Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.17.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
COAL
World Bank to limit financing of coal-fired plants (via Reuters)
ENERGY POLICY
Power plants face “collision course” with water, researchers say (via Houston Chronicle)
States file lawsuit against EPA over “sue and settle” strategy (via The Hill)
NATURAL GAS
China in $5 billion drive to develop disputed East China Sea natural gas (via Reuters)
Brussels says no plans for EU-wide shale gas ban (via Phys.org)
California seeks record fine in PG&E San Bruno pipeline explosion (via Houston Chronicle)
RENEWABLES
Thailand boosts renewable energy goal to 13.9GW (via Recharge)
Dutch push back 2020 renewable energy targets (via Recharge)
New crystals yield solar power breakthrough (via BBC News)
Study says renewables more water-friendly than carbon capture (via Houston Chronicle)
US ranchers round up the power of the Sun (via Renewable Energy World)
Renewable energy survives ALEC’s attack in states, grows stronger (via Sustainable Business)
US oil executive says biofuel credits “out of control,” urges action (via Globe and Mail)
Xcel to boost its wind power in Upper Midwest by 600MW (via Minnesota Star-Tribune)
Proposed wind farm could double South Dakota’s wind capacity (via Argus-Leader)
KEYSTONE XL
Report: Keystone XL will hike gasoline prices for some US drivers (via Houston Chronicle)
Keystone’s public comments reveal economic woes of small towns (via InsideClimate News)
GRID
Demand response programs will reach nearly 22 million sites worldwide by 2020 (via Navigant Research)
Battery seen as way to cut heat-related power losses on grid (via New York Times)
Reconnecting buildings to the grid (via Navigant Research)
EMISSIONS
EU and Australia set to accelerate emissions trading links (via RTCC)
UK government promises electricity market reform to cut cost of decarbonization (via BusinessGreen)
ExxonMobil, PG&E fined for violating California emissions reporting rule (via Los Angeles Times)
Cement industry cuts carbon emissions 17% (via Environmental Leader)
Policies using carbon capture and storage in soil are too costly, say experts (via Phys.org)
OIL
Capacity at existing US oil refineries increases in 2013 (via US EIA)
Refinery receipts of crude oil by rail, truck, and barge continue to increase (via US EIA)
TRANSPORTATION
Honda seeks mass-market fuel cell car by 2020 (via Wall Street Journal)
AAA: $3 gasoline “a thing of the past” (via The Hill)
US House votes to keep $25 billion DOE advanced-powertrain loan program open (via Autoblog Green)
CLIMATE
Thousands of years of rising seas (via MIT Technology Review)
Scientists predict looming climate shift: will ocean heat come back to haunt us again? (via Climate Progress)
More New Jersey homeowners targeted for flood buyouts (via Philadelphia Inquirer/AP)
Koch Brothers use Web to take on media reports they dispute (via Washington Post)
GREEN BUSINESS
Ceres, ICCR draft blueprint for sustainable investing (via GreenBiz)
Investment funds divested from fossil fuels “will perform better” (via Energy Collective)
LEED brings Cradle-to-Cradle into green building certification (via GreenBiz)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
The big book of building energy data, 2008-2012 (via Greentech Media)
EPEAT adds green ratings to mobile phones (via GreenBiz)
POLITICS
Climate policy is dominating the Australian election (via Grist)
Senate advancing federal flood insurance reform bill (via Washington Post)
OPINION
Australia’s carbon mess a warning to the world (via Reuters)
Can Jim Yong Kim end World Bank backing for coal-fired power? (via The Guardian)
Costs of climate change and extreme weather pass the high-water mark (via Time)
Why don’t farmers believe in climate change? (via Slate)
Did US carbon emissions bottom in 2012 or will they fall 20% by 2020? (via Facts of the Day)
As solar panel efficiencies keep improving, it’s time to adopt new metrics (via Forbes)