Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

By 2023, a changed world in energy (via New York Times)

EU faces energy policy vacuum after 2020 (via Reuters)

Europe struggles in shale gas race (via New York Times)

Biggest energy private equity deal is on verge of collapse, and it’s a big deal (via Energy Trends Insider)

EMISSIONS 

China to phase out production of super greenhouse gas (Mongabay)

Keeling Curve website wants you to know when CO2 levels hit 400 PPM (via Climate Progress)

Scientist says China’s pollution is killing Japan’s trees (via New York Times)

COAL

Exploring prospects for US coal exports to China (via WRI Insights)

Federal study says many coal sludge ponds have weak walls (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Anonymous donors fund solar projects across the US (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewable energy parks: a blueprint for locally produced clean energy (via Energy Manager Today)

North Carolina rejects cuts to renewable energy mandates (via Bloomberg)

Last gasp for controversial Minnesota wind farm? (via Midwest Energy News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Chinese airline to start biofuel-powered commercial flights (via BusinessGreen)

How to charge millions of electric cars? Not all at once (via New York Times)

Honda boss says Chinese drivers don’t want green cars (via Autoblog)

Swerving around barriers and moving electric cars (via Forbes)

Chevy Spark EV rated at 82 miles, 119 MPGe combined (via Autoblog Gren)

Fisker hearing kicks off as unhappy customers emerge (via GigaOm)

OIL 

Rosneft plans more Arctic exploration to boost share value (via Bloomberg)

Gulf oil spill trial judge poses questions on gross negligence issue (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

US should do more on climate change to aid economy: UN official (via Scientific American/Reuters)

Pakistan’s farmers grapple with climate change (via Al-Jazeera)

US East Coast cities confront global warming-induced sea level rise (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

Fires burn more fiercely as northern forests warm (via Yale e360)

GRID 

Demand response cuts the need for new generation in PJM (via Greentech Media)

New York State approves $2.2 billion power line from Quebec (via AOL Energy)

POLITICS 

Energy boom strengthens US clout in world, Obama advisor says (via Reuters)

LNG, Keystone XL emerge as central issues in British Columbia election (via Vancouver Sun)

Bipartisan group of lawmakers float renewable energy finance bill (via The Hill)

Billionaire climate activist backing old-line and new-school tactics in Mass. Senate primary (via E&E Daily)

Baucus to lean heavily into land conservation before retiring (via E&E Daily)

OPINION 

Finding a new direction in climate change policy (via The Innovation Files)

Utilities have far to go in smart grid maturity (via Greentech Media)

What Fisker’s failure tells us about Obama’s clean energy programs (via Washington Post)

If Keystone XL gets blocked, can trains save Canada’s tar sands? (via Washington Post)

Why we don’t need Fisker (via MIT Technology Review)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

By 2023, a changed world in energy (via New York Times)

EU faces energy policy vacuum after 2020 (via Reuters)

Europe struggles in shale gas race (via New York Times)

Biggest energy private equity deal is on verge of collapse, and it’s a big deal (via Energy Trends Insider)

EMISSIONS 

China to phase out production of super greenhouse gas (Mongabay)

Keeling Curve website wants you to know when CO2 levels hit 400 PPM (via Climate Progress)

Scientist says China’s pollution is killing Japan’s trees (via New York Times)

COAL

Exploring prospects for US coal exports to China (via WRI Insights)

Federal study says many coal sludge ponds have weak walls (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Anonymous donors fund solar projects across the US (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewable energy parks: a blueprint for locally produced clean energy (via Energy Manager Today)

North Carolina rejects cuts to renewable energy mandates (via Bloomberg)

Last gasp for controversial Minnesota wind farm? (via Midwest Energy News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Chinese airline to start biofuel-powered commercial flights (via BusinessGreen)

How to charge millions of electric cars? Not all at once (via New York Times)

Honda boss says Chinese drivers don’t want green cars (via Autoblog)

Swerving around barriers and moving electric cars (via Forbes)

Chevy Spark EV rated at 82 miles, 119 MPGe combined (via Autoblog Gren)

Fisker hearing kicks off as unhappy customers emerge (via GigaOm)

OIL 

Rosneft plans more Arctic exploration to boost share value (via Bloomberg)

Gulf oil spill trial judge poses questions on gross negligence issue (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

US should do more on climate change to aid economy: UN official (via Scientific American/Reuters)

Pakistan’s farmers grapple with climate change (via Al-Jazeera)

US East Coast cities confront global warming-induced sea level rise (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

Fires burn more fiercely as northern forests warm (via Yale e360)

GRID 

Demand response cuts the need for new generation in PJM (via Greentech Media)

New York State approves $2.2 billion power line from Quebec (via AOL Energy)

POLITICS 

Energy boom strengthens US clout in world, Obama advisor says (via Reuters)

LNG, Keystone XL emerge as central issues in British Columbia election (via Vancouver Sun)

Bipartisan group of lawmakers float renewable energy finance bill (via The Hill)

Billionaire climate activist backing old-line and new-school tactics in Mass. Senate primary (via E&E Daily)

Baucus to lean heavily into land conservation before retiring (via E&E Daily)

OPINION 

Finding a new direction in climate change policy (via The Innovation Files)

Utilities have far to go in smart grid maturity (via Greentech Media)

What Fisker’s failure tells us about Obama’s clean energy programs (via Washington Post)

If Keystone XL gets blocked, can trains save Canada’s tar sands? (via Washington Post)

Why we don’t need Fisker (via MIT Technology Review)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.21.13

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

TAR SANDS 

Canada’s First Nations say they will fight oil sands, pipeline (via CBC News)

Michigan oil spill cleanup may exceed insurance (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

World Bank to prioritize support for climate vulnerable states (via RTCC)

Americans’ belief in global warming rises with thermometer (via Times-Picayune/AP)

If you thought 2012 was hot, just wait a few years (via Climate Central)

GRID

Grid operator warns of future power problems in New England (via Boston Globe/AP)

Texas legislature approves electric market cost-benefit measure (via Houston Chronicle)

California lawmakers hammer utilities panel for shoddy forecasting (via Sacramento Bee)

RENEWABLES 

China’s wind power production increased more than coal power did for first time ever in 2012 (via Climate Progress)

India to install 1.3-1.4GW solar power in 2013 (via Panchabuta)

Australia sticks with renewable energy target (via Recharge)

1GW of new PV seen in Mideast and Africa in 2013 (via Recharge)

German insurers urge easing green energy investment rules (via Reuters)

US Senate rejects amendment gutting military biofuels program by 40-59 vote (via The Hill)

Small wind power annual installations will double in capacity by 2018 (via Navigant Research)

OIL 

Oil companies bid $1.6 billion for Gulf drilling rights (via Houston Chronicle)

Coastal states want more offshore drilling revenue (via Politico)

ENVIRONMENT 

China’s coastal waters increasingly polluted (via Phys.org)

New pope: “let us be protectors of creation” (via Mongabay)

Four ways to harvest rainwater and save resources (via The Good Human)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear regulators under fire for delay of post-Fukushima safety requirement (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

NRC: Car petroleum use, GHG emissions could drop 80% (via Environmental Leader)

US lawmakers say ethanol mandate may hike gasoline price (via Reuters)

Study says EV drivers will pay more per kWh to charge at work (via Green Car Reports)

DOE tool scores EV readiness for cities, counties, states (via EarthTechling)

SuperTruck semi achieves 54-percent increase in fuel economy (via Autoblog)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

UK budget promises shale gas tax breaks, public benefits (via Reuters)

Pact reached on voluntary standards for fracking in Northeast US (via New York Times/AP)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Study shows energy-efficient homes are 32% less risky for lenders (via Greentech Media)

Walgreens launches first net-zero retail store in US (via Sustainable Business)

New reasons to change light bulbs (via New York Times)

COAL 

Coal plants belching out less mercury (via Forbes)

How coal affects water quality: state of the science (via Sightline Daily)

POLITICS 

The wealth of business connections for Obama’s Energy pick (via ProPublica)

Keystone XL pipeline debate rattles Massachusetts Senate race (via Reuters)

OPINION 

A Chinese solar giant goes bankrupt, and that’s a good thing (via GigaOm)

UK budget sets green alarm bells ringing (via Recharge)

Protecting renewable portfolio standards from cynical attacks (via Forbes)

How to cut US gasoline use in half by 2030 (via Washington Post)

Two ways Americans may get more ownership of their energy future (via CleanTechnica)

More coal-fired idiocy and mendacity in Nevada (via Grist)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.20.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

China expects energy talks breakthrough in official visit to Russia (via Bloomberg)

Fossil fuel generation increases 21% in Japan in 2012 (via Greentech Media)

US manufacturing sector energy use and intensity down since 2002 (via Green Car Congress)

EMISSIONS 

China postpones launch of national carbon market to post-2015 (via RTCC)

Green groups press EPA for climate rule opposed by industry (via Bloomberg)

RGGI nets $106 million for clean energy, may hit $2 billion by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

Los Angeles halts using electricity from coal plants (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Chinese installed wind capacity reached 75GW in 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

China’s Suntech declares bankruptcy (via Reuters)

Japanese bank signs on to support first US offshore wind farm (via AOL Energy)

With turbines on the watery horizon, hopes for a more streamlined permitting process (via ClimateWire)

Xcel hits Upper Midwest wind power record (via Star-Tribune)

Cape Wind expects construction start off Cape Cod by year-end (via Reuters)

Solar power installations top 1GW in New Jersey (via Reuters)

New Jersey solar market prices rise (via AOL Energy)

Arizona wins back its renewable energy standard (via Greentech Media)

Effort to repeal Kansas renewable energy standard fails in state legislature (via Wichita Eagle)

Feed-in tariff breakthrough in Iowa? (via Renewable Energy World)

Connecticut’s new plan for renewables turns to hydropower, away from biomass (via Hartford Courant)

NUCLEAR 

UK approves first new nuclear plant in decades (via BusinessGreen)

NRC votes for upgrades to some nuclear reactor vents (via New York Times)

Michigan nuclear plant’s fate depends on Indiana regulators (via Midwest Energy News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US reports huge potential for “fire in the ice” as Japan hurries to production (via EnergyWire)

Natural gas exports concern chemical executive (via Houston Chronicle)

Shale gas boom alone won’t propel US industry (via Wall Street Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Pressure builds in EU for tighter fuel emission rules (via BusinessGreen)

No silver bullet for reaching fuel and emissions goals, says study (via New York Times)

Washington State proposes $124 fine for parking gas car in EV spot (via Plugin Cars)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Policy changes could free $1 trillion in energy savings (via Houston Chronicle)

The EE Eight: energy-efficient campuses in the NCAA basketball tournament (via Alliance to Save Energy)

ENVIRONMENT 

From heat wave to snowstorms March weather goes to extremes (via Climate Central)

Warmer springs mean less snow cover, disruptions for plants and animals, and more allergies (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

Drought plunges Texas and US cattle herd to lowest level since 1952 (via Facts of the Day)

OIL 

US oil production is booming, but here’s the catch (via Washington Post)

Administration won’t trade ANWR drilling for clean energy fund (via Washington Post)

POLITICS 

Energy Security Trust faces partisan roadblock in Congress (via Politico)

Poll: President Obama’s voters don’t want Keystone approval (via Politico)

Billionaire targets Democrat on Keystone XL in Massachusetts Senate race (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Two reasons climate change is not like other environmental problems (via Grist)

It’s time to consider the long-term costs of fracking (via Houston Chronicle)

A short history of greenwashing the tar sands, part one (via Desmog Canada)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.15.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US natural gas exports to Mexico jump 24 percent (via Houston Chronicle)

US utilities to burn more coal as natgas prices climb (via Reuters)

Risky US-backed loans and a diplomatic blitz force debate over LNG costs (via EnergyWire)

University of Tennessee’s fracking research funded by gas profits raises ethics concerns (via Washington Post/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Road funds on empty; more US states weigh gasoline tax hikes (via Reuters)

New internal combustion technology could improve range-extended electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

US House will get EV charging stations for plug-in driving Congressmen (via Autoblog Green)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s fossil-fueled generation remains high because of continuing nuclear plant outages (via US EIA)

Exelon could boost its US nuclear output 1,100MW (via Crain’s Chicago Business)

RENEWABLES 

Japan adds 1,178Mw of mostly solar energy in nine months (via Bloomberg)

EU could save billions with cross-border renewables cooperation (via Reuters)

Biomass industry to more than triple globally by 2030 (via Renewable Energy World)

EU votes to extend renewables target to 2030 (via Recharge)

2012 was a record-breaking year for solar panels in the US (via GigaOm)

The trouble with turbines: an ill wind (via Nature)

California renewable power supply growing, costs falling (via Reuters)

Bill would end North Carolina’s renewable energy program (via Charlotte News Observer)

NJ regulators to decide in June on offshore wind project (via Recharge)

Massachusetts could be hub for offshore wind industry (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

Cradle of mankind offers Kenya three centuries of oil (via Bloomberg)

US EIA projects OPEC oil decline in 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

Interior chief: Shell “screwed up,” must improve to resume Arctic effort (via The Hill)

Interior allows BP to bid on Gulf leases, with conditions (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

USAID launches Pacific climate change projects (via Australia Network News)

Lack of climate action risks developing world gains, says UN (via Phys.org)

World’s hotter days cooled by growth of grasslands (via Phys.org)

February keeps the planet’s warm streak alive: NOAA (via Climate Central)

Devastating East African drought made more likely by climate change (via Phys.org)

Glacial meltwater catastrophes are forming high in the Andes (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

US oil exports spur more questions about Keystone XL pipeline (via Wall Street Journal)

GEOENGINEERING 

Experts propose new structure for regulation of geoengineering research (via Phys.org)

Can giant umbrellas help protect polar ice caps? (via Good)

Rules needed for geoengineering research, say experts (via Climate Central)

EMISSIONS 

EU cancels carbon auction, prices drop (via Environmental Leader)

Shaping the next generation of carbon markets (via Huffington Post)

ENVIRONMENT 

Spring rain, then foul algae in ailing Lake Erie (via New York Times)

GRID 

Maintaining grid “survivability” after blackouts (via Renew Grid)

Are municipal utilities more resilient during disasters? (via Grist)

Smart grid markets on the move (via AOL Energy)

POLITICS 

Obama revives green energy sales pitch (via The Hill)

Obama turns focus to research in first energy speech of second term (via Reuters)

Could Republicans ever support a carbon tax? Bob Inglis thinks so (via Washington Post)

Green groups flocking to Markey for Senate (via Politico)

OPINION 

There’s high trust in clean power despite the negative headlines (via GigaOm)

Immigration reform – for the climate (via Los Angeles Times)

15 must-haves for any modern residential solar website (via Renewable Energy World)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.15.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US natural gas exports to Mexico jump 24 percent (via Houston Chronicle)

US utilities to burn more coal as natgas prices climb (via Reuters)

Risky US-backed loans and a diplomatic blitz force debate over LNG costs (via EnergyWire)

University of Tennessee’s fracking research funded by gas profits raises ethics concerns (via Washington Post/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Road funds on empty; more US states weigh gasoline tax hikes (via Reuters)

New internal combustion technology could improve range-extended electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

US House will get EV charging stations for plug-in driving Congressmen (via Autoblog Green)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s fossil-fueled generation remains high because of continuing nuclear plant outages (via US EIA)

Exelon could boost its US nuclear output 1,100MW (via Crain’s Chicago Business)

RENEWABLES 

Japan adds 1,178Mw of mostly solar energy in nine months (via Bloomberg)

EU could save billions with cross-border renewables cooperation (via Reuters)

Biomass industry to more than triple globally by 2030 (via Renewable Energy World)

EU votes to extend renewables target to 2030 (via Recharge)

2012 was a record-breaking year for solar panels in the US (via GigaOm)

The trouble with turbines: an ill wind (via Nature)

California renewable power supply growing, costs falling (via Reuters)

Bill would end North Carolina’s renewable energy program (via Charlotte News Observer)

NJ regulators to decide in June on offshore wind project (via Recharge)

Massachusetts could be hub for offshore wind industry (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

Cradle of mankind offers Kenya three centuries of oil (via Bloomberg)

US EIA projects OPEC oil decline in 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

Interior chief: Shell “screwed up,” must improve to resume Arctic effort (via The Hill)

Interior allows BP to bid on Gulf leases, with conditions (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

USAID launches Pacific climate change projects (via Australia Network News)

Lack of climate action risks developing world gains, says UN (via Phys.org)

World’s hotter days cooled by growth of grasslands (via Phys.org)

February keeps the planet’s warm streak alive: NOAA (via Climate Central)

Devastating East African drought made more likely by climate change (via Phys.org)

Glacial meltwater catastrophes are forming high in the Andes (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

US oil exports spur more questions about Keystone XL pipeline (via Wall Street Journal)

GEOENGINEERING 

Experts propose new structure for regulation of geoengineering research (via Phys.org)

Can giant umbrellas help protect polar ice caps? (via Good)

Rules needed for geoengineering research, say experts (via Climate Central)

EMISSIONS 

EU cancels carbon auction, prices drop (via Environmental Leader)

Shaping the next generation of carbon markets (via Huffington Post)

ENVIRONMENT 

Spring rain, then foul algae in ailing Lake Erie (via New York Times)

GRID 

Maintaining grid “survivability” after blackouts (via Renew Grid)

Are municipal utilities more resilient during disasters? (via Grist)

Smart grid markets on the move (via AOL Energy)

POLITICS 

Obama revives green energy sales pitch (via The Hill)

Obama turns focus to research in first energy speech of second term (via Reuters)

Could Republicans ever support a carbon tax? Bob Inglis thinks so (via Washington Post)

Green groups flocking to Markey for Senate (via Politico)

OPINION 

There’s high trust in clean power despite the negative headlines (via GigaOm)

Immigration reform – for the climate (via Los Angeles Times)

15 must-haves for any modern residential solar website (via Renewable Energy World)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.13.13

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

ENERGY POLICY

Brussels looks to reignite 2030 EU carbon target debate (via BusinessGreen)

Merkel may create new energy ministry in nuclear to renewables switch (via Bloomberg)

COAL

Report: coal killed 100,000 in India in 2012 (via Huffington Post)

Coal to gas moves are generating economic waves (via Forbes)

CLIMATE

China plans first commercial trip through Arctic shortcut in 2013 (via Reuters)

Obama: climate change threatens US shipping routes (via The Hill)

As CO2 emissions rise, so will pollen counts and asthma attacks (via Climate Progress)

Bloomberg announces mayor’s summit to fight climate change (via CBS News)

RENEWABLES

China to outpace Germany as leading solar PV consumer in 2013 (via San Jose Mercury News)

Chinese solar panel maker Suntech on financial brink (via New York Times)

Cellulosic ethanol “to be cost-competitive by 2016” (via Environmental Leader)

California’s Mount Diablo school district leads the world on solar (via Sustainable Business)

Cape Wind going overseas, snubs Massachusetts steel company (via Boston Globe)

OIL

Brazil says subsalt oil finds could triple total reserves (via Reuters)

The Gulf of Mexico oil leak we’re not supposed to know about (via Triple Pundit)

Halliburton official “surprised” by unauthorized tests before Gulf oil spill (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION

Tesla Motors to expand European operations (via Plugin Cars)

New EPA gasoline rule could raise prices, fuel political fires (via National Journal)

US public charging stations increase by 180 a month, on track for 7,400 by end of year (via Autoblog Green)

Chevy Volt outsold Nissan Leaf for first time in 2012, says BNEF (via Bloomberg)

ChargePoint installs first of 80 new EV charging stations in NY State (via Renew Grid)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Japan hopes methane hydrates are the next big energy source (via Washington Post)

Fracking fluid suppliers defend trade secrets on West Coast (via EnergyWire)

Fracking groundwater rules in Texas reflect legal ambiguities (via Texas Tribune)

How much water does it take to frack a well? (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

New York health commissioner says fracking recommendation may come soon (via Huffington Post/AP)

Ohio’s resurgent natural gas industry spends millions to set up shop (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT

Rains or not, India is falling short of drinkable water (via New York Times)

Bat-killing fungus reaches South Carolina; now found in 21 states and 5 provinces (via Scientific American)

Senate bill would boost funding for weather satellites (via Climate Central)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS

Canadian opposition leader: government playing US “for fools” on Keystone (via The Hill)

Keystone XL pipeline jobs vs. 100,000 green jobs (via CleanTechnica)

Michigan officials say water supplies along Kalamazoo River unharmed from tar sands oil spill (via Michigan Live/Kalamazoo Gazette)

29 Vermont communities say no to tar sands shipments, New England opposition grows (via DeSmogBlog)

GRID

Power grids in US, EU, third world face huge and varied challenges (via Greentech Media)

Nearly 56GW of long-duration energy storage to be installed from 2012 to 2022 (via Pike Research)

Hackers may breach US grid within two years (via Bloomberg)

Silver Spring raises $81 million in IPO (via Greentech Media)

NUCLEAR

Developing nations put nuclear on fast-forward (via MIT Technology Review)

Lawsuits filed against Tepco in Fukushima nuclear disaster (via United Press International)

NRC upholds ruling on Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant (via Baltimore Sun)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Computers and appliances: today’s home-based energy hogs (via National Geographic)

NREL unveils world’s most efficient data center, could cut operation costs by $1 million (via Inhabitat)

POLITICS

Draft bill released by Waxman and Whitehouse would price carbon and reduce emissions (via Climate Progress)

Ryan, Murray unveil dueling energy deficit plans (via Politico)

Dems launch series of climate change speeches to fight GOP “climate deniers” (via The Hill)

OPINION

What is the underlying value of EU carbon? (via Reuters)

Could Waxman’s new bill offer new hope for a carbon tax? (via Mother Jones)

Where innovation advocates go wrong (via Grist)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.27.13

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

NATURAL GAS 

IEA recommends natural gas trading hub in Asia (via Houston Chronicle)

Drilling leases now cover more land than California and Florida combined (via StateImpact Texas)

Natural gas share of electricity generation expected to keep expanding (via Kansas City Star)

GRID 

China’s grid woes set to worsen (via Recharge)

White House official: power grid upgrades needed to mitigate extreme weather (via The Hill)

Silver Spring Networks sets terms for $63 million IPO (via San Jose Mercury News)

GREEN BUSINESS 

New Dow Jones sustainability index targets emerging markets (via GreenBiz)

Ford targets 41% per-vehicle cut in waste to landfills (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Japan solar shipments double on FIT (via Recharge)

Analyst alert: solar PV pricing on the rise (via Greentech Media)

New modeling suggests wind farm power generation capacity has been significantly overestimated (via Green Car Congress)

(more…)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.26.13

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

NATURAL GAS 

Germany to approve fracking “with conditions” (via Phys.org)

Wild cards lurk in the speedy switch to gas-fired power generation (via EnergyWire)

EMISSIONS 

Alberta cancels carbon capture and storage project (via Huffington Post)

Falling nuclear and rising coal cause rise in carbon emissions during November 2012 for first time in a year (via Facts of the Day)

California carbon price surpasses expectations (via Environmental Leader)

RENEWABLES 

India nears renewables goal with 12.4 gigawatts added in 3 years (via Panchabuta)

More than 450 geothermal power projects underway worldwide (via Renew Grid)

Are banks backing away from solar projects? (via Greentech Media)

Solar-powered cell towers lead rural electrification (via Treehugger)

New England offshore wind planning offers lessons for Great Lakes (via Midwest Energy News)

States encourage and discourage renewable energy trading (via AOL Energy)

Massachusetts maps its solar energy future (via Renewable Energy World)

OIL 

High-stakes trial resumes over 2010 Gulf oil spill (via Houston Chronicle)

As oil spill trial opens, push for a deal continues (via New York Times)

Deepwater Horizon oil spill trial begins – how much will BP pay? (via Christian Science Monitor)

BP seeks to prove Gulf oil spill errors weren’t negligence (via Bloomberg)

Land grab cheats North Dakota tribes out of $1 billion, suits allege (via ProPublica)

CLIMATE 

Global warming and airflow changes “caused US and EU heatwaves” (via The Guardian)

New study links extreme weather to climate change (via Phys.org)

Feeding ourselves on a warming planet (via New York Times)

Southwest, Great Plains most vulnerable to water shortages (via Environmental Leader)

Study: climate change may dry up important US reservoirs like Lakes Powell and Mead (via Climate Progress)

Global warming worries California voters, poll finds (via Sacramento Bee)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Report finds diluted oil sands bitumen not more corrosive than comparable heavy crude in pipelines (via Green Car Congress)

Alberta premier says climate change important to US approval of Keystone XL (via CBC News)

Flickers of life for clean fuels standard as oil sands plans form (via InsideClimate News)

GRID

FERC makes first Order 1000 compliance rulings (via Renew Grid)

The ant, the grasshopper, and electricity prices in New England (via New York Times)

JCP&L seeks to recover Sandy repair costs, deploy smart grid tech (via Renew Grid)

NUCLEAR 

US nuclear power on track for lowest production since 2000-2001 (via Facts of the Day)

Nuclear waste in the age of climate change (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla CEO says NY Times article reduced market cap by $100 million (via Bloomberg)

Variable utility rate plans will have little impact for electric vehicle drivers (via Pike Research)

COAL 

Utility settles with EPA, agrees to stop burning coal at three sites (via The Hill)

“Green” strategists now back coal trains (via Seattle Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Power market transparency: money out of negawatts (via AOL Energy)

America: the worldwide leader in wasting energy (via Forbes)

Energy efficiency in Maine receives two powerful boosts (via CLF Scoop)

Boston mayor wants building energy reporting (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

Obama’s quiet strategy on climate change (via National Journal)

Lew: White House won’t propose carbon tax (via The Hill)

Bipartisan push to address climate change (via Politico)

OPINION 

Fight over gas exports is prelude to oil exports brawl (via Houston Chronicle)

Why the debt crisis has trumped the climate crisis – at least in DC (via Time)

What California can teach DC about climate change policy (via GreenBiz)

Divestment: the best solution for environmental justice (via Good)

Why innovation alone isn’t enough to win the climate fight (via Time)

What ARPA-E can’t do (via MIT Technology Review)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.25.13

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

EMISSIONS 

German greenhouse gas emissions rise 1.6% in 2012 (via Reuters)

“Internet of things” promises nine billion tons of carbon savings (via BusinessGreen)

California’s second carbon permit auction beats expectations (via Reuters)

Seen as nature lovers’ paradise, Utah struggles with air quality (via New York Times)

OIL 

Gulf oil spill trial set to start with no settlement in sight (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil demand fell to 18-year low in January, API says (via Bloomberg)

US Coast Guard documented 16 deficiencies on Arctic drillship (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY POLICY 

China’s energy consumption rose 3.9% in 2012 (via Yahoo! News/IANS)

US quadruples pipeline tax break cost to $7 billion through 2016 (via Bloomberg)

The next big thing in energy: decentralization (via Grist)

Coastal governors unite in push for offshore revenue-sharing bill (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Deutsche sees “sustainable” global solar market in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Report: more than 100 gigawatts in the China wind pipeline (via Greentech Media)

Indian Gujarat state to have country’s first offshore wind farm (via Panchabuta)

Inside the US military’s clean-energy revolution (via Mother Jones)

The breezy option has become a serious power source (via Globe and Mail)

Big Solar looks to grow with precise cloud forecasts (via EarthTechling)

As economics shift, wind developers see the light on solar power (via Midwest Energy News)

Minnesota lawmakers propose statewide 10% solar renewable energy standard (via Renew Grid)

Five surprising facts about wind energy in Texas (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

Cape Wind: regulation, litigation, and the struggle to develop offshore wind in the US (via Huffington Post)

KEYSTONE XL-TAR SANDS 

Canadian officials make climate case in DC ahead of Keystone pipeline decision (via The Hill)

New study to examine health impact of Alberta oil sands (via Edmonton Journal)

Southern segment of Keystone XL is halfway finished (via AP/Houston Chronicle)

What will Obama’s “green quarterback” mean for Keystone XL? (via Canadian Press)

CLIMATE 

UN sustainable energy initiative could put world on path to climate targets (via Phys.org)

Hotter, wetter climate slashes labor capacity 10%, says study (via Reuters)

Hawaii to suffer most as global sea levels rise, study says (via NBC News)

Lifting a town to escape the next storm (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Gaps found in EPA drilling emissions reporting (via The Hill)

Fracking emissions get review after EPA watchdog report (via Bloomberg)

West Texas shale could dwarf Eagle Ford (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

Silicon Valley investors shifting to power grid after solar sours (via Bloomberg)

Germany unveils first North Sea offshore wind power network plan (via Bloomberg)

COAL 

Coal demand falls in the US, rises everywhere else (via MIT Technology Review)

As EPA delays new coal ash rules, residents turn to courts for relief (via Center for Public Integrity)

TRANSPORTATION 

Why have US gasoline prices risen since the start of 2013? (via US EIA)

Obama’s plan to fund clean cars with oil royalties faces tough test (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Japan moving forward on smart cities (via GreenBiz)

Downtown Pittsburgh to halve energy consumption by 2030 (via Good)

DC unveils sustainability plan (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Interior secretary nomination become embroiled in fight over Alaska refuge (via Washington Post)

Not-so-smart ALEC: how the lobbying group uses bad data to fight clean energy (via Grist)

OPINION 

What does the Keystone XL pipeline represent? (via National Journal)

How the US military repelled the GOP’s attack on biofuels (via Mother Jones)

Video: Wait until China acts on Climate. What? They are!? (via Mother Jones)