Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.21.13

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

EMISSIONS 

South Korea may launch world’s most ambitious cap and trade market (via CleanTechnica)

Carbon capture faces scale dilemma (via Reuters)

UK unwraps energy-intensive industry carbon price compensation package (via BusinessGreen)

CLIMATE 

World’s largest cities say time to adapt to climate change (via RTCC)

Glacier melt causes a third of all sea-level rise (via ABC Science)

Climate change pushes farmers in India to tipping point (via The Guardian)

Scientists agree on climate change, so why doesn’t everyone else? (via Washington Post)

Weatherproofing cities to face future Sandys (via Council on Foreign Relation)

RENEWABLES 

Solar has barely scratched the surface of a $2 trillion market (via Renew Economy)

2012 a record-breaking year for global wind power (via DW)

Solar industry groups urge US, EU, China to avert trade war (via Washington Post)

US and EU set to negotiate settlements in Chinese solar panel cases (via New York Times)

EU tariffs on Chinese solar imports “a grave mistake” says German minister (via BusinessGreen)

US military on track to reach 3GW of solar by 2025 (via Greentech Media)

95% of US energy executives predict more renewables investment (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Ethanol production stagnates as biofuel mandates grow (via Houston Chronicle)

The advantages of developing solar on brownfields (via Greentech Media)

US ethanol production capacity little changed in past year (via US EIA)

Can state harvesting guidelines keep biomass sustainable? (via Midwest Energy News)

Minnesota is a governor’s signature away from 450MW of solar (via Greentech Media)

North Carolina creates legal framework to develop wind farms (via Recharge)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency could cut wireless data power demand 90% by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

LEED remains top choice for government buildings (via Sustainable Business)

Senate energy efficiency bill could be “poison pill” for LEED standards (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EU to investigate environmental impact of shale gas fracking (via Reuters)

What exporting US natural gas means for the climate (via WRI Insights)

Natural gas climbs to three-week high on LNG approval, hot weather (via Bloomberg)

The fight for North Dakota’s fracking water market (via Reuters)

California’s proposed fracking moratoriums might not apply to other drilling in Monterey Shale (via EnergyWire)

161 water wells impacted by Pennsylvania gas drilling from 2008-2012 (via Facts of the Day)

GRID 

More US consumers now support smart grid (via Renew Grid)

ARRA update: almost two-thirds of US smart grid funds spent (via Renew Grid)

Underwater batteries make an energy storage splash (via GigaOm)

The military microgrid as smart grid asset (via Greentech Media)

Energy storage, meet energy markets (via Greentech Media)

Texas power grid poised to be put to test again (via Texas Tribune)

Revenue at Bloom Energy falls in Q1 (via Greentech Media)

New grid switches cut 80,000 outages for ComEd (via Greentech Media)

As Texas towns say no, signs of rising resistance to smart meters (via Texas Tribune)

OIL 

Oman to use solar power to get oil from old wells (via New York Times)

With US awash in oil, national interest argument for Keystone weakens (via InsideClimate News)

A black mound of Canadian oil waste is rising over Detroit (via New York Times)

Alaska’s governor launches bid to measure oil in Arctic refuge (via Los Angeles Times)

Exxon: no plans yet to reopen ruptured Arkansas pipeline, and no answers why (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Plugged in: US electric car sales hit 100,000 (via EarthTechling)

Tesla to pay off US DOE loan Wednesday (via Bloomberg)

United Airlines restarts 787 Dreamliner flights (via USA Today)

Tesla’s fight with American car dealers (via CNN Money)

COAL 

In the US West, Big Coal makes its stand (via Navigant Research)

ENVIRONMENT 

Ocean warming means new paradigm for world’s fisheries (via Climate Progress)

A plague of deforestation sweeps across Southeast Asia (via Yale e360)

Asia-Pacific leaders warn of water conflict threat (via Phys.org)

Deforestation in Brazilian Amazon pacing 88% higher than 2012 (via Mongabay)

USGS: drop in US aquifer levels has accelerated (via Reuters)

Wells dry, fertile US plains turn to dust (via New York Times)

ENERGY POLICY 

Moniz era begins at Energy Department (via The Hill)

Fossil fuel divestment campaign escalates at Swarthmore (via Huffington Post)

Illinois renewable energy law fix faces opposition from utilities (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

What’s at stake with natural-gas exports? (via National Journal)

Wind and the myth of negative pricing (via Greentech Media)

“If people aren’t pissed off, it ain’t working”: a chat with Tom Steyer (via Grist)

Climate warnings, growing louder (via New York Times)

Fixing the economy may be the best way to pass a climate bill (via Washington Post)

Arizona clean energy = more jobs (via CleanTechnica)

Utilities for dummies: how they work and why that needs to change (via Grist)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.14.13

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

EMISSIONS 

South Korea to launch world’s most ambitious carbon trading scheme (via BusinessGreen)

Clock is ticking, slowly, on rules for coal-fired power plants (via Los Angeles Times)

EIA releases report on CO2 emissions by state (via Green Car Congress)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Sustainability “highly important” to 42% of supply chains (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY POLICY 

Wyoming governor unveils state energy policy 2 years in making (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Germany disputes hard EU stance on China solar panel duties (via Reuters)

5 achievements from Germany’s “Energiewende” (via WRI Insights)

Consumer support for wind and solar energy fell in 2012 (via Navigant Research)

Big Data will provide accurate analysis of wind-wildlife impacts (via Treehugger)

Feds study Gulf wildlife to make way for wind turbines (via Houston Chronicle)

Sharper computer models clear the way for more wind power (via MIT Technology Review)

In Solyndra wake, US solar industry sees chance to go from niche to mainstream (via Greenwire)

DOE’s high-impact energy innovation incubator program (via Energy Collective)

SolarCity shares up 200% since IPO (via Recharge)

Illinois renewable energy fund lacks power to fulfill purpose (via Chicago Tribune)

OIL 

Lower Mexican oil production contributes to lower US crude oil exports (via US EIA)

Pipelines spill three times as much oil as trains (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

US oil boom leaves OPEC sidelined from demand growth (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

Mount Everest glaciers have shrunk 13% in 50 years (via Mongabay)

Melting ice opens fight over sea routes for Arctic (via Bloomberg)

Hurricane Sandy forced third-most people from homes worldwide in 2012 (via The Hill)

America’s first climate refugees (via The Guardian)

Climate resilience: deconstructing the new buzz-word (via Climate Progress)

Both sides in climate war blamed for cherry-picking attribution research (via InsideClimate News)

GRID 

Smart meters stumble in the UK (via Greentech Media)

How “shadow bids” could hurt the demand response market (via Greentech Media)

Insights into renewables and the grid from Congress (via Greentech Media)

Water utilities to spend $2 billion on smart meters through 2020 (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Nations ponder how to handle busier, more polluted Arctic (via ClimateWire)

Fewer rainforests mean less energy for developing nations (via New York Times)

Tinderbox-dry Western US at high risk of major wildfires (via Climate Central)

Feds warn sequester cuts weakened readiness for wildfire season (via The Hill)

Do we need a better yardstick to measure severe droughts in US? (via Climatewire)

OPINION 

The myths and realities of America’s oil and gas boom (via Greentech Media)

What to expect from EV range now and over time (via Plugin Cars)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.14.13

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

EMISSIONS 

South Korea to launch world’s most ambitious carbon trading scheme (via BusinessGreen)

Clock is ticking, slowly, on rules for coal-fired power plants (via Los Angeles Times)

EIA releases report on CO2 emissions by state (via Green Car Congress)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Sustainability “highly important” to 42% of supply chains (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY POLICY 

Wyoming governor unveils state energy policy 2 years in making (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Germany disputes hard EU stance on China solar panel duties (via Reuters)

5 achievements from Germany’s “Energiewende” (via WRI Insights)

Consumer support for wind and solar energy fell in 2012 (via Navigant Research)

Big Data will provide accurate analysis of wind-wildlife impacts (via Treehugger)

Feds study Gulf wildlife to make way for wind turbines (via Houston Chronicle)

Sharper computer models clear the way for more wind power (via MIT Technology Review)

In Solyndra wake, US solar industry sees chance to go from niche to mainstream (via Greenwire)

DOE’s high-impact energy innovation incubator program (via Energy Collective)

SolarCity shares up 200% since IPO (via Recharge)

Illinois renewable energy fund lacks power to fulfill purpose (via Chicago Tribune)

OIL 

Lower Mexican oil production contributes to lower US crude oil exports (via US EIA)

Pipelines spill three times as much oil as trains (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

US oil boom leaves OPEC sidelined from demand growth (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

Mount Everest glaciers have shrunk 13% in 50 years (via Mongabay)

Melting ice opens fight over sea routes for Arctic (via Bloomberg)

Hurricane Sandy forced third-most people from homes worldwide in 2012 (via The Hill)

America’s first climate refugees (via The Guardian)

Climate resilience: deconstructing the new buzz-word (via Climate Progress)

Both sides in climate war blamed for cherry-picking attribution research (via InsideClimate News)

GRID 

Smart meters stumble in the UK (via Greentech Media)

How “shadow bids” could hurt the demand response market (via Greentech Media)

Insights into renewables and the grid from Congress (via Greentech Media)

Water utilities to spend $2 billion on smart meters through 2020 (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Nations ponder how to handle busier, more polluted Arctic (via ClimateWire)

Fewer rainforests mean less energy for developing nations (via New York Times)

Tinderbox-dry Western US at high risk of major wildfires (via Climate Central)

Feds warn sequester cuts weakened readiness for wildfire season (via The Hill)

Do we need a better yardstick to measure severe droughts in US? (via Climatewire)

OPINION 

The myths and realities of America’s oil and gas boom (via Greentech Media)

What to expect from EV range now and over time (via Plugin Cars)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.2.13

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

EMISSIONS

UN envoys consider 2050 carbon target in climate talks (via Bloomberg)

Was efficiency responsible for 75% of CO2 reductions in 2012? (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Green building materials will reach $254 billion in annual market value by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

General Motors urges Obama and Congress to unite on climate change (via The Guardian)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US predicted to be a top liquefied natural gas exporter by 2020 (via Houston Chronicle)

Moody’s: modest amount of US natural gas exports will get approval (via The Hill)

Shell makes big bet on boom in natural gas (via New York Times)

Fracking spread could strain water resources in West, study finds (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

EU solar groups lobby against duties on Chinese solar products (via Recharge)

China wants to use curtailed wind power to replace coal-fired heating (via CleanTechnica)

Indonesia plans rural solar electrification push (via Recharge)

Is there hope for hydropower as the climate changes? (via EarthTechling)

US-designed no-emission ocean thermal energy power plant will debut off China’s coast (via ClimateWire)

Renewable energy groups spar over biofuel imports (via Politico)

Legislators fail to reform Hawaii solar tax credit (via Honolulu Star Advertiser)

Massachusetts crushes solar goals, aims much higher (via CleanTechnica)

Los Angeles urged to expand solar power to 20% of all energy by 2020 (via Los Angeles Daily News)

OIL 

Who’s in charge here? At US oil spills, it’s whoever made the mess (via OnEarth)

Fracking boom in North Dakota is here to stay (via Mother Jones)

TRANSPORTATION 

Survey shows strong US support for fuel efficiency standards (via New York Times)

Nissan Leaf has second-best sales month, Chevy Volt declines slightly (via Autoblog Green)

EV maker Coda files for bankruptcy, focuses on energy storage (via GigaOm)

CLIMATE 

Poll: majority see climate change affecting US weather (via The Hill)

Climate change: when rain, rain won’t go away (via USA Today)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Enbridge pipeline expansion could turn into Keystone-like fight (via Bloomberg)

Alaska watches as Canada considers shipping tar sands across Arctic (via Alaska Dispatch)

Elected officials in rural Nebraska pass anti-Keystone pipeline resolution (via Omaha World-Herald)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

US banks reluctant to finance energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Internet of Things extends under your sink with new water and electricity sensors (via Treehugger)

GRID 

Who are the top utilities in smart grid? (via Greentech Media)

NYSERDA awards $1.4 million to advanced energy storage projects (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Cash for doomed crops means US farmers avoid disaster cost (via Bloomberg)

42% of Americans live with dangerous pollution; check your zip code (via The Good Human)

ENERGY POLICY 

Report: EU facing €1 trillion energy investment black hole (via RTCC)

For Obama and Pena Nieto, a delicate “first dance” around energy (via Reuters)

Texas power supplies for summer peak season seen as tight but improving (via Fort-Worth Star Telegram)

OTHER NEWS 

An additional roundup of energy and climate news is posted at Climate Progress

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.29.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China makes strides to curb carbon emissions (via Navigant Research)

GREEN BUSINESS 

San Francisco and Seattle lead US cities pulling funds from fossil fuel firms (via The Guardian)

Volkswagen sustainability report shows emissions, production progress (via Autoblog Green)

Can fossil fuel divestment prevent the carbon bubble from bursting? (via CleanTechnica)

How the NFL became a champion of sustainability (via The Guardian)

How sustainability metrics help build trust in the financial sector (via GreenBiz)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS

Land-locked Alberta mulls tar sands pipeline to Arctic port (via Reuters)

TransCanada sees Keystone XL delayed until second half 2015 (via Retuers)

RENEWABLES 

100% renewables for Australia not so costly after all (via Renew Economy)

Solar PV module revenues to turn upward, but not until 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

European Commission launches Chinese solar glass subsidy inquiry (via Reuters)

Amonix claims 36.2% solar energy efficiency record (via Recharge)

DOE, Stanford unveil solar, wind battery (via Energy Manager Today)

Floating wind turbines with undersea energy storage (via EarthTechnling)

Geothermal saves $117 million per year for California and Nevada (via Greentech Media)

North Carolina notches a win against ALEC anti-renewables effort (via CleanTechnica)

Los Angeles launches largest municipal solar program in US (via Triple Pundit)

Community colleges help prepare students for a green job market (via Santa Fe New Mexican)

Massachusetts ski resort runs completely on solar and wind (via Sustainable Business)

COAL 

In Montana, ranchers line up against coal (via Los Angeles Times)

Bankrupt Patriot Coal asks court to slash union pensions (via Reuters)

FutureGen 2.0 gets clean environmental impact statement (via Jacksonville Journal Courier)

CLIMATE 

UN climate talks kick off in Bonn (via The Guardian)

China leading in climate change fight, argues Australian government report (via BusinessGreen)

Ocean surface temperatures off Northeast US coast highest in 150 years (via Bangor Daily News)

Major pan-European study conducted on ocean acidification (via Phys.org)

Wild weather swings may be a sign of climate change (via Climate Central)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EPA lowers estimates of methane leaks during natural gas production (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Ready (or not?) for a great coming Texas shale boom (via New York Times)

Ohio tries to avoid repeat of 2011 injection well quakes (via Midwest Energy News)

ENVIRONMENT 

Rapid transition of climate zones could speed extinction (via RTCC)

US to remove gray wolves from endangered list (via The Hill)

Empty nets in Louisiana three years after the BP oil spill (via CNN)

EPA deals blow to Alaska mine project (via The Hill)

New Mexico grapples with tough choices as drought persists (via Yahoo! News/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Bike-sharing programs now in 49 countries, 500 cities (via Sustainable Business)

Tesla to offer loaners to customers with cars in the shop (via GigaOm)

Chicago car charging station feud goes to court (via Chicago Tribune)

OIL 

One month after Exxon’s Arkansas oil spill, still no answers to basic questions (via InsideClimate News)

Oil rig worker ranks among worst jobs of 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Study: buyers of energy-efficient homes less likely to default (via Today Show)

NREL teams with US Navy to cut energy use (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY POLICY 

Europe bids to marry natural gas and renewable energy (via Recharge)

Colorado senate votes to strengthen state’s clean energy standard (via ClimateProgress)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese nuclear reactors may come back online soon (via United Press International)

Thinking small, nuclear power enters distributed era (via Navigant Research)

FBI investigating weekend shootout at Watts Bar nuclear power plant (via Knoxville News)

POLITICS 

Germany’s Greens lurch left in bid to beat Merkel (via Reuters)

Charlotte Mayor Foxx to be named US Transportation Secretary (via The Hill)

OPINION 

How can Congress boost renewable-energy requirements? (via National Journal)

Everybody chill out a little, carbon trading will be fine (via Grist)

Would a carbon tax boost clean energy? (via Christian Science Monitor)

People who believe in free markets more likely to reject climate science (via Sustainable Business)

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)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.4.13

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

EMISSIONS 

British Columbia set to announce five-year carbon tax freeze (via Vancouver Sun)

Two major air pollutants increase in Beijing (via New York Times)

Who’s really in charge on EPA rules? A chat with legal scholar Lisa Heinzerling (via Grist)

ENERGY POLICY 

EU re-launches CCS and renewable energy fund (via BusinessGreen)

What would a manufacturing renaissance do to US energy intensity? (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Overseas demand breathes new life into US coal industry (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

India’s demand for clean energy credits almost triples in March (via Panchabuta)

Australia competing with Germany on low solar PV prices (via CleanTechnica)

Japan to become largest solar market after China (via Bloomberg)

Suntech unit bankruptcy had roots in deadbeat customers (via Bloomberg)

Renewable energy stations that double as wildlife reserves (via EarthTechling)

BP wind sale highlights renewable energy struggles (via Houston Chronicle)

Top ten wind states all have electric rates below national average (via Facts of the Day)

Online solar marketplace is like an eBay for solar (via TreeHugger)

Exelon falls from green favor as chief fights wind aid (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Canada seen beating US in $150 billion Asia LNG race (via Bloomberg)

Natural gas revolution and its implications: LNG exports 101 (via Energy Collective)

Natural gas pipeline market failure looms (via AOL Energy)

Senate panel to scrutinize natural gas exports – again (via Houston Chronicle)

Ohio not part of nonbinding Northeast fracking pact (via Columbus Dispatch)

TRANSPORTATION 

China issues new EU-ETS aviation emissions warning (via Xinhua)

Tesla increases lease calculator costs; supercharging, “mystery” announcement soon (via Autoblog Green)

Gentlemen, start your calculators: checking the math of Tesla’s lend-lease program (via New York Times)

OIL 

China to surpass US as world’s top crude importer, OPEC says (via Bloomberg)

Norway’s oil future seen with ice-free Arctic’s barrels (via Bloomberg)

Feds: all companies should heed Shell’s Arctic drilling lessons (via Houston Chronicle)

Gulf oil spill settlement dispute becomes more contentious (via Houston Chronicle)

Geologist’s Alaska gamble could turn into America’s next big shale play (via EnergyWire)

Inland US oil refiners stung by renewable energy credits (via Reuters)

No-fly zone in place over Arkansas pipeline spill site (via Nasdaq)

CLIMATE 

Has the rate of sea level rise tripled since 2011? (via Climate Progress)

World Bank president says global warming threatens planet and poorest (via Washington Post)

Environmental policies matter for growing megacities, study finds (via Phys.org)

GRID 

Over 400 microgrid projects underway en route to $40 billion market (via CleanTechnica)

How diverse is your state’s electricity generation portfolio? (via Climate Progress)

Smart meters still under fire in DC, Maine (via Renew Grid)

Big data dives clarify California power markets (via AOL Energy)

KEYSTONE XL 

The Keystone XL pipeline and its politics, explained (via Washington Post)

Former White House spokesman: polls won’t drive Obama on Keystone (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Utility customers will spend $1.4 billion on building energy management systems by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

LED streetlights move from pilot projects to widespread use (via Midwest Energy News)

POLITICS 

Obama on climate change: “the politics of this are tough” (via The Hill) 

Poll: majority of Republicans believe global warming is a hoax (via The Hill)

Anti-Keystone billionaire rattles Democrats (via Politico)

Salazar to leave Interior Department with no regrets (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Why Africa is missing the solar power boat (via Renewable Energy World)

Slow and steady wins the solar race (via GigaOm)

“Social bankability” needed to expand off-grid clean energy (via Greentech Media)

Has Tesla made electric cars affordable? Not exactly (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.1.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

US energy intensity projected to continue steady decline through 2040 (via US EIA)

Bipartisan group says US energy policy “like an orchestra without a conductor” (via Midwest Energy News)

Green jobs survey dies as US readies sequestration cuts (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Global utility smart grid spending almost doubles in 2012 (via Renew Grid)

Industrial demand response peak load payments to hit $4.3 billion by 2019 (via Energy Manager Today)

44% of US broadband households willing to let utilities monitor appliances (via Renew Grid)

27 microgrid projects advance in Connecticut (via New Haven Register)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canadian government hopes US will do “right thing” on Keystone (via Houston Chronicle)

Canada minister doesn’t expect US to veto Keystone pipeline (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil said to be readying tax breaks for ethanol (via Bloomberg)

European offshore wind “faces €50 billion funding gap” (via Recharge)

India’s wind power generation-based incentive set to resume (via Recharge)

(more…)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.25.13

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

EMISSIONS 

German greenhouse gas emissions rise 1.6% in 2012 (via Reuters)

“Internet of things” promises nine billion tons of carbon savings (via BusinessGreen)

California’s second carbon permit auction beats expectations (via Reuters)

Seen as nature lovers’ paradise, Utah struggles with air quality (via New York Times)

OIL 

Gulf oil spill trial set to start with no settlement in sight (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil demand fell to 18-year low in January, API says (via Bloomberg)

US Coast Guard documented 16 deficiencies on Arctic drillship (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY POLICY 

China’s energy consumption rose 3.9% in 2012 (via Yahoo! News/IANS)

US quadruples pipeline tax break cost to $7 billion through 2016 (via Bloomberg)

The next big thing in energy: decentralization (via Grist)

Coastal governors unite in push for offshore revenue-sharing bill (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Deutsche sees “sustainable” global solar market in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Report: more than 100 gigawatts in the China wind pipeline (via Greentech Media)

Indian Gujarat state to have country’s first offshore wind farm (via Panchabuta)

Inside the US military’s clean-energy revolution (via Mother Jones)

The breezy option has become a serious power source (via Globe and Mail)

Big Solar looks to grow with precise cloud forecasts (via EarthTechling)

As economics shift, wind developers see the light on solar power (via Midwest Energy News)

Minnesota lawmakers propose statewide 10% solar renewable energy standard (via Renew Grid)

Five surprising facts about wind energy in Texas (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

Cape Wind: regulation, litigation, and the struggle to develop offshore wind in the US (via Huffington Post)

KEYSTONE XL-TAR SANDS 

Canadian officials make climate case in DC ahead of Keystone pipeline decision (via The Hill)

New study to examine health impact of Alberta oil sands (via Edmonton Journal)

Southern segment of Keystone XL is halfway finished (via AP/Houston Chronicle)

What will Obama’s “green quarterback” mean for Keystone XL? (via Canadian Press)

CLIMATE 

UN sustainable energy initiative could put world on path to climate targets (via Phys.org)

Hotter, wetter climate slashes labor capacity 10%, says study (via Reuters)

Hawaii to suffer most as global sea levels rise, study says (via NBC News)

Lifting a town to escape the next storm (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Gaps found in EPA drilling emissions reporting (via The Hill)

Fracking emissions get review after EPA watchdog report (via Bloomberg)

West Texas shale could dwarf Eagle Ford (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

Silicon Valley investors shifting to power grid after solar sours (via Bloomberg)

Germany unveils first North Sea offshore wind power network plan (via Bloomberg)

COAL 

Coal demand falls in the US, rises everywhere else (via MIT Technology Review)

As EPA delays new coal ash rules, residents turn to courts for relief (via Center for Public Integrity)

TRANSPORTATION 

Why have US gasoline prices risen since the start of 2013? (via US EIA)

Obama’s plan to fund clean cars with oil royalties faces tough test (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Japan moving forward on smart cities (via GreenBiz)

Downtown Pittsburgh to halve energy consumption by 2030 (via Good)

DC unveils sustainability plan (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Interior secretary nomination become embroiled in fight over Alaska refuge (via Washington Post)

Not-so-smart ALEC: how the lobbying group uses bad data to fight clean energy (via Grist)

OPINION 

What does the Keystone XL pipeline represent? (via National Journal)

How the US military repelled the GOP’s attack on biofuels (via Mother Jones)

Video: Wait until China acts on Climate. What? They are!? (via Mother Jones)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.22.13

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

CLIMATE 

1.5C temperature rise enough to start permafrost melt, scientists warn (via The Guardian)

Poll: one-third of US says action on climate “essential” this year (via The Hill)

Front-runner to lead EPA vows more action on climate change (via The Hill)

Top oil lobbyist: new climate bill will never reach Senate floor (via The Hill)

Inslee: Washington State must do something about climate change (via The Olympian)

PA DEP Secretary pressed on climate change stance (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

COAL 

2012 US coal exports reach record high (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Europe to get first EU-wide offshore oil and gas law (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Saudi Arabia backs local content in 7GW renewables drive (via Recharge)

Saudi Arabia invites companies to bid for colossal renewables contracts (via BusinessGreen)

70 percent of China’s new wind is in low-speed regions (via Greentech Media)

Global solar farm capacity doubles inside 12 months (via BusinessGreen)

Renewables still seeking a level playing field (via EarthTechling)

AWEA says utilities “flocking” to wind (via Recharge)

Are local weather patterns impacted by wind farms? (via EarthTechling)

Wet December may boost hydropower output in California this year (via US EIA)

VA governor signs repeal of renewable energy incentives (via Virginian-Pilot)

Cape Wind financing moves forward (via Cape Cod Times)

Nanocrystal “solar paint” could replace panels, be applied to any surface (via The Good Human)

Solar lantern shines a light on energy poverty (via Treehugger)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Most of Europe’s natural gas supplies still linked to oil prices (via Reuters)

Death on the gas field illustrates high risks of rush to drill (via EnergyWire)

Natural gas hinders Chesapeake’s gains (via Houston Chronicle)

Alaska state regulators consider new fracking rules (via Reuters)

In Illinois, environmentalists and industry compromise on fracking bill (via Midwest Energy News)

EMISSIONS 

China is getting a carbon tax, but how effective will it be? (via Washington Post)

EU carbon prices plunge after German permit auction fails second time (via Bloomberg) 

Study of California cap-and-trade system suggests refinements (via Phys.org)

Researchers develop solar process to covert CO2 to methanol (via Green Car Congress)

GRID 

Study says utilities handled Hurricane Sandy better than governments (via Renew Grid)

PPL investing nearly $1 billion to improve grid reliability (via Renew Grid)

TRANSPORTATION 

Global lithium-ion battery sales will jump sixfold by 2019 (via Autoblog Green)

Numbers don’t lie: plug-in sales ahead of early hybrid sales (via Autoblog Green)

MIT study: fuel economy standards 6-14 times less cost effective than fuel tax for reducing gasoline use (via Green Car Congress)

One of world’s most efficient vehicles unable to enter US (via New York Times)

Colorado renewables law increases environmental benefits of EVs (via Plugin Cars)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear power another casualty of the shale gas boom (via Washington Post)

Vogtle plant is progressing but nuclear revival is not (via Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Forget energy efficiency: these office buildings actually make power (via Good)

Software plots how much homeowners can save on energy retrofits (via Greentech Media)

DC announces plans to be America’s greenest city (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

GREEN BUSINESS 

How to get real green from your green certifications (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

US drought to spread in California, Florida, government forecasts (via Reuters)

USDA forecasts record US corn and soy crops, lower prices (via Reuters)

Time is running out to avert a third summer of drought (via Climate Central)

Unprecedented legal verdict will help millions of birds (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

BP spill pact excluded billions in possible loss claims (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

Senate Democrats prepare to defend Obama’s climate change rules (via National Journal)

EPA’s McCarthy mum on new job, says states to lead climate rules (via Reuters)

Interest groups gird for battle as they anticipate McCarthy pick (via Greenwire)

Latest polling finds strong support for clean energy, stricter carbon pollution standards (via Climate Progress)

LCV: 2012 House of Representatives most anti-environmental ever (via Huffington Post)

DOE Secretary Steven Chu to return to Stanford University (via Stanford Daily)

OPINION 

Dirty fossil fuel exports will come back to bite Australia (via The Guardian)

Supply, demand, and activism: what should the climate movement do next? (via Grist)

Keystone XL decision will define Obama’s climate change legacy (via The Guardian)

Five reasons why the Keystone XL pipeline is bad for the economy (via Resilience)

Court the Right: advice for Obama’s next DOE chief (via Bloomberg)