Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.19.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
EMISSIONS
EU and China launch joint scheme to tackle emissions (via RTCC)
China finance minister backs carbon tax (via RTCC)
Conservatives attack each other over carbon tax plans (via ClimateWire)
COAL
Asia’s coal use grows despite gas challenge (via Wall Street Journal)
Ex-Im Bank rejects financing for Vietnam coal plant, citing global warming (via Washington Post/AP)
RENEWABLES
China’s solar feud with West leads to tax (via New York Times)
Chilly offshore wind lurks for Europe (via EarthTechling)
Solar energy storage about to take off in Germany and California (via Forbes)
US renewable energy use soared in 2012 – report (via RTCC)
Federal credit: Government financing for clean energy (via Center for American Progress)
State renewable energy mandates find improbable backers – farmers (via Wall Street Journal)
White House steps up biofuel support amid escalating attacks (via The Hill)
Ethanol RIN credits have climbed 2,000% this year, but where do they go now? (via Autoblog Green)
Biodiesel can solve the ethanol debate, say supporters (via Houston Chronicle)
Is a 50% efficient solar cell on the horizon? (via GigaOm)
Plugging into military solar (via Renewable Energy World)
First community solar projects launched in Minnesota (via Star-Tribune)
CLIMATE
Snow and Arctic sea ice extent plummet suddenly as globe bakes (via Washington Post)
Sensitive information: A peek inside the next IPCC assessment (via The Economist)
Record June heat extends globe’s streak to 340 months (via Climate Central)
EU pledges to support China’s climate effort (via BusinessGreen)
“Drunken” weather pattern leads to deadly heat (via Climate Central)
New EPA chief McCarthy will take on sweeping climate agenda (via Politico)
More states requiring insurers to complete climate risk survey (via Environmental Leader)
KEYSTONE XL
TransCanada exec: Keystone pipeline date may slide again (via The Hill)
Keystone risk worries US oil sands investors (via Houston Chronicle)
TransCanada rebuffs EPA call to run Keystone pumps with renewables (via Bloomberg)
Zichal: Obama “raised the bar” on Keystone’s climate impacts (via Politico)
ENERGY POLICY
Britain plans tax breaks for shale gas investment (via Reuters)
Mexico’s conservatives propose “deep” energy reform, concessions (via Reuters)
US oil and gas boom is straining the country’s infrastructure (via Washington Post)
Utility customer satisfaction is way up in the US (via Renew Grid)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Renters can help US save energy (via C2ES)
California is proof that energy efficiency works (via Greentech Media)
Upgraded EPA Energy Star Portfolio Manager offers lifecycle feature (via Energy Manager Today)
GRID
Europe’s smart meter race hitting its stride (via Greentech Media)
Short-term real-time power prices reflect system strain during Northeast heat wave (via US EIA)
OIL
Is Arctic oil exploration dead in the US? (via EnergyWire)
US approval of Enbridge pipeline plan irks some oil shippers (via Reuters)
TRANSPORTATION
Los Angeles extends rebates for electric car chargers (via Plugin Cars)
It’s official: General Motors now sees Tesla as a threat (via Green Car Reports)
Chrysler tests EV technology to shave peak power on grid (via Energy Manager Today)
GM to test utility-controlled solar charging for electric cars (via Green Car Reports)
ENVIRONMENT
Largest lake in Middle East region may dry up (via Bloomberg)
Texas drought forecast to continue, perhaps for years (via StateImpact Texas)
POLITICS
Senate confirms Gina McCarthy as EPA administrator (via Washington Post)
Lawmakers concerned new carbon metric developed in secret (via The Hill)
Murkowski says Keystone amendment won’t kill efficiency bill (via The Hill)
Building bipartisan collaboration on energy competition? (via Energy Collective)
Insurance industry, Republicans split on climate change (via Bloomberg)
OPINION
Poll finds broad public support for Obama climate plan (via Houston Chronicle)
Oil industry should blame itself for federal fracking rules (via Forbes)
Morality is missing from debate about sustainable behavior (via The Guardian)
It’s hot as hell and the grid’s not gonna take it anymore (via Greentech Media)
Stuff white people like: denying climate change (via Grist)
Is renewable energy just “Hamburger Helper?” (via Forbes)