Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.11.14
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
GRID
U.S. utility research group lays out plan for updated, integrated power grid (via ClimateWire)
DOE to provide funding for microgrid development (via Renew Grid)
With reliability a concern, universities looking to microgrids (via Midwest Energy News)
Grid-scale energy storage to reduce load in New York City (via Greentech Media)
Winter electricity price spikes put Clean Currents out of business (via Energy Collective)
EMISSIONS
China’s Hubei plans province’s first carbon auction next month (via Reuters)
2013 carbon emissions drop in Northeast, rise in U.S. (via Sustainable Business)
California should set interim goal for cutting emissions, says report (via Los Angeles Times)
RENEWABLES
2013 wind energy installations stall in U.S., surge in China (via CleanTechnica)
PV modules were a $30.5 billion market in 2013 (via Greentech Media)
Global demand for solar polysilicon to increase 25% this year (via Solar Industry Magazine)
U.S. files trade protest over India solar energy program (via Time/AP)
India vows to stand ground in new solar trade fight with U.S. (via National Journal)
Wind of change sweeps through Caribbean energy policy (via The Guardian)
Ikea: Massive energy goals producing business boom (via Energy Manager Today)
Canadian Solar estimates 75% rise in quarterly revenue (via Reuters)
U.S. renewable energy maintains growth in 2013 (via Renew Grid)
Solar third-party financing at $3.34 billion in 2013, key to U.S. solar boom (via Forbes)
EPA’s RFS cuts limit ethanol growth (via Navigant Research)
Reduced water supply forecast affects hydropower outlook in Pacific Northwest (via US EIA)
Five years later, Missouri still grappling with renewables law (via Midwest Energy News)
COAL
Chinese coal companies’ debt concerns sink shares (via Bloomberg)
CLIMATE
Warm enough for Summer Olympics in Sochi (via ABC News)
Higher temperatures put fish near Equator at risk (via The National)
Study sounds “El Nino Alarm” for late this year (via Climate Central)
Climatologist: When ocean warming ends, “global temperatures set to rise rapidly” (via Climate Progress)
“Most exceptional period of rainfall in 248 years” in U.K. is “consistent” with climate change (via Climate Progress)
Obama-Hollande meeting may boost larger climate goals (via The Hill)
KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS
Ambassador: Keystone rejection would “definitely strain” U.S.-Canadian relations (via National Journal)
Uproar over Keystone far outweighs pipeline’s potential effect, say analysts (via Houston Chronicle)
Greens see red on Keystone report conflicts (via Politico)
Company yet to stop leaks spilling tar sands in Alberta for nine months (via Climate Progress)
TRANSPORTATION
China extends electric vehicle subsidies to fight air pollution (via Bloomberg)
Boeing seeks to certify jet fuel biodiesel around the world (via Green Car Reports)
NATURAL GAS
How can a nation awash in natural gas have shortages, and what to do about it (via Forbes)
Can the Marcellus keep up its massive production? (via StateImpact Texas)
ENVIRONMENT
Company responsible for West Virginia chemical spill skips Congressional hearing (via Climate Progress)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
White roofs could offset summer warming by 2100 (via Climate Central)
Beyond bulbs: Illinois raises the bar on energy efficiency (via Midwest Energy News)
OPINION
Freezing out the bigger picture on climate (New York Times)
The oil industry’s fight to kill renewable fuels – and why it may win (via InsideClimate News)
A climate change reality check (via World Resources Institute)
Senators and scientists play climate dating game (via National Journal)
Steyer’s secret weapon emerges as power in climate debate (via Greenwire)
Salazar: Keystone XL a “win-win” project (via The Hill)
Could corn ethanol finally fade away? (via Sustainable Business)
How one Austin church could lead to more urban solar power