Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.29.14
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
CLIMATE
The year climate change closed Everest (via The Atlantic)
EPA chief returns fire in war over science (via National Journal)
Will global warming produce more tornadoes? (via Mother Jones)
ENERGY POLICY
Fossil fuel subsidies costing global economy $2 trillion, says IMF (via Renew Economy)
Russia and Iran reported in talks on energy deal worth billions (via New York Times)
Congress returns to tackle efficiency, tax credits, water law, appropriations (via E&E Daily)
RENEWABLES
Brazil may have 2GW PV by 2019 (via Recharge)
Japan’s 25-year plan to get solar power from space (via SmartPlanet)
UK solar market to lead Europe in 2014 (via BusinessGreen)
GE invests $24 million in Welspun’s India solar plant (via Bloomberg)
UK public backs renewables over fracking, shows survey (via RTCC)
Renewable electricity generation projections sensitive to cost, price, policy assumptions (via US EIA)
Why wave power has lagged far behind as an energy source (via Yale e360)
Can a DOE competition jump-start wind power in America’s vast offshore? (via ClimateWire)
Solar Wind wins approval for $1.5 billion power tower in Arizona (via Bloomberg)
SEPA names top 10 US utilities for new solar (via Energy Manager Today)
PG&E tops solar PV charts for US utilities (via Recharge)
Solar industry is a top donor in Georgia PSC elections (via EnergyWire)
NATURAL GAS
Squeezed from many sides, Gazprom looks for advantage in Ukraine crisis (via EnergyWire)
Slovakia signs deal to deliver gas to Ukraine (via Houston Chronicle)
Ukraine to start natural gas import talks with Hungary (via Reuters)
FERC approval could become “regulatory black hole” for some proposed LNG export projects (via Energy Collective)
EMISSIONS
Fossil fuel divestment gaining traction (via SustainableBusiness)
Lobbying surprisingly strong on “pipe dream” carbon tax bill (via Bloomberg)
State legislators take preemptive aim at EPA power plant rules (via Midwest Energy News)
How commercial buildings can curb emissions (via Environmental Leader)
App shows carbon footprint based on your purchases (via Treehugger)
COAL
Coal company unlawfully polluted West Virginia water, rules federal judge (via Climate Progress)
GRID
DOE issues guidance on electric grid cyber security (via The Hill)
KEYSTONE XL
Democrats weigh Keystone XL vote options (via Politico)
Keystone XL protesters mark final roundup – for now (via Politico)
NUCLEAR
Floating nuclear power plant could resist meltdowns (via SmartPlanet)
OIL
North Dakota pipeline spill cleanup to top $11 million (via WDAY-ABC)
Why is the oil industry giving millions to the NRA? (via Climate Progress)
Fire chiefs play “catch-up as hazmat shipments rise with energy boom (via EnergyWire)
TRANSPORTATION
What’s the greenest car? A short guide to vehicle emissions (via Renew Economy)
Cutting-edge transportation maps will change how we plan cities (via Washington Post)
OPINION
They’re not sure what “climate finance” is but say we need a ton of it (via Bloomberg)
What does today owe tomorrow? (via New York Times)
Three solar integration questions utility executives must confront (via Greentech Media)
How solar energy cuts electric grid costs (via Grist)
10 questions to ask about electricity tariffs (via WRI Insights)
10 questions that shine a light on electricity prices (via WRI Insights)
Did New York State just start an energy revolution? (via Forbes)