Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.13.14

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

NATURAL GAS 

EU parliament excludes shale gas from tougher environmental code (via The Guardian)

Europe looks to cut Russian gas imports amid Ukraine crisis (via Christian Science Monitor)

Marcellus tops major US shale plays in drill rig productivity (via StateImpact Texas)

Wyoming Supreme Court reverses district court decision on fracking fluid disclosure (via Casper Star-Tribune)

KEYSTONE XL 

Foreigners play a key role in comments protesting Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Three EU countries hit 2020 renewable benchmarks early (via Climate Central)

Study: Wind power saves Europe €2.4 billion worth of water every year (via BusinessGreen)

Vestas back on top as wind turbine installation leader (via Renewable Energy World)

Wind leaves nuclear behind in China (via CleanTechnica)

1st Latin American Solar Decathlon set for Colombia in 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

Top 10 US cities for solar power (via Fast Company)

Clean energy job growth in US starts to slip (via Forbes)

Poll: 75% of US homeowners say utilities shouldn’t block solar (via Greentech Media)

SolarCity inks deal to sell solar panels at Best Buy (via SmartPlanet)

Texas leads growth in clean energy jobs (via Houston Chronicle)

Minnesota becomes first state to set “value of solar” tariff (via Midwest Energy News)

Massachusetts: The Commonwealth of solar (via Greentech Media)

Renewables could meet nearly one-third Michigan’s energy needs (via UCS)

GRID 

US power grid preparedness falls short, says report (via New York Times)

EMISSIONS 

China sticks with coal gasification to curb smog despite potentially big rise in CO2 emissions (via ClimateWire)

Russia considers domestic carbon market in global warming fight (via Bloomberg)

Study projects explosive African emissions growth from fossil fuels and biofuels (via Green Car Congress)

EU backs big cuts on super-strength greenhouse gases (via RTCC)

House GOP launches probe into EPA power plant emissions rule (via The Hill)

OIL 

US to tap strategic petroleum reserve (via Houston Chronicle)

US surprises oil market with sale from strategic petroleum reserve (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Toyota expects hybrids will soon reach 20% global sales volume (via Autoblog)

Norway will become first nation with one EV for every hundred cars (via Inhabitat)

California’s pioneering low-carbon fuels rule could see multiple changes (via ClimateWire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Indiana lawmakers flip off switch on state’s energy efficiency program (via NWI Times)

Indiana governor to decide fate of energy efficiency standard (via EnergyWire)

NUCLEAR 

General Electric sued over 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster (via United Press International)

ENVIRONMENT 

Earth has a secret reservoir of water, say scientists (via Agence France-Presse)

California drought to drive up long-term food prices (via San Jose Mercury News)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexico anticipates energy overhaul will bring in billions (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Exporting liquefied natural gas is a dreadful idea for the climate (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.11.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Germany’s carbon targets in doubt as emissions rise in 2013 (via RTCC)

Bank of England warned over carbon bubble – should you be worried? (via TreeHugger)

China pledges harsher punishment in fight against smog (via Bloomberg)

OIL 

Does a 1,000-mile international pipeline need a permit? (via Houston Chronicle)

Major gaps in plan to slow down oil trains (via National Journal)

State official says Canadian oil won’t hurt North Dakota’s output (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Americans took a record 10.7 billion public transit trips in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

From mines to megawatts: The promise of “conflict-free Big Solar” (via GreenBiz)

ALEC launches new effort to influence local government policy (via Climate Progress)

Lux: Biofuels face sharp slowdown to 3.2% annual growth as next-generation fuels emerge (via Green Car Congress)

California electric grid sets solar generation record (via Reuters)

Cheapest solar ever? Austin Energy buys PV from SunEdison at 5 cents per kilowatt-hour (via Greentech Media)

Small biomass power plants could help rural economies, stabilize national power grid, says study (via Phys.org)

COAL 

Coal to the rescue, but maybe not next winter (via New York Times)

CLIMATE 

India’s view on climate change shifts toward adaptation, clean energy (via ClimateWire)

GAO: Climate change threatens infrastructure (via Climate Central)

CEOs face record shareholder interest in managing corporate climate risks (via ClimateWire)

Conserving water, cutting greenhouse gases may conflict in drought-parched Southwest (via ClimateWire)

Democrats: Round-the-clock climate speeches not just hot air (via Politico)

Democrats clock all-nighter with climate talk (via ABC News/AP)

NATURAL GAS 

Central Europeans want US gas to cut dependence on Russia (via Reuters)

EU leaders to urge greater effort to cut gas imports (via Reuters)

GRID 

California’s solar demands reshape grid’s energy load (via EarthTechling)

Hotbed for microgrids grows in “energy cul-de-sac” (via EnergyWire)

Predicting PV plant power fluctuations and optimizing energy storage (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Maryland government reduces energy 11% since 2008 (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Why the Keystone XL pipeline matters for climate (via Huffington Post)

Here’s one way to rally support for oil and coal exports: Tax them (via Washington Post)

Solar poll: What do US homeowners think about clean energy? (via CleanTechnica)

How climate change drove the rise of Ghengis Khan (via Time)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.5.14

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

EMISSIONS 

EU agrees to watered-down deal on aviation carbon emissions (via The Guardian)

Minnesota power supplier calls for regional carbon pricing (via ClimateWire)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine seen building support for US natural gas export (via Bloomberg)

Don’t expect international shale boom quite yet, say experts (via Houston Chronicle)

Maryland court rules in favor of natural gas export proposal (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Flow reversal provides major “de-bottlenecking” for Marcellus Shale gas (via EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES 

PV capacity in the Americas to rise tenfold by 2030 (via Solar Industry)

$200 million coal tax revenue to fund 1GW solar park in India (via CleanTechnica)

Mexico to add 500MW of new wind projects (via Bloomberg)

China promoting recovery in solar industry, says official (via Bloomberg)

Japan to “mobilize all necessary” renewables measures (via Bloomberg)

Trina Solar expects up to 3.8GW module shipments in 2014 (via Recharge)

US solar jumps 41% in 2013, driven by residential demand (via Bloomberg)

Morgan Stanley says US could have 129GW commercial solar by 2018 (via Renew Economy)

Wind brings carbon-free economic boom to northwest Iowa (via EarthTechling)

Oregon wave energy plan collapses (via EarthTechling)

OIL 

DOE prepares for deeper look at US crude oil exports (via National Journal)

Enbridge to spend $7 billion to double capacity of cross-border pipeline (via Financial Post)

Governor Cuomo urges DHS, DOT to strengthen oil train safety (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla to open 30 new service centers and stores in Europe, expand Supercharger network (via Green Car Congress)

Average US new vehicle fuel economy hit 25.2 mpg in February (via Green Car Congress)

CLIMATE 

Global warming may threaten World Heritage sites (via Agence France-Presse)

Obama stands by energy strategy while pushing climate change fund (via The Hill)

House passes flood insurance bill (via USA Today)

Chipotle warns it might stop serving guacamole if climate change worsens (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

Transformers could be weak link in US power grid (via United Press International)

ENVIRONMENT 

California drought linked to polluted winter air (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

Harry Reid continues showdown with Kochs (via Politico)

John Podesta: The man behind Obama’s new environment push (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.5.14

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

EMISSIONS 

EU agrees to watered-down deal on aviation carbon emissions (via The Guardian)

Minnesota power supplier calls for regional carbon pricing (via ClimateWire)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine seen building support for US natural gas export (via Bloomberg)

Don’t expect international shale boom quite yet, say experts (via Houston Chronicle)

Maryland court rules in favor of natural gas export proposal (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Flow reversal provides major “de-bottlenecking” for Marcellus Shale gas (via EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES 

PV capacity in the Americas to rise tenfold by 2030 (via Solar Industry)

$200 million coal tax revenue to fund 1GW solar park in India (via CleanTechnica)

Mexico to add 500MW of new wind projects (via Bloomberg)

China promoting recovery in solar industry, says official (via Bloomberg)

Japan to “mobilize all necessary” renewables measures (via Bloomberg)

Trina Solar expects up to 3.8GW module shipments in 2014 (via Recharge)

US solar jumps 41% in 2013, driven by residential demand (via Bloomberg)

Morgan Stanley says US could have 129GW commercial solar by 2018 (via Renew Economy)

Wind brings carbon-free economic boom to northwest Iowa (via EarthTechling)

Oregon wave energy plan collapses (via EarthTechling)

OIL 

DOE prepares for deeper look at US crude oil exports (via National Journal)

Enbridge to spend $7 billion to double capacity of cross-border pipeline (via Financial Post)

Governor Cuomo urges DHS, DOT to strengthen oil train safety (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla to open 30 new service centers and stores in Europe, expand Supercharger network (via Green Car Congress)

Average US new vehicle fuel economy hit 25.2 mpg in February (via Green Car Congress)

CLIMATE 

Global warming may threaten World Heritage sites (via Agence France-Presse)

Obama stands by energy strategy while pushing climate change fund (via The Hill)

House passes flood insurance bill (via USA Today)

Chipotle warns it might stop serving guacamole if climate change worsens (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

Transformers could be weak link in US power grid (via United Press International)

ENVIRONMENT 

California drought linked to polluted winter air (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

Harry Reid continues showdown with Kochs (via Politico)

John Podesta: The man behind Obama’s new environment push (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.3.14

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

EMISSIONS 

China may build biggest smog lab to control pollution (via Bloomberg)

Norwegian government reviews fossil fuel divestment plan (via BusinessGreen)

EPA set to reveal tough new sulfur emissions rule (via New York Times)

KEYSTONE XL 

Hundreds arrested at White House Keystone XL protest (via Politico)

Native Americans vow a last stand to block Keystone XL oil pipeline (via Washington Post)

Boxer joins Grivalja in push for Keystone XL contractor review probe (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

US biodiesel production sets annual and monthly records (via Facts of the Day)

Analysis finds some research studies may overstate energy crop yields by as much as 100 percent (via Green Car Congress)

Battle over renewable energy ahead in Kansas legislative session (via Lawrence Journal-World)

PUC pushes limits on Pennsylvania solar net metering actions (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Cape Wind finds cash, eyes 2016 for offshore wind operation (via EarthTechling)

Maine governor seeks to get rid of wind energy goals (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

CLIMATE 

Flood damage cost to rise fivefold across Europe by 2050 (via The Guardian)

Russia outlines plans to meet 2020 climate goals (via RTCC)

Apple CEO advises climate change deniers to get out of company stock (via CNET)

More companies face climate-related risks to supply chains (via GreenBiz)

GRID 

Joint-operating dispute reignites between Midwest grid operators (via EnergyWire)

Southwest Power Pool launches new market, is poised to double in size (via EnergyWire)

Energy storage: California’s new green tech battleground (via Forbes)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

IEA chief: Only a decade left in US shale boom (via Christian Science Monitor)

US natural gas prices rise a second day on winter storm, Ukraine escalation (via Bloomberg)

LA city council takes step toward fracking ban (via Los Angeles Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

EPA takes step toward restricting Pebble Mine project on Alaska’s Bristol Bay (via Washington Post)

California governor signs $687 million drought relief legislation (via Reuters)

California rain brings mudslides but no drought relief (via Time)

North Carolina regulators cite Duke Energy in coal ash spill (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Top 10 regions for EV growth in US – Atlanta crushing it! (via CleanTechnica)

Almost $1 billion in claims filed against bankrupt Fisker (via Autoblog Green)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexico energy overhaul could renew interest in green power (via Houston Chronicle)

In search of new sales, defense contractors embrace energy market (via Washington Post)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

DOE steams ahead with third appliance standard in Obama’s “year of action” (via Greenwire)

OPINION 

Edison Electric Institute really does not want you to go solar (via Greentech Media)

Batteries combined with rooftop solar may speed grid’s “death spiral” (via EnergyWire)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.5.14

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

CLIMATE 

World had sixth-hottest year on record in 2013, says UN (via Bloomberg)

2013 marked 37th consecutive year of above-average temperatures (via Grist)

Cities almost double climate actions over two years, says C40 (via Bloomberg)

Climate change means more wildfires, and that means lots more air pollution (via Grist)

Winter Olympics: A downhill forecast (via Nature)

White House to unveil “climate hubs” to aid farmers across country (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Global wind hits 318GW – GWEC report (via Recharge)

Morocco says investors lining up for $9 billion solar project (via Reuters)

SunEdison plans $6.4 billion PV manufacturing center in Saudi Arabia (via Solar Industry)

Iceland uses magma to create geothermal power for first time (via Climate Progress)

Israel wants to be the “startup nation” on clean technology (via ClimateWire)

Solar PV suppliers expected to enter new upturn in 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

As shale gas blows worldwide, India can’t kick coal habit (via EnergyWire)

US not protecting taxpayers on coal exports, says report (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

EPA staff struggling to create pollution rule (via New York Times)

Poll finds most voters want EPA to limit carbon pollution from power plants (via Climate Progress)

How the Northeast could cut carbon pollution 75% in 5 steps (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Canadian regulators hid natural gas pipeline explosion for years (via CBC News)

House Republicans add pressure for gas exports (via National Journal)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Fitch Ratings says shareholder activism impacting U.S. energy sector cash flows (via BusinessWire)

Utilities want regulatory rescue from “death spiral” (via Forbes)

KEYSTONE XL 

The quietly important Keystone pipeline date (via National Journal)

Obama knocks high Keystone jobs estimate in interview (via Politico)

Chu: Keystone pipeline decision “political” (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

Sao Paulo’s biggest water-supply system may run dry within 45 days (via Bloomberg)

Farm bill headed to Obama after Senate passage (via USA Today)

Californians brace for year of “mega-drought” (via USA Today)

OIL 

US fines three oil companies in first move since derailments (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla breaks into top five brands in consumer reports survey (via Bloomberg)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.27.14

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Natural gas market heats up as temperatures fall (via New York Times)

Deep freeze exposes challenges for gas-dependent PJM Interconnection (via Greenwire)

Chevron, Shell seek new LEED-like certification for shale gas (via GreenBiz)

Ohio state EPA fast tracks fracking permits, raising concerns (via Columbus Dispatch)

EMISSIONS 

Emissions trading in China: First reports from the field (via World Resources Institute)

World Bank chief backs fossil fuel divestment drive (via RTCC)

China’s air pollution prompts creative, sometimes wacky solutions (via Washington Post)

China’s Guandong to cut oil, coal use to slow emissions growth (via Reuters)

California air pollution drops over the past decade (via Daily Democrat)

RENEWABLES 

China says U.S. should stop new dumping probe on solar products (via Chicago Tribune)

Global leaders agree to cut tariffs on clean energy goods (via The Hill)

The budding Latin America solar market: 5 key takeaways (via Greentech Media)

China installed more solar panels in 2013 than any country ever has (via Quartz)

UK won’t meet renewable energy target beyond 2020 (via Climate Central)

Scottish offshore wind spending fell 55% in 2013 (via Recharge)

UK’s biggest solar farm exceeds expectations (via Bloomberg)

Waste-to-energy market to reach $28.57 billion in 2016 (via Environmental Leader)

UK government launches £100,000 community energy competition (via BusinessGreen)

Forget intermittency: NREL says wind energy can boost grid reliability (via CleanTechnica)

Cost of solar 2 to 100 times lower than you think (via CleanTechnica)

New England’s governors ask for more clean energy capacity from ISO-NE (via Renew Grid)

Solar surges, wind wanes in 2013 U.S. installs (via EarthTechling)

In the Midwest, farmers leading the way on solar power (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

Lawmakers demand stricter oil train regulations (via The Hill)

92,000 oil train tankers are not puncture resistant (via Facts of the Day)

North Dakota recorded 300 oil spills in two years without notifying public (via The Guardian/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

EV charging costs, and one way to control them (via EarthTechling)

California Governor Brown remains ready for one million EVs (via Autoblog Green)

New Jersey Honda dealer first in U.S. to use no net electricity (via Green Car Reports)

Rough patch for Uber’s challenge to taxis (via New York Times)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL pipeline decision on collision course with midterm elections (via Wall Street Journal)

Reading John Kerry’s mind on the Keystone XL pipeline (via InsideClimate News)

CLIMATE 

Climate change brings new risks to Greenland (via Climate Central)

Hundreds of homes face more flooding in south of England (via The Guardian)

COAL 

How the coal industry impoverishes West Virginia (via The Nation)

Report: Future dim for Connecticut’s last coal-fired power plant (via New Haven Register)

GRID 

Survey: Only 32% of utilities know what kind of data analytics they use (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

When will consumers realize the 60-cent light bulb wasn’t a bargain? (via ClimateWire)

Philadelphia to be national model for green infrastructure (via TriplePundit)

OPINION 

Cambridge University: Fracking firms “should pay £6 billion a year tax to compensate for climate change” (via The Guardian)

Getting carbon out of your portfolio is tricky (via AP)

Telling sugarcane ethanol’s sustainability story (via Energy Collective)

What’s the state of Obama’s energy and climate agenda? (via National Journal)

The good, the bad, and the ugly of natural gas (via National Journal)

The difference between organizing and policy analysis (via Slate)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.22.14

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

CLIMATE 

NOAA: 2013 tied for fourth-warmest year on record (via The Guardian)

2013 timeline: A year of extreme weather events (via WRI Insights)

Report says China must spend $330 billion more to do fair share on climate (via Reuters)

Climate change: “Water supply at risk from back-to-back extreme events” (via The Guardian)

Extreme weather in Canada cost insurers billions in 2013 (via Climate Progress)

EMISSIONS 

EU sets targets of 40% carbon cut and 27% renewables by 2030 (via The Guardian)

China’s per capita CO2 emissions are now greater than Europe’s (via Energy Collective)

Europe divides over more ambitious pollution limits (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China lifts 2014 solar PV installation target to 14GW (via Renew Economy)

Will Germany meet its renewable energy targets? (via Renew Economy)

China’s wind power sector foresees a recovery in 2014 (via Renewable Energy World)

Clean tech’s investment cycle: Don’t worry, think bigger (via Renewable Energy World)

Corn ethanol reduces emissions 32% compared to petroleum (via Environmental Leader)

California official: Utilities would like to “strangle” solar (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Community-owned solar creates a new business model in Massachusetts (via Greentech Media)

Lessons from Minnesota – an unexpected solar success (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

India’s coal imports rise 21% in 2013 (via Reuters)

West Virginia spill just latest case of coal tainting U.S. waters (via AP)

Outside energy experts question EPA reliance on “unproven” clean coal technology (via National Journal)

Republicans’ strategy on new EPA coal rule: Kill it now before it’s finalized (via Inside Climate News)

GRID 

States to utilities: Modernize the grid (via Navigant Research)

ENVIRONMENT 

What Japan’s bloody dolphin hunt has in common with the BP oil spill (via Climate Progress)

West Virginia governor pushes bill tightening chemical storage regulations (via The Hill)

Houston’s ozone mystery: Pockets of pollution unlike other cities (via StateImpact Texas)

OIL 

U.S. oil demand grew faster than China’s in 2013 – that won’t last (via Time)

What happens when the shale oil boom ends? (via Christian Science Monitor)

More oil spilled from trains in 2013 than in previous four decades (via McClatchy)

Keystone XL’s southern leg to begin transporting oil to U.S. Gulf Coast (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla expands Supercharger network in central Europe (via Autoblog Green)

Study shows recent increase in US households without a vehicle (via Green Car Congress)

Will “car rage” join “range anxiety” as EV owner emotion? (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Saudi’s SABIC expects to enter US shale market this year (via Reuters)

Australia divided on fracking (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency is about to get a $200 million jolt from Wall Street (via Greentech Media)

More and more cities switching to LED street lighting (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

ASHRAE publishes fourth edition of green building GreenGuide (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

State of Green Business Report 2014 (via GreenBiz)

10 things you didn’t know about Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (via Energy.gov)

Five big questions about the massive West Virginia chemical spill (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.22.14

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

CLIMATE 

NOAA: 2013 tied for fourth-warmest year on record (via The Guardian)

2013 timeline: A year of extreme weather events (via WRI Insights)

Report says China must spend $330 billion more to do fair share on climate (via Reuters)

Climate change: “Water supply at risk from back-to-back extreme events” (via The Guardian)

Extreme weather in Canada cost insurers billions in 2013 (via Climate Progress)

EMISSIONS 

EU sets targets of 40% carbon cut and 27% renewables by 2030 (via The Guardian)

China’s per capita CO2 emissions are now greater than Europe’s (via Energy Collective)

Europe divides over more ambitious pollution limits (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China lifts 2014 solar PV installation target to 14GW (via Renew Economy)

Will Germany meet its renewable energy targets? (via Renew Economy)

China’s wind power sector foresees a recovery in 2014 (via Renewable Energy World)

Clean tech’s investment cycle: Don’t worry, think bigger (via Renewable Energy World)

Corn ethanol reduces emissions 32% compared to petroleum (via Environmental Leader)

California official: Utilities would like to “strangle” solar (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Community-owned solar creates a new business model in Massachusetts (via Greentech Media)

Lessons from Minnesota – an unexpected solar success (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

India’s coal imports rise 21% in 2013 (via Reuters)

West Virginia spill just latest case of coal tainting U.S. waters (via AP)

Outside energy experts question EPA reliance on “unproven” clean coal technology (via National Journal)

Republicans’ strategy on new EPA coal rule: Kill it now before it’s finalized (via Inside Climate News)

GRID 

States to utilities: Modernize the grid (via Navigant Research)

ENVIRONMENT 

What Japan’s bloody dolphin hunt has in common with the BP oil spill (via Climate Progress)

West Virginia governor pushes bill tightening chemical storage regulations (via The Hill)

Houston’s ozone mystery: Pockets of pollution unlike other cities (via StateImpact Texas)

OIL 

U.S. oil demand grew faster than China’s in 2013 – that won’t last (via Time)

What happens when the shale oil boom ends? (via Christian Science Monitor)

More oil spilled from trains in 2013 than in previous four decades (via McClatchy)

Keystone XL’s southern leg to begin transporting oil to U.S. Gulf Coast (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla expands Supercharger network in central Europe (via Autoblog Green)

Study shows recent increase in US households without a vehicle (via Green Car Congress)

Will “car rage” join “range anxiety” as EV owner emotion? (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Saudi’s SABIC expects to enter US shale market this year (via Reuters)

Australia divided on fracking (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency is about to get a $200 million jolt from Wall Street (via Greentech Media)

More and more cities switching to LED street lighting (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

ASHRAE publishes fourth edition of green building GreenGuide (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

State of Green Business Report 2014 (via GreenBiz)

10 things you didn’t know about Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (via Energy.gov)

Five big questions about the massive West Virginia chemical spill (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.20.14

Marcacci Communications publishes a daily roundup of energy and climate news and opinion. Inclusion of articles does not mean endorsement. 

EMISSIONS 

CO2 emissions being “outsourced” by rich countries to rising economies (via The Guardian)

Church of England says unlikely to quit fossil fuel investment (via Reuters)

COAL 

Value of coal assets “could be halved” if world goes low-carbon (via RTCC)

FutureGen gets key US Energy Department approval (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

RENEWABLES 

19 countries join forces to develop Africa Clean Energy Corridor (via GreenBiz)

India and UAE agree to partner on renewable energy development (via India.com)

German economy minister plans prompt cut to renewable energy tariffs (via Reuters)

Kenya to generate over half its electricity through solar power by 2016 (via The Guardian)

China sets final duties on US solar materials (via Reuters)

Island channel tidal energy could power about half of Scotland (via Phys.org)

How the Army became a leader in third-party clean energy financing (via Greentech Media)

Bill would reward Wisconsin power companies exceeding renewable energy targets (via Wisconsin Rapids Tribune)

California Energy Commission to award up to $24 million for new biofuel projects (via Green Car Congress)

ERCOT boosts wind energy use to record 9.9% in 2013 (via Recharge)

New York sets California-like path for solar energy (via Sustainable Business)

In coal-reliant Missouri, “market rush” leaves solar push in limbo (via EnergyWire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canadian Prime Minster still expects US approval of Keystone XL (via Reuters)

Kerry will deliberate on Keystone XL after environmental impact analysis is done (via Washington Post)

Canadian environment groups challenge oil pipeline approvals (via Reuters)

Kerry not pressured by Canada’s Keystone XL push (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Davos: Climate impacts pose severe global economic risk (via BusinessGreen)

Climate impacts could push up food prices by 25% (via BusinessGreen)

Peru’s farmers fight climate change using modern and Inca techniques (via The Guardian)

Climate change alters land map of India (via Hindustan Times)

Extreme El Nino events could double over 100 years, experts warn (via The Independent)

Climate-proofing of farms seen too slow as industry faces havoc (via Bloomberg)

Study finds growing doubt on climate change (via The Hill)

Alleging “malpractice” with climate skeptic papers, publisher kills journal (via Science Insider)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Emails reveal UK helped shale gas industry manage fracking opposition (via The Guardian)

ENVIRONMENT

More than 90 wildfires rage in Australia’s New South Wales (via Huffington Post/AP)

Drought disaster declared in Utah, 10 other states (via Salt Lake Tribune)

Chemical-related hospital admissions in West Virginia double since water deemed safe (via Climate Progress)

Freedom Industries files for bankruptcy protection (via Wall Street Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Fisker bankruptcy auction scheduled for February 12th (via Autoblog Green)

Effort to halt bullet train for “Hyperloop”-like options aims for California ballot (via ClimateWire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Innovative financing spurs energy efficiency in rural communities (via GreenBiz)

Speaking the CFO’s language: The case for energy efficiency (via Energy Manager Today)

GRID 

Load curtailment from demand response programs will triple by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Dueling charts of the day: Peaker plants vs. green power (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Can we sever the link between energy and economic growth? (via Washington Post)

EPA climate rules: Too much, too little, or just right? (via National Journal)