Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.28.14

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

CLIMATE 

IPCC report: Climate change felt “on all continents and across the oceans” (via The Guardian)

Sinking island nations battle tides of climate change (via Deutche Welle)

Facing rising seas, Bangladesh confronts climate change consequences (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS 

Environmentalists debate impacts of LNG exports on global warming (via Greenwire)

Fracking the USA: New map shows 1 million oil, gas wells (via Climate Central)

Report says each Marcellus gas well costs thousands in road damage (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

RENEWABLES 

2013: Renewable energy’s best of times, worst of times (via CleanTechnica)

Future of Chile’s energy sector lies with renewables, shows new report (via Renewable Energy World)

Wind power “could yield €8.3 billion” for Ireland (via Recharge)

As solar prices fall, wind still finds a role in microgrids (via Navigant Research)

New US wind power projects fall 93% in 2013 (via The Hill)

As net metering battles move to small markets, solar advocates claim early victories (via Energy Collective)

Solar “net metering” extended by California regulators (via San Francisco Chronicle)

California utility PG&E exceeds 20% renewable energy standard (via Greentech Media)

BOEM to hold competitive Maryland offshore wind energy lease auction this summer (via Recharge)

Waste-to-energy could help Wisconsin expand sustainable energy (via Journal-Sentinel)

Kansas flirts with repeal of renewable energy standard (via EnergyWire)

Virginia awards $860,000 in offshore wind research (via Virginian-Pilot)

EMISSIONS 

RGGI announces 2015 CO2 allocation (via Environmental Leader)

OIL 

One year after Exxon’s Arkansas spill, basic questions still unanswered (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

EVs, plug-ins already saving 45 million gallons of gasoline per year in US (via Autoblog Green)

COAL 

North Carolina inspectors failed to notice crack before coal ash spill (via The Guardian)

ENVIRONMENT 

Water, wildlife surge back into once-parched Colorado River delta (via Los Angeles Times)

US lists lesser prairie chicken as threatened, energy groups wary (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Ohio GOP drafts plan to freeze state’s renewable, energy efficiency rules (via Columbus Dispatch)

Indiana governor lets energy efficiency program expire (via Indianapolis Star)

OPINION 

Can evolution outrace climate change? (via FiveThirtyEight)

Spring training, and Spring, starting way earlier than usual (via Bloomberg)

Three utilities most likely to fall in death spiral, via Morningstar (via Forbes)

How distributed energy resources affect US capacity markets (via Solar Industry)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.15.13

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

COP 19 

US, EU reject Brazil’s call for climate equity metric (via Bloomberg)

US envoys told to block climate compensation plans at UN (via RTCC)

COAL 

China’s smog threatens health of global coal projects (via Reuters)

Tennessee Valley Authority to close eight large coal-fired power plants (via Washington Post)

Coal-free power from Constellation will save Chicago $1.2 million over two years (via Energy Manager Today)

RENEWABLES 

Global PV module pricing to stay flat in 2014, polysilicon pricing to increase 25% (via Greentech Media)

Bonds backed by solar power payments get nod (via New York Times)

US EPA to unveil biofuel rules as soon as Friday (via Reuters)

32 US senators urge administration to support US biodiesel (via National Journal)

Clean Energy Pipeline reports US clean tech project investment falloff (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Google to invest in six more large solar panel farms in the Southwest US (via GigaOm)

Arizona preserves net metering by charging a small fee to solar owners (via Greentech Media)

Clean energy adds jobs, growth to Michigan and New York (via EarthTechling)

Top 10 things you didn’t know about concentrating solar power (via Breaking Energy)

Are solar panels facing the wrong direction? (via Greentech media)

OIL 

Bakken oil production forecast to top 1 million barrels per day in December (via US EIA)

Exxon overlooked, masked safety threats in years before Pegasus pipeline burst (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Study: US drivers have fewer cars, drive them less, use less gas (via Green Car Reports)

Can California charge ahead to one million EVs within ten years? (via CleanTechnica)

EPA chief: Fuel mandate safe for cars (via The Hill)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Gas exports could put nation in “danger zone,” trade group tells Moniz (via Houston Chronicle)

Colorado’s new fracking bans may be on shaky legal ground (via Denver Business Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Japan slashes climate reduction target amid nuclear shutdown (via BBC News)

California approves offsets to ease compliance with carbon rules (via Sacramento Bee)

California court upholds state’s right to sell carbon permits (via Reuters)

California marks first anniversary of cap-and-trade (via Energy Collective)

NUCLEAR 

Last shipment of nuclear fuel from Russian bombs heads to US (via New York Times)

In Illinois, nuclear industry sees no urgency on waste storage (via Midwest Energy News)

CLIMATE 

Panel warns of “catastrophic” gap in weather satellite data (via Climate Central)

Want to piss off the White House? Talk about climate change (via Mother Jones)

Delaware governor links typhoon and climate change (via Politico)

GRID 

CEOs of 16 largest power grid operators call for greater investment in reliability and resilience (via Renew Grid)

Tennessee Valley Authority move demonstrates market for Clean Line project (via The Oklahoman)

ENVIRONMENT 

These maps show where the Earth’s forests are vanishing (via Washington Post)

Amazon deforestation increases by nearly a third in one year (via The Guardian)

POLITICS 

Obama filling out energy team (via The Hill)

Chief of Natural Resources Defense Council to retire in 2014 (via The Hill)

The four most frustrating moments from Thursday’s EPA hearing (via Climate Progress)

OPINION 

Is nuclear power the answer? (via New York Times)

Five ways buildings have reached a “GREEN” tipping point (via GreenBiz)

Variety is critical to growing EV charging market (via Navigant Research)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.7.13

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

CLIMATE 

Climate talks will open in Poland amid flurry of new scientific warnings (via InsideClimate News)

UK and South Korea agree to collaborate on tackling climate change (via RTCC)

Resilient cities from Ahmedabad to Atlantic City prepare for climate change (via Energy Collective)

WRI lifts the veil on new climate analysis tool (via GreenBiz)

ENERGY POLICY 

Fossil fuel subsidies costing rich countries $112 per person (via BusinessGreen)

Western voters say no to fossil fuels (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

North America remains the leading region for microgrid deployments (via Navigant Research)

RENEWABLES 

Poland seeks 40% cut in renewable energy costs by 2014 (via Bloomberg)

UK offshore wind capacity grows 80% over past year (via BusinessGreen)

Report highlights values of geothermal in today’s renewable power market (via BusinessWire)

Solar, wind, and biofuels team up to push for funding in farm bill (via Midwest Energy News/E&E Daily)

Reaching beyond the roof: Three strategies for corporate investments in solar (via Renewable Energy World)

US DOE awards $12 million to cut solar soft costs (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Nuclear giant Exelon taps wind tax credit that it’s trying to kill (via Greenwire)

COAL 

Two Australian coal mines would create 3x Keystone emissions, 6x UK’s annual emissions (via The Guardian)

Bad news for Big Coal in Whatcom County (via Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

EMISSIONS 

“Unburnable” carbon fuels investment concerns (via The Guardian)

China cracks down on emissions to combat choking smog (via The Guardian)

Carbon tax advocate seeks to shake up EPA power plant debate (via The Hill)

Burning biomass pellets could lower China’s mercury emissions (via Phys.org)

Boston cuts emissions from city government operations 16% (via Environmental Leader)

OIL 

US oil industry may invoke trade law to challenge export ban (via Bloomberg)

Shell launches formal bid to resume Arctic drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

Exxon faces $2.7 million fine for Arkansas pipeline spill (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Canada more than doubled number of EVs to pass 4,000 cars last year (via Green Car Congress)

US electric car sales have increased 361% so far in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

West Coast’s I-5 corridor EV fast charge stations getting lots of use (via Autoblog Green)

For Tesla Motors, success is all about the batteries (via MIT Technology Review)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

China’s first coal-to-gas plant soon to pump gas to Beijing (via Reuters)

Local bans set up a showdown over fracking in Colorado (via Time)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Building toward “nearly zero energy” cities (via Phys.org)

Massachusetts ranked most energy-efficient state (via National Journal)

Opower planning IPO amidst billion-dollar behavioral efficiency opportunity (via Greentech Media)

NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facility earns LEED Platinum (via Energy Manager Today)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL developer: Other pipeline companies will face similar hurdles (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

Texas passes $2 billion drought fund, putting faith in government to secure water future (via Climate Progress)

OPINION 

How do we secure a strong, international climate agreement by 2015? (via WRI Insights)

Big business wants renewable energy, but it ain’t easy (via RMI Outlet)

Will Warsaw talks fuel a pact? (via Politico)

Crowdfunding for renewables: A game changer? (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.9.13

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canada formally offers to limit emissions if US approves Keystone XL (via Climate Progress)

Keystone pipeline foe Steyer launches $1 million ad push (via The Hill)

Dilbit in Exxon’s Pegasus pipeline may have contributed to rupture (via InsideClimate News)

EMISSIONS 

US, China agree to work on phasing out hydrofluorocarbons (via Washington Post)

Abbott government begins process to repeal carbon tax (via ABC)

Regulatory scholars want feds to review carbon cost estimate (via The Hill)

EPA to hold conference calls with stakeholders on carbon standards for power plants (via Bloomberg BNA)

Trees write air pollution record in wood (via Scientific American)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Shaheen-Portman bill: 172,000 green jobs, huge energy efficiency gains (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

Chinese solar cheaper to manufacture because of industry scale, not cheaper labor (via CleanTechnica)

Australian renewable energy industry braces for Abbott (via Recharge)

UK urged to back EU biofuels cap (via The Guardian)

Finland looks to ease wind permitting in developed areas (via Recharge)

Dutch set 4.4GW offshore wind goal (via Recharge)

China idles fewer wind farms as grid connections smoothed (via Bloomberg)

US solar will generate as much as today’s nuclear plants, or 20% of US power, by 2026 (via Facts of the Day)

Pilot program launched to make solar more economical for electric cooperatives (via Renew Grid)

Could US solar demand bring PV manufacturing back? (via Solar Industry Magazine)

US Navy triples funding for clean energy in Hawaii (via CleanTechnica)

Renewable energy entrepreneur is China’s latest billionaire (via Forbes)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

House to take aim at fracking regulations (via The Hill)

US Forest Service set to decide on fracking in George Washington National Forest (via Washington Post)

FracFocus straining under heavy use as BLM weighs disclosure regulation (via EnergyWire)

CLIMATE 

Arab Summer: Warming-fueled drought helped spark Syria’s civil war (via Climate Progress)

Poland outlines ambition for 2013 UN climate summit (via RTCC)

Scientists studying solar radiation management as a way to cool planet (via Washington Post)

Ice melting faster in Greenland and Antarctica, show leaked UN documents (via Bloomberg)

Bloomberg, Steyer to launch big climate push (via The Hill)

Drones find new purpose studying Arctic ice melt (via Climate Central)

ENERGY POLICY 

China looks west as it bolsters energy ties (via New York Times)

Surprising trends in summer energy use across US (via Inhabitat)

GREEN BUSINESS 

FIFA sets green goal for 2014 Brazil World Cup (via BusinessGreen)

AASHE updates college sustainability rating system (via Environmental Leader)

Executives want sustainable products, but will they walk the talk? (via GreenBiz)

Seeking investments that are profitable and green (via New York Times)

NUCLEAR 

South Korea nuclear issues, tower protests raise blackout risks (via Reuters)

Radiation levels spike at Fukushima disaster site (via CleanTechnica)

Study supports nuclear waste disposal near Great Lakes (via Midwest Energy News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla worries about battery supply as it increases vehicle production (via New York Times)

Is $35,000 or less the threshold price for volume EVs? (via Green Car Reports)

US gasoline rises to $3.58 a gallon (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

X Prize unveils $2 million award to prevent ocean acidification (via USA Today)

Rim Fire is third-largest wildfire in California’s history (via NPR)

In South Florida, a polluted water bubble ready to burst (via New York Times)

OPINION 

3 big takeaways from the new global commitment to phase down HFCs (via WRI Insights)

The president and the pipeline (via New Yorker)

Net metering polices helping to spur solar growth (via Huffington Post)

How big business can save the climate (via Council on Foreign Relations)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.16.13

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

CLIMATE 

Climate change may have ended late Bronze Age civilizations (via Los Angeles Times)

Apples losing their crunch to global warming (via Agence-France Presse)

Online map guides Great Lakes climate change adaptation planning (via CleanTechnica)

Climate change may be easing devastating 2012 drought (via Climate Central)

Plants in US Southwest moving higher as the climate warms (via Yale e360)

Researchers flying over Western wildfire sampling smoke to study role in climate change (via Washington Post/AP)

NUCLEAR 

US nuclear power plants vulnerable to 9/11-style attacks (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil plans for 9GW wind energy tender across 377 locations (via Recharge)

Canadian solar sees grid parity for big projects in 5 years (via Renew Economy)

A novel way to cut the cost of advanced biofuels (via MIT Technology Review)

Investments in existing hydropower unlock more clean energy (via Energy.gov)

Proof that renewables can out-compete coal (via The Energy Collective)

White House solar panels being installed this week (via Washington Post)

Oklahoma wind developers say they’ll have enough projects for Clean Line transmission project (via The Oklahoman)

North Carolina coastal residents get glimpse of proposed offshore wind farm (via News Observer)

Four Texas wind projects will combine into world’s largest community-owned wind farm (via Plainview Daily Herald)

Clean Line “overwhelmed” by wind developer response to RFI (via Renew Grid)

Goodhue wind project foes ready to celebrate its defeat (via Minnesota Public Radio)

Wisconsin renewable energy firms, public urge state to rethink solar credit suspension (via Journal Sentinel)

OIL 

US and China oil consumption and imports: a tale of two very different countries (via Houston Chronicle)

Nicaragua to start exploring for oil in the Caribbean (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Ecuador scraps forest protection plan to drill for oil (via Reuters Point Carbon)

As railroad tank cars roll through, Texas towns prepare for accidents (via StateImpact Texas)

TRANSPORTATION 

US to bring gas mileage rule to hybrid era (via New York Times)

Could electric cars threaten the grid? (via MIT Technology Review)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Work begins as oil sands pipeline gains fast-track approval (via Midwest Energy News)

ExxonMobil may retire pipeline that burst in Arkansas (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

EMISSIONS 

New Zealand scales back 2020 carbon reduction target (via BusinessGreen)

Denmark publishes 78 ideas to curb emissions (via RTCC)

Redwood trees store triple the carbon (via Sustainable Business)

Texas businesses back greenhouse gas emissions law (via New York Times)

GRID 

FERC revises energy storage regulations to improve market competition (via Energy Manager Today)

New flow battery could enable cheaper, more efficient energy storage (via Phys.org)

Microgrids get big test in Connecticut (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Foreseeing trouble in exporting natural gas (via New York Times)

Could local politics derail West Coast LNG export plans? (via Breaking Energy)

Fracking boom could lead to housing bust (via Grist)

Pennsylvania will pass Louisiana to be second top US gas producing state in 2013 (via Facts of the Day)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Smart windows could spark energy efficiency revolution (via RTCC)

Energy Saver 101: Home energy audits (via Energy.gov)

OPINION 

Climate policy’s twin challenges (via Los Angeles Times)

Renewable fuels make a difference (via USA Today)

Separating fact from fiction in accounts of Germany’s renewable revolution (via RMI Outlet)

Top 8 things you didn’t know about distributed wind (via Department of Energy)

Are utilities ready for the coming death spiral? (via Greentech Media)

How utilities can adapt when big box retailers go solar (via GreenBiz)

How carbon dioxide regulations could actually hurt renewables (via MIT Technology Review)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.12.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Australia can achieve 25% emissions cut by 2020, says report (via RTCC)

Obama’s regulations chief plunges into carbon policy fray (via The Hill)

California to hold carbon auction as it considers giving away more allowances for free (via Bloomberg BNA)

GRID 

Flexible grid is the key to a clean energy future (via CleanTechnica)

633 energy storage projects now underway worldwide (via CleanTechnica)

White House calls for increased grid spending (via AP)

Ten years after northeast blackout, US power grid smarter and sturdier (via Reuters)

California aims to “bottle sunlight” in energy storage push (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Solar shipments surge in second quarter as demand rises in Asia (via Bloomberg)

Western Australia backs down on solar feed-in tariff (via Renewable Energy World)

Honda goes solar in Japan, will sell renewable energy in 2015 (via Autoblog Green)

Interior Department halfway to its renewables goal, but hurdles remain (via Center for American Progress)

Bid to repeal ethanol mandate seen diluted by EPA change (via Bloomberg)

US wind power prices down to $0.04 per kWh (via CleanTechnica)

Small wind makes big gains in US (via EarthTechling)

Wind power company Pattern Energy to seek IPO (via EarthTechling)

Stained glass windows on cathedral are solar panels (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

Switch to coal power held back in gas-starved India (via Reuters)

EPA confirms coal ash contaminates water across the country (via Climate Progress)

Interior Department proposes changes to royalties, land restrictions for coal mines (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Arctic sea ice loss dramatically slows, record minimum unlikely in 2013 (via Washington Post)

Antarctic ozone layer hole may be adding to global warming (via NBC News)

Tiny Pacific islands make big plans for climate resilience (via ClimateWire)

Agriculture assets face $8 trillion risk from climate change, water scarcity (via Environmental Leader)

How two reservoirs have become billboards for what climate change is doing to the American West (via Climate Progress)

Prepare buildings to withstand climate change, says Boston study (via Energy Manager Today)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

California legislature faces bills on fracking (via Los Angeles Times)

Methane leaks could be big business (via Wyoming Star-Tribune)

ENVIRONMENT 

China plans to spend more to tackle environmental pollution (via Reuters)

Half of the US is under threat of floods (via ABC News)

To save water, parched southwest cities ask homeowners to lose the lawn (via New York Times)

OIL 

Mexico moves to relax decades-old grip on oil (via Houston Chronicle)

Is peak oil demand just around the corner? (via Washington Post)

Amid pipeline debate, two costly oil spill cleanups forever change towns (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla Model S hits the European market (via CleanTechnica)

Japan moves to become a plug-in EV leader (via Navigant Research)

Southern California utility girds for 350,000 electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

States pressure feds to cut energy efficiency backlog (via Stateline)

NUCLEAR 

South Korea warns of power shortages amid nuclear shut downs (via Reuters)

Taiwan says nuclear water still leaking inside power plant (via Bloomberg)

Florida residents angered over scrapped nuclear plant (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

ENERGY POLICY 

German utilities hammered in market favoring renewables (via Bloomberg)

Finally, the US considers a national energy bill (via Navigant Research)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Oil sands industry turns to algae to appease Obama (via Bloomberg)

Exxon knew its Arkansas pipeline was old, defective and brittle, but still added new stresses (via InsideClimate News)

Who really discovered the 2011 Keystone leak? (via EnergyWire)

POLITICS 

In his second term, Obama becomes bolder on the environment (via Washington Post)

League of Conservation Voters launch $2 million campaign targeting climate change skeptics (via The Hill)

Ex-FERC commissioners defend nominee Binz (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Why the World Bank is taking on climate change (via National Journal)

Three ways ALEC will push its fossil fuel agenda this year (via Climate Progress)

Massive demand for solar in Asia shows us where the industry is headed (via Climate Progress)

The cellulosic ethanol industry faces big challenges (via MIT Technology Review)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.12.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Australia can achieve 25% emissions cut by 2020, says report (via RTCC)

Obama’s regulations chief plunges into carbon policy fray (via The Hill)

California to hold carbon auction as it considers giving away more allowances for free (via Bloomberg BNA)

GRID 

Flexible grid is the key to a clean energy future (via CleanTechnica)

633 energy storage projects now underway worldwide (via CleanTechnica)

White House calls for increased grid spending (via AP)

Ten years after northeast blackout, US power grid smarter and sturdier (via Reuters)

California aims to “bottle sunlight” in energy storage push (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Solar shipments surge in second quarter as demand rises in Asia (via Bloomberg)

Western Australia backs down on solar feed-in tariff (via Renewable Energy World)

Honda goes solar in Japan, will sell renewable energy in 2015 (via Autoblog Green)

Interior Department halfway to its renewables goal, but hurdles remain (via Center for American Progress)

Bid to repeal ethanol mandate seen diluted by EPA change (via Bloomberg)

US wind power prices down to $0.04 per kWh (via CleanTechnica)

Small wind makes big gains in US (via EarthTechling)

Wind power company Pattern Energy to seek IPO (via EarthTechling)

Stained glass windows on cathedral are solar panels (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

Switch to coal power held back in gas-starved India (via Reuters)

EPA confirms coal ash contaminates water across the country (via Climate Progress)

Interior Department proposes changes to royalties, land restrictions for coal mines (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Arctic sea ice loss dramatically slows, record minimum unlikely in 2013 (via Washington Post)

Antarctic ozone layer hole may be adding to global warming (via NBC News)

Tiny Pacific islands make big plans for climate resilience (via ClimateWire)

Agriculture assets face $8 trillion risk from climate change, water scarcity (via Environmental Leader)

How two reservoirs have become billboards for what climate change is doing to the American West (via Climate Progress)

Prepare buildings to withstand climate change, says Boston study (via Energy Manager Today)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

California legislature faces bills on fracking (via Los Angeles Times)

Methane leaks could be big business (via Wyoming Star-Tribune)

ENVIRONMENT 

China plans to spend more to tackle environmental pollution (via Reuters)

Half of the US is under threat of floods (via ABC News)

To save water, parched southwest cities ask homeowners to lose the lawn (via New York Times)

OIL 

Mexico moves to relax decades-old grip on oil (via Houston Chronicle)

Is peak oil demand just around the corner? (via Washington Post)

Amid pipeline debate, two costly oil spill cleanups forever change towns (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla Model S hits the European market (via CleanTechnica)

Japan moves to become a plug-in EV leader (via Navigant Research)

Southern California utility girds for 350,000 electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

States pressure feds to cut energy efficiency backlog (via Stateline)

NUCLEAR 

South Korea warns of power shortages amid nuclear shut downs (via Reuters)

Taiwan says nuclear water still leaking inside power plant (via Bloomberg)

Florida residents angered over scrapped nuclear plant (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

ENERGY POLICY 

German utilities hammered in market favoring renewables (via Bloomberg)

Finally, the US considers a national energy bill (via Navigant Research)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Oil sands industry turns to algae to appease Obama (via Bloomberg)

Exxon knew its Arkansas pipeline was old, defective and brittle, but still added new stresses (via InsideClimate News)

Who really discovered the 2011 Keystone leak? (via EnergyWire)

POLITICS 

In his second term, Obama becomes bolder on the environment (via Washington Post)

League of Conservation Voters launch $2 million campaign targeting climate change skeptics (via The Hill)

Ex-FERC commissioners defend nominee Binz (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Why the World Bank is taking on climate change (via National Journal)

Three ways ALEC will push its fossil fuel agenda this year (via Climate Progress)

Massive demand for solar in Asia shows us where the industry is headed (via Climate Progress)

The cellulosic ethanol industry faces big challenges (via MIT Technology Review)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.6.13

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

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima emergency declared as radioactive water spills into sea (via The Guardian)

EMISSIONS 

Interpol warns of criminal focus on $176 billion carbon market (via RTCC)

Carbon tax takes center stage as Australian election campaign starts (via RTCC)

Social cost of carbon draws coal, oil industry lobbying (via The Hill)

Virgin Australia blames carbon tax for some of its woes (via Environmental Leader)

COAL

Coal at risk as global lenders drop financing on climate (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

German utilities attack green policies that hurt their profits, hint at leaving (via Reuters)

Aging grid often leaves newly available wind power no place to go (via McClatchy)

K Street powerhouse lobbies for green energy tax bill (via The Hill)

Solar PV capacity expands quickly when states provides the right incentives (via Renewable Energy World)

Wind energy research facility launched to boost wind farm output (via CleanTechnica)

Texas breezes along as US wind power leader (via Houston Chronicle)

How rollover solar credits make a difference in California (via EarthTechling)

Solar net-metering fight flares in Colorado (via EarthTechling)

GRID 

Europe’s biggest energy storage project – yet (via Sustainable Business)

India’s blackout remedy tops $1.6 billion (via Bloomberg)

Climate change adaptations will force extensive changes to US power grid (via Smart Grid Library)

DOE spending $200 million on grid measurement units to avoid blackouts (via Energy Manager Today)

University of California to test energy storage grid services (via Renewable Energy World)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Censored EPA Pennsylvania fracking water contamination presentation published for first time (via DeSmog Blog)

FERC threatens BP with $29 million fine for natural gas market manipulation (via The Hill)

BP says will “vigorously defend” itself in gas manipulation case (via Reuters)

Workers begin relief well at site of Gulf of Mexico natural gas blowout (via Houston Chronicle)

Pennsylvania regulators nix gas drilling wastewater plant (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE

China leading the US on climate-change action (via The Nation/McClatchy)

US-China cooperation turns page in climate diplomacy (via Reuters)

Montreal Protocol may have prevented accelerated climate change (via RTCC)

Marine life reacts faster to warming than land species (via Bloomberg)

Arctic ice grows darker and less reflective (via New Scientist)

Munich Re profits fall sharply on flood claims (via Reuters)

Only 3% of youth are climate deniers, poll says (via EcoAffect)

ENVIRONMENT 

Drought in China leaves nearly 6 million lacking water (via United Press International)

Drought-stricken New Mexico farmers drain aquifer to sell water for fracking (via Climate Progress)

OIL 

Lightning leads to spills and fires in western North Dakota oil patch (via Bismarck Tribune/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Exploring the adoption of EVs in US, Europe, China: changing scenarios and infrastructure (via Green Car Congress)

Electric car sales accelerating through 2013 (via BusinessGreen)

SoCal Edison white paper shares data about PEV usage and charging (via Green Car Reports)

Chevy Volt plug-in EVs now have battery cells made in US (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla could take a financial hit from likely loss of ZEV credits (via Plugin Cars)

GM cuts the 2014 Chevy Volt price tag by $5,000 (via GigaOm)

TAR SANDS

TransCanada to face hurdles in quest for eastern pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)

Arkansas residents home to keep oil spill suit alive (via Houston Chronicle) 

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Near real-time energy use tracked in Washington DC (via Energy Manager Today)

One demand response platform to rule them all in Austin (via Greentech Media)

Zero home is most energy efficient house in America (via EarthTechling)

OPINION 

Will Ukraine be the next energy hub? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Will global warming lead to more war? It’s not that simple. (via Washington Post)

The case for exporting US natural gas (via Breaking Energy)

Beware energy efficiency overpromises (via Energy Collective)

The future of energy: Why power density matters (via Energy Collective)

Duke Energy nuke rip-off costs three times Solyndra but media and Congress yawn (via Green Car Congress)

Will Harvard divest after hiring a new VP of sustainable investing? (via TriplePundit)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.2.13

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

As Keystone stalls, TransCanada OKs bigger East Coast line (via Reuters)

TransCanada to build $300 million New Brunswick tar sands export terminal (via Reuters)

Enviros target Keystone in new pipeline spill video (via Politico)

CLIMATE 

Study: hotter temperatures lead to hotter tempers, more conflict (via AP)

Heat-related deaths in Australia set to quadruple by 2050 (via Climate Progress)

Greenland hits highest temperature ever, almost 80 degrees (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

EU approves China solar deal, no state votes against (via Reuters)

Solar PV about to enter “third growth phase” – Deutsche Bank (via CleanTechnica)

Cuba’s first solar farm a step toward renewables (via Phys.org)

UK bets on offshore wind boom (via Recharge)

Azerbaijan aims to boost renewable energy output to 9.7% total demand (via Renewable Energy World)

ARPA-E announces different path for solar innovation (via Innovation Files)

Matching renewable power, worth billions, to load (via Navigant Research)

Solar energy could supply one-third of power in US West (via Phys.org)

2.8 acres of land generate 1GWh of solar energy per year, says NREL (via Energy Manager Today)

Utility Xcel wants to grow wind portfolio by 30% (via Renew Grid)

Deepwater Wind wins America’s first offshore wind competitive lease sale (via CleanTechnica)

Arizona mulls solar tax (via Sustainable Business)

COAL 

Moniz: coal commitment is part of US national energy strategy (via Huffington Post/AP)

Lummi Nation’s stance could stop proposed Washington coal terminal (via Bellingham Herald)

Scope of Gateway Pacific analysis is bad news for coal industry (via Sightline Daily)

Southern Company vows to continue Mississippi “clean coal” plant despite mounting losses (via ClimateWire)

Will another Illinois coal plant bite the dust? (via Midwest Energy News)

EFFICIENCY 

Japan’s appetite for demand response awakens (via Energy Collective)

America’s most unpopular way of saving energy is one of Europe’s favorites (via Outlier)

EPA to publish companies’ water data (via Environmental Leader)

Washington DC wants to lead the nation in energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Washington DC launches real-time building energy data project (via GigaOm)

NUCLEAR 

Duke Energy shelves major nuclear project in Florida (via Reuters)

Exelon not yet bailing on any of its nuclear reactors (via Crain’s Chicago Business)

Two Missouri universities set to research small modular nuclear reactors (via AP)

GRID 

Companies launch Europe’s largest energy storage trial (via Renew Grid)

Germany rejects EU smart meter recommendations on cost concerns (via Bloomberg)

Connecticut funds statewide microgrid pilot program (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

US oil reserves rise to highest level since 1985 (via Washington Post)

Interior Department meets with oil execs about Gulf accidents (via Houston Chronicle)

Decades-old defect caused Exxon’s Arkansas oil spill (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

During domestic drilling boom, why are gas prices still high? (via StateImpact Texas)

Chevy Volt sales drop to 1,788, Nissan Leaf up to 1,864 in July (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Ernest Moniz: natural gas helps battle climate change – for now (via The Hill)

Insurance issues loom over shale gas development (via EnergyWire)

Scientists, industry, regulators struggle with suspect math of natural gas leaks (via ClimateWire)

Natural gas price increase jumps wholesale electricity prices up to 101% (via Facts of the Day)

EMISSIONS 

Australian emissions target should be 15% by 2020, says Climate Change Authority (via The Guardian)

Japan’s power companies miss their CO2 pledge (via Reuters Point Carbon)

How data centers make high returns from low carbon (via GreenBiz)

Climate Catch-22: how a carbon tax could save coal (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexico president to present energy reform next week (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

70% of Nebraska now in considerable drought (via Omaha World-Herald)

To avoid killing birds with wind turbines, researchers track flight patterns off Maine coast (via Bangor Daily News)

POLITICS 

Right’s new attack on clean energy detailed (via EarthTechnling)

Carbon tax vote looms in House of Representatives (via The Hill)

US lawmakers vote to thwart EPA move on social cost of carbon (via The Hill)

Sally Jewell doesn’t want any climate deniers at Interior (via Grist)

OPINION 

A Republican case for climate action (via New York Times)

How clean energy victory bonds can power our future (via Renewable Energy World)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.2.13

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

As Keystone stalls, TransCanada OKs bigger East Coast line (via Reuters)

TransCanada to build $300 million New Brunswick tar sands export terminal (via Reuters)

Enviros target Keystone in new pipeline spill video (via Politico)

CLIMATE 

Study: hotter temperatures lead to hotter tempers, more conflict (via AP)

Heat-related deaths in Australia set to quadruple by 2050 (via Climate Progress)

Greenland hits highest temperature ever, almost 80 degrees (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

EU approves China solar deal, no state votes against (via Reuters)

Solar PV about to enter “third growth phase” – Deutsche Bank (via CleanTechnica)

Cuba’s first solar farm a step toward renewables (via Phys.org)

UK bets on offshore wind boom (via Recharge)

Azerbaijan aims to boost renewable energy output to 9.7% total demand (via Renewable Energy World)

ARPA-E announces different path for solar innovation (via Innovation Files)

Matching renewable power, worth billions, to load (via Navigant Research)

Solar energy could supply one-third of power in US West (via Phys.org)

2.8 acres of land generate 1GWh of solar energy per year, says NREL (via Energy Manager Today)

Utility Xcel wants to grow wind portfolio by 30% (via Renew Grid)

Deepwater Wind wins America’s first offshore wind competitive lease sale (via CleanTechnica)

Arizona mulls solar tax (via Sustainable Business)

COAL 

Moniz: coal commitment is part of US national energy strategy (via Huffington Post/AP)

Lummi Nation’s stance could stop proposed Washington coal terminal (via Bellingham Herald)

Scope of Gateway Pacific analysis is bad news for coal industry (via Sightline Daily)

Southern Company vows to continue Mississippi “clean coal” plant despite mounting losses (via ClimateWire)

Will another Illinois coal plant bite the dust? (via Midwest Energy News)

EFFICIENCY 

Japan’s appetite for demand response awakens (via Energy Collective)

America’s most unpopular way of saving energy is one of Europe’s favorites (via Outlier)

EPA to publish companies’ water data (via Environmental Leader)

Washington DC wants to lead the nation in energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Washington DC launches real-time building energy data project (via GigaOm)

NUCLEAR 

Duke Energy shelves major nuclear project in Florida (via Reuters)

Exelon not yet bailing on any of its nuclear reactors (via Crain’s Chicago Business)

Two Missouri universities set to research small modular nuclear reactors (via AP)

GRID 

Companies launch Europe’s largest energy storage trial (via Renew Grid)

Germany rejects EU smart meter recommendations on cost concerns (via Bloomberg)

Connecticut funds statewide microgrid pilot program (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

US oil reserves rise to highest level since 1985 (via Washington Post)

Interior Department meets with oil execs about Gulf accidents (via Houston Chronicle)

Decades-old defect caused Exxon’s Arkansas oil spill (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

During domestic drilling boom, why are gas prices still high? (via StateImpact Texas)

Chevy Volt sales drop to 1,788, Nissan Leaf up to 1,864 in July (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Ernest Moniz: natural gas helps battle climate change – for now (via The Hill)

Insurance issues loom over shale gas development (via EnergyWire)

Scientists, industry, regulators struggle with suspect math of natural gas leaks (via ClimateWire)

Natural gas price increase jumps wholesale electricity prices up to 101% (via Facts of the Day)

EMISSIONS 

Australian emissions target should be 15% by 2020, says Climate Change Authority (via The Guardian)

Japan’s power companies miss their CO2 pledge (via Reuters Point Carbon)

How data centers make high returns from low carbon (via GreenBiz)

Climate Catch-22: how a carbon tax could save coal (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexico president to present energy reform next week (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

70% of Nebraska now in considerable drought (via Omaha World-Herald)

To avoid killing birds with wind turbines, researchers track flight patterns off Maine coast (via Bangor Daily News)

POLITICS 

Right’s new attack on clean energy detailed (via EarthTechnling)

Carbon tax vote looms in House of Representatives (via The Hill)

US lawmakers vote to thwart EPA move on social cost of carbon (via The Hill)

Sally Jewell doesn’t want any climate deniers at Interior (via Grist)

OPINION 

A Republican case for climate action (via New York Times)

How clean energy victory bonds can power our future (via Renewable Energy World)