Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.28.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS
Environmentalists demand new climate analysis for Keystone XL (via Washington Post)
First Nations group calls for BC to reject Northern Gateway pipeline permits (via Vancouver Sun)
Oil sands leak on northern Alberta weapons range (via CBC News)
EMISSIONS
World’s highest carbon price faces Australia’s new leader (via Bloomberg)
EU plans to make it mandatory for ship owners to measure carbon emissions (via The Guardian)
US CO2 emissions on the rise again (via Navigant Research)
Why a carbon tax isn’t in Obama’s climate plan (via Energy Collective)
RENEWABLES
UK boosts Green Bank by £800 million (via Recharge)
India and Turkey to enhance cooperation on renewables (via EnergyNext)
UK green electricity generation leaps 10% (via BusinessGreen)
China plans large-scale solar PV pilot projects (via CleanTechnica)
UK shows offshore wind more costly than solar (via Reuters)
Chinese firm charged in theft of US company’s turbine software (via New York Times)
US military faces trio of renewable energy goals (via EarthTechling)
EPA says ethanol bounty may push refiners over 10% blend wall (via Bloomberg)
A whole new way of thinking about geothermal (via Greentech Media)
After much delay, US offshore wind power set to sail (via Politico)
LA launches nation’s largest solar rooftop program (via Grist)
COAL
India to eclipse China as world’s largest coal power (via Bloomberg)
The US will stop financing coal plants abroad – that’s a huge shift (via Washington Post)
Coal exports have doubled during Obama’s so-called “war on coal” (via The Week)
Moniz sees coal’s significant role (via AP)
CLIMATE
Researchers say global warming may affect soil microbe survival (via Phys.org)
More species at risk from climate change than thought (via CBS News)
UN climate chief welcomes Obama plan, wants US energy czar (via Reuters)
Calgary floods spotlight cities’ costly failure to plan for climate change (via CBC News)
OIL
House advances plan to expand drilling on US-Mexico maritime border (via Houston Chronicle)
House votes to double oil revenue cap for Gulf states (via The Hill)
Deepwater drilling expansion will strain workforce, says study (via Houston Chronicle)
Texas oil output surges past North Dakota (via Reuters)
BP report could cut Gulf oil spill penalties by up to $7 billion (via Houston Chronicle)
TRANSPORTATION
EU delays CO2 car targets after fierce lobbying from Germany (via BusinessGreen)
BMW forecast for doubled EV range spurs more debate than conclusions (via Autoblog Green)
Anthony Foxx, Charlotte’s transit-friendly mayor, nominated for transportation secretary (via Grist)
Nissan offers up new Leaf battery replacement program (via EarthTechling)
Ikea to add EV charging stations in Houston, nationwide (via Houston Chronicle)
Tesla Motors wins in North Carolina, anti-competitive legislation dropped (via Autoblog Green)
NUCLEAR
UK nuclear expansion advances with $15 billion loan backing (via Bloomberg)
Senate OKs Macfarlane for full term as NRC chairwoman (via The Hill)
Quarrels continue over nuclear waste repository (via New York Times)
GRID
Microgrids and energy security: the business case (via Breaking Energy)
California’s timely demand response roadmap (via Navigant Research)
Solar PV, energy storage combine in commercial-scale Maryland microgrid (via Sustainable Business)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Cloud computing can reduce GHGs 95%, save $2.2 billion (via Environmental Leader)
Obama’s Better Buildings program celebrates first year (via Greentech Media)
Energy efficiency saves AT&T at least $151 million (via Mother Nature Network)
Staples reaches milestone of 500 Energy Star buildings (via Sustainable Business)
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
Obama’s climate plan silent on exports but pledges support for global gas markets (via EnergyWire)
Methane scrutiny in Obama climate plan may cost drillers (via Bloomberg)
Ohio law shielding fracking chemical details may violate federal statute (via Columbus Dispatch)
POLITICS
GOP to make EPA spending bill a climate battleground (via The Hill)
Obama’s EPA nominee in jeopardy from Senate Republicans (via Reuters)
Obama to tap Colorado regulator Binz as new FERC chief (via The Hill)
Moniz optimistic on Obama’s plan to reduce emissions (via New York Times)
OPINION
India’s EV market falling short (via Navigant Research)
Will Obama’s climate policy spur new energy technologies? (via MIT Technology Review)
US takes key climate change steps, but the world must do more (via Washington Post)
Sports world teams up against climate change (via GreenBiz)
Figures: no country doing enough on climate change (via RTCC)