Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.30.13

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

Marcacci Communications publishes a daily roundup of energy and climate news and opinion. Inclusion of articles does not mean endorsement. 

COAL 

Doctors petition state regulators to curtail emissions at three Texas coal plants (via Dallas Star-Telegram)

EMISSIONS 

EU seeks more feedback on carbon permit proposal from central bank (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Billions wiped from blue-chips as carbon tax hits Australia’s top companies (via The Telegraph)

California water district dumps fossil fuel investments (via Environmental Leader)

New technology said to neutralize carbon fuel pollution emissions (via TreeHugger)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Report: Keystone XL will drive oil sands growth, boost emissions (via The Hill)

Bipartisan senators to Obama: Don’t let Keystone decision drag into 2014 (via The Hill)

Enbridge gets approval for some Michigan dredging activity (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

UK’s clean power output rises 30% in 1Q 2013 compared to last year (via BusinessGreen)

Quebec outlines 450MW wind power tender (via Recharge)

Kenya scaling up its wind power program (via Renewable Energy World)

Germany sets another record: 5.1TWh of solar in July (via Greentech Media)

Renewable energy mandatory for all India utilities (via The Times of India)

NREL study says solar & wind to be cost-competitive without subsides by 2025 (via CleanTechnica)

US DOE taps into 1,400TWh of clean ocean power (via CleanTechnica)

NREL patents catalyst that boosts economics of biofuels (via Green Car Congress)

Carnegie Wave Energy plans world’s first wave-powered desalination plant (via Inhabitat)

A startup that would be the eBay of solar (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY POLICY 

Will Mexico’s energy reform hamper its climate change legislation? (via Breaking Energy)

New ideas in energy finance: Crowd-funding (via Energy Trends Insider)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US creates 38,600 new clean tech jobs in Q2 (via Environmental Leader)

Excessive water consumption puts American businesses at risk (via EarthTechling)

Sports sustainability gurus share their all-star plays (via GreenBiz)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia lifts oil output to record 10.5 million bpd (via Reuters)

Feds launch “Bakken Blitz” of oil-by-rail inspections (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Americans are driving less in nearly every state (via Climate Progress)

Nissan joins Tesla selling California green car credits (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Department of Energy unveils new efficiency regulations (via The Hill)

Why are some states trying to ban LEED green building standards? (via Atlantic Cities)

Big US utilities add negawatts to their gigawatts (via Renew Economy)

Hidden barriers to energy efficiency (via Energy Manager Today)

GRID 

Grid congestion for renewables may expand to South Japan (via Bloomberg)

Norway approves Arctic transmission line to boost new wind power (via Recharge)

New York State builds smart city technology hub (via GreenBiz)

WILDFIRES 

Future wildfire seasons to be longer, smokier, cover more area (via Yale e360)

Let it burn? Yosemite park officials won’t say that, but it’s policy (via Los Angeles Times)

Gripping time-lapse video of Yosemite wildfire (via Climate Central) 

POLITICS 

Scientists leaving GOP due to attitudes toward science (via Salt Lake Tribune)

Virginia gubernatorial candidates spar over energy issues (via Politico)

OPINION 

It’s God’s creation – let’s protect it (via Washington Post)

Why Terry McAuliffe is in a box on climate change (via National Journal)

See what 1,000 tiny, fracking-caused earthquakes can do to a home (via Atlantic Cities)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.5.13

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Growing concern on water use of tar sands development (via Yale e360)

Canada’s Harper insists Keystone XL is important for jobs (via Reuters)

Little-known pipeline nearly as big as Keystone could win race to Gulf (via InsideClimate News)

Nebraska trial could delay Keystone XL pipeline (via Washington Post)

State Department watchdog launches inquiry into Keystone environmental report (via The Hill)

NUCLEAR 

South Korean scandal over nuclear safety revelations (via New York Times)

Amid concerns, nuclear advocates pin their hopes on new designs (via Time)

RENEWABLES 

Australia’s solar revolution has been led by its suburbs (via Renew Economy)

Finland scientists turn dead wood into cheap biofuels (via RTCC)

South Korea completes first solar PV plant (via RTCC)

Spain seeks to charge for on-site renewables (via BusinessGreen)

US solar targets could save Americans $20 billion annually by 2050 (via CleanTechnica)

PUCs on the front lines of brewing net metering battle (via Energy Collective)

Solar innovation gets new ARPA-E funding chance (via EarthTechling)

DOE issues RFI for next-generation solar PV technology (via Green Car Congress)

US to hold second auction for offshore wind on Outer Continental Shelf (via Green Car Congress)

Solazyme’s twisted path to an algae-based future (via GreenBiz)

Inadequate transmission lines keeping some Maine wind power off the grid (via Portland Press Herald)

Minnesota utility will meet its renewable energy mandate 10 years early (via Minneapolis Star Tribune)

CLIMATE 

Climate change pushing marine life toward the poles, says study (via The Guardian)

Ecosystems face unprecedented “climate change velocity” (via Climate Central)

Australia faces increased disease from climate change, reports find (via The Guardian)

Models for a more effective response to climate change (via Phys.org)

Fund managers worth $14 trillion say climate change influences investments (via RTCC)

US companies don’t want to talk about preventing climate change disaster (via The Guardian)

OIL 

Despite boom, higher costs push Big Oil into slump (via Houston Chronicle)

In wake of Canadian disaster, US issues emergency rules for trains (via Houston Chronicle)

BLM approves environmental probe on public land drilling in California (via Greenwire)

Oil companies used fracking in coastal waters off California (via Houston Chronicle)

Police in California arrest over 200 at Chevron refinery protest (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Kick starting Europe’s electric vehicle industry (via Phys.org)

A hankering for hybrids in America (via New York Times)

Jump-starting EV sales with workplace charging stations (via Los Angeles Times)

Burlington-Montreal EV fast-charging corridor opening this fall (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

How 10 Western US cities are dealing with water scarcity and drought (via StateImpact Texas)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Earthquakes “may contribute to methane leaks” (via Climate Central)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency market “hard to reach” in multi-tenant buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

August recess now high season for interests lobbying lawmakers (via Washington Post)

Congress can’t agree on most energy issues, but it loves dams (via Washington Post)

House slams door on carbon tax (via The Hill)

Billionaire environmentalist goes big in Virginia governor’s race (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Ill wind blows for German offshore industry (via Der Spiegel)

Wind power is killing birds and bats – so what? (via Navigant Research)

The rise and rise of American carbon (via The Guardian)

How coal imports are adding to India’s energy security problems (via Renew Economy)

As temperatures rise, empires fall: heat and human behavior (via Time)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.5.13

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Growing concern on water use of tar sands development (via Yale e360)

Canada’s Harper insists Keystone XL is important for jobs (via Reuters)

Little-known pipeline nearly as big as Keystone could win race to Gulf (via InsideClimate News)

Nebraska trial could delay Keystone XL pipeline (via Washington Post)

State Department watchdog launches inquiry into Keystone environmental report (via The Hill)

NUCLEAR 

South Korean scandal over nuclear safety revelations (via New York Times)

Amid concerns, nuclear advocates pin their hopes on new designs (via Time)

RENEWABLES 

Australia’s solar revolution has been led by its suburbs (via Renew Economy)

Finland scientists turn dead wood into cheap biofuels (via RTCC)

South Korea completes first solar PV plant (via RTCC)

Spain seeks to charge for on-site renewables (via BusinessGreen)

US solar targets could save Americans $20 billion annually by 2050 (via CleanTechnica)

PUCs on the front lines of brewing net metering battle (via Energy Collective)

Solar innovation gets new ARPA-E funding chance (via EarthTechling)

DOE issues RFI for next-generation solar PV technology (via Green Car Congress)

US to hold second auction for offshore wind on Outer Continental Shelf (via Green Car Congress)

Solazyme’s twisted path to an algae-based future (via GreenBiz)

Inadequate transmission lines keeping some Maine wind power off the grid (via Portland Press Herald)

Minnesota utility will meet its renewable energy mandate 10 years early (via Minneapolis Star Tribune)

CLIMATE 

Climate change pushing marine life toward the poles, says study (via The Guardian)

Ecosystems face unprecedented “climate change velocity” (via Climate Central)

Australia faces increased disease from climate change, reports find (via The Guardian)

Models for a more effective response to climate change (via Phys.org)

Fund managers worth $14 trillion say climate change influences investments (via RTCC)

US companies don’t want to talk about preventing climate change disaster (via The Guardian)

OIL 

Despite boom, higher costs push Big Oil into slump (via Houston Chronicle)

In wake of Canadian disaster, US issues emergency rules for trains (via Houston Chronicle)

BLM approves environmental probe on public land drilling in California (via Greenwire)

Oil companies used fracking in coastal waters off California (via Houston Chronicle)

Police in California arrest over 200 at Chevron refinery protest (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Kick starting Europe’s electric vehicle industry (via Phys.org)

A hankering for hybrids in America (via New York Times)

Jump-starting EV sales with workplace charging stations (via Los Angeles Times)

Burlington-Montreal EV fast-charging corridor opening this fall (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

How 10 Western US cities are dealing with water scarcity and drought (via StateImpact Texas)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Earthquakes “may contribute to methane leaks” (via Climate Central)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency market “hard to reach” in multi-tenant buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

August recess now high season for interests lobbying lawmakers (via Washington Post)

Congress can’t agree on most energy issues, but it loves dams (via Washington Post)

House slams door on carbon tax (via The Hill)

Billionaire environmentalist goes big in Virginia governor’s race (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Ill wind blows for German offshore industry (via Der Spiegel)

Wind power is killing birds and bats – so what? (via Navigant Research)

The rise and rise of American carbon (via The Guardian)

How coal imports are adding to India’s energy security problems (via Renew Economy)

As temperatures rise, empires fall: heat and human behavior (via Time)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.30.13

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

COAL 

Goldman Sachs says coal-export terminals are a bad investment (via Grist)

EMISSIONS 

UK government unveils next steps to zero carbon homes (via BusinessGreen)

Study: Energy efficiency drove US emissions decline, not natural gas (via InsideClimate News)

Report: Carbon markets offer “cheap” aviation emissions cuts (via BusinessGreen)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

State Department: Keystone XL jobs impact “negligible” (via The Hill)

Analysts say Obama “headed toward yes” on Keystone pipeline (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

China’s renewable energy spending may total $300 billion through 2015 (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

New solar homes: Japanese builders helping fight for energy independence (via Renewable Energy World)

Saudi Arabia “committed” to 54GW green revolution (via RTCC)

Chinese solar eyes US market after EU agreement (via Environmental Leader)

Wind developers ready US offshore bids (via Recharge)

RMI: New insights into the real value of distributed solar (via Greentech Media)

Algae-to-crude company Sapphire Energy pays of US government loan guarantee (via Green Car Congress)

UCLA scientists double efficiency of novel solar cell (via Phys.org)

ENERGY POLICY 

Senate nears first big energy bill since 2007 (via The Hill)

Deloitte: Energy deals tumble 30% from 2012 activity (via Houston Chronicle)

FERC says JPMorgan manipulated power prices in 2010-2011 (via USA Today)

GRID

Demand response could double to 155.4GW worldwide by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Natural gas plants account for 53% of new generation capacity in 2013 (via Facts of the Day)

North Dakota natural gas flaring equivalent to 1 million cars per year (via Climate Progress)

Federal government begins probe of Gulf gas well blowout (via Houston Chronicle)

BLM will lease rights for natural gas development in Ohio forest (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Study: Global warming puts South American water supplies at risk (via United Press International)

2013 shaping up to be one of Australia’s hottest years ever (via Renew Economy)

Study: sea-level rise threatens 1,400 US cities (via USA Today)

Cornell opens climate change and agriculture center (via Environmental Leader)

OIL 

Shale threatens Saudi economy, warns prince (via Wall Street Journal)

Saudi prince says global oil markets are “in decline” (via RTCC)

Texas will continue to lead US oil boom (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil industry works to reduce flaring in North Dakota (via The Oklahoman)

Oil industry fights safety retrofit of older rail cars (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

BP’s Deepwater compensation fund running dry (via The Guardian)

As Texas drilling expands, so do fights over land rights (via StateImpact Texas)

TRANSPORTATION 

Japanese carmakers partner to double public EV fast chargers (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla sets sights on fledgling China EV market (via TriplePundit)

Ford data shows its PHEV owners operate in electric mode 60% of the time (via Green Car Congress)

DOE Inspector General: Grants to EV charging company were “overly generous” (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Commercial LED lighting revenue will reach $25 billion annually by 2021 (via Navigant Research)

DOE invests in energy efficiency for small buildings (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

A smaller-than-predicted Dead Zone is still toxic for the Gulf of Mexico (via Time)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Research says green corporate policies tied to brand strength (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Some Republicans, not all, clamor for a vote against a carbon tax (via ClimateWire)

EPA chief takes climate push on the road (via The Hill)

Political ad targets Cuccinelli fight with climate scientist (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

The consequences of affordable green energy options (via Washington Post)

Flood, rebuild, repeat: Are we ready for a Superstorm Sandy every other year? (via Grist)

Renewables only marginally more expensive (via Breaking Energy)

How fit are feed-in tariffs? (via Renewable Energy World)

How bracing for superstorms will reshape New York City (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.5.13

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

OIL 

China ousts US as world’s main oil importer (via Mining.com)

US crude exports spur shale oil refineries (via Bloomberg)

Transocean chief disappointed with Gulf oil spill insurance ruling (via Houston Chronicle)

Non-jury trial may favor BP in Gulf oil spill case (via Alabama.com)

GRID 

Smart grid technology market will total $494 billion by 2020 (via Pike Research)

US transmission investment will peak at $14 billion in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

How much renewable energy can the grid handle? (via Greentech Media)

Wholesale power: bankruptcies and lessons (via Christian Science Monitor)

RENEWABLES 

EU to register Chinese solar panels, highlighting tariff threat (via Bloomberg)

Fast-tracking patent applications bolsters green tech market (via BusinessGreen)

Solar makers turn laser-like focus on boosting solar cell efficiency (via GigaOm)

US wind industry is still clinging onto tax credit (via Politico)

US inching closer to offshore wind (via United Press International)

MIT team outlines path to low-cost solar-to-storable fuels devices (via Green Car Congress)

Now on Kickstarter: a new kind of spinning energy storage device (via GigaOm)

Buffet’s renewables investment MidAmerican Energy a top portfolio company in 2012 (via SNL Energy)

California’s solar PV rebates nearly over: is this good news? (via Renewable Energy World)

University of Maine starts $1.5 million geothermal heating project (via Portland Press Herald)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Environmental activists reeling as Keystone pipeline gains momentum (via The Hill)

Arguments over climate impacts rage in wake of State Department report (via Greenwire)

Enviros seize on State’s pipeline alternatives (via EnergyWire)

Eight figures that will define Keystone XL fight over the next 45 days (via National Journal)

Enbridge declines to pay for new studies on Michigan oil spill damage (via Detroit Free Press)

TransCanada shares rise on Keystone environmental report (via Reuters)

GREEN BUILDING/ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

UK launches green building hub for construction industry (via BusinessGreen)

Ireland launches energy efficiency fund (via Energy Collective)

St. Louis seeks to be model energy efficient city (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Shale boom forces Kremlin to focus on Arctic (via Moscow Times)

Chemical industry surging on US natural gas (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking goes to the Texas legislature (via StateImpact Texas)

CLIMATE 

Splits emerging in UN climate deal agreed in Doha (via RTCC)

Report blames climate change for extreme weather in Australia (via New York Times)

Spring may arrive five weeks earlier by 2100, study finds (via Climate Central)

Warmer climate to open new Arctic shipping routes by 2050 (via Reuters)

Global warming affects crop yields, but it's the water not the heat (via Phys.org)

Two-thirds of Americans now believe global warming is real (via Phys.org)

The coming climate exodus: what we’re doing to help wildlife’s new migration (via Yes! Magazine)

NUCLEAR 

Global nuclear capacity rises in 2012 after post-Fukushima drop (via Reuters)

Restart of Japanese nuclear reactors unlikely this year (via United Press International)

Areva plans first nuclear fuel shipment to Japan since Fukushima (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

2013 electric cars: rated range for each model, ultimate guide (via Green Car Reports)

Shell to push natural gas for trains, vehicles (via Houston Chronicle)

Zipcar says 72% of young Americans don’t care about owning a car (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla Motors delays filing of annual report (via San Jose Mercury News)

EMISSIONS 

Little unity over California’s cap-and-trade program (via Reuters)

Shell forecasts near-zero global emissions by 2100 (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Obama nominates Moniz as DOE chief, McCarthy as EPA head (via Platts)

Obama’s second-term cabinet to play bigger policy role (via Washington Post)

From “green dream team” to B team (via Politico)

McCarthy’s Republican history should smooth path to EPA (via Reuters)

Is fracking a bride to a clean-energy future? Ernest Moniz thinks so (via Washington Post)

Gina McCarthy for EPA could be Obama’s most significant nominee (via Washington Post)

America’s oil and gas billionaires (via Forbes)

Can climate-change denier Ken Cuccinelli win a swing state? (via National Journal)

OPINION 

China keeps making new green pledges (via Grist)

Climate change: the scary hidden stressor (via New York Times)

Arctic ice melt will bring frosty relations as nations navigate across North Pole (via The Independent)

Cabinet picks could take on climate policy (via New York Times)

Do Obama’s cabinet picks match his greener second-term talk? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Does Keystone XL report let Obama off the hook on climate pledge? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Tesla charging situation would benefit from more flexibility, less confrontation (via Autoblog Green)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.16.13

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

GRID 

Offshore transmission line breaks new ground on grid rules (via New York Times)

Why military microgrids influence exceeds their market share (via Pike Research)

ENERGY POLICY 

Large mergers drive changes in ownership of electric generating capacity in 2012 (via US EIA)

Oil lobby touts Keystone XL pipeline, natural gas exports (via Politico)

Oil refiners ask Congress to scrap renewable fuels mandate (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Hong Kong offers $1.3 billion to replace polluting vehicles (via Bloomberg)

EPA says final revisions to 2010 air quality rule will cut industry costs, health risks (via The Hill)

California cuts GHGs for third year (via Environmental Leader)

RENEWABLES 

“Advanced energy” is a trillion-dollar market, and actually grew in 2012 (via GigaOm)

China passes 60GW grid-connected wind capacity (via Recharge)

Inside MENA countries’ solar energy plans (via Renewable Energy World)

Saudi Arabia will set up power buyer for renewables electricity (via Bloomberg)

Royal family investing £20 million in UK wave and tidal power (via BusinessGreen)

Solar provides 5.6% of Italian electricity demand in 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

Morocco to launch new concentrated solar power tenders (via Recharge)

50% solar cell efficiency could be in sight (via EarthTechling)

PTC in place, the US wind industry looks ahead (via Greentech Media)

Solar net metering will provide over $92 million in benefits to California ratepayers (via Electric Light & Power)

Sungevity scores $125 million for third-party solar financing (via Greentech Media)

ALEC to attack North Carolina renewable energy initiative (via DeSmogBlog)

Virginia attorney general targets utility renewable energy incentives (via Washington Times/AP)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Texas study finds increase in water used for fracking (via Texas Tribune)

CLIMATE 

2012 was Earth’s 10th warmest year on record, warmest with a La Nina (via Weather Underground)

US climate diplomat says emissions deal is in nations’ core interest (via The Hill)

Black carbon 2x larger cause of climate change than previously assessed (via Green Car Reports)

Record taxpayer cost is seen for US crop insurance (via New York Times)

Decades of temperature changes where you lived mapped online (via The Guardian)

National Flood Insurance Program – a mighty engine that couldn’t (via ClimateWire)

Science and religion meet at a climate protest (via New York Times)

Do cities really take the lead on climate change? (via Grist)

Sandy relief bill passes House despite conservative opposition (via Huffington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Cadillac and Nissan press the case for electric cars (via New York Times)

Tesla Model S to hit UK market in early 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

Cadillac introduces 2014 ELR extended range electric vehicle (via Green Car Congress)

Nissan to use US battery plant for hybrid vehicles (via Bloomberg)

Johnson Controls offers start-stop battery system for vehicles (via New York Times)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Google makes new electricity push with funding to Energy Foundation (via The Hill)

How Ford and Adidas are making climate change work in their favor (via GreenBiz)

US government seeing big savings from green buildings (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

10 things to know about leasing coal on public land (via Oregon Public Radio)

POLITICS 

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to leave Obama administration (via Reuters)

Ken Salazar’s legacy includes push for wind, solar energy (via Politico)

Chuck Hagel’s Chevron tie not criticized (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

2013: the year of climate decision (via Climate Progress)

Can the Chinese rescue Fisker? (via Autoblog)

For greater job growth, invest in clean energy, not US coal exports (via National Geographic)

Wind might not roar in 2013, even with PTC (via EarthTechling) 

The extreme weather threat that’s all around us (via Huffington Post)

Why is net metering under attack? (via Greentech Media)

A holding pattern at Tesla (via New York Times)