Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.13.14

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

NATURAL GAS 

EU parliament excludes shale gas from tougher environmental code (via The Guardian)

Europe looks to cut Russian gas imports amid Ukraine crisis (via Christian Science Monitor)

Marcellus tops major US shale plays in drill rig productivity (via StateImpact Texas)

Wyoming Supreme Court reverses district court decision on fracking fluid disclosure (via Casper Star-Tribune)

KEYSTONE XL 

Foreigners play a key role in comments protesting Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Three EU countries hit 2020 renewable benchmarks early (via Climate Central)

Study: Wind power saves Europe €2.4 billion worth of water every year (via BusinessGreen)

Vestas back on top as wind turbine installation leader (via Renewable Energy World)

Wind leaves nuclear behind in China (via CleanTechnica)

1st Latin American Solar Decathlon set for Colombia in 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

Top 10 US cities for solar power (via Fast Company)

Clean energy job growth in US starts to slip (via Forbes)

Poll: 75% of US homeowners say utilities shouldn’t block solar (via Greentech Media)

SolarCity inks deal to sell solar panels at Best Buy (via SmartPlanet)

Texas leads growth in clean energy jobs (via Houston Chronicle)

Minnesota becomes first state to set “value of solar” tariff (via Midwest Energy News)

Massachusetts: The Commonwealth of solar (via Greentech Media)

Renewables could meet nearly one-third Michigan’s energy needs (via UCS)

GRID 

US power grid preparedness falls short, says report (via New York Times)

EMISSIONS 

China sticks with coal gasification to curb smog despite potentially big rise in CO2 emissions (via ClimateWire)

Russia considers domestic carbon market in global warming fight (via Bloomberg)

Study projects explosive African emissions growth from fossil fuels and biofuels (via Green Car Congress)

EU backs big cuts on super-strength greenhouse gases (via RTCC)

House GOP launches probe into EPA power plant emissions rule (via The Hill)

OIL 

US to tap strategic petroleum reserve (via Houston Chronicle)

US surprises oil market with sale from strategic petroleum reserve (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Toyota expects hybrids will soon reach 20% global sales volume (via Autoblog)

Norway will become first nation with one EV for every hundred cars (via Inhabitat)

California’s pioneering low-carbon fuels rule could see multiple changes (via ClimateWire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Indiana lawmakers flip off switch on state’s energy efficiency program (via NWI Times)

Indiana governor to decide fate of energy efficiency standard (via EnergyWire)

NUCLEAR 

General Electric sued over 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster (via United Press International)

ENVIRONMENT 

Earth has a secret reservoir of water, say scientists (via Agence France-Presse)

California drought to drive up long-term food prices (via San Jose Mercury News)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexico anticipates energy overhaul will bring in billions (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Exporting liquefied natural gas is a dreadful idea for the climate (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.12.14

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

CLIMATE 

NASA warns global warming could be 20% higher than previous estimates (via RTCC)

Climate change not a top US worry, finds poll (via The Hill)

Keeling Curve in danger of budget cuts (via Weather Underground)

COAL 

Italian judge blames coal plant for hundreds of deaths, forces it to close (via Huffington Post)

Duke CEO: Customers should pay to empty coal ash ponds (via Environmental Leader)

RENEWABLES 

100GW solar PV market in 2018, forecasts NPD Solarbuzz (via Recharge)

IEA: High renewable energy market penetration is feasible in any country (via CleanTechnica)

Latin America is emerging as a force in solar: Here’s what early developers have learned (via Greentech Media)

4.58GW of solar PV added in Japan (via CleanTechnica)

GE to supply 213MW of turbines for European wind farms (via Bloomberg)

Wind Production Tax Credit “dead” in Congress this year (via Bloomberg)

US homeowners, especially Republicans, want to be able to choose clean energy (via Climate Progress)

Minnesota regulators set to decide on solar tariff formula (via EnergyWire)

Automatic self-optimization of wind turbines (via Phys.org)

Cincinnati City Council debates buying green energy (via Cincinnati Business Courier)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL southern leg having major effect on US oil hub (via Houston Chronicle)

Experts: Keystone XL may create fewer jobs than most expect (via US News & World Report)

Unions: Keystone review “reeks of politics” (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Nine Chinese cities suffered more severe smog days than Beijing (via The Guardian)

Poor nations need financing to cut carbon emissions, says China (via Bloomberg)

For EPA’s global warming rules, will “next year” mean “never”? (via National Journal)

OIL 

US oil boom fuels rail industry resurgence (via Christian Science Monitor)

US refiners form lobby against easing crude export limits (via Reuters)

Moody’s: Many US oil companies on investors’ hit list (via Houston Chronicle)

North Dakota oil boom puts pressure on Great Plains farmers (via Huffington Post/Stateline)

GRID 

California drought dries up hydro but power stays on (via National Geographic)

NY regulator, ConEd embrace plan to climate-proof power grid (via InsideClimate News)

After failing in EVs, Coda Energy pursues no-money-down energy storage (via Greentech Media)

NUCLEAR 

16 countries’ regulatory bodies have changed policy in response to Fukushima (via US GAO)

Three years after Fukushima, Japan makes U-turn on nuclear (via Christian Science Monitor)

US nuclear agency hid concerns, hailed safety record as Fukushima melted (via NBC News)

FRACKING 

Ohio looks at whether fracking led to two quakes (via New York Times)

POLITICS

How talking about climate change might actually help Democrats win elections (via Washington Post)

Clinton Keystone dodge prompts donors to rethink support (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Four reasons why the fight against climate change is likely to fail (via Washington Post)

Japan’s energy dilemma, in one chart (via Washington Post)

All you need to know about BC’s carbon tax shift in five charts (via Sightline)

China builds bridges to US EV market (via Navigant Research)

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 – 2.26.14

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

COAL

Japan continues to fund coal despite increasing US pressure (via RTCC)

Researchers say 35 million gallons of coal ash spilled in North Carolina (via Boston Herald/AP) 

EMISSIONS 

South Africa delays carbon tax implementation to 2016 (via Bloomberg)

RGGI revenues to encourage $2 billion in energy bill savings (via Environmental Leader)

ALEC drums up opposition to upcoming EPA power plant limits (via GreenBiz)

KEYSTONE XL 

Grivalja: GAO set to investigate Keystone XL conflict (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

Growth in solar reshaping world’s renewables market (via RTCC)

Europe to lose renewables grip to Asia and Africa (via Renewable Energy World)

Nearly 100GW in worldwide solar pipeline (via Sustainable Business)

Mexico building Latin America’s largest solar farm to replace oil-power plant (via Climate Progress)

India to install 1GW new solar in 2014 (via Panchabuta)

GE targets Japanese onshore wind market (via Recharge)

Brazil’s small PV installations think big (via Recharge)

Offshore wind power’s eye-popping capacity factors (via EarthTechling)

Growth of solar market depends on PV module reliability and performance (via Greentech Media)

Renewables account for 99% of new US generation in January (via Renew Grid)

22 ARPA-E projects have attracted more than $625 million in private investment (via Green Car Congress)

New power lines will make Texas world’s 5th largest wind power producer (via ClimateWire)

NC Sustainable Energy Association acts to protect rooftop solar market (via Solar Industry)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Value of natural gas net imports has declined dramatically in recent years (via US EIA)

Colorado fracking rules could become national blueprint (via Forbes)

Maps show where droughts and fracking collide (via Fast Company)

Chesapeake plans to cut drilling costs by $900 million (via Reuters)

Ohio wants to plug more abandoned gas wells (via Plain-Dealer)

CLIMATE 

World begins 2014 with unusual number of extreme weather events (via The Guardian)

Extreme heat days multiply despite global warming “hiatus” (via CBC News)

Geoengineering side effects could be potentially disastrous, research shows (via The Guardian)

UK PM Cameron warns climate change one of biggest threats facing world (via BusinessGreen)

New York State expects all utilities to prep for climate change (via Climate Central)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima radiation could reach Pacific coast by April (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Tepco says Fukushima radiation “significantly” undercounted (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

China on track to meet 2020 forest targets, but concerns linger (via Reuters)

John Kerry calls for expansion of world’s marine reserves (via The Guardian)

OIL 

Surge in fuel exports boosting US trade balance (via Houston Chronicle)

Emergency DOT order mandates rail crude oil tests (via The Hill)

US lawmakers to question oil-by-rail safety (via Reuters)

North Dakota county wants state to take stand on illegal oilfield waste (via Inforum)

TRANSPORTATION 

Psychology can wipe out 20-25% of your EV’s range (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla Motors shares zoom to record high on favorable reports (via Los Angeles Times)

Tesla Model S wins “best overall” car by Consumer Reports (via CNET)

Why a gigafactory? Because Tesla used 1/3 all EV batteries last year (via Green Car Reports)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

US electricity use declines, says ACEEE (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Who owns weather, the feds or the states? (via National Journal)

Will Tesla disrupt the electric utility industry? (via Smart Planet)

Energy economist says shale fever soon will decline (via Houston Chronicle)

Tesla’s stock is up 644% - why it may not last (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.25.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Backloading EU carbon market fix poised to become law (via BusinessGreen)

UN promises “bold response” to stalled carbon offset scheme (via BusinessGreen)

Supreme Court questions EPA’s power on emissions controls (via National Journal)

Supreme Court justices struggle for common ground on EPA emission rules (via Greenwire)

Shell reaches landmark with world’s first industrial carbon capture project (via Houston Chronicle)

EPA threatens Pennsylvania over air pollution rule violations (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL 

Governors: Obama expects Keystone decision within months (via Politico)

Loopholes speeding Keystone XL route through Nebraska backfire on governor, TransCanada (via InsideClimate News)

RENEWABLES 

China narrows gap to US in renewable energy ranking (via Bloomberg)

Greece awaits “new deal” after adding 1GW of solar in 2013 (via PV Magazine)

Netherlands connects over 600MW of PV to grid (via PV Tech)

Survival of fittest in China’s renewable energy market (via Bloomberg)

India announces 2GW worth of new large-scale solar projects (via CleanTechnica)

Non-hydro renewable sources triple electricity output in last decade (via Facts of the Day)

Powering the US with renewables: A state-by-state roadmap (via Renewable Energy World)

ALEC coordinates new attacks on renewables mandates and net metering (via Greentech Media)

Unions’ full support for offshore wind a “work in progress” (via ClimateWire)

Sugarcane converted to cold-tolerant, oil-producing crop (via Science Daily)

SolarCity says it had “an amazing year” in 2013 but delays earnings (via GigaOm)

SolarCity to install fewer panels in first quarter (via Reuters)

California startup turns old wind turbines into gold (via InsideClimate News)

North Carolina is newest net-metering battleground (via Energy Manager Today)

ENERGY POLICY 

Japan unveils draft energy policy, with nuclear, in wake of Fukushima (via The Guardian)

Court throws out Bush Administration rule on mountaintop coal removal (via SustainableBusiness)

GE to spend another $10 billion on energy research by 2020 (via Reuters) 

Oil, coal trains, concerns likely to increase in Northwest (via Spokesman-Review)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas at heart of GE’s $10 billion Ecomagination boost (via Greentech Media)

More work needed to stop natural gas flaring at oil wells, officials say (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

UN makes future of small island states a 2014 priority (via RTCC)

Increase in Western wildfires fuels Obama’s budget move (via Climate Central)

OIL 

Oil net imports have declined since 2011, with value falling slower than volume (via US EIA)

Shell’s Arctic oil plans face shareholder scrutiny (via RTCC)

TRANSPORTATION 

Volt fleet to cross 400 million EV miles today (via GM)

OPINION 

Is it getting any easier for clean tech firms to cross the “valley of death?” (via Greentech Media)

RMI report predicts demise of existing utility business (via Energy Manager Today)

After legal setback in Nebraska, what’s next for Keystone XL? (via Climate Progress)

A $400 natural gas bill? It’s on the way (via Washington Post)

Microalgae-derived biogas a promising alternative to fossil fuels (via Phys.org)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.21.14

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

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s exports linked to western U.S. air pollution (via CNN)

Study finds handful of species most important to ecosystem health (via Mongabay)

NUCLEAR 

Japan says new leak detected at Fukushima reactor (via New York Times)

Texas company, alone in US, cashes in on nuclear waste (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

World can double renewables share at low cost, says report (via RTCC)

Germany’s offshore wind capacity hits 520MW (via Recharge)

4,000MW of new solar PV capacity added in Japan (via CleanTechnica)

India surpasses 2013 solar energy goal, adds 1GW to grid (via EcoBusiness)

Solar PV clipped Australia’s peak demand by 4.6% during heat wave (via Renew Economy)

Germany’s industrial base at risk if green energy shift fails (via Reuters)

A new way to harvest more light and make solar cells more efficient (via GigaOm)

Report reveals U.S. military’s renewable energy victories (via GreenBiz)

Study: Active power control of wind turbines can improve grid reliability (via NREL)

Explosive growth for California’s surviving solar firms (via San Francisco Chronicle)

New York PSC signals big changes to prioritize clean energy (via Breaking Energy)

OIL 

Domestic oil output surge puts pressure on decades-old export ban (via National Journal)

Price-rigging probes jammed by oil industry bid to protect its secrets (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

New data shows electric cars won’t be a problem for utilities (via Green Car Reports)

More than 25,000 Teslas on road as company sets sales record in 4Q (via Facts of the Day)

EMISSIONS 

China’s carbon markets risk missteps without transparent data (via Reuters)

Europe split over stronger pollution limits (via The Hill)

Europe energy investment seen at risk without 2030 carbon target (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

CLIMATE 

Soil microbes alter DNA in response to climate change, says study (via Yale e360)

Climate change: Don't get scared, get ready (via The Guardian)

As uses of biochar expand, climate benefits still uncertain (via Yale e360)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Final specifications released for ENERGY STAR version 6.0 (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Buy green, sell stranded (via Slate)

Clean-energy experts offer Obama a path forward without Congress (via National Journal)

New research: How to move Americans on climate (via EcoAffect)

Washington is silent on West Virginia’s chemical spill (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.6.13

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

CLIMATE

Philippines prepares for climate-resilient future post Typhoon Haiyan (via RTCC)

Diseases on the move because of climate change (via USA Today)

College endowment managers get schooled on climate change (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Riding the fracking wave all the way to China (via National Journal)

90 groups call for federal regulations to curb methane leaks (via Washington Post)

Is California’s Monterey Shale a major oil resource or over-hyped? (via EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES

Renewables’ share of new power capacity in China surpasses 50% (via Thompson Reuters)

Record German wind farm output lifts renewables share over 35% (via Bloomberg)

China’s installed solar PV to reach 10GW by end of 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

Can the cost of solar in the US compete with Germany? (via RMI Outlet)

Renewable fuel backers try to change EPA’s mind at hearing (via Reuters)

White House finalizing review of permits for wind farm eagle deaths (via The Hill)

Midwest wind cost-competitive with gas and coal (via Breaking Energy)

Secretive right-wing group ALEC continues its war on clean energy (via Climate Progress)

Poll shows 78% support for net metering in Colorado (via Renew Grid)

NUCLEAR

Fukushima radiation to reach US coast at safe levels, says NRC (via Bloomberg)

Japan finds scrapping nuclear boosts pollution, fuel cost (via Bloomberg)

GRID

Japanese energy giants rush into storage as solar booms (via Renew Economy)

Taking green-powered island microgrids to commercial scale (via Greentech Media)

Utility Xcel has plans to create its own transmission company (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Honda joins vehicle-to-grid demonstration project at University of Delaware (via Green Car Congress)

EMISSIONS

EU may extend aviation carbon freeze to 2020, says adviser (via Bloomberg)

Mining, fracking, and drilling have changed public lands from carbon sinks to carbon polluters (via Climate Progress)

FERC tells Congress EPA pollution rules will hit Midwest hardest (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION

Urban car use declines as biking and public transit rise in the US (via Yale e360)

300% increase in all-electric car sales in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

House proposes 15-cent federal gas tax hike (via Autoblog)

Ohio Senate strips anti-Tesla amendment from legislation (via Autoblog)

OPINION

Is Chile the next star in renewable energy? (via Energy Collective)

EPA’s RFS proposal is a step backwards on clean energy path (via Energy Collective)

Understanding the facts of the renewable energy PTC (via CleanTechnica)

California’s renewable energy future (via EarthTechling)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.6.13

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

CLIMATE

Philippines prepares for climate-resilient future post Typhoon Haiyan (via RTCC)

Diseases on the move because of climate change (via USA Today)

College endowment managers get schooled on climate change (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Riding the fracking wave all the way to China (via National Journal)

90 groups call for federal regulations to curb methane leaks (via Washington Post)

Is California’s Monterey Shale a major oil resource or over-hyped? (via EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES

Renewables’ share of new power capacity in China surpasses 50% (via Thompson Reuters)

Record German wind farm output lifts renewables share over 35% (via Bloomberg)

China’s installed solar PV to reach 10GW by end of 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

Can the cost of solar in the US compete with Germany? (via RMI Outlet)

Renewable fuel backers try to change EPA’s mind at hearing (via Reuters)

White House finalizing review of permits for wind farm eagle deaths (via The Hill)

Midwest wind cost-competitive with gas and coal (via Breaking Energy)

Secretive right-wing group ALEC continues its war on clean energy (via Climate Progress)

Poll shows 78% support for net metering in Colorado (via Renew Grid)

NUCLEAR

Fukushima radiation to reach US coast at safe levels, says NRC (via Bloomberg)

Japan finds scrapping nuclear boosts pollution, fuel cost (via Bloomberg)

GRID

Japanese energy giants rush into storage as solar booms (via Renew Economy)

Taking green-powered island microgrids to commercial scale (via Greentech Media)

Utility Xcel has plans to create its own transmission company (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Honda joins vehicle-to-grid demonstration project at University of Delaware (via Green Car Congress)

EMISSIONS

EU may extend aviation carbon freeze to 2020, says adviser (via Bloomberg)

Mining, fracking, and drilling have changed public lands from carbon sinks to carbon polluters (via Climate Progress)

FERC tells Congress EPA pollution rules will hit Midwest hardest (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION

Urban car use declines as biking and public transit rise in the US (via Yale e360)

300% increase in all-electric car sales in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

House proposes 15-cent federal gas tax hike (via Autoblog)

Ohio Senate strips anti-Tesla amendment from legislation (via Autoblog)

OPINION

Is Chile the next star in renewable energy? (via Energy Collective)

EPA’s RFS proposal is a step backwards on clean energy path (via Energy Collective)

Understanding the facts of the renewable energy PTC (via CleanTechnica)

California’s renewable energy future (via EarthTechling)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.19.13

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

COP 19 

Carbon market hopes dashed in Warsaw (via Environmental Leader)

US preparing post-2020 emissions reduction pledge (via Greenwire)

EMISSIONS 

Global carbon emissions set to reach record 36 billion tons in 2013 (via Phys.org)

Winding roads to replacing the Kyoto Protocol by 2015 (via Climatewire)

Global emissions may peak this decade on China’s renewables push (via Bloomberg)

Beijing and Shanghai set to launch carbon markets (via BusinessGreen)

EU sets provisional CO2 auction calendar for 2014 (via Global Post)

RENEWABLES 

China to install 12,000MW of solar in 2014 (via Facts of the Day)

Floating offshore wind turbines could drive Japan’s renewable energy future (via Renewable Energy World)

Carbon pricing flaws have “chilling effect” on clean energy (via Greenbang)

Solar can cut summer peak power demand in half across Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

Can a coal state like Virginia create a real solar market? (via Greentech Media)

NREL dedicates wind turbine test facility (via Energy Manager Today)

COAL 

British banks among world’s biggest lenders to coal industry (via BusinessGreen)

EPA permitting seen as high hurdle for carbon capture project (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Natural disasters cost $3.6 trillion since 1980, says World Bank (via Mother Jones)

Wealthy nations pledged billions to help the poor adapt to climate change – where did it all go? (via Washington Post)

OIL 

Federal agency pushes back timeline for offshore drilling rules (via Houston Chronicle)

BP releases Gulf of Mexico environmental data (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Why China isn’t ready for electric vehicles (via EarthTechling)

Recargo releases report detailing the habits of EV drivers (via Inhabitat)

US auto regulators probe Tesla on car fires (via The Hill)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Colorado proposes reducing methane leaks from fracking (via Los Angeles Times)

Environmentalists oppose proposed Illinois fracking rules (via Chicago Tribune)

GRID 

Dawn of the grid-scale energy storage era in California (via Greentech Media)

The battery storage system that could close down coal power (via Renew Economy)

NUCLEAR 

Japan won’t set dates to restart 50 idled nuclear reactors (via Bloomberg)

Uncertainties abound in Fukushima decommissioning (via Phys.org)

Nuclear Regulatory Commission resumes Yucca Mountain review (via The Hill)

GREEN BUILDING 

A new scale for green building (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

OPINION 

Why EPA cut down the biofuel standard for the first time ever (via Climate Progress)

Solar energy could be America’s greatest national security asset (via Huffington Post)

California’s cap and trade program more than just a solution for one state (via Huffington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.18.13

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

COP 19

Tense week ahead for UN climate talks (via AP)

Carbon market negotiations falter in Warsaw (via BusinessGreen)

3 ways to make progress on climate finance at COP 19 (via World Resources Institute)

EMISSIONS

Unabated coal use will break world’s “coal budget” (via World Resources Institute)

Carbon market “toolbox” could create global standards (via Environmental Leader)

The EPA might be able to push a carbon tax on its own (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES

Brazil wind industry seeking clarity on grid operator interconnection plans (via Recharge)

EPA retreats on ethanol mandate (via The Hill)

US may be hitting its ethanol limit, so EPA wants to relax its biofuels goals (via Washington Post)

As ALEC shifts RPS opposition strategy, state law favors renewables (via Greentech Media)

Report highlights best practices to incorporate renewables onto grid (via Energy Manager Today)

California gets 19% electricity from non-hydro renewables, up from 12% in 2008 (via Facts of the Day)

First large-scale biogas plant in US coming online in California (via Sustainable Business)

LA solar energy investment atlas a model for renewables development (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Michigan Tech tests if solar power works up north (via Miami Herald/AP)

How whiskey makers could soon be providing a superior biofuel (via Climate Progress)

COAL

UN climate chief warns of financial risk to coal’s future (via BusinessGreen)

King coal enjoys an unexpected renaissance in the UK (via Financial Times)

The death of coal (via The Atlantic)

CLIMATE

Insurance shortfall hits poorest and most vulnerable (via Climate Central)

Super typhoon Haiyan: Realities of a warmed world (via Huffington Post)

Climate change rallies staged across Canada (via CBC News)

Thousands rally in Australia for climate action (via Phys.org)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Shale revolution spreads with record wells outside US (via Bloomberg)

Water shortages could dry up shale gas craze (via Forbes)

The backdoor bid to ban fracking (via National Journal)

Breaking down the new proposed fracking rules released in Illinois and California (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

As utility efficiency programs grow, some industries want out (via Midwest Energy News)

PNNL’s lab homes run energy efficient technologies through the paces (via Breaking Energy)

NUCLEAR

Workers begin removing fuel rods at Fukushima (via National Journal)

GREEN BUILDING

Tool measures building materials’ environmental impact (via Environmental Leader)

TRANSPORTATION

Fast charging key to EV adoption, finds study (via Greentech Media)

6,554 Tesla Model S units sold in California through September 2013 (via San Jose Mercury News)

POLITICS

House GOP revives energy battles with Obama (via The Hill)

Sen. Stabenow criticizes proposed EPA fuel mandate (via The Hill)

OPINION

Are UN global warming talks futile? (via National Journal)

UN’s Ban Ki-moon says Philippines typhoon a “warning” on climate change (via Phys.org)

Global warming pragmatism (via Washington Post)

Is business leading the way in developing off-grid energy? (via The Guardian)