Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.19.14

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

COAL 

China power plants exempts from low-quality coal ban: Sources (via Reuters)

With China coal ban, has Australia’s luck run out? (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek) 

Battery storage to make reserve coal plants redundant (via Renewables International)

A month of disappointments for coal exporters (via Sightline Daily)

Scientists on a quest for knowledge about coal dust risks (via EarthFix)

Ohio Supreme Court approves coal strip mining in state wildlife area (via Columbus Dispatch)

RENEWABLES 

Scotland “No” vote removes doubt for $23 billion in new renewables (via Bloomberg)

Wind adds 1.4GW to upcoming Brazil renewables auction (via Recharge News)

Jamaica aims to double renewable energy capacity (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek) 

German PV equipment manufacturing up 39% in 2014 (via Renewables International)

Solar power making big competitive gains, new studies show (via Breaking Energy)

Technology advances wind energy development (via The Energy Collective)

Food versus fuel in U.S. renewable energy showdown (via Thompson Reuters)

Report: U.S. solar costs continue rapid decline (via PV Tech)

U.S. solar and wind start to outshine gas (via Financial Times)

Wind power could improve grid resiliency, says GE (via CleanTechnica)

Putting solar panels on school roofs could increase U.S. solar capacity (via Climate Progress)

U.S. DOE targets 50,000 new solar installers by 2020 (via PV Tech)

Vivint Solar, 2nd U.S. solar installer, sets IPO terms to raise $370 million (via Greentech Media)

CLIMATE 

2014 on track to be warmest year on record (via Climate Central)

Summer 2014 was a sizzler: Earth’s hottest on record (via USA Today)

China cautious on fresh commitments ahead of climate change summit (via South China Morning Post)

Obama to tout U.S. climate plan at UN summit (via Reuters)

Report warns Superstorm Sandy was not “The Big One” (via Huffington Post)

White House officials acknowledge climate plan’s limits, but decry inaction (via ClimateWire)

HUD launches $1 billion national disaster resilience competition (via Inhabitat)

OIL 

Oil prices at two-year low, OPEC may change that (via Christian Science Monitor)

Oxfam sues SEC over oil payment disclosure rule (via The Hill)

Oklahoma to pass California, Alaska in oil production (via The Oklahoman)

TRANSPORTATION 

French group develops mass electric vehicle charging stations (via Reuters)

IRS won’t (or can’t) revel how many plug-in vehicle tax credits are left (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS 

Obama urged to plug methane leaks to meet climate goal (via Bloomberg) 

EMISSIONS

Hard truths about world power plant carbon emissions (via CleanTechnica)

California and Quebec announce first joint cap-and-trade auction (via Green Car Congress)

MISO study suggests regional approach is better when it comes to EPA carbon compliance (via EnergyWire)

UN hired PR firm that won’t rule out clients who oppose carbon regulations (via The Guardian)

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada CEO “frustrated” by linkage of Keystone XL to climate change (via Bloomberg BNA)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Ruling against FERC order could cost U.S. demand response market $4.4 billion (via Greentech Media)

LEED-certified professionals in great demand (via Sustainable Business)

ENVIRONMENT 

Why fewer acres have burned this year despite California drought (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Massive Northern California fire outrunning firefighters (via Los Angeles Times)

Despite some rain, drought still grips Texas towns (via StateImpact Texas)

POLITICS 

White House cranks up heat ahead of UN climate summit (via The Hill)

Brazil’s Rousseff closes in on Silva ahead of October vote (via Reuters)

Al Gore: Climate skepticism will haunt GOP in 2016 (via National Journal)

With an eye on 2016, Christie resists climate change plan for New Jersey (via New York Times)

Frank Pallone builds support for top spot on Energy Committee (via Politico)

OPINION 

Why higher education is a bright green market (via GreenBiz)

U.S. schools go solar (via EcoWatch)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.13.14

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

GREEN BUSINESS 

Report: U.S. green employment surge takes clean job opportunities past 2.6 million (via BusinessGreen)

America’s Top 10 “coolest schools” in sustainability (via EcoWatch)

COAL 

U.S. anti-coal dominoes hit BRICS wall, other skeptics (via Reuters)

Coal generation down as Germany breaks yet another renewables record (via BusinessGreen)

Coal makes a comeback, for now (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

Europe’s green energy rules cost UK $156 billion (via Bloomberg)

China and India’s GW-scale solar plans (via Renew Economy)

Chinese offshore wind market stagnating, disappointing investors (via Renewable Energy World)

Central America poised for clean tech investment boom (via BusinessGreen)

Citigroup: Global solar outlook is getting brighter (via Renew Economy)

Poor installation, grid constraints, defective panels plague China’s huge solar program (via Greenwire)

Over 26GW wind, solar power capacity offered for Brazil’s upcoming auction (via CleanTechnica)

IRS clarifies beginning of construction rules for renewable energy projects (via Renewable Energy World)

Despite uptick in activity, wind industry faces uncertainty in Congress (via Greenwire)

U.S. solar carport market poised for record year, continued growth (via Greentech Media)

U.S. wind farm construction is surging in 2014 (via Transmission & Distribution World)

OSU campus derives more than 70% of energy from wind (via Energy Manager Today)

New energy-rich sorghum offers ethanol without the corn (via The Guardian)

ENERGY POLICY 

Saudi Arabia, China sign nuclear and renewable energy agreement (via Al-Awsat)

CLIMATE 

Rising economies “ahead on climate” (via BBC)

Call for finance to top agenda at 2015 UN climate summit (via RTCC)

Climate change and health – joining the dots (via Deutche Welle)

That sinking feeling: The Coastal cities doomed to disappear beneath the waves (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

What climate change in the Rockies means for its water (via Climate Central)

California has hottest start to year while Midwest chills (via Climate Central)

“Unprecedented” Detroit flooding event fits global warming pattern (via Mashable)

OIL 

World awash in oil shields markets from 2008 price shock (via Bloomberg)

Oil companies fracking into drinking water sources, shows new research (via Los Angeles Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Green signal for “Britain’s first” battery-powered train (via BusinessGreen)

U.S. public in favor of higher truck fuel efficiency standards (via Autoblog Green)

Gas prices to drop through end of 2014 (via The Hill)

California could give lower-income EV buyers a financial boost (via Autoblog Green)

Next-gen power electronics could cut $6,000 from Tesla Model S (via GigaOm)

Tesla Gigafactory: California could waive environmental rules to get it (via Green Car Reports)

Toyota: East Coast hydrogen cars on the horizon (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

Germany added a lot of wind and solar power, and its grid became more reliable (via Climate Progress)

Key Brazil wind grid link set for completion by November (via Recharge)

U.S. DOE clears Quebec-to-NYC transmission line (via Albany Times Union)

Vermont breaks ground on “perfect” solar + storage microgrid that can provide resilient power (via Renewable Energy World)

Suntech invests $25 million in U.S. energy storage developer (via Solar Industry)

NATURAL GAS 

China’s shale gas bust (via MIT Technology Review)

ENVIRONMENT 

Declining Lake Mead water levels raise concerns for future of parched region (via Huffington Post/AP)

Lightning sparks new wildfires in Oregon, Washington (via The Columbian)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

An energy cure for hospitals (via Navigant Research)

POLITICS 

Senators want more comment time on EPA climate rule (via The Hill)

Democrats increasingly backing oil and gas industry (via Wall Street Journal)

How to eliminate almost every federal agency (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Ebola and climate change: Are humans responsible for severity of current outbreak? (via Newsweek)

The African case for U.S. climate leadership (via WRI Insights)

How far away is grid parity for residential battery storage? (via Renew Economy)

The frustrating climate change memes that just won’t die (via New Republic)

Toyota executive: We’re on the cusp of the automotive hydrogen age (via Green Car Congress)

Journalists to EPA: Stop muzzling scientists (via The Hill)

How I went off-grid with solar in Hawaii (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.12.14

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

CLIMATE 

In the ocean, clues to climate change (via New York Times)

UN: Climate adaptation investment will ensure Africa’s growth (via BusinessGreen)

Report: Great Barrier Reef’s greatest threat is climate change (via The Guardian)

“Remarkable” warming reported in Central California coastal waters (via Los Angeles Times)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexico opens gas and oil sectors to foreign, private firms (via ABC News/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Mexico and Central America – emerging clean energy powerhouses (via Bloomberg)

Japan challenges China to be world’s biggest solar market in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Brazil readies big push on solar energy but companies are wary (via Reuters)

Mexico 2014 renewable investment may exceed $2.4 billion (via Bloomberg)

IRS guidance relaxed renewable energy tax credit (via The Hill)

Feds designate three North Carolina offshore wind areas (via The Hill)

Stacked solar cells could make solar power cheaper than natural gas (via Treehugger)

OIL 

IEA says world oil market will supplied despite conflicts (via Reuters)

ExxonMobil and Russia began drilling for oil in the Arctic on Saturday (via Climate Progress)

IEA: Weakest oil demand growth since 2012 allays supply risks (via Bloomberg)

North Dakota considers requiring treatment of Bakken crude oil (via Wall Street Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Annual sales of EVs in North America, Western Europe, Asia Pacific will reach 1.8 million by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Study: Airline ticket prices need to increase for climate policies to work (via Climate Progress)

EV makers and utilities unite to realize V2G potential (via Navigant Research)

Tesla Model S shows flaws over time, says Consumer Reports (via Bloomberg)

Income cap coming for California EV rebate, is Tesla most vulnerable? (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla gets legal approval to sell EVs in Pennsylvania (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT 

Australia warns of poor outlook for Great Barrier Reef (via Reuters)

Study: Extreme summer heat, rain on rise as weather gets trapped (via Reuters)

Research project aims to lessen the surprise of extreme wildfires (via Los Angeles Times)

Gulf oyster harvest has nose-dived since BP oil spill (via Huffington Post/AP)

California’s governor reaches $7.2 billion drought bond deal (via Bloomberg)

Tall, ancient, and under pressure (via New York Times)

San Francisco poised to require water rationing in drought (via San Francisco Chronicle)

NATURAL GAS 

Government survey: UK opposition to fracking on the rise (via BusinessGreen)

Report: Too few drinking water safeguards near fracking wells (via Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio’s Utica region now included in EIA’s monthly drilling productivity report (via U.S. EIA)

Big natural gas trove for frackers at Pittsburgh International Airport (via New York Times)

COAL 

Russia ships coal to America despite sanctions (via Forbes)

Beijing cuts coal use 7% in H1 2014 in anti-smog push (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

Study examines “brown carbon” while over a dozen western fires burn (via Climate Progress)

Algae companies ask EPA to endorse carbon capture efforts (via Environmental Leader)

Is fight of California cap-and-trade gas prices aimed at scuttling climate law? (via ClimateWire)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL could mean more carbon emissions than estimated, says study (via Los Angeles Times)

Nebraska court ruling on Keystone XL pipeline not expected until 2015 (via Reuters)

Environmental groups press Kerry on climate impact of Keystone (via The Hill)

GRID 

For microgrids, it’s not all about size (via Navigant Research)

New England effort to expand gas pipelines, transmission hits a snag (via EnergyWire)

California takes first step toward creating a distributed, intelligent grid of the future (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Los Angeles’ city-owned electric utility raises its energy efficiency ambitions (via NRDC Switchboard)

POLITICS 

Rick Perry and other Republicans are loving an Obama-backed green car company (via National Journal)

When did Republicans start hating the environment? (via Mother Jones)

OPINION 

Can we reach a global warming deal? (via National Journal)

Three ways oil matters for the crisis in Iraq (via Vox)

The 198 people who can transform America’s electric grid (via GreenBiz)

Could California become a leader in smart water management? (via Smart Grid Library)

Climate contrarians overrepresented in media coverage, says new survey (via InsideClimate News)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.11.14

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Canada ignores climate warnings in drive for tar sands oil (via RTCC)

Keystone XL carbon emissions “would be four times higher than U.S. thought” (via The Guardian)

CLIMATE 

EPA roadshow highlights polarized U.S. climate debate (via RTCC)

Planners in southeast Florida try to awaken their state to sea level rise (via ClimateWire)

EPA chief: Teach global warming in schools (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

China will install more solar in 2014 than the U.S. ever has (via Climate Progress)

Japan solar industry forecasts 100GW capacity by FY 2030 (via Bloomberg)

U.K. wind power surge sees renewables outstrip coal (via BusinessGreen)

Over 3GW of large-scale U.S. solar PV projects at risk from anti-dumping actions (via Solar Industry Magazine)

U.S. installs 835MW new wind energy so far in 2014, 14.6GW on the way (via CleanTechnica)

U.S. IRS clarifies wind PTC eligibility rules (via Recharge)

States dangle property tax abatements to draw new solar customers (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Chill from Ohio RPS freeze extends to neighboring solar markets (via Renewable Energy World)

Wyoming regulators give key approval for America’s largest wind farm (via Casper Star-Tribune)

A landmark deal in Mississippi could give a big boost to utility-scale solar (via Greentech Media)

South Carolina will let people lease equipment for solar energy (via Washington Post)

Report says Wisconsin solar growth has been hampered by policy, utilities (via Wisconsin Public Radio)

OIL 

U.S. oil falls to six-month low on refinery outlook (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

EV car sales are up over 70% in Europe and the U.S. (via Climate Progress)

The challenge for EV sales is car dealers, again (via Green Car Reports)

EV charging stations sprouting all over California (via Sacramento Bee)

COAL 

Waste Management sees growth with EPA coal-ash disposal rule (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

EMISSIONS 

Texas may refuse to follow EPA climate rules (via Texas Tribune)

Obama action group joins fight against Christie’s climate pact exit (via InsideClimate News)

NATURAL GAS 

What’s fueling the fracking boom? Debt (via Christian Science Monitor)

GAO criticizes EPA’s fracking injection well oversight (via Environmental Leader)

Northeast U.S. natural gas spot prices particularly sensitive to temperature swings (via U.S. EIA)

FERC authorizes Texas LNG export terminal (via Breaking Energy)

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s coastal economic boom on track to “burn out” its marine resources (via ClimateWire)

California drought transforms global food market (via Bloomberg)

Bottled water comes from the most drought-ridden places in America (via Mother Jones)

California lawmakers consider historic rules to limit groundwater pumping (via San Jose Mercury-News)

Lightning-sparked California wildfires burn more than 134,000 acres (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID 

China’s State Grid quietly builds Mediterranean power network (via Reuters)

Can we make America’s power grid blackout-proof? (via GreenBiz)

POLITICS 

Obama’s offshore drilling move opens rift with environmental groups (via The Hill)

House Republicans to combine energy, jobs efforts (via Politico)

Colorado’s frack-free movement sacrificed for Democrats facing re-election (via InsideClimate News)

OPINION 

What’s driving millions of dollars back into energy efficiency? (via The Guardian)

Why creative industries won’t follow PR lead on climate change (via The Guardian)

The contentious, complicated fight for water in California (via Los Angeles Times)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.11.14

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Canada ignores climate warnings in drive for tar sands oil (via RTCC)

Keystone XL carbon emissions “would be four times higher than U.S. thought” (via The Guardian)

CLIMATE 

EPA roadshow highlights polarized U.S. climate debate (via RTCC)

Planners in southeast Florida try to awaken their state to sea level rise (via ClimateWire)

EPA chief: Teach global warming in schools (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

China will install more solar in 2014 than the U.S. ever has (via Climate Progress)

Japan solar industry forecasts 100GW capacity by FY 2030 (via Bloomberg)

U.K. wind power surge sees renewables outstrip coal (via BusinessGreen)

Over 3GW of large-scale U.S. solar PV projects at risk from anti-dumping actions (via Solar Industry Magazine)

U.S. installs 835MW new wind energy so far in 2014, 14.6GW on the way (via CleanTechnica)

U.S. IRS clarifies wind PTC eligibility rules (via Recharge)

States dangle property tax abatements to draw new solar customers (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Chill from Ohio RPS freeze extends to neighboring solar markets (via Renewable Energy World)

Wyoming regulators give key approval for America’s largest wind farm (via Casper Star-Tribune)

A landmark deal in Mississippi could give a big boost to utility-scale solar (via Greentech Media)

South Carolina will let people lease equipment for solar energy (via Washington Post)

Report says Wisconsin solar growth has been hampered by policy, utilities (via Wisconsin Public Radio)

OIL 

U.S. oil falls to six-month low on refinery outlook (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

EV car sales are up over 70% in Europe and the U.S. (via Climate Progress)

The challenge for EV sales is car dealers, again (via Green Car Reports)

EV charging stations sprouting all over California (via Sacramento Bee)

COAL 

Waste Management sees growth with EPA coal-ash disposal rule (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

EMISSIONS 

Texas may refuse to follow EPA climate rules (via Texas Tribune)

Obama action group joins fight against Christie’s climate pact exit (via InsideClimate News)

NATURAL GAS 

What’s fueling the fracking boom? Debt (via Christian Science Monitor)

GAO criticizes EPA’s fracking injection well oversight (via Environmental Leader)

Northeast U.S. natural gas spot prices particularly sensitive to temperature swings (via U.S. EIA)

FERC authorizes Texas LNG export terminal (via Breaking Energy)

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s coastal economic boom on track to “burn out” its marine resources (via ClimateWire)

California drought transforms global food market (via Bloomberg)

Bottled water comes from the most drought-ridden places in America (via Mother Jones)

California lawmakers consider historic rules to limit groundwater pumping (via San Jose Mercury-News)

Lightning-sparked California wildfires burn more than 134,000 acres (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID 

China’s State Grid quietly builds Mediterranean power network (via Reuters)

Can we make America’s power grid blackout-proof? (via GreenBiz)

POLITICS 

Obama’s offshore drilling move opens rift with environmental groups (via The Hill)

House Republicans to combine energy, jobs efforts (via Politico)

Colorado’s frack-free movement sacrificed for Democrats facing re-election (via InsideClimate News)

OPINION 

What’s driving millions of dollars back into energy efficiency? (via The Guardian)

Why creative industries won’t follow PR lead on climate change (via The Guardian)

The contentious, complicated fight for water in California (via Los Angeles Times)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.17.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China sets new rules aimed at curbing air pollution (via New York Times)

Shenzen to launch China’s first carbon trading market (via BusinessGreen)

EPA nominee confirmation delay raises questions about US carbon rules (via Reuters)

White House, EPA at odds over savings from emissions regulations (via The Hill)

COAL 

Coal reaches 29.9% global market share, highest since 1970 (via Facts of the Day)

Coal industry pins hopes on exports as US markets shrinks (via New York Times)

US Capitol power plant becoming cogeneration, quitting coal (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

Solar power shines in oil-rich Saudi Arabia (via Christian Science Monitor)

Hydrogen plant starts storing wind energy in Germany (via Houston Chronicle)

China pledges support for domestic solar industry (via Reuters)

3GW of new solar PV plants being developed in China by Yingli (via CleanTechnica)

Is concentrating solar power the technology that saves humanity? (via CleanTechnica)

Is the IRS considering solar REITs? (via Renewable Energy World)

Wind contracts may push Austin Energy to 35% renewable energy goal (via Austin American-Statesman)

CLIMATE 

Losing fight vs. climate change, cities around the world find ways to live with it (via Washington Post/AP)

UN global climate talks blocked by Russia set back six months (via Bloomberg)

UN climate talks make “concrete progress” toward global deal at Bonn (via BusinessGreen)

Climate science debate has cost Australia precious time, warns expert (via The Guardian)

Obama leaves climate change-fighting tool on shelf for now (via Reuters)

Pentagon bracing for public dissent over climate and energy shocks (via The Guardian)

Dwindling snow – thanks to climate change – might dry out Los Angeles (via Time)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Chevron’s $10 billion Angola LNG export plant ships first cargo (via Bloomberg)

Study says exports will have significant impact on US natural gas prices (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking fuels water battles in driest US states (via Politico/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Ford says its regenerative brakes have saved 100 million gallons of gas (via Autoblog Green)

Consumer Reports says higher CAFÉ standards will save car buyers $4,600 (via Autoblog Green)

GM still talking about 300-mile EVs with high-density batteries (via AutoblogGreen)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

UK Green Deal energy efficiency makeover could boost property values £16,000 (via BusinessGreen)

MEETS could be most innovative energy efficiency financing tool yet (via Greentech Media)

14 ways to slim your power bill this summer (via Houston Chronicle)

OIL 

IEA chief economist: climate change a financial threat to oil companies (via Houston Chronicle)

Australia to boost offshore oil exploration (via Yahoo! News/IANS)

Northern Alberta pipeline was only five years old before toxic spill (via Globe and Mail)

North Dakota shale oil production continues record pace (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

ENVIRONMENT 

World’s biggest marine sanctuary could be declared in Antarctic (via The Guardian)

After Supreme Court water ruling, what’s next for Texas? (via StateImpact Texas)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear plants, old and uncompetitive, closing earlier than expected (via New York Times)

GRID 

Explaining how a capacity market works (via Energy Collective)

Smart meters save California Navy base $35,000 annually (via Energy Manager Today)

The microgrid solution (via Resilience)

POLITICS 

Obama’s Keystone silence is driving away green activists (via Bloomberg)

Senate Energy Chairman Ron Wyden has broad agenda and an eye toward a dream job (via National Journal)

Baucus sees “creeping” interest in carbon tax (via The Hill)

OPINION 

What to do about climate change (via Washington Post)

The big green business opportunity for America’s economy (via CleanTechnica)

Heartland Institute’s Chinese Academy of Sciences fantasy (via Climate Progress)

CAP report “300 Engines of Growth” features clean energy and climate solutions (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.16.13

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

EMISSIONS 

European Parliament rejects carbon market reforms (via RTCC)

Carbon price falls most ever after EU rejects surplus fix (via Bloomberg)

EPA reports decline in US greenhouse gas emissions (via The Hill)

COAL 

A tale of two nations: China adds 50GW of coal, US retires 9GW (via Facts of the Day)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

An LED revolution underway in Indian cities (via Energy Next)

US Senators to revive energy efficiency bill (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Saudi Arabia plans solar power export to Europe (via Arab News)

IRS sets wind tax credit regulations for 2013 projects (via Bloomberg)

Soros-backed group: “messy” US green energy efforts yielding results (via The Hill)

Good news from the IRS on the PTC for wind and geothermal (via Greentech Media)

The future of wind finance in the US (via Greentech Media)

Walmart increases its renewable energy target six-fold (via Sustainable Business)

Colorado may raise renewable energy standard to 25% for rural electric co-ops (via Climate Progress)

Community solar expands in Colorado Springs (via Sustainable Business)

ENERGY POLICY 

Germany subsidizes cheap electricity for its neighbors (via Reuters)

State tax writers warm to giving renewables parity with fossil fuels (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia starts production at mammoth offshore oil field (via Houston Chronicle)

Alaska grants tax break to oil companies to reinvigorate production (via New York Times)

Crews remove part of pipeline after Arkansas spill (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

The brutal logic of climate change, international shipping edition (via Grist)

White House extends aviation biofuels program (via BusinessGreen)

United Airlines pledges 85 million gallon in fuel savings (via BusinessGreen)

NATURAL GAS 

Growth in natural gas vehicles will have “minimal impact” on prices (via Environmental Leader)

ENVIRONMENT 

NOAA employees may be furloughed during 2013 hurricane season (via Weather Underground)

OPINION 

Can evolution beat climate change? (via Scientific American)

Why does the EU carbon market vote matter? (via RTCC)

US energy independence will depend on economy’s overall health (via Houston Chronicle)

Batteries: cheapest form of grid power? (via MIT Technology Review)

How solar-friendly permitting processes can work in the US (via Renewable Energy World)

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