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)