The recent oil price rally has taken a break due to the persistence of recessionary low demand. While lower prices may finally translate into lower crude oil and natural gas output in July 2009 than in 2008, US demand numbers show little sign of recovery. This reality makes it tough for renewable energy to compete currently, but is a relief to Read the rest of this entry »
Recession keeps a lid on fuel prices
July 2nd, 2009MNN: “NYC not a top 10 green city”
July 1st, 2009
Mother Nature News celebrated the renewable energy efforts of Austin, TX, the recycling of San Francisco, the green roofs of Chicago, and the bikeways of Portland, OR. But they left our fair city of New York out of their list of top 10 green US cities. Now it’s up to all of us in NYC to work hard to get our green mojo back. Read the rest of this entry »
The Human Toll of Fossil Fuel Use
June 30th, 2009
Most of my posts have focused on the environmental and public health impacts of burning fossil fuels due to their greenhouse gas emissions. But the 16 deaths from a liquefied petroleum gas explosion on an Italian train today are an important reminder that reduced emissions are not the only benefit from efficiency and Read the rest of this entry »
Deutsche Bank leader: Renewable Energy Ready, Clean Coal Years Away
June 29th, 2009
One of the most compelling speakers at our last day of REFF Wall Street was Deutsche Bank’s Global Head of Asset Management, Kevin Parker.
The focus of his talk was the importance for the finance community to respond to resource scarcity amidst a Read the rest of this entry »
House Passes Climate Bill, Now for the Senate
June 27th, 2009
Last night, the US House of Representatives passed climate legislation to get greenhouse gas emissions falling to 83% below 2005 levels in 2050. This step is huge, and needs to be followed by a similar bill passing the Senate in the weeks ahead to get the President’s signature and become law. Here are some details from the Solar Energy Industries Association: Read the rest of this entry »
Climate Bill up for House Passage Today
June 26th, 2009
The world is watching as US federal leaders vote on climate legislation that would put US emissions on a downward trajectory in the decades ahead. While some organizations such as Greenpeace do not support the Waxman-Markey bill due to its large offsets provisions and its free allocation of many emission permits, most environmental organizations are supporting it and hoping to improve it in the years ahead. You can be a part of history! Here is an action alert from Read the rest of this entry »
Renewables Analyst Calls 1Q 09 The Bottom
June 26th, 2009
New Energy Finance CEO Michael Liebreich gave Renewable Energy Financial Forum (REFF) participants an informative presentation to the hundreds of financial leaders filling New York City’s Waldorf-Astoria.
Based on his firm’s research, he called the Read the rest of this entry »
Green Wall Street gets together
June 24th, 2009
The barons of Wall Street have been blamed for the global financial crisis. They have been the target of Main Street ire and the butt of talk show jokes. But as I walk the halls of New York City’s Waldorf-Astoria today, it is clear that the hundreds of suits filling the conference space want to change that. Read the rest of this entry »
Oil prices rise, but supply still high
June 18th, 2009
Pump prices are about to hit $2.70 per gallon nationwide, and oil has remained above $70 per barrel for several days. Most of the increase has come on expectations of economic recovery – like today’s increase in projection for China’s 2009 growth to 7.2% rather than 6.5% by the World Bank. But even more positive economic news will struggle to increase prices much more unless fuel inventories fall from Read the rest of this entry »
EIA Report: US emissions to tank ~3.5% in ‘09
June 10th, 2009The US Energy Information Agency (EIA) has further lowered its emissions projection for 2009 this month, as I said in May was likely. Lower coal consumption drives the reduction, based on the drop in industrial demand for fuel and the substitution by natural gas for coal for Read the rest of this entry »