Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.31.13

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Looking for a way around Keystone XL, Canadian oil hits the rails (via New York Times)

Canadian emissions report undermines pipeline pitch to Washington (via InsideClimate News)

TransCanada CEO: Keystone process has been “circus” (via Politico)

CLIMATE 

Pacific Ocean may be “hiding” global warming (via RTCC)

In Sandy’s wake, flood zones and insurance rates re-examined (via NPR)

Climate change risks hiding in investment portfolios, says Gore (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

In Brazil, wind blowing in a new era of renewable energy (via Washington Post)

Renewables support here to stay, says UK government (via BusinessGreen)

2013 to be a record year for offshore wind (via Grist/Earth Policy Institute)

Renewable energy for mining industry will reach $4 billion in annual market value by 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Ethanol, oil groups blitz White House as biofuel rule nears (via Reuters)

Solar rebound beating Dot.Com recovery as demand surges (via Bloomberg)

New wind energy research focuses on turbine arrangement, wind seasonality (via Phys.org)

Study: 30% renewables in PJM would cut costs, emissions (via Midwest Energy News/EnergyWire)

Solar advocates and Xcel spar over future of rooftop solar (via Denver Post)

COAL 

The war on the “War on Coal” (via Marketplace)

Peak coal: Will the US run out of coal in 20 years or 200 years? (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

States receive grades on net metering and interconnection policies (via Renew Grid)

8 charts that illustrate progress on DOE’s smart grid investment grants (via Greentech Media)

Want to opt out of a smart meter in Texas? It will cost you (via StateImpact Texas)

OIL 

Poll: Oil to fall to $80 in real terms by 2020 (via Reuters)

Shell announces return to Arctic in 2014 despite mishaps (via Houston Chronicle)

North Dakota oil spill spotlights Obama delay on pipeline rules (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

US Department of Defense will acquire 92,000 EVs by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

How “smart parking” could save a million barrels of oil every day (via Christian Science Monitor)

Panasonic to supply more battery cells to Tesla (via San Jose Mercury News)

EMISSIONS 

GE says Australia headed for cap-and-trade (via Environmental Leader)

Germany’s Merkel faces internal opposition to EU carbon backloading fix (via Reuters)

74% of voters back EPA power plant emissions regulation (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russian government passes law to open up LNG exports (via Reuters)

UK government review says shale gas fracking a low risk to public health (via Reuters)

New natural gas pipeline should help reduce flaring in North Dakota (via Dickinson Press)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

PACE projects on a roll: $43 million and counting (via Greentech Media)

Dallas rolls out US green building code (via Sustainable Business)

OPINION 

How climate change threatens the ability of global populations to rise out of poverty (via Climate Progress)

Should we use geoengineering to cool the planet? (via Washington Post)

Why the new biofuel feedstocks deserve investment, incentives (via National Geographic)

Top 9 things you didn’t know about concentrating solar power (via Energy.gov)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.29.13

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

CLIMATE 

EU environment ministers call for “ambitious” 2030 climate goals (via The Guardian)

North American West Coast governments sign climate change pact (via CleanTechnica)

Bipartisan Congressional duo launch attack on EPA climate rules (via The Hill)

A year after Sandy, living dangerously by the sea (via Time)

COAL 

China’s largest city Shanghai to ban coal by 2017 (via Mongabay)

The county council election that could make or break big coal (via Mother Jones)

Top 5 coal producing states – TX, OH, PA, IN, IL – will decide coal’s future (via Facts of the Day)

Consol to sell 5 West Virginia mines as coal regulations increase (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

20GW distributed solar by 2015 is new target for China (via CleanTechnica)

Germany hits 59% renewable peak, grid does not explode (via Greentech Media)

Startups compete to defeat the “soft costs” of solar power (via Business Green)

US homeowners want solar, find two new reports (via Renewable Energy World)

AAA applauds potential renewable fuel scale back (via National Journal)

Wind in Texas produces more electricity than natural gas does in 40 states (via Facts of the Day)

Energy innovation in the states: From energy storage to offshore wind (via Energy Collective)

NFL’s 49ers, Rams go solar (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

Trains gain steam in race to transport crude oil in the US (via NPR)

Millions of Americans live within one mile of oil or gas wells (via InsideClimate News/Wall Street Journal)

State Department to determine how much oil would ship by rail in absence of Keystone XL (via National Journal)

California fracking study may take 18 months, Brown says (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

China adapts its electric vehicle plans to challenging realities (via Plugin Cars)

Tesla Superchargers now allow San Diego-to-Vancouver EV trips (via Green Car Reports)

How EVs could drive changes in power grid management (via Forbes)

Coca-Cola reveals plans for electric and hybrid distribution fleet (via RTCC)

TAR SANDS 

People who live downwind of Alberta’s tar sands operations are getting blood cancer (via Climate Progress)

EMISSIONS 

China to monitor air pollution effects in cities (via Bloomberg)

Decarbonization target narrowly defeated in UK House of Lords vote (via Business Green)

Japan to set 3.8% emissions reduction by 2020 goal (via RTCC)

Voters in 2014 swing states favor EPA carbon rules (via The Hill)

New battle in “War on Coal” with bill to block power plant rules (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Fossil fuels divestment campaign is gathering momentum (via The Guardian)

Uncertainty and investment: The real danger to the coal industry (via Energy Collective)

States will need coordination, creativity to meet EV goals (via C2ES)

Weatherization helps millions of families save energy and money (via Energy.gov)

Deadbeat states on electric car policy (via Plugin Cars)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.25.13

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

TRANSPORTATION 

8 US states target 3.3 million electric vehicles on the road by 2025 (via CleanTechnica)

Pecan Street study shows EVs might not stress grids (via Austin-American Statesman)

EMISSIONS 

Wall Street demands answers from fossil fuel producers on “unburnable” carbon (via Inside Climate News)

71 institutional investors urge top oil, power companies to tap clean energy (via Pensions & Investments)

Canada falling far short on emission reduction goals (via Globe and Mail)

Response to a city’s smog points to change in Chinese attitude (via New York Times)

Legislative glitch could doom CO2 rules for existing power plants (via Greenwire)

Ann Arbor asks pension board to consider fossil fuel divestment (via Ann Arbor News)

Report: Smoke from wildfires poses health risks (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

IEA increases wind power target for global electricity by 2050 (via Phys.org)

GTM research exposes hidden solar growth markets (via Greentech Media)

Japan builds floating windmills to expand offshore power (via New York Times)

Leaked RFS proposal irks both oil and ethanol groups (via Houston Chronicle)

How the Department of Energy is reducing the cost of solar by 75% (via Climate Progress)

Colorado’s first solar rights auction on public lands draws no bids (via Denver Post)

KEYSTONE XL 

State Department to hand over Keystone XL documents to environmental group (via The Hill)

Obama’s former climate czar predicts president will reject Keystone XL (via The Hill)

GRID 

A guide to 123GW of grid-scale energy storage (via Greentech Media)

USDA awards $960 million for rural grid improvements (via Renew Grid)

One year later, Hurricane Sandy fuels grid innovation (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

Poland could halve demand for coal by 2030, study says (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

Arctic temperatures reach highest levels in 44,000 years (via Huffington Post)

West Coast states, British Columbia form climate pact (via National Journal)

Nebraska climate change study opposed by state scientists (via Omaha World-Herald)

Ernest Moniz sees Capitol Hill thaw on climate change (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

NYC is replacing its 250,000 streetlights with LEDs (via Gizmodo)

OPINION

Investors: Can oil companies thrive in a warming world? (via Climate Central)

5 things you didn’t know about green business in Brazil (via GreenBiz)

Why businesses need to avoid climate’s “inevitable surprise” (via GreenBiz)

Don’t extend the wind production tax credit, fix it (via MIT Technology Review)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.23.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

North America leads the world in shale gas production (via US EIA)

US shale output overload pushing Asia exports to new highs (via Bloomberg)

South Africa to issue shale gas permits in first quarter 2014 (via Bloomberg)

Marcellus Shale gas production growing faster than expected (via Wall Street Journal/AP)

EMISSIONS 

India, US dig in against EU aviation carbon charge (via Reuters)

Is China the last hope for carbon capture technology? (via Washington Post) 

EU, US carbon emissions on downward trend (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

UK prime minister commits to rolling back “some” green tariffs (via Business Green)

Utility says Australia’s 20% renewables target “already nearly met” (via Renew Economy)

Oil majors among most active clean tech investors (via Breaking Energy)

The solar industry is red hot – will it get hotter? (via Energy Trends Insider)

Top four trends in residential solar (via Greentech Media)

Arizona utility funds anti-solar campaign, saying it is “obligated to fight” (via Greentech Media)

NUCLEAR 

Japan mulls plan for one operator to run all of nation’s 50 nuclear reactors (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Climate change investment totals $359 billion worldwide (via Environmental Leader)

Southern Amazon rainforest in danger as dry season expands (via Yale e360)

US cities building resilience to climate change (via Center for American Progress)

State Department official: Time to face “hard reality” on climate aid (via The Hill)

Coastal area residents stunned by flood insurance rate hikes (via Forbes)

Iowa scientists say climate change threatens state agriculture (via Popular Science)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone pipeline opponents plan widespread civil disobedience (via New York Times)

Bill Clinton on Keystone XL pipeline: “Embrace” it (via Politico)

Canadian ambassador says path to US energy independence is through Keystone XL (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Study: Weatherization could save US $33 billion (via National Journal)

How much is efficiency helping America slash its carbon emissions? (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Next wave of emerging economies could increase global coal demand (via Reuters)

India plans to increase domestic coal production (via Live Mint)

New study examines mountaintop removal’s potential mental health impact in Appalachian communities (via Charleston Gazette)

Peabody would lose money on coal exports (via Sightline Daily)

TRANSPORTATION 

Hybrid car payback depends on the model, says new study (via Green Car Reports)

OIL 

Brazil auctions off rights to massive offshore oil field (via National Journal)

Lac-Megantic oil spill even worse than first feared, investigation shows (via Montreal Gazette)

OPINION 

Climate change, public policy, and the university (via Harvard Kennedy School)

US carbon emissions fell sharply in 2012, but don’t expect that to last (via Washington Post)

If landowners get annual payments for wind turbines, why not transmission lines? (via Midwest Energy News)

The problem with California’s energy storage mandate (via Energy Collective)

Ohio senate should give flawed energy rewrite a proper burial (via Cleveland Plain-Dealer)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.18.13

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

GRID 

Worldwide smart meter shipments for first half 2013 surpass 51 million (via Navigant Research)

Will smart meters change consumer habits? Early indicators say yes (via Midwest Energy News)

California adopts first-in-nation energy storage plan (via Contra Costa Times)

Construction begins on landmark Panhandle wind transmission project (via Houston Chronicle)

Texas cranks up $7 billion CREZ wind power transmission project (via CleanTechnica)

EMISSIONS 

China tests carbon markets before tax, says government official (via Bloomberg)

Fossil fuel divestment campaign spreads to Europe (via Huffington Post)

Microsoft drives home sustainability with internal carbon pricing (via GreenBiz)

RENEWABLES 

Wind at wholesale price parity in world’s major markets (via Renew Economy)

Germany expects 28.7% renewables in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

EU biofuel regulations set to be delayed until 2015 (via BusinessGreen)

Brazil’s wind tender price cap set at $58 per MWh (via Recharge)

India’s biofuel moves help offset swelling oil-import bill (via Panchabuta)

Southwest Power Pool keeps breaking wind records (via Renew Grid)

Institutional investors look toward the Sun, away from fossil fuels (via Solar Industry Magazine)

OIL 

Report: Pipelines pose less risk than trains or trucks in carrying oil (via The Hill)

Texas oil production could double by 2020, says industry regulator (via Houston Chronicle)

In North Dakota, new concerns over mixing oil and wheat (via New York Times)

US Coast Guard discovers 4,000-pound tar mat in Gulf of Mexico (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Vehicle-to-grid market to reach $190 million by 2022 (via Energy Manager Today)

Most drivers expect all vehicles to be at least partly electrified in 20 years (via CleanTechnica)

Volvo turns vehicle body panels into batteries (via Autoblog)

KEYSTONE XL 

Harold Hamm: Hope dwindling for Keystone XL pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

Climate change to cost East Asia 5.3% of GDP by 2100 (via Bloomberg)

Report: Western wildfires growing more intense, insurers deeply concerned (via Washington Post)

Britain warming faster than global average (via The Telegraph)

Raging Australian wildfires leave Sydney shrouded in smoke (via The Telegraph)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

North Dakota landowners sue fossil fuel companies over wasted natural gas (via Climate Progress)

Oklahoma is next destination for shale revolution (via Reuters)

Police arrest 40 as Canada shale gas protest turns violent (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

US and world are actually making big strides in energy efficiency (via Climate Progress)

Building energy management systems market to surpass $23 billion by 2017 (via Renew Grid)

The bright future of energy-efficient Walmart stores (via Green Room)

COAL 

AEP takes coal “out of the picture” as it plans for future (via Columbus Business Journal)

NUCLEAR 

China set to invest in UK nuclear industry (via RTCC)

POLITICS 

The big no: Republicans on science panel reject budget deal (via Science)

GOP to California governor: Don’t spoil fracking potential (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Are the days of fossil fuel subsidies numbered? (via EarthTechling)

Europe’s advanced biofuels innovation: Following overambitious US example? (via Energy Collective)

Debate about future of utilities moves deeper into world of regulation (via Greentech Media)

Let’s prevent this crisis: A letter to Harvard’s President Faust (via Huffington Post)

Legacy of 1970’s oil embargo energy crisis still lingers today (via Houston Chronicle)

Poll: Majority wanted EPA open during federal shutdown (via The Hill)

5 reasons to care about California’s new energy storage mandate (via GigaOm)

Cost of West Texas power lines could shock ratepayers (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.17.13

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

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN 

Shutdown’s science fallout could last for years (via Politico)

Obama plans to renew immigration, climate change efforts (via Washington Post)

States won’t get paid back for reopening national parks (via Politico)

EMISSIONS 

Angela Merkel signals hope for EU carbon market fix (via BusinessGreen)

Repealing Australia’s carbon tax: Hidden costs, unanswered questions (via Recharge)

Harvard: University endowments shouldn’t be ruled by climate change (via Triple Pundit)

Refiners join “social cost of carbon” lobbying fray (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Report: Grid parity for renewables “a reality in coming years” (via BusinessGreen)

Onshore wind closes in on fossil fuel costs (via Recharge)

Ocean energy technologies speeding toward commercialization (via Renewable Energy World)

Small wind sees big UK growth (via Recharge)

Phasing out the PTC as wind nears grid parity (via Breaking Energy)

US biodiesel production to surpass RFS target for second straight year (via Green Car Congress)

US ethanol in throes of tumult (via EarthTechling)

Solving energy poverty with solar light bulbs: Nokero product review (via CleanTechnica)

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada expects US decision on Keystone XL by end of March (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU auto emissions rule: First the announcement, then the uproar (via New York Times)

Commercial fleets leading US move away from oil-based vehicle fuels (via Houston Chronicle)

Fuel economy of new vehicles continues to improve (via EarthTechling)

Tesla leads in transfer of California ZEV credits for year ending September 30, 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

Repeal of Virginia hybrid vehicle tax in the works (via Richmond Times-Dispatch)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Asian investors, LNG buyers look to North America as Australia taps out (via Reuters)

Marcellus gas about to enter New York City, but New England is a tougher sell (via EnergyWire)

Groups claim Ohio becoming “radioactive waste dump” for fracking companies (via Columbus Business Journal)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Low natural gas price to hamper US energy efficiency, says IEA (via Bloomberg)

World’s largest net zero building opens in Los Altos, California (via EarthTechling)

GRID 

Why colleges are big believers in microgrids (via GreenBiz)

Corporations embrace microgrids in threat to utilities (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

California’s top oil regulator on fracking, climate change, fossil fuels (via National Journal)

OPINION 

What oil-hungry China means for the rest of the world (via Christian Science Monitor)

Is the hub of corporate sustainability moving toward Asia? (via The Guardian)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.11.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Fossil fuel divestment spreading faster than any previous campaign – even Apartheid (via CleanTechnica)

Could China’s carbon emissions peak sooner than expected? (via RTCC)

Number of new carbon capture and storage plants drops 10% (via The Guardian)

OIL 

Southern leg of Keystone XL pipeline nearly complete (via The Oklahoman)

North Dakota pipeline spills over 20,000 barrels of crude oil (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

Citibank: Renewables will get bulk of world’s new power investment (via Houston Chronicle)

UK offshore wind industry calls for 14GW by 2022 (via Recharge)

This is how much and where algae fuel could be grown on the planet (via GigaOm)

Siemens seeks 30% cost cut in offshore wind (via Recharge)

Next-generation biofuels inching toward reality, gallon by gallon (via Time)

EPA may reduce ethanol blending volumes for 2014 (via Reuters)

Cracking the code of residential solar power (via CleanTechnica)

Quest for cheap, nonfood biofuel starts with a brewery (via ClimateWire)

California’s 600MW shared renewables law targets distributed solar in low-income areas (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Gulf Coast beckons wind farms when West Texas gusts fade (via Houston Chronicle)

Ohio business group opposes rollback of renewable energy rules (via Columbus Dispatch)

Google invests another $103 million in renewable power (via San Francisco Chronicle)

New York State’s Green Bank casts wide net over clean energy sector (via GreenBiz)

ENERGY POLICY 

Canadian spies met with energy firms, documents reveal (via The Guardian)

FERC seeks order enforcing Barclays $488 million fine (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Floods could have catastrophic impact on Australia’s east coast (via The Guardian)

Tens of thousands flee vast cyclone bearing down on India (via Reuters)

Seven mostly awful climate change winners (via Weather Underground)

Texas compares to Midwest and West in climate attitudes (via EcoAffect)

Pennsylvania publishes climate change impacts report 18 months late (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency is one of the hottest clean tech sectors (via Greentech Media)

Could the US Navy lead the way on energy efficiency? (via Breaking Energy)

The “other” type of commercial financing: PACE (via Renewable Energy World)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

France’s fracking ban “absolute” after court upholds law (via Bloomberg)

Ohio considers rule for fracking wastewater sites (via Houston Chronicle

TRANSPORTATION 

California initiative will streamline permitting of new hydrogen and EV fueling stations (via Green Car Congress)

Fisker government loan heads to auction block today (via Reuters)

OPINION 

European electricity providers face an existential threat: How to lose half a trillion euros (via The Economist)

Time for governments to end energy subsidies (via Reuters)

Politics is poorly suited to address global warming (via Washington Post)

Media sowed doubt in coverage of IPCC climate report (via Media Matters)

Parks take center stage in shutdown fight (via The Hill)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.10.13

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

CLIMATE 

By 2047, coldest years may be warmer than hottest in past, say scientists (via New York Times)

Melting permafrost is creating “drunken forests” around Arctic (via Climate Progress)

Saudi efforts to weaken IPCC report in Stockholm exposed (via RTCC)

Can cities solve climate change? (via Scientific American)

Mining, fossil fuel firms talk about embracing climate change adaptation (via SNL Energy)

Florida considers creating alternative to federal flood insurance (via Miami Herald)

FEDERAL SHUTDOWN 

90% of America’s nuclear regulators will be furloughed today (via Gizmodo)

Energy industry beginning to feel federal shutdown’s bite (via Anchorage Daily News)

RENEWABLES 

World’s largest wealth fund may become green energy investor (via Renew Economy)

Q3 portfolio review: A bottom for clean energy developers? (via Renewable Energy World)

GE boosts wind turbine output up to 5% with industrial Internet technology (via CleanTechnica)

EPA drafts scaled-back renewable fuels goal (via National Journal)

Pennsylvania discourages renewable energy as climate solution (via Philadelphia Business Journal)

New York’s SUNY Cortland College using 100% renewable energy (via EarthTechling)

Will Oregon test project bring offshore wind to the West Coast? (via ClimateWire)

EMISSIONS 

Carbon markets cut emissions 17x cheaper than subsidies (via CleanTechnica)

Study finds setbacks in carbon capture projects worldwide (via New York Times)

EU already close to meeting 2020 emissions goal (via Reuters)

Early repeal of carbon price system could cost Australia $2 billion (via Australian Financial Review)

Shell exec says oil companies might become carbon capture ones (via MIT Technology Review)

Fossil fuel divestment campaign growing, says study (via Grist)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Europe votes to tighten rules on drilling method (via New York Times)

GRID 

UK, Denmark advance grid link-study (via Recharge)

Canada unveils energy storage research program (via Renew Grid)

Less than 1% of residential electricity customers will adopt dynamic pricing by 2020 unless utilities act aggressively (via Navigant Research)

AB327 signed into law with net metering warning from Gov. Brown (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY POLICY 

Citibank: Utilities are dinosaurs waiting to die (via GreenBiz)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Study: Efficiency leads to “amazingly good energy news” (via Midwest Energy News)

San Francisco publishes open data on energy use in city buildings (via Sustainable Industries)

KEYSTONE XL 

Alberta’s current carbon strategy no match for Keystone’s emissions (via InsideClimate News)

Influence in America: TransCanada’s Keystone XL lobbying activities (via DeSmog Blog)

TRANSPORTATION 

New vehicle fuel economy continues to increase (via US EIA)

ENVIRONMENT 

Chicago’s investment in cleaner, greener water (via Huffington Post)

POLITICS 

Germany’s Greens turn frosty toward any alliance with Merkel (via Reuters)

OPINION 

Are there any major world financial institutions that don’t want to act on climate? (via Climate Progress)

Could weather forecasting be the secret to energy management? (via Greentech Media)

Are biofuels contributing to the dead zone? (via Treehugger)

Battle over Binz: An anomaly, or first shot in a drawn-out war? (via E&E Daily)

How to divest from fossil fuels, no matter the size of your piggy bank (via Grist)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.9.13

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

EMISSIONS 

When CO2 levels doubled 55 million years ago, Earth may have warmed 9 degrees F in 13 years (via Climate Progress)

Carbon markets 16 times cheaper than renewable aid, OECD says (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

UK shale drillers offered water cheaper than residents (via Bloomberg)

EIA raises 2013 US natgas production, demand (via Reuters)

Some foes of fracking reach out to drillers on safety (via National Journal)

GRID 

US smart grid could save each consumer $100 annually (via Energy Manager Today)

15 European national power markets set to link in search for best price (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

UK plans to increase solar power eight-fold by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

Renewable energy is taking a beating in Spain (via New York Times)

At what point will small-scale solar energy storage become viable? (via CleanTechnica)

Wind turbine blade maker ramps up in US (via Breaking Energy)

Oil industry sues EPA over Renewable Fuel Standard (via The Hill)

AWEA sees strong 2014 for US wind (via Recharge)

Boom and bust in New Jersey SREC market (via Renewable Energy World)

Inside DOE, one of world’s biggest clean energy finance shops is back in business (via InsideClimate News)

CLIMATE 

OECD: “No bailout” for climate threat (via BBC News)

80% of ecosystems vulnerable to climate change, finds study (via Yale e360)

IMF director Lagarde sounds warning on climate action (via The Hill)

World Bank and IMF stress urgency of climate action (via RTCC)

Alaska sinks as climate change thaws permafrost (via Des Moines Register)

After Sandy, group calls for federal fund to deal with extreme weather (via Star-Ledger)

COAL 

Peak coal in China, or a long and high plateau? (via Energy Collective)

150 plants retired: Another major milestone in moving beyond coal (via Grist) 

New England’s largest coal-fired plant is shutting down (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY POLICY 

Official says Mexican energy reform will require new laws (via Houston Chronicle)

40% of utilities predict “complete transformation” by 2030 (via Greentech Media)

Keystone XL’s not the only cross-border energy fight (via Greenwire)

The South’s new power push: Natural gas and tiny nukes (via Climate Central)

Eight practical local energy policies to boost the economy (via CleanTechnica)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Sports beginning to see the energy-efficient light (via New York Times)

New York City apartment dwellers can compare energy, water use online (via Sustainable Business)

San Francisco public buildings’ energy use down 3.6% from 2011 (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

Analyst predicts growing North American production unless oil falls to $60 (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

EVs find a growing market in China (via Navigant Research)

California backs hydrogen stations in a big way (via EarthTechling)

NUCLEAR 

Report says a shortage of nuclear ingredient looms (via New York Times)

EU energy guidelines leave out nuclear in blow for Britain (via Reuters)

Nuclear plants vexed at prices that shift as demand does (via New York Times)

Small nuclear-fossil fuel reactors attracting attention but not capital (via Forbes)

POLITICS 

Germany’s Greens elect new leaders before talks with Merkel (via Reuters)

Poll: Plurality of Virginians favor EPA climate rule (via Politico)

OPINION 

Carbon emissions explained, with my son’s Legos (via Energy Collective)

US can still be the world’s solar manufacturing leader (via Sustainable Business)

Three models that could help utilities make money from solar (via Greentech Media)

The Model S fire was a good thing for Tesla (via Plugin Cars)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.8.13

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

EMISSIONS 

How to slice a global carbon pie? (via New York Times)

US Supreme Court scheduled to consider climate change cases (via Reuters)

Divestment campaign against fossil fuels growing, says study (via The Guardian)

California highlights emissions reduction progress (via CleanTechnica)

New Jersey sets hearing on rejoining RGGI carbon trading program (via Bloomberg)

Microsoft achieves carbon neutrality, says NRDC (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

Beijing to close main coal plants by 2015 in smog crackdown (via BusinessGreen)

King Coal’s last stand (via Vice)

RENEWABLES 

China set to lead 2014 solar energy boom (via RTCC)

Floating offshore wind power taking hold (via Renewable Energy World)

New British solar energy fund has chance to shine (via Daily Mail)

UK tests new method to balance renewables on the grid (via Greentech Media)

Nighttime solar power arriving in United States (via EarthTechling)

Will a new guide for regulators settle the debate over rooftop solar’s value? (via Greentech Media)

Oakland’s bid to become a solar power hub (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Cumulative Nissan Leaf sales in Japan pass 30,000 mark (via Green Car Congress)

Honda plots US hybrid resurgence starting with Accord (via Bloomberg)

EV sales for 2013 up over 440% from one year ago (via Climate Progress)

Palo Alto requires homes to be pre-wired for electric cars (via EarthTechling)

Is there any business model for public electric car charging? (via Green Car Reports)

OIL 

Texas on track to be among world’s largest oil producers (via Houston Chronicle)

California Gov. Brown supports hydraulic fracturing (via Houston Chronicle)

BP spars with US government over size of Gulf of Mexico spill (via Reuters)

GRID 

PJM board approves $1.2 billion in transmission improvements (via Renew Grid)

Why the hot money is chasing energy storage (via Renew Economy)

ENERGY POLICY 

Proposed LNG exports spark controversy in British Columbia (via ClimateWire)

Quebec’s Keystone conundrum (via Politico)

Electricity utilities could lose half their market to solar and storage (via Renew Economy)

Grid Edge: How will utilities, vendors, and energy service providers adapt? (via Greentech Media)

ESCO market to reach $8.3 billion in 2020 (via Energy Manager Today)

California law to change energy rates, aid renewable power (via San Francisco Chronicle)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese prime minister seeks foreign help containing Fukushima water leak (via United Press International)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How Denmark turned an efficiency obligation into opportunity (via Midwest Energy News)

Building energy benchmarking and window retrofits (via Energy Manager Today)

An illustrated guide to the enormous power of energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Energy management saves Office Depot $2.2 million annually (via Energy Manager Today)

Cincinnati launches energy benchmarking toolkit (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

Obama’s top climate and energy adviser to leave White House (via Washington Post)

Front-runner for FERC may be clean slate Obama’s looking for (via Greenwire)

The battle for FERC and the future of energy security (via Energy Trends Insider)

OPINION 

Solar power, in small doses (via The Economist)

Who created the global warming “pause”? (via Mother Jones)

The future of the electricity system is called Grid Edge (via Greentech Media)

Burning question: Are Europe’s biomass imports sustainable? (via Renewable Energy World)

America’s net metering war (via CleanTechnica)

Can we fly more and still meet carbon targets? (via The Guardian)

We might blow our carbon budget sooner than we think (via Renew Economy)