Progress Denied: A Study on the Potential Economic Impact of Permitting Challenges Facing Proposed Energy Projects

US Chamber of Commerce http://tinyurl.com/4tdc4sz [From Executive Summary] This study estimates the potential loss in economic value of 351 proposed solar, wind, wave, bio-fuel, coal, gas, nuclear and energy transmission projects that have been delayed or cancelled due to significant impediments, such as regulatory barriers, including inefficient review processes and the attendant lawsuits and threats … Continue reading »

Hazardous Pollution from Factory Farms: An Analysis of EPA’s National Air Emissions Monitoring Study Data

Environmental Integrity Project http://www.environmentalintegrity.org/03_09_2011.php [From Press Release] New federal and industry data show that the air at some factory farm test sites in the U.S. is dirtier than in America’s most polluted cities and exposes workers to concentrations of pollutants far above occupational safety guidelines, according to a new report from the Environmental Integrity Project … Continue reading »

The Carbon Plan (UK)

United Kingdom Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) http://www.decc.gov.uk/ The Carbon Plan: Is being initially published in draft, ahead of a final version in the Autumn – to be updated annually. This will allow the final live version to take account of the fourth carbon budget to be determined later this year. We also … Continue reading »

On-Farm Renewable Energy Production Survey (2009)

2007 Census of Agriculture (Volume 3 • Special Studies • Part 6;  AC-07-SS-6) http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Online_Highlights/On-Farm_Energy_Production/energy09.pdf The number of solar panels, wind turbines and methane digesters on America’s farms and ranches has increased significantly over the past decade and there are now 8,569 operations producing their own renewable energy, according to the results of the 2009 On-Farm … Continue reading »

Renewable Energy in America: Markets, Economic Development and Policy in the 50 States — Spring 2011 Update

American Council on Renewable Energy http://www.acore.org/files/pdfs/states/reamerica_mar11.pdf [Press Release] The report shows that in 2010, the total installed base of new renewable electricity exceeded 50 GW in the United States. Texas, California, and Iowa led in renewable energy generation capacity, while Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois led in renewable fuels capacity. With its ongoing development of diverse … Continue reading »

Public Attitudes Towards Energy Efficiency and Appliance Efficiency Standards: Consumers See the Benefits and Support the Standards

Consumer Federation of America / by Mark Cooper http://www.consumerfed.org/pdfs/CFA-Appliance-Efficiency-Report-3-11.pdf [From Executive Summary] The data revealed the following: Nearly all Americans (95%) think it “beneficial for appliances like refrigerators, clothes washers, and air conditioners to become more energy efficient,” with 78% believing this increased efficiency to be “very beneficial.” Nearly all Americans (96%) think improved appliance … Continue reading »