Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.18.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
GRID
Worldwide smart meter shipments for first half 2013 surpass 51 million (via Navigant Research)
Will smart meters change consumer habits? Early indicators say yes (via Midwest Energy News)
California adopts first-in-nation energy storage plan (via Contra Costa Times)
Construction begins on landmark Panhandle wind transmission project (via Houston Chronicle)
Texas cranks up $7 billion CREZ wind power transmission project (via CleanTechnica)
EMISSIONS
China tests carbon markets before tax, says government official (via Bloomberg)
Fossil fuel divestment campaign spreads to Europe (via Huffington Post)
Microsoft drives home sustainability with internal carbon pricing (via GreenBiz)
RENEWABLES
Wind at wholesale price parity in world’s major markets (via Renew Economy)
Germany expects 28.7% renewables in 2014 (via Renew Economy)
EU biofuel regulations set to be delayed until 2015 (via BusinessGreen)
Brazil’s wind tender price cap set at $58 per MWh (via Recharge)
India’s biofuel moves help offset swelling oil-import bill (via Panchabuta)
Southwest Power Pool keeps breaking wind records (via Renew Grid)
Institutional investors look toward the Sun, away from fossil fuels (via Solar Industry Magazine)
OIL
Report: Pipelines pose less risk than trains or trucks in carrying oil (via The Hill)
Texas oil production could double by 2020, says industry regulator (via Houston Chronicle)
In North Dakota, new concerns over mixing oil and wheat (via New York Times)
US Coast Guard discovers 4,000-pound tar mat in Gulf of Mexico (via Climate Progress)
TRANSPORTATION
Vehicle-to-grid market to reach $190 million by 2022 (via Energy Manager Today)
Most drivers expect all vehicles to be at least partly electrified in 20 years (via CleanTechnica)
Volvo turns vehicle body panels into batteries (via Autoblog)
KEYSTONE XL
Harold Hamm: Hope dwindling for Keystone XL pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)
CLIMATE
Climate change to cost East Asia 5.3% of GDP by 2100 (via Bloomberg)
Report: Western wildfires growing more intense, insurers deeply concerned (via Washington Post)
Britain warming faster than global average (via The Telegraph)
Raging Australian wildfires leave Sydney shrouded in smoke (via The Telegraph)
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
North Dakota landowners sue fossil fuel companies over wasted natural gas (via Climate Progress)
Oklahoma is next destination for shale revolution (via Reuters)
Police arrest 40 as Canada shale gas protest turns violent (via Reuters)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
US and world are actually making big strides in energy efficiency (via Climate Progress)
Building energy management systems market to surpass $23 billion by 2017 (via Renew Grid)
The bright future of energy-efficient Walmart stores (via Green Room)
COAL
AEP takes coal “out of the picture” as it plans for future (via Columbus Business Journal)
NUCLEAR
China set to invest in UK nuclear industry (via RTCC)
POLITICS
The big no: Republicans on science panel reject budget deal (via Science)
GOP to California governor: Don’t spoil fracking potential (via National Journal)
OPINION
Are the days of fossil fuel subsidies numbered? (via EarthTechling)
Europe’s advanced biofuels innovation: Following overambitious US example? (via Energy Collective)
Debate about future of utilities moves deeper into world of regulation (via Greentech Media)
Let’s prevent this crisis: A letter to Harvard’s President Faust (via Huffington Post)
Legacy of 1970’s oil embargo energy crisis still lingers today (via Houston Chronicle)
Poll: Majority wanted EPA open during federal shutdown (via The Hill)
5 reasons to care about California’s new energy storage mandate (via GigaOm)
Cost of West Texas power lines could shock ratepayers (via Houston Chronicle)