Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.23.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
North America leads the world in shale gas production (via US EIA)
US shale output overload pushing Asia exports to new highs (via Bloomberg)
South Africa to issue shale gas permits in first quarter 2014 (via Bloomberg)
Marcellus Shale gas production growing faster than expected (via Wall Street Journal/AP)
EMISSIONS
India, US dig in against EU aviation carbon charge (via Reuters)
Is China the last hope for carbon capture technology? (via Washington Post)
EU, US carbon emissions on downward trend (via Reuters)
RENEWABLES
UK prime minister commits to rolling back “some” green tariffs (via Business Green)
Utility says Australia’s 20% renewables target “already nearly met” (via Renew Economy)
Oil majors among most active clean tech investors (via Breaking Energy)
The solar industry is red hot – will it get hotter? (via Energy Trends Insider)
Top four trends in residential solar (via Greentech Media)
Arizona utility funds anti-solar campaign, saying it is “obligated to fight” (via Greentech Media)
NUCLEAR
Japan mulls plan for one operator to run all of nation’s 50 nuclear reactors (via Bloomberg)
CLIMATE
Climate change investment totals $359 billion worldwide (via Environmental Leader)
Southern Amazon rainforest in danger as dry season expands (via Yale e360)
US cities building resilience to climate change (via Center for American Progress)
State Department official: Time to face “hard reality” on climate aid (via The Hill)
Coastal area residents stunned by flood insurance rate hikes (via Forbes)
Iowa scientists say climate change threatens state agriculture (via Popular Science)
KEYSTONE XL
Keystone pipeline opponents plan widespread civil disobedience (via New York Times)
Bill Clinton on Keystone XL pipeline: “Embrace” it (via Politico)
Canadian ambassador says path to US energy independence is through Keystone XL (via The Hill)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Study: Weatherization could save US $33 billion (via National Journal)
How much is efficiency helping America slash its carbon emissions? (via Greentech Media)
COAL
Next wave of emerging economies could increase global coal demand (via Reuters)
India plans to increase domestic coal production (via Live Mint)
New study examines mountaintop removal’s potential mental health impact in Appalachian communities (via Charleston Gazette)
Peabody would lose money on coal exports (via Sightline Daily)
TRANSPORTATION
Hybrid car payback depends on the model, says new study (via Green Car Reports)
OIL
Brazil auctions off rights to massive offshore oil field (via National Journal)
Lac-Megantic oil spill even worse than first feared, investigation shows (via Montreal Gazette)
OPINION
Climate change, public policy, and the university (via Harvard Kennedy School)
US carbon emissions fell sharply in 2012, but don’t expect that to last (via Washington Post)
If landowners get annual payments for wind turbines, why not transmission lines? (via Midwest Energy News)
The problem with California’s energy storage mandate (via Energy Collective)
Ohio senate should give flawed energy rewrite a proper burial (via Cleveland Plain-Dealer)