NEC Weekly Wrap
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
NEC Weekly Wrap-February 22, 2013
Highlights this week include: China will issue a carbon tax. . . WA State Gov. Inslee testifies on the Carbon Pollution Action Bill . . . For first time ever Government auditors call climate change a “high fiscal risk” to the U.S. government . . . Baby Boomers have the highest carbon emissions of any age group in the U.S. . . . Obama will nominate Gina McCarthy to head EPA and Ernest Moniz to lead DOE. . . Fracking creates smart growth challenges. . . All new U.S. power generation in January came from renewable energy. . . Two Microsoft officials talk about that company’s carbon fee. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-February 15, 2013
Highlights this week include: Senators Boxer and Sanders propose Climate Protection and Sustainable Energy acts. . .USDA says that global warming may be too much for American agriculture to overcome. . . NOAA identified 25 billion-dollar damage weather events in 2011-2012. . . REI CEO Sally Jewell a promising appointment for Interior Secretary. . . NRDC says that President Obama’s carbon reduction target is achievable. . . State of the Union exceeded low expectations. . . New report says that NYC could reduce greenhouse gas emissions 90 percent by 2050. . . U.S. and global wind capacity increased significantly in 2012. . . Bike share comes to (some of) Seattle. . . California Public Utilities Commission makes a “monumental” energy storage mandate in Southern California. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-February 8, 2013
Highlights this week include: The Northeast’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative reset its carbon-reduction goal to be 45 percent more ambitious than its previous goal. . .President Obama has authority he can invoke to address climate change. . .Significant economic impacts of global climate disruption are already here. . .Solar PV in Australia obviating need for new power plant. . .Surprise: we paid more for gasoline last year and the oil companies are rolling in the dough. . .Children who bike or walk to school instead of ride in a vehicle are found to concentrate better in class. . .Super Bowl blackout makes the case for microgrids. . .Sahara Forest Project in Qatar will sustainably produce crops, electricity, biofuels, and plants in desert environment. . .Amory Lovins' recommendations for utility regulators. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-February 1, 2013
Highlights this week include: Northeastern states' cap-and-trade system faces critical juncture on setting cap on emissions. . .Secretary of State John Kerry strong on addressing climate change. . .Airlines industry fighting EU carbon emissions reductions. . .new flood zone maps for NYC shows 35,000 buildings now in flood zone. . . Ford Motor Company and Whirlpool partner on home energy management. . . SolarWorld faces bankruptcy. . . Global smart grid investment grew 7% in 2012. . . Oak Park, IL leads with a solar-powered smart grid project. . .Mississippi River at near record lows after last summer's drought. . .Bold energy efficiency measures could avoid constructing new power plants. Read More »
NEC Weekly Wrap-January 25, 2013
Highlights this week include: President Obama made an explicit commitment to respond to climate change in his Inaugural Address . . . 14 existing projects around the world will be “carbon bombs,” says Ecofys . . . Knoxville, TN and Eugene, OR’s clean energy efforts recognized . . . OR, WA, and ID receive highest marks in nation for clean energy jobs. . .Report lauds OR’s feed-in tariff. . . PSE: No more wind unless it provides “best value” . . .Fiscal cliff deal nearly doubled monthly transit set-aside for employees and employers. . .The woes of lithium ion batteries. . .Bike-friendly work places good for employee retention in Portland. 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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