N. negotiations toward a global pact controlling carbon pollution."
Friday, April 9, 2010
Op-Ed Columnist - Learning From Greece - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Columnist - Learning From Greece - NYTimes.com: "What worries me most about the U.S. situation right now is the rising clamor from inflation hawks, who want the Fed to raise rates (and the federal government to pull back from stimulus) even though employment has barely started to recover. If they get their way, they’ll perpetuate mass unemployment. But that’s not all. America’s public debt will be manageable if we eventually return to vigorous growth and moderate inflation. But if the tight-money people prevail, that won’t happen — and all bets will be off."
Water: The Next Great Risk for Companies and Investors | BNET Energy Blog | BNET
Water: The Next Great Risk for Companies and Investors BNET Energy Blog BNET: "One major obstacle stands in the way of finding out how the world’s largest corporations use water. That is, aside from convincing them to voluntarily report the information, in the first place. And that’s the sheer complexity of it all. In short, it’s not easy tracking water use. Even worse? Tracking the water used in the supply chain. Ford (F), which has already signed onto the Carbon Disclosure project, found it difficult to get information on water use from suppliers, according to the NYT."
The Man Behind the Massey Disaster: Donald Blankenship's Storied Career of Misdeeds | BNET Energy Blog | BNET
The Man Behind the Massey Disaster: Donald Blankenship's Storied Career of Misdeeds BNET Energy Blog BNET: "Massey appealed and Blankenship took the necessary steps to make sure he didn’t lose — again. Blankenship plowed millions to unseat West Virginia State Supreme Court of Appeals Justice Warren McGraw and backed a likely ally Republican lawyer Brent Benjamin.
Blankenship succeeded, and Benjamin was elected to a 12-year term. When the case made to court, Benjamin didn’t recuse himself and Blankenship won the ruling. But the U.S. Supreme Court took notice and in a 5-4 ruling, reversed the West Virginia justices. Author John Grisham used the case as the basis for his 2008 novel The Appeal."
Blankenship succeeded, and Benjamin was elected to a 12-year term. When the case made to court, Benjamin didn’t recuse himself and Blankenship won the ruling. But the U.S. Supreme Court took notice and in a 5-4 ruling, reversed the West Virginia justices. Author John Grisham used the case as the basis for his 2008 novel The Appeal."
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Coastal California City Turns to Desalination to Quench Its Thirst: Scientific American
Coastal California City Turns to Desalination to Quench Its Thirst: Scientific American: "The need for such facilities will only increase over time. Today, one out of six people on Earth, more than a billion, suffer inadequate access to safe freshwater, according to Peter Rogers's article 'Facing the Freshwater Crisis' in the August 2008 issue of Scientific American. The article further states that by 2025 the freshwater resources of more than half the countries across the globe will undergo either stress or outright shortages, and that by mid-century as much as three quarters of Earth's population could face scarcities of freshwater."
U.S. Bid to Combat Climate Change Starts with Cars and Trucks: Scientific American
U.S. Bid to Combat Climate Change Starts with Cars and Trucks: Scientific American: "The government agencies estimate that the program will save as much $190 billion in fuel costs and conserve roughly 1.8 billion barrels of oil."
Observations: String of offshore turbines along East Coast could provide steady supply of wind power
Observations: String of offshore turbines along East Coast could provide steady supply of wind power: "In fact, according to their model, there would never be a time when the wind wasn't producing some electricity—and previous research by Kempton has shown that offshore wind power alone could supply the needs of coastal states."
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
What the Frack? Natural Gas from Subterranean Shale Promises U.S. Energy Independence--With Environmental Costs [Slide Show]: Scientific American
What the Frack? Natural Gas from Subterranean Shale Promises U.S. Energy Independence--With Environmental Costs [Slide Show]: Scientific American: "Ultimately, however, shale gas extraction—and the hydraulic fracturing that goes with it—will have to be done right. 'If something comes out that you're poisoning the population, it's going to be a very bad thing,' Ireland notes.
The EPA anticipates finishing its latest study of the practice by 2012. 'Six months ago, nobody knew that facilities like this would be spewing benzene,' Tillman notes. 'Someone could come in here and look at us and say, 'You know what? They've sacrificed you. You've been sacrificed for the good of the shale.''"
The EPA anticipates finishing its latest study of the practice by 2012. 'Six months ago, nobody knew that facilities like this would be spewing benzene,' Tillman notes. 'Someone could come in here and look at us and say, 'You know what? They've sacrificed you. You've been sacrificed for the good of the shale.''"
Energy Star program is under fire - MarketWatch
Energy Star program is under fire - MarketWatch: "To test the Energy Star program, the GAO created fake products, including a gas-powered alarm clock and an air cleaner that was actually a space heater with a feather duster and fly strips taped to it.
The Energy Star program approved both products, thus revealing the program's lax standards and controls, the GAO said."
The Energy Star program approved both products, thus revealing the program's lax standards and controls, the GAO said."
Fuel Economy Drives Auto Industry Mergers | BNET Auto Blog | BNET
Fuel Economy Drives Auto Industry Mergers BNET Auto Blog BNET: "A recent survey of 200 top auto industry executives about the future of the car industry by consulting firm KPMG found that 72.5% felt that merger & acquisitions activity is going to increase in the next five years. That’s up 25% from just two years ago, when under half of executives polled felt that way. The same poll found that 94% felt that MPG was going to be the most important business driver in the coming years."
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Report: Clean tech investment set to soar 35 per cent this year - 30 Mar 2010 - BusinessGreen.com
Report: Clean tech investment set to soar 35 per cent this year - 30 Mar 2010 - BusinessGreen.com: "A report earlier this year by the Cleantech Group suggested that while venture capital investment in clean tech firms fell 33 per cent last year to $5.64bn (£3.76bn), the sector fared better than many other industries and has overtaken biotech and IT as the largest venture capital investment categories."
Outlook brightens as solar industry reports record 2009 - 31 Mar 2010 - BusinessGreen.com
Outlook brightens as solar industry reports record 2009 - 31 Mar 2010 - BusinessGreen.com: "The trade association said that global installed capacity grew by 6.4GW to a total of 20GW last year, as the sector rode out the economic downturn."
UN suspends latest carbon credit verification firms - 30 Mar 2010 - BusinessGreen.com
UN suspends latest carbon credit verification firms - 30 Mar 2010 - BusinessGreen.com: "The UN's carbon offsetting scheme has become mired in yet more controversy after the panel overseeing the initiative suspended its third auditor in 15 months.
The executive board in charge of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) last week suspended Germany's TUEV SUED and also partially suspended Korea Energy Management Corporation, after spot checks undertaken at their offices revealed procedural breaches."
The executive board in charge of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) last week suspended Germany's TUEV SUED and also partially suspended Korea Energy Management Corporation, after spot checks undertaken at their offices revealed procedural breaches."
Air quality co-benefits should be considered in climate policies on Environmental Expert
Air quality co-benefits should be considered in climate policies on Environmental Expert: "In addition, there are barriers to including air quality co-benefits in international policy regimes. Countries may adopt divergent priorities on climate change and air quality. For example, developing countries might value avoided climatic damage as a co-benefit of their pursuit of air quality improvement, while developed countries might focus on climate impacts directly, with improved air quality as an ancillary benefit.
The study highlights a number of advantages to considering air quality in climate change debates. Firstly, including air-quality co-benefits reduces the cost of climate policy for wider society. Also, improved health through better air quality is more evident on a local, near-term level than climate change, which tends to be regarded by many as a long-term, future issue with many uncertainties. This integrated approach could be used to engage stakeholders who are reluctant to pay for mitigation actions or who are unmotivated to avoid climate damage. For example, developing countries might have stronger incentives to participate in international agreements when air quality co-benefits are included with climate benefits. Accommodating diverse preferences about whether to prioritise climatic or air quality benefits will require a high degree of flexibility in the international climate regime."
The study highlights a number of advantages to considering air quality in climate change debates. Firstly, including air-quality co-benefits reduces the cost of climate policy for wider society. Also, improved health through better air quality is more evident on a local, near-term level than climate change, which tends to be regarded by many as a long-term, future issue with many uncertainties. This integrated approach could be used to engage stakeholders who are reluctant to pay for mitigation actions or who are unmotivated to avoid climate damage. For example, developing countries might have stronger incentives to participate in international agreements when air quality co-benefits are included with climate benefits. Accommodating diverse preferences about whether to prioritise climatic or air quality benefits will require a high degree of flexibility in the international climate regime."
US confirms delays to EPA emission crackdown - 30 Mar 2010 - BusinessGreen.com
US confirms delays to EPA emission crackdown - 30 Mar 2010 - BusinessGreen.com: "The agency confirmed yesterday that the new permitting requirements would not come into effect until January 2011."
Home of the Future: Solar Roof, Batteries Included | BNET Energy Blog | BNET
Home of the Future: Solar Roof, Batteries Included BNET Energy Blog BNET: "Every solar installer I’ve spoken with agrees that including solar panels in the home reduces the overall cost for solar, with estimates ranging from about 20 to 30 percent of the price. That’s taken not from the cost of the solar panel, but from what’s charged for installation, which typically comes to about half the end cost of adding solar to existing homes."
Why Is Google Building a Free Broadband Network? | BNET Technology Blog | BNET
Why Is Google Building a Free Broadband Network? BNET Technology Blog BNET: "Just this week, the House Internet Subcomittee took its first glance at the FCC’s proposal for free national WiFi, carried on a slice of free radio spectrum vacated by TV; public consciousness of the plan is growing."
Monday, March 29, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Special Report - Lack of Direction on Climate Change Hobbles Carbon Trading - NYTimes.com
Special Report - Lack of Direction on Climate Change Hobbles Carbon Trading - NYTimes.com
That may be just as well, Dr. Helm said. While carbon trading makes sense in theory, implementation in Europe was riddled with special-interest deals and giveaways to industry that made it far less effective than taxing carbon directly, he said. The same would almost certainly apply to any future U.S. system.
That may be just as well, Dr. Helm said. While carbon trading makes sense in theory, implementation in Europe was riddled with special-interest deals and giveaways to industry that made it far less effective than taxing carbon directly, he said. The same would almost certainly apply to any future U.S. system.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
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