Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.15.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US natural gas exports to Mexico jump 24 percent (via Houston Chronicle)

US utilities to burn more coal as natgas prices climb (via Reuters)

Risky US-backed loans and a diplomatic blitz force debate over LNG costs (via EnergyWire)

University of Tennessee’s fracking research funded by gas profits raises ethics concerns (via Washington Post/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Road funds on empty; more US states weigh gasoline tax hikes (via Reuters)

New internal combustion technology could improve range-extended electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

US House will get EV charging stations for plug-in driving Congressmen (via Autoblog Green)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s fossil-fueled generation remains high because of continuing nuclear plant outages (via US EIA)

Exelon could boost its US nuclear output 1,100MW (via Crain’s Chicago Business)

RENEWABLES 

Japan adds 1,178Mw of mostly solar energy in nine months (via Bloomberg)

EU could save billions with cross-border renewables cooperation (via Reuters)

Biomass industry to more than triple globally by 2030 (via Renewable Energy World)

EU votes to extend renewables target to 2030 (via Recharge)

2012 was a record-breaking year for solar panels in the US (via GigaOm)

The trouble with turbines: an ill wind (via Nature)

California renewable power supply growing, costs falling (via Reuters)

Bill would end North Carolina’s renewable energy program (via Charlotte News Observer)

NJ regulators to decide in June on offshore wind project (via Recharge)

Massachusetts could be hub for offshore wind industry (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

Cradle of mankind offers Kenya three centuries of oil (via Bloomberg)

US EIA projects OPEC oil decline in 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

Interior chief: Shell “screwed up,” must improve to resume Arctic effort (via The Hill)

Interior allows BP to bid on Gulf leases, with conditions (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

USAID launches Pacific climate change projects (via Australia Network News)

Lack of climate action risks developing world gains, says UN (via Phys.org)

World’s hotter days cooled by growth of grasslands (via Phys.org)

February keeps the planet’s warm streak alive: NOAA (via Climate Central)

Devastating East African drought made more likely by climate change (via Phys.org)

Glacial meltwater catastrophes are forming high in the Andes (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

US oil exports spur more questions about Keystone XL pipeline (via Wall Street Journal)

GEOENGINEERING 

Experts propose new structure for regulation of geoengineering research (via Phys.org)

Can giant umbrellas help protect polar ice caps? (via Good)

Rules needed for geoengineering research, say experts (via Climate Central)

EMISSIONS 

EU cancels carbon auction, prices drop (via Environmental Leader)

Shaping the next generation of carbon markets (via Huffington Post)

ENVIRONMENT 

Spring rain, then foul algae in ailing Lake Erie (via New York Times)

GRID 

Maintaining grid “survivability” after blackouts (via Renew Grid)

Are municipal utilities more resilient during disasters? (via Grist)

Smart grid markets on the move (via AOL Energy)

POLITICS 

Obama revives green energy sales pitch (via The Hill)

Obama turns focus to research in first energy speech of second term (via Reuters)

Could Republicans ever support a carbon tax? Bob Inglis thinks so (via Washington Post)

Green groups flocking to Markey for Senate (via Politico)

OPINION 

There’s high trust in clean power despite the negative headlines (via GigaOm)

Immigration reform – for the climate (via Los Angeles Times)

15 must-haves for any modern residential solar website (via Renewable Energy World)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.8.13

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

CLIMATE 

Recent global heat spike unlike anything in 11,000 years (via Time/AP)

Report says insurers still ignoring climate change (via Mother Jones)

BusinessGreen guide to climate risk management (via BusinessGreen)

Canadian Arctic may lose 20% of glaciers by 2100, shows study (via Bloomberg)

US Forest Service may let more fires burn (via Time/AP)

COAL 

Burning coal costs the EU €43 billion a year in health costs (via RTCC)

As coal industry declines, what will happen to all those retired miners? (via Washington Post)

ENVIRONMENT

UN says governments falling short in drought fight (via Phys.org)

US drought intensifies in Texas and Florida (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

50 percent price gap between European and Chinese solar modules (via Greentech Media)

China drives record solar growth to become world’s biggest market (via Bloomberg)

London Array becomes world’s biggest offshore wind farm (via Recharge)

Energy project developers see solar as easier than wind (via Greentech Media)

Greece installed 300MW of solar PV in January 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

US ethanol makers eye pros and cons of corn alternatives (via Reuters)

Radical wind concept promises energy storage (via EarthTechling)

Other people’s money: how crowdfunding lowers the cost of solar energy (via RMI Outlet)

Solar batteries could be utilities’ next headache (via Reuters)

Is South Dakota “open for business” for wind developers? (via Midwest Energy News)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Oil sands, Keystone XL, and the new politics of fossil fuel infrastructure (via Energy Collective)

US lawmakers draft bill to speed decision on Keystone pipeline (via Reuters)

Senate Foreign Relations Committee plans Keystone XL pipeline hearing (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Beijing to reveal plan for electric vehicle boost (via BusinessGreen)

Two largest global EV charging networks join forces (via Pike Research)

Rethinking the lead acid battery with chip and disk drive machines (via GigaOm)

Dreamliner battery fire more serious than first thought (via Christian Science Monitor/AP)

US new vehicle fuel economy in February ties record high (via Green Car Congress)

EPA considers changes to plug-in hybrid testing process (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US shale gas exports will shake up global market (via CNBC)

US shale boom hurts Europe’s climate goals, says energy executive (via Houston Chronicle)

Illinois fracking deal could be the national model (via Huffington Post/AP)

In Texas, water use for fracking stirs concerns (via Texas Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency presents UK industrial sector with £2.2 opportunity (via BusinessGreen)

How UC Irvine redefines efficiency in laboratories (via GreenBiz)

ENERGY POLICY 

The key decision that can make or break an energy project (via Greentech Media)

Interior Department nominee Jewell pledges “certainty” to oil, gas drillers (via Reuters)

OIL 

Five energy challenges for Venezuela’s oil after Chavez (via Christian Science Monitor)

Exxon to invest $190 billion in upstream oil projects over five years (via Wall Street Journal)

BP faces escalating spill payouts after court ruling (via Reuters)

BP, Transocean officials botched tests, testifies witness (via Bloomberg)

Republicans point to falling oil production on federal lands (via Wall Street Journal)

EMISSIONS 

40x35: a zero-carbon energy target for the world’s largest economies (via Climate Progress)

Developing nations must reduce emissions by half by 2020, study says (via WRI Insights)

EU court rejects Polish challenge to CO2 emissions system (via Phys.org)

GRID 

Demand response in the US electricity market (via Energy Collective)

What exactly are self-healing power grids? (via EarthTechling)

Summer demand may raise heat on Texas grid (via Houston Chronicle)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s economic troubles spur a return to nuclear power (via MIT Technology Review)

Two years after Fukushima, Japan’s nuclear lobby bounces back (via Reuters)

US nuclear plant inspections need to improve, says report (via Reuters)

Looming federal budget cuts add to problems at Hanford nuclear site (via New York Times)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Shareholders file first-ever “carbon-bubble” resolutions (via InsideClimate News)

How GM earns $1 billion recycling (via Treehugger)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.13.13

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

STATE OF THE UNION 

Obama gives Congress a climate change ultimatum (via Reuters)

Obama vows executive action climate push but many specifics remain absent (via The Hill)

Obama floats “Energy Security Trust” in State of the Union (via The Hill)

Obama calls for doubling US energy efficiency by 2030 (via Greentech Media)

Obama talks tough on climate, proposes “drilling for clean energy” program (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama promises cap-and-trade action (via Washington Post)

Obama cites storms, drought to build case for climate action (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Australia’s electricity emissions fall to 10-year low as coal sidelined by renewables (via Renew Economy)

EU aviation carbon emissions to decline in 2013 (via Bloomberg)

North American carbon markets to “more than double” this year (via Environmental Leader)

On-ship carbon capture concept developed, could reduce ship emissions up to 65% (via Green Car Congress)

RENEWABLES 

Three charts to help you understand Chile’s emerging utility-scale solar market (via Greentech Media)

Tea party targets renewable energy standard in Kansas (via Grist)

New York State solar market shows significant promise for 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

Maine leads trend toward floating offshore wind turbines (via Sustainable Business)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US Senate Energy Committee mulls future of natural gas policy (via Reuters)

Beyond the boom, unanswered questions about the life of new natural gas wells (via EnergyWire)

New York State puts off fracking decision (via New York Times)

New York State may issue fracking permits without final regulations (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Germany may implement energy storage incentive (via CleanTechnica)

Data centers morphing into virtual power plants (via Pike Research)

CLIMATE 

Climate change outpacing green investment, report shows (via GreenBiz)

Why Tokyo has more to fear from sea-level rise than Vancouver (via Washington Post)

East Coast faces rising seas from slowing Gulf Stream (via Climate Central)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Almost two-thirds of consumers remain unaware of UK’s energy efficiency Green Deal (via BusinessGreen)

Newer US homes are 30% larger but consumer about as much energy as older homes (via US EIA)

EPEAT green electronics registry adds printers, copiers (via GreenBiz)

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

TRANSPORTATION 

Holland’s plan to go EV is working (via Autoblog Green)

The charges are flying over a test of Tesla’s charging network (via New York Times)

San Jose State University and CalCharge launch “Battery University” program (via Green Car Congress)

OIL 

US approves Chinese-Canadian oil deal (via The Hill)

Russia plans $25-30 billion oil-for-loans deal with China (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Corporations face mounting investor demand to enhance environmental performance (via BusinessGreen)

ENVIRONMENT 

Deaths of endangered fish curtail California water exports (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

Top Republican to Obama: don’t bypass Congress on climate (via The Hill)

Sen. Boxer’s ideal EPA candidate seems to describe Gina McCarthy (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Obama can’t change polarization on climate change (via Grist)

Can Congress compromise on clean energy? (via Midwest Energy News)

Is exporting natural gas a problem? (via Politico)

Is another Enron possible in today’s energy market? (via Forbes)

Is more charging needed to sell electric cars in Northeast US? (via Green Car Reports)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.29.13

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Settlement with TransCanada curtails protesters’ acts of civil disobedience (via Greenwire)

GRID 

China tests a small smart electric grid (via MIT Technology Review)

Inspector General: DOE mismanaged ARRA smart grid funds (via Renew Grid)

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon price drop deemed “wake-up call” (via United Press International)

“Off the scale” smog envelops Beijing again (via Phys.org)

Scotland sets 2030 power sector decarbonization goal (via Recharge)

RENEWABLES 

PwC: renewables M&A activity falls in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Solar growth moves to China, Middle East, and India as Europe cuts subsidies (via ClimateWire)

UK solar boom predicted to double installations in 2013 (via Bloomberg)

Taiwan starts offshore wind push (via Recharge)

Suzlon chief predicts “flat” wind turbine market in 2013 (via Bloomberg)

Can fossil-fuel tax benefits boost the renewable energy industry? (via Midwest Energy News)

Solar net metering equals net benefits in California and Vermont (via CleanTechnica)

ERCOT report shows Texas wind and solar power hold their own against natural gas (via EarthTechling)

ENVIRONMENT 

Over $8 billion invested in watersheds globally in 2011 (via Mongabay) 

Projected US water use likely to increase as climate warms (via Phys.org)

Message from Mexico: US is polluting water it may someday need to drink (via ProPublica)

Species on the move present a conservation challenge (via Climate Change)

Drought worsening in Midwest and Plains states, despite Winter weather (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

OIL 

OPEC sees oil markets well supplied, no price collapse in 2013 (via Bloomberg)

US review delays closing of big Chinese oil deal (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Has “peak car” already happened, making automakers mobility companies? (via Autoblog Green)

Three automakers combine forces on fuel-cell cars (via New York Times)

Electric cars and the power grid: how are they coming together? (via Forbes)

Lower EV prices will not blow up the market (via Pike Research)

EV drivers now have quick-charge coverage from Washington to California (via CleanTechnica)

Colorado county mandates plug-in vehicle wiring for new homes (via Plugin Cars)

CLIMATE 

USGS-NOAA: climate change impacts to US coasts threaten public health, safety, economy (via Phys.org)

Cities lead over feds on climate change adaptation (via Sustainable Business)

Scientist publishes first climate change textbook for college students (via Phys.org)

Is it Spring or is it Winter? Wild rollercoaster of US temperatures (via Weather Underground)

An unusual weather turn even for the Midwest: 8 degrees quickly becomes 74 (via New York Times)

NASA retirees appeal to own lack of climate authority (via Skeptical Science)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Shell, Kinder Morgan to jointly export LNG from the US (via Reuters)

Gas royalty checks total $1.2 billion in Pennsylvania (via Facts of the Day)

RARE EARTHS 

Rare earths mining boom poses toxic risks (via Treehugger)

COAL 

Canadian carbon project aims to prove clean coal works (via Reuters)

US coal industry sees progress ahead in Congress, Courts (via Politico)

GREEN BUILDING 

America’s most conservative green community (via The Atlantic)

Washington DC requires privately owned buildings measure energy, water use (via Sustainable Business)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Unlocking sustainability’s hidden value (via GreenBiz)

POLITICS 

What it looks like when Obama’s passion spurs him to defy political odds (via Grist)

Climate change action now helps win elections: poll (via Discovery News)

Moderate Dem Senator Heitkamp bucks party orthodoxy, aims to exemplify “all of the above” (via E&E Daily)

A chat with Sierra Club’s Michael Brune about civil disobedience (via Grist)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.23.13

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Nebraska governor approves new Keystone XL route (via New York Times)

Nebraska approval puts Keystone pipeline decision squarely on Obama (via Globe and Mail)

US State Department: no Keystone decision before end of Q1 2013 (via Reuters)

Obama’s own words turn up heat on Keystone decision (via Politico)

Sierra Club to engage in civil disobedience for first time in opposition to Keystone XL (via San Francisco Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Four of five British have not heard of government’s energy efficiency Green Deal (via BusinessGreen)

Senate bill targets energy efficiency for climate strategy (via Politico)

DC, Virginia, Colorado top US in 2012 LEED certifications (via Energy Manager Today)

Berkeley Lab predicts more energy efficiency incentives in South, Midwest (via Energy Manager Today)

California to invest $2.5 billion retrofitting energy-wasting schools (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

China’s solar market boomed in Q4, accounting for third of global demand (via Forbes)

Japan’s solar tariff may drop 12% as costs sink, BNEF estimates (via Bloomberg)

Global insurers see opportunity in renewable energy (via Recharge)

EU proposes duties on US bioethanol imports (via Reuters)

Chinese solar panel imports drop amid new US tariffs (via Houston Chronicle)

Total solar scenario for Earth: plenty, with room to spare (via EarthTechling)

Ikea to double spending on renewable energy to $4 billion (via Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg) 

Taller wind turbines boost state energy self-reliance (via CleanTechnica)

New bill proposed for Maryland offshore wind (via Recharge)

Wind farm towers: taller and slower with more power (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Wind energy company could be required to track, protect condors (via Bakersfield Californian)

EMISSIONS 

Supreme Court won’t hear challenge to EPA pollution rule (via The Hill)

Court ruling casts doubt on future of EPA monitoring program (via Greenwire)

California greenhouse gas emissions drop for 3rd year (via Sustainable Business)

TRANSPORTATION 

A123 expects Wanxiang sale to be finished by Feb 1 (via Autoblog Green)

Lux Research: Boeing “should have used a safer battery” (via Environmental Leader)

More electric car charging stations open in Atlanta (via Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

COAL 

Sen. Rockefeller reshaping his federal mine safety legislation (via Register-Herald)

Coal trains: what is the impact? (via Skagit Valley Herald)

The people and process behind Bellingham’s coal port decision (via Crosscut)

Iowa utility agrees to stop using coal at five generators (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Betting on Indiana coal: Duke wants ratepayers to fund retrofits, enviros cry foul (via Midwest Energy News)

GRID 

Australian utilities reluctant to invest in smart grid (via Renew Grid)

How much electric supply capacity is needed to keep US electricity grids reliable? (via US EIA)

In fuel cells, the US plays catch-up (via Pike Research)

CLIMATE 

Poll shows country split on climate change (via The Hill)

In inaugural address, Obama makes a moral case for action on climate change (via Washington Post)

Obama signals new executive authority focus on climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

Obama could bypass Congress to fulfill climate pledge (via Bloomberg)

Death from above: Chicago’s bird casualties offer clues on climate change (via Grist)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Shareholders challenge Exxon, Chevron over climate risks (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas vehicles remain less prevalent in US than elsewhere (via Houston Chronicle)

Huntsman Corp. joins campaign against US natural gas exports (via Houston Chronicle)

NUCLEAR 

An early nuclear warning: was it for naught? (via New York Times)

Fish caught near Fukushima shows radiation level 2,500 above safety standards (via Daily Mail)

OPINION 

A quick, awesome must-read on climate change (via Mother Jones)

Will Germany banish fossil fuels before the US? (via Grist)

Enough with our cult of the presidency – the climate’s fate rests with Congress (via Grist)

The climate change endgame (via New York Times)

The 14 fossil-fuel projects poised to f*ck up the climate (via Grist)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.18.13

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone’s tar sands waste said to warm climate more than coal (via Bloomberg)

As State Department nears completion of Keystone XL review, both sides dig in (via Washington Post)

Two report on oil sands paint a dire picture (via New York Times)

Federal study reignites pollution concern in expanding tar sand region (via DeSmog Blog)

GOP governors, Canadian leader press Obama to approve Keystone pipeline (via The Hill)

TransCanada on the climate impacts of its Keystone XL pipeline (via Huffington Post)

CLIMATE 

Temperature hits all-time high in Sydney (via Phys.org)

Survey finds businesses trusted more than government on climate change (via Environmental Leader)

US frost-free season grows to 21 days (via Facts of the Day)

RENEWABLES 

High-tech energy attracts $1.12 trillion in global revenue (via Houston Chronicle)

Germany may widen FIT reforms (via Recharge)

Report: solar could meet global electricity needs in 2050 using under 1% of world’s land (via Climate Progress)

Rising solar energy output drives German and French power prices to record lows (via CleanTechnica)

Developers will invest $1.9 trillion in clean energy over next five years (via Renewable Energy World)

2013 could be make or break year for algae fuel (via GigaOm)

US wind power accounted for 6% of generation capacity in 2012 (via Bloomberg)

FERC proposes rule to speed up solar energy grid interconnections (via Renewable Energy World)

US Army’s New Mexico solar array world’s largest of its kind (via EarthTechling)

Study: US must increase clean energy efforts (via United Press International)

Utilities, environmentalists behind study of Montana’s renewable power mandate (via Billings Gazette)

MIT builds material that generates electricity from water vapor (via Treehugger)

GRID 

Report predicts 3.5 million lost jobs, $3.1 million lost economic output without US transmission upgrades (via Renew Grid)

What US smart grid investments have done so far (via Renew Grid)

FERC proposes streamlining small generator interconnections (via Renew Grid)

PJM, NYISO begin market-to-market coordination (via Renew Grid)

First four months of municipal aggregation save Champaign, IL $700,000 (via News-Gazette)

OIL 

Global refining boom could challenge US exports (via Houston Chronicle)

OPEC forecasts record US oil supply growth in 2013 (via Christian Science Monitor)

As Shell’s Arctic drilling hopes hit snags, its rivals watch (via New York Times)

BP says North American shale oil boom will pressure OPEC (via Wall Street Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Mexico relaxes auto fuel-efficiency rule to quell legal threat (via Reuters)

How important is charging infrastructure to EV adoption? (via GreenBiz)

US grounds fuel-efficient Boeing Dreamliner (via Environmental Leader)

DOE partnership aims to realize EV-to-grid dream (via Triple Pundit)

As electric future unfolds, gasoline remains king (via Midwest Energy News)

GM says next generation Chevy Volt will be “thousands of dollars” cheaper (via Autoblog Green)

Fisker Karma production stoppage reaches 6 months, company claims “sufficient supply” (via Autoblog Green)

COAL 

Coal’s “lifeline to Asia” emerges as new front in global warming fight (via ClimateWire)

Scrutiny rises for royalties paid on US coal exports to Asia (via The Oregonian)

Coal mine safety rule prompted by explosion faces industry blowback (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

RWE starts carbon capture at UK coal plant (via Reuters)

Fraud-free cap and trade: what California learned from Europe (via GreenBiz)

New York Governor Cuomo proposes tougher RGGI carbon cap (via AOL Energy)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Top economies face fuel price spike as LNG supply drops (via Reuters)

Report recommends changes to tax exemption for fracking (via Texas Tribune)

ENVIRONMENT 

Canada’s environmental health last in developed world (via Huffington Post)

As US drought persists, many scramble to save every drop of water (via Reuters)

About a dozen environment reporters left at top five US papers (via InsideClimate News)

POLITICS 

Obama’s climate challenge (via Rolling Stone)

DOE Secretary Chu said to plan departure from cabinet (via Bloomberg)

US environmentalists challenged to get climate change laws through Congress (via The Guardian)

If you want to pass climate legislation, fix US politics (via Grist)

DOE names new BPA administrator (via Renew Grid)

New Washington governor sets his sights on climate change solutions (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Why the climate bill failed: it’s not that simple (via Grist)

How are we doing on energy efficiency? (via Grist)

Obama to confront oil pipeline, climate change in second term (via US News/AP)

What corporations can learn from green revolving funds (via GreenBiz)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.11.13

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

CLIMATE 

Heat, flood, or icy cold, extreme weather rages worldwide (via New York Times)

Australia braces for more blistering heat after record busting spell (via Washington Post)

COAL 

Ontario to be coal-free by 2013 (via Ontario Ministry of Energy)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Fossil fuel divestment campaign spreads to America’s churches (via InsideClimate News)

Investment community calls for predictable climate policy (via GreenBiz)

RENEWABLES 

Deutsche Bank predicts global solar market will rise 22 percent in 2013 (via Bloomberg)

Global clean energy investment falls for first time (via BusinessGreen)

Chile approves 3.1GW of solar PV projects (via Renewable Energy World)

US wind industry awaits tax guidance on PTC rule (via Politico)

New York Governor announces $1 billion green bank and $1.5 billion solar program (via Climate Progress)

California solar program hits 1GW-installed milestone (via EarthTechling)

NREL and Stanford team up on peel-and-stick solar cells (via Renewable Energy World)

EMISSIONS 

IRENA: shale gas boom can complement renewables to cut coal (via Bloomberg)

EPA cites Shell Arctic drilling rigs for air emissions violations (via Los Angeles Times)

Do you live near one of the nation’s dirtiest power plants? (via Huffington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Global auto exec survey expects internal-combustion engine dominance but with downsizing and PHEV investment (via Green Car Congress)

In lawsuit against Energy Department, firms claim cronyism in “green car” loan program (via Washington Post)

Nearly 1 million natural gas trucks and buses will be sold worldwide from 2012-2019 (via Pike Research)

New EV charging station connects to smart meters (via Renew Grid)

Fuel cell vehicles could be a $1.8 billion market in 2030 (via Environmental Leader)

How to read a plug-in hybrid’s mileage sticker (via Mapawatt)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US manufacturers lobby against “unfettered” natural gas exports (via Houston Chronicle)

California announces preliminary hydraulic fracturing regulations (via AOL Energy)

USGS finds no contamination from fracking in two Arkansas counties (via Reuters)

RARE EARTHS 

DOE plunks $120 million into rare earths research hub (via AOL Energy)

Molycorp lowers 2013 outlook, shares plunge (via Reuters)

OIL 

Support grows for more offshore drilling oversight by US (via Houston Chronicle)

BP oil spill settlement payments exceed $1 billion mark (via Houston Chronicle)

Rep. Markey: Shell may have moved Kulluk Arctic drilling rig to avoid taxes (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

Drought-damaged US states face poor outlook as dry weather persists (via The Guardian)

Native Canadians could block natural resource development (via Reuters)

Beetlemania: insects are gobbling up 1,000-year-old trees (via Mother Jones)

GRID 

ERCOT says Texas electric transmission capacity will fall short of demand (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

If you aren’t alarmed about climate, you aren’t paying attention (via Grist)

Why is General Electric backing down from its plug-in pledge? (via Plugin Cars)

New York State’s clean tech challenge to California (via Forbes)

OTHER NEWS 

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