Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.2.14
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
CLIMATE
Russia says 2C climate goal shouldn’t dictate carbon pledges (via Bloomberg)
UK and Japan pledge joint climate action (via BusinessGreen)
“Voice mails from the future” elicit personal views on dealing with climate change (via ClimateWire)
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
US to map the risks of man-made earthquakes (via Wall Street Journal)
The seismic link between fracking and earthquakes (via Time)
RENEWABLES
Demand for India renewable energy credits plunges to seven-month low (via Bloomberg)
US wind power’s problem will remain speed and direction forecasts (via Fitch Ratings)
Financing utility-scale solar in the years ahead (via Greentech Media)
Drones could be a boon for wind and solar industries (via SustainableBusiness)
ERCOT to add 8.6GW new wind capacity through 2016 (via Recharge News)
Xcel Energy sets wind power record with 46% of customer supply (via Post Bulletin)
SolarCity launches operations in Nevada (via Solar Industry)
In Michigan, debate over burning trees for biomass energy (via Midwest Energy News)
COAL
Clean coal to be put to the test at two plants this year (via Scientific American)
Durbin talks FutureGen with DOE secretary (via Washington Post/AP)
EMISSIONS
Arctic methane emissions “certain to trigger warming” (via Climate Central)
Obama’s emissions plan comes under coordinated line of attack (via The Guardian)
Scalia gets his facts wrong in EPA dissent (via AP)
KEYSTONE XL
Senators introduce pro-Keystone XL bill to bypass Obama (via The Guardian)
Clock ticks on Keystone XL vote (via Politico)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Net-zero buildings an inexpensive next step from LEED-Platinum (via SustainableBusiness)
Energy benchmarking goes countrywide in Maryland (via Greentech Media)
OIL
Exxon says all activities in Russia proceeding as planned (via Reuters)
Virginia oil-train wreck brings demands for more regulation (via Washington Post/AP)
New “safer” tank cars were involved in Virginia oil train fire (via Sightline Daily)
Oil-rich North Dakota sees highest worker fatality rate (via The Hill)
California’s oil refiners double crude-by-rail import volumes (via Bloomberg)
TRANSPORTATION
Test loopholes take gloss off Europe’s cleaner cars (via Reuters)
Nissan Leaf keeps plug-in vehicle sales crown for 6th straight month (via Autoblog Green)
California to use one billion less gallons of gasoline in six years (via Green Car Reports)
ENVIRONMENT
This year’s wildfires could incinerate America’s fire budget (via Mother Jones)
Wildfire threatens homes in drought-parched Southern California (via Chicago Tribune/Reuters)
ENERGY INDUSTRY
Stand-alone power becomes growing reality for utilities (via Renew Economy)
Exelon doubles down on regulated assets with Pepco buy (via EnergyWire)
Exelon touts customer benefits in buying Pepco, but regulators will scrutinize claims (via Forbes)
Shareholders, protesters, speak out at Duke board meeting (via Washington Post)
NUCLEAR
Fukushima frozen wall needs risk assessment, says Tepco adviser (via Bloomberg)
OPINION
It’s time to look beyond the UN’s $100 billion climate finance target (via RTCC)
How does Vivint Solar compare to SolarCity? (via Huffington Post)
Inside New York’s historic move to remake the utility business model (via Greentech Media)