This is The Source for Friday, December 14, 2012, green jobs news every day from the BlueGreen Alliance. Don’t forget to “tell your friends” about this great resource. You can sign up here.
TOP THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW FOR DECEMBER 14
Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot? That’s Because It Was. Climate Central says it’s almost certain that 2012 will go down as the hottest year ever recorded in the U.S.
Renewable Energy is Reliable. A new study concludes that renewable energy could reliably power a large percent of the electrical grid at competitive prices by 2030. Meanwhile, Doug Sims from the Natural Resources Defense Council says the Production Tax Credit for wind — set to expire at the end of the year — is needed now to keep our progress on wind energy going.
National and International Blue-Green
Governors Andrew Cuomo, Chris Christie, and Dannel P. Malloy call on Congress to help with Sandy relief in the Washington Post.
Politico looks at energy policy in the upcoming session of Congress.
The Washington Post reports on a poll that found that nearly 4 out of 5 Americans think temperatures are rising and that global warming will be a serious problem for the U.S. if nothing is done about it.
To the States
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that inspectors at Pacific Gas and Electric Company did not perform legally required inspections that could head off disastrous accidents.
New Jersey’s Legislature has approved two bills that would stop hundreds of millions of dollars in ratepayer surcharges from being used to plug holes in the state budget. NJ Spotlight has more.
Wilmington, Delaware has broken ground on a new energy plant that will be fueled by trash and sewage sludge. The San Francisco Chronicle carried the Associated Press’ story.
Following Superstorm Sandy, people are petitioning the state of New York to require public utilities to prepare plans to protect their systems from climate change, according to the Albany Times Union.
Blue-Green Links
The Hill: Report: Judge approves BP’s $525M settlement with SEC
The Hill: Conservative groups press lawmakers to reject proposals for a carbon tax
New York Times: Budget Cuts in Washington Pose Threat as States Rebound
Politico: Joe Scarborough: The way forward for American unions
New York Times: Leak of Climate Panel Drafts Speaks to Need for New Process
Greener Ideal: Are reduced taxes coming for renewable energy projects in 2013?
The Hill: News bites: Poll shows public wants regulation of 'fracking'
Recharge: Spanish Senate backs 7% tax on renewable power production
New York Times: American Bull
Los Angeles Times: Keystone's 'dilbit' problem
New York Times: Workers’ Paradise Lost
Washington Post: So long, cooperation
The Hill: Sen. Wyden names top Energy Committee staffer
Newark Star-Ledger (NJ): Professor on climate change: 'Prices and costs matter'
San Francisco Examiner (CA): Caltrain electrification project lauded by Sierra Club