Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.26.13

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

OBAMA CLIMATE PLAN 

Obama outlines ambitious plan to cut greenhouse gases (via New York Times)

Obama invites court fight with aggressive climate rules (via The Hill)

Obama’s climate plan spares oil and gas from big changes (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama plan offers help to US cities on climate’s front lines (via Reuters)

Utilities react cautiously to Obama climate plan (via Wall Street Journal)

Republicans face limited options on Obama climate plan (via Politico)

GRID 

Snapshots of China’s smart grid (via Greentech Media)

Energy storage for solar and wind integration will total 22GW installed capacity from 2013 to 2023 (via Navigant Research)

US smart meter installations to hit 61.7 million units by end of 2013 (via Renew Grid)

Breakthrough NREL lab could solve renewables-grid integration problems (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

China top country in world for renewables investment (via Renewable Energy World)

UK Green Investment Bank spends £635 million in first year (via BusinessGreen)

Study: wind and solar plant benefits vary by location (via Phys.org)

DNV-KEMA releases floating offshore wind turbine standards (via North American Windpower)

How can the solar industry better assess financial risk? (via Breaking Energy)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Obama offers Keystone surprise in climate change speech (via The Hill)

Canada says it sees no net increase in emissions from Keystone (via Reuters)

Federal report: diluted oil sands crude poses no higher pipeline risk (via Houston Chronicle)

Narrow and flawed, federal pipeline safety study fails to settle controversy (via InsideClimate News)

Tar sands mining to begin this summer in Kentucky (via Louisville Public Radio)

GREEN BUILDING 

Green infrastructure promises GDP boost to UK by 2015 (via BusinessGreen)

Green building taking off in hospitality, retail industries (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

Oil prices to fall as much as 30% by 2016, says forecaster (via Houston Chronicle)

BP challenges settlements in Gulf oil spill (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Recovering wasted energy expenses is a $750 billion opportunity (via Energy Manager Today)

5 leading-edge efficiency programs in the US (via Greentech Media)

EMISSIONS 

UK “could miss carbon emissions targets in 2020s” (via The Guardian)

Is a carbon tax more effective than EPA rules? You might be surprised. (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

Climate change becoming a top shareholder concern (via Houston Chronicle)

Maine governor vetoes climate change study (via Portland Press Herald)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Mixed results in study of water, fracking (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

OPINION 

How Tesla pulled ahead of the electric car pack (via Council on Foreign Relations)

Obama and climate change: fresh air (via The Guardian)

Obama may have left himself wiggle room to approve Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

The 5 most interesting pieces of Obama’s new climate plan (via Greentech Media)

10 takeaways from Obama’s climate speech (via Politico)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.19.13

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

COAL 

US coal exports set monthly record (via US EIA)

Army Corps won’t consider global emissions from coal exports (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS

China carbon permits trade 22% below EU on market debut (via Bloomberg)

EU emission trading system set for second “backloading” vote (via RTCC)

Autism tied to air pollution, brain-wiring disconnection (via Bloomberg)

Cutting carbon could save US corporations $780 billion over 10 years (via BusinessGreen)

GRID 

Smart grid market revenue will hit $73 billion annually by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

Obama nourishes smart grid to feed his legacy (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

European utilities switch off investment in fossil fuel plants (via New York Times)

Japan’s journey from nuclear to solar power (via EarthTechling)

Moniz sees bright future for solar (via Breaking Energy)

Cape Wind gets $200 million investment from Danish fund (via Phys.org)

California’s solar energy initiative is ending – what has it left behind? (via Energy Collective)

Getting it right in New England’s regional process for Canadian hydropower imports (via CLF Scoop)

CLIMATE 

World Bank says world’s poorest will feel brunt of climate change (via The Guardian)

Small global warming rise would have “alarming” impact, says World Bank (via Reuters)

California and Shenzen, China sign agreement to cooperate on climate change (via Green Car Congress)

Ernest Moniz keeps cool as House GOP disputes climate change (via Politico)

Record-shattering heat bakes Alaska (via Washington Post)

Seattle adopts carbon neutral climate action plan for 2050 (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EPA official says fracking study won’t be done until 2016 (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Bahrain launches green plan to tackle growing energy consumption (via Gulf Daily News)

Firing up Minnesota’s “energy efficiency power plant” (via Midwest Energy News)

Making energy efficiency attractive for owners of older Seattle buildings (via New York Times)

OIL 

US considers exporting more oil for first time since 1970’s (via Bloomberg)

Canada raises liability for offshore oil spills to $1 billion (via Globe and Mail)

Why did officials slap Exxon with an oil spill lawsuit so quickly in Arkansas? (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

South Africa starts three-year study to see if it’s ready for EVs (via Autoblog Green)

Vermont and Quebec announce electric car corridor (via Fox News/AP)

Will you or the grid control your electric car? (via Scientific American)

ENVIRONMENT 

This year’s Gulf of Mexico dead zone could be biggest on record (via Time)

“Extreme” Arizona wildfire burns 5,000 acres in just 7 hours (via NBC News)

LA approves ban on plastic grocery bags (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Why you should care about Solar Impulse and renewable energy’s long journey (via Washington Post)

How reliance on trees can help forests (via New York Times)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.18.13

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

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

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

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

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

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

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

RENEWABLES 

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

Japan to start floating offshore wind trial (via Recharge)

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

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

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

Six Sioux tribes propose massive wind project (via Recharge)

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

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

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

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

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

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

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear decommissioning surge is investor guessing game (via Bloomberg)

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

ENVIRONMENT 

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

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

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

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

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

OIL 

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

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

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

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

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

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

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

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

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

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

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

GREEN BUSINESS 

New Vikings stadium sheds light on sustainability (via EarthTechling)

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

POLITICS 

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

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

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

Handicapping potential candidates to lead FERC (via Politico)

OPINION 

Carbon trading with Chinese characteristics (via Scientific American)

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

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

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

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.17.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China sets new rules aimed at curbing air pollution (via New York Times)

Shenzen to launch China’s first carbon trading market (via BusinessGreen)

EPA nominee confirmation delay raises questions about US carbon rules (via Reuters)

White House, EPA at odds over savings from emissions regulations (via The Hill)

COAL 

Coal reaches 29.9% global market share, highest since 1970 (via Facts of the Day)

Coal industry pins hopes on exports as US markets shrinks (via New York Times)

US Capitol power plant becoming cogeneration, quitting coal (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

Solar power shines in oil-rich Saudi Arabia (via Christian Science Monitor)

Hydrogen plant starts storing wind energy in Germany (via Houston Chronicle)

China pledges support for domestic solar industry (via Reuters)

3GW of new solar PV plants being developed in China by Yingli (via CleanTechnica)

Is concentrating solar power the technology that saves humanity? (via CleanTechnica)

Is the IRS considering solar REITs? (via Renewable Energy World)

Wind contracts may push Austin Energy to 35% renewable energy goal (via Austin American-Statesman)

CLIMATE 

Losing fight vs. climate change, cities around the world find ways to live with it (via Washington Post/AP)

UN global climate talks blocked by Russia set back six months (via Bloomberg)

UN climate talks make “concrete progress” toward global deal at Bonn (via BusinessGreen)

Climate science debate has cost Australia precious time, warns expert (via The Guardian)

Obama leaves climate change-fighting tool on shelf for now (via Reuters)

Pentagon bracing for public dissent over climate and energy shocks (via The Guardian)

Dwindling snow – thanks to climate change – might dry out Los Angeles (via Time)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Chevron’s $10 billion Angola LNG export plant ships first cargo (via Bloomberg)

Study says exports will have significant impact on US natural gas prices (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking fuels water battles in driest US states (via Politico/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Ford says its regenerative brakes have saved 100 million gallons of gas (via Autoblog Green)

Consumer Reports says higher CAFÉ standards will save car buyers $4,600 (via Autoblog Green)

GM still talking about 300-mile EVs with high-density batteries (via AutoblogGreen)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

UK Green Deal energy efficiency makeover could boost property values £16,000 (via BusinessGreen)

MEETS could be most innovative energy efficiency financing tool yet (via Greentech Media)

14 ways to slim your power bill this summer (via Houston Chronicle)

OIL 

IEA chief economist: climate change a financial threat to oil companies (via Houston Chronicle)

Australia to boost offshore oil exploration (via Yahoo! News/IANS)

Northern Alberta pipeline was only five years old before toxic spill (via Globe and Mail)

North Dakota shale oil production continues record pace (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

ENVIRONMENT 

World’s biggest marine sanctuary could be declared in Antarctic (via The Guardian)

After Supreme Court water ruling, what’s next for Texas? (via StateImpact Texas)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear plants, old and uncompetitive, closing earlier than expected (via New York Times)

GRID 

Explaining how a capacity market works (via Energy Collective)

Smart meters save California Navy base $35,000 annually (via Energy Manager Today)

The microgrid solution (via Resilience)

POLITICS 

Obama’s Keystone silence is driving away green activists (via Bloomberg)

Senate Energy Chairman Ron Wyden has broad agenda and an eye toward a dream job (via National Journal)

Baucus sees “creeping” interest in carbon tax (via The Hill)

OPINION 

What to do about climate change (via Washington Post)

The big green business opportunity for America’s economy (via CleanTechnica)

Heartland Institute’s Chinese Academy of Sciences fantasy (via Climate Progress)

CAP report “300 Engines of Growth” features clean energy and climate solutions (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.14.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Study raises hope of combating global warming by reducing soot (via Christian Science Monitor)

Storm-battered Philippines moves to reduce climate risks and emissions (via ClimateWire)

Supreme Court curbs Port of Los Angeles’ crackdown on truck emissions (via Greenwire)

OIL 

Why America’s shale oil boom could end sooner than you think (via Forbes)

US crude oil production could reach 10 million barrels per day by 2040 (via US EIA)

ExxonMobil faces federal lawsuit over Arkansas oil spill (via Los Angeles Times)

US, Arkansas file joint complaint against Exxon Mobil (via Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

Canadian regulator says Kinder Morgan pipeline spills crude in British Columbia (via Wall Street Journal)

RENEWABLES 

MLPs: a bargain for renewables or a devil’s bargain? (via Greentech Media)

Hawaii pledges $300 million for green future (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

Native Americans decry eagle deaths tied to wind farms (via Reuters)

Concentrating solar power for 5.57 cents/kWh (via CleanTechnica)

Dominion Virginia Power set to launch solar purchase plan (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Wind power getting cheaper for Oklahoma utility customers (via The Oklahoman)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to survey soil pollution nationwide (via Bloomberg)

Fish nets found to kill large numbers of birds (via New York Times)

Colorado wildfire destroys more homes than any other in state history (via New York Times)

Supreme Court backs Oklahoma over Texas water demand (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS 

What does Israel’s offshore natural gas resources mean for the region? (via Council on Foreign Relations)

DOE Secretary Moniz vows gas export decisions this year (via the Hill)

CLIMATE 

Is a sleeping climate giant stirring in the Arctic? (via NASA)

Climate bond market doubles to $346 billion in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Cuba girds for climate change by reclaiming coasts (via Boston Globe/AP)

Geoengineering via iron fertilization could backfire (via Science Daily)

Sources: Obama climate plan rollout may come in July (via Politico)

FEMA report says climate change could increase flood risk areas by 45% (via Mother Jones)

$110 billion price tag for US extreme weather events in 2012 (via Climate Central)

Senators from Sandy-hit states press Obama on climate rules (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

French car-sharing service Autolib will make US debut in Indianapolis (via Autoblog Green)

Austin, Texas claims nation’s largest electric car share (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US companies “fall short of sustainability goals” (via Environmental Leader)

GRID 

California energy storage plan may require $3 billion investment (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EPA upgrades Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool for commercial buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

Minnesota home sale listings to include efficiency scores (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

How the World Bank could slash its carbon emissions: start flying in coach (via Washington Post)

Why federal renewable mandates challenge US utilities – and what they can do (via Breaking Energy)

How EPA fights climate change even when Congress doesn’t want it to (via National Journal)

Climate change is the GOP’s worst nightmare (via Denver Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.14.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Study raises hope of combating global warming by reducing soot (via Christian Science Monitor)

Storm-battered Philippines moves to reduce climate risks and emissions (via ClimateWire)

Supreme Court curbs Port of Los Angeles’ crackdown on truck emissions (via Greenwire)

OIL 

Why America’s shale oil boom could end sooner than you think (via Forbes)

US crude oil production could reach 10 million barrels per day by 2040 (via US EIA)

ExxonMobil faces federal lawsuit over Arkansas oil spill (via Los Angeles Times)

US, Arkansas file joint complaint against Exxon Mobil (via Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

Canadian regulator says Kinder Morgan pipeline spills crude in British Columbia (via Wall Street Journal)

RENEWABLES 

MLPs: a bargain for renewables or a devil’s bargain? (via Greentech Media)

Hawaii pledges $300 million for green future (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

Native Americans decry eagle deaths tied to wind farms (via Reuters)

Concentrating solar power for 5.57 cents/kWh (via CleanTechnica)

Dominion Virginia Power set to launch solar purchase plan (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Wind power getting cheaper for Oklahoma utility customers (via The Oklahoman)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to survey soil pollution nationwide (via Bloomberg)

Fish nets found to kill large numbers of birds (via New York Times)

Colorado wildfire destroys more homes than any other in state history (via New York Times)

Supreme Court backs Oklahoma over Texas water demand (via Texas Tribune)

NATURAL GAS 

What does Israel’s offshore natural gas resources mean for the region? (via Council on Foreign Relations)

DOE Secretary Moniz vows gas export decisions this year (via the Hill)

CLIMATE 

Is a sleeping climate giant stirring in the Arctic? (via NASA)

Climate bond market doubles to $346 billion in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Cuba girds for climate change by reclaiming coasts (via Boston Globe/AP)

Geoengineering via iron fertilization could backfire (via Science Daily)

Sources: Obama climate plan rollout may come in July (via Politico)

FEMA report says climate change could increase flood risk areas by 45% (via Mother Jones)

$110 billion price tag for US extreme weather events in 2012 (via Climate Central)

Senators from Sandy-hit states press Obama on climate rules (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

French car-sharing service Autolib will make US debut in Indianapolis (via Autoblog Green)

Austin, Texas claims nation’s largest electric car share (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

US companies “fall short of sustainability goals” (via Environmental Leader)

GRID 

California energy storage plan may require $3 billion investment (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EPA upgrades Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool for commercial buildings (via Energy Manager Today)

Minnesota home sale listings to include efficiency scores (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

How the World Bank could slash its carbon emissions: start flying in coach (via Washington Post)

Why federal renewable mandates challenge US utilities – and what they can do (via Breaking Energy)

How EPA fights climate change even when Congress doesn’t want it to (via National Journal)

Climate change is the GOP’s worst nightmare (via Denver Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.13.13

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

EMISSIONS 

US-China climate deal was long in the works, reflects shifting incentive for developing nation (via Washington Post/AP)

EU positive over 2015 climate deal despite Russia row (via RTCC)

China is testing out cap and trade – but will it work? (via Washington Post)

COAL 

Coal remains world’s fastest-growing fossil fuel (via Platts)

Green groups see higher US coal fees after audit (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

UN says global renewables sector tops 5.7 million jobs (via BusinessGreen)

Global renewables investment fell in 2012 on weak economy (via Reuters)

Goldman Sachs eyes Japan offshore wind in $3 billion investment (via Bloomberg)

The coming US distributed solar boom (via Greentech Media)

Fulfilling the promise of concentrated solar power (via Climate Progress)

What Interior’s lease auction says about offshore wind innovation (via Innovation Files)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia remains key to oil prices, despite US production surge (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil notches record growth (via Wall Street Journal)

Iraq targets 4.5 million barrels per day oil production in 2014 (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

How climate change makes wildfires worse (via Mother Jones)

Kansas schools to teach evolution, climate change (via KSHB/AP)

Record heat fuels destructive fires in drought-baked Colorado (via Weather Underground)

What is a derecho, anyway? (via Mother Jones)

GREEN BUSINESS 

2013 Best Global Green Brands: complete rankings (via GreenBiz)

Chinese tune sustainability message for global credibility (via GreenBiz)

US corporate green spending keeps on climbing (via BusinessGreen)

Feel-good brands “outperform stock market” (via Environmental Leader)

Cash doesn't follow sustainability commitments (via Environmental Leader)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Analysts say Keystone Xl delays won’t stop Canadian crude exports (via Houston Chronicle)

TransCanada steps up defense of Keystone XL pipeline (via National Journal)

Alberta tar sands toxic waste spill biggest of recent North America disasters (via Globe and Mail)

GRID 

Utility advanced metering analytics market to hit $9.7 billion by 2020 (via Greentech Media)

Industrial demand response payments will reach $4.3 billion annually by 2019 (via Navigant Research)

NUCLEAR 

EU proposes mandatory nuclear reviews every six years (via Reuters)

Exelon blames “subsidized” wind, markets for derailing nuclear projects (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Lifetime costs of EVs within 10% of competing vehicles (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

Merkel vows to rein in renewable subsidies if re-elected (via Reuters)

White House regulatory nominee vows to speed up energy reviews (via New York Times)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.13.13

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

EMISSIONS 

US-China climate deal was long in the works, reflects shifting incentive for developing nation (via Washington Post/AP)

EU positive over 2015 climate deal despite Russia row (via RTCC)

China is testing out cap and trade – but will it work? (via Washington Post)

COAL 

Coal remains world’s fastest-growing fossil fuel (via Platts)

Green groups see higher US coal fees after audit (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

UN says global renewables sector tops 5.7 million jobs (via BusinessGreen)

Global renewables investment fell in 2012 on weak economy (via Reuters)

Goldman Sachs eyes Japan offshore wind in $3 billion investment (via Bloomberg)

The coming US distributed solar boom (via Greentech Media)

Fulfilling the promise of concentrated solar power (via Climate Progress)

What Interior’s lease auction says about offshore wind innovation (via Innovation Files)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia remains key to oil prices, despite US production surge (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil notches record growth (via Wall Street Journal)

Iraq targets 4.5 million barrels per day oil production in 2014 (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

How climate change makes wildfires worse (via Mother Jones)

Kansas schools to teach evolution, climate change (via KSHB/AP)

Record heat fuels destructive fires in drought-baked Colorado (via Weather Underground)

What is a derecho, anyway? (via Mother Jones)

GREEN BUSINESS 

2013 Best Global Green Brands: complete rankings (via GreenBiz)

Chinese tune sustainability message for global credibility (via GreenBiz)

US corporate green spending keeps on climbing (via BusinessGreen)

Feel-good brands “outperform stock market” (via Environmental Leader)

Cash doesn't follow sustainability commitments (via Environmental Leader)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Analysts say Keystone Xl delays won’t stop Canadian crude exports (via Houston Chronicle)

TransCanada steps up defense of Keystone XL pipeline (via National Journal)

Alberta tar sands toxic waste spill biggest of recent North America disasters (via Globe and Mail)

GRID 

Utility advanced metering analytics market to hit $9.7 billion by 2020 (via Greentech Media)

Industrial demand response payments will reach $4.3 billion annually by 2019 (via Navigant Research)

NUCLEAR 

EU proposes mandatory nuclear reviews every six years (via Reuters)

Exelon blames “subsidized” wind, markets for derailing nuclear projects (via Midwest Energy News/Greenwire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Lifetime costs of EVs within 10% of competing vehicles (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

Merkel vows to rein in renewable subsidies if re-elected (via Reuters)

White House regulatory nominee vows to speed up energy reviews (via New York Times)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.12.13

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

COAL 

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

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

CLIMATE 

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

Mexico unveils national climate change strategy (via Sustainable Business)

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

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

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

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

UK creates offshore wind investment body (via Recharge)

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

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

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

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

California shared renewables bills gain momentum (via Energy Collective)

OIL 

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

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

NUCLEAR 

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

GRID 

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

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

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

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

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

Utilities and distributed energy: further reading (via Grist)

TAR SANDS 

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

POLITICS 

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

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

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

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.7.13

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

GRID 

Utilities outline smarter, more resilient grid to cope with future storms (via ClimateWire)

During major storms, utilities turn to technology (via Navigant Research)

What municipal utilities want from the smart grid (via Greentech Media)

COAL

Global coal consumption booms nearly 60% as China consumes 47% of total (via Facts of the Day)

RENEWABLES 

US mulling solar trade agreement with EU, China (via Reuters)

Major global markets continue to determine wind’s path (via Renewable Energy World)

Feed-in tariff spurs Japan solar power boom (via Washington Post)

North America and Asia-Pacific lead geothermal market (via Navigant Research)

Tidal energy could be next big wave (via Forbes)

Report shows US solar annual capacity passed 2GW in 2012 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Ethanol leading to a corn-based bubble (via Houston Chronicle)

DOE launches geothermal regulatory roadmap for project developers (via CleanTechnica)

NREL announces 2012 utility green power program leaders (via Renew Grid)

Nebraska governor signs wind incentive bill into law (via Recharge)

Connecticut governor signs bill amending RPS to include hydropower (via Renew Grid)

Solar Foundation releases solar guide for homeowner associations (via Solar Industry Magazine)

OIL 

Interior Secretary says no new oil drilling in Atlantic as GOP forges ahead (via The Hill)

Gulf oil wells have been leaking since 2004 hurricane (via Grist)

Oil boom masks technological limits that could stifle long-term Bakken potential (via EnergyWire)

Few objections to fracking rule from oil industry, says Interior Secretary (via The Hill)

Oil industry drove economic booms in North Dakota, Texas (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

Arctic summers could be nearly ice-free in seven years (via Grist)

UN beats $30 billion goal to fund climate aid in poorer nations (via Bloomberg)

Slicing open stalagmites to reveal climate secrets (via Mother Jones)

More pieces of global warming puzzle assembled by recent research (via The Guardian)

NUCLEAR 

NRC orders owners of 31 US nuclear reactors to toughen vents (via Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS 

European demand for voluntary offsets surges in private sector (via GreenBiz)

Germany in new push against EU car emissions plan (via Reuters)

Measuring carbon in soil takes a leap forward (via Phys.org)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Detroit’s huge petcoke pile makes its way back to Canada (via New York Times)

Harry Reid says Keystone XL vote coming in US Senate (via The Hill)

Obama dogged by Keystone XL protesters during Bay Area visit (via San Francisco Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

US irrigation subsidies leading to more water use (via New York Times)

Time for US to rely less on shovels, hoses, retardant in fighting wildfires? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Dell pledges waste-free packaging by 2020 (via Environmental Leader)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Federal government give industry, environmentalists more time to study drilling rule (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla CEO Elon Musk will drive Model S from LA to New York (via Green Car Reports)

Want to boost fuel economy? Stop thinking about miles per gallon. (via Washington Post)

POLITICS 

Obama officials face tough questions on oil drilling, land access (via Houston Chronicle)

A bipartisan energy committee stuck in a partisan Senate (via National Journal)

OPINION 

How “tower power” is breaking open the rural clean energy market (via Greentech Media)

Distributed solar has arrived (via Navigant Research)