Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.23.14

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

CLIMATE 

Climate takes center stage at World Economic Forum (via National Journal)

Europe, facing economic pain, may ease climate rules (via New York Times)

Massachusetts invests $50 million in grid, coastal climate resiliency (via CleanTechnica)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

EU may scrap green fuel law in boon for tar sands industry (via InsideClimate News)

TransCanada calls Keystone XL “safest pipeline to date” (via The Hill)

TransCanada’s 2013 lobbying topped $1 million (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Global utility-scale solar capacity climbs past 21GW in 2013 (via Renew Economy)

European Union relaxes renewable energy target (via Houston Chronicle)

Latin America gets its first concentrating solar plant (via Sustainable Business)

A U.S. offshore wind farm, made in Europe (via New York Times)

U.S. appeals court won’t revisit California ethanol ruling (via Reuters)

Honda ramps up U.S. wind power capability (via BusinessGreen)

OIL 

Federal appeals court rules Arctic oil lease sale flawed (via Washington Post)

Big Oil, small jobs: A look at the oil industry’s dubious job claims (via Center for American Progress)

North Dakota governor says new national safety standards for oil trains needed sooner than 2015 (via Inforum)

TRANSPORTATION 

The U.S. government keeps predicting we’ll drive more than we actually do (via Washington Post)

Silicon Valley workplaces rage when more EVs than charging stations (via Autoblog Green)

$50 million for advanced EV tech and more (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

California aims to increase energy efficiency, demand response (via Renew Grid)

How Harry Reid delivered a 235-mile long transmission line to Nevada (via National Journal)

Another 40MW of grid scale energy storage in the California pipeline (via Greentech Media)

New York looking to catch up with California’s lead in energy storage (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Moniz: Natural gas risks can be “managed” (via Houston Chronicle)

Proposed fracking in Virginia national forest meets broad opposition (via Los Angeles Times)

EMISSIONS 

South Korea to tax coal for power, lower LNG and fuel oil tax from July 1 (via Reuters)

Europe divides over more ambitious pollution limits (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Institutional investors concerned about climate risk, “stranded assets” (via Breaking Energy)

Divesting from Big Oil – and making money (via San Francisco Chronicle)

NUCLEAR 

Ohio nuclear plant reports radioactive leak (via Columbus Dispatch)

ENVIRONMENT 

Historic California drought called a red flag for future of U.S. (via Christian Science Monitor)

Second chemical leaked during West Virginia spill prompts new probe (via The Guardian)

ENERGY POLICY 

Pennsylvania governor releases all-of-the-above energy plan (via Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

Internet and cable giant Comcast will soon sell electricity in Pennsylvania (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUILDING 

New report compares economic payoffs of white, green, or black roofs (via Phys.org)

OPINION 

10 questions to ask about scaling on-grid renewable energy (via World Resources Institute)

Finally, a reason for some optimism about climate change (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.22.14

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

CLIMATE 

NOAA: 2013 tied for fourth-warmest year on record (via The Guardian)

2013 timeline: A year of extreme weather events (via WRI Insights)

Report says China must spend $330 billion more to do fair share on climate (via Reuters)

Climate change: “Water supply at risk from back-to-back extreme events” (via The Guardian)

Extreme weather in Canada cost insurers billions in 2013 (via Climate Progress)

EMISSIONS 

EU sets targets of 40% carbon cut and 27% renewables by 2030 (via The Guardian)

China’s per capita CO2 emissions are now greater than Europe’s (via Energy Collective)

Europe divides over more ambitious pollution limits (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China lifts 2014 solar PV installation target to 14GW (via Renew Economy)

Will Germany meet its renewable energy targets? (via Renew Economy)

China’s wind power sector foresees a recovery in 2014 (via Renewable Energy World)

Clean tech’s investment cycle: Don’t worry, think bigger (via Renewable Energy World)

Corn ethanol reduces emissions 32% compared to petroleum (via Environmental Leader)

California official: Utilities would like to “strangle” solar (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Community-owned solar creates a new business model in Massachusetts (via Greentech Media)

Lessons from Minnesota – an unexpected solar success (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

India’s coal imports rise 21% in 2013 (via Reuters)

West Virginia spill just latest case of coal tainting U.S. waters (via AP)

Outside energy experts question EPA reliance on “unproven” clean coal technology (via National Journal)

Republicans’ strategy on new EPA coal rule: Kill it now before it’s finalized (via Inside Climate News)

GRID 

States to utilities: Modernize the grid (via Navigant Research)

ENVIRONMENT 

What Japan’s bloody dolphin hunt has in common with the BP oil spill (via Climate Progress)

West Virginia governor pushes bill tightening chemical storage regulations (via The Hill)

Houston’s ozone mystery: Pockets of pollution unlike other cities (via StateImpact Texas)

OIL 

U.S. oil demand grew faster than China’s in 2013 – that won’t last (via Time)

What happens when the shale oil boom ends? (via Christian Science Monitor)

More oil spilled from trains in 2013 than in previous four decades (via McClatchy)

Keystone XL’s southern leg to begin transporting oil to U.S. Gulf Coast (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla expands Supercharger network in central Europe (via Autoblog Green)

Study shows recent increase in US households without a vehicle (via Green Car Congress)

Will “car rage” join “range anxiety” as EV owner emotion? (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Saudi’s SABIC expects to enter US shale market this year (via Reuters)

Australia divided on fracking (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency is about to get a $200 million jolt from Wall Street (via Greentech Media)

More and more cities switching to LED street lighting (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

ASHRAE publishes fourth edition of green building GreenGuide (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

State of Green Business Report 2014 (via GreenBiz)

10 things you didn’t know about Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (via Energy.gov)

Five big questions about the massive West Virginia chemical spill (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.22.14

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

CLIMATE 

NOAA: 2013 tied for fourth-warmest year on record (via The Guardian)

2013 timeline: A year of extreme weather events (via WRI Insights)

Report says China must spend $330 billion more to do fair share on climate (via Reuters)

Climate change: “Water supply at risk from back-to-back extreme events” (via The Guardian)

Extreme weather in Canada cost insurers billions in 2013 (via Climate Progress)

EMISSIONS 

EU sets targets of 40% carbon cut and 27% renewables by 2030 (via The Guardian)

China’s per capita CO2 emissions are now greater than Europe’s (via Energy Collective)

Europe divides over more ambitious pollution limits (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China lifts 2014 solar PV installation target to 14GW (via Renew Economy)

Will Germany meet its renewable energy targets? (via Renew Economy)

China’s wind power sector foresees a recovery in 2014 (via Renewable Energy World)

Clean tech’s investment cycle: Don’t worry, think bigger (via Renewable Energy World)

Corn ethanol reduces emissions 32% compared to petroleum (via Environmental Leader)

California official: Utilities would like to “strangle” solar (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Community-owned solar creates a new business model in Massachusetts (via Greentech Media)

Lessons from Minnesota – an unexpected solar success (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

India’s coal imports rise 21% in 2013 (via Reuters)

West Virginia spill just latest case of coal tainting U.S. waters (via AP)

Outside energy experts question EPA reliance on “unproven” clean coal technology (via National Journal)

Republicans’ strategy on new EPA coal rule: Kill it now before it’s finalized (via Inside Climate News)

GRID 

States to utilities: Modernize the grid (via Navigant Research)

ENVIRONMENT 

What Japan’s bloody dolphin hunt has in common with the BP oil spill (via Climate Progress)

West Virginia governor pushes bill tightening chemical storage regulations (via The Hill)

Houston’s ozone mystery: Pockets of pollution unlike other cities (via StateImpact Texas)

OIL 

U.S. oil demand grew faster than China’s in 2013 – that won’t last (via Time)

What happens when the shale oil boom ends? (via Christian Science Monitor)

More oil spilled from trains in 2013 than in previous four decades (via McClatchy)

Keystone XL’s southern leg to begin transporting oil to U.S. Gulf Coast (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla expands Supercharger network in central Europe (via Autoblog Green)

Study shows recent increase in US households without a vehicle (via Green Car Congress)

Will “car rage” join “range anxiety” as EV owner emotion? (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Saudi’s SABIC expects to enter US shale market this year (via Reuters)

Australia divided on fracking (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency is about to get a $200 million jolt from Wall Street (via Greentech Media)

More and more cities switching to LED street lighting (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

ASHRAE publishes fourth edition of green building GreenGuide (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

State of Green Business Report 2014 (via GreenBiz)

10 things you didn’t know about Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (via Energy.gov)

Five big questions about the massive West Virginia chemical spill (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.17.14

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

ENVIRONMENT 

Earth’s record 41 billion-dollar weather disasters of 2013 (via Weather Underground) 

California drought expands, fueling heat and fire (via Climate Central)

West Virginia spill heightens concerns about Ohio waterways (via Public News Service)

What Californians can expect from the drought (via Significant Figures)

COAL 

Japan utilities December coal use rises 15% year-over-year (via Reuters)

First lawsuit against Obama’s new coal limits just got filed (via Mother Jones)

Despite decline, states still spending billions to import coal (via Midwest Energy News)

Feds pledge $1 billion to build FutureGen 2.0 (via Springfield State Journal-Register)

RENEWABLES 

India could reach 100% renewables by mid-century (via CleanTechnica)

Deutsche Bank projects 56GW of solar to be installed in 2015 (via Facts of the Day)

John Hancock backs US solar PV build (via Recharge)

Solar on a grand scale: Big power plants coming online in the West (via Washington Post)

Military deployment of clean technology accelerates (via San Jose Mercury-News)

US Marine ExFOB 2014 seeks next-gen energy harvesting systems (via CleanTechnica)

California gives go-ahead to Blythe solar plan (via Renewable Energy World)

New Mexico joins the geothermal power ranks (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Europe to America: We want your natural gas (via National Journal)

UK thwarts EU plan to create binding fracking rules (via EnergyWire)

Report predicts 20 years of stable natural gas prices (via Houston Chronicle)

Cold weather led to record-high natural gas storage withdrawals (via US EIA)

Oklahoma regulators consider new rules for wastewater disposal wells (via The Oklahoman)

Study finds 5,893 natural gas leaks in Washington DC (via USA Today)

CLIMATE 

Climate protection may cut world GDP 4% by 2030, says UN (via Bloomberg)

Sluggish economy prompts Europe to reconsider its climate change intentions (via New York Times)

Environmental groups say Obama needs to address climate change more aggressively (via Washington Post)

Extreme weather wreaking havoc on food as farmers suffer (via Bloomberg)

US Chamber’s new energy plan disregards previous climate change concerns (via SNL Energy)

Climate change will cut California’s ability to make electricity just as more is needed (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canada loses patience on Keystone XL, tells US to decide (via Chicago Tribune)

Canadian support of Keystone XL pipeline is falling, says new poll (via Climate Progress)

EMISSIONS 

EPA chief: No politics behind delay in climate rule (via National Journal)

Mitch McConnell aims to torpedo EPA carbon rules with obscure legislative tool (via Huffington Post)

Emails between EPA, Sierra Club become talking point in emissions rule battle (via Greenwire)

OIL 

How the oil boom could change US foreign policy (via Washington Post)

Investigation shows feds knew of risks ahead of crude-by-rail accidents (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Toyota pledges to top US effort to double fuel economy by 2025 (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

IHS says grid-connected energy storage set to “explode” (via Solar Industry Magazine)

GREEN BUILDING 

Net-zero energy buildings double in 2013 (via Sustainable Business)

Bringing a touch of green to American capitals (via EarthTechling)

OPINION 

How the SEC can fight climate change (via Huffington Post)

The most impressive clean tech comeback story you haven’t heard (via CleanTechnica)

National “Shout Out for Solar” day enjoys broad support (via Renewable Energy World)

Better to export natural gas fracking or advanced coal technologies? (via Forbes)

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 – 1.8.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Global carbon market value to gain 15% in 2014 on EU surplus fix (via Bloomberg)

China’s state utilities move on preferential rules in carbon offset market (via Reuters)

Pollution seen costlier after EU intervention (via Bloomberg)

US carbon emissions increase 2.1% in 2013, may rise again in 2014 (via Facts of the Day)

EPA to publish emission rules for new power plants after delay (via Huffington Post)

America’s forest carbon sink is shrinking, says government report (via InsideClimate News)

Suburbs offset low-carbon footprints of major US cities, study finds (via Yale e360)

NJ environmentalists get their day in court over RGGI withdrawal (via EnviroPolitics Blog)

RENEWABLES 

China on world’s “biggest push” for wind power (via BBC News)

Japan set for offshore wind feed-in tariff (via Recharge)

Chinese solar firms face “total eclipse” in the US (via Xinhua)

Is solar PV on the brink of a second “gold rush”? (via BusinessGreen)

DOE launces national clean energy incubator initiative (via Sustainable Business)

Solar net metering war: Casualty-free, for now (via EarthTechling)

Utility holding company Integrys moves into residential solar (via Greentech Media)

Enzyme with big appetite could boost biofuels (via EarthTechling)

Midwest might be prime real estate for airborne wind power (via Midwest Energy News)

Blue Planet Foundation sees Hawaii energy 100% renewable by 2050 (via Pacific Business News)

Solar popularity continues to grow in Massachusetts (via Renewable Energy World)

COAL 

China’s solution to smog-choked cities is to boost coal production six-fold (via Quartz)

Temporary rebound expected for US coal mining in 2014 (via ABC News/AP)

Goldman Sachs pulls out of Washington State coal export project (via National Journal)

Exports keeping coal industry alive despite surge in natural gas (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

CLIMATE 

Climate change could cause deep water die-off (via Scientific American)

New Year brings more extreme weather and flooding for storm-weary UK (via Climate Progress)

Climate change brings an uncertain future to one of world’s finest teas (via ClimateWire)

Polar freeze: It’s weather, not climate (via Politico)

In much of US, extreme cold is becoming more rare (via Climate Central)

Los Angeles storms to get more severe as sea level rises, study says (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

Oil prices may fall on oversupply in 2014, Moody’s says (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil output to reach 43-year record in 2015, says EIA (via Reuters)

Murkowski calls for end to US crude export ban (via The Hill)

Top oil lobby to throw muscle into 2014 races (via The Hill)

North Dakota Republican calls for oil boom slowdown after train crash (via Prairie Business)

TRANSPORTATION 

More than 35 million EVs will be on roads worldwide by 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Research: EV drivers respond to range anxiety in distinct ways (via Plugin Cars)

EV sales up 229% in 2013 across US (via CleanTechnica)

EVs integrating with the smart grid (via Plugin Cars)

GRID 

Report: Japan plans national smart meter roll out (via BusinessGreen)

Report forecasts global fuel cell market (via Energy Manager Today)

With increasing barriers to federal funding, electric co-ops turn to capital markets (via Renew Grid)

Polar vortex drives record winter energy use in PJM (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT 

Geoengineering could bring severe drought to the tropics, research shows (via The Guardian)

Slowly, Asia’s factories begin to turn green (via New York Times)

GREEN BUILDING 

Federal government approves Defense Department funds for LEED Gold, Platinum certifications (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION 

America’s trade deficit is shrinking – thank fracking (via Washington Post)

Seven things you think you know about energy (via Christian Science Monitor)

An open invitation to 60 Minutes to discuss energy (via GigaOm)

Low-carbon investments in a “virtuous circle” in California (via Energy Manager Today)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.8.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Global carbon market value to gain 15% in 2014 on EU surplus fix (via Bloomberg)

China’s state utilities move on preferential rules in carbon offset market (via Reuters)

Pollution seen costlier after EU intervention (via Bloomberg)

US carbon emissions increase 2.1% in 2013, may rise again in 2014 (via Facts of the Day)

EPA to publish emission rules for new power plants after delay (via Huffington Post)

America’s forest carbon sink is shrinking, says government report (via InsideClimate News)

Suburbs offset low-carbon footprints of major US cities, study finds (via Yale e360)

NJ environmentalists get their day in court over RGGI withdrawal (via EnviroPolitics Blog)

RENEWABLES 

China on world’s “biggest push” for wind power (via BBC News)

Japan set for offshore wind feed-in tariff (via Recharge)

Chinese solar firms face “total eclipse” in the US (via Xinhua)

Is solar PV on the brink of a second “gold rush”? (via BusinessGreen)

DOE launces national clean energy incubator initiative (via Sustainable Business)

Solar net metering war: Casualty-free, for now (via EarthTechling)

Utility holding company Integrys moves into residential solar (via Greentech Media)

Enzyme with big appetite could boost biofuels (via EarthTechling)

Midwest might be prime real estate for airborne wind power (via Midwest Energy News)

Blue Planet Foundation sees Hawaii energy 100% renewable by 2050 (via Pacific Business News)

Solar popularity continues to grow in Massachusetts (via Renewable Energy World)

COAL 

China’s solution to smog-choked cities is to boost coal production six-fold (via Quartz)

Temporary rebound expected for US coal mining in 2014 (via ABC News/AP)

Goldman Sachs pulls out of Washington State coal export project (via National Journal)

Exports keeping coal industry alive despite surge in natural gas (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

CLIMATE 

Climate change could cause deep water die-off (via Scientific American)

New Year brings more extreme weather and flooding for storm-weary UK (via Climate Progress)

Climate change brings an uncertain future to one of world’s finest teas (via ClimateWire)

Polar freeze: It’s weather, not climate (via Politico)

In much of US, extreme cold is becoming more rare (via Climate Central)

Los Angeles storms to get more severe as sea level rises, study says (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

Oil prices may fall on oversupply in 2014, Moody’s says (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil output to reach 43-year record in 2015, says EIA (via Reuters)

Murkowski calls for end to US crude export ban (via The Hill)

Top oil lobby to throw muscle into 2014 races (via The Hill)

North Dakota Republican calls for oil boom slowdown after train crash (via Prairie Business)

TRANSPORTATION 

More than 35 million EVs will be on roads worldwide by 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Research: EV drivers respond to range anxiety in distinct ways (via Plugin Cars)

EV sales up 229% in 2013 across US (via CleanTechnica)

EVs integrating with the smart grid (via Plugin Cars)

GRID 

Report: Japan plans national smart meter roll out (via BusinessGreen)

Report forecasts global fuel cell market (via Energy Manager Today)

With increasing barriers to federal funding, electric co-ops turn to capital markets (via Renew Grid)

Polar vortex drives record winter energy use in PJM (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT 

Geoengineering could bring severe drought to the tropics, research shows (via The Guardian)

Slowly, Asia’s factories begin to turn green (via New York Times)

GREEN BUILDING 

Federal government approves Defense Department funds for LEED Gold, Platinum certifications (via Environmental Leader)

OPINION 

America’s trade deficit is shrinking – thank fracking (via Washington Post)

Seven things you think you know about energy (via Christian Science Monitor)

An open invitation to 60 Minutes to discuss energy (via GigaOm)

Low-carbon investments in a “virtuous circle” in California (via Energy Manager Today)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.27.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Worries in the path of China’s air (via New York Times)

Rethinking how to split the costs of carbon (via New York Times)

Bill McKibben’s graph of the year: We’re extracting more fossil fuels than ever (via Washington Post)

Appellate court to hear arguments on Christie’s removal of NJ from RGGI (via Bergen Record)

TAR SANDS 

Alberta’s tar sands will now be regulated by fossil fuel-funded group (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

Scotland hits 100MW solar PV milestone (via Recharge)

The $100 million green bond from Hannon Armstrong (via Greentech Media)

US solar panel manufacturers get a gift from US military (via Public Radio International)

Is the Interior Department’s eagle plan good for the birds? (via Greenwire)

How one Austin church could lead to more urban solar power (via StateImpact Texas)

Shady critics attack Cape Wind effort (via Providence Journal)

OIL 

2013 US oil boom is biggest-ever one-year increase (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

American utilities face perfect storm (via Energy Manager Today)

Utilities feeling rooftop solar heat start fighting back (via Bloomberg)

California ISO, CPUC will jointly plan for a clean energy grid (via Renew Grid)

CLIMATE 

German researchers calculate how climate change affects water scarcity and hunger (via Deutsche Welle)

FEMA knew flood maps left NYC unprepared for Sandy (via Climate Central)

GREEN BUILDING 

Green infrastructure investments increase commercial property value (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

Heliotrope: The world’s first energy positive solar home (via Inhabitat)

TRANSPORTATION 

New gas tax can help pay for roads and transportation (via Washington Post)