Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.8.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
EMISSIONS
Global carbon market value drops 35 percent (via Environmental Leader)
Carbon price suffers “dramatic and enduring” slump (via BusinessGreen)
RGGI calls for 45% cut in amount of carbon emissions allowed (via New York Times)
Utilities prepare for federal carbon rules on power plants (via ClimateWire)
Americans want carbon regulations but not taxes (via United Press International)
COAL
Green Europe’s dirty secret: it’s consuming more coal (via Washington Post)
CLIMATE
Could climate change be Al-Qaida’s best friend in Africa? (via Slate)
EPA to issue climate change plan on Friday (via The Hill)
Senior Dem: Obama vows to tackle climate – eventually (via The Hill)
RENEWABLES
India rebuffs US solar complaint at WTO (via Wall Street Journal)
Wind power markets grow where the Iron Curtain fell (via Greentech Media)
Deadly China pollution breathes new life into solar debt (via Bloomberg)
Intel and Wal-Mart lead EPA’s green power partnership list (via CleanTechnica)
Wind industry moves to standardize site assessments (via BusinessGreen)
Biomass breathing new life into coal plants (via Forbes)
Broad coalition working against ethanol, says it’s “worse than tar sands” (via Autoblog Green)
Despite tarnished reputation, small wind advocates still see opportunity (via Midwest Energy News)
California sets a new solar power record (via Greentech Media)
Apple eyes another patent patent for solar-powered iPhone (via CNET)
ENERGY INDUSTRY
Chu bets big on batteries, predicts new energy business models (via SNL Energy)
7 major energy trends to watch in 2013, via DOE’s David Sandalow (via GigaOm)
EIA begins posting daily energy prices online (via US EIA)
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
Extracting Europe’s shale gas will be slow and difficult (via The Economist)
North Dakota bill cuts tax exemption for natural gas flaring (via Dickinson Press)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Energy efficiency may cut $169 billion in business costs (via Bloomberg)
$150 million in US tax credits available for energy efficiency projects (via Energy Manager Today)
Which is better for efficiency: retrofits or behavior change? (via Greentech Media)
87% of Seattle’s large buildings report energy usage (via Energy Manager Today)
KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS
First Nations question Northern Gateway experts on oil spill impacts (via Globe and Mail)
Pressure on Kerry ahead of meeting with Canada counterpart (via The Guardian)
TransCanada CEO urges permit for Keystone XL (via Washington Post)
TRANSPORTATION
Hybrids, EVs don’t see big sales boost from higher gas prices (via Reuters)
Ford expects 900 US dealers for its plug-ins by Spring 2013 (via New York Times)
Lawmakers pitch plan to tweak Renewable Fuel Standard (via Houston Chronicle)
AeroVironment bundles home charger, installation, warranty with EV purchase (via Green Car Congress)
ENVIRONMENT
UK to start construction of 93 new flood defense projects in 2013 (via BusinessGreen)
Two Great Lakes hit record low levels: climate crisis or natural cycle? (via Christian Science Monitor)
Westerners agree protected public lands create jobs, oppose state/private ownership (via Climate Progress)
In California, reading the snow to tell future for water supply (via New York Times)
GRID
How will smart grid transformer technologies stabilize the aging US grid? (via Greentech Media)
US electricity system: over-engineered and vulnerable (via Grist)
NUCLEAR
Exelon cuts nuclear upgrade spending amid low gas prices (via Reuters)
POLITICS
Can Obama pair Keystone XL and climate action? (via Politico)
Murkowski mulls “hold” on Interior nominee over road’s rejection (via The Hill)
Gore backs Harvard divestment campaign (via Mother Jones)
OPINION
Renewables cheaper than coal in Australia- a preview of things to come (via Grist)
The other resource curse (via Council on Foreign Relations)
How long before fracking spreads to Europe? At least a decade (via Washington Post)
Climate message essentials for all six “Americas” (via Sightline Daily)