Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.11.14

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

GRID 

U.S. utility research group lays out plan for updated, integrated power grid (via ClimateWire)

DOE to provide funding for microgrid development (via Renew Grid)

With reliability a concern, universities looking to microgrids (via Midwest Energy News)

Grid-scale energy storage to reduce load in New York City (via Greentech Media)

Winter electricity price spikes put Clean Currents out of business (via Energy Collective)

EMISSIONS 

China’s Hubei plans province’s first carbon auction next month (via Reuters)

2013 carbon emissions drop in Northeast, rise in U.S. (via Sustainable Business)

California should set interim goal for cutting emissions, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

RENEWABLES 

2013 wind energy installations stall in U.S., surge in China (via CleanTechnica)

PV modules were a $30.5 billion market in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

Global demand for solar polysilicon to increase 25% this year (via Solar Industry Magazine)

U.S. files trade protest over India solar energy program (via Time/AP)

India vows to stand ground in new solar trade fight with U.S. (via National Journal)

Wind of change sweeps through Caribbean energy policy (via The Guardian)

Ikea: Massive energy goals producing business boom (via Energy Manager Today)

Canadian Solar estimates 75% rise in quarterly revenue (via Reuters)

U.S. renewable energy maintains growth in 2013 (via Renew Grid)

Solar third-party financing at $3.34 billion in 2013, key to U.S. solar boom (via Forbes)

EPA’s RFS cuts limit ethanol growth (via Navigant Research)

Reduced water supply forecast affects hydropower outlook in Pacific Northwest (via US EIA)

Five years later, Missouri still grappling with renewables law (via Midwest Energy News)

COAL 

Chinese coal companies’ debt concerns sink shares (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Warm enough for Summer Olympics in Sochi (via ABC News)

Higher temperatures put fish near Equator at risk (via The National)

Study sounds “El Nino Alarm” for late this year (via Climate Central)

Climatologist: When ocean warming ends, “global temperatures set to rise rapidly” (via Climate Progress)

“Most exceptional period of rainfall in 248 years” in U.K. is “consistent” with climate change (via Climate Progress)

Obama-Hollande meeting may boost larger climate goals (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Ambassador: Keystone rejection would “definitely strain” U.S.-Canadian relations (via National Journal)

Uproar over Keystone far outweighs pipeline’s potential effect, say analysts (via Houston Chronicle)

Greens see red on Keystone report conflicts (via Politico)

Company yet to stop leaks spilling tar sands in Alberta for nine months (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

China extends electric vehicle subsidies to fight air pollution (via Bloomberg)

Boeing seeks to certify jet fuel biodiesel around the world (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS 

How can a nation awash in natural gas have shortages, and what to do about it (via Forbes)

Can the Marcellus keep up its massive production? (via StateImpact Texas)

ENVIRONMENT 

Company responsible for West Virginia chemical spill skips Congressional hearing (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

White roofs could offset summer warming by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Beyond bulbs: Illinois raises the bar on energy efficiency (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

Freezing out the bigger picture on climate (New York Times)

The oil industry’s fight to kill renewable fuels – and why it may win (via InsideClimate News)

A climate change reality check (via World Resources Institute)

Senators and scientists play climate dating game (via National Journal)

Steyer’s secret weapon emerges as power in climate debate (via Greenwire)

Salazar: Keystone XL a “win-win” project (via The Hill)

Could corn ethanol finally fade away? (via Sustainable Business)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.11.14

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

GRID 

U.S. utility research group lays out plan for updated, integrated power grid (via ClimateWire)

DOE to provide funding for microgrid development (via Renew Grid)

With reliability a concern, universities looking to microgrids (via Midwest Energy News)

Grid-scale energy storage to reduce load in New York City (via Greentech Media)

Winter electricity price spikes put Clean Currents out of business (via Energy Collective)

EMISSIONS 

China’s Hubei plans province’s first carbon auction next month (via Reuters)

2013 carbon emissions drop in Northeast, rise in U.S. (via Sustainable Business)

California should set interim goal for cutting emissions, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

RENEWABLES 

2013 wind energy installations stall in U.S., surge in China (via CleanTechnica)

PV modules were a $30.5 billion market in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

Global demand for solar polysilicon to increase 25% this year (via Solar Industry Magazine)

U.S. files trade protest over India solar energy program (via Time/AP)

India vows to stand ground in new solar trade fight with U.S. (via National Journal)

Wind of change sweeps through Caribbean energy policy (via The Guardian)

Ikea: Massive energy goals producing business boom (via Energy Manager Today)

Canadian Solar estimates 75% rise in quarterly revenue (via Reuters)

U.S. renewable energy maintains growth in 2013 (via Renew Grid)

Solar third-party financing at $3.34 billion in 2013, key to U.S. solar boom (via Forbes)

EPA’s RFS cuts limit ethanol growth (via Navigant Research)

Reduced water supply forecast affects hydropower outlook in Pacific Northwest (via US EIA)

Five years later, Missouri still grappling with renewables law (via Midwest Energy News)

COAL 

Chinese coal companies’ debt concerns sink shares (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Warm enough for Summer Olympics in Sochi (via ABC News)

Higher temperatures put fish near Equator at risk (via The National)

Study sounds “El Nino Alarm” for late this year (via Climate Central)

Climatologist: When ocean warming ends, “global temperatures set to rise rapidly” (via Climate Progress)

“Most exceptional period of rainfall in 248 years” in U.K. is “consistent” with climate change (via Climate Progress)

Obama-Hollande meeting may boost larger climate goals (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Ambassador: Keystone rejection would “definitely strain” U.S.-Canadian relations (via National Journal)

Uproar over Keystone far outweighs pipeline’s potential effect, say analysts (via Houston Chronicle)

Greens see red on Keystone report conflicts (via Politico)

Company yet to stop leaks spilling tar sands in Alberta for nine months (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

China extends electric vehicle subsidies to fight air pollution (via Bloomberg)

Boeing seeks to certify jet fuel biodiesel around the world (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS 

How can a nation awash in natural gas have shortages, and what to do about it (via Forbes)

Can the Marcellus keep up its massive production? (via StateImpact Texas)

ENVIRONMENT 

Company responsible for West Virginia chemical spill skips Congressional hearing (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

White roofs could offset summer warming by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Beyond bulbs: Illinois raises the bar on energy efficiency (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

Freezing out the bigger picture on climate (New York Times)

The oil industry’s fight to kill renewable fuels – and why it may win (via InsideClimate News)

A climate change reality check (via World Resources Institute)

Senators and scientists play climate dating game (via National Journal)

Steyer’s secret weapon emerges as power in climate debate (via Greenwire)

Salazar: Keystone XL a “win-win” project (via The Hill)

Could corn ethanol finally fade away? (via Sustainable Business)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.31.14

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone XL review “to say pipeline will not appreciably increase emissions” (via The Guardian)

Oil sands opponents file challenge against European Commission (via Reuters)

Canada regulator approves Enbridge’s Alberta oil pipeline plan (via Reuters)

Obama Administration prepared to show cards on Keystone (via National Journal)

Keystone foes say two pipelines are worse than one (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

10 cities making massive emissions cuts through energy efficiency (via CleanTechnica)

Northeast, Mid-Atlantic invested $2.5 billion in energy efficiency during 2013 (via Energy Manager Today)

The ultimate guide to efficient light bulbs (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

China installed record amounts of solar in 2013 – but coal is still winning (via Washington Post)

MoU signed for enormous 4,000MW solar project in India (via CleanTechnica)

Goldman Sachs sees “transformational moment” in renewables investment (via Renew Economy)

U.S. installed 1.08GW wind in 2013 (via Recharge)

Wind power supporters push Congress to revive expired tax credit (via Washington Post)

Renewable energy finance outlook for 2014: Where will the cash flow? (via Renewable Energy World)

Study finds carbon intensity of corn ethanol to be 43-60% lower than oil by 2022 (via Green Car Congress)

Biodiesel boom continues with eight straight months above 100 million gallons (via Facts of the Day)

Texas tops nation in new wind power construction (via Houston Chronicle)

Rooftop solar and net metering win big in Colorado (via Greentech Media)

Why New Jersey’s solar market just got hot again (via Renewable Energy World)

Eagle permits: A way forward for wind or a license to kill? (via Midwest Energy News)

EMISSIONS 

South Korea confirms 30% carbon reduction target by 2020 (via RTCC)

China unhappy with “carbon budget” reference in IPCC review (via RTCC)

EU panel votes to limit concessions on airline carbon curbs (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

New US generation capacity falls 54% in 2013 as new wind plunges (via Facts of the Day)

Energy Secretary: ability to transport U.S. oil, gas lags booming output (via Reuters)

White House taps Norman Bay to head FERC (via Politico)

EPA prepares hundreds of regional buyouts in sweeping workforce overhaul (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Lima talks should deliver first draft of 2015 UN climate deal, says Peru minister (via The Guardian)

Obama’s agenda: EPA leading the charge on climate change (via Politico)

EPA chief: Climate change regulation “done deal” despite Supreme Court review (via National Journal)

Green groups: Obama not doing enough on climate (via AP)

Business groups form multi-million dollar campaign to fight Obama climate plan (via Washington Post)

Bloomberg tapped to be UN cities, climate change envoy (via Reuters)

OIL 

White House willing to explore “policy options” on crude oil exports (via National Journal)

OPEC oil output rises in January from 2 ½-year low (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

White House releases plan to make Arctic shipping safer (via Reuters)

House Democrats demand better fuel efficiency from USPS vehicles (via The Hill)

Which state has the highest percentage of EVs? No, not California (via Green Car Reports)

ENVIRONMENT 

Its great lake shriveled, Iran confronts water supply crisis (via New York Times)

California may have hit its driest point in 500 years, and the effects are frightening (via Huffington Post)

For California, more wildfires mean more pollution and long-lasting health problems (via ClimateWire)

California snowpack hits record low (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID 

Return on investment from smart grid deployment is top priority for public power utilities (via Renew Grid)

OPINION 

The extraordinary climate and environmental legacy of Henry Waxman (via Climate Progress)

Supporters, opponents of Waxman’s climate agenda lament retirement (via SNL Energy)

Enlightened power: New eco warriors are really well armed (via Bloomberg)

Extreme weather is a reality – the insurance industry must adapt (via The Guardian)

Two things to know about Indonesia’s forest moratorium (via World Resources Institute)

Four insights on unlocking finance for clean energy access in Africa (via World Resources Institute)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.31.13

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

ENVIRONMENT 

China says 8 million acres of farmland now too polluted for food (via Climate Progress)

Losses from Yosemite wildfire could reach $2 billion (via ABC News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Natural gas is trying, but it just can’t kill coal (via Motley Fool)

Study says majority of Americans don’t understand fracking (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Earth’s carbon dioxide levels now 61% higher than 1990 (via RTCC)

DOE stands by “social cost of carbon” (via The Hill)

New York City’s greenhouse gas emissions drop 19% since 2005 (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

All new Australian power plants will be renewable through 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

How wind is helping deliver record-cheap solar (via EarthTechling)

EIA: US biodiesel production hits high in October (via Green Car Congress)

Shipping container with rollable PV panels inside could become instant 100kW solar plant (via TreeHugger)

CLIMATE 

96% of nightly news segments on extreme weather don’t mention climate change (via EcoAffect)

GRID 

Massachusetts makes smart grid mandatory (via Greentech Media)

California’s risky path to grid reform (via Navigant Research)

OIL 

North Dakota community evacuated after oil train collision and fire (via Los Angeles Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Number of US public charging stations climbed 30% this year (via Autoblog Green)

California ISO rolls out roadmap on vehicle-grid integration (via Renew Grid)

TAR SANDS 

Scientists find 7,300-mile mercury contamination “bullseye” around Canadian tar sands (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.27.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Worries in the path of China’s air (via New York Times)

Rethinking how to split the costs of carbon (via New York Times)

Bill McKibben’s graph of the year: We’re extracting more fossil fuels than ever (via Washington Post)

Appellate court to hear arguments on Christie’s removal of NJ from RGGI (via Bergen Record)

TAR SANDS 

Alberta’s tar sands will now be regulated by fossil fuel-funded group (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

Scotland hits 100MW solar PV milestone (via Recharge)

The $100 million green bond from Hannon Armstrong (via Greentech Media)

US solar panel manufacturers get a gift from US military (via Public Radio International)

Is the Interior Department’s eagle plan good for the birds? (via Greenwire)

How one Austin church could lead to more urban solar power (via StateImpact Texas)

Shady critics attack Cape Wind effort (via Providence Journal)

OIL 

2013 US oil boom is biggest-ever one-year increase (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

American utilities face perfect storm (via Energy Manager Today)

Utilities feeling rooftop solar heat start fighting back (via Bloomberg)

California ISO, CPUC will jointly plan for a clean energy grid (via Renew Grid)

CLIMATE 

German researchers calculate how climate change affects water scarcity and hunger (via Deutsche Welle)

FEMA knew flood maps left NYC unprepared for Sandy (via Climate Central)

GREEN BUILDING 

Green infrastructure investments increase commercial property value (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

Heliotrope: The world’s first energy positive solar home (via Inhabitat)

TRANSPORTATION 

New gas tax can help pay for roads and transportation (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.11.13

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

COP 19 CONFERENCE 

Mood of “realism” about future deal at climate talks (via BBC News)

Loss and Damage: Elements for successful negotiations at COP 19 (via World Resources Institute)

UN talks seek modest climate for 2015, to raise aid (via Reuters)

Report: Funding drought threatens 2015 UN climate agreement (via RTCC)

ENERGY POLICY 

New German government would put moratorium on fracking, cut wind support (via Reuters)

EU may challenge German green subsidy (via Energy Manager Today)

RENEWABLES 

Annual worldwide solar PV installations will double by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

European solar PV demand set to rebound in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Record-breaking wind integration in Denmark (via Greentech Media)

UK confirms plans for 39GW of offshore wind by 2030 (via Renewable Energy World)

Japan starts up offshore wind farm in shadow of Fukushima (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

UK offshore wind capacity rises 80% in one year (via Renewable Energy World)

Up to 21GW of small CSP could be integrated into US fossil plants (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Solar power begins to shine as environmental benefits pay off (via New York Times)

Midwest states grapple with value of homegrown solar electricity (via St. Paul Pioneer-Press)

Wind energy blows Michigan toward 30% renewables by 2030 (via CleanTechnica)

Solar company wins converts by going door-to-door (via Reuters)

Xcel, advocates at odds over Minnesota solar garden rules (via Midwest Energy News)

Iowa State study says ethanol mandate cut would have minor impact on corn price (via Green Car Congress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

International shale plays likely to face water shortfalls (via Houston Chronicle)

What’s fueling fights over fracking? (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

China and US, two largest emitters, join in carbon reductions (via China Daily)

US and Norway bolster ties on CCS (via BusinessGreen)

Tony Abbott attempts to shift focus to carbon tax as new parliament opens (via The Guardian)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Alberta premier making Keystone pipeline push (via The Hill)

Enbridge files plan for $2.6 billion North Dakota to Wisconsin pipeline (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Rising sea levels, falling real estate values (via Miami Herald)

South Florida faces ominous prospects from rising waters (via New York Times)

Study says Montreal Protocol ozone treaty slowed global warming (via Climate Central)

Latin America is already preparing for climate change adaptation (via Energy Collective)

ENVIRONMENT 

600,000 bats killed at wind energy facilities in 2012 (via Los Angeles Times)

Health effects of a nuclear test can last decades (via Washington Post)

Plastic bottle recycling up 6.2% in 2012 (via Environmental Leader)

GRID 

Europe seeks new smart grid boost as momentum slows (via Navigant Research)

Western energy imbalance market gets approval from CaISO board (via Renew Grid)

CaISO changes rules to enable solar and wind project downsizing with less risk (via Solar Industry Magazine)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Where do US states rank in terms of energy efficiency? (via Renew Grid)

Title 24 launches California toward net zero buildings (via Triple Pundit)

TRANSPORTATION 

Gas prices could fall below $3/gallon before year’s end (via Autoblog)

Mitsubishi to offer 20% plug-in cars by 2020 (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla Model S fires lead to investor lawsuit (via San Francisco Chronicle)

A hard week on Wall Street for Tesla (via GigaOm)

POLITICS 

Obama grasps for climate legacy as second-term agenda crumbles (via The Hill)

White House names new climate and energy chief to replace Zichal (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Why hasn’t cellulosic ethanol taken over like it was supposed to? (via Washington Post)

New climate realism (via The Hill)

Top 10 things you didn’t know about ARPA-E (via Energy.gov)

Everything you need to know about “super-typhoons” (via Washington Post)

US ethanol expansion limited by blend wall, says Vilsack (via Reuters)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.4.13

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

EMISSIONS 

PwC: World set to blow carbon budget by 2034 (via BusinessGreen)

Alberta PM seeking “quid pro quo” from US on carbon tax (via Edmonton Journal)

Power plants try burning wood with coal to cut emissions (via New York Times)

The financial case for fossil fuel divestment by endowment fiduciaries (via Huffington Post)

ENERGY TAX POLICY 

IEA says feed-in tariffs not a subsidy but tax credits are (via Renew Economy)

US will begin publishing fossil fuel subsidy totals (via The Hill)

Wind tax credit could take a big hit in next tax battle (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil plans new wind-only tender (via Recharge)

Japan many offer higher feed-in tariff for offshore wind projects (via Recharge)

Renewables “need huge mineral supply” (via Climate News Network)

Efficient turbine spacing boosts offshore wind farm output 33% (via CleanTechnica)

Attacks on clean energy failed across the country: Report (via Huffington Post)

Utilities across the US cashing in on lower price of wind power (via Renew Grid)

4 states lead US in Freeing the Grid for distributed solar energy (via CleanTechnica)

US wind power slumps in 2013 after tax credit drives 2012 boom (via Bloomberg)

Xcel sets 60% wind energy record in Colorado (via CleanTechnica)

$600 average annual savings for middle-class families who lease solar (via CleanTechnica)

Calvert launches green bond fund for retail investors (via Sustainable Business)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking boom leading to fracking bust, say scientists (via Climate Central)

US shale boom to boost LPG exports, bring down prices (via Reuters)

Fracking’s “Red Queen” effect means even more drilling (via TriplePundit)

Coast Guard plan would let “frackwater” travel rivers on barges (via Pittsburgh Times-Tribune)

CLIMATE 

Warming report sees violent, sicker, poorer future (via AP)

Oceans warming faster than they have over past 10,000 years (via Time)

Kyoto veterans say global warming goal slipping away (via Bloomberg)

Hottest September on record, warmest Arctic in 120,000 years (via Climate Progress)

One potential problem with geoengineering: Less rain (via MIT Technology Review)

Columbia Law report encourages “managed coastal retreat” over fortification (via ClimateWire)

Obama signs order in response to weather disasters and climate change (via Washington Post)

Army Corps: Climate change threatens Naval Station Norfolk (via Washington Post/AP)

OIL 

Lightning strike may have caused North Dakota pipeline spill (via Huffington Post/AP)

North Dakota oil boom brings worry to Theodore Roosevelt National Park (via Los Angeles Times)

More mineral owners seek to join North Dakota gas flaring lawsuits (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf move combined 4,024 units in October (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

Post-Sandy, US pushes microgrids for backup power (via USA Today)

New FERC rule improving outlook for energy storage (via Midwest Energy News)

Plugging interoperability into the nation’s electric grid (via GigaOm)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Smart thermostat market will grow tenfold by 2020 (via Greentech Media)

Green buildings: A matter of health, not just energy (via EarthTechling)

ENVIRONMENT 

World’s soil moisture could decrease 15% by 2099 (via RTCC)

Bolivia, Madagascar, China see jump in forest loss (via Mongabay)

China’s clean air effort likely to take a long time (via New York Times)

In Rim Fire’s aftermath, a new worry emerges: water (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

In Britain, era of “green conservative” withers (via Washington Post)

GOP deeply divided over climate change (via Pew Research)

OPINION 

Global emissions grew more slowly in 2012, but will they ever decline? (via Washington Post)

What happens when the world dries out (via Climate Central)

Obama asks federal agencies to “prepare” for climate change – here’s what that means (via Washington Post)

Can coal states and the EPA just get along? (via National Journal)

Arizona Public Service should come clean on solar (via Environmental Leader)

China’s great dam boom: An assault on its river systems (via Yale e360)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.1.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China, emerging economies “account for 48% of carbon emissions” (via The Guardian/Reuters)

Smaller rise in global CO2 emissions may be sign of permanent slowing (via Yale e360)

Labor party to challenge Australian carbon tax repeal (via Financial Review)

Netherlands town becomes first in Europe to vow fossil fuel divestment (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Russia, Ukraine halt giant Antarctic marine sanctuary plan (via Reuters)

Interior Secretary Jewell lays out US conservation strategy (via Washington Post)

Officials search for plan as California reservoirs drop below half capacity (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

Wind turbine placement study yields staggering results (via EarthTechling)

Two US senators propose national renewable electricity standard (via Renew Grid)

Ethanol, oil groups blitz White House as biofuel rule nears (via Reuters)

More than 160 House members ask EPA to relax renewable fuel mandate (via Houston Chronicle)

Solar goes big: Launching the California Valley Solar Ranch (via Energy.gov)

How a speedy ship could cut the cost of offshore wind power (via BusinessGreen)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Mexico unlikely to tap its Eagle Ford Shale, expert says (via Houston Chronicle)

Marcellus Shale fracking wells use 5 million gallons of water apiece (via Grist)

Kentucky, where fracking is a curse (via National Journal)

Fracking faces judgment day Tuesday in four Colorado ballot initiatives (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Climate change impacts to poor countries go far beyond money – report (via ClimateWire)

Pacific Ocean now warming 15x faster than in past 10,000 years (via Washington Post)

White House will focus on climate shifts while trying to cut emissions (via New York Times)

COAL 

Poland, wedded to coal, spurns Europe on clean energy targets (via New York Times)

Coal country’s decline has a long history (via National Journal)

NUCLEAR 

DOE Secretary Moniz offers Japan aid with Fukushima cleanup (via ABC News/AP)

OIL 

German spy agency says US shale will depress oil prices for decades (via Reuters)

North Dakota lawmakers want to make all oil spills public (via Climate Progress)

Montana, US to seek damages from 2011 Exxon Mobil spill (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla wins victory in Virginia, gets go-ahead to open store (via CleanTechnica)

Brookings: Cash for Clunkers was a lemon (via Politico)

TAR SANDS 

Shell joins energy rush, green lights new Alberta oil sands project (via Globe and Mail)

POLITICS 

Climate activists outspending big coal in crucial Washington State election (via Climate Progress)

Australia’s Labor Party signals carbon standoff by demanding emissions trading (via The Guardian)

OPINION 

Carbon emissions tied to stock valuations? (via BusinessGreen)

Almost anything would have been better stimulus than “Cash for Clunkers” (via Washington Post)

How much did the feds really help with fracking? (via Forbes)

What’s been going on with the US smart grid investment grant program (via Renew Grid)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.29.13

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

CLIMATE 

EU environment ministers call for “ambitious” 2030 climate goals (via The Guardian)

North American West Coast governments sign climate change pact (via CleanTechnica)

Bipartisan Congressional duo launch attack on EPA climate rules (via The Hill)

A year after Sandy, living dangerously by the sea (via Time)

COAL 

China’s largest city Shanghai to ban coal by 2017 (via Mongabay)

The county council election that could make or break big coal (via Mother Jones)

Top 5 coal producing states – TX, OH, PA, IN, IL – will decide coal’s future (via Facts of the Day)

Consol to sell 5 West Virginia mines as coal regulations increase (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

20GW distributed solar by 2015 is new target for China (via CleanTechnica)

Germany hits 59% renewable peak, grid does not explode (via Greentech Media)

Startups compete to defeat the “soft costs” of solar power (via Business Green)

US homeowners want solar, find two new reports (via Renewable Energy World)

AAA applauds potential renewable fuel scale back (via National Journal)

Wind in Texas produces more electricity than natural gas does in 40 states (via Facts of the Day)

Energy innovation in the states: From energy storage to offshore wind (via Energy Collective)

NFL’s 49ers, Rams go solar (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

Trains gain steam in race to transport crude oil in the US (via NPR)

Millions of Americans live within one mile of oil or gas wells (via InsideClimate News/Wall Street Journal)

State Department to determine how much oil would ship by rail in absence of Keystone XL (via National Journal)

California fracking study may take 18 months, Brown says (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

China adapts its electric vehicle plans to challenging realities (via Plugin Cars)

Tesla Superchargers now allow San Diego-to-Vancouver EV trips (via Green Car Reports)

How EVs could drive changes in power grid management (via Forbes)

Coca-Cola reveals plans for electric and hybrid distribution fleet (via RTCC)

TAR SANDS 

People who live downwind of Alberta’s tar sands operations are getting blood cancer (via Climate Progress)

EMISSIONS 

China to monitor air pollution effects in cities (via Bloomberg)

Decarbonization target narrowly defeated in UK House of Lords vote (via Business Green)

Japan to set 3.8% emissions reduction by 2020 goal (via RTCC)

Voters in 2014 swing states favor EPA carbon rules (via The Hill)

New battle in “War on Coal” with bill to block power plant rules (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Fossil fuels divestment campaign is gathering momentum (via The Guardian)

Uncertainty and investment: The real danger to the coal industry (via Energy Collective)

States will need coordination, creativity to meet EV goals (via C2ES)

Weatherization helps millions of families save energy and money (via Energy.gov)

Deadbeat states on electric car policy (via Plugin Cars)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.15.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Germany blocks EU car emissions law (via The Guardian)

Tony Abbott insists Australia’s carbon tax will end on July 1 even if Senate blocks repeal (via The Guardian)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking comes to Saudi Arabia despite limited water resources (via Raw Story/AFP)

China will raise on-grid prices for gas-fired power generation (via Reuters)

Shell CEO says shale gas will take longer to develop than expected (via Reuters)

Combining distributed gas and solar in the US heartland (via Greentech Media)

Drilling water wells to foil fracking (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

RENEWABLES 

IEA projects renewable energy to surpass natural gas in 2015 (via Sustainable Business)

Global hydropower investment to top $75 billion through 2020 (via BusinessGreen)

World Bank support for China solar and wind power may have cost US jobs (via Washington Post)

Chile doubles renewable energy goal to 20% to spark new projects (via Bloomberg)

German green power surcharge to rise 18% in 2014 (via Reuters)

Solar and wind produced up to 60% of Germany’s electricity on October 3rd (via CleanTechnica)

1.8GW of new solar for Japan in Q2 (via CleanTechnica)

Solar vs. wind in Brazil’s power tender (via Recharge)

Putting robots to work in solar energy (via New York Times)

TAR SANDS 

Mercury levels rising near Alberta oil sands, study finds (via Globe and Mail)

CLIMATE 

Climate change making North American forests more vulnerable (via Washington Post)

Foliage season under fire from climate change (via Climate Central)

LA Times refuses to publish climate denial, will other newspapers? (via CleanTechnica)

Another dry year could be bad news for California (via Los Angeles Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

For EV makers, selling cars is just the start (via Navigant Research)

From RINs to supply to demand to seasonality, why gasoline is heading lower (via Houston Chronicle)

OIL 

Report: US oil growth having limited effect on energy security (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

Smart city market to hit $6.1 billion by 2020 (via Energy Manager Today)

10 reasons microgrids matter to corporate sustainability (via GreenBiz)

OPINION 

Clean energy not to blame for rising California energy costs (via EarthTechling)

Four key reasons why coal’s 2013 rebound will end and its decline resume (via Facts of the Day)

Renewable Fuel Standard: Are we nearing a compromise on ethanol? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Why residents of disaster-prone areas don’t move (via The Atlantic)

Renewable fuel standard needs to be modified, not repealed (via Phys.org)