Archive for the ‘US’ Category

Walmart Rockets from 15th to Third in EPA Green Power Rankings

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

The company’s purchases of wind energy in Texas provide up to 15 percent of the total energy for more than 360 outlets in that state. The electricity comes from a Duke Energy wind farm in Notrees, Texas, which produces  about 226 million kWh a year.

Read more here Walmart Rockets from 15th to Third

GreenTech Exchange breezes into Vancouver Island

Friday, January 27th, 2012

At its formative meeting on Vancouver Island, GreenTech Exchange presented two major island energy projects to a packed audience. Sea Breeze Power introduced a $300 million shovel-ready wind farm at Cape Scott and the $750 million Juan de Fuca Cable that will connect Victoria with Port Townsend using the latest DC transmission technology.

The wind farm will feature 55 Vestas turbines that will generate 99MW. It took ten years to develop and will be the first on the BC coast. “The wind resource on Vancouver Island is one of the most economic in the world”, said Sea Breeze President and CEO, Paul Manson.

The GreenTech Exchange wants to be present on the Island due to its increasing importance as a cleantech showcase with its tidal energy plant in Campbell River, a major solar home upgrade initiative in Colwood, and solar generation in Sooke.

The next Vancouver forum will focus on clean mining technology from Teck Resources. www.greentechexchange

CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 24 JANUARY 2012

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • Tourism relies on jet setters, but travel is destroying attractions
  • NASA says Canada highly vulnerable to environmental change due to global warming
  • EU cap on aviation emissions could boost airline profits

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business in partnership with the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca

Authors: Neil ThomsonCalyn ShawNeil SalmondKristina Welch

Editors: James Tansey (ISIS), Tom Pedersen (PICS), Jessica Worsley (PICS)

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CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 17 JANUARY 2012

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • US snow drought could have serious water implications
  • Cornell scientists can’t agree on fracking impact
  • Nature editorial urges scientists to speak out

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business in partnership with the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca.

Authors: Neil ThomsonCalyn ShawNeil Salmond,

Editors: James Tansey (ISIS), Tom Pedersen (PICS), Jessica Worsley (PICS)

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Cambridge Crude: liquid electricity

Saturday, January 14th, 2012

The battery uses a semi-solid flow cell design and stores electric energy as a liquid called Cambridge Crude a very thick electrolyte solution that contains a very large suspension of tiny lithium-ion particles. When the energy in the liquid is exhausted, all users have to do is head to a charging station to pump out the old liquid and pump in a new batch of fully charged liquid. This process is said to take as long as it would be to refill a car with gas, which eliminates the slow charging speed disadvantage of EVs.

via Cambridge Crude: liquid electricity | Ubergizmo.

PICS CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 10 JANUARY 2012

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • Forest management programs may increase forest carbon emissions
  • 2011 is UK’s second warmest year, Met Office confirms
  • Smart meter usage increasing worldwide

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business in partnership with the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca.

Authors: Neil ThomsonCalyn ShawNeil SalmondKristina Welch

Editors: James TanseyTom PedersenJessica Worsley

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PICS CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 20 December 2011

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • What really happened in Durban – and will it be enough to combat climate change?
  • Ocean acidification may directly harm fish: study
  • California proposes rules to spur clean car growth

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business in partnership with the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca.

Authors: Neil ThomsonCalyn ShawNeil SalmondKristina Welch

Editors: James TanseyJessica Worsley

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The Oracle of Omaha Makes First Investment into Solar: Other Investors to Follow Buffett?

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

Billionnaire investor, Warren Buffett has acquired a $2 billion solar project. Through his utility company, MidAmerican Energy Holdings, Buffett adds to his portfolio of wind and geothermal, amongst other diversified sources of energy.  What does this mean for the industry on a wider scale? Here is what Dr. Walter Cicha of the National Research Council’s IRAP Program says, “Buffet treating PV solar like an infrastructure play should really be a big boost for the U.S. solar scene. This should inspire other (hopefully big) investors.”

Has the Oracle of Omaha found some prophetic insight into the future success of solar energy or is it another great value play? Either way, he has probably found good business sense for the decision, something, like Dr. Cicha suggests, should invite more investors to choose clean energy investments.

See full press release here.

CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 13 December 2011

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • Solar power much cheaper to produce than most analysts realize
  • Climate skepticism in media an English-speaking phenomenon
  • Canadians want more from feds on climate change

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business in partnership with the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: picsscan@uvic.ca.

Authors: Chris KantowiczCalyn ShawNeil SalmondKristina Welch

Editors: James TanseyJessica Worsley

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CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 15 November 2011

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • Fracking impacts on water, hydro power and climate
  • Survey: US government focus on fossil fuels and nuclear is out of touch with mainstream America
  • Reducing BC’s reliance on California produce should be a priority, report says

Authors: Chris KantowiczCalyn ShawNeil Salmond

Editors: James TanseyRobyn Meyer

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business in partnership with the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: picsscan@uvic.ca.

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