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 – 7.10.14

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

CLIMATE 

From Sao Paulo to Hong Kong, cities report economic climate threat (via Bloomberg)

UK defense ministry details global security impacts of climate change (via ClimateWire)

Loss of snowpack and glaciers in Rockies poses water threat (via Yale e360)

Sea level rise cuts across political divide in Norfolk, Va (via GreenBiz)

ENERGY POLICY 

Why China’s energy consumption will keep rising (via Energy Collective)

U.S. public lands fading as fossil fuels source (via Climate Central)

Federal government still spending billions to subsidize fossil fuels (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Solar, wind to beat coal on costs in China, India by 2020 (via Renew Economy)

One-third of Germany’s power came from renewables in first half 2014 (via Yale e360)

Upcoming auctions position Brazil for major solar growth (via Solar Industry Magazine)

EIA projections show hydropower growth limited by economics, not resources (via US EIA)

Mercom Capital charts top solar deals of second quarter (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Chicago to announce new rooftop solar discount program (via Chicago Tribune)

Food waste is so yesterday – think biogas instead (via GreenBiz)

What you need to know about how clean energy yielcos work (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Coal’s last gasp in Europe (via The Economist)

Most U.K. coal plants to shut by 2023 on climate rules (via Bloomberg)

Mountaintop removal coal mining decimates Appalachian fish populations (via EcoWatch)

Missouri governor signs law blocking coal-related ballot measures (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

EMISSIONS 

Zero carbon and economic growth can go together, says UN study (via The Guardian)

Australian Senate rejects carbon tax repeal (via Reuters)

Australian PM seeks carbon price repeal next week after losing vote (via Bloomberg)

EU Parliament to consider carbon price fix this fall (via The Hill)

China’s Tianjin carbon market extends permit deadline again (via Reuters)

The shocking truth about British Columbia’s carbon tax: It works (via The Globe and Mail)

OIL 

Swaps could be next way around oil export ban (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

China makes new electric vehicles tax-free (via The Guardian)

Nissan launches “no charge to charge” program for Leaf buyers (via CleanTechnica)

ENVIRONMENT 

One-fifth of the Amazon may have been savannah before Europeans arrived (via Mongabay)

Freedom Industries fined $11,000 for historic West Virginia chemical spill (via Climate Progress)

The weird and wonderful world of indoor farming (via Think Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Fracking could supply one-third of UK gas by 2035, says National Grid (via RTCC)

GRID 

Modi budget plans $250 million to boost solar, grid to end India blackouts (via Bloomberg)

Transmission issues plague power-starved southern India states (via Panchabuta)

Washington State grants $14.3 million for energy storage systems (via Bloomberg)

NUCLEAR 

Tepco says it has turned corner on Fukushima nuclear cleanup (via Bloomberg)

Wisconsin reactor’s demise shows plight of nuclear towns (via Bloomberg)

KEYSTONE XL 

Nebraska court date pushes final Keystone XL decision past midterms (via Washington Post)

POLITICS 

House Republicans threaten to subpoena EPA over carbon rules (via The Hill)

White House threatens to veto energy spending bill over environmental riders (via The Hill)

Forget LeBron, it’s free agency season for green groups (via National Journal)

Study says rich Republicans are the worst climate deniers (via Mother Jones)

OPINION 

Here’s what the world would look like if we took global warming seriously (via Vox)

Sixty years after birth, it’s time for solar cells to get serious (via GigaOm)

Why we need a carbon tax (via Huffington Post)

Fix the climate problem? Easy – cut U.S. emissions to 1901 levels (via Bloomberg)

How Silveo could succeed where Solyndra failed (via Greentech Media)

Why Washington State’s $14.3 million energy storage program is so different from others (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.13.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China will spend roughly the GDP of Hong Kong to fight air pollution (via Washington Post)

Dumping Australia’s carbon price would drive up power bills (via Renew Economy)

US 2013 carbon emissions up 4% - nearly double EIA projections (via Facts of the Day)

Electric co-ops come out swinging against Obama emissions plan (via The Hill)

Carbon offsets plan stirs up controversy in California (via Grist)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Environmental, First Nations groups question safety of TransCanada’s Energy East pipeline (via The Globe and Mail)

College students, clergy denounce Keystone XL at State Department (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Solar module market looking up due to Japan (via Reuters)

India may decide on solar dumping case next week (via Bloomberg)

100% of new Australian power plants are wind or solar (via Renew Economy)

HyRef technology revolutionizes renewable energy forecasting (via CleanTechnica)

NanoTags used to site offshore wind turbines away from bird populations (via Sustainable Business)

Iowa approves MidAmerican 1.05GW wind energy plan (via Recharge)

Environmental attacks on wind power keep coming, with New England the eye of the storm (via Facts of the Day)

The intermittency of wind and solar: is it only intermittently a problem? (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

Mexico president submits bill to end country’s oil monopoly (via Houston Chronicle)

China looks to further open crude oil import market (via Reuters)

BP sues US government over suspension from new federal contracts (via Houston Chronicle)

My week in oil boom country (via National Journal)

Water demand falls in North Dakota shale oil patch (via Dickinson Press)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

DOE commits to unleashing delayed efficiency standards (via Greentech Media)

Columbia University saves $700,000 a year via energy efficiency (via Energy Manager Today)

Tips to save power (and money) in the summer heat (via Houston Chronicle)

COAL 

Japan’s Tepco doubles coal consumption in July after starting new units (via Bloomberg)

Patriot Coal and union reach a deal on cutbacks (via New York Times)

Do Illinois coal-fired plants have a future? (via Chicago Tribune)

ENERGY POLICY 

Push to form a Minneapolis public utility slows down (via Minneapolis Star Tribune)

GRID 

UK government to announce new energy storage “catapult” (via BusinessGreen)

DoD spars with BLM over SunZia transmission route, possible impacts to New Mexico missile range (via Greenwire)

Everything you ever wanted to know about electricity storage (via Breaking Energy)

CLIMATE 

What the melting Arctic means for the world’s economy (via GreenBiz)

New map reveals how prepared UK cities are for climate change (via Phys.org)

Timing a rise in sea level (via New York Times)

Cutting soot and methane may not give hoped-for climate help (via Reuters)

Flood insurance prices surge (via Wall Street Journal)

Typhoon Utor swamps Philippines, heads for southern China (via Washington Post)

Meet the companies that are going to get rich from global warming (via The Verge)

UK farmers report increase in extreme weather (via RTCC)

OFA: “Gravity exists. The Earth is round. Climate change is happening.” (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Elon Musk unveils plans for hyperloop high-speed train (via New York Times)

Will 2040 see all non-hybrids banned from British roads? (via Green Car Reports)

EV charger manufacturer Ecototality says may file for bankruptcy (via Reuters)

What if everyone plugs in their cars at once? (via Seattle Times)

OPINION 

How bright is renewable energy’s future? (via National Journal)

Bureaucrats, not Big Oil, stand in the way of a solar future (via Quartz)

A hyperloop might be far more expensive than Elon Musk thinks (via Washington Post)

Hyperloop faces technical hurdles (via Navigant Research)

Why do Californians use less electricity than everyone else? (via Washington Post)

Cuomo: Look beyond fracking in New York State (via Albany Times-Union)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.13.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China will spend roughly the GDP of Hong Kong to fight air pollution (via Washington Post)

Dumping Australia’s carbon price would drive up power bills (via Renew Economy)

US 2013 carbon emissions up 4% - nearly double EIA projections (via Facts of the Day)

Electric co-ops come out swinging against Obama emissions plan (via The Hill)

Carbon offsets plan stirs up controversy in California (via Grist)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Environmental, First Nations groups question safety of TransCanada’s Energy East pipeline (via The Globe and Mail)

College students, clergy denounce Keystone XL at State Department (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Solar module market looking up due to Japan (via Reuters)

India may decide on solar dumping case next week (via Bloomberg)

100% of new Australian power plants are wind or solar (via Renew Economy)

HyRef technology revolutionizes renewable energy forecasting (via CleanTechnica)

NanoTags used to site offshore wind turbines away from bird populations (via Sustainable Business)

Iowa approves MidAmerican 1.05GW wind energy plan (via Recharge)

Environmental attacks on wind power keep coming, with New England the eye of the storm (via Facts of the Day)

The intermittency of wind and solar: is it only intermittently a problem? (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

Mexico president submits bill to end country’s oil monopoly (via Houston Chronicle)

China looks to further open crude oil import market (via Reuters)

BP sues US government over suspension from new federal contracts (via Houston Chronicle)

My week in oil boom country (via National Journal)

Water demand falls in North Dakota shale oil patch (via Dickinson Press)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

DOE commits to unleashing delayed efficiency standards (via Greentech Media)

Columbia University saves $700,000 a year via energy efficiency (via Energy Manager Today)

Tips to save power (and money) in the summer heat (via Houston Chronicle)

COAL 

Japan’s Tepco doubles coal consumption in July after starting new units (via Bloomberg)

Patriot Coal and union reach a deal on cutbacks (via New York Times)

Do Illinois coal-fired plants have a future? (via Chicago Tribune)

ENERGY POLICY 

Push to form a Minneapolis public utility slows down (via Minneapolis Star Tribune)

GRID 

UK government to announce new energy storage “catapult” (via BusinessGreen)

DoD spars with BLM over SunZia transmission route, possible impacts to New Mexico missile range (via Greenwire)

Everything you ever wanted to know about electricity storage (via Breaking Energy)

CLIMATE 

What the melting Arctic means for the world’s economy (via GreenBiz)

New map reveals how prepared UK cities are for climate change (via Phys.org)

Timing a rise in sea level (via New York Times)

Cutting soot and methane may not give hoped-for climate help (via Reuters)

Flood insurance prices surge (via Wall Street Journal)

Typhoon Utor swamps Philippines, heads for southern China (via Washington Post)

Meet the companies that are going to get rich from global warming (via The Verge)

UK farmers report increase in extreme weather (via RTCC)

OFA: “Gravity exists. The Earth is round. Climate change is happening.” (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Elon Musk unveils plans for hyperloop high-speed train (via New York Times)

Will 2040 see all non-hybrids banned from British roads? (via Green Car Reports)

EV charger manufacturer Ecototality says may file for bankruptcy (via Reuters)

What if everyone plugs in their cars at once? (via Seattle Times)

OPINION 

How bright is renewable energy’s future? (via National Journal)

Bureaucrats, not Big Oil, stand in the way of a solar future (via Quartz)

A hyperloop might be far more expensive than Elon Musk thinks (via Washington Post)

Hyperloop faces technical hurdles (via Navigant Research)

Why do Californians use less electricity than everyone else? (via Washington Post)

Cuomo: Look beyond fracking in New York State (via Albany Times-Union)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.29.13

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

TRANSPORTATION 

Long-delayed EPA gasoline pollution rules set for Friday debut (via The Hill)

Consumer concerns about range and economics still hinder interest in buying EVs (via Navigant Research)

Tesla Model S wins 2013 World Green Car of the Year (via Autoblog Green)

A little lesson in electric vehicles (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EPA and Department of Energy recognize 2013 Energy Star awardees (via Environmental Leader)

Los Angeles maps electricity use at the block level (via MIT Technology Review)

OIL 

OPEC oil output falls to lowest level since 2011 (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

A record year for world wind power in 2012 (via Greentech Media)

India’s wind power base to rise 50% by 2015 (via Hindustan Times)

Asian giants embracing more clean energy (via EarthTechling) 

Bulgaria to suspend up to 40% of wind, solar capacity (via Renewable Energy World)

India’s off-grid renewables initiative changing lives (via Renewable Energy World)

German solar to gain from Cyprus crisis as investors seek safety (via Bloomberg)

Solar storage market set for rapid growth (via Renewable Energy World)

Report: some federal wind energy programs “duplicative” (via The Hill)

New process may make renewable energy reliable at last (via Climate Central)

Lured by savings and cash, many American schools are going solar (via ClimateWire)

New York State’s competitive solar program off to a bright start (via Greentech Media)

Maine introduces feed-in tariff legislation (via Renewable Energy World)

New bill could help Georgia reap solar energy cash crop (via Energy Collective)

The wind blows, the sun shines: the tax breaks (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS 

The new tech that could make methane leaks a thing of the past (via Forbes)

CLIMATE 

Scientists find “missing heat” of global warming 700 meters below the sea (via Mongabay)

Study: climate worst-case scenario may backfire in activists’ campaign (via Huffington Post)

Survey: Americans believe in climate change risks but won’t pay to fix them (via The Guardian)

Survey explores how UK gardeners are adapting to climate change (via Phys.org)

Canada could leave UN climate talks after UNCCD exit (via RTCC)

San Diego, bracing for climate change, studies its weaknesses (via ClimateWire)

ENVIRONMENT 

Canada first country to pull out of UN drought convention (via The Globe and Mail)

GRID 

Lone Star Transmission lights up 330 miles of Texas CREZ power lines (via Renew Grid)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Accounting for environmental externalities is good for business and the planet (via BusinessGreen)

Ford reduces water use in vehicle assembly by 10.6 billion gallons (via Autoblog Green)

EMISSIONS 

UK’s CO2 emissions up 4.5% in 2012 (via The Guardian)

Fungi drives carbon uptake by boreal forests (via Mongabay)

Hong Kong to raise air quality standards and cut emissions (via Bloomberg)

TAR SANDS 

Pentagon officials tour oilsands as part of effort to recruit veterans to jobs (via Calgary Herald)

Total sets sights on getting oil sands crude to Gulf coast (via Globe and Mail)

OPINION 

IMF says global fossil fuel subsidies amount to $1.9 trillion a year…and that’s probably an underestimate (via Grist)

Brutal solar market benefits consumers (via Navigant Research)

Poll: Americans want energy focus on renewables, not oil (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.29.13

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

TRANSPORTATION 

Long-delayed EPA gasoline pollution rules set for Friday debut (via The Hill)

Consumer concerns about range and economics still hinder interest in buying EVs (via Navigant Research)

Tesla Model S wins 2013 World Green Car of the Year (via Autoblog Green)

A little lesson in electric vehicles (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EPA and Department of Energy recognize 2013 Energy Star awardees (via Environmental Leader)

Los Angeles maps electricity use at the block level (via MIT Technology Review)

OIL 

OPEC oil output falls to lowest level since 2011 (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

A record year for world wind power in 2012 (via Greentech Media)

India’s wind power base to rise 50% by 2015 (via Hindustan Times)

Asian giants embracing more clean energy (via EarthTechling) 

Bulgaria to suspend up to 40% of wind, solar capacity (via Renewable Energy World)

India’s off-grid renewables initiative changing lives (via Renewable Energy World)

German solar to gain from Cyprus crisis as investors seek safety (via Bloomberg)

Solar storage market set for rapid growth (via Renewable Energy World)

Report: some federal wind energy programs “duplicative” (via The Hill)

New process may make renewable energy reliable at last (via Climate Central)

Lured by savings and cash, many American schools are going solar (via ClimateWire)

New York State’s competitive solar program off to a bright start (via Greentech Media)

Maine introduces feed-in tariff legislation (via Renewable Energy World)

New bill could help Georgia reap solar energy cash crop (via Energy Collective)

The wind blows, the sun shines: the tax breaks (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS 

The new tech that could make methane leaks a thing of the past (via Forbes)

CLIMATE 

Scientists find “missing heat” of global warming 700 meters below the sea (via Mongabay)

Study: climate worst-case scenario may backfire in activists’ campaign (via Huffington Post)

Survey: Americans believe in climate change risks but won’t pay to fix them (via The Guardian)

Survey explores how UK gardeners are adapting to climate change (via Phys.org)

Canada could leave UN climate talks after UNCCD exit (via RTCC)

San Diego, bracing for climate change, studies its weaknesses (via ClimateWire)

ENVIRONMENT 

Canada first country to pull out of UN drought convention (via The Globe and Mail)

GRID 

Lone Star Transmission lights up 330 miles of Texas CREZ power lines (via Renew Grid)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Accounting for environmental externalities is good for business and the planet (via BusinessGreen)

Ford reduces water use in vehicle assembly by 10.6 billion gallons (via Autoblog Green)

EMISSIONS 

UK’s CO2 emissions up 4.5% in 2012 (via The Guardian)

Fungi drives carbon uptake by boreal forests (via Mongabay)

Hong Kong to raise air quality standards and cut emissions (via Bloomberg)

TAR SANDS 

Pentagon officials tour oilsands as part of effort to recruit veterans to jobs (via Calgary Herald)

Total sets sights on getting oil sands crude to Gulf coast (via Globe and Mail)

OPINION 

IMF says global fossil fuel subsidies amount to $1.9 trillion a year…and that’s probably an underestimate (via Grist)

Brutal solar market benefits consumers (via Navigant Research)

Poll: Americans want energy focus on renewables, not oil (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.16.13

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

GRID 

Offshore transmission line breaks new ground on grid rules (via New York Times)

Why military microgrids influence exceeds their market share (via Pike Research)

ENERGY POLICY 

Large mergers drive changes in ownership of electric generating capacity in 2012 (via US EIA)

Oil lobby touts Keystone XL pipeline, natural gas exports (via Politico)

Oil refiners ask Congress to scrap renewable fuels mandate (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Hong Kong offers $1.3 billion to replace polluting vehicles (via Bloomberg)

EPA says final revisions to 2010 air quality rule will cut industry costs, health risks (via The Hill)

California cuts GHGs for third year (via Environmental Leader)

RENEWABLES 

“Advanced energy” is a trillion-dollar market, and actually grew in 2012 (via GigaOm)

China passes 60GW grid-connected wind capacity (via Recharge)

Inside MENA countries’ solar energy plans (via Renewable Energy World)

Saudi Arabia will set up power buyer for renewables electricity (via Bloomberg)

Royal family investing £20 million in UK wave and tidal power (via BusinessGreen)

Solar provides 5.6% of Italian electricity demand in 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

Morocco to launch new concentrated solar power tenders (via Recharge)

50% solar cell efficiency could be in sight (via EarthTechling)

PTC in place, the US wind industry looks ahead (via Greentech Media)

Solar net metering will provide over $92 million in benefits to California ratepayers (via Electric Light & Power)

Sungevity scores $125 million for third-party solar financing (via Greentech Media)

ALEC to attack North Carolina renewable energy initiative (via DeSmogBlog)

Virginia attorney general targets utility renewable energy incentives (via Washington Times/AP)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Texas study finds increase in water used for fracking (via Texas Tribune)

CLIMATE 

2012 was Earth’s 10th warmest year on record, warmest with a La Nina (via Weather Underground)

US climate diplomat says emissions deal is in nations’ core interest (via The Hill)

Black carbon 2x larger cause of climate change than previously assessed (via Green Car Reports)

Record taxpayer cost is seen for US crop insurance (via New York Times)

Decades of temperature changes where you lived mapped online (via The Guardian)

National Flood Insurance Program – a mighty engine that couldn’t (via ClimateWire)

Science and religion meet at a climate protest (via New York Times)

Do cities really take the lead on climate change? (via Grist)

Sandy relief bill passes House despite conservative opposition (via Huffington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Cadillac and Nissan press the case for electric cars (via New York Times)

Tesla Model S to hit UK market in early 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

Cadillac introduces 2014 ELR extended range electric vehicle (via Green Car Congress)

Nissan to use US battery plant for hybrid vehicles (via Bloomberg)

Johnson Controls offers start-stop battery system for vehicles (via New York Times)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Google makes new electricity push with funding to Energy Foundation (via The Hill)

How Ford and Adidas are making climate change work in their favor (via GreenBiz)

US government seeing big savings from green buildings (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

10 things to know about leasing coal on public land (via Oregon Public Radio)

POLITICS 

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to leave Obama administration (via Reuters)

Ken Salazar’s legacy includes push for wind, solar energy (via Politico)

Chuck Hagel’s Chevron tie not criticized (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

2013: the year of climate decision (via Climate Progress)

Can the Chinese rescue Fisker? (via Autoblog)

For greater job growth, invest in clean energy, not US coal exports (via National Geographic)

Wind might not roar in 2013, even with PTC (via EarthTechling) 

The extreme weather threat that’s all around us (via Huffington Post)

Why is net metering under attack? (via Greentech Media)

A holding pattern at Tesla (via New York Times)