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)