Energy and Climate Change


Waste Connections Buying R360 Environmental Solutions for $1.3 Billion

Both are headquartered in Texas. R360 is a leading provider of non-hazardous oilfield waste treatment, recovery, and disposal services.

DEP Outreach Promoting Natural Gas Fleets

DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said the seminar series will inform local governments and businesses "about how they can take advantage of an abundant, clean-burning, and inexpensive fuel found right here in Pennsylvania" and "will help us develop our grant program moving forward."

Reduced Salinity Injection Boosting Oil Recovery, BP Says

BP announced it is using a new technology called LoSal® EOR at its Clair Ridge field to create low-salinity water for "waterflooding" from sea water. The company estimates this method will produce about 42 million additional barrels of oil.

Installed Wind Energy Grew Quickly in 2011

A new “Wind Technologies Market Report” from the U.S. Department of Energy shows how quickly the installation of wind energy equipment progressed in the United States during 2011.

Self-Charging Battery Both Generates and Stores Energy

Renewable energy technologies generally consist of two distinct processes: energy generation (using sources such as coal, solar, wind, etc.) and energy storage (such as batteries).

Raleigh Police See Fuel Savings From Energy Xtreme Mobile Power Idle Reduction Systems

Earlier this year the Raleigh Police Department installed mobile power idle reduction systems in 29 police vehicles. The project was funded by an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, and aligns with Raleigh's commitment to environmental protection outlined in the City's Comprehensive Plan.

New System Could Predict Solar Flares, Give Advance Warning

Researchers may have discovered a new method to predict solar flares more than a day before they occur, providing advance warning to help protect satellites, power grids and astronauts from potentially dangerous radiation.

New Energy Source: Major Advance Made in Generating Electricity from Wastewater

Engineers at Oregon State University have made a breakthrough in the performance of microbial fuel cells that can produce electricity directly from wastewater, opening the door to a future in which waste treatment plants not only will power themselves, but will sell excess electricity.



Increased Productivity, Not Less Energy Use, Results From More Efficient Lighting

Two researchers have reprised in the journal Energy Policy their groundbreaking finding that improvements in lighting — from candles to gas lamps to electric bulbs — historically have led to increased light consumption rather than lower overall energy use by society.

Researchers Find Substantial Water Pollution Risks From Fracking to Recover Natural Gas

Stony Brook University scientists have found that the disposal of contaminated wastewater from hydraulic fracturing – commonly known as “fracking” – wells producing natural gas in the Marcellus Shale region poses substantial potential risks of river and other water pollution that suggests additional regulation to reduce the potential of drinking water contamination.

Bringing Power to the People -- and Heat as Well

In some isolated clinics in parts of Africa, the electricity needed to power lights and medical devices is generated by expensive imported diesel fuel; the water supply can be so cold in winter that health workers can’t even wash their hands properly. But a startup company established by a team of MIT students and alumni aims to change that.

New Technology Reduces Risk of Mercury Vapor Exposure in Flourescent Lamp Packaging

The popularity of fluorescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) is steadily growing in the industrial, commercial and residential markets. However, they can also be potentially dangerous because of their mercury content.

Record Increases in U.S. Crude Oil and Natural Gas Reserves in 2010

U.S. proved crude oil and natural gas reserves achieved record annual volumetric increases in 2010 according to U.S. Crude Oil, Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids Proved Reserves, 2010, released today by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Breaking the Barriers for Low-Cost Energy Storage

Led by Sri Narayan, professor of chemistry at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, the team developed an air-breathing battery that uses the chemical energy generated by the oxidation of iron plates that are exposed to the oxygen in the air – a process similar to rusting.

Measurement Advance Could Speed Innovation in Solar Devices

A new versatile measurement system devised by researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) accurately and quickly measures the electric power output of solar energy devices, capabilities useful to researchers and manufacturers working to develop and make next-generation solar energy cells.

EPA Kicks Off Third Annual Energy Star National Building Competition

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star program launched the 2012 National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings with a record 3,200 buildings across the country going head to head to improve energy efficiency, lower utility costs and protect health and the environment.

Record-Setting Electric Airplane Exceeds 200 mph

Last week’s record of the fastest ever manned electric aircraft was set by electric-vehicle record-setter Chip Yates.

Why Wait Till Gas Hits $10 a Gallon?

There’s a lot of moaning and hand-wringing whenever gasoline prices approach $4 a gallon. But all it would take for them to hit $10 a gallon overnight would be hurricanes wiping out a couple of refineries or saboteurs disabling a couple of pipelines, says Dr. R. Paul Williamson, founder and CEO of the non-profit Sustainable Systems of Colorado.

Harmful Effects of CFL Bulbs to Skin

Inspired by a European study, a team of Stony Brook University researchers looked into the potential impact of healthy human skin tissue (in vitro) being exposed to ultraviolet rays emitted from compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs.

Key Performance Indicators Saving Millions at Maersk

Maersk Line reports it has saved almost $90 million since 2009 by using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the performance of individual ships.