Tag Archives: EPA

New tool calculates emissions impacts, energy benefits from smart grid investments

Greenhouse and other emissions may vary Use of “Smart Grid” technologies can impact carbon emissions — but by how much? A new Emissions Quantification Tool can estimate the answer to that question. RICHLAND, Wash. – “Smart grid” technologies significantly reduce greenhouse gases and other emissions resulting from power production and usage. Taken together, smart grid and intelligent buildings mechanisms could …

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Vehicle-Grid Integration

California Public Utilities Commission approves San Diego Gas & Electric’s innovative “Vehicle-Grid Integration” program San Francisco — Yesterday, the California Public Utilities Commission voted to approve San Diego Gas & Electric’s innovative “Vehicle-Grid Integration” program. Under the program, SDG&E will deploy 3,500 charging stations in the San Diego area, and, through special “dynamic pricing,” encourage charging during off-peak hours or …

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America’s Cleanest and Dirtiest Energy States

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This post originally appeared on Modernize.com where you can find comprehensive solar information from industry experts.   America’s energy policy has been the subject of much recent debate: From the Pope’s public advocacy of environmental stewardship to the EPA’s toughened regulations on pollution from petroleum refineries, the sources that power our society have rarely been so widely scrutinized. Once regarded as a subject …

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EnergySage Releases Inaugural U.S. Solar Marketplace Intel Report™

New analysis provides unprecedented view of consumer behavior, solar system and financing trends, and other dynamics of the residential and small-scale commercial solar market from July 2014 to June 2015   EnergySage published today its first Solar Marketplace Intel Report™, providing one-of-a-kind visibility into the residential and small-scale commercial solar market in the United States. Based on statistically valid transaction-level …

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US Clean Power Plan Could Reduce Coal Power by up to 60 Gigawatts by 2020

Of the 326 Gigawatts (GW) of current coal power capacity in the US, a potential 60 GW could be lost by 2020 due to government’s Clean Power Plan (CPP) ‘With the US boasting significant renewable power potential, the CPP has created a huge opportunity for companies in this sector,’ says analyst   The US government’s recently-announced Clean Power Plan (CPP) …

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Affordable and Ultra-Clean Fuel Cells

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— Ability to capture up to 90 percent of carbon emissions with a scalable solution — Performance milestones reached for coal and natural gas power plant carbon capture — Cost per ton of carbon captured below U.S. Department of Energy target of $40/ton — Added benefit includes destroying smog-producing nitrogen oxide (NOx) DANBURY, Conn., March 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — …

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Fallout from Shale Boom, Fracking

SHALE-RELATED CONSTRUCTION BOOM IN 2014 MEANS GREENHOUSE GAS EQUIVALENT OF 12 NEW #143744271 / gettyimages.com Because of cheaper fuel prices driven by the shale drilling boom, U.S. companies in 2014 received draft or final permits to build at least 46 new or expanded petrochemical facilities across the U.S. that will produce 55 million tons of greenhouse gases a year, according …

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Solar Power and Energy Storage

SolarCity Installing Projects at Walmart Facilities Over the Next Four Years SolarCity  today announced it has entered into contract with Walmart for the installation of new solar projects at facilities in up to 36 states over the next four years. SolarCity has completed more than 200 solar projects at Walmart locations since 2010. SolarCity has also installed and tested energy storage …

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Geothermal Can Play a Significant Role in State Carbon Reduction Plans

The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) urges states to take advantage of the carbon emission reduction available through expanding geothermal power portfolios.  Doing so makes sense in light of the US EPA’s proposed regulations for existing power plants that require states to substantially reduce carbon emissions.  The regulations proposed June 2, 2014, would give states significant leeway in designing plans to reduce …

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What the New Federal Carbon Dioxide Rule Means for Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency advocates have argued for years that energy efficiency should be a first fuel – considered before others in portfolio planning.  Today, they appear victorious with the release of the US’ first-ever carbon dioxide restrictions for existing power plants. The draft rule places energy efficiency in good position to be a top choice as states set strateagies to meet …

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Solar Energy Primed to Help U.S. Meet Future Energy Need

For many states struggling to reduce their carbon emissions, solar can be a real game-changer. With the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set to announce new air quality standards for coal and natural gas-fired power plants on Monday, June 2, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today released a comprehensive report, “Cutting Carbon Emissions Under §111(d): The case for expanding solar …

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UPS Invests in Propane Fuel Option For US Delivery Fleet

Initial fueling infrastructure built at 50 locations in collaboration with Propane Education & Research Council ATLANTA, March 5, 2014 – UPS® (NYSE: UPS) today announced plans to purchase 1,000 propane package delivery trucks and install an initial 50 fueling stations at UPS locations. The investment in propane vehicles and infrastructure is approximately $70 million. The propane fleet will replace gasoline- and diesel-fueled vehicles used largely …

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Energy Efficiency: Peacemaker in War on Coal?

Infusing more energy efficiency into the US economy could ease pressure on coal states that feel under attack by pending federal greenhouse gas rules, says a new study. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy outlines four energy efficiency strategies that could reduce carbon dioxide emissions 26 percent below 2012 levels in Change is in the Air: How States Can Harness Energy Efficiency …

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Biofuel Production Declines

New Worldwatch Institute analysis examines the trends in global biofuel production In 2012, the combined global production of ethanol and biodiesel fell for the first time since 2000, down 0.4 percent from the figure in 2011. Global ethanol production declined slightly for the second year in a row, to 83.1 billion liters, while biodiesel output rose fractionally, from 22.4 billion …

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Natural Gas System

 AMERICA’S NATURAL GAS SYSTEM IS LEAKY AND IN NEED OF A FIX   The first thorough comparison of evidence for natural gas system leaks confirms that organizations including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have underestimated U.S. methane emissions generally, as well as those from the natural gas industry specifically. Natural gas consists predominantly of methane. Even small leaks from the natural gas system are …

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Did You Really Miss Out on this Energy Efficiency Tax Break? Think Again

Commercial building owners have been lamenting the loss of a popular energy efficiency tax break that ended with the New Year. But it turns out they still may be able to use it. Section 179D of the Energy Policy Act, (EPACT) offers up to $1.80 per square foot for energy efficiency improvements to building envelope and lighting, along with heating, ventilation …

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Wood Stove

North American Wood Stove Program Focuses On Clean Air Effort–  This summer, Jøtul North American (Jøtul) is spearheading an effort focused on removing non-EPA-certified wood stoves from communities around North America.Jøtul is the first wood stove manufacturer in the hearth industry to implement a program encouraging wood stove users to get rid of their old wood stoves and replace them …

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Insurance For Your Alternative Car

Looming on the horizon is a future of high gas prices and disuse for most cars on the road today. More and more drivers are getting on board with alternatively-powered vehicles, and thus, more manufacturers are offering vehicle models outfitted with alternative engines to feed the demand. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in 2010, vehicle dealers in the U.S. …

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Utilities Honored For Solar Power Use

Annual Top 10 List Ranks Utilities by Megawatts and Watts-Per-Customer of Installed Solar Electricity Capacity Top10-USC2013The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) today named the Top 10 American electric utilities that have added the most new solar power to their systems and the most solar on a watts-per-customer basis in 2012. This annual ranking, which identifies the companies that are integrating …

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