Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.20.13

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

COP 19 

Poor countries walk out of UN climate talks as compensation row rumbles on (via The Guardian)

COP 19: Warsaw summit faces loss and damage deadlock (via BusinessGreen)

Four issues to watch as COP 19 wraps up (via World Resources Institute)

ENERGY POLICY 

Interior Department announces $14.2 billion in energy revenue (via The Hill)

Colorado state regulator at the center of America’s fracking boom (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

Solar PV dominates first year of Japan’s feed-in tariff (via Recharge)

Wind sets new generation records across US in 2013 (via Facts of the Day)

Biofuels industry, allies push back against EPA decision (via The Hill)

Pecan Street study: West-facing solar panels better for summer’s peak power demand (via Austin Statesman)

Report: Stable policy key to Great Lakes offshore wind jobs (via Midwest Energy News)

$13 billion Ohio clean-energy bond submitted for ballot (via Columbus Dispatch)

Iowa utility plans state’s largest solar farm (via Daily Iowan)

Midwest transmission line developer seeks customers among wind-farm operators (via Wichita Eagle)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia says welcomes us shale oil, sees no need to cut output (via Reuters)

BP builds its largest-ever drilling fleet in the Gulf of Mexico (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

Global damage from extreme weather disasters set to break $200 billion a year (via Climate Progress)

Cost of climate change adaptation could destabilize African countries, warns UN (via The Guardian)

Warming seen worse as nations fail to meet carbon goals (via Reuters)

Three countries that are bailing on climate action (via Mother Jones)

US ranks 43rd on climate policy – and Canada is even worse (via Mother Jones)

Some states ignore climate change in disaster plans, but coastal states are on alert (via ClimateWire)

Sunday’s tornado outbreak could be costliest November weather event in US history (via Washington Post)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Colorado proposes historic air pollution regulations (via Climate Progress)

In Oklahoma, water, fracking, and a swarm of quakes (via Reuters)

On Colorado’s Front Range, fracking questions loom large (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Scientists, UN official warn of “unabated” coal use (via Climate Central)

Tsunami-blocking mangroves lure carbon investors to Southeast Asia (via Bloomberg)

KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada boosts Keystone XL cost estimate by $100 million (via Reuters)

Upgrading existing pipelines would create more jobs than building Keystone XL, says report (via Climate Progress)

TransCanada pushes Keystone XL pipeline start to 2016 (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Consumers have favorable views of EVs, but awareness remains low (via Navigant Research)

Nissan to boost production of battery-powered LEAF (via Plugin Cars)

More evidence American may have reached “peak car” (via Greentech Media)

Many consumers still unaware of EV incentives (via Green Car Reports)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.4.13

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

EMISSIONS 

PwC: World set to blow carbon budget by 2034 (via BusinessGreen)

Alberta PM seeking “quid pro quo” from US on carbon tax (via Edmonton Journal)

Power plants try burning wood with coal to cut emissions (via New York Times)

The financial case for fossil fuel divestment by endowment fiduciaries (via Huffington Post)

ENERGY TAX POLICY 

IEA says feed-in tariffs not a subsidy but tax credits are (via Renew Economy)

US will begin publishing fossil fuel subsidy totals (via The Hill)

Wind tax credit could take a big hit in next tax battle (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil plans new wind-only tender (via Recharge)

Japan many offer higher feed-in tariff for offshore wind projects (via Recharge)

Renewables “need huge mineral supply” (via Climate News Network)

Efficient turbine spacing boosts offshore wind farm output 33% (via CleanTechnica)

Attacks on clean energy failed across the country: Report (via Huffington Post)

Utilities across the US cashing in on lower price of wind power (via Renew Grid)

4 states lead US in Freeing the Grid for distributed solar energy (via CleanTechnica)

US wind power slumps in 2013 after tax credit drives 2012 boom (via Bloomberg)

Xcel sets 60% wind energy record in Colorado (via CleanTechnica)

$600 average annual savings for middle-class families who lease solar (via CleanTechnica)

Calvert launches green bond fund for retail investors (via Sustainable Business)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking boom leading to fracking bust, say scientists (via Climate Central)

US shale boom to boost LPG exports, bring down prices (via Reuters)

Fracking’s “Red Queen” effect means even more drilling (via TriplePundit)

Coast Guard plan would let “frackwater” travel rivers on barges (via Pittsburgh Times-Tribune)

CLIMATE 

Warming report sees violent, sicker, poorer future (via AP)

Oceans warming faster than they have over past 10,000 years (via Time)

Kyoto veterans say global warming goal slipping away (via Bloomberg)

Hottest September on record, warmest Arctic in 120,000 years (via Climate Progress)

One potential problem with geoengineering: Less rain (via MIT Technology Review)

Columbia Law report encourages “managed coastal retreat” over fortification (via ClimateWire)

Obama signs order in response to weather disasters and climate change (via Washington Post)

Army Corps: Climate change threatens Naval Station Norfolk (via Washington Post/AP)

OIL 

Lightning strike may have caused North Dakota pipeline spill (via Huffington Post/AP)

North Dakota oil boom brings worry to Theodore Roosevelt National Park (via Los Angeles Times)

More mineral owners seek to join North Dakota gas flaring lawsuits (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf move combined 4,024 units in October (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

Post-Sandy, US pushes microgrids for backup power (via USA Today)

New FERC rule improving outlook for energy storage (via Midwest Energy News)

Plugging interoperability into the nation’s electric grid (via GigaOm)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Smart thermostat market will grow tenfold by 2020 (via Greentech Media)

Green buildings: A matter of health, not just energy (via EarthTechling)

ENVIRONMENT 

World’s soil moisture could decrease 15% by 2099 (via RTCC)

Bolivia, Madagascar, China see jump in forest loss (via Mongabay)

China’s clean air effort likely to take a long time (via New York Times)

In Rim Fire’s aftermath, a new worry emerges: water (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

In Britain, era of “green conservative” withers (via Washington Post)

GOP deeply divided over climate change (via Pew Research)

OPINION 

Global emissions grew more slowly in 2012, but will they ever decline? (via Washington Post)

What happens when the world dries out (via Climate Central)

Obama asks federal agencies to “prepare” for climate change – here’s what that means (via Washington Post)

Can coal states and the EPA just get along? (via National Journal)

Arizona Public Service should come clean on solar (via Environmental Leader)

China’s great dam boom: An assault on its river systems (via Yale e360)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.8.13

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

EMISSIONS 

How to slice a global carbon pie? (via New York Times)

US Supreme Court scheduled to consider climate change cases (via Reuters)

Divestment campaign against fossil fuels growing, says study (via The Guardian)

California highlights emissions reduction progress (via CleanTechnica)

New Jersey sets hearing on rejoining RGGI carbon trading program (via Bloomberg)

Microsoft achieves carbon neutrality, says NRDC (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

Beijing to close main coal plants by 2015 in smog crackdown (via BusinessGreen)

King Coal’s last stand (via Vice)

RENEWABLES 

China set to lead 2014 solar energy boom (via RTCC)

Floating offshore wind power taking hold (via Renewable Energy World)

New British solar energy fund has chance to shine (via Daily Mail)

UK tests new method to balance renewables on the grid (via Greentech Media)

Nighttime solar power arriving in United States (via EarthTechling)

Will a new guide for regulators settle the debate over rooftop solar’s value? (via Greentech Media)

Oakland’s bid to become a solar power hub (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Cumulative Nissan Leaf sales in Japan pass 30,000 mark (via Green Car Congress)

Honda plots US hybrid resurgence starting with Accord (via Bloomberg)

EV sales for 2013 up over 440% from one year ago (via Climate Progress)

Palo Alto requires homes to be pre-wired for electric cars (via EarthTechling)

Is there any business model for public electric car charging? (via Green Car Reports)

OIL 

Texas on track to be among world’s largest oil producers (via Houston Chronicle)

California Gov. Brown supports hydraulic fracturing (via Houston Chronicle)

BP spars with US government over size of Gulf of Mexico spill (via Reuters)

GRID 

PJM board approves $1.2 billion in transmission improvements (via Renew Grid)

Why the hot money is chasing energy storage (via Renew Economy)

ENERGY POLICY 

Proposed LNG exports spark controversy in British Columbia (via ClimateWire)

Quebec’s Keystone conundrum (via Politico)

Electricity utilities could lose half their market to solar and storage (via Renew Economy)

Grid Edge: How will utilities, vendors, and energy service providers adapt? (via Greentech Media)

ESCO market to reach $8.3 billion in 2020 (via Energy Manager Today)

California law to change energy rates, aid renewable power (via San Francisco Chronicle)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese prime minister seeks foreign help containing Fukushima water leak (via United Press International)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How Denmark turned an efficiency obligation into opportunity (via Midwest Energy News)

Building energy benchmarking and window retrofits (via Energy Manager Today)

An illustrated guide to the enormous power of energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Energy management saves Office Depot $2.2 million annually (via Energy Manager Today)

Cincinnati launches energy benchmarking toolkit (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

Obama’s top climate and energy adviser to leave White House (via Washington Post)

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

The battle for FERC and the future of energy security (via Energy Trends Insider)

OPINION 

Solar power, in small doses (via The Economist)

Who created the global warming “pause”? (via Mother Jones)

The future of the electricity system is called Grid Edge (via Greentech Media)

Burning question: Are Europe’s biomass imports sustainable? (via Renewable Energy World)

America’s net metering war (via CleanTechnica)

Can we fly more and still meet carbon targets? (via The Guardian)

We might blow our carbon budget sooner than we think (via Renew Economy)

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 – 9.30.13

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

CLIMATE 

The world’s climate scientists explain how to avoid drastic global warming – it’s not easy (via Washington Post)

History shows weather patterns may head north (via Climate Central)

Climate change study finds Australia suffers more than most G20 countries (via The Guardian)

Climate change pushing tropical trees upslope “exactly as predicted” (via Mongabay)

New climate action report: US can reach emissions reduction goal, but only with ambitious action (via WRI Insights)

OIL 

In Canada’s North Atlantic, new oil frontier shows life beyond shale (via Reuters)

BP civil trial turns to how much oil reached Gulf of Mexico (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

China to offer tax breaks to solar power manufacturers (via Reuters)

Citi analysts see $5.7 trillion renewables opportunity with no added grid costs (via Renew Economy)

Big solar now competing with wind energy on costs (via Renew Economy)

IKEA to sell solar panels at all UK stores (via Reuters)

NREL report: Savings from renewables would outweigh power plant cycling costs (via Renew Grid)

US tax credits to spur renewables seen set to end (via Bloomberg)

Renewable fuel mandate frees to be discussed in Congress (via Bloomberg)

Pattern IPO raises $352 million (via Recharge)

CFTC alleges $42 million ethanol futures fraud against bank (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

China still leads the world in emissions, with no end in sight (via Grist)

Wyndham Worldwide slashes carbon footprint in 2012 (via Triple Pundit)

TRANSPORTATION 

Gasoline pollution mandates delayed in US (via Houston Chronicle)

Nissan celebrates National Plug-In Day by announcing 35,000 US Leaf sales (via Autoblog Green)

California’s governor signs six bills to promote EVs (via Green Car Report)

Palo Alto, California mandates all new homes come EV-ready (via Plugin Cars)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Do efficiency standards create manufacturing jobs? (via Midwest Energy News)

DC’s upcoming energy benchmarking regulation (via Good)

GRID 

The four layers of smart grid security (via SmartPlanet)

OPINION 

Is global warming the planet’s biggest problem? (via National Journal)

Carbon markets need global regulator to spur climate funding (via Bloomberg)

More good news on renewables integration (via EarthTechling)

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 – 9.5.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Four nations ask EU to consider more flexible CO2 market (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Australia emissions could rise 9% if Tony Abbott is elected (via RTCC)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU agrees on deal to pare back CO2 curbs on aviation (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Trans-Pacific flights create most amount of ozone (via Phys.org)

Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf both set new monthly sales records (via Autoblog Green)

DOE pumps $33 million into EV batteries and other green car tech (via CleanTechnica)

ARPA-E takes innovative approach to EV batteries (via Energy.gov)

RENEWABLES 

Renewables generated 14% of America’s electricity in first half of 2013 (via EarthTechling)

US adds 976MW new solar PV capacity in 2Q as California sets record (via CleanTechnica)

Higher wind generation in Southwest Power Pool reducing use of baseload capacity (via US EIA)

Interior Department touts offshore wind auction results, promises more (via The Hill)

Report: Ohio renewable energy law cuts costs, emissions (via Midwest Energy News)

Las Vegas welcome sign to go solar by January 1 (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Scientists call for overhaul of UN “blockbuster” climate reports (via The Guardian)

Climate change reframed: China, World Bank prioritize pollution (via Sustainable Business)

What’s motivating sport fishermen to become climate advocates? (via Climate Progress)

Heartland Institute behind latest climate change denier campaign (via Climate Progress)

OIL 

Oil’s dwindling role in Middle East affairs (via Christian Science Monitor)

America’s oil boom won’t make it energy-independent from Middle East madness (via Time)

Hawaiian utility to deactivate Honolulu oil-fired power plant (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

20-story Vienna office building is first passive high rise (via EarthTechling)

US home energy management systems market to pass $4 billion by 2017 (via Greentech Media)

43% of energy leaders will invest more in efficiency next year (via Data Center Journal)

NYSERDA completes 50,000 home energy efficiency projects (via Breaking Energy)

COAL 

Nordic countries join US push against coal plant financing (via The Hill)

Demand cools as fight rages over coal-export terminals (via Seattle Times)

GRID 

Greenpeace launches solar-powered microgrid in India (via India Blooms)

Smart meters are getting smarter at distributing electricity (via Houston Chronicle)

California sets terms of 1.3GW energy storage mandate (via Greentech Media)

The perils of electricity capacity markets (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking fights spread to Europe (via Grist)

POLITICS 

Australia’s federal election just couldn’t face up to climate change (via The Guardian)

EPA, DOE chiefs to appear at House climate hearing (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Why Obama just named Sweden as a model for energy policy (via Climate Progress)

Barack Obama should practice what he preaches on climate change (via The Guardian)

Budget gridlock risks international climate and renewable investments (via Center for American Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.5.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Four nations ask EU to consider more flexible CO2 market (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Australia emissions could rise 9% if Tony Abbott is elected (via RTCC)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU agrees on deal to pare back CO2 curbs on aviation (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Trans-Pacific flights create most amount of ozone (via Phys.org)

Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf both set new monthly sales records (via Autoblog Green)

DOE pumps $33 million into EV batteries and other green car tech (via CleanTechnica)

ARPA-E takes innovative approach to EV batteries (via Energy.gov)

RENEWABLES 

Renewables generated 14% of America’s electricity in first half of 2013 (via EarthTechling)

US adds 976MW new solar PV capacity in 2Q as California sets record (via CleanTechnica)

Higher wind generation in Southwest Power Pool reducing use of baseload capacity (via US EIA)

Interior Department touts offshore wind auction results, promises more (via The Hill)

Report: Ohio renewable energy law cuts costs, emissions (via Midwest Energy News)

Las Vegas welcome sign to go solar by January 1 (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Scientists call for overhaul of UN “blockbuster” climate reports (via The Guardian)

Climate change reframed: China, World Bank prioritize pollution (via Sustainable Business)

What’s motivating sport fishermen to become climate advocates? (via Climate Progress)

Heartland Institute behind latest climate change denier campaign (via Climate Progress)

OIL 

Oil’s dwindling role in Middle East affairs (via Christian Science Monitor)

America’s oil boom won’t make it energy-independent from Middle East madness (via Time)

Hawaiian utility to deactivate Honolulu oil-fired power plant (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

20-story Vienna office building is first passive high rise (via EarthTechling)

US home energy management systems market to pass $4 billion by 2017 (via Greentech Media)

43% of energy leaders will invest more in efficiency next year (via Data Center Journal)

NYSERDA completes 50,000 home energy efficiency projects (via Breaking Energy)

COAL 

Nordic countries join US push against coal plant financing (via The Hill)

Demand cools as fight rages over coal-export terminals (via Seattle Times)

GRID 

Greenpeace launches solar-powered microgrid in India (via India Blooms)

Smart meters are getting smarter at distributing electricity (via Houston Chronicle)

California sets terms of 1.3GW energy storage mandate (via Greentech Media)

The perils of electricity capacity markets (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking fights spread to Europe (via Grist)

POLITICS 

Australia’s federal election just couldn’t face up to climate change (via The Guardian)

EPA, DOE chiefs to appear at House climate hearing (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Why Obama just named Sweden as a model for energy policy (via Climate Progress)

Barack Obama should practice what he preaches on climate change (via The Guardian)

Budget gridlock risks international climate and renewable investments (via Center for American Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.28.13

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

NUCLEAR 

Japan: Nuclear plant operator found leak too slowly (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Vermont Yankee plant to close next year as nuclear industry retrenches (via New York Times)

EMISSIONS 

UN says early action needed to curb rise in aviation emissions (via Reuters Point Carbon)

China’s emissions could peak by 2023 with introduction of ETS (via RTCC)

EU states to start CO2 market fix talks after German election (via Reuters Point Carbon)

California cap and trade comes to a crossroads as carbon prices fall (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

EU says China guilty of giving illegal aid to solar industry (via Reuters)

India may beat US in wind capacity installations for first time (via Bloomberg)

Central America to see $320 million clean energy boost (via EarthTechling)

India’s Gujarat waives renewable targets for utilities (via Bloomberg)

Germany adds 1.14 GW of wind in H1 2013 (via Recharge)

US DOE loan program financed $16 billion in renewables and more coming (via Renewable Energy World)

US Army set for $7 billion solar spree (via Recharge)

297,000 US homes solar net metered in 2012, including 1% of California and 5% of Hawaii (via Facts of the Day)

Americans want more wind, less costs (via Houston Chronicle)

NREL study says wind turbines don’t hurt home values (via Los Angeles Times)

Construction begins on massive Nevada solar plant that will power 80,000 homes (via Climate Progress)

In Nebraska, farmers hope to take control of wind production (via Midwest Energy News)

A tale of two solar cities: Two California communities vie for “Solar Capital of US” (via RMI Outlet)

ENERGY POLICY 

Ballooning costs threaten Merkel’s bold energy overhaul (via Reuters)

Filling in some blanks to Obama’s “All of the Above” energy policy (via Climate Central)

Energy Department lands new coal, oil-and-gas officials (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Leaked UN report says oceans storing Earth’s excess heat (via Bloomberg)

The ocean is going to start confusing fish and dissolving seashells (via Climate Progress)

Drought and heat waves costing federal government billions in crop insurance payouts (via Climate Progress)

Climate change washes away partisanship for South Carolina tourism (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

Chinese coal price war to dampen coal imports (via Reuters)

New coal plants may kill 16,000 in China’s Guandong region (via Bloomberg)

Federal judge says regulators don’t have to consider overall health impacts of coal mines (via Lexington Herald Leader)

GRID 

The inside story of the world’s biggest “battery” and the future of renewables (via Climate Progress)

Compressed air energy storage to grow dramatically over the next decade (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

Crude oil prices reach 18-month high (via Washington Post)

Western Gulf offshore drilling lease sale draws tepid interest (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil industry groups seek RFS mandate waiver (via Breaking Energy)

North Dakota saves for the future with today’s oil riches (via Stateline)

Study says oil extraction linked to earthquakes in South Texas (via Wall Street Journal)

Acidizing for oil could rival fracking in California’s Monterey Shale (via San Francisco Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Americans won’t buy EVs until they are a lot cheaper (via EarthTechling)

Nissan Leaf sales ready to expand beyond early adopter markets in US (via Autoblog Green)

Free EV charging courtesy of ads on chargers (via EarthTechling)

KEYSTONE XL 

Will the Keystone XL decision be based on incorrect assumptions? (via Energy Collective)

Former Romney advisor Hamm: Keystone isn’t needed for US oil (via The Hill)

GREEN BUSINESS 

EPA launches online green sports resource directory (via Environmental Leader)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

DEP attempted to suppress controversial study that criticized shale gas (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

ENVIRONMENT 

Rim fire spreads deeper into Yosemite (via Los Angeles Time)

Ogallala Aquifer: Could critical water source run dry? (via Christian Science Monitor)

POLITICS 

GOP targets Alaska’s Mark Beigich over carbon tax (via Politico)

Sen. Coburn: I am a global warming denier (via The Hill)

OPINION 

I have a (climate) dream (via Climate Progress)

How to convince Wall Street to invest in energy efficiency (via The Guardian)

Carbon targets, carbon taxes, and the search for Archimedes’ lever (via Grist)

Is Keystone still needed to transport US oil? (via National Journal)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.28.13

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

NUCLEAR 

Japan: Nuclear plant operator found leak too slowly (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Vermont Yankee plant to close next year as nuclear industry retrenches (via New York Times)

EMISSIONS 

UN says early action needed to curb rise in aviation emissions (via Reuters Point Carbon)

China’s emissions could peak by 2023 with introduction of ETS (via RTCC)

EU states to start CO2 market fix talks after German election (via Reuters Point Carbon)

California cap and trade comes to a crossroads as carbon prices fall (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

EU says China guilty of giving illegal aid to solar industry (via Reuters)

India may beat US in wind capacity installations for first time (via Bloomberg)

Central America to see $320 million clean energy boost (via EarthTechling)

India’s Gujarat waives renewable targets for utilities (via Bloomberg)

Germany adds 1.14 GW of wind in H1 2013 (via Recharge)

US DOE loan program financed $16 billion in renewables and more coming (via Renewable Energy World)

US Army set for $7 billion solar spree (via Recharge)

297,000 US homes solar net metered in 2012, including 1% of California and 5% of Hawaii (via Facts of the Day)

Americans want more wind, less costs (via Houston Chronicle)

NREL study says wind turbines don’t hurt home values (via Los Angeles Times)

Construction begins on massive Nevada solar plant that will power 80,000 homes (via Climate Progress)

In Nebraska, farmers hope to take control of wind production (via Midwest Energy News)

A tale of two solar cities: Two California communities vie for “Solar Capital of US” (via RMI Outlet)

ENERGY POLICY 

Ballooning costs threaten Merkel’s bold energy overhaul (via Reuters)

Filling in some blanks to Obama’s “All of the Above” energy policy (via Climate Central)

Energy Department lands new coal, oil-and-gas officials (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Leaked UN report says oceans storing Earth’s excess heat (via Bloomberg)

The ocean is going to start confusing fish and dissolving seashells (via Climate Progress)

Drought and heat waves costing federal government billions in crop insurance payouts (via Climate Progress)

Climate change washes away partisanship for South Carolina tourism (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

Chinese coal price war to dampen coal imports (via Reuters)

New coal plants may kill 16,000 in China’s Guandong region (via Bloomberg)

Federal judge says regulators don’t have to consider overall health impacts of coal mines (via Lexington Herald Leader)

GRID 

The inside story of the world’s biggest “battery” and the future of renewables (via Climate Progress)

Compressed air energy storage to grow dramatically over the next decade (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

Crude oil prices reach 18-month high (via Washington Post)

Western Gulf offshore drilling lease sale draws tepid interest (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil industry groups seek RFS mandate waiver (via Breaking Energy)

North Dakota saves for the future with today’s oil riches (via Stateline)

Study says oil extraction linked to earthquakes in South Texas (via Wall Street Journal)

Acidizing for oil could rival fracking in California’s Monterey Shale (via San Francisco Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Americans won’t buy EVs until they are a lot cheaper (via EarthTechling)

Nissan Leaf sales ready to expand beyond early adopter markets in US (via Autoblog Green)

Free EV charging courtesy of ads on chargers (via EarthTechling)

KEYSTONE XL 

Will the Keystone XL decision be based on incorrect assumptions? (via Energy Collective)

Former Romney advisor Hamm: Keystone isn’t needed for US oil (via The Hill)

GREEN BUSINESS 

EPA launches online green sports resource directory (via Environmental Leader)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

DEP attempted to suppress controversial study that criticized shale gas (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

ENVIRONMENT 

Rim fire spreads deeper into Yosemite (via Los Angeles Time)

Ogallala Aquifer: Could critical water source run dry? (via Christian Science Monitor)

POLITICS 

GOP targets Alaska’s Mark Beigich over carbon tax (via Politico)

Sen. Coburn: I am a global warming denier (via The Hill)

OPINION 

I have a (climate) dream (via Climate Progress)

How to convince Wall Street to invest in energy efficiency (via The Guardian)

Carbon targets, carbon taxes, and the search for Archimedes’ lever (via Grist)

Is Keystone still needed to transport US oil? (via National Journal)