Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.8.14

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

CLIMATE 

Climate change making food crops less nutritious, finds research (via The Guardian)

Lloyd’s calls on insurers to take into account climate change risk (via The Guardian)

Americans start to feel effects of climate change (via Politico) 

The Southeast US has more billion-dollar disasters than the rest of US combined (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Industrial combined heat and power capacity will grow 30% annually through 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Is a boom in floating LNG facilities on the horizon? (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Solar making big strides to power the developing world (via Renewable Energy World)

PwC: Biofuels funding future looks bright (via Environmental Leader)

France awards $5.6 billion offshore wind tender to GDF-led consortium (via Reuters)

JV plans 3GW solar PV project in Nigeria (via Recharge)

EIA says US solar surge continues (via Energy Manager Today)

Your tax dollars at work: $141 million to spark US offshore wind (via CleanTechnica)

First Solar Q1: Beats Street, raises guidance on strong utility growth (via Greentech Media)

Solar City eyes 1GW new capacity in 2015 (via Recharge)

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Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.20.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Australia’s Senate rejects carbon tax repeal bill (via Reuters)

EU lawmakers reject deal to exempt foreign flights from emission charges (via Reuters)

COAL 

Planned coal-fired power plant retirements continue to increase (via US EIA)

Duke Energy eyes closing more coal plants in response to Dan River spill (via Charlotte Business Journal)

RENEWABLES 

Japan added 7GW of clean energy capacity since July 2012 (via Bloomberg)

Concentrated solar to top 1GW capacity by 2020 (via BusinessGreen)

Scotland approves two major offshore wind farm projects (via Reuters)

Solar usage shattering records in California as new capacity comes online (via Greentech Media)

New Jersey rejects offshore wind project’s subsidy plan (via Recharge)

Net metering in the air: Solar energy progress in Massachusetts and other states (via Energy Collective)

Native American tribe could soon build a billion-dollar wind farm with Interior Department funding (via Climate Progress)

Clearing up cloudy understanding on solar output (via Phys.org)

CLIMATE 

Climate change fuelled storms, rising seas cost China $2.6 billion in 2013 (via Reuters)

EU leaders to set October deadline to agree on 2030 climate goals (via Reuters)

A cold US winter, but 8th warmest globally (via Climate Central)

White House brings together big data and climate change (via Climate Central)

NATURAL GAS 

Shell pulled out of shale gas talks in Ukraine in January (via Reuters)

Crimea crisis won’t cut Russia gas flow to Europe, says IHS (via Houston Chronicle)

Simple fixes could plug methane leaks from energy industry, finds study (via National Geographic)

White House to unveil new methane strategy this month (via Washington Post)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Up to 40% energy savings “achievable” from home energy management (via Energy Manager Today)

Detroit airport’s switch to LED lights will save $1.2 million yearly (via Detroit Free Press)

OIL 

BP set to expand Gulf of Mexico drilling (via National Journal)

Oil pipeline leaks thousands of gallons in Ohio nature preserve (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Chairman says BMW will make 100,000 EVs a year by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

Electric cars have a dirty little secret (via InsideClimate News)

California may cut gasoline demand 9% by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Energy industry overestimated cost of pollution controls, says study (via Huffington Post)

California officials prepare for worst as historic drought deepens wildfire risk (via The Guardian)

ENERGY STORAGE 

Spurred by Japan, steady growth predicted for energy storage market (via Renewable Energy World)

Incentives for energy storage spread worldwide (via EnergyWire)

POLITICS 

John Podesta knocks greens on natural gas (via Politico)

Obama’s Keystone XL choice pits donors against at-risk Senate (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Why a melting Arctic could sink the global economy (via Center for American Progress)

The end of spring in a warming world (via Time)

A remarkably accurate global warming prediction, made in 1972 (via The Guardian)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.19.13

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

COP 19 

Carbon market hopes dashed in Warsaw (via Environmental Leader)

US preparing post-2020 emissions reduction pledge (via Greenwire)

EMISSIONS 

Global carbon emissions set to reach record 36 billion tons in 2013 (via Phys.org)

Winding roads to replacing the Kyoto Protocol by 2015 (via Climatewire)

Global emissions may peak this decade on China’s renewables push (via Bloomberg)

Beijing and Shanghai set to launch carbon markets (via BusinessGreen)

EU sets provisional CO2 auction calendar for 2014 (via Global Post)

RENEWABLES 

China to install 12,000MW of solar in 2014 (via Facts of the Day)

Floating offshore wind turbines could drive Japan’s renewable energy future (via Renewable Energy World)

Carbon pricing flaws have “chilling effect” on clean energy (via Greenbang)

Solar can cut summer peak power demand in half across Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

Can a coal state like Virginia create a real solar market? (via Greentech Media)

NREL dedicates wind turbine test facility (via Energy Manager Today)

COAL 

British banks among world’s biggest lenders to coal industry (via BusinessGreen)

EPA permitting seen as high hurdle for carbon capture project (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Natural disasters cost $3.6 trillion since 1980, says World Bank (via Mother Jones)

Wealthy nations pledged billions to help the poor adapt to climate change – where did it all go? (via Washington Post)

OIL 

Federal agency pushes back timeline for offshore drilling rules (via Houston Chronicle)

BP releases Gulf of Mexico environmental data (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Why China isn’t ready for electric vehicles (via EarthTechling)

Recargo releases report detailing the habits of EV drivers (via Inhabitat)

US auto regulators probe Tesla on car fires (via The Hill)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Colorado proposes reducing methane leaks from fracking (via Los Angeles Times)

Environmentalists oppose proposed Illinois fracking rules (via Chicago Tribune)

GRID 

Dawn of the grid-scale energy storage era in California (via Greentech Media)

The battery storage system that could close down coal power (via Renew Economy)

NUCLEAR 

Japan won’t set dates to restart 50 idled nuclear reactors (via Bloomberg)

Uncertainties abound in Fukushima decommissioning (via Phys.org)

Nuclear Regulatory Commission resumes Yucca Mountain review (via The Hill)

GREEN BUILDING 

A new scale for green building (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

OPINION 

Why EPA cut down the biofuel standard for the first time ever (via Climate Progress)

Solar energy could be America’s greatest national security asset (via Huffington Post)

California’s cap and trade program more than just a solution for one state (via Huffington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.18.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China to publish monthly list of 10 worst polluted cities (via Reuters)

Human fingerprints visible in atmospheric changes (via Climate Central)

Latest RGGI auction: Time to reconsider “success” in carbon markets? (via CleanTechnica)

NUCLEAR 

Japan to switch off last operational nuclear power plant (via Reuters)

COAL 

In Australia, an uphill battle to rein in the power of coal (via Yale e360)

US coal companies scale back export goals (via New York Times)

Mississippi coal plant overruns show risks of carbon rules (via Bloomberg)

Is the writing on the wall for US coal? (via Green Car Reports)

RENEWABLES 

China to slap anti-subsidy duties on US solar material (via Reuters)

Japan solar PV installations reach 10GW milestone (via CleanTechnica)

2.7GW of solar PV up for grabs at upcoming Brazilian renewable auction (via CleanTechnica)

Europe’s largest tidal power array surges forward (via BusinessGreen)

Blend wall closes in and lobbies spar over impact (via Breaking Energy)

Wall Street exploits ethanol credits and prices spike (via New York Times)

Refiners lobbying lawmakers to repeal renewable fuel law (via Houston Chronicle)

Case study: Wind lags responding to a power demand spike (via Breaking Energy)

Most new residential solar PV projects in California program not owned by homeowners (via US EIA)

California sets up $162 million annual clean energy research fund (via EarthTechling)

Maine’s offshore wind development becomes a bidding war (via Renewable Energy World)

Google now buying enough wind energy to power 170k homes (via GigaOm)

ENERGY POLICY 

Germany plans $3.5 billion support for energy and climate fund (via Bloomberg)

Study: Clean energy best answer for US power costs (via United Press International)

America’s Power Plan: The crucial role of distributed resources (via RMI Outlet)

California bills shape new energy world (via Navigant Research)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Study: Methane leaks from gas drilling not as large as feared (via AP)

North Dakota officials say regulation needed to curb flaring (via Midwest Energy News)

CLIMATE 

Antarctic ice sheet melting from below, scientists say (via Christian Science Monitor)

Australia ditches climate minister position in cabinet (via BusinessGreen)

South Africa set to be hit by climate-related migration (via RTCC)

California and China sign climate change pact (via RTCC)

Study: Majority of climate change news stories focus on uncertainty (via The Guardian)

Case for climate change is overwhelming, say scientists (via The Guardian)

Coastal communities in Virginia lead the way on local climate action (via WRI Insights)

KEYSTONE XL 

Obama’s ex-climate czar: Canadian CO2 offer would change debate on Keystone (via The Hill)

Keystone soon will carry crude through Texas, with or without Obama (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID

UK’s smart meter plan kicks into high gear (via GigaOm)

Study: Battery energy storage benefits solar, not wind (via CleanTechnica)

USDA provides $136 million in grid improvement funding (via Renew Grid)

Microgrids: A new kind of power struggle in New York and Connecticut (via Greentech Media)

California ISO approves three-year grid plan (via Renew Grid)

Net metering grows some muscles in California (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Colorado and industry working to assess damage in flooded oil fields (via Denver Post)

Blood tests show elevated health risks for Gulf oil spill cleanup workers (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Scotland plans to go electric, ban gas-burners by 2050 (via Autoblog Green)

12 million carsharing users predicted by 2020, 2.3 million today (via Autoblog)

Report: Biofuel could cut CO2 cheaper than electric cars (via BusinessGreen)

Ford launches employee EV charging network (via Environmental Leader)

US to sell nonperforming Fisker Auto loans next month (via Reuters)

National Plug-In Day will hit 75+ US cities (via CleanTechnica)

GM triples size of its Michigan electric vehicle battery laboratory (via CleanTechnica)

Coastal states will lead plug-in vehicle adoption through 2022 (via Autoblog Green)

US gas prices set record: 1,000 straight days above $3 a gallon (via Christian Science Monitor)

POLITICS 

An unusual public battle over an energy nomination (via New York Times)

Senate Leader Reid offers path forward on stalled energy bill (via The Hill)

OPINION 

How science denial is going to affect today’s big climate hearing (via Climate Progress)

Climate hawks vs. climate deniers: “Denial is not just a river in Egypt” (via Climate Progress)

The era of unlimited carbon pollution is over (via Politico)

5 stages of climate denial on display ahead of IPCC report (via The Guardian)

Four charts prove the future of clean energy is arriving (via Greentech Media)

Will Germany reject smart meters? (via Renewable Energy World)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.12.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Australia can achieve 25% emissions cut by 2020, says report (via RTCC)

Obama’s regulations chief plunges into carbon policy fray (via The Hill)

California to hold carbon auction as it considers giving away more allowances for free (via Bloomberg BNA)

GRID 

Flexible grid is the key to a clean energy future (via CleanTechnica)

633 energy storage projects now underway worldwide (via CleanTechnica)

White House calls for increased grid spending (via AP)

Ten years after northeast blackout, US power grid smarter and sturdier (via Reuters)

California aims to “bottle sunlight” in energy storage push (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Solar shipments surge in second quarter as demand rises in Asia (via Bloomberg)

Western Australia backs down on solar feed-in tariff (via Renewable Energy World)

Honda goes solar in Japan, will sell renewable energy in 2015 (via Autoblog Green)

Interior Department halfway to its renewables goal, but hurdles remain (via Center for American Progress)

Bid to repeal ethanol mandate seen diluted by EPA change (via Bloomberg)

US wind power prices down to $0.04 per kWh (via CleanTechnica)

Small wind makes big gains in US (via EarthTechling)

Wind power company Pattern Energy to seek IPO (via EarthTechling)

Stained glass windows on cathedral are solar panels (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

Switch to coal power held back in gas-starved India (via Reuters)

EPA confirms coal ash contaminates water across the country (via Climate Progress)

Interior Department proposes changes to royalties, land restrictions for coal mines (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Arctic sea ice loss dramatically slows, record minimum unlikely in 2013 (via Washington Post)

Antarctic ozone layer hole may be adding to global warming (via NBC News)

Tiny Pacific islands make big plans for climate resilience (via ClimateWire)

Agriculture assets face $8 trillion risk from climate change, water scarcity (via Environmental Leader)

How two reservoirs have become billboards for what climate change is doing to the American West (via Climate Progress)

Prepare buildings to withstand climate change, says Boston study (via Energy Manager Today)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

California legislature faces bills on fracking (via Los Angeles Times)

Methane leaks could be big business (via Wyoming Star-Tribune)

ENVIRONMENT 

China plans to spend more to tackle environmental pollution (via Reuters)

Half of the US is under threat of floods (via ABC News)

To save water, parched southwest cities ask homeowners to lose the lawn (via New York Times)

OIL 

Mexico moves to relax decades-old grip on oil (via Houston Chronicle)

Is peak oil demand just around the corner? (via Washington Post)

Amid pipeline debate, two costly oil spill cleanups forever change towns (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla Model S hits the European market (via CleanTechnica)

Japan moves to become a plug-in EV leader (via Navigant Research)

Southern California utility girds for 350,000 electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

States pressure feds to cut energy efficiency backlog (via Stateline)

NUCLEAR 

South Korea warns of power shortages amid nuclear shut downs (via Reuters)

Taiwan says nuclear water still leaking inside power plant (via Bloomberg)

Florida residents angered over scrapped nuclear plant (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

ENERGY POLICY 

German utilities hammered in market favoring renewables (via Bloomberg)

Finally, the US considers a national energy bill (via Navigant Research)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Oil sands industry turns to algae to appease Obama (via Bloomberg)

Exxon knew its Arkansas pipeline was old, defective and brittle, but still added new stresses (via InsideClimate News)

Who really discovered the 2011 Keystone leak? (via EnergyWire)

POLITICS 

In his second term, Obama becomes bolder on the environment (via Washington Post)

League of Conservation Voters launch $2 million campaign targeting climate change skeptics (via The Hill)

Ex-FERC commissioners defend nominee Binz (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Why the World Bank is taking on climate change (via National Journal)

Three ways ALEC will push its fossil fuel agenda this year (via Climate Progress)

Massive demand for solar in Asia shows us where the industry is headed (via Climate Progress)

The cellulosic ethanol industry faces big challenges (via MIT Technology Review)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.12.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Australia can achieve 25% emissions cut by 2020, says report (via RTCC)

Obama’s regulations chief plunges into carbon policy fray (via The Hill)

California to hold carbon auction as it considers giving away more allowances for free (via Bloomberg BNA)

GRID 

Flexible grid is the key to a clean energy future (via CleanTechnica)

633 energy storage projects now underway worldwide (via CleanTechnica)

White House calls for increased grid spending (via AP)

Ten years after northeast blackout, US power grid smarter and sturdier (via Reuters)

California aims to “bottle sunlight” in energy storage push (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Solar shipments surge in second quarter as demand rises in Asia (via Bloomberg)

Western Australia backs down on solar feed-in tariff (via Renewable Energy World)

Honda goes solar in Japan, will sell renewable energy in 2015 (via Autoblog Green)

Interior Department halfway to its renewables goal, but hurdles remain (via Center for American Progress)

Bid to repeal ethanol mandate seen diluted by EPA change (via Bloomberg)

US wind power prices down to $0.04 per kWh (via CleanTechnica)

Small wind makes big gains in US (via EarthTechling)

Wind power company Pattern Energy to seek IPO (via EarthTechling)

Stained glass windows on cathedral are solar panels (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

Switch to coal power held back in gas-starved India (via Reuters)

EPA confirms coal ash contaminates water across the country (via Climate Progress)

Interior Department proposes changes to royalties, land restrictions for coal mines (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Arctic sea ice loss dramatically slows, record minimum unlikely in 2013 (via Washington Post)

Antarctic ozone layer hole may be adding to global warming (via NBC News)

Tiny Pacific islands make big plans for climate resilience (via ClimateWire)

Agriculture assets face $8 trillion risk from climate change, water scarcity (via Environmental Leader)

How two reservoirs have become billboards for what climate change is doing to the American West (via Climate Progress)

Prepare buildings to withstand climate change, says Boston study (via Energy Manager Today)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

California legislature faces bills on fracking (via Los Angeles Times)

Methane leaks could be big business (via Wyoming Star-Tribune)

ENVIRONMENT 

China plans to spend more to tackle environmental pollution (via Reuters)

Half of the US is under threat of floods (via ABC News)

To save water, parched southwest cities ask homeowners to lose the lawn (via New York Times)

OIL 

Mexico moves to relax decades-old grip on oil (via Houston Chronicle)

Is peak oil demand just around the corner? (via Washington Post)

Amid pipeline debate, two costly oil spill cleanups forever change towns (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla Model S hits the European market (via CleanTechnica)

Japan moves to become a plug-in EV leader (via Navigant Research)

Southern California utility girds for 350,000 electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

States pressure feds to cut energy efficiency backlog (via Stateline)

NUCLEAR 

South Korea warns of power shortages amid nuclear shut downs (via Reuters)

Taiwan says nuclear water still leaking inside power plant (via Bloomberg)

Florida residents angered over scrapped nuclear plant (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

ENERGY POLICY 

German utilities hammered in market favoring renewables (via Bloomberg)

Finally, the US considers a national energy bill (via Navigant Research)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Oil sands industry turns to algae to appease Obama (via Bloomberg)

Exxon knew its Arkansas pipeline was old, defective and brittle, but still added new stresses (via InsideClimate News)

Who really discovered the 2011 Keystone leak? (via EnergyWire)

POLITICS 

In his second term, Obama becomes bolder on the environment (via Washington Post)

League of Conservation Voters launch $2 million campaign targeting climate change skeptics (via The Hill)

Ex-FERC commissioners defend nominee Binz (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Why the World Bank is taking on climate change (via National Journal)

Three ways ALEC will push its fossil fuel agenda this year (via Climate Progress)

Massive demand for solar in Asia shows us where the industry is headed (via Climate Progress)

The cellulosic ethanol industry faces big challenges (via MIT Technology Review)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.7.13

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

CLIMATE 

NOAA: 2012 shows climate change in record sea-level rise, Arctic melting, heated oceans (via Washington Post/AP)

Study questions nature’s ability to “self-correct” climate change (via Phys.org)

NOAA report says Arctic sea ice disappearing at unprecedented pace (via The Guardian)

2012 one of 10 warmest years on record, report says (via Los Angeles Times)

Investors see climate change as risk that influences decisions (via Bloomberg)

Climate change softens up already-vulnerable Louisiana (via USA Today)

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon tops €4.50 on strong auction results (via Reuters Point Carbon)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese government to help stabilize nuclear plant after leaks (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

Grid-parity era now underway for global solar markets (via Renewable Energy World)

EU won’t impose provisional duties on Chinese solar panels (via Reuters)

Index shows global PV market upswing in June (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Europe explores floating wind turbines to expand offshore power (via ClimateWire)

Britain opens world’s second-largest offshore wind farm (via Reuters)

Rollercoaster policy threatens US wind energy’s record-setting pace (via CleanTechnica)

More homeowners going solar for electricity, but uncertainty and cost stops others (via Washington Post/AP)

GE abandons plans for largest US solar panel plant near Denver (via Denver Post)

East Bay cities announce streamlined process for solar permits (via San Jose Mercury News)

COAL 

China’s carbon goal shows coal growth has peaked (via Reuters)

Kosovo groups ask for US help to stop coal power project (via Reuters)

Report: Plenty of growth for coal sector – in power plant decommissioning (via BusinessGreen)

The coal export bubble (via Sightline)

Wyoming dominates sales of coal produced from federal and Indian lands (via US EIA)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexico’s energy debate approaches fever pitch (via Forbes)

BIOFUELS 

EPA gives refiners more time to meet renewable mandate (via Bloomberg)

EPA slashes this year’s cellulosic targets (via Greenwire)

Almost eight months late, EPA sets 2013 biofuel blend requirement (via The Hill)

EPA lowers target for cellulosic biofuels in gasoline (via Houston Chronicle)

US refiners, plagued by RINsanity, see “half step” on biofuels (via Reuters)

OIL 

Interior Secretary tours Bakken Shale (via Grand Forks Herald)

Interior Secretary commends efforts to cut pollution in booming Bakken (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Your car’s “big data” is worth $1,400 a year (via Autoblog)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Methane leaking in Utah suggests higher national rate (via Climate Central)

How much does a shale gas well cost? “It depends” (via Breaking Energy)

Controversial coal-to-gas plant shuts down six days after opening (via Indianapolis Star)

Chesapeake drops energy leases in fracking-shy New York State (via Reuters)

GRID 

Smart meters to save Pakistan 100MW of electricity (via The Nation)

Utility executives: Major cyberattack on power grid is inevitable (via Houston Chronicle)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone contractor probe energizes pipeline opponents (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

Inquiry into State Department’s environmental contractor could jeopardize Keystone XL decision timeline (via EnergyWire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Are investors confident enough to invest billions in efficiency projects? (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Will sustainability reporting standards change the way business does business? (via The Guardian)

Los Angeles gets first chief sustainability officer (via Sustainable Industries)

ENVIRONMENT 

California governor struggles to win support for water plan (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Trouble in fracking paradise (via SmartPlanet)

Bold leadership needed from US insurers to tackle climate change (via The Guardian)

Wind energy: curtailment by any other name would be ordinary (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.2.13

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

As Keystone stalls, TransCanada OKs bigger East Coast line (via Reuters)

TransCanada to build $300 million New Brunswick tar sands export terminal (via Reuters)

Enviros target Keystone in new pipeline spill video (via Politico)

CLIMATE 

Study: hotter temperatures lead to hotter tempers, more conflict (via AP)

Heat-related deaths in Australia set to quadruple by 2050 (via Climate Progress)

Greenland hits highest temperature ever, almost 80 degrees (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

EU approves China solar deal, no state votes against (via Reuters)

Solar PV about to enter “third growth phase” – Deutsche Bank (via CleanTechnica)

Cuba’s first solar farm a step toward renewables (via Phys.org)

UK bets on offshore wind boom (via Recharge)

Azerbaijan aims to boost renewable energy output to 9.7% total demand (via Renewable Energy World)

ARPA-E announces different path for solar innovation (via Innovation Files)

Matching renewable power, worth billions, to load (via Navigant Research)

Solar energy could supply one-third of power in US West (via Phys.org)

2.8 acres of land generate 1GWh of solar energy per year, says NREL (via Energy Manager Today)

Utility Xcel wants to grow wind portfolio by 30% (via Renew Grid)

Deepwater Wind wins America’s first offshore wind competitive lease sale (via CleanTechnica)

Arizona mulls solar tax (via Sustainable Business)

COAL 

Moniz: coal commitment is part of US national energy strategy (via Huffington Post/AP)

Lummi Nation’s stance could stop proposed Washington coal terminal (via Bellingham Herald)

Scope of Gateway Pacific analysis is bad news for coal industry (via Sightline Daily)

Southern Company vows to continue Mississippi “clean coal” plant despite mounting losses (via ClimateWire)

Will another Illinois coal plant bite the dust? (via Midwest Energy News)

EFFICIENCY 

Japan’s appetite for demand response awakens (via Energy Collective)

America’s most unpopular way of saving energy is one of Europe’s favorites (via Outlier)

EPA to publish companies’ water data (via Environmental Leader)

Washington DC wants to lead the nation in energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Washington DC launches real-time building energy data project (via GigaOm)

NUCLEAR 

Duke Energy shelves major nuclear project in Florida (via Reuters)

Exelon not yet bailing on any of its nuclear reactors (via Crain’s Chicago Business)

Two Missouri universities set to research small modular nuclear reactors (via AP)

GRID 

Companies launch Europe’s largest energy storage trial (via Renew Grid)

Germany rejects EU smart meter recommendations on cost concerns (via Bloomberg)

Connecticut funds statewide microgrid pilot program (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

US oil reserves rise to highest level since 1985 (via Washington Post)

Interior Department meets with oil execs about Gulf accidents (via Houston Chronicle)

Decades-old defect caused Exxon’s Arkansas oil spill (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

During domestic drilling boom, why are gas prices still high? (via StateImpact Texas)

Chevy Volt sales drop to 1,788, Nissan Leaf up to 1,864 in July (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Ernest Moniz: natural gas helps battle climate change – for now (via The Hill)

Insurance issues loom over shale gas development (via EnergyWire)

Scientists, industry, regulators struggle with suspect math of natural gas leaks (via ClimateWire)

Natural gas price increase jumps wholesale electricity prices up to 101% (via Facts of the Day)

EMISSIONS 

Australian emissions target should be 15% by 2020, says Climate Change Authority (via The Guardian)

Japan’s power companies miss their CO2 pledge (via Reuters Point Carbon)

How data centers make high returns from low carbon (via GreenBiz)

Climate Catch-22: how a carbon tax could save coal (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexico president to present energy reform next week (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

70% of Nebraska now in considerable drought (via Omaha World-Herald)

To avoid killing birds with wind turbines, researchers track flight patterns off Maine coast (via Bangor Daily News)

POLITICS 

Right’s new attack on clean energy detailed (via EarthTechnling)

Carbon tax vote looms in House of Representatives (via The Hill)

US lawmakers vote to thwart EPA move on social cost of carbon (via The Hill)

Sally Jewell doesn’t want any climate deniers at Interior (via Grist)

OPINION 

A Republican case for climate action (via New York Times)

How clean energy victory bonds can power our future (via Renewable Energy World)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.2.13

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

As Keystone stalls, TransCanada OKs bigger East Coast line (via Reuters)

TransCanada to build $300 million New Brunswick tar sands export terminal (via Reuters)

Enviros target Keystone in new pipeline spill video (via Politico)

CLIMATE 

Study: hotter temperatures lead to hotter tempers, more conflict (via AP)

Heat-related deaths in Australia set to quadruple by 2050 (via Climate Progress)

Greenland hits highest temperature ever, almost 80 degrees (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

EU approves China solar deal, no state votes against (via Reuters)

Solar PV about to enter “third growth phase” – Deutsche Bank (via CleanTechnica)

Cuba’s first solar farm a step toward renewables (via Phys.org)

UK bets on offshore wind boom (via Recharge)

Azerbaijan aims to boost renewable energy output to 9.7% total demand (via Renewable Energy World)

ARPA-E announces different path for solar innovation (via Innovation Files)

Matching renewable power, worth billions, to load (via Navigant Research)

Solar energy could supply one-third of power in US West (via Phys.org)

2.8 acres of land generate 1GWh of solar energy per year, says NREL (via Energy Manager Today)

Utility Xcel wants to grow wind portfolio by 30% (via Renew Grid)

Deepwater Wind wins America’s first offshore wind competitive lease sale (via CleanTechnica)

Arizona mulls solar tax (via Sustainable Business)

COAL 

Moniz: coal commitment is part of US national energy strategy (via Huffington Post/AP)

Lummi Nation’s stance could stop proposed Washington coal terminal (via Bellingham Herald)

Scope of Gateway Pacific analysis is bad news for coal industry (via Sightline Daily)

Southern Company vows to continue Mississippi “clean coal” plant despite mounting losses (via ClimateWire)

Will another Illinois coal plant bite the dust? (via Midwest Energy News)

EFFICIENCY 

Japan’s appetite for demand response awakens (via Energy Collective)

America’s most unpopular way of saving energy is one of Europe’s favorites (via Outlier)

EPA to publish companies’ water data (via Environmental Leader)

Washington DC wants to lead the nation in energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Washington DC launches real-time building energy data project (via GigaOm)

NUCLEAR 

Duke Energy shelves major nuclear project in Florida (via Reuters)

Exelon not yet bailing on any of its nuclear reactors (via Crain’s Chicago Business)

Two Missouri universities set to research small modular nuclear reactors (via AP)

GRID 

Companies launch Europe’s largest energy storage trial (via Renew Grid)

Germany rejects EU smart meter recommendations on cost concerns (via Bloomberg)

Connecticut funds statewide microgrid pilot program (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

US oil reserves rise to highest level since 1985 (via Washington Post)

Interior Department meets with oil execs about Gulf accidents (via Houston Chronicle)

Decades-old defect caused Exxon’s Arkansas oil spill (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

During domestic drilling boom, why are gas prices still high? (via StateImpact Texas)

Chevy Volt sales drop to 1,788, Nissan Leaf up to 1,864 in July (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Ernest Moniz: natural gas helps battle climate change – for now (via The Hill)

Insurance issues loom over shale gas development (via EnergyWire)

Scientists, industry, regulators struggle with suspect math of natural gas leaks (via ClimateWire)

Natural gas price increase jumps wholesale electricity prices up to 101% (via Facts of the Day)

EMISSIONS 

Australian emissions target should be 15% by 2020, says Climate Change Authority (via The Guardian)

Japan’s power companies miss their CO2 pledge (via Reuters Point Carbon)

How data centers make high returns from low carbon (via GreenBiz)

Climate Catch-22: how a carbon tax could save coal (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexico president to present energy reform next week (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

70% of Nebraska now in considerable drought (via Omaha World-Herald)

To avoid killing birds with wind turbines, researchers track flight patterns off Maine coast (via Bangor Daily News)

POLITICS 

Right’s new attack on clean energy detailed (via EarthTechnling)

Carbon tax vote looms in House of Representatives (via The Hill)

US lawmakers vote to thwart EPA move on social cost of carbon (via The Hill)

Sally Jewell doesn’t want any climate deniers at Interior (via Grist)

OPINION 

A Republican case for climate action (via New York Times)

How clean energy victory bonds can power our future (via Renewable Energy World)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.6.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Research assigns US three times CO2 reduction responsibility as China (via Bloomberg)

Brazil’s emissions fall 39% since 2005, now 10% below 1990 levels (via Mongabay)

Obama officials raise “social cost” of carbon in federal regulations (via The Hill)

Schools addressing students’ fossil fears without divesting (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Canada oil output will double by 2030 if pipelines are built (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

US crude output exceeds imports for first time in 16 years (via Houston Chronicle)

BP to pump $1 billion into its Alaska drilling efforts (via Grist)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Smarter energy use by UK industry could cut electricity demand 75% (via Phys.org)

Amendments could sink bipartisan Senate energy efficiency bill (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

UK solar investment jeopardized by EU tariffs on China (via Bloomberg)

Japan PM’s power plan lifts renewables at utility expense (via Bloomberg)

Brazil may unlock 21GW renewable energy market (via Recharge)

US solar PV demand to grow 20% in 2013 to 4.3GW (via CleanTechnica)

Interior Department Approves Up to 4Gw Of New Renewable Energy Projects (via CleanTechnica)

Will Master Limited Partnerships campaign put wind tax credit at risk? (via Politico)

DOE issues regulatory roadmap to spur geothermal energy development (via Green Car Congress)

Offshore wind advances create greentech investment opportunities (via Greentech Media)

Solar gardens taking root in US communities (via EarthTechling)

MIT creates solar potential map of Cambridge (via Treehugger)

Renewable energy gets a rural boost in Colorado (via Climate Progress)

Michigan legislators seek offshore wind power restrictions (via Record-Eagle)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

UK prepares for US-style shale gas boom (via CNN Money)

Summer to bring upward pressure on US natural gas prices (via Wall Street Journal)

EPA Inspector General to investigate efforts to reduce natural gas pipeline leaks (via Washington Post/AP)

With more solar on the way, does Xcel need more gas peakers? (via Midwest Energy News)

North Carolina House panel Oks more cautious fracking bill (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Russia continues to block UN climate talks (via RTCC)

As extreme weather increases, Bangladesh braces for the worst (via Yale e360)

How investors can help avert climate catastrophe (via GreenBiz)

Stormy weather set to increase due to climate change (via RTCC)

Rising sea levels, stronger storms will threaten US coasts through end of century (via Times-Picayune)

The Obama climate move that nobody noticed (via Grist)

US tailors regional climate plans to help farmers beat the heat (via Bloomberg)

Agriculture Secretary: “America must take steps now” on climate (via The Hill)

COAL 

China to cut coal use in key industrial regions (via Reuters)

Sierra Club sues BNEF over coal dust from trains in Washington State (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

US new-car average gas mileage at highest level ever: 24.8 MPG (via Green Car Reports)

US hybrid & plug-in sales continue strong gains, 32,300 PEVs sold in 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

EPA to issue ethanol use targets this summer (via Reuters)

US added 180 EV charging stations in May (via Autoblog Green)

Study says California’s low-carbon fuel rule is working, but threats loom (via InsideClimate News)

GRID 

Smart and micro grids can minimize power outages during hurricane season (via Breaking Energy)

Cheap batteries for backup renewable energy (via MIT Technology Review)

POLITICS 

Americans for Prosperity targets Democrats up for re-election with anti-carbon tax campaign (via The Hill)

Congressional Democrats change climate message to focus on disaster costs (via ClimateWire)

Offshore drilling proponents launch new Congressional push (via Houston Chronicle)

The billionaire force behind GOP attempts to dismantle Maine’s renewable energy standards (via Bangor Daily News)

OPINION 

EU solar outlook still bright after binge (via Reuters)

Global signs of leadership on clean energy (via WRI Insights)

Why I wanted to be CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (via Greentech Media)

Don’t let another hurricane season blow by without climate action (via The Hill)

Now is the time to be an infrastructure hawk, not a deficit hawk (via Washington Post)

An obscure new rule on microwaves can tell us a lot about Obama’s climate policies (via Washington Post)