Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.22.14

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

CLIMATE 

NOAA: 2013 tied for fourth-warmest year on record (via The Guardian)

2013 timeline: A year of extreme weather events (via WRI Insights)

Report says China must spend $330 billion more to do fair share on climate (via Reuters)

Climate change: “Water supply at risk from back-to-back extreme events” (via The Guardian)

Extreme weather in Canada cost insurers billions in 2013 (via Climate Progress)

EMISSIONS 

EU sets targets of 40% carbon cut and 27% renewables by 2030 (via The Guardian)

China’s per capita CO2 emissions are now greater than Europe’s (via Energy Collective)

Europe divides over more ambitious pollution limits (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China lifts 2014 solar PV installation target to 14GW (via Renew Economy)

Will Germany meet its renewable energy targets? (via Renew Economy)

China’s wind power sector foresees a recovery in 2014 (via Renewable Energy World)

Clean tech’s investment cycle: Don’t worry, think bigger (via Renewable Energy World)

Corn ethanol reduces emissions 32% compared to petroleum (via Environmental Leader)

California official: Utilities would like to “strangle” solar (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Community-owned solar creates a new business model in Massachusetts (via Greentech Media)

Lessons from Minnesota – an unexpected solar success (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

India’s coal imports rise 21% in 2013 (via Reuters)

West Virginia spill just latest case of coal tainting U.S. waters (via AP)

Outside energy experts question EPA reliance on “unproven” clean coal technology (via National Journal)

Republicans’ strategy on new EPA coal rule: Kill it now before it’s finalized (via Inside Climate News)

GRID 

States to utilities: Modernize the grid (via Navigant Research)

ENVIRONMENT 

What Japan’s bloody dolphin hunt has in common with the BP oil spill (via Climate Progress)

West Virginia governor pushes bill tightening chemical storage regulations (via The Hill)

Houston’s ozone mystery: Pockets of pollution unlike other cities (via StateImpact Texas)

OIL 

U.S. oil demand grew faster than China’s in 2013 – that won’t last (via Time)

What happens when the shale oil boom ends? (via Christian Science Monitor)

More oil spilled from trains in 2013 than in previous four decades (via McClatchy)

Keystone XL’s southern leg to begin transporting oil to U.S. Gulf Coast (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla expands Supercharger network in central Europe (via Autoblog Green)

Study shows recent increase in US households without a vehicle (via Green Car Congress)

Will “car rage” join “range anxiety” as EV owner emotion? (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Saudi’s SABIC expects to enter US shale market this year (via Reuters)

Australia divided on fracking (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency is about to get a $200 million jolt from Wall Street (via Greentech Media)

More and more cities switching to LED street lighting (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

ASHRAE publishes fourth edition of green building GreenGuide (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

State of Green Business Report 2014 (via GreenBiz)

10 things you didn’t know about Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (via Energy.gov)

Five big questions about the massive West Virginia chemical spill (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.22.14

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

CLIMATE 

NOAA: 2013 tied for fourth-warmest year on record (via The Guardian)

2013 timeline: A year of extreme weather events (via WRI Insights)

Report says China must spend $330 billion more to do fair share on climate (via Reuters)

Climate change: “Water supply at risk from back-to-back extreme events” (via The Guardian)

Extreme weather in Canada cost insurers billions in 2013 (via Climate Progress)

EMISSIONS 

EU sets targets of 40% carbon cut and 27% renewables by 2030 (via The Guardian)

China’s per capita CO2 emissions are now greater than Europe’s (via Energy Collective)

Europe divides over more ambitious pollution limits (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China lifts 2014 solar PV installation target to 14GW (via Renew Economy)

Will Germany meet its renewable energy targets? (via Renew Economy)

China’s wind power sector foresees a recovery in 2014 (via Renewable Energy World)

Clean tech’s investment cycle: Don’t worry, think bigger (via Renewable Energy World)

Corn ethanol reduces emissions 32% compared to petroleum (via Environmental Leader)

California official: Utilities would like to “strangle” solar (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Community-owned solar creates a new business model in Massachusetts (via Greentech Media)

Lessons from Minnesota – an unexpected solar success (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

India’s coal imports rise 21% in 2013 (via Reuters)

West Virginia spill just latest case of coal tainting U.S. waters (via AP)

Outside energy experts question EPA reliance on “unproven” clean coal technology (via National Journal)

Republicans’ strategy on new EPA coal rule: Kill it now before it’s finalized (via Inside Climate News)

GRID 

States to utilities: Modernize the grid (via Navigant Research)

ENVIRONMENT 

What Japan’s bloody dolphin hunt has in common with the BP oil spill (via Climate Progress)

West Virginia governor pushes bill tightening chemical storage regulations (via The Hill)

Houston’s ozone mystery: Pockets of pollution unlike other cities (via StateImpact Texas)

OIL 

U.S. oil demand grew faster than China’s in 2013 – that won’t last (via Time)

What happens when the shale oil boom ends? (via Christian Science Monitor)

More oil spilled from trains in 2013 than in previous four decades (via McClatchy)

Keystone XL’s southern leg to begin transporting oil to U.S. Gulf Coast (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla expands Supercharger network in central Europe (via Autoblog Green)

Study shows recent increase in US households without a vehicle (via Green Car Congress)

Will “car rage” join “range anxiety” as EV owner emotion? (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Saudi’s SABIC expects to enter US shale market this year (via Reuters)

Australia divided on fracking (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency is about to get a $200 million jolt from Wall Street (via Greentech Media)

More and more cities switching to LED street lighting (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

ASHRAE publishes fourth edition of green building GreenGuide (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

State of Green Business Report 2014 (via GreenBiz)

10 things you didn’t know about Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (via Energy.gov)

Five big questions about the massive West Virginia chemical spill (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.21.14

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

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s exports linked to western U.S. air pollution (via CNN)

Study finds handful of species most important to ecosystem health (via Mongabay)

NUCLEAR 

Japan says new leak detected at Fukushima reactor (via New York Times)

Texas company, alone in US, cashes in on nuclear waste (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

World can double renewables share at low cost, says report (via RTCC)

Germany’s offshore wind capacity hits 520MW (via Recharge)

4,000MW of new solar PV capacity added in Japan (via CleanTechnica)

India surpasses 2013 solar energy goal, adds 1GW to grid (via EcoBusiness)

Solar PV clipped Australia’s peak demand by 4.6% during heat wave (via Renew Economy)

Germany’s industrial base at risk if green energy shift fails (via Reuters)

A new way to harvest more light and make solar cells more efficient (via GigaOm)

Report reveals U.S. military’s renewable energy victories (via GreenBiz)

Study: Active power control of wind turbines can improve grid reliability (via NREL)

Explosive growth for California’s surviving solar firms (via San Francisco Chronicle)

New York PSC signals big changes to prioritize clean energy (via Breaking Energy)

OIL 

Domestic oil output surge puts pressure on decades-old export ban (via National Journal)

Price-rigging probes jammed by oil industry bid to protect its secrets (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

New data shows electric cars won’t be a problem for utilities (via Green Car Reports)

More than 25,000 Teslas on road as company sets sales record in 4Q (via Facts of the Day)

EMISSIONS 

China’s carbon markets risk missteps without transparent data (via Reuters)

Europe split over stronger pollution limits (via The Hill)

Europe energy investment seen at risk without 2030 carbon target (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

CLIMATE 

Soil microbes alter DNA in response to climate change, says study (via Yale e360)

Climate change: Don't get scared, get ready (via The Guardian)

As uses of biochar expand, climate benefits still uncertain (via Yale e360)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Final specifications released for ENERGY STAR version 6.0 (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Buy green, sell stranded (via Slate)

Clean-energy experts offer Obama a path forward without Congress (via National Journal)

New research: How to move Americans on climate (via EcoAffect)

Washington is silent on West Virginia’s chemical spill (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.20.14

Marcacci Communications publishes a daily roundup of energy and climate news and opinion. Inclusion of articles does not mean endorsement. 

EMISSIONS 

CO2 emissions being “outsourced” by rich countries to rising economies (via The Guardian)

Church of England says unlikely to quit fossil fuel investment (via Reuters)

COAL 

Value of coal assets “could be halved” if world goes low-carbon (via RTCC)

FutureGen gets key US Energy Department approval (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

RENEWABLES 

19 countries join forces to develop Africa Clean Energy Corridor (via GreenBiz)

India and UAE agree to partner on renewable energy development (via India.com)

German economy minister plans prompt cut to renewable energy tariffs (via Reuters)

Kenya to generate over half its electricity through solar power by 2016 (via The Guardian)

China sets final duties on US solar materials (via Reuters)

Island channel tidal energy could power about half of Scotland (via Phys.org)

How the Army became a leader in third-party clean energy financing (via Greentech Media)

Bill would reward Wisconsin power companies exceeding renewable energy targets (via Wisconsin Rapids Tribune)

California Energy Commission to award up to $24 million for new biofuel projects (via Green Car Congress)

ERCOT boosts wind energy use to record 9.9% in 2013 (via Recharge)

New York sets California-like path for solar energy (via Sustainable Business)

In coal-reliant Missouri, “market rush” leaves solar push in limbo (via EnergyWire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canadian Prime Minster still expects US approval of Keystone XL (via Reuters)

Kerry will deliberate on Keystone XL after environmental impact analysis is done (via Washington Post)

Canadian environment groups challenge oil pipeline approvals (via Reuters)

Kerry not pressured by Canada’s Keystone XL push (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Davos: Climate impacts pose severe global economic risk (via BusinessGreen)

Climate impacts could push up food prices by 25% (via BusinessGreen)

Peru’s farmers fight climate change using modern and Inca techniques (via The Guardian)

Climate change alters land map of India (via Hindustan Times)

Extreme El Nino events could double over 100 years, experts warn (via The Independent)

Climate-proofing of farms seen too slow as industry faces havoc (via Bloomberg)

Study finds growing doubt on climate change (via The Hill)

Alleging “malpractice” with climate skeptic papers, publisher kills journal (via Science Insider)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Emails reveal UK helped shale gas industry manage fracking opposition (via The Guardian)

ENVIRONMENT

More than 90 wildfires rage in Australia’s New South Wales (via Huffington Post/AP)

Drought disaster declared in Utah, 10 other states (via Salt Lake Tribune)

Chemical-related hospital admissions in West Virginia double since water deemed safe (via Climate Progress)

Freedom Industries files for bankruptcy protection (via Wall Street Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Fisker bankruptcy auction scheduled for February 12th (via Autoblog Green)

Effort to halt bullet train for “Hyperloop”-like options aims for California ballot (via ClimateWire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Innovative financing spurs energy efficiency in rural communities (via GreenBiz)

Speaking the CFO’s language: The case for energy efficiency (via Energy Manager Today)

GRID 

Load curtailment from demand response programs will triple by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Dueling charts of the day: Peaker plants vs. green power (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Can we sever the link between energy and economic growth? (via Washington Post)

EPA climate rules: Too much, too little, or just right? (via National Journal)

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)

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)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.14.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Top global emitter China best on climate change, Figures says (via Bloomberg)

After years of decline, US carbon emissions rose 2% in 2013 (via Washington Post)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Google buys Nest for $3.2 billion (via Forbes)

Seattle energy benchmarking finds $90 million potential annual utility bill savings (via CleanTechnica)

Net zero at unprecedented scale on Illinois campus (via EarthTechling)

Nest gives Google its next big data play: Energy (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

UK solar panels reach half a million rooftop milestone (via BusinessGreen)

How the new US-China trade case could change the American solar market (via Greentech Media)

UK renewable energy firms “looking to hire more staff” (via BBC News)

Clean tech venture investment is on the rise, says report (via GreenBiz)

Solar City takes 32% of 2013 3Q US residential PV marker as utilities squirm (via CleanTechnica)

Ethanol mandate unlikely to face repeal in 2014 (via Argus Leader/Gannett)

North Carolina to join California as top 10 global PV “country” in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Coal-dependent Michigan ready to make the switch to clean energy (via EnergyWire)

New ACORE head outlines renewable energy priorities (via National Journal)

COAL 

Japan’s Tepco doubled coal burning on nuclear shutdown (via Bloomberg)

Coal reliance puts Australia second on OECD’s emissions list (via The Guardian)

China to boost annual railway coal capacity to 3 billion tons by 2020 (via Reuters)

Omnibus federal spending bill thwarts Obama on overseas coal funding limits (via National Journal)

Most states remain dependent on coal imports, draining billions from local economies (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

CLIMATE 

Massive Antarctic glacier has entered irreversible melt, could add up to 1 centimeter of sea level rise (via InsideClimate)

New assessment of climate change’s economic risks is ready for business (via Climate Progress)

Historic black colleges leading climate change advocacy (via Huffington Post)

The flood next time: Grappling with sea level rise sooner not later (via New York Times)

Massachusetts governor to unveil climate change prep plan today (via Boston Herald/AP)

Washington DC’s water utility takes lead in preparing for warming world (via ClimateWire)

OIL 

Trains will still move oil despite wrecks, Keystone XL (via Climate Central)

Federal report says 400,000 gallons of oil spilled in North Dakota train derailment (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Nearly 2.6 million EVs will be sold in the US between 2013 and 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Ford F150 truck trail blazes new green technologies (via TriplePundit)

Annual North Carolina fee on electric vehicles starts this month (via Winston-Salem Journal)

Inslee won’t rule out low-carbon fuel standards in Washington State (via Washington State Wire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL: Texas high court gives hope to landowners in eminent domain fight (via InsideClimate News)

ENVIRONMENT 

West Virginia chemical crisis: The latest (via National Journal)

Water restrictions lifted on day five of West Virginia chemical spill (via The Hill)

GRID 

A123 installs 3MWh grid storage solution in Spain (via Renew Grid)

Upper Great Plains Region looking to join Southwest Power Pool grid (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY POLICY 

How one utility giant created its own pipeline of skilled workers (via National Journal)

Has shale gas really reduced US carbon emissions? The problem of coal exports (via Energy Collective)

OPINION 

Keep up the pressure, climate activists (via Washington Post)

Infrastructure snags: What’s so hard about moving energy? (via National Journal)

Why Nest could be a nightmare for Google (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.13.14

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

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s water squeeze worsens as wetlands shrink 9% since 2003 (via Reuters)

Federal authorities to investigate West Virginia chemical spill (via The Guardian)

West Virginia river chemical leak far larger than previously estimated (via Climate Progress)

MIT study: 52% of projected 2050 global population will live in water-stressed areas (via Green Car Congress)

Drought may pressure California power utilities (via Fitch Ratings)

GREEN BUILDING 

LEED certification’s impact on America: By the numbers (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

Solar faceoff: Feed-in tariff versus net metering (via Energy Collective)

Over 11,000 comments filed on EPA’s ethanol rules (via Autoblog Green)

Solar dropping wholesale electricity prices like a bad habit (via CleanTechnica)

Fate of New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm in hands of regulators (via Atlantic City Press)

Massachusetts reviving SREC program to promote solar growth (via Solar Industry Magazine)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

France’s Total to invest in Britain’s shale gas quest (via Reuters)

UK “going all out for shale” with 40 fracking sites in pipeline (via RTCC)

Manufacturers call for halt on natural gas export approvals (via Houston Chronicle)

New Jersey Pinelands gas pipeline plan is defeated (via Asbury Park Press)

CLIMATE 

EU commissioners clash over 2030 climate goals (via The Guardian)

Public’s climate change concerns “shaped by weather outside” (via RTCC)

In flood insurance fight, Congress wants easy win, not tough solutions (via ClimateWire)

Federal government investigating Christie’s use of Sandy relief funds (via CNN)

OIL 

Canada expects safety standard action on oil train cars “fairly soon” (via Reuters)

Wetland contamination can be predicted by oil boom states (via Los Angeles Times)

Can the oil industry save a threatened species? Texas tries it out (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Study: Air travel outpacing driving in fuel efficiency gains (via Midwest Energy News)

Congress fails to renew important EV tax credits (via Plugin Cars)

Electric vehicle consumers – beyond early adopters (via Center for Climate and Energy Solutions)

Fuel economy of vehicles sold last year at record-high (via Phys.org)

TAR SANDS 

Canadian government to spend $22 million green washing tar sands (via Autoblog Green)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.10.14

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

CLIMATE 

Scientists: Americans are becoming weather wimps (via AP)

Senate Democrats to launch climate offensive (via National Journal)

Boxer and Whitehouse: Dem leaders back new climate change push (via National Journal)

The front lines of climate change: Charleston’s struggle (via Climate Central)

ENERGY POLICY 

Rift over new EU energy and climate policy deepens (via Reuters)

President Obama orders sweeping energy infrastructure review (via The Hill)

Sen. Inhofe wants EPA to report economic impact of regulations (via The Hill)

Report says drilling industry could add 44,000 jobs in Midwest by 2025 (via Columbus Business Journal)

RENEWABLES 

US solar industry installs 1.4GW in 4th Quarter 2013 (via Facts of the Day)

Study finds ethanol credits not responsible for higher gasoline prices (via Des Moines Register)

2014: The maturation of clean tech (via Huffington Post)

Technique may lower biofuel production cost (via Environmental Leader)

New Mexico renewable energy rule to get a third review (via Santa Fe New Mexican)

New York Governor Cuomo announces $1 billion, 3GW solar initiative (via Facts of the Day)

OIL 

Regulators face growing pressure after oil-by-rail accidents (via National Journal)

How a group of parents ended Radio Disney’s oil-funded educational tour (via Climate Progress)

North Dakota lawmakers meet with top regulators on oil railcar safety (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Chinese vehicle sales soar past 20 million, making smog worse than ever (via Green Car Reports)

Battery development may extend range of electric cars (via Phys.org)

Nissan’s Ghosn wants to double US Leaf sales after 2013 surge (via Bloomberg)

Popularity soaring, Uber faces a backlash (via Navigant Research)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EPA to require California fracking reports (via USA Today/AP)

USGS says it may learn cause of Texas quakes within months (via EnergyWire)

100 local fracking activists receive grants from MoveOn.org (via Huffington Post)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Marines are molding energy savings along with young troops (via ClimateWire)

Seattle building owners poised to save millions (via Energy Manager Today)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone pipeline approval snag spurs oil to rail tankers (via Bloomberg)

State Department Keystone consultant lobbied for trade group linked to TransCanada (via Politico)

EMISSIONS 

Report: China to offer cash rewards to regions that cut smog (via BusinessGreen)

Gov. Brown diverts California cap-and-trade money again, to cheers rather than jeers (via ClimateWire)

GRID 

Microgrid market will reach nearly $20 billion in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

New York plans $40 million in prizes for storm-resilient microgrids (via Greentech Media)

Under pressure, utilities look to self-healing grids (via Navigant Research)

ENVIRONMENT 

China mulls national pollution permit trading system (via Reuters)

We’re losing the war against e-waste, says new report (via TreeHugger)

OPINION 

New steps to strengthen the nation’s energy infrastructure (via Energy.gov)

In 2014, utilities must adapt or retreat (via Navigant Research)

Reimagining New York for a New Reality (via Sustainable Business)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.9.14

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

CLIMATE 

Europe’s floods trump Haiyan as costliest natural disaster of 2013 (via RTCC)

Australia heat wave sets records across continent (via Huffington Post/AP)

Flooding could cost UK insurance industry £400 million (via RTCC)

US cold snap inspires climate change denial, while scientists see little room for doubt (via National Geographic)

White House says polar temperatures part of climate change (via The Hill)

Why some mushrooms may be magic for climate change (via Time)

OIL 

Unforeseen US oil boom upends markets as drilling spreads (via Bloomberg)

US oil exports have been banned for 40 years – is it time for that to change? (via Washington Post)

Train carrying oil derails, catches fire in Canada (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

RENEWABLES 

New German solar PV installations fall by half to 3.3GW in 2013 (via Recharge)

Austria adds record 309MW new wind energy capacity in 2013 (via Recharge)

Australia reaches two million small-scale solar systems (via Renew Economy)

US installed record 4.2GW solar PV in 2013 (via Recharge)

DOE’s $3 million clean energy incubator funding is very NIICE (via CleanTechnica)

CRS report outlines PTC phase-out allowing wind, gas parity (via E&E Daily)

New battery material could help wind power go big (via MIT Technology Review)

Wind aids grid as cold hits conventional power (via EarthTechling)

Thanks to wind energy, Texans didn’t lose power during polar vortex (via Climate Progress)

Solar gardens grow in Colorado (via CleanTechnica)

California leads clean energy patent pack (via Energy Manager Today)

Political activism at the grid’s edge: Ethical Electric scores $11 million (via Greentech Media)

SolarCity: Taking on and powering big companies around the world (via The Guardian)

Company pushing massive tar sands pipeline drops $200 million on Texas mega-wind project (via Climate Progress)

COAL 

Wall Street backs away from Washington coal export facility (via Huffington Post)

GRID 

FERC’s new “fast track” interconnection rules will make clean energy development easier (via Greentech Media)

Rural cooperatives: The next smart grid investment frontier (via Navigant Research)

As winter takes hold, plunging temperatures test utilities (via New York Times)

Cold knocks out 36.6GW of power generation in PJM, proving no power plant is 100% dispatchable (via Facts of the Day)

Energy storage company completes $55 million financing round (via Renew Grid)

EMISSIONS 

Location, location, lifestyle determines global warming pollution (via Scientific American)

EPA publishes emissions rule to GOP’s dismay (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL 

Former top Obama security aide endorses Keystone XL pipeline (via Washington Post)

ENVIRONMENT 

China sets air particulate pollution reduction goals (via The Guardian)

Tree islands more effective way to replant the world’s forests (via Mongabay)

Can America’s grasslands be saved? (via Think Progress)

Celebrating deep freeze, insect experts see a chance to kill off invasive species (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Philips promises to halve commercial lighting energy use with new LED tube (via BusinessGreen)

Seattle’s latest benchmarking data shows where efficiency programs should focus (via Greentech Media)

Houston boosts energy efficiency in new homes (via Texas Tribune)

NUCLEAR 

300 groups oppose top climate scientists’ call to embrace nuclear power (via Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Aerodynamic trailer design more than doubles fuel economy (via CleanTechnica)

OPINION 

Five reasons the clean tech industry is stronger than ever (via Renew Grid)

Four reasons California cap and trade had an extraordinary first year (via Forbes)

Oil trains: What you should be reading (via Sightline Daily)

Cap and trade throws a wrench into gears of green consumerism (via Energy Collective)