Environment-Renewables
Industry disputes lack of RES support in US energy bill
The latest US Senate energy bill has been criticised for omitting a renewable energy standard (RES), which drafters felt would not attract the 60 votes needed to pass the bill
Strategies for a greener US power market
Taking a more uniform approach to certain aspects of power market development in the US could help build a stronger, greener generation portfolio. Pauline McCallion finds out more
Interview: CCX’s Richard Sandor on carbon emissions
The Chicago Climate Exchange’s founder, Dr Richard Sandor – who played an instrumental role in the development of spot & futures markets under the US Acid Rain Program – speaks to Pauline McCallion about the similar role environmental markets can now…
States press on with emissions scheme as US Senate shelves cap-and-trade
US congressional gridlock over a federal cap-and-trade scheme has left regional programmes to continue the development of a nationwide patchwork of strategies to reduce carbon emissions
Brokerage expands renewable fuels capabilities
Evolution Markets expansion targeted to respond to growing demand for alternative energy sources
Carbon trading to be highly regulated under Senate energy bill
US senators have published a climate change bill establishing a cap-and-trade system for power plants and industrials that permits only exchange-traded and cleared transactions.
Duke Energy refuses to disclose cap-and-trade lobby spend
Shareholders have failed to force Duke Energy to detail its lobbying spend in support of the US Government’s carbon cap-and-trade plan.
First US offshore wind farm approved
The first US offshore wind farm has been approved by the US government in an area of the Outer Continental Shelf, with the potential to eventually provide 1 million megawatts of offshore energy.
Chinese CDM project approval drops
The Chinese government's approval rate for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects has dropped by over a third since December 2009, amid continued fears that Chinese CDM-generated Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) credits will not be allowed to be…
Tories plan to phase out UK Renewables Obligation
The Conservative Party has responded to rumours it is preparing to overhaul the UK's renewable energy policy by confirming that, if elected, it will phase out the government's Renewables Obligation scheme.
US energy secretary says clear clean energy signal needed
US energy secretary Steven Chu joined industry figures in underlining the need for a clear legislative signal to encourage investment in clean energy and emissions reductions technology at a Washington, DC conference this week.
Q&A with the director of UNFCCC’s Sustainable Development Mechanisms
The UNFCCC has the tough challenge of creating and monitoring a market-based structure to urge the world to resolve climate change issues. John Kilani, director of the UNFCCC’s Sustainable Development Mechanisms programme talks to Lianna Brinded
All Europe’s electricity could be from renewables by 2050, says PwC report
Europe and North Africa could be powered solely by renewable electricity by 2050 through the implementation of a SuperSmart Grid, according to a report issued this week by global advisory firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.
UNFCCC official: public and private sectors must work together on CDMs
The relationship between the public and private sector needs to be strengthened at a quicker pace to ensure the future of project-based mechanisms such as clean development mechanism (CDM) and joint implementation (JI) projects, says a United Nations…
US carbon experts see significant impetus for federal cap-and-trade
Experts remain optimistic about federal cap-and-trade legislation in the US, but believe regional schemes can step into the breach if a bill is not passed by the US Congress.
India woos foreign investment with CDM project reforms
Government to push through more CDM projects
US coal states rally against EPA’s greenhouse gases plan
US senator John Rockefeller of West Virginia introduced legislation today to suspend potential Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation of greenhouse gases from stationary sources for two years.
Placing the UK's green energy
The UK’s ambitious renewable energy targets raise questions about how new electricity generators will be connected to the grid and how costs should be spread between system operators and generators. Neil Cornelius and Etienne Gabel look at the latest…
Point Carbon: US carbon offset supply hits record high
The supply of US carbon offsets reached an all-time high in 2009 as pre-compliance buyers stocked up on lower-priced credits ahead of anticipated legislation.
EPA lays out GHG regulation timetable
The regulation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to begin in 2011 with a higher-than-expected threshold, according to the latest details from the agency.
Some CERs “not sexy” enough for investors: carbon industry heavyweight
Certified emissions reduction (CER) credits generated from clean development mechanism (CDM) projects, such as Chinese wind farms, are just “not sexy” enough for investors at the moment and they are looking to other regions like Africa, says Liz Bossley,…
FirstEnergy and Allegheny announce $8.5bn merger
FirstEnergy and Allegheny Energy have announced an $8.5 billion stock-for-stock merger transaction that would create a diversified generation portfolio including 2,200 megawatts (MW) of renewables.
Obama boosts biofuels and clean coal
US President Barack Obama has announced a series of measures designed to boost biofuel production and reduce US dependence on foreign oil.
Massachusetts REC futures start trading on CCFE
The Chicago Climate Futures Exchange (CCFE) has announced the successful completion of the first Massachusetts Renewable Energy Certificate (REC-MA) futures contract trade.