Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.1.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
CLIMATE
Obama plan could define 2015 UN climate deal (via RTCC)
Climate change poses grave threat to security: UK military commander (via BusinessGreen)
Climate change not something insurance is likely to cover (via EarthTechling)
Federal community-resilience investments swamped by disaster damages (via Climate Progress)
A new industry is born for the frontlines of climate change (via GreenBiz)
COAL
Coal-fired retrofit market “$523 billion by 2020” (via Environmental Leader)
In 2013, coal is winning the war on coal: generation jumps 13% as natural gas falls 10% (via Facts of The Day)
DOE Secretary Moniz rebuts “war on coal” (via The Hill)
Coal trains raise concerns in congested Northwest US cities (via Seattle Times)
RENEWABLES
India’s renewable energy potential remains untapped (via Triple Pundit)
Tensions laid bare as Desertec exits industrial solar consortium (via BusinessGreen)
Congress may change or even repeal 2007 ethanol mandate (via Autoblog Green)
Western governors unveil 10-year energy “vision” (via Houston Chronicle)
ACORE looks at how to scale US renewable energy investments (via Renewable Energy World)
World’s first wind-current generator could produce double the power (via TreeHugger)
Making small wind work takes big planning (via EarthTechling)
SolarCity plans solar power storage solution due in 2015 (via Los Angeles Times)
Connecticut Green Bank closes on $60 million solar lease financing (via Hartford Courant)
South Carolina regulators to re-examine solar power rules (via The State)
OIL
Cheaper Canadian oil for Midwest refiners not reflected in price at the pump (via InsideClimate News)
BP report says Gulf oil spill only half as big as government claims (via Forbes)
Report shows ExxonMobil pipeline that spilled oil in Arkansas had at least 13 prior leaks (via The Republic)
TRANSPORTATION
The future of solar and wind powered shipping (via MIT Technology Review)
Hertz 24/7 will make car-sharing available to most Americans by 2016 (via Autoblog Green)
Midwest seen as proving ground for biofuel-powered airliners (via Midwest Energy News)
California high-speed rail is moving forward (via Inhabitat)
Tesla Motors conquers North Carolina (via CleanTechnica)
NATURAL GAS
China backs off shale gas targets (via Greentech Media)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Electricity market analytics could cut data center emissions 99% (via Energy Manager Today)
Energy Star updates Portfolio Manager for buildings (via GreenBiz)
Chicago to require benchmarking in large commercial buildings (via Energy Manager Today)
5 ways to engage low-income customers in efficiency (via Greentech Media)
GRID
Algorithm identifies most danger power grid risks amid millions of possible failures (via Phys.org)
What’s the real cost of smart meters in Maine? (via Greentech Media)
EMISSIONS
Is carbon pricing reducing Australia’s emissions? (via Renew Economy)
99% of Australian businesses back emissions trading scheme (via RTCC)
Some climate advocates open to idea of dumping Australian carbon tax (via The Guardian)
GREEN BUILDING
Study: smart growth reduces risk of mortgage default (via Sustainable Cities Collective)
At Fort Bliss, an Army vision for a new shade of green (via Los Angeles Times)
ENVIRONMENT
Butterfly decline signals trouble in environment (via Washington Post)
In Texas, a push to show farmers how to save water (via Texas Tribune)
POLITICS
Obama calls on voters to demand climate action at the ballot box (via The Hill)
Two insiders take the reins on Obama’s climate effort (via Greenwire)
Moderate Democrats, facing hard midterm elections, treat climate plan carefully (via ClimateWire)
Senate leans toward Gina McCarthy confirmation for EPA (via Politico)
OPINION
Scientists predicted a decade ago Artic ice loss would worsen Western droughts – is that happening already? (via Climate Progress)
Obama’s Lincoln moment? (via Grist)
The biggest oversight in Obama’s climate plan is a doozy (via Grist)
Google’s green search (via Recharge)
The myriad benefits of a carbon tax (via New York Times)