Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.14.14

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

CLIMATE 

Arctic autumns on track to warm a staggering 23 degrees F, warns NOAA (via Climate Progress)

US lays out vision for 2015 climate pact to United Nations (via Point Carbon)

Obama to announce $1 billion climate resilience fund (via The Hill)

The real reason why this week’s massive ice storm is so unusual (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Methane emissions from fracking up to 75% higher than EPA estimates (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

US decision watched in row over solar imports from China, Taiwan (via Reuters)

Green banks can multiply the impact of clean energy financing (via Renewable Energy World)

US solar industry more than 60% of the way to SunShot cost-competitiveness goal (via Renew Grid)

Distributed energy could make up 1/3 the US power supply by 2020 (via Greentech Media)

Electric rates fall in top 11 wind states but increase in other 39 states (via Facts of the Day)

Ivanpah dedicated with all three concentrating solar plants now online (via Solar Industry)

COAL 

US Attorney’s office probing North Carolina officials following coal ash spill (via Huffington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Many car dealers don’t want to sell EVs: Here’s why (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla Motors shares flirt with $200, still close at record price (via Los Angeles Times)

Are Tesla sales slowing in California? (via San Jose Mercury News)

ENVIRONMENT 

How China’s appetite for raw materials is transforming the world (via Washington Post)

Australian bushfire has grown to size of Melbourne (via Yale e360)

White House to launch administration-wide drought response (via The Hill)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.13.14

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

COAL 

Washington State coal export project to get sweeping enviro review, including climate change impacts (via InsideClimate News/AP)

Columbia River coal export terminal gets key state permits, but a new hurdle is added (via The Oregonian)

North Carolina regulators seek delay on Duke Energy deal after coal ash spill (via Los Angeles Time)

North Carolina to create coal ash task force (via Charlotte Observer)

ENVIRONMENT 

Drought could make Brazil lower 2014 fiscal goal (via Reuters)

Coral off Western Australia suffers shocking damage from marine heat waves (via The Guardian)

RENEWABLES 

China confirms 14GW of solar incentives for 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Solar storage from used EV batteries set for testing in Japan (via Renew Economy)

Interior Department releases first national interactive map of onshore wind turbines (via Anchorage Daily News)

Five incubators shaping the future of green business (via EcoBusiness)

Report: Ethanol’s role could diminish as biofuels grow (via Houston Chronicle)

Giant wind farm plan raises alarm about eagle deaths (via National Journal)

U.S. solar sector jobs rest on a foundation of low-cost solar panels (via Solar Industry)

The non-impact of wind turbines on property values (via EarthTechling)

Solar industry a winning bet for $1.3 billion Skagen Fund (via Bloomberg)

Hawaii’s interconnection nightmare and why it matters to the U.S. residential PV industry (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar Coin – a crypto currency designed to stimulate solar energy production (via Resilience)

NASCAR on a green roll with new ACORE partnership (via CleanTechnica)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone comments rushing into State Department (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone XL pipeline records sought in Sierra Club suit (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Church of England vows to fight “great demon” of climate change (via The Guardian)

Olympians speak out on climate change as Sochi warms up (via USA Today)

Are big banks fueling global warming? (via National Journal)

Despite costs, most Americans want action on climate change, says report (via Yale e360)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EPA steps into fray over fracking with diesel (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Danish parties back 40% carbon reduction target (via RTCC)

New poll: Most Republicans want to regulate carbon pollution (via Climate Progress)

Chevrolet starts buying carbon credits from colleges if they lower emissions (via Climate Progress)

It’s lonely in the carbon tax trenches, but a warrior digs in (via ClimateWire)

OIL 

North Dakota oil spill cleanup to last at least two more years (via Bismarck Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

New York State rolls out energy efficiency innovation collaborative (via Breaking Energy)

Opower has quietly filed for its long-awaited IPO (via GigaOm)

POLITICS 

New head of Senate Energy Committee has environmentalists seeing red (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

The right risk partner makes the difference in renewable energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Is Keystone worth the fight? (via New York Times)

Mapping the United States’ wind turbines (via Renewable Energy World)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.13.14

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

COAL 

Washington State coal export project to get sweeping enviro review, including climate change impacts (via InsideClimate News/AP)

Columbia River coal export terminal gets key state permits, but a new hurdle is added (via The Oregonian)

North Carolina regulators seek delay on Duke Energy deal after coal ash spill (via Los Angeles Time)

North Carolina to create coal ash task force (via Charlotte Observer)

ENVIRONMENT 

Drought could make Brazil lower 2014 fiscal goal (via Reuters)

Coral off Western Australia suffers shocking damage from marine heat waves (via The Guardian)

RENEWABLES 

China confirms 14GW of solar incentives for 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Solar storage from used EV batteries set for testing in Japan (via Renew Economy)

Interior Department releases first national interactive map of onshore wind turbines (via Anchorage Daily News)

Five incubators shaping the future of green business (via EcoBusiness)

Report: Ethanol’s role could diminish as biofuels grow (via Houston Chronicle)

Giant wind farm plan raises alarm about eagle deaths (via National Journal)

U.S. solar sector jobs rest on a foundation of low-cost solar panels (via Solar Industry)

The non-impact of wind turbines on property values (via EarthTechling)

Solar industry a winning bet for $1.3 billion Skagen Fund (via Bloomberg)

Hawaii’s interconnection nightmare and why it matters to the U.S. residential PV industry (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar Coin – a crypto currency designed to stimulate solar energy production (via Resilience)

NASCAR on a green roll with new ACORE partnership (via CleanTechnica)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone comments rushing into State Department (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone XL pipeline records sought in Sierra Club suit (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Church of England vows to fight “great demon” of climate change (via The Guardian)

Olympians speak out on climate change as Sochi warms up (via USA Today)

Are big banks fueling global warming? (via National Journal)

Despite costs, most Americans want action on climate change, says report (via Yale e360)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EPA steps into fray over fracking with diesel (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Danish parties back 40% carbon reduction target (via RTCC)

New poll: Most Republicans want to regulate carbon pollution (via Climate Progress)

Chevrolet starts buying carbon credits from colleges if they lower emissions (via Climate Progress)

It’s lonely in the carbon tax trenches, but a warrior digs in (via ClimateWire)

OIL 

North Dakota oil spill cleanup to last at least two more years (via Bismarck Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

New York State rolls out energy efficiency innovation collaborative (via Breaking Energy)

Opower has quietly filed for its long-awaited IPO (via GigaOm)

POLITICS 

New head of Senate Energy Committee has environmentalists seeing red (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

The right risk partner makes the difference in renewable energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Is Keystone worth the fight? (via New York Times)

Mapping the United States’ wind turbines (via Renewable Energy World)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.11.14

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

GRID 

U.S. utility research group lays out plan for updated, integrated power grid (via ClimateWire)

DOE to provide funding for microgrid development (via Renew Grid)

With reliability a concern, universities looking to microgrids (via Midwest Energy News)

Grid-scale energy storage to reduce load in New York City (via Greentech Media)

Winter electricity price spikes put Clean Currents out of business (via Energy Collective)

EMISSIONS 

China’s Hubei plans province’s first carbon auction next month (via Reuters)

2013 carbon emissions drop in Northeast, rise in U.S. (via Sustainable Business)

California should set interim goal for cutting emissions, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

RENEWABLES 

2013 wind energy installations stall in U.S., surge in China (via CleanTechnica)

PV modules were a $30.5 billion market in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

Global demand for solar polysilicon to increase 25% this year (via Solar Industry Magazine)

U.S. files trade protest over India solar energy program (via Time/AP)

India vows to stand ground in new solar trade fight with U.S. (via National Journal)

Wind of change sweeps through Caribbean energy policy (via The Guardian)

Ikea: Massive energy goals producing business boom (via Energy Manager Today)

Canadian Solar estimates 75% rise in quarterly revenue (via Reuters)

U.S. renewable energy maintains growth in 2013 (via Renew Grid)

Solar third-party financing at $3.34 billion in 2013, key to U.S. solar boom (via Forbes)

EPA’s RFS cuts limit ethanol growth (via Navigant Research)

Reduced water supply forecast affects hydropower outlook in Pacific Northwest (via US EIA)

Five years later, Missouri still grappling with renewables law (via Midwest Energy News)

COAL 

Chinese coal companies’ debt concerns sink shares (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Warm enough for Summer Olympics in Sochi (via ABC News)

Higher temperatures put fish near Equator at risk (via The National)

Study sounds “El Nino Alarm” for late this year (via Climate Central)

Climatologist: When ocean warming ends, “global temperatures set to rise rapidly” (via Climate Progress)

“Most exceptional period of rainfall in 248 years” in U.K. is “consistent” with climate change (via Climate Progress)

Obama-Hollande meeting may boost larger climate goals (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Ambassador: Keystone rejection would “definitely strain” U.S.-Canadian relations (via National Journal)

Uproar over Keystone far outweighs pipeline’s potential effect, say analysts (via Houston Chronicle)

Greens see red on Keystone report conflicts (via Politico)

Company yet to stop leaks spilling tar sands in Alberta for nine months (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

China extends electric vehicle subsidies to fight air pollution (via Bloomberg)

Boeing seeks to certify jet fuel biodiesel around the world (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS 

How can a nation awash in natural gas have shortages, and what to do about it (via Forbes)

Can the Marcellus keep up its massive production? (via StateImpact Texas)

ENVIRONMENT 

Company responsible for West Virginia chemical spill skips Congressional hearing (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

White roofs could offset summer warming by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Beyond bulbs: Illinois raises the bar on energy efficiency (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

Freezing out the bigger picture on climate (New York Times)

The oil industry’s fight to kill renewable fuels – and why it may win (via InsideClimate News)

A climate change reality check (via World Resources Institute)

Senators and scientists play climate dating game (via National Journal)

Steyer’s secret weapon emerges as power in climate debate (via Greenwire)

Salazar: Keystone XL a “win-win” project (via The Hill)

Could corn ethanol finally fade away? (via Sustainable Business)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.11.14

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

GRID 

U.S. utility research group lays out plan for updated, integrated power grid (via ClimateWire)

DOE to provide funding for microgrid development (via Renew Grid)

With reliability a concern, universities looking to microgrids (via Midwest Energy News)

Grid-scale energy storage to reduce load in New York City (via Greentech Media)

Winter electricity price spikes put Clean Currents out of business (via Energy Collective)

EMISSIONS 

China’s Hubei plans province’s first carbon auction next month (via Reuters)

2013 carbon emissions drop in Northeast, rise in U.S. (via Sustainable Business)

California should set interim goal for cutting emissions, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

RENEWABLES 

2013 wind energy installations stall in U.S., surge in China (via CleanTechnica)

PV modules were a $30.5 billion market in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

Global demand for solar polysilicon to increase 25% this year (via Solar Industry Magazine)

U.S. files trade protest over India solar energy program (via Time/AP)

India vows to stand ground in new solar trade fight with U.S. (via National Journal)

Wind of change sweeps through Caribbean energy policy (via The Guardian)

Ikea: Massive energy goals producing business boom (via Energy Manager Today)

Canadian Solar estimates 75% rise in quarterly revenue (via Reuters)

U.S. renewable energy maintains growth in 2013 (via Renew Grid)

Solar third-party financing at $3.34 billion in 2013, key to U.S. solar boom (via Forbes)

EPA’s RFS cuts limit ethanol growth (via Navigant Research)

Reduced water supply forecast affects hydropower outlook in Pacific Northwest (via US EIA)

Five years later, Missouri still grappling with renewables law (via Midwest Energy News)

COAL 

Chinese coal companies’ debt concerns sink shares (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Warm enough for Summer Olympics in Sochi (via ABC News)

Higher temperatures put fish near Equator at risk (via The National)

Study sounds “El Nino Alarm” for late this year (via Climate Central)

Climatologist: When ocean warming ends, “global temperatures set to rise rapidly” (via Climate Progress)

“Most exceptional period of rainfall in 248 years” in U.K. is “consistent” with climate change (via Climate Progress)

Obama-Hollande meeting may boost larger climate goals (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Ambassador: Keystone rejection would “definitely strain” U.S.-Canadian relations (via National Journal)

Uproar over Keystone far outweighs pipeline’s potential effect, say analysts (via Houston Chronicle)

Greens see red on Keystone report conflicts (via Politico)

Company yet to stop leaks spilling tar sands in Alberta for nine months (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

China extends electric vehicle subsidies to fight air pollution (via Bloomberg)

Boeing seeks to certify jet fuel biodiesel around the world (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS 

How can a nation awash in natural gas have shortages, and what to do about it (via Forbes)

Can the Marcellus keep up its massive production? (via StateImpact Texas)

ENVIRONMENT 

Company responsible for West Virginia chemical spill skips Congressional hearing (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

White roofs could offset summer warming by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Beyond bulbs: Illinois raises the bar on energy efficiency (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

Freezing out the bigger picture on climate (New York Times)

The oil industry’s fight to kill renewable fuels – and why it may win (via InsideClimate News)

A climate change reality check (via World Resources Institute)

Senators and scientists play climate dating game (via National Journal)

Steyer’s secret weapon emerges as power in climate debate (via Greenwire)

Salazar: Keystone XL a “win-win” project (via The Hill)

Could corn ethanol finally fade away? (via Sustainable Business)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.5.14

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

CLIMATE 

World had sixth-hottest year on record in 2013, says UN (via Bloomberg)

2013 marked 37th consecutive year of above-average temperatures (via Grist)

Cities almost double climate actions over two years, says C40 (via Bloomberg)

Climate change means more wildfires, and that means lots more air pollution (via Grist)

Winter Olympics: A downhill forecast (via Nature)

White House to unveil “climate hubs” to aid farmers across country (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Global wind hits 318GW – GWEC report (via Recharge)

Morocco says investors lining up for $9 billion solar project (via Reuters)

SunEdison plans $6.4 billion PV manufacturing center in Saudi Arabia (via Solar Industry)

Iceland uses magma to create geothermal power for first time (via Climate Progress)

Israel wants to be the “startup nation” on clean technology (via ClimateWire)

Solar PV suppliers expected to enter new upturn in 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

As shale gas blows worldwide, India can’t kick coal habit (via EnergyWire)

US not protecting taxpayers on coal exports, says report (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

EPA staff struggling to create pollution rule (via New York Times)

Poll finds most voters want EPA to limit carbon pollution from power plants (via Climate Progress)

How the Northeast could cut carbon pollution 75% in 5 steps (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Canadian regulators hid natural gas pipeline explosion for years (via CBC News)

House Republicans add pressure for gas exports (via National Journal)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Fitch Ratings says shareholder activism impacting U.S. energy sector cash flows (via BusinessWire)

Utilities want regulatory rescue from “death spiral” (via Forbes)

KEYSTONE XL 

The quietly important Keystone pipeline date (via National Journal)

Obama knocks high Keystone jobs estimate in interview (via Politico)

Chu: Keystone pipeline decision “political” (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

Sao Paulo’s biggest water-supply system may run dry within 45 days (via Bloomberg)

Farm bill headed to Obama after Senate passage (via USA Today)

Californians brace for year of “mega-drought” (via USA Today)

OIL 

US fines three oil companies in first move since derailments (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla breaks into top five brands in consumer reports survey (via Bloomberg)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.4.14

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Mining tar sands produces 2-3 times more air pollution than thought (via Smithsonian)

Keystone Pipeline report fallout: The latest (via National Journal)

Greens warn base will sit out election if Obama approves Keystone XL (via The Hill)

White House vows to keep Keystone call above “political influence” (via The Hill)

Canadian group pitches Alaska rail line for oil sands (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Ocean temperatures spiked globally in 2013 (via Grist)

Adapting to sea level rise could save trillions (via Renew Economy)

Winter ice season now 24 days shorter than in 1950s (via Science Recorder)

January’s temperatures leave a nation blowing hot and cold (via Climate Central)

Northern Alaska lake ice shows “dramatic decline” in 20 years (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

FiT has lit up Japan’s solar landscape (via Recharge)

How solar shifted the peak during Australia’s heat waves (via Renew Economy)

Wind industry carries momentum into 2014 – will it last? (via Midwest Energy News)

Will solar energy in Hawaii be a test case for grid penetration? (via Energy Collective)

National Cooperative Bank arranges $82 million in financing for North Carolina solar projects (via Solar Industry)

EMISSIONS 

Australia’s new pollution plan starts to look like emissions trading (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

China building codes could cut energy use 22% (via Energy Manager Today)

DOE wants to make your phone charger more energy efficient (via National Journal)

OIL 

BP quarterly profit falls as divestments impact income (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

“Insane” GHG savings from workplace EV charging, according to NASA (via CleanTechnica)

Nissan Leaf sales get January jump as Chevy Volt trends down (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla completes cross-country Supercharger drive in Model S EVs (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

Europe introduces harmonized power market across 15 countries (via Reuters)

A next-gen battery tech is coming soon to the power grid (via GigaOm)

A123’s path back to grid-scale battery business (via Greentech Media)

NUCLEAR 

EPA seeks to modernize nuclear standards (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

California’s drought raises stakes for water tunnels (via Bloomberg)

Duke pipe break causes coal ash release into North Carolina river (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Should Obama approve Keystone XL? (via National Journal)

Ten key numbers in the Keystone XL pipeline report (via Washington Post)

Rejecting Keystone XL could damage US environmental movement (via Forbes)

How to convince your friends to believe in climate change…it’s not as hard as you think (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.4.14

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Mining tar sands produces 2-3 times more air pollution than thought (via Smithsonian)

Keystone Pipeline report fallout: The latest (via National Journal)

Greens warn base will sit out election if Obama approves Keystone XL (via The Hill)

White House vows to keep Keystone call above “political influence” (via The Hill)

Canadian group pitches Alaska rail line for oil sands (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Ocean temperatures spiked globally in 2013 (via Grist)

Adapting to sea level rise could save trillions (via Renew Economy)

Winter ice season now 24 days shorter than in 1950s (via Science Recorder)

January’s temperatures leave a nation blowing hot and cold (via Climate Central)

Northern Alaska lake ice shows “dramatic decline” in 20 years (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

FiT has lit up Japan’s solar landscape (via Recharge)

How solar shifted the peak during Australia’s heat waves (via Renew Economy)

Wind industry carries momentum into 2014 – will it last? (via Midwest Energy News)

Will solar energy in Hawaii be a test case for grid penetration? (via Energy Collective)

National Cooperative Bank arranges $82 million in financing for North Carolina solar projects (via Solar Industry)

EMISSIONS 

Australia’s new pollution plan starts to look like emissions trading (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

China building codes could cut energy use 22% (via Energy Manager Today)

DOE wants to make your phone charger more energy efficient (via National Journal)

OIL 

BP quarterly profit falls as divestments impact income (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

“Insane” GHG savings from workplace EV charging, according to NASA (via CleanTechnica)

Nissan Leaf sales get January jump as Chevy Volt trends down (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla completes cross-country Supercharger drive in Model S EVs (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

Europe introduces harmonized power market across 15 countries (via Reuters)

A next-gen battery tech is coming soon to the power grid (via GigaOm)

A123’s path back to grid-scale battery business (via Greentech Media)

NUCLEAR 

EPA seeks to modernize nuclear standards (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

California’s drought raises stakes for water tunnels (via Bloomberg)

Duke pipe break causes coal ash release into North Carolina river (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Should Obama approve Keystone XL? (via National Journal)

Ten key numbers in the Keystone XL pipeline report (via Washington Post)

Rejecting Keystone XL could damage US environmental movement (via Forbes)

How to convince your friends to believe in climate change…it’s not as hard as you think (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.31.14

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone XL review “to say pipeline will not appreciably increase emissions” (via The Guardian)

Oil sands opponents file challenge against European Commission (via Reuters)

Canada regulator approves Enbridge’s Alberta oil pipeline plan (via Reuters)

Obama Administration prepared to show cards on Keystone (via National Journal)

Keystone foes say two pipelines are worse than one (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

10 cities making massive emissions cuts through energy efficiency (via CleanTechnica)

Northeast, Mid-Atlantic invested $2.5 billion in energy efficiency during 2013 (via Energy Manager Today)

The ultimate guide to efficient light bulbs (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

China installed record amounts of solar in 2013 – but coal is still winning (via Washington Post)

MoU signed for enormous 4,000MW solar project in India (via CleanTechnica)

Goldman Sachs sees “transformational moment” in renewables investment (via Renew Economy)

U.S. installed 1.08GW wind in 2013 (via Recharge)

Wind power supporters push Congress to revive expired tax credit (via Washington Post)

Renewable energy finance outlook for 2014: Where will the cash flow? (via Renewable Energy World)

Study finds carbon intensity of corn ethanol to be 43-60% lower than oil by 2022 (via Green Car Congress)

Biodiesel boom continues with eight straight months above 100 million gallons (via Facts of the Day)

Texas tops nation in new wind power construction (via Houston Chronicle)

Rooftop solar and net metering win big in Colorado (via Greentech Media)

Why New Jersey’s solar market just got hot again (via Renewable Energy World)

Eagle permits: A way forward for wind or a license to kill? (via Midwest Energy News)

EMISSIONS 

South Korea confirms 30% carbon reduction target by 2020 (via RTCC)

China unhappy with “carbon budget” reference in IPCC review (via RTCC)

EU panel votes to limit concessions on airline carbon curbs (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

New US generation capacity falls 54% in 2013 as new wind plunges (via Facts of the Day)

Energy Secretary: ability to transport U.S. oil, gas lags booming output (via Reuters)

White House taps Norman Bay to head FERC (via Politico)

EPA prepares hundreds of regional buyouts in sweeping workforce overhaul (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Lima talks should deliver first draft of 2015 UN climate deal, says Peru minister (via The Guardian)

Obama’s agenda: EPA leading the charge on climate change (via Politico)

EPA chief: Climate change regulation “done deal” despite Supreme Court review (via National Journal)

Green groups: Obama not doing enough on climate (via AP)

Business groups form multi-million dollar campaign to fight Obama climate plan (via Washington Post)

Bloomberg tapped to be UN cities, climate change envoy (via Reuters)

OIL 

White House willing to explore “policy options” on crude oil exports (via National Journal)

OPEC oil output rises in January from 2 ½-year low (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

White House releases plan to make Arctic shipping safer (via Reuters)

House Democrats demand better fuel efficiency from USPS vehicles (via The Hill)

Which state has the highest percentage of EVs? No, not California (via Green Car Reports)

ENVIRONMENT 

Its great lake shriveled, Iran confronts water supply crisis (via New York Times)

California may have hit its driest point in 500 years, and the effects are frightening (via Huffington Post)

For California, more wildfires mean more pollution and long-lasting health problems (via ClimateWire)

California snowpack hits record low (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID 

Return on investment from smart grid deployment is top priority for public power utilities (via Renew Grid)

OPINION 

The extraordinary climate and environmental legacy of Henry Waxman (via Climate Progress)

Supporters, opponents of Waxman’s climate agenda lament retirement (via SNL Energy)

Enlightened power: New eco warriors are really well armed (via Bloomberg)

Extreme weather is a reality – the insurance industry must adapt (via The Guardian)

Two things to know about Indonesia’s forest moratorium (via World Resources Institute)

Four insights on unlocking finance for clean energy access in Africa (via World Resources Institute)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.30.14

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

EMISSIONS

Foundations representing $1.8 billion band together in fossil fuel divestment (via New York Times)

US consultancy ICF to help plan China carbon market (via Reuters)

COAL

EPA sets December deadline for coal ash rule (via Charleston Gazette)

Why Obama’s climate push means trouble ahead for coal (via Christian Science Monitor)

CLIMATE

As sea level rises, Fijian village begins to relocate citizens (via Climate Progress)

Snowden docs: US spied on negotiators at 2009 climate summit (via Huffington Post)

Industry coalition seeks to shape EPA’s climate rules (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES

UK should have 10 million homes with solar panels by 2020 (via The Guardian)

Merkel: German renewable energy no longer “niche” (via Recharge)

IHS pegs South Africa as top emerging solar market (via Solar Industry Magazine

Net metering in 2014: Where the first battles will be fought (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewable energy finance outlook for 2014: Where will the cash flow? (via Renewable Energy World)

Intel, Microsoft, Kohl’s lead EPA’s green power ranking (via GreenBiz)

How California can hit 50% renewable energy by 2030 (via EarthTechling)

OIL

Shell backs off Arctic drilling after legal blow (via National Journal)

Justice Department urges judge to maintain BP federal contracts suspension (via National Journal)

Oil shipments blocking Amtrak trains (via The Hill)

Texas oil boom could be nearing slowdown (via Houston Chronicle)

New York governor orders emergency response review for oil rail shipments (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION

JD Power asks EV buyers why they buy EVs (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT

Monarch butterflies keep disappearing – here’s why (via Washington Post)

West Virginia officials dispute formaldehyde claim (via AP)

Arizona state legislators push bill to nullify EPA regulations (via The Hill)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Industry in North Dakota to cut flared natural gas (via New York Times)

New York “extremely unlikely” to allow fracking before 2015 (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

ENERGY MARKETS

California PUC president: Utility death spiral is “last year’s hype” (via Greentech Media)

Two states feel the market heat as their deregulated neighbors reap rewards (via EnergyWire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

LED market to grow 12-fold to $25 billion in 2023 (via CleanTechnica)

10 US cities plan coordinated attach on building energy waste (via Greentech Media)

White roofs are better than green roofs, and everything’s better than black (via Grist)

KEYSTONE XL

Canadian officials bullish on Keystone environmental review findings (via National Journal)

OPINION

Obama’s State of the Union climate mention fits pattern (via Climate Central)

Obama says fracking can be a “bridge” to a clean-energy future – it’s not that simple (via Washington Post)

What the new farm bill means for energy and the environment (via Climate Progress)

How to teach kids about climate change (via The Good Human)