Wind, Solar, Biomass Provide All New U.S. Electrical Generating Capacity In January 2013

This represents a nearly three-fold increase in new renewable energy generating capacity compared to the same month in 2012 when wind, solar, and biomass provided 431 MW of new capacity.

In January 2013, wind accounted for the largest share of the new capacity with six new “units” providing 958 MW followed by 16 units of solar (267 MW), and 6 units of biomass (6 MW). No new generating capacity was reported for any fossil fuel (i.e., natural gas, coal, oil) or nuclear power sources.

Renewable sources now account for 15.66 percent of total installed U.S. operating generating capacity: hydro – 8.50 percent, wind – 5.17 percent, biomass – 1.29 percent, solar – 0.38 percent, and geothermal – 0.32 percent.*

By comparison, oil accounts for 3.54% of total operating generating capacity, nuclear for 9.23 percent, coal for 29.04 percent, and natural gas for 42.37 percent.

Once again, renewable energy sources have dominated the new electrical generation market. And once again, their rapid expansion demonstrates that the U.S. can meet its future energy needs without resorting to dirtier sources such as nuclear power or the Keystone XL pipeline.

*Note: Generating capacity is not the same as actual generation. Actual net electrical generation from renewable energy sources in the United States now totals about 13% according to data provided by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

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The Flu Hit American Workers Hard in January

The BLS noted that more people typically call in sick during the winter months, when seasonal illnesses such as cold and the flu are common. But this year appears to have been especially hard on Americans, and on workers.

The flu season got off to an early and aggressive start, but the good news is that it appears to have peaked in late January, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Still, experts warn that the flu could continue to circulate for months.

In addition, other bugs, such as common colds and the stomach flu, can keep workers from heading into the office.

For many workers, getting sick can literally be costly. There is no federal requirement that companies provide paid sick leave, although companies who are subject to the Family and Medical Leave Act requires unpaid sick leave.

About 66 percent of workers have access to paid sick leave, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Full-time workers are much more likely than part-time workers to have paid sick leave, according to the BLS.

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Daily Guidance and Press Schedule for Monday, January 28, 2013

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

In the morning, the President and the Vice President will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office. This meeting is closed press.

In the afternoon, the President and the Vice President will meet for lunch in the private dining room. This lunch is closed press.

Later in the afternoon, the President will welcome the NBA Champion Miami Heat to the White House to honor the team and their 2012 NBA Championship victory. The President will also recognize the Heat’s ongoing support to the men and women who serve in our military and their families, continuing the tradition begun by President Obama of honoring sports teams for their efforts on and off the court. The President’s remarks in the East Room will be open press.

In-Town Travel Pool
Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg
Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP
TV Corr & Crew: FOX
Print: Washington Times
Radio: Talk Radio

EST

9:30AM
In-Town Pool Call Time

10:30AM
THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT receive the Presidential Daily Briefing
Oval Office
Closed Press

12:30PM
THE PRESIDENT and THE VICE PRESIDENT meet for lunch
Private Dining Room
Closed Press

1:40PM
THE PRESIDENT welcomes the NBA Champion Miami Heat to the White House
The East Room
Open Press (Pre-Set 12:00PM—Final Gather 1:10PM—North Doors of the Palm Room

Briefing Schedule
12:30PM Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney

President Obama discusses his nomination of Mary Jo White to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission and Richard Cordray to continue as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Here’s a quick glimpse at what happened this week on WhiteHouse.gov.

President Obama taps Denis McDonough to serve as his chief of staff and lead the team at the White House.

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The Morning Pride: January 23, 2012

Welcome to The Morning Pride, ThinkProgress LGBT’s daily round-up of the latest in LGBT policy, politics, and some culture too! Here’s what we’re reading this morning, but please let us know what stories you’re following as well. Follow us all day on Twitter at @TPEquality.

- “From Stonewall to Homeless,” a look at the challenge of the growing LGBT aging population.

- Montana might finally repeal its outdated law criminalizing sodomy.

- A nondiscrimination bill is advancing in the Virginia legislature.

- Did the state of Georgia violate a resident’s free speech by denying him vanity license plates that advocate for gay rights?

- A Christian-run Nashville music venue fired an employee who wore a band shirt that also expressed support for same-sex marriage.

- Ireland’s Equality Tribunal has ruled in favor of a gay employee who complained that he was discriminated against because of his sexual orientation.

- Nepal has introduced gender-neutral citizen documents for people who do not wish to be identified as male or female.

- U.S. Women’s Soccer star Megan Rapinoe has partnered with GLSEN to speak out against homophobic language:

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Justiceline: January 23, 2013

Welcome to Justiceline, ThinkProgress Justice’s morning round-up of the latest legal news and developments. Remember to follow us on Twitter at @TPJustice

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Econ 101: January 23, 2013

Welcome to ThinkProgress Economy’s morning link roundup. This is what we’re reading. Have you seen any interesting news? Let us know in the comments section. You can also follow ThinkProgress Economy on Twitter.

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January 23 News: U.S. Warned About Multiple Nuclear Meltdowns Years Before Fukushima

Four years before the accident at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission was warned about the possibility of a plant suffering simultaneous meltdowns due to a natural disaster. [NYTimes]

The accident at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant in 2011 alerted the American nuclear industry and its regulators to the possibility that operators at plants with more than one reactor might have to deal with more than one meltdown at a time in a flood, earthquake or other catastrophe. Officials are now working to assure that they could master that situation.

But documents uncovered by a group that is critical of nuclear safety show that a high-level safety analyst at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission posed the possibility to his superiors in July 2007, about four years before the earthquake and tsunami that led to three simultaneous meltdowns at Fukushima Daiichi. The documents also show that in August 2008, the commission staff formally acknowledged the issue.

But until Japan’s disaster, progress in the American nuclear industry was glacial….

The warning, which now seems prophetic, predicted “common cause failures,’’ meaning single events that disable different pieces of equipment that are supposedly independent and nearly invulnerable to failing simultaneously on their own. The risk analyst, Richard Sherry, wrote that flooding or earthquakes could disrupt both normal grid power and emergency backup power.

China is trying to get a leg up on clean energy transportation by getting into the patent wars. The country has filed over 2,000 patent applications — 8 percent of the world’s total — placing China third globally. [ChinaDaily]

Greenpeace released a report yesterday warning of various fossil fuel projects around the world that could serve as “carbon bombs,” driving the planet still closer to disastrous levels of global warming. China and Australia topped the list. [The Guardian]

A global and legally-binding agreement to reduce mercury emissions was reached in Geneva over the weekend. But it still faces ratification by over 140 countries, even as studies show mercury levels around the world continue to rise. [LA Times]

The unusually cold temperatures across America’s northern Plains and New England could be due to a combination of a warming event in the upper atmosphere over the Arctic, and fluctuations in a natural cycle of tropical rainfall near the equator. [ClimateCentral]

Ikea will double its investment in renewable energy — including wind farms and solar parks — to $4 billion by 2020, as part of an effort to bring down costs for more cash-strapped consumers. [Bloomberg]

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Justiceline: January 15, 2013

Welcome to Justiceline, ThinkProgress Justice’s morning round-up of the latest legal news and developments. Remember to follow us on Twitter at @TPJustice

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The Morning Pride: January 15, 2013

Welcome to The Morning Pride, ThinkProgress LGBT’s daily round-up of the latest in LGBT policy, politics, and some culture too! Here’s what we’re reading this morning, but please let us know what stories you’re following as well. Follow us all day on Twitter at @TPEquality.

- Legislation to recognize same-sex couples in Wyoming is looking promising, with bipartisan support for a two-bill plan to pass either civil unions or marriage equality.

- A proposal to repeal Virginia’s constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage did not get very far in committee.

- Take a peek at an upcoming documentary about ex-gay therapy offered in JONAH, the Jewish ex-gay group currently being sued for fraud.

- Listen to Terry Gross’ Fresh Air interview with Bishop Gene Robinson, including his reaction to Rev. Louie Giglio’s withdrawal from the Inauguration ceremony.

- A San Francisco man is suing Alliant International University for discriminating against him after learning he was transgender.

- San Francisco lawmakers are considering naming the city’s airport after Harvey Milk.

- Former NFL cornerback Wade Davis, who is openly gay, explains that transformation in professional sports for gay athletes is likely to happen slowly.

- Actor Victor Garber (Argo, Alias, Titanic) confirmed he is gay and though he doesn’t really talk about it, “everybody knows.”

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January 15 News: Beijing Experiences Worst Air Pollution On Record

Skyscrapers are obscured by heavy haze in Beijing Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013. (AP Photo)

On January 12, Beijing’s air pollution reached unprecedented levels, even beyond the upper limits of the Air Quality Index, which reports daily air quality around the world, and it’s taking a serious toll on Beijing’s residents. [ThinkProgress]

According to one hospital official, the number of emergency room patients with heart attacks roughly doubled over the weekend. Hospitals are struggling to handle an influx of people suffering from respiratory and cardiac trouble….

China’s pollution disaster should serve as a warning for American lawmakers who claim environmental regulation hurts business. While US pollution levels are nowhere near China’s, cities like Los Angeles and Birmingham struggle to meet basic federal air quality standards. Despite Republican opposition, the Environmental Protection Agency recently issued more stringent soot standards projected to save roughly 15,000 lives a year, which was published in the Federal Register today. Still, Congressional Republicans have not given up on their long campaign to defund the EPA. As part of the impending “fiscal cliff,” the agency’s clean air program stands to lose more than $100 million in funding.

Several of Washington, DC’s recent summers were unusually hot, and its most recent year was the warmest on record. According to the new federal climate report, that’s likely to become business as usual in the future. [WaPo]

Global green energy investment fell to $269 billion in 2012 after hitting a record high of $302 billion in 2011, with the drop driven largely by reduced activity in the United States. The good news, however, is that 2012's investment level is still the second-highest ever recorded. [Grist]

A coalition of climate groups just sent a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar asking the Obama Administration to impose a moratorium on fossil fuel development in the Arctic region. The letter comes on the heels of an announcement that the Interior Department will conduct a 60-day assessment of the Arctic offshore drilling program. [Summit County Citizens]

According to leak European Union documents acquired by The Guardian, the British government is seeking to water down EU regulations that would prevent oil and gas drilling projects that could leave ecologically fragile areas vulnerable to oil spills and other accidents. [The Guardian]

The first leg of an undersea power transmission line that would ultimately connect offshore wind farms between New York City and southern Virginia is officially underway. The segment will be 189 miles long and run from Jersey City to an area south of Atlantic City. [NYT]

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Econ 101: January 15, 2013

Welcome to ThinkProgress Economy’s morning link roundup. This is what we’re reading. Have you seen any interesting news? Let us know in the comments section. You can also follow ThinkProgress Economy on Twitter.

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Statement by the Press Secretary on Bills Signed on January 10, 2013

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 1339, H.R. 1845, H.R. 2338, H.R. 3263, H.R. 3641, H.R. 3869, H.R. 3892, H.R. 4053, H.R. 4057, H.R. 4073, H.R. 4389, H.R. 5859, H.R. 6014, H.R. 6260, H.R. 6379, H.R. 6587, H.R. 6620, H.R. 6671, S. 925, S. 3202, S. 3666 and S.J. Res. 49

On Thursday, January 10, 2013, the President signed into law:

H.R. 1339, which designates the City of Salem, Massachusetts, as the birthplace of the U.S. National Guard;

H.R. 1845, the "Medicare IVIG Access and Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers Act of 2012," which establishes a demonstration project to evaluate the benefits of allowing Medicare Part B coverage for in-home intravenous treatments for patients with primary immune deficiency disease; and amends certain rules under which Medicare is a secondary payer to specified third party payers;

H.R. 2338, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service in Cocoa, Florida as the Harry T. and Harriette Moore Post Office;

H.R. 3263, the "Lake Thunderbird Efficient Use Act of 2012," which authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to allow the storage and conveyance of non-project water at the Norman Project in Oklahoma;

H.R. 3641, the "Pinnacles National Park Act," which redesignates the Pinnacles National Monument in California, as the Pinnacles National Park;

H.R. 3869, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service in Little Rock, Arkansas as the Sidney "Sid" Sanders McMath Post Office Building;

H.R. 3892, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service in Roseville, California as the Lance Corporal Victor A. Dew Post Office;

H.R. 4053, the "Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2012," which clarifies requirements for Federal agencies to use improper payment information to determine program or award eligibility; establishes a Do Not Pay Initiative; and expands OMB responsibilities in the effort to eliminate and recover improper payments;

H.R. 4057, which requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a comprehensive policy for providing information regarding higher education and training programs to veterans and members of the Armed Forces;

H.R. 4073, which authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to accept a railroad right of way within and adjacent to the Pike National Forest in Colorado;

H.R. 4389, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service in Fowler, California as the Cecil E. Bolt Post Office;

H.R. 5859, which repeals the requirement that the Department of Transportation prescribe regulations to require automobile dealers to provide insurance cost comparison information to prospective buyers; and requires the Department to report to Congress on the most useful way to provide consumers with information on the susceptibility of automobiles to damage;

H.R. 6014, the "Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act of 2012," which authorizes the Justice Department to carry out a grant program to assist States with the first-year costs associated with the implementation of a process to collect DNA from individuals who are arrested for or charged with certain criminal offenses under State law;

H.R. 6260, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service as the Lieutenant Kenneth M. Ballard Memorial Post Office;

H.R. 6379, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service in Ravenel, South Carolina as the Representative Curtis B. Inabinett, Sr. Post Office;

H.R. 6587, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service in Simi Valley, California as the Postal Inspector Terry Asbury Post Office Building;

H.R. 6620, the "Former Presidents Protection Act of 2012," which restores lifetime Secret Service protection of former Presidents who did not serve as President prior to January 1, 1997, and their spouses; and provides for protection of all children of former Presidents until they become 16 years of age;

H.R. 6671, the "Video Privacy Protection Act Amendments Act of 2012," which allows the informed, written consent that a video tape service provider must receive from a consumer in order to be authorized to disclose personally identifiable information to a third party to also be obtained using the Internet; and specifies that the consent would have to be either given at the time the disclosure is sought or given in advance for a set period of time of up to two years or until the consumer withdraws the consent, whichever is sooner;

S. 925, the "Mt. Andrea Lawrence Designation Act of 2011," which designates "Mt. Andrea Lawrence" in the Inyo National Forest and Yosemite National Park; 

S. 3202, the "Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012," which amends authorities of the Department of Veterans Affairs related to: cemetery matters; health care; and miscellaneous matters;

S. 3666, which amends the Animal Welfare Act to modify the definition of "exhibitor"; and

S.J. Res. 49, which appoints Barbara Barrett as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

We'll soon reach a milestone in Afghanistan -- when Afghan forces take full responsibility for their nation's security and the war draws to a close.

The President asks Jacob Lew -- the current White House chief of staff -- to serve as the next Treasury Secretary.

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The Morning Pride: January 2, 2013

Welcome to The Morning Pride, ThinkProgress LGBT’s daily round-up of the latest in LGBT policy, politics, and some culture too! Here’s what we’re reading this morning, but please let us know what stories you’re following as well. Follow us all day on Twitter at @TPEquality.

- The Huffington Post highlights 25 anti-LGBT villains of 2012.

- Equality Matters highlights the National Organization for Marriage’s ten biggest fails of 2012.

- Outgoing Rep. Charles Bass (R-NH) became the third Republican to support repealing the Defense of Marriage Act before leaving office.

- A Change.org petition is calling on the National Geographic Channel to condemn the Boy Scouts of America’s anti-gay policies before airing its new show, Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout?

- The state of Kansas is punishing a lesbian couple’s family by suing their sperm donor for child support.

- A Baptist Church in Iowa City has decided to begin recognizing same-sex marriages.

- A pizza food truck refused to serve a customer that was accosting a gay couple, and its other patrons stood up for the couple as well.

- Two polls show a majority of Brits support marriage equality.

- Mexico has apparently lifted its ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood.

- In Argentina, 5,839 same-sex couples have gotten married since 2010, and 1,720 transgender people have obtained new IDs since they were able in 2012.

- Torii Hunter of the Detroit Tigers says that “as a Christian,” he would find it “difficult and uncomfortable” to accept openly gay baseball players.

- In what may be a first, ESPN showed an openly gay male pro athlete, bowling champion Scott Norton, kissing his husband on the air:

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January 2 News: Fiscal Cliff Deal Extends Wind Tax Credits One Year

The wind energy industry in the U.S. breathed a sigh of relief as Congress passed a fiscal cliff deal on Tuesday that included an extension of the wind energy tax credits for wind projects that start in 2013. [GigaOm]

A bill to provide tens of billions of dollars in federal aid to states pummeled by Hurricane Sandy was in danger of dying Tuesday night as the House seemed headed for adjournment without taking up the legislation. [New York Times]

This year, summer came on like a grudge, with record-breaking heat, inescapable drought, and the sense that the effects of climate change had arrived – and that life in America’s mythic frontier might never be the same. [Men's Journal]

A new analysis of temperature records indicates that the Western Antarctic Ice Sheet is warming nearly twice as fast as previously thought. [BBC]

Annual gas prices hit a record high in 2012, the AAA motor club said Monday. On average, the national gas price for the year was $3.60 per gallon, eclipsing last year’s record of $3.51 per gallon. AAA attributed the increase to weather events and global turmoil. [The Hill]

A new study published this week in the journal Geophysical Research Letters provides a look at a dynamic that may further accelerate the Arctic ice melt: the rate at which the ocean underneath the ice absorbs sunlight. [New York Times]

Renewable energy has not yet won the battle for market share over fossil fuels but it appears to be doing well when it comes to mind share, according to a survey by Dow Jones’ Factiva service. [Forbes]

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Justiceline: January 2, 2013

Welcome to Justiceline, ThinkProgress Justice’s morning round-up of the latest legal news and developments. Remember to follow us on Twitter at @TPJustice

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Econ 101: January 2, 2013

Welcome to ThinkProgress Economy’s morning link roundup. This is what we’re reading. Have you seen any interesting news? Let us know in the comments section. You can also follow ThinkProgress Economy on Twitter.

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