Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.27.15

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

COAL 

China coal production falls for first time this century (via The Guardian)

EMISSIONS

Bill resurfaces to pull New Hampshire from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (via Nashua Telegraph)

RENEWABLES 

Seven interesting global renewable energy trends from NREL (via CleanTechnica)

Analysts predict global renewable energy capacity will double by 2025 (via BusinessGreen)

China takes over lead from Europe in 2013 solar PV installations (via Phys.org)

Renewable energy transmission backbone takes shape across U.S., Europe (via Sustainable Business)

Utilities at heart of Japan grid connection dispute will resume considering PV projects (via PV Tech)

Algeria doubles renewable energy target to 25GW by 2030 (via PV Tech)

GCL plans 2GW of PV power plant projects in China in 2015 (via PV Tech)

Siemens wind profits rise 21% in first quarter, but orders dip (via Recharge)

Two graphs highlight growth surge in U.S. solar market (via CleanTechnica)

Florida utility to build 225MW of solar power capacity (via PV Tech)

Barriers to renewable energy in Michigan could affect state’s economic future (via Lansing News)

Indiana and West Virginia look to slash support for renewable energy (via Greentech Media)

Hawaii’s electric system is changing with rooftop solar growth and new utility ownership (via U.S. EIA)

Dirty ground starts to sprout clean energy projects (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Obama ends visit with challenge to India on climate change (via New York Times)

Climate change responsible for super-charging winter storms, say scientists (via The Guardian)

Climate change will hit Australia harder than rest of world, shows study (via The Guardian)

Climate change will cause more extreme La Ninas, says research (via Bloomberg)

Atlantic, Pacific fish face mixing as Arctic warms (via Discovery)

Copenhagen reveals world’s first neighborhood adapted for climate change (via TriplePundit)

OIL 

Obama Administration opens door to Atlantic drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

U.S. Senate blocks swift passage of Keystone XL pipeline bill (via Reuters)

Supreme Court rejects BP executive’s appeal in oil spill case (via The Hill)

Northwest oil spills: Raw data and growing risk (via Sightline)

Wyoming, Halliburton agree to greater fracking disclosure (via Star-Tribune)

BP to freeze pay for most of its employees (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric vehicle battery market set to top $21 billion by 2019 (via BusinessGreen)

China expected to launch subsidy for EV lithium batteries (via Renewable Energy World)

EV sales in Germany hit new high in December 2014 (via Inside EVs)

Nissan already planning for EV sales once incentives run out (via Autoblog Green)

POLITICS 

Here’s what every governor thinks about climate and clean energy (via Climate Progress)

Obama’s Arctic power grab (via Politico)

NY Governor Cuomo blames northeast snowstorm on “changing climate” (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Prince Charles: Global climate change pact could be Magna Carta for Earth (via The Guardian)

What a warming world means for major snowstorms (via Climate Central)

With cheap oil flowing, U.S. looks to next energy revolution (via Navigant Research)

Liebreich: 10 predictions for clean energy in 2015 (via Bloomberg)

Why cheap energy is the biggest threat to climate action (via GreenBiz)

Factors that will drive U.S. oil production in 2015 (via Reuters)

Divestment will not keep carbon in the ground (via Energy Collective)

Snowmageddon 2015 proves you were right about climate change (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.26.15

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

U.S.-INDIA TALKS 

U.S. and India announce “cooperation” on climate change (via Climate Progress)

Obama backs India solar goals, seeks support for climate talks (via Reuters)

Obama says made a breakthrough in civil nuclear trade with India (via Retuers)

Obama-Modi nuclear “breakthrough” has CEOs wary of fine print (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS 

UK lawmakers urge fracking moratorium (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Obama proposes to declare ANWR a wilderness area (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

India plans 100GW wind energy capacity by 2022 (via CleanTechnica)

Japan to set renewable energy targets despite nuclear creeping back in (via PV Tech)

India to propose global collaboration in solar power R&D to cut costs (via CleanTechnica)

India clean energy investments rise 13% to $7.9 billion (via Bloomberg)

Qatar set to announce 200MW solar tender (via PV Tech)

Chinese tier-1 PV module suppliers have sold out (via CleanTechnica)

Worry for U.S. solar projects after end of tax credits (via New York Times)

A philosophical divide emerges in states considering the future of utilities (via Greentech Media)

Huge New England area to soon open for offshore wind power (via Climate Progress)

New York Governor Cuomo delivers a sunny 2015 State of the State (via Renewable Energy World)

Massachusetts closes out landmark solar rebate program (via Solar Industry)

North Carolina plunges deeper into offshore wind energy (via CleanTechnica)

Clean energy investment plummets in Ohio (via Greentech Media)

New California partnership launches statewide PACE program (via Renewable Energy World)

New steps toward future production of solar fuels (via Phys.org)

Solar and water: Abengoa’s big bets (via Forbes)

Mahindra Group to expand renewables business amid India’s clean energy push (via Reuters)

Inside the coming showdown over rooftop solar in Indiana (via Utility Dive)

CLIMATE 

Cold nights are decreasing across the U.S. (via Climate Central)

Pope’s U.S. visit to stoke climate fight (via The Hill)

Hollande calls for global “solidarity” in fight against climate change (via RTCC)

Before sea level rises, Miami Beach officials want to raise street (via Miami Herald)

OIL 

Saudi oil minister Naimi to stay for now, policy steady (via Retuers)

Head west for best look at U.S. oil drillers’ pain (via Bloomberg)

Defeating Keystone XL might mean more oil by train (via The Stranger)

Illinois misses the fracking boom because of falling oil prices (via Chicago Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION

Plug-in EV sales could hit 1% market share this quarter (via Autoblog)

How low gas prices could spike Obama’s climate plan (via National Journal)

GRID 

Demand response will “win hands down if taken up by Supreme Court, says former FERC Chair (via Greentech Media)

Wind transmission beats Keystone XL pipeline in race for federal approval (via CleanTechnica)

OPINION 

On Obama’s India visit, climate change deal unlikely as Modi boosts coal production (via Washington Post)

Cheapest solar in the world (Michael Liebreich interview series) (via CleanTechnica)

Why you need to pay attention to solar energy legislation in Indiana (via Indianapolis Star)

What isn’t at stake in the Exelon-Pepco merger (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.20.15

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

EMISSIONS 

UN climate chief Figueres says carbon bubble is now a reality (via RTCC)

Ten years of the European Union Emissions Trading System (via Energy Collective)

China cuts energy intensity by 4.8 percent in 2014 (via Reuters)

Investors’ new climate calculation: Engage or divest? (via GreenBiz)

CLIMATE 

India’s Modi calls for “paradigm shift” on climate (via RTCC)

RENEWABLES 

Clean energy investment jumps 12 percent in 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

China “on course to miss distributed solar PV target” (via PV Tech)

Saudi Arabia delays $109 billion solar plant by 8 years (via Bloomberg)

Defective panels threatening profit at China solar farms (via Bloomberg)

Draft of Germany PV auction rules leaked (via Renewables International)

Chile now home to world’s largest merchant solar power plant (via CleanTechnica)

France celebrates 1GW surge in wind farm capacity (via BusinessGreen)

France proposes increasing feed-in tariff for residential solar projects (via PV Tech)

America installed 22 times more solar in 2014 than in 2008 (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Norway redefines Arctic ice edge in potential oil exploration boost (via Reuters)

50,000 gallons of crude oil spills into partially frozen Yellowstone River (via Climate Progress)

BP oil spill penalty trial begins in New Orleans (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Light-duty EV sales expected to reach 6.4 million annually by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Plug-in EV sales in China increase 350 percent (via CleanTechnica)

Nissan Leaf enjoys 33 percent European sales boost (via BusinessGreen)

Usage rises at DC fast chargers along West Coast EV highway (via Inside EVs)

NATURAL GAS 

Kansas official links earthquakes to fracking wastewater disposal (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

Japan plans to pump $700 million into energy storage (via Greentech Media)

New York town tries to “island” itself with microgrid to avoid storm-driven power outages (via ClimateWire)

ENERGY POLICY 

U.S. Senate tees up votes on Keystone XL, oil exports, climate (via Houston Chronicle)

Spiking energy prices drive interest in Massachusetts competitive power market (via Energy Manager Today)

Proposal would void new North Dakota methane flaring, oil shipment rules (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

POLITICS 

GOP finds secret weapon against Obama’s regulatory agenda (via The Hill)

OPINION 

First Solar moves into silicon: Why efficiency is back (via Forbes)

Why solar costs will fall another 40 percent in just two years (via Renew Economy)

Lower oil prices will blunt fuel efficiency drive (via Reuters)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.2.15

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

EMISSIONS

Tropical forests may inhale a third of fossil fuel emissions (via Climate Central)

EU carbon market has first volume decline after brake on supply (via Bloomberg)

Americans favor EPA regulation over carbon tax or cap-and-trade (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES

India’s Modi raises solar investment target to $100 billion by 2022 (via Reuters)

New markets help utility-scale solar surge to another record year (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Solar energy: How low oil prices change the game (via Bloomberg)

Transportation logistics trouble wind energy industry (via TriplePundit)

Strategic policy stacking can lead to solar market success (via Renewable Energy World)

States work to meet new renewable energy standards (via Houston Chronicle)

Greenwood Energy to expand DG solar business with Fortress Investment (via Solar Industry Magazine)

New York plants seeds for energy reform in 2014 that will bloom in 2015 (via Energy Collective)

Top 10 largest solar projects under construction (via Forbes)

OIL

OPEC December crude output slips as global prices tumble (via Bloomberg)

U.S. easing of oil exports challenges OPEC strategy (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION

Almost 10,000 EVs were sold in China in November (via Inside EVs)

EVs coast through 2014, pin hopes on 2015 (via Greentech Media)

AAA: U.S. drivers saved $14 billion on gasoline in 2014 (via Houston Chronicle)

Electric power industry expects 400% growth in annual EV sales by 2023 (via CleanTechnica)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

2015 green building trends (via Environmental Leader)

DOE sets efficiency standards for light bulbs, icemakers (via The Hill)

GRID

California could supercharge the distribution grid (via Greentech Media)

A look inside ERCOT’s control room (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT

Wildfires rage across Southern Australia as temperatures rise (via Bloomberg)

FEMA overpaid $177 million on hurricane damages (via The Hill)

Plastic bag manufacturers spend $3 million to repeal California ban (via EcoWatch)

OPINION

Three ways for cities to go carbon negative (via Greenbiz)

Three steps toward clean technology business success in Brazil (via Renewable Energy World)

Is there any way to slow aviation’s soaring emissions? (via RTCC)

Five top stories from India’s solar market in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

What does $60 oil mean for biofuel industry? (via Renewable Energy World)

In Keystone pipeline case, what might Nebraska court do? (via Reuters)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.24.14

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

CLIMATE 

Rising seas may connect Cold War rivals U.S. and Cuba (via U.S. News & World Report)

These U.S. cities have already passed a climate change “tipping point” (via Vice)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas prices fall 29 percent in three months (via The Hill)

New Yorkers agree with fracking ban, finds survey (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Africa’s largest wind power project achieves full financial close (via AllAfrica)

Chile’s mines set a hot pace for renewables – Australia take note (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar panel maintenance poses unforeseen challenge in developing world electrification (via Energy Collective)

The rise and fall of wind power in America (via Vox)

2015 could be breakthrough year for U.S. renewable policy, says ACORE (via Recharge)

SunEdison and TerraForm yieldcos secure $75 million for 60MW of solar projects (via PV Tech)

A bit of good green energy news for your holidays, courtesy of New England (via Grist)

Connecticut Green Bank’s C-PACE program: Low-cost, long-term financing for clean energy upgrades (via Renewable Energy World)

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon rises to two-year high as holidays cut supply (via Bloomberg)

EPA ordered to start enforcing rules to cut ozone in 2015 (via Bloomberg)

Here’s the state-based climate solution that doesn’t need Congress (via Climate Progress)

Virginia legislators proposes legislation to join RGGI carbon market (via Washington Post/AP)

OIL 

Oil firms’ predicament: Who should cut output? (via Wall Street Journal)

Oil prices likely to rebound in second half of 2015: Poll (via Reuters)

BP unit says big spill fines could cut deep (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

China invests billions in electric cars & EV charging stations (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

Japan may spend 50 billion yen for energy storage, says Yomiuri (via Bloomberg)

Orix to start rental of home-use solar panels, storage batteries (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

The fossil fuel industry spent more than $721 million during 2014 midterm elections (via Climate Progress)

OPINION 

Jigar Shah: Trade duties already harming U.S. solar companies (via PV Tech)

The eight best things that happened to renewable energy in 2014 (via Climate Progress)

1603: A renewable energy subsidy, yes; just don’t call it a bailout (via Breaking Energy)

How solar power and EVs could make suburban living awesome again (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.24.14

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

CLIMATE 

Rising seas may connect Cold War rivals U.S. and Cuba (via U.S. News & World Report)

These U.S. cities have already passed a climate change “tipping point” (via Vice)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas prices fall 29 percent in three months (via The Hill)

New Yorkers agree with fracking ban, finds survey (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Africa’s largest wind power project achieves full financial close (via AllAfrica)

Chile’s mines set a hot pace for renewables – Australia take note (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar panel maintenance poses unforeseen challenge in developing world electrification (via Energy Collective)

The rise and fall of wind power in America (via Vox)

2015 could be breakthrough year for U.S. renewable policy, says ACORE (via Recharge)

SunEdison and TerraForm yieldcos secure $75 million for 60MW of solar projects (via PV Tech)

A bit of good green energy news for your holidays, courtesy of New England (via Grist)

Connecticut Green Bank’s C-PACE program: Low-cost, long-term financing for clean energy upgrades (via Renewable Energy World)

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon rises to two-year high as holidays cut supply (via Bloomberg)

EPA ordered to start enforcing rules to cut ozone in 2015 (via Bloomberg)

Here’s the state-based climate solution that doesn’t need Congress (via Climate Progress)

Virginia legislators proposes legislation to join RGGI carbon market (via Washington Post/AP)

OIL 

Oil firms’ predicament: Who should cut output? (via Wall Street Journal)

Oil prices likely to rebound in second half of 2015: Poll (via Reuters)

BP unit says big spill fines could cut deep (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

China invests billions in electric cars & EV charging stations (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

Japan may spend 50 billion yen for energy storage, says Yomiuri (via Bloomberg)

Orix to start rental of home-use solar panels, storage batteries (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

The fossil fuel industry spent more than $721 million during 2014 midterm elections (via Climate Progress)

OPINION 

Jigar Shah: Trade duties already harming U.S. solar companies (via PV Tech)

The eight best things that happened to renewable energy in 2014 (via Climate Progress)

1603: A renewable energy subsidy, yes; just don’t call it a bailout (via Breaking Energy)

How solar power and EVs could make suburban living awesome again (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.18.14

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

EMISSIONS

EU decides to ratify Kyoto Protocol extension (via RTCC)

EPA punts decision on methane regulations (via The Hill)

Gov. Inslee want to cap and tax emissions from Washington State’s major polluters (via Climate Progress)

Department of Energy announces 22 new emissions reductions, energy efficiency projects (via Breaking Energy)

COAL

McConnell wants to stop coal rules (via AP)

ERCOT report re-ignites war of words over coal plant shutdowns (via Austin American-Statesman)

RENEWABLES

Green bonds sell big in 2014 as finance bids to help climate (via Reuters)

UK low-carbon electricity generation up 24% in 3Q 2014 (via Bloomberg)

Faced with a surge in PV, Japan will allow utilities to restrict solar output on grid (via Greentech Media)

This new finance policy tweak boosts India solar energy (via CleanTechnica)

Seabirds “steer clear” of offshore wind farms (via BusinessGreen)

Big energy retailers intensify attack on Australia rooftop solar subsidies (via Renew Economy)

U.S. wind power capacity additions expected to increase in last quarter of 2014 (via U.S. EIA)

Wind power getting the PTC extension it didn’t want (via Breaking Energy)

Supporters decry short break extension for wind industry (via The Hill)

Nearly $1 billion available for PACE projects in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

CNEE releases energy legislation year in review (via Energy Manager Today)

Report sees bright future for renewable energy in Minnesota (via Midwest Energy News)

National Grid planning 16 megawatts of Massachusetts solar (via Bloomberg)

SunPower prepares for “disruptive shift in energy market” with Sunverge solar-plus-storage deal (via PV Tech)

NATURAL GAS

Poland and Ukraine to look at expanding gas transport links (via Reuters)

Cuomo to ban fracking; health officials call it unsafe (via Bloomberg)

New York unlikely to face lawsuits over fracking ban, say experts (via Reuters)

CLIMATE

Persistent warming driving big Arctic changes (via Climate Central)

UN’s Clean Development Market mechanism future in doubt, largely sidelined in Lima (via Bloomberg BNA)

Four signs the Arctic is getting baked by climate change (via Mother Jones)

Front yards turn to wetlands as climate change takes toll in Virginia (via Bloomberg)

OIL

World market shockwaves ripple far and wide from oil prices epicenter (via Reuters)

Oil plunge sets stage for energy defaults: Credit markets (via Bloomberg)

EU lawmakers fail to approve tar sands oil veto (via Reuters)

Enbridge shuts oil pipeline to U.S. after spill in Canada (via Houston Chronicle)

Chevron cancels Canadian Arctic drilling as oil prices slide (via Reuters)

Cheap oil jamming rails means higher U.S. power bills (via Bloomberg)

DOT Secretary to talk oil train safety in Canada (via The Hill)

Petrobas CEO says Rousseff refused offer to resign on scandal (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION

Smarter charging, load leveling can save $10,000 a month in EV electricity costs (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla to miss 2020 delivery target by 40%, forecasts analyst (via Greentech Media)

Siemens, Duke Energy, Ford team up to demonstrate lower-cost home charging (via Inside EVs)

How electric car advertising has changed over time (via Inside EVs)

GRID

The intersection of solar energy and energy storage (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Revenue from zero-energy buildings is expected to hit $4.6 trillion through 2035 (via Navigant Research)

OPINION

How cheaper oil is shaping the world (via New York Times)

Seven radical ideas for a 2015 climate change deal (via RTCC)

Trade tariffs old and new mean U.S. will face PV module supply crunch, says Jigar Shah (via PV Tech)

Fed’s Yellen: Oil price decline is good for U.S. economy (via Nasdaq)

Top cleantech buzzwords and phrases from 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Are solar microgrids a step on the ladder toward grid access? (via Energy Collective)

What the Senate’s tax extender bill means for wind energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.15.14

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

EMISSIONS

Lawyers gird for fight against EPA’s Clean Power Plan based on states’ rights (via ClimateWire)

Half of Republicans support carbon limits, survey finds (via The Hill)

Fossil fuel companies grow nervous as divestment movement grows stronger (via Grist)

Capturing carbon as a byproduct of running a fuel cell (via New York Times)

Gov. Inslee says if polluters were charged, state would benefit (via Seattle Times)

NATURAL GAS

Can China’s shale gas help it reach peak coal by 2020? (via Motley Fool)

Ukraine says Chevron plans to pull out of $10 billion shale gas deal (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES

EnergyTrend calls 2014 solar demand at 44GW with 2015 to top 50GW (via PV Tech)

The global biofuels industry: A future in doubt (via Navigant Research)

Analysis: Can Japan exceed 10GW of solar capacity installation in 2014? (via Renewable Energy World)

SunEdison to supply 570GWh of solar energy to Chile grid (via PV Tech)

Vestas gets biggest wind order as Africa market accelerates (via Bloomberg)

Solar industry trends: Capital costs continue to drop while solar companies reinvent themselves as energy companies (via Forbes)

South Carolina avoids a battle, reaches settlement on net energy metering (via Greentech Media)

New York State doubles solar net metering cap (via PV Tech)

430,000 advanced energy jobs in California…today (via CleanTechnica)

Solar and wind give California second camel hump (via Renewables International)

Study: Nebraska grid has capacity to export more wind energy (via Lincoln Journal Star)

Minnesota city freezes ground-mounted solar due to zoning concerns (via Greentech Media)

CLIMATE

International negotiators strike last-minute deal to reduce carbon emissions (via ClimateProgress)

UN agrees way forward on climate change but path is unclear (via The Guardian)

Paris climate summit faces tougher job after modest Lima deal (via Reuters)

Catholic bishops from every continent call for “end to the fossil fuel era” (via ClimateProgress)

Most Americans aren’t aware of the health impacts of climate change (via ClimateProgress)

People don’t work as hard on hot days – on a warming planet (via Washington Post)

COAL

Coal demand growth to slow in next five years on China, says IEA (via Bloomberg)

Coal demand set to break 9 billion tonne barrier this decade (via The Guardian)

As Japan burns more coal, climate policies under pressure (via Reuters)

First U.S. coal ash regulations in the offing (via The Hill)

GRID

Fitch: U.S. utilities “well positioned” to deal with upcoming obstacles (via Renew Grid)

MISO board approves $2.5 billion in new transmission (via Renew Grid)

OIL

Mexico shale boom outlook dims as U.S. drillers struggle (via Bloomberg)

Despite lower crude oil prices, U.S. crude oil production expected to grow in 2015 (via U.S. EIA)

Early slowdown signs emerge for U.S. oil states after crude slide (via Reuters)

U.S. taxpayers help fund oil train boom amid safety concerns (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

TRANSPORTATION

Electric cars: A review of 2014 (via Forbes)

Gasoline prices tend to have little effect on demand for car travel (via U.S. EIA)

Street lights add EV charging (via Navigant Research)

Tesla’s stationary storage strategy: “Everywhere we look, there’s an opportunity” (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

$140 million DOE innovation hub focuses on energy efficiency in manufacturing (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT

Earth faces sixth “Great Extinction” with 41% of amphibians set to go to the way of the dodo (via Huffington Post)

23 pollinating species in Britain have gone extinct in last 150 years (via Inhabitat)

Congress protects new national parks and wilderness areas for first time in five years (via ClimateProgress)

OPINION

COP20 lays groundwork for Paris climate pact: 7 key developments (via WRI Insights)

Five takeaways from the Lima climate talks (via National Journal)

How the ”war on coal” went global (via Politico)

How the U.S. can beat OPEC in an oil prices war (via Christian Science Monitor)

The basic reason oil keeps getting cheaper and cheaper (via Washington Post)

Insights from the solar industry in rural Peru (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

10 energy numbers to remember from 2014 (via Outlier)

Will cheap oil kill Keystone XL? (via Politico)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.2.14

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

CLIMATE 

Obama and Modi announce agreement on U.S.-India global warming efforts (via Washington Post)

Antarctic sea ice hits new max; continent still warming (via Climate Central)

ENERGY POLICY 

MIT: Global energy use, CO2 may double by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Ex-Im Bank to finance $1 billion Mexican oil and gas deal (via The Hill)

Finland’s “fickle” nuclear energy policy? (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

2014 clean energy spending at $175 billion so far on Chinese rise (via Bloomberg)

Global clean energy investment rallies, but UK market plummets (via BusinessGreen)

Latin America on pace to install 2.3GW of solar PV in 2015 (via Greentech Media)

World Bank approves $500 million for Morocco solar (via Bloomberg)

Trina drops as Japan outlook sinks Chinese solar makers (via Bloomberg)

Property tycoon reveals $20 billion solar-led portfolio (via Bloomberg)

Vivint Solar makes public market debut, shares up modestly (via Forbes)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Hilton Worldwide achieves ISO 50001 energy management certification (via Energy Manager Today)

Japan focuses on zero-energy buildings (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas slips on outlook for above-normal supply gain (via Bloomberg)

Baker Huges will officially disclose fracking chemicals (via Houston Chronicle)

Exxon fracking report responds to shareholders (via ABC News/AP)

Ohio fracking waste issues go beyond chemical disclosure (via Midwest Energy News)

GRID 

DOE approves transmission line to deliver Quebec hydropower to New York (via Renewable Energy World)

New Jersey Transit becomes a leader in microgrids (via Energy Collective)

OIL 

U.S. crude oil exports headed to South Korea (via Energy Collective)

As U.S. debates oil train safety, local rules gather steam (via Christian Science Monitor)

Maze of federal oversight impedes North Dakota’s anti-flaring push (via Reuters)

North Dakota oil boom widens wage gap between the sexes (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla now has 200 Superchargers open around the world (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf makes 19 months in a row for record sales; Chevy Volt drops 21% (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla’s Musk outlines unveiling of “Model D and something else” (via Bloomberg)

COAL 

Australian coal miners cutting costs not output as rebound seen (via Bloomberg)

Court upholds EPA veto in mountaintop removal mining case (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

Study: Bark beetles not a wildfire bugaboo in Western U.S. (via USA Today)

POLITICS 

Republicans craft 2015 plan to force Obama’s hand on Keystone (via Reuters)

Energy trade group, environmental bosses rake in green (via Greenwire)

Report: McConnell opposed coal plant as county leader (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Global clean energy investment sustains its recovery (via Bloomberg)

Counting trees to save the woods: Using big data to map deforestation (via The Guardian)

Could the 2C climate target be completely wrong? (via The Guardian)

Expanding on the California Climate Credit (via Huffington Post)

Voters don’t really care about climate change, so why do Democrats keep talking about it? (via Washington Post)

The Wall Street Journal’s fresh face of climate inaction (via Slate)

The cult of Neil Degrasse Tyson (via Politico)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.22.14

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

GRID 

Utility spending on smart grid as a service will total $57.6 billion from 2014 through 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Will utilities heed the grid defection alarm? (via Energy Collective)

When will smart meters’ day come? (via EnergyWire)

Solar paired with energy storage scores a regulatory win in California (via Greentech Media)

EMISSIONS 

EPA is readying climate rule for existing power plants as deadline approaches (via Washington Post)

Obama divides power industry with emissions rule utilities accept (via Bloomberg)

States pressing EPA for energy efficiency credits in power plant regulations, says Moniz (via Greenwire)

IDIOCY 

Pat Sajak: Climate change tweet “parody” (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

China solar makers seek talks to resolve trade dispute with U.S. (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

European utility says wind now cheapest form of generation (via Renew Economy)

Biofuels for road transportation will reach $338 billion in annual revenue by 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Connecticut agency closes on $30 million PACE financing deal (via New Haven Register)

Innovative farm methane energy projects clash with Wisconsin policy (via Midwest Energy News)

COAL 

China curbs capital’s coal consumption to combat smog (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

UN climate fund agrees to rules, paving way to raise capital (via Bloomberg)

Climate change is single most divisive issue, says poll (via Huffington Post)

North Carolina wants to nominate climate deniers to study sea level rise (via Climate Progress)

How South Florida is ignoring the state’s leading politicians to take on climate change (via Climate Progress)

Pope Francis on climate change: “If we destroy creation, creation will destroy us” (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

$400 billion gas deal shows Russia looking to China to replace western money (via Forbes)

Venezuela plans first shale gas exploration project (via Reuters)

Kerry says Russia-China gas deal not linked to Ukraine (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Will ads run on your Nest thermostat one day? (via GigaOm)

OIL 

Write-down on two-thirds of US shale oil explodes fracking myth (via The Guardian)

Oil climbs to $104 as U.S. supplies drop sharply (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

BP lodges Supreme Court appeal to limit Gulf of Mexico oil spill settlement (via The Guardian)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU aims to put brake on truck emissions with new regulations (via BusinessGreen)

Nissan’s electric vehicle free-charging program hits speed bump (via San Francisco Chronicle)

GM has installed 401 EV charge stations at US facilities, 5,900 at dealerships (via Green Car Congress)

KEYSTONE XL 

Nebraska Supreme Court to weigh Keystone XL by October (via Politico)

ENVIRONMENT 

California drought threatens US food supply; collapsing aquifer sinking the land (via Weather Channel)

373,000 Colorado homes at high wildfire risk (via Coloradoan)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima Daiichi begins pumping groundwater into Pacific (via The Guardian)

POLITICS 

The House Science Committee has held more hearings on aliens than climate change (via National Journal)

Steyer’s PAC targets seven races for November (via Politico)

Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate opposes anti-green energy bill (via Toledo Blade)

OPINION 

Crimea oil and gas will not come easy for Russia (via Christian Science Monitor)

Climate change and the American economy (via The Hill)

How green spaces could stop cities from overheating (via The Guardian)

Monterey Shale: Fracking’s great moment of derp (via CleanTechnica)

Meet me in New York, says Bill McKibben – it’s time to get arrested (via Grist)