Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.13.13

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

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon hits 8 month high on jump in energy prices (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Will Costa Rica’s new voluntary carbon trading system work? (via Climate Progress)

Big business fights Obama Administration’s calculations on carbon costs (via Grist)

California carbon allowances retreat to $12.30 as bearish sentiment grows (via Reuters Point Carbon)

COAL 

China bans new coal-fired plants in 3 regions (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Air pollution waiver may decide fate of Illinois coal plants (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

RENEWABLES 

Solar-Energy Storage market to reach $2.8 billion by 2018 (via Energy Manager Today)

UK hits 1GW of installed offshore wind capacity (via RTCC)

Hydroelectric power makes big comeback at US dams (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Report: $603 million in DOE biofuels funding fails to meet goals (via The Hill)

60GW of new hydropower projects pending approval by FERC (via Facts of the Day)

US solar PV grows 15% in second quarter (via EarthTechling)

California passes 600MW shared renewables program (via CleanTechnica)

South Carolina rural electrical cooperatives back solar farm (via The State)

California regulators say proposed large-scale solar project could harm eagles (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Progress at UN climate cash talks sets stage for ministers (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Unprecedented rate and scale of ocean acidification found in Arctic (via Phys.org)

Never-released DOE report predicts increasing domestic conflicts over water, energy (via DeSmog Blog)

US tree migration is not keeping pace with warming (via Yale e360)

Kentucky governor stands up to climate deniers, defends teaching science (via Climate Progress)

Global warming’s denier elite (via Rolling Stone)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canada touts carbon pollution cuts as Keystone XL pressure builds (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

US federal buildings brace for deep energy retrofits (via EarthTechling)

A bid to “shame” building owners into energy efficiency (via National Journal)

While one Ohio utility fights efficiency, another embraces it (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Norway’s new government may bar oil firms from Arctic islands (via Reuters)

BP starts drilling at “giant” Gulf of Mexico oil field after spill setback (via Reuters)

Environmental groups bail on California fracking bill (via Huffington Post)

California fracking oversight bill nears final passage even as greens cancel support (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Can DOE build a better EV battery? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Bumps in the road as Hawaii plugs into EVs (via Plugin Cars)

GRID 

Demand response hits a new record in PJM (via Greentech Media)

California proposes framework for energy storage procurement program (via Breaking Energy)

Texas shows transmission upgrade benefits for wind power (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS 

US LNG exports will be higher than expected (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

BG Group, Nestle, SAP named among world’s most sustainable companies (via BusinessGreen)

Millennials may not be as green as you think (via GreenBiz)

Why colleges should add green to their school colors (via BusinessGreen)

ENERGY POLICY 

Senate panel explores US-Mexico offshore drilling deal (via The Hill)

US to pass Russia in liquid fuels production, says IEA (via Wall Street Journal)

California lawmakers move to reform state’s electricity rate structure (via Reuters)

Arizona regulators drop retail electricity deregulation push (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

OPINION 

Canada’s climate actions sharply diverge from government promises (via Energy Collective)

Global warming is very real (via Rolling Stone)

Don’t believe the coal industry’s warnings (via Bloomberg)

How solar remains attractive without key incentives in California (via Forbes)

How long before the Great Plains runs out of water? (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.13.13

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

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon hits 8 month high on jump in energy prices (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Will Costa Rica’s new voluntary carbon trading system work? (via Climate Progress)

Big business fights Obama Administration’s calculations on carbon costs (via Grist)

California carbon allowances retreat to $12.30 as bearish sentiment grows (via Reuters Point Carbon)

COAL 

China bans new coal-fired plants in 3 regions (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Air pollution waiver may decide fate of Illinois coal plants (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

RENEWABLES 

Solar-Energy Storage market to reach $2.8 billion by 2018 (via Energy Manager Today)

UK hits 1GW of installed offshore wind capacity (via RTCC)

Hydroelectric power makes big comeback at US dams (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Report: $603 million in DOE biofuels funding fails to meet goals (via The Hill)

60GW of new hydropower projects pending approval by FERC (via Facts of the Day)

US solar PV grows 15% in second quarter (via EarthTechling)

California passes 600MW shared renewables program (via CleanTechnica)

South Carolina rural electrical cooperatives back solar farm (via The State)

California regulators say proposed large-scale solar project could harm eagles (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Progress at UN climate cash talks sets stage for ministers (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Unprecedented rate and scale of ocean acidification found in Arctic (via Phys.org)

Never-released DOE report predicts increasing domestic conflicts over water, energy (via DeSmog Blog)

US tree migration is not keeping pace with warming (via Yale e360)

Kentucky governor stands up to climate deniers, defends teaching science (via Climate Progress)

Global warming’s denier elite (via Rolling Stone)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canada touts carbon pollution cuts as Keystone XL pressure builds (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

US federal buildings brace for deep energy retrofits (via EarthTechling)

A bid to “shame” building owners into energy efficiency (via National Journal)

While one Ohio utility fights efficiency, another embraces it (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Norway’s new government may bar oil firms from Arctic islands (via Reuters)

BP starts drilling at “giant” Gulf of Mexico oil field after spill setback (via Reuters)

Environmental groups bail on California fracking bill (via Huffington Post)

California fracking oversight bill nears final passage even as greens cancel support (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Can DOE build a better EV battery? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Bumps in the road as Hawaii plugs into EVs (via Plugin Cars)

GRID 

Demand response hits a new record in PJM (via Greentech Media)

California proposes framework for energy storage procurement program (via Breaking Energy)

Texas shows transmission upgrade benefits for wind power (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS 

US LNG exports will be higher than expected (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

BG Group, Nestle, SAP named among world’s most sustainable companies (via BusinessGreen)

Millennials may not be as green as you think (via GreenBiz)

Why colleges should add green to their school colors (via BusinessGreen)

ENERGY POLICY 

Senate panel explores US-Mexico offshore drilling deal (via The Hill)

US to pass Russia in liquid fuels production, says IEA (via Wall Street Journal)

California lawmakers move to reform state’s electricity rate structure (via Reuters)

Arizona regulators drop retail electricity deregulation push (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

OPINION 

Canada’s climate actions sharply diverge from government promises (via Energy Collective)

Global warming is very real (via Rolling Stone)

Don’t believe the coal industry’s warnings (via Bloomberg)

How solar remains attractive without key incentives in California (via Forbes)

How long before the Great Plains runs out of water? (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.11.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Markets bet on Australian carbon repeal…and a new carbon price (via Renew Economy)

EU Parliament votes to tackle biofuel emissions from 2020 (via BusinessGreen)

Biggest polluters in US ranked by emissions in new report (via Huffington Post)

California cap-and-trade may be hurt as emissions drop off (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Oil industry touts $81 billion in carbon-cutting efforts (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Batteries and plug-ins dominate Frankfurt Auto Show (via Climate Progress)

CA, NY, WA, FL will lead US in plug-in EV sales through 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Average fuel economy for new US vehicles hits high of 24.9 mpg (via Green Car Congress)

RENEWABLES 

Development banks lend record $108.9 billion to clean energy in 2012 (via Bloomberg)

Report: Offshore wind can be installed in deeper waters at cheaper cost (via Greentech Media)

China to back 50MW Kazakhstan wind farm (via Recharge)

3D-printing robots could enable solar arrays to self-fabricate in space (via Treehugger)

Coupled solar and energy storage market to grow (via Renewable Energy World)

Talking windmills herald gust of US productivity growth (via Bloomberg)

Cuomo starts $1 billion New York State green bank for energy lending (via Bloomberg)

Energy bill in California gets a rooftop solar-friendly makeover (via Renewable Energy World)

North Dakota county approves $350-million wind farm (via Bismarck Tribune)

Minnesota opens state’s first community solar installation (via Minnesota Public Radio)

From sunlight to farm waste, small Minnesota cities create energy from what’s on hand (via Minnesota Public Radio)

Greensburg, Kansas: A high-renewables tomorrow today (via RMI Outlet)

Solar Decathlon 2013: Raising more than just walls (via Energy.gov)

NFL goes solar, who’s in the lead? (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar panel is next granite countertop for homebuilders (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Renewable energy boom could create $90 billion global HVDC transmission market (via BusinessGreen)

London Array to sell its substations and cables for £459 million (via BusinessGreen)

In Germany, a yellow light for smart meters (via Navigant Research)

USDA provides new funding for grid improvements in eight states (via Renew Grid)

CPUC proposes 1.325GW energy storage target by 2020 (via Renew Grid)

Hawaii governor vows to link islands via undersea cable despite opposition (via Star-Advertiser)

CLIMATE 

EU limbers up for fight over new climate targets (via Renew Economy)

Australian military: Climate change will “exacerbate existing problems” (via ABC)

Drought helped cause Syria’s war – will climate change bring more like it? (via Washington Post)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Secrets of fracking fluids pave way for cleaner recipe (via Nature)

Gas flaring responsible for 42% of black carbon in the Arctic (via RTCC)

North Dakota senators seek state exemption from Interior Department fracking rules (via The Hill)

As gas continues to go up in the air, North Dakota moves to tighten loose flaring rules (via EnergyWire)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

US decision on Keystone XL pipeline likely to slip to 2014 (via Reuters)

No Keystone, no problem: TransCanada pushing another tar sands pipeline (via Climate Progress)

Neil Young on tar sands: “Fort McMurray looks like Hiroshima” (via Globe and Mail)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Moody’s: Bankruptcy of Energy Future Holdings is imminent (via Houston Chronicle)

California lawmakers close to passing energy reform bill (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy management app turns off the heat when you leave the house (via Treehugger)

LED streetlights save Las Vegas $2 million per year (via Energy Manager Today)

NUCLEAR 

Japan ponders Fukushima options, but Tepco too big to fail (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

As drought continues, Texas reservoirs could hit all-time lows (via StateImpact Texas)

OPINION 

Australia proposal to ditch carbon pricing is another nail in cap and trade (via Reuters)

Coalition wants US EIA to revamp renewable energy estimates (via Platts)

Why utilities and EV owners need demand response (via Navigant Research)

Imagining a cyberattack on the US power grid (via New York Times)

New York’s ongoing wind energy mistakes (via Breaking Energy)

How the West Texas drilling boom could go bust again (via StateImpact Texas)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.9.13

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canada formally offers to limit emissions if US approves Keystone XL (via Climate Progress)

Keystone pipeline foe Steyer launches $1 million ad push (via The Hill)

Dilbit in Exxon’s Pegasus pipeline may have contributed to rupture (via InsideClimate News)

EMISSIONS 

US, China agree to work on phasing out hydrofluorocarbons (via Washington Post)

Abbott government begins process to repeal carbon tax (via ABC)

Regulatory scholars want feds to review carbon cost estimate (via The Hill)

EPA to hold conference calls with stakeholders on carbon standards for power plants (via Bloomberg BNA)

Trees write air pollution record in wood (via Scientific American)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Shaheen-Portman bill: 172,000 green jobs, huge energy efficiency gains (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

Chinese solar cheaper to manufacture because of industry scale, not cheaper labor (via CleanTechnica)

Australian renewable energy industry braces for Abbott (via Recharge)

UK urged to back EU biofuels cap (via The Guardian)

Finland looks to ease wind permitting in developed areas (via Recharge)

Dutch set 4.4GW offshore wind goal (via Recharge)

China idles fewer wind farms as grid connections smoothed (via Bloomberg)

US solar will generate as much as today’s nuclear plants, or 20% of US power, by 2026 (via Facts of the Day)

Pilot program launched to make solar more economical for electric cooperatives (via Renew Grid)

Could US solar demand bring PV manufacturing back? (via Solar Industry Magazine)

US Navy triples funding for clean energy in Hawaii (via CleanTechnica)

Renewable energy entrepreneur is China’s latest billionaire (via Forbes)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

House to take aim at fracking regulations (via The Hill)

US Forest Service set to decide on fracking in George Washington National Forest (via Washington Post)

FracFocus straining under heavy use as BLM weighs disclosure regulation (via EnergyWire)

CLIMATE 

Arab Summer: Warming-fueled drought helped spark Syria’s civil war (via Climate Progress)

Poland outlines ambition for 2013 UN climate summit (via RTCC)

Scientists studying solar radiation management as a way to cool planet (via Washington Post)

Ice melting faster in Greenland and Antarctica, show leaked UN documents (via Bloomberg)

Bloomberg, Steyer to launch big climate push (via The Hill)

Drones find new purpose studying Arctic ice melt (via Climate Central)

ENERGY POLICY 

China looks west as it bolsters energy ties (via New York Times)

Surprising trends in summer energy use across US (via Inhabitat)

GREEN BUSINESS 

FIFA sets green goal for 2014 Brazil World Cup (via BusinessGreen)

AASHE updates college sustainability rating system (via Environmental Leader)

Executives want sustainable products, but will they walk the talk? (via GreenBiz)

Seeking investments that are profitable and green (via New York Times)

NUCLEAR 

South Korea nuclear issues, tower protests raise blackout risks (via Reuters)

Radiation levels spike at Fukushima disaster site (via CleanTechnica)

Study supports nuclear waste disposal near Great Lakes (via Midwest Energy News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla worries about battery supply as it increases vehicle production (via New York Times)

Is $35,000 or less the threshold price for volume EVs? (via Green Car Reports)

US gasoline rises to $3.58 a gallon (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

X Prize unveils $2 million award to prevent ocean acidification (via USA Today)

Rim Fire is third-largest wildfire in California’s history (via NPR)

In South Florida, a polluted water bubble ready to burst (via New York Times)

OPINION 

3 big takeaways from the new global commitment to phase down HFCs (via WRI Insights)

The president and the pipeline (via New Yorker)

Net metering polices helping to spur solar growth (via Huffington Post)

How big business can save the climate (via Council on Foreign Relations)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.6.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Europe offers US a deal, hoping for global rules on airline emissions (via New York Times)

Carbon prices rise to 5-month high as EU crimps free-permit handout (via Bloomberg)

Coalition’s plans to remove Australian carbon price will cost more than $6 billion (via The Guardian)

A new divestment focus: Fossil fuels (via New York Times)

COAL 

China may get over its addition to coal sooner than anyone thought (via Quartz)

Coal, hit hard by natural gas, could see further US market erosion from regulations (via ClimateWire)

RENEWABLES 

Geothermal power will hit 12GW worldwide by end of 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

Deutsche Bank says solar is approaching grid parity (via Breaking Energy)

Chile adopts 20% renewables by 2025 target (via Recharge)

Biggest geothermal plant of its kind kicks into gear in New Zealand (via EarthTechling)

Renewables account for nearly 50% of US added capacity in 2012 (via Transmission & Distribution World)

White House reviewing 2014 biofuel targets (via Reuters)

Wildlife groups, wind industry meet on eagle permit rule (via The Hill)

A $1.6 million win in America’s second offshore wind lease auction (via CleanTechnica)

Studies suggest combining renewables can fully cover energy needs by 2030 (via Energy Collective)

Is solar about to get squeezed or saved in California? (via Greentech Solar)

In unlikely alliance, Wisconsin Libertarians back solar plan (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

US oil production reaches highest level in 24 years (via Houston Chronicle)

Is there another big US shale oil play? (via Breaking Energy)

Analyst says rail will be a lasting competitor against oil pipelines (via Houston Chronicle)

Drilling permit applications soar in Texas (via Houston Chronicle)

EPA fines Shell $1.1 million for Arctic air pollution during drilling (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

India will announce plans to cut fuel consumption (via Reuters)

Who’s all excited about quick EV charging? That’d be the US military (via Green Car Reports)

San Francisco, Los Angeles account for 35% of US EV sales (via Huffington Post)

Like Tesla, Nissan making money selling ZEC credits (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS 

Exxon: Natural gas will soon overtake coal in global energy use (via Houston Chronicle)

US natgas via Panama frightens LNG exporters worldwide (via Reuters)

Study says new shale gas development boom unlikely in Michigan (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

EU says clock ticking on 2015 climate talks deal (via Phys.org)

Acidifying oceans add to list of CO2 dangers (via Reuters)

Caribbean faces water shortages from climate change (via Time)

Study links global warming to 2012 wild weather (via AP)

Risk of Sandy-level flood in New York City has doubled since 1950 (via Climate Central)

TAR SANDS 

Canada spent $120 million on research for Enbridge pipeline (via CBC News)

Enbridge moves ahead with Michigan river cleanup (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

First Keystone pipeline pumped little money into local economy (via Lincoln Journal-Start)

GRID 

German energy storage plan could trigger new market boom (via Renew Economy)

Is the smart meter market slowing down or just relocating? (via Renew Grid)

Why energy storage is cost-effective and in need of a clear market signal (via TriplePundit)

NUCLEAR

Nuclear trash men gain from record US reactor shutdowns (via Bloomberg)

Vermont Yankee nuclear plant closure in 2014 will challenge New England energy markets (via US EIA)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Expect to see deep energy retrofits for federal buildings (via GreenBiz)

Survey: Building automation and data analytics are top efficiency priorities (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Significant gap exists between firms’ sustainability talk, actions (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

How climate change became the “killing fields” of Australian politics (via Mother Jones)

Obama trying to escape political fallout from natural gas fracking proposals (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.5.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Four nations ask EU to consider more flexible CO2 market (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Australia emissions could rise 9% if Tony Abbott is elected (via RTCC)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU agrees on deal to pare back CO2 curbs on aviation (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Trans-Pacific flights create most amount of ozone (via Phys.org)

Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf both set new monthly sales records (via Autoblog Green)

DOE pumps $33 million into EV batteries and other green car tech (via CleanTechnica)

ARPA-E takes innovative approach to EV batteries (via Energy.gov)

RENEWABLES 

Renewables generated 14% of America’s electricity in first half of 2013 (via EarthTechling)

US adds 976MW new solar PV capacity in 2Q as California sets record (via CleanTechnica)

Higher wind generation in Southwest Power Pool reducing use of baseload capacity (via US EIA)

Interior Department touts offshore wind auction results, promises more (via The Hill)

Report: Ohio renewable energy law cuts costs, emissions (via Midwest Energy News)

Las Vegas welcome sign to go solar by January 1 (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Scientists call for overhaul of UN “blockbuster” climate reports (via The Guardian)

Climate change reframed: China, World Bank prioritize pollution (via Sustainable Business)

What’s motivating sport fishermen to become climate advocates? (via Climate Progress)

Heartland Institute behind latest climate change denier campaign (via Climate Progress)

OIL 

Oil’s dwindling role in Middle East affairs (via Christian Science Monitor)

America’s oil boom won’t make it energy-independent from Middle East madness (via Time)

Hawaiian utility to deactivate Honolulu oil-fired power plant (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

20-story Vienna office building is first passive high rise (via EarthTechling)

US home energy management systems market to pass $4 billion by 2017 (via Greentech Media)

43% of energy leaders will invest more in efficiency next year (via Data Center Journal)

NYSERDA completes 50,000 home energy efficiency projects (via Breaking Energy)

COAL 

Nordic countries join US push against coal plant financing (via The Hill)

Demand cools as fight rages over coal-export terminals (via Seattle Times)

GRID 

Greenpeace launches solar-powered microgrid in India (via India Blooms)

Smart meters are getting smarter at distributing electricity (via Houston Chronicle)

California sets terms of 1.3GW energy storage mandate (via Greentech Media)

The perils of electricity capacity markets (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking fights spread to Europe (via Grist)

POLITICS 

Australia’s federal election just couldn’t face up to climate change (via The Guardian)

EPA, DOE chiefs to appear at House climate hearing (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Why Obama just named Sweden as a model for energy policy (via Climate Progress)

Barack Obama should practice what he preaches on climate change (via The Guardian)

Budget gridlock risks international climate and renewable investments (via Center for American Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.5.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Four nations ask EU to consider more flexible CO2 market (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Australia emissions could rise 9% if Tony Abbott is elected (via RTCC)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU agrees on deal to pare back CO2 curbs on aviation (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Trans-Pacific flights create most amount of ozone (via Phys.org)

Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf both set new monthly sales records (via Autoblog Green)

DOE pumps $33 million into EV batteries and other green car tech (via CleanTechnica)

ARPA-E takes innovative approach to EV batteries (via Energy.gov)

RENEWABLES 

Renewables generated 14% of America’s electricity in first half of 2013 (via EarthTechling)

US adds 976MW new solar PV capacity in 2Q as California sets record (via CleanTechnica)

Higher wind generation in Southwest Power Pool reducing use of baseload capacity (via US EIA)

Interior Department touts offshore wind auction results, promises more (via The Hill)

Report: Ohio renewable energy law cuts costs, emissions (via Midwest Energy News)

Las Vegas welcome sign to go solar by January 1 (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Scientists call for overhaul of UN “blockbuster” climate reports (via The Guardian)

Climate change reframed: China, World Bank prioritize pollution (via Sustainable Business)

What’s motivating sport fishermen to become climate advocates? (via Climate Progress)

Heartland Institute behind latest climate change denier campaign (via Climate Progress)

OIL 

Oil’s dwindling role in Middle East affairs (via Christian Science Monitor)

America’s oil boom won’t make it energy-independent from Middle East madness (via Time)

Hawaiian utility to deactivate Honolulu oil-fired power plant (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

20-story Vienna office building is first passive high rise (via EarthTechling)

US home energy management systems market to pass $4 billion by 2017 (via Greentech Media)

43% of energy leaders will invest more in efficiency next year (via Data Center Journal)

NYSERDA completes 50,000 home energy efficiency projects (via Breaking Energy)

COAL 

Nordic countries join US push against coal plant financing (via The Hill)

Demand cools as fight rages over coal-export terminals (via Seattle Times)

GRID 

Greenpeace launches solar-powered microgrid in India (via India Blooms)

Smart meters are getting smarter at distributing electricity (via Houston Chronicle)

California sets terms of 1.3GW energy storage mandate (via Greentech Media)

The perils of electricity capacity markets (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking fights spread to Europe (via Grist)

POLITICS 

Australia’s federal election just couldn’t face up to climate change (via The Guardian)

EPA, DOE chiefs to appear at House climate hearing (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Why Obama just named Sweden as a model for energy policy (via Climate Progress)

Barack Obama should practice what he preaches on climate change (via The Guardian)

Budget gridlock risks international climate and renewable investments (via Center for American Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.4.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Thoughts on carbon capture and storage from the EU (via Energy Collective)

Beijing fires up new air pollution regulations (via BusinessGreen)

Black soot forced early retreat of Alpine glaciers in 1800s (via Los Angeles Times)

Why did prices crash at California’s carbon auction? (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

Pressure mounts on EU development bank to kill coal funding (via RTCC)

The untold story of western ranchers and their battle against coal (via Climate Progress)

Illinois towns pay a higher price for coal power (via Chicago Tribune)

CLIMATE 

Wildfires and climate change (via New York Times)

Federal payouts of climate-related crop losses top $17.3 billion (via Sustainable Business)

“Heat days” in schools becoming more common (via Huffington Post/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Renewable energy could save Germany €54 billion by 2030 (via Recharge)

Ethiopia adds 13,200 off-grid solar systems since December 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

Wind power makes hydrogen fuel on German gas grid (via EarthTechling)

The Middle East turns to solar energy (via Forbes)

Saudi Arabia, UAE lead race to deploy solar projects (via Arab News)

US leads as wind industry spends $430 million on patent protection (via Renewable Energy World)

Legislation enabling renewable energy use of master limited partnerships stalls (via Bloomberg)

Biofuels “will meet RFS mandates through 2016” (via Environmental Leader)

Deutsche Bank says US solar boom to reach 50GW by 2016 (via Renew Economy)

Solar companies and utilities clash over net metering changes (via ClimateWire)

NUCLEAR 

Errors cast doubt on Japan’s cleanup of Fukushima site (via New York Times)

Japan’s Abe says Fukushima will be resolved before 2020 Olympics (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Power outage takes out 70% of Venezuela (via Christian Science Monitor)

Wind power generation growing, but transmission capacity lags (via The Oklahoman)

ComEd commences rollout of 4 million smart meters (via Renew Grid)

OIL 

Bakken blitz sets up battle between oil producers, shippers (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

UN struggling to avert carbon trade war over aviation deal (via Reuters)

Beijing plans to slash number of cars to cut smog levels (via RTCC)

US government reinstates ATVM loan program (via CleanTechnica)

App launches for EV drivers to rate charging stations (via Green Car Reports)

TAR SANDS 

Enbridge crude oil pipeline across Minnesota faces fresh opposition (via Star-Tribune)

Final destination for Detroit’s pet coke pile a secret (via Columbus Dispatch)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Dallas goes big with energy efficiency (via EarthTechling)

ENVIRONMENT 

Parts of Amazon on verge of forest-to-grassland shift (via Phys.org)

OPINION 

China’s renewable push depressing, in context (via EarthTechling)

Wildfires pose a major threat to our clean water (via Climate Progress)

AB 327: The dark side for California solar (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.4.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Thoughts on carbon capture and storage from the EU (via Energy Collective)

Beijing fires up new air pollution regulations (via BusinessGreen)

Black soot forced early retreat of Alpine glaciers in 1800s (via Los Angeles Times)

Why did prices crash at California’s carbon auction? (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

Pressure mounts on EU development bank to kill coal funding (via RTCC)

The untold story of western ranchers and their battle against coal (via Climate Progress)

Illinois towns pay a higher price for coal power (via Chicago Tribune)

CLIMATE 

Wildfires and climate change (via New York Times)

Federal payouts of climate-related crop losses top $17.3 billion (via Sustainable Business)

“Heat days” in schools becoming more common (via Huffington Post/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Renewable energy could save Germany €54 billion by 2030 (via Recharge)

Ethiopia adds 13,200 off-grid solar systems since December 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

Wind power makes hydrogen fuel on German gas grid (via EarthTechling)

The Middle East turns to solar energy (via Forbes)

Saudi Arabia, UAE lead race to deploy solar projects (via Arab News)

US leads as wind industry spends $430 million on patent protection (via Renewable Energy World)

Legislation enabling renewable energy use of master limited partnerships stalls (via Bloomberg)

Biofuels “will meet RFS mandates through 2016” (via Environmental Leader)

Deutsche Bank says US solar boom to reach 50GW by 2016 (via Renew Economy)

Solar companies and utilities clash over net metering changes (via ClimateWire)

NUCLEAR 

Errors cast doubt on Japan’s cleanup of Fukushima site (via New York Times)

Japan’s Abe says Fukushima will be resolved before 2020 Olympics (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Power outage takes out 70% of Venezuela (via Christian Science Monitor)

Wind power generation growing, but transmission capacity lags (via The Oklahoman)

ComEd commences rollout of 4 million smart meters (via Renew Grid)

OIL 

Bakken blitz sets up battle between oil producers, shippers (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

UN struggling to avert carbon trade war over aviation deal (via Reuters)

Beijing plans to slash number of cars to cut smog levels (via RTCC)

US government reinstates ATVM loan program (via CleanTechnica)

App launches for EV drivers to rate charging stations (via Green Car Reports)

TAR SANDS 

Enbridge crude oil pipeline across Minnesota faces fresh opposition (via Star-Tribune)

Final destination for Detroit’s pet coke pile a secret (via Columbus Dispatch)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Dallas goes big with energy efficiency (via EarthTechling)

ENVIRONMENT 

Parts of Amazon on verge of forest-to-grassland shift (via Phys.org)

OPINION 

China’s renewable push depressing, in context (via EarthTechling)

Wildfires pose a major threat to our clean water (via Climate Progress)

AB 327: The dark side for California solar (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.29.13

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

COAL 

Mercury fingerprint of Pacific fish points to Asian coal plants (via Los Angeles Times)

A war on coal, or just a different playing field? (via Breaking Energy)

CLIMATE 

Oceans storing Earth’s excess heat in leaked UN report (via Bloomberg)

Wildfires projected to worsen with climate change (via Phys.org)

La Nina-like conditions behind gentler global warming, study finds (via Washington Post)

Obama to name top climate-change regulator (via National Journal)

ENERGY POLICY 

China to add 1,500GW of power capacity by 2030 (via Phys.org)

Germany solar pushing fossil fuel plants to close (via EarthTechling)

On fracking rules, it’s states versus feds (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

EU-China solar deal highlights tough climate for green jobs (via Washington Post)

Wind energy taking flight in Europe and beyond (via Christian Science Monitor)

Growth seen picking up in Germany’s wind power sector (via Reuters)

Biomass power generation will reach $11.5 billion in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Cheap corn deters buyers in US sugar-for-ethanol plan (via Bloomberg)

Solar micro-inverter shipments to reach 2.1GW in 2017 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

DOE releases new clean energy finance guide (via Energy.gov)

Western states are going to become green energy powerhouses (via Mother Jones)

Solar industry establishes net metering principles (via Greentech Media)

Solar Exchange launching online solar marketplace (via Solar Industry Magazine)

“Solar gardens” put clean energy within reach of low-income families (via Climate Progress)

Ohioans promise to buy offshore wind from Lake Erie turbines (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

Ontario government backs new smart grid laboratory (via Renew Grid)

Wildfires blamed for massive blackout in northeastern Brazil (via Reuters)

Smart, flexible energy can help communities weather future storms (via GreenBiz)

DOE and New Jersey developing first US transit system microgrid (via CleanTechnica)

TRANSPORTATION 

100 times more EV fast chargers by 2020? (via Green Car Reports)

Toyota broadly outlines next-generation Prius (via Green Car Congress)

Chevy helps install EV chargers in California state parks (via Autoblog Green)

US extending vehicle-to-grid pilot program in Michigan (via Green Car Congress)

OIL 

Feds net $102.4 million in Gulf lease sale (via Houston Chronicle)

BP steers clear of Interior’s latest offshore drilling lease sale (via The Hill)

Judge rejects BP’s latest request to halt oil spill payments (via Houston Chronicle)

Coalition asks Gov. Brown to halt fracking in California (via Los Angeles Times)

EMISSIONS 

The world’s biggest importers and exporters of carbon pollution (via Renew Economy)

EU narrows down carbon market overhaul options (via Bloomberg)

Inside China’s emissions trading scheme: First steps and the road ahead (via WRI Insights)

RGGI provides almost $500 million to New York for cleaner air (via Albany Times-Union)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima keeps leaking, Japan keeps issuing confusing explanations (via Grist)

Nuclear plant closures at all-time high (via Environmental Leader)

Report: Nuclear received four times more subsides than solar in California (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Top 10 smart building myths (via Energy Manager Today)

DOE may be inflating the cost of efficiency standards tenfold (via Greentech Media)

Designing more energy-efficient suburbs (via Midwest Energy News)

Hyatt invests over $37 million in more than 200 energy efficiency projects (via TriplePundit)

Is California breaking the dam that restricts energy efficiency financing? (via Energy Manager Today)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Poland starts shale gas extraction (via Phys.org)

Proposed US LNG exports would exceed 25% of today’s domestic consumption (via Forbes)

Study documents Kentucky fish kill from fracking fluid spill (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

Nearly half of all western wildfire costs go to California (via Climate Central)

Fertilizer spread research aims to boost crop yields (via Phys.org)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL seen as no local job starter along prairie route (via Bloomberg)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Boosting sustainability policy in Russia (via Phys.org)

Should climate risks be included in sustainability reports? (via TriplePundit)

POLITICS 

For Louisiana’s senators, one lease sale and two interpretations (via The Hill)

Sen. Begich’s campaign says he opposes carbon tax (via The Hill)

OPINION 

In solar trade dispute’s wake, what’s next for EU markets? (via Greentech Media)

Why big, intense wildfires are the new normal (via National Geographic)

Fracking contracts can leave landowners high and dry (via Washington Post)

Why EVs are the smart grid’s killer app (via GreenBiz)

Five things automakers should do to make EVs mainstream (via Plugin cars)