Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.31.13

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

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Looking for a way around Keystone XL, Canadian oil hits the rails (via New York Times)

Canadian emissions report undermines pipeline pitch to Washington (via InsideClimate News)

TransCanada CEO: Keystone process has been “circus” (via Politico)

CLIMATE 

Pacific Ocean may be “hiding” global warming (via RTCC)

In Sandy’s wake, flood zones and insurance rates re-examined (via NPR)

Climate change risks hiding in investment portfolios, says Gore (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

In Brazil, wind blowing in a new era of renewable energy (via Washington Post)

Renewables support here to stay, says UK government (via BusinessGreen)

2013 to be a record year for offshore wind (via Grist/Earth Policy Institute)

Renewable energy for mining industry will reach $4 billion in annual market value by 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Ethanol, oil groups blitz White House as biofuel rule nears (via Reuters)

Solar rebound beating Dot.Com recovery as demand surges (via Bloomberg)

New wind energy research focuses on turbine arrangement, wind seasonality (via Phys.org)

Study: 30% renewables in PJM would cut costs, emissions (via Midwest Energy News/EnergyWire)

Solar advocates and Xcel spar over future of rooftop solar (via Denver Post)

COAL 

The war on the “War on Coal” (via Marketplace)

Peak coal: Will the US run out of coal in 20 years or 200 years? (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

States receive grades on net metering and interconnection policies (via Renew Grid)

8 charts that illustrate progress on DOE’s smart grid investment grants (via Greentech Media)

Want to opt out of a smart meter in Texas? It will cost you (via StateImpact Texas)

OIL 

Poll: Oil to fall to $80 in real terms by 2020 (via Reuters)

Shell announces return to Arctic in 2014 despite mishaps (via Houston Chronicle)

North Dakota oil spill spotlights Obama delay on pipeline rules (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

US Department of Defense will acquire 92,000 EVs by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

How “smart parking” could save a million barrels of oil every day (via Christian Science Monitor)

Panasonic to supply more battery cells to Tesla (via San Jose Mercury News)

EMISSIONS 

GE says Australia headed for cap-and-trade (via Environmental Leader)

Germany’s Merkel faces internal opposition to EU carbon backloading fix (via Reuters)

74% of voters back EPA power plant emissions regulation (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russian government passes law to open up LNG exports (via Reuters)

UK government review says shale gas fracking a low risk to public health (via Reuters)

New natural gas pipeline should help reduce flaring in North Dakota (via Dickinson Press)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

PACE projects on a roll: $43 million and counting (via Greentech Media)

Dallas rolls out US green building code (via Sustainable Business)

OPINION 

How climate change threatens the ability of global populations to rise out of poverty (via Climate Progress)

Should we use geoengineering to cool the planet? (via Washington Post)

Why the new biofuel feedstocks deserve investment, incentives (via National Geographic)

Top 9 things you didn’t know about concentrating solar power (via Energy.gov)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.29.13

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

CLIMATE 

EU environment ministers call for “ambitious” 2030 climate goals (via The Guardian)

North American West Coast governments sign climate change pact (via CleanTechnica)

Bipartisan Congressional duo launch attack on EPA climate rules (via The Hill)

A year after Sandy, living dangerously by the sea (via Time)

COAL 

China’s largest city Shanghai to ban coal by 2017 (via Mongabay)

The county council election that could make or break big coal (via Mother Jones)

Top 5 coal producing states – TX, OH, PA, IN, IL – will decide coal’s future (via Facts of the Day)

Consol to sell 5 West Virginia mines as coal regulations increase (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

20GW distributed solar by 2015 is new target for China (via CleanTechnica)

Germany hits 59% renewable peak, grid does not explode (via Greentech Media)

Startups compete to defeat the “soft costs” of solar power (via Business Green)

US homeowners want solar, find two new reports (via Renewable Energy World)

AAA applauds potential renewable fuel scale back (via National Journal)

Wind in Texas produces more electricity than natural gas does in 40 states (via Facts of the Day)

Energy innovation in the states: From energy storage to offshore wind (via Energy Collective)

NFL’s 49ers, Rams go solar (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

Trains gain steam in race to transport crude oil in the US (via NPR)

Millions of Americans live within one mile of oil or gas wells (via InsideClimate News/Wall Street Journal)

State Department to determine how much oil would ship by rail in absence of Keystone XL (via National Journal)

California fracking study may take 18 months, Brown says (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

China adapts its electric vehicle plans to challenging realities (via Plugin Cars)

Tesla Superchargers now allow San Diego-to-Vancouver EV trips (via Green Car Reports)

How EVs could drive changes in power grid management (via Forbes)

Coca-Cola reveals plans for electric and hybrid distribution fleet (via RTCC)

TAR SANDS 

People who live downwind of Alberta’s tar sands operations are getting blood cancer (via Climate Progress)

EMISSIONS 

China to monitor air pollution effects in cities (via Bloomberg)

Decarbonization target narrowly defeated in UK House of Lords vote (via Business Green)

Japan to set 3.8% emissions reduction by 2020 goal (via RTCC)

Voters in 2014 swing states favor EPA carbon rules (via The Hill)

New battle in “War on Coal” with bill to block power plant rules (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Fossil fuels divestment campaign is gathering momentum (via The Guardian)

Uncertainty and investment: The real danger to the coal industry (via Energy Collective)

States will need coordination, creativity to meet EV goals (via C2ES)

Weatherization helps millions of families save energy and money (via Energy.gov)

Deadbeat states on electric car policy (via Plugin Cars)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.28.13

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

EMISSIONS 

EU nations due to decide on carbon market fix November 8 (via Bloomberg)

11 years left on Australia’s carbon budget (via Business Spectator)

Can the EU ETS combine intensity-based and absolute emissions caps? (via Energy Collective)

UK universities urged to pull cash from fossil fuel giants (via The Guardian)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Companies working to reduce flaring in North Dakota (via Bismarck Tribune)

In fracking, West Virginia sees a second chance (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

India’s solar capacity passes 27GW milestone (via RTCC)

Ethiopia flicks switch on Africa’s largest wind farm (via BusinessGreen)

Startups compete to defeat “soft costs” of solar power (via GreenBiz)

Minnesota’s day in the sun for determining the value of solar (via Midwest Energy News)

Dragonfly wind turbine blends in to produce power in low wind conditions (via Treehugger)

CLIMATE 

Rising flood insurance costs may force relocations (via New York Times)

Earth’s 4th warmest September on record; 32 billion-dollar disasters in 2013 (via Weather Underground)

13 EU environment ministers call for climate policy action (via Reuters)

OIL 

Nearly 300 oil spills went unreported in North Dakota in less than two years (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Where are America’s EV charging stations? (via Green Car Report)

Volvo EV charges wirelessly in less than three hours (via Autoblog Green)

New York to build first US state fuel reserve (via National Journal)

Automakers lose latest game of chicken with California’s zero emission rules (via Plugin Cars)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Rep. Upton vows efficiency bill action if Senate plan advances (via The Hill)

Green building is now the law in Dallas (via Environmental News Network)

GRID 

US charges up support of grid energy storage (via Smart Planet)

3 factors driving the marriage of solar and energy storage (via Greentech Media)

Texas regulators’ vote to require spare power on grid fuels debate (via Houston Chronicle)

POLITICS 

In a switch, green groups are outspending industry – and winning (via National Journal)

Climate policy already headlining 2014 midterm elections (via DeSmog Blog)

OPINION 

Climate regulations could cost fossil-fuel firms trillions – should they be worried? (via Washington Post)

Could New York City’s subways survive another hurricane? (via New York Times)

How new regulatory models could help utilities thrive and survive (via Greentech Media)

Polls show energy doesn’t spark Americans’ interest (via Politico)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.24.13

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

GRID 

India’s $10B roadmap for smart grid transformation (via Greentech Media)

MISO grid adding four new electric utility territories in December (via US EIA)

New Jersey’s grid defense debate continues a year after Sandy’s knockout blow (via EnergyWire)

OIL 

Interior close to floating new offshore drilling rule (via The Hill)

Watchdog report finds pipeline regulators spend more time at industry conferences than at oil spills (via Huffington Post)

As pipeline concerns mount, focus returns to Great Lakes (via Midwest Energy News)

North Dakota pipeline spill raises questions amid state’s oil boom (via Los Angeles Times)

Environmentalists slam Coke, Pepsi for tar sands use in trucks (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

Deutsche Bank says solar PV market could reach 50GW in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Ethiopia signs $4 billion geothermal deal (via Phys.org)

Record year blows UK small wind installations past 102MW (via CleanTechnica)

US has 11 offshore wind farms in the works  - sort of (via EarthTechling)

Algae biofuel gets Congressional caucus (via Sustainable Business)

Vivint Solar raises $540 million new funding for home solar leasing (via CleanTechnica)

Meet the Kickstarter of solar energy (via National Journal)

Long Island Power Authority seeks 280MW of renewable capacity (via Recharge)

CLIMATE 

Australia, UN spar over wildfires and climate change (via Reuters)

Pacific nations “very disappointed” by Australian PM’s climate skepticism (via The Guardian)

IPCC’s carbon budget will not drive Warsaw talks, says UN climate chief (via The Guardian)

Climate change cost you the McDonald’s dollar menu (via Quartz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking fight focuses on a New York town’s ban (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Ozone hole over South Pole shrinks by 6%, scientists credit warm upper air (via Washington Post/AP)

House shows it can unite by passing mammoth water bill (via National Journal)

GREEN BUILDING 

UK to invest £40 billion in green infrastructure projects (via RTCC)

Five US cities that are taking climate preparation seriously (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

VW calls Germany’s 1 million EV by 2020 goal achievable (via Bloomberg)

EV charging networks start to unify (via Plugin Cars)

DC looks to reduce traffic, improve air quality with 2040 plan (via ClimateWire)

NUCLEAR 

Britain, India go nuclear as Japan struggles to contain radiation (via Sustainable Business)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Revival planned for Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill (via National Journal)

NREL develops energy audit tool (via Energy Manager Today)

EMISSIONS 

China to send air pollution inspection teams to provinces (via Reuters)

EPA hits the road to seek input on power plant emission rules (via Reuters)

Texas remains top US carbon polluter despite declines (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Australia’s bushfires and the role of climate change (via Climate Central)

Hot topic: The science of global warming and the public disconnect (via U-T San Diego)

The dark forces lined up against renewables in Australia (via Renew Economy)

How carmakers like Ford will spark changes on the grid’s edge (via Greentech Media)

The dangerous bargain Harvard’s president has made with fossil fuels (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.24.13

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

GRID 

India’s $10B roadmap for smart grid transformation (via Greentech Media)

MISO grid adding four new electric utility territories in December (via US EIA)

New Jersey’s grid defense debate continues a year after Sandy’s knockout blow (via EnergyWire)

OIL 

Interior close to floating new offshore drilling rule (via The Hill)

Watchdog report finds pipeline regulators spend more time at industry conferences than at oil spills (via Huffington Post)

As pipeline concerns mount, focus returns to Great Lakes (via Midwest Energy News)

North Dakota pipeline spill raises questions amid state’s oil boom (via Los Angeles Times)

Environmentalists slam Coke, Pepsi for tar sands use in trucks (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

Deutsche Bank says solar PV market could reach 50GW in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Ethiopia signs $4 billion geothermal deal (via Phys.org)

Record year blows UK small wind installations past 102MW (via CleanTechnica)

US has 11 offshore wind farms in the works  - sort of (via EarthTechling)

Algae biofuel gets Congressional caucus (via Sustainable Business)

Vivint Solar raises $540 million new funding for home solar leasing (via CleanTechnica)

Meet the Kickstarter of solar energy (via National Journal)

Long Island Power Authority seeks 280MW of renewable capacity (via Recharge)

CLIMATE 

Australia, UN spar over wildfires and climate change (via Reuters)

Pacific nations “very disappointed” by Australian PM’s climate skepticism (via The Guardian)

IPCC’s carbon budget will not drive Warsaw talks, says UN climate chief (via The Guardian)

Climate change cost you the McDonald’s dollar menu (via Quartz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking fight focuses on a New York town’s ban (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Ozone hole over South Pole shrinks by 6%, scientists credit warm upper air (via Washington Post/AP)

House shows it can unite by passing mammoth water bill (via National Journal)

GREEN BUILDING 

UK to invest £40 billion in green infrastructure projects (via RTCC)

Five US cities that are taking climate preparation seriously (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

VW calls Germany’s 1 million EV by 2020 goal achievable (via Bloomberg)

EV charging networks start to unify (via Plugin Cars)

DC looks to reduce traffic, improve air quality with 2040 plan (via ClimateWire)

NUCLEAR 

Britain, India go nuclear as Japan struggles to contain radiation (via Sustainable Business)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Revival planned for Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill (via National Journal)

NREL develops energy audit tool (via Energy Manager Today)

EMISSIONS 

China to send air pollution inspection teams to provinces (via Reuters)

EPA hits the road to seek input on power plant emission rules (via Reuters)

Texas remains top US carbon polluter despite declines (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Australia’s bushfires and the role of climate change (via Climate Central)

Hot topic: The science of global warming and the public disconnect (via U-T San Diego)

The dark forces lined up against renewables in Australia (via Renew Economy)

How carmakers like Ford will spark changes on the grid’s edge (via Greentech Media)

The dangerous bargain Harvard’s president has made with fossil fuels (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.18.13

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

GRID 

Worldwide smart meter shipments for first half 2013 surpass 51 million (via Navigant Research)

Will smart meters change consumer habits? Early indicators say yes (via Midwest Energy News)

California adopts first-in-nation energy storage plan (via Contra Costa Times)

Construction begins on landmark Panhandle wind transmission project (via Houston Chronicle)

Texas cranks up $7 billion CREZ wind power transmission project (via CleanTechnica)

EMISSIONS 

China tests carbon markets before tax, says government official (via Bloomberg)

Fossil fuel divestment campaign spreads to Europe (via Huffington Post)

Microsoft drives home sustainability with internal carbon pricing (via GreenBiz)

RENEWABLES 

Wind at wholesale price parity in world’s major markets (via Renew Economy)

Germany expects 28.7% renewables in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

EU biofuel regulations set to be delayed until 2015 (via BusinessGreen)

Brazil’s wind tender price cap set at $58 per MWh (via Recharge)

India’s biofuel moves help offset swelling oil-import bill (via Panchabuta)

Southwest Power Pool keeps breaking wind records (via Renew Grid)

Institutional investors look toward the Sun, away from fossil fuels (via Solar Industry Magazine)

OIL 

Report: Pipelines pose less risk than trains or trucks in carrying oil (via The Hill)

Texas oil production could double by 2020, says industry regulator (via Houston Chronicle)

In North Dakota, new concerns over mixing oil and wheat (via New York Times)

US Coast Guard discovers 4,000-pound tar mat in Gulf of Mexico (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

Vehicle-to-grid market to reach $190 million by 2022 (via Energy Manager Today)

Most drivers expect all vehicles to be at least partly electrified in 20 years (via CleanTechnica)

Volvo turns vehicle body panels into batteries (via Autoblog)

KEYSTONE XL 

Harold Hamm: Hope dwindling for Keystone XL pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

Climate change to cost East Asia 5.3% of GDP by 2100 (via Bloomberg)

Report: Western wildfires growing more intense, insurers deeply concerned (via Washington Post)

Britain warming faster than global average (via The Telegraph)

Raging Australian wildfires leave Sydney shrouded in smoke (via The Telegraph)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

North Dakota landowners sue fossil fuel companies over wasted natural gas (via Climate Progress)

Oklahoma is next destination for shale revolution (via Reuters)

Police arrest 40 as Canada shale gas protest turns violent (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

US and world are actually making big strides in energy efficiency (via Climate Progress)

Building energy management systems market to surpass $23 billion by 2017 (via Renew Grid)

The bright future of energy-efficient Walmart stores (via Green Room)

COAL 

AEP takes coal “out of the picture” as it plans for future (via Columbus Business Journal)

NUCLEAR 

China set to invest in UK nuclear industry (via RTCC)

POLITICS 

The big no: Republicans on science panel reject budget deal (via Science)

GOP to California governor: Don’t spoil fracking potential (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Are the days of fossil fuel subsidies numbered? (via EarthTechling)

Europe’s advanced biofuels innovation: Following overambitious US example? (via Energy Collective)

Debate about future of utilities moves deeper into world of regulation (via Greentech Media)

Let’s prevent this crisis: A letter to Harvard’s President Faust (via Huffington Post)

Legacy of 1970’s oil embargo energy crisis still lingers today (via Houston Chronicle)

Poll: Majority wanted EPA open during federal shutdown (via The Hill)

5 reasons to care about California’s new energy storage mandate (via GigaOm)

Cost of West Texas power lines could shock ratepayers (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.11.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Fossil fuel divestment spreading faster than any previous campaign – even Apartheid (via CleanTechnica)

Could China’s carbon emissions peak sooner than expected? (via RTCC)

Number of new carbon capture and storage plants drops 10% (via The Guardian)

OIL 

Southern leg of Keystone XL pipeline nearly complete (via The Oklahoman)

North Dakota pipeline spills over 20,000 barrels of crude oil (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

Citibank: Renewables will get bulk of world’s new power investment (via Houston Chronicle)

UK offshore wind industry calls for 14GW by 2022 (via Recharge)

This is how much and where algae fuel could be grown on the planet (via GigaOm)

Siemens seeks 30% cost cut in offshore wind (via Recharge)

Next-generation biofuels inching toward reality, gallon by gallon (via Time)

EPA may reduce ethanol blending volumes for 2014 (via Reuters)

Cracking the code of residential solar power (via CleanTechnica)

Quest for cheap, nonfood biofuel starts with a brewery (via ClimateWire)

California’s 600MW shared renewables law targets distributed solar in low-income areas (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Gulf Coast beckons wind farms when West Texas gusts fade (via Houston Chronicle)

Ohio business group opposes rollback of renewable energy rules (via Columbus Dispatch)

Google invests another $103 million in renewable power (via San Francisco Chronicle)

New York State’s Green Bank casts wide net over clean energy sector (via GreenBiz)

ENERGY POLICY 

Canadian spies met with energy firms, documents reveal (via The Guardian)

FERC seeks order enforcing Barclays $488 million fine (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Floods could have catastrophic impact on Australia’s east coast (via The Guardian)

Tens of thousands flee vast cyclone bearing down on India (via Reuters)

Seven mostly awful climate change winners (via Weather Underground)

Texas compares to Midwest and West in climate attitudes (via EcoAffect)

Pennsylvania publishes climate change impacts report 18 months late (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency is one of the hottest clean tech sectors (via Greentech Media)

Could the US Navy lead the way on energy efficiency? (via Breaking Energy)

The “other” type of commercial financing: PACE (via Renewable Energy World)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

France’s fracking ban “absolute” after court upholds law (via Bloomberg)

Ohio considers rule for fracking wastewater sites (via Houston Chronicle

TRANSPORTATION 

California initiative will streamline permitting of new hydrogen and EV fueling stations (via Green Car Congress)

Fisker government loan heads to auction block today (via Reuters)

OPINION 

European electricity providers face an existential threat: How to lose half a trillion euros (via The Economist)

Time for governments to end energy subsidies (via Reuters)

Politics is poorly suited to address global warming (via Washington Post)

Media sowed doubt in coverage of IPCC climate report (via Media Matters)

Parks take center stage in shutdown fight (via The Hill)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.8.13

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

EMISSIONS 

How to slice a global carbon pie? (via New York Times)

US Supreme Court scheduled to consider climate change cases (via Reuters)

Divestment campaign against fossil fuels growing, says study (via The Guardian)

California highlights emissions reduction progress (via CleanTechnica)

New Jersey sets hearing on rejoining RGGI carbon trading program (via Bloomberg)

Microsoft achieves carbon neutrality, says NRDC (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

Beijing to close main coal plants by 2015 in smog crackdown (via BusinessGreen)

King Coal’s last stand (via Vice)

RENEWABLES 

China set to lead 2014 solar energy boom (via RTCC)

Floating offshore wind power taking hold (via Renewable Energy World)

New British solar energy fund has chance to shine (via Daily Mail)

UK tests new method to balance renewables on the grid (via Greentech Media)

Nighttime solar power arriving in United States (via EarthTechling)

Will a new guide for regulators settle the debate over rooftop solar’s value? (via Greentech Media)

Oakland’s bid to become a solar power hub (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Cumulative Nissan Leaf sales in Japan pass 30,000 mark (via Green Car Congress)

Honda plots US hybrid resurgence starting with Accord (via Bloomberg)

EV sales for 2013 up over 440% from one year ago (via Climate Progress)

Palo Alto requires homes to be pre-wired for electric cars (via EarthTechling)

Is there any business model for public electric car charging? (via Green Car Reports)

OIL 

Texas on track to be among world’s largest oil producers (via Houston Chronicle)

California Gov. Brown supports hydraulic fracturing (via Houston Chronicle)

BP spars with US government over size of Gulf of Mexico spill (via Reuters)

GRID 

PJM board approves $1.2 billion in transmission improvements (via Renew Grid)

Why the hot money is chasing energy storage (via Renew Economy)

ENERGY POLICY 

Proposed LNG exports spark controversy in British Columbia (via ClimateWire)

Quebec’s Keystone conundrum (via Politico)

Electricity utilities could lose half their market to solar and storage (via Renew Economy)

Grid Edge: How will utilities, vendors, and energy service providers adapt? (via Greentech Media)

ESCO market to reach $8.3 billion in 2020 (via Energy Manager Today)

California law to change energy rates, aid renewable power (via San Francisco Chronicle)

NUCLEAR 

Japanese prime minister seeks foreign help containing Fukushima water leak (via United Press International)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How Denmark turned an efficiency obligation into opportunity (via Midwest Energy News)

Building energy benchmarking and window retrofits (via Energy Manager Today)

An illustrated guide to the enormous power of energy efficiency (via Greentech Media)

Energy management saves Office Depot $2.2 million annually (via Energy Manager Today)

Cincinnati launches energy benchmarking toolkit (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

Obama’s top climate and energy adviser to leave White House (via Washington Post)

Front-runner for FERC may be clean slate Obama’s looking for (via Greenwire)

The battle for FERC and the future of energy security (via Energy Trends Insider)

OPINION 

Solar power, in small doses (via The Economist)

Who created the global warming “pause”? (via Mother Jones)

The future of the electricity system is called Grid Edge (via Greentech Media)

Burning question: Are Europe’s biomass imports sustainable? (via Renewable Energy World)

America’s net metering war (via CleanTechnica)

Can we fly more and still meet carbon targets? (via The Guardian)

We might blow our carbon budget sooner than we think (via Renew Economy)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.1.13

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

EMISSIONS 

IPCC report recommends fossil fuels stay in the ground (via Huffington Post)

What the carbon budget means for business (via Environmental Leader)

EU carbon market main hurdle to aviation deal, India says (via Bloomberg)

COAL 

Europe whets appetite for coal as US eschews it (via Climate Central)

Stop funding coal, green groups tell European Bank (via BusinessGreen)

The local election that could determine the future of US coal (via Climate Progress)

Nebraska coal plant tests new pollution-control system (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

Offshore wind in Europe: Lessons for the US (via Huffington Post)

Deutsche Banks says China solar PV may reach 15GW in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Brazil: Just not that into second-generation biofuels (via Energy Collective)

Movin’ and shakin’ – geothermal projects face a rocky road (via Renewable Energy World)

US renewables mid-year report: 10% energy consumption, 14% net electrical generation (via Renewable Energy World)

Tax credits to spur renewable energy seen set to end (via Bloomberg)

US Air Force trains for combat on wind power (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

China faces steep climb to exploit its shale riches (via New York Times)

US gears up to be a prime natural gas exporter (via New York Times)

North Carolina rejects federal funds for fracking studies (via Grist)

CLIMATE 

“Climate refugee” fighting to stay in New Zealand goes to court (via ABC News)

The hard math of flood insurance in a warming world (via Time)

How farmworkers experience a warming climate (via EarthFix)

Bloomberg, Steyer, Paulson team up to gauge global warming’s economic toll (via The Hill)

New climate assessment likely to spark action by companies; Congress, not so much (via ClimateWire)

Resilient communities are the incentive for businesses to focus on climate change (via Triple Pundit)

“Atmospheric River” smashes storm records in Pacific Northwest (via Climate Central)

OIL 

An uphill climb for the oil giants (via New York Times)

Feds to release new rules for offshore emergency equipment this year (via Houston Chronicle)

Lawyers tell trial BP lied about size of US Gulf oil spill (via Reuters)

Texas regulators issue few fines for Eagle Ford pollution (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric vehicles speeding toward 7% of all global sales by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

EV-wary consumers still want utilities to develop charging infrastructure (via Renew Grid)

BMW to electrify its entire lineup (via CleanTechnica)

Ford C-Max hybrid owners get rebate for disappointing mileage (via New York Times)

GRID 

Will energy storage save the grid? (via Energy Collective)

New California net metering study appears to be DOA (via Greentech Media)

TAR SANDS 

Oil sands deals dive as foreign-state firms scrutinized by Canada (via Houston Chronicle)

British Columbia, Alberta move closer to tar sands pipeline agreement (via Globe and Mail)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency drive yields $1 billion, 11 million metric tons CO2 cuts for US manufacturers (via Triple Pundit)

POLITICS 

EIA can operate through October 11 under government shutdown (via Reuters)

EPA to be hit hard in shutdown, could delay renewable fuel standard (via Reuters)

FERC nominee Binz withdraws amid coal pushback (via Politico)

“No evidence” EPA used private emails to keep records secret (via The Hill)

Can Bob Inglis make the GOP relevant on climate and clean energy policy? (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.27.13

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

IPCC REPORT 

IPCC: Global warming “extremely likely” man-made (via AP)

Climate panel’s fifth report clarifies humanity’s choices (via New York Times)

Six things we’ve learned from the IPCC climate report (via The Guardian)

Why has geoengineering been legitimized by the IPCC? (via The Guardian)

IPCC climate change report by the numbers (via The Guardian)

ENERGY POLICY 

Merkel looks left to rescue Germany’s energy revolution (via Reuters)

Multiple factors push Western Europe to use less natural gas and more coal (via US EIA)

US energy independence by 2020 won’t mean isolationism (via Houston Chronicle)

National Parks will close to public but stay open to drilling if government shuts down (via Think Progress)

RENEWABLES 

Annual global solar installations to beat wind for first time (via Bloomberg)

South Africa “ideal” for wind turbine export hub (via Recharge)

UK renewable generation increases 56% since 2012 (via RTCC)

German researchers hit 44.7% solar cell efficiency record (via Climate Progress)

Largest US wind farm proposed for West Texas (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Making renewables connect to the military’s energy security framework (via Greentech Media)

Can solar be a differentiator in deregulated electricity markets? (via Greentech Media)

State renewable portfolio standards survive conservative attacks (via EarthTechling)

Analyst: SunShot goals unachievable even with new solar technology (via Renewable Energy World)

California renewables rise and the grid survives (via EarthTechling)

Report says California net metering costs all utility customers (via Reuters)

NREL releases roadmap to reducing solar PV “soft costs” by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canadian PM on Keystone XL fight: It’s over when we’ve won (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

China’s plan to clean up air pollution could be a climate disaster (via Washington Post)

White House, Kerry: UN report makes case for climate action (via The Hill)

First-ever bulk freighter to pass through Artic was carrying coal (via Climate Progress)

OIL 

Interior gets ball rolling on new Arctic drilling auction (via The Hill)

After the floods in Colorado, a deluge of worry about leaking oil (via New York Times)

North Dakota regulators say oil production to double by 2017 (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

US backs market scheme for aviation emissions from 2020 (via Reuters)

Monthly EV sales shatter US records (via Energy.gov)

NATURAL GAS 

Boom in unregulated natural gas pipelines poses new risk (via InsideClimate News)

EMISSIONS 

World’s carbon budget to be spent in three decades (via WRI Insights)

China and UK forge ties on carbon capture (via BusinessGreen)

State Department: Obama climate plan hits emissions reduction target (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Is Europe emerging as a major demand response market? (via Renew Grid)

Scotland sets energy efficiency building standards (via BusinessGreen)

POLITICS 

UN climate report to fuel political battles (via The Hill)

White House seeking replacement for faltering energy nominee Binz (via The Hill)

OPINION 

10 things to know about the IPCC climate panel (via AP)

The science of global warming has changed in 25 years – the basic conclusions haven’t (via Washington Post)

Poll: two-thirds want Keystone pipeline, carbon limits (via The Hill)

Climate scientists issue their report, now it’s our turn (via Time)

What happens if you add lots of wind and solar to the grid? (via Washington Post)