Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.11.14

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

CLIMATE

Six ways climate change threw the animal world into disarray this year (via Climate Progress)

John Kerry: Climate change is now a security issue (via The Guardian)

Top scientists to media: Stop using “skeptic” to describe deniers (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS

Poll: Majority of U.S. voters back regulating methane emissions (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES

Distributed solar PV poised to reach its potential in Africa (via Navigant Research)

India uses coal tax to help fund 21GW new solar development (via PV Tech)

South Africa plans to triple renewables output to curb blackouts (via Blomberg)

Australia adds another 75MW rooftop solar in November (via Renew Economy)

World’s largest coal miner announces 1GW solar power plan (via CleanTechnica)

Climate Bonds Initiative lifts lid on green bond market (via BusinessGreen)

US-China solar trade deal still possible despite breakdown claims (via PV Tech)

Over a third of new U.S. electricity came from solar this year (via GigaOm)

Off-grid solar companies closed $64 million in 2014: Start of a bigger trend? (via Greentech Media)

Lawmakers frustrated at EPA over ethanol mandate delay (via The Hill)

First Solar gives U.S. residential market another try (via Forbes)

A small-town Kansas bank is helping lead a solar revolution (via Midwest Energy News)

ENERGY POLICY

Coal wins, sage grouse loses in $1.1 trillion U.S. budget deal (via Bloomberg)

SDG&E: Utilities need to set “proper price signals” to manage distributed generation (via Greentech Media)

OIL

Oil price hit by OPEC numbers as Saudis stand firm on output (via Houston Chronicle)

Alaska faces $3.5 billion deficit amid lower oil prices (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION

China offers billions to subsidize EV charging build-out (via Bloomberg)

Several states are adding or increasing incentives for EV charging stations (via US EIA)

Boeing completes first flight powered with “green diesel” (via CleanTechnica)

NUCLEAR

Nuclear poised to be winner as Abe eyes broader Japan majority (via Bloomberg)

DOE announces $12.5 billion in loans for advanced nuclear (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy efficient buildings expected to reach nearly $623 billion annual revenue by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Database showcases 37 net-zero energy buildings across U.S. (via Energy Manager Today)

New Honda “Green Dealer Guide” spells out energy efficiency for dealership buildings (via Green Car Reports)

GRID

Microgrids create energy-resilient communities (via Renewable Energy World)

Broaching the baseload issue: Finding hybrid solutions to stabilize the grid (via Renewable Energy World)

EMISSIONS

Visualizing the rise of carbon pricing around the world (via Fast Company)

ENVIRONMENT

Study shows 270,000 tons of plastic float in the ocean (via Huffington Post)

OPINION

Is cellulosic ethanol all it’s cracked up to be? (via Breaking Energy)

Cheap oil’s make-or-break moment for clean energy (via Huffington Post)

Will new technologies give a critical boost to solar power? (via Yale e360)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.28.14

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

EMISSIONS 

World Bank: Carbon price efforts hurt by Australia, Russia policies (via Bloomberg)

Australia’s opposition leader concedes carbon, mining taxes to go (via Reuters)

South Korea releases tough CO2 caps on utilities, industry (via Reuters)

China’s Shenzen province to hold its first carbon permit auction (via Reuters)

Algeria site offers note of caution to storing carbon dioxide underground (via Christian Science Monitor)

Wind giant Texas stands tall as emissions rule change looms (via Houston Chronicle)

Cap and trade lives on through the states (via Politico)

Fossil fuel divestment spreads in Massachusetts: Three towns in ten days (via Treehugger)

RENEWABLES 

Lessons from South Africa: Mobilizing renewable energy investment (via WRI Insights)

Consumer solar sales will hit $2.4 billion by 2024 (via Energy Manager Today)

U.S. seeks offshore wind investments near New York coast (via Bloomberg)

Big business buys into big wind (via Navigant Research)

How a little-used NREL tool could have saved the U.S. solar industry $6 billion (via Renewable Energy World)

Capitol One, SolarCity create $100 million investment fund (via CleanTechnica)

Barclays downgrades entire utility sector because of solar’s rise (via Sustainable Business)

Siemens plans to unveil 10MW offshore wind turbine by 2020 (via Recharge)

ENERGY POLICY

White House releases sweeping regulatory agenda (via Greenwire)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine, Russia near deal to avoid natural gas cutoff (via The Hill)

Japanese lawmakers to lobby Abe for Russian gas pipeline (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Light-colored insects surviving warming conditions in Europe (via Science World Report)

Pentagon “clear” climate change is a national security issue (via RTCC)

Yale poll: Americans much more worried about global warming than climate change (via Climate Progress)

Climate change officially now more divisive than abortion (via Climate Progress)

U.S. industry gears up to fight Obama’s climate change rules (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

Las Vegas water czar warns other U.S. cities to gear up for climate change (via Inhabitat)

Florida Governor Rick Scott won’t say if he things manmade climate change is real, significant (via Miami Herald)

OIL 

Mexico’s oil production fell 25% in last decade, says EIA (via Houston Chronicle)

SEC writing new rules for foreign oil payment disclosures (via Houston Chronicle)

BP loses bid to stall oil spill payments during court appeal (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Top eight automakers all reduced vehicle emissions in 2013 (via The Hill)

Men and women drive, enjoy their EVs differently (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Pipeline defects lead to new federal safety mandates on Keystone XL (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Koch Brothers get rolling on their first tar sands project (via Grist)

GRID 

Wall Street steps up warnings on distributed energy’s threat to utilities (via Greentech Media)

What the court decision on FERC Order 745 means for demand response (via Greentech Media)

NUCLEAR 

Power market auction results place Exelon nuclear plants in jeopardy (via Chicago Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Efficiency directive could boost energy services in Europe (via Navigant Research)

States examine energy efficiency resource standards (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Emissions markets with Chinese characteristics, or how transparency is key (via Energy Collective)

On oil and mining rules, should progressives be worried? (via National Journal)

New utility models require new understanding of customers (via Navigant Research)

How much difference can a year make? A lot, where emissions are concerned (via ClimateWire)

Four reasons why small solar installers will rise again (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.28.14

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

EMISSIONS 

World Bank: Carbon price efforts hurt by Australia, Russia policies (via Bloomberg)

Australia’s opposition leader concedes carbon, mining taxes to go (via Reuters)

South Korea releases tough CO2 caps on utilities, industry (via Reuters)

China’s Shenzen province to hold its first carbon permit auction (via Reuters)

Algeria site offers note of caution to storing carbon dioxide underground (via Christian Science Monitor)

Wind giant Texas stands tall as emissions rule change looms (via Houston Chronicle)

Cap and trade lives on through the states (via Politico)

Fossil fuel divestment spreads in Massachusetts: Three towns in ten days (via Treehugger)

RENEWABLES 

Lessons from South Africa: Mobilizing renewable energy investment (via WRI Insights)

Consumer solar sales will hit $2.4 billion by 2024 (via Energy Manager Today)

U.S. seeks offshore wind investments near New York coast (via Bloomberg)

Big business buys into big wind (via Navigant Research)

How a little-used NREL tool could have saved the U.S. solar industry $6 billion (via Renewable Energy World)

Capitol One, SolarCity create $100 million investment fund (via CleanTechnica)

Barclays downgrades entire utility sector because of solar’s rise (via Sustainable Business)

Siemens plans to unveil 10MW offshore wind turbine by 2020 (via Recharge)

ENERGY POLICY

White House releases sweeping regulatory agenda (via Greenwire)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine, Russia near deal to avoid natural gas cutoff (via The Hill)

Japanese lawmakers to lobby Abe for Russian gas pipeline (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Light-colored insects surviving warming conditions in Europe (via Science World Report)

Pentagon “clear” climate change is a national security issue (via RTCC)

Yale poll: Americans much more worried about global warming than climate change (via Climate Progress)

Climate change officially now more divisive than abortion (via Climate Progress)

U.S. industry gears up to fight Obama’s climate change rules (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

Las Vegas water czar warns other U.S. cities to gear up for climate change (via Inhabitat)

Florida Governor Rick Scott won’t say if he things manmade climate change is real, significant (via Miami Herald)

OIL 

Mexico’s oil production fell 25% in last decade, says EIA (via Houston Chronicle)

SEC writing new rules for foreign oil payment disclosures (via Houston Chronicle)

BP loses bid to stall oil spill payments during court appeal (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Top eight automakers all reduced vehicle emissions in 2013 (via The Hill)

Men and women drive, enjoy their EVs differently (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Pipeline defects lead to new federal safety mandates on Keystone XL (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Koch Brothers get rolling on their first tar sands project (via Grist)

GRID 

Wall Street steps up warnings on distributed energy’s threat to utilities (via Greentech Media)

What the court decision on FERC Order 745 means for demand response (via Greentech Media)

NUCLEAR 

Power market auction results place Exelon nuclear plants in jeopardy (via Chicago Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Efficiency directive could boost energy services in Europe (via Navigant Research)

States examine energy efficiency resource standards (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Emissions markets with Chinese characteristics, or how transparency is key (via Energy Collective)

On oil and mining rules, should progressives be worried? (via National Journal)

New utility models require new understanding of customers (via Navigant Research)

How much difference can a year make? A lot, where emissions are concerned (via ClimateWire)

Four reasons why small solar installers will rise again (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.4.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Thoughts on carbon capture and storage from the EU (via Energy Collective)

Beijing fires up new air pollution regulations (via BusinessGreen)

Black soot forced early retreat of Alpine glaciers in 1800s (via Los Angeles Times)

Why did prices crash at California’s carbon auction? (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

Pressure mounts on EU development bank to kill coal funding (via RTCC)

The untold story of western ranchers and their battle against coal (via Climate Progress)

Illinois towns pay a higher price for coal power (via Chicago Tribune)

CLIMATE 

Wildfires and climate change (via New York Times)

Federal payouts of climate-related crop losses top $17.3 billion (via Sustainable Business)

“Heat days” in schools becoming more common (via Huffington Post/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Renewable energy could save Germany €54 billion by 2030 (via Recharge)

Ethiopia adds 13,200 off-grid solar systems since December 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

Wind power makes hydrogen fuel on German gas grid (via EarthTechling)

The Middle East turns to solar energy (via Forbes)

Saudi Arabia, UAE lead race to deploy solar projects (via Arab News)

US leads as wind industry spends $430 million on patent protection (via Renewable Energy World)

Legislation enabling renewable energy use of master limited partnerships stalls (via Bloomberg)

Biofuels “will meet RFS mandates through 2016” (via Environmental Leader)

Deutsche Bank says US solar boom to reach 50GW by 2016 (via Renew Economy)

Solar companies and utilities clash over net metering changes (via ClimateWire)

NUCLEAR 

Errors cast doubt on Japan’s cleanup of Fukushima site (via New York Times)

Japan’s Abe says Fukushima will be resolved before 2020 Olympics (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Power outage takes out 70% of Venezuela (via Christian Science Monitor)

Wind power generation growing, but transmission capacity lags (via The Oklahoman)

ComEd commences rollout of 4 million smart meters (via Renew Grid)

OIL 

Bakken blitz sets up battle between oil producers, shippers (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

UN struggling to avert carbon trade war over aviation deal (via Reuters)

Beijing plans to slash number of cars to cut smog levels (via RTCC)

US government reinstates ATVM loan program (via CleanTechnica)

App launches for EV drivers to rate charging stations (via Green Car Reports)

TAR SANDS 

Enbridge crude oil pipeline across Minnesota faces fresh opposition (via Star-Tribune)

Final destination for Detroit’s pet coke pile a secret (via Columbus Dispatch)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Dallas goes big with energy efficiency (via EarthTechling)

ENVIRONMENT 

Parts of Amazon on verge of forest-to-grassland shift (via Phys.org)

OPINION 

China’s renewable push depressing, in context (via EarthTechling)

Wildfires pose a major threat to our clean water (via Climate Progress)

AB 327: The dark side for California solar (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.4.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Thoughts on carbon capture and storage from the EU (via Energy Collective)

Beijing fires up new air pollution regulations (via BusinessGreen)

Black soot forced early retreat of Alpine glaciers in 1800s (via Los Angeles Times)

Why did prices crash at California’s carbon auction? (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

Pressure mounts on EU development bank to kill coal funding (via RTCC)

The untold story of western ranchers and their battle against coal (via Climate Progress)

Illinois towns pay a higher price for coal power (via Chicago Tribune)

CLIMATE 

Wildfires and climate change (via New York Times)

Federal payouts of climate-related crop losses top $17.3 billion (via Sustainable Business)

“Heat days” in schools becoming more common (via Huffington Post/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Renewable energy could save Germany €54 billion by 2030 (via Recharge)

Ethiopia adds 13,200 off-grid solar systems since December 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

Wind power makes hydrogen fuel on German gas grid (via EarthTechling)

The Middle East turns to solar energy (via Forbes)

Saudi Arabia, UAE lead race to deploy solar projects (via Arab News)

US leads as wind industry spends $430 million on patent protection (via Renewable Energy World)

Legislation enabling renewable energy use of master limited partnerships stalls (via Bloomberg)

Biofuels “will meet RFS mandates through 2016” (via Environmental Leader)

Deutsche Bank says US solar boom to reach 50GW by 2016 (via Renew Economy)

Solar companies and utilities clash over net metering changes (via ClimateWire)

NUCLEAR 

Errors cast doubt on Japan’s cleanup of Fukushima site (via New York Times)

Japan’s Abe says Fukushima will be resolved before 2020 Olympics (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Power outage takes out 70% of Venezuela (via Christian Science Monitor)

Wind power generation growing, but transmission capacity lags (via The Oklahoman)

ComEd commences rollout of 4 million smart meters (via Renew Grid)

OIL 

Bakken blitz sets up battle between oil producers, shippers (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

UN struggling to avert carbon trade war over aviation deal (via Reuters)

Beijing plans to slash number of cars to cut smog levels (via RTCC)

US government reinstates ATVM loan program (via CleanTechnica)

App launches for EV drivers to rate charging stations (via Green Car Reports)

TAR SANDS 

Enbridge crude oil pipeline across Minnesota faces fresh opposition (via Star-Tribune)

Final destination for Detroit’s pet coke pile a secret (via Columbus Dispatch)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Dallas goes big with energy efficiency (via EarthTechling)

ENVIRONMENT 

Parts of Amazon on verge of forest-to-grassland shift (via Phys.org)

OPINION 

China’s renewable push depressing, in context (via EarthTechling)

Wildfires pose a major threat to our clean water (via Climate Progress)

AB 327: The dark side for California solar (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.6.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Research assigns US three times CO2 reduction responsibility as China (via Bloomberg)

Brazil’s emissions fall 39% since 2005, now 10% below 1990 levels (via Mongabay)

Obama officials raise “social cost” of carbon in federal regulations (via The Hill)

Schools addressing students’ fossil fears without divesting (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Canada oil output will double by 2030 if pipelines are built (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

US crude output exceeds imports for first time in 16 years (via Houston Chronicle)

BP to pump $1 billion into its Alaska drilling efforts (via Grist)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Smarter energy use by UK industry could cut electricity demand 75% (via Phys.org)

Amendments could sink bipartisan Senate energy efficiency bill (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

UK solar investment jeopardized by EU tariffs on China (via Bloomberg)

Japan PM’s power plan lifts renewables at utility expense (via Bloomberg)

Brazil may unlock 21GW renewable energy market (via Recharge)

US solar PV demand to grow 20% in 2013 to 4.3GW (via CleanTechnica)

Interior Department Approves Up to 4Gw Of New Renewable Energy Projects (via CleanTechnica)

Will Master Limited Partnerships campaign put wind tax credit at risk? (via Politico)

DOE issues regulatory roadmap to spur geothermal energy development (via Green Car Congress)

Offshore wind advances create greentech investment opportunities (via Greentech Media)

Solar gardens taking root in US communities (via EarthTechling)

MIT creates solar potential map of Cambridge (via Treehugger)

Renewable energy gets a rural boost in Colorado (via Climate Progress)

Michigan legislators seek offshore wind power restrictions (via Record-Eagle)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

UK prepares for US-style shale gas boom (via CNN Money)

Summer to bring upward pressure on US natural gas prices (via Wall Street Journal)

EPA Inspector General to investigate efforts to reduce natural gas pipeline leaks (via Washington Post/AP)

With more solar on the way, does Xcel need more gas peakers? (via Midwest Energy News)

North Carolina House panel Oks more cautious fracking bill (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Russia continues to block UN climate talks (via RTCC)

As extreme weather increases, Bangladesh braces for the worst (via Yale e360)

How investors can help avert climate catastrophe (via GreenBiz)

Stormy weather set to increase due to climate change (via RTCC)

Rising sea levels, stronger storms will threaten US coasts through end of century (via Times-Picayune)

The Obama climate move that nobody noticed (via Grist)

US tailors regional climate plans to help farmers beat the heat (via Bloomberg)

Agriculture Secretary: “America must take steps now” on climate (via The Hill)

COAL 

China to cut coal use in key industrial regions (via Reuters)

Sierra Club sues BNEF over coal dust from trains in Washington State (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

US new-car average gas mileage at highest level ever: 24.8 MPG (via Green Car Reports)

US hybrid & plug-in sales continue strong gains, 32,300 PEVs sold in 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

EPA to issue ethanol use targets this summer (via Reuters)

US added 180 EV charging stations in May (via Autoblog Green)

Study says California’s low-carbon fuel rule is working, but threats loom (via InsideClimate News)

GRID 

Smart and micro grids can minimize power outages during hurricane season (via Breaking Energy)

Cheap batteries for backup renewable energy (via MIT Technology Review)

POLITICS 

Americans for Prosperity targets Democrats up for re-election with anti-carbon tax campaign (via The Hill)

Congressional Democrats change climate message to focus on disaster costs (via ClimateWire)

Offshore drilling proponents launch new Congressional push (via Houston Chronicle)

The billionaire force behind GOP attempts to dismantle Maine’s renewable energy standards (via Bangor Daily News)

OPINION 

EU solar outlook still bright after binge (via Reuters)

Global signs of leadership on clean energy (via WRI Insights)

Why I wanted to be CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (via Greentech Media)

Don’t let another hurricane season blow by without climate action (via The Hill)

Now is the time to be an infrastructure hawk, not a deficit hawk (via Washington Post)

An obscure new rule on microwaves can tell us a lot about Obama’s climate policies (via Washington Post)