Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.19.14
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
CLIMATE
Global warming will cut crop harvests 2% each decade, say researchers (via The Guardian)
Scientists warn of global warming’s abrupt changes (via Los Angeles Times)
White House launches new climate data initiative (via Washington Post)
A steady 57% in US blame humans for global warming (via Gallup)
NATURAL GAS
Keystone foes take aim at Maryland natural gas export terminal (via Bloomberg)
New York pipeline blast shakes up an industry (via Christian Science Monitor)
RENEWABLES
Hints of a settlement in the US-China solar panel trade case (via Greentech Media)
These 16 states will install the most solar PV in 2014 (via Greentech Media)
Cellulosic fuels company KiOR has “substantial doubts” about its future, funding needed by April 1 (via Green Car Reports)
SolarCity on track to install half a gigawatt of solar in 2014 (via Greentech Media)
New algorithm improves small wind turbine efficiency (via Phys.org)
Ohio approves 300MW wind farm (via Recharge)
Minnesota paves the way for solar advocates nationwide (via Renewable Energy World)
Cape Wind offshore wind project wins important legal victory (via Triple Pundit)
Minnesota takes step to link energy loans with utility bill (via Midwest Energy News)
KEYSTONE XL
Despite opposition, many landowners await Keystone XL pipeline (via ABC News/AP)
EMISSIONS
Atmospheric CO2 to cross 400ppm threshold for a month (via Climate Central)
Chongqing’s draft carbon market plan calls for cuts from 2014 (via Reuters)
China’s Shanghai aims for cleaner energy, lower CO2 growth (via Reuters)
OIL
US energy boom needs $641 billion in infrastructure, says study (via Houston Chronicle)
Faced with production declines, drillers cook up new recipes for growth (via EnergyWire)
Fewer firms submit bids in offshore Gulf drilling auction (via Houston Chronicle)
TRANSPORTATION
Efficiency, emissions rules to squeeze California gasoline demand (via Bloomberg)
COAL
Coal exports are dragging down Indonesia’s economy – is the US next? (via Huffington Post)
Study says coal demand has hit rock bottom (via Houston Chronicle)
GRID
Grid evolves, and FERC isn’t just for energy wonks anymore (via Greenwire)
Should consumers bear the cost to upgrade the grid? (via National Journal)
OPINION
What the world will look like if Elon Musk becomes the next Henry Ford (via Quartz)
Fracking’s odd new friend: Vladimir Putin (via National Journal)