Recent Streetsblog SF posts about Energy

Oil-Centric Houston to Experiment With (Coal-Powered) Electric Cars

By Elana Schor | Nov 18, 2009 | 1 Comment

Houston has long enjoyed its status as America’s oil capital, the type of city where the local Petroleum Club threw a $100,000 gala during a period of then-record high gas prices. But things are changing, thanks to a light rail system that is exceeding ridership predictions and encouraging pedestrian-friendly development. One of Houston’s new charging […]

Introducing the Samuelson Gas Tax Increase: A Penny Every Month

By Elana Schor | Nov 17, 2009 | 1 Comment

Democratic lawmakers are discussing the possibility of a one-year stopgap transportation bill but have yet to reach consensus on how to pay for the measure, Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) said today. Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) (Photo: Politics Daily) Carper, speaking at a National Journal policy conference, said the prospects for short-term transport legislation still depend […]

Coal-Burning Electric Utilities Still Commanding Dem Senators’ Attention

By Elana Schor | Nov 13, 2009 | 4 Comments

As reported here yesterday, transportation is a close second to electric power generation in the not-so-great race to become the nation’s fastest-rising source of emissions. Minnesota roads, like this one, produce a greater share of the state’s pollution than electric utilities. (Photo: MPR) So as the climate change debate heats up in the Senate, it’s […]

Which is the Fastest-Rising U.S. Emissions Source: Transport or Electricity?

By Elana Schor | Nov 12, 2009 | No Comments

The climate change bills being considered by Congress treat electric utilities very well, giving more than a third of the revenue generated by CO2 regulation away — for free — to power providers. This move pleased coal country Democrats while seeking to lock down benefits for consumers by averting electricity rate hikes. But did the […]

Meet the Obama Administration’s New Clean Energy Loan Man

By Elana Schor | Nov 11, 2009 | No Comments

The Department of Energy (DoE) yesterday chose venture capitalist Jonathan Silver to head up its loan programs, which include $25 billion in loan guarantees for low-emissions cars and $32 billion in loan guarantees for renewable energy projects. Jonathan Silver (Photo: DC Business Journal) Silver may have his work cut out for him on the latter […]

Boxer Okays Senate Climate Bill, Without Amendments or GOP

By Elana Schor | Nov 5, 2009 | No Comments

The Senate environment committee approved its climate change bill today on an 11-1 vote, shrugging off a boycott by all of the panel’s Republicans but missing out on the chance to consider amendments to the lengthy legislation. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) (Photo: AP) The environment panel’s chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) had offered Republicans several days […]

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