Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.18.13

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

GRID 

Worldwide smart meter shipments for first half 2013 surpass 51 million (via Navigant Research)

Will smart meters change consumer habits? Early indicators say yes (via Midwest Energy News)

California adopts first-in-nation energy storage plan (via Contra Costa Times)

Construction begins on landmark Panhandle wind transmission project (via Houston Chronicle)

Texas cranks up $7 billion CREZ wind power transmission project (via CleanTechnica)

EMISSIONS 

China tests carbon markets before tax, says government official (via Bloomberg)

Fossil fuel divestment campaign spreads to Europe (via Huffington Post)

Microsoft drives home sustainability with internal carbon pricing (via GreenBiz)

RENEWABLES 

Wind at wholesale price parity in world’s major markets (via Renew Economy)

Germany expects 28.7% renewables in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

EU biofuel regulations set to be delayed until 2015 (via BusinessGreen)

Brazil’s wind tender price cap set at $58 per MWh (via Recharge)

India’s biofuel moves help offset swelling oil-import bill (via Panchabuta)

Southwest Power Pool keeps breaking wind records (via Renew Grid)

Institutional investors look toward the Sun, away from fossil fuels (via Solar Industry Magazine)

OIL 

Report: Pipelines pose less risk than trains or trucks in carrying oil (via The Hill)

Texas oil production could double by 2020, says industry regulator (via Houston Chronicle)

In North Dakota, new concerns over mixing oil and wheat (via New York Times)

US Coast Guard discovers 4,000-pound tar mat in Gulf of Mexico (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Vehicle-to-grid market to reach $190 million by 2022 (via Energy Manager Today)

Most drivers expect all vehicles to be at least partly electrified in 20 years (via CleanTechnica)

Volvo turns vehicle body panels into batteries (via Autoblog)

KEYSTONE XL 

Harold Hamm: Hope dwindling for Keystone XL pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

Climate change to cost East Asia 5.3% of GDP by 2100 (via Bloomberg)

Report: Western wildfires growing more intense, insurers deeply concerned (via Washington Post)

Britain warming faster than global average (via The Telegraph)

Raging Australian wildfires leave Sydney shrouded in smoke (via The Telegraph)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

North Dakota landowners sue fossil fuel companies over wasted natural gas (via Climate Progress)

Oklahoma is next destination for shale revolution (via Reuters)

Police arrest 40 as Canada shale gas protest turns violent (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

US and world are actually making big strides in energy efficiency (via Climate Progress)

Building energy management systems market to surpass $23 billion by 2017 (via Renew Grid)

The bright future of energy-efficient Walmart stores (via Green Room)

COAL 

AEP takes coal “out of the picture” as it plans for future (via Columbus Business Journal)

NUCLEAR 

China set to invest in UK nuclear industry (via RTCC)

POLITICS 

The big no: Republicans on science panel reject budget deal (via Science)

GOP to California governor: Don’t spoil fracking potential (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Are the days of fossil fuel subsidies numbered? (via EarthTechling)

Europe’s advanced biofuels innovation: Following overambitious US example? (via Energy Collective)

Debate about future of utilities moves deeper into world of regulation (via Greentech Media)

Let’s prevent this crisis: A letter to Harvard’s President Faust (via Huffington Post)

Legacy of 1970’s oil embargo energy crisis still lingers today (via Houston Chronicle)

Poll: Majority wanted EPA open during federal shutdown (via The Hill)

5 reasons to care about California’s new energy storage mandate (via GigaOm)

Cost of West Texas power lines could shock ratepayers (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.15.13

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone XL decision seen as climate change test for Obama abroad (via InsideClimate News)

Canada’s tar sands could blow its 2020 climate target (via RTCC)

Railway chief says Keystone XL pipeline would cut freight revenues (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Building energy management market worth “$5.6 billion by 2020” (via Energy Manager Today)

Americans spend $2,000 on home energy costs annually (via Mother Nature Network)

LEDs still gaining efficiency (via Navigant Research)

How time-of-use pricing works to cut power bills (via Renew Economy)

Texas develops statewide “PACE in a box” (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES 

Global cleantech industry growing despite challenging conditions (via CleanTechnica)

EU-China trade settlement leaves many Chinese solar firms in the dark (via ClimateWire)

Global offshore wind market to grow 32% year-on-year (via BusinessGreen)

How real is the South African PV market? (via Greentech Media)

New analysis shows India’s “huge” offshore wind power potential (via Renewable Energy World)

Intermittent nature of green power is challenge for utilities (via New York Times)

Iowa will add 1.05GW new wind energy capacity by 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

BLM approves new solar, geothermal development plan in California desert (via Greenwire)

Rhode Island amends FIT to require bids for small solar projects (via Renewable Energy World)

Arizona fights for its solar energy rights (via Renewable Energy World)

Biofuels on the verge (via Greentech Media)

CLIMATE 

Heat waves to quadruple by 2040, regardless of emissions cuts (via RTCC)

As Northeast Asia bakes, climate scientists predict more extreme heat waves on the horizon (via Time)

UN officials warn talks on 2015 climate deal must “shift gear” (via RTCC)

Obama reframes his approach to climate change (via Washington Post)

DOE’s Moniz heading to Brazil for climate talks (via The Hill)

EPA’s McCarthy: “Responsible” gas production key to climate strategy (via The Hill)

Interactive map supports climate change adaptation planning in Great Lakes region (via Phys.org)

NUCLEAR 

Vogtle nuclear project could face more delays (via Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Appeals court blocks attempt by Vermont to close nuclear plant (via New York Times)

GRID 

Japan solar energy soars, but grid needs to catch up (via National Geographic)

High-speed monitors keep watch over today’s complicated grid (via EnergyWire)

BLM seeks input on proposed TransWest transmission project (via Renew Grid)

PSEG’s 2013 sustainability report focuses on grid infrastructure (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY POLICY 

IBM expert says utilities should become “energy malls” (via Midwest Energy News)

How Big Box going solar could impact utilities (via EarthTechling) 

OIL 

Gulf oil spill settlement payment offers rise to $4.4 billion (via Houston Chronicle)

California regulators take up offshore fracking (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

US gas prices falling – does it matter for green cars? (via Green Car Reports)

Could outmoded phone booths become EV charging stations? (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Great Barrier Reef dredging could be more damaging than thought (via The Guardian)

China’s environmental future: The power of the people (via Council on Foreign Relations)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US green investors secure near-record corporate climate commitments (via BusinessGreen)

Sierra Club ranks greenest US universities (via Breaking Energy)

Princeton Review announces green honor roll (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION 

“War on Coal” gains steam amid wars on terror, crime, drugs, science, Christmas (via Bloomberg)

Are fracking proponents wrestling enough with the environmental risks? (via Washington Post)

The futility of “just the facts” climate science (via Grist)

Why Australian rooftop solar PV prices are cheaper (via Renew Economy)

“No” is really not an option on Yucca Mountain (via Houston Chronicle)

Can extreme weather make climate change worse? (via Climate Central)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.15.13

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone XL decision seen as climate change test for Obama abroad (via InsideClimate News)

Canada’s tar sands could blow its 2020 climate target (via RTCC)

Railway chief says Keystone XL pipeline would cut freight revenues (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Building energy management market worth “$5.6 billion by 2020” (via Energy Manager Today)

Americans spend $2,000 on home energy costs annually (via Mother Nature Network)

LEDs still gaining efficiency (via Navigant Research)

How time-of-use pricing works to cut power bills (via Renew Economy)

Texas develops statewide “PACE in a box” (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES 

Global cleantech industry growing despite challenging conditions (via CleanTechnica)

EU-China trade settlement leaves many Chinese solar firms in the dark (via ClimateWire)

Global offshore wind market to grow 32% year-on-year (via BusinessGreen)

How real is the South African PV market? (via Greentech Media)

New analysis shows India’s “huge” offshore wind power potential (via Renewable Energy World)

Intermittent nature of green power is challenge for utilities (via New York Times)

Iowa will add 1.05GW new wind energy capacity by 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

BLM approves new solar, geothermal development plan in California desert (via Greenwire)

Rhode Island amends FIT to require bids for small solar projects (via Renewable Energy World)

Arizona fights for its solar energy rights (via Renewable Energy World)

Biofuels on the verge (via Greentech Media)

CLIMATE 

Heat waves to quadruple by 2040, regardless of emissions cuts (via RTCC)

As Northeast Asia bakes, climate scientists predict more extreme heat waves on the horizon (via Time)

UN officials warn talks on 2015 climate deal must “shift gear” (via RTCC)

Obama reframes his approach to climate change (via Washington Post)

DOE’s Moniz heading to Brazil for climate talks (via The Hill)

EPA’s McCarthy: “Responsible” gas production key to climate strategy (via The Hill)

Interactive map supports climate change adaptation planning in Great Lakes region (via Phys.org)

NUCLEAR 

Vogtle nuclear project could face more delays (via Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Appeals court blocks attempt by Vermont to close nuclear plant (via New York Times)

GRID 

Japan solar energy soars, but grid needs to catch up (via National Geographic)

High-speed monitors keep watch over today’s complicated grid (via EnergyWire)

BLM seeks input on proposed TransWest transmission project (via Renew Grid)

PSEG’s 2013 sustainability report focuses on grid infrastructure (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY POLICY 

IBM expert says utilities should become “energy malls” (via Midwest Energy News)

How Big Box going solar could impact utilities (via EarthTechling) 

OIL 

Gulf oil spill settlement payment offers rise to $4.4 billion (via Houston Chronicle)

California regulators take up offshore fracking (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

US gas prices falling – does it matter for green cars? (via Green Car Reports)

Could outmoded phone booths become EV charging stations? (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Great Barrier Reef dredging could be more damaging than thought (via The Guardian)

China’s environmental future: The power of the people (via Council on Foreign Relations)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US green investors secure near-record corporate climate commitments (via BusinessGreen)

Sierra Club ranks greenest US universities (via Breaking Energy)

Princeton Review announces green honor roll (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION 

“War on Coal” gains steam amid wars on terror, crime, drugs, science, Christmas (via Bloomberg)

Are fracking proponents wrestling enough with the environmental risks? (via Washington Post)

The futility of “just the facts” climate science (via Grist)

Why Australian rooftop solar PV prices are cheaper (via Renew Economy)

“No” is really not an option on Yucca Mountain (via Houston Chronicle)

Can extreme weather make climate change worse? (via Climate Central)