Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.29.14

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

CLIMATE 

The year climate change closed Everest (via The Atlantic)

EPA chief returns fire in war over science (via National Journal)

Will global warming produce more tornadoes? (via Mother Jones)

ENERGY POLICY 

Fossil fuel subsidies costing global economy $2 trillion, says IMF (via Renew Economy)

Russia and Iran reported in talks on energy deal worth billions (via New York Times)

Congress returns to tackle efficiency, tax credits, water law, appropriations (via E&E Daily)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil may have 2GW PV by 2019 (via Recharge)

Japan’s 25-year plan to get solar power from space (via SmartPlanet)

UK solar market to lead Europe in 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

GE invests $24 million in Welspun’s India solar plant (via Bloomberg)

UK public backs renewables over fracking, shows survey (via RTCC)

Renewable electricity generation projections sensitive to cost, price, policy assumptions (via US EIA)

Why wave power has lagged far behind as an energy source (via Yale e360)

Can a DOE competition jump-start wind power in America’s vast offshore? (via ClimateWire)

Solar Wind wins approval for $1.5 billion power tower in Arizona (via Bloomberg)

SEPA names top 10 US utilities for new solar (via Energy Manager Today)

PG&E tops solar PV charts for US utilities (via Recharge)

Solar industry is a top donor in Georgia PSC elections (via EnergyWire)

NATURAL GAS 

Squeezed from many sides, Gazprom looks for advantage in Ukraine crisis (via EnergyWire)

Slovakia signs deal to deliver gas to Ukraine (via Houston Chronicle)

Ukraine to start natural gas import talks with Hungary (via Reuters)

FERC approval could become “regulatory black hole” for some proposed LNG export projects (via Energy Collective)

EMISSIONS 

Fossil fuel divestment gaining traction (via SustainableBusiness)

Lobbying surprisingly strong on “pipe dream” carbon tax bill (via Bloomberg)

State legislators take preemptive aim at EPA power plant rules (via Midwest Energy News)

How commercial buildings can curb emissions (via Environmental Leader)

App shows carbon footprint based on your purchases (via Treehugger)

COAL 

Coal company unlawfully polluted West Virginia water, rules federal judge (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

DOE issues guidance on electric grid cyber security (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL 

Democrats weigh Keystone XL vote options (via Politico)

Keystone XL protesters mark final roundup – for now (via Politico)

NUCLEAR 

Floating nuclear power plant could resist meltdowns (via SmartPlanet)

OIL

North Dakota pipeline spill cleanup to top $11 million (via WDAY-ABC)

Why is the oil industry giving millions to the NRA? (via Climate Progress)

Fire chiefs play “catch-up as hazmat shipments rise with energy boom (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

What’s the greenest car? A short guide to vehicle emissions (via Renew Economy)

Cutting-edge transportation maps will change how we plan cities (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

They’re not sure what “climate finance” is but say we need a ton of it (via Bloomberg)

What does today owe tomorrow? (via New York Times)

Three solar integration questions utility executives must confront (via Greentech Media)

How solar energy cuts electric grid costs (via Grist)

10 questions to ask about electricity tariffs (via WRI Insights)

10 questions that shine a light on electricity prices (via WRI Insights)

Did New York State just start an energy revolution? (via Forbes)

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 – 4.28.14

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 – 4.7.14

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

CLIMATE 

UN says time running out to meet global warming target (via Reuters)

US seeks changes to “skewed” data in UN climate draft (via Bloomberg)

Forest fires arrive early as Siberia sees record high temperatures (via Siberian Times)

Climate change could turn focus on Canadian Prairies for food production (via Calgary Herald)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Gazprom stops courting US investors after Crimea crisis (via Houston Chronicle)

Ukraine in emergency talks with EU neighbors on natural gas imports (via Reuters)

Interior Department works through millions of comments on fracking rules (via Bloomberg)

Exxon Mobil to reveal fracking data (via Time)

Wyoming to start plugging old methane wells (via Billings Gazette)

RENEWABLES 

Global trends in renewable energy investment 2014 (via Bloomberg)

Japan’s new energy policy stops short of setting renewables targets (via Bloomberg)

Britain embraces distributed solar (via Forbes)

Solar capacity in India crosses 2.6GW (via Panchabuta)

Fastest quarterly growth in polysilicon prices since 2010 (via Greentech Media)

Wind power has cut US CO2 emissions 4.4%, says report (via Huffington Post)

Wind power is reducing electricity rates: Repays tax credit 17x over (via TriplePundit)

Policy headwinds for the wind industry (via Navigant Research)

Deeper data dives yield more certainty on solar jobs (via Solar Industry)

Study touts benefits of wood pellets for energy (via Houston Chronicle)

Kansas lawmakers pass net metering plan in defeat for ALEC (via Midwest Energy News)

Home Depot launches the next generation of outdoor power (via EarthTechling)

Women are key residential solar energy customers (via Energy Collective)

Criticism of 2008 law part of new debate over Ohio green energy bill (via Columbus Dispatch)

Tackling energy poverty with renewables? (via Breaking Energy)

OIL 

Canada can move faster than US on oil rail cars, says Transport Minister (via Reuters)

Interior says Atlantic offshore drilling tests could begin this year (via The Hill)

Coast Guard report criticizes Shell’s judgment in Arctic drilling (via The Hill)

California regulations block state shale oil boom (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Solar, hydrogen, and aluminum: A guide to the latest advanced vehicle technology (via Climate Progress)

Electricity pricing and the economics of EVs (via Navigant Research)

NUCLEAR 

Dozens of nuclear reactors must prove safety under revised quake estimates (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Opower makes public market debut, gives hope to other green tech startups (via Forbes)

TAR SANDS

Mounting evidence of health concerns near tar sands development (via Energy Collective)

Enbridge first to confirm re-exports of Canadian crude via US (via Reuters)

Is Minnesota the next tar sands fight battleground? (via Midwest Energy News)

GRID 

Enabling remote microgrids in the developing world (via Navigant Research)

Texas blackouts rise, rank second in nation (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Declare a California fracking moratorium now (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Must-see video: Showtime climate series “Years of Living Dangerously” (via Climate Progress)

Can “Generation Hot” avoid its fate? (via The Daily Beast)

Should the wind production tax credit be revived? (via National Journal)

Opower IPO is a sign that “intelligent efficiency” truly matters (via Greentech Media)

Why Norway has embraced Tesla and other EVs (via Renew Economy)

Louisiana’s coastline is disappearing – here’s why it’s so hard to escape (via Washington Post)

Is Tesla Motors a carmaker, or really a grid-storage company? (via Green Car Reports)

What does “winning” the clean energy race even mean? (via Greentech Media)

Can complexities of sugarcane ethanol imports lead to increased carbon emissions? (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.10.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US recoverable natural gas estimate jumps 26 percent (via Houston Chronicle)

EIA projects flatlining of natural gas consumption through 2014 (via Facts of the Day)

Little support for natural gas exports, UT poll finds (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

Australia prepares for new weather extremes as political opposition mounts (via ClimateWire)

Nearly 80 percent of Americans hit by extreme weather disaster since 2007 (via Climate Progress)

Climate change included in US science teaching guidelines for first time (via The Guardian)

NUCLEAR 

Ex-regulator says all US nuclear reactors have safety design flaw (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

Global solar PV market surges toward 100GW milestone (via BusinessGreen)

Asian Development Bank pleads for alternative energy use (via Bangkok Post)

Chinese wind energy output soars 41 percent (via BusinessGreen)

South African solar projects get $2.2 billion boost (via Sustainable Business)

Brazil planning for another 300MW of solar PV (via CleanTechnica)

When it comes to solar power, small scale is beautiful (via EarthTechling)

Renewables provide 82% of new US electrical generating capacity in1Q 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

NRG introducing solar with battery storage for homeowners (via Renewable Energy World)

Building a solar economy: 4 lessons from Hawaii (via Yes! Magazine)

First Solar soars 45 percent on outlook, acquisition (via Reuters)

Mosiac receives approval to offer $100 million in solar investments to California residents (via San Jose Mercury News)

Illinois renewable energy fund set to jump 10x, but glitches could make it impossible to spend money (via Crain’s Chicago Business)

OIL 

OPEC joins US in lowering 2013 oil demand growth view (via Reuters)

Gazprom, Shell agree to develop Arctic oil fields despite environmental concerns (via Washington Post)

BP says safety was top priority in Gulf before massive oil spill (via Washington Post)

Today is deadline for Exxon to produce Arkansas oil spill documents (via Ozarks First)

Exxon oil spill cleanup in path of severe weather, maybe a tornado (via InsideClimate News)

Jury finds Exxon liable for $236 million in New Hampshire pollution suit (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

UN emissions credits surge as developers delay carbon claims (via Bloomberg)

Shanghai to become second Chinese city to launch carbon trading this June (via BusinessGreen)

Air pollution killed 7 million people in 2010 (via Mongabay)

DOE nominee mum on carbon tax during hearing (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone XL pipeline developer fears decision is “many months” away (via The Hill) 

Did Keystone XL contractor hide its conflict of interest? (via Mother Jones)

TRANSPORTATION 

More than 48,000 EV public charging stations have been deployed worldwide (via Navigant Research)

Car repair costs rising – apart from hybrids, which get cheaper (via Green Car Reports)

US public charging stations increase 9% in first quarter 2013 (via Autoblog Green)

Elon Musk says next, cheaper Tesla coming in 2016 or 2017 (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

New grid architecture enables renewable integration (via Navigant Research)

In Iowa, researchers seeing a stronger, lighter power line (via Midwest Energy News)

ENERGY POLICY 

Energy tax reform a heavy lift for lawmakers (via Politico)

Four charts that show the US spends too little on energy research (via Washington Post)

Kansas could outlaw sustainable development (via Treehugger)

COAL 

Plans for one coal export terminal in Oregon dropped, four others still under consideration (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Entire planet will soon have rapid deforestation detection system (via Mongabay)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Hundreds of US colleges creating a clean energy future, today (via EcoAffect)

Best Buy e-waste recycling actually a notable accomplishment (via EarthTechling)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Ohio state legislature reviewing energy efficiency rules (via Columbus Dispatch)

POLITICS 

Coming and going at the Energy Department (via New York Times)

Ernest Moniz faces grilling in confirmation hearing (via Houston Chronicle)

McCarthy to face barrage of agency criticism (via E&E Daily)

OPINION 

How carbon reduction and smart grid work together (via Greentech Media)

Why First Solar is buying a silicon solar cell startup no one’s heard of (via GigaOm)

Exxon revolutionizes energy by delivering it straight to your face (via Grist)