Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.1.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

US energy intensity projected to continue steady decline through 2040 (via US EIA)

Bipartisan group says US energy policy “like an orchestra without a conductor” (via Midwest Energy News)

Green jobs survey dies as US readies sequestration cuts (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Global utility smart grid spending almost doubles in 2012 (via Renew Grid)

Industrial demand response peak load payments to hit $4.3 billion by 2019 (via Energy Manager Today)

44% of US broadband households willing to let utilities monitor appliances (via Renew Grid)

27 microgrid projects advance in Connecticut (via New Haven Register)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canadian government hopes US will do “right thing” on Keystone (via Houston Chronicle)

Canada minister doesn’t expect US to veto Keystone pipeline (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil said to be readying tax breaks for ethanol (via Bloomberg)

European offshore wind “faces €50 billion funding gap” (via Recharge)

India’s wind power generation-based incentive set to resume (via Recharge)

(more…)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.28.13

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

CLIMATE 

EU climate chief to huddle with White House, State officials (via The Hill)

China’s rising sea levels threaten economic interests (via Hindu Business Line)

Pakistan government launches national climate change policy (via Pakistan Daily Times)

US generals warn of climate change dangers (via RTCC)

Nebraska lawmakers warm to climate change study (via Omaha World-Herald)

COAL 

Germany to add most coal-fired plants in two decades, IWR says (via Bloomberg)

UK coal use up 32.5% in 2012 (via RTCC)

Nine reasons China won’t need enough coal to justify Pacific Northwest exports (via Grist)

RENEWABLES 

Crystal ball: China will not produce more wind energy than the US before 2020 (via Green Leap Forward)

India tops 1GW new solar capacity (via BusinessGreen)

Germany’s clean energy supporters sound alarm over subsidy cuts (via The National)

Analysts warn markets biased against clean energy (via GreenBiz)

(more…)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.27.13

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

NATURAL GAS 

IEA recommends natural gas trading hub in Asia (via Houston Chronicle)

Drilling leases now cover more land than California and Florida combined (via StateImpact Texas)

Natural gas share of electricity generation expected to keep expanding (via Kansas City Star)

GRID 

China’s grid woes set to worsen (via Recharge)

White House official: power grid upgrades needed to mitigate extreme weather (via The Hill)

Silver Spring Networks sets terms for $63 million IPO (via San Jose Mercury News)

GREEN BUSINESS 

New Dow Jones sustainability index targets emerging markets (via GreenBiz)

Ford targets 41% per-vehicle cut in waste to landfills (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Japan solar shipments double on FIT (via Recharge)

Analyst alert: solar PV pricing on the rise (via Greentech Media)

New modeling suggests wind farm power generation capacity has been significantly overestimated (via Green Car Congress)

(more…)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.26.13

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

NATURAL GAS 

Germany to approve fracking “with conditions” (via Phys.org)

Wild cards lurk in the speedy switch to gas-fired power generation (via EnergyWire)

EMISSIONS 

Alberta cancels carbon capture and storage project (via Huffington Post)

Falling nuclear and rising coal cause rise in carbon emissions during November 2012 for first time in a year (via Facts of the Day)

California carbon price surpasses expectations (via Environmental Leader)

RENEWABLES 

India nears renewables goal with 12.4 gigawatts added in 3 years (via Panchabuta)

More than 450 geothermal power projects underway worldwide (via Renew Grid)

Are banks backing away from solar projects? (via Greentech Media)

Solar-powered cell towers lead rural electrification (via Treehugger)

New England offshore wind planning offers lessons for Great Lakes (via Midwest Energy News)

States encourage and discourage renewable energy trading (via AOL Energy)

Massachusetts maps its solar energy future (via Renewable Energy World)

OIL 

High-stakes trial resumes over 2010 Gulf oil spill (via Houston Chronicle)

As oil spill trial opens, push for a deal continues (via New York Times)

Deepwater Horizon oil spill trial begins – how much will BP pay? (via Christian Science Monitor)

BP seeks to prove Gulf oil spill errors weren’t negligence (via Bloomberg)

Land grab cheats North Dakota tribes out of $1 billion, suits allege (via ProPublica)

CLIMATE 

Global warming and airflow changes “caused US and EU heatwaves” (via The Guardian)

New study links extreme weather to climate change (via Phys.org)

Feeding ourselves on a warming planet (via New York Times)

Southwest, Great Plains most vulnerable to water shortages (via Environmental Leader)

Study: climate change may dry up important US reservoirs like Lakes Powell and Mead (via Climate Progress)

Global warming worries California voters, poll finds (via Sacramento Bee)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Report finds diluted oil sands bitumen not more corrosive than comparable heavy crude in pipelines (via Green Car Congress)

Alberta premier says climate change important to US approval of Keystone XL (via CBC News)

Flickers of life for clean fuels standard as oil sands plans form (via InsideClimate News)

GRID

FERC makes first Order 1000 compliance rulings (via Renew Grid)

The ant, the grasshopper, and electricity prices in New England (via New York Times)

JCP&L seeks to recover Sandy repair costs, deploy smart grid tech (via Renew Grid)

NUCLEAR 

US nuclear power on track for lowest production since 2000-2001 (via Facts of the Day)

Nuclear waste in the age of climate change (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla CEO says NY Times article reduced market cap by $100 million (via Bloomberg)

Variable utility rate plans will have little impact for electric vehicle drivers (via Pike Research)

COAL 

Utility settles with EPA, agrees to stop burning coal at three sites (via The Hill)

“Green” strategists now back coal trains (via Seattle Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Power market transparency: money out of negawatts (via AOL Energy)

America: the worldwide leader in wasting energy (via Forbes)

Energy efficiency in Maine receives two powerful boosts (via CLF Scoop)

Boston mayor wants building energy reporting (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

Obama’s quiet strategy on climate change (via National Journal)

Lew: White House won’t propose carbon tax (via The Hill)

Bipartisan push to address climate change (via Politico)

OPINION 

Fight over gas exports is prelude to oil exports brawl (via Houston Chronicle)

Why the debt crisis has trumped the climate crisis – at least in DC (via Time)

What California can teach DC about climate change policy (via GreenBiz)

Divestment: the best solution for environmental justice (via Good)

Why innovation alone isn’t enough to win the climate fight (via Time)

What ARPA-E can’t do (via MIT Technology Review)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.25.13

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

EMISSIONS 

German greenhouse gas emissions rise 1.6% in 2012 (via Reuters)

“Internet of things” promises nine billion tons of carbon savings (via BusinessGreen)

California’s second carbon permit auction beats expectations (via Reuters)

Seen as nature lovers’ paradise, Utah struggles with air quality (via New York Times)

OIL 

Gulf oil spill trial set to start with no settlement in sight (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil demand fell to 18-year low in January, API says (via Bloomberg)

US Coast Guard documented 16 deficiencies on Arctic drillship (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY POLICY 

China’s energy consumption rose 3.9% in 2012 (via Yahoo! News/IANS)

US quadruples pipeline tax break cost to $7 billion through 2016 (via Bloomberg)

The next big thing in energy: decentralization (via Grist)

Coastal governors unite in push for offshore revenue-sharing bill (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Deutsche sees “sustainable” global solar market in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Report: more than 100 gigawatts in the China wind pipeline (via Greentech Media)

Indian Gujarat state to have country’s first offshore wind farm (via Panchabuta)

Inside the US military’s clean-energy revolution (via Mother Jones)

The breezy option has become a serious power source (via Globe and Mail)

Big Solar looks to grow with precise cloud forecasts (via EarthTechling)

As economics shift, wind developers see the light on solar power (via Midwest Energy News)

Minnesota lawmakers propose statewide 10% solar renewable energy standard (via Renew Grid)

Five surprising facts about wind energy in Texas (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

Cape Wind: regulation, litigation, and the struggle to develop offshore wind in the US (via Huffington Post)

KEYSTONE XL-TAR SANDS 

Canadian officials make climate case in DC ahead of Keystone pipeline decision (via The Hill)

New study to examine health impact of Alberta oil sands (via Edmonton Journal)

Southern segment of Keystone XL is halfway finished (via AP/Houston Chronicle)

What will Obama’s “green quarterback” mean for Keystone XL? (via Canadian Press)

CLIMATE 

UN sustainable energy initiative could put world on path to climate targets (via Phys.org)

Hotter, wetter climate slashes labor capacity 10%, says study (via Reuters)

Hawaii to suffer most as global sea levels rise, study says (via NBC News)

Lifting a town to escape the next storm (via New York Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Gaps found in EPA drilling emissions reporting (via The Hill)

Fracking emissions get review after EPA watchdog report (via Bloomberg)

West Texas shale could dwarf Eagle Ford (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID 

Silicon Valley investors shifting to power grid after solar sours (via Bloomberg)

Germany unveils first North Sea offshore wind power network plan (via Bloomberg)

COAL 

Coal demand falls in the US, rises everywhere else (via MIT Technology Review)

As EPA delays new coal ash rules, residents turn to courts for relief (via Center for Public Integrity)

TRANSPORTATION 

Why have US gasoline prices risen since the start of 2013? (via US EIA)

Obama’s plan to fund clean cars with oil royalties faces tough test (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Japan moving forward on smart cities (via GreenBiz)

Downtown Pittsburgh to halve energy consumption by 2030 (via Good)

DC unveils sustainability plan (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Interior secretary nomination become embroiled in fight over Alaska refuge (via Washington Post)

Not-so-smart ALEC: how the lobbying group uses bad data to fight clean energy (via Grist)

OPINION 

What does the Keystone XL pipeline represent? (via National Journal)

How the US military repelled the GOP’s attack on biofuels (via Mother Jones)

Video: Wait until China acts on Climate. What? They are!? (via Mother Jones)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.22.13

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

CLIMATE 

1.5C temperature rise enough to start permafrost melt, scientists warn (via The Guardian)

Poll: one-third of US says action on climate “essential” this year (via The Hill)

Front-runner to lead EPA vows more action on climate change (via The Hill)

Top oil lobbyist: new climate bill will never reach Senate floor (via The Hill)

Inslee: Washington State must do something about climate change (via The Olympian)

PA DEP Secretary pressed on climate change stance (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

COAL 

2012 US coal exports reach record high (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Europe to get first EU-wide offshore oil and gas law (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Saudi Arabia backs local content in 7GW renewables drive (via Recharge)

Saudi Arabia invites companies to bid for colossal renewables contracts (via BusinessGreen)

70 percent of China’s new wind is in low-speed regions (via Greentech Media)

Global solar farm capacity doubles inside 12 months (via BusinessGreen)

Renewables still seeking a level playing field (via EarthTechling)

AWEA says utilities “flocking” to wind (via Recharge)

Are local weather patterns impacted by wind farms? (via EarthTechling)

Wet December may boost hydropower output in California this year (via US EIA)

VA governor signs repeal of renewable energy incentives (via Virginian-Pilot)

Cape Wind financing moves forward (via Cape Cod Times)

Nanocrystal “solar paint” could replace panels, be applied to any surface (via The Good Human)

Solar lantern shines a light on energy poverty (via Treehugger)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Most of Europe’s natural gas supplies still linked to oil prices (via Reuters)

Death on the gas field illustrates high risks of rush to drill (via EnergyWire)

Natural gas hinders Chesapeake’s gains (via Houston Chronicle)

Alaska state regulators consider new fracking rules (via Reuters)

In Illinois, environmentalists and industry compromise on fracking bill (via Midwest Energy News)

EMISSIONS 

China is getting a carbon tax, but how effective will it be? (via Washington Post)

EU carbon prices plunge after German permit auction fails second time (via Bloomberg) 

Study of California cap-and-trade system suggests refinements (via Phys.org)

Researchers develop solar process to covert CO2 to methanol (via Green Car Congress)

GRID 

Study says utilities handled Hurricane Sandy better than governments (via Renew Grid)

PPL investing nearly $1 billion to improve grid reliability (via Renew Grid)

TRANSPORTATION 

Global lithium-ion battery sales will jump sixfold by 2019 (via Autoblog Green)

Numbers don’t lie: plug-in sales ahead of early hybrid sales (via Autoblog Green)

MIT study: fuel economy standards 6-14 times less cost effective than fuel tax for reducing gasoline use (via Green Car Congress)

One of world’s most efficient vehicles unable to enter US (via New York Times)

Colorado renewables law increases environmental benefits of EVs (via Plugin Cars)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear power another casualty of the shale gas boom (via Washington Post)

Vogtle plant is progressing but nuclear revival is not (via Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Forget energy efficiency: these office buildings actually make power (via Good)

Software plots how much homeowners can save on energy retrofits (via Greentech Media)

DC announces plans to be America’s greenest city (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

GREEN BUSINESS 

How to get real green from your green certifications (via GreenBiz)

ENVIRONMENT 

US drought to spread in California, Florida, government forecasts (via Reuters)

USDA forecasts record US corn and soy crops, lower prices (via Reuters)

Time is running out to avert a third summer of drought (via Climate Central)

Unprecedented legal verdict will help millions of birds (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

BP spill pact excluded billions in possible loss claims (via Bloomberg)

POLITICS 

Senate Democrats prepare to defend Obama’s climate change rules (via National Journal)

EPA’s McCarthy mum on new job, says states to lead climate rules (via Reuters)

Interest groups gird for battle as they anticipate McCarthy pick (via Greenwire)

Latest polling finds strong support for clean energy, stricter carbon pollution standards (via Climate Progress)

LCV: 2012 House of Representatives most anti-environmental ever (via Huffington Post)

DOE Secretary Steven Chu to return to Stanford University (via Stanford Daily)

OPINION 

Dirty fossil fuel exports will come back to bite Australia (via The Guardian)

Supply, demand, and activism: what should the climate movement do next? (via Grist)

Keystone XL decision will define Obama’s climate change legacy (via The Guardian)

Five reasons why the Keystone XL pipeline is bad for the economy (via Resilience)

Court the Right: advice for Obama’s next DOE chief (via Bloomberg)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.21.13

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

TRANSPORTATION 

High-capacity chargers target Europe’s luxury market (via Pike Research)

Estonia installs “world’s first” nationwide fast-charging network (via BusinessGreen)

Lithium-ion battery gives IBM hope of power without fires (via Bloomberg)

EPA sets renewable fuel standard, tackles fraud (via The Hill)

Tesla expects to turn its first profit in the first quarter of 2013 (via GigaOm)

2013 Nissan Leaf: 75-mile range “anticipated in new EPA test (via Green Car Reports)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Report: oil sands dependence could hurt Canada’s economy (via Canadian Press)

Canadian crude rolling into Gulf Coast refineries (via Houston Chronicle)

Supporters of Keystone XL outspend opponents 35 to 1 (via Climate Progress)

ALEC pushes Keystone pipeline approval through six states (via Sustainable Business)

RENEWABLES 

EU to register Chinese solar panels in move toward duties (via Reuters)

Ontario might get a 400MW pumped storage station five times the height of Niagara Falls (via TreeHugger)

Mexico just scratching the surface of solar demand (via Renewable Energy World)

Iceland looks to export geothermal power (via New York Times)

Nine amazing teenagers innovating in cleantech (via Treehugger)

Renewables increase US electricity market share 44% from 2007 to 2012 (via Facts of the Day)

Michigan sees surge in wind power, thanks to renewable portfolio standard (via Renew Grid)

Oversupply and uncertainty for Massachusetts SREC market in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

Offshore wind production bill gets preliminary approval in Maryland House (via Washington Post/AP)

Minnesota bill introduced seeking 10% solar energy standard (via St. Paul Pioneer Press)

PACE funding in Florida gets $500 million boost (via CleanTechnica)

Work begins on new 400MW Texas solar PV plant (via Recharge)

How a city can get more clean, local energy (via CleanTechnica)

OIL/GASOLINE 

US oil production will soar in 2013 – can it last? (via Christian Science Monitor)

AAA reports largest increase in gasoline prices in three years (via The Hill)

BP civil settlement remains elusive as trial nears (via Shreveport Times/AP)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Germany, UK offer contrasting visions for electricity (via Reuters)

Energy to help Texas economy outpace nation’s (via Houston Chronicle)

Enron-era ruling signals $1.6 billion California consumer refunds (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Merkel leaves door open to fracking as shale gains appeal (via Bloomberg)

Marcellus production rises again in Pennsylvania (via Pittsburgh Business Times)

Chesapeake probe finds no “intentional” CEO misconduct (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

Filipino super-typhoon an ominous warning of climate change impact (via The Guardian)

If you don’t believe in climate change, talk to a clam digger (via Grist)

Activist investors put climate change issue up for vote at PNC Bank (via Los Angeles Times)

Bill would require Kansas teachers to question climate science (via InsideClimate News)

ENVIRONMENT 

After China’s multibillion-dollar cleanup, water still unfit to drink (via Reuters)

Explained in 90 seconds: permafrost (via Mother Jones)

Biofuel rush wiping out America’s grasslands at fastest pace since 1930’s (via Washington Post)

EMISSIONS 

Another study names oil and gas drilling as ozone culprit (via Climate Progress)

RGGI changes help both the environment and business (via C2ES)

GRID 

PSE&G proposes $4 billion for grid resiliency in New Jersey (via Greentech Media)

EnerNOC adapting demand response for “big data” applications (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Efficiency is a more important economic driver than energy supply (via Greentech Media)

University at Albany SUNY saves $704,000 per year with energy efficiency upgrades (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

Oregon governor questions wisdom of headlong coal-export push (via Grist)

West Virginia, US Mine Safety and Health Administration seek greater focus on coal mining safety (via Charleston Gazette)

NUCLEAR 

Deal advances development of a smaller nuclear reactor (via New York Times)

POLITICS 

Obama settles on EPA, DOE nominees (via Reuters)

Climate change and the Obama Administration (via Council on Foreign Relations)

Kerry comes out swinging on climate change (via The Hill)

Moniz: shale gas boom a low-carbon solution – for now (via InsideClimate News)

Senate Democrat touts support for Keystone XL (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

EU and China stumble toward solar trade war (via Reuters)

How the looming food and energy crises are intertwined (via Good)

Tesla’s explosive revenue suggests a bright future (via MIT Technology Review)

Low emissions are no justification for Kansas scaling back renewables (via The Guardian)

Cheap ways you can get green power (via EarthTechling)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.20.13

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

EMISSIONS 

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

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

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

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

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

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

NATURAL GAS 

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

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

RENEWABLES 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sleeping geothermal giant stirs (via Pike Research)

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

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

GRID 

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

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

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

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

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

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

OIL 

US judge approves Transocean civil spill settlement (via Reuters)

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

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

TRANSPORTATION 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CLIMATE 

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

COAL 

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

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

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

POLITICS 

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

OPINION 

The virtues of being unreasonable on Keystone (via Grist)

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

EU emissions trade is sputtering (via New York Times)

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

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

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.15.13

TESLA-NEW YORK TIMES CONFLICT 

A most peculiar test drive (via Tesla)

The Tesla data: what it says and what it doesn’t (via New York Times)

Five important lessons from the dustup over the NYT’s Tesla test drive (via GigaOm)

What’s at stake in the fight between Tesla and the New York Times (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

Climate change links to conflict draw UN’s attention (via Bloomberg)

Thinning ice turning Arctic into an algae hotspot (via Climate Central)

Drought joins US farmers in the field for spring planting (via Reuters)

GAO report adds climate change to “high risks” facing US government (via The Hill)

NOAA: February 2012 to January 2013 warmest on record (via Climate Central)

Secret funding helped build vast network of climate denial think tanks (via The Guardian)

RENEWABLES 

Outlook for renewable energy projects and finance in Canada (via Renewable Energy World)

US geothermal energy grew 5% in 2012; California the leader (via Green Car Congress)

Clean energy faces hurdles in Texas legislature (via New York Times/Texas Tribune)

Texas electric grid sets new wind generation record (via Reuters)

Arizona: a state divided by solar (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

US coal producer says royalty practice being probed was permitted (via Reuters)

Coal-terminal foe casts doubts on builder’s finances (via Seattle Times)

EMISSIONS 

US senators propose long-shot carbon tax bill for big polluters (via Reuters)

EU urged to revive flagging emissions trading scheme (via The Guardian)

Firms pull heads from sand on climate but still unready for carbon laws (via GreenBiz)

California Air Resources Board cuts own power as part of deal with oil industry (via Greenwire)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Canada close to unveiling rules on oil sands emissions (via Reuters)

Senate Dems sequester-replacement plan ends tar sands exemption (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Nissan Leaf passes 50,000 units in global cumulative sales (via Green Car Congress)

Governments look for new ways to pay for roads and bridges (via New York Times)

NYC Mayor Bloomberg plans massive increase in EV parking lots (via Autoblog Green)

Test drive: DC to Boston in a Tesla Model S (via CNN Money)

OIL 

Transocean convicted in Gulf of Mexico oil spill (via Houston Chronicle)

GREEN BUILDING 

Green building: stadium tech and pro sports (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Lessons from past natural gas imports suggest a cautious approach to natural gas exports (via The Oil Drum)

Fracking in New York State? Not for another year, if ever (via Reuters)

POLITICS 

US ambassador warns Canada to heed Obama on energy (via Globe and Mail)

Obama acting too slowly on climate change risks, government audit finds (via The Guardian)

OPINION 

Newly proposed carbon tax will fight global warming, protect poor Americans, reduce the deficit (via Climate Progress)

New climate bill’s Congressional forecast: gloomy (via Politico)

Venture capitalists don’t know how to invest in the smart grid (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.1.13

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

OIL 

Mystery oil sheen grows near site of BP Gulf disaster (via NBC News)

EMISSIONS 

US carbon emissions fall to lowest levels since 1994 (via The Guardian)

Guidelines issues to ensure captured carbon stays sequestered (via BusinessGreen)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone pipeline decision to languish until mid-June (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Clean energy in Europe suffering from falling CO2 prices (via Energy Collective)

German solar FIT to decline 2.2% monthly through April (via Recharge)

Greece sees impressive solar PV growth despite banking crisis (via Renewable Energy World)

Italian town runs solely on wind, sells the rest (via Sustainable Business)

Biofuel-blending battle rages on as EPA releases new projections (via The Hill)

GE introduces wind turbine for low-wind sites (via Energy Manager Today)

Seven projects looking to use big data to cut the cost of solar power (via GigaOm)

After delays, Maine approves offshore wind farm (via CLF Scoop)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

The US has some of the lowest energy taxes in the developed world (via Washington Post)

Transformation in US power supply breeds emissions success, grid challenges (via Houston Chronicle)

US utilities expect more environmental regulations during 2nd Obama term (via Environmental Leader)

Renewables in bed with natural gas? (via Mother Jones)

TRANSPORTATION 

Nissan will triple number of EV fast chargers in US (via Autoblog Green)

EV Everywhere Blueprint outlines DOE EV goals for 2022 (via Green Car Congress)

69% of US voters support stricter auto emission standards (via Environmental Leader)

Tesla’s Musk calls Boeing 787 Dreamliner batteries “fundamentally unsafe” (via Autoblog Green)

More EV loans “remains to be seen,” Chu says (via Bloomberg)

Big price declines in 2013 EVs: price cuts put EVs on the road (via Facts of the Day)

Hertz adds Chevy Volt to car-sharing service, targets students (via Green Car Reports)

Dreamliner’s woes hearten foes (via Politico)

ENVIRONMENT 

Australian government pledges to protect Great Barrier Reef (via Reuters)

EU proposes to ban insecticides linked to bee decline (via BusinessGreen)

US drought hangs tough through January (via Climate Central)

Survey of nation’s largest cities finds water supplies not as threatened as believed (via Phys.org)

GRID 

Smart grid sector sees $434M in VC funding, $17B in M&A transactions (via Renew Grid)

SDG&E strives to develop ‘self-healing’ grid (via Renew Grid)

The (wrong) report on Silver Spring’s IPO chances (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

2013 policy priorities for sustainable and responsible investors (via GreenBiz)

CLIMATE 

Philippine government says climate change is top priority (via Sustainable Business)

Planting trees may not reverse climate change but it will help local cooling (via Phys.org)

Climate scientists erring on the side of least drama (via Skeptical Science)

Alaska natives try to flee climate impacts but find little help (via ClimateWire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Sacramento launches $100-million energy retrofit fund (via Forbes)

Washington DC requires commercial buildings to track energy and water use (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

Why the US coal industry is so worried (via Sightline Daily)

Half of Washington State residents support coal export terminal (via Seattle Met)

POLITICS 

Hagel vows DoD focus on alternative fuels, energy efficiency if confirmed (via The Hill)

Hagel’s other label: anti-green (via Politico)

Sen. Carper plans renewed push for offshore wind credit legislation (via The Hill)

Right place, wrong time for secretary candidate with gold-plated resume? (via Greenwire)

OPINION 

Mr. President, there’s a major flaw in your solution to climate change (via Take Part)

Can Obama do for the grid what Eisenhower did for highways? (via New York Times)