Category Archives:Flooding

22
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.22.13

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

TAR SANDS 

“Nobody understands” spills at Alberta oil sands operation (via The Star)

State Department approves US-Canada pipeline – it’s not Keystone XL (via Christian Science Monitor)

EMISSIONS 

Trees absorb lower levels of pollution in hot weather (via RTCC)

EPA names interim air pollution chief to lead carbon crackdown (via The Hill)

GRID 

Which states are leading in smart grid? (via Greentech Media)

FERC’s energy storage ruling could jump-start big batteries (via Greentech Media)

The challenge and cost of interconnecting power projects to the grid (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES 

Global biofuels production infrastructure will attract $69 billion in capital investment between 2013-2023 (via Navigant Research)

India may expand solar dumping probe to EU, Japan cells (via Bloomberg)

Bedouin tribe talks a risk in Saudi solar drive (via Bloomberg)

Coal-heavy South Africa eyes wind and solar additions (via RTCC)

Canada to add 450MW of new solar PV in next five years (via Recharge)

UK energy companies paying a heavy price for shunning renewables (via The Guardian)

Solar module costs down 20% in 2013 (via Renew Economy)

Renewables provide 25% of new US electrical generating capacity in first half 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

Excel, Interior Department approvals add almost 2GW of wind (via Sustainable Business)

Oil companies break with trade group on renewable fuel mandate (via Houston Chronicle)

Plan for New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm rejected by regulators (via Star-Ledger)

Texas A&M launches world’s biggest solar photovoltaic R&D facility (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

Canadian oil storage hubs set to expand 25% by 2015 (via Reuters)

US, Canada chug ahead with oil shipments by rail despite risks (via Washington Post)

WTI oil reaches highest price in 16 months (via Houston Chronicle)

Judge denies BP effort to halt Gulf spill claim payouts (via Reuters)

New platforms rise to meet Gulf of Mexico drilling boom (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK government committing additional $763 million to support EVs through 2020 (via Green Car Congress)

Why not a plug-in hybrid minivan? (via Plugin Cars)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Federal study finds natural gas fracking chemicals didn’t spread to aquifers (via Washington Post/AP)

North Carolina fracking moratorium remains in place (via Charlotte Observer)

California fracking moratorium regulations near approval (NBC News)

Fracking filmmakers reflect unusual political twists in gas drilling debate (via Washington Post/AP)

CLIMATE 

Forest fires expected to worsen as climate warms (via The Good Human)

Continuing heat, drought, flooding make up this year’s weather story (via ClimateWire)

Waxman: climate regulations won’t revive legislation (via The Hill)

Vulnerable Maryland weighs threat of sea-level rise (via Washington Post)

COAL 

UK consumers to pay “dirty” coal power subsidies for years (via The Independent)

As EPA head, McCarthy will focus on coal. Oil and gas, not so much (via Triple Pundit)

GREEN BUILDING 

Top 6 cities leading the green building revolution (via EarthTechling)

A new concept: sustainability incubator for cities (via Sustainable Business)

NUCLEAR 

Germany rebuffs European nuclear power subsidy proposal (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

California non-residential building owners must disclose energy usage (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

The case against EPA political bias (via Politico)

Ernest Moniz to restructure top leadership at Energy Department (via Politico)

OPINION 

Shouldn’t climate scientists try harder to communicate their findings? (via The Guardian)

Putting more wind power on the grid (via Los Angeles Times)

US playing game of catch-up in rapidly changing Arctic (via Climate Central)

Why it’s hard for the US government to create green jobs (via Washington Post)

Why new EPA chief Gina McCarthy will be so important to cleantech (via Greentech Media)

When will utilities get a clue about social media? (via Greentech Media)

How do we use electricity? (via Grist)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, arctic, battery, biofuels, BP, california, canada, climate, Climate Change, coal, DOE, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Department, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, European Union, ev, Excel, FERC, Flooding, fracking, Fracking moratorium, germany, Gina McCarthy, global warming, green building, green jobs, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Henry Waxman, india, Interconnection, interior department, japan, Keystone XL, maryland, natural gas, new jersey, News, North Carolina, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, plug-in hybrid, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, Severe weather, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, South Africa, Subsidy, tar sands, texas, Texas A&M, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wildfires, wind
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22
Jul

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.22.13

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

TAR SANDS 

“Nobody understands” spills at Alberta oil sands operation (via The Star)

State Department approves US-Canada pipeline – it’s not Keystone XL (via Christian Science Monitor)

EMISSIONS 

Trees absorb lower levels of pollution in hot weather (via RTCC)

EPA names interim air pollution chief to lead carbon crackdown (via The Hill)

GRID 

Which states are leading in smart grid? (via Greentech Media)

FERC’s energy storage ruling could jump-start big batteries (via Greentech Media)

The challenge and cost of interconnecting power projects to the grid (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES 

Global biofuels production infrastructure will attract $69 billion in capital investment between 2013-2023 (via Navigant Research)

India may expand solar dumping probe to EU, Japan cells (via Bloomberg)

Bedouin tribe talks a risk in Saudi solar drive (via Bloomberg)

Coal-heavy South Africa eyes wind and solar additions (via RTCC)

Canada to add 450MW of new solar PV in next five years (via Recharge)

UK energy companies paying a heavy price for shunning renewables (via The Guardian)

Solar module costs down 20% in 2013 (via Renew Economy)

Renewables provide 25% of new US electrical generating capacity in first half 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

Excel, Interior Department approvals add almost 2GW of wind (via Sustainable Business)

Oil companies break with trade group on renewable fuel mandate (via Houston Chronicle)

Plan for New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm rejected by regulators (via Star-Ledger)

Texas A&M launches world’s biggest solar photovoltaic R&D facility (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

Canadian oil storage hubs set to expand 25% by 2015 (via Reuters)

US, Canada chug ahead with oil shipments by rail despite risks (via Washington Post)

WTI oil reaches highest price in 16 months (via Houston Chronicle)

Judge denies BP effort to halt Gulf spill claim payouts (via Reuters)

New platforms rise to meet Gulf of Mexico drilling boom (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK government committing additional $763 million to support EVs through 2020 (via Green Car Congress)

Why not a plug-in hybrid minivan? (via Plugin Cars)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Federal study finds natural gas fracking chemicals didn’t spread to aquifers (via Washington Post/AP)

North Carolina fracking moratorium remains in place (via Charlotte Observer)

California fracking moratorium regulations near approval (NBC News)

Fracking filmmakers reflect unusual political twists in gas drilling debate (via Washington Post/AP)

CLIMATE 

Forest fires expected to worsen as climate warms (via The Good Human)

Continuing heat, drought, flooding make up this year’s weather story (via ClimateWire)

Waxman: climate regulations won’t revive legislation (via The Hill)

Vulnerable Maryland weighs threat of sea-level rise (via Washington Post)

COAL 

UK consumers to pay “dirty” coal power subsidies for years (via The Independent)

As EPA head, McCarthy will focus on coal. Oil and gas, not so much (via Triple Pundit)

GREEN BUILDING 

Top 6 cities leading the green building revolution (via EarthTechling)

A new concept: sustainability incubator for cities (via Sustainable Business)

NUCLEAR 

Germany rebuffs European nuclear power subsidy proposal (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

California non-residential building owners must disclose energy usage (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

The case against EPA political bias (via Politico)

Ernest Moniz to restructure top leadership at Energy Department (via Politico)

OPINION 

Shouldn’t climate scientists try harder to communicate their findings? (via The Guardian)

Putting more wind power on the grid (via Los Angeles Times)

US playing game of catch-up in rapidly changing Arctic (via Climate Central)

Why it’s hard for the US government to create green jobs (via Washington Post)

Why new EPA chief Gina McCarthy will be so important to cleantech (via Greentech Media)

When will utilities get a clue about social media? (via Greentech Media)

How do we use electricity? (via Grist)

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, arctic, battery, biofuels, BP, california, canada, climate, Climate Change, coal, DOE, drought, electric vehicles, emissions, Energy Department, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, European Union, ev, Excel, FERC, Flooding, fracking, Fracking moratorium, germany, Gina McCarthy, global warming, green building, green jobs, grid, Gulf of Mexico, Henry Waxman, india, Interconnection, interior department, japan, Keystone XL, maryland, natural gas, new jersey, News, North Carolina, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, plug-in hybrid, Renewable Fuels Standard, renewables, RFS, saudi arabia, Sea level rise, Severe weather, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, South Africa, Subsidy, tar sands, texas, Texas A&M, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wildfires, wind
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17
Jul

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)

Posted:   |   Categories: AAA, ALEC, australia, battery, biofuel, california, cap and trade, carbon capture, Carbon capture and storage, ccs, Ceres, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Demand response, Divestment, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA Natural gas, EPEAT, EU ETS, European Union, Extreme weather, ExxonMobil, Flooding, Fossil fuel divestment, fuel cell, gas prices, Gasoline, green building, green business, grid, honda, ICCR, Jim Yong Kim, Keystone XL, Koch Brothers, LEED, Netherlands, new jersey, News, offshore drilling, oil, PGE, Pipeline, Renewable fuel standard, Renewable portfolio standards, renewables, RFS, rps, San Bruno explosion, Sea level rise, Severe weather, Shale gas, solar, solar pv, South Dakota, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Water scarcity, wind, World Bank, xcel
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17
Jul

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)

Posted:   |   Categories: AAA, ALEC, australia, battery, biofuel, california, cap and trade, carbon capture, Carbon capture and storage, ccs, Ceres, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Demand response, Divestment, emissions, Energy Efficiency, EPA Natural gas, EPEAT, EU ETS, European Union, Extreme weather, ExxonMobil, Flooding, Fossil fuel divestment, fuel cell, gas prices, Gasoline, green building, green business, grid, honda, ICCR, Jim Yong Kim, Keystone XL, Koch Brothers, LEED, Netherlands, new jersey, News, offshore drilling, oil, PGE, Pipeline, Renewable fuel standard, Renewable portfolio standards, renewables, RFS, rps, San Bruno explosion, Sea level rise, Severe weather, Shale gas, solar, solar pv, South Dakota, Thailand, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Water scarcity, wind, World Bank, xcel
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24
Jun

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.24.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Report: world facing “climate bomb” of super-greenhouse gases from China, India (via BusinessGreen)

Australian factories meet carbon deadline ahead of cap-and-trade (via Bloomberg)

EU carbon permits fall for first time in six weeks as traders close higher prices (via Bloomberg)

Kerry urges India to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

Report: Brazil at an energy-climate change crossroads (via RTCC)

Military report: US has “misguided” fixation with domestic drilling (via InsideClimate News)

The gradual greening of American college campuses (via EarthTechling)

RENEWABLES 

Wind industry “to spend €150 billion” developing global offshore (via Recharge)

World Bank to developing nations: first find your green energy, then develop it (via Christian Science Monitor)

Solar energy spurs a power struggle (via Wall Street Journal)

Tax programs to finance clean energy catch on (via New York Times)

(more…)

Posted:   |   Categories: ACEEE, Alberta, australia, barack obama, battery, Battery swap, Beacon Power, BICEP, BP, Brazil, canada, cap and trade, carbon tax, China, Climate Change, coal, Coal export, Coal mining, colorado, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, EPA, ethanol, EU, EU ETS, European Union, ev, ev charging, Extreme weather, Flooding, Flywheel, germany, Gina McCarthy, global warming, Goodhue, green business, grid, india, Israel, john kerry, Keystone XL, Miami, michigan, minnesota, Montana, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, natural gas, Natural gas exports, News, NREL, nuclear, offshore wind, pennsylvania, Renewable portfolio standards, rps, San Diego, Sea level rise, Severe weather, solar, Solar forecasting, Solazyme, Tesla, Transportation Electric vehicle, Ultracapacitors, Wildfire, wind, World Bank
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15
May

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.15.13

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

CLIMATE 

Sea levels may rise 27 inches through 2100 on ice melt (via Bloomberg)

UN says natural disasters cost $2.5 trillion since 2000 (via Phys.org)

Visiting Sweden, Kerry offers “regret” US hasn’t done more on climate (via The Hill)

Rockefeller Foundation launches $100 million resilient cities initiative (via BusinessGreen)

Sea levels rising so fast London faces significant flooding risk this century (via The Independent)

For insurers, no doubts on climate change (via New York Times)

GRID 

More than 1,300 demand response programs underway worldwide (via Navigant Research)

Smart grid efforts to thrive in Asia-Pacific (via Renew Grid)

RENEWABLES 

China gives environmental approval to country’s biggest hydro dam (via Reuters)

Greece announces drastic solar FIT cuts (via PV Magazine)

Fighting blackouts: Japan residential PV and energy storage market flourishing (via Renewable Energy World)

Morocco begins construction of world’s largest concentrating solar plant (via Sustainable Business)

China wants dialogue with EU in solar trade war (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Acting DOE chief: US not backing down on India solar trade war (via The Hill)

Clean tech incubators join forces across the Atlantic (via Sustainable Business)

Proposed bill would add natural gas-based ethanol to US biofuels mandate (via Houston Chronicle)

Study: Arizona solar energy provides millions in ratepayer benefits (via Solar Industry Magazine)

OIL 

Oil majors under EU investigation over alleged oil and biofuel price fixing (via BusinessGreen)

Report: most nations lack safeguards in oil, mining oversight (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Will your next car join the “revolution” in information technology? (via ClimateWire)

Proposed law would stop Tesla electric car sales in North Carolina (via News & Observer)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Senate energy chairman seeks May floor action for efficiency bill (via The Hill)

California plans to force cuts in power use by computers, electronics, and appliances (via ClimateWire)

ENVIRONMENT 

Industrialized fishing has forced seabirds to change what they eat (via Mongabay)

China granted observer seat on Arctic Council (via Reuters)

Amazon flood/drought cycle becoming more extreme, less predictable (via Mongabay)

POLITICS 

Merkel’s green challenger seeks CO2 price rise to ditch coal (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Clean energy learns to compete in Europe (via New York Times)

Christie’s broken climate promise (via Washington Post)

Posted:   |   Categories: Angela Merkel, arizona, biofuel, Biofuel mandate, california, China, Chris Christie, climate, Climate Change, Concentrating solar power, csp, Demand response, DOE, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, ethanol, EU, Extreme weather, feed-in tariff, Flooding, germany, Greece, grid, Hydropower, india, japan, john kerry, London, Morocco, News, North Carolina, oil, renewables, Resiliency, Rockefeller Foundation, Sea level rise, Severe weather, smart grid, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, Sweden, Tesla, Transportation, UN, united nations
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30
Jan

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.30.13

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

CLIMATE 

Report finds climate change a threat to wildlife (via USA Today)

Spring may come 17 days earlier for North American forests (via Phys.org)

Redrawn New York City FEMA flood zone map contains twice as many structures (via New York Times)

Why San Francisco can lead the way on resiliency planning (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

China consumes nearly as much coal as the rest of the world combined (via US EIA)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

EU maintains plan to label Canadian tar sands oil as highly polluting (via Reuters)

US State Department’s Keystone XL review will face EPA scrutiny a third time (via InsideClimate News)

Keystone XL decision may loom large for red state Democrats in 2014 midterms (via The Hill)

House GOP, citing North African turmoil, boosts Keystone pipeline pressure (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Germany adds 2.4GW of wind in 2012 (via Recharge)

Denmark announces 1.5GW offshore wind tender (via Recharge)

German wind market may defy global slump to grow 43% this year (via Bloomberg)

9 in 10 French favor renewables but perceive high costs (via Renewable Energy World)

The rapid rise of UK offshore wind (via Greentech Media)

Chinese company sues to void blocked US wind farm purchase (via Bloomberg)

Top solar states vs top solar countries (via CleanTechnica)

Scaling solar and wind: a hard look at innovation priorities (via Energy Collective)

Oil-and-gas lobby might take ethanol fight to Supreme Court (via The Hill)

EPA reveals 100% green power users list (via Environmental Leader)

Can wind developers halt “the march of the buffer zones’? (via BusinessGreen)

Solar industry gets burned in Arizona (via Energy Manager Today)

Solar with energy storage coming to California, at a cost (via EarthTechling)

EMISSIONS 

Russia exploring plans for domestic carbon market (via RTCC)

Scotland pledges to decarbonize power sector by 2030 (via BusinessGreen)

Australian businesses counting carbon tax (via Sydney Morning Herald)

Missoula city council passes plan to be carbon neutral by 2025 (via Missoulian)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Pipeline explosion rattles natural gas industry (via Forbes)

Can natural gas undo nuclear power? (via Wall Street Journal)

Chesapeake chief McClendon quits, cites “philosophical differences” (via Houston Chronicle)

McClendon out at Chesapeake – is a takeover next? (via Forbes)

Departure of Chesapeake CEO McClendon signals new era in natural gas (via Christian Science Monitor)

Congressmen supporting LNG exports received $11.5 million from Big Oil, electric utilities (via DeSmog Blog)

GRID 

German grid operators coping with power supply swings (via Reuters)

Survey to utilities: stress smart grid benefits to win over consumers (via Energy Manager Today)

Silver Spring Networks could finally go public within a month (via GigaOm)

TRANSPORTATION 

Hybrids outsell many market segments in 2012 but still struggling (via Autoblog)

Wanxiang wins US approval to buy battery maker A123 (via Bloomberg)

Boeing Dreamliner battery was a concern before failure (via New York Times)

Nissan “almost” sold out of 2012 Leafs (via Autoblog Green)

OIL 

Judge accepts BP’s $4 billion criminal settlement over Gulf oil spill (via New York Times)

Texas oil output hits highest level in two decades (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

Recapping a year of weather extremes (via C2ES)

Colorado wildfire air pollution rivaled worst days in Mexico City, Los Angeles (via Phys.org)

Stretches of upper Mississippi River near record-low levels (via US EIA)

POLITICS 

Yale poll finds climate change action is a political winner (via Climate Progress)

John Kerry’s Secretary of State confirmation delights climate campaigners (via The Guardian)

Kerry likely to face great green expectations at State Department (via E&E Daily)

Al Gore faces “The Future” with optimism (via The Hill)

LaHood to step down as head of US Transportation Department (via The Hill)

Top Ohio utility regulator tied to group pushing repeal of state renewable energy targets (via Columbus Republic)

Posted:   |   Categories: A123, al gore, ALEC, arizona, Aubrey McClendon, australia, battery, Boeing Dreamliner, california, canada, cap and trade, Carbon market, Carbon neutral, carbon tax, Chesapeake, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, colorado, Concentrating solar power, csp, denmark, drought, emissions, energy storage, environment, EPA, ethanol, EU, European Union, Extreme weather, Flooding, fracking, France, germany, global warming, green building, grid, Gulf of Mexico, hybrid, john kerry, Keystone XL, LNG, los angeles, Mexico City, Mississippi River, Missoula, Montana, natural gas, Natural gas exports, New York City, News, Nissan, nissan LEAF, nuclear, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, Pipeline, Ray LaHood, renewables, Russia, san francisco, Scotland, Severe weather, Shale oil, Silver Spring Networks, smart grid, smart meters, Smog, solar, tar sands, texas, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Wanxiang, Wildfire, wind
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