http://www.environmentalleader.com The Executive's Daily Green Briefing Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:16:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/20/epa-is-one-step-closer-to-new-ship-emissions-standards/ http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/20/epa-is-one-step-closer-to-new-ship-emissions-standards/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:26:17 +0000 Environmental Leader http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=27712 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) delivered draft rules for new engine and fuel standards for the largest ocean-bound ships to the White House for review, reports the New York Times. The draft rule (PDF) requires vessels with large diesel engines to significantly cut their nitrogen-oxide and sulfur-dioxide emissions, reports the New York Times. Short-term standards [...]]]> http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/20/epa-is-one-step-closer-to-new-ship-emissions-standards/feed/ 0 http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/19/sec-charges-four-in-green-investment-ponzi-scheme/ http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/19/sec-charges-four-in-green-investment-ponzi-scheme/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:14:02 +0000 Environmental Leader http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=27583 The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged four people in connection with an alleged $30 million Ponzi scheme that targeted more than 300 elderly and near retirement age investors who were seeking environmentally-friendly investments, reports the Philadelphia Business Journal. The SEC has accused Mantria Corp. and its principals Troy Wragg and Amanda Knorr of [...]]]> http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/19/sec-charges-four-in-green-investment-ponzi-scheme/feed/ 0 http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/19/no-sunny-skies-for-two-solar-projects-in-texas-california/ http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/19/no-sunny-skies-for-two-solar-projects-in-texas-california/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:10:36 +0000 Environmental Leader http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=27601 Two major solar projects are at a standstill; one over contract renewals and the other due to environmental concerns. Meanwhile, New York lawmakers are making it easier for businesses and homeowners to install solar systems and makeenergy-efficiency improvements. NRG Energy’s plan to build Texas’ largest solar plant near its natural gas plant has halted over contract [...]]]> http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/19/no-sunny-skies-for-two-solar-projects-in-texas-california/feed/ 2 http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/19/canada-delays-ghg-emissions-regs-russia-ups-emissions-cuts/ http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/19/canada-delays-ghg-emissions-regs-russia-ups-emissions-cuts/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:01:49 +0000 Environmental Leader http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=27594 Add Canada to a growing list of countries that want to wait until a global climate deal is struck and the United States decides how it will regulate emissions before they regulate their own greenhouse gas emissions. Earlier this week, New Zealand made a similar announcement. There also appears to be some widespread discussion over [...]]]> http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/19/canada-delays-ghg-emissions-regs-russia-ups-emissions-cuts/feed/ 0 http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/18/u-s-china-partner-on-renewable-energy-energy-efficiency/ http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/18/u-s-china-partner-on-renewable-energy-energy-efficiency/#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:39:17 +0000 Environmental Leader http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=27527 President Barack Obama and China’s President Hu Jintao have agreed to a wide ranging package of programs and initiatives (seven in total) to strengthen the two countries’ cooperation on renewable energy and energy efficiency. One key program establishes a U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center, supported by $150 million in public and private funds over the [...]]]> http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/18/u-s-china-partner-on-renewable-energy-energy-efficiency/feed/ 0 http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/17/solar-rebates-are-going-fast/ http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/17/solar-rebates-are-going-fast/#comments Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:25:05 +0000 Environmental Leader http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=27435 The popularity of solar rebates, which is causing shortages in some communities, is also the primary reason why rebate programs are being cut back across the nation. Solar rebates have done their job by significantly increasing solar installation projects across the nation. In Massachusetts alone, as a result of high demand, the number of solar installers [...]]]> http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/17/solar-rebates-are-going-fast/feed/ 1 http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/16/supermarkets-tackle-emissions-reductions-fuel-efficiency/ http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/16/supermarkets-tackle-emissions-reductions-fuel-efficiency/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:06:56 +0000 Environmental Leader http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=27356 Supermarkets are taking different roads to efficiency like Star Market in Massachusetts, aimed at reducing emissions, and Brookshire Grocery in Texas, which is addressing fleet efficiency. Star Market Newton, Mass., is the first grocery store in the U.S. to receive the Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill Partnership platinum store award, thanks to its advanced refrigeration technology that [...]]]> http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/16/supermarkets-tackle-emissions-reductions-fuel-efficiency/feed/ 1 http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/16/utilities-face-cost-and-implementation-challenges-with-smart-grid-upgrades/ http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/16/utilities-face-cost-and-implementation-challenges-with-smart-grid-upgrades/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:51:16 +0000 Environmental Leader http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=27292 In the wake of the Department of Energy’s $3.4 billion in grants for various smart-grid projects, local governments and utilities are trying to sort out the pros and cons of a smart-grid system, while trying to determine how to implement — and pay for– the required electrical grid upgrades, particularly when capital is tight. The utility [...]]]> http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/16/utilities-face-cost-and-implementation-challenges-with-smart-grid-upgrades/feed/ 1 http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/16/lower-renewable-energy-benchmark-may-discourage-production/ http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/16/lower-renewable-energy-benchmark-may-discourage-production/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:29:06 +0000 Environmental Leader http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=27301 As more utilities begin offering customers the ability to purchase electricity generated from renewable sources, other utilities may benefit from a drop in the benchmark price that they must pay independent producers for renewable energy. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has proposed a 15 percent cut in the benchmark that utilities must pay over a [...]]]> http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/16/lower-renewable-energy-benchmark-may-discourage-production/feed/ 3 http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/13/offshore-wind-power-capacity-estimates-rise-yet-support-seems-weak/ http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/13/offshore-wind-power-capacity-estimates-rise-yet-support-seems-weak/#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:59:42 +0000 Environmental Leader http://www.environmentalleader.com/?p=27263 Offshore wind power development is starting to gain a foothold in the renewable energy industry thanks to several new reports that cite big potential capacity. But first wind proponents need to capture not only the hearts and minds of the U.S. people, but also government agencies, businesses and researchers. A new report from the U.S. Offshore [...]]]> http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/13/offshore-wind-power-capacity-estimates-rise-yet-support-seems-weak/feed/ 2