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)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.30.13

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

COAL 

Goldman Sachs says coal-export terminals are a bad investment (via Grist)

EMISSIONS 

UK government unveils next steps to zero carbon homes (via BusinessGreen)

Study: Energy efficiency drove US emissions decline, not natural gas (via InsideClimate News)

Report: Carbon markets offer “cheap” aviation emissions cuts (via BusinessGreen)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

State Department: Keystone XL jobs impact “negligible” (via The Hill)

Analysts say Obama “headed toward yes” on Keystone pipeline (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

China’s renewable energy spending may total $300 billion through 2015 (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

New solar homes: Japanese builders helping fight for energy independence (via Renewable Energy World)

Saudi Arabia “committed” to 54GW green revolution (via RTCC)

Chinese solar eyes US market after EU agreement (via Environmental Leader)

Wind developers ready US offshore bids (via Recharge)

RMI: New insights into the real value of distributed solar (via Greentech Media)

Algae-to-crude company Sapphire Energy pays of US government loan guarantee (via Green Car Congress)

UCLA scientists double efficiency of novel solar cell (via Phys.org)

ENERGY POLICY 

Senate nears first big energy bill since 2007 (via The Hill)

Deloitte: Energy deals tumble 30% from 2012 activity (via Houston Chronicle)

FERC says JPMorgan manipulated power prices in 2010-2011 (via USA Today)

GRID

Demand response could double to 155.4GW worldwide by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Natural gas plants account for 53% of new generation capacity in 2013 (via Facts of the Day)

North Dakota natural gas flaring equivalent to 1 million cars per year (via Climate Progress)

Federal government begins probe of Gulf gas well blowout (via Houston Chronicle)

BLM will lease rights for natural gas development in Ohio forest (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Study: Global warming puts South American water supplies at risk (via United Press International)

2013 shaping up to be one of Australia’s hottest years ever (via Renew Economy)

Study: sea-level rise threatens 1,400 US cities (via USA Today)

Cornell opens climate change and agriculture center (via Environmental Leader)

OIL 

Shale threatens Saudi economy, warns prince (via Wall Street Journal)

Saudi prince says global oil markets are “in decline” (via RTCC)

Texas will continue to lead US oil boom (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil industry works to reduce flaring in North Dakota (via The Oklahoman)

Oil industry fights safety retrofit of older rail cars (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

BP’s Deepwater compensation fund running dry (via The Guardian)

As Texas drilling expands, so do fights over land rights (via StateImpact Texas)

TRANSPORTATION 

Japanese carmakers partner to double public EV fast chargers (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla sets sights on fledgling China EV market (via TriplePundit)

Ford data shows its PHEV owners operate in electric mode 60% of the time (via Green Car Congress)

DOE Inspector General: Grants to EV charging company were “overly generous” (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Commercial LED lighting revenue will reach $25 billion annually by 2021 (via Navigant Research)

DOE invests in energy efficiency for small buildings (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

A smaller-than-predicted Dead Zone is still toxic for the Gulf of Mexico (via Time)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Research says green corporate policies tied to brand strength (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Some Republicans, not all, clamor for a vote against a carbon tax (via ClimateWire)

EPA chief takes climate push on the road (via The Hill)

Political ad targets Cuccinelli fight with climate scientist (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

The consequences of affordable green energy options (via Washington Post)

Flood, rebuild, repeat: Are we ready for a Superstorm Sandy every other year? (via Grist)

Renewables only marginally more expensive (via Breaking Energy)

How fit are feed-in tariffs? (via Renewable Energy World)

How bracing for superstorms will reshape New York City (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.29.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Merkel’s green shift backfires as German pollution jumps (via Bloomberg)

Climate change divestment campaigns go on offense in Australia (via The Guardian)

Court tosses Texas, industry challenge to EPA greenhouse gas permitting (via The Hill)

Boulder, Colorado eyes carbon neutrality by 2050 (via Daily Camera)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Elevated levels of metals found in water near fracking wells in Texas (via Houston Chronicle)

Internal EPA report suggests fracking contaminated Pennsylvania drinking water (via Los Angeles Times)

Effort to speed up North Carolina fracking derailed (via News Observer)

Colorado Congressman Polis pulls lawsuit to stop fracking near his property (via The Hill)

Crews ready to drill relief well at blowout site (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

China announces subsidy for small-scale distributed solar (via PV Tech)

Grumbling all around after EU-China solar panel deal (via New York Times)

Europe and China agree to settle solar panel fight (via New York Times)

India plans to reintroduce wind power tax break and fiscal incentives (via Live Mint)

Czech government aims to scrap aid for renewables in 2014 (via Recharge)

With EU sales likely capped, China solar firms will need new markets (via Reuters)

Thailand solar feed-in tariff rates announced for 1GW of solar PV (via CleanTechnica)

Dazzling Dozen US states illuminate path to solar energy future (via CleanTechnica)

The US will be the world’s largest residential PV monitoring market in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

On rooftops, a solar rival for utilities (via New York Times)

States take a shine to solar energy (via USA Today)

Distributed solar power generation to jump in next five years (via Houston Chronicle)

Solar and wind get higher capacity values from ERCOT (via Greentech Media)

Fight against solar net metering in Arizona gets controversial support (via Renewable Energy World)

Massive solar plant a stepping stone for future projects (via NPR)

OIL 

Federal rule to boost safety standards for rail cars carrying oil delayed for a year (via Washington Post/AP)

Could Alaska end tax breaks for Big Oil? (via Christian Science Monitor)

On the road in Texas, where oil is king again (via Christian Science Monitor)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Obama’s Keystone comments give opponents reason for hope (via Washington Post)

Alabama, Mississippi to assess tar sands resources in their states (via Green Car Congress)

55 arrested at Keystone XL pipeline protest (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

Ocean’s iron impact could alter climate predictions (via Climate Central)

Atmospheric rivers grow, causing worse floods ahead (via Climate Central)

Many species will have to evolve 10,000 times faster to adapt to climate change, says study (via Climate Progress)

Small business owners see extreme weather as tightrope without net (via ClimateWire)

NOAA scientists to study ocean acidification effects off US West Coast (via Los Angeles Times)

Timeline: a look at extreme weather and climate events (via WRI Insights)

Alaska forest fires “worst for 10,000 years” (via RTCC)

Outrage as New York homeowners prepare for higher flood insurance rates (via New York Times)

COAL 

Facing tough market at home, US coal giant pushes overseas (via Yale e360)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

UK government set to unveil path to zero carbon homes (via BusinessGreen)

Philadelphia buildings must report energy, water usage (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

NYC gets first net zero energy school (via Sustainable Business)

TRANSPORTATION 

Japan automakers team up to add electric chargers (via Bloomberg)

UPS cut emissions 2.1% in 2012 while shipments rose (via Autoblog Green)

California plug-in rebate program running out of money (via Plugin Cars)

POLITICS 

Congress’s climate skeptics could snarl GOP’s strategy (via Politico)

After delayed vote, EPA gains a tough leader to tackle climate change (via New York Times)

GOP lawmaker warns DOI fracking rule could lead to cascade of new federal regulations (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Wind, the “workhorse” of renewable energy (via San Jose Mercury News)

Why Hawaii just became an even better market for solar (via Forbes)

Why it finally makes political sense to talk about climate change (via National Journal)

The five most important names in renewable energy you’ve never heard of (via Grist)

Battery storage: the numbers don’t add up – yet (via Renew Economy)

Divestment: can investors actually make more money going fossil free? (via Greentech Media)

 

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.15.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Australia to scrap carbon tax for trading scheme (via Agence France-Presse)

California cap and trade could mean data center cost bumps (via GigaOm)

CLIMATE 

Ice sheets melting at rate of 300 billion tons a year, shows climate satellites (via The Independent)

Study shows climate change happening too quickly for species to adapt (via The Guardian)

After Sandy, New York aims to fortify itself against next big storm & climate change (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Solar PV to hit grid parity, $134 billion annual revenue by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

Annual offshore wind investment to hit €18 billion by 2016 (via Renewable Energy World)

China vows to quadruple solar generating capacity by 2015 (via Reuters)

EU plans probe on German renewable energy law (via Reuters)

Europe installs 1GW offshore wind capacity in first half 2013 (via BusinessGreen)

The history of biofuels goes back 300 years (via Autoblog Green)

US court says biofuel producers must face carbon emissions rules (via Reuters)

Georgia PSC orders 525MW more solar power capacity by 2016 (via Atlanta Business Chronicle)

New York inches toward offshore wind energy (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS 

France’s president rules out shale gas exploration (via Reuters)

Sen. Wyden: natural gas proposal coming soon (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

Study: world’s coral reefs face serious problems by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Sweeping parts of southern seas could become a nature preserve (via NPR)

Study says removing coastal habitat doubles flood impact (via Phys.org)

Canada’s second-largest fire on record spreads smoke to Europe (via Weather Underground)

Wind power and this bird get along fine (via EarthTechling)

OIL

Full extent of heavy metal contamination in Arkansas Exxon oil spill still unknown (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK aims for low-carbon vehicles with £1 billion R&D center (via BusinessGreen)

GM to double models with 40-mpg highway or better by 2017 (via Green Car Congress)

Battery-electric cars are outselling plug-in hybrids (via Green Car Reports)

Better Place bought out of bankruptcy for $12 million (via GigaOm)

Study projects Tesla Roadster packs will retain 80-85% capacity after 100k miles (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla trims Model S reservation price in half (via CleanTechnica)

One year with my Chevy Volt (via CleanTechnica)

Connecticut to fund $200,000 in public charging station incentives (via Autoblog Green)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Federal building efficiency standard could cut energy use 18% (via Environmental Leader)

DOE set to order energy efficiency standards for US computers and servers (via The Hill)

GREEN BUSINESS

Recycling saved General Motors $1 billion in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Skanska quits US Chamber of Commerce over anti-LEED lobbying (via BusinessGreen)

NUCLEAR 

IAEA says aging nuclear reactors pose safety challenge (via Reuters)

GREEN BUILDING 

Re-imagined London tower would harvest pollution as fuel (via EarthTechling)

Munich building snags highest-ever LEED rating (via EarthTechling)

ENERGY POLICY 

Water scarcity from climate change could jack up Europe’s power prices (via Climate Progress)

World Bank abandons coal, green-lights clean micro-grids (via Renew Economy)

When space weather attacks the grid (via Washington Post)

Ideas to bolster US power grid run up against system’s many owners (via New York Times)

Flush with oil and gas cash, North Dakota’s economic growth tops in nation (via Stateline)

POLITICS 

Rudd seeks to ditch carbon tax with eye on election campaign (via Bloomberg)

Tough job ahead as Obama puts climate talk into action, sells plan to public (via Washington Post)

Battle over EPA nominee draws to a close (via The Hill)

GOP “climate disconnect” would sacrifice climate research for weather forecasting (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.20.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Revised EU carbon market fix passes first hurdle (via RTCC)

Obama readying emissions limits on power plants (via New York Times)

Energy risk: the forgotten half of America’s carbon cuts (via Energy Collective)

GOP senators slam significant change to “social cost” of carbon (via The Hill)

US Forest Services study finds urban trees remove air pollution, save lives (via Phys.org)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese nuclear regulator announces safety guidelines overhaul (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

NREL provides open-source system for large-scale energy data collection (via Energy Manager Today)

Energy performance of 60,000 buildings now open to public (via Sustainable Business)

Energy use in US apartments drops nearly 40% (via Greentech Media)

RENEWABLES 

Top wind power countries in world per capita (via CleanTechnica)

China and Japan drive Africa renewables investment (via Bloomberg)

Renewables offer least-cost option for Africa energy shortages (via Renew Economy)

Germany energy storage incentive could push PV market further (via Renewable Energy World)

Siemens to develop biofuel from steel industry gases (via BusinessGreen)

Optimizing small wind turbines (via Renewable Energy World)

US state-level renewables push is waning (via Reuters)

2013 state solar policy rankings show most solar-friendly states (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

NW residents’ support for coal dropping (via Oregon Public Broadcasting)

CLIMATE 

Global warming threatens Africa food, Asia water within lifetime (via Bloomberg)

Germany insurance claims for flood damage may hit $8 billion (via Reuters)

New US climate strategy coming within weeks (via Reuters)

Ancient pollen in Brazilian rainforest offers climate clues (via BBC News)

Recent trends in climate change indicators (via Energy Collective)

6 of the world’s most extensive climate change adaptation plans (via InsideClimate News)

Report: building resilience to climate-fueled extreme weather “woefully underfunded” (via The Hill)

Mayors launch fight for climate change resiliency (via Energy Collective)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Israel to keep most its natural gas for domestic use (via Reuters)

Shale gas long-term US success poses interim challenges (via EnergyWire)

US gas reserves down amid shale boom (via Breaking Energy)

3.5MW of new US generation capacity added in May, 72% is natural gas (via Facts of the Day)

Study finds consensus on shale drilling’s biggest risks (via Phys.org/Akron Beacon Journal)

ENVIRONMENT 

Philippines financial capital bans plastic bags (via Phys.org)

Study maps likely wildlife migration corridors as climate warms (via Yale e360)

Biologists worried by starving migratory birds tied to climate change (via Washington Post)

Wind-wildlife group begins building bird-death database (via Midwest Energy News)

Seabirds face big problems as sea levels rise (via Mongabay)

Southwest US mega-drought: a bad omen for global forests (via Yale e360)

TRANSPORTATION 

New gas mileage rules will reshape what Americans drive (via Green Car Reports)

Power consumption on Ecotricity’s UK’s electric highway increases 45-fold (via CILT-UK)

Why Tesla thinks it can make battery swapping work (via MIT Technology Review)

US researchers create “green” battery using wood (via United Press International)

OIL 

Norway opens Arctic border area to oil drilling (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

GRID 

EPRI software quantifies value of energy storage (via Energy Manager Today)

Will summer blackouts doom the Texas boom? (via Forbes)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Americans buy green to save money, not the climate (via Mother Jones)

OPINION 

Is Japan solar’s real deal? (via Renewable Energy World)

The time for climate action is now (via Los Angeles Times)

Increased “social cost” of carbon could affect Keystone XL (via CBC News)

The 10 dumbest things ever said about global warming (via Rolling Stone)

Four ways the government subsidizes risky coastal rebuilding (via ProPublica)

Is NYC’s climate plan enough to win the race against rising seas? (via InsideClimate News)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.18.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China takes cautious step toward carbon emissions trading (via Reuters)

China emission trading experiment unlikely to ease cities’ smog (via Bloomberg)

China’s first carbon market faces “credit oversupply” dilemma (via RTCC)

Judge rejects lawsuit to curb Montana methane emissions from drilling (via Greenwire)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Alberta’s oil sands raise flaring emissions as rules lag (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone XL pipeline shuns high-tech oil spill detectors (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone XL mapping project uncovers pipeline’s true impact (via EarthTechling)

22 arrested at Keystone XL protest in Chicago (via DNAinfo Chicago)

RENEWABLES 

EU trade chief to discuss solar dispute in Beijing (via Reuters)

Japan to start floating offshore wind trial (via Recharge)

Germany adds 1.2GW of solar PV from January-May 2013 (via Recharge)

Solar PV module costs to fall to 36 cents per watt by 2017 (via Greentech Media)

US solar to hit grid parity 2014-2017 (via CleanTechnica)

Six Sioux tribes propose massive wind project (via Recharge)

Solar-powered plane faces the human factor (via New York Times)

Solar likely on 20% of new homes in California in 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

New England states move to import more Canadian hydropower (via Boston Globe)

How to put an offshore wind turbine in the Texas Gulf (via StateImpact Texas)

University of Wisconsin research designs solar panel that stores energy (via Journal-Sentinel)

AT&T introducing solar-powered charging stations in New York City (via New York Times)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear decommissioning surge is investor guessing game (via Bloomberg)

Xcel Energy investing $1.8 billion in two nuclear power plants (via Star-Tribune)

ENVIRONMENT 

Great Barrier Reef on the brink as politicians bicker (via The Guardian)

Jet stream changes triggered record 2012 Greenland ice melt (via Yale e360)

Poll: voters favor protecting public lands over drilling them (via Climate Progress)

Why does the US government encourage people to build homes in wildfire zones? (via Washington Post)

The Koch brothers take on environmental groups over Alaska mine (via Washington Post)

OIL 

As US oil production soars, oil companies eye far horizons (via Houston Chronicle)

End of BP oil spill cleaning crews leaves questions, concerns on Gulf Coast (via Washington Post/AP)

What sickens people in oil spills, and how badly, is anybody’s guess (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Plug-in EVs will reach 3 million in annual sales by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Did America reach “peak car” in 2005? (via Greentech Media)

Ford cuts production emissions 37% per vehicle since 2000 (via Autoblog Green)

Rhode Island installing 50 electric car charging stations (via San Francisco Chronicle/AP)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Companies may turn to courts on US natural gas export push (via Reuters)

First risk assessment of shale gas fracking to biodiversity released (via Phys.org)

Energy Department warns House of limits on natural gas testimony (via The Hill)

Illinois governor signs tough fracking regulations into law (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Global companies growing focus on energy use reductions (via Houston Chronicle)

New York: America’s most energy efficient city? (via GreenBiz)

DOE Buildings Performance Database includes 60,000 records (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

New Vikings stadium sheds light on sustainability (via EarthTechling)

Clean energy R&D hanging tough through tough times (via EarthTechling)

POLITICS 

US mayors announce climate resilience, energy efficiency measures (via Reuters)

GOP bill would cut renewable energy spending in half (via The Hill)

At least 1/3 of US senators hold energy industry investment (via E&E Daily)

Handicapping potential candidates to lead FERC (via Politico)

OPINION 

Carbon trading with Chinese characteristics (via Scientific American)

Utility solar is dead; long live distributed generation (via Greentech Media)

What carbon capture can’t do (via MIT Technology Review)

Global warming appears to have slowed lately, that’s no reason to celebrate (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.12.13

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

COAL 

Coal power pollution costs Europe millions of working hours a year (via BusinessGreen)

Undervalued coal leases costing US taxpayers millions (via New York Times)

CLIMATE 

Global warming set to approach 4C by 2100 (via RTCC)

Mexico unveils national climate change strategy (via Sustainable Business)

Obama to ramp up international climate action, says adviser (via The Hill)

States address extreme weather disasters’ staggering costs (via Stateline)

New York City launches $19.5 billion climate resiliency plan (via Climate Central)

Island in the sun: why are our cities heating up faster than everywhere else? (via Grist)

RENEWABLES 

PV materials market to reach $27.2 billion in 2018 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Trina Solar says EU anti-dumping tariff closes solar markets (via Bloomberg)

Germany’s PV generation peaked at 23.4GW on June 6 (via Greentech Media)

UK creates offshore wind investment body (via Recharge)

Federal court ruling called a game changer for renewable electricity (via Greenwire)

Utilities’ appetite for wind energy continues to grow (via Renew Grid)

Home rooftops: the bright spot for US solar market in 2013 (via GigaOm)

Wells Fargo reports $6.4 billion green project financing in 2012 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

California shared renewables bills gain momentum (via Energy Collective)

OIL 

IEA: oil demand in developing world surpasses wealthy nations (via Reuters)

Exxon funds $200 million on Arctic oil research in Russia (via Houston Chronicle)

Cleanup work after BP oil spill ends in three states (via AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

DOE launches “eGallon” to help compare cost of fueling with electricity vs. gasoline (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla to make superchargers more efficient, expand network to 98% of US (via Inhabitat)

EMISSIONS 

Europe must cut emissions 55% by 2030 to tackle carbon credit glut (via BusinessGreen)

US government is fourth-biggest greenhouse gas polluter in America (via Grist)

NUCLEAR 

Atomic power’s green light, or red flag? (via New York Times)

GRID 

Smart grid technology market will reach $73 billion in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Report says renewables, natural gas should work together on the grid (via Houston Chronicle)

Demand response drops in PJM capacity auction (via Navigant Research)

$10 million in funding announced for New York State smart grid projects (via Renew Grid)

California sets energy storage target of 1.3GW by 2020 (via Greentech Media)

Utilities and distributed energy: further reading (via Grist)

TAR SANDS 

Enbridge shuts major Ontario pipelines after oil leak (via Reuters)

POLITICS 

White House plots climate strategy with Senate, House Democrats (via The Hill)

GOP bill would limit environmental review of offshore drilling (via Houston Chronicle)

DOE IG casts doubt on contract work by ex-congresswoman (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.11.13

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

EMISSIONS 

US-China emissions deal faces broader challenges (via Politico)

China’s rich provinces outsource emissions to less developed ones (via The Guardian)

America’s 20 worst corporate air polluters (via Forbes)

ENERGY POLICY 

EIA says US oil and gas reserves up 35% thanks to shale boom (via The Hill)

Electricity generation scoreboard: gas down 8%; coal up 8%; nuclear down 2.5%; wind up 10% & solar up 228% (via Facts of the Day)

RENEWABLES 

US installs record 723MW of solar PV in Q1 2013 (via Greentech Media)

SEPA report ranks US utilities by amount of deployed solar (via Greentech Media)

The coming solar electricity transformation (via CleanTechnica)

As first offshore wind turbine launches in Maine, is Texas next? (via StateImpact Texas)

Biofuels to play integral role in California’s energy future, says new study (via Phys.org)

COAL 

2014 European coal plunges to record as Credit Suisse cuts forecast (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Scientists say climate change could mean once a century floods every 10 years (via RTCC)

Catastrophic European floods raise climate concerns (via ClimateWire)

New climate data depicts New York City’s growing risk (via New York Times)

Dominion shareholder vote a loud signal to Virginia utility on climate (via InsideClimate News)

GRID 

Smart grid activity is heating up in South America (via Renew Grid)

Europe’s grid could carry 10% more electricity via next-generation technologies (via Recharge)

OIL 

Venezuelans find oil bonanza in Colombia (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Toyota Europe wants clean grid before pushing electric cars (via Plugin Cars)

Frequent flyers pressure United Airlines to tackle climate change (via BusinessGreen)

FAA wants to wean private airlines off leaded fuel (via The Hill)

2013 Chevy Volt gets $4,000 incentive, more if leasing a competitor’s vehicle (via Autoblog Green)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Green product growth outpaced others during recession (via Environmental Leader)

Under-fire Sustainable Forestry Initiative revising standards (via Environmental Leader)

Chemical companies seek to limit federal LEED green building (via Bloomberg)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canadian ambassador: Alberta’s oil sands crude “will get to market” (via Houston Chronicle)

Can the new social cost of carbon estimate help stop Keystone XL? (via TriplePundit)

POLITICS 

Two Senate panels compete for control over ethanol mandate (via National Journal)

Steven Chu Q&A on Solyndra, Keystone, and US grid (via San Francisco Chronicle)

DOE official violated nepotism policy, says inspector general (via The Hill)

OPINION 

What to make of a climate change plateau (via New York Times)

Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) will bring more clean energy investment (via Climate Progress)

Who’ll get stuck with San Onofre’s $3 billion tab? (via Greenwire)

Silver linings in IEA report on 2012 fossil fuel carbon emissions (via The Guardian)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.23.13

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

EMISSIONS 

EU may have road map on modified carbon fix in June (via Bloomberg)

EU carbon trading reform could face second ballot in June (via RTCC)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Canada launches oil sands online environmental monitoring portal (via CBC News)

EPA balks at State’s “insufficient” review of Keystone XL route (via The Hill)

Americans more supportive of Keystone than Canadians, poll finds (via Financial Post/Bloomberg)

Keystone XL foes say 1 million comments show power of grassroots (via Houston Chronicle)

Tar sands spill poses unusual threat (via Houston Chronicle)

Hedge-fund billionaire leads donors in pushing Obama on Keystone (via Bloomberg)

Former top US pipeline regulator backs Keystone XL (via Politico)

Keystone XL opponents to train 60k activists in civil disobedience (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

BNEF: renewables investment set to triple by 2030 (via BusinessGreen)

India offers to foot bill for 30% of solar construction costs (via Bloomberg)

As cities fill with smog, China embraces stable and regulated renewable development in 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

US states turn against renewable energy as gas plunges (via Bloomberg)

Senators to offer bill expanding financing mechanism to renewables (via The Hill)

New tool to attract solar investors: monitor real-time performance (via Sustainable Business)

Will we ever really make much electricity from the ocean? (via EarthTechling)

CLIMATE 

Report: EU urged to develop climate adaptation strategy (via BusinessGreen)

Despite unseasonable cold in EU and US, March was 10th warmest on record (via Mongabay)

Bangladesh focuses on adaptation strategy as climate fears grow (via RTCC)

US shows rapid rise of temperatures since first Earth Day (via Climate Central)

TRANSPORTATION 

Report: EVs to make up 2-10% of world’s cars by 2035 (via Greentech Media)

US hybrid vehicle market share grew 41% in 2012 to 3.1% overall (via Green Car Congress)

West coast cities dominate Greenest Car Shoppers list (via Autoblog Green)

NYC launches electric taxi “fleet” with six Nissan Leaf EVs (via Autoblog Green)

Fisker Automotive misses DOE loan payment (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

Is Saudi Arabia losing its importance in the oil market? (via Motley Fool)

Halliburton seeks a deal over Gulf oil spill (via New York Times)

GRID 

Nest unleashes power of smart thermostats with data-driven services (via GigaOm)

University of British Columbia unveils smart grid energy storage system (via Renew Grid)

Why doesn’t dynamic pricing make sense for electricity customers? (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Interior chief Jewell: “one size doesn’t fit all” on fracking (via The Hill)

US trucking industry set to expand use of natural gas (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

US drought worsens, scorching much of the country (via AOL Energy)

Texas and Oklahoma head to Supreme Court over water (via StateImpact Texas)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Facebook lifts the lid on its water, energy use (via GreenBiz)

OPINION 

How Americans see global warming – in 8 charts (via Washington Post)

What BP doesn’t want you to know about the 2010 Gulf spill (via Newsweek/The Daily Beast)

Infrastructure and resilience: forging a national strategy for reconstruction and growth (via Climate Progress)

How the climate reform effort was poisoned from the inside (via The Nation)

Why aren’t younger Americans driving anymore? (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.20.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China to introduce carbon tax, says official (via Xinhua)

Carbon price plunges 20 percent after EU backloading vote (via BusinessGreen)

Businesses line up to back UK decarbonization target (via BusinessGreen)

Landmark carbon assessment developed for Australia (via Phys.org)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada says Keystone XL won’t affect climate (via Houston Chronicle)

Re-defining “energy independence” in the Keystone era (via Huffington Post)

NATURAL GAS 

Japanese prime minister to ask Obama to approve shale gas exports (via Bloomberg)

Specialists working to kill Apache natural gas well in Gulf of Mexico (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

EU tariffs on Chinese solar goods could cost UK €3.5 billion (via BusinessGreen)

What the global renewables industry might look like in 2050 (via Greentech Media)

Big banks, Big Oil pile into Japan’s burgeoning solar market (via Sustainable Business)

Wind blows German power swings to five-year high (via Bloomberg)

German solar PV prices fall to €1.52 per watt in January (via CleanTechnica)

1MW solar system shapes Brazil’s World Cup stadium (via BusinessGreen)

US ethanol groups decry EU tariff as “blatant protectionism” (via Reuters)

100% of electric capacity added in US last month was renewable (via Grist)

Are direct-drive turbines the future of wind energy? (via EarthTechling)

Sewage status grows as resource for methane generation (via Bloomberg)

Sleeping geothermal giant stirs (via Pike Research)

LA’s solar feed-in tariff attracts strong interest during first week (via Renew Grid)

Bill proposed to increase Pennsylvania renewable portfolio standard (via Renew Grid)

GRID 

Texas and Inner Mongolia need transmission to integrate wind (via Greentech Media)

German town goes off the grid, achieves energy independence (via TreeHugger)

Energy storage in commercial buildings to reach “$7.5 billion in 2022” (via Energy Manager Today)

USDA awards $330 more for transmission upgrades and smart grid tech (via Renew Grid)

Cal-ISO and PacifiCorp agreement paves way for lower-cost solar integration (via Renewable Energy World)

NREL eyes intersection of EVs, green power and the grid (via GreenBiz)

OIL 

US judge approves Transocean civil spill settlement (via Reuters)

BP challenges “excessive” spill claims (via The Hill)

Battle lines drawn for BP’s day in court (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Chinese companies slowly collecting discounted US electric car assets (via GigaOm)

UK to accelerate EVs with €37 million charging fund (via BusinessGreen)

Home solar systems to be an option for Honda customers (via New York Times)

New lithium-ion battery tech could appear in next few years (via Green Car Reports)

US gas prices are on a mysterious climb (via Washington Post)

All eyes on Tesla as it inches toward profitability in 2013 (via GigaOm)

$20 million DOE funding targets $30,000 EV with 240 miles of range (via Plugin Cars)

CLIMATE 

Jurassic records warn of risk to marine life from global warming (via Phys.org)

COAL 

Research finds additional harm from coal dust exposure (via Midwest Energy News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Daylighting in New York City could save 160 megawatts (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

Top EPA official used personal email address (via The Hill)

OPINION 

The virtues of being unreasonable on Keystone (via Grist)

Joe Nocera’s wrong: a carbon tax wouldn’t help Canada’s tar sands (via Washington Post)

EU emissions trade is sputtering (via New York Times)

Musk-New York Times debate highlights electric car shortcomings (via MIT Technology Review)

Is free charging for EVs actually a long-term hindrance? (via Autoblog Green)