Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.20.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
ENERGY POLICY
Fossil fuels get $500 billion Christmas present from taxpayers (via CleanTechnica)
EMISSIONS
The second-largest carbon market in the world just opened in China (via Climate Progress)
France adopts 2014 budget with carbon tax on fossil fuels (via Platts)
Tianjin to launch China’s fifth carbon market on December 26 (via Reuters)
EPA unveils carbon capture regulations (via The Hill)
Cities call for carbon pricing in Washington State (via Sightline Daily)
RENEWABLES
Wind developers start work, then cross their fingers as PTC expiration looms (via Greenwire)
Deepwater Wind says New England offshore wind farm will meet PTC deadline (via Bloomberg)
Solar power hitting new records in California (via Greentech Media)
The way Congress funds clean energy is a mess – Max Baucus thinks there’s a better idea (via Washington Post)
OIL
US budget deal opens door to drilling in new Gulf waters (via Houston Chronicle)
TRANSPORTATION
Data shows cities can save big money by switching to EVs (via Autoblog Green)
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
Pennsylvania Supreme Court strikes down part of pro-fracking law (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)
CLIMATE
Poll: Americans see impact of global warming (via USA Today)
John Podesta’s plan to bypass Congress on climate change (via Washington Post)
TAR SANDS
Canada approves tar sands oil pipeline to Pacific Coast (via ABC News/AP)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Madison, Wisconsin considers mandatory energy reporting law (via Energy Manager Today)
Seattle adopts 20% energy use reduction plan (via Energy Manager Today)
OPINION
Will the Senate energy panel veer right? (via National Journal)
Is carbon pricing a diversion from the real story? (via Huffington Post)
Max Baucus’ renewable energy tax break reform: The good, the bad, and the ugly (via Climate Progress)