Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.12.13

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

CLIMATE

New research challenges assumptions about global warming effects on mountain tree lines (via Phys.org)

G8 ministers argue climate action must “intensify as a matter of urgency” (via BusinessGreen)

Greenhouse gases make high temperatures hotter in China (via Phys.org)

Rising sea levels could cost UK “billions” (via RTCC)

Climate change keeps expanding Canada’s epidemic of forest-destroying beetles (via Climate Progress)

Federal report: global warming didn’t cause US drought (via AP)

COAL

Chinese coal producer plans $1.7 billion investment in Australian wind (via Bloomberg)

US coal producers scrambling in face of skyrocketing production costs (via SNL Energy)

Coal to stay important in US energy mix, says EPA pick (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Libya aims to get a fifth of its power from solar by 2020 (via Reuters)

France’s geothermal fracking conundrum (via Christian Science Monitor)

Alberta looks at renewable energy amid push for Keystone (via Bloomberg)

(more…)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.12.13

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

CLIMATE

New research challenges assumptions about global warming effects on mountain tree lines (via Phys.org)

G8 ministers argue climate action must “intensify as a matter of urgency” (via BusinessGreen)

Greenhouse gases make high temperatures hotter in China (via Phys.org)

Rising sea levels could cost UK “billions” (via RTCC)

Climate change keeps expanding Canada’s epidemic of forest-destroying beetles (via Climate Progress)

Federal report: global warming didn’t cause US drought (via AP)

COAL

Chinese coal producer plans $1.7 billion investment in Australian wind (via Bloomberg)

US coal producers scrambling in face of skyrocketing production costs (via SNL Energy)

Coal to stay important in US energy mix, says EPA pick (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Libya aims to get a fifth of its power from solar by 2020 (via Reuters)

France’s geothermal fracking conundrum (via Christian Science Monitor)

Alberta looks at renewable energy amid push for Keystone (via Bloomberg)

(more…)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.11.13

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

FY2014 FEDERAL BUDGET 

Obama budget seeks defenses against climate-fueled extreme weather (via The Hill)

Obama budget revives battle over oil industry tax breaks (via The Hill)

Obama budget would end oil industry tax breaks, hike royalties (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama’s FY2014 budget boosts DOE vehicle technology spending 75% to $575M; $282M for advanced biofuels (via Green Car Congress)

Obama budget hints at sale of Tennessee Valley Authority (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama budget promises action on climate change (via Politico)

ENERGY POLICY 

Asia’s soaring energy demands will post major economic, climate, health risks (via ClimateWire)

Renewables, efficiency take flight in US Air Force energy strategy (via CleanTechnica)

Antitrust case tied to California energy crisis revived (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES  

Asia-Pacific renewable energy market to hit 535.2GW by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

Is the Middle East and Africa the next solar development hotbed? (via Solar Industry Magazine)

EU seeks new anti-dumping trade powers with China in mind (via Reuters)

Germany expected to install 3.2GW of wind in 2014 (via Recharge)

Renewable energy continues to build momentum in US power mix (via Renew Grid)

US wind market forecast to shrink slightly to 11GW in 2013-2014 (via Recharge)

Renewables made up 82% of new US capacity in Q1 2013 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

US wind in January 2013 set monthly record & produced more than in all of 2004 (via Facts of the Day)

US ethanol producers brace for biofuel mandate fight in Congress (via Reuters)

Solar panels could destroy US utilities, according to US utilities (via Grist)

After mega-rally, First Solar outlook meets skepticism (via Reuters)

New wind energy harvester design looks like giant window blinds (via Treehugger)

Texas solar-powered public property bill backed by education, military (via StateImpact Texas)

Maryland 210MW offshore wind bill signed into law (via Recharge)

COAL 

Environmentalists say “war on coal” a fabrication (via AP)

CRS report casts doubt on FutureGen, carbon capture technology (via SNL Energy)

CLIMATE 

In global warming, Northern Hemisphere is outpacing the South (via Climate Central)

Business giants urge US to seize climate change “opportunity” (via BusinessGreen)

Olympians to Obama: climate change jeopardizes winter sports’ survival (via The Guardian)

Nike, Starbucks: betting against climate scientists is “false hope” (via The Hill)

OIL 

ConocoPhillips, citing regulator uncertainty, delays Arctic drilling (via The Hill)

White House proposes royalty, permitting changes on energy development (via The Hill)

California’s fracking bonanza may fall short of promise (via Bloomberg)

Arkansas AG says oil pipeline gash is 22 feet long (via Miami Herald/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Soaring hybrid demand accounts for a fifth of all European Toyota sales (via BusinessGreen)

Six new plug-in electric cars coming in 2014 (via Green Car Reports)

Alternative transportation fuel use jumps 13% (via Environmental Leader)

Tesla messes with Texas over how to sell its electric cars (via GigaOm)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Israel’s natural gas find wins the world’s notice (via Forbes)

US LNG no cure for high European gas prices (via AOL Energy)

Moniz backs increased use of natural gas (via Washington Post)

New solar process gets more out of natural gas (via New York Times)

Frack sand mining: what are the alternatives? (via Minnesota Public Radio)

GRID 

The UK’s retailer-led smart meter rollout (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

This Army camp can cut soldier energy use by 75% (via Greentech Media)

EMISSIONS 

California and China sign agreement to strengthen and coordinate efforts to improve air quality (via Green Car Congress)

Australian power emissions fall to 10-year low as coal output drops (via Renew Economy)

Copenhagen’s ambitious push to be carbon-neutral by 2025 (via Yale e360)

ENVIRONMENT 

Top US storm team sees above average Atlantic hurricane season (via Reuters)

POLITICS 

Senate votes 87-11 to confirm Sally Jewell as Interior Secretary (via The Hill)

Moniz sees gas, coal, nuclear, and renewables future (via Greentech Media)

GOP to begin new assault on Obama’s climate plans at EPA nominee hearing (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Using aging, retrofitted pipelines to ship oil – what could go wrong? (via Grist)

How Obama’s new budget targets oil and gas (via Forbes)

How can we boost distributed solar and save utilities at the same time? (via Grist)

Obama goes big on clean energy in budget (via EarthTechling)

OTHER NEWS 

An additional roundup of energy and climate news is posted at Climate Progress

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.9.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Greenhouse gas rules will be enacted soon, says Obama aide (via The Hill)

California governor green lights carbon market link with Quebec (via BusinessGreen)

COAL 

Which countries are planning the most coal-fired power plants? (via The Guardian)

Europe’s 2nd-biggest coal-fired power plant will turn to wood from North America (via ClimateWire)

Study: US coal industry is in far more trouble than anyone realizes (via Washington Post)

GRID 

Vehicle-to-building technology rises with PEV sales (via Environmental Leader)

Making sense of the demand response market (via Energy Collective)

MISO wraps up its first annual capacity auction (via Renew Grid)

RENEWABLES 

Over 1,000 firms demand end to EU-China solar PV trade war (via BusinessGreen)

Solar power has reached grid parity in India and Italy (via Treehugger)

China’s wind output grows 41% (via Recharge)

How cleantech is enhancing the US military’s “mission capability” (via Greentech Media)

Super algae could replace conventional biofuels (via RTCC)

New wind harvesting invention could bring cities to life (via Phys.org)

New York State renewable power plan would cost $382 billion by 2030 (via Bloomberg)

California wind power blows away production record (via Yahoo! Finance)

New York State expands NY-Sun Initiative with $13.5 million in new funding (via Solar Industry Mag)

Turbines near Lake Erie energize conservation, wind power debate (via Toledo Blade)

Wind farm suit against Xcel dismissed (via St. Paul Pioneer Press)

ENERGY POLICY 

White House engaging lawmakers on energy tax code issues (via The Hill)

How much do health impacts from fossil fuel electricity cost the US economy? (via Forbes)

Indiana lawmakers advance plan to give utilities more power over rate increases (via Midwest Energy News)

KEYSTONE XL 

Killing Keystone XL could risk more oil spills by rail (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Island countries facing watery demise confer on survival strategies (via ClimateWire)

Climate change will threaten wine production, study shows (via The Guardian)

Geoengineering could trigger disaster in parts of Africa (via Climate Central)

Poll: fears of global warming rising in US (via The Hill)

Summer temperatures expected to be far above average (via Greentech Media)

Rebuilding the shores, increasing the risks (via New York Times)

Getting serious about a Texas-sized drought (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Captured carbon used for natural gas fracking (via Sustainable Business)

Judge rules administration overlooked fracking risks in California mineral leases (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Manufacturing nearing energy efficiency ceiling (via Energy Manager Today)

Colby College achieves carbon neutrality (via Environmental Leader)

California office park secures three dozen LEED certifications (via EarthTechling)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s TEPCO may run out of space for radioactive water (via Reuters)

POLITICS 

Obama’s DOE, EPA picks face Senate grilling this week (via Reuters)

DOE nominee Moniz seen as “dose of reality” (via Greenwire)

OPINION 

How Margaret Thatcher made the conservative case for climate action (via Mother Jones)

For the price of the Iraq War, the US could have gotten halfway to a renewable power system (via Grist)

Climate fight should target coal, not Keystone (via Bloomberg)

Schwarzenegger: California’s silent disaster (via Los Angeles Times)

Fisker struggles mark blow to Obama’s electric car goal (via Bloomberg)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.9.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Greenhouse gas rules will be enacted soon, says Obama aide (via The Hill)

California governor green lights carbon market link with Quebec (via BusinessGreen)

COAL 

Which countries are planning the most coal-fired power plants? (via The Guardian)

Europe’s 2nd-biggest coal-fired power plant will turn to wood from North America (via ClimateWire)

Study: US coal industry is in far more trouble than anyone realizes (via Washington Post)

GRID 

Vehicle-to-building technology rises with PEV sales (via Environmental Leader)

Making sense of the demand response market (via Energy Collective)

MISO wraps up its first annual capacity auction (via Renew Grid)

RENEWABLES 

Over 1,000 firms demand end to EU-China solar PV trade war (via BusinessGreen)

Solar power has reached grid parity in India and Italy (via Treehugger)

China’s wind output grows 41% (via Recharge)

How cleantech is enhancing the US military’s “mission capability” (via Greentech Media)

Super algae could replace conventional biofuels (via RTCC)

New wind harvesting invention could bring cities to life (via Phys.org)

New York State renewable power plan would cost $382 billion by 2030 (via Bloomberg)

California wind power blows away production record (via Yahoo! Finance)

New York State expands NY-Sun Initiative with $13.5 million in new funding (via Solar Industry Mag)

Turbines near Lake Erie energize conservation, wind power debate (via Toledo Blade)

Wind farm suit against Xcel dismissed (via St. Paul Pioneer Press)

ENERGY POLICY 

White House engaging lawmakers on energy tax code issues (via The Hill)

How much do health impacts from fossil fuel electricity cost the US economy? (via Forbes)

Indiana lawmakers advance plan to give utilities more power over rate increases (via Midwest Energy News)

KEYSTONE XL 

Killing Keystone XL could risk more oil spills by rail (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Island countries facing watery demise confer on survival strategies (via ClimateWire)

Climate change will threaten wine production, study shows (via The Guardian)

Geoengineering could trigger disaster in parts of Africa (via Climate Central)

Poll: fears of global warming rising in US (via The Hill)

Summer temperatures expected to be far above average (via Greentech Media)

Rebuilding the shores, increasing the risks (via New York Times)

Getting serious about a Texas-sized drought (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Captured carbon used for natural gas fracking (via Sustainable Business)

Judge rules administration overlooked fracking risks in California mineral leases (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Manufacturing nearing energy efficiency ceiling (via Energy Manager Today)

Colby College achieves carbon neutrality (via Environmental Leader)

California office park secures three dozen LEED certifications (via EarthTechling)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s TEPCO may run out of space for radioactive water (via Reuters)

POLITICS 

Obama’s DOE, EPA picks face Senate grilling this week (via Reuters)

DOE nominee Moniz seen as “dose of reality” (via Greenwire)

OPINION 

How Margaret Thatcher made the conservative case for climate action (via Mother Jones)

For the price of the Iraq War, the US could have gotten halfway to a renewable power system (via Grist)

Climate fight should target coal, not Keystone (via Bloomberg)

Schwarzenegger: California’s silent disaster (via Los Angeles Times)

Fisker struggles mark blow to Obama’s electric car goal (via Bloomberg)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.8.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

India seeks access to US natural gas (via The Hill)

Shale-rich Spanish region expected to vote to ban fracking (via Reuters)

Foreign investors play large role in US shale industry (via US EIA)

TRANSPORTATION 

Cheaper electric vehicle batteries: slow and steady wins the race (via Green Car Reports)

Fisker mass layoffs trigger federal lawsuit (via Autoblog)

GREEN BUSINESS 

A glimpse into the future of retailer sustainability (via GreenBiz)

RENEWABLES 

Global biofuels production will reach nearly 62 billion gallons by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

630MW offshore wind London Array at full power (via Recharge)

Austria installed 230MW of solar in 2012 to double total capacity (via CleanTechnica)

IRS gives wind power a raise (via EarthTechling)

Sewer bonds new funding model for solar projects (via Bloomberg)

Wind energy and wildlife: science marks industry efforts (via AOL Energy)

North Carolina’s renewable portfolio standard under attack (via RTCC)

EMISSIONS 

China’s emissions trading scheme in line for 2020 national launch (via RTCC)

Study: fossil fuel emissions stunt coral growth (via RTCC)

Air pollution killed 1.2 million Chinese in 2010 (via Greentech Media)

US carbon emissions drop as natural gas displaces coal (via The Hill)

Total carbon emissions from natural gas may exceed coal by 2016 (via Facts of the Day)

Study: EPA rules will fuel shift away from coal (via The Hill)

OIL 

Ruling against BP clears way for spill payout appeals (via Reuters)

Exxon oil spill could be 40% larger than company estimates, say EPA figures (via InsideClimate News)

Upstart pipeline company staking its future on stopping heavy oil corrosion (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Tipping point near for LED lighting (via Navigant Research)

GRID 

“Battery University” aims to train a work force for next-generation energy storage (via New York Times)

Texas to double wind capacity with $6.8 billion transmission investment (via AOL Energy)

ComEd facing lawsuit connected to smart meter initiative (via Renew Grid)

POLITICS 

DOE, EPA nominees face Congressional hearings this week (via The Hill)

Meet the US billionaire who wants to kill the Keystone XL pipeline (via The Globe and Mail)

The man who could put climate change on Obama’s agenda (via National Journal)

Salazar looks back on a “joyful run” as Interior Secretary (via New York Times)

OPINION 

Is the Keystone XL pipeline too risky? (via National Journal)

Yea or nay, White House will face backlash on Keystone (via Politico)

Why solar power company stocks are still earthbound (via New York Times)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.4.13

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

EMISSIONS 

British Columbia set to announce five-year carbon tax freeze (via Vancouver Sun)

Two major air pollutants increase in Beijing (via New York Times)

Who’s really in charge on EPA rules? A chat with legal scholar Lisa Heinzerling (via Grist)

ENERGY POLICY 

EU re-launches CCS and renewable energy fund (via BusinessGreen)

What would a manufacturing renaissance do to US energy intensity? (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Overseas demand breathes new life into US coal industry (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

India’s demand for clean energy credits almost triples in March (via Panchabuta)

Australia competing with Germany on low solar PV prices (via CleanTechnica)

Japan to become largest solar market after China (via Bloomberg)

Suntech unit bankruptcy had roots in deadbeat customers (via Bloomberg)

Renewable energy stations that double as wildlife reserves (via EarthTechling)

BP wind sale highlights renewable energy struggles (via Houston Chronicle)

Top ten wind states all have electric rates below national average (via Facts of the Day)

Online solar marketplace is like an eBay for solar (via TreeHugger)

Exelon falls from green favor as chief fights wind aid (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Canada seen beating US in $150 billion Asia LNG race (via Bloomberg)

Natural gas revolution and its implications: LNG exports 101 (via Energy Collective)

Natural gas pipeline market failure looms (via AOL Energy)

Senate panel to scrutinize natural gas exports – again (via Houston Chronicle)

Ohio not part of nonbinding Northeast fracking pact (via Columbus Dispatch)

TRANSPORTATION 

China issues new EU-ETS aviation emissions warning (via Xinhua)

Tesla increases lease calculator costs; supercharging, “mystery” announcement soon (via Autoblog Green)

Gentlemen, start your calculators: checking the math of Tesla’s lend-lease program (via New York Times)

OIL 

China to surpass US as world’s top crude importer, OPEC says (via Bloomberg)

Norway’s oil future seen with ice-free Arctic’s barrels (via Bloomberg)

Feds: all companies should heed Shell’s Arctic drilling lessons (via Houston Chronicle)

Gulf oil spill settlement dispute becomes more contentious (via Houston Chronicle)

Geologist’s Alaska gamble could turn into America’s next big shale play (via EnergyWire)

Inland US oil refiners stung by renewable energy credits (via Reuters)

No-fly zone in place over Arkansas pipeline spill site (via Nasdaq)

CLIMATE 

Has the rate of sea level rise tripled since 2011? (via Climate Progress)

World Bank president says global warming threatens planet and poorest (via Washington Post)

Environmental policies matter for growing megacities, study finds (via Phys.org)

GRID 

Over 400 microgrid projects underway en route to $40 billion market (via CleanTechnica)

How diverse is your state’s electricity generation portfolio? (via Climate Progress)

Smart meters still under fire in DC, Maine (via Renew Grid)

Big data dives clarify California power markets (via AOL Energy)

KEYSTONE XL 

The Keystone XL pipeline and its politics, explained (via Washington Post)

Former White House spokesman: polls won’t drive Obama on Keystone (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Utility customers will spend $1.4 billion on building energy management systems by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

LED streetlights move from pilot projects to widespread use (via Midwest Energy News)

POLITICS 

Obama on climate change: “the politics of this are tough” (via The Hill) 

Poll: majority of Republicans believe global warming is a hoax (via The Hill)

Anti-Keystone billionaire rattles Democrats (via Politico)

Salazar to leave Interior Department with no regrets (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Why Africa is missing the solar power boat (via Renewable Energy World)

Slow and steady wins the solar race (via GigaOm)

“Social bankability” needed to expand off-grid clean energy (via Greentech Media)

Has Tesla made electric cars affordable? Not exactly (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.2.13

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

CLIMATE 

By 2050 much of the Arctic could be green (via Mongabay)

South East Asia food basket facing “shocking” future (via RTCC)

US dominated global disaster losses in 2012: Swiss Re (via Climate Central)

Climate hawks go on offense, but impact uncertain (via InsideClimate News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

European industry flocks to US to take advantage of cheaper natgas (via Washington Post)

Rumors of a cheap-energy jobs boom from natgas remain just that (via New York Times)

Federal government wants to track PA oil and gas production more closely (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Fracking wastewater disposal wells mapped in Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

Illinois proposes fracking tax lower than most states (via Chicago Tribune)

RENEWABLES 

Solar PV demand in emerging Asian countries expected to boom through 2017 (via Solar Industry)

Offshore wind power: huge potential goes largely untapped (via EarthTechling)

Shared renewables could supercharge California’s clean energy economy (via CleanTechnica)

What’s wrong with Pennsylvania solar? (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Three years after Gulf spill, BP faces big week in court (via Houston Chronicle)

Exxon developing evacuation plan for Pegasus oil pipeline spill (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

TRANSPORTATION 

Hybrid sales up 32% this year, could hit 8% of market by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

A longer life for lithium-sulfur batteries (via Phys.org)

Tesla’s stock soars over 20% on profit, sales news (via GigaOm)

Tesla cancels lowest-range version of Model S (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Air pollution linked to 1.2 million premature deaths in China (via New York Times)

Poll: nearly half say US government too lax on environment (via The Hill)

Texas deploys “rainy day fund” to start long-term fight against drought (via ClimateWire)

ENERGY POLICY 

Japanese cabinet proposes energy sector overhauls (via New York Times)

Citigroup: renewables will triumph and natural gas will help (via Grist)

America gets a D+ in energy infrastructure (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

How Ontario is putting an end to coal-burning power plants (via Yale e360)

Coal opponents say Washington State terminal has derailed (via Seattle Weekly)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Could energy benchmarking rules be useless? (via Greentech Media)

Energy Trust of Oregon saves 71% of 2012 electricity target in Q4 (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US book industry using 24% recycled paper on average (via Mongbay)

EMISSIONS 

“Global” carbon market goes truly global (via CleanTechnica)

Carbon emissions declined 1.4% in Europe in 2012 (via Bloomberg)

Greenhouse gas emissions from farmland underestimated (via Phys.org)

Soils in newly forested areas store substantial carbon (via Phys.org)

Supreme Court rejects challenge to EPA air pollution rule from oil lobby (via Reuters)

GRID 

More than 400 microgrid projects under development worldwide (via Navigant Research)

Texas grid expansion to double wind capacity, deliver to major cities (via Sustainable Business)

POLITICS 

Bucking administration turnover trend, Sutley may stay at CEQ (via Greenwire)

NASA climate scientist James Hansen to leave government for advocacy work (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Germany’s solar-power success: too much of a good thing? (via Grist)

Seven things you learn driving the length of the Keystone XL pipeline (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.1.13

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Federal agencies asked to delay Keystone over pipeline safety issues (via InsideClimate News)

Exxon Mobil pipeline leaks “a few thousand” barrels of crude oil in Arkansas (via Washington Post)

Exxon confirms ruptured Arkansas pipeline carried Canadian dilbit (via InsideClimate News)

Exxon to excavate Pegasus crude pipeline to find cause of leak (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Countries in Asia cutting carbon faster than Europe (via Climate Central)

Enviro groups want Supreme Court to review power plant air pollution ruling (via The Hill)

Northeast US states fight carbon emissions with renewables (via EarthTechling)

RENEWABLES 

Japan approves 10% solar feed-in tariff cut (via Recharge News)

Solar roof highways: India’s road to new power? (via EarthTechling)

Current solar module efficiency nowhere near its potential (via CleanTechnica)

America’s biggest utility power provider gets into the distributed-energy game (via Grist)

States cooling to renewable energy (via Wall Street Journal)

New York spends $47 million for 76 large on-site solar projects (via Energy Manager Today)

Solar investments to yield millions for local school children (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Israel taps large offshore natural gas field (via New York Times)

Saudi Arabia’s shale gas challenge (via Asharq Al-Awsat)

As fracking proliferates in Texas, so do disposal wells (via Texas Tribune)

Ed Rendell’s plea for New York fracking fails to disclose industry ties (via ProPublica)

TRANSPORTATION 

EPA proposes Tier 3 standards for gasoline sulfur content and vehicle emissions (via Green Car Congress)

Opponents attack EPA proposal requiring cleaner fuel, cars in US (via Washington Post)

Automakers unwrap hybrids to meet tough fuel standards (via Detroit News)

As potential investors back away, Fisker retains bankruptcy law firm (via Los Angeles Times)

Tesla Motors reaches profitability on brisk Model S sales (via San Jose Mercury News)

Consumer electronics are driving battery advances (via Plugin Cars)

CLIMATE 

Europe to be battered by Sandy-style superstorms (via New Scientist)

A glorious winter, but Alps face warmer world and huge changes (via The Guardian)

Study: global warming means seas freeze more off Antarctica (via Scientific American)

Nature’s thermometers say spring is springing earlier by 3 days per decade (via Weather Underground)

COAL 

With Illinois coal hot, environmentalists demand reforms to mine permit system (via Midwest Energy News)

ENVIRONMENT 

Cost of environmental damage in China growing rapidly amid industrialization (via New York Times)

China’s exploitation of Latin American natural resources raises concern (via The Guardian)

Haiti to plant millions of trees, double forest coverage by 2016 (via Inhabitat)

Mystery malady kills more bees, heightening worry on farms (via New York Times)

GRID 

Global microgrid market will pass $40 billion in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

National power panel set up for better grid supervision in India (via Panchabuta)

Distributed energy: driving the ghosts out of the machine (via Grist)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

A “China Dream” – more efficient than the American one (via Midwest Energy News)

Red states use 55% more energy, produce 80% more carbon emissions (via Sustainable Business)

USDA offers funding for rural energy efficiency projects (via Energy Manager Today)

Study says mandatory energy benchmarking not worth the cost (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION 

How the US oil, gas boom could shake up global order (via NBC News)

Amid austerity, how can Washington spur new energy technologies? (via National Journal)

Salazar’s legacy: win some, lose some (via Houston Chronicle)

Will driverless cars solve our energy problems or just create new ones? (via Washington Post)

Is the US economy getting more energy efficient or not? (via Greentech Media)

Bill McKibben’s lesson for business in the age of climate change (via GreenBiz)

Exxon oil spill in Arkansas seeps into Keystone debate (via Globe and Mail)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.29.13

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

TRANSPORTATION 

Long-delayed EPA gasoline pollution rules set for Friday debut (via The Hill)

Consumer concerns about range and economics still hinder interest in buying EVs (via Navigant Research)

Tesla Model S wins 2013 World Green Car of the Year (via Autoblog Green)

A little lesson in electric vehicles (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EPA and Department of Energy recognize 2013 Energy Star awardees (via Environmental Leader)

Los Angeles maps electricity use at the block level (via MIT Technology Review)

OIL 

OPEC oil output falls to lowest level since 2011 (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

A record year for world wind power in 2012 (via Greentech Media)

India’s wind power base to rise 50% by 2015 (via Hindustan Times)

Asian giants embracing more clean energy (via EarthTechling) 

Bulgaria to suspend up to 40% of wind, solar capacity (via Renewable Energy World)

India’s off-grid renewables initiative changing lives (via Renewable Energy World)

German solar to gain from Cyprus crisis as investors seek safety (via Bloomberg)

Solar storage market set for rapid growth (via Renewable Energy World)

Report: some federal wind energy programs “duplicative” (via The Hill)

New process may make renewable energy reliable at last (via Climate Central)

Lured by savings and cash, many American schools are going solar (via ClimateWire)

New York State’s competitive solar program off to a bright start (via Greentech Media)

Maine introduces feed-in tariff legislation (via Renewable Energy World)

New bill could help Georgia reap solar energy cash crop (via Energy Collective)

The wind blows, the sun shines: the tax breaks (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS 

The new tech that could make methane leaks a thing of the past (via Forbes)

CLIMATE 

Scientists find “missing heat” of global warming 700 meters below the sea (via Mongabay)

Study: climate worst-case scenario may backfire in activists’ campaign (via Huffington Post)

Survey: Americans believe in climate change risks but won’t pay to fix them (via The Guardian)

Survey explores how UK gardeners are adapting to climate change (via Phys.org)

Canada could leave UN climate talks after UNCCD exit (via RTCC)

San Diego, bracing for climate change, studies its weaknesses (via ClimateWire)

ENVIRONMENT 

Canada first country to pull out of UN drought convention (via The Globe and Mail)

GRID 

Lone Star Transmission lights up 330 miles of Texas CREZ power lines (via Renew Grid)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Accounting for environmental externalities is good for business and the planet (via BusinessGreen)

Ford reduces water use in vehicle assembly by 10.6 billion gallons (via Autoblog Green)

EMISSIONS 

UK’s CO2 emissions up 4.5% in 2012 (via The Guardian)

Fungi drives carbon uptake by boreal forests (via Mongabay)

Hong Kong to raise air quality standards and cut emissions (via Bloomberg)

TAR SANDS 

Pentagon officials tour oilsands as part of effort to recruit veterans to jobs (via Calgary Herald)

Total sets sights on getting oil sands crude to Gulf coast (via Globe and Mail)

OPINION 

IMF says global fossil fuel subsidies amount to $1.9 trillion a year…and that’s probably an underestimate (via Grist)

Brutal solar market benefits consumers (via Navigant Research)

Poll: Americans want energy focus on renewables, not oil (via Houston Chronicle)