Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.9.13

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

EMISSIONS 

US Supreme Court to hear cross-state air pollution rule (via The Hill)

Companies increasingly counting internal cost of carbon (via BusinessGreen)

Eastern US states press Midwest to improve air (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

LNG’s future hinges on demand more than exports (via Houston Chronicle)

Battle widens over “gas rush” climate footprint (via National Journal)

Marcellus region to provide 18% total US natural gas production this month (via US EIA)

USGS sending instruments to record Texas quakes (via EnergyWire)

Ohio shale gas boom closer than many realize (via Cleveland Plain-Dealer)

RENEWABLES 

US wind farms get extended leeway on eagle deaths (via Los Angeles Times)

Which states win and which states lose on the Production Tax Credit? (via CleanTechnica)

Wind energy projects rush to start construction in advance of expiring PTC – again (via Energy Collective)

Has concentrated solar power run out of steam in the US? (via Greentech Media)

Reservoir emissions: A quiet threat to expanding hydropower (via ClimateWire)

Bioports emerge as runway for aviation biofuels (via Navigant Research)

New wind farms in New Mexico, Texas, Minnesota cost just 2.2-3.3 cents/KWh (via Facts of the Day)

TVA to increase renewable energy capacity by 126MW in 2014 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

California utility merges forecasting, weather, economics to handle renewables (via Greentech Media)

Wind power and wildlife can get along, birders say (via EarthTechling)

Kansas lawmaker, religious allies push for renewable energy (via News OK/AP)

KEYSTONE XL 

Clock ticks on Canadian carbon rules as Keystone decision looms (via National Journal)

CLIMATE 

Study says Arctic thaw tied to European, US heat waves and downpours (via Reuters)

Can hacking the stratosphere solve climate change? (via NPR)

US Navy predicts summer ice-free Arctic by 2016 (via The Guardian)

Australian firefighter numbers “will need to double by 2030 as climate change bites” (via The Guardian)

What London would have looked like on Friday without flood defenses (via Forbes)

Two big issues to tackle as the green climate fund sets up shop (via WRI Insights)

OIL 

Oil near $98 as US economy shows improvement (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Offshore drilling industry takes aim at safety rule (via Houston Chronicle)

Northeast Nevada eyed for more oil exploration (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

US partners with China to put auto emissions in check (via Washington Post)

Advanced batteries reached $10.8 billion in market value in 2012 (via Navigant Research)

Average new-vehicle MPG ratings continue to climb, now up to 24.8 (via Autoblog Green)

Americans are driving less and taking public transit more: Let’s invest accordingly (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Minnesota orders Xcel Energy to study shutting down two large coal units (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Will costs delay energy efficiency gains in developing countries? (via Breaking Energy)

Interest groups call on EPA to write energy efficiency into upcoming regulations (via National Journal)

Expanded “Green Button” will reach federal agencies, more US energy consumers (via Energy.gov)

OPINION 

Four possible scenarios for Australia’s energy future (via CleanTechnica)

Five ways wind power can survive without extending the Production Tax Credit (via Christian Science Monitor)

How best can we use natural gas, or should we use it at all? (via National Journal)

Bye, bye biofuels: Why the US Renewable Fuels Standard failed (via Forbes)

The fracking-earthquake connection (Dallas Morning News)

Monterey Shale isn’t all it’s fracked up to be (via Smart Planet)

Cap, trade, and profit (via Albany Times-Union)

Renewable energy might save thousands of lives in Ohio (via Crain’s Cleveland Business)

Homemade Food Gifts for the Holiday

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vegan cookies-in-a-jar from Vegan Richa

There are so many reasons to choose homemade foods. Not only do homemade foods always taste better than their packaged, boxed and plastic-wrapped counterparts, homemade foods are infinitely more healthy. Processed foods are notoriously laden with sugar, salt, fats, oils, preservatives, chemicals and fillers. When you make your own goodies, you know where everything comes from, what the ingredients are, and you can infuse all your foods with love and positive energy.

One of the best ways to share homemade foods is to give food gifts for the holidays. I've already decided that my friends and family will be receiving either homemade granola, cookie mix or homemade sauerkraut for this year. Everyone is always asking after my recipes, so what better way to share my foods and hopefully inspire people to find their path to healthier living?! Here are some of the best ideas I found for homemade food gifts to share this holiday season (there are a few bonus homemade non-food items too!). What's your favorite homemade gift for the holiday?

Cookies in a Jar: Everyone loves cookies, but not everyone feels like they are qualified as bakers. Take the guesswork out of homemade cookies with cookie mixes in a jar. Choose your favorite cookie recipe, make a cute recipe card, and give away goodness! Here's a recipe and tutorial from Vegan Richa, one of my favorite vegan cooking blogs.

Homemade Granola: This is the homemade granola recipe that I will be sharing with my friends and family. It's so easy, wholesome and deliciously more flavorful than the stuff in boxes. Best of all, oats are pretty cheap, so this gift is a pretty affordable option for those of us on a tight holiday budget. Find unique jars at thrift stores to make it extra special, or use little fancy baggies with handwritten notes.

Homemade tea mixes: Show off your flair for spices and herbs with homemade tea gifts. Choose your favorite tea (red, green, black or white), mix in your favorite herbs (lavender, camomile, vanilla, spices) and place in a cute jar for months of happy holiday memories. Find small, cute jars lying around your kitchen or at the thrift store and get packing! Here's a cute tutorial for homemade chai tea from the Kitchn.

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homemade chai mix from the Kitchn

Homemade Whipped Body Butter: Give the gift of natural beauty! Homemade body butter is made with awesome ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil and more for a luxurious treat for someone special. Here's a Mint Chocolate Body Butter from Mommypotamus. Yums!

For the dog-lovers, Homemade Doggie Biscuits: Even our furry friends need good food! Treat the canine in your life to special treats with this great list of homemade dog treats from the Kitchn.

And of a whole mess of other great ideas, check out this great post from 100 Days of Real food for instructions for making homemade vanilla extract, homemade breads, and homemade spice mixes.

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love your doggies