Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.25.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Backloading EU carbon market fix poised to become law (via BusinessGreen)

UN promises “bold response” to stalled carbon offset scheme (via BusinessGreen)

Supreme Court questions EPA’s power on emissions controls (via National Journal)

Supreme Court justices struggle for common ground on EPA emission rules (via Greenwire)

Shell reaches landmark with world’s first industrial carbon capture project (via Houston Chronicle)

EPA threatens Pennsylvania over air pollution rule violations (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL 

Governors: Obama expects Keystone decision within months (via Politico)

Loopholes speeding Keystone XL route through Nebraska backfire on governor, TransCanada (via InsideClimate News)

RENEWABLES 

China narrows gap to US in renewable energy ranking (via Bloomberg)

Greece awaits “new deal” after adding 1GW of solar in 2013 (via PV Magazine)

Netherlands connects over 600MW of PV to grid (via PV Tech)

Survival of fittest in China’s renewable energy market (via Bloomberg)

India announces 2GW worth of new large-scale solar projects (via CleanTechnica)

Non-hydro renewable sources triple electricity output in last decade (via Facts of the Day)

Powering the US with renewables: A state-by-state roadmap (via Renewable Energy World)

ALEC coordinates new attacks on renewables mandates and net metering (via Greentech Media)

Unions’ full support for offshore wind a “work in progress” (via ClimateWire)

Sugarcane converted to cold-tolerant, oil-producing crop (via Science Daily)

SolarCity says it had “an amazing year” in 2013 but delays earnings (via GigaOm)

SolarCity to install fewer panels in first quarter (via Reuters)

California startup turns old wind turbines into gold (via InsideClimate News)

North Carolina is newest net-metering battleground (via Energy Manager Today)

ENERGY POLICY 

Japan unveils draft energy policy, with nuclear, in wake of Fukushima (via The Guardian)

Court throws out Bush Administration rule on mountaintop coal removal (via SustainableBusiness)

GE to spend another $10 billion on energy research by 2020 (via Reuters) 

Oil, coal trains, concerns likely to increase in Northwest (via Spokesman-Review)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas at heart of GE’s $10 billion Ecomagination boost (via Greentech Media)

More work needed to stop natural gas flaring at oil wells, officials say (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

UN makes future of small island states a 2014 priority (via RTCC)

Increase in Western wildfires fuels Obama’s budget move (via Climate Central)

OIL 

Oil net imports have declined since 2011, with value falling slower than volume (via US EIA)

Shell’s Arctic oil plans face shareholder scrutiny (via RTCC)

TRANSPORTATION 

Volt fleet to cross 400 million EV miles today (via GM)

OPINION 

Is it getting any easier for clean tech firms to cross the “valley of death?” (via Greentech Media)

RMI report predicts demise of existing utility business (via Energy Manager Today)

After legal setback in Nebraska, what’s next for Keystone XL? (via Climate Progress)

A $400 natural gas bill? It’s on the way (via Washington Post)

Microalgae-derived biogas a promising alternative to fossil fuels (via Phys.org)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.24.14

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

GREEN BUSINESS 

Blue-green opportunities: Energy efficiency and jobs impacts in US manufacturing (via WRI Insights)

Illinois jumps to top of US green building LEED-certified ranks (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Shopping around for natural gas: The good, the bad, and the confusing (via Midwest Energy News)

New England natural gas prices set record (via Energy Manager Today)

Colorado first state to regulate methane emissions (via The Hill)

Exxon CEO joins anti-fracking lawsuit after drilling threatens his property value (via Slate)

RENEWABLES 

UK claims world leadership in offshore wind (via Energy Manager Today)

Five million German households faced with higher power bills (via Reuters)

Interior Department approves 550MW of solar projects on public land (via Solar Industry)

DOE awards $2 million to support geothermal systems with rare earth extraction capability (via CleanTechnica)

Air Force scores biggest-ever military solar plant (via CleanTechnica)

Top 10 women of solar energy (via Energy Collective)

New Year off to hot start for US solar industry (via Renewable Energy World)

OIL 

Arctic oil still seen decades off as producers balk at costs (via Bloomberg)

Oil industry head cautions against creating new rail risks (via Houston Chronicle)

Federal regulators move to hike cap on oil spill liabilities (via Houston Chronicle)

To make shipping oil safer, railroads agree to eight measures (via New York Times)

Funding the future with fracking in North Dakota (via National Journal)

Oil spill closes 65-mile stretch of lower Mississippi River (via Reuters)

GE to funnel billions into oil field technology (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Megacity driving woes signal dawn of “peak car” era (via Bloomberg)

Study finds 20-25% of EV range lost as psychological safety buffer; driver assistance systems could shrink loss (via Green Car Congress)

Elon Musk and Tesla plan world’s biggest battery factory (via Greentech Media)

Tesla’s Musk accelerating vehicle output through 2014 (via Bloomberg)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone backers find Nebraska judge not only hurdle remaining (via Bloomberg)

Keystone’s future in hands of Nebraska’s new pipeline regulator (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

January 2014: Earth’s 4th warmest January on record (via Weather Underground)

Arctic temperatures could increase 13C by 2100 (via RTCC)

Climate change to add to winter extremes, limiting warming benefit (via Sydney Morning Herald)

Small volcanic eruptions add to larger impact on climate (via Climate Central)

Obama climate change agenda faces first Supreme Court test (via Reuters)

This year’s crazy weather is freezing the economy (via Washington Post)

Coffee shortage possible due to drought, climate change, rising demand (via Washington Post)

In Rhode Island flood zones, houses raised to lower premiums (via Providence Journal)

ENVIRONMENT 

Obama to propose changes to wildfire funding in budget (via Weather Channel/AP)

Environmental groups resort to suing industries directly (via New York Times)

California farmers brace for little or no water amid extreme drought (via The Guardian)

Coal ash spill could push North Carolina to move more aggressively on environmental threats (via News Observer)

EMISSIONS

“Imagination” required to save UN carbon market, says new chair (via RTCC)

GRID 

Bid to connect US grids needs buy-in from independent Texas (via EnergyWire)

POLITICS 

Environmental advocates target climate change as Democratic election issue (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Has China’s coal boom hit the buffers? (via BusinessGreen)

Why is the Obama administration using taxpayer money to back a nuclear plant that’s already being built? (via Washington Post)

The short era of cheap natural gas ended in January: Is it gone forever? (via Facts of the Day)

Will methane burn down the natural gas “bridge” to the future? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Play it again: January continues globe’s warm trend (via Climate Central)

Communicating the health and climate connection (via EcoAffect)

Waiting on Ivanpah (via CleanTechnica)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.21.14

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

CLIMATE 

Climate change a “national security” issue, say military experts (via RTCC)

Climate change brings more crime (via Los Angeles Times)

State Department review to emphasize effects of climate change on global conflict (via Huffington Post)

Obama says climate weighs on Keystone and other decisions (via Reuters)

U.S. billionaire to pour $100 million into climate change fight (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

As global gas output surges, U.S. seen to rival Russia in Europe (via Reuters)

Mexico’s drug cartels are standing in the way of a fracking bonanza (via National Journal)

Profits from natural gas exports could disappoint, says researcher (via Houston Chronicle)

Drilling-heavy Oklahoma ranked 2nd last year for quakes in U.S. (via EnergyWire)

Ohio governor reverses decision on fracking in state parks (via Columbus Dispatch)

RENEWABLES 

“Advanced energy” a $1.1 trillion global industry in 2013 (via Solar Industry)

Japan may cut solar tariff 14% as operating costs decline (via Bloomberg)

Biomass could provide 44% of UK energy by 2050 (via RTCC)

Brazil will install more wind capacity by 2022 than all other Latin American nations combined (via Navigant Research)

Brazil’s new 400MW of stranded wind capacity (via Recharge)

Chile connects more than 100MW of solar projects to grid (via PV Magazine)

Solar industry, utilities seek common ground (via National Journal)

Study: Wind turbines remain efficient for at least 25 years (via BusinessGreen)

NREL bioreactor uncovers how to get maximum fuel from algae (via Environmental Leader)

DOI approves 550MW of solar projects on public lands (via Renew Grid)

U.S. offshore wind inches closer to reality as Dominion places ocean lease bid (via Climate Progress)

State legislators mull Kansas renewable energy regulation (via AP)

Los Angeles solar feed-in tariff program represents 40MW (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUILDING 

Top ten LEED states ranked (via Environmental Leader)

U.S. building efficiency was worth more than clean electricity in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

Battle of the buildings addresses split energy incentives (via Navigant Research)

COAL 

Flurry of coal power plant shutdowns expected by 2016 (via Climate Central)

Coal plants average 56% capacity factor – that has major implications (via Facts of the Day)

North Carolina coal ash spill investigation widens as federal prosecutors subpoena state records (via Huffington Post/AP)

Duke says its customers won’t pay for ash cleanup (via Charlotte Observer)

Illinois mine safety regulator took campaign cash from coal magnate (via Illinois Times)

EMISSIONS 

Denmark commits to setting carbon targets every five years (via BusinessGreen)

Supreme Court asked to clear the air about greenhouse gas rules (via McClatchy)

OIL 

New oil boom expected in the Ecuadorian Amazon (via The Guardian)

BNSF taking bids to buy up to 5,000 safer oil railcars (via Reuters)

North Dakota oil patch communities plea for more help (via Bismarck Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION 

Charge “sharing” by electric vehicles could ease power grid strain (via United Press International)

2014 Nissan Leaf named overall cleanest car in U.S. (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Pipeline battles loom in Canada if Keystone XL stalled (via The Star)

Alberta oil sands study confirms tailings found in groundwater, river (via CBC News)

Keystone XL decision could drag past November after Nebraska pushback (via Greenwire)

TransCanada weighs next steps after U.S. court’s Keystone ruling (via Reuters)

Former U.S. Geological Survey head endorses Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

GRID 

China surpasses U.S. atop $15 billion global smart grid market (via Renew Grid)

State of green business: Energy storage becomes a game-changer (via GreenBiz)

Three states driving energy storage for utilities and customers (via Greentech Media)

TVA still has no deal to buy Clean Line’s wind energy (via The Commercial Appeal)

ENVIRONMENT 

Nine maps that explain the world’s forests (via WRI Insights)

U.S. West wildfire season “likely to set a record” (via CNBC)

OPINION 

Retirement of 20% U.S. coal fleet may not mean a power production decline (via Facts of the Day)

Ohio’s Utica Shale boom is not guaranteed (via Plain-Dealer)

USDA ups its climate game (via CLF Scoop)

Ethanol business recovers (via Environmental Leader)

Solving the Midwest’s ethanol problem (via The Energy Collective)

Did these Nebraska landowners just block the KXL pipeline? (via OnEarth)

Poll: Majority want answers on Keystone oil destination (via The Hill)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.21.14

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

CLIMATE 

Climate change a “national security” issue, say military experts (via RTCC)

Climate change brings more crime (via Los Angeles Times)

State Department review to emphasize effects of climate change on global conflict (via Huffington Post)

Obama says climate weighs on Keystone and other decisions (via Reuters)

U.S. billionaire to pour $100 million into climate change fight (via Reuters)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

As global gas output surges, U.S. seen to rival Russia in Europe (via Reuters)

Mexico’s drug cartels are standing in the way of a fracking bonanza (via National Journal)

Profits from natural gas exports could disappoint, says researcher (via Houston Chronicle)

Drilling-heavy Oklahoma ranked 2nd last year for quakes in U.S. (via EnergyWire)

Ohio governor reverses decision on fracking in state parks (via Columbus Dispatch)

RENEWABLES 

“Advanced energy” a $1.1 trillion global industry in 2013 (via Solar Industry)

Japan may cut solar tariff 14% as operating costs decline (via Bloomberg)

Biomass could provide 44% of UK energy by 2050 (via RTCC)

Brazil will install more wind capacity by 2022 than all other Latin American nations combined (via Navigant Research)

Brazil’s new 400MW of stranded wind capacity (via Recharge)

Chile connects more than 100MW of solar projects to grid (via PV Magazine)

Solar industry, utilities seek common ground (via National Journal)

Study: Wind turbines remain efficient for at least 25 years (via BusinessGreen)

NREL bioreactor uncovers how to get maximum fuel from algae (via Environmental Leader)

DOI approves 550MW of solar projects on public lands (via Renew Grid)

U.S. offshore wind inches closer to reality as Dominion places ocean lease bid (via Climate Progress)

State legislators mull Kansas renewable energy regulation (via AP)

Los Angeles solar feed-in tariff program represents 40MW (via Energy Manager Today)

GREEN BUILDING 

Top ten LEED states ranked (via Environmental Leader)

U.S. building efficiency was worth more than clean electricity in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

Battle of the buildings addresses split energy incentives (via Navigant Research)

COAL 

Flurry of coal power plant shutdowns expected by 2016 (via Climate Central)

Coal plants average 56% capacity factor – that has major implications (via Facts of the Day)

North Carolina coal ash spill investigation widens as federal prosecutors subpoena state records (via Huffington Post/AP)

Duke says its customers won’t pay for ash cleanup (via Charlotte Observer)

Illinois mine safety regulator took campaign cash from coal magnate (via Illinois Times)

EMISSIONS 

Denmark commits to setting carbon targets every five years (via BusinessGreen)

Supreme Court asked to clear the air about greenhouse gas rules (via McClatchy)

OIL 

New oil boom expected in the Ecuadorian Amazon (via The Guardian)

BNSF taking bids to buy up to 5,000 safer oil railcars (via Reuters)

North Dakota oil patch communities plea for more help (via Bismarck Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION 

Charge “sharing” by electric vehicles could ease power grid strain (via United Press International)

2014 Nissan Leaf named overall cleanest car in U.S. (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Pipeline battles loom in Canada if Keystone XL stalled (via The Star)

Alberta oil sands study confirms tailings found in groundwater, river (via CBC News)

Keystone XL decision could drag past November after Nebraska pushback (via Greenwire)

TransCanada weighs next steps after U.S. court’s Keystone ruling (via Reuters)

Former U.S. Geological Survey head endorses Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

GRID 

China surpasses U.S. atop $15 billion global smart grid market (via Renew Grid)

State of green business: Energy storage becomes a game-changer (via GreenBiz)

Three states driving energy storage for utilities and customers (via Greentech Media)

TVA still has no deal to buy Clean Line’s wind energy (via The Commercial Appeal)

ENVIRONMENT 

Nine maps that explain the world’s forests (via WRI Insights)

U.S. West wildfire season “likely to set a record” (via CNBC)

OPINION 

Retirement of 20% U.S. coal fleet may not mean a power production decline (via Facts of the Day)

Ohio’s Utica Shale boom is not guaranteed (via Plain-Dealer)

USDA ups its climate game (via CLF Scoop)

Ethanol business recovers (via Environmental Leader)

Solving the Midwest’s ethanol problem (via The Energy Collective)

Did these Nebraska landowners just block the KXL pipeline? (via OnEarth)

Poll: Majority want answers on Keystone oil destination (via The Hill)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.19.14

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

COAL 

US coal consumption rose 3.5% in 2013, projected 4.1% increase in 2014 (via Facts of the Day)

Army Corps plans narrow review of proposed coal export terminal (via The Olympian/AP)

Second coal ash dump leak sends toxins into North Carolina river (via Reuters)

Can coal ash waste be put to good use? (via Breaking Energy)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

China exceeds US on energy efficiency spending for first time (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

NUCLEAR 

DOE to ok $6.5 billion for Georgia nuclear plant (via AP)

RENEWABLES 

New US-China solar panel trade case gets ITC’s nod to continue (via Greentech Media)

London Array offshore wind farm phase two a no-go (via Recharge)

States brace for utility-solar advocate clashes (via Stateline)

Seattle company plans $200 million wind farm off Oregon coast (via GeekWire)

CLIMATE 

Warming winters send no love to 2022 Olympic bid cities (via Climate Central)

Australian cities already hotter than 2030 forecasts (via RTCC)

Climate change looming as threat to US national security (via The Weather Channel)

How Big Oil gave up on the climate (via Slate)

ENVIRONMENT 

Health experts warn of water contamination from California drought (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla stock gets another jolt (via Washington Post)

KEYSTONE XL 

Nebraska landowners slam TransCanada in anti-Keystone ads (via The Hill)

GRID 

Advanced batteries for utility-scale energy storage to see revenue surge (via Renew Grid)

US orders power grid to prepare for solar storms (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

Carbon futures climbing for EU ETS (via Environmental Leader)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.18.14

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

COAL 

Coal generation to rise above 40% market share for first time since 2011 (via Facts of the Day)

Coal burns bright as utilities switch from gas (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch/Bloomberg)

Switch to gas from coal may threaten water supply (via Climate Central)

Regulators, Duke assure North Carolina lawmakers coal ash spill poses no immediate health threat (via News-Observer)

EMISSIONS 

EU leaders said to delay decision on 2030 carbon target (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

As fracking booms, growing concerns about wastewater (via Yale e360)

Pro-fracking landowners sue New York State over drilling decision delay (via New York Daily News)

Ohio officials made plan to promote fracking while regulating it (via Columbus Dispatch)

RENEWABLES 

How the UK can unlock community benefits of renewable energy (via Triple Pundit)

OIL 

US crude oil ban confusion intensifies, except in Alaska (via Houston Chronicle)

Texas heading for major water shortage with limited oil field recycling (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Obama set to order new fuel standards for U.S. trucks (via Reuters)

Apple’s merger chief met in secret with Tesla CEO Elon Musk (via Autoblog Green)

China’s EV subsidies have been extended, but is that enough? (via CleanTechnica)

GRID 

How safe and reliable is America’s electric grid? (via National Journal)

ENVIRONMENT 

China announces $330 billion water cleanup effort in latest environmental crackdown (via BusinessGreen)

New Mexico in its worst drought since 1880s (via Albuquerque Journal)

Texas drought returns, little relief in sight (via Houston Chronicle)

KEYSTONE XL 

Environmentalists debate substance of Keystone XL fight (via Houston Chronicle)

POLITICS 

Climate activist plans $100 million election year push (via National Journal)

Could Tom Steyer’s anti-Keystone campaign help Mary Landrieu? She thinks so. (via National Journal)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.17.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Germany set to cut rebates for companies that generate own power (via Bloomberg)

Renewable mandates, subsidies: At war with each other? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Study highlights benefits of innovative pricing in competitive electricity markets (via COMPETE)

COAL 

EIA increases short-term coal retirement prediction 50% (via Greentech Media)

North Carolina governor denies Duke coal ash deal involvement (via ABC News/AP)

EMISSIONS 

Iran plans carbon emissions trading market (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Australia to review renewable energy target (via Reuters)

Climate skeptic to lead review of Australia’s renewable energy target (via The Guardian)

Wind turbines propel Michigan closer to 2015 renewable energy goal (via Detroit Free Press)

Property rights at heart of battles over Oklahoma wind farm regulation (via The Oklahoman)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas prices soar as U.S. stockpiles drop (via Wall Street Journal)

CLIMATE 

Sec. Kerry announces “unique co-operative effort” with China on climate change (via The Guardian)

Climate change an issue of national security, warns Milliband (via The Guardian)

Denmark about to set even more ambitious climate goals than Europe (via Climate Progress)

Kerry urges Indonesia to fight climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

Obama launches climate change fund (via The Hill)

Kerry to begin climate blitz (via The Hill)

Climate trends tell different story for Great Lakes ice (via Climate Central)

Climate change gets its 15 minutes on Sunday interview shows (via The Hill)

San Francisco announces 0-50-100 plan to fight climate change (via Sustainable Business)

Map: Here’s how climate change has impacted your city (via Climate Progress)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canadian PM Harper will press Obama on Keystone (via The Hill)

Native Americans vow last stand to block Keystone XL (via Miami Herald/McClatchy)

Enbridge pipeline joins Keystone XL in wait for U.S. permit (via Reuters)

Kerry burnishes his green badge in Asia ahead of Keystone call (via Bloomberg)

Canadian company named U.S. Oil Sands will soon start extracting Utah’s tar sands (via DeSmog Blog)

ENVIRONMENT 

More than 140 Brazilian cities rationing water due to drought (via AZ Central/AP)

Desalination plants a pricey option if drought persists (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Water cleaning technology could help farmers (via New York Times)

In California’s parched Central Valley, a message of aid and a warning from Obama (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

US oil demand returns to growth (via Energy Collective)

TRANSPORTATION

World’s largest EV fast charger network to roll out in China (via CleanTechnica)

Wanxiang wins bid for Fisker at $149.2 million (via Autoblog Green)

POLITICS 

Harper government makes moves to silence Canada’s leading environmental groups (via InsideClimate News)

Obama wants Congress to help with climate agenda after all (via National Journal)

John Kerry mocks those who deny climate change (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.17.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Germany set to cut rebates for companies that generate own power (via Bloomberg)

Renewable mandates, subsidies: At war with each other? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Study highlights benefits of innovative pricing in competitive electricity markets (via COMPETE)

COAL 

EIA increases short-term coal retirement prediction 50% (via Greentech Media)

North Carolina governor denies Duke coal ash deal involvement (via ABC News/AP)

EMISSIONS 

Iran plans carbon emissions trading market (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Australia to review renewable energy target (via Reuters)

Climate skeptic to lead review of Australia’s renewable energy target (via The Guardian)

Wind turbines propel Michigan closer to 2015 renewable energy goal (via Detroit Free Press)

Property rights at heart of battles over Oklahoma wind farm regulation (via The Oklahoman)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas prices soar as U.S. stockpiles drop (via Wall Street Journal)

CLIMATE 

Sec. Kerry announces “unique co-operative effort” with China on climate change (via The Guardian)

Climate change an issue of national security, warns Milliband (via The Guardian)

Denmark about to set even more ambitious climate goals than Europe (via Climate Progress)

Kerry urges Indonesia to fight climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

Obama launches climate change fund (via The Hill)

Kerry to begin climate blitz (via The Hill)

Climate trends tell different story for Great Lakes ice (via Climate Central)

Climate change gets its 15 minutes on Sunday interview shows (via The Hill)

San Francisco announces 0-50-100 plan to fight climate change (via Sustainable Business)

Map: Here’s how climate change has impacted your city (via Climate Progress)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canadian PM Harper will press Obama on Keystone (via The Hill)

Native Americans vow last stand to block Keystone XL (via Miami Herald/McClatchy)

Enbridge pipeline joins Keystone XL in wait for U.S. permit (via Reuters)

Kerry burnishes his green badge in Asia ahead of Keystone call (via Bloomberg)

Canadian company named U.S. Oil Sands will soon start extracting Utah’s tar sands (via DeSmog Blog)

ENVIRONMENT 

More than 140 Brazilian cities rationing water due to drought (via AZ Central/AP)

Desalination plants a pricey option if drought persists (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Water cleaning technology could help farmers (via New York Times)

In California’s parched Central Valley, a message of aid and a warning from Obama (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

US oil demand returns to growth (via Energy Collective)

TRANSPORTATION

World’s largest EV fast charger network to roll out in China (via CleanTechnica)

Wanxiang wins bid for Fisker at $149.2 million (via Autoblog Green)

POLITICS 

Harper government makes moves to silence Canada’s leading environmental groups (via InsideClimate News)

Obama wants Congress to help with climate agenda after all (via National Journal)

John Kerry mocks those who deny climate change (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.14.14

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

CLIMATE 

Arctic autumns on track to warm a staggering 23 degrees F, warns NOAA (via Climate Progress)

US lays out vision for 2015 climate pact to United Nations (via Point Carbon)

Obama to announce $1 billion climate resilience fund (via The Hill)

The real reason why this week’s massive ice storm is so unusual (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Methane emissions from fracking up to 75% higher than EPA estimates (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

US decision watched in row over solar imports from China, Taiwan (via Reuters)

Green banks can multiply the impact of clean energy financing (via Renewable Energy World)

US solar industry more than 60% of the way to SunShot cost-competitiveness goal (via Renew Grid)

Distributed energy could make up 1/3 the US power supply by 2020 (via Greentech Media)

Electric rates fall in top 11 wind states but increase in other 39 states (via Facts of the Day)

Ivanpah dedicated with all three concentrating solar plants now online (via Solar Industry)

COAL 

US Attorney’s office probing North Carolina officials following coal ash spill (via Huffington Post)

TRANSPORTATION 

Many car dealers don’t want to sell EVs: Here’s why (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla Motors shares flirt with $200, still close at record price (via Los Angeles Times)

Are Tesla sales slowing in California? (via San Jose Mercury News)

ENVIRONMENT 

How China’s appetite for raw materials is transforming the world (via Washington Post)

Australian bushfire has grown to size of Melbourne (via Yale e360)

White House to launch administration-wide drought response (via The Hill)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.12.14

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

EMISSIONS 

EU carbon backloading start possible in March (via Reuters Point Carbon)

South Korea risking sky-high carbon prices, worry for exports (via Reuters)

Obama administration quietly preparing deeper emissions targets for UN talks (via ClimateWire)

Capturing carbon may add 80% to US electricity costs (via Bloomberg)

California’s rate of CO2 cuts “needs to be doubled” after 2020 (via RTCC)

OIL 

OPEC sees stronger 2014 oil demand growth (via Reuters)

Russia expects 2014 oil output to renew post-Soviet record (via Reuters)

EIA lowers US oil output forecast but highlights shale upside (via Reuters)

Fracking blamed for drought in California (via CNBC/Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

India to double its renewable power capacity by 2017 (via The Hindu)

Unsubsidized solar power gives it a go in Spain (via Breaking Energy)

India’s plan for world’s largest solar farm my stumble over wetlands (via The Guardian)

UK radar deal “could unlock 2.2GW” of new wind capacity (via Recharge)

Honduras wind project gets $82 million guarantee (via Recharge)

How Chile is shepherding its renewable energy expansion (via Renewable Energy World)

How online maps can speed up solar site selection (via GreenBiz)

Lockheed backs world’s largest wave energy project (via Forbes)

Wind turbine prices fall 35% from 2009-2013 (via Facts of the Day)

Mosiac to offer retail investments in residential solar (via Bloomberg)

New York State’s green bank confirmed as “open for business” (via BusinessGreen)

Massive offshore wind farm takes shape off….Rhode Island? (via CleanTechnica)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Alberta premier says she won’t play games with US on Keystone (via The Hill)

Environmental movement to test its muscle in Keystone final stretch (via InsideClimate News)

Is shipping oil by rail as dangerous as the Keystone pipeline? (via Mother Jones)

TRANSPORTATION 

Toyota to recall 1.9 million Prius hybrids (via BusinessGreen)

Nissan Leaf ranks as best-selling EV in Europe in 2013 (via Green Car Congress)

Airbus forecasts Asia-Pacific will need 11,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years (via Green Car Congress)

Over 250,000 vehicle-to-grid enabled EVs will be sold from 2013-2022 (via Navigant Research)

Nissan Leaf accelerates to 45% total zero-emissions market share (via GreenBiz)

Tesla Motors stock breaks $200 mark for the first time (via Autoblog Green)

COAL 

Pipe break at coal facility contaminates West Virginia waterway (via Climate Progress)

Private testing finds coal chemical in 40% of West Virginia homes (via Climate Progress)

CLIMATE 

Economist says best climate fix a tough sell, but worth it (via NPR)

Hot Alaska, cold Georgia: How the shifted polar vortex turned winter upside down (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Louisiana natural gas export terminal gets green light (via National Journal)

Colorado communities battle to ban fracking (via DeSmog Blog)

Explosion and fire at Chevron natural gas well in Pennsylvania (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

China to set up $1.6 billion fund to fight smog (via Reuters)

In California drought, a message to consumers: Water is power (via Christian Science Monitor)

GREEN BUILDING 

Green builders weather housing slump (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

House Republicans receive lowest environmental rating in 44 years (via Washington Post)

Landrieu era to begin on Senate energy committee (via National Journal)

Koch brothers bombard vulnerable Senate Democrat Kay Hagan (via Politico)