News

• SO2 market slumps on EPA plan

  08 July 2010

  Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) prices tumbled after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed replacing the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) with a programme that severely limits the role of interstate emissions trading.

• Senate Green Bank proposal wins plaudits

  01 July 2010

  Advocates of a Green Bank in the US have swung behind the Senate's proposed legislation, in a renewed push this week for passage.

• Drax considers biomass conversion

  01 July 2010

  Western Europe's largest coal-fired power plant is planning to convert one of its six generators entirely to biomass – but warned this will only be possible if the UK government changes its policy framework to support such projects.

• European grid operators spell out 10-year renewables plan

  01 July 2010

  A 10-year proposal to develop the European electricity grid will require €23 billion-28 billion ($29 billion-$35 billion) investment within the first five years.

• Tesla shrugs off doubts, races to $226m IPO

  01 July 2010

  In a positive sign for the clean-tech sector, newly listed electric car maker Tesla Motors has shaken the tin for more than $200 million while debut trading saw its share price race ahead.

• Renewable incentive cuts make sense: experts

  01 July 2010

  Renewable energy commentators say reductions to European incentives schemes are unlikely to be as deep as feared, but argue that there is strong justification for the cuts.

• US Ex-Im flip-flops on giant Indian coal project

  01 July 2010

  The US Export-Import Bank has said it will reconsider financing a controversial Indian coal project – only days after rejecting it on grounds of its climate impact.

• Equator Principles introduces rules on expulsion

  01 July 2010

  The Equator Principles secretariat has introduced governance rules which, for the first time, set out criteria that allow it to expel signatory banks from the voluntary social and environmental risk guidelines.

• Biorefineries have big role in fight against climate change – WEF

  01 July 2010

  Biorefineries – facilities that convert biomass into fuel, energy, chemicals and materials – have a major role to play in combating climate change, says a World Economic Forum (WEF) report.

• Germany eyes $500 million for public-private climate fund

  01 July 2010

  Germany has launched a 'climate protection' fund to help local banks invest in energy efficiency and renewables for small businesses and households in developing countries, seeding it with more than $100 million.