Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.25.13

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

CLIMATE 

New map shows world’s most climate-vulnerable regions (via Climate Progress)

Major wind and rain belts could shift north as Earth warms (via Yale e360)

Stanford: Climate change occurring 10 times faster than any time in past 65 million years (via DeSmog Blog)

HSBC: Australian economy badly exposed to climate change (via Renew Economy)

EPA chief hits road for climate rule sales pitches (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Top US trade official lobbies for tar sands oil in EU negotiations (via Huffington Post)

Canadian company to drain Alberta lake due to oil sands leak (via Reuters)

Keystone XL: Five years later, a changed energy dynamic (via Christian Science Monitor)

RENEWABLES 

500MW expected in first Russian renewable energy auction (via Recharge)

Sun begins to shine again on UK solar market (via EarthTechling)

Wind turbines quieter than a heartbeat, acoustical experts find (via Climate Progress)

Cost to add more solar, wind to US West power grid is small – study (via Reuters)

US Senator asks CFTC to look into biofuel credit pricing (via Reuters)

Ivanpah solar project “syncs” to grid for first time (via KCET)

EPA announces Green Power Leadership awards (via Environmental Leader)

Solar Decathlon 2013: Let the building begin (via Energy.gov)

270MW of new renewable energy coming to Connecticut’s grid (via Renew Grid)

OIL 

Obama vows to protect “free flow” of Middle East oil (via The Hill)

High oil costs hitting nation’s wallet, too (via Houston Chronicle)

Research: Deep sea ecosystem may take decades to recover from Deepwater Horizon spill (via Phys.org)

TRANSPORTATION 

High-speed rail transforms China (via New York Times)

RFS: Ethanol cuts gas prices by up to $1.50 a gallon (via Autoblog Green)

EMISSIONS 

EPA rules on emissions at existing coal plants may give states leeway (via New York Times)

Carbon offset market alive and well in California (via Energy Manager Today)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas generation lower than last year because of differences in relative fuel prices (via US EIA)

GRID 

Remote microgrids will surpass $8.4 billion in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Remote microgrid revenues will top $8 billion by 2020 (via Energy Manager Today)

In China’s hinterland, microgrids emerge (via Navigant Research)

Skinny grids: LEDs harness more distributed energy for less (via Greentech Media)

ENVIRONMENT 

Ocean acidification “refugees” move to Hawaii (via Seattle Times)

Battle lines form as EPA hints at revised Clean Water Act (via Greenwire)

OPINON 

Is natural gas “clean”? (via New York Times)

EPA rules open new era for clean energy in US (via Navigant Research)

How a former EPA official became the “Michael Jordan of solar policy” (via Greenwire)

What are the impacts of high wind and solar penetration on the grid? (via Greentech Media)

Why sustainability indexes miss the mark (via BusinessGreen)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.20.13

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

COAL 

Obama takes on coal with first-ever carbon limits (via Associated Press)

Coal’s future darkens around the world (via Associated Press)

Government’s latest coal auction attracts lowest bid in 15 years (via Climate Progress)

It’s not just Obama’s carbon rules that are killing coal – it’s cheap gas (via Time)

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon markets set “to be oversupplied until 2027” (via BusinessGreen)

France to cut fossil fuels 30% by 2030, president says (via Phys.org)

EU carbon price forecast to hit €66 per ton by 2030 (via Recharge)

Administration presses ahead with limits on power plant emissions (via New York Times)

Study: Fracked shale formations could store carbon dioxide (via Yale e360)

How bad for the environment are gas-powered leaf blowers? (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Germany industry wants end of feed-in tariff on rising power cost (via Bloomberg)

Is Brazilian sugarcane the answer to US biofuel needs? (via Green Car Reports)

Algae biofuels cut CO2 emissions more than 50% compared to petroleum fuels (via Phys.org)

Siemens opens state-of-the-art wind service training center (via Energy Collective)

Solar Exchange launches with over $28 million in solar goods (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Top 10 challenges for the biofuels industry (via Renewable Energy World)

In Minnesota, looking for lessons from Goodhue wind fight (via Midwest Energy News)

Massachusetts racks up 11.8% growth in clean energy (via Solar Industry Magazine)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s future depends on stopping Fukushima leaks, PM tells workers (via The Guardian)

CLIMATE 

Ozone treaty offers quicker fix for global warming (via Bloomberg)

Russia urges UN climate report to include geoengineering (via The Guardian)

Australia scraps national climate commission (via The Guardian)

India and China face significant flooding risk warns Swiss Re (via RTCC)

UN climate report set to establish “global carbon budget” (via RTCC)

Study says journalists should talk about climate change like a pension policy (via Climate Progress)

Clash over flood insurance rates sharpens days before hikes are enacted (via ClimateWire)

The many small ways Americans are adapting to climate change (via The Atlantic)

ENERGY POLICY 

US revives aid program for cleaner fossil fuels (via New York Times)

California’s strategic plan for renewables and efficiency (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

Beacon Power starts up flywheel energy storage facility in Pennsylvania (via Renew Grid)

OIL 

Halliburton pleads guilty to destroying evidence after BP oil spill (via The Hill)

Legal, political battles await EPA’s power plant emissions limits (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

General Motors looks to cut battery prices and increase EV range (via New York Times)

Tesla shares hit yet another record high at $180 (via Autoblog Green)

Ecotality bankruptcy could give Nissan its own charger network (via Plugin Cars)

2014 Chevy Spark EV test drive (via CleanTechnica)

POLITICS 

Senate support unravels for Obama’s FERC nominee (via The Hill)

US Senate GOP leader says he will work to defeat FERC nominee (via Reuters)

Government funding battle knocks stalled energy efficiency bill off Senate floor (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Sorry, Arctic sea ice isn’t really “recovering” (via Washington Post)

Time to act on climate change (via Huffington Post)

Will coal survive the EPA’s new carbon rules? (via Washington Post)

Obama’s coming climate crackdown (via Politico)

A clean energy revolution – now (via Energy.gov)

These five things need to happen before electric cars really go mainstream (via Washington Post)

Are wind farm-related eagle deaths higher than we think? (via EarthTechling)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.13.13

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

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon hits 8 month high on jump in energy prices (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Will Costa Rica’s new voluntary carbon trading system work? (via Climate Progress)

Big business fights Obama Administration’s calculations on carbon costs (via Grist)

California carbon allowances retreat to $12.30 as bearish sentiment grows (via Reuters Point Carbon)

COAL 

China bans new coal-fired plants in 3 regions (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Air pollution waiver may decide fate of Illinois coal plants (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

RENEWABLES 

Solar-Energy Storage market to reach $2.8 billion by 2018 (via Energy Manager Today)

UK hits 1GW of installed offshore wind capacity (via RTCC)

Hydroelectric power makes big comeback at US dams (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Report: $603 million in DOE biofuels funding fails to meet goals (via The Hill)

60GW of new hydropower projects pending approval by FERC (via Facts of the Day)

US solar PV grows 15% in second quarter (via EarthTechling)

California passes 600MW shared renewables program (via CleanTechnica)

South Carolina rural electrical cooperatives back solar farm (via The State)

California regulators say proposed large-scale solar project could harm eagles (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Progress at UN climate cash talks sets stage for ministers (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Unprecedented rate and scale of ocean acidification found in Arctic (via Phys.org)

Never-released DOE report predicts increasing domestic conflicts over water, energy (via DeSmog Blog)

US tree migration is not keeping pace with warming (via Yale e360)

Kentucky governor stands up to climate deniers, defends teaching science (via Climate Progress)

Global warming’s denier elite (via Rolling Stone)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canada touts carbon pollution cuts as Keystone XL pressure builds (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

US federal buildings brace for deep energy retrofits (via EarthTechling)

A bid to “shame” building owners into energy efficiency (via National Journal)

While one Ohio utility fights efficiency, another embraces it (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Norway’s new government may bar oil firms from Arctic islands (via Reuters)

BP starts drilling at “giant” Gulf of Mexico oil field after spill setback (via Reuters)

Environmental groups bail on California fracking bill (via Huffington Post)

California fracking oversight bill nears final passage even as greens cancel support (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Can DOE build a better EV battery? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Bumps in the road as Hawaii plugs into EVs (via Plugin Cars)

GRID 

Demand response hits a new record in PJM (via Greentech Media)

California proposes framework for energy storage procurement program (via Breaking Energy)

Texas shows transmission upgrade benefits for wind power (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS 

US LNG exports will be higher than expected (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

BG Group, Nestle, SAP named among world’s most sustainable companies (via BusinessGreen)

Millennials may not be as green as you think (via GreenBiz)

Why colleges should add green to their school colors (via BusinessGreen)

ENERGY POLICY 

Senate panel explores US-Mexico offshore drilling deal (via The Hill)

US to pass Russia in liquid fuels production, says IEA (via Wall Street Journal)

California lawmakers move to reform state’s electricity rate structure (via Reuters)

Arizona regulators drop retail electricity deregulation push (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

OPINION 

Canada’s climate actions sharply diverge from government promises (via Energy Collective)

Global warming is very real (via Rolling Stone)

Don’t believe the coal industry’s warnings (via Bloomberg)

How solar remains attractive without key incentives in California (via Forbes)

How long before the Great Plains runs out of water? (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.13.13

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

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon hits 8 month high on jump in energy prices (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Will Costa Rica’s new voluntary carbon trading system work? (via Climate Progress)

Big business fights Obama Administration’s calculations on carbon costs (via Grist)

California carbon allowances retreat to $12.30 as bearish sentiment grows (via Reuters Point Carbon)

COAL 

China bans new coal-fired plants in 3 regions (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Air pollution waiver may decide fate of Illinois coal plants (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

RENEWABLES 

Solar-Energy Storage market to reach $2.8 billion by 2018 (via Energy Manager Today)

UK hits 1GW of installed offshore wind capacity (via RTCC)

Hydroelectric power makes big comeback at US dams (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Report: $603 million in DOE biofuels funding fails to meet goals (via The Hill)

60GW of new hydropower projects pending approval by FERC (via Facts of the Day)

US solar PV grows 15% in second quarter (via EarthTechling)

California passes 600MW shared renewables program (via CleanTechnica)

South Carolina rural electrical cooperatives back solar farm (via The State)

California regulators say proposed large-scale solar project could harm eagles (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Progress at UN climate cash talks sets stage for ministers (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Unprecedented rate and scale of ocean acidification found in Arctic (via Phys.org)

Never-released DOE report predicts increasing domestic conflicts over water, energy (via DeSmog Blog)

US tree migration is not keeping pace with warming (via Yale e360)

Kentucky governor stands up to climate deniers, defends teaching science (via Climate Progress)

Global warming’s denier elite (via Rolling Stone)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canada touts carbon pollution cuts as Keystone XL pressure builds (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

US federal buildings brace for deep energy retrofits (via EarthTechling)

A bid to “shame” building owners into energy efficiency (via National Journal)

While one Ohio utility fights efficiency, another embraces it (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Norway’s new government may bar oil firms from Arctic islands (via Reuters)

BP starts drilling at “giant” Gulf of Mexico oil field after spill setback (via Reuters)

Environmental groups bail on California fracking bill (via Huffington Post)

California fracking oversight bill nears final passage even as greens cancel support (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Can DOE build a better EV battery? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Bumps in the road as Hawaii plugs into EVs (via Plugin Cars)

GRID 

Demand response hits a new record in PJM (via Greentech Media)

California proposes framework for energy storage procurement program (via Breaking Energy)

Texas shows transmission upgrade benefits for wind power (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS 

US LNG exports will be higher than expected (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

BG Group, Nestle, SAP named among world’s most sustainable companies (via BusinessGreen)

Millennials may not be as green as you think (via GreenBiz)

Why colleges should add green to their school colors (via BusinessGreen)

ENERGY POLICY 

Senate panel explores US-Mexico offshore drilling deal (via The Hill)

US to pass Russia in liquid fuels production, says IEA (via Wall Street Journal)

California lawmakers move to reform state’s electricity rate structure (via Reuters)

Arizona regulators drop retail electricity deregulation push (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

OPINION 

Canada’s climate actions sharply diverge from government promises (via Energy Collective)

Global warming is very real (via Rolling Stone)

Don’t believe the coal industry’s warnings (via Bloomberg)

How solar remains attractive without key incentives in California (via Forbes)

How long before the Great Plains runs out of water? (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.29.13

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

COAL 

Mercury fingerprint of Pacific fish points to Asian coal plants (via Los Angeles Times)

A war on coal, or just a different playing field? (via Breaking Energy)

CLIMATE 

Oceans storing Earth’s excess heat in leaked UN report (via Bloomberg)

Wildfires projected to worsen with climate change (via Phys.org)

La Nina-like conditions behind gentler global warming, study finds (via Washington Post)

Obama to name top climate-change regulator (via National Journal)

ENERGY POLICY 

China to add 1,500GW of power capacity by 2030 (via Phys.org)

Germany solar pushing fossil fuel plants to close (via EarthTechling)

On fracking rules, it’s states versus feds (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

EU-China solar deal highlights tough climate for green jobs (via Washington Post)

Wind energy taking flight in Europe and beyond (via Christian Science Monitor)

Growth seen picking up in Germany’s wind power sector (via Reuters)

Biomass power generation will reach $11.5 billion in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Cheap corn deters buyers in US sugar-for-ethanol plan (via Bloomberg)

Solar micro-inverter shipments to reach 2.1GW in 2017 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

DOE releases new clean energy finance guide (via Energy.gov)

Western states are going to become green energy powerhouses (via Mother Jones)

Solar industry establishes net metering principles (via Greentech Media)

Solar Exchange launching online solar marketplace (via Solar Industry Magazine)

“Solar gardens” put clean energy within reach of low-income families (via Climate Progress)

Ohioans promise to buy offshore wind from Lake Erie turbines (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

Ontario government backs new smart grid laboratory (via Renew Grid)

Wildfires blamed for massive blackout in northeastern Brazil (via Reuters)

Smart, flexible energy can help communities weather future storms (via GreenBiz)

DOE and New Jersey developing first US transit system microgrid (via CleanTechnica)

TRANSPORTATION 

100 times more EV fast chargers by 2020? (via Green Car Reports)

Toyota broadly outlines next-generation Prius (via Green Car Congress)

Chevy helps install EV chargers in California state parks (via Autoblog Green)

US extending vehicle-to-grid pilot program in Michigan (via Green Car Congress)

OIL 

Feds net $102.4 million in Gulf lease sale (via Houston Chronicle)

BP steers clear of Interior’s latest offshore drilling lease sale (via The Hill)

Judge rejects BP’s latest request to halt oil spill payments (via Houston Chronicle)

Coalition asks Gov. Brown to halt fracking in California (via Los Angeles Times)

EMISSIONS 

The world’s biggest importers and exporters of carbon pollution (via Renew Economy)

EU narrows down carbon market overhaul options (via Bloomberg)

Inside China’s emissions trading scheme: First steps and the road ahead (via WRI Insights)

RGGI provides almost $500 million to New York for cleaner air (via Albany Times-Union)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima keeps leaking, Japan keeps issuing confusing explanations (via Grist)

Nuclear plant closures at all-time high (via Environmental Leader)

Report: Nuclear received four times more subsides than solar in California (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Top 10 smart building myths (via Energy Manager Today)

DOE may be inflating the cost of efficiency standards tenfold (via Greentech Media)

Designing more energy-efficient suburbs (via Midwest Energy News)

Hyatt invests over $37 million in more than 200 energy efficiency projects (via TriplePundit)

Is California breaking the dam that restricts energy efficiency financing? (via Energy Manager Today)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Poland starts shale gas extraction (via Phys.org)

Proposed US LNG exports would exceed 25% of today’s domestic consumption (via Forbes)

Study documents Kentucky fish kill from fracking fluid spill (via Houston Chronicle)

ENVIRONMENT 

Nearly half of all western wildfire costs go to California (via Climate Central)

Fertilizer spread research aims to boost crop yields (via Phys.org)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL seen as no local job starter along prairie route (via Bloomberg)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Boosting sustainability policy in Russia (via Phys.org)

Should climate risks be included in sustainability reports? (via TriplePundit)

POLITICS 

For Louisiana’s senators, one lease sale and two interpretations (via The Hill)

Sen. Begich’s campaign says he opposes carbon tax (via The Hill)

OPINION 

In solar trade dispute’s wake, what’s next for EU markets? (via Greentech Media)

Why big, intense wildfires are the new normal (via National Geographic)

Fracking contracts can leave landowners high and dry (via Washington Post)

Why EVs are the smart grid’s killer app (via GreenBiz)

Five things automakers should do to make EVs mainstream (via Plugin cars)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.26.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Fossil fuels to dominate world energy use through 2040 (via Climate Central)

White House to focus comprehensive energy review on infrastructure (via The Hill)

White House aides, utility reps huddle on power plant carbon regulations (via The Hill)

OIL 

European oil demand continues to shrivel in 2013 (via Reuters)

Halliburton to plead guilty to destroying evidence in BP oil spill (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Solar, wind could replace all fossil fuels in Australia by 2040 (via Renew Economy)

Philippines plan shift to 100% renewables in 10 years (via Renew Economy)

EU seeks last-minute China PV deal (via Recharge)

Floating wind farms could provide EU with 40GW by 2020 (via RTCC)

India faces short-term setback in renewable energy investment (via Panchabuta)

Scotland could receive roughly 50% its electricity from tidal energy (via CleanTechnica)

Sao Paulo sets 70% renewables target (via Renewable Energy World)

Dominion watching first US wind energy lease sale (via Richmond Times Dispatch)

Big geothermal getting bigger at Ball State (via EarthTechling)

COAL 

Coal market fundamentals changed, yet spot prices remained stable (via US EIA)

Buffett says coal’s decline in U.S. to be gradual yet permanent (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

GOP launches bid to block environmental restrictions on mountaintop coal removal (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Global warming and the future of storms (via The Guardian)

Norway issues shipping warning as Arctic sea lanes open (via RTCC)

NASA climate change video: This is the U.S. in 2100 (via Mother Nature Network)

Dems’ recess game plan: Push climate message (via Politico)

Maryland governor unveils strongest US plan to fight climate change (via CleanTechnica)

A climate action plan for affordable multifamily housing (via Center for American Progress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

DOE official: Chinese natural gas could “wreak havoc” on markets (via The Hill)

Wyden floats fracking regulation framework (via The Hill)

Republicans launch legislative assault on BLM fracking rules (via Greenwire)

UPS says natural gas “game changer” for cutting emissions (via Bloomberg)

Antitrust probe targets Halliburton’s fracking business (via Bloomberg)

Colorado congressman files lawsuit to prevent fracking near his property (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Trading halt could show UN carbon market in jeopardy (via Bloomberg)

Europe’s carbon problem is now Australia’s, too (via Environmental Leader)

Investment firms call for more carbon accounting (via Environmental Leader)

The positive economic impact of a carbon tax in 10 charts (via Grist)

O’Malley releases greenhouse gas reduction plan at climate change summit (via Washington Post/AP)

ENVIRONMENT

Russia’s weather to limit crops again after last year’s drought (via Bloomberg)

What cities are doing to become water smart (via EarthTechling)

GRID 

FERC order increases opportunity for energy storage (via Breaking Energy)

Forward operating solar: military microgrids lead the way (via Solar Industry Magazine)

States weigh compact to bolster energy grid (via Stateline)

MISO uses real-time synchrophasor tech to improve grid reliability (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

31 states now support utility energy efficiency investments (via Energy Manager Today)

A closer look at the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill (via WRI Insights)

More states join the regulatory push for utility efficiency (via Greentech Media)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric cars could be cost-competitive with gas-powered in 2017 (via Los Angeles Times)

Which EV model will be the first to break into top 10 of global auto sales? (via CleanTechnica)

100% increase in electric car sales in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

RINs ethanol credits below $1, U.S. gasoline future fall 7 cents (via Reuters)

Plug-in electric vehicle buyers very satisfied with cars: report (via Green Car Reports)

OPINION 

EIA’s most important insights about our energy future (via Climate Central)

Can renewables grow fast enough to make a difference? (via Greentech Media)

The great Texas wind rush (via Huffington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

EIA projects world energy consumption will increase 56% by 2040 (via US EIA)

Natural gas generation plummets 13.4% as coal surges 11% in US EIA data (via Facts of the Day)

GREEN BUSINESS 

UK green economy grows £6 billion according to government data (via BusinessGreen)

Intel, Microsoft, Kohl’s top EPA Green Power list (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

China’s coal-fired economy dying of thirst as mines lack water (via Bloomberg)

How the White House watered down rules on coal-plant water pollution (via Grist)

EPA Administrator McCarthy’s tenure to be tested by coal sector (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

EU-China solar deal hinges on price as deadline nears (via Reuters)

Report says EU tariffs ending the era of low-cost Chinese solar modules (via Solar Industry Magazine)

UK renewables output soars 19% in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

India adds 566MW of green energy in Q1 (via Panchabuta)

Deepwater turbines “critical” for EU offshore wind (via Recharge)

Insurance costs for renewables may triple to $2.8 billion by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

Biofuel makers seek to ease mandates to avert Congressional overhaul (via Bloomberg)

US solar has best first half of all time in H1 2013 (via SNL)

Wind-bird debate flares with new fatality figure (via EarthTechling)

Solar leasing gains while costs to federal taxpayers falls (via Greentech Media)

The future of US solar power: opportunities in soft costs (via Climate Progress)

Virginia coastline could soon be home to 2GW of offshore wind (via CleanTechnica)

Colorado state capitol first to boast geothermal heating and cooling (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Polar thaw opens shortcut for Russian natural gas (via New York Times)

Chevron to promote shale drilling in Europe (via Houston Chronicle)

House bill would allow US to invest more in African natural gas facilities (via SNL)

DOJ probes US fracking market over antitrust issues (via Reuters)

Fire rages on Gulf rig leaking natural gas (via Washington Post)

Offshore drilling regulation critic runs company operating latest Gulf well blowout rig (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

The North Pole is now a lake (via LiveScience)

A Republican Secretary of State urges action on climate change (via Scientific American)

Obama: Grow middle class to fight climate change (via The Hill)

Four designs for resilient neighborhoods after Sandy (via Good)

EMISSIONS 

Biden urges US-India cooperation on phasing out greenhouse gases (via Climate Progress)

Developing countries to vastly outpace OECD in emissions, says US EIA (via Reuters)

China investing $277 billion over five years to curb air pollution (via Reuters)

British Columbia’s carbon tax cut fuel use, didn’t hurt economy (via CBS News)

Federal court backs EPA ozone limit but orders review of public welfare standard (via Greenwire)

GRID 

Demand response sites to double worldwide by 2020 (via Renew Grid)

Germany’s energy storage subsidy is no solar miracle (via Greentech Media)

The true ROI of smart meter deployments (via Breaking Energy)

New energy storage testing center coming to New York State (via Renew Grid)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Port of Vancouver approves Northwest’s largest oil terminal amid safety concerns (via The Oregonian)

Keystone XL prompts Congress to let lobbyists write letters of support (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Bell’s Brewery sues Enbridge over Kalamazoo River oil spill cleanup (via Michigan Live)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

America’s favorite way to save energy during summer is… (via Outlier)

Alabama state agencies cut energy costs by $3.9 million in 2012 (via Energy Manager Today)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima nuclear cleanup to cost $58 billion (via Phys.org)

TRANSPORTATION 

Charger standards fight confuses EV drivers, puts car company investments at risk (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Three major energy trends to watch: efficiency, renewables, distributed power (via GreenBiz)

Did the Clean Air Act unleash Atlantic hurricanes? (via Washington Post)

Renewable fuels debate: cutting through the hype (via Breaking Energy)

What will replace the California Solar Initiative? (via Renewable Energy World)

POLITICS 

Young US voters think Republican climate dissenters “crazy,” says poll (via The Guardian)

US Navy’s clean energy push to get focus at nomination hearing (via Wall Street Journal)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.25.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

EIA projects world energy consumption will increase 56% by 2040 (via US EIA)

Natural gas generation plummets 13.4% as coal surges 11% in US EIA data (via Facts of the Day)

GREEN BUSINESS 

UK green economy grows £6 billion according to government data (via BusinessGreen)

Intel, Microsoft, Kohl’s top EPA Green Power list (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

China’s coal-fired economy dying of thirst as mines lack water (via Bloomberg)

How the White House watered down rules on coal-plant water pollution (via Grist)

EPA Administrator McCarthy’s tenure to be tested by coal sector (via Forbes)

RENEWABLES 

EU-China solar deal hinges on price as deadline nears (via Reuters)

Report says EU tariffs ending the era of low-cost Chinese solar modules (via Solar Industry Magazine)

UK renewables output soars 19% in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

India adds 566MW of green energy in Q1 (via Panchabuta)

Deepwater turbines “critical” for EU offshore wind (via Recharge)

Insurance costs for renewables may triple to $2.8 billion by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

Biofuel makers seek to ease mandates to avert Congressional overhaul (via Bloomberg)

US solar has best first half of all time in H1 2013 (via SNL)

Wind-bird debate flares with new fatality figure (via EarthTechling)

Solar leasing gains while costs to federal taxpayers falls (via Greentech Media)

The future of US solar power: opportunities in soft costs (via Climate Progress)

Virginia coastline could soon be home to 2GW of offshore wind (via CleanTechnica)

Colorado state capitol first to boast geothermal heating and cooling (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Polar thaw opens shortcut for Russian natural gas (via New York Times)

Chevron to promote shale drilling in Europe (via Houston Chronicle)

House bill would allow US to invest more in African natural gas facilities (via SNL)

DOJ probes US fracking market over antitrust issues (via Reuters)

Fire rages on Gulf rig leaking natural gas (via Washington Post)

Offshore drilling regulation critic runs company operating latest Gulf well blowout rig (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

The North Pole is now a lake (via LiveScience)

A Republican Secretary of State urges action on climate change (via Scientific American)

Obama: Grow middle class to fight climate change (via The Hill)

Four designs for resilient neighborhoods after Sandy (via Good)

EMISSIONS 

Biden urges US-India cooperation on phasing out greenhouse gases (via Climate Progress)

Developing countries to vastly outpace OECD in emissions, says US EIA (via Reuters)

China investing $277 billion over five years to curb air pollution (via Reuters)

British Columbia’s carbon tax cut fuel use, didn’t hurt economy (via CBS News)

Federal court backs EPA ozone limit but orders review of public welfare standard (via Greenwire)

GRID 

Demand response sites to double worldwide by 2020 (via Renew Grid)

Germany’s energy storage subsidy is no solar miracle (via Greentech Media)

The true ROI of smart meter deployments (via Breaking Energy)

New energy storage testing center coming to New York State (via Renew Grid)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Port of Vancouver approves Northwest’s largest oil terminal amid safety concerns (via The Oregonian)

Keystone XL prompts Congress to let lobbyists write letters of support (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Bell’s Brewery sues Enbridge over Kalamazoo River oil spill cleanup (via Michigan Live)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

America’s favorite way to save energy during summer is… (via Outlier)

Alabama state agencies cut energy costs by $3.9 million in 2012 (via Energy Manager Today)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima nuclear cleanup to cost $58 billion (via Phys.org)

TRANSPORTATION 

Charger standards fight confuses EV drivers, puts car company investments at risk (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Three major energy trends to watch: efficiency, renewables, distributed power (via GreenBiz)

Did the Clean Air Act unleash Atlantic hurricanes? (via Washington Post)

Renewable fuels debate: cutting through the hype (via Breaking Energy)

What will replace the California Solar Initiative? (via Renewable Energy World)

POLITICS 

Young US voters think Republican climate dissenters “crazy,” says poll (via The Guardian)

US Navy’s clean energy push to get focus at nomination hearing (via Wall Street Journal)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.12.13

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

CLIMATE 

Rising global temperatures accelerate drought-induced forest mortality (via Phys.org)

DOE to boost energy sector climate change efforts (via The Hill)

States seek flexibility in Obama climate plan (via Stateline)

Rising temperatures, shrinking snowpack fuel western wildfires (via Climate Central)

US admirals, generals link climate change to national security (via Public News Service)

ENERGY POLICY 

Japan’s “third arrow” aims for renewables, energy storage (via Renewable Energy World)

Use of coal to generate power rises; greenhouse gas emissions next? (via Los Angeles Times)

Pumping water underground for geothermal or fracking could trigger major earthquake, say scientists (via The Guardian)

RENEWABLES 

Q2 2013 global green investment at $53.1 billion (via Greentech Media)

France wind power feed-in tariff dispute nears finish line (via Recharge News)

New offshore wind turbines begin turning in Europe, but cash scarce (via Reuters)

California fast-tracks renewable energy projects (via Greentech Media)

California Solar Initiative shines with 391MW-installed record year (via CleanTechnica)

Walgreens taking on big boxes for solar energy leadership (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

IEA sees 20-year supply peak outpacing demand in 2014 (via Bloomberg)

Fracking pushes US oil output to highest level since 1992 (via Houston Chronicle)

US oil soars above $106 to 15-month high (via Wall Street Journal)

Gulf oil spill settlement payment offers reach nearly $4 billion (via Houston Chronicle)

Leaner BP blanches at bill for oil spill cleanup (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

OECD countries invest on average around 1% of GDP on road and rail infrastructure (via Green Car Congress)

The business model for solar-powered electric car charging (via Plug-in Cars)

Tesla Model S output speeds past 400 per week (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Air pollution kills more than 2 million people every year (via The Guardian)

Russia and Ukraine likely to block huge proposed Antarctic marine reserve (via The Guardian)

Glass sponge invasion follows Antarctic ice shelf retreat (via Los Angeles Times)

US drought grows for fourth straight week, South driest in weeks (via Reuters)

For Western landscapes, fire may be an agent of change (via ClimateWire)

Steep drop in coastal fish found in California power plant records (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID 

Global smart meter unit shipments will peak at 131 million annually in 2018 (via Navigant Research)

Distributed management systems help utilities balance complex loads (via Navigant Research)

ComEd deploying 4 million smart meters in Illinois (via Renew Grid)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

China raises natural gas prices 15% (via Energy Manager Today)

Distant seismic activity can trigger quakes at fracking sites (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How utilities can make any customer care about efficiency (via GreenBiz)

EIA launches energy efficiency program tracker (via Greentech Media)

Natgas industry push to repeal zero-carbon building law splits green community (via InsideClimate News)

POLITICS 

Infographic: the anti-science climate denier caucus (via Climate Progress)

Reid, McConnell spar on EPA nomination in “nuclear” debate (via The Hill)

Congress tries to turn off lights on efficient bulb mandates (via Houston Chronicle)

Over 10,000 Google users protest company’s Inhofe fundraiser (via Climate Progress)

OPINION 

German tariffs make green energy too expensive to store (via BBC News)

Hey utilities – have you seen the traffic in Los Angeles lately? (via RMI Outlet)

How climate change makes it harder to keep the lights on (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.11.13

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

EMISSIONS 

US, China agree on climate steps to curb emissions (via Washington Post)

Australia carbon emissions fell 7% in first year of carbon tax (via Platts)

A new one-stop shop for greenhouse gas emissions data (via WRI Insights)

Use of coal to generate power rises; greenhouse gas emissions next? (via Los Angeles Times)

Nanomaterials could accelerate CO2 removal from coal power plants (via RTCC)

Two more financial institutions divest from fossil fuels (via Energy Collective)

NATURAL GAS 

China wants bigger share of US shale revolution (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Clean energy investment rises 22% led by US, China (via Bloomberg)

Wind to double and solar to triple in 6 years, says IEA (via Greentech Media)

Worldwide solar PV market will pass $134 billion in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

HSBC: wind at parity with new coal in India, solar to join by 2018 (via Renew Economy)

Peru to use solar panels to provide electricity to 2 million people (via Latin American Herald Tribune)

EU parliament approve proposals to reduce biofuels emissions (via BusinessGreen)

Uncertainty over Australian Renewable Energy Target delays 1GW new wind (via Recharge)

State RPSs hold steady or expand in 2013 (via Energy Manager Today)

DoD, Interior inch closer to cooperation on renewable energy projects (via Federal Times)

Six Sioux tribes collaborate on biggest US wind farm (via Sustainable Business)

$1 billion cost to meet Colorado’s renewable-energy goal (via Denver Business Journal)

Rooftop solar takes off across California as costs come down (via San Jose Mercury News)

New York awards $54 million for 79 solar projects (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Texas A&M plans world’s largest solar testing center (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

IEA says US oil boom to erode OPEC market share in 2014 (via Reuters)

Russia to lift oil exports to Asia at expense of Europe (via Reuters)

Report says feds should expand damage assessment of BP oil spill (via Greenwire)

Canadian officials: death toll from train crash presumed at 50 (via Los Angeles Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

China widens car-purchase restrictions to fight pollution (via Bloomberg)

Upgraded urban travel could save $70 trillion by 2050 (via Phys.org)

European Commission launches $1.8 billion fuel cell and hydrogen research initiative (via Green Car Congress)

Ford refocuses, cuts price of 2014 electric car by 10% (via NBC News/Reuters)

GRID 

Climate change will cause more energy system breakdowns, warns US (via New York Times)

Power grids to spend $64 billion on new gear by 2020 (via Reuters)

Japan sets up hydrogen “task force” to advance fuel-cell infrastructure (via Autoblog Green)

Canada represents $7 billion in smart grid potential (via Renew Grid)

Continuous test operation begins for large-format Li-ion energy storage system (via Green Car Congress)

CLIMATE 

New report tracks decades of climate change (via Rolling Stone)

Study says some trees use less water amid rising carbon dioxide (via New York Times)

A scientific storm is brewing over the hurricane-climate connection (via Mother Jones)

Dangerous global warming could be reversed, say scientists (via The Guardian)

Chicago-sized iceberg calves off Antarctic glacier (via The Guardian)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese nuclear plant may have been leaking for two years (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

New EIA inventory tracks state energy efficiency programs (via US EIA)

House votes to block light bulb efficiency standards (via Climate Progress)

Nest and Opower talk strategy for residential demand response (via Greentech Media)

Curtailing energy during “peak power hour” reduces next year’s rates (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Carbon Trust unveils supplier directory for green businesses (via BusinessGreen)

Report: reducing emissions and increasing manufacturing can go hand in hand (via Greentech media)

Nike’s new “Making” app shows sustainability of clothing material (via Inhabitat)

Sustainability exchange for cities to collaborate on best practices (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

Battle rages over Obama’s climate standards for Keystone XL pipeline (via Washington Post) 

What David Vitter got for blocking Gina McCarthy (via Politico)

Conservative climate hawks to GOP: wake the hell up (via Mother Jones)

GOP aide writing anonymously: party should “reclaim” climate debate (via The Hill)

House panel approves bill curtailing EPA power on climate regulations (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Bad news: fossil fuels are more than keeping up with clean energy (via Washington Post)

The money behind fossil fuel exports (via Sightline Daily)

Green energy policy matters in selling EVs (via Houston Chronicle)