Category Archives:environment

30
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.30.13

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

CLIMATE 

US-Japanese climate-tracking satellite to launch in February (via The Hill)

Climate change debate ready to heat up (via The Hill)

The dark money in climate change (via Washington Post)

COAL 

UK won’t challenge EU environmental regulations on coal power plants (via Reuters)

Seeking cleaner alternatives, lenders pass on coal (via Navigant Research)

RENEWABLES 

Solar may reach 49 gigawatts in 2014 (via Renewable Energy World)

Could Congress kill ethanol mandate altogether in 2014? (via Green Car Reports)

Solar power poised for a huge year in 2014 (via EarthTechling)

In the age of solar securitization, is it time for third-party assurance? (via Greentech Media)

West Texas wind will soon light up East Texas region (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

China’s air pollution could reach US (via The Hill)

Lawmakers act to raise European carbon price (via Triple Pundit)

China launches fifth carbon trading zone (via RTCC)

Obamacare overshadows cap and trade (via Politico)

OIL 

In midst of record oil boom, Obama administration seeks more production (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla leads way as EV sales double in 2013 (via Seattle Times/New York Times)

Electric vehicles may hold solution for power storage (via Los Angeles Times)

Winter cold shows value of plug-in vehicles as emergency generators (via Navigant Research)

ENVIRONMENT 

Natural defenses best protect coastlines, says study (via Climate Central)

California could experience “historic” drought in 2014 (via Al-Jazeera America)

KEYSTONE XL 

Environmentalists face day of reckoning on Keystone pipeline (via National Journal)

Keystone XL foes want focus on spill clean up (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Executive perspectives: The most important trends in energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS 

Vaclav Smil’s graph of the year: The natural gas boom (via Washington Post)

GRID 

Puerto Rico mandates energy storage in green power mix (via Energy Collective)

California ISO publishes roadmap for integrating EVs into grid (via Green Car Congress)

NUCLEAR 

South Korea may need five more nuclear plants for 2025-2035 (via Reuters)

Posted:   |   Categories: Cal-ISO, california, California ISO, cap and trade, Carbon market, carbon trading, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, CREZ, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, ethanol, EU, europe, European Union, ev, fracking, grid, japan, Keystone XL, natural gas, News, nuclear, oil, Puerto Rico, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, Sea level rise, Shale oil, solar, South Korea, Tesla, texas, Third party solar, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wind
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26
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.26.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Tianjin launches China’s latest carbon market (via Reuters)

OIL 

US crude oil production on track to surpass imports for first time since 1995 (via US EIA)

Judge deals a blow to BP’s effort to dodge Deepwater Horizon payments (via Climate Progress)

First US oil shale mine is coming to Utah (via Grist)

ENVIRONMENT 

China struggling to meet 2011-2015 environment goals (via Reuters)

Interior Secretary rejects “Road to Nowhere” though Alaska wilderness area (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

NPD Solarbuzz predicts 49GW global solar PV demand for 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Solar energy payback time (via CleanTechnica)

Wind power developers race clock to secure PTC subsidy (via New York Times)

Wind farm eagle deaths overestimated, says company (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

New York Green Bank gets $210 million in start-up funding (via CleanTechnica)

Los Angeles moving ahead with plans for 2GW Owens Valley solar plant (via Los Angeles Times)

COAL 

Coal in their stockings – US coal plants closing at record pace (via Politico)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

State energy efficiency scorecard released – how did yours fare in 2013? (via Triple Pundit)

Energy efficiency, facilities management jobs growing (via Energy Manager Today)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla shares zoom on renewed NHTSA safety rating (via San Jose Mercury News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Report: EPA followed rules in North Texas fracking case (via Texas Tribune)

EPA report on fracking in Texas raises new concerns (via Los Angeles Times)

Wyoming may act to plug abandoned wells as natural gas boom ends (via New York Times)

OPINION 

India: A solar market you cannot afford to ignore (via Renewable Energy World)

Michael Bloomberg: Big brother or pioneer? (via Room for Debate)

Posted:   |   Categories: alaska, BP, Carbon market, China, coal, deepwater horizon, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, fracking, Green bank, india, los angeles, Michael Bloomberg, natural gas, new york state, News, NHTSA, oil, oil shale, oil spill, production tax credit, ptc, renewables, Sally Jewell, solar, solar pv, Tesla, texas, Tianjin, Transportation, utah, wind, wyoming
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16
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.16.13

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

COAL 

IEA predicts global coal use to keep growing through 2018 (via New York Times)

IEA calls for “radical” action to curb coal emissions (via National Journal)

Coal’s grim forecast: Projects may be “stranded” by falling Chinese demand (via The Guardian)

US Ex-Im Bank joins Treasure in cutting coal plant funding (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

45 million US households could switch to an electric vehicle (via CleanTechnica)

Seven ways to attract and use climate finance for transport (via WRI Insights)

Cars in the US are more fuel-efficient than ever – here’s how it happened (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil energy auction sells 2.3 gigawatts of wind power projects (via Bloomberg)

UK “may fall short” of 10GW offshore wind goal (via Recharge)

France reviews green energy subsidies as it moves away from nuclear (via Bloomberg)

Solar panels seen as boost to homes’ resale value (via San Francisco Chronicle)

RFS in limelight, but cellulosics hope to steal the show (via Environmental Leader)

California adding 8,000 megawatts of wind and solar (via Facts of the Day)

Computer program for reducing the cost of offshore wind energy (via Phys.org)

EMISSIONS 

New Zealand carbon emissions set to rise 38% by 2030 (via International Business Times)

Microsoft releases carbon fee playbook for companies (via Environmental Leader)

Fifteen states press Obama for tough, flexible EPA rules (via Bloomberg)

New Jersey State Senate takes on Chris Christie over carbon emissions program (via Climate Progress)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Trains from North Dakota will now carry more crude oil than Keystone XL would (via Climate Central)

Keystone XL loses support from US customer to train transport (via Reuters)

Oil train traffic forces Amtrak cancellations in Midwest (via Inforum)

CLIMATE 

Poorer countries play catch-up on climate adjustments (via Wall Street Journal)

Could cutting down some trees help cool the planet? (via Washington Post)

OIL 

Is it time for the US to start exporting more crude oil? (via National Journal)

ENVIRONMENT 

Earth, wind, and fire: The extreme weather of 2013 (via Time)

Is the West’s dry spell really a mega-drought? (via Climate Central)

FRACKING 

Minnesota to issue draft frack sand mining guidelines (via Winona Daily News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Minneapolis requires large commercial buildings to report energy use starting 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)

GRID 

DOE outlines the patch forward for energy storage (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Clean tech in 2014: Reasons to be optimistic for wind, solar (via Christian Science Monitor)

My story of carbon footprint calculation (via CleanTechnica)

Podesta: Climate game changer (via The Hill)

Should Congress extend renewable energy tax credits? (via National Journal)

Predictions of a coming carbon asset bubble overstated (via Houston Chronicle)

Posted:   |   Categories: biofuels, Brazil, california, Carbon bubble, carbon footprint, Cellulosic biofuel, China, Chris Christie, climate, coal, deforestation, DOE, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ev, Extreme weather, fracking, France, fuel-efficiency, grid, International Energy Agency, John Podesta, Keystone XL, Microsoft, Minneapolis, minnesota, new jersey, new zealand, News, north dakota, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, production tax credit, ptc, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, rggi, solar, Subsidies, tar sands, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, US Export-Import Bank, wind
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10
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.10.13

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

COAL 

Chinese coal use to hit 4.8 billion metric tons annually by 2020 (via The Diplomat)

Australia approves dredging near Great Barrier Reef for coal port (via Reuters)

US pressured to block proposed coal plant in Pakistan (via ClimateWire)

Updated study highlights eroding economics of US coal fleet (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

CLIMATE 

The Montreal Protocol, a little treaty that could (via New York Times)

China outlines climate change adaptation plans (via RTCC)

Local leaders planning for climate effects (via AP)

Four cities show leadership in adapting to local climate impacts (via WRI Insights)

RENEWABLES 

China switches solar PV focus from utility-scale to rooftop market (via Renew Economy)

EU uncertainty threatens biofuel output target (via Bloomberg)

EU study finds renewables most popular energy option among citizens (via Renewables International)

Posted:   |   Categories: australia, biofuel, BP, canada, cap and trade, carbon markets, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, deforestation, emissions, energy storage, environment, EPA, EU, EU ETS, European Union, Exxon, FERC, Fuel Cells, Great Barrier Reef, Gulf of Mexico, Iowa, John Podesta, Keystone XL, LNG, Montreal Protocol, natural gas, new york, News, offshore drilling, oil, oil spill, pakistan, pennsylvania, Pipeline, production tax credit, ptc, Quebec, regional greenhouse gas initiative, renewables, rggi, solar, solar pv, Spain, tar sands, texas, uk, united kingdom, wind
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05
Dec

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.5.13

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

ENERGY POLICY

White House claims progress with China on climate, energy (via National Journal)

Feds to get earful on Renewable Fuels Standard today (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS

Australia’s carbon fund a windfall for big polluters – analysis (via Reuters)

Large companies prepared to pay price on carbon (via New York Times)

“You are here” – Perspective on 400ppm atmospheric CO2 (via Significant Figures)

RENEWABLES

Latin America report: Gauging Mexico’s wind energy market (via Renewable Energy World)

Soft costs, not hardware costs, now dominate solar installations (via Greentech Media)

Obama orders federal government to boost renewable energy use to 20% by 2020 (via AP)

15,000 new green jobs announced across America in 3Q 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

EPA fuel mandate imperils biofuel industry, producers warn (via The Hill)

Another battle looms in the endless ethanol war (via National Journal)

ALEC calls for penalties on “freerider” homeowners in solar energy assault (via The Guardian)

California regulators may challenge utilities for blocking hybrid solar-storage systems (via Greentech Media)

Texas has been biggest earner from federal wind tax credit, finds study (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE

UN’s new climate fund opens, but without enough cash (via Climate Progress)

What surprises could climate change have in store for us? (via Washington Post)

Australia’s $10 billion climate fund fights to stay in business (via Bloomberg)

Pennsylvania’s DEP secretary nominee does not view climate change as harmful (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

OIL

Surge in petroleum exports narrows US trade gap (via National Journal)

America’s energy boom has been great for trade. Jobs, not so much. (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION

Will Congress drive up gas taxes in 2014? (via Forbes)

US auto fuel efficiency up 23% since 2007 (via Facts of the Day)

Are electric car sales in a long-term holding pattern? (via Plugin Cars)

Can the government tax each mile you drive? (via National Journal)

EVs lose value faster than traditional new vehicles (via Autoblog Green)

Chevy Spark EV tops EPA fuel economy guide (via Environmental Leader)

California bullet train project handed another setback (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID

Smart grid investment to hit $275 billion in emerging markets by 2023 (via Renew Grid)

Report: Power plant retirements in New England may create problems (via New Haven Register)

TAR SANDS

Leaked document shows oil sands industry’s worst-case scenario has come to life (via InsideClimate News)

The deadly secret behind the Lac-Megantic oil train inferno (via Globe and Mail)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

US Agriculture Department offers $250 million in rural efficiency loans (via The Hill)

How energy retrofits can reduce the cost of healthcare (via RMI Outlet)

Not your grandfather’s streetlights: LEDs light the way to energy savings (via GreenBiz)

Future grows dimmer for classic light bulb (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT

Clogged carbon sink: US public lands are source of 4.5x more carbon than they can absorb (via Center for American Progress)

Chevron and ALEC take on the big, bad Lesser Prairie Chicken (via Huffington Post)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Colorado cities sued for fracking bans by oil and gas group (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS

Sutley’s exit prompts questions about fate of CEQ, climate push (via Greenwire)

Ohio lawmaker vows battle over renewables and energy efficiency laws won’t stop (via Cleveland Plain Dealer)

OPINION

Is a carbon tax the sensible alternative to subsidies? (via Energy Collective)

ALEC stands its ground (via Washington Post)

How Ivy League universities are failing us on climate change (via The Nation)

Why are CEOs struggling to prove sustainability value to investors? (via GreenBiz)

Posted:   |   Categories: 400ppm, ALEC, australia, biofuels, california, Carbon pricing, Carbon sink, carbon tax, Chevron, Chevy Spark EV, China, climate, Climate Change, colorado, Department of Agriculture, Divestment, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, ethanol, EVs, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, fuel-efficiency, Gas tax, Green Climate Fund, green jobs, grid, high speed rail, LED, mexico, Nancy Sutley, natural gas, News, Ohio, oil, Oil exports, oil spill, pennsylvania, production tax credit, ptc, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, smart grid, solar, tar sands, texas, Transportation, wind
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27
Nov

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.27.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China’s Guandong carbon market, world’s 2nd largest, to start in December (via Reuters)

 Mexico launches its first carbon exchange to cut CO2 emissions (via Reuters)

KEYSTONE XL 

Report: Keystone XL benefits a “mirage” for oil sands investors (via Business Green)

Keystone pipeline saga still has several more chapters (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

Germany will set a cap on renewable energy expansion (via Recharge)

Wind energy tax credit is truly up in the air (via National Journal)

Western US dominates October’s big solar deployments (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Algae-based advanced biofuels trickling into US market (via Breaking Energy)

Bill preserves renewable energy targets for Ohio utilities (via Bloomberg)

World’s largest landfill will soon be NYC’s biggest solar plant (via Climate Progress)

CLIMATE 

Global warming “slowdowns” will be frequent, say UK scientists (via RTCC)

How high will sea levels rise? Let’s ask the experts (via Washington Post)

World Bank studies how nations can save for weather disasters (via New York Times)

FOSSIL FUEL 

Poland looks to link with UK to protect shale gas market (via Business Green)

Argentina looks to jump-start oil shale drilling with Repsol deal (via Reuters)

GE signs $700 million natural gas turbine supply deal with Saudi Arabia (via Reuters)

Coal leads America’s growing energy use (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

Inside China’s desperate effort to control pollution – before it’s too late (via Climate Progress)

Least active Atlantic hurricane season in 30 years (via Climate Central)

POLITICS 

Bloomberg weighs involvement in 2014 climate battles (via The Hill)

Posted:   |   Categories: Advanced biofuels, Argentina, biofuels, Carbon market, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, emissions, environment, Extreme weather, fracking, germany, hurricanes, Keystone XL, mexico, Michael Bloomberg, natural gas, News, Ohio, Poland, production tax credit, renewables, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, Shale gas, Shale oil, solar, tar sands, uk, united kingdom, wind
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27
Nov

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.27.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China’s Guandong carbon market, world’s 2nd largest, to start in December (via Reuters)

 Mexico launches its first carbon exchange to cut CO2 emissions (via Reuters)

KEYSTONE XL 

Report: Keystone XL benefits a “mirage” for oil sands investors (via Business Green)

Keystone pipeline saga still has several more chapters (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

Germany will set a cap on renewable energy expansion (via Recharge)

Wind energy tax credit is truly up in the air (via National Journal)

Western US dominates October’s big solar deployments (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Algae-based advanced biofuels trickling into US market (via Breaking Energy)

Bill preserves renewable energy targets for Ohio utilities (via Bloomberg)

World’s largest landfill will soon be NYC’s biggest solar plant (via Climate Progress)

CLIMATE 

Global warming “slowdowns” will be frequent, say UK scientists (via RTCC)

How high will sea levels rise? Let’s ask the experts (via Washington Post)

World Bank studies how nations can save for weather disasters (via New York Times)

FOSSIL FUEL 

Poland looks to link with UK to protect shale gas market (via Business Green)

Argentina looks to jump-start oil shale drilling with Repsol deal (via Reuters)

GE signs $700 million natural gas turbine supply deal with Saudi Arabia (via Reuters)

Coal leads America’s growing energy use (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

Inside China’s desperate effort to control pollution – before it’s too late (via Climate Progress)

Least active Atlantic hurricane season in 30 years (via Climate Central)

POLITICS 

Bloomberg weighs involvement in 2014 climate battles (via The Hill)

Posted:   |   Categories: Advanced biofuels, Argentina, biofuels, Carbon market, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, emissions, environment, Extreme weather, fracking, germany, hurricanes, Keystone XL, mexico, Michael Bloomberg, natural gas, News, Ohio, Poland, production tax credit, renewables, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, Shale gas, Shale oil, solar, tar sands, uk, united kingdom, wind
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15
Nov

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.15.13

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

COP 19 

US, EU reject Brazil’s call for climate equity metric (via Bloomberg)

US envoys told to block climate compensation plans at UN (via RTCC)

COAL 

China’s smog threatens health of global coal projects (via Reuters)

Tennessee Valley Authority to close eight large coal-fired power plants (via Washington Post)

Coal-free power from Constellation will save Chicago $1.2 million over two years (via Energy Manager Today)

RENEWABLES 

Global PV module pricing to stay flat in 2014, polysilicon pricing to increase 25% (via Greentech Media)

Bonds backed by solar power payments get nod (via New York Times)

US EPA to unveil biofuel rules as soon as Friday (via Reuters)

32 US senators urge administration to support US biodiesel (via National Journal)

Clean Energy Pipeline reports US clean tech project investment falloff (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Google to invest in six more large solar panel farms in the Southwest US (via GigaOm)

Arizona preserves net metering by charging a small fee to solar owners (via Greentech Media)

Clean energy adds jobs, growth to Michigan and New York (via EarthTechling)

Top 10 things you didn’t know about concentrating solar power (via Breaking Energy)

Are solar panels facing the wrong direction? (via Greentech media)

OIL 

Bakken oil production forecast to top 1 million barrels per day in December (via US EIA)

Exxon overlooked, masked safety threats in years before Pegasus pipeline burst (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Study: US drivers have fewer cars, drive them less, use less gas (via Green Car Reports)

Can California charge ahead to one million EVs within ten years? (via CleanTechnica)

EPA chief: Fuel mandate safe for cars (via The Hill)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Gas exports could put nation in “danger zone,” trade group tells Moniz (via Houston Chronicle)

Colorado’s new fracking bans may be on shaky legal ground (via Denver Business Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Japan slashes climate reduction target amid nuclear shutdown (via BBC News)

California approves offsets to ease compliance with carbon rules (via Sacramento Bee)

California court upholds state’s right to sell carbon permits (via Reuters)

California marks first anniversary of cap-and-trade (via Energy Collective)

NUCLEAR 

Last shipment of nuclear fuel from Russian bombs heads to US (via New York Times)

In Illinois, nuclear industry sees no urgency on waste storage (via Midwest Energy News)

CLIMATE 

Panel warns of “catastrophic” gap in weather satellite data (via Climate Central)

Want to piss off the White House? Talk about climate change (via Mother Jones)

Delaware governor links typhoon and climate change (via Politico)

GRID 

CEOs of 16 largest power grid operators call for greater investment in reliability and resilience (via Renew Grid)

Tennessee Valley Authority move demonstrates market for Clean Line project (via The Oklahoman)

ENVIRONMENT 

These maps show where the Earth’s forests are vanishing (via Washington Post)

Amazon deforestation increases by nearly a third in one year (via The Guardian)

POLITICS 

Obama filling out energy team (via The Hill)

Chief of Natural Resources Defense Council to retire in 2014 (via The Hill)

The four most frustrating moments from Thursday’s EPA hearing (via Climate Progress)

OPINION 

Is nuclear power the answer? (via New York Times)

Five ways buildings have reached a “GREEN” tipping point (via GreenBiz)

Variety is critical to growing EV charging market (via Navigant Research)

Posted:   |   Categories: amazon, arizona, Arkansas, Bakken Shale, barack obama, biodiesel, biofuel, Brazil, california, cap and trade, chicago, China, Clean Line, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Concentrating solar power, Constellation, COP 19, csp, deforestation, Delaware, department of energy, DOE, electric vehicles, emissions, environment, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, Exxon, fracking, Frances Beineke, google, green building, green jobs, grid, Illinois, Jack Markell, japan, michigan, natural gas, Natural gas exports, Natural Resources Defense Council, Net metering, new york state, News, nrdc, nuclear, nuclear waste, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, Russia, Smog, solar, solar pv, Tennessee Valley Authority, Transportation
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11
Nov

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.11.13

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

COP 19 CONFERENCE 

Mood of “realism” about future deal at climate talks (via BBC News)

Loss and Damage: Elements for successful negotiations at COP 19 (via World Resources Institute)

UN talks seek modest climate for 2015, to raise aid (via Reuters)

Report: Funding drought threatens 2015 UN climate agreement (via RTCC)

ENERGY POLICY 

New German government would put moratorium on fracking, cut wind support (via Reuters)

EU may challenge German green subsidy (via Energy Manager Today)

RENEWABLES 

Annual worldwide solar PV installations will double by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

European solar PV demand set to rebound in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Record-breaking wind integration in Denmark (via Greentech Media)

UK confirms plans for 39GW of offshore wind by 2030 (via Renewable Energy World)

Japan starts up offshore wind farm in shadow of Fukushima (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

UK offshore wind capacity rises 80% in one year (via Renewable Energy World)

Up to 21GW of small CSP could be integrated into US fossil plants (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Solar power begins to shine as environmental benefits pay off (via New York Times)

Midwest states grapple with value of homegrown solar electricity (via St. Paul Pioneer-Press)

Wind energy blows Michigan toward 30% renewables by 2030 (via CleanTechnica)

Solar company wins converts by going door-to-door (via Reuters)

Xcel, advocates at odds over Minnesota solar garden rules (via Midwest Energy News)

Iowa State study says ethanol mandate cut would have minor impact on corn price (via Green Car Congress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

International shale plays likely to face water shortfalls (via Houston Chronicle)

What’s fueling fights over fracking? (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

China and US, two largest emitters, join in carbon reductions (via China Daily)

US and Norway bolster ties on CCS (via BusinessGreen)

Tony Abbott attempts to shift focus to carbon tax as new parliament opens (via The Guardian)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Alberta premier making Keystone pipeline push (via The Hill)

Enbridge files plan for $2.6 billion North Dakota to Wisconsin pipeline (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Rising sea levels, falling real estate values (via Miami Herald)

South Florida faces ominous prospects from rising waters (via New York Times)

Study says Montreal Protocol ozone treaty slowed global warming (via Climate Central)

Latin America is already preparing for climate change adaptation (via Energy Collective)

ENVIRONMENT 

600,000 bats killed at wind energy facilities in 2012 (via Los Angeles Times)

Health effects of a nuclear test can last decades (via Washington Post)

Plastic bottle recycling up 6.2% in 2012 (via Environmental Leader)

GRID 

Europe seeks new smart grid boost as momentum slows (via Navigant Research)

Western energy imbalance market gets approval from CaISO board (via Renew Grid)

CaISO changes rules to enable solar and wind project downsizing with less risk (via Solar Industry Magazine)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Where do US states rank in terms of energy efficiency? (via Renew Grid)

Title 24 launches California toward net zero buildings (via Triple Pundit)

TRANSPORTATION 

Gas prices could fall below $3/gallon before year’s end (via Autoblog)

Mitsubishi to offer 20% plug-in cars by 2020 (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla Model S fires lead to investor lawsuit (via San Francisco Chronicle)

A hard week on Wall Street for Tesla (via GigaOm)

POLITICS 

Obama grasps for climate legacy as second-term agenda crumbles (via The Hill)

White House names new climate and energy chief to replace Zichal (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Why hasn’t cellulosic ethanol taken over like it was supposed to? (via Washington Post)

New climate realism (via The Hill)

Top 10 things you didn’t know about ARPA-E (via Energy.gov)

Everything you need to know about “super-typhoons” (via Washington Post)

US ethanol expansion limited by blend wall, says Vilsack (via Reuters)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, ARPA-E, australia, barack obama, Blend wall, CaISO, california, Carbon capture and storage, carbon tax, ccs, cellulosic ethanol, China, climate, Climate Change, community solar, Concentrating solar power, COP19, denmark, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, environment, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, Florida, fracking, fukushima, gas prices, germany, grid, Heather Zichal, Iowa, japan, Keystone XL, michigan, minnesota, mitsubishi, natural gas, Net zero, News, north dakota, norway, nuclear, offshore wind, Pipeline, Recycling, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, Sea level rise, Severe weather, Shale gas, smart grid, solar, solar pv, Subsidy, tar sands, Tesla, Tesla Model S, Tom Vilsack, Tony Abbott, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wind, Wisconsin, xcel
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04
Nov

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.4.13

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

EMISSIONS 

PwC: World set to blow carbon budget by 2034 (via BusinessGreen)

Alberta PM seeking “quid pro quo” from US on carbon tax (via Edmonton Journal)

Power plants try burning wood with coal to cut emissions (via New York Times)

The financial case for fossil fuel divestment by endowment fiduciaries (via Huffington Post)

ENERGY TAX POLICY 

IEA says feed-in tariffs not a subsidy but tax credits are (via Renew Economy)

US will begin publishing fossil fuel subsidy totals (via The Hill)

Wind tax credit could take a big hit in next tax battle (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil plans new wind-only tender (via Recharge)

Japan many offer higher feed-in tariff for offshore wind projects (via Recharge)

Renewables “need huge mineral supply” (via Climate News Network)

Efficient turbine spacing boosts offshore wind farm output 33% (via CleanTechnica)

Attacks on clean energy failed across the country: Report (via Huffington Post)

Utilities across the US cashing in on lower price of wind power (via Renew Grid)

4 states lead US in Freeing the Grid for distributed solar energy (via CleanTechnica)

US wind power slumps in 2013 after tax credit drives 2012 boom (via Bloomberg)

Xcel sets 60% wind energy record in Colorado (via CleanTechnica)

$600 average annual savings for middle-class families who lease solar (via CleanTechnica)

Calvert launches green bond fund for retail investors (via Sustainable Business)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking boom leading to fracking bust, say scientists (via Climate Central)

US shale boom to boost LPG exports, bring down prices (via Reuters)

Fracking’s “Red Queen” effect means even more drilling (via TriplePundit)

Coast Guard plan would let “frackwater” travel rivers on barges (via Pittsburgh Times-Tribune)

CLIMATE 

Warming report sees violent, sicker, poorer future (via AP)

Oceans warming faster than they have over past 10,000 years (via Time)

Kyoto veterans say global warming goal slipping away (via Bloomberg)

Hottest September on record, warmest Arctic in 120,000 years (via Climate Progress)

One potential problem with geoengineering: Less rain (via MIT Technology Review)

Columbia Law report encourages “managed coastal retreat” over fortification (via ClimateWire)

Obama signs order in response to weather disasters and climate change (via Washington Post)

Army Corps: Climate change threatens Naval Station Norfolk (via Washington Post/AP)

OIL 

Lightning strike may have caused North Dakota pipeline spill (via Huffington Post/AP)

North Dakota oil boom brings worry to Theodore Roosevelt National Park (via Los Angeles Times)

More mineral owners seek to join North Dakota gas flaring lawsuits (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf move combined 4,024 units in October (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

Post-Sandy, US pushes microgrids for backup power (via USA Today)

New FERC rule improving outlook for energy storage (via Midwest Energy News)

Plugging interoperability into the nation’s electric grid (via GigaOm)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Smart thermostat market will grow tenfold by 2020 (via Greentech Media)

Green buildings: A matter of health, not just energy (via EarthTechling)

ENVIRONMENT 

World’s soil moisture could decrease 15% by 2099 (via RTCC)

Bolivia, Madagascar, China see jump in forest loss (via Mongabay)

China’s clean air effort likely to take a long time (via New York Times)

In Rim Fire’s aftermath, a new worry emerges: water (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

In Britain, era of “green conservative” withers (via Washington Post)

GOP deeply divided over climate change (via Pew Research)

OPINION 

Global emissions grew more slowly in 2012, but will they ever decline? (via Washington Post)

What happens when the world dries out (via Climate Central)

Obama asks federal agencies to “prepare” for climate change – here’s what that means (via Washington Post)

Can coal states and the EPA just get along? (via National Journal)

Arizona Public Service should come clean on solar (via Environmental Leader)

China’s great dam boom: An assault on its river systems (via Yale e360)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, ALEC, Allison Radford, arctic, arizona, Bolivia, Brazil, Calvert, Carbon budget, carbon tax, chevy volt, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, David Cameron, deforestation, distributed generation, Divestment, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, feed-in tariff, FERC, Fossil fuel divestment, fracking, Fracking wastewater, Geoengineering, global warming, Green bond, green building, grid, Hydropower, IEA, japan, LPG, Madagascar, Methane flaring, Microgrid, natural gas, News, nissan LEAF, north dakota, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, production tax credit, Red Queen, renewables, Sea level rise, Shale gas, Shale oil, Smart thermostat, solar, solar leasing, Transportation, US Coast Guard, Wildfire, wind, xcel
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