Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.21.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
TAR SANDS
Canada’s First Nations say they will fight oil sands, pipeline (via CBC News)
Michigan oil spill cleanup may exceed insurance (via Reuters)
CLIMATE
World Bank to prioritize support for climate vulnerable states (via RTCC)
Americans’ belief in global warming rises with thermometer (via Times-Picayune/AP)
If you thought 2012 was hot, just wait a few years (via Climate Central)
GRID
Grid operator warns of future power problems in New England (via Boston Globe/AP)
Texas legislature approves electric market cost-benefit measure (via Houston Chronicle)
California lawmakers hammer utilities panel for shoddy forecasting (via Sacramento Bee)
RENEWABLES
China’s wind power production increased more than coal power did for first time ever in 2012 (via Climate Progress)
India to install 1.3-1.4GW solar power in 2013 (via Panchabuta)
Australia sticks with renewable energy target (via Recharge)
1GW of new PV seen in Mideast and Africa in 2013 (via Recharge)
German insurers urge easing green energy investment rules (via Reuters)
US Senate rejects amendment gutting military biofuels program by 40-59 vote (via The Hill)
Small wind power annual installations will double in capacity by 2018 (via Navigant Research)
OIL
Oil companies bid $1.6 billion for Gulf drilling rights (via Houston Chronicle)
Coastal states want more offshore drilling revenue (via Politico)
ENVIRONMENT
China’s coastal waters increasingly polluted (via Phys.org)
New pope: “let us be protectors of creation” (via Mongabay)
Four ways to harvest rainwater and save resources (via The Good Human)
NUCLEAR
Nuclear regulators under fire for delay of post-Fukushima safety requirement (via The Hill)
TRANSPORTATION
NRC: Car petroleum use, GHG emissions could drop 80% (via Environmental Leader)
US lawmakers say ethanol mandate may hike gasoline price (via Reuters)
Study says EV drivers will pay more per kWh to charge at work (via Green Car Reports)
DOE tool scores EV readiness for cities, counties, states (via EarthTechling)
SuperTruck semi achieves 54-percent increase in fuel economy (via Autoblog)
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
UK budget promises shale gas tax breaks, public benefits (via Reuters)
Pact reached on voluntary standards for fracking in Northeast US (via New York Times/AP)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Study shows energy-efficient homes are 32% less risky for lenders (via Greentech Media)
Walgreens launches first net-zero retail store in US (via Sustainable Business)
New reasons to change light bulbs (via New York Times)
COAL
Coal plants belching out less mercury (via Forbes)
How coal affects water quality: state of the science (via Sightline Daily)
POLITICS
The wealth of business connections for Obama’s Energy pick (via ProPublica)
Keystone XL pipeline debate rattles Massachusetts Senate race (via Reuters)
OPINION
A Chinese solar giant goes bankrupt, and that’s a good thing (via GigaOm)
UK budget sets green alarm bells ringing (via Recharge)
Protecting renewable portfolio standards from cynical attacks (via Forbes)
How to cut US gasoline use in half by 2030 (via Washington Post)
Two ways Americans may get more ownership of their energy future (via CleanTechnica)
More coal-fired idiocy and mendacity in Nevada (via Grist)