Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.28.14

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

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL pressure mounts before State of the Union (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone likely to be missing from Obama’s speech, but visible before and after (via National Journal)

Enviro groups to pressure Obama by parading inflatable pipeline around Capitol (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Heat stress, not flooding, drives most climate migrants (via ClimateWire)

Why we could see more cold snaps in a warming world (via StateImpact Texas)

FEMA: Caught between climate change and Congress (via InsideClimate News)

CBS boss will meet with senators pushing more climate change coverage (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

EU adds 1.57GW offshore wind in 2013 (via Recharge)

Renewable energy provides 37% of all new US electrical generating capacity in 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

US solar jobs grew 20% to more than 142,000 last year (via Bloomberg)

The oil industry just talked EPA into reconsidering its 2013 cellulosic biofuel mandate (via Climate Progress)

Five facts you should know about America’s booming solar jobs market (via Greentech Media)

National labs lead clean energy quest (via Energy Manager Today)

Wyoming wind pitches cost savings to California (via EarthTechling)

New Hampshire solar isn’t as small as you’d think (via Nashua Telegraph)

“Green Tea” activist set to launch free-market energy group (via EnergyWire)

The secrets of selling solar: Drivers of REC Solar’s strong growth (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS 

OPEC producer UAE considers importing North American gas (via Reuters)

Demand may push up natural gas prices after 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)

Inside the complicated relationship between natural gas and climate change (via National Journal)

GRID 

Energy storage having mixed results in market (via Forbes)

Retail electric choice grew at stronger pace in 2013 than previous two years (via COMPETE Coalition)

Smart meter backers see role in Texas power market debate (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla could build a local manufacturing plant in China (via GigaOm)

Free Tesla Supercharger network now covers cross-country driving (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

Job aid zones face a new test in coal country (via New York Times)

Unfazed by environmental challenges, coal industry mounts PR assault (via Christian Science Monitor)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Public and private financing drives energy efficiency in rural America (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

90% of executives believe in sustainability, but half don’t act (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

California drought could impact world food prices (via Voice of America)

OPINION 

Dire signs from a warming world (via Washington Post)

Five energy and climate questions to watch at State of the Union (via National Journal)

How cold weather impairs our climate change judgments (via EcoAffect)

Why the cost of carbon pollution is both too high and too low (via Energy Collective)

Will the oil boom shrink America’s trade deficit? Maybe not. (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.28.14

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

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL pressure mounts before State of the Union (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone likely to be missing from Obama’s speech, but visible before and after (via National Journal)

Enviro groups to pressure Obama by parading inflatable pipeline around Capitol (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Heat stress, not flooding, drives most climate migrants (via ClimateWire)

Why we could see more cold snaps in a warming world (via StateImpact Texas)

FEMA: Caught between climate change and Congress (via InsideClimate News)

CBS boss will meet with senators pushing more climate change coverage (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

EU adds 1.57GW offshore wind in 2013 (via Recharge)

Renewable energy provides 37% of all new US electrical generating capacity in 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

US solar jobs grew 20% to more than 142,000 last year (via Bloomberg)

The oil industry just talked EPA into reconsidering its 2013 cellulosic biofuel mandate (via Climate Progress)

Five facts you should know about America’s booming solar jobs market (via Greentech Media)

National labs lead clean energy quest (via Energy Manager Today)

Wyoming wind pitches cost savings to California (via EarthTechling)

New Hampshire solar isn’t as small as you’d think (via Nashua Telegraph)

“Green Tea” activist set to launch free-market energy group (via EnergyWire)

The secrets of selling solar: Drivers of REC Solar’s strong growth (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS 

OPEC producer UAE considers importing North American gas (via Reuters)

Demand may push up natural gas prices after 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)

Inside the complicated relationship between natural gas and climate change (via National Journal)

GRID 

Energy storage having mixed results in market (via Forbes)

Retail electric choice grew at stronger pace in 2013 than previous two years (via COMPETE Coalition)

Smart meter backers see role in Texas power market debate (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla could build a local manufacturing plant in China (via GigaOm)

Free Tesla Supercharger network now covers cross-country driving (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

Job aid zones face a new test in coal country (via New York Times)

Unfazed by environmental challenges, coal industry mounts PR assault (via Christian Science Monitor)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Public and private financing drives energy efficiency in rural America (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

90% of executives believe in sustainability, but half don’t act (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

California drought could impact world food prices (via Voice of America)

OPINION 

Dire signs from a warming world (via Washington Post)

Five energy and climate questions to watch at State of the Union (via National Journal)

How cold weather impairs our climate change judgments (via EcoAffect)

Why the cost of carbon pollution is both too high and too low (via Energy Collective)

Will the oil boom shrink America’s trade deficit? Maybe not. (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.14.13

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

COP 19 

Nearly 3 in 10 countries not sending ministers to COP 19 (via The Guardian)

G77+China submit proposal to COP 19 on Loss and Damage (via The Hindu)

Developed nations back out on earlier emissions cut commitments (via Economic Times)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

IEA: Tar sands export pipelines needed for Canadian oil to boom (via InsideClimate News)

Canada attacks EU data labeling tar sands a “dirty” fuel (via The Guardian)

New warnings of construction problems on Keystone XL (via CBS News)

RENEWABLES 

Global solar PV installations will double, hit grid parity by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

US ethanol output could reach 14 billion gallons in 2014 (via Reuters)

California closes in on smart solar inverter rules (via Greentech Media)

In Arizona, a closely watched vote to decide solar policy’s fate (via Reuters)

New York’s green bank addresses distributed solar financing dilemma (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Wisconsin bill would grant wide latitude to sue wind farms (via Midwest Energy News)

EMISSIONS 

UN seeks carbon market revamp as green fund backers bolt (via Bloomberg)

Masdar digs deep on Middle East’s first carbon capture project (via BusinessGreen)

CBO estimates carbon tax would cut $1 trillion from US deficit (via The Hill)

Poll: Majority of people in 40 states support cutting power plant emissions (via The Hill)

California marks first anniversary of cap-and-trade system (via C2ES)

OIL 

Improving US oil production reaches milestone in October, says EIA (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

New study of EV drivers reveals plug-in attitudes (via Plugin Cars)

The surprising reasons gas prices have fallen sharply (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

Ocean acidification may increase 170% this century (via Phys.org)

Haiyan foretells military challenges in warming world (via Climate Central)

One senator’s war against climate change (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

LEED green building projects span 10.6 billion square feet (via Environmental Leader)

Maryland approves $95 million in energy-efficiency funding (via Baltimore Sun)

Washington Metro will install LEDs at zero cost (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

Global smart meter market to hit $10.7 billion by 2020 (via Renew Grid)

First major US transmission project in decades brings wind energy across West (via Sustainable Business)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Walmart’s sustainability results don’t match promises, report finds (via Huffington Post)

OPINION 

Chu unplugged: Former energy secretary on climate, politics, and tough decisions (via Politico)

China’s bad bet on the environment (via Council on Foreign Relations)

Will President Obama slash the ethanol mandate? (via Politico)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.6.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Global atmospheric CO2 levels hit record high (via The Guardian)

Study: Carbon tax revenues could dwarf fossil fuel losses (via Grist)

China’s smog reduction plan could add to water stress and boost emissions (via The Guardian)

Clashing views on climate, coal on display at EPA listening tour (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

NUCLEAR 

Environmental groups dispute climate scientists on nuclear power (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Hitting EU green energy goals “would save billions, boost GDP” (via Reuters)

Japan government’s green fund targets local investment model (via Bloomberg)

Japan’s largest solar PV plant comes online (via Renew Economy)

Report: Onsite renewables will save businesses £33 billion through 2030 (via BusinessGreen)

Clean energy’s next big market: Off-grid solar (via Greentech Media)

On-site power may weaken centrally generated wind and solar (via Forbes)

Robots can keep solar panels clean and more energy flowing into the grid (via Forbes)

Wind fight’s next round likely to wait until 2014 (via EarthTechling)

Court fight over biofuels mandate intensifies as Hill action stalls (via National Journal)

EPA lists top US organizations using most green power (via Solar Industry Magazine)

American Energy Alliance rallies opposition to wind tax credit (via National Journal)

Report: Michigan’s 30% renewable energy mandate achievable (via Detroit News)

Michigan about to join wind power “gigawatt club” (via CBS Detroit)

CLIMATE 

Hopes for strong 2015 global climate deal fade as risks grow (via Reuters)

Britain’s new flood protection plan: Surrender to the ocean (via Climate Progress)

West Coast pact to cut, price carbon could have wider influence (via ClimateWire)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

UK “gets real” about shale gas (via Recharge)

China’s first floating LNG terminal to receive gas in December (via Reuters)

Chevron and Ukraine set shale gas deal (via New York Times)

Colorado’s elections were fracked (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Beijing slashes car sales quota in anti-pollution drive (via Reuters)

Tesla posts smaller loss, but shares start to temper (via New York Times)

Tesla’s Elon Musk wants to build a giant battery factory (via San Francisco Chronicle)

GRID 

Mexico smart grid market will grow to $12.1 billion by 2023 (via Renew Grid)

Smart grid energy storage pilot deployed at Philadelphia Navy Yard (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy Star cable boxes saved $450 million in energy last year (via Energy Manager Today)

How Walmart brought low-cost LEDs to the mass market (via Forbes)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Survey says sustainability is stalled at most companies (via GreenBiz)

Dallas goes all-in on green building with mandatory regulations (via CleanTechnica)

Morgan Stanley launches institute for sustainable investing (via Sustainable Business)

OPINION 

Keep up the climate fight, Democrats (via Washington Post)

How the world is failing at its climate goals, in one chart (via Washington Post)

The 10 most polluted cities in America (via Time)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.30.13

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

CLIMATE 

Bad news for storm-battered Europe: More extreme weather’s on the horizon (via Time)

Bangladesh rated world’s most vulnerable country to climate change (via RTCC)

Meet the Pacific Rim’s new environmental superpower (via Quartz)

New Boston city zoning plans tied to changes in climate (via Boston Globe)

Major expansion of Surging Seas launched on Sandy anniversary (via Climate Central)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Understanding the Bakken flaring challenge (via Breaking Energy)

Radioactive pollution in Allegheny River not from fracking, says Pennsylvania DEP (via Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

RENEWABLES 

States of change: Clean energy policy from Greece to Massachusetts (via Renew Economy)

French energy firms create Paris solar power R&D hub (via Reuters)

Renewable energy’s bird problem (via RMI Outlet)

The “science” of wind turbine syndrome (via Popular Science)

Some top solar states are flatlining: Where are “hidden” growth markets? (via Greentech Media)

Report: Ongoing Midwest renewable growth hinges on federal policy (via Midwest Energy News)

Ohio’s successful RPS program under attack in state senate (via Renewable Energy World)

COAL 

Coal’s future hinges on unproven carbon capture technology (via National Journal)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Europe’s new models for demand response (via Greentech Media)

NREL software could cut commercial building energy audit costs 75% (via CleanTechnica)

HURRICANE SANDY 

Sandy struck a year ago, but some federal moves could make climate risks worse (via ClimateWire)

Hurricane Sandy hasn’t shifted climate narrative (via Climate Central)

Turning Hurricane Sandy’s scars into badges of survival (via New York Times)

One year after Sandy, many coastlines are still vulnerable to storm surges (via Huffington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

All across Europe, bicycles outsold cars in 2012 (via Autoblog Green)

POLITICS 

GOP to drive “war on coal” line in 2014 races (via The Hill)

Polls show energy doesn’t spark Americans’ interest (via Politico)

Industry poll shows most voters oppose raising energy taxes (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

3 ways Superstorm Sandy could change utilities forever (via Greentech Media)

Is attacking the EPA the bright idea Tea Partiers think it is? (via Huffington Post)

Going green doesn’t boost hotel revenue (via Environmental Leader)

Four facts that demonstrate clean energy is on the rise (via Triple Pundit)

Just how badly are we overfishing the oceans? (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.17.13

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

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN 

Shutdown’s science fallout could last for years (via Politico)

Obama plans to renew immigration, climate change efforts (via Washington Post)

States won’t get paid back for reopening national parks (via Politico)

EMISSIONS 

Angela Merkel signals hope for EU carbon market fix (via BusinessGreen)

Repealing Australia’s carbon tax: Hidden costs, unanswered questions (via Recharge)

Harvard: University endowments shouldn’t be ruled by climate change (via Triple Pundit)

Refiners join “social cost of carbon” lobbying fray (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Report: Grid parity for renewables “a reality in coming years” (via BusinessGreen)

Onshore wind closes in on fossil fuel costs (via Recharge)

Ocean energy technologies speeding toward commercialization (via Renewable Energy World)

Small wind sees big UK growth (via Recharge)

Phasing out the PTC as wind nears grid parity (via Breaking Energy)

US biodiesel production to surpass RFS target for second straight year (via Green Car Congress)

US ethanol in throes of tumult (via EarthTechling)

Solving energy poverty with solar light bulbs: Nokero product review (via CleanTechnica)

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada expects US decision on Keystone XL by end of March (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU auto emissions rule: First the announcement, then the uproar (via New York Times)

Commercial fleets leading US move away from oil-based vehicle fuels (via Houston Chronicle)

Fuel economy of new vehicles continues to improve (via EarthTechling)

Tesla leads in transfer of California ZEV credits for year ending September 30, 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

Repeal of Virginia hybrid vehicle tax in the works (via Richmond Times-Dispatch)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Asian investors, LNG buyers look to North America as Australia taps out (via Reuters)

Marcellus gas about to enter New York City, but New England is a tougher sell (via EnergyWire)

Groups claim Ohio becoming “radioactive waste dump” for fracking companies (via Columbus Business Journal)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Low natural gas price to hamper US energy efficiency, says IEA (via Bloomberg)

World’s largest net zero building opens in Los Altos, California (via EarthTechling)

GRID 

Why colleges are big believers in microgrids (via GreenBiz)

Corporations embrace microgrids in threat to utilities (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

California’s top oil regulator on fracking, climate change, fossil fuels (via National Journal)

OPINION 

What oil-hungry China means for the rest of the world (via Christian Science Monitor)

Is the hub of corporate sustainability moving toward Asia? (via The Guardian)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.24.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Cutting carbon emissions could save 3 million lives per year by 2100 (via Climate Progress)

New greenhouse gas accounting tool will help China’s cities pursue low-carbon development (via WRI Insights)

Carbon capture, sequestration may not be part of EPA rule for existing coal plants (via Washington Post)

Green groups strike back in social cost of carbon fight (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

Beijing to invest $162.6 billion in 5 years to treat air pollution (via Xinhua)

China’s vanishing rivers (via Washington Post)

Property loss from Colorado flood damage estimated at $2 billion (via Huffington Post)

KEYSTONE XL 

Environmentalists take hard line with Obama on Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

RENEWABKES 

Merkel wins: New lease on life for renewables in German government (via Greentech Media)

Largest African PV project to begin construction early 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Loans challenge big money’s leasing model for US rooftop solar (via Reuters)

Texas Panhandle wind bursting at the seams (via EarthTechling)

Big Solar is having a banner year in US (via EarthTechling)

Ohio legislator releasing rollback of state’s clean energy rules (via Columbus Dispatch)

New York State streamlining solar permit process (via Solar Industry Magazine)

CLIMATE 

UN climate panel stresses solidity of new report on global warming (via Washington Post)

IPCC roundup: Early reports focus on warming “hiatus” (via Climate Central)

Study: Climate change pumps up risk of severe storms (via USA Today)

Coral reef destruction “accelerating” – half destroyed over past 30 years (via The Independent)

Climate change devastating ocean fishermen (via Climate Progress)

New US climate map shows temperature changes in HD (via Phys.org)

Cities leading the fight against climate change (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

COAL 

Current US coal plants excluded from new carbon capture rules – EPA chief (via Reuters)

Southern Company’s Kemper coal plant comes to fore with EPA’s CO2 proposal (via Bloomberg BNA)

TRANSPORTATION 

Airlines face carbon verdict on $708 billion industry (via Bloomberg)

Tesla’s vehicle buyback program could yield $368 million profit (via Autoblog Green)

ChargePoint’s new EV charging service borrows from solar leasing models (via Greentech Media)

California continues to dominate US electric car market (via Plugin Cars)

93 cities taking part in Sunday’s National Plug-In Day (via Green Car Reports)

OIL 

More Colorado oil spills found after devastating flooding (via Huffington Post)

California governor’s signature on fracking bill comes with a twist (via EnergyWire)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Environmental disclosure tied to higher financial performance (via Environmental Leader)

North American steel industry has recycled more than 1 billion tons of steel since 1988 (via Green Car Congress)

GRID 

Smart meters deliver 1 billion data points daily (via Greentech Media)

Sandia National Laboratories release energy storage how-to guide (via Phys.org)

Silver Spring networks launches smart metering-as-a-service (via GreenBiz)

Skinny grids (via Huffington Post)

NUCLEAR 

First US nuclear power closures in 15 years signal wider industry problems (via InsideClimate News)

POLITICS 

German voters follow Merkel down bumpy path to clean energy (via Christian Science Monitor)

Federal shutdown would shutter EPA, says agency chief (via The Hill)

Obama cabinet stumps for climate action (via Politico)

OPINION 

Global warming hasn’t stopped – it’s the hottest decade on record (via DeSmog Blog)

Cherry-pick climate facts all you like, Earth is still warming (via Renew Economy)

RGGI: Proof carbon trading can work in the US? (Via RTCC)

EPA emissions rules lighting the way on climate change (via Baltimore Sun)

How density makes us safer during natural disasters (via Mother Jones)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.13.13

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

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon hits 8 month high on jump in energy prices (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Will Costa Rica’s new voluntary carbon trading system work? (via Climate Progress)

Big business fights Obama Administration’s calculations on carbon costs (via Grist)

California carbon allowances retreat to $12.30 as bearish sentiment grows (via Reuters Point Carbon)

COAL 

China bans new coal-fired plants in 3 regions (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Air pollution waiver may decide fate of Illinois coal plants (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

RENEWABLES 

Solar-Energy Storage market to reach $2.8 billion by 2018 (via Energy Manager Today)

UK hits 1GW of installed offshore wind capacity (via RTCC)

Hydroelectric power makes big comeback at US dams (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Report: $603 million in DOE biofuels funding fails to meet goals (via The Hill)

60GW of new hydropower projects pending approval by FERC (via Facts of the Day)

US solar PV grows 15% in second quarter (via EarthTechling)

California passes 600MW shared renewables program (via CleanTechnica)

South Carolina rural electrical cooperatives back solar farm (via The State)

California regulators say proposed large-scale solar project could harm eagles (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Progress at UN climate cash talks sets stage for ministers (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Unprecedented rate and scale of ocean acidification found in Arctic (via Phys.org)

Never-released DOE report predicts increasing domestic conflicts over water, energy (via DeSmog Blog)

US tree migration is not keeping pace with warming (via Yale e360)

Kentucky governor stands up to climate deniers, defends teaching science (via Climate Progress)

Global warming’s denier elite (via Rolling Stone)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canada touts carbon pollution cuts as Keystone XL pressure builds (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

US federal buildings brace for deep energy retrofits (via EarthTechling)

A bid to “shame” building owners into energy efficiency (via National Journal)

While one Ohio utility fights efficiency, another embraces it (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Norway’s new government may bar oil firms from Arctic islands (via Reuters)

BP starts drilling at “giant” Gulf of Mexico oil field after spill setback (via Reuters)

Environmental groups bail on California fracking bill (via Huffington Post)

California fracking oversight bill nears final passage even as greens cancel support (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Can DOE build a better EV battery? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Bumps in the road as Hawaii plugs into EVs (via Plugin Cars)

GRID 

Demand response hits a new record in PJM (via Greentech Media)

California proposes framework for energy storage procurement program (via Breaking Energy)

Texas shows transmission upgrade benefits for wind power (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS 

US LNG exports will be higher than expected (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

BG Group, Nestle, SAP named among world’s most sustainable companies (via BusinessGreen)

Millennials may not be as green as you think (via GreenBiz)

Why colleges should add green to their school colors (via BusinessGreen)

ENERGY POLICY 

Senate panel explores US-Mexico offshore drilling deal (via The Hill)

US to pass Russia in liquid fuels production, says IEA (via Wall Street Journal)

California lawmakers move to reform state’s electricity rate structure (via Reuters)

Arizona regulators drop retail electricity deregulation push (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

OPINION 

Canada’s climate actions sharply diverge from government promises (via Energy Collective)

Global warming is very real (via Rolling Stone)

Don’t believe the coal industry’s warnings (via Bloomberg)

How solar remains attractive without key incentives in California (via Forbes)

How long before the Great Plains runs out of water? (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.13.13

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

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon hits 8 month high on jump in energy prices (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Will Costa Rica’s new voluntary carbon trading system work? (via Climate Progress)

Big business fights Obama Administration’s calculations on carbon costs (via Grist)

California carbon allowances retreat to $12.30 as bearish sentiment grows (via Reuters Point Carbon)

COAL 

China bans new coal-fired plants in 3 regions (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Air pollution waiver may decide fate of Illinois coal plants (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

RENEWABLES 

Solar-Energy Storage market to reach $2.8 billion by 2018 (via Energy Manager Today)

UK hits 1GW of installed offshore wind capacity (via RTCC)

Hydroelectric power makes big comeback at US dams (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Report: $603 million in DOE biofuels funding fails to meet goals (via The Hill)

60GW of new hydropower projects pending approval by FERC (via Facts of the Day)

US solar PV grows 15% in second quarter (via EarthTechling)

California passes 600MW shared renewables program (via CleanTechnica)

South Carolina rural electrical cooperatives back solar farm (via The State)

California regulators say proposed large-scale solar project could harm eagles (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Progress at UN climate cash talks sets stage for ministers (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Unprecedented rate and scale of ocean acidification found in Arctic (via Phys.org)

Never-released DOE report predicts increasing domestic conflicts over water, energy (via DeSmog Blog)

US tree migration is not keeping pace with warming (via Yale e360)

Kentucky governor stands up to climate deniers, defends teaching science (via Climate Progress)

Global warming’s denier elite (via Rolling Stone)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canada touts carbon pollution cuts as Keystone XL pressure builds (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

US federal buildings brace for deep energy retrofits (via EarthTechling)

A bid to “shame” building owners into energy efficiency (via National Journal)

While one Ohio utility fights efficiency, another embraces it (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Norway’s new government may bar oil firms from Arctic islands (via Reuters)

BP starts drilling at “giant” Gulf of Mexico oil field after spill setback (via Reuters)

Environmental groups bail on California fracking bill (via Huffington Post)

California fracking oversight bill nears final passage even as greens cancel support (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Can DOE build a better EV battery? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Bumps in the road as Hawaii plugs into EVs (via Plugin Cars)

GRID 

Demand response hits a new record in PJM (via Greentech Media)

California proposes framework for energy storage procurement program (via Breaking Energy)

Texas shows transmission upgrade benefits for wind power (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS 

US LNG exports will be higher than expected (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

BG Group, Nestle, SAP named among world’s most sustainable companies (via BusinessGreen)

Millennials may not be as green as you think (via GreenBiz)

Why colleges should add green to their school colors (via BusinessGreen)

ENERGY POLICY 

Senate panel explores US-Mexico offshore drilling deal (via The Hill)

US to pass Russia in liquid fuels production, says IEA (via Wall Street Journal)

California lawmakers move to reform state’s electricity rate structure (via Reuters)

Arizona regulators drop retail electricity deregulation push (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

OPINION 

Canada’s climate actions sharply diverge from government promises (via Energy Collective)

Global warming is very real (via Rolling Stone)

Don’t believe the coal industry’s warnings (via Bloomberg)

How solar remains attractive without key incentives in California (via Forbes)

How long before the Great Plains runs out of water? (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.9.13

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canada formally offers to limit emissions if US approves Keystone XL (via Climate Progress)

Keystone pipeline foe Steyer launches $1 million ad push (via The Hill)

Dilbit in Exxon’s Pegasus pipeline may have contributed to rupture (via InsideClimate News)

EMISSIONS 

US, China agree to work on phasing out hydrofluorocarbons (via Washington Post)

Abbott government begins process to repeal carbon tax (via ABC)

Regulatory scholars want feds to review carbon cost estimate (via The Hill)

EPA to hold conference calls with stakeholders on carbon standards for power plants (via Bloomberg BNA)

Trees write air pollution record in wood (via Scientific American)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Shaheen-Portman bill: 172,000 green jobs, huge energy efficiency gains (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

Chinese solar cheaper to manufacture because of industry scale, not cheaper labor (via CleanTechnica)

Australian renewable energy industry braces for Abbott (via Recharge)

UK urged to back EU biofuels cap (via The Guardian)

Finland looks to ease wind permitting in developed areas (via Recharge)

Dutch set 4.4GW offshore wind goal (via Recharge)

China idles fewer wind farms as grid connections smoothed (via Bloomberg)

US solar will generate as much as today’s nuclear plants, or 20% of US power, by 2026 (via Facts of the Day)

Pilot program launched to make solar more economical for electric cooperatives (via Renew Grid)

Could US solar demand bring PV manufacturing back? (via Solar Industry Magazine)

US Navy triples funding for clean energy in Hawaii (via CleanTechnica)

Renewable energy entrepreneur is China’s latest billionaire (via Forbes)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

House to take aim at fracking regulations (via The Hill)

US Forest Service set to decide on fracking in George Washington National Forest (via Washington Post)

FracFocus straining under heavy use as BLM weighs disclosure regulation (via EnergyWire)

CLIMATE 

Arab Summer: Warming-fueled drought helped spark Syria’s civil war (via Climate Progress)

Poland outlines ambition for 2013 UN climate summit (via RTCC)

Scientists studying solar radiation management as a way to cool planet (via Washington Post)

Ice melting faster in Greenland and Antarctica, show leaked UN documents (via Bloomberg)

Bloomberg, Steyer to launch big climate push (via The Hill)

Drones find new purpose studying Arctic ice melt (via Climate Central)

ENERGY POLICY 

China looks west as it bolsters energy ties (via New York Times)

Surprising trends in summer energy use across US (via Inhabitat)

GREEN BUSINESS 

FIFA sets green goal for 2014 Brazil World Cup (via BusinessGreen)

AASHE updates college sustainability rating system (via Environmental Leader)

Executives want sustainable products, but will they walk the talk? (via GreenBiz)

Seeking investments that are profitable and green (via New York Times)

NUCLEAR 

South Korea nuclear issues, tower protests raise blackout risks (via Reuters)

Radiation levels spike at Fukushima disaster site (via CleanTechnica)

Study supports nuclear waste disposal near Great Lakes (via Midwest Energy News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla worries about battery supply as it increases vehicle production (via New York Times)

Is $35,000 or less the threshold price for volume EVs? (via Green Car Reports)

US gasoline rises to $3.58 a gallon (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

X Prize unveils $2 million award to prevent ocean acidification (via USA Today)

Rim Fire is third-largest wildfire in California’s history (via NPR)

In South Florida, a polluted water bubble ready to burst (via New York Times)

OPINION 

3 big takeaways from the new global commitment to phase down HFCs (via WRI Insights)

The president and the pipeline (via New Yorker)

Net metering polices helping to spur solar growth (via Huffington Post)

How big business can save the climate (via Council on Foreign Relations)