Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.19.14

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

COAL 

China power plants exempts from low-quality coal ban: Sources (via Reuters)

With China coal ban, has Australia’s luck run out? (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek) 

Battery storage to make reserve coal plants redundant (via Renewables International)

A month of disappointments for coal exporters (via Sightline Daily)

Scientists on a quest for knowledge about coal dust risks (via EarthFix)

Ohio Supreme Court approves coal strip mining in state wildlife area (via Columbus Dispatch)

RENEWABLES 

Scotland “No” vote removes doubt for $23 billion in new renewables (via Bloomberg)

Wind adds 1.4GW to upcoming Brazil renewables auction (via Recharge News)

Jamaica aims to double renewable energy capacity (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek) 

German PV equipment manufacturing up 39% in 2014 (via Renewables International)

Solar power making big competitive gains, new studies show (via Breaking Energy)

Technology advances wind energy development (via The Energy Collective)

Food versus fuel in U.S. renewable energy showdown (via Thompson Reuters)

Report: U.S. solar costs continue rapid decline (via PV Tech)

U.S. solar and wind start to outshine gas (via Financial Times)

Wind power could improve grid resiliency, says GE (via CleanTechnica)

Putting solar panels on school roofs could increase U.S. solar capacity (via Climate Progress)

U.S. DOE targets 50,000 new solar installers by 2020 (via PV Tech)

Vivint Solar, 2nd U.S. solar installer, sets IPO terms to raise $370 million (via Greentech Media)

CLIMATE 

2014 on track to be warmest year on record (via Climate Central)

Summer 2014 was a sizzler: Earth’s hottest on record (via USA Today)

China cautious on fresh commitments ahead of climate change summit (via South China Morning Post)

Obama to tout U.S. climate plan at UN summit (via Reuters)

Report warns Superstorm Sandy was not “The Big One” (via Huffington Post)

White House officials acknowledge climate plan’s limits, but decry inaction (via ClimateWire)

HUD launches $1 billion national disaster resilience competition (via Inhabitat)

OIL 

Oil prices at two-year low, OPEC may change that (via Christian Science Monitor)

Oxfam sues SEC over oil payment disclosure rule (via The Hill)

Oklahoma to pass California, Alaska in oil production (via The Oklahoman)

TRANSPORTATION 

French group develops mass electric vehicle charging stations (via Reuters)

IRS won’t (or can’t) revel how many plug-in vehicle tax credits are left (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS 

Obama urged to plug methane leaks to meet climate goal (via Bloomberg) 

EMISSIONS

Hard truths about world power plant carbon emissions (via CleanTechnica)

California and Quebec announce first joint cap-and-trade auction (via Green Car Congress)

MISO study suggests regional approach is better when it comes to EPA carbon compliance (via EnergyWire)

UN hired PR firm that won’t rule out clients who oppose carbon regulations (via The Guardian)

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada CEO “frustrated” by linkage of Keystone XL to climate change (via Bloomberg BNA)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Ruling against FERC order could cost U.S. demand response market $4.4 billion (via Greentech Media)

LEED-certified professionals in great demand (via Sustainable Business)

ENVIRONMENT 

Why fewer acres have burned this year despite California drought (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Massive Northern California fire outrunning firefighters (via Los Angeles Times)

Despite some rain, drought still grips Texas towns (via StateImpact Texas)

POLITICS 

White House cranks up heat ahead of UN climate summit (via The Hill)

Brazil’s Rousseff closes in on Silva ahead of October vote (via Reuters)

Al Gore: Climate skepticism will haunt GOP in 2016 (via National Journal)

With an eye on 2016, Christie resists climate change plan for New Jersey (via New York Times)

Frank Pallone builds support for top spot on Energy Committee (via Politico)

OPINION 

Why higher education is a bright green market (via GreenBiz)

U.S. schools go solar (via EcoWatch)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.17.14

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

COAL 

China coal restrictions may have little impact on imports (via Reuters)

Coal sector eyes salvation in green bond market (via RTCC)

Coal industry market value contracting again after brief rebound (via SNL Energy)

Peabody Energy to be removed from S&P 500 index (via Post-Dispatch)

U.S. Corps of Engineers halts Oregon coal terminal review pending permit outcome (via The Oregonian)

RENEWABLES 

China wind sector braces for feed-in tariff cuts (via Recharge News)

Funding released to accelerate 740MW of new renewables in Chile (via PV Tech)

UK solar farm issues Europe’s first certified climate bonds (via BusinessGreen)

PV industry loses $500 million a year through supply chain (via PV Tech)

Chile to get net metering for PV plants under 100kW (via PV Tech)

USDA Secretary expects 2014 biofuel use targets to rise (via Reuters)

When the power’s out, solar panels may not keep the lights on (via NPR)

Some see garbage, others see opportunity: Installing solar on landfills (via RMI Outlet)

Preliminary OK for large California concentrated solar project sparks debate over impact to birds (via Greenwire)

Burlington, Vermont’s electricity now 100% renewable (via The Week)

CLIMATE 

Natural disasters displaced more people than war in 2013, finds study (via The Guardian)

Rising sea levels a “sleeping giant” that could cost $226 billion, says report (via The Guardian)

Antarctic Peninsula glacier recession “unprecedented” (via BBC)

Climate change may add billions to wildfire costs, study says (via Los Angeles Times)

Mapping the future of sea-level rise on the Potomac, the Chesapeake, and the Atlantic (via Washington Post)

Drought-hit California faces future trouble as warming reduces water (via RTCC)

NATURAL GAS 

Study links increased drilling with earthquakes (via Wall Street Journal)

Study: Bad fracking techniques let methane flow into drinking water (via Washington Post)

Leaky wells spur call for stricter rules on gas drilling (via Bloomberg)

Fracking ban enrages Coloradans sitting on energy riches (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Natural gas company seeks federal approval for Massachusetts pipeline (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

EMISSIONS 

Businesses double down on carbon pricing while Capitol Hill idles (via GreenBiz)

EPA delays key power plant rule of signature climate change plan (via The Guardian)

White House partners with industry to tackle refrigerant greenhouse gas (via Reuters)

EPA extends climate rule comment period (via The Hill)

Broad carbon tax outlines get positive legislative response (via The Oregonian)

OIL 

Oil prices rise on prospect of OPEC output cut (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

Deeper Saudi oil cuts seen after biggest drop since 2012 (via Bloomberg)

Can the U.S. cut off Islamic State’s oil sales? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Feds reveal details on Shell’s Arctic ambitions (via Houston Chronicle)

TransCanada sees itself in oil train business regardless of Keystone XL (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

EVs are cleaner, but still not a magic bullet (via New York Times)

GM learning from current Chevy Volt owners as it works on next-gen model (via Autoblog Green)

Report suggests Tesla Model 3 to cost $50,000 or more (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla “ecosystem” changing the face of Silicon Valley (via Green Car Reports)

GRID 

PG&E tops in U.S. smart meter deployments (via Energy Manager Today)

50 million U.S. smart meters and counting (via Greentech Media)

Demand response capacity expected to increase more than six-fold by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

ENVIRONMENT 

Unilever aims to end deforestation (via Sustainable Business)

Drought-stricken California gets landmark groundwater legislation (via Sacramento Bee)

POLITICS 

Obama welcomes report saying fighting climate change can be low cost (via The Guardian)

Bobby Jindal: White House are “science deniers” (via Politico)

Markey to seek halt on federal coal leases (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Fighting climate change makes economic sense; cities should take the lead (via Huffington Post)

Measuring up: How to assess the upcoming UN climate summit (via Climate Progress)

By the numbers: The new climate economy (via WRI Insights)

Mexico has reformed its energy sector, now what? (via Forbes)

Bobby Jindal’s soft climate-change skepticism (via National Journal)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.9.14

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

EMISSIONS

Greenhouse gas surge to impact atmosphere and oceans, says WMO (via Bloomberg)

World Bank to expand plan to buy emission project credits (via Bloomberg)

EU nations make little headway on carbon market reforms (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Obama to launch climate contest for U.S. cities (via The Hill)

With groundbreaking, large-scale carbon capture finds a home in Texas oil patch (via EnergyWire)

ENERGY POLICY 

Power plants heading out to sea in post-Fukishima Japan (via Bloomberg)

Natural gas, solar, wind lead power plant capacity additions in first-half 2014 (via U.S. EIA)

RENEWABLES 

Norway losing out to Sweden in $6 billion wind power boom (via Bloomberg)

Adapt or perish: Global shift to renewables inevitable, says IRENA (via Renew Economy)

The return of small commercial solar? (via Greentech Media)

U.S. DOE awards grant to study wind turbines’ impact on birds and bats (via Think Progress)

Power clashes cloud solar’s future in Washington State (via Seattle Times)

Five clean energy YieldCos you may not have heard about (via Greentech Media)

Ten clean energy stocks for 2014: September update (via Renewable Energy World)

NATURAL GAS 

Nine countries that could hold the next big shale play (via Houston Chronicle)

Amid Ukraine crisis, Europe weighs fracking (via Christian Science Monitor)

A tale of three countries: Water risks to global shale development (via World Resources Institute)

Fracking in China: Just add water (via Christian Science Monitor)

CLIMATE 

Research shows surprise global warming “hiatus” could have been forecast (via The Guardian)

Climate change may drastically increase forest fires in Europe (via Science World Report)

U.K. to reveal strategy for climate change talks (via The Guardian)

Mosquito-borne viruses hit Japan and the U.S. (via New York Times)

Hundreds of bird species at risk due to climate change (via USA Today)

Cities prepare for warmer climate without saying so (via Seattle Times/AP)

Prosecutors side with coal blockaders on climate defense, drop charges (via Climate Central)

OIL 

U.K. government lends hand to BP in U.S. Gulf oil spill rulings (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Germany to cut transport emissions as it pushes electric cars (via Bloomberg)

Californians propel plug-in car sales with 40% of market (via Bloomberg)

UC-Riverside team shows new eco-routing navigation tool can cut EV energy use up to 51% (via Green Car Congress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Europe’s dependency on Russian gas may be cut amid energy efficiency focus (via The Guardian)

Utility customers respond to variable pricing (via Navigant Research)

Opower enters rare partnership with FirstFuel to expand into commercial building efficiency (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

DOE to fund $8 million in microgrid projects across U.S. (via The Hill)

POLITICS 

Environmental groups hit $4 million for election campaigns (via The Hill)

Report says “green” businesses donate millions to congressional climate deniers (via EcoWatch)

White House threatens to veto bill to kill EPA water rule (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Should we curb air pollution from air travel? (via National Journal)

Why a carbon tax can help climate change and the economy (via Forbes)

Yale University ducks on fossil fuel divestment – and fails Leadership 101 (via Huffington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.8.14

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

CLIMATE 

MIT predicts 2015 UN climate talks likely to fail (via Environmental Leader)

BASIC nations urge rich countries to act on climate change (via RTCC)

UN releases Ban Ki-moon climate summit plan (via RTCC)

The world’s first climate change refugees were granted residency in New Zealand (via Smithsonian)

87 cities, 4 scenarios, and 1 really hot future (via Climate Central)

Edelman formally declares it will not accept climate denial campaigns (via The Guardian)

COAL 

Coal’s price seen stunted at year-end amid supply glut (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

India invites bids for $8 billion renewable grid upgrade (via Bloomberg)

In Asia, wind industry picks up again (via Navigant Research)

China adds 3.3GW of solar PV in first half 2014 (via Recharge)

U.S. imposes tariffs on solar imports from Taiwan, adds new duties on China imports (via Solar Industry Magazine)

No end in sight for America’s solar revolution (via EcoWatch)

Flaw and order: How Brookings got its analysis of wind and solar costs so wrong (via Greentech Media)

Michigan net metering program shows steady increase (via Energy Manager Today)

Price of wind energy goes down in Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

Minnesota regulators side with utility in value-of-solar case (via Midwest Energy News)

SpaceX is going solar with Elon Musk’s other company, SolarCity (via GigaOm)

SolarCity loss widens as new rooftop installations surge (via Bloomberg)

SolarCity lays out its path to make a profit (via GigaOm)

OIL 

From Russia to Iraq, rising oil risks push 2015 prices to a premium (via Reuters)

DOT: Rail insurance inadequate for oil train accidents (via Politico)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla X to devour premium SUV market, says Morgan Stanley (via Los Angeles Times)

2016 Chevy Volt teased ahead of debut at Detroit Auto Show (via Autoblog)

No million by 2015, but electric vehicles are surging (via Breaking Energy)

Electric vehicles could save U.S. utilities from a death spiral (via Forbes)

Latest services from Uber and Lyft will upend transportation even more (via Washington Post)

Nissan, Mitsubishi team up for $14,000 EV (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS 

Marcellus Shale hits gas production milestone (via The Hill)

Anti-fracking measures to be officially pulled from Colorado ballot (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Deep emissions cuts needed by 2050 to limit warming, says UN (via Yahoo! News/Reuters)

Air traffic growth rates will outpace emissions reductions, research shows (via The Guardian)

White House says emissions delay will raise climate costs (via Bloomberg)

New lawsuits unlikely to touch EPA’s carbon rule, at least in near term (via ClimateWire)

Environmental groups to sue EPA over aircraft emissions (via The Hill)

Carbon pricing and Northwest businesses: a match made in tax-swap heaven? (via Sightline Daily)

ENERGY POLICY 

U.S. insurance industry changes with energy industry (via Houston Chronicle)

South Carolina just passed a major solar bill and sued EPA (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How did China and India beat the U.S. on energy efficiency? (via GreenBiz)

Investment districts may help clean energy reach minority communities (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

Cracking the code on the business of energy management (via Energy Trends Insider)

California could rewrite the rules for distributed demand response (via Greentech Media)

Seattle’s energy code bests national standard (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Mercury pollution in oceans has tripled since Industrial Revolution (via Yale e360)

U.S. forecasters lower hurricane season expectations (via Climate Central)

California’s severe drought unchanged despite record thunderstorms (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Has the era of the “climate refugee” begun? (via Washington Post)

Fools at the fire (via New York Times)

U.S. Commerce Department should allow exports of crude oil (via Washington Post)

Why a global warming pact won’t stop global warming (via National Journal)

Facts can convince conservatives about global warming – sometimes (via The Guardian)

This data on how consumers use energy may surprise you (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.8.14

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

CLIMATE 

MIT predicts 2015 UN climate talks likely to fail (via Environmental Leader)

BASIC nations urge rich countries to act on climate change (via RTCC)

UN releases Ban Ki-moon climate summit plan (via RTCC)

The world’s first climate change refugees were granted residency in New Zealand (via Smithsonian)

87 cities, 4 scenarios, and 1 really hot future (via Climate Central)

Edelman formally declares it will not accept climate denial campaigns (via The Guardian)

COAL 

Coal’s price seen stunted at year-end amid supply glut (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

India invites bids for $8 billion renewable grid upgrade (via Bloomberg)

In Asia, wind industry picks up again (via Navigant Research)

China adds 3.3GW of solar PV in first half 2014 (via Recharge)

U.S. imposes tariffs on solar imports from Taiwan, adds new duties on China imports (via Solar Industry Magazine)

No end in sight for America’s solar revolution (via EcoWatch)

Flaw and order: How Brookings got its analysis of wind and solar costs so wrong (via Greentech Media)

Michigan net metering program shows steady increase (via Energy Manager Today)

Price of wind energy goes down in Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

Minnesota regulators side with utility in value-of-solar case (via Midwest Energy News)

SpaceX is going solar with Elon Musk’s other company, SolarCity (via GigaOm)

SolarCity loss widens as new rooftop installations surge (via Bloomberg)

SolarCity lays out its path to make a profit (via GigaOm)

OIL 

From Russia to Iraq, rising oil risks push 2015 prices to a premium (via Reuters)

DOT: Rail insurance inadequate for oil train accidents (via Politico)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla X to devour premium SUV market, says Morgan Stanley (via Los Angeles Times)

2016 Chevy Volt teased ahead of debut at Detroit Auto Show (via Autoblog)

No million by 2015, but electric vehicles are surging (via Breaking Energy)

Electric vehicles could save U.S. utilities from a death spiral (via Forbes)

Latest services from Uber and Lyft will upend transportation even more (via Washington Post)

Nissan, Mitsubishi team up for $14,000 EV (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS 

Marcellus Shale hits gas production milestone (via The Hill)

Anti-fracking measures to be officially pulled from Colorado ballot (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Deep emissions cuts needed by 2050 to limit warming, says UN (via Yahoo! News/Reuters)

Air traffic growth rates will outpace emissions reductions, research shows (via The Guardian)

White House says emissions delay will raise climate costs (via Bloomberg)

New lawsuits unlikely to touch EPA’s carbon rule, at least in near term (via ClimateWire)

Environmental groups to sue EPA over aircraft emissions (via The Hill)

Carbon pricing and Northwest businesses: a match made in tax-swap heaven? (via Sightline Daily)

ENERGY POLICY 

U.S. insurance industry changes with energy industry (via Houston Chronicle)

South Carolina just passed a major solar bill and sued EPA (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How did China and India beat the U.S. on energy efficiency? (via GreenBiz)

Investment districts may help clean energy reach minority communities (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

Cracking the code on the business of energy management (via Energy Trends Insider)

California could rewrite the rules for distributed demand response (via Greentech Media)

Seattle’s energy code bests national standard (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Mercury pollution in oceans has tripled since Industrial Revolution (via Yale e360)

U.S. forecasters lower hurricane season expectations (via Climate Central)

California’s severe drought unchanged despite record thunderstorms (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Has the era of the “climate refugee” begun? (via Washington Post)

Fools at the fire (via New York Times)

U.S. Commerce Department should allow exports of crude oil (via Washington Post)

Why a global warming pact won’t stop global warming (via National Journal)

Facts can convince conservatives about global warming – sometimes (via The Guardian)

This data on how consumers use energy may surprise you (via Greentech Media)

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 – 5.28.14

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

EMISSIONS 

World Bank: Carbon price efforts hurt by Australia, Russia policies (via Bloomberg)

Australia’s opposition leader concedes carbon, mining taxes to go (via Reuters)

South Korea releases tough CO2 caps on utilities, industry (via Reuters)

China’s Shenzen province to hold its first carbon permit auction (via Reuters)

Algeria site offers note of caution to storing carbon dioxide underground (via Christian Science Monitor)

Wind giant Texas stands tall as emissions rule change looms (via Houston Chronicle)

Cap and trade lives on through the states (via Politico)

Fossil fuel divestment spreads in Massachusetts: Three towns in ten days (via Treehugger)

RENEWABLES 

Lessons from South Africa: Mobilizing renewable energy investment (via WRI Insights)

Consumer solar sales will hit $2.4 billion by 2024 (via Energy Manager Today)

U.S. seeks offshore wind investments near New York coast (via Bloomberg)

Big business buys into big wind (via Navigant Research)

How a little-used NREL tool could have saved the U.S. solar industry $6 billion (via Renewable Energy World)

Capitol One, SolarCity create $100 million investment fund (via CleanTechnica)

Barclays downgrades entire utility sector because of solar’s rise (via Sustainable Business)

Siemens plans to unveil 10MW offshore wind turbine by 2020 (via Recharge)

ENERGY POLICY

White House releases sweeping regulatory agenda (via Greenwire)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine, Russia near deal to avoid natural gas cutoff (via The Hill)

Japanese lawmakers to lobby Abe for Russian gas pipeline (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Light-colored insects surviving warming conditions in Europe (via Science World Report)

Pentagon “clear” climate change is a national security issue (via RTCC)

Yale poll: Americans much more worried about global warming than climate change (via Climate Progress)

Climate change officially now more divisive than abortion (via Climate Progress)

U.S. industry gears up to fight Obama’s climate change rules (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

Las Vegas water czar warns other U.S. cities to gear up for climate change (via Inhabitat)

Florida Governor Rick Scott won’t say if he things manmade climate change is real, significant (via Miami Herald)

OIL 

Mexico’s oil production fell 25% in last decade, says EIA (via Houston Chronicle)

SEC writing new rules for foreign oil payment disclosures (via Houston Chronicle)

BP loses bid to stall oil spill payments during court appeal (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Top eight automakers all reduced vehicle emissions in 2013 (via The Hill)

Men and women drive, enjoy their EVs differently (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Pipeline defects lead to new federal safety mandates on Keystone XL (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Koch Brothers get rolling on their first tar sands project (via Grist)

GRID 

Wall Street steps up warnings on distributed energy’s threat to utilities (via Greentech Media)

What the court decision on FERC Order 745 means for demand response (via Greentech Media)

NUCLEAR 

Power market auction results place Exelon nuclear plants in jeopardy (via Chicago Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Efficiency directive could boost energy services in Europe (via Navigant Research)

States examine energy efficiency resource standards (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Emissions markets with Chinese characteristics, or how transparency is key (via Energy Collective)

On oil and mining rules, should progressives be worried? (via National Journal)

New utility models require new understanding of customers (via Navigant Research)

How much difference can a year make? A lot, where emissions are concerned (via ClimateWire)

Four reasons why small solar installers will rise again (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.28.14

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

EMISSIONS 

World Bank: Carbon price efforts hurt by Australia, Russia policies (via Bloomberg)

Australia’s opposition leader concedes carbon, mining taxes to go (via Reuters)

South Korea releases tough CO2 caps on utilities, industry (via Reuters)

China’s Shenzen province to hold its first carbon permit auction (via Reuters)

Algeria site offers note of caution to storing carbon dioxide underground (via Christian Science Monitor)

Wind giant Texas stands tall as emissions rule change looms (via Houston Chronicle)

Cap and trade lives on through the states (via Politico)

Fossil fuel divestment spreads in Massachusetts: Three towns in ten days (via Treehugger)

RENEWABLES 

Lessons from South Africa: Mobilizing renewable energy investment (via WRI Insights)

Consumer solar sales will hit $2.4 billion by 2024 (via Energy Manager Today)

U.S. seeks offshore wind investments near New York coast (via Bloomberg)

Big business buys into big wind (via Navigant Research)

How a little-used NREL tool could have saved the U.S. solar industry $6 billion (via Renewable Energy World)

Capitol One, SolarCity create $100 million investment fund (via CleanTechnica)

Barclays downgrades entire utility sector because of solar’s rise (via Sustainable Business)

Siemens plans to unveil 10MW offshore wind turbine by 2020 (via Recharge)

ENERGY POLICY

White House releases sweeping regulatory agenda (via Greenwire)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine, Russia near deal to avoid natural gas cutoff (via The Hill)

Japanese lawmakers to lobby Abe for Russian gas pipeline (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Light-colored insects surviving warming conditions in Europe (via Science World Report)

Pentagon “clear” climate change is a national security issue (via RTCC)

Yale poll: Americans much more worried about global warming than climate change (via Climate Progress)

Climate change officially now more divisive than abortion (via Climate Progress)

U.S. industry gears up to fight Obama’s climate change rules (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

Las Vegas water czar warns other U.S. cities to gear up for climate change (via Inhabitat)

Florida Governor Rick Scott won’t say if he things manmade climate change is real, significant (via Miami Herald)

OIL 

Mexico’s oil production fell 25% in last decade, says EIA (via Houston Chronicle)

SEC writing new rules for foreign oil payment disclosures (via Houston Chronicle)

BP loses bid to stall oil spill payments during court appeal (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Top eight automakers all reduced vehicle emissions in 2013 (via The Hill)

Men and women drive, enjoy their EVs differently (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Pipeline defects lead to new federal safety mandates on Keystone XL (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Koch Brothers get rolling on their first tar sands project (via Grist)

GRID 

Wall Street steps up warnings on distributed energy’s threat to utilities (via Greentech Media)

What the court decision on FERC Order 745 means for demand response (via Greentech Media)

NUCLEAR 

Power market auction results place Exelon nuclear plants in jeopardy (via Chicago Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Efficiency directive could boost energy services in Europe (via Navigant Research)

States examine energy efficiency resource standards (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Emissions markets with Chinese characteristics, or how transparency is key (via Energy Collective)

On oil and mining rules, should progressives be worried? (via National Journal)

New utility models require new understanding of customers (via Navigant Research)

How much difference can a year make? A lot, where emissions are concerned (via ClimateWire)

Four reasons why small solar installers will rise again (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.16.14

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Mexico’s energy reform could take a bite out of U.S. shale-gas sellers, says EIA chief (via Houston Chronicle)

North Carolina fracking bill would clear way for exploratory drilling next spring (via News Observer)

FERC finds little environmental impact in Maryland natural gas export project (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Obama said to consider power plant emissions rule that tests law (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China targets 70GW of solar power to cut coal reliance (via Bloomberg)

Philippines cuts ribbon on first utility-scale solar farm (via BusinessGreen)

24/7 concentrating solar power plant gains environmental approval in Chile (via Triple Pundit)

The red-hot renewable that could incite a green power revolution (via Climate Progress)

On-site solar could spawn tax consequences (via Energy Manager Today)

What does the Colorado decision mean for challenges to state clean energy targets? (via Greentech Media)

Wind Production Tax Credit stalls in US Senate (via Recharge)

Austin’s energy mix just got much sunnier with 150MW solar farm (via StateImpact Texas)

CLIMATE 

Climate change “biggest issue in 2014 proxy season” (via Environmental Leader)

More big companies say they’re concerned about climate risks (via The Guardian)

Brazil “unprepared” for climate change, warns leading scientist (via RTCC)

Wyoming Gov. Mead seeks to recast on climate change to solutions (via Star-Tribune)

New $1.1 billion sea wall protects New Orleans against major storms but may cultivate complacency (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Beyond Keystone XL, more pipelines with more problems (via Greenwire)

Keystone XL delays fuel push for Canada east coast oil pipeline (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

A future of thirst: Hydrologists predict worldwide water crisis (via Jamaica Observer/Agence France-Presse)

All of California in severe drought for first time this century (via USA Today)

Drought among the worst in Texas in past 500 years (via Houston Chronicle)

23% of American honeybee colonies died this winter, report Feds (via Huffington Post/AP)

GRID 

FERC approves changes to PJM’s demand response program (via Renew Grid)

Texas mulls capacity market (via EnergyBiz)

Elon Musk sees nearly unlimited demand for energy storage (via San Francisco Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How much did Nest Labs save utilities last summer? (via Greentech Media)

In Opower’s first earnings report as a public company, it grows sales, widens loss (via GigaOm)

TRANSPORTATION 

Why the federal gas tax is way too low (via Washington Post)

U.S. Senate panel backs transportation bill to maintain funding (via Reuters)

Plug-in rebates finally come to Texas, but not for Tesla (via StateImpact Texas)

POLITICS 

The dirty politics that killed the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill (via Greentech Media)

Sen. Whitehouse challenges Sen. Rubio on climate change (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Why the struggle over climate is moving to the executive branch (via National Journal)

Local, state governments lead the way on global warming (via The Oregonian)

Why is Texas terrible at producing solar power? (via National Journal)

Inslee’s climate effort will face steep odds (via Crosscut)