Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.25.14

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

COAL 

Netherlands to stop funding overseas coal power plants (via RTCC)

EPA’s coal ash rule still not done (via Politico)

Supreme Court declines to hear Arch Coal mining permit case against EPA (via Reuters)

Coal ash pods: How power companies get a “bypass” on pollution regulations (via National Geographic)

EPA joins North Carolina in probe of coal ash spill (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Japan approves 2014-2015 renewable energy FiT rates (via Recharge)

Italy, Spain, Germany hit commercial solar grid parity in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

India may see slow growth in new solar capacity additions (via Panchabuta)

Developers register 12GW potential Brazil wind projects for June auction (via Recharge)

Kenya’s 300MW Lake Turkana wind farm to break ground in June (via Renewables Biz)

Solar PV industry targets 100GW annual deployment in 2018 (via Solar Industry)

Mercom Capital forecasts 46GW new solar in 2014 (via Solar Industry)

Greenwood Biosar completes Panama’s first utility-scale solar power plant (via CleanTechnica)

Morgan Stanley: Going off grid nears tipping point (via Renew Economy)

FERC issues license for tidal energy pilot project in Pacific Northwest (via Renew Grid)

Feds clearing path for Pacific wave energy test (via Houston Chronicle)

Cape Wind update: A big legal victory and another legal challenge (via Greentech Media)

Maryland seeks global offshore wind role (via Recharge)

Koch-funded groups fuel assault on Kansas clean energy law (via Climate Progress)

New Jersey’s offshore wind goals up in the air after project rejection (Renewable Energy World)

KEYSTONE XL 

Southern leg of Keystone XL pipeline reaches capacity ahead of schedule (via The Oklahoman)

Not building Keystone XL will leave a billion barrels of bitumen in the ground (via Energy Collective)

EMISSIONS 

New study reveals workings of China’s pilot emissions cap-and-trade systems (via Triple Pundit)

China’s Hubei province to launch carbon market on April 2 (via Reuters)

China’s Shenzen says carbon market had 10% surplus in first year (via Reuters)

As listener and saleswoman, EPA chief takes to the road for climate rules (via New York Times)

States aren’t shying away from regulating carbon emissions from power plants (via Bloomberg BNA)

NATURAL GAS 

DOE approves natural gas export terminal (via The Hill)

North Dakota gas flaring doubles, pumping CO2 into air (via Climate Central)

CLIMATE 

UN official: Countries on track to reach 2015 global climate treaty (via The Hill)

EU delays 2030 climate package decision until October (via RTCC)

WMO: Global warming not stopped, will go on for centuries (via Reuters)

Climate change could leave another 50 million people facing hunger by 2050 (via The Guardian)

UN says 13 of 14 hottest years on record occurred since 2000 (via BusinessGreen)

Weather extremes “consistent” with manmade climate change, says UN (via Agence France-Presse)

OIL 

Houston Channel closed as 24 vessels skim 4,000-barrel oil spill (via Bloomberg)

Galveston Bay oil spill will take economic, ecological toll (via Texas Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION 

VW chairman says component cost decreases keep him confident of EV success (via Autoblog Green)

How four states are trying to woo Tesla Motors’ gigafactory (via Autoblog Green)

Ford: Baby boomers leading trend to compact utility vehicles (via Green Car Congress)

GRID 

FERC Order 1000 has its day in court (via Renewable Energy World)

Southwest Power Pool launches wholesale energy marketplace (via Energy Manager Today)

Car companies take expertise in battery power beyond the garage (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

WHO links 7 million premature deaths annually to air pollution; 12.5% total global deaths (via Green Car Congress)

China says polluting industry still growing too fast (via Reuters)

China aims to launch national pollution permit market within three years (via Reuters)

Brazil desperately seeking solutions to worst drought in decades (via The Guardian)

Water scarcity drives US communities toward smarter use, recycling (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

By 2020, LEDs may rival incandescent bulbs in cost without rebates (via Greentech Media)

LBNL calculates “cost of saved energy” from efficiency programs (via Energy Manager Today)

Opower sets IPO price range at $17-19, could raise $110 million (via GigaOm)

POLITICS 

Green groups spend $5 million to defend three Democrats (via Wall Street Journal)

Mary Landrieu is paying – and getting paid big – for her global warming stance (via National Journal)

OPINION 

“War on coal” isn’t the real reason your utility rates will rise (via Triple Pundit)

Why you shouldn’t applaud Exxon’s decision to disclose climate risks (via Climate Progress)

Galveston oil spill: Does US oil boom mean more spills? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Steven Chu solves utility companies’ death spiral (via Forbes)

Maybe transit isn’t surging after all (via Atlantic Cities)

Watts the mystery? The energy units that power our lives. (via Smart Planet)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.12.14

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

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon backloading start possible in March (via Reuters Point Carbon)

South Korea risking sky-high carbon prices, worry for exports (via Reuters)

Obama administration quietly preparing deeper emissions targets for UN talks (via ClimateWire)

Capturing carbon may add 80% to US electricity costs (via Bloomberg)

California’s rate of CO2 cuts “needs to be doubled” after 2020 (via RTCC)

OIL 

OPEC sees stronger 2014 oil demand growth (via Reuters)

Russia expects 2014 oil output to renew post-Soviet record (via Reuters)

EIA lowers US oil output forecast but highlights shale upside (via Reuters)

Fracking blamed for drought in California (via CNBC/Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

India to double its renewable power capacity by 2017 (via The Hindu)

Unsubsidized solar power gives it a go in Spain (via Breaking Energy)

India’s plan for world’s largest solar farm my stumble over wetlands (via The Guardian)

UK radar deal “could unlock 2.2GW” of new wind capacity (via Recharge)

Honduras wind project gets $82 million guarantee (via Recharge)

How Chile is shepherding its renewable energy expansion (via Renewable Energy World)

How online maps can speed up solar site selection (via GreenBiz)

Lockheed backs world’s largest wave energy project (via Forbes)

Wind turbine prices fall 35% from 2009-2013 (via Facts of the Day)

Mosiac to offer retail investments in residential solar (via Bloomberg)

New York State’s green bank confirmed as “open for business” (via BusinessGreen)

Massive offshore wind farm takes shape off….Rhode Island? (via CleanTechnica)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Alberta premier says she won’t play games with US on Keystone (via The Hill)

Environmental movement to test its muscle in Keystone final stretch (via InsideClimate News)

Is shipping oil by rail as dangerous as the Keystone pipeline? (via Mother Jones)

TRANSPORTATION 

Toyota to recall 1.9 million Prius hybrids (via BusinessGreen)

Nissan Leaf ranks as best-selling EV in Europe in 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

Airbus forecasts Asia-Pacific will need 11,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years (via Green Car Congress)

Over 250,000 vehicle-to-grid enabled EVs will be sold from 2013-2022 (via Navigant Research)

Nissan Leaf accelerates to 45% total zero-emissions market share (via GreenBiz)

Tesla Motors stock breaks $200 mark for the first time (via Autoblog Green)

COAL 

Pipe break at coal facility contaminates West Virginia waterway (via Climate Progress)

Private testing finds coal chemical in 40% of West Virginia homes (via Climate Progress)

CLIMATE 

Economist says best climate fix a tough sell, but worth it (via NPR)

Hot Alaska, cold Georgia: How the shifted polar vortex turned winter upside down (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Louisiana natural gas export terminal gets green light (via National Journal)

Colorado communities battle to ban fracking (via DeSmog Blog)

Explosion and fire at Chevron natural gas well in Pennsylvania (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to set up $1.6 billion fund to fight smog (via Reuters)

In California drought, a message to consumers: Water is power (via Christian Science Monitor)

GREEN BUILDING 

Green builders weather housing slump (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

House Republicans receive lowest environmental rating in 44 years (via Washington Post)

Landrieu era to begin on Senate energy committee (via National Journal)

Koch brothers bombard vulnerable Senate Democrat Kay Hagan (via Politico)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.15.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Report: South Korea confirms carbon market launch date (via BusinessGreen)

EU carbon prices rise 4.9% as free permit handouts stall (via Thompson Reuters)

Canada’s carbon emissions predicted to soar 38% by 2030 (via The Guardian)

Under pressure, FirstEnergy agrees to study emissions (via New York Times)

CLIMATE 

EU set to scale back 2030 climate ambitions (via Thompson Reuters)

Obama administration is seen as retreating on environment in Pacific trade talks (via New York Times)

Governor Patrick unveils $50 million climate change prep plan for Massachusetts (via AP/WBUR)

Native Alaskans grapple with global warming impacts (via Roll Call)

Senate group wants climate change on Sunday talk shows (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

UN climate chief calls for tripling of clean energy investment (via BusinessGreen)

Wind power leads generation output for Denmark and Spain in 2013 (via Recharge)

Google plows $75 million into its 15th clean energy project (via SmartPlanet)

SolarCity to allow retail investors to invest in its projects (via Reuters)

Harvard team sets sights on cheap energy storage of wind and solar power (via Renew Grid)

OIL 

New regulations for oil on rail cars to come in 2015 (via Houston Chronicle)

Rail accidents seen pushing Obama to approve Keystone XL (via Bloomberg)

AFL-CIO president opposes lifting ban on crude-oil exports (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Boeing aims to seek approval for green diesel as jet fuel (via Reuters)

Toyota hybrid sales top 6 million vehicles globally (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla delivers hundreds more cars than expected last quarter (via GigaOm)

EVs pose different risks than gas models, says top US auto-safety regulator (via Bloomberg)

Tesla has Supercharger routes up, down, and around the US (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS 

Analyst predicts world’s next shale boom will be in Australia (via Houston Chronicle)

Polar vortex, winter storm predictions push up natural gas prices (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

China wants time-of-use pricing by 2015, one meter per home by 2017 (via Greentech Media)

Analysis offers ways for transmission line developers to ease local opposition (via Midwest Energy News)

TAR SANDS

Governor Quinn seeks statewide petcoke restrictions in Illinois (via Chicago Tribune)

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s Shanghai announces new measures to curb pollution (via Reuters)

Officials start to clear West Virginia regions of chemically tainted water (via The Guardian)

West Virginia water contamination may have started weeks ago, say residents (via Climate Progress)

Governor Brown to officially declare drought in California (via CBS News)

OPINION 

Thin air: Why the odds eventually favor a PTC extension (via SNL Energy)

Ten reasons why coal is here to stay (via Houston Chronicle)

Are injection wells helping spark Texas quakes? (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.14.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Top global emitter China best on climate change, Figures says (via Bloomberg)

After years of decline, US carbon emissions rose 2% in 2013 (via Washington Post)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Google buys Nest for $3.2 billion (via Forbes)

Seattle energy benchmarking finds $90 million potential annual utility bill savings (via CleanTechnica)

Net zero at unprecedented scale on Illinois campus (via EarthTechling)

Nest gives Google its next big data play: Energy (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

UK solar panels reach half a million rooftop milestone (via BusinessGreen)

How the new US-China trade case could change the American solar market (via Greentech Media)

UK renewable energy firms “looking to hire more staff” (via BBC News)

Clean tech venture investment is on the rise, says report (via GreenBiz)

Solar City takes 32% of 2013 3Q US residential PV marker as utilities squirm (via CleanTechnica)

Ethanol mandate unlikely to face repeal in 2014 (via Argus Leader/Gannett)

North Carolina to join California as top 10 global PV “country” in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Coal-dependent Michigan ready to make the switch to clean energy (via EnergyWire)

New ACORE head outlines renewable energy priorities (via National Journal)

COAL 

Japan’s Tepco doubled coal burning on nuclear shutdown (via Bloomberg)

Coal reliance puts Australia second on OECD’s emissions list (via The Guardian)

China to boost annual railway coal capacity to 3 billion tons by 2020 (via Reuters)

Omnibus federal spending bill thwarts Obama on overseas coal funding limits (via National Journal)

Most states remain dependent on coal imports, draining billions from local economies (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

CLIMATE 

Massive Antarctic glacier has entered irreversible melt, could add up to 1 centimeter of sea level rise (via InsideClimate)

New assessment of climate change’s economic risks is ready for business (via Climate Progress)

Historic black colleges leading climate change advocacy (via Huffington Post)

The flood next time: Grappling with sea level rise sooner not later (via New York Times)

Massachusetts governor to unveil climate change prep plan today (via Boston Herald/AP)

Washington DC’s water utility takes lead in preparing for warming world (via ClimateWire)

OIL 

Trains will still move oil despite wrecks, Keystone XL (via Climate Central)

Federal report says 400,000 gallons of oil spilled in North Dakota train derailment (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Nearly 2.6 million EVs will be sold in the US between 2013 and 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Ford F150 truck trail blazes new green technologies (via TriplePundit)

Annual North Carolina fee on electric vehicles starts this month (via Winston-Salem Journal)

Inslee won’t rule out low-carbon fuel standards in Washington State (via Washington State Wire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL: Texas high court gives hope to landowners in eminent domain fight (via InsideClimate News)

ENVIRONMENT 

West Virginia chemical crisis: The latest (via National Journal)

Water restrictions lifted on day five of West Virginia chemical spill (via The Hill)

GRID 

A123 installs 3MWh grid storage solution in Spain (via Renew Grid)

Upper Great Plains Region looking to join Southwest Power Pool grid (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY POLICY 

How one utility giant created its own pipeline of skilled workers (via National Journal)

Has shale gas really reduced US carbon emissions? The problem of coal exports (via Energy Collective)

OPINION 

Keep up the pressure, climate activists (via Washington Post)

Infrastructure snags: What’s so hard about moving energy? (via National Journal)

Why Nest could be a nightmare for Google (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.7.14

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

ENVIRONMENT 

Natural disasters killed more, cost less worldwide in 2013 (via Huffington Post/AP)

COAL 

Coal surge sullies Germany’s clean energy image (via Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

India’s coal imports rise 20 percent to help fuel new power plants (via Reuters)

The future of coal: Appalachia’s downturn sends miners west (via Wall Street Journal)

More coal plant retirements in New England? Perhaps not so fast (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

EU urged to set 2030 renewable energy target by ministers (via The Guardian)

China’s CNOOC oil company selling wind, biofuels projects (via Thompson Reuters)

Mexico as bellwether for an unsubsidized solar future (via Greentech Media)

Wind emerges as Spain’s dominant power source in 2013 as emissions plummet (via BusinessGreen)

US consumer support for clean energy at highest level since 2010 (via CleanTechnica)

White House urged EPA restraint on 2014 RFS targets (via Greenwire)

NREL adds 5MW wind turbine test facility (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

Fracking moratorium urged by California lawmakers (via Sacramento Bee)

Sen. Schumer presses for safer crude-by-rail shipments (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Nissan Leaf has record sales in 2013 as it challenges Volt for top EV spot (via Facts of the Day)

Plug-in vehicles: For utilities, more opportunity than challenge (via Navigant Research)

Jerry Brown seeks $250 million to boost California’s bullet train (via Los Angeles Times)

CLIMATE 

Polar vortex may be example of global warming (via Climate Central)

Everything you wanted to know about the polar vortex (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

House Energy Committee to release report on natural gas exports (via The Hill)

GRID 

First commercially operating Li-ion energy storage installation goes online in China (via Green Car Congress)

ISO-NE approves Northern Pass transmission line, other approvals needed (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Top ten markets for energy efficient-lighting (via Greentech Media)

Four reasons cities neglect energy efficiency (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Clean energy should do without special tax breaks (via Washington Post)

The clean energy economy in three charts (via Energy.gov)

Canadian prime minister says Keystone XL pipeline will be approved (via Reuters)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.6.14

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

ENVIRONMENT 

China to boost spending on water conservation projects in 2014 (via Bloomberg)

New Year ushers in changing of the guard for green groups (via National Journal)

Colorado River drought forces painful reckoning for states (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Lux Research: Australia best positioned to be next big shale play; then China and Argentina (via Green Car Congress)

Natural gas boom spurs methanol rush (via Houston Chronicle)

US EPA unlikely to step up fracking enforcement efforts for now (via Reuters)

State regulators wary of releasing fracking data while feds rein in oversight (via National Journal)

Several states confirm water pollution from drilling (via AP)

RENEWABLES 

Spain’s solar pullback threatens pocketbooks (via New York Times)

China pledges further support for solar industry (via Reuters)

India delays solar auction bid deadline for second time (via Bloomberg)

Report: Net metering rollbacks will not impact US solar markets in 2014 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Public attitudes toward cleantech sectors have rebounded (via Renew Grid)

Five PACE programs to watch in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

California’s sizzling solar busts through 3GW (via EarthTechling)

Despite blizzards, temperatures rising in Colorado over rooftop solar energy (via Forbes)

Maine governor tries again to cut state’s renewable energy standard (via Bangor Daily News)

Ohio Clean Energy Initiative has significant support in state, finds poll (via Renew Grid)

TRANSPORTATION 

Plug-in electric car sales for 2013 nearly double 2012 (via Green Car Reports)

Auto sales: Here’s what buyers coveted and shunned in 2013 (via Los Angeles Times)

Nissan Leaf ends 2013 with best sales month ever, but can’t catch Chevy Volt (via Autoblog Green)

COAL 

Dirtiest coal’s rebirth in Europe flattens medieval towns (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

Environmentalists win a round in coal dust lawsuit versus railroad company (via Bellingham Herald)

EMISSIONS 

30% of Europe’s fossil fuel power capacity to close by 2017 (via CleanTechnica)

Carbon trading is booming in North America, no thanks to US or Canadian governments (via Grist)

How to cut cloud computing’s carbon emissions (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY POLICY 

House puts reforming EPA regulatory process on January agenda (via The Hill)

Do US biofuel subsidies speed up oil production? (via Midwest Energy News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Lights out for the light bulb battle? (via Politico)

Why is California’s efficiency program struggling to gain traction? (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

With a bit of luck, the US could actually hit its 2020 climate change goals (via Washington Post)

Obama’s second term is all about climate change (via New York Magazine)

Crude debate: Should Washington, DC lift oil export ban? (via National Journal)

Green energy battle flares over “60 Minutes” report (via National Journal)

What 60 Minutes got right and wrong in its story on the “cleantech crash” (via GigaOm)

The Congressman who went off the grid (via Politico)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.10.13

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

COAL 

Chinese coal use to hit 4.8 billion metric tons annually by 2020 (via The Diplomat)

Australia approves dredging near Great Barrier Reef for coal port (via Reuters)

US pressured to block proposed coal plant in Pakistan (via ClimateWire)

Updated study highlights eroding economics of US coal fleet (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

CLIMATE 

The Montreal Protocol, a little treaty that could (via New York Times)

China outlines climate change adaptation plans (via RTCC)

Local leaders planning for climate effects (via AP)

Four cities show leadership in adapting to local climate impacts (via WRI Insights)

RENEWABLES 

China switches solar PV focus from utility-scale to rooftop market (via Renew Economy)

EU uncertainty threatens biofuel output target (via Bloomberg)

EU study finds renewables most popular energy option among citizens (via Renewables International)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.9.13

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

EMISSIONS 

When CO2 levels doubled 55 million years ago, Earth may have warmed 9 degrees F in 13 years (via Climate Progress)

Carbon markets 16 times cheaper than renewable aid, OECD says (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

UK shale drillers offered water cheaper than residents (via Bloomberg)

EIA raises 2013 US natgas production, demand (via Reuters)

Some foes of fracking reach out to drillers on safety (via National Journal)

GRID 

US smart grid could save each consumer $100 annually (via Energy Manager Today)

15 European national power markets set to link in search for best price (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

UK plans to increase solar power eight-fold by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

Renewable energy is taking a beating in Spain (via New York Times)

At what point will small-scale solar energy storage become viable? (via CleanTechnica)

Wind turbine blade maker ramps up in US (via Breaking Energy)

Oil industry sues EPA over Renewable Fuel Standard (via The Hill)

AWEA sees strong 2014 for US wind (via Recharge)

Boom and bust in New Jersey SREC market (via Renewable Energy World)

Inside DOE, one of world’s biggest clean energy finance shops is back in business (via InsideClimate News)

CLIMATE 

OECD: “No bailout” for climate threat (via BBC News)

80% of ecosystems vulnerable to climate change, finds study (via Yale e360)

IMF director Lagarde sounds warning on climate action (via The Hill)

World Bank and IMF stress urgency of climate action (via RTCC)

Alaska sinks as climate change thaws permafrost (via Des Moines Register)

After Sandy, group calls for federal fund to deal with extreme weather (via Star-Ledger)

COAL 

Peak coal in China, or a long and high plateau? (via Energy Collective)

150 plants retired: Another major milestone in moving beyond coal (via Grist) 

New England’s largest coal-fired plant is shutting down (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY POLICY 

Official says Mexican energy reform will require new laws (via Houston Chronicle)

40% of utilities predict “complete transformation” by 2030 (via Greentech Media)

Keystone XL’s not the only cross-border energy fight (via Greenwire)

The South’s new power push: Natural gas and tiny nukes (via Climate Central)

Eight practical local energy policies to boost the economy (via CleanTechnica)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Sports beginning to see the energy-efficient light (via New York Times)

New York City apartment dwellers can compare energy, water use online (via Sustainable Business)

San Francisco public buildings’ energy use down 3.6% from 2011 (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

Analyst predicts growing North American production unless oil falls to $60 (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

EVs find a growing market in China (via Navigant Research)

California backs hydrogen stations in a big way (via EarthTechling)

NUCLEAR 

Report says a shortage of nuclear ingredient looms (via New York Times)

EU energy guidelines leave out nuclear in blow for Britain (via Reuters)

Nuclear plants vexed at prices that shift as demand does (via New York Times)

Small nuclear-fossil fuel reactors attracting attention but not capital (via Forbes)

POLITICS 

Germany’s Greens elect new leaders before talks with Merkel (via Reuters)

Poll: Plurality of Virginians favor EPA climate rule (via Politico)

OPINION 

Carbon emissions explained, with my son’s Legos (via Energy Collective)

US can still be the world’s solar manufacturing leader (via Sustainable Business)

Three models that could help utilities make money from solar (via Greentech Media)

The Model S fire was a good thing for Tesla (via Plugin Cars)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.5.13

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Growing concern on water use of tar sands development (via Yale e360)

Canada’s Harper insists Keystone XL is important for jobs (via Reuters)

Little-known pipeline nearly as big as Keystone could win race to Gulf (via InsideClimate News)

Nebraska trial could delay Keystone XL pipeline (via Washington Post)

State Department watchdog launches inquiry into Keystone environmental report (via The Hill)

NUCLEAR 

South Korean scandal over nuclear safety revelations (via New York Times)

Amid concerns, nuclear advocates pin their hopes on new designs (via Time)

RENEWABLES 

Australia’s solar revolution has been led by its suburbs (via Renew Economy)

Finland scientists turn dead wood into cheap biofuels (via RTCC)

South Korea completes first solar PV plant (via RTCC)

Spain seeks to charge for on-site renewables (via BusinessGreen)

US solar targets could save Americans $20 billion annually by 2050 (via CleanTechnica)

PUCs on the front lines of brewing net metering battle (via Energy Collective)

Solar innovation gets new ARPA-E funding chance (via EarthTechling)

DOE issues RFI for next-generation solar PV technology (via Green Car Congress)

US to hold second auction for offshore wind on Outer Continental Shelf (via Green Car Congress)

Solazyme’s twisted path to an algae-based future (via GreenBiz)

Inadequate transmission lines keeping some Maine wind power off the grid (via Portland Press Herald)

Minnesota utility will meet its renewable energy mandate 10 years early (via Minneapolis Star Tribune)

CLIMATE 

Climate change pushing marine life toward the poles, says study (via The Guardian)

Ecosystems face unprecedented “climate change velocity” (via Climate Central)

Australia faces increased disease from climate change, reports find (via The Guardian)

Models for a more effective response to climate change (via Phys.org)

Fund managers worth $14 trillion say climate change influences investments (via RTCC)

US companies don’t want to talk about preventing climate change disaster (via The Guardian)

OIL 

Despite boom, higher costs push Big Oil into slump (via Houston Chronicle)

In wake of Canadian disaster, US issues emergency rules for trains (via Houston Chronicle)

BLM approves environmental probe on public land drilling in California (via Greenwire)

Oil companies used fracking in coastal waters off California (via Houston Chronicle)

Police in California arrest over 200 at Chevron refinery protest (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Kick starting Europe’s electric vehicle industry (via Phys.org)

A hankering for hybrids in America (via New York Times)

Jump-starting EV sales with workplace charging stations (via Los Angeles Times)

Burlington-Montreal EV fast-charging corridor opening this fall (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

How 10 Western US cities are dealing with water scarcity and drought (via StateImpact Texas)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Earthquakes “may contribute to methane leaks” (via Climate Central)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency market “hard to reach” in multi-tenant buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

August recess now high season for interests lobbying lawmakers (via Washington Post)

Congress can’t agree on most energy issues, but it loves dams (via Washington Post)

House slams door on carbon tax (via The Hill)

Billionaire environmentalist goes big in Virginia governor’s race (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Ill wind blows for German offshore industry (via Der Spiegel)

Wind power is killing birds and bats – so what? (via Navigant Research)

The rise and rise of American carbon (via The Guardian)

How coal imports are adding to India’s energy security problems (via Renew Economy)

As temperatures rise, empires fall: heat and human behavior (via Time)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.5.13

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Growing concern on water use of tar sands development (via Yale e360)

Canada’s Harper insists Keystone XL is important for jobs (via Reuters)

Little-known pipeline nearly as big as Keystone could win race to Gulf (via InsideClimate News)

Nebraska trial could delay Keystone XL pipeline (via Washington Post)

State Department watchdog launches inquiry into Keystone environmental report (via The Hill)

NUCLEAR 

South Korean scandal over nuclear safety revelations (via New York Times)

Amid concerns, nuclear advocates pin their hopes on new designs (via Time)

RENEWABLES 

Australia’s solar revolution has been led by its suburbs (via Renew Economy)

Finland scientists turn dead wood into cheap biofuels (via RTCC)

South Korea completes first solar PV plant (via RTCC)

Spain seeks to charge for on-site renewables (via BusinessGreen)

US solar targets could save Americans $20 billion annually by 2050 (via CleanTechnica)

PUCs on the front lines of brewing net metering battle (via Energy Collective)

Solar innovation gets new ARPA-E funding chance (via EarthTechling)

DOE issues RFI for next-generation solar PV technology (via Green Car Congress)

US to hold second auction for offshore wind on Outer Continental Shelf (via Green Car Congress)

Solazyme’s twisted path to an algae-based future (via GreenBiz)

Inadequate transmission lines keeping some Maine wind power off the grid (via Portland Press Herald)

Minnesota utility will meet its renewable energy mandate 10 years early (via Minneapolis Star Tribune)

CLIMATE 

Climate change pushing marine life toward the poles, says study (via The Guardian)

Ecosystems face unprecedented “climate change velocity” (via Climate Central)

Australia faces increased disease from climate change, reports find (via The Guardian)

Models for a more effective response to climate change (via Phys.org)

Fund managers worth $14 trillion say climate change influences investments (via RTCC)

US companies don’t want to talk about preventing climate change disaster (via The Guardian)

OIL 

Despite boom, higher costs push Big Oil into slump (via Houston Chronicle)

In wake of Canadian disaster, US issues emergency rules for trains (via Houston Chronicle)

BLM approves environmental probe on public land drilling in California (via Greenwire)

Oil companies used fracking in coastal waters off California (via Houston Chronicle)

Police in California arrest over 200 at Chevron refinery protest (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Kick starting Europe’s electric vehicle industry (via Phys.org)

A hankering for hybrids in America (via New York Times)

Jump-starting EV sales with workplace charging stations (via Los Angeles Times)

Burlington-Montreal EV fast-charging corridor opening this fall (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

How 10 Western US cities are dealing with water scarcity and drought (via StateImpact Texas)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Earthquakes “may contribute to methane leaks” (via Climate Central)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency market “hard to reach” in multi-tenant buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

August recess now high season for interests lobbying lawmakers (via Washington Post)

Congress can’t agree on most energy issues, but it loves dams (via Washington Post)

House slams door on carbon tax (via The Hill)

Billionaire environmentalist goes big in Virginia governor’s race (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Ill wind blows for German offshore industry (via Der Spiegel)

Wind power is killing birds and bats – so what? (via Navigant Research)

The rise and rise of American carbon (via The Guardian)

How coal imports are adding to India’s energy security problems (via Renew Economy)

As temperatures rise, empires fall: heat and human behavior (via Time)