Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.2.15

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

EMISSIONS

Tropical forests may inhale a third of fossil fuel emissions (via Climate Central)

EU carbon market has first volume decline after brake on supply (via Bloomberg)

Americans favor EPA regulation over carbon tax or cap-and-trade (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES

India’s Modi raises solar investment target to $100 billion by 2022 (via Reuters)

New markets help utility-scale solar surge to another record year (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Solar energy: How low oil prices change the game (via Bloomberg)

Transportation logistics trouble wind energy industry (via TriplePundit)

Strategic policy stacking can lead to solar market success (via Renewable Energy World)

States work to meet new renewable energy standards (via Houston Chronicle)

Greenwood Energy to expand DG solar business with Fortress Investment (via Solar Industry Magazine)

New York plants seeds for energy reform in 2014 that will bloom in 2015 (via Energy Collective)

Top 10 largest solar projects under construction (via Forbes)

OIL

OPEC December crude output slips as global prices tumble (via Bloomberg)

U.S. easing of oil exports challenges OPEC strategy (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION

Almost 10,000 EVs were sold in China in November (via Inside EVs)

EVs coast through 2014, pin hopes on 2015 (via Greentech Media)

AAA: U.S. drivers saved $14 billion on gasoline in 2014 (via Houston Chronicle)

Electric power industry expects 400% growth in annual EV sales by 2023 (via CleanTechnica)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

2015 green building trends (via Environmental Leader)

DOE sets efficiency standards for light bulbs, icemakers (via The Hill)

GRID

California could supercharge the distribution grid (via Greentech Media)

A look inside ERCOT’s control room (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT

Wildfires rage across Southern Australia as temperatures rise (via Bloomberg)

FEMA overpaid $177 million on hurricane damages (via The Hill)

Plastic bag manufacturers spend $3 million to repeal California ban (via EcoWatch)

OPINION

Three ways for cities to go carbon negative (via Greenbiz)

Three steps toward clean technology business success in Brazil (via Renewable Energy World)

Is there any way to slow aviation’s soaring emissions? (via RTCC)

Five top stories from India’s solar market in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

What does $60 oil mean for biofuel industry? (via Renewable Energy World)

In Keystone pipeline case, what might Nebraska court do? (via Reuters)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.9.14

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

CLIMATE 

UN sets six-month deadline for delivery of draft climate agreement (via RTCC)

EU nations mull funds to aid clean energy in 2030 climate deal (via Bloomberg)

EU 2030 compromise could weaken climate action (via RTCC)

NOAA: Antarctic sea ice growth linked to loss of land ice (via Climate Progress)

Prepare for climate change or risk loss of funds, says FEMA (via Sustainable Business)

California leads U.S. on climate change preparation, says 50-state tool (via USA Today)

RENEWABLES 

Solar’s $30 billion splurge proves too much for Japan’s grid (via Bloomberg)

China solar demand in doubt as rooftop installations lag target (via Reuters)

Solar outlook in Ontario promising despite FiT cut (via PV Tech)

Ukraine wants 1GW of wind by 2016 (via Recharge News)

UK energy minister sets sights on “subsidy-free” solar by 2020 (via PV Tech)

Brazil eliminates taxes on wind parts to spur turbine production (via Bloomberg)

Mercom reports strong quarterly solar financing activity (via Solar Industry)

Slow-growing geothermal seeks bigger piece of U.S. renewable energy pie (via Breaking Energy)

Honda, SolarCity expand sun-powered partnership with new $50 million fund (via Autoblog Green)

Buying renewable power for data centers poses major challenges for Internet companies (via Greentech Media)

Wind energy innovation: Hybrid concrete and steel towers (via Navigant Research)

Proposed U.S. solar trade tariff changes “illegal” (via PV Tech)

Massachusetts offshore wind auction to include 4-5 zones (via Recharge News)

Renexia plans 500MW offshore wind for Maryland coast (via Recharge News)

NUCLEAR 

EU approves plan for new nuclear power station in UK (via New York Times)

Federal inspector faults regulator on San Onofre nuclear plant review (via CBS Los Angeles)

EMISSIONS 

Glasgow University to ditch £18 million fossil fuel investments (via BusinessGreen)

EPA sends ozone regulation for White House review (via The Hill)

California moves to revoke carbon credits after inquiry (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Canadian crude exports to U.S. top 3 million bpd for first time (via Reuters)

Oil bulls keep faith Saudi supply cuts will revive price (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

In the U.S., a turning point in the flow of oil (via New York Times)

Environmental groups ramp up crude-by-rail fight in courtroom (via Breaking Energy)

Lego scraps Shell deal after Arctic drilling protest (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK invests £11 million to get hydrogen cars on the road (via BusinessGreen)

Tesla sets up shop in Japan, sells first EVs (via Green Car Reports)

EPA says 24.1-mpg new car average is best ever (via Autoblog Green)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Efficiency worth more than renewables at $310 billion, says IEA (via Bloomberg)

Which states have the most efficient cars and homes? Study ranks them (via Green Car Reports)

ENERGY POLICY 

Canadian support for joint U.S. energy policy falls (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

New Hampshire could be the next state to take on microgrids (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

Sugar shortage seen looming amid drought in Brazil (via Bloomberg)

Beijing raises smog alert as pollution envelops North China (via Bloomberg)

Obama to declare national monument in San Gabriels (via Los Angeles Times)

California’s firefighting air tanker fleet grounded after deadly Yosemite crash (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Fossil fuel divestment: A brief history (via The Guardian)

2014 extreme weather: looking for climate ties (via Climate Central)

Fourth quarter PV installation forecasts turning into a lottery (via PV Tech)

Advanced ethanol makers trying to give Big Oil a run for its money (via Forbes)

The big problem with letting small railroads haul oil (via Sightline)

Firsthand lessons on public charging for EVs (via Energy Collective)

California’s drought is so bad it’s literally moving mountains (via National Journal)

Documentary “The Overnighters” shows dark side of North Dakota oil boom (via Reuters)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.7.14

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

NATURAL GAS 

Water for drinking or fracking: Why we may have to choose by 2040 (via Christian Science Monitor)

China halves 2020 shale gas output target (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

U.S., China collaborate on carbon capture (via Navigant Research)

RENEWABLES 

China adds Australia-sized solar capacity in energy push (via Bloomberg)

In Africa, “solar as a service” attracts U.S. dollars (via Navigant Research)

China sets 2014 solar PV target at 13GW (via Recharge)

What can we learn from Germany’s solar experience? (via Greentech Media)

U.S. adds 619MW wind in Q2 (via Recharge)

DOE gives $18 million to geothermal projects (via The Hill)

Army awards final contracts to support $7 billion renewable energy plan (via Energy Manager Today)

Utility-scale solar is back from the dead (via Greentech Media)

First Solar claims 21% efficiency for thin-film PV cell (via Solar Industry Magazine)

CLIMATE 

For most of us, a warmer world has become the new “normal” (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

FEMA threatened by record legal fees that eclipse cost of Katrina (via ClimateWire)

Tornado outbreaks could have a climate change assist (via Climate Central)

White House science adviser: Wildfires are linked to climate change (via Climate Progress)

57% of Americans want companies to weigh in on climate change (via Environmental Leader)

OIL 

Mexican Congress approves oil sector energy reform (via Houston Chronicle)

Shell keeps Arctic drilling on table for 2015 (via Houston Chronicle)

Deepwater fracking next frontier for offshore drilling (via Bloomberg)

Railroads lack insurance for major oil train disasters, say feds (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Worldwide gasoline demand to drop after 2012 (via Autoblog Green)

Japan considering offering free hydrogen cars (via Autoblog Green)

$11 billion later, U.S. high-speed rail is inching along (via New York Times)

Why battery electric vehicles will beat fuel cells (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT 

“Abnormally early” Australian bushfire season prompts call for more resources (via The Guardian)

U.S. firefighting budget is almost gone, but the forests are still burning (via Grist)

Nevada drought could reverse drop in bark beetle numbers (via Reno Gazette-Journal)

Meet the invasive pest fueling Lake Erie’s toxic algae bloom (via National Journal)

GRID 

Annual grid investment expected to reach $198 billion by 2024 (via Renew Grid)

Mapping tool shows which U.S. energy facilities are in flood risk areas (via U.S. EIA)

POLITICS

FERC Commissioner Norris to leave agency early (via SNL Energy)

Fight brews in Arizona over dark money, solar policy (via Huffington Post)

OPINION 

Fire and ice: What I did on my summer vacation (via EcoWatch)

PR firms’ foolish global warming fatwa could backfire (via Investors Business Daily)

Why a new study thinks next year’s climate talks won’t keep the world under 2 degrees Celsius (via Climate Progress)

Choose your future: Four possible emissions pathways (via WRI Insights)

Al Gore: “Compelling” economic case for ditching coal assets (via BusinessGreen)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.28.14

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

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL pressure mounts before State of the Union (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone likely to be missing from Obama’s speech, but visible before and after (via National Journal)

Enviro groups to pressure Obama by parading inflatable pipeline around Capitol (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Heat stress, not flooding, drives most climate migrants (via ClimateWire)

Why we could see more cold snaps in a warming world (via StateImpact Texas)

FEMA: Caught between climate change and Congress (via InsideClimate News)

CBS boss will meet with senators pushing more climate change coverage (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

EU adds 1.57GW offshore wind in 2013 (via Recharge)

Renewable energy provides 37% of all new US electrical generating capacity in 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

US solar jobs grew 20% to more than 142,000 last year (via Bloomberg)

The oil industry just talked EPA into reconsidering its 2013 cellulosic biofuel mandate (via Climate Progress)

Five facts you should know about America’s booming solar jobs market (via Greentech Media)

National labs lead clean energy quest (via Energy Manager Today)

Wyoming wind pitches cost savings to California (via EarthTechling)

New Hampshire solar isn’t as small as you’d think (via Nashua Telegraph)

“Green Tea” activist set to launch free-market energy group (via EnergyWire)

The secrets of selling solar: Drivers of REC Solar’s strong growth (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS 

OPEC producer UAE considers importing North American gas (via Reuters)

Demand may push up natural gas prices after 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)

Inside the complicated relationship between natural gas and climate change (via National Journal)

GRID 

Energy storage having mixed results in market (via Forbes)

Retail electric choice grew at stronger pace in 2013 than previous two years (via COMPETE Coalition)

Smart meter backers see role in Texas power market debate (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla could build a local manufacturing plant in China (via GigaOm)

Free Tesla Supercharger network now covers cross-country driving (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

Job aid zones face a new test in coal country (via New York Times)

Unfazed by environmental challenges, coal industry mounts PR assault (via Christian Science Monitor)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Public and private financing drives energy efficiency in rural America (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

90% of executives believe in sustainability, but half don’t act (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

California drought could impact world food prices (via Voice of America)

OPINION 

Dire signs from a warming world (via Washington Post)

Five energy and climate questions to watch at State of the Union (via National Journal)

How cold weather impairs our climate change judgments (via EcoAffect)

Why the cost of carbon pollution is both too high and too low (via Energy Collective)

Will the oil boom shrink America’s trade deficit? Maybe not. (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.28.14

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

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL pressure mounts before State of the Union (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone likely to be missing from Obama’s speech, but visible before and after (via National Journal)

Enviro groups to pressure Obama by parading inflatable pipeline around Capitol (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Heat stress, not flooding, drives most climate migrants (via ClimateWire)

Why we could see more cold snaps in a warming world (via StateImpact Texas)

FEMA: Caught between climate change and Congress (via InsideClimate News)

CBS boss will meet with senators pushing more climate change coverage (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

EU adds 1.57GW offshore wind in 2013 (via Recharge)

Renewable energy provides 37% of all new US electrical generating capacity in 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

US solar jobs grew 20% to more than 142,000 last year (via Bloomberg)

The oil industry just talked EPA into reconsidering its 2013 cellulosic biofuel mandate (via Climate Progress)

Five facts you should know about America’s booming solar jobs market (via Greentech Media)

National labs lead clean energy quest (via Energy Manager Today)

Wyoming wind pitches cost savings to California (via EarthTechling)

New Hampshire solar isn’t as small as you’d think (via Nashua Telegraph)

“Green Tea” activist set to launch free-market energy group (via EnergyWire)

The secrets of selling solar: Drivers of REC Solar’s strong growth (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS 

OPEC producer UAE considers importing North American gas (via Reuters)

Demand may push up natural gas prices after 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)

Inside the complicated relationship between natural gas and climate change (via National Journal)

GRID 

Energy storage having mixed results in market (via Forbes)

Retail electric choice grew at stronger pace in 2013 than previous two years (via COMPETE Coalition)

Smart meter backers see role in Texas power market debate (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla could build a local manufacturing plant in China (via GigaOm)

Free Tesla Supercharger network now covers cross-country driving (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

Job aid zones face a new test in coal country (via New York Times)

Unfazed by environmental challenges, coal industry mounts PR assault (via Christian Science Monitor)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Public and private financing drives energy efficiency in rural America (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

90% of executives believe in sustainability, but half don’t act (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

California drought could impact world food prices (via Voice of America)

OPINION 

Dire signs from a warming world (via Washington Post)

Five energy and climate questions to watch at State of the Union (via National Journal)

How cold weather impairs our climate change judgments (via EcoAffect)

Why the cost of carbon pollution is both too high and too low (via Energy Collective)

Will the oil boom shrink America’s trade deficit? Maybe not. (via Washington Post)

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 – 6.14.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Study raises hope of combating global warming by reducing soot (via Christian Science Monitor)

Storm-battered Philippines moves to reduce climate risks and emissions (via ClimateWire)

Supreme Court curbs Port of Los Angeles’ crackdown on truck emissions (via Greenwire)

OIL 

Why America’s shale oil boom could end sooner than you think (via Forbes)

US crude oil production could reach 10 million barrels per day by 2040 (via US EIA)

ExxonMobil faces federal lawsuit over Arkansas oil spill (via Los Angeles Times)

US, Arkansas file joint complaint against Exxon Mobil (via Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

Canadian regulator says Kinder Morgan pipeline spills crude in British Columbia (via Wall Street Journal)

RENEWABLES 

MLPs: a bargain for renewables or a devil’s bargain? (via Greentech Media)

Hawaii pledges $300 million for green future (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

Native Americans decry eagle deaths tied to wind farms (via Reuters)

Concentrating solar power for 5.57 cents/kWh (via CleanTechnica)

Dominion Virginia Power set to launch solar purchase plan (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Wind power getting cheaper for Oklahoma utility customers (via The Oklahoman)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to survey soil pollution nationwide (via Bloomberg)

Fish nets found to kill large numbers of birds (via New York Times)

Colorado wildfire destroys more homes than any other in state history (via New York Times)

Supreme Court backs Oklahoma over Texas water demand (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS 

What does Israel’s offshore natural gas resources mean for the region? (via Council on Foreign Relations)

DOE Secretary Moniz vows gas export decisions this year (via the Hill)

CLIMATE 

Is a sleeping climate giant stirring in the Arctic? (via NASA)

Climate bond market doubles to $346 billion in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Cuba girds for climate change by reclaiming coasts (via Boston Globe/AP)

Geoengineering via iron fertilization could backfire (via Science Daily)

Sources: Obama climate plan rollout may come in July (via Politico)

FEMA report says climate change could increase flood risk areas by 45% (via Mother Jones)

$110 billion price tag for US extreme weather events in 2012 (via Climate Central)

Senators from Sandy-hit states press Obama on climate rules (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

French car-sharing service Autolib will make US debut in Indianapolis (via Autoblog Green)

Austin, Texas claims nation’s largest electric car share (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US companies “fall short of sustainability goals” (via Environmental Leader)

GRID 

California energy storage plan may require $3 billion investment (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EPA upgrades Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool for commercial buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

Minnesota home sale listings to include efficiency scores (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

How the World Bank could slash its carbon emissions: start flying in coach (via Washington Post)

Why federal renewable mandates challenge US utilities – and what they can do (via Breaking Energy)

How EPA fights climate change even when Congress doesn’t want it to (via National Journal)

Climate change is the GOP’s worst nightmare (via Denver Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.14.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Study raises hope of combating global warming by reducing soot (via Christian Science Monitor)

Storm-battered Philippines moves to reduce climate risks and emissions (via ClimateWire)

Supreme Court curbs Port of Los Angeles’ crackdown on truck emissions (via Greenwire)

OIL 

Why America’s shale oil boom could end sooner than you think (via Forbes)

US crude oil production could reach 10 million barrels per day by 2040 (via US EIA)

ExxonMobil faces federal lawsuit over Arkansas oil spill (via Los Angeles Times)

US, Arkansas file joint complaint against Exxon Mobil (via Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

Canadian regulator says Kinder Morgan pipeline spills crude in British Columbia (via Wall Street Journal)

RENEWABLES 

MLPs: a bargain for renewables or a devil’s bargain? (via Greentech Media)

Hawaii pledges $300 million for green future (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

Native Americans decry eagle deaths tied to wind farms (via Reuters)

Concentrating solar power for 5.57 cents/kWh (via CleanTechnica)

Dominion Virginia Power set to launch solar purchase plan (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Wind power getting cheaper for Oklahoma utility customers (via The Oklahoman)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to survey soil pollution nationwide (via Bloomberg)

Fish nets found to kill large numbers of birds (via New York Times)

Colorado wildfire destroys more homes than any other in state history (via New York Times)

Supreme Court backs Oklahoma over Texas water demand (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS 

What does Israel’s offshore natural gas resources mean for the region? (via Council on Foreign Relations)

DOE Secretary Moniz vows gas export decisions this year (via the Hill)

CLIMATE 

Is a sleeping climate giant stirring in the Arctic? (via NASA)

Climate bond market doubles to $346 billion in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Cuba girds for climate change by reclaiming coasts (via Boston Globe/AP)

Geoengineering via iron fertilization could backfire (via Science Daily)

Sources: Obama climate plan rollout may come in July (via Politico)

FEMA report says climate change could increase flood risk areas by 45% (via Mother Jones)

$110 billion price tag for US extreme weather events in 2012 (via Climate Central)

Senators from Sandy-hit states press Obama on climate rules (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

French car-sharing service Autolib will make US debut in Indianapolis (via Autoblog Green)

Austin, Texas claims nation’s largest electric car share (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US companies “fall short of sustainability goals” (via Environmental Leader)

GRID 

California energy storage plan may require $3 billion investment (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EPA upgrades Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool for commercial buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

Minnesota home sale listings to include efficiency scores (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

How the World Bank could slash its carbon emissions: start flying in coach (via Washington Post)

Why federal renewable mandates challenge US utilities – and what they can do (via Breaking Energy)

How EPA fights climate change even when Congress doesn’t want it to (via National Journal)

Climate change is the GOP’s worst nightmare (via Denver Post)