Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.24.14

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

UN CLIMATE SUMMIT

Here’s what major nations pledged at the UN climate summit (via National Journal)

Fortune 500 companies take center stage at UN climate summit (via Fortune)

Obama: U.S., China must lead on climate change efforts (via Wall Street Journal)

China, U.S. make treaty pledges during climate summit (via Climate Central)

UN climate summit pledges to halt loss of natural forest by 2030 (via The Guardian)

Major firms pledge climate change disclosure as “fiduciary duty” (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

India’s top court scraps nearly all coal blocks allocated since 1993 (via Reuters)

Coal mogul Murray says more bankruptcies possible (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Kazakhstan mulls 713MW new solar PV capacity by 2020 (via Renewable Energy World)

Mexico’s solar energy revolution (via The Energy Collective)

Brazil free market “could add 1.3GW new wind capacity (via Recharge News)

Santander tops green bank list as Europe’s lenders surge (via Bloomberg)

IKEA, Swiss Re, Marks, H&M go all-in on renewables (via GreenBiz)

Investors anxious and ready to grow green bond market (via Sustainable Business)

DOE report: U.S. wind has come far but faces challenges (via Energy Manager Today)

Feds draft renewable energy plan for California desert (via The Hill)

Developers plan $8 billion renewable energy project for Los Angeles (via Bloomberg)

Siemens unveils 3.3MW onshore wind turbine (via Recharge News)

SolarCity seeking $500 million in fourth panel-backed bond offer (via Bloomberg)

SolarCity strikes deal with New York for solar manufacturing plant (via Greentech Media)

CLIMATE 

New analysis shows global exposure to sea level rise (via Climate Central)

Report: Little climate aid for poor countries could threaten global treaty (via The Hill)

Climate change puts out the welcome mat for invasive species (via Grist) 

New executive order: U.S. must consider climate change when helping other countries (via Climate Progress)

Houston takes lead with climate plan (via Houston Chronicle)

NATURAL GAS 

EU plans for Iran gas imports if sanctions lifted (via Reuters)

Panel: Don’t expect high natural gas prices any time soon (via Houston Chronicle)

Pennsylvania natural gas leaks among worst in U.S. (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Record year for fossil fuel emissions pushes carbon budget to brink (via The Guardian)

European Union to cut emissions 80% by 2050 (via The Hill)

China targets emissions peak “as soon as possible” (via BusinessGreen)

Hong Kong seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50% (via Bloomberg)

Cities may reduce carbon emissions 8 gigatons by 2050 (via Bloomberg)

Quebec, California seeking to boost size of carbon market (via Bloomberg)

Analysts, states bullish on success of clean power plan (via Climate Central)

Brown says global lead on zero emissions beating forecast (via Bloomberg)

Rockefellers pledge to ditch fossil fuel assets (via GreenBiz)

OIL 

Delta: oil exports would prompt refinery closures (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

BIO says EPA inaction on RFS rule causing increase in emissions (via Green Car Congress)

An electric power plant on the roof of your car? (via Los Angeles Times)

Rapid charging EV batteries: Less damaging than we thought? (via Green Car Reports)

Even without Tesla, EV batteries can help California (via Phys.org)

NUCLEAR 

Japan won’t restart nuclear plants unless safety is restored (via Reuters)

GRID 

North America’s biggest battery gets unveiled today (via Greentech Media)

America’s grid has a baby boomer social security problem (via RMI Outlet)

New York grid operator takes a close look at distributed energy (via Renew Grid)

Can batteries replace coal plants? (via Chicago Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

3,000 NYC buildings to get energy retrofits (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Sustainable corporations perform better financially, finds report (via The Guardian)

Companies are taking the baton in climate change efforts (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

No drought relief in U.S. West without deep mountain snow (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

All over the planet, countries are completely missing their emissions targets (via Washington Post)

What good is a climate summit without emissions cuts? (via Washington Post)

Analyzing outcomes from the UN climate summit (via WRI Insights)

Tough slog ahead to fulfill UN climate summit promises (via Bloomberg)

Obama is pushing climate-change resilience, but he’s not promising new carbon cuts (via National Journal)

How to explain climate change so Congress can actually understand (via National Journal)

How does the People’s Climate March stack up against the largest protest rallies in U.S. history? (via The Energy Collective)

How to tap the medium-scale clean energy market (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.24.14

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

UN CLIMATE SUMMIT

Here’s what major nations pledged at the UN climate summit (via National Journal)

Fortune 500 companies take center stage at UN climate summit (via Fortune)

Obama: U.S., China must lead on climate change efforts (via Wall Street Journal)

China, U.S. make treaty pledges during climate summit (via Climate Central)

UN climate summit pledges to halt loss of natural forest by 2030 (via The Guardian)

Major firms pledge climate change disclosure as “fiduciary duty” (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

India’s top court scraps nearly all coal blocks allocated since 1993 (via Reuters)

Coal mogul Murray says more bankruptcies possible (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Kazakhstan mulls 713MW new solar PV capacity by 2020 (via Renewable Energy World)

Mexico’s solar energy revolution (via The Energy Collective)

Brazil free market “could add 1.3GW new wind capacity (via Recharge News)

Santander tops green bank list as Europe’s lenders surge (via Bloomberg)

IKEA, Swiss Re, Marks, H&M go all-in on renewables (via GreenBiz)

Investors anxious and ready to grow green bond market (via Sustainable Business)

DOE report: U.S. wind has come far but faces challenges (via Energy Manager Today)

Feds draft renewable energy plan for California desert (via The Hill)

Developers plan $8 billion renewable energy project for Los Angeles (via Bloomberg)

Siemens unveils 3.3MW onshore wind turbine (via Recharge News)

SolarCity seeking $500 million in fourth panel-backed bond offer (via Bloomberg)

SolarCity strikes deal with New York for solar manufacturing plant (via Greentech Media)

CLIMATE 

New analysis shows global exposure to sea level rise (via Climate Central)

Report: Little climate aid for poor countries could threaten global treaty (via The Hill)

Climate change puts out the welcome mat for invasive species (via Grist) 

New executive order: U.S. must consider climate change when helping other countries (via Climate Progress)

Houston takes lead with climate plan (via Houston Chronicle)

NATURAL GAS 

EU plans for Iran gas imports if sanctions lifted (via Reuters)

Panel: Don’t expect high natural gas prices any time soon (via Houston Chronicle)

Pennsylvania natural gas leaks among worst in U.S. (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Record year for fossil fuel emissions pushes carbon budget to brink (via The Guardian)

European Union to cut emissions 80% by 2050 (via The Hill)

China targets emissions peak “as soon as possible” (via BusinessGreen)

Hong Kong seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50% (via Bloomberg)

Cities may reduce carbon emissions 8 gigatons by 2050 (via Bloomberg)

Quebec, California seeking to boost size of carbon market (via Bloomberg)

Analysts, states bullish on success of clean power plan (via Climate Central)

Brown says global lead on zero emissions beating forecast (via Bloomberg)

Rockefellers pledge to ditch fossil fuel assets (via GreenBiz)

OIL 

Delta: oil exports would prompt refinery closures (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

BIO says EPA inaction on RFS rule causing increase in emissions (via Green Car Congress)

An electric power plant on the roof of your car? (via Los Angeles Times)

Rapid charging EV batteries: Less damaging than we thought? (via Green Car Reports)

Even without Tesla, EV batteries can help California (via Phys.org)

NUCLEAR 

Japan won’t restart nuclear plants unless safety is restored (via Reuters)

GRID 

North America’s biggest battery gets unveiled today (via Greentech Media)

America’s grid has a baby boomer social security problem (via RMI Outlet)

New York grid operator takes a close look at distributed energy (via Renew Grid)

Can batteries replace coal plants? (via Chicago Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

3,000 NYC buildings to get energy retrofits (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Sustainable corporations perform better financially, finds report (via The Guardian)

Companies are taking the baton in climate change efforts (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

No drought relief in U.S. West without deep mountain snow (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

All over the planet, countries are completely missing their emissions targets (via Washington Post)

What good is a climate summit without emissions cuts? (via Washington Post)

Analyzing outcomes from the UN climate summit (via WRI Insights)

Tough slog ahead to fulfill UN climate summit promises (via Bloomberg)

Obama is pushing climate-change resilience, but he’s not promising new carbon cuts (via National Journal)

How to explain climate change so Congress can actually understand (via National Journal)

How does the People’s Climate March stack up against the largest protest rallies in U.S. history? (via The Energy Collective)

How to tap the medium-scale clean energy market (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.12.14

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

EMISSIONS

UN climate summit set for major carbon pricing announcement (via RTCC)

Carbon market volatility to jump on EU overhaul talks (via Bloomberg)

China plans $65 billion carbon market at around $18/tonne (via Renew Economy)

$29 billion Australian super fund to quit thermal coal investments (via Renew Economy)

States suing to stop CO2 cuts prep for them anyway (via Climate Central)

Exxon accused of downplaying carbon bubble risks (via BusinessGreen)

COAL 

China bid to curb coal output seen lifting prices 10% (via Bloomberg)

Disputing a study on coal exports and climate (via Sightline Daily)

RENEWABLES 

Hope for clean economy as $20 billion in green bonds issued in 2014 (via The Guardian)

World’s biggest development banks pledge to scale up climate finance (via Business Green)

Can REthinking power generation create a renewable energy future? (via CleanTechnica)

India offshore wind policy to target 1GW by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

IHS says Central America to see 1.5GW new solar PV by 2018 (via PV Tech)

Ontario grid hits 35% renewable energy (via CleanTechnica)

Be prepared for a lot more solar by 2025 (via The Energy Collective)

Oil group says EPA may raise ethanol quote based on E85 demand (via Bloomberg)

Is a solar development boom about to begin in Texas? (via Greentech Media)

California encourages West-facing solar panels (via Renewable Energy World)

Missouri Supreme Court to hear arguments in solar policy dispute (via EnergyWire)

Cleveland becomes clean tech leader as Ohio backtracks on renewables (via Climate Central)

Cellulosic ethanol: Firsts, failures, myths, and risks (via Huffington Post)

CLIMATE 

Warmer air caused ice shelf collapse off Antarctica (via Reuters)

Downed tropical forests exacerbate climate change (via Scientific American)

New EU climate chief must deal with global warming and energy, a difficult job (via ClimateWire)

The good and bad climate news from permafrost melt (via Climate Central)

Rising seas force landowners to embrace once-reviled “living shorelines” (via Greenwire)

Climate controversy pushing scientists to become better communicators (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Judge bars former EPA official from testifying in coal emissions enforcement suit (via Greenwire)

OIL 

IEA notes “remarkable” oil demand growth fall (via Financial Times)

Environmental groups sue DOT over oil trains (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Cities cut emissions through car sharing (via Environmental Leader)

Tesla Model X reservations 20,000 strong and counting (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS 

East Europe stocks up on gas as Ukraine crisis drags on (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Morgan Stanley bullish on energy storage (via Breaking Energy)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

More than half U.S. companies project increased energy efficiency investment in 2015 (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

How sustainability improves shareholder value (via GreenBiz)

Green jobs on the rise: Will growth continue? (via NRDC Switchboard)

ENVIRONMENT 

Brazilian Amazon deforestation jumps by 29%, says government (via Yale e360)

Western governors form drought study forum (via Review-Journal/AP)

POLITICS 

Will GOP control of the Senate affect energy policy? (via The Hill)

Oil industry accuses administration of political motive in ethanol rules (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

2030 outlook: A trillion dollar taxpayer bailout for electrical utilities (via Renewable Energy World)

China shows there’s more to renewable energy than fighting climate change (via Renew Economy)

Will U.S. oil exports grease the path to economic growth? (via Forbes)

What can small cities do to fight climate change? (via Grist)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.11.14

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

EMISSIONS

Ozone layer to recover by mid-century, say scientists (via RTCC)

China sees big drop in carbon emissions (via China Daily)

COAL 

China’s coal imports drop for first time since country became net coal importer (via Huffington Post)

Wyoming appeals Oregon’s coal port denial (via Union Bulletin/AP)

RENEWABLES 

World’s poorest regions get a boost in renewable energy financing (via Renewable Energy World)

Report: EVs are missing link in making solar power competitive with fossil fuels (via Autoblog Green)

Brazil expands tax credit to ethanol, sugar exporters (via Bloomberg)

Japan’s METI says 1,820MW of solar projects cancelled (via Bloomberg)

Brazilian rooftop solar PV market stagnating (via Recharge News)

Australian-owned solar technology makes storage breakthrough (via Renew Economy)

New solar capacity beats natural gas in first have of 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Four cellulosic ethanol breakthroughs (via Breaking Energy)

NATURAL GAS 

New Russian, Ukraine, EU gas talks set for September 20 (via Reuters)

DOE clears natural gas exports at two sites (via The Hill)

Shale boom boosts diverse group of refining, LNG, petrochemical interests (via Houston Chronicle)

Statoil, partners expand effort to put flared natural gas to use (via Houston Chronicle)

McAuliffe: No fracking in George Washington National Forest (via Times Dispatch/AP)

CLIMATE 

How climate change may disrupt the tranquil U.S.-Canada border (via ClimateWire)

Climate change accelerating death of Western forests (via USA Today)

California plans nation’s most detailed sea level rise database (via Climate Central)

TAR SANDS 

Blocked on all other sides, tar sands could cross the Arctic (via Climate Progress)

Oil sands companies to adopt voluntary environmental commitments in Canada (via Wall Street Journal)

GRID 

U.S. grid safe from large-scale attack, say experts (via Politico)

USDA invests $518 billion more in rural grid improvements (via Renew Grid)

Indoor marijuana growers create big demand for energy in Northwest (via Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Energy storage: Progress and promise (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Europe dominates zero-energy buildings market (via Energy Manager Today)

Opower’s five principles of how to design for energy customers (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Despite decline in some regions, world oil consumption still rising (via U.S. EIA)

Putin’s oil deals with Exxon, Shell imperiled by sanctions (via Bloomberg)

U.S., EU ready new sanctions to stop oil exploration in Russia (via Reuters)

Treasury Department to step up efforts against ISIS oil sales (via The Hill)

Canada vs. U.S on oil train standards (via Sightline Daily)

45-year high U.S. oil output may cut pump price, imports (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla in Nevada: Auto dealers give OK to direct sales (via Los Angeles Times)

Nevada bets $1.3 billion on Tesla to push beyond gambling (via Bloomberg)

Tesla Gigafactory could produce 20% more electricity than it needs (via CleanTechnica)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Siemens, Unilever, SwissRe named world’s most sustainable companies (via BusinessGreen)

ENVIRONMENT 

Scientists say the ozone layer is recovering (via AP)

The oceans are acidifying faster than in 300 million years – how bad could it get? (via Vox)

California’s water-starved farmers stymied by fish protections (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

GOP says regulators’ oil-train safety push could be climate-change policy in disguise (via National Journal)

Here’s the GOP’s best shot at derailing Obama’s new climate plan (via The New Republic)

Democrats, Republicans spar over “climate denier” label at House hearing on EPA carbon rule (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Pursuing a global climate treaty: Next stop, New York (via Resources for the Future)

How Hillary Clinton’s State Department sold fracking to the world (via Grist)

How two guys, a lobster boat, and a district attorney just made climate history (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.11.14

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

EMISSIONS

Ozone layer to recover by mid-century, say scientists (via RTCC)

China sees big drop in carbon emissions (via China Daily)

COAL 

China’s coal imports drop for first time since country became net coal importer (via Huffington Post)

Wyoming appeals Oregon’s coal port denial (via Union Bulletin/AP)

RENEWABLES 

World’s poorest regions get a boost in renewable energy financing (via Renewable Energy World)

Report: EVs are missing link in making solar power competitive with fossil fuels (via Autoblog Green)

Brazil expands tax credit to ethanol, sugar exporters (via Bloomberg)

Japan’s METI says 1,820MW of solar projects cancelled (via Bloomberg)

Brazilian rooftop solar PV market stagnating (via Recharge News)

Australian-owned solar technology makes storage breakthrough (via Renew Economy)

New solar capacity beats natural gas in first have of 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Four cellulosic ethanol breakthroughs (via Breaking Energy)

NATURAL GAS 

New Russian, Ukraine, EU gas talks set for September 20 (via Reuters)

DOE clears natural gas exports at two sites (via The Hill)

Shale boom boosts diverse group of refining, LNG, petrochemical interests (via Houston Chronicle)

Statoil, partners expand effort to put flared natural gas to use (via Houston Chronicle)

McAuliffe: No fracking in George Washington National Forest (via Times Dispatch/AP)

CLIMATE 

How climate change may disrupt the tranquil U.S.-Canada border (via ClimateWire)

Climate change accelerating death of Western forests (via USA Today)

California plans nation’s most detailed sea level rise database (via Climate Central)

TAR SANDS 

Blocked on all other sides, tar sands could cross the Arctic (via Climate Progress)

Oil sands companies to adopt voluntary environmental commitments in Canada (via Wall Street Journal)

GRID 

U.S. grid safe from large-scale attack, say experts (via Politico)

USDA invests $518 billion more in rural grid improvements (via Renew Grid)

Indoor marijuana growers create big demand for energy in Northwest (via Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Energy storage: Progress and promise (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Europe dominates zero-energy buildings market (via Energy Manager Today)

Opower’s five principles of how to design for energy customers (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Despite decline in some regions, world oil consumption still rising (via U.S. EIA)

Putin’s oil deals with Exxon, Shell imperiled by sanctions (via Bloomberg)

U.S., EU ready new sanctions to stop oil exploration in Russia (via Reuters)

Treasury Department to step up efforts against ISIS oil sales (via The Hill)

Canada vs. U.S on oil train standards (via Sightline Daily)

45-year high U.S. oil output may cut pump price, imports (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla in Nevada: Auto dealers give OK to direct sales (via Los Angeles Times)

Nevada bets $1.3 billion on Tesla to push beyond gambling (via Bloomberg)

Tesla Gigafactory could produce 20% more electricity than it needs (via CleanTechnica)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Siemens, Unilever, SwissRe named world’s most sustainable companies (via BusinessGreen)

ENVIRONMENT 

Scientists say the ozone layer is recovering (via AP)

The oceans are acidifying faster than in 300 million years – how bad could it get? (via Vox)

California’s water-starved farmers stymied by fish protections (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

GOP says regulators’ oil-train safety push could be climate-change policy in disguise (via National Journal)

Here’s the GOP’s best shot at derailing Obama’s new climate plan (via The New Republic)

Democrats, Republicans spar over “climate denier” label at House hearing on EPA carbon rule (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Pursuing a global climate treaty: Next stop, New York (via Resources for the Future)

How Hillary Clinton’s State Department sold fracking to the world (via Grist)

How two guys, a lobster boat, and a district attorney just made climate history (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.13.14

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

GREEN BUSINESS 

Report: U.S. green employment surge takes clean job opportunities past 2.6 million (via BusinessGreen)

America’s Top 10 “coolest schools” in sustainability (via EcoWatch)

COAL 

U.S. anti-coal dominoes hit BRICS wall, other skeptics (via Reuters)

Coal generation down as Germany breaks yet another renewables record (via BusinessGreen)

Coal makes a comeback, for now (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

Europe’s green energy rules cost UK $156 billion (via Bloomberg)

China and India’s GW-scale solar plans (via Renew Economy)

Chinese offshore wind market stagnating, disappointing investors (via Renewable Energy World)

Central America poised for clean tech investment boom (via BusinessGreen)

Citigroup: Global solar outlook is getting brighter (via Renew Economy)

Poor installation, grid constraints, defective panels plague China’s huge solar program (via Greenwire)

Over 26GW wind, solar power capacity offered for Brazil’s upcoming auction (via CleanTechnica)

IRS clarifies beginning of construction rules for renewable energy projects (via Renewable Energy World)

Despite uptick in activity, wind industry faces uncertainty in Congress (via Greenwire)

U.S. solar carport market poised for record year, continued growth (via Greentech Media)

U.S. wind farm construction is surging in 2014 (via Transmission & Distribution World)

OSU campus derives more than 70% of energy from wind (via Energy Manager Today)

New energy-rich sorghum offers ethanol without the corn (via The Guardian)

ENERGY POLICY 

Saudi Arabia, China sign nuclear and renewable energy agreement (via Al-Awsat)

CLIMATE 

Rising economies “ahead on climate” (via BBC)

Call for finance to top agenda at 2015 UN climate summit (via RTCC)

Climate change and health – joining the dots (via Deutche Welle)

That sinking feeling: The Coastal cities doomed to disappear beneath the waves (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

What climate change in the Rockies means for its water (via Climate Central)

California has hottest start to year while Midwest chills (via Climate Central)

“Unprecedented” Detroit flooding event fits global warming pattern (via Mashable)

OIL 

World awash in oil shields markets from 2008 price shock (via Bloomberg)

Oil companies fracking into drinking water sources, shows new research (via Los Angeles Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Green signal for “Britain’s first” battery-powered train (via BusinessGreen)

U.S. public in favor of higher truck fuel efficiency standards (via Autoblog Green)

Gas prices to drop through end of 2014 (via The Hill)

California could give lower-income EV buyers a financial boost (via Autoblog Green)

Next-gen power electronics could cut $6,000 from Tesla Model S (via GigaOm)

Tesla Gigafactory: California could waive environmental rules to get it (via Green Car Reports)

Toyota: East Coast hydrogen cars on the horizon (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

Germany added a lot of wind and solar power, and its grid became more reliable (via Climate Progress)

Key Brazil wind grid link set for completion by November (via Recharge)

U.S. DOE clears Quebec-to-NYC transmission line (via Albany Times Union)

Vermont breaks ground on “perfect” solar + storage microgrid that can provide resilient power (via Renewable Energy World)

Suntech invests $25 million in U.S. energy storage developer (via Solar Industry)

NATURAL GAS 

China’s shale gas bust (via MIT Technology Review)

ENVIRONMENT 

Declining Lake Mead water levels raise concerns for future of parched region (via Huffington Post/AP)

Lightning sparks new wildfires in Oregon, Washington (via The Columbian)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

An energy cure for hospitals (via Navigant Research)

POLITICS 

Senators want more comment time on EPA climate rule (via The Hill)

Democrats increasingly backing oil and gas industry (via Wall Street Journal)

How to eliminate almost every federal agency (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Ebola and climate change: Are humans responsible for severity of current outbreak? (via Newsweek)

The African case for U.S. climate leadership (via WRI Insights)

How far away is grid parity for residential battery storage? (via Renew Economy)

The frustrating climate change memes that just won’t die (via New Republic)

Toyota executive: We’re on the cusp of the automotive hydrogen age (via Green Car Congress)

Journalists to EPA: Stop muzzling scientists (via The Hill)

How I went off-grid with solar in Hawaii (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.25.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Australian Senate leader to support carbon-price repeal (via Bloomberg)

EPA’s first carbon regs nearly unscathed after years of litigation (via Greenwire)

Congressional observers doubt GOP can blog funding for EPA carbon rules (via SNL Energy)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

First Nations being courted to back tar sands refineries on their land (via InsideClimate News)

Republicans renew push for Keystone vote in Senate (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Over 7GW new solar PV capacity installed in Japan last fiscal year (via CleanTechnica)

U.K. solar industry set to hit 9GW in rush to meet subsidy deadline (via BusinessGreen)

Sustainable district heating from seawater? It’s happening in Holland (via CleanTechnica)

Concentrated solar power could compete with natural gas, says study (via Yale e360)

U.S. financial sector lags in clean energy investment (via Energy Manager Today)

Challenges to financing renewable energy projects on U.S. military sites (via Renewable Energy World)

NRG CEO says residential solar competitive with utility power in 25 states next year (via Green Car Reports)

Southern California Edison seems 290MW in small-scale renewables (via Solar Industry Magazine)

SunPower and SolarCity emerge as fierce solar roof rivals (via GigaOm)

Report: Michigan could expand solar without raising rates (via Midwest Energy News)

Two universities in D.C. make deal to buy solar power (via Washington Post/AP)

CLIMATE 

G20 summit: Obama expected to discuss “critical issue” of climate change (via The Guardian)

May was hottest on Earth since records began (via The Guardian)

Eastern U.S.: Coldest spot on Earth so far in 2014 (via Washington Post)

Former Treasury chiefs agree: Get the SEC into the climate mix (via National Journal)

On N.C.’s Outer Banks, climate change predictions prompt change of forecast (via Washington Post)

OIL 

OPEC secretary general says no oil shortage exists (via Reuters)

U.S. ruling loosens four-decade ban on oil exports (via Wall Street Journal)

Canada’s safety board chief urges U.S. to phase out old rail cars (via Reuters)

1,250-pound tar mat discovered off Florida beach (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Japan bets big on making fuel cell cars a near-future reality (via Reuters)

California lawmakers urge change to vehicle carbon emissions plan (via Los Angeles Times)

COAL 

In Wyoming, going deep to draw energy from coal (via NPR)

GRID 

Fewer wind curtailments, negative power prices in Texas after CREZ grid expansion (via U.S. EIA)

Five key disruptors on the grid edge (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

U.K. Green Investment Bank backs £2 small business energy efficiency fund (via BusinessGreen)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Best Global Green Brands revealed, Ford leads list (via Environmental Leader)

Minneapolis announced as U.S. leader in green commercial space (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY POLICY 

Merkel to push back against EU if Germany’s green energy subsidies questioned (via Reuters)

Report: Independent producers leading growth in U.S. oil and gas reserves (via Houston Chronicle)

Colorado suspends oil and gas wastewater disposal well after quake (via Reuters)

OPINION 

How to untangle yourself from clean energy finance jargon (via GreenBiz)

How the Gateway pipeline stokes simmering fury among British Columbia natives (via Globe and Mail)

Could Opower soon enter the community solar business? (via Greentech Media)

EPA’s clever legal trick could save its clean power plan (via Energy Collective)

POLITICS 

White House says it has “no misgivings” about Steyer meeting (via The Hill)

Joe Manchin, Sheldon Whitehouse seek middle ground on climate change (via Politico)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.5.14

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

CLIMATE 

UN chief urges “bold” action to curb global warming (via The Nation/BBC)

Climate change warming up business in the Arctic (via NPR)

Australia risks “going backwards” on climate change, straining Pacific ties (via The Guardian)

Climate change is clear and present danger, says landmark US report (via The Guardian)

What happens when Washington State attempts major climate action? (via CleanTechnica)

Scientists race to develop farm animals to survive climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

“We don’t know what normal is anymore”: Confronting extreme weather on US farms (via Huffington Post)

COAL 

China’s thirsty coal industry guzzles precious water (via Seattle Times)

RENEWABLES 

US ethanol imports from Brazil down 40% in 2013 (via US EIA)

Dam it: Feds say US can double hydropower (via Climate Central)

New ad links US oil industry’s anti-biofuel campaign to Saudi Arabia (via InsideClimate News)

O’Malley to decided whether some wind turbine projects should be delayed until 2015 (via Washington Post)

Kansas state lawmakers to vote on ending renewable energy standard (via Kansas City Star)

Hawaii’s largest utility ordered to help customers install more rooftop solar (via Climate Progress)

Superfund site is latest conquest in solar’s brownfields campaign (via Solar Industry)

Renewables get vote of financial confidence in NextEra spinoff plans (via EnergyWire)

SunEdison may be too reliant on renewable tax credits, says Barron’s (via Reuters)

OIL 

US DOT says energy companies not sharing test data on Bakken oil (via Wall Street Journal)

Oil-by-rail shippers withholding important data, says DOT (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK electric vehicle sales speed up as UK plugs into global trend (via The Guardian)

China’s BYD electric bus factory comes online in California (via Autoblog)

Why European gas-mileage ratings are so high, and often wrong (via Green Car Reports)

DOE to establish gasoline stockpiles in Northeast (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Switch from gasoline to ethanol linked to higher ozone levels in Brazil (via Los Angeles Times)

Supreme Court cross-state ruling leaves much unsettled for EPA (via Greenwire)

Australian banks lose millions as customers divest (via RTCC)

Seven Washington University students arrested protesting Peabody Coal (via EcoWatch)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Green stock index rejects natural gas, oil, and coal (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Democrats push Obama on LNG exports (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking may induce quakes at greater distance than previously thought (via Yale e360)

Stronger “frackquakes” are on the way, scientists warn (via Climate Progress)

Sources and solutions for carbon pollution along the LNG supply chain (via Breaking Energy)

ENVIRONMENT 

US national budget for fighting wildfires is $400 million short (via Climate Progress)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canada finds China option no easy answer to Keystone snub (via Bloomberg)

Wooing of senators to force Keystone XL falling short of votes (via Bloomberg)

Keystone pipeline issue looms as Senate takes up energy efficiency bill (via Washington Post)

ENERGY EFFICENCY 

Top 10 countries for LEED outside the US (via Environmental Leader)

Cree takes on $4 billion fluorescent lighting market with LEDs (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

Introducing New York State’s energy storage testing center (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY POLICY 

Obama re-nominates LaFleur as FERC commissioner (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Dissenting voices on climate change (via Washington Post)

A renewables club to change the world (via WRI Insights)

Will midterm elections move the needle on energy issues? (via National Journal)

For Obama, a renewed focus on climate (via Washington Post)

With hope and horror, climate fiction writers depict the future (via ClimateWire)

Divestment and Arctic development, between drilling and the deep blue sea (via EnergyCollective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.1.14

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How 26 states created 85% of America’s energy efficiency savings (via CleanTechnica)

Dems want to boost military energy efficiency (via The Hill)

COAL 

UNESCO alarmed over Australian coal port dredging near Great Barrier Reef (via Reuters)

Southern Company delays clean coal plant until 2015 amid rising costs (via Reuters)

Koch Brothers to face lawsuit over “swirling” Chicago petcoke pollution (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

Shares shift in global wind turbine market (via Navigant Research)

PV demand in Middle East and Africa to grow 50% this year (via Solar Industry)

Surge in Australian rooftop solar PV displaces more fossil fuels (via Renew Economy)

A new federal push for more hydropower across the US (via Forbes)

Exciting times for West Coast offshore wind (via Recharge)

US solar power installed costs on course for 2020 target (via RTCC)

Cellulosic biofuel set to outpace US volume targets (via Argus Leader)

DOE proceeds with review of Cape Wind loan guarantee after favorable court ruling (via Bloomberg BNA)

NextEra eyes 1.4GW of new wind capacity in US (via Recharge)

Arizona may impose new tax on customers who lease solar panels (via Climate Progress)

Business fears Ohio bill will “kill solar” if approved (via Toledo Blade)

KEYSTONE XL 

As Dem support builds for Keystone XL, pressure’s on Reid (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

World’s coastal megacities sinking 10x faster than rising sea levels (via Times of India)

Sweden delays $45 million climate fund contribution (via RTCC)

Sea change: Vital part of food web dissolving (via Seattle Times)

Extreme rainfall events like Pensacola’s on the rise (via Climate Central)

Climate change and the medical analogy (via Treehugger)

This man is on the hunt for California’s next climate leaders (via Grist)

OIL 

Dutch police storm Greenpeace ship trying to block Arctic oil delivery (via Reuters)

As new shipping rules are studied, another oil train derails (via New York Times)

Explosive Virginia train carried fracked Bakken oil (via DeSmog Blog)

TRANSPORTATION 

2013 model cars in Europe collectively met 2015 CO2 target two years before deadline (via Green Car Congress)

DOE’s advanced vehicle manufacturing loans come under attack in Senate (via ClimateWire)

ENVIRONMENT 

El Nino could be the biggest weather story of 2014 (via Vox)

Court tells EPA to cough up new air pollution standards by December (via Huffington Post)

Group to sue US over changes to eagle protection rules (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

Washington State’s governor wants the state off coal-based electricity (via Washington Post)

Tell your alma mater, fossil fuel divestment just went mainstream (via NRDC Switchboard)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Tom Steyer and Michael Bloomberg diverge on fracking (via Greenwire)

GRID 

Exelon will acquire Pepco to form largest US utility (via Greentech Media)

Is an energy storage tsunami about to hit California? (via Greentech Media)

Boulder: Municipal utility will be platform for innovation (via The Daily Camera)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Firms fail to disclose sustainability metrics in executive pay (via Environmental leader)

Monsanto announces aggressive sustainability goals (via TriplePundit)

Corporate America’s sustainability gains “not enough” says Ceres (via GreenBiz)

GREEN BUILDING 

In Asia-Pacific, green buildings gain ground (via Navigant Research)

Zero energy buildings become reality (via Navigant Research)

OPINION 

Status of US-China solar trade petition and what need to be done (via CleanTechnica)

Supreme Court makes the right call on a Clean Air Act provision (via Washington Post)

How loopholes could weaken CAFÉ standards (via Detroit News)

Supreme Court victory gives EPA more ammo in war on coal (via Forbes)

Better than dollars per watt (via Forbes)

Why we are blocking the office of Harvard’s president (via Huffington Post)

Economics trump environment in energy issues poll (via Houston Chronicle)

Link between electricity prices & renewable energy complete warped in Forbes article (via CleanTechnica)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.24.14

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

GREEN BUSINESS 

Blue-green opportunities: Energy efficiency and jobs impacts in US manufacturing (via WRI Insights)

Illinois jumps to top of US green building LEED-certified ranks (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Shopping around for natural gas: The good, the bad, and the confusing (via Midwest Energy News)

New England natural gas prices set record (via Energy Manager Today)

Colorado first state to regulate methane emissions (via The Hill)

Exxon CEO joins anti-fracking lawsuit after drilling threatens his property value (via Slate)

RENEWABLES 

UK claims world leadership in offshore wind (via Energy Manager Today)

Five million German households faced with higher power bills (via Reuters)

Interior Department approves 550MW of solar projects on public land (via Solar Industry)

DOE awards $2 million to support geothermal systems with rare earth extraction capability (via CleanTechnica)

Air Force scores biggest-ever military solar plant (via CleanTechnica)

Top 10 women of solar energy (via Energy Collective)

New Year off to hot start for US solar industry (via Renewable Energy World)

OIL 

Arctic oil still seen decades off as producers balk at costs (via Bloomberg)

Oil industry head cautions against creating new rail risks (via Houston Chronicle)

Federal regulators move to hike cap on oil spill liabilities (via Houston Chronicle)

To make shipping oil safer, railroads agree to eight measures (via New York Times)

Funding the future with fracking in North Dakota (via National Journal)

Oil spill closes 65-mile stretch of lower Mississippi River (via Reuters)

GE to funnel billions into oil field technology (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Megacity driving woes signal dawn of “peak car” era (via Bloomberg)

Study finds 20-25% of EV range lost as psychological safety buffer; driver assistance systems could shrink loss (via Green Car Congress)

Elon Musk and Tesla plan world’s biggest battery factory (via Greentech Media)

Tesla’s Musk accelerating vehicle output through 2014 (via Bloomberg)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone backers find Nebraska judge not only hurdle remaining (via Bloomberg)

Keystone’s future in hands of Nebraska’s new pipeline regulator (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

January 2014: Earth’s 4th warmest January on record (via Weather Underground)

Arctic temperatures could increase 13C by 2100 (via RTCC)

Climate change to add to winter extremes, limiting warming benefit (via Sydney Morning Herald)

Small volcanic eruptions add to larger impact on climate (via Climate Central)

Obama climate change agenda faces first Supreme Court test (via Reuters)

This year’s crazy weather is freezing the economy (via Washington Post)

Coffee shortage possible due to drought, climate change, rising demand (via Washington Post)

In Rhode Island flood zones, houses raised to lower premiums (via Providence Journal)

ENVIRONMENT 

Obama to propose changes to wildfire funding in budget (via Weather Channel/AP)

Environmental groups resort to suing industries directly (via New York Times)

California farmers brace for little or no water amid extreme drought (via The Guardian)

Coal ash spill could push North Carolina to move more aggressively on environmental threats (via News Observer)

EMISSIONS

“Imagination” required to save UN carbon market, says new chair (via RTCC)

GRID 

Bid to connect US grids needs buy-in from independent Texas (via EnergyWire)

POLITICS 

Environmental advocates target climate change as Democratic election issue (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Has China’s coal boom hit the buffers? (via BusinessGreen)

Why is the Obama administration using taxpayer money to back a nuclear plant that’s already being built? (via Washington Post)

The short era of cheap natural gas ended in January: Is it gone forever? (via Facts of the Day)

Will methane burn down the natural gas “bridge” to the future? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Play it again: January continues globe’s warm trend (via Climate Central)

Communicating the health and climate connection (via EcoAffect)

Waiting on Ivanpah (via CleanTechnica)