Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.23.13

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

EMISSIONS 

French carbon tax to raise €4 billion for green energy by 2016 (via Reuters)

Norway cancels carbon capture plan it likened to “Moon landing” (via Reuters)

Everything you need to know about the EPA’s carbon limits for new power plants (via Washington Post)

Emissions regulations are central battle in Obama climate agenda (via The Hill)

Feds promise to work with businesses on meeting emissions goals (via The Hill)

COAL 

EPA claims new power plan emission regulations offer coal lifeline (via InsideClimate News)

A changing market and dim future for coal in Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

RENEWABLES 

SEIA offers peace plan to avert US-China solar trade war (via Bloomberg)

India to build world’s largest power plant in Rajasthan (via India Economic Times)

Report: Old business models holding back clean energy shift (via Midwest Energy News)

Wind energy: Bigger isn't always better (via Breaking Energy)

Wicked green: Massachusetts clean economy grows 11.8% to 80,000 jobs (via CleanTechnica)

Renewables provide a growing share of California’s electricity (via US EIA)

New Jersey offshore wind proposal still seeks answers (via Renewable Energy World)

Michigan can triple its renewable energy production by 2035, finds report (via Detroit Free Press)

Lake Erie wind turbines viable (via Plain Dealer)

CLIMATE 

IPCC issues stark warning over global warming (via The Guardian/The Observer)

Global warming “hiatus” puts climate change scientists on the spot (via Los Angeles Times)

Big business funds effort to discredit climate science, warns UN official (via The Guardian)

Arctic alpine plants may survive in “micro refuges” as temperatures rise (via The Guardian)

Arctic on course for ice-free summer “within decades”, scientists say (via The Guardian)

Hunger to worsen as climate change heats up world (via Bloomberg)

Study says children will bear brunt of climate change impact (via The Guardian)

OIL 

Not business as usual: China’s oil majors are no longer invincible (via Houston Chronicle)

Federal standards needed for safe Arctic drilling, Pew says (via Houston Chronicle)

Eagle Ford’s future might lie in Mexico’s oil demand (via Houston Chronicle)

California law to regulate fracking signed by governor (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

China to raise prices for clean fuel to boost production (via Reuters)

US gasoline prices fall 6.4 cents as crude declines (via Reuters)

Green parking: Not just a concept anymore (via New York Times)

Tesla’s feat of (financial) engineering (via Washington Post)

NUCLEAR 

France to tax nuclear output to fund shift to renewables (via Bloomberg)

US DOE invests $60 million in nuclear technology research and training (via Green Car Reports)

GRID 

Vehicle-to-grid charging coming of age (via EarthTechling)

Top 9 things you didn’t know about America’s power grid (via Energy.gov)

KEYSTONE XL 

Hundreds of events “Draw the Line” against Keystone XL and tar sands (via Huffington Post)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Why are some airlines better at saving fuel than others? (via Washington Post)

Siemens installing energy saving measures for US Coast Guard (via Energy Manager Today)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Money flowing to build pipelines (via Houston Chronicle)

Sites sought for Marcellus Shale region’s fracking residue (via Columbus Dispatch)

POLITICS 

Merkel romps to victory but faces tough coalition choices (via Reuters)

Republicans pounce on Obama’s global warming regulations for political fodder (via National Journal)

White House “War on Coal” no slam dunk for GOP in 2014 (via Politico)

White House: No retreat on troubled FERC nominee Binz (via The Hill)

OPINION 

What climate scientists should talk about: Their personal stories (via The Guardian)

Beleaguered CEOs say they can’t save the planet by themselves (via Bloomberg)

A reality check on offshore wind in Virginia (via Washington Post)

How big an impact will EVs have on the grid and your wallet? (via Greentech Media)

Will offshore wind finally take off on US East Coast? (via Yale e360)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.19.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Obama looks to fill fall scorecard with regulations, going small-bore (via The Hill)

German industry group seeks green energy overhaul after election (via Reuters)

COAL 

Three times more people working in green jobs than coal (via BusinessGreen)

On cost, new clean energy is beating coal (via EarthTechling)

Wyoming coal sale canceled by US on bid at 15-year low (via Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS 

China faces tough fight against air pollution (via Xinhua)

Business groups, GOP attack social cost of carbon on multiple fronts (via The Hill)

California clears way for use of offsets in carbon market (via Sacramento Bee)

RENEWABLES 

2.8GW solar PV capacity expected to be added in India in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Study flags UK’s offshore green jobs surge (via Recharge)

5 market innovations revolutionizing solar in the developing world (via Sustainable Industries)

Cost of US solar power 60% lower than in early 2011 (via CleanTechnica)

US charges 6 people, 3 firms with $100 million biofuels fraud (via Reuters)

Ten myths about geothermal heating and cooling (via National Geographic)

Google goes greener with 240MW wind power purchase (via Houston Chronicle)

New Era Wind will no longer pursue Goodhue wind farm in Minnesota (via Minnesota Public Radio)

Big solar comes to Utah with 300MW project (via SustainableBusiness)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s Abe orders surviving Fukushima reactors scrapped (via Reuters)

DOE still seeks beneficiary for small modular reactor funding (via Aiken Standard)

CLIMATE 

Delaying climate action will triple costs (via Grist)

Study identifies 10 regions to target climate adaptation funding (via RTCC)

Global temperature trends and the IPCC (via Energy Collective)

Nation-to-nation peer pressure may be best hope for global climate deal (via NBC News)

Poland partners with coal and oil corporate sponsors for COP19 climate conference (via DeSmog Blog)

Obama climate change plan gets first airing in front of House skeptics (via The Guardian)

17 states accuse EPA of exceeding its authority with climate change plan (via The Hill)

Most US companies ignoring SEC rule to disclose climate risks (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Ranking reveals top US cities on energy efficiency (via USA Today)

A quest to prove the business case for installing big batteries at buildings (via GigaOm)

GM’s LEED Gold data center slashes electric bill by 70% (via EarthTechling)

Chicago passes energy benchmarking rules (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

The $1.5 trillion oil find in the Gulf of Mexico (via Christian Science Monitor)

Eagle Ford oil expected to surpass 1 million barrels per day (via Houston Chronicle)

One downside to more oil drilling? Wasted gas (via StateImpact Texas)

China finds resistance to oil deals in Africa (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

DOE advanced vehicle loan portfolio remains strong (via EarthTechling)

Ford adding 200 charging stations in next 15 months (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT 

Environmental groups set for new fight over drilling on US-managed Utah land (via New York Times)

POLITICS 

Obama energy officials defend climate plan to Republicans (via Bloomberg)

Democrat Manchin’s opposition imperils Obama FERC nominee (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Time for Angela Merkel to fill the climate leadership vacuum? (via RTCC)

Carbon pricing levels playing field, reduces energy use (via Energy Manager Today)

Fracking may not be as bad for the climate as we thought (via Washington Post)

Clearing up a few myths about Brazilian biofuels trade (via Energy Collective)

Whether approved or not, Keystone XL has been a victory for lobbyists (via DeSmog Blog)

Naomi Klein “waging ideological war” instead of tacking climate change (via The Guardian)

What’s the climate change context behind Colorado’s floods? (via ClimateWire)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.28.13

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

NUCLEAR 

Japan: Nuclear plant operator found leak too slowly (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Vermont Yankee plant to close next year as nuclear industry retrenches (via New York Times)

EMISSIONS 

UN says early action needed to curb rise in aviation emissions (via Reuters Point Carbon)

China’s emissions could peak by 2023 with introduction of ETS (via RTCC)

EU states to start CO2 market fix talks after German election (via Reuters Point Carbon)

California cap and trade comes to a crossroads as carbon prices fall (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

EU says China guilty of giving illegal aid to solar industry (via Reuters)

India may beat US in wind capacity installations for first time (via Bloomberg)

Central America to see $320 million clean energy boost (via EarthTechling)

India’s Gujarat waives renewable targets for utilities (via Bloomberg)

Germany adds 1.14 GW of wind in H1 2013 (via Recharge)

US DOE loan program financed $16 billion in renewables and more coming (via Renewable Energy World)

US Army set for $7 billion solar spree (via Recharge)

297,000 US homes solar net metered in 2012, including 1% of California and 5% of Hawaii (via Facts of the Day)

Americans want more wind, less costs (via Houston Chronicle)

NREL study says wind turbines don’t hurt home values (via Los Angeles Times)

Construction begins on massive Nevada solar plant that will power 80,000 homes (via Climate Progress)

In Nebraska, farmers hope to take control of wind production (via Midwest Energy News)

A tale of two solar cities: Two California communities vie for “Solar Capital of US” (via RMI Outlet)

ENERGY POLICY 

Ballooning costs threaten Merkel’s bold energy overhaul (via Reuters)

Filling in some blanks to Obama’s “All of the Above” energy policy (via Climate Central)

Energy Department lands new coal, oil-and-gas officials (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Leaked UN report says oceans storing Earth’s excess heat (via Bloomberg)

The ocean is going to start confusing fish and dissolving seashells (via Climate Progress)

Drought and heat waves costing federal government billions in crop insurance payouts (via Climate Progress)

Climate change washes away partisanship for South Carolina tourism (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

Chinese coal price war to dampen coal imports (via Reuters)

New coal plants may kill 16,000 in China’s Guandong region (via Bloomberg)

Federal judge says regulators don’t have to consider overall health impacts of coal mines (via Lexington Herald Leader)

GRID 

The inside story of the world’s biggest “battery” and the future of renewables (via Climate Progress)

Compressed air energy storage to grow dramatically over the next decade (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

Crude oil prices reach 18-month high (via Washington Post)

Western Gulf offshore drilling lease sale draws tepid interest (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil industry groups seek RFS mandate waiver (via Breaking Energy)

North Dakota saves for the future with today’s oil riches (via Stateline)

Study says oil extraction linked to earthquakes in South Texas (via Wall Street Journal)

Acidizing for oil could rival fracking in California’s Monterey Shale (via San Francisco Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Americans won’t buy EVs until they are a lot cheaper (via EarthTechling)

Nissan Leaf sales ready to expand beyond early adopter markets in US (via Autoblog Green)

Free EV charging courtesy of ads on chargers (via EarthTechling)

KEYSTONE XL 

Will the Keystone XL decision be based on incorrect assumptions? (via Energy Collective)

Former Romney advisor Hamm: Keystone isn’t needed for US oil (via The Hill)

GREEN BUSINESS 

EPA launches online green sports resource directory (via Environmental Leader)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

DEP attempted to suppress controversial study that criticized shale gas (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

ENVIRONMENT 

Rim fire spreads deeper into Yosemite (via Los Angeles Time)

Ogallala Aquifer: Could critical water source run dry? (via Christian Science Monitor)

POLITICS 

GOP targets Alaska’s Mark Beigich over carbon tax (via Politico)

Sen. Coburn: I am a global warming denier (via The Hill)

OPINION 

I have a (climate) dream (via Climate Progress)

How to convince Wall Street to invest in energy efficiency (via The Guardian)

Carbon targets, carbon taxes, and the search for Archimedes’ lever (via Grist)

Is Keystone still needed to transport US oil? (via National Journal)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.28.13

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

NUCLEAR 

Japan: Nuclear plant operator found leak too slowly (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Vermont Yankee plant to close next year as nuclear industry retrenches (via New York Times)

EMISSIONS 

UN says early action needed to curb rise in aviation emissions (via Reuters Point Carbon)

China’s emissions could peak by 2023 with introduction of ETS (via RTCC)

EU states to start CO2 market fix talks after German election (via Reuters Point Carbon)

California cap and trade comes to a crossroads as carbon prices fall (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

EU says China guilty of giving illegal aid to solar industry (via Reuters)

India may beat US in wind capacity installations for first time (via Bloomberg)

Central America to see $320 million clean energy boost (via EarthTechling)

India’s Gujarat waives renewable targets for utilities (via Bloomberg)

Germany adds 1.14 GW of wind in H1 2013 (via Recharge)

US DOE loan program financed $16 billion in renewables and more coming (via Renewable Energy World)

US Army set for $7 billion solar spree (via Recharge)

297,000 US homes solar net metered in 2012, including 1% of California and 5% of Hawaii (via Facts of the Day)

Americans want more wind, less costs (via Houston Chronicle)

NREL study says wind turbines don’t hurt home values (via Los Angeles Times)

Construction begins on massive Nevada solar plant that will power 80,000 homes (via Climate Progress)

In Nebraska, farmers hope to take control of wind production (via Midwest Energy News)

A tale of two solar cities: Two California communities vie for “Solar Capital of US” (via RMI Outlet)

ENERGY POLICY 

Ballooning costs threaten Merkel’s bold energy overhaul (via Reuters)

Filling in some blanks to Obama’s “All of the Above” energy policy (via Climate Central)

Energy Department lands new coal, oil-and-gas officials (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Leaked UN report says oceans storing Earth’s excess heat (via Bloomberg)

The ocean is going to start confusing fish and dissolving seashells (via Climate Progress)

Drought and heat waves costing federal government billions in crop insurance payouts (via Climate Progress)

Climate change washes away partisanship for South Carolina tourism (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

Chinese coal price war to dampen coal imports (via Reuters)

New coal plants may kill 16,000 in China’s Guandong region (via Bloomberg)

Federal judge says regulators don’t have to consider overall health impacts of coal mines (via Lexington Herald Leader)

GRID 

The inside story of the world’s biggest “battery” and the future of renewables (via Climate Progress)

Compressed air energy storage to grow dramatically over the next decade (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

Crude oil prices reach 18-month high (via Washington Post)

Western Gulf offshore drilling lease sale draws tepid interest (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil industry groups seek RFS mandate waiver (via Breaking Energy)

North Dakota saves for the future with today’s oil riches (via Stateline)

Study says oil extraction linked to earthquakes in South Texas (via Wall Street Journal)

Acidizing for oil could rival fracking in California’s Monterey Shale (via San Francisco Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Americans won’t buy EVs until they are a lot cheaper (via EarthTechling)

Nissan Leaf sales ready to expand beyond early adopter markets in US (via Autoblog Green)

Free EV charging courtesy of ads on chargers (via EarthTechling)

KEYSTONE XL 

Will the Keystone XL decision be based on incorrect assumptions? (via Energy Collective)

Former Romney advisor Hamm: Keystone isn’t needed for US oil (via The Hill)

GREEN BUSINESS 

EPA launches online green sports resource directory (via Environmental Leader)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

DEP attempted to suppress controversial study that criticized shale gas (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

ENVIRONMENT 

Rim fire spreads deeper into Yosemite (via Los Angeles Time)

Ogallala Aquifer: Could critical water source run dry? (via Christian Science Monitor)

POLITICS 

GOP targets Alaska’s Mark Beigich over carbon tax (via Politico)

Sen. Coburn: I am a global warming denier (via The Hill)

OPINION 

I have a (climate) dream (via Climate Progress)

How to convince Wall Street to invest in energy efficiency (via The Guardian)

Carbon targets, carbon taxes, and the search for Archimedes’ lever (via Grist)

Is Keystone still needed to transport US oil? (via National Journal)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.29.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Merkel’s green shift backfires as German pollution jumps (via Bloomberg)

Climate change divestment campaigns go on offense in Australia (via The Guardian)

Court tosses Texas, industry challenge to EPA greenhouse gas permitting (via The Hill)

Boulder, Colorado eyes carbon neutrality by 2050 (via Daily Camera)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Elevated levels of metals found in water near fracking wells in Texas (via Houston Chronicle)

Internal EPA report suggests fracking contaminated Pennsylvania drinking water (via Los Angeles Times)

Effort to speed up North Carolina fracking derailed (via News Observer)

Colorado Congressman Polis pulls lawsuit to stop fracking near his property (via The Hill)

Crews ready to drill relief well at blowout site (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

China announces subsidy for small-scale distributed solar (via PV Tech)

Grumbling all around after EU-China solar panel deal (via New York Times)

Europe and China agree to settle solar panel fight (via New York Times)

India plans to reintroduce wind power tax break and fiscal incentives (via Live Mint)

Czech government aims to scrap aid for renewables in 2014 (via Recharge)

With EU sales likely capped, China solar firms will need new markets (via Reuters)

Thailand solar feed-in tariff rates announced for 1GW of solar PV (via CleanTechnica)

Dazzling Dozen US states illuminate path to solar energy future (via CleanTechnica)

The US will be the world’s largest residential PV monitoring market in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

On rooftops, a solar rival for utilities (via New York Times)

States take a shine to solar energy (via USA Today)

Distributed solar power generation to jump in next five years (via Houston Chronicle)

Solar and wind get higher capacity values from ERCOT (via Greentech Media)

Fight against solar net metering in Arizona gets controversial support (via Renewable Energy World)

Massive solar plant a stepping stone for future projects (via NPR)

OIL 

Federal rule to boost safety standards for rail cars carrying oil delayed for a year (via Washington Post/AP)

Could Alaska end tax breaks for Big Oil? (via Christian Science Monitor)

On the road in Texas, where oil is king again (via Christian Science Monitor)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Obama’s Keystone comments give opponents reason for hope (via Washington Post)

Alabama, Mississippi to assess tar sands resources in their states (via Green Car Congress)

55 arrested at Keystone XL pipeline protest (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

Ocean’s iron impact could alter climate predictions (via Climate Central)

Atmospheric rivers grow, causing worse floods ahead (via Climate Central)

Many species will have to evolve 10,000 times faster to adapt to climate change, says study (via Climate Progress)

Small business owners see extreme weather as tightrope without net (via ClimateWire)

NOAA scientists to study ocean acidification effects off US West Coast (via Los Angeles Times)

Timeline: a look at extreme weather and climate events (via WRI Insights)

Alaska forest fires “worst for 10,000 years” (via RTCC)

Outrage as New York homeowners prepare for higher flood insurance rates (via New York Times)

COAL 

Facing tough market at home, US coal giant pushes overseas (via Yale e360)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

UK government set to unveil path to zero carbon homes (via BusinessGreen)

Philadelphia buildings must report energy, water usage (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

NYC gets first net zero energy school (via Sustainable Business)

TRANSPORTATION 

Japan automakers team up to add electric chargers (via Bloomberg)

UPS cut emissions 2.1% in 2012 while shipments rose (via Autoblog Green)

California plug-in rebate program running out of money (via Plugin Cars)

POLITICS 

Congress’s climate skeptics could snarl GOP’s strategy (via Politico)

After delayed vote, EPA gains a tough leader to tackle climate change (via New York Times)

GOP lawmaker warns DOI fracking rule could lead to cascade of new federal regulations (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Wind, the “workhorse” of renewable energy (via San Jose Mercury News)

Why Hawaii just became an even better market for solar (via Forbes)

Why it finally makes political sense to talk about climate change (via National Journal)

The five most important names in renewable energy you’ve never heard of (via Grist)

Battery storage: the numbers don’t add up – yet (via Renew Economy)

Divestment: can investors actually make more money going fossil free? (via Greentech Media)

 

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.13.13

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

EMISSIONS 

US-China climate deal was long in the works, reflects shifting incentive for developing nation (via Washington Post/AP)

EU positive over 2015 climate deal despite Russia row (via RTCC)

China is testing out cap and trade – but will it work? (via Washington Post)

COAL 

Coal remains world’s fastest-growing fossil fuel (via Platts)

Green groups see higher US coal fees after audit (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

UN says global renewables sector tops 5.7 million jobs (via BusinessGreen)

Global renewables investment fell in 2012 on weak economy (via Reuters)

Goldman Sachs eyes Japan offshore wind in $3 billion investment (via Bloomberg)

The coming US distributed solar boom (via Greentech Media)

Fulfilling the promise of concentrated solar power (via Climate Progress)

What Interior’s lease auction says about offshore wind innovation (via Innovation Files)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia remains key to oil prices, despite US production surge (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil notches record growth (via Wall Street Journal)

Iraq targets 4.5 million barrels per day oil production in 2014 (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

How climate change makes wildfires worse (via Mother Jones)

Kansas schools to teach evolution, climate change (via KSHB/AP)

Record heat fuels destructive fires in drought-baked Colorado (via Weather Underground)

What is a derecho, anyway? (via Mother Jones)

GREEN BUSINESS 

2013 Best Global Green Brands: complete rankings (via GreenBiz)

Chinese tune sustainability message for global credibility (via GreenBiz)

US corporate green spending keeps on climbing (via BusinessGreen)

Feel-good brands “outperform stock market” (via Environmental Leader)

Cash doesn't follow sustainability commitments (via Environmental Leader)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Analysts say Keystone Xl delays won’t stop Canadian crude exports (via Houston Chronicle)

TransCanada steps up defense of Keystone XL pipeline (via National Journal)

Alberta tar sands toxic waste spill biggest of recent North America disasters (via Globe and Mail)

GRID 

Utility advanced metering analytics market to hit $9.7 billion by 2020 (via Greentech Media)

Industrial demand response payments will reach $4.3 billion annually by 2019 (via Navigant Research)

NUCLEAR 

EU proposes mandatory nuclear reviews every six years (via Reuters)

Exelon blames “subsidized” wind, markets for derailing nuclear projects (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Lifetime costs of EVs within 10% of competing vehicles (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

Merkel vows to rein in renewable subsidies if re-elected (via Reuters)

White House regulatory nominee vows to speed up energy reviews (via New York Times)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.13.13

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

EMISSIONS 

US-China climate deal was long in the works, reflects shifting incentive for developing nation (via Washington Post/AP)

EU positive over 2015 climate deal despite Russia row (via RTCC)

China is testing out cap and trade – but will it work? (via Washington Post)

COAL 

Coal remains world’s fastest-growing fossil fuel (via Platts)

Green groups see higher US coal fees after audit (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

UN says global renewables sector tops 5.7 million jobs (via BusinessGreen)

Global renewables investment fell in 2012 on weak economy (via Reuters)

Goldman Sachs eyes Japan offshore wind in $3 billion investment (via Bloomberg)

The coming US distributed solar boom (via Greentech Media)

Fulfilling the promise of concentrated solar power (via Climate Progress)

What Interior’s lease auction says about offshore wind innovation (via Innovation Files)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia remains key to oil prices, despite US production surge (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil notches record growth (via Wall Street Journal)

Iraq targets 4.5 million barrels per day oil production in 2014 (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

How climate change makes wildfires worse (via Mother Jones)

Kansas schools to teach evolution, climate change (via KSHB/AP)

Record heat fuels destructive fires in drought-baked Colorado (via Weather Underground)

What is a derecho, anyway? (via Mother Jones)

GREEN BUSINESS 

2013 Best Global Green Brands: complete rankings (via GreenBiz)

Chinese tune sustainability message for global credibility (via GreenBiz)

US corporate green spending keeps on climbing (via BusinessGreen)

Feel-good brands “outperform stock market” (via Environmental Leader)

Cash doesn't follow sustainability commitments (via Environmental Leader)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Analysts say Keystone Xl delays won’t stop Canadian crude exports (via Houston Chronicle)

TransCanada steps up defense of Keystone XL pipeline (via National Journal)

Alberta tar sands toxic waste spill biggest of recent North America disasters (via Globe and Mail)

GRID 

Utility advanced metering analytics market to hit $9.7 billion by 2020 (via Greentech Media)

Industrial demand response payments will reach $4.3 billion annually by 2019 (via Navigant Research)

NUCLEAR 

EU proposes mandatory nuclear reviews every six years (via Reuters)

Exelon blames “subsidized” wind, markets for derailing nuclear projects (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Lifetime costs of EVs within 10% of competing vehicles (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

Merkel vows to rein in renewable subsidies if re-elected (via Reuters)

White House regulatory nominee vows to speed up energy reviews (via New York Times)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.15.13

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

CLIMATE 

Sea levels may rise 27 inches through 2100 on ice melt (via Bloomberg)

UN says natural disasters cost $2.5 trillion since 2000 (via Phys.org)

Visiting Sweden, Kerry offers “regret” US hasn’t done more on climate (via The Hill)

Rockefeller Foundation launches $100 million resilient cities initiative (via BusinessGreen)

Sea levels rising so fast London faces significant flooding risk this century (via The Independent)

For insurers, no doubts on climate change (via New York Times)

GRID 

More than 1,300 demand response programs underway worldwide (via Navigant Research)

Smart grid efforts to thrive in Asia-Pacific (via Renew Grid)

RENEWABLES 

China gives environmental approval to country’s biggest hydro dam (via Reuters)

Greece announces drastic solar FIT cuts (via PV Magazine)

Fighting blackouts: Japan residential PV and energy storage market flourishing (via Renewable Energy World)

Morocco begins construction of world’s largest concentrating solar plant (via Sustainable Business)

China wants dialogue with EU in solar trade war (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Acting DOE chief: US not backing down on India solar trade war (via The Hill)

Clean tech incubators join forces across the Atlantic (via Sustainable Business)

Proposed bill would add natural gas-based ethanol to US biofuels mandate (via Houston Chronicle)

Study: Arizona solar energy provides millions in ratepayer benefits (via Solar Industry Magazine)

OIL 

Oil majors under EU investigation over alleged oil and biofuel price fixing (via BusinessGreen)

Report: most nations lack safeguards in oil, mining oversight (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Will your next car join the “revolution” in information technology? (via ClimateWire)

Proposed law would stop Tesla electric car sales in North Carolina (via News & Observer)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Senate energy chairman seeks May floor action for efficiency bill (via The Hill)

California plans to force cuts in power use by computers, electronics, and appliances (via ClimateWire)

ENVIRONMENT 

Industrialized fishing has forced seabirds to change what they eat (via Mongabay)

China granted observer seat on Arctic Council (via Reuters)

Amazon flood/drought cycle becoming more extreme, less predictable (via Mongabay)

POLITICS 

Merkel’s green challenger seeks CO2 price rise to ditch coal (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Clean energy learns to compete in Europe (via New York Times)

Christie’s broken climate promise (via Washington Post)

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 – 4.5.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

German net power exports quadrupled in 2012 (via Recharge)

US Air Force releases strategic energy plan (via Sustainable Business)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US proposal to move fracking wastewater by barge stirs debate (via Reuters)

GE to build $110 million fracking research center in Oklahoma (via Environmental Leader)

Frackers are losing $1.5 billion yearly to leaks (via Mother Jones)

RARE EARTHS 

Discovery of rare earth metals in ocean mud could help Japan (via Autoblog Green)

RENEWABLES 

Germany’s offshore wind industry finally taking off (via Recharge)

Solar milestone: 1 million PV systems installed in Australia (via Renew Economy)

Merkel losing allies in $700 billion shift to renewables (via Bloomberg)

IRS and renewable energy finance: the waiting game (via Energy Trends Insider)

US renews funding for biofuels research centers (via Detroit News)

Are feed-in tariffs a “subsidy” for a small group of utility customers? (via Midwest Energy News)

PG&E cancels California solar power contracts with BrightSource (via Bloomberg)

ALEC-sponsored bill to repeal North Carolina’s renewable energy standard narrowly passes out of committee (via Climate Progress)

OIL 

Feds add teeth to offshore drilling safety mandates (via Houston Chronicle)

Gulf oil spill killed millions of microscopic creatures at base of food chain (via Tampa Bay Times)

Texas refinery is Saudi foothold in US market (via New York Times)

Arkansas AG sets deadline for Exxon to produce oil spill documents (via CTV/AP)

Arkansas oil spill sheds light on aging pipeline system (via NPR)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK fuel sales plummet as motorists embrace efficiency (via BusinessGreen)

Nearly 200,000 plug-in EVs equipped with vehicle-to-building technology will be sold through 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Placement of quick charge stations key to eliminating range anxiety (via Plugin Cars)

Proposed gasoline pollution rules fuel air quality debate (via Houston Chronicle)

US drivers could see “significantly lower” gas prices this summer (via NBC News)

Chevy Volt pounds another nail in the coffin of range anxiety (via CleanTechnica)

Chevy Volt fleet racks up 150 million electric-powered miles (via Autoblog Green)

Fisker, A123 settle $140 million supply claims for just $15 million (via Autoblog Green)

A new electric car with an old name (via New York Times)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Alberta mulls tougher carbon rules on oil (via Reuters)

Groups ask State Department for 120-day comment period on Keystone pipeline (via InsideClimate News)

Alberta premier heads to DC to press Keystone pipeline (via The Hill)

Environmentalists hope spill will turn Americans against Keystone (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

New culprit in sea-level rise: Arctic clouds (via Grist)

Colombia blazes a trail for smaller nations to fight global warming (via ClimateWire)

1,600 years of glaciers in Andes melted in 25 years (via New York Times)

Federal study: global warming means stronger extreme rains (via The Hill)

In wake of Sandy, NOAA alters hurricane warning policy (via Climate Central)

Federal government projects climate change will double wildfire risk in forests (via Denver Post)

EMISSIONS 

Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions declined in 2012 (via US EIA)

Mushrooms could be key to safe and natural carbon sequestration (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

GE energy storage system makes UK debut (via Recharge)

Solar decathlon homes form microgrid village in Missouri (via Phys.org)

COAL 

Coal exports: two weeks of good news (via Sightline Daily)

Nevada utility to shut out coal, embrace renewables (via Renewable Energy World)

GREEN BUSINESS 

How Proctor & Gamble created $1 billion in value with waste (via Greentech Media)

Shell’s VC fund looks to green the fossil fuel business (via Greentech Media)

Employees take corporate sustainability efforts home, study says (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

New technology could cut efficiency audit costs 75% (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

BrightSource’s cancelled projects highlight hurdles for desert solar thermal plants (via GigaOm)

Is China’s State Grid too big to work? (via Recharge)

RPS attacks go against the march of history (via Renewable Energy World)

More renewables for states (via Politico)

Methane leaks are undermining the shale-gas boom. Here’s how to fix that. (via Politico)

Keystone XL: the pipeline to disaster (via Los Angeles Times) 

OTHER NEWS 

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