U.S. Solar Tariffs on Chinese Cells May Boost Prices

U.S. Solar Tariffs on Chinese Cells May Boost Prices - Bloomberg

The U.S. yesterday imposed tariffs of as much as 250 percent on Chinese-made solar cells to aid domestic manufacturers beset by foreign competition, though critics said the decision may end up raising prices and hurting the U.S. renewable energy industry.  The U.S. Commerce Department ruled that Chinese manufacturers sold cells in the U.S. at prices below the cost of production and announced preliminary antidumping duties ranging from 31 percent to 250 percent, depending on the manufacturer. China criticized the action, saying the U.S. is hurting itself and cooperation between the world’s two largest economies.

Carbon trading has a pivotal role in European energy policy

Carbon trading has a pivotal role in European energy policy | EurActiv

In order to re-establish confidence in Europe’s power sector as an actor in the European quest to cut carbon emissions, a few conditions need to be met. These include concrete intermediate reduction targets and an emissions trading scheme capable of delivering a clear CO2 price signal, writes Giuseppe Montesano.  Giuseppe Montesano is head of European regulation for the Italian energy company.

Registry starts accepting California CO2 offsets

Registry starts accepting California CO2 offsets - News - Point Carbon

Offset registry the Climate Action Reserve (CAR) announced Friday it will start accepting projects that will generate carbon credits for California’s cap-and-trade scheme in a bid to ensure there is an ample supply of credits before the market starts in 2013.

Natural Gas Will Transform American Economy Says Jim Tisch, Loews CEO

Natural Gas Will Transform American Economy Says Jim Tisch, Loews CEO - Forbes

A long overdue power breakfast with Loews chairman, CEO Jim Tisch placed a mighty sharp focus on  all the positive ramifications of the explosion in natural gas discoveries in the US.  For a solid hour Tisch sang the praises of the “disruptive technology” that will result from the finding and exploitation across the US of an abundance of natural gas.

Low Natural Gas Prices Threaten Carbon Capture Projects

Low Natural Gas Prices Threaten Carbon Capture Projects - NYTimes.com

WASHINGTON — A federal proposal to ban the construction of coal-fired power plants that release all of their carbon dioxide into the atmosphere would seem to smooth the way for carbon capture, a budding technology that traps the greenhouse gas for storage or other uses.

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 Point Carbon's OTC price assessments

		Close	+/-
EUA	Dec 2012	6.49	-0.12
sCER	Dec 2012	3.37	-0.23

 

 

 

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Corporate

18 May 2012 16:47

“Difficult” CO2 markets deliver just 1 pct of EBRD’s clean energy investment

LONDON, May 18 (Reuters Point Carbon) - Carbon finance has received a tiny fraction of the 8.8 billi…

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Markets

18 May 2012 16:01

Spectre of CO2 market intervention stays hand of short sellers

LONDON, May 18 (Reuters Point Carbon) - The prospect of lawmakers and bureaucrats intervening to pro…

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Markets

18 May 2012 17:55

CER issuance to hit 6.5 mln next week: U.N.

LONDON, May 18 (Reuters Point Carbon) – The U.N. is poised to hand out 6.5 million Certified Emissio…

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International policy

18 May 2012 16:09

Lack of cash threatens UN climate talks schedule

BONN, May 18 (Reuters Point Carbon) - A lack of funding may mean nations could have less time to dis…

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Policy

18 May 2012 17:28

UPDATE 1: EUAs slip 7 cents as CERs crash to 6-wk low

LONDON, May 18 (Reuters Point Carbon – EU carbon permits edged down 7 cents on Friday on weaker stoc…

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Markets

18 May 2012 10:57

Chinese airlines unmoved on EU ETS opposition: paper

BEIJING, May 18 (Reuters Point Carbon) - Chinese airlines confirmed Friday that they still support t…

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Policy

17 May 2012 18:50

U.N. launches “historic” Durban platform talks

BONN, May 17 (Reuters Point Carbon) - The U. N. on Thursday launched a new negotiating track aimed a…

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Solarworld to Lodge China Dumping Complaint in Europe Mid-Year

Solarworld to Lodge China Dumping Complaint in Europe Mid-Year - Bloomberg

Solarworld AG (SWV), Germany’s biggest solar-panel maker, will bring an antidumping complaint against Chinese rivals in Europe by mid-year after action in the U.S. led to duties being imposed on imports from the Asian country.  The U.S. decision “is a first step so that we can return to fair competition based on technology,” Chief Executive Officer Frank Asbeck said today by phone. “It’s a signal for Europe, where we plan to file a similar complaint at mid-year.”

Emissions Trading Scheme Successful, according to EU

Emissions Trading Scheme Successful, according to EU | Travel and Car Hire News

New reports from the European Union show that more than 99 percent of all major airlines are currently complying with the first step of Europe’s carbon emission tax for airlines. This was a scheme that was not very popular among industry experts when it first came out. In fact, to start with, most airlines were fighting against it. In the end, however, it seems that most airlines just caved in to the tax.  When Europe first announced this controversial tax, the aviation industry was in an uproar over it. In fact, some 20 countries were said to be fighting it. This did include such powerhouse countries as China, Japan, the United States and Russia. However, when the deadline finally came around, most airlines complied with it. The only airlines that did not were eight Chinese airlines and two Indian carriers.

Why the NZUs premium has shrunk

Why the NZUs premium has shrunk - Carbon News

The premium of NZUs over European carbon has evaporated over the past week or two, with the differential of NZUs over ERUs now about 10 cents.  This premium was more than $1 less than a month ago, so what has caused this basis to shrink?

California wise to spend auction funds on GHG reductions: study

Environmental Finance | News | California wise to spend auction funds on GHG reductions: study

California legislators will likely be on solid legal ground if they spend the auction revenues from the state’s cap-and-trade programme on energy efficiency projects, renewable energy or the establishment of a Green Bank, rather than on consumer rebates or general fund expenditures, according to a new legal analysis.  Emissions allowance auctions are expected to raise $0.6 -1.8 billion in 2012-13, rising to $5.8 billion in 2015.  A key issue for the cap-and-trade programme is whether the auction proceeds will be legally classified as fees, taxes or something else, according to the report, commissioned by San Francisco-based non-profit organisation Next 10.

Five things we learned this week...

We are told often enough that Australia – with a fixed price of $23 – is about to have the highest carbon tax in the world, never mind that Sweden’s has been well north of $100/t of CO2-e for some years. A new report out of Europe, and supported by former financial ministers of Germany argues that while the emissions trading scheme is at rock bottom, various other carbon imposts have imposed an effective carbon price ranging from a low of €35/t in Poland to as high as €78/t in Italy.

EBRD puts emissions target on energy lending

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for the investments made in the 2012-14 phase of its sustainable energy initiative (SEI).  Lending to energy efficiency and renewable energy projects will rise approximately 25% to €4.5 billion-€6.5 billion ($5.7 billion-$8.3 billion) for the three-year period, up from €8.8 billion over the previous six years.