Energy and Climate Change


Stalled Energy Projects Costly, Regulatory Barriers to Blame

A U.S. Chamber of Commerce study says that a number of energy projects, many of them for renewable power, have been stymied by NIMBY, a poor permitting process, and lawsuits.

Marcellus Shale Summit Seeks to Dispel Myths

At the end of March, oil and gas industry stakeholders will meet to discuss future development of Marcellus Shale.

GreenPower Webinar Gives Insight into Procurement

EPA is partnering with CustomerFirst Renewables in a webinar from 1 to 2 p.m. EST on March 15.

Bill Would Protect Pennsylvania's Waters from Drilling Damage

In this bill, natural gas drillers would be responsible for more contaminant liability.

Sandia Lab Helps UAE Set Up Nuclear Energy Safety Institute

Over the last three years, the federal laboratory has been developing a program to ensure that local professionals in the United Arab Emirates will be trained in safety and security concepts related to nuclear energy programs.

IEEE 1888 Standard Employs Green IT to Lower Energy

The standard for Ubiquitous Green Community Control Network Protocol is inspired by the desire of Chinese stakeholders to minimize their footprints.

Dow to Invest $100M to Reduce Energy Use, GHG Emissions

Dow business units have submitted around 60 projects, with a net present value totaling more than $500 million, nearly 8 trillion BTUs of energy savings and a reduction of more than 400 thousand metric tons of CO2 emissions.

Arch Coal Agrees to $4M Settlement, Compliance Measures

The federal government, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky alleged that the coal company violated its discharge permit, sending excess amounts of iron, total suspended solids, and manganese into streams.



EPA Extends GHG Reporting Deadline; Online Platform Not Ready Yet

The agency said it expects to have the reporting tool available by this summer.

Environmental Implications of Sugarcane Bioethanol

An article in the current issue of Global Change Biology Bioenergy assessed the net greenhouse gas savings of bioethanol from sugarcane as compared to the use of fossil fuels.

Denver Noted for LEED Building Development

The U.S. Green Building Council has certified nearly 30 projects since 2010 under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system.

Energy Recovery Introduces New Desalination Pumps

The company says the high-pressure desalination pumps offer nearly 90 percent efficiencies and complement its isobaric and centrifugal energy recovery technologies.

ISO Energy Management Standard Slated for Release in 3rd Quarter

The International Standards Organization is developing a standard for industrial plants, commercial facilities, and organizations that will help them systematically plan and manage their energy use.

PPA Allows Oro Loma Sanitary District to Turn on Solar Savings

Solar Power Partners and Oro Loma partnered with DRI Energy to design, build, and install the single-axis tracker project that is expected to save the district $2 million over the life of the contract.

Spent Nuclear Fuel Is Anything but Waste

Failure to pursue a program for recycling spent nuclear fuel has put the United States far behind other countries and represents a missed opportunity to enhance the nation's energy security and influence other countries.

Final Boiler, Incinerator Rules Cut Compliance Costs in Initial Proposals

EPA says it is proposing "sensible standards" that will provide significant public health benefits while cutting costs by nearly 50 percent; the agency is offering these standards for additional public review and comment.

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson speaks at an event unveiling expanded solar power for groundwater treatment at Frontier Fertilizer Superfund site in Davis, Calif.

Solar Power Cuts 120 Years off Superfund Site Cleanup

Partners used stimulus funding to expand solar panels that run electrical resistance heating system to clean up groundwater at the Frontier Fertilizer Superfund site.

Two new electric bikes are being offered in the United States.

2 Stealth Electric Bikes Now Available to US Riders

The company now offers its most popular high-performance electric bikes: The Fighter and the Bomber.

New Lithium-ion Battery Reportedly Ideal for Electric Cars

The battery is based on a high-capacity nanostructured tin-carbon anode and a high-voltage lithium-ion cathode.

EPA Seeks Public Comment on U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory

The agency is reporting that overall greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 6 percent in 2009.