Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.24.14

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

GREEN BUSINESS 

Blue-green opportunities: Energy efficiency and jobs impacts in US manufacturing (via WRI Insights)

Illinois jumps to top of US green building LEED-certified ranks (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Shopping around for natural gas: The good, the bad, and the confusing (via Midwest Energy News)

New England natural gas prices set record (via Energy Manager Today)

Colorado first state to regulate methane emissions (via The Hill)

Exxon CEO joins anti-fracking lawsuit after drilling threatens his property value (via Slate)

RENEWABLES 

UK claims world leadership in offshore wind (via Energy Manager Today)

Five million German households faced with higher power bills (via Reuters)

Interior Department approves 550MW of solar projects on public land (via Solar Industry)

DOE awards $2 million to support geothermal systems with rare earth extraction capability (via CleanTechnica)

Air Force scores biggest-ever military solar plant (via CleanTechnica)

Top 10 women of solar energy (via Energy Collective)

New Year off to hot start for US solar industry (via Renewable Energy World)

OIL 

Arctic oil still seen decades off as producers balk at costs (via Bloomberg)

Oil industry head cautions against creating new rail risks (via Houston Chronicle)

Federal regulators move to hike cap on oil spill liabilities (via Houston Chronicle)

To make shipping oil safer, railroads agree to eight measures (via New York Times)

Funding the future with fracking in North Dakota (via National Journal)

Oil spill closes 65-mile stretch of lower Mississippi River (via Reuters)

GE to funnel billions into oil field technology (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Megacity driving woes signal dawn of “peak car” era (via Bloomberg)

Study finds 20-25% of EV range lost as psychological safety buffer; driver assistance systems could shrink loss (via Green Car Congress)

Elon Musk and Tesla plan world’s biggest battery factory (via Greentech Media)

Tesla’s Musk accelerating vehicle output through 2014 (via Bloomberg)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone backers find Nebraska judge not only hurdle remaining (via Bloomberg)

Keystone’s future in hands of Nebraska’s new pipeline regulator (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

January 2014: Earth’s 4th warmest January on record (via Weather Underground)

Arctic temperatures could increase 13C by 2100 (via RTCC)

Climate change to add to winter extremes, limiting warming benefit (via Sydney Morning Herald)

Small volcanic eruptions add to larger impact on climate (via Climate Central)

Obama climate change agenda faces first Supreme Court test (via Reuters)

This year’s crazy weather is freezing the economy (via Washington Post)

Coffee shortage possible due to drought, climate change, rising demand (via Washington Post)

In Rhode Island flood zones, houses raised to lower premiums (via Providence Journal)

ENVIRONMENT 

Obama to propose changes to wildfire funding in budget (via Weather Channel/AP)

Environmental groups resort to suing industries directly (via New York Times)

California farmers brace for little or no water amid extreme drought (via The Guardian)

Coal ash spill could push North Carolina to move more aggressively on environmental threats (via News Observer)

EMISSIONS

“Imagination” required to save UN carbon market, says new chair (via RTCC)

GRID 

Bid to connect US grids needs buy-in from independent Texas (via EnergyWire)

POLITICS 

Environmental advocates target climate change as Democratic election issue (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Has China’s coal boom hit the buffers? (via BusinessGreen)

Why is the Obama administration using taxpayer money to back a nuclear plant that’s already being built? (via Washington Post)

The short era of cheap natural gas ended in January: Is it gone forever? (via Facts of the Day)

Will methane burn down the natural gas “bridge” to the future? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Play it again: January continues globe’s warm trend (via Climate Central)

Communicating the health and climate connection (via EcoAffect)

Waiting on Ivanpah (via CleanTechnica)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.12.14

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

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon backloading start possible in March (via Reuters Point Carbon)

South Korea risking sky-high carbon prices, worry for exports (via Reuters)

Obama administration quietly preparing deeper emissions targets for UN talks (via ClimateWire)

Capturing carbon may add 80% to US electricity costs (via Bloomberg)

California’s rate of CO2 cuts “needs to be doubled” after 2020 (via RTCC)

OIL 

OPEC sees stronger 2014 oil demand growth (via Reuters)

Russia expects 2014 oil output to renew post-Soviet record (via Reuters)

EIA lowers US oil output forecast but highlights shale upside (via Reuters)

Fracking blamed for drought in California (via CNBC/Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

India to double its renewable power capacity by 2017 (via The Hindu)

Unsubsidized solar power gives it a go in Spain (via Breaking Energy)

India’s plan for world’s largest solar farm my stumble over wetlands (via The Guardian)

UK radar deal “could unlock 2.2GW” of new wind capacity (via Recharge)

Honduras wind project gets $82 million guarantee (via Recharge)

How Chile is shepherding its renewable energy expansion (via Renewable Energy World)

How online maps can speed up solar site selection (via GreenBiz)

Lockheed backs world’s largest wave energy project (via Forbes)

Wind turbine prices fall 35% from 2009-2013 (via Facts of the Day)

Mosiac to offer retail investments in residential solar (via Bloomberg)

New York State’s green bank confirmed as “open for business” (via BusinessGreen)

Massive offshore wind farm takes shape off….Rhode Island? (via CleanTechnica)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Alberta premier says she won’t play games with US on Keystone (via The Hill)

Environmental movement to test its muscle in Keystone final stretch (via InsideClimate News)

Is shipping oil by rail as dangerous as the Keystone pipeline? (via Mother Jones)

TRANSPORTATION 

Toyota to recall 1.9 million Prius hybrids (via BusinessGreen)

Nissan Leaf ranks as best-selling EV in Europe in 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

Airbus forecasts Asia-Pacific will need 11,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years (via Green Car Congress)

Over 250,000 vehicle-to-grid enabled EVs will be sold from 2013-2022 (via Navigant Research)

Nissan Leaf accelerates to 45% total zero-emissions market share (via GreenBiz)

Tesla Motors stock breaks $200 mark for the first time (via Autoblog Green)

COAL 

Pipe break at coal facility contaminates West Virginia waterway (via Climate Progress)

Private testing finds coal chemical in 40% of West Virginia homes (via Climate Progress)

CLIMATE 

Economist says best climate fix a tough sell, but worth it (via NPR)

Hot Alaska, cold Georgia: How the shifted polar vortex turned winter upside down (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Louisiana natural gas export terminal gets green light (via National Journal)

Colorado communities battle to ban fracking (via DeSmog Blog)

Explosion and fire at Chevron natural gas well in Pennsylvania (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to set up $1.6 billion fund to fight smog (via Reuters)

In California drought, a message to consumers: Water is power (via Christian Science Monitor)

GREEN BUILDING 

Green builders weather housing slump (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

House Republicans receive lowest environmental rating in 44 years (via Washington Post)

Landrieu era to begin on Senate energy committee (via National Journal)

Koch brothers bombard vulnerable Senate Democrat Kay Hagan (via Politico)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.3.14

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone XL unites environmentalists and landowners in pipeline battle (via The Guardian)

Keystone pipeline inches toward green light with crucial climate finding (via National Journal)

Keystone report reignites battle over pipeline’s impact (via Houston Chronicle)

EPA review could be lynchpin to Keystone review process (via Reuters)

Pressure is on Kerry as Keystone pipeline decision nears (via Washington Post)

State Department Inspector General won’t release Keystone XL contractor report (via Washington Post)

Keystone foe Steyer urges review of “defective” analysis (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

EU wind market shrank 8% in 2013 (via Recharge)

Repowering boosts new German onshore wind capacity in 2013 (via Recharge)

Rooftop solar will soon be cheaper than coal in the EU (via Greentech Media)

Dong Energy to sell half of London Array offshore wind stake for £644 million (via BusinessGreen)

Canadian hydro gambles big on US export market – but at what cost? (via EnergyWire)

Goldman Sachs says renewables one of most compelling investment sectors (via CleanTechnica)

2014 wind boom: Record 12,000MW of wind now under construction (via Facts of the Day)

Solar continues to attract financing, M&A, and VC (via Greentech Media)

Price of solar much lower than solar savings (via CleanTechnica)

What does $2 million buy? How about 1,800GW of wind power (via CleanTechnica)

Is ethanol eating your car’s engine? (via Forbes)

Colorado PUC keeps net metering in place for now (via Renew Grid)

Solar thermal power poses challenges for drought-stricken California (via MIT Technology Review)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

CHP capacity will grow 16.3GW annually through 2023 (via Energy Manager Today)

Panama Canal expansion could increase LNG exports to Asia (via Houston Chronicle)

North Carolina fracking panel sets safe drilling distances from homes, streams (via Charlotte Observer)

EMISSIONS 

In China’s war on bad air, government decision to release data gives fresh hope (via Washington Post)

Canadian prime minister defers emissions rules in Obama Keystone standoff (via Bloomberg)

UK carbon capture industry potential estimated at up to £35 billion by 2030 (via The Guardian)

Lower emissions cap for RGGI takes effect in 2014 (via US EIA)

California carbon prices “will remain low” (via Environmental Leader)

California cities compete to see which can be “coolest” and cut emissions (via United Press International)

COAL 

Australia permits coal port dredge dumping near Barrier Reef (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Indian microgrids seek to bring millions out of darkness (via GreenBiz)

Global smart meter installations to top 800 million by 2020 (via BusinessGreen)

Construction of wind-energy transmission line to create Missouri jobs (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

OIL 

BP digs in as last leg of Gulf oil spill trial approaches (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla aims for electric car coast-to-coast record (via USA Today)

BMW exec says public chargers not important for EV success (via Autoblog Green)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Philadelphia rates its buildings for energy consumption (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

ENVIRONMENT 

UK’s January flooding surpasses all 247 years of data on the books (via Climate Progress)

Severe drought has U.S. west fearing worst (via New York Times)

Congress tried to cut subsidies for homes in flood zones – it was harder than they thought (via Washington Post)

Leading scientists explain how climate change is worsening California’s epic drought (via Climate Progress)

California drought prompts unprecedented water conservation efforts (via Huffington Post/AP)

How a brewery might save one town during the California drought (via Huffington Post)

OPINION 

EU ETS isn’t out of trouble just yet (via Energy Collective)

No matter how you count them, fossil fuel subsidies are high as ever (via DeSmogBlog)

Long path still ahead for Keystone XL pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)

Five takeaways from State Department’s Keystone XL pipeline review (via Washington Post)

Keystone XL, a sorry symbol of continued fossil fuel reliance (via Los Angeles Times)

Approving Keystone XL could be the biggest mistake of Obama’s presidency (via The Guardian)

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 – 1.9.14

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

CLIMATE 

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

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

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

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

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

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

OIL 

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

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

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Solar gardens grow in Colorado (via CleanTechnica)

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

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

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

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

COAL 

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

GRID 

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

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

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

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

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

KEYSTONE XL 

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

ENVIRONMENT 

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

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

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

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

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

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

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

NUCLEAR 

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

OPINION 

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

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

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

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

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.6.14

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

ENVIRONMENT 

China to boost spending on water conservation projects in 2014 (via Bloomberg)

New Year ushers in changing of the guard for green groups (via National Journal)

Colorado River drought forces painful reckoning for states (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Lux Research: Australia best positioned to be next big shale play; then China and Argentina (via Green Car Congress)

Natural gas boom spurs methanol rush (via Houston Chronicle)

US EPA unlikely to step up fracking enforcement efforts for now (via Reuters)

State regulators wary of releasing fracking data while feds rein in oversight (via National Journal)

Several states confirm water pollution from drilling (via AP)

RENEWABLES 

Spain’s solar pullback threatens pocketbooks (via New York Times)

China pledges further support for solar industry (via Reuters)

India delays solar auction bid deadline for second time (via Bloomberg)

Report: Net metering rollbacks will not impact US solar markets in 2014 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Public attitudes toward cleantech sectors have rebounded (via Renew Grid)

Five PACE programs to watch in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

California’s sizzling solar busts through 3GW (via EarthTechling)

Despite blizzards, temperatures rising in Colorado over rooftop solar energy (via Forbes)

Maine governor tries again to cut state’s renewable energy standard (via Bangor Daily News)

Ohio Clean Energy Initiative has significant support in state, finds poll (via Renew Grid)

TRANSPORTATION 

Plug-in electric car sales for 2013 nearly double 2012 (via Green Car Reports)

Auto sales: Here’s what buyers coveted and shunned in 2013 (via Los Angeles Times)

Nissan Leaf ends 2013 with best sales month ever, but can’t catch Chevy Volt (via Autoblog Green)

COAL 

Dirtiest coal’s rebirth in Europe flattens medieval towns (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

Environmentalists win a round in coal dust lawsuit versus railroad company (via Bellingham Herald)

EMISSIONS 

30% of Europe’s fossil fuel power capacity to close by 2017 (via CleanTechnica)

Carbon trading is booming in North America, no thanks to US or Canadian governments (via Grist)

How to cut cloud computing’s carbon emissions (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY POLICY 

House puts reforming EPA regulatory process on January agenda (via The Hill)

Do US biofuel subsidies speed up oil production? (via Midwest Energy News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Lights out for the light bulb battle? (via Politico)

Why is California’s efficiency program struggling to gain traction? (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

With a bit of luck, the US could actually hit its 2020 climate change goals (via Washington Post)

Obama’s second term is all about climate change (via New York Magazine)

Crude debate: Should Washington, DC lift oil export ban? (via National Journal)

Green energy battle flares over “60 Minutes” report (via National Journal)

What 60 Minutes got right and wrong in its story on the “cleantech crash” (via GigaOm)

The Congressman who went off the grid (via Politico)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.3.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Global carbon markets’ value dropped 38% in 2013 (via The Guardian)

EPA publishes final carbon capture regulations for coal plants (via The Hill)

GRID 

California’s grid takes two big steps to add more renewables and EVs (via CleanTechnica)

In Pacific Northwest, engineers map a power grid in flux (via ClimateWire)

Researchers find ways to minimize power grid disruptions from wind power (via Phys.org)

RENEWABLES 

New 1,000MW solar project in China marks “significant shift” for global market (via Climate Progress)

US solar manufacturer says Chinese companies evading import tariffs (via Forbes)

UK wind farms generated record electricity in December (via Bloomberg)

US biodiesel production hits record high (via Environmental Leader)

A US solar company makes a rare move: Setting up factory in China (via Forbes)

OIL 

Warning issued about oil shipped from North Dakota, Montana (via ABC News/AP)

Shares of Bakken oil producers plunge after US warning (via Reuters)

North Dakota’s explosive Bakken oil: The story behind a troubling crude (via Globe and Mail)

Barnett Shale drilling permits fall to lowest level in a decade (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Few transportation fuels surpass the energy densities of gasoline and diesel (via US EIA)

As battery cost falls, fast charging becomes key electric car issue (via Green Car Reports)

Legal setbacks slow California high-speed rail (via Stateline)

CLIMATE 

Australia endures hottest year on record (via Agence France-Presse/Google)

Climate change damage to poor countries goes far beyond money (via Scientific American/ClimateWire)

One problem with geoengineering: Once you start, you can’t really stop (via Bloomberg)

Five basic Antarctic facts for climate change skeptics (via The Guardian)

Kerry quietly makes priority of climate pact (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

All Oklahoma fracking operations now must disclose chemicals used (via Tulsa World)

Colorado ballot measure could let towns ban fracking (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Plastic in oceans making own ecosystem, could pose threat to humans (via Los Angeles Times)

Will Congress go another year without designating new wilderness? (via Huffington Post Green)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency markets face financing, big data challenges in 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)

The aggressive acceleration of deep-energy retrofits (via GreenBiz)

Nest value could reach $2 billion on latest financing round (via SmartPlanet)

POLITICS 

Climate to be 2014 political battlefield (via The Hill)

448 new wind turbines in Iowa could swing the 2016 presidential election (via Business Insider)

OPINION 

Dear Donald Trump: Winter does not disprove global warming (via Mother Jones)

Oil and gas price forecast for 2014 (via SmartPlanet)

California’s pioneering spirit endures under cap and trade (via EDF/California Dream)

Favorable consumer attitudes toward clean energy have rebounded significantly in the last year (via Navigant Research)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.24.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Fitch Ratings: Net metering can destabilize entire utility industry (via CleanTechnica)

US pipeline safety agency says no to pipeline safety improvements (via Climate Progress)

OIL 

Russian oil giant becomes first in world to pump oil Arctic (via Yale e360)

Landrieu could swing at export limits with energy gavel (via National Journal)

CLIMATE 

Global warming will intensify drought, says new study (via The Guardian)

RENEWABLES 

Global geothermal industry passes 12GW operational capacity (via Green Car Congress)

Vestas to supply Middle East with first utility-scale wind project (via CleanTechnica)

If the US solar business is booming, why are solar jobs declining? (via Quartz)

Siemens puts weight behind US offshore wind (via EarthTechling)

Wood-pellet bonds show US biomass market expanding worldwide (via Renewable Energy World)

Catching rays in California, and storing them (via New York Times)

New York Green Bank to launch with $210 million in funding (via BusinessGreen)

The solar net metering battle moves to Colorado (via Greentech Media)

Solar energy projects finally getting boost in New York State (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Wind farms in Maine stir a power struggle (via Wall Street Journal)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

New efficiency rules for cable boxes could save enough energy to power 700,000 homes per year (via Climate Progress)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese nuclear angst weighs on neighbors concerned about emissions (via Forbes)

Cleanup at Fukushima Daiichi might take three years (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

US carbon emissions set to miss Obama’s targets (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION 

Americans are buying less electricity – that’s a big problem for utilities (via Washington Post)

Are utilities wilting from heat of solar competition? (via National Journal)

A biofuels holiday wish list (via The Energy Collective)

Have EVs already reached the tipping point? ABB says yes (via Green Car Reports)

Does merchant solar make any sense? (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.6.13

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

CLIMATE

Philippines prepares for climate-resilient future post Typhoon Haiyan (via RTCC)

Diseases on the move because of climate change (via USA Today)

College endowment managers get schooled on climate change (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Riding the fracking wave all the way to China (via National Journal)

90 groups call for federal regulations to curb methane leaks (via Washington Post)

Is California’s Monterey Shale a major oil resource or over-hyped? (via EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES

Renewables’ share of new power capacity in China surpasses 50% (via Thompson Reuters)

Record German wind farm output lifts renewables share over 35% (via Bloomberg)

China’s installed solar PV to reach 10GW by end of 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

Can the cost of solar in the US compete with Germany? (via RMI Outlet)

Renewable fuel backers try to change EPA’s mind at hearing (via Reuters)

White House finalizing review of permits for wind farm eagle deaths (via The Hill)

Midwest wind cost-competitive with gas and coal (via Breaking Energy)

Secretive right-wing group ALEC continues its war on clean energy (via Climate Progress)

Poll shows 78% support for net metering in Colorado (via Renew Grid)

NUCLEAR

Fukushima radiation to reach US coast at safe levels, says NRC (via Bloomberg)

Japan finds scrapping nuclear boosts pollution, fuel cost (via Bloomberg)

GRID

Japanese energy giants rush into storage as solar booms (via Renew Economy)

Taking green-powered island microgrids to commercial scale (via Greentech Media)

Utility Xcel has plans to create its own transmission company (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Honda joins vehicle-to-grid demonstration project at University of Delaware (via Green Car Congress)

EMISSIONS

EU may extend aviation carbon freeze to 2020, says adviser (via Bloomberg)

Mining, fracking, and drilling have changed public lands from carbon sinks to carbon polluters (via Climate Progress)

FERC tells Congress EPA pollution rules will hit Midwest hardest (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION

Urban car use declines as biking and public transit rise in the US (via Yale e360)

300% increase in all-electric car sales in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

House proposes 15-cent federal gas tax hike (via Autoblog)

Ohio Senate strips anti-Tesla amendment from legislation (via Autoblog)

OPINION

Is Chile the next star in renewable energy? (via Energy Collective)

EPA’s RFS proposal is a step backwards on clean energy path (via Energy Collective)

Understanding the facts of the renewable energy PTC (via CleanTechnica)

California’s renewable energy future (via EarthTechling)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.6.13

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

CLIMATE

Philippines prepares for climate-resilient future post Typhoon Haiyan (via RTCC)

Diseases on the move because of climate change (via USA Today)

College endowment managers get schooled on climate change (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Riding the fracking wave all the way to China (via National Journal)

90 groups call for federal regulations to curb methane leaks (via Washington Post)

Is California’s Monterey Shale a major oil resource or over-hyped? (via EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES

Renewables’ share of new power capacity in China surpasses 50% (via Thompson Reuters)

Record German wind farm output lifts renewables share over 35% (via Bloomberg)

China’s installed solar PV to reach 10GW by end of 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

Can the cost of solar in the US compete with Germany? (via RMI Outlet)

Renewable fuel backers try to change EPA’s mind at hearing (via Reuters)

White House finalizing review of permits for wind farm eagle deaths (via The Hill)

Midwest wind cost-competitive with gas and coal (via Breaking Energy)

Secretive right-wing group ALEC continues its war on clean energy (via Climate Progress)

Poll shows 78% support for net metering in Colorado (via Renew Grid)

NUCLEAR

Fukushima radiation to reach US coast at safe levels, says NRC (via Bloomberg)

Japan finds scrapping nuclear boosts pollution, fuel cost (via Bloomberg)

GRID

Japanese energy giants rush into storage as solar booms (via Renew Economy)

Taking green-powered island microgrids to commercial scale (via Greentech Media)

Utility Xcel has plans to create its own transmission company (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Honda joins vehicle-to-grid demonstration project at University of Delaware (via Green Car Congress)

EMISSIONS

EU may extend aviation carbon freeze to 2020, says adviser (via Bloomberg)

Mining, fracking, and drilling have changed public lands from carbon sinks to carbon polluters (via Climate Progress)

FERC tells Congress EPA pollution rules will hit Midwest hardest (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION

Urban car use declines as biking and public transit rise in the US (via Yale e360)

300% increase in all-electric car sales in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

House proposes 15-cent federal gas tax hike (via Autoblog)

Ohio Senate strips anti-Tesla amendment from legislation (via Autoblog)

OPINION

Is Chile the next star in renewable energy? (via Energy Collective)

EPA’s RFS proposal is a step backwards on clean energy path (via Energy Collective)

Understanding the facts of the renewable energy PTC (via CleanTechnica)

California’s renewable energy future (via EarthTechling)