Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.13.14

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

CLIMATE 

Western Antarctic ice sheet collapse has already begun, warn scientists (via The Guardian)

Melt of key Antarctic glaciers “unstoppable,” find studies (via Climate Central)

How cities in developing countries are becoming climate resilient (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

Alabama avoids preparing for rising seas menacing Mobile (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency bill dies in U.S. Senate after feud (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Think green jobs can’t grow? 6.5 million workers think you’re wrong. (via CleanTechnica)

UK unveils shock changes to solar farm subsidies (via BusinessGreen)

Hungry solar developers look to booming South Africa (via Navigant Research)

How the GE-Alstom combination could save the offshore wind industry (via Navigant Research)

Renewables surged to 74% of German demand last Sunday (via Renew Economy)

Can the Texas solar market live up to its potential? (via Greentech Media)

The high cost of the solar middleman (via Grist)

Why solar net metering beats a value-of-solar tariff every time (via Grist)

EMISSIONS 

Banning HFCs from 2020 could make big climate impact, says study (via RTCC)

Guandong carbon market sparks China green-vs-growth dispute (via Reuters)

Draft letter from EPA advisors urges tougher ozone standard (via Greenwire)

OIL 

New projections show oil production soaring as rigs boost efficiency (via Houston Chronicle)

Spills at drilling sites up 18% across U.S. in 2013 (via EnergyWire)

House panel seeks briefing on DOE’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

China promotes fuel efficiency and alternative-fuel vehicles to curb growing oil use (via US EIA)

Will Tesla Gigafactory fight come down to Texas v. California? (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

EV charging station startup ChargePoint raises $22.6 million (via Forbes)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia repeats Ukraine natural gas cutoff threat by June 2 (via Reuters)

Chile green tax on coal increases cheap shale gas gamble (via Bloomberg)

EPA regulations probably won’t tell us everything in fracking fluid (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

Microgrid energy storage systems to reach nearly $4.2 billion in market value by 2024 (via Navigant Research)

Why the power grid will remain reliable without coal plants (via GreenBiz)

Testing ground for new energy storage in New York State (via Greentech Media)

California heat pushes power to six-year seasonal high (via Bloomberg)

UTILITIES 

Six electric utilities charging a new energy course (via GreenBiz)

Why coal-dependent utilities shouldn’t be so scared of carbon regulations (via Greentech Media)

New York State prodding utilities to shift from monopoly model (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Acid rain’s dirty legacy (via FiveThirtyEight)

Southwest struggles to adapt to year-round fire season (via ClimateWire)

EPA unearths $3.6 million for green jobs in brownfields (via CleanTechnica)

POLITICS 

U.S. Senate Republicans block energy efficiency bill, forfeit Keystone vote (via Reuters)

Why Democrats are afraid of a man who’s giving them millions (via National Journal)

A Senate race about…climate change! (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

America versus China: The new reality of global energy (via Energy Collective)

This is what a holy shit moment for global warming looks like (via Mother Jones)

Why society is failing to stop global warming in one 90-second video (via Washington Post)

Americans’ aversion to science carries a high price (via Washington Post)

Marco Rubio makes a wrong turn on climate change (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.12.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Obama administration limits on soot pollution upheld by appeals court (via Los Angeles Times)

Deval Patrick calls for “future free of fossil fuels,” zero coal in four years (via Climate Progress)

Stanford divesting coal helps students seeking domino effect (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

Merkel says Germany would support Siemens-Alstom merger (via Reuters)

Obama doubles down on solar, energy efficiency in climate push (via The Hill)

US failed to inspect thousands of at-risk oil and gas wells, finds report (via The Guardian)

House votes to make energy research tax credit permanent (via ABC News/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Global renewable energy jobs count tops 6.5 million (via BusinessGreen)

UBS: Solar could be 10% global capacity by 2020 (via Renew Economy)

Germany approves 328MW of offshore wind (via Recharge)

Chile approves 110MW solar-thermal plant (via Recharge)

Renewables provide record 27% of German electricity demand (via Bloomberg)

Mexico’s newly opened energy market attracts renewables (via Renewable Energy World)

More solar energy powering corporate America (via USA Today)

Wal-Mart doubles down on solar energy plans (via Wall Street Journal)

SolarCity surges on higher rooftop installation forecast (via Bloomberg)

US hopes to tap offshore wind potential (via Houston Chronicle)

ABB rolls out new grid interconnection technology for wind farms (via Renew Grid)

Solar seen bailing California out of summer hydro shortage (via Bloomberg)

Ohio senate votes to kill state’s renewable energy standard (via Climate Progress)

Hawaii confronts green energy’s bugaboo: Batteries (via Christian Science Monitor)

The only active landfill in Vermont goes solar (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

China’s coal dependency threatens efforts to curb warming (via New York Times)

Coal investments a bad bet for state pensions (via Times-Union)

After coal ash spill, Dan is a river of calm and caution (via Winston-Salem Journal)

CLIMATE 

Lloyd’s of London urges insurers to factor in climate change risk (via Environmental Leader)

Obama continues to push unilateral action to fight climate change (via National Journal)

As population surges, harsh Southwest climate will only get harsher (via Climate Progress)

South Carolina’s solution to sea level rise: Build more walls (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Senate standoff threatens to kill energy efficiency bill (via The Hill)

Energy bill fizzles as Senate begins debate on tax extenders (via National Journal)

Better Buildings Challenge partners reduce energy use 2.5% (via Energy Manager Today)

PACE is picking up for Michigan efficiency program (via Midwest Energy News)

Philips continues lighting revolution, tweaks LEDs for hydroponic growing (via GigaOm)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia ratchets up Ukraine’s gas bills in shift to economic battlefield (via New York Times)

Cleanest fossil fuel is Wall Street’s bet on climate change (via Bloomberg)

EPA weighs rule requiring fracking chemical disclosure (via The Hill)

Hundreds of small quakes in North Texas since December (via StateImpact Texas)

EMISSIONS 

IEA: Decarbonizing world economy will save $71 trillion by 2050 (via RTCC)

Few funds ready to follow Stanford’s lead on fossil fuel stocks (via Reuters) 

OIL 

Oil industry risks $1.1 trillion of investor cash (via Bloomberg)

Saudi Arabia, OPEC said will cover any Ukraine-related oil shortage (via Reuters)

BNSF says federal order won’t affect railroad oil shipments (via Bismarck Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION 

US buyers show little interest in big hybrids (via Autoblog Green)

RMI: What’s the true cost of EV charging stations? (via GreenBiz)

Texas will soon offer $2,500 rebate for EVs, PHEVs, and more (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT 

Obama: Palm oil is destroying Malaysia’s rainforests (via Mongabay)

Summer blockbuster? El Nino looking more likely (via Climate Central)

California drought: Parched state braces for fire season (via San Francisco Chronicle)

KEYSTONE XL 

How the Senate’s Keystone XL vote came crumbling down (via EcoWatch)

Keystone XL foes vow to fight South Dakota permit renewal (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Australian households could go off-grid by 2018 (via Renew Economy)

USDA awards $540 million for electric system upgrades, including $35 million for smart grid (via Renew Grid)

Clean Line wins key FERC approval (via Recharge)

POLITICS 

Rubio on a presidential bid, and climate change (via New York Times)

Colorado – energy’s continental divide (via Politico)

OPINION 

How to phase out incentives and grow solar energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Climate debate isn’t so heated in the US (via New York Times)

Obama’s energy announcements are nice, but we’ll need much more (via Time)

Can Congress ever have a reasonable energy debate? (via National Journal)

Texas is American energy leader – so how can its electricity markets be such a mess? (via Energy Trends Insider)

Obama’s new energy efficiency standards will lead to big electricity, consumer, carbon savings (via NRDC Switchboard)

Obama’s solar move is equivalent to a year without 80 million cars (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.6.14

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

CLIMATE

Obama turns toward climate action (via The Hill)

Finally Neil deGrasse Tyson and “Cosmos” take on climate change (via Mother Jones)

KEYSTONE XL

Lobbying surges for Keystone XL before Senate vote (via Bloomberg)

56 senators try to force Keystone XL past Obama and the public (via EcoWatch)

RENEWABLES

Solar demand grows in Russia, surges in Chile, stumbles in India, marches on in China (via Greentech Media)

Morocco on track to deliver Africa’s largest wind farm (via BusinessGreen)

UK will install three times more solar than Australia in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Russia expects solar investment to reach $4.2 billion by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

Solar power breakthrough hints at cheaper panels for more roofs (via Christian Science Monitor)

EIA: US ethanol imports from Brazil down in 2013; US net exporter for the year (via Green Car Congress)

Almost 60,000 US farms have on-site renewables (via SustainableBusiness)

Missouri’s solar problem: Too many people like it (via Climate Progress)

Hawaii wants 200MW of energy storage for solar, wind grid challenges (via Greentech Media)

Iowa lawmakers see tax credits opening wider door for solar (via Midwest Energy News)

Kansas House rejects renewable energy standard repeal (via Wichita Eagle)

Kasich urges changes in “green energy” bill (via Columbus Dispatch)

First Dallas wind farm is on college rooftop (via SustainableBusiness)

EMISSIONS

The meteoric rise of carbon dioxide in one video (via Climate Central)

California climate tax is reducing electricity bills (via Triple Pundit)

OIL

BP tech chief: Enhanced oil recovery key to world reserves (via Houston Chronicle)

Canada ups rail tanker safety standards (via Environmental Leader)

TRANSPORTATION

Study details differences in fiscal policies to support EVs across 11 markets (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla wants a Gigafactory or two ready by 2017 (via Climate Progress)

NUCLEAR

China starts 19th nuclear reactor amid construction push (via Bloomberg)

GRID

In Japan, smart meters accelerate (via Navigant Research)

Renewables are key inputs for next-gen microgrids (via Greentech Media)

COAL

Coal reduction in China a long struggle, not a great leap (via Navigant Research)

ENVIRONMENT

Still counting Gulf spill’s dead birds (via New York Times)

POLITICS

Koch’s decline Steyer’s invitation to debate climate change, Keystone XL (via The Hill)

OPINION

Five out-there energy projects moving closer to reality (via GigaOm)

Can’t put solar on your house? Four ways to invest in solar leases (via Renewable Energy World)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.6.14

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

CLIMATE

Obama turns toward climate action (via The Hill)

Finally Neil deGrasse Tyson and “Cosmos” take on climate change (via Mother Jones)

KEYSTONE XL

Lobbying surges for Keystone XL before Senate vote (via Bloomberg)

56 senators try to force Keystone XL past Obama and the public (via EcoWatch)

RENEWABLES

Solar demand grows in Russia, surges in Chile, stumbles in India, marches on in China (via Greentech Media)

Morocco on track to deliver Africa’s largest wind farm (via BusinessGreen)

UK will install three times more solar than Australia in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Russia expects solar investment to reach $4.2 billion by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

Solar power breakthrough hints at cheaper panels for more roofs (via Christian Science Monitor)

EIA: US ethanol imports from Brazil down in 2013; US net exporter for the year (via Green Car Congress)

Almost 60,000 US farms have on-site renewables (via SustainableBusiness)

Missouri’s solar problem: Too many people like it (via Climate Progress)

Hawaii wants 200MW of energy storage for solar, wind grid challenges (via Greentech Media)

Iowa lawmakers see tax credits opening wider door for solar (via Midwest Energy News)

Kansas House rejects renewable energy standard repeal (via Wichita Eagle)

Kasich urges changes in “green energy” bill (via Columbus Dispatch)

First Dallas wind farm is on college rooftop (via SustainableBusiness)

EMISSIONS

The meteoric rise of carbon dioxide in one video (via Climate Central)

California climate tax is reducing electricity bills (via Triple Pundit)

OIL

BP tech chief: Enhanced oil recovery key to world reserves (via Houston Chronicle)

Canada ups rail tanker safety standards (via Environmental Leader)

TRANSPORTATION

Study details differences in fiscal policies to support EVs across 11 markets (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla wants a Gigafactory or two ready by 2017 (via Climate Progress)

NUCLEAR

China starts 19th nuclear reactor amid construction push (via Bloomberg)

GRID

In Japan, smart meters accelerate (via Navigant Research)

Renewables are key inputs for next-gen microgrids (via Greentech Media)

COAL

Coal reduction in China a long struggle, not a great leap (via Navigant Research)

ENVIRONMENT

Still counting Gulf spill’s dead birds (via New York Times)

POLITICS

Koch’s decline Steyer’s invitation to debate climate change, Keystone XL (via The Hill)

OPINION

Five out-there energy projects moving closer to reality (via GigaOm)

Can’t put solar on your house? Four ways to invest in solar leases (via Renewable Energy World)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.9.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

US used more energy in 2013 than 2012, but efficiency is up too (via National Geographic)

Grandfather utilities threatened by spreading renewables (via Bloomberg)

Sen. Wyden aims for energy parity in overhaul to “rotting” tax code (via E&E Daily)

CLIMATE 

414 cities report over 4,000 climate actions (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

El Nino odds seen at more than 70% as Pacific warms (via Bloomberg)

Data shows low snowpack years will happen more frequently in Pacific Northwest (via EarthFix)

Virginia governor to revive climate change panel (via San Francisco Chronicle/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Renewable energy installations to rise 37% by 2015, says BNEF (via Bloomberg)

Enel Green sees Africa as “next big place” for renewables (via Bloomberg)

India’s solar power capacity tops 2.6GW (via CleanTechnica)

Solar, wind no longer face high capital costs, says Shah (via Bloomberg)

Solar jumps to 22% of new US generation capacity in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

Crowdfunding seen topping $5 billion for rooftop solar (via Bloomberg)

Fishermen’s Energy appeals BPU offshore wind project rejection (via Recharge)

Clean energy victory bond could generate $150 billion in financing, 1 million jobs (via Business Journals)

COAL 

Duke Energy, North Carolina appeal coal ash ruling (via Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS 

Greenhouse gases from thawing permafrost “accelerating global warming” (via International Business Times)

Many nations wary of extracting carbon from air to fix climate (via Reuters)

Shell, Unilever, 68 others seek 1 trillion-ton limit on CO2 output (via Bloomberg)

Chile plans to enact the first carbon tax in South America (via Climate Progress)

Utilities disagree on how EPA should regulate emissions (via Climate Central)

Carbon divestment activists claim victory as Harvard adopts green code (via The Guardian)

OIL 

Fracking moratorium proposal advances in California State Senate (via Los Angeles Times)

Scientists, oil industry still probing fracking-earthquake link (via The Oklahoman)

TRANSPORTATION 

Debunked: Hybrid vehicle myths and truths (via Breaking Energy)

GM investing $449 million for advanced EV and battery manufacturing (via Green Car Congress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Toronto’s “Race to Reduce” garners 9% energy efficiency cut (via Energy Manager Today)

Indonesia gets world’s first net-zero energy skyscraper (via Sustainable Business)

GRID 

5 market trends that will drive microgrids into the mainstream (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

The geopolitical potential of the US energy boom (via Council on Foreign Relations)

How the US power grid is like a big pile of sand (via National Journal)

What made Vermont’s net metering expansion process so unique? (via Greentech Media)

If “value of solar” is optional, will Minnesota utilities adopt it? (via Midwest Energy News)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.8.14

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

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine leader warns of Russian natural gas shut-off (via Wall Street Journal)

Half of 2013 US power plant capacity additions came from natural gas (via US EIA)

EMISSIONS 

EPA’s McCarthy says draft emissions rules will give states new tools (via Los Angeles Times)

ENERGY POLICY 

Where clean energy dollars went in 2013 (via Bloomberg)

Four snapshots of American energy use (via Energy.gov)

RENEWABLES 

Cheap solar power pushes renewables growth worldwide (via Climate Central)

Germany ushers in renewable energy reform (via Reuters)

India ups 2014 solar PV target by 30% to 1,000MW (via CleanTechnica)

Chile installs record-breaking 150MW solar PV in Q1, 380MW under construction (via Greentech Media)

SunEdison quits 20MW India PV project over domestic content requirements (via Recharge)

US wind power blows to new records, again and again (via Bloomberg)

Capital keeps pouring into booming US residential solar market (via Greentech Media)

EPA delays, ethanol credits take center stage in RFS court battle (via Greenwire)

New York Green Bank open for business, deals in the works (via Breaking Energy)

Texas awards $2.2 million to fund offshore wind research (via Recharge)

State regulators approve Block Island offshore wind deal (via Recharge)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

When will Obama make his call on Keystone XL? (via The Hill)

Does Koch Industries hold most Canadian oil sands leases? It’s complicated. (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

How climate change can make food less nutritious (via Climate Progress)

Three-quarters of World Bank-backed projects still don’t evaluate climate risks (via Huffington Post)

Green scientist is Tom Steyer’s new policy guru (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Maersk Line lowers shipping emissions 12% during 2013 (via BusinessGreen)

Why the US government just invested $225 million on hybrid electric trains (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Britain’s honeybee colony deaths among worst in Europe, reveals study (via The Guardian)

In another blow to Pebble Mine, Rio Tinto pulls out (via Washington Post)

Drought now affecting two thirds of Texas (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Renewable energy investment is down – and that’s okay (via Time)

Cellulosic biofuels aren’t dead (via Navigant Research)

Why are so many veterans serving in the US solar industry? (via GreenBiz)

Demand response the best cure for ailing Texas grid (via Energy Manager Today)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.1.14

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

EMISSIONS 

World foots $1.9 trillion fossil fuel subsidy bill every year (via Recharge News)

Mining giant Chile prepping carbon tax to curb CO2 emissions (via Reuters)

Exxon: Highly unlikely world limits fossil fuels (via AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Hybrid vehicles more fuel efficient in India, China than in US (via Phys.org)

Study: Gasoline prices will fall if US exports crude oil (via Houston Chronicle)

Massachusetts plugs into electric vehicle rebates (via CleanTechnica)

With EV market in its infancy, Tesla still needs to take risks (via GigaOm)

RENEWABLES 

Global wind power market declined 20% from 2012 to 2013 (via Navigant Research)

Latin America to add 53GW new wind by 2023 (via Recharge)

Merkel may ease cuts for onshore wind power to save jobs (via Bloomberg)

First Solar sees 20MW new solar capacity in Australian mining projects (via Renew Economy)

Support for solar energy climbs to nearly 80% of Americans (via Navigant Research)

Utilities enter the distributed generation era (via Navigant Research)

Wind farms have no sizable impact on house prices (via CleanTechnica)

Study: Michigan could triple renewable energy at low consumer cost (via Midwest Energy News)

3.3MW solar system tops San Diego airport (via Energy Manager Today)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear kingdom: Saudi Arabia’s atomic ambitions (via Breaking Energy)

CLIMATE 

Report predicts cities’ reaction to climate change (via Environmental Leader)

Combating climate change may take a global vegetarian movement (via National Journal)

MIT researchers propose massive microbe bloom may have triggered Permian extinction (via Green Car Congress)

Baseball bats may be next victim of climate change (via Daily Climate)

NATURAL GAS 

Chevron, Polish firm jointly explore for shale gas (via CNBC/AP)

Pennsylvania leases more than 1,400 acres under rivers and streams to natural gas drillers (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

GRID 

Green Charge Networks: In some markets, cost-effective energy storage is here (via Forbes)

Solar Decathlon houses make up solar village to test microgrid technology (via Renewable Energy World)

KEYSTONE XL 

Silicon Valley’s elite comes out against Keystone XL (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

ENVIRONMENT 

“Living with drought” website created for Nevada (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

From energy guzzler to energy efficient – 5 ways to create an energy-saving home (via The Good Human)

OPINION 

Is the SolarCity model the only way to scale residential solar? (via Greentech Media)

MIT climate scientist responds on disaster costs and climate change (via FiveThirtyEight)

Latinos benefit from green jobs: Dirty energy industry green with envy (via Huffington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.28.14

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

CLIMATE 

IPCC report: Climate change felt “on all continents and across the oceans” (via The Guardian)

Sinking island nations battle tides of climate change (via Deutche Welle)

Facing rising seas, Bangladesh confronts climate change consequences (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS 

Environmentalists debate impacts of LNG exports on global warming (via Greenwire)

Fracking the USA: New map shows 1 million oil, gas wells (via Climate Central)

Report says each Marcellus gas well costs thousands in road damage (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

RENEWABLES 

2013: Renewable energy’s best of times, worst of times (via CleanTechnica)

Future of Chile’s energy sector lies with renewables, shows new report (via Renewable Energy World)

Wind power “could yield €8.3 billion” for Ireland (via Recharge)

As solar prices fall, wind still finds a role in microgrids (via Navigant Research)

New US wind power projects fall 93% in 2013 (via The Hill)

As net metering battles move to small markets, solar advocates claim early victories (via Energy Collective)

Solar “net metering” extended by California regulators (via San Francisco Chronicle)

California utility PG&E exceeds 20% renewable energy standard (via Greentech Media)

BOEM to hold competitive Maryland offshore wind energy lease auction this summer (via Recharge)

Waste-to-energy could help Wisconsin expand sustainable energy (via Journal-Sentinel)

Kansas flirts with repeal of renewable energy standard (via EnergyWire)

Virginia awards $860,000 in offshore wind research (via Virginian-Pilot)

EMISSIONS 

RGGI announces 2015 CO2 allocation (via Environmental Leader)

OIL 

One year after Exxon’s Arkansas spill, basic questions still unanswered (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

EVs, plug-ins already saving 45 million gallons of gasoline per year in US (via Autoblog Green)

COAL 

North Carolina inspectors failed to notice crack before coal ash spill (via The Guardian)

ENVIRONMENT 

Water, wildlife surge back into once-parched Colorado River delta (via Los Angeles Times)

US lists lesser prairie chicken as threatened, energy groups wary (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Ohio GOP drafts plan to freeze state’s renewable, energy efficiency rules (via Columbus Dispatch)

Indiana governor lets energy efficiency program expire (via Indianapolis Star)

OPINION 

Can evolution outrace climate change? (via FiveThirtyEight)

Spring training, and Spring, starting way earlier than usual (via Bloomberg)

Three utilities most likely to fall in death spiral, via Morningstar (via Forbes)

How distributed energy resources affect US capacity markets (via Solar Industry)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.21.14

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

CLIMATE 

Climate change a “national security” issue, say military experts (via RTCC)

Climate change brings more crime (via Los Angeles Times)

State Department review to emphasize effects of climate change on global conflict (via Huffington Post)

Obama says climate weighs on Keystone and other decisions (via Reuters)

U.S. billionaire to pour $100 million into climate change fight (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

As global gas output surges, U.S. seen to rival Russia in Europe (via Reuters)

Mexico’s drug cartels are standing in the way of a fracking bonanza (via National Journal)

Profits from natural gas exports could disappoint, says researcher (via Houston Chronicle)

Drilling-heavy Oklahoma ranked 2nd last year for quakes in U.S. (via EnergyWire)

Ohio governor reverses decision on fracking in state parks (via Columbus Dispatch)

RENEWABLES 

“Advanced energy” a $1.1 trillion global industry in 2013 (via Solar Industry)

Japan may cut solar tariff 14% as operating costs decline (via Bloomberg)

Biomass could provide 44% of UK energy by 2050 (via RTCC)

Brazil will install more wind capacity by 2022 than all other Latin American nations combined (via Navigant Research)

Brazil’s new 400MW of stranded wind capacity (via Recharge)

Chile connects more than 100MW of solar projects to grid (via PV Magazine)

Solar industry, utilities seek common ground (via National Journal)

Study: Wind turbines remain efficient for at least 25 years (via BusinessGreen)

NREL bioreactor uncovers how to get maximum fuel from algae (via Environmental Leader)

DOI approves 550MW of solar projects on public lands (via Renew Grid)

U.S. offshore wind inches closer to reality as Dominion places ocean lease bid (via Climate Progress)

State legislators mull Kansas renewable energy regulation (via AP)

Los Angeles solar feed-in tariff program represents 40MW (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUILDING 

Top ten LEED states ranked (via Environmental Leader)

U.S. building efficiency was worth more than clean electricity in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

Battle of the buildings addresses split energy incentives (via Navigant Research)

COAL 

Flurry of coal power plant shutdowns expected by 2016 (via Climate Central)

Coal plants average 56% capacity factor – that has major implications (via Facts of the Day)

North Carolina coal ash spill investigation widens as federal prosecutors subpoena state records (via Huffington Post/AP)

Duke says its customers won’t pay for ash cleanup (via Charlotte Observer)

Illinois mine safety regulator took campaign cash from coal magnate (via Illinois Times)

EMISSIONS 

Denmark commits to setting carbon targets every five years (via BusinessGreen)

Supreme Court asked to clear the air about greenhouse gas rules (via McClatchy)

OIL 

New oil boom expected in the Ecuadorian Amazon (via The Guardian)

BNSF taking bids to buy up to 5,000 safer oil railcars (via Reuters)

North Dakota oil patch communities plea for more help (via Bismarck Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION 

Charge “sharing” by electric vehicles could ease power grid strain (via United Press International)

2014 Nissan Leaf named overall cleanest car in U.S. (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Pipeline battles loom in Canada if Keystone XL stalled (via The Star)

Alberta oil sands study confirms tailings found in groundwater, river (via CBC News)

Keystone XL decision could drag past November after Nebraska pushback (via Greenwire)

TransCanada weighs next steps after U.S. court’s Keystone ruling (via Reuters)

Former U.S. Geological Survey head endorses Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

GRID 

China surpasses U.S. atop $15 billion global smart grid market (via Renew Grid)

State of green business: Energy storage becomes a game-changer (via GreenBiz)

Three states driving energy storage for utilities and customers (via Greentech Media)

TVA still has no deal to buy Clean Line’s wind energy (via The Commercial Appeal)

ENVIRONMENT 

Nine maps that explain the world’s forests (via WRI Insights)

U.S. West wildfire season “likely to set a record” (via CNBC)

OPINION 

Retirement of 20% U.S. coal fleet may not mean a power production decline (via Facts of the Day)

Ohio’s Utica Shale boom is not guaranteed (via Plain-Dealer)

USDA ups its climate game (via CLF Scoop)

Ethanol business recovers (via Environmental Leader)

Solving the Midwest’s ethanol problem (via The Energy Collective)

Did these Nebraska landowners just block the KXL pipeline? (via OnEarth)

Poll: Majority want answers on Keystone oil destination (via The Hill)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.21.14

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

CLIMATE 

Climate change a “national security” issue, say military experts (via RTCC)

Climate change brings more crime (via Los Angeles Times)

State Department review to emphasize effects of climate change on global conflict (via Huffington Post)

Obama says climate weighs on Keystone and other decisions (via Reuters)

U.S. billionaire to pour $100 million into climate change fight (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

As global gas output surges, U.S. seen to rival Russia in Europe (via Reuters)

Mexico’s drug cartels are standing in the way of a fracking bonanza (via National Journal)

Profits from natural gas exports could disappoint, says researcher (via Houston Chronicle)

Drilling-heavy Oklahoma ranked 2nd last year for quakes in U.S. (via EnergyWire)

Ohio governor reverses decision on fracking in state parks (via Columbus Dispatch)

RENEWABLES 

“Advanced energy” a $1.1 trillion global industry in 2013 (via Solar Industry)

Japan may cut solar tariff 14% as operating costs decline (via Bloomberg)

Biomass could provide 44% of UK energy by 2050 (via RTCC)

Brazil will install more wind capacity by 2022 than all other Latin American nations combined (via Navigant Research)

Brazil’s new 400MW of stranded wind capacity (via Recharge)

Chile connects more than 100MW of solar projects to grid (via PV Magazine)

Solar industry, utilities seek common ground (via National Journal)

Study: Wind turbines remain efficient for at least 25 years (via BusinessGreen)

NREL bioreactor uncovers how to get maximum fuel from algae (via Environmental Leader)

DOI approves 550MW of solar projects on public lands (via Renew Grid)

U.S. offshore wind inches closer to reality as Dominion places ocean lease bid (via Climate Progress)

State legislators mull Kansas renewable energy regulation (via AP)

Los Angeles solar feed-in tariff program represents 40MW (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUILDING 

Top ten LEED states ranked (via Environmental Leader)

U.S. building efficiency was worth more than clean electricity in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

Battle of the buildings addresses split energy incentives (via Navigant Research)

COAL 

Flurry of coal power plant shutdowns expected by 2016 (via Climate Central)

Coal plants average 56% capacity factor – that has major implications (via Facts of the Day)

North Carolina coal ash spill investigation widens as federal prosecutors subpoena state records (via Huffington Post/AP)

Duke says its customers won’t pay for ash cleanup (via Charlotte Observer)

Illinois mine safety regulator took campaign cash from coal magnate (via Illinois Times)

EMISSIONS 

Denmark commits to setting carbon targets every five years (via BusinessGreen)

Supreme Court asked to clear the air about greenhouse gas rules (via McClatchy)

OIL 

New oil boom expected in the Ecuadorian Amazon (via The Guardian)

BNSF taking bids to buy up to 5,000 safer oil railcars (via Reuters)

North Dakota oil patch communities plea for more help (via Bismarck Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION 

Charge “sharing” by electric vehicles could ease power grid strain (via United Press International)

2014 Nissan Leaf named overall cleanest car in U.S. (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Pipeline battles loom in Canada if Keystone XL stalled (via The Star)

Alberta oil sands study confirms tailings found in groundwater, river (via CBC News)

Keystone XL decision could drag past November after Nebraska pushback (via Greenwire)

TransCanada weighs next steps after U.S. court’s Keystone ruling (via Reuters)

Former U.S. Geological Survey head endorses Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

GRID 

China surpasses U.S. atop $15 billion global smart grid market (via Renew Grid)

State of green business: Energy storage becomes a game-changer (via GreenBiz)

Three states driving energy storage for utilities and customers (via Greentech Media)

TVA still has no deal to buy Clean Line’s wind energy (via The Commercial Appeal)

ENVIRONMENT 

Nine maps that explain the world’s forests (via WRI Insights)

U.S. West wildfire season “likely to set a record” (via CNBC)

OPINION 

Retirement of 20% U.S. coal fleet may not mean a power production decline (via Facts of the Day)

Ohio’s Utica Shale boom is not guaranteed (via Plain-Dealer)

USDA ups its climate game (via CLF Scoop)

Ethanol business recovers (via Environmental Leader)

Solving the Midwest’s ethanol problem (via The Energy Collective)

Did these Nebraska landowners just block the KXL pipeline? (via OnEarth)

Poll: Majority want answers on Keystone oil destination (via The Hill)