Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.14.13

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

EMISSIONS 

South Korea to launch world’s most ambitious carbon trading scheme (via BusinessGreen)

Clock is ticking, slowly, on rules for coal-fired power plants (via Los Angeles Times)

EIA releases report on CO2 emissions by state (via Green Car Congress)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Sustainability “highly important” to 42% of supply chains (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY POLICY 

Wyoming governor unveils state energy policy 2 years in making (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Germany disputes hard EU stance on China solar panel duties (via Reuters)

5 achievements from Germany’s “Energiewende” (via WRI Insights)

Consumer support for wind and solar energy fell in 2012 (via Navigant Research)

Big Data will provide accurate analysis of wind-wildlife impacts (via Treehugger)

Feds study Gulf wildlife to make way for wind turbines (via Houston Chronicle)

Sharper computer models clear the way for more wind power (via MIT Technology Review)

In Solyndra wake, US solar industry sees chance to go from niche to mainstream (via Greenwire)

DOE’s high-impact energy innovation incubator program (via Energy Collective)

SolarCity shares up 200% since IPO (via Recharge)

Illinois renewable energy fund lacks power to fulfill purpose (via Chicago Tribune)

OIL 

Lower Mexican oil production contributes to lower US crude oil exports (via US EIA)

Pipelines spill three times as much oil as trains (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

US oil boom leaves OPEC sidelined from demand growth (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

Mount Everest glaciers have shrunk 13% in 50 years (via Mongabay)

Melting ice opens fight over sea routes for Arctic (via Bloomberg)

Hurricane Sandy forced third-most people from homes worldwide in 2012 (via The Hill)

America’s first climate refugees (via The Guardian)

Climate resilience: deconstructing the new buzz-word (via Climate Progress)

Both sides in climate war blamed for cherry-picking attribution research (via InsideClimate News)

GRID 

Smart meters stumble in the UK (via Greentech Media)

How “shadow bids” could hurt the demand response market (via Greentech Media)

Insights into renewables and the grid from Congress (via Greentech Media)

Water utilities to spend $2 billion on smart meters through 2020 (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Nations ponder how to handle busier, more polluted Arctic (via ClimateWire)

Fewer rainforests mean less energy for developing nations (via New York Times)

Tinderbox-dry Western US at high risk of major wildfires (via Climate Central)

Feds warn sequester cuts weakened readiness for wildfire season (via The Hill)

Do we need a better yardstick to measure severe droughts in US? (via Climatewire)

OPINION 

The myths and realities of America’s oil and gas boom (via Greentech Media)

What to expect from EV range now and over time (via Plugin Cars)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.10.13

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

GRID 

North America boasts 95% of demand response projects (via Energy Manager Today)

Microgrids for military bases to surpass $377 million in annual market value by 2018 (via Navigant Research)

PacifiCorp continues high-voltage transmission grid expansion (via Renew Grid)

Nest aims to shake up residential demand response (via Navigant Research)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Global green trade to reach $2.2 trillion by 2020 (via Environmental Leader)

How are China’s overseas investments affecting the environment? (via WRI Insights)

Patagonia’s new VC fund to invest in trailblazing green firms (via GreenBiz)

An effort to thwart sale of Tribune Company papers to the Kochs (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

EU to hit 100+ China solar panel makers with anti-dumping tariffs (via Greentech Media)

Wind PTC secured for now, industry focuses on long-term growth (via Greenwire)

Unique floating wind turbine base could provide glimpse into future (via Bangor Daily News)

Doubling wind power could save Mid-Atlantic consumers $6.9 billion a year (via Climate Progress)

New Hampshire governor opposes Connecticut’s plans to change renewable energy standard (via New Haven Register)

Rate design matters: utility tariffs and solar project economics (via Greentech Media)

Big gust of new wind power coming Iowa’s way (via EarthTechling)

Illinois Senate backs Lake Michigan offshore wind study (via News-Gazette)

NATURAL GAS 

DOE using broad criteria to judge LNG exports (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

Studies of the past show an ice-free Arctic could be in our future (via Time)

Countries finding new ways to address climate change (via Sustainable Business)

Prince Charles: climate change skeptics are turning Earth into dying patient (via The Guardian)

Is it time to abandon the 2-degree warming target? (via RTCC)

Obama Administration rolls out climate and health data tool (via The Hill)

GREEN BUILDING 

Green building now mandatory in Dubai (via Sustainable Business)

“Monumental shift” in US buildings sector may surprise you (via Greentech Media)

TRANSPORTATION 

2013 Nissan Leaf named “Top Safety Pick” in IIHS crash tests (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf moves beyond early adopters to cost conscious (via Forbes)

Australian researchers more than double EV battery capacity (via Autoblog Green)

OIL 

New blowout preventer mandates coming – but companies won’t have to comply overnight (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil industry: BLM preventing job creation by postponing oil, gas lease auctions (via Washington Post/AP)

BIOMASS 

Europe’s new biomass satellite will map Earth’s forests to calculate carbon stores (via Inhabitat)

Does burning wood instead of fossil fuels increase GHG emissions? (via Midwest Energy News) 

POLITICS 

Republicans boycott vote on Obama’s EPA pick (via Mother Jones)

EPA nomination faces some hard math (via The Hill)

McCarthy’s nomination in doubt, angering Democrats (via Politico)

Major Obama donors compare Keystone decision to outlawing of slavery (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Conventional wisdom about clean energy is still way out of date (via Greentech Media)

Once more, with feeling: EPA is required to regulate carbon from existing power plants (via Grist)

Why you can’t talk about fixing the electric grid without talking about climate change (via Climate Progress)

Time to reconsider “baseload” power (via Midwest Energy News)

California’s new energy crisis centers on nuclear power (via Forbes)

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

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.1.13

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

EMISSIONS

All eyes on Keeling Curve: scientists anxious as CO2 levels cross 400 PPM (via InsideClimate News)

States scramble as EPA shifts research monitors into regulatory mode (via Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU sets terms for global aviation climate talks (via RTCC)

European new car emissions fall nine percent in three years (via BusinessGreen)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

China struggles to tap its shale gas (via Washington Post)

Fracking rules coming “in weeks” says Jewell (via The Hill)

California regulators may track fracking chemicals (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

PTC clarity to ease renewable energy additions, questions remain (via AOL Energy)

Midwest looks to New England for biomass roadmap (via Midwest Energy News)

Solar to account for almost all new generation in California system in 2H 2013 (via Greentech Media)

PSE&G plans $446 million in new solar generation capacity (via Recharge News)

Bill to end North Carolina’s renewable energy standard resurfaces in legislature (via News & Observer)

Verizon to invest $100 million in solar, fuel cells (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

Saudi oil minister predicts more active US in energy markets (via The Hill)

Saudi Arabia’s oil minister says country has shale but must learn to tap it (via Reuters)

US doubles oil reserve estimates at Bakken, Three Forks shale (via Reuters)

BP to fund $340 million in early restoration projects in Gulf (via Houston Chronicle)

Citizens group finds 30 toxic chemicals in air following Arkansas oil spill (via Mongabay)

Federal regulators launch test of Helix offshore spill containment system (via Houston Chronicle)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Most firms get greenhouse gas reports wrong, says report (via Reuters)

Staples brings responsible e-waste recycling across the US (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

Coal’s power market share lead over gas is doubling in 2013 (via Facts of the Day)

What is the future of coal? (via Forbes)

CLIMATE 

Sequester hits nation’s climate change research capability (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Innovations reshaping the energy efficiency market (via Greentech Media)

Study finds conservative US shoppers turned off by efficient lightbulbs (via The Guardian)

ENERGY POLICY 

New Mexico county ordinance bans oil, gas development (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

ComEd installs 470 smart switches across Chicago grid (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

It’s easy to keep US carbon emissions flat – sadly that’s not enough (via Washington Post)

Did a billionaire’s spending sway the Massachusetts Senate primary? (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.29.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China makes strides to curb carbon emissions (via Navigant Research)

GREEN BUSINESS 

San Francisco and Seattle lead US cities pulling funds from fossil fuel firms (via The Guardian)

Volkswagen sustainability report shows emissions, production progress (via Autoblog Green)

Can fossil fuel divestment prevent the carbon bubble from bursting? (via CleanTechnica)

How the NFL became a champion of sustainability (via The Guardian)

How sustainability metrics help build trust in the financial sector (via GreenBiz)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS

Land-locked Alberta mulls tar sands pipeline to Arctic port (via Reuters)

TransCanada sees Keystone XL delayed until second half 2015 (via Retuers)

RENEWABLES 

100% renewables for Australia not so costly after all (via Renew Economy)

Solar PV module revenues to turn upward, but not until 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

European Commission launches Chinese solar glass subsidy inquiry (via Reuters)

Amonix claims 36.2% solar energy efficiency record (via Recharge)

DOE, Stanford unveil solar, wind battery (via Energy Manager Today)

Floating wind turbines with undersea energy storage (via EarthTechnling)

Geothermal saves $117 million per year for California and Nevada (via Greentech Media)

North Carolina notches a win against ALEC anti-renewables effort (via CleanTechnica)

Los Angeles launches largest municipal solar program in US (via Triple Pundit)

Community colleges help prepare students for a green job market (via Santa Fe New Mexican)

Massachusetts ski resort runs completely on solar and wind (via Sustainable Business)

COAL 

In Montana, ranchers line up against coal (via Los Angeles Times)

Bankrupt Patriot Coal asks court to slash union pensions (via Reuters)

FutureGen 2.0 gets clean environmental impact statement (via Jacksonville Journal Courier)

CLIMATE 

UN climate talks kick off in Bonn (via The Guardian)

China leading in climate change fight, argues Australian government report (via BusinessGreen)

Ocean surface temperatures off Northeast US coast highest in 150 years (via Bangor Daily News)

Major pan-European study conducted on ocean acidification (via Phys.org)

Wild weather swings may be a sign of climate change (via Climate Central)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EPA lowers estimates of methane leaks during natural gas production (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Ready (or not?) for a great coming Texas shale boom (via New York Times)

Ohio tries to avoid repeat of 2011 injection well quakes (via Midwest Energy News)

ENVIRONMENT 

Rapid transition of climate zones could speed extinction (via RTCC)

US to remove gray wolves from endangered list (via The Hill)

Empty nets in Louisiana three years after the BP oil spill (via CNN)

EPA deals blow to Alaska mine project (via The Hill)

New Mexico grapples with tough choices as drought persists (via Yahoo! News/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Bike-sharing programs now in 49 countries, 500 cities (via Sustainable Business)

Tesla to offer loaners to customers with cars in the shop (via GigaOm)

Chicago car charging station feud goes to court (via Chicago Tribune)

OIL 

One month after Exxon’s Arkansas oil spill, still no answers to basic questions (via InsideClimate News)

Oil rig worker ranks among worst jobs of 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Study: buyers of energy-efficient homes less likely to default (via Today Show)

NREL teams with US Navy to cut energy use (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY POLICY 

Europe bids to marry natural gas and renewable energy (via Recharge)

Colorado senate votes to strengthen state’s clean energy standard (via ClimateProgress)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese nuclear reactors may come back online soon (via United Press International)

Thinking small, nuclear power enters distributed era (via Navigant Research)

FBI investigating weekend shootout at Watts Bar nuclear power plant (via Knoxville News)

POLITICS 

Germany’s Greens lurch left in bid to beat Merkel (via Reuters)

Charlotte Mayor Foxx to be named US Transportation Secretary (via The Hill)

OPINION 

How can Congress boost renewable-energy requirements? (via National Journal)

Everybody chill out a little, carbon trading will be fine (via Grist)

Would a carbon tax boost clean energy? (via Christian Science Monitor)

People who believe in free markets more likely to reject climate science (via Sustainable Business)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.17.13

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

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone emissions seen as equal to 46 coal power plants (via Bloomberg)

Route change forces Keystone foes to shift aim to climate change (via Bloomberg)

Keystone pipeline fans, foes make their cases (via Politico)

House Energy Committee panel passes bill to expedite Keystone XL approval (via The Hill)

Sen. Whitehouse: Obama could use Keystone approval to tackle climate change (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Australia and China agree to carbon trading partnership (via BusinessGreen)

Reactions vary to EU carbon market vote (via RTCC)

RENEWABLES 

220GW of new distributed solar generation will be added by 2018 (via Navigant Research)

International Energy Agency: progress toward low-carbon energy “stalled” (via The Hill)

GWEC: global wind market to dip after record 2012 (via Recharge)

India deploys 27GW grid-connected renewables (via EnergyNext)

Links to solar may forge new ties across Mediterranean (via Climate Central)

China Wind Power to add 700MW of solar and wind by 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

Cleantech VC and the state of the IPO market (via GigaOm)

Better computer models needed for mega wind farms (via MIT Technology Review)

Wind energy production levels hit all-time high in California (via CleanTechnica)

North Carolina could repeal renewable energy policy (via Sustainable Business)

Philadelphia Eagles field generating energy with solar, wind (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

ENERGY POLICY 

Clean energy progress too slow to limit global warming: report (via Reuters)

Europe faces a crisis in energy costs (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Toyota cumulative global hybrid sales pass 5 million, nearly 2 million in US (via Green Car Congress)

Slow sales in Europe mean EVs often going to fleets (via Autoblog Green)

How China’s city-focused electric car programs fell short (via GigaOm)

Elon Musk: Tesla could go federal with franchise dealer fight (via Autoblog Green)

The new Chevy Spark will offer AC or DC charging (via New York Times)

OIL 

First phase of Gulf oil spill trial nearing conclusion (via Houston Chronicle)

Big spills from aging oil pipelines (via Wall Street Journal)

Ohio’s $500 billion oil dream fades as Utica turns gassy (via Bloomberg)

Exxon installs new section in damaged Arkansas pipeline (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy management market “to almost double” by 2020 (via Energy Manager Today)

Data center efficiency may be getting worse (via Greentech Media)

Study dismissing energy benchmarking laws funded by real estate industry (via Greentech Media)

More US households using CFLs and LEDs (via E Source)

10 energy efficiency tips for spring cleaning (via EarthTechling)

COAL 

Faltering China demand hangs over Asian coal (via Retuers)

Environmental groups seek moratorium on Montana, Wyoming coal leasing (via Missoulian)

Ratepayer advocate warns high cost comes with LA’s coal-free plan (via Los Angeles Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Desertification crisis affecting 168 countries worldwide (via RTCC)

Africa aims to combat the effects of climate change by greening the desert (via Climate Progress)

What happens when Asia’s “water tower” dries up? (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

If carbon markets can’t work in Europe, can they work anywhere? (via Time)

European carbon market far from dead (via Reuters)

Thanks to China, our carbon price is here to stay (via Renew Economy)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.10.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

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

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

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

CLIMATE 

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

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

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

NUCLEAR 

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

Chinese wind energy output soars 41 percent (via BusinessGreen)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OIL 

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

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

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

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

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

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

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

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

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

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

GRID 

New grid architecture enables renewable integration (via Navigant Research)

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

ENERGY POLICY 

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

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

Kansas could outlaw sustainable development (via Treehugger)

COAL 

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

ENVIRONMENT 

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

GREEN BUSINESS 

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

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

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

POLITICS 

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

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

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

OPINION 

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

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

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

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.9.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Greenhouse gas rules will be enacted soon, says Obama aide (via The Hill)

California governor green lights carbon market link with Quebec (via BusinessGreen)

COAL 

Which countries are planning the most coal-fired power plants? (via The Guardian)

Europe’s 2nd-biggest coal-fired power plant will turn to wood from North America (via ClimateWire)

Study: US coal industry is in far more trouble than anyone realizes (via Washington Post)

GRID 

Vehicle-to-building technology rises with PEV sales (via Environmental Leader)

Making sense of the demand response market (via Energy Collective)

MISO wraps up its first annual capacity auction (via Renew Grid)

RENEWABLES 

Over 1,000 firms demand end to EU-China solar PV trade war (via BusinessGreen)

Solar power has reached grid parity in India and Italy (via Treehugger)

China’s wind output grows 41% (via Recharge)

How cleantech is enhancing the US military’s “mission capability” (via Greentech Media)

Super algae could replace conventional biofuels (via RTCC)

New wind harvesting invention could bring cities to life (via Phys.org)

New York State renewable power plan would cost $382 billion by 2030 (via Bloomberg)

California wind power blows away production record (via Yahoo! Finance)

New York State expands NY-Sun Initiative with $13.5 million in new funding (via Solar Industry Mag)

Turbines near Lake Erie energize conservation, wind power debate (via Toledo Blade)

Wind farm suit against Xcel dismissed (via St. Paul Pioneer Press)

ENERGY POLICY 

White House engaging lawmakers on energy tax code issues (via The Hill)

How much do health impacts from fossil fuel electricity cost the US economy? (via Forbes)

Indiana lawmakers advance plan to give utilities more power over rate increases (via Midwest Energy News)

KEYSTONE XL 

Killing Keystone XL could risk more oil spills by rail (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Island countries facing watery demise confer on survival strategies (via ClimateWire)

Climate change will threaten wine production, study shows (via The Guardian)

Geoengineering could trigger disaster in parts of Africa (via Climate Central)

Poll: fears of global warming rising in US (via The Hill)

Summer temperatures expected to be far above average (via Greentech Media)

Rebuilding the shores, increasing the risks (via New York Times)

Getting serious about a Texas-sized drought (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Captured carbon used for natural gas fracking (via Sustainable Business)

Judge rules administration overlooked fracking risks in California mineral leases (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Manufacturing nearing energy efficiency ceiling (via Energy Manager Today)

Colby College achieves carbon neutrality (via Environmental Leader)

California office park secures three dozen LEED certifications (via EarthTechling)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s TEPCO may run out of space for radioactive water (via Reuters)

POLITICS 

Obama’s DOE, EPA picks face Senate grilling this week (via Reuters)

DOE nominee Moniz seen as “dose of reality” (via Greenwire)

OPINION 

How Margaret Thatcher made the conservative case for climate action (via Mother Jones)

For the price of the Iraq War, the US could have gotten halfway to a renewable power system (via Grist)

Climate fight should target coal, not Keystone (via Bloomberg)

Schwarzenegger: California’s silent disaster (via Los Angeles Times)

Fisker struggles mark blow to Obama’s electric car goal (via Bloomberg)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.9.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Greenhouse gas rules will be enacted soon, says Obama aide (via The Hill)

California governor green lights carbon market link with Quebec (via BusinessGreen)

COAL 

Which countries are planning the most coal-fired power plants? (via The Guardian)

Europe’s 2nd-biggest coal-fired power plant will turn to wood from North America (via ClimateWire)

Study: US coal industry is in far more trouble than anyone realizes (via Washington Post)

GRID 

Vehicle-to-building technology rises with PEV sales (via Environmental Leader)

Making sense of the demand response market (via Energy Collective)

MISO wraps up its first annual capacity auction (via Renew Grid)

RENEWABLES 

Over 1,000 firms demand end to EU-China solar PV trade war (via BusinessGreen)

Solar power has reached grid parity in India and Italy (via Treehugger)

China’s wind output grows 41% (via Recharge)

How cleantech is enhancing the US military’s “mission capability” (via Greentech Media)

Super algae could replace conventional biofuels (via RTCC)

New wind harvesting invention could bring cities to life (via Phys.org)

New York State renewable power plan would cost $382 billion by 2030 (via Bloomberg)

California wind power blows away production record (via Yahoo! Finance)

New York State expands NY-Sun Initiative with $13.5 million in new funding (via Solar Industry Mag)

Turbines near Lake Erie energize conservation, wind power debate (via Toledo Blade)

Wind farm suit against Xcel dismissed (via St. Paul Pioneer Press)

ENERGY POLICY 

White House engaging lawmakers on energy tax code issues (via The Hill)

How much do health impacts from fossil fuel electricity cost the US economy? (via Forbes)

Indiana lawmakers advance plan to give utilities more power over rate increases (via Midwest Energy News)

KEYSTONE XL 

Killing Keystone XL could risk more oil spills by rail (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Island countries facing watery demise confer on survival strategies (via ClimateWire)

Climate change will threaten wine production, study shows (via The Guardian)

Geoengineering could trigger disaster in parts of Africa (via Climate Central)

Poll: fears of global warming rising in US (via The Hill)

Summer temperatures expected to be far above average (via Greentech Media)

Rebuilding the shores, increasing the risks (via New York Times)

Getting serious about a Texas-sized drought (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Captured carbon used for natural gas fracking (via Sustainable Business)

Judge rules administration overlooked fracking risks in California mineral leases (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Manufacturing nearing energy efficiency ceiling (via Energy Manager Today)

Colby College achieves carbon neutrality (via Environmental Leader)

California office park secures three dozen LEED certifications (via EarthTechling)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s TEPCO may run out of space for radioactive water (via Reuters)

POLITICS 

Obama’s DOE, EPA picks face Senate grilling this week (via Reuters)

DOE nominee Moniz seen as “dose of reality” (via Greenwire)

OPINION 

How Margaret Thatcher made the conservative case for climate action (via Mother Jones)

For the price of the Iraq War, the US could have gotten halfway to a renewable power system (via Grist)

Climate fight should target coal, not Keystone (via Bloomberg)

Schwarzenegger: California’s silent disaster (via Los Angeles Times)

Fisker struggles mark blow to Obama’s electric car goal (via Bloomberg)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.8.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

India seeks access to US natural gas (via The Hill)

Shale-rich Spanish region expected to vote to ban fracking (via Reuters)

Foreign investors play large role in US shale industry (via US EIA)

TRANSPORTATION 

Cheaper electric vehicle batteries: slow and steady wins the race (via Green Car Reports)

Fisker mass layoffs trigger federal lawsuit (via Autoblog)

GREEN BUSINESS 

A glimpse into the future of retailer sustainability (via GreenBiz)

RENEWABLES 

Global biofuels production will reach nearly 62 billion gallons by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

630MW offshore wind London Array at full power (via Recharge)

Austria installed 230MW of solar in 2012 to double total capacity (via CleanTechnica)

IRS gives wind power a raise (via EarthTechling)

Sewer bonds new funding model for solar projects (via Bloomberg)

Wind energy and wildlife: science marks industry efforts (via AOL Energy)

North Carolina’s renewable portfolio standard under attack (via RTCC)

EMISSIONS 

China’s emissions trading scheme in line for 2020 national launch (via RTCC)

Study: fossil fuel emissions stunt coral growth (via RTCC)

Air pollution killed 1.2 million Chinese in 2010 (via Greentech Media)

US carbon emissions drop as natural gas displaces coal (via The Hill)

Total carbon emissions from natural gas may exceed coal by 2016 (via Facts of the Day)

Study: EPA rules will fuel shift away from coal (via The Hill)

OIL 

Ruling against BP clears way for spill payout appeals (via Reuters)

Exxon oil spill could be 40% larger than company estimates, say EPA figures (via InsideClimate News)

Upstart pipeline company staking its future on stopping heavy oil corrosion (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Tipping point near for LED lighting (via Navigant Research)

GRID 

“Battery University” aims to train a work force for next-generation energy storage (via New York Times)

Texas to double wind capacity with $6.8 billion transmission investment (via AOL Energy)

ComEd facing lawsuit connected to smart meter initiative (via Renew Grid)

POLITICS 

DOE, EPA nominees face Congressional hearings this week (via The Hill)

Meet the US billionaire who wants to kill the Keystone XL pipeline (via The Globe and Mail)

The man who could put climate change on Obama’s agenda (via National Journal)

Salazar looks back on a “joyful run” as Interior Secretary (via New York Times)

OPINION 

Is the Keystone XL pipeline too risky? (via National Journal)

Yea or nay, White House will face backlash on Keystone (via Politico)

Why solar power company stocks are still earthbound (via New York Times)