Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.24.14

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

ENVIRONMENT 

China says more than half of its groundwater is polluted (via The Guardian)

China to impose tougher penalties on polluters under new law (via Reuters)

Up to a third of wild US seafood likely “illegal” (via Environmental Leader)

New map could refocus California’s pollution battles (via Los Angeles Times)

COAL 

Poland pushes coal on Europe as Putin wields gas weapon (via Bloomberg)

Federal government lowers level of coal dust allowed in mines (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Investment in aging coal plants a losing proposition (via Energy Manager Today)

CDC: West Virginia symptoms “consistent” with coal ash chemical health effects (via Charleston Daily Mail)

RENEWABLES 

Green bonds could cut India clean energy costs 25% (via Bloomberg)

UK approves five offshore wind projects with capacity to power three million homes (via Sustainable Business)

Biomass: The world’s biggest provider of renewable energy (via Energy Collective)

Environmental groups ask US trade rep to drop complaint over India’s solar policy (via Huffington Post)

DOE Secretary: Federal loans possible for Cape Wind project (via Cape Cod Times)

Google and SunPower join forces to fund solar homes (via Forbes)

Unlocking solar energy’s value as an asset class (via Renewable Energy World)

Three new finance models for non-profits to go solar (via Renewable Energy World)

Report says ethanol generates $19.3 billion in economic activity, supports 73,000 jobs in Iowa (via The Gazette)

Illinois still in search of solution for “broken” renewable energy standard (via EnergyWire)

EMISSIONS 

Australia slashes emission penalties in new climate plan (via RTCC)

Ireland outlines low-carbon transition plans with new climate bill (via RTCC)

Two-thirds of mayors can quantify carbon emissions cuts (via Environmental Leader)

Washington University sit-in against Peabody Coal enters third week (via Huffington Post)

OIL 

Report says US not ready for Arctic drilling (via The Hill)

Oil price declines as US oil supplies rise (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

US to remain largest plug-in market over next 10 years; Tokyo to take metro lead spot from LA (via Green Car Congress)

Lufthansa says helping to test new aviation biofuel (via Reuters)

Tesla could build EVs in China as soon as 2017 (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL 

White House disputes report on Keystone XL (via National Journal)

Spirit camp embodies Sioux opposition to Keystone pipeline (via National Journal)

CLIMATE 

Greenland’s icecap losing stability (via Alaska Dispatch/Deutsche Welle)

African Development Bank launches new climate change fund (via RTCC)

Climate change threatens California’s air quality, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

Storm surge could flood New York City one in every four years (via Climate Central)

NATURAL GAS 

In landmark ruling, jury says fracking company must pay $3 million to sickened family (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

PSE&G frustrated by resistance to “Energy Strong” effort (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

CalCharge: A model for California energy storage dominance (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EU warned energy efficiency plans are slipping (via BusinessGreen)

Five million reasons for communities to lower their energy use (via Energy.gov)

Opower IPO signals growing market for energy management tools (via Navigant Research)

California schools get $381 million in first wave of energy efficiency upgrades (via Sustainable Business)

Advocates of Ohio’s green energy law say it saves $2 for every $1 spent (via Columbus Dispatch)

OPINION 

Obama’s last shot (via Rolling Stone)

The left’s secret club (via Politico)

Which US universities are the greenest? (via Climate Progress)

What a win-win on unburnable carbon looks like (via GreenBiz)

The green heroes of the Time 100 (via Time)

What’s climate change got to do with lung cancer? (via EcoAffect)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.24.14

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

ENVIRONMENT 

China says more than half of its groundwater is polluted (via The Guardian)

China to impose tougher penalties on polluters under new law (via Reuters)

Up to a third of wild US seafood likely “illegal” (via Environmental Leader)

New map could refocus California’s pollution battles (via Los Angeles Times)

COAL 

Poland pushes coal on Europe as Putin wields gas weapon (via Bloomberg)

Federal government lowers level of coal dust allowed in mines (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Investment in aging coal plants a losing proposition (via Energy Manager Today)

CDC: West Virginia symptoms “consistent” with coal ash chemical health effects (via Charleston Daily Mail)

RENEWABLES 

Green bonds could cut India clean energy costs 25% (via Bloomberg)

UK approves five offshore wind projects with capacity to power three million homes (via Sustainable Business)

Biomass: The world’s biggest provider of renewable energy (via Energy Collective)

Environmental groups ask US trade rep to drop complaint over India’s solar policy (via Huffington Post)

DOE Secretary: Federal loans possible for Cape Wind project (via Cape Cod Times)

Google and SunPower join forces to fund solar homes (via Forbes)

Unlocking solar energy’s value as an asset class (via Renewable Energy World)

Three new finance models for non-profits to go solar (via Renewable Energy World)

Report says ethanol generates $19.3 billion in economic activity, supports 73,000 jobs in Iowa (via The Gazette)

Illinois still in search of solution for “broken” renewable energy standard (via EnergyWire)

EMISSIONS 

Australia slashes emission penalties in new climate plan (via RTCC)

Ireland outlines low-carbon transition plans with new climate bill (via RTCC)

Two-thirds of mayors can quantify carbon emissions cuts (via Environmental Leader)

Washington University sit-in against Peabody Coal enters third week (via Huffington Post)

OIL 

Report says US not ready for Arctic drilling (via The Hill)

Oil price declines as US oil supplies rise (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

US to remain largest plug-in market over next 10 years; Tokyo to take metro lead spot from LA (via Green Car Congress)

Lufthansa says helping to test new aviation biofuel (via Reuters)

Tesla could build EVs in China as soon as 2017 (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL 

White House disputes report on Keystone XL (via National Journal)

Spirit camp embodies Sioux opposition to Keystone pipeline (via National Journal)

CLIMATE 

Greenland’s icecap losing stability (via Alaska Dispatch/Deutsche Welle)

African Development Bank launches new climate change fund (via RTCC)

Climate change threatens California’s air quality, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

Storm surge could flood New York City one in every four years (via Climate Central)

NATURAL GAS 

In landmark ruling, jury says fracking company must pay $3 million to sickened family (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

PSE&G frustrated by resistance to “Energy Strong” effort (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

CalCharge: A model for California energy storage dominance (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EU warned energy efficiency plans are slipping (via BusinessGreen)

Five million reasons for communities to lower their energy use (via Energy.gov)

Opower IPO signals growing market for energy management tools (via Navigant Research)

California schools get $381 million in first wave of energy efficiency upgrades (via Sustainable Business)

Advocates of Ohio’s green energy law say it saves $2 for every $1 spent (via Columbus Dispatch)

OPINION 

Obama’s last shot (via Rolling Stone)

The left’s secret club (via Politico)

Which US universities are the greenest? (via Climate Progress)

What a win-win on unburnable carbon looks like (via GreenBiz)

The green heroes of the Time 100 (via Time)

What’s climate change got to do with lung cancer? (via EcoAffect)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.25.14

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

COAL 

Netherlands to stop funding overseas coal power plants (via RTCC)

EPA’s coal ash rule still not done (via Politico)

Supreme Court declines to hear Arch Coal mining permit case against EPA (via Reuters)

Coal ash pods: How power companies get a “bypass” on pollution regulations (via National Geographic)

EPA joins North Carolina in probe of coal ash spill (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Japan approves 2014-2015 renewable energy FiT rates (via Recharge)

Italy, Spain, Germany hit commercial solar grid parity in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

India may see slow growth in new solar capacity additions (via Panchabuta)

Developers register 12GW potential Brazil wind projects for June auction (via Recharge)

Kenya’s 300MW Lake Turkana wind farm to break ground in June (via Renewables Biz)

Solar PV industry targets 100GW annual deployment in 2018 (via Solar Industry)

Mercom Capital forecasts 46GW new solar in 2014 (via Solar Industry)

Greenwood Biosar completes Panama’s first utility-scale solar power plant (via CleanTechnica)

Morgan Stanley: Going off grid nears tipping point (via Renew Economy)

FERC issues license for tidal energy pilot project in Pacific Northwest (via Renew Grid)

Feds clearing path for Pacific wave energy test (via Houston Chronicle)

Cape Wind update: A big legal victory and another legal challenge (via Greentech Media)

Maryland seeks global offshore wind role (via Recharge)

Koch-funded groups fuel assault on Kansas clean energy law (via Climate Progress)

New Jersey’s offshore wind goals up in the air after project rejection (Renewable Energy World)

KEYSTONE XL 

Southern leg of Keystone XL pipeline reaches capacity ahead of schedule (via The Oklahoman)

Not building Keystone XL will leave a billion barrels of bitumen in the ground (via Energy Collective)

EMISSIONS 

New study reveals workings of China’s pilot emissions cap-and-trade systems (via Triple Pundit)

China’s Hubei province to launch carbon market on April 2 (via Reuters)

China’s Shenzen says carbon market had 10% surplus in first year (via Reuters)

As listener and saleswoman, EPA chief takes to the road for climate rules (via New York Times)

States aren’t shying away from regulating carbon emissions from power plants (via Bloomberg BNA)

NATURAL GAS 

DOE approves natural gas export terminal (via The Hill)

North Dakota gas flaring doubles, pumping CO2 into air (via Climate Central)

CLIMATE 

UN official: Countries on track to reach 2015 global climate treaty (via The Hill)

EU delays 2030 climate package decision until October (via RTCC)

WMO: Global warming not stopped, will go on for centuries (via Reuters)

Climate change could leave another 50 million people facing hunger by 2050 (via The Guardian)

UN says 13 of 14 hottest years on record occurred since 2000 (via BusinessGreen)

Weather extremes “consistent” with manmade climate change, says UN (via Agence France-Presse)

OIL 

Houston Channel closed as 24 vessels skim 4,000-barrel oil spill (via Bloomberg)

Galveston Bay oil spill will take economic, ecological toll (via Texas Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION 

VW chairman says component cost decreases keep him confident of EV success (via Autoblog Green)

How four states are trying to woo Tesla Motors’ gigafactory (via Autoblog Green)

Ford: Baby boomers leading trend to compact utility vehicles (via Green Car Congress)

GRID 

FERC Order 1000 has its day in court (via Renewable Energy World)

Southwest Power Pool launches wholesale energy marketplace (via Energy Manager Today)

Car companies take expertise in battery power beyond the garage (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

WHO links 7 million premature deaths annually to air pollution; 12.5% total global deaths (via Green Car Congress)

China says polluting industry still growing too fast (via Reuters)

China aims to launch national pollution permit market within three years (via Reuters)

Brazil desperately seeking solutions to worst drought in decades (via The Guardian)

Water scarcity drives US communities toward smarter use, recycling (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

By 2020, LEDs may rival incandescent bulbs in cost without rebates (via Greentech Media)

LBNL calculates “cost of saved energy” from efficiency programs (via Energy Manager Today)

Opower sets IPO price range at $17-19, could raise $110 million (via GigaOm)

POLITICS 

Green groups spend $5 million to defend three Democrats (via Wall Street Journal)

Mary Landrieu is paying – and getting paid big – for her global warming stance (via National Journal)

OPINION 

“War on coal” isn’t the real reason your utility rates will rise (via Triple Pundit)

Why you shouldn’t applaud Exxon’s decision to disclose climate risks (via Climate Progress)

Galveston oil spill: Does US oil boom mean more spills? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Steven Chu solves utility companies’ death spiral (via Forbes)

Maybe transit isn’t surging after all (via Atlantic Cities)

Watts the mystery? The energy units that power our lives. (via Smart Planet)

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)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.17.14

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

CLIMATE 

Trust deficit blocking progress at UN climate talks (via RTCC)

Study says climate change accelerating Greenland’s ice loss (via Time)

Latin American nations agree to combat climate change (Fox News Latino)

Study: Climate impacts to hit crop yields starting in 2030s (via BusinessGreen)

Wyoming first state to block new national science standards (via Star-Tribune)

NATURAL GAS 

EU struggles to convince US to export gas under trade pact (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Clean energy created nearly 80,000 green jobs in America during 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

DOE forms six wind energy resource centers (via Recharge)

And the future of residential solar is…up for grabs (via Renewable Energy World)

Huge win for Cape Wind offshore wind farm (via CleanTechnica)

Poll shows strong support for net metering in Florida (via Renew Grid)

OIL 

IEA raises 2014 oil demand estimate as world economy recovers (via Bloomberg)

OPEC production surges as Iraq pumps most in 35 years, says IEA (via Bloomberg)

Norway’s oil stimulus nears tipping point as growth fades (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

EIA report: Efficiency driving shale production growth (via Houston Chronicle)

Onshore oil production on public lands grows as gas continues slide (via Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Nissan on track to beat 2020 EV sales target? (via Green Car Reports)

ENVIRONMENT 

NASA-funded study: Industrial civilization headed for “irreversible collapse?” (via The Guardian)

Growing evidence that autism is linked to pollution (via Time)

California drought expected to drive up US food prices (via Journal Star)

California firefighters, residents bracing for long fire season (via Contra Costa Times)

COAL 

Merkel’s green push sinks Germany coal profits (via Bloomberg)

North Carolina coal ash spill cleanup will take two years, says Duke Energy (via Huffington Post/AP)

EMISSIONS 

Trade concern limits rich-nation effort to cut carbon (via Bloomberg)

Latest EPA greenhouse gas inventory may not reflect full scope of oil and gas emissions (via Breaking Energy)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Better Buildings Challenge draws record participants (via Energy Manager Today)

Who’s behind the effort to kill Indiana’s efficiency law? (via Midwest Energy News)

POLITICS 

In midterm elections, a battle of billionaires (via The Hill)

OPINION 

China wakes up to its environmental catastrophe (via Council on Foreign Relations)

Can the US military save us from climate change? (via GreenBiz)

Billionaires with big ideas are privatizing American science (via New York Times)

The misplaced emphasis on extreme weather in climate communication (via Washington Post)

Bill Gates explains how to save the planet (via Rolling Stone)

Why nothing will happen on oil by rail safety (via DeSmogBlog)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.6.14

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

EMISSIONS 

UK and China launch 3-year, £20 million low carbon innovation program (via Green Car Congress)

Europe’s banks in $1 trillion risk from carbon bubble, say reports (via RTCC)

Texas could lead on methane emissions reduction, report says (via Texas Tribune)

Harvard president says fossil fuel divestment unnecessary, “hypocritical” (via DeSmogBlog)

COAL 

Coal firm to pay record penalty, spend millions on water cleanup in five states (via New York Times)

North Carolina regulators want Duke coal ash pond documents (via Charlotte Observer)

RENEWABLES 

Obama seeks “permanent” Production Tax Credit (via Recharge)

Cape Wind foes sue FAA over access to air traffic data (via Cape Cod Times)

Utility-backed anti solar bill on the move in Kansas statehouse (via Renewable Energy World)

$28.6 million awarded for solar projects under NY-Sun program (via Solar Industry)

Iowa gets 27% of its electricity from wind, report says (via Des Moines Register)

Mosaic crowdsources solar installation for homeowners (via San Francisco Chronicle)

What can solar companies do to woo homeowners in a booming market? (via Forbes)

NATURAL GAS 

Congressional pressure builds for gas exports to counter Putin (via Politico)

US gas exports will grow but won’t change markets, say industry executives (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

UK takes the lead on smart city standards (via Navigant Research)

Dubai focuses on technology in smart city bid (via Phys.org)

House passes energy efficiency bill targeting homes, federal agencies (via The Hill)

If DC can’t lead in policy, at least it’s leading in energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Beyond data: How to succeed in building efficiency analytics (via Greentech Media)

Tenants and landlords can both save with energy efficiency upgrades (via C2ES)

OIL 

Canada’s oil-by-rail deliveries in 2013 lagged US estimate (via Reuters)

Too much propane could be a factor in exploding oil trains (via InsideClimate News)

Moniz: Oil industry hasn’t made case for crude-oil export (via National Journal)

Keystone XL-inspired clash begins over Enbridge’s $7 billion expansion plan (via EnergyWire)

ENVIRONMENT 

Chinese premier says government will declare war on pollution as smog spreads (via Bloomberg)

Great Barrier Reef damage “irreversible” without radical action (The Guardian)

US trade deals from the 90s set up China as a pollution haven (via InsideClimate News)

CLIMATE 

Indian cities face “huge” risks without climate planning (via Thompson Reuters)

Pentagon: Climate change impacts “threat multipliers,” could enable terrorism (via DeSmogBlog)

Climate risk bonds: How to finance climate disaster response and adaptation (via Huffington Post)

How does conservative money work against climate change legislation? (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Historic shift to cheap clean energy being held back by over-regulation (via Bloomberg New Energy Finance)

Just another solar deal, or the future of mid-size project financing? (via Breaking Energy)

The energy transition tipping point is here (via SmartPlanet)

Will state legislatures join Congress to cut green energy incentives? (via Forbes)

A bright year for solar in the US – but clouds are on the horizon (via Time)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.3.14

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

EMISSIONS 

China may build biggest smog lab to control pollution (via Bloomberg)

Norwegian government reviews fossil fuel divestment plan (via BusinessGreen)

EPA set to reveal tough new sulfur emissions rule (via New York Times)

KEYSTONE XL 

Hundreds arrested at White House Keystone XL protest (via Politico)

Native Americans vow a last stand to block Keystone XL oil pipeline (via Washington Post)

Boxer joins Grivalja in push for Keystone XL contractor review probe (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

US biodiesel production sets annual and monthly records (via Facts of the Day)

Analysis finds some research studies may overstate energy crop yields by as much as 100 percent (via Green Car Congress)

Battle over renewable energy ahead in Kansas legislative session (via Lawrence Journal-World)

PUC pushes limits on Pennsylvania solar net metering actions (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Cape Wind finds cash, eyes 2016 for offshore wind operation (via EarthTechling)

Maine governor seeks to get rid of wind energy goals (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Flood damage cost to rise fivefold across Europe by 2050 (via The Guardian)

Russia outlines plans to meet 2020 climate goals (via RTCC)

Apple CEO advises climate change deniers to get out of company stock (via CNET)

More companies face climate-related risks to supply chains (via GreenBiz)

GRID 

Joint-operating dispute reignites between Midwest grid operators (via EnergyWire)

Southwest Power Pool launches new market, is poised to double in size (via EnergyWire)

Energy storage: California’s new green tech battleground (via Forbes)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

IEA chief: Only a decade left in US shale boom (via Christian Science Monitor)

US natural gas prices rise a second day on winter storm, Ukraine escalation (via Bloomberg)

LA city council takes step toward fracking ban (via Los Angeles Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

EPA takes step toward restricting Pebble Mine project on Alaska’s Bristol Bay (via Washington Post)

California governor signs $687 million drought relief legislation (via Reuters)

California rain brings mudslides but no drought relief (via Time)

North Carolina regulators cite Duke Energy in coal ash spill (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Top 10 regions for EV growth in US – Atlanta crushing it! (via CleanTechnica)

Almost $1 billion in claims filed against bankrupt Fisker (via Autoblog Green)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexico energy overhaul could renew interest in green power (via Houston Chronicle)

In search of new sales, defense contractors embrace energy market (via Washington Post)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

DOE steams ahead with third appliance standard in Obama’s “year of action” (via Greenwire)

OPINION 

Edison Electric Institute really does not want you to go solar (via Greentech Media)

Batteries combined with rooftop solar may speed grid’s “death spiral” (via EnergyWire)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.27.14

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Shaheen, Portman finalize latest version of bill ahead of release (Via E&E Daily)

Opower’s evolution: Will the efficiency firm soon be a solar and EV integrator? (via Greentech Media)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

IG: State Dept did not break rules when hiring consultant for Keystone XL report (via Washington Post)

Corporation exploiting major loophole to quickly build 600-mile tar sands pipeline (via Climate Progress)

Canadian crude now moving through Keystone XL’s southern leg (via Houston Chronicle)

Kerry feels Keystone XL pressure from all sides (via National Journal)

Sen. Boxer raises health concerns about Keystone XL (via USA Today)

Youth plan major White House protest against Keystone XL (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Solar set for record global expansion in 2014, led by China (via Houston Chronicle)

Germany must scrap its green energy law, say experts (via Reuters)

UK wind power output grew 38 percent in 2013 (via BusinessGreen)

IEA says wind, solar can carry bulk of energy transformation (via Recharge)

Midsize EPCs squeezed globally while the US and China nurture top firms (via Solar Industry)

Morocco opens final tender on wind farms worth $1.7 billion (via Reuters)

Large offshore wind farms could soften blow of hurricanes (via Yale e360)

Report: Solar paired with storage is a “real, near, and present” threat to utilities (via Greentech Media)

Oregon Senate passes bill to protect state renewable energy mandates (via The Oregonian)

Cape Wind expects to wrap financing in Q3 (via Recharge)

OIL 

Dream of US oil independence slams against shale costs (via Bloomberg)

Accidents spur US to mandate tests of oil by train (via Reuters)

Seismic troubles stir up trouble in offshore drilling debate (via National Journal)

Shippers confused by new federal order on oil transport (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Obama proposed $302 billion transportation bill (via Washington Post)

Tesla Gigafactory will be capable of supplying 500,000 EVs a year (via Autoblog Green)

Honda to halt production of Insight hybrid vehicle (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

US, UK science academies say climate change is real (via Economic Times/Agence France-Presse)

Emerging economies lead climate action, says global study (via Bloomberg)

Climate change is increasing extreme heat globally (via Climate Central)

Report finds almost 500 laws to tackle climate change across world (via The Guardian)

COAL

Dollar value of US net coal exports has increase more than three-fold since 2005 (via US EIA)

ENVIRONMENT 

Radioactive water from Fukushima reaches Canada (via United Press International)

Ikea suspended by Forest Stewardship Council for illegal logging (via Environmental Leader)

California’s drought is extreme, but the government is making it worse (via Washington Post)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Light-duty natural gas vehicles worldwide will reach nearly 40 million by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

LA and California lawmakers move to impose fracking moratoriums (via Grist)

GRID 

Smart grid benefits could bypass consumers, warns report (via Phys.org)

Threats to power sector gleaned from other industries’ attacks (via EnergyWire)

OPINION 

Obama’s pipeline (via New York Times)

Reuters’ climate coverage continues to decline under “skeptic” editor (via Media Matters for America)

Are high natural gas prices here to stay? (via National Journal)

Stunning map shows what a worst case climate change scenario might look like (via Business Insider)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.27.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Worries in the path of China’s air (via New York Times)

Rethinking how to split the costs of carbon (via New York Times)

Bill McKibben’s graph of the year: We’re extracting more fossil fuels than ever (via Washington Post)

Appellate court to hear arguments on Christie’s removal of NJ from RGGI (via Bergen Record)

TAR SANDS 

Alberta’s tar sands will now be regulated by fossil fuel-funded group (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

Scotland hits 100MW solar PV milestone (via Recharge)

The $100 million green bond from Hannon Armstrong (via Greentech Media)

US solar panel manufacturers get a gift from US military (via Public Radio International)

Is the Interior Department’s eagle plan good for the birds? (via Greenwire)

How one Austin church could lead to more urban solar power (via StateImpact Texas)

Shady critics attack Cape Wind effort (via Providence Journal)

OIL 

2013 US oil boom is biggest-ever one-year increase (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

American utilities face perfect storm (via Energy Manager Today)

Utilities feeling rooftop solar heat start fighting back (via Bloomberg)

California ISO, CPUC will jointly plan for a clean energy grid (via Renew Grid)

CLIMATE 

German researchers calculate how climate change affects water scarcity and hunger (via Deutsche Welle)

FEMA knew flood maps left NYC unprepared for Sandy (via Climate Central)

GREEN BUILDING 

Green infrastructure investments increase commercial property value (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

Heliotrope: The world’s first energy positive solar home (via Inhabitat)

TRANSPORTATION 

New gas tax can help pay for roads and transportation (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.18.13

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

CLIMATE 

EU needs international climate finance roadmap (via Reuters)

November temperatures set new global high, says NOAA (via CNN)

Water scarcity escalating due to climate change, says report (via The Hill)

2013 in review: A year of increasing extreme weather events (via The Guardian)

Obama and climate change: The real story (via Rolling Stone)

11 US cities tapped to spur “climate resiliency” action worldwide (via InsideClimate News)

OIL 

Shale well depletion raises questions over US oil boom (via Houston Chronicle)

Report: Taxpayers not getting fair return from drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

Without exports, US could face oil supply glut in 2015 (via Breaking Energy)

Interior Department has stopped trying to raise drilling royalty rates (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

Tony Abbott could scrap Australia’s renewables target (via RTCC)

Merkel rejects EU probe of Germany’s green energy incentives (via Bloomberg)

Canadian solar surging on sales of power projects (via Bloomberg)

Mexico will be hottest solar market in Latin America, despite huge Chile project pipeline (via Greentech Media)

UK approves plans for major offshore wind hub project (via Recharge)

Study shows rooftop solar adds thousands to home resale values (via CleanTechnica)

US DOE invests $13 million into domestic solar manufacturing (via CleanTechnica)

Turbine noise can be heard from just 3% of wind farms (via The Guardian)

A struggle to balance wind energy with wildlife (via New York Times)

Wind power rivals coal with $1 billion order from Buffett (via Bloomberg)

Ohio and Michigan partner for clean energy manufacturing (via CBS News)

Construction begins on Cape Wind offshore wind farm (via Cape Cod Times)

Move over wind – solar energy market “exploding” in Iowa (via Midwest Energy News)

Kansas renewable energy target under fire again in state legislature (via Lawrence Journal-World)

US shifts offshore wind gaze to Maryland (via Renewable Energy World)

Pentagon report says market forces shifted rare earth availability (via Reuters) 

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada to start oil shipments on Keystone XL southern leg in January (via Houston Chronicle)

House budget chief looks to tie Keystone XL to debt-ceiling vote (via The Hill)

GRID 

Utility-scale battery storage costs could be competitive with gas within 18 months (via Renew Economy)

US net metering set to grow, but effect on electric utilities uncertain (via Reuters)

USDA providing $1.8 billion in funding for rural electric utilities (via Renew Grid)

California ISO unveils roadmap to smarter, stronger grid (via BusinessWire)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Britain opens door to more shale gas drilling (via New York Times)

Outlook suggests green light for more gas exports (via EnergyWire)

USGS study: Methane common in southern New York State groundwater (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

TRANSPORTATION 

Will biofuels do better in aviation than anywhere else? (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla gets $34.7 million tax break to boost manufacturing in California (via San Francisco Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Shaheen fights to recharge energy efficiency bill (via National Journal)

Infographic guide to buying energy-efficient light bulbs (via Inhabitat)

NUCLEAR 

Right-sized reactors breathing new life into nuclear energy (via Forbes)

OPINION 

Can the American wind energy industry survive without the PTC? (via Energy Collective)

It doesn’t take much global warming to drive water scarcity way up (via Climate Progress)

How wind power could beat out natural gas (via EarthTechling)

Could 2014 be the year of the battery? (via Renew Economy)

Are taxpayers getting their fair share of oil royalties? (via National Journal)

Four ways climate change is transforming our winters (via C2ES)