Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.15.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
GRID
Installed base of smart meters in China to reach nearly 380 million by 2020 (via Pike Research)
China consumed 5.5% more electricity in 2012 (via Platts)
First leg of Atlantic offshore wind power line moves ahead (via New York Times)
Homeland Security says 40 percent of 2012 cyberattacks targeted energy sector (via The Hill)
National oversight agency questions reliability of Texas’ electric grid (via Houston Chronicle)
ERCOT expects $8.9 billion worth of transmission projects to be completed in Texas by 2017 (via Renew Grid)
TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL
Market shifting for Canadian oil sands crude (via Houston Chronicle)
Scientists say backing Keystone XL would undermine Obama’s climate legacy (via The Hill)
RENEWABLES
IRENA sets goal to double global renewable energy capacity by 2030 (via Renewable Energy World)
Green energy investments fell across globe, US in 2012 (via The Hill)
11GW of solar PV modules shipped globally in Q4 2012 (via Recharge)
IRENA launches world’s first global renewable energy atlas (via Inhabitat)
Europeans overwhelmingly favor renewables over shale gas (via BusinessGreen)
Tidal energy can meet 20% of UK electricity needs (via Yale e360)
Interactive map illustrates US solar grid parity (via Renewable Energy World)
EMISSIONS
Beyond baby steps: analyzing the cap-and-trade flop (via Grist)
Ontario will be first North American jurisdiction to eliminate coal power (via CleanTechnica)
Some Illinois coal plants looking to clean up (via Chicago Tribune)
CLIMATE
Survey says climate laws advancing in many countries (via Phys.org)
Solar forcing effect on climate change “extremely small” (via Phys.org)
Rising seas may put $300 billion of property at risk in Australia (via ABC News)
Report says climate change inaction the fault of environmental groups (via The Guardian)
Businesses in danger of missing climate cuts “window” (via BusinessGreen)
Environmental groups to Obama: act now on climate (via Politico)
Seattle calculates how climate change will redraw its shores (via Seattle Times)
ENVIRONMENT
US cities less susceptible to water scarcity than previously thought (via Phys.org)
Louisiana barges idled by drought upstream on Mississippi River (via Bloomberg)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
New US homes are 20% more fuel efficient than in 1970’s (via Facts of the Day)
US scuttles rule requiring high-efficiency furnaces (via Philadelphia Inquirer)
OIL
UK opposes Arctic drilling ban, to update policy this year (via Reuters)
Oil companies read the tea leaves (and lots of data) (via Houston Chronicle)
TRANSPORTATION
India sets national target of 7 million electric vehicles sold by 2020 (via Sustainable Business)
Clean fuel options lacking as airlines seek alternatives to petroleum (via Greenwire)
Federal green car purchases “down a third” in 2012 (via Environmental Leader)
Nissan cuts entry-level MSRP for 2013 Leaf by 18% to $28,800 (via Green Car Congress)
Maine considers banning E15 gasoline sales (via Autoblog Green)
OPINION
Why New York State’s Sandy Commission recommendations matter (via Mother Jones)
Changing behaviors: you’re doing it wrong (via Grist)
Why companies and investors see the risks in climate (via GreenBiz)