‘New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has signed into law on Thursday a bill that would spur economic growth through the development of the state’s renewable energy resources, particularly offshore wind.’
via New Jersey sets sail with new offshore wind policy.
‘(Reuters) – Waves crashing on to Australia’s southern shores each year contain enough energy to power the country three times over, scientists said on Tuesday in a study that underscores the scale of Australia’s green energy.’
via Ocean waves can power Australia’s future, scientists say | Reuters.
‘(Reuters) – China Huaneng Group Corp and Datang Corp, the country’s top power producers, plan to float shares of their renewable energy units in Hong Kong in offerings that could raise over $2 billion, sources close to the deals said on Tuesday.’
via Two China new energy firms eye $2 billion in IPOs | Reuters.
‘Worldwide markets are poised to achieve significant growth as wind electricity generation has reached cost parity with fossil fuels and demand for more electricity generation is coming with the increased use of electric vehicles.’
via Utility Scale Wind Turbine Markets Anticipated to Reach $130 Billion by 2016 | Reuters.
‘Sometimes statistics collide at just the right time to paint a picture. China’s growing energy needs are resulting in a surge of industrial incidents, and there is little chance that the country’s string of environmental catastrophes are likely to ebb anytime soon.’
via I.H.T. Op-Ed Contributor – China’s Ticking Time Bomb – NYTimes.com.
‘NEW DELHI, Aug 17 Reuters – An Indian parliamentary panel will on Wednesday recommend changes to a bill aimed at opening up a $150 billion nuclear power market, including more compensation for accidents and extending liability to private suppliers.’
‘The panel will recommend the liability cap be trebled to $320 million, a member of the panel who asked not to be named, said.’
via UPDATE 1-India panel to suggest tougher nuclear liability bill | Reuters.
A $320 million liability cap couldn’t cover much in the event of a serious accident, which means this proposal amounts to a transfer of the cost of risk to the public.
‘France has launched a major investment program worth 1.35 billion euros $1.73 billion to support the development of biofuels and other renewable energy projects over the next four years.’
via France unleashes $ 1.74 billion for clean energy technologies.
‘Everyone knows that the American right has problems with science that yields conclusions it doesn’t like. Climate science — which says that we face a huge global externality that requires not just government intervention, but coordinated international action (black helicopters!) has been the target of a sustained, and unfortunately largely successful, attempt to damage its credibility.’
via First They Came For The Climate Scientists – Paul Krugman Blog – NYTimes.com.
‘…Seemingly disconnected, these far-flung disasters are reviving the question of whether global warming is causing more weather extremes.’
via In Weather Chaos, a Case for Global Warming – NYTimes.com.
‘Reuters – A federal judge on Friday banned the planting of genetically modified sugar beets engineered by Monsanto Co in a ruling that marks a major setback for the biotech giant.’
via U.S. judge bans planting of genetically engineered beets | Reuters.
the essential eco-commentaries
