Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.26.15

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

U.S.-INDIA TALKS 

U.S. and India announce “cooperation” on climate change (via Climate Progress)

Obama backs India solar goals, seeks support for climate talks (via Reuters)

Obama says made a breakthrough in civil nuclear trade with India (via Retuers)

Obama-Modi nuclear “breakthrough” has CEOs wary of fine print (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS 

UK lawmakers urge fracking moratorium (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Obama proposes to declare ANWR a wilderness area (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

India plans 100GW wind energy capacity by 2022 (via CleanTechnica)

Japan to set renewable energy targets despite nuclear creeping back in (via PV Tech)

India to propose global collaboration in solar power R&D to cut costs (via CleanTechnica)

India clean energy investments rise 13% to $7.9 billion (via Bloomberg)

Qatar set to announce 200MW solar tender (via PV Tech)

Chinese tier-1 PV module suppliers have sold out (via CleanTechnica)

Worry for U.S. solar projects after end of tax credits (via New York Times)

A philosophical divide emerges in states considering the future of utilities (via Greentech Media)

Huge New England area to soon open for offshore wind power (via Climate Progress)

New York Governor Cuomo delivers a sunny 2015 State of the State (via Renewable Energy World)

Massachusetts closes out landmark solar rebate program (via Solar Industry)

North Carolina plunges deeper into offshore wind energy (via CleanTechnica)

Clean energy investment plummets in Ohio (via Greentech Media)

New California partnership launches statewide PACE program (via Renewable Energy World)

New steps toward future production of solar fuels (via Phys.org)

Solar and water: Abengoa’s big bets (via Forbes)

Mahindra Group to expand renewables business amid India’s clean energy push (via Reuters)

Inside the coming showdown over rooftop solar in Indiana (via Utility Dive)

CLIMATE 

Cold nights are decreasing across the U.S. (via Climate Central)

Pope’s U.S. visit to stoke climate fight (via The Hill)

Hollande calls for global “solidarity” in fight against climate change (via RTCC)

Before sea level rises, Miami Beach officials want to raise street (via Miami Herald)

OIL 

Saudi oil minister Naimi to stay for now, policy steady (via Retuers)

Head west for best look at U.S. oil drillers’ pain (via Bloomberg)

Defeating Keystone XL might mean more oil by train (via The Stranger)

Illinois misses the fracking boom because of falling oil prices (via Chicago Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION

Plug-in EV sales could hit 1% market share this quarter (via Autoblog)

How low gas prices could spike Obama’s climate plan (via National Journal)

GRID 

Demand response will “win hands down if taken up by Supreme Court, says former FERC Chair (via Greentech Media)

Wind transmission beats Keystone XL pipeline in race for federal approval (via CleanTechnica)

OPINION 

On Obama’s India visit, climate change deal unlikely as Modi boosts coal production (via Washington Post)

Cheapest solar in the world (Michael Liebreich interview series) (via CleanTechnica)

Why you need to pay attention to solar energy legislation in Indiana (via Indianapolis Star)

What isn’t at stake in the Exelon-Pepco merger (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.22.14

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

CLIMATE 

NOAA: June 2014 was the hottest in recorded history (via National Journal)

Climate change already having profound impacts on European lakes (via National Geographic)

Report: Higher seas mean extreme floods in South Carolina, North Carolina (via Miami Herald/AP)

Sunday TV shows cover climate change as much in 1H 2014 as in last four years combined (via Media Matters for America)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexican Senate approves bulk of pending energy legislation (via Reuters)

Energy issues playing greater role in foreign policy, says State Dept. envoy (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Wind power will deliver more than seven percent of world’s electricity by 2018 (via Navigant Research)

India seen adding wind capacity after tax credit revived (via Bloomberg)

Brazil gets $335 million wind power loan from German development bank (via Bloomberg)

Powering villages with solar instead of dirty fossil fuels (via EcoWatch)

Renewables make up over 50% of new U.S. power in First Half of 2014 (via Renew Grid)

Who finances residential solar in 2014? (via Greentech Media)

The solar industry’s tax credit conundrum (via Greentech Media)

Michigan legislators seek “energy freedom” for consumer through distributed renewables (via Midwest Energy News)

Offshore wind farms create “reef effect” perfect for marine wildlife – especially seals (via The Independent)

Renewables revolution could be in management, not technology (via Climate Central)

NATURAL GAS 

Fracking opponents renew call for South African shale gas halt (via Bloomberg)

U.K. shale regulation inadequate for safety, says report (via Bloomberg)

Researchers to test how Great Plains shale reacts to fracking (via Huffington Post/AP)

California halts fracking waste injection, warns it may be contaminating aquifers (via Mother Jones)

EMISSIONS 

U.K. retains target to cut carbon emissions in half by 2025 (via Bloomberg)

Legislative attempts to block EPA standards harmful to small businesses (via The Hill)

NHL outlines plan to cut emissions, fight climate change (via The Hill)

COAL 

Dirty coal plants undermine EU climate leadership, says report (via RTCC)

China warns against “blind” rush to build coal-to-gas plants (via Reuters)

Germany, U.K., Poland top “dirty 30” list of EU coal-fired power stations (via The Guardian)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Whirlpool wants Congress to ban class action lawsuits tied to Energy Star program (via New York Times)

Florida utilities move to slash energy conservation programs (via Climate Progress)

Third-party financing was solar’s catalyst – can energy efficiency find the same model? (via Greentech Media)

Four reasons why energy efficiency programs fail (via Energy Collective)

OIL 

As U.S. leads world on oil production, East Coast opens to exploration (via Sustainable Business)

DOT Secretary: New oil train rules could have wide reach (via Houston Chronicle)

Wisconsin oil train derailment clean up underway, evacuation lifted (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Opel dropping Ampera, Europe’s Chevy Volt, because of weak sales (via Autoblog Green)

First six months of 2014 U.S. EV sales show 33% year-over-year gain (via Forbes)

ABB and Volvo partner on fast-charging system for hybrid and electric buses (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla idles California plant to retool for electric SUVs (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Carbon repeal leaves Australia isolated and vulnerable (via Renew Economy)

Disney’s “Planes” sequel is an excuse to talk to your kids about climate change (via Grist)

Why has the response to California’s drought been so weak? (via Science Blogs)

Six reasons technology alone can’t solve water scarcity (via GreenBiz)

Utilities cry “fowl” over Duck Chart and distributed solar power (via CleanTechnica)

Why Tom Steyer’s millions won’t save the planet (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.22.14

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

CLIMATE 

NOAA: June 2014 was the hottest in recorded history (via National Journal)

Climate change already having profound impacts on European lakes (via National Geographic)

Report: Higher seas mean extreme floods in South Carolina, North Carolina (via Miami Herald/AP)

Sunday TV shows cover climate change as much in 1H 2014 as in last four years combined (via Media Matters for America)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexican Senate approves bulk of pending energy legislation (via Reuters)

Energy issues playing greater role in foreign policy, says State Dept. envoy (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Wind power will deliver more than seven percent of world’s electricity by 2018 (via Navigant Research)

India seen adding wind capacity after tax credit revived (via Bloomberg)

Brazil gets $335 million wind power loan from German development bank (via Bloomberg)

Powering villages with solar instead of dirty fossil fuels (via EcoWatch)

Renewables make up over 50% of new U.S. power in First Half of 2014 (via Renew Grid)

Who finances residential solar in 2014? (via Greentech Media)

The solar industry’s tax credit conundrum (via Greentech Media)

Michigan legislators seek “energy freedom” for consumer through distributed renewables (via Midwest Energy News)

Offshore wind farms create “reef effect” perfect for marine wildlife – especially seals (via The Independent)

Renewables revolution could be in management, not technology (via Climate Central)

NATURAL GAS 

Fracking opponents renew call for South African shale gas halt (via Bloomberg)

U.K. shale regulation inadequate for safety, says report (via Bloomberg)

Researchers to test how Great Plains shale reacts to fracking (via Huffington Post/AP)

California halts fracking waste injection, warns it may be contaminating aquifers (via Mother Jones)

EMISSIONS 

U.K. retains target to cut carbon emissions in half by 2025 (via Bloomberg)

Legislative attempts to block EPA standards harmful to small businesses (via The Hill)

NHL outlines plan to cut emissions, fight climate change (via The Hill)

COAL 

Dirty coal plants undermine EU climate leadership, says report (via RTCC)

China warns against “blind” rush to build coal-to-gas plants (via Reuters)

Germany, U.K., Poland top “dirty 30” list of EU coal-fired power stations (via The Guardian)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Whirlpool wants Congress to ban class action lawsuits tied to Energy Star program (via New York Times)

Florida utilities move to slash energy conservation programs (via Climate Progress)

Third-party financing was solar’s catalyst – can energy efficiency find the same model? (via Greentech Media)

Four reasons why energy efficiency programs fail (via Energy Collective)

OIL 

As U.S. leads world on oil production, East Coast opens to exploration (via Sustainable Business)

DOT Secretary: New oil train rules could have wide reach (via Houston Chronicle)

Wisconsin oil train derailment clean up underway, evacuation lifted (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Opel dropping Ampera, Europe’s Chevy Volt, because of weak sales (via Autoblog Green)

First six months of 2014 U.S. EV sales show 33% year-over-year gain (via Forbes)

ABB and Volvo partner on fast-charging system for hybrid and electric buses (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla idles California plant to retool for electric SUVs (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Carbon repeal leaves Australia isolated and vulnerable (via Renew Economy)

Disney’s “Planes” sequel is an excuse to talk to your kids about climate change (via Grist)

Why has the response to California’s drought been so weak? (via Science Blogs)

Six reasons technology alone can’t solve water scarcity (via GreenBiz)

Utilities cry “fowl” over Duck Chart and distributed solar power (via CleanTechnica)

Why Tom Steyer’s millions won’t save the planet (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.27.14

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

OIL 

Spain’s oil deposits and fracking trigger energy gold rush (via The Guardian)

US now producing 10% of world’s crude oil (via The Hill)

New York State seeks more data on crude oil rail operations (via New York Times)

Battle begins over plan to send oil trains through California cities (via Climate Progress)

UTILITIES 

UK’s big six utilities face competition probe (via Bloomberg)

FERC orders gas and electricity suppliers to work together (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Citigroup says “Age of Renewables” has begun (via Renew Economy)

Global solar deployment edged out wind in 2013 (via Solar Industry)

New wind power blows UK green electricity to record levels (via BusinessGreen)

Renewable energy starts 2014 off strong in US (via Renew Grid)

Study finds wind power cost competitive with natural gas in US (via Phys.org)

New US wind power installations plummet 93% in 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

US solar market grappling with impact of federal tax credit expiration (via Greentech Media)

Kansas Senate approves bill ending renewable energy standards (via Kansas City Star)

Solar turf wars: NRG Energy buys roof diagnostics, Sunrun allies with Sungevity (via Greentech Media)

Watch how fast wind farms spread across the US (via Climate Central)

CLIMATE 

New UN IPCC report is cautious on making climate predictions (via Yale e360)

No pause in global sea level rise (via Scientific American)

Disasters led to $45 billion in global insurance losses in 2013 (via ABC News/AP)

Report says climate change is world’s “gravest security threat” (via RTCC)

Top scientists say global warming caused record Australian heatwave (via The Telegraph)

2013: Extreme weather, extreme damage in US (via Center for American Progress)

Obama talks climate change in new Showtime documentary (via Huffington Post)

NATURAL GAS 

Trade deal would ease US natural gas exports to Europe (via Reuters)

Fracking’s earthquake risks push states to collaborate (via Bloomberg)

Keystone XL battle plan may not fit enviros’ fight against LNG exports (via E&E Daily)

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s rivers at the brink of collapse (via Huffington Post)

Big challenges for reclamation of ravaged tar sands lands (via Yale e360)

House GOP wants to make it nearly impossible for Obama to create new national monuments (via National Journal)

USGBC wants all students educated on sustainability by 2040 (via GreenBiz)

Poll: Californians cutting water use amid drought (via San Francisco Chronicle)

COAL 

Poll finds support for more coal ash regulation in North Carolina (via News Observer)

TRANSPORTATION 

Modern diesels pollute over 20% less than those from 10 years ago (via Autoblog)

100% drop-in aviation biofuels “closer” to reality (via Renewable Energy World)

US high-speed rail gets a boost with 32-train order for Siemens (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

Germany’s $2.8 billion transmission link with Norway threatened (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

New Zealand’s “Kyoto forests” sow the seeds for a massive emissions surge (via The Guardian)

Have we reached the clean energy tipping point? (via GreenBiz)

Is a super El Nino coming to shatter extreme weather and global temperature records? (via Climate Progress)

Here’s why British Columbia’s carbon tax is so popular and effective (via Grist)

How the US natural gas boom just caused more US coal exports (via Climate Progress)

Why Nest’s valuation is higher than Opower’s: Hardware, consumers, homes (via GigaOm)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.24.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Energy subsidies rebound to pre-financial crisis levels (via Houston Chronicle)

Russia to double oil and gas flows to Asia by 2035 (via Reuters)

Britain launches new tender for offshore oil and gas licenses (via Reuters)

Above and beyond: Green tariff design for traditional utilities (via World Resources Institute)

OIL 

Canada, U.S. agencies urge fast action on oil-by-rail safety (via Reuters)

NTSB urges oil trains be routed away from population centers (via Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Federal regulators check Eagle Ford shale oil flammability (via Houston Chronicle)

Tar sands backers say report on oil train risks boosts Keystone XL (via AP)

Record grain crop stuck on prairie as railways tap oil (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China’s solar industry rebounds, but will boom-bust cycle repeat? (via Reuters)

Germany signs off on solar tax (via Climate Spectator)

Two countries dominate world’s green energy workforce, says report (via Houston Chronicle)

Why Latin America will be a tough solar market to crack (via Forbes)

Green bond market breaches $10 billion milestone (via BusinessGreen)

U.S. probes new dumping complaints on China solar products (via Reuters)

U.S. wind incentives among lowest in world (via Facts of the Day)

U.S. may lower 2013 cellulosic ethanol target (via Reuters)

Senators pressure EPA to revise 2014 Renewable Fuels Standard (via National Journal)

NREL finds wind turbines can boost grid system readiness (via Renew Grid)

Wind permits allowing eagle deaths face blowback (via National Journal)

Texas on the brink of a major wind energy milestone (via EcoWatch)

Solar PV installations up 39% in 2013 across Hawaiian utility service area (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

In Kansas, renewable energy standard again under attack (via Midwest Energy News/EnergyWire)

COAL 

China bank regulator said to issue alert on coal loans (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Obama says climate plan will help U.S. negotiate with China, India (via National Journal)

Climate change: The Winter Olympics’ great thaw (via Climate Central)

Arctic sea ice free fall is mirror image of carbon dioxide ascent (via Grist)

Industry awakens to threat of climate change (via New York Times)

Hundred years of dry: How California’s drought could get much, much worse (via Time)

Poll shows Latinos overwhelmingly support climate action (via Grist)

GRID 

Smart grid venture capital funding hit $405 million in 2013 (via Renew Grid)

EIA now providing more detail on electric capacity additions and retirements (via US EIA)

$3.6 billion in transmission improvements on tap for ERCOT grid (via Renew Grid)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla Model S to sell for $121,000 in China (via San Jose Mercury News)

Tesla & China: Priced at $121,000 country could be biggest market, says Musk (via Green Car Reports)

EVs could be key part of changing electrical grid (via New York Times)

Virginia will scrap tax on hybrid vehicles (via Autoblog Green)

OPINION 

Four signs Africa could leapfrog fossil fuels – and one it won’t (via TreeHugger)

No one tries harder than Europe to fight climate change – the recession is testing that (via Washington Post)

How the federal ITC expiration could create a commercial solar market boom (via Renewable Energy World)

Obama’s State of The Union talking points: Saving the planet (via Washington Post)

Five reasons Obama may cave on the Keystone pipeline (via Forbes)