[GWSG] Cheap solar; grid parity; S Korean cap & trade; cost of C; health over $; CH4 regs; CH4 emissions

[Tilley, Al]

1.  Rooftop solar is cheaper than utility rates in 48 of the 50 largest US cities.  Over the 25 year life of the system the return on investment is likely to be greater than that of a stock index fund.  The advantages are calculated on a 5% 25 year loan for a 5kw system.  http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/energy/2015/01/report-rooftop-solar-already-cheaper-than-utility.html

2.  Deutsche Bank estimates that solar power will have reached grid parity in 80% of the global market by 2017.  The rate of conversion to solar power is already high and climbing.  http://reneweconomy.com.au/2015/solar-grid-parity-world-2017

3.  South Korea has launched the second largest cap and trade system (after the EU’s) as part of a plan to reduce emissions 30% by 2020.  http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/01/12/3610553/south-korea-cap-and-trade/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=cptop3&utm_campaign=cptop3&elq=~~eloqua..type--emailfield..syntax--recipientid~~&elqCampaignId=~~eloqua..type--campaign..campaignid--0..fieldname--id~~

4.  A Nature Climate Change paper argues that the social cost of carbon should be six times higher than the estimate used by the US administration.  Raising the estimate would influence the cost-benefit analysis of policies and lead to more aggressive action.  http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060011557

5.  A group of homeowners supplied with smart thermostats and reminded of the money saved by cutting usage failed to lower consumption.  Others informed of the health benefits of cutting energy usage dropped their consumption markedly—by 19%, among those with children.  Few people are aware of the health impact of burning fossil fuels or of climate disruption.  http://www.dailyclimate.org/tdc-newsroom/2015/01/energy-savings-health-benefits

6.  The Obama administration has released the first draft of methane regulations, aimed at new equipment and calling for voluntary monitoring and reporting from the industry.  The most significant features of the plans are the target (40-45% reduction of methane emissions by 2025 on a 2012 base) and the fact that the process of regulating methane is underway.  http://ecowatch.com/2015/01/14/new-methane-regulations/?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=8d8f89c0e2-Top_News_1_14_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-8d8f89c0e2-85965093

7.  Methane emissions in the LA Basin are 61% higher than government estimates.  http://www.latimes.com/science/la-me-methane-emissions-20150114-story.html
Since the 2012 methane emissions estimates must be unreasonably low, thanks in part to industry pressure, a 40% reduction of that base by 2025 will be quite a cut indeed if the emissions are honestly monitored.  Voluntary monitoring is not a sound idea.
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