Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.5.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
EMISSIONS
Four nations ask EU to consider more flexible CO2 market (via Reuters Point Carbon)
Australia emissions could rise 9% if Tony Abbott is elected (via RTCC)
TRANSPORTATION
EU agrees on deal to pare back CO2 curbs on aviation (via Reuters Point Carbon)
Trans-Pacific flights create most amount of ozone (via Phys.org)
Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf both set new monthly sales records (via Autoblog Green)
DOE pumps $33 million into EV batteries and other green car tech (via CleanTechnica)
ARPA-E takes innovative approach to EV batteries (via Energy.gov)
RENEWABLES
Renewables generated 14% of America’s electricity in first half of 2013 (via EarthTechling)
US adds 976MW new solar PV capacity in 2Q as California sets record (via CleanTechnica)
Higher wind generation in Southwest Power Pool reducing use of baseload capacity (via US EIA)
Interior Department touts offshore wind auction results, promises more (via The Hill)
Report: Ohio renewable energy law cuts costs, emissions (via Midwest Energy News)
Las Vegas welcome sign to go solar by January 1 (via Houston Chronicle/AP)
CLIMATE
Scientists call for overhaul of UN “blockbuster” climate reports (via The Guardian)
Climate change reframed: China, World Bank prioritize pollution (via Sustainable Business)
What’s motivating sport fishermen to become climate advocates? (via Climate Progress)
Heartland Institute behind latest climate change denier campaign (via Climate Progress)
OIL
Oil’s dwindling role in Middle East affairs (via Christian Science Monitor)
America’s oil boom won’t make it energy-independent from Middle East madness (via Time)
Hawaiian utility to deactivate Honolulu oil-fired power plant (via Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
20-story Vienna office building is first passive high rise (via EarthTechling)
US home energy management systems market to pass $4 billion by 2017 (via Greentech Media)
43% of energy leaders will invest more in efficiency next year (via Data Center Journal)
NYSERDA completes 50,000 home energy efficiency projects (via Breaking Energy)
COAL
Nordic countries join US push against coal plant financing (via The Hill)
Demand cools as fight rages over coal-export terminals (via Seattle Times)
GRID
Greenpeace launches solar-powered microgrid in India (via India Blooms)
Smart meters are getting smarter at distributing electricity (via Houston Chronicle)
California sets terms of 1.3GW energy storage mandate (via Greentech Media)
The perils of electricity capacity markets (via Greentech Media)
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
Fracking fights spread to Europe (via Grist)
POLITICS
Australia’s federal election just couldn’t face up to climate change (via The Guardian)
EPA, DOE chiefs to appear at House climate hearing (via The Hill)
OPINION
Why Obama just named Sweden as a model for energy policy (via Climate Progress)
Barack Obama should practice what he preaches on climate change (via The Guardian)
Budget gridlock risks international climate and renewable investments (via Center for American Progress)