Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.11.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
COP 19 CONFERENCE
Mood of “realism” about future deal at climate talks (via BBC News)
Loss and Damage: Elements for successful negotiations at COP 19 (via World Resources Institute)
UN talks seek modest climate for 2015, to raise aid (via Reuters)
Report: Funding drought threatens 2015 UN climate agreement (via RTCC)
ENERGY POLICY
New German government would put moratorium on fracking, cut wind support (via Reuters)
EU may challenge German green subsidy (via Energy Manager Today)
RENEWABLES
Annual worldwide solar PV installations will double by 2020 (via Navigant Research)
European solar PV demand set to rebound in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)
Record-breaking wind integration in Denmark (via Greentech Media)
UK confirms plans for 39GW of offshore wind by 2030 (via Renewable Energy World)
Japan starts up offshore wind farm in shadow of Fukushima (via Houston Chronicle/AP)
UK offshore wind capacity rises 80% in one year (via Renewable Energy World)
Up to 21GW of small CSP could be integrated into US fossil plants (via Solar Industry Magazine)
Solar power begins to shine as environmental benefits pay off (via New York Times)
Midwest states grapple with value of homegrown solar electricity (via St. Paul Pioneer-Press)
Wind energy blows Michigan toward 30% renewables by 2030 (via CleanTechnica)
Solar company wins converts by going door-to-door (via Reuters)
Xcel, advocates at odds over Minnesota solar garden rules (via Midwest Energy News)
Iowa State study says ethanol mandate cut would have minor impact on corn price (via Green Car Congress)
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
International shale plays likely to face water shortfalls (via Houston Chronicle)
What’s fueling fights over fracking? (via National Journal)
EMISSIONS
China and US, two largest emitters, join in carbon reductions (via China Daily)
US and Norway bolster ties on CCS (via BusinessGreen)
Tony Abbott attempts to shift focus to carbon tax as new parliament opens (via The Guardian)
KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS
Alberta premier making Keystone pipeline push (via The Hill)
Enbridge files plan for $2.6 billion North Dakota to Wisconsin pipeline (via Houston Chronicle/AP)
CLIMATE
Rising sea levels, falling real estate values (via Miami Herald)
South Florida faces ominous prospects from rising waters (via New York Times)
Study says Montreal Protocol ozone treaty slowed global warming (via Climate Central)
Latin America is already preparing for climate change adaptation (via Energy Collective)
ENVIRONMENT
600,000 bats killed at wind energy facilities in 2012 (via Los Angeles Times)
Health effects of a nuclear test can last decades (via Washington Post)
Plastic bottle recycling up 6.2% in 2012 (via Environmental Leader)
GRID
Europe seeks new smart grid boost as momentum slows (via Navigant Research)
Western energy imbalance market gets approval from CaISO board (via Renew Grid)
CaISO changes rules to enable solar and wind project downsizing with less risk (via Solar Industry Magazine)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Where do US states rank in terms of energy efficiency? (via Renew Grid)
Title 24 launches California toward net zero buildings (via Triple Pundit)
TRANSPORTATION
Gas prices could fall below $3/gallon before year’s end (via Autoblog)
Mitsubishi to offer 20% plug-in cars by 2020 (via Green Car Reports)
Tesla Model S fires lead to investor lawsuit (via San Francisco Chronicle)
A hard week on Wall Street for Tesla (via GigaOm)
POLITICS
Obama grasps for climate legacy as second-term agenda crumbles (via The Hill)
White House names new climate and energy chief to replace Zichal (via Washington Post)
OPINION
Why hasn’t cellulosic ethanol taken over like it was supposed to? (via Washington Post)
New climate realism (via The Hill)
Top 10 things you didn’t know about ARPA-E (via Energy.gov)
Everything you need to know about “super-typhoons” (via Washington Post)
US ethanol expansion limited by blend wall, says Vilsack (via Reuters)