Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.30.13

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

EMISSIONS 

UN says California and China in talks to link CO2 markets (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Where greenhouse gases come from, in one graph (via Grist)

US lab experiment removes CO2 from atmosphere at relatively low cost (via ClimateWire)

COAL 

The Chinese coal bubble (via Huffington Post)

China’s top utilities protest plan to ban low-grade coal imports (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla CEO says company is tripling size of the Supercharger network (via GigaOm)

RENEWABLES 

Solar cheaper than the grid in 102 countries (via Facts of the Day)

Australia on course to beat 2020 renewable energy target (via The Guardian)

Biomass to reach at least 82GW installed capacity worldwide by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

UAE solar power capacity to reach 20GW by 2030 (via Arab News)

India releases draft offshore wind energy policy (via Renewable Energy World)

Utilities weigh a turn to the sun (via Wall Street Journal)

As venture capital interest shrinks in clean tech, corporate investors swoop in (via San Jose Mercury News)

Feed-in tariff: policy tool encouraging deployment of renewable electricity technologies (via US EIA)

Minnesota solar could go from 13MW to 450MW with new solar bill (via CleanTechnica)

Xcel wants out of Goodhue wind farm deal (via Minnesota Finance & Commerce)

GRID 

Utilities want a piece of the FCC’s $4.5 billion rural broadband push (via Greentech Media)

NYPA spending $31 million on transmission improvements (via Renew Grid)

Viridity’s software moves beyond traditional demand response (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Interior Department moves ahead on offshore drilling safety institute (via The Hill)

Shareholders slam Exxon on climate, discrimination concerns (via Houston Chronicle)

Arkansas residents sue Exxon after oil spill (via Houston Chronicle)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Some in Europe are rethinking opposition to fracking (via New York Times)

Escalating water strains in fracking regions of US (via Forbes)

ENVIRONMENT 

US drought damage could top $200 billion (via AG Professional)

California plan to overhaul water system hub will cost $25 billion (via Los Angeles Times)

Over 100 ski resorts join BICEP climate declaration (via Triple Pundit)

US sued over policy on killing endangered wildlife (via Los Angeles Times)

CLIMATE 

Erratic US “weather whiplash” accounts for billions in global losses (via The Guardian)

Understanding local weather key to coping with climate change (via RTCC)

POLITICS 

FERC Chairman Wellinghoff announces he’ll step down (via The Hill)

Rallies in 12 US cities protest Koch Brothers Tribune Takeover bid (via Desmog Blog)

OPINION 

Here’s why 1.2 billion people still don’t have access to electricity (via Washington Post)

Why Germany’s solar power is distributed (via Greentech Media)

Kerry’s misfire about US performance on Kyoto emissions targets (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.30.13

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

EMISSIONS 

UN says California and China in talks to link CO2 markets (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Where greenhouse gases come from, in one graph (via Grist)

US lab experiment removes CO2 from atmosphere at relatively low cost (via ClimateWire)

COAL 

The Chinese coal bubble (via Huffington Post)

China’s top utilities protest plan to ban low-grade coal imports (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla CEO says company is tripling size of the Supercharger network (via GigaOm)

RENEWABLES 

Solar cheaper than the grid in 102 countries (via Facts of the Day)

Australia on course to beat 2020 renewable energy target (via The Guardian)

Biomass to reach at least 82GW installed capacity worldwide by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

UAE solar power capacity to reach 20GW by 2030 (via Arab News)

India releases draft offshore wind energy policy (via Renewable Energy World)

Utilities weigh a turn to the sun (via Wall Street Journal)

As venture capital interest shrinks in clean tech, corporate investors swoop in (via San Jose Mercury News)

Feed-in tariff: policy tool encouraging deployment of renewable electricity technologies (via US EIA)

Minnesota solar could go from 13MW to 450MW with new solar bill (via CleanTechnica)

Xcel wants out of Goodhue wind farm deal (via Minnesota Finance & Commerce)

GRID 

Utilities want a piece of the FCC’s $4.5 billion rural broadband push (via Greentech Media)

NYPA spending $31 million on transmission improvements (via Renew Grid)

Viridity’s software moves beyond traditional demand response (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Interior Department moves ahead on offshore drilling safety institute (via The Hill)

Shareholders slam Exxon on climate, discrimination concerns (via Houston Chronicle)

Arkansas residents sue Exxon after oil spill (via Houston Chronicle)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Some in Europe are rethinking opposition to fracking (via New York Times)

Escalating water strains in fracking regions of US (via Forbes)

ENVIRONMENT 

US drought damage could top $200 billion (via AG Professional)

California plan to overhaul water system hub will cost $25 billion (via Los Angeles Times)

Over 100 ski resorts join BICEP climate declaration (via Triple Pundit)

US sued over policy on killing endangered wildlife (via Los Angeles Times)

CLIMATE 

Erratic US “weather whiplash” accounts for billions in global losses (via The Guardian)

Understanding local weather key to coping with climate change (via RTCC)

POLITICS 

FERC Chairman Wellinghoff announces he’ll step down (via The Hill)

Rallies in 12 US cities protest Koch Brothers Tribune Takeover bid (via Desmog Blog)

OPINION 

Here’s why 1.2 billion people still don’t have access to electricity (via Washington Post)

Why Germany’s solar power is distributed (via Greentech Media)

Kerry’s misfire about US performance on Kyoto emissions targets (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.30.13

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

EMISSIONS 

UN says California and China in talks to link CO2 markets (via Reuters Point Carbon)

Where greenhouse gases come from, in one graph (via Grist)

US lab experiment removes CO2 from atmosphere at relatively low cost (via ClimateWire)

COAL 

The Chinese coal bubble (via Huffington Post)

China’s top utilities protest plan to ban low-grade coal imports (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla CEO says company is tripling size of the Supercharger network (via GigaOm)

RENEWABLES 

Solar cheaper than the grid in 102 countries (via Facts of the Day)

Australia on course to beat 2020 renewable energy target (via The Guardian)

Biomass to reach at least 82GW installed capacity worldwide by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

UAE solar power capacity to reach 20GW by 2030 (via Arab News)

India releases draft offshore wind energy policy (via Renewable Energy World)

Utilities weigh a turn to the sun (via Wall Street Journal)

As venture capital interest shrinks in clean tech, corporate investors swoop in (via San Jose Mercury News)

Feed-in tariff: policy tool encouraging deployment of renewable electricity technologies (via US EIA)

Minnesota solar could go from 13MW to 450MW with new solar bill (via CleanTechnica)

Xcel wants out of Goodhue wind farm deal (via Minnesota Finance & Commerce)

GRID 

Utilities want a piece of the FCC’s $4.5 billion rural broadband push (via Greentech Media)

NYPA spending $31 million on transmission improvements (via Renew Grid)

Viridity’s software moves beyond traditional demand response (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

Interior Department moves ahead on offshore drilling safety institute (via The Hill)

Shareholders slam Exxon on climate, discrimination concerns (via Houston Chronicle)

Arkansas residents sue Exxon after oil spill (via Houston Chronicle)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Some in Europe are rethinking opposition to fracking (via New York Times)

Escalating water strains in fracking regions of US (via Forbes)

ENVIRONMENT 

US drought damage could top $200 billion (via AG Professional)

California plan to overhaul water system hub will cost $25 billion (via Los Angeles Times)

Over 100 ski resorts join BICEP climate declaration (via Triple Pundit)

US sued over policy on killing endangered wildlife (via Los Angeles Times)

CLIMATE 

Erratic US “weather whiplash” accounts for billions in global losses (via The Guardian)

Understanding local weather key to coping with climate change (via RTCC)

POLITICS 

FERC Chairman Wellinghoff announces he’ll step down (via The Hill)

Rallies in 12 US cities protest Koch Brothers Tribune Takeover bid (via Desmog Blog)

OPINION 

Here’s why 1.2 billion people still don’t have access to electricity (via Washington Post)

Why Germany’s solar power is distributed (via Greentech Media)

Kerry’s misfire about US performance on Kyoto emissions targets (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.29.13

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

GRID 

Global grid storage market to jump to $10.4 billion by 2017 (via Renew Grid)

Smart grid may plug leaky, wasteful energy systems (via Forbes)

Microgrid merger highlights new business models (via Navigant Research)

PJM secures record amount of new generation, demand response (via Renew Grid)

EMISSIONS 

UN says world could cut emissions by 20B tons by 2020 (via Bloomberg)

UK and Germany see CO2 emissions from energy rise in 2012 (via BusinessGreen)

Fossil fuel divestment movement reaches 200 colleges (via Toledo Blade/AP)

Oil industry: federal renewable fuel mandate causes more emissions (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

World Bank: business as usual will fail to give sustainable energy for all (via BusinessGreen)

EU tariffs on China solar panels loom as talks fail (via Greentech Media)

Most EU states “oppose PV tariffs” (via Recharge)

China’s threatened solar duties on EU products would hurt its own producers (via Reuters)

1.1GW of wind power to be added in Africa amid new investment (via Inhabitat)

Argentina, Indonesia hit with EU tariff on biodiesel imports (via Bloomberg)

Solar industry anxious over defective panels (via New York Times)

Solar cheaper than wind? (via Sustainable Business)

Wind forecasting and data analytics revenue will surpass $300 million by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Cold climate wind energy showing huge potential (via Phys.org)

Minnesota plants seeds for community solar gardens (via Midwest Energy News)

Wyoming makes power play to export wind energy (via Wall Street Journal)

Kansas City installing solar on municipal buildings, saving $40k/year (via Treehugger)

COAL 

Coal is making a comeback in 2013 (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Germany sticking to 1 million EVs by 2020 target despite slow sales (via Autoblog Green)

Better Place lost $459M on $6.9M in sales last year; cumulative losses of $812M (via Green Car Congress)

Tesla pushes electric-car viability with rapid charging (via Bloomberg)

Musk sticking to plan for “affordable” Tesla model (via Autoblog)

Tesla crosses the $100 per share mark (via GigaOm)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Interior Department faces pressure to slow down fracking rule (via The Hill)

Natural gas may have found its price sweet spot (via Politico)

Illinois counties can do little but brace for fracking’s impact (via Chicago Tribune)

A New Mexico county’s fracking ban is all about the water (via Los Angeles Times)

CLIMATE 

97% global warming consensus meets resistance from science denial (via The Guardian)

Bill would shift NOAA resources from climate research (via Climate Central)

CBS News ties extreme weather to manmade climate change (via Climate Progress)

Bill McKibben wins Sophie Prize for fight against global warming (via Washington Post/AP)

POLITICS 

Former EPA Administrator Jackson heading to Apple (via The Hill)

The obscure county-level election that could change the planet (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Can Pakistan survive climate change? (via ClimateWire)

5 clean tech milestones worth celebrating (via Greentech Media)

Keystone XL approval is a throw of the dice in much bigger gamble (via Huffington Post)

EV industry better off without Better Place (via Navigant Research)

Climate change adaptation: so simple, a caveman could do it (via Grist)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.24.13

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

COAL 

Chinese coal demand falling as Pacific Northwest considers export terminals (via Bellingham Herald)

ENVIRONMENT 

World faces “self-inflicted” water shortages within a generation (via BusinessGreen)

NOAA predicts between 7-11 Atlantic hurricanes for US in 2013 (via Reuters)

Study finds amphibians declining at alarming rate around US (via Washington Post)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Quebec to do own review of Enbridge pipeline project (via Reuters)

Keystone makes TransCanada more cautious about future US forays, say execs (via The Tyee)

Environmental movement goes from Beltway to grassroots to defeat Keystone (via InsideClimate News)

First 100,000 Keystone comments posted by State Department reveal intensity of fight (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

Solar PV market to boom, reach $155 billion by 2018 (via Energy Manager Today)

EU denies breakdown in solar panel talks (via Reuters)

US offshore wind fact sheet (via Greentech Media)

Minnesota’s new solar law: looking beyond percentages (via Midwest Energy News)

EMISSIONS 

Researchers say carbon capture in Europe a “farce” (via BusinessGreen)

Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture increased 13% from 1990-2010 (via Farmers Guardian)

Higher emissions linked to coal-fired power plants in Texas and other states (via Houston Chronicle)

Seven thrilling facts about carbon taxes from the CBO (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

Russia evacuates Arctic research station as ice below melts (via Phys.org)

Will great wines be a moveable feat in a warming climate?pol (via ClimateWire)

The 10 best cities to ride out climate change (via Grist)

Tesla CEO Musk: “reframe” climate argument (via The Hill)

Gov. Christie’s climate change remarks get him in hot water with infrastructure experts (via ClimateWire)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Germany brewers warn fracking could hurt beer industry (via Reuters)

FracFocus drillers’ registry to create US chemicals database (via Houston Chronicle)

Senators, environmental groups spar on fracking (via The Hill)

GRID 

Microgrids: a utility’s best friend or worst enemy? (via Greentech Media)

Can energy storage make wind and solar energy as reliable as coal? (via Energy Collective)

PG&E, California Energy Commission launch 4MW energy storage pilot (via Green Car Congress)

GREEN BUSINESS 

New global sustainability reporting guidelines focus on material issues (via Bloomberg BNA)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Buildings in national efficiency challenge cut energy use, save $58 million (via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Seattle municipal efficiency measures save $1.25 million (via Energy Manager Today)

TRANSPORTATION 

Merger will create world’s largest EV driver community (via EarthTechling)

POLITICS 

Billionaire’s super PAC on offense in Massachusetts (via Politico)

OPINION 

A mission on climate change (via Washington Post)

Germany must curb runaway retail prices for sake of green power (via Reuters)

Why we need competitive electricity markets (via Grist)

Tornadoes were just the beginning – this hurricane season is going to be stormy (via Time)

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 – 5.22.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China agrees to impose carbon reduction targets by 2016 (via The Independent)

California carbon permits sell for record high price (via Reuters)

64 companies follow Wal-Mart’s effort to reduce supplier emissions (via ClimateWire)

Infographic: where are all our carbon emissions being stored? (via Inhabitat)

NAUTRAL GAS/FRACKING 

DOE Secretary Moniz vows review of natural gas exports (via The Hill)

Lawmakers press Interior Department to slow down fracking rules (via The Hill)

BNSF Railway launches rail loop for fracking sand (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES

EU and US not coordinating on China solar dispute (via Reuters)

Global solar manufacturers poised to make come back (via Sustainable Business)

Goldman Sachs to invest $486 million in Japan renewable energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Study finds marine life unhindered by offshore wind farm (via Renewable Energy World)

Vertical axis wind turbines make a return (via Navigant Research)

Solar’s growing role in the US military (via Sustainable Business)

Federal government will build its largest wind farm to power nuclear assembly plant (via Energy Manager Today)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Businesses urge EU to adopt energy efficiency goals (via BusinessGreen)

Moniz vows to advance efficiency bill, sees “real chance” (via The Hill)

30% energy efficiency gain would create $275 billion US tech market (via Energy Manager Today)

Hospitals can reduce energy consumption 62% (via Energy Manager Today)

COAL 

European coal’s record slump poised to end on output cuts (via Houston Chronicle)

The two faces of coal power (via EnergyBiz)

Southern Company’s coal gasification plant balloons over $4 billion to $7 per watt (via Facts of the Day)

CLIMATE 

Widespread Greenland melting a sign of things to come (via Climate Central)

70% of Americans say global warming should be a priority (via Yale e360)

Tornado-proofing cities in the age of extreme weather (via Time)

GRID

Smart meter shipments for commercial and industrial markets will reach 12.7 million annually by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

US grid balancing could go further to increase renewables (via Reuters)

Report finds US grid vulnerable to cyber-attacks (via Politico)

The smart meter stimulus-cash-to-integration equation (via Greentech Media)

ComEd says smart grid program created 2,700 jobs in Q1 (via Renew Grid)

Some US utilities say they’re under constant cyber attack (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

Ban Ki-Moon: world on course to run out of water (via RTCC)

Corn-producing states face high water-shortage risk (via Environmental Leader)

Ogallala Aquifer in Texas panhandle suffers big drop (via Texas Tribune)

NOAA still planning to furlough storm forecasters (via Politico)

Wolves in US won’t lose protections, for now (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Fossil fuel divestment campaign’s victory in Australia will be a moral one (via The Guardian)

Can local Chambers of Commerce be clean energy catalysts? (via GreenBiz)

Tesla repaying loan gives Obama a green win (via Bloomberg)

Oklahoma tornado: is climate change to blame? (via The Guardian)

POLITICS 

On climate change, Obama faces an attack from his left flank (via Washington Post)

White House threatens veto of Keystone bill (via The Hill)

NJ Gov. Christie: no proof climate change caused Sandy (via The Hill)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.21.13

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

EMISSIONS 

South Korea may launch world’s most ambitious cap and trade market (via CleanTechnica)

Carbon capture faces scale dilemma (via Reuters)

UK unwraps energy-intensive industry carbon price compensation package (via BusinessGreen)

CLIMATE 

World’s largest cities say time to adapt to climate change (via RTCC)

Glacier melt causes a third of all sea-level rise (via ABC Science)

Climate change pushes farmers in India to tipping point (via The Guardian)

Scientists agree on climate change, so why doesn’t everyone else? (via Washington Post)

Weatherproofing cities to face future Sandys (via Council on Foreign Relation)

RENEWABLES 

Solar has barely scratched the surface of a $2 trillion market (via Renew Economy)

2012 a record-breaking year for global wind power (via DW)

Solar industry groups urge US, EU, China to avert trade war (via Washington Post)

US and EU set to negotiate settlements in Chinese solar panel cases (via New York Times)

EU tariffs on Chinese solar imports “a grave mistake” says German minister (via BusinessGreen)

US military on track to reach 3GW of solar by 2025 (via Greentech Media)

95% of US energy executives predict more renewables investment (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Ethanol production stagnates as biofuel mandates grow (via Houston Chronicle)

The advantages of developing solar on brownfields (via Greentech Media)

US ethanol production capacity little changed in past year (via US EIA)

Can state harvesting guidelines keep biomass sustainable? (via Midwest Energy News)

Minnesota is a governor’s signature away from 450MW of solar (via Greentech Media)

North Carolina creates legal framework to develop wind farms (via Recharge)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency could cut wireless data power demand 90% by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

LEED remains top choice for government buildings (via Sustainable Business)

Senate energy efficiency bill could be “poison pill” for LEED standards (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

EU to investigate environmental impact of shale gas fracking (via Reuters)

What exporting US natural gas means for the climate (via WRI Insights)

Natural gas climbs to three-week high on LNG approval, hot weather (via Bloomberg)

The fight for North Dakota’s fracking water market (via Reuters)

California’s proposed fracking moratoriums might not apply to other drilling in Monterey Shale (via EnergyWire)

161 water wells impacted by Pennsylvania gas drilling from 2008-2012 (via Facts of the Day)

GRID 

More US consumers now support smart grid (via Renew Grid)

ARRA update: almost two-thirds of US smart grid funds spent (via Renew Grid)

Underwater batteries make an energy storage splash (via GigaOm)

The military microgrid as smart grid asset (via Greentech Media)

Energy storage, meet energy markets (via Greentech Media)

Texas power grid poised to be put to test again (via Texas Tribune)

Revenue at Bloom Energy falls in Q1 (via Greentech Media)

New grid switches cut 80,000 outages for ComEd (via Greentech Media)

As Texas towns say no, signs of rising resistance to smart meters (via Texas Tribune)

OIL 

Oman to use solar power to get oil from old wells (via New York Times)

With US awash in oil, national interest argument for Keystone weakens (via InsideClimate News)

A black mound of Canadian oil waste is rising over Detroit (via New York Times)

Alaska’s governor launches bid to measure oil in Arctic refuge (via Los Angeles Times)

Exxon: no plans yet to reopen ruptured Arkansas pipeline, and no answers why (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Plugged in: US electric car sales hit 100,000 (via EarthTechling)

Tesla to pay off US DOE loan Wednesday (via Bloomberg)

United Airlines restarts 787 Dreamliner flights (via USA Today)

Tesla’s fight with American car dealers (via CNN Money)

COAL 

In the US West, Big Coal makes its stand (via Navigant Research)

ENVIRONMENT 

Ocean warming means new paradigm for world’s fisheries (via Climate Progress)

A plague of deforestation sweeps across Southeast Asia (via Yale e360)

Asia-Pacific leaders warn of water conflict threat (via Phys.org)

Deforestation in Brazilian Amazon pacing 88% higher than 2012 (via Mongabay)

USGS: drop in US aquifer levels has accelerated (via Reuters)

Wells dry, fertile US plains turn to dust (via New York Times)

ENERGY POLICY 

Moniz era begins at Energy Department (via The Hill)

Fossil fuel divestment campaign escalates at Swarthmore (via Huffington Post)

Illinois renewable energy law fix faces opposition from utilities (via Midwest Energy News)

OPINION 

What’s at stake with natural-gas exports? (via National Journal)

Wind and the myth of negative pricing (via Greentech Media)

“If people aren’t pissed off, it ain’t working”: a chat with Tom Steyer (via Grist)

Climate warnings, growing louder (via New York Times)

Fixing the economy may be the best way to pass a climate bill (via Washington Post)

Arizona clean energy = more jobs (via CleanTechnica)

Utilities for dummies: how they work and why that needs to change (via Grist)

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)