Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.13.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
STATE OF THE UNION
Obama gives Congress a climate change ultimatum (via Reuters)
Obama vows executive action climate push but many specifics remain absent (via The Hill)
Obama floats “Energy Security Trust” in State of the Union (via The Hill)
Obama calls for doubling US energy efficiency by 2030 (via Greentech Media)
Obama talks tough on climate, proposes “drilling for clean energy” program (via Houston Chronicle)
Obama promises cap-and-trade action (via Washington Post)
Obama cites storms, drought to build case for climate action (via National Journal)
EMISSIONS
Australia’s electricity emissions fall to 10-year low as coal sidelined by renewables (via Renew Economy)
EU aviation carbon emissions to decline in 2013 (via Bloomberg)
North American carbon markets to “more than double” this year (via Environmental Leader)
On-ship carbon capture concept developed, could reduce ship emissions up to 65% (via Green Car Congress)
RENEWABLES
Three charts to help you understand Chile’s emerging utility-scale solar market (via Greentech Media)
Tea party targets renewable energy standard in Kansas (via Grist)
New York State solar market shows significant promise for 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)
Maine leads trend toward floating offshore wind turbines (via Sustainable Business)
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
US Senate Energy Committee mulls future of natural gas policy (via Reuters)
Beyond the boom, unanswered questions about the life of new natural gas wells (via EnergyWire)
New York State puts off fracking decision (via New York Times)
New York State may issue fracking permits without final regulations (via Bloomberg)
GRID
Germany may implement energy storage incentive (via CleanTechnica)
Data centers morphing into virtual power plants (via Pike Research)
CLIMATE
Climate change outpacing green investment, report shows (via GreenBiz)
Why Tokyo has more to fear from sea-level rise than Vancouver (via Washington Post)
East Coast faces rising seas from slowing Gulf Stream (via Climate Central)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Almost two-thirds of consumers remain unaware of UK’s energy efficiency Green Deal (via BusinessGreen)
Newer US homes are 30% larger but consumer about as much energy as older homes (via US EIA)
EPEAT green electronics registry adds printers, copiers (via GreenBiz)
Minneapolis commercial buildings to report energy use starting in 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)
TRANSPORTATION
Holland’s plan to go EV is working (via Autoblog Green)
The charges are flying over a test of Tesla’s charging network (via New York Times)
San Jose State University and CalCharge launch “Battery University” program (via Green Car Congress)
OIL
US approves Chinese-Canadian oil deal (via The Hill)
Russia plans $25-30 billion oil-for-loans deal with China (via Reuters)
GREEN BUSINESS
Corporations face mounting investor demand to enhance environmental performance (via BusinessGreen)
ENVIRONMENT
Deaths of endangered fish curtail California water exports (via Los Angeles Times)
POLITICS
Top Republican to Obama: don’t bypass Congress on climate (via The Hill)
Sen. Boxer’s ideal EPA candidate seems to describe Gina McCarthy (via The Hill)
OPINION
Obama can’t change polarization on climate change (via Grist)
Can Congress compromise on clean energy? (via Midwest Energy News)
Is exporting natural gas a problem? (via Politico)
Is another Enron possible in today’s energy market? (via Forbes)
Is more charging needed to sell electric cars in Northeast US? (via Green Car Reports)