Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.12.14

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

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon backloading start possible in March (via Reuters Point Carbon)

South Korea risking sky-high carbon prices, worry for exports (via Reuters)

Obama administration quietly preparing deeper emissions targets for UN talks (via ClimateWire)

Capturing carbon may add 80% to US electricity costs (via Bloomberg)

California’s rate of CO2 cuts “needs to be doubled” after 2020 (via RTCC)

OIL 

OPEC sees stronger 2014 oil demand growth (via Reuters)

Russia expects 2014 oil output to renew post-Soviet record (via Reuters)

EIA lowers US oil output forecast but highlights shale upside (via Reuters)

Fracking blamed for drought in California (via CNBC/Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

India to double its renewable power capacity by 2017 (via The Hindu)

Unsubsidized solar power gives it a go in Spain (via Breaking Energy)

India’s plan for world’s largest solar farm my stumble over wetlands (via The Guardian)

UK radar deal “could unlock 2.2GW” of new wind capacity (via Recharge)

Honduras wind project gets $82 million guarantee (via Recharge)

How Chile is shepherding its renewable energy expansion (via Renewable Energy World)

How online maps can speed up solar site selection (via GreenBiz)

Lockheed backs world’s largest wave energy project (via Forbes)

Wind turbine prices fall 35% from 2009-2013 (via Facts of the Day)

Mosiac to offer retail investments in residential solar (via Bloomberg)

New York State’s green bank confirmed as “open for business” (via BusinessGreen)

Massive offshore wind farm takes shape off….Rhode Island? (via CleanTechnica)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Alberta premier says she won’t play games with US on Keystone (via The Hill)

Environmental movement to test its muscle in Keystone final stretch (via InsideClimate News)

Is shipping oil by rail as dangerous as the Keystone pipeline? (via Mother Jones)

TRANSPORTATION 

Toyota to recall 1.9 million Prius hybrids (via BusinessGreen)

Nissan Leaf ranks as best-selling EV in Europe in 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

Airbus forecasts Asia-Pacific will need 11,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years (via Green Car Congress)

Over 250,000 vehicle-to-grid enabled EVs will be sold from 2013-2022 (via Navigant Research)

Nissan Leaf accelerates to 45% total zero-emissions market share (via GreenBiz)

Tesla Motors stock breaks $200 mark for the first time (via Autoblog Green)

COAL 

Pipe break at coal facility contaminates West Virginia waterway (via Climate Progress)

Private testing finds coal chemical in 40% of West Virginia homes (via Climate Progress)

CLIMATE 

Economist says best climate fix a tough sell, but worth it (via NPR)

Hot Alaska, cold Georgia: How the shifted polar vortex turned winter upside down (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Louisiana natural gas export terminal gets green light (via National Journal)

Colorado communities battle to ban fracking (via DeSmog Blog)

Explosion and fire at Chevron natural gas well in Pennsylvania (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to set up $1.6 billion fund to fight smog (via Reuters)

In California drought, a message to consumers: Water is power (via Christian Science Monitor)

GREEN BUILDING 

Green builders weather housing slump (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

House Republicans receive lowest environmental rating in 44 years (via Washington Post)

Landrieu era to begin on Senate energy committee (via National Journal)

Koch brothers bombard vulnerable Senate Democrat Kay Hagan (via Politico)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.18.13

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

CLIMATE 

EU needs international climate finance roadmap (via Reuters)

November temperatures set new global high, says NOAA (via CNN)

Water scarcity escalating due to climate change, says report (via The Hill)

2013 in review: A year of increasing extreme weather events (via The Guardian)

Obama and climate change: The real story (via Rolling Stone)

11 US cities tapped to spur “climate resiliency” action worldwide (via InsideClimate News)

OIL 

Shale well depletion raises questions over US oil boom (via Houston Chronicle)

Report: Taxpayers not getting fair return from drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

Without exports, US could face oil supply glut in 2015 (via Breaking Energy)

Interior Department has stopped trying to raise drilling royalty rates (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

Tony Abbott could scrap Australia’s renewables target (via RTCC)

Merkel rejects EU probe of Germany’s green energy incentives (via Bloomberg)

Canadian solar surging on sales of power projects (via Bloomberg)

Mexico will be hottest solar market in Latin America, despite huge Chile project pipeline (via Greentech Media)

UK approves plans for major offshore wind hub project (via Recharge)

Study shows rooftop solar adds thousands to home resale values (via CleanTechnica)

US DOE invests $13 million into domestic solar manufacturing (via CleanTechnica)

Turbine noise can be heard from just 3% of wind farms (via The Guardian)

A struggle to balance wind energy with wildlife (via New York Times)

Wind power rivals coal with $1 billion order from Buffett (via Bloomberg)

Ohio and Michigan partner for clean energy manufacturing (via CBS News)

Construction begins on Cape Wind offshore wind farm (via Cape Cod Times)

Move over wind – solar energy market “exploding” in Iowa (via Midwest Energy News)

Kansas renewable energy target under fire again in state legislature (via Lawrence Journal-World)

US shifts offshore wind gaze to Maryland (via Renewable Energy World)

Pentagon report says market forces shifted rare earth availability (via Reuters) 

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada to start oil shipments on Keystone XL southern leg in January (via Houston Chronicle)

House budget chief looks to tie Keystone XL to debt-ceiling vote (via The Hill)

GRID 

Utility-scale battery storage costs could be competitive with gas within 18 months (via Renew Economy)

US net metering set to grow, but effect on electric utilities uncertain (via Reuters)

USDA providing $1.8 billion in funding for rural electric utilities (via Renew Grid)

California ISO unveils roadmap to smarter, stronger grid (via BusinessWire)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Britain opens door to more shale gas drilling (via New York Times)

Outlook suggests green light for more gas exports (via EnergyWire)

USGS study: Methane common in southern New York State groundwater (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

TRANSPORTATION 

Will biofuels do better in aviation than anywhere else? (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla gets $34.7 million tax break to boost manufacturing in California (via San Francisco Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Shaheen fights to recharge energy efficiency bill (via National Journal)

Infographic guide to buying energy-efficient light bulbs (via Inhabitat)

NUCLEAR 

Right-sized reactors breathing new life into nuclear energy (via Forbes)

OPINION 

Can the American wind energy industry survive without the PTC? (via Energy Collective)

It doesn’t take much global warming to drive water scarcity way up (via Climate Progress)

How wind power could beat out natural gas (via EarthTechling)

Could 2014 be the year of the battery? (via Renew Economy)

Are taxpayers getting their fair share of oil royalties? (via National Journal)

Four ways climate change is transforming our winters (via C2ES)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.6.13

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

CLIMATE

Philippines prepares for climate-resilient future post Typhoon Haiyan (via RTCC)

Diseases on the move because of climate change (via USA Today)

College endowment managers get schooled on climate change (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Riding the fracking wave all the way to China (via National Journal)

90 groups call for federal regulations to curb methane leaks (via Washington Post)

Is California’s Monterey Shale a major oil resource or over-hyped? (via EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES

Renewables’ share of new power capacity in China surpasses 50% (via Thompson Reuters)

Record German wind farm output lifts renewables share over 35% (via Bloomberg)

China’s installed solar PV to reach 10GW by end of 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

Can the cost of solar in the US compete with Germany? (via RMI Outlet)

Renewable fuel backers try to change EPA’s mind at hearing (via Reuters)

White House finalizing review of permits for wind farm eagle deaths (via The Hill)

Midwest wind cost-competitive with gas and coal (via Breaking Energy)

Secretive right-wing group ALEC continues its war on clean energy (via Climate Progress)

Poll shows 78% support for net metering in Colorado (via Renew Grid)

NUCLEAR

Fukushima radiation to reach US coast at safe levels, says NRC (via Bloomberg)

Japan finds scrapping nuclear boosts pollution, fuel cost (via Bloomberg)

GRID

Japanese energy giants rush into storage as solar booms (via Renew Economy)

Taking green-powered island microgrids to commercial scale (via Greentech Media)

Utility Xcel has plans to create its own transmission company (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Honda joins vehicle-to-grid demonstration project at University of Delaware (via Green Car Congress)

EMISSIONS

EU may extend aviation carbon freeze to 2020, says adviser (via Bloomberg)

Mining, fracking, and drilling have changed public lands from carbon sinks to carbon polluters (via Climate Progress)

FERC tells Congress EPA pollution rules will hit Midwest hardest (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION

Urban car use declines as biking and public transit rise in the US (via Yale e360)

300% increase in all-electric car sales in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

House proposes 15-cent federal gas tax hike (via Autoblog)

Ohio Senate strips anti-Tesla amendment from legislation (via Autoblog)

OPINION

Is Chile the next star in renewable energy? (via Energy Collective)

EPA’s RFS proposal is a step backwards on clean energy path (via Energy Collective)

Understanding the facts of the renewable energy PTC (via CleanTechnica)

California’s renewable energy future (via EarthTechling)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.6.13

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

CLIMATE

Philippines prepares for climate-resilient future post Typhoon Haiyan (via RTCC)

Diseases on the move because of climate change (via USA Today)

College endowment managers get schooled on climate change (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Riding the fracking wave all the way to China (via National Journal)

90 groups call for federal regulations to curb methane leaks (via Washington Post)

Is California’s Monterey Shale a major oil resource or over-hyped? (via EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES

Renewables’ share of new power capacity in China surpasses 50% (via Thompson Reuters)

Record German wind farm output lifts renewables share over 35% (via Bloomberg)

China’s installed solar PV to reach 10GW by end of 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

Can the cost of solar in the US compete with Germany? (via RMI Outlet)

Renewable fuel backers try to change EPA’s mind at hearing (via Reuters)

White House finalizing review of permits for wind farm eagle deaths (via The Hill)

Midwest wind cost-competitive with gas and coal (via Breaking Energy)

Secretive right-wing group ALEC continues its war on clean energy (via Climate Progress)

Poll shows 78% support for net metering in Colorado (via Renew Grid)

NUCLEAR

Fukushima radiation to reach US coast at safe levels, says NRC (via Bloomberg)

Japan finds scrapping nuclear boosts pollution, fuel cost (via Bloomberg)

GRID

Japanese energy giants rush into storage as solar booms (via Renew Economy)

Taking green-powered island microgrids to commercial scale (via Greentech Media)

Utility Xcel has plans to create its own transmission company (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Honda joins vehicle-to-grid demonstration project at University of Delaware (via Green Car Congress)

EMISSIONS

EU may extend aviation carbon freeze to 2020, says adviser (via Bloomberg)

Mining, fracking, and drilling have changed public lands from carbon sinks to carbon polluters (via Climate Progress)

FERC tells Congress EPA pollution rules will hit Midwest hardest (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION

Urban car use declines as biking and public transit rise in the US (via Yale e360)

300% increase in all-electric car sales in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

House proposes 15-cent federal gas tax hike (via Autoblog)

Ohio Senate strips anti-Tesla amendment from legislation (via Autoblog)

OPINION

Is Chile the next star in renewable energy? (via Energy Collective)

EPA’s RFS proposal is a step backwards on clean energy path (via Energy Collective)

Understanding the facts of the renewable energy PTC (via CleanTechnica)

California’s renewable energy future (via EarthTechling)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.26.13

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

EMISSIONS 

EPA says US spewing 50% more methane into air than estimated (via AP)

Feds reveal data behind “social cost of carbon” (via The Hill)

On campuses, a fossil-fuel divestment movement (via Washington Post)

Activists to push DC fossil fuel investment ban (via Seattle Post-Intelligencer/AP)

MIT study finds air pollution causes 200,000 premature deaths per year in US (via Facts of the Day)

CARBON MARKETS 

China expands carbon emissions trading scheme (via Phys.org)

California carbon auction raises $297 million (via Environmental Leader)

California carbon market caps off successful first year (via Environmental Leader)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil, Chile, Nicaragua top Latin America clean energy investment index (via RTCC)

Small wind turbine market to top $3 billion by 2020 (via BusinessGreen)

The US has 43 nuclear power plants’ worth of solar in the pipeline (via Quartz)

Wind picks up as coal declines in the Midwest (via Greentech Media)

Ecotech finds more than 1 million clean energy job postings (via Energy Manager Today)

Capital markets, regulatory certainty needed to scale up US advanced biofuel production (via Breaking Energy)

Ohio energy policy revamp bill getting a rewrite to include compromises (via Cleveland Plain-Dealer)

CLIMATE 

Climate change refugee bid denied by New Zealand court (via The Guardian)

White House climate “resilience” group gets going (via The Hill)

GREEN BUILDING 

Five ways buildings have reached a “GREEN” tipping point (via RMI Outlet)

Greenbuild 2013: Three signs green building is on the rise (via GreenBiz)

Top 10 innovations from Greenbuild 2013 (via Inhabitat)

OPINION 

Warsaw outcome a hint of what’s to come (via C2ES)

China can turn its challenges into clear opportunities for greener growth (via South China Morning Post)

Future of energy storage is behind the meter (via Greentech Media)

Five myths about the carbon asset bubble (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.15.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Germany blocks EU car emissions law (via The Guardian)

Tony Abbott insists Australia’s carbon tax will end on July 1 even if Senate blocks repeal (via The Guardian)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking comes to Saudi Arabia despite limited water resources (via Raw Story/AFP)

China will raise on-grid prices for gas-fired power generation (via Reuters)

Shell CEO says shale gas will take longer to develop than expected (via Reuters)

Combining distributed gas and solar in the US heartland (via Greentech Media)

Drilling water wells to foil fracking (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

RENEWABLES 

IEA projects renewable energy to surpass natural gas in 2015 (via Sustainable Business)

Global hydropower investment to top $75 billion through 2020 (via BusinessGreen)

World Bank support for China solar and wind power may have cost US jobs (via Washington Post)

Chile doubles renewable energy goal to 20% to spark new projects (via Bloomberg)

German green power surcharge to rise 18% in 2014 (via Reuters)

Solar and wind produced up to 60% of Germany’s electricity on October 3rd (via CleanTechnica)

1.8GW of new solar for Japan in Q2 (via CleanTechnica)

Solar vs. wind in Brazil’s power tender (via Recharge)

Putting robots to work in solar energy (via New York Times)

TAR SANDS 

Mercury levels rising near Alberta oil sands, study finds (via Globe and Mail)

CLIMATE 

Climate change making North American forests more vulnerable (via Washington Post)

Foliage season under fire from climate change (via Climate Central)

LA Times refuses to publish climate denial, will other newspapers? (via CleanTechnica)

Another dry year could be bad news for California (via Los Angeles Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

For EV makers, selling cars is just the start (via Navigant Research)

From RINs to supply to demand to seasonality, why gasoline is heading lower (via Houston Chronicle)

OIL 

Report: US oil growth having limited effect on energy security (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

Smart city market to hit $6.1 billion by 2020 (via Energy Manager Today)

10 reasons microgrids matter to corporate sustainability (via GreenBiz)

OPINION 

Clean energy not to blame for rising California energy costs (via EarthTechling)

Four key reasons why coal’s 2013 rebound will end and its decline resume (via Facts of the Day)

Renewable Fuel Standard: Are we nearing a compromise on ethanol? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Why residents of disaster-prone areas don’t move (via The Atlantic)

Renewable fuel standard needs to be modified, not repealed (via Phys.org)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.12.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China to cut coal use, shut polluters, in bid to clear the air (via Reuters)

EPA to revise climate rule for new power plants, will still require carbon capture (via Washington Post)

Utilities fret about “unrealistic” emissions rules (via The Hill)

1% of America’s power plants emit 33% of energy industry’s CO2 (via Mother Jones)

California carbon price forecast plunges (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

China sets national coal use target to tackle air pollution (via Reuters)

Study: Damage from mountaintop coal removal mining “staggering” compared to energy benefits (via Charleston Gazette)

RENEWABLES 

Chile’s road to solar grid parity (via Renewable Energy World)

Japan hopes to blow ahead in renewables with floating wind farm (via Japan Times)

Analysis: 50% reduction in cost of renewable energy since 2008 (via CleanTechnica)

New US solar market report: US installs 832MW solar PV in Q2 2013 (via Greentech Media)

What local wind energy ordinances make sense for distributed generation? (via CleanTechnica)

New Mexico commission urged not to change renewable energy rules (via Santa Fe New Mexican)

California bill preserves net metering, “punts” to state regulators (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Study says solar delivers $11 million in annual benefits to Xcel Energy grid (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Michigan utility moves forward on $255M wind farm (via Detroit Free-Press)

Falling into solar: National Solar Tour and Solar Decathlon (via Renewable Energy World)

CLIMATE 

Arctic ice continues thinning to record low, European satellite reveals (via Christian Science Monitor)

Report shows companies still don’t take climate change seriously (via The Guardian)

Summer days “four times hotter” across some parts of Europe (via RTCC)

The most important climate pacts you’ve never heard of (via Climate Central)

States with most federal disaster aid sent most climate deniers to Congress (via Center for American Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Senate takes up bipartisan energy efficiency legislation (via Huffington Post)

Senate energy efficiency debate becomes battleground (via Houston Chronicle)

What it takes to make energy efficiency programs work (via Greentech Media)

Chicago moves to require building owners to disclose energy use (via Chicago Tribune)

Opower launches behavioral demand response program (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

LNG export critics call on DOE for time out (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama administration authorizes new natural gas export terminal (via Houston Chronicle)

California assembly passes new regulations on fracking (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

Microgrids become reality as Superstorm Sandy anniversary nears (via ClimateWire)

DOE Energy Systems Integration Facility to help modernize grid (via Energy.gov)

New EV chargers put energy back into local grid (via EarthTechling)

DOE, NREL, Toyota collaborating on integrating EVs into grid (via Green Car Reports)

Why the Lone Star State’s smart grid stands alone (via GreenBiz)

ENERGY SECTOR 

Power sector infrastructure, renewables spending surging (via Houston Chronicle)

Why are some bug utilities embracing small-scale solar? (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Volkswagen will be biggest EV maker in 2018, it says (via Green Car Reports)

Nissan Leaf hits South Africa in October – first EV on sale in the country (via CleanTechnica)

Tesla challenges BMW on home turf as Germans go green (via Bloomberg)

What is America’s most fuel-efficient airline? (via Climate Central)

DOE-NASCAR partnership revs deployment of pollution-reducing technology (via Energy.gov)

ENVIRONMENT 

Global warming may “flatten” rainforests (via Mongabay)

Proposal to protect Antarctic waters is scaled back (via New York Times)

Study: Wind farms killed 67 eagles in 5 years (via AP)

OPINION 

Three investment vehicles that could revolutionize solar (via Sustainable Industries)

Naomi Klein’s criticism of environmental groups missed the mark (via Climate Progress)

China’s urban billion: Energy use and greenhouse gases (via WRI Insights)

The trouble with low carbon prices (via Environmental Leader)

What can Canada do to get Keystone approved? (via Politico)

Despite hard push from industry, new coal plants could see serious carbon cuts (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.6.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Europe offers US a deal, hoping for global rules on airline emissions (via New York Times)

Carbon prices rise to 5-month high as EU crimps free-permit handout (via Bloomberg)

Coalition’s plans to remove Australian carbon price will cost more than $6 billion (via The Guardian)

A new divestment focus: Fossil fuels (via New York Times)

COAL 

China may get over its addition to coal sooner than anyone thought (via Quartz)

Coal, hit hard by natural gas, could see further US market erosion from regulations (via ClimateWire)

RENEWABLES 

Geothermal power will hit 12GW worldwide by end of 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

Deutsche Bank says solar is approaching grid parity (via Breaking Energy)

Chile adopts 20% renewables by 2025 target (via Recharge)

Biggest geothermal plant of its kind kicks into gear in New Zealand (via EarthTechling)

Renewables account for nearly 50% of US added capacity in 2012 (via Transmission & Distribution World)

White House reviewing 2014 biofuel targets (via Reuters)

Wildlife groups, wind industry meet on eagle permit rule (via The Hill)

A $1.6 million win in America’s second offshore wind lease auction (via CleanTechnica)

Studies suggest combining renewables can fully cover energy needs by 2030 (via Energy Collective)

Is solar about to get squeezed or saved in California? (via Greentech Solar)

In unlikely alliance, Wisconsin Libertarians back solar plan (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

US oil production reaches highest level in 24 years (via Houston Chronicle)

Is there another big US shale oil play? (via Breaking Energy)

Analyst says rail will be a lasting competitor against oil pipelines (via Houston Chronicle)

Drilling permit applications soar in Texas (via Houston Chronicle)

EPA fines Shell $1.1 million for Arctic air pollution during drilling (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

India will announce plans to cut fuel consumption (via Reuters)

Who’s all excited about quick EV charging? That’d be the US military (via Green Car Reports)

San Francisco, Los Angeles account for 35% of US EV sales (via Huffington Post)

Like Tesla, Nissan making money selling ZEC credits (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS 

Exxon: Natural gas will soon overtake coal in global energy use (via Houston Chronicle)

US natgas via Panama frightens LNG exporters worldwide (via Reuters)

Study says new shale gas development boom unlikely in Michigan (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

EU says clock ticking on 2015 climate talks deal (via Phys.org)

Acidifying oceans add to list of CO2 dangers (via Reuters)

Caribbean faces water shortages from climate change (via Time)

Study links global warming to 2012 wild weather (via AP)

Risk of Sandy-level flood in New York City has doubled since 1950 (via Climate Central)

TAR SANDS 

Canada spent $120 million on research for Enbridge pipeline (via CBC News)

Enbridge moves ahead with Michigan river cleanup (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

First Keystone pipeline pumped little money into local economy (via Lincoln Journal-Start)

GRID 

German energy storage plan could trigger new market boom (via Renew Economy)

Is the smart meter market slowing down or just relocating? (via Renew Grid)

Why energy storage is cost-effective and in need of a clear market signal (via TriplePundit)

NUCLEAR

Nuclear trash men gain from record US reactor shutdowns (via Bloomberg)

Vermont Yankee nuclear plant closure in 2014 will challenge New England energy markets (via US EIA)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Expect to see deep energy retrofits for federal buildings (via GreenBiz)

Survey: Building automation and data analytics are top efficiency priorities (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Significant gap exists between firms’ sustainability talk, actions (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

How climate change became the “killing fields” of Australian politics (via Mother Jones)

Obama trying to escape political fallout from natural gas fracking proposals (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.10.13

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

EMISSIONS 

IEA says global carbon emissions hit record high in 2012 (via Reuters)

US and China agree to wind down production and use of greenhouse gas (via Washington Post)

RGGI carbon auction raises a record $124.5 million (via Bloomberg)

College fossil fuel divestments don’t harm oil and gas or school fund performance (via Environmental Leader)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear plant closures show industry’s struggles (via Yahoo!/AP)

California’s San Onofre nuclear plant to close for good (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

China invests billions in US, European renewable energy projects (via CleanTechnica)

Wind generates 38% more than nuclear in India during first half of FY2013 (via Panchabuta)

Chile’s businesses set for 600MW renewable energy boost (via BusinessGreen)

WWF campaign calls for $40 billion in renewable energy investments (via Renew Grid)

Utilities and solar advocates square off over future (via Washington Post)

Oxford PV touts 15.4% efficiency record for solar glass technology (via BusinessGreen)

New solar guide could tap 3.3GW potential of HOA communities (via CleanTechnica)

Minnesota to define the value of solar power (via Midwest Energy News)

Wind turbines withstand E5 Oklahoma tornadoes (via BusinessGreen)

CLIMATE

IEA outlines global climate action plan (via BusinessGreen)

Climate change causing Pentagon planning shift, says DOD strategist (via The Hill)

Study: most investors don’t support climate-related shareholder resolutions (via TriplePundit)

Tough spot for farmers: adapting to climate change they don’t believe in (via Grist)

OIL 

OPEC’s slipping grasp on the world’s oil market (via Globe and Mail)

US shale boom putting OPEC on the defense (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking foes push California governor on ban (via Houston Chronicle)

Abandoned Texas oil wells raise fears of pollution (via New York Times)

GRID 

More utilities set to pursue advanced distribution management systems (via Renew Grid)

Texas grid girds for summer onslaught (via Houston Chronicle)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Shale exploration in China set to explode, says analyst (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

What’s the future of electric cars? (via National Journal)

California is closing a huge nuclear plant, so what will replace it? (via Washington Post)

What happens when California’s 33% renewable mandate is met? (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.13.13

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

STATE OF THE UNION 

Obama gives Congress a climate change ultimatum (via Reuters)

Obama vows executive action climate push but many specifics remain absent (via The Hill)

Obama floats “Energy Security Trust” in State of the Union (via The Hill)

Obama calls for doubling US energy efficiency by 2030 (via Greentech Media)

Obama talks tough on climate, proposes “drilling for clean energy” program (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama promises cap-and-trade action (via Washington Post)

Obama cites storms, drought to build case for climate action (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Australia’s electricity emissions fall to 10-year low as coal sidelined by renewables (via Renew Economy)

EU aviation carbon emissions to decline in 2013 (via Bloomberg)

North American carbon markets to “more than double” this year (via Environmental Leader)

On-ship carbon capture concept developed, could reduce ship emissions up to 65% (via Green Car Congress)

RENEWABLES 

Three charts to help you understand Chile’s emerging utility-scale solar market (via Greentech Media)

Tea party targets renewable energy standard in Kansas (via Grist)

New York State solar market shows significant promise for 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

Maine leads trend toward floating offshore wind turbines (via Sustainable Business)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US Senate Energy Committee mulls future of natural gas policy (via Reuters)

Beyond the boom, unanswered questions about the life of new natural gas wells (via EnergyWire)

New York State puts off fracking decision (via New York Times)

New York State may issue fracking permits without final regulations (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Germany may implement energy storage incentive (via CleanTechnica)

Data centers morphing into virtual power plants (via Pike Research)

CLIMATE 

Climate change outpacing green investment, report shows (via GreenBiz)

Why Tokyo has more to fear from sea-level rise than Vancouver (via Washington Post)

East Coast faces rising seas from slowing Gulf Stream (via Climate Central)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Almost two-thirds of consumers remain unaware of UK’s energy efficiency Green Deal (via BusinessGreen)

Newer US homes are 30% larger but consumer about as much energy as older homes (via US EIA)

EPEAT green electronics registry adds printers, copiers (via GreenBiz)

Minneapolis commercial buildings to report energy use starting in 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)

TRANSPORTATION 

Holland’s plan to go EV is working (via Autoblog Green)

The charges are flying over a test of Tesla’s charging network (via New York Times)

San Jose State University and CalCharge launch “Battery University” program (via Green Car Congress)

OIL 

US approves Chinese-Canadian oil deal (via The Hill)

Russia plans $25-30 billion oil-for-loans deal with China (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Corporations face mounting investor demand to enhance environmental performance (via BusinessGreen)

ENVIRONMENT 

Deaths of endangered fish curtail California water exports (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

Top Republican to Obama: don’t bypass Congress on climate (via The Hill)

Sen. Boxer’s ideal EPA candidate seems to describe Gina McCarthy (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Obama can’t change polarization on climate change (via Grist)

Can Congress compromise on clean energy? (via Midwest Energy News)

Is exporting natural gas a problem? (via Politico)

Is another Enron possible in today’s energy market? (via Forbes)

Is more charging needed to sell electric cars in Northeast US? (via Green Car Reports)