Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.8.15
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
CLIMATE
Much of the world’s fossil fuel reserves must stay buried to prevent climate change, says study (via The Guardian)
Hot, unfriendly skies could alter future flights (via Climate Central)
EPA to delay U.S. carbon rule for power plants until summer (via Bloomberg)
COAL
Study: 80% of coal reserves need to stay in the ground (via BusinessGreen)
More than 90% of U.S. coal should stay underground: Climate study (via Bloomberg)
RENEWABLES
IHS remains cautious on PV market demand growth (via PV Tech)
India issues draft guidelines for 3 gigawatts of solar projects (via Bloomberg)
China pushing harder for PV manufacturing consolidation; 10 companies to dominate (via PV Tech)
Dubai utility DEWA produces the world’s cheapest solar energy ever (via Renewable Energy World)
Pace of Japan’s renewable development is slowing (via CleanTechnica)
A Caribbean island says goodbye diesel, hello 100% renewable electricity (via RMI Outlet)
Solar patents reach a record high (via Energy Manager Today)
Almost 4,000 U.S. schools are now running on solar (via Sustainable Business)
California on its way to meeting clean energy goals, say officials (via Huffington Post/AP)
Poll: 82% of Oregonians support renewable energy (via Portland Business Journal)
National Grid “officially” cuts ties with Cape Wind (via Recharge)
Department of Energy opens up $125 million fund for energy innovation (via GigaOm)
SunEdison buys 1.6GW of “PTC-eligible” wind turbines (via Recharge)
Tea Party is pushing for solar power in Florida (via Washington Post)
Perovskite solar cell reaches record efficiency (via Phys.org)
EMISSIONS
Oil plunge seen eroding emissions ambition on carbon and climate (via Bloomberg)
Carbon pricing in 2014 (via Energy Collective)
EPA to create CO2-slashing plan for states that won’t (via Climate Central)
71% of Washington State voters support proposed cap-and-trade system (via Seattle Times)
OIL
No chance of OPEC output cut, even after oil dips below $50, say Gulf delegates (via Reuters)
Shrinking foreign oil bill sends U.S. trade deficit lower (via Houston Chronicle)
Renowned trader sees $40 oil as “absolute price floor” (via Houston Chronicle)
White House not under pressure to expand U.S. oil exports, says Podesta (via Reuters)
White House issues formal Keystone XL veto threat (via The Hill)
Oil taxes tempt recession-scarred U.S. states as prices plummet (via Bloomberg)
Oil industry joins hands with solar in latest annual report (via Greentech Media)
DOE Secretary: Strategic Petroleum Reserve needs “modernization” (via Houston Chronicle)
TRANSPORTATION
Green vehicle demand revs up as UK electric car sales quadruple (via The Guardian)
Key GOP senator says gas hike is on the table (via The Hill)
New Oregon rules require 10% cleaner fuels (via Oregon Public Broadcasting)
GRID
Even in the off-season, utilities must prepare the smart grid with storage for natural disasters (via Renewable Energy World)
Why big energy companies want to invest in energy storage startups (via Forbes)
ENERGY POLICY
New U.S. generating capacity in 2014 was overwhelmingly natural gas, wind, solar (via Solar Industry Magazine)
Can nuclear energy compete in today’s energy markets? (via Forbes)
ENVIRONMENT
EU banned pesticides to help bees, but now other bugs are invading (via Bloomberg)
NOAA reduces odds of El Nino conditions this winter (via Weather Underground)
OPINION
Why leaving fossil fuels in the ground is good for everyone (via The Guardian)
Smart money is on storing energy, not carbon, says economist (via Phys.org)
A tumultuous year for demand response (via Navigant Research)
Bold clean tech investing predictions for 2015 (via Greentech Media)
SMUD’s community renewable energy development program: Partnering for results in clean energy (via Renewable Energy World)
How to get famous in the solar industry (via Renewable Energy World)
Understanding the oil price drop: What does $50-per-barrel oil mean? (via Greentech Media)
Ten clean energy stocks for 2015 (via Renewable Energy World)
Cape Wind loses power contracts, becomes victim of class warfare (via Greentech Media)