Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.21.14

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

CLIMATE 

Climate models accurately predicted global warming when reflecting natural ocean cycles (via The Guardian)

Climate models on the mark, finds Australian-led research (via Sydney Morning-Herald)

As Arctic ice melts, polar bears find a new menu (via Climate Central)

Boston may need canals to combat climate change (via WGBH)

Religious effort to halt climate change puts Rabbi Moti Reiber behind church pulpits (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Denmark declares wind “cheapest” form of power (via BusinessGreen)

Quebec seeks to strengthen its wind market (via Recharge)

Solar, wind account for over half of all new U.S. generation in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Wind turbines could rule Tornado Alley (via Forbes)

Maryland offshore wind auction date set, New Jersey auction proposed (via TriplePundit)

Feds to announce South Carolina ocean wind tracts in North Myrtle Beach (via The Sun-News)

Washington State just cut up to $2,500 off the cost of solar panels (via Grist)

SunEdison announces IPO pricing for solar yieldco (via Solar Industry Magazine)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexican energy sector reform takes step forward (via Wall Street Journal)

FERC tell utility industry group to beef up electric grid security proposal (via The Hill)

COAL 

India doubles coal tax to fund clean energy, environment projects (via CleanTechnica)

Minnesota governor calls for eliminating coal from state’s energy production (via Minnesota Public Radio)

Coal fuels brewpubs in Wyoming as Kentucky mines misery (via Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS 

World Bank sees “momentum” behind global carbon price (via RTCC)

Some Chinese carbon projects to exit UN offset market if allowed (via Reuters)

U.S. and China lead the way on carbon capture and storage (via Climate Central)

Some U.S. faith groups unload fossil-fuel investments (via Washington Post)

Drought hinders California’s emissions goals (via San Francisco Chronicle)

El Paso Electric to divest from coal and invest in solar (via Santa Fe New Mexican)

OIL 

Amid global turmoil, oil prices oddly stable (via Navigant Research)

Oil trains, born of U.S. energy boom, face test in new safety rules (via Reuters)

Did Obama just signal he’ll open the Atlantic Coast to drilling? (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

China now has more than 200 million EV drivers (via San Jose Mercury News)

Japan Prime Minister says country will offer $20,000 subsidy for fuel cell cars (via Reuters)

China to mandate one-third of government vehicles be plug-ins (via Green Car Report)

Fuel efficiencies drive down passenger vehicle energy demands (via Houston Chronicle)

How can the United States pay for road upkeep? (via Navigant Research)

Three things you may not know about EV maker Tesla Motors (via Motley Fool)

NUCLEAR 

“Empty and lonely” Fukushima towns struggle in catastrophe’s wake (via Greenwire)

Is EPA about to relax radiation protections from nuclear power? (via Forbes)

GRID 

India village claims first 100% solar, energy storage microgrid (via Renew Economy)

Microgrids: They’re kind of a big deal (via Renewable Energy World)

Behind the scenes at Aquion Energy’s battery factor and the future of solar storage (via GigaOm)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

The ten most energy efficient states in America (via Business Cheat Sheet)

LEDs will slash energy use for lighting by 95% (via Renew Economy)

ENVIRONMENT 

The great American oyster collapse (via Al-Jazeera)

Experts say wildfire threat is already above normal in Western U.S. states (via Washington Post)

EPA moves to thwart Alaskan copper and gold mine (via National Journal)

POLITICS 

Climate regulations back under the microscope in Congress (via The Hill)

Steyer cuts $2 million for climate, Mercer aids Tea Party (via Bloomberg)

A fracking problem for Colorado Democrats (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Australia’s decision to dump its carbon tax reveals more about politics than the environment (via Washington Post)

What if climate change triggers cooperation, not conflict? (via Huffington Post)

Combat global warming by taxing carbon (via The Oregonian)

Poll: Men and women think differently about energy, climate (via Time)

How should climate change be taught? (via National Journal)

Reflecting on climate change upon granddaughter’s birth (via Trenton Times)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.10.14

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

CLIMATE 

From Sao Paulo to Hong Kong, cities report economic climate threat (via Bloomberg)

UK defense ministry details global security impacts of climate change (via ClimateWire)

Loss of snowpack and glaciers in Rockies poses water threat (via Yale e360)

Sea level rise cuts across political divide in Norfolk, Va (via GreenBiz)

ENERGY POLICY 

Why China’s energy consumption will keep rising (via Energy Collective)

U.S. public lands fading as fossil fuels source (via Climate Central)

Federal government still spending billions to subsidize fossil fuels (via Huffington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Solar, wind to beat coal on costs in China, India by 2020 (via Renew Economy)

One-third of Germany’s power came from renewables in first half 2014 (via Yale e360)

Upcoming auctions position Brazil for major solar growth (via Solar Industry Magazine)

EIA projections show hydropower growth limited by economics, not resources (via US EIA)

Mercom Capital charts top solar deals of second quarter (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Chicago to announce new rooftop solar discount program (via Chicago Tribune)

Food waste is so yesterday – think biogas instead (via GreenBiz)

What you need to know about how clean energy yielcos work (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Coal’s last gasp in Europe (via The Economist)

Most U.K. coal plants to shut by 2023 on climate rules (via Bloomberg)

Mountaintop removal coal mining decimates Appalachian fish populations (via EcoWatch)

Missouri governor signs law blocking coal-related ballot measures (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

EMISSIONS 

Zero carbon and economic growth can go together, says UN study (via The Guardian)

Australian Senate rejects carbon tax repeal (via Reuters)

Australian PM seeks carbon price repeal next week after losing vote (via Bloomberg)

EU Parliament to consider carbon price fix this fall (via The Hill)

China’s Tianjin carbon market extends permit deadline again (via Reuters)

The shocking truth about British Columbia’s carbon tax: It works (via The Globe and Mail)

OIL 

Swaps could be next way around oil export ban (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

China makes new electric vehicles tax-free (via The Guardian)

Nissan launches “no charge to charge” program for Leaf buyers (via CleanTechnica)

ENVIRONMENT 

One-fifth of the Amazon may have been savannah before Europeans arrived (via Mongabay)

Freedom Industries fined $11,000 for historic West Virginia chemical spill (via Climate Progress)

The weird and wonderful world of indoor farming (via Think Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Fracking could supply one-third of UK gas by 2035, says National Grid (via RTCC)

GRID 

Modi budget plans $250 million to boost solar, grid to end India blackouts (via Bloomberg)

Transmission issues plague power-starved southern India states (via Panchabuta)

Washington State grants $14.3 million for energy storage systems (via Bloomberg)

NUCLEAR 

Tepco says it has turned corner on Fukushima nuclear cleanup (via Bloomberg)

Wisconsin reactor’s demise shows plight of nuclear towns (via Bloomberg)

KEYSTONE XL 

Nebraska court date pushes final Keystone XL decision past midterms (via Washington Post)

POLITICS 

House Republicans threaten to subpoena EPA over carbon rules (via The Hill)

White House threatens to veto energy spending bill over environmental riders (via The Hill)

Forget LeBron, it’s free agency season for green groups (via National Journal)

Study says rich Republicans are the worst climate deniers (via Mother Jones)

OPINION 

Here’s what the world would look like if we took global warming seriously (via Vox)

Sixty years after birth, it’s time for solar cells to get serious (via GigaOm)

Why we need a carbon tax (via Huffington Post)

Fix the climate problem? Easy – cut U.S. emissions to 1901 levels (via Bloomberg)

How Silveo could succeed where Solyndra failed (via Greentech Media)

Why Washington State’s $14.3 million energy storage program is so different from others (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.8.14

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

CLIMATE 

UN proposes building blocks of new climate deal (via Bloomberg)

U.S. and China set for latest climate change discussions (via RTCC)

France and India pledge cooperation at UN climate talks (via RTCC)

Lessons from a drowning nation (via Washington Post)

Climate change up close (via Ensia)

BBC cuts airtime for climate skeptics (via The Hill)

COAL 

Indian power plants running out of coal, imports to surge (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Renewable energy’s share of China power generation to reach 20% by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

Clean energy investment rebounds to highest level since 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Renewable energy share in UK electricity generation inches closer to 20% (via CleanTechnica)

Deutsche Bank lends $1 billion in Japan’s solar gold rush (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

India exploring desert-based renewable energy strategy (via BusinessGreen)

UK Crown Estate approves marine power sites, test zones (via Bloomberg)

Offshore wind energy traversing regulatory, financial currents (via Forbes)

Growing green bond market raises $20 billion in six months (via RTCC)

Four residential solar trends to watch in second half 2014 (via Greentech Media)

CitiBank official: ITC drop “beyond huge” (via Recharge)

Here’s a way to get utilities to embrace solar and batteries: Let them own the inverter (via Greentech Media)

Florida utilities working to crush nascent solar industry (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EU’s united front on Russia falling amid gas needs (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Ukraine-Europe gas link to run at full capacity this winter (via Bloomberg)

Saudi Aramco pulls the rug out from under U.S. natural gas industry (via CleanTechnica)

How are energy boom states dealing with fracking-related health complaints? (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Fracking fears grow as Oklahoma hit by more earthquakes than California (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Canadians are eating tar sands pollution (via Grist)

Lake Mead, largest U.S. reservoir, to reach record low this week (via Climate Progress)

NRDC petitions EPA to cancel neonicotinoid pesticides (via NRDC Switchboard)

A California oil field yields another prized commodity – water (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

More Chargepoint chargers than McDonalds now in U.S. (via CleanTechnica)

Why cars remain so appealing even in cities with decent public transit (via Washington Post)

A designer fuel for the environmentally-conscious supercar enthusiast (via Breaking Energy)

EMISSIONS 

Emissions reduction efforts gather steam (via Navigant Research)

EPA refutes charge NRDC played key role in emissions rule (via The Hill)

GRID 

Big microgrid savings from replacing diesel with energy storage (via Navigant Research)

Researchers developing supercomputer to tackle grid challenges (via Renewable Energy World)

Maine utilities to strengthen grid, provide renewables access (via Recharge)

POLITICS 

Outside groups spent lavishly on top DOE officials’ global travels (via Greenwire)

Behind Harry Reid’s war against the Koch Brothers (via Politico)

OPINION 

Primer on Beijing’s slice-and-dice approach to energy and climate reform (via Center for American Progress)

Picking the lesser of two climate evils (via New York Times)

Ignore the climate change deniers (via Politico)

Should Wall Street care about global warming? (via National Journal)

Climate pricing and strange bedfellows (via Energy Collective)

Could California’s climate revolution change the national conversation? (via Huffington Post)

Jerry Brown on clean energy: The hard part is yet to come (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.3.14

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

COAL 

Port wants to load coal between ships in middle of Great Barrier Reef (via The Guardian)

Study: Mountaintop removal reduces fish population (via Charleston Gazette)

Vanishing coal jobs weigh on U.S.-backed pension plans (via Bloomberg)

Manchin Ex-Im bill proposes rolling back coal restrictions (via The Hill)

Wyoming sticks by coal despite upheaval (via Wall Street Journal)

RENEWABLES 

India plans world’s largest floating solar power project at 50MW (via CleanTechnica)

Australia’s $10 billion clean-energy bank to announce solar deals (via Bloomberg)

Holland: Pioneering sustainable district heating innovations (via Energy Collective)

China’s second-biggest hydropower plant completed (via Reuters)

Desertec’s second wind (via Recharge)

EPA qualifies new biogas, electricity pathways for cellulosic biofuel requirement under RFS (via Green Car Congress)

Will offshore wind pick up speed? (via Huffington Post)

The rise of residential solar PV customers (via Renewable Energy World)

Distributed wind energy: The new cash crop (via Renewable Energy World)

Interior Department to auction site off Maryland for offshore wind (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

New York State fracking ruling leaves shale industry weary (via Christian Science Monitor)

CLIMATE 

Researchers say costs of climate change being massively underestimated (via CleanTechnica)

Climate-driven wildfires consume forest service budget (via Bloomberg)

New storm surge maps debut with TS Arthur (via Climate Central)

Why New York City might need canals to survive (via Fast Company)

Sea-level rise cuts across political divide in Norfolk, Virginia (via World Resources Institute)

OIL 

Oil prices decline, despite bullish oil inventory data (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

BP says we have 53.3 years of oil left (via Autoblog)

EMISSIONS 

Glasgow University could ditch £19 million in fossil fuel assets (via RTCC)

EPA moves to slash methane at landfills, oil wells (via Climate Central)

EPA adds hearings on power plan carbon regulations (via The Hill)

Four carbon-pricing pitfalls to avoid (via Sightline Daily)

ENVIRONMENT 

The disaster we’ve wrought on the world’s oceans may be irrevocable (via Newsweek)

UN green fund to seek cash in November; poor nations want $15 billion (via Reuters)

UK take from environmental taxes reaches £43 billion in 2013 (via BusinessGreen)

The costly lobbying war over America’s dying honeybees (via National Journal)

As their yards go brown, Californians pocket the green (via Greenwire)

California drought: America’s golden state runs dry and its farmers are struggling to survive (via The Independent)

POLITICS 

Iraq violence has restarted Bernie Sanders’ gas-price fight with Wall Street

Australian prime minister attempts to undermine global climate action (via EcoWatch)

League of Conservation Voters beefs up with hiring of climate veteran (via National Journal)

OPINION 

How climate change could foil China’s smog-fighting efforts (via New York Times)

Peak coal: Why the industry’s days are numbered (via GreenBiz)

Three signs clean tech is booming in 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Is divestment at catholic universities a climate game changer? (via Huffington Post)

America needs to raise the gas tax – and then get rid of it (via Washington Post)

David Crane’s green vision for carbon-belching NRG Energy (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.2.14

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

CLIMATE 

Caribbean coral reefs “will be lost within 20 years” (via The Guardian)

U.S. military bases threatened by climate change (via Fiscal Times)

What every governor really believes about climate change, in one handy map (via Climate Progress)

VA governor revives climate change panel, citing sea level rise threat (via Washington Post/AP)

Eight summer miseries made worse by global warming, from poison ivy to allergies (via National Geographic)

ENERGY POLICY 

EU utilities will suffer from low power prices until 2020, says Moody’s (via Retuers)

RENEWABLES 

BNEF: Renewable energy’s about to dominate global power investments (via CleanTechnica)

Research shows solar panels benefit crops (via Ashland Daily Tidings)

New EIA energy maps show four renewable energy trends (via Greentech Media)

U.S. Northeast added more than 800MW of new renewables capacity in 2013 (via Renew Grid)

Cape Wind gets $150 million boost from U.S. Energy Department (via Boston Globe)

Will EPA carbon rules push Michigan harder on clean energy? (via Midwest Energy News)

NextEra yieldco IPO raises $442.7 million (via Recharge)

Barclays and MSCI launch green bond index (via BusinessGreen)

COAL 

Colorado coal mine rejection on global-warming grounds has major implications (via InsideClimate News)

Georgia coal-to-solar pivot shows the way on climate regulations (via Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS 

The amount of atmospheric CO2 just reached a new record, and scientists are worried (via Climate Progress)

Giving up fossil fuels to save the climate: The $28 trillion write-down (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

Nine states join lawsuit against EPA climate rule (via The Hill)

EPA looks to reduce emissions at landfills (via The Hill)

EPA’s CO2 rule and the back door to cap and trade (via Energy Collective)

ENVIRONMENT 

Plastic disappearing from oceans, scientists say, but why? (via Sydney Morning Herald)

Brazil made big environmental promises for its Rio Olympics – here’s why it won’t keep them (via National Journal)

California may step up water restrictions enforcement amid drought (via Reuters)

Water use fell 23% in March as LA reports driest two-year total (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Bakken Shale oil producers told to cut flaring or face punishment (via Houston Chronicle)

With North Dakota oil boom comes concern over spills (via Christian Science Monitor)

TRANSPORTATION 

While you’re asleep, electric car owners are guzzling power (via Mashable)

Chevy Volt sales drop in June, Nissan Leaf inches upward (via Autoblog Green)

Gas prices at six-year high heading into July 4th holiday weekend (via The Hill)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

North Dakota’s latest fracking problem: Burning off excess gas (via Wall Street Journal)

Russia says European Union requests natural gas talks (via Reuters)

GRID 

Hackers find open back door to power grid with renewables (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

IEA: $80 billion wasted on power for online devices in 2013 (via BusinessGreen)

LED lighting will constitute 94% of annual global street lighting sales by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

GE opens a pricing war over the connected LED light bulb (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

How El Nino will change the world’s weather in 2014 (via The Guardian)

EPA’s carbon rule is both a tax and a subsidy (via Forbes)

If Jerry Brown is so green, why is he allowing fracking in California? (via The Nation)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.1.14

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

CLIMATE 

India plans to overhaul approach to UN climate talks (via RTCC)

Besieged by rising tides of climate change, Kiribati buys land in Fiji (via The Guardian)

Pentagon to escalate global warming preparations for bases (via U.S. News & World Report)

Wall Street’s climate war intensifies with new weapons (via National Journal)

The fine line between sugarcoating and panic on climate change (via Washington Post)

KEYSTONE XL 

Tar sands expansion cools down without Keystone XL (via NRDC Switchboard)

RENEWABLES 

EU states avoid green energy overhaul after court backs Swedish scheme (via Reuters)

Renewables to get most of $7.7 trillion new power plant investments by 2030 (via Bloomberg)

China becomes world’s largest solar PV market (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewable energy saves Fortune 500 companies over $1 billion (via CleanTechnica)

Bangladesh to receive $78.4 million from World Bank for solar home systems (via Shanghai Daily)

The rise of Big Solar in Chile (via Forbes)

Solar companies sue to stop property taxes on leased rooftop panels (via Arizona Republic)

Six trailblazers banking on clean energy finance (via GreenBiz)

NRG Yield adds new solar assets (via Recharge)

Two-bladed wind turbines make a comeback (via MIT Technology Review)

Illinois putting $30 million into solar investments (via Southern Illinoisan)

Receding Lake Mead poses challenges to Hoover Dam’s power output (via EnergyWire)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

China fuels new boom in natural gas (via ClimateWire)

New York’s top court says towns can ban fracking (via Financial Post/Reuters)

Fracking study finds new natural gas wells leak more than older ones (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

FERC approves second LNG export project (via Breaking Energy)

Shale’s junk debt at risk if Fed raises rates (via Houston Chronicle)

EMISSIONS 

Carbon has best quarter in six years amid EU permit-supply curbs (via Bloomberg)

Court blocks Arch Coal mine expansion for not counting costs of carbon pollution (via Climate Progress)

Basis for EPA Clean Power Plan cuts a “mystery” (via Climate Central)

GRID 

Here’s where solar, storage, and microgrids are taking hold in the U.S. (via Greentech Media)

Symantec warns of hacker threat against energy companies (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Capacity of U.S. petroleum refineries increases by 101,000 barrels per day (via Environmental Leader)

North Dakota and Texas now provide nearly half U.S. crude oil production (via U.S. EIA)

TRANSPORTATION 

Supreme Court won’t hear dispute over California fuel standard (via Greenwire)

2015 Toyota Prius launch pushed back six months: Report (via Green Car Reports)

ENVIRONMENT 

Plastic debris widespread on ocean surface, finds study (via Huffington Post)

Indonesia now has the highest rate of deforestation in the world (via Time)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

EU leaders divided on 2030 energy efficiency target (via RTCC)

Energy efficiency investments create 17 jobs per one million dollars in U.S. Southeast (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

Report: Voters more likely to back climate-friendly candidate (via The Hill)

All policy is local: 2014 Congressional races defined by energy issues (via Politico)

Coal fires up West Virginia House of Representatives race (via Politico)

Sen. Beigich talks climate change (via KCAW)

FERC Commissioner Norris expects not to seek another term (via SNL Energy)

OPINION 

U.S. steps toward more China solar tariffs – for the wrong reasons? (via Breaking Energy)

Happy birthday carbon tax….been god to know you (via Renew Economy)

Is climate change destabilizing Iraq? (via Mother Jones)

Closing the renewable energy investment gap (via WRI Insights)

What’s next for U.S. oil exports? (via National Journal)

Australia Institute director says Gore-Palmer ploy reset climate debate (via The Guardian)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.27.14

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

CLIMATE 

Green bonds show path to $1 trillion market for climate (via Bloomberg)

Wall Street: Your climate war has arrived (via National Journal)

What are schools teaching your kids about global warming? (via National Journal)

New mapping technology shows whether global warming will drown your town (via Washington Post)

ENERGY POLICY 

French proposal on 2030 EU energy goals could ease gridlock (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Denmark to establish $1 billion green fund (via Energy Manager Today)

China boosts solar exports to developing countries as trade tension mounts with U.S. (via BusinessGreen)

UK audit questions $28 billion in clean energy projects (via Bloomberg)

El Salvador awards contracts for 94MW of solar (via Bloomberg)

Utilities move to kick rooftop solar off the grid in Australia (via Renew Economy)

Brazil to retain transmission and distribution discount on wind energy (via Recharge)

CBO says U.S. gas prices to rise if biofuel mandate not cut (via Reuters)

Distributed renewable energy comes under fire (via CleanTechnica)

As Ohio shuts down clean energy, businesses say they want more renewables (via Greentech Media)

Wisconsin electric cooperative unveils state’s first community solar project (via Madison.com)

EMISSIONS 

EU seen curbing coal use by quadrupling carbon price (via Bloomberg)

Beijing emitters trade 1.6 million carbon permits in fist seven months of pilot program (via Reuters)

Abbott “optimistic” on carbon tax repeal despite crossbench senator’s concerns (via The Guardian)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S. produced most oil in 2013, says BP report (via Christian Science Monitor)

Federal officials say oil train dangers extend past Bakken shipments (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Oil boom fuels drop in average age of Great Plains states (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

North Dakota plans to double pipeline capacity in just two years (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

EVs get support in Canada with tax incentives, wireless charging (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla’s patent giveaway paves the EV freeway (via Navigant Research)

Will Georgia’s $5,000 EV tax credit be axed in 2015? (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

U.S. shale spurs record investments by foreign chemical makers (via Bloomberg)

Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas exploring possible connections between fracking, earthquakes (via Topeka Capital-Journal)

Goldman says shale gas boom driving fear from market (via Bloomberg)

Air pollution spikes in homes near fracking wells (via Forbes)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

High-tech firms focus on energy efficiency to confront climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

LEED for roads: Greener infrastructure gains momentum (via GreenBiz)

KEYSTONE XL 

Support for Keystone XL is almost universal (via Washington Post)

ENVIRONMENT 

Indonesia seeks $5 billion to cut CO2 from deforestation (via Bloomberg)

Battle gets underway for control of .eco domain name (via The Guardian)

California wind farm first in U.S. to avoid penalty for dead eagles (via Wall Street Journal)

NASA shows big drop in air pollution over D.C., I-95 corridor since 2005 (via Washington Post)

POLITICS 

Obama has a response to GOP “I am not a scientist” line (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Scorched farms, flooded homes, lower productivity: The cost of doing nothing (via The Economist)

Solar tariffs seem certain to hurt U.S. installation market (via Solar Industry Magazine)

How solar finance is driving solar businesses to change (via CleanTechnica)

The oil boom in one slick infographic (via Grist)

How climate change ate conservatism’s smartest thinkers (via The Week)

Lessons from Rhode Island: How to pass climate laws in the U.S. (via RTCC)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.25.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Australian Senate leader to support carbon-price repeal (via Bloomberg)

EPA’s first carbon regs nearly unscathed after years of litigation (via Greenwire)

Congressional observers doubt GOP can blog funding for EPA carbon rules (via SNL Energy)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

First Nations being courted to back tar sands refineries on their land (via InsideClimate News)

Republicans renew push for Keystone vote in Senate (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Over 7GW new solar PV capacity installed in Japan last fiscal year (via CleanTechnica)

U.K. solar industry set to hit 9GW in rush to meet subsidy deadline (via BusinessGreen)

Sustainable district heating from seawater? It’s happening in Holland (via CleanTechnica)

Concentrated solar power could compete with natural gas, says study (via Yale e360)

U.S. financial sector lags in clean energy investment (via Energy Manager Today)

Challenges to financing renewable energy projects on U.S. military sites (via Renewable Energy World)

NRG CEO says residential solar competitive with utility power in 25 states next year (via Green Car Reports)

Southern California Edison seems 290MW in small-scale renewables (via Solar Industry Magazine)

SunPower and SolarCity emerge as fierce solar roof rivals (via GigaOm)

Report: Michigan could expand solar without raising rates (via Midwest Energy News)

Two universities in D.C. make deal to buy solar power (via Washington Post/AP)

CLIMATE 

G20 summit: Obama expected to discuss “critical issue” of climate change (via The Guardian)

May was hottest on Earth since records began (via The Guardian)

Eastern U.S.: Coldest spot on Earth so far in 2014 (via Washington Post)

Former Treasury chiefs agree: Get the SEC into the climate mix (via National Journal)

On N.C.’s Outer Banks, climate change predictions prompt change of forecast (via Washington Post)

OIL 

OPEC secretary general says no oil shortage exists (via Reuters)

U.S. ruling loosens four-decade ban on oil exports (via Wall Street Journal)

Canada’s safety board chief urges U.S. to phase out old rail cars (via Reuters)

1,250-pound tar mat discovered off Florida beach (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Japan bets big on making fuel cell cars a near-future reality (via Reuters)

California lawmakers urge change to vehicle carbon emissions plan (via Los Angeles Times)

COAL 

In Wyoming, going deep to draw energy from coal (via NPR)

GRID 

Fewer wind curtailments, negative power prices in Texas after CREZ grid expansion (via U.S. EIA)

Five key disruptors on the grid edge (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

U.K. Green Investment Bank backs £2 small business energy efficiency fund (via BusinessGreen)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Best Global Green Brands revealed, Ford leads list (via Environmental Leader)

Minneapolis announced as U.S. leader in green commercial space (via Environmental Leader)

ENERGY POLICY 

Merkel to push back against EU if Germany’s green energy subsidies questioned (via Reuters)

Report: Independent producers leading growth in U.S. oil and gas reserves (via Houston Chronicle)

Colorado suspends oil and gas wastewater disposal well after quake (via Reuters)

OPINION 

How to untangle yourself from clean energy finance jargon (via GreenBiz)

How the Gateway pipeline stokes simmering fury among British Columbia natives (via Globe and Mail)

Could Opower soon enter the community solar business? (via Greentech Media)

EPA’s clever legal trick could save its clean power plan (via Energy Collective)

POLITICS 

White House says it has “no misgivings” about Steyer meeting (via The Hill)

Joe Manchin, Sheldon Whitehouse seek middle ground on climate change (via Politico)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.22.14

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

GRID 

Utility spending on smart grid as a service will total $57.6 billion from 2014 through 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Will utilities heed the grid defection alarm? (via Energy Collective)

When will smart meters’ day come? (via EnergyWire)

Solar paired with energy storage scores a regulatory win in California (via Greentech Media)

EMISSIONS 

EPA is readying climate rule for existing power plants as deadline approaches (via Washington Post)

Obama divides power industry with emissions rule utilities accept (via Bloomberg)

States pressing EPA for energy efficiency credits in power plant regulations, says Moniz (via Greenwire)

IDIOCY 

Pat Sajak: Climate change tweet “parody” (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

China solar makers seek talks to resolve trade dispute with U.S. (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

European utility says wind now cheapest form of generation (via Renew Economy)

Biofuels for road transportation will reach $338 billion in annual revenue by 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Connecticut agency closes on $30 million PACE financing deal (via New Haven Register)

Innovative farm methane energy projects clash with Wisconsin policy (via Midwest Energy News)

COAL 

China curbs capital’s coal consumption to combat smog (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

UN climate fund agrees to rules, paving way to raise capital (via Bloomberg)

Climate change is single most divisive issue, says poll (via Huffington Post)

North Carolina wants to nominate climate deniers to study sea level rise (via Climate Progress)

How South Florida is ignoring the state’s leading politicians to take on climate change (via Climate Progress)

Pope Francis on climate change: “If we destroy creation, creation will destroy us” (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

$400 billion gas deal shows Russia looking to China to replace western money (via Forbes)

Venezuela plans first shale gas exploration project (via Reuters)

Kerry says Russia-China gas deal not linked to Ukraine (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Will ads run on your Nest thermostat one day? (via GigaOm)

OIL 

Write-down on two-thirds of US shale oil explodes fracking myth (via The Guardian)

Oil climbs to $104 as U.S. supplies drop sharply (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

BP lodges Supreme Court appeal to limit Gulf of Mexico oil spill settlement (via The Guardian)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU aims to put brake on truck emissions with new regulations (via BusinessGreen)

Nissan’s electric vehicle free-charging program hits speed bump (via San Francisco Chronicle)

GM has installed 401 EV charge stations at US facilities, 5,900 at dealerships (via Green Car Congress)

KEYSTONE XL 

Nebraska Supreme Court to weigh Keystone XL by October (via Politico)

ENVIRONMENT 

California drought threatens US food supply; collapsing aquifer sinking the land (via Weather Channel)

373,000 Colorado homes at high wildfire risk (via Coloradoan)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima Daiichi begins pumping groundwater into Pacific (via The Guardian)

POLITICS 

The House Science Committee has held more hearings on aliens than climate change (via National Journal)

Steyer’s PAC targets seven races for November (via Politico)

Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate opposes anti-green energy bill (via Toledo Blade)

OPINION 

Crimea oil and gas will not come easy for Russia (via Christian Science Monitor)

Climate change and the American economy (via The Hill)

How green spaces could stop cities from overheating (via The Guardian)

Monterey Shale: Fracking’s great moment of derp (via CleanTechnica)

Meet me in New York, says Bill McKibben – it’s time to get arrested (via Grist)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.20.14

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

EMISSIONS

Shell says fossil fuel reserves won’t be “stranded” by climate regulation (via Reuters)

Emissions from 10 food and drink companies “higher than Scandinavia” (via BusinessGreen)

EPA carbon curbs to reach beyond power plant “fence,” aiding cap-and-trade (via Reuters)

Pundits weigh risks, benefits of Obama himself rolling out power plant rule (via Greenwire)

IEA graphic shows how to radically reduce CO2 (via Climate Central)

RGGI carbon market monitor releases report (via Environmental Leader)

RENEWABLES 

UK will be largest solar PV market in Europe in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

German lesson for renewable power policies (via Energy Collective)

GE has invested $10 billion in clean energy (via CleanTechnica)

8GW of new US solar PV expected in 2014-2015 (via Recharge)

EPA mulls ethanol change as industry profits soar (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Maryland’s $200 million wind energy project will move forward thanks to governor’s veto (via Climate Progress)

When solar property taxes get personal (via Renewable Energy World)

COAL 

Inslee wants to wean electric utilities off coal (via The Columbian)

The coal ash sludge in North Carolina’s Dan River is finally getting vacuumed up (via Climate Progress)

CLIMATE 

Doubling of Antarctic ice loss revealed by European satellite (via The Guardian)

Greenland ice sheet melt could occur yearly by 2100 (via Climate Central)

Reports say collapse of West Antarctic Ice Sheet is unstoppable, may cause great flood (via Elite Daily)

North Korea: An unlikely champion in the fight against climate change (via The Guardian)

Vancouver wants review to examine economic effects of climate change (via Vancouver Sun)

Many U.S. landmarks threatened by climate change (via Gannett News)

Local leaders call for U.S. help to deal with climate change (via Bloomberg)

Study says cities depending on snowmelt for water could face problems (via Christian Science Monitor)

In landmark class action, Farmers Insurance sues local governments for ignoring climate change (via Climate Progress)

Kerry calls on U.S. college graduates to face down climate change (via Reuters)

ENERGY POLICY 

Chile gets an energy agenda, Costa Rica saves electricity, Mexico wants more renewables (via NRDC Switchboard)

Integrated resources planning in India could help with electricity shortages (via World Resources Institute)

Read the secret trade memo calling for more fracking and offshore drilling (via Huffington Post)

Former Mexican President calls for global green growth push (via BusinessGreen)

ENVIRONMENT 

Did scientists just solve the bee collapse mystery? (via Mother Jones)

Obama to declare largest national monument in his tenure in New Mexico (via Washington Post)

Drought could cost California Central Valley farms $1.7 billion and 14,500 jobs (via Los Angeles Times)

California governor on drought, wildfires: “Humanity is on a collision course with nature” (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

IHS says EV sales are better than you think (via Autoblog Green)

FTC staff comes out in favor of Tesla, direct vehicle sales (via Autoblog Green)

GM reduced energy and carbon intensity 3.5% per vehicle in 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

New Fisker owner ready to go broke building EVs, challenging Tesla (via Autoblog Green)

GRID

Solar and storage are pushing the market for distributed resource management tools (via Greentech Media)

UC San Diego is building the “Motel 6” of microgrids (via Greentech Media)

Ohio looks to fuel cells as economic catalyst (via Midwest Energy News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Opower expands behavioral demand response to one million customers (via Greentech Media)

Keep your cool: Top five myths of summer energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Freezing Ohio energy efficiency standards will mean higher bills for customers (via Columbus Business First)

POLITICS 

Ontario election holds renewable energy impact (via Recharge)

The most interesting climate policy debate you haven’t heard of (via Climate Progress)

In Alaska senate race, fierce competition to prove who knows less about climate science (via Climate Progress)

Climate activist Members of Congress to “sound alarm” on Capitol Hill (via The Hill)

Biden to attend fundraiser with Keystone XL opponent Steyer (via Reuters)

OPINION 

Climate change: Get ready or get sued (via Washington Post)

Carbon pricing vs. regulation (via Energy Collective)

Trains and crude oil are too often an accident waiting to happen (via Los Angeles Times)

What the Farmers Insurance suit tells us about climate change (via NRDC Switchboard)

Where should the investors divest? (via Resilience)