Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.28.15

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

EMISSIONS 

Supreme Court to hear cases against EPA climate rule (via The Hill)

Why size doesn’t matter: Divesting from fossil fuels with a small endowment (via Huffington Post)

NATURAL GAS 

NTSB finds “systemic problems” in gas pipeline oversight (via The Hill)

ENERGY POLICY 

Utility bosses see change coming, look to clean and distributed energy (via Grist)

How these energy geeks are reimagining an old school utility (via Reuters)

The University of California’s new retail energy supplier: Itself (via Energy Manager Today)

RENEWABLES 

USTDA to commit nearly $2 billion to renewable energy projects in India (via PV Tech)

German ground-mount solar to be limited to 1.2GW for 2015-2017 (via PV Tech)

Brazil’s Banco Itau Unibanco to finance $408 million in renewable energy projects (via Recharge)

Bangladesh looks to establish world’s “first solar nation” (via Telesur)

U.S. solar complaint against India set to reopen as Obama leaves town (via PV Tech)

UK study says solar panels made from perovskite far cheaper, more efficient (via Reuters)

U.S. approves Argentina proposal to qualify for biodiesel credits (via Reuters)

NextEra-HECO deal likely linked with Hawaiian utility’s about face on rooftop solar (via Forbes)

Every $1 of solar incentives puts $2.46 into the economy (via CleanTechnica)

West Virginia legislature repeals state renewable portfolio standard (via Charleston Daily Mail)

Cape Wind project faces new hurdles (via Navigant Research)

Can you turn your home into a hydroelectric plant? (via Forbes)

OIL 

Obama’s plan: Allow drilling in the Atlantic, but limit it in Arctic (via New York Times)

Green light for some would-be U.S. oil exporters, more questions for others (via Reuters)

Sen. Cruz won’t seek vote to end crude oil export ban (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

American Airlines expects to save $5 billion from tumbling oil prices (via Forbes)

Kansas City Power & Light to build 1,000 EV charging sites (via Green Car Reports)

After steadily falling, gas prices notch an increase (via New York Times)

Boston Power targets own battery gigafactory (via Inside EVs)

CLIMATE 

U.S. corporate supply chains vulnerable to climate risks (via Environmental Leader)

GRID 

Storage to follow solar’s path of falling costs, says Citigroup (via PV Tech)

Are carbon nanoballs the answer to renewable’s grid woes? (via BusinessGreen)

The case for long duration storage: Net electricity load in California is five years ahead of schedule (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Are stranded assets wearing down oil and coal industries? (via GreenBiz)

What utility executives think the future holds (via Utility Dive)

Solar Outlook 2015: Still growing, but no longer energy’s young kid (via Renewable Energy World)

10 Members of Congress who actually get sustainable business (via GreenBiz)

Another state fights war on solar and energy efficiency (via EcoWatch)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.27.15

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

COAL 

China coal production falls for first time this century (via The Guardian)

EMISSIONS

Bill resurfaces to pull New Hampshire from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (via Nashua Telegraph)

RENEWABLES 

Seven interesting global renewable energy trends from NREL (via CleanTechnica)

Analysts predict global renewable energy capacity will double by 2025 (via BusinessGreen)

China takes over lead from Europe in 2013 solar PV installations (via Phys.org)

Renewable energy transmission backbone takes shape across U.S., Europe (via Sustainable Business)

Utilities at heart of Japan grid connection dispute will resume considering PV projects (via PV Tech)

Algeria doubles renewable energy target to 25GW by 2030 (via PV Tech)

GCL plans 2GW of PV power plant projects in China in 2015 (via PV Tech)

Siemens wind profits rise 21% in first quarter, but orders dip (via Recharge)

Two graphs highlight growth surge in U.S. solar market (via CleanTechnica)

Florida utility to build 225MW of solar power capacity (via PV Tech)

Barriers to renewable energy in Michigan could affect state’s economic future (via Lansing News)

Indiana and West Virginia look to slash support for renewable energy (via Greentech Media)

Hawaii’s electric system is changing with rooftop solar growth and new utility ownership (via U.S. EIA)

Dirty ground starts to sprout clean energy projects (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Obama ends visit with challenge to India on climate change (via New York Times)

Climate change responsible for super-charging winter storms, say scientists (via The Guardian)

Climate change will hit Australia harder than rest of world, shows study (via The Guardian)

Climate change will cause more extreme La Ninas, says research (via Bloomberg)

Atlantic, Pacific fish face mixing as Arctic warms (via Discovery)

Copenhagen reveals world’s first neighborhood adapted for climate change (via TriplePundit)

OIL 

Obama Administration opens door to Atlantic drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

U.S. Senate blocks swift passage of Keystone XL pipeline bill (via Reuters)

Supreme Court rejects BP executive’s appeal in oil spill case (via The Hill)

Northwest oil spills: Raw data and growing risk (via Sightline)

Wyoming, Halliburton agree to greater fracking disclosure (via Star-Tribune)

BP to freeze pay for most of its employees (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric vehicle battery market set to top $21 billion by 2019 (via BusinessGreen)

China expected to launch subsidy for EV lithium batteries (via Renewable Energy World)

EV sales in Germany hit new high in December 2014 (via Inside EVs)

Nissan already planning for EV sales once incentives run out (via Autoblog Green)

POLITICS 

Here’s what every governor thinks about climate and clean energy (via Climate Progress)

Obama’s Arctic power grab (via Politico)

NY Governor Cuomo blames northeast snowstorm on “changing climate” (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Prince Charles: Global climate change pact could be Magna Carta for Earth (via The Guardian)

What a warming world means for major snowstorms (via Climate Central)

With cheap oil flowing, U.S. looks to next energy revolution (via Navigant Research)

Liebreich: 10 predictions for clean energy in 2015 (via Bloomberg)

Why cheap energy is the biggest threat to climate action (via GreenBiz)

Factors that will drive U.S. oil production in 2015 (via Reuters)

Divestment will not keep carbon in the ground (via Energy Collective)

Snowmageddon 2015 proves you were right about climate change (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.21.15

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

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL pipeline battle begins in Senate as Dems push trio of amendments to GOP-backed bill (via International Business Times)

Nebraskans file new lawsuits to stop Keystone XL pipeline (via Climate Progress)

Keystone XL builder files for eminent domain for pipeline route (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Study downgrades climate impact of wood burning (via Climate Central)

Global coal lobby downplays divestment fears (via RTCC)

$48 million to help states cut emissions (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

Sleeping giants wake to give utility-scale solar yet another record year (via Renew Economy)

PV installations in China could top 15GW in 2015, says China investment bank (via PV Tech)

Badly located renewable power plants cost Europe $100 billion: Davos report (via Reuters)

Austria crosses 2GW threshold for installed wind (via Renewables International)

Chile sees 1.2 solar PV, wind in 2014 (via Recharge)

Japan could cut solar tariffs as much as 18% following cost drop (via Bloomberg)

Egypt to produce 20% of its energy from renewables by 2020 (via Ahram Online)

Australia installs more than 800MW small-scale solar capacity in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Clean energy bond investors want full buffet of options (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

Abengoa to build world’s largest solar desalination plant (via Bloomberg)

Hawaiian Electric Company plans to reduce customer solar net metering credits (via Star-Advertiser)

Portland produces “in-pipe” energy from water pipeline (via Energy Manager Today)

CLIMATE 

The unlikely climate allies bridging divides in UN talks (via RTCC)

OIL 

U.S. won’t intervene in global oil market (via The Hill)

BP, U.S. attorneys clash in oil spill trial opening statements (via Houston Chronicle)

Falling oil investment will hit U.S. economy (via Reuters)

Coalition of investors to pressure oil firms to go green (via The Independent)

U.S. shale oil growth hurts Canadians as well as OPEC (via Bloomberg)

Shareholders challenge BP to confront climate change risk (via The Guardian)

TRANSPORTATION 

CCM forecasts 5-fold growth in China Li-ion market by 2017 to meet EV demand (via Green Car Congress)

New automotive propulsion technology patent activities surge six-fold in five years (via Green Car Congress)

STATE OF THE UNION 

Obama: Climate change is greatest threat to future generations (via The Hill)

Obama touts climate action, mocks “I’m not a scientist” caucus (via Climate Progress)

State of the Union 2015 fact check (via National Journal)

ENVIRONMENT 

After December rains, California comes up dry (via Climate Central)

High, wide sand dunes worked during Hurricane Sandy, finds report (via Huffington Post)

OPINION 

Why India can’t stop at 100GW of solar (via Greentech Media)

How Australia could become a battery storage manufacturing hub (via Renew Economy)

EVs won’t die because of low gas prices (via Autoblog)

How the rise of a mega solar farm shows us the future of energy (via GigaOm)

Four things to watch for in 2015 energy storage market (via Greentech Media)

Uncovering green alternative energy mutual funds (via Renewable Energy World)

Could Keystone XL poison the Senate’s energy plans? (via Politico)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.9.15

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

KEYSTONE XL 

Nebraska Supreme Court approves Keystone XL route through Nebraska (via The Hill)

Keystone foes cite foreign oil users to undercut Republican push (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Prepare for rising migration driven by climate change, warn scientists (via The Guardian)

U.S. hot streak now old enough to vote (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

Solar took half of all global renewables investment in 2014, says BNEF (via PV Tech)

Rebound in clean energy investment beats expectations in 2014 (via Bloomberg)

Global solar investment surged an incredible 175% in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Key solar PV market trends in 2015: IHS (via PV Tech)

Deutsche Bank lowers PV market demand forecast for 2014-2015 (via PV Tech)

FiT and net-metering charges confirmed for Italian solar PV installations (via PV Tech)

Japan funding $779 in million energy-saving battery storage installations (via Bloomberg)

China clarifies plans for cuts to onshore wind FiT (via Recharge)

Brazil minister sees no changes to auction system for wind and solar (via Recharge)

Korean researchers deliver record 18.4% efficient perovskite solar cell (via Greentech Media)

Renewable energy rising across all spheres of U.S. society (via TriplePundit)

Industry says wind saved consumers $1 billion during 2014 Polar Vortex (via Breaking Energy)

Sunrun Investec deal completes bumper week for U.S. residential PV investment (via PV Tech)

Colorado utility leads the way for community solar (via Renewable Energy World)

OIL 

How OPEC weaponized the price of oil against U.S. drillers (via Bloomberg)

Oil industry group to score lawmakers’ energy votes (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil price slump taking a toll on U.S. alternative fuels (via Reuters)

Mexico proposes historic crude oil swap with U.S. (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

China plug-in EV sales target 336,000 units by end of 2015 (via Inside EVs)

European Leaf owners drive 50% more per year on average than gas-powered owners (via Green Car Congress)

House Speaker Boehner signals he’s opposed to gas tax hike (via The Hill)

Boston Power aims to rival Tesla with gigawatt battery factories (via Greentech Media)

West Coast electric highway serves thousands of EV drivers (via Green Car Reports)

EMISSIONS 

DOE project captures and stores one million metric tons of carbon (via Green Car Congress)

Xcel Energy plans 40% carbon emissions cut (via Environmental Leader)

NATURAL GAS 

Fracking data sought by environmental groups in EPA lawsuit (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

California issues roadmap for grid-connected energy storage technology (via Green Car Congress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

On energy efficiency, easy money not always an easy sell (via Midwest Energy News)

Chicago’s first benchmarking report showcases energy savings opportunities (via NRDC Switchboard)

POLITICS 

The anti-science climate denier caucus: 114th Congress edition (via Climate Progress)

Boxer retirement a big loss for environmentalists (via The Hill)

Steyer ally says California Senate run a possibility (via The Hill)

OPINION 

How falling oil prices will impact the economy and the Keystone XL debate (via Forbes)

In Keystone fight and beyond, infrastructure is energy policy (via InsideClimate News)

Why California needs to think differently about how it supports energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

The point of the Keystone XL fight (via Grist)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.23.14

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

NATURAL GAS 

Biggest Arctic gas project seeks route around U.S. sanctions (via Bloomberg)

Natural gas falls to two-year low with no cold in sight (via Reuters)

Groups urge administration to steer clear of gas exports bill (via The Hill)

New York and Maryland had the same information about fracking, and they made very different decisions (via Washington Post)

ENERGY POLICY 

Germany’s electricity mix: Solar capacity reigns, but coal generation sustains (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES 

Canadian pension funds divert investment to solar (via PV Tech)

UK and US yieldcos on Christmas acquisition spree (via PV Tech)

Wind and solar = 77% of new U.S. electricity generating capacity in November (via CleanTechnica)

Clean energy policy wins and losses of 2014 (via Greentech Media)

2014 renewable energy recap: Stepping backward, crawling forward (via IEEE Spectrum)

Apple, IKEA, Walmart: 12 leaders in on-site renewables (via GreenBiz)

Cloudy future for wind farms in Ohio (via Columbus Dispatch)

As the weather turns frightful, keep placed in service deadlines delightful (via Renewable Energy World)

Did OPIC just finish a watershed beyond-the-grid solar deal? (via Energy Collective)

Austin’s balancing act: Solar policy and affordability (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

CLIMATE 

Pacific coral shows global warming’s tie to wind (via Bloomberg)

Wheat yields to fall more than expected in warmer world (via Reuters)

Atmospheric rivers to soak California as climate warms (via LiveScience)

New York’s fracking ban divides experts on climate impacts (via Climate Central)

Miami’s climate catch-22: Building waterfront condos to pay for protection against rising seas (via Washington Post)

Wyoming Republican fights ban on controversial climate-science standards (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

World’s top 500 firms’ emissions rise, despite call for cuts (via Reuters)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia vows not to cut output to prop up oil markets (via Reuters)

Shell collaborating with regulators over Arctic drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil crash wipes $11.7 billion from buyout firms’ holdings (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

AAA: Falling gas prices break record (via The Hill)

Congress lets $8,000 hydrogen vehicle tax credit expire (via Autoblog)

To challenge Tesla, Volkswagen will buy solid-state battery startup (via Inside EVs)

Living the EV-PV dream: How I paired my solar system with an electric car (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

Germany power demand plummets, renewables rise, fossil power at a 35-year low (via Renewables International)

Solar energy and storage helps Caribbean expats live the food life (via Renewable Energy World)

Can distributed generation replace $1 billion in substation upgrades? New York will soon find out (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

What was the biggest energy success story of 2014? (via National Journal)

Could flooding finally wake Americans up to the climate crisis? (via Grist)

The year ahead: 2015 trends in clean tech (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.17.14

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

CLIMATE

Research says latest international climate pledges still fall short of 2C goal (via ClimateProgress)

Europe’s record-hot year made 35 times more likely by climate change (via The Guardian)

New York, other major cities face more power outages thanks to climate change (via ClimateProgress)

Rutgers research shows climate change driving fish north (via Newark Star-Ledger)

NUCLEAR

Japan approves two new nuclear reactors (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES

Duties set by U.S. on imports of China, Taiwan solar goods (via Bloomberg)

New tariffs on Chinese solar-panel makers split the U.S. solar industry (via Greentech Media)

Beijing urges U.S. to be reasonable in search for trade settlement (via PV Tech)

David Cameron declares UK has “enough” onshore wind farms (via BusinessGreen)

British Columbia approves $7.5 billion hydropower dam (via Reuters)

Central America’s biggest wind farm gets $300 million from IFC (via Bloomberg)

Chile’s mines set hot pace on renewables – Australia should take notice (via Renew Economy)

Where does solar make sense? New state study shows big differences and surprises (via Breaking Energy)

NREL demonstrates 45.7% efficiency for solar cell (via NREL)

California approves major revisions in its Renewable Auction Mechanism (via Greentech Media)

Rural co-ops promise net metering but don’t always deliver (via Midwest Energy News)

Cape Wind will miss 2014 goal to close project financing (via Recharge)

Power options: Comparing costs of rooftop solar to traditional electricity (via WRI Insights)

Think tank proposes 40 options to change ethanol mandate (via The Hill)

Staples California announces green energy offering for small businesses (via Environmental Leader)

EMISSIONS

Beijing reveals bottom-up approach to national carbon market (via RTCC)

Australia quietly re-instates a carbon-trading scheme (via Renew Economy)

Industry’s mercury challenge could undermine attack on EPA climate rule (via Greenwire)

A carbon pollution policy with all the fixins’ (via Sightline Daily)

California pensions should divest coal assets, says state senate leader (via Reuters)

Washington Governor proposes carbon tax to fund pressing transportation needs (via Huffington Post)

OIL

OPEC net oil export revenues expected to fall in 2014-2015 (via U.S. EIA)

An OPEC of the West? North American nations eye stronger oil and gas ties (via Christian Science Monitor)

U.S. talking oil exports just when the world needs it least (via Bloomberg)

Investors in beat-up oil bonds lean on banks for rescue (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION

ABB-led consortium launches $10.5 million project to install EV fast chargers along key European highways (via Green Car Congress)

4,700 all-electric cars sold in Europe during October (via Inside EVs)

U.S. households to spend $550 less on gasoline in 2015 (via Houston Chronicle)

California, Washington lead all other states in EV ownership rates (via Green Car Reports)

GRID

Utility distribution microgrids are expected to reach $6 billion in annual revenue by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Developing a reliable wind “super grid” for Europe (via Phys.org)

Cautiously, private utilities dip toes into microgrid pool (via Navigant Research)

Will states take over demand response markets in the U.S.? (via Renewable Energy World)

PG&E testing new grid-scale battery system at $160 per kWh (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT

Italy says it will oppose EU plans to scrap environmental law (via The Guardian)

Obama withdraws Alaska’s Bristol Bay from drilling (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Top 10 universities taking the lead on sustainability worldwide (via EcoWatch)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service working on more regulations than EPA (via Greenwire)

Rocky Mountain Institute, Carbon War Room join forces (via BusinessGreen)

Cutting the cord without blowing your power bill (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

POLITICS

McConnell says Keystone first item on GOP Senate agenda (via The Hill)

Lobbying of Hillary begins (via The Hill)

Jeb Bush may be “the smart brother” but he’s as much a climate denier as any conservative (via The Guardian)

Renewable energy companies use new clout in statehouses (via Stateline)

OPINION

Is India’s grand solar vision becoming reality? (via Renewable Energy World)

Plunging oil prices are doing Obama’s foreign policy for him (via Washington Post)

Protecting Bristol Bay was an easy call for Obama – the hard ones come next (via National Journal)

Should the price of oil really impact renewable energy adoption? (via Greentech Media)

In defense of Massachusetts: Why the Bay State is leading in energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

The real reason Tesla’s stock is tanking (via Huffington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.16.14

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

EMISSIONS

Carbon markets link in $500 million clean energy investment (via CleanTechnica)

Tropical rainforests not absorbing as much carbon as expected (via The Guardian)

Emissions growth slows as economies clean up (via RTCC)

United Kingdom renewables displaced 38 million tonnes of CO2 in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

COAL

China slashes coal export tariff as mining in crisis (via Reuters)

Coal-heavy rural electric cooperatives take hard line on EPA Clean Power Plan (via EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES

Year-end rush in China leads Asia-Pacific solar PV market to record Q4 level (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Five key stats reveal Latin American’s breakthrough year in solar (via Greentech Media)

New wind power record in Germany (via Renewables International)

Honduras in line for 81.7MW of SunEdison solar (via PV Tech)

IKEA to start selling solar panels in Switzerland (via Renewable Energy World)

Kyocera to build world’s largest floating PV project near Tokyo (via Recharge News)

Local market conditions and policies strongly influence solar PV pricing (via Phys.org)

Minnesota regulators authorize state’s largest solar power project (via Star-Tribune)

Austin, Texas plans to get hover half its power from renewables by 2025 (via ClimateProgress)

SEIA board facing call to resign over stance on US-China trade spat (via PV Tech)

SunPower backs Tendril, plans to use its energy software (via GigaOm)

CLIMATE

White House to healthcare providers: Prepare for climate impacts (via The Hill)

U.S. and India to announce joint climate change action during Obama visit (via The Guardian)

Scientists are worried Greenland might melt even faster than expected (via Washington Post)

OIL

Plunging oil prices could boost geopolitical risks, says Bank of England (via Reuters)

Big Oil could chop $930 billion in projects as prices fall (via Houston Chronicle)

U.S. oil falls to new low of $55.91 per barrel (via The Hill)

In Canada’s oil sands, a boomtown starts feeling the chill (via Reuters)

Oil plunge seen as boon for U.S. banks as traders benefit (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION

Only five countries will sell over 10,000 EVs in 2014 (via Autoblog Green)

France could soon have EV charging stations every 25 miles (via Green Car Reports)

2015 U.S. household gasoline expenditures on track to be lowest in 11 years (via U.S. EIA)

Electric cars could be cheaper than gas guzzlers within a decade (via Quartz)

Sunswift solar electric car reaches crowdfunding goal to hit the streets (via CNET)

GRID

Europe’s “biggest battery” sparks into life (via BusinessGreen)

United Kingdom set for £2.5 billion capacity auction to keep lights on (via Bloomberg)

ABB, Hitachi set up power grid joint venture in Japan (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS

U.S. shale junk debt tumbles amid oil crunch (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY POLICY

Evaluating 15 years of IEA energy forecasts (via Energy Collective)

The energy system in 2014 – did the ice really crack? (via Bloomberg)

A $48 billion opportunity for U.S. electric customers (via Renewable Energy World)

The race is on for solar companies to woo utilities (via Forbes)

While seeking “bailout,” Ohio utilities keep cost data secret (via Midwest Energy News)

POLITICS

Elizabeth Warren, GOP rookies set up energy panel for pyrotechnics (via National Journal)

OPINION

9 things scientists did this year to ensure a better climate future (via Climate Progress)

Why climate change is forcing some environmentalists to back nuclear power (via Washington Post)

Winners and losers at the UN climate talks (via RTCC0

Cleantech IPOs: Predictions revisited, 2014 winners, 2015 picks (via Greentech Media)

Will the 2,250-foot solar-wind tunnel ever be more than a pipe dream? (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.10.14

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

CLIMATE

India planning $100 billion on climate-related projects (via Bloomberg)

Green Climate Fund will get $200 million from Australia after Tony Abbott’s about turn (via The Guardian)

Belgian pledge pushes Green Climate Fund to $10 billion goal (via Reuters)

Kerry going to Peru for climate talks (via The Hill)

ENERGY POLICY

Canada will not impose oil and gas regulations unilaterally, given prices (via Reuters)

UK business energy costs predicted to rise by around a third by 2030 (via Business Green)

RENEWABLES

“Explosive growth” in solar distributed generation market to take China to 14GW (via PV Tech)

Renewable energy grows, large and small, in Africa (via Navigant Research)

Pakistan repeals import tax on solar equipment (via PV Tech)

Russian, Indian funds to invest $1 billion in hydropower (via Reuters)

Belgian wind energy island may get go-ahead in early 2015 (via Reuters)

10 slides show the complex future and “tipping point” of U.S. solar (via Greentech Media)

Solar and wind increasingly shaping CAISO load curves (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Small wind leases open up new markets (via Navigant Research)

Testimonies coming out of the US solar anti-dumping hearings (via CleanTechnica)

OIL

OPEC sees weakest demand for its crude in 12 years across 2015 (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION

Tesla unveils Australian Supercharger network plan, delivers first EVs to country (via Renew Economy)

Gas could hit $2.50 by Christmas (via The Hill)

California leads the nation in adoption of EVs (via US EIA)

EMISSIONS

Senate Dems to EPA: Make climate rule stronger (via The Hill)

Researchers say carbon tax could reduce Oregon’s emissions without hurting economy (via The Oregonian)

GRID

Lower-cost batteries likely to create $190 million storage market in 2020 (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT

Japan’s weather bureau declares first El Nino (via The Guardian)

OPINION

What can Hawaii expect from NextEra’s purchase of Hawaiian Electric? (via Greentech Media)

How EVs can aid the smart grid (via Navigant Research)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.7.14

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

EMISSIONS 

UN climate talks grapple with regional carbon market integration: IEA (via Bloomberg)

China plans to cap carbon emissions from steel, cement producers by 2020 (via ClimateWire)

Election shifts Oregon closer to carbon tax, not so much for Washington (via Oregon Public Broadcasting)

COAL 

Coal’s defender-in-chief tries to shift debate about fuel (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Renewables now cheaper than fossil fuels in developing countries (via Energy Collective)

UK utility-scale solar boom on tap for 2015 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Solar doesn’t pay right now in Germany (via Renewables International)

UK solar companies lose legal battle over subsidy cuts (via BusinessGreen)

Republicans urged to reject wind tax credit in lame duck (via Houston Chronicle)

First Wind closes $254 million financing for Texas wind farm (via Bloomberg)

40% renewable energy integration no trouble for Midwest (via CleanTechnica)

UC-Irvine adding 3.2MW of solar canopies (via Energy Manager Today)

Vestas upgrades sales, margins forecast as profit surges (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Climate change is disrupting flower pollination, research shows (via The Guardian)

Brazil wants richer countries to step up on climate (via The Hill)

New global warming remedy: Turn rangelands into carbon vacuums (via California Magazine)

Shrimp depletion in Gulf of Maine part of a global pattern (via Portland Press-Herald)

Republican gains in Washington state legislature spoil plans for West Coast bloc of climate action states (via ClimateWire)

Tech company SAP severs ties with ALEC (via National Journal)

NATURAL GAS 

DOJ subpoenas Chesapeake Energy over royalty complaints (via StateImpact Texas)

Illinois lawmakers approve fracking rules (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

GRID 

EU’s bank to loan Britain’s power grid $2.4 billion (via Reuters)

Battery storage will replace many peaker spinning reserve plants (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

Testing U.S. oil export ban carries some risks (via Reuters)

Federal Appeals Court reaffirms BP is liable in Gulf oil spill (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

White House would “consider” Keystone bill (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Which EV makers are serious? U.S. sales show top three (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla projecting years of 50% growth sparks share rise (via Bloomberg)

EPA says more fuel-efficient cars available in 2015 (via The Hill)

Tesla Model X delayed thanks to Model S production lessons (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT 

U.S. weather forecaster slightly reduces El Nino outlook (via Reuters)

No recovery, but a sliver of drought gain for California (via Climate Central)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Commercial and industrial demand response poised for major growth (via Renew Grid)

Arizona energy efficiency programs in jeopardy (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

Republican wave unlikely to wash away Obama’s major rules (via Greenwire)

House to vote on EPA “secret science” bills (via The Hill)

Republican sweep highlights climate change politics in Alaska (via NPR)

National Democrats yanking Louisiana ad buy as Landrieu faces runoff (via Bloomberg)

Meager returns for the Democrats’ biggest donor (via New York Times)

OPINION 

Six renewable energy trends to watch for in 2015 (via Renewable Energy World)

Do Americans really want a hard right turn on climate and renewables? (via The Hill)

Can SolarCity crack the code of boosting business beyond solar homes? (via Forbes)

Election special: What the Republican takeover means for clean energy (via Greentech Media)

President Obama has stalled on Keystone for years. Now he has to make a decision. (via Slate)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.6.14

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

NATURAL GAS 

Split decision by voters on local fracking bans (via New York Times)

Spending on wastewater treatment for fracking may triple by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

First lawsuits filed over Denton, Texas fracking ban (via Texas Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

LED lighting efficiency jumps roughly 50% since 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

Army net zero initiative soldiers on (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

Germany plans trio of 200MW solar PV tenders for 2015 (via Recharge)

October delivers another record-breaking month for UK wind power (via BusinessGreen)

Largest solar PV plant in Europe planned for France (via PV Tech)

Germany consortium evaluating major solar PV manufacturing hub in Brazil (via PV Tech)

World’s largest merchant solar project goes online in Chile (via Renew Economy)

Post-election report: Clean energy jobs grow in Republican (and Democratic) districts (via Huffington Post)

Utility unveils plan to clear Hawaii solar PV backlog within five months (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Solar PV operations and maintenance versus asset management: What’s the difference? (via Greentech Media)

Enphase stock punished despite record-setting quarter (via Greentech Media)

SolarCity reports “fiery” Q3 growth (via Recharge)

NRG’s David Crane begins to “pull back the curtain” on retail solar strategy (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

OPEC’s weak links feeling pain that shale producers seek (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla reports loss, but beats Wall Street expectations (via New York Times)

Tesla shares surge after record Model S sales (via BusinessGreen)

KEYSTONE XL 

Republicans plan quick move on Keystone XL in 2015 (via Reuters)

How a Republican Senate could force Obama’s hand on Keystone (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Delay urged in Obama carbon rules to shield electric grid (via Bloomberg)

Meet the climate sleuths keeping carbon reporting honest (via RTCC)

Climate quietly wins midterm victory in Pennsylvania and RGGI (via National Journal)

How to manage carbon prices: Lessons from the Northeast U.S. (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

Counting the varied costs of China’s dependence on coal (via New York Times)

U.S. water use drops to lowest level in 40 years (via Science Blogs)

Study: Environmental groups are relatively oblivious to economics (via Washington Post)

GRID 

Battery market to double in 10 years, says Navigant (via Energy Manager Today)

Real-time energy markets bring millions in cost savings to Western U.S. (via Energy Manager Today)

SCE announces winners of energy storage contracts worth 250MW (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Geoengineering: The ethical problems with cleaning the air (via The Guardian)

Five environmental challenges for Dilma Rousseff’s second term (via RTCC)

10 lessons for the green economy from the U.S. midterms (via BusinessGreen)

The greenest companies consistently outperform markets (via Environmental Leader)

Tom Steyer spent $74 million on the election. He didn’t get much to show for it. (via National Journal)

POLITICS 

Energy seen getting biggest boost from Republican Senate (via Reuters)

Meet the U.S. Senate’s new climate denial caucus (via Mother Jones)

GOP to fight on Keystone, climate rules, says McConnell (via The Hill)

GOP Congress may steamroll Obama on Keystone, energy exports (via Forbes)

The possibility of post-election bipartisan deals (via New York Times)