Each week, we review the papers, studies, reports, and briefings posted at the “indispensable” RFF Library Blog, curated by RFF Librarian Chris Clotworthy.
Evolving Business Models for Renewable Energy
…Jointly authored by ACORE members ScottMadden, Sullivan & Worcester, American Clean Energy, RES Americas, Abengoa Solar and Siemens, this resource explores key issues and provides recommendations related to evolving utility and other business models for renewable energy. The report was produced in conjunction with ACORE’s Power Generation and Infrastructure Initiative, and ACORE member contributions to the review provide useful analysis, data, and insight for renewable energy and utility stakeholders… via – American Council on Renewable Energy
Driving Cleaner: More Electric Vehicles Mean Less Pollution
[From Press Release] …Increasing the number of electric vehicles on the road would reduce global warming pollution. Ten states – California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont – require auto manufacturers to sell electric vehicles in compliance with the Zero Emission Vehicle program. This law will put more than 3.5 million zero emission vehicles on the road in these states by 2025. Even in a scenario with limited growth in renewable energy, this would prevent 4.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent pollution per year compared with conventional cars. That is equal to the annual emissions of almost 1 million of today’s vehicles... via – Environment America
Natural Gas Fugitive Emissions Rates Constrained by Global Atmospheric Methane and Ethane
[From a Climate Wire article by Gayathri Vaidyanathan, sub. req'd] Natural gas fields globally may be leaking enough methane, a potent greenhouse gas, to make the fuel as polluting as coal for the climate over the next few decades, according to a pair of studies published last week. An even worse finding for the United States in terms of greenhouse gases is that some of its oil and gas fields are emitting more methane than the industry does, on average, in the rest of the world, the research suggests… via – Environmental Science & Technology
Two New Reports on the Greater Sage Grouse and the Gunnison Sage Grouse
[From a Greenwire article by Scott Streater and Manuel Quiñones, sub. req'd] …[The study] used data in existing genetic research and other population studies and found that [the Greater] sage grouse do not appear to be suffering the genetic degradation or inbreeding that would be expected in a species struggling with dwindling habitat and population numbers… via – The Open Ornithology Journal
[Politico] The Supreme Court partially upheld and partially rejected a set of early EPA greenhouse gas regulations for industrial pollution sources Monday, in a largely symbolic case that as expected left the agency’s powers over carbon pollution almost entirely intact. The 5-4 ruling, which followed a challenge to the rules from the utility industry, does not affect the much more sweeping regulation the agency issued June 2 requiring cuts in carbon emissions from coal- and gas-fired power plants. Nor does the case affect the agency’s overall ability to regulate greenhouse gases... via – US Supreme Court
