Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.16.14

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

CLIMATE 

Extreme weather disasters have cost Earth $2.4 trillion since 1971 (via Climate Central)

Japan meteorological agency reports hottest March-June on record globally (via ClimateProgress)

Germany pledges $1 billion to UN climate change fund (via The Guardian)

White House unveils climate change initiatives (via New York Times)

Taking to the pulpit against climate change (via USA Today)

NUCLEAR 

Japan readies atomic restarts as regulator signals approval (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China to smash target of 150GW installed wind by 2017 (via Recharge)

India targets 35% renewable energy share in installed capacity mix by 2050 (via CleanTechnica)

World Trade Organization tells U.S. to reconsider solar panel tariffs (via Renewable Energy World)

Big EU banks pile into green bonds, China poised to follow (via Renew Economy)

Alternative-energy funds see renewed buying by investors (via Wall Street Journal)

United Kingdom approves EON offshore wind farm to power 450,000 homes (via Bloomberg)

German development bank issues €1.5 billion green bond (via BusinessGreen)

European wind industry warns of offshore slowdown (via BusinessGreen)

World’s biggest wave energy projects sinks without a trace (via Renew Economy)

4.9GW new offshore wind capacity under construction in Europe (via Renewable Energy World)

Shinsei Bank plans $2 billion of clean energy loans in Japan (via Bloomberg)

DOE awards $6 million to advance drop-in biofuels (via Green Car Congress)

California keeps crushing America’s clean energy and tech rankings (via CleanTechnica)

EMISSIONS 

Businesses say South Korea carbon market to cost $27 billion, should be delayed (via Reuters)

OIL 

U.S. oil export ban won’t be lifted this year, says Upton (via Bloomberg)

Older oil train tank cars to be phased out under industry proposal (via Bloomberg)

Enhanced oil recovery techniques limited in shale (via Houston Chronicle)

Shell announces new 100 million barrel of oil discovery in Gulf of Mexico (via Houston Chronicle)

New pipeline would carry Bakken oil from North Dakota to Illinois through Iowa (via ClimateProgress)

Without fracking boom, U.S. would face oil crisis, says Yergin (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

TRANSPORTATION 

BMW doubles down on electric vehicles (via The Hill)

Elon Musk reveals details of new Tesla vehicle (via Washington Post)

TAR SANDS 

Tar sands development threaten world’s largest boreal forest (via World Resources Institute)

ENVIRONMENT 

63% of paper consumed in U.S. is recycled, says report (via Environmental Leader)

Drought, drilling, and wildfires have cut mule deer population by two-thirds (via ClimateProgress)

Drought will cost California $2.2 billion in agriculture losses this year (via Wall Street Journal)

For first time, California gets ready for mandatory water restrictions (via ClimateProgress)

Groundwater is drought lifeline for California farmers (via Climate Central)

Battle lines form in California: Farms v. solar v. high-speed rail (via Greenwire)

As jellyfish come in waves off Maine coast, questions follow (via Portland Press-Herald)

NATURAL GAS 

Chile eyes use of U.S. shale gas by early 2016 (via Reuters)

Google project spotlights natural gas pipeline leaks under city streets (via Houston Chronicle)

Push to ban fracking in Colorado falls short (via The Hill)

GRID 

Revenue streams are key to cost-effective energy storage (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

California grid faces renewable energy “oversupply” (via Recharge)

POLITICS 

U.S. Senate confirms two FERC nominees (via The Hill)

Florida scientists press Gov. Rick Scott on climate change (via Tampa Bay Times)

OPINION 

Companies don’t care anymore that you don’t care anymore about this sustainability thing (via Bloomberg)

New York’s utility reform plan will usher in a new era of consumer choice (via Greentech Media)

Cap and trade’s moment of truth (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.16.14

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

CLIMATE 

Extreme weather disasters have cost Earth $2.4 trillion since 1971 (via Climate Central)

Japan meteorological agency reports hottest March-June on record globally (via ClimateProgress)

Germany pledges $1 billion to UN climate change fund (via The Guardian)

White House unveils climate change initiatives (via New York Times)

Taking to the pulpit against climate change (via USA Today)

NUCLEAR 

Japan readies atomic restarts as regulator signals approval (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

China to smash target of 150GW installed wind by 2017 (via Recharge)

India targets 35% renewable energy share in installed capacity mix by 2050 (via CleanTechnica)

World Trade Organization tells U.S. to reconsider solar panel tariffs (via Renewable Energy World)

Big EU banks pile into green bonds, China poised to follow (via Renew Economy)

Alternative-energy funds see renewed buying by investors (via Wall Street Journal)

United Kingdom approves EON offshore wind farm to power 450,000 homes (via Bloomberg)

German development bank issues €1.5 billion green bond (via BusinessGreen)

European wind industry warns of offshore slowdown (via BusinessGreen)

World’s biggest wave energy projects sinks without a trace (via Renew Economy)

4.9GW new offshore wind capacity under construction in Europe (via Renewable Energy World)

Shinsei Bank plans $2 billion of clean energy loans in Japan (via Bloomberg)

DOE awards $6 million to advance drop-in biofuels (via Green Car Congress)

California keeps crushing America’s clean energy and tech rankings (via CleanTechnica)

EMISSIONS 

Businesses say South Korea carbon market to cost $27 billion, should be delayed (via Reuters)

OIL 

U.S. oil export ban won’t be lifted this year, says Upton (via Bloomberg)

Older oil train tank cars to be phased out under industry proposal (via Bloomberg)

Enhanced oil recovery techniques limited in shale (via Houston Chronicle)

Shell announces new 100 million barrel of oil discovery in Gulf of Mexico (via Houston Chronicle)

New pipeline would carry Bakken oil from North Dakota to Illinois through Iowa (via ClimateProgress)

Without fracking boom, U.S. would face oil crisis, says Yergin (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

TRANSPORTATION 

BMW doubles down on electric vehicles (via The Hill)

Elon Musk reveals details of new Tesla vehicle (via Washington Post)

TAR SANDS 

Tar sands development threaten world’s largest boreal forest (via World Resources Institute)

ENVIRONMENT 

63% of paper consumed in U.S. is recycled, says report (via Environmental Leader)

Drought, drilling, and wildfires have cut mule deer population by two-thirds (via ClimateProgress)

Drought will cost California $2.2 billion in agriculture losses this year (via Wall Street Journal)

For first time, California gets ready for mandatory water restrictions (via ClimateProgress)

Groundwater is drought lifeline for California farmers (via Climate Central)

Battle lines form in California: Farms v. solar v. high-speed rail (via Greenwire)

As jellyfish come in waves off Maine coast, questions follow (via Portland Press-Herald)

NATURAL GAS 

Chile eyes use of U.S. shale gas by early 2016 (via Reuters)

Google project spotlights natural gas pipeline leaks under city streets (via Houston Chronicle)

Push to ban fracking in Colorado falls short (via The Hill)

GRID 

Revenue streams are key to cost-effective energy storage (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

California grid faces renewable energy “oversupply” (via Recharge)

POLITICS 

U.S. Senate confirms two FERC nominees (via The Hill)

Florida scientists press Gov. Rick Scott on climate change (via Tampa Bay Times)

OPINION 

Companies don’t care anymore that you don’t care anymore about this sustainability thing (via Bloomberg)

New York’s utility reform plan will usher in a new era of consumer choice (via Greentech Media)

Cap and trade’s moment of truth (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.15.14

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

CLIMATE 

Military bases face hurdles in climate change adaptation (via Climate Central)

The business cost of climate change: What the science says (via The Guardian)

Heat waves replacing drought as deadliest climate disaster (via Vox)

Corporate America steadily steering climate solutions despite Congressional stalemate (via Forbes)

NATURAL GAS 

States with fracking see surge in earthquake activity (via Huffington Post/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Anti-dumping duty on solar gear unlikely to reduce India imports (via Panchabuta)

The Central American solar market is set to boom (via Greentech Media)

Record-breaking offshore wind deal helps drive up Q2 clean energy investment (via Bloomberg)

U.S. clean tech leaders announced (via Environmental Leader)

Leased solar panels can cast a shadow over a home’s value (via NPR)

Without state regulation, Iowa counties get tougher on wind projects (via Iowa City Gazette)

June bloom: Ten clean energy stocks for 2014, Q2 update (via Renewable Energy World)

COAL 

Coal plant carbon pollution injects life in old oil wells (via Bloomberg)

NRG’s $1 billion bet to show how carbon capture could work for coal power plants (via Forbes)

EMISSIONS 

Australia’s carbon tax repeal set for final showdown (via Reuters)

In lead up to carbon price, South Africa preps carbon offset program (via Climate Progress)

Emitters in China’s largest carbon market meet targets amid falling prices (via Reuters)

Switzerland threatens 40% carbon tax rise if targets not met (via Reuters)

Study: States can handle EPA power plant rules (via The Hill)

Texas utilities preparing for new EPA emissions regulations (via Texas Tribune)

OIL 

North Dakota expects “big surge” in summer crude output (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

UK auto industry is booming, largely thanks to clean technology (via BusinessGreen)

Low U.S. gasoline taxes may lead to waste, says IEA chief (via Reuters)

U.S. oil and rail sector agree on train tanker safety (via Reuters)

Which states have the worst roads in America? (via Washington Post)

White House says won’t help Tesla sell cars online (via The Hill)

Tesla wins approval to sell cars in Pennsylvania (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID 

Amidst extreme weather surge, distributed energy takes on new meaning for U.S. grid (via Greentech Media)

California ready to fund the next wave of microgrids paired with renewables and storage (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY POLICY 

Corporate cannibals: Electricity sector may have to kill gas to save itself (via Renew Economy)

Greatest growth opportunity for electric companies: Devour oil’s market (via Energy Trends Insider)

Colorado ranked least energy-expensive state (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Nestle bottling water straight from heart of California’s drought (via Salon)

OPINION 

How climate change changed me (via Politico)

The decline of coal (via Charleston Gazette)

Global warming is coming, but climate hysteria doesn’t help anyone (via Time)

The point everyone’s missing about the Polar Vortex’s return (via Climate Progress)

Electric vehicles will change the way you power your home (via Time)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.14.14

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

CLIMATE 

New climate models predict an Australian perma-drought (via Motherboard)

Southern Australia faces water crisis by 2100 due to climate change (via The Guardian)

Carbon import tariffs could torpedo climate deal, says EU official (via Reuters)

Obama to push climate resilience at state, local level (via The Hill)

Climate change has created a new literary genre (via Washington Post)

COAL 

Beijing to enforce use of clean coal in anti-pollution drive (via Reuters)

Coal mining ruling: Another legal win for Obama EPA (via Charleston Gazette)

RENEWABLES 

Global solar module prices just reached a record low (via Climate Progress)

Global biofuel output expansion to slow by 2023, says OECD (via Reuters)

Led by Chile, Latin America solar PV pipeline nears 20GW (via Greentech Media)

BNEF: Europe to invest $1 trillion in renewables by 2030 (via CleanTechnica)

Indian PM Modi doubles down on country’s solar revolution (via BusinessGreen)

Russia’s state-supported renewable energy auction heavily favored solar (via Renewable Energy World)

$1 billion geothermal project brings Costa Rica closer to 100% renewables (via Renew Economy)

Zurich Insurance to double investment in green bonds (via Bloomberg)

PV industry sees a “second gold rush” coming in solar sector (via Solar Industry Magazine)

USDA plants seed funding for rural clean energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar vs. utility battles heating up in Iowa, Wisconsin (via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

CPUC report highlights California’s continued solar success (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Is Texas souring on wind power? (via Forbes)

Iowa Supreme Court rules in favor of third-party solar (via Midwest Energy News)

Huge North Carolina solar project could “move the needle” for solar possibilities (via Renewable Energy World)

Inside Yingli, the giant Chinese solar company sponsoring the World Cup (via Mother Jones)

EMISSIONS 

China could reveal carbon cap by first quarter 2015 (via RTCC)

EU pollution permits to gain 28% as regulators cut supply glut (via Bloomberg)

London projected to fail EU air quality limits until 2030 (via Bloomberg)

Group representing half a billion Christians says it will no longer support fossil fuels (via Climate Progress)

Texas, U.S. leader in emissions stands vulnerable to their effects (via New York Times)

The plan to get New Jersey back into RGGI that Chris Christie can’t veto (via Climate Progress)

University of Dayton divests from fossil fuels (via Midwest Energy News)

OIL 

OPEC’s oil market share to shrink in 2015, despite growing demand (via Reuters)

Oil demand up fastest since 2010 on China growth, says IEA (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)

China, U.S. to cooperate on strategic oil reserves (via Reuters)

Global oil exploration nears $1 trillion, but where are the finds? (via Reuters)

Crumbling roads in oil fields slow U.S. energy boom (via Bloomberg)

New York State won’t keep oil train details secret (via Huffington Post/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

There are now more than 500,000 EVs on Earth (via Autoblog Green)

Report: Electric vehicle market to hit $500 billion by 2025 (via BusinessGreen)

China requires 30% of state vehicles use alternative energy (via Bloomberg)

Helsinki, Finland plans on making private car ownership obsolete in 10 years (via Time)

U.S. fuel economy improvements show diminishing fuel savings (via US EIA)

Tesla’s chargers now moving a gigawatt-hour of electricity per month (via GigaOm)

Bay Area governments make America’s biggest-yet EV purchase (via CleanTechnica)

Chicago wants more residents to drive electric vehicles (via Southern Illinoisan)

Audi preparing an entire lineup of PHEV models (via Autoblog Green)

NATURAL GAS 

Seven earthquakes hit Oklahoma in less than a day – is fracking to blame? (via Time)

Ohio fracking water reuse questioned (via Columbus Dispatch)

Former Pennsylvania health secretary: State failed to address fracking concerns (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

ENVIRONMENT 

The soil pollution crisis in China: Cleanup presents daunting challenge (via Yale e360)

California braces as drought sparks early fire season (via Sacramento Bee)

Firefighters battling seven wildfires in Washington State (via Los Angeles Times)

New data says huge West Virginia chemical spill may have been more toxic than reported (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY POLICY 

India PM Modi accelerates solar revolution, doubles tax on coal (via Renew Economy)

Why were this company’s computers attacked millions of times this year? Algae. (via Washington Post)

Wells Fargo’s focus on energy shows growth strategy (via Reuters)

KEYSTONE XL 

Lopsided lobbying on Keystone XL pipeline (via Washington Post)

Keystone XL backers want to keep pipeline in the public eye (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Data shows some energy retrofits actually increase energy usage (via Energy Manager Today)

ACEEE urges EPA to add building codes to Clean Power Plan (via Environmental Leader)

NUCLEAR 

Russia signs nuclear energy deal with Argentina (via Reuters)

GRID 

Blackout-plagued India moves toward a smarter grid (via Navigant Research)

Stanford working on “reversible” fuel cells for energy storage (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

2014’s sleeper campaign issue: A bank nobody’s heard about (via Politico)

House GOP votes to thwart imaginary offshore drilling restriction (via National Journal)

Influence game: Shaping railroad safety rules (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Coal-reliant Pennsylvania faces election showdown over EPA, natural gas, carbon trading (via ClimateWire)

OPINION 

Six trends illustrating the US-China trade case’s impact on the solar market (via Greentech Media)

Here’s what the fossil fuel industry thinks of the carbon bubble (via Renew Economy)

What’s at stake with the Ex-Im Bank? (via National Journal)

Will Nissan’s free EV charging rival Tesla’s Supercharger network? (via Greentech Media)

Five reasons U.S. solar installers are vertically integrating…for now (via RMI Outlet)

NY Times gets it wrong with attacks on Steyer and divestment (via EcoWatch)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.9.14

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

CLIMATE 

UN issued roadmap on how to avoid climate catastrophe (via The Guardian)

U.S., China ink coal, clean energy deals but climate differences remain (via Reuters)

Arctic warming upsetting birds’ breeding calendar, warns study (via The Guardian)

You may be denying climate change, but the U.S. military isn’t (via Business Insider)

COAL 

Sen. Manchin intends to block anti-coal policy at Export-Import Bank (via Huffington Post)

Tribes oppose Columbia River coal export terminal (via Seattle Times)

RENEWABLES 

International trade talks aim to end tariffs on $1 trillion in solar panels, wind turbines (via The Hill)

Deal set to rescue Australian Renewable Energy Agency (via The Guardian)

EU reaches deal with Germany on green energy law (via Reuters)

India targets 485GW renewable capacity by 2050 (via Climate Connect)

EU offshore wind targets look iffy as France, Germany fall behind (via ClimateWire)

European Commission and industry investing $5 billion in biomass (via Bloomberg)

Saudi solar robot cleans desert PV panels – water free (via Renew Economy)

Aviation offers a way forward in biofuels research (via Phys.org)

Hey haters, RGGI cap-and-trade powered 800MW new renewables in 2013 (via CleanTechnica)

Can Sungevity win solar customers with rooftop imagery and data? (via Greentech Media)

Enphase, Mosiac join forces in bid to push solar loans and supplant the lease (via Greentech Media)

Nevada solar net metering will save the grid $36 million, says state report (via Renewable Energy World)

Apple building third massive solar farm in North Carolina (via GigaOm)

Two solar giants aim to own it all (via EnergyWire)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine’s gas dispute could mean cold winter for Europe (via Reuters)

Surge of industrial projects could lift U.S. gas demand 19-31% by 2020 (via Houston Chronicle)

Incoming EU President Junker says he opposes fracking (via RTCC)

Ohio study finds more costs than benefits in shale gas drilling (via Midwest Energy News)

Texas sheriff wants criminal charges filed in fracking pollution case (via InsideClimate News)

In rare effort, Ohio scientist to test water before fracking starts (via InsideClimate News)

EMISSIONS 

New report outlines “pathways” to cut CO2 emissions (via Climate Central)

Singapore outlines plans to fine foreign air polluters (via RTCC)

NJ governor again pursues withdrawal from regional climate initiative (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

U.S. Conference of Mayors scraps cap-and-trade support (via Governing)

OIL 

Chevron admits oil shale production will use huge amounts of western water (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Li-ion batteries to dominate EV market until 2020 (via Environmental Leader)

In new twist, Renewable Fuels Standard could boost electric vehicles (via Greenwire)

Bay Area governments make big EV purchase (via Phys.org)

Another Tesla crash, another Wall Street knee-jerk overreaction (via San Jose Mercury-News)

GRID 

How three states are moving forward with microgrids (via GreenBiz)

73% of small businesses want fixed-price electricity supply contracts (via Energy Manager Today)

Texas studying if wind generators should pay for transmission line use (via Houston Chronicle)

At big solar show, batteries take center stage (via GigaOm)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Environmental free-trade deal could help tar-sands producers (via Grist)

Keystone route legal, Nebraska tells state’s high court (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

How green is the 2014 World Cup? (via GreenBiz)

Japan’s prime minister confirms whale hunt will resume in 2015 (via Huffington Post)

Climate-linked drought cutting forests’ carbon-storing ability (via Mongabay)

Obama seeks $615 million to fight wildfires (via The Hill)

POLITICS 

House GOP launches assault on EPA climate rules (via The Hill)

Kentucky senator on global warming: “There are no coal mines on Mars” (via National Journal)

OPINION 

How opposite energy policies turned the Fukushima disaster into a loss for Japan and a win for Germany (via RMI Outlet)

Climate skeptics are losing their grip (via Financial Times)

If it’s a war on coal, coal is winning (via Bloomberg)

The EPA is swimming in murky water (via Washington Post)

The end of sustainability (via Ensia)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.7.14

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

CLIMATE 

Australia sees little consensus among G20 for new climate action (via The Hill)

Report says UK climate change policies have not harmed economy (via The Guardian)

Hawaii, Rhode Island, Vermont take serious climate adaptation action (via CleanTechnica)

Ceres: half of America’s largest companies don’t report on climate risk (via Triple Pundit)

Meet the scientist who might end the climate culture wars (via Popular Science)

RENEWABLES 

Lessons in solar development for the Latin American market (via Renewable Energy World)

Brazil planning local-content rules for solar industry (via Bloomberg)

Deutsche Bank predicts big increase in publicly traded solar-based Yieldcos (via CleanTechnica)

Global solar jobs surge to 2.3 million in 2013 (via Recharge)

Solar thin-film panels reach 11-month high on trade war (via Bloomberg)

World Bank to invest $775 million in clean energy across India (via Economic Times)

Renewables jump to 31% in Germany for first half 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Brazil’s national development bank loans $251 for wind projects (via Recharge)

Insurers to cover European withdrawal of solar and wind subsidies (via Financial Times)

Gamesa and Areva ink deal to form offshore wind giant (via BusinessGreen)

U.S. weighs offshore wind tourism impact (via Recharge)

Two federal agencies side with Cape Wind on environmental issues (via Cape Cod Times)

North Carolina utilities panel will delve into cost of renewable power (via Charlotte News Observer)

Michigan PSC says state could boost solar at no cost to utility customers (via Environmental Law & Policy Center)

Lessons from the making of Massachusetts’ solar compromise bill (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

Modi’s power pledge set to lift coal imports to record (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

U.S. Ex-Im Bank weighs loan to major India coal project (via Reuters)

Coal poised for rare win over Obama in Ex-Im Bank fight (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS 

U.S. pension funds ignore divestment calls, keep fossil fuels burning (via Financial Times)

Taking oil industry cue, environmentalists drew emissions blueprint (via New York Times)

California Democrat introduces bill to delay cap-and-trade expansion (via Reuters)

OIL 

U.S. now world’s biggest oil producer after overtaking Saudi Arabia (via Bloomberg)

Lac Megantic, Quebec still recovering from deadly oil train disaster (via Huffington Post)

US Commerce Secretary says “serious conversations” underway on oil exports (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla Model S earns top score in industry for total quality (via Green Car Reports)

Toyota to offer wireless charging on next-generation Prius in 2016 (via Plug-in Cars)

Data shows why EV owners are so different from the rest of us (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Germany drafting anti-shale fracking rules on public opposition (via Bloomberg)

Research links Oklahoma quakes to drilling activity (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy companies say disposal wells central to Oklahoma’s oil, gas operations (via The Oklahoman)

ENVIRONMENT 

Great Barrier Reed faces ravaging from expected El Nino (via The Guardian)

Nearly 80% of California now under “extreme” drought conditions (via Los Angeles Times)

ENERGY POLICY 

Homebuilders, restaurants herald cracks in Japan’s power market (via Bloomberg)

DOE issuing up to $4 billion in loan guarantees for energy, efficiency projects (via Green Car Congress)

A hot July energy legislation forecast on Capitol Hill (via National Journal)

The future of batteries: Q&A with director of national laboratory battery hub (via Phys.org)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Utilities reveal just how much customers are saving with energy efficiency programs (via Renew Grid)

Biggest hospital in North America to feature a green roof with medicinal herbs (via Inhabitat)

OPINION 

World Bank email leaks reveal internal row over power project loans (via The Guardian)

Green bond market is growing, but what makes a bond green? (via The Economist)

Here’s why the forecast for microgrids looks so sunny (via GreenBiz)

Why carbon market participants want more corporate involvement (via GreenBiz)

Congress’s head-in-the sand approach to climate change (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.30.14

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

CLIMATE 

World Bank: Tacking climate change will grow the economy (via Climate Central)

Leading insurer closing its climate change office, leaving industry “mute” (via ClimateWire)

Mexico eyes economic benefits of landmark climate law (via RTCC)

The high cost of climate change inaction in two new studies (via NRDC Switchboard)

Wheat breeders planning for climate change (via The Western Producer)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Scotland primed for shale gas exploration (via BusinessGreen)

RENEWABLES 

IRENA says world needs $550 billion of renewables investment a year (via RTCC)

Last week, wind energy was the new baseload in Australia (via Renew Economy)

German lawmakers vote to reduce renewable energy subsidies (via Bloomberg)

SunEdison closes $190 million financing for Chile solar project (via Bloomberg)

Silver lining for China’s carbon-financed wind power boom (via Forbes)

Columbia River Basin provides more than 40% total U.S. hydroelectric generation (via U.S. EIA)

Michigan’s wind industry soaring (via Detroit Free-Press)

Growing number of solar panels a concern for Wisconsin utilities (via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Boston trying out solar-powered “smart benches” in parks (via Boston Globe)

GM adds three acres of solar arrays at Michigan facilities (via Green Car Congress)

SunPower to add storage to solar in new homes (via Greentech Media)

NextEra Energy prices yieldco IPO (via Recharge)

EMISSIONS 

Australia carbon tax moves closer to repeal after vote in lower house (via Reuters)

Caribbean needs $30 billion investment to cut fossil-fuel use (via Bloomberg)

Shanghai firms meet carbon targets after last-day permit auction (via Reuters)

DOE-sponsored project captures one millionth metric ton of CO2 (via Breaking Energy)

NASA to launch CO2-tracking satellite (via The Guardian)

Los Angeles councilman to propose emissions reduction measure (via Los Angeles Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Drought has drillers running after shrinking California water supply (via NPR)

Map shows when summer heat will peak in your town (via Climate Central)

OIL 

The other battle for Canada’s oil sands (via Houston Chronicle)

Following long ban, U.S. could dominate global light oil supply (via Reuters)

Feds, lawmakers warn of fire risk from oil trains (via The Hill)

Oil boom meets bust in Texas: Above sea of oil, poverty digs in (via New York Times)

BP seeks return of millions in oil spill damage payments (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

China only sold 7,000 electric automobiles in 2013 (via Autoblog Green)

Lukewarm automaker interest in open Tesla EV patents (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan prices replacement Leaf battery at $5,500 (via Autoblog Green)

COAL 

MSHA issues 147 citations during coal mine inspections (via Washington Post)

GRID 

UK seeks to avoid “energy crunch” with 53GW capacity auction (via BusinessGreen)

NREL supercomputer tackles grid challenges (via Intelligent Utility)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Berg Insights predicts 36 million smart homes worldwide by 2017 (via GigaOm)

Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance starts financing network (via Clean Energy Finance Forum)

OPINION 

Australia risks G20 isolation by scrapping carbon tax (via Financial Times)

The American West’s water crisis (via New York Times)

How carbon pricing can boost the bottom line (via Environmental Leader)

Time to buy shares in a yieldco? (via Sustainable Business)

Will Governor Christie re-embrace cap-and-trade in wake of EPA rule? (via InsideClimate News)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.27.14

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

CLIMATE 

Green bonds show path to $1 trillion market for climate (via Bloomberg)

Wall Street: Your climate war has arrived (via National Journal)

What are schools teaching your kids about global warming? (via National Journal)

New mapping technology shows whether global warming will drown your town (via Washington Post)

ENERGY POLICY 

French proposal on 2030 EU energy goals could ease gridlock (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Denmark to establish $1 billion green fund (via Energy Manager Today)

China boosts solar exports to developing countries as trade tension mounts with U.S. (via BusinessGreen)

UK audit questions $28 billion in clean energy projects (via Bloomberg)

El Salvador awards contracts for 94MW of solar (via Bloomberg)

Utilities move to kick rooftop solar off the grid in Australia (via Renew Economy)

Brazil to retain transmission and distribution discount on wind energy (via Recharge)

CBO says U.S. gas prices to rise if biofuel mandate not cut (via Reuters)

Distributed renewable energy comes under fire (via CleanTechnica)

As Ohio shuts down clean energy, businesses say they want more renewables (via Greentech Media)

Wisconsin electric cooperative unveils state’s first community solar project (via Madison.com)

EMISSIONS 

EU seen curbing coal use by quadrupling carbon price (via Bloomberg)

Beijing emitters trade 1.6 million carbon permits in fist seven months of pilot program (via Reuters)

Abbott “optimistic” on carbon tax repeal despite crossbench senator’s concerns (via The Guardian)

OIL 

Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S. produced most oil in 2013, says BP report (via Christian Science Monitor)

Federal officials say oil train dangers extend past Bakken shipments (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Oil boom fuels drop in average age of Great Plains states (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

North Dakota plans to double pipeline capacity in just two years (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

EVs get support in Canada with tax incentives, wireless charging (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla’s patent giveaway paves the EV freeway (via Navigant Research)

Will Georgia’s $5,000 EV tax credit be axed in 2015? (via Green Car Reports)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

U.S. shale spurs record investments by foreign chemical makers (via Bloomberg)

Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas exploring possible connections between fracking, earthquakes (via Topeka Capital-Journal)

Goldman says shale gas boom driving fear from market (via Bloomberg)

Air pollution spikes in homes near fracking wells (via Forbes)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

High-tech firms focus on energy efficiency to confront climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

LEED for roads: Greener infrastructure gains momentum (via GreenBiz)

KEYSTONE XL 

Support for Keystone XL is almost universal (via Washington Post)

ENVIRONMENT 

Indonesia seeks $5 billion to cut CO2 from deforestation (via Bloomberg)

Battle gets underway for control of .eco domain name (via The Guardian)

California wind farm first in U.S. to avoid penalty for dead eagles (via Wall Street Journal)

NASA shows big drop in air pollution over D.C., I-95 corridor since 2005 (via Washington Post)

POLITICS 

Obama has a response to GOP “I am not a scientist” line (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Scorched farms, flooded homes, lower productivity: The cost of doing nothing (via The Economist)

Solar tariffs seem certain to hurt U.S. installation market (via Solar Industry Magazine)

How solar finance is driving solar businesses to change (via CleanTechnica)

The oil boom in one slick infographic (via Grist)

How climate change ate conservatism’s smartest thinkers (via The Week)

Lessons from Rhode Island: How to pass climate laws in the U.S. (via RTCC)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.26.14

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

CLIMATE 

EU global warming damages are seen reaching $259 billion (via Bloomberg)

UK infrastructure neglected, at risk from climate change, warn engineers (via The Guardian)

Five graphics showing U.S. climate change costs (via Climate Central)

White House boasts progress on climate agenda (via The Hill)

Rhode Island signs off on new climate change law (via RTCC)

Obama calls climate-change skeptics “fringe” element (via Bloomberg)

The millions behind Bjorn Lomborg’s Copenhagen Consensus Center think tank (via DeSmogBlog)

NUCLEAR 

France’s proposed “cap” on nuclear electricity capacity (via Energy Collective)

Tepco faces down protest to press ahead with atomic restarts (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Renewable electricity nears 20% of UK mix (via BusinessGreen)

German utilities struggle in a renewable world (via Navigant Research)

Yieldcos could cut renewable costs by 20%, says study (via Greentech Media)

Securitized solar PV “set for breakthrough” in US (via Recharge)

US investors fear yieldco buying frenzy (via Recharge)

California continues to set daily records for utility-scale solar energy (via U.S. EIA)

Post-2020 RPS “unlikely” for California (via Recharge)

As renewables grow in Texas, battles over fees and subsidies emerge (via StateImpact Texas)

COAL 

North Carolina lawmakers order coal ash pond cleanup after Duke spill (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

Carbon capture and storage enters the twilight zone (via Renew Economy)

California earmarks quarter of its cap-and-trade revenue for environmental justice (via InsideClimate News)

OIL 

How a U.S. decision to allow oil exports could change the world’s energy balance (via Quartz)

Is U.S. oil production becoming a potential foreign policy tool? (via Christian Science Monitor)

White House says no change to U.S. ban on crude oil exports (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

China reviews rules to help Tesla-like carmakers sprout (via Bloomberg)

Tesla looking to create pan-European supercharger network by end of 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Plug-in America estimates 250,000 EV sales by September (via CleanTechnica)

Opponents of California renewable fuel law ask for U.S. Supreme Court hearing (via Reuters)

EV advocates urge New Jersey to develop charging stations, incentives (via Bergen Record)

KEYSTONE XL 

Political leader says carbon incentives in Canada would help Keystone bid (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

WMO: 80% chance of El Nino by December 2014 (via RTCC)

One quarter of India is turning into desert (via Climate Progress)

Fruit and vegetable prices rise as California drought continues (via Los Angeles Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

House votes to speed up natural gas exports (via The Hill)

Colorado city rejects fracking moratorium (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

GRID 

U.S. microgrid capacity will exceed 1.8GW by 2018 (via Greentech Media)

America’s largest university pursues a microgrid (via RMI Outlet)

Crumbling U.S. grid gets jolt in Houston smart power system (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICENCY 

Is LED lighting the next solar war with China? (via Sustainable Business)

DOE unveils efficiency standards for furnace fans (via The Hill)

Is LEED becoming the new normal? (via TriplePundit)

POLITICS 

Barack Obama becomes mocker-in-chief on climate change skeptics (via Politico)

Congress the butt of Obama’s climate science jokes (via Reuters)

John Boehner wants to sue President Obama (via Washington Post)

Issa threatens EPA with contempt as Team Obama celebrates climate anniversary (via National Journal)

Harry Reid says FERC nominees to get vote when Senate returns from July 4 recess (via Bloomberg BNA)

OPINION 

A carbon tax and climate change (via New York Times)

Why the U.S. needs business to save it from Congress (via Bloomberg)

With “Risky Business,” a bid to shift the climate debate (via Breaking Energy)

What does Clive Palmer’s carbon tax decision mean for Australia? (via The Guardian)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.26.14

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

CLIMATE 

EU global warming damages are seen reaching $259 billion (via Bloomberg)

UK infrastructure neglected, at risk from climate change, warn engineers (via The Guardian)

Five graphics showing U.S. climate change costs (via Climate Central)

White House boasts progress on climate agenda (via The Hill)

Rhode Island signs off on new climate change law (via RTCC)

Obama calls climate-change skeptics “fringe” element (via Bloomberg)

The millions behind Bjorn Lomborg’s Copenhagen Consensus Center think tank (via DeSmogBlog)

NUCLEAR 

France’s proposed “cap” on nuclear electricity capacity (via Energy Collective)

Tepco faces down protest to press ahead with atomic restarts (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Renewable electricity nears 20% of UK mix (via BusinessGreen)

German utilities struggle in a renewable world (via Navigant Research)

Yieldcos could cut renewable costs by 20%, says study (via Greentech Media)

Securitized solar PV “set for breakthrough” in US (via Recharge)

US investors fear yieldco buying frenzy (via Recharge)

California continues to set daily records for utility-scale solar energy (via U.S. EIA)

Post-2020 RPS “unlikely” for California (via Recharge)

As renewables grow in Texas, battles over fees and subsidies emerge (via StateImpact Texas)

COAL 

North Carolina lawmakers order coal ash pond cleanup after Duke spill (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

Carbon capture and storage enters the twilight zone (via Renew Economy)

California earmarks quarter of its cap-and-trade revenue for environmental justice (via InsideClimate News)

OIL 

How a U.S. decision to allow oil exports could change the world’s energy balance (via Quartz)

Is U.S. oil production becoming a potential foreign policy tool? (via Christian Science Monitor)

White House says no change to U.S. ban on crude oil exports (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

China reviews rules to help Tesla-like carmakers sprout (via Bloomberg)

Tesla looking to create pan-European supercharger network by end of 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Plug-in America estimates 250,000 EV sales by September (via CleanTechnica)

Opponents of California renewable fuel law ask for U.S. Supreme Court hearing (via Reuters)

EV advocates urge New Jersey to develop charging stations, incentives (via Bergen Record)

KEYSTONE XL 

Political leader says carbon incentives in Canada would help Keystone bid (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

WMO: 80% chance of El Nino by December 2014 (via RTCC)

One quarter of India is turning into desert (via Climate Progress)

Fruit and vegetable prices rise as California drought continues (via Los Angeles Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

House votes to speed up natural gas exports (via The Hill)

Colorado city rejects fracking moratorium (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

GRID 

U.S. microgrid capacity will exceed 1.8GW by 2018 (via Greentech Media)

America’s largest university pursues a microgrid (via RMI Outlet)

Crumbling U.S. grid gets jolt in Houston smart power system (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICENCY 

Is LED lighting the next solar war with China? (via Sustainable Business)

DOE unveils efficiency standards for furnace fans (via The Hill)

Is LEED becoming the new normal? (via TriplePundit)

POLITICS 

Barack Obama becomes mocker-in-chief on climate change skeptics (via Politico)

Congress the butt of Obama’s climate science jokes (via Reuters)

John Boehner wants to sue President Obama (via Washington Post)

Issa threatens EPA with contempt as Team Obama celebrates climate anniversary (via National Journal)

Harry Reid says FERC nominees to get vote when Senate returns from July 4 recess (via Bloomberg BNA)

OPINION 

A carbon tax and climate change (via New York Times)

Why the U.S. needs business to save it from Congress (via Bloomberg)

With “Risky Business,” a bid to shift the climate debate (via Breaking Energy)

What does Clive Palmer’s carbon tax decision mean for Australia? (via The Guardian)