Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.22.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

IMF rejects fossil fuel subsidies, calls for reform (via Climate Central)

EPA proposes water pollution rules for power plants (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

In Europe, paid permits for pollution are fizzling (via New York Times)

Europe’s carbon market collapse won’t kill cap and trade (via CleanTechnica)

Cap and trade programs in California and Quebec to merge (via Los Angeles Times)

California to link its cap and trade program with Quebec’s January 1, 2014 (via Green Car Congress)

KEYSTONE XL 

Public comment period ending on controversial Keystone report (via InsideClimate News)

RENEWABLES 

India plans subsidies to boost solar power sector (via Wall Street Journal)

China set to approve 27.9GW of wind power projects (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewables investment seen tripling amid supply glut (via Bloomberg)

ABB bets on solar power with $1 billion inverter takeover (via Reuters)

New solar cell process achieves record efficiency, says MIT (via Yale e360)

Renewable power’s green vs. green battles continue (via Politico)

Google calls on utilities to sell it clean energy for data centers, starting in North Carolina (via GigaOm)

Power grab: San Antonio’s CPS looks to eliminate net metering (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Study: fracked gas far more climate-friendly than coal (via The Hill)

Natural gas industry experiencing “paradigm shift” (via Houston Chronicle)

OIL 

BP still uncertain over spill cost at third anniversary (via Bloomberg)

Three years after the BP spill, tar balls and oil sheen blight Gulf Coast (via The Atlantic)

Arkansas oil spill probe falls to understaffed agency with close industry ties (via InsideClimate News)

Florida becomes 4th state to sue BP over oil spill (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill is back (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Dirty war over coal exports in the Northwest US (via The Economist)

Coal dust impacts at issue as Army Corps considers Northwest export plans (via Greenwire)

Coal industry sees lifeline in big deposits out West (via Politico)

OPINION 

Europe’s cap and trade program is in trouble – can it be fixed? (via Washington Post)

What’s holding back energy and climate policy? (via National Journal)

Warren Buffet’s coal problem (via Marc Gunther)

East Coast rebuilding but vulnerable to future Sandys (via LiveScience)

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 – 4.8.13

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)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.5.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

German net power exports quadrupled in 2012 (via Recharge)

US Air Force releases strategic energy plan (via Sustainable Business)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US proposal to move fracking wastewater by barge stirs debate (via Reuters)

GE to build $110 million fracking research center in Oklahoma (via Environmental Leader)

Frackers are losing $1.5 billion yearly to leaks (via Mother Jones)

RARE EARTHS 

Discovery of rare earth metals in ocean mud could help Japan (via Autoblog Green)

RENEWABLES 

Germany’s offshore wind industry finally taking off (via Recharge)

Solar milestone: 1 million PV systems installed in Australia (via Renew Economy)

Merkel losing allies in $700 billion shift to renewables (via Bloomberg)

IRS and renewable energy finance: the waiting game (via Energy Trends Insider)

US renews funding for biofuels research centers (via Detroit News)

Are feed-in tariffs a “subsidy” for a small group of utility customers? (via Midwest Energy News)

PG&E cancels California solar power contracts with BrightSource (via Bloomberg)

ALEC-sponsored bill to repeal North Carolina’s renewable energy standard narrowly passes out of committee (via Climate Progress)

OIL 

Feds add teeth to offshore drilling safety mandates (via Houston Chronicle)

Gulf oil spill killed millions of microscopic creatures at base of food chain (via Tampa Bay Times)

Texas refinery is Saudi foothold in US market (via New York Times)

Arkansas AG sets deadline for Exxon to produce oil spill documents (via CTV/AP)

Arkansas oil spill sheds light on aging pipeline system (via NPR)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK fuel sales plummet as motorists embrace efficiency (via BusinessGreen)

Nearly 200,000 plug-in EVs equipped with vehicle-to-building technology will be sold through 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Placement of quick charge stations key to eliminating range anxiety (via Plugin Cars)

Proposed gasoline pollution rules fuel air quality debate (via Houston Chronicle)

US drivers could see “significantly lower” gas prices this summer (via NBC News)

Chevy Volt pounds another nail in the coffin of range anxiety (via CleanTechnica)

Chevy Volt fleet racks up 150 million electric-powered miles (via Autoblog Green)

Fisker, A123 settle $140 million supply claims for just $15 million (via Autoblog Green)

A new electric car with an old name (via New York Times)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Alberta mulls tougher carbon rules on oil (via Reuters)

Groups ask State Department for 120-day comment period on Keystone pipeline (via InsideClimate News)

Alberta premier heads to DC to press Keystone pipeline (via The Hill)

Environmentalists hope spill will turn Americans against Keystone (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

New culprit in sea-level rise: Arctic clouds (via Grist)

Colombia blazes a trail for smaller nations to fight global warming (via ClimateWire)

1,600 years of glaciers in Andes melted in 25 years (via New York Times)

Federal study: global warming means stronger extreme rains (via The Hill)

In wake of Sandy, NOAA alters hurricane warning policy (via Climate Central)

Federal government projects climate change will double wildfire risk in forests (via Denver Post)

EMISSIONS 

Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions declined in 2012 (via US EIA)

Mushrooms could be key to safe and natural carbon sequestration (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

GE energy storage system makes UK debut (via Recharge)

Solar decathlon homes form microgrid village in Missouri (via Phys.org)

COAL 

Coal exports: two weeks of good news (via Sightline Daily)

Nevada utility to shut out coal, embrace renewables (via Renewable Energy World)

GREEN BUSINESS 

How Proctor & Gamble created $1 billion in value with waste (via Greentech Media)

Shell’s VC fund looks to green the fossil fuel business (via Greentech Media)

Employees take corporate sustainability efforts home, study says (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

New technology could cut efficiency audit costs 75% (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

BrightSource’s cancelled projects highlight hurdles for desert solar thermal plants (via GigaOm)

Is China’s State Grid too big to work? (via Recharge)

RPS attacks go against the march of history (via Renewable Energy World)

More renewables for states (via Politico)

Methane leaks are undermining the shale-gas boom. Here’s how to fix that. (via Politico)

Keystone XL: the pipeline to disaster (via Los Angeles Times) 

OTHER NEWS 

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

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.4.13

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

EMISSIONS 

British Columbia set to announce five-year carbon tax freeze (via Vancouver Sun)

Two major air pollutants increase in Beijing (via New York Times)

Who’s really in charge on EPA rules? A chat with legal scholar Lisa Heinzerling (via Grist)

ENERGY POLICY 

EU re-launches CCS and renewable energy fund (via BusinessGreen)

What would a manufacturing renaissance do to US energy intensity? (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Overseas demand breathes new life into US coal industry (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

India’s demand for clean energy credits almost triples in March (via Panchabuta)

Australia competing with Germany on low solar PV prices (via CleanTechnica)

Japan to become largest solar market after China (via Bloomberg)

Suntech unit bankruptcy had roots in deadbeat customers (via Bloomberg)

Renewable energy stations that double as wildlife reserves (via EarthTechling)

BP wind sale highlights renewable energy struggles (via Houston Chronicle)

Top ten wind states all have electric rates below national average (via Facts of the Day)

Online solar marketplace is like an eBay for solar (via TreeHugger)

Exelon falls from green favor as chief fights wind aid (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Canada seen beating US in $150 billion Asia LNG race (via Bloomberg)

Natural gas revolution and its implications: LNG exports 101 (via Energy Collective)

Natural gas pipeline market failure looms (via AOL Energy)

Senate panel to scrutinize natural gas exports – again (via Houston Chronicle)

Ohio not part of nonbinding Northeast fracking pact (via Columbus Dispatch)

TRANSPORTATION 

China issues new EU-ETS aviation emissions warning (via Xinhua)

Tesla increases lease calculator costs; supercharging, “mystery” announcement soon (via Autoblog Green)

Gentlemen, start your calculators: checking the math of Tesla’s lend-lease program (via New York Times)

OIL 

China to surpass US as world’s top crude importer, OPEC says (via Bloomberg)

Norway’s oil future seen with ice-free Arctic’s barrels (via Bloomberg)

Feds: all companies should heed Shell’s Arctic drilling lessons (via Houston Chronicle)

Gulf oil spill settlement dispute becomes more contentious (via Houston Chronicle)

Geologist’s Alaska gamble could turn into America’s next big shale play (via EnergyWire)

Inland US oil refiners stung by renewable energy credits (via Reuters)

No-fly zone in place over Arkansas pipeline spill site (via Nasdaq)

CLIMATE 

Has the rate of sea level rise tripled since 2011? (via Climate Progress)

World Bank president says global warming threatens planet and poorest (via Washington Post)

Environmental policies matter for growing megacities, study finds (via Phys.org)

GRID 

Over 400 microgrid projects underway en route to $40 billion market (via CleanTechnica)

How diverse is your state’s electricity generation portfolio? (via Climate Progress)

Smart meters still under fire in DC, Maine (via Renew Grid)

Big data dives clarify California power markets (via AOL Energy)

KEYSTONE XL 

The Keystone XL pipeline and its politics, explained (via Washington Post)

Former White House spokesman: polls won’t drive Obama on Keystone (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Utility customers will spend $1.4 billion on building energy management systems by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

LED streetlights move from pilot projects to widespread use (via Midwest Energy News)

POLITICS 

Obama on climate change: “the politics of this are tough” (via The Hill) 

Poll: majority of Republicans believe global warming is a hoax (via The Hill)

Anti-Keystone billionaire rattles Democrats (via Politico)

Salazar to leave Interior Department with no regrets (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Why Africa is missing the solar power boat (via Renewable Energy World)

Slow and steady wins the solar race (via GigaOm)

“Social bankability” needed to expand off-grid clean energy (via Greentech Media)

Has Tesla made electric cars affordable? Not exactly (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.3.13

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Berkeley Lab researchers release guide to financing energy upgrades for K-12 school districts (via Phys.org)

California to set energy efficiency standards for video game consoles (via Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles includes cool roofs in building code (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

Arkansas attorney general plans investigation into oil spill (via AP)

At oil spill cleanup in Arkansas, Exxon running the show, not feds (via InsideClimate News)

Dolphin deaths still high after Gulf oil spill, says NWF (via Houston Chronicle)

Mishaps shouldn’t impede energy expansion, oil industry economist says (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Solar PV industry now operating as net energy producer (via EarthTechling)

The drought is drying up all our ethanol (via Mother Jones)

Utilities challenge net metering as solar power expands in California (via ClimateWire)

BP puts wind farm business up for sale (via Reuters)

Citigroup blows by Santander as greenest bank on wind power push (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

World Bank plans to take lead in climate challenge (via RTCC)

Climate change making extreme events worse in Australia (via The Guardian)

Geoengineering schemes need global sign-off, researchers say (via The Guardian)

Public trusts scientists on climate change, says poll (via RTCC)

NASA’s most famous climate scientist is retiring – here’s a look back at his work (via Washington Post)

ENERGY POLICY 

Sequester looms over DOE’s energy labs (via Politico)

Poll: two-thirds back Keystone pipeline, global warming belief trends upward (via The Hill)

House Natural Resources Committee democrats launch “EVIZ” iPad app (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Emissions rules put alternative-fuel vehicles in a bind (via New York Times)

US Parks Service launches clean transportation initiative (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla announces lease option for Model S starting at $1,500/month (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf has best sales month ever with 2,236 sold, Chevy Volt steady at 1,478 (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla, Fisker, and what could have been: a tale of two electric car startups (via GigaOm)

GRID 

Demand response payments increase significantly in PJM (via Greentech Media)

ComEd says smart grid efforts created 2,400 jobs in 2012 (via Renew Grid)

Northeast Utilities still can’t reveal “new route” for Northern Pass (via CLF Scoop)

COAL 

Oregon environmental coalition gives notice on coal dust lawsuit (via New York Times)

OPINION 

For energy tech, the boring stuff (business model innovation) will be key (via GigaOm)

Is the Internet too hot for data centers to handle? (via Scientific American)

8 myths about wind energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Expensive batteries are holding back electric cars – can that change? (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.2.13

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

CLIMATE 

By 2050 much of the Arctic could be green (via Mongabay)

South East Asia food basket facing “shocking” future (via RTCC)

US dominated global disaster losses in 2012: Swiss Re (via Climate Central)

Climate hawks go on offense, but impact uncertain (via InsideClimate News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

European industry flocks to US to take advantage of cheaper natgas (via Washington Post)

Rumors of a cheap-energy jobs boom from natgas remain just that (via New York Times)

Federal government wants to track PA oil and gas production more closely (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Fracking wastewater disposal wells mapped in Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

Illinois proposes fracking tax lower than most states (via Chicago Tribune)

RENEWABLES 

Solar PV demand in emerging Asian countries expected to boom through 2017 (via Solar Industry)

Offshore wind power: huge potential goes largely untapped (via EarthTechling)

Shared renewables could supercharge California’s clean energy economy (via CleanTechnica)

What’s wrong with Pennsylvania solar? (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Three years after Gulf spill, BP faces big week in court (via Houston Chronicle)

Exxon developing evacuation plan for Pegasus oil pipeline spill (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

TRANSPORTATION 

Hybrid sales up 32% this year, could hit 8% of market by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

A longer life for lithium-sulfur batteries (via Phys.org)

Tesla’s stock soars over 20% on profit, sales news (via GigaOm)

Tesla cancels lowest-range version of Model S (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Air pollution linked to 1.2 million premature deaths in China (via New York Times)

Poll: nearly half say US government too lax on environment (via The Hill)

Texas deploys “rainy day fund” to start long-term fight against drought (via ClimateWire)

ENERGY POLICY 

Japanese cabinet proposes energy sector overhauls (via New York Times)

Citigroup: renewables will triumph and natural gas will help (via Grist)

America gets a D+ in energy infrastructure (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

How Ontario is putting an end to coal-burning power plants (via Yale e360)

Coal opponents say Washington State terminal has derailed (via Seattle Weekly)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Could energy benchmarking rules be useless? (via Greentech Media)

Energy Trust of Oregon saves 71% of 2012 electricity target in Q4 (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US book industry using 24% recycled paper on average (via Mongbay)

EMISSIONS 

“Global” carbon market goes truly global (via CleanTechnica)

Carbon emissions declined 1.4% in Europe in 2012 (via Bloomberg)

Greenhouse gas emissions from farmland underestimated (via Phys.org)

Soils in newly forested areas store substantial carbon (via Phys.org)

Supreme Court rejects challenge to EPA air pollution rule from oil lobby (via Reuters)

GRID 

More than 400 microgrid projects under development worldwide (via Navigant Research)

Texas grid expansion to double wind capacity, deliver to major cities (via Sustainable Business)

POLITICS 

Bucking administration turnover trend, Sutley may stay at CEQ (via Greenwire)

NASA climate scientist James Hansen to leave government for advocacy work (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Germany’s solar-power success: too much of a good thing? (via Grist)

Seven things you learn driving the length of the Keystone XL pipeline (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.21.13

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

TAR SANDS 

Canada’s First Nations say they will fight oil sands, pipeline (via CBC News)

Michigan oil spill cleanup may exceed insurance (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

World Bank to prioritize support for climate vulnerable states (via RTCC)

Americans’ belief in global warming rises with thermometer (via Times-Picayune/AP)

If you thought 2012 was hot, just wait a few years (via Climate Central)

GRID

Grid operator warns of future power problems in New England (via Boston Globe/AP)

Texas legislature approves electric market cost-benefit measure (via Houston Chronicle)

California lawmakers hammer utilities panel for shoddy forecasting (via Sacramento Bee)

RENEWABLES 

China’s wind power production increased more than coal power did for first time ever in 2012 (via Climate Progress)

India to install 1.3-1.4GW solar power in 2013 (via Panchabuta)

Australia sticks with renewable energy target (via Recharge)

1GW of new PV seen in Mideast and Africa in 2013 (via Recharge)

German insurers urge easing green energy investment rules (via Reuters)

US Senate rejects amendment gutting military biofuels program by 40-59 vote (via The Hill)

Small wind power annual installations will double in capacity by 2018 (via Navigant Research)

OIL 

Oil companies bid $1.6 billion for Gulf drilling rights (via Houston Chronicle)

Coastal states want more offshore drilling revenue (via Politico)

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s coastal waters increasingly polluted (via Phys.org)

New pope: “let us be protectors of creation” (via Mongabay)

Four ways to harvest rainwater and save resources (via The Good Human)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear regulators under fire for delay of post-Fukushima safety requirement (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

NRC: Car petroleum use, GHG emissions could drop 80% (via Environmental Leader)

US lawmakers say ethanol mandate may hike gasoline price (via Reuters)

Study says EV drivers will pay more per kWh to charge at work (via Green Car Reports)

DOE tool scores EV readiness for cities, counties, states (via EarthTechling)

SuperTruck semi achieves 54-percent increase in fuel economy (via Autoblog)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

UK budget promises shale gas tax breaks, public benefits (via Reuters)

Pact reached on voluntary standards for fracking in Northeast US (via New York Times/AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Study shows energy-efficient homes are 32% less risky for lenders (via Greentech Media)

Walgreens launches first net-zero retail store in US (via Sustainable Business)

New reasons to change light bulbs (via New York Times)

COAL 

Coal plants belching out less mercury (via Forbes)

How coal affects water quality: state of the science (via Sightline Daily)

POLITICS 

The wealth of business connections for Obama’s Energy pick (via ProPublica)

Keystone XL pipeline debate rattles Massachusetts Senate race (via Reuters)

OPINION 

A Chinese solar giant goes bankrupt, and that’s a good thing (via GigaOm)

UK budget sets green alarm bells ringing (via Recharge)

Protecting renewable portfolio standards from cynical attacks (via Forbes)

How to cut US gasoline use in half by 2030 (via Washington Post)

Two ways Americans may get more ownership of their energy future (via CleanTechnica)

More coal-fired idiocy and mendacity in Nevada (via Grist)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.15.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US natural gas exports to Mexico jump 24 percent (via Houston Chronicle)

US utilities to burn more coal as natgas prices climb (via Reuters)

Risky US-backed loans and a diplomatic blitz force debate over LNG costs (via EnergyWire)

University of Tennessee’s fracking research funded by gas profits raises ethics concerns (via Washington Post/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Road funds on empty; more US states weigh gasoline tax hikes (via Reuters)

New internal combustion technology could improve range-extended electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

US House will get EV charging stations for plug-in driving Congressmen (via Autoblog Green)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s fossil-fueled generation remains high because of continuing nuclear plant outages (via US EIA)

Exelon could boost its US nuclear output 1,100MW (via Crain’s Chicago Business)

RENEWABLES 

Japan adds 1,178Mw of mostly solar energy in nine months (via Bloomberg)

EU could save billions with cross-border renewables cooperation (via Reuters)

Biomass industry to more than triple globally by 2030 (via Renewable Energy World)

EU votes to extend renewables target to 2030 (via Recharge)

2012 was a record-breaking year for solar panels in the US (via GigaOm)

The trouble with turbines: an ill wind (via Nature)

California renewable power supply growing, costs falling (via Reuters)

Bill would end North Carolina’s renewable energy program (via Charlotte News Observer)

NJ regulators to decide in June on offshore wind project (via Recharge)

Massachusetts could be hub for offshore wind industry (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

Cradle of mankind offers Kenya three centuries of oil (via Bloomberg)

US EIA projects OPEC oil decline in 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

Interior chief: Shell “screwed up,” must improve to resume Arctic effort (via The Hill)

Interior allows BP to bid on Gulf leases, with conditions (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

USAID launches Pacific climate change projects (via Australia Network News)

Lack of climate action risks developing world gains, says UN (via Phys.org)

World’s hotter days cooled by growth of grasslands (via Phys.org)

February keeps the planet’s warm streak alive: NOAA (via Climate Central)

Devastating East African drought made more likely by climate change (via Phys.org)

Glacial meltwater catastrophes are forming high in the Andes (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

US oil exports spur more questions about Keystone XL pipeline (via Wall Street Journal)

GEOENGINEERING 

Experts propose new structure for regulation of geoengineering research (via Phys.org)

Can giant umbrellas help protect polar ice caps? (via Good)

Rules needed for geoengineering research, say experts (via Climate Central)

EMISSIONS 

EU cancels carbon auction, prices drop (via Environmental Leader)

Shaping the next generation of carbon markets (via Huffington Post)

ENVIRONMENT 

Spring rain, then foul algae in ailing Lake Erie (via New York Times)

GRID 

Maintaining grid “survivability” after blackouts (via Renew Grid)

Are municipal utilities more resilient during disasters? (via Grist)

Smart grid markets on the move (via AOL Energy)

POLITICS 

Obama revives green energy sales pitch (via The Hill)

Obama turns focus to research in first energy speech of second term (via Reuters)

Could Republicans ever support a carbon tax? Bob Inglis thinks so (via Washington Post)

Green groups flocking to Markey for Senate (via Politico)

OPINION 

There’s high trust in clean power despite the negative headlines (via GigaOm)

Immigration reform – for the climate (via Los Angeles Times)

15 must-haves for any modern residential solar website (via Renewable Energy World)