Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.21.14

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

CLIMATE 

After record warm September, 2014 is on track for warmest year (via Washington Post)

Sweden pledges $500 million to Green Climate Fund (via RTCC)

How climate change is fueling the Miami real estate boom (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s new trade minister says will restart reactors deemed safe (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

China wind-service market seen surging with $3 billion spending (via Bloomberg)

Chile will lead Latin America in renewable energy, says president (via PV Tech)

Geothermal power industry lost steam but may be poised for comeback (via Los Angeles Times)

Solar energy prices see double-digit decline in 2013; trend expected to continue (via NREL)

Solar lease securitization encounters tax challenges (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

Solar consolidation expected in U.S. as tax credit drives deals (via Bloomberg)

Solar companies look to batteries, financing, soft costs as the future (via GigaOm)

$200 million more flows to residential solar loans through Sungage and Mosiac (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Indonesia developing mega coal mine five times larger than Singapore (via Mongabay)

India pushes ahead with coal reforms (via Reuters)

Peabody posts quarterly loss as coal prices fall (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

Renewables, efficiency made up 70% of U.S. emissions drop since 2007 (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine, Russia gas deal may be just enough to get through winter (via Reuters)

Tougher greenhouse goals could cut EU’s natural gas imports in half (via WRI Insights)

British Columbia to outline carbon, tax polices for LNG (via Bloomberg)

Energy Department: U.S. must act now on methane emissions (via Houston Chronicle)

Regulations could douse North Dakota gas flaring (via Climate Central)

GRID 

Transmission superhighway takes shape in central U.S. (via Navigant Research)

Innovative energy storage technologies gain ground (via Navigant Research)

OIL 

Oil falls on speculation OPEC won’t cut production (via The Hill)

Report: ISIS oil production worth $800 million per year (via The Hill)

Government lags in measuring gush of U.S. crude (via Houston Chronicle)

Shale oil producers face low price consequences of their success (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil at $80 a barrel muffles forecasts for U.S. shale boom (via Bloomberg)

Crude oil spills into Louisiana bayou, kills wildlife (via Shreveport Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

As China gets tougher on fuel economy, some carmakers may be left behind (via Reuters)

UK hails best-ever quarter for EV sales as demand revs up (via BusinessGreen)

Denmark’s plan to offset transportation emissions sparks EV row (via The Guardian)

Ford Focus Electric gets $6,000 price drop, now starts at $29,995 (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan does demand response via Leaf EVs (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Amid California’s drought, a bruising battle for cheap water (via Los Angeles Times)

Land records show many Ohio state parks could see mining, drilling (via Columbus Dispatch)

POLITICS 

Sao Paulo water cuts used by Rousseff against challenger (via Bloomberg)

In key midterm races, Democrats sound like Republicans on climate (via InsideClimate News)

Five lose-lose Senate races for climate advocates (via InsideClimate News)

OPINION 

What's the value of divestment? (via National Journal)

Will the solar industry get behind CPS Energy’s alternative to net metering in San Antonio? (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.13.14

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

ENERGY POLICY

U.S. opposing China’s plan for Asian Development Bank (via New York Times)

Germany says it can’t exit coal-fired energy at same time as nuclear (via Reuters)

COAL 

China sets coal resource tax between 2%-10% (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Merkel eyes multinational power market to cut renewables cost (via Bloomberg)

Renewables to drive power generation growth in Africa, says IEA (via Bloomberg)

India faces mounting calls to move solar to fixed tariffs (via Bloomberg)

China to promote utility-scale solar power projects (via Bloomberg)

Off-grid solar installation fund announced in Australia (via PV Tech)

Indian PV manufacturing insufficient to meet government ambition (via PV Tech)

40% drop in solar PV cost is brightest spot in global energy picture (via InsideClimate News)

SolarCity: PV panel supply crunch coming (via Recharge)

Biden: “Energy revolution” calls for more investment in alternatives (via The Hill)

North Carolina renewable energy boom being driven by solar (via CleanTechnica)

CLIMATE 

World’s fish leaving tropics, moving to poles (via United Press International)

Expanding Antarctic sea ice is flooding “warning bell” (via Climate Central)

Penny pinching risks global climate deal success in 2015, says France (via The Guardian)

U.S. may make “significant” climate fund pledge, says Peru minister (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS 

Groups call for wastewater disposal halt in Oklahoma (via The Oklahoman)

In Texas, traffic deaths climb amid fracking boom (via NPR)

ENVIRONMENT 

Cyclone in India kills 8 as typhoon hits Japan (via New York Times)

Sao Paulo water supply at risk in extreme drought (via Huffington Post/AP)

Nation’s wildland firefighters grapple with relentless blazes (via Wall Street Journal)

Obama says he’s “not finished” after naming new monument (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

DOE sets new green standard certifications for federal buildings (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

IKEA may tighten carbon rules to protect environment (via Reuters)

Unions, greens press Obama to propose methane regulations (via The Hill)

Methane hotspot is huge, but nothing compared to other methane sources (via Climate Progress)

Methane hot spot in U.S. predates fracking boom, says study (via National Geographic)

OIL 

Spectators push oil into bear market as supply rises (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Brazil planning transmission auction to link 7.5GW wind (via Recharge)

How microsynchrophasors could keep solar-saturated grids stable (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

GOP to investigate environmental groups’ influence on carbon rule (via New York Times)

Iowa candidates clash over EPA in U.S. Senate debate (via Politico)

Why climate hawks should still vote for fossil-fuel loving Democrats (via Grist)

OPINION 

The $10 billion question: Will the Green Climate Fund live up to expectations? (via World Resources Institute)

The price of oil is tumbling, the cost of finding it is not (via Economist)

Charting China’s carbon horizon (via Energy Collective)

Three things to know about Obama’s newest climate plan (via Bloomberg)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.8.14

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

CLIMATE 

Ocean acidification to cost global economy $1 trillion by 2100 (via BusinessGreen)

Sea level rise making floods routine for U.S. coastal cities (via Climate Central)

Canada’s federal watchdog says it will fail to meet climate goals without new policies (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY POLICY 

Less severe weather means lower expected household heating bills this winter (via U.S. EIA)

Texas uses the most electricity, burns nearly the most fuel (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Solar to beat wind to wholesale grid parity in Europe (via PV Tech)

Chile top renewables market on sunny desert, windy shores (via Bloomberg)

UK confirms cuts to large-scale solar support (via PV Tech)

Study: Renewables as green as you’d expect (via Climate Central)

Solar debt financing on pace to reach highest mark since 2010 (via Bloomberg)

DOE study finds offshore wind can save U.S. billions on electricity (via NRDC Switchboard)

Drought reveals water-energy connection, cutting California hydropower in half (via Greentech Media)

Massachusetts offshore wind auction coming in 2014 (via Recharge News)

Massachusetts raises solar net metering cap for businesses, municipalities (via Renewable Energy World)

Bill to repeal Michigan renewable energy standard faces long odds (via Midwest Energy News)

Novozymes looks beyond “fantasy fuel” it helped turn into reality (via Retuers)

SolarCity to finance rooftop panels in shift from leasing (via Bloomberg)

SolarCity loan deal could propel rooftop market (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

SolarCity CEO: Half of new business by end of 2015 could be solar loans (via Greentech Media)

EMISSIONS 

Judge dismisses Nebraska lawsuit against EPA (via San Francisco Chronicle/AP)

OIL 

EIA sees lower OPEC output, weaker demand growth in 2015 (via Reuters)

Lower demand, higher supply drive oil prices to lowest level since 2012 (via U.S. EIA)

Shale boom tested as sub-$90 oil threatens U.S. drillers (via Bloomberg)

Keystone XL be darned: Canada finds oil route around Obama (via Bloomberg)

Crude oil export studies coming soon, says U.S. EIA (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Lamborghini unveils first plug-in hybrid at Paris Motor Show (via Inhabitat)

Airlines fly the skies on a sugar high (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS 

Pennsylvania pursues record $4.5 million fine against gas driller (via AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Global energy efficiency market worth $310 billion and growing, says IEA (via BusinessGreen)

Energy efficiency remains hottest sector within clean tech (via Energy Manager Today)

ThyssenKrupp reduces manufacturing energy use 38% in 3 years (via Energy Manager Today)

Constellation, Comverge plan to merge their C&I demand response offerings (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT

Californians make big cuts in water usage, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

Drought a ”slow-motion disaster” for Western states (via Arizona Republic) 

OPINION 

Australia crushes its renewable energy industry (via Sustainable Business)

While critics debate Energiewende, Germany gains a global advantage (via The Energy Collective)

Four reasons pay-as-you-go solar financing is unlocking energy access for all (via Huffington Post)

How grid efficiency went south (via New York Times)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.2.14

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

CLIMATE 

Obama and Modi announce agreement on U.S.-India global warming efforts (via Washington Post)

Antarctic sea ice hits new max; continent still warming (via Climate Central)

ENERGY POLICY 

MIT: Global energy use, CO2 may double by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Ex-Im Bank to finance $1 billion Mexican oil and gas deal (via The Hill)

Finland’s “fickle” nuclear energy policy? (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

2014 clean energy spending at $175 billion so far on Chinese rise (via Bloomberg)

Global clean energy investment rallies, but UK market plummets (via BusinessGreen)

Latin America on pace to install 2.3GW of solar PV in 2015 (via Greentech Media)

World Bank approves $500 million for Morocco solar (via Bloomberg)

Trina drops as Japan outlook sinks Chinese solar makers (via Bloomberg)

Property tycoon reveals $20 billion solar-led portfolio (via Bloomberg)

Vivint Solar makes public market debut, shares up modestly (via Forbes)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Hilton Worldwide achieves ISO 50001 energy management certification (via Energy Manager Today)

Japan focuses on zero-energy buildings (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas slips on outlook for above-normal supply gain (via Bloomberg)

Baker Huges will officially disclose fracking chemicals (via Houston Chronicle)

Exxon fracking report responds to shareholders (via ABC News/AP)

Ohio fracking waste issues go beyond chemical disclosure (via Midwest Energy News)

GRID 

DOE approves transmission line to deliver Quebec hydropower to New York (via Renewable Energy World)

New Jersey Transit becomes a leader in microgrids (via Energy Collective)

OIL 

U.S. crude oil exports headed to South Korea (via Energy Collective)

As U.S. debates oil train safety, local rules gather steam (via Christian Science Monitor)

Maze of federal oversight impedes North Dakota’s anti-flaring push (via Reuters)

North Dakota oil boom widens wage gap between the sexes (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla now has 200 Superchargers open around the world (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf makes 19 months in a row for record sales; Chevy Volt drops 21% (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla’s Musk outlines unveiling of “Model D and something else” (via Bloomberg)

COAL 

Australian coal miners cutting costs not output as rebound seen (via Bloomberg)

Court upholds EPA veto in mountaintop removal mining case (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

Study: Bark beetles not a wildfire bugaboo in Western U.S. (via USA Today)

POLITICS 

Republicans craft 2015 plan to force Obama’s hand on Keystone (via Reuters)

Energy trade group, environmental bosses rake in green (via Greenwire)

Report: McConnell opposed coal plant as county leader (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Global clean energy investment sustains its recovery (via Bloomberg)

Counting trees to save the woods: Using big data to map deforestation (via The Guardian)

Could the 2C climate target be completely wrong? (via The Guardian)

Expanding on the California Climate Credit (via Huffington Post)

Voters don’t really care about climate change, so why do Democrats keep talking about it? (via Washington Post)

The Wall Street Journal’s fresh face of climate inaction (via Slate)

The cult of Neil Degrasse Tyson (via Politico)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.1.14

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

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine readies for winter without Russian gas (via The Hill)

Winter season heightens Russia-Europe gas game (via Retuers)

U.S. gas boom turns global as LNG exports shake up market (via Bloomberg)

FERC approves Dominion’s Cove Point LNG export facility (via Reuters)

EPA shows 73% decline in methane emissions from fracked wells (via Green Car Congress)

EMISSIONS 

Smog clouds Shanghai’s drive to become global financial center (via Bloomberg)

U.S. emissions increased in 2013, according to EPA (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

India will be renewables superpower, says energy minister (via The Guardian)

Germany renewables output tops coal for first time (via Bloomberg)

Japan may apply solar brakes with rate overhaul (via Bloomberg)

India to build first offshore wind power project (via Bloomberg)

Brazil study shows 30 ethanol mills near bankruptcy (via Bloomberg)

Japan to slap more restrictions on solar power (via Reuters)

Wave power finally on the horizon? (via Renewables International)

New Western U.S. real-time market aims to smooth bumps in renewable generation (via EnergyWire)

Massachusetts: 100,000 clean energy jobs (via Sustainable Business)

Vivint Solar prices IPO at $16 per share, aims for SolarCity-style ride (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Coal competing with oil and gas for space on rails (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Alpha Natural sees room for just 2-4 big U.S. coal miners (via Bloomberg)

For sale: Coal mines for investors willing to buck trend (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

U.S., India partner on climate resilience (via The Hill)

Six EU states cast doubt on proposed 2030 climate goals (via RTCC)

South Pacific flotilla to protest climate change inaction at Australia coal port (via Reuters)

OIL 

OPEC oil output hits highest since 2012 on Libya, Saudi (via Reuters)

Crude oil prices recover as Saudi Arabia cuts production (via Houston Chronicle)

Rising U.S. crude exports move closer to 1957 record (via Bloomberg)

U.S. could press for international Arctic drilling standards (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil, rail industries want 7 years to fix tank cars (via ABC News/AP)

Oil lobby: Rail tank car phase-out could cost $45.2 billion (via The Hill)

Enbridge delays North Dakota oil pipeline at least a year (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla breaks into Japan (via Forbes)

NUCLEAR 

DOE to offer $12.6 billion for nuke projects (via The Hill)

GRID 

California is integrating western utilities into its grid balancing market (via Greentech Media)

Dozens of developers show interest in Hawaii’s energy storage proposal (via PV Tech)

ENVIRONMENT 

North American beekeepers sue to stop pesticides (via Triple Pundit)

California governor signs plastic bag ban (via The Hill)

California burns through $209 million wildfire budget, taps $70 million more (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

An environmentalist’s calculated push toward Brazil’s presidency (via Reuters)

OPINION 

Taxes, fees: The worldwide battle between utilities and solar (via Reuters)

The world’s biggest energy hogs aren’t who you think they are (via Christian Science Monitor)

Holding out on solar? It’s time to reconsider (via GreenBiz)

Power markets and the changing color of the grid (via The Energy Collective)

Searching for the good life in the Bakken oil fields (via The Atlantic)

The explosive debate over a new natural gas pipeline through the Northeast (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.24.14

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

UN CLIMATE SUMMIT

Here’s what major nations pledged at the UN climate summit (via National Journal)

Fortune 500 companies take center stage at UN climate summit (via Fortune)

Obama: U.S., China must lead on climate change efforts (via Wall Street Journal)

China, U.S. make treaty pledges during climate summit (via Climate Central)

UN climate summit pledges to halt loss of natural forest by 2030 (via The Guardian)

Major firms pledge climate change disclosure as “fiduciary duty” (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

India’s top court scraps nearly all coal blocks allocated since 1993 (via Reuters)

Coal mogul Murray says more bankruptcies possible (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Kazakhstan mulls 713MW new solar PV capacity by 2020 (via Renewable Energy World)

Mexico’s solar energy revolution (via The Energy Collective)

Brazil free market “could add 1.3GW new wind capacity (via Recharge News)

Santander tops green bank list as Europe’s lenders surge (via Bloomberg)

IKEA, Swiss Re, Marks, H&M go all-in on renewables (via GreenBiz)

Investors anxious and ready to grow green bond market (via Sustainable Business)

DOE report: U.S. wind has come far but faces challenges (via Energy Manager Today)

Feds draft renewable energy plan for California desert (via The Hill)

Developers plan $8 billion renewable energy project for Los Angeles (via Bloomberg)

Siemens unveils 3.3MW onshore wind turbine (via Recharge News)

SolarCity seeking $500 million in fourth panel-backed bond offer (via Bloomberg)

SolarCity strikes deal with New York for solar manufacturing plant (via Greentech Media)

CLIMATE 

New analysis shows global exposure to sea level rise (via Climate Central)

Report: Little climate aid for poor countries could threaten global treaty (via The Hill)

Climate change puts out the welcome mat for invasive species (via Grist) 

New executive order: U.S. must consider climate change when helping other countries (via Climate Progress)

Houston takes lead with climate plan (via Houston Chronicle)

NATURAL GAS 

EU plans for Iran gas imports if sanctions lifted (via Reuters)

Panel: Don’t expect high natural gas prices any time soon (via Houston Chronicle)

Pennsylvania natural gas leaks among worst in U.S. (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Record year for fossil fuel emissions pushes carbon budget to brink (via The Guardian)

European Union to cut emissions 80% by 2050 (via The Hill)

China targets emissions peak “as soon as possible” (via BusinessGreen)

Hong Kong seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50% (via Bloomberg)

Cities may reduce carbon emissions 8 gigatons by 2050 (via Bloomberg)

Quebec, California seeking to boost size of carbon market (via Bloomberg)

Analysts, states bullish on success of clean power plan (via Climate Central)

Brown says global lead on zero emissions beating forecast (via Bloomberg)

Rockefellers pledge to ditch fossil fuel assets (via GreenBiz)

OIL 

Delta: oil exports would prompt refinery closures (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

BIO says EPA inaction on RFS rule causing increase in emissions (via Green Car Congress)

An electric power plant on the roof of your car? (via Los Angeles Times)

Rapid charging EV batteries: Less damaging than we thought? (via Green Car Reports)

Even without Tesla, EV batteries can help California (via Phys.org)

NUCLEAR 

Japan won’t restart nuclear plants unless safety is restored (via Reuters)

GRID 

North America’s biggest battery gets unveiled today (via Greentech Media)

America’s grid has a baby boomer social security problem (via RMI Outlet)

New York grid operator takes a close look at distributed energy (via Renew Grid)

Can batteries replace coal plants? (via Chicago Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

3,000 NYC buildings to get energy retrofits (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Sustainable corporations perform better financially, finds report (via The Guardian)

Companies are taking the baton in climate change efforts (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

No drought relief in U.S. West without deep mountain snow (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

All over the planet, countries are completely missing their emissions targets (via Washington Post)

What good is a climate summit without emissions cuts? (via Washington Post)

Analyzing outcomes from the UN climate summit (via WRI Insights)

Tough slog ahead to fulfill UN climate summit promises (via Bloomberg)

Obama is pushing climate-change resilience, but he’s not promising new carbon cuts (via National Journal)

How to explain climate change so Congress can actually understand (via National Journal)

How does the People’s Climate March stack up against the largest protest rallies in U.S. history? (via The Energy Collective)

How to tap the medium-scale clean energy market (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.24.14

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

UN CLIMATE SUMMIT

Here’s what major nations pledged at the UN climate summit (via National Journal)

Fortune 500 companies take center stage at UN climate summit (via Fortune)

Obama: U.S., China must lead on climate change efforts (via Wall Street Journal)

China, U.S. make treaty pledges during climate summit (via Climate Central)

UN climate summit pledges to halt loss of natural forest by 2030 (via The Guardian)

Major firms pledge climate change disclosure as “fiduciary duty” (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

India’s top court scraps nearly all coal blocks allocated since 1993 (via Reuters)

Coal mogul Murray says more bankruptcies possible (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Kazakhstan mulls 713MW new solar PV capacity by 2020 (via Renewable Energy World)

Mexico’s solar energy revolution (via The Energy Collective)

Brazil free market “could add 1.3GW new wind capacity (via Recharge News)

Santander tops green bank list as Europe’s lenders surge (via Bloomberg)

IKEA, Swiss Re, Marks, H&M go all-in on renewables (via GreenBiz)

Investors anxious and ready to grow green bond market (via Sustainable Business)

DOE report: U.S. wind has come far but faces challenges (via Energy Manager Today)

Feds draft renewable energy plan for California desert (via The Hill)

Developers plan $8 billion renewable energy project for Los Angeles (via Bloomberg)

Siemens unveils 3.3MW onshore wind turbine (via Recharge News)

SolarCity seeking $500 million in fourth panel-backed bond offer (via Bloomberg)

SolarCity strikes deal with New York for solar manufacturing plant (via Greentech Media)

CLIMATE 

New analysis shows global exposure to sea level rise (via Climate Central)

Report: Little climate aid for poor countries could threaten global treaty (via The Hill)

Climate change puts out the welcome mat for invasive species (via Grist) 

New executive order: U.S. must consider climate change when helping other countries (via Climate Progress)

Houston takes lead with climate plan (via Houston Chronicle)

NATURAL GAS 

EU plans for Iran gas imports if sanctions lifted (via Reuters)

Panel: Don’t expect high natural gas prices any time soon (via Houston Chronicle)

Pennsylvania natural gas leaks among worst in U.S. (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Record year for fossil fuel emissions pushes carbon budget to brink (via The Guardian)

European Union to cut emissions 80% by 2050 (via The Hill)

China targets emissions peak “as soon as possible” (via BusinessGreen)

Hong Kong seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50% (via Bloomberg)

Cities may reduce carbon emissions 8 gigatons by 2050 (via Bloomberg)

Quebec, California seeking to boost size of carbon market (via Bloomberg)

Analysts, states bullish on success of clean power plan (via Climate Central)

Brown says global lead on zero emissions beating forecast (via Bloomberg)

Rockefellers pledge to ditch fossil fuel assets (via GreenBiz)

OIL 

Delta: oil exports would prompt refinery closures (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

BIO says EPA inaction on RFS rule causing increase in emissions (via Green Car Congress)

An electric power plant on the roof of your car? (via Los Angeles Times)

Rapid charging EV batteries: Less damaging than we thought? (via Green Car Reports)

Even without Tesla, EV batteries can help California (via Phys.org)

NUCLEAR 

Japan won’t restart nuclear plants unless safety is restored (via Reuters)

GRID 

North America’s biggest battery gets unveiled today (via Greentech Media)

America’s grid has a baby boomer social security problem (via RMI Outlet)

New York grid operator takes a close look at distributed energy (via Renew Grid)

Can batteries replace coal plants? (via Chicago Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

3,000 NYC buildings to get energy retrofits (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Sustainable corporations perform better financially, finds report (via The Guardian)

Companies are taking the baton in climate change efforts (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

No drought relief in U.S. West without deep mountain snow (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

All over the planet, countries are completely missing their emissions targets (via Washington Post)

What good is a climate summit without emissions cuts? (via Washington Post)

Analyzing outcomes from the UN climate summit (via WRI Insights)

Tough slog ahead to fulfill UN climate summit promises (via Bloomberg)

Obama is pushing climate-change resilience, but he’s not promising new carbon cuts (via National Journal)

How to explain climate change so Congress can actually understand (via National Journal)

How does the People’s Climate March stack up against the largest protest rallies in U.S. history? (via The Energy Collective)

How to tap the medium-scale clean energy market (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.20.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Japanese government seeks to deregulate utility market, boost renewables (via Renewable Energy World)

Exelon and Pepco seek Maryland PSC blessing of $7 billion merger (via Renew Grid)

CLIMATE 

NWF warns climate change could ruin “outdoor” experience (via The Hill)

Report: California should prepare for 3-foot sea level rise this century (via San Francisco Examiner)

RENEWABLES 

Australia renewable review chills $20 billion clean energy industry (via Bloomberg)

China’s wind power industry shows overall recovery (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewables set new records in U.S., Germany (via Breaking Energy)

Mexico approves 220MW of solar projects (via Bloomberg)

Rooftop solar may reach grid parity in 25+ states by 2017 (via CleanTechnica)

With wind energy prices at all-time lows, DOE is cautiously optimistic (via InsideClimate News) 

U.S. wind supply chain hopes “dimmed” (via Recharge)

Tom Steyer takes a side in environmentalists’ ethanol fight (via National Journal)

Developer U.S. Wind tops DOI’s Maryland offshore wind bid (via Recharge)

Advocates: Wisconsin solar fight could spill into other states (via Midwest Energy News)

Six summer stories from GTM Research you may have missed (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Canadian watchdog: Oil trains need more oversight (via Politico)

Report: Canada railway audit inadequate before Lac-Megantic disaster (via Reuters)

Feds boosting oil spill liability limits (via Houston Chronicle)

14 companies bid for western Gulf leases (via Houston Chronicle)

Alaska oil tax supporters fending off repeal efforts (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla owner tax rebates could total $1.5 billion (via CleanTechnica)

Uber picks David Plouffe to wage regulatory fight (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS 

Russia-China deal will supply Siberian natural gas to China’s northern, eastern provinces (via U.S. EIA)

Refracking brings “vintage” U.S. gas wells to life (via Reuters)

GRID 

FERC grants key approval to 3.5GW wind power transmission project (via Renew Grid)

Federal research spurs Washington State to store energy (via Energy Manager Today)

New Jersey creates the nation’s first Energy Resilience Bank (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

Western Governors’ Association calls to end “wildfire borrowing” (via Denver Post)

Wildfire near Yosemite National Park holds steady (via Wall Street Journal)

NUCLEAR 

Two Belgian nuclear reactors may be closed permanently (via Reuters)

U.S. government’s nuclear watchdog victim of cyber attacks (via Reuters)

Texas’ nuclear waste dump poised to get wiggle room (via Texas Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

LEED certification boosts hotel revenue (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Microsoft ends its relationship with American Legislative Exchange Council (via Eclecta Blog)

Latino group sides with EPA on climate rule (via The Hill)

Florida Governor Scott meeting with climate scientists is “leadership” moment for him (via Miami Herald)

OPINION 

Renewables records reveal how clean energy is starting to light up the world (via BusinessGreen)

What the green revolution in electronics means for smart grid (via Energy Collective)

Five things you should know about Powder River Basin coal exports (via Center for American Progress)

PR firm Edelman has more than a PR problem (via Marc Gunther)

In “After Water” project, writers imagine life in climate change-altered Chicago (via InsideClimate News)

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 – 8.13.14

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

GREEN BUSINESS 

Report: U.S. green employment surge takes clean job opportunities past 2.6 million (via BusinessGreen)

America’s Top 10 “coolest schools” in sustainability (via EcoWatch)

COAL 

U.S. anti-coal dominoes hit BRICS wall, other skeptics (via Reuters)

Coal generation down as Germany breaks yet another renewables record (via BusinessGreen)

Coal makes a comeback, for now (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

Europe’s green energy rules cost UK $156 billion (via Bloomberg)

China and India’s GW-scale solar plans (via Renew Economy)

Chinese offshore wind market stagnating, disappointing investors (via Renewable Energy World)

Central America poised for clean tech investment boom (via BusinessGreen)

Citigroup: Global solar outlook is getting brighter (via Renew Economy)

Poor installation, grid constraints, defective panels plague China’s huge solar program (via Greenwire)

Over 26GW wind, solar power capacity offered for Brazil’s upcoming auction (via CleanTechnica)

IRS clarifies beginning of construction rules for renewable energy projects (via Renewable Energy World)

Despite uptick in activity, wind industry faces uncertainty in Congress (via Greenwire)

U.S. solar carport market poised for record year, continued growth (via Greentech Media)

U.S. wind farm construction is surging in 2014 (via Transmission & Distribution World)

OSU campus derives more than 70% of energy from wind (via Energy Manager Today)

New energy-rich sorghum offers ethanol without the corn (via The Guardian)

ENERGY POLICY 

Saudi Arabia, China sign nuclear and renewable energy agreement (via Al-Awsat)

CLIMATE 

Rising economies “ahead on climate” (via BBC)

Call for finance to top agenda at 2015 UN climate summit (via RTCC)

Climate change and health – joining the dots (via Deutche Welle)

That sinking feeling: The Coastal cities doomed to disappear beneath the waves (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

What climate change in the Rockies means for its water (via Climate Central)

California has hottest start to year while Midwest chills (via Climate Central)

“Unprecedented” Detroit flooding event fits global warming pattern (via Mashable)

OIL 

World awash in oil shields markets from 2008 price shock (via Bloomberg)

Oil companies fracking into drinking water sources, shows new research (via Los Angeles Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Green signal for “Britain’s first” battery-powered train (via BusinessGreen)

U.S. public in favor of higher truck fuel efficiency standards (via Autoblog Green)

Gas prices to drop through end of 2014 (via The Hill)

California could give lower-income EV buyers a financial boost (via Autoblog Green)

Next-gen power electronics could cut $6,000 from Tesla Model S (via GigaOm)

Tesla Gigafactory: California could waive environmental rules to get it (via Green Car Reports)

Toyota: East Coast hydrogen cars on the horizon (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

Germany added a lot of wind and solar power, and its grid became more reliable (via Climate Progress)

Key Brazil wind grid link set for completion by November (via Recharge)

U.S. DOE clears Quebec-to-NYC transmission line (via Albany Times Union)

Vermont breaks ground on “perfect” solar + storage microgrid that can provide resilient power (via Renewable Energy World)

Suntech invests $25 million in U.S. energy storage developer (via Solar Industry)

NATURAL GAS 

China’s shale gas bust (via MIT Technology Review)

ENVIRONMENT 

Declining Lake Mead water levels raise concerns for future of parched region (via Huffington Post/AP)

Lightning sparks new wildfires in Oregon, Washington (via The Columbian)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

An energy cure for hospitals (via Navigant Research)

POLITICS 

Senators want more comment time on EPA climate rule (via The Hill)

Democrats increasingly backing oil and gas industry (via Wall Street Journal)

How to eliminate almost every federal agency (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Ebola and climate change: Are humans responsible for severity of current outbreak? (via Newsweek)

The African case for U.S. climate leadership (via WRI Insights)

How far away is grid parity for residential battery storage? (via Renew Economy)

The frustrating climate change memes that just won’t die (via New Republic)

Toyota executive: We’re on the cusp of the automotive hydrogen age (via Green Car Congress)

Journalists to EPA: Stop muzzling scientists (via The Hill)

How I went off-grid with solar in Hawaii (via Greentech Media)