Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.27.14

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

CLIMATE 

Green bonds show path to $1 trillion market for climate (via Bloomberg)

Wall Street: Your climate war has arrived (via National Journal)

What are schools teaching your kids about global warming? (via National Journal)

New mapping technology shows whether global warming will drown your town (via Washington Post)

ENERGY POLICY 

French proposal on 2030 EU energy goals could ease gridlock (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Denmark to establish $1 billion green fund (via Energy Manager Today)

China boosts solar exports to developing countries as trade tension mounts with U.S. (via BusinessGreen)

UK audit questions $28 billion in clean energy projects (via Bloomberg)

El Salvador awards contracts for 94MW of solar (via Bloomberg)

Utilities move to kick rooftop solar off the grid in Australia (via Renew Economy)

Brazil to retain transmission and distribution discount on wind energy (via Recharge)

CBO says U.S. gas prices to rise if biofuel mandate not cut (via Reuters)

Distributed renewable energy comes under fire (via CleanTechnica)

As Ohio shuts down clean energy, businesses say they want more renewables (via Greentech Media)

Wisconsin electric cooperative unveils state’s first community solar project (via Madison.com)

EMISSIONS 

EU seen curbing coal use by quadrupling carbon price (via Bloomberg)

Beijing emitters trade 1.6 million carbon permits in fist seven months of pilot program (via Reuters)

Abbott “optimistic” on carbon tax repeal despite crossbench senator’s concerns (via The Guardian)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S. produced most oil in 2013, says BP report (via Christian Science Monitor)

Federal officials say oil train dangers extend past Bakken shipments (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Oil boom fuels drop in average age of Great Plains states (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

North Dakota plans to double pipeline capacity in just two years (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

EVs get support in Canada with tax incentives, wireless charging (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla’s patent giveaway paves the EV freeway (via Navigant Research)

Will Georgia’s $5,000 EV tax credit be axed in 2015? (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

U.S. shale spurs record investments by foreign chemical makers (via Bloomberg)

Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas exploring possible connections between fracking, earthquakes (via Topeka Capital-Journal)

Goldman says shale gas boom driving fear from market (via Bloomberg)

Air pollution spikes in homes near fracking wells (via Forbes)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

High-tech firms focus on energy efficiency to confront climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

LEED for roads: Greener infrastructure gains momentum (via GreenBiz)

KEYSTONE XL 

Support for Keystone XL is almost universal (via Washington Post)

ENVIRONMENT 

Indonesia seeks $5 billion to cut CO2 from deforestation (via Bloomberg)

Battle gets underway for control of .eco domain name (via The Guardian)

California wind farm first in U.S. to avoid penalty for dead eagles (via Wall Street Journal)

NASA shows big drop in air pollution over D.C., I-95 corridor since 2005 (via Washington Post)

POLITICS 

Obama has a response to GOP “I am not a scientist” line (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Scorched farms, flooded homes, lower productivity: The cost of doing nothing (via The Economist)

Solar tariffs seem certain to hurt U.S. installation market (via Solar Industry Magazine)

How solar finance is driving solar businesses to change (via CleanTechnica)

The oil boom in one slick infographic (via Grist)

How climate change ate conservatism’s smartest thinkers (via The Week)

Lessons from Rhode Island: How to pass climate laws in the U.S. (via RTCC)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.26.14

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

CLIMATE 

EU global warming damages are seen reaching $259 billion (via Bloomberg)

UK infrastructure neglected, at risk from climate change, warn engineers (via The Guardian)

Five graphics showing U.S. climate change costs (via Climate Central)

White House boasts progress on climate agenda (via The Hill)

Rhode Island signs off on new climate change law (via RTCC)

Obama calls climate-change skeptics “fringe” element (via Bloomberg)

The millions behind Bjorn Lomborg’s Copenhagen Consensus Center think tank (via DeSmogBlog)

NUCLEAR 

France’s proposed “cap” on nuclear electricity capacity (via Energy Collective)

Tepco faces down protest to press ahead with atomic restarts (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Renewable electricity nears 20% of UK mix (via BusinessGreen)

German utilities struggle in a renewable world (via Navigant Research)

Yieldcos could cut renewable costs by 20%, says study (via Greentech Media)

Securitized solar PV “set for breakthrough” in US (via Recharge)

US investors fear yieldco buying frenzy (via Recharge)

California continues to set daily records for utility-scale solar energy (via U.S. EIA)

Post-2020 RPS “unlikely” for California (via Recharge)

As renewables grow in Texas, battles over fees and subsidies emerge (via StateImpact Texas)

COAL 

North Carolina lawmakers order coal ash pond cleanup after Duke spill (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

Carbon capture and storage enters the twilight zone (via Renew Economy)

California earmarks quarter of its cap-and-trade revenue for environmental justice (via InsideClimate News)

OIL 

How a U.S. decision to allow oil exports could change the world’s energy balance (via Quartz)

Is U.S. oil production becoming a potential foreign policy tool? (via Christian Science Monitor)

White House says no change to U.S. ban on crude oil exports (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

China reviews rules to help Tesla-like carmakers sprout (via Bloomberg)

Tesla looking to create pan-European supercharger network by end of 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Plug-in America estimates 250,000 EV sales by September (via CleanTechnica)

Opponents of California renewable fuel law ask for U.S. Supreme Court hearing (via Reuters)

EV advocates urge New Jersey to develop charging stations, incentives (via Bergen Record)

KEYSTONE XL 

Political leader says carbon incentives in Canada would help Keystone bid (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

WMO: 80% chance of El Nino by December 2014 (via RTCC)

One quarter of India is turning into desert (via Climate Progress)

Fruit and vegetable prices rise as California drought continues (via Los Angeles Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

House votes to speed up natural gas exports (via The Hill)

Colorado city rejects fracking moratorium (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

GRID 

U.S. microgrid capacity will exceed 1.8GW by 2018 (via Greentech Media)

America’s largest university pursues a microgrid (via RMI Outlet)

Crumbling U.S. grid gets jolt in Houston smart power system (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICENCY 

Is LED lighting the next solar war with China? (via Sustainable Business)

DOE unveils efficiency standards for furnace fans (via The Hill)

Is LEED becoming the new normal? (via TriplePundit)

POLITICS 

Barack Obama becomes mocker-in-chief on climate change skeptics (via Politico)

Congress the butt of Obama’s climate science jokes (via Reuters)

John Boehner wants to sue President Obama (via Washington Post)

Issa threatens EPA with contempt as Team Obama celebrates climate anniversary (via National Journal)

Harry Reid says FERC nominees to get vote when Senate returns from July 4 recess (via Bloomberg BNA)

OPINION 

A carbon tax and climate change (via New York Times)

Why the U.S. needs business to save it from Congress (via Bloomberg)

With “Risky Business,” a bid to shift the climate debate (via Breaking Energy)

What does Clive Palmer’s carbon tax decision mean for Australia? (via The Guardian)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.26.14

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

CLIMATE 

EU global warming damages are seen reaching $259 billion (via Bloomberg)

UK infrastructure neglected, at risk from climate change, warn engineers (via The Guardian)

Five graphics showing U.S. climate change costs (via Climate Central)

White House boasts progress on climate agenda (via The Hill)

Rhode Island signs off on new climate change law (via RTCC)

Obama calls climate-change skeptics “fringe” element (via Bloomberg)

The millions behind Bjorn Lomborg’s Copenhagen Consensus Center think tank (via DeSmogBlog)

NUCLEAR 

France’s proposed “cap” on nuclear electricity capacity (via Energy Collective)

Tepco faces down protest to press ahead with atomic restarts (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Renewable electricity nears 20% of UK mix (via BusinessGreen)

German utilities struggle in a renewable world (via Navigant Research)

Yieldcos could cut renewable costs by 20%, says study (via Greentech Media)

Securitized solar PV “set for breakthrough” in US (via Recharge)

US investors fear yieldco buying frenzy (via Recharge)

California continues to set daily records for utility-scale solar energy (via U.S. EIA)

Post-2020 RPS “unlikely” for California (via Recharge)

As renewables grow in Texas, battles over fees and subsidies emerge (via StateImpact Texas)

COAL 

North Carolina lawmakers order coal ash pond cleanup after Duke spill (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

Carbon capture and storage enters the twilight zone (via Renew Economy)

California earmarks quarter of its cap-and-trade revenue for environmental justice (via InsideClimate News)

OIL 

How a U.S. decision to allow oil exports could change the world’s energy balance (via Quartz)

Is U.S. oil production becoming a potential foreign policy tool? (via Christian Science Monitor)

White House says no change to U.S. ban on crude oil exports (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

China reviews rules to help Tesla-like carmakers sprout (via Bloomberg)

Tesla looking to create pan-European supercharger network by end of 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Plug-in America estimates 250,000 EV sales by September (via CleanTechnica)

Opponents of California renewable fuel law ask for U.S. Supreme Court hearing (via Reuters)

EV advocates urge New Jersey to develop charging stations, incentives (via Bergen Record)

KEYSTONE XL 

Political leader says carbon incentives in Canada would help Keystone bid (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

WMO: 80% chance of El Nino by December 2014 (via RTCC)

One quarter of India is turning into desert (via Climate Progress)

Fruit and vegetable prices rise as California drought continues (via Los Angeles Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

House votes to speed up natural gas exports (via The Hill)

Colorado city rejects fracking moratorium (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

GRID 

U.S. microgrid capacity will exceed 1.8GW by 2018 (via Greentech Media)

America’s largest university pursues a microgrid (via RMI Outlet)

Crumbling U.S. grid gets jolt in Houston smart power system (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICENCY 

Is LED lighting the next solar war with China? (via Sustainable Business)

DOE unveils efficiency standards for furnace fans (via The Hill)

Is LEED becoming the new normal? (via TriplePundit)

POLITICS 

Barack Obama becomes mocker-in-chief on climate change skeptics (via Politico)

Congress the butt of Obama’s climate science jokes (via Reuters)

John Boehner wants to sue President Obama (via Washington Post)

Issa threatens EPA with contempt as Team Obama celebrates climate anniversary (via National Journal)

Harry Reid says FERC nominees to get vote when Senate returns from July 4 recess (via Bloomberg BNA)

OPINION 

A carbon tax and climate change (via New York Times)

Why the U.S. needs business to save it from Congress (via Bloomberg)

With “Risky Business,” a bid to shift the climate debate (via Breaking Energy)

What does Clive Palmer’s carbon tax decision mean for Australia? (via The Guardian)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.25.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Australian Senate leader to support carbon-price repeal (via Bloomberg)

EPA’s first carbon regs nearly unscathed after years of litigation (via Greenwire)

Congressional observers doubt GOP can blog funding for EPA carbon rules (via SNL Energy)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

First Nations being courted to back tar sands refineries on their land (via InsideClimate News)

Republicans renew push for Keystone vote in Senate (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Over 7GW new solar PV capacity installed in Japan last fiscal year (via CleanTechnica)

U.K. solar industry set to hit 9GW in rush to meet subsidy deadline (via BusinessGreen)

Sustainable district heating from seawater? It’s happening in Holland (via CleanTechnica)

Concentrated solar power could compete with natural gas, says study (via Yale e360)

U.S. financial sector lags in clean energy investment (via Energy Manager Today)

Challenges to financing renewable energy projects on U.S. military sites (via Renewable Energy World)

NRG CEO says residential solar competitive with utility power in 25 states next year (via Green Car Reports)

Southern California Edison seems 290MW in small-scale renewables (via Solar Industry Magazine)

SunPower and SolarCity emerge as fierce solar roof rivals (via GigaOm)

Report: Michigan could expand solar without raising rates (via Midwest Energy News)

Two universities in D.C. make deal to buy solar power (via Washington Post/AP)

CLIMATE 

G20 summit: Obama expected to discuss “critical issue” of climate change (via The Guardian)

May was hottest on Earth since records began (via The Guardian)

Eastern U.S.: Coldest spot on Earth so far in 2014 (via Washington Post)

Former Treasury chiefs agree: Get the SEC into the climate mix (via National Journal)

On N.C.’s Outer Banks, climate change predictions prompt change of forecast (via Washington Post)

OIL 

OPEC secretary general says no oil shortage exists (via Reuters)

U.S. ruling loosens four-decade ban on oil exports (via Wall Street Journal)

Canada’s safety board chief urges U.S. to phase out old rail cars (via Reuters)

1,250-pound tar mat discovered off Florida beach (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Japan bets big on making fuel cell cars a near-future reality (via Reuters)

California lawmakers urge change to vehicle carbon emissions plan (via Los Angeles Times)

COAL 

In Wyoming, going deep to draw energy from coal (via NPR)

GRID 

Fewer wind curtailments, negative power prices in Texas after CREZ grid expansion (via U.S. EIA)

Five key disruptors on the grid edge (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

U.K. Green Investment Bank backs £2 small business energy efficiency fund (via BusinessGreen)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Best Global Green Brands revealed, Ford leads list (via Environmental Leader)

Minneapolis announced as U.S. leader in green commercial space (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY POLICY 

Merkel to push back against EU if Germany’s green energy subsidies questioned (via Reuters)

Report: Independent producers leading growth in U.S. oil and gas reserves (via Houston Chronicle)

Colorado suspends oil and gas wastewater disposal well after quake (via Reuters)

OPINION 

How to untangle yourself from clean energy finance jargon (via GreenBiz)

How the Gateway pipeline stokes simmering fury among British Columbia natives (via Globe and Mail)

Could Opower soon enter the community solar business? (via Greentech Media)

EPA’s clever legal trick could save its clean power plan (via Energy Collective)

POLITICS 

White House says it has “no misgivings” about Steyer meeting (via The Hill)

Joe Manchin, Sheldon Whitehouse seek middle ground on climate change (via Politico)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.19.14

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

CLIMATE 

Reagan, Nixon, and Bush officials push Congress to act on global warming (via National Journal)

More cities issuing green bonds to finance climate expansion (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

ENERGY POLICY 

France energy bill boosts renewables with no nuclear closures (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Obama pick to head FERC advances with compromise (via Bloomberg)

House panel approves energy spending bill (via The Hill)

GE to present improved offer for Alstom energy assets (via Bloomberg)

California approves $415 million for behind-the-meter storage, fuel cells, wind (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES 

Germany breaks three solar power records in two weeks (via Treehugger)

China sets tariffs for offshore wind power generators (via Reuters)

Brazil to test higher ethanol requirement in gasoline (via Reuters)

Oil-rich United Arab Emirates aims to be a sustainable energy pioneer (via The Guardian)

UK approves plans for what could become the world’s largest offshore wind farm (via Climate Progress)

South Australia could be first mainland state to 100% renewables (via Renew Economy)

New tariffs on Chinese solar modules will raise U.S. price 14% (via Greentech Media)

Offshore wind leasing area doubles on East Coast (via Sustainable Business)

Texas utility doubles large-scale solar, says it will be coal-free by 2016 (via Climate Progress)

SolarCity buys solar maker, plans massive factory (via Breaking Energy)

Here’s why SolarCity plans to build a 1GW solar factory (via Greentech Media)

Los Angeles ready to add 300MW new solar capacity (via Renewable Energy World)

Cape Wind foe backs new offshore wind leasing plan (via Boston Globe)

Study shows wind turbines yield almost immediate net benefit (via CleanTechnica)

New energy maps show four cool things about renewables (via Climate Central)

EMISSIONS 

China to launch final CO2 exchange, national scheme uncertain (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Obama carbon rule backed by most Americans (via Wall Street Journal)

Coal company sues EPA over climate rules (via The Hill)

OIL 

Oil group: Biofuel delay risks gas price swings (via Houston Chronicle)

Why Big Oil is giving piles of money to the NRA (via Grist)

Breaking Bad meets Fargo at underbelly of shale oil boom (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla talking about first European factory, but it won’t happen soon (via Autoblog Green)

Senators call for 12-cent gas tax increase to replenish U.S. highway fund (via Los Angeles Times)

Massachusetts pushing to expand electric car use (via Boston Globe)

What Elon Musk did – and did not – do when he “opened Tesla’s patents (via GigaOm)

GRID 

Residential energy generation and storage will reach $71.6 billion annual revenue by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Massachusetts orders state utilities to modernize grid (via Renew Grid)

COAL 

Russia considers $5 billion rescue for coal producer (via Reuters)

EPA: Climate rule won’t kill coal (via The Hill)

The end of the coal era in Massachusetts (via Boston Globe)

ENVIRONMENT 

California lawmakers overhauling $11 billion water bond (via Bloomberg)

Ford cuts manufacturing water use two years ahead of schedule (via Green Car Congress)

How wasted gas from drilling could save millions of gallons of water in Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

NUCLEAR 

China regulators “overwhelmed” as reactors built at pace (via Bloomberg)

French energy law leaves EDF to plan nuclear retreat (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

As LED industry evolves, China elbows ahead (via New York Times)

University of Cincinnati reduces energy spend by $9 million per year (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

Republicans are talking differently about climate change (via National Journal)

GOP plays Tom Steyer card against Democrats (via Politico)

Keystone XL approval bill advances in Senate (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Is China on the brink of a solar power breakthrough? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Four lessons Pakistan’s off-grid solar market can teach the world (via Energy Collective)

Should climate change come with a warning label? (via National Journal)

Shifting to renewable energy can save U.S. consumers money (via WRI Insights)

Onsite energy generation is nice, but centralized transmission is here to stay (via Forbes)

Is SolarCity’s manufacturing strategy incredibly smart or wildly unrealistic? (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.18.14

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

CLIMATE 

NASA May anomaly hints 2014 will be hottest year on record (via InsideClimate News)

World’s energy systems vulnerable to climate impacts, warns report (via The Guardian)

EMISSIONS 

Japan, India near carbon offset deal (via Reuters)

US clean power plan exempts major CO2 emitters (via Climate Central)

Poll shows majority of Americans back Obama’s push to reduce carbon emissions (via Huffington Post)

TAR SANDS 

Canada approves Northern Gateway oil pipeline despite protests (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

China’s solar target crucial for the global industry (via South China Morning Post)

Solar home market begins to capture mainstream buyers (via ClimateWire)

ENVIRONMENT 

Icebergs take a bite out of Antarctic biodiversity (via Los Angeles Times)

Obama proposes vast expansion of Pacific Ocean marine life sanctuaries (via Washington Post)

Arizona could face cutbacks in Colorado River water, say officials (via New York Times)

Two California state fish hatcheries evacuated amid drought, rising temperatures (via Los Angeles Times)

Growing number of walkable urban areas signals “the end of sprawl” – report (via ClimateWire)

OIL 

Exxon chief hails Russia plans alongside sanctioned Rosneft CEO (via Bloomberg)

North Dakota oil production tops 1 million-barrels-a-day milestone (via Star-Tribune)

The new oil crisis: Exploding trains (via Politico)

GRID 

Microgrid sales rise alongside qualms about the power grid (via Los Angeles Times)

NATURAL GAS 

Europe’s swollen gas reserves guard against repeat of 2006 crisis (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

Obama’s coded climate politics (via National Journal)

The Kochs are cooking up a new dirty-energy political scheme (via Grist)

OPINION 

Like Keystone in the U.S., Canada’s pipeline to the Pacific is high-voltage politics (via InsideClimate News)

Obama is betting his environmental legacy on Hillary Clinton (via National Journal)

Why Cantor’s downfall is bad news for EPA (via National Journal)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.30.14

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

EPA EMISSIONS PLAN 

Obama to unveil historic plan to cut U.S. carbon pollution by up to 25% (via The Guardian)

How Obama’s power plant emission rules will work (via Washington Post)

EPA’s approach on carbon limits to spark court challenges (via Wall Street Journal)

GAO shuts down McConnell’s push to block EPA carbon regulations (via The Hill)

NRDC says Obama climate rule will save consumers $37 billion (via The Hill)

EPA may nod to nuclear in carbon rules as generators fear closures (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

China expects to launch national carbon market in 2018 (via RTCC)

CO2 monitoring could be “space-based” in the future (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil expects 3GW new wind power in auctions this year (via Recharge)

UK solar capacity passes 3GW (via RTCC)

Japan wind lobby boosts wind capacity target by half (via Bloomberg)

Iceland moves closer to power Europe with geothermal power (via Bloomberg)

UK radar fix could open up 1GW of onshore wind potential (via BusinessGreen)

Rooftop solar’s emerging markets are in middle-class neighborhoods (via Climate Progress)

Connecting the dots: How fossil-fuel interests are funding state RPS battles (via Greentech Media)

Biodiesel producers push for higher mandate (via The Hill)

Ohio freezes standards for renewable energy in landmark vote (via Bloomberg)

Solazyme opens commercial algae oil factory in Brazil (via GigaOm)

California moves closer to streamlined solar permitting (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

AEP foresees coal plant closures on Obama plan (via Bloomberg)

Testing shows slow movement of coal ash in Dan River (via Roanoke Times)

Coal ash spill upends North Carolina politics, but will substantive legislation result? (via E&E Daily)

CLIMATE 

Fishing industry is poised to lose billions due to climate change (via Climate Progress)

Markey meets Pope to make common cause on climate (via Boston Globe)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia’s energy minister says no gas payments from Ukraine (via Reuters)

Pro-fracking bill flies through North Carolina legislature (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Study: Species disappearing far faster than before (via AP)

Brazil drought fuels World Cup blackout fears (via RTCC)

KEYSTONE 

TransCanada credibility dented by Keystone defects (via Forbes)

TRANSPORTATION 

California, seven other states ready for 3.3 million EVs by 2025 (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

Advanced battery capacity for utility-scale storage will grow 71% per year through 2023 (via Navigant Research)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Missouri utility to make up for lost time on energy efficiency (via Midwest Energy News)

POLITICS 

Republicans on climate science: Don’t ask us (via Politico)

The House Science Committee spent yesterday in a climate change denial echo chamber (via Motherboard)

Harry Reid’s attacks on Koch Brothers sends GOP donors into shadows (via Washington Post)

Big money, the Koch Brothers, and me (via Politico)

OPINION 

Obama is planning his biggest climate policy yet – and he doesn’t need Congress (via Vox)

Wonks collide as Obama climate plan prompts new ideas (via Forbes)

Evolving the conversation on climate change (via Washington Post)

Lies, damn lies, and global warming rules (via National Journal)

You down with LCOE? Maybe you, but not me (via RMI Outlet)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.28.14

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

EMISSIONS 

World Bank: Carbon price efforts hurt by Australia, Russia policies (via Bloomberg)

Australia’s opposition leader concedes carbon, mining taxes to go (via Reuters)

South Korea releases tough CO2 caps on utilities, industry (via Reuters)

China’s Shenzen province to hold its first carbon permit auction (via Reuters)

Algeria site offers note of caution to storing carbon dioxide underground (via Christian Science Monitor)

Wind giant Texas stands tall as emissions rule change looms (via Houston Chronicle)

Cap and trade lives on through the states (via Politico)

Fossil fuel divestment spreads in Massachusetts: Three towns in ten days (via Treehugger)

RENEWABLES 

Lessons from South Africa: Mobilizing renewable energy investment (via WRI Insights)

Consumer solar sales will hit $2.4 billion by 2024 (via Energy Manager Today)

U.S. seeks offshore wind investments near New York coast (via Bloomberg)

Big business buys into big wind (via Navigant Research)

How a little-used NREL tool could have saved the U.S. solar industry $6 billion (via Renewable Energy World)

Capitol One, SolarCity create $100 million investment fund (via CleanTechnica)

Barclays downgrades entire utility sector because of solar’s rise (via Sustainable Business)

Siemens plans to unveil 10MW offshore wind turbine by 2020 (via Recharge)

ENERGY POLICY

White House releases sweeping regulatory agenda (via Greenwire)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine, Russia near deal to avoid natural gas cutoff (via The Hill)

Japanese lawmakers to lobby Abe for Russian gas pipeline (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Light-colored insects surviving warming conditions in Europe (via Science World Report)

Pentagon “clear” climate change is a national security issue (via RTCC)

Yale poll: Americans much more worried about global warming than climate change (via Climate Progress)

Climate change officially now more divisive than abortion (via Climate Progress)

U.S. industry gears up to fight Obama’s climate change rules (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

Las Vegas water czar warns other U.S. cities to gear up for climate change (via Inhabitat)

Florida Governor Rick Scott won’t say if he things manmade climate change is real, significant (via Miami Herald)

OIL 

Mexico’s oil production fell 25% in last decade, says EIA (via Houston Chronicle)

SEC writing new rules for foreign oil payment disclosures (via Houston Chronicle)

BP loses bid to stall oil spill payments during court appeal (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Top eight automakers all reduced vehicle emissions in 2013 (via The Hill)

Men and women drive, enjoy their EVs differently (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Pipeline defects lead to new federal safety mandates on Keystone XL (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Koch Brothers get rolling on their first tar sands project (via Grist)

GRID 

Wall Street steps up warnings on distributed energy’s threat to utilities (via Greentech Media)

What the court decision on FERC Order 745 means for demand response (via Greentech Media)

NUCLEAR 

Power market auction results place Exelon nuclear plants in jeopardy (via Chicago Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Efficiency directive could boost energy services in Europe (via Navigant Research)

States examine energy efficiency resource standards (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Emissions markets with Chinese characteristics, or how transparency is key (via Energy Collective)

On oil and mining rules, should progressives be worried? (via National Journal)

New utility models require new understanding of customers (via Navigant Research)

How much difference can a year make? A lot, where emissions are concerned (via ClimateWire)

Four reasons why small solar installers will rise again (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.28.14

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

EMISSIONS 

World Bank: Carbon price efforts hurt by Australia, Russia policies (via Bloomberg)

Australia’s opposition leader concedes carbon, mining taxes to go (via Reuters)

South Korea releases tough CO2 caps on utilities, industry (via Reuters)

China’s Shenzen province to hold its first carbon permit auction (via Reuters)

Algeria site offers note of caution to storing carbon dioxide underground (via Christian Science Monitor)

Wind giant Texas stands tall as emissions rule change looms (via Houston Chronicle)

Cap and trade lives on through the states (via Politico)

Fossil fuel divestment spreads in Massachusetts: Three towns in ten days (via Treehugger)

RENEWABLES 

Lessons from South Africa: Mobilizing renewable energy investment (via WRI Insights)

Consumer solar sales will hit $2.4 billion by 2024 (via Energy Manager Today)

U.S. seeks offshore wind investments near New York coast (via Bloomberg)

Big business buys into big wind (via Navigant Research)

How a little-used NREL tool could have saved the U.S. solar industry $6 billion (via Renewable Energy World)

Capitol One, SolarCity create $100 million investment fund (via CleanTechnica)

Barclays downgrades entire utility sector because of solar’s rise (via Sustainable Business)

Siemens plans to unveil 10MW offshore wind turbine by 2020 (via Recharge)

ENERGY POLICY

White House releases sweeping regulatory agenda (via Greenwire)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine, Russia near deal to avoid natural gas cutoff (via The Hill)

Japanese lawmakers to lobby Abe for Russian gas pipeline (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Light-colored insects surviving warming conditions in Europe (via Science World Report)

Pentagon “clear” climate change is a national security issue (via RTCC)

Yale poll: Americans much more worried about global warming than climate change (via Climate Progress)

Climate change officially now more divisive than abortion (via Climate Progress)

U.S. industry gears up to fight Obama’s climate change rules (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

Las Vegas water czar warns other U.S. cities to gear up for climate change (via Inhabitat)

Florida Governor Rick Scott won’t say if he things manmade climate change is real, significant (via Miami Herald)

OIL 

Mexico’s oil production fell 25% in last decade, says EIA (via Houston Chronicle)

SEC writing new rules for foreign oil payment disclosures (via Houston Chronicle)

BP loses bid to stall oil spill payments during court appeal (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Top eight automakers all reduced vehicle emissions in 2013 (via The Hill)

Men and women drive, enjoy their EVs differently (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Pipeline defects lead to new federal safety mandates on Keystone XL (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Koch Brothers get rolling on their first tar sands project (via Grist)

GRID 

Wall Street steps up warnings on distributed energy’s threat to utilities (via Greentech Media)

What the court decision on FERC Order 745 means for demand response (via Greentech Media)

NUCLEAR 

Power market auction results place Exelon nuclear plants in jeopardy (via Chicago Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Efficiency directive could boost energy services in Europe (via Navigant Research)

States examine energy efficiency resource standards (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Emissions markets with Chinese characteristics, or how transparency is key (via Energy Collective)

On oil and mining rules, should progressives be worried? (via National Journal)

New utility models require new understanding of customers (via Navigant Research)

How much difference can a year make? A lot, where emissions are concerned (via ClimateWire)

Four reasons why small solar installers will rise again (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.27.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Australian power prices to surge, utilities to profit if renewable target scrapped (via Bloomberg)

India PM Modi appoints banker to oversee renewables, coal, power (via Bloomberg)

Wellinghoff to utilities: Time to rethink your business model (via GreenBiz)

CLIMATE 

Extreme U.S. and UK winters linked to greenhouse gases (via Bloomberg)

Over 50 trade unions launch global climate action campaign (via BusinessGreen)

COAL 

Russian firm studying world’s largest coal-fired plant to supply China (via Reuters)

A bogus claim electricity prices will “nearly double” because of clean coal technology (via Washington Post)

Rural North Carolina sites become coal ash dumping grounds (via News Observer)

RENEWABLES 

Danish report says 100% renewables feasible by 2050 (via Renew Economy)

China solar PV exports rise on emerging market expansions (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar farmers in Japan harvest electricity with crops (via Bloomberg)

Half of German solar jobs disappear in 2013 (via Recharge)

Australian navy to join U.S. in switch to biofuels (via Renew Economy)

U.S. to reach 20GW solar PV by end of 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Wind Production Tax Credit still up in the air (via Energy Manager Today)

U.S. hydro losing edge to wind, solar (via Recharge)

Applying the lessons of politics to green power (via New York Times)

Utah’s solar power homeowners fight proposed utility fee (via Salt Lake Tribune)

Georgia power adding wind, boosting solar (via Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Smoothing the flow of renewable solar energy in California’s Central Valley (via Energy.gov)

Massive California multi-family apartment complex completes solar installation (via Inhabitat)

SolarCity snaps up another partner – and more money (via SmartPlanet)

SolarCity expands to second island in Hawaii (via CleanTechnica)

Community solar coming of age in Michigan (via Midwest Energy News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia-China natural gas deal fuels U.S. export push (via The Hill)

Putin says Ukraine has no right to demand natgas price discount (via Reuters)

Polish plan on EU Russian natural gas buying gains support (via Reuters)

Shakeout threatens U.S. shale patch as frackers go for broke (via Bloomberg)

Gas boom starts to hit home for residents of Southeastern Pennsylvania (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Bill introduced to speed up fracking in Illinois (via Chicago Tribune)

EMISSIONS 

Northern hemisphere hits carbon dioxide milestone in April (via Reuters)

“Time is running out” to stop rising CO2 levels, says UN (via Time)

Deep underground carbon deposits could pose global warming threat if exposed (via Raw Story/Agence France-Presse)

South Africa has Africa’s largest carbon footprint (via Africa Science News)

WRI tool shows “history of CO2 emissions” (via Environmental Leader)

OIL 

Mexican energy reform seeks to reverse oil production decline (via US EIA)

Sharp rise in West Coast oil trains, fears abound (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Oil boom places 3 of 5 fastest-growing U.S. cities in Texas, shows census (via AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

China to scrap over 5 million old cars in anti-pollution push (via Reuters)

100% of Dutch electric trains could run on renewable energy by 2018 (via CleanTechnica) 

Toyota, Honda, Nissan and more collaborating to increase fuel efficiency (via Autoblog)

As of today, Nissan has solar 50,000 Leafs in U.S., 115,000 globally (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canada oil will flow any way it can to U.S., says transport minister (via Reuters)

New safety requirements set for Keystone XL pipeline (via Kansas City Star)

ENVIRONMENT 

Alaska wildfire scorches an area larger than Chicago (via Los Angeles Times)

California drought: State’s flawed water system can’t track usage (via Huffington Post Green)

NUCLEAR 

U.S. plants prepare long-term nuclear waste storage facilities (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

GRID 

Brazil grid bottlenecks to ease with new transmission (via Recharge)

An almond farm and a “big-ass battery” show future of energy in California (via GigaOm)

POLITICS 

One GOP Senate candidate is backing climate change (via The Hill)

Hillary Clinton’s Keystone XL headache (via Politico)

OPINION 

Could Australia really dismantle its carbon price? (via The Guardian)

Tough emissions cuts would prove the U.S. is serious about climate change (via Washington Post)

The truth about Stanford’s coal divestment shows hurdles ahead (via New Republic)

No thanks to Congress, America has added 5,600 new clean energy jobs in 2014 (via Climate Progress)

What’s the best way to write U.S. climate rule? (via National Journal)