Environmental
Debate Over Wind Credit Enters Congressional Races
August 24, 2012 8:28 am | by Ivan Moreno, Associated Press | News | CommentsRepublicans generally don't like subsidies that favor clean energy, which they deride as government picking winners and losers. Mitt Romney opposes the tax credit, and it's not part of the GOP platform for next week's convention. But many Colorado Republicans are joining Democrats in calling on Congress to extend a wind energy production tax credit.
Vestas To Lay Off 1,400 Workers Amid Wind Slowdown
August 22, 2012 9:44 am | News | CommentsVestas Wind Systems A/S, the world's biggest maker of wind turbines, says it is slashing 7 percent of its workforce in its second round of lay-offs this year. The western Denmark-based group says the job cuts of 1,400 workers will help it reduce fixed costs by more than €250 million ($310 million) as it deals with stiff competition and a market slowdown.
Chinese Solar Industry Faces Weak Sales, Price War
August 22, 2012 2:17 am | by Joe McDonald, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsChinese solar panel makers that grew fast over the past decade are suffering big losses due to slumping global sales and a price war that threaten an industry seen by communist leaders as a role model for hopes to transform China into a technology leader. Another looming challenge: Moves by the United States and Europe toward imposing possible anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese-made solar panels that might further depress sales.
Carbon Footprint
August 21, 2012 1:19 pm | by Anna Wells, Executive Editor, IMPO | Articles | CommentsChris Wheaton, CFO/COO and co-founder of Seattle-based EnerG2, describes his company’s product as “the least-interesting-looking product” around. “It’s literally just bags of black powder,” Wheaton explains. Despite its rather bland physical characteristics, this black powder has a big job. Designed to optimize the performance of energy storage devices, EnerG2’s carbon processing technique was born in a lab, but had bigger ambitions.
Minn. Lawmaker: EPA Rules 'Suffocating' Mining
August 18, 2012 5:12 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has begun implementing tougher emissions rules designed to improve air quality, drawing criticism from a Republican congressman who said the new regulations could devastate Minnesota's mining industry. The rules, which regulate haze caused in part by the six taconite plants in northeastern Minnesota, impose stricter limits on industrial emissions.
Proposed Horse Slaughter Plant Fined
August 17, 2012 1:11 pm | News | CommentsValley Meat Co. is being fined $86,4000 after one federal inspector wrote that one pile of rotting cow renderings stood about 15 feet tall.
Report: CO2 Emissions In U.S. Drop To 20-Year Low
August 16, 2012 1:54 pm | by Kevin Begos, Associated Press | News | CommentsFederal officials say the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere is falling due to cheap and plentiful natural gas.
Suntech Names New CEO Amid Struggles
August 15, 2012 12:01 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsSuntech, like most of the world's solar panel makers, has seen profits plummet because a glut in solar panels has sent prices tumbling.
Despite Hopes, Renewables Have Rough Ride In Idaho
August 12, 2012 11:14 am | by John Miller, Associated Press | News | CommentsPeter Richardson, a Boise energy lawyer and would-be solar developer, contends his industry faces a "train wreck."
Report: Ky., Tenn. Among Worst Pollution States
August 10, 2012 10:43 am | by Lucas L. Johnson II, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Natural Resources Defense Council investigated air pollution from coal-fired power plants to name its "Toxic Twenty" states.
NC Agencies Agree On Narrow Emissions Exemption
August 10, 2012 10:11 am | by Gary D. Robertson, Associated Press | News | Comments"The bottom line is if the vehicle is more than three years old, there's going to be an emissions inspection," said Sen. Stan Bingham, R-Davidson.
Outdoor Industry Attempts To Flex Political Clout
August 10, 2012 9:16 am | by Paul Foy, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe industry is threatening to pull a lucrative biannual trade show in Utah if the state doesn't change course on environmental issues.
Utah Nears Closure Of Pollution Loophole
August 9, 2012 2:53 pm | by Paul Foy, Associated Press | News | CommentsUS Magnesium's loss in an appeals court means industries won't be able to exceed pollution limits and escape sanctions by blaming malfunctioning equipment.
NY Senator Defends U.S. Light Bulb Standards
August 9, 2012 1:02 pm | News | CommentsSen. Kirsten Gillibrand says a rollback of energy-efficiency standards would hurt U.S. manufacturers and help Chinese companies bring inferior products here.
1,000-Plus File Claims Against Chevron
August 9, 2012 9:35 am | News | CommentsMore than 1,000 people lured by the promise of a few hundred dollars showed up to get onboard a lawsuit against Chevron for causing nausea and scratchy throats.
Companies Agree To Clean Albany-Area Mercury Site
August 8, 2012 12:30 pm | News | CommentsThe value of the cleanup work to be performed at the old Mercury Refining Company site under the agreement is estimated at $9.3 million.
Chevron Response To Refinery Fire Under Criticism
August 8, 2012 8:57 am | by Jason Dearen and Terry Collins, Associated Press | News | CommentsInvestigators were looking at how a small, seemingly insignificant leak quickly unraveled into an intense fire that sent acrid black smoke into the sky.
Beverage Companies Pay Millions To Conserve Water
August 8, 2012 8:52 am | by Ramit Plushnick-Masti, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe impetus is the company's bottom lines — conserving water guarantees long-term access to the most crucial ingredient in their products.
Chemical Tests Planned At Former Ford-Owned Site
August 7, 2012 9:40 am | News | CommentsThe 200-acre site, once known as Ford Utica Trim, will be tested for trichloroethylene and trichloroethane, both of which can cause health problems.
Gibson Settles, Acknowledges Exotic Wood Violation
August 7, 2012 9:26 am | by Erik Schelzig, Associated Press | News | CommentsNashville-based Gibson agreed to pay a $300,000 penalty as part of a settlement to "get back to the business of making guitars."
Residents Flood Bay Area Hospitals After Refinery Fire
August 7, 2012 9:15 am | by John S. Marshall, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe blaze at Chevron's plant in Richmond, Calif. spewed thick black smoke possibly containing gasoline, jet fuel, diesel fuel and lubricants.
Marcellus Shale Quickly Rising To Top Gas Spot
August 6, 2012 7:43 am | by Kevin Begos, Associated Press | News | CommentsIn July, the combined output from Pennsylvania and West Virginia wells was about 7.4 billion cubic feet per day, and looks to be expanding further.
German Wind Power Installation Up 26 Percent
August 1, 2012 12:23 pm | by Juergen Baetz, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe wind industry aims at tripling its electricity share by 2020, mostly thanks to new offshore wind farms and the replacement of older wind turbines with new and more efficient ones.
GM Partners With Detroit Groups On Urban Garden
July 31, 2012 1:45 pm | News | CommentsGM repurposed 250 vehicle part shipping crates to become raised garden beds at the site, to be called the "Cadillac Urban Gardens."
Hughey & Phillips Brings LEDs To Obstruction Lighting
July 31, 2012 10:54 am | Products | CommentsThe HORIZON line L-810 low-intensity products provide an LED-based solution for FAA L-810 steady burning lights, and can be powered using a solar array for renewable energy applications.
