Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.21.13

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

TRANSPORTATION 

Shell predicts oil-powered cars will be “nearly” gone by 2070 (via Autoblog Green)

EMISSIONS 

UK universities urged to cut fossil fuel funding (via RTCC)

In first vote, Columbia College students back fossil fuel divestment (via Huffington Post)

OIL 

No oil from North Dakota spill seen in water sources (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Oil found on Louisiana shore surges three years after BP spill (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Grid parity, low LCOE driving 34% global renewables capacity by 2030 (via CleanTechnica)

FERC report says solar leads all new US capacity except natural gas (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Clean tech VA investments crater, drop to pre-2006 levels (via GigaOm)

Study says most Americans would consider residential solar (via Solar Industry Magazine)

NRG buying 1.7GW of US wind (via Recharge)

Xcel get approval to add 750MW of wind power to Midwest grid (via Renew Grid)

New York State plugs solar farms (via Albany Times-Union)

Wind power gains favor in Ohio (via Springfield News-Sun)

Michigan PACE program growing rapidly, may soon add state’s largest county (via Midwest Energy News)

Arizona experiments with storing solar power (via National Journal)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Which countries win and lose from US shale gas boom? (via Breaking Energy)

Britain looks to fracking as North Sea oil dwindles (via New York Times)

Study projects no long-term climate benefit from shale gas revolution (via Climate Progress)

California finds more instances of offshore fracking (via Phys.org/AP)

OPINION 

Shell director: US has “overfracked and overdrilled” (via National Journal)

Reading renewable energy tea leaves in latest FERC report (via CleanTechnica)

How 9 major papers deal with climate denying letters (via Mother Jones)

Will fracking suck California dry? (via National Journal)

California’s energy and climate agenda: Visionary leader or cautionary tale? (via National Journal)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.7.13

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

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN 

Government shutdown affects weather, climate programs (via Climate Central)

Federal shutdown vexes greens, pleases industry (via Politico)

Solar decathlon launches despite US government shutdown (via Renewable Energy World)

FRACKING 

US fracking industry has used 250 billion gallons of water since 2005 (via Oil Price)

ENERGY POLICY 

US surpasses Russia as world’s top oil and natural gas producer (via The Guardian)

94% of utilities say distributed generation is a “game changer” (via BusinessGreen)

Embattled DOE clean energy loan program restarts under new management (via InsideClimate News)

RENEWABLES 

OECD-FAO projects global ethanol production to increase 67% over next 10 years to 44 billion gallons (via Green Car Congress)

Cost of PV cells drops 99% since 1977, bringing solar to grid parity (via Climate Progress)

Russia backs 504MW of wind and solar in first clean power auction (via CleanTechnica)

India invites national solar bids after 2-year gap (via Bloomberg)

South Pacific island nation becomes first to 100% renewables (via Facts of the Day)

As Sun shines on solar industry, power companies fret (via National Journal)

Wind turbine bird threat overstated, study suggests (via EarthTechling)

Florida utility offers $9 million in solar rebates (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Consumers Energy closing in on Michigan’s RPS (via Renew Grid)

OIL 

Economist: US jobs climb along with oil boom (via Houston Chronicle)

BP trial to focus on scientists’ spill estimates (via Houston Chronicle)

Court orders closer scrutiny of oil-spill claims against BP (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Putting all 20,000 electric car charging stations on the map (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

US gas prices drop 14 cents over past 2 weeks (via Houston Chronicle)

Volkswagen XL1, world’s most efficient car, makes its US debut (via CleanTechnica)

Hertz starts renting Tesla Model S electric cars (via Breaking Energy)

Ford doubles US electric drive market share from 2012 to 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

EMISSIONS 

IPCC report contains “grave” carbon budget message (via Climate Central)

EU carbon advances as policy makers consider supply flexibility (via Bloomberg)

US Supreme Court today may decide whether to hear greenhouse gas case (via Bloomberg BNA)

World’s carbon budget to be spent in three decades (via CleanTechnica)

Harvard won’t divest from fossil fuels, Faust says (via Bloomberg)

“Cynical” market shrugs off latest climate warning on fossil fuels (via EnergyWire)

ENVIRONMENT 

Scientists call for more controlled burns in West’s forests (via Los Angeles Times)

Let it burn: Changing firefighting techniques for a warming world (via Time)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Solar heating and cooling could save $61 billion in energy costs (via Energy Manager Today)

Popularity of federal energy efficiency program among farmers put it at risk (via Christian Science Monitor/AP)

Walmart sells LEDs for less than $10 (via Energy Manager Today)

COAL 

Q2 2013 coal export trends: Shipments fall nationally, rise in West (via Sightline Daily)

POLITICS 

German Greens mull new identity and coalition with Merkel (via Reuters)

Tony Abbott may have enough support to repeal Australian carbon tax (via ABC News)

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

Debt ceiling isn’t place for climate fight, says House Republican (via The Hill)

Decades in decline, issue of coal is in crosshairs for Virginia governors race (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

For insurers, climate risk is becoming a matter of policy (via GreenBiz)

When will we reach an electric vehicle tipping point? (via Greentech Media)

Hawaii’s smart grid a matter of necessity (via Navigant Research)

Is fossil fuel divestment a sound financial play? (via Triple Pundit)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.2.13

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

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN 

Federal shutdown weakens weather and climate operations (via Washington Post)

What the shutdown means for energy and environment programs (via Climate Progress)

EMISSIONS 

California and Quebec take another step toward linking cap-and-trade programs (via Green Car Congress)

California’s cap and trade market still needs a price ceiling (via Energy Collective)

COAL 

Coal to surpass gas in Southeast Asia power boom, says IEA (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

France launches 80MW tidal power tender (via Recharge)

Analysis shows wind tax credit would cost billions (via The Hill)

Washington DC unanimously passes community solar legislation (via Renewable Energy World)

CLIMATE 

Poland pits itself against EU climate pledges (via Reuters)

Fossil fuel interests ready to pump millions into climate change debate (via Forbes)

Three things we aren’t as sure of as climate change but accept as fact (via Climate Progress)

Wildfire season could be longer, more intense by 2050 due to climate change (via National Journal)

Climate adaptation goes mainstream in Wisconsin (via Grist)

Yosemite’s largest ice mass is melting fast (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

Public health report released on 2010 Michigan oil spill (via Houston Chronicle)

At trial, BP denies dithering during response to US Gulf spill (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Nearly 64,000 public EV charging stations installed worldwide (via Navigant Research)

Once you go electric, you don’t go back, finds study (via BusinessGreen)

Tesla Model S was best-selling car in Norway during September (via Green Car Congress)

Nissan Leaf outsells Chevy Volt 1,953 to 1,766 in September (via Autoblog Green)

GM intensifies military hydrogen fuel cell research (via BusinessGreen)

$2 billion for cleaner vehicles in California (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

40MW energy storage facility goes live in Ohio (via Renew Grid)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Chambers of Commerce want fracking oversight left to states (via Midwest Energy News)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.23.13

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

EMISSIONS 

French carbon tax to raise €4 billion for green energy by 2016 (via Reuters)

Norway cancels carbon capture plan it likened to “Moon landing” (via Reuters)

Everything you need to know about the EPA’s carbon limits for new power plants (via Washington Post)

Emissions regulations are central battle in Obama climate agenda (via The Hill)

Feds promise to work with businesses on meeting emissions goals (via The Hill)

COAL 

EPA claims new power plan emission regulations offer coal lifeline (via InsideClimate News)

A changing market and dim future for coal in Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

RENEWABLES 

SEIA offers peace plan to avert US-China solar trade war (via Bloomberg)

India to build world’s largest power plant in Rajasthan (via India Economic Times)

Report: Old business models holding back clean energy shift (via Midwest Energy News)

Wind energy: Bigger isn't always better (via Breaking Energy)

Wicked green: Massachusetts clean economy grows 11.8% to 80,000 jobs (via CleanTechnica)

Renewables provide a growing share of California’s electricity (via US EIA)

New Jersey offshore wind proposal still seeks answers (via Renewable Energy World)

Michigan can triple its renewable energy production by 2035, finds report (via Detroit Free Press)

Lake Erie wind turbines viable (via Plain Dealer)

CLIMATE 

IPCC issues stark warning over global warming (via The Guardian/The Observer)

Global warming “hiatus” puts climate change scientists on the spot (via Los Angeles Times)

Big business funds effort to discredit climate science, warns UN official (via The Guardian)

Arctic alpine plants may survive in “micro refuges” as temperatures rise (via The Guardian)

Arctic on course for ice-free summer “within decades”, scientists say (via The Guardian)

Hunger to worsen as climate change heats up world (via Bloomberg)

Study says children will bear brunt of climate change impact (via The Guardian)

OIL 

Not business as usual: China’s oil majors are no longer invincible (via Houston Chronicle)

Federal standards needed for safe Arctic drilling, Pew says (via Houston Chronicle)

Eagle Ford’s future might lie in Mexico’s oil demand (via Houston Chronicle)

California law to regulate fracking signed by governor (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

China to raise prices for clean fuel to boost production (via Reuters)

US gasoline prices fall 6.4 cents as crude declines (via Reuters)

Green parking: Not just a concept anymore (via New York Times)

Tesla’s feat of (financial) engineering (via Washington Post)

NUCLEAR 

France to tax nuclear output to fund shift to renewables (via Bloomberg)

US DOE invests $60 million in nuclear technology research and training (via Green Car Reports)

GRID 

Vehicle-to-grid charging coming of age (via EarthTechling)

Top 9 things you didn’t know about America’s power grid (via Energy.gov)

KEYSTONE XL 

Hundreds of events “Draw the Line” against Keystone XL and tar sands (via Huffington Post)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Why are some airlines better at saving fuel than others? (via Washington Post)

Siemens installing energy saving measures for US Coast Guard (via Energy Manager Today)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Money flowing to build pipelines (via Houston Chronicle)

Sites sought for Marcellus Shale region’s fracking residue (via Columbus Dispatch)

POLITICS 

Merkel romps to victory but faces tough coalition choices (via Reuters)

Republicans pounce on Obama’s global warming regulations for political fodder (via National Journal)

White House “War on Coal” no slam dunk for GOP in 2014 (via Politico)

White House: No retreat on troubled FERC nominee Binz (via The Hill)

OPINION 

What climate scientists should talk about: Their personal stories (via The Guardian)

Beleaguered CEOs say they can’t save the planet by themselves (via Bloomberg)

A reality check on offshore wind in Virginia (via Washington Post)

How big an impact will EVs have on the grid and your wallet? (via Greentech Media)

Will offshore wind finally take off on US East Coast? (via Yale e360)

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 – 9.12.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China to cut coal use, shut polluters, in bid to clear the air (via Reuters)

EPA to revise climate rule for new power plants, will still require carbon capture (via Washington Post)

Utilities fret about “unrealistic” emissions rules (via The Hill)

1% of America’s power plants emit 33% of energy industry’s CO2 (via Mother Jones)

California carbon price forecast plunges (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

China sets national coal use target to tackle air pollution (via Reuters)

Study: Damage from mountaintop coal removal mining “staggering” compared to energy benefits (via Charleston Gazette)

RENEWABLES 

Chile’s road to solar grid parity (via Renewable Energy World)

Japan hopes to blow ahead in renewables with floating wind farm (via Japan Times)

Analysis: 50% reduction in cost of renewable energy since 2008 (via CleanTechnica)

New US solar market report: US installs 832MW solar PV in Q2 2013 (via Greentech Media)

What local wind energy ordinances make sense for distributed generation? (via CleanTechnica)

New Mexico commission urged not to change renewable energy rules (via Santa Fe New Mexican)

California bill preserves net metering, “punts” to state regulators (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Study says solar delivers $11 million in annual benefits to Xcel Energy grid (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Michigan utility moves forward on $255M wind farm (via Detroit Free-Press)

Falling into solar: National Solar Tour and Solar Decathlon (via Renewable Energy World)

CLIMATE 

Arctic ice continues thinning to record low, European satellite reveals (via Christian Science Monitor)

Report shows companies still don’t take climate change seriously (via The Guardian)

Summer days “four times hotter” across some parts of Europe (via RTCC)

The most important climate pacts you’ve never heard of (via Climate Central)

States with most federal disaster aid sent most climate deniers to Congress (via Center for American Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Senate takes up bipartisan energy efficiency legislation (via Huffington Post)

Senate energy efficiency debate becomes battleground (via Houston Chronicle)

What it takes to make energy efficiency programs work (via Greentech Media)

Chicago moves to require building owners to disclose energy use (via Chicago Tribune)

Opower launches behavioral demand response program (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

LNG export critics call on DOE for time out (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama administration authorizes new natural gas export terminal (via Houston Chronicle)

California assembly passes new regulations on fracking (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

Microgrids become reality as Superstorm Sandy anniversary nears (via ClimateWire)

DOE Energy Systems Integration Facility to help modernize grid (via Energy.gov)

New EV chargers put energy back into local grid (via EarthTechling)

DOE, NREL, Toyota collaborating on integrating EVs into grid (via Green Car Reports)

Why the Lone Star State’s smart grid stands alone (via GreenBiz)

ENERGY SECTOR 

Power sector infrastructure, renewables spending surging (via Houston Chronicle)

Why are some bug utilities embracing small-scale solar? (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Volkswagen will be biggest EV maker in 2018, it says (via Green Car Reports)

Nissan Leaf hits South Africa in October – first EV on sale in the country (via CleanTechnica)

Tesla challenges BMW on home turf as Germans go green (via Bloomberg)

What is America’s most fuel-efficient airline? (via Climate Central)

DOE-NASCAR partnership revs deployment of pollution-reducing technology (via Energy.gov)

ENVIRONMENT 

Global warming may “flatten” rainforests (via Mongabay)

Proposal to protect Antarctic waters is scaled back (via New York Times)

Study: Wind farms killed 67 eagles in 5 years (via AP)

OPINION 

Three investment vehicles that could revolutionize solar (via Sustainable Industries)

Naomi Klein’s criticism of environmental groups missed the mark (via Climate Progress)

China’s urban billion: Energy use and greenhouse gases (via WRI Insights)

The trouble with low carbon prices (via Environmental Leader)

What can Canada do to get Keystone approved? (via Politico)

Despite hard push from industry, new coal plants could see serious carbon cuts (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.6.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Europe offers US a deal, hoping for global rules on airline emissions (via New York Times)

Carbon prices rise to 5-month high as EU crimps free-permit handout (via Bloomberg)

Coalition’s plans to remove Australian carbon price will cost more than $6 billion (via The Guardian)

A new divestment focus: Fossil fuels (via New York Times)

COAL 

China may get over its addition to coal sooner than anyone thought (via Quartz)

Coal, hit hard by natural gas, could see further US market erosion from regulations (via ClimateWire)

RENEWABLES 

Geothermal power will hit 12GW worldwide by end of 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

Deutsche Bank says solar is approaching grid parity (via Breaking Energy)

Chile adopts 20% renewables by 2025 target (via Recharge)

Biggest geothermal plant of its kind kicks into gear in New Zealand (via EarthTechling)

Renewables account for nearly 50% of US added capacity in 2012 (via Transmission & Distribution World)

White House reviewing 2014 biofuel targets (via Reuters)

Wildlife groups, wind industry meet on eagle permit rule (via The Hill)

A $1.6 million win in America’s second offshore wind lease auction (via CleanTechnica)

Studies suggest combining renewables can fully cover energy needs by 2030 (via Energy Collective)

Is solar about to get squeezed or saved in California? (via Greentech Solar)

In unlikely alliance, Wisconsin Libertarians back solar plan (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

US oil production reaches highest level in 24 years (via Houston Chronicle)

Is there another big US shale oil play? (via Breaking Energy)

Analyst says rail will be a lasting competitor against oil pipelines (via Houston Chronicle)

Drilling permit applications soar in Texas (via Houston Chronicle)

EPA fines Shell $1.1 million for Arctic air pollution during drilling (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

India will announce plans to cut fuel consumption (via Reuters)

Who’s all excited about quick EV charging? That’d be the US military (via Green Car Reports)

San Francisco, Los Angeles account for 35% of US EV sales (via Huffington Post)

Like Tesla, Nissan making money selling ZEC credits (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS 

Exxon: Natural gas will soon overtake coal in global energy use (via Houston Chronicle)

US natgas via Panama frightens LNG exporters worldwide (via Reuters)

Study says new shale gas development boom unlikely in Michigan (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

EU says clock ticking on 2015 climate talks deal (via Phys.org)

Acidifying oceans add to list of CO2 dangers (via Reuters)

Caribbean faces water shortages from climate change (via Time)

Study links global warming to 2012 wild weather (via AP)

Risk of Sandy-level flood in New York City has doubled since 1950 (via Climate Central)

TAR SANDS 

Canada spent $120 million on research for Enbridge pipeline (via CBC News)

Enbridge moves ahead with Michigan river cleanup (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

First Keystone pipeline pumped little money into local economy (via Lincoln Journal-Start)

GRID 

German energy storage plan could trigger new market boom (via Renew Economy)

Is the smart meter market slowing down or just relocating? (via Renew Grid)

Why energy storage is cost-effective and in need of a clear market signal (via TriplePundit)

NUCLEAR

Nuclear trash men gain from record US reactor shutdowns (via Bloomberg)

Vermont Yankee nuclear plant closure in 2014 will challenge New England energy markets (via US EIA)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Expect to see deep energy retrofits for federal buildings (via GreenBiz)

Survey: Building automation and data analytics are top efficiency priorities (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Significant gap exists between firms’ sustainability talk, actions (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

How climate change became the “killing fields” of Australian politics (via Mother Jones)

Obama trying to escape political fallout from natural gas fracking proposals (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.30.13

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

Marcacci Communications publishes a daily roundup of energy and climate news and opinion. Inclusion of articles does not mean endorsement. 

COAL 

Doctors petition state regulators to curtail emissions at three Texas coal plants (via Dallas Star-Telegram)

EMISSIONS 

EU seeks more feedback on carbon permit proposal from central bank (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Billions wiped from blue-chips as carbon tax hits Australia’s top companies (via The Telegraph)

California water district dumps fossil fuel investments (via Environmental Leader)

New technology said to neutralize carbon fuel pollution emissions (via TreeHugger)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Report: Keystone XL will drive oil sands growth, boost emissions (via The Hill)

Bipartisan senators to Obama: Don’t let Keystone decision drag into 2014 (via The Hill)

Enbridge gets approval for some Michigan dredging activity (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

UK’s clean power output rises 30% in 1Q 2013 compared to last year (via BusinessGreen)

Quebec outlines 450MW wind power tender (via Recharge)

Kenya scaling up its wind power program (via Renewable Energy World)

Germany sets another record: 5.1TWh of solar in July (via Greentech Media)

Renewable energy mandatory for all India utilities (via The Times of India)

NREL study says solar & wind to be cost-competitive without subsides by 2025 (via CleanTechnica)

US DOE taps into 1,400TWh of clean ocean power (via CleanTechnica)

NREL patents catalyst that boosts economics of biofuels (via Green Car Congress)

Carnegie Wave Energy plans world’s first wave-powered desalination plant (via Inhabitat)

A startup that would be the eBay of solar (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY POLICY 

Will Mexico’s energy reform hamper its climate change legislation? (via Breaking Energy)

New ideas in energy finance: Crowd-funding (via Energy Trends Insider)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US creates 38,600 new clean tech jobs in Q2 (via Environmental Leader)

Excessive water consumption puts American businesses at risk (via EarthTechling)

Sports sustainability gurus share their all-star plays (via GreenBiz)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia lifts oil output to record 10.5 million bpd (via Reuters)

Feds launch “Bakken Blitz” of oil-by-rail inspections (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Americans are driving less in nearly every state (via Climate Progress)

Nissan joins Tesla selling California green car credits (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Department of Energy unveils new efficiency regulations (via The Hill)

Why are some states trying to ban LEED green building standards? (via Atlantic Cities)

Big US utilities add negawatts to their gigawatts (via Renew Economy)

Hidden barriers to energy efficiency (via Energy Manager Today)

GRID 

Grid congestion for renewables may expand to South Japan (via Bloomberg)

Norway approves Arctic transmission line to boost new wind power (via Recharge)

New York State builds smart city technology hub (via GreenBiz)

WILDFIRES 

Future wildfire seasons to be longer, smokier, cover more area (via Yale e360)

Let it burn? Yosemite park officials won’t say that, but it’s policy (via Los Angeles Times)

Gripping time-lapse video of Yosemite wildfire (via Climate Central) 

POLITICS 

Scientists leaving GOP due to attitudes toward science (via Salt Lake Tribune)

Virginia gubernatorial candidates spar over energy issues (via Politico)

OPINION 

It’s God’s creation – let’s protect it (via Washington Post)

Why Terry McAuliffe is in a box on climate change (via National Journal)

See what 1,000 tiny, fracking-caused earthquakes can do to a home (via Atlantic Cities)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.29.13

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

COAL 

Mercury fingerprint of Pacific fish points to Asian coal plants (via Los Angeles Times)

A war on coal, or just a different playing field? (via Breaking Energy)

CLIMATE 

Oceans storing Earth’s excess heat in leaked UN report (via Bloomberg)

Wildfires projected to worsen with climate change (via Phys.org)

La Nina-like conditions behind gentler global warming, study finds (via Washington Post)

Obama to name top climate-change regulator (via National Journal)

ENERGY POLICY 

China to add 1,500GW of power capacity by 2030 (via Phys.org)

Germany solar pushing fossil fuel plants to close (via EarthTechling)

On fracking rules, it’s states versus feds (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

EU-China solar deal highlights tough climate for green jobs (via Washington Post)

Wind energy taking flight in Europe and beyond (via Christian Science Monitor)

Growth seen picking up in Germany’s wind power sector (via Reuters)

Biomass power generation will reach $11.5 billion in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Cheap corn deters buyers in US sugar-for-ethanol plan (via Bloomberg)

Solar micro-inverter shipments to reach 2.1GW in 2017 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

DOE releases new clean energy finance guide (via Energy.gov)

Western states are going to become green energy powerhouses (via Mother Jones)

Solar industry establishes net metering principles (via Greentech Media)

Solar Exchange launching online solar marketplace (via Solar Industry Magazine)

“Solar gardens” put clean energy within reach of low-income families (via Climate Progress)

Ohioans promise to buy offshore wind from Lake Erie turbines (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

Ontario government backs new smart grid laboratory (via Renew Grid)

Wildfires blamed for massive blackout in northeastern Brazil (via Reuters)

Smart, flexible energy can help communities weather future storms (via GreenBiz)

DOE and New Jersey developing first US transit system microgrid (via CleanTechnica)

TRANSPORTATION 

100 times more EV fast chargers by 2020? (via Green Car Reports)

Toyota broadly outlines next-generation Prius (via Green Car Congress)

Chevy helps install EV chargers in California state parks (via Autoblog Green)

US extending vehicle-to-grid pilot program in Michigan (via Green Car Congress)

OIL 

Feds net $102.4 million in Gulf lease sale (via Houston Chronicle)

BP steers clear of Interior’s latest offshore drilling lease sale (via The Hill)

Judge rejects BP’s latest request to halt oil spill payments (via Houston Chronicle)

Coalition asks Gov. Brown to halt fracking in California (via Los Angeles Times)

EMISSIONS 

The world’s biggest importers and exporters of carbon pollution (via Renew Economy)

EU narrows down carbon market overhaul options (via Bloomberg)

Inside China’s emissions trading scheme: First steps and the road ahead (via WRI Insights)

RGGI provides almost $500 million to New York for cleaner air (via Albany Times-Union)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima keeps leaking, Japan keeps issuing confusing explanations (via Grist)

Nuclear plant closures at all-time high (via Environmental Leader)

Report: Nuclear received four times more subsides than solar in California (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Top 10 smart building myths (via Energy Manager Today)

DOE may be inflating the cost of efficiency standards tenfold (via Greentech Media)

Designing more energy-efficient suburbs (via Midwest Energy News)

Hyatt invests over $37 million in more than 200 energy efficiency projects (via TriplePundit)

Is California breaking the dam that restricts energy efficiency financing? (via Energy Manager Today)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Poland starts shale gas extraction (via Phys.org)

Proposed US LNG exports would exceed 25% of today’s domestic consumption (via Forbes)

Study documents Kentucky fish kill from fracking fluid spill (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

Nearly half of all western wildfire costs go to California (via Climate Central)

Fertilizer spread research aims to boost crop yields (via Phys.org)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL seen as no local job starter along prairie route (via Bloomberg)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Boosting sustainability policy in Russia (via Phys.org)

Should climate risks be included in sustainability reports? (via TriplePundit)

POLITICS 

For Louisiana’s senators, one lease sale and two interpretations (via The Hill)

Sen. Begich’s campaign says he opposes carbon tax (via The Hill)

OPINION 

In solar trade dispute’s wake, what’s next for EU markets? (via Greentech Media)

Why big, intense wildfires are the new normal (via National Geographic)

Fracking contracts can leave landowners high and dry (via Washington Post)

Why EVs are the smart grid’s killer app (via GreenBiz)

Five things automakers should do to make EVs mainstream (via Plugin cars)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.27.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

China power generation to double with renewables as coal holds sway (via Bloomberg)

France poised to launch “green tax” (via BusinessGreen)

How Arizona and Colorado are rethinking energy vs. water (via GreenBiz)

A list of America’s fastest-growing clean energy companies (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Majority of China’s proposed coal power plants located in water-stressed regions (via WRI Insights)

Coal mining jobs up nearly 19% since 2001 (via Facts of the Day)

DOE Secretary Moniz: Obama not at war with coal (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

Global wind power market will more than quadruple by 2030 (via Reuters)

Renewables to dominate Chinese energy transformation (via BusinessGreen)

India plans massive clean energy push (via EarthTechling)

€6 billion of German wind “waiting to go” (via Recharge)

Norway approves $3 billion for wind farms to triple capacity (via Bloomberg)

German minister sees solar installations nearly halving in 2013 (via Reuters)

Renewables provide 14.2% of US electricity, will pass nuclear by 2020 (via Facts of the Day)

NREL: Cost gap for Western US renewables could narrow by 2025 (via Renew Grid)

IKEA unpacks 500,000 solar panels in energy independence drive (via BusinessGreen)

Going solar infographic: Options for homeowners (via RMI Outlet)

CLIMATE 

Ocean acidification may amplify global warming up to 0.9F this century (via Climate Progress)

EPA chief warns against climate change on trip to Alaska (via McClatchy)

Yosemite fire an example of how droughts amplify wildfires (via Climate Central)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Canadian documents suggest shift on Keystone XL pipeline (via New York Times)

Keystone’s impact on Venezuela muted by waning imports (via Bloomberg)

Another delay looms for Keystone XL pipeline decision (via CleanTechnica)

DOE stayed silent on State Department’s latest Keystone XL pipeline review (via Greenwire)

Official price of Enbridge Michigan oil spill: $1,039,000,000 (via DeSmog Blog)

GRID 

US military connects microgrids for a “secure cluster” of power networks (via Greentech Media)

California virtual net metering allows energy savings one apartment at a time (via Renewable Energy World)

DOE, New Jersey partner on transit system microgrid (via Renew Grid)

Pennsylvania utility rolls out smart meters to 1.6 million customers (via Energy Manager Today)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima leaks prompt Japanese government to “emergency measures” (via Bloomberg)

Fukushima nuclear plant operator raises alarm on crisis (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

USFWS changes endangered species law despite GOP protest (via The Hill)

Rim fire taking ecological toll over thousands of acres (via Los Angeles Times)

New York City mulls plastic bag fee (via Environmental Leader)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

New study finds another link between fracking and earthquakes (via StateImpact Texas)

Hold the water: Some firms fracking without it (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking foes interrupt Obama’s trip to New York State (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Irish government could save €200 million a year with energy efficiency program (via Irish Times)

More energy efficient government buildings could save Australia $35 million a year (via Renew Economy)

Partnership aims for more LEED-certified college stadiums (via EarthTechling)

NYSERDA issues energy efficiency financing bonds (via Breaking Energy)

OIL 

World petroleum use sets record high in 2012 despite declines in North America and Europe (via US EIA)

British Columbia officials worry oil spill would “overwhelm” resources (via Vancouver Sun)

FAA approves use of drones over Alaska oil area (via Seattle Times/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

New models driving down electric car costs (via BusinessGreen)

DOE may revive auto industry loan program for green cars (via The Hill)

Nissan readying four new EV models, widespread inductive charging (via Autoblog Green)

A decade later, Tesla now officially a threat to the auto industry (via GigaOm)

Tesla market value reaches $20 billion on EV optimism (via Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS 

Australian carbon capture pilot turns CO2 into green building materials (via Environmental Leader)

Outlook for cap and trade brightens in California (via GreenBiz)

Green concrete saves Dallas schools 108.7 million pounds of CO2 (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Moniz reshuffles Energy Department advisory board (via The Hill)

Climate “hawks” hatch super-PAC ahead of 2014 races (via The Hill)

OPINION 

These maps show how Asia is taking over the oil markets (via Washington Post)

Humans’ complicity in climate change can’t be ignored (via Washington Post)

How soon will the US surpass Germany in solar investments? (via Energy Manager Today)

Solar and storage mean “game over” for traditional utilities (via Renew Economy)

When alternative energy dreams fall short (via Politico)

Mud slinging undermines the net metering debate (via Breaking Energy)

9 scary facts about the Yosemite fire (via Mother Jones)