Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.29.15

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

EMISSIONS 

Asian air pollution may be changing U.S. weather patterns (via OnEarth)

Hearing on Inslee plan to charge polluters draws divided crowd (via Seattle Times)

A tax or a cap? Debating the path to carbon pricing in Oregon (via Portland Business Journal)

COAL 

Federal coal program costing taxpayers and states more than $1 billion per year in lost royalties (via Climate Progress)

Swedish, U.S. universities divest from coal, Oxford “meets to discuss” (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

New report urges western governments to reconsider reliance on biofuels (via New York Times)

China connected 18.7GW of wind to the grid in 2014, says NEA (via Recharge)

Germany adds 4.75GW onshore wind, breaking 12-year record (via Recharge)

Lowering interest rates “could cut Indian solar cost by a third” (via PV Tech)

China’s wind energy output dropped in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

U.S. wind power quadruples in 2014 as Texas leads installations (via Bloomberg)

GE, Siemens, Vestas dominate U.S. wind market in 2014 (via Recharge)

Walmart tops EPA’s on-site generation list (via Energy Manager Today)

Charting Hawaii’s spectacular solar growth (via Greentech Media)

CALSEIA issues California net metering update (via Solar Industry)

Minnesota: Where solar is about to take off (via Sustainable Business)

SolarWorld sees 6-8GW U.S. solar PV market over next decade (via Recharge)

First week of February is “Solar Education Week” (via Renewable Energy World)

Energy and Environment

NATURAL GAS 

Scotland announces moratorium on fracking for shale gas (via The Guardian)

Kansas earthquakes likely tied to rise in fracking wastewater, say state geologists (via International Business Times)

CLIMATE 

Climate models don’t over-predict warming, shows study (via Los Angeles Times)

British belief in climate change on the rise, finds research (via The Guardian)

House panel agrees to prioritize climate change (via The Hill)

TV networks now cover climate change, but they’re doing it wrong (via Grist)

OIL 

EIA chief: Cheap oil won’t last forever (via Christian Science Monitor)

Shell shaves $15 billion off three-year spending plans (via Forbes)

Shell wants to resume Arctic drilling this year (via The Hill)

Chevron and BP in deal to search for oil deep beneath Gulf of Mexico (via New York Times)

Senate votes on fracking, endangered species pave way for Keystone XL passage (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION : Energy and Environment

Sales of electric trucks and buses expected to reach nearly 160,000 annually by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Psychological barriers are holding back EV adoption (via CleanTechnica)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

UK energy use falls by 7.5 percent (via BusinessGreen)

Ikea sees green product sales soar 58% to over €1 billion (via BusinessGreen)

Finally, an energy issue everybody (mostly) likes (via National Journal)

ENERGY POLICY

China’s overseas investments, explained in 10 graphics (via WRI Insights)

Northrup Grumman cuts ties with ALEC (via National Journal)

OPINION : Energy and Environment

Is surging U.S. wind power headed off a cliff? (via Breaking Energy)

The solar-utility battle is getting ugly (via Greentech Media)

The best idea in a long time: Covering parking lots with solar panels (via Washington Post)

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Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.28.15

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

EMISSIONS 

Supreme Court to hear cases against EPA climate rule (via The Hill)

Why size doesn’t matter: Divesting from fossil fuels with a small endowment (via Huffington Post)

NATURAL GAS 

NTSB finds “systemic problems” in gas pipeline oversight (via The Hill)

ENERGY POLICY 

Utility bosses see change coming, look to clean and distributed energy (via Grist)

How these energy geeks are reimagining an old school utility (via Reuters)

The University of California’s new retail energy supplier: Itself (via Energy Manager Today)

RENEWABLES 

USTDA to commit nearly $2 billion to renewable energy projects in India (via PV Tech)

German ground-mount solar to be limited to 1.2GW for 2015-2017 (via PV Tech)

Brazil’s Banco Itau Unibanco to finance $408 million in renewable energy projects (via Recharge)

Bangladesh looks to establish world’s “first solar nation” (via Telesur)

U.S. solar complaint against India set to reopen as Obama leaves town (via PV Tech)

UK study says solar panels made from perovskite far cheaper, more efficient (via Reuters)

U.S. approves Argentina proposal to qualify for biodiesel credits (via Reuters)

NextEra-HECO deal likely linked with Hawaiian utility’s about face on rooftop solar (via Forbes)

Every $1 of solar incentives puts $2.46 into the economy (via CleanTechnica)

West Virginia legislature repeals state renewable portfolio standard (via Charleston Daily Mail)

Cape Wind project faces new hurdles (via Navigant Research)

Can you turn your home into a hydroelectric plant? (via Forbes)

OIL 

Obama’s plan: Allow drilling in the Atlantic, but limit it in Arctic (via New York Times)

Green light for some would-be U.S. oil exporters, more questions for others (via Reuters)

Sen. Cruz won’t seek vote to end crude oil export ban (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

American Airlines expects to save $5 billion from tumbling oil prices (via Forbes)

Kansas City Power & Light to build 1,000 EV charging sites (via Green Car Reports)

After steadily falling, gas prices notch an increase (via New York Times)

Boston Power targets own battery gigafactory (via Inside EVs)

CLIMATE 

U.S. corporate supply chains vulnerable to climate risks (via Environmental Leader)

GRID 

Storage to follow solar’s path of falling costs, says Citigroup (via PV Tech)

Are carbon nanoballs the answer to renewable’s grid woes? (via BusinessGreen)

The case for long duration storage: Net electricity load in California is five years ahead of schedule (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Are stranded assets wearing down oil and coal industries? (via GreenBiz)

What utility executives think the future holds (via Utility Dive)

Solar Outlook 2015: Still growing, but no longer energy’s young kid (via Renewable Energy World)

10 Members of Congress who actually get sustainable business (via GreenBiz)

Another state fights war on solar and energy efficiency (via EcoWatch)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.23.15

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

CLIMATE 

“Hottest year” story obscures bigger news: Ocean warming now off the charts (via Climate Progress)

UN asks countries for climate plans after record warm 2014 (via Reuters)

Climate change moves the Doomsday Clock (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

China’s wind power capacity now bigger than UK’s total electricity supply (via BusinessGreen)

India clean energy investments rebound, set to pass $10 billion in 2015 (via Bloomberg)

Solar R&D needs “systemic shock” to avert death of European PV (via PV Tech)

Taiwan could use its own loophole to sidestep U.S. solar tariffs (via PV Tech)

Beyond-the-grid solar sector matures with new finance and projects (via Huffington Post)

Etrion’s latest approved Chile project could also be a “merchant” plant (via PV Tech)

Texas wind power cracks 10% threshold (via Houston Chronicle)

Iowa ethanol lobby starts 2016 campaign to regain influence (via Bloomberg)

U.S. Navy, Air Force sign up for 120MW of Florida solar (via PV Tech)

Proof in numbers: Putting solar job census, home value study in perspective (via Renewable Energy World)

In the quest to finance smaller commercial solar deals, pipeline is king (via Renewable Energy World)

Are floating PPAs an ideal worth floating to solar investors? (via Renewable Energy World)

OIL 

Oil prices rise after Saudi king’s death (via The Hill)

New Saudi king seen holding line on OPEC policy to keep oil output high (via Reuters)

The oil price tag investors say would signal a global recession (via Forbes)

Africa oil boom on hold as prices spur explorer caution (via Bloomberg)

Senate sets final Keystone XL vote next week (via The Hill)

Trial witness says Gulf spill response removed far less crude than BP expert estimates (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Gas tax push on fumes, says House chairman (via The Hill)

DOE offers $55 million for vehicle fuel efficiency technology (via The Hill)

Energy Secretary confirms U.S. will miss Obama goal of 1 million EVs by 2015 (via Green Car Reports)

VW, BMW, ChargePoint partner to create fast-charging corridors on East & West Coasts (via Green Car Congress)

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon market price expected to rise before 2020 following MEPs’ vote (via The Guardian)

Into think air: Boston pipes leak $90 million in fuel yearly (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Buildings represent 40% of total U.S. energy use (via Energy Manager Today)

When it comes to efficiency, U.S. military soldiers on (via Grist)

POLITICS 

Senate Democrats play offense on climate change ahead of 2016 (via Bloomberg)

Democrats divided on climate change (via National Journal)

KXL votes allow Dems to begin building beachhead to protect EPA rules (via E&E Daily)

Romney says climate change is real (via The Hill)

Mitt Romney believes in global warming again, but how would he deal with it? (via Vox)

Tom Steyer isn’t running for Senate, but may be angling for another office (via National Journal)

OPINION 

100 most sustainable multibillion-dollar companies revealed in Davos (via GreenBiz)

Will 2015 be a breakthrough year for energy storage in the UK? (via Greentech Media)

Solar loans: Should PV be more like car sales or cable television? (via Greentech Media)

Edison Electric Institute’s anti-solar PR spending revealed (via Huffington Post)

Missing a mining opportunity (via RMI Outlet)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.15.15

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

EMISSIONS 

EU power sector emissions drop a “staggering” eight percent (via BusinessGreen)

South Korea cap-and-trade market becomes world’s second-largest (via CleanTechnica)

Warm weather sinking EU emissions-market plans (via Bloomberg)

EPA air chief “confident” as rulemakings face legal, political fire (via Greenwire)

NATURAL GAS 

Drillers say Obama plan to plug methane leaks imperils boom (via Bloomberg)

President Obama’s gas-drilling dance (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

Germany passes 1GW offshore wind, set to triple this year (via Recharge)

Wind and bioenergy star in 2030 U.S. green energy mix, PV not so much (via Breaking Energy)

U.S. solar jobs climb 22% as clean power aids economic recovery (via Bloomberg)

Policy uncertainty drives 25 percent of wind industry suppliers out of business (via CleanTechnica)

SolarCity taps Credit Suisse for $200 million on “MyPower” financing (via PV Tech)

Net metering for rooftop solar: How to fix the problems (via The Energy Collective)

Xcel’s community solar program creates “bite-sized” utility projects (via Solar Industry)

Florida Tea Party helps launch ballot initiative for third-party solar (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

OPEC to see market share drop even as oil slump slows shale boom (via Reuters)

Wells Fargo examines its energy loans after oil-price drop (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

The $2.4 billion plan to get Germans to buy EVs (via Autoblog)

Production and sales of plug-in EVs boomed in China in 2014 (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla chief asks automakers to support electric cars (via New York Times)

CLIMATE 

Rate of sea-level rise more significant than thought (via BBC)

Map reveals which countries will survive climate change (via Inhabitat)

Scientists reveal which coral reefs can survive global warming (via The Guardian)

Pope Francis says climate change is mostly man’s fault (via The Guardian)

Global Climate Fund on GOP’s budget hit list (via InsideClimate News)

For vulnerable barrier islands, a rush to rebuild on U.S. coast (via Yale e360)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canada still expecting Keystone XL approval (via The Hill)

GRID 

Clean Line scores key approval for Plains & Eastern transmission line (via Recharge)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima meltdowns pervade South Korea debate on reactor renewal (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

USDA to provide $370 million for environmental conservation projects (via The Hill)

State of the California drought: Still very bad (via ScienceBlogs)

OPINION 

Could China become the OPEC of solar manufacturing? (via Forbes)

Institutional investors are blowing it on renewable energy (via GreenBiz)

Cost-competitive clean energy well placed to rise out oil price slump (via Forbes)

Solar industry added jobs nearly 20 times faster than overall U.S. economy in 2014 (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.8.15

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

CLIMATE 

Much of the world’s fossil fuel reserves must stay buried to prevent climate change, says study (via The Guardian)

Hot, unfriendly skies could alter future flights (via Climate Central)

EPA to delay U.S. carbon rule for power plants until summer (via Bloomberg)

COAL 

Study: 80% of coal reserves need to stay in the ground (via BusinessGreen)

More than 90% of U.S. coal should stay underground: Climate study (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

IHS remains cautious on PV market demand growth (via PV Tech)

India issues draft guidelines for 3 gigawatts of solar projects (via Bloomberg)

China pushing harder for PV manufacturing consolidation; 10 companies to dominate (via PV Tech)

Dubai utility DEWA produces the world’s cheapest solar energy ever (via Renewable Energy World)

Pace of Japan’s renewable development is slowing (via CleanTechnica)

A Caribbean island says goodbye diesel, hello 100% renewable electricity (via RMI Outlet)

Solar patents reach a record high (via Energy Manager Today)

Almost 4,000 U.S. schools are now running on solar (via Sustainable Business)

California on its way to meeting clean energy goals, say officials (via Huffington Post/AP)

Poll: 82% of Oregonians support renewable energy (via Portland Business Journal)

National Grid “officially” cuts ties with Cape Wind (via Recharge)

Department of Energy opens up $125 million fund for energy innovation (via GigaOm)

SunEdison buys 1.6GW of “PTC-eligible” wind turbines (via Recharge)

Tea Party is pushing for solar power in Florida (via Washington Post)

Perovskite solar cell reaches record efficiency (via Phys.org)

EMISSIONS 

Oil plunge seen eroding emissions ambition on carbon and climate (via Bloomberg)

Carbon pricing in 2014 (via Energy Collective)

EPA to create CO2-slashing plan for states that won’t (via Climate Central)

71% of Washington State voters support proposed cap-and-trade system (via Seattle Times)

OIL 

No chance of OPEC output cut, even after oil dips below $50, say Gulf delegates (via Reuters)

Shrinking foreign oil bill sends U.S. trade deficit lower (via Houston Chronicle)

Renowned trader sees $40 oil as “absolute price floor” (via Houston Chronicle)

White House not under pressure to expand U.S. oil exports, says Podesta (via Reuters)

White House issues formal Keystone XL veto threat (via The Hill)

Oil taxes tempt recession-scarred U.S. states as prices plummet (via Bloomberg)

Oil industry joins hands with solar in latest annual report (via Greentech Media)

DOE Secretary: Strategic Petroleum Reserve needs “modernization” (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Green vehicle demand revs up as UK electric car sales quadruple (via The Guardian)

Key GOP senator says gas hike is on the table (via The Hill)

New Oregon rules require 10% cleaner fuels (via Oregon Public Broadcasting)

GRID 

Even in the off-season, utilities must prepare the smart grid with storage for natural disasters (via Renewable Energy World)

Why big energy companies want to invest in energy storage startups (via Forbes)

ENERGY POLICY 

New U.S. generating capacity in 2014 was overwhelmingly natural gas, wind, solar (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Can nuclear energy compete in today’s energy markets? (via Forbes)

ENVIRONMENT 

EU banned pesticides to help bees, but now other bugs are invading (via Bloomberg)

NOAA reduces odds of El Nino conditions this winter (via Weather Underground)

OPINION 

Why leaving fossil fuels in the ground is good for everyone (via The Guardian)

Smart money is on storing energy, not carbon, says economist (via Phys.org)

A tumultuous year for demand response (via Navigant Research)

Bold clean tech investing predictions for 2015 (via Greentech Media)

SMUD’s community renewable energy development program: Partnering for results in clean energy (via Renewable Energy World)

How to get famous in the solar industry (via Renewable Energy World)

Understanding the oil price drop: What does $50-per-barrel oil mean? (via Greentech Media)

Ten clean energy stocks for 2015 (via Renewable Energy World)

Cape Wind loses power contracts, becomes victim of class warfare (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.6.15

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

EMISSIONS 

Global carbon market to hit €70 billion this year (via BusinessGreen)

Climate change groups split on fossil fuel divestment (via Financial Times)

KEYSTONE XL 

House to vote on Keystone XL bill Friday (via The Hill)

Democrats plan Keystone XL counterattack (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Egypt picks firms to develop 4.3GW of renewable energy projects (via Recharge)

Germany solar undershoots government target (via Recharge)

South Africa considers rooftop solar electricity credits (via Renewable Energy World)

UK and Germany smash wind power records (via Climate Progress)

India’s solar initiative could tip carbon scales favorably (via GreenBiz)

Scotland saw a “massive year” of renewable energy (via CleanTechnica)

Small and medium wind power installations expected to total over 3.2GW globally from 2014 through 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Reduced U.S.-China tariff rates weaken SolarWorld’s negotiating position, says Roth Capital (via PV Tech)

Chinese solar firms boosted by reduced 2012 U.S. trade tariffs (via PV Tech)

California Governor Jerry Brown calls for 50% renewables by 2030 (via Greentech Media)

New materials could boost solar panel efficiency (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia seeks to calm internal oil price fears (via The Hill)

Oilfield write-downs loom as plummeting prices gut drilling values (via Bloomberg)

Oil prices at $50: Why a barrel of crude costs less than your shoes (via Christian Science Monitor)

TRANSPORTATION 

Automakers challenged by low gas prices (via USA Today)

Nissan sold 30,200 Leafs in U.S. in 2014, up 33.6% from 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

California governor calls for 50% reduction in petroleum use in cars and trucks from today’s levels by 2030 (via Green Car Congress)

CLIMATE 

One for the record books: 2014 officially hottest year on record (via Climate Central)

Pope Francis plants a flag in the ground on climate change (via The Guardian)

NATURAL GAS 

Massive spike in Oklahoma earthquakes may be due to fracking (via Washington Post)

Against the grain: Minnesota’s long slog toward dealing with frack sand (via InsideClimate News)

GRID 

Revenue from grid-scale energy storage expected total more than $68 billion from 2014-2024 (via Navigant Research)

Monitoring wind conditions can improve transmission performance (via Breaking Energy)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

The most energy-efficient states in America (via Forbes)

DOE pushes for zero-energy building standards (via The Hill)

Sen. Shaheen doesn’t want energy efficiency bill tied to Keystone XL (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Why India’s cuts to rooftop solar subsidies could be a good thing (via PV Tech)

The big question: What do proposed EPA regulations mean for the energy industry? (via Renewable Energy World)

The seven most attractive nations for renewable investments: Part one – America (via CleanTechnica)

Why are these clean tech venture capital investors smiling? (via Greentech Media)

Beyond the cliché: Why energy efficiency needs success stories, not catchphrases (via Greentech Media)

Wind and solar – the perfect partnership (via Recharge)

Six renewable energy trends to watch in 2015 (via Renewable Energy World)

New York State Public Service Commission action will help tenants, low-income customers, others lacking rooftop access go solar (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.2.15

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

EMISSIONS

Tropical forests may inhale a third of fossil fuel emissions (via Climate Central)

EU carbon market has first volume decline after brake on supply (via Bloomberg)

Americans favor EPA regulation over carbon tax or cap-and-trade (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES

India’s Modi raises solar investment target to $100 billion by 2022 (via Reuters)

New markets help utility-scale solar surge to another record year (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Solar energy: How low oil prices change the game (via Bloomberg)

Transportation logistics trouble wind energy industry (via TriplePundit)

Strategic policy stacking can lead to solar market success (via Renewable Energy World)

States work to meet new renewable energy standards (via Houston Chronicle)

Greenwood Energy to expand DG solar business with Fortress Investment (via Solar Industry Magazine)

New York plants seeds for energy reform in 2014 that will bloom in 2015 (via Energy Collective)

Top 10 largest solar projects under construction (via Forbes)

OIL

OPEC December crude output slips as global prices tumble (via Bloomberg)

U.S. easing of oil exports challenges OPEC strategy (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION

Almost 10,000 EVs were sold in China in November (via Inside EVs)

EVs coast through 2014, pin hopes on 2015 (via Greentech Media)

AAA: U.S. drivers saved $14 billion on gasoline in 2014 (via Houston Chronicle)

Electric power industry expects 400% growth in annual EV sales by 2023 (via CleanTechnica)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

2015 green building trends (via Environmental Leader)

DOE sets efficiency standards for light bulbs, icemakers (via The Hill)

GRID

California could supercharge the distribution grid (via Greentech Media)

A look inside ERCOT’s control room (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT

Wildfires rage across Southern Australia as temperatures rise (via Bloomberg)

FEMA overpaid $177 million on hurricane damages (via The Hill)

Plastic bag manufacturers spend $3 million to repeal California ban (via EcoWatch)

OPINION

Three ways for cities to go carbon negative (via Greenbiz)

Three steps toward clean technology business success in Brazil (via Renewable Energy World)

Is there any way to slow aviation’s soaring emissions? (via RTCC)

Five top stories from India’s solar market in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

What does $60 oil mean for biofuel industry? (via Renewable Energy World)

In Keystone pipeline case, what might Nebraska court do? (via Reuters)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.24.14

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

CLIMATE 

Rising seas may connect Cold War rivals U.S. and Cuba (via U.S. News & World Report)

These U.S. cities have already passed a climate change “tipping point” (via Vice)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas prices fall 29 percent in three months (via The Hill)

New Yorkers agree with fracking ban, finds survey (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Africa’s largest wind power project achieves full financial close (via AllAfrica)

Chile’s mines set a hot pace for renewables – Australia take note (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar panel maintenance poses unforeseen challenge in developing world electrification (via Energy Collective)

The rise and fall of wind power in America (via Vox)

2015 could be breakthrough year for U.S. renewable policy, says ACORE (via Recharge)

SunEdison and TerraForm yieldcos secure $75 million for 60MW of solar projects (via PV Tech)

A bit of good green energy news for your holidays, courtesy of New England (via Grist)

Connecticut Green Bank’s C-PACE program: Low-cost, long-term financing for clean energy upgrades (via Renewable Energy World)

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon rises to two-year high as holidays cut supply (via Bloomberg)

EPA ordered to start enforcing rules to cut ozone in 2015 (via Bloomberg)

Here’s the state-based climate solution that doesn’t need Congress (via Climate Progress)

Virginia legislators proposes legislation to join RGGI carbon market (via Washington Post/AP)

OIL 

Oil firms’ predicament: Who should cut output? (via Wall Street Journal)

Oil prices likely to rebound in second half of 2015: Poll (via Reuters)

BP unit says big spill fines could cut deep (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

China invests billions in electric cars & EV charging stations (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

Japan may spend 50 billion yen for energy storage, says Yomiuri (via Bloomberg)

Orix to start rental of home-use solar panels, storage batteries (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

The fossil fuel industry spent more than $721 million during 2014 midterm elections (via Climate Progress)

OPINION 

Jigar Shah: Trade duties already harming U.S. solar companies (via PV Tech)

The eight best things that happened to renewable energy in 2014 (via Climate Progress)

1603: A renewable energy subsidy, yes; just don’t call it a bailout (via Breaking Energy)

How solar power and EVs could make suburban living awesome again (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.24.14

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

CLIMATE 

Rising seas may connect Cold War rivals U.S. and Cuba (via U.S. News & World Report)

These U.S. cities have already passed a climate change “tipping point” (via Vice)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas prices fall 29 percent in three months (via The Hill)

New Yorkers agree with fracking ban, finds survey (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Africa’s largest wind power project achieves full financial close (via AllAfrica)

Chile’s mines set a hot pace for renewables – Australia take note (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar panel maintenance poses unforeseen challenge in developing world electrification (via Energy Collective)

The rise and fall of wind power in America (via Vox)

2015 could be breakthrough year for U.S. renewable policy, says ACORE (via Recharge)

SunEdison and TerraForm yieldcos secure $75 million for 60MW of solar projects (via PV Tech)

A bit of good green energy news for your holidays, courtesy of New England (via Grist)

Connecticut Green Bank’s C-PACE program: Low-cost, long-term financing for clean energy upgrades (via Renewable Energy World)

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon rises to two-year high as holidays cut supply (via Bloomberg)

EPA ordered to start enforcing rules to cut ozone in 2015 (via Bloomberg)

Here’s the state-based climate solution that doesn’t need Congress (via Climate Progress)

Virginia legislators proposes legislation to join RGGI carbon market (via Washington Post/AP)

OIL 

Oil firms’ predicament: Who should cut output? (via Wall Street Journal)

Oil prices likely to rebound in second half of 2015: Poll (via Reuters)

BP unit says big spill fines could cut deep (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

China invests billions in electric cars & EV charging stations (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

Japan may spend 50 billion yen for energy storage, says Yomiuri (via Bloomberg)

Orix to start rental of home-use solar panels, storage batteries (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

The fossil fuel industry spent more than $721 million during 2014 midterm elections (via Climate Progress)

OPINION 

Jigar Shah: Trade duties already harming U.S. solar companies (via PV Tech)

The eight best things that happened to renewable energy in 2014 (via Climate Progress)

1603: A renewable energy subsidy, yes; just don’t call it a bailout (via Breaking Energy)

How solar power and EVs could make suburban living awesome again (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.18.14

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

EMISSIONS

EU decides to ratify Kyoto Protocol extension (via RTCC)

EPA punts decision on methane regulations (via The Hill)

Gov. Inslee want to cap and tax emissions from Washington State’s major polluters (via Climate Progress)

Department of Energy announces 22 new emissions reductions, energy efficiency projects (via Breaking Energy)

COAL

McConnell wants to stop coal rules (via AP)

ERCOT report re-ignites war of words over coal plant shutdowns (via Austin American-Statesman)

RENEWABLES

Green bonds sell big in 2014 as finance bids to help climate (via Reuters)

UK low-carbon electricity generation up 24% in 3Q 2014 (via Bloomberg)

Faced with a surge in PV, Japan will allow utilities to restrict solar output on grid (via Greentech Media)

This new finance policy tweak boosts India solar energy (via CleanTechnica)

Seabirds “steer clear” of offshore wind farms (via BusinessGreen)

Big energy retailers intensify attack on Australia rooftop solar subsidies (via Renew Economy)

U.S. wind power capacity additions expected to increase in last quarter of 2014 (via U.S. EIA)

Wind power getting the PTC extension it didn’t want (via Breaking Energy)

Supporters decry short break extension for wind industry (via The Hill)

Nearly $1 billion available for PACE projects in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

CNEE releases energy legislation year in review (via Energy Manager Today)

Report sees bright future for renewable energy in Minnesota (via Midwest Energy News)

National Grid planning 16 megawatts of Massachusetts solar (via Bloomberg)

SunPower prepares for “disruptive shift in energy market” with Sunverge solar-plus-storage deal (via PV Tech)

NATURAL GAS

Poland and Ukraine to look at expanding gas transport links (via Reuters)

Cuomo to ban fracking; health officials call it unsafe (via Bloomberg)

New York unlikely to face lawsuits over fracking ban, say experts (via Reuters)

CLIMATE

Persistent warming driving big Arctic changes (via Climate Central)

UN’s Clean Development Market mechanism future in doubt, largely sidelined in Lima (via Bloomberg BNA)

Four signs the Arctic is getting baked by climate change (via Mother Jones)

Front yards turn to wetlands as climate change takes toll in Virginia (via Bloomberg)

OIL

World market shockwaves ripple far and wide from oil prices epicenter (via Reuters)

Oil plunge sets stage for energy defaults: Credit markets (via Bloomberg)

EU lawmakers fail to approve tar sands oil veto (via Reuters)

Enbridge shuts oil pipeline to U.S. after spill in Canada (via Houston Chronicle)

Chevron cancels Canadian Arctic drilling as oil prices slide (via Reuters)

Cheap oil jamming rails means higher U.S. power bills (via Bloomberg)

DOT Secretary to talk oil train safety in Canada (via The Hill)

Petrobas CEO says Rousseff refused offer to resign on scandal (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION

Smarter charging, load leveling can save $10,000 a month in EV electricity costs (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla to miss 2020 delivery target by 40%, forecasts analyst (via Greentech Media)

Siemens, Duke Energy, Ford team up to demonstrate lower-cost home charging (via Inside EVs)

How electric car advertising has changed over time (via Inside EVs)

GRID

The intersection of solar energy and energy storage (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Revenue from zero-energy buildings is expected to hit $4.6 trillion through 2035 (via Navigant Research)

OPINION

How cheaper oil is shaping the world (via New York Times)

Seven radical ideas for a 2015 climate change deal (via RTCC)

Trade tariffs old and new mean U.S. will face PV module supply crunch, says Jigar Shah (via PV Tech)

Fed’s Yellen: Oil price decline is good for U.S. economy (via Nasdaq)

Top cleantech buzzwords and phrases from 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Are solar microgrids a step on the ladder toward grid access? (via Energy Collective)

What the Senate’s tax extender bill means for wind energy (via Renewable Energy World)