Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.21.14

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

CLIMATE 

Climate models accurately predicted global warming when reflecting natural ocean cycles (via The Guardian)

Climate models on the mark, finds Australian-led research (via Sydney Morning-Herald)

As Arctic ice melts, polar bears find a new menu (via Climate Central)

Boston may need canals to combat climate change (via WGBH)

Religious effort to halt climate change puts Rabbi Moti Reiber behind church pulpits (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Denmark declares wind “cheapest” form of power (via BusinessGreen)

Quebec seeks to strengthen its wind market (via Recharge)

Solar, wind account for over half of all new U.S. generation in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Wind turbines could rule Tornado Alley (via Forbes)

Maryland offshore wind auction date set, New Jersey auction proposed (via TriplePundit)

Feds to announce South Carolina ocean wind tracts in North Myrtle Beach (via The Sun-News)

Washington State just cut up to $2,500 off the cost of solar panels (via Grist)

SunEdison announces IPO pricing for solar yieldco (via Solar Industry Magazine)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexican energy sector reform takes step forward (via Wall Street Journal)

FERC tell utility industry group to beef up electric grid security proposal (via The Hill)

COAL 

India doubles coal tax to fund clean energy, environment projects (via CleanTechnica)

Minnesota governor calls for eliminating coal from state’s energy production (via Minnesota Public Radio)

Coal fuels brewpubs in Wyoming as Kentucky mines misery (via Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS 

World Bank sees “momentum” behind global carbon price (via RTCC)

Some Chinese carbon projects to exit UN offset market if allowed (via Reuters)

U.S. and China lead the way on carbon capture and storage (via Climate Central)

Some U.S. faith groups unload fossil-fuel investments (via Washington Post)

Drought hinders California’s emissions goals (via San Francisco Chronicle)

El Paso Electric to divest from coal and invest in solar (via Santa Fe New Mexican)

OIL 

Amid global turmoil, oil prices oddly stable (via Navigant Research)

Oil trains, born of U.S. energy boom, face test in new safety rules (via Reuters)

Did Obama just signal he’ll open the Atlantic Coast to drilling? (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

China now has more than 200 million EV drivers (via San Jose Mercury News)

Japan Prime Minister says country will offer $20,000 subsidy for fuel cell cars (via Reuters)

China to mandate one-third of government vehicles be plug-ins (via Green Car Report)

Fuel efficiencies drive down passenger vehicle energy demands (via Houston Chronicle)

How can the United States pay for road upkeep? (via Navigant Research)

Three things you may not know about EV maker Tesla Motors (via Motley Fool)

NUCLEAR 

“Empty and lonely” Fukushima towns struggle in catastrophe’s wake (via Greenwire)

Is EPA about to relax radiation protections from nuclear power? (via Forbes)

GRID 

India village claims first 100% solar, energy storage microgrid (via Renew Economy)

Microgrids: They’re kind of a big deal (via Renewable Energy World)

Behind the scenes at Aquion Energy’s battery factor and the future of solar storage (via GigaOm)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

The ten most energy efficient states in America (via Business Cheat Sheet)

LEDs will slash energy use for lighting by 95% (via Renew Economy)

ENVIRONMENT 

The great American oyster collapse (via Al-Jazeera)

Experts say wildfire threat is already above normal in Western U.S. states (via Washington Post)

EPA moves to thwart Alaskan copper and gold mine (via National Journal)

POLITICS 

Climate regulations back under the microscope in Congress (via The Hill)

Steyer cuts $2 million for climate, Mercer aids Tea Party (via Bloomberg)

A fracking problem for Colorado Democrats (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Australia’s decision to dump its carbon tax reveals more about politics than the environment (via Washington Post)

What if climate change triggers cooperation, not conflict? (via Huffington Post)

Combat global warming by taxing carbon (via The Oregonian)

Poll: Men and women think differently about energy, climate (via Time)

How should climate change be taught? (via National Journal)

Reflecting on climate change upon granddaughter’s birth (via Trenton Times)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.30.14

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

CLIMATE 

World Bank: Tacking climate change will grow the economy (via Climate Central)

Leading insurer closing its climate change office, leaving industry “mute” (via ClimateWire)

Mexico eyes economic benefits of landmark climate law (via RTCC)

The high cost of climate change inaction in two new studies (via NRDC Switchboard)

Wheat breeders planning for climate change (via The Western Producer)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Scotland primed for shale gas exploration (via BusinessGreen)

RENEWABLES 

IRENA says world needs $550 billion of renewables investment a year (via RTCC)

Last week, wind energy was the new baseload in Australia (via Renew Economy)

German lawmakers vote to reduce renewable energy subsidies (via Bloomberg)

SunEdison closes $190 million financing for Chile solar project (via Bloomberg)

Silver lining for China’s carbon-financed wind power boom (via Forbes)

Columbia River Basin provides more than 40% total U.S. hydroelectric generation (via U.S. EIA)

Michigan’s wind industry soaring (via Detroit Free-Press)

Growing number of solar panels a concern for Wisconsin utilities (via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Boston trying out solar-powered “smart benches” in parks (via Boston Globe)

GM adds three acres of solar arrays at Michigan facilities (via Green Car Congress)

SunPower to add storage to solar in new homes (via Greentech Media)

NextEra Energy prices yieldco IPO (via Recharge)

EMISSIONS 

Australia carbon tax moves closer to repeal after vote in lower house (via Reuters)

Caribbean needs $30 billion investment to cut fossil-fuel use (via Bloomberg)

Shanghai firms meet carbon targets after last-day permit auction (via Reuters)

DOE-sponsored project captures one millionth metric ton of CO2 (via Breaking Energy)

NASA to launch CO2-tracking satellite (via The Guardian)

Los Angeles councilman to propose emissions reduction measure (via Los Angeles Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Drought has drillers running after shrinking California water supply (via NPR)

Map shows when summer heat will peak in your town (via Climate Central)

OIL 

The other battle for Canada’s oil sands (via Houston Chronicle)

Following long ban, U.S. could dominate global light oil supply (via Reuters)

Feds, lawmakers warn of fire risk from oil trains (via The Hill)

Oil boom meets bust in Texas: Above sea of oil, poverty digs in (via New York Times)

BP seeks return of millions in oil spill damage payments (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

China only sold 7,000 electric automobiles in 2013 (via Autoblog Green)

Lukewarm automaker interest in open Tesla EV patents (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan prices replacement Leaf battery at $5,500 (via Autoblog Green)

COAL 

MSHA issues 147 citations during coal mine inspections (via Washington Post)

GRID 

UK seeks to avoid “energy crunch” with 53GW capacity auction (via BusinessGreen)

NREL supercomputer tackles grid challenges (via Intelligent Utility)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Berg Insights predicts 36 million smart homes worldwide by 2017 (via GigaOm)

Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance starts financing network (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

OPINION 

Australia risks G20 isolation by scrapping carbon tax (via Financial Times)

The American West’s water crisis (via New York Times)

How carbon pricing can boost the bottom line (via Environmental Leader)

Time to buy shares in a yieldco? (via Sustainable Business)

Will Governor Christie re-embrace cap-and-trade in wake of EPA rule? (via InsideClimate News)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.29.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Obama to offer rule that sharply curb power plant emissions (via New York Times)

U.S. Chamber says new EPA rule could cost economy $51 billion a year (via Los Angeles Times)

America’s top 100 power producers already reducing emissions (via The Hill)

COAL 

Alberta renewables seen cheaper than coal in coming decades (via Bloomberg)

As EPA carbon rules loom, North Dakota clings to coal (via Midwest Energy News)

RENEWABLES 

13.5GW of solar PV estimated for China this year (via CleanTechnica)

UK wind and hydropower surges 55% in first quarter 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

Solar PV may hit $83/MWh in Brazil auction (via Recharge)

French court annuls wind power decree, ending legal saga (via Reuters)

Wind power most popular source of energy in UK (via The Guardian)

U.S. set to install 6.6GW of solar in 2014 as residential market booms (via BusinessGreen)

A PV market first: Residential solar in U.S. beats commercial installations (via Greentech Media)

Hannon Armstrong buys $107 million renewable energy portfolio (via Bloomberg)

SolarCity tries first-ever online solar offer with Groupon (via Greentech Media)

Show me solar: Missouri’s opportunity for solar power (via CleanTechnica)

Solar roadways smashes crowdfunding target, still raising more (via Green Car Reports)

ENERGY POLICY 

EU eyes plan to diversify energy supply but sees no easy fixes (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Ohio Governor Kasich will sign two-year freeze on renewables, energy efficiency standards (via Plain-Dealer)

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Mexico’s energy ministry projects rapid near-term growth of natural gas imports from U.S. (via US EIA)

Natural gas boom presents a conundrum for British Columbia (via New York Times)

Bill that would have sped up fracking in Illinois dies in legislature (via Chicago Tribune)

CLIMATE 

Fewer polar bear cubs being born on Arctic islands, finds survey (via The Guardian)

New environment ministry in India puts climate change atop agenda (via Economic Times)

Big waves bust up sea ice, may be playing role in melt (via Climate Central)

Melting Arctic ice may release 1 trillion tiny pieces of plastic into oceans, say researchers (via Huffington Post)

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

OIL 

Oil-by-rail protests planned to mark Canadian disaster (via Houston Chronicle)

Report: Exporting U.S. oil would be economic boom (via Houston Chronicle)

How extreme heat could lead to more oil rail car derailments (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Car2go car sharing service withdrawing from UK (via Green Car Congress)

TAR SANDS 

TransCanada’s safety promises draw scrutiny even as they multiply (via Greenwire)

POLITICS 

Obama raises the stakes against GOP climate deniers (via National Journal)

Pregame scuffle breaks out on EPA climate rule (via Politico)

The ongoing political explosion over climate change (via Washington Post)

Obama seeks climate legacy as coal-state Democrats cringe (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Barclays just threw gasoline on the fire in the battle between utilities and solar industry (via Energy Trends Insider)

Did Obama’s West Point speech make his climate case? (via New York Times)

The battle against Obama’s climate proposals has already begun (via Washington Post)

How the U.S. energy mix made a U-turn from California to Texas (via EnergyWire)

Cutting carbon: States can use what they’ve already got to lower power plant emissions (via WRI Insights)

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)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.20.14

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

EMISSIONS

Shell says fossil fuel reserves won’t be “stranded” by climate regulation (via Reuters)

Emissions from 10 food and drink companies “higher than Scandinavia” (via BusinessGreen)

EPA carbon curbs to reach beyond power plant “fence,” aiding cap-and-trade (via Reuters)

Pundits weigh risks, benefits of Obama himself rolling out power plant rule (via Greenwire)

IEA graphic shows how to radically reduce CO2 (via Climate Central)

RGGI carbon market monitor releases report (via Environmental Leader)

RENEWABLES 

UK will be largest solar PV market in Europe in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

German lesson for renewable power policies (via Energy Collective)

GE has invested $10 billion in clean energy (via CleanTechnica)

8GW of new US solar PV expected in 2014-2015 (via Recharge)

EPA mulls ethanol change as industry profits soar (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Maryland’s $200 million wind energy project will move forward thanks to governor’s veto (via Climate Progress)

When solar property taxes get personal (via Renewable Energy World)

COAL 

Inslee wants to wean electric utilities off coal (via The Columbian)

The coal ash sludge in North Carolina’s Dan River is finally getting vacuumed up (via Climate Progress)

CLIMATE 

Doubling of Antarctic ice loss revealed by European satellite (via The Guardian)

Greenland ice sheet melt could occur yearly by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Reports say collapse of West Antarctic Ice Sheet is unstoppable, may cause great flood (via Elite Daily)

North Korea: An unlikely champion in the fight against climate change (via The Guardian)

Vancouver wants review to examine economic effects of climate change (via Vancouver Sun)

Many U.S. landmarks threatened by climate change (via Gannett News)

Local leaders call for U.S. help to deal with climate change (via Bloomberg)

Study says cities depending on snowmelt for water could face problems (via Christian Science Monitor)

In landmark class action, Farmers Insurance sues local governments for ignoring climate change (via Climate Progress)

Kerry calls on U.S. college graduates to face down climate change (via Reuters)

ENERGY POLICY 

Chile gets an energy agenda, Costa Rica saves electricity, Mexico wants more renewables (via NRDC Switchboard)

Integrated resources planning in India could help with electricity shortages (via World Resources Institute)

Read the secret trade memo calling for more fracking and offshore drilling (via Huffington Post)

Former Mexican President calls for global green growth push (via BusinessGreen)

ENVIRONMENT 

Did scientists just solve the bee collapse mystery? (via Mother Jones)

Obama to declare largest national monument in his tenure in New Mexico (via Washington Post)

Drought could cost California Central Valley farms $1.7 billion and 14,500 jobs (via Los Angeles Times)

California governor on drought, wildfires: “Humanity is on a collision course with nature” (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

IHS says EV sales are better than you think (via Autoblog Green)

FTC staff comes out in favor of Tesla, direct vehicle sales (via Autoblog Green)

GM reduced energy and carbon intensity 3.5% per vehicle in 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

New Fisker owner ready to go broke building EVs, challenging Tesla (via Autoblog Green)

GRID

Solar and storage are pushing the market for distributed resource management tools (via Greentech Media)

UC San Diego is building the “Motel 6” of microgrids (via Greentech Media)

Ohio looks to fuel cells as economic catalyst (via Midwest Energy News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Opower expands behavioral demand response to one million customers (via Greentech Media)

Keep your cool: Top five myths of summer energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Freezing Ohio energy efficiency standards will mean higher bills for customers (via Columbus Business First)

POLITICS 

Ontario election holds renewable energy impact (via Recharge)

The most interesting climate policy debate you haven’t heard of (via Climate Progress)

In Alaska senate race, fierce competition to prove who knows less about climate science (via Climate Progress)

Climate activist Members of Congress to “sound alarm” on Capitol Hill (via The Hill)

Biden to attend fundraiser with Keystone XL opponent Steyer (via Reuters)

OPINION 

Climate change: Get ready or get sued (via Washington Post)

Carbon pricing vs. regulation (via Energy Collective)

Trains and crude oil are too often an accident waiting to happen (via Los Angeles Times)

What the Farmers Insurance suit tells us about climate change (via NRDC Switchboard)

Where should the investors divest? (via Resilience)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.16.14

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Mexico’s energy reform could take a bite out of U.S. shale-gas sellers, says EIA chief (via Houston Chronicle)

North Carolina fracking bill would clear way for exploratory drilling next spring (via News Observer)

FERC finds little environmental impact in Maryland natural gas export project (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Obama said to consider power plant emissions rule that tests law (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China targets 70GW of solar power to cut coal reliance (via Bloomberg)

Philippines cuts ribbon on first utility-scale solar farm (via BusinessGreen)

24/7 concentrating solar power plant gains environmental approval in Chile (via Triple Pundit)

The red-hot renewable that could incite a green power revolution (via Climate Progress)

On-site solar could spawn tax consequences (via Energy Manager Today)

What does the Colorado decision mean for challenges to state clean energy targets? (via Greentech Media)

Wind Production Tax Credit stalls in US Senate (via Recharge)

Austin’s energy mix just got much sunnier with 150MW solar farm (via StateImpact Texas)

CLIMATE 

Climate change “biggest issue in 2014 proxy season” (via Environmental Leader)

More big companies say they’re concerned about climate risks (via The Guardian)

Brazil “unprepared” for climate change, warns leading scientist (via RTCC)

Wyoming Gov. Mead seeks to recast on climate change to solutions (via Star-Tribune)

New $1.1 billion sea wall protects New Orleans against major storms but may cultivate complacency (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Beyond Keystone XL, more pipelines with more problems (via Greenwire)

Keystone XL delays fuel push for Canada east coast oil pipeline (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

A future of thirst: Hydrologists predict worldwide water crisis (via Jamaica Observer/Agence France-Presse)

All of California in severe drought for first time this century (via USA Today)

Drought among the worst in Texas in past 500 years (via Houston Chronicle)

23% of American honeybee colonies died this winter, report Feds (via Huffington Post/AP)

GRID 

FERC approves changes to PJM’s demand response program (via Renew Grid)

Texas mulls capacity market (via EnergyBiz)

Elon Musk sees nearly unlimited demand for energy storage (via San Francisco Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How much did Nest Labs save utilities last summer? (via Greentech Media)

In Opower’s first earnings report as a public company, it grows sales, widens loss (via GigaOm)

TRANSPORTATION 

Why the federal gas tax is way too low (via Washington Post)

U.S. Senate panel backs transportation bill to maintain funding (via Reuters)

Plug-in rebates finally come to Texas, but not for Tesla (via StateImpact Texas)

POLITICS 

The dirty politics that killed the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill (via Greentech Media)

Sen. Whitehouse challenges Sen. Rubio on climate change (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Why the struggle over climate is moving to the executive branch (via National Journal)

Local, state governments lead the way on global warming (via The Oregonian)

Why is Texas terrible at producing solar power? (via National Journal)

Inslee’s climate effort will face steep odds (via Crosscut)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.12.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Obama administration limits on soot pollution upheld by appeals court (via Los Angeles Times)

Deval Patrick calls for “future free of fossil fuels,” zero coal in four years (via Climate Progress)

Stanford divesting coal helps students seeking domino effect (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

Merkel says Germany would support Siemens-Alstom merger (via Reuters)

Obama doubles down on solar, energy efficiency in climate push (via The Hill)

US failed to inspect thousands of at-risk oil and gas wells, finds report (via The Guardian)

House votes to make energy research tax credit permanent (via ABC News/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Global renewable energy jobs count tops 6.5 million (via BusinessGreen)

UBS: Solar could be 10% global capacity by 2020 (via Renew Economy)

Germany approves 328MW of offshore wind (via Recharge)

Chile approves 110MW solar-thermal plant (via Recharge)

Renewables provide record 27% of German electricity demand (via Bloomberg)

Mexico’s newly opened energy market attracts renewables (via Renewable Energy World)

More solar energy powering corporate America (via USA Today)

Wal-Mart doubles down on solar energy plans (via Wall Street Journal)

SolarCity surges on higher rooftop installation forecast (via Bloomberg)

US hopes to tap offshore wind potential (via Houston Chronicle)

ABB rolls out new grid interconnection technology for wind farms (via Renew Grid)

Solar seen bailing California out of summer hydro shortage (via Bloomberg)

Ohio senate votes to kill state’s renewable energy standard (via Climate Progress)

Hawaii confronts green energy’s bugaboo: Batteries (via Christian Science Monitor)

The only active landfill in Vermont goes solar (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

China’s coal dependency threatens efforts to curb warming (via New York Times)

Coal investments a bad bet for state pensions (via Times-Union)

After coal ash spill, Dan is a river of calm and caution (via Winston-Salem Journal)

CLIMATE 

Lloyd’s of London urges insurers to factor in climate change risk (via Environmental Leader)

Obama continues to push unilateral action to fight climate change (via National Journal)

As population surges, harsh Southwest climate will only get harsher (via Climate Progress)

South Carolina’s solution to sea level rise: Build more walls (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Senate standoff threatens to kill energy efficiency bill (via The Hill)

Energy bill fizzles as Senate begins debate on tax extenders (via National Journal)

Better Buildings Challenge partners reduce energy use 2.5% (via Energy Manager Today)

PACE is picking up for Michigan efficiency program (via Midwest Energy News)

Philips continues lighting revolution, tweaks LEDs for hydroponic growing (via GigaOm)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia ratchets up Ukraine’s gas bills in shift to economic battlefield (via New York Times)

Cleanest fossil fuel is Wall Street’s bet on climate change (via Bloomberg)

EPA weighs rule requiring fracking chemical disclosure (via The Hill)

Hundreds of small quakes in North Texas since December (via StateImpact Texas)

EMISSIONS 

IEA: Decarbonizing world economy will save $71 trillion by 2050 (via RTCC)

Few funds ready to follow Stanford’s lead on fossil fuel stocks (via Reuters) 

OIL 

Oil industry risks $1.1 trillion of investor cash (via Bloomberg)

Saudi Arabia, OPEC said will cover any Ukraine-related oil shortage (via Reuters)

BNSF says federal order won’t affect railroad oil shipments (via Bismarck Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION 

US buyers show little interest in big hybrids (via Autoblog Green)

RMI: What’s the true cost of EV charging stations? (via GreenBiz)

Texas will soon offer $2,500 rebate for EVs, PHEVs, and more (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT 

Obama: Palm oil is destroying Malaysia’s rainforests (via Mongabay)

Summer blockbuster? El Nino looking more likely (via Climate Central)

California drought: Parched state braces for fire season (via San Francisco Chronicle)

KEYSTONE XL 

How the Senate’s Keystone XL vote came crumbling down (via EcoWatch)

Keystone XL foes vow to fight South Dakota permit renewal (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Australian households could go off-grid by 2018 (via Renew Economy)

USDA awards $540 million for electric system upgrades, including $35 million for smart grid (via Renew Grid)

Clean Line wins key FERC approval (via Recharge)

POLITICS 

Rubio on a presidential bid, and climate change (via New York Times)

Colorado – energy’s continental divide (via Politico)

OPINION 

How to phase out incentives and grow solar energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Climate debate isn’t so heated in the US (via New York Times)

Obama’s energy announcements are nice, but we’ll need much more (via Time)

Can Congress ever have a reasonable energy debate? (via National Journal)

Texas is American energy leader – so how can its electricity markets be such a mess? (via Energy Trends Insider)

Obama’s new energy efficiency standards will lead to big electricity, consumer, carbon savings (via NRDC Switchboard)

Obama’s solar move is equivalent to a year without 80 million cars (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.30.14

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

CLIMATE 

Indian monsoons becoming more erratic (via RTCC)

Climate change “making extreme rainfall in England more likely” (via The Guardian)

Las Vegas burning: Lessons in resilience from the nation’s driest big city (via Grist)

Oyster reefs could provide “dynamic” sea walls that outpace sea-level rise (via ClimateWire)

COAL 

Supreme Court OKs EPA pollution rules: Another blow for coal (via Christian Science Monitor)

Is underground coal gasification the new fracking? (via Renew Economy)

RENEWABLES 

China hits EU with final duties on polysilicon imports (via Reuters)

Germans installing far fewer solar panels in 2014 (via Reuters)

China fuels highest solar silicon demand since 2011 (via Bloomberg)

Concerns escalate over fresh UK solar subsidy reforms (via BusinessGreen)

Pension funds hold a key to renewable energy finance (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewable electricity projections show growth under carbon market assumptions (via US EIA)

Americans are more concerned about clean energy than climate change (via EcoAffect)

ORNL assessment finds >65GW untapped hydropower in US rivers and streams (via Green Car Congress)

World’s largest solar panel farm is completed and live in Arizona (via GigaOm)

SunEdison closes financing on 60MW California solar farm (via Bloomberg)

US regulations push wave-energy project to Australia (via Houston Chronicle)

Tricky political tides challenge East Coast offshore wind projects (via ClimateWire)

Landfill area becoming solar site (via Energy Manager Today)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexico expected to present energy reform laws today (via Reuters)

Report: Alstom to accept GE’s $13 billion offer (via Greentech Media)

Exelon expands again, reportedly buys Pepco for $5.4 billion (via Forbes)

EMISSIONS 

April becomes 1st month with CO2 levels above 400 PPM (via Climate Central)

Ending Australia’s carbon tax could deliver $40 billion budget hit (via Renew Economy)

China could expand carbon market to big-polluting industrial regions (via Reuters)

UK political uncertainty undermining carbon targets (via RTCC)

Documents contradict EPA on climate-rule delay (via Politico)

EPA’s powers upheld by Supreme Court with climate rules on deck (via Bloomberg)

Washington State’s governor unveils carbon reduction plan (via Reuters)

KEYSTONE XL 

Harry Reid leaves door open to Keystone XL pipeline vote (via Reuters)

GRID 

Military advances energy independence with microgrids (via GreenBiz)

Tax credits for energy storage would advance renewable energy technology (via Energy Manager Today)

New York State gets to work on “grid of the future” with sweeping changes to come (via EnergyWire)

Extreme weather topples 38 TVA transmission towers (via Times Free Press)

OIL 

Bakken oil fields market billionth barrel of oil (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK to invest $841 million from 2015-2020 to boost ultra-low emission vehicle industry (via Green Car Congress)

US rollout of electric vehicle charging stations slowing down (via RTCC)

Winners and losers in EPA fuel economy scores (via Navigant Research)

Tesla making plans for Gigafactory in at least two states (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT 

Reporter travels to Brazil’s Amazon: Can the battle against deforestation be won? (via InsideClimate News)

Almost half of Americans live with unhealthy levels of air pollution (via The Guardian)

Triple digits expected in California and Texas during early spring heat wave (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Congressional supporters optimistic about natural gas export bill (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Efficiency bill may face roadblocks beyond Keystone XL (via Greenwire)

Maryland county becomes first in US to enact energy benchmarking (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

Big donor secrecy: “Irony, but it’s not hypocrisy” (via Politico)

Steyer explores involvement in Colorado contests (via E&E Daily)

OPINION 

EPA is on a legal winning streak (via National Journal)

The reality of a hotter world is already here (via Smithsonian)

George Will knocks out another instant climate classic (via Bloomberg)

What the Supreme Court’s latest air pollution ruling means (via Climate Progress)