Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.25.14

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

COAL 

China’s coal gas plants to emit massive greenhouse gases (via The Hill)

India’s top court rules allocations of 218 coal mines illegal (via Bloomberg)

India markets slip after coal block allocations are termed illegal (via Business Standard)

British Columbia coal export terminal gets the green light (via Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

EMISSIONS 

Hundreds of methane plumes spotted on Atlantic sea floor (via Scientific American/Nature)

California’s latest carbon auction raises $331.8 million (via Sacramento Bee)

RENEWABLES 

Leading Chinese solar PV suppliers continue to increase market share despite global trade disputes (via Solarbuzz)

EPA ethanol mandate goes to White House for review (via The Hill)

Geothermal power steaming over wind and solar energies (via Forbes)

$500 million invested in Mexico distributed solar (via Energy Manager Today)

SolarCity expects Silevo 1GW factory to cost up to $450 million (via PV Tech)

New York’s solar programs merge under NY-Sun initiative (via Energy Manager Today)

Berkshire Hathaway says net metering should be “eliminated” (via Greentech Media)

CLIMATE 

Climate change could happen slower for the next decade, says study (via Time)

“Incredible” rate of polar ice loss alarms scientists (via The Guardian)

Don’t even think about it: Why we are wired to ignore climate change (via GreenBiz)

OIL 

Energy reform could increase Mexico’s long-term oil production 75% (via U.S. EIA)

Iraqi, Kurdistan lawyers face off in U.S. court over stranded tanker’s oil (via Houston Chronicle)

West Texas energy bills show oil boom’s unexpected costs (via Texas Tribune)

ENERGY POLICY 

Obama urges renewal of U.S. Export-Import Bank (via Washington Post)

Watch six months of fracking fires blaze across America (via National Journal)

TAR SANDS 

Enbridge tries new strategy to sidestep Keystone-style permitting fight (via EnergyWire)

ENVIRONMENT 

Vanishing bird ignites debate over endangered species rules (via The Hill)

Ecologists just saved miles of Texas coastline using BP oil spill money (via Climate Progress)

POLITICS 

Will Hispanic voters alter the politics of climate change? (via National Journal)

Steyer PAC gets just $501,000 from outside donors in July (via Politico)

OPINION 

How the U.S. and Korea could work together to reduce carbon emissions (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Generation Y have “very little interest” in challenging unsustainable investment (via Blue & Green)

Here’s what EVs need to succeed: Roaming for charging stations (via GigaOm)

Lifestyles of California’s rich and parched (via Politico)

Why the Gulf job market actually improved after the BP oil spill (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.21.14

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

EMISSIONS 

China to let foreign investors trade in Shenzen carbon market (via Bloomberg)

Architects from 124 countries make “zero-carbon cities” pledge (via RTCC)

EPA report shows progress reducing urban air toxics across U.S.; 50% reduction from mobile sources since 1990 (via Green Car Congress)

Reducing NYC’s carbon emissions one building at a time (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

Coal gas boom in China holds climate change risks (via Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

Canada’s largest port approves $15 million coal transfer project (via Reuters)

Oregon coal terminal decision highlights exports’ emissions (via Climate Central)

North Carolina lawmakers pass coal ash restrictions (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

Africa to add more renewables in 2014 than in past 14 years (via Bloomberg)

South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya lead renewables spurt in Africa (via Bloomberg)

Solar power poses lower risk to birds than cats or cars (via Bloomberg)

Renewable energy could hit 36% of global energy, but there’s a biomass catch (via The Energy Collective)

Solar PV helps eliminate kerosene lamps in Africa (via Navigant Research)

“World’s biggest” tidal array gets go ahead in Scotland (via BusinessGreen)

Japan to support PV on landfill sites (via Recharge)

Renewable energy accounts for 100% of all new U.S. power in July (via Renew Grid)

As small hydropower swells, so does caution over its impacts (via GreenBiz)

Are reverse auctions key to reforming solar energy subsidies? (via The Energy Collective)

How one wonky court decision could unlock our renewable energy future (via CleanTechnica)

ABB unveils cable innovation to increase offshore wind efficiency (via Reuters)

Vestas heads for 1st dividend in decade after turnaround (via Bloomberg)

NUCLEAR 

Tepco concedes failure of Fukushima ice wall (via CleanTechnica)

CLIMATE 

Antarctica and Greenland losing ice at fastest rate ever recorded (via Yale e360)

Study says answer to global warming slowdown lies in depths of Atlantic Ocean (via The Guardian)

Food and drink companies respond to consumer pressure on climate change (via The Guardian)

NATURAL GAS 

China’s natural gas production falls short in China (via New York Times)

Study to explore economic potential of Mexican shale (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy industry looks to develop better methane monitors (via Houston Chronicle)

At least 10 percent of fracking fluid is toxic, says LBNL analysis (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

Smart grid technology revenue will be $70.2 billion by 2023 (via Energy Manager Today)

A comeback for community energy storage (via Navigant Research)

Where is distributed energy storage being deployed in the U.S.? (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Russia said to be near oil tax plan that may cost state $6.6 billion (via Bloomberg)

Western Gulf of Mexico offshore drilling lease sale results in $110 million in bids on 400,000 acres (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Epic drought in U.S. West is literally moving mountains (via Climate Central)

63 trillion gallons of groundwater lost in Western U.S. drought (via Los Angeles Times)

California has given out rights to five times more water than it actually has (via Climate Progress)

Drought weighing you down? It’s lifting America up. (via Mother Jones)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Tar sands bitumen set to eclipse pipelines like Keystone XL (via DeSmog Blog)

Canada’s $24 million Keystone XL ad campaign falls flat (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Apple produces 134 out of 135 entries in EPEAT’s new green tablet registry (via Treehugger)

OPINION 

Could shale revive China’s flagging oil fields? (via Reuters)

Brace yourself for Solargeddon, Australia (via The Energy Collective)

Why EVs will make solar viable without subsidies (via Renew Economy)

Here’s why Solar City will move into Mexico (via Greentech Media)

Toyota could be wrong about the high cost of hydrogen (via CleanTechnica)

If you can’t take the heat, get off the island (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

McConnell promises spending standoff over Obama green agenda (via National Journal)

Meet the scientists who sat Rick Scott down and explained climate change to him (via Salon)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.19.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Guandong Province adds 20 million permits to China’s biggest carbon market (via Reuters)

COAL 

UK lobbying to keep open one of Europe’s dirtiest coal power plants (via The Guardian)

China’s coal consumption just fell for the first time in a century (via Energy Collective)

Oregon Department of State Lands denies coal export terminal permit (via The Oregonian)

Did this smart business deal just end the South’s overdependence on coal? (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

Solar boom driving first global panel shortage since 2006 (via Bloomberg)

Abbott’s new attack on renewables may spark another solar boom (via Renew Economy)

Germany meets 75% of domestic electricity demand with renewables (via Renew Economy)

Biggest solar project falls as Australia reviews policy (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

Sunpower starts solar leasing program for Australian homes (via Bloomberg)

DOE report highlights strength of U.S. wind industry (via Energy.gov)

Price of wind power at all-time low of 2.5 cents per kilowatt hour (via Greentech Media)

Landmark court ruling opens U.S. grid to renewable energy (via SustainableBusiness)

Old car batteries could make cheaper, more efficient solar panels (via Washington Post)

Power surge coming in Minnesota’s solar industry (via Star-Tribune)

NATURAL GAS 

China’s natural gas demand continues to grow (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking could threaten air quality, workers’ health, says report (via Washington Post)

Pennsylvania Department of Health will note fracking complaints (via Pittsburgh Tribune)

CLIMATE 

The year in heat: World on track for third-hottest year ever (via Bloomberg)

Climate change to slash South Asian GDP, warns development bank (via Financial Times)

Water scarcity and climate change through 2095 (via Phys.org)

Australian climate scientist calls on colleagues to speak up on global warming (via Sydney Morning-Herald)

OIL 

Apache makes 300 million barrel oil reserve discovery off Australia (via Reuters)

EIA to cast new data into oil export debate (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking recycles during drought (via Forbes)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla announces infinite mile warranty for Model S EV (via Autoblog Green)

GM’s 200-mile EV for 2017: What we know so far (via Green Car Reports)

Possibly the world’s first battery-powered train undergoing trials (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

KEYSTONE XL 

Environmental groups demand State Department hand over Keystone XL docs (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Navigant says falling LED prices accelerate adoption in parking lots, outdoor systems (via Energy Manager Today)

Big data driving energy efficiency market, says report (via Energy Manager Today)

Opening the multi-trillion dollar energy management market (via Energy Collective)

After a slow start, PACE getting off the ground in Missouri (via Midwest Energy News)

9 of 10 New York City building plans fail basic energy code test (via Crain’s New York Business)

ENVIRONMENT 

“Severe” drought covers nearly 99.8% of California (via Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles dramatically increases "water cops" staffing as drought worsens (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

Behind closed doors, Obama crafts executive actions (via New York Times)

OPINION 

How to profit off global warming (via Vox)

The power of collective energy purchasing (via CleanTechnica)

Edelman PR firm scurries to fix climate change denial debate (via EcoWatch)

Warm seas keep world on track for a hot year (via Sydney Morning-Herald)

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 – 6.20.14

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

EMISSIONS 

China completes pilot carbon market rollout, but take up uncertain (via Reuters)

EPA starts taking comments on clean power plan (via Climate Central)

TVA plans significant cut in carbon emissions (via Environmental Leader)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia “secretly working with environmentalists to oppose fracking” (via The Guardian)

Sempra wins final U.S. FERC approval for LNG export plant (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Germany may install least solar power capacity since 2008 (via Bloomberg)

Report: U.S. trade dispute will inflict pains on China solar manufacturers (via Forbes)

A simple solution to the complex problem of offshore wind costs? (via CleanTechnica)

Buying into solar power, no roof access needed (via New York Times)

The rise of solar co-ops (via Renewable Energy World)

COAL 

$10 billion Australian coal port expansion put on ice due to weak demand (via Reuters)

Duke Energy warned about pipe’s likelihood to leak in 1986 (via News-Record)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EU energy chief rules out 40% energy savings goal (via Reuters)

Survey: Americans financially motivated to participate in demand response programs (via Renew Grid)

Green homes: 150,000 now LEED certified (via Environmental Leader)

Combined heat and power is a boon for Midwest steel mills (via Midwest Energy News)

LEDs to provide big savings for San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

Report: Most Iraq oil production unaffected by turmoil (via Houston Chronicle)

Deloitte: OPEC’s influence waning as U.S. shale surges (via Houston Chronicle)

Abandoned Pennsylvania oil wells may be major methane emitters (via Climate Central)

TRANSPORTATION 

Gasoline at U.S. pumps set to hit six-year seasonal high (via Bloomberg)

Harley-Davidson roars into future with first electric motorcycle (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

Energy storage: A different view from Germany (via Renewable Energy World)

California’s power grid operator, PacifiCorp win approval for western market (via Los Angeles Times)

Regulators approve novel plan for “real time” power sharing in the West (via Greenwire)

Building a wind-balancing grid, one island at a time (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT 

Brazil achieves 70% reduction in Amazon deforestation (via RTCC)

California’s drought getting even worse, experts say (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

Must-pass budget bill stalls in Senate over global-warming fight (via National Journal)

Why Jim Rubens stands out from all Republicans running for Senate (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Rough water ahead for Europe’s energy efficiency efforts (via Navigant Research)

U.S. policymakers falling behind corporate America on clean energy (via Huffington Post)

Obama’s carbon rules show bad arithmetic (via Time)

Words matter when talking global warming: The “good Anthropocene” debate (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.20.14

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

EMISSIONS 

China completes pilot carbon market rollout, but take up uncertain (via Reuters)

EPA starts taking comments on clean power plan (via Climate Central)

TVA plans significant cut in carbon emissions (via Environmental Leader)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia “secretly working with environmentalists to oppose fracking” (via The Guardian)

Sempra wins final U.S. FERC approval for LNG export plant (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Germany may install least solar power capacity since 2008 (via Bloomberg)

Report: U.S. trade dispute will inflict pains on China solar manufacturers (via Forbes)

A simple solution to the complex problem of offshore wind costs? (via CleanTechnica)

Buying into solar power, no roof access needed (via New York Times)

The rise of solar co-ops (via Renewable Energy World)

COAL 

$10 billion Australian coal port expansion put on ice due to weak demand (via Reuters)

Duke Energy warned about pipe’s likelihood to leak in 1986 (via News-Record)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EU energy chief rules out 40% energy savings goal (via Reuters)

Survey: Americans financially motivated to participate in demand response programs (via Renew Grid)

Green homes: 150,000 now LEED certified (via Environmental Leader)

Combined heat and power is a boon for Midwest steel mills (via Midwest Energy News)

LEDs to provide big savings for San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

Report: Most Iraq oil production unaffected by turmoil (via Houston Chronicle)

Deloitte: OPEC’s influence waning as U.S. shale surges (via Houston Chronicle)

Abandoned Pennsylvania oil wells may be major methane emitters (via Climate Central)

TRANSPORTATION 

Gasoline at U.S. pumps set to hit six-year seasonal high (via Bloomberg)

Harley-Davidson roars into future with first electric motorcycle (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

Energy storage: A different view from Germany (via Renewable Energy World)

California’s power grid operator, PacifiCorp win approval for western market (via Los Angeles Times)

Regulators approve novel plan for “real time” power sharing in the West (via Greenwire)

Building a wind-balancing grid, one island at a time (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT 

Brazil achieves 70% reduction in Amazon deforestation (via RTCC)

California’s drought getting even worse, experts say (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

Must-pass budget bill stalls in Senate over global-warming fight (via National Journal)

Why Jim Rubens stands out from all Republicans running for Senate (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Rough water ahead for Europe’s energy efficiency efforts (via Navigant Research)

U.S. policymakers falling behind corporate America on clean energy (via Huffington Post)

Obama’s carbon rules show bad arithmetic (via Time)

Words matter when talking global warming: The “good Anthropocene” debate (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.10.14

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

CLIMATE 

Global climate unity dealt blow as Australia and Canada put business first (via The Guardian)

Denmark set to approve new climate change law (via RTCC)

Hawaii governor signs climate change bill (via KITV.com)

NATURAL GAS 

IEA cuts gas use forecast through 2019 as coal, renewables gain (via Bloomberg)

Ukraine, Russia to continue gas price talks but no deal yet (via Reuters)

Netherlands offshore gas cache, now under shaky ground (via New York Times)

DOE says U.S. gas exports unlikely to help cut emissions (via BusinessGreen)

RENEWABLES 

India dumping duties risk choking Modi’s solar revolution (via Bloomberg)

Spain passes renewable energy reform decree (via Recharge)

Pakistan breaks ground on one of world’s largest solar parks (via Sustainable Business)

Buffett ready to double $15 billion solar, wind bet as Berkshire evolves (via Bloomberg)

NRG YieldCo makes largest wind farm in U.S. available to investors (via Sustainable Business)

Could this odd-looking wind turbine reach 80% efficiency? (via Washington Post)

Virginia governor pushes renewable energy development (via Recharge)

New program solves stranded solar meter problem for California farms (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY POLICY 

U.S. reaches highest energy independence in decades (via The Hill)

Moody’s: Oil and gas sector to grow through 2015 (via Houston Chronicle)

U.S. House introduces $34 billion energy and water spending bill (via The Hill)

Aubrey McClendon announces $4 billion in new oil and gas deals (via Forbes)

COAL 

China’s clean-fuel focus tests U.S. coal-export lifeline (via Bloomberg)

Australian PM Abbott seeks coal comfort in fossil-friendly “Canadia” (via Renew Economy)

EMISSIONS 

Chinese official plays down emission cut expectations (via Reuters)

U.S. states considering carbon trading schemes (via Financial Times)

Latin American nations forge ahead with CO2 reduction plans (via ClimateWire)

OIL 

World needs record Saudi oil supply as OPEC convenes (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Inaction on climate change could cost auto industry millions (via Autoblog Green)

Wireless EV charging set for massive growth by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

Proposed EPA emissions changes would add just $7 to car prices (via CleanTechnica)

U.S. drivers’ wait for electric SUVs continues (via Navigant Research)

GRID 

German grid braces for partial solar eclipse in 2015 (via Renew Economy)

Energy storage reduces diesel use in microgrids (via Navigant Research)

Ohio utilities try end run around PJM capacity auction (via Midwest Energy News)

ENVIRONMENT 

Obama: Brace for rough wildfire season out West (via The Hill)

Electronics companies form e-waste recycling coalition (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Democrats see winning issue in EPA carbon plan (via New York Times)

Inside a green billionaire’s brain trust (via National Journal)

Hillary Clinton steers clear of Keystone pipeline in new book (via National Journal)

How Mary Landrieu is escaping her Democratic shadow (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Exporting U.S. natural gas isn’t as “clean” as you think (via Washington Post)

Why Barclays’ downgrade of entire U.S. electricity sector is an upgrade for consumers (via RMI Outlet)

Fracking’s war on coal (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.23.14

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

CLIMATE 

West Antarctic ice collapse “could drown Middle East and Asia crops” (via The Guardian)

Australia’s pollution U-turn threatening UN climate talks (via Bloomberg)

Saudis accused of deleting part of UN climate science report (via RTCC)

Global warming linked to frigid U.S. winter, say scientists (via NBC News)

Cold U.S. winter caused by warm tropical waters? (via Climate Central)

COAL 

Deutsche Bank won’t fund Australia coal port expansion near reef (via Reuters)

EPA reaches deal with Duke Energy over coal ash spill (via The Guardian)

Petitioners ask Gov. Nixon to halt Missouri coal ash landfill construction (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Over 600 local elected officials back Obama’s coal rules (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

India hits US, China with solar imports & anti-dumping duties (via Reuters)

A brief history of ethanol in Brazil (via Green Car Reports)

Abengoa says CSP with storage will beat baseload gas by 2020 (via Renew Economy)

5 trends illustrating the resurgence of solar suppliers in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Ohio kicks RPS vote to next week (via Recharge)

400-mile transmission line could expand Texas wind market (via Houston Chronicle)

South Carolina prepares for solar revolution with historic vote (via EcoWatch)

Can yieldcos reduce the risk of solar financing? (via Renewable Energy World)

NUCLEAR 

Russia may build eight nuclear reactors for Iran (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Building efficiency upgrades save $730 million across U.S. (via Greenbang)

Lighting is a “gateway drug to energy efficiency” (via Breaking Energy)

Google won’t serve ads to your Nest, but will find you elsewhere (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

UK says South England holds billions of barrels of shale oil (via Bloomberg)

North Dakota governor warns oil producers on gas flaring (via Bismarck Tribune/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Energy consumption falling in the transportation sector (via Navigant Research)

GRID 

U.S. utility’s control system was hacked, says Homeland Security (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia-China deal to damp LNG prices as output rises (via Bloomberg)

Obama faces fracking protesters on New York visit (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

How does your state rank on climate emissions? (via Sustainable Business)

California carbon auction sells all allowances (via Environmental Leader)

17 things to know about California’s carbon cap (via Sightline Daily)

Does working from home grow your carbon footprint? (via GreenBiz)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

First shipment of Canadian tar sands heads toward EU shores (via RTCC)

TransCanada eyes “bridge” to Keystone XL pipeline approval (via The Hill)

POLITICS 

Red state, blue state, hot state, cold state: Mapping the politics of climate change (via Politico)

League of Conservation Voters raises $3 million for campaign contributions (via The Hill)

Climate change is on the ballot (via Huffington Post)

Ohio churches fight to save renewables and energy efficiency (via Climate Progress)

OPINION 

When China became the world’s workshop it inherited the world’s air pollution, too (via Grist)

How fossil fuel interests attack renewable energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Dust Bowl days: Will we cut carbon fast enough to prevent permanent droughts? (via Climate Progress)

How green energy won out over fossil fuels in a red state (via National Journal)

The real reason why no one cares about CNN’s climate stories (via Climate Progress)

Why “ratepayer” is a dirty word (via Greentech Media)

Defending clean energy in Ohio and beyond (via Grist)

Why owning your own power plant might not be crazy (via RMI Outlet)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.19.14

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

COAL 

US coal consumption rose 3.5% in 2013, projected 4.1% increase in 2014 (via Facts of the Day)

Army Corps plans narrow review of proposed coal export terminal (via The Olympian/AP)

Second coal ash dump leak sends toxins into North Carolina river (via Reuters)

Can coal ash waste be put to good use? (via Breaking Energy)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

China exceeds US on energy efficiency spending for first time (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

NUCLEAR 

DOE to ok $6.5 billion for Georgia nuclear plant (via AP)

RENEWABLES 

New US-China solar panel trade case gets ITC’s nod to continue (via Greentech Media)

London Array offshore wind farm phase two a no-go (via Recharge)

States brace for utility-solar advocate clashes (via Stateline)

Seattle company plans $200 million wind farm off Oregon coast (via GeekWire)

CLIMATE 

Warming winters send no love to 2022 Olympic bid cities (via Climate Central)

Australian cities already hotter than 2030 forecasts (via RTCC)

Climate change looming as threat to US national security (via The Weather Channel)

How Big Oil gave up on the climate (via Slate)

ENVIRONMENT 

Health experts warn of water contamination from California drought (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla stock gets another jolt (via Washington Post)

KEYSTONE XL 

Nebraska landowners slam TransCanada in anti-Keystone ads (via The Hill)

GRID 

Advanced batteries for utility-scale energy storage to see revenue surge (via Renew Grid)

US orders power grid to prepare for solar storms (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

Carbon futures climbing for EU ETS (via Environmental Leader)

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)