Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.17.13

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

OIL 

Mexico gears up for an oil boom of its own (via Christian Science Monitor)

US oil production closing in on record (via National Journal)

Senate Dems press Interior to back off Arctic oil drilling (via National Journal)

Feds press California officials on refinery safety (via National Journal)

CLIMATE 

Alps warming at double average global rate, confirms new study (via Climate Progress)

Study: Climate change could drain access to water (via National Journal)

Plants “could stop being brake on global warming” (via The Independent)

RENEWABLES 

India on course to become solar “global leader” (via RTCC)

Solar’s massive growth in top 10 solar countries (via CleanTechnica)

US ethanol use to hit record as corn prices slump, feds project (via Houston Chronicle)

Dems push to extend clean energy tax credits (via National Journal)

Clean energy boosters blast feds’ forecast (via Houston Chronicle)

Analysis: Clouds over Hawaii’s rooftop solar growth hint at US battle (via Reuters)

Missouri is latest front in homeowners fight for “solar rights” (via Midwest Energy News)

Turning a building’s water system into a hydroelectric plant (via New York Times)

COAL 

More and more major banks pledge not to finance new overseas coal plants (via Climate Progress)

Remember the “war on coal?” – coal’s losing, but only in the US (via Washington Post)

EMISSIONS 

Oceans storing more carbon than previously thought (via Climate Central)

Study: Piecemeal approach to emissions proves surprisingly effective (via United Press International)

EU reaches deal to cap super-warming F-gases (via Reuters)

As backloading passes, Davey promises push for “structural reform” of carbon market (via BusinessGreen)

CARB approves another round of cap and trade amendments (via Environmental Leader)

Oregon weighing carbon tax (via Statesman-Journal)

Wisconsin on track to reduce CO2 emission by 22% (via Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel)

NUCLEAR 

Ohio, Michigan riled over plan to bury nuclear waste (via Toledo Blade)

GRID 

Favorable consumer attitudes toward smart meters continue to increase (via Navigant Research)

PJM authorizes $4.6 billion in regional electric grid upgrades (via Renew Grid)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US forecasts natural gas boom through 2040 (via USA Today)

NY governor could delay fracking ban decision until after 2014 election (via Houston Chronicle)

Pennsylvania is the fastest-growing natural gas producing state (via US EIA)

TRANSPORTATION 

Do EV incentives impact resell value? (via EarthTechling)

Tesla Model E could arrive in January 2015, earlier than expected (via Autoblog Green)

TAR SANDS 

Kinder Morgan files application for another tar sands pipeline across British Columbia (via Climate Progress)

Need for more tar sands imports called into question with latest US energy data (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Why the future of the light bulb is flat (via GigaOm)

Is Google getting back into the energy data game? (via GigaOm)

OPINION 

Which is more wrong: EIA’s latest coal or renewable energy market share projection (via Facts of the Day)

Solar energy heading to mainstream in the US (via Energy Collective)

Distributed storage: The killer app for solar? (via Greentech Media)

A burning question: Why don’t climate scientists sound more worried? (via ClimateWire)

Solar industry forecast: Sunny with a chance of issues (via GreenBiz)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.17.13

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

OIL 

Mexico gears up for an oil boom of its own (via Christian Science Monitor)

US oil production closing in on record (via National Journal)

Senate Dems press Interior to back off Arctic oil drilling (via National Journal)

Feds press California officials on refinery safety (via National Journal)

CLIMATE 

Alps warming at double average global rate, confirms new study (via Climate Progress)

Study: Climate change could drain access to water (via National Journal)

Plants “could stop being brake on global warming” (via The Independent)

RENEWABLES 

India on course to become solar “global leader” (via RTCC)

Solar’s massive growth in top 10 solar countries (via CleanTechnica)

US ethanol use to hit record as corn prices slump, feds project (via Houston Chronicle)

Dems push to extend clean energy tax credits (via National Journal)

Clean energy boosters blast feds’ forecast (via Houston Chronicle)

Analysis: Clouds over Hawaii’s rooftop solar growth hint at US battle (via Reuters)

Missouri is latest front in homeowners fight for “solar rights” (via Midwest Energy News)

Turning a building’s water system into a hydroelectric plant (via New York Times)

COAL 

More and more major banks pledge not to finance new overseas coal plants (via Climate Progress)

Remember the “war on coal?” – coal’s losing, but only in the US (via Washington Post)

EMISSIONS 

Oceans storing more carbon than previously thought (via Climate Central)

Study: Piecemeal approach to emissions proves surprisingly effective (via United Press International)

EU reaches deal to cap super-warming F-gases (via Reuters)

As backloading passes, Davey promises push for “structural reform” of carbon market (via BusinessGreen)

CARB approves another round of cap and trade amendments (via Environmental Leader)

Oregon weighing carbon tax (via Statesman-Journal)

Wisconsin on track to reduce CO2 emission by 22% (via Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel)

NUCLEAR 

Ohio, Michigan riled over plan to bury nuclear waste (via Toledo Blade)

GRID 

Favorable consumer attitudes toward smart meters continue to increase (via Navigant Research)

PJM authorizes $4.6 billion in regional electric grid upgrades (via Renew Grid)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US forecasts natural gas boom through 2040 (via USA Today)

NY governor could delay fracking ban decision until after 2014 election (via Houston Chronicle)

Pennsylvania is the fastest-growing natural gas producing state (via US EIA)

TRANSPORTATION 

Do EV incentives impact resell value? (via EarthTechling)

Tesla Model E could arrive in January 2015, earlier than expected (via Autoblog Green)

TAR SANDS 

Kinder Morgan files application for another tar sands pipeline across British Columbia (via Climate Progress)

Need for more tar sands imports called into question with latest US energy data (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Why the future of the light bulb is flat (via GigaOm)

Is Google getting back into the energy data game? (via GigaOm)

OPINION 

Which is more wrong: EIA’s latest coal or renewable energy market share projection (via Facts of the Day)

Solar energy heading to mainstream in the US (via Energy Collective)

Distributed storage: The killer app for solar? (via Greentech Media)

A burning question: Why don’t climate scientists sound more worried? (via ClimateWire)

Solar industry forecast: Sunny with a chance of issues (via GreenBiz)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.16.13

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

COAL 

IEA predicts global coal use to keep growing through 2018 (via New York Times)

IEA calls for “radical” action to curb coal emissions (via National Journal)

Coal’s grim forecast: Projects may be “stranded” by falling Chinese demand (via The Guardian)

US Ex-Im Bank joins Treasure in cutting coal plant funding (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

45 million US households could switch to an electric vehicle (via CleanTechnica)

Seven ways to attract and use climate finance for transport (via WRI Insights)

Cars in the US are more fuel-efficient than ever – here’s how it happened (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil energy auction sells 2.3 gigawatts of wind power projects (via Bloomberg)

UK “may fall short” of 10GW offshore wind goal (via Recharge)

France reviews green energy subsidies as it moves away from nuclear (via Bloomberg)

Solar panels seen as boost to homes’ resale value (via San Francisco Chronicle)

RFS in limelight, but cellulosics hope to steal the show (via Environmental Leader)

California adding 8,000 megawatts of wind and solar (via Facts of the Day)

Computer program for reducing the cost of offshore wind energy (via Phys.org)

EMISSIONS 

New Zealand carbon emissions set to rise 38% by 2030 (via International Business Times)

Microsoft releases carbon fee playbook for companies (via Environmental Leader)

Fifteen states press Obama for tough, flexible EPA rules (via Bloomberg)

New Jersey State Senate takes on Chris Christie over carbon emissions program (via Climate Progress)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Trains from North Dakota will now carry more crude oil than Keystone XL would (via Climate Central)

Keystone XL loses support from US customer to train transport (via Reuters)

Oil train traffic forces Amtrak cancellations in Midwest (via Inforum)

CLIMATE 

Poorer countries play catch-up on climate adjustments (via Wall Street Journal)

Could cutting down some trees help cool the planet? (via Washington Post)

OIL 

Is it time for the US to start exporting more crude oil? (via National Journal)

ENVIRONMENT 

Earth, wind, and fire: The extreme weather of 2013 (via Time)

Is the West’s dry spell really a mega-drought? (via Climate Central)

FRACKING 

Minnesota to issue draft frack sand mining guidelines (via Winona Daily News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Minneapolis requires large commercial buildings to report energy use starting 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)

GRID 

DOE outlines the patch forward for energy storage (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Clean tech in 2014: Reasons to be optimistic for wind, solar (via Christian Science Monitor)

My story of carbon footprint calculation (via CleanTechnica)

Podesta: Climate game changer (via The Hill)

Should Congress extend renewable energy tax credits? (via National Journal)

Predictions of a coming carbon asset bubble overstated (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.6.13

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

CLIMATE

Philippines prepares for climate-resilient future post Typhoon Haiyan (via RTCC)

Diseases on the move because of climate change (via USA Today)

College endowment managers get schooled on climate change (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Riding the fracking wave all the way to China (via National Journal)

90 groups call for federal regulations to curb methane leaks (via Washington Post)

Is California’s Monterey Shale a major oil resource or over-hyped? (via EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES

Renewables’ share of new power capacity in China surpasses 50% (via Thompson Reuters)

Record German wind farm output lifts renewables share over 35% (via Bloomberg)

China’s installed solar PV to reach 10GW by end of 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

Can the cost of solar in the US compete with Germany? (via RMI Outlet)

Renewable fuel backers try to change EPA’s mind at hearing (via Reuters)

White House finalizing review of permits for wind farm eagle deaths (via The Hill)

Midwest wind cost-competitive with gas and coal (via Breaking Energy)

Secretive right-wing group ALEC continues its war on clean energy (via Climate Progress)

Poll shows 78% support for net metering in Colorado (via Renew Grid)

NUCLEAR

Fukushima radiation to reach US coast at safe levels, says NRC (via Bloomberg)

Japan finds scrapping nuclear boosts pollution, fuel cost (via Bloomberg)

GRID

Japanese energy giants rush into storage as solar booms (via Renew Economy)

Taking green-powered island microgrids to commercial scale (via Greentech Media)

Utility Xcel has plans to create its own transmission company (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Honda joins vehicle-to-grid demonstration project at University of Delaware (via Green Car Congress)

EMISSIONS

EU may extend aviation carbon freeze to 2020, says adviser (via Bloomberg)

Mining, fracking, and drilling have changed public lands from carbon sinks to carbon polluters (via Climate Progress)

FERC tells Congress EPA pollution rules will hit Midwest hardest (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION

Urban car use declines as biking and public transit rise in the US (via Yale e360)

300% increase in all-electric car sales in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

House proposes 15-cent federal gas tax hike (via Autoblog)

Ohio Senate strips anti-Tesla amendment from legislation (via Autoblog)

OPINION

Is Chile the next star in renewable energy? (via Energy Collective)

EPA’s RFS proposal is a step backwards on clean energy path (via Energy Collective)

Understanding the facts of the renewable energy PTC (via CleanTechnica)

California’s renewable energy future (via EarthTechling)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.6.13

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

CLIMATE

Philippines prepares for climate-resilient future post Typhoon Haiyan (via RTCC)

Diseases on the move because of climate change (via USA Today)

College endowment managers get schooled on climate change (via GreenBiz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Riding the fracking wave all the way to China (via National Journal)

90 groups call for federal regulations to curb methane leaks (via Washington Post)

Is California’s Monterey Shale a major oil resource or over-hyped? (via EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES

Renewables’ share of new power capacity in China surpasses 50% (via Thompson Reuters)

Record German wind farm output lifts renewables share over 35% (via Bloomberg)

China’s installed solar PV to reach 10GW by end of 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

Can the cost of solar in the US compete with Germany? (via RMI Outlet)

Renewable fuel backers try to change EPA’s mind at hearing (via Reuters)

White House finalizing review of permits for wind farm eagle deaths (via The Hill)

Midwest wind cost-competitive with gas and coal (via Breaking Energy)

Secretive right-wing group ALEC continues its war on clean energy (via Climate Progress)

Poll shows 78% support for net metering in Colorado (via Renew Grid)

NUCLEAR

Fukushima radiation to reach US coast at safe levels, says NRC (via Bloomberg)

Japan finds scrapping nuclear boosts pollution, fuel cost (via Bloomberg)

GRID

Japanese energy giants rush into storage as solar booms (via Renew Economy)

Taking green-powered island microgrids to commercial scale (via Greentech Media)

Utility Xcel has plans to create its own transmission company (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

Honda joins vehicle-to-grid demonstration project at University of Delaware (via Green Car Congress)

EMISSIONS

EU may extend aviation carbon freeze to 2020, says adviser (via Bloomberg)

Mining, fracking, and drilling have changed public lands from carbon sinks to carbon polluters (via Climate Progress)

FERC tells Congress EPA pollution rules will hit Midwest hardest (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION

Urban car use declines as biking and public transit rise in the US (via Yale e360)

300% increase in all-electric car sales in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

House proposes 15-cent federal gas tax hike (via Autoblog)

Ohio Senate strips anti-Tesla amendment from legislation (via Autoblog)

OPINION

Is Chile the next star in renewable energy? (via Energy Collective)

EPA’s RFS proposal is a step backwards on clean energy path (via Energy Collective)

Understanding the facts of the renewable energy PTC (via CleanTechnica)

California’s renewable energy future (via EarthTechling)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.19.13

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

COP 19 

Carbon market hopes dashed in Warsaw (via Environmental Leader)

US preparing post-2020 emissions reduction pledge (via Greenwire)

EMISSIONS 

Global carbon emissions set to reach record 36 billion tons in 2013 (via Phys.org)

Winding roads to replacing the Kyoto Protocol by 2015 (via Climatewire)

Global emissions may peak this decade on China’s renewables push (via Bloomberg)

Beijing and Shanghai set to launch carbon markets (via BusinessGreen)

EU sets provisional CO2 auction calendar for 2014 (via Global Post)

RENEWABLES 

China to install 12,000MW of solar in 2014 (via Facts of the Day)

Floating offshore wind turbines could drive Japan’s renewable energy future (via Renewable Energy World)

Carbon pricing flaws have “chilling effect” on clean energy (via Greenbang)

Solar can cut summer peak power demand in half across Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

Can a coal state like Virginia create a real solar market? (via Greentech Media)

NREL dedicates wind turbine test facility (via Energy Manager Today)

COAL 

British banks among world’s biggest lenders to coal industry (via BusinessGreen)

EPA permitting seen as high hurdle for carbon capture project (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Natural disasters cost $3.6 trillion since 1980, says World Bank (via Mother Jones)

Wealthy nations pledged billions to help the poor adapt to climate change – where did it all go? (via Washington Post)

OIL 

Federal agency pushes back timeline for offshore drilling rules (via Houston Chronicle)

BP releases Gulf of Mexico environmental data (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Why China isn’t ready for electric vehicles (via EarthTechling)

Recargo releases report detailing the habits of EV drivers (via Inhabitat)

US auto regulators probe Tesla on car fires (via The Hill)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Colorado proposes reducing methane leaks from fracking (via Los Angeles Times)

Environmentalists oppose proposed Illinois fracking rules (via Chicago Tribune)

GRID 

Dawn of the grid-scale energy storage era in California (via Greentech Media)

The battery storage system that could close down coal power (via Renew Economy)

NUCLEAR 

Japan won’t set dates to restart 50 idled nuclear reactors (via Bloomberg)

Uncertainties abound in Fukushima decommissioning (via Phys.org)

Nuclear Regulatory Commission resumes Yucca Mountain review (via The Hill)

GREEN BUILDING 

A new scale for green building (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

OPINION 

Why EPA cut down the biofuel standard for the first time ever (via Climate Progress)

Solar energy could be America’s greatest national security asset (via Huffington Post)

California’s cap and trade program more than just a solution for one state (via Huffington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.18.13

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

COP 19

Tense week ahead for UN climate talks (via AP)

Carbon market negotiations falter in Warsaw (via BusinessGreen)

3 ways to make progress on climate finance at COP 19 (via World Resources Institute)

EMISSIONS

Unabated coal use will break world’s “coal budget” (via World Resources Institute)

Carbon market “toolbox” could create global standards (via Environmental Leader)

The EPA might be able to push a carbon tax on its own (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES

Brazil wind industry seeking clarity on grid operator interconnection plans (via Recharge)

EPA retreats on ethanol mandate (via The Hill)

US may be hitting its ethanol limit, so EPA wants to relax its biofuels goals (via Washington Post)

As ALEC shifts RPS opposition strategy, state law favors renewables (via Greentech Media)

Report highlights best practices to incorporate renewables onto grid (via Energy Manager Today)

California gets 19% electricity from non-hydro renewables, up from 12% in 2008 (via Facts of the Day)

First large-scale biogas plant in US coming online in California (via Sustainable Business)

LA solar energy investment atlas a model for renewables development (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Michigan Tech tests if solar power works up north (via Miami Herald/AP)

How whiskey makers could soon be providing a superior biofuel (via Climate Progress)

COAL

UN climate chief warns of financial risk to coal’s future (via BusinessGreen)

King coal enjoys an unexpected renaissance in the UK (via Financial Times)

The death of coal (via The Atlantic)

CLIMATE

Insurance shortfall hits poorest and most vulnerable (via Climate Central)

Super typhoon Haiyan: Realities of a warmed world (via Huffington Post)

Climate change rallies staged across Canada (via CBC News)

Thousands rally in Australia for climate action (via Phys.org)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Shale revolution spreads with record wells outside US (via Bloomberg)

Water shortages could dry up shale gas craze (via Forbes)

The backdoor bid to ban fracking (via National Journal)

Breaking down the new proposed fracking rules released in Illinois and California (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

As utility efficiency programs grow, some industries want out (via Midwest Energy News)

PNNL’s lab homes run energy efficient technologies through the paces (via Breaking Energy)

NUCLEAR

Workers begin removing fuel rods at Fukushima (via National Journal)

GREEN BUILDING

Tool measures building materials’ environmental impact (via Environmental Leader)

TRANSPORTATION

Fast charging key to EV adoption, finds study (via Greentech Media)

6,554 Tesla Model S units sold in California through September 2013 (via San Jose Mercury News)

POLITICS

House GOP revives energy battles with Obama (via The Hill)

Sen. Stabenow criticizes proposed EPA fuel mandate (via The Hill)

OPINION

Are UN global warming talks futile? (via National Journal)

UN’s Ban Ki-moon says Philippines typhoon a “warning” on climate change (via Phys.org)

Global warming pragmatism (via Washington Post)

Is business leading the way in developing off-grid energy? (via The Guardian)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.15.13

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

COP 19 

US, EU reject Brazil’s call for climate equity metric (via Bloomberg)

US envoys told to block climate compensation plans at UN (via RTCC)

COAL 

China’s smog threatens health of global coal projects (via Reuters)

Tennessee Valley Authority to close eight large coal-fired power plants (via Washington Post)

Coal-free power from Constellation will save Chicago $1.2 million over two years (via Energy Manager Today)

RENEWABLES 

Global PV module pricing to stay flat in 2014, polysilicon pricing to increase 25% (via Greentech Media)

Bonds backed by solar power payments get nod (via New York Times)

US EPA to unveil biofuel rules as soon as Friday (via Reuters)

32 US senators urge administration to support US biodiesel (via National Journal)

Clean Energy Pipeline reports US clean tech project investment falloff (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Google to invest in six more large solar panel farms in the Southwest US (via GigaOm)

Arizona preserves net metering by charging a small fee to solar owners (via Greentech Media)

Clean energy adds jobs, growth to Michigan and New York (via EarthTechling)

Top 10 things you didn’t know about concentrating solar power (via Breaking Energy)

Are solar panels facing the wrong direction? (via Greentech media)

OIL 

Bakken oil production forecast to top 1 million barrels per day in December (via US EIA)

Exxon overlooked, masked safety threats in years before Pegasus pipeline burst (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Study: US drivers have fewer cars, drive them less, use less gas (via Green Car Reports)

Can California charge ahead to one million EVs within ten years? (via CleanTechnica)

EPA chief: Fuel mandate safe for cars (via The Hill)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Gas exports could put nation in “danger zone,” trade group tells Moniz (via Houston Chronicle)

Colorado’s new fracking bans may be on shaky legal ground (via Denver Business Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Japan slashes climate reduction target amid nuclear shutdown (via BBC News)

California approves offsets to ease compliance with carbon rules (via Sacramento Bee)

California court upholds state’s right to sell carbon permits (via Reuters)

California marks first anniversary of cap-and-trade (via Energy Collective)

NUCLEAR 

Last shipment of nuclear fuel from Russian bombs heads to US (via New York Times)

In Illinois, nuclear industry sees no urgency on waste storage (via Midwest Energy News)

CLIMATE 

Panel warns of “catastrophic” gap in weather satellite data (via Climate Central)

Want to piss off the White House? Talk about climate change (via Mother Jones)

Delaware governor links typhoon and climate change (via Politico)

GRID 

CEOs of 16 largest power grid operators call for greater investment in reliability and resilience (via Renew Grid)

Tennessee Valley Authority move demonstrates market for Clean Line project (via The Oklahoman)

ENVIRONMENT 

These maps show where the Earth’s forests are vanishing (via Washington Post)

Amazon deforestation increases by nearly a third in one year (via The Guardian)

POLITICS 

Obama filling out energy team (via The Hill)

Chief of Natural Resources Defense Council to retire in 2014 (via The Hill)

The four most frustrating moments from Thursday’s EPA hearing (via Climate Progress)

OPINION 

Is nuclear power the answer? (via New York Times)

Five ways buildings have reached a “GREEN” tipping point (via GreenBiz)

Variety is critical to growing EV charging market (via Navigant Research)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.13.13

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

COP 19 

China to participate in international climate pact, says official (via Xinhua)

Japan to provide $16 billion for climate efforts, reports Nikkei (via Bloomberg)

US fears climate talks will focus on compensation for extreme weather (via The Guardian)

Russia cools talk of separate loss and damage climate mechanism at COP 19 (via RTCC)

AP BIOFUELS STORY 

Vilsack disputes AP ethanol report (via National Journal)

Ethanol industry takes aim at AP investigation (via Huffington Post/AP)

Breaking down the numbers on ethanol: Inside the AP biofuels report (via Climate Progress)

Green energy push replaces native prairie with corn as ethanol turns profitable (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

China to build more renewables than EU, US combined says IEA (via Bloomberg)

10GW of wind and solar in Brazil’s next power auction (via Recharge)

Australia cuts $435 million in funding to renewables (via Renew Economy)

67% of consumers would pay more for clean energy (via Greentech Media)

Biofuels industry renews cellulosic ethanol push (via Kansas City Star)

Pennsylvania may double its renewable energy standard (via Climate Progress)

Amidst solar battle, Arizona’s largest utility renews ALEC membership (via Climate Progress)

Remotely controlled turbines help protect raptors (via Billings Gazette)

NASCAR reaches ethanol use milestone (via The Oklahoman)

EMISSIONS 

Carbon pricing buoyed by China and the US (via Environmental Leader)

Australian prime minister starts carbon tax repeal push (via National Journal)

US hunts for cheaper ways to capture CO2 (via Reuters)

OIL 

China, Norway may team up in search for Arctic oil (via Reuters)

Brazil set to become major global oil supplier by 2015 (via Reuters)

Top scientists call for California fracking ban in letter to Gov. Brown (via San Jose Mercury-News)

TRANSPORTATION 

An EV recharging industry rises (via New York Times)

Need an alternative fuel station? Now there’s an app for that (via CleanTechnica)

NUCLEAR 

Japan readies additional $30 billion for Fukushima cleanup (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

Haiti, Philippines, Pakistan hardest hit by extreme weather in 2012 (via Toronto Star)

Inland states most likely to ignore climate hazards, says study (via Climate Central)

IEA report says climate measures falling short of global target (via The Hill)

World will need 48% renewables by 2035 to address climate change (via Renew Economy)

Global warming since 1997 more than twice as fast as estimated (via The Guardian)

California headed for driest year on record (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Landowners to sue Cuomo, New York over “arbitrary” fracking delay (via Democrat & Chronicle)

GRID 

Smart grid benefits set to surpass industry forecasts (via Renew Grid)

Half of consumers have never heard of the smart grid (via Energy Manager Today)

Smart grid success hinges on consumer education (via Renew Grid)

COAL 

Five bad arguments from the coal industry (via Bloomberg)

Environmentalists challenge coal lease deal in Ohio national forest (via Columbus Dispatch)

GREEN BUILDING 

LEED’s stunning growth, and what’s behind it (via EarthTechling)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL study warns of defective segments on pipeline’s southern leg (via InsideClimate News)

OPINION 

What a deadly typhoon in the Philippines can tell us about climate adaptation (via Washington Post)

Is your state ready for climate disasters? (via Grist)

It doesn’t have to be so hard: Making renewable energy siting easier (via Renewable Energy World)

Work not done, Obama climate adviser moves on (via AP)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 11.11.13

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

COP 19 CONFERENCE 

Mood of “realism” about future deal at climate talks (via BBC News)

Loss and Damage: Elements for successful negotiations at COP 19 (via World Resources Institute)

UN talks seek modest climate for 2015, to raise aid (via Reuters)

Report: Funding drought threatens 2015 UN climate agreement (via RTCC)

ENERGY POLICY 

New German government would put moratorium on fracking, cut wind support (via Reuters)

EU may challenge German green subsidy (via Energy Manager Today)

RENEWABLES 

Annual worldwide solar PV installations will double by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

European solar PV demand set to rebound in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Record-breaking wind integration in Denmark (via Greentech Media)

UK confirms plans for 39GW of offshore wind by 2030 (via Renewable Energy World)

Japan starts up offshore wind farm in shadow of Fukushima (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

UK offshore wind capacity rises 80% in one year (via Renewable Energy World)

Up to 21GW of small CSP could be integrated into US fossil plants (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Solar power begins to shine as environmental benefits pay off (via New York Times)

Midwest states grapple with value of homegrown solar electricity (via St. Paul Pioneer-Press)

Wind energy blows Michigan toward 30% renewables by 2030 (via CleanTechnica)

Solar company wins converts by going door-to-door (via Reuters)

Xcel, advocates at odds over Minnesota solar garden rules (via Midwest Energy News)

Iowa State study says ethanol mandate cut would have minor impact on corn price (via Green Car Congress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

International shale plays likely to face water shortfalls (via Houston Chronicle)

What’s fueling fights over fracking? (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

China and US, two largest emitters, join in carbon reductions (via China Daily)

US and Norway bolster ties on CCS (via BusinessGreen)

Tony Abbott attempts to shift focus to carbon tax as new parliament opens (via The Guardian)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Alberta premier making Keystone pipeline push (via The Hill)

Enbridge files plan for $2.6 billion North Dakota to Wisconsin pipeline (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Rising sea levels, falling real estate values (via Miami Herald)

South Florida faces ominous prospects from rising waters (via New York Times)

Study says Montreal Protocol ozone treaty slowed global warming (via Climate Central)

Latin America is already preparing for climate change adaptation (via Energy Collective)

ENVIRONMENT 

600,000 bats killed at wind energy facilities in 2012 (via Los Angeles Times)

Health effects of a nuclear test can last decades (via Washington Post)

Plastic bottle recycling up 6.2% in 2012 (via Environmental Leader)

GRID 

Europe seeks new smart grid boost as momentum slows (via Navigant Research)

Western energy imbalance market gets approval from CaISO board (via Renew Grid)

CaISO changes rules to enable solar and wind project downsizing with less risk (via Solar Industry Magazine)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Where do US states rank in terms of energy efficiency? (via Renew Grid)

Title 24 launches California toward net zero buildings (via Triple Pundit)

TRANSPORTATION 

Gas prices could fall below $3/gallon before year’s end (via Autoblog)

Mitsubishi to offer 20% plug-in cars by 2020 (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla Model S fires lead to investor lawsuit (via San Francisco Chronicle)

A hard week on Wall Street for Tesla (via GigaOm)

POLITICS 

Obama grasps for climate legacy as second-term agenda crumbles (via The Hill)

White House names new climate and energy chief to replace Zichal (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Why hasn’t cellulosic ethanol taken over like it was supposed to? (via Washington Post)

New climate realism (via The Hill)

Top 10 things you didn’t know about ARPA-E (via Energy.gov)

Everything you need to know about “super-typhoons” (via Washington Post)

US ethanol expansion limited by blend wall, says Vilsack (via Reuters)