Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.20.13

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

COP 19 

Poor countries walk out of UN climate talks as compensation row rumbles on (via The Guardian)

COP 19: Warsaw summit faces loss and damage deadlock (via BusinessGreen)

Four issues to watch as COP 19 wraps up (via World Resources Institute)

ENERGY POLICY 

Interior Department announces $14.2 billion in energy revenue (via The Hill)

Colorado state regulator at the center of America’s fracking boom (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

Solar PV dominates first year of Japan’s feed-in tariff (via Recharge)

Wind sets new generation records across US in 2013 (via Facts of the Day)

Biofuels industry, allies push back against EPA decision (via The Hill)

Pecan Street study: West-facing solar panels better for summer’s peak power demand (via Austin Statesman)

Report: Stable policy key to Great Lakes offshore wind jobs (via Midwest Energy News)

$13 billion Ohio clean-energy bond submitted for ballot (via Columbus Dispatch)

Iowa utility plans state’s largest solar farm (via Daily Iowan)

Midwest transmission line developer seeks customers among wind-farm operators (via Wichita Eagle)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia says welcomes us shale oil, sees no need to cut output (via Reuters)

BP builds its largest-ever drilling fleet in the Gulf of Mexico (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

Global damage from extreme weather disasters set to break $200 billion a year (via Climate Progress)

Cost of climate change adaptation could destabilize African countries, warns UN (via The Guardian)

Warming seen worse as nations fail to meet carbon goals (via Reuters)

Three countries that are bailing on climate action (via Mother Jones)

US ranks 43rd on climate policy – and Canada is even worse (via Mother Jones)

Some states ignore climate change in disaster plans, but coastal states are on alert (via ClimateWire)

Sunday’s tornado outbreak could be costliest November weather event in US history (via Washington Post)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Colorado proposes historic air pollution regulations (via Climate Progress)

In Oklahoma, water, fracking, and a swarm of quakes (via Reuters)

On Colorado’s Front Range, fracking questions loom large (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Scientists, UN official warn of “unabated” coal use (via Climate Central)

Tsunami-blocking mangroves lure carbon investors to Southeast Asia (via Bloomberg)

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada boosts Keystone XL cost estimate by $100 million (via Reuters)

Upgrading existing pipelines would create more jobs than building Keystone XL, says report (via Climate Progress)

TransCanada pushes Keystone XL pipeline start to 2016 (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Consumers have favorable views of EVs, but awareness remains low (via Navigant Research)

Nissan to boost production of battery-powered LEAF (via Plugin Cars)

More evidence American may have reached “peak car” (via Greentech Media)

Many consumers still unaware of EV incentives (via Green Car Reports)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.13.13

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

COP 19 

China to participate in international climate pact, says official (via Xinhua)

Japan to provide $16 billion for climate efforts, reports Nikkei (via Bloomberg)

US fears climate talks will focus on compensation for extreme weather (via The Guardian)

Russia cools talk of separate loss and damage climate mechanism at COP 19 (via RTCC)

AP BIOFUELS STORY 

Vilsack disputes AP ethanol report (via National Journal)

Ethanol industry takes aim at AP investigation (via Huffington Post/AP)

Breaking down the numbers on ethanol: Inside the AP biofuels report (via Climate Progress)

Green energy push replaces native prairie with corn as ethanol turns profitable (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

China to build more renewables than EU, US combined says IEA (via Bloomberg)

10GW of wind and solar in Brazil’s next power auction (via Recharge)

Australia cuts $435 million in funding to renewables (via Renew Economy)

67% of consumers would pay more for clean energy (via Greentech Media)

Biofuels industry renews cellulosic ethanol push (via Kansas City Star)

Pennsylvania may double its renewable energy standard (via Climate Progress)

Amidst solar battle, Arizona’s largest utility renews ALEC membership (via Climate Progress)

Remotely controlled turbines help protect raptors (via Billings Gazette)

NASCAR reaches ethanol use milestone (via The Oklahoman)

EMISSIONS 

Carbon pricing buoyed by China and the US (via Environmental Leader)

Australian prime minister starts carbon tax repeal push (via National Journal)

US hunts for cheaper ways to capture CO2 (via Reuters)

OIL 

China, Norway may team up in search for Arctic oil (via Reuters)

Brazil set to become major global oil supplier by 2015 (via Reuters)

Top scientists call for California fracking ban in letter to Gov. Brown (via San Jose Mercury-News)

TRANSPORTATION 

An EV recharging industry rises (via New York Times)

Need an alternative fuel station? Now there’s an app for that (via CleanTechnica)

NUCLEAR 

Japan readies additional $30 billion for Fukushima cleanup (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

Haiti, Philippines, Pakistan hardest hit by extreme weather in 2012 (via Toronto Star)

Inland states most likely to ignore climate hazards, says study (via Climate Central)

IEA report says climate measures falling short of global target (via The Hill)

World will need 48% renewables by 2035 to address climate change (via Renew Economy)

Global warming since 1997 more than twice as fast as estimated (via The Guardian)

California headed for driest year on record (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Landowners to sue Cuomo, New York over “arbitrary” fracking delay (via Democrat & Chronicle)

GRID 

Smart grid benefits set to surpass industry forecasts (via Renew Grid)

Half of consumers have never heard of the smart grid (via Energy Manager Today)

Smart grid success hinges on consumer education (via Renew Grid)

COAL 

Five bad arguments from the coal industry (via Bloomberg)

Environmentalists challenge coal lease deal in Ohio national forest (via Columbus Dispatch)

GREEN BUILDING 

LEED’s stunning growth, and what’s behind it (via EarthTechling)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL study warns of defective segments on pipeline’s southern leg (via InsideClimate News)

OPINION 

What a deadly typhoon in the Philippines can tell us about climate adaptation (via Washington Post)

Is your state ready for climate disasters? (via Grist)

It doesn’t have to be so hard: Making renewable energy siting easier (via Renewable Energy World)

Work not done, Obama climate adviser moves on (via AP)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.8.13

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

EMISSIONS 

EU ministers approve carbon market backloading fix (via BusinessGreen)

Brazil greenhouse gas emissions drop to lowest level in 20 years (via Washington Post)

Nine states file brief against EPA emissions regulations (via The Hill)

Enviros, coal advocates push messaging at EPA listening session in DC (via National Journal)

Energy Department approves $84 million for 18 carbon capture projects (via Washington Post)

ENERGY POLICY 

Fossil fuels receive $500 billion a year in government subsidies worldwide (via Climate Progress)

US power companies struggle to profit in energy markets (via Reuters)

White House tallies shutdown’s energy and environmental impact (via The Hill)

Energy Department failed to report concerns as green tech firm headed for bankruptcy (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Japan’s solar market surge blows away earlier forecasts (via Greentech Media)

South Africa: Where clean energy is growing the fastest (via Sustainable Business)

China’s ailing solar panel makers see the light, on a farm (via Reuters)

Singapore launches 1st tidal turbine test bed (via Xinhua)

The promise and challenge of developing offshore wind resources (via Forbes)

Biofuels producers brace for major EPA changes as big lobby groups clash (via ClimateWire)

California seen beating renewable energy generation goal (via Bloomberg)

Two new green investing options could help avoid the carbon bubble (via CleanTechnica)

Massachusetts sets itself apart as global clean energy hub (via Renewable Energy World)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Climate impact of Canada’s tar sands is growing (via Climate Progress)

Keystone “not in Canada’s best interests” says federal party (via Globe and Mail)

A small victory for a Texas landowner in Keystone pipeline case (via Dallas Observer)

CLIMATE 

Warsaw climate talks expected to deliver loss and damage mechanism (via Thompson Reuters)

Super typhoon Haiyan, one of strongest storms ever, plows across Philippines (via CNN)

NOAA’s new tool puts climate on view for all (via Climate Central)

Amazon deforestation could mean droughts for western US (via Phys.org)

OIL 

OPEC acknowledges threat of US oil (via National Journal)

Saudi Arabia throttles back from record high oil output (via Reuters)

Strong dollar drives crude oil prices lower (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Three Texas universities win bid to launch offshore drilling safety center (via Houston Chronicle)

Bakken boom linked to haze at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (via Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Li-ion battery prices still headed down to $180/kWh by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

Third Model S fire drives down Tesla stock (via San Francisco Chronicle)

DOE launches alternative fueling station locator app (via Green Car Congress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Big trucking companies shifting to natural gas across the US (via Autoblog Green)

Colorado cities’ fracking rejection poses political test for natural gas industry (via New York Times)

Colorado’s fracking bans could fall before courts (via Reuters)

OPINION 

Five issues to watch at COP 19, the “Construction COP” (via WRI Insights)

The solar industry is red hot – will it get hotter? (via Breaking Energy)

10 reasons you should care about the COP 19 UN climate talks (via RTCC)

Could California’s shale oil boom be just a mirage? (via DeSmog Blog)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.7.13

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

CLIMATE 

Climate talks will open in Poland amid flurry of new scientific warnings (via InsideClimate News)

UK and South Korea agree to collaborate on tackling climate change (via RTCC)

Resilient cities from Ahmedabad to Atlantic City prepare for climate change (via Energy Collective)

WRI lifts the veil on new climate analysis tool (via GreenBiz)

ENERGY POLICY 

Fossil fuel subsidies costing rich countries $112 per person (via BusinessGreen)

Western voters say no to fossil fuels (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

North America remains the leading region for microgrid deployments (via Navigant Research)

RENEWABLES 

Poland seeks 40% cut in renewable energy costs by 2014 (via Bloomberg)

UK offshore wind capacity grows 80% over past year (via BusinessGreen)

Report highlights values of geothermal in today’s renewable power market (via BusinessWire)

Solar, wind, and biofuels team up to push for funding in farm bill (via Midwest Energy News/E&E Daily)

Reaching beyond the roof: Three strategies for corporate investments in solar (via Renewable Energy World)

US DOE awards $12 million to cut solar soft costs (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Nuclear giant Exelon taps wind tax credit that it’s trying to kill (via Greenwire)

COAL 

Two Australian coal mines would create 3x Keystone emissions, 6x UK’s annual emissions (via The Guardian)

Bad news for Big Coal in Whatcom County (via Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

EMISSIONS 

“Unburnable” carbon fuels investment concerns (via The Guardian)

China cracks down on emissions to combat choking smog (via The Guardian)

Carbon tax advocate seeks to shake up EPA power plant debate (via The Hill)

Burning biomass pellets could lower China’s mercury emissions (via Phys.org)

Boston cuts emissions from city government operations 16% (via Environmental Leader)

OIL 

US oil industry may invoke trade law to challenge export ban (via Bloomberg)

Shell launches formal bid to resume Arctic drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

Exxon faces $2.7 million fine for Arkansas pipeline spill (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Canada more than doubled number of EVs to pass 4,000 cars last year (via Green Car Congress)

US electric car sales have increased 361% so far in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

West Coast’s I-5 corridor EV fast charge stations getting lots of use (via Autoblog Green)

For Tesla Motors, success is all about the batteries (via MIT Technology Review)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

China’s first coal-to-gas plant soon to pump gas to Beijing (via Reuters)

Local bans set up a showdown over fracking in Colorado (via Time)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Building toward “nearly zero energy” cities (via Phys.org)

Massachusetts ranked most energy-efficient state (via National Journal)

Opower planning IPO amidst billion-dollar behavioral efficiency opportunity (via Greentech Media)

NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facility earns LEED Platinum (via Energy Manager Today)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL developer: Other pipeline companies will face similar hurdles (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

Texas passes $2 billion drought fund, putting faith in government to secure water future (via Climate Progress)

OPINION 

How do we secure a strong, international climate agreement by 2015? (via WRI Insights)

Big business wants renewable energy, but it ain’t easy (via RMI Outlet)

Will Warsaw talks fuel a pact? (via Politico)

Crowdfunding for renewables: A game changer? (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.6.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Global atmospheric CO2 levels hit record high (via The Guardian)

Study: Carbon tax revenues could dwarf fossil fuel losses (via Grist)

China’s smog reduction plan could add to water stress and boost emissions (via The Guardian)

Clashing views on climate, coal on display at EPA listening tour (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

NUCLEAR 

Environmental groups dispute climate scientists on nuclear power (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Hitting EU green energy goals “would save billions, boost GDP” (via Reuters)

Japan government’s green fund targets local investment model (via Bloomberg)

Japan’s largest solar PV plant comes online (via Renew Economy)

Report: Onsite renewables will save businesses £33 billion through 2030 (via BusinessGreen)

Clean energy’s next big market: Off-grid solar (via Greentech Media)

On-site power may weaken centrally generated wind and solar (via Forbes)

Robots can keep solar panels clean and more energy flowing into the grid (via Forbes)

Wind fight’s next round likely to wait until 2014 (via EarthTechling)

Court fight over biofuels mandate intensifies as Hill action stalls (via National Journal)

EPA lists top US organizations using most green power (via Solar Industry Magazine)

American Energy Alliance rallies opposition to wind tax credit (via National Journal)

Report: Michigan’s 30% renewable energy mandate achievable (via Detroit News)

Michigan about to join wind power “gigawatt club” (via CBS Detroit)

CLIMATE 

Hopes for strong 2015 global climate deal fade as risks grow (via Reuters)

Britain’s new flood protection plan: Surrender to the ocean (via Climate Progress)

West Coast pact to cut, price carbon could have wider influence (via ClimateWire)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

UK “gets real” about shale gas (via Recharge)

China’s first floating LNG terminal to receive gas in December (via Reuters)

Chevron and Ukraine set shale gas deal (via New York Times)

Colorado’s elections were fracked (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Beijing slashes car sales quota in anti-pollution drive (via Reuters)

Tesla posts smaller loss, but shares start to temper (via New York Times)

Tesla’s Elon Musk wants to build a giant battery factory (via San Francisco Chronicle)

GRID 

Mexico smart grid market will grow to $12.1 billion by 2023 (via Renew Grid)

Smart grid energy storage pilot deployed at Philadelphia Navy Yard (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy Star cable boxes saved $450 million in energy last year (via Energy Manager Today)

How Walmart brought low-cost LEDs to the mass market (via Forbes)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Survey says sustainability is stalled at most companies (via GreenBiz)

Dallas goes all-in on green building with mandatory regulations (via CleanTechnica)

Morgan Stanley launches institute for sustainable investing (via Sustainable Business)

OPINION 

Keep up the climate fight, Democrats (via Washington Post)

How the world is failing at its climate goals, in one chart (via Washington Post)

The 10 most polluted cities in America (via Time)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.5.13

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

COAL 

Coal mine spill dumps 264 million gallons of waste into Canadian waterways (via Climate Progress)

Who killed all the coal jobs? (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Germans swing behind EU carbon market fix (via Recharge News)

Costa Rica launches first developing country carbon trading program (via Sustainable Business)

Study shows carbon sequestration can cause earthquakes (via Climate Central)

White House revisits “social cost of carbon” metric (via The Hill)

Environmentalists look to carbon markets to slow grassland conversion (via Greenwire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Gina McCarthy hints at Keystone XL approval (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

South Africa approves $3.3 billion of renewables projects (via Bloomberg)

The official explanation for Germany’s energy transition (via Energy Collective)

Five charts that explain the great energy shift (via Grist)

Biofuels makers mount last-ditch lobby push on EPA (via Bloomberg)

US ethanol plants reopen as record corn harvest boosts margins (via Reuters)

Google and Microsoft’s newest rivalry: renewable energy (via Quartz)

Rooftop solar, smart building features raise home values (via Sustainable Business)

Report green lights Michigan to expand renewable energy standard (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

OIL 

Federal appeals court to hear arguments on BP oil spill settlement (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

US Navy’s new all-electric destroyer is a seagoing microgrid (via CleanTechnica)

Tesla is top seller in nation’s wealthiest enclaves (via USA Today)

CLIMATE 

Carbon emissions must be cut “significantly” by 2020, says UN (via The Guardian)

Northwest governors face legislative roadblocks on climate agreement (via EarthFix)

California must adopt aggressive climate change policies, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID 

Asian smart meter market forecast to reach $2.3 billion by 2020 (via Renew Grid)

UK energy storage research gets £5 million boost (via BusinessGreen)

Capacity markets: Life support for fossil fuels or the next frontier for renewables? (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

US midterm elections unlikely to change carbon pricing politics (via Energy Collective)

Obama’s climate resilience task force gets icy GOP welcome (via The Hill)

Green groups say Virginia push a preview of 2014 (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Here’s why Central Appalachia’s coal industry is dying (via Washington Post)

More myths about carbon taxes (via Financial Post)

Can biofuels make your White Castle slider more expensive? (via National Journal)

How the US coal industry found itself in an economic no-man’s land (via Climate Progress)

Is an ethanol compromise on the horizon? (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.5.13

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

COAL 

Coal mine spill dumps 264 million gallons of waste into Canadian waterways (via Climate Progress)

Who killed all the coal jobs? (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Germans swing behind EU carbon market fix (via Recharge News)

Costa Rica launches first developing country carbon trading program (via Sustainable Business)

Study shows carbon sequestration can cause earthquakes (via Climate Central)

White House revisits “social cost of carbon” metric (via The Hill)

Environmentalists look to carbon markets to slow grassland conversion (via Greenwire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Gina McCarthy hints at Keystone XL approval (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

South Africa approves $3.3 billion of renewables projects (via Bloomberg)

The official explanation for Germany’s energy transition (via Energy Collective)

Five charts that explain the great energy shift (via Grist)

Biofuels makers mount last-ditch lobby push on EPA (via Bloomberg)

US ethanol plants reopen as record corn harvest boosts margins (via Reuters)

Google and Microsoft’s newest rivalry: renewable energy (via Quartz)

Rooftop solar, smart building features raise home values (via Sustainable Business)

Report green lights Michigan to expand renewable energy standard (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

OIL 

Federal appeals court to hear arguments on BP oil spill settlement (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

US Navy’s new all-electric destroyer is a seagoing microgrid (via CleanTechnica)

Tesla is top seller in nation’s wealthiest enclaves (via USA Today)

CLIMATE 

Carbon emissions must be cut “significantly” by 2020, says UN (via The Guardian)

Northwest governors face legislative roadblocks on climate agreement (via EarthFix)

California must adopt aggressive climate change policies, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID 

Asian smart meter market forecast to reach $2.3 billion by 2020 (via Renew Grid)

UK energy storage research gets £5 million boost (via BusinessGreen)

Capacity markets: Life support for fossil fuels or the next frontier for renewables? (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

US midterm elections unlikely to change carbon pricing politics (via Energy Collective)

Obama’s climate resilience task force gets icy GOP welcome (via The Hill)

Green groups say Virginia push a preview of 2014 (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Here’s why Central Appalachia’s coal industry is dying (via Washington Post)

More myths about carbon taxes (via Financial Post)

Can biofuels make your White Castle slider more expensive? (via National Journal)

How the US coal industry found itself in an economic no-man’s land (via Climate Progress)

Is an ethanol compromise on the horizon? (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.25.13

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

TRANSPORTATION 

8 US states target 3.3 million electric vehicles on the road by 2025 (via CleanTechnica)

Pecan Street study shows EVs might not stress grids (via Austin-American Statesman)

EMISSIONS 

Wall Street demands answers from fossil fuel producers on “unburnable” carbon (via Inside Climate News)

71 institutional investors urge top oil, power companies to tap clean energy (via Pensions & Investments)

Canada falling far short on emission reduction goals (via Globe and Mail)

Response to a city’s smog points to change in Chinese attitude (via New York Times)

Legislative glitch could doom CO2 rules for existing power plants (via Greenwire)

Ann Arbor asks pension board to consider fossil fuel divestment (via Ann Arbor News)

Report: Smoke from wildfires poses health risks (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

IEA increases wind power target for global electricity by 2050 (via Phys.org)

GTM research exposes hidden solar growth markets (via Greentech Media)

Japan builds floating windmills to expand offshore power (via New York Times)

Leaked RFS proposal irks both oil and ethanol groups (via Houston Chronicle)

How the Department of Energy is reducing the cost of solar by 75% (via Climate Progress)

Colorado’s first solar rights auction on public lands draws no bids (via Denver Post)

KEYSTONE XL 

State Department to hand over Keystone XL documents to environmental group (via The Hill)

Obama’s former climate czar predicts president will reject Keystone XL (via The Hill)

GRID 

A guide to 123GW of grid-scale energy storage (via Greentech Media)

USDA awards $960 million for rural grid improvements (via Renew Grid)

One year later, Hurricane Sandy fuels grid innovation (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

Poland could halve demand for coal by 2030, study says (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

Arctic temperatures reach highest levels in 44,000 years (via Huffington Post)

West Coast states, British Columbia form climate pact (via National Journal)

Nebraska climate change study opposed by state scientists (via Omaha World-Herald)

Ernest Moniz sees Capitol Hill thaw on climate change (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

NYC is replacing its 250,000 streetlights with LEDs (via Gizmodo)

OPINION

Investors: Can oil companies thrive in a warming world? (via Climate Central)

5 things you didn’t know about green business in Brazil (via GreenBiz)

Why businesses need to avoid climate’s “inevitable surprise” (via GreenBiz)

Don’t extend the wind production tax credit, fix it (via MIT Technology Review)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.24.13

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

GRID 

India’s $10B roadmap for smart grid transformation (via Greentech Media)

MISO grid adding four new electric utility territories in December (via US EIA)

New Jersey’s grid defense debate continues a year after Sandy’s knockout blow (via EnergyWire)

OIL 

Interior close to floating new offshore drilling rule (via The Hill)

Watchdog report finds pipeline regulators spend more time at industry conferences than at oil spills (via Huffington Post)

As pipeline concerns mount, focus returns to Great Lakes (via Midwest Energy News)

North Dakota pipeline spill raises questions amid state’s oil boom (via Los Angeles Times)

Environmentalists slam Coke, Pepsi for tar sands use in trucks (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

Deutsche Bank says solar PV market could reach 50GW in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Ethiopia signs $4 billion geothermal deal (via Phys.org)

Record year blows UK small wind installations past 102MW (via CleanTechnica)

US has 11 offshore wind farms in the works  - sort of (via EarthTechling)

Algae biofuel gets Congressional caucus (via Sustainable Business)

Vivint Solar raises $540 million new funding for home solar leasing (via CleanTechnica)

Meet the Kickstarter of solar energy (via National Journal)

Long Island Power Authority seeks 280MW of renewable capacity (via Recharge)

CLIMATE 

Australia, UN spar over wildfires and climate change (via Reuters)

Pacific nations “very disappointed” by Australian PM’s climate skepticism (via The Guardian)

IPCC’s carbon budget will not drive Warsaw talks, says UN climate chief (via The Guardian)

Climate change cost you the McDonald’s dollar menu (via Quartz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking fight focuses on a New York town’s ban (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Ozone hole over South Pole shrinks by 6%, scientists credit warm upper air (via Washington Post/AP)

House shows it can unite by passing mammoth water bill (via National Journal)

GREEN BUILDING 

UK to invest £40 billion in green infrastructure projects (via RTCC)

Five US cities that are taking climate preparation seriously (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

VW calls Germany’s 1 million EV by 2020 goal achievable (via Bloomberg)

EV charging networks start to unify (via Plugin Cars)

DC looks to reduce traffic, improve air quality with 2040 plan (via ClimateWire)

NUCLEAR 

Britain, India go nuclear as Japan struggles to contain radiation (via Sustainable Business)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Revival planned for Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill (via National Journal)

NREL develops energy audit tool (via Energy Manager Today)

EMISSIONS 

China to send air pollution inspection teams to provinces (via Reuters)

EPA hits the road to seek input on power plant emission rules (via Reuters)

Texas remains top US carbon polluter despite declines (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Australia’s bushfires and the role of climate change (via Climate Central)

Hot topic: The science of global warming and the public disconnect (via U-T San Diego)

The dark forces lined up against renewables in Australia (via Renew Economy)

How carmakers like Ford will spark changes on the grid’s edge (via Greentech Media)

The dangerous bargain Harvard’s president has made with fossil fuels (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.24.13

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

GRID 

India’s $10B roadmap for smart grid transformation (via Greentech Media)

MISO grid adding four new electric utility territories in December (via US EIA)

New Jersey’s grid defense debate continues a year after Sandy’s knockout blow (via EnergyWire)

OIL 

Interior close to floating new offshore drilling rule (via The Hill)

Watchdog report finds pipeline regulators spend more time at industry conferences than at oil spills (via Huffington Post)

As pipeline concerns mount, focus returns to Great Lakes (via Midwest Energy News)

North Dakota pipeline spill raises questions amid state’s oil boom (via Los Angeles Times)

Environmentalists slam Coke, Pepsi for tar sands use in trucks (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

Deutsche Bank says solar PV market could reach 50GW in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Ethiopia signs $4 billion geothermal deal (via Phys.org)

Record year blows UK small wind installations past 102MW (via CleanTechnica)

US has 11 offshore wind farms in the works  - sort of (via EarthTechling)

Algae biofuel gets Congressional caucus (via Sustainable Business)

Vivint Solar raises $540 million new funding for home solar leasing (via CleanTechnica)

Meet the Kickstarter of solar energy (via National Journal)

Long Island Power Authority seeks 280MW of renewable capacity (via Recharge)

CLIMATE 

Australia, UN spar over wildfires and climate change (via Reuters)

Pacific nations “very disappointed” by Australian PM’s climate skepticism (via The Guardian)

IPCC’s carbon budget will not drive Warsaw talks, says UN climate chief (via The Guardian)

Climate change cost you the McDonald’s dollar menu (via Quartz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking fight focuses on a New York town’s ban (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Ozone hole over South Pole shrinks by 6%, scientists credit warm upper air (via Washington Post/AP)

House shows it can unite by passing mammoth water bill (via National Journal)

GREEN BUILDING 

UK to invest £40 billion in green infrastructure projects (via RTCC)

Five US cities that are taking climate preparation seriously (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

VW calls Germany’s 1 million EV by 2020 goal achievable (via Bloomberg)

EV charging networks start to unify (via Plugin Cars)

DC looks to reduce traffic, improve air quality with 2040 plan (via ClimateWire)

NUCLEAR 

Britain, India go nuclear as Japan struggles to contain radiation (via Sustainable Business)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Revival planned for Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill (via National Journal)

NREL develops energy audit tool (via Energy Manager Today)

EMISSIONS 

China to send air pollution inspection teams to provinces (via Reuters)

EPA hits the road to seek input on power plant emission rules (via Reuters)

Texas remains top US carbon polluter despite declines (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Australia’s bushfires and the role of climate change (via Climate Central)

Hot topic: The science of global warming and the public disconnect (via U-T San Diego)

The dark forces lined up against renewables in Australia (via Renew Economy)

How carmakers like Ford will spark changes on the grid’s edge (via Greentech Media)

The dangerous bargain Harvard’s president has made with fossil fuels (via Climate Progress)