Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.16.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
EMISSIONS
European Parliament rejects carbon market reforms (via RTCC)
Carbon price falls most ever after EU rejects surplus fix (via Bloomberg)
EPA reports decline in US greenhouse gas emissions (via The Hill)
COAL
A tale of two nations: China adds 50GW of coal, US retires 9GW (via Facts of the Day)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
An LED revolution underway in Indian cities (via Energy Next)
US Senators to revive energy efficiency bill (via The Hill)
RENEWABLES
Saudi Arabia plans solar power export to Europe (via Arab News)
IRS sets wind tax credit regulations for 2013 projects (via Bloomberg)
Soros-backed group: “messy” US green energy efforts yielding results (via The Hill)
Good news from the IRS on the PTC for wind and geothermal (via Greentech Media)
The future of wind finance in the US (via Greentech Media)
Walmart increases its renewable energy target six-fold (via Sustainable Business)
Colorado may raise renewable energy standard to 25% for rural electric co-ops (via Climate Progress)
Community solar expands in Colorado Springs (via Sustainable Business)
ENERGY POLICY
Germany subsidizes cheap electricity for its neighbors (via Reuters)
State tax writers warm to giving renewables parity with fossil fuels (via Midwest Energy News)
OIL
Saudi Arabia starts production at mammoth offshore oil field (via Houston Chronicle)
Alaska grants tax break to oil companies to reinvigorate production (via New York Times)
Crews remove part of pipeline after Arkansas spill (via Houston Chronicle)
TRANSPORTATION
The brutal logic of climate change, international shipping edition (via Grist)
White House extends aviation biofuels program (via BusinessGreen)
United Airlines pledges 85 million gallon in fuel savings (via BusinessGreen)
NATURAL GAS
Growth in natural gas vehicles will have “minimal impact” on prices (via Environmental Leader)
ENVIRONMENT
NOAA employees may be furloughed during 2013 hurricane season (via Weather Underground)
OPINION
Can evolution beat climate change? (via Scientific American)
Why does the EU carbon market vote matter? (via RTCC)
US energy independence will depend on economy’s overall health (via Houston Chronicle)
Batteries: cheapest form of grid power? (via MIT Technology Review)
How solar-friendly permitting processes can work in the US (via Renewable Energy World)