Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.18.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
EMISSIONS
China to more than double air monitoring network (via Phys.org)
EPA likely to delay climate rules for new power plants (via Washington Post)
Dow Chemical to offset Olympic carbon emissions (via Environmental Leader)
RGGI auction raises $106 million for green reinvestment (via Environmental Leader)
Can a divestment campaign move the fossil fuel industry? (via Yale e360)
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
Natural gas export debate heats up over economic benefits (via Houston Chronicle)
Intrigue in Illinois after House Speaker calls for fracking moratorium (via Midwest Energy News)
RENEWABLES
$1 trillion projected German fossil fuel import savings from Energiewende (via CleanTechnica)
Indian solar boom boosting materials market (via BusinessGreen)
DOE leaves $51 billion in loan funds unused, says GAO (via The Hill)
Using robots to drive down the cost of solar (via San Jose Mercury News)
Days of promise fade for ethanol (via New York Times)
Bipartisan bill aims to streamline hydropower development (via Renew Grid)
Ten states get 10% of electricity from wind (via Sustainable Business)
Finding happy ground between wind turbines and birds (via Earth Techling)
Arizona wins back its renewables standard (via Greentech Media)
Proposed bill looks to light up Wisconsin’s solar sector (via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
Offshore wind research takes a step forward in Virginia (via Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Ohio legislature re-examines renewable energy mandate (via Columbus Dispatch)
OIL
Soaring oil prices fuels second North Sea boom (via Daily Express)
North Dakota oil production reaches new high in 2012 (via US EIA)
ENVIRONMENT
Greening tundra shows impacts of spreading warmth (via Climate Central)
Record cesium level detected in fish caught near Fukushima (via Japan Times)
New Zealand suffering worst drought in 30 years (via Inhabitat)
In drought-ravaged plains, efforts to save a vital aquifer (via Stateline)
Recent storms highlight flaws in top US weather model (via Climate Central)
TRANSPORTATION
EPA finds 2012 fuel economy was highest ever, 23.8 mpg (via Autoblog Green)
Fuel economy: small decline in 2011 and a probable climb in 2012 (via New York Times)
KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS
Market access issues weigh on oil sands developers (via AOL Energy)
Unions split on plans for Keystone XL pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)
House to vote before Memorial Day on Keystone pipeline (via The Hill)
White House: Keystone XL pipeline not a climate change cure (via Time)
House bill would reroute Keystone pipeline around Obama (via Bloomberg)
Enbridge ordered to complete cleanup of massive Michigan oil spill (via CTV/AP)
Enbridge seeks approval to nearly double tar sands pipeline capacity (via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
GRID
Energy storage technology to surge worldwide (via Houston Chronicle)
Microgrids by mail can contribute to rural electrification in India (via Renewable Energy World)
Risky energy: cyber-security and the nation’s infrastructure (via National Journal)
Fast demand response helps balance the grid (via Navigant Research)
POLITICS
Obama starts unveiling his plans for climate change, clean energy (via GigaOm)
Congress moves to close tax loopholes for fossil fuels (via Grist)
White House: green investments trump Keystone decision (via USA Today)
How the White House thinks about climate change, in 7 charts (via Washington Post)
OPINION
Why Obama’s Energy Security Trust is a bad idea (via Forbes)
Why we need more solar companies to fail (via MIT Technology Review)
Ten reasons why fracking for dirty oil in California is a stupid idea (via Grist)
What do young conservatives at CPAC think about climate change? (via Grist)
Rebuild vs. retreat: Christie and Cuomo offer contrasting plans in wake of Sandy (via Bergen Record)