Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.27.15

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

COAL 

China coal production falls for first time this century (via The Guardian)

EMISSIONS

Bill resurfaces to pull New Hampshire from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (via Nashua Telegraph)

RENEWABLES 

Seven interesting global renewable energy trends from NREL (via CleanTechnica)

Analysts predict global renewable energy capacity will double by 2025 (via BusinessGreen)

China takes over lead from Europe in 2013 solar PV installations (via Phys.org)

Renewable energy transmission backbone takes shape across U.S., Europe (via Sustainable Business)

Utilities at heart of Japan grid connection dispute will resume considering PV projects (via PV Tech)

Algeria doubles renewable energy target to 25GW by 2030 (via PV Tech)

GCL plans 2GW of PV power plant projects in China in 2015 (via PV Tech)

Siemens wind profits rise 21% in first quarter, but orders dip (via Recharge)

Two graphs highlight growth surge in U.S. solar market (via CleanTechnica)

Florida utility to build 225MW of solar power capacity (via PV Tech)

Barriers to renewable energy in Michigan could affect state’s economic future (via Lansing News)

Indiana and West Virginia look to slash support for renewable energy (via Greentech Media)

Hawaii’s electric system is changing with rooftop solar growth and new utility ownership (via U.S. EIA)

Dirty ground starts to sprout clean energy projects (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Obama ends visit with challenge to India on climate change (via New York Times)

Climate change responsible for super-charging winter storms, say scientists (via The Guardian)

Climate change will hit Australia harder than rest of world, shows study (via The Guardian)

Climate change will cause more extreme La Ninas, says research (via Bloomberg)

Atlantic, Pacific fish face mixing as Arctic warms (via Discovery)

Copenhagen reveals world’s first neighborhood adapted for climate change (via TriplePundit)

OIL 

Obama Administration opens door to Atlantic drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

U.S. Senate blocks swift passage of Keystone XL pipeline bill (via Reuters)

Supreme Court rejects BP executive’s appeal in oil spill case (via The Hill)

Northwest oil spills: Raw data and growing risk (via Sightline)

Wyoming, Halliburton agree to greater fracking disclosure (via Star-Tribune)

BP to freeze pay for most of its employees (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric vehicle battery market set to top $21 billion by 2019 (via BusinessGreen)

China expected to launch subsidy for EV lithium batteries (via Renewable Energy World)

EV sales in Germany hit new high in December 2014 (via Inside EVs)

Nissan already planning for EV sales once incentives run out (via Autoblog Green)

POLITICS 

Here’s what every governor thinks about climate and clean energy (via Climate Progress)

Obama’s Arctic power grab (via Politico)

NY Governor Cuomo blames northeast snowstorm on “changing climate” (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Prince Charles: Global climate change pact could be Magna Carta for Earth (via The Guardian)

What a warming world means for major snowstorms (via Climate Central)

With cheap oil flowing, U.S. looks to next energy revolution (via Navigant Research)

Liebreich: 10 predictions for clean energy in 2015 (via Bloomberg)

Why cheap energy is the biggest threat to climate action (via GreenBiz)

Factors that will drive U.S. oil production in 2015 (via Reuters)

Divestment will not keep carbon in the ground (via Energy Collective)

Snowmageddon 2015 proves you were right about climate change (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.9.14

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

CLIMATE 

UN sets six-month deadline for delivery of draft climate agreement (via RTCC)

EU nations mull funds to aid clean energy in 2030 climate deal (via Bloomberg)

EU 2030 compromise could weaken climate action (via RTCC)

NOAA: Antarctic sea ice growth linked to loss of land ice (via Climate Progress)

Prepare for climate change or risk loss of funds, says FEMA (via Sustainable Business)

California leads U.S. on climate change preparation, says 50-state tool (via USA Today)

RENEWABLES 

Solar’s $30 billion splurge proves too much for Japan’s grid (via Bloomberg)

China solar demand in doubt as rooftop installations lag target (via Reuters)

Solar outlook in Ontario promising despite FiT cut (via PV Tech)

Ukraine wants 1GW of wind by 2016 (via Recharge News)

UK energy minister sets sights on “subsidy-free” solar by 2020 (via PV Tech)

Brazil eliminates taxes on wind parts to spur turbine production (via Bloomberg)

Mercom reports strong quarterly solar financing activity (via Solar Industry)

Slow-growing geothermal seeks bigger piece of U.S. renewable energy pie (via Breaking Energy)

Honda, SolarCity expand sun-powered partnership with new $50 million fund (via Autoblog Green)

Buying renewable power for data centers poses major challenges for Internet companies (via Greentech Media)

Wind energy innovation: Hybrid concrete and steel towers (via Navigant Research)

Proposed U.S. solar trade tariff changes “illegal” (via PV Tech)

Massachusetts offshore wind auction to include 4-5 zones (via Recharge News)

Renexia plans 500MW offshore wind for Maryland coast (via Recharge News)

NUCLEAR 

EU approves plan for new nuclear power station in UK (via New York Times)

Federal inspector faults regulator on San Onofre nuclear plant review (via CBS Los Angeles)

EMISSIONS 

Glasgow University to ditch £18 million fossil fuel investments (via BusinessGreen)

EPA sends ozone regulation for White House review (via The Hill)

California moves to revoke carbon credits after inquiry (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Canadian crude exports to U.S. top 3 million bpd for first time (via Reuters)

Oil bulls keep faith Saudi supply cuts will revive price (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

In the U.S., a turning point in the flow of oil (via New York Times)

Environmental groups ramp up crude-by-rail fight in courtroom (via Breaking Energy)

Lego scraps Shell deal after Arctic drilling protest (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK invests £11 million to get hydrogen cars on the road (via BusinessGreen)

Tesla sets up shop in Japan, sells first EVs (via Green Car Reports)

EPA says 24.1-mpg new car average is best ever (via Autoblog Green)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Efficiency worth more than renewables at $310 billion, says IEA (via Bloomberg)

Which states have the most efficient cars and homes? Study ranks them (via Green Car Reports)

ENERGY POLICY 

Canadian support for joint U.S. energy policy falls (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

New Hampshire could be the next state to take on microgrids (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

Sugar shortage seen looming amid drought in Brazil (via Bloomberg)

Beijing raises smog alert as pollution envelops North China (via Bloomberg)

Obama to declare national monument in San Gabriels (via Los Angeles Times)

California’s firefighting air tanker fleet grounded after deadly Yosemite crash (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Fossil fuel divestment: A brief history (via The Guardian)

2014 extreme weather: looking for climate ties (via Climate Central)

Fourth quarter PV installation forecasts turning into a lottery (via PV Tech)

Advanced ethanol makers trying to give Big Oil a run for its money (via Forbes)

The big problem with letting small railroads haul oil (via Sightline)

Firsthand lessons on public charging for EVs (via Energy Collective)

California’s drought is so bad it’s literally moving mountains (via National Journal)

Documentary “The Overnighters” shows dark side of North Dakota oil boom (via Reuters)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.28.14

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

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL pressure mounts before State of the Union (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone likely to be missing from Obama’s speech, but visible before and after (via National Journal)

Enviro groups to pressure Obama by parading inflatable pipeline around Capitol (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Heat stress, not flooding, drives most climate migrants (via ClimateWire)

Why we could see more cold snaps in a warming world (via StateImpact Texas)

FEMA: Caught between climate change and Congress (via InsideClimate News)

CBS boss will meet with senators pushing more climate change coverage (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

EU adds 1.57GW offshore wind in 2013 (via Recharge)

Renewable energy provides 37% of all new US electrical generating capacity in 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

US solar jobs grew 20% to more than 142,000 last year (via Bloomberg)

The oil industry just talked EPA into reconsidering its 2013 cellulosic biofuel mandate (via Climate Progress)

Five facts you should know about America’s booming solar jobs market (via Greentech Media)

National labs lead clean energy quest (via Energy Manager Today)

Wyoming wind pitches cost savings to California (via EarthTechling)

New Hampshire solar isn’t as small as you’d think (via Nashua Telegraph)

“Green Tea” activist set to launch free-market energy group (via EnergyWire)

The secrets of selling solar: Drivers of REC Solar’s strong growth (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS 

OPEC producer UAE considers importing North American gas (via Reuters)

Demand may push up natural gas prices after 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)

Inside the complicated relationship between natural gas and climate change (via National Journal)

GRID 

Energy storage having mixed results in market (via Forbes)

Retail electric choice grew at stronger pace in 2013 than previous two years (via COMPETE Coalition)

Smart meter backers see role in Texas power market debate (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla could build a local manufacturing plant in China (via GigaOm)

Free Tesla Supercharger network now covers cross-country driving (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

Job aid zones face a new test in coal country (via New York Times)

Unfazed by environmental challenges, coal industry mounts PR assault (via Christian Science Monitor)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Public and private financing drives energy efficiency in rural America (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

90% of executives believe in sustainability, but half don’t act (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

California drought could impact world food prices (via Voice of America)

OPINION 

Dire signs from a warming world (via Washington Post)

Five energy and climate questions to watch at State of the Union (via National Journal)

How cold weather impairs our climate change judgments (via EcoAffect)

Why the cost of carbon pollution is both too high and too low (via Energy Collective)

Will the oil boom shrink America’s trade deficit? Maybe not. (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.28.14

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

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL pressure mounts before State of the Union (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone likely to be missing from Obama’s speech, but visible before and after (via National Journal)

Enviro groups to pressure Obama by parading inflatable pipeline around Capitol (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Heat stress, not flooding, drives most climate migrants (via ClimateWire)

Why we could see more cold snaps in a warming world (via StateImpact Texas)

FEMA: Caught between climate change and Congress (via InsideClimate News)

CBS boss will meet with senators pushing more climate change coverage (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

EU adds 1.57GW offshore wind in 2013 (via Recharge)

Renewable energy provides 37% of all new US electrical generating capacity in 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

US solar jobs grew 20% to more than 142,000 last year (via Bloomberg)

The oil industry just talked EPA into reconsidering its 2013 cellulosic biofuel mandate (via Climate Progress)

Five facts you should know about America’s booming solar jobs market (via Greentech Media)

National labs lead clean energy quest (via Energy Manager Today)

Wyoming wind pitches cost savings to California (via EarthTechling)

New Hampshire solar isn’t as small as you’d think (via Nashua Telegraph)

“Green Tea” activist set to launch free-market energy group (via EnergyWire)

The secrets of selling solar: Drivers of REC Solar’s strong growth (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS 

OPEC producer UAE considers importing North American gas (via Reuters)

Demand may push up natural gas prices after 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)

Inside the complicated relationship between natural gas and climate change (via National Journal)

GRID 

Energy storage having mixed results in market (via Forbes)

Retail electric choice grew at stronger pace in 2013 than previous two years (via COMPETE Coalition)

Smart meter backers see role in Texas power market debate (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla could build a local manufacturing plant in China (via GigaOm)

Free Tesla Supercharger network now covers cross-country driving (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

Job aid zones face a new test in coal country (via New York Times)

Unfazed by environmental challenges, coal industry mounts PR assault (via Christian Science Monitor)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Public and private financing drives energy efficiency in rural America (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

90% of executives believe in sustainability, but half don’t act (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

California drought could impact world food prices (via Voice of America)

OPINION 

Dire signs from a warming world (via Washington Post)

Five energy and climate questions to watch at State of the Union (via National Journal)

How cold weather impairs our climate change judgments (via EcoAffect)

Why the cost of carbon pollution is both too high and too low (via Energy Collective)

Will the oil boom shrink America’s trade deficit? Maybe not. (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.10.13

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

GRID 

North America boasts 95% of demand response projects (via Energy Manager Today)

Microgrids for military bases to surpass $377 million in annual market value by 2018 (via Navigant Research)

PacifiCorp continues high-voltage transmission grid expansion (via Renew Grid)

Nest aims to shake up residential demand response (via Navigant Research)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Global green trade to reach $2.2 trillion by 2020 (via Environmental Leader)

How are China’s overseas investments affecting the environment? (via WRI Insights)

Patagonia’s new VC fund to invest in trailblazing green firms (via GreenBiz)

An effort to thwart sale of Tribune Company papers to the Kochs (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

EU to hit 100+ China solar panel makers with anti-dumping tariffs (via Greentech Media)

Wind PTC secured for now, industry focuses on long-term growth (via Greenwire)

Unique floating wind turbine base could provide glimpse into future (via Bangor Daily News)

Doubling wind power could save Mid-Atlantic consumers $6.9 billion a year (via Climate Progress)

New Hampshire governor opposes Connecticut’s plans to change renewable energy standard (via New Haven Register)

Rate design matters: utility tariffs and solar project economics (via Greentech Media)

Big gust of new wind power coming Iowa’s way (via EarthTechling)

Illinois Senate backs Lake Michigan offshore wind study (via News-Gazette)

NATURAL GAS 

DOE using broad criteria to judge LNG exports (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

Studies of the past show an ice-free Arctic could be in our future (via Time)

Countries finding new ways to address climate change (via Sustainable Business)

Prince Charles: climate change skeptics are turning Earth into dying patient (via The Guardian)

Is it time to abandon the 2-degree warming target? (via RTCC)

Obama Administration rolls out climate and health data tool (via The Hill)

GREEN BUILDING 

Green building now mandatory in Dubai (via Sustainable Business)

“Monumental shift” in US buildings sector may surprise you (via Greentech Media)

TRANSPORTATION 

2013 Nissan Leaf named “Top Safety Pick” in IIHS crash tests (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf moves beyond early adopters to cost conscious (via Forbes)

Australian researchers more than double EV battery capacity (via Autoblog Green)

OIL 

New blowout preventer mandates coming – but companies won’t have to comply overnight (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil industry: BLM preventing job creation by postponing oil, gas lease auctions (via Washington Post/AP)

BIOMASS 

Europe’s new biomass satellite will map Earth’s forests to calculate carbon stores (via Inhabitat)

Does burning wood instead of fossil fuels increase GHG emissions? (via Midwest Energy News) 

POLITICS 

Republicans boycott vote on Obama’s EPA pick (via Mother Jones)

EPA nomination faces some hard math (via The Hill)

McCarthy’s nomination in doubt, angering Democrats (via Politico)

Major Obama donors compare Keystone decision to outlawing of slavery (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Conventional wisdom about clean energy is still way out of date (via Greentech Media)

Once more, with feeling: EPA is required to regulate carbon from existing power plants (via Grist)

Why you can’t talk about fixing the electric grid without talking about climate change (via Climate Progress)

Time to reconsider “baseload” power (via Midwest Energy News)

California’s new energy crisis centers on nuclear power (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.10.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US recoverable natural gas estimate jumps 26 percent (via Houston Chronicle)

EIA projects flatlining of natural gas consumption through 2014 (via Facts of the Day)

Little support for natural gas exports, UT poll finds (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

Australia prepares for new weather extremes as political opposition mounts (via ClimateWire)

Nearly 80 percent of Americans hit by extreme weather disaster since 2007 (via Climate Progress)

Climate change included in US science teaching guidelines for first time (via The Guardian)

NUCLEAR 

Ex-regulator says all US nuclear reactors have safety design flaw (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

Global solar PV market surges toward 100GW milestone (via BusinessGreen)

Asian Development Bank pleads for alternative energy use (via Bangkok Post)

Chinese wind energy output soars 41 percent (via BusinessGreen)

South African solar projects get $2.2 billion boost (via Sustainable Business)

Brazil planning for another 300MW of solar PV (via CleanTechnica)

When it comes to solar power, small scale is beautiful (via EarthTechling)

Renewables provide 82% of new US electrical generating capacity in1Q 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

NRG introducing solar with battery storage for homeowners (via Renewable Energy World)

Building a solar economy: 4 lessons from Hawaii (via Yes! Magazine)

First Solar soars 45 percent on outlook, acquisition (via Reuters)

Mosiac receives approval to offer $100 million in solar investments to California residents (via San Jose Mercury News)

Illinois renewable energy fund set to jump 10x, but glitches could make it impossible to spend money (via Crain’s Chicago Business)

OIL 

OPEC joins US in lowering 2013 oil demand growth view (via Reuters)

Gazprom, Shell agree to develop Arctic oil fields despite environmental concerns (via Washington Post)

BP says safety was top priority in Gulf before massive oil spill (via Washington Post)

Today is deadline for Exxon to produce Arkansas oil spill documents (via Ozarks First)

Exxon oil spill cleanup in path of severe weather, maybe a tornado (via InsideClimate News)

Jury finds Exxon liable for $236 million in New Hampshire pollution suit (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

UN emissions credits surge as developers delay carbon claims (via Bloomberg)

Shanghai to become second Chinese city to launch carbon trading this June (via BusinessGreen)

Air pollution killed 7 million people in 2010 (via Mongabay)

DOE nominee mum on carbon tax during hearing (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone XL pipeline developer fears decision is “many months” away (via The Hill) 

Did Keystone XL contractor hide its conflict of interest? (via Mother Jones)

TRANSPORTATION 

More than 48,000 EV public charging stations have been deployed worldwide (via Navigant Research)

Car repair costs rising – apart from hybrids, which get cheaper (via Green Car Reports)

US public charging stations increase 9% in first quarter 2013 (via Autoblog Green)

Elon Musk says next, cheaper Tesla coming in 2016 or 2017 (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

New grid architecture enables renewable integration (via Navigant Research)

In Iowa, researchers seeing a stronger, lighter power line (via Midwest Energy News)

ENERGY POLICY 

Energy tax reform a heavy lift for lawmakers (via Politico)

Four charts that show the US spends too little on energy research (via Washington Post)

Kansas could outlaw sustainable development (via Treehugger)

COAL 

Plans for one coal export terminal in Oregon dropped, four others still under consideration (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Entire planet will soon have rapid deforestation detection system (via Mongabay)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Hundreds of US colleges creating a clean energy future, today (via EcoAffect)

Best Buy e-waste recycling actually a notable accomplishment (via EarthTechling)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Ohio state legislature reviewing energy efficiency rules (via Columbus Dispatch)

POLITICS 

Coming and going at the Energy Department (via New York Times)

Ernest Moniz faces grilling in confirmation hearing (via Houston Chronicle)

McCarthy to face barrage of agency criticism (via E&E Daily)

OPINION 

How carbon reduction and smart grid work together (via Greentech Media)

Why First Solar is buying a silicon solar cell startup no one’s heard of (via GigaOm)

Exxon revolutionizes energy by delivering it straight to your face (via Grist)