Global Advanced Energy Industry Growth
The Advanced Energy Economy released its Advanced Energy Now 2014 Market Report last week, concluding that the global advanced energy industry had a global revenue of $1.13 trillion last year, an increase from 2012, but down slightly from the 2011 high. In the United States, most of the market grew substantially, save for the wind industry, which dropped of by $23 billion due largely to uncertainty about the renewable energy production tax credit.
$100 Million for Climate Politics
Retired billionaire investor Tom Steyer pledged February 18 to spend at least $50 million making climate change an election issue this year, and is encouraging others to put up another $50 million. Thus far, he has written checks solo to his NextGen Climate Action Committee. He made a pitch recently to about 20 prospective donors and fundraisers earlier this month, and is hoping to support candidates in federal and state elections who want to address climate change impacts, as well as those who oppose the Keystone XL pipeline.
ECOS Announces New Director
The Environmental Council of the States named Alexandra Dunn to serve as the council’s executive director and general counsel February 19. Ms. Dunn currently serves as executive director and general counsel for the Association of Clean Water Administrators, and will assume the post in April.
Natural Resource Value Hub Launched
Disney, Microsoft, Shell, and 38 other companies representing more than $1.4 trillion in revenue launched February 21 an online hub to make the business case for valuing natural resources. The Natural Capital Business Hub is intended to foster collaboration among participating companies on natural capital issues, and will eventually track participating companies’ related project progress
