Renewable Energy

Environment

College fossil-fuel divestment movement builds

By Joann Loviglio and Kevin Begos on May 22, 2013

SWARTHMORE, Pa. (AP) — Student activists at more than 200 colleges are trying a new tactic in hopes of slowing the pace of climate change: They are asking their schools to stop investing in fossil fuel companies

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Renewable Energy

Electric-car makers couple tax benefits with attractive leasing

Source:

The Wall Street Journal

Electric-vehicle manufacturers have offered discount leasing to accompany federal and state incentives to make the vehicles appealing to new consumers, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Renewable Energy

Tesla pays back Energy Department loan

By Edward Felker on May 22, 2013

Electric car maker Tesla on Wednesday repaid the remaining balance on its $465 million Energy Department loan, the company and Secretary Ernest Moniz announced.

Moniz said in a statement that the $451.8 million repayment, made nine years early, "is the latest indication that the Energy Department’s portfolio of more than 30 loans is delivering big results for the American economy while costing far less than anticipated."

Tesla last week announced a stock and debt offering that it said would raise money to pay off the 2010 loan.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk praised Congress and the Obama administration for the loan made through the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing program, which was funded by the 2009 stimulus law. He also thanked American taxpayers. "I hope we did you proud," he said.

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Nuclear

Tesla repayment offers Obama victory

Source:

Bloomberg

Tesla Motors' plan to repay its Energy Department loan as early as today offers President Obama a major victory after two years of criticism for his clean-energy plans, Bloomberg reports.

Renewable Energy

Solar trade group presses to avoid trade war

Source:

The Washington Post

An international group of solar trade groups issued a statement calling on the European Union and the U.S. to avoid a trade war over solar panels with China, The Washington Post reports.

Renewable Energy

Oman to employ solar power to coax oil from wells

Source:

The New York Times

Oman's national oil company is set to announce it will start using solar power to coax oil from aging wells, The New York Times reports.

Renewable Energy

Tesla could pay off DOE loan Wednesday

Source:

Bloomberg

Tesla Motors Inc. CEO Elon Musk said his company could pay pack its Energy Department loan as early as Wednesday, Bloomberg reports.

Renewable Energy

Obama, China's Xi to meet in June in California

By The Associated Press on May 21, 2013

BEIJING (AP) — China's new leader Xi Jinping will confer with President Barack Obama next month in California, months earlier than expected, as both sides seek to stem a drift in relations, troubled by issues from cyberspying to North Korea.

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Renewable Energy

United restarts 787 flights after grounding

By Joshua Freed on May 20, 2013

United Airlines put its 787 back in the air on Monday, with both the airline and Boeing hoping to put the plane's four-month grounding behind them.

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Renewable Energy

Former A123 Systems wins approval for bankruptcy plan

Source:

Bloomberg

A court approved a bankruptcy plan for electric-car battery firm B456 Systems Inc., formerly called A123 Systems, Bloomberg reports.

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News from Around the World

Policy

CBO: Carbon tax would cut emissions, slow economy

Source:

The Hill

A new report from the Congressional Budget Office said a carbon tax could bring in significant revenues and help reverse climate change at the cost of higher prices and lower incomes, The Hill reports.

Policy

Moniz: Time to end debate on climate science

Source:

The Hill

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said he won't debate the validity of climate change science during a meeting with department employees, The Hill reports.

Oil

Kaine, Warner introduce offshore development bill

Source:

Virginia Business

Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both Virginia Democrats, introduced a bill that would expand offshore energy development and offer a revenue sharing plan, Virginia Business reports.

Oil

Subcommittee weighs repeal bill for Obama NPR-A plan

Source:

FuelFix

A House Natural Resources subcommittee held a hearing on a bill that would overturn the Obama administrations reserve management plan for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, FuelFix reports.

Oil

Coffeyville refinery to pay $300K EPA settlement

Source:

Wichita Eagle

Coffeyville Resources Refining and Marketing agreed to pay a $300,000 settlement with the EPA over allegations that its Coffeyville refinery violated the Clean Air Act, the Wichita Eagle reports.

Policy

Committee proposes 18-percent cut for Interior, EPA accounts

Source:

E&E News

The House Appropriations Committee proposed giving $24.3 billion to the subcommittee that finances the Interior Department, EPA and similar agencies, an 18-percent cut from fiscal 2013 levels, E&E News reports.

Environment

Wyden, Murkowski press Forest Service to pay rural communities

Source:

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, called on the Forest Service to drop its plans to withhold funds from rural timber communities.

Nuclear

NRC admits to leasing too much space for headquarters

Source:

The Washington Post

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission admitted to leasing more space than necessary for its Rockville headquarters at a hearing before a House subcommittee, The Washington Post reports.

Policy

Biden says climate change, oil traffice pose challenges for Coast Guard

Source:

The Hill

Speaking at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy commencement, Vice President Joe Biden said the branch will face future challenges from climate change and oil transportation risks, The Hill reports.

Environment

Standardized greenhouse measure for airlines may be delayed

Source:

Bloomberg

The International Civil Aviation Organization said the development of a standard measure of greenhouse gas emissions for aircrafts may be delayed for more research, Bloomberg reports.