U.S. is Pretty Much on Track to Stop Funding Clean Tech Altogether
The patchwork, too-meager support for clean energy the US government offers right now is on track to dry up.
The patchwork, too-meager support for clean energy the US government offers right now is on track to dry up.
Elon Musk Joins Buffett, Pledges Fortune to Charity
Warren Buffett has been working on promoting the Giving Pledge for a while now, trying to convince other billionaires to do what he and Bill Gates did by pledging most of their fortunes to charity.
Meet ARPA-E, the US Government’s Cleantech Incubator (Video)
Take a look at the cutting edge cleantech projects that ARPA-E is hoping will transform our energy future.
States In Northeast Cap And Trade Program Reduce CO2 20% Faster And Grow GDP At Twice The Rate of Other States
Northeastern states participating in America’s first carbon cap and trade program have outperformed the rest of the country in GDP growth and reduction in global warming pollution.
That’s according to a new report from Environment New Jersey, which examined emissions data and economic growth indicators from 2000 to 2009.
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a nine-state cap-and-trade market designed to reduce emissions in the utility sector 10% by 2018. A recent independent analysis showed that the program has already created $1.6 billion in economic value and set the stage for $1.1 billion in ratepayer savings through investments in efficiency and renewable energy.
This latest report shows that states under the RGGI program saw a 20% greater reduction in per-capita carbon emissions than non-RGGI states — all while growing per-capita GDP at double the rate of the rest of the country.
It is, however, very difficult to pinpoint the exact impact that RGGI had on these emissions reductions. While the program has been in the works since the early 2000′s, it was only implemented in 2008. The combination of increased penetrations of natural gas and the economic downturn likely had the biggest roles to play in the emissions dip.
But some officials in the region believe that RGGI did play a part. SolveClimate News reported on reactions to the news:
“It’s very clear that emissions have decreased in the Northeast. I think it’s largely because of low natural gas prices, plus the effects of RGGI on top of that,” said Bob Teetz, vice president of environmental services at National Grid USA, a Waltham, Mass.-based electric and gas company. The utility operates 4,000 megawatts of natural gas power plants in Long Island, N.Y.
“All of these efforts are bearing fruit,” Ken Kimmell, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, told InsideClimate News. “We very much expect that that progress will continue,” as the economy gains strength, he said.
While we can’t say exactly what role RGGI played in these drops, we can make many other observations with certainty: The program has helped stimulate more efficiency and renewable energy, it has helped local businesses grow, it has added enormous economic value to the region, and it has not driven up electric rates.
Let’s compare real-world experience to the outlandish claims made by opponents of the program.
The Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity actually claimed that RGGI would drive rates up in New Jersey by 90%. And New Jersey Governor Chris Christie pulled his state out of the program, calling it a “gimmicky tax.” According to program administrators, proceeds from carbon credit auctions brought $29 million to New Jersey in 2010, leveraging $3 to $4 in benefits for every dollar invested.
Opponents who claim cap and trade is bad for the economy simply don’t have a leg to stand on.
States In Northeast Cap And Trade Program Reduce CO2 20% Faster And Grow GDP At Twice The Rate of Other States
Northeastern states participating in America’s first carbon cap and trade program have outperformed the rest of the country in GDP growth and reduction in global warming pollution.
That’s according to a new report from Environment New Jersey, which examined emissions data and economic growth indicators from 2000 to 2009.
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a nine-state cap-and-trade market designed to reduce emissions in the utility sector 10% by 2018. A recent independent analysis showed that the program has already created $1.6 billion in economic value and set the stage for $1.1 billion in ratepayer savings through investments in efficiency and renewable energy.
This latest report shows that states under the RGGI program saw a 20% greater reduction in per-capita carbon emissions than non-RGGI states — all while growing per-capita GDP at double the rate of the rest of the country.
It is, however, very difficult to pinpoint the exact impact that RGGI had on these emissions reductions. While the program has been in the works since the early 2000′s, it was only implemented in 2008. The combination of increased penetrations of natural gas and the economic downturn likely had the biggest roles to play in the emissions dip.
But some officials in the region believe that RGGI did play a part. SolveClimate News reported on reactions to the news:
“It’s very clear that emissions have decreased in the Northeast. I think it’s largely because of low natural gas prices, plus the effects of RGGI on top of that,” said Bob Teetz, vice president of environmental services at National Grid USA, a Waltham, Mass.-based electric and gas company. The utility operates 4,000 megawatts of natural gas power plants in Long Island, N.Y.
“All of these efforts are bearing fruit,” Ken Kimmell, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, told InsideClimate News. “We very much expect that that progress will continue,” as the economy gains strength, he said.
While we can’t say exactly what role RGGI played in these drops, we can make many other observations with certainty: The program has helped stimulate more efficiency and renewable energy, it has helped local businesses grow, it has added enormous economic value to the region, and it has not driven up electric rates.
Let’s compare real-world experience to the outlandish claims made by opponents of the program.
The Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity actually claimed that RGGI would drive rates up in New Jersey by 90%. And New Jersey Governor Chris Christie pulled his state out of the program, calling it a “gimmicky tax.” According to program administrators, proceeds from carbon credit auctions brought $29 million to New Jersey in 2010, leveraging $3 to $4 in benefits for every dollar invested.
Opponents who claim cap and trade is bad for the economy simply don’t have a leg to stand on.
Inupiat Woman Wins Goldman Prize for Leading Fight Against Arctic Drilling
"We would like to live a traditional culture life. We should be given that option."
North Sea Gas Drilling Rig Leak Reduced by One-Third
The relief well Total is drilling to stop the methane leak still will take another five months to complete, but has already slowed the leak by one-third.
Vermont Senate Votes to Ban Fracking
The House passed a three-year moratorium earlier in the year. The Senate proposes to extend the ban indefinitely.
US Re-takes Lead in Clean Energy Race from China — But Not for Long
According to the just-released report "Who's Winning the Clean Energy Race?" from the Pew Charitable Trusts, the United States invested the most in clean energy of any country in 2011, retaking the lead from China, which had held the top sport for the last two years. But the U.S. resurgence is more likely to be a blip than a trend.
India Starts Up Asia’s Largest Solar Power Plant
The 214 MW solar power plant in state of Gujarat is planned to expand to 600 MW.
Celebrate Earth Day…buy something!
An Earth Day shopping bag
Like Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, July 4 and any other day on the calendar that some marketer can seize upon as an excuse to get Americans to go to the mall or online and buy a bunch of crap they don’t need (and probably can’t afford), Earth Day has become a shopping opportunity. My inbox gets flooded at this time of year with some of the most inane emails you’d ever want to see. My friend Matt Wheeland has made an Earth Day tradition of writing about these pitches, so I thought I’d share a few of mine.
An online shopping site came at me with an original idea for Earth day: plant a tree. Way to think outside the box, guys!
With Earth Day (4/22/12) approaching, online shopping site Extrabux will plant a tree for every purchase made on its site from Thursday, 4/19 through Sunday, 4/22. They’re planning on planting thousands of trees.
I can offer an expert to discuss. He can also talk about why shopping online is 15-50% greener than shopping in stores.
Earth Day is for pets, too:
Earth Day 2012 – April 22nd – is just around the corner. Thanks to the latest innovations from Dog Gone Smart and Imperial Cat, reducing your carbon paw print with earth friendly pet products is easier than ever.
Pet beds, leashes, harnesses and more that repel dirt, grime and stains! Besides being made with technologically smart fabrics, these pet products even prevent the growth and spread of bacteria and viruses. Cut down on waste by choosing pet products with 4x the life of competitive options. For more information on these resistant pet pieces with more life, visit Dog Gone Smart’s 100% wind powered website, www.doggonesmartpetproducts.
com .
Why not spend Earth Day shopping for towels, bedding and sheets?:
With Earth Day just around the corner, everyone is thinking about ways to become more eco-friendly and environmentally-aware, especially in the home. From your bathroom, bedroom and even to your nursery, there are different ways in which you can revamp and instill a bit of “green” into your living spaces for Earth Day.
Coyuchi, the first company to bring 100% organic cotton to the US, has a variety of items available to spruce up your home for Earth Day that will rejuvenate–body, mind and spirit, turning your home into an organic sanctuary.
Best of all, Coyuchi is running an Earth Day Sale which invites everyone to enjoy nature and 25% off select Coyuchi items!
Speaking of bedding, Earth Day is a good day to green your sex life:
Just in time for Earth Day, Good Vibrations, the trusted San Francisco-based company that takes pride in providing accurate information on sexuality and toys for grown-ups, releases the results of its recent survey about its customers’ attitudes about greening their sexuality.
Feeling bold? Consider an eco-revolutionary approach to Earth Day:
Whether you are already working on an Earth Day product round up or would be interested in featuring an eco-brand, I would love for you to keep A Lot To Say, Inc. in mind. They offer a great line of eco-revolutionary products for every style and need!
These eco-revolutionary products, it turns out, are T-Shirts and tote bags made from “100% Post Consumer Plastic Bottles and a No Water Dye Process.”
To the barricades, friends! The polluters must be quaking in their boots.
Normalize Renewable Energy Credits Now
Several renewable energy incentives are on the congressional chopping block this year, and every year, it seems. There are plenty of persuasive arguments on either side regarding whether or not to keep renewable incentives. We believe a long-term energy policy is needed at the federal level to allow the domestic renewable energy industry to grow and ultimately prosper. It will remove the guesswork surrounding what incentives may be available in any given year.
2 Years After the BP Spill: Oceana Says It’s Not If Another Oil Spill Will Happen, But When
Oceana's Jacqueline Savitz reminds us that unless we shift to clean energy and away from more fossil fuels and offshore drilling another BP oil spill is inevitable.
2 Years After the BP Spill: 2 Big Unanswered Questions + A Prior Accident Hidden From Congress
On the two year anniversary TreeHugger takes a look at how well the Gulf ecosystem is recovering, where BP's civil damages stand, and at some shocking evidence that BP hid the true cause of a similar accident from Congress.
Air Pollution from Transportation Causes Around 7,500 Early Deaths per Year in the UK
According to a new study published in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology by MIT researchers, particulate matter of 2.5 micron (aka PM 2.5) emitted by the combustion of fuel is responsible for around 13,000 premature deaths in the UK.
Air Pollution from Transportation Causes Around 7,500 Early Deaths per Year in the UK
According to a new study published in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology by MIT researchers, particulate matter of 2.5 micron (aka PM 2.5) emitted by the combustion of fuel is responsible for around 13,000 premature deaths in the UK.
Ford Focus Electric: The Test Drive
The next big electric car should be a (another) major contender
Ford Focus Electric: The Test Drive
The next big electric car should be a (another) major contender
Support Our Friends at Streetsblog, You Could Win a Schwinn City Bike!
Our friends at Streetsblog and Streetfilms do important work to promote more livable and pedestrian/cyclist-friendly cities across the U.S. and the world. But to keep going, they need your help!
Brammo to Unveil the 2012 Empulse Next Generation Electric Motorcycle Next Month
Brammo will officially unveiled its next generation electric motorcycle, the 2012 Empulse and Empulse R, in Los Angeles on May 8, but the company has released some details about what looks to be a kick-ass electric motorcycle.
