A utility backlash against solar as a result of electricity price competition has resulted in a win for German utilities. German environment minister Norbert Roettgen announced a cut of up to 29 percent in solar feed-in tariffs on all solar installed after March 9th 2012, followed by monthly reductions until … [continued]
A study finds solar lowered the price of peak electricity in Germany by up to 40 percent. Solar produced about 3% of industrious Germany’s total electricity, but when it produced it matters more than how much, because of a utility ranking system for putting the most cost-effective power on … [continued]
For the first time since the 1920s, fees for oil drilling on public land are going up, in an Obama administration Interior Department rule that does not require congressional approval. The election-year timing almost seems designed to wave a red flag in front of the most obdurate opposition party any … [continued]
The auto industry has long had a symbiotic relationship with the oil industry. If oil companies are the drug pushers, then car companies are the crack pipe manufacturers. But after its near-death experience a few years ago, at least one auto company appears to be distancing itself from its drug pusher. … [continued]
Mexico, the world’s 15th biggest greenhouse gas emitter – and ravaged by its worst drought in 80 years – is close to passing legislation to create a domestic greenhouse gas emissions trading system able to cap and cut carbon emissions.
In a move that almost seems calculated to enrage the Right with its Fox- and Rush-driven rage against the Volt, Chevy has announced it will voluntarily buy “8 million tonnes” worth of carbon offsets for $40 million to help it meet “voluntary emission reduction goals” within five years.
Even the spelling in the announcement is sissified. These are not even American tons!
In yet another resounding success for cap & trade policies, today carbon dioxide pollution capped by the 10 participating RGGI states of the US Northeast has been reduced to its all-time low of a mere 124 million short tons.
Power plant CO2 emissions in the states that participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) cap & trade dropped 34% below the cap in 2011, according to a new report from Environment Northeast, at Point Carbon News.
So… are they cowering in caves, like Rush Limbaugh says?
In a much-needed effort to speed up the permitting required to build all the new renewable energy projects being proposed in the state, California Governor Jerry Brown plans to add four positions at the state Department of Fish and Game, along with funding for outside experts.
It’s intended to ease the bureaucratic delays that have long aggravated developers; industry and environmental groups told Climatewire.
Kim Delfino, California program director for Defenders of Wildlife said Fish and Game “just didn’t have the bodies to deal with all the
Renewable energy generated between 665 and 673 terawatt-hours of electricity in the EU in 2010. With total energy consumption of between 3,115 and 3,175 terawatt-hours, this means that clean energy supplied about 21% of all the EU electricity used in 2010.
In an effective rebuttal to those who constantly pooh-pooh renewable energy capacity as “just nameplate capacity”, the figures were released in terawatt-hours
In a huge win for congressional Democrats and green groups who oppose it, the Obama administration is expected to announce today that it has killed the Keystone XL pipeline, a proposed use of US lands to allow dirty tar sands crude oil to be sent across US soil to the Gulf Coast for processing into usable oil for shipment to world markets.
