Energy

According to the AIA’s third-annual progress report on its 2030 Commitment, the number of firms signing on to the environmental program is up. At the same time, the proportion of firms reporting progress toward their goal is underwhelming.

October 27, 2013 - Ecobuilding Pulse

The fight to block approval of the Keystone XL pipeline has galvanized support like few recent controversies. But is there a danger in focusing so much attention on one decision when there are innumerable threats to the climate across North America?

October 25, 2013 - Earth Island Journal

A pair of articles in The New York Times look at two different kinds of waste generated from North Dakota's booming oil industry: natural gas from oil wells is burned due to the absence of pipelines, and the disposal of waste in landfills.

October 24, 2013 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

Energy storage is acknowledged by many as a missing link of renewable energy, particularly by those quick to cite the intermittency of solar and wind power. A new solar thermal plant in Arizona stores energy in the form of heat for peak hour needs.

October 22, 2013 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

The UK Government has announced a controversial deal with a French energy company to build a new nuclear power plant in South West England to provide power to 5 million homes, reports Patrick Wintour.

October 22, 2013 - The Guardian

Reuters reports that at 1 a.m. on Oct. 19, 13 cars of a CN train hauling oil and LPG derailed in Alberta. One car exploded and three others caught fire. Fortunately, there were no injuries, unlike July's fatal conflagration in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec.

October 21, 2013 - Reuters

In case you haven't noticed, California is big into alternative energy. Just how big? $1.6 billion was spent last year and $15 billion over the last decade as education and public services fought for scraps. The spending is attracting new scrutiny.

October 15, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

To celebrate its first anniversary, Future Cities has assembled a list of the top 100 city innovators making the biggest difference across a range of industries and specialties.

October 15, 2013 - Future Cities

As hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, transforms America's energy sector and environmental policy, Europe has been reluctant to embrace the drilling technique. Will this reluctance harm the continent's economic growth and emission curbing efforts?

October 13, 2013 - The New York Times

In the last week to sign bills, Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 327 that allows utilities to charge all ratepayers for costs incurred to the grid by rooftop solar and allows those who have it to 'run the meter backwards', known as net metering.

October 10, 2013 - KCET

Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada, who helped develop the world's most popular hybrid-electric vehicle, questioned the ability of pure electric vehicles to supplant petroleum-fueled vehicles because of battery and charging challenges.

October 4, 2013 - The Washington Post

Gov. Jerry Brown showed his support for electric vehicles (EVs), clean air, and reducing carbon emissions with the signing of six bills. In addition to EVs, all clean cars will benefit, including plug-in hybrids, FCVs and natural gas-powered.

October 3, 2013 - San Francisco Chronicle

All 17 Ikea stores in Britain will begin selling solar panel packages within the next 10 months. The announcement by the Swedish retailer is "a sign of the growing mainstream appeal and affordability of solar energy," says Jessica Leber.

October 2, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

What was the extent of the environmental damage caused by leaking oil wells during September's flood? Turns out, it depends on whom you ask. Word from both government and the industry is that it was minimal, while environmental advocates disagree.

October 2, 2013 - The New York Times - U.S.

In an editorial for The New York Times, Verlyn Klinkenborg bemoans the Harper administration's silencing of scientists in favor of political ideology, resource extraction, and public ignorance.

September 30, 2013 - The New York Times

A ranking of the 10 most civic-minded companies holds some surprises -- mainly that the list is dominated by financial services firms.

September 30, 2013 - Future Cities

Five years after San Francisco hired its first sustainability director for the city's school system, the controversial decision is paying off in environmental benefits and substantial energy savings.

September 30, 2013 - Sa Francisco Chronicle

China's drive to reduce urban air pollution and increase energy security will unleash massive carbon and toxic emissions, almost tripling its current emissions over 40 years. The plan is to build 40 plants to convert coal to synthetic natural gas.

September 27, 2013 - Quartz

He's transformed the personal computer, health outcomes in the developing world, and education opportunities in the U.S. For Bill Gates's next act, the Microsoft founder is trying to turn atomic trash into treasure.

September 26, 2013 - The New York Times

The millions of smart meters and grid sensors in operation across North America are providing a flood of information that utilities are still struggling to process. But changes in operations are already emerging, and potential uses grow by the day.

September 25, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal