Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.16.14
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
CLIMATE
UN climate experts warn geoengineering may be essential for 2C world (via RTCC)
Australian heatwaves getting hotter and longer, says Climate Council (via The Guardian)
Seven US weather and climate disasters exceeded $1 billion in damages in 2013 (via NOAA)
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
Half of Britons opposed to shale gas drilling within 10 miles of their homes (via Reuters)
EPA vows action on fracking rules, policy (via National Journal)
Mixing hazardous drainage from mining operations cuts fracking waste’s radioactivity (via ABC News/AP)
Shale plays? There’s an app for that (via Houston Chronicle)
RENEWABLES
France-Germany energy plan to focus on renewables (via Reuters)
These charts show how solar demand has shifted around the world (via Greentech Media)
India proposes new national offshore wind energy agency (via India Briefing)
Clean energy investment down, but not out (via Christian Science Monitor)
BP sees renewables outpacing fossil fuels, eclipsing nuclear (via Bloomberg)
10 ways to generate $36 trillion in green investments by 2050 (via RTCC)
SolarCity wants to raise billions of dollars in capital – from you (via Quartz)
COAL
China coal output seen up 2.7% in 2014 (via Reuters)
White House: International coal policy intact despite GOP rider (via National Journal)
EMISSIONS
BP study predicts greenhouse gas emissions will rise by almost a third in 20 years (via The Guardian)
Hydroelectric dams said to be “hotspots” of greenhouse gas methane (via United Press International)
Study: Low-cost measures could cut EU emissions 40% by 2030 (via BusinessGreen)
Beijing has worst smog in a year (via The Guardian)
OIL
Fracking chemicals may make oil extra explosive (via Grist)
Cities boost work on oil-train safety as production surges (via National Journal)
North Dakota’s top oil regulator is also its top oil promoter (via Grist)
OPEC outages cut its oil output to below 2014 demand (via Reuters)
On oil exports, it’s US Chamber vs. AFL-CIO – but Keystone XL brings harmony (via Greenwire)
TRANSPORTATION
The trillion-dollar question: Where does transport investment come from? (via World Resources Institute)
Ford wants to double hybrid offerings by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)
Boeing seeks approval this year for direct blending of renewable diesel in jet fuel (via Green Car Congress)
KEYSTONE XL
TransCanada will look at rail if Keystone XL is rejected (via Houston Chronicle/AP)
Keystone XL southern leg near activation (via Texas Tribune)
Additional comment period may prolong Keystone review (via Bloomberg)
ENVIRONMENT
Sea ice cracks causing mercury buildup in Arctic air (via Climate Central)
Obama Administration seen as retreating on environment in Pacific trade talks (via New York Times)
Alaska’s Bristol Bay region could be devastated by mining, says EPA report (via The Guardian)
Trees accelerate growth as they get older and bigger, finds study (via The Guardian)
Holes in chemical regulations hampered West Virginia spill response (via Politico)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Google and Nest: The big picture for home automation competitors (via Greentech Media)
Better Buildings Alliance unveils Green Lease Leaders program (via Energy Manager Today)
OPINION
America’s energy boom (via Washington Post)
WikiLeaks exposes what Obama’s secret trade deal would do to the environment (via Mother Jones)
A big test for Obama on the environment (via Washington Post)