Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.17.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN 

Shutdown’s science fallout could last for years (via Politico)

Obama plans to renew immigration, climate change efforts (via Washington Post)

States won’t get paid back for reopening national parks (via Politico)

EMISSIONS 

Angela Merkel signals hope for EU carbon market fix (via BusinessGreen)

Repealing Australia’s carbon tax: Hidden costs, unanswered questions (via Recharge)

Harvard: University endowments shouldn’t be ruled by climate change (via Triple Pundit)

Refiners join “social cost of carbon” lobbying fray (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Report: Grid parity for renewables “a reality in coming years” (via BusinessGreen)

Onshore wind closes in on fossil fuel costs (via Recharge)

Ocean energy technologies speeding toward commercialization (via Renewable Energy World)

Small wind sees big UK growth (via Recharge)

Phasing out the PTC as wind nears grid parity (via Breaking Energy)

US biodiesel production to surpass RFS target for second straight year (via Green Car Congress)

US ethanol in throes of tumult (via EarthTechling)

Solving energy poverty with solar light bulbs: Nokero product review (via CleanTechnica)

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada expects US decision on Keystone XL by end of March (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU auto emissions rule: First the announcement, then the uproar (via New York Times)

Commercial fleets leading US move away from oil-based vehicle fuels (via Houston Chronicle)

Fuel economy of new vehicles continues to improve (via EarthTechling)

Tesla leads in transfer of California ZEV credits for year ending September 30, 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

Repeal of Virginia hybrid vehicle tax in the works (via Richmond Times-Dispatch)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Asian investors, LNG buyers look to North America as Australia taps out (via Reuters)

Marcellus gas about to enter New York City, but New England is a tougher sell (via EnergyWire)

Groups claim Ohio becoming “radioactive waste dump” for fracking companies (via Columbus Business Journal)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Low natural gas price to hamper US energy efficiency, says IEA (via Bloomberg)

World’s largest net zero building opens in Los Altos, California (via EarthTechling)

GRID 

Why colleges are big believers in microgrids (via GreenBiz)

Corporations embrace microgrids in threat to utilities (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

California’s top oil regulator on fracking, climate change, fossil fuels (via National Journal)

OPINION 

What oil-hungry China means for the rest of the world (via Christian Science Monitor)

Is the hub of corporate sustainability moving toward Asia? (via The Guardian)

Grocery Bag Crafts: Make ‘Em and Make *with* ‘Em

Grocery Bag Crafts

Want to make your own grocery totes or try your hand a grocery bag crafts? We have project ideas for you!

You know that you should be bringing your own reusable grocery bags to the store, but sometimes you forget, right? We all do! Here are a couple of craft ideas for DIY grocery bags that you can make and a couple of grocery bag crafts to make the best of a bad situation when you forget your reusable bags at home.

How to Make a Grocery Bag

There are lots of ways that you can make your own grocery bags, and we've got a couple of simple ones for you!

DIY Mesh Grocery Bag - Got an old t-shirt? Turn it into a mesh grocery bag that's easy to stash in your purse.

Coffee Sack Grocery Bag - Transform an old coffee sack into a sturdy market tote. If you don't have one in your stash, try asking around at local coffee shops. They're often happy to part with any extras they have.

Grocery Bag Crafts

Did you forget your bag at home? Instead of beating yourself up, get crafty! We've got two options for you: one for paper and one for plastic.

DIY Paper Fruit Basket - This project uses old-school basket weaving skills to turn a paper grocery bag into a cute counter top fruit basket.

Fused Plastic Place Mat - This is the simplest plastic fusing project ever. Grab your iron, and make yourself some place mats!

Do you have a favorite tutorial for making a grocery bag or a favorite grocery bag craft? Tell us yours in the comments!