Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.14.14

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

CLIMATE 

Arctic autumns on track to warm a staggering 23 degrees F, warns NOAA (via Climate Progress)

US lays out vision for 2015 climate pact to United Nations (via Point Carbon)

Obama to announce $1 billion climate resilience fund (via The Hill)

The real reason why this week’s massive ice storm is so unusual (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Methane emissions from fracking up to 75% higher than EPA estimates (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

US decision watched in row over solar imports from China, Taiwan (via Reuters)

Green banks can multiply the impact of clean energy financing (via Renewable Energy World)

US solar industry more than 60% of the way to SunShot cost-competitiveness goal (via Renew Grid)

Distributed energy could make up 1/3 the US power supply by 2020 (via Greentech Media)

Electric rates fall in top 11 wind states but increase in other 39 states (via Facts of the Day)

Ivanpah dedicated with all three concentrating solar plants now online (via Solar Industry)

COAL 

US Attorney’s office probing North Carolina officials following coal ash spill (via Huffington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Many car dealers don’t want to sell EVs: Here’s why (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla Motors shares flirt with $200, still close at record price (via Los Angeles Times)

Are Tesla sales slowing in California? (via San Jose Mercury News)

ENVIRONMENT 

How China’s appetite for raw materials is transforming the world (via Washington Post)

Australian bushfire has grown to size of Melbourne (via Yale e360)

White House to launch administration-wide drought response (via The Hill)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.13.14

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

COAL 

Washington State coal export project to get sweeping enviro review, including climate change impacts (via InsideClimate News/AP)

Columbia River coal export terminal gets key state permits, but a new hurdle is added (via The Oregonian)

North Carolina regulators seek delay on Duke Energy deal after coal ash spill (via Los Angeles Time)

North Carolina to create coal ash task force (via Charlotte Observer)

ENVIRONMENT 

Drought could make Brazil lower 2014 fiscal goal (via Reuters)

Coral off Western Australia suffers shocking damage from marine heat waves (via The Guardian)

RENEWABLES 

China confirms 14GW of solar incentives for 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Solar storage from used EV batteries set for testing in Japan (via Renew Economy)

Interior Department releases first national interactive map of onshore wind turbines (via Anchorage Daily News)

Five incubators shaping the future of green business (via EcoBusiness)

Report: Ethanol’s role could diminish as biofuels grow (via Houston Chronicle)

Giant wind farm plan raises alarm about eagle deaths (via National Journal)

U.S. solar sector jobs rest on a foundation of low-cost solar panels (via Solar Industry)

The non-impact of wind turbines on property values (via EarthTechling)

Solar industry a winning bet for $1.3 billion Skagen Fund (via Bloomberg)

Hawaii’s interconnection nightmare and why it matters to the U.S. residential PV industry (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar Coin – a crypto currency designed to stimulate solar energy production (via Resilience)

NASCAR on a green roll with new ACORE partnership (via CleanTechnica)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone comments rushing into State Department (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone XL pipeline records sought in Sierra Club suit (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Church of England vows to fight “great demon” of climate change (via The Guardian)

Olympians speak out on climate change as Sochi warms up (via USA Today)

Are big banks fueling global warming? (via National Journal)

Despite costs, most Americans want action on climate change, says report (via Yale e360)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EPA steps into fray over fracking with diesel (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Danish parties back 40% carbon reduction target (via RTCC)

New poll: Most Republicans want to regulate carbon pollution (via Climate Progress)

Chevrolet starts buying carbon credits from colleges if they lower emissions (via Climate Progress)

It’s lonely in the carbon tax trenches, but a warrior digs in (via ClimateWire)

OIL 

North Dakota oil spill cleanup to last at least two more years (via Bismarck Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

New York State rolls out energy efficiency innovation collaborative (via Breaking Energy)

Opower has quietly filed for its long-awaited IPO (via GigaOm)

POLITICS 

New head of Senate Energy Committee has environmentalists seeing red (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

The right risk partner makes the difference in renewable energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Is Keystone worth the fight? (via New York Times)

Mapping the United States’ wind turbines (via Renewable Energy World)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.13.14

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

COAL 

Washington State coal export project to get sweeping enviro review, including climate change impacts (via InsideClimate News/AP)

Columbia River coal export terminal gets key state permits, but a new hurdle is added (via The Oregonian)

North Carolina regulators seek delay on Duke Energy deal after coal ash spill (via Los Angeles Time)

North Carolina to create coal ash task force (via Charlotte Observer)

ENVIRONMENT 

Drought could make Brazil lower 2014 fiscal goal (via Reuters)

Coral off Western Australia suffers shocking damage from marine heat waves (via The Guardian)

RENEWABLES 

China confirms 14GW of solar incentives for 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Solar storage from used EV batteries set for testing in Japan (via Renew Economy)

Interior Department releases first national interactive map of onshore wind turbines (via Anchorage Daily News)

Five incubators shaping the future of green business (via EcoBusiness)

Report: Ethanol’s role could diminish as biofuels grow (via Houston Chronicle)

Giant wind farm plan raises alarm about eagle deaths (via National Journal)

U.S. solar sector jobs rest on a foundation of low-cost solar panels (via Solar Industry)

The non-impact of wind turbines on property values (via EarthTechling)

Solar industry a winning bet for $1.3 billion Skagen Fund (via Bloomberg)

Hawaii’s interconnection nightmare and why it matters to the U.S. residential PV industry (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar Coin – a crypto currency designed to stimulate solar energy production (via Resilience)

NASCAR on a green roll with new ACORE partnership (via CleanTechnica)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone comments rushing into State Department (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone XL pipeline records sought in Sierra Club suit (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Church of England vows to fight “great demon” of climate change (via The Guardian)

Olympians speak out on climate change as Sochi warms up (via USA Today)

Are big banks fueling global warming? (via National Journal)

Despite costs, most Americans want action on climate change, says report (via Yale e360)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EPA steps into fray over fracking with diesel (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Danish parties back 40% carbon reduction target (via RTCC)

New poll: Most Republicans want to regulate carbon pollution (via Climate Progress)

Chevrolet starts buying carbon credits from colleges if they lower emissions (via Climate Progress)

It’s lonely in the carbon tax trenches, but a warrior digs in (via ClimateWire)

OIL 

North Dakota oil spill cleanup to last at least two more years (via Bismarck Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

New York State rolls out energy efficiency innovation collaborative (via Breaking Energy)

Opower has quietly filed for its long-awaited IPO (via GigaOm)

POLITICS 

New head of Senate Energy Committee has environmentalists seeing red (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

The right risk partner makes the difference in renewable energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Is Keystone worth the fight? (via New York Times)

Mapping the United States’ wind turbines (via Renewable Energy World)

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 – 2.11.14

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

GRID 

U.S. utility research group lays out plan for updated, integrated power grid (via ClimateWire)

DOE to provide funding for microgrid development (via Renew Grid)

With reliability a concern, universities looking to microgrids (via Midwest Energy News)

Grid-scale energy storage to reduce load in New York City (via Greentech Media)

Winter electricity price spikes put Clean Currents out of business (via Energy Collective)

EMISSIONS 

China’s Hubei plans province’s first carbon auction next month (via Reuters)

2013 carbon emissions drop in Northeast, rise in U.S. (via Sustainable Business)

California should set interim goal for cutting emissions, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

RENEWABLES 

2013 wind energy installations stall in U.S., surge in China (via CleanTechnica)

PV modules were a $30.5 billion market in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

Global demand for solar polysilicon to increase 25% this year (via Solar Industry Magazine)

U.S. files trade protest over India solar energy program (via Time/AP)

India vows to stand ground in new solar trade fight with U.S. (via National Journal)

Wind of change sweeps through Caribbean energy policy (via The Guardian)

Ikea: Massive energy goals producing business boom (via Energy Manager Today)

Canadian Solar estimates 75% rise in quarterly revenue (via Reuters)

U.S. renewable energy maintains growth in 2013 (via Renew Grid)

Solar third-party financing at $3.34 billion in 2013, key to U.S. solar boom (via Forbes)

EPA’s RFS cuts limit ethanol growth (via Navigant Research)

Reduced water supply forecast affects hydropower outlook in Pacific Northwest (via US EIA)

Five years later, Missouri still grappling with renewables law (via Midwest Energy News)

COAL 

Chinese coal companies’ debt concerns sink shares (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Warm enough for Summer Olympics in Sochi (via ABC News)

Higher temperatures put fish near Equator at risk (via The National)

Study sounds “El Nino Alarm” for late this year (via Climate Central)

Climatologist: When ocean warming ends, “global temperatures set to rise rapidly” (via Climate Progress)

“Most exceptional period of rainfall in 248 years” in U.K. is “consistent” with climate change (via Climate Progress)

Obama-Hollande meeting may boost larger climate goals (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Ambassador: Keystone rejection would “definitely strain” U.S.-Canadian relations (via National Journal)

Uproar over Keystone far outweighs pipeline’s potential effect, say analysts (via Houston Chronicle)

Greens see red on Keystone report conflicts (via Politico)

Company yet to stop leaks spilling tar sands in Alberta for nine months (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

China extends electric vehicle subsidies to fight air pollution (via Bloomberg)

Boeing seeks to certify jet fuel biodiesel around the world (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS 

How can a nation awash in natural gas have shortages, and what to do about it (via Forbes)

Can the Marcellus keep up its massive production? (via StateImpact Texas)

ENVIRONMENT 

Company responsible for West Virginia chemical spill skips Congressional hearing (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

White roofs could offset summer warming by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Beyond bulbs: Illinois raises the bar on energy efficiency (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

Freezing out the bigger picture on climate (New York Times)

The oil industry’s fight to kill renewable fuels – and why it may win (via InsideClimate News)

A climate change reality check (via World Resources Institute)

Senators and scientists play climate dating game (via National Journal)

Steyer’s secret weapon emerges as power in climate debate (via Greenwire)

Salazar: Keystone XL a “win-win” project (via The Hill)

Could corn ethanol finally fade away? (via Sustainable Business)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.11.14

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

GRID 

U.S. utility research group lays out plan for updated, integrated power grid (via ClimateWire)

DOE to provide funding for microgrid development (via Renew Grid)

With reliability a concern, universities looking to microgrids (via Midwest Energy News)

Grid-scale energy storage to reduce load in New York City (via Greentech Media)

Winter electricity price spikes put Clean Currents out of business (via Energy Collective)

EMISSIONS 

China’s Hubei plans province’s first carbon auction next month (via Reuters)

2013 carbon emissions drop in Northeast, rise in U.S. (via Sustainable Business)

California should set interim goal for cutting emissions, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

RENEWABLES 

2013 wind energy installations stall in U.S., surge in China (via CleanTechnica)

PV modules were a $30.5 billion market in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

Global demand for solar polysilicon to increase 25% this year (via Solar Industry Magazine)

U.S. files trade protest over India solar energy program (via Time/AP)

India vows to stand ground in new solar trade fight with U.S. (via National Journal)

Wind of change sweeps through Caribbean energy policy (via The Guardian)

Ikea: Massive energy goals producing business boom (via Energy Manager Today)

Canadian Solar estimates 75% rise in quarterly revenue (via Reuters)

U.S. renewable energy maintains growth in 2013 (via Renew Grid)

Solar third-party financing at $3.34 billion in 2013, key to U.S. solar boom (via Forbes)

EPA’s RFS cuts limit ethanol growth (via Navigant Research)

Reduced water supply forecast affects hydropower outlook in Pacific Northwest (via US EIA)

Five years later, Missouri still grappling with renewables law (via Midwest Energy News)

COAL 

Chinese coal companies’ debt concerns sink shares (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Warm enough for Summer Olympics in Sochi (via ABC News)

Higher temperatures put fish near Equator at risk (via The National)

Study sounds “El Nino Alarm” for late this year (via Climate Central)

Climatologist: When ocean warming ends, “global temperatures set to rise rapidly” (via Climate Progress)

“Most exceptional period of rainfall in 248 years” in U.K. is “consistent” with climate change (via Climate Progress)

Obama-Hollande meeting may boost larger climate goals (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Ambassador: Keystone rejection would “definitely strain” U.S.-Canadian relations (via National Journal)

Uproar over Keystone far outweighs pipeline’s potential effect, say analysts (via Houston Chronicle)

Greens see red on Keystone report conflicts (via Politico)

Company yet to stop leaks spilling tar sands in Alberta for nine months (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

China extends electric vehicle subsidies to fight air pollution (via Bloomberg)

Boeing seeks to certify jet fuel biodiesel around the world (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS 

How can a nation awash in natural gas have shortages, and what to do about it (via Forbes)

Can the Marcellus keep up its massive production? (via StateImpact Texas)

ENVIRONMENT 

Company responsible for West Virginia chemical spill skips Congressional hearing (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

White roofs could offset summer warming by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Beyond bulbs: Illinois raises the bar on energy efficiency (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

Freezing out the bigger picture on climate (New York Times)

The oil industry’s fight to kill renewable fuels – and why it may win (via InsideClimate News)

A climate change reality check (via World Resources Institute)

Senators and scientists play climate dating game (via National Journal)

Steyer’s secret weapon emerges as power in climate debate (via Greenwire)

Salazar: Keystone XL a “win-win” project (via The Hill)

Could corn ethanol finally fade away? (via Sustainable Business)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.5.14

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

CLIMATE 

World had sixth-hottest year on record in 2013, says UN (via Bloomberg)

2013 marked 37th consecutive year of above-average temperatures (via Grist)

Cities almost double climate actions over two years, says C40 (via Bloomberg)

Climate change means more wildfires, and that means lots more air pollution (via Grist)

Winter Olympics: A downhill forecast (via Nature)

White House to unveil “climate hubs” to aid farmers across country (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Global wind hits 318GW – GWEC report (via Recharge)

Morocco says investors lining up for $9 billion solar project (via Reuters)

SunEdison plans $6.4 billion PV manufacturing center in Saudi Arabia (via Solar Industry)

Iceland uses magma to create geothermal power for first time (via Climate Progress)

Israel wants to be the “startup nation” on clean technology (via ClimateWire)

Solar PV suppliers expected to enter new upturn in 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

As shale gas blows worldwide, India can’t kick coal habit (via EnergyWire)

US not protecting taxpayers on coal exports, says report (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

EPA staff struggling to create pollution rule (via New York Times)

Poll finds most voters want EPA to limit carbon pollution from power plants (via Climate Progress)

How the Northeast could cut carbon pollution 75% in 5 steps (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Canadian regulators hid natural gas pipeline explosion for years (via CBC News)

House Republicans add pressure for gas exports (via National Journal)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Fitch Ratings says shareholder activism impacting U.S. energy sector cash flows (via BusinessWire)

Utilities want regulatory rescue from “death spiral” (via Forbes)

KEYSTONE XL 

The quietly important Keystone pipeline date (via National Journal)

Obama knocks high Keystone jobs estimate in interview (via Politico)

Chu: Keystone pipeline decision “political” (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

Sao Paulo’s biggest water-supply system may run dry within 45 days (via Bloomberg)

Farm bill headed to Obama after Senate passage (via USA Today)

Californians brace for year of “mega-drought” (via USA Today)

OIL 

US fines three oil companies in first move since derailments (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla breaks into top five brands in consumer reports survey (via Bloomberg)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.4.14

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Mining tar sands produces 2-3 times more air pollution than thought (via Smithsonian)

Keystone Pipeline report fallout: The latest (via National Journal)

Greens warn base will sit out election if Obama approves Keystone XL (via The Hill)

White House vows to keep Keystone call above “political influence” (via The Hill)

Canadian group pitches Alaska rail line for oil sands (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Ocean temperatures spiked globally in 2013 (via Grist)

Adapting to sea level rise could save trillions (via Renew Economy)

Winter ice season now 24 days shorter than in 1950s (via Science Recorder)

January’s temperatures leave a nation blowing hot and cold (via Climate Central)

Northern Alaska lake ice shows “dramatic decline” in 20 years (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

FiT has lit up Japan’s solar landscape (via Recharge)

How solar shifted the peak during Australia’s heat waves (via Renew Economy)

Wind industry carries momentum into 2014 – will it last? (via Midwest Energy News)

Will solar energy in Hawaii be a test case for grid penetration? (via Energy Collective)

National Cooperative Bank arranges $82 million in financing for North Carolina solar projects (via Solar Industry)

EMISSIONS 

Australia’s new pollution plan starts to look like emissions trading (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

China building codes could cut energy use 22% (via Energy Manager Today)

DOE wants to make your phone charger more energy efficient (via National Journal)

OIL 

BP quarterly profit falls as divestments impact income (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

“Insane” GHG savings from workplace EV charging, according to NASA (via CleanTechnica)

Nissan Leaf sales get January jump as Chevy Volt trends down (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla completes cross-country Supercharger drive in Model S EVs (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

Europe introduces harmonized power market across 15 countries (via Reuters)

A next-gen battery tech is coming soon to the power grid (via GigaOm)

A123’s path back to grid-scale battery business (via Greentech Media)

NUCLEAR 

EPA seeks to modernize nuclear standards (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

California’s drought raises stakes for water tunnels (via Bloomberg)

Duke pipe break causes coal ash release into North Carolina river (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Should Obama approve Keystone XL? (via National Journal)

Ten key numbers in the Keystone XL pipeline report (via Washington Post)

Rejecting Keystone XL could damage US environmental movement (via Forbes)

How to convince your friends to believe in climate change…it’s not as hard as you think (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.4.14

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Mining tar sands produces 2-3 times more air pollution than thought (via Smithsonian)

Keystone Pipeline report fallout: The latest (via National Journal)

Greens warn base will sit out election if Obama approves Keystone XL (via The Hill)

White House vows to keep Keystone call above “political influence” (via The Hill)

Canadian group pitches Alaska rail line for oil sands (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Ocean temperatures spiked globally in 2013 (via Grist)

Adapting to sea level rise could save trillions (via Renew Economy)

Winter ice season now 24 days shorter than in 1950s (via Science Recorder)

January’s temperatures leave a nation blowing hot and cold (via Climate Central)

Northern Alaska lake ice shows “dramatic decline” in 20 years (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

FiT has lit up Japan’s solar landscape (via Recharge)

How solar shifted the peak during Australia’s heat waves (via Renew Economy)

Wind industry carries momentum into 2014 – will it last? (via Midwest Energy News)

Will solar energy in Hawaii be a test case for grid penetration? (via Energy Collective)

National Cooperative Bank arranges $82 million in financing for North Carolina solar projects (via Solar Industry)

EMISSIONS 

Australia’s new pollution plan starts to look like emissions trading (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

China building codes could cut energy use 22% (via Energy Manager Today)

DOE wants to make your phone charger more energy efficient (via National Journal)

OIL 

BP quarterly profit falls as divestments impact income (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

“Insane” GHG savings from workplace EV charging, according to NASA (via CleanTechnica)

Nissan Leaf sales get January jump as Chevy Volt trends down (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla completes cross-country Supercharger drive in Model S EVs (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

Europe introduces harmonized power market across 15 countries (via Reuters)

A next-gen battery tech is coming soon to the power grid (via GigaOm)

A123’s path back to grid-scale battery business (via Greentech Media)

NUCLEAR 

EPA seeks to modernize nuclear standards (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

California’s drought raises stakes for water tunnels (via Bloomberg)

Duke pipe break causes coal ash release into North Carolina river (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Should Obama approve Keystone XL? (via National Journal)

Ten key numbers in the Keystone XL pipeline report (via Washington Post)

Rejecting Keystone XL could damage US environmental movement (via Forbes)

How to convince your friends to believe in climate change…it’s not as hard as you think (via Washington Post)

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)