Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.20.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Japanese government seeks to deregulate utility market, boost renewables (via Renewable Energy World)

Exelon and Pepco seek Maryland PSC blessing of $7 billion merger (via Renew Grid)

CLIMATE 

NWF warns climate change could ruin “outdoor” experience (via The Hill)

Report: California should prepare for 3-foot sea level rise this century (via San Francisco Examiner)

RENEWABLES 

Australia renewable review chills $20 billion clean energy industry (via Bloomberg)

China’s wind power industry shows overall recovery (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewables set new records in U.S., Germany (via Breaking Energy)

Mexico approves 220MW of solar projects (via Bloomberg)

Rooftop solar may reach grid parity in 25+ states by 2017 (via CleanTechnica)

With wind energy prices at all-time lows, DOE is cautiously optimistic (via InsideClimate News) 

U.S. wind supply chain hopes “dimmed” (via Recharge)

Tom Steyer takes a side in environmentalists’ ethanol fight (via National Journal)

Developer U.S. Wind tops DOI’s Maryland offshore wind bid (via Recharge)

Advocates: Wisconsin solar fight could spill into other states (via Midwest Energy News)

Six summer stories from GTM Research you may have missed (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Canadian watchdog: Oil trains need more oversight (via Politico)

Report: Canada railway audit inadequate before Lac-Megantic disaster (via Reuters)

Feds boosting oil spill liability limits (via Houston Chronicle)

14 companies bid for western Gulf leases (via Houston Chronicle)

Alaska oil tax supporters fending off repeal efforts (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla owner tax rebates could total $1.5 billion (via CleanTechnica)

Uber picks David Plouffe to wage regulatory fight (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS 

Russia-China deal will supply Siberian natural gas to China’s northern, eastern provinces (via U.S. EIA)

Refracking brings “vintage” U.S. gas wells to life (via Reuters)

GRID 

FERC grants key approval to 3.5GW wind power transmission project (via Renew Grid)

Federal research spurs Washington State to store energy (via Energy Manager Today)

New Jersey creates the nation’s first Energy Resilience Bank (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

Western Governors’ Association calls to end “wildfire borrowing” (via Denver Post)

Wildfire near Yosemite National Park holds steady (via Wall Street Journal)

NUCLEAR 

Two Belgian nuclear reactors may be closed permanently (via Reuters)

U.S. government’s nuclear watchdog victim of cyber attacks (via Reuters)

Texas’ nuclear waste dump poised to get wiggle room (via Texas Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

LEED certification boosts hotel revenue (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Microsoft ends its relationship with American Legislative Exchange Council (via Eclecta Blog)

Latino group sides with EPA on climate rule (via The Hill)

Florida Governor Scott meeting with climate scientists is “leadership” moment for him (via Miami Herald)

OPINION 

Renewables records reveal how clean energy is starting to light up the world (via BusinessGreen)

What the green revolution in electronics means for smart grid (via Energy Collective)

Five things you should know about Powder River Basin coal exports (via Center for American Progress)

PR firm Edelman has more than a PR problem (via Marc Gunther)

In “After Water” project, writers imagine life in climate change-altered Chicago (via InsideClimate News)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.30.14

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

EMISSIONS

Foundations representing $1.8 billion band together in fossil fuel divestment (via New York Times)

US consultancy ICF to help plan China carbon market (via Reuters)

COAL

EPA sets December deadline for coal ash rule (via Charleston Gazette)

Why Obama’s climate push means trouble ahead for coal (via Christian Science Monitor)

CLIMATE

As sea level rises, Fijian village begins to relocate citizens (via Climate Progress)

Snowden docs: US spied on negotiators at 2009 climate summit (via Huffington Post)

Industry coalition seeks to shape EPA’s climate rules (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES

UK should have 10 million homes with solar panels by 2020 (via The Guardian)

Merkel: German renewable energy no longer “niche” (via Recharge)

IHS pegs South Africa as top emerging solar market (via Solar Industry Magazine

Net metering in 2014: Where the first battles will be fought (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewable energy finance outlook for 2014: Where will the cash flow? (via Renewable Energy World)

Intel, Microsoft, Kohl’s lead EPA’s green power ranking (via GreenBiz)

How California can hit 50% renewable energy by 2030 (via EarthTechling)

OIL

Shell backs off Arctic drilling after legal blow (via National Journal)

Justice Department urges judge to maintain BP federal contracts suspension (via National Journal)

Oil shipments blocking Amtrak trains (via The Hill)

Texas oil boom could be nearing slowdown (via Houston Chronicle)

New York governor orders emergency response review for oil rail shipments (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION

JD Power asks EV buyers why they buy EVs (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT

Monarch butterflies keep disappearing – here’s why (via Washington Post)

West Virginia officials dispute formaldehyde claim (via AP)

Arizona state legislators push bill to nullify EPA regulations (via The Hill)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Industry in North Dakota to cut flared natural gas (via New York Times)

New York “extremely unlikely” to allow fracking before 2015 (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

ENERGY MARKETS

California PUC president: Utility death spiral is “last year’s hype” (via Greentech Media)

Two states feel the market heat as their deregulated neighbors reap rewards (via EnergyWire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

LED market to grow 12-fold to $25 billion in 2023 (via CleanTechnica)

10 US cities plan coordinated attach on building energy waste (via Greentech Media)

White roofs are better than green roofs, and everything’s better than black (via Grist)

KEYSTONE XL

Canadian officials bullish on Keystone environmental review findings (via National Journal)

OPINION

Obama’s State of the Union climate mention fits pattern (via Climate Central)

Obama says fracking can be a “bridge” to a clean-energy future – it’s not that simple (via Washington Post)

What the new farm bill means for energy and the environment (via Climate Progress)

How to teach kids about climate change (via The Good Human)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.16.13

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

COAL 

IEA predicts global coal use to keep growing through 2018 (via New York Times)

IEA calls for “radical” action to curb coal emissions (via National Journal)

Coal’s grim forecast: Projects may be “stranded” by falling Chinese demand (via The Guardian)

US Ex-Im Bank joins Treasure in cutting coal plant funding (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

45 million US households could switch to an electric vehicle (via CleanTechnica)

Seven ways to attract and use climate finance for transport (via WRI Insights)

Cars in the US are more fuel-efficient than ever – here’s how it happened (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil energy auction sells 2.3 gigawatts of wind power projects (via Bloomberg)

UK “may fall short” of 10GW offshore wind goal (via Recharge)

France reviews green energy subsidies as it moves away from nuclear (via Bloomberg)

Solar panels seen as boost to homes’ resale value (via San Francisco Chronicle)

RFS in limelight, but cellulosics hope to steal the show (via Environmental Leader)

California adding 8,000 megawatts of wind and solar (via Facts of the Day)

Computer program for reducing the cost of offshore wind energy (via Phys.org)

EMISSIONS 

New Zealand carbon emissions set to rise 38% by 2030 (via International Business Times)

Microsoft releases carbon fee playbook for companies (via Environmental Leader)

Fifteen states press Obama for tough, flexible EPA rules (via Bloomberg)

New Jersey State Senate takes on Chris Christie over carbon emissions program (via Climate Progress)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Trains from North Dakota will now carry more crude oil than Keystone XL would (via Climate Central)

Keystone XL loses support from US customer to train transport (via Reuters)

Oil train traffic forces Amtrak cancellations in Midwest (via Inforum)

CLIMATE 

Poorer countries play catch-up on climate adjustments (via Wall Street Journal)

Could cutting down some trees help cool the planet? (via Washington Post)

OIL 

Is it time for the US to start exporting more crude oil? (via National Journal)

ENVIRONMENT 

Earth, wind, and fire: The extreme weather of 2013 (via Time)

Is the West’s dry spell really a mega-drought? (via Climate Central)

FRACKING 

Minnesota to issue draft frack sand mining guidelines (via Winona Daily News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Minneapolis requires large commercial buildings to report energy use starting 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)

GRID 

DOE outlines the patch forward for energy storage (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Clean tech in 2014: Reasons to be optimistic for wind, solar (via Christian Science Monitor)

My story of carbon footprint calculation (via CleanTechnica)

Podesta: Climate game changer (via The Hill)

Should Congress extend renewable energy tax credits? (via National Journal)

Predictions of a coming carbon asset bubble overstated (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.5.13

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

COAL 

Coal mine spill dumps 264 million gallons of waste into Canadian waterways (via Climate Progress)

Who killed all the coal jobs? (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Germans swing behind EU carbon market fix (via Recharge News)

Costa Rica launches first developing country carbon trading program (via Sustainable Business)

Study shows carbon sequestration can cause earthquakes (via Climate Central)

White House revisits “social cost of carbon” metric (via The Hill)

Environmentalists look to carbon markets to slow grassland conversion (via Greenwire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Gina McCarthy hints at Keystone XL approval (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

South Africa approves $3.3 billion of renewables projects (via Bloomberg)

The official explanation for Germany’s energy transition (via Energy Collective)

Five charts that explain the great energy shift (via Grist)

Biofuels makers mount last-ditch lobby push on EPA (via Bloomberg)

US ethanol plants reopen as record corn harvest boosts margins (via Reuters)

Google and Microsoft’s newest rivalry: renewable energy (via Quartz)

Rooftop solar, smart building features raise home values (via Sustainable Business)

Report green lights Michigan to expand renewable energy standard (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

OIL 

Federal appeals court to hear arguments on BP oil spill settlement (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

US Navy’s new all-electric destroyer is a seagoing microgrid (via CleanTechnica)

Tesla is top seller in nation’s wealthiest enclaves (via USA Today)

CLIMATE 

Carbon emissions must be cut “significantly” by 2020, says UN (via The Guardian)

Northwest governors face legislative roadblocks on climate agreement (via EarthFix)

California must adopt aggressive climate change policies, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID 

Asian smart meter market forecast to reach $2.3 billion by 2020 (via Renew Grid)

UK energy storage research gets £5 million boost (via BusinessGreen)

Capacity markets: Life support for fossil fuels or the next frontier for renewables? (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

US midterm elections unlikely to change carbon pricing politics (via Energy Collective)

Obama’s climate resilience task force gets icy GOP welcome (via The Hill)

Green groups say Virginia push a preview of 2014 (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Here’s why Central Appalachia’s coal industry is dying (via Washington Post)

More myths about carbon taxes (via Financial Post)

Can biofuels make your White Castle slider more expensive? (via National Journal)

How the US coal industry found itself in an economic no-man’s land (via Climate Progress)

Is an ethanol compromise on the horizon? (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.5.13

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

COAL 

Coal mine spill dumps 264 million gallons of waste into Canadian waterways (via Climate Progress)

Who killed all the coal jobs? (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Germans swing behind EU carbon market fix (via Recharge News)

Costa Rica launches first developing country carbon trading program (via Sustainable Business)

Study shows carbon sequestration can cause earthquakes (via Climate Central)

White House revisits “social cost of carbon” metric (via The Hill)

Environmentalists look to carbon markets to slow grassland conversion (via Greenwire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Gina McCarthy hints at Keystone XL approval (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

South Africa approves $3.3 billion of renewables projects (via Bloomberg)

The official explanation for Germany’s energy transition (via Energy Collective)

Five charts that explain the great energy shift (via Grist)

Biofuels makers mount last-ditch lobby push on EPA (via Bloomberg)

US ethanol plants reopen as record corn harvest boosts margins (via Reuters)

Google and Microsoft’s newest rivalry: renewable energy (via Quartz)

Rooftop solar, smart building features raise home values (via Sustainable Business)

Report green lights Michigan to expand renewable energy standard (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

OIL 

Federal appeals court to hear arguments on BP oil spill settlement (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

US Navy’s new all-electric destroyer is a seagoing microgrid (via CleanTechnica)

Tesla is top seller in nation’s wealthiest enclaves (via USA Today)

CLIMATE 

Carbon emissions must be cut “significantly” by 2020, says UN (via The Guardian)

Northwest governors face legislative roadblocks on climate agreement (via EarthFix)

California must adopt aggressive climate change policies, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID 

Asian smart meter market forecast to reach $2.3 billion by 2020 (via Renew Grid)

UK energy storage research gets £5 million boost (via BusinessGreen)

Capacity markets: Life support for fossil fuels or the next frontier for renewables? (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

US midterm elections unlikely to change carbon pricing politics (via Energy Collective)

Obama’s climate resilience task force gets icy GOP welcome (via The Hill)

Green groups say Virginia push a preview of 2014 (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Here’s why Central Appalachia’s coal industry is dying (via Washington Post)

More myths about carbon taxes (via Financial Post)

Can biofuels make your White Castle slider more expensive? (via National Journal)

How the US coal industry found itself in an economic no-man’s land (via Climate Progress)

Is an ethanol compromise on the horizon? (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.18.13

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

GRID 

Worldwide smart meter shipments for first half 2013 surpass 51 million (via Navigant Research)

Will smart meters change consumer habits? Early indicators say yes (via Midwest Energy News)

California adopts first-in-nation energy storage plan (via Contra Costa Times)

Construction begins on landmark Panhandle wind transmission project (via Houston Chronicle)

Texas cranks up $7 billion CREZ wind power transmission project (via CleanTechnica)

EMISSIONS 

China tests carbon markets before tax, says government official (via Bloomberg)

Fossil fuel divestment campaign spreads to Europe (via Huffington Post)

Microsoft drives home sustainability with internal carbon pricing (via GreenBiz)

RENEWABLES 

Wind at wholesale price parity in world’s major markets (via Renew Economy)

Germany expects 28.7% renewables in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

EU biofuel regulations set to be delayed until 2015 (via BusinessGreen)

Brazil’s wind tender price cap set at $58 per MWh (via Recharge)

India’s biofuel moves help offset swelling oil-import bill (via Panchabuta)

Southwest Power Pool keeps breaking wind records (via Renew Grid)

Institutional investors look toward the Sun, away from fossil fuels (via Solar Industry Magazine)

OIL 

Report: Pipelines pose less risk than trains or trucks in carrying oil (via The Hill)

Texas oil production could double by 2020, says industry regulator (via Houston Chronicle)

In North Dakota, new concerns over mixing oil and wheat (via New York Times)

US Coast Guard discovers 4,000-pound tar mat in Gulf of Mexico (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Vehicle-to-grid market to reach $190 million by 2022 (via Energy Manager Today)

Most drivers expect all vehicles to be at least partly electrified in 20 years (via CleanTechnica)

Volvo turns vehicle body panels into batteries (via Autoblog)

KEYSTONE XL 

Harold Hamm: Hope dwindling for Keystone XL pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

Climate change to cost East Asia 5.3% of GDP by 2100 (via Bloomberg)

Report: Western wildfires growing more intense, insurers deeply concerned (via Washington Post)

Britain warming faster than global average (via The Telegraph)

Raging Australian wildfires leave Sydney shrouded in smoke (via The Telegraph)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

North Dakota landowners sue fossil fuel companies over wasted natural gas (via Climate Progress)

Oklahoma is next destination for shale revolution (via Reuters)

Police arrest 40 as Canada shale gas protest turns violent (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

US and world are actually making big strides in energy efficiency (via Climate Progress)

Building energy management systems market to surpass $23 billion by 2017 (via Renew Grid)

The bright future of energy-efficient Walmart stores (via Green Room)

COAL 

AEP takes coal “out of the picture” as it plans for future (via Columbus Business Journal)

NUCLEAR 

China set to invest in UK nuclear industry (via RTCC)

POLITICS 

The big no: Republicans on science panel reject budget deal (via Science)

GOP to California governor: Don’t spoil fracking potential (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Are the days of fossil fuel subsidies numbered? (via EarthTechling)

Europe’s advanced biofuels innovation: Following overambitious US example? (via Energy Collective)

Debate about future of utilities moves deeper into world of regulation (via Greentech Media)

Let’s prevent this crisis: A letter to Harvard’s President Faust (via Huffington Post)

Legacy of 1970’s oil embargo energy crisis still lingers today (via Houston Chronicle)

Poll: Majority wanted EPA open during federal shutdown (via The Hill)

5 reasons to care about California’s new energy storage mandate (via GigaOm)

Cost of West Texas power lines could shock ratepayers (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.8.13

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

EMISSIONS 

How to slice a global carbon pie? (via New York Times)

US Supreme Court scheduled to consider climate change cases (via Reuters)

Divestment campaign against fossil fuels growing, says study (via The Guardian)

California highlights emissions reduction progress (via CleanTechnica)

New Jersey sets hearing on rejoining RGGI carbon trading program (via Bloomberg)

Microsoft achieves carbon neutrality, says NRDC (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

Beijing to close main coal plants by 2015 in smog crackdown (via BusinessGreen)

King Coal’s last stand (via Vice)

RENEWABLES 

China set to lead 2014 solar energy boom (via RTCC)

Floating offshore wind power taking hold (via Renewable Energy World)

New British solar energy fund has chance to shine (via Daily Mail)

UK tests new method to balance renewables on the grid (via Greentech Media)

Nighttime solar power arriving in United States (via EarthTechling)

Will a new guide for regulators settle the debate over rooftop solar’s value? (via Greentech Media)

Oakland’s bid to become a solar power hub (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Cumulative Nissan Leaf sales in Japan pass 30,000 mark (via Green Car Congress)

Honda plots US hybrid resurgence starting with Accord (via Bloomberg)

EV sales for 2013 up over 440% from one year ago (via Climate Progress)

Palo Alto requires homes to be pre-wired for electric cars (via EarthTechling)

Is there any business model for public electric car charging? (via Green Car Reports)

OIL 

Texas on track to be among world’s largest oil producers (via Houston Chronicle)

California Gov. Brown supports hydraulic fracturing (via Houston Chronicle)

BP spars with US government over size of Gulf of Mexico spill (via Reuters)

GRID 

PJM board approves $1.2 billion in transmission improvements (via Renew Grid)

Why the hot money is chasing energy storage (via Renew Economy)

ENERGY POLICY 

Proposed LNG exports spark controversy in British Columbia (via ClimateWire)

Quebec’s Keystone conundrum (via Politico)

Electricity utilities could lose half their market to solar and storage (via Renew Economy)

Grid Edge: How will utilities, vendors, and energy service providers adapt? (via Greentech Media)

ESCO market to reach $8.3 billion in 2020 (via Energy Manager Today)

California law to change energy rates, aid renewable power (via San Francisco Chronicle)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese prime minister seeks foreign help containing Fukushima water leak (via United Press International)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How Denmark turned an efficiency obligation into opportunity (via Midwest Energy News)

Building energy benchmarking and window retrofits (via Energy Manager Today)

An illustrated guide to the enormous power of energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Energy management saves Office Depot $2.2 million annually (via Energy Manager Today)

Cincinnati launches energy benchmarking toolkit (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

Obama’s top climate and energy adviser to leave White House (via Washington Post)

Front-runner for FERC may be clean slate Obama’s looking for (via Greenwire)

The battle for FERC and the future of energy security (via Energy Trends Insider)

OPINION 

Solar power, in small doses (via The Economist)

Who created the global warming “pause”? (via Mother Jones)

The future of the electricity system is called Grid Edge (via Greentech Media)

Burning question: Are Europe’s biomass imports sustainable? (via Renewable Energy World)

America’s net metering war (via CleanTechnica)

Can we fly more and still meet carbon targets? (via The Guardian)

We might blow our carbon budget sooner than we think (via Renew Economy)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

EIA projects world energy consumption will increase 56% by 2040 (via US EIA)

Natural gas generation plummets 13.4% as coal surges 11% in US EIA data (via Facts of the Day)

GREEN BUSINESS 

UK green economy grows £6 billion according to government data (via BusinessGreen)

Intel, Microsoft, Kohl’s top EPA Green Power list (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

China’s coal-fired economy dying of thirst as mines lack water (via Bloomberg)

How the White House watered down rules on coal-plant water pollution (via Grist)

EPA Administrator McCarthy’s tenure to be tested by coal sector (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

EU-China solar deal hinges on price as deadline nears (via Reuters)

Report says EU tariffs ending the era of low-cost Chinese solar modules (via Solar Industry Magazine)

UK renewables output soars 19% in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

India adds 566MW of green energy in Q1 (via Panchabuta)

Deepwater turbines “critical” for EU offshore wind (via Recharge)

Insurance costs for renewables may triple to $2.8 billion by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

Biofuel makers seek to ease mandates to avert Congressional overhaul (via Bloomberg)

US solar has best first half of all time in H1 2013 (via SNL)

Wind-bird debate flares with new fatality figure (via EarthTechling)

Solar leasing gains while costs to federal taxpayers falls (via Greentech Media)

The future of US solar power: opportunities in soft costs (via Climate Progress)

Virginia coastline could soon be home to 2GW of offshore wind (via CleanTechnica)

Colorado state capitol first to boast geothermal heating and cooling (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Polar thaw opens shortcut for Russian natural gas (via New York Times)

Chevron to promote shale drilling in Europe (via Houston Chronicle)

House bill would allow US to invest more in African natural gas facilities (via SNL)

DOJ probes US fracking market over antitrust issues (via Reuters)

Fire rages on Gulf rig leaking natural gas (via Washington Post)

Offshore drilling regulation critic runs company operating latest Gulf well blowout rig (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

The North Pole is now a lake (via LiveScience)

A Republican Secretary of State urges action on climate change (via Scientific American)

Obama: Grow middle class to fight climate change (via The Hill)

Four designs for resilient neighborhoods after Sandy (via Good)

EMISSIONS 

Biden urges US-India cooperation on phasing out greenhouse gases (via Climate Progress)

Developing countries to vastly outpace OECD in emissions, says US EIA (via Reuters)

China investing $277 billion over five years to curb air pollution (via Reuters)

British Columbia’s carbon tax cut fuel use, didn’t hurt economy (via CBS News)

Federal court backs EPA ozone limit but orders review of public welfare standard (via Greenwire)

GRID 

Demand response sites to double worldwide by 2020 (via Renew Grid)

Germany’s energy storage subsidy is no solar miracle (via Greentech Media)

The true ROI of smart meter deployments (via Breaking Energy)

New energy storage testing center coming to New York State (via Renew Grid)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Port of Vancouver approves Northwest’s largest oil terminal amid safety concerns (via The Oregonian)

Keystone XL prompts Congress to let lobbyists write letters of support (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Bell’s Brewery sues Enbridge over Kalamazoo River oil spill cleanup (via Michigan Live)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

America’s favorite way to save energy during summer is… (via Outlier)

Alabama state agencies cut energy costs by $3.9 million in 2012 (via Energy Manager Today)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima nuclear cleanup to cost $58 billion (via Phys.org)

TRANSPORTATION 

Charger standards fight confuses EV drivers, puts car company investments at risk (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Three major energy trends to watch: efficiency, renewables, distributed power (via GreenBiz)

Did the Clean Air Act unleash Atlantic hurricanes? (via Washington Post)

Renewable fuels debate: cutting through the hype (via Breaking Energy)

What will replace the California Solar Initiative? (via Renewable Energy World)

POLITICS 

Young US voters think Republican climate dissenters “crazy,” says poll (via The Guardian)

US Navy’s clean energy push to get focus at nomination hearing (via Wall Street Journal)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

EIA projects world energy consumption will increase 56% by 2040 (via US EIA)

Natural gas generation plummets 13.4% as coal surges 11% in US EIA data (via Facts of the Day)

GREEN BUSINESS 

UK green economy grows £6 billion according to government data (via BusinessGreen)

Intel, Microsoft, Kohl’s top EPA Green Power list (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

China’s coal-fired economy dying of thirst as mines lack water (via Bloomberg)

How the White House watered down rules on coal-plant water pollution (via Grist)

EPA Administrator McCarthy’s tenure to be tested by coal sector (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

EU-China solar deal hinges on price as deadline nears (via Reuters)

Report says EU tariffs ending the era of low-cost Chinese solar modules (via Solar Industry Magazine)

UK renewables output soars 19% in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

India adds 566MW of green energy in Q1 (via Panchabuta)

Deepwater turbines “critical” for EU offshore wind (via Recharge)

Insurance costs for renewables may triple to $2.8 billion by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

Biofuel makers seek to ease mandates to avert Congressional overhaul (via Bloomberg)

US solar has best first half of all time in H1 2013 (via SNL)

Wind-bird debate flares with new fatality figure (via EarthTechling)

Solar leasing gains while costs to federal taxpayers falls (via Greentech Media)

The future of US solar power: opportunities in soft costs (via Climate Progress)

Virginia coastline could soon be home to 2GW of offshore wind (via CleanTechnica)

Colorado state capitol first to boast geothermal heating and cooling (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Polar thaw opens shortcut for Russian natural gas (via New York Times)

Chevron to promote shale drilling in Europe (via Houston Chronicle)

House bill would allow US to invest more in African natural gas facilities (via SNL)

DOJ probes US fracking market over antitrust issues (via Reuters)

Fire rages on Gulf rig leaking natural gas (via Washington Post)

Offshore drilling regulation critic runs company operating latest Gulf well blowout rig (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

The North Pole is now a lake (via LiveScience)

A Republican Secretary of State urges action on climate change (via Scientific American)

Obama: Grow middle class to fight climate change (via The Hill)

Four designs for resilient neighborhoods after Sandy (via Good)

EMISSIONS 

Biden urges US-India cooperation on phasing out greenhouse gases (via Climate Progress)

Developing countries to vastly outpace OECD in emissions, says US EIA (via Reuters)

China investing $277 billion over five years to curb air pollution (via Reuters)

British Columbia’s carbon tax cut fuel use, didn’t hurt economy (via CBS News)

Federal court backs EPA ozone limit but orders review of public welfare standard (via Greenwire)

GRID 

Demand response sites to double worldwide by 2020 (via Renew Grid)

Germany’s energy storage subsidy is no solar miracle (via Greentech Media)

The true ROI of smart meter deployments (via Breaking Energy)

New energy storage testing center coming to New York State (via Renew Grid)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Port of Vancouver approves Northwest’s largest oil terminal amid safety concerns (via The Oregonian)

Keystone XL prompts Congress to let lobbyists write letters of support (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Bell’s Brewery sues Enbridge over Kalamazoo River oil spill cleanup (via Michigan Live)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

America’s favorite way to save energy during summer is… (via Outlier)

Alabama state agencies cut energy costs by $3.9 million in 2012 (via Energy Manager Today)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima nuclear cleanup to cost $58 billion (via Phys.org)

TRANSPORTATION 

Charger standards fight confuses EV drivers, puts car company investments at risk (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Three major energy trends to watch: efficiency, renewables, distributed power (via GreenBiz)

Did the Clean Air Act unleash Atlantic hurricanes? (via Washington Post)

Renewable fuels debate: cutting through the hype (via Breaking Energy)

What will replace the California Solar Initiative? (via Renewable Energy World)

POLITICS 

Young US voters think Republican climate dissenters “crazy,” says poll (via The Guardian)

US Navy’s clean energy push to get focus at nomination hearing (via Wall Street Journal)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.28.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

IMF: Get rid of $1.9 trillion in energy subsidies to fight climate change (via Washington Post)

Oil and electricity: a compare-and-contrast tale of two regulators (via McClatchy)

Sequestration forces Interior to cut mineral revenue payments to states (via EnergyWire)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Battle widens over oil pipelines from Canada through Midwest (via Minnesota Star-Tribune)

Train derailment spills 30,000 gallons of Canadian crude in Minnesota (via Reuters)

Suncor Energy cancels troubled Alberta tar sands project (via Vancouver Sun)

US to hold Keystone pipeline hearing in Nebraska (via Phys.org)

RENEWABLES 

Solar, wind to push renewables to 36% of global cumulative installed capacity by 2020 (via EnergyNext)

Global solar PV installations to reach 200GW by 2015 (via EnergyNext)

China raising PV prices on European exports (via Recharge)

Japan to increase offshore wind capacity to 40x current level by 2020 (via EnergyNext)

UK boosts renewables share of power generation to 11.3% (via Recharge)

Rwanda to start $27 million geothermal development (via Renewable Energy World)

We’re number one: US installed most wind power in 2012, US company GE Wind is top supplier (via Climate Progress)

NREL study: securitization could cut solar LCOE 16% (via Greentech Media)

New organic solar cells process sunlight as plants do (via Mother Nature Network)

Study: Midwesterners open to wind farms, especially in rural areas (via Phys.org)

Lancaster, California becomes first US city to require solar (via Greentech Media)

OPT Oregon wave energy project delayed again (via EarthTechling)

COAL 

Japan coal use to jump 24% in 2013-2014 as energy costs rise (via Reuters)

More science on mountaintop removal’s health effects (via Charleston Gazette)

CLIMATE 

Security risks of climate change prompt military review by over 100 countries (via RTCC)

How to abuse statistics: claim global warming stopped in 1998 (via Weather Underground)

Global warming predictions prove accurate over past 15 years (via The Guardian)

Climate change is increasing seasonal allergies (via Climate Central)

Ocean acidification from climate change threatens the seas (via USA Today)

EMISSIONS 

EU eyes 40 percent carbon cuts by 2030 (via BusinessGreen)

EU confident carbon market fix will win states’ support (via Bloomberg)

Auditor General’s carbon neutral report scalds British Columbia government (via Huffington Post/Canadian Press)

Disney, Microsoft, Shell opt for self-imposed CO2 emission taxes (via The Guardian)

Study: US biofuels policy pushes GHG emissions overseas (via Midwest Energy News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking’s latest scandal – earthquake swarms (via Mother Jones)

Drilling boom spurs rush to harness brackish water (via StateImpact Texas)

Small towns find fracking brings boom, booming headaches (via Bloomberg)

Texas regulators ease rules to encourage frack water recycling (via Houston Chronicle)

Nearly 670 miles of wells drilled in Ohio in 2012 (via Akron Beacon Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

US “peak miles” may have happened five years ago, Americans still drive 3 trillion miles a year (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf sales will hit new record in March, around 1,900 units (via Autoblog Green)

Fisker puts US workforce on furlough this week (via Reuters)

GRID 

Seven simple strategies for smart grid engagement (via Renew Grid)

Solar activity can affect transmission grid, but 2013 activity less than anticipated (via US EIA)

You can’t have a smarter grid without smarter buildings (via Greentech Media)

Santa Clara, California launches free outdoor wi-fi on backs of smart meters (via GigaOm)

ENVIRONMENT 

With drought season off to a bad start, scientists forecast another bleak year (via InsideClimate News)

Gardeners plant strawberries and tomatoes in Arctic valleys of Greenland for first time (via Inhabitat)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How the Internet of Things will transform building management (via GreenBiz)

Tax time 2013: energy efficiency home tax credits (via EarthTechling)

POLITICS 

UK prime minister removes anti-wind energy minister from post (via Recharge)

Under fire, Senate Democrat trio says Keystone vote not endorsement (via The Hill)

Ethanol debate has glimpse of bipartisanship (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Low-carbon economies and smart grids: watch out for China (via Forbes)

Americans already pay a carbon tax, via extreme weather’s impact on GDP (via Sustainable Business)

Giant investment bank taken over by hippie alarmists (via Grist)

Is the sky the limit for wind power? (via NPR)

Cooling on warming (via New York Times)

How green is your university? (via New York Times)

OTHER NEWS 

An additional roundup of energy and climate news is posted at Climate Progress