Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.6.14
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
EMISSIONS
UK and China launch 3-year, £20 million low carbon innovation program (via Green Car Congress)
Europe’s banks in $1 trillion risk from carbon bubble, say reports (via RTCC)
Texas could lead on methane emissions reduction, report says (via Texas Tribune)
Harvard president says fossil fuel divestment unnecessary, “hypocritical” (via DeSmogBlog)
COAL
Coal firm to pay record penalty, spend millions on water cleanup in five states (via New York Times)
North Carolina regulators want Duke coal ash pond documents (via Charlotte Observer)
RENEWABLES
Obama seeks “permanent” Production Tax Credit (via Recharge)
Cape Wind foes sue FAA over access to air traffic data (via Cape Cod Times)
Utility-backed anti solar bill on the move in Kansas statehouse (via Renewable Energy World)
$28.6 million awarded for solar projects under NY-Sun program (via Solar Industry)
Iowa gets 27% of its electricity from wind, report says (via Des Moines Register)
Mosaic crowdsources solar installation for homeowners (via San Francisco Chronicle)
What can solar companies do to woo homeowners in a booming market? (via Forbes)
NATURAL GAS
Congressional pressure builds for gas exports to counter Putin (via Politico)
US gas exports will grow but won’t change markets, say industry executives (via Houston Chronicle)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
UK takes the lead on smart city standards (via Navigant Research)
Dubai focuses on technology in smart city bid (via Phys.org)
House passes energy efficiency bill targeting homes, federal agencies (via The Hill)
If DC can’t lead in policy, at least it’s leading in energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)
Beyond data: How to succeed in building efficiency analytics (via Greentech Media)
Tenants and landlords can both save with energy efficiency upgrades (via C2ES)
OIL
Canada’s oil-by-rail deliveries in 2013 lagged US estimate (via Reuters)
Too much propane could be a factor in exploding oil trains (via InsideClimate News)
Moniz: Oil industry hasn’t made case for crude-oil export (via National Journal)
Keystone XL-inspired clash begins over Enbridge’s $7 billion expansion plan (via EnergyWire)
ENVIRONMENT
Chinese premier says government will declare war on pollution as smog spreads (via Bloomberg)
Great Barrier Reef damage “irreversible” without radical action (The Guardian)
US trade deals from the 90s set up China as a pollution haven (via InsideClimate News)
CLIMATE
Indian cities face “huge” risks without climate planning (via Thompson Reuters)
Pentagon: Climate change impacts “threat multipliers,” could enable terrorism (via DeSmogBlog)
Climate risk bonds: How to finance climate disaster response and adaptation (via Huffington Post)
How does conservative money work against climate change legislation? (via ClimateWire)
OPINION
Historic shift to cheap clean energy being held back by over-regulation (via Bloomberg New Energy Finance)
Just another solar deal, or the future of mid-size project financing? (via Breaking Energy)
The energy transition tipping point is here (via SmartPlanet)
Will state legislatures join Congress to cut green energy incentives? (via Forbes)
A bright year for solar in the US – but clouds are on the horizon (via Time)