Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.3.13

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

EMISSIONS 

World Bank finds 60 carbon pricing systems in place or in development (via CleanTechnica)

Beijing adding pollution tax to gas prices by next year (via Autoblog Green)

Higher CO2 levels cause “greening” from plant fertilization effect (via Mongabay)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

British Columbia says no to Northern Gateway pipeline on oil spill concerns (via The Globe and Mail)

Another major tar sands pipeline seeking US permit (via InsideClimate News)

Keystone builder “extremely confident” Obama will approve it (via The Hill)

All sides pressing John Kerry on Keystone XL (via Boston Globe)

RENEWABLES 

US now most attractive market for renewables, says Ernst & Young (via Renewable Energy World)

Japanese domestic solar shipments soar (via Recharge)

Ontario replacing large-scale FIT with competitive procurements process (via Renew Grid)

Utility Xcel proposes total of 30% wind across its generation system (via Denver Post)

New Jersey utility PSE&G spending half a billion on solar (via Renew Grid)

ENVIRONMENT 

In Alaska, planned mine pits salmon against gold (via Politico)

NOAA ends weather forecast furloughs as tornadoes strike Oklahoma (via The Hill)

Fracking tests ties between California oil and agriculture interests (via New York Times)

82% of California native fish species risk extinction from climate change (via Sacramento Bee)

OIL 

Oil executives tune out the call of the wild Arctic (via Reuters)

OPEC to study US shale boom on member concerns (via Houston Chronicle)

Oil fields under olive groves offer Italy an economic boost (via Bloomberg)

Canadian refineries importing US crude at 4 times historic levels (via Houston Chronicle)

China’s plastic bag ban saves 6 million tons of oil in 5 years (via China Daily)

Kinder Morgan shelves plans for Texas-to-California oil pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

EPA exploring negative environmental effects of li-ion EV batteries (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf hits 10,000-unit sales mark in Europe (via Green Car Congress)

Bosch sees 180-mile EVs as minimum by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

Musk says fourth Tesla vehicle to be small electric SUV (via Bloomberg)

Combining EVs with smart grid technology can halve charging costs (via Climate Progress)

Range anxiety frustrating EVs with charger disconnect (via Bloomberg)

Florida repeals state renewable fuel standard (via Green Car Congress)

Car2Go comes to Denver with 300 Smart Fortwo vehicles (via Autoblog Green)

CLIMATE 

Climate envoys urged to draft plan B on failure of global temperature target (via Bloomberg)

Rainforests will survive extreme global warming, says study (via Mongabay)

Rate of ocean warming greater than previous estimates (via RTCC)

Colorado getting a climate change czar (via CBS/AP)

GRID 

Vehicle-to-grid emerges in new deployments (via Navigant Research)

Energy storage gets a boost in California (via Navigant Research)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

3 big energy efficiency stories you should know about (via Greentech Media)

Infographic: LEED buildings in the world (via USGBC)

OPINION 

Global game-changers in energy and climate (via National Journal)

America isn’t a clean-energy leader (via National Journal)

Tesla’s a success – so what? (via Greenwire)

The climate change guilt trip (via Los Angeles Times)

Is rail-bound crude oil a disaster waiting to happen? (via EnergyWire)

Silicon Valley is now paying even less attention to climate change and that sucks (via GigaOm)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.23.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

98% of DOE’s $34 billion loan portfolio is being repaid (via Facts of the Day)

CLIMATE 

Thawing permafrost could produce lower CO2 emissions than previously thought (via ClimateWire)

New EU climate policy unlikely before 2015 (via Phys.org)

10 cities that will be hardest hit by climate change (via Grist)

Gov. Jerry Brown keeps pressing on the perils of climate change (via San Jose Mercury News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US shale boom shapes international energy markets (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy-rich Colorado becomes setting for fracking fight (via Bloomberg)

Illinois House panel approves fracking measure (via Chicago Tribune)

Grassroots greens challenge EDF on fracking involvement (via Mother Jones)

RENEWABLES 

Germany investing €50 million in solar PV innovation (via Recharge)

Switch to low-carbon energy would save UK households 1,600 (via The Independent)

White House, Pentagon at odds over biofuel refinery program (via Greenwire)

Wind potential – all about the data (via Renewable Energy World)

North Carolina renewable energy policy will remain in place (via Sustainable Business)

EMISSIONS 

China emissions cap proposal hailed as climate breakthrough (via Renew Economy)

China unveils details of pilot carbon-trading program (via The Guardian)

CBO: carbon tax an option to avoid “catastrophic” outcomes (via The Hill)

College fossil-fuel divestment movement builds (via Houston Chronicle)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

House passes bill to speed up Keystone XL, avoid Obama review (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone XL’s southern leg nears completion (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla Motors repays its government loan in full (via Greentech Media)

Tesla Model S set to bring EVs into mainstream (via BusinessGreen)

Coalition launches EV charging station project in upstate New York (via Green Car Congress)

COAL 

Coal regains some electric generation market share from natural gas (via US EIA)

Mining lobby touts economic impact of coal exports (via Charleston Gazette)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

UK government to boost energy efficiency efforts across sectors (via Energy Manager Today)

How Cree perfected the 20-year light bulb (via Forbes)

ENVIRONMENT 

Death by a thousand cuts: coal boom could destroy Great Barrier Reef (via Spiegel)

POLITICS 

The GOP’s green energy tent is slowly getting bigger (via National Journal)

Climate activists to protest at Obama group’s climate events (via Grist)

Q&A: Steven Chu on his time as US Energy Secretary (via Stanford News)

Green billionaire Steyer plans to get involved in Massachusetts Senate race (via The Hill)

Terry McAuliffe reverses course, backs bill to allow oil drilling off Virginia coast (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Europe, Australia, and the slow death of carbon trading (via Renew Economy)

Could a Chinese carbon cap pave the way for a global climate deal? (via Grist)

The impact of budget sequestration on DOD energy innovation (via Innovation Files)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.17.13

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

CLIMATE 

Smaller glacier melt boost sea level rise as much as largest ones (via Climate Central)

USGS: warmer springs causing loss of snow cover throughout Rocky Mountains (via Climate Progress)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canadian government doubles advertising spend on tar sands (via The Guardian)

Canadian prime minister warns US against Keystone XL rejection (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Keystone XL oil pipeline bill moves to full US House (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

EU confirms two percent reduction in ETS emissions (via BusinessGreen)

Norwegian firm seeks way to trap cement factory CO2 (vie Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

China PV prices “could rise 45%” in June (via Recharge)

Australia launches clean energy map (via Renew Economy)

Solar power costs closing in on wind (via Reuters)

Some light in clean tech investing, despite the gloom (via GreenBiz)

US military’s renewable energy development at risk from Sequester (via Medill)

Goldman Sachs to finance $500 million for SolarCity roofs (via Bloomberg)

Report outlines US military’s 130MW solar power might (via CleanTechnica)

Are run-of-river hydropower systems ready for the US? (via Renewable Energy World)

800MW solar power plant goes online in California (via Sacramento Bee)

Renewable power generation grew 7 percent in Texas last year (via Houston Chronicle)

Top Indiana wind farm drafts bat-protection plans (via Courier-Press/AP)

COAL 

NRG settles lawsuit with NJ & CT; will shut down coal units (via Renew Grid)

TRANSPORTATION 

Global capacity of lithium-ion batteries for EVs will grow 10-fold by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Tesla’s market value soars but some see a bubble (via Washington Post)

Nissan Leaf sales hit 25,000 in US (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Baltic LNG terminal deal likely for late 2013 (via Retuers)

Interior Department unveils fracking rules for federal lands (via The Hill)

Fracking risks to groundwater assessed by scientific review (via Phys.org)

Could we see three US LNG export projects approved by 2014? (via Breaking Energy)

Shale drilling nearly doubles Ohio output since 2011 (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID

China’s State Grid to buy stake in Australian electricity network for $802 million (via Washington Post/AP)

California ISO market fix boosts renewables in state (via Reuters)

National Grid unveils plans for sustainability hub (via Daily Finance)

ENERGY POLICY 

What British Columbia election means for Northwest fossil fuel exports (via Sightline Daily)

EPA ranked most effective of all federal agencies (via Sustainable Business)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

DOE publishes protocols to determine energy efficiency savings (via Energy Manager Today)

Five technologies to make government buildings more efficient (via Greentech Media)

NREL teams up with US Navy to cut energy use (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Study finds world’s fish have been moving to colder waters for decades (via Washington Post)

Indonesia extends landmark ban on clearing rainforests and peatland (via New York Times)

State officials seek federal help fighting invasive species (via Stateline)

POLITICS 

Senate approves Ernest Moniz as Secretary of Energy (via Greentech Media)

Senate committee advances EPA nominee McCarthy in party-line vote (via The Hill)

GOP says EPA’s FOIA decisions show “anti-conservative attitude” (via Greenwire)

OPINION 

Strengthening ownership and effectiveness of climate finance (via WRI Insights)

How low can utility emissions go? (via Greentech Media)

Proposed fracking rules anger environmentalists, annoy industry (via National Journal)

Spigot of money starting to open up for installing solar panels (via GigaOm)

A new model for valuing distributed energy (via Greentech Media)

 

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.17.13

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

CLIMATE 

Smaller glacier melt boost sea level rise as much as largest ones (via Climate Central)

USGS: warmer springs causing loss of snow cover throughout Rocky Mountains (via Climate Progress)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canadian government doubles advertising spend on tar sands (via The Guardian)

Canadian prime minister warns US against Keystone XL rejection (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Keystone XL oil pipeline bill moves to full US House (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

EU confirms two percent reduction in ETS emissions (via BusinessGreen)

Norwegian firm seeks way to trap cement factory CO2 (vie Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

China PV prices “could rise 45%” in June (via Recharge)

Australia launches clean energy map (via Renew Economy)

Solar power costs closing in on wind (via Reuters)

Some light in clean tech investing, despite the gloom (via GreenBiz)

US military’s renewable energy development at risk from Sequester (via Medill)

Goldman Sachs to finance $500 million for SolarCity roofs (via Bloomberg)

Report outlines US military’s 130MW solar power might (via CleanTechnica)

Are run-of-river hydropower systems ready for the US? (via Renewable Energy World)

800MW solar power plant goes online in California (via Sacramento Bee)

Renewable power generation grew 7 percent in Texas last year (via Houston Chronicle)

Top Indiana wind farm drafts bat-protection plans (via Courier-Press/AP)

COAL 

NRG settles lawsuit with NJ & CT; will shut down coal units (via Renew Grid)

TRANSPORTATION 

Global capacity of lithium-ion batteries for EVs will grow 10-fold by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Tesla’s market value soars but some see a bubble (via Washington Post)

Nissan Leaf sales hit 25,000 in US (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Baltic LNG terminal deal likely for late 2013 (via Retuers)

Interior Department unveils fracking rules for federal lands (via The Hill)

Fracking risks to groundwater assessed by scientific review (via Phys.org)

Could we see three US LNG export projects approved by 2014? (via Breaking Energy)

Shale drilling nearly doubles Ohio output since 2011 (via Houston Chronicle)

GRID

China’s State Grid to buy stake in Australian electricity network for $802 million (via Washington Post/AP)

California ISO market fix boosts renewables in state (via Reuters)

National Grid unveils plans for sustainability hub (via Daily Finance)

ENERGY POLICY 

What British Columbia election means for Northwest fossil fuel exports (via Sightline Daily)

EPA ranked most effective of all federal agencies (via Sustainable Business)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

DOE publishes protocols to determine energy efficiency savings (via Energy Manager Today)

Five technologies to make government buildings more efficient (via Greentech Media)

NREL teams up with US Navy to cut energy use (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Study finds world’s fish have been moving to colder waters for decades (via Washington Post)

Indonesia extends landmark ban on clearing rainforests and peatland (via New York Times)

State officials seek federal help fighting invasive species (via Stateline)

POLITICS 

Senate approves Ernest Moniz as Secretary of Energy (via Greentech Media)

Senate committee advances EPA nominee McCarthy in party-line vote (via The Hill)

GOP says EPA’s FOIA decisions show “anti-conservative attitude” (via Greenwire)

OPINION 

Strengthening ownership and effectiveness of climate finance (via WRI Insights)

How low can utility emissions go? (via Greentech Media)

Proposed fracking rules anger environmentalists, annoy industry (via National Journal)

Spigot of money starting to open up for installing solar panels (via GigaOm)

A new model for valuing distributed energy (via Greentech Media)

 

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.2.13

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

EMISSIONS

UN envoys consider 2050 carbon target in climate talks (via Bloomberg)

Was efficiency responsible for 75% of CO2 reductions in 2012? (via Greentech Media)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Green building materials will reach $254 billion in annual market value by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

General Motors urges Obama and Congress to unite on climate change (via The Guardian)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US predicted to be a top liquefied natural gas exporter by 2020 (via Houston Chronicle)

Moody’s: modest amount of US natural gas exports will get approval (via The Hill)

Shell makes big bet on boom in natural gas (via New York Times)

Fracking spread could strain water resources in West, study finds (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

EU solar groups lobby against duties on Chinese solar products (via Recharge)

China wants to use curtailed wind power to replace coal-fired heating (via CleanTechnica)

Indonesia plans rural solar electrification push (via Recharge)

Is there hope for hydropower as the climate changes? (via EarthTechling)

US-designed no-emission ocean thermal energy power plant will debut off China’s coast (via ClimateWire)

Renewable energy groups spar over biofuel imports (via Politico)

Legislators fail to reform Hawaii solar tax credit (via Honolulu Star Advertiser)

Massachusetts crushes solar goals, aims much higher (via CleanTechnica)

Los Angeles urged to expand solar power to 20% of all energy by 2020 (via Los Angeles Daily News)

OIL 

Who’s in charge here? At US oil spills, it’s whoever made the mess (via OnEarth)

Fracking boom in North Dakota is here to stay (via Mother Jones)

TRANSPORTATION 

Survey shows strong US support for fuel efficiency standards (via New York Times)

Nissan Leaf has second-best sales month, Chevy Volt declines slightly (via Autoblog Green)

EV maker Coda files for bankruptcy, focuses on energy storage (via GigaOm)

CLIMATE 

Poll: majority see climate change affecting US weather (via The Hill)

Climate change: when rain, rain won’t go away (via USA Today)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Enbridge pipeline expansion could turn into Keystone-like fight (via Bloomberg)

Alaska watches as Canada considers shipping tar sands across Arctic (via Alaska Dispatch)

Elected officials in rural Nebraska pass anti-Keystone pipeline resolution (via Omaha World-Herald)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

US banks reluctant to finance energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Internet of Things extends under your sink with new water and electricity sensors (via Treehugger)

GRID 

Who are the top utilities in smart grid? (via Greentech Media)

NYSERDA awards $1.4 million to advanced energy storage projects (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Cash for doomed crops means US farmers avoid disaster cost (via Bloomberg)

42% of Americans live with dangerous pollution; check your zip code (via The Good Human)

ENERGY POLICY 

Report: EU facing €1 trillion energy investment black hole (via RTCC)

For Obama and Pena Nieto, a delicate “first dance” around energy (via Reuters)

Texas power supplies for summer peak season seen as tight but improving (via Fort-Worth Star Telegram)

OTHER NEWS 

An additional roundup of energy and climate news is posted at Climate Progress

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.30.13

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

EMISSIONS

Global carbon dioxide concentration now at highest level in 5 million years (via USA Today)

Global carbon dioxide levels set to pass 400ppm milestone (via The Guardian)

EU uncertainty likely to affect global carbon markets (via RTCC)

COAL 

In the Northwest, rising coal exports to Asia stir huge fight (via Seattle Times)

Bank of America and Citigroup biggest lenders to coal industry (via Bloomberg)

Patriot Coal warns of liquidation without major cuts to labor (via Reuters)

GRID 

Ethiopia getting Chinese funds for $1 billion hydropower line (via Renewable Energy World)

DOE: $2.9 billion in smart grid investment yields $6.8 billion in economic output (via AOL Energy)

RENEWABLES 

Latin American clean energy investment surged 127% in 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

India’s clean power capacity races past 28GW in 2012-2013 (via Panchabuta)

Masdar to invest £1 billion with UK Green Investment Bank (via BusinessGreen)

Obama Administration limits mining on potential renewable energy sites (via The Hill)

Largest solar power plant in world now under construction in California (via Renew Economy)

Seven US offshore wind demonstration projects (via Renewable Energy World)

New wind industry CEO to mix business with environment (via Greentech Media)

Reshuffling the top 5 micro wind turbines (via CleanTechnica)

Website aims to become Yelp of solar power (via Midwest Energy News)

Very small wind hopes to power you up (via EarthTechling)

Colorado wins stronger solar mandate (via Greentech Media)

Slowing clean energy investing rush could hurt Sacramento industry (via Sacramento Bee)

OIL 

China is using up oil faster than we can produce it (via Washington Post)

Saudi-US relations to withstand North American oil boom (via Reuters)

Latest government data shows Canadian oil exports to US rising (via Wall Street Journal)

As shale booms, US crude exports jump to 13-year high (via Reuters)

BP hit by wave of new spill lawsuits ahead of April deadline (via Reuters)

California lawmakers advance bill to halt oil fracking in state (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Texas shale boom has major impact on state budget (via Texas Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION 

Fleet owners driven toward natural gas vehicles as oil prices soar (via Bloomberg)

Diesel, hybrid sales rocket past overall US market growth rate (via Autoblog Green)

Remember: DOE rejected most of the EV startups that wanted loans (via GigaOm)

Tesla Motors offers unlimited battery warranty (via Plugin Cars)

Nissan Leaf time lapse shows the EV being built (via Autoblog Green)

CLIMATE 

Rich countries blamed for setting climate talks “back a decade” (via RTCC)

Climate change compounds rising threats to koala (via The Guardian)

Report links rise in US disaster relief spending to climate change (via Climate Progress)

Along New Jersey bay, rising sea draws ever closer (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

ENERGY POLICY 

Japan utilities post $16 billion loss, outlook clouded on reactor restarts (via Reuters)

California nuclear shutdown offset low 2012 natgas prices (via Reuters)

Marcellus Shale cities, entwined with gas, among latest to join fossil fuel divestment push (via EnergyWire)

ENVIRONMENT 

EU votes to ban bee-killing pesticides (via BusinessGreen)

US Defense Department becomes a wildlife protector (via Los Angeles Times)

5 butterfly species just went extinct while no one was looking (via Mother Jones)

KEYSTONE XL 

Nearly 50 groups lobbying for Keystone XL (via Houston Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Nest Labs updates smart thermostat for summer (via Greentech Media)

Ohio industry backs state energy efficiency standards (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

The politics of climate change (via Phys.org)

House GOP demands details on DOE loan guarantees (via The Hill)

How “green” is new Interior Secretary Sally Jewell? (via Christian Science Monitor)

New Interior Department chief savors a steep learning curve (via New York Times)

Landrieu primed to lead Senate Energy panel – if she wins re-election (via National Journal)

Sen. Boxer finds herself at odds with environmentalists (via Los Angeles Times)

Zukerberg group draws fire over pro-fossil fuel ads (via Politico)

OPINION 

Why do conservatives like to waste energy? (via Mother Jones)

How the political crusade against Fisker Automotive stifles innovation (via OnEarth)

Carbon market crossroads: new ideas for harnessing global markets to confront climate change (via Climate Progress)

Climate myths: how climate deniers are getting away with bad science (via Mongabay)

How to spot greenwashing (via The Good Human)

The limits of climate adaptation are social, not physical or economic (via Grist)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.17.13

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

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone emissions seen as equal to 46 coal power plants (via Bloomberg)

Route change forces Keystone foes to shift aim to climate change (via Bloomberg)

Keystone pipeline fans, foes make their cases (via Politico)

House Energy Committee panel passes bill to expedite Keystone XL approval (via The Hill)

Sen. Whitehouse: Obama could use Keystone approval to tackle climate change (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

Australia and China agree to carbon trading partnership (via BusinessGreen)

Reactions vary to EU carbon market vote (via RTCC)

RENEWABLES 

220GW of new distributed solar generation will be added by 2018 (via Navigant Research)

International Energy Agency: progress toward low-carbon energy “stalled” (via The Hill)

GWEC: global wind market to dip after record 2012 (via Recharge)

India deploys 27GW grid-connected renewables (via EnergyNext)

Links to solar may forge new ties across Mediterranean (via Climate Central)

China Wind Power to add 700MW of solar and wind by 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

Cleantech VC and the state of the IPO market (via GigaOm)

Better computer models needed for mega wind farms (via MIT Technology Review)

Wind energy production levels hit all-time high in California (via CleanTechnica)

North Carolina could repeal renewable energy policy (via Sustainable Business)

Philadelphia Eagles field generating energy with solar, wind (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

ENERGY POLICY 

Clean energy progress too slow to limit global warming: report (via Reuters)

Europe faces a crisis in energy costs (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Toyota cumulative global hybrid sales pass 5 million, nearly 2 million in US (via Green Car Congress)

Slow sales in Europe mean EVs often going to fleets (via Autoblog Green)

How China’s city-focused electric car programs fell short (via GigaOm)

Elon Musk: Tesla could go federal with franchise dealer fight (via Autoblog Green)

The new Chevy Spark will offer AC or DC charging (via New York Times)

OIL 

First phase of Gulf oil spill trial nearing conclusion (via Houston Chronicle)

Big spills from aging oil pipelines (via Wall Street Journal)

Ohio’s $500 billion oil dream fades as Utica turns gassy (via Bloomberg)

Exxon installs new section in damaged Arkansas pipeline (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy management market “to almost double” by 2020 (via Energy Manager Today)

Data center efficiency may be getting worse (via Greentech Media)

Study dismissing energy benchmarking laws funded by real estate industry (via Greentech Media)

More US households using CFLs and LEDs (via E Source)

10 energy efficiency tips for spring cleaning (via EarthTechling)

COAL 

Faltering China demand hangs over Asian coal (via Retuers)

Environmental groups seek moratorium on Montana, Wyoming coal leasing (via Missoulian)

Ratepayer advocate warns high cost comes with LA’s coal-free plan (via Los Angeles Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Desertification crisis affecting 168 countries worldwide (via RTCC)

Africa aims to combat the effects of climate change by greening the desert (via Climate Progress)

What happens when Asia’s “water tower” dries up? (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

If carbon markets can’t work in Europe, can they work anywhere? (via Time)

European carbon market far from dead (via Reuters)

Thanks to China, our carbon price is here to stay (via Renew Economy)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.12.13

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

CLIMATE

New research challenges assumptions about global warming effects on mountain tree lines (via Phys.org)

G8 ministers argue climate action must “intensify as a matter of urgency” (via BusinessGreen)

Greenhouse gases make high temperatures hotter in China (via Phys.org)

Rising sea levels could cost UK “billions” (via RTCC)

Climate change keeps expanding Canada’s epidemic of forest-destroying beetles (via Climate Progress)

Federal report: global warming didn’t cause US drought (via AP)

COAL

Chinese coal producer plans $1.7 billion investment in Australian wind (via Bloomberg)

US coal producers scrambling in face of skyrocketing production costs (via SNL Energy)

Coal to stay important in US energy mix, says EPA pick (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Libya aims to get a fifth of its power from solar by 2020 (via Reuters)

France’s geothermal fracking conundrum (via Christian Science Monitor)

Alberta looks at renewable energy amid push for Keystone (via Bloomberg)

(more…)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.12.13

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

CLIMATE

New research challenges assumptions about global warming effects on mountain tree lines (via Phys.org)

G8 ministers argue climate action must “intensify as a matter of urgency” (via BusinessGreen)

Greenhouse gases make high temperatures hotter in China (via Phys.org)

Rising sea levels could cost UK “billions” (via RTCC)

Climate change keeps expanding Canada’s epidemic of forest-destroying beetles (via Climate Progress)

Federal report: global warming didn’t cause US drought (via AP)

COAL

Chinese coal producer plans $1.7 billion investment in Australian wind (via Bloomberg)

US coal producers scrambling in face of skyrocketing production costs (via SNL Energy)

Coal to stay important in US energy mix, says EPA pick (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Libya aims to get a fifth of its power from solar by 2020 (via Reuters)

France’s geothermal fracking conundrum (via Christian Science Monitor)

Alberta looks at renewable energy amid push for Keystone (via Bloomberg)

(more…)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.11.13

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

FY2014 FEDERAL BUDGET 

Obama budget seeks defenses against climate-fueled extreme weather (via The Hill)

Obama budget revives battle over oil industry tax breaks (via The Hill)

Obama budget would end oil industry tax breaks, hike royalties (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama’s FY2014 budget boosts DOE vehicle technology spending 75% to $575M; $282M for advanced biofuels (via Green Car Congress)

Obama budget hints at sale of Tennessee Valley Authority (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama budget promises action on climate change (via Politico)

ENERGY POLICY 

Asia’s soaring energy demands will post major economic, climate, health risks (via ClimateWire)

Renewables, efficiency take flight in US Air Force energy strategy (via CleanTechnica)

Antitrust case tied to California energy crisis revived (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES  

Asia-Pacific renewable energy market to hit 535.2GW by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

Is the Middle East and Africa the next solar development hotbed? (via Solar Industry Magazine)

EU seeks new anti-dumping trade powers with China in mind (via Reuters)

Germany expected to install 3.2GW of wind in 2014 (via Recharge)

Renewable energy continues to build momentum in US power mix (via Renew Grid)

US wind market forecast to shrink slightly to 11GW in 2013-2014 (via Recharge)

Renewables made up 82% of new US capacity in Q1 2013 (via Solar Industry Magazine)

US wind in January 2013 set monthly record & produced more than in all of 2004 (via Facts of the Day)

US ethanol producers brace for biofuel mandate fight in Congress (via Reuters)

Solar panels could destroy US utilities, according to US utilities (via Grist)

After mega-rally, First Solar outlook meets skepticism (via Reuters)

New wind energy harvester design looks like giant window blinds (via Treehugger)

Texas solar-powered public property bill backed by education, military (via StateImpact Texas)

Maryland 210MW offshore wind bill signed into law (via Recharge)

COAL 

Environmentalists say “war on coal” a fabrication (via AP)

CRS report casts doubt on FutureGen, carbon capture technology (via SNL Energy)

CLIMATE 

In global warming, Northern Hemisphere is outpacing the South (via Climate Central)

Business giants urge US to seize climate change “opportunity” (via BusinessGreen)

Olympians to Obama: climate change jeopardizes winter sports’ survival (via The Guardian)

Nike, Starbucks: betting against climate scientists is “false hope” (via The Hill)

OIL 

ConocoPhillips, citing regulator uncertainty, delays Arctic drilling (via The Hill)

White House proposes royalty, permitting changes on energy development (via The Hill)

California’s fracking bonanza may fall short of promise (via Bloomberg)

Arkansas AG says oil pipeline gash is 22 feet long (via Miami Herald/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Soaring hybrid demand accounts for a fifth of all European Toyota sales (via BusinessGreen)

Six new plug-in electric cars coming in 2014 (via Green Car Reports)

Alternative transportation fuel use jumps 13% (via Environmental Leader)

Tesla messes with Texas over how to sell its electric cars (via GigaOm)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Israel’s natural gas find wins the world’s notice (via Forbes)

US LNG no cure for high European gas prices (via AOL Energy)

Moniz backs increased use of natural gas (via Washington Post)

New solar process gets more out of natural gas (via New York Times)

Frack sand mining: what are the alternatives? (via Minnesota Public Radio)

GRID 

The UK’s retailer-led smart meter rollout (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

This Army camp can cut soldier energy use by 75% (via Greentech Media)

EMISSIONS 

California and China sign agreement to strengthen and coordinate efforts to improve air quality (via Green Car Congress)

Australian power emissions fall to 10-year low as coal output drops (via Renew Economy)

Copenhagen’s ambitious push to be carbon-neutral by 2025 (via Yale e360)

ENVIRONMENT 

Top US storm team sees above average Atlantic hurricane season (via Reuters)

POLITICS 

Senate votes 87-11 to confirm Sally Jewell as Interior Secretary (via The Hill)

Moniz sees gas, coal, nuclear, and renewables future (via Greentech Media)

GOP to begin new assault on Obama’s climate plans at EPA nominee hearing (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Using aging, retrofitted pipelines to ship oil – what could go wrong? (via Grist)

How Obama’s new budget targets oil and gas (via Forbes)

How can we boost distributed solar and save utilities at the same time? (via Grist)

Obama goes big on clean energy in budget (via EarthTechling)

OTHER NEWS 

An additional roundup of energy and climate news is posted at Climate Progress