Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.20.13

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

COAL 

Obama takes on coal with first-ever carbon limits (via Associated Press)

Coal’s future darkens around the world (via Associated Press)

Government’s latest coal auction attracts lowest bid in 15 years (via Climate Progress)

It’s not just Obama’s carbon rules that are killing coal – it’s cheap gas (via Time)

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon markets set “to be oversupplied until 2027” (via BusinessGreen)

France to cut fossil fuels 30% by 2030, president says (via Phys.org)

EU carbon price forecast to hit €66 per ton by 2030 (via Recharge)

Administration presses ahead with limits on power plant emissions (via New York Times)

Study: Fracked shale formations could store carbon dioxide (via Yale e360)

How bad for the environment are gas-powered leaf blowers? (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Germany industry wants end of feed-in tariff on rising power cost (via Bloomberg)

Is Brazilian sugarcane the answer to US biofuel needs? (via Green Car Reports)

Algae biofuels cut CO2 emissions more than 50% compared to petroleum fuels (via Phys.org)

Siemens opens state-of-the-art wind service training center (via Energy Collective)

Solar Exchange launches with over $28 million in solar goods (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Top 10 challenges for the biofuels industry (via Renewable Energy World)

In Minnesota, looking for lessons from Goodhue wind fight (via Midwest Energy News)

Massachusetts racks up 11.8% growth in clean energy (via Solar Industry Magazine)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s future depends on stopping Fukushima leaks, PM tells workers (via The Guardian)

CLIMATE 

Ozone treaty offers quicker fix for global warming (via Bloomberg)

Russia urges UN climate report to include geoengineering (via The Guardian)

Australia scraps national climate commission (via The Guardian)

India and China face significant flooding risk warns Swiss Re (via RTCC)

UN climate report set to establish “global carbon budget” (via RTCC)

Study says journalists should talk about climate change like a pension policy (via Climate Progress)

Clash over flood insurance rates sharpens days before hikes are enacted (via ClimateWire)

The many small ways Americans are adapting to climate change (via The Atlantic)

ENERGY POLICY 

US revives aid program for cleaner fossil fuels (via New York Times)

California’s strategic plan for renewables and efficiency (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

Beacon Power starts up flywheel energy storage facility in Pennsylvania (via Renew Grid)

OIL 

Halliburton pleads guilty to destroying evidence after BP oil spill (via The Hill)

Legal, political battles await EPA’s power plant emissions limits (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

General Motors looks to cut battery prices and increase EV range (via New York Times)

Tesla shares hit yet another record high at $180 (via Autoblog Green)

Ecotality bankruptcy could give Nissan its own charger network (via Plugin Cars)

2014 Chevy Spark EV test drive (via CleanTechnica)

POLITICS 

Senate support unravels for Obama’s FERC nominee (via The Hill)

US Senate GOP leader says he will work to defeat FERC nominee (via Reuters)

Government funding battle knocks stalled energy efficiency bill off Senate floor (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Sorry, Arctic sea ice isn’t really “recovering” (via Washington Post)

Time to act on climate change (via Huffington Post)

Will coal survive the EPA’s new carbon rules? (via Washington Post)

Obama’s coming climate crackdown (via Politico)

A clean energy revolution – now (via Energy.gov)

These five things need to happen before electric cars really go mainstream (via Washington Post)

Are wind farm-related eagle deaths higher than we think? (via EarthTechling)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.19.13

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

EMISSIONS 

EU and China launch joint scheme to tackle emissions (via RTCC)

China finance minister backs carbon tax (via RTCC)

Conservatives attack each other over carbon tax plans (via ClimateWire)

COAL 

Asia’s coal use grows despite gas challenge (via Wall Street Journal)

Ex-Im Bank rejects financing for Vietnam coal plant, citing global warming (via Washington Post/AP)

RENEWABLES 

China’s solar feud with West leads to tax (via New York Times)

Chilly offshore wind lurks for Europe (via EarthTechling)

Solar energy storage about to take off in Germany and California (via Forbes)

US renewable energy use soared in 2012 – report (via RTCC)

Federal credit: Government financing for clean energy (via Center for American Progress)

State renewable energy mandates find improbable backers – farmers (via Wall Street Journal)

White House steps up biofuel support amid escalating attacks (via The Hill)

Ethanol RIN credits have climbed 2,000% this year, but where do they go now? (via Autoblog Green)

Biodiesel can solve the ethanol debate, say supporters (via Houston Chronicle)

Is a 50% efficient solar cell on the horizon? (via GigaOm)

Plugging into military solar (via Renewable Energy World)

First community solar projects launched in Minnesota (via Star-Tribune)

CLIMATE 

Snow and Arctic sea ice extent plummet suddenly as globe bakes (via Washington Post)

Sensitive information: A peek inside the next IPCC assessment (via The Economist)

Record June heat extends globe’s streak to 340 months (via Climate Central)

EU pledges to support China’s climate effort (via BusinessGreen)

“Drunken” weather pattern leads to deadly heat (via Climate Central)

New EPA chief McCarthy will take on sweeping climate agenda (via Politico)

More states requiring insurers to complete climate risk survey (via Environmental Leader)

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada exec: Keystone pipeline date may slide again (via The Hill)

Keystone risk worries US oil sands investors (via Houston Chronicle)

TransCanada rebuffs EPA call to run Keystone pumps with renewables (via Bloomberg)

Zichal: Obama “raised the bar” on Keystone’s climate impacts (via Politico)

ENERGY POLICY 

Britain plans tax breaks for shale gas investment (via Reuters)

Mexico’s conservatives propose “deep” energy reform, concessions (via Reuters)

US oil and gas boom is straining the country’s infrastructure (via Washington Post)

Utility customer satisfaction is way up in the US (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Renters can help US save energy (via C2ES)

California is proof that energy efficiency works (via Greentech Media)

Upgraded EPA Energy Star Portfolio Manager offers lifecycle feature (via Energy Manager Today)

GRID 

Europe’s smart meter race hitting its stride (via Greentech Media)

Short-term real-time power prices reflect system strain during Northeast heat wave (via US EIA)

OIL 

Is Arctic oil exploration dead in the US? (via EnergyWire)

US approval of Enbridge pipeline plan irks some oil shippers (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Los Angeles extends rebates for electric car chargers (via Plugin Cars)

It’s official: General Motors now sees Tesla as a threat (via Green Car Reports)

Chrysler tests EV technology to shave peak power on grid (via Energy Manager Today)

GM to test utility-controlled solar charging for electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

ENVIRONMENT

Largest lake in Middle East region may dry up (via Bloomberg)

Texas drought forecast to continue, perhaps for years (via StateImpact Texas)

POLITICS 

Senate confirms Gina McCarthy as EPA administrator (via Washington Post)

Lawmakers concerned new carbon metric developed in secret (via The Hill)

Murkowski says Keystone amendment won’t kill efficiency bill (via The Hill)

Building bipartisan collaboration on energy competition? (via Energy Collective)

Insurance industry, Republicans split on climate change (via Bloomberg)

OPINION

Poll finds broad public support for Obama climate plan (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil industry should blame itself for federal fracking rules (via Forbes)

Morality is missing from debate about sustainable behavior (via The Guardian)

It’s hot as hell and the grid’s not gonna take it anymore (via Greentech Media)

Stuff white people like: denying climate change (via Grist)

Is renewable energy just “Hamburger Helper?” (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.19.13

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

EMISSIONS 

EU and China launch joint scheme to tackle emissions (via RTCC)

China finance minister backs carbon tax (via RTCC)

Conservatives attack each other over carbon tax plans (via ClimateWire)

COAL 

Asia’s coal use grows despite gas challenge (via Wall Street Journal)

Ex-Im Bank rejects financing for Vietnam coal plant, citing global warming (via Washington Post/AP)

RENEWABLES 

China’s solar feud with West leads to tax (via New York Times)

Chilly offshore wind lurks for Europe (via EarthTechling)

Solar energy storage about to take off in Germany and California (via Forbes)

US renewable energy use soared in 2012 – report (via RTCC)

Federal credit: Government financing for clean energy (via Center for American Progress)

State renewable energy mandates find improbable backers – farmers (via Wall Street Journal)

White House steps up biofuel support amid escalating attacks (via The Hill)

Ethanol RIN credits have climbed 2,000% this year, but where do they go now? (via Autoblog Green)

Biodiesel can solve the ethanol debate, say supporters (via Houston Chronicle)

Is a 50% efficient solar cell on the horizon? (via GigaOm)

Plugging into military solar (via Renewable Energy World)

First community solar projects launched in Minnesota (via Star-Tribune)

CLIMATE 

Snow and Arctic sea ice extent plummet suddenly as globe bakes (via Washington Post)

Sensitive information: A peek inside the next IPCC assessment (via The Economist)

Record June heat extends globe’s streak to 340 months (via Climate Central)

EU pledges to support China’s climate effort (via BusinessGreen)

“Drunken” weather pattern leads to deadly heat (via Climate Central)

New EPA chief McCarthy will take on sweeping climate agenda (via Politico)

More states requiring insurers to complete climate risk survey (via Environmental Leader)

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada exec: Keystone pipeline date may slide again (via The Hill)

Keystone risk worries US oil sands investors (via Houston Chronicle)

TransCanada rebuffs EPA call to run Keystone pumps with renewables (via Bloomberg)

Zichal: Obama “raised the bar” on Keystone’s climate impacts (via Politico)

ENERGY POLICY 

Britain plans tax breaks for shale gas investment (via Reuters)

Mexico’s conservatives propose “deep” energy reform, concessions (via Reuters)

US oil and gas boom is straining the country’s infrastructure (via Washington Post)

Utility customer satisfaction is way up in the US (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Renters can help US save energy (via C2ES)

California is proof that energy efficiency works (via Greentech Media)

Upgraded EPA Energy Star Portfolio Manager offers lifecycle feature (via Energy Manager Today)

GRID 

Europe’s smart meter race hitting its stride (via Greentech Media)

Short-term real-time power prices reflect system strain during Northeast heat wave (via US EIA)

OIL 

Is Arctic oil exploration dead in the US? (via EnergyWire)

US approval of Enbridge pipeline plan irks some oil shippers (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Los Angeles extends rebates for electric car chargers (via Plugin Cars)

It’s official: General Motors now sees Tesla as a threat (via Green Car Reports)

Chrysler tests EV technology to shave peak power on grid (via Energy Manager Today)

GM to test utility-controlled solar charging for electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

ENVIRONMENT

Largest lake in Middle East region may dry up (via Bloomberg)

Texas drought forecast to continue, perhaps for years (via StateImpact Texas)

POLITICS 

Senate confirms Gina McCarthy as EPA administrator (via Washington Post)

Lawmakers concerned new carbon metric developed in secret (via The Hill)

Murkowski says Keystone amendment won’t kill efficiency bill (via The Hill)

Building bipartisan collaboration on energy competition? (via Energy Collective)

Insurance industry, Republicans split on climate change (via Bloomberg)

OPINION

Poll finds broad public support for Obama climate plan (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil industry should blame itself for federal fracking rules (via Forbes)

Morality is missing from debate about sustainable behavior (via The Guardian)

It’s hot as hell and the grid’s not gonna take it anymore (via Greentech Media)

Stuff white people like: denying climate change (via Grist)

Is renewable energy just “Hamburger Helper?” (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.15.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Australia to scrap carbon tax for trading scheme (via Agence France-Presse)

California cap and trade could mean data center cost bumps (via GigaOm)

CLIMATE 

Ice sheets melting at rate of 300 billion tons a year, shows climate satellites (via The Independent)

Study shows climate change happening too quickly for species to adapt (via The Guardian)

After Sandy, New York aims to fortify itself against next big storm & climate change (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Solar PV to hit grid parity, $134 billion annual revenue by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

Annual offshore wind investment to hit €18 billion by 2016 (via Renewable Energy World)

China vows to quadruple solar generating capacity by 2015 (via Reuters)

EU plans probe on German renewable energy law (via Reuters)

Europe installs 1GW offshore wind capacity in first half 2013 (via BusinessGreen)

The history of biofuels goes back 300 years (via Autoblog Green)

US court says biofuel producers must face carbon emissions rules (via Reuters)

Georgia PSC orders 525MW more solar power capacity by 2016 (via Atlanta Business Chronicle)

New York inches toward offshore wind energy (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS 

France’s president rules out shale gas exploration (via Reuters)

Sen. Wyden: natural gas proposal coming soon (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

Study: world’s coral reefs face serious problems by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Sweeping parts of southern seas could become a nature preserve (via NPR)

Study says removing coastal habitat doubles flood impact (via Phys.org)

Canada’s second-largest fire on record spreads smoke to Europe (via Weather Underground)

Wind power and this bird get along fine (via EarthTechling)

OIL

Full extent of heavy metal contamination in Arkansas Exxon oil spill still unknown (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK aims for low-carbon vehicles with £1 billion R&D center (via BusinessGreen)

GM to double models with 40-mpg highway or better by 2017 (via Green Car Congress)

Battery-electric cars are outselling plug-in hybrids (via Green Car Reports)

Better Place bought out of bankruptcy for $12 million (via GigaOm)

Study projects Tesla Roadster packs will retain 80-85% capacity after 100k miles (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla trims Model S reservation price in half (via CleanTechnica)

One year with my Chevy Volt (via CleanTechnica)

Connecticut to fund $200,000 in public charging station incentives (via Autoblog Green)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Federal building efficiency standard could cut energy use 18% (via Environmental Leader)

DOE set to order energy efficiency standards for US computers and servers (via The Hill)

GREEN BUSINESS

Recycling saved General Motors $1 billion in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Skanska quits US Chamber of Commerce over anti-LEED lobbying (via BusinessGreen)

NUCLEAR 

IAEA says aging nuclear reactors pose safety challenge (via Reuters)

GREEN BUILDING 

Re-imagined London tower would harvest pollution as fuel (via EarthTechling)

Munich building snags highest-ever LEED rating (via EarthTechling)

ENERGY POLICY 

Water scarcity from climate change could jack up Europe’s power prices (via Climate Progress)

World Bank abandons coal, green-lights clean micro-grids (via Renew Economy)

When space weather attacks the grid (via Washington Post)

Ideas to bolster US power grid run up against system’s many owners (via New York Times)

Flush with oil and gas cash, North Dakota’s economic growth tops in nation (via Stateline)

POLITICS 

Rudd seeks to ditch carbon tax with eye on election campaign (via Bloomberg)

Tough job ahead as Obama puts climate talk into action, sells plan to public (via Washington Post)

Battle over EPA nominee draws to a close (via The Hill)

GOP “climate disconnect” would sacrifice climate research for weather forecasting (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.9.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China says it will not set carbon cap (via Renewable Energy World)

Blueprint for Russia’s carbon market should be ready by end of 2013 (via RTCC)

DOE fielding aircraft-based study of aerosols generated by wildfires in US (via Green Car Congress)

Colorado mulls oil and gas air pollution rules as residents erupt (via Denver Post)

Website tracks 20 Minnesota cities’ greenhouse gas emissions (via Star-Tribune)

COAL 

China’s reliance on coal reduces life expectancy 5.5 years (via The Guardian)

RENEWABLES 

Navigant: Solar price to reach grid parity worldwide in 2020 (via Energy Manager Today)

Future of UK offshore wind power in “serious doubt” (via The Guardian)

Germany to pull plug on solar subsidies by 2018 (via Phys.org)

Renewables rise to 15% in Australia as power demand and emissions fall (via Renew Economy)

India risks Spain’s solar slump with move to cut tariff (via Bloomberg)

Los Angeles kicks off second round of solar feed-in tariff (via CleanTechnica)

Georgia Power to buy output from 38MW solar project (via Renew Grid)

NUCLEAR 

Nearly half of Japanese cities near nuclear plants would allow resumption (via United Press International)

Japan moves closer to restarting its nuclear reactors (via The Guardian)

World’s first floating nuclear power plant to begin operating in Russia in 2016 (via Russia Times)

CLIMATE 

Climate change to spawn more and stronger hurricanes (via USA Today)

Pacific Island nations meet in Fiji to discuss 2015 climate adaptation strategy (via RTCC)

Nigeria kickstarts adaptation efforts to head off climate disasters (via Thompson-Reuters)

Stressed native UK trees on the march as climate change collapses seasons (via ClimateWire)

Climate change could spark small mammal invasion (via Scientific American)

Climate change might be enabling beetles’ rise against pine trees (via MPR News)

OIL 

US well sites in 2012 discharged more oil than Valdez (via EnergyWire)

Quebec disaster highlights risk of moving crude oil by rail (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

ABB to build world’s largest network of EV fast-charging stations in Netherlands (via Green Car Congress)

Ethanol critics rev up efforts to repeal biofuel rules on gasoline (via Omaha World-Herald)

Tesla Motors to join Nasdaq 100 (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking ban halts first shale gas project in Spain (via Christian Science Monitor)

West Virginia natural gas well explosion kills at least five (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

Insurance companies given severe weather warning (via Climate Central)

Southwest US forests may never recover from megafires (via The Atlantic)

Hundreds evacuated as wildfire threatens Alaskan towns (via Anchorage Daily News)

KEYSTONE XL 

Obama’s Keystone approval could hinge on Canada’s climate measures (via Houston Chronicle)

State Department admits it doesn’t know exact Keystone XL route (via DeSmog Blog)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency saves Scottish homeowners £1 billion (via BusinessGreen)

DOE to toughen energy efficiency standards for new federal buildings (via The Hill)

World’s largest LED retrofit saves 80% for GM (via CleanTechnica)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Majority of EU citizens back green product labeling; 77% would pay premium (via BusinessGreen)

POLITICS 

Obama waves veto pen at House Energy Department spending bill (via The Hill)

Utility 2.0: Can political activism and microtargeting boost clean energy? (via Greentech Media)

“Nuclear option” decision arrives for Sen. Reid on Obama nominations (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Solar costs and grid prices on collision course (via CleanTechnica)

Google becomes a big energy player (via Houston Chronicle)

Survey: 76% of consumers don’t trust their utility (via Greentech Media)

Why France is the next big smart meter market (via Navigant Research)

Divestment: old tactic in new climate campaign (via New York Times)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.3.13

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

EMISSIONS 

European parliament votes for backloading plan to push up carbon price (via BusinessGreen)

EU ministers and blue chips unite in call to save carbon market (via BusinessGreen)

33 cities test new framework for community-scale greenhouse gas inventories (via WRI Insights)

Lesser-known CO2 storage idea merits attention (via Reuters)

United Church of Christ passes fossil fuel divestment strategy (via Huffington Post)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Ratings and rankings: how competition promotes corporate sustainability (via GreenBiz)

Report says less carbon pollution and more manufacturing can go together (via Climate Progress)

Why American businesses should fight for renewable portfolio standards (via GreenBiz)

RENEWABLES 

Saudi Arabia starts survey of renewable energy potential (via Bloomberg)

Desertec in trouble as founders quit €400 billion solar project (via RTCC)

UK feed-in tariff generates 380,000 small-scale renewable projects in three years (via BusinessGreen)

Uganda launches renewable energy feed-in tariff program (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar water heaters bloom on China’s rooftops, but not in the US (via ClimateWire)

Vestas wins 93MW South African wind turbine order (via Bloomberg)

Algae species shows promise in reducing power plant pollution to make biofuel (via Green Car Congress)

Interior approves 500MW Arizona wind farm (via Renew Grid)

Connecticut’s green bank: a model for public-private renewables partnerships? (via Breaking Energy)

COAL 

Obama revamps $8 billion coal loan program amid objections (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

UN charts “unprecedented” global warming since 2000 (via Bloomberg)

Japan’s climate finance plan welcomed by vulnerable nations (via RTCC)

Rich countries’ proposal to bypass poorer governments on climate aid rejected in UN (via The Guardian)

Death estimates from Indian floods range to 10,000 (via Wall Street Journal)

Arizona wildfire continues to burn out of control (via Arizona Republic)

Death Valley hit hottest US June temperature ever recorded Sunday – 129 (via Washington Post)

OIL 

Federal court rejects SEC rule on oil company payments (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama administration boosts oil industry with $8 billion in loan guarantees (via Houston Chronicle)

Steelmakers file US trade case seeking duties on oil pipes (via Houston Chronicle)

Sickened by Exxon oil spill, Arkansas victims face confusion of officials and doctors (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

GM and Honda to collaborate on fuel-cell development (via New York Times)

Strong June sales push Chevy Volt ahead of Nissan Leaf for first time since February (via Autoblog Green)

Fisker bankruptcy likely, says Delaware governor (via Autoblog Green)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima plant operator seeks to restart two nuclear reactors (via New York Times)

Lower power prices and high repair costs drive nuclear retirements (via US EIA)

GRID 

PJM seeks additional resources to restart electric system if power lost across grid (via Wall Street Journal)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Tar sands coal petcoke exports hit second-highest level ever in April (via DeSmog Blog)

Keystone XL foes turn focus to local governments (via ABC News/AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Cambridge plans $1.5 billion in energy efficiency retrofits (via Energy Manager Today)

How Obama’s climate plan will boost US energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Empire State Building efficiency retrofit model rolls out across US (via CleanTechnica)

NPR’s LEED Gold headquarters a radio nerd’s dream (via EarthTechling)

POLITICS 

What would happen if candidates and elected officials were asked to sign a climate action pledge? (via Climate Progress)

Has the GOP stopped denying climate science, and will they begin participating in solutions? (via The Guardian)

OPINION 

Solar offers hope in fight against climate change (via Huffington Post)

Kosovo a chance for World Bank, Obama to show climate change leadership (via National Geographic)

Heroes and villains of the renewable energy fight (via CleanTechnica)

A closer look at Obama’s $7 billion plan to bring electricity to Africa (via Washington Post)

What’s causing the West’s heat wave and why hot nights are so dangerous (via Washington Post/AP)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.17.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China sets new rules aimed at curbing air pollution (via New York Times)

Shenzen to launch China’s first carbon trading market (via BusinessGreen)

EPA nominee confirmation delay raises questions about US carbon rules (via Reuters)

White House, EPA at odds over savings from emissions regulations (via The Hill)

COAL 

Coal reaches 29.9% global market share, highest since 1970 (via Facts of the Day)

Coal industry pins hopes on exports as US markets shrinks (via New York Times)

US Capitol power plant becoming cogeneration, quitting coal (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

Solar power shines in oil-rich Saudi Arabia (via Christian Science Monitor)

Hydrogen plant starts storing wind energy in Germany (via Houston Chronicle)

China pledges support for domestic solar industry (via Reuters)

3GW of new solar PV plants being developed in China by Yingli (via CleanTechnica)

Is concentrating solar power the technology that saves humanity? (via CleanTechnica)

Is the IRS considering solar REITs? (via Renewable Energy World)

Wind contracts may push Austin Energy to 35% renewable energy goal (via Austin American-Statesman)

CLIMATE 

Losing fight vs. climate change, cities around the world find ways to live with it (via Washington Post/AP)

UN global climate talks blocked by Russia set back six months (via Bloomberg)

UN climate talks make “concrete progress” toward global deal at Bonn (via BusinessGreen)

Climate science debate has cost Australia precious time, warns expert (via The Guardian)

Obama leaves climate change-fighting tool on shelf for now (via Reuters)

Pentagon bracing for public dissent over climate and energy shocks (via The Guardian)

Dwindling snow – thanks to climate change – might dry out Los Angeles (via Time)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Chevron’s $10 billion Angola LNG export plant ships first cargo (via Bloomberg)

Study says exports will have significant impact on US natural gas prices (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking fuels water battles in driest US states (via Politico/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Ford says its regenerative brakes have saved 100 million gallons of gas (via Autoblog Green)

Consumer Reports says higher CAFÉ standards will save car buyers $4,600 (via Autoblog Green)

GM still talking about 300-mile EVs with high-density batteries (via AutoblogGreen)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

UK Green Deal energy efficiency makeover could boost property values £16,000 (via BusinessGreen)

MEETS could be most innovative energy efficiency financing tool yet (via Greentech Media)

14 ways to slim your power bill this summer (via Houston Chronicle)

OIL 

IEA chief economist: climate change a financial threat to oil companies (via Houston Chronicle)

Australia to boost offshore oil exploration (via Yahoo! News/IANS)

Northern Alberta pipeline was only five years old before toxic spill (via Globe and Mail)

North Dakota shale oil production continues record pace (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

ENVIRONMENT 

World’s biggest marine sanctuary could be declared in Antarctic (via The Guardian)

After Supreme Court water ruling, what’s next for Texas? (via StateImpact Texas)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear plants, old and uncompetitive, closing earlier than expected (via New York Times)

GRID 

Explaining how a capacity market works (via Energy Collective)

Smart meters save California Navy base $35,000 annually (via Energy Manager Today)

The microgrid solution (via Resilience)

POLITICS 

Obama’s Keystone silence is driving away green activists (via Bloomberg)

Senate Energy Chairman Ron Wyden has broad agenda and an eye toward a dream job (via National Journal)

Baucus sees “creeping” interest in carbon tax (via The Hill)

OPINION 

What to do about climate change (via Washington Post)

The big green business opportunity for America’s economy (via CleanTechnica)

Heartland Institute’s Chinese Academy of Sciences fantasy (via Climate Progress)

CAP report “300 Engines of Growth” features clean energy and climate solutions (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.2.13

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

EMISSIONS

UN envoys consider 2050 carbon target in climate talks (via Bloomberg)

Was efficiency responsible for 75% of CO2 reductions in 2012? (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Green building materials will reach $254 billion in annual market value by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

General Motors urges Obama and Congress to unite on climate change (via The Guardian)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US predicted to be a top liquefied natural gas exporter by 2020 (via Houston Chronicle)

Moody’s: modest amount of US natural gas exports will get approval (via The Hill)

Shell makes big bet on boom in natural gas (via New York Times)

Fracking spread could strain water resources in West, study finds (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

EU solar groups lobby against duties on Chinese solar products (via Recharge)

China wants to use curtailed wind power to replace coal-fired heating (via CleanTechnica)

Indonesia plans rural solar electrification push (via Recharge)

Is there hope for hydropower as the climate changes? (via EarthTechling)

US-designed no-emission ocean thermal energy power plant will debut off China’s coast (via ClimateWire)

Renewable energy groups spar over biofuel imports (via Politico)

Legislators fail to reform Hawaii solar tax credit (via Honolulu Star Advertiser)

Massachusetts crushes solar goals, aims much higher (via CleanTechnica)

Los Angeles urged to expand solar power to 20% of all energy by 2020 (via Los Angeles Daily News)

OIL 

Who’s in charge here? At US oil spills, it’s whoever made the mess (via OnEarth)

Fracking boom in North Dakota is here to stay (via Mother Jones)

TRANSPORTATION 

Survey shows strong US support for fuel efficiency standards (via New York Times)

Nissan Leaf has second-best sales month, Chevy Volt declines slightly (via Autoblog Green)

EV maker Coda files for bankruptcy, focuses on energy storage (via GigaOm)

CLIMATE 

Poll: majority see climate change affecting US weather (via The Hill)

Climate change: when rain, rain won’t go away (via USA Today)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Enbridge pipeline expansion could turn into Keystone-like fight (via Bloomberg)

Alaska watches as Canada considers shipping tar sands across Arctic (via Alaska Dispatch)

Elected officials in rural Nebraska pass anti-Keystone pipeline resolution (via Omaha World-Herald)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

US banks reluctant to finance energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Internet of Things extends under your sink with new water and electricity sensors (via Treehugger)

GRID 

Who are the top utilities in smart grid? (via Greentech Media)

NYSERDA awards $1.4 million to advanced energy storage projects (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Cash for doomed crops means US farmers avoid disaster cost (via Bloomberg)

42% of Americans live with dangerous pollution; check your zip code (via The Good Human)

ENERGY POLICY 

Report: EU facing €1 trillion energy investment black hole (via RTCC)

For Obama and Pena Nieto, a delicate “first dance” around energy (via Reuters)

Texas power supplies for summer peak season seen as tight but improving (via Fort-Worth Star Telegram)

OTHER NEWS 

An additional roundup of energy and climate news is posted at Climate Progress