New Energy Cities Blog
We Must Stop Treating Soil Like Dirt
In a Feb, 26, 1937 letter to all state governors, Franklin Delano Roosevelt said that "the nation that destroys its soil destroys itself." It turns out that FDR was right: today we face a crisis that requires significant effort to build up the world's soil. But amazingly soil is also a secret weapon against climate change and tending to dirt will also help store carbon, which we must do to remove carbon from the atmosphere. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-June 15, 2013
Highlights this week: US and China to phase down production and use of HFCs. . .Atlantic hurricane season getting longer. . .Permafrost soils warming faster than Arctic air temperatures. . .Four no-cost measures that will avoid two degrees of global warming. . .Sea level rise the focus for coastal cities. . .Nation's first commercial agreement to quantify energy savings to be used to purchase energy. . .Massachusetts stepping in to stabilize the solar credit market. . .Pay-as-you-drive insurance gaining popularity throughout the country. . .A satirical video of Martians who "discover" cars as the dominant species on Earth. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-June 8, 2013
Highlights this week: US methane emissions higher than previously thought. . .Study finds that US has three times as much responsibility as China for mitigating climate change . . . Weather Channel meteorologist has change of heart on climate because the atmosphere doesn't lie. . .Wildfires are way worse in U.S., but we are funding fewer firefighters?. . . Redmond, WA has highest business-day population in US among cities its size. . . Minnesota makes a strong solar policy play. . . First-ever US offshore wind auction to transpire in July. . .Seven thrilling facts about carbon pricing. Read More »
EVs Winning the Race in the Northwest
Electric vehicles are selling like hotcakes in the Northwest and for good reason: they are awesome to drive and proving cost-effective to own and operate. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-June 1, 2013
Highlights this week: Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank expect Chinese coal demand to drop. . . China announces carbon cap details. . . Puget Sound Energy gets more public pressure to divest from coal holdings. . . Sharing companies under threat. . . Energy efficiency could generate hundreds of billions in investment. . . New York City launches huge bike-share system. . . Washington road traffic at decade low. . . Congressional Budget Office stays focused on carbon tax. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-May 17, 2013
Highlights this week include: Growing rift among Republicans over the denial of climate change science. . . Why insurance companies may not be as worried about climate change impacts as you would think. . . U.S. to become net oil exporter in next five years. . . Pipelines win in British Columbia's 5/14 elections. . .Lobster populations to benefit potentially from protected offshore wind installations. . .Declining solar prices and rising energy costs could spell trouble for huge national utility. . .Morocco is going big on solar. . .Kids eschewing cars appears not to be a passing trend. . .Evidence emerging of how poor an investment fossil fuel companies are. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-May 10, 2013
NASA says some regions may have no rainfall in the future. . . Seattle aims for carbon neutrality by 2050. . . Boston buildings must report on annual energy and water use. . . Sebastopol, CA requires new homes and commercial buildings to install solar panels. . . Republican-leaning states use more energy and emit more CO2. . . Washington is again the most bike-friendly state in the U.S. . . . Nissan LEAF sales at a record high. . . More solar planned in Massachusetts, California, and Hawai’i. Read More »
Why Oyster Farmers Believe in Climate Change
On Earth Day 2013, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee declared, “First we had the canary in the coal mine. Now we have the oyster in the ocean for climate change.” The governor is right to issue this clarion call: unless we change business as usual, we might not be able to enjoy one of life’s greatest pleasures – fresh oysters on the half shell. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-May 4, 2013
Highlights this week include: The Earth approaches 400 parts per million. . . U.S. imports of Canadian crude oil on the rise. . . Debates over how CA will distribute $500m in clean energy funds. . .Continued calls for a carbon tax from news outlets around the country. . .Study finds that economic benefits of EPA regulations far outweigh the costs. . .The fate of the OR solar industry. . .Huge energy and economic savings from upgrading municipal water systems. . .Verizon to spend $100m on solar and fuel cells. . .Buying groceries online and having them delivered to your home saves carbon emissions. . .Next-gen Volts will cost $7-10,000 less. . . 10 U.S. cities are acting to remove fossil fuels from their investment portfolios. Read More »
Keeping the Energy Retrofit Dream Alive
US communities are far from empty-handed as they set out to build energy efficiency retrofit programs. DOE and a number of nonprofit organizations offer resources for communities to get started. New developments in local energy efficiency finance and policy emerge regularly. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-April 26, 2013
Highlights this week include: The greenest office building in the world opens in Seattle. . .California plans how to invest its carbon auction revenue. . .Republican Senator Murkowski says climate change is real and we must fight it. . .San Diego County is told to strengthen its climate action plan. . .India investing in energy efficiency and microgrids to meet its energy needs. . .70% of new global power generation from now until 2030 is likely to be renewable. . .BMW to offer solar-powered charging systems to EV customers that will help reduce power bills as well as charge cars. . .Hawai’i PUC recommending on-bill program for clean energy projects. . .DOE’s $2.96 billion smart grid programs created national economic value of $6.8 billion. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-April 19, 2013
Highlights this week include: U.S. and China create a climate change working group. . . Former Irish President Mary Robinson inspires us on climate justice. . . Inside Climate News wins a Pulitzer for pipeline accountability. . . Calls for the Australian government to recognize climate refugees formally. . . Global energy as dirty as it was 20 years ago. . . Wal-Mart aims for a 600 percent increase in renewable energy by end of decade. . . Congress considers how to expand clean energy finance. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-April 12, 2013
Highlights this week include: Ocean acidification is causing oyster herpes and could supersize blue crabs. . . Climate change will worsen allergies and flight turbulence. . . California and Quebec carbon markets link up. . . U.S. House Safe Climate Caucus calls to end the “conspiracy of silence” on climate change. .. Obama’s 2014 budget proposal would end $39 million in oil tax breaks. . . Ceres mobilizes Starbucks, Intel, Nike to call for U.S. policy to curb climate pollution. . . MidAmerican Renewables has emerged as a significant solar player. .. Commercial PACE and crowd-funding are all the rage. . . Private utilities worry about rooftop solar and other game-changing trends. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-April 5, 2013
Highlights this week include: A majority of Republicans think that climate change is happening. . . Percentage of Americans who call climate change “very serious” has declined six points since October. . . World Resources Institute study on methane leaks from fracking. . . U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) issues call to action on climate change. . . Duke Energy moves into rooftop solar. . . Solar power makes EVs more attractive to car buyers. . . Concentrated solar power installation will enable 24/7 power supply. . . Texas shows strong renewable energy leadership. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-March 29, 2013
Highlights this week include: A few tenacious Congressional climate hawks hang in there. . . Lancaster, CA’s Republican mayor takes bold action on climate change. . . Over 80 percent of Americans believe global temperature is rising. . . IMF calls to get rid of $1.9 trillion in fossil fuel subsidies. . . Federal PACE decision upheld. . . Apple stepping up on renewable energy and green building. . . California will lead the microgrid market. . . CA Lt. Governor Newsom promotes green bank from carbon revenue. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-March 22, 2013
Highlights this week include: Obama says fed agencies should consider climate impact of major construction projects. . .Climate movement on verge of surprising victory. . .U.S. using less energy relative to economic growth. . .LED technology achieving "revolution" status. . .LA's city-run utility to get off of coal completely, while Boulder, CO is trying to establish city utility to get off of coal. . .Australia may reach saturation of renewable energy in four years. . .London mayor to invest $1.4 billion in bicycle infrastructure. . .All rural areas in world to be served by microgrids in 10 years. . .City governments partnering in the Ygrene Energy Fund. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-March 15, 2013
Highlights this week include: Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere experienced the second highest annual rise since records began in 1959. . . Top Pacific military official calls climate change the biggest security threat to Pacific region. . . Pew Charitable Trust: U.S. has a $1.63 billion clean energy trade surplus with China. . . Representative Waxman releases a new carbon pricing proposal, as does PSU’s Northwest Economic Research Center in OR. . . Density is great, but walkability is key. . . OR considering legislation that would require behavioral energy reporting. . .CA’s residential solar program is nearly fully subscribed. . .Study finds that 100% of New York State’s energy infrastructure could be powered by renewable energy. . .McKinsey survey of Japanese EV owners found less than satisfied customers. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-March 8, 2013
Highlights this week include: More coal-fired power plants are closing. . .Lots that President Obama can do to address climate without ever talking to Congress. . .Gov. Jerry Brown asking his fellow state leaders to join him in instituting aggressive climate policies. . .OR Senator Wyden and BNSF looking at natural gas. . .China’s energy intensity is down. . .George Schultz trying to convince fellow Republicans to do something about climate. . .Hillsboro, OR in the running for major award for its sustainability work. . .New website launched to help local governments adopt solar energy. . .Military showing the way with using electric vehicles to supply power to the grid. . .OR aims to stay among the top 10 EV states in the country. Read More »
Hillsboro, OR Tackles the Last Mile Challenge
Hillsboro, OR's transportation innovation, GoPoint, would provide real-time information via internet, smart phone, and onsite kiosks that enable travelers to connect with carpool, vanpool, bikeshare, carshare, and other alternative mobility options according to their location, needs, and cost preferences. The program would leverage the regional transit authority’s existing trip planning platform that already offers “just in time” options for bus and light rail riders. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-March 1, 2013
State Department says Keystone XL pipeline is environmentally acceptable. . .CA’s second carbon permit auction exceeded market expectations. . .Drilling more oil and gas do not equate to greater energy independence. . .Jennifer Granholm out on the hustings trying to create a national clean energy policy framework. . .Washington, DC going all out on carbon reduction. . .Correlation between civic-mindedness and addressing climate change. . .Portland, OR testing energy generation from turbines in underground water pipes. . .Promising new large-scale energy storage technology undergoing testing in the Northwest . . .Parisians battling over whether outdoor gas heaters should be permitted. . .Kansas legislators reject effort to roll back renewable standards. Read More »
Each week the New Energy Cities team reads a wide variety of blogs, news articles, reports, and studies and select the most interesting items for our 
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