Energy

Carbon prices hit highs as the EU moves to ban controversial credits

CER prices soared to hit a four-month high on Thursday on news that European companies could be banned from using carbon credits from controversial offset projects, according to ICIS Heren data.

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Penn State will lead Philadelphia research hub on new energy-efficient buildings

Philadelphia Navy Yard's eatery

A team led by Pennsylvania State University will receive up to $122 million over the next five years from the Department of Energy to establish an Energy Innovation Hub focused on developing technologies to make buildings more energy efficient. The Energy Innovation Hub will be located at the Philadelphia Navy Yard Clean Energy campus, and will bring together leading researchers from academia, two U.S. National Laboratories and the private sector in an effort to develop energy-efficient building designs that will save energy, cut pollution, and position the United States as a leader in this industry.

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Self-cleaning panels may help maximize solar potential

Solar power may be emerging as a legitimate source of energy, but as always, the devil is in the details. Sure, it’s great to have an area the size of 50 football fields gathering up the sun’s rays…but who’s going to keep all those panels dirt and dust-free and optimizing their potential? In a report at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, a group of scientists presented a possible solution: Self-dusting solar panels, based on technology developed for missions to Mars.

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Resch: Solar energy sound investment during recession

A solar industry group sees growth in solar power despite the global recession. Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association talks to VOA about solar’s future in the United States, and around the world:

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Solar ‘group buy’ program launches in San Jose

Members of the San Jose Credit Union who are also City of San Jose employees and retirees can now go solar more efficiently and cost effectively as part of a group buy program that is the first of its kind in the U.S. The San Jose Employee Solar Group Buy program is the result of a partnership between the San Jose Credit Union and San Jose’s Solar America City Program. A group of 130 City employees and retirees negotiated the group buy, which allows them to purchase residential solar electric and solar thermal systems at a reduced cost.

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EPA will hold public hearings on proposed coal ash regulations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will host seven public hearings on the agency’s proposal to regulate the disposal and management of coal ash from coal-fired power plants. EPA’s proposal is the first-ever national effort to ensure the safe disposal and management of coal ash from coal-fired power plants.

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Federal task force offers recommendations for moving ahead with clean coal technology

A federal task force has determined that clean coal technology is a viable goal and presented President Obama with a plan to make it happen. President Obama’s Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage this week delivered a series of recommendations for overcoming the barriers to the widespread, cost-effective deployment within 10 years.

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U.S. Department of Energy reestablishes advisory board

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the members of the newly reestablished Secretary of Energy Advisory Board. Eliminated during the last administration, the 12-member board includes scientists, business executives, academics and former government officials who will serve as an independent advisory committee to Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

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American Wind Energy Association dissatisfied with Senate’s proposed energy bill

Wind, solar, geothermal and other alternative energy industry groups have been lined up in support of a Renewable Electricity Standard or RES in which the U.S. would pledge to get 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2015. The RES, they maintain, would provide an incentive for utilities, providers and cities and states to find ways to increase renewable electricity sources, even in the absence of a carbon cap-and-trade system, which seems to be a non-starter in Congress.

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Virginia introduces program to encourage lower energy use

The Virginia State Corporation Commission is introducing a new consumer education program to help Virginians become smarter energy users and reduce their electricity consumption. The state’s General Assembly earlier adopted a statewide goal of reducing Virginia electricity demand by 10 percent by 2022. State officials said the program, dubbed Virginia Energy Sense, will give consumers an accessible and informative source for energy conservation and efficiency information. The statewide initiative encourages Virginians to “value your power.”

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