Energy and Climate Change


BSEE Expands SafeOCS Program

The program now includes the confidential collection of equipment failure data.

Larry Newton, resource efficiency manager at the academy, credits the drop in energy cost to energy-efficient lighting on the outside of the Vandenberg Hall dormitory, in the Pine and Douglas Valley housing areas and on several academy roads, and other cost-cutting measures.

USAF Academy Saved $1 Million on Energy in FY2016

Building audits are conducted regularly, and these allow the academy to review or considers solar arrays; geothermal energy; building infrastructure; window efficiency; insulation; and installing new boilers and HVAC equipment.

State Partnerships Can Promote Increased Bio-Energy Production, Reduce Emissions

New study determines most efficient ways governments can increase renewable energy production.

This photo shows a back pressure steam turbine in the Kendall Cogeneration Station, a key component of ensuring the plant does not dump hot water into the Charles River. (Veolia North America photo)

Veolia Completes 'Green Steam' Project

"This project is a win for the environment and the communities of Cambridge and Boston. Ending the discharge of heated water to the Charles River will help protect fish, restore habitat, and reduce the severity of cyanobacteria blooms," said Charles River Watershed Association Executive Director Robert Zimmerman, Jr.

ENGIE and Holyoke Gas & Electric Announce Construction of a 5.76 MW Mt. Tom Solar Farm in Western Massachusetts. Holyoke residents will benefit from the purchase agreement.

Construction Begins on New Solar Farm in Massachusetts

ENGIE and Holyoke Gas & Electric Announce Construction of a 5.76 MW Mt. Tom Solar Farm in Western Massachusetts. Holyoke residents will benefit from the purchase agreement.

BOEM Calls for Strong Protection for Gulf Wildlife from Survey Impacts

The draft evaluates the potential environmental impacts of survey activities on marine mammals, fish, coral, and other environmentally sensitive species in the seabed and water column of the Outer Continental Shelf.

NY Governor Releases Wind Energy Blueprint

The document defines the New York Offshore Study Area and identifies wind energy areas outside of that study area that will be reviewed for their grid interconnection, costs, and benefits, with all of the options being included in a final Offshore Wind Master Plan expected at the end of 2017.

Offshore Wind Strategy Has Arrived

The Department of Energy announced the publication of a collaborative strategic plan to continue accelerating the development of offshore wind energy in the United States.



Oklahoma Shuts Some Disposal Wells After 5.6 Magnitude Earthquake

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin tweeted that the order affects 37 disposal wells. Every well within 5 miles of a 10-mile section of the fault involved in the earthquake is to be shut down within seven days, and other wells in the area must be shut down within 10 days.

All employers, employees, and contractors within all three segments of the oil and gas industry (upstream, midstream, and downstream) are responsible for ensuring safe and healthful work sites.

LDAR Programs Continue to Evolve

LDAR programs are shifting from reactive to proactive, evolving from mere compliance to actively seeking and repairing leaks to using the best available control technology and practices to prevent leaks from occurring in the first place. Mandated use of preventive technologies and programs could be next.

Envision Solar Awarded Golden Bridge Energy Storage Best Product

Envision Solar’s EV ARC product has been named Best Product of the Year in the 8th Annual Golden Bridge.

Starting Aug. 8, 2016, EPA

Tracking Energy, Water, and Waste with ENERGY STAR's Portfolio Manager

The free tool from EPA became even more useful to building managers starting Aug. 8, 2016.

California became the first state to require solar panels to be installed on almost all new homes built after 2020.

Tesla Makes $2.6 Billion Offer for SolarCity

"Solar and storage are at their best when they're combined. As one company, Tesla (storage) and SolarCity (solar) can create fully integrated residential, commercial and grid-scale products that improve the way that energy is generated, stored and consumed," their announcement states.

Navy, Hawaiian Electric Agree to Build Solar Farm

In exchange for the land needed for the project, the base will receive in-kind consideration in the form of electrical infrastructure upgrades to Navy-owned facilities. Energy generated by the solar facility will feed into the island's electric grid and serve all customers on Oahu, including those on the base.

Enbridge Agrees to Pay Civil Penalties Over Pipeline Spills

The company's consent decree with EPA and DOJ includes civil penalties under the Clean Water Act of $61 million relating to the Line 6B release and $1 million related to the Line 6A release, both payable within 30 days of the effective date of the decree.

"No matter who owns the company, the energy vision for Hawaii remains very clear – 100 percent renewable energy with a transformation to a customer-centered utility focusing on smart meters, smart grid, distributed local solutions, and as much consumer choice as possible," said Gov. David Ige.

Hawaii PUC Denies NextEra's Bid to Buy Hawaiian Electric Industries

Gov. David Ige said the 2-0 ruling "gives us a chance to reset and refocus on our goal of achieving 100 percent renewable energy by 2045."

BP Tallies Total Deepwater Horizon Costs: $61.6 Billion

"Over the past few months, we've made significant progress resolving outstanding Deepwater Horizon claims and today we can estimate all the material liabilities remaining from the incident. Importantly, we have a clear plan for managing these costs and it provides our investors with certainty going forward," said Brian Gilvary, BP's chief financial officer.

Microsubs are "underwater watchdogs" that can provide early warnings of any potential problem with oil companies

BP Touts Microsubs' Potential

BP is working with manufacturer Planet Ocean, the Marine Robotics Innovation Centre at the UK's National Oceanography Centre, and the Scottish Association of Marine Science to optimize the microsub technology before starting the first trial in the North Sea in December.

Safety and Environmental Standards Raised for Arctic Exploratory Drilling

The regulations have been raised to ensure high safety standards for drilling activities on the OCS.

Alpha Natural Resources' Reorganization Plan Approved

The company's announcement said "Upon emergence, Alpha is expected to operate as a privately held company, positioned well to satisfy its environmental obligations on an ongoing basis."