Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.16.14

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

EMISSIONS

Carbon markets link in $500 million clean energy investment (via CleanTechnica)

Tropical rainforests not absorbing as much carbon as expected (via The Guardian)

Emissions growth slows as economies clean up (via RTCC)

United Kingdom renewables displaced 38 million tonnes of CO2 in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

COAL

China slashes coal export tariff as mining in crisis (via Reuters)

Coal-heavy rural electric cooperatives take hard line on EPA Clean Power Plan (via EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES

Year-end rush in China leads Asia-Pacific solar PV market to record Q4 level (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Five key stats reveal Latin American’s breakthrough year in solar (via Greentech Media)

New wind power record in Germany (via Renewables International)

Honduras in line for 81.7MW of SunEdison solar (via PV Tech)

IKEA to start selling solar panels in Switzerland (via Renewable Energy World)

Kyocera to build world’s largest floating PV project near Tokyo (via Recharge News)

Local market conditions and policies strongly influence solar PV pricing (via Phys.org)

Minnesota regulators authorize state’s largest solar power project (via Star-Tribune)

Austin, Texas plans to get hover half its power from renewables by 2025 (via ClimateProgress)

SEIA board facing call to resign over stance on US-China trade spat (via PV Tech)

SunPower backs Tendril, plans to use its energy software (via GigaOm)

CLIMATE

White House to healthcare providers: Prepare for climate impacts (via The Hill)

U.S. and India to announce joint climate change action during Obama visit (via The Guardian)

Scientists are worried Greenland might melt even faster than expected (via Washington Post)

OIL

Plunging oil prices could boost geopolitical risks, says Bank of England (via Reuters)

Big Oil could chop $930 billion in projects as prices fall (via Houston Chronicle)

U.S. oil falls to new low of $55.91 per barrel (via The Hill)

In Canada’s oil sands, a boomtown starts feeling the chill (via Reuters)

Oil plunge seen as boon for U.S. banks as traders benefit (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION

Only five countries will sell over 10,000 EVs in 2014 (via Autoblog Green)

France could soon have EV charging stations every 25 miles (via Green Car Reports)

2015 U.S. household gasoline expenditures on track to be lowest in 11 years (via U.S. EIA)

Electric cars could be cheaper than gas guzzlers within a decade (via Quartz)

Sunswift solar electric car reaches crowdfunding goal to hit the streets (via CNET)

GRID

Europe’s “biggest battery” sparks into life (via BusinessGreen)

United Kingdom set for £2.5 billion capacity auction to keep lights on (via Bloomberg)

ABB, Hitachi set up power grid joint venture in Japan (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS

U.S. shale junk debt tumbles amid oil crunch (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY POLICY

Evaluating 15 years of IEA energy forecasts (via Energy Collective)

The energy system in 2014 – did the ice really crack? (via Bloomberg)

A $48 billion opportunity for U.S. electric customers (via Renewable Energy World)

The race is on for solar companies to woo utilities (via Forbes)

While seeking “bailout,” Ohio utilities keep cost data secret (via Midwest Energy News)

POLITICS

Elizabeth Warren, GOP rookies set up energy panel for pyrotechnics (via National Journal)

OPINION

9 things scientists did this year to ensure a better climate future (via Climate Progress)

Why climate change is forcing some environmentalists to back nuclear power (via Washington Post)

Winners and losers at the UN climate talks (via RTCC0

Cleantech IPOs: Predictions revisited, 2014 winners, 2015 picks (via Greentech Media)

Will the 2,250-foot solar-wind tunnel ever be more than a pipe dream? (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.29.14

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

CLIMATE 

Study: Climate change could spark conflict in emerging economies (via BusinessGreen)

EU sets ambitious 2030 climate and energy goals (via Greentech Media)

Chinese vice premier meets Obama adviser on climate change (via Xinhua)

NUCLEAR 

Japan edges back toward nuclear power with vote to restart first reactors (via BusinessGreen)

Nuclear industry touts environment benefits as it seeks to stem reactor retirements (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Poor countries tap renewables at twice the pace of rich nations (via Bloomberg)

EU on track for green energy goals, but 2030 a challenge (via Reuters)

Global PV operations and maintenance market to hit 237GW by 2018 (via Greentech Media)

Global hydropower to double in 20 years, but at what cost to wildlife? (via RTCC)

Millions in new investment cap record year for beyond-the-grid solar markets (via Energy Collective)

U.S. solar boom boosts European manufacturers REC and Solarworld (via Renewable Energy World/Bloomberg)

U.S. solar now 59% cheaper than analysts predicted back in 2010 (via CleanTechnica)

Wind and solar boosted California grid reliability during tough summer (via Renew Grid)

OIL 

Shell seeks five more years for Arctic oil drilling drive (via Bloomberg)

Mexico’s state-owned oil giant Pemex is in uncharted waters (via New York Times)

Goldman Sachs expects U.S. crude to fall to $70 next year (via Houston Chronicle)

Scientists discover huge “bathtub ring” of sea floor oil from BP spill (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Increasing ethanol use has reduced average energy content of retail gasoline (via US EIA)

2016 Chevy Volt will have more EV range, bigger battery (via Autoblog Green)

California to require new buildings to be prepped for EV charging stations (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla announces new EV leasing package (via New York Times)

Indianapolis plans to add 425 EVs to municipal fleet by 2016 (via Green Car Congress)

GM to build Volt electric drive in Michigan (via Bloomberg)

COAL 

U.S. banks deny fund to coal port near Great Barrier Reef (via RTCC)

Coal ash rule heads to White House for final review (via The Hill)

As rail congestion crimps coal supplies, expansion calls grow louder (via Navigant Research)

EMISSIONS 

Australian government wins backing for compromise emissions scheme (via Reuters)

Drying Amazon could be major carbon concern (via Climate Central)

Climate change concerns push Chile to forefront of carbon tax movement (via New York Times)

EPA quietly revamps policy for alleged major air polluters, ends “watch list” (via SNL Energy)

Four carbon cap-tax hybrids (via Sightline Daily)

Oil-price plunge gives new ammo to divestment activists (via InsideClimate News)

Sen. Whitehouse to push carbon price bill (via The Hill)

GRID 

Europe blackout threat looms amid power supply risks, says study (via Bloomberg)

Sandia evaluates batteries for modular grid energy storage (via Energy Manager Today)

Alevo unstealthed: New gigawatt-scale grid battery contender (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

LEED retail participants on the rise (via Environmental Leader)

30% of building managers use no energy saving technology (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

Most Canadians say environment trumps energy prices (via Bloomberg)

Environmental groups spending an unprecedented $85 million in 2014 elections (via Washington Post)

Millennials could make a difference on climate, if they voted (via Grist)

NextGen targets GOP Senate hopefuls in Michigan, Iowa (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Can OPEC survive the oil industry’s new economics? (via Bloomberg)

It’s not perfect, but EU energy and climate deal is great news for green economy (via BusinessGreen)

Liebreich: Nuclear – the thin end of a failing wedge (via Bloomberg)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.20.14

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

CLIMATE 

EU climate chief says energy, climate deal next week “feasible” (via Reuters)

When island nations drown, who owns their seas? (via Boston Globe)

Some cities try to stem the flood in South Florida (via USA Today)

Climate change takes center stage on Instagram (via Climate Central)

NATURAL GAS 

Russia, Ukraine reach tentative gas deal in tough Milan talks (via Reuters)

Tracers developed for tracking frack fluids (via Environmental Leader)

RENEWABLES 

A multibillion-dollar opportunity – service for China’s wind farms (via Bloomberg)

UK wind industry sets new generation record with 24% power share (via BusinessGreen)

UK green investment bank’s wind fund raise “going well” (via Bloomberg)

Labor is most variable cost for solar, wind projects (via Energy Manager Today)

New biofuels facility converts plant waste to ethanol, is 90% cleaner than gasoline (via Huffington Post/AP)

New software modeling tool a wind industry boon (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar EPC firms must adapt to industry changes via new business models (via Solar Industry)

For taller wind turbines, Iowa engineer looks to concrete (via Midwest Energy News)

Another blow to Ohio’s solar industry as PUCO nixes in-state sourcing rule (via Columbus Business First)

COAL 

Study links mountaintop removal dust to cancer (via Charleston Gazette)

EMISSIONS 

Fossil fuel divestment: climate change activists aim at Australia’s banks (via The Guardian)

Renewables, not shale, biggest driver in US emissions cuts: study (via BusinessGreen)

EPA moves to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals (via The Hill)

OIL 

Saudi August oil exports fall to lowest level in three years (via Reuters)

Deeper oil slump seen as “disaster” risk for Australian LNG (via Bloomberg)

Fracking to make U.S. an “energy superpower” (via Saudi Gazette)

Despite slumping prices, no end in sight for U.S. oil production boom (via New York Times)

North Dakota aims to reduce natural gas flaring (via US EIA)

Murky waters: Chicagoans worry petcoke moving to barges (via Midwest Energy News)

TRANSPORTATION 

The coming era of long-range electric cars (via Plugin Cars)

CARB’s next meeting could dramatically change the EV landscape (via Autoblog Green)

GM expands zero-waste agenda worldwide (via TriplePundit)

Ford edges closer to “growing” its own car parts (via TriplePundit)

GRID 

Lawyers to debate $590 million Houston transmission project (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

The Chinese people care more about the environment than Americans (via Grist)

EPA finds little benefit to pesticide linked to bee declines (via The Hill)

GM, Dow, others launch zero-waste initiative (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Brazil’s Rouseff on the offensive a week from runoff vote (via Reuters)

Fossil fuel lobby spent $213 million last year on U.S., EU politicians (via DeSmog Blog)

How to get Republicans to stop using the “I’m not a scientist” dodge (via Grist)

First wind, now gas: Texas tax breaks face scrutiny (via Texas Tribune)

OPINION 

Are tumbling oil prices food or bad news for the world economy? (via The Economist)

Political capital needed for clean energy finance to flourish (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

Is EPA too conservative in its clean energy projections under new carbon rules? (via Greentech Media)

LEDs are a bright idea whose time has come (via Climate Central)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.10.14

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

EMISSIONS

PwC: Five-fold rise in pace of carbon emissions cuts needed (via Triple Pundit)

Fossil fuels stir debate at university endowments (via Wall Street Journal)

Exiting RGGI system cost New Jersey $114 million (via Bergen Record)

ENERGY POLICY 

EU pushes for urgent energy deal in U.S. trade pact (via Reuters)

Energy-hungry Japan waits as U.S. debates exports (via Greenwire)

EDF invests $515 million into new Paris energy R&D facility (via Reuters)

U.S. EIA projects world liquid fuels to rise 38% by 2040 (via Green Car Congress)

Five Keystone XLs: The carbon in Northwest fossil fuel export plans (via Sightline Daily)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil to invest $14.9 billion in wind energy between 2015 and 2018 (via Latin American Herald Tribune)

India pushes ultra-mega scheme to scale solar PV (via Forbes)

Gamesa raises $304 million to expand emerging-market wind energy (via Bloomberg)

Mexico’s new power industry law: Implications for clean energy (via Energy Collective)

EU forecasts green jobs boom (via Recharge News)

German consumers can expect green power surcharges to fall next year (via Reuters)

U.S. and China hold almost half of PV pipeline, but only 3.7GW in China (via CleanTechnica)

U.S. solar generation, output surge in first half of 2014 (via PV Tech)

New U.S. large-scale solar, wind capacity soars (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Obama’s international climate strategy: More grease for renewables (via Renewable Energy World)

California clean energy bill could open door for homeowners, small businesses (via Breaking Energy)

University of California signs major solar deal (via Washington Post)

Google to invest $145 million in California solar project (via The Hill)

OIL 

U.S. boost 2015 oil forecast as shale power push to 10 million barrels per day (via Reuters)

OPEC cuts demand outlook by most in three years on shale surge (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

Rosneft struggles to grow as sanctions hit Russia’s oil champion (via Reuters)

Saudi Arabia tells OPEC it cut output in August as oil nears $100 (via Reuters)

Feds move to prevent runaway oil trains (via The Hill)

Think tank charges policymakers with 70’s mindset on oil exports (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

EIA’s 2014 gasoline use forecast has risen 2 billion gallons in past 10 months (via U.S. EIA)

China and UC-Davis partner to put zero-emission vehicles on fast track (via UC Davis)

California electric vehicle sales pass major milestone (via San Francisco Chronicle)

2016 Chevy Volt spy shots highlight much-needed fixes (via Yahoo! Auto)

Tesla expects another high-volume deal with Toyota in next few years (via Autoblog)

COAL 

South Africa’s coal-fired power stations carry heavy health costs (via The Guardian) 

CLIMATE 

UN climate chief says 125 world leaders confirmed for New York summit (via RTCC)

How global warming is already worsening extreme deluges in the U.S. (via Climate Progress)

Royal Dutch Shell CEO: Climate change discussion “has gone into la-la land” (via Washington Post)

America’s heartland wilts under climate change onslaught (via RTCC)

NUCLEAR 

Japan to restart two nuclear reactors (via The Guardian/AFP)

Russia to build eight nuclear power plants in Iran (via Trend)

KEYSTONE XL 

Environmental group sues Feds for Keystone XL documents (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Zero-energy building revenue set to exceed $1.4 trillion annually by 2035 (via Navigant Research)

IEA calls on policymakers to deliver “multiple benefits” of energy efficiency (via BusinessGreen)

Four ways to play the LED boom (via Forbes)

This deep dive into 10 years of LEED unearths surprises (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS 

Poland looks to import natural gas from U.S., Canada (via Reuters)

Natural gas industry unveils infrastructure security program (via Houston Chronicle)

40% of people near fracking wells report health woes (via USA Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Ocean acidification may dull sharks’ ability to smell prey, finds study (via Yale e360)

Rocky Mountains facing unprecedented assault from insects, fires, heat, drought (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

California water use drops statewide (via San Jose Mercury News)

POLITICS 

Kochs backing out of blue-state Senate races (via Grist)

Obama’s brain drain (via Politico)

Interior Secretary: GOP information requests cost millions (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Whether it’s green growth, green economy, or creative economy, it’s all about green jobs (via Huffington Post)

Are carbon capture and biomass indispensible in the climate change fight? (via Energy Collective)

Another year, another record high for greenhouse gases (via Climate Central)

How ISIS smuggles oil to fund its campaign (via NPR)

How fracking bought the Buffalo Bills (via National Journal)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.7.14

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

NATURAL GAS 

Water for drinking or fracking: Why we may have to choose by 2040 (via Christian Science Monitor)

China halves 2020 shale gas output target (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

U.S., China collaborate on carbon capture (via Navigant Research)

RENEWABLES 

China adds Australia-sized solar capacity in energy push (via Bloomberg)

In Africa, “solar as a service” attracts U.S. dollars (via Navigant Research)

China sets 2014 solar PV target at 13GW (via Recharge)

What can we learn from Germany’s solar experience? (via Greentech Media)

U.S. adds 619MW wind in Q2 (via Recharge)

DOE gives $18 million to geothermal projects (via The Hill)

Army awards final contracts to support $7 billion renewable energy plan (via Energy Manager Today)

Utility-scale solar is back from the dead (via Greentech Media)

First Solar claims 21% efficiency for thin-film PV cell (via Solar Industry Magazine)

CLIMATE 

For most of us, a warmer world has become the new “normal” (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

FEMA threatened by record legal fees that eclipse cost of Katrina (via ClimateWire)

Tornado outbreaks could have a climate change assist (via Climate Central)

White House science adviser: Wildfires are linked to climate change (via Climate Progress)

57% of Americans want companies to weigh in on climate change (via Environmental Leader)

OIL 

Mexican Congress approves oil sector energy reform (via Houston Chronicle)

Shell keeps Arctic drilling on table for 2015 (via Houston Chronicle)

Deepwater fracking next frontier for offshore drilling (via Bloomberg)

Railroads lack insurance for major oil train disasters, say feds (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Worldwide gasoline demand to drop after 2012 (via Autoblog Green)

Japan considering offering free hydrogen cars (via Autoblog Green)

$11 billion later, U.S. high-speed rail is inching along (via New York Times)

Why battery electric vehicles will beat fuel cells (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT 

“Abnormally early” Australian bushfire season prompts call for more resources (via The Guardian)

U.S. firefighting budget is almost gone, but the forests are still burning (via Grist)

Nevada drought could reverse drop in bark beetle numbers (via Reno Gazette-Journal)

Meet the invasive pest fueling Lake Erie’s toxic algae bloom (via National Journal)

GRID 

Annual grid investment expected to reach $198 billion by 2024 (via Renew Grid)

Mapping tool shows which U.S. energy facilities are in flood risk areas (via U.S. EIA)

POLITICS

FERC Commissioner Norris to leave agency early (via SNL Energy)

Fight brews in Arizona over dark money, solar policy (via Huffington Post)

OPINION 

Fire and ice: What I did on my summer vacation (via EcoWatch)

PR firms’ foolish global warming fatwa could backfire (via Investors Business Daily)

Why a new study thinks next year’s climate talks won’t keep the world under 2 degrees Celsius (via Climate Progress)

Choose your future: Four possible emissions pathways (via WRI Insights)

Al Gore: “Compelling” economic case for ditching coal assets (via BusinessGreen)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.20.14

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

EMISSIONS 

China completes pilot carbon market rollout, but take up uncertain (via Reuters)

EPA starts taking comments on clean power plan (via Climate Central)

TVA plans significant cut in carbon emissions (via Environmental Leader)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia “secretly working with environmentalists to oppose fracking” (via The Guardian)

Sempra wins final U.S. FERC approval for LNG export plant (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Germany may install least solar power capacity since 2008 (via Bloomberg)

Report: U.S. trade dispute will inflict pains on China solar manufacturers (via Forbes)

A simple solution to the complex problem of offshore wind costs? (via CleanTechnica)

Buying into solar power, no roof access needed (via New York Times)

The rise of solar co-ops (via Renewable Energy World)

COAL 

$10 billion Australian coal port expansion put on ice due to weak demand (via Reuters)

Duke Energy warned about pipe’s likelihood to leak in 1986 (via News-Record)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EU energy chief rules out 40% energy savings goal (via Reuters)

Survey: Americans financially motivated to participate in demand response programs (via Renew Grid)

Green homes: 150,000 now LEED certified (via Environmental Leader)

Combined heat and power is a boon for Midwest steel mills (via Midwest Energy News)

LEDs to provide big savings for San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

Report: Most Iraq oil production unaffected by turmoil (via Houston Chronicle)

Deloitte: OPEC’s influence waning as U.S. shale surges (via Houston Chronicle)

Abandoned Pennsylvania oil wells may be major methane emitters (via Climate Central)

TRANSPORTATION 

Gasoline at U.S. pumps set to hit six-year seasonal high (via Bloomberg)

Harley-Davidson roars into future with first electric motorcycle (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

Energy storage: A different view from Germany (via Renewable Energy World)

California’s power grid operator, PacifiCorp win approval for western market (via Los Angeles Times)

Regulators approve novel plan for “real time” power sharing in the West (via Greenwire)

Building a wind-balancing grid, one island at a time (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT 

Brazil achieves 70% reduction in Amazon deforestation (via RTCC)

California’s drought getting even worse, experts say (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

Must-pass budget bill stalls in Senate over global-warming fight (via National Journal)

Why Jim Rubens stands out from all Republicans running for Senate (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Rough water ahead for Europe’s energy efficiency efforts (via Navigant Research)

U.S. policymakers falling behind corporate America on clean energy (via Huffington Post)

Obama’s carbon rules show bad arithmetic (via Time)

Words matter when talking global warming: The “good Anthropocene” debate (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.20.14

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

EMISSIONS 

China completes pilot carbon market rollout, but take up uncertain (via Reuters)

EPA starts taking comments on clean power plan (via Climate Central)

TVA plans significant cut in carbon emissions (via Environmental Leader)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia “secretly working with environmentalists to oppose fracking” (via The Guardian)

Sempra wins final U.S. FERC approval for LNG export plant (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Germany may install least solar power capacity since 2008 (via Bloomberg)

Report: U.S. trade dispute will inflict pains on China solar manufacturers (via Forbes)

A simple solution to the complex problem of offshore wind costs? (via CleanTechnica)

Buying into solar power, no roof access needed (via New York Times)

The rise of solar co-ops (via Renewable Energy World)

COAL 

$10 billion Australian coal port expansion put on ice due to weak demand (via Reuters)

Duke Energy warned about pipe’s likelihood to leak in 1986 (via News-Record)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EU energy chief rules out 40% energy savings goal (via Reuters)

Survey: Americans financially motivated to participate in demand response programs (via Renew Grid)

Green homes: 150,000 now LEED certified (via Environmental Leader)

Combined heat and power is a boon for Midwest steel mills (via Midwest Energy News)

LEDs to provide big savings for San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

Report: Most Iraq oil production unaffected by turmoil (via Houston Chronicle)

Deloitte: OPEC’s influence waning as U.S. shale surges (via Houston Chronicle)

Abandoned Pennsylvania oil wells may be major methane emitters (via Climate Central)

TRANSPORTATION 

Gasoline at U.S. pumps set to hit six-year seasonal high (via Bloomberg)

Harley-Davidson roars into future with first electric motorcycle (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

Energy storage: A different view from Germany (via Renewable Energy World)

California’s power grid operator, PacifiCorp win approval for western market (via Los Angeles Times)

Regulators approve novel plan for “real time” power sharing in the West (via Greenwire)

Building a wind-balancing grid, one island at a time (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT 

Brazil achieves 70% reduction in Amazon deforestation (via RTCC)

California’s drought getting even worse, experts say (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

Must-pass budget bill stalls in Senate over global-warming fight (via National Journal)

Why Jim Rubens stands out from all Republicans running for Senate (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Rough water ahead for Europe’s energy efficiency efforts (via Navigant Research)

U.S. policymakers falling behind corporate America on clean energy (via Huffington Post)

Obama’s carbon rules show bad arithmetic (via Time)

Words matter when talking global warming: The “good Anthropocene” debate (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.5.14

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

CLIMATE 

UN chief urges “bold” action to curb global warming (via The Nation/BBC)

Climate change warming up business in the Arctic (via NPR)

Australia risks “going backwards” on climate change, straining Pacific ties (via The Guardian)

Climate change is clear and present danger, says landmark US report (via The Guardian)

What happens when Washington State attempts major climate action? (via CleanTechnica)

Scientists race to develop farm animals to survive climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

“We don’t know what normal is anymore”: Confronting extreme weather on US farms (via Huffington Post)

COAL 

China’s thirsty coal industry guzzles precious water (via Seattle Times)

RENEWABLES 

US ethanol imports from Brazil down 40% in 2013 (via US EIA)

Dam it: Feds say US can double hydropower (via Climate Central)

New ad links US oil industry’s anti-biofuel campaign to Saudi Arabia (via InsideClimate News)

O’Malley to decided whether some wind turbine projects should be delayed until 2015 (via Washington Post)

Kansas state lawmakers to vote on ending renewable energy standard (via Kansas City Star)

Hawaii’s largest utility ordered to help customers install more rooftop solar (via Climate Progress)

Superfund site is latest conquest in solar’s brownfields campaign (via Solar Industry)

Renewables get vote of financial confidence in NextEra spinoff plans (via EnergyWire)

SunEdison may be too reliant on renewable tax credits, says Barron’s (via Reuters)

OIL 

US DOT says energy companies not sharing test data on Bakken oil (via Wall Street Journal)

Oil-by-rail shippers withholding important data, says DOT (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK electric vehicle sales speed up as UK plugs into global trend (via The Guardian)

China’s BYD electric bus factory comes online in California (via Autoblog)

Why European gas-mileage ratings are so high, and often wrong (via Green Car Reports)

DOE to establish gasoline stockpiles in Northeast (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Switch from gasoline to ethanol linked to higher ozone levels in Brazil (via Los Angeles Times)

Supreme Court cross-state ruling leaves much unsettled for EPA (via Greenwire)

Australian banks lose millions as customers divest (via RTCC)

Seven Washington University students arrested protesting Peabody Coal (via EcoWatch)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Green stock index rejects natural gas, oil, and coal (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Democrats push Obama on LNG exports (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking may induce quakes at greater distance than previously thought (via Yale e360)

Stronger “frackquakes” are on the way, scientists warn (via Climate Progress)

Sources and solutions for carbon pollution along the LNG supply chain (via Breaking Energy)

ENVIRONMENT 

US national budget for fighting wildfires is $400 million short (via Climate Progress)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canada finds China option no easy answer to Keystone snub (via Bloomberg)

Wooing of senators to force Keystone XL falling short of votes (via Bloomberg)

Keystone pipeline issue looms as Senate takes up energy efficiency bill (via Washington Post)

ENERGY EFFICENCY 

Top 10 countries for LEED outside the US (via Environmental Leader)

Cree takes on $4 billion fluorescent lighting market with LEDs (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

Introducing New York State’s energy storage testing center (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY POLICY 

Obama re-nominates LaFleur as FERC commissioner (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Dissenting voices on climate change (via Washington Post)

A renewables club to change the world (via WRI Insights)

Will midterm elections move the needle on energy issues? (via National Journal)

For Obama, a renewed focus on climate (via Washington Post)

With hope and horror, climate fiction writers depict the future (via ClimateWire)

Divestment and Arctic development, between drilling and the deep blue sea (via EnergyCollective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.2.14

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

CLIMATE 

Russia says 2C climate goal shouldn’t dictate carbon pledges (via Bloomberg)

UK and Japan pledge joint climate action (via BusinessGreen)

“Voice mails from the future” elicit personal views on dealing with climate change (via ClimateWire)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US to map the risks of man-made earthquakes (via Wall Street Journal)

The seismic link between fracking and earthquakes (via Time)

RENEWABLES 

Demand for India renewable energy credits plunges to seven-month low (via Bloomberg)

US wind power’s problem will remain speed and direction forecasts (via Fitch Ratings)

Financing utility-scale solar in the years ahead (via Greentech Media)

Drones could be a boon for wind and solar industries (via SustainableBusiness)

ERCOT to add 8.6GW new wind capacity through 2016 (via Recharge News)

Xcel Energy sets wind power record with 46% of customer supply (via Post Bulletin)

SolarCity launches operations in Nevada (via Solar Industry)

In Michigan, debate over burning trees for biomass energy (via Midwest Energy News)

COAL 

Clean coal to be put to the test at two plants this year (via Scientific American)

Durbin talks FutureGen with DOE secretary (via Washington Post/AP)

EMISSIONS 

Arctic methane emissions “certain to trigger warming” (via Climate Central)

Obama’s emissions plan comes under coordinated line of attack (via The Guardian)

Scalia gets his facts wrong in EPA dissent (via AP)

KEYSTONE XL 

Senators introduce pro-Keystone XL bill to bypass Obama (via The Guardian)

Clock ticks on Keystone XL vote (via Politico)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Net-zero buildings an inexpensive next step from LEED-Platinum (via SustainableBusiness)

Energy benchmarking goes countrywide in Maryland (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Exxon says all activities in Russia proceeding as planned (via Reuters)

Virginia oil-train wreck brings demands for more regulation (via Washington Post/AP)

New “safer” tank cars were involved in Virginia oil train fire (via Sightline Daily)

Oil-rich North Dakota sees highest worker fatality rate (via The Hill)

California’s oil refiners double crude-by-rail import volumes (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Test loopholes take gloss off Europe’s cleaner cars (via Reuters)

Nissan Leaf keeps plug-in vehicle sales crown for 6th straight month (via Autoblog Green)

California to use one billion less gallons of gasoline in six years (via Green Car Reports)

ENVIRONMENT 

This year’s wildfires could incinerate America’s fire budget (via Mother Jones)

Wildfire threatens homes in drought-parched Southern California (via Chicago Tribune/Reuters)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Stand-alone power becomes growing reality for utilities (via Renew Economy)

Exelon doubles down on regulated assets with Pepco buy (via EnergyWire)

Exelon touts customer benefits in buying Pepco, but regulators will scrutinize claims (via Forbes)

Shareholders, protesters, speak out at Duke board meeting (via Washington Post)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima frozen wall needs risk assessment, says Tepco adviser (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

It’s time to look beyond the UN’s $100 billion climate finance target (via RTCC)

How does Vivint Solar compare to SolarCity? (via Huffington Post)

Inside New York’s historic move to remake the utility business model (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.22.14

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

COAL 

China’s coal boom is waning with ambitious reductions targets (via Triple Pundit)

Ontario closes last coal-fired power plant (via Solar Industry)

Federal judge strikes part of Minnesota energy law preventing coal power (via MPR News)

CLIMATE 

China spreading the use of insurance to cope with climate change damage (via ClimateWire)

Climate-linked drought adding to Syria’s misery (via RTCC)

Hot West, cold East may be new normal as world warms (via Climate Central)

Since first Earth Day, US temperatures marching upward (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

China Premier Li reiterates plans to boost clean energy (via Bloomberg)

Australia’s renewables review kicks off with battle over numbers (via Renew Economy)

Top ten trends in Brazil biofuels for 2014 (via Renewable Energy World)

US to dodge solar shortage in 2014 despite looming PV tariffs (via Solar Industry)

Next step for solar industry: Leases for solar plus storage (via Renew Economy)

Study: Fuels from corn waste not better than gasoline (via AP)

US Army to build military’s largest solar array in Arizona (via The Hill)

Dropping cost of “grid defection” means you could soon ditch your utility (via Fast Company)

RMI’s plan to help Fortune 500 companies up their renewables game (via GreenBiz)

Surpassing milestone of 100,000 solar roofs, PG&E calls for “sustainable” solar policy (via Greentech Media)

Western Texas college joins Texas Tech University on wind energy degree (via PR Web)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone backers keep their faith in embattled pipeline plan (via Reuters)

Horses, teepees arrive on Mall for Keystone XL protest (via Politico)

Keystone XL pipeline fate now in hands of Nebraska court (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s new environmental protection law submitted to parliament (via Reuters)

Brazil strips protected status from 5.2 million hectares of land (via Mongabay)

Consumer electronics industry sets recycling record (via Environmental Leader)

Apple offering free recycling on all used products (via ABC News/AP)

Interior Department launches landscape mitigation strategy (via Triple Pundit)

Wildfires in West increasing burn area at rate of one Denver per year (via Climate Progress)

Fields and farm jobs dry up with California’s worsening drought (via NPR)

Texas city first to reuse water from sewers as drought continues (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS 

Alaska lawmakers back natural gas export plans (via New York Times)

Ohio utilities replacing thousands of miles of gas pipeline (via Midwest Energy News)

EMISSIONS 

Divestment campaigns struggle against stock market, profits (via Houston Chronicle)

OIL 

Russia ships its first Arctic oil – is a boom coming? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Four years later, a sharp divide on Gulf oil spill (via National Journal)

US railroads show untapped value of delay in building oil pipeline (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Musk says Tesla will make cars in China within four years (via Bloomberg)

Hybrids significantly more fuel-efficient in India and China than US (via CleanTechnica)

US exporting a “tidal wave” of gasoline, other fuels (via Houston Chronicle)

Nissan Leaf likely to offer larger battery for longer range (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla Gigafactory seeks North American raw materials to cut pollution (via Green Car Reports)

A detailed look at the dreams and failure of Better Place (via Autoblog Green)

ENERGY POLICY 

Renewable energy gains in 2013 but coal and gas still dominate (via Greentech Media)

Power players muster forces for electricity market reforms (via EnergyWire)

Obama Administration spared developers millions in fees for Georgia nuclear project (via Greenwire)

POLITICS 

Not a single Republican has mentioned Earth Day in Congress since 2010 (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Two degrees: How the world failed on climate change (via Vox)

The clean energy transition is unstoppable, so why fight it? (via Smart Planet)

Where is the real innovation in wind energy? (via CleanTechnica)

World’s top serial bird killers put infamous windmills to shame (via Bloomberg)

Right wing trains its hysterical eye on renewable energy (via Mother Jones)

How conserving water, energy isn’t always about a green lifestyle (via Daily News)