Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.18.14

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

CLIMATE 

Climate data from air, land, sea, and ice in 2013 reflect trends of a warming planet (via NOAA)

Research shows Australian droughts caused by manmade emissions (via RTCC)

Does climate change cause flight turbulence? (via EcoWatch)

The one metric that’s hiding the true cost of climate change (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

The coming storage boom: Project proposals nearly double California’s energy storage target (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES 

Investment in UK renewable energy sector almost £8 billion in 2013 (via The Guardian)

Brazil to provide $843.5 million for sugarcane ethanol research program (via Bloomberg)

China three years late on installing offshore wind farms (via Bloomberg)

U.S. EIA forecasting big gains for solar (via Renewable Energy World)

U.S. Senate passes Geothermal Production Expansion Act (via Renewable Energy World)

Soltage-Greenwood gets $70 million for seven U.S. solar projects (via Bloomberg)

U.S. to auction site off New Jersey shore for offshore wind (via Bloomberg)

Rural co-ops see the light on renewable energy – even if industry lobbyists don’t (via Huffington Post)

The quick guide to a green stock portfolio (via Renewable Energy World)

EMISSIONS 

New Zealand carbon prices fall further as emitters stay away (via Reuters)

Without much straining, Minnesota reins in its utilities’ carbon emissions (via New York Times)

OIL 

U.S.-Russia sanctions set to slow Rosneft’s dollar debt, not oil deals (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

India considers $2.5 billion subsidy for hybrid, electric cars to save $11 billion in fuel costs (via CleanTechnica)

U.S. EV charging station market to hit $947 million by 2020 (via Environmental Leader)

FRACKING 

Fracking bans unlikely in Oklahoma, say observers (via The Oklahoman)

Fracking wastewater is big business in Ohio (via Midwest Energy News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Germany wins “World Cup” of energy efficiency (via Energy Manager Today)

How to save money by building green (via Environmental Leader)

ENVIRONMENT 

Fires in Canada’s Northwest Territories in line with “unprecedented” burn (via Climate Central)

Oregon, Washington declare states of emergency as wildfires spread (via Climate Progress)

New study shows rate of groundwater decline slowing in Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

OPINION 

Latest state of the climate: Yup, still getting hotter (via Bloomberg)

Three charts that explain why Obama is talking about Chilean solar (via Greentech Media)

Why now is a good time to invest in solar manufacturing and marketing in the U.S. (via Forbes)

It’s really all about renewable energy projects (via Renewable Energy World)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.17.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Australian parliament repeals carbon tax, emissions trading scheme (via Reuters)

Global carbon market hopes fade as Australia dumps CO2 trading (via Reuters)

Britain urges deeper EU carbon market reforms than proposed (via Reuters)

EPA’s carbon plans asks the least from states that pollute the most (via Washington Post)

EPA’s McCarthy pushes states to adopt carbon-cutting “investment strategy” (via EnergyWire)

OIL 

Oil train tanker phaseout could last years (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

China-US solar trade issue: WTO directive could impact India (via Panchabuta)

Green bonds market grows by 60% in a year (via BusinessGreen)

Jamaica unveils world’s largest wind-solar hybrid installation (via Inhabitat)

Oil lobby turns focus to EPA in ethanol fight (via The Hill)

North Carolina solar farms embark on a delicate dance with Duke (via Charlotte Observer)

Clean energy yieldcos: Growing pains (via Forbes)

Five things to know about the U.S. utility-scale PV market (via Greentech Media)

Three noteworthy solar implications in the new U.S. national electrical code (via Renewable Energy World)

Looking to fund a clean energy project? You need a green bank (via National Journal)

CLIMATE 

China at work on climate protection plans (via United Press International)

Limiting temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius is still possible – and it pays to do so (via WRI Insights)

Obama: Climate change is “direct threat” to U.S. (via The Hill)

ENERGY POLICY 

In Latin America, Putin wheels and deals on energy (via Christian Science Monitor)

President Obama announces new sanctions on Russia (via National Journal)

Energy Department predicts slowdown in annual U.S. power plant growth (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

Nothing small in the potential for nanogrids (via GreenBiz)

Here are 1.2 billion reasons why resiliency is a big deal for the power sector (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS 

Effort to avoid vote on fracking falters in Colorado (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

The U.S. has quietly made remarkable fuel-efficiency advances (via The Atlantic)

PACE creating energy efficiency opportunities in Minnesota (via Midwest Energy News)

COAL 

Duke Energy completes Dan River ash cleanup (via Charlotte Business Journal)

ENVIRONMENT 

First map to detail extent of plastic in five ocean gyres (via EcoWatch)

California drought idles huge swaths of farmland (via Sacramento Bee/AP)

California farms are sucking up enough groundwater to put Rhode Island 17 feet under (via Mother Jones)

POLITICS 

Climate super PAC struggling to bring in money (via Huffington Post/AP)

Steyer struggles to find big-money donors (via Politico)

OPINION 

Australia’s carbon tax is dead and there’s nothing to take its place (via The Guardian)

Obama’s sideways climate plan (via National Journal)

10 things to know about investment in renewable energy (via The Guardian)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.16.14

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

CLIMATE 

Extreme weather disasters have cost Earth $2.4 trillion since 1971 (via Climate Central)

Japan meteorological agency reports hottest March-June on record globally (via ClimateProgress)

Germany pledges $1 billion to UN climate change fund (via The Guardian)

White House unveils climate change initiatives (via New York Times)

Taking to the pulpit against climate change (via USA Today)

NUCLEAR 

Japan readies atomic restarts as regulator signals approval (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China to smash target of 150GW installed wind by 2017 (via Recharge)

India targets 35% renewable energy share in installed capacity mix by 2050 (via CleanTechnica)

World Trade Organization tells U.S. to reconsider solar panel tariffs (via Renewable Energy World)

Big EU banks pile into green bonds, China poised to follow (via Renew Economy)

Alternative-energy funds see renewed buying by investors (via Wall Street Journal)

United Kingdom approves EON offshore wind farm to power 450,000 homes (via Bloomberg)

German development bank issues €1.5 billion green bond (via BusinessGreen)

European wind industry warns of offshore slowdown (via BusinessGreen)

World’s biggest wave energy projects sinks without a trace (via Renew Economy)

4.9GW new offshore wind capacity under construction in Europe (via Renewable Energy World)

Shinsei Bank plans $2 billion of clean energy loans in Japan (via Bloomberg)

DOE awards $6 million to advance drop-in biofuels (via Green Car Congress)

California keeps crushing America’s clean energy and tech rankings (via CleanTechnica)

EMISSIONS 

Businesses say South Korea carbon market to cost $27 billion, should be delayed (via Reuters)

OIL 

U.S. oil export ban won’t be lifted this year, says Upton (via Bloomberg)

Older oil train tank cars to be phased out under industry proposal (via Bloomberg)

Enhanced oil recovery techniques limited in shale (via Houston Chronicle)

Shell announces new 100 million barrel of oil discovery in Gulf of Mexico (via Houston Chronicle)

New pipeline would carry Bakken oil from North Dakota to Illinois through Iowa (via ClimateProgress)

Without fracking boom, U.S. would face oil crisis, says Yergin (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

TRANSPORTATION 

BMW doubles down on electric vehicles (via The Hill)

Elon Musk reveals details of new Tesla vehicle (via Washington Post)

TAR SANDS 

Tar sands development threaten world’s largest boreal forest (via World Resources Institute)

ENVIRONMENT 

63% of paper consumed in U.S. is recycled, says report (via Environmental Leader)

Drought, drilling, and wildfires have cut mule deer population by two-thirds (via ClimateProgress)

Drought will cost California $2.2 billion in agriculture losses this year (via Wall Street Journal)

For first time, California gets ready for mandatory water restrictions (via ClimateProgress)

Groundwater is drought lifeline for California farmers (via Climate Central)

Battle lines form in California: Farms v. solar v. high-speed rail (via Greenwire)

As jellyfish come in waves off Maine coast, questions follow (via Portland Press-Herald)

NATURAL GAS 

Chile eyes use of U.S. shale gas by early 2016 (via Reuters)

Google project spotlights natural gas pipeline leaks under city streets (via Houston Chronicle)

Push to ban fracking in Colorado falls short (via The Hill)

GRID 

Revenue streams are key to cost-effective energy storage (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

California grid faces renewable energy “oversupply” (via Recharge)

POLITICS 

U.S. Senate confirms two FERC nominees (via The Hill)

Florida scientists press Gov. Rick Scott on climate change (via Tampa Bay Times)

OPINION 

Companies don’t care anymore that you don’t care anymore about this sustainability thing (via Bloomberg)

New York’s utility reform plan will usher in a new era of consumer choice (via Greentech Media)

Cap and trade’s moment of truth (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.16.14

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

CLIMATE 

Extreme weather disasters have cost Earth $2.4 trillion since 1971 (via Climate Central)

Japan meteorological agency reports hottest March-June on record globally (via ClimateProgress)

Germany pledges $1 billion to UN climate change fund (via The Guardian)

White House unveils climate change initiatives (via New York Times)

Taking to the pulpit against climate change (via USA Today)

NUCLEAR 

Japan readies atomic restarts as regulator signals approval (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China to smash target of 150GW installed wind by 2017 (via Recharge)

India targets 35% renewable energy share in installed capacity mix by 2050 (via CleanTechnica)

World Trade Organization tells U.S. to reconsider solar panel tariffs (via Renewable Energy World)

Big EU banks pile into green bonds, China poised to follow (via Renew Economy)

Alternative-energy funds see renewed buying by investors (via Wall Street Journal)

United Kingdom approves EON offshore wind farm to power 450,000 homes (via Bloomberg)

German development bank issues €1.5 billion green bond (via BusinessGreen)

European wind industry warns of offshore slowdown (via BusinessGreen)

World’s biggest wave energy projects sinks without a trace (via Renew Economy)

4.9GW new offshore wind capacity under construction in Europe (via Renewable Energy World)

Shinsei Bank plans $2 billion of clean energy loans in Japan (via Bloomberg)

DOE awards $6 million to advance drop-in biofuels (via Green Car Congress)

California keeps crushing America’s clean energy and tech rankings (via CleanTechnica)

EMISSIONS 

Businesses say South Korea carbon market to cost $27 billion, should be delayed (via Reuters)

OIL 

U.S. oil export ban won’t be lifted this year, says Upton (via Bloomberg)

Older oil train tank cars to be phased out under industry proposal (via Bloomberg)

Enhanced oil recovery techniques limited in shale (via Houston Chronicle)

Shell announces new 100 million barrel of oil discovery in Gulf of Mexico (via Houston Chronicle)

New pipeline would carry Bakken oil from North Dakota to Illinois through Iowa (via ClimateProgress)

Without fracking boom, U.S. would face oil crisis, says Yergin (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

TRANSPORTATION 

BMW doubles down on electric vehicles (via The Hill)

Elon Musk reveals details of new Tesla vehicle (via Washington Post)

TAR SANDS 

Tar sands development threaten world’s largest boreal forest (via World Resources Institute)

ENVIRONMENT 

63% of paper consumed in U.S. is recycled, says report (via Environmental Leader)

Drought, drilling, and wildfires have cut mule deer population by two-thirds (via ClimateProgress)

Drought will cost California $2.2 billion in agriculture losses this year (via Wall Street Journal)

For first time, California gets ready for mandatory water restrictions (via ClimateProgress)

Groundwater is drought lifeline for California farmers (via Climate Central)

Battle lines form in California: Farms v. solar v. high-speed rail (via Greenwire)

As jellyfish come in waves off Maine coast, questions follow (via Portland Press-Herald)

NATURAL GAS 

Chile eyes use of U.S. shale gas by early 2016 (via Reuters)

Google project spotlights natural gas pipeline leaks under city streets (via Houston Chronicle)

Push to ban fracking in Colorado falls short (via The Hill)

GRID 

Revenue streams are key to cost-effective energy storage (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

California grid faces renewable energy “oversupply” (via Recharge)

POLITICS 

U.S. Senate confirms two FERC nominees (via The Hill)

Florida scientists press Gov. Rick Scott on climate change (via Tampa Bay Times)

OPINION 

Companies don’t care anymore that you don’t care anymore about this sustainability thing (via Bloomberg)

New York’s utility reform plan will usher in a new era of consumer choice (via Greentech Media)

Cap and trade’s moment of truth (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.15.14

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

CLIMATE 

Military bases face hurdles in climate change adaptation (via Climate Central)

The business cost of climate change: What the science says (via The Guardian)

Heat waves replacing drought as deadliest climate disaster (via Vox)

Corporate America steadily steering climate solutions despite Congressional stalemate (via Forbes)

NATURAL GAS 

States with fracking see surge in earthquake activity (via Huffington Post/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Anti-dumping duty on solar gear unlikely to reduce India imports (via Panchabuta)

The Central American solar market is set to boom (via Greentech Media)

Record-breaking offshore wind deal helps drive up Q2 clean energy investment (via Bloomberg)

U.S. clean tech leaders announced (via Environmental Leader)

Leased solar panels can cast a shadow over a home’s value (via NPR)

Without state regulation, Iowa counties get tougher on wind projects (via Iowa City Gazette)

June bloom: Ten clean energy stocks for 2014, Q2 update (via Renewable Energy World)

COAL 

Coal plant carbon pollution injects life in old oil wells (via Bloomberg)

NRG’s $1 billion bet to show how carbon capture could work for coal power plants (via Forbes)

EMISSIONS 

Australia’s carbon tax repeal set for final showdown (via Reuters)

In lead up to carbon price, South Africa preps carbon offset program (via Climate Progress)

Emitters in China’s largest carbon market meet targets amid falling prices (via Reuters)

Switzerland threatens 40% carbon tax rise if targets not met (via Reuters)

Study: States can handle EPA power plant rules (via The Hill)

Texas utilities preparing for new EPA emissions regulations (via Texas Tribune)

OIL 

North Dakota expects “big surge” in summer crude output (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK auto industry is booming, largely thanks to clean technology (via BusinessGreen)

Low U.S. gasoline taxes may lead to waste, says IEA chief (via Reuters)

U.S. oil and rail sector agree on train tanker safety (via Reuters)

Which states have the worst roads in America? (via Washington Post)

White House says won’t help Tesla sell cars online (via The Hill)

Tesla wins approval to sell cars in Pennsylvania (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID 

Amidst extreme weather surge, distributed energy takes on new meaning for U.S. grid (via Greentech Media)

California ready to fund the next wave of microgrids paired with renewables and storage (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY POLICY 

Corporate cannibals: Electricity sector may have to kill gas to save itself (via Renew Economy)

Greatest growth opportunity for electric companies: Devour oil’s market (via Energy Trends Insider)

Colorado ranked least energy-expensive state (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Nestle bottling water straight from heart of California’s drought (via Salon)

OPINION 

How climate change changed me (via Politico)

The decline of coal (via Charleston Gazette)

Global warming is coming, but climate hysteria doesn’t help anyone (via Time)

The point everyone’s missing about the Polar Vortex’s return (via Climate Progress)

Electric vehicles will change the way you power your home (via Time)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.14.14

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

CLIMATE 

New climate models predict an Australian perma-drought (via Motherboard)

Southern Australia faces water crisis by 2100 due to climate change (via The Guardian)

Carbon import tariffs could torpedo climate deal, says EU official (via Reuters)

Obama to push climate resilience at state, local level (via The Hill)

Climate change has created a new literary genre (via Washington Post)

COAL 

Beijing to enforce use of clean coal in anti-pollution drive (via Reuters)

Coal mining ruling: Another legal win for Obama EPA (via Charleston Gazette)

RENEWABLES 

Global solar module prices just reached a record low (via Climate Progress)

Global biofuel output expansion to slow by 2023, says OECD (via Reuters)

Led by Chile, Latin America solar PV pipeline nears 20GW (via Greentech Media)

BNEF: Europe to invest $1 trillion in renewables by 2030 (via CleanTechnica)

Indian PM Modi doubles down on country’s solar revolution (via BusinessGreen)

Russia’s state-supported renewable energy auction heavily favored solar (via Renewable Energy World)

$1 billion geothermal project brings Costa Rica closer to 100% renewables (via Renew Economy)

Zurich Insurance to double investment in green bonds (via Bloomberg)

PV industry sees a “second gold rush” coming in solar sector (via Solar Industry Magazine)

USDA plants seed funding for rural clean energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar vs. utility battles heating up in Iowa, Wisconsin (via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

CPUC report highlights California’s continued solar success (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Is Texas souring on wind power? (via Forbes)

Iowa Supreme Court rules in favor of third-party solar (via Midwest Energy News)

Huge North Carolina solar project could “move the needle” for solar possibilities (via Renewable Energy World)

Inside Yingli, the giant Chinese solar company sponsoring the World Cup (via Mother Jones)

EMISSIONS 

China could reveal carbon cap by first quarter 2015 (via RTCC)

EU pollution permits to gain 28% as regulators cut supply glut (via Bloomberg)

London projected to fail EU air quality limits until 2030 (via Bloomberg)

Group representing half a billion Christians says it will no longer support fossil fuels (via Climate Progress)

Texas, U.S. leader in emissions stands vulnerable to their effects (via New York Times)

The plan to get New Jersey back into RGGI that Chris Christie can’t veto (via Climate Progress)

University of Dayton divests from fossil fuels (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

OPEC’s oil market share to shrink in 2015, despite growing demand (via Reuters)

Oil demand up fastest since 2010 on China growth, says IEA (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

China, U.S. to cooperate on strategic oil reserves (via Reuters)

Global oil exploration nears $1 trillion, but where are the finds? (via Reuters)

Crumbling roads in oil fields slow U.S. energy boom (via Bloomberg)

New York State won’t keep oil train details secret (via Huffington Post/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

There are now more than 500,000 EVs on Earth (via Autoblog Green)

Report: Electric vehicle market to hit $500 billion by 2025 (via BusinessGreen)

China requires 30% of state vehicles use alternative energy (via Bloomberg)

Helsinki, Finland plans on making private car ownership obsolete in 10 years (via Time)

U.S. fuel economy improvements show diminishing fuel savings (via US EIA)

Tesla’s chargers now moving a gigawatt-hour of electricity per month (via GigaOm)

Bay Area governments make America’s biggest-yet EV purchase (via CleanTechnica)

Chicago wants more residents to drive electric vehicles (via Southern Illinoisan)

Audi preparing an entire lineup of PHEV models (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS 

Seven earthquakes hit Oklahoma in less than a day – is fracking to blame? (via Time)

Ohio fracking water reuse questioned (via Columbus Dispatch)

Former Pennsylvania health secretary: State failed to address fracking concerns (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

ENVIRONMENT 

The soil pollution crisis in China: Cleanup presents daunting challenge (via Yale e360)

California braces as drought sparks early fire season (via Sacramento Bee)

Firefighters battling seven wildfires in Washington State (via Los Angeles Times)

New data says huge West Virginia chemical spill may have been more toxic than reported (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY POLICY 

India PM Modi accelerates solar revolution, doubles tax on coal (via Renew Economy)

Why were this company’s computers attacked millions of times this year? Algae. (via Washington Post)

Wells Fargo’s focus on energy shows growth strategy (via Reuters)

KEYSTONE XL 

Lopsided lobbying on Keystone XL pipeline (via Washington Post)

Keystone XL backers want to keep pipeline in the public eye (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Data shows some energy retrofits actually increase energy usage (via Energy Manager Today)

ACEEE urges EPA to add building codes to Clean Power Plan (via Environmental Leader)

NUCLEAR 

Russia signs nuclear energy deal with Argentina (via Reuters)

GRID 

Blackout-plagued India moves toward a smarter grid (via Navigant Research)

Stanford working on “reversible” fuel cells for energy storage (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

2014’s sleeper campaign issue: A bank nobody’s heard about (via Politico)

House GOP votes to thwart imaginary offshore drilling restriction (via National Journal)

Influence game: Shaping railroad safety rules (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Coal-reliant Pennsylvania faces election showdown over EPA, natural gas, carbon trading (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Six trends illustrating the US-China trade case’s impact on the solar market (via Greentech Media)

Here’s what the fossil fuel industry thinks of the carbon bubble (via Renew Economy)

What’s at stake with the Ex-Im Bank? (via National Journal)

Will Nissan’s free EV charging rival Tesla’s Supercharger network? (via Greentech Media)

Five reasons U.S. solar installers are vertically integrating…for now (via RMI Outlet)

NY Times gets it wrong with attacks on Steyer and divestment (via EcoWatch)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.10.14

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

CLIMATE 

From Sao Paulo to Hong Kong, cities report economic climate threat (via Bloomberg)

UK defense ministry details global security impacts of climate change (via ClimateWire)

Loss of snowpack and glaciers in Rockies poses water threat (via Yale e360)

Sea level rise cuts across political divide in Norfolk, Va (via GreenBiz)

ENERGY POLICY 

Why China’s energy consumption will keep rising (via Energy Collective)

U.S. public lands fading as fossil fuels source (via Climate Central)

Federal government still spending billions to subsidize fossil fuels (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Solar, wind to beat coal on costs in China, India by 2020 (via Renew Economy)

One-third of Germany’s power came from renewables in first half 2014 (via Yale e360)

Upcoming auctions position Brazil for major solar growth (via Solar Industry Magazine)

EIA projections show hydropower growth limited by economics, not resources (via US EIA)

Mercom Capital charts top solar deals of second quarter (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Chicago to announce new rooftop solar discount program (via Chicago Tribune)

Food waste is so yesterday – think biogas instead (via GreenBiz)

What you need to know about how clean energy yielcos work (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Coal’s last gasp in Europe (via The Economist)

Most U.K. coal plants to shut by 2023 on climate rules (via Bloomberg)

Mountaintop removal coal mining decimates Appalachian fish populations (via EcoWatch)

Missouri governor signs law blocking coal-related ballot measures (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

EMISSIONS 

Zero carbon and economic growth can go together, says UN study (via The Guardian)

Australian Senate rejects carbon tax repeal (via Reuters)

Australian PM seeks carbon price repeal next week after losing vote (via Bloomberg)

EU Parliament to consider carbon price fix this fall (via The Hill)

China’s Tianjin carbon market extends permit deadline again (via Reuters)

The shocking truth about British Columbia’s carbon tax: It works (via The Globe and Mail)

OIL 

Swaps could be next way around oil export ban (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

China makes new electric vehicles tax-free (via The Guardian)

Nissan launches “no charge to charge” program for Leaf buyers (via CleanTechnica)

ENVIRONMENT 

One-fifth of the Amazon may have been savannah before Europeans arrived (via Mongabay)

Freedom Industries fined $11,000 for historic West Virginia chemical spill (via Climate Progress)

The weird and wonderful world of indoor farming (via Think Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Fracking could supply one-third of UK gas by 2035, says National Grid (via RTCC)

GRID 

Modi budget plans $250 million to boost solar, grid to end India blackouts (via Bloomberg)

Transmission issues plague power-starved southern India states (via Panchabuta)

Washington State grants $14.3 million for energy storage systems (via Bloomberg)

NUCLEAR 

Tepco says it has turned corner on Fukushima nuclear cleanup (via Bloomberg)

Wisconsin reactor’s demise shows plight of nuclear towns (via Bloomberg)

KEYSTONE XL 

Nebraska court date pushes final Keystone XL decision past midterms (via Washington Post)

POLITICS 

House Republicans threaten to subpoena EPA over carbon rules (via The Hill)

White House threatens to veto energy spending bill over environmental riders (via The Hill)

Forget LeBron, it’s free agency season for green groups (via National Journal)

Study says rich Republicans are the worst climate deniers (via Mother Jones)

OPINION 

Here’s what the world would look like if we took global warming seriously (via Vox)

Sixty years after birth, it’s time for solar cells to get serious (via GigaOm)

Why we need a carbon tax (via Huffington Post)

Fix the climate problem? Easy – cut U.S. emissions to 1901 levels (via Bloomberg)

How Silveo could succeed where Solyndra failed (via Greentech Media)

Why Washington State’s $14.3 million energy storage program is so different from others (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.9.14

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

CLIMATE 

UN issued roadmap on how to avoid climate catastrophe (via The Guardian)

U.S., China ink coal, clean energy deals but climate differences remain (via Reuters)

Arctic warming upsetting birds’ breeding calendar, warns study (via The Guardian)

You may be denying climate change, but the U.S. military isn’t (via Business Insider)

COAL 

Sen. Manchin intends to block anti-coal policy at Export-Import Bank (via Huffington Post)

Tribes oppose Columbia River coal export terminal (via Seattle Times)

RENEWABLES 

International trade talks aim to end tariffs on $1 trillion in solar panels, wind turbines (via The Hill)

Deal set to rescue Australian Renewable Energy Agency (via The Guardian)

EU reaches deal with Germany on green energy law (via Reuters)

India targets 485GW renewable capacity by 2050 (via Climate Connect)

EU offshore wind targets look iffy as France, Germany fall behind (via ClimateWire)

European Commission and industry investing $5 billion in biomass (via Bloomberg)

Saudi solar robot cleans desert PV panels – water free (via Renew Economy)

Aviation offers a way forward in biofuels research (via Phys.org)

Hey haters, RGGI cap-and-trade powered 800MW new renewables in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

Can Sungevity win solar customers with rooftop imagery and data? (via Greentech Media)

Enphase, Mosiac join forces in bid to push solar loans and supplant the lease (via Greentech Media)

Nevada solar net metering will save the grid $36 million, says state report (via Renewable Energy World)

Apple building third massive solar farm in North Carolina (via GigaOm)

Two solar giants aim to own it all (via EnergyWire)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine’s gas dispute could mean cold winter for Europe (via Reuters)

Surge of industrial projects could lift U.S. gas demand 19-31% by 2020 (via Houston Chronicle)

Incoming EU President Junker says he opposes fracking (via RTCC)

Ohio study finds more costs than benefits in shale gas drilling (via Midwest Energy News)

Texas sheriff wants criminal charges filed in fracking pollution case (via InsideClimate News)

In rare effort, Ohio scientist to test water before fracking starts (via InsideClimate News)

EMISSIONS 

New report outlines “pathways” to cut CO2 emissions (via Climate Central)

Singapore outlines plans to fine foreign air polluters (via RTCC)

NJ governor again pursues withdrawal from regional climate initiative (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

U.S. Conference of Mayors scraps cap-and-trade support (via Governing)

OIL 

Chevron admits oil shale production will use huge amounts of western water (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Li-ion batteries to dominate EV market until 2020 (via Environmental Leader)

In new twist, Renewable Fuels Standard could boost electric vehicles (via Greenwire)

Bay Area governments make big EV purchase (via Phys.org)

Another Tesla crash, another Wall Street knee-jerk overreaction (via San Jose Mercury-News)

GRID 

How three states are moving forward with microgrids (via GreenBiz)

73% of small businesses want fixed-price electricity supply contracts (via Energy Manager Today)

Texas studying if wind generators should pay for transmission line use (via Houston Chronicle)

At big solar show, batteries take center stage (via GigaOm)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Environmental free-trade deal could help tar-sands producers (via Grist)

Keystone route legal, Nebraska tells state’s high court (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

How green is the 2014 World Cup? (via GreenBiz)

Japan’s prime minister confirms whale hunt will resume in 2015 (via Huffington Post)

Climate-linked drought cutting forests’ carbon-storing ability (via Mongabay)

Obama seeks $615 million to fight wildfires (via The Hill)

POLITICS 

House GOP launches assault on EPA climate rules (via The Hill)

Kentucky senator on global warming: “There are no coal mines on Mars” (via National Journal)

OPINION 

How opposite energy policies turned the Fukushima disaster into a loss for Japan and a win for Germany (via RMI Outlet)

Climate skeptics are losing their grip (via Financial Times)

If it’s a war on coal, coal is winning (via Bloomberg)

The EPA is swimming in murky water (via Washington Post)

The end of sustainability (via Ensia)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.8.14

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

CLIMATE 

UN proposes building blocks of new climate deal (via Bloomberg)

U.S. and China set for latest climate change discussions (via RTCC)

France and India pledge cooperation at UN climate talks (via RTCC)

Lessons from a drowning nation (via Washington Post)

Climate change up close (via Ensia)

BBC cuts airtime for climate skeptics (via The Hill)

COAL 

Indian power plants running out of coal, imports to surge (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Renewable energy’s share of China power generation to reach 20% by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

Clean energy investment rebounds to highest level since 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Renewable energy share in UK electricity generation inches closer to 20% (via CleanTechnica)

Deutsche Bank lends $1 billion in Japan’s solar gold rush (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

India exploring desert-based renewable energy strategy (via BusinessGreen)

UK Crown Estate approves marine power sites, test zones (via Bloomberg)

Offshore wind energy traversing regulatory, financial currents (via Forbes)

Growing green bond market raises $20 billion in six months (via RTCC)

Four residential solar trends to watch in second half 2014 (via Greentech Media)

CitiBank official: ITC drop “beyond huge” (via Recharge)

Here’s a way to get utilities to embrace solar and batteries: Let them own the inverter (via Greentech Media)

Florida utilities working to crush nascent solar industry (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EU’s united front on Russia falling amid gas needs (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Ukraine-Europe gas link to run at full capacity this winter (via Bloomberg)

Saudi Aramco pulls the rug out from under U.S. natural gas industry (via CleanTechnica)

How are energy boom states dealing with fracking-related health complaints? (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Fracking fears grow as Oklahoma hit by more earthquakes than California (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Canadians are eating tar sands pollution (via Grist)

Lake Mead, largest U.S. reservoir, to reach record low this week (via Climate Progress)

NRDC petitions EPA to cancel neonicotinoid pesticides (via NRDC Switchboard)

A California oil field yields another prized commodity – water (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

More Chargepoint chargers than McDonalds now in U.S. (via CleanTechnica)

Why cars remain so appealing even in cities with decent public transit (via Washington Post)

A designer fuel for the environmentally-conscious supercar enthusiast (via Breaking Energy)

EMISSIONS 

Emissions reduction efforts gather steam (via Navigant Research)

EPA refutes charge NRDC played key role in emissions rule (via The Hill)

GRID 

Big microgrid savings from replacing diesel with energy storage (via Navigant Research)

Researchers developing supercomputer to tackle grid challenges (via Renewable Energy World)

Maine utilities to strengthen grid, provide renewables access (via Recharge)

POLITICS 

Outside groups spent lavishly on top DOE officials’ global travels (via Greenwire)

Behind Harry Reid’s war against the Koch Brothers (via Politico)

OPINION 

Primer on Beijing’s slice-and-dice approach to energy and climate reform (via Center for American Progress)

Picking the lesser of two climate evils (via New York Times)

Ignore the climate change deniers (via Politico)

Should Wall Street care about global warming? (via National Journal)

Climate pricing and strange bedfellows (via Energy Collective)

Could California’s climate revolution change the national conversation? (via Huffington Post)

Jerry Brown on clean energy: The hard part is yet to come (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.7.14

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

CLIMATE 

Australia sees little consensus among G20 for new climate action (via The Hill)

Report says UK climate change policies have not harmed economy (via The Guardian)

Hawaii, Rhode Island, Vermont take serious climate adaptation action (via CleanTechnica)

Ceres: half of America’s largest companies don’t report on climate risk (via Triple Pundit)

Meet the scientist who might end the climate culture wars (via Popular Science)

RENEWABLES 

Lessons in solar development for the Latin American market (via Renewable Energy World)

Brazil planning local-content rules for solar industry (via Bloomberg)

Deutsche Bank predicts big increase in publicly traded solar-based Yieldcos (via CleanTechnica)

Global solar jobs surge to 2.3 million in 2013 (via Recharge)

Solar thin-film panels reach 11-month high on trade war (via Bloomberg)

World Bank to invest $775 million in clean energy across India (via Economic Times)

Renewables jump to 31% in Germany for first half 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Brazil’s national development bank loans $251 for wind projects (via Recharge)

Insurers to cover European withdrawal of solar and wind subsidies (via Financial Times)

Gamesa and Areva ink deal to form offshore wind giant (via BusinessGreen)

U.S. weighs offshore wind tourism impact (via Recharge)

Two federal agencies side with Cape Wind on environmental issues (via Cape Cod Times)

North Carolina utilities panel will delve into cost of renewable power (via Charlotte News Observer)

Michigan PSC says state could boost solar at no cost to utility customers (via Environmental Law & Policy Center)

Lessons from the making of Massachusetts’ solar compromise bill (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Modi’s power pledge set to lift coal imports to record (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

U.S. Ex-Im Bank weighs loan to major India coal project (via Reuters)

Coal poised for rare win over Obama in Ex-Im Bank fight (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

U.S. pension funds ignore divestment calls, keep fossil fuels burning (via Financial Times)

Taking oil industry cue, environmentalists drew emissions blueprint (via New York Times)

California Democrat introduces bill to delay cap-and-trade expansion (via Reuters)

OIL 

U.S. now world’s biggest oil producer after overtaking Saudi Arabia (via Bloomberg)

Lac Megantic, Quebec still recovering from deadly oil train disaster (via Huffington Post)

US Commerce Secretary says “serious conversations” underway on oil exports (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla Model S earns top score in industry for total quality (via Green Car Reports)

Toyota to offer wireless charging on next-generation Prius in 2016 (via Plug-in Cars)

Data shows why EV owners are so different from the rest of us (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Germany drafting anti-shale fracking rules on public opposition (via Bloomberg)

Research links Oklahoma quakes to drilling activity (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy companies say disposal wells central to Oklahoma’s oil, gas operations (via The Oklahoman)

ENVIRONMENT 

Great Barrier Reed faces ravaging from expected El Nino (via The Guardian)

Nearly 80% of California now under “extreme” drought conditions (via Los Angeles Times)

ENERGY POLICY 

Homebuilders, restaurants herald cracks in Japan’s power market (via Bloomberg)

DOE issuing up to $4 billion in loan guarantees for energy, efficiency projects (via Green Car Congress)

A hot July energy legislation forecast on Capitol Hill (via National Journal)

The future of batteries: Q&A with director of national laboratory battery hub (via Phys.org)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Utilities reveal just how much customers are saving with energy efficiency programs (via Renew Grid)

Biggest hospital in North America to feature a green roof with medicinal herbs (via Inhabitat)

OPINION 

World Bank email leaks reveal internal row over power project loans (via The Guardian)

Green bond market is growing, but what makes a bond green? (via The Economist)

Here’s why the forecast for microgrids looks so sunny (via GreenBiz)

Why carbon market participants want more corporate involvement (via GreenBiz)

Congress’s head-in-the sand approach to climate change (via Washington Post)