Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.28.14

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

CLIMATE 

US and China lift climate change hopes with new phase of talks (via Financial Times)

Mount Everest is shrinking due to climate change (via Climate Progress)

El Nino risk increases as Pacific Ocean gets warmer (via Bloomberg)

Western US faces bigger, more frequent wildfires (via Climate Central)

US mayors leading the way on emission cuts & climate resilience (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Gazprom says it won’t halt gas flows to Europe over Ukraine price row (via Wall Street Journal)

Local governments fail to account for $17 million in natural gas impact fees (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

How long can the fracking revolution last? (via RTCC)

RENEWABLES 

Experimental efforts to harvest the ocean’s power face cost setbacks (via New York Times)

Chart: Wind dominates the 37GW of US power under construction (via Greentech Media)

Google’s green energy plan: Build, learn, and expand (via Christian Science Monitor)

Fear and loathing at the CPUC: California debates the future of solar (via Greentech Media)

6MW floating vertical-axis wind turbine unveiled (via Recharge)

ENERGY POLICY 

French energy minister promises 100,000 green jobs (via Reuters)

US electricity prices may be going up for good (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

China wants more Latin American oil, president to visit in July (via Reuters)

US regulators to propose enhanced oil tank car standards (via Reuters)

Oil industry starts fracking in Nevada (via Elko Daily Free Press)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla unveils plans for solar-powered EV charging network in China (via Renew Economy)

EPA says automakers ahead of schedule for 54.5 MPG by 2025 (via Autoblog Green)

EV buyers are younger, more affluent than hybrid shoppers (via Autoblog Green)

California Air Resources Board adds another $25 million to expand clean vehicle rebate program (via Green Car Congress)

COAL 

Asian coal miners pursuing self-defeating output gains (via Reuters)

Kitzhaber says “no” to coal export plans in Oregon (via The Daily News)

Montana coal mine falls years behind original permitting schedule (via Missoulian)

EMISSIONS 

Rich nations’ greenhouse gas emissions fall in 2012, led by US (via Reuters)

Scotland enlists universities in low-carbon push (via BusinessGreen)

Fossil fuels face $30 trillion in losses from climate, renewables (via Renew Economy)

Soils release far more CO2 tan previously thought as emissions rise (via Yale e360)

Changes to agriculture practices could slash emissions up to 90% (via Environmental Leader)

Projected CO2 emissions vary with coal and nuclear power plant retirements (via US EIA)

California cuts part of its greenhouse gas emissions by exporting them (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL moving forward…in Canada’s eyes (via Christian Science Monitor)

Canada still betting the US will approve Keystone XL (via Reuters)

Cowboys, Indians, and Neil Young voice opposition to Keystone XL (via United Press International)

Steyer challenges Kochs to Keystone XL debate (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

More LED installations than fluorescents expected this year for first time (via Energy Manager Today)

In user test, Next thermostat and its smart competitors disappoint (via EnergyWIre)

ENVIRONMENT 

Worsening US drought pushes wheat price higher (via Wall Street Journal)

California drought: Jobs, money dry up in farm towns (via San Francisco Chronicle)

California drought declaration is so bad the state is rolling back some environmental protections (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

Extreme tornado swings: What holds the key? (via Climate Central)

POLITICS 

GOP Rep. Grimm’s woes cast cloud on climate turnabout (via Politico)

OPINION 

How US-China cooperation can expand clean energy development (via WRI Insights)

Climate-proofing the poorest cities is currently impossible (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

A battle is looming over renewable energy, and fossil fuel interests are losing (via Washington Post)

The rise and fall of America’s climate deniers: How politics hijacked the fight against global warming (via Salon)

Keystone weirdonomics mean gas prices won’t be getting any cheaper (via Bloomberg)

It’s easy being green. Being fossil fuel free is harder (via Forbes)

Dear Texas: Enjoy the oil boom, just don’t blow it this time (via Forbes)

2C in our rear-view mirror, geoengineering dead ahead (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.25.14

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

OIL 

Shale boom sends US crude oil supply to highest level since 1930 (via Bloomberg)

US regulators to propose enhanced oil tank car standards (via Reuters)

US pipeline and oil-by-rail regulator making 9% staff cut, confounding experts (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

FTC officials back Tesla’s direct-to-consumer car sales model (via Reuters)

Consumer Reports finds plug-in retail experience underwhelming (via Autoblog Green)

Is Tesla planning another electric vehicle factory in California? (via Los Angeles Times)

Improving the performance of hybrid powertrains (via Navigant Research)

RENEWABLES 

UK onshore wind power will lose subsidies, say conservatives (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Central Asian hydroelectric water wars heat up (via Huffington Post)

Solar PV set to surge 50% in Africa and Middle East in 2014 (via Recharge)

GE renewable investments exceed $10 billion (via BusinessWire)

US solar energy capacity grew an astounding 418% from 2010-2014 (via CleanTechnica)

EPA releases list of top 100 US organizations using renewable energy (via Solar Industry)

Financing lessons residential solar can teach the commercial and industrial sector (via Renewable Energy World)

Google and Apple announce new renewable energy investments (via RTCC)

New York State pledges $1 billion for solar through 2023 (via Bloomberg)

SunPower lands another strong quarter, launches new solar holding company (via Greentech Media)

Fisherman’s Energy to file legal appeal for New Jersey offshore wind rejection (via Recharge)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

GE said to be in talks to buy France’s Alstom (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Why electric utilities have an image problem (via Navigant Research)

Battle between fossil fuels & solar intensifies (via Sustainable Business)

50,000 Pennsylvania electric customers switch suppliers on price swings (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

CLIMATE 

Corals may withstand higher temperatures, says study (via RTCC)

Top 12 ways the world can eliminate agriculture’s climate footprint (via Phys.org)

UK supermarket: 95% of fresh produce already at risk from climate change (via The Guardian)

Study links polar vortex, California drought to climate change (via The Hill)

84,000 lives threatened by sea level rise in New England (via Climate Progress)

Lower Manhattan 20x more likely to flood than in 1844 (via ClimateWire)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Putin, Merkel call for gas talks over Ukraine (via Reuters)

Trade implication of US energy policy and LNG exports (via Center for American Progress)

Baker Hughes to reveal all hydraulic fracturing chemicals (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

USGBC launches real-time green building tool (via Environmental Leader)

Following pipeline delay, KXL politics may derail energy efficiency bill (via Greenwire)

Think you’re better at saving energy? Three charts suggest a reality check. (via Outlier)

KEYSTONE XL 

US support for Keystone hits 61% in new poll (via The Hill)

How Obama shocked Harper as Keystone Frustrator-in-Chief (via Bloomberg)

How Canada’s incoherence on climate is killing Keystone (via Rescuing the Frog)

GRID 

Britain installs first grid-scale battery (via Reuters)

Smart grid companies raise $101 million to kick off 2014 (via Renew Grid)

“LEED-like” standard launched for electric grids (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

China takes on pollution with biggest environmental law changes in 25 years (via Bloomberg)

Brazil’s coffee crop prayers for rain met with deluge threat (via Bloomberg)

Drought area expands in Plains and California (via Farm Futures)

For first time in 15 years, drought hits 100% of California (via Los Angeles Times)

Plastic bottle recycling increases 53% in 12 years (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION 

The new abolitionism (via The Nation)

Maddow: Will US energy companies disrupt Obama’s Russia policy? (via Washington Post)

The real story behind falling renewable energy investments (via World Resources Institute)

Solar power is booming but will never replace coal – here’s why (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.4.14

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

CLIMATE 

Climate change will “lead to battles for food,” says World Bank president (via The Guardian)

Global warming study casts doubt on “missing heat” hypothesis (via Washington Post)

Climate change is already altering the Australian landscape (via The Guardian)

ENERGY POLICY 

EU concludes French feed-in tariffs for wind energy permissible (via Renewable Energy World)

Japan moves closer to approving post-Fukushima energy policy (via Bloomberg)

US used more energy, put out more CO2, in 2013 (via Greenbang)

RENEWABLES 

Solar cheaper than LNG in Asia for power, says report (via Bloomberg)

Costa Rica opens the door to more renewable energy generation (via Tico Times)

US lags behind China in renewables investments (via Climate Central)

Senate Finance Committee votes to restore wind tax credit (via The Hill)

Consortium aims to bring solar to US schools (via Solar Industry)

Vermont boosts solar by nearly quadrupling net metering cap (via CleanTechnica)

Low-income rooftop solar program helping hundreds of California families (via Renewable Energy World)

SolarCity’s new $70 million securitized rooftop solar portfolio (via Greentech Media)

Robots find a job in the emerging world of solar energy (via Washington Post)

Ten clean energy stocks for 2014: Patience rewarded (via Renewable Energy World)

South Dakota senators confident in wind energy tax credit extension (via Prairie Business)

OIL 

UN panel to weigh dangers of oil-by-rail cargo (via Reuters)

Bakken Shale oil output to soar as spending hits $15 billion (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

High gas prices not fueling decline in driving (via The Hill)

Average fuel economy of new US vehicles was 25.4 mpg in March; best mark yet (via Green Car Congress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Exxon agrees to disclose fracking risk, quells shareholder action (via Dallas Morning News)

Mind the fracking data gap, says study (via Climate Central)

Toxic emission spikes at fracking sites are rarely monitored, finds study (via InsideClimate News)

Interior IG says agency’s injection wells “a threat to the nation’s drinking water” (via Greenwire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

$13.2 billion derived from sales of energy efficiency services by end of 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)

Studies show efficiency still the cheapest energy resources (via Midwest Energy News)

Energy-saving company Opower set for public offering (via New York Times)

Opower prices IPO at high end of $19 per share (via GigaOm)

GRID 

Millions of smart meters are coming to Pennsylvania (via Renew Grid)

Texas grid upgrade spurs wind records (via Recharge)

COAL 

China to close nearly two thousand small coal mines (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

El Nino probably won’t quench California’s thirst (via FiveThirtyEight)

OPINION 

Earth has a fever, but the heat is sloshing into the oceans (via The Guardian)

“Big green bucket” needed for development bank loans (via Bloomberg)

Three “next steps” for California climate action (via National Geographic)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.11.14

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

GRID 

U.S. utility research group lays out plan for updated, integrated power grid (via ClimateWire)

DOE to provide funding for microgrid development (via Renew Grid)

With reliability a concern, universities looking to microgrids (via Midwest Energy News)

Grid-scale energy storage to reduce load in New York City (via Greentech Media)

Winter electricity price spikes put Clean Currents out of business (via Energy Collective)

EMISSIONS 

China’s Hubei plans province’s first carbon auction next month (via Reuters)

2013 carbon emissions drop in Northeast, rise in U.S. (via Sustainable Business)

California should set interim goal for cutting emissions, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

RENEWABLES 

2013 wind energy installations stall in U.S., surge in China (via CleanTechnica)

PV modules were a $30.5 billion market in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

Global demand for solar polysilicon to increase 25% this year (via Solar Industry Magazine)

U.S. files trade protest over India solar energy program (via Time/AP)

India vows to stand ground in new solar trade fight with U.S. (via National Journal)

Wind of change sweeps through Caribbean energy policy (via The Guardian)

Ikea: Massive energy goals producing business boom (via Energy Manager Today)

Canadian Solar estimates 75% rise in quarterly revenue (via Reuters)

U.S. renewable energy maintains growth in 2013 (via Renew Grid)

Solar third-party financing at $3.34 billion in 2013, key to U.S. solar boom (via Forbes)

EPA’s RFS cuts limit ethanol growth (via Navigant Research)

Reduced water supply forecast affects hydropower outlook in Pacific Northwest (via US EIA)

Five years later, Missouri still grappling with renewables law (via Midwest Energy News)

COAL 

Chinese coal companies’ debt concerns sink shares (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Warm enough for Summer Olympics in Sochi (via ABC News)

Higher temperatures put fish near Equator at risk (via The National)

Study sounds “El Nino Alarm” for late this year (via Climate Central)

Climatologist: When ocean warming ends, “global temperatures set to rise rapidly” (via Climate Progress)

“Most exceptional period of rainfall in 248 years” in U.K. is “consistent” with climate change (via Climate Progress)

Obama-Hollande meeting may boost larger climate goals (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Ambassador: Keystone rejection would “definitely strain” U.S.-Canadian relations (via National Journal)

Uproar over Keystone far outweighs pipeline’s potential effect, say analysts (via Houston Chronicle)

Greens see red on Keystone report conflicts (via Politico)

Company yet to stop leaks spilling tar sands in Alberta for nine months (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

China extends electric vehicle subsidies to fight air pollution (via Bloomberg)

Boeing seeks to certify jet fuel biodiesel around the world (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS 

How can a nation awash in natural gas have shortages, and what to do about it (via Forbes)

Can the Marcellus keep up its massive production? (via StateImpact Texas)

ENVIRONMENT 

Company responsible for West Virginia chemical spill skips Congressional hearing (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

White roofs could offset summer warming by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Beyond bulbs: Illinois raises the bar on energy efficiency (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

Freezing out the bigger picture on climate (New York Times)

The oil industry’s fight to kill renewable fuels – and why it may win (via InsideClimate News)

A climate change reality check (via World Resources Institute)

Senators and scientists play climate dating game (via National Journal)

Steyer’s secret weapon emerges as power in climate debate (via Greenwire)

Salazar: Keystone XL a “win-win” project (via The Hill)

Could corn ethanol finally fade away? (via Sustainable Business)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.11.14

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

GRID 

U.S. utility research group lays out plan for updated, integrated power grid (via ClimateWire)

DOE to provide funding for microgrid development (via Renew Grid)

With reliability a concern, universities looking to microgrids (via Midwest Energy News)

Grid-scale energy storage to reduce load in New York City (via Greentech Media)

Winter electricity price spikes put Clean Currents out of business (via Energy Collective)

EMISSIONS 

China’s Hubei plans province’s first carbon auction next month (via Reuters)

2013 carbon emissions drop in Northeast, rise in U.S. (via Sustainable Business)

California should set interim goal for cutting emissions, says report (via Los Angeles Times)

RENEWABLES 

2013 wind energy installations stall in U.S., surge in China (via CleanTechnica)

PV modules were a $30.5 billion market in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

Global demand for solar polysilicon to increase 25% this year (via Solar Industry Magazine)

U.S. files trade protest over India solar energy program (via Time/AP)

India vows to stand ground in new solar trade fight with U.S. (via National Journal)

Wind of change sweeps through Caribbean energy policy (via The Guardian)

Ikea: Massive energy goals producing business boom (via Energy Manager Today)

Canadian Solar estimates 75% rise in quarterly revenue (via Reuters)

U.S. renewable energy maintains growth in 2013 (via Renew Grid)

Solar third-party financing at $3.34 billion in 2013, key to U.S. solar boom (via Forbes)

EPA’s RFS cuts limit ethanol growth (via Navigant Research)

Reduced water supply forecast affects hydropower outlook in Pacific Northwest (via US EIA)

Five years later, Missouri still grappling with renewables law (via Midwest Energy News)

COAL 

Chinese coal companies’ debt concerns sink shares (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Warm enough for Summer Olympics in Sochi (via ABC News)

Higher temperatures put fish near Equator at risk (via The National)

Study sounds “El Nino Alarm” for late this year (via Climate Central)

Climatologist: When ocean warming ends, “global temperatures set to rise rapidly” (via Climate Progress)

“Most exceptional period of rainfall in 248 years” in U.K. is “consistent” with climate change (via Climate Progress)

Obama-Hollande meeting may boost larger climate goals (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Ambassador: Keystone rejection would “definitely strain” U.S.-Canadian relations (via National Journal)

Uproar over Keystone far outweighs pipeline’s potential effect, say analysts (via Houston Chronicle)

Greens see red on Keystone report conflicts (via Politico)

Company yet to stop leaks spilling tar sands in Alberta for nine months (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

China extends electric vehicle subsidies to fight air pollution (via Bloomberg)

Boeing seeks to certify jet fuel biodiesel around the world (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS 

How can a nation awash in natural gas have shortages, and what to do about it (via Forbes)

Can the Marcellus keep up its massive production? (via StateImpact Texas)

ENVIRONMENT 

Company responsible for West Virginia chemical spill skips Congressional hearing (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

White roofs could offset summer warming by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Beyond bulbs: Illinois raises the bar on energy efficiency (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

Freezing out the bigger picture on climate (New York Times)

The oil industry’s fight to kill renewable fuels – and why it may win (via InsideClimate News)

A climate change reality check (via World Resources Institute)

Senators and scientists play climate dating game (via National Journal)

Steyer’s secret weapon emerges as power in climate debate (via Greenwire)

Salazar: Keystone XL a “win-win” project (via The Hill)

Could corn ethanol finally fade away? (via Sustainable Business)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.16.14

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

CLIMATE 

UN climate experts warn geoengineering may be essential for 2C world (via RTCC)

Australian heatwaves getting hotter and longer, says Climate Council (via The Guardian)

Seven US weather and climate disasters exceeded $1 billion in damages in 2013 (via NOAA)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Half of Britons opposed to shale gas drilling within 10 miles of their homes (via Reuters)

EPA vows action on fracking rules, policy (via National Journal)

Mixing hazardous drainage from mining operations cuts fracking waste’s radioactivity (via ABC News/AP)

Shale plays? There’s an app for that (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

France-Germany energy plan to focus on renewables (via Reuters)

These charts show how solar demand has shifted around the world (via Greentech Media)

India proposes new national offshore wind energy agency (via India Briefing)

Clean energy investment down, but not out (via Christian Science Monitor)

BP sees renewables outpacing fossil fuels, eclipsing nuclear (via Bloomberg)

10 ways to generate $36 trillion in green investments by 2050 (via RTCC)

SolarCity wants to raise billions of dollars in capital – from you (via Quartz)

COAL 

China coal output seen up 2.7% in 2014 (via Reuters)

White House: International coal policy intact despite GOP rider (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

BP study predicts greenhouse gas emissions will rise by almost a third in 20 years (via The Guardian)

Hydroelectric dams said to be “hotspots” of greenhouse gas methane (via United Press International)

Study: Low-cost measures could cut EU emissions 40% by 2030 (via BusinessGreen)

Beijing has worst smog in a year (via The Guardian)

OIL 

Fracking chemicals may make oil extra explosive (via Grist)

Cities boost work on oil-train safety as production surges (via National Journal)

North Dakota’s top oil regulator is also its top oil promoter (via Grist)

OPEC outages cut its oil output to below 2014 demand (via Reuters)

On oil exports, it’s US Chamber vs. AFL-CIO – but Keystone XL brings harmony (via Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION 

The trillion-dollar question: Where does transport investment come from? (via World Resources Institute)

Ford wants to double hybrid offerings by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

Boeing seeks approval this year for direct blending of renewable diesel in jet fuel (via Green Car Congress)

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada will look at rail if Keystone XL is rejected (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Keystone XL southern leg near activation (via Texas Tribune)

Additional comment period may prolong Keystone review (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Sea ice cracks causing mercury buildup in Arctic air (via Climate Central)

Obama Administration seen as retreating on environment in Pacific trade talks (via New York Times)

Alaska’s Bristol Bay region could be devastated by mining, says EPA report (via The Guardian)

Trees accelerate growth as they get older and bigger, finds study (via The Guardian)

Holes in chemical regulations hampered West Virginia spill response (via Politico)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Google and Nest: The big picture for home automation competitors (via Greentech Media)

Better Buildings Alliance unveils Green Lease Leaders program (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

America’s energy boom (via Washington Post)

WikiLeaks exposes what Obama’s secret trade deal would do to the environment (via Mother Jones)

A big test for Obama on the environment (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.16.14

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

CLIMATE 

UN climate experts warn geoengineering may be essential for 2C world (via RTCC)

Australian heatwaves getting hotter and longer, says Climate Council (via The Guardian)

Seven US weather and climate disasters exceeded $1 billion in damages in 2013 (via NOAA)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Half of Britons opposed to shale gas drilling within 10 miles of their homes (via Reuters)

EPA vows action on fracking rules, policy (via National Journal)

Mixing hazardous drainage from mining operations cuts fracking waste’s radioactivity (via ABC News/AP)

Shale plays? There’s an app for that (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

France-Germany energy plan to focus on renewables (via Reuters)

These charts show how solar demand has shifted around the world (via Greentech Media)

India proposes new national offshore wind energy agency (via India Briefing)

Clean energy investment down, but not out (via Christian Science Monitor)

BP sees renewables outpacing fossil fuels, eclipsing nuclear (via Bloomberg)

10 ways to generate $36 trillion in green investments by 2050 (via RTCC)

SolarCity wants to raise billions of dollars in capital – from you (via Quartz)

COAL 

China coal output seen up 2.7% in 2014 (via Reuters)

White House: International coal policy intact despite GOP rider (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

BP study predicts greenhouse gas emissions will rise by almost a third in 20 years (via The Guardian)

Hydroelectric dams said to be “hotspots” of greenhouse gas methane (via United Press International)

Study: Low-cost measures could cut EU emissions 40% by 2030 (via BusinessGreen)

Beijing has worst smog in a year (via The Guardian)

OIL 

Fracking chemicals may make oil extra explosive (via Grist)

Cities boost work on oil-train safety as production surges (via National Journal)

North Dakota’s top oil regulator is also its top oil promoter (via Grist)

OPEC outages cut its oil output to below 2014 demand (via Reuters)

On oil exports, it’s US Chamber vs. AFL-CIO – but Keystone XL brings harmony (via Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION 

The trillion-dollar question: Where does transport investment come from? (via World Resources Institute)

Ford wants to double hybrid offerings by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

Boeing seeks approval this year for direct blending of renewable diesel in jet fuel (via Green Car Congress)

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada will look at rail if Keystone XL is rejected (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Keystone XL southern leg near activation (via Texas Tribune)

Additional comment period may prolong Keystone review (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Sea ice cracks causing mercury buildup in Arctic air (via Climate Central)

Obama Administration seen as retreating on environment in Pacific trade talks (via New York Times)

Alaska’s Bristol Bay region could be devastated by mining, says EPA report (via The Guardian)

Trees accelerate growth as they get older and bigger, finds study (via The Guardian)

Holes in chemical regulations hampered West Virginia spill response (via Politico)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Google and Nest: The big picture for home automation competitors (via Greentech Media)

Better Buildings Alliance unveils Green Lease Leaders program (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

America’s energy boom (via Washington Post)

WikiLeaks exposes what Obama’s secret trade deal would do to the environment (via Mother Jones)

A big test for Obama on the environment (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.13.14

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

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s water squeeze worsens as wetlands shrink 9% since 2003 (via Reuters)

Federal authorities to investigate West Virginia chemical spill (via The Guardian)

West Virginia river chemical leak far larger than previously estimated (via Climate Progress)

MIT study: 52% of projected 2050 global population will live in water-stressed areas (via Green Car Congress)

Drought may pressure California power utilities (via Fitch Ratings)

GREEN BUILDING 

LEED certification’s impact on America: By the numbers (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

Solar faceoff: Feed-in tariff versus net metering (via Energy Collective)

Over 11,000 comments filed on EPA’s ethanol rules (via Autoblog Green)

Solar dropping wholesale electricity prices like a bad habit (via CleanTechnica)

Fate of New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm in hands of regulators (via Atlantic City Press)

Massachusetts reviving SREC program to promote solar growth (via Solar Industry Magazine)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

France’s Total to invest in Britain’s shale gas quest (via Reuters)

UK “going all out for shale” with 40 fracking sites in pipeline (via RTCC)

Manufacturers call for halt on natural gas export approvals (via Houston Chronicle)

New Jersey Pinelands gas pipeline plan is defeated (via Asbury Park Press)

CLIMATE 

EU commissioners clash over 2030 climate goals (via The Guardian)

Public’s climate change concerns “shaped by weather outside” (via RTCC)

In flood insurance fight, Congress wants easy win, not tough solutions (via ClimateWire)

Federal government investigating Christie’s use of Sandy relief funds (via CNN)

OIL 

Canada expects safety standard action on oil train cars “fairly soon” (via Reuters)

Wetland contamination can be predicted by oil boom states (via Los Angeles Times)

Can the oil industry save a threatened species? Texas tries it out (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Study: Air travel outpacing driving in fuel efficiency gains (via Midwest Energy News)

Congress fails to renew important EV tax credits (via Plugin Cars)

Electric vehicle consumers – beyond early adopters (via Center for Climate and Energy Solutions)

Fuel economy of vehicles sold last year at record-high (via Phys.org)

TAR SANDS 

Canadian government to spend $22 million green washing tar sands (via Autoblog Green)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.20.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Fossil fuels get $500 billion Christmas present from taxpayers (via CleanTechnica)

EMISSIONS 

The second-largest carbon market in the world just opened in China (via Climate Progress)

France adopts 2014 budget with carbon tax on fossil fuels (via Platts)

Tianjin to launch China’s fifth carbon market on December 26 (via Reuters)

EPA unveils carbon capture regulations (via The Hill)

Cities call for carbon pricing in Washington State (via Sightline Daily)

RENEWABLES 

Wind developers start work, then cross their fingers as PTC expiration looms (via Greenwire)

Deepwater Wind says New England offshore wind farm will meet PTC deadline (via Bloomberg)

Solar power hitting new records in California (via Greentech Media)

The way Congress funds clean energy is a mess – Max Baucus thinks there’s a better idea (via Washington Post)

OIL 

US budget deal opens door to drilling in new Gulf waters (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Data shows cities can save big money by switching to EVs (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Pennsylvania Supreme Court strikes down part of pro-fracking law (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

CLIMATE 

Poll: Americans see impact of global warming (via USA Today)

John Podesta’s plan to bypass Congress on climate change (via Washington Post)

TAR SANDS 

Canada approves tar sands oil pipeline to Pacific Coast (via ABC News/AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Madison, Wisconsin considers mandatory energy reporting law (via Energy Manager Today)

Seattle adopts 20% energy use reduction plan (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Will the Senate energy panel veer right? (via National Journal)

Is carbon pricing a diversion from the real story? (via Huffington Post)

Max Baucus’ renewable energy tax break reform: The good, the bad, and the ugly (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.19.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Senate Democrats to make eleventh-hour push for tax extenders (via The Hill)

Baucus proposal replaces dozens of energy breaks with credits for “clean” fuel, electricity (via Greenwire)

EMISSIONS 

China seeks to curb worst air pollution in 50 years (via The Guardian)

Guandong carbon market, expected to be China’s biggest, begins briskly (via Reuters)

Most companies still releasing unsustainable amounts of CO2, says study (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Asia key to 2014 solar PV forecasts (via Recharge)

Europe’s highest court fuels doubt over French wind tariffs (via Reuters)

Hydro-Quebec calls for 450MW wind power tender (via Recharge)

Clean energy shines as climate index outperforms equities (via Renew Economy)

EIA continues to lowball its renewable energy forecast (via Greentech Media)

BOEM announces third US offshore wind competitive lease auction (via CleanTechnica)

Michigan conservatives launch renewable energy group (via Michigan Live)

OIL 

Dolphins suffering from lung disease due to Gulf oil spill, says study (via Wall Street Journal)

GRID 

$43 million in USDA loans flow to rural smart grids (via Greentech Media)

Four ways to grow grid-scale energy storage in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Fitch Ratings: US net metering set to grow (via Solar Industry)

California ISO board adopts joint plan with CPUC to ensure future electric reliability (via BusinessWire)

California ISO unveils roadmap to advance demand response, energy efficiency (via Renew Grid)

Texas electricity prices falling since power market deregulation (via Texas Tribune)

TAR SANDS 

TransCanada weighs rail bridge amid Keystone pipeline delay (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

The UN will try for a new disaster risk reduction agreement (via Climate Progress)

Climate change divides political parties in Iowa, nation (via Cedar Rapids Gazette)

COAL 

Coal use hits record high in Japan (via Smart Planet)

GREEN BUILDING 

Future looks green for building industry (via Environmental Leader)

Los Angeles becomes first major city to require “cool roofs” (via Climate Progress)

Cool roofs rising (via Sustainable Industries)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

USGS releases New York baseline drinking water study in Marcellus Shale region (via Breaking Energy)

TRANSPORTATION 

US gasoline pump prices to hit 2013 low (via The Hill)

Tesla will more than double Model S production with help of state tax breaks (via GigaOm)

OPINION 

White House to get aggressive on climate change? (via Washington Post)

British Columbia’s carbon tax leadership now more important than ever (via Vancouver Sun)

Why environmentalists should hope nuclear power sticks around (via Washington Post)

Here’s how the shale gas boom is saving Americans money (via Washington Post)

Christie Administration ignores climate change in New Jersey’s post-Sandy rebuild (via InsideClimate News)