Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.10.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
GRID
India has €2 billion market potential for high-voltage transmission lines (via Hindu Business Line)
NRG Energy looks into solar-based microgrids in Australia (via Renew Economy)
Ontario ramps up smart grid investment as coal is phased out (via Triple Pundit)
Texas calls for 317MW of compressed air energy storage (via Greentech Media)
OIL
OPEC to lose market share to shale in 2014 as rivals pump more (via Reuters)
Criminal investigation begun into deadly Canada train crash (via New York Times)
Quebec oil train explosion visible from space (via Climate Central)
North Dakota shale oil relies on rail for transport (via Grand Forks Herald)
Alaska pushing new plan for ANWR oil research (via Houston Chronicle)
RENEWABLES
India’s first wind auction stalled by court case (via Bloomberg)
China won’t introduce duties on EU polysilicon imports (via Bloomberg)
Tidal energy could power half of Scotland (via RTCC)
Wind energy in Brazil: the country of the future? (via Renewable Energy World)
Records set to be smashed as Germany’s solar output soars (via RTCC)
US passes 10GW installed solar PV capacity milestone (via CleanTechnica)
Benefits of renewables in US better seen in eastern states (via EarthTechling)
EMISSIONS
Air pollution causing higher risk of lung cancer and heart failure in Europe (via The Guardian)
Program begins large-scale CO2 injection in Michigan field test (via Green Car Congress)
COAL
EIA estimates annual US coal burn, supply to drop; exports to increase (via Platts)
Recent coal export trends: Q1 2013 (via Sightline Daily)
FirstEnergy shuttering two western Pennsylvania coal plants (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)
CLIMATE
Study says small birds may be able to cope with climate change (via Los Angeles Times)
Water worries: climate change in the desert Southwest (via USA Today)
In the US heartland, a young conservative climate campaign launches (via ClimateWire)
Toronto deluged with its all-time record 1-day rainfall (via Weather Underground)
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
EPA’s abandoned Wyoming fracking study one retreat of many (via High Country News)
Depleted offshore Gulf of Mexico natural gas well suffers blowout, leak (via Reuters)
Philadelphia may be marketed as natural gas hub (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)
Amish debate fracking and temptation (via Houston Chronicle/AP)
TRANSPORTATION
Greener fuels at heart of EU’s €3.8 billion biotech package (via BusinessGreen)
US Department of Defense alternative drive vehicle spending will top $900 million by 2020 (via Navigant Research)
Study finds pairing an EV with green electricity program increases buyer interest by 23% (via Green Car Congress)
TAR SANDS
Canada tar sands expansion conditionally approved despite “significant” effects on wildlife (via Globe and Mail)
ENVIRONMENT
Europe must tackle air pollution, warn UN scientists (via Climate Central)
Australia admits Barrier Reef environmental conditions are “poor” (via Phys.org)
Attitudes on GMO crops are modifying (via New York Times)
States falling short on Chesapeake Bay cleanup goals (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)
NUCLEAR
Japan nuclear regulator alarmed at Fukushima contamination reports (via Reuters)
POLITICS
Report shows remarkable “climate disconnect” in House GOP voting record (via Climate Progress)
Vitter drops filibuster threat on EPA nominee McCarthy (via Washington Post)
Wealthy donors in his corner as Obama comes out swinging on climate (via InsideClimate News)
Senate Dems huddle with Obama adviser on climate plan (via The Hill)
Top US offshore drilling regulator stepping down (via Houston Chronicle)
OPINION
Can Germany afford its “energy bender” shift to green power? (via BBC News)
UK’s green industrial revolution at risk from government “dithering” (via BusinessGreen)
You can’t deny global warming after seeing this graph (via Washington Post)
California energy efficiency a national role model (via EarthTechling)
Connecticut moves (mostly) ahead on clean energy (via CLF Scoop)