Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.28.14

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

CLIMATE 

US and China lift climate change hopes with new phase of talks (via Financial Times)

Mount Everest is shrinking due to climate change (via Climate Progress)

El Nino risk increases as Pacific Ocean gets warmer (via Bloomberg)

Western US faces bigger, more frequent wildfires (via Climate Central)

US mayors leading the way on emission cuts & climate resilience (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Gazprom says it won’t halt gas flows to Europe over Ukraine price row (via Wall Street Journal)

Local governments fail to account for $17 million in natural gas impact fees (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

How long can the fracking revolution last? (via RTCC)

RENEWABLES 

Experimental efforts to harvest the ocean’s power face cost setbacks (via New York Times)

Chart: Wind dominates the 37GW of US power under construction (via Greentech Media)

Google’s green energy plan: Build, learn, and expand (via Christian Science Monitor)

Fear and loathing at the CPUC: California debates the future of solar (via Greentech Media)

6MW floating vertical-axis wind turbine unveiled (via Recharge)

ENERGY POLICY 

French energy minister promises 100,000 green jobs (via Reuters)

US electricity prices may be going up for good (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

China wants more Latin American oil, president to visit in July (via Reuters)

US regulators to propose enhanced oil tank car standards (via Reuters)

Oil industry starts fracking in Nevada (via Elko Daily Free Press)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla unveils plans for solar-powered EV charging network in China (via Renew Economy)

EPA says automakers ahead of schedule for 54.5 MPG by 2025 (via Autoblog Green)

EV buyers are younger, more affluent than hybrid shoppers (via Autoblog Green)

California Air Resources Board adds another $25 million to expand clean vehicle rebate program (via Green Car Congress)

COAL 

Asian coal miners pursuing self-defeating output gains (via Reuters)

Kitzhaber says “no” to coal export plans in Oregon (via The Daily News)

Montana coal mine falls years behind original permitting schedule (via Missoulian)

EMISSIONS 

Rich nations’ greenhouse gas emissions fall in 2012, led by US (via Reuters)

Scotland enlists universities in low-carbon push (via BusinessGreen)

Fossil fuels face $30 trillion in losses from climate, renewables (via Renew Economy)

Soils release far more CO2 tan previously thought as emissions rise (via Yale e360)

Changes to agriculture practices could slash emissions up to 90% (via Environmental Leader)

Projected CO2 emissions vary with coal and nuclear power plant retirements (via US EIA)

California cuts part of its greenhouse gas emissions by exporting them (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL moving forward…in Canada’s eyes (via Christian Science Monitor)

Canada still betting the US will approve Keystone XL (via Reuters)

Cowboys, Indians, and Neil Young voice opposition to Keystone XL (via United Press International)

Steyer challenges Kochs to Keystone XL debate (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

More LED installations than fluorescents expected this year for first time (via Energy Manager Today)

In user test, Next thermostat and its smart competitors disappoint (via EnergyWIre)

ENVIRONMENT 

Worsening US drought pushes wheat price higher (via Wall Street Journal)

California drought: Jobs, money dry up in farm towns (via San Francisco Chronicle)

California drought declaration is so bad the state is rolling back some environmental protections (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

Extreme tornado swings: What holds the key? (via Climate Central)

POLITICS 

GOP Rep. Grimm’s woes cast cloud on climate turnabout (via Politico)

OPINION 

How US-China cooperation can expand clean energy development (via WRI Insights)

Climate-proofing the poorest cities is currently impossible (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

A battle is looming over renewable energy, and fossil fuel interests are losing (via Washington Post)

The rise and fall of America’s climate deniers: How politics hijacked the fight against global warming (via Salon)

Keystone weirdonomics mean gas prices won’t be getting any cheaper (via Bloomberg)

It’s easy being green. Being fossil fuel free is harder (via Forbes)

Dear Texas: Enjoy the oil boom, just don’t blow it this time (via Forbes)

2C in our rear-view mirror, geoengineering dead ahead (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.28.14

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

CLIMATE 

US and China lift climate change hopes with new phase of talks (via Financial Times)

Mount Everest is shrinking due to climate change (via Climate Progress)

El Nino risk increases as Pacific Ocean gets warmer (via Bloomberg)

Western US faces bigger, more frequent wildfires (via Climate Central)

US mayors leading the way on emission cuts & climate resilience (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Gazprom says it won’t halt gas flows to Europe over Ukraine price row (via Wall Street Journal)

Local governments fail to account for $17 million in natural gas impact fees (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

How long can the fracking revolution last? (via RTCC)

RENEWABLES 

Experimental efforts to harvest the ocean’s power face cost setbacks (via New York Times)

Chart: Wind dominates the 37GW of US power under construction (via Greentech Media)

Google’s green energy plan: Build, learn, and expand (via Christian Science Monitor)

Fear and loathing at the CPUC: California debates the future of solar (via Greentech Media)

6MW floating vertical-axis wind turbine unveiled (via Recharge)

ENERGY POLICY 

French energy minister promises 100,000 green jobs (via Reuters)

US electricity prices may be going up for good (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

China wants more Latin American oil, president to visit in July (via Reuters)

US regulators to propose enhanced oil tank car standards (via Reuters)

Oil industry starts fracking in Nevada (via Elko Daily Free Press)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla unveils plans for solar-powered EV charging network in China (via Renew Economy)

EPA says automakers ahead of schedule for 54.5 MPG by 2025 (via Autoblog Green)

EV buyers are younger, more affluent than hybrid shoppers (via Autoblog Green)

California Air Resources Board adds another $25 million to expand clean vehicle rebate program (via Green Car Congress)

COAL 

Asian coal miners pursuing self-defeating output gains (via Reuters)

Kitzhaber says “no” to coal export plans in Oregon (via The Daily News)

Montana coal mine falls years behind original permitting schedule (via Missoulian)

EMISSIONS 

Rich nations’ greenhouse gas emissions fall in 2012, led by US (via Reuters)

Scotland enlists universities in low-carbon push (via BusinessGreen)

Fossil fuels face $30 trillion in losses from climate, renewables (via Renew Economy)

Soils release far more CO2 tan previously thought as emissions rise (via Yale e360)

Changes to agriculture practices could slash emissions up to 90% (via Environmental Leader)

Projected CO2 emissions vary with coal and nuclear power plant retirements (via US EIA)

California cuts part of its greenhouse gas emissions by exporting them (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL moving forward…in Canada’s eyes (via Christian Science Monitor)

Canada still betting the US will approve Keystone XL (via Reuters)

Cowboys, Indians, and Neil Young voice opposition to Keystone XL (via United Press International)

Steyer challenges Kochs to Keystone XL debate (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

More LED installations than fluorescents expected this year for first time (via Energy Manager Today)

In user test, Next thermostat and its smart competitors disappoint (via EnergyWIre)

ENVIRONMENT 

Worsening US drought pushes wheat price higher (via Wall Street Journal)

California drought: Jobs, money dry up in farm towns (via San Francisco Chronicle)

California drought declaration is so bad the state is rolling back some environmental protections (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

Extreme tornado swings: What holds the key? (via Climate Central)

POLITICS 

GOP Rep. Grimm’s woes cast cloud on climate turnabout (via Politico)

OPINION 

How US-China cooperation can expand clean energy development (via WRI Insights)

Climate-proofing the poorest cities is currently impossible (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

A battle is looming over renewable energy, and fossil fuel interests are losing (via Washington Post)

The rise and fall of America’s climate deniers: How politics hijacked the fight against global warming (via Salon)

Keystone weirdonomics mean gas prices won’t be getting any cheaper (via Bloomberg)

It’s easy being green. Being fossil fuel free is harder (via Forbes)

Dear Texas: Enjoy the oil boom, just don’t blow it this time (via Forbes)

2C in our rear-view mirror, geoengineering dead ahead (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.3.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Global carbon markets’ value dropped 38% in 2013 (via The Guardian)

EPA publishes final carbon capture regulations for coal plants (via The Hill)

GRID 

California’s grid takes two big steps to add more renewables and EVs (via CleanTechnica)

In Pacific Northwest, engineers map a power grid in flux (via ClimateWire)

Researchers find ways to minimize power grid disruptions from wind power (via Phys.org)

RENEWABLES 

New 1,000MW solar project in China marks “significant shift” for global market (via Climate Progress)

US solar manufacturer says Chinese companies evading import tariffs (via Forbes)

UK wind farms generated record electricity in December (via Bloomberg)

US biodiesel production hits record high (via Environmental Leader)

A US solar company makes a rare move: Setting up factory in China (via Forbes)

OIL 

Warning issued about oil shipped from North Dakota, Montana (via ABC News/AP)

Shares of Bakken oil producers plunge after US warning (via Reuters)

North Dakota’s explosive Bakken oil: The story behind a troubling crude (via Globe and Mail)

Barnett Shale drilling permits fall to lowest level in a decade (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Few transportation fuels surpass the energy densities of gasoline and diesel (via US EIA)

As battery cost falls, fast charging becomes key electric car issue (via Green Car Reports)

Legal setbacks slow California high-speed rail (via Stateline)

CLIMATE 

Australia endures hottest year on record (via Agence France-Presse/Google)

Climate change damage to poor countries goes far beyond money (via Scientific American/ClimateWire)

One problem with geoengineering: Once you start, you can’t really stop (via Bloomberg)

Five basic Antarctic facts for climate change skeptics (via The Guardian)

Kerry quietly makes priority of climate pact (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

All Oklahoma fracking operations now must disclose chemicals used (via Tulsa World)

Colorado ballot measure could let towns ban fracking (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Plastic in oceans making own ecosystem, could pose threat to humans (via Los Angeles Times)

Will Congress go another year without designating new wilderness? (via Huffington Post Green)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency markets face financing, big data challenges in 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)

The aggressive acceleration of deep-energy retrofits (via GreenBiz)

Nest value could reach $2 billion on latest financing round (via SmartPlanet)

POLITICS 

Climate to be 2014 political battlefield (via The Hill)

448 new wind turbines in Iowa could swing the 2016 presidential election (via Business Insider)

OPINION 

Dear Donald Trump: Winter does not disprove global warming (via Mother Jones)

Oil and gas price forecast for 2014 (via SmartPlanet)

California’s pioneering spirit endures under cap and trade (via EDF/California Dream)

Favorable consumer attitudes toward clean energy have rebounded significantly in the last year (via Navigant Research)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.1.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China, emerging economies “account for 48% of carbon emissions” (via The Guardian/Reuters)

Smaller rise in global CO2 emissions may be sign of permanent slowing (via Yale e360)

Labor party to challenge Australian carbon tax repeal (via Financial Review)

Netherlands town becomes first in Europe to vow fossil fuel divestment (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Russia, Ukraine halt giant Antarctic marine sanctuary plan (via Reuters)

Interior Secretary Jewell lays out US conservation strategy (via Washington Post)

Officials search for plan as California reservoirs drop below half capacity (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

Wind turbine placement study yields staggering results (via EarthTechling)

Two US senators propose national renewable electricity standard (via Renew Grid)

Ethanol, oil groups blitz White House as biofuel rule nears (via Reuters)

More than 160 House members ask EPA to relax renewable fuel mandate (via Houston Chronicle)

Solar goes big: Launching the California Valley Solar Ranch (via Energy.gov)

How a speedy ship could cut the cost of offshore wind power (via BusinessGreen)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Mexico unlikely to tap its Eagle Ford Shale, expert says (via Houston Chronicle)

Marcellus Shale fracking wells use 5 million gallons of water apiece (via Grist)

Kentucky, where fracking is a curse (via National Journal)

Fracking faces judgment day Tuesday in four Colorado ballot initiatives (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Climate change impacts to poor countries go far beyond money – report (via ClimateWire)

Pacific Ocean now warming 15x faster than in past 10,000 years (via Washington Post)

White House will focus on climate shifts while trying to cut emissions (via New York Times)

COAL 

Poland, wedded to coal, spurns Europe on clean energy targets (via New York Times)

Coal country’s decline has a long history (via National Journal)

NUCLEAR 

DOE Secretary Moniz offers Japan aid with Fukushima cleanup (via ABC News/AP)

OIL 

German spy agency says US shale will depress oil prices for decades (via Reuters)

North Dakota lawmakers want to make all oil spills public (via Climate Progress)

Montana, US to seek damages from 2011 Exxon Mobil spill (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla wins victory in Virginia, gets go-ahead to open store (via CleanTechnica)

Brookings: Cash for Clunkers was a lemon (via Politico)

TAR SANDS 

Shell joins energy rush, green lights new Alberta oil sands project (via Globe and Mail)

POLITICS 

Climate activists outspending big coal in crucial Washington State election (via Climate Progress)

Australia’s Labor Party signals carbon standoff by demanding emissions trading (via The Guardian)

OPINION 

Carbon emissions tied to stock valuations? (via BusinessGreen)

Almost anything would have been better stimulus than “Cash for Clunkers” (via Washington Post)

How much did the feds really help with fracking? (via Forbes)

What’s been going on with the US smart grid investment grant program (via Renew Grid)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.3.13

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

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon market has longest rally since 2008 before September supply boost (via Bloomberg)

EU said to plan carbon-market aviation adjustment in October (via Bloomberg)

US and Europe may face off over reducing airline emissions (via Los Angeles Times)

MIT: Vehicle emissions cause 53,000 extra deaths a year (via AutoblogGreen)

Polish CO2 permit sales to start September 16 (via Reuters Point Carbon)

A carbon tax that America could live with (via New York Times)

Mind the carbon gap (via Grist)

COAL 

EU coal demand starting decades-long slide (via Reuters Point Carbon)

RENEWABLES 

Solar energy world capacity tops 102GW (via EarthTechling)

Renewable energy worth €17 billion to Germany in 2012 (via Recharge)

South Australia to reach 50% renewables within a decade (via CleanTechnica)

With rooftop solar on the rise, US utilities are striking back (via Yale e360)

California and Hawaii most attractive states for renewables (via Breaking Energy)

Nearly 40,000 new green jobs created across America during 2Q 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

AB 327: From California solar killer to net metering savior? (via Greentech Media)

25% of America’s residential solar is in one utility service territory (via Facts of the Day)

Mosiac bets on the environment (via New York Times)

How Xcel saved $22 million with weather and wind forecasting (via Renewable Energy World)

State agencies ponder changes to wind energy rules (via Post-Bulletin)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Caspian Sea could become natural gas hub (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama position on fracking leaves both sides grumbling (via The Tribune/McClatchy)

98 more Ohio earthquakes linked to fracking disposal well (via Columbus Dispatch)

CLIMATE 

FEMA flood maps raising cost of insurance (via Boston Globe)

Is climate change pushing pests into northern farms? (via Mother Jones)

OIL 

Booming oil production boosted US GDP estimate (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Study: China could soon find itself in traffic jam hell (via Green Car Reports)

Aviation industry unlikely to agree to emissions reduction deal until 2016 (via RTCC)

Number of US bike sharing programs doubled in 2013 (via EarthTechling)

Will Tesla alone double global demand for its battery cells? (via Green Car Reports)

KEYSTONE XL 

Aerial photos show Keystone XL behind schedule (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone delays seen giving time for climate concessions (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Tres Amigas seeks to break US grids out of isolation (via Midwest Energy News)

The rural path to a smarter grid (via SmartPlanet)

Transmission upgrades compensate for coal retirements in Ohio (via US EIA)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Argentina adopts US’s LEED-certified buildings program (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

$2 million fund boosts energy efficiency at Massachusetts colleges (via Energy Manager Today)

NUCLEAR 

Japan to fund $470 million ice wall to stop reactor leaks (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

How the Fukushima ice barrier will block radioactive groundwater (via MIT Technology Review)

Radiation near Japanese plant’s tanks suggest new leaks (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s meteorological authority launches air pollution forecasts (via Xinhua)

Montana Supreme Court decision could change how crews fight wildfires (via The Missoulian)

POLITICS 

German opposition to EU carbon market fix to wane after election (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Abbott warns of “trillion dollar” Australian carbon tax (via The Australian)

On Obama’s energy agenda, White House and OFA websites not always in sync (via Greenwire)

Judge refuses to toss climate scientist Mann’s defamation lawsuit (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Fukushima’s radioactive legacy is just beginning (via Climate Central)

The oceans are acidifying at the fastest rate in 300 million years – how worried should we be? (via Washington Post)

Can the World Bank’s green bonds become a scalable climate solution? (via Energy Collective)

Labor Day 2050: Global warming and the coming collapse of labor productivity (via Climate Progress)

Why the Energy Department hires industry advocates as regulators (via Climate Progress)

Don’t overlook sugarcane ethanol in America’s renewable fuels debate (via Energy Collective)

Why Ron Binz is a good choice to run FERC (via Breaking Energy)

Should you divest from coal and oil? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Why have so many venture capitalists flopped in clean tech? (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.24.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Report: world facing “climate bomb” of super-greenhouse gases from China, India (via BusinessGreen)

Australian factories meet carbon deadline ahead of cap-and-trade (via Bloomberg)

EU carbon permits fall for first time in six weeks as traders close higher prices (via Bloomberg)

Kerry urges India to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

Report: Brazil at an energy-climate change crossroads (via RTCC)

Military report: US has “misguided” fixation with domestic drilling (via InsideClimate News)

The gradual greening of American college campuses (via EarthTechling)

RENEWABLES 

Wind industry “to spend €150 billion” developing global offshore (via Recharge)

World Bank to developing nations: first find your green energy, then develop it (via Christian Science Monitor)

Solar energy spurs a power struggle (via Wall Street Journal)

Tax programs to finance clean energy catch on (via New York Times)

(more…)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.18.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China takes cautious step toward carbon emissions trading (via Reuters)

China emission trading experiment unlikely to ease cities’ smog (via Bloomberg)

China’s first carbon market faces “credit oversupply” dilemma (via RTCC)

Judge rejects lawsuit to curb Montana methane emissions from drilling (via Greenwire)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Alberta’s oil sands raise flaring emissions as rules lag (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone XL pipeline shuns high-tech oil spill detectors (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone XL mapping project uncovers pipeline’s true impact (via EarthTechling)

22 arrested at Keystone XL protest in Chicago (via DNAinfo Chicago)

RENEWABLES 

EU trade chief to discuss solar dispute in Beijing (via Reuters)

Japan to start floating offshore wind trial (via Recharge)

Germany adds 1.2GW of solar PV from January-May 2013 (via Recharge)

Solar PV module costs to fall to 36 cents per watt by 2017 (via Greentech Media)

US solar to hit grid parity 2014-2017 (via CleanTechnica)

Six Sioux tribes propose massive wind project (via Recharge)

Solar-powered plane faces the human factor (via New York Times)

Solar likely on 20% of new homes in California in 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

New England states move to import more Canadian hydropower (via Boston Globe)

How to put an offshore wind turbine in the Texas Gulf (via StateImpact Texas)

University of Wisconsin research designs solar panel that stores energy (via Journal-Sentinel)

AT&T introducing solar-powered charging stations in New York City (via New York Times)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear decommissioning surge is investor guessing game (via Bloomberg)

Xcel Energy investing $1.8 billion in two nuclear power plants (via Star-Tribune)

ENVIRONMENT 

Great Barrier Reef on the brink as politicians bicker (via The Guardian)

Jet stream changes triggered record 2012 Greenland ice melt (via Yale e360)

Poll: voters favor protecting public lands over drilling them (via Climate Progress)

Why does the US government encourage people to build homes in wildfire zones? (via Washington Post)

The Koch brothers take on environmental groups over Alaska mine (via Washington Post)

OIL 

As US oil production soars, oil companies eye far horizons (via Houston Chronicle)

End of BP oil spill cleaning crews leaves questions, concerns on Gulf Coast (via Washington Post/AP)

What sickens people in oil spills, and how badly, is anybody’s guess (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Plug-in EVs will reach 3 million in annual sales by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Did America reach “peak car” in 2005? (via Greentech Media)

Ford cuts production emissions 37% per vehicle since 2000 (via Autoblog Green)

Rhode Island installing 50 electric car charging stations (via San Francisco Chronicle/AP)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Companies may turn to courts on US natural gas export push (via Reuters)

First risk assessment of shale gas fracking to biodiversity released (via Phys.org)

Energy Department warns House of limits on natural gas testimony (via The Hill)

Illinois governor signs tough fracking regulations into law (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Global companies growing focus on energy use reductions (via Houston Chronicle)

New York: America’s most energy efficient city? (via GreenBiz)

DOE Buildings Performance Database includes 60,000 records (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

New Vikings stadium sheds light on sustainability (via EarthTechling)

Clean energy R&D hanging tough through tough times (via EarthTechling)

POLITICS 

US mayors announce climate resilience, energy efficiency measures (via Reuters)

GOP bill would cut renewable energy spending in half (via The Hill)

At least 1/3 of US senators hold energy industry investment (via E&E Daily)

Handicapping potential candidates to lead FERC (via Politico)

OPINION 

Carbon trading with Chinese characteristics (via Scientific American)

Utility solar is dead; long live distributed generation (via Greentech Media)

What carbon capture can’t do (via MIT Technology Review)

Global warming appears to have slowed lately, that’s no reason to celebrate (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.29.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China makes strides to curb carbon emissions (via Navigant Research)

GREEN BUSINESS 

San Francisco and Seattle lead US cities pulling funds from fossil fuel firms (via The Guardian)

Volkswagen sustainability report shows emissions, production progress (via Autoblog Green)

Can fossil fuel divestment prevent the carbon bubble from bursting? (via CleanTechnica)

How the NFL became a champion of sustainability (via The Guardian)

How sustainability metrics help build trust in the financial sector (via GreenBiz)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS

Land-locked Alberta mulls tar sands pipeline to Arctic port (via Reuters)

TransCanada sees Keystone XL delayed until second half 2015 (via Retuers)

RENEWABLES 

100% renewables for Australia not so costly after all (via Renew Economy)

Solar PV module revenues to turn upward, but not until 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

European Commission launches Chinese solar glass subsidy inquiry (via Reuters)

Amonix claims 36.2% solar energy efficiency record (via Recharge)

DOE, Stanford unveil solar, wind battery (via Energy Manager Today)

Floating wind turbines with undersea energy storage (via EarthTechnling)

Geothermal saves $117 million per year for California and Nevada (via Greentech Media)

North Carolina notches a win against ALEC anti-renewables effort (via CleanTechnica)

Los Angeles launches largest municipal solar program in US (via Triple Pundit)

Community colleges help prepare students for a green job market (via Santa Fe New Mexican)

Massachusetts ski resort runs completely on solar and wind (via Sustainable Business)

COAL 

In Montana, ranchers line up against coal (via Los Angeles Times)

Bankrupt Patriot Coal asks court to slash union pensions (via Reuters)

FutureGen 2.0 gets clean environmental impact statement (via Jacksonville Journal Courier)

CLIMATE 

UN climate talks kick off in Bonn (via The Guardian)

China leading in climate change fight, argues Australian government report (via BusinessGreen)

Ocean surface temperatures off Northeast US coast highest in 150 years (via Bangor Daily News)

Major pan-European study conducted on ocean acidification (via Phys.org)

Wild weather swings may be a sign of climate change (via Climate Central)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EPA lowers estimates of methane leaks during natural gas production (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Ready (or not?) for a great coming Texas shale boom (via New York Times)

Ohio tries to avoid repeat of 2011 injection well quakes (via Midwest Energy News)

ENVIRONMENT 

Rapid transition of climate zones could speed extinction (via RTCC)

US to remove gray wolves from endangered list (via The Hill)

Empty nets in Louisiana three years after the BP oil spill (via CNN)

EPA deals blow to Alaska mine project (via The Hill)

New Mexico grapples with tough choices as drought persists (via Yahoo! News/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Bike-sharing programs now in 49 countries, 500 cities (via Sustainable Business)

Tesla to offer loaners to customers with cars in the shop (via GigaOm)

Chicago car charging station feud goes to court (via Chicago Tribune)

OIL 

One month after Exxon’s Arkansas oil spill, still no answers to basic questions (via InsideClimate News)

Oil rig worker ranks among worst jobs of 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Study: buyers of energy-efficient homes less likely to default (via Today Show)

NREL teams with US Navy to cut energy use (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY POLICY 

Europe bids to marry natural gas and renewable energy (via Recharge)

Colorado senate votes to strengthen state’s clean energy standard (via ClimateProgress)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese nuclear reactors may come back online soon (via United Press International)

Thinking small, nuclear power enters distributed era (via Navigant Research)

FBI investigating weekend shootout at Watts Bar nuclear power plant (via Knoxville News)

POLITICS 

Germany’s Greens lurch left in bid to beat Merkel (via Reuters)

Charlotte Mayor Foxx to be named US Transportation Secretary (via The Hill)

OPINION 

How can Congress boost renewable-energy requirements? (via National Journal)

Everybody chill out a little, carbon trading will be fine (via Grist)

Would a carbon tax boost clean energy? (via Christian Science Monitor)

People who believe in free markets more likely to reject climate science (via Sustainable Business)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.17.13

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

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone emissions seen as equal to 46 coal power plants (via Bloomberg)

Route change forces Keystone foes to shift aim to climate change (via Bloomberg)

Keystone pipeline fans, foes make their cases (via Politico)

House Energy Committee panel passes bill to expedite Keystone XL approval (via The Hill)

Sen. Whitehouse: Obama could use Keystone approval to tackle climate change (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Australia and China agree to carbon trading partnership (via BusinessGreen)

Reactions vary to EU carbon market vote (via RTCC)

RENEWABLES 

220GW of new distributed solar generation will be added by 2018 (via Navigant Research)

International Energy Agency: progress toward low-carbon energy “stalled” (via The Hill)

GWEC: global wind market to dip after record 2012 (via Recharge)

India deploys 27GW grid-connected renewables (via EnergyNext)

Links to solar may forge new ties across Mediterranean (via Climate Central)

China Wind Power to add 700MW of solar and wind by 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

Cleantech VC and the state of the IPO market (via GigaOm)

Better computer models needed for mega wind farms (via MIT Technology Review)

Wind energy production levels hit all-time high in California (via CleanTechnica)

North Carolina could repeal renewable energy policy (via Sustainable Business)

Philadelphia Eagles field generating energy with solar, wind (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

ENERGY POLICY 

Clean energy progress too slow to limit global warming: report (via Reuters)

Europe faces a crisis in energy costs (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Toyota cumulative global hybrid sales pass 5 million, nearly 2 million in US (via Green Car Congress)

Slow sales in Europe mean EVs often going to fleets (via Autoblog Green)

How China’s city-focused electric car programs fell short (via GigaOm)

Elon Musk: Tesla could go federal with franchise dealer fight (via Autoblog Green)

The new Chevy Spark will offer AC or DC charging (via New York Times)

OIL 

First phase of Gulf oil spill trial nearing conclusion (via Houston Chronicle)

Big spills from aging oil pipelines (via Wall Street Journal)

Ohio’s $500 billion oil dream fades as Utica turns gassy (via Bloomberg)

Exxon installs new section in damaged Arkansas pipeline (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy management market “to almost double” by 2020 (via Energy Manager Today)

Data center efficiency may be getting worse (via Greentech Media)

Study dismissing energy benchmarking laws funded by real estate industry (via Greentech Media)

More US households using CFLs and LEDs (via E Source)

10 energy efficiency tips for spring cleaning (via EarthTechling)

COAL 

Faltering China demand hangs over Asian coal (via Retuers)

Environmental groups seek moratorium on Montana, Wyoming coal leasing (via Missoulian)

Ratepayer advocate warns high cost comes with LA’s coal-free plan (via Los Angeles Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Desertification crisis affecting 168 countries worldwide (via RTCC)

Africa aims to combat the effects of climate change by greening the desert (via Climate Progress)

What happens when Asia’s “water tower” dries up? (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

If carbon markets can’t work in Europe, can they work anywhere? (via Time)

European carbon market far from dead (via Reuters)

Thanks to China, our carbon price is here to stay (via Renew Economy)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.30.13

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

CLIMATE 

Report finds climate change a threat to wildlife (via USA Today)

Spring may come 17 days earlier for North American forests (via Phys.org)

Redrawn New York City FEMA flood zone map contains twice as many structures (via New York Times)

Why San Francisco can lead the way on resiliency planning (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

China consumes nearly as much coal as the rest of the world combined (via US EIA)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

EU maintains plan to label Canadian tar sands oil as highly polluting (via Reuters)

US State Department’s Keystone XL review will face EPA scrutiny a third time (via InsideClimate News)

Keystone XL decision may loom large for red state Democrats in 2014 midterms (via The Hill)

House GOP, citing North African turmoil, boosts Keystone pipeline pressure (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Germany adds 2.4GW of wind in 2012 (via Recharge)

Denmark announces 1.5GW offshore wind tender (via Recharge)

German wind market may defy global slump to grow 43% this year (via Bloomberg)

9 in 10 French favor renewables but perceive high costs (via Renewable Energy World)

The rapid rise of UK offshore wind (via Greentech Media)

Chinese company sues to void blocked US wind farm purchase (via Bloomberg)

Top solar states vs top solar countries (via CleanTechnica)

Scaling solar and wind: a hard look at innovation priorities (via Energy Collective)

Oil-and-gas lobby might take ethanol fight to Supreme Court (via The Hill)

EPA reveals 100% green power users list (via Environmental Leader)

Can wind developers halt “the march of the buffer zones’? (via BusinessGreen)

Solar industry gets burned in Arizona (via Energy Manager Today)

Solar with energy storage coming to California, at a cost (via EarthTechling)

EMISSIONS 

Russia exploring plans for domestic carbon market (via RTCC)

Scotland pledges to decarbonize power sector by 2030 (via BusinessGreen)

Australian businesses counting carbon tax (via Sydney Morning Herald)

Missoula city council passes plan to be carbon neutral by 2025 (via Missoulian)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Pipeline explosion rattles natural gas industry (via Forbes)

Can natural gas undo nuclear power? (via Wall Street Journal)

Chesapeake chief McClendon quits, cites “philosophical differences” (via Houston Chronicle)

McClendon out at Chesapeake – is a takeover next? (via Forbes)

Departure of Chesapeake CEO McClendon signals new era in natural gas (via Christian Science Monitor)

Congressmen supporting LNG exports received $11.5 million from Big Oil, electric utilities (via DeSmog Blog)

GRID 

German grid operators coping with power supply swings (via Reuters)

Survey to utilities: stress smart grid benefits to win over consumers (via Energy Manager Today)

Silver Spring Networks could finally go public within a month (via GigaOm)

TRANSPORTATION 

Hybrids outsell many market segments in 2012 but still struggling (via Autoblog)

Wanxiang wins US approval to buy battery maker A123 (via Bloomberg)

Boeing Dreamliner battery was a concern before failure (via New York Times)

Nissan “almost” sold out of 2012 Leafs (via Autoblog Green)

OIL 

Judge accepts BP’s $4 billion criminal settlement over Gulf oil spill (via New York Times)

Texas oil output hits highest level in two decades (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

Recapping a year of weather extremes (via C2ES)

Colorado wildfire air pollution rivaled worst days in Mexico City, Los Angeles (via Phys.org)

Stretches of upper Mississippi River near record-low levels (via US EIA)

POLITICS 

Yale poll finds climate change action is a political winner (via Climate Progress)

John Kerry’s Secretary of State confirmation delights climate campaigners (via The Guardian)

Kerry likely to face great green expectations at State Department (via E&E Daily)

Al Gore faces “The Future” with optimism (via The Hill)

LaHood to step down as head of US Transportation Department (via The Hill)

Top Ohio utility regulator tied to group pushing repeal of state renewable energy targets (via Columbus Republic)