News


Missing Arctic measurements could explain a hiatus in warming data that has puzzled researchers for years.

The Missing Heat

Non-climate scientists' study is seen as a convincing explanation for something that has puzzled other researchers for many years.

U.S. drinking water system operators have been preparing for the federal lead-free law to take effect in January 2014. Four states already have laws in place that comply with or exceed its requirements.

Drinking Water Providers Getting the Lead Out

The Reduction Act calls for reducing lead in new products, new installations, and repairs of systems that deliver drinking water. It takes effect in January 2014.

Coal interests fiercely oppose EPA

What's At Stake in Utility Air Regulatory Group v. EPA

EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions in stationary sources will be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court early next year.

Most comments are opposed to the proposed U.S. Coast Guard plan to let fracking waste water move by barge on inland waterways.

Barge Shipments of Fracking Waste Water Opposed

Dozens of comments urge the U.S. Coast Guard not to allow barge owners to ship shale gas extraction waste water via inland waterways, saying it is a threat to drinking water supplies.

Vermont Law School, University of Vermont Announce Accelerated MBA Program

Students will be able to receive both the newly created Accelerated Sustainable Entrepreneurship MBA at the School of Business Administration and a law or master's degree at VLS.

Tesla Fires Could Affect Sustainable Transport Demand

Tesla Fires Could Affect Sustainable Transport Demand

As three fires have been reported on the Model S, Tesla manufacturer worries that false claims and negative press could harm the demand for sustainable transportation.

The TCEQ grant application workshops set in four Texas cities in December 2013 concern construction of new alternative fuels facilities or major renovations of existing facilities to dispense such fuels.

TCEQ Hosting Grant Application Workshops for Fueling Stations

The four workshops are taking place in December in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Arlington.

Engineers can use the facility to simulate 20 years

World-Class Wind Energy Testing Facility Opens in South Carolina

Officials from Clemson University, Duke Energy, SCE&G, and the U.S. Department of Energy participated in the dedication of the SCE&G Energy Innovation Center on Nov. 21.



This Gamesa photo was taken at its wind turbine blade manufacturing plant in Cuenca, Spain. (Gamesa Corporación Tecnológica photo)

Companies Call for Ambitious 2030 EU Renewables Target

Eight European leaders in producing energy and renewable energy technologies announced recently they want a legally binding target of more than 30 percent of the EU energy mix to be renewables.

New Renewable Fuel Standards Proposed by EPA

Developed with input from the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Agriculture, EPA’s new proposal seeks public input on annual volume requirements for renewable fuels in all motor vehicle gasoline and diesel produced or imported by the United States in 2014.

Renewable Energy Data Book Now Available

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released a new renewable energy data book that assesses U.S. energy statistics for 2012, including renewable electricity, worldwide renewable energy development, clean energy investments, and data on specific technologies.

12 Offshore Operators Cited for Missing SEMS Deadline

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement announced that the companies either failed to submit initial audit plans by the Nov. 15 deadline or didn’t complete their audits by that date.

Water Protection and Reinvestment Trust Fund Act Introduced

Last week, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., introduced the Water Protection and Reinvestment Trust Fund Act of 2013. It would provide a protected source of revenue to help states replace, repair, and rehabilitate critical wastewater treatment facilities.

Mercury Levels in Women of Childbearing Age Dropped by 34 Percent

A recent EPA report shows that blood mercury levels in women of childbearing age has decreased by 34 percent from a survey conducted in 1999-2000 to follow-up surveys conducted from 2001 to 2010. Additionally, the percentage of women of childbearing age with blood mercury levels above the level of concern decreased by 65 percent.

EPA Releases Draft Procurement Guidelines for Product Environmental Performance

They are criteria for assessing private-sector standards and ecolabels, considering factors such as how standards are developed and managed, as well as their environmental effectiveness

Study Reveals Low Rate of Frog Abnormalities on Wildlife Refuges

An unprecedented 10-year-study by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows encouraging results for frogs and toads on national wildlife refuges.

Bad News for Wind Farms

The Department of Justice announced Nov. 22 that Duke Energy Renewables Inc. pleaded guilty to violating the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act for birds killed at its wind projects in Wyoming.

Egypt's Largest Petrochemical Plant Gets New Water Technology

As part of a $4.8 billion Tahrir Petrochemicals Complex, the technology project is billed as the world's largest naphtha liquid cracker and will feature GE technologies.

New Report Explores Resiliency of Water and Electric Utilities

Thought leaders explore opportunities for transformational solutions to maximize resource efficiency.

Appeals Court Halts Nuclear Waste Storage Fees

As long as the federal government has no viable alternative to Yucca Mountain for storing nuclear waste, power plant operators should not be charged annual fees for the cost of that disposal, the judges ruled.