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 – 7.29.13

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 – 7.2.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China’s CO2 growth has turned a corner (via Reuters)

EU ministers urge ETS yes vote (via Recharge)

EPA sends climate rule to White House (via Politico)

New Jersey may rejoin Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia taps new oil areas in plan to preserve capacity (via Reuters)

Moniz: CO2 could enhance US oil production by millions of barrels a day (via Houston Chronicle)

Big lenders wary of following oil money to North Dakota (via Reuters)

Two major lawsuits filed against ExxonMobil for Arkansas tar sands spill (via DeSmog Blog)

RENEWABLES 

California advances pioneering shared renewables bill (via Climate Progress)

Is anything stopping a massive build-out of desert solar? (via Scientific American)

Germany to add 6.5GW of renewable energy this year (via Recharge)

Can Europe meet its 2020 offshore wind targets? (via Renewable Energy World)

Rise in wind and solar expected to boost energy storage market (via Renew Grid)

Austin Energy adds 570MW to wind portfolio (via Renew Grid)

Tennessee public schools to generate nearly $1 million with solar (via Renewable Energy World)

CLIMATE 

Obama seeks to reassert US role in climate debate (via New York Times)

Ocean acidification threatens billion-dollar oyster business (via Climate Central)

Climate change driving more active El Nino cycles (via Yale e360)

Cities lead: preparing for climate change impacts (via EcoAffect)

The climate context behind the deadly Arizona wildfire (via Climate Central)

NRDC releases online tool to track local effects of climate change (via Inhabitat)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas exporters to defend pricing as courts reject oil link (via Houston Chronicle)

Natural gas production remains stable despite low price (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric vehicle drive motor revenue will surpass $2.8 billion annually by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Airbus and Rolls-Royce to build plane powered by algae (via International Business Times)

Biodiesel production nears record output (via Facts of the Day)

Tesla officially gets behind White House petition to allow direct EV sales (via Autoblog Green)

DOE to award up to $13 million to four advanced biofuels projects (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

As China’s demand for coal soars, so does its water scarcity (via ClimateWire)

Deadly heat wave in the West brings fires and travel delays (via New York Times)

Experts see new normal as a hotter, drier West faces more huge fires (via New York Times)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Do green jobs come in any other color? (via Renewable Energy World)

Half of all US retail and hotel projects to be green buildings by 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

New coalition aims to accelerate sustainable purchasing (via Sustainable Industries)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Wireless control systems for smart buildings will reach nearly $295 million in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

8 surprising energy hogs in your home (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

Obama says ravages of climate change is make-or-break issue (via AP)

Koch pledge tied to Congressional climate inaction (via The New Yorker)

Conservatives seek alternatives to climate denialism, come up short (via Grist)

OPINION 

Kevin Rudd needs to seize the moment on climate (via Renew Economy)

How Obama could approve Keystone (via National Journal)

Can Obama’s Africa power plan hold a candle to China? (via Reuters)

Ron Binz will continue FERC’s leadership toward a clean energy future (via Climate Progress)

New Jersey’s new development bill could endanger families, businesses, and first responders (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.2.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China’s CO2 growth has turned a corner (via Reuters)

EU ministers urge ETS yes vote (via Recharge)

EPA sends climate rule to White House (via Politico)

New Jersey may rejoin Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia taps new oil areas in plan to preserve capacity (via Reuters)

Moniz: CO2 could enhance US oil production by millions of barrels a day (via Houston Chronicle)

Big lenders wary of following oil money to North Dakota (via Reuters)

Two major lawsuits filed against ExxonMobil for Arkansas tar sands spill (via DeSmog Blog)

RENEWABLES 

California advances pioneering shared renewables bill (via Climate Progress)

Is anything stopping a massive build-out of desert solar? (via Scientific American)

Germany to add 6.5GW of renewable energy this year (via Recharge)

Can Europe meet its 2020 offshore wind targets? (via Renewable Energy World)

Rise in wind and solar expected to boost energy storage market (via Renew Grid)

Austin Energy adds 570MW to wind portfolio (via Renew Grid)

Tennessee public schools to generate nearly $1 million with solar (via Renewable Energy World)

CLIMATE 

Obama seeks to reassert US role in climate debate (via New York Times)

Ocean acidification threatens billion-dollar oyster business (via Climate Central)

Climate change driving more active El Nino cycles (via Yale e360)

Cities lead: preparing for climate change impacts (via EcoAffect)

The climate context behind the deadly Arizona wildfire (via Climate Central)

NRDC releases online tool to track local effects of climate change (via Inhabitat)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas exporters to defend pricing as courts reject oil link (via Houston Chronicle)

Natural gas production remains stable despite low price (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric vehicle drive motor revenue will surpass $2.8 billion annually by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Airbus and Rolls-Royce to build plane powered by algae (via International Business Times)

Biodiesel production nears record output (via Facts of the Day)

Tesla officially gets behind White House petition to allow direct EV sales (via Autoblog Green)

DOE to award up to $13 million to four advanced biofuels projects (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

As China’s demand for coal soars, so does its water scarcity (via ClimateWire)

Deadly heat wave in the West brings fires and travel delays (via New York Times)

Experts see new normal as a hotter, drier West faces more huge fires (via New York Times)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Do green jobs come in any other color? (via Renewable Energy World)

Half of all US retail and hotel projects to be green buildings by 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

New coalition aims to accelerate sustainable purchasing (via Sustainable Industries)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Wireless control systems for smart buildings will reach nearly $295 million in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

8 surprising energy hogs in your home (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

Obama says ravages of climate change is make-or-break issue (via AP)

Koch pledge tied to Congressional climate inaction (via The New Yorker)

Conservatives seek alternatives to climate denialism, come up short (via Grist)

OPINION 

Kevin Rudd needs to seize the moment on climate (via Renew Economy)

How Obama could approve Keystone (via National Journal)

Can Obama’s Africa power plan hold a candle to China? (via Reuters)

Ron Binz will continue FERC’s leadership toward a clean energy future (via Climate Progress)

New Jersey’s new development bill could endanger families, businesses, and first responders (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.6.13

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Canadian minister takes fight for oil sands crude to Europe (via Retuers)

Oil sands growth will depend on Keystone: Canadian Natural Resources (via The Globe and Mail)

House to vote on Keystone XL bill in May (via The Hill)

Undercover at the tar sands (via Rolling Stone/Denver Post)

CLIMATE 

Nations seek flexible climate approach, but no breakthrough in Bonn (via Reuters)

Report: US pushing plan for individual climate goals at UN talks (via The Hill)

Poland and France cooperating on 2015 climate deal (via RTCC)

Study says climate change may bring drought to temperate areas (via Los Angeles Times)

The last time CO2 was this high, humans didn’t exist (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

Germany’s offshore wind farm fed 278GWH into grid in 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

Japan to set “separate offshore FIT” for wind (via Recharge)

Plans to harness Chinese river’s power threaten a region (via New York Times)

Are Master Limited Partnerships a Trojan Horse for killing the PTC? (via Greentech Media)

MIT researchers working on energy storage for offshore wind (via Sustainable Business)

New eagle kill regulations for wind farms may have mixed consequences (via Greentech Media)

Renewable energy portfolio back on chopping block in North Carolina (via Sustainable Business)

TRANSPORTATION 

China not embracing electric cars (via USA Today)

New Jersey considering electric vehicle tax (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT 

Arctic Ocean “acidifying rapidly” (via BBC News)

Scientists use salt marshes to analyze global sea-level rise (via Phys.org)

OIL 

Administration sets $600 million in Gulf oil spill restoration projects (via The Hill)

Offshore rig operators seek clarity on regulations (via Houston Chronicle)

The case of the disappearing oil: how much was released in 2010 Michigan spill? (via InsideClimate News)

EMISSIONS

European carbon market in trouble (via Washington Post)

Carbon tax backers quietly forge ahead (via The Hill)

Environmental groups sue EPA over refinery emissions (via Houston Chronicle)

Cap-and-trade puttering along quite nicely in Northeast US (via Grist)

NATURAL GAS 

Obama says US natural gas exports could help Central America (via Reuters)

Think methane hydrates are the next big thing? Think again (via Grist)

Does shale gas production alter climate change equation? (via Forbes)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Bipartisan support for bill to encourage energy efficiency (via Energy Trends Insider)

How US schools united to save 2.5 million pounds of CO2 (via GreenBiz)

Next big thing for LEED planning? Sustainable neighborhoods (via Midwest Energy News)

Rhode Island gets the Opower treatment (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY POLICY 

OMB study finds economic benefits of EPA regulations far outweigh costs (via Climate Progress)

Drilling is new focus for clean energy investors (via Associated Press)

Is there a “dark side” to US energy independence? (via EnergyWire)

TVA prepares for Obama administration review (via Knoxville News Sentinel)

California’s Public Utilities Commission faces legislative heat (via Sacramento Bee)

GRID 

Report: global warming threatens Southwest’s power grid (via Arizona Daily Star)

Florida electric utility completes smart grid installations (via Phys.org)

COAL 

Patriot Coal, employees face grim future without agreement (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

OPINION 

What do technology innovations mean for Washington? (via National Journal)

Awesome energy innovations, courtesy of Uncle Sam (via Market Watch)

Why haven’t the big green groups divested from fossil fuels? (via Grist)

OTHER NEWS 

An additional roundup of energy and climate news is posted at Climate Progress

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.29.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China makes strides to curb carbon emissions (via Navigant Research)

GREEN BUSINESS 

San Francisco and Seattle lead US cities pulling funds from fossil fuel firms (via The Guardian)

Volkswagen sustainability report shows emissions, production progress (via Autoblog Green)

Can fossil fuel divestment prevent the carbon bubble from bursting? (via CleanTechnica)

How the NFL became a champion of sustainability (via The Guardian)

How sustainability metrics help build trust in the financial sector (via GreenBiz)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS

Land-locked Alberta mulls tar sands pipeline to Arctic port (via Reuters)

TransCanada sees Keystone XL delayed until second half 2015 (via Retuers)

RENEWABLES 

100% renewables for Australia not so costly after all (via Renew Economy)

Solar PV module revenues to turn upward, but not until 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

European Commission launches Chinese solar glass subsidy inquiry (via Reuters)

Amonix claims 36.2% solar energy efficiency record (via Recharge)

DOE, Stanford unveil solar, wind battery (via Energy Manager Today)

Floating wind turbines with undersea energy storage (via EarthTechnling)

Geothermal saves $117 million per year for California and Nevada (via Greentech Media)

North Carolina notches a win against ALEC anti-renewables effort (via CleanTechnica)

Los Angeles launches largest municipal solar program in US (via Triple Pundit)

Community colleges help prepare students for a green job market (via Santa Fe New Mexican)

Massachusetts ski resort runs completely on solar and wind (via Sustainable Business)

COAL 

In Montana, ranchers line up against coal (via Los Angeles Times)

Bankrupt Patriot Coal asks court to slash union pensions (via Reuters)

FutureGen 2.0 gets clean environmental impact statement (via Jacksonville Journal Courier)

CLIMATE 

UN climate talks kick off in Bonn (via The Guardian)

China leading in climate change fight, argues Australian government report (via BusinessGreen)

Ocean surface temperatures off Northeast US coast highest in 150 years (via Bangor Daily News)

Major pan-European study conducted on ocean acidification (via Phys.org)

Wild weather swings may be a sign of climate change (via Climate Central)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EPA lowers estimates of methane leaks during natural gas production (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Ready (or not?) for a great coming Texas shale boom (via New York Times)

Ohio tries to avoid repeat of 2011 injection well quakes (via Midwest Energy News)

ENVIRONMENT 

Rapid transition of climate zones could speed extinction (via RTCC)

US to remove gray wolves from endangered list (via The Hill)

Empty nets in Louisiana three years after the BP oil spill (via CNN)

EPA deals blow to Alaska mine project (via The Hill)

New Mexico grapples with tough choices as drought persists (via Yahoo! News/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Bike-sharing programs now in 49 countries, 500 cities (via Sustainable Business)

Tesla to offer loaners to customers with cars in the shop (via GigaOm)

Chicago car charging station feud goes to court (via Chicago Tribune)

OIL 

One month after Exxon’s Arkansas oil spill, still no answers to basic questions (via InsideClimate News)

Oil rig worker ranks among worst jobs of 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Study: buyers of energy-efficient homes less likely to default (via Today Show)

NREL teams with US Navy to cut energy use (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY POLICY 

Europe bids to marry natural gas and renewable energy (via Recharge)

Colorado senate votes to strengthen state’s clean energy standard (via ClimateProgress)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese nuclear reactors may come back online soon (via United Press International)

Thinking small, nuclear power enters distributed era (via Navigant Research)

FBI investigating weekend shootout at Watts Bar nuclear power plant (via Knoxville News)

POLITICS 

Germany’s Greens lurch left in bid to beat Merkel (via Reuters)

Charlotte Mayor Foxx to be named US Transportation Secretary (via The Hill)

OPINION 

How can Congress boost renewable-energy requirements? (via National Journal)

Everybody chill out a little, carbon trading will be fine (via Grist)

Would a carbon tax boost clean energy? (via Christian Science Monitor)

People who believe in free markets more likely to reject climate science (via Sustainable Business)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.28.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

IMF: Get rid of $1.9 trillion in energy subsidies to fight climate change (via Washington Post)

Oil and electricity: a compare-and-contrast tale of two regulators (via McClatchy)

Sequestration forces Interior to cut mineral revenue payments to states (via EnergyWire)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Battle widens over oil pipelines from Canada through Midwest (via Minnesota Star-Tribune)

Train derailment spills 30,000 gallons of Canadian crude in Minnesota (via Reuters)

Suncor Energy cancels troubled Alberta tar sands project (via Vancouver Sun)

US to hold Keystone pipeline hearing in Nebraska (via Phys.org)

RENEWABLES 

Solar, wind to push renewables to 36% of global cumulative installed capacity by 2020 (via EnergyNext)

Global solar PV installations to reach 200GW by 2015 (via EnergyNext)

China raising PV prices on European exports (via Recharge)

Japan to increase offshore wind capacity to 40x current level by 2020 (via EnergyNext)

UK boosts renewables share of power generation to 11.3% (via Recharge)

Rwanda to start $27 million geothermal development (via Renewable Energy World)

We’re number one: US installed most wind power in 2012, US company GE Wind is top supplier (via Climate Progress)

NREL study: securitization could cut solar LCOE 16% (via Greentech Media)

New organic solar cells process sunlight as plants do (via Mother Nature Network)

Study: Midwesterners open to wind farms, especially in rural areas (via Phys.org)

Lancaster, California becomes first US city to require solar (via Greentech Media)

OPT Oregon wave energy project delayed again (via EarthTechling)

COAL 

Japan coal use to jump 24% in 2013-2014 as energy costs rise (via Reuters)

More science on mountaintop removal’s health effects (via Charleston Gazette)

CLIMATE 

Security risks of climate change prompt military review by over 100 countries (via RTCC)

How to abuse statistics: claim global warming stopped in 1998 (via Weather Underground)

Global warming predictions prove accurate over past 15 years (via The Guardian)

Climate change is increasing seasonal allergies (via Climate Central)

Ocean acidification from climate change threatens the seas (via USA Today)

EMISSIONS 

EU eyes 40 percent carbon cuts by 2030 (via BusinessGreen)

EU confident carbon market fix will win states’ support (via Bloomberg)

Auditor General’s carbon neutral report scalds British Columbia government (via Huffington Post/Canadian Press)

Disney, Microsoft, Shell opt for self-imposed CO2 emission taxes (via The Guardian)

Study: US biofuels policy pushes GHG emissions overseas (via Midwest Energy News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking’s latest scandal – earthquake swarms (via Mother Jones)

Drilling boom spurs rush to harness brackish water (via StateImpact Texas)

Small towns find fracking brings boom, booming headaches (via Bloomberg)

Texas regulators ease rules to encourage frack water recycling (via Houston Chronicle)

Nearly 670 miles of wells drilled in Ohio in 2012 (via Akron Beacon Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

US “peak miles” may have happened five years ago, Americans still drive 3 trillion miles a year (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf sales will hit new record in March, around 1,900 units (via Autoblog Green)

Fisker puts US workforce on furlough this week (via Reuters)

GRID 

Seven simple strategies for smart grid engagement (via Renew Grid)

Solar activity can affect transmission grid, but 2013 activity less than anticipated (via US EIA)

You can’t have a smarter grid without smarter buildings (via Greentech Media)

Santa Clara, California launches free outdoor wi-fi on backs of smart meters (via GigaOm)

ENVIRONMENT 

With drought season off to a bad start, scientists forecast another bleak year (via InsideClimate News)

Gardeners plant strawberries and tomatoes in Arctic valleys of Greenland for first time (via Inhabitat)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How the Internet of Things will transform building management (via GreenBiz)

Tax time 2013: energy efficiency home tax credits (via EarthTechling)

POLITICS 

UK prime minister removes anti-wind energy minister from post (via Recharge)

Under fire, Senate Democrat trio says Keystone vote not endorsement (via The Hill)

Ethanol debate has glimpse of bipartisanship (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Low-carbon economies and smart grids: watch out for China (via Forbes)

Americans already pay a carbon tax, via extreme weather’s impact on GDP (via Sustainable Business)

Giant investment bank taken over by hippie alarmists (via Grist)

Is the sky the limit for wind power? (via NPR)

Cooling on warming (via New York Times)

How green is your university? (via New York Times)

OTHER NEWS 

An additional roundup of energy and climate news is posted at Climate Progress

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.22.13

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

CLIMATE 

2010 Iceland eruption yields bad news for geoengineering schemes (via Mongabay)

Ancient extinction has ominous CO2 lessons for today: study (via Climate Central)

New blog series will answer questions on climate finance (via WRI Insights)

TRANSPORTATION 

China imposes tough new auto fuel standards as renewables boom speeds up (via BusinessGreen)

EU puts airline carbon tax on hold for a year (via Phys.org)

It’s official: traffic pollution can cause asthma in children (via Los Angeles Times)

RENEWABLES 

UK’s green investment bank provides first offshore wind backing (via BusinessGreen)

Integrating variable renewables as Germany expands its grid (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar glut survives Suntech as customers seek alternative (via Bloomberg)

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Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.6.13

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

EMISSIONS 

US scientists report big jump in heat-trapping CO2 (via AP)

China boosts energy and emissions goals after record smog (via Bloomberg)

Report: EU must retire carbon credits or see market credibility lost (via BusinessGreen)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Utilities saved enough energy in 2011 to power 9 million US homes (via Greentech Media)

LED lighting to grow 40% in 2013, Phillips executive says (via Bloomberg)

Cree launches an LED bulb for under $10 (via GigaOm)

$65 billion saved in California with energy efficiency (via EarthTechling)

Texas A&M cuts energy bills $140 million despite expanding campus (via Bryan-College Station Eagle)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Report: US oil and gas production up despite drop on federal lands (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

US “$1.6 billion clean-energy surplus” with China (via Recharge)

The emerging opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s solar market (via Greentech Media)

Sequester: Treasury cuts renewable energy grants 8.7% (via Greentech Media)

(more…)