Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.28.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
GRID
Google spending millions to influence smart grid regulations (via AOL Energy)
Cisco unveils “connected grid” approach for power companies (via AOL Energy)
NYISO reports record-low prices, more wind integration in 2012 (via Renew Grid)
Vermont study concludes smart meters are safe (via Renew Grid)
COAL
Vancouver port approves first of two controversial coal-export projects (via Vancouver Sun)
EMISSIONS
Russian row over Kyoto extension rumbles on (via BusinessGreen)
Obama rejects carbon tax, prefers focus on jobs (via Environmental Leader)
Experts outline how REDD+ credits could fit into California’s cap-and-trade program (via Mongabay)
RENEWABLES
Solar PV market set to rebound next year (via Recharge)
New Chinese wind installations fall again in 2012 (via Recharge)
Europe installed over one offshore wind turbine a day in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)
Canada’s first offshore wind farm set for British Columbia (via CleanTechnica)
Solar costs to fall as REITs emerge as funding source (via Bloomberg)
Total capacity of US Defense Department renewable energy installations will quadruple by 2025 (via Pike Research)
Federal court overturns EPA’s biofuels mandate (via New York Times)
Falling costs power wind boom: down another 21% since 2010 (via Facts of the Day)
Net metering hits the wall in California (via Pike Research)
A sneak attack on commercial solar in Arizona (via Greentech Media)
Wyoming wind could be good fit for California (via EarthTechling)
Oregon sets wave energy development course (via EarthTechling)
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
Japanese energy, business groups urge US natgas export approvals (via The Hill)
Fracking’s other danger: radiation (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Survey: consumers want centralized energy efficiency, demand response management (via Renew Grid)
Can smart buildings be catalysts for a second term White House agenda? (via GreenBiz)
Los Angeles saves millions with LED street light deployment (via Forbes)
DC finalizes regulations for benchmarking energy use in large buildings (via Energy Manager Today)
San Francisco 49ers dig for gold with NFL’s first LEED stadium (via CleanTechnica)
TAR SANDS
Fight intensifies over tar sands pipelines (via Sustainable Business)
Enbridge resisting final clean up of its Michigan oil spill (via InsideClimate News)
Protesters in Maine rally against tar sands oil (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek/AP)
CLIMATE
Davos strives to make climate talk more than hot air (via Reuters)
Could China and the BRICs nations lead on climate change? (via The Guardian)
NASA’s alarming map of the worst Australian heat wave on record (via The Atlantic)
OIL
Saudi Arabia: “rampaging domestic demand” threatens future as oil exporter (via AOL Energy)
Environmental groups say insurance cannot cover oil spills in Canada (via Business Insurance)
North Dakota oil boom takes a toll on health care (via New York Times)
Barge accident causes Mississippi River oil spill (via USA Today)
TRANSPORTATION
US to increase number of public EV charge stations 40% in 2013 (via Autoblog Green)
Toyota Prius was California’s best-selling car in 2012 (via Autoblog Green)
California still hasn’t bought land for bullet train route (via Los Angeles Times)
ENVIRONMENT
Brazil plans Amazon tree census to assess deforestation (via The Guardian)
Waste heat from cities may be altering weather patterns (via Climate Central)
Measuring the consequence of forest fires on public health (via Phys.org)
Low snowfall raises concerns about drought recovery (via Climate Central)
Texas, New Mexico tangle over water (via Los Angeles Times)
POLITICS
Washington and business brace for an Obama wave of regulations (via The Hill)
Western candidates top list of prospects to head Interior Department (via Houston Chronicle)
Red state, green Republican: Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard (via Midwest Energy News)
OPINION
Can emerging wind markets compensate for stagnant European growth? (via Renewable Energy World)
6 technologies that could shape the future of energy (via GigaOm)
How should Washington address climate change? (via National Journal)
Is divestment an effective means of protest? (via New York Times)